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Thursday, October 17, 2013
Concerns on PRC and BME nominations 3
PJ Mekaniko article October 18 , 2013
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Concerns on PRC, BME nominations 2
PJ Mekaniko article October 15, 2013
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Thursday, October 10, 2013
Concerns regarding the PRC and BME nominees_PJ 11 October '13
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RAF ltr. To Hon. T.R.Manzala re “Unanswered letters 7/22/13 and 8/30/13 Re-Objection to Nominees to BME.”
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RAF ltr to Hon. T.R.Manzala re “Nominees for BME” dtd. 8/30/13- 1 page
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Protest letter of RAF to Hon. T.R. Manzala dtd. 7/22/13 -2pages
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PRC letter to Virata dtd. 10/21/11 – 1 page
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Creation of 2012 BME Nominating Committee dtd. 4/10/12 – 1 page
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The “2012 BME Nominating Committee Report” to then NPresident Virata dtd. 8/13/12 -3 pages
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The “Manifesto for PSME Natcon 2012”-2 pages
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Second Million People March
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Rejection and refusal (1)
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Disbursement Acceleration Program
03 October 2013
It seems that my sixth sense is still working, because my
initial “inkling”, early on, as to the direction the commentaries regarding the
PDAF were being spun by some– though somewhat super discreetly - turned out to
be, as far as I’m concerned, correct.
As I feared, the ultimate objective of these
personalities/groups is the degradation of the President, and the proof is that
he is now sued with the ombudsman, for impeachment and for plunder. And this is
the reason why early on, in previous articles, I expressed my rather
unsolicited cautionary reminder to the good intentioned citizens/netizens,
similarly angered by the PDAF scams, that “the President is not the enemy.”
Well, it’s not that I’m worried that this seeming “fifth
column” would succeed in their wicked intentions. I do not think so…not with
the questionable personalities that they use, and the discredited resource
persons they tap, to pursue their ends. It is more of the pique that imperfect
mortals like me usually undergo from time to time but “let go off” after a
while. And, by the way, the impeachment and plunder charges against the
President was negatively reacted to in the social media,
But before I proceed, I would like to stress that I do
recognize the ways of our kind of democracy, and very much aware, as well, of
Section 4 of Article III (Human Rights) of the 1987 Constitution –which applies
to all bonafide citizens of the Philippines. And, as such, I believe that the
sanctity of the “freedom of expression” makes equal the intrinsic value of
every citizen’s opinion.
Now, back to my “inkling.” Well, the way I remember it, this
hullaballoo was triggered by the fortuitous falling out of Janet Napoles and
her cousin Benhur Luy, and for which he was illegally detained by Napoles and
her brother Reynald, but later on rescued by the NBI upon the request of his
parents. This led to his expose’ on Napoles’ PDAF scam, which was brought to
the attention of the public through an investigative report based on interviews
with Luy (then under the protective custody of the NBI), other whistle blowers,
and sworn affidavits that they submitted.
The report which was published in six parts that ran from
July 12 to July 17, 2013 in one of the major broad sheets implicated five
senators and twenty three congressmen in a scam that siphoned off P10 billion
PDA Funds with the use of bogus NGOs and ghost projects. And this triggered
calls for a probe by some senators.
The public’s anger was later on fanned further by the
release on August 16 of the COA Special Audit Report for the 2007 – 2009 PDAF,
which somehow validated the whistle blowers’ expose’ and which this time
specifically identified three senators and some congressmen that requested the
transfer of their funds (worth hundreds of millions of pesos) to NGOs
identified with Napoles.
This development also prompted the President to suspend on
Aug 20 the release of the balance of the 2013 PDAF. He however also announced
his inclination (because of its equalizing effect in terms of delivering
assistance and small infrastructure projects to the countryside) to retain the
system and just install additional controls to prevent its manipulation by
corrupt legislators.
But other groups however insisted for a total abolition of
the pork barrel system to which the President and the House of Representatives
eventually acceded by eliminating the P25-plus billion PDAF from the 2014 GAA
that’s currently being subjected to hearings in the house. The said fund was
distributed directly to implementing agencies (e.g. DPWH, DOH, DepEd, etc.),
but the congressmen however retained the option of being able to recommend some
projects.
While this was going on, an online call for a protest on
August 26 against the PDAF/pork barrel system snowballed and culminated in
gathering a combined total of about a hundred thousand participants in the
Luneta, as well as in some major cities in the country and abroad. Already
noticeable by this time was the seeming focus on the abolition also of what
they term as the President’s pork barrel, in spite of his effort to explain the
logic of, and need for, a lump sum (and discretionary) fund in his particular
case.
Meanwhile, Napoles was ordered arrested August 15, for
charges of alleged serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, but went on hiding.
And it was only after President Noynoy announced, on August 28, a P10 million
reward for her arrest that she emerged to voluntarily surrender to him on
August 29. This was also the day that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee started
its probe of the P10 billion Napoles PDAF scam.
After a few days, on Sept 10, the Supreme Court, based on
petitions made earlier by two losing senatorial candidates issued a TRO against
the release of the balance of the 2013 PDAF. Then on September 16, the
Department of Justice filed before the Ombudsman plunder and malversation
charges against Napoles, Senators Revilla, Estrada and Enrile together with 34
others.
At this point, I notice the hopeless effort of the “fifth
column” being sustained at high gear, while the three identified senators seem
to be drawn deeper into the pit of the scandal as the Senate Blue Ribbon
Committee members continued their probing of their “witnesses” particularly the
whistle blowers.
Then, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in defense, came up with his
by now controversial privilege speech and raised the issue (while displaying a
letter that up to now everyone’s curious to see the contents) about an alleged
P50 million amount he seemingly connects to the trial of impeached Chief
Justice Corona, but which he later, during interpellation, said was not a
bribe.
And thus, the item called the Disbursement Acceleration
Program was born to the public. And as the DBM struggled to explain the DAP,
those that ever since (from my point of view) found fault with the President,
particularly the “fifth column” minions, didn’t waste any time in seizing this,
for them a golden opportunity, to use in degrading the President. But as I
earlier mentioned, I don’t think they’ll succeed…not with their questionable
attack dogs, nor their discredited resource personalities.
Now, why do I have such views, and where do I base it? Well,
the views I express are formed from information that can be gleaned from the
environment that most ordinary people are exposed to, i.e. the tri-media, the
social network, and friends from various walks of life.
Like for instance, I chanced upon a radio program (while riding
with a friend one early evening going east of Manila for an overnight business
engagement) I heard for the first time and where two persons, my engineer
friend termed as monkeys, kept on using what seemed to me twisted logic to put
a cabinet member’s comments regarding the DAP in a bad lite. Of course, they
were having a good time because there was no rebuttal from the person they were
victimizing. I also learned that my friend considers the two as monkeys because
they always “monkey around” in treating even very serious matters during their
program.
On our way back early morning, we were again listening to
the same station, and he informed me that the person we were listening to was
one of the monkeys the previous evening, and he was this time interviewing a
former NEDA secretary (now with the academe) who was objectively explaining the
origin of what was by that time already known as DAP. Later in the morning
another person interviewed was another academician who is well acknowledged for
her anti-PNoy stance. And what I found amusing later on during that early
evening news, as I was being brought to where I parked my car, was that only
the sound bite of the anti-PNoy academician and others like her (a priest and a
politician) were used in the news, and, the thrust was that of the illegality
of of the DAP.
The other day, while driving to another meeting, I tried
listening to my friend’s radio station where I chanced upon Secretary Lacierda
being interviewed and in the process of explaining the legality and basis of
the DAP. He mentioned Article VI, Section 25, Sub-Sec. 5 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, and Sections 39 & 49 of Chapter 5, Book 6 of the 1987
Administrative Code, which I accessed and am posting here for the consumption
of the reader, and for him/her to form a conclusion as to the legality of the
DAP (without having to rely on the interpretation of others).
Article VI, 1987 Constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines
Section 25, Sub-section (5): No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer
of appropriations; however, the President, the President of the Senate, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, and the heads of the Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be
authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for their
respective offices from savings in other items of their respective
appropriations (http:// www.chanrobles.com/article6.htm)
E.O. No. 292, Administrative Code of 1987,
Book VI –National Government Budgeting
Section
39. Authority to Use Savings in
Appropriations to Cover Deficits. – Except as otherwise provided in
the General Appropriations Act, any savings in the regular appropriations authorized in the General Appropriations
Act for programs and projects of any department, office or agency, may, with
the approval of the President, be used to cover a deficit in any other item of
the regular appropriations: provided, that the creation of new positions or
increase of salaries shall not be allowed to be funded from budgetary savings
except when specifically authorized by law: provided, further, that whenever
authorized positions are transferred from one program or project to another
within the same department, office or agency, the corresponding amounts
appropriated for personal services are also deemed transferred, without,
however increasing the total outlay for personal services of the department,
office or agency concerned.
Section 49. Authority
to Use Savings for Certain Purposes. – Savings in
the appropriations provided in the General Appropriations Act may be used for
the settlement of the following obligations incurred during a current fiscal
year or previous fiscal years as may be approved by Secretary in accordance
with rules and procedures as may be approved by the President:
(9)
Priority activities that will promote the economic wellbeing of the nation,
including food production, agrarian reform, energy development, disaster
relief, and rehabilitation.
(http://philippinelaw.info/statutes/eo292bk6-administrative-code-of-1987-book-vi-national-government-budgeting.html)
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko
@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Sustaining focus
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Confusion in Zamboanga City
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Zamboanga stand-off collateral damage
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Citizens' initiative vs. corruption
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Presidential resolve
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The surrender and the 'spider web'
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PDAF abolition
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Of 'cesspools' and fighting corruption
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Views on the million people 'EB'
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Commission on Audit report
19 August 2013
The COA report, released last August 16, containing findings from the special
audit they conducted on the PDAF and the “Various Infrastructures including
Local Projects” for CY 2007-2009, made
me grit my teeth, but somehow, did not shock me.
Why? Because first of all, the findings were really not that unexpected
despite its being the “first official audit/report of its kind”, as far as I
can remember, and I look at the report as the first official substantiation of a
long accepted perception by “outsiders” of how the pork barrel was handled – or
rather manhandled - during the previous administration.
The audit which aimed to determine the “propriety of
releases of PDAF and VILP by the DBM…[as well as] the efficient utilization of
funds and effective implementation of funds by the IAs [or Implementing
Agencies]” was conducted pursuant to COA Office Order No. 2010-309 dated May
13, 2010…” and it took a team of 19 auditors more than 3 years to complete
after covering 3 national government
agencies, 4 GOCCs, 9 city governments and their barangays as well as 5
provincial governments (https:// docs.google.com/file/d/ 0B4I1yKpJVx9qSDFlaVNXNEljVW8/preview).
The report showed that the IAs failed grossly in terms of
the 4 audit areas the audit team focused on, namely: the allocation and
transfer of funds and monitoring of releases; the implementation of livelihood
and other projects; the implementation of infrastructure projects; and
financial assistance and other charges by the LGUs.
To my mind, the COA report has clearly demonstrated how the PDAF and
the funds for VILP were stolen through the connivance of government officials
with brokers, who, with the combined use of dubious NGOs/suppliers, falsification,
forgery and bribery claimed payment for ghost projects as well as non-existent
acquisitions. To just tag the involved government
personnel as negligent, inefficient or ineffective is erroneous, because the
report has also clearly shown the wanton disregard, by those who are guilty, of
requirements and for which I am convinced that the “stupidity” displayed by
those involved was purposely done to facilitate the crime of stealing.
How else should one view it if the government agency in
charge fails to keep an organized account of fund releases it is responsible
for; or allowed the release of funds in excess of what is duly allocated by
law; or released funds for use in an area outside one’s legislative district;
or released funds even if there were no endorsements from the agencies to which
the funds are released (in violation of its own rules); or released funds even
if there were no assessments of the Agencies’ capabilities to implement the
projects; or released funds to NGOs essentially at the behest of the sponsoring
legislators even in the absence of an ordinance earmarking an amount
specifically contracted (in violation of Government Procurement and Policy
Board Resolution No. 12-2007).
Furthermore, funds were released even when NGOs were not
selected through competitive bidding and/or were of dubious existence; or funds
were released even if projects were found to be grossly deficient in many ways,
or even done at all; (http://www.coa.gov.ph/COA_News/press_releases/2013/
PR2013-Y03_GT_08162013.pdf).
As mentioned earlier, the report can cause people to grit
their teeth, but it should be remembered that what is shown by the said special
audit report is what was done by the previous administration, and which is not
necessarily true with the current administration under President Noynoy.
I say this because of the various measures initiated by the
President in line with his anti-corruption advocacy. Among them are the strict
adherence to the maximum PDAF/VILP allocation of legislators, thereby
eliminating the cases of excessive releases; DBM being more strict with the
menu of projects that can be funded by congressional allocations; government
agencies that can accept PDAF are now better specified; the percentage of
livelihood projects, where a lot of leakages occur, have been progressively
reduced from 20 percent (of allocations for soft projects) in 2010 down to just
9 percent early this year.
Objectively looking at the situation, considering the
corruption anomalies and scandals associated with the pork barrel that has
happened in the past, and counterweighing them with the corrective actions being
introduced by the current administration that’s gaining momentum to improve the
PDAF/VILP system, I still am not inclined to agree with the move to scrap it.
Why? Because
as previously stated in my earlier articles, I believe that “…in spite of the
controversies identified with it, I recognize it still as a mechanism that can
assure the regular delivery of the assistance that government resources can
give to the various LGUs in a broad, relatively direct and equitable manner.” I
also see the PDAF in particular as a mechanism that can cause the provision a
regular basis (that is annually) of assistance directly to LGUs in terms of “education,
health, livelihood, social services, financial assistance to address specific
pro-poor programs, peace and order, historical, cultural and arts, as well as
small infrastructure projects like irrigation, rural electrification, water
supply, housing and forest management”, which actually is its mandate. “It
is just a matter of improving the system and installing the proper controls so
that the public funds go 100% to the intended beneficiary.”
Perhaps this
is also the perspective that the President and other credible personalities
(e.g. Cardinal Tagle, COA Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan) see, that’s why they do
not automatically subscribe to removing it.
But
having said this, I also believe that the five recommendations of the COA, as
stated in their special audit report should be implemented, particularly with
respect to the last one which recommends “…the immediate investigation of
all persons involved and the filing of appropriate administrative and criminal
charges…”; and if I may add, regardless of how high they are placed in the
government’s hierarchy.
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko
@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
August 26 indignation 'eyeball' vs. PDAF
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Cynic!
1 August 2013
A “cynic” is “A person whose outlook is scornfully and
habitually negative.” This is among the definitions given in the 4th
edition of “The American Heritage of Dictionary of the English Language.” And
looking further into the history of the word showed that it also means
“faultfinder” (www.thefreedictionary .com /_/dict.aspx ?rd=1 &word=cynic).
I took a special interest in the word because it was the
first one that crossed my mind while reading some commentaries pertaining to
the now famous “customs bashing” that President Noynoy did during his 4th
SONA. The same word once more turned up in my mind during a conversation with a
lawyer-friend, a few nights back, while waiting for other participants to
arrive in a meeting we were both attending.
A commentary that caught my interest was one which, in my
view, tried hard to project objectivity, but eventually, crudely traced back
the fault for the current sorry state of the Bureau of Customs to the President,
and even goaded him to come up with substantial results in fighting corruption
in the agency. What I found humorous and sad at the same time is on how a
conclusion was reached, putting blame for the agency’s unchecked corruption on
the President of the Republic, on the basis of only about 110 words in 5
sentences. It is to me such a shallow, if not irresponsible treatment of such
an important and sensitive issue.
And, also, prodding the President to come up with
substantial results in fighting corruption somehow strikes me as reckless, if
not callous. The commenting onlooker must have forgotten that the President and
his administration took over at the start of the 2nd half of 2010
flying the anti-corruption banner, and has so far gained significant
achievements. Such feats include not only successes against corruption in other
units of the government, but also in terms of improvement in some other aspects
of governance, as well as, in the enhancement of the country’s prestige. And
these achievements were made to occur despite the dragging effect of obstacles
installed by those who oppose him.
To my mind, the President’s action last July 22 moved the
effort against corruption in the BoC (as well as in the other corruption
infested agencies) from “presidential inducement” to “shove”; with the
“inducement” initiated during the agency’s 110th founding anniversary
last February 6, 2012 (where the President addressed the bureau’s personnel;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho93Akd5r38), and turned
into the shove during his 4th SONA last July 22.
As regards my lawyer-friend, our conversation shifted from
our common complaints about traffic into the nationally broadcasted public scolding
that the President did to the Bureau of Customs. This friend, who is a
certified PNoy critic, opined on how unfair the President’s action was, given
that it was witnessed nationwide, and wondered how the customs personnel, their
spouses, as well as their children felt while watching, or listening, to the
President. He wondered how they can now face their neighbors and friends.
To this I commented that I agree with what the President did
and that it’s high time that such harsh treatment was given the bureau because the
fact is that most mature Filipinos accept it as a corrupt agency. Another friend who by that time was already
with us agreed and even related of two brand new high-end SUVs usually being
parked on the road beside the house of a subdivision neighbor, but these two
vehicles suddenly vanished after the President’s SONA.
My lawyer-friend retorted that so many are disgruntled, and
that someone might start taking advantage of this to create bigger trouble, and
to which I opined that such possibility seem remote, given the very high, and
rising, trust rating of the President. At this point, unfortunately, other
participants in the meeting started arriving causing us to discontinue with the
topic, and turn to the business we were there for.
I believe criticism is important as it is needed to keep the
feet of government officials on the ground, and that it could be as harsh as
can be. Since it counts also as a form of check and balance, everyone who cares
to criticize must be encouraged to do so. However, I also believe that such
should be honest, given with an open mind (i.e. being responsive still to a
different view) and constructive (because solutions are suggested) to be of
value.
Criticisms given just for the sake of criticizing, damaging,
pursuing a sinister agenda and given with a closed mind, like what cynics do,
just pose as stumbling blocks in our country’s effort to bring prosperity to
everyone. Cynics will always be around, but they can be neutralized by
identifying them, and disregarding them.
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko @gmail.com)
or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
PSME August update (2)
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PSME August update
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PSME reunification efforts (4)
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Quality Public School Teacher (2)
25 July 2013
Today’s column is the continuation of the story of Miss
Sabrina Ongkiko, a product of the School of the Holy Spirit as well as the
Ateneo de Manila University, and who gave up her plans of pursuing a medicine
career in favor teaching at the Culiat
Elementary School.
Her story, the first part of which was featured in last
Tuesday’s column (PJ, 23Jul’13), was brought to my attention by my daughter
Consuelo through a “TEDx ADMU video” she sent me, and where Miss Ongkiko, a
former Jesuit volunteer, talked of her experience as a public school teacher.
The initial reaction of most to Miss Ongkiko’s decision was
that of surprise, amazement and disappointment. Her economist father asked
about Return on Investment. The Department of
Education personnel who processed her application suggested that she consider
teaching in a private school because it would seem more appropriate given her
credentials. Then even her co-teachers in Culiat Elementary School were
discouraging her because they were worried that she might have difficulty handling
the students in their school.
The said reactions apparently did not discourage the young
teacher who viewed the comments as reflective of the not too good state of
public schools in the country. Despite the discouragement, she persevered and
she says she looks at the public schools as hope (for the young Filipinos), the
public school teachers as companions, and the public school students as good.
She acknowledged that based on her experience, a lot of
what’s being said of the public school teachers are true. Indeed, there are those that are selling ice
candy (“tocino” is no longer in vogue),
those that hurt students, and those that do not teach well. However, she also
declared that there are a lot more public school teachers who care for the
students’ welfare and have real concern for their learning, as compared to
those who do not take their responsibilities seriously. Usually, the
responsible teachers are busy performing their tasks quietly, so what’s
commonly picked up and publicized by media are the bad things that are done by
the few irresponsible ones. This (probably unintentional) bias somehow does not
help in improving the image of the public school teachers, the great majority
of whom are passionate with their responsibilities.
She only hopes that media would meet the likes of her CES co-teachers
who over the years, and despite difficult conditions, stay dedicated to their
responsibility of educating the young. One manifestation of such dedication was
when they decided to form a support group upon realizing that they have to
cooperate with, and assist, each other to be able to sustain the improvements
in the classrooms for the students. They named the group “Kape’t Guro” which means Coffee Teacher’s Sessions, but which also
signifies “Kapit Guro” which emphasizes that they all have to link arms to
enable them to achieve their goals.
Teacher Sabrina also acknowledged that a lot of perceptions about public school students are true, such
as, being deficient in reading even when they are already in their 5th
grade; going to school hungry; attending school in the afternoon after working
in the morning; having to walk for kilometers just to be able to go to school.
Difficulties such as these definitely pose detrimental
effects on the students’ ability to learn, but this did not deter her from devising
and developing means of accomplishing her task of educating them. One technique
she adopted was “…believe…to see” (as opposed to “to see is to believe”), and
for which she related her experience with 5 classes that were assigned to her.
The said classes belonged from the middle to the lowest sections,
and she noticed that the students were not motivated because they somehow felt
incapable of passing. So one of the first things she did was to change their
frame of mind by letting them know that she believed they were all good and
capable, and treated all of them as the brightest, and their classes as 1st
sections.
She also got the students to agree to set a goal of “papasa kami!” for themselves, and to
aim for perfect scores in their quizzes. They also verbalized these targets
everyday through the entire school year and even posted slogans on their
classrooms’ walls. The idea was that through the daily repetition of the goal,
the students would get conditioned to believe it themselves and do it. The said
technique worked because little by little the grades and confidence of her
students went up, especially in their science and English subjects.
She also related about what she and her students consider as
their best day ever. That was the time that everyone in one class of 50
students (considered as the next to the last section) passed their quiz on electrical
conductors and insulators. Everyone rose from their seats and clapped in happiness when they
learned that they have somehow achieved their goal of “papasa kami!” One student even happily exclaimed that her heart
was beating so fast (“kumakabog ang puso”)
while they were determining how the entire class fared in the quiz. So she
emphasized to the student not to forget that feeling of happiness, which is not
only because the student passed, but because everybody passed, and that
everyone’s happy for achieving their group’s goal. She also felt, after
witnessing the reactions of her students, that they have started to believe in
their capabilities, and that change in their self-confidence, little by little,
was happening.
Proudly mentioned also was a student named Darwin, who
belonged to the first batch of students she taught in CES. He was then in grade
5, and excelled in science subjects, so he was chosen to tag along when his
teacher gave a talk at the Ateneo. Upon seeing the wide Belarmine field, Darwin
started running around it (probably elated because they didn’t have such a
ground in CES), and when he finally stopped, told his teacher that he would
study in the school. Now, she says, Darwin is in his 2nd year, and
an honor student at the Ateneo High School; also, the first ever from CES. She
also made it a point to mention to her dad, who was in the audience, that this
is the answer to the ROI that he asked about when she decided to be a public school
teacher.
Teacher Sabrina mentioned that it is the dream of public
school teachers, and students, that public schools would be as good as private
schools so that students will no longer have to aspire for, or dream of,
entering a private school, like the Ateneo. Although she concedes that this
possibility is presently a remote one, she still believes, as a teacher, that
gradual changes towards this aspiration can happen simply by changing the way
teachers view students. She believes that a teacher should first truly believe
that students are capable, before being able to get them to show that they
truly are. In her own words, it has to be “to believe is to see”, instead of
“to see is to believe.”
Towards the end of her talk, Teacher Sabrina said that if
one would like to really know, or understand, the country, one should teach in
a public school. This is because the public school is where the bulk of the
country’s students are, and their daily struggles and way of life, together
with that of their parents, which the teacher witnesses on a daily basis
reflects the reality of life for most Filipinos. And, that each success
achieved by them, as well as the self-confidence it generates, somehow also builds on the country’s success, as well
as on the return of confidence in the future of the Philippines.
It is elating to learn of such a selfless act by a young
filipino whose view of ROI is not that of self-gain but gain for that sector of
the country’s youth. This to my mind,
once amply developed, would have a profound impact on equalizing opportunities,
as well as the eventual development of equitable progress in the country.
The technique she developed, the way I appreciate it,
encourages the young students to grow their self-confidence, gain knowledge, aim
for higher aspirations, as well as develop a sense of community; attributes
which I’ll venture to classify into two categories: Intellectual competence and
humane values. And I believe that it would do the country good if this
technique is replicated not only by the other public school teachers, but by
the private school teachers as well. After all, it would be of higher benefit
for the country if all of the young citizens, and not just a selected few,
would be endowed with intellectual competence and humane values; and achieving
such seem to jive with the essence of one maxim I’m somehow reminded of, and which
says that, in order to change a country you have to change the way the people
think.
I salute Public School Teacher Sabrina Ongkiko; by my
measure, she fits well into the mold of what our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal
terms as “bella esperanza de la patria mia!“ or “Handsome hope of my
Fatherland!”
Comments/reactions
will be appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email
(sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog
(http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Quality Public School Teacher (1)
22 July 2013
The story of a young public school teacher who currently
teaches at the Culiat Elementary School inspired the writing of this article.
She is Miss Sabrina Ongkiko, a product of both the School of the Holy Spirit in
Quezon City, and the Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights.
I was made aware of her story through a “TEDx ADMU Ignite
the Nation” video, titled “Our Return on Investment” (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151709575874686&set=vb.804644685&type
=2&theater) shared to me by my daughter Consuelo who herself also received
from SHS, both her elementary and high school education, and also from Ateneo,
both her undergraduate and post graduate diplomas.
Incidentally, TED, which is an acronym for Technology,
Entertainment and Design, is a private non-profit organization devoted to
spreading worthwhile ideas, started in 1984 by Richard Wurman, but since 2002 owned
by Sapling Foundation. This is done through annual conferences held in the USA,
Europe and Asia, where the “world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers” (e.g.
nobel prize winners, and the likes of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Larry
Page and Sergey Brin of Google, etc.) are challenged to tell their stories
about their ideas/life within an 18 minute slot. The best of these talks (numbering
about 1,500 as of May 2013, and growing weekly) which by now has broadened its
scope beyond the original 3 disciplines, are then made available online worldwide
for free since 2006, through TED.com, and as of November 2012, these talks,
reportedly, have already been viewed 1
billion times. Meanwhile, TEDx is that program of the foundation that gives individuals,
communities and organizations (like the ADMU) the opportunity to independently
organize TED-like events at the local level (http://www.ted .com/pages/about).
Going back to Miss Ongkiko’s story, I understand that she
worked as a Jesuit volunteer immediately after finishing her BS Biology and was
assigned for one year in Iloilo where she gave education situationers to the
youth. This exposure made her aware of the problems in the field of public
education like the shortage in classrooms, chairs and textbooks; the small
percentage of students who complete elementary education, and even a smaller
percentage finishing high school; and the effort and hardship experienced by
the parents and students in pursuing their hope of achieving their dreams.
Back in Ateneo after completing her assignment as a Jesuit
volunteer, Miss Ongkiko was asked by her mentor if she wanted to be a teacher,
and described the kind of teacher needed for the country. Surprised, she asked
why she was being asked that, when her mentor was well aware that she was then preparing to enter medical school. To
this, the mentor, while looking her straight in the eye, told her that she (the
mentor) “believes that Miss Ongkiko can be a good teacher”. And because her
mentor believed she can, she decided to become one and is now experiencing
firsthand the problems that she only used to relate when, as a Jesuit
volunteer, she was giving education situationers to the youth.
In her almost 18 minutes talk, Miss Ongkiko started by
reading a letter, to her CES students, that she purposely prepared for the
occasion. She told them that the glitter in their eyes reveal that they are
happy being in school, and enjoying learning; and that because of this, she
does not believe that they are incapable of coping with the challenges of, or
no longer interested in attending, school. She advised them not to listen to
comments that they are not capable, or good for nothing, because it is not
true. She stressed that they are at present still very young, and that it won’t
be long before they’ll realize, and be surprised with, their potential. They also
should not allow themselves to be the cause that would restrain their potential
from developing.
She emphasized that she believes in them because she knows
they are good, and that they are capable of achieving what they aim for
themselves. She assured them of her help for as long as they, in turn, help
themselves and encouraged them to hold on tight to their dreams and never give
up. Someone’s dream, she said, should start while still young (and not when
already old), and for which its achievement should be worked on and strived
for; and in the same breath committed her participation in the effort.
She also acknowledged that there is no certainty with the
future but advised her students to just do their best now, and together they
can eventually reach set goals. She also expressed hope that during the time
that she is their teacher, her students would realize that there is a safe
place (school) that they can go to when troubled, and that there is someone who
is concerned about them, ready to accept them and who cares for them.
She advised them not to grow up being angry, because despite
life being harsh and difficult, it could still be rich with love and the
difficulties lighten by hope.
In closing, she thanked her students because even if she is
the teacher, she also learned a lot from them. She feels that because of them,
she became a better teacher and also a better person. She also acknowledged
that here students were the reason for her being where she is now, and gave
meaning to her being a teacher.
The final part of this article will follow in the next
column. Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be appreciated and can be sent
through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s
blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Sangguniang Kabataan (1)…a closer look
18 July 2013
The news that a Comelec official, early this month, mentioned
that they may formally ask Congress to abolish the Sanguniang Kabataan generated a lot of reactions, both positive and
negative.
I for one found the move interesting, but somehow not really
surprised by the allegation that the SK has been turned into a tool for
corruption by unscrupulous local officials. I understand from a news report
that the Comelec came to this conclusion on the basis of information that came
out from various hearings conducted involving vote buying complaints and
fighting among SK members (http:// www.
gmanetwork.com/ news/story/316000/news/nation/comelec-exec-wants-sangguniang-kabataan-abolished).
I wondered, however, whether the Comelec’s claim would be
enough justification for the abolition of the SK, and this pushed me to take a
closer look at this aspect of national governance that in the past deserved
only a sort of “glance and a shoulder shrug” from me.
The SK is an
offshoot of the Kabataang Barangay which
was the first youth council created
through a Presidential Decree 684 by then President Marcos on April 15, 1975, and
which provided for the organization, in all
Barangays, of KB units which were
intended to be a venue for the youth’s participation in community affairs, and
in expressing their views. The KB
units included all Filipinos aged 18 and below and from which a KB Assembly (composed of duly registered
members aged 15-18 years) is formed that would elect a 7 man KB Council, the chairman of which would automatically
be an ex-officio member of the Barangay
Council, and also Chairman of the Committee on Sports and Recreation.
The KB was however
abolished sometime in 1986 upon the assumption of then President Cory Aquino
and was re-introduced the way we know it now (Katipunan ng Kabataan ng Pilipinas and Sangguniang Kabataan) as as part of the 1991 Local Government Code,
RA 7160, and which also mandates that 10% of the general funds of the barangay
shall be set aside for the SK (Sec
329). Funds can also be generated through fund-raising activities (Sec 426c),
as well as through the collection and receiving of contributions (Sec 433b).
The SK, by the way,
is the barangay youth council composed of the officers (1 Chairman and 6
Councilmen) voted into office by the KKP of
each Barangay in the country. The KKP, in turn, is composed of all
Filipinos aged 15-18 with a residency of at least 6 months in the Barangay. These
Barangay SKs, represented by their
chairmen, are then organized into town or city SK federations where officers (e.g. this time president, vice
president, etc.) are elected among the representative SK Chairmen. The town/city SK
federation presidents, following the same process, are then, in turn, organized
progressively into provincial (or urbanized city) SK federations and ultimately into the national SK federation, which administers through
the SK National Executive board (composed of all the elected regular officers
of the Pambansang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan) the national operations
of the SK.
In the“2001 KK and SK Constitution and By Laws”, the preamble
states KKP’s and SK’s purpose as “…uplift[ing] the general welfare of the youth… [through
collaboration with government in efforts that would] ultimately lead the youth
to achieve a truly free, just, democratic, effective, self-reliant, progressive
and most of all, God-abiding and morally upright sector in the Philippine
society…” (http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/Related_Laws ___Sk_Constitution_and_By_Laws.pdf).
Stated also in the declaration of principles are the
commitments to “… 1)The rule of law; 2) consultative, participatory and
democratic attitude; 3) public service above self; 4) The Bayanihan Spirit of
the Filipinos; and 5) Total development of the youth.”
Also under the declaration of principles are stated the
following objectives: “ 1.) To establish a nationwide forum for the achievement
of the following: a.) To give life, meaning and substance to the constitutional
mandate on “Local Autonomy and Decentralization of Powers”; and b.) For
ventilation of matters which are Legislative Concerns of the Local Legislative
Assemblies; 2.) To bring the Government to the grassroots citizenry, especially
the youth and the latter to the government; 3.) To strengthen the rapport,
camaraderie and brotherhood among the members of the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan;
4.) To formulate, implement and coordinate activities, projects and programs
particularly those that are beneficial to the members of the Katipunan and/or
the general welfare of the people; 5.) To promote the development of
cooperatives throughout the country in order to uplift the socio-economic condition
of the youth and the Filipino people as a whole; 6.) To set up a Foundation for
the benefit of the members and their constituents; 7.) To undertake
fund-raising projects and activities to support the KK programs and objectives;
8.) To stand for the protection and preservation of the rights, privileges and
benefits of the youth; and; 9.) To initiate and support programs that are
designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual,
moral, spiritual and physical development of the youth.
Given the above, to my mind, measuring how the SK has fared over
the past years (38 years since it was created in 1975, and 21 years since
reintroduction in 1991) with respect to its stated purpose, commitments and
objectives would be one fair means of determining whether they should, or
shouldn’t be abolished, and which will be tackled in part 2 of this article in
a subsequent column.
Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be
appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email (sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com)
or through this writer’s blog (http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
Motorcycle safety (5)
15 July 2013
Concern regarding motorcycle safety triggered the writing
of this article series, which features today its fifth and last part. The
concern stems from the following: 1) my realization of how exposed and unprotected
riders are, after bumping the rear of one motorcycle a few weeks back; 2) that
the number of motorcycle related injuries and fatalities, based on MMARAS
Annual Reports, have been increasing at very fast rates during the past years, i.e., from 6,677 injuries
and 109 fatalities in 2009, to 9,896 injuries and 163 fatalities in 2011; 3) that the galloping growth of
our motorcycle population which could further increase these accidents,
injuries and fatalities unless efforts to lessen them are fast and effectively
implemented; and 4) that the large majority of those who resort to using the
motorcycle for transportation belong to that segment (and the bulk)of our
population who struggle to make both ends meet, and therefore, are also the
ones that suffers most from such accidents.
This concern also roused my curiosity regarding efforts
initiated by government agencies, motorcycle manufacturers/traders, as well as
user groups, to improve motorcycle safety so that the incidence of motorcycle
related accidents, injuries and fatalities will be reduced.
As regards action of government agencies. Web-search revealed that
institutional arrangements have been made regarding road safety as early as
1991 with the issuance of Presidential Administrative Order 222 creating the “Inter-agency
Road Safety Committee” chaired by the DPWH Secretary. Then in 1997, the “National
Road Safety Committee”, chaired this time by the DOTC Secretary, was created
through PAO 328. Soon after, the MMDA’s MMARAS was started in 2002, and the
operation of DPWH’s TARAS in 2004.
A “Philippine Road Safety Action
Plan” was subsequently launched for 2004-2008 but was later on replaced in 2007
with a “Revised Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (2007-2010)”, the same year
that the IRSC was dissolved through PAO 184, and which mandated the
transferring of all its functions and powers to the DOTC. Mentioned also in the
said revised plan for 2007-2010 is the idea of the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System planned for
pilot testing in 2008 and for full implementation nationwide by 2010 (http://www.grspasia.org/pdf/Phillipines.pdf).
The earliest indication however
that the matter of motorcycle accidents was addressed was in a “Country Report
on Road Safety Initiatives” prepared in 2006 for the Global Road Safety
Partnership (by the then DOTC Undersecretary for Road Transport). In this
report, “motorcycle accidents” was cited as an “emerging concern” and stated that
motorcycle accidents have been “… increasing at more than 40% per year over the
last 3 years [2004 to 2006].”
The DOTC Undersecretary’s report
presented a good idea of the contents of the RPRSAP (2007-2010) which includes
a proposed “Integrated Traffic Accident Data Management System”, together with “6
Major Strategic Programs and Projects”, namely: Safer Road Users, Safer
Vehicles, Safer Roads, Safer System, Better Resource Management and Budget
Allocation/Fatality Reduction. However, of the 41 major projects named, I think
only 2 touched somehow on motorcycle safety (http://www.who.int /roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/plan_philippines.pdf).
Not much however seems to have
been done afterwards regarding motorcycle accident mitigation except for the lengthy
treatment of the subject matter in the DOH’s Health Policy Notes of November
2008, where they noted among others that although motorcycles accounted for
only 9% of Metro Manila traffic accidents in 2006, they accounted for the
highest fatality rate, i.e. 23%, from road crashes. By 2009, the motorcycle’s
share of total MM traffic accidents increased to 11.7%, and so did its fatality
rate which reached 29.5%, or 109 deaths (2009 MMARAS report).
Interest in motorcycle safety seem
to have been revived in December 2010 when the “Metro Manila Transport and
Traffic Management Summit” was convened and participated in by the MMDA, DOTC,
DPWH, DOH, DENR, etc. Among the outputs of the summit were the “MMTTS
Declaration 2010” that pledged, among other things, the crafting of a “Metro
Manila Transport and Traffic Plan 2010 – 2016”, and commitments of full
cooperation from the signatories in the implementation of the plan’s projects.
Subsequently, the “Philippine Road
Safety Action Plan 2011-2020” was released in conjunction with the declaration,
by President Noynoy, of 2011 as the launching year of the “Philippine Decade of
Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020” (http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/plan_
philippines.pdf).
This plan incorporated specific actions relative to
improving motorcycle safety, particularly along the areas of Traffic
Legislation, Safe Planning and Design of Roads, Driver Training and Testing, Road
Safety Publicity Campaigns, Traffic Police and Law Enforcement, and Emergency
Assistance to Road Crash Victims.
Then the 2011 MMARAS Report which
showed the continued increase in motorcycle related accidents (to 17, 837 or 12.6%)
and fatalities (to 163 deaths or 32.4%) came out; the 60 kph speed limit was
imposed in the Commonwealth and President Diosdado Macapagal Avenues in the
same year; and later on, sometime in 2012, the non-exclusive “blue lanes” for
motorcycles in EDSA, Commonwealth and Macapagal Avenues were installed. It is
also about this time that the two motorcycle accident related studies initiated
by the private sector (i.e. the DLSU IE Team and the UP/PGH/POC/EAMC Doctors)
came out.
It seems that we are not wanting
in terms of plans and programs regarding road safety, as shown by the existence
of one, even way back in 2004 (and including the various revisions that
supplanted it later on). It is true, that some progress, as mentioned earlier,
has been achieved, but to my mind, we are still wanting in results; far more
accomplishments, particularly regarding motorcycle safety, could have been
achieved. For one, what seems to be
lacking is the determination, if not effectiveness, of the concerned government
agencies in accomplishing their assigned tasks. For I think it is only by
“holding the problem by its horns and looking it in the eye” that the real
engagement needed to achieve the set goals and deliver the desired results can
happen.
And why do I say this? Well, because
to my mind, government has been involved in the matter of road safety as early
as 1991, about 22 years ago. We also have currently in place a road safety
master plan that has recognized as early as 2004 the problem regarding motorcycle
accidents; and the way I appreciate it, this plan have been subjected to
refinements continuously over the last eight years. As far as I understand,
plans are made for objectives to be met, but in the case of motorcycle safety,
not much can be bragged about. This, to me, is evident in our country’s
participation in the 2013 GRSP-Asia Meeting the country hosted last April 2- 4
this year.
Let me explain further. The
current PRSAP (as well as its earlier versions) have already identified the
criticality of wearing correct helmets in mitigating head injuries and even
death during a motorcycle accident/crash. There is also, since 2008, the “no
helmet, no travel” policy covered by the LTO AO AHS-2008-015. The importance of
the helmets has also been established through numerous studies, both local and
international. Given that there is concern with the growing problem of
motorcycle accidents/crashes and particularly fatalities, how come we still see
lots of motorcycle riders speeding without helmets, not to mention those that
drive with improper head gear?
Another matter is the over
speeding as well as the undisciplined and inconsiderate driving habits of most
drivers (including motorcycle drivers) particularly in Metro Manila. How come
when they are in a place like SBMA, they are better disciplined and comply with
the traffic laws? And yet MM is much older than SBMA.
The 2011 PRSAP was launched more
than 2 years ago. Who is really in charge of what? Perhaps more than enough
time has already been allocated for shadow boxing, and it is now time to enter
the ring for the real thing. I believe that a relatively good plan is in place,
and a lot of enhancements in road safety, particularly motorcycle safety, could
be achieved if only those who are tasked with the responsibility of
implementing its programs would take to it real seriously.
As regards action of motorcycle manufacturers. As mentioned in an
earlier article, there are efforts by manufacturers abroad regarding the
development of devices that would mitigate injuries during a motorcycle crash.
Such devices are air bags and a roll bar attached to the driver, which may not
be appropriate for the Philippines, primarily because it wouldn’t be
affordable.
What are needed would be
developments that would fit local conditions/requirements. For example, I
wonder if local motorcycle manufacturers could develop an appropriate seatbelt
that would restrain the driver from being thrown into the air in the event of a
crash and minimize the degree of musculoskeletal injury. Or an appropriate roll
bar or crash bar that would protect the lower limbs of the motorcycle driver
when he/she topples with the vehicle. Or maybe even developing a kind of
special horn that would enable the motorcycle driver to alert a driver in a
vehicle up front (even a large truck/container van) of his close proximity.
The local manufacturers can also
take the lead in producing or supplying appropriate and more affordable
Personal Protective Equipment like helmets, gloves, jackets, pants, boots,
goggles, visors, vests, as well as various plastic armors that would improve
the rider’s chance of survival in the event of a crash.
As regards action of user groups. To my mind, the members of
motorcycle clubs are the disciplined and safe riders. However, I believe much
of the millions of bike riders are not reached by such organizations, and therefore
do not benefit from the safety education, training, and the resulting
discipline that the clubs can provide.
Some clubs I understand take on
the advocacy of preaching safe riding beyond their club members by producing
and distributing leaflets, as well as conducting seminars on their own. This is
good; however, they may be able to accelerate propagating safe ring practices
by organizing and mentoring new clubs, which in turn, later on, can also
replicate the organizing and mentoring.
A final thought regarding motorcycle safety. Installing blue lanes
is a good move, however, perhaps specific motorcycle routes can be developed (for
the long term) using inner and smaller roads to enable motorcycle riders (as
well as bikers) to go around Metro Manila with minimal exposure to the bigger
vehicles in the major roads.
Meanwhile, comments/reactions will be
appreciated and can be sent through this writer’s email
(sl3.mekaniko@gmail.com) or through this writer’s blog
(http://mekaniko-sl3.blogspot.com).
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