Escudero’s charisma alarming

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero could be the youngest candidate for president next year should he pushes through. He will turn 40 in October, making him eligible to vie for the position. He is usually being compared to US Pres. Barack Obama due to his charisma and eloquence. He has been consistently ranked among the top 5 in surveys for presidential candidates in 2010.

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Patronize DMIA

“No matter how successful we are in securing air entitlements or no matter how many airlines will be convinced to fly here, still we need more passengers to sustain the flights,” thus said Arch. Nestor Mangio, chairman of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

Of course the passengers are an important factor to ensure the full development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as a premier airport in the country. That is why Mangio said CIAC is now doing the tourism road show to promote the flights at DMIA.

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Basic Needs

Clark Freeport Zone’s continuing growth should be paralleled by the local government units outside the zone. Angeles City for one should be ready to feed and address the social costs brought by these developments. Take for example added food consumption for those who will be hired by the locators but would likely live within the city proper. More workers, more warm bodies also mean more power and water consumption.

Of course aside from the basic demands of the prospect locators who will be investing in the Next Frontier, CDC is likewise encouraged to carefully study the food supply for the 47,000 workers.

But going back to Angeles City, thousands of residents are now complaining of the recurring power interruptions, poor water supply and inefficient garbage collection. For Barangay Lourdes Northwest alone, the residents were very upset due to lack of water for almost three days last week. The barangay also failed to collect garbage during and after the Holy Wee.

This is one indicator that Angeles City should refocus its priorities and resolve the most basic needs of the constituents. I am talking of food, power, water and proper solid waste management. With the growing population of the city brought by continuous development in Clark and nearby industrial areas, LGUs like Angeles City should be more than prepared to address the social costs and provide the basic needs of the people.

I am calling the attention of Mayor Blueboy Nepomuceno. Sir, please check the city’s arrears with the Kalangitan landfill and work out how to settle the account if only to properly resolve our problem on solid wastes.

I think these issues are important than your plan to build a P600 million sports complex which we do not really need at this point in time. Let us fix the house first and make sure that our people are comfortably living in the city before we dream of things that are yet to be a necessity for us.

Partnership

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President Benny Ricafort seems to be in high spirits lately. He has been meeting various organizations, government entities and institutions to present the master development plan for Clark Freeport Zone’s Next Frontier (Sacobia Area).

Last Thursday, Ricafort got the support of the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce of Industry, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce, Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), Philexport, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 600th Air Base Wing, Greater Clark Visitors Bureau and the Clark Investors and Locators Association for the development of the Next Frontier.

Almost all agreed that the 2,000 hectares of land in the Next Frontier would definitely spur new business and job opportunities for the people of Pampanga. The private sector groups also agreed to create a bigger umbrella organization that will serve as a consultative body to CDC.

This is a good sign for Ricafort. Among all the CDC presidents, he is the only one who generated massive support from almost all sectors including the local government units, media, indigenous people and others. I just hope that he will maximize all the CDC resources to transform the development plan into reality.

According to CDC, the Next Frontier is being pursued in consonance with the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) – a contract signed on December 6, 2007 by CDC, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and leaders of Aeta tribes who have inherent rights over certain areas of the Sub Zone under the Ancestral Domain Claims.

While the JMA and the Next Frontier enable CDC to generate investment potentials in tourism, housing, commercial, institutional and light industry projects in the Sub Zone, the undertaking also ensures the recognition and promotion of the overall welfare of the Aeta tribes in the area.

The new Aeta communities shall include modest housing facilities, schools from nursery to secondary levels, health/medical facilities, multi-purpose center, farming area and post harvest facilities, mini commercial centers, churches, recreational parks, utilities including telephony and internet provisions.

The Next Frontier is also expected to bring in fresh investments amounting to P144.78 billion in investments by foreign and local investors that will create about 47,000 jobs.

To be Holy or Not

It is interesting to see thousands of Catholic faithful to be very serious on their observance of the Holy Week. Some of my friends stop eating meat during the event. They also spend less, shop less, eat less and all. It is part of their family tradition.

They said repentance and sacrifice is the utmost purpose of the Holy Week. Greed has no room in their hearts when the lent is here.

As for non-Catholics like me, repentance, forgiveness and sacrifice is a day-to-day practice, especially if you live in a country named Philippines.

Yes, repentance for electing leaders who do not keep their promises; forgiveness for the corrupt or else you will commit sin for cursing them; and sacrifice for living in a country ruled by a bureaucracy that is tolerant of red tape, padrino system and all kinds of illegal activities camouflaged in alleged projects and programs.

Lack of Maturity

Photo from Lingnan University

I will not even attempt to say that the Philippines is not a "nation of servants" as Mr. Chip Tsao bluntly puts it. He wrote an article War at Home published by the Hong Kong magazine.

Tsao depicted the Philippines as a “nation of servants” not worthy of claiming the Spratlys from China, which employs hundreds of thousands of Filipino domestic helpers on very low wages. In the same article, Chip threatened to terminate the employment of his Filipino domestic help, Louisa to avoid committing an act of treason “by sponsoring an enemy of the State by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows.”

This is what our national leadership gets for exporting our people to work for other nations.
Sadly, the Philippines has yet to reach an economic maturity like that of Hong Kong to be taken seriously by people like Chip Tsao who look at themselves as "Masters."

If his article does not reek of racism, I don't know what to make out of it. I am not angry because he called our country as a "nation of servants" because it is the image projected of our nation since the '80s, when various countries around the world needed skilled, efficient and English-speaking workers.

Tsao was right, not only in Hong Kong that many Filipinos work as domestic helpers, laborers, nurse, attendants...name it. All over the globe, Filipino workers are scattered, doing the dirty jobs for foreigners.

What pisses me off is the way he presented his argument on the Spartly issue. I pity him because for a journalist and a writer, he lacks imagination and savvy.

He could have asserted China's ownership claim over Spratly by presenting facts and data why China should be declared as the rightful owner. But instead, he used the "master-slave/servant" plot to assert China's positioning on the issue.

This I can say. He is not only a racist but uneducated. He may not be well informed on the issue of Spratly and he is a bad debater. By the way, I can honestly say that he cannot carry an intellectual debate on serious political issues like Spratlys.

And before I forget, he should be thankful that Filipinos want to clean your toilets or else no one from Hong Kong might do it. And given that Hong Kong has enough maturity as a nation, it should have the sensitivity and humanitarian attitude to teach others and guide them, not to insult them should you feel superior. Even though, you may be superior economically but not intellectually and morally. The likes of Tsao lacks compassion and maturity to work well with other nations.

And by the way, lest I forget, is'nt it the British gave Hong Kong the heads up? Is'nt it that the Chinese have long been sleeping before their so-called economic maturity came? No one is above anyone. We will all die in the end. But if Tsao is immortal I will look at him as a "master"but not mine. Could be a master to the Chinese.

And my advice to Tsao, try to dig in Philippines pre-Spanish history, he would be very surprised to discover Chinese documents proving that the early inhabitants of Eastern Philippines were decendants of the emperor of South China. They used to call Luzon, one of Philippines largest islands, as Lusung Empire. We have artifact to prove this as well.

So come to think of it, Tsao could be actually discrediting and degrading his own kin....what an irony....isn't it?

I will be very glad to post your comments on this....

Value for Money

(Photo by Mini)

In times of the widespread economic crisis, it is very important for companies and entrepreneurs to reassess their assets, plans and strategies to cope up with the times.

Also, economists are saying that it is crucial to learn more, check on the competitors, study trends and think ahead of the others.

It is quite refreshing to hear words of encouragement from experts. Today, my sister and I attended the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) symposia at the Lewis Grand Hotel in Angeles City.

W are fortunate enough to get new tips and strategies from experts like DTI consultant Ricardo De Vera, Central Country Estate Inc. Chairman and CEO Arch. Nestor Mangio and Betis Crafts owner Myrna Bituin.

I learned three important things in the symposia. First, the crisis is really all about attitude; second, we have to plan “to have a future” and not to plan “for the future”; and third, it is crucial to plan comprehensively, strategize and execute well.

De Vera said we should give customers “value for money.” He added that it is a must for companies to listen with an open mind. Do not block off things. Take the initiative and look at the situation as a challenge and not a problem. Don’t ask why if but rather why not?

As for Mangio, he shared Lakeshore’s (one of CCEI real estate projects) strategy of maximizing the power of the media, especially the internet. Today, Lakeshore is using the internet as a powerful tool in marketing. He also advised everyone to expand social networks either virtual or personal.

And for Bituin, resiliency and determination is a must. It is also important to maintain the trust of old but loyal clients. No matter what the cost may be. One good client is better than hundreds of none. “Clients are your partners,” she said.

Patent, Copyright and Trademark

There is a common notion that a “patent” is applicable to all kinds of creations. Actually a patent is different from a copyright or a trade mark.

A patent is an exclusive right granted by the State through the IPSO to a patent owner for a product, process or an improvement of a product or process for a specified period. Patentable inventions offer a technical solution to a problem in any field of human activity. The technical solution must fulfill three basic requirements: (1) it must be new, (2) it must involve an inventive step, and (3) it must be industrially applicable.

Copyright, on the other hand, is a branch of Intellectual Property which pertains to the rights given to creators or authors for their literary and artistic works. The domain of works includes writings, music, fine art (photography, paintings or sculpture) and technology-based works (computer software programs, websites and electronic databases). Copyright protects the expression of thoughts or ideas, not the thoughts or ideas themselves.

Meanwhile, a mark is any visible sign that distinguishes the products (trademark) or services (service mark) of an enterprise, which includes the container of the products or the packaging. If it is only a name or designation of an enterprise, it is termed trade name.

What's In The Name?

Every man is unique. Not even twins are exactly similar. And for almost all men, identity is everything. It is a basic instinct for everyone to find their real identity as a person or as a nation. Our identity gives as a distinction against others.

And so are our creations. That is why we put a name to everything to distinguish it from others – it could be an invention, expression, artistic work, writing, product, and all other creations of men.

But in a highly competitive and commercialized world, somebody found it imperative to claim ownership of a particular creation, especially if it has potentials for profit or income generation. In other cases, ownership of an expression is simply an assertion of one’s right to intellectual property.

And so today we have issues on intellectual property rights (IPRs). Information technology giants like Microsoft, Macintosh, Hewett-Packard, Compaq, Toshiba, Dell, Acer and all other software and hardware providers and manufacturers protect their products by patenting. By securing patents for their products, they get protection for exclusive manufacturing and distribution in a given period that usually lasts 20 years.

But what about songs, poems, writings, literary pieces, books, paintings, photos, films, and other expressions of specific authors? And how about logos or marks of products or services of certain companies? Remember McDonalds, Jollibee, KFC, Max’s? How do we protect such names or works?

Various governments around the globe have come up with their own policies on the protection of intellectual property rights. In the Philippines, we have the Intellectual Property Office (IP Philippines), the lead agency mandated to implement state policies on intellectual property. Headed by Director General Atty. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., it has a national office in Makati.

But good enough for the people of Central Luzon, the IP Philippines has established a new satellite office at the DTI Region 3 office in Nepo Quadrangle, Angeles City. The office was launched last March 25, 2009. This is the third satellite office of IP Philippines. In 2008, the satellite offices of Cebu and Davao were put up.

16 Years and Still Growing

He is the eighth president of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC). And comes April, as the CDC celebrates its 16th anniversary, President and CEO Benigno Ricafort likewise celebrates his eighth month as head of the freeport zone. He was also appointed on the eighth month of the year 2008. Coincidence? Luck? A good omen? Name it. But Ricafort is a person who seems to be enchanted with superstitions although he is wise enough not to depend on his beliefs alone.

He always says “I am not here to undo what my predecessors have done.” He said he is at the CDC to get things done. And true enough, the government-owned corporation continues to grow despite the current global meltdown. Clark’s active locators are recorded at 434 with commitments of new capital investments of P36.51 billion. Meanwhile, current investment have already reached P68.63 billion generated from industrial, garments manufacturing, tourism, IT and electronics, and Business Process Outsourcing industries.

Resiliency, determination and passion will best describe Clark Freeport Zone today under the stewardship of Ricafort.

Ricafort’s strategy of involving key personalities and groups in the community, particularly the private sector, is working well for the refocused development at the freeport zone. The new CDC leadership is maximizing its resources and efforts in
developing the 10,000-hectare sub-zone now named as the Next Frontier.

In the next few years, CDC is eyeing major development in tourism, light industries and institutional investments at the Next Frontier. The projected yield from such investments is pegged at P144.78 billion and is expected to create about 47,000 jobs.

The only challenge to CDC is how to address the social costs brought by the planned developments. I learned that the existing Aeta communities, about 10 of them, will be redesigned by the management into two large communities with full amenities, service facilities like hospitals, schools and local government offices. I wish CDC the best in this endeavor because we all know that the hardest part of development is the initial phase where you encounter a lot of opposition. Once you’ve got over it, growth is inevitable.

Given its proximity to the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway and its low 5 percent tax rate to investors, Clark Freeport Zone has the biggest edge against other industrial zones in the country. From NEDA;s projections, Central Luzon’s population will probably increase by 5 million in the next 10 years. This is mainly due to economic activities in the area, particularly at the Clark Freeport Zone.

Earth Hour

(Photo from Greencanticle)

Everyone is encouraged to join millions of people from all over the globe in a symbolic event on March 28, 2009 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. In a bid to create awareness on the importance of saving our planet, preserving it from further destruction and fighting global warming, everyone is asked to put-off lights, electrical appliances in our offices or homes.

This one-hour cooperation, even in its simplest form, is a strong message delivered to the world about the urgency of addressing climate change.

I received this message from Camalig, one of the most environmental friendly restaurants in the Philippines. Please pass it on to our friends, family, and acquiantances.

Vibrant Clark

Listening to an enthusiastic speaker like former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor is very refreshing and inspiring. Unlike other tourism officers who are bankrupt in ideas, Gabor has a lot to offer to Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) as far as selling Clark is concerned. So getting her as a consultant is a good job.

During the North Luzon Tourism Roadshow organized by CIAC last Friday, Gabor was very optimistic on the potentials of Clark and Northern Luzon as prime destinations in the country. Sometimes, in our weakest moment even for a nation, all we need is a little nudge to move forward. And Gabor is doing just that for Clark.

Gabor, CIAC, ATTAP and Clark Freeport Tourism Association are planning a series of road shows in various cities in North and Central Luzon to strengthen this tourism project.

Matched with a strong leader like CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano, Gabor and all the stakeholders in this campaign for tourism will open numerous opportunities for employment and livelihood. It is not surprising that CIAC is pulling the strings on this campaign considering the creditable developments at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

As soon as Luciano took over as CIAC boss, improvements continue to unfold in the country’s next premier airport. Of course Luciano was able to invite several airlines to fly in Clark including his former company, South Korea’s second flag carrier Asiana.

Asiana was named airline of the year by the Air Transport World (ATW). They are flying in 62 major cities and destinations worldwide including China, Japan, Korea, United States, London, Paris, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Taiwan, Russia and Sydney. It has 65 modern aircraft and the first airline to be ISO 2002 certified for aircraft maintenance.

Luciano said DMIa is more than ready to accommodate huge aircraft and additional flights. Given its existing state-of-the-art radar and high standard support infrastructure, Luciano said the construction of the proposed US$142-million (P6 billion) Terminal 2 is on the way.

Meanwhile, CIAC Chairman Nestor Mangio said the new terminal will accommodate three to seven million passengers. This is in preparation to the influx of international and domestic passengers brought by Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, SeaAir and Asiana airlines. DMIA recorded three million passengers last year and at the rate it is going, there is no doubt that such projection will be accomplished.

DMIA has 56 flights a week. More and more people travel at ease through DMIA. Most of the flights are Clark to Hongkong, Macau, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and domestic destinations like Cebu and Caticlan.

Mangio said that despite the current global economic crisis, DMIA likewise stands firm as a logistics center in Asia. He added that CIAC has secured air entitlements to at least 20 countries including Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

What is happening inside the Freeport Zone and DMIA reminds us that we should not be totally hopeless amidst the economic meltdown. We are affected yes but as President Arroyo’s boys always say, “it is all about the attitude.”

Greed

What an apt word to use. US President Obama nailed it right to the core. Recklessness and greed is the root of the current financial turmoil among insurance giants like AIG.

And while the taxpayers are burdened by the relative effect of the economic distress in United States, the AIG is giving out bonuses to its executives.

Obama said over CNN that the payments are an “outrage.” It is indeed very ironic to see a distressed corporation bailed out by the government for $173 billion just so it could continue operations.

"This is a corporation that finds itself in financial distress due to recklessness and greed…Under these circumstances, it's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less $165 million in extra pay. I mean, how do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?" Obama said over international media.

The people have the right to be angry, outraged if your must. They have the right to ask what is happening to these firms. What happened to their small investments poured in to these companies? If the Congress can find a way to prevent such greed and irresponsibility, then they must approve new laws to teach these giants some lessons.

Guns or no guns?

If there is one agency in the country that faces huge challenges -- that would be no other than the Philippine National Police (PNP). Highly demoralized, embattled and unappreciated, some members of the police force tend to compensate their condition by corruption, indolence or abuse.

Remember the alleged shoot-out in Quezon City last month? The arresting police officers exchanged gunfights with suspected car thieves. There is no problem there. This is usual business with criminals. But the incident that followed the gunfight shocked the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The ABS-CBN news crew clearly documented the scene after the shooting. The policemen went near the car, opened its doors, fired some bullets towards the alleged criminals still inside the vehicle and pulled one out. As soon as the suspect touched the road, one of the policemen fired more bullets to the wounded and obviously defenseless suspect.

This is not a movie clip. It is real. It happened amidst a country that supposedly believes on democracy and the rights of the sovereign people.

But this could be isolated although I will bet a cent that this scenario always happen but it passes through public scrutiny because of lack of documentation.

Reading the national dailies recently, I stumbled upon an article saying that almost half of our police force in the country have no guns. Read: Out of 125,000 police officers nationwide, only 73, 758 have guns. The rest are still praying that they will be issued one before they retire.

Every year, about 3,000 policemen are recruited. This means additional annual provisions for PNP.

The tough question though is whether or not all policemen deserve to be issued a gun. Of course, they are. They are supposed to use these guns to fight criminals and protect the civilians. But what if they cross the line and use the firearms to abuse their authority? Then what should be done?

Emergency Measures

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently reported that lay-offs in Central Luzon already reached 10,000 and still getting higher. All over the region, several companies have already announced that they will close shop by mid 2009. Worse, the economic zones and industrial areas like Luisita Industrial Park, Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport Zone were all affected by the ongoing economic recession.

But as they say, it is during the hard times that we survive as a nation. The current economic slump should not also slow us down but rather we must challenge ourselves to do something to help boost the economy. We have to have faith in each other and continue doing what we have been doing ever since. Eat, work, go to school, buy things we need, invest if we must. These will keep the economy going, the experts say.

Now some workers' unions are suggesting that the national government should shell out at least P2 billion as stimulus fund for retrenched workers. This fund will keep them up within six months, they said. This is actually a good idea if only to save the country from further economic gloom. If this will be heard, the workers will at least be assured to cover their basic needs for months while they are looking for new jobs. The only problem is there is no assurance that the retrenchments will stop after the first quarter. This scenario can go on and on. But I won’t hope for that.

Meanwhile, it is a breather for us to learn of President Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Employment Emergency (CLEEP) program. Several national government agencies are busy nowadays designing ways how to help retrenched workers recover from the crisis.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for one has conducted a jobs fair last March 9. All the 14 engineering districts in Region 3 held simultaneous jobs fairs.

In a talk with the press, Director Alfredo Tolentino of the DPWH Region 3 said that these jobs fairs are part of the President’s emergency measure program designed to lessen the impact of the current crisis that hit the country.

The International

Clive Owen’s latest movie, The International, is quite convincing and entertaining. Aside from its aesthetic features, I laud the writer and producer for bravely exposing a possible truth in our midst. Although the story was presented in a fashion that it should be treated as fiction, still, there is a mind-boggling voice behind one’s head after watching the movie. Could this be true? Could this be really happening?

To carefully scrutinize the possibility of the movie’s truth, it is wise to closely monitor the real events around us.

Fact: All third world countries and other developing states are incurring debts with international banks and are lined-up for aides and loans.

Fact number two: There are highly industrialized nations or countries that work closely with the international banks and one way or another, these nations are in a more advantaged position to impose demands on these institutions.

Fact number three: There are several separatists and extremist groups around the world that continue to create wars and packets of wars in different parts of the globe.

In the Philippines alone, the Abu Sayyaf rebels continue to cause chaos and conflict in Mindanao. Despite the government’s continuing efforts to curb their activities, they thrive and worse, they generate more power, influence, ammunition, weapons and intelligence. How they get it? I am not really sure but we have a hunch.

Taking the line of the movie, it is possible that some institutions could be interested in supplying weapons and information to extremist groups in exchange of favors for other nations. They are working hard to control the conflicts and thus, they control the governments and their economies. More favors, the better. More wars, more debts. And take note: everybody is involved.

I wonder why the US troops are all over the globe. In the Philippines alone, the US soldiers augment our military troops in Mindanao to fight the Abu Sayyafs. Considering US and Philippines joint efforts, I am quite intrigue why these small groups of rebels continue to survive. I know the answer but of course, I cannot just point my fingers to anyone. Remember? Just like in movies, there must be EVIDENCE. And believe me, we will not find a single evidence to pin down these wars and conflicts to the culprits we have in our minds.

No to Reply Bill

“No to Reply Bill!” This is the collective stand of various media organizations, newspapers, radio and television stations in Central Luzon. Starting this week, all media outfits and groups will come up with their own streamers, tarpaulins, and information materials to express a common cause to defend press freedom.

In a meeting at the Cioccolo Restaurant in Angeles City last Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Pampanga Chapter, Pampanga Press Club, Angeles City Press and Radio Club, Central Luzon Media Association, Channel 36, ABS CBN Pampanga, Punto, Businessweek, The Voice, Society of Pampanga Columnists, DWRW and DWGV FM and AM,  and UNTV signed a collective  manifesto adopted from NUJP stating their opposition on House Bill 3306 and Senate Bill 2150, two versions of the Right to Reply Bill.

The first paragraph of the manifesto states: “The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression.” 

The issue on the bill’s intent to impose prior restraint to the media is very revolting because it abridges the freedom of expression and of the press. 

And just like other media organizations around the country, the Pampanga media and nearby provinces will not let this pass. Even if this will not be approved because of its weak stance in the House of Representatives, every journalist and every Filipino who enjoys his civilian rights for that matter has the responsibility to speak against this Bill and its intent and purpose to kill the most sacred right we have in this country. A country known to embrace democracy but is run by some officials who are afraid of the power of the true voice of people.

I would rather see a country that has a media that at times abuses its power rather than to have one that has a media that is censored and controlled by the privileged few.

Automated Elections

Should the Philippine Congress finish deliberations on the proposed P11.3 billion supplemental budget on 2010 poll automation, the long-time dream for a fair elections in the country might have a chance.

Several groups have long been clamoring to automate elections in the country so as to eliminate cheating. During the 2007 elections, several French researchers covered the local elections here one of them said “the Philippine electoral system was designed for cheating!”

What a mess indeed. It is true. Even before a single vote is cast, the system already provides possible ways of cheating. Many would not even reach the election precincts but their votes will do. Yes Virginia, only in the Philippines. This is because all the materials used are manually collected, collated, counted, canvassed and transported to the designated canvassing centers.

The paper trail and documentation gives space for human intervention. Thus, as the saying goes, “in the Philippines there are really no losers in elections…only the winners and those who were cheated!”

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri has proposed to convert the plenary into a committee en banc for the discussion of House Bill 5715, also known as "An act appropriating the sum of P11.3 billion as supplemental appropriation for an automated election system and for other purposes."

Meanwhile, Sen. President Juan Ponce-Enrile acknowledges that there is urgency on the subject matter so they have to facilitate all the legislative procedures.

To Kill the Watchdog

“No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

This is provided for under Section 4, Article III or the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The English dictionary meanwhile defines “abridging” as to “shorten, edit, condense, reduce, abbreviate, or cut.”

To reduce the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech is unconstitutional. Senate Bill 2150 or the Right of Reply Bill is literally that. It reduces the freedom of the press because it seeks to impose limitations on the process of journalism work.

In a country that is plague by corruption, clipping the muscle of the press is tantamount to tolerating scams and more illegal activities.

It was reported that the Senate already passed the bill on third reading. The bill provides the news subjects right to air their side over the same media outfit that has published or aired the news.

Senate Bill 2150 provides that violators will be penalized with P10,000 for initial offense, P20,000 for 2nd offense and P30,000 and imprisonment of not more than 30 days for the third offense.

The bill requires the reply of a news subject to have equal space and length of airtime as the original news. The bill also states that reply must be aired or printed not more than 24 hours after the publication or broadcast of the original article or broadcast.

Thus, taking into context the intent and rationale of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Senate Bill 2150 is truly unconstitutional because it is directly negating the very purpose of the fourth estate -- that is to be the watchdog of the government.

And to kill the watchdog is very dangerous. It could cause eventual breakdown and moral decay.

Japan Speaks for Asia

Of all other highly developed countries in Asia, Japan is the most significant in terms of economic talks aside from China, India, Hongkong and Singapore.

It was recently reported that Japan’s exports fell by 46 percent in January. This is a bad sign. When President Arroyo reported that the Philippines is outside the sphere of global crisis, I was really bothered. How can we be too complacent when everything else falls apart?

Come to think of it, Japan is now losing billions in income because of the economic slump. It was also said that Hong Kong’s economy contracted 2.5 percent in the last three months of 2008. These are serious signs that the economic downturn in Asia is set to drag on through this year.

Economist likewise reported that the Japanese economy was one of the first in Asia to tip into recession last year due to poor domestic demand and decreasing orders from overseas.

Of course, the situation in Japan would eventually affect Philippines. I just hope that it is not that soon. But Japan is the barometer for Asia’s condition as far as economics in concerned. Although Philippines is enjoying alleged surplus from the Overseas Filipino Workers’ remittances, we would never know what will hit us in the future.

Come to think of it, our OFWs from the Middle East are now returning home one by one while many in the United States are now having a hard time maintaining their jobs.

The Obama stimulus bill is expected to help a lot of Filipinos, especially the war veterans. But as it stands now, this is still far from being realized. The processing for the veterans’ payoff is very tedious and would probably take years.

Long Overdue

The plan to withdraw US troops in Iraq should have been done before by the American government. President Barack Obama said by August 2010, the troops will be out of Iraq soil.

Of course, the Iraqi leadership welcomes this and appreciates the sincerity of the new US president. This is a beginning of a new era for United States, the dawn of realization from a super power that to respect other nations is the real measure of success and maturity of a government.

Obama’s pronouncement must become a reality. It should be done or else America will reap the angst of Iraqi anew and all other nations who have been under America’s sphere of influence.

There were no biological weapons there to start with. All other nations are just too modest to say that US was just after Iraq’s oil. This is the truth. So the comouflage should stop.

Imminent Danger

There is an imminent danger. It is about to erupt in our faces but the national government is not lifting a finger to stop it even if it can. It was said that 190 members of the House of Representatives are now rushing to approve a $1 billion appropriation for the rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

The proposal to rehabilitate the nuclear plant was revived anew by Pangasinan Rep. Mike Cojuangco through House Bill No. 4631, which was filed in July 2008.

Today, the House is silently rushing to approve the bill. The national government can stop this if only to ensure the safety of our people and protect this country from making a definitely huge mistake.

The only way to stop the Congress from their unfounded move is to release the 28-volume report by the American National Union of Scientists Corp. (NUSC) that was used by the Aquino administration then to close the BNPP.

Dr. Nicolas Perlas, the only Filipino in the technical panel of that Corazon Aquino administration-commissioned NUSC study, said there were about 40,000 defects found on the BNPP.

Perlas said that “the moment that’s shown to the public then it’s very clear that we don’t need a nuclear plant because all the evidence is there.” Perlas added that there were serious errors like wrong electrical installations aside from the fact that the power plant could not withstand earthquakes.

Now, this leaves us pondering on the question why Malacanang and the Congress refuse to show the NUSC report.

There are only two possible answers I could come up to resolve this mystery. First, the Arroyo administration could be really hell-bent in rehabilitating the power plant and plans to seriously repair these defects.

In doing so, the Philippine government will have to spend $1.2 billion initial fund to rehabilitate the nuclear plant. This is not mentioning the additional funds that will be needed for its operations and maintenance.

It is possible that the administration strongly believes on the feasibility of the proposed rehabilitation that it could generate enough power to supply Metro Manila and other major cities In Central Luzon.

On a second thought though, another reason could be the 2010 elections. What? You might ask what could be the connection between the 2010 elections and the nuclear power plant.

The answer could be found in the $1.2 billion rehabilitation fund. Who knows? It could be the exact opposite of my first assumption. This time there is really no plan to rebuild the power plant. All the government need is the funding to be released and then, everything could be possible.

Optimism Could Work

(Photo from cnn)

It seems like US President Barack Obama never runs out of good thoughts and high spirits. While the whole world watches how the United States of America will survive the current recession, the US president is showing great composure under pressure.

During his fist speech before the United States joint Congress recently, Obama made a daring promise to cut down US deficit into half by end of his first term. He focused on the benefits of his $787 billion Stimulus Bill and thanked the Congress saying that this would be America’s economic recovery package. The President added that it will create some 3.5 million jobs.

“It's time to act boldly not just to revive the economy, but to build a new foundation for lasting prosperity…While the cost of action will be great, I can assure you that the cost of inaction will be far greater," he said.

Highly optimistic, the President insisted that America will “rebuild and recover” and will emerge “stronger than before.”

“The only way to fully restore America's economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world…Slowly, but surely, confidence will return, and our economy will recover," he said.

He likewise said that his administration will focus on three priorities such as energy, education and health care. He plans to present this to the Congress soon. He also said US will invest $15 billion a year to develop green energy technology.

Aside from enumerating the things that he will see being done, Obama said the US is now carefully looking how to possibly win the war in Afghanistan and end the one in Iraq.

But just like in the Philippines, Obama is faced with the opposition bloc, the Republicans who said over national television that the Democrats’ stimulus plan is “loaded with wasteful spending.”

The group, represented by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American elective governor in US, said that “in the end, it comes down to an honest and fundamental disagreement about the proper role of government."

Jindal said: "We oppose the national Democratic view that says the way to strengthen our country is to increase dependence on government. We believe the way to strengthen our country is to restrain spending in Washington, to empower individuals and small businesses to grow our economy and create jobs.” (30)

The Next Frontier

The Clark Freeport Zone stands strong against the current global crisis. In his recent media briefing, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Benny Ricafort said that instead of slowing down, they are now developing new attractions at the Next Frontier or the Sacobia Area.

The Next Frontier is about 10,600 hectares located northwest of Clark Freeport Zone. Ricafort said that they are now finalizing talks with an investor in Taipei, Taiwan for the development of a 300-hectare industrial park at the Next Frontier. The Taiwanese investor will allot 50 hectares as service center for the affected Aeta communities and it would build the roads and utility lines for its operations.

This idea is actually not bad at all. If all the new investors will construct the needed roads and infrastructure for their operations, CDC will have little problem resolving this at their end. Considering the slump on capital from the bureaucracy, off course the investors’ initiative to build their own infrastructure support is more than a welcome note.

Other investors now constructing facilities at the Next Frontier are the Philippine Tourist Authority (PTA), Philippine Science High School, Orchids World and Paradise Farm. Ricafort said the new investments would bring in new opportunities and more jobs for the locals.

The CDC President added that they are also strengthening their after sales support services to enhance locators’ competitiveness. He added that they are also working on programs for workers affected by economic crisis. CDC is now offering job matching, retooling, retraining and entrepreneurship programs for the affected workers.

And the most enlightening news from Ricafort is the harmonization of regulatory systems for Clark Freeport Zone and Subic Bay Freeport. This would help investors and locators transacting business in these economic zones as they will be given lesser headaches in dealing with too many people. The harmonization will likewise prevent red-tape and other bureaucratic corrupt practices. (30)

PANLILIO, NOW A CERTIFIED 'TRAPO'

(Photo from amonged.org)

There is no doubt about it. He is now the new image of the conventional politicians. He might not know it yet or he might still deny it, but his political tactics are stinking all over the papers.Recently, Governor Eddie Panlilio scored on Rep. Mikey Arroyo and the Malacanang in relation to the issue of jueteng. He claimed that “jueteng’s influence has already infiltrated politics, the church, and even the government.”

Few days after, Panlilio gave a daring interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) short-of-saying that Sen. Lito Lapid has no more business running for Pampanga governor. Panlilio said that should the senator vie for the governorship comes 2010, it would be “too much,” adding that it would be a test of the Kapampangan’s “political maturity.”

Bravo…bravo…The governor is learning the ropes of conventional politics. Pin down your possible opponents even before the actual fight is there. Use the media and recycle old issues. Recycle, recycle, recycle. I hope he would know how to recycle biodegradables too so as to resolve the province’s growing concern on solid waste management.

I received an e-mail from one of Panlilio’s former supporter who said that they are withdrawing support from Mar Roxas because Panlilio was accommodated under the Liberal Party wing. It was said that Panlilio is being groomed by the Kaya Natin Group and LP as a senatoriable. But the senatorial seat is still elusive for Panlilio. He has a lot of mess to straighten up in his own turf. By the way, joining political parties is one of the dictum of conventional politics.Panlilio’s statement against Lapid can be seen as nothing but a cheap ploy to cover up Panlilio’s own failures as governor.

After two years in office, all that Panlilio had done was to sow discord and disunity among Kapampangans, alienating even his closest allies and advisers.Panlilio is so isolated from his own constituents and all the local political leaders, that he has to seek audience for his holier-than-thou pontifications outside the province.

Panlilio seems to be acting like a traditional politician, as lately he’s been engaged in this shooting frenzy. Being a minority governor who garnered only one third of the votes cast by a questionable margin in the last elections, he should be really wary of Lapid, if and when the senator decides to vie for the gubernatorial seat. After all, Lapid garnered not lower than 90 percent of votes cast in all three of his gubernatorial races.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Panlilio is starting to see ghosts where there are none. Perhaps for want of issues against Lapid he cited old cases against Lapid, all of which have been dismissed.

Panlilio should work on his own problems at the Capitol first instead of focusing his time in the media discrediting local and national leaders so as to boost his chances for reelection. But I will give a big hand for him now that he is already a CERTIFIED TRAPO.

Everything is all about attitude

(Sec. Ed Pamintuan.Photo from freeport-online)

Long before newly-elected US President Barack Obama said “yes we can,” Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC), was already known for his battlecry “Agyu Tamu.”

When Pampanga and Angeles City were gravely hit by the Pinatubo eruption and lahar in the early ‘90s, Pamintuan led the Angelenos in a fierce crusade to save the City of Angeles from moral devastation. The former Angeles City mayor and his team accomplished the improbable by reviving the devastated business district, coming up with a genius event, the “Tigtigan Terakan King Dalan.” The TTKD became a phenomenon and attracted thousands of tourists annually in time with the Fiestang Apu. This event has signaled the message outside Pampanga that Angeles City was still alive during those gloomy years.

In his speech at the executive economic briefing at the Mimosa Hilltop last February 19, Pamintuan gave a spirited talk about the global crisis, US recession and how our country should react on this.

“The key to overcoming problems therefore is attitude. In business, as well as in life, it makes a difference on how we look at the world…The reality on the ongoing recession cannot be doubted or dismissed. Its impact on the Philippines has been quite tangible in the forms of lay-offs, downsizing, cancelled orders, lower consumer spending and return of investments…This does not mean that we should just sit back and relax. The global crisis is an opportunity for us to seize the day and turn lemons into lemonade,” Pamintuan said.

I laud the Secretary’s fighting spirit and it is indeed contagious. If we will consider the opinion of Dr. Emilio T. Antonio Jr., president of the Center for Research and Communication Foundation, Inc., who was one of the speakers during the briefing, our own perceptions and fears would most likely shape our reality.

According to Antonio, it is wiser to check the facts of our country’s financial status rather than just listen and watch news. He claimed that asset markets remain jumpy due to bad sentiments. So he cautioned everyone to avoid conventional wisdom that when United States catches flu, the Philippines would most likely get pneumonia.

Although Antonio did not dispute the fact that we may be affected by the crisis, he said that overall, we are in a better position to fight the crisis because we are financially healthier than before. If we will check our income vs. our spending, we will find out that we have enough reserves that will last for six months and surplus while our credit ratings are improving.

Antonio said the whole country is in surplus. The per capita income increased from $1000 to $2000. Meanwhile, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) continuously pump our economy and their remittances steadily increase by $1.4 billion per year.

Also, he added that the US crisis will unlikely shake opportunities for Filipino workers abroad since many are teachers and nurses while the business processing outsourcing (BPO) industry is just starting to grow. “Only about four (4) percent of the potential market has been tapped,” Antonio said.

It is a relief to hear good news from the government and the economic consultants. It is likewise refreshing to hear Secretary Pamintuan speak of the possibility that we will rise from the challenges we are faced with.

The Chilling Truth

(Photo from a load of crap from an idle brain)

According to Dr. Emilio T. Antonio, Jr., president of the Center for Research and Communication Foundation, Inc. and former dean of the School of Economics University of Asia and the Pacific., our country (Philippines) has a better cash position today because of the increasing cash reserves built up from surplus of income vs. spending. This was evident on how the public sector and private sector performed in sharing to the country’s income. He said there is an increased share of income from the private sector, which is a good indicator, while the national government has improved its collections.

Also, the improved spending habits of the private sector have also resulted to increased supply of funds that triggered interest rates to move down. And the end result, we have an almost stable peso-dollar rate.

Antonio said that although our exports were down recently and our country experiences small packets of “direct” and “indirect” affliction from the US crisis, our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have consistently earned dollars to pump our income.

He said the OFW remittances are increasing at rate of $1.4 billion a year. In 2007, our OFWs has contributed $14.4 billion or P730 billion to our overall income, or about 10 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2008, our OFWs earned $16.4 billion for us and they are projecting the same for this year.

Antonio said that it is unlikely that our OFWs will be reduced because most of those working in US are teachers and nurses. They are in demand as compared to other workers. There are also millions of OFWs in other parts of the world.

So as it stands today, our country is earning more dollars than ever before because of our OFWs. Antonio said the export industry is losing money because “they are not competitive.” He even added that foreign investments dropped but “we have lived without it, so why bother?”

In short, he is saying that we have enough income and surplus to face the crisis but at the expense of our human resources.

The lecture was enlightening and informative. But I was alarmed to realize the chilling truth on the policies and direction of the Arroyo government. Antonio is obviously in support of the government, no doubt about it. I respect his intellect and expertise. I believe on his pronouncement. I know that he is credible.

But I am bothered because I saw it more clearly than ever! Thanks to Antonio. Our national government is too concerned on balancing our economy by increasing our dollar-income, but not from the export industry and SMEs, but from the sweat of our OFWs.

There is no wonder that this government is constantly looking for opportunities abroad for our human resources. TESDA, DOLE and POEA are also training and packaging people to send them abroad.

This is the chilling truth. In this administration, it is the people for the economy and not economy for the people. It is as crystal clear that the Arroyo administration is focusing its resources and efforts in EXPORTING Filipino workers so they could pump our economy. Yes, it is good report for an economist like PGMA. But no, it is not humanitarian and not healthy for our culture and for our development as a nation.

We are literally pushing our people abroad. We are encouraging them to leave their families and start rebuilding their lives in foreign lands. We are advocating brain-drain. We are sending our professionals, intellectuals and skilled workers in foreign lands.

Instead of strengthening and supporting our export industry and agricultural industry or increasing foreign investments to employ our people here in our country, as Antonio said, “why bother getting foreign investments?” Of course, the government doesn’t care.

This government is better off waiting for OFW remittances. It doesn’t care whether families are disintegrated. It is okay that almost everyone wants to migrate to other countries. It doesn’t care that the margin between the wealthy and those living below poverty line is growing. No, everything is immaterial.

What is important is to earn more OFW dollars to pump this country’s economy. READ: LET US EXPORT MORE PEOPLE. LET US EARN MORE DOLLARS.

This is the direction of the Arroyo administration. Now I will no longer raise an eyebrow when VP Noli de Castro seeks for the lifting of the Iraq ban on OFWs. Chilling. Alarming. But true.

No to nuclear energy

Secretary Angelo Reyes and the House of Representatives earlier mulled on reopening the BNPP after a team from the International Atomic Energy Agency inspected the power plant and reported its possible rehabilitation.

Reyes was quoted as saying that the BNPP could be restored in at least five years for a cost of $800 million. Take note, US$800 million just to rehabilitate it. The national government says that the US2.3 billion used to build the power plant went down the drain because it never generated a single watt of electricity.

In fact, we are still paying 155,000 dollars a day in interest on the BNPP. For about 30 years, the national government is still wasting taxpayers’ money for this white elephant structure.

The energy secretary said that it is wise to revisit the option of restoring it so we could at least generate power before we experience shortage. And when it starts operating, it could possible generate income to pay the government’s standing debts incurred from its construction.

But while the national government is counting on still unhatched eggs, the issue of safety, capability and expertise is now being raised by the anti-nuclear advocates.

First point, as Reyes said, we need US$800 million fresh capital to rebuild it. Of course, we will loan it and then start paying new interest until may be forever. Second, we do not even have a research facility or a well-organized and well-trained physicists or scientists to man the BNPP. Our government is experiencing a condition called amnesia. They forgot that before they woke up and suddenly decided to reopen the BNPP issue, the national government did not prepare for this.

I would appreciate the wisdom of their proposal should a comprehensive and capability-building plan was laid down, let’s say, at least five years before today. This would signal the government’s seriousness and sincerity to operate the BNPP with the utmost safety and efficiency.

Another issue is the operational expenses of the power plant needed should it become operational. Where will the government get huge amount of money to run it in a day-to-day basis? Rebuilding it will require us US$800 million but to operate it would mean additional expense.

Also, whether we admit it or not, we have yet to train our physicists to oversee BNPP’s operations. In the meantime, we will have no choice but to hire imports from Russia or United States. And how much would these physicists’ salaries cost?

The Philippines is not yet ready to operate a nuclear power plant. It doesn;t have the money, the expertise and the capability so it is foolish to expose our people to danger.

Sweet victory

(Photo from racewire)

The country has never been so vibrant since Manny Pacquiao’s last victory in Vegas. Today, we are celebrating a huge victory for our war veterans, most of them tired and aged. The United States Congress recently passed its financial stimulus package that would benefit around 18,000 surviving Filipino war veterans.

Deprived in their own country of the necessary health and financial care, the veterans left in the Philippines are more than grateful to the US Congress for finally recognizing their service and commitment to the US government during the World War II.

It was reported that the US finance package will provide a lump sum payment of US$15,000 to Filipino veterans living in the United States and US$9,000 dollars to those still in the Philippines.

There were about 250,000 Filipino soldiers who fought alongside US forces against the Japanese during the last world war. The Philippines then was under the stewardship of the US government.

The new bill has given hope to the war veterans who have been waiting for recognition and incentive for more than 60 years.

Reduce the Prices of Commodities

Workers all over the country keep an uproar on the unabated increase in prices of food and basic commodities. Leaders of various labor groups including the Workers Alliance in Region III (WAR 3) have been clamoring for wage increase to “temporarily” lessen the impact of the current crisis.

Based on the latest survey of the NSCB, a family of six needs at least P749 per day to sustain its basic necessities for food, utilities and other commodities. At present, laborers in Central Luzon receive an average of P158 to P287 per day while WAR 3 claims that almost half of the 3.4 million workers are underpaid.

Following the NSCB survey, a family earner who brings home P287 per day falls short of P462 to provide the needs of his wife and children. This is why the workers are in outrage. It seems like the government fails to see the huge problem. Workers are earning less but the prices of basic needs rise up thrice as high in just few months. No matter how bad you may be in Mathematics, it doesn’t need a genius to figure out the discrepancy.

Surprisingly, this is happening despite the fact that the price of oil in the world market has already reached its lowest at $43 per barrel. It is very dubious why the prices of basic commodities continue to increase even if the price of oil steadily drops.

In relation to this, private sector leaders in Region 3 are now saying that increasing the wages of laborers will not solve the current problem. They say that if business owners will be prompted to increase wages, they would either add up their losses to their products resulting to more increase in prices of basic commodities. Or they would be forced to lay-off workers to accommodate the salary adjustment.

But some sectors say that the increase in wages is not actually the long-term solution to this vicious cycle of labor and price increase. Some traders are looking into a better solution by asking the government to focus on reducing the production cost and prices of raw materials for producers and manufacturers that would result to cheaper or affordable products and commodities.

A regular earner will have more economic power despite his P287 daily income due to the eventual cut on prices of food and basic commodities.

I believe this would eventually solve the problem although it is indeed a long-term process and we need our political leaders’ sincerity and will to truly bring down prices of basic commodities. (30)

'Easy Way of Life'

(Photo from www.gwll.org.uk/upload/images/image120.jpg)

The Department of Energy’s campaign for energy conservation is too concentrated in monitoring electronic appliances inside every Filipinos’ home. Taken from the slogan or campaign ad being used by DOE, “E(nergy) C(onservation) Way of Life,” it follows that it might be more effective if it will focus on the Filipino traditional way of life.

The family or the concept of it is the most valued idea in our society. As Filipinos, we are protective of our family, we grow with our family and we brace life with our family. It doesn’t matter if the journey is treacherous or not, what is important is that we are with our loved ones in every step of the way.

And to look at the government’s campaign on conserving energy as part of our way of life is to focus on our family values. How could it be done? How can the concept of family values help save or conserve energy? The answer is simple and practical.

Most children today spend more time inside their houses playing games online and surfing the net (using computers) or watching television. Unlike in the old days, children play outside with “real people and real games.” We used to play patintero, tumbang preso, luksong tinik or babi, bending, Chinese garter, shotu, tambubong, salikutan, piko, sipa, sintak, etc. with our neighbors and other children in the vicinity. And instead of talking to our family or friends through the internet or telephone lines, we go to their houses or place of work and talk.

If we could revive our traditional way of life, we will save more energy by not using it. It is about time to put off the computers, televisions, electric fans, aircons, lights and other electronic gadgets we use while surfing the net or talking over the phone. By encouraging our children to play outside and enjoy the sun at least twice a day, we will save energy since they will not be using any electronic gadget or light inside our houses. Or instead of sharing photos and stories on line, families can get together once a week to spend time in their ancestral homes or at the house of their parents or grandparents. This way, everybody leaves their house and save energy.

This is just simple and practical. And at the same time, it is partly an advocacy in reviving our traditions as Filipinos. We are not necessarily defying technology but it is refreshing to trace back our old values and have real friends, real playmates and real persons to share our stories with. (30)

A State of Many Nations

(This is an original writing of Minerva Arceo that was also posted on some yahoogroups.)

One of our national artists Virgilio Almario, now the chairman of the Baraosoin Kalinangan Foundation Inc. , gave an interesting lecture on “nationalism” last year at the 1st Central Luzon Culture and Arts Summit in Malolos, Bulacan. I said interesting (but not necessarily convincing) because it generated important questions from Kapampangans present during the conference.

His main premise is that colonialism and imperialism has disintegrated our country into pieces creating divides amongst our people and our regions. Almario said that like the broken ancient Manunggul jar found in Palawan, our national culture must be rebuilt and its pieces be put together. And lo and behold, his idea of putting the pieces together is to propagate the national language, Wikang Filipino with an annotation that native names of products or icons distinct to one province or ethnic community be adopted to enrich the Filipino language. For example, an adoption of parul and sisig of Pampanga in the Wikang Filipino vocabulary.

But the mere adoption of ethnic words in the Wikang Filipino will not do the trick for Almario. He may be a national artist. He may be somebody recognized in the culture and arts circle, both national and international. He may be respected by major academic institutions in the country.

But the mere idea of imposing the use of the allegedly “enriched” Wikang Filipino language by other ethnic groups that have their own language and culture would be a disaster worst than Spanish or American imperialism.

And with a slight slant against Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Cebuanos, I am too sorry to say that even a national artist like Almario could not pull off such grand idea of “unifying” the nation.

This is simply because he and other “nationalists” are missing the whole point of self-determination among the various nations in the Philippines. I say nations because like the Kapampangans, the Cebuanos, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Moros and other ethnic communities in the archipelago have their own language and culture that go beyond geographical boundaries. A nation is a group of people who share the same language, culture, heritage and aspiration. As compared to a state like the Philippines, a nation is not limited by political and physical boundaries and not ruled by only one government. That is why we have a Kapampangan nation with our people spread over the Philippines, United States, Middle East and in all other countries around the globe.

The renowned Kapampangan writer and lawyer, the late Katoks Tayag once addressed our people properly in one of his writings, The Vanishing Kapampangan Nation.

And as a nation, we think, we speak, we work in same direction with one goal and purpose – that is to enrich our culture and our language, to become competitive and to become world-class citizens. Why the Cebuanos were successful in developing their area as an economic center in the Visayas? It is because they have found their roots that gave them strength and direction.

Should this scenario be duplicated by other nations in the archipelago, then it is not too difficult to envision a state like ours to have strong and skilled people with strong conviction and aspirations.

I say in diversity there should be unity. If we would respect each others’ culture and learn each others language next to ours, then I believe it is not impossible to unite the leaders of these nations and speak for the general welfare of our state.

Almario and his fellow “nationalists,” I put quotation marks on the word because to begin with, the concept of “national culture” among Filipinos is still very problematic. Almario and others believe that this has already been resolved. If that I so, why do we still look for our identity as “Filipinos”? How can there be one “Filipino nation” when what we really have is a country and a state with numerous nations?

Unless Almario and his fellow “nationalists” look at it this way, they will never find the answer why many of us still assert our position against the propagation of only one language, the Wikang Filipino. To start with, Almario is contradicting himself. He is using colonialism and imperialism as the reason behind the opposition against the so-called “nationalism” but he fails to see that the idea of a “one language, one nation” for Filipinos is something colonial. It is how the Americans think. To use one language to unify one country is a colonial concept. The Spanish colonized so many nations and erased their identities replacing them with their own to unify their colonies under one ruler. The Americans have dominated the world and was made a super power because of the use of their language.

The only solution for us is to forget that we are slaves of King Philip and be called Filipinos. Because there is really no Filipino identity to start with. Yes, I say to Almario. If we have to unlearn a thousand years of mental slavery and the theoretical identity as Filipinos, then so be it.

We were raised and nurtured based on our ethnic cultures. I for one studied at the University of the Philippines, one of the academic institutions raising the consciousness for Filipinism but I can say that in heart and in mind, I am a fully blooded Kapampangan. I was raised as one and die as one. And not as a Filipino because that “political” identity is too alien for me to embrace. (30)

Housing and Polls Mix

(VP Noli de Castro with boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.Photo from daylife.com)

I just wish Vice President Noli de Castro would stop putting his picture in almost all housing development projects in the province. The PAG-IBIG program for members who want to avail of housing loans is a service that the people deserve. It is not Kabayan’s accomplishment. Take note – the housing loan program is not his accomplishment, more it is the obligation of the national government in accordance with our Constitution.

Whether or not the Vice President is there, PAG-IBIG will still work with real estate developers for the low-cost schemes and amortization programs for the Filipinos.

But of course the housing promos are free rides for the Vice President. Should he run for President in 2010, he would definitely use the government’s housing loan program in his candidacy. The billboards are actually more of a part of his advance campaign.

It is just very sad to note that De Castro’s popularity as a celebrity was his only ticket to politics. So I am not really surprised that he is extremely and exaggeratedly capitalizing on the housing loan program.

I recently heard him over DZMM in his regular Saturday show saying that the DFA and DOLE should look into the national government’s ban on employment in Iraq. He said the Iraq government made calls on their country’s ongoing demand for construction workers, engineers and other laborers for their infrastructure rehabilitation programs.

The Vice President is literally asking our government to lift the ban. And he is encouraging Filipinos to work there despite the continuing war in the said country. He said those who cannot find jobs here could at least earn there. Read: It is okay for the Vice President to send our people in Iraq and put their lives at risk because this government cannot provide enough employment and livelihood for them.

On the other hand, President Arroyo continues to visit other countries in the hope to export more Pinoys who would end up pumping our economy with their remittances.

I don’t want to think that this government is bankrupt of ideas how to generate livelihood for the people. Why do we have to encourage our skilled workers, our experts, our scientists and our professionals to work abroad and help develop other countries? It is as if we are really hopeless and our country’s only salvation is to export our human resources.

With all the research and development being done by the DOST and DA, I believe that agriculture alone can provide enough employment for Filipinos. This is not mentioning Tourism. If only the national government and LGUs would focus on real programs for the agricultural sector, then this country can improve its performance in agri-business like Thailand, Vietnam and China. Yes, we have enough funds. Yes, we have the technology. Yes, we have the programs. But genuine and uncorrupted implementation down to the barangay level? Doubtful.

Finding the Niche

So it is SME tourism now. Take it from former Tourism Sec. Mina Gabor who said that micro, small and medium enterprises could thrive amid the global economic crisis with the improvement of the tourism industry. I agree and it is vise versa. With the strengthening and enhancement of small scale enterprises, more tourism opportunities and attractions will be opened to the market. I have said it before, tourism is the key.

In the last general membership meeting of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Pamcham) headed by Rene Romero, the talk of the day was focused on SMEs and their role in the over-all growth of the country. According to Romero, SMEs are the backbone of our economy. Gabor, for her part, said she is an advocate of SMEs. Being the president of Philippine Small and Medium Development Foundation Inc. (Philsmed), their vision is to elevate the role of SMEs in national development by increasing its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product.

Small and medium enterprises comprise of at least 99 percent of the total business in the country. These small players are key drivers to economic development in the countryside including here in Central Luzon. The small and medium businesses also employ the largest number of workers in the region. So it is only fair, prompt and timely that all sectors should focus on supporting and strengthening the small and medium entrepreneurs.

When Everything Is Down

Just when everything in the Philippines seems to be slowing down, the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), now under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., is working on several expansion projects north of Manila.

After completing the rehabilitation and expansion of the 84-kilometer North Luzon Expressway in 2005, MNTC is now ready to start Phase 2 of the Manila North Expressway (“MNE”) Project.

This project complements and advances the crucial role of the existing NLEX as the infrastructure backbone to the Central and Northern Luzon regions which are expected to be the key beneficiaries of economic and development growth potentials in the coming years.

According to MNTC President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco, the MNE Phase 2 Project, of which Segment 8.1 is an integral part, is considered as one of the flagship projects of the Philippine Government. It is also a vital road infrastructure that will help decongest Metro Manila as it provides alternative east and west access to mainline NLEX, bypassing EDSA and Balintawak Toll Plaza.

Phase 2 comprises the construction of the 16-km Circumferential Road (“C-5”) which will connect the existing C-5 expressway with the NLEX and onward with the MacArthur Highway to the west of NLEX. Segment 8.1 that is part of MNE Phase 2 Project is a 2.7 kilometer road linking Mindanao Avenue to NLEX in Valenzuela City, Manila.

In a recent briefing with the Pampanga press, Franco said they will start construction on Segment 8.1 on March 2009 as soon as the national government completes the settlement of right-of-way claims. MNTC will infuse some P2 billion for Segment 8.1 and would directly employ 600 workers for the project.

Global Pinoy

Photo from online pinoy

Read: There are some one million Filipinos working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alone. This is according to a local Saudi writer named Abdullah Al-Maghlooth. I received an e-mail of an article he wrote titled, “Imagine a World Without Filipinos” and I was very enlightened. According to him, in 2006 alone, the Kingdom recruited some 223,000 workers from the Philippines while we comprise about 20 percent of the total sailors around the world. He said there are about 1.2 million sailors working in various places.

Al-Maghlooth said that it is hard to imagine a world without the efficient, reliable and hardworking Filipino workers. He attributed the Filipinos’ “uniqueness” as global workers to our ability to speak the English language fluently and the technical trainings incorporated in our education system. Honestly, this is the first time I read praises for our educational system, much more coming from a foreigner.

The writer’s article is focused on the role of Filipinos as workers enabling the success of the day-to-day business of other nations. So he is putting much weight on the thought that if Filipinos suddenly and simultaneously stopped working around the world, there will be great disaster.

And I was really touched to read the lines of the writer encouraging all people around the globe to thank the Filipinos because they take part in building and influencing the world economy. And saying that “they” are dependent on us, he asked his readers to “pay respect” to Filipinos and “learn” from our experiences.

I want to believe that the article supposedly published in Saudi Arabia is real. It makes me proud of what we contribute to the world. Seeing our nation’s strength and meaning in the eyes of a foreigner is a consolation to our misery as a democratic state.

But taking the writer’s point of view, it is indeed liberating to think that all over the world, industries, schools, hospitals, clinics, studios, entertainment and amusement parks, casinos, hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and even in government offices like The White House, there are Filipino workers.

The global Pinoy virtually controlling the world economy. He may not be the powerful voice that dictates the rules, but the global Pinoy is the muscle that moves the world economy. He is part of the means of production. He has the power to create a paradigm that would eventually change global economy.

Even the Giants Cry

The current situation in the Philippines is not an isolated case. As we continually call on President Arroyo and her administration to do something about the massive lay-offs in major industrial areas and economic zones in the country, constituents of the biggest superpowers in the world are doing the same thing.

No less than the most powerful man in the world, US President Barack Obama has been appealing to his fellow leaders at the US Senate to act now and fast if only to save their country from further devastation.

In the recent news, he announced that unemployment for the last week was already recorded at 626,000. “Tomorrow, we're expecting another dismal jobs report on top of the 2.6 million jobs that we lost last year. We've lost 500,000 jobs each month for the last two months," he was quoted by the international press as saying. The new report of US Labor Department is believed to be the highest since October 1982, when their economy was in a steep recession.

Even Obama and his people cry. Even the mightiest of the highly industrialized world are looking into drastic measures to save their economy. The ongoing talk between the White House and the Republican Senates seems to be taking longer than it should be. Obama’s stimulus bill that is focused on higher tax cuts, lower expenditures for the government and relief measures for homeowners is seen to be slashed from $987 billion to $800 billion.

This is fair enough for Obama while other Republican senators are still giving a fight on other cuts on the bill.

Whatever happens to Obama’s stimulus bill will be an indicator of how his administration will fair in negotiating with the US Congress. This will be a reference of the political trends that would eventually dictate the future of US’s economy. Whether US could recover or not will depend on how good Obama could persuade everyone in the US Congress that indeed the time of politicking is over and the Republicans must help him revive their economy fast.

6,247 Workers Hit by Crisis

It is very sad to learn that some 6,247 workers in Central Luzon, Philippines already lost their jobs because of the growing economic crisis. In a recent briefing among the locators inside Clark Freeport Zone, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) CL Dir.
Nathaniel Lacambra urged investors “to face the realities of our times.”

The challenge came in the face of the same growing concern inside Clark which had so far retrenched 2,075 workers since November.

When everyone thought that Philippines would be spared from the global crisis, we are experiencing the most depressing period of the country in the 21st century. To hear about people losing their jobs despite the unabated increase in prices of basic commodities is truly depressing.

And while others are losing jobs, several workers experience rotations with lesser working days and lesser take home pay due to their companies’ cost-cutting measures.

These scenarios are precisely the reason why more and more Filipinos choose to work abroad rather than stay here in the country. I just hope that the Philippine government will exert more effort in curbing corruption and instead pouring its resources to generate jobs for the people.

Bamboo Fever

Bamboo talk is all over Pampanga. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 through the leadership of Director Blesila Lantayona recently called on all stakeholders, including those from other provinces, to come up with a road map for bamboo development. With a directive from the national government, DTI took the initiative among national government agencies to push for the development of engineered bamboo products to become mainstream industry in the region.

The Pampanga Bamboo Development Council (PBDC) and the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), on the other hand, continue to work on the propagation of bamboo in the province.

Aside from the P5 million allotted by the provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the bamboo program that was presented by the bamboo council last year, the PBDC is now working on a proposal for the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) for the establishment of a bamboo plantation at the Clark sub-zone area.

During a recent meeting with CDC President Benny Ricafort, ADCL proposed that the
1,240 hectares reforestation land at the sub-zone could be considered for bamboo plantation. Ricafort has requested ADCL to submit the proposal as soon as possible for their review and possible approval.

ADCL, being the main player behind the PBDC, finds it appropriate to take advantage of the Clark sub-zone’s available area for reforestation. In order for the bamboo industry to truly materialize, CITC Director Frank Bonuan said at least 50 hectares of plantation is needed to sustain the supply needed by small scale manufacturers of bamboo engineered products.

Although Pampanga has the capability to manufacture bamboo engineered products at this point in time, the supply is too unpredictable, making it quite risky to enter into such investment. But with the PBDC and ADCL’s proposal to use the 1,240 hectare reforestation are of sub-zone, the concern on supply will be answered within a period of five years.

Fight Crisis, Save More

The global economic crisis is hitting us fast and loud. Retrenchment is all over the country, particularly among locators inside the special economic zones. Contrary to the recent claim of President Arroyo that we are outside the sphere of the global economic recession, more and more foreign-operated firms in the country are either laying-off people or cutting operational expenses. Our only advantage against US and other countries is the fact that Filipinos have long been adapted to poverty, unemployment, corruption and scams.

But still the economic crisis is a difficult challenge to all of us. Common laborers used to get by from earning P200 a day. But with the unabated increase of prices of basic commodities, services and education, they are facing a bleaker future amid the growing economic slump. This is apart from the new cost-cutting trends adopted by many labor-intensive businesses in the country.

So to help ourselves and our families, we must do something even in our own levels. Let the government do its duties to the public, we have to take responsibility of the consumption and expenses inside our own homes.

In the event of continuing economic crisis, saving energy, food and other consumables will help ease the family budget. Take for example water and power utilization.