Just a Bite

Let’s admit it. The Philippine public if not all, mostly is ignorant of how the annual national budget is determined. It’s a problem of the nation, but was never considered problem by the government.

Portion of the national budget is for the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) given to the members of the congress. It is collectively labeled as the pork barrel, same as literal pork barrel which is a container storing pig meat in brine.  

The expression alludes to the fatness of pork and is equated with the political largesse in American politics since the 1800s. It persists in reference to political bills that bring home the bacon to a legislator’s district and constituents.

The Priority Development Assistance Fund is a lump-sum appropriation in the annual General Appropriations Act to fund the priority development programs and projects of the government.

The programs and projects commonly referred to as "soft" are identified and implemented under this Fund following a shortlist or menu as provided for in the General Appropriations Act such as scholarship programs, medical assistance to indigent patients, livelihood support programs, the purchase of IT equipment, rural electrification, water supply, peace and order and financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) for their priority projects and programs. It also includes infrastructure projects like roads and bridges, flood control, school buildings, hospitals, health facilities, public markets, multi-purpose buildings, and multi-purpose pavements.

According to news today, there will be more pork barrel funds for the congressmen under the proposed national budget for the coming year.

The amount to be given to each congressman is almost doubled. Not just that, they will also be given a share of the tax collected from the owners of private and public vehicles.

I cannot understand why such action is being taken by the new administration in its very first national budget. Lawmakers have protested and are questioning the proposed budget. Is this the price they are willing to pay to ensure its smooth approval?

Adding the budget to PDAFs of congressmen is just like adding money on their pockets. It’s hypocrisy of they will say it’s for the projects of these men aiming for the development of their constituents and to make basic services more accessible to many.

Let’s not be in denial of the fact, if not all, almost all men in position practice corruption. It may not be as big as we can imagine, but still they do it. It may be as simple as pocketing a single peso, still it is corruption.  

We should always remember; small things lead to big things.

The More, The Merrier

According to Wikipedia, education is the largest sense in any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual; it is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and values from one generation to another.

Given this definition, Filipino people especially the government should prioritize education in all forms.

As mandated by the Philippine Constitution and the Revised Penal Code, education should receive the highest percentage of the national budget. But this seems not to be felt by the public. Poor budget allotment for education results to poor quality of learning in the country.

Philippine education system is left behind in the whole Asia. It is the sole country to implement a 10-year basic education system, which being questioned and unrecognized in other countries.

Just yesterday during the celebration of World Teacher’s Day, the Department of Education presented the new K+12 basic education program that the government hopes to implement by the next two years. The program specifies one year of kindergarten and 12 years of basic education.

Mostly of the people in the government are positive with the said proposal, but many are against it. They say, this will just add up the burden of the poor people and will just result to a more sunken quality of living in the country.

What I cannot understand is the fear of many on changes specifically on education system which never had improvements since its implementation decades ago. Are they just people who loves to stay on the level they are at right now or they are just people who wants to be stagnant and no locomotion at all?

The program is one of the bold steps of the government in improving the lives of the Filipino people and changing the living standards we have today. It is widely accepted and recognized, something that everyone should look into.

It will be beneficial for the students from the public schools which comprise most of the number or population of students in the country. It will let them gain even chance of succeeding along with their counterparts in private schools.

The program also aim to all or if not most of the kids to be in kindergarten by next year. Currently according to statistics of the education department, only 86 percent of five-year –old children are in kindergarten. If the proposal is implemented, it will boost the percentage up to 98 percent.

If the sectors that are against the program is afraid that it will be implemented by one shooting, better listen first and comprehend. According to the education secretary, it will be implemented in phases.

It also aims to make high school graduates to be employable; something that our students needed today. It specifies six years of high school education composed of: four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. Students will receive a diploma after finishing junior high school. They will be given another diploma upon finishing senior high school. The last two years in high school aims to provide students with skills and competencies that will help them become employable upon graduation. The curriculum will provide "specializations" based on the career that a student wishes to pursue.

The new curriculum and additional years in high school never intends to replace college. It actually allows students to enroll in tertiary education. Since senior high school graduates can be employed, there will be more self-supporting and working students. Students will be more motivated to enroll because they know that they can support their studies; not compared today, they are very much dependents with parents or guardians or with their sponsors.

The government intentions with this proposal are commendable, but they should not forget that the improvement of the education system of the country also includes the infrastructures and facilities needed to provide quality learning. More schools should be built, more teachers should be hired and these mentors should be given more training; skills should be developed and feed them with enough knowledge required in shaping the futures of our mother land’s last hope.  

His Firsts

Inspired by the clamor of the public, the only son of the Asia’s democratic icon decided to run for presidency after days of refuge and prayers in one convent down south. His main campaign propaganda: fight corruption and address the needs of the people. With millions of votes against his proponents, he was proclaimed the 15^th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Benigno Simeon Conguangco Aquino III, from elite clans of the country, he wholeheartedly accepted the challenges bestowed upon him during his inauguration day. From being the Noynoy of the Filipinos, he is now their PNoy.

His inaugural speech was a mandate of change. Though criticized by the diplomatic corps because it was mostly delivered in Filipino, PNoy just showed his people that he wants them to comprehend his very first national address.

His speech was a bit controversial, giving an emphasis on the so-called garbage left by his predecessor’s administration. He disgraced the people from the government who are abusing their use of sirens, the feeling of being shoved aside and being displayed on of their position and power.

The speech promised to mark the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people.

He was so true with his speech when he himself declined to use sirens during travels and being late in commitments because he’s stuck in the traffic stricken streets of the metropolis. And as a bachelor head of state, he’s living in simplest way he could and making himself a model for his administration’s men and women.

His actions were very much criticized by his critics; his executive orders, policies, appointments and actions. His administration was even compared to a Student Council.

The world was shocked of the hostage crisis happened weeks ago in the country’s capital. The failure and poor handling of the situation earned negative judgments, not just locally but even in the international community. This leads to opinions and comments that his government is weak.

Despite the negative criticism, PNoy flew to the United States for a official working visit and flew back home with smiles of hope together with billions of assured investments and funds for the social and service development for his people.

The young administration’s programs such as poverty alleviation and eradication of corruption are on track. Its efforts in running after against tax cheaters and bandits are quite visible. The recent budget proposal doubled the allotment for the conditional cash transfers that will benefit the people under the poverty line.

Although a truth commission was created to investigate the corruption scandals by his predecessor’s administration, it lacks the drive to criminally prosecute them. The government as if has no intent of focusing on the implementation of agrarian reforms as showcased on the ongoing case between the farmers and the Hacienda Luisita where the president has a direct power knowing it is owned by his clan.

The new administration may be given a passing or failing mark for its first 100 days. Pro and cons judgment will always be not equal.

The PNoy administration is in its puberty stage, full of adjustments and experimentation and trying to impress his audience. It is just like a normal boy exploring his new found power and the new world he is in, yet maintaining the image bestowed upon him by his roots.

Duty

Tax is the blood of a country. It sustains the purpose of the government.

According to the Bureau of Internal revenue, only five million people file their income tax returns out of 39 million people in the labour force.  This leads to chronic budget deficits and poor delivery status of basic services in the country.

Now that the country’s agency collecting taxes is under a new administration and with a promise to run after tax evaders, hopefully the coming years’ government budget will be enough for better services for the people.

The agency just announced that they are now able to investigate the offshore bank accounts of Filipinos as the government tries to clamp down on tax cheats. This is an additional power that will help catch these tax cheaters.  They are also waging a ‘name and shame’ campaign by filing criminal charges against high- profile personalities and companies suspected of cheating the government out of taxes or import duties.

As a citizen of this country and as a Filipino, it is our duty to remit tax and be under the law concerning the matter. Let us not be one of the shameless freaks, who ignore their duties and responsibilities in our land. Let us not be self- centered. Let us always remember that paying and remitting taxes, is one way of showing patriotism in a very quiet manner.

Think

The church’s power over the government is undeniably strong and can never be ignored. The church still dictates the government, although not directly but its stance, opinions and standing matters.

The pending Reproductive Health (RH) bill in the chamber of Congress, challenges the ties between the government and the Catholic Church. The new president expresses support for the right to contraception but the powerful church is against it.

According to the Catholic Church, the contraception is against the law of God. They argued that it is a type of abortion which is banned by the Philippine Constitution. In contrary, the Philippine law is generally considered to protect a couple’s right to use birth control.

The government believes that through this bill, the ballooning population of the country will be controlled. In one of the news in yahoo said,’ Supporters of contraception have argued that rapid population growth and high fertility rate have exacerbated crushing poverty, and the birth control could be a powerful way to raise living standards’.

In one of the interviews of the president while he is the United States, he suggested that his administration would be very willing to distribute contraceptive to poor couple who couldn’t afford it. This stance angered the Philippine Catholic Church officials.

One of the members of congress said in a press conference, “The Church can always protest; that is the right of the Church. But the people have already spoken that they are in favor of the RH bill. Let the Church take care of saving our souls but let the State pursue unhampered a policy of saving lives”.

He also added, “Neither the Church nor the State can compel the people or the faithful to use a particular form of family planning method. It is the option; it’s the decision of the couple particularly the women who bear the brunt of pregnancy and childbirth. So I think the Church should understand that freedom of informed choice. No one is being compelled.”

Filipinos are generally Christians and the voice of the church is important for them. These differences between the government and the church on the issue of contraception will measure the influence of each institution to the public.

In our generation today and with the population that rise up in very second, the methods endorsed by the church can never guarantee that it will help control one of the biggest problems of the country.

With the hope that it will reduce the high fertility rate, the pending RH bill is mainly and the only effective bullet needed of our country today, to address the population problem that is considered to be the main contributor of the lowering living standards of Filipinos.

Let’s us be wise this time. It is not our faith that is in question in this matter, it is our conscience. Are we willing to sacrifice the lives of millions that are now in slums and suffering, just to favor a teaching that has been written thousands of years ago? It’s not that I’m questioning the teaching of God, but I’m just being realistic enough. I think it is no longer applicable in our generation; that teaching was preached when the world was still young and the people can still be counted through our fingers.

Let us not be selfish. Let us not just think of our own. It’s time to think about the people, our people; Filipinos.  

First Shot: Believe

As a developing country, Philippines continuously strive for progress and advancement. We can never be compared to well developed countries from the west and some here in the east, but at least we are striving.

The new government is a proof that the country is in full throttle in realizing its dreams to uplift the country from poverty and reclaim its glory that has been stolen by other Asian countries, almost half a century ago.

Benigno Simeon Aquino III, the newly elected president of the country just arrived from United States after a weeklong official working visit. Together with him is a secured US$2.4 billion new investments that would create thousands of new jobs for Filipinos plus US$434 million granted by the Millennium Challenge Corporation for social welfare programs.

During his stay in America, he was so true to his statement that his priority will be the official agenda of the trip which is the betterment of his people. His schedule was so packed that one point he had 13 meetings in a day.

Compared to his predecessor, who was reportedly spent thousands of dollars for a dinner, PNoy enjoyed American comfort foods like hamburger, hotdog and pizza. When he arrived in San Francisco, the president and his company ate at the In-N-Out burgers at the holding area of the airport. He was also seen eating hotdogs at the streets of New York City that caused quite a stir.  

Many criticizes the President for his gestures, that all of these low profile actions are just publicity and very much scripted. But if you are going to look and feel the sincerity of the top ranking official of the Philippines, you’ll realize how true he is with his words and how sincere he is with his actions.

Despite of the efforts being done by the new government, many are still very negative about it. They keep the criticism on, that gives negative impact not just to the government but to the whole Philippines as well. It creates a negative stigma that can never be erased.

As a response to this negative criticism, PNoy always urged people to support his drive for progress and continuously believe in them.

As a Filipino, I wholeheartedly support the new government in its efforts and drive for progress. Negativity has no place at this moment. I may not be as big as the president, but a simple trust and belief, is a key in every nations success.