Two challenges face Filipino families today, especially homemakers like me---one, higher tuition fees and the impending jacking up of Meralco rates. These twin evils represent the current administration's apathy towards ordinary citizens like us.
The Department of Education/CHED allowed 270 plus schools to raise their tuition fees. I have five kids. Due to the dire economic situation, two of my kids are now in public school. I have a 4 year old son who, I think, deserves an Atenean education. I checked and found out that I have to shell out 100,000 plus pesos (sans school supplies, transpo, food, etc) for him to enjoy a higher standard of education. Alas, my income is not sufficient. I have two more kids, twin daughters who will also go to school four years from now. By that time, government would have implemented the R-12 program.
I shutter the thought of paying up to 7,000 pesos worth of electricity. The temperature of my house goes up to 33 degrees and I need more ventilation. With Meralco passing up the buck to us consumers due to the National Power Corporation's debts, I don't know what will happen. Maybe I probably use gasera from now on.
This is the life of a common Filipino nowadays. While big businessmen wallow in extreme profits, ordinary Filipinos wallow in extreme poverty. Who will take the cudgels for us now that these so-called "patriotic forces" have now been compromised.
And to think that, according to Pnoy, our economy grew by six percent. Where is that 6% growth?
Showing posts with label department of education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label department of education. Show all posts
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
PUP's First Quarter Storm On!
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) students have now set barricades inside their campus to protest the impending 2,000 percent tuition hike increase. The PUP regents are now meeting today and are set to impose a very inequitable decision that would cause the frustration of thousands of students.
Education has become a dream of the poorest of the poor in this country. Fact is, education is not included in the things which Filipinos plan to have due to very limited financial resources.
Now that the PUP regents board want to increase the per unit costs from 12 pesos to something as surreal as 300 pesos is, for me, a very real reason to militate against the government.
How callous this government is! How they wasted billions of pesos allotted for fertilizers and how the DEPed has wasted billions more for illicit activities, when the very future of this country, the young students' lives are being gambled.
Let the students show their disgusts and campaign for the protection of their rights.
BY the way, it will not only be the students of the PUP that will be militating against the dastardly plan of the government to increase tuition fees.
Members of the UP Regent will also be meeting today to discuss the increase of tuition fees in the premier university of the land.
Some student leaders of the University of the Philippines have consulted me and I urged them to fight for their rights to education. Education is a right, not a priviledge.
Let the Second Quarter Storm rage now!!
Education has become a dream of the poorest of the poor in this country. Fact is, education is not included in the things which Filipinos plan to have due to very limited financial resources.
Now that the PUP regents board want to increase the per unit costs from 12 pesos to something as surreal as 300 pesos is, for me, a very real reason to militate against the government.
How callous this government is! How they wasted billions of pesos allotted for fertilizers and how the DEPed has wasted billions more for illicit activities, when the very future of this country, the young students' lives are being gambled.
Let the students show their disgusts and campaign for the protection of their rights.
BY the way, it will not only be the students of the PUP that will be militating against the dastardly plan of the government to increase tuition fees.
Members of the UP Regent will also be meeting today to discuss the increase of tuition fees in the premier university of the land.
Some student leaders of the University of the Philippines have consulted me and I urged them to fight for their rights to education. Education is a right, not a priviledge.
Let the Second Quarter Storm rage now!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
First Community Outbreak of H1N1 in Philippines
The first community outbreak in the country is worrisome for two reasons: First, the victims were exposed to the virus due to a medical mission and second, everyone got the virus locally. (see story here). This is quite dangerous, since the virus is now spreading locally and even doctors don't know how to handle such a potentially virulent strain of the virus.
The Department of Health (DoH) seems capable of doing its job but, somewhere, somewhat, it's bungling it. They want to allay fears by telling that the virus is "mild", and not lethal. Yet, it says that the potential of the virus morphing into a more virulent strain is there. And how would it happen?
By the potential of the virus in constant contact with its human hosts. If the human host has a weak constitution and has other viruses, the virus would adapt and cause a "morphing" in the genetic pool. The reason why other countries tried to contain the virus is it wants to avoid such mixing of genetic material from this virus to the next to avoid a contagious situation, similar to the 1918-1920 Spanish flu global pandemic which killed 600 million people.
Here in the Philippines, the DOH must probably consult with the US Center on Disease Control and Prevention. It seems that DOH really don't know what to do anymore. And with classes opening tomorrow, the chances of this virus spreading faster and wider remains high.
Government should probably suspend the opening of classes tomorrow and instead, announce opening in July. THat would allow DoH and the DECS to ensure that schools and their medical teams are well-prepared for possible new community outbreaks in other places, like Metro Manila. DoH should not be too complacent about this virus.
The Department of Health (DoH) seems capable of doing its job but, somewhere, somewhat, it's bungling it. They want to allay fears by telling that the virus is "mild", and not lethal. Yet, it says that the potential of the virus morphing into a more virulent strain is there. And how would it happen?
By the potential of the virus in constant contact with its human hosts. If the human host has a weak constitution and has other viruses, the virus would adapt and cause a "morphing" in the genetic pool. The reason why other countries tried to contain the virus is it wants to avoid such mixing of genetic material from this virus to the next to avoid a contagious situation, similar to the 1918-1920 Spanish flu global pandemic which killed 600 million people.
Here in the Philippines, the DOH must probably consult with the US Center on Disease Control and Prevention. It seems that DOH really don't know what to do anymore. And with classes opening tomorrow, the chances of this virus spreading faster and wider remains high.
Government should probably suspend the opening of classes tomorrow and instead, announce opening in July. THat would allow DoH and the DECS to ensure that schools and their medical teams are well-prepared for possible new community outbreaks in other places, like Metro Manila. DoH should not be too complacent about this virus.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
FG is at it again
Read the story below. There's another anomaly involving the First Gentleman. Again, FG got himself involved in another overpriced deal, which, according to Senator Jamby Madrigal, might run between US$ 18 million and US$ 90 million. It was allegedly brokered by Francis Chua, whom I remember meeting sometime in 2000 in an interview. Chua is allegedly very close to the First Family since he lead this group's founding sometime before 2000. This group is supposedly a counter-force to the PCCCIII of Lucio Tan, which, at that time, was very close to the Erap administration.
Another anomaly--Southrail documents are missing. Documents about this anomalous deal are again missing, just like what happened to the ZTE deal which Undersecretary Formoso lost right after the Boao forum.
And another--the Department of Education (DepEd) ruled that Jun Lozada should not be allowed to enter public schools to talk about the ZTE deal. What if, in some instance, Jun finds himself needing a toilet and it happens that he's near the Ramon Magsaysay High school along Espana, would he be allowed to enter the premises of that public school? Obviously, according to the DepEd, he's not allowed.
Such attempts at destroying documents and preventing people from knowing the truth, I believe, is more than enough evidence for the CBCP, former Senator Salonga and all the rest who are not convinced to call for Arroyo's resignation to reconsider their decision. These attempts at suppressing the truth are as clear as daylight. We must not blind ourselves.
If we want to know the truth, we must be ready to sacrifice everything for the Truth to come out. But if government agencies are being used by just one family to protect itself against further acrimonious accusations, then, what use are these calls for Arroyo to allow the truth to come out when it is very, very clear that she's not really willing to do so?
FG linked to another alleged overprice
By AUREA CALICA
The Philippine Star
Sen. Jamby Madrigal is seeking an investigation into the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s purchase of allegedly overpriced x-ray scanning machines from a Chinese company without public bidding, reportedly upon the intervention of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Madrigal said the alleged deal was brokered by a certain Francis Chua who is believed to be the former president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), a group supportive of the administration.
Madrigal’s call for an investigation is contained in Senate Resolution 317.
"It is estimated that the alleged overprice of the NICIS project may run between $18 million and $90 million for both project phases," Madrigal said.
The purchase of the x-ray machines is part of the administration’s so-called Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System (NICIS), which involves the installation of mobile or truck-mounted x-ray machines to scan container vans in the different ports of the country to prevent smuggling, facilitate trade and prevent tariff evasion. The NICIS project was implemented based on Executive Order 592 signed by President Arroyo on Dec. 15, 2006.
In her resolution, Madrigal said the Arroyo government, through the Department of Finance and the BOC, signed a concessional loan agreement with China on May 11, 2006 and on Jan. 15, 2007 to finance Phase 1 and 2 of the NCIS, respectively.
The loan for Phase 1 involves $50 million for 10 units of the x-ray machines and $100 million for 20 more units for Phase 2. The Export-Import Bank of China was assigned to process the loan while the Beijing-based Nuctech Co. Ltd. was China’s supplier for the project.
According to Madrigal, the NICIS project is part of the $1.109-billion loan agreement between the government and China covering the Northrail and Southrail projects. The amount is way above the usual pledges of development aid from a single country. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Japan collectively promised $11.4 billion, with $1 billion more still being negotiated.
During the Nov. 2, 2007 budget hearing, BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said each unit of the x-ray machines cost $2.5 million.
But according to comparative international prices of x-ray machines based on results of public biddings for the Los Angeles Harbor Department and the Iceland State Trading Center, each unit of the x-ray scanning machines from Nuctech costs only $1.9 million on the average, the resolution read.
Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. mentioned during a hearing on the national broadband network deal controversy that the First Gentleman joined Customs and other officials in inspecting the x-ray scanning machines in China along with Chua.
"Why is the First Gentleman part of the visit to China to see the x-ray machines? Are we going to follow everything that China wants because the loan will come from it?" she asked.
Madrigal said some of the machines were reportedly defective and became non-operational a few months after their delivery.
She also questioned why the government had to purchase 30 machines when one would have been enough, based on the practice in other countries. Madrigal added that with the huge number of units purchased, the government should have negotiated a discount.
"The anomalies in the NICIS project may have arisen because of the lack of transparency in this government-to-government transaction, when it could have been done through public bidding," Madrigal said.
The president of Nuctech, Hu Haifeng, is a son of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Nuctech is the same supplier of the now suspended Cyber-Education project.
So far, Madrigal said BOC has accounted for only 16 units in different ports in the country.
She further noted that the BOC personnel who were trained in China in 2006 to operate the machines were all allegedly removed from their posts. "Why?" Madrigal asked.
Madrigal said she could not accept the argument of the BOC that it purchased a different model to justify the high unit cost, considering that more progressive countries were able to get x-ray machines from the same company for lower prices.
Chua reacts
In a text message to The STAR, Chua said the allegations might scare away potential Chinese direct investors.
"My role as investment envoy is to bridge China relations with the Philippines," he said in his text message.
"My primary concern is foreign direct investments such as Cosco’s proposed central shipping hub totaling $5 billion of private investment," he said.
"I will never interest myself in government-to-government projects since (they are) purely a matter between two states," Chua pointed out.
"Since my stint as federation president to this day, I have spent all of my time encouraging Chinese to do private business in the Philippines and ultimately generate more jobs.
"I lament that these allegations have deterred the investments of these multinational Chinese companies which could have generated thousands more jobs and infused billions more capital into the Philippines," he pointed out.
Another anomaly--Southrail documents are missing. Documents about this anomalous deal are again missing, just like what happened to the ZTE deal which Undersecretary Formoso lost right after the Boao forum.
And another--the Department of Education (DepEd) ruled that Jun Lozada should not be allowed to enter public schools to talk about the ZTE deal. What if, in some instance, Jun finds himself needing a toilet and it happens that he's near the Ramon Magsaysay High school along Espana, would he be allowed to enter the premises of that public school? Obviously, according to the DepEd, he's not allowed.
Such attempts at destroying documents and preventing people from knowing the truth, I believe, is more than enough evidence for the CBCP, former Senator Salonga and all the rest who are not convinced to call for Arroyo's resignation to reconsider their decision. These attempts at suppressing the truth are as clear as daylight. We must not blind ourselves.
If we want to know the truth, we must be ready to sacrifice everything for the Truth to come out. But if government agencies are being used by just one family to protect itself against further acrimonious accusations, then, what use are these calls for Arroyo to allow the truth to come out when it is very, very clear that she's not really willing to do so?
FG linked to another alleged overprice
By AUREA CALICA
The Philippine Star
Sen. Jamby Madrigal is seeking an investigation into the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s purchase of allegedly overpriced x-ray scanning machines from a Chinese company without public bidding, reportedly upon the intervention of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Madrigal said the alleged deal was brokered by a certain Francis Chua who is believed to be the former president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), a group supportive of the administration.
Madrigal’s call for an investigation is contained in Senate Resolution 317.
"It is estimated that the alleged overprice of the NICIS project may run between $18 million and $90 million for both project phases," Madrigal said.
The purchase of the x-ray machines is part of the administration’s so-called Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System (NICIS), which involves the installation of mobile or truck-mounted x-ray machines to scan container vans in the different ports of the country to prevent smuggling, facilitate trade and prevent tariff evasion. The NICIS project was implemented based on Executive Order 592 signed by President Arroyo on Dec. 15, 2006.
In her resolution, Madrigal said the Arroyo government, through the Department of Finance and the BOC, signed a concessional loan agreement with China on May 11, 2006 and on Jan. 15, 2007 to finance Phase 1 and 2 of the NCIS, respectively.
The loan for Phase 1 involves $50 million for 10 units of the x-ray machines and $100 million for 20 more units for Phase 2. The Export-Import Bank of China was assigned to process the loan while the Beijing-based Nuctech Co. Ltd. was China’s supplier for the project.
According to Madrigal, the NICIS project is part of the $1.109-billion loan agreement between the government and China covering the Northrail and Southrail projects. The amount is way above the usual pledges of development aid from a single country. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Japan collectively promised $11.4 billion, with $1 billion more still being negotiated.
During the Nov. 2, 2007 budget hearing, BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said each unit of the x-ray machines cost $2.5 million.
But according to comparative international prices of x-ray machines based on results of public biddings for the Los Angeles Harbor Department and the Iceland State Trading Center, each unit of the x-ray scanning machines from Nuctech costs only $1.9 million on the average, the resolution read.
Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. mentioned during a hearing on the national broadband network deal controversy that the First Gentleman joined Customs and other officials in inspecting the x-ray scanning machines in China along with Chua.
"Why is the First Gentleman part of the visit to China to see the x-ray machines? Are we going to follow everything that China wants because the loan will come from it?" she asked.
Madrigal said some of the machines were reportedly defective and became non-operational a few months after their delivery.
She also questioned why the government had to purchase 30 machines when one would have been enough, based on the practice in other countries. Madrigal added that with the huge number of units purchased, the government should have negotiated a discount.
"The anomalies in the NICIS project may have arisen because of the lack of transparency in this government-to-government transaction, when it could have been done through public bidding," Madrigal said.
The president of Nuctech, Hu Haifeng, is a son of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Nuctech is the same supplier of the now suspended Cyber-Education project.
So far, Madrigal said BOC has accounted for only 16 units in different ports in the country.
She further noted that the BOC personnel who were trained in China in 2006 to operate the machines were all allegedly removed from their posts. "Why?" Madrigal asked.
Madrigal said she could not accept the argument of the BOC that it purchased a different model to justify the high unit cost, considering that more progressive countries were able to get x-ray machines from the same company for lower prices.
Chua reacts
In a text message to The STAR, Chua said the allegations might scare away potential Chinese direct investors.
"My role as investment envoy is to bridge China relations with the Philippines," he said in his text message.
"My primary concern is foreign direct investments such as Cosco’s proposed central shipping hub totaling $5 billion of private investment," he said.
"I will never interest myself in government-to-government projects since (they are) purely a matter between two states," Chua pointed out.
"Since my stint as federation president to this day, I have spent all of my time encouraging Chinese to do private business in the Philippines and ultimately generate more jobs.
"I lament that these allegations have deterred the investments of these multinational Chinese companies which could have generated thousands more jobs and infused billions more capital into the Philippines," he pointed out.
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