Uncategorized – Page 2

Sacrifices under lockdown gone to waste

It is clear: We wasted both the resources and sacrifices in more than 100 days lockdown due to the “Balik Probinsiya” and “Hatid Probinsiya” programs. A number of our government officials are either detached from the reality of implementation or are still stuck in the trial and error phase that the once Covid-free areas now have cases of the dreaded disease.

CBMS data gathering under COVID-19?

One of the best tools that could help our officials and decision makers particularly at the local level is the community-based monitoring system (CBMS). It is a tool for formulation, implementation, assessment and monitoring of programs and policies that are specific, targeted and responsive to the needs of each sector of the community. But while it is one of the “must haves”, CBMS data gathering amidst the Covid-19 pandemic is not only insensitive on the plight of its enumerators and respondents but it is also bastardizing the science behind the system.

A fear of abuse in implementation is terrorism in itself

If fear of abuse exists in the implementation of a law that seeks to prevent terrorism, then the more that law needs to be revised if not scrapped. Not only is it done out of context but it is also sowing terror when it is supposed to be anti-terrorism itself.

Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, in defense of the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020 said on ABS-CBN News Channel’s (ANC) Headstart last June 25: “The fear of abuse is not a valid reason to reject a bill outright. It is not a valid reason to reject needed legislation like the anti-terrorism bill because theoretically speaking, all laws can be abused, even social welfare laws that are very benign and charitable can be abused.”

The General’s presence in the Philippine’s war against ignorance

Philippine Education Secretary Leonor Briones, preparations for distance or blended learning on August 24 are in full swing. Distance learning will include the use of printed or digital modules delivered to the homes of students, or picked up by parents at designated places following coordinated schedules, as well as the use of online learning resources such as “DepEd Commons” and educating through television or radio-based instruction. But does this mean the Department of Education (DepEd) is now ready for the school year 2020-2021?

The wrong answer sheet

Senate President Vicente Sotto must have copied the wrong answer on Monday, June 8, when he claimed that addressing poverty and social injustices would not eradicate terrorism.

“Mali ‘yun [na dapat sugpuin ang kahirapan at kawalan katarungan sa paglaban ng terorista]. They want to live in a perfect world. Hindi naman ‘yun ang problema ng terorista eh. Ang problema ng terrorista, ideology. Ang tinatarget ng Anti-Terror bill ay yung ideolohiya na guluhin ang gobyerno,” Sotto said in an interview over Dobol B sa News TV.