THE ERA
Editorial
COLUMN
"Oplan Baklas: Legal or illegal?"
LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With the 2022 Elections drawing nearer, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is doing everything they can to preserve peace and order during the campaign period, and one of these procedures is "Oplan Baklas."
As per R.A. (Republic Act) 9006, or the "Fair Election Act," sections 22 to 29, the COMELEC poll body may use their power to dismantle illegal campaign posters, including oversized materials in private properties.
But this said policy, however, sparks numerous outrage because, according to some private owners, the COMELEC has "trespassed private properties without warnings or even talks, aside from posters being oversized."
"Oplan Baklas" is considered legal because COMELEC has the right to prohibit posters outside poster areas, public places, or private properties without the owner's permission, and those maximizing size limits.
(https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168124)
Violation of these rules may carry one to six years in prison, revocation of voting rights, and disqualification in holding public office.
The aforementioned policy proved to be illegal because, according to former Bayan Muna lawmaker and senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares, the COMELEC "made too much abuse through campaign material takedown in private places without due process."
Aside from that, according to Attorney Romulo Macalintal, it "is trespassing and a search or seizure order should have been presented before police officers occupied private premises."
The issue on tarpaulin size limits this 2022 isn't the first time that the Philippines has ever experienced. In the middle of the 2013 Elections, the Diocese of Bacolod had a scuffle with the COMELEC over the same matter, which is approximately 6x10 in size. Aside from this, "Team Buhay" and "Team Patay", led by their respective senatorial bets and party-list groups, battled over the Reproductive Health (RH) Law issue.
(https://news.abs-cbn.com/01/21/15/sc-upholds-church-use-team-buhay-team-patay-tarps)
Overall, this policy is declared unworthy because this clearly lacks our freedom to vote and to speak. We just need to have dialogues and suggestions so that this matter could be resolved.
The new normal : Living with the virus
JAY MARC POVADORA
Nearly three years after COVID-19 starts rampaging in our country, the National Capital Region (NCR) and 38 other areas will be placed under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the minor changes of the guidelines on the nationwide implementation of the Alert Level System.
On the same day, they also approved the lowering of the grounds against the COVID-19.
Our frontliners, business workers, employees, and government workers can now breathe easily as the new cases start declining and a new footing for the opening of our economy.
All sectors from small businesses to tourism and hospitality will benefit with this game changer.
As long as we can continue steadily, we can fully live with the virus without its harm to our everyday life.
But don't be too overconfident, with just one mistake and just being carefree just like at the start of the new year, the deadly virus can turn the tables around.
Still be wise and follow the health protocols from everywhere you are. All these things can end if we will stop complying with the protocols.
Hike of Tuition Fees: Should Private schools reprioritize?
PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
Education has always been one of the most affected fields in the pandemic ranging from methods drastically changing to institutions fully shutting down in response to a lack of resources. Among these responses, tuition fees hiking is one of them.
According to Atty. Noel Estrada Managing Director of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) “We have to consider it in totality. Halimbawa, marami ang hindi nag-enroll, may lumipat, maraming hindi nakabayad, at the same time, babalansehin mo ‘yan. Papaano mo naman… How do you keep your school personnel, your teachers? Kasi ‘yung ‘pag nagtaas ka, ‘yung makukuha mo diyan required ng batas is 70% be given to salaries of personnel and teachers, tapos 20% to facilities.”
The hit private schools took during the pandemic urged heavy change in their system but possibility for request in raising tuition fees reached parents. Concern has been going around with members of the Parents Teachers Association voicing their possible course of action if tuition fees do begin rising. “Wala pong nangyayaring konsultasyon between parents ‘no, tungkol sa mga matrikulang ganyan, tulad ng sinasabi na mayroon daw kung maaari idetermina yung ating tuition hike ‘no kasi medyo galing po tayo sa pandemic at medyo hirap pa po ang ating ekonomiya,” Philippine PTA President Willy Rodriguez stated.
The thought of raising tuition fee prices stemmed from their losses in the first place, the hike being a plan to salvage what was left by the pandemic and a possible way to recover assets of private schools even if it’s just through that crucial 20% owed to the facility by law. Maintaining vicinities while making sure to provide for staff may as well be the goal of private schools but the side of the students and parents respectively show room for reconsideration of what to put first.
COLUMN
"Nabbing unvaccinated individuals: Lawful or unlawful?"
LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With 2021 bidding its final farewell, the COVID-19 cases spiked into a shocking increase to begin 2022, causing the whole world, including the Philippines, to implement desperate measures once again, and this time one of these include the prohibition of unvaccinated individuals to go out.
The said prohibition or the so-called "no vax, no labas" policy aims to "deny unvaccinated persons from leaving their homes except for essential activities."
But, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, those who will refuse to comply with this policy against the COVID-19 Omicron variant will "force the government to apprehend them."
Nabbing them would be lawful since many unvaccinated people were attempting to go out without any reason. Furthermore, it will only be a "last resort as the President is exercising his authority as chief executive under public health emergency."
(https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/1/8/DILG-arresting-unvaccinated-last-resort.html)
In addition, barangay officials may arrest the unvaccinated if he or she "leaves his or her home for non-essential purposes."
However, the pronouncement was deemed unlawful because according to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) President Atty. Burt Estrada, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), "violate the people's fundamental rights to travel freely." Aside from that, there is "no law yet on limiting travel rights."
In the midst of confusion over opinion backlashes on capturing the unvaccinated, the COVID-19 cases shocked the whole Philippines from 319 on December 28, 2021, to 34,021 on January 13, 2022, reverting back to the COVID-19 Delta variant surge from 764 on December 28, 2020, to 15,298 on April 2, 2021 and 26,251 on September 11, 2021, that's why presidential bets like labor leader Leody de Guzman urged the public to "strengthen vaccination drives by providing incentives and not sanctions."
Overall, this policy is unlawful because it will not only burden our human rights, but also our national economy. Instead, we need to strengthen contact tracing, border control and vaccination drives to curb the pandemic once and for all
Editorial Cartooning | Reynald Ram Ablir
Editorial Cartooning | Kurt Angel Duran
SIM Card identity: a solution with hidden issues
JAY MARC POVADORA
Anonymity protects both good netizens and cybercriminals to be on the safe side of the internet. Trolls and scammers are using it to spread fake news, spread toxicity, continue the proliferation of digital fraud, and just defame someone for fun. Is uncurtaining the masks would suffice the problem? Or are we just creating a new set of issues?
Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian said last month that the proposed House Bill 5729 or Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act could help in dealing and tracking down delinquents who use mobile phones with prepaid or postpaid SIM cards as a tool to pursue cybercrimes.
The bill was ratified by the Senate and House of the Representatives earlier this month. It is now up for President Duterte if he would go for a push to make it a law or decline it.
The bill mandates every Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) or direct sellers of SIM cards to require users, new and old, to present valid identification with photos upon purchase.
Before the 15 days period, end users will also must accomplish and sign a control-numbered registration issued by the respective PTE of the purchased SIM card.
“The registration form shall include an attestation by the end-user that the person appearing before the direct seller is the same person who accomplished and signed the registration form and that the identification documents presented are valid and correct,” the bill stated.
“Failure of an end-user to comply with the requirements under this section shall be a ground for the PTE or direct seller to refuse the sale and issuance of a SIM card,” it added.
The idea is to track down cyber criminals, however, it can also risk people's privacy and bring up another issue in society.
A team member of Democracy.net.ph said that there are some countries that also tried the SIM card registrations but fell into failure because consultants said that they can't find any proof that they increased the security.
He also added that in Mexico, they repealed the SIM Card Registration Act in 2012 after it was approved in 2009 because of the crime increase caused by the newly enforced law. The law became the reason for criminals to steal phones for its SIM card identity.
"Actually crime increased, that’s what happened in Mexico. So kidnappings, extortion calls, and assaults on civilians aimed at stealing cellular equipment increased in Mexico," he said in an ANC Rundown interview.
Furthermore, extortions and kidnappings increased after the law was leaked on the internet.
"In Mexico the registry got leaked to the internet and sold on the black market. I think it was sold for around 500 Mexican pesos which is about P1250. So ganoon kamura umikot siya sa internet," he said.
Nazareno also pointed out the "Come-leak" incident before. He is concerned about the Philippines' capacity of concealing private information.
“In 2016 we had a Come-leak,” he said, referring to how the website of the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) website was hacked a little more than a month shortly before the presidential elections that year.
“So the danger here is that when you put information in a central repository, and you can’t secure it, there’s the danger of stuff leaking. And I don’t think--it is very difficult for many companies to guarantee 100 percent security. Kasi, magagaling ang hackers eh.”
“If a company like Facebook with billions of dollars at its disposal wasn’t able to secure the data of people around the world…papano pa 'yung smaller companies? And let’s say entities sa Philippine government, ‘di ba?” he said.
Being anonymous online is the safest way possible than to risk our private information for so-called "safety".
Hackers will continue to evolve and evolve until they get what they want so having aliases or other names online will truly help you.
What we need now is another layer of shield. The government can propose another bill that focuses on keeping the data more private and we, the netizens, must know the precautions in the digital world.
Lockdown Effectiveness
PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
For the better or for the worst, lockdowns began being a factor to the everyday Filipino person ever since 2020. And when the Alert Level System (ALS) took the whole nation in November of 2021, it left room for discussion whether these daunting abbreviations that flash the news channels during surges of COVID cases are indeed effective.
When lockdowns and quarantines were first introduced, President Duterte himself had commented how "they are afraid to call it a lockdown, but it is a lockdown." during a televised address from Malacañang Palace. The negative view on these special community orders didn’t stop in its first year alone, remaining as an eyed topic even today in 2022 when Metro Manila was raised to alert level 3 on January 3. Of course, these community orders weren’t based on anything. During case surges and influx the government immediately takes action by implementing the proper level depending on the degree of severity. This is done in an attempt to lower the cases and cut possible routes for the virus to spread to.
However, the question of whether these lockdown measures are effective has started popping through the years as everything comes with doubt. Multiple studies have been made with the focus on Lebanon, New Zealand, China, and so on where the question was taken into account. Here in the Philippines, the repetitive use of this tactic may point to its effectiveness as a safety measure against the virus. The factor of our understanding against the virus along with the intent to follow holds a significant impact on the effectiveness of lockdowns and community quarantines. It’s in our human nature to go on defense in response to something we don’t have knowledge of, this is the role of lockdowns.
Compared to two years ago when the virus first appeared, we’ve all come far in research especially with our benefit of vaccines. This assurance may ward off the fear and weariness of the masses to an extent but in turn, it may also be why lockdown would lose its edge as a safety measure. The more people gain safety against the virus the less they’d see the purpose outside of being a passed order.
Would you agree with their reliability considering our current state as opposed to two years ago? At the end of the day, the effectiveness of lockdowns and quarantine, in general, relies on the people rather than the system itself.
(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_community_quarantines_in_the_Philippines)
COLUMN
“Omicron variant: Declaring lockdown?”
LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With the COVID-19 cases starting to ease down, a new variant rises from the ashes in the form of the Omicron variant. Declared as “variant of concern”, the Philippine government starts to impose stricter protocols to curb it like travel restrictions and possibly, by declaring lockdowns.
Lockdowns will be very much helpful because these can curb the spread of COVID-19 virus. Besides, these can be done by sufficient border closure, to be followed by mandated lockdowns like in New Zealand and vaccinations.
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13571516.2021.1976051)
These kinds of lockdowns may not be helpful in our fight against COVID-19 due to psychological issues. The house confinement for children, if prolonged, could increase psychological consequences and distress.
(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-020-0955-x)
Aside from mental breakdowns, these can also cause economic shortage. One huge lockdown and it could lose millions of money sourced from jobs.
Omicron variant is considered as “variant of concern” after being discovered in South Africa. Also known as B.1.1.529, it can spread faster than the Delta variant and it can escape COVID-19 vaccines.
(https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2021-update-on-omicron)
Overall, lockdowns are not helpful because these can lose our funds. We should think on how to balance mental health, economy and others’ health like intervention, online business and dissemination against COVID-19.
Editorial Cartooning | Kurt Angel Duran
MMFF is back amidst pandemic
JAY MARC POVADORA
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2021 "Parade of Stars" is back to be screened live in cinemas this coming holidays, December 25, 2021, to January 8, 2022.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, MMFF 2020 was held virtually for the first time in history. Although it grossed nearly a billion pesos, it didn't catch up with its target views for a two-week run.
Now that the restrictions were relaxed, theaters and cinemas are now open for service. It is a call for industry's reopening of business after its long loss of income and hope for thousands of workforce in the local box office.
The 47th edition of MMFF was started with ferry boats accompanied by celebrities of official movie entries in this year's film festival that sailed from Pasig to Manila this last December 19 to promote the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority-operated Pasig River Ferry Service.
Moreover, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said that "Through this fluvial parade, we hope to encourage the public to ride the ferry service, which sails from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Escolta in Manila. This alternative transportation is traffic-free, and you’ll get to appreciate the beauty of the river and the arts along the riverbanks."
Last November 12, 8 films were announced from its total of 19 film submissions. From action, comedy, romance, horror, drama, and suspense, you got all you want.
The 8 films were "A Hard Day" by Law Fajardo, "Big Night" by Jun Lana, "Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw" by Louie Ignacio, "Huwag Kang Lalabas" by Adolfo Alix Jr., "Kun Maupay Man it Panahon" by Carlo Francisco Manatad, "Love at First Stream" by Cathy Garcia-Molina, "Nelia" by Lester Dimaranan, and "The Exorsis" by Fifth Solomon.
A unique set of entries that will show bond during these tough times of calamity and also helps thousands of working people in the industry.
Student Education: Between the Pandemic Balance?
PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
The sudden influx of cases within the nation raised doubt once more on whether face-to-face classes should be an option for students. Vaccination keeps being a hanging factor when it comes to this debate but different sides speak of different stances. Educators and students aren’t alone in the divide, but really… which route has the most merit?
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Even when opening socials, the complaint, and indifference of students of all student grade levels keep becoming more evident by the day. Too much pressure, too little help, and time. It became a subject of significant notice that roused grimmer results. According to a survey conducted by Statista, thirty percent of students answered online distance learning as only 20 to 50 percent effective as opposed to the meek 14 percent that finds it one hundred percent effective. (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1262427/philippines-view-on-effectiveness-of-distance-learning-compared-to-face-to-face-schooling/)
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However, is it really worth accomodating the students’ wishes with the threat of variants spreading every now and then? SARS, Delta, and Omicron all rebut the much-needed change in education methods. As we greet the new year new changes will be implemented in the metropolitan area where the variants surged. President Duterte himself even stated last thursday "Takot ako (sa) Omicron because pumuputok na sa lahat ng bayan sa buong mundo. Hindi naman ito, I think, fatal mutant, but ang takot ko 'yung resources naman ng government,".
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With both handicaps, can it even be possible to find an overlapping solution? Student rights to a free education compared to their citizen safety? Despite their simultaneous rise and fall, it takes much more consideration before a definitive conclusion can be reached.
COLUMN
“Substitution: Den of publicity stunts?”
LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With the 2022 Elections drawing nearer, political figures seek out respective thrones to win the hearts of every Filipino aiming to curb national problems in the country.
But what is substitution? In political terms, it is an act of replacement when an original candidate passed away, withdrew, or was disqualified. (https://ndvlaw.com/substitution-of-candidates-in-philippine-elections/?amp=1)
According to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Spokesperson James Jimenez, the substitution period lapses if COMELEC finalizes the list of candidates.
The advantage for substitution is that candidates can give time to think and plan a new strategy to continue political agendas, but with certain conditions. (https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/guide-when-can-candidates-be-substituted)
The disadvantage of substitution is that, according to Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez, it “may pose serious questions and may lead to the manipulation and mockery of the election process.”
Aside from that, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros, the substitution is “meant to toy with the Filipino people and it does not help our institutions.”
There was a bill already aimed to end “mockery of the election process” which was filed in the House of Representatives, but it has not passed yet. (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/15017119/bill-banning-candidate-substitution-due-to-withdrawal-filed)
Overall, this is not helpful because it can manipulate voting ballots and it can lead to election mockery. Should the bill against substitution be passed, we pick our leaders that have good hearts to snap the COVID-19 pandemic and all other national problems.
Editorial Cartooning | Reynald Ram Ablir
Vaxxed below 11 years old: possible?
PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
One month left before 2021 comes to a close, this year’s progress with our battle against the Coronavirus has been efficient as we hold national vaccinations for minors aged 12-17, and after an announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it aroused hope for the nation’s youth and their future stance in the pandemic.
Domingo stated at the palace press briefing “I would think before the end of the year. I’m pretty sure Pfizer’s going to be ready and the Sinovac also told us that their data is being collated and will be submitted soon. So, I believe before the end of the year, we’re going to have vaccines for children below 12,”.
The statement brought to light on the possibility of vaccines for the younger citizens, which was then added on when Domingo reported Sinovac soon submitting their data on the vaccine whereas Pfizer-BioNTech has announced its a possible confirmation before the end of the year. The progression of vaccination is already evident given the schools and workplaces that are slowly opening face to face, and with relation to minors aged 11 and below, will this progress be beneficial in the long run? Doubts aren't unsurprising, speculation arises with things related to the unknown so can we truly rely on the word of the figureheads?
For almost two years, the nation has been striving for solutions to the countless conflicts the virus brought like the pandemic, market crashing, and academic halts. It’s nothing new given the circumstances but the slow recovery through the vaccines and protocols have been proved to be for the greater good, so in light of this, being able to finally give a chance to the younger generation might reopen more doors to the confined citizens.
Editorial Cartooning | Kurt Angel Duran
SOCMED : The modernized spreader of fake news?
JAY MARC POVADORA
A survey in September from Pulse Asia found out that nearly half or 48% of Filipino adults got their political news from the internet. Out of this number, 44% said it’s from Facebook. This shows how powerful the internet is.
The internet can influence anyone and anywhere. It is a tool that helps us connect with other people. But these mentioned benefits can also be obtained by scoundrels. They can manipulate and change other people's perspectives. They can make factual information into fake news. Are termination of some sites the answer? Or is it our negligence being controlled?
Now that we are approaching the 2022 elections, social media platforms are now campaign tools to advocate their motives as well as their goals of being a leader. They can also post their achievements and their point of view on certain issues.
But it’s not always good. Some politicians/die-hard supporters are spreading false information. Either making them good or stomping other candidates. We saw some incidents like that. From manipulated pictures, false threads, and even academic dishonesty.
These kinds of posts attract many people. They immediately believe what they see and start to share it on their timeline, or chat about it with friends. Thus, the cycle continues.
As registered voters, it is their responsibility to be aware and informed of what is true and factual. Terminating those sites will not help at all. Moreover, it can worsen the problem. Shut down a company in your country and a domino effect will emerge. The solution we need is fact-checking.
Fact-checking is a simple but powerful shield against all misinformation. It may open our minds to what is true by making better decisions of whom to vote in this coming election, etc.
COLUMN
“Online games earning money: Are we sure about them?”
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LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to suffer our economy and income, many workers have lost their jobs. So the only way to regain resources is through online games that earn big money. But, are we sure that these can be trusted?
Online games have been a great help because these can boost not only a person’s memory and concentration, but also its income. Besides, their incomes were used to buy 2 new houses. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rgRsPV9LEU)
A study from HiTechWhizz.com shows that there were also negative effects of online games. One of them is security, because there is also risk of hacking personal information, and health concerns, with too much addiction affecting back pain and eye problems.
One of the pieces of advice is gadget limitation. It will be helpful because the sense of addiction and anger can be reduced.
Another one is watching TV. That way, a sense of family bonding can be developed.
Despite all these factors, overall, this is very helpful to improve income. We just need to limit gadget usage and create enjoyment with family so that a healthy mind and body can prevail.
Editorial Cartoon l Reynald Ram Ablir
EMPLOYEE DISCRIMINATION? NO VACCINE NO PAY CALLOUT
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PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
Yet another arising problem the pandemic brought to the masses, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines have made public of the illegal “No vaccine no pay” action of many employers that have been reportedly withholding salaries of employees who haven’t taken any COVID 19 vaccine. Are employers really in the right?
It’s been a good while since vaccines have been distributed here in the Philippines ranging from Pfizer to Moderna it’s no surprise that the public eye immediately took action in implementing new guidelines with consideration to the Vaccines, the work industry being one of them.
The industry field is one of the many aspects that have been greatly damaged by the pandemic, so hearing of this vaccine prompted businesses to slowly but surely work their way back up from the sudden market crash the pandemic caused. An idle regulation made among these, however, was the “No Vaccine No Pay” wherein employers refuse to pay unvaccinated employees their salary, the instance was eventually made known by the TUCP which led to statements being made by the Department of Labor and Employment regarding this farce.
“Labag sa batas nga 'yan. You cannot withhold the salary of an employee or a worker without legal basis. Eh yung hindi pagbabakuna, hindi legal basis ‘yun. Kaya bawal na bawal yang ganyang policy na no vax, no pay.” Sec. Silvestre Bello III stated. With willingness to aid the concernees, DOLE has assured of it’s public assistance.
“Please come to us kung hindi niyo, kung ayaw niyo magpakilala just tell us who the employers are and we will be willing to immediately cause an inspection to the business establishment to find out whether indeed the salaries of the workers are being withheld, by reason of the fact that they have not been vaccinated. And we assure you that we will take immediate legal action”.
Even to the common eye, this regulation has room for doubt, in an end justifies the means mentality. The goal of these employers may have been positive if, given the benefit of the doubt, but are the drastic actions taken truly justifiable? To the majority and the secretary of DOLE, it is by no means probable and must be corrected in proper order, for the right and justice of the employees.
Manila Bay's "white sand beach": A dust from your eye
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JAY MARC POVADORA
For many years, Manila Bay was considered one of the polluted places in the Philippines. Plastics and other kinds of trash are everywhere. It is not the kind of bay where you can just dive in and swim.
In response to that, on December 18, 2008, the Supreme Court ordered SC Mandamus on Manila Bay (G.R. 171947-48). Directing 13 government offices, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay and maintain its waters to SB level. Making swimming and other forms of "contact recreation" suitable for Manila Bay.
Years later, DENR proposed the "Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program" in 2019 as a solution, making Manila Bay a "white sand beach".
However, is it really the thing we need especially when we are in the midst of a pandemic? Or, is it just a cosmetic that hides what we really need to take action?
The controversial "Manila Bay dolomite beach" received much negative feedback from environmental watchdogs, experts, and netizens alike. And faced different issues from the very start of its construction.
Dolomite is a non-metallic kind of material that is mainly used in construction. Although there are some examples of man-made beaches, the Department of Health (DOH) said that dolomites can have adverse reactions to humans when inhaled. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added that dolomites can cause stomach aches that can result in diarrhea.
In regards to its safety in the aquatic life and ecosystem in the Manila Bay, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda assured in a PhilStar.com report, “Kami sa DENR pinag-aralan natin 'yan. In the first place 'yung mga ginamit d'yan, especially 'yung sand, 'yung dolomite boulders na 'yan it contains calcium carbonate and if you will look sa corals, calcium carbonate din. So it will not disrupt the coastal ecosystem.”
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(Source: Philippine Star)
But, an environmental group, Oceana Philippines warned that the sand might be destroying Manila Bay's natural ecosystem and synthetic sand because it did not originally come from that place.
There are also some reports that despite the successful cleanup, the government only focused on one part of Manila Bay, and not as a whole.
Diuvs de Jesus, Oceana Philippines’ marine scientist visited Manila Bay wetlands last Sept. 25. He was alarmed to see the condition of mangroves while the government committed their efforts and dedicated hundreds of millions of pesos in just one area of Manila Bay.
“Spending millions for the dolomite beach in the disguise of ‘cleanup’ when other parts of Manila Bay’s mangroves and mudflats are threatened by plastic pollution and reclamation?” he said.
“We could have used it for other meaningful and useful projects to address the problem regarding plastic waste,” he told INQUIRER.net, saying that the dolomite beach only hides the severity of the problem.
(Source : Inquirer.net)
DENR clarified that the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program has two phases and has P389 million and P265 million budget allocation respectively. The mining and transporting of dolomite sands are just in the first phase with only P28 million expenses. The project was planned to cover over 30,000 square meters of Manila Bay, with a length of 500 meters and a width of 60 meters, especially the coastline along Roxas Boulevard.
Manila Bay does not only consist of the boundaries of Manila. It is bordered by the cities of Manila, Las Piñas, Navotas, Pasay, and Parañaque, and the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga.
The dolomite beach is in the jurisdiction of Manila. But what about the other places? “I hope they will protect the marine environment there,” said De Jesus.
(Source : Inquirer.net)
Having a good scenery to fight back your anxiety is not bad at all. But the real problem we are facing under that makeup is a polluted and over-exploited place that needs reclamation and not rehabilitation.
As many environmentalists suggested, planting mangroves is a more suitable action. With it’s very cheap budget allocation with its good effects to the ecosystem. We didn’t just help to reclaim the old version of Manila Bay, but we also helped the environment.
COLUMN
“Online learning
gadgets: fiasco or triumph?”
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LORENZO MARCO IBANEZ
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to ravage everybody, including face-to-face learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched the Blended learning, along with the inclusion of Online Tablet Learning Delivery.
Online Learning has been a great help since last year because we don’t need to pay for transportation expenses, at the same time we can be safe from the COVID-19 virus. Besides, we can submit all activities through different platforms without delivering them personally to our school.
Despite being triumphant in these dark times, we have experienced some fiascoes in doing online learning, like having technical problems with the Internet connection, especially in synchronous classes. There are also a few cases of students who have been blurred because of gadget overuse.
Social intervention and gadget limitation is a good thing so that we can lessen students who have been blurred because of gadgets.
Another thing to do is by watching TV, so that we can have a sense of family bonding, and by putting on anti-radiation glasses so that we could not be blurred.
Despite all of these factors, overall, this is very helpful so that education will continue to deliver its high quality. COVID-19 has been there, but through teamwork with teachers and other stakeholders, we can ensure that online learning will be successful.
Editorial Cartoon l Reynald Ram Ablir
“Pilot face-to-face
launch: Beneficiary?”
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PHOEBE CHELLUA SADORRA
Heated talk among officials and students alike, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced its plan to launch pilot face-to-face classes with selected 100 public schools and 20 private schools, accounting for a total of 120 for this test run.
“Ang face-to-face na konsepto ngayon iba sa face-to-face na kilala natin, na everyday nag-face-to-face ang teacher, ang kabataan. Sa lahat na bansa, walang daily continuous face-to-face. Talagang ini-schedule ito nang husto at strictly monitored pati yung kilos ng mga bata,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones stated (https://www.deped.gov.ph).
The pilot face-to-face is being launched with the utmost care of the students in mind, adhering strictly to safety protocols from both the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID). The announcement has indeed gained favor from parents and one of them being Junes Aruedas, a mother from Taguig with her 3rd-grade son, saying that “Hindi lang basta yung na sa monitor lagi yung sa computer kasi, yung bata hindi siya ganoong ka focus”.
Despite the approving feedback there’s also expected critiques from both students and staff alike, with a statement from a senior high school student from Taguig being “ ‘Diba po bawal po mag dine-in kapag hindi vaccinated? Pero bakit po sila nag, pumapayag na mag face to face yung mga bata, ng mga hindi vaccinated”. The student’s statement can be backed up by Dr. Tony Leachon where he stated that “Sa teacher pa lang eh, at tsaka sa mga employees. Even if vaccinated sila at marami ring unvaccinated, pwede ka ren magkaroon ng breakthrough infection”
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), however, is one of the advocacy groups that have been pushing for a re-opening of face-to-face classes. Despite the indifferent call-outs to the planned launch, President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the proposal, which now leads to the current finalization of participating schools that are deemed to be minimal-risk COVID-19 areas. There is yet to be a date announced, but the schools under the pilot launch will meet all the requirements which include written consent from the students’ parents.
Overall, after a year and a half of blended distance learning, the sudden announcement of the launch has caused an uproar for all parties involved. Is face-to-face learning truly necessary? Between the want and need of students, it is still affirmative that the pilot face-to-face launch may prove grave results.
Editorial Cartoon l Kurt Angel Duran
Face Shield :
A Double Edged-Sword
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JAY MARC POVADORA
As COVID-19 continues to rampage all over the country, face shields became one of the precautionary measures against it. It provides protection from the virus. But, it can cause accidents and can be suffocating. Is it really the weapon we need to fight back against the unseen enemy? Or maybe just a nuisance to the public?
Face shields have been a hot topic since it was first implemented last December 2020. Although its purpose is to decrease the infection along with a face mask, Filipinos are asking to reimpose the policy.
People say that face shields provide occurrences for their everyday life. Claiming that it should be optional and not mandatory.
Lawmakers impulsed the Department of Health (DOH) to review and reconsider the policy. Saying that face shields are "anti-poor".
A study from Physics of Fluids found out that having a face mask and face shield will not make you invincible against the droplets around you. The sides and bottom parts can also be a pathway to your face.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that face shields are "just an extra layer of protection besides face masks". It blocks liquid from coming into our eyes. But it will not be a substitute for face masks.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said that "not as effective at protecting you or the people around you from respiratory droplets." Both WHO and CDC don't have any suggestions to implement this policy.
Neighboring countries are not required to use face shields. Considering these factors, is this the time to uplift the policy?
The public clamor continued to rise and finally reached the government. Last Wednesday, President Duterte announced that face shields will not be required outside except for the places identified as "3Cs" -- "closed, crowded, and closed contact".
We can't deny the fact that face shields are for added protection against COVID-19, however, the new Delta variant is popping everywhere. Is this a ripe time to remove the policy? Or a reasonable action towards public demands?