Noynoying

NOYNOYING-Idleness when there something to be done. Is this the new planking??

To illustrate further,

Photo courtesy of NOYNOYING Facebook Page.

Video Source: Youtube

No copyright infringement intended.

-RWN

PDI and Vicente

I was then in the library when I saw the cover page of the Inquirer.....
This is so wrong....
PDI, you call yourself a journalist?
This is so unethical.


-RWN

Cool?

You think you're cool? Think about it....Be smart, Don't start...

Source: National Youth Commission Facebook Page

-RWN

On Animal Cruelty...

When I saw these pictures in Facebook, the first thing that popped out of my mind was my thesis in college.

The thrust of my thesis was animal welfare or Animal Liberation as expounded by Peter Singer. 

This incident happened in Baguio. In this place, it has been a tradition of eating dog meat. Because of the cold temperature in Baguio, many people eat dog meat. It is believed that eating dog meat can increase body temperature in order to overcome the cold temperature in their place. 

This is a clear example of animal cruelty. Imagine the pain and anxiety that this dog was suffering being inside a sack and suspended in a moving vehicle and also how difficult for it to breathe because its muzzle is tied with a rope. Seeing these pictures, one can infer that this dog is close to its doom. It would be butchered for food or pulutan in a drinking spree.

Don't think that they'll kill this dog without inflicting great pain. First, they will strike this poor creature with a paddle or a metal bat or tube usually on the head. Or, they can just pierce its neck and bleed to death. Or just hang it up and let it burn alive.

In this picture, in indicates a case of a clash  between tradition and animal welfare. It has been a practice of eating dog meat in order to fight the cold weather. On the other hand, animal welfare advocates say that it is animal cruelty. 

Animals experience pain too. Animals need our care too. Of course many will react that the needs of man should be satisfied first. But is it necessary to inflict great pain and suffering on these animals? No! 

-RWN

Move on....

I'm so tired of all this impeachment stuff. What takes it so long? This must have been done faster. Well, we cannot just ask them to stop now. My concern now is not the conviction or acquittal of the Chief Justice. Just finish this whole proceeding so all can move on with their lives. The country is suffering. Instead of focusing on more important issues like the economy, education and employment, they are just wasting funds for this trial. No matter how noble the intention of the administration is, let us not remove the fact that it has to work more   for this country. Tuwid nga naman ang daan pero saan tayo papunta. No clear economic plans are laid.  Bills pending are just piled up in Congress. We need to pass the very important legislations like the RH and Freedom of Information Bills. 

Just finish this and Move on.

Rated PG

Ang susunod na salaysay ay may tema at mga eksenang di angkop sa mga matatapang ang hiya. Mas matinding tapang ng hiya ay kailangan. Ito ay Rated PG!

Pag pulitika na ang tema ng usapan, ang daming pwedeng masabi. May nakakatawa, nakakatuwa, nakakainis, nakakakilabot at yung wala lang. Pero mas makikita mo talaga ang totoong mukha ng pulitika tuwing panahon ng eleksyon.

PULITIKONG GUTOM

Sila ang ibinoboto ng mga mamayan. Mga pulitikong gutom sa kapangyarihan.Hindi naman lahat pero pag kunuha ng Diyos ang mga ito, ilan kaya ang matitira? Sila ang mga nagpapapogi at nagmamaganda tuwing botohan. Mga GGSS - Guapong-guapo/ Gandang-ganda Sa Sarili. Gagawin nila ang lahat mabusog lang ang kanilang diwa sa kapangyarihan ay syempre kayamanan. Hindi naman sa pagiging desperado nila, pero talo nila ang Bangko Sentral sa pamumudmod ng salapi. Sa bisperas ng eleksyon, tila ba merong feeding program sa kampo nila dahil sa haba ng pila ng mga taong makatikim ng kaunting ginhawa. Isang boto, yan ang sine qua non condition para makatanggap ng kaunting biyaya.

Pag nanalo na sa eleksyon at naupo, babawi na yan.Yan mga nabigyan ng pera, akala nila nakaisa na sila sa kandidato. Yun pala nasa pulitiko ang huling halakhak. Ang laki kaya ng gastos. Pero malaki rin naman ang laman ng kaban ng bayan.  Ang liit ng sweldo sa gobyerno pero malaki ang kita. Sa tingin mo ang ipinangako nilang ginhawa ay matutupad. Gugutumin ka ulit nila. Sa tingin mo ba pag busog ka e mabibili pa nila boto mo. Mas lalo ka nilang gugutumin para sa susunod na eleksyon e sila ang tila magiging Asyong Salonga, protektado ka na, may money ka pa.

PUBLIKONG GUTOM

Sila ang para bang isang beses sa tatlong taon makahawak ng salapi ng walang hirap na kailangang danasin. Meron pala, Haba ng pila. Sayang ang pagkakataon. Sayang ang kita. Ang mag tao talaga, kung sino may pera siya ang minamahal. Hala, pag eleksyon lahat ng pulitko parang si Kuya Wil. Ang bawat eleksyon ay isang malaking Wowowee. Kahit magkakano papatusin. Ang salaping natanggap, isang boto ang katapat. Panu makakasiguro ang mga pulitiko kung ibiboto nga sila? Nakaisa si Juan. Hindi pala. Nakadalawa si Juan. Parehong kampo napuntahan. Jackpot ika nga. Pero nakajackpot din si Pulitiko. Akala mo ha. Mas naisahan ka niya. Barya lang niya yang natanggap mo. Milyon naman ang makukubra niya sa pwesto.

Sa loob ng tatlong taon magtitiis. Maghihintay. Sana ay eleksyon araw-araw. Umuulan ng salapi. Pero hindi e. Tatlong taon na naman ng tagtuyot. Tatlong taon na naman ng tag-TUYO. Tuyo sa umaga, tanghali, gabi. Purgang purga sa tuyo. Minsan naman e Tag-TOYO. Toyo everyday and everynight. Pagsapit ng halalan, andyan na ang rasyon.

PULITIKANG GUTOM (PANGWAKAS)

Ang sistema ng pulitika sa bansa ay gutom sa kung ano ang tama. Ano nga ba ang tama? Pag nasa pulitika ka, kung ano ang ginagawa ng iba, bakit ka magpapahuli. Kung kaya nila, mas kakayanin mo pa. Walang gusto magpatalo. Ito ang tama para sa kanila. Andumi. Talamak ang patayan. At dahil dito Takot ang namamayani sa bawat mamamayan. Nakanginig nga naman ang takot. Pero mas nakakanginig dahil sa kilabot at pandidiri sa ganitong siste.

Ito ang realidad ng sistema ng pulitka sa bansa. Mahirp nang tanggalin pa ang nakagawiang ito. Ang ugat nito ay sobrang lalim at lago na mahirap nang bunutin pa. Sana parang buni na lang ito. May canesten na hindi lang sa ibabaw ang epekto. Pati ugat ng pangangati ay tanggal. Sana ang pangangating ito na dulot ng mali at maduming sistema ng pulitika ay may katumbas na Canesten para hanggang ugat ay malulunasan. May pag-asa pa. Tayo ang Canesten ng lipunang ito.

-RWN

Unemployed Nurses...

There are barely 500 nursing schools in the country. Imagine the number of graduates from these schools. subsequently, thousands of them would fortunately pass the boards. For many, it seems they've hit the jackpot and got a golden ticket to greener pastures. Well, in my mind they are too idealistic. However, some already acknowledged the reality that this country cannot cater these thousands of board passers. The unemployment rate of nurses is very frustrating. After years of toil and hard work just to obtain a degree and pass the boards, what's waiting for these nurses?

What is really the problem? What is really the cause? I admit that I may not have the authority to write about this for the reason that I am not a nurse. However, this won't stop from presenting my speculations and observations about this matter. 

As observed in current events, the following are some of causes that probably led to the current problem in the nursing profession:

1. Oversupply of Nurses

Many persons posit the argument that there is already an oversupply of nurses in the country. This claim arises from the observation that many of the newly registered nurses are still unemployed and that many resort to volunteering in hospitals and some work in call centers. However, is this really true? Is there an oversupply of nurses or just an under-supply of jobs for nurses. If you go to provinces, how many hospitals are there in a locality? There are hospitals but you see nurses very exhausted because of the load of work they have. They are to look over a huge number of patients. Some of them do not even sleep for extended shifts because of lack of nurses. However, these hospitals don't even bother to hire nurses for additional workforce. Well, we cannot blame them because there are no funds especially on government-funded hospitals. Private healthcare institutions are afraid of investing because of the instability of the economy and also of the government itself.

What would be a remedy?

Since there is no such thing as oversupply of nurses only under-supply of job opportunities, it is the duty of the government to give them jobs. How? Maybe building hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions. This would not only benefit the nurses but also the general public because they can easily avail medical services without minding long lines because of lack of health personnel. The RN HEALS program of the Department of Health is an innovative mechanism in order to provide jobs for nurses. 

Well, the government may venture into medical tourism in the country. By strengthening or enhancing the medical services provided by the healthcare industry. The appropriate agencies must formulate standards for healthcare and medical services to the country that can be at par with other nations. If the government can do this, then the former president cannot take refuge to other countries for her medication because the Philippines has competent doctors. And that the incumbent president will not hire a foreign doctor so that it would not create an impression that our healthcare personnel are incompetent. If Medical Tourism would be successful, then many would invest in providing healthcare and medical services in the country thus creating more jobs to doctors and nurses.

2. Low Salary

Many nurses do not want to be employed in the country because of low salary plus many deductions from their income. Even though they passed the boards, many are not practicing their profession. Many are in the call centers. Well, there are some in the academe which is good for the education of aspiring nurses. What the state must do is to increase the salary of nurses. Looking at the nature of a nurse's duty, it affects directly the life of a person. Nurses do not only administer medicines, monitor blood pressure of patients or count sponges after an operation. They provide care. What is so special about it is that there is a Heart in what they do. They are concerned in the well-being of the patients. It is good that a bill is drafted to increase nurses' salary.

The first two will bring another problem, FUNDS.

3. Lack of Funds 

The government will always invoke this excuse. There are no sufficient funds. One sector needs more appropriation than this sector. Silly excuses. They can remedy for appropriation for their pockets but not in more important subject matters. They can apply for loans from other countries just to satisfy and reach their own quotas.

Appropriation is not really a problem. The laws of this Land have vested the government to formulate any scheme to generate funds. the government units are given to exercises their creative, innovative, imaginative minds to make a creature to make exactions. The problem really in here is the process. After generating the funds, what's next? Magic! In this stage, many are innately magicians. They are capable of making money disappear. of course, there is an appropriation of these funds. However, do these projects for which the funds are appropriated really exist? Assuming they exist, will these funds be spent for these projects? And assuming again they will spend for the purposes for which the funds are intended, will they all go to the projects or to the pockets? 

4. Existence of Many Nursing Schools

The Nursing Act of 2002 establishes the Board of Nursing. The law also provides under Sec.9 that

Sec. 9. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and regulate the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers, duties and functions:

(c) Monitor and enforce quality standards of nursing practice in the Philippines and exercise the powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethical and technical, moral and professional standards in the practice of nursing taking into account the health needs of the nation;

(d) Ensure quality nursing education by examining the prescribed facilities of universities or colleges of nursing or departments of nursing education and those seeking permission to open nursing courses to ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and maintained at all times. The authority to open and close colleges of nursing and/or nursing education programs shall be vested on the Commission on Higher Education upon the written recommendation of the Board;

(h) Prescribe, adopt issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and decisions as may be necessary for the improvements of the nursing practice, advancement of the profession and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act subject to the review and approval by the Commission.

Now based on the quoted provision, the Board of Nursing has the power to regulate and prescribed standards not only in the practice but also in nursing education. Well, giving the presumption that the Board has prescribed standards in nursing schools, the problem maybe traced in the implementation of these standards. A school upon its application to open a nursing school may have complied with the prescribed standards, facilities, curriculum, personnel and other requirements, however, some schools are only good at the start. These standards must be a continuing set of requirements for the continued operation of these schools. Since there are barely 500 nursing schools in the country, it is difficult for the Board to monitor if the schools are in compliance with the prescribed standards. Another problem would be corruption since even if there is an inspection and monitoring, some unqualified schools can still continue to operate by bribing. Stricter implementation and compliance must be done. Otherwise, they can recommend for the closure of the school. However, the Boards power is to recommend the closure. It is still within the discretion of CHED to close the school or not. CHED's job is discretionary. If it would have been provided by law that it is ministerial for CHED to close a school upon the failure of the latter to comply with the continuing requirements for the operation of the school, then it is easier to close down low-standard nursing schools. 

Since there are a lot of graduates, may be it is possible to trim them down even before admission. What do we mean by that? Well, a uniform admission test analogous to NMAT can be imposed as an additional requirement for those who want to enroll in nursing schools. This issue may be a subject of a debate whether it would be constitutional or not. Since there is no controversy yet, The Board can formulate a policy requiring to pass this kind of exam before being admitted to nursing schools. Why? Because the nursing profession is analogous to that of a doctor. It directly affects lives of the people. There are already cases of nursing malpractice which led to injury and even death of patients.

To conclude, the government is burdened to solve the problems in the nursing industry. The enhancement of this profession will in turn benefit the whole public as well. 

-RWN

STA. CATALINA MANIFESTO AGAINST BLACK SAND EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION

STA. CATALINA MANIFESTO ON AGAINST

BLACK SAND EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION

His Excellency Benigno C. Aquino III

President

Office of the President

Malacañang Palace Compound, New Executive Bldg.

J. P. Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila

Your Excellency

We, the People of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur, believe so much in the Vision of Tuwid na Daan as the template of your National Leadership. We likewise agree that such Vision is holistic and encompassing, and it does not only focus on the national level, but more importantly so in the local levels, specifically the preservation of the environment.

We, the People of Sta. Catalina would like to bring to your attention our very immediate and urgent concern related to the alarming condition of our Town. Our Town is in the danger zone of being wiped out on the map because sea water is threatening to inundate the land surface of our Town.

This is due to black sand exploration and extraction being illicitly and discreetly conducted along our coastal areas. Black sand mining is hideously being operated and residents along the coastal areas publicly know all about it. However, given the political complexion of our province, the poor residents are fearful to speak out to bring their concern to local authorities.

Residents can attest to the alarming effects of black sand mining. What used to be a distance of several kilometers away from the sea, our Town now is barely half kilometer away from the sea. Tracks of farmlands were already under sea water, fresh water reserves are “salinated” and no longer potable or drinkable, remaining farmlands are also becoming salty therefore no longer appropriate for agricultural crops. Ironically, our Town is a major producer of vegetables. This main source of income is also threatened. If black sand mining is not immediately abated, in a few more years, our Town will be erased by sea water.

These and other related concerns were already endorsed to local authorities and agencies in the previous months. However, investigations conducted were “unsatisfactory” and it simply emboldened the operators of black sand mining.

It is on these circumstances that we are bringing up to you the immediate concern of our Town and the whole province of Ilocos Sur. We strongly denounce the operation of black sand mining in Sta. Catalina town and in the province of Ilocos Sur. We seek for your immediate intervention and action so that permit of black sand mining, if there’s any, shall be REVOKED, black sand mining will be immediately STOPPED and anyone found to have violated the LAW, must be dealt with in accordance with the Law.

As we support the Vision of Tuwid na Daan, we likewise recommend to the National Leadership that local issues be given equal attention and action, as this is the foundation of the National Vision.

Done on 26th day of February 2012,  Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur during the Tongtongan Umili, Sta. Catalina Action for the Protection of Environment (SCAPE).

Source: https://www.facebook.com/notes/albert-rosario-rabe/sta-catalina-manifesto-against-black-sand-exploration-and-extraction/10150576452806260

No to Black Sand Mining Online Petition

Background (Preamble):

There are a total of 158 applications for mining of magnetite, onshore and offshore.

However, the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) wants the DENR to deny the applications. The group is afraid that the massive extraction of the mineral will cause environmental imbalance in rivers and coastal areas that may further degrade the environment and cause the economic dislocation of small fisherfolks whose livelihood depend directly on fishing in the municipal waters.

Pamalakaya said there are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of San Juan (two offshore), Bacnotan (two offshore), Balaoan (two offshore), Luna (one offshore), Bangar (one offshore, one onshore), Pugo (one onshore), Burgos (one onshore), Santol (one onshore) and Sudipen (one onshore) in La Union province.

The group also learned that there are 57 blacks and mining applications in Ilocos Sur province, with four in Tagudin, four in Sta.Cruz, five in Sta. Lucia, four in Candon City, four in Santiago, four in San Esteban, five in Sta. Maria, five in Narvacan, eight in Santa, five in Caoayan, four in Sta.Catalina and four in Vigan City.

Pamalakaya noted that 86 applications for magnetite mining in Ilocos Norte province are pending before the MGB which cover the towns of Badoc (six), Pinili (three) Paoay (three), Laoag (three), Currimao (four), Bacarra (three), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (four), Bangui (one), Pagudpud (two), Batac (one), Banna (five), Nueva Era (seven), Marcos (six), Solsona (three), Carasi (five), Dingras (five), Vintar (six), Adams (two), Piddig (three) and Dumalneg (one).

Pamalakaya said the Vancouver based Canadian firm Colossal Mining holds five individual exploration and mining permits which will cover 80 percent of offshore magnetite mining for iron in the North Western Luzon along Lingayen Gulf encompassing the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, including its offshore activity in Cagayan province.

The group said the exploration and mining permits given to Colossal Mining would allow it to explore at least 15,700 hectares of offshore areas in North Western Luzon.

Petition:

We the undersigned call on to the President of the Philippines, Hon. Benigno Aquino III to address our petition to cancel all permits of Colossal Mining Corp. to stop their destructive Magnetite mining activity in our region.

We suggest to develop an eco-tourism project instead to preserve our community against curse of nature.

Sign Here: No to Black Sand Mining Online Petition

Black sand mining sa Pangasinan, ipinatigil ng EMB Region 1

see video in this link: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/108621/black-sand-mining-sa-pangasinan-ipinatigil-ng-emb-region-1

DENR must declare moratorium on magnetite mining–Pamalakaya

MONDAY, 05 DECEMBER 2011 18:50 JONATHAN L. MAYUGA / CORRESPONDENT

THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is mulling the declaration of a moratorium in the mining of magnetite in the Ilocos region following reports of the massive extraction by foreign and local mining companies.

Pamalakaya reiterated its call to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to junk a total of 158 applications for onshore and offshore mining of magnetite in four provinces in the Ilocos Region.

The group issued the appeal to Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje as it also called on lawmakers in the Ilocos region to look into the massive extraction of magnetite, also known as black-sand, particularly in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pamalakaya, in a statement, expressed surprise why the DENR chief is mum on the issue of black sand mining, which the group said is threatening the lives and livelihood of the people in coastal areas in the Ilocos region.

There are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of the following towns in La Union: San Juan (2, offshore), Bacnotan (2 offshore), Balaoan (2 offshore), Luna (1 offshore), Bangar (2, 1 offshore, 1 onshore), Pugo (1 onshore), Burgos (1 onshore), Santol (1 onshore) and Sudipen (3 onshore).

In Ilocos Sur, there are 57 black sand mining applications, with 4 in Tagudin, 4 in Sta.Cruz, 5 in Sta. Lucia, 4 in Candon City, 4 in Santiago, 4 in San Esteban, 5 in Sta. Maria, 5 in Narvacan, 8 in Santa, 5 in Caoayan, 4 in Sta.Catalina, and 4 in Vigan City.

In Ilocos Norte, there are 86 applications for magnetite mining which cover the towns of Badoc (6), Pinili (3) Paoay (3), Laoag (3), Currimao (4), Bacarra (3), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (4), Bangui (1), Pagudpud (2), Batac (1), Banna (5), Nueva Era (7), Marcos (6), Solsona (3), Carasi (5), Dingras (5), Vintar (6), Adams (2), Piddig (3) and Dumalneg (1).

Pamalakaya claimed that the Vancouver-based Canadian firm Colossal Mining holds 5 individual exploration and mining permits which will cover 80 percent of offshore magnetite mining for iron in the Northwestern Luzon along Lingayen Gulf encompassing the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, including its offshore activity in Cagayan province.

 Fernando Hicap, chairman of Pamalakaya, said the exploration and mining permits given to Colossal Mining will allow them to explore at least 15,700 hectares of offshore areas in Northwestern Luzon.

Pamalakaya also revealed that the mining firm Grand Total Exploration and Mining Corp. will explore at least 33,00 hectares in the offshore and onshore areas of Tagudin, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Candon City, Santiago, Narvacan, Santa, Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Vigan, Sto.Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan and Cabugao in Ilocos Sur.

The same company headed by Randy Singson will conduct magnetite mining explorations on 21,753 hectares of offshore waters in the towns of Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo and Sto. Tomas in La Union, Pamalakaya added.

Lawmakers in the congressional districts covered by Lingayen Gulf from Zambales to Ilocos Sur, the governors of Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte were asked through a letter by the left-leaning fisherfolk group to oppose the massive destruction of the coastal areas of the Ilocos region provinces.

“These magnetite giants are literally and figuratively moving heaven and earth in search for huge profits at the expense of human lives, the livelihood and the environment.

They are removing Lingayen Gulf from the surface of this earth courtesy of large-scale black-sand mining,” the group added.

 Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/20235-denr-must-declare-moratorium-on-magnetite-miningpamalakaya

No to Black Sand Mining

You think mining is only done in the mountains? Not really.

Many have overlooked that in reality mining is also done along coastal areas in the country. The attention of people and some environmentalists is just on mining in mountains like in Palawan. The strip of coastline in the Northern Luzon is now in peril because of the exploration and extraction of magnetite. This kind of mining endangers the lives of the people living in coastal areas not only their livelihood. Erosion along the coastlines is already alarming.

It seems that black sand mining is not that strictly regulated by the appropriate authorities and the local government units. Well, as perceived, the government is only concerned with the income that would be generated by these explorations which increases the temptation of perpetuating corruption.

-RWN

Kamay ni Hesus...

It's been a week since we went to Lucban to visit the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine....
Since it was my first time..i did not expect that the place was far...hahaha..

Because it's the season of Lent, this is a sort of a mini-retreat...
Admittedly, the climb was physically tiring but spiritually fulfilling...

-RWN

Are you a TerroRHist???

Hindi lahat ng terorista masama!!!

May mga mabubuting TeroRHista!!!

Source: Facebook

Conserve Energy

Saw this pic on FB...hahaha

Nice one!!
Conserve Energy....

Regarding the Chief Justice

Why is the Chief Justice everywhere?
He has a lot of interviews lately. What's the meaning of this?
Before trial began, the prosecutors had a press conference presenting some evidence to the public. Some sort of a teaser for the trial. When the prosecution was presenting their case, there are allegations of trial by publicity. The President and some members of the House are already setting up the mindset of the people that the Chief Justice is Guilty.
But now that it's the turn of the Defense, it seems that the Chief Justice is having his own version of Defense by publicity by doing all these interviews.

Well, we cannot blame anyone. It's all about publicity. But wait, it's POLITICS. It's the prevailing reality.
Was i just too idealistic?

-RWN

The Environment and The Economy

The line of thinking of a capitalist is that all things have their own value. All that has value must be exhausted for progress and economic gain. However, this entails a drastic effect to the environment. When a capitalist looks all what is in the environment, there is money. Gold. Fuel. Actually everything is capable of pecuniary estimation. If these things will not be exploited, there would be no progress. However, it would mean that the environment must be compromised.

Extreme Environmentalists are trying to counter this mindset of capitalists. They think that financial gain means destruction of the environment. They offer as alternative tourism as an income generating mechanism. There is no need to destroy nature because there are other means in achieving economic prosperity.

Both are in the extreme ends. Instead of choosing one or provoking the escalation of the tension arising from the conflict between the preservation of the environment and   economic growth, there must be a balance. There is a possibility of harmonizing these extremes.

Well, this post is not enough to elaborate how this harmonization can be done. We can limit our discussion to the present issue on mining.

The Philippines is a rich depositary of mines and precious gems. however, if we subscribe to the capitalists' view, this would entail the destruction of the forests which will lead to catastrophic effects like excessive flooding and land slides resulting to death of a multitude, and the perennial issue on global warming. However, if we subscribe to environmentalists' view, then these minerals would only be useless. What would the state do to the richness of this land?

Mining in itself is not bad. The natural consequence of which is the destruction of the environment. Well, this is bad. The government must formulate mining policies that will cater both mindsets. Balance is always the answer but how.

Well, this may only be a sort of an introduction for future write-up for an extensive research on this matter.

-RWN

Woman

Maria Clara- the archetype of a Filipina. Maria Clara has been the image of a woman as conceptualized by Jose Rizal in his novels. Maria Clara, the conservative woman behind the shadows of man and the society. Rizal portrayed the image of the Filipina in his time as passive and submissive not even taking an active role in the society except as an ornament. The Man always has the say on everything. Even in the smaller circle of society, the family, the Woman is only confined at home doing the chores and most of the time caretaker.  This is the Woman yesterday.

How about today? The remnant of the Spanish influence in imposing a patriarchal society is still prevalent. The society still imposes to women to imbibe the Maria Clara attribute. Why? Maybe Man is already foreseeing the future that the Woman already overtaken the Man.

Well, the Woman is just trying to make the Man realize that the latter is not more superior. The radical Woman has already transcended from the conservative, passive, and submissive Maria Clara into a new one. She is not just an ornament.  She is now taking an active part in the transformation of the society. She’s not confined in homes. She is now ready to make a statement. The society has now empowered the Woman.

The new Maria Clara has already made their existence felt. The Woman is now excelling in different fields. The Woman has now proved that she is capable of doing things that the Man can do.  The Woman is sending her message that she is at par with the Man.

The Maria Clara is like a flower blooming but not yet fully bloomed. Let’s just say that in the old times, she is just a bud not yet ready to display its sublimity. But as time passes, it slowly spreads its petals. Soon, we will be able to see the fully-bloomed WOMAN.

Happy Women's Day

-RWN

Fisherfolks ask DENR to junk black sand mining apps in Ilocos region

MANILA, Dec. 2, 2011—The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to reject the 158 black sand (magnetite) mining applications pending on the said office for it would be disastrous to the marine ecology surrounding the area of mining operations.

Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap, in a statement said, the 158 black sand mining applications are centered in the Ilocos region, both in the northern parts of the island of Luzon. Most of the applications are concentrated in La Union, Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte provinces. There are also applications for Ilocos Sur.

The fisherfolk leader disclosed that there are 15 magnetite mining applications in the onshore and offshore areas of San Juan (2, offshore), Bacnotan (2 offshore), Balaoan (2 offshore), Luna (1 offshore), Bangar (2, 1 offshore, 1 onshore), Pugo (1 onshore), Burgos (1 onshore), Santol (1 onshore) and Sudipen (3 onshore), all in La Union province. Meanwhile, 57 blacksand mining applications are pending for Ilocos Sur region: four (4) in Tagudin, 4 in Sta.Cruz, 5 in Sta. Lucia, 4 in Candon City, 4 in Santiago, 4 in San Esteban, 5 in Sta. Maria, 5 in Narvacan, 8 in Santa, 5 in Caoayan, 4 in Sta.Catalina and 4 in Vigan City.

In Ilocos Norte, there are 86 applications that cover the towns of Badoc (6), Pinili (3) Paoay (3), Laoag (3), Currimao (4), Bacarra (3), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (4), Bangui (1), Pagudpud (2), Batac (1), Banna (5), Nueva Era (7), Marcos (6), Solsona (3), Carasi (5), Dingras (5), Vintar (6), Adams (2), Piddig (3) and Dumalneg (1).

"These magnetite mining applications are selling like hotcakes in Ilocos Region. We appeal to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje to stop this dime-a-dozen approval of blacksand exploration permits,” he said.

The fisherfolk leader also said that the majority of black sand mining applications in Northwestern Luzon were filed by Vancouver-based Colossal Mining, covering about 80 percent of shores of Lingayen Gulf, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Pamalakaya also disclosed that Grand Total Exploration and Mining Corporation will explore at least 33,000 hectares in the offshore and onshore areas of Tagudin, Sta.Cruz, Sta Lucia, Candon City, Santiago, Narvacan, Santa, Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, Vigan, Sto.Domingo, Magsingal, San Juan and Cabugao in Ilocos Sur.

The group also said that a mining company headed by Randy Singson, the son of Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Crisologo “Chavit” Singson, will explore 21,753 hectares of offshore waters in the towns of Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo and Sto. Tomas in La Union, all for the quest of black sand.

Hicap, on the other hand said, that they will call the attention of lawmakers representing the provinces of the said regions to oppose the planned offshore and on-shore mining of black sand for the sake of the environment and the livelihood of the people living near the proposed areas of operations.

Hicap also said that they will ask Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano to initiate an investigation on the issuance of magnetite mining permits in Region 1 and its impact on the environment and livelihood of small fisherfolk. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]

Source: http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node%2F17799