VOLUME XXXVIssue 1

JANUARY 2015Serving Los Baos and nearby communities

www.lbtimes.ph

Los Baos senior citizens to get automatic Philhealth benefits

Mega dike to affect half a million familiesGovt maintains benefits despite opposition

Fishermen along the coastal communities of Los Banos prepare to sail off to their fishing pens in the lake. According to the Save the Laguna Lake Movement, once implemented, the proposed mega dike could affect around 500,000 families along the lake. (Photo by Kimberly Salamatin)

by Toni Krizia Vivarez

by John Paul Omac

Continued on page 3

As of February 2015, a total of 988 senior citizens are registered at the Municipal Office for Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) to avail of free Philhealth benefits.

Senior citizens who wish to register must accomplish member registration forms and provide valid IDs. OSCA will collect these registration forms. Philhealth will then pick up the forms and will evaluate these Member Data Records (MDRs).

The MDR and Philhealth Lifetime Card will be returned to OSCA for distribution. More than 200 applications have already been approved since the mandatory registration last November 5, 2014.

In case of immediate need, applicants may directly get their MDRs from

Around 500, 000 families along the lakeshore communities of Los Baos, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria, Mabitac, San Pedro and other coastal areas of Laguna and Metro Manila are threathened to have their homes demolished, as well as their fishpens and aquatic farms, once the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike Project (LLEDP) push through, according to an alliance of local communities.

Communities and individuals under the Save the Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM), a multi-sectoral alliance of concerned citizens, expressed their disapproval of the LLEDP, commonly known as the Laguna mega dike, saying there were no consultations held for the stakeholders nor were there viable plans offered for relocation of the communities.

Approved June 18, 2014 by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the LLEDP is rooted to solve heavy traffic flow and frequent flooding in the western coastal communities along Laguna de Bay, from Bicutan / Taguig in Metro Manila through Calamba to Los Baos, Laguna

Flood control, Alternate routesAccording to the official website of the

Department of Public Works and Higways (DPWH), the proposed plan for the mega dike is composed of a 47-km expressway-dike, starting from Taguig to Calamba and from Calamba to Los Baos. It includes a six-lane expressway, eight interchanges and access roads and a specially designed dike with 16 floodgates for a hundred-year flood. It also plans land reclamation of 700 hectares from Taguig to Muntinlupa.

The LLEDP is under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, wherein private sectors fund, construct and operate government services through joint ventures between the private sector an the government.

Despite disapproval of some sectors, the administration maintained that the mega

Philhealth. On November 5, 2015, President Aquino

signed the Republic Act 10645 amending the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, mandating that all senior citizens will be covered by national health insurance of PhilHealth. The new law states that senior citizens, defined as those aged 60 years old and above, can enjoy lifetime benefits of Philhealth members.

Senior citizens who are still employed, however, are still required to contribute to Philhealth.

For more information, contact OSCA at (049) 530-9143 or visit their office beside the Municipal Fire Department at Brgy. Baybayin, Los Baos.

Libre!

SENIORS AT WORK

SA DAAN PATUNGONG MALINTA

ON THE POPE AND THE MASSACRE

05 07 08

2 LOS BAOS TIMES

New EO requires business owners to attend seminar on Eco ordinancesby Kimberly Salamatin

Owners of business or commercial establishments are required to attend a one-hour seminar on municipal ordinances prior to approval of new or renewal of business permits, according to Executive Order No. 40 series of 2014.

E.O. 40 mandates business owners to attend a one-hour seminar on municipal ordinances. The seminar include talks on the management and maintenance of ecological balance, protection of the environment, reduction and management of waste products, and regulation of the use of vinyl banners, and other plastic products as an additional requirement when applying for business permits.

The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) is the lead office to organize and conduct seminars, according to Section 2 of the executive order.

Last January, MENRO started conducting seminars at least four times a day. Dr. Antonio J. Alcantara, MENRO Designate, said that the objective of the seminar is awareness. He explained that extensive information dissemination is needed to make the people understand how important supporting and obeying these ordinances are for the environment and ultimately for the community.

The seminar discusses the millions of pesos used to dispose the wastes of Los Baos to the land fill in San Pedro and how it can be minimized with the right ways to manage and segregate wastes. Also discussed were tapat mo, linis mo program, proper recycling of used products, antilittering campaigns, and

the different kinds of wastes. Penalties for not following these ordinances were also discussed.

Dr. Alcantara explained that if people understand the gravity of the results of improper waste management and usage of plastic products, they would not feel as if they are being commanded, but rather, it would appear to them that they are helping to improve the community.

He added that because the move to reduce the use of plastic is a big change for businesses, they are shifting slowly to give people time to adapt. These steps and ways are being discussed in the seminar. Business owners will hope to see that these can improve their businesses as well.

Los Baos Mayor Caesar Perez deputized the President of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and the chiefs of the Barangay Peace and Security Officers (BPSO) as member of the Task Force Kalinisan to help in disseminating information on waste management and other related municipal ordinances. Aside from that, they can also give penalty tickets to those who do not abide.

Given that many local citizens rely on public transportation and that these drivers are the ones usually roaming around the town, Mayor Perez and MENRO believe that through this system, the spread of information would be easier and thus involve more individuals in the project.

MENRO sets an example in using different trash bins for effective waste management (Photo by Kimberly Salamatin)

E D I T O R I A L S TA F FInzle Jarred SantosEditor-in-ChielKimberly SalamatinAssociate EditorToni Krizia VivarezManaging Editor

Rosa Pilipinas FranciscoAletheia CanubasEditorial Advisers

The Los Baos Times is produced by the students and staff of the Department of Development Journalism

at the UP Los Baos College of Development Communication in partnership with collaborators from government agencies, civil society organizations, and

schools in Los Baos. No part of this paper may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means

stored in a database or retrieval system without prior consent. All rights reserved.

The Los Baos Times is located at Rm. 201 B, Department of Development Journalism,

College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baos

College, Laguna

Tel. No.: (049) 536-2511 local 401 or 410Email: lbtimes@devcom.edu.ph

Website: http://lbtimes.ph

NEWS

Jeremiah DalmanNews Editor

Ana Catalina PajeFeature EditorJohn Paul OmacOnline EditorAreen Chelsie ValentinoLayout Artist

3LOS BAOS TIMESContinued from page 1Mega dike Project to affect half million families... dike will have more benefits. Engr Amiel Fernandez of the national office of DPWH-Public Private Partnership (DPWH PPP) cited that the project will relieve the heavily travelled Bicutan-Calamba corridor as well as serve as an alternate route to the congested road of the National Highway from Calamba to Los Baos. It will also integrate a flood control system to protect the flood prone areas located along the shoreland of Laguna de Bay.

They also cited economic benefits that include increase in land productivity in existing communities and reclamation area. The 700 hectares of reclaimed land will be used as a commercial and industrial areas which they believe would attract investors and produce jobs for the locals.

No clear plans for communitiesSalvador France, spokesperson of

Pambansang Kilusan ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, a member organization of the SLLM, argued on the other hand that the said economic benefits will be reaped only by corporations, completely disregarding the welfare of the fishing communities.

Displaced families are only offered what the administration describes as development and progress in form of water hyacinth processing ventures which is hardly assured, France said.

Residents along the coasts of Los Baos, who will also be affected by the said project,

also share the same sentiments.

Norman Atayo, 44, fisherman from Brgy. Timugan, Los Baos, said that the proposed mega dike will take away most of the communitys livelihood. Ang daming nangingisda dito eh, wala namang lumalapit pa samin na nagsasabi kung anong gagawin samin pag pinalayas na kami dito, Atayo said.

Not only fisherfolks but also ordinary households such as the family of Erlinda Gonzaga, 51, from the same baranggay, will also be affected. Pati kaming mga legal at matagal nang nakatira dito ay damay, she said. Kung para sa mabuti yan, okay sana pero ayusin din nila yung mga taong madadamay.

Meanwhile, groups opposing the reclamation of the certain parts of the lake for use as economic zones as proposed in the LLEDP found their ally in bishops led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.

Reclamation happens when part of the seas or lakes are filled with land to form a new land surface where establishments can be built upon.

Tagle, along with 21 other bishops from affected cities and provinces, presented their opposition of ongoing and succeeding reclamation projects in a letter addressed to President Benigno Aquino III last September. In the letter they said

that they believe that the project will have far-reaching consequences for the people and for the ecosystem in these areas.

Enduring campaignEarly this year, major progress with the

bidding process for the mega dike began to roll early this year.

Originally scheduled last October 16, 2014, the deadline was moved to January 14, 2015 and is again extended to Feb. 27, 2015 to give more time for bidders as they requested even longer periods of extension, according to a press statement of the DPWH.

Engineer Fernandez said that as of now, 24 firms have submitted their bid documents for the biggest PPP project under the Aquino administration. These companies include Ayala Land Inc., GT Capital Holdings Inc., Filinvest Land Inc., San Miguel Corporation and JG Summit Holdings Inc.

Though considered as a done deal, France said that they will continue campaigning against the project.

Other organizations supporting SLLMs campaign include Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Anakpawis Partylist, Bayan Muna Partylist, Gabriela Womens Party, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) and various other organizations from coastal areas of Rizal, Laguna and Metro Manila.

NEWS

Kasalukuyang hinahanapan ng pondo ng lokal na pamahalaan ang pagbili sa isang pribadong lote sa Brgy. San Antonio na balak tayuan ng sa isang stand-alone school o pasilidad para sa Senior High, ayon kay Ginang Mely Mantuano, Senior High Coordinator ng Los Baos Integrated School o LBIS. Sa sinasabing stand-alone school na ito pagsasamasamahin at papag-aralin nang libre ang lahat ng mag-aaral ng Senior High o Grade 11 at 12 mula sa limang pampublikong paraalan ng Los Baos. Ang proyektong ito ay bilang paghahanda sa inaasahang pagtatapos ng halos 2,000 na mag-aaral ng Grade 10 na magtatapos ng Junior High.

Nagdaos rin ng isang pagpupulong ang local school board noong ika-13 ng Enero

kung saan nagpatibay ng resolusyon ang lokal na pamahalaan na humingi ng pondo mula kay DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC para sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan.

Sinundan ito ng isa pa muling pagpupulong sa Sangguniang Bayan noong ika-9 ng Enero kung saan ihinain ni Dr. Esmeralda E. De Castro, district supervisor, ang hinaing tungkol sa kawalan ng paaralang lilipatan ng mga magtatapos ng Junior High sa 2016. Ang mga nakilahok sa pagpupulong na ito ay sina Dr. Esmeralda E. De Castro; Nelson R. Umali, punong guro ng Los Banos National High School (LBNHS) sa Brgy, Batong Malake; Laurita P. Arca, punong guro ng LBNHS sa Poblacion; Magdalena

L. Lorea, head teacher ng LBIS; at ang mga Senior High School Coordinator mula sa limang pampublikong paaralan ng Los Baos.

Sa muling pagpupulong ng local school board noong ika-12 ng Pebrero, inilatag kay Mayor Caesar P. Perez ang paghahanap ng paaralang lilipatan ng mga magtatapos ng Junior High.

Positibo raw ang naging pahayag ni Mayor Perez at kanyang binigyang linaw na mayroon nang resolusyon na inihain ang lokal na pamahalaan para sa pagbili ng lupa na pagpapatayuan ng stand-alone school. Dagdag ni Ginang Mantuano, ang site [o lugar] lang ang sagot ng local government, yung pagbui-build naman [ng mga silid-aralan] ay sagot ng DepEd.

Bagong stand-alone school, binabalak itayo para sa unang pangkat ng mag-aaral sa Senior Highni Areen Chelsie Valentino

Itutuloy sa pahina 5

4 LOS BAOS TIMES NEWSby Jarred Santos

ni Lorelie Bonapos (LBFPWD)

LBFSCI inducts new set of officers

One hundred six new officers were inducted to the Los Baos Federation of Senior Citizens Incorporated (LBFSCI) last February 5, 2015 at the Municipal Activity Area of the Los Baos Municipal Hall.

Mayor Caesar Perez, in his opening speech, applauded the senior citizens (SCs) of Los Baos. He also continued by encouraging SCs to participate even in small business opportunities as additional sources of income.

He cited the partnership of the local government with the Philippine Center for Aquatic and Agricultural Resource Development (PCAARD) for ventures in organic vegetable farming and vermiculture. We already have 4.3 million pesos from PCAARD, he says. There will also be another Php 5 million coming from the same partnership, according to Perez.

Afterwards, LBFSCI President and Brgy. Batong Malake Kagawad Florentino Montemayor stressed that as of the 5th of November 2014, SCs are mandated by Republic Act 10645, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, to be registered with Philhealth. He also encouraged unity among SCs through Barangay Senior Citizen Associations (BSCAs).

Sa pamamagitan ng mga association, naipapabot namin ang mga programa ng gobyerno [sa ibang senior citizens], says Virginia

Aquino, President of Brgy. Timugan Senior Citizen Association. Aquino said that BSCAs serve as bridges from the government to those involved in their projects, as in the case of Brgy. Timugan. Senior citizens in associations are also more visible for government activities such as Lakbay Aral because they are more accessible, according to the Municipal Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).

However, Aquino admits that not all SCs are open to joining associations. Yung iba ayaw na dahil may bayad pa, she laments. Kada buwan naniningil kami ng sampong piso. 120 pesos lang yun kada taon, she adds.She says that since most SCs are fresh out of retirement, some find payments too taxing.

Meanwhile, Ma. Merlina L. Cuenca, a 65-year-old canteen owner and Brgy. Batong Malake Senior Citizen Association member, says that there are benefits from joining senior citizen federations. Once a year kami nagme-meeting, at [doon] nagbibigay ako ng isandaan she says. According to her, after a minimum of 10 months payment, members are entitled to 2, 500 pesos once they are deceased.

All 14 barangays were well represented during the oathtaking according to the OSCA.

After the talks, the officers of the various BSCAs were called up front to sign certificates of oathtaking.

Members of senior citizen federations from the 14 barangays of Los Banos attended the general assembly last February 3, 2015, at the Los Banos Municipal Activity Area (Photos by Jarred Santos)

Pangkalahatang pagpupulong ng mga may kapansanan sa Brgy. Anos, inilunsad

Nagdaos ng Pangkalahatang Pagpupulong ang Los Baos Federation of Persons with Disability (LBFPWD) sa Brgy. Anos, Los Baos, noong Disyembre 2014. Ang tema ay ang pagtaguyod ng magandang samahan ng mga may kapansanan upang ipamulat ang kanilang bahagi sa lipunan.

Ilan sa humigit-kumulang 80 na nakibahagi ay ang punong barangay, Sangguniang Barangay konsehal, mga opisyal ng LBFPWD at mga may kapansanan. Nagkaroon ng palaro, pagpapakita ng talento at pa-raffle para sa lahat.

Pinaalala din ang mga pribilehiyo na matatanggap ng isang may kapansanan, tulad ng 20% na diskwento sa mga gamot, singil ng doctor, transportasyon, at mga establisyimento tulad ng fast food chain, sinehan, at hotel. Mayroon ding 5% diskwento sa piling grocery items.

5LOS BAOS TIMESA misconception about senior citizens is that they are weak and not able to work anymore. However, if we are to look around us, we will find several elderly smiles--each carrying their own story. This series of photographs will allow you to see how even at an old age, senior citizens can still be hard workers and an inspiration to others.

SENIORS AT WORK

FIDELA GASTELA, 68, is a karioka, banana que, and turon vendor. She roams the streets selling karioka every morning while in the afternoon she sells in a stall.

Fidelas inspiration to work hard even in her senior years is her family. Habang kaya ko pa, tutulong ako, she said.

NORMITA LARIZA BALATOSO, 68, is the owner of Mitz original specialties cassava cake

and carrot cake. She is also a ballroom dancing enthusiast. Her specialty is Argentine Tango.

Being a senior citizen does not hinder her from her weekly ballroom dancing workshop in Malate. She said that seniors should keep themselves busy for a healthier and more active life.

by Kimberly Salamatin

DR. ANTONIO ALCANTARA, 67, is the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office Designate, Secretary of Senior Citizens Association in Barangay Anos, and a retired Professor of Industrial Ecology and Landscape at the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), University of the Phillipines Los Baos (UPLB).

When he was asked what he will do after he turn 70, he said gladly said that he would not stop working until he still can. He also added, we are old but we are still young at heart.

FEATURE

Mula sa pahina 3Bagong stand-alone school...

Kasalukuyang hinihintay pa ang pag-aproba ng DepEd sa nasabing resolusyon.

Para sa taong 2016, kalahati muna ng paaralan ang ipapatayo upang matanggap ang unang pangkat ng mag-aaral sa Grade 11. Inaasahang makukumpleto ang pagpapatayo ng buong paaralan sa 2017 kasabay ng pagtungtong ng mga mag-aaral sa Grade 12.

Sa kabuuan, tinatantiyang nasa 96 na silid-aralan ang kailangang maipatayo kung saan hanggang 40 mag-aaral ang tatanggapin sa bawat klase. Kakailanganin din ng humigit-kumulang 96 na guro at ilan sa kanila ay manggagaling sa ibat ibang pampublikong paaralan ng Los Baos. Ang mga gurong ililipat sa bagong paaralan na itatayo ay mga National Certificate II (NC II) passer mula sa TESDA. Ito ay upang umangkop ang mga guro sa bagong kurikulum ng Senior High sa ilalim ng K-12.

Ayon sa DepEd, makakapili ang mga mag-aaral ng gusto nilang kunin na track sa bagong kurikulum na susundin para sa senior high sa ilalim ng K-12. Sa bawat track ay may ibat ibang mga strand o mga partikular na kurso na pwedeng pagpilian.

Ang mga track na maaring pagpipilian ay ang pang-akademiko, pang-isports, pang sining at disenyo, at pang teknikal-bokasyonal at pangkabuhayan o Techvoc. Ang mga strand na maaaring pagpilian sa ilalim ng Techvoc ay ang Agri-Fishery Arts, Home Economics, Information and Communications Technlogy (ICT), at Industrial Arts. Ang mga kukuha ng Techvoc ay maaaring makakuha ng Certificates of Competency (COCs) at National Certificates (NCs) ayon sa training regulations ng TESDA at maaari nang magtrabaho.

Ang mga strand naman sa ilalim ng pang-akademikong track ay Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Accounting, at Business Management (ABM) at Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS). Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa kurikulum ng K-12, maaaring tingnan ang kumpletong gabay sa website ng DepEd: www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/About/curriculum-guides

Ayon din kay Ginang Mantuano, sakaling hindi mahanapan ng pondo ang pinaplanong stand-alone school, hahanapan ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga junior high graduates ng pribadong paaralan na magkakaroon din ng senior high tulad ng Trace College at Colegio de Los Baos. Bibigyan ng lokal na pamahalaan ang bawat mag-aaral ng voucher na naghahalagang P15,000 para sa kanilang matrikula sa pribadong paaralan.

6 LOS BAOS TIMES

Ano ang masasabi mo sa planong Megadike project ng gobyerno sa lawa

ng Laguna?

ANONG MASASABIMO?

Mas malaki ang benepisyo, mas maganda kasi kung maglalagay ng dike, madaming

bahay ang hindi na babahain.

- Dyamez M. Espelimberco, Brgy. Tadlac

Sakin maganda yan kasi luluwag ang daan. Grabe kasi ang traffic lalo na dito

sa may bandang Calamba papuntang Los Baos. Sana maituloy na nila ngayon

-Ramon B. Bernaldo, Bambang

Ang pinakaapektado dyan ay ang mga mangigisda. Delikadong mawalan sila ng kabuhayan. Yun na nga lang ang pagkakakitaan nila, mawawala pa

-Raquel Almario, Masaya village, Bay

Ayos din, kaso nakakaawa yung mga pamilyang malapit sa dagat na paaalisin.

At magiging tambakan ng basura ang dagat dahil sa mga dadaang pasahero.

- Anatalia P. Magpantay, Brgy. Baybayin

Kailangan pag nilipat mo [ang mga taong papaalisin], bigyan ng tirahan at pamumuhay.

Titingnan [ng gobyerno] kung anong kalagayan nila at bigyan na rin ng tulong.

- Ethel S. Manahan, Bucal, Calamba

Actually, matagal na yang balak na yan, panahon pa ni Marcos. Coastal road pa nga yan noon eh.

Binuo yan para sa traffic congestion at flood control. Kasi yung ibang sasakyan, di na dadaan sa national

road kundi sa coastal road na. Maiiwasan din ang pagbaha sa communities along the shoreline. Pero

ang alam ko, kinocontest yan ng mga fisherfolk, kasi pag nagawa yan, pati livelihood nila apektado.

- Frederico A. Cruz, Office of Senior Citizen Association, Los Baos

Nakakaawa ang mga mangingisda. Maaaring higit, doble o triple [sa]

50,000 ang maaapektuhang pamilya.

- Romeo B. Canape, Brgy. Mayondon

Isa muling kaso ng panggagahasa ang bumungad sa mga mamamayan ng Los Banos matapos matagpuan ang bangkay ng isang walong-taong batang babae sa Villa Amanda, Brgy. San Antonio noong nakaraang Disyembre 30, 2014. Ang suspek na kinikilala bilang Albert de Castro o Ambet ay hindi pa rin natatagpuan hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Dineklarang nawawala ang biktima noong Disyembre 29, 2014 at paglipas ng isang araw ay may nakarating na balita sa tanggapan ng Los Baos Philippine National Police (LB PNP) tungkol sa naturang bangkay. Ayon sa mga ulat ng LB PNP, nagtamo ng mga sugat at pasa sa mukha at iba pang bahagi ng katawan ang bata. Natukoy ang suspek sa pamamagitan ng natagpuang kwintas sa pinangyarihan ng krimen. Ayon kay Supt. Ricardo Dalmacia, LB PNP Chief of Police, ang naturang kwintas ay pagmamay-ari ng isa pang batang tinangka din niyang gahasain noong Disyembre 24 sa Brgy. Mayondon Los Banos.

Tumataas na bilang ng naitatalang kaso ng rape

Simula noong 2011 ay naging matunog ang mga kaso ng panggagahasa sa Laguna, partikular sa Los Banos at mga karatig-nayon. Ilan sa mga kaso ay panghahalay at pagpatay kina Given Grace Cebanico noong 2011, Rochelle Geronda noong 2012, at Mary Grace Esguerra noong 2013. Ayon sa datos ng Los Baos PNP, noong 2014, umabot sa 15 kaso ng rape ang naitala sa Los Banos, kung saan ang isa ay natagpuang patay. Ngayon naman, kasisimula pa lang ng taon ay may tinatantiyang limang kaso na ng paggahasa ang naitala sa Los Baos PNP kasama na ang marital at attempted rape.

Ayon kay PO2 Cherry Pie Azarcon, droga ang nakikita niyang dahilan ng talamak na kaso ng panggagahasa sa Los Banos. Dagdag pa niya, Yung mga kaso naman ng rape, hindi naman yung mga tipong kayang gawin ng normal na tao. Lahad ni Azarcon ay talagang talamak rin ang kaso ng paggamit ng ilegal na droga sa bayan.

Ayon sa datos, kapansin-pansin ang paglobo ng bilang ng kaso ng panggagahasa sa Los Banos na naitala ng pulisya simula 2014 hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Tugon ni Azarcon, Siguro dahil mas napansin nila na puwedeng i-report yung mga ganoong bagay. Baka nakita nila na tinutulungan talaga ng mga pulis yung mga lumalapit.

Karahasan sa kababaihan at kabataan

Bukod sa kaso ng panggagahasa ay nariyan rin ang usapin ng pangkasariang karahasan, partikular sa kababaihan at kabataan o ang Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). Bagaman madalas ay hindi maihihiwalay ang kaso ng rape at VAWC, pinaglinaw ni Azarcon na magkaibang proseso pa rin ang pinagdadaanan ng mga nasabing kaso. Bukod pa rito, magkaiba at hiwalay rin ang mga batas na sumasaklaw sa panggagahasa at VAWC. Mayroon tayong Republic Act of 9262 para sa VAWC, at siyempre yung Anti-Rape Law para sa rape, banggit ni Azarcon.

Kaugnay dito, bilang pagtugon sa lumalalang kaso ng panggagahasa sa Los Banos ay binubuo ang isang Los Banos Womens Brigada. Ito ay isang samahan ng kababaihan na naglalayong madagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng lipunan kaugnay sa paggiit ng karapatan ng kababaihan nang maitaguyod ang nasabing sektor. Ilulunsad ito sa darating na Marso bilang pakikiisa sa Pandaigdigang Buwan ng Kababaihan.

Suspek sa panibagong kaso ng rape, patuloy na pinaghahanapiba pang anyo ng pang-aabuso sa kababaihan, patuloy ring binabantayanni Jeremiah Dalman

NEWS

7LOS BAOS TIMES

The early half of January and more importantly, the beginning of the year was graced by the presence of a man many would like to emulate. Pope Francis, or Lolo Kiko as he came to be known during his short stay here in the Philippines, put into realization a long time plan to visit our country, a well known predominantly Catholic republic.

The Peoples Pope quickly captured the hearts of millions of Filipinos who see him as the prime example of Christian living. He made it his top priority to visit those stricken by Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, in spite of a brewing storm. The Pope also broke protocol in some instances to personally approach children and kiss their foreheads, much to the delight of their mothers.

The Pope, armed with the values of mercy and compassion, showed us how even the head of a thousand year institution can spare his time just to kiss a childs forehead, and ignore cultural barriers of language. Of

course, one may say that he is, in fact, required by the very nature of his job to behave as such, but one can also say that he may very well cut corners, if only to show the world he is what the world sees him to be.

How about for the average Filipino? How can a student laboring to finish a requirement or a mother of three cooking a meal for her family or a common street vendor show mercy and compassion in a world where it seems like only Popes can afford to do so?

Maybe it starts when we are told that we should mind our own business. Or when we are told that we should not be martyrs (wala

nang martir ngayon!). Or when we grow tired of the same beggar knocking on our windows at a fast food chain, signaling for the nth time if we could spare our meal for them.

Maybe it starts with us.

While wanting to be and actually being merciful and compassionate are two vastly different things, most of

the time what hinders us are ourselves. Who is stopping you from minding the business of others? Or being selfless at times? Or yes, even this sparing that beggar who has been eyeing your food something to fill his hunger?

You dont need to be a Pope to be merciful and compassionate. Sometimes, you just need

to get over your inhibitions and lend a helping hand.

***

The latter part of January, however, is a starkly different story. January 25 brought us the grisly news of 44 fallen Special Armed Forces Men and 23 other casualties in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

There was initial uproar over the hows and the whys on what would be known as one of the countrys most disastrous attempts to contain a suspected terrorist. The life of one for 67 confirmed fatalities.

One thing for thought is that there was and is an existing peace treaty between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government. How then would MILF attack SAF personnel if the said treaty is in place?

In much that has been said in the aftermath of the tragic operation, it is clear that there has been a grave withholding of information to key elements. If there had been a notification of , say, the MILF, whose territory the SAF were entering to neutralize Zulkifli bin hir alias Marwan, then a massacre of that proportion would have been avoided.

It is evident that the information was withheld in favor of the element of surprise as the whole operation was under the cover of darkness.

Even in the ranks of the government there seems to be a blame game being played. President Benigno Aquino, Jr. , Special Action Force Director Getulio Napenas, and Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima are names most tossed around in the media. Who does the Filipino people blame for a botched operation?

Is there an answer for such a complicated question?

Would the answer even mean anything to those who were made into widows and orphans overnight?

In any system if there is lack of coordination of one part, if one unit malfunctions, the whole system collapses. Perhaps it is sheer ill luck, for when back up was called no one came, or for how the Fallen 44 were overwhelmed by ever increasing numbers of MILF and BIFF, or for how all but one did not manage to survive to tell the tale of how everything went wrong.

In the end, only one thing is certain. Those who are accountable, the conks in an inefficient system, must pay.

On the Pope and the Massacre

Jarred SantosEditor-In-Chief

OPINION

In the end, only one thing is certain. Those who are accountable, the conks in an inefficient system, must pay.

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Mga natatanging kwento ng Los Baos

Malawak ang kalsada patungo sa Malinta. Maraming kwento ang ditoy nagaganap. Isa sa mga maaring mapag alaman ay ang kwento ni si Nanay Emily Alforja. Bawat araw ay sinusuyod nya ang bawat purok sa kanilang lugar upang kamustahin at gabayan ang kanyang mga myembro.

Si Nanay Emily ang presidente ng Kapisasan ng mga Samahan sa Malinta (KASAMA). Ito ay isang organisasyong naglalayong paunlarin ang buhay ng bawat kasapi sa pamamagitan ng pagtataguyod ng matatag na kabuhayan. Sa kasalukuyan ay binubuo sila ng 300 myembro. Isang taon na ang kanilang samahan.

Tuwing Sabado ay mayroon silang pagpupulong. Bawat myembro ay malayang magtanong at magpahayag ng kanyang opinyon. Bawat boses ay may lugar. Bawat tao ay may pag-asang magkaroon ng hanapbuhay para sa kanilang pamilya.

Noong Sabadong iyon ay natagpuan ko silang nakasilong sa may kawayanan. Mula sa malayo ay damang dama ang determinasyon ng grupo na makiisa. Apat na buwan na kasi mula nang mag-ani sila ng mga gulay mula sa organikong pagtatatanim. Sisimulan naman ng grupo ang pangongolekta ng mga bote at papel para maragdagan ang kanilang kita. Anuman ang kanilang anihing pananim ay hinahati sa mga mymebrong nakiisa. Karamihan sa mga kasapi ay mga nanay na hindi nagtatrabaho.

Limamput walong taon na si Nanay Emily, at ito na ang kanyang pang walong taon na pagiging myembro ng civil society organization. Mahirap sa mahirap, palagi nyang sinasabi. Hayskul pa lang sa Quezon ay naniniwala na si Nanay Emily na isa siyang lider. Pagdating nya ng kolehiyo ay nais sana niyang maging isang sekretarya. Subalit, hindi na natustusan ng kanyang mga magulang ang kanyang pag-aaral.

Aminado si Nanay Emily na madalas ay gusto na niyang magpahinga, subalit naniniwala sya na iba ang karanasan ng may natutulungan. Naniniwala siyang ang husay sa pakikisama sa mga tao ang dahilan kung bakit sa bawat pagkakataon ay siya ang inihahalal na lider. Malaki man ang responsibilidad na ginagampanan ni Nanay Emily, aniyay malaki naman ang naitutulong nito sa pagbuo ng kanyang pagkatao.

ni Toni Krizia Vivarez

Sa daan patungong Malinta

Sa kabila nito, maraming ring kaakibat na pagsubok ang pagiging isang lider. Madalas ay kailangang nyang isantabi ang sarili para sa ikabubuti ng kanyang mga myembro. Mayron ding mga maliit na sakripisyo katulad ng sariling pera na kanyang inilalabas para sa mga simpleng salo-salo na nagpapasaya sa samahan. May mga mas mabibigat din na pagsubok katulad ng paghahanap kung saang lupa sila kasunod na magtatanim kung

sakali mang hindi na sila pagamitin ng may-ari ng kasalukuyan nilang pinagtataniman.

Marami din namang dumarating na pagkakataon katulad ng mga ahensyang patuloy na nagbibigay ng suporta at tulong sa kanilang samahan.Isa sa mga sumusuporta sa kanila ay ang Gender Development Index ng Local Government Unit. Ang iba sa mga ito ay nagbibigay ng pagsasanay tungkol sa organic farming.

Malawak ang daan patungo sa Malinta, at sa mga kalsada na ito

ay patuloy nating makikita si Nanay Emily na nagbibigay ng pag-asa at patuloy na nagiging pundasyon ng isang matatag na komunidad.

Aminado si Nanay Emily na madalas ay

gusto na niyang magpahinga,

subalit naniniwala sya na iba ang

karanasan ng may natutulungan

PAGPAPALAGANAP NG KAUNLARAN. Si Emily (Pangpito mula sa

kaliwa ng gitnang hanay) kasama ang Kapisanan ng mga Samahan sa

Malinta, isang organisasyon na naglalayong magpalaganap ng kaalaman

ukol sa mga proyektong pangkabuhayan.