Nakakabahala ito sa maraming dahilan, una ang sisinghap singhap ng ekolohiya at kapaligiran sa amin ay mawawasak ng tuluyan, 80 porsyento pa naman ng aming mga kababayan ay sa yamang dagat umaasa.

Ikalawa at higit na kahindik hindik ay ang bantang lamunin ng dagat ang aming mga tirahan. Sa loob lamng ng isang dekada, talong (3) kalsada na ang nilamon ng dagat, agresibong umaabante ang dagat sa amin, at ang mga ampaw na dike ng mga kurakot ng politiko at kuntraktor ay napatunayang walang silbi!

Papano na kung ang miminahin ng mga dayuhang ito ay ang mismong BUHANGIN?Lalong bibilis ang pag guho nito pailalim, at lalong aabante ang dagat, sa isang iglap ay mapapawi na ang mahal kong bayan sa mapa!

Sa isang banda hindi na nakakabiglang kayang ibenta ng mga politiko ang buhay ng taumbayan. Isang Flagship program ng gubyerno ni Gloria ang Pagmimina, para syang tinderang nilalako sa mga dayhang kapitalista ang likas yaman ng bansa! Sa rapu-rapu, sa romblon, sa mindanao o sa benguet at ngayon sa bagamanoc! At dahil mamumuhunan, dapat may babawiing tubo? kaya di bale kung mag kasira sira ang paligid, mag ka patay patay ang taumbayan, lumubog man ang boung isla o bayan, basta ang tubo malaki.

Marami akong masasayang alala sa Bagmanoc. Noong bata pa ako tuwing bakasyon at pasko ay umuuwi ako doon. Tuwing umaga nasa pampang, naliligo sa dagat na may arkiladong salbabida kina ” tang otik”, nakiki”butong” sa Sinsoro, nakikipag “puyahan” ng “lamdok” na bolang buhangin. Minsan namimingwit ng isda sa may sirang dike ng ilaya. Gabi- gabi ay nakikipag patintero sa daan at nagluluto ng masarap ng pinakro.Pagwalang magawa, maglalakad papuntang “bonbon” habang” nangbubugitis” o nag go”gokoy” hunting.Twing mahal na araw, parati akong may papel sa “kalbaryo” minsan anghel, minsan hudeyo. masaya ding mag mountain climbing para makakuha ng “matang uyang” at “katmon”.

Pero pag magtuloy tuloy ang mina, magiging alaala na lamang ang mga ito…

Hindi ako papayag, lalot higit ay alam ko nang ang mga tao at hindi ang mga bagay ang mapagpasyo!

Hindi nga bat ang pagkakaisa ang susi sa anumang tagumpay? at ang militanteng pag laban ang tabak upang manalo?

Hinahamon ko ang mga kababayan ko. Bantog ang mga bagamanocnon bilang mga magiliw, masayahin at mababait.Subalit, likas din sa tao ang lumaban at magalit sa harap ng pang aapi at pambubusabos,

sana sama sama tayong magalit at lumaban!

iligtas ang bagamanoc!
mapangwasak na minahan, tutulan, labanan, wag payagan!

Ilang buwan na ring nakabalandra sa kahabaan ng quezon ave. at sa marami pang lugar ang mga trapal-patalastas na nagsusumigaw ng mga katagang tulad ng: RAMDAM ANG KAUNLARAN! with matching ngisi pictures ni Mahal na pangulong Gloria (hayup sya!).

Ngayong buwan dinagdagan pa ito ng mga square tarpaulin ads na nakasabit naman sa mga over pass ng MMDA na gayundin ang mga kataga: RAMDAM ang KAUNLARAN! with matching ngisi pics ulit ng Mahal na pangulong Gloria (hayup sya ulit!).

Sa isang bansang hinahagupit ng krisis at kahirapan samahan pa ng trahedya left and right na lalo pang pinalala ng soooooobrang ka inutilan ng pamahalan ( gaya ng bobong pag manage sa trahedya involving Suspicious lines, at ang palpak na disaster management tuwing may bagyo) Natotorete ako sa pagmamaganda ng gubyernong ito sa mga kapal muks na patalastas tulad ng nabanggit sa itaas.

Naitala ang pinaka mataas na inflation rate sa loob ng 14 years ngayong taon, lomobo ito ng 11.4 percent noon lamang Hunyo.Ang Inflation ay ang "sustenadong pagtaas sa pangkalahatang antas ng mga produkto at serbisyo. Sa pagtaas ng Inflation nababawasan ang tinatawag na purchasing power ng bawat piso, sa kasalukuyan ang tunay na value ng bawat piso natin ay 60 sentimo na lamang.

Ilang buwan pa lamang ng mawindang ang buong bansa sa biglang tinaas ng presyo ng bigas, kaalinsabay ng pangkalahatang krisis sa pagkain na sumambulat sa mukha ng bawat isa sa atin. Nadiskubre na palpak at tila walang long tern na plano ang pamahalaan sa pambansang programa sa pagkain at agrikultura, ayon sa pag aaral "The price of rice alone jumped 43 percent, while that of food in general rose 17.4 percent. Food accounts for 60 percent of a poor family’s consumption, according to economists". Ito ang kunsekwensya ng isang ekonomiya na export oriented at import dependent kesa sa pambansang industrialisasyon ang inaatupag.

Noong Sabado ng hatinggabi, tumaas na naman ang presyo ng produktong petrloyo, ito na ang ika 18 sa taon lamang na ito, pumapatak na sa 60 piso ang presyo ng gasolina- 50% pagtaas kumpara noong JUNE 2005.

Sabi ng mga dambuhalang kumpanaya ng langis at maging ni Heneral Angelo Reyes ng Kagawaran ng Enerhiya, patuloy ang lingguhang pagtaas sa presyo ng gasolina hanggang di nila nababawi ang mga sinasabi nilang Under Recoveries o lugi daw nila.(pucha kawawa naman ng mga kumpanyang ito, nalulugi, pucha talaga). Samantala ang hirap na mga drayber ay umaalma na rin at humihingi ng dagdag pamasahe upang maka agapay sa pagtaas na ito.Sa huling balita’y aaprubahan na ng LTFRB ang dagdag sa pasahe na magigi nang 8.50-10 piso sa unang apat na kilometro.

Sa kabila ng lahat na ito, nag pipiyesta ang gubyerno sa pag kamal ng super tubo sa pamamagitan ng E-VAT na ipinapataw sa lahat ng batayang serbisyo at produkto kasama na ang kuryente, langis at pagkain. Sa produktong petrolyo lamang ayon sa pag aaral ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan "removing the VAT on petroleum could immediately bring down the pump price of diesel by around P6.53 a liter; gasoline products, more than P7.26 a liter; and LPG, about P87 per 11-kg tank." Dagdag pa ng BAYAN "For every P1 per liter in oil price hike,the government collects an extra P5.5 million daily in oil VAT, of which P2.12 million come from diesel".

Sa kabila ng panawagang i repeal ang OIL DEREGULATION LAW at ang VAT isang malutong na HINDE ang sagot ng gubyerno, pano ang laki ng kita nila sa buwis, buwis na hindi natin pinakikinabangan, iba talaga ang PINAS, pati paghihirap binubuwisan!

Noong Mayo UNO, ipinag malaki ni Gloria ang pagtaas umano ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, 25 piso kada araw sa pribado at 10% sa buwanang sahod ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan, malayong malayo sa panawagan ng sektor pagawa na 125 piso/3000 piso across the board nationwide. Di pa man nakukubro ang dagdag sahod ni Gloria, natunaw na ito ng Inflation! (pucha talaga!)

Ngayon, asan ang Ramdam na Ramdam na pag asenso? pUCHA, Ramdam ang pag asenso, Ramdam ang kaunlaran? asan? hel;ooooooo ng aliens ba kayo? 

Sa kabilang banda, oo may mga pwedeng mag salita na ramdam nila ang pag asenso, Ramdam na RAmdam nga nila ang kaunlaran: eto sila

ayon sa PCIJ:

"SINCE she assumed the presidency in 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s personal wealth has increased by 18.7 percent or P12.49 million."

"In her latest Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Arroyo’s net worth totaled P79,284,608.64, while her net worth in 2001 was at P66.78 million. In both years, bulk of the assets was cash on hand and in bank: P55. 4 million in 2005 and P54.3 million in 2001. In 2004, Arroyo had a total of P61.17 million of cash on hand and in bank."

Bukod kay Gloria, bundat din sa pag asenso sina MIKE na padrino ng mga maanumalyang kuntrata, si Mickey, Dato at Iggy na experto sa under the table scheme sa Tongress.

Kasama nila sa pag asenso ang mga kapanalig, kampon at kakampi nila sa elitistang burukrasya na walang gnawa kundi mag payaman at mag"paunlad". OO nga ramdam nila ang kaunlaran!

Tayo RAMDAM na RAMdam Ang KRISIS, IPARAMDAM NA NATIN ANG GALIT NG MASA!

Bukas araw ng linggo ay tinaguriang ‘Mother’s day" as usual mukhang pinapaypayan at mas exited pa ang mga malalaking kumnpanya sa pagbibigay "hype’ sa araw na ito.. tsk tsk tsk wala na talagang piniling araw ang pagkaganid, lahat na lang gustong lamunin ng komersyalismo. Anyway, masaklap na araw ito ng mga ina, gugunitain nila ito sa harap ng todo todong krisis na nararanasan natin sa kasalukuyan.

Ang mga nanay daw ang ilaw ng tahanan, sila ang punong abala sa loob ng bahay. taga badyet ng gastusin, taga luto -taga-lahat. Mga superwomen ng makabagong panahon. Mahirap ang buhay sa ngayon. Walang ampat ang pagtaas ng mga pangunahing bilihin at produktong petrolyo, dagdagan pa ng sadistang pagpataw ng pamahalaan ng mga pabigat na buwis at pagmamanipula nito sa bentahan ng bigas. Sa kabilang dako ang mga manggagawa ay ayaw umentuhan ang kakarampot na sahod. Ngayong pasukan, nag anunsyu na ang mga ganid na malalaking unibersidad na mag taatas muli ng tuition. Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito ay ang ating mga nanay. Ilan kaya sa kanila ang di na makatulog sa kakaisip ng paraan upang unatin banatin pa ng husto ang kakarmpot na badyet. ilan kaya sa kanila ang namemorya na ang lahat ng santo sa kakadasal na sana naman wag silang magkasakit dahil dagdag na naman ito sa pasanin nila. Ilan kaya sa kanila ang umiiyak ng lihim dahil di nya maibigay sa kaniyang pamilya ang sapat at wastong pagkain?

Sa harap ng krisis na ito, Dinadakila ko ang lahat ng ina, (kasali na ang nanay ko na bagamat di ko kayang sabihin personal ay lubos kong minamahal at hinahangaan) Silang kumalong sa ating ng maraming buwan sa kanilang sinapupunan, nag sakripisyo para sa atin upang mabigyan tayo ng sa abot ng kanilang makakaya ay mabuting buhay…

Sa araw ding ito nais kong ibuhos ang aking sama ng loob sa nag aastang ina ng bayan- si Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo! sa mga press releases nito lagi nyang ibinibida ang kanyang pagiging ina ng bayan, pwes kung sya rin lang ang magiging ina ko, mabuti pang maulila na lamang ako! Kailanman ang kanyang mga patakaran ay di nagpapakita ng pagka ina sa mga pilipino. Walang inang nag papataw ng pabigat ng buwis sa mga naghihirap nyang anak, walang inang pumapatay sa mga mamamayan nito, walang inang nagsisinungaling at nangdarahas, walang inang nagnanakaw at nag papakabusog sa paghihirap ng bayan! Hindi sya ina….isa syang berdugo ng kabuhayn at buhay ng mamamayan.

Sinasaluduhan ko din ang mga militanteng nanay ng ating panahon, mga makabagong Gabriela na hindi nagpakasapat na magsilibing ilaw sa loob ng apat na poste ng kanilang tahanan, silang nakisangkot sa pakikipagtunggali para sa katarungan, pagkakapantay pantay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan..  nagsisilbing tagapagdala ng ilaw ng pag asa sa isang madilim at nakaririmarin na lipunan sa ngayon. Marami sila..nasa ibat ibang sektor, lugar at larangan..marami na sa kanila ang pinaslang ng mga pwersa ng kasamaan (estado) subalit higit na marami ang nagpapatuloy..mga nanay na nag nanais ng mabuti, at payapang lipunan hindi lamang para sa kanilang anak kundi para sa mga henerasyong magmamana nito.mabuhay ang mga nanay!

Parte ng sinsabing "therapeutic communication" ng mga nurses ang makipag kagaanang loob sa mga pasyente at kanilang bantay, mahalagang salik sa pagbibigay lunas sa karamdaman nila ang matiwasay na relasyon ng mangagawang pangkalusugan at ng pasyentet bantay.

Ang mga narses ay tao rin, nababagot, napapagod, nagtataray, minsan maraming nagsusungit, pero kadalasay nakiki "emphatize" sa kalagayan ng kanilang nagiging pasyente. Siguro’y lahat na ng mga kakilala kong nurses ay sa isang banday nag abono o kumargo na ng isa o dalawang reseta dahil walang pambili ang pasyente, maka ilang beses na nag pahiram cellphone o pera upang makabili ng pagkain ang bantay o makatawag sa malayong kamag anak nila.

Isa na rin sa nagdudulot nito ay ang mismong kapalpakan ng gubyernong iparyoritisa ang pag bibigay ng badyet sa mga batayang serbisyo tulad ng kalusugan. Mas inuuna pa ng pamahalaan ang pag bayad ng mga walang kwentang utang kesa sa kalusugan ng mga juan at juana dela cruz. ayon sa pag aaral ng Ibon foundation, kulang kulang 30 centimos kada araw lamang ang badyet ng pamahalaan para sa kalusugan ng bawat isa sa atin, ni generic na paracetamol ay di makakabili nito. idagdag pa ang pag papabaya ng inutil na pamahalaang ito sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawang pangkalusugan. Dahil sa sobrang baba ng sahod at sa tambak na trabaho , napipilitan ang mga nurses at doctors na mangibang bayan upang kumita ng sapat na ikabubuhay.  ARGHHHHH nakaka imbyerna talaga ang sitwasyon!

Nakilala ko si "ZACKY" at ang kanyang nanay ng i assign ako sa kaunaunahang unit o ward ko sa ospital na aking pinag tatrabahuhan ngayon. 16 yrs old lamang sya, sa batang edad nyang itoy nakaratay na sya sa banig ng karamdaman. Kwento ng kanyang nanay, lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, sumali si "zacky" sa isang fraternity na ang pangalan ay "TG", isinalang sya sa hazing. ilang araw ding napansin ni nanay na iika ika ang anak at nilalagnat, manapa’y isinugod na nya ito sa ospital. Dito napag alaman na nag tamo ng maraming bali si katawan si "zack" dulot ng matinding pagpalo at suntok na may kasama pang tadyak, ang masamay nadamay ang spinal cord ng bata. Dito’y inamin na rin ni zacky na hazing nga ang dahilan nito. Ilang buwan pa ang nag tagal may tumubong bukol sa parteng kanan ng kanyang kili kili, dinala na sya nito sa aming ospital. Tinubuan na ng cancer ang kanyang "damage" sa spinal cord at unti unti na itong gumagapang sa sistema ng katawan ni zacky. Masakit ang naging sakit ni zacky, hindi na nakukuhang matulog ng nanay nya dahil sa di ma pigil na pag daing ni zack sa sobrang kirot, mas masakit ito kay zack-alam ko halos di na maigawang ngumiti ni zack parating naka ngisi dahil sa sakit na umuuok uok sa kanya. Parati din syang nilalagnat. Kinausap sila ng mga duktor, wala ng pag asa —-noong isang linggo nag desisyon ang pamilyang iuwi na lamang si zacky, makalipas ang dalawang araw, pumanaw sya. Naalala ko bigla ang sinabi ko sa nanay nya at kay zacky isang araw bago sila nakatakdang umalis kako, nanay dapat ipag laban nyo pa rin ang nangyari kay zacky, wika nya malalaking tao ang babanggain baka balikan kami, sabi nya nang may luha sa kanyang mata," ewan di ko na alam ang gagawin ko" sinagot ko na lang sya ng ngiti, bumaling ako kay zack, kako zack naniniwala pa rin ako sa himala, kahit man lang sa himalang makukuha mo ang katarungan….

Bago lang ako sa pagsasapraktika ng propesyon ko, at alam kong marami pang zacky at nanay niyang makaksalamuha ko… kung may mabuti mang maidudulot ito’y ang araw araw na reality check na aking natatanganp na OO ngat makatwiran lamang ang pakikibaka ng mamamayan laban sa kawalang katarungan, pagpapabaya ng pamahalaan at panlipunang pagbabago…hindi lang dahil napag aaralan ko ito, kundi derekta ko itong nararanasan at nakikita.

isang re post:

The Future of the Philippine Left

THIRTY-NINE YEARS AGO, a revitalized Philippine Left began to challenge the long-entrenched oligarchy in a nation long considered the United States’ political and military stronghold in the Asia-Pacific. The seeds of people’s empowerment were deeply planted, and rooted. The Philippines was never to be the same again. The Left’s presence in our national life and politics continues not only to be felt today, but is related to the struggles of our people for social justice, human rights and consistent defense of our national sovereignty. Its influence continues to increase largely as a political struggle that articulates the voice of the poor majority long marginalized and disempowered by the oligarchy from Philippine political and economic decision-making.

It is a testimony to the resilience of the Philippine Left that it has survived the onslaught of the Marcos dictatorship, the vigilantes, the end of the Cold War, the deep penetration agents, crises and splits, and the death squads of OPLAN Bantay Laya I and II. That it has survived these most terrible repression has made it into a formidable social movement. For despite the most insidious and virulent attacks against the Left by the oligarchy which fears the empowerment of the poor and the genuine democratization of our political system, it continues to advance a pro-people agenda that may be the only alternative to the multi-party elites. Again, it is thwarting another OPLAN & timetable for its demise made by another Philippine president - now the fifth commander in chief since Marcos. State violence to crush the Left, a cornerstone of many administrations, cannot succeed if these are employed by those who work against the the poor and oppressed.

Time and again, even the United States has made us into a laboratory of some sorts for its most repressive tactics against our people’s movements. And while U.S. counterinsurgency manuals now claim that crushing our independence struggle and the peasant struggle in the ’50s was its most successful counterinsurgency experience in the world, U.S. special operations forces today still continue to be deployed in various parts of the country, still trying to achieve what they tried to do more than a century ago.

Today, progressive mass movements of the Philippine Left are found in all parts of the archipelago, from the grassroots communities to the national level. Organized territorially and sectorally in 90 percent of our provinces, they continue to articulate the hopes and struggles of the Filipino masses. As sectors, they are organized diversely as federations of peasants, workers, indigenous peoples, women, students, teachers, health professionals, government employees, professionals, artists, media, church people, overseas contract workers, environmentalists, etc.. The progressive Philippine Left is at the front line among the struggles of our people on practically all issues affecting the people’s livelihood, foiling attempts to institutionalize tyranny and neo-liberal globalization, as well as issues that impinge on the patrimony and dignity of our nation such as the onerous Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). The Left’s engagement with the Philippine state today can be described as that of fiscalizer, protagonist and symbiotic partner in grassroots programs.

Unlike progressive forces in other countries of Asia that saw their demise with the waning of the Cold War and upheavals in former socialist countries, the Philippine Left’s continued resilience reminds us that the people’s struggle here was not exported from outside. That it arises from the conditions and policies of exploitation that the local ruling oligarchy, foreign interests and the U.S.-supported government inflicts on the people. Historically, it draws its strength from peasant unrest in the countryside fueled by the horrors of social inequality and abuses by the state’s security forces. In the international NGO community today, we are regarded as a superpower when it comes to people’s movements and NGOs, thanks to the painstaking political work of egalitarian and selfless cadres of the Left. What the Left direly needs is to project not only its alternative national development program but also its own credible leaders who can excite and capture the imagination of our people.

Social change does not belong to one group or another, but it has to be the work of the entire people. Diversity and pluralism side by side with solidarity in struggle must be mustered by the progressive forces as a prerequisite for future democratic governance that requires tolerance, consensus-building and respect for differing ideas. The Philippine Left should also prepare itself to manage and lead those who may still disagree with it, and develop the skills necessary for efficient, accountable and productive administration. This is what governance is all about. It is true that the Left has made mistakes, but even failure is a great teacher when put into perspective by criticism and hard-earned lessons.

The best way to solve armed insurgency and rebellion is to guarantee the safety of those willing to work for peaceful reforms even if they openly advocate the Left’s agenda. For how can the Left even look forward to an electoral future when vigilantes and death squads attempt to systematically cripple their grassroots machinery by physically eliminating their unarmed local coordinators and members, a situation anathema to democracy? Political warlords and the landed aristocracy should now realize that they can no longer inflict coercive force with impunity in our countrysides and that they can be neutralized by an organized and socially-conscious force of peasants, farm workers, indigenous people and sacadas.

In the Cagayan region for example, the KAGIMUNGAN, an alliance of Cagayan farmers which has won many benefits for thousands of farmers, and gained recognition as their staunch defender , is under violent attack by vested interests trying to roll back the peasants’ hard earned gains. Even as the Left bears the brunt of the gendarmes of repression in various parts of the country, it cannot fail politically in the eyes of the people who daily bear the violence of hunger, poverty and malnutrition. In fact, most of those victims of extrajudicial killings from the Left are seen locally as martyrs, heroes and even role models by the masses with and for whom they have lived selflessly, with the basic mission of improving social conditions.

For as long as oppression and exploitation exists, the Left will persist — in various forms of struggle — to challenge the oppressors and to continue to touch our conscience. This country needs the Left’s ideology and dedication that goes beyond loyalty to family, clan or a narrow social circle: a sense of community and nationhood. If all the progressive forces of the Left could unite around a national development agenda for the people’s welfare and upliftment and overcome sectarianism — and unity not based on a strict doctrinaire line is necessary — it is not farfetched that in the future the progressive Left can strategically share power or even gain power like their counterparts in Latin America, Japan and Europe. To solve manifold problems in governance may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Spain, one of the countries in Europe that President Arroyo just recently visited, is ruled by a socialist party, the Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol (PSOE).

Just visit the Bantayog ng mga Bayani shrine along the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue and one will read on its walls the names of this country’s brightest and most committed martyrs and heroes, most of them from the Philippine Left who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship. Names like Lorena Barros, Edgar Jopson, Emmanuel Yap, Antonio Tagamolila, Lean Alejandro, Macli-ing Dulag, Fr. Zacarias Agatep, Emmanuel Lacaba, Purificacion Pedro, Liliosa Hilao, Dr. Bobby de la Paz, Dr. Juan Escandor among many others with deep social convictions, are engraved on the Bantayog walls.

It is to the credit of the broad Philippine Left that what were once considered “leftist issues” like debt service, trade liberalization, land reform and foreign investments, etc., are now being tackled and debated as part of the national consciousness by the mainstream media and even by our policy makers in Congress. Today, the Philippine Left thrives in every community, organization and institution that they have empowered : among our farmers, workers, indigenous people, students, teachers, health workers, government employees, artists, church people, and yes, soon even among our restive soldiers!

Anyway, OUST GLORIA PA RIN! happy reading

Don’t be a fence-sitter, join the rallies

By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:57:00 02/24/2008

The administration is understandably trying to pour cold water on today’s rallies because it is afraid they may escalate into bigger and bigger protest movements as they did in the earlier ones until President Ferdinand Marcos first, and then President Joseph Estrada next, were forced to flee Malacañang. Knowing that the people are already fed up with the corruption in the Arroyo government, administration officials are afraid it would be GMA herself who would be forced to flee the Palace next. That’s not so bad in itself, but if one does not have a guilty conscience, why would he or she think that?

Anyway, Malacañang’s minions have been harnessed to discourage another People Power. The people are tired, they are disappointed, they say. But we have been taught from childhood that if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Yes, we got a worse President after People Power II, but that’s no reason to give up. We made a mistake in that one, so we should correct that mistake. All the more reason that we should try again. And if that doesn’t succeed either, then we should try once more until we succeed. What will happen to this world if at the first failure, human beings stop trying and give up? Many of the modern trappings that we enjoy today and the modern medicines that have saved lives were achieved after many years of trying. We wouldn’t be enjoying them today if their inventors gave up after their first or second failures.

People Power I did not start big. It started small, then slowly became bigger and bigger until Malacañang itself was besieged and Marcos had to flee to save himself. And it took many months after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino for the anger of the people to culminate in People Power. The same thing may happen in today’s rallies. They may become bigger and bigger as more and more people join them.

And you, yes you, cannot sit on the fence, totally uncommitted to what is going on around you. It’s your life and the future of your children that are at stake. You have to be involved to assure a bright future for them. As John Donne said, no man is an island separate from the rest of the world. “Every man’s death diminishes me,” he wrote. Don’t be like the man who refuses to help a neighbor put out a small fire in the latter’s house because it is far from his own house, until the fire spread and engulfed his house. Maybe you have not yet been a victim of government abuse now, but if you do not help prevent those abuses now, they will eventually get to you.

Do something now that you can be proud of. Stand up and be counted.

On the sham idea of "People Power fatigue"

THE REBEL JESUS

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants’ windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
They’ll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all god’s graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

Well they call him by the prince of peace
And they call him by the savior
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they’ve turned the nature that I worshipped in
From a temple to a robber’s den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

But please forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgment
For I’ve no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus

*Its a Yuletide song written and performed by American rock poet laureate (and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer) Jackson Browne. It is performed here by Browne with The Chieftains

To:    People of God in Sorsogon, All Men and Women of Good Will and Faith
Re:    ON THE MOST RECENT FISH KILL IN RAPU-RAPU

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!
The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done!       (Amos 8,4&7)

We, the Diocese of Sorsogon echo our common stand in one voice that the Lafayette mining operation in Rapu-Rapu Island be shut down permanently for the common good of the people of Bicol region. 

We fraternally support the stand and call of the Diocese of Legaspi on the most recent fish kill in the Rapu-Rapu Island.

On the morning of 28 October 2007, Sunday, the people in Brgy. Poblacion, Rapu-Rapu awoke to the sight and stench of dead fish everywhere littering their shores. Their shock and questions grew into gnawing anxiety, then into panic, as, in waves, they beheld their worst fears coming true.

That day and the days that followed, several people fell sick after eating fish and other food from the sea. With the health concerns, came the realization: they could not fish. Based from previous experience, full recovery of the fishing industry on the island would take several months. For the 70% of the island’s population whose livelihood is dependent on fishing, there could be no worse economic disaster than this. They could not bring home food from the sea. Soon they would have no more money left to buy food from elsewhere.

Several sacks of rice were distributed by the municipality. Food relief trickled in from the provincial government, the Church and non-government organizations (NGOs). But they seemed to be never enough – both the food and the justice they are seeking.

They blamed the Lafayette mine for unleashing yet another disaster upon them. It was not the first fish kill incident on this island. In 2005, despite repeated denials from the company, the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission found Lafayette culpable of the mine spill that caused the fish kill and subsequent fish scare in nearby towns.

The mining company, in statements made by its representatives, denied culpability of the recent fish kill, claimed sabotage, called it a hoax, and even threatened to sue anyone suspected to be responsible for their proposed hoax.

A team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) made initial investigation and concluded, among other things, that:

1.   The fish kill was limited only to Brgy. Poblacion, around 10 kilometers away from the mine site. Thus, it was too far away from the mine site.

2.   No fish kill happened in the shorelines of Brgys. Carogcog, Sta. Barbara, Malobago, Pagcolbon and Binosawan. The Brgy. Chairmen of these five barangays issued certifications to the non-existence of any fish kill in their areas.

3.   The quality of marine waters between the mine site and Brgy. Poblacion was found to be within DENR standards and showed no trace of cyanide contamination.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which analyzed some fish kill samples, reported that the fish they had, died not of chemical contamination but probably because of strong sea currents.
The conclusions submitted by the DENR-EMB and BFAR practically absolved Lafayette of any link to the fish kill, undermined the extent of its damage to the community and to the island, and made it a non-issue to the national government.

However, the consultations with the people of Rapu-Rapu and concerned individuals and organizations, revealed certain information that prompts us to seriously question the methods and motives of these government agencies’ findings and Lafayette representatives’ denials.

1.     The fish kill was not limited to Brgy. Poblacion only. Cases of food poisoning took place not only in Brgy. Poblacion but in other barangays as well. Eyewitness accounts from the other five barangays testified to fish kill sightings in their areas, too. Several residents from Brgy. Binosawan even claimed that the fish kill started in their place as early as 26 October 2007. In one instance, a resident from Brgy. Carogcog, who was interviewed by a team from the EMB, also testified that he saw dead fish littering the shorelines of his barangay. This detail never found its way to the EMB report.

2.     The contention that Brgy. Poblacion is too far away from the mine site did not take into consideration the direction and speed of the wind and water current at the time of the fish kill. Seasoned fisherfolks and astute observers not only point out this fact, but also how the EMB conveniently took this fact aside.

3.     Is the quality of all marine and inland waters between Brgy. Poblacion and the mine site really well within DENR standards? Can this conclusion pass the scrutiny of credible independent scientific experts? Then as now, we have been receiving disturbing reports of researchers being harassed by barangay and private security personnel, and prevented from taking water and soil samples, or even pictures, near the mine site, even when the studies are being done outside company property.

4.     The BFAR theory of fish drowning in the strong sea currents and not of chemical contamination strains credulity not only at the first instance but especially when one takes into consideration the following:

a.     The sea has always been rough in these parts at this time of year. But the fish kill incidents only happened when the mining company started its operations. This appears to be a valid case of post hoc ergo propter hoc. It happened after it, therefore, it happened on account of it.

b.    Several residents of the island fell sick after eating fish and other sea food caught around the same time as the fish kill. A dog even died in Brgy. Poblacion after eating some dead fish by the seashore. If the food they ate did not contain some chemical contaminants, could strong sea currents then induce the fish and crustaceans to produce toxins in their body?

            The ultimate measure of the reality and extent of the damage of the fish kill lies in its effect on the people. Most of the island’s residents are poor and dependent on fishing. Now their existence has been made even more precarious. They worry about their food for the day, their health, their livelihood and their uncertain future. A 73-year old resident cried out in the vernacular: “Fish is our life! Kill them at the sea, and you kill us here living on dry land!”

            They feel betrayed by the authorities who, they see, not only failed to protect them, in favor of the powerful, but still managed to publicly question their misery. Their voices and reactions speak in so many ways of anger and desperation. A woman recounted how her fears crept into her dreams; she dreamt of seeing her elderly father eating his fish net for lack of food.

            As Pastors, it pains us to see so much suffering, especially suffering caused by man’s inhumanity to man and to the environment. Our response, as members of the One Body of Christ, should be to help alleviate their suffering and find ways so it would not happen again.

1.     We strongly support the move by the Sangguniang Bayan of Rapu-Rapu to finally declare a State of Emergency on the island, in order to facilitate the granting of financial and food assistance from government and international funding institutions.

2.     We enjoin our faithful in the parishes, schools and ecclesial communities to organize relief efforts for the people of Rapu-Rapu. Our Diocesan Social Action Center will coordinate the relief operations.

3.     We condemn the violence, harassment and illegal detentions which have been the response of certain local authorities to the peaceful protest gatherings which the people of Rapu-Rapu have been regularly staging ever since the most recent fish kill happened.

4.     We appeal to our government officials to conduct thorough investigations and public hearings on the fish kill, even as we reiterate our position that Rapu-Rapu island is not suitable for large-scale mining and that the most just and proper response is the closure of the Lafayette mine.

5.     We ask our faithful and all concerned citizens to join this call by supporting a signature campaign which will be addressed to our leaders, policy makers, and other concerned individuals and institutions.

As Pastors, it is our duty to teach and remind our faithful, and all men and women of good will, of certain moral imperatives to this case that are important in the formation of our individual consciences.

1.     Stewardship of God’s creation is everybody’s responsibility. God’s offer to subdue the earth is not a license to wantonly exploit it but a charge to take care of it so everybody, including future generations, may benefit from its bounty. Stewardship has no room for apathy and indifference in the face of very real threats to the environment and to the lives and livelihood of the poor. All of us, thus, are environmentalists by divine vocation.

2.     Truth-telling is necessary for genuine development to happen. Truth-telling is crucial to the promotion of justice. Social justice, in turn, is the foundation of any program that seeks to achieve sustainable development, genuine prosperity and lasting peace. The issue of mining in Rapu-Rapu has unfortunately been marred by assertion of half-truths, suppression of evidence, corruption of witnesses, harassment of truth-seekers, manipulation of scientific data and plain deception.

Those who know the truth but speak and act otherwise, either by invoking official documents that lie or succumbing to the influence of unscrupulous superiors or lobbyists, are guilty of being party to the cause of the suffering of the people of Rapu-Rapu.

3.     Public office is at the service of the people. Any public official who considers his personal interests, or the confidence and predispositions of his political patrons or foreign investors, above the rights and wellbeing of his constituents, especially the poor, has misguided priorities and misplaced loyalty. He may, for some time, escape accountability from the people, but never from God. For the highest sovereign in a democracy is not the people, it is God.

As Pastors, we join ourselves with the aspirations and labors of the people of Rapu-Rapu, and all men and women who are committed to the protection of the environment and of the poor. Though we may feel the hardship of our task at hand, yet we do not lose hope for God is with us.

Let us continue to pray with greater fervor the Oratio Imperata, our Prayer for Deliverance against Calamities – natural and man-made.  For God is not deaf to our cries and blind to our afflictions.

The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest
till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right. God indeed will not delay, and like a warrior, will not be still till he breaks the backs of the merciless and wreaks vengeance upon the proud;  till he destroys the haughty root and branch, and smashes the scepter of the wicked; till he requites mankind according to its deeds, and repays men according to their thoughts;  till he defends the cause of his people, and gladdens them by his mercy. (Sirach 35:17-24)
                                                                                                Sincerely in His service,
                                                                                    
(signed) +MOST REV. ARTURO M. BASTES, SVD, DD
Bishop of Sorsogon
(Signed by the Presbyterium of the Diocese of Sorsogon)

anuman ang sabihing buladas ng malakanyang at ng ilang nagdudunung dunungang komentarista, hindi maitatatwang TAGUMPAY ang pambansang tigil pasada ng PISTON at ng mamamayan. Dito sa bikol 95 hanggang 98 posrsyento ang tantya di lamang ng CONDOR-PISTON kundi pati ng media at ng LTFRB mismo sa isang pahayag.

Napilitian namang magbigay ng pahayag si Angelo Reyes na hindi na mag uumento ang presyo ng langis hanggang matapos ang taon. Sabi naman ng mga LPG marketers mag roroll back sila ng piso/kilo sa mga produkto nila. Sa senado nag pasa na ng resolusyon si Mar Roxas ng tanggalin ang VAT sa petrolyo, samantalang tuloy ang pakikipag gitgitan ng mga makabayang sectoral representatives natin sa kongreso upang tanggalin ang pahirap na oil deregulation law at ang RVAT.

Anu kaya ang mangyayari kung walang welga? siguro patuloy lang tauyong uutuin ng tatlong dambuhalang kartel ng langis. Siguro lalakas pa ang loob nila kasap[akat ang gubyernong "babying baby ang trato hinaypak na oil companies na ito!

Makatarungang ang Pagwewelga ng mga Tsuper, sa hirap ng buhay at sa harap ng mga panggagansto ng gubyerno at mga corporasyon ng langis, mga patay na lamang ang di dumaraing. Ito ay epektibong porma up[ang iprotesta ang mga kabulukan at ipakita ang militante at nagkakaisang lakas ng sektor ng transportasyon( take note militante..ewww sa mga taga fejopdap, pasangmasda,pcdo-acto, imboa at marami pang mga grouplets…magsama sama kayo zeny maranan, de luna at yung laos na singer na si…sino na nga yun..laos na nga! mga walang pakinabang… di pa ba npupudpud ang dila nyo sa paghimod ng pwet ng angelo reyes, thomson lantion at ni gloria? (kaya di manalo nalo sa parylist!))

laban ng buong sambayan ang laban ng mga tsuper, kayat ang kanilang welga ay naging welga rin ng mamamayan, alam kong bagamat nahirapan ang marami sa pagparoot pagparito naalam nilat naiintindihan ang mga aksyon ng kapatid nating tsuper. sa tinambayan ko ngang tipunan ng mga welgista nakakatuwang tignan na nag aabot pa ng konting halaga o kayay pagkain ang marami. GAGAP nila ang pakikibaka, gagap nilang ang naisin ng mga tsuper ay kabutihan ng mas nakakarami…

SA MGA TSUPER-HEROES NG BAYAN…SALAMAT SA INYONG SAKRIPISYO! MABUHAY PO KAYO! MABUHAY ANG NAKIKIBAKANG MAMAMAYAN!

*RE-POST OF TONYO CRUZ’ BLOG

Lessons from PISTON’s successful jeepney strike

By tonyo | December 13, 2007

The transport strike is a success, despite the Arroyo government’s claims that it did not affect anything. The MMDA suspended color-coding and provided free rides to stranded commuters.

In Davao, three out of every four jeepneys did not ply their routes.

Jeepney drivers in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities also joined the strike. Also in Iloilo and Aklan, and in Baguio, Calabarzon and Bicol.

What do jeepney drivers want? Not heaven. They don’t want immense wealth. They don’t want fancy cars.

They are actually fighting for everyone’s welfare on the issue of relentless oil price hikes. Jeepney drivers and just about everyone have been affected by these increases, and the Arroyo government has not done anything to check the price hikes. The government just always gives the lame excuse about the world market determining the final pump price, and that the industry is deregulated — meaning that the government won’t intervene.

Lame excuses really because the government has the mandate to check whether oil companies are gouging consumers, including jeepney drivers, in the price hikes. We have yet to be informed by the government whether the increases are warranted. Moreover, nothing stops the government from reacquiring Petron,  establishing centralized oil procurement (so we won’t depend 100% on overpriced oil products from Shell, Petron and Caltex) and other stuff. The government just wants to sit down and relax, the same things the oil cartel owners do everyday while all of us endure an endless wave of price hikes.

Congress should also seriously consider some proposals on how to address the problem.

Yes, many were inconvenienced by the strike, that we must all admit. But that is a small price to pay for making the entire nation take note of the kadusta-dustang sitwasyon of jeepney drivers, the runaway prices of oil, and the government’s incompetence.

Buti pa ang jeepney drivers, umaangal para sa lahat.

Children of Rapu-Rapu join ‘Kampong Bayan’

By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent   LEGAZPI CITY: Will the government listen to the voice of the children who have joined their parents’ crusade to halt the Lafayette mining operation being blamed for toxic spillage and fish kill in Rapu-Rapu, Albay since 2005.   Reymark Balase, a 4-year-old boy of Carogcog village in Rapu-Rapu Albay joined his 44-year-old mother, Marlyn in a weeklong Kampong Bayan (People’s Camp) in front of the Albay Capitol organized by the civic organizations in Bicol.   When asked why he had joined the protest, Raymark told The Manila Times that his father could no longer catch fish after the fish kill, which practically left them to starve.   Raymark stayed inside a tent along with his mother, Marlyn who said she traded five native chickens at P60 per kilo to buy several kilos of rice and have some extra pocket money to spend.   The mother and son trekked the five-kilometer distance from Legazpi City pier on Wednesday on their way to Peñaranda Park after several hours of sea travel to camp-out.   Marlyn’s husband, Renato, opted to stay for awhile in Carogcog village to plant root crops as substitute for staple foods in the future while he could not catch fish for a living because of fear.   Marlyn recalled that after the fish kill they decided to transfer their two sons Angelo, 11, Grade 3, and John Paul, 7, Grade 1, to the Namanday Elementary School to save them from possible effects of chemical contamination.   “We’re living within the mining site and I’m quite afraid because anytime there might be a possible toxic spillage like in 2005. So with chemical contamination not being a remote possibility, we’re afraid for our children’s safety,” she said.   With the multisectoral groups camping out at the provincial capitol, a Dutch national, Pepe Vouz from The Netherlands, joined the protest action against the Australian-owned mining firm.   Pepe, who is married to an Albayana, condemned Lafayette for destroying the environment and marine life of Albay Gulf.   “I’m not an activist but I am sympathizing with the ordeal of the people of Rapu-Rapu. If the toxic spillage and fish kill occurred in Australia automatically Lafayette will be closed down because they’re criminal. Unfortunately, Lafayette is using and taking advantage of poverty situation in the Philippines for their interest and economic gains at the expense of fishermen, farmers and poor people,” Pepe explained.   Although Pepe is tending his own farm in Guinobatan, he promised to visit the Kampong Bayan to show his support to the people of Rapu-Rapu.   The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay was set to conduct a committee hearing on Friday morning as part of a thorough investigation to come up with appropriate action. The hearing was formed by Celso Aytona, committee on environment chairman, to tackle the pressing issues that affect and divided the Albayanos politically.   The Rapu-Rapu mining operation is a pilot project of the recently passed Mining Act of l995 and a pet project of President Gloria Arroyo.