March 23,2010
Lito Osmeña’s Case VS. ABS-CBN Is An Apparent Language Discrimination
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Tagalog-speaking people must give respect to the other groups of Filipinos who have possessed their respective languages or Mother Tongues different from theirs. They should not think that their language, that is Tagalog, has become superior with the rest of the languages in the country for the reason that it was chosen as our national language. If the choice of a national language was based on numbers or of the majority, it should be Cebuano or the Binisayang Sinugboanon.
However, this was not the case, it was the reverse. A Tagalog-speaking President in the person of Manuel Quezon was the one, as I’ve learned in high school, who proclaimed Tagalog as our national language thru the so-called “nearness of the heart” nomination or emotional choice. I do not know how the other groups of Filipinos have reacted to the proclamation at that time since they are living very far from the Presidential Seat in Metro Manila.
Thru the powerful broadcast media like the radio and TV other groups of Filipinos in various regions of the country have gradually learned to speak Tagalog. Aside from the elementary and secondary level where it was also taught as a subject. Because of this scheme many Filipinos have learned to speak it. But it does not mean that the Tagalog language has become a superior language.N0!
The Tagalog-speaking people in Luzon and now in other places of the country where they’ll have chosen to live or were married to other groups of Filipinos with their own inherent languages, should not think that their language is superior compared to other Filipinos’ Mother Tongues. Particularly for the educated Tagalog-speaking individuals, they must give respect to other languages that each of us have inherently learned from our parents and forebears. They should avoid enforcing their languages to other groups of Filipinos. They should be given the freedom to speak their respective languages to their provincemates in the privacy of their off-screen activities even in some Tagalog-sponsored shows and to any kind of audience outside their places.
Every group of Filipinos should also speak and write in their respective languages to their fellowmen provincianos. Speaking in Tagalog to our fellow Visayans or fellow Waray-Waray or Bicolano or llonggo,or Ilocano,or Kapangpangan and others is not the proper way of nurturing,patronizing,cherishing,sustaining and loving our respective languages.
It is only by using our respective languages in our speaking and in writing that we are intellectualizing our respective Mother Tongues. There’s no other way to do that than what I have stated above..
If you asked why I write my article in English, it’s because it’s my chosen medium. Although occasionally I also write in my Mother Tongue which is Cebuano or the Binisayang Sinugboanon. Another reason for writing my article in the English language is because I’m addressing this to all educated Filipinos including those non-Filipinos who happen to read my article.English, my chosen medium in writing my articles, is my preference because the English language is an international language or universal language. A language that is internationally declared or chosen as the universal language is no longer a foreign language to all educated people in every country of the whole world, regardless of his /her race, color, creed or nationality.
It should be the second language to all educated peoples in the face of the earth. They ought to know now how to write and speak in this particular language besides their own languages. Learning other languages is an advantage to any Filipino or other nationality because he/she has a unique edge than those who only know to speak their respective local tongues. Multi-lingual speaker Filipinos have the broad flexibility to adjust their tongues to another languages spoken by other races of the world.
Going back to the case of senatorial candidate Lito Osmeña of Cebu City versus ABS-CBN,the latter should come to realize that there are many languages in the Philippines archipelago that also need to be respected with equality and fairness. A senatorial candidate though not a Tagalog speaker should be allowed to speak in his inherent language in his campaign ads on TV or radio.
Airing his political ads in Manila-based media as I understand it, is also important because a senatorial candidate has a nationwide voting coverage because he’s representing not just one group of Filipinos but for different groups of Filipinos in various provinces and regions. He is not only a representative of one region but a representative of all Filipinos. His representation is different from that of a Congressman who only represents one district in a particular province. It is understood that any group of Filipinos who would approach a Senator for assistance of which he is capable of doing is also welcome. Besides, a senatorial candidate wants that a great majority of Visayan voters who are also living in different places of the country, and some are even residing in Luzon can convey his intention to run for an elective post.
Therefore, there’s no need for the ABS-CNB management to change Osmeña’s message on his ads into Tagalog.Osmeña has his own inherent language and the network should give him due respect for the Bisaya/Cebuano senatorial candidate.
Atty. Manuel Faelnar cited article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(the Philippines is a signatory of this declaration) that says, “Everyone has the right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression; the right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.
Atty.Faelnar adds, “In Article 12 of the UN Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights, it says, “Everyone has the right to carry out all activities in the public sphere in his/her language, provided it is the language specific to the territory where he/she resides. These activities in the public sphere include political advertisements. Furthermore, ABS-CBN’s requirement for as Tagalog translation so the advertisement could be aired is vexing and humiliating, not only to Cebuanos but to all non-Tagalog Filipinos”.
In this respect, Article 26 of the Civil Code of the Philippines provides: “Every person shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace of mind of his neighbors and other persons. The following and similar acts, though they may not constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of action for damages, prevention and other relief.” As always Atty.Faelnar ends his messages with a quote from Ornolfor Thorsson, Iceland’s Presidential Adviser who said, “Without our languages, we have no culture, we have no identity, we are nothing”.
Hence, the only effective way to patronize,nurture,cherish,sustain,love and intellectualize our respective languages here in our country, the Philippines, is to use it always in our speaking and in writing in all occasions towards our fellow provincianos wherever we are living or staying. Abandoning or neglecting our respective Mother Tongues by using other language which is not inherently ours in speaking or in writing towards our fellow provincianos means you are abandoning your own culture and you have no identity. Can you live with that? If we like/love to speak another language or languages that are acquired thru persistent learning in some linguistic schools, why can’t you cherish and love your own language? We should speak only either in Tagalog or English to other groups of Filipinos who cannot understand our own respective languages.Why should a Cebuano or a Bisaya would say “bawal”to his/her fellow provincemate when we can say “guidili or guinadili”?Why should a Cebuano or Bisaya would say “Huwag magtapon nga basura dito” when speaking to his/her fellow Bisaya when he can say “Ayaw paglabog og basura dinhi”.Why should a Cebuano or a Bisaya would say “kayang-kaya” when he can say it in his/her own language “mahimo kaayo” o kaha “sayon kaayo”Ug uban pa nga maingon-ingon niini. We should always cherish, sustain and love our respective Mother Tongues by using it always in our speaking and in writing towards our fellow provincianos throughout our lives because these are the legacies of our forebears.
These measures that I have been mentioning here are also recommendably applicable to other existing languages in the whole world regardless of races, creeds, nationalities or religions.Again, we should always put in our minds the statement of Mr. Ornolfor Thorsson, Iceland’s Presidential Adviser, who said, “Without our languages, we have no culture, we have no identity, we are nothing”.
Freeman/PhilStar Columnist Valeriano ‘Bobit’ Avila says,”Indeed, language has always been a major irritant in our journey to nationhood. It is unfortunate that after we got rid of our Spanish, American and Japan colonizers and given true Independence, another ethnic group wants to colonize all Filipinos and force them to become Tagalog speakers.” (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
SL Delegation Joins The Visayas Trade And Investment Mission To Taiwan
March 23,2010
SL Delegation Joins Visayas Trade And Investment Mission To Taiwan
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Five representatives comprising the Southern Leyte delegation, together with other 13 delegates from four Visayas regions, have joined the recent seven-day Visayas Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan.
The Visayas business mission has constituted regions 5, 6, 7 and 8. Of the total 18 delegates, 2 were from Eastern Samar,6 from region V1,5 from region V111 and another 5 from Southern Leyte.
The Trade and Investment mission is to promote the Visayas regions as primary destination for Taiwanese investments in agri-aquaculture, information and communication technology, light manufacturing and as a lucrative market with which to source consumer products and raw materials.
Also the mission, our source said, intends to acquire some information and access to the latest technological developments in Taiwan in the field of agriculture and aqua-culture that can be operational in the Visayas.
SP Albert Esclamado, Chairman Committee on Tourism, one of the SL delegates, informed that for the province of Southern Leyte the concern for Trade and Investment were on eco-tourism, aquaculture and processing utilization of coconut products.
Investment seminar, forum and business to business meeting were conducted during their stay in Taiwan whose speakers were mostly potential investors and big businessmen.
The Visayas delegations were also having their field trips and visitations to various firms and establishments in that country. Like the Kashiung Software Park and Food Shows, marine culture farms and Koi farms at Pingtung County, Clone International Biotechnology,Inc.,Hay Long Corp(main products are beverages),First GMP foods manufacturer and GMP model Plant, Whitewood House(specializes in the production of cakes and sweets).
Other establishments that they were able to visit were the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnological Park-233 hectares government-initiated Research & Development and Investment facility and the only Science Park in Taiwan dedicated to agricultural purposes. Research and Development support with a maximum of 50% subsidy for R & D payment expense; expense subsidies which commissioned academic institutions to help research.
Advanced Green Biotechnology, Inc., founded by Feng –Jhih Liu, who was engaged in a real state construction business in China. Afflicted with cancer that spread to his lungs he stopped construction business and return to Taiwan. He believed that his cancer as in many other cancers, is caused not be hereditary but by the toxic food we eat. He funded AGBT in 2002.
Esclamado also disclosed that both food manufacturers were fully automated and employed only a minimal number of workers. He revealed that most of the companies they have visited give importance to R & D, quality control, and packaging of their products to meet the standard and competition of the global market.
“Companies that we have visited”, he said, “are mindful of their social responsibility and obligations.Hey Long is more committed to community services, while Whitewood House donates a good part of its income to the cause of the elderly”.
The SP member said that during the power point presentation DTI Manager Michael Nunez, also one of the SL delegates highlighted the investment opportunity for eco-tourism on its world-class scuba dive sites including prospects for Limasawa Island, the islands of San Pedro and San Pablo in Hinunangan.
Nuñez also introduced potential fish-caging in Sogod Bay, Cabalian Bay and the prospect of food processing and coconut products.
According to our source John Kuo,also Taiwanese investor, has already visited the country particularly Mindanao and the Visayas.It was further learned that Kuo stated his confidence that the Philippines as compared to Latin America has much better investment climate and opportunity and the skills, trainability and work attitude of the Filipinos.
The Taiwanese consultant also said that the country has the potential investments in aqua-culture, food and fruits like mango, banana chips, jackfruit and coconut vinegar processing, including the market for technology and equipment.
The Southern Leyte delegation furthermore has extended an invitation to John Kuo, CEO of Taiwan Plant Consultants Center to visit the province.
The province representatives to the Taiwan mission moreover recommended the creation of Investment Promotion office under the office of the Govenor,documentary videos of the potential opportunities for investment in Southern Leyte in eco-tourism, aquaculture and processing of coco products, invite the would-be Taiwanese investors who expressed initial interest to visit and explore opportunities for investments, for the LGUs to encourage and initially give attractive incentives to local entrepreneurs to engage in marine culture, food and coco processing and eco-tourism and to make into reality the “Industrial Park” of the province beyond resolutions and proclamations.
General Observations
1).Several water impounding ponds for irrigation and fish culture are very common sights in Taiwan’s rural and urban landscape.
2.)Every bit of land spaces even the surrounds of factory and big buildings are planted to crops, notably rice,vegetables,sights of what appears to be low-cost greenhouses, mostly for growing high value crops and vegetables. Extensive agricultural in practice and applications of new technologies derived from R and D(Research and Development).
3.) Metro cities of Taipei and Kaoshiung are clean and orderly, traffic is smooth and people are generally friendly and willingly helpful. Public toilets are clean and provided with soap, disposal paper towel and hot-air hand dyer. In some toilets disposable towel bowl covers are also available.
4) The ban on smoking in public places, public transports including taxes, restaurants, malls and lobbies of hotels including streets are strictly observed. Smoking is allowed only is pre-designated areas.
5) Impressively the Taiwanese people are brisk/fast walkers and very rarely can one see fat and obese Taiwanese. They are generally trim and slim. A probable reflective of their diet which was observed to be high in fiber (vegetables).
6) Communication was a big problem. Very rarely can an individual find a local who can speak English.Indeed, even choosing a menu in restaurants or asking for salt during mealtime can become an ordeal.
7) Exchanging of business or calling cards is in vogue after 2 new acquaintances are introduced to each other. The delegations learned on this practice during the one-on-one meeting in Taipei and Kaoshiung.
The Southern Leyte delegation, aside from Esclamado and Nuñez were composed of Engr. Dominador Clavejo-DOST Provincial Director; Arturo Marte-Marte Technova Machinecrafts (private sector representative) and former VISCA professor Dr. G.R. Gerona, private sector representative.
Furthermore, the SL delegation also thanked Governor Damian Mercado “for his foresight and commitment to send the delegation to participate in the VTIM to Taiwan” and to Crispin Arong, Jr. for his administrative support. Together with Catherine Marcelo, Maria Aurora Sabalo and Bennites Paloma-Gido “for their diligent and relentless efforts to facilitate and follow-up the preparation of the documents required even beyond normal office hours and other Capitol officials/staff who make their trip a reality”.
The Visayas Trade and Investment mission to Taiwan was organized by the Manila Economic Cooperation office, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taiwan and the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations and Development Groups.
Names of businessmen/businesswomen the VTIM have met during their trip to Taiwan, for potential partnerships in various business undertakings in the province:
1)Doris Lee-Tao Hang Corp-Chairwoman, Women Entrepreneurs Association(reful.gence@mse.ninet.net); 2)Shih Jing Lee-(bbok17@yahoo.com.tw); 3)John Kuo-CEO,Taiwan Plant Consultant Center and Taiwan Turnkey Project Association-(John@tpcc.org.tw); 4)Martin Lee-Project Manager, Taiwan Plant Consultant Center; 5)Long Diann Biotech Company,Ltd.; 6)Tih-Rin Chen-Red Tilapia; 7)Akimoto Hung-Director, Strong Way Industrial Company(akimoto.hung@gmail.com); 8)Charles Cheng-President, King Logistics Equipment Engineering; 9)Patricia Chen-Spring Pond; 10)Mac H.M. Chiu-Cheng Shun Hsing Co,Ltd (aqchiu@yahoo.com.tw); 11)Emma Liu-Advanced Green Biotech (agbt@agbt.com.tw).(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
SL Delegation Joins Visayas Trade And Investment Mission To Taiwan
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Five representatives comprising the Southern Leyte delegation, together with other 13 delegates from four Visayas regions, have joined the recent seven-day Visayas Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan.
The Visayas business mission has constituted regions 5, 6, 7 and 8. Of the total 18 delegates, 2 were from Eastern Samar,6 from region V1,5 from region V111 and another 5 from Southern Leyte.
The Trade and Investment mission is to promote the Visayas regions as primary destination for Taiwanese investments in agri-aquaculture, information and communication technology, light manufacturing and as a lucrative market with which to source consumer products and raw materials.
Also the mission, our source said, intends to acquire some information and access to the latest technological developments in Taiwan in the field of agriculture and aqua-culture that can be operational in the Visayas.
SP Albert Esclamado, Chairman Committee on Tourism, one of the SL delegates, informed that for the province of Southern Leyte the concern for Trade and Investment were on eco-tourism, aquaculture and processing utilization of coconut products.
Investment seminar, forum and business to business meeting were conducted during their stay in Taiwan whose speakers were mostly potential investors and big businessmen.
The Visayas delegations were also having their field trips and visitations to various firms and establishments in that country. Like the Kashiung Software Park and Food Shows, marine culture farms and Koi farms at Pingtung County, Clone International Biotechnology,Inc.,Hay Long Corp(main products are beverages),First GMP foods manufacturer and GMP model Plant, Whitewood House(specializes in the production of cakes and sweets).
Other establishments that they were able to visit were the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnological Park-233 hectares government-initiated Research & Development and Investment facility and the only Science Park in Taiwan dedicated to agricultural purposes. Research and Development support with a maximum of 50% subsidy for R & D payment expense; expense subsidies which commissioned academic institutions to help research.
Advanced Green Biotechnology, Inc., founded by Feng –Jhih Liu, who was engaged in a real state construction business in China. Afflicted with cancer that spread to his lungs he stopped construction business and return to Taiwan. He believed that his cancer as in many other cancers, is caused not be hereditary but by the toxic food we eat. He funded AGBT in 2002.
Esclamado also disclosed that both food manufacturers were fully automated and employed only a minimal number of workers. He revealed that most of the companies they have visited give importance to R & D, quality control, and packaging of their products to meet the standard and competition of the global market.
“Companies that we have visited”, he said, “are mindful of their social responsibility and obligations.Hey Long is more committed to community services, while Whitewood House donates a good part of its income to the cause of the elderly”.
The SP member said that during the power point presentation DTI Manager Michael Nunez, also one of the SL delegates highlighted the investment opportunity for eco-tourism on its world-class scuba dive sites including prospects for Limasawa Island, the islands of San Pedro and San Pablo in Hinunangan.
Nuñez also introduced potential fish-caging in Sogod Bay, Cabalian Bay and the prospect of food processing and coconut products.
According to our source John Kuo,also Taiwanese investor, has already visited the country particularly Mindanao and the Visayas.It was further learned that Kuo stated his confidence that the Philippines as compared to Latin America has much better investment climate and opportunity and the skills, trainability and work attitude of the Filipinos.
The Taiwanese consultant also said that the country has the potential investments in aqua-culture, food and fruits like mango, banana chips, jackfruit and coconut vinegar processing, including the market for technology and equipment.
The Southern Leyte delegation furthermore has extended an invitation to John Kuo, CEO of Taiwan Plant Consultants Center to visit the province.
The province representatives to the Taiwan mission moreover recommended the creation of Investment Promotion office under the office of the Govenor,documentary videos of the potential opportunities for investment in Southern Leyte in eco-tourism, aquaculture and processing of coco products, invite the would-be Taiwanese investors who expressed initial interest to visit and explore opportunities for investments, for the LGUs to encourage and initially give attractive incentives to local entrepreneurs to engage in marine culture, food and coco processing and eco-tourism and to make into reality the “Industrial Park” of the province beyond resolutions and proclamations.
General Observations
1).Several water impounding ponds for irrigation and fish culture are very common sights in Taiwan’s rural and urban landscape.
2.)Every bit of land spaces even the surrounds of factory and big buildings are planted to crops, notably rice,vegetables,sights of what appears to be low-cost greenhouses, mostly for growing high value crops and vegetables. Extensive agricultural in practice and applications of new technologies derived from R and D(Research and Development).
3.) Metro cities of Taipei and Kaoshiung are clean and orderly, traffic is smooth and people are generally friendly and willingly helpful. Public toilets are clean and provided with soap, disposal paper towel and hot-air hand dyer. In some toilets disposable towel bowl covers are also available.
4) The ban on smoking in public places, public transports including taxes, restaurants, malls and lobbies of hotels including streets are strictly observed. Smoking is allowed only is pre-designated areas.
5) Impressively the Taiwanese people are brisk/fast walkers and very rarely can one see fat and obese Taiwanese. They are generally trim and slim. A probable reflective of their diet which was observed to be high in fiber (vegetables).
6) Communication was a big problem. Very rarely can an individual find a local who can speak English.Indeed, even choosing a menu in restaurants or asking for salt during mealtime can become an ordeal.
7) Exchanging of business or calling cards is in vogue after 2 new acquaintances are introduced to each other. The delegations learned on this practice during the one-on-one meeting in Taipei and Kaoshiung.
The Southern Leyte delegation, aside from Esclamado and Nuñez were composed of Engr. Dominador Clavejo-DOST Provincial Director; Arturo Marte-Marte Technova Machinecrafts (private sector representative) and former VISCA professor Dr. G.R. Gerona, private sector representative.
Furthermore, the SL delegation also thanked Governor Damian Mercado “for his foresight and commitment to send the delegation to participate in the VTIM to Taiwan” and to Crispin Arong, Jr. for his administrative support. Together with Catherine Marcelo, Maria Aurora Sabalo and Bennites Paloma-Gido “for their diligent and relentless efforts to facilitate and follow-up the preparation of the documents required even beyond normal office hours and other Capitol officials/staff who make their trip a reality”.
The Visayas Trade and Investment mission to Taiwan was organized by the Manila Economic Cooperation office, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taiwan and the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations and Development Groups.
Names of businessmen/businesswomen the VTIM have met during their trip to Taiwan, for potential partnerships in various business undertakings in the province:
1)Doris Lee-Tao Hang Corp-Chairwoman, Women Entrepreneurs Association(reful.gence@mse.ninet.net); 2)Shih Jing Lee-(bbok17@yahoo.com.tw); 3)John Kuo-CEO,Taiwan Plant Consultant Center and Taiwan Turnkey Project Association-(John@tpcc.org.tw); 4)Martin Lee-Project Manager, Taiwan Plant Consultant Center; 5)Long Diann Biotech Company,Ltd.; 6)Tih-Rin Chen-Red Tilapia; 7)Akimoto Hung-Director, Strong Way Industrial Company(akimoto.hung@gmail.com); 8)Charles Cheng-President, King Logistics Equipment Engineering; 9)Patricia Chen-Spring Pond; 10)Mac H.M. Chiu-Cheng Shun Hsing Co,Ltd (aqchiu@yahoo.com.tw); 11)Emma Liu-Advanced Green Biotech (agbt@agbt.com.tw).(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Lending Collector Breaks His Leg
March 23,2010
Lending Collector Breaks His Leg
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-A lending collector who was on his way to Macrohon to collect money from loaners of the place broke his right leg when his motorcycle rammed against a concrete wall in brgy. Ibarra. here.Macrohon is about 15 kilometers away from Maasin’s city proper.
The collector-victim was identified as Junrey Consigna Cerro, 24 years old, single.He was a resident of brgy. Combado here and an employee of the Orange Groove, a lending agency located in the same barangay.Aside from his fractured leg, he has also some bruises.
In an interview the victim said that he was on his way to Macrohon to collect money from the lenders of the place. He said he would proceed to Padre Burgos after all the scheduled payment collections in Macrohon would be finished.
However, as he drove his motorcycle towards Macrohon he had overtaken a motorcab passenger upon reaching brgy. Ibarra, he said. But a Pajero with a combination of dark blue and gray color suddenly maneuvered a U-turn. Trying to avoid a collision, he said, he swerved to the left side and his motorcycle hit on the right side light at the rare wheel of the vehicle.
Losing control of his motorcycle it rammed against a concrete wall and he was thrown away. He said his leg was struck on a nearby jackfruit tree and could hardly move because of severe pain. His motorcycle was damaged.
He said a not-for-hire truck that happened to pass by had picked him up aboard and he was brought to the provincial hospital for emergency treatment.
Nevertheless, Traffic Officer Donato Cervantes clarified that based on the witnesses’ statements at the accident site, it was not a Pajero as he victim claimed but a van-type vehicle which the victim-collector had evaded.
According to the police officer the witnesses said that Cerro was avoiding a collision with the van by driving back his motorcycle. He instead hit a stone the police said, and rammed his motorcycle upon a concrete wall and was thrown away.
When asked for some documents relative to the possession of his motorcycle, Cervantes said, the victim-collector could not present anything, not even a license to drive.”Ang drayber nga walay licensya mapilde gyud sa kaso kung maagrabiyado ang tagtungod.Mas maayo nga ayha kita momaniho og unsa man nga sakyanan,molukat gyud ta og licensya”,he said in Cebuano.(A driver who has no license would be defeated in any accident case by a concerned individual involved. It’s better that before we intend to drive a motorcycle or any type of vehicle we must get a license.)
X-ray result showed that the victim’s right leg has a fractured bone above the knee.Dr.Elpidio Sibud, an Orthopedic Surgeon who was the physician on-duty when the victim-collector arrived at the provincial hospital’s emergency room has operated on his fractured leg.
A stainless steel was screwed on his fractured bone as support base, it was learned, which would be detached years after the broken bone would be reconnected to its original form thru the body’s natural healing process.
The victim further informed that it was his employer who shouldered for his medical and operation expenses.
As of this writing the victim’s fractured leg was still swollen. He has taken some medication for his swell and pain together with injectable and dextrose-mixable vitamins to recover his strength.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Lending Collector Breaks His Leg
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-A lending collector who was on his way to Macrohon to collect money from loaners of the place broke his right leg when his motorcycle rammed against a concrete wall in brgy. Ibarra. here.Macrohon is about 15 kilometers away from Maasin’s city proper.
The collector-victim was identified as Junrey Consigna Cerro, 24 years old, single.He was a resident of brgy. Combado here and an employee of the Orange Groove, a lending agency located in the same barangay.Aside from his fractured leg, he has also some bruises.
In an interview the victim said that he was on his way to Macrohon to collect money from the lenders of the place. He said he would proceed to Padre Burgos after all the scheduled payment collections in Macrohon would be finished.
However, as he drove his motorcycle towards Macrohon he had overtaken a motorcab passenger upon reaching brgy. Ibarra, he said. But a Pajero with a combination of dark blue and gray color suddenly maneuvered a U-turn. Trying to avoid a collision, he said, he swerved to the left side and his motorcycle hit on the right side light at the rare wheel of the vehicle.
Losing control of his motorcycle it rammed against a concrete wall and he was thrown away. He said his leg was struck on a nearby jackfruit tree and could hardly move because of severe pain. His motorcycle was damaged.
He said a not-for-hire truck that happened to pass by had picked him up aboard and he was brought to the provincial hospital for emergency treatment.
Nevertheless, Traffic Officer Donato Cervantes clarified that based on the witnesses’ statements at the accident site, it was not a Pajero as he victim claimed but a van-type vehicle which the victim-collector had evaded.
According to the police officer the witnesses said that Cerro was avoiding a collision with the van by driving back his motorcycle. He instead hit a stone the police said, and rammed his motorcycle upon a concrete wall and was thrown away.
When asked for some documents relative to the possession of his motorcycle, Cervantes said, the victim-collector could not present anything, not even a license to drive.”Ang drayber nga walay licensya mapilde gyud sa kaso kung maagrabiyado ang tagtungod.Mas maayo nga ayha kita momaniho og unsa man nga sakyanan,molukat gyud ta og licensya”,he said in Cebuano.(A driver who has no license would be defeated in any accident case by a concerned individual involved. It’s better that before we intend to drive a motorcycle or any type of vehicle we must get a license.)
X-ray result showed that the victim’s right leg has a fractured bone above the knee.Dr.Elpidio Sibud, an Orthopedic Surgeon who was the physician on-duty when the victim-collector arrived at the provincial hospital’s emergency room has operated on his fractured leg.
A stainless steel was screwed on his fractured bone as support base, it was learned, which would be detached years after the broken bone would be reconnected to its original form thru the body’s natural healing process.
The victim further informed that it was his employer who shouldered for his medical and operation expenses.
As of this writing the victim’s fractured leg was still swollen. He has taken some medication for his swell and pain together with injectable and dextrose-mixable vitamins to recover his strength.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Friday, March 12, 2010
The New System Helps GSIS Management Detecs 1.3M Fictitious Members- Mooney
March 12,2010
The New System Helps GSIS Management Detects 1.3M Fictitious Members-Mooney
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The adoption of the new computerization system that started in 2002 has greatly helped the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) management in identifying some fictitious members.
This was the disclosure of GSIS Regional Manager Velma Fuentes-Mooney in a get-together held during the recent evening at the Supercha Restaurant here. It was attended by almost all of the print and broadcast media practitioners in the province.
The Regional Manager informed that the computerization has started in 2002 up to 2007.During this period a total of 2.7M GSIS members were detected to have 1.3M fictitious members and only 1.4M were bonafide or real members. “Without the adoption of the new system, we could not have identify some of the fictitious members and the pension fund would be gone by 2009”, she predicted..
She implied that from time to time the GSIS management was providing pensions and loans to its members.However,it doesn’t mean that the office is going into business. “Loans are just a privilege offered to members”, she said “and they are obliged to pay it with 12% interest per annum.”
She said those loans’ interests were used as administration’s expenses and other line of services.
She revealed that there were criticisms hurled at them because of the new system but said that they will have to face it. “Its better that critics get angry today and curse us today that be angry with us forever. We are doing it for the benefit of the members”, she emphasized.
Mooney clarified that yearend bonuses are for qualified members and that cash advances for pensioners are optional.
Asked by the group how true is the rumor that GSIS-Maasin branch has been relegated into a satellite office, she replied that GSIS-Maasin has remained as branch office.
Mooney explained that the previous widening of the road has affected GSIS makeshift tent-shade constructed alongside the building for waiting pensioners. “The situation would endanger their (pensioners’) safety”, she said, “the reason why we decided to transfer to a two-storey government building at Maasin Pier which is lower in monthly rental”. Aside from that some of the personnel were transferred to Tacloban-GSIS office, it was learned.
She clarified that a satellite office has only 5 staff. It has no treasurer, no cashier and no legal officer, which is a stark contrast to that of the Maasin-GSIS.
She informed that GSIS-Catarman and Borongan were both satellite offices under the Catbalogan-GSIS.While GSIS-Ormoc is also a satellite office under the regional GSIS-Tacloban office.
The Regional Manager said that before, the GSIS has different databases that were hard to reconcile. “With the new system all data from various GSIS branch offices were merged as one database in a so-called GSIS oracle. In this system it’s easy to access any members’ name”, she confided.
She also pointed out that the GSIS management will stick to the new system and has no intention in going back to the manual operation and that the “Oracle Migration” was done in December. “If we did not change and adopt a new system, maybe in 2009 the money would be gone”, she reiterated.
The amiable GSIS Manager in answer to some speculation about its office fund, underscored that based on the current pecuniary condition of the entire GSIS pension fund, it will last up to 2067.”It’s not true that GSIS has no more money”, she said.
Full Dependent, Full Support
Mooney further clarified that qualified pensioners who have dependents will continue to receive full support. However, “If a spouse will get married again her support will be cut off”, she said. “But if he/she will remain without another partner, he/she will also continue to receive monetary support for lifetime”. She claimed this is a worldwide law.
Nonetheless, those who have live-in partners, if reported to us, we’ll act on the report and if found to be true their pensions will be cut off, she stressed.
The congenial Manager furthermore underscored the need for all bonafide GSIS members to have their e-cards.
She added that GSIS will spearhead as the prime mover in the use of unified cards for all government employees. “The unified cards can serve its holders, not only as GSIS ID cards but also in various government transactions like in SSS, BIR, NSO, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig Fund. The multi-purpose ID cards which were pilot-tested are to be rolled out this March 2010.”(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
The New System Helps GSIS Management Detects 1.3M Fictitious Members-Mooney
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The adoption of the new computerization system that started in 2002 has greatly helped the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) management in identifying some fictitious members.
This was the disclosure of GSIS Regional Manager Velma Fuentes-Mooney in a get-together held during the recent evening at the Supercha Restaurant here. It was attended by almost all of the print and broadcast media practitioners in the province.
The Regional Manager informed that the computerization has started in 2002 up to 2007.During this period a total of 2.7M GSIS members were detected to have 1.3M fictitious members and only 1.4M were bonafide or real members. “Without the adoption of the new system, we could not have identify some of the fictitious members and the pension fund would be gone by 2009”, she predicted..
She implied that from time to time the GSIS management was providing pensions and loans to its members.However,it doesn’t mean that the office is going into business. “Loans are just a privilege offered to members”, she said “and they are obliged to pay it with 12% interest per annum.”
She said those loans’ interests were used as administration’s expenses and other line of services.
She revealed that there were criticisms hurled at them because of the new system but said that they will have to face it. “Its better that critics get angry today and curse us today that be angry with us forever. We are doing it for the benefit of the members”, she emphasized.
Mooney clarified that yearend bonuses are for qualified members and that cash advances for pensioners are optional.
Asked by the group how true is the rumor that GSIS-Maasin branch has been relegated into a satellite office, she replied that GSIS-Maasin has remained as branch office.
Mooney explained that the previous widening of the road has affected GSIS makeshift tent-shade constructed alongside the building for waiting pensioners. “The situation would endanger their (pensioners’) safety”, she said, “the reason why we decided to transfer to a two-storey government building at Maasin Pier which is lower in monthly rental”. Aside from that some of the personnel were transferred to Tacloban-GSIS office, it was learned.
She clarified that a satellite office has only 5 staff. It has no treasurer, no cashier and no legal officer, which is a stark contrast to that of the Maasin-GSIS.
She informed that GSIS-Catarman and Borongan were both satellite offices under the Catbalogan-GSIS.While GSIS-Ormoc is also a satellite office under the regional GSIS-Tacloban office.
The Regional Manager said that before, the GSIS has different databases that were hard to reconcile. “With the new system all data from various GSIS branch offices were merged as one database in a so-called GSIS oracle. In this system it’s easy to access any members’ name”, she confided.
She also pointed out that the GSIS management will stick to the new system and has no intention in going back to the manual operation and that the “Oracle Migration” was done in December. “If we did not change and adopt a new system, maybe in 2009 the money would be gone”, she reiterated.
The amiable GSIS Manager in answer to some speculation about its office fund, underscored that based on the current pecuniary condition of the entire GSIS pension fund, it will last up to 2067.”It’s not true that GSIS has no more money”, she said.
Full Dependent, Full Support
Mooney further clarified that qualified pensioners who have dependents will continue to receive full support. However, “If a spouse will get married again her support will be cut off”, she said. “But if he/she will remain without another partner, he/she will also continue to receive monetary support for lifetime”. She claimed this is a worldwide law.
Nonetheless, those who have live-in partners, if reported to us, we’ll act on the report and if found to be true their pensions will be cut off, she stressed.
The congenial Manager furthermore underscored the need for all bonafide GSIS members to have their e-cards.
She added that GSIS will spearhead as the prime mover in the use of unified cards for all government employees. “The unified cards can serve its holders, not only as GSIS ID cards but also in various government transactions like in SSS, BIR, NSO, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig Fund. The multi-purpose ID cards which were pilot-tested are to be rolled out this March 2010.”(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
Manny Pacquiao Should Shun Politics
March 12,2010
Manny Pacquiao Should Shun Politics
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Manny Pacquiao, an obscure man in the past, but now shines like a gem in the world of boxing as champions in 6 different divisions, should not and must not enter politics. He should take heed to the advice of his mother, relatives and fans. Whoever advises Manny Pacquiao to enter politics is not actually helping him. He /she would be leading him to a potentially unredeemable downfall. Manny himself must also recognized that academically and educationally he is not qualified, whether he would accept it or not. This is an advice of concern from one of his fans. Most of his fans think that he should not enter politics and must remain as a boxing icon, being the only Asian who wins in 6 various weight divisions (including the 3 successive wins in his career within a year in 2008).
He must be proud of this achievement of course, but not to the extend of entering the political arena, where he knows nothing yet about governance.Pacquiao can serve and help the poor Filipinos if he really wants too without tainting himself with dirty politics. This is one of the things that he must avoid venturing into, for it’s not sure hit for him. With his millions and millions of money he can create jobs that would generate employment and preferably hire the poor and jobless people where his businesses are established. There’s no need for him to enter politics, which he is not prepare to face this strange area. He must be satisfied in what he has already accomplished.
It would be better for him now to continue his study in Business Management and his English language tutoring and to engage in marketing and in other business activities to improve his skill in business endeavor. With his vast money deposits, he can now provide for a good quality education for his children.
Courses like Medicine, Science and Technology, Education, Aeronautics, Engineering, Architecture, Music and Arts, Commerce, Military Service, Foreign Service and Journalism are among recommendable college courses that his children can now choose because Pacquiao has the big means and can well afford for the good future of his children
To start disciplining also his children as part of nurturing and raising his family and showing a good example for them would lead them to become good and productive citizens of this country in the future. In these things should Manny Pacquiao must focus his attention, time and effort after retiring from boxing. Since he is already recognized as a popular pound-for-pound fighter and is chosen as the Man of the Year 2008 by the Philippines Sportswriters Association, he is now in turn a legend in the field of boxing. Is he not contended and satisfied with this kind of hard-earned benchmark and accolades bestowed upon him?
On the other hand, if Pacquiao really is seriously interested in serving the country as a politician, he must prepare himself by taking a 4-year course in Public Administration and a 4-year-course in law. This is because one of the works of a Congressman or Senator in Congress is to legislate and enact laws. But this will take another long years of dedication and devotion for Manny before he could finish these courses. In the Philippines our kind of politics is tainted with irregularities and anomalies that will most likely would also taint his name as former champion boxer.
If Manny Pacquiao is sensitive enough to perceive the reason why some politicians and businessmen want him to run as Congressman, is that they are only riding on his popularity status. They seem not to look into consideration how the low-graded boxer would fare in his uncharted and unknown course. The only way that Manny can keep his name untainted by political maneuverings and irregularities is to keep away from politics’ temptive prodding and urgings. Those political paddings of condescension and sweet talks are just a passing scene and will vanish in the air after the political campaign sorties. It would be much better for him also to save his millions from being wasted in a political exercise where he has a very slim chance of winning. This is an advice of concern from a fan.
Furthermore, if any Filipino citizen really wants to serve his country, he/she must prepare himself/herself to any position in the Government Service by taking one or two 4-year college courses needed and required in a government positions he/she is planning to occupy. I don’t think that any position in the Government Service is just a joke that anybody will just be allowed to run even without meeting first the necessary requirements and qualifications. To run for any government position should not be a product of an actor’s,actress’or any other Filipino’s whims and caprices but of being and having prepared for such positions by finishing a 4-year college course or courses. A simple law stating that able to read and write and a natural born Filipino citizen are enough requirements for those who want to run for President or any position in the Government Service must be amended now.
This kind of such a very simple law is no longer workable and acceptable in our modern times. The current age of space travel, state-of –the-art gadgets, modern communication facilities, sophisticated weapons of destruction, cellphones and computer-internet connections has shrank the distances of millions of miles among nations by just a cellphone call or a computer-internet click which cause for the transformation of all nations into global communities and global villages.
Now that Manny Pacquiao has successfully won his recent 7th world title in a historic bout against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at MGM Grand Arena in Nevada, Las Vegas,USA, and become the first ever boxer worldwide to win in 7 different weight divisions, the more he should remain humble. He can retire now. But if he still wants to fight one more bout with Mayweather or Valerio (now Clottey), that would be alright.However, after this incoming event, win or loss, he should retire from boxing for good. He should stop subjecting his body to over absorption of more punishing punches, jabs, blows and uppercuts to lessen the adverse effects of bodyhits when he reaches the old age. Even how much the temptive pressure he will going to receive from politicians to enter the political arena, he should not allow himself to be carried away by any kind of persuasion and flattery. It would be the best and the excellent to remember Manny Pacquiao as the greatest Asian boxer of his era by winning 7 titles in 7 different weight classes sans participation in dirty politics.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Manny Pacquiao Should Shun Politics
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Manny Pacquiao, an obscure man in the past, but now shines like a gem in the world of boxing as champions in 6 different divisions, should not and must not enter politics. He should take heed to the advice of his mother, relatives and fans. Whoever advises Manny Pacquiao to enter politics is not actually helping him. He /she would be leading him to a potentially unredeemable downfall. Manny himself must also recognized that academically and educationally he is not qualified, whether he would accept it or not. This is an advice of concern from one of his fans. Most of his fans think that he should not enter politics and must remain as a boxing icon, being the only Asian who wins in 6 various weight divisions (including the 3 successive wins in his career within a year in 2008).
He must be proud of this achievement of course, but not to the extend of entering the political arena, where he knows nothing yet about governance.Pacquiao can serve and help the poor Filipinos if he really wants too without tainting himself with dirty politics. This is one of the things that he must avoid venturing into, for it’s not sure hit for him. With his millions and millions of money he can create jobs that would generate employment and preferably hire the poor and jobless people where his businesses are established. There’s no need for him to enter politics, which he is not prepare to face this strange area. He must be satisfied in what he has already accomplished.
It would be better for him now to continue his study in Business Management and his English language tutoring and to engage in marketing and in other business activities to improve his skill in business endeavor. With his vast money deposits, he can now provide for a good quality education for his children.
Courses like Medicine, Science and Technology, Education, Aeronautics, Engineering, Architecture, Music and Arts, Commerce, Military Service, Foreign Service and Journalism are among recommendable college courses that his children can now choose because Pacquiao has the big means and can well afford for the good future of his children
To start disciplining also his children as part of nurturing and raising his family and showing a good example for them would lead them to become good and productive citizens of this country in the future. In these things should Manny Pacquiao must focus his attention, time and effort after retiring from boxing. Since he is already recognized as a popular pound-for-pound fighter and is chosen as the Man of the Year 2008 by the Philippines Sportswriters Association, he is now in turn a legend in the field of boxing. Is he not contended and satisfied with this kind of hard-earned benchmark and accolades bestowed upon him?
On the other hand, if Pacquiao really is seriously interested in serving the country as a politician, he must prepare himself by taking a 4-year course in Public Administration and a 4-year-course in law. This is because one of the works of a Congressman or Senator in Congress is to legislate and enact laws. But this will take another long years of dedication and devotion for Manny before he could finish these courses. In the Philippines our kind of politics is tainted with irregularities and anomalies that will most likely would also taint his name as former champion boxer.
If Manny Pacquiao is sensitive enough to perceive the reason why some politicians and businessmen want him to run as Congressman, is that they are only riding on his popularity status. They seem not to look into consideration how the low-graded boxer would fare in his uncharted and unknown course. The only way that Manny can keep his name untainted by political maneuverings and irregularities is to keep away from politics’ temptive prodding and urgings. Those political paddings of condescension and sweet talks are just a passing scene and will vanish in the air after the political campaign sorties. It would be much better for him also to save his millions from being wasted in a political exercise where he has a very slim chance of winning. This is an advice of concern from a fan.
Furthermore, if any Filipino citizen really wants to serve his country, he/she must prepare himself/herself to any position in the Government Service by taking one or two 4-year college courses needed and required in a government positions he/she is planning to occupy. I don’t think that any position in the Government Service is just a joke that anybody will just be allowed to run even without meeting first the necessary requirements and qualifications. To run for any government position should not be a product of an actor’s,actress’or any other Filipino’s whims and caprices but of being and having prepared for such positions by finishing a 4-year college course or courses. A simple law stating that able to read and write and a natural born Filipino citizen are enough requirements for those who want to run for President or any position in the Government Service must be amended now.
This kind of such a very simple law is no longer workable and acceptable in our modern times. The current age of space travel, state-of –the-art gadgets, modern communication facilities, sophisticated weapons of destruction, cellphones and computer-internet connections has shrank the distances of millions of miles among nations by just a cellphone call or a computer-internet click which cause for the transformation of all nations into global communities and global villages.
Now that Manny Pacquiao has successfully won his recent 7th world title in a historic bout against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at MGM Grand Arena in Nevada, Las Vegas,USA, and become the first ever boxer worldwide to win in 7 different weight divisions, the more he should remain humble. He can retire now. But if he still wants to fight one more bout with Mayweather or Valerio (now Clottey), that would be alright.However, after this incoming event, win or loss, he should retire from boxing for good. He should stop subjecting his body to over absorption of more punishing punches, jabs, blows and uppercuts to lessen the adverse effects of bodyhits when he reaches the old age. Even how much the temptive pressure he will going to receive from politicians to enter the political arena, he should not allow himself to be carried away by any kind of persuasion and flattery. It would be the best and the excellent to remember Manny Pacquiao as the greatest Asian boxer of his era by winning 7 titles in 7 different weight classes sans participation in dirty politics.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Achieving A Sustainable Preservation Of The Ozone Layer
March 12,2010
Achieving A Sustainable Preservation Of The Ozone Layer
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The annual commemoration of the Preservation of Ozone Layer that falls on Sept. 16 should served as a reminder for us the need to continually sustain the mandate of the Montreal Protocol signed by the leaders of nations on Sept.16,1987. This kind of treaty enjoins all leaders of the world to gradually phase out in a certain period of time the production of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in particular. The scientists believed that CFC is the cause of the disastrous damage in the depletion of ozone layer which serves as the protective mantle of the earth.
The main function of this element/substance is to diffuse the ultraviolet rays from the sun’s light needed by the animals, plants, humans and other forms of life on Planet Earth, which if excessive, will ensue an ominous
effect to all living things if remain unchecked.
Sometime in the 1980s, a group of scientists have discovered a huge hole in the Antarctic region of our planet that has raised alarm in the scientific communities. The phenomenon has created a wave of shocks
and fear by the experts and ordinary citizens. This finding has led in the gathering of all leaders to sign the abovementioned treaty.
It is now almost 23 years since that historic event. Did the gradual reduction in the manufacturing of CFC has a prevailing effect in the healing of the wounded ozone layer? The facts I’ve gathered revealed that as of NASA’s 2006 report the big hole was 11.5 million square miles. However, NASA’S latest report indicates that
the hole has shrunk to 9.7 million square miles, a 16 percent decrease from that in 2006 report.
This disclosure is a significant development despite of the fact that the hole is still as big as North America, it was disclosed. Still large enough to cause disastrous effect to all life on earth.
Based on the information that I have gathered, there’s a continuing necessity to seriously and religiously implement all the provisions and guidelines under the Montreal Protocol. All the leaders of the world must possess the political will to commit themselves relentlessly to realize the objective in achieving a full recovery of the damaged ozone layer.
This kind of undertakings manifested by leadership by example from among conscientious, persistent and determined govermment officials and NGO leaders should prod and inspire future leaders and the next from generations to generations to also implement and devotedly apply the Montreal Protocol to the letter.
Nevertheless, I have the suspicion that other substances/compounds created by some chemists worldwide of various specializations possessed some contributory characteristics which is potential to the destruction of the ozone layer. This cover substances/compounds that inherently possessed pungent and excruciating odors. There’s also the need to examine the different brands and classification of chemicals by our experts and scientists worldwide to determine if really these man-made chemicals that pollutes our environment are equally disastrous to the ozone layer. If after some in-depth research and experimentations, proofs would surface that some of the available chemicals and compounds in the market also cause to the destruction of the ozone layer, then such kind of chemicals must be stopped from its production.
When all nations of the world will reach the target of achieving a full recovery of the ozone layer in the coming years after NASA’s space survey, man’s temptive tendency for the restoration in the production of CFCs and other harmful chemicals that damage the earth’s protective mantle, must be resisted and prevented.
Bitter lessons learned out of man’s carefree, abusive attitude and ignorance in the caring, conserving and protecting our environment which resulted to its destruction cannot be overemphasized. The kind of implementation that will achieve the objective by the current leaders of nations in attaining a strongly sustainable preservation of the ozone layer must be seriously and religiously followed from generations to generations of mankind.( Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Achieving A Sustainable Preservation Of The Ozone Layer
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The annual commemoration of the Preservation of Ozone Layer that falls on Sept. 16 should served as a reminder for us the need to continually sustain the mandate of the Montreal Protocol signed by the leaders of nations on Sept.16,1987. This kind of treaty enjoins all leaders of the world to gradually phase out in a certain period of time the production of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in particular. The scientists believed that CFC is the cause of the disastrous damage in the depletion of ozone layer which serves as the protective mantle of the earth.
The main function of this element/substance is to diffuse the ultraviolet rays from the sun’s light needed by the animals, plants, humans and other forms of life on Planet Earth, which if excessive, will ensue an ominous
effect to all living things if remain unchecked.
Sometime in the 1980s, a group of scientists have discovered a huge hole in the Antarctic region of our planet that has raised alarm in the scientific communities. The phenomenon has created a wave of shocks
and fear by the experts and ordinary citizens. This finding has led in the gathering of all leaders to sign the abovementioned treaty.
It is now almost 23 years since that historic event. Did the gradual reduction in the manufacturing of CFC has a prevailing effect in the healing of the wounded ozone layer? The facts I’ve gathered revealed that as of NASA’s 2006 report the big hole was 11.5 million square miles. However, NASA’S latest report indicates that
the hole has shrunk to 9.7 million square miles, a 16 percent decrease from that in 2006 report.
This disclosure is a significant development despite of the fact that the hole is still as big as North America, it was disclosed. Still large enough to cause disastrous effect to all life on earth.
Based on the information that I have gathered, there’s a continuing necessity to seriously and religiously implement all the provisions and guidelines under the Montreal Protocol. All the leaders of the world must possess the political will to commit themselves relentlessly to realize the objective in achieving a full recovery of the damaged ozone layer.
This kind of undertakings manifested by leadership by example from among conscientious, persistent and determined govermment officials and NGO leaders should prod and inspire future leaders and the next from generations to generations to also implement and devotedly apply the Montreal Protocol to the letter.
Nevertheless, I have the suspicion that other substances/compounds created by some chemists worldwide of various specializations possessed some contributory characteristics which is potential to the destruction of the ozone layer. This cover substances/compounds that inherently possessed pungent and excruciating odors. There’s also the need to examine the different brands and classification of chemicals by our experts and scientists worldwide to determine if really these man-made chemicals that pollutes our environment are equally disastrous to the ozone layer. If after some in-depth research and experimentations, proofs would surface that some of the available chemicals and compounds in the market also cause to the destruction of the ozone layer, then such kind of chemicals must be stopped from its production.
When all nations of the world will reach the target of achieving a full recovery of the ozone layer in the coming years after NASA’s space survey, man’s temptive tendency for the restoration in the production of CFCs and other harmful chemicals that damage the earth’s protective mantle, must be resisted and prevented.
Bitter lessons learned out of man’s carefree, abusive attitude and ignorance in the caring, conserving and protecting our environment which resulted to its destruction cannot be overemphasized. The kind of implementation that will achieve the objective by the current leaders of nations in attaining a strongly sustainable preservation of the ozone layer must be seriously and religiously followed from generations to generations of mankind.( Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
How Clean Is The Coal-Fired Power Plant?
March 12,2010
How Clean Is The Coal-Fired Power Plant?
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
I am somewhat astounded upon reading the front page of a Cebu-based daily The Freeman with a huge picture of a streamer placed at the stage which says “246MW Clean Coal-Fired Power Plant”: during its “Switch On Ceremony” with PGMA as its guest speaker held at the CEDC Multi-purpose Hall in Toledo City, Province of Cebu (The Freeman, March 6, 2010 issue).
I am surprised because all I have learned about coal is that it is the dirtiest fossil fuel on earth. According to the information that I have gotten from the US Environmental Protection Agency it was reported that coal-fired power plants account for most of the pollutant elements emitted by the power industry in the United States. Coal-fired power plants emit 93% of the nitrogen oxide,96% of the sulfur oxide,88% of the carbon dioxide and 99% of the mercury emissions that pollute the air. Any person can just imagine the high percentage of pollution and health hazards pose by the coal-fired power plants to the residents within the surrounding vicinity where the projects are constructed.
How can it be that it was described as “clean”? What process the management was using to make the emission of coal be filtered? Is there now an existing technology that can filter the pollutants being released by the burning of tons of coal to produce power equivalent to 246MW as was stated on a huge tapestry at the stage? I have learned on the news story that it was 82MW, part of the three units to be constructed comprising a total of 246MW,an additional power output for the province of Cebu.
If there’s already an existing coal emission filter technology, is it a Filipino invention or one that is from other country either in the USA,Germany,Japan,India,China,Australia,Austria,France,Italy or Egypt?
Are some technical men and experts from a country where such invention has originated were invited to inspect and make experiments and tests to see how the new coal cleaner technology works?
If there were no technical men and experts from other country or countries invited, was the conduct of series of experiments and tests done by our very own Filipino technical men and experts?
If the answers to my questions were met with positive actions relative to the objective of making emissions of tons of coal everyday throughout the whole year being cleaned by filtration or other means of
cleansing its pollutants, how come that there’s no detailed reports that we can read in Cebu’s leading newspapers either from The Freeman or Cebu Daily News?
Most of the reports that I have read were that of the oppositions/objections among the residents in the constructions of coal-fired power plants in the area. Although the project was welcome by no less than the Chief Executive of Toledo City because of its employment and revenue generations for the city’s coffer. But without counting the environmental pollution which would be the eventual result of coal’s continual emissions of pollutants into the surrounding air. On the other hand,CEDC’s $450M or roughly P3billion has another 2 and 3 units expected to go on line by the end of May and the end of December according to the report.
Is the DENR that is in-charged in the inspection and approval of such delicate project do some checking and testing of its equipments,. apparatus and gadgets to see if the plant is applying the provisions under the Clean Air Act of 1999?
Our planet Earth is already suffering from heavy pollution because of man’s less caring of his environment and ecosystem but more on material gains and profits. Because of this we are now feeling the effects of global warming as the outcome of too much emission of different kinds of pollution that stuck and hover in the Earth’s atmosphere.
According to the Scientists and some experts the heat from the sun that is supposed to bounce back to the atmosphere was blocked by the heaps of heavy pollution hovering in the Earth’s atmosphere and goes back to the Earth again-the result is the inevitable global warming.
Additionally, global warming caused some thick hard ice or icebergs in some parts of the earth to gradually melt. The melting would result to higher water elevation of some oceans of the world that shall potentially submerges small islands in the near future if global warming would continue unabated.. Now we have this so-called erratic weather conditions that begets climate change. If you are an observant of weather conditions you know and will understand what climate change is all about.
If the manufacturers of various products for human consumptions and other human needs like cars, airplanes, vehicles, chemical sprays, pesticides and other things needed by today’s modern world would religiously implement some measures to reduce by 3/4 of the volume of their emissions (release) of pollutant elements and substances into the air, they will greatly contribute to the gradual reduction of global warming on our only life-giving planet.
WE hope that the adjective “clean” describing the newly-open unit one which is a part of the 246MW coal-fired power plant in Toledo City is not a bluff neither a misleading flattery, but a palpable reality. I hope so. We hope so.
On the other hand, our public officials and other high government officials including the NGOs and the private sector ought to lead the entire population in seriously always adopting environment-friendly measures in the establishing and constructing of any income-generating projects in the country. This primary important step is mainly to protect and preserve our only one ecosystem, the Planet Earth, for the seek also of other coming generations of man who should enjoy the same benefits and privileges as we have.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
How Clean Is The Coal-Fired Power Plant?
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
I am somewhat astounded upon reading the front page of a Cebu-based daily The Freeman with a huge picture of a streamer placed at the stage which says “246MW Clean Coal-Fired Power Plant”: during its “Switch On Ceremony” with PGMA as its guest speaker held at the CEDC Multi-purpose Hall in Toledo City, Province of Cebu (The Freeman, March 6, 2010 issue).
I am surprised because all I have learned about coal is that it is the dirtiest fossil fuel on earth. According to the information that I have gotten from the US Environmental Protection Agency it was reported that coal-fired power plants account for most of the pollutant elements emitted by the power industry in the United States. Coal-fired power plants emit 93% of the nitrogen oxide,96% of the sulfur oxide,88% of the carbon dioxide and 99% of the mercury emissions that pollute the air. Any person can just imagine the high percentage of pollution and health hazards pose by the coal-fired power plants to the residents within the surrounding vicinity where the projects are constructed.
How can it be that it was described as “clean”? What process the management was using to make the emission of coal be filtered? Is there now an existing technology that can filter the pollutants being released by the burning of tons of coal to produce power equivalent to 246MW as was stated on a huge tapestry at the stage? I have learned on the news story that it was 82MW, part of the three units to be constructed comprising a total of 246MW,an additional power output for the province of Cebu.
If there’s already an existing coal emission filter technology, is it a Filipino invention or one that is from other country either in the USA,Germany,Japan,India,China,Australia,Austria,France,Italy or Egypt?
Are some technical men and experts from a country where such invention has originated were invited to inspect and make experiments and tests to see how the new coal cleaner technology works?
If there were no technical men and experts from other country or countries invited, was the conduct of series of experiments and tests done by our very own Filipino technical men and experts?
If the answers to my questions were met with positive actions relative to the objective of making emissions of tons of coal everyday throughout the whole year being cleaned by filtration or other means of
cleansing its pollutants, how come that there’s no detailed reports that we can read in Cebu’s leading newspapers either from The Freeman or Cebu Daily News?
Most of the reports that I have read were that of the oppositions/objections among the residents in the constructions of coal-fired power plants in the area. Although the project was welcome by no less than the Chief Executive of Toledo City because of its employment and revenue generations for the city’s coffer. But without counting the environmental pollution which would be the eventual result of coal’s continual emissions of pollutants into the surrounding air. On the other hand,CEDC’s $450M or roughly P3billion has another 2 and 3 units expected to go on line by the end of May and the end of December according to the report.
Is the DENR that is in-charged in the inspection and approval of such delicate project do some checking and testing of its equipments,. apparatus and gadgets to see if the plant is applying the provisions under the Clean Air Act of 1999?
Our planet Earth is already suffering from heavy pollution because of man’s less caring of his environment and ecosystem but more on material gains and profits. Because of this we are now feeling the effects of global warming as the outcome of too much emission of different kinds of pollution that stuck and hover in the Earth’s atmosphere.
According to the Scientists and some experts the heat from the sun that is supposed to bounce back to the atmosphere was blocked by the heaps of heavy pollution hovering in the Earth’s atmosphere and goes back to the Earth again-the result is the inevitable global warming.
Additionally, global warming caused some thick hard ice or icebergs in some parts of the earth to gradually melt. The melting would result to higher water elevation of some oceans of the world that shall potentially submerges small islands in the near future if global warming would continue unabated.. Now we have this so-called erratic weather conditions that begets climate change. If you are an observant of weather conditions you know and will understand what climate change is all about.
If the manufacturers of various products for human consumptions and other human needs like cars, airplanes, vehicles, chemical sprays, pesticides and other things needed by today’s modern world would religiously implement some measures to reduce by 3/4 of the volume of their emissions (release) of pollutant elements and substances into the air, they will greatly contribute to the gradual reduction of global warming on our only life-giving planet.
WE hope that the adjective “clean” describing the newly-open unit one which is a part of the 246MW coal-fired power plant in Toledo City is not a bluff neither a misleading flattery, but a palpable reality. I hope so. We hope so.
On the other hand, our public officials and other high government officials including the NGOs and the private sector ought to lead the entire population in seriously always adopting environment-friendly measures in the establishing and constructing of any income-generating projects in the country. This primary important step is mainly to protect and preserve our only one ecosystem, the Planet Earth, for the seek also of other coming generations of man who should enjoy the same benefits and privileges as we have.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
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