Holy Week

 Taking a time off from the city buzz,
these beachcombers enjoy the sun, sea and sand at Sipaway Island.
Photo by: Yvette Sarabia

The Untold 4Ps Saga

This is the story of 4Ps beneficiaries and several P 20 bills. 

By Georgene Rhena P. Quilaton-Tambiga

                As proof of her family's abject poverty, Melissa*, 29, was chopping the young shoot of bananas for lunch. She was going to cook it with coconut milk and some vegetables to serve to her kids and husband.

                With her unstable income as charcoal maker, it is no wonder that their family is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) or the Conditional Cash Transfer Program of the government which is implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

                Her two children, one just graduated from elementary school, the other will be fourth grader come June, are benefiting from the educational assistance that 4Ps provides. Each child receives P 300 per month.

Cash condition

                While 4Ps aims to "to provide cash assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate needs1," beneficiaries in Barangay Punao, San Carlos City like Melissa said that a casual employee from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) collected P 20 from them for the "snacks" of DSWD employees who are facilitating the release of cash.

                Another beneficiary from the same barangay, Rowena Leduna, 42, told NRWP that the program's Local Government Unit Link who works hand-in-hand with the DSWD Region VI personnel ordered their parent leader to collect the said amount for the snacks of DSWD and Land Bank of the Philippines-San Carlos Branch employees on the schedule date of the release.

                Apart from the contribution for snacks, Leduna gave P 500 to the casual employee because she was told her name was deleted from the payroll sometime in January. "Te, delete man ka, Te, uy," the beneficiary recounted how the disappointing news was broken to her. She thought it really was possible because her husband was mistaken for a government employee when he actually is only a contractual carpenter for a private contractor who sometimes works on government projects.

Photographs of her house were taken and she was also asked for P 50 for photo printing. She was then promised that a Land Bank employee can place her name back on the payroll list if she gave P 500.

          In Barangay Punao, there are 325 official and active 4Ps beneficiaries. Since Punao has 18 sitios (community groups), there are about 12 active parent leaders. One among them, who asked for her not to be named, said the LGU-Link is Jonna Marie Portuguez. Portuguez was assigned to facilitate 4Ps beneficiaries in Punao and conduct meetings and discussions with them.

Ease up!

Relieving stress; Relationship

By Ma. Jesusa F. Constantino

                I lost my soul and I tried walking away if only to revive myself so that I can get back to the life I used to live.  I was up for a challenge, and I took it seriously, and that challenge is to have a break!

Bye-bye stress

                For less than an hour, I was spirited to Sipaway with my friends.  Sea travel uncoupled with smoke, dust and annoying co-passengers is my cup of coffee. It was a total bliss.

                I was on my way to Barangay Ermita, Sipaway, and I was with a bag full of hope that this travel would be fruitful, perhaps find myself and my soul which I lost somewhere.

                I arrived at my destination and the sparkling white sand invited me to relax and be one with the nature.  It's a way of enjoying the gift of God to mankind.  Sipaway Island is the exact definition of the beauty of the earth in its rawest form.  No trace of commercialization and life is at its basic.  I wonder how it is to live in this delight.

                Sipaway is a nice place where one could ease up on life's pressures, which is a necessity for a 'workaholic' like me.  I am workaholic in the sense that I spend most of my time performing duties that involve the school and student organizations.  For people like me, work becomes the top priority in life and we can't think anything beyond work even during spare time, this is because of too many responsibilities lying in our hands.

                I realized while in Barangay Ermita that I need to do away with life's pressure sometimes.  The fact that most people experience less leisure and more daily stress as they juggle work and career, family and friends is no more rocket science.

Photo source: www.santarcangelo.net

On helmet leniency

READER'S RESPONSE

                In line with the San Carlos City Police Office (SCCPO) on the imposition of protective helmets for motorcycle riders, it is obvious and reasonable that such is good, considering it as a safety measure.  On the other hand, it could not be denied that others would use it in commiting hold-ups, robberies and other related crimes.  SCCPO chief P/supt. Harold Tuzon is right that motorcycle riders coming from nearby towns who are using full head helmets are advised to open the helmet’s part where one's face is shown.

                This manifestation is, say, on the balancing situation.  This is on the verge of a dilemma really between good and evil.  However, it is a concept between the have and the have-nots.  I said this, because few, if not all could afford to buy quality helmets like the bell brand which cost around P4000 to P6000 each where one’s face is obscured.  I had experienced once during the time of EX-L.T.O. Chief Ricardo Dela Victoria when two of us only were on the office of Dela Victoria.  I, for the registration of my Honda motorcycle and with a helmet, and he without helmet, in spite that "wear your helmet" inscription inside the L.T.O. Office.  "Decdec" as fondly called by friends charged him of P500.  He told "Decdec" that he will just come back in the afternoon having no money yet in his pocket.  After that, I don't know if he was able to come back or not.

                Wearing of helmet s as you can see in the streets of San Carlos is almost ignored even in the visibility and full view of traffic enforcers.  Admittedly, if only all will coordinate and cooperate, wearing of helmets in the city proper gives uniformity, more discipline, and nice to look at especially in the progressive city of San Carlos.

                Nevertheless, there are still some, no doubt, who are hesitant to wear their helmets especially in going to churches, weddings, or birthdays because the ‘outfit’ would be in a ‘misfit’ while attending these celebrations.  One of my friends said that his hair would be in disarray once he enters the church with the helmet.  Besides, if he’d leave his helmet outside, he is afraid he might lose it with robbers.  With no alternative, instead, some may take the pedicab.

                In my own opinion, there must be certain rules or regulations posted anywhere if possible by the SCCPO on when, where, how to wear these motorcycle helmets.  In this manner, it is the discretion of SCCPO to impose the guidelines, so that the public may be informed from day to day.  Whether these may be put in good use or not, the most important is that no coordination and cooperation is Tantamount to Leniency.

Sent to the NewsRecord office 

on April 10, 2012 

by Domingo L. Nemenzo, Jr.

Kitchen Spa

Tita Len-len's Wais Tips

By Len-len Pataytay

                Sun and sand spells summer. But with the ensuing crisis, maybe a 'staycation,' as the TV ad goes, is more practical than packing up to Boracay or Bohol.

                Now, your trusty Tita Len-len does not only love a clean household. I do spend time making sure I stay beautiful sans the crisis. Remember what the classic Disney movie Mulan says: The flower that blooms in adversity is the most beautiful of all.

                So, instead of jet-setting or island hopping, which can be quite expensive, why not stay at home and create your own spa?

                If you think spa treatment can cost much, think again. Our kitchen is the best source of spa materials that can revive the goddess in every woman.

                Let's start with the hair, the crowning glory. Rebond costs more than a thousand but pure coconut milk treatment can do that same trick. No wonder commercial shampoos claim to contain this ingredient that promotes hair texture, volume and color.

Photo source: www.drgranny.com

Education and religion

Friendly Observer

By Arthur Keefe

                Last year, towards the end of the school year, I wrote an open letter in the NewsRecord, to the Superintendent of schools in the city. I made a number of suggestions, most of which were in line with common practice elsewhere and most of which have been ignored!

                One or two, such as the banning of motorcycles in the school gates at Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School have been adopted. Although whether as a result of my suggestions or just common sense, I don't know.

                Many of my comments related to the need to improve communication with parents and to plan ahead for school closures. I have seen little or no improvement in this and was, therefore, pleasantly surprised to receive a written note advising me that my daughter could attend school on Saturdays for three weeks to make up for lost days.

                However, all was not as it seemed! Firstly, the first of the three Saturdays listed had already passed and we knew nothing about this. The second was cancelled, together with the school closing on the Friday (for reasons I remain ignorant about).

                A written note with advance warning was welcome but what is the point if it is late, inaccurate and incomplete. Perhaps the principal can explain to parents why the note was such a mess. Better still, try again, with reliable information next time.

                 I should add, that I find the teachers flexible, efficient and friendly. The problem is not one of indifference, but one of leadership and management.

Mga kawatan

Pikpik sa Abaga

Ni Henry Sandoval

                Didto sa Big Tibuco niadtong milabay nga bulan gisaka ug kawatan ang balay nila ni Mr. & Mrs. Boy Mondero. Wa jud makamata ang tag balay. Matud pa ni Boy wala sya niadtong hitaboa tungod kay nitambong man sya sa iyang trabaho sa Ethanol. Pagmata sa iyahang asawa, matud pa, giyabyab pa sa salbahis nga kawatan ang ilahang mga habol sa ilahang kwarto. Wa gyud sila kamata ug nadala sa maong kawatan ang hapit P 10,000 ug ang tulo ka buok cellphone. Ang kawat matud pa sa akong amigo panginabuhi, apan kung madakpan maghilak ka dili kay isulod ka sa prisohan kun dili sa bun-og nga madawat.

                Diha sa dalan Carmona nahitabo na sad ang pagpanglungkab sa duha ka tindahan sa mga pagkaon sa manok ug sa baboy. Suki kini sa mga kawatan. Apan wa gyud nagmalamposon ang nanglungkab  kay ang yawe dili ra sa guwa hasta pud diay sa sulod. 

                Akong gisulayan ug pangutana ang barangay tanod nga anaa makita nato permi nga magpungko sa atubangan sa karaang Metro Bank. Akong gipangutana kung aduna ba syay nakita nga mga tawo nga nanglangkat sa mga yawe sa duha ka tindahan? Matud pa niya wa gyud kuno sya ka dipara kay ang iyahang  oras sa pag posting diha kana lang dayun manira ang mga tindahan ug mubalik lang sya pag posting panahon na sad sa pagpa ngabri sa mga tindahan. Sa mga tindahan siguro sya nagbantay nga anaa nahimutang sa Barangay 3. Sa iyahang paminaw kadlawon mitirada ang maong mga kawatan.

**********

Human sa EDSA

Komentaryo 

Ni Dodong Mondragon

I. Daklit sa Kasaysayan

                Dunay mga tawo nga mangutana unsa na man ang kinabuhi sa Pilipinas pagka human sa EDSA Revolution?  Nagahandum sila hamunada unta ang sud-an sa lamesa pero hangtod karun bulad lang gihapun.  Gani daghan pang mga Pinoy nga myembro sa grupo nga mga "katok" buot ipasabut kakha-toka.  Pero kining maong pangutana wala maka-igo sa punto.  Aron malinawan kining maong panguntana atong balik-balikon ang kapanahunan ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos.

            
    Sa dihang hapit na matapos ang iyang termino pagka president ug dili na sya mahimung magpapili pag-usab sumala sa konstitusyon, iyang giplanohan nga iyang asawang si Imelda ang modagan pagka presidente.  Apan iyang nakita nga matrabisiya ug dili makadaog kini sa eleksyon, naghinu na usab sya ug laing plano aron dili mataktak sa gahum.  Iyang gikasabut ang pipila ka mga heneral sa military kon unsay maayong buhaton.  Ug niadtong September 21, 1972 medeklalar sya ug Martial Law sa rason nga ang nasod namiligro sa hulga sa komyunista kauban sa mga oligareho nga buot moilog sa panggobyerno.

                Pero ang labing tinuod nga rason mao ang gusto syang magpabilin sa gahum ug sa pagdeklara niya ug balaod militar iyang gipasira ang kongreso ug uban pang mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga makabalda sa iyang mga plano.  Iyang gipasikop ug gibilanggo ang mga senadores sama ni Ninoy Aquino, Jose Doikno, Soc Rodrigo ug uban pang mga kritiko sa administrasyon.  Ang mga radyo, telebisyon, mantalaan iyang gipaserhan gawas niadtong pipila nga kontrolado niya nga maoy gigamit sa iyang propaganda.

                Niining panahona, si Marcos ang balaod ug sya lamang ang masunod pinaagi sa Presidential Decree.  Ug dinhi misugod ang dakong abuso ug ang katawhan wala nay kagawasan.

                Ginadili ang manaway sa gobyerno ni Marcos.  Kon kinsa kadtong mahibal-an nga mopahayag nga dili uyon sa iyang pamaagi, dakpon dayon.  Iyang gipakanap ang iyang irong buang sa military ug pulis sa tibuok nasud aron mangita kon kinsa ang manaway sa iyang gobyerno.  Ang uban niini, moipon sa mga labor union, sa mga estudyante ug tulunghaan, motipon sa kalihukan sa simbahan ug uban pang mga organisasyon aron lang makakuha ug impormasyon kon kinsa kadtong may pagsupak sa pamaagi ni Marcos.