by Kattryn Erryc Sayo The Southwest Monsoon (Hanging Habagat) rains which took place on the second week of August 2012 were enough to create a disaster to the residents of Plaridel, Bulacan.
Plaridel is one of the few towns in Bulacan which rarely gets flooded because of its elevated land. But just this year, in the surge of the odd yet intense Southwest Monsoon, the municipality was shockingly affected with inundation. A total of 16 barangays were disturbed and distressed.
“Ang Plaridel kasi mataas. Pero nitong pagdating ng Habagat mataas talaga ang tubig sa ilang barangay. Halos lahat ng barangay apektado,” said Engr. Reynaldo dela Cruz, the Action Head of the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO).
“Malala ito dahil kung titignan natin ‘yong damages, marami-rami. ‘Yong mga pananim, particularly palay ay nalusaw, maraming bakuran ang lumubog. May konting roads din na nasira, nagkaroon ng hukay-hukay, especially sa may Parulan. Medyo malaki rin ang damage sa may Angat River. Nagkaroon ng soil erosion. So ‘yong mga illegal settlers do’n in-evacuate,” added Engr. Dela Cruz.
According also to Engr. dela Cruz, 5% of the whole municipal budget has been used as calamity fund, all for the package of relief goods, cooked foods, sleeping mat and blanket, as well as the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
An estimation of 1,082 households were affected, particularly a total of 5,450 persons. The evacuated families ranged up to 796, specifically consisting of 4,026 persons.
The Don Caesario San Diego gym in the barangay of Poblacion became the temporary home or evacuation center of the victims, including some public elementary and high schools in Bagong Silang, Banga 1st, Banga 2nd, Culianin, Parulan, San Jose, Sipat and Tabang.
“’Yong 1,082 families na ‘yon, or ‘yong 5,450 affected residents, nasa evacuation center man o hindi, ay nabigyan lahat ng assistance,” said Arlyn Valencia, Coordinator of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).
The number of relief goods distributed extended up to 2,400 packages. 500 of which were from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), 400 came from former RP Vice President Teofisto Guingona, and the other 1,500 packs were from the municipality.
Aside from those, the town Mayor Anastacia R. Vistan also provided sleeping mats and blankets, and cooked foods, and Non-Government Organizations donated assorted breads, bottled water, cooked foods and used clothes.
The total cost of assistance granted by both the Local Government of Plaridel and Non-Government Organizations was Php712,700.
by Christine Mae Juan BULACAN- Isang MassCom student ng Bulacan State University (BulSU) na nag ngangalang Larry*, hindi nya tunay na pangalan, ang napag-alamang may kaduda-dudang utang sa unibersidad.
Nakatakdang magbayad si Larry ng kanyang tuition fee noong ika-6 ng Agosto at laking gulat nito na mayroon pala siyang utang na nagkakahalagang Php104,066. Nang kanyang tanungin kung bakit ganoon kalaki ang kanyang utang, sinabi lamang sa kanya na makipag-usap sa accounting management ng nasabing unibersidad.
“Noong sinabi naman naming pahingi ng copy ng resibo ng utang n'ya ayaw naman ibigay, makipag-usap daw si Larry sa grupo niya (pangalan ng grupo ay hindi maaaring banggitin). Nagulat ako kasi sobrang laki no'n. Parang lahat na ng bayarin ng grupo s'ya na magbabayad. 'Di ko rin alam buong issue n'ya doon sa grupo kung bakit ganoon kalaki 'yon,” ayon kay Jean, hindi nya tunay na pangalan, na kasama n'yang magbabayad noong araw na iyon.
Napag-alamang hindi lamang si Larry ang nagkaroon ng mahal at kaduda-dudang utang sa unibersidad dahil sa organisasyong ito. May mga ilang estudyanteng kabilang o myembro ng grupong ito ang muntik ng hindi maka-graduate at makapag-enroll sa susunod na semestre dahil sa utang nila sa cashier na nagkakahalaga namang Php 10,000.
Ayon sa ilang graduates na myembro ng organisasyon (ayaw ipabanggit ang pangalan), hindi mawawala 'yong utang na iyon hangga’t hindi binabayaran o nakikipag-usap sa mga namumuno ng nasabing grupo.
Ayon kay Chadlyn Samaniego, isa sa mga senador ng BulSU Student Government (SG), “Bawal 'yong ganoon lalo na kung ayaw din bigyan ng copy si Larry no'ng sinasabing utang n'ya raw. Dapat gumawa s'ya ng letter para sa amin na may pirma nya, tapos kakausapin namin s'ya at kami na 'yong gagawa ng aksyon”.
“Ayokong humingi ng tulong sa SG o magsumbong. Nakakatakot, baka pag-initan ako. Kakausapin ko nalang sina ma'am”, takot na paglalahad ni Larry.
Nakipag-usap na si Larry sa nasabing grupo noong ika-6 ng Agosto at napag-alamang mayroon s'yang utang dito na Php700 lamang.
“Hindi na ko sasali sa bagong grupo na binubuo namin. Nakausap ko na sina ma'am, Php700 lang utang ko. 'Pag nakita akong sumasayaw sa bagong grupo baka pag-initan na naman ako,” pahayag ni Larry.
by Juvy Gail Colili Guguinto, Bulacan -Isang matinding pag-ulan ang dala ng Hanging Habagat sa mga taga-Central Luzon noong nakaraang linggo, na nagdulot ng pagbaha at pagkasira ng mga pananim sa bayang ito.
Lumubog ang malaking bahagi ng sakahan sa bayan ng Guiguinto ng Bulacan. Nakaranas din ng pagkalubog sa baha ang mga residente, na sinasabing hindi inaasahan at hindi pangkaraniwan.
“100% of the plains in guiguinto are damaged, they are submerged in the flood. Ine-report ko talaga 100%. Nag-ikot din naman kami, talagang lahat nakalubog, 100% talagang nag-submerge, malalaman natin ngayon kung may makaka-recover (crops) kasi mga bata pa eh. Four days na siyang lubog (yung mga pananim). Hanggang ngayon hindi pa din lumulutang yung ano (punla). Kahit bumaba na ang tubig medyo mahina na 'yon,” ani Dr. Eduardo Jose, kawani ng munisipyo ng Guiguinto tungkol sa agraryo.
Dagsag pa ni Jose, ''Yong chance ng recovery walana siguro. Kung meron man kaunting-kaunti lang ang makaka-recover. Kasi nga hanggang ngayon (Agosto 10) hindi pa lumulutang o hindi pa nakikita ung mga puno at mga halaman, wala na matutunaw na 'yon.”
Hanggang sa ngayon wala pa ring plano ang munisipyo tungkol sa mga nasirang pananim.
“Sa ngayon wala pa, nagrereport pa kami sa Provincial, then regional makakarating ng National 'yon. May mga ginagawa namang programa pero hindi pa sa siguro sa ngayon. I-e-estimate pa kung ilan o gaano yung na-damage tsaka lang mag-pro-program at mag-ba-budget para sa rehab (rehabilitasyon ng pananim). Minsan nagbibigay sila ng seedling tapos pataba.” ani Jose.
by Nico Villaceran MALOLOS, Bulacan - Lahat ng barangay health workers ng bawat distrito ay sasailalim sa “Basic Eye Care Training”, bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng “Sight Saving Month” ngayong buwan ng Agosto.
Bilang pagdiriwang ng Sight Saving Month, nagdaos ng isang seremonya angTanggal Katarata Foundation sa pamumuno ni Cherry Meneses, noong Agosto 6, sa Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium. Ang ilulunsad na training ang magtuturo sa mga barangay health workers ng tamang proseso ng paunang lunas at pangangalaga sa pasyenteng mamamayan na may problema sa mata.
“What's important is the responsibility in this community, aware sila sa eye problems and programs”, ani Meneses.
“Kaya gusto ko i-mold 'yong kaisipan ng ating mga barangay health workers regarding their roles in eye care. I envision para kung ano ang mga programa ng lalawigan ng Bulacan sila 'yong makakatulong natin at their level na hindi naman nagiging extra burden 'yong eye care”, dagdag pa niya.
Ayon naman kay Bise-Gobernador Daniel Fernando, "Ang Provincial Government sa pangunguna po ng ating Gob. Willie ay inilulunsad ang mga programang ito upang lahat po ay matugunan, lahat po ng pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan ay amin pong matugunan at magsisimula po tayo sa mga barangay.”
Ika naman ni Tomas Gualberto Meneses, Secretary General ng National Committee for Sight Prevention o NCSP. “Isa sa tatlong pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga Bulakenyo sa problema sa mata ay ang Human Resource Development, dito papasok ang mga barangay health workers, dito kasi grassroots."
"Kapag natuto na ang ating mga health workers, magiging madali na para sa kanila ang hawakan ang sitwasyon ng mga may problema sa mata o dalhin sa center kung may katarata”, dagdag pa niya.
Ang Provincial Government ng Bulacan ay magpapatawag na lamang ng general assembly para sa pagsisimula at oryentasyon ng nasabing training.
Para sa mga barangay health workers, hindi naman ito nagsilbing pabigat pa sa kanilang mga trabaho.
“Maganda. Kasi hindi na namin kailangan pang lumuwas pa. Kung magkakaroon kami sa barangay edi may sarili na kaming ospital. Meron na kaming mga gamit at tamang proseso ng pag-aalaga, d'on na lang naming dadalhin 'yong mga pasyente”, ani Delia Magugat, isang Barangay Health Worker.
"Ok 'yon kasi mapapadali na 'yong pag-aasikaso namin sa mga pasyente na may problema sa mata, minsan kasi dinadala na agad namin sa malapit na ospital na may eye center, kasi nga 'di rin naman namin alam kung paano sila alagaan”, ani Veron Alcantara, isa ring Barangay Health Worker.
by Nico Villaceran MALOLOS, Bulacan - Mahigit sa 300 Bulakenyong may komplikasyon sa mata ang tinulungan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan, sa pangunguna ni Gobernador Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado upang mapigilan ang sakit na katarata bilang pagdiriwang ng “Sight Saving Month” na ginanap sa Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, noong Agosto 6.
Sa tulong ng Department of Health (DOH), National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC),National Committee for Sight Prevention (NCSP), International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), at Lions International at Optometric Association of the Philippines (OAP), naging matagumpay ang libreng konsultasyon sa mata at sakit sa katarata mula ala-una hanggang ala-singko ng hapon.
Ayon kay Dr. Mildred Pre, Provincial Coordinator ng Eye Care Program, “Meron na tayong mahigit 300 pre-identified clients sa vision at cataract screening. Sa vision screening, ito 'yong para sa mga 59 years old pababa at ‘yong mga DepEd pre-identified children with eye problem. Sa cataract screening naman, ito 'yong para sa mga Bulakenyo na 60 years old pataas."
Para naman sa mga Senior Citizen na may katarata at malalang komplikasyon sa mata, ayon din kay Pre, "'Yong ating libreng operasyon sa katarata ay ginagawa natin quarterly, ito ay 24 hours, non-stop operation, ngayong 3rd quarter naka-schedule ito sa August 23-26 sa Calumpit District Hospital. Meron din tayong Error of Refraction kung saan nagbibigay tayo ng libreng salamin, ‘yong ating childhood blindness para sa mga mag-aaral, may Vitamin A supplementation tayo at ‘yong primary eye care para sa ating mga Barangay health worker.”
“Sa mga Bulakenyo, sana po lagging papatnubayan ang inyong kaisipan at pangangatawan, sana po, idinadalangin natin na bawat saklaw ng inyo pong paningin ay laging naaayon sa kagustuhan ng ating Panginoon. Wala po sanang pasyente na hindi makakatuntong ng kagalingan”, ani ng Gobernador.
Dagdag pa niya, ”Ako po’y naniniwala na ang mga taong ito na tumutulong sa atin at ang kanilang mga kasamahan ay hinihipo at ginagamit ng ating Panginoon pero ang totoo pong nagpapagaling ay ating din pong Panginoon."
Ayon naman sa Bise-Gobernador Daniel Fernando, ”Marami ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong medikal, lahat po iyon ay gagawin namin. Kaya naman ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ay sumusuporta sa lahat ng ordinansa, batas at sa lahat po ng resolusyon para po sa programa ng kalusugan”.
“Kaya po hinahangad ang bawat isa na magkaisa sa pagtawag sa Panginoon. Sapagkat kami po lamang ay ginagamit ng ating Panginoong Hesus para tumulong sa inyo”, dagdag pa ng bise-gobernador.
Sa pagtatapos naman ng programa para sa pagdiriwang ng “Sight Saving Month”, nangako ang ating Gobernador Alvarado, Bise-Gobernador Fernando kasama sina Dr. Leonor Macalintal Almoro, presidente ng OAP, Dr. Frank Diza, Medical Officer IV ng NCDPC, Mr. Tomas Gualborto Meneses, Ssecretary General ng NCSP, Domingo Pascual Jr. ng Lions International, Mr. Stephen Alcantara ng IAPB, Dr. Noel Chua, chairman ng NCSP, Hon. Enrique A. Tayag, Assistant Secretary ng DOH, Ms. Cherry Meneses ng Tanggal Katarata Foundation at Mildred Pre, provincial coordinator ng Eye Care Program, sa pagsuporta at pakikipagtulungan upang mapangalagaan ang bawat paningin ng mamamayan ng lalawigan ng Bulacan.
“Huwag na nating hintayin na mabulag at lumala tayo, magpatingin nang mas maaga, ang mata ay napakahalaga, kaya ingatan natin. Dito nga sa Bulacan Medical Center, sa tulong ng Lion’s Club International at ng NCSP, malapit nang matapos ‘yong eye center at ito ay para talaga sa ating mga mamamayan,” ani Gob. Alvarado.
Ang Eye Care Program ay isa sa 7 Point Agenda sa kalusugan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa tulong ng NCSP at Lions program.
by Nico Villaceran BULACAN - “All plastics and styrofoams are banned”, Provincial Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said in accordance with the strict implementation of the “No Plastic Ordinance” signed in Brgy. Saog, Marilao, July 19.
The Provincial Ordinance no. 2012-09 or "No Plastic Ordinance" is in line with the rehabilitation of one of the world’s top 30 dirtiest rivers Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando river system, based on New York’s site Blacksmith Institute.com.
For the commitment, pledge, and successful implementation of Provincial Ordinance no. 2012-09, the law was signed by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, San Jose Del Monte City Mayor Reynaldo San Pedro, Obando City Mayor Orencio Gabriel, Marilao City Mayor Epifanio Guillermo, Meycauayan City Mayor Joan Alarilla, Sta. Maria Mayor Bartolome R. Ramos, together with Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, Atty. Henry Villarica, Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) Head Rustico De Belen, P/Sr. Supt. Fernando Mendez, Board Member Enry Santos, 56th IB Commander COL. Hilario Vicente Lagnada and Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio.
“We would like to see our river system to be as beautiful as it was 25 years ago. This is the proper time or else it will be too late. We need to provide leadership and the political will to do what is right,” Gov. Alvarado said.
Conforming to the Provincial Ordinance 2012-09’s, any person who would break the law and its rules will be penalized by paying 3,000 to 5,000 or six months to one year of imprisonment, depending on the court’s decision. If the person has no ability to pay, community service for three months will be the punishment. Business factories and manufacturers that would commit a violation will be at risk for sanctions and regulations, or for worst, their business permits must be surrendered.
“Hindi po natin ipagbabawal ang pagtatrabaho at pagnenegosyo, subalit kailangan 'yong batas na maghuhubog at 'yong mga tamang pamamaraan na walang polusyon, 'yong hindi sumisira sa ating kalikasan,” Gov. Alvarado added.
The BENRO (Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office) and PNP Bulacan Provincial Police office are the Head Agencies in charge of forcing the laws to save MMORS.
In 2007, The City of Meycauayan and the town of Marilao in Bulacan province share a slot in the list of the world’s 30 most polluted places in the developing world drawn up by a private New York-based institute. In its report, “The World’s Worst Polluted Places” for 2007, the Blacksmith Institute said: “Industrial wastes are haphazardly dumped into the Meycauayan, Marilao and Obando River system, a source of drinking and agricultural water supplies for the 250,000 people living in and around the Meycauayan-Marilao area."
The MMORS is being polluted because domestic, industrial and commercial wastes including two kinds of metals, mercury and lead. The Provincial Governmentaims to produce 1.9 billion for the dredging and it will need sanitary landfills.
First Pace to save MMORS
More that 500 Bulakenyos joined the cleanup of MMORS led by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado and Vice-Gov. Daniel Fernando, together with officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and several non-governmental organizations.
“This is the proper time; another time will be too late. We need to provide leadership and the political will to do what is right. Let us unite so that in the soonest possible time, we can swim in clean rivers again.” Gov. Alvarado said.
“This activity is part of our long-term solution to erase the bad image that is associated with our MMORS. We are serious in making our vision a realization. With the help of other government agencies and the citizens, I am positive that we can be successful in this project,” Gov. Alvarado added.
“Masaya kaming tumulong at makakaasa kayong mapapanatili namin ang pagbabantay at paglilinis ng kailugan na to,” Philippine Army 2nd Leut. Mary Ann Dulohan said.
“Para sa kalikasan naman natin 'to, trabaho natin ang pangalagaan ang kailugan”, PO1 Espiritu said.
According to the Governor, he suspects that few industrial and commercial wastes are from Metro Manila.
“MMDA Assistant General Manager Emerson Carlos promised to meet with the Mayors of Metro Manila for the inspection of the industrial firms that discharge their wastes into the river system and eventually end up in Bulacan,” Gov. Alvarado said.
by Justine Marie Bernardo The Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance: Pagpapanumbalik sA Dating kaaYusan ng kAliKasan known as PADYAK, held a mass and lecture program that made the Bulakenyos conscious about the condition of Sierra Madre, last June 30, at the ICSB grounds in Malolos.
The Sierra Madre Cross, which symbolizes the wakeup call for the people to help restore and preserve mountain range, was brought from a place to another. From Cagayan, where the cross was made, it was sent to Manila, Quezon, Marikina, Angat, and now, Malolos. The cross will be staying in the Malolos Cathedral for a few days and after, it will be sent off to Caloocan and Cubao.
Fr. Pete Montellana, the chief person of Sierra Madre Network Alliance, explained the history and importance of the said event. He said the group was formed last April 19, 2009 and it all started as an activity. But when the Typhoon Ondoy destructed and killed many Filipinos last 2009, the activity became a tradition.
The Sierra Madre Cross was made by the Ifugaos out of pieces of the woods that were illegally logged. They formed the cross which symbolizes the alarming situation of the mountains and forests we have now.
“Sinimulan namin ito dahil gusto naming ipaalam sa mga tao ang nangyayari. Kasi may mga tao ring natatakot dahil ayaw nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan na tumutol sa pagmimina." Fr. Montellana added. He said that the project is non-government.
Ms. Tessie Calayag, 64 years old, a member of Dioceses of Environment and Ecological Program or DEEP, admitted that she never thought of be joining this project. But as days passed, she realized that everything was really in His lead.
“Malaki ang pag-asa na maisalba ang Sierra Madre.” Ms. Calayag added. She believes that the present generation will be the ones to save and continue their project.
For the past year, many Kawayan trees were planted in Marilao and Meycauayan and this year they planned to hold a Tree Planting Rite in Sierra Madre in September 26, 2012. Everyone is encouraged to join to the Planting Rite.
Marvin Santos, a volunteer cyclist, joined the procession because he also wanted to promote a healthy living and a good environment. He also added that he’s also willing to attend the tree planting on September 26.
by Kattryn Erryc Sayo A press conference was held in line with the education and tourism projects of the Bulacan, with the provincial committee coordinators and officers as panelists, last June 20, 2012, at the Bulwagang Heneral Isidoro Torres, Capitol of Malolos City.
The conference was initiated with a prayer, followed by the discussion of the topics by selected panel members. The panel includes Catherine Innocencio (Assistant Department Head of the Committee on Education), Dr. Gregorio Quinto Jr. (Dep-Ed K to 12 coordinator of Bulacan), Sonny Cristobal (Provincial Tourism Officer), Michael Fermin (Board Member of Malolos), and Bulacan Vice Governor Daniel Fernando.
Catherine Innocencio, Assistant Department Head of the Committee on Education began the presentation proper by pointing out the scholarship program pioneered by Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado. The program entitled “Tulong pang-edukasyon… gabay ng bagong henerasyon” is divided into two types which are the academic scholarship program and the educational assistance program. With its P50 million scholarship fund, this agenda aims to help the financially unstable, as well as the academically-outstanding students residing in Bulacan. As of June 19, 2012, 8,464 students were able to avail the said scholarships.
After the scholarship subject, Dr. Gregorio Quinto Jr., the Dep-Ed K to 12 coordinator of Bulacan followed. Now that the K to 12 (Kindergarten to Grade 12) program is effective this school year, Quinto tackled the importance of the Enhanced Basic Education Program approved by the current administration, for the fact that the Philippines is said to be one of the few countries which has been left behind when it comes to the education system. He stated that the additional two years in high school will be focused on the desired course of a student, which includes the study of Science and Technology, Sports, Music and Arts, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Business and Entrepreneurship.
The last topic was introduced by the Provincial Tourism Officer, Sonny Cristobal. A video presentation was shown, which emphasized the 24K icons, characterizing the 24 prides of the 24 towns in Bulacan. With P5 million as the province’s tourism budget, the program discussed aims to focus on international tourism promotion. Also part of the project is to establish as well as maintain an excellent tourism in the province.
“The provincial government also plans to make Bulacan the Garden Capital, Business Center, and Industrial Capital of the Philippines,” said Cristobal.
Following the discussion proper was the question and answer, which allowed the press to ask certain panelists about issues related to the conference’s theme. Yet, only a limited number of questions was permitted due to lack of time.
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