I came to a conclusion when I read the banner at a local church stating how a religious group of women condemns the controversial Reproductive Health Bill.
A few days ago, I have read in a local paper that the bill is gaining popular support from various groups including some religious ones. Later on, I have read that some government leaders are unwilling to support the bill.
Today, I realized that this is what will happen to the issue:
there is a pattern to this particular issue.
1. The members of Congress comes up with a plan to help solve national concerns, in this case the reproductive health bill as a way to help manage population growth.
2. Organizations begin to oppose the plan (e.g. saying that the bill is anti-life).
3. The plan (or the bill) gets shelved. As an effect of the shelving of the RH bill, people, mindless of what they do, continue to contribute to the growing number of Filipinos.
4. Since most of those who have more than enough children seem to come from middle to lower income groups, these kids and their families need to rely on government support for education, health, and employment.
5. Now enter the organizations. They implement programs to help the above-mentioned families have decent education, health care, and employment.
6. As the population continuously grow, both the government and the organizations get their hands full.
7. The organizations begin to blame the government for lack of support.
8. The government once again thinks of ways to solve the problem and comes up with a plan.
9. Continued on item number 2.
I think this cycle can be applied to almost all problems and solutions faced by governments worldwide.
I do not say we let the government just implement anything they want to do.
As a person, we should have a deeper understanding of the issues and see further than what is shoved in our faces. We may lack the capacity to do it but we can start by discussing those concerns that affect our lives. And we should discuss them with open minds, weighing each side, and coming up with informed decisions.
If we can come up with unique names for our kids, why can't we form our own opinions?
If you just go with what is the popular decision then you are like a lemming - you jump off the cliff because that is what everybody is doing.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Education News - Chinese lessons
I was once asked to prepare a press release on the use of Mandarin in the public school system. This was posted January 30 of this year. Here is the article I wrote:
Public school students say Ni Hao Ma!
Filipino students may soon have access to free Mandarin lessons – one of the most widely-spoken languages of business.
Members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Incorporated (FFCCCI) and representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) recently visited the Department of Education to propose teaching Mandarin in public schools.
The Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers managed by the MOE’s Office of Chinese Language Council International will send language instructors every year to the Philippines.
“We may offer it (language class) as an elective in high performing schools,” Lapus said. “This will help broaden our children’s understanding of China and its culture.”
Other foreign languages taught in schools today are Spanish and French. English, on the other hand, is being used as a medium of instruction and is one of the core subjects in basic education.
According to MOE representatives, they presently have over 100 Chinese-language teachers in Filipino-Chinese schools in the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Tarlac, Cebu, Davao, and Quezon. The delegation is set to provide DepEd with a complete list of their deployment in the country.
The language instruction is planned for implementation when public high schools open this June.
FFCCCII is a strong supporter of DepEd in improving the quality of education in the public school system. To date, FFCCCII has constructed 2,503 classrooms nationwide through DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program.
China is a historical partner of the Philippines with deep social, economic and ethnic ties dating back to the 10th century.
END
Public school students say Ni Hao Ma!
Filipino students may soon have access to free Mandarin lessons – one of the most widely-spoken languages of business.
Members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries Incorporated (FFCCCI) and representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) recently visited the Department of Education to propose teaching Mandarin in public schools.
The Volunteer Program for International Chinese Teachers managed by the MOE’s Office of Chinese Language Council International will send language instructors every year to the Philippines.
“We may offer it (language class) as an elective in high performing schools,” Lapus said. “This will help broaden our children’s understanding of China and its culture.”
Other foreign languages taught in schools today are Spanish and French. English, on the other hand, is being used as a medium of instruction and is one of the core subjects in basic education.
According to MOE representatives, they presently have over 100 Chinese-language teachers in Filipino-Chinese schools in the cities of Bacolod, Iloilo, Tarlac, Cebu, Davao, and Quezon. The delegation is set to provide DepEd with a complete list of their deployment in the country.
The language instruction is planned for implementation when public high schools open this June.
FFCCCII is a strong supporter of DepEd in improving the quality of education in the public school system. To date, FFCCCII has constructed 2,503 classrooms nationwide through DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program.
China is a historical partner of the Philippines with deep social, economic and ethnic ties dating back to the 10th century.
END
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