RAIN OF FIRE

Respect the SC decision
CESAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG
CITY -- Some Filipinos are squatters in their own land as urbanization continues across the country, spurred by the growth of industry and commerce in key metropolitan centers even beyond outside Metro Manila like the progressive Metro Cebu; Metro Davao and other core cities of planned growth triangles, corridors or polygons.

The economy maybe advancing but the harsh reality is that, the population in urban centers has ballooned beyond the expansion of squatter colonies in key metropolitan centers, a phenomenon brought about by availability of reasonably priced residential space and facilities in cities.

The squatting problem is not new. Squatting hit the front pages of national newspapers due to the demolition being undertaken in different parts of Metro Manila, some places of which have been painted out worldwide as symbol a of our land of contrast.

The fracas that took place between resisting residents and policemen out to secure the demolition can only be resolved through patience and maximum tolerance. There has to be a solution somewhere on the foreboding effects of homelessness and poverty as related to illegal occupancy graphically illustrated by the squatter problem.
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It is high time we collectively instigate the powerful solons and businessmen to make concrete and effective plans to finally eliminate the squatter problem. The solution does not definitely rest on drastic demolition, but rather on construction.

How many other squatters will the government evict from their residence to give way to new constructions? How far from their places of work will they be relocated? Will government spend more to build the necessary low-cost housing facilities the poor so badly need? What alternatives for employment outside Metro Manila can be offered to migrants?

All these questions should be answered in order for the public to be clarified on the priority that our society attaches to eliminate the problem called squatting. Poverty is not a sin. To hide poverty is hypocrisy and signifies poor assimilation of facts in relation to the homelessness of our fellow Filipinos
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The foremost challenge to the Department of Education is to provide quality education to all in consonance with the DepEd memorandum regarding the implementation of the 2003, 2004 and 2006 DepEd computerization program.”
DepEd Ilocos regional director Dr. Ligaya Miguel upon the recommendation of concerned superintendents is bound to implement the order within the region. The DepEd distributed a sort of computer package consisting of computer hardware and software and teacher training to 600 public high schools nationwide.

According to Dr. Rebecca Quilan-lan, education supervisor in science and Ms Rosario A. Bingayen, public schools district supervisor, recipients of the DepEd modernization program include: Vintar National High School through Dominador Rivera (11 sets of computers); Dumalneg High School through Romeo Villorente (11 sets). DepEd Ilocos Norte schools division superintendent Araceli C. Pastor has been an active exponent of quality of education in the North.
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Teachers have recognized the potential of information and communications technology in enhancing the teaching-learning environment. The efficient and competent teachers: Minerva Rebucal, Lilibeth Dierpo, Mely Repollo, Yolando Go, Beatriz Camangeg, Ma Suerte Rebucal, Evangeline Aurelio, Marilen Caluya, Felicitas Maglal-lan, Eloisa Usuquen, Harlean Arellano, Jane Gonzales, Judith Parbo, Ferdinand Alimbuyuguen and Ace Ryan Gaoat.
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The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri on the issue of executive privilege. On the peak of the ZTE scandal, it was alleged that the Senate committees wanted Neri to testify on what he discussed with the President in connection with the NBN deal and for failure to attend the Nov. 20, 2007 hearing, the Senate wanted him cited for contempt. Neri refused to attend invoking executive privilege.

Though the highest court of the land has been divided on this matter relative to Neri’s invocation of executive privilege, we have to respect the decision of the Supreme Court being the court of last resort. It is extremely necessary that whatever opinion we got on this controversial deal, only God knows who is telling the truth.
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We must pray for former President Corazon C. Aquino; the icon of Philippine democracy and fearless leader with unflinching principles. Facing a terrible disease like cancer requires a lot of religious devotion and physical and mental preparedness. In our life, we must be courageous in combating negative emotions and opinions of some tactless people.

We ask our countrymen to pray for her recuperation so she could immediately feel the miracle of our Lord God. This is a time for us to check our collective conscience like if we have been doing enough for our fellow citizens who are sick, not only in body, but also in mind.

Ms Aquino belongs to the so called highest strata of society and in coping with the big C, she not only she needs the prayers of the bishops, nuns, priests, ministers but certainly everybody.
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One cannot bring one’s wealth in heaven when one dies for we are only a steward of God here on earth even as some influential and well-favored people are so much concerned with prosperity and worldly pleasures.

If you are a man of the world, you can get what you want but can still breathe and have all material possessions if God summoned you to his kingdom? All of us are equal in death. We must humble ourselves to God so that his promise of eternal life would jive harmoniously with our mortal existence. Greed, anger, envy, lust, telling lies and crookedness are sins that can never bring us to the golden stairway to heaven.