Making a difference

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO 

By March Fianza

            

“We all want peace.” No president in the Philippines said that in their SONAs. This was one simple but sincere statement by President Duterte in his partly impromptu SONA last Monday. The spontaneity and frankness makes the difference in comparison to presidents that came before him. Then getting rid of his prepared speech for awhile, he announced a ceasefire on behalf of the government’s side of which the CPP-NPA-NDF was expected to respond positively.

            Aside from pushing the federal form of the government, the speechless crowd on the Batasan floor heard what their low-incomed subjects really wanted to hear – lower the income tax and reform the old tax system.

The other surprise announcements were welcome, such as extending passport validity to 10 years and effectivity of driver licenses from the usual three years to five years, which will make motor vehicle operators smile ear to ear as this will definitely save time, effort and money.

Duterte said he will ask government agencies to simplify business registration processes, remove red-tape or unnecessary government regulations; and announced that public places such as parks and libraries, including LRT, MRT and government offices will have free WiFi access.

Last week, I wrote about the possibility of an EO for the Freedom of Information (FOI) overtaking legislative action. As expected, he signed the FOI executive order as centerpiece of good governance and transparency in the Executive Branch.

On social issues, Duterte promised to improve the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program and expects beneficiaries to graduate from it before he steps down. It means that by then, children of poor families should have at least graduated from primary school, or that heads of families should have invested their CCT money wisely. Understandably, government cannot be providing CCT to beneficiaries till kingdom come.  

The controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Law must be enforced fully, he said. I am sure Senator Riza Hontiveros and all those who fought for the passage of the law are happy with Duterte’s statement. Finally, the oppositors to the RH law will be weakened which will collaterally affect the projects of RH advocates in the countryside. Editor Frank Cimatu must be sad about this as I do.

On infrastructure, President Duterte through Transportation Sec. Art Tugade, promised to improve the transport system in Metro Manila and the provinces around but there is a need to streamline overlapping rules of the LGUs that makes the management of traffic inefficient and problematic. At present, LGUs insist on their privileges under the local government code forgetting about agreements and coordination with other LGUs.

Thus, the President thought of requesting for emergency powers that will help the government fast-track infrastructure projects such as decongesting the Manila airports by improving more airports in the Clark and the countryside. In three to four years, we expect to feel the benefit of transferring incoming and outgoing flights in other airports.

The President also plans on building three major train systems in Mindanao, the Manila-Bicol railway and Manila-Batangas railway. The Manila to La Union is still existing which may be repaired and extended to Ilocos Norte down to Region 02 through Cagayan Valley. This will surely decongest urban centers in Luzon.

Railways all over the world brought social, economic and political change in outlying communities that they reach. These played an important role in providing new management of local units, opened business opportunities and employment for thousands of workers.

On mining, recently the government suspended two more mining operations in Palawan province because of environmental violations, making the number of suspended operations to six, of which, four are located in Zambales.

Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said the government stopped the mining operations of Berong Nickel Corp. in Quezon town and of Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. in Sofronio Española and Narra towns.

            Mining audit, according to her, includes physical, technical, social and environmental audit that will involve the community. If so, I suggest her team tries to visit Acupan Mines in Itogon where both human and mining wastes flow straight to the rivers that connect with the Agno River. That is why no fishes thrive in these rivers and the favorite eels of Mondax in San Roque Dam have dwindled or died.

Indeed, the effect of mining operations on the health of communities, farms and fisheries should be checked. Sec. Gina Lopez hit the nail on its head when she made it known to mining operators that no amount of profit will ever compensate for the damage that mining operations has done to the community and the environment.

But my favorite among Duterte’s declarations was that part about asking CHEd to put back ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) in all college courses. He sees this as one way to instill discipline among the youth. I suggest, Duterte also asks DepEd to make scouting in elementary and high school more visible and active.

I mean, that was where the youth first learned about command responsibility, honesty, obedience, camaraderie, survival and first aid, in addition to naming the stars and constellations in the dark sky.