There is hope in PAG-ASA

WATCH: PAG-ASA chief resigns from duty.

While environmental adversaries continuously stretch the alarming aftermath of climate change, the need to build up a well-equipped weather forecasting bureau has to be given attention and be resolved immediately.

PAG-ASA, in the frontline of weather forecasting, aims to protect lives and properties through timely, accurate and reliable weather-related information.

The agency has been very responsive to its duties and prime responsibilities, despite being behind in the epoch of globalization and advanced technology.

Notwithstanding the brain drain and shortfalls it has experienced in the previous months, PAG-ASA, along with the current Aquino administration, never drops the eagerness to enhance the weather forecasting system in the country.

Under the 16-point agenda of the current Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of President Benigno Aquino III, modernization of the state weather bureau and having adequate experts on weather monitoring have been on the spotlight of the government’s towering priorities.

Through the bilateral efforts made by PNoy, PAG-ASA and other national government agencies, the nation has moved towards achieving new academic programs degrees for meteorology and atmospheric physics established in several colleges; adequate funds in purchasing high-tech equipment; and trained forecasters to strengthen the weather forecasting agency.

The adverse impact of climate change has made Philippines vulnerable to various environmental predicaments. In times of hazardous threats of unforeseen disasters, the significance of PAG-ASA’s role is, indeed, apparent and valuable – for it is through PAG-ASA where understanding meteorological phenomena, weather forecasting and announcing cautions in disaster-prone areas were being done.

The concept of inadequacy may have been a prolonged concern in PAG-ASA. Nevertheless, on a brighter side, passionate experts never let these afflicting matters affect their commitment to public service.

Beyond doubt, it is an uneven journey for PAG-ASA and for PNoy administration. But, at a standstill, there is hope in the growth of our weather bureau.

Thus, there is hope for PAG-ASA – better never let it go astray.  (Lorie Gene Cruz – The Raconteur)

A shared responsibility between the nat’l and local gov’t

Moving towards a critical transitory period, Philippines is progressively pulling off a significant growth in its socio-economic undertakings. Despite these crucial years the Aquino administration had been through, it is a valuable reward to see how the country advances to a more superior disposition.

Among the highlights of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) under the current leadership is the implementation of public policies for Comprehensive Land Use Programs, in relation with the improved approaches for disaster management.

Since PNoy administration focuses on establishing a sustainable economy capable of safeguarding natural resources, land-use planning is foreseen as an effective scheme in managing land development under the Philippine jurisdiction and designing risk reduction action plans to prevent hazards from taking place, particularly in times of calamities.

However, to uphold these comprehensive programs effectively, a bilateral effort must be done between the national and local government.

Local government units (LGUs) must not only provide policy plans that generate sustainable municipality development and poverty reduction. Rather, to a certain extent, strategies, anchored on the national agenda, should be mutually supportive to the objective of avoiding land-use conflicts and shunning from vulnerability during environmental adversities.

While efforts are done in local areas, a more crucial and significant step is being done by the national government – the evaluation of the undertakings made by the collective effort of LGUs in the country.

It is for this reason that LGUs are strongly encouraged to draft designs uplifting proper utilization of lands and rational urban development. Build a community that does not only provide basic need to its inhabitants, but a society where natural resources are drawn appropriately.

After all, we still have a long road ahead of us. The realization of comprehensive land-use programs and risk reduction plans is a shared responsibility of the national and local government.

Government executives and administration – whether on national or local level – are ought to play key roles, so that, when unlikely things happen unexpectedly while executing these programs, blame should not be consigned to external forces.  (Lorie Gene Cruz – The Raconteur)

GK celebrates 10 years of transforming Filipinos to modern ‘bayanis’

Celebrating ten years of servant leadership and social transformation, Gawad Kalinga (GK) rejoiced for continuously bringing out heroism in every ordinary citizen, through the spirit of bayanihan.

Tony Meloto, founder of GK, signified the power of love to transform communities, to turn slams into beautiful villages and to turn criminals into good citizens.

“The power of Gawad Kalinga is the power of love. We change many people’s lives and make everything possible, because we know how to love. And the only way to really heal a broken life is through love. That is Gawad Kalinga,” Meloto said during the closing ceremony of GK 10th Anniversary at GK Enchanted Farm.

GK aspirations have been focused in building the nation for the next generation and taking part in resolving social dilemma.

“GK is people power. We are all part of the solution to our social problems. This is what we do in Gawad Kalinga. We light up the torch of hope and the whole world believes we can change the Philippines,” Meloto explained.

As the organization turned ten, GK is committed to achieve its 2024 mission of ending poverty for five million families.

“Whatever we build now is a legacy to the next generation. Together, let us build our nation and end poverty by 2024. Remember to live more for others and less for ourselves. Let’s love our country more than anything else,” Meloto ended.

Gawad Kalinga begets the spirit of bayanihan

Jammed and caught in the edge of several social dilemmas, poverty has been described as a fatal syndrome of the society. Due to its bugging fretfulness, many have lost the optimism of ending this phenomenon.

Nevertheless, on the bright side of life, one group seems to contradict with this discouraging idea.

Unified by the aspiration of serving the Filipino people and shaping the future of the Philippines, a throng of nation builders and change-makers from all over the country unified themselves to establish a noble organization dedicated to let the underprivileged experience the dignity and comfort of life.

Tony Meloto’s dream for a poverty-free world triggers his passion towards nation building. Thus, dedicating him to embark on community service and establish Gawad Kalinga.

Meloto, as the frontliner of GK aspirations, has inspired millions of families and has encouraged young volunteers to work towards building model communities, where deprived families can thrive and attain their fullest potentials.

Looking forward to a better future of the succeeding generations, GK signifies the Filipino culture of caring and sharing.

Since the essence of “Gawad Kalinga” is paramount to the idea of giving care, each member of GK’s “kapitbahayan” (residence) believes that building a prosperous community means leaving no one behind.

The “Walang Iwanan” kind of thinking paves the way for the naissance of the true spirit of service and companionship. As the whole community acts as brothers and sisters, GK is certain of helping each member by giving the best for the least and by doing more for others and less for self.

Yearning to let the underprivileged go through a prosperous life, GK aims to build communities of mutual respect and reverence (Faith Community); higher principle of neighbourly love and the common good (peace zone); dignified human dwelling (Tourist Spot); dynamic human and natural resources (Productivity Center); proper utilization and preservation of environment (Environmentally Healthy Community); engaged citizenry (Empowered Community); and a well-prepared residence in times of sudden calamities (Secured Community).

The faith of Gawad Kalinga is to build a nation, which drives each volunteer and villager to achieve an empowered populace with faith and patriotism, an archipelago of caring and sharing communities and modern ‘bayanis’ dedicated to eradicate poverty and re-live human dignity.

If only we start asking ourselves, “What simple acts can we do to contribute to the mission of ending poverty?”

Perhaps, the spirit of “bayanihan” will start pouring in the mainstreams of our beings. If only we aspire and hope the same way GK does, we can end poverty and set the closing stage of sufferings and living in miseries.

Like Gawad Kalinga, let us all aspire to accomplish a mission of ending poverty for five million families by 2024.

Let us all work together to provide land for the landless; home for the homeless; and food for starving stomachs.

Through the undying spirit of bayanihan, let Gawad Kalinga be an epitome of the country’s hope.

More than anything, let the GK mission and vision be as viral as a social infection positively disturbing the sleeping consciousness of many Filipinos. Let this dream, which for some is impossible to reach, a stepping stone to completely realize the profound tomorrow of the Pearl of the Orient Sea.

Let us instill in our hearts and minds that impossibility is nothing. In the long run, together, we can end poverty. (Lorie Gene Cruz – The Raconteur)

Social entrepreneurship gives birth to social transformation

The budding force of social entrepreneurship gives birth to social transformation.

Notwithstanding many a few social adversaries, Philippines has continuously advanced towards an emerging economic disposition. With the expanding growth on gross domestic product (GDP), our country has been coined as the world’s largest center for business process outsourcing, due to the inflow of foreign direct investment and remittances.

As Aquino administration carries out the current Philippine Development Plan (PDP), one factor is foreseen to completely achieve the country’s Millennium Development Goal – the rising power of social entrepreneurship.

The ideology of social entrepreneurship does not only revolve in putting up a business, earning money and gaining profit. Rather, this step of venturing in the realms of business and industry concerns development and growth of the society, while developing solutions to social problems.

Social entrepreneurship shapes social values.

In the Philippine context, the budding force of young social entrepreneurs has paved the way to adopt a mission of undertaking a business, which creates opportunities for the livelihood of Filipinos and shapes the moral values of local workforces.

Gawad Kalinga (GK), as one of the fastest growing communities which caters development of social entrepreneurship, is developing schemes on how to provide livelihood sources in each GK village by partnering with young social entrepreneurs to create sustainable employment opportunities.

If and only more local enterprises will enter the world of trade and industry the same way GK and other social entrepreneurs do, Philippines will certainly be a society of employed citizens who does not only work to earn a living but bears positive returns to humanity.

If that aspiration happens in real life, we can see several Filipinos working hand in hand for the betterment of the society; cohesive workforce uplifting ‘bayanihan’; joyful homes receiving basic needs of the family; and employed citizens exhibiting social values and morale.

Drawing upon a mission of harnessing partners towards national development, it is a noble initiative to realize that to uphold social entrepreneurship is to give birth to social transformation.

Core values bring success to Filipino pride, Young

2013 is a victorious year for the Pearl of the Orient Sea. Shining like jack of all trades, many have made new marks in history today. Truly, a piece of reality a Pinoy shall be proud of.

The glittering night of September 28 gave way for the newly acclaimed Filipino pride, Megan Young, to earn the first Miss World crown during the stunning coronation held at Bali, Indonesia.

A 23-year old actress turned beauty queen bested 126 astounding ladies from all over the world, through her glamour, wit and core values.

On the coronation’s question and answer portion, Young depicted a clear picture of her belief and faith in the core value of humanity, which plays a significant role in guiding people’s actions in their everyday lives.

Indeed, what she has is a god-like beauty with a noble purpose. Beyond doubt, she has proved her purpose, when she said:

I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides her into understanding people, why they act the way they do, how they’re living their lives. And I will use these core values and understanding not only in helping others but to show other people how they can understand others, to help others. … So that as one, together, we shall help society.

Megan Young has made a name, not because of bringing pride to Philippines. But, more so, she has helped everyone to realize that beauty does not end in putting make-up on one’s face, in wearing sexy outfits and in getting bottomless superiority while owning the runway.

Rather, beauty is about sharing what you have with others to help the society. Like our new Miss World, let us choose to inspire people through our selfless actions and our righteous core values.

Beauty with a heart is the trademark of Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Undeniably, her belief towards the Filipino’s core values brings success to the Filipinos, especially to Central Luzon, for being a budding boon from Olongapo.

Congratulations, Miss World 2013! The whole Filipino nation is truly proud of you!

The ‘Bulakenyo’ spirit is waterproof

The third quarter of the year has constantly become the naissance of the Philippine rainy season, when unfriendly weather and alarming monsoons set forth in the realms of our archipelago. While heavy downpours spill out through the period, countless calamities and mishaps test the strength and faith of every Juan dela Cruz.

Since 2011, Bulacan has been experiencing the wrath of nature, making most of its provinces placed under state of calamity, after being submerged in water floods. According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), Hagonoy and Calumpit are the municipalities, which are vastly affected by this environmental adversity.

This, in accordance with PDRMMO report, is due to three things: (1) the occurrence of the phenomenal high tide; (2) the liberation of water from Bustos and Angat Dam; and (3) the geographical location of the municipalities, making them the catch basin of massive volume of water.

Nevertheless, despite this catastrophe, Bulakenyos remain strong and hopeful. Many have witnessed how optimistic they are about having a remarkable eagerness to, once again, relieve the possibility of bouncing back into life, after the upheaval they go through.

Bringing into reality the context of the illustrious statement “Keep calm and be strong”, every Bulakenyo is certainly a picture of the Filipino’s resiliency – resistant and quick to recover.

 

Gratitude is better than complaining

“The experience of heavy rains brought us fear, because floods will again be the next problem after the typhoon,” said Esperanza Balatbat, mother of three children, a resident of Purok 5, Tampok, Hagonoy, Bulacan.

In the same month of August last year, the residents of Tampok had a perilous experience brought by the rage of Habagat 2012.  For weeks, the town was inundated, due to torrential rains and high tide.

Same thing happened when typhoon Maring and Habagat 2013 walloped the said locality, leaving severe consequences to the neighborhood.

Balatbat, professor and guidance counselor at Baliuag University, had been through all these calamities before. She came across with the same strenuous encounter, experienced by other Tampok residents.

At 5:30 a.m., she had to walk in the flooded road – almost knee-high – from her home to the next barangay, San Miguel, to get a tricycle going to the terminal. Same happened in the evening every time she went home from work and had to pay an exorbitant fare just to catch sight of her family in safe hands.

Though she grasped a sigh of relief with her, she remained worried about her 77-year old sick father. The condition of her father caused more fear and anxiety. Filled with mixed emotions of much concern and uneasiness, the ill man’s oxygen tank needed to be refilled. And yet, none of them could find a way to get to the refilling station, since all roads were not passable.

Looking through the brighter side of life, Balatbat, an epitome of Bulakenyo’s resiliency, explained that oneness was evident in her family and in the community, making all difficulties a lot easier to address by supporting one another.

Prayer is at the center of everything. Even now, the whole area is drenched in deep water. Perhaps, it will take some more days, or even weeks, before the affected populace finally put things in order.

However, the hope to get to their feet and stand still will never go astray. As Balatbat said, “These things just pass. After all, nothing is permanent. What is better than complaining is gratitude. We are too grateful that no matter what happens, we remain a family with a community that has a heart to help others.”

 

A hopeful spirit beyond the aftermath

 Caught in the edge of jam-packed predicaments in life, Filipinos, especially those from Bulacan, are clear images of bravery and courage. Indeed, we are survivors of countless disturbances, and yet, we stand still and never give up.

Nature’s wrath is and will always be inevitable. Beyond the aftermath of this devastation, the hopeful spirit remains and continuously grows in the utmost of our hearts. The heavy rains and teeming flood may steal everything from us, but the impermeable Filipino spirit shall prevail.

Beyond doubt, through these tests of time and destiny, our resiliency persists and continues to be undefeated.

The Filipino spirit is waterproof and each Bulakenyo carries in his heart this kind of spirit – one that cares, one that survives, one that keeps the faith, and one that anticipates a better tomorrow.

Bouncing back into the realms of reality, the soul of every Bulakenyo is waterproof – resilient, resistant and quick to recover.

Kaya Natin! builds an island of hope

In a third world country, where societal conflicts and pressing issues arise, it is a rewarding moment to witness with our naked eyes how modern heroes aspire in building a better and more hopeful tomorrow for the Philippines.

Looking back through the days when I was still in the midst of my college years, I was one of the few lucky servant-leaders of the country, who were chosen to be a part of a summer youth convention on good governance and ethical leadership.

For three days, aside from re-strengthening the hero in me, I was blessed to come across with people who have spent their lives working for the country – the ones I have always looked up to, the Kaya Natin! Movement.

 

The KN builders

Kaya Natin!,  a non-partisan movement composed of Filipinos from different sectors of society established in July 30, 2008 at Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government, aims to build a strong foundation of effective, ethical and empowering leadership in our country.

Harvey Keh, the man behind the brainchild of the Kaya Natin! mission and vision, believes that servant-leaders in the country must know their jobs and do it well, carry out their duties and responsibilities with integrity and involve their constituents in governance and create opportunities for the people to participate and be heard.

Through these values instilled in the core group of the movement, the aspiration and noble dream to  make our government more responsive to the needs of the Filipino people have continuously become stronger.

The KN Builders, known as the Champions of Good Governance, grasped a hold to the belief: Kaya ng Pinoy maging magaling at mabuting pinuno; kaya ng Pinoy pumili ng tama. Kaya Natin!

 As for the KN Champions, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, and Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, there is a big need to change the phase of leadership in the country and provide a worthwhile avenue to awake the sleeping consciousness of the public in addressing the country’s concerns.

A step closer towards a better PH

Aside from keeping the fire of making positive reforms alive, KN does various activities to reach a wider populace and produce more change-makers in the country.

Highlighting the goal of encouraging the youth to be the focal point of this transitory period, the movement share and spread their advocacies in various universities and communities in the country by doing the Kaya Natin! Caravan of Good Governance.

Aside from that, KN is also upholds the provision of assistance to the deprived and indigent sector by executing a program like the Karapatan at Kalusugan Kaya Nating Pangalagaan Medical Mission and Vaccination Drive.

More so, the movement has produced the Kaya Natin! Youth, which pioneers the youth sector in participating and being involved in building the nation.

Primarily, KN hopes to build a future led by people, who value, among any other things, the general welfare of the public.

Reflecting back to ourselves Rizal’s faith on youth as our Fatherland’s hope, the realization KN! Movement has brought in the minds of everyone is a big help in establishing a profound future of the country.

By discovering young leaders and motivated Filipinos, who have the heart to sacrifice a significant piece of them for the country, each one of us will always be reminded of the fact that there is a great future for every Juan dela Cruz.

In the realms of reality, we are surrounded with many afflicting concerns and distressing complications. But, never stop striving towards our goal – to change the situations we are into now and create a better place for living.

Like Sir Harvey, let’s all believe in this simple yet meaningful statement:

If bad people in our government can join forces to wreak havoc in our country, then why can’t the good people join forces as well and promote good governance in our country?

 

(Lorie Gene Cruz – The Raconteur)