Per Landbank (LB) report as of February 2023, it has released P113 Billion in recovery loan from the impact of the pandemic, to over 400 local government units (LGUs) as of February 2023.

LB’s Restoration and Invigoration Package for Self-sufficient Economy towards Upgrowth for LGUs (Rise UP) lending program has reportedly financed P113 billion loans as of February this year benefitting 408 LGUs. The loan program started at the height of COVID -19, provide financial assistance to provide basic and support services is intended for LGUs in need of a resilient and sustainable recovery from the pandemia.

The Province of Quirino’s loan of P67 million loan, the latest beneficiary
LB’s Rise UP lending program, is purposely for the enhancement of its internet connectivity and accessibility as well as procurement of an internet service provided and other related equipment.

From an initial 2020 fund allocation of P10 billion, the program is now managing P150 billion which the LGUs could tap until July 2025.

MY COMMENT:
LandBank’s (LB’s) Post-pandemic Recovery Loan Program is worthy of note, a much-needed strategy to assist and alleviate the families badly hit by COVID-19. The financial assistance through the Rise UP Loan Program did benefit 400 plus eligible families, but it is common knowledge that the current beneficiaries represents only a small percent of the total number of families affected during the pandemic. It is therefore suggested that Rise UP program of LB expanded so that more families are included among the beneficiaries. Also the curentP150 Billion fund needs to be increased to meet the necessities o the victimized families.
ooo000ooo
NEXT TOPIC : “ DOST approves UST R & D Project on oral COVID vaccine”
SHARE S & T THOUGHTS Through Email: drpacjr@yahoo.com.

THERE are times when we have to wait, desist from acting at the moment, and hope for a better time that will surely come, although in ways that may not be according to our expectations.

We are reminded of this act of prudence in that gospel parable about the good seed and the weeds. (cfr. Mt 13,36-43) The point of the parable is that there are situations in life when acting at the moment may cause more harm than good. And so, we just have to wait, be patient and hopeful.

In the meantime, what we can do is to continue doing a lot of good, praying, making sacrifices, generously fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, reaching out to others, growing in the virtues, etc.

We have to remember that due to the God-designed life of communion we enjoy among ourselves, we know that anything good we do will always have a good effect on the others. The awareness of this truth of our faith should prod us to be generous in doing a lot of good. We also know that good in itself is self-diffusive. It is in its nature to spread. So, we should just do a lot of good.

As can be seen, to wait, to be patient and hopeful, does not mean to do nothing. What we cannot do at the moment, out of prudence, should push us to do many other good things. Instead of feeling lethargic, we should feel very energetic.

Especially with our present condition that involves an increase of pressure, confusing knowledge overdrives, increasingly sophisticated challenges and difficulties, we need to seriously cultivate this virtue of hope. There’s no other way. It’s either that or we get into a free-fall toward disorder, chaos and desperation.

Our problem is that, as usual, we have a very limited idea of hope. And from that handicapped position, it’s obvious that all sorts of dangers, confusion and errors can ensue.
Among the anomalies besetting our understanding of hope is that it is a purely man-made virtue, with only earthly and natural dimensions and relying solely on human and material resources.

We seem to get stranded in the external properties of the virtue, without entering into its real essence, significance and practicability. We need to recover the true nature and purpose of hope, and spread its knowledge and skill far and wide. That’s what we urgently need these days.

First, we need to understand that hope is a gift from God, one of what are called theological virtues. As such, it goes always in this life with the other pair of faith and charity.

The direct corollary of this reality is that the first thing we have to do about it is to ask for it, often kneeling and begging God our Father not only to grant it to us, which he actually does unstintingly, but also to increase it all the time.

We should never be casual about this fundamental and indispensable requirement of hope. Though we have to be discreet about it and natural in living it, we have to understand that without this condition met, no amount of human ingenuity can substitute it.

Of course, hope increases also to the extent that we deepen our faith and enrich our charity. In this life, these three theological virtues go together and mutually affect one another.

Vehicles run with the danger of falling into deep cracks on our highways. The cracks pose real risks to both lives and properties. Traveling along the highways of Samar would give one a scare on many portions of the highway that are badly broken. The cracks are not properly marked with warning signs, sending vehicles to leap at high speed or halt in screeching manner as brakes are abruptly applied to avoid from falling in such holes.

Many motorists had certainly encountered these death traps that could cause vehicles turning turtle at an instant mistake of the driver. Passengers are surely cursing government for pushing them into the edge of road mishaps due to badly broken pavements that have no warning signs. Those who are unfamiliar with such road cracks are caught by surprise upon reaching the brink to perdition. If one is traveling at high speed, the risk of jumping into deep cracks or tumbling off the pavement if very high.

The situation is not beyond repair but government is simply not giving enough attention and priority to such problem. It is unfortunate that many repairs are being done on highway pavements that are seemingly still in good condition while dilapidated portions are being left in such bad condition. What is lamentable is the absence of road signs that will forewarn motorists of the dangers they are about to pass. Some roadblocks are placed to prevent vehicles from going straight into such cracks but even the roadblocks are unpainted are hardly visible especially at night.

People could only wail every time the vehicle they are riding pass over such deep cracks. While many are complaining in murmurs, nothing is being raised to the attention of concerned agencies. But the problem is very glaring for government officials not to notice. It is really bothersome that government would only act when something bad happens. As long as motorists are able to evade the deadly cracks and no accident happens, government would not lift a finger.

There is a weighing station purportedly erected to check the weight of moving vehicles, particularly heaving trucks, trailers, wing vans and heavy equipment. Unfortunately, people in the area could only sigh at how such heavy and overweight vehicles are permitted to cross san juanico bridge and travel on the seemingly sub-standard pavement along the Samar portion.

While government could not undertake repairs or even place road signs to warn people from falling into deadly cracks on our highways, there is much fund to banner shameless faces of politicians and government officials whose expensive billboards are scattered along our highways. Maybe people should pester government officials with complaints if only to push them to act on matters affecting their very lives. Until when can we endure living on the great dangers of deadly cracks.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com