To help mold and develop the next generation of engineers, NGCP continues to hold facility tours for university students from different parts of the country.
Recently, several universities completed tours in various NGCP facilities: the Tarlac State University at NGCP’s Mexico Substation, Batangas State University at Laoag Substation, University of Nueva Caceres at Naga Substation, Mindanao State University-General Santos City Campus at Toril Substation, University of the East-Recto at Bauang Substation, and Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus at Baloi Substation.
More than 400 engineering students from these universities participated in the facility tours, which included a walkthrough of NGCP’s substation operations as well as presentations on NGCP’s critical role and contribution to the power industry.
“We are more than happy to host young minds at our facilities so they can see for themselves the everyday operations of NGCP. Understanding the importance of power transmission in the energy system, and how NGCP contributes to the country’s economic development is important to understanding the energy industry,” said NGCP. “We also want to showcase the capability of our engineers and other technical staff, and we hope to inspire them as future engineers,” added the company.
NGCP expects to conduct more facility tours for university students in the coming months. (PR)
CATBALOGAN CITY – Ayungin Shoal is within Philippine territory and BRP Sierra Madre must stay there to establish the country’s claim in that area at the disputed West Philippine Sea, thus said Senators JV Ejercito and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
Senators Ejercito and Go made the comment during their visit to this city as guests to the 182nd provincehood anniversary of Samar on August 11.
Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made a statement stating that the Philippine government had made a commitment to remove the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal but President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said that there is no such agreement between the Philippines and China to remove the vessel that was grounded to the shoal since 1999.
The President added that if there is such kind of agreement, he is rescinding.
Sen. Go said that he fully supports what the President said adding that the contested area really belongs to the country.
“Kung ano po yun atin ay atin, what is ours is ours at bilang pangulo, si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos as chief architect of our foreign policy alam niyo po kung ano ang mas nakakabuti sa atin,” Senator Go said.
“Gaya ng sinabi ko noon not a single square inch ang isusurender natin sa China, what is ours is ours, atin po yun, at dapat po ipaglaban po. So huwag nating i-withdraw, dapat huwag talagang i-withdraw yung BRP Sierra Madre,” he added.
The statement of China was released after another incident happened in the West Philippine Sea when Chinese Coast Guard water cannoned a supply vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre.
This action of the Chinese Coast Guard was described by Sen. Ejercito as bullying.
“Talagang they are just bullying us,” the senator said adding that China’s action against the Philippines is opposite to what they announced that the country is their friend.
Ejercito added that the government must strengthen the capability of its Armed Forces and the Coast Guard by adding more equipment to have a “credible posture,” exhaust all diplomatic means, and forge alliances with other ASEAN countries like South Korea, Japan, and claimants county like Vietnam, and including the United States of America ensure that West Philippine Sea will not totally fall into the hands of China.
“We have to strengthen and forge an alliance to ensure that the flow of navigation in the West Philippines continues kasi pag nahawakan na ng China ito wala ng freedom of navigation,” Ejercito added.
“Our relation should unite against this hostile and aggressive behavior of China, kasi hindi naman kaya ng Pilipinas yun mag-isa lang tayo, kailangan magka-isa ang ASEAN nations,” he added. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the inauguration of Tandaya Hall (formerly called provincial covered court) during the 182nd Samar Day celebration on August 11. He was joined by Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy, BHW party-list representative Angelica Natasha Co, and actor Victor Neri. (photo courtesy)
CATBALOGAN CITY – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said that he will propose a sports program as an alternative to the ROTC or the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
According to Go, who was among the guests during the Samar Day celebration on August 11, he has nothing against the proposed ROTC program.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the inauguration of Tandaya Hall (formerly called provincial covered court) during the 182nd Samar Day celebration on August 11. He was joined by Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy, BHW party-list representative Angelica Natasha Co, and actor Victor Neri. (photo courtesy)
However, there could be students who will prefer sports-related activities other than the ROTC.
“Suportado ko po ang ROTC dahil matuturuan natin ang ating mga kabataan ng spirit of Bayanihan, love of country, at disiplina, at patriotism,” Sen. Go said.
“Ngunit kailangan po nating pag-aralang mabuti kung dapat po bang mandatory kasi maari rin pong may ayaw. So suggestion po sa akin, nandyan po ang ating ROTC but magkaroon po tayo ng alternative program like sports,” the senator, who chair the committee on sports at the Senate, said.
“Ibig sabihin baka in lieu sa ROTC baka pwede po silang pumasok sa sports program,” he added.
Go said that he will be making this suggestion once they resume interpolating the passage of the ROTC bill, which is mainly authored by Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa.
Meantime, Go said that including the ROTC program in the school curriculum will help students not only to instill patriotism but also gain skills and knowledge in disaster preparedness and response especially that our country is located along the storm path in the Pacific.
“Hindi lang naman po sa military events magagamit ang ROTC, makakatulong din po ito sa disaster response at humanitarian activities especially ngayon dahil sa climate change at kundisyon sa Pacific Ring of Fire, mas nagiging prone po tayo sa natural disasters and calamity,” he added.
Another contribution of having ROTC is teaching youth discipline that will allow them to stay away from illegal drugs, he added. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
If we are to assess the potential benefits of removing Senior High School (SHS) in the Philippines, we need to comprehensively evaluate the current educational landscape. It is essential to examine the matter with tact and comprehension.
Accordingly, maintaining SHS in the Philippines enhances workforce readiness among the Filipino youth. The traditional 6-year high school system often limits students’ exposure to industry-specific skills and real-world experiences. By eliminating SHS, students can enter tertiary education earlier, disallowing them to receive the necessary training and expertise required by industries for a better-prepared workforce in various sectors.
On the other hand, removing SHS can reduce the financial burden on Filipino families. With the current K-12 system, students typically spend two additional years in Senior High School, leading to increased expenses in terms of tuition fees, books, uniforms, and transportation. By removing these two years, families would no longer have to bear the significant costs associated with SHS education. This cost savings would enable families to allocate resources towards other vital necessities or invest in higher education, thereby further enhancing the overall educational landscape.
Many students already have a clear understanding of their career goals by the end of junior high school. By shortening the secondary education years, students can commence specialized training at an earlier stage, narrowing their focus and providing them with a competitive advantage in their chosen field. Such a focused approach to education would result in a better allocation of resources, enabling students to maximize their potential and contribute effectively to society.
Removing SHS can somehow enhance the overall quality of education in the Philippines. Given the limited resources available in the country’s education system, extending schooling by two more years compromises the existing resources, including facilities, teachers, and educational materials. By reallocating these resources more efficiently, the remaining years of basic education and tertiary education can receive greater attention and investment, ensuring a higher standard of education across the board.
The advantages of removing Senior High School in the Philippines are there. However, only through prudent evaluation and careful implementation can the advantages of removing SHS be fully realized.
In a country like the Philippines, where poverty is rampant, many Filipinos find themselves in a predicament when it comes to seeking medical treatment for their ailments. Limited access to healthcare and financial constraints often force them to resort to traditional home remedies in order to address their health concerns.
The prevalence of home remedies in Filipino culture can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the lack of financial resources to afford medical consultation and prescription medicines drives many individuals to explore cheaper alternatives. Additionally, distance and limited access to healthcare facilities in rural areas add to the challenge of healthcare accessibility. As a result, Filipinos have long relied on traditional practices passed down through generations to address common health issues.
But the question arises as to whether these home remedies are truly effective. While some may argue that these traditional practices have been tested by time and thus hold some therapeutic value, the scientific basis and reliability of such remedies remains questionable. Unlike modern medicine, which undergoes rigorous testing and research, home remedies lack the same level of scrutiny and evidence-based validation. This casts doubts on their efficacy and raises concerns about the potential risks associated with relying solely on these remedies.
Resorting to home remedies for medical ailments perpetuates a cycle of limited progress in the healthcare sector. When individuals bypass professional medical advice and treatment, the need for accurate diagnoses and proper medication may be neglected. This has significant implications for public health, as serious conditions may go undetected or untreated, potentially leading to worsening conditions and increased healthcare costs in the long run.
On the other hand, there are instances where home remedies can be seen as beneficial and even complementary to modern medicine. Certain herbs, plants, and natural ingredients possess medicinal properties that have been recognized and utilized in alternative and integrative therapies. Integrating traditional knowledge and practices with evidence-based medicine can lead to a more holistic and personalized approach to healthcare, especially for less severe ailments.
Reliance on home remedies by Filipinos due to financial constraints and limited healthcare accessibility reflects the realities of a struggling healthcare system. It is essential for the government and healthcare institutions to invest in improving accessibility to affordable healthcare, ensuring proper regulation and education on home remedies, and promoting the integration of traditional practices with evidence-based medicine. By addressing these challenges, Filipinos can achieve a balance between embracing their cultural heritage and safeguarding public health.
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
In the mid-90s this writer was a college student . And one of the most popular bands then was a group good looking dudes who call themselves as Introvoys. They have this song entitled called Will I Survive? Paco Arespacochaga and Jonathan Buencamino headlines the group. That song has this Chorus ”
Tell me, will I ever survive?
Stop my tears and keep it inside
Holding back myself from being close to you
Right now the ditty evokes a sadder note , will we ever survive World War 3? Come to think of it , can we really survive when the lunatic leaders of our time lost their minds and launch Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles?
The Philippines is a country that has been experiencing strong economic growth and development in recent years. However, like any other country, it is not immune to the potential impacts of global events such as a hypothetical World War III.
While it is impossible to predict the exact course of events in such a scenario, it is possible to analyze potential outcomes and impacts on the Philippines.
According to an article by Esquire Philippines, World War III would be fought in five domains: land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace1. The use of nuclear weapons is a possibility, but it might not be necessary due to the deterrence theory and mutually assured destruction1. In the event of a global conflict, the Philippines could potentially be affected in several ways.
Firstly, the country’s economy could be impacted by disruptions in global trade and commerce. The Philippines has a vibrant economy that is supported by strong consumer demand, a growing middle class, and robust remittances2. A global conflict could disrupt these economic drivers and potentially lead to a slowdown in growth.
Secondly, the country’s security could be threatened by regional instability. The Philippines is located in a region that has several ongoing territorial disputes and potential flashpoints for conflict. In the event of a global war, these disputes could escalate and potentially draw the Philippines into the conflict.
Finally, the country’s infrastructure and population could be at risk from direct attacks or collateral damage. In a global conflict, military targets such as ports, airfields, and communication facilities could be targeted. This could result in damage to infrastructure and potential loss of life.
In conclusion, while it is impossible to predict the exact course of events in a hypothetical World War III scenario, it is clear that the Philippines could potentially be impacted in several ways. It is important for the country to continue its efforts towards economic development and security to mitigate these potential risks.
Conrad Kellog once said “The thing about happiness is that you only know you had it when it’s gone.” Let this quote be just an on line quote made fAamous by the break up songs and soap opera we hear and watch , let the Earth be as real as it can be, not a memory.
