In collaboration with Tingog Partylist and Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the municipal government of Tanauan Leyte led by Mayor Gina Merilo and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Representative Engr. Alita Chavez distribute Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) payout to 243 beneficiaries in Barangays Binongto-an, Amanluran and Canbalisara in the municipality of Tanauan, Leyte.
In collaboration with Tingog Partylist and Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the municipal government of Tanauan Leyte led by Mayor Gina Merilo and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Representative Engr. Alita Chavez distribute Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) payout to 243 beneficiaries in Barangays Binongto-an, Amanluran and Canbalisara in the municipality of Tanauan, Leyte.
TACLOBAN CITY– Leyte congressman and House Speaker Martin Romualdez is calling on the youth across the country to exercise their right to register and vote in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Romualdez emphasizes the importance of youth participation in shaping the nation’s future by electing officials suited for both local and national positions.
“This is a crucial opportunity for our youth to make their voices heard,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“The youth are the backbone of our nation’s future. Their active engagement in the upcoming elections is vital to ensure that their concerns and aspirations are addressed by our leaders,” he added.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) began accepting new registrations and transfer requests on February 12, continuing until September of this year.
The poll body has facilitated registrations not only in its offices but also in satellite offices, malls, plazas, churches, and other special registration areas.
Despite an increase in the youth demographic reaching voting age, the number of registrants and actual youth voters has not seen a proportional rise, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
To address this gap, Romualdez plans to spearhead voter registration awareness campaigns targeting schools and youth organizations.
The aim is to educate the youth about the advantages and significance of voting during elections.
In the upcoming elections, approximately three million Filipinos will cast their votes for the first time.
During last year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, 91 million Filipinos participated across 201,000 clustered precincts and 37,000 voting centers. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
The Bureau of Fire Protection in Ormoc City recovered a 13-feet snake in a school canteen. (BFP ORMOC)
The Bureau of Fire Protection in Ormoc City recovered a 13-feet snake in a school canteen. (BFP ORMOC)
ORMOC CITY– The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Catbalogan City swiftly responded to a distress call from personnel at a school canteen who had spotted a massive python in Purok 7, Barangay Mercedes on Wednesday (Feb.21) at about 2:36 pm.
The call came from Louie Chavez, an administrative clerk at Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School, reporting the presence of a large snake in the canteen’s ceiling.
Led by Fire Chief Inspector Jimmy Pasague, the city fire marshall, the local BFP team, along with BFP New Recruits, promptly arrived at the scene to address the situation.
Upon assessing the location of the snake, the firefighters skillfully coordinated to safely extract the python from the ceiling.
After a few minutes of concerted effort, the team successfully rescued a reticulated python measuring 13 feet in length.
Following the successful operation, the snake was handed over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (ROBERT DEJON)
It can be observed that the trend of suicidal actions nowadays is alarming since the reported reasons are getting shallow and the action is impulsive. This is quite different from previous cases when suicide victims would only resort to such action due to grave causes. This shift must be attributed to a variety of factors that should be made known for proper remedies.
One of the obvious reasons for quick suicide actions today is the pervasive influence of social media on our lives. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have created a culture of comparison and perfection, where individuals feel constant pressure to measure up to unrealistic standards leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth, which can drive individuals to take impulsive actions without fully considering the consequences. The constant barrage of curated images and highlight reels creates a distorted view of reality, making it difficult for young people to develop a true sense of self and find meaning in their lives.
The fast-paced and often isolating nature of modern society contributes to feelings of hopelessness and despair, hence the impulsive suicide actions. In a world where connection is often reduced to screen interactions, many individuals feel increasingly lonely and disconnected from others. This lack of meaningful social connections makes it difficult for people to reach out for help when they are struggling, prompting a sense of isolation that exacerbates negative feelings, and creates a perfect storm for impulsive actions, as individuals may feel like they have no one to turn to in times of crisis.
The stigma surrounding mental health and a lack of access to resources can also play a role in the shallowness of suicide actions today. Many individuals may be hesitant to seek help for mental health issues due to fear of judgment or shame and just suffer in silence until it becomes too overwhelming to bear. Additionally, the high cost of mental health care and the limited availability of resources can create barriers to treatment for those who need it most, further aggravating ill feelings. Without proper support and resources, individuals feel like suicide is their only way out, causing impulsive actions that may not have been fully thought out or considered.
We could prevent such impulsive actions by addressing these underlying issues and supporting those who are struggling. We need to create a more compassionate and connected society, so we can help individuals find hope and meaning in their lives and reduce the prevalence of suicide actions in our communities.
As individuals progress through the stages of life, they inevitably experience the effects of aging, a natural process that entails many losses. It’s synonymous with losing valuable things, manifesting in numerous ways. Individuals must confront and adapt to a myriad of challenges as they journey through the complexities of growing older.
Most noticeably, there is a decline in physical health, depriving one of mobility, strength, and vitality. As individuals age, they experience a gradual deterioration of their physical functions, making it more challenging to engage in activities they once enjoyed and relied upon. Everyday tasks, such as walking, climbing stairs, or even getting out of bed, may become increasingly difficult, with the decrease in overall physical fitness and quality of life. Not only that but aging often brings about a heightened susceptibility to chronic conditions and illnesses, the loss of physical well-being and autonomy.
Aging also leads to a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. As individuals grow older, they may notice subtle changes in their mental acuity, including difficulty recalling information, concentrating on tasks, or processing complex information. These cognitive changes impact one’s ability to perform daily activities, engage in meaningful conversations, or make informed decisions, resulting in memory loss, intellectual capacity, and self-efficacy. And if conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease would sneak in, it would further erode cognitive functioning, causing challenges in maintaining independence and autonomy.
Furthermore, aging often entails the loss of social connections and relationships, as individuals may experience changes in their social networks, friendships, and support systems. As people age, they may witness the passing of loved ones, the drifting apart of friends, or the physical distance from family members, all of which can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and social disconnection. The loss of meaningful relationships can have psychological impacts, as individuals may struggle to find companionship, emotional support, and a sense of belonging in their later years. Stigma and discrimination can further isolate older adults, restricting their opportunities for social engagement, participation, and inclusion in society.
Old age further results in the loss of financial security and stability, as individuals may experience changes in their income, savings, and employment status. Retiring from a long-standing career or facing unexpected financial hardships can impact one’s financial well-being and sense of security, raising concerns about future expenses, healthcare costs, and overall financial stability. The loss of financial resources can limit one’s ability to access essential goods and services, maintain a comfortable standard of living, or plan for retirement, hence one’s feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and vulnerability.
Here’s more, aging also entails a loss of identity, purpose, and significance, as old persons may grapple with feelings of invisibility, irrelevance, or marginalization in society. As they age, they may confront ageist attitudes, stereotypes, and biases that diminish their self-worth, dignity, and value in the eyes of others. The loss of identity leads to a diminished sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, as individuals struggle to find meaning in their later years and pursue meaningful goals, aspirations, and opportunities for personal growth and development. The erosion of identity can have tremendous psychological implications, given those feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or despair in the face of uncertainty and change.
In a world that idealizes youth and beauty, we can just imagine how an old person gets pressured to maintain a youthful appearance, hence the use of anti-wrinkles, hair coloring, and other formulas to combat aging but failing to do so in the long run.
THE gospel episode about the Transfiguration of the Lord (cfr. Mk 9,2-10) reminds us that like Christ we are meant to be transfigured in our definitive state of life in heaven for all eternity.
This is, of course, a very incredible truth of faith about ourselves. It definitely requires tremendous faith from us. That’s why, in the first reading of the Mass of the 2nd Sunday of Lent, (cfr. Gen 22,1-2.9a.10-13.15-18) we are told about the great faith of Abraham who believed what was told him no matter how incredible the messages God gave him were.
We also are given a reassurance of why this faith is all worthwhile in spite of its incredible character in the 2nd reading (cfr. Rom 8,31-34) where St. Paul tells us, “If God be for us, who is against us? He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how has he not also with him given us all things.”
In the face of such a tremendous truth of our faith about ourselves, we should just say, Amen, so be it, Lord. If that is what you want us to be, who are we to question? Let’s also remember that faith of Mary when she was told she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. Even if she did not fully understand how it was going to be, she just said, “Be it done to me, according to your word.”
Let’s not waste time analyzing too much this supernatural truth about ourselves that will always be a mystery to us. Let us just do our best in pursuing the goal of our earthly life to become more and more like Christ. Thus, at the end of each day, as we make some kind of accounting as to how our day went, we should ask ourselves, “Is there some progress or growth in my pursuit to become more and more like Christ today?”
We have to be clear about this point. We are meant to assume the identity of Christ. And that is not a gratuitous, baseless assertion, much less, a fiction or a fantasy. It is founded on a fundamental truth of our faith that we have been created by God in his own image and likeness.
And this truth of faith has been vividly shown to us since it is acted out in the whole history and economy of salvation that culminated in Christ offering his life and his very own self as the Bread of Life so we can have the eternal life with him, and so that he and us can be one.
We have to arrive at that point where we can make St. Paul’s words as our own too: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” (Gal 2,20)
We just have to learn to set aside whatever difficulty or awkwardness we may have in dealing with this basic truth of faith about ourselves. We have to try our best to know Christ and to adapt his very own mind and will, his own ways, behavior and reactions to whatever situation we may find ourselves in.
So many questions remain unanswered regarding public utility jitney modernization program, chiefly, the cost that will eventually be passed to the riding public. With the high cost of the modern jitney more commonly called e-jeep, which is reportedly range from P1.6 million to P 2.4 million, the monthly payment is reportedly estimated to be as high a P 7,000.00 for the unit alone.
The cost for repair and maintenance to ensure that the unit is still serviceable during the payment period would be an additional burden of the operator. Add to it the amount that the driver and conductor would need to earn for a decent living of their family. There too is an added expenses that is given to the barker who calls for passengers at stopovers.
The transportation department had been pushing for the implementation of this transport modernization program and the eventual phaseout of the old jitney units on the road. It has tapped financing institutions to support the program by opening credit facility to transport operators who are willing to acquire the modern e-jeep.
The transportation department is encouraging operators and drivers to form into cooperatives to improve the system from the present individualistic competition among operators and drivers. The suggestion is aimed at ensuring that each operator and driver would be able to earn better than operating individually. The suggestion may sound good but there is no actual study if the cooperative way would result into viable income for both operators and drivers.
With old public utility vehicles still plying the routes that were assigned to e-jeeps, the competition is actually tough than one can imagine. It bears noting that there is no increase in the population of the riding public which is the main source of income for all public utility vehicles. That would mean greater number of public utility vehicles dividing the fix number of passengers.
The only practical way for operators and drivers to increase their income is to pass the cost of operations and maintenance to the riding public by increasing fare rates. If that is done, there would be more problem as the riding public would surely resist any fare increase.
Already, there are allegations that the procurement of e-jeeps is tainted with corruption as the units are priced too high than what local manufacturers are offering. Whatever are the reasons behind the push being made by the transportation department to rush the implementation of the transport modernization program, it will be the riding public that will eventually bear the cost of modernization. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
