ORMOC CITY– A newly- elected barangay chairwoman from Dulag, Leyte was killed when the single motorcycle she was on board driven by her husband collided with a tricycle on Friday (Nov.10) along the Bagacay- Maharlika Highway in Tacloban City at about 11:20 am.
Police identified the victim as Niña Danica Bayona, 28, who won during the October 30 barangay election as chairwoman of Barangay Sampaguita, Dagami Leyte.
Her husband, Corporal Leomer Bayona,30, and assigned at the Tacloban City Police Office, sustained injuries as well as the Intoy Sumagdon who was on board of the vehicle driven by the suspect Bernie Gacoscosim, a 32, businessman and a resident of Brgy. 106, Tacloban City.
The suspect was later learned to be driving without a license.
Based on the investigation conducted by the police, the couple were traversing along Bagacay-Maharlika Highway from Diit-Maharlika, heading in the general direction of Cabalawan-Maharlika, on board a motorcycle while Gacoscosim just finished refueling gas at Sea Oil-Bagacay Branch Gasoline Station on board his driven tricycle with Sumagdon.
The police added that upon reaching a certain portion of the roadway in the place of occurrence, the tricycle driven by Gacoscosim allegedly bumped into the single motorcycle where the victim was on board.
The collision, according to investigators, resulted in the death of the victim with her husband brought to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center for medical treatment.
Gacoscosim, who only incurred light scratches, is now detained and was charged for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and serious physical injury. (ROBERT DEJON)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) has predicted a drought to hit the nation in 2024. It is crucial for policymakers and communities to proactively prepare for this impending natural phenomenon, considering its potentially devastating impact on agriculture, water resources, and overall socio-economic stability.
Recognizing the gravity of PAG-ASA’s forecasted drought, governmental bodies and policymakers need to adopt a multi-faceted approach to mitigate its potential consequences. With agriculture being one of the most vulnerable sectors during droughts, investments in drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and the implementation of water management policies become paramount. Moreover, collaboration between research institutions and governmental agencies should be fostered to develop advanced technologies and drought monitoring systems that can provide accurate and timely information to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions on crop selection, planting schedules, and resource allocation.
Local communities should be empowered through educational campaigns and capacity-building programs to encourage proactive measures in response to the predicted drought. Awareness programs can educate the public about water conservation practices, reforestation initiatives, and the use of sustainable farming techniques such as rainwater harvesting and precision agriculture. Additionally, local governments should establish emergency response plans that prioritize vulnerable communities, ensuring equitable access to water, healthcare, and social aid during the drought period. By involving the community in the planning process, social cohesion can be fostered, and the impact of the drought can be minimized through collective efforts.
While preparing for the 2024 drought, it is essential to address issues of long-term water resource management. Increased investment in the development of water infrastructure, construction of rainwater storage systems, and efficiency-improving measures in water supply networks will not only help tackle the predicted drought but also build resilience against future water scarcity. Furthermore, the promotion of research and innovation in sustainable practices such as greywater recycling, desalination, and water-efficient technologies must be embraced to optimize water usage and reduce overall dependence on scarce water resources. These efforts will play a crucial role in ensuring water security in the face of the predicted drought and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has garnered international attention, sparking debates around issues of national security, the right to self-defense, and the role of non-state actors in modern warfare. Gradually, there is this global sympathy for Hamas, the fundamentalist political organization governing the Gaza Strip. While some individuals and entities may express understanding or sympathy for their struggle, we should examine the underlying factors and motivations behind these sentiments.
Supporters of Hamas often refer to its origins as a grassroots resistance movement against Israeli occupation and oppression. Stemming from the socio-political and economic marginalization experienced by Palestinians, Hamas emerged as a vocal advocate for self-determination. These historical circumstances invoke sympathy from individuals who perceive the struggle as a legitimate response to injustice. However, it is crucial to recognize that sympathy for an organization does not absolve its actions or ideologies, particularly when they involve the use of violence and terrorism.
The Palestinian cause has received global support due to the universal appeal of nationalism and identity. Hamas capitalizes on this sympathy by presenting itself as the embodiment of Palestinian resistance, instilling pride and solidarity among Palestinians worldwide. This resonates with those who sympathize with the struggle for national autonomy and liberation, as seen historically in other movements such as South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. Nonetheless, the methods employed by Hamas, including suicide bombings and indiscriminate rocket attacks, fundamentally weaken any rational basis for sympathy.
Media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and can often contribute to sympathetic sentiments towards Hamas. Biased reporting, skewed narratives, or the portrayal of Palestinians as perpetual victims may lead to a disproportionate level of empathy toward Hamas. Although recognizing the suffering and grievances faced by Palestinians is important, it is equally necessary to acknowledge the complexities of the situation, including Hamas’ responsibility for prolonging the conflict through its refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Sympathy for Hamas may also stem from geopolitical interests and strategic calculations. Certain countries or groups may view supporting Hamas as a way to undermine regional adversaries or exert influence in the Middle East. In this context, sympathy becomes a tool for pursuing geopolitical agendas, resulting in a distortion of the moral aspects underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Such ulterior motivations cloud the authenticity of expressions of sympathy and detract from the need to find a peaceful resolution.
Amidst the geopolitical chess game, genuine humanitarian concerns for the Palestinian people often underpin sympathy for Hamas. Witnessing the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire can evoke empathy and desire for an end to their suffering. However, sympathy for the Palestinians should not equate to automatic support for Hamas, as it undermines the central principles of human rights, democracy, and the pursuit of peace.
While acknowledging the context in which Hamas emerged and the grievances faced by Palestinians, it is crucial not to lose sight of the organization’s resort to violence and its disregard for peaceful diplomatic solutions. Sympathy should be directed towards the innocent civilians affected by the conflict, rather than endorsing a group that perpetuates violence and seeks the destruction of a nation. Achieving a true sense of justice for both Israelis and Palestinians necessitates a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond simplistic sympathy for Hamas.
Ours is an educational system that had been subjected to experiments in the quest for one that would fit our learners. The present system is a result of various influences, mostly from foreign nations that held our country for long years. Spanish colonization had greatly influenced our education that was carried by religious women and men who established schools in various parts of the archipelago.
Over three centuries of education under the Spaniards was ingrained in our culture and practices. Social norms were rooted on what foreign invaders taught our people in the early ages of our nation. The influence truly obliterated the culture, practices and social norms of our ancestors who were in occupation of our archipelago long before foreigners came to conquer our nation and people.
Changes in the educational system were introduced by American invaders who took the reign of power from Spain. The formal educational system was patterned after the American education model. It also introduced its own culture and practices that were totally different. It placed Filipinos into its mould and redirected the national thinking towards its direction, away from the Spanish influence and far from the local culture and practices of our people. There too was the influence of Japan which took over the country before its defeat in the second world war.
All the foreign educational systems miserably failed to consider the Filipino as the learner being subjected to fit into its mould. This is why our education remains a changing system subject to continuing experimentation. What is unfortunate is the fact that the unending experiments use learners as its object of study. The waste of human resources used in such experiments that go wrong has repercussions too tough to undo. The learners’ mind had been indoctrinated with knowledge that would later be found inapt or totally wrong.
In the mainstream of public discourse is the proposal to rid learners from homework. The practice had been ingrained over the years and various sectors raise opinions that are often diametrically opposed. The practice of requiring learners to take some school work home is being justified as an effective way of instilling discipline. The position in favor homework as part of the educational curriculum is being pushed in accord to such discipline argument. On the other hand, those against homework see the practice as mere good riddance for teachers to unload their tasks for students to work on.
This writer sees homework as a burden to the learner and the parents that are sought for help to do the assigned task. It creates an unjust situation for learners whose parents are not capable to extend help. On a practical point, it deprives the learner the time to enjoy on other learning experience outside the classroom as they bring school work to still work at home. comments to alellema@yahoo.com
Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI), which owns the Metro Manila’s West Zone concession, has introduced a new algae control equipment in Laguna Lake. The MWSI’s 3 new units of ultrasonic algae control equipment installed units at its Putatan Water Treatment Plant (PWTF), helps monitor algal blooms and checks algal proliferation that affect the water quality in the Lake.
The 3 unit equipment costing P9 million, are designed to eliminate algal growth within a 500-meter radius and provide real-time data on the quality parameters of the raw water that could indicate presence of algae population. It, also, helps identify species of algae growing in the Lake. The latest equipment brings to 6 units already installed around the PWTF – helps address possible raw water problems in the Lake caused by algal concentrations.
The Lake’s water production from treatment plant is greatly affected by excessive water bloom causing water supply interruptions – aggravated by damaged sludge removal equipment, coupled with rise in turbidity levels of the raw water.
According to Maynilad, “The rise in turbidity levels of the raw water from Laguna Lake reduced the combined production of Putatan I and 2 to 240 million liters per day (MLD), affecting the supply to 170,000 concessioners.
MY COMMENT:
Filipino water consumers, especially in the West Zone of Metro Manila have something to appreciate and thank scientists/engineers for developing the new algae control equipment – maintain raw water quality, prevent siltation and damage to water treatment process, reduce water turbidity resulting in poor quality of water reaching households.
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CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
CLEMELLE L. MONTALLANA,DM, CESE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR III
“It was the fusion of great sports, nice venue, able officials, and fair officiating, it was one great season for the whole basketball players in real life and those who play best in their dreams. “
The venue was at par with International Standards. The Officials played their role to the hilt, and we saw a coming of age and achieved potential for Sports right there at our yard.
The Eastern Visayas Collegiate Athletic Association commonly and popularly known as EVCAA Season 2 was a successful event that showcased the talents and skills of the collegiate athletes from different universities and colleges in Eastern Visayas.
The season started on September 9, 2023, and ended on November 12, 2023, with the finals game between Samar State University (SSU) and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) at the Tacloban City Astrodome. SSU emerged as the champion after defeating SLSU by 87-79 in a thrilling match.
Supported by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, organized by the Commission on Higher Education Region 8 under the able leadership of Director Maximo Aljibe and with able reinforcement from TINGOG Party List Representatives Hon. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Rep. Jude Avorque Acidre, the event was a very successful undertaking,
Personally, it had become a weekend warrior thing and proved to be the most entertaining thing for people who do the 5-day grind and find that the weekend has something great to offer.
It was the fusion of great sports, nice venue, able officials, and fair officiating, it was one great season for the whole basketball players in real life and those who play best in their dreams.
EVCAA Season 2, proved that we can. We can be great players; we can create the best team and we can offer goodwill to all.
