Railway politics

By admin | August 19, 2009

Eighty-percent of trips in Metro Manila are provided by the public transport system. To avoid vehicle overcrowding in the streets, the government has expanded the rail network in the metropolis. There are four existing railway lines:

– Baclaran-Monumento LRT-1 which became operational in 1984.
– North Avenue-Taft MRT-3 which started operation in 2000.
– Recto-Santolan LRT-2 which opened in 2004.
– Tutuban-Alabang line of the Philippine National Railways which resumed operations in 2009.

Ongoing and proposed rail projects

1. LRT Line 1 North Extension – connecting Monumento of LRT-1 to North Avenue of MRT-3. This is the “closing the loop” project. There will be three new stations: Balintawak, Roosevelt, and Common Station (most probably in front of SM North EDSA).

2. Northrail (Caloocan to Clark). Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of railway from Caloocan to Clark. Phase 4 features an extension of the line to Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union. There are 5 major stations for Phase 1: Caloocan, Marilao, Malolos, San Fernando, Clark. The government plans to adopt Diesel-Electric Multiple Units with a capacity of 1,800 passengers per train set. Hindi ba obsolete at madumi ang teknolohiyang ito? At mabagal pa ang mga tren.

The work has been suspended since February 2008. May kinalaman kaya ang away ni PGMA at JDV?

3. Northrail-Southrail linkage (Caloocan to Alabang).

4. LRT Line 1 South Extension (Baclaran-Bacoor). The project will benefit passengers who live in the cities of Paranaque and Las Pinas and the municipality of Bacoor, Cavite. Eight new stations will be built.

5. LRT Line 2 East Extension (Marikina-Antipolo). The expansion will start from Santolan Station in Marikina City to Masinag Junction in Antipolo, Rizal. The project will serve the communities of Marikina, Cainta and Antipolo. Government statistics reveal that Antipolo City is the fastest growing city in the country.

6. Northrail-Southrail linkage (Alabang to Calamba).

7. Southrail (Calamba-Sorsogon). Minimum rehabilitation project of the Bicol line of the PNR.

8. MRT-7 (North Avenue to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan). The railway line will be built above Commonwealth Avenue and then under the Elliptical Road in Quezon Memorial Circle. There will be 14 stations from EDSA to San Jose Del Monte.

Reactions

a. Magkano ba ang lagay diyan? Magkano ang overprice? Saan ang bukol?

b. This interesting sentence from a Congress Committee Report: “The LRTA was very confident that it will be able to “close the loop” (LRT-1 and MRT-3) before President Arroyo’s term ends.” Ito ba ang pahabol na pamana ni Arroyo bago siya bumaba sa puwesto? Parang Ortigas flyover ni Cory at Skyway ni Ramos?

c. Why should the common station be directly connected to supermalls? Another manifestation of the power of big business to influence government infrastructure projects. The North EDSA central station will be built in front of a Bus Terminal giving direct access to SM City Sky Garden. The SM Group of Companies is willing to donate PhP200 million for the depot. Baka mas mababa ang offer ng mga Ayala.

d. Separate government entities are supervising the railway projects. There should be a single authority to coordinate the projects and plans of the government. Case in point: The MMDA is complaining that the viaduct structure of the extension line from North Avenue to Monumento is too low to accommodate future constructions of pedestrian footbridges. Hindi pa nga natatapos, nag-aaway na.

e. Ramos “removed” the face of poverty in the country by closing the world-famous Smokey Mountain in Tondo. Arroyo copied this tactic by removing the poor who live near railway tracks. Mukhang wala nang Home along da Riles ngayon. More than 25,000 households living near the Caloocan-Alabang tracks were moved to relocation sites. Almost 7,000 families near the Alabang-Calamba railway were relocated too. Then and now, solving poverty remains the same: transport the poor to faraway places where their filthy, ugly presence cannot be seen by the civilized classes.

f. It took 16 years before a new railway was developed between 1984-2000. Failure of Aquino leadership?

g. Arroyo’s railway projects will further expand Mega Manila. The urban will invade more rural spaces. Metro Luzon is slowly emerging. The western corridor of Luzon is likely to produce the major urban centers of the country. How about the agricultural communities of the eastern part of Luzon? (Cagayan Valley). How do we link them to the urban?

It is no longer Imperial Manila; it is now Imperial Mega Manila. Soon, it will be Imperial Metro Luzon. To be exact, Imperial Western Luzon.

h. The railway lines will connect former military bases which are now business and trading centers: Fort Bonifacio, Clark, Subic, Poro Point. The railways will promote business activities especially the export-import industry in the former military bases. Foreign investors will earn superprofits from the rail projects which may explain their willingness to finance some of the components of the proposed mass transit programs.

i. To decongest the National Capital Region, constructing more railways is not enough. Improving the water-based transport system is also essential. Develop fast ferries. Promote sea travel. Maximize the Laguna Lake to connect Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. Maximize Manila Bay to link Central Luzon, Manila, and Southern Tagalog.

Developing water transport infrastructures is easy and less costly. It will also not affect the country’s food security because it will not invade agricultural spaces in the provinces. But local bureaucrats are more enthusiastic with railway projects maybe because the kickbacks from these investments are bigger.

j. Are there also exisiting railway projects in other regions of the country? What is the status of the Mindanao Railway Project?

k. Railway workers should be allowed to join and form unions. Rallyists from the provinces can ride the trains to participate in mass actions in downtown Manila. Urban-based activists can use the trains to reach the countryside more quickly.

l. The railway projects can be seen too as part of the state offensive to tame the wild and rebellious rural spaces. By conceptualizing the northrail-southrail lines, the state taunts the rural-based left which claims to exert political control in remote towns and communities in the provinces. What will be the response of red cadres from the countryside?

How do we invade the city from the countryside if the city is now in the countryside? Or to be more precise, if some elements of the city are invading the spaces of the countryside, what should be the left’s revolutionary response?

m. The state wants to prove its hegemony over public spaces in Metro Manila by evicting the urban poor dwellers along railway tracks. The state, a la Mussolini, can prove that order prevails in society by making the trains run on time. Through the railways, the ruling class of the state in power can assert that it is the only political entity that can command and facilitate the flow of goods and people in Mega Manila. That it is the political force that can effectively link various urban centers like Metro Manila, Metro Laguna, Metro Cavite, Metro Bulacan. That it is the overlord of Metro Luzon.

The state under Arroyo has developed its political infrastructure through the railways and RoRo. The left, the opposition, and other dissenting forces should develop a proper radical response to the seemingly spatial hegemony of the state.

The state seems to be winning because it has the initiative to dominate and lead spaces and places in Luzon Island. But oppositional forces can steal the momentum of the state and regain initiative in the war of position.

n. The trains can serve the agenda of victorious political forces in the future. During the 1896 revolution, the Manila-Dagupan railway was used by revolutionaries to liberate towns and provinces. Will today’s revolutionaries use the northrail-southrail to liberate the mega city?

Related articles:

Ebolusyon ng Metro Manila
MMDA: Space and resistance
National roads
War and transportation
Imperial Manila

Posted in places | Tagged , | 4 Comments

‘Funeral power’ in the Philippines

By admin | August 17, 2009

“Funeral power” is a potent political phenomenon in the Philippines. Filipinos have long been expressing their political sentiments by attending the funeral marches of celebrated political icons.

In 1983 the funeral march for murdered opposition leader Ninoy Aquino was attended by more than 1 million people. His death was blamed on former Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

It was Aquino’s death that helped to unite the various opposition forces against the Marcos dictatorship. His widow, Cory Aquino, became the country’s president in 1986 through a peaceful People Power uprising.

In December 2004 the country mourned the death of Fernando Poe Jr., the most popular showbiz local actor and defeated presidential candidate. Poe, along with his legions of supporters, accused incumbent President Gloria Arroyo of committing electoral fraud.

Poe’s fans attended the funeral march while chanting anti-government slogans. During the funeral march, the government barricaded the presidential palace with container vans because it feared the angry crowd of mourners would attempt to oust the president.

In May last year, labor leader and party-list lawmaker Crispin Beltran died while trying to fix the roof of his house. Beltran was a consistent critic of the Arroyo government who had been detained for more than a year on trumped-up rebellion charges.

Beltran’s funeral march attracted more than 100,000 mourners, mostly from the organized left. The funeral march became the biggest anti-government protest of the year. It proved that the opposition and the left could still manage to gather this huge number of people in the streets.

Two weeks ago, former President Cory Aquino succumbed to cancer. Aquino is the country’s original democracy icon and People Power symbol. The death of the former beloved president prompted hundreds of thousands of Filipinos to express their love, devotion, and respect not just for Aquino but also for the democratic legacy she left behind.

More than 300,000 people attended Aquino’s funeral march on Aug. 5. Many of them were young people who were not familiar with People Power politics. Aquino’s death inspired the youth to review the history and relevance of People Power in restoring the country’s democratic institutions. People Power is now again part of the political vocabulary in the Philippines.

The most inspired sector today is the so-called “middle forces” in society. They have been motivated by the spontaneous display of affection by ordinary Filipinos for Cory Aquino. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos have been wearing yellow ribbons in honor of the late president. Civil society groups believe the middle forces are ready to launch a new People Power movement.

Groups supportive of a People Power movement have vowed to fight the tyrannical policies and plans of the Arroyo government, which include the controversial Charter Change proposal. Can People Power defeat Arroyo’s plan to stay in power beyond 2010? The answer to this question is a resounding yes.

But the country needs a new People Power. It should not be a mechanical adoption of the People Power formula used in 1986. There is no more Cory Aquino or an activist church hierarchy to lead the people. A new People Power movement should be broad and inclusive. The middle forces should not insist that their tactics and platforms will be acceptable to everybody.

We have seen how the funeral marches of Poe, Beltran, and Aquino became national political events that gathered the biggest number of people in the streets. Imagine an activity that would assemble the core constituencies of these famous political icons. It would definitely be a specter that would haunt the Arroyo government.

Poe commands the loyalty of the poor. Beltran is a respectable icon of the left. Aquino is a former president who is adored by many Filipinos, especially the middle class. The success of the new People Power depends on the coordination of these major political forces.

No more celebrity death is needed to galvanize people into action. What is needed today is the unity of groups that are serious in launching a new People Power revolution.

This new People Power will be used to block the efforts of the administration’s allies, who want to extend the term of President Arroyo. Arroyo is no ordinary enemy. She has proven many times that she is a skillful politician. So far, she has thwarted all initiatives by the political opposition to remove her from power.

She has mobilized the full power and resources of her office to defeat and demonize her enemies. She uses the iron hand of the state to prevent various groups from launching another People Power.

Funeral power is not enough to unseat a president. It can rattle the administration but the latter can still survive as exemplified by the tenacious Arroyo government. But funeral power can metamorphose into a genuine People Power movement. It can inspire people into action; it can sustain a movement for good governance; it can reawaken the flames of democracy.

Through the Cory Aquino funeral march, we have witnessed the latest demonstration of funeral power in the Philippines. Can this movement gather enough momentum to become a stronger political movement that would challenge the supremacy of President Gloria Arroyo?

Related articles:

People Power politics
Conjugal dictators
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Posted in nation | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

You’re Hot!

By admin | August 9, 2009

Before: If you’re hot, you’re popular.
Today: If you’re hot, you’re quarantined.

Because of the swine flu scare, thermal scanners were installed in airports, government buildings, schools, and malls. These scanners measure the body temperature of passengers, students, and workers. If the machine screens a hot body, the unfortunate individual is immediately quarantined since he/she is immediately suspected of possibly carrying a swine flu virus.

A person is usually socially excluded because of the color of his/her skin or his/her physical attributes. Outsiders who don’t have the correct identification cards cannot enter exclusive enclaves. Persons affiliated with dangerous political ideals are barred from accessing various privileged sites in society. Monitoring the body heat of individuals is the latest innovation from the science of crowd control. A human being cannot control his/her body temperature but a person’s body heat is now a basis for reducing the rights of individuals in society. A sick person is treated like a criminal – he/she is forced to be isolated from the community.

Nobody is complaining because measuring a person’s body heat is considered by many as an objective/scientific/medical process. Those who measure body temperature are usually health workers; and the procedure is often done in clinics and hospitals. Today, thermal scanning is quickly becoming an imposed requirement before individuals are allowed to enter a building.

Public safety is invoked to justify thermal scanning. Believing that it will help prevent the spread of the dreaded swine flu virus, many are supportive of this quasi-medical procedure. Measuring body heat is no longer a private act. It is now being done even in public places. It is not supervised by health practitioners but by security personnel. Notice the small thermal scanners which look like laser guns? They are guns without bullets. But they are powerful guns which target the forehead of individuals.

What are the consequences of making thermal scanning a public ritual? It normalizes the invasion of our inner selves, our inner essence, our inner heat. The state and other symbolic authorities have been given the power and the right to gaze the “inside” of our bodies. Thermal scanning is redefining the meaning of privacy. Individuals are now expected to bare open their biological profile for public scrutiny. The state can now use this new strategy of domination to discriminate against individuals who emit too much body heat. Today, Big Brother has developed an acceptable and efficient social experiment of monitoring body heat. What will stop the totalitarian state from mass-producing gadgets that will also screen blood types, skin allergies, vitamin deficiencies, body infections, and other contagious viruses? Machines that measure heartbeats, IQ, EQ, and even sperm counts could be developed in the future.

Thermal scanning could be the initial step in the ultimate aim of allowing only the healthy, able-bodied, supermen/superwomen of the world the right to live and interact in society. The sick, the weak, and other carriers of inferior genes will be deprived of the right to exist and mingle with the rest of the human race.

Public thermal scanning, despite its seemingly innocent mission, legitimizes social exclusion. It is a sophisticated form of social control. It militarizes a medical procedure. It paves the way for a new kind of biological discrimination.

Lesson: Die you sick people.

Related entries:

Intelligent pill
Rights and wrongs

Posted in health | Tagged | 3 Comments

Hamon sa Kabataan: Nobody Nobody But You

By admin | August 7, 2009

Talumpating binigkas sa University of Makati….

Ayon sa mga ulat, umabot sa 300,000 ang mga dumagsa sa lansangan para makiramay sa yumaong Pangulong Cory. Kung ako ang tatanungin, maliit ang bilang na ito. Ang inaasahan ko ay isang milyong katao. Nasaan ang mga tao? Tiyak ako na karamihan ay nanonood ng mga TV,
nakikinig sa radyo. Maraming mga kabataan ang “lumahok” sa funeral march sa pamamagitan ng pagpapadala ng mensahe sa Facebook at Twitter. Marami ang nanood sa livestreaming sa internet. Kung may cell phone at internet noong 1983, sa tingin ninyo isang milyon pa rin ang sasama sa martsa para ihatid si Ninoy sa kanyang libingan?

Dahil sa teknolohiya, gumagaan daw ang ating mga buhay. Napapabilis ang komunikasyon at pagpapalitan ng impormasyon. Nagagamit natin ito sa ating mga aktibidad. Mahalaga sa ating mga organisasyon ang email, skype, blogs, at mga social networking site. Napatunayan natin na hindi lang pang sex scandal at pornograpiya ang internet.

Pero may mga nakakabahala ring epekto ang sobra-sobrang pag-asa sa teknolohiya. Minsan hindi ito nakakatulong para makahikayat ng partisipasyon ng mga kabataan o estudyante sa ating mga aktibidad. Minsan hindi napag-iiba ng mga kabataan ang virtual world sa materyal na mundo. May mga kabataang naniniwala na pwede nilang baguhin ang mundo habang sila ay nasa loob lamang ng bahay, kaharap ang kompyuter.

May gustong lumahok sa pulitika sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa ng mga blog o kaya’y pagpirma sa mga online petition. Marami ang aktibo sa Facebook, marami ang miyembro ng kung anu-anong causes sa internet. Ito ba ang sinasabi nilang aktibismo sa makabagong panahon? Handa ba kayong tumanda tulad ni Lola Techie ng Bayan DSL? Matalino, listo, mapagmahal; pero nag-iisa sa loob ng bahay, naghahanap ng atensiyon, nakaharap sa kompyuter buong araw.

Ang teknolohiya ay kasangkapan lamang para sa ating mga pagbabago. Hindi dapat ito ang lunsaran ng ating mga aktibidad sa lahat ng panahon. Hindi ito ang real; hindi rito nakatira ang masa. Dapat ang mga kabataan aktibo sa paaralan, komunidad, simbahan at maging sa lansangan; hindi lang sa Facebook.

Sa gmail at yahoo messenger, pwede mong i-set ang iyong status sa busy, invinsible, don’t disturb me, will be right back. Ganito rin ba ang ginagawa natin sa ating tunay na buhay? Gusto nating maging invinsible sa harap ng mga samu’t-saring problema sa ating paligid? We are too busy to spend time on social issues?

Hindi ko tatanungin sa inyo kung ilang website ang nabisita ninyo ngayong lingo. Bagkus gusto kong malaman kung ilang pahina ng libro ang nabasa ninyo. Kailan kayo huling bumisita sa library para magresearch o baka naman sa Wikipedia lang kayo kumukuha ng sagot para sa inyong mga homework? Ilan ang mga naging kaibigan ninyo ngayong linggo – hindi sa Friendster at Facebook ha.

Noon, nag-uusap pa ang mga tao sa kalye at byahe. Ngayon wala nang nag-uusap dahil nakatutok ang ating atensiyon sa cell phone, iPod o kaya’y naglalaro tayo ng PSP. Noon nagyayakapan ang magkakaibigan, naghahawakan ng kamay, naghahalikan ang mga tao, nagkakapit-bisig. Ngayon bawal maghawakan ng kamay sa simbahan, bawal ang beso-beso, kadiri hawakan ang kamay ng ibang tao dahil sa swine flu.

Dahil marami tayong nagagawa gamit ang teknolohiya, baka isipin ng marami na ito na lang ang mahalaga, ito ang mapagpasya sa ating mga gawain. Dahil hawak natin sa ating mga kamay ang iba’t ibang impormasyon, tayo ay naaaliw at namamangha sa kapangyarihan na taglay natin. Lumalakas ang ating tiwala sa ating sarili. Kaso, sa aking obserbasyon, kasabay nito ay ang paghina ng ating partisipasyon sa mga kolektibong aksiyon. Kumpetisyon, indibidwal na insiyatiba; hindi na bayanihan. Uso ngayon ang Ako mismo. Me na Me. Myspace. Pero kung ako ang inyong tatanungin, dapat tayo mismo. Sama-sama, kasama ang masa.

Ang sabi nila 7C ang pangarap ng mga kabataan ngayon: career, car, cash, credit card, country club, condominium, citizenship. Nakilumutan nila ang ikawalong C – the Filipino youth also clamor for change.

At para magkaroon ng pagbabago, isarado ang computer, ilagay sa bulsa ang cell phone at ipod, iuwi ang PSP, at sumama sa mga pagkilos sa paaralan, komunidad, simbahan, at maging sa kalye. Ayon sa Wonder Girls, nobody nobody but you. Wala nang iba, wala nang iba, kundi ikaw. Wala nang iba, wala nang iba, kundi tayo.

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Posted in speeches | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Youth agenda and 2010 elections

By admin | August 5, 2009

Talumpating binigkas sa CM Recto Hall, UP Diliman….

Ano ang mga aral na pwedeng makuha natin sa buhay ni President Cory na may kinalaman sa 2010 elections? Una, boluntaryo siyang bumaba sa puwesto noong 1992. Pwede naman niyang tangkain o planuhin kung paano pahahabain pa ang termino niya bilang pangulo ng bansa. Hindi niya ito ginawa. Mas pinili niyang maglinkod sa bayan bilang isang pribadong indibidwal. Dahil dito, naiwasan natin ang kaguluhan; nagkaroon ng maayos na pagpapalit ng kapangyarihan sa bansa. Sana, sana tularan si President Cory ni President Gloria. Sana magkaroon din ng maayos na pagpapalit ng kapangyarihan sa bansa sa susunod na taon.

Noong panahon ni President Cory, mataas ang kredibilidad ng Commission on Election. Mataas ang tiwala ng publiko kina Hilario Davide, Haydee Yorac at Christian Monsod. Ikumpara ninyo sila kay Ben’s Burjer at Hello Garci; ang laking pagkakaiba!

Aktibo ang mga kabataan noong 1986 snap elections. Maraming estudyantye ang nag volunteer para bantayan ang boto ni Cory. Dahil sa sama-samang pagkilos ng mamamayan, kasama ang kabataan, natiyak natin ang panalo ni Cory. Isang aral ito para sa lahat: Kung gusto natin maging matagumpay ang halalan sa 2010, dapat sama-sama rin tayong kumilos para bantayan ang ating boto.

Mahalagang matuloy ang eleksiyon. Tapusin na natin ang MAREMAR na yugto ng ating kasaysayan. Hindi Marimar na palabas; kundi MAREMAR – Marcos, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Macapagal-Arroyo. May pagkakataon tayong pumili ng mga bagong lider sa 2010; mga lider na pwedeng magpatupad ng mga reporma sa pamahalaan. Pwede tayong magsimula ulit. Huwag natin palampasin ang oportunidad na ito. Kung mabigo tayong magkaroon ng pagbabago sa liderato, baka tuluyan nang mawalan ng pag-asa ang ating bansa. Baka lalong humina ang loob ng marami nating kababayan at dumami ang mga aalis ng bansa.

Noong 2001 kayo marahil ay mga elementary student pa lamang. Si President Gloria na ang pangulo noon. Kayo ay naghayskul, nagbinata’t nagdalaga, pumasok sa kolehiyo pero ang lider sa Malakanyang ay si President Gloria pa rin. Ngayong malapit na kayong mag graduate, si Arroyo pa rin ang pangulo. Sana, sana, huwag kayong pumayag na sa inyong pagtanda, sa pagkakaroon ninyo ng trabaho, sa pagbubuo ng sarili ninyong pamilya ay tatawagin ninyo pa ring presidente o prime minister si Arroyo.

Ang una nating tungkulin ay tiyakin na matuloy ang 2010 election. Kaya dapat tutulan natin ang Con-Ass o ChaCha ng Malakanyang. Kausapin ninyo ang inyong mga mambabatas na huwag ituloy ang Con-Ass. Huwag basta-basta maniwala sa Malakanyang na pabor sila sa pagsasantabi ng Con-Ass resolution.

Malaki ang papel ng kabataan sa 2010. Mahigit 40 percent ng botante ay mga kabataan. Mahigit limang milyon ang first time voters. Posibleng idikta ng kabataan ang resulta ng halalan. Pwedeng mangampanya ang mga kabataan para panalunin o talunin ang ilang mga kandidato.

Sabi ng mga PR firm, wala raw youth vote. Hindi raw kasi bumuboto ang mga kabataan. Patunayan nating mali sila. Pero ako ay naniniwala na may youth vote. Sinuportahan ng mga kabataan si Cory noong 1986. Mga kabataan ang bumoto kay Miriam Santiago noong 1992. Naging pangatlo sa halalan si Roco noong 1998 dahil sa mga kabataan. Naging senador sina Chiz Escudero, Alan Cayetano, at Antonio Trillanes dahil tinulungan sila ng mga kabataan. Higit na dadami ang bilang ng mga kabataan sa susunod na taon.

Para mangyari ito, kailangan munang magparehistro ang mga kabataan. Marami pa rin ang hindi rehistrado; akala siguro nila automatic ang pagiging botante. Sa Ilocos Sur, wala pa sa tatlong libo ang mga rehistradong bagong botante samantalang limampung libo ang inaasahan na bagong botante. Sa Misamis Oriental, 40 percent pa lang ng mga bagong botante ang rehistrado. Sana hindi ganito ang sitwasyon sa ibang probinsiya.

Pagkatapos ng registration, kailangang isunod agad ang voters’ education. Bago na ang paraan ng pagboto sa 2010. Kailangang pangunahan ng mga kabataan ang pagpapakalat ng impormasyon hinggil sa bagong proseso ng pagboto. Para hindi masorpresa ang marami sa araw ng halalan, ngayon pa lamang ay ipaliwanag na natin ang tamang paraan ng pagboto.

Bahagi ng voters’ education ang pagbabalangkas ng criteria sa pagpili ng mga susunod na lider ng bansa. Dapat mayroon tayong youth agenda na magiging gabay sa ating pagboto. Interesado tayo sa plataporma ng mga kandidato; hindi sa kanilang kayamanan, infomercial, kasintahan, o porma.

Maganda ba ang kanilang track record? Sila ba ay tunay na oposisyon? Ano ang mga programa nila para sa sektor ng edukasyon? Susuportahan ba nila ang public higher education system? Ano ang tindig nila sa tuition rationalization proposal? Mayroon ba silang hinahaing alternatibong programa para sa ekonomiya; o baka naman “lapida” pa rin ang kanilang itatayo? Lapida – liberalisasyon, pribatisasyon, deregulasyon.

Dapat kayo rin ay magbalankas ng inyong sariling criteria. Pwedeng idagdag ang ating adyenda sa kalikasan, kalusugan, at mabuting pamumuno.

Huwag kalimutang bumoto sa araw ng halalan. Magvolunteer para bantayan ang boto. Kailangan natin ng mga pollwatcher na may kaalaman sa IT.

Sa pamamagitan ng ating sama-samang aksiyon, mayroon tayong pagkakataong baguhin ang maduming sistema ng halalan. Ayaw na natin ng 5G sa halalan – Guns, Goons, Gold, Garci, at Gloria. Dapat hindi na gamitin ang KBL ng mga lokal na kandidato – Kasal, Binyag, Lamay. Gusto natin ng mga makabuluhang proyekto, hindi lang dapat 3B – Basketball Court, Basurahan, at Beauty Contest.

Sa ibang paaralan, ang payo ko sa mga estudyante ay tumakbo sila sa halalan. Dalhin ang kanilang ideyalismo at talento sa loob ng burukrasya. Pero dahil kayo ay mga taga-UP, tiyak ako na marami sa inyo ang magiging pulitiko. Naalala ko tuloy ang pasaring ni Erap noong Edsa Dos. Ang sabi niya, kung babagsak daw ang kanyang administrasyon, dapat bumagsak din daw ang UP kasi karamihan ng kanyang mga Cabinet Secretary ay galing UP.

Kung kayo ay maging kawani ng pamahalaan sa hinaharap, sana’y maging ahente kayo ng pagbabago. Gawin natin ang lahat para labanan ang tukso. Don’t surrender to the dark force. Huwag ninyong gayahin si M__________ na minsang naging aktibista dito sa ating pamantasan ngunit naging kahiya-hiyang trapo nang mapunta sa gobyerno.

Gamitin ninyo ang teknolohiya para sa ating kampanya para sa isang malinis na halalan. Ang cellphone at internet ay hindi lamang para sa mga sex scandal at pornograpiya. Gamitin ang SMS para iulat ang mga kaso ng dayaan at karahasan, tulad ng ginawa ng mga aktibista sa Mexico noong isang buwan. Ang datos mula sa mga pinadalang text ay nilagay sa isang mashup kung kaya’t nakita natin sa mapa ang lawak ng dayaan at karahasan sa halalan.

Marami pang pwedeng gawin sa internet sa pamamagitan ng inyong mga blog, twitter, plurk, at Facebook. Kaso ayokong i-endorso sa lahat ng panahon ang virtual activism. Minsan kasi kuntento na ang marami na kumilos para sa pagbabago sa harap ng kompyuter. Dumarami ang mga kabataang naniniwala na posible ang pagbabago sa pamamagitan ng pagdagdag ng mga advocacy o cause sa kanilang Facebook. Hindi na sila lumalahok sa mga pulitikal na aktibidad dahil pinanonood na lang nila ito sa youtube o kaya’y binabasa na lang sa mga blog o mga tweet sa twitter.

Sa YM pwede kang maging invinsible kahit nandun ka naman. Ganito rin ba ang ginagawa natin sa ating tunay na buhay? Gusto nating maging invinsible sa harap ng mga samu-saring problema sa ating paligid? Huwag nating gayahin si lola techie ng Bayan DSL ad: isang matalino’ aktibong lola pero nilalaan ang oras sa harap ng komyuter. Ito ay isang malungkot na buhay. Celebrate life, not virtual life. Social interaction, hindi virtual interaction. Heal the world, not the cyberworld.

Noon nag-uusap pa ang mga tao sa kalye. Ngayon nakatutok ang ating mga mata sa cellphone habang naglalakad. Noon nagyayakapan ang magkakaibigan, naghahawakan ng kamay, naghahalikan ang mga tao, nagkakapit-bisig. Ngayon bawal maghawakan ng kamay sa simbahan, bawal ang beso-beso, kadiri hawakan ang kamay ng ibang tao dahil sa swine flu.

Kaya eto na ang pag-iisip ng mga tao ngayon: Ako na lang ang bahala sa sarili ko; hindi ko na kailangang magtanong sa ibang tao – hahanapin ko ang sagot sa internet; ako mismo ay gagawa ng kabutihan; ako mismo ang magliligtas sa mundo. Ako, ako, ako. Myspace. me na me – sabi nga ng globe.

Ang sabi nila 7C ang pangarap ng mga kabataan ngayon: career, car, cash, credit card, country club, condominium, citizenship. Nakilumutan nila ang ikawalong C – the Filipino youth also clamor for change.

At para magkaroon ng tunay na pagbabago, kailangan ng sama-samang pagkilos. Tayo mismo ang kikilos para sa pagbabago.

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Posted in speeches | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Online nationalism stirs Southeast Asia

By admin | August 4, 2009

The Internet is increasingly being used by many Southeast Asians for various nationalist campaigns. Even government leaders are maximizing cyberspace to promote unity and patriotism in their countries.

This trend is encouraging since it gives ordinary citizens the chance to express a sense of belonging to their larger communities. However, there are also ultra-nationalist online initiatives which prevent the formation of regional solidarity in Southeast Asia.

Perhaps the most controversial website in Indochina today is ilovethailand.org. This website was created by Thailand’s Prime Minister to uplift the country’s international reputation. The website also aims to unite and inspire Thais, many of whom are already disgruntled with the squabbles between the country’s major political forces. But the website has sparked controversy because it claims that parts of Cambodia are Thailand’s “lost territory.”

Cambodia and Thailand have been disputing the ownership of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple for several decades already. This territorial dispute has led to several violent skirmishes between the border patrols of the two neighboring countries.

Many bloggers have expressed disappointment that the Thai government has chosen to unite the country by provoking conflict with other nations in the region. They believe netizens should not advance this wrong version of nationalism.

As expected, the Cambodian government has filed a diplomatic protest over the creation of this website. It also led to the formation of a pro-Cambodia website: ilovekhmer.org. This website aims to expose the false statements which are allegedly found in ilovethailand.org.

Both websites, ilovethailand.org and ilovekhmer.org, have become very popular web portals in Thailand and Cambodia. While it is positive that the two countries have brought their border dispute into the cyber arena, it is unfortunate that this virtual war has also fueled racist sentiments in the two countries.

The Malaysian prime minister is another leader who has seen the potential of using the Internet to achieve unity in society. Aside from blogging and tweeting his everyday activities, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has launched 1Malaysia.com.my to serve as an “interactive platform” between the leader and his constituents. “1Malaysia: People first, performance now” is the campaign slogan of the prime minister.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy activists in Malaysia have launched their own cyber campaign with the theme “1BlackMalaysia: Democracy first, elections now.” They believe the new leader has undermined the democratic institutions of Malaysia. Early this month, the group set up Facebook and blog pages encouraging Malaysians to create and upload “Where is democracy?” placards in the web.

Indonesia has proven that a national tragedy can unite netizens. Hours after the deadly blasts hit Jakarta last month, Indonesian twitterrers started sending “We’re not afraid” tweets. For several days, the #indonesiaunite hashtag became the most active trending topic on Twitter. Users of Plurk and Facebook changed their avatars by adopting the red and white symbols of Indonesia’s flag. Local bloggers discovered the convenience of using microblogging sites to inspire people to action. Analysts were impressed that apolitical young Indonesians joined other concerned Indonesians in condemning the Jakarta terror attacks.

Filipino plurkers collected donations for Mindanao flood victims through paypal early this year. To show support for the ailing former president of the country, Twitter users added yellow twibbons in their profile pictures. Online petitions against the proposal to amend the country’s 1987 Constitution gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures and supporters, especially on Facebook.

Filipino activists have been successful in launching virtual campaigns that have further damaged the credibility of the incumbent president. A high-ranking government official once noted that the president has lost the media battle in cyberspace.

There is a vigorous campaign and lobby effort to push for more Internet freedom in Vietnam. Web campaigns showing support for Myanmar’s opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi are numerous. Brunei bloggers have organized various fundraising activities for the benefit of sports teams, students and environmental groups.

The cause of nationalism is a popular but controversial theme on the Internet. Politicians and anti-government groups in Southeast Asia have been consistent and persistent in maximizing the Internet to advance nationalistic activities. This web phenomenon is positive in so far as it expands and improves the political participation of ordinary citizens. But it is counter-productive when it produces racism and xenophopia.

It is also distasteful when politicians use the web to hide their misdeeds by launching pseudo-nationalist advocacies. The Internet remains a great tool and platform for sincere individuals and groups to promote serious topics like nationalism. Netizens in the region should not allow bigots and tyrants to bastardize and defeat the radical potential of the worldwide web.

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SONA sa labas ng Batasan

By admin | July 26, 2009

Eto ang hinanda kong talumpati para sa SONA 2009 sa labas ng Batasan.

Magandang tanghali po mga kababayan at mga kasama sa pakikibaka! Halos isang dekada na si Gloria Arroyo sa Malakanyang. Isang dekada na ring nagtitiis at lalong naghirap ang ating bansa. Para po sa aming henerasyon na naging bahagi ng Edsa Dos, ang nakalipas na siyam na taon ay parang bangungot. Bakit ang People Power president ay naging “halimaw sa banga”? Imbes na pagbabago, imbes na kaunlaran, ang nasaksihan natin ay ang kabaligtaran. Kung mayroon mang pagbabago, eto ay ang pagdami ng mga tagong yaman ng First Family; kung mayroon mang pag-unlad, eto ang pag-unlad ng kabuhayan ng mga kroni ni Arroyo.

Isang insulto sa mamamayang Pilipino ang nilulutong con-ass ng Kongreso. Hindi tayo mangmang; huwag nila tayong lokohin. Ang con-ass ay pinasa para sa kapakinabangan ni Arroyo. Walang ibang layunin ang Kongreso kundi bigyan ng legal na batayan ang hangarin ni Arroyo na manatili sa kapangyarihan habambuhay.

Ginagawa ni Arroyo ang lahat para hindi makaalis ng Malakanyang. Bukod sa Cha-Cha, nariyan ang banta ng Martial Law. May mga pangamba na sasadyaing palpak ang poll automation ng Comelec para gamitin sa dayaan o kaya’y magkaroon ng failure of elections sa susunod na taon.

Desperado na si Gloria at ang kanyang mga kasapakat. Para sa kanila, hindi pa sapat ang siyam na taon ng pandarambong at maduming pamamahala.

Pero para sa mamamayang Pilipino, nasaid na ang ating pasensiya. Ngayon ang oras ng paniningil. Isa-isahin natin ang ilang tampok na kasalanan ng rehimeng ito:

Una, higit na nasadlak sa kumunoy ng kahirapan ang masang Pilipino. Tumaas ang bilang ng mga Pilipinong walang trabaho. Dahil sa mga neoliberal na patakaran sa ekonomiya, bumagsak ang maraming maliliit na kumpanya sa bansa. Kaibigan ni Arroyo ang mga dambuhalang negosyo kaya pinayagan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, tubig, kuryente, at LPG. Mas mataas ngayon ang singil sa VAT.

Nananatiling maliit ang suweldo ng mga manggagawa. Patuloy na tinutulak ni Arroyo ang mga kabataan papalabas ng bansa. Walang dangal ang pamahalaang ito; pati ang kanyang mamamayan ay ginagawang export commodity.

Pangalawang tampok na kasalanan ni Arroyo: pandarambong. Plunder. Nariyan ang Jose Pidal account, fertilizer scam, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Jueteng payola, euro generals, nbn-zte, northrail, mega pacific. Tunay nga siyang Reyna ng mga Corrupt. Kung papayagan nating manatili pa sa puwesto si Arroyo, baka dumami pa ang ating listahan.

Pangatlong kasalanan: Paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Nasaan na ang aming mga kaibigang aktibista, tulad nina Karen Empeno at Sherlyn Cadapan? Bakit nasa Kongreso si Jovito Palparan at wala sa kulungan. Si Arroyo ay kaibigan ng mga berdugo, ng mga nagtotorture, ng mga pumapatay at kumikidnap sa mga aktibista, mamamahayag at iba pang kritiko ng pamahalaan. Walang pigil si Arroyo sa paggamit ng kamay na bakal ng estado para patahimikin ang lahat ng kumakalaban sa kanya.

Pang-apat na kasalanan: si Arroyo ay tuta ng imperyalismo. Pinayagan ni Arroyo na gahasain ng mga sundalong Amerikano ang ating dignidad at soberenya. Sinuportahan niya ang gera kontra terorismo ni Bush. Nilagdaan niya ang ilang kasunduan tulad ng JPEPA na lalong nagbukas sa ating ekonomiya sa dayuhang kontrol. Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng Cha-Cha, nais ibenta ni Arroyo ang marami pa nating lupa at likas na yaman.

Para sa aming mga kabataan, si Arroyo ang sinisisi namin kung bakit maraming estudyante ang hindi nakakapag-aral; ang ilan ay nagpapakamatay dahil hindi kayang bayaran ang singil sa mga paaralan. Tumindi ang krisis sa edukasyon dulot ng kakarampot na badyet ng pamahalaan sa edukasyon. Kinasusuklaman ng mga kabataan ang siyam na taong pamumuno ni Arroyo.

Nasilaw na sa kapangyarihan si Arroyo. Akala niya habambuhay na siya sa kanyang nabubulok na trono. Dapat siyang matakot. Dahil hindi magiging payapa ang kanyang buhay. Titiyakin natin na habang wala pa siya sa impiyerno, dito sa mundo ng mga tao sa kulungan natin siya ilalagay.

Lahat ng diktador ay paparusahan. Lahat ng kasamaan ay may hangganan. Ang mga tuta, pasista at corrupt ay makakatikim ng galit ng sambayanan. Gloria, tapos ka na!

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Sona 2001-2009

By admin | July 23, 2009

Talumpating binigkas sa UP Manila…

Siyam na Sona. Walong taon. Marami na bang pagbabago sa bansa? Dahil huling Sona na ni Arroyo ngayong taon, balikan natin ang kanyang mga naging pangako. Ano ang mga di malilimutang eksena sa mga nakalipas na Sona?

Sona 2001 – Katatapos lamang ng People Power II. Mahigit isang oras nagsalita si Arroyo – ito ang kanyang pinakamahabang Sona. Ang kanyang gimik: Mga bata mula sa Payatas na nagpadala ng mga bangkang papel na nakaabot diumano sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang. Nangako si Arroyo na lalabanan niya ang korupsiyon at magpapatayo siya ng paaralan sa bawat barangay.
Sa labas ng Batasan, isang “jack in the box” effigy ang ginawa ng mga rallyista.

Sona 2002 – Dito binanggit ni Arroyo ang kanyang programang Strong Republic. Ang mainit na isyu noon ay ang pagkakadakip sa mag-asawang Burnham ng mga Abu Sayyaf. Kinilala ni Arroyo sa Sona ang mga iba pang biktima ng kidnapping na naligtas ng gobyerno. Sa labas ng Batasan, ang effigy ay isang “Gloria Anay” kasi ang tawag ni Arroyo sa mga kritiko ng pamahalaan ay mga termites. Nagdala kami ng mga flip-flops para paluin ang anay.

Para sa akin, ang Sona 2002 ang pinakamatino sa lahat ng Sona ng pangulo. Kahit paano may vision (Strong Republic), wala masyadong gimik na aksaya sa oras, nagpokus siya sa mga nagawa ng kanyang administrasyon at hindi sa mga proyekto na gagawin o ginagawa pa lamang.

Sona 2003 – May gera ang US sa Iraq, nagrebelde ang mga Magdalo sa Oakwood kaya naman ang tema ng Sona ni Arroyo ay “war against terrorism.” Dito sinimulan ni Arroyo na gamitin ang audience bilang bahagi ng kanyang presentasyon. Bago matapos ang kanyang talumpati ay inisa-isa niya ang ilang mga sikat na Pilipino tulad nina Josette Biyo at siyempre, Manny Pacquaio. Sa labas ng Batasan, isang “Running Glo” ang hinanda ng mga aktibista. Sabi kasi niya hindi siya tatakbo sa halalang 2004 pero walang naniniwala sa kanya noon. At tama nga ang marami, siya nga ay tumakbo sa pagkapresidente.

Noong 2003, ang sabi namin, huling Sona mo na GMA. Kasi nakatakda na siyang bumaba sa puwesto pagkatapos ng ilang buwan. Yung ibang oposisyon naniwala sa kanya. Nagkamali kami. Ngayong 2009 ang sabi natin, huling Sona mo na GMA. Ano sa tingin ninyo? Baka sa susunod na taon, bumalik ako sa UP Manila tapos ang ating paksa ay hindi ang ikasampung-Sona ni President Arroyo; kundi ang unang Sona ni Arroyo bilang Prime Minister.

Sona 2004 – Unang Sona ni Arroyo pagkatapos niyang talunin si Da King (Salamat sa kanyang phonepal na si Hello Garci). Lumaya si Angelo dela Cruz sa Iraq pagkatapos pauwiin ni Arroyo ang mga tropang Pilipino sa Middle East. Kaya naman sabi ni GMA, siya ay kaibigan ng masa. Eto ang sinabi niya: “You have a government – indeed, you have a country – that cares. Your life is held more dearly than international acclaim. And you have a president who is your friend …” Ang kanyang slogan ay Mamamayan Muna pero sa totoo lang nagkamali siya dahil ang talagang gusto niyang sabihin ay Mayayaman Muna.

Sa labas ng Batasan ang effigy ay isang “Gloria mechanical eagle/fighter plane” bilang simbolo ng suporta ni Arroyo sa gera ng US sa Iraq.

Sona 2005 – Pinakamaikling Sona ni Arroyo. Mainit na isyu noon ang Hello Garci at Jueteng payola. Ang buong Sona ay inilaan sa pagkukumbinsi sa Kongreso na suportahan ang Charter Change. Ang daming gimik sa Sona na ito – ang oposisyon namahagi ng peach roses bilang simbolo ng impeachment (eto yung impeachment na talagang seryoso at pwedeng manalo) tapos nagwalk-out sila; ang mga pro-GMA may suot na blue ribbon bilang tanda raw ng kanilang kagustuhan na magkaroon ng kapayapaan; ang suot ni Arroyo ay isang lumang terno na pagmamay-ari ng kanyang ina; pagkatapos magsalita ay bumaba si Arroyo at nilapitan siya ng kanyang anak na si Luli Arroyo (hindi si First Gentleman), magkahawak kamay silang lumabas ng plenary. Bakit si Luli? Kasi siya lang sa mga kamag-anak ni Arroyo ang di pa nasasangkot sa kontrobersiya

Sa labas ng Batasan, ang effigy ay isang “Gloria Kapit Tuko” sa Malakanyang. Malaki ang rali, sa katunayan pinakamalaking Sona rali ito pagkatapos ng 1986.

Sona 2006 – Ang Strong Republic ay pinalitan ng Super Regions, bahagi ito ng Enchanted Kingdom script ng pangulo. Nagawang manatili ni Arroyo sa kapangyarihan kaya nagpasalamat siya sa lahat ng sumuporta sa kanya. Ang dami niyang binati noong Sona, kabilang si Jovito Palparan na nasasangkot noon sa napakaraming kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Kaunti na lamang ang mga sumusuporta kay GMA at lahat sila ay nagkasya sa loob ng Batasan. Kaya naman nakaya niyang batiin ang bawat isa.

Sa labas ng Batasan ang effigy ay isang “Gloria Hitler”. Kinumpara si GMA kay hitler dahil sa pagdami ng bilang ng mga extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, at kaso ng torture sa bansa.

Sona 2007 – Tulad noong 2006, may powerpoint presentation si GMA. Binati na naman niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan sa Kongreso. Parang tourist guide si Arroyo at binida niya ang mga proyekto ng kanyang gobyerno sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa.

Medyo nagyabang si Arroyo dahil ilang beses niyang nabigo ang tangka ng oposisyon na siya ay patalsikin sa puwesto. Kaya sa pagtatapos ng kanyang talumpati, aniya “Inyong lingkod, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas.” Siguro yung speechwriter nanood ng pelikula ni Michael Douglas na The American President, parehong-pareho kasi ang linya.

Sa labas ng Batasan ang effigy ay isang “Gloria Manananggal”. Kapapasa lang noon ng Anti-Terrorism Bill. Ang ating sumbat: si Gloria ay manananggal, manananggal ng karapatang-pantao.

Sona 2008 – Matindi ang kagutuman, may rice crisis. Kaya ang Sona ni Arroyo ay pinaksa ang mga programa ng pamahalaaan sa agrikultura. Wala namang bago. Mga dinoktor na numero, mga proyektong di pa nagagawa, mga pangakong bula lamang. Sa labas ng Batasan ang effigy na ginawa ay pinakamalaki sa lahat: isang papalubog na barko at isang GMA na nakasakay sa eroplano. Bakit ganito ang effigy? Kasi kahit may trahedya noon sa bansa, nakuha pang lumabas ng bansa ni Arroyo.

Sona 2009 – Ano ang mga sasabihin ni Arroyo? Isusulong niya ang Chacha. Ipagmamalaki niya ang ekonomiya (Sino ang niloko niya?). Maaaring sabihin niya na hindi na siya tatakbo ulit (Bumenta na yan!). Babanggitin niyang napalaya na ang mga bihag ng Abu Sayyaf (lagi naming lumalaya ang mga bihag kapag malapit na ang Sona). Tulad ng dati, iisa-isahin na naman niya ang mga kaibigan niya sa Kongreso. Ang malinaw, wala na siyang kredibilidad. Sinayang niya ang walong Sona para patunayan na isa siyang repormistang lider.

Ang Sona ay hindi lang dapat report card ng administrasyon, hindi lamang paglalahad ng plano ng pangulo. Dapat isa itong okasyon para pagkaisahin ang lipunan sa iisang direksiyon, pukawin ang interes ng kabataan sa pamumuno ng bansa, magsilbing insipirasyon sa lahat na lumahok sa proseso ng pagbubuo ng isang progresibong lipunan. Kaso iniba ni Arroyo ang layunin ng Sona. Ginawa niya itong okasyon para pasalamatan at purihin ang mga loyalista ng administrasyon.
Inako ni Arroyo ang lahat ng nagawa ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan. Laging naiipit si Arroyo kasi kahit hindi pa tapos ang isang programa o proyekto ay babanggitin na niya ito sa Sona. Kaya tuloy ang Sona ay kasingkahulugan ngayon ng kasinungalingan.

Ang Sona ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pangulo at ang kanyang mga nagawa o di nagawa. Ito ay patungkol din sa atin. Kaya makatwiran ang mga rali sa labas ng Batasan. May karapatan tayong magpahayag kung ano ang tingin natin sa tunay na kalagayan ng bansa.

Taong 2001 unang Sona ni Arroyo. Noong 2001 kayo marahil ay mga elementary student pa lamang, tama? Kayo ay naghayskul, nagbinata’t nagdalaga, pumasok sa kolehiyo pero ang lider sa Malakanyang ay si Gloria Arroyo pa rin. Ngayong malapit na kayong mag graduate, si Arroyo pa rin ang pangulo. Sana, sana, huwag kayong pumayag na sa inyong pagtanda, sa pagkakaroon ninyo ng trabaho, sa pagbubuo ng sarili ninyong pamilya ay tatawagin ninyo pa ring presidente o prime minister si Arroyo.

Para sa amin na naging bahagi ng Edsa Dos, ang nakalipas na walong taon ay parang bangungot. Bakit ang People Power president ay naging “halimaw sa banga”? Bakit nangyari ang mga hello garci, NBN-ZTE, fertilizer scam, extrajudicial killing?

Taong 2001, People Power ang ating sigaw sa kalye. Taong 2009, People Power ang ating sigaw …sa Facebook. Taong 2001, uso pa ang makipag-usap sa bawat isa, naghahawakan tayo ng kamay, alam natin ang ibig sabihin ng kapit-bisig. Taong 2009, wala nang nag-uusap, nakafacemask na ang lahat, hindi pwedeng maghawakan ng kamay dahil sa swine flu. Kung gusto natin ng pagbabago, isarado ang computer, ilagay sa bulsa ang cell phone, iuwi ang PSP, at sumama sa mga pagkilos sa kalye. Sama-sama, hindi ako mismo, hindi myspace, hindi me na me, kundi tayo mismo.

Kung ako ay tatanungin kung anong imahen ang pinakaakma sa gobyerno ni Arroyo, eto ay ang lumubog na barko ng MV Princess of the Stars. Ganyan ang nangyari sa bansa, lumubog o papalubog sa panahon ni Arroyo. Pero ang imaheng ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa trahedya. Ito ay simbolo ng rebolusyon. Ito ay simbolo rin ng pagbabago.

Sa mga unang pahina ng nobela niyang El Filibusterismo, sinabi ni Rizal na ang kaayusan sa bapor Tabo ay kahalintulad ng kalagayan sa lipunan. Ang ilalim ng bapor ay mga mahihirap at ordinaryong mamamayan. Samantalang ang nasa ibabaw ay mga mayayaman at mga banyaga.

Kung titingnan natin ngayon ang MV Princess of the Stars, ang ibabaw ay nasa ilalim. Ang ilalim ay nasa ibabaw. Sabi nga ng Buklod, na inulit ni Bamboo, baligtarin ang tatsulok. Kadalasan ang mga barko, lumulubog na lamang. Pero ang MV Princess of the Stars ay nag-iwan sa atin ng nakakatakot na imahen. Hindi kaya ito ay isang pangitain ng hinaharap? Na ang lipunan ay lulubog pero mga nasa ilalim ay mapupunta sa ibabaw.

Gusto natin ng pagbabago. Pero walang pagbabagong magaganap kung gagayahin natin si Lola Techie, isang kaawa-awang lola Nag-iisa, malungkot, naghahanap ng atensiyon, aktibo’t matalino pero nilalaan ang oras sa internet.

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Why oppose Con-Ass?

By admin | July 15, 2009
Why oppose Con-Ass?
Speech delivered at the Main Theater of the University of the East-Recto.
Is charter change legal? Yes. Is Con-Ass legal? Yes. So why are we opposing House Resolution 1109 or “A Resolution Calling Upon The Members of Congress to Convene for the Purpose of Considering Proposals to Amend or Revise the Constitution, Upon a Vote of Three-Fourths of All the Members of Congress.”
Here are our reasons:
1. There is no compelling reason to amend the Constitution today. Why the rush to amend the Constitution? Why can’t they wait after the 2010 elections? If we do not dance to the tune of Chacha this year, it will not spell doom for the country. The sky will not fall (we have to remind Chicken Little about that). But if we force Chacha now, it might worsen the political crisis in the country. It might spark political violence. Do we want that to happen?
2. Congress violated the House rules when it adopted HR 1109. This is a Zombie Resolution – ilang beses na itong namatay, binuhay, namatay at binuhay ulit. The principal author withdrew his support for the measure, the resolution was defeated at the committee level, the Committee on Rules initially refused to calendar the measure in the plenary agenda. Five members of Congress sponsored the resolution – all of them contradicted each other in their legal interpretation of the measure.
The period of interpellation was cut-off; the majority prematurely ended the debates on the controversial measure. They railroaded the adoption of HR 1109.
There are other Chacha proposals in the House; 18 measures to be exact. For example, we have House Concurrent Resolution No. 3, House Bill No. 1752, House Bill No. 3149. Notice the difference?
What Congress adopted last June 2 was a simple House Resolution to amend the fundamental law of the land. (Yes, a simple House Resolution!). A House Resolution can be adopted through voice vote – palakasan lang ng boses. Baka ayaw magpakilala ng mga pro Con-Ass.
3. HR 1109 is unconstitutional. We have a bicameral system but the Lower House is determined to convene the Con-Ass even without the participation of the Senate. Samantalang lahat ng batas na ipinapasa sa Mababang Kapulungan, kahit ang national budget, ay kailangang may approval muna ng Senado.
4. HR 1109 allows Congress to overhaul the whole Constitution. There was an interesting moment in the Con-Ass deliberation. Former Speaker Joe De Venecia stood on the floor and objected to the passage of HR 1109. It was somewhat hilarious because for the past 17 years he was the principal advocate of Chacha. Why did he oppose HR 1109? Ang sabi niya yung Chacha na sinusulong niya noon ay malinaw kung ano ang nakasaad na probisyon sa Konstitusyon ang gusto nilang baguhin – shift from presidential to parliamentary and federal system of government. Samantalang ang HR 1109 ay walang kongkretong panukala. Very general, vague, silent. This is dangerous.
Tama si former speaker. Through HR 1109, Congress has the power to amend not one, not two, but several provisions in the Constitution. We can change almost all provisions in the 1987 Constitution. Kaya sana, pag-uwi ninyo mamaya, basahin ninyo ang Konstitusyon, lalo na yung declaration of principles. Baka sa susunod na buwan, iba na ang nilalaman ng Konstitusyon.
Congress can remove provisions guaranteeing human rights protection. The 1987 Constitution is a product of the anti-dictatorship struggle. There are preventive measures against the re-imposition of a Marcos-type of Martial Law. Congress can remove these safety measures.
Congress may insert amendments that would allow the entry of nuclear-powered warships in the country. The ban on foreign military bases can be removed. Eto kaya ang pag-uusapan nina PGMA at Obama sa July 31?
Congress will remove the nationalist economic provisions in the constitution. Under the 1987 Constitution, the State is obliged to develop a “self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.”(Article II Sec 19) Foreigners cannot own lands. Congress wants to remove these ownership restrictions.
Kailangan ba talagang alisin ang mga probisyong ito para maging globally competitive ang bansa? Hindi. Ang reklamo ng mga investor ay corruption in the bureacracy, poor public infrastructure, and high power rates.
Why do we want foreigners to own lands, corporations, schools, and media stations in the country? In the US, the government is nationalizing banks and companies. The stimulus program of the Obama government contains several trade protectionist measures. In light of the global financial crisis, many countries, including rich countries like the US are rethinking their economic programs. Tapos tayo atat na ata na ibenta ang ating mga lupa, yamang likas, at mga korporasyon. It’s sell-out, it’s treason, it’s anti-Filipino, it’s anti-poor.
The next issue is familiar to everyone. Congress will remove the term limits for elected public officials. Congress will make it possible for PGMA to remain in power beyond 2010, either through term extension or shift in system of government. Next year, she might be Prime Minister Gloria (Magtatagal) Arroyo. This is possible. Google Vladimir Putin.
Ang sabi ng majority mayroon naman daw silang pledge na nilagay sa HR 1109. Pledge na matutuloy ang eleksiyon sa susunod na taon. Pledge na hindi pahahabain ang termino ng mga nakaupong pulitiko ngayon. Tama sila. Buti during the period of interpellation, we asked them if the pledge is legally binding for all members of the House. Their emphatic answer was no.
There are other credible theories: Chacha could be a ploy to sabotage the preparation for the 2010 elections. Chacha could lead to a no-el scenario. Chacha could be part of an evil plan to justify the declaration of Martial Law.
Pick your conspiracy theory. But one thing is clear. Any talk on Chacha – whether concon, con-ass or people’s initative – will only benefit the incumbent president. Why is Senator Nene Pimentel, a proponent of federalism since the 1980s, vehemently opposing HR 1109? Nakipagbati pa siya sa kanyang kaaway na si Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Alam kasi niya na sinusulong ang Chacha para sa mga makasariling dahilan ng mga maka-administrasyon.
Maybe some of you are in favor of amending the Constitution. There is nothing wrong with that. I respect your views. Do not surrender your advocacy. But my request is this: Do not support HR 1109. Do not lend your reputation, your idealism to advance the self-serving motives of pro Chacha advocates in Congress and Malacanang. Now is not the proper time to dance the Chacha.
What should we do?
There was a Chacha proposal during the Ramos administration in 1997. Bakit ba mahilig mag Chacha ang mga pulitiko kapag malapit nang magtapos ang kanilang termino? Paano natalo ang Chacha ni Ramos? Nagrali ang mahigit isang milyong katao sa Luneta. The opposition, including the Catholic Church, joined forces during that historic protest. Ang tanong, kailan tayo pupunta ng Luneta?
You need to convince your legislators to publicly reject Con-Ass. We need to gather the broadest number of protesters in the streets. Kailangang may clamor against Con-Ass. Kailangang marinig ang boses ng kabataan. Hindi sapat ang facebook activism, blogging at paggamit ng twitter. Maraming mambabatas hindi bumibista sa cyberspace. Marami sa kanila hindi alam ang blog. You need to directly engage them. Write them letters, organize local actions.
Kailangan ng sakripisyo. Kung kinakailangang huwag munang umuwi sa hapon para mag noise barrage, gawin natin. Huwag munang manood ng Boys Over Flowers. Sa Baguio, tuwing 11:09 ng umaga, pumipito ang maraming estudyante bilang tanda ng kanilang protesta laban sa HR 1109. Malapit lang kayo sa Malakanyang. Kailangang paabutin hanggang palasyo ang inyong  sentimyento sa Chacha.
I recognize the difficulty of organizing assemblies today. Swine flu is a serious threat to the formation of a broad opposition to Chacha. Paano tayo magpapalawak sa mga eskuwelahan kung palaging suspended ang mga klase? Paano tayo magkakapait bisig sa kalye kung sa simbahan pa nga lamang ay pinagbabawal minsan ang paghahawak ng kamay tuwing kinakanta ang Ama Namin? Paano tayo magpapaliwanag tungkol sa Chacha kung lagi tayong naka facemask sa mga matataong lugar. We have to explain to our family and friends that the Con-Ass virus is more dangerous than swine flu. Madaling umiwas sa swine flu: ang katapat lang niyan ay vitamin c, pahinga at virgin coconut oil. Pero ang Con-Ass kapag tinuloy ay mas malaking peligro ang dulot sa sambayanan.
Mayroon pa akong pakiusap: Magtanong sa mga nakakatanda. Magbasa ng mga history book. Alamin kung ano ang Martial Law. Paano ba ang buhay noon habang may batas militar? Walang student council, walang campus paper, walang student organizations. Kung may internet noon, baka naka block ang youtube at friendster. Noong bata kami bawal ang Voltes V. Sinasabi ko ito dahil may kaugnayan ang Chacha at Martial Law. Pareho itong nakaamba ngayon. Pareho itong pwedeng gawin ng administrasyong Arroyo.
In the early 1970s, they said Marcos wouldn’t dare declare martial law. Eventually, he did. Now, many are asserting that Gloria Arroyo wouldn’t dare remain in power beyond 2010. Are we sure about that?
There is another option for everyone. Do nothing. Remain kings and queens in your ako mismo world. But the price that we have to pay for our inaction is the loss of our power to decide our future.
I am confident that students and teachers of UE will be among the most active opponents of the Chacha proposal. I hope to see you one of these days in the noise barrage actions, youth protest activities, and even outside the Batasan Complex during the SONASpeech delivered at the Main Theater of the University of the East-Recto. Speech delivered at the Main Theater of the University of the East-Speech delivered at the Main Theater of the University of the East-Recto.Recto.

Speech delivered at the Main Theater of the University of the East-Recto.

Is charter change legal? Yes. Is Con-Ass legal? Yes. So why are we opposing House Resolution 1109 or “A Resolution Calling Upon The Members of Congress to Convene for the Purpose of Considering Proposals to Amend or Revise the Constitution, Upon a Vote of Three-Fourths of All the Members of Congress.”

Here are our reasons:

1. There is no compelling reason to amend the Constitution today. Why the rush to amend the Constitution? Why can’t they wait after the 2010 elections? If we do not dance to the tune of Chacha this year, it will not spell doom for the country. The sky will not fall (we have to remind Chicken Little about that). But if we force Chacha now, it might worsen the political crisis in the country. It might spark political violence. Do we want that to happen?

2. Congress violated the House rules when it adopted HR 1109. This is a Zombie Resolution – ilang beses na itong namatay, binuhay, namatay at binuhay ulit. The principal author withdrew his support for the measure, the resolution was defeated at the committee level, the Committee on Rules initially refused to calendar the measure in the plenary agenda. Five members of Congress sponsored the resolution – all of them contradicted each other in their legal interpretation of the measure.

The period of interpellation was cut-off; the majority prematurely ended the debates on the controversial measure. They railroaded the adoption of HR 1109.

There are other Chacha proposals in the House; 18 measures to be exact. For example, we have House Concurrent Resolution No. 3, House Bill No. 1752, House Bill No. 3149. Notice the difference?

What Congress adopted last June 2 was a simple House Resolution to amend the fundamental law of the land. (Yes, a simple House Resolution!). A House Resolution can be adopted through voice vote – palakasan lang ng boses. Baka ayaw magpakilala ng mga pro Con-Ass.

3. HR 1109 is unconstitutional. We have a bicameral system but the Lower House is determined to convene the Con-Ass even without the participation of the Senate. Samantalang lahat ng batas na ipinapasa sa Mababang Kapulungan, kahit ang national budget, ay kailangang may approval muna ng Senado.

4. HR 1109 allows Congress to overhaul the whole Constitution. There was an interesting moment in the Con-Ass deliberation. Former Speaker Joe De Venecia stood on the floor and objected to the passage of HR 1109. It was somewhat hilarious because for the past 17 years he was the principal advocate of Chacha. Why did he oppose HR 1109? Ang sabi niya yung Chacha na sinusulong niya noon ay malinaw kung ano ang nakasaad na probisyon sa Konstitusyon ang gusto nilang baguhin – shift from presidential to parliamentary and federal system of government. Samantalang ang HR 1109 ay walang kongkretong panukala. Very general, vague, silent. This is dangerous.

Tama si former speaker. Through HR 1109, Congress has the power to amend not one, not two, but several provisions in the Constitution. We can change almost all provisions in the 1987 Constitution. Kaya sana, pag-uwi ninyo mamaya, basahin ninyo ang Konstitusyon, lalo na yung declaration of principles. Baka sa susunod na buwan, iba na ang nilalaman ng Konstitusyon.

Congress can remove provisions guaranteeing human rights protection. The 1987 Constitution is a product of the anti-dictatorship struggle. There are preventive measures against the re-imposition of a Marcos-type of Martial Law. Congress can remove these safety measures.

Congress may insert amendments that would allow the entry of nuclear-powered warships in the country. The ban on foreign military bases can be removed. Eto kaya ang pag-uusapan nina PGMA at Obama sa July 31?

Congress will remove the nationalist economic provisions in the constitution. Under the 1987 Constitution, the State is obliged to develop a “self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.”(Article II Sec 19) Foreigners cannot own lands. Congress wants to remove these ownership restrictions.

Kailangan ba talagang alisin ang mga probisyong ito para maging globally competitive ang bansa? Hindi. Ang reklamo ng mga investor ay corruption in the bureacracy, poor public infrastructure, and high power rates.

Why do we want foreigners to own lands, corporations, schools, and media stations in the country? In the US, the government is nationalizing banks and companies. The stimulus program of the Obama government contains several trade protectionist measures. In light of the global financial crisis, many countries, including rich countries like the US are rethinking their economic programs. Tapos tayo atat na ata na ibenta ang ating mga lupa, yamang likas, at mga korporasyon. It’s sell-out, it’s treason, it’s anti-Filipino, it’s anti-poor.

The next issue is familiar to everyone. Congress will remove the term limits for elected public officials. Congress will make it possible for PGMA to remain in power beyond 2010, either through term extension or shift in system of government. Next year, she might be Prime Minister Gloria (Magtatagal) Arroyo. This is possible. Google Vladimir Putin.

Ang sabi ng majority mayroon naman daw silang pledge na nilagay sa HR 1109. Pledge na matutuloy ang eleksiyon sa susunod na taon. Pledge na hindi pahahabain ang termino ng mga nakaupong pulitiko ngayon. Tama sila. Buti during the period of interpellation, we asked them if the pledge is legally binding for all members of the House. Their emphatic answer was no.

There are other credible theories: Chacha could be a ploy to sabotage the preparation for the 2010 elections. Chacha could lead to a no-el scenario. Chacha could be part of an evil plan to justify the declaration of Martial Law.

Pick your conspiracy theory. But one thing is clear. Any talk on Chacha – whether concon, con-ass or people’s initative – will only benefit the incumbent president. Why is Senator Nene Pimentel, a proponent of federalism since the 1980s, vehemently opposing HR 1109? Nakipagbati pa siya sa kanyang kaaway na si Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Alam kasi niya na sinusulong ang Chacha para sa mga makasariling dahilan ng mga maka-administrasyon.

Maybe some of you are in favor of amending the Constitution. There is nothing wrong with that. I respect your views. Do not surrender your advocacy. But my request is this: Do not support HR 1109. Do not lend your reputation, your idealism to advance the self-serving motives of pro Chacha advocates in Congress and Malacanang. Now is not the proper time to dance the Chacha.

What should we do?

There was a Chacha proposal during the Ramos administration in 1997. Bakit ba mahilig mag Chacha ang mga pulitiko kapag malapit nang magtapos ang kanilang termino? Paano natalo ang Chacha ni Ramos? Nagrali ang mahigit isang milyong katao sa Luneta. The opposition, including the Catholic Church, joined forces during that historic protest. Ang tanong, kailan tayo pupunta ng Luneta?

You need to convince your legislators to publicly reject Con-Ass. We need to gather the broadest number of protesters in the streets. Kailangang may clamor against Con-Ass. Kailangang marinig ang boses ng kabataan. Hindi sapat ang facebook activism, blogging at paggamit ng twitter. Maraming mambabatas hindi bumibista sa cyberspace. Marami sa kanila hindi alam ang blog. You need to directly engage them. Write them letters, organize local actions.

Kailangan ng sakripisyo. Kung kinakailangang huwag munang umuwi sa hapon para mag noise barrage, gawin natin. Huwag munang manood ng Boys Over Flowers. Sa Baguio, tuwing 11:09 ng umaga, pumipito ang maraming estudyante bilang tanda ng kanilang protesta laban sa HR 1109. Malapit lang kayo sa Malakanyang. Kailangang paabutin hanggang palasyo ang inyong  sentimyento sa Chacha.

I recognize the difficulty of organizing assemblies today. Swine flu is a serious threat to the formation of a broad opposition to Chacha. Paano tayo magpapalawak sa mga eskuwelahan kung palaging suspended ang mga klase? Paano tayo magkakapait bisig sa kalye kung sa simbahan pa nga lamang ay pinagbabawal minsan ang paghahawak ng kamay tuwing kinakanta ang Ama Namin? Paano tayo magpapaliwanag tungkol sa Chacha kung lagi tayong naka facemask sa mga matataong lugar. We have to explain to our family and friends that the Con-Ass virus is more dangerous than swine flu. Madaling umiwas sa swine flu: ang katapat lang niyan ay vitamin c, pahinga at virgin coconut oil. Pero ang Con-Ass kapag tinuloy ay mas malaking peligro ang dulot sa sambayanan.

Mayroon pa akong pakiusap: Magtanong sa mga nakakatanda. Magbasa ng mga history book. Alamin kung ano ang Martial Law. Paano ba ang buhay noon habang may batas militar? Walang student council, walang campus paper, walang student organizations. Kung may internet noon, baka naka block ang youtube at friendster. Noong bata kami bawal ang Voltes V. Sinasabi ko ito dahil may kaugnayan ang Chacha at Martial Law. Pareho itong nakaamba ngayon. Pareho itong pwedeng gawin ng administrasyong Arroyo.

In the early 1970s, they said Marcos wouldn’t dare declare martial law. Eventually, he did. Now, many are asserting that Gloria Arroyo wouldn’t dare remain in power beyond 2010. Are we sure about that?

There is another option for everyone. Do nothing. Remain kings and queens in your ako mismo world. But the price that we have to pay for our inaction is the loss of our power to decide our future.

I am confident that students and teachers of UE will be among the most active opponents of the Chacha proposal. I hope to see you one of these days in the noise barrage actions, youth protest activities, and even outside the Batasan Complex during the SONA.

Posted in speeches | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Dim prospects for Philippine BPO sector

By admin | July 14, 2009
Dim prospects for Philippine BPO sector
The Philippines’ business process outsourcing sector has been a major contributor to the country’s economy in terms of revenues and job generation. There are more than 600 BPO companies operating in the Philippines which employ almost 400,000 young workers. Last year, the industry generated US$6.1 billion in revenues.
The local BPO sector aims to create 100,000 new jobs this year. It plans to raise US$12 billion in revenues. The government is also confident that the industry will be able to employ one million Filipinos next year.
These optimistic targets may have to be revised in light of the global financial crisis. Since 65 percent of BPO services in the Philippines is exported to the United States, the government should take into account the worsening economic situation in that country. As consumer spending continues to decline in the developed world, various U.S. companies struggling with reduced profits might postpone or cancel plans to outsource some of their business activities.
There are already negative indicators which reflect the many challenges confronting the local BPO industry. For instance, annual BPO investments, which have been rising since 2002, declined for the first time last year as reported by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
A major real estate broker complained of decreasing demand for office units from BPO firms. Last year the demand for BPO office space dropped from 250,000 units to 140,000 units. This weaker demand for office space in Metro Manila’s central business district affected rental rates which declined to 30 percent from 35 percent last year.
Lower BPO investment may also be attributed to the failure of the Philippines to retain its appeal as an ideal BPO investment site. While the Philippines remains one of the best locations for BPO investment in the world, it has been surpassed by neighboring countries in terms of offering a better business environment, financial attractiveness, and availability of skilled workers. The Philippines fared lower than Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia in the 2009 A.T. Kearney Global Services Location Index.
Investors are complaining that electricity rates in the Philippines are now the highest in Asia, even higher than Japan’s. High incidences of corruption and bribery also affect the business climate in the country. The Philippines ranked poorly in the 2008 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International.
Doing business in the country is more difficult compared to other countries in the region. It takes about 58 days to start a business in the Philippines as compared to only 33 days in Thailand, 24 days in Malaysia, and 50 days in Vietnam. It takes at least 177 days to apply for a business license in the Philippines as compared to only 102 days in
Singapore.
Despite the overall positive impact of the BPO sector to the economy, the Asian Development Bank has discovered that the BPO industry “has low intersectoral linkages or has little interaction with the rest of the (Philippine) economy.” Since most of the output of BPO firms is exported to other countries, the bank notes that the BPO industry “is not a major factor in stimulating production in other sectors of the economy.”
This author is undecided whether to cheer or sneer the report that the Philippines continues to attract BPO investment, because it offers one of the lowest compensation costs in the world. The same report reveals that office rental rates, Internet and broadband costs are also more affordable in the country.
Should we celebrate the fact that Filipino BPO workers are among the lowest paid in the world? Should we identify this as an indicator of the country’s improving performance in the global competitiveness index? Or should we instead assert that the low compensation of Filipino BPO workers is a form of labor exploitation?
Evaluating the prospects of the local BPO sector should include the concrete impact of the global financial crisis in the country. This is crucial to determine the extent of education and business reforms needed to attract more BPO investments. Implementing too many adjustments in the country’s educational and labor laws to address the manpower needs of BPO firms may not be needed anymore if the BPO sector is expected to face a slump this year.
The BPO sector may be a consistent provider of jobs and revenues but it should be ready to accept that prospects for the industry may not be as rosy in the past years.
Related articles:
Call center: Boon or bane?
Hello Philippines: Call Center Industry
The Philippines’ business process outsourcing sector has been a major contributor to the country’s economy in terms of revenues and job generation. There are more than 600 BPO companies operating in the Philippines which employ almost 400,000 young workers. Last year, the industry generated US$6.1 billion in revenues.
The local BPO sector aims to create 100,000 new jobs this year. It plans to raise US$12 billion in revenues. The government is also confident that the industry will be able to employ one million Filipinos next year.
These optimistic targets may have to be revised in light of the global financial crisis. Since 65 percent of BPO services in the Philippines is exported to the United States, the government should take into account the worsening economic situation in that country. As consumer spending continues to decline in the developed world, various U.S. companies struggling with reduced profits might postpone or cancel plans to outsource some of their business activities.
There are already negative indicators which reflect the many challenges confronting the local BPO industry. For instance, annual BPO investments, which have been rising since 2002, declined for the first time last year as reported by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
A major real estate broker complained of decreasing demand for office units from BPO firms. Last year the demand for BPO office space dropped from 250,000 units to 140,000 units. This weaker demand for office space in Metro Manila’s central business district affected rental rates which declined to 30 percent from 35 percent last year.
Lower BPO investment may also be attributed to the failure of the Philippines to retain its appeal as an ideal BPO investment site. While the Philippines remains one of the best locations for BPO investment in the world, it has been surpassed by neighboring countries in terms of offering a better business environment, financial attractiveness, and availability of skilled workers. The Philippines fared lower than Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia in the 2009 A.T. Kearney Global Services Location Index.
Investors are complaining that electricity rates in the Philippines are now the highest in Asia, even higher than Japan’s. High incidences of corruption and bribery also affect the business climate in the country. The Philippines ranked poorly in the 2008 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International.
Doing business in the country is more difficult compared to other countries in the region. It takes about 58 days to start a business in the Philippines as compared to only 33 days in Thailand, 24 days in Malaysia, and 50 days in Vietnam. It takes at least 177 days to apply for a business license in the Philippines as compared to only 102 days in Singapore.
Despite the overall positive impact of the BPO sector to the economy, the Asian Development Bank has discovered that the BPO industry “has low intersectoral linkages or has little interaction with the rest of the (Philippine) economy.” Since most of the output of BPO firms is exported to other countries, the bank notes that the BPO industry “is not a major factor in stimulating production in other sectors of the economy.”
This author is undecided whether to cheer or sneer the report that the Philippines continues to attract BPO investment, because it offers one of the lowest compensation costs in the world. The same report reveals that office rental rates, Internet and broadband costs are also more affordable in the country.
Should we celebrate the fact that Filipino BPO workers are among the lowest paid in the world? Should we identify this as an indicator of the country’s improving performance in the global competitiveness index? Or should we instead assert that the low compensation of Filipino BPO workers is a form of labor exploitation?
Evaluating the prospects of the local BPO sector should include the concrete impact of the global financial crisis in the country. This is crucial to determine the extent of education and business reforms needed to attract more BPO investments. Implementing too many adjustments in the country’s educational and labor laws to address the manpower needs of BPO firms may not be needed anymore if the BPO sector is expected to face a slump this year.
The BPO sector may be a consistent provider of jobs and revenues but it should be ready to accept that prospects for the industry may not be as rosy in the past years.
Related articles:
Posted in economy | Tagged , | 2 Comments