Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
Fire Destroys 25 Houses
The biggest fire damage recorded this year!
Some 25 houses were burned at Purok Santan, Brgy. Taclobo, Dumaguete City yesterday after an electrical wire sparked and landed on a wall made of amakan.
Authorities’ Side
According to Chief Investigator SFO2 Lyndon Patrocinio of the City Fire Investigation and Intelligence Division, the fire started at 1:10 in the afternoon at the amakan walling in the house of Melito Narciso. He said that 21 houses were totally burned and another four houses were partially burned when fire-out was finally declared by the fire marshals at 4:15 in the afternoon. Patrocinio affirmed that nobody was hurt during the incident.
Fire Arson Investigator Hercel Vidal reported that May Martinez, a resident of Purok Santan whose house was not affected by the fire, informed their office about the incident. He said that they arrived 30 minutes after the call and were not able to respond quickly to the fire because the area was very congested and had only few road entrances for the fire trucks.
Vidal continued that majority of the houses were made of light materials that cause the fast widespread of fire. He said that an estimated damage of P1.2 million was taken away by the fire. Vidal said that this was the biggest fire case recorded as of October this year.
Patrocinio commented that the affected residents did not seek help immediately to them which is why the fire outburst was extensive. He then suggested that next time there would be a fire, residents concerned should first contact them before trying to nurse the situation before it aggravates.
Also, Vidal recommended that residents should have lectures and trainings on what to do during fire accidents and organize a fire brigade to primarily control the fire while help is still on the way.
Residents’ Grieves
Maricel Esmero, 20, a resident of Purok Santan expressed her worries now that they do not have shelter anymore. “I just don’t know if someone called the fire station,” Esmero said.
Esmero narrated that they were watching the television show “Wowowee” when one of her neighbors shouted “sunog” that forced them to vacate their house. She said they were able to save handy things to carry and some clothes but had to leave their furniture because the fire was fast coming in to their house.
Also an affected resident of the fire, Vilma Catina, 50, sobbed in despair as she watched her house slowly turned into ashes. She complained that fire fighters were already skipping their house and went to the lesser affected houses when her house is still burning. Catina said that lots of fire cases in Dumaguete City ends up outsized because of the lack of water. She disclosed that she does not know what to do anymore now that their only foundation is gone with the wind.
Residents’ Comments following the Aftermath
Givanna Panlobasan, 34, an affected resident of the incident still cannot believe that they had lost their home when fire struck their barangay. “It’s like, we also lost our future because we don’t know what to do or where to start now that everything was taken away from us by the fire,” Panlobasan said. She shared that for four days, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) had temporarily provided them with food and other relief goods.
Amado Panlobasan, husband of Givanna who is a construction worker inferred that it would be difficult for them to start over again especially that his income is just enough to attend to the needs of his family. He said he was disappointed with the burglars who instead of helping them robbed the remains of his burned house.
Amado mentioned that they only rented the lot and the owner who is a court judge had already fenced his owned area−a sign that he does not want people to reside in the land again.
Luz Lacson, 42, a sales lady of Partosa Department Store said that she was not there when the incident occurred. She got worried because her husband who was a contractor was also at work and only her aged mother with her two young children was left in the house that day. She felt lucky that no one in her family was hurt but was feeling upset that her newly built house that was still under construction was destroyed by the fire.
As of press time, the LGU is still agreeing as to where the victims of the fire accident would be relocated. Also, residents are still waiting and hoping that the land owner would still consider them to construct new houses in the lot and continue residing in the same area they had live.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
Motorists Oppose the Use of Helmets
Motorcycle users expressed their intense disagreement against the implementation of the use of protective devices such as goggles, leather boots, and other protective clothing especially the use of helmets at all times when driving.
Several motorists in Dumaguete City planned a signature campaign to stop the new ordinance that is yet to be implemented mainly concerning the use of helmets permanently.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who introduced the ordinance to the congress adopted the regulation from the United Nations Vienna Convention for Road and Traffic of 1968.
Written under Executive Order No. 292 otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987 and the United Nations Vienna Convention for Road and Traffic of 1968 in accordance with Department of Order No. 93-963 states one of the rules which quotes, “Protective devices shall include helmet, goggles, leather boots, and protective clothing such as heavy pants, heavy jackets, leather gloves and rain suit.
Though it is still agreed in congress and has not been fully approved yet, motorists showed discontentment to the ordinance.
Motorists’ Points of View
Emmanuel Aguilar, 22, a motorcycle user for more than four years said he doesn’t like that this ordinance be implemented for it is not really a necessary thing to do here in the Philippines. Aguilar explained that this ordinance was practiced in United States of America (USA) because if they do not use helmet and other protective devices, their government will be held liable for their safety which is why it is a must in their place. He continued that, unlike in the USA whatever happens to the motorists, the Philippine government does not pay for them that is why he strongly disagrees.
Also, Aguilar said that the penalty for failure to comply the ordinance is worth thousands which he thinks is a big amount for a faux pas.
Algie Abuda, 33, a motorist for almost 10 years said it would be a big waste of time and money if they would practice this ordinance for they had to buy helmets and wear appropriate clothes which for him are great interruptions and discomforts in their part. “Wouldn’t it be dire if I will only buy a piece of shampoo and had to be all dressed-up and wear a bulky helmet just to follow the ordinance?,” asked Abuda.
Aside from this, Abuda pointed out that helmets could be a great risk of accidents during rush hours in busy highways or at downtown because you may not be able to see people from the sides or behind you due to the helmet. Abuda then suggested that the ordinance should clarify their rule that it will only be done when traveling in distant places.
Reynante Torres, 39, a “Habal-Habal” driver for six years said that the ordinance could be a big hassle and disruption in their job if all his passengers would have to wear helmets and the appropriate attire just so they can go home to their remote villages. Torres feared that there is a tendency that they might lose their only means of living if this ordinance will be realized.
Authorities’ Side
Traffic Operations and Control Director Danillo Atillo of the Traffic Management Office (TMO) commented that he personally is also not in favor of the said ordinance.
Atillo finds the ordinance inconsistent and inapplicable in the city. He expounded that the roads here in Dumaguete City are compressed and smaller compared to bigger highways wherein you really need suit and head gears.
Also, Atillo said that Philippines is expected to commonly use motorcycles because it is the most affordable and accessible means of transportation compared to the Americans who seldom use motorcycles, only cars. “That is why they wear helmets while riding on a motorbike because it is what they are used to and they don’t often use two wheels that is why they wear head gears not like us who are already used to it,” Atillo said.
Atillo added that since Dumaguete City is the motorcycle capital of the province, the fines for not following the ordinance should only be in a smaller amount. He shared that the city and municipality mayors will file a motion of disapproval for the ordinance and another complain against the Department of Communication and Transportation (DOTC) for overprizing the tariff of motorcycle penalties.
Moreover, Atillo said that the operation of helmet usage of Sibulan District is considered illegal since the ordinance is still in the congress and is not yet considered an authorized law.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) hesitated to give comments.
As of press time, they are still waiting for the results on the status of the ordinance to the city.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
US Peace Corps Integrates with NORSU
Some three US Peace Corps volunteers will be staying in Negros Oriental Sate University (NORSU) for a practicum in co-teaching and co-planning for an actual English training in the classroom.
The volunteers— Sydney Alexia Merz, Daniel Greenland and Sally R. Porter— will be staying from the last week of August until the early part of October.
According to Dr. Rosemarie Pinili, assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Science (CAS) and head of the English Department, the three volunteers will be paired with some of the English teachers here in NORSU. She added that they are expected to co-plan with their English teacher counterpart every Monday, and co-teach in the classroom for the rest of the week.
According to www.wikepedia.com, the Peace Corps is an independent United States federal agency. The Peace Corps was established by Executive Order 10924 on March 1, 1961, and authorized by Congress on September 22, 1961, with passage of the Peace Corps Act (Public Law 87-293). The Peace Corps Act declares the purpose of the Peace Corps to, “promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower.”
Since 1960, more than 190,000 people have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries.
One of the Peace Corps volunteers, Sally R. Porter, aged 80 years old from Texas said being a Peace Corps volunteer is what she had wanted to do all her life. However, because of some uncontrollable circumstances, she was not able to do it earlier.
Porter said that though this is her first time to be a Peace Corps volunteer, she said that she loves it already. She also shared that she is expecting to meet lots of different people and mingle with them.
Also a Peace Corps volunteer, Sydney Alexia Merz from Nebraska said that she is very excited to teach NORSU students and to know different Filipino practices and everything about Philippines for it would be a new experience for her. She stated that the goal of Peace Corps is not for them to come in and take over but it is to work together and learn from each other.
Merz shared that for two years and four months, Peace Corps has gave her a fulfilling experience starting from Armenia where she was first assigned that she decided to continue volunteering until here in the Philippines.
In continuation, Pinili said that apart from the academic activity, they will also be involved in community program like in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) - Literacy Training Service (LTS).
Pinili added that one of these three will be staying here in NORSU for the next two years and will be starting to teach by the second semester of school year 2008-2009. She said that they won’t be the one to choose who will stay, but the US Peace Corps Philippines.
She also explained that in the two years that they will be staying in the university, they will be catering to the needs of College of Education (CED). Pinili explained that as future teachers they should be exposed to a native speaker in English language since the medium of communication in most subjects is actually English.
As of press time, they are still undergoing three-month training, studying the Filipino culture and learning the dialect.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
iTax Gives Promising Results to Negrenses
After its successful implementation among 11 cities and municipalities, Integrated Tax (iTax) once more continues to its second round with another five new Local Government Unit (LGU) entries.
As written in the Gesellschaft Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Fiscal Decentralization Project manual, iTax is a computerized tax collection system for Local Government Units (LGUs). It was first developed in Tanzania and used in a national level while it is only being used in local level when it was introduced in the Philippines by the German Development Corporation.
In addition, it is software, designed to customize the local functions of the LGU in every city or municipality. iTax turns the manual process into a fast, computerized method with automated data evaluation and computation.
In their first attempt to decentralize the use of the iTax system, 11 pilot LGUs adopted the system that include the cities of Dumaguete and Bayawan City and the municipalities of Zamboanguita, Valencia, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, Manjuyod, Bindoy and Mabinay. Following batch will be Vallehermoso, Basay, Dauin, Bais, Bacong, Canlaon, Sta. Cantalina and Tanjay City.
GTZ Program Officer Mary Margaret Kirit said that their company provides free training, software and the technicians but the LGU has to secure their own equipments and manpower to operate the system.
Kirit said that only Siaton in the South and five other LGUs are not responding to the program yet. However, she said that their company will give full attention in implementing the iTax in the entire Negros.
Dumaguete City Chief Floresita Pada in the Land Tax Division of the Treasurer’s Office said that iTax for her is a big help to them because now, their work becomes faster and easier. Pada continued that it is not like before that they had to do it manually which she considers a very tedious job.
However, Pada also stressed out that sometimes, the computer hangs and malfunctions which at times, stop their operation temporarily. But, she said that they always have a written backup copy incase the said situation happens.
A devout tax payer, Dr. Felimon Flores who is a retired surgeon at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) showed his appreciation for the new and high technological system of collecting taxes in the city. He said that the iTax is more convenient because with it, the transaction becomes more efficient and faster.
Flores shared that now; he does not have to wait long hours but just minutes to pay his taxes. He also commented that the primary setback of new technology is that not all can learned it easily just like him who, according to him, is not a computer savvy.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
Religious Groups Say “NO” to RH Bill
Group of Religious Organizations, Government Officials and other Academic Institution showed their discontent to the new RH Bill in the form of a prayer rally at Quezon Park, Dumaguete City.
Congressman Edcel Lagman who is a member of the United Nations was the main proponent of this newly proposed regulation.
What it is about
As written under the Republic Health (RH) Bill #5043, it is to promote sex education for the children and adolescents, empowering them with “informed choice” and sexual rights.
The Section 10 of the RH Bill states that contraceptives are considered to be an essential medicine.
The Section 12 of the RH Bill states that children starting from fifth grade in the elementary until fourth year in high school should be fully informed about sexual matters.
Furthermore, Section 21 of the RH Bill mandates that any person who will violate this law incurs a punishment of up to P50, 000 worth of fines or an imprisonment of up to six months or both.
Religious Groups’ Response
The Diocese of Dumaguete City conducted a signature campaign to strongly oppose the said bill. Stated in the campaign is that the poor need real medicines and not contraceptives. Also, it quoted, “we hereby register our strongest opposition to this bill and say NO to state coercion…”
During the rally Vicar General Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing responded that it is too early to wake the sexual faculties of the child. Tulabing shared that there is no need for contraceptives to become an essential medicine. He asked and quoted, “When you say medicine, it is to cure an illness but pregnancy is not an illness so why should they consider contraceptives as a medicine at all?”
Academic Department’s Comments
West City Elementary School Principal Rosalina Lacorte said that they should only end up in teaching the students about their reproductive organs. She feared that students might initiate pre-marital sex due to curiosity that could result to unwanted pregnancies.
However, several students from the Negros Oriental High School (NOHS) defended that they should be given the rights to explore their sexual life since the world today is already practical.
Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Vice President Victoria Dinopol suggested that all educators should study the bill carefully and understand the dangers that it could bring to many.
Government’s Reply
City Mayor Augustin Perdices is in favor with the religious groups’ stand to resist the implementation of the RH Bill. “I call upon my constituents in Dumaguete to adopt the natural mean of family planning in order to show the strength of our Christian faith,” Perdices disclosed.
Congressman George Arnaiz of the second district in Negros Oriental and Congressman Orlando Fua assured the Catholic Church that they will not sign the bill.
On the contrary, Congressman Henry Pryde Teves of the third district had signed the bill but is willing to withdraw if his revisions towards the bill will not be honored in House of Representatives.
Furthermore, Congresswoman Josielyn Limkaichong of the first district stressed that she too, will not sign if her revisions on the bill will not be approved.-AMGA
Advance News Writing
Fire Destroys 25 Houses
The biggest fire damage recorded this year!
Some 25 houses were burned at Purok Santan, Brgy. Taclobo, Dumaguete City yesterday after an electrical wire sparked and landed on a wall made of amakan.
Authorities’ Side
According to Chief Investigator SFO2 Lyndon Patrocinio of the City Fire Investigation and Intelligence Division, the fire started at 1:10 in the afternoon at the amakan walling in the house of Melito Narciso. He said that 21 houses were totally burned and another four houses were partially burned when fire-out was finally declared by the fire marshals at 4:15 in the afternoon. Patrocinio affirmed that nobody was hurt during the incident.
Fire Arson Investigator Hercel Vidal reported that May Martinez, a resident of Purok Santan whose house was not affected by the fire, informed their office about the incident. He said that they arrived 30 minutes after the call and were not able to respond quickly to the fire because the area was very congested and had only few road entrances for the fire trucks.
Vidal continued that majority of the houses were made of light materials that cause the fast widespread of fire. He said that an estimated damage of P1.2 million was taken away by the fire. Vidal said that this was the biggest fire case recorded as of October this year.
Patrocinio commented that the affected residents did not seek help immediately to them which is why the fire outburst was extensive. He then suggested that next time there would be a fire, residents concerned should first contact them before trying to nurse the situation before it aggravates.
Also, Vidal recommended that residents should have lectures and trainings on what to do during fire accidents and organize a fire brigade to primarily control the fire while help is still on the way.
Residents’ Grieves
Maricel Esmero, 20, a resident of Purok Santan expressed her worries now that they do not have shelter anymore. “I just don’t know if someone called the fire station,” Esmero said.
Esmero narrated that they were watching the television show “Wowowee” when one of her neighbors shouted “sunog” that forced them to vacate their house. She said they were able to save handy things to carry and some clothes but had to leave their furniture because the fire was fast coming in to their house.
Also an affected resident of the fire, Vilma Catina, 50, sobbed in despair as she watched her house slowly turned into ashes. She complained that fire fighters were already skipping their house and went to the lesser affected houses when her house is still burning. Catina said that lots of fire cases in Dumaguete City ends up outsized because of the lack of water. She disclosed that she does not know what to do anymore now that their only foundation is gone with the wind.
Residents’ Comments following the Aftermath
Givanna Panlobasan, 34, an affected resident of the incident still cannot believe that they had lost their home when fire struck their barangay. “It’s like, we also lost our future because we don’t know what to do or where to start now that everything was taken away from us by the fire,” Panlobasan said. She shared that for four days, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) had temporarily provided them with food and other relief goods.
Amado Panlobasan, husband of Givanna who is a construction worker inferred that it would be difficult for them to start over again especially that his income is just enough to attend to the needs of his family. He said he was disappointed with the burglars who instead of helping them robbed the remains of his burned house.
Amado mentioned that they only rented the lot and the owner who is a court judge had already fenced his owned area−a sign that he does not want people to reside in the land again.
Luz Lacson, 42, a sales lady of Partosa Department Store said that she was not there when the incident occurred. She got worried because her husband who was a contractor was also at work and only her aged mother with her two young children was left in the house that day. She felt lucky that no one in her family was hurt but was feeling upset that her newly built house that was still under construction was destroyed by the fire.
As of press time, the LGU is still agreeing as to where the victims of the fire accident would be relocated. Also, residents are still waiting and hoping that the land owner would still consider them to construct new houses in the lot and continue residing in the same area they had live.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
Motorists Oppose the Use of Helmets
Motorcycle users expressed their intense disagreement against the implementation of the use of protective devices such as goggles, leather boots, and other protective clothing especially the use of helmets at all times when driving.
Several motorists in Dumaguete City planned a signature campaign to stop the new ordinance that is yet to be implemented mainly concerning the use of helmets permanently.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who introduced the ordinance to the congress adopted the regulation from the United Nations Vienna Convention for Road and Traffic of 1968.
Written under Executive Order No. 292 otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987 and the United Nations Vienna Convention for Road and Traffic of 1968 in accordance with Department of Order No. 93-963 states one of the rules which quotes, “Protective devices shall include helmet, goggles, leather boots, and protective clothing such as heavy pants, heavy jackets, leather gloves and rain suit.
Though it is still agreed in congress and has not been fully approved yet, motorists showed discontentment to the ordinance.
Motorists’ Points of View
Emmanuel Aguilar, 22, a motorcycle user for more than four years said he doesn’t like that this ordinance be implemented for it is not really a necessary thing to do here in the Philippines. Aguilar explained that this ordinance was practiced in United States of America (USA) because if they do not use helmet and other protective devices, their government will be held liable for their safety which is why it is a must in their place. He continued that, unlike in the USA whatever happens to the motorists, the Philippine government does not pay for them that is why he strongly disagrees.
Also, Aguilar said that the penalty for failure to comply the ordinance is worth thousands which he thinks is a big amount for a faux pas.
Algie Abuda, 33, a motorist for almost 10 years said it would be a big waste of time and money if they would practice this ordinance for they had to buy helmets and wear appropriate clothes which for him are great interruptions and discomforts in their part. “Wouldn’t it be dire if I will only buy a piece of shampoo and had to be all dressed-up and wear a bulky helmet just to follow the ordinance?,” asked Abuda.
Aside from this, Abuda pointed out that helmets could be a great risk of accidents during rush hours in busy highways or at downtown because you may not be able to see people from the sides or behind you due to the helmet. Abuda then suggested that the ordinance should clarify their rule that it will only be done when traveling in distant places.
Reynante Torres, 39, a “Habal-Habal” driver for six years said that the ordinance could be a big hassle and disruption in their job if all his passengers would have to wear helmets and the appropriate attire just so they can go home to their remote villages. Torres feared that there is a tendency that they might lose their only means of living if this ordinance will be realized.
Authorities’ Side
Traffic Operations and Control Director Danillo Atillo of the Traffic Management Office (TMO) commented that he personally is also not in favor of the said ordinance.
Atillo finds the ordinance inconsistent and inapplicable in the city. He expounded that the roads here in Dumaguete City are compressed and smaller compared to bigger highways wherein you really need suit and head gears.
Also, Atillo said that Philippines is expected to commonly use motorcycles because it is the most affordable and accessible means of transportation compared to the Americans who seldom use motorcycles, only cars. “That is why they wear helmets while riding on a motorbike because it is what they are used to and they don’t often use two wheels that is why they wear head gears not like us who are already used to it,” Atillo said.
Atillo added that since Dumaguete City is the motorcycle capital of the province, the fines for not following the ordinance should only be in a smaller amount. He shared that the city and municipality mayors will file a motion of disapproval for the ordinance and another complain against the Department of Communication and Transportation (DOTC) for overprizing the tariff of motorcycle penalties.
Moreover, Atillo said that the operation of helmet usage of Sibulan District is considered illegal since the ordinance is still in the congress and is not yet considered an authorized law.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) hesitated to give comments.
As of press time, they are still waiting for the results on the status of the ordinance to the city.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
US Peace Corps Integrates with NORSU
Some three US Peace Corps volunteers will be staying in Negros Oriental Sate University (NORSU) for a practicum in co-teaching and co-planning for an actual English training in the classroom.
The volunteers— Sydney Alexia Merz, Daniel Greenland and Sally R. Porter— will be staying from the last week of August until the early part of October.
According to Dr. Rosemarie Pinili, assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Science (CAS) and head of the English Department, the three volunteers will be paired with some of the English teachers here in NORSU. She added that they are expected to co-plan with their English teacher counterpart every Monday, and co-teach in the classroom for the rest of the week.
According to www.wikepedia.com, the Peace Corps is an independent United States federal agency. The Peace Corps was established by Executive Order 10924 on March 1, 1961, and authorized by Congress on September 22, 1961, with passage of the Peace Corps Act (Public Law 87-293). The Peace Corps Act declares the purpose of the Peace Corps to, “promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower.”
Since 1960, more than 190,000 people have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries.
One of the Peace Corps volunteers, Sally R. Porter, aged 80 years old from Texas said being a Peace Corps volunteer is what she had wanted to do all her life. However, because of some uncontrollable circumstances, she was not able to do it earlier.
Porter said that though this is her first time to be a Peace Corps volunteer, she said that she loves it already. She also shared that she is expecting to meet lots of different people and mingle with them.
Also a Peace Corps volunteer, Sydney Alexia Merz from Nebraska said that she is very excited to teach NORSU students and to know different Filipino practices and everything about Philippines for it would be a new experience for her. She stated that the goal of Peace Corps is not for them to come in and take over but it is to work together and learn from each other.
Merz shared that for two years and four months, Peace Corps has gave her a fulfilling experience starting from Armenia where she was first assigned that she decided to continue volunteering until here in the Philippines.
In continuation, Pinili said that apart from the academic activity, they will also be involved in community program like in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) - Literacy Training Service (LTS).
Pinili added that one of these three will be staying here in NORSU for the next two years and will be starting to teach by the second semester of school year 2008-2009. She said that they won’t be the one to choose who will stay, but the US Peace Corps Philippines.
She also explained that in the two years that they will be staying in the university, they will be catering to the needs of College of Education (CED). Pinili explained that as future teachers they should be exposed to a native speaker in English language since the medium of communication in most subjects is actually English.
As of press time, they are still undergoing three-month training, studying the Filipino culture and learning the dialect.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
iTax Gives Promising Results to Negrenses
After its successful implementation among 11 cities and municipalities, Integrated Tax (iTax) once more continues to its second round with another five new Local Government Unit (LGU) entries.
As written in the Gesellschaft Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) Fiscal Decentralization Project manual, iTax is a computerized tax collection system for Local Government Units (LGUs). It was first developed in Tanzania and used in a national level while it is only being used in local level when it was introduced in the Philippines by the German Development Corporation.
In addition, it is software, designed to customize the local functions of the LGU in every city or municipality. iTax turns the manual process into a fast, computerized method with automated data evaluation and computation.
In their first attempt to decentralize the use of the iTax system, 11 pilot LGUs adopted the system that include the cities of Dumaguete and Bayawan City and the municipalities of Zamboanguita, Valencia, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, Manjuyod, Bindoy and Mabinay. Following batch will be Vallehermoso, Basay, Dauin, Bais, Bacong, Canlaon, Sta. Cantalina and Tanjay City.
GTZ Program Officer Mary Margaret Kirit said that their company provides free training, software and the technicians but the LGU has to secure their own equipments and manpower to operate the system.
Kirit said that only Siaton in the South and five other LGUs are not responding to the program yet. However, she said that their company will give full attention in implementing the iTax in the entire Negros.
Dumaguete City Chief Floresita Pada in the Land Tax Division of the Treasurer’s Office said that iTax for her is a big help to them because now, their work becomes faster and easier. Pada continued that it is not like before that they had to do it manually which she considers a very tedious job.
However, Pada also stressed out that sometimes, the computer hangs and malfunctions which at times, stop their operation temporarily. But, she said that they always have a written backup copy incase the said situation happens.
A devout tax payer, Dr. Felimon Flores who is a retired surgeon at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) showed his appreciation for the new and high technological system of collecting taxes in the city. He said that the iTax is more convenient because with it, the transaction becomes more efficient and faster.
Flores shared that now; he does not have to wait long hours but just minutes to pay his taxes. He also commented that the primary setback of new technology is that not all can learned it easily just like him who, according to him, is not a computer savvy.-AMGA
Ameurfina Mitchtiaquem G. Aguilar
Advance News Writing
Religious Groups Say “NO” to RH Bill
Group of Religious Organizations, Government Officials and other Academic Institution showed their discontent to the new RH Bill in the form of a prayer rally at Quezon Park, Dumaguete City.
Congressman Edcel Lagman who is a member of the United Nations was the main proponent of this newly proposed regulation.
What it is about
As written under the Republic Health (RH) Bill #5043, it is to promote sex education for the children and adolescents, empowering them with “informed choice” and sexual rights.
The Section 10 of the RH Bill states that contraceptives are considered to be an essential medicine.
The Section 12 of the RH Bill states that children starting from fifth grade in the elementary until fourth year in high school should be fully informed about sexual matters.
Furthermore, Section 21 of the RH Bill mandates that any person who will violate this law incurs a punishment of up to P50, 000 worth of fines or an imprisonment of up to six months or both.
Religious Groups’ Response
The Diocese of Dumaguete City conducted a signature campaign to strongly oppose the said bill. Stated in the campaign is that the poor need real medicines and not contraceptives. Also, it quoted, “we hereby register our strongest opposition to this bill and say NO to state coercion…”
During the rally Vicar General Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing responded that it is too early to wake the sexual faculties of the child. Tulabing shared that there is no need for contraceptives to become an essential medicine. He asked and quoted, “When you say medicine, it is to cure an illness but pregnancy is not an illness so why should they consider contraceptives as a medicine at all?”
Academic Department’s Comments
West City Elementary School Principal Rosalina Lacorte said that they should only end up in teaching the students about their reproductive organs. She feared that students might initiate pre-marital sex due to curiosity that could result to unwanted pregnancies.
However, several students from the Negros Oriental High School (NOHS) defended that they should be given the rights to explore their sexual life since the world today is already practical.
Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Vice President Victoria Dinopol suggested that all educators should study the bill carefully and understand the dangers that it could bring to many.
Government’s Reply
City Mayor Augustin Perdices is in favor with the religious groups’ stand to resist the implementation of the RH Bill. “I call upon my constituents in Dumaguete to adopt the natural mean of family planning in order to show the strength of our Christian faith,” Perdices disclosed.
Congressman George Arnaiz of the second district in Negros Oriental and Congressman Orlando Fua assured the Catholic Church that they will not sign the bill.
On the contrary, Congressman Henry Pryde Teves of the third district had signed the bill but is willing to withdraw if his revisions towards the bill will not be honored in House of Representatives.
Furthermore, Congresswoman Josielyn Limkaichong of the first district stressed that she too, will not sign if her revisions on the bill will not be approved.-AMGA
Forgot to put a title... This is my old comprehensive news articles...
ReplyDelete