More than 300 tertiary schools to hike tuition in June — Page 3

Philippine CollegianOpisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman8 Marso 2012Taon 89, Blg. 29

Return Terminal CasesDelfin Mercado

Third World spectacleKultura Pahina 8

Digging deeper into the mining debateFeatures Page 6-7

Paunang hamon Editoryal Pahina 2

Dibuho nina Ysa Calinawan at RD Aliposa

At one point in our lives, we hope, we wish for something to return. A fleeting moment, a memorable

night out, a valuable device. Or a person.When we yearn for things, or people, to

return, what we really want is to turn back time, to relive a particular moment, to stop the clock and relish with delight a wonderful memory. But when things do return, when relished moments happen again, we do not simply relive the moment – we create new memories, and subsequently, albeit unintentionally, we rewrite the past.

The concept of reoccurrence, of return, is perhaps just wishful thinking. There are many opportunities that only open once, many events that cannot be repeated, many things that cannot be fixed or replaced, and people whose return are impossible.

And the implausibility of return oftentimes closes our minds to the possibility of the impossible; not letting us see that there remains a fraction of a chance for reappearance. Once deemed impossible, the practicality of the situation overwhelms us, and convinces us to simply shrug off all remaining possibilities and move on.

Such state of mind is the cause of surprise, or in graver instances, shock. For if things we deemed impossible would happen, if people who we thought we lost would reappear, our minds cannot readily accept such incident, for it challenges facts that we have already established in our systems and breaks down the truth that we have learned to accept and believe in for so long.

That’s how I felt when you returned. You were like the early monsoon rains, an unbelievable occurrence in the sweltering tropical summer. You returned. Out of nowhere, without prior notice.

“Hello,” you greeted, in your usual uncanny self, with your wide grin spanning the width of your weather-stained face – a face that I have long yearned for. For a moment, I was not able to talk. Is this real, I asked myself. You kept on grinning.

It has been exactly a year and a half since I last saw you, in the dark streets of Manila, after watching a film in one of the rundown movie houses in the inner city. After that, you disappeared. No goodbyes, and not even a single piece of information since that day.

For some months, I tried searching. But I failed to find any clues leading to you. By the fourth month, I gave up. And I let you slide into the back of my head, along with all the renegade nights we spent together.

And now, out of nowhere, here you stand, recounting to me all the bizarre adventures you have had this past year. I cannot concentrate on what you were saying, as your chapped lips and your distinct new accent confused me.

“And what do you do now?” you asked.“I write a column,” I said. And you fell silent.In that silence, I realized what was wrong.

You cannot just return for you have no room in my life anymore. Or so I think. I gave out a loud sigh and told you I have a bus to catch.

Be careful what you wish for, I said to myself, as I walked past you, and past the lamppost that cast an eerie yellow glow to your sunburnt skin. ●

LADIES’ CONFESSIONS9 Kultura

2 • Kulê Opinyon Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

Paunang hamon QUOTED

Editoryal

My goodness! The symbol of UP is standing there, naked. If I were the oblation, I will immediately throw away my fig leaf.—Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, criticizing the result and conduct of UP Paralegal Society’s survey on the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, ph.news.yahoo.com, March 1

HOHOL o Hangout-Hangout Lang.—Glaiza de Castro, actress, when asked to describe the current status of her love life, pep.ph, March 2

I want to have cybercrime laws, and prevent cyber bullying.—Christopher Lao, UP Law graduate and November 2011 bar exam passer who experienced cyber bullying after a release of a television report featuring him complaining, March 1

Ako ay na-amuse.—Chief Justice Renato Corona, recounting his reaction upon reading a viral e-mail that accuses him of keeping ‘another’ family in the United States, March 7

Luigi Almuena

Philippine Collegian www.philippinecollegian.orgPunong Patnugot Marjohara S. Tucay Kapatnugot Richard Jacob N. Dy Tagapamahalang Patnugot Dianne Marah E. Sayaman Panauhing Patnugot Glenn L. Diaz,

Larissa Mae R. Suarez Patnugot sa Balita Victor Gregor U. Limon Patnugot sa Lathalain Mila Ana Estrella S. Polinar Patnugot sa Grapiks Chris Martin T. Imperial, Ruth

Danielle R. Aliposa Mga kawani Ma. Katherine H. Elona, Kevin Mark R. Gomez, Marianne F. Rios, Ma. Victoria M. Almazan, Ysa V. Calinawan, Keith Richard D. Mariano

Pinansiya Amelyn J. Daga Tagapamahala sa Sirkulasyon Paul John Alix Sirkulasyon Gary Gabales, Amelito Jaena, Glenario Ommamalin Mga Katuwang na Kawani

Trinidad Gabales, Gina Villas Pamuhatan Silid 401 Bulwagang Vinzons, Unibersidad ng Plipinas Diliman, Lungsod Quezon Telefax 981-8500 lokal 4522 Email kule1112@

gmail.com Website philippinecollegian.org Kasapi Solidaridad: UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations, College Editors Guild of

the Philippines

Hindi tumitigil sa pagbilang ng balota ang saklaw at lawig ng pagpili.

Noong Marso 1, higit 11 libong estudyante ng UP Diliman ang bumoto at pumili ng mga kandidatong uupo sa susunod na University Student Council (USC). Sa proklamasyon ng mga nagwagi, kasabay na ipinagbunyi ng buong bansa ang pagkapanalo ng kauna-unahang transgender, ang estudyante ng MS Applied Mathematics at kasalukuyang USC councilor na si Gabriel “Heart” Diño, bilang tagapangulo ng USC. Marami ang nagsasabing hudyat ito ng nagbabagong pagtingin sa komunidad ng mga lesbian, gay, bisexual, at transgender (LGBT), at isang pagkilala sa kakayanan ng nasabing sektor na mamuno.

Ngunit hindi nararapat ikulong sa usapin ng kasarian ang mandato ng susunod na konseho. Gayong hindi maikakailang isang malaking hakbang pasulong sa laban ng LGBT ang pagkakapili kay Diño, nararapat alalahaning ang pakikipagtunggali sa diskriminasyon ay maraming mukha ng iisang kaaway, at hindi maihihiwalay ang isang laban mula sa iba pang mga sektor na iginapos sa laylayan. Sa huli, magkakatagni ang mga suliraning kinahaharap ng lipunan.

Sa paglipas ng halalan, panahon na upang harapin ng mga nanalong kandidato ang tungkuling kalakip ng puwestong kanilang napagwagian. Sa palugit na panahon bago magsimula ang kanilang pormal na panunungkulan, marapat balikan ng mga bagong lider-estudyante ang makasaysayang papel ng USC sa paghubog ng kamalayan ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan at walang paumanhing pagtataguyod sa mga batayang karapatan, hindi lamang ng mga mag-aaral kundi maging ng sambayanang ating ginagalawan.

Sapagkat marka ng isang mahusay na lider ang pagkakaroon ng malalim na pagkaunawa sa

kasaysayan ng institusyong kanyang pamumunuan, at ang pagpapatuloy ng tradisyon ng radikal na pagbalikwas na muli’t muling tinanganan ng mga nagdaang konseho.

At sa ganitong layon, lalong tumitining ang kahingiang tanganan ng susunod na konseho ang mga atas ng mapanghamong panahon. Ngayon pa lamang, muli nang nagbabadya ang kakulangan sa pondong ilalaan ng pamahalaan

para sa 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) sa

taong 2013. Samantalang mahigit P45 bilyon ang taunang pangangailangan ng lahat ng SUCs sa bansa,

nakasaad sa National Budget Memorandum No.

113 na inilabas ng Department of Budget and Management na hanggang P30 bilyon lamang ang ilalaan ng gobyerno para sa SUCs sa 2013.

Nararapat pagtuunan ng pansin ng susunod na konseho ang usapin sa badyet, lalo’t higit para sa maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) o pondong pantustos sa iba’t ibang bayarin gaya ng tubig, kuryente at seguridad sa kampus. Sa Diliman, bagaman

aabot ng mahigit P600 milyon ang taunang pangangailangan sa MOOE, P98 milyon lamang dito ang pinupunan ng gobyerno, at ang natitirang halaga ay ipinauubaya na lamang sa panloob na kita ng pamantasan.

Gayundin, nararapat na maging katuwang ng administrasyon ang USC sa paglalatag ng mga solusyon hinggil sa mga perenyal na suliranin ng pamantasan, tulad na lamang ng seguridad sa kampus, ang pagrerepaso sa Student Code at Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program, at ang patuloy na pagbubukas ng mga lupa ng pamantasan sa pribadong interes.

Nararapat ding paigtingin ng susunod na konseho ang aktibong partisipasyon sa mga mahahalagang isyung kinahaharap ng bansa – ang tunggalian sa pagitan ng ehekutibo at hudikatura, ang nagpapatuloy na panawagan sa nakabubuhay na sahod, tunay na reporma sa lupa, at iba pang laban ng iba’t ibang mga sektor.

Hamon ring maituturing sa susunod na konseho ang halos pantay na pagkakahati ng mga puwesto sa tatlong pangunahing partidong pulitikal sa Diliman: 13 puwesto ang napagwagian ng

Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran; at tig-sampung puwesto naman ang napagwagian ng mga partidong KAISA—Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan sa UP at Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP.

Hindi nararapat maging sagka ang ganitong komposisyon ng konseho sa paggampan nito sa kanyang tungkulin; bagkus, nararapat magsilbing hamon sa mga lider-estudyante na sa muli’t muli ay umalpas sa kanilang pagkakaiba at magkaisa tungo sa makabuluhang paglilingkod sa UP at sambayanan. Samantalang hindi kailanman nararapat isantabi ang mga prinsipyo’t paniniwala, nararapat namang igpawan ng bawat kasapi ng konseho ang mga personal na away at iringan.

Sapagkat nakaukit na sa kasaysayan ang mahalagang gampanin ng USC hindi lamang sa mga isyung pangkampus, kundi maging sa sambayanan, nararapat maging matatag ang USC sa mga paninindigan nito at huwag bigyan ng puwang, sa anumang saglit, ang kompromiso. ●

3 • Kulê Balita Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

Keith Richard D. Mariano

More than 300 out of the 2,247 higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the country have proposed to hike tuition and other fees next academic year, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Among the HEIs which plan to increase tuition rates include state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The CAR Association of SUCs (CARASUC) proposed to increase tuition rates in the region to P100 per unit next academic year. A succeeding annual 20 percent increase was also proposed until tuition rate in CAR is fixed at P300 per unit.

“It is [the] vision of CAR SUCs to provide quality education to its constituents. However, the realization of this vision is facing a dilemma because of the continuing decrease in the maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOE) subsidy and no appropriation for capital outlay (CO) for SUCs from the national government,” read the rationale of CARASUC’s proposal.

Private HEIs which reportedly include the University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, and Lyceum of the Philippines University are also planning to increase tuition rates.

CHEd has yet to approve these proposed tuition hikes in April. For the current school year, the commission approved an average of P36.93 per unit or 10.62 percent tuition increase in 324 HEIs.

In the last 10 years, meanwhile, the national average rate of tuition and other fees has already doubled, according to Kabataan Party-list.

“We can see from these proposals [to hike tuition] the desperation of the measures forwarded by the school

More than 300 tertiary schools to hike tuition in June

DESTRUCTIVE ACT. Members of indigenous communities along with militant environmental groups call for the junking of the Mining Act of 1995 in a protest action at Mendiola, Manila on March 3. The groups also condemned the Aquino government for encouraging large mining operations that cause serious damages to the environment and the people’s health. Richard Jacob Dy

administrators in order to save the deteriorating quality of education in SUCs and to address the lack of subsidy that should be provided for by the national government,” according to progressive group Anakbayan in a primer on the proposed tuition increase in CAR.

For this year, the government allocated P22.41 billion to 112 SUCs, which is only half the P45.8 billion total budget needed by SUCs. Of the approved budget, P18.9 billion was allocated for personal services or for the salaries of faculty and other employees and almost P3 billion for MOOE. For the third consecutive year, no budget was allocated for CO, or the funds needed for the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings.

Revised CHEd guidelinesThe increasing cost of education

has led to higher dropout rates and inaccessibility of tertiary education among Filipinos, said Kabataan Party-list Representative Raymond Palatino.

In every 10 students who graduate from high school, only two would pursue college while in every 10 students who enter college, only two would graduate, based on data from CHEd.

The current rules in increasing tuition stipulated in the 1998 CHEd Memorandum Order (CMO) number 13 only require HEIs to justify proposed increases in tuition and to submit pertinent documents showing that students have been consulted.

“In the past ten years, tuition and other fees increased without any strict regulation. It is high time that we put an end to this trend by installing regulatory guidelines that put premium on democratic consultation practices and accessibility of quality education for the youth,” said Palatino.

To address unnecessary tuition hikes, CHEd drafted a new set of guidelines

that require HEIs to consult students on planned increases in miscellaneous fees. The new guidelines also provide sanctions for non-compliance including the filing of administrative and criminal charges, said Palatino.

The “enhanced” CMO, however, will take effect in the academic year 2013-2014 as the commission failed to finalize the guidelines in time for the consultation process which ended February 28, said CHEd Chairman Patricia Licuanan.

Profiteering schemes?Meanwhile, the National Union

of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) called on CHEd to investigate “profiteering” schemes used by private HEIs. NUSP identified two private universities in Manila reportedly reaching respective net profits of P302.57 million and P248.12 million last academic year.

“In a time when most Filipinos are hard-up, it is indecent that schools’ net profits continue to increase yearly and yet these schools still continue to increase tuition rates and add miscellaneous fees to their charges,” said NUSP Secretary General Isabelle Baguisi in a February 20 statement.

CHEd should also monitor compliance of schools in appropriating 70 percent of the proceeds from tuition hikes to increase the salaries of faculty and staff, 20 percent to improve libraries, buildings and other facilities, and only 10 percent as the school’s profit, said Palatino.

“Facing the threat of education being reduced to a mere commodity for the privileged, the youth can no longer afford to stay silent and unconcerned. Various youth groups and student councils in the country are challenging their schools to open accounting books and to justify tuition increases,” said Baguisi. ●

Martsa laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at matrikula, ikinasaElias Jayson Tolentino

Nagmartsa patungong Mendiola ang mahigit 13 grupo ng kabataan noong Marso 2 upang kundenahin ang kawalan ng aksyon ng administrasyong Aquino sa sunud-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, ang nakaambang pagtaas ng matrikula sa mahigit 300 na mga pamantasan at kolehiyo, at ang lumalalang kawalan ng hanapbuhay sa bansa.

Nanawagan ang mga kabataang nagprotesta na tanggalin ang value-added tax (VAT) sa langis at ibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law sa isinagawang kilos protesta sa Mendiola bandang alas dos ng hapon.

Ani Issa Baguisi, secretary general ng National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), may kapangyarihan ang gobyerno na hanapan ng solusyon ang krisis sa langis.

“Unang-una, nariyan ang [pagbasura sa] VAT na nakapatong sa presyo ng langis. Pangalawa, may mga panukalang batas tayong nakabinbin na magre-regulate ng pagtatakda ng presyo. Lahat ito ay nasa mandato ni Aquino at ng gobyerno,” ani Baguisi.

Ani George San Mateo, pambansang pangulo ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, hindi totoong may umiiral na malayang kumpetisyon sa industriya ng langis dahil kontrolado ito ng mga malalaking kumpanya.

Walang makabuluhang patakarang inilalatag si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III hinggil sa mataas na presyo ng langis

dahil kumikita ang pamahalaan sa VAT ng produktong petrolyo, ani San Mateo. Aniya, nagpapatupad na lamang si Aquino ng mga panandaliang solusyong tulad ng Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP), kung saan binibigyan ang bawat drayber ng pampasaherong jeep ng P1,200 pambili ng langis.

Paliwanag ni San Mateo, walang saysay ang PPP ng gobyerno dahil linggo-linggo namang nagtataas ang presyo ng produktong petrolyo. “[Sa PPP], nagmumukhang manlilimos ang mga driver at operator,” aniya.

Ayon sa pag-aaral ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), organisasyong nagtataguyod ng mga karapatang pangmanggagawa, tinatayang aabot ng P17.27 hanggang P20.88 ang labis na singil sa langis kada litro.

Nakahain sa Kongreso ngayon ang HB 4317 na naglalayong ipasawalang bisa ang Oil Deregulation Law at ibasura ang dagdag na singil na VAT sa mga produktong petrolyo.

Nakatakdang magsagawa ng demonstrasyon ang transport groups at mga sektor ng manggagawa, kababaihan at kabataan sa Marso 8, Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga Kababaihan, at sa Marso 15, kung saan maglulunsad ng malawakang kilos protesta ang mga kasapi ng Broad Alliance Against Oil Price Hike, alyansa ng iba’t-ibang sektor laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.

Tuition hikeNagsimula ang martsa ng mga

kabataan sa University of Santo Tomas (UST) kung saan nakatakdang ipatupad

ngayong taon ang 19 na bahagdang pagtaas ng matrikula para sa mga bagong estudyante habang anim na bahagdan naman ang itataas para sa mga kasalukuyan nitong estudyante.

Bukod sa UST, kabilang rin sa mga pamantasan sa Maynila na nakatakdang magtaas ng matrikula ang University of the East (5 bahagdan), Far Eastern University (4.3 bahagdan) at De La Salle University (3.5 bahagdan).

Sa pagtaya ng NUSP at Anakbayan, mahigit 300 pamantasan at kolehiyo sa bansa ang nagpasa ng panukalang magtaas ng singil sa matrikula at iba pang bayarin sa Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) mula 3 hanggang 25 porsyento. (sumangguni sa kaugnay na balita)

Isinusulong ngayon ng Kabataan Partylist sa Kongreso ang pagpasa ng House Bill (HB) 3708 o ang “Three-year Tuition Moratorium Bill” na nagbabawal sa pagtataas ng matrikula sa loob ng susunod na tatlong taon, at ang HB 4286 o ang “Tuition and Other Fees Regulation Bill” na naglalayon namang tiyaking may maayos na konsultasyon sa mga mag-aaral at guro bago ang anumang pagtaas ng matrikula.

Kawalan ng hanapbuhaySa pagsusuma ni Anakbayan National

Chair Vencer Crisostomo, ang pagtaas sa singil sa matrikula ay pangunahing salik sa pagtaas ng unemployment rate sa bansa. Aniya, 9.7 milyong Pilipino ngayon ang walang hanapbuhay dahil sa kawalan ng kakayahang makapag-aral at

4 heinous crimes in UP campuses recorded in 5 monthsIsabella Patricia H. Borlaza

Security in the country’s national university has once again been questioned, as another heinous crime was committed within the vicinity of one of UP’s campuses, adding to three other incidents that occurred in UP in the last five months.

A little over a month after UP Diliman (UPD) Political Science senior Lordei Anjuli Camille Hina was stabbed in a robbery incident at the UPD University Student Council (USC) office, 19-year old UP Los Baños (UPLB) Agriculture junior Rayver Bernard Peñaranda was stabbed to death with a knife after an attempted robbery on March 4, in Barangay Batong Malake, a five-minute walk from the UPLB main entrance gate.

On February 29, 14-year old Los Baños (LB) National High School freshman Rochel Geronda was found dead, half-naked, and with her jogging pants coiled around her neck, near a banana plantation also at Barangay Batong Malake.

In October last year, 19-year old UPLB Computer Science student Given Grace Cebanico was also raped and slain near the UPLB campus.

“We call on [LB Mayor Anthony Genuino] to provide greater protection and security for the denizens of Los Baños, and once again make Los

Baños a peaceful town, where law is the master and justice is served,” said UPLB University Student Council in a statement.

Community securityOn March 5, UPLB student leaders

held a dialogue with Genuino to discuss security measures such as the addition of lighting fixtures, installation of CCTV cameras in Barangay Batong Malake, and increased police visibility.

Surrounding the UPLB campus, Barangay Batong Malake covers almost one-fifth of LB, the largest of the ten barangays in the municipality, with a population of around 9,000, according to local government records.

The streak of heinous crimes also prompted the provincial government to replace the LB Chief of Police and assign LB’s 54 local policemen for retraining in compliance with a “three-strike” policy, said acting Chief Senior Inspector Anastasia Luis. LB is now under the command of the Laguna provincial police.

Crime investigationThe investigations on Geronda’s

and Peñaranda’s cases are still ongoing through the LB police.

In the Geronda rape-slay case, three suspects have undergone medical and DNA testing on March 4 to match the

Continued on page 4 »Continued on page 4 »

4 • Kulê Balita Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

ECSTATIC. Students from political parties cheer after hearing the results of the general student elections in UP Diliman on March 1. The voter turn-out for this year's elections is 48.91 percent, higher than last year's 48.5 percent. Richard Jacob Dy

Victor Gregor Limon

Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) will lead next year’s UP Diliman (UPD) University Student Council (USC), clinching the majority of seats in the UPD USC elections on March 1.

ALYANSA’s Gabriel “Heart” Diño will serve as UP Diliman (UPD) University Student Council (USC) chair, garnering 3,290 votes, against independent candidate Jose Martin Loon with 2,743 votes, Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) candidate Amancio Melad III with 2,218 votes, and KAISA—Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan sa UP (KAISA) candidate Maria Shaina Santiago with 1,900 votes.

ALYANSA also won a total of 13 out of 34 seats in the council, including the positions of chair, six councilors, and six college representatives.

Meanwhile, STAND UP won 10 seats in the council, consisting of three councilors and seven college representatives, while KAISA—Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan sa UP (KAISA) also won 10 seats, consisting

ALYANSA to lead next year’s UPD USCof vice chair, three councilors and six college representatives.

KAISA candidate Ana Alexandra Castro will be the next USC vice chair. Castro clinched 3,938 votes, beating contenders ALYANSA’s Ace Ligsay with 3,068 votes and STAND UP’s Soraya Elisse Escandor with 2,928 votes.

In the councilor race, ALYANSA’s Genesis Rapallo bested 32 other councilors, with 4,031 votes, followed by ALYANSA’s Patrick Bringas with 3,714 votes and Jose Miguel Solis with 3,654 votes.

Voting started later than usual in some colleges due to the delayed distribution of voter passwords and technical difficulties. Polling precincts in the College of Science, Engineering, Social Sciences and Philosophy, Arts and Letters, Law, Home Economics, Architecture, School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) and Asian Center opened 30 minutes to an hour later than the 8AM schedule.

Office of Student Activities (OSA) Director Rommel Rodriguez explained that the schedule for the distribution of passwords is from 7AM to 8AM. However, as only a group of four OSA staff were distributing the passwords to all of Diliman’s 34 voting precincts, it

Electoral board bars proclamation of new UPLB USC chairIsabella Patricia H. Borlaza

The UP Los Baños (UPLB) Central Electoral Board (CEB) has refused to proclaim Samahan ng mga Kabataan para sa Bayan chair candidate Ynik Ante as the new University Student Council (USC) chair, on the grounds that she failed to pay her tuition on time and is thus not a bona fide UP student.

Ante garnered 1,479 votes in the student council elections last February 22 to 24, 36 votes more than BUKLOD candidate Marion Joyce Divino who received 1,443 votes, according to official election results.

However, the CEB proclaimed Divino as the winner on March 1, saying that Ante’s candidacy had been nullified due to Ante’s late payment of matriculation fee.

The CEB is the autonomous decision-making body for the UPLB USC elections, headed by the director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and composed of 22 members, of which 11 are faculty and 11 are student leaders.

Election technicalitiesOn the last day of filing for candidacy

on February 6, the CEB questioned the candidacy of Ante due to her pending enrolment status, as she was not able to pay her tuition during the said deadline.

By February 8, the CEB approved Ante’s candidacy after the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) certified Ante as a bona fide student, on the condition that she must pay her tuition by February 29, the date stated on her November 29, 2011 promissory note to the Office of the Chancellor (OC).

The automated elections for UPLB undergraduate students was held on February 22 but was extended until February 24 due to technical problems in the programming. On February 27, the votes from the graduate students were counted and the final tally proclaimed Ante the winner.

However, during the February 29 CEB election protest meeting, the OUR reported that Ante had not yet settled her tuition payment. That afternoon, Ante’s supporters raised the necessary funds to pay for her tuition, but were unable to pay on that day, as they went to the Cash Registrar a few minutes after 4pm, the end of office hours.

Ante’s receipt was then dated the following day, March 1, thus nullifying her candidacy, according to Mark Lester Chico, Student Organizations and Activities Division head, who presided over the February 29 meeting in the absence of the OSA director. The CEB then submitted to the OC the official list of winners, listing Divino as the next UPLB USC chair instead of Ante.

Issue of jurisdictionIn the election guidelines formulated

by the CEB, candidates must have at least one semester of residency in the university, must not be a graduating student at the school year of her candidacy, and has not been found guilty of any misconduct with disciplinary notice from any moral turpitude.

However, the CEB also maintained that the candidate must be a bona fide UP student by settling all outstanding enrolment fees.

Current UPLB USC Chair Pura Beatriz Valle condemned the CEB’s proclamation of a different USC chair-elect as a form of intervention. While the CEB formulates the election code and proclaims winners, it does not have the power to change the results of the elections, Valle said.

“The non-proclamation of Ynik Ante reeks of administrative intervention and shows how the OSA and even fellow students can thwart the will of the majority and subvert our own rules. I call on the students to reject [these] divisive, unjust and anti-student actions and policies,” said Student Regent Maria Kristina Conti.

Conti sent a letter to UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz requesting for a review of the case, since the university is usually lenient on late payments.

While Cruz maintained that he has no power to overturn the decision of the CEB he noted Ante’s effort to pay on the deadline.

“The promissory note is already a substitute to the bank note. By virtue of her promissory note, Ynik is qualified to be proclaimed as a bona fide student”, Cruz said.

At present, the OC is currently researching on similar previous cases to deliberate on whether the Chancellor may exercise authority over the CEB’s decision. If the matter will not be settled within UPLB, the students may bring their appeal to the Office of the President and the Board of Regents, Cruz said. ●

The UP Diliman University Student Council AY 2012-2013Chair: Gabriel “Heart” Diño (ALYANSA), 3,290 votesVice Chair: Ana Alexandra Castro (KAISA), 3,938 votes

Councilors:Genesis Rapallo (ALYANSA), 4,031 votesPatrick Bringas (ALYANSA), 3,714 votesJose Miguel Solis (STAND UP), 3.654 votesJuliano Fernando Guiang (KAISA), 3,629 votesCarlos Enrico Clement (KAISA), 3,513 votesAlexandria Maria Francia Santos (ALYANSA), 3,257 votesAryanna Canacan (STAND UP), 3,044 votesFrancisco Jayme Paolo Guiang (STAND UP), 3,041 votesMa. Regina Punzalan (KAISA), 3,021 votesSolomon Vicencio (ALYANSA), 2,887 votesMaria Ana Espinosa (ALYANSA), 2,878 votesEduard Francis Ayala (ALYANSA), 2,861 votes

College Representatives:Pete Dominique Paredes, College of Architecture (STAND UP) Eduardo Gabral, College of Arts and Letters (STAND UP)Jonas Miguelito Cruz, College of Business Administration (ALYANSA)Enrico Vergel Gloria, School of Economics (STAND UP)Christopher Omega, College of Education (ALYANSA)Justin Alfred Palino, College of Engineering (KAISA)Rejiel Gonzales, College of Engineering (STAND UP)Sara Zemirah Go, College of Fine Arts (KAISA)Carla Monica Gonzalez, College of Home Economics (KAISA)Gayle Krystle Grey, College of Human Kinetics (KAISA)Ma. Cristina Reyes, College of Law (ALYANSA)Sarah Isabelle Torres, College of Mass Communication (STAND UP)Roscelle Cruz, School of Library and Information Studies (STAND UP)Patricia Erika Poblador, College of Music (ALYANSA)Nikole Ma. Nimfra Alicer, National College of Public Administration and Governance (Independent)Serene Ezra Bondad, College of Science (KAISA)Joeric Crescini, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (ALYANSA)Mark Joseph Tagala, College of Social Work and Community Development (STAND UP)Stephen Villejo, School of Statistics (ALYANSA)Erika Mary Erro, Asian Institute of Tourism (KAISA)

was inevitable that delays would ensue, Rodriguez explained.

Voting precincts officially closed at 7:30 pm, after the OSA extended the voting period to compensate for the delay early in the day.

This year’s UPD USC registered a voter turn-out of 48.91 percent, a nominal increase from 48.5 percent turn-out last year.

In an interview with the Collegian, Diño said she plans to consolidate the general programs of action of all UPD parties to form a single “inclusive” plan for the next USC. “Iba-iba man ng partido ang bumubuo sa USC, at the end of the day, lahat ay nakakiling sa estudyante at sa bayan,” she explained.

Diño also said that once seated in the council, her immediate plans include conducting consultations on campus security policy, forming a new systemwide budget watch committee, and the collection and solicitation of donations for the USC’s relief operations program.

“Hindi magiging madali ang consensus-building among USC members with different leanings kaya ngayon pa lang, gusto ko nang simulan ang paghahanda for next year,” Diño added. ●

sperm cells found in Geronda’s body, according to Luis. Results have yet to be released as of press time.

On the other hand, the local police have already identified three suspects on the Peñaranda case. Identified as the ‘look-out’ accomplice, 25-year old Joseph Beltran named 27-year old Carl Dactil De Guzman and 18 year old Tyronne KennedyTerbio as the two men who attempted to rob Peñaranda.

The LB local government is now offering a P250,000 reward for anyone who could provide information or a lead for the arrest of the suspects for both cases.

Meanwhile, the UPD Legal Office has called for the reinvestigation of the Hina case to add frustrated homicide in the charges filed against suspect Dan Mar Vicencio. Meanwhile, Dante Santos, one of the suspects, still remains at large. The schedule of the next hearing has yet to be announced.

Hina has undergone a successful brain surgery since she was stabbed on the head on February 1. Hina has now regained some of her motor skills though she still cannot stand up or talk, according to her doctors at the Capitol Medical Center.

Meanwhile, suspects in Cebanico’s case are now behind bars after admitting to the crime.

‘Keep students inside the campus’

The current spate of crimes may be resolved by a higher budget on

dormitory facilities so that students would no longer need to rent outside the campus where security is less closely monitored by the administration, said UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz.

The 10 dormitories in UPLB have a capacity of only 1,914 compared to the campus’ 12,100 student population. As a result, Barangay Batong Malake is densely populated with UPLB students in dormitories and boarding houses, Cruz said.

However, Cruz said the construction of more dormitories on campus would depend on the budget allocation for UPLB. If the government fails to approve UPLB’s proposed additional budget of P2.4 billion, the UPLB administration may have to resort to partnerships with the private sector.

Meanwhile, CCTV cameras and lighting fixtures are being installed inside the UPLB campus, while additional personnel have also been added to the Community Special Brigade to compensate for the scarcity of policemen and security guards on campus, Cruz added.

“Bottom line is [that] the security issue is related to the budget. It has been a practice to place campus security as the least priority to compensate the need for better classrooms and research facilities,” said Cruz. ●

« from page 3

4 heinous crimes in UP campuses recorded...

« from page 3sa mababang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Dagdag pa rito, lumalala pa ang kalagayan ng mga mamamayan dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin na bunsod ng mataas na presyo ng langis.

“Aquino is clearly in cahoots with the ‘capitalist-educators’ who own these high-earning schools, as well as the ‘Big 3’ oil cartel. Despite the fact that they are raking in billions of pesos in profits,

the government is taking their side over that of the common Filipino who has to make ends meet despite being jobless,” paliwanag ni Crisostomo.

“Given what is going on, na laging may pagtatangka ng pagtaas sa presyo ng basic needs tulad ng oil at tuition, [the government] should expect more protests from the youth until they realize that they have to do something about this situation.” ani Baguisi. ●

Martsa laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis...

5 • Kulê Balita Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

LIWANAG AT DILIM. Bilang pagkundena sa naging P0.11 KW/h pagtaas ng singil sa kuryente nitong Pebrero, nagsunog ng streamers na naglalaman ng parodied slogans ng Meralco ang mga mangagagawa sa harap ng Meralco Office sa España noong Marso 5. Kinundena rin ng grupo ang pribatisasyon ng power sector at pagsasamantala umano ng kumpanya sa naghihirap na mamamayan. Chris Martin Imperial

Marjohara Tucay

UP’s flagship campus has proposed a P6.59-billion internal operating budget (IOB) for 2013, nearly 15 percent higher than this year’s P5.74 IOB and over P840 million more than the P5.75 billion government allocation for the whole UP System for 2012.

The IOB is composed of two components: the General Fund (GF), which are funds coming from the national government through the General Appropriations Act (GAA); and the Revolving Fund (RF), or the internal income generated from tuition and other fees, land grants, and other sources.

Since the average approved government appropriation for UP in the past decade covers less than half of the university’s actual needs, UP sources up to 20 percent of its annual IOB from the RF.

Focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation and development, more than half of UP Diliman’s (UPD) P6.59-billion proposed IOB or P3.41 billion is allotted to capital outlay (CO), the fund for construction of new buildings and procurement of new equipment.

For UPD’s almost 5,000 faculty and staff, the administration is asking for P1.91 billion under personal services (PS), the fund for salaries and benefits of employees. This is 12.35 percent higher than the current P1.7 billion UPD budget for PS.

Meanwhile, UPD is also asking for a 103.5 percent increase in the budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), from the current P624.64 million to P1.27 billion in 2013. The MOOE is the portion of the budget utilized for various expenses in the university, including utility bills and payment for security agencies.

The 2013 budget proposal of the whole UP System, meanwhile, is still being finalized by the UP administration, according to UP President Alfredo Pascual.

All constituent units (CUs), including UPD, have already submitted their proposed IOBs for 2013. The proposed budgets of the CUs will be discussed by the UP System administration and will then be consolidated into the UP System’s 2013 budget proposal, which will be deliberated upon by the Board of Regents by March 29.

Once approved, UP’s budget proposal for 2013 will then be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

According to the National Budget Memorandum (NBM) No. 113 released on January 31, all government agencies must submit their proposed budget on or

before April 9. DBM will then review and consolidate the said proposals into the National Expenditure Program (NEP), a document which will be submitted by President Benigno Aquino III to Congress for review and legislation after his State of the Nation Address on July 23.

Last year, UP submitted a P17-billion budget proposal to DBM, of which only P5.54 billion was approved for inclusion in the NEP. Congress eventually passed a P5.75 billion budget for 2012 under the GAA.

“Ang [P6.59 billion] proposal na ito ay para pa lang sa UP Diliman. Pero kung titingnan, mas malaki na agad ito kumpara sa buong badyet na inilaan ng gobyerno sa [buong UP system] ngayong 2012. Kaya kita kaagad na kulang ang pondong galing sa national government,” said Student Regent Ma. Kristina Conti.

“For UP’s 2013 budget proposal, we will definitely ask for increases in the budget allocation to UP,” Pascual told the Collegian. “I have already sought an audience with President Aquino towards the end of March so I could explain and justify the additional allocations we need for 2013,” he added.

Internal incomeAs the flagship campus of the UP

System, UPD takes the largest part of the government’s subsidy to UP, followed by UP Manila and UP Los Baños. However, the funds from the government are not enough to suffice even for Diliman’s operations alone.

“Of course, we want the government to shoulder all our needs. But we know that it’s not what’s happening,” UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma said in a phone interview.

Last year, UPD spent a total of P2.2 billion for its operations. However, only P1.89 billion or almost 86 percent was covered by the GF, while the remaining P309.97 million or 14 percent was sourced from the RF.

This year, UPD needs a total of P1.7 billion for PS. However, the government is set to provide only P1.52 billion under the 2012 GAA.

“The government provides for salaries and [mandatory benefits] of UP employees. [However] there are additional benefits and honoraria that we give to employees that are not covered by the [GF],” Saloma said.

He explained that the RF ultimately funds these benefits, which include allowances provided for by the existing collective negotiation agreement between UP and the All UP Workers Alliance, since these benefits are particular to UP employees and are thus not subsidized by the national government.

Meanwhile, of the P624.6 million budget that UPD needs for MOOE this 2012, only P98.24 million will be provided by the government. “Dito tayo dapat magfocus. [Ang MOOE] ang pambayad ng tubig, kuryente, security guards at marami pang pangangailangan ng campus. But most of it is shouldered

by the [university’s internal income],” Saloma said.

Larger infrastructure spendingWith many buildings and facilities in

UPD needing repair, the administration has proposed several renovation projects and construction of new infrastructure for 2013, amounting to P3.41 billion. (See sidebar)

Major infrastructure projects include the construction of a Sports Complex for the College of Human Kinetics, complete with a sports arena, outdoor basketball courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a covered tennis court and a residence hall for varsity members. The cost for this project alone is estimated to reach over P500 million.

Two new academic buildings are also planned to be constructed in the UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga.

Meanwhile, several buildings and offices are also up for renovation, including the University Theater, Benton Hall, and all Palma Hall Pavillions.

The pavillions will be rehabilitated and will be turned over to the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and the College of Arts and Letters, as all Science institutes currently occupying the said structures will be transferred to the Science Complex by 2013, Saloma said.

The Zoology Building, currently occupied by the Institute of Biology, will also be renovated. Once finished, the School of Library and Information Studies is set to be relocated in the said building.

However, many of the proposed infrastructure projects of UPD may not be financed by the national government, as according to NBM No. 113, the budget ceiling for MOOE and CO for all 112 state universities and colleges for 2013 is only P3 billion.

“We admit that not all of these projects will be funded immediately by the national government. ‘Yung iba baka tingi-tingi, ibibigay ‘yung kalahati ngayon tapos next year ‘yung kalahati,” Saloma said. He added that the UP administration will tap all possible resources including donations and congressional initiatives to finance the infrastructure projects.

“But between renovation and construction of new facilities, we will be prioritizing the renovations. Aayusin muna natin ang mga dapat ayusin bago magpatayo ng bago,” Saloma added.

While it is laudable that the UPD administration is exerting efforts to improve facilities in the university, administrators must not focus too much on generating funding for the projects through private donations and boosting internal income, and instead lobby for

Source: Office of the Chancellor*In no particular order of importance

UP Diliman proposes P6.59-B budget for 2013ALYANSA to lead next year’s UPD USCgreater state subsidy, Conti said.

“Mahalagang sa pagpaplano for UP, the administration should keep in mind its academic nature, at huwag gawing sentrong usapin ang kakayahan ng administrators to generate income. UP is still, in essence, a public university and should get what it needs from the government,” she added.

Responding to Conti’s statement, Saloma said, “’Yun po ang ating gagawin – we will show the government why we need the additional budget. In the budget deliberations this year, we will show the government why it makes sense for the government to invest in education, to invest in UP.” ●

Pagmamatyag sa mga campus journalist, kinundena ng CEGPPaulo Fontanilla

Kinundena ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) ang mga insidente ng pagmamatyag sa ilang mga kasapi nito sa Samar at Laguna ng hinihinalang mga ahente ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Sa ginanap na press conference noong ika-3 ng Marso, inulat ng CEGP ang pagmamanman ng umano’y militar sa isang grupo ng mga opisyal ng CEGP sa huling araw ng Samar-wide convention na idinaos ng grupo mula ika-23 hanggang ika-26 ng Pebrero sa University of Eastern Philippines (UEP).

Inulat din ng grupo ang hiwalay na insidente ng “military surveillance” na naganap sa parehong araw sa isa pang

kasapi ng CEGP sa Laguna.“Time and again we have been the

subject of repression not only in our respective campuses but outside as well. Throughout our history, the [CEGP], true to its advocacy and its orientation as [a] patriotic and democratic alliance of tertiary publications, has always been at the forefront of the battle and with this, the price we get is threats to our lives,” anang CEGP deputy secretary general at dating punong patnugot ng Philippine Collegian na si Pauline Gidget Estella.

‘Surveillance at harassment’Ani Estella, katatapos lamang

ng kumperensya ng CEGP bandang alas-otso ng gabi nang mangyari ang insidente.

Kasama umano niyang naghihintay

sa isang terminal ng bus sina Angelo Karl Doceo at Micah Susana Rubenecia na kapwa opisyal ng CEGP Eastern Samar at kasapi ng The Pillar, pahayagang pangmag-aaral ng UEP, nang may lumapit sa kanilang lalaking nagtatanong kung saan sila patungo.

Nawawala umano ang lalaki at nakikiusap kung maaari siyang makisabay sa grupo. Nang payuhan ng grupo ang nasabing lalaki na magtanong na lamang ng direksyon sa isang baranggay tanod, pasigaw na umano nitong tinanong ang grupo kung saan sila papunta.

Naghinala na sina Estella sa tunay na pakay ng lalaki, kaya nagpasya silang tumuloy muna sa bahay ng isa pang manunulat ng The Pillar na nakatira malapit sa terminal. Nang makarating

ang grupo sa bahay ng nasabing kasamahan, lumabas umano ang huli upang bumili ng cellphone load. Sa kanyang paglabas, napansin niyang may isang lalaking nakamotorsiklo na mahigit 20 minuto nang nakahimpil sa labas ng bahay at may kausap sa cellphone.

Samantala, nakatanggap ng tawag si Doceo sa isang nagpakilalang kaibigan na nagtatanong kung nasa Farmer’s Hotel sila, kung saan idinaos ang CEGP convention. Tumanggi ang tumawag na sabihin kung bakit nito tinatanong ang kinaroroonan ng grupo, ani Doceo.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto, nagsidatingan na umano ang isa pang grupo ng mga lalaking nakamotorsiklo at pumarada sa bahay na katabi ng tinuluyan nina Estella.

Continued on page 11 »

6-7 • Kulê Lathalain Huwebes 8 Marso 2012

Extracting optionsResolving the Philippine mining industry dilemma

Kevin Mark R. Gomez Mila Polinar

Today’s media has become one of the battlegrounds of an unsettled conflict.

Communities buried in thick mud, rapid streams of brown, uprooted trees, former sites of agriculture turned barren wastelands—grim images strongly associated with mining are countered by portrayals of developed villages, reforested areas and employment opportunities. Indeed, this battle stretches beyond the realm of television, in an attempt to draw support for their respective advocacies.

Recently, ABS-CBN Foundation top executive Regina Lopez clashed against mining magnate Manny Pangilinan over the non-viability of mining sites as potential tourist destinations. As an anti-mining advocate, Lopez proposes ecotourism in place of mining while to defend the pro- mining camp, Pangilinan asserts mining has the potential to lift the country out of poverty.

At the fringes of every technical discussion, however, are the people who find themselves at the losing end: either as victims of mining-aggravated disasters or pawns manipulated to display the industry’s touted economic benefits.

Digging backThe Philippines has a long tradition

of mining, stretching back to pre-colonial times when weapons, jewelry, and ornament-clad traditional attires were among the earliest mining products. Almost four centuries of colonial rule designed mining in the country into a profitable industry for colonizers. Such relations persisted even after the country gained independence from the United States, with special agreements and treaties such as the Bell Trade Act and the Laurel-Langley Agreement which favor US economic and political interest.

Mining policies in the Philippines have oriented the industry to be extractive, exploitative, and market-driven. Framed in this premise, the enactment of the Mining Act of 1995 allowed foreign mining firms to fully repatriate capital, enjoy various tax incentives, and gain full control over large-scale mining operations.

The Mining Act of 1995 has allowed the widespread plunder of our natural

wealth, effectively licensing mining companies to rabidly extract minerals intended to gain large profits, says Renato Reyes, Jr, secretary general of umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

The US State Department estimates the country’s minerals, including untapped resources, to be worth $840 billion (almost P37 trillion).

Thirty-one mining companies and more than 200,000 small-scale miners currently operate in the country, according to Leo Jasareno, director of the Mines & Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the government’s key agency in mining-related concerns. News reports show that permits and mining claims span 1.14 million hectares or 3.8 percent of total Philippine land area.

Filipino-owned or controlled companies hold majority of the mining tenements approved by the MGB, with 339 permits, of which 39 are operational, against the five contracts of foreign companies.

Paying duesGold is currently the most prized

mineral in the world market, with a value of more than P2.31 million per kilogram. Progressive environmental groups are quick to note the coincidence of today’s increased mining activities with the escalating prices of minerals in the world market.

Today’s increased mining hype merely stems from the lucrative opportunities of minerals such as gold in the world market, says Prof. Giovanni Tapang, chairman of scientist group Advocates of Science and Technology for the People.

With market forces driving the demand for minerals, mining companies are set to extract these resources without any clear limits from Philippine land, even at the expense of people’s rights and environmental damage.

For instance, the 1996 Marcopper Mining Corp. spill in Marinduque, with the accidental spillage of toxic mine tailings into the Boac river is still considered as one of the worst environmental disasters in Philippine history. Raging mud and floods wiped out whole villages. The Boac River, which used to be a reliable source of food and livelihood with its abundance of shrimps and fish, is now biologically dead. More than a decade later, residents still suffer from health problems due to overexposure to minerals in the toxic water.

Clearly, no amount of wealth can compensate for the irrevocable damages of mining against the environment.

However, aside from wiping out villages, whole communities have also been driven out of their lands due to “intensified land grabbing” to accommodate mining operations, according to people’s organization Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

In 2009, mining areas occupied 782,000 hectares. However, by the first half of 2010, the total land area allotted for operations bloated to 1,042,531 hectares, according to Kalikasan.

B’laan communities in Zamboanga del Norte have already been displaced due to mining ventures by Toronto Ventures Inc. In Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, Igorot communities were forced to leave due to mining operations by Oceana Gold Inc. while fisher folk communities in Rapu-rapu have been displaced and detached from their main source of livelihood.

These similar stories of damage, displacement and destruction occur on various mining sites throughout the country, as mining operations tend to conduct the same procedures.

Overrated promiseThe primary arguments championed

by mining advocates are hinged on the industry’s supposed potential to boost the local economy through increased investments and employment—a stance embodied by President Benigno Aquino III’s 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan, which tags mining

as among the priority areas cited with the “highest growth potentials and generate most jobs.” 

But data in recent years have dispelled the “good for the economy” argument. During the last two decades, jobs in the mining and quarrying sector contributed an average of only 0.44% to total annual employment in the country, according to government agencies MGB and Department of Labor and Employment. From 1990 to 2008, mining and quarrying employment grew yearly by just 1.17 percent, versus the 2.53 percent annual growth on total employment of all other industries in the same period.

“The mineral extractive industry is considered worldwide to be a low job generating activity,” says economist Christian Monsod in a speech. Monsod also noted a study showing that every direct job in the mining industry creates only 2.2 other jobs, which the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines’ (COMP) claims to be 5.

COMP estimates there are 10.25 million “direct mining beneficiaries” upon the projected $15 billion investment for large-scale mining by 2018. A recalculation using the study’s computation however, greatly reduces this figure to only 576,000 beneficiaries.

State officials and COMP present conflicting sides on actual government income derived from extracted minerals. While the government maintains its shares solely from the 2 percent excise tax and other impositions, COMP claims its members remit around 60 percent of its untaxed net income to government.

In his dissenting opinion on the 2004 Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995, Justice Antonio Carpio opines that “the excise tax is not payment for the exploitation of the State’s natural resources, but payment for the ‘privilege of engaging in business’” and points out that the state does not receive its fair share in mining as owners of the mineral wealth.

But Tapang settles this differently, taking neither side. “Nananatiling mababa ang income ng government, because the minerals being taxed and later exported, are low valued-added raw materials.” Any tax impositions on gross mining output will be insignificant as long as these materials are valued cheaply, he adds.

Mining contribution to Philippine gross domestic product or the country’s total amount of goods and services is historically low, with only 1.42 percent share during the 1960-1999 periods and 1.08 percent from 2000 to 2008.

In the absence of industries that can turn raw mineral outputs into processed products that have higher value and are readily available for industrial use, the government is constrained to rely on meager tax revenues.

Mining corporations argue that the industry’s benefits extends beyond its financial duties with the government, primarily through the provision of social services like roads, free healthcare and education to mostly poor, far-flung host communities. COMP even asserts its member companies to spend about 1.5 percent of its operating expenditures for these social development plans.

But various accounts from mining communities across the country slam this as empty promises.

“[Their] promise of ‘economic and social development’ is nothing but lip service…[they] only see [our communities] as repositories of minerals—not as homes,” according to indigenous people national alliance Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas.

Mining for the peopleThe damage wrought by mining

upon the environment and local communities, coupled with the lack of significant contributions to the

Philippine economy has prompted various groups, from environmental advocates to the Church, to halt mining activities in the Philippines. Militant groups, however, have raised concerns over the anti-mining stance, pointing out that extracting and utilizing minerals are necessary for modernization.

Environmental groups push that responsible mining, intended not for export but for national industrialization, is the most practical solution to this dilemma. With responsible mining, pollution is minimized and wastes are disposed properly while the rights of affected communities are valued. “If properly developed, vast and rich reserves can sustain a strong, self-reliant and progressive domestic economy, balancing agriculture and industrialization and breaking the existing cycle of underdevelopment,” according to research group Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC).

After all, as mining serves only foreign interests and caters to the demands of the world market, the large-scale plunder of the country’s minerals continues unabated, and extracted materials are used for the economic gain of other countries, explained CEC Executive Director Frances Quimpo.

Environmental degradation can be minimized by prioritizing the people’s needs through the pursuit of national industrialization wherein the “necessary industries to process mineral wealth” can be created and used to modernize the manufacturing and agricultural sector, adds Bayan.

As mountains and lands are drilled to extract minerals for export, the damage and destruction of the environment and the displacement of communities are often inevitable. However, strict government regulation over extractions will minimize its adverse effects on communities and the environment, while providing the resources needed for the modernization of the manufacturing and agriculture industries.

Mining activities should then, in the end, be realigned towards the country’s own actual needs. Only then would mining be seen as a necessary stepping stone towards national development. ●

Photos by Kalikasan People’s Network for the EnvironmentArtwork by Chris Martin Imperial Page design by Kel Almazan

Clearly, no amount of wealth can compensate for the irrevocable damages of mining against the environment

If properly developed, vast and rich reserves can sustain a strong, self-reliant and progressive domestic economy, balancing agriculture and industrialization and breaking the existing cycle of underdevelopment-- Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC)

6-7 • Kulê Lathalain Huwebes 8 Marso 2012

Extracting optionsResolving the Philippine mining industry dilemma

Kevin Mark R. Gomez Mila Polinar

Today’s media has become one of the battlegrounds of an unsettled conflict.

Communities buried in thick mud, rapid streams of brown, uprooted trees, former sites of agriculture turned barren wastelands—grim images strongly associated with mining are countered by portrayals of developed villages, reforested areas and employment opportunities. Indeed, this battle stretches beyond the realm of television, in an attempt to draw support for their respective advocacies.

Recently, ABS-CBN Foundation top executive Regina Lopez clashed against mining magnate Manny Pangilinan over the non-viability of mining sites as potential tourist destinations. As an anti-mining advocate, Lopez proposes ecotourism in place of mining while to defend the pro- mining camp, Pangilinan asserts mining has the potential to lift the country out of poverty.

At the fringes of every technical discussion, however, are the people who find themselves at the losing end: either as victims of mining-aggravated disasters or pawns manipulated to display the industry’s touted economic benefits.

Digging backThe Philippines has a long tradition

of mining, stretching back to pre-colonial times when weapons, jewelry, and ornament-clad traditional attires were among the earliest mining products. Almost four centuries of colonial rule designed mining in the country into a profitable industry for colonizers. Such relations persisted even after the country gained independence from the United States, with special agreements and treaties such as the Bell Trade Act and the Laurel-Langley Agreement which favor US economic and political interest.

Mining policies in the Philippines have oriented the industry to be extractive, exploitative, and market-driven. Framed in this premise, the enactment of the Mining Act of 1995 allowed foreign mining firms to fully repatriate capital, enjoy various tax incentives, and gain full control over large-scale mining operations.

The Mining Act of 1995 has allowed the widespread plunder of our natural

wealth, effectively licensing mining companies to rabidly extract minerals intended to gain large profits, says Renato Reyes, Jr, secretary general of umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

The US State Department estimates the country’s minerals, including untapped resources, to be worth $840 billion (almost P37 trillion).

Thirty-one mining companies and more than 200,000 small-scale miners currently operate in the country, according to Leo Jasareno, director of the Mines & Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the government’s key agency in mining-related concerns. News reports show that permits and mining claims span 1.14 million hectares or 3.8 percent of total Philippine land area.

Filipino-owned or controlled companies hold majority of the mining tenements approved by the MGB, with 339 permits, of which 39 are operational, against the five contracts of foreign companies.

Paying duesGold is currently the most prized

mineral in the world market, with a value of more than P2.31 million per kilogram. Progressive environmental groups are quick to note the coincidence of today’s increased mining activities with the escalating prices of minerals in the world market.

Today’s increased mining hype merely stems from the lucrative opportunities of minerals such as gold in the world market, says Prof. Giovanni Tapang, chairman of scientist group Advocates of Science and Technology for the People.

With market forces driving the demand for minerals, mining companies are set to extract these resources without any clear limits from Philippine land, even at the expense of people’s rights and environmental damage.

For instance, the 1996 Marcopper Mining Corp. spill in Marinduque, with the accidental spillage of toxic mine tailings into the Boac river is still considered as one of the worst environmental disasters in Philippine history. Raging mud and floods wiped out whole villages. The Boac River, which used to be a reliable source of food and livelihood with its abundance of shrimps and fish, is now biologically dead. More than a decade later, residents still suffer from health problems due to overexposure to minerals in the toxic water.

Clearly, no amount of wealth can compensate for the irrevocable damages of mining against the environment.

However, aside from wiping out villages, whole communities have also been driven out of their lands due to “intensified land grabbing” to accommodate mining operations, according to people’s organization Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.

In 2009, mining areas occupied 782,000 hectares. However, by the first half of 2010, the total land area allotted for operations bloated to 1,042,531 hectares, according to Kalikasan.

B’laan communities in Zamboanga del Norte have already been displaced due to mining ventures by Toronto Ventures Inc. In Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, Igorot communities were forced to leave due to mining operations by Oceana Gold Inc. while fisher folk communities in Rapu-rapu have been displaced and detached from their main source of livelihood.

These similar stories of damage, displacement and destruction occur on various mining sites throughout the country, as mining operations tend to conduct the same procedures.

Overrated promiseThe primary arguments championed

by mining advocates are hinged on the industry’s supposed potential to boost the local economy through increased investments and employment—a stance embodied by President Benigno Aquino III’s 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan, which tags mining

as among the priority areas cited with the “highest growth potentials and generate most jobs.” 

But data in recent years have dispelled the “good for the economy” argument. During the last two decades, jobs in the mining and quarrying sector contributed an average of only 0.44% to total annual employment in the country, according to government agencies MGB and Department of Labor and Employment. From 1990 to 2008, mining and quarrying employment grew yearly by just 1.17 percent, versus the 2.53 percent annual growth on total employment of all other industries in the same period.

“The mineral extractive industry is considered worldwide to be a low job generating activity,” says economist Christian Monsod in a speech. Monsod also noted a study showing that every direct job in the mining industry creates only 2.2 other jobs, which the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines’ (COMP) claims to be 5.

COMP estimates there are 10.25 million “direct mining beneficiaries” upon the projected $15 billion investment for large-scale mining by 2018. A recalculation using the study’s computation however, greatly reduces this figure to only 576,000 beneficiaries.

State officials and COMP present conflicting sides on actual government income derived from extracted minerals. While the government maintains its shares solely from the 2 percent excise tax and other impositions, COMP claims its members remit around 60 percent of its untaxed net income to government.

In his dissenting opinion on the 2004 Supreme Court decision upholding the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995, Justice Antonio Carpio opines that “the excise tax is not payment for the exploitation of the State’s natural resources, but payment for the ‘privilege of engaging in business’” and points out that the state does not receive its fair share in mining as owners of the mineral wealth.

But Tapang settles this differently, taking neither side. “Nananatiling mababa ang income ng government, because the minerals being taxed and later exported, are low valued-added raw materials.” Any tax impositions on gross mining output will be insignificant as long as these materials are valued cheaply, he adds.

Mining contribution to Philippine gross domestic product or the country’s total amount of goods and services is historically low, with only 1.42 percent share during the 1960-1999 periods and 1.08 percent from 2000 to 2008.

In the absence of industries that can turn raw mineral outputs into processed products that have higher value and are readily available for industrial use, the government is constrained to rely on meager tax revenues.

Mining corporations argue that the industry’s benefits extends beyond its financial duties with the government, primarily through the provision of social services like roads, free healthcare and education to mostly poor, far-flung host communities. COMP even asserts its member companies to spend about 1.5 percent of its operating expenditures for these social development plans.

But various accounts from mining communities across the country slam this as empty promises.

“[Their] promise of ‘economic and social development’ is nothing but lip service…[they] only see [our communities] as repositories of minerals—not as homes,” according to indigenous people national alliance Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas.

Mining for the peopleThe damage wrought by mining

upon the environment and local communities, coupled with the lack of significant contributions to the

Philippine economy has prompted various groups, from environmental advocates to the Church, to halt mining activities in the Philippines. Militant groups, however, have raised concerns over the anti-mining stance, pointing out that extracting and utilizing minerals are necessary for modernization.

Environmental groups push that responsible mining, intended not for export but for national industrialization, is the most practical solution to this dilemma. With responsible mining, pollution is minimized and wastes are disposed properly while the rights of affected communities are valued. “If properly developed, vast and rich reserves can sustain a strong, self-reliant and progressive domestic economy, balancing agriculture and industrialization and breaking the existing cycle of underdevelopment,” according to research group Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC).

After all, as mining serves only foreign interests and caters to the demands of the world market, the large-scale plunder of the country’s minerals continues unabated, and extracted materials are used for the economic gain of other countries, explained CEC Executive Director Frances Quimpo.

Environmental degradation can be minimized by prioritizing the people’s needs through the pursuit of national industrialization wherein the “necessary industries to process mineral wealth” can be created and used to modernize the manufacturing and agricultural sector, adds Bayan.

As mountains and lands are drilled to extract minerals for export, the damage and destruction of the environment and the displacement of communities are often inevitable. However, strict government regulation over extractions will minimize its adverse effects on communities and the environment, while providing the resources needed for the modernization of the manufacturing and agriculture industries.

Mining activities should then, in the end, be realigned towards the country’s own actual needs. Only then would mining be seen as a necessary stepping stone towards national development. ●

Photos by Kalikasan People’s Network for the EnvironmentArtwork by Chris Martin Imperial Page design by Kel Almazan

Clearly, no amount of wealth can compensate for the irrevocable damages of mining against the environment

If properly developed, vast and rich reserves can sustain a strong, self-reliant and progressive domestic economy, balancing agriculture and industrialization and breaking the existing cycle of underdevelopment-- Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC)

8 • Kulê Kultura Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

Kat Elona

Malayo sa mga nakilala nating action star si Matt Damon — walang bigote, itim na leather jacket o sidekick na nakakatawa. Hindi rin siguro pamilyar sa marami ang pangalang Jeremy Renner, at kaunti lamang ang fans na Pinoy nina Rachel Weisz at Edward Norton.

Ngunit naging bukambibig sila ng madla nang mapabalitang kukunan sa bansa ang ilang eksena ng pinakabago nilang pelikula — ang Bourne Legacy. Ipinasara ang ilang kalsada sa lungsod upang magkaroon ng espasyo ang buong cast at crew. Sa pagrolyo ng kamera, inilapat sa mga eksena ng pelikula ang sukal ng mga sasakya’t motorista, ang ingay ng mga taong hinahapo sa usok at ang alingasaw ng mga eskinita.

Muli, ilang minuto na namang bibida sa Hollywood ang Maynila.

Identity Hindi na si Damon ang gaganap

sa pangunahing tauhan sa Bourne Legacy, ang ika-apat na pelikula sa Bourne series na batay sa mga aklat ni Robert Ludlum. Gayunpaman, ipagpapatuloy pa rin ng kuwento ang pagtatalakay sa tema ng militar at gobyerno sa Amerika.

Pinalabas ang unang pelikula ng serye — ang Bourne Identity — noong 2002, isang taon matapos ang 9/11 tragedy. Halos kasabay nito ang pagsisimula ng proyektong Global War on Terror ng Estados Unidos (US), kung saan aktibong naglunsad ng digmaan at nagpalawak ng presensya ng militar ang US sa iba’t ibang bansa upang kitilin ang mga puwersa ng terorismo.

Hindi tinangkilik ng maraming Amerikano

ang hakbang na ito ng kanilang pamahalaan. Maraming bansa rin ang tumuligsa rito dahil sa angkin nitong mga motibong ekonomikal at pulitikal na hindi naman tunay na pumipigil sa mga terorista.

Ito marahil ang dahilan kung bakit naging popular ang Bourne Identity at kumita ng mahigit $214 milyon sa buong mundo. Sa panahon kasi kung kailan inilulunsad ang digmaang hindi mahanapan ng saysay, ipinakilala ng pelikula ang bidang si Jason Bourne na nais kumawala sa pamumunong militar ng pamahalaan.

Matapang na tinuligsa ng pelikula ang iba pang patakaran ni dating US President George W. Bush. Halimbawa, mabubunyag sa pelikula na ang mismong pinuno ng Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ang nanguna sa mga ilegal na operasyong militar na hindi naging mabuti ang dulot sa mamamayan.

Bago man ang magiging pangunahing tauhan sa ikaapat na pelikula, aasahan pa rin ang parehong paksa at ang hitik sa aksyon na mga eksena. At kagaya ng marami pang action movie sa Hollywood, bibigyan nito ng sandaling exposure ang ilang bahagi ng Pilipinas upang matunghayan ng buong mundo.

SupremacyNaging malaking bagay para

sa mga Pilipino ang pagkakapili sa Pilipinas bilang isa sa mga lokasyon ng Bourne Legacy — may ilang araw na higit na bumagal ang usad ng trapiko bunga ng pagpapasara sa ilang kalsada at maraming tao ang pansamantalang

iniwan ang kanilang mga gawain upang

buntutan ang mga artista. Sa mga nagdaang taon, maraming

beses nang binisita ang Pilipinas, partikular ang Maynila, upang kunan ng mga eksena para sa mga pelikulang Hollywood. Ngunit sa halip na kilalanin ito bilang Maynila, nagiging tagapagganap lamang ito bilang ibang siyudad. Naging Jakarta ito sa dramang “The Year of Living Dangerously” ni Peter Weir, naging Bangkok sa “Brokedown Palace” ni Jonathan Kaplan at Panama sa biopic na “Noriega: God’s Favorite.”

Kung may pagkakatulad man sa mga bansang nabanggit, ito ang pagkakaroon nila ng imaheng “third world” na mistulang laging magulo at matao. Sa Maynila halimbawa, isang likas na problema ang masikip at mabagal na usad ng trapiko. Isang solusyong naisip ng estado para tugunan ito ang paglalagay ng mga footbridge. Apat sa limang tao man ay pedestrian sa isang punto ng buong araw nilang paglalakbay, higit na binigyang halaga ng pamahalaan ang mga motorista nang ipatanggal nito ang ilang traffic light kapalit ng ilang tawiran na kailangan pang akyatin.

Wala rin sa listahan ng solusyon ng pamahalaan ang pagtatakda ng socialized na transport system kung saan pag-aari ng estado ang mga pampublikong sasakyan kaya’t hindi na mag-aagawan ang mga ito sa pasahero’t magiging kontrolado na ang ruta’t konsentrasyon ng mga behikulo sa kalye. Kaya sa isang banda, maaaring tingnan ang paghantong ng Maynila sa ganitong kalagayan bilang bunga ng mga patakarang ipinatutupad ng mismong pamahalaan.

At ang mga ganitong imahen ng kaguluhan ang kinagigiliwan ng mga

pelikulang Hollywood, partikular ng mga action film — higit kasi sa ibang espasyo, sa larawan ng magulo’t mataong urbanidad matatagpuan ang kapwa hayag at ‘di hayag na diwa ng karahasan.

Kasabay ng eksena ng barilan, habulan at pagsabog ng mga ten-wheeler truck, kinukunan din ng camera ang ere ng karahasang humahayuhay sa buong Kamaynilaan. Sinasakal ng polusyon ang bawat sikot ng kalsada, nagkakagipitan ang nagsisiksikang mga sasakyan, at saan mang bahagi ng Maynila, laging may banta ng pananaksak sa tagiliran habang naglalakad o pagsabog ng bus na sinasakyan.

Residente man, bisita o banyaga, tila tanggap nang parte ng Maynila ang mga nabanggit na tagpo—waring may lehitimong marka na ng karahasan ang buong kalunsuran.

UltimatumSa kabila ng lahat, ikinatutuwa pa

rin ng mga Pilipino na makulong ang Pilipinas sa uri ng representasyon ng mahihirap na bansa na nililikha ng Hollywood. Bagamat kinikilala na wala sa intensyon ng mga pelikula ang diskriminasyon, nauuwi pa rin ang mga ito sa tokenismo, o pagbibigay ng limitadong paglalarawang nakabatay lamang sa mga piling katangian ng isang naghihikahos na bayan.

Ilan sa mga partikular na lokasyon na dinalaw ng crew ng Bourne Legacy ang masisikip na eskinita, mga palengke at ang Navotas City Fish Port. Napabalita ring may ilang mga gusali ang inayos upang higit na magmukhang luma ang mga ito.

Para sa mga Amerikano, kakatwa at kaaya-aya ang kaibahan na naihahain ng mga pelikulang nagpapakita ng imaheng “Third World.” Bago at exotic

sa kanilang s e n s i b i l i d a d

ang gulo’t ingay ng lungsod — hindi

bahagi ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na kasanayan ang maipit sa nagsisiksikang trapiko o makihalubilo sa mga taong kinakalmot ng perenyal na alinsangan ng kalunsuran. At bukod pa rito, higit lamang na napagtitibay ang kanilang superiority o nakatataas na antas sa tuwing tinatanaw nila ang magugulong tagpo sa mga naghihirap na bayan.

Ganito man ang umiral na pagpapakilala sa Pilipinas, walang kaso ito para sa mga institusyon gaya ng Malacañang at Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Ani Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, magiging “boost to tourism” daw ang pagpapakita ng Pilipinas sa Bourne Legacy. “This will generate great interest in our country since [it demonstrates] we can provide the facilities for such big productions,” ayon naman FDCP.

Hayag na hayag sa pagtanggap natin sa pagbisita ng Bourne Legacy ang kabalintunaan sa mga kalsada’t eskinita ng mga lungsod gaya ng Maynila. Nagiging paksa ng garbo at ganda ang kaguluhan ng mga ito, at nagiging dahilan ng pagtaas noo ng mga Pilipino ang kahirapang itinuturing na spectacle ng mga pelikulang banyaga.

Kaya hindi maaaring magpatuloy na lamang ang pagkakakulong natin sa ganitong kamalayan. Kung hindi tutunggaliin, patuloy lamang ang pagsiwalat at pagsadiwa ng mga banyaga sa Pilipinas nang walang lalim at pagkilala sa ugat ng mga kaguluhan sa mga sikot ng kalsada — bawat kalye’t eskinita ay magiging imahen lamang ng pagiging kakaiba. ●

Tagpuang Third World

Dibuho ni James Liwanagan

9 • Kulê Kultura Huwebes 8 Marso 2012

LADIES’ CONFESSIONSMary Joy T. Capistrano

“Stepping out of the shadows” ang tagline ng sana’y pabalat ng tanyag na For Him Magazine (FHM) Philippines para sa kanilang isyu ngayong Marso. Sa ilalim ng malamlam na liwanag ng buwan, nakatambad ang katawan ng isang babaeng nagniningning sa

kanyang kaputian, habang pinaliligiran siya ng ilang “black models.” Kaakit-akit ang perpektong hubog ng kanyang katawan na tila hiwaga para

sa mga nakapaligid na modelo sa kanya.

Agad na pinalitan ang nasabing larawan sa pabalat matapos

itong ulanin ng negatibong komento

at tugon mula sa mga unang nakakita. Muling binuksan ng

naudlot na pabalat ang malaon nang diskurso ng diskriminasyon sa

mga api sa lipunan.

Sneak previewHindi pa man nailalabas ang

sana’y pabalat ng FHM, inulan na ito ng batikos mula sa mga tao

nang ito ay unang ilathala ng pamunuan ng FHM sa kanilang

fanpage sa Facebook. Labis na ikinagalit ng karamihan

ang mensahe umano ng diskrimasyon na

dala ng pagpoposisyon ng mga maiitim na

kababaihan sa paligid ng maputing sentro.

Tinuligsa ng marami ang larawan dahil ipinapakita nito ang isteryotipikong pagtingin sa lahing

itim. Pinatampok daw ng pabalat

ang mas mataas na pagtingin sa mga

babaeng maputi kumpara sa mga hindi gaanong

kaputian. Sa Pilipinas, isang bansang dumaan sa pananakop ng mga bansa sa Kanluran, tunay

namang may bitbit na kasaysayan ang ganitong pagtingin.

“Nagborder talaga ang FHM sa pagiging racist,” payahag ni Rolando Tolentino, dekano ng Kolehiyo ng Pangmadlang Komunikasyon. “Ayon

sa klase ng staging of shots, mas pinaaangat ang kaputian ng babae

sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng tatlong African-Filipina – na

babae din naman.” Dagdag pa niya, ipinapakita sa nasabing pabalat na mababang

uri ang mga babaeng

maiitim kumpara sa maputi. Pinangingibabawan ni Bella Padilla, ang modelo, ang mga maiitim na modelo, na ipinalibot sa kanya upang magsilbing anino at lalo pang patingkarin ang kanyang kaputian. Sa simpleng usapin ng espasyo, malaon nang itinuturing na mas nakatataas ang mga nasa gitna kumpara sa mga nakapaligid dito.

Subalit hindi lamang usapin ng diskriminasyon batay sa lahi ang iniuugnay sa nasabing magazine. “Ang FHM ay kilala sa paggamit sa mga katawan ng kababaihan para bumenta,” ani Judy Taguiwalo, propesor sa Center for Women’s Studies. Pirming ipinapatampok ng FHM ang komodipikasyon sa mga kababaihan, maputi man sila o maitim.

BestsellerMatagal nang nakilala ang FHM

bilang isang magazine na ginagamit na instrumento ang mga kababaihan upang pagkakitaan. Pangunahin nilang produkto ang mga hubad na katawan at paglikha ng pantasya sa isip ng mga mambabasa na karamihan ay lalaki.

Dahil talamak ang prostitusyon sa Pilipinas, maraming kababaihan ang nagbebenta ng kanilang katawan upang mabilis na kumita ng salapi. Sa larangan ng showbiz, nakita ring naging dahilan ang paghuhubad upang sumikat, kahit sandali, at ilang artista na rin ang tumahak sa ganitong daan.

Pinupukaw ng larawan ng mga hubad na kababaihan ang makamundong damdamin ng mga lalaki, kaya naman itinuturing silang mga “sex objects.” Dahil sa ganitong turing, nagiging mababa ang pagtingin sa mga kababaihan sa lipunan. Naikukulong sila sa pagiging produkto at hindi naituturing bilang mga taong may karapatan ding nararapat igalang, bagay na pinapatindi at pinatitimo ng mass media.

Ang usapin ng diskriminasyon sa kababaihan ay tali at hindi maihihiwalay sa usapin ng lahi at uri, ayon kay Bell Hooks, tanyag na Amerikanong manunulat at peminista. Maiuugat ang ganitong pananaw sa panahon ng pang-aalipin, kung saan hindi lamang pagiging babae ang basehan upang maging alila, kundi pati na rin ang estado sa lipunan, lahing pinagmulan, at kulay ng balat. Dagdag pa niya, nagpapatuloy ang ganitong opresyon sa mga kababaihan sa kasalukuyan, kahit hindi na umiiral ang sinaunang konsepto ng pang-aalipin.

Ayon kay Tolentino, iba-iba ang uri ng pagiging api – maaaring nakabatay ito sa lahing pinagmulan o mula sa iisang uri din. Sa Pilipinas, matapos ang karanasang kolonya, ang pagkakaroon ng lahing Amerikano, Kastila o kaya’y Tsino ay nagsisilbing pribilehiyo para sa isang tao.

Tila sinusuportahan ng media ang ganitong mga tanaw sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalaganap ng mga stereotype, tulad ng kababaihang api o mga

p r o b i n s y a n o – mga katutubo na laging ipinakikita na may dalang tampipi, may punto kung nagsasalita, at nagtatrabaho bilang kasambahay.

Cover girlBukod sa

pagtaguyod ng media ng mga stereotype sa mga grupong nasa laylayan, nagagawa rin nitong magtakda kung ano ba ang ideyal na pamantayan sa iba’t ibang usapin. Sa kahabaan ng EDSA, halimbawa, makikita ang mga naglalakihang larawan ng mga modelong artista na naglalarawan ng hitsura ng katawan na nararapat umanong tularan ng mga tao. Ang pagtatakda ng partikular na pamantayan ng kagandahan ay isang dambuhalang industriya.

Ayon pa kay Tolentino, karaniwang “racialized” ang katawang ipinapakita sa mga billboards o mas nakabatay sa pamantayan ng pamumuhay ng mga dayuhan, sa halip na “organic” katulad na lamang ng katawan ng mga magsasaka na putok ang kalamnan dahil sa pagtatrabaho sa bukid.

Gayunpaman, madaling isantabi ang pananaw na api pa rin ang lahi ni Maria Clara sa panahong ito. Madaling magbanggit ng mga personalidad na nagmarka sa mundo ng pulitika o negosyo bilang patunay umano na naigpawan na ng mga kabababaihan ang kanilang dating kondisyon. Ngunit sa kaso halimbawa ni Gloria Arroyo, na dating pangulo ng Pilipinas, o Wan Ling Martello, ang Filipina-Chinese na chief financial officer ng Nestle, pinapatunayan lamang nito na hindi tanging kasarian ang batayan ng pang-aapi sa ngayo’y masalimuot na lipunan.

Kung gayon, kung makitid ang representasyon ng media sa mga kababaihan, nararapat na hindi ito gawing hiwalay sa iba pang ugat ng pagsasantabi sa lipunan, ito man ay kasarian, lahi, o uri. Sa kaso ng FHM cover ni Padilla, naging malinaw na magkakaugnay ang mga daluyong ng opresyon. Hindi sapat ang tingi-tinging pagsipat sa mga sektor na sadyang patuloy na inaagawan ng espasyo’t kapangyarihan. ●

Dibuho ni Ysa CalinawanDisenyo ng pahina ni Kel Almazan

10 • Kulê Opinyon Huwebes 8 Marso 2012

International Women’s Day

GABRIELA, a national alliance of women’s organizations, invites you to a march of women from different sectors on the International Women’s Day, March 8, at Mendiola, Manila. Assembly is at Plaza Miranda, 3pm. Also, there will be series of activities starting from 8am at UP Quezon Hall and AS Parking Lot. Lots of activities, fora, and seminars will also be held in lieu of the International Women’s Month. You can contact Nikki (09277438041) and Joan (09261494262) for more details.

The Philippines Summit on European Studies 2012

Break social boundaries! Know the better on the current struggle against discrimination based on gender, race, nation, colour, and class. UP EURO (Euro-Filipino Understanding and Relations Organization) presents The Philippine Summit on European Studies 2012 with the theme “Gender and Human Rights in the Philippines and Europe: Issues, Perspectives and Directions” this coming March 10 at the Engineering Theater in Melchor Hall, UP Diliman. Join our event in Facebook for more details.

Media Talks (TV 5 Talk)

Hear from the big bosses themselves! Listen and interact about broadcast journalism, online journalism and social media from these big shots in the industry. March 9, 2012 1-4 PM at the CMC Auditorium. See you there! Cha Dao Tea Place GCs will be given to participants.

NEWSCAN

Suddenly my enthusiasm for writing new narratives and crafting fictional characters died down — and I blame the burden of next year’s tasks for frightening it all away

Muni-muni

Intel

KAT

GIDGET ESTELLA

I was in the middle of writing a column about my latest musical finds when I received a text message that got me staring at the cursor blinking at the edge of an unfinished sentence. It was from a high school friend, saying that we should both apply to a certain writing workshop this summer.

Before the recent unexpected turn of events, I already had a rough draft of what I wanted to do in the coming months: write stories like a scholarship is at stake, join workshops to both enhance and validate whatever skills I have, then go home to my family, who are living abroad, and see how I can contribute to the struggle from thousand miles away.

But after hearing the news two Saturdays ago, it’s as if I had to drop all the fruits of my nightly muni-muni and face this new plan instead. Suddenly my enthusiasm for writing new narratives and crafting fictional characters died down — and I blame the burden of next year’s tasks for frightening it all away.

I knew very well that the military does not distinguish between members of legal organizations and armed rebels

So that was how it felt like, hiding inside a house while the people chasing you were just a few feet away from the door. These people have a variety of options once they find you, but the possibilities only range from verbal harassment to murder or abduction.

It was right after the convention of college publications, in which critical discussions of social issues were a staple. We were buying snacks for a movie marathon that we so well deserve after a week of hard work, when a man approached us and asked where we were heading to. “University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) or Brgy. Abad Santos?” he asked. “I am lost, can I take a ride with you?”

“Intel,” I thought immediately. Intel, slang for “military or police intelligence.” If he was really lost, why did he know about Abad Santos? The choice of places – UEP and Abad Santos – is suspicious. UEP is known for producing progressives in Samar, and Abad Santos is home to one of the speakers in the convention, a member of the workers’ organization Kilusang Mayo Uno, which the military has labeled as a “communist front.”

I did not speak. He would find out that I am not from here. I remembered Ericson Acosta, a cultural worker and a former campus paper editor, who is in jail in Calbayog, a few miles from where I stood. He was accused of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) despite lack of evidence. “Tagalog ‘to, ser, Tagalog, hindi Bisaya,” said one of his captors, as if it is anomalous for a Tagalog to be in Samar, and being Tagalog is equivalent to being a member of the NPA.

We entered the house of one of our friends who live near the Catarman terminal. Tricycle drivers and two men on a scooter followed us. While we were inside the house, a man parked his scooter outside and stayed there for at least 20 minutes, even though the place was a very unlikely parking space. Another man on a scooter was waiting near the house and talking to someone over the phone. A group of men then asked the residents of the adjacent house if Micah, one of my companions, was there, and that they were only returning one of her belongings (the next day, the same group would be conducting a house-to-house visit, looking for us).

I felt feverish. My heart was beating at an unbelievable rate. I don’t want to die. I will get married. I love my mother. My graduation ceremony is on April 22. They went to the wrong house, just don’t make any noise and they will not knock on the next door. I will not be abducted. I am not a member of the NPA. College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is a legal organization.

But legality doesn’t really matter. Benjaline Hernandez, CEGP vice president for Mindanao, was killed in a very legal fact-finding mission. Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan were finishing their thesis when they were abducted.

I knew very well that the military does not distinguish between members of legal organizations and armed rebels. I remembered what Mao Zedong said, “military intelligence is contradictory to its terms.” And for them, I am now a member of the NPA by virtue of citing Mao Zedong. ●

Friends say that I should just linger at the celebratory phase for now. But really, what’s to celebrate when history and experience have proven that the only certain things for next year are stress, stress and more stress?

Gone were the days when I could cut classes then reappear in the middle of the semester, hoping that my profs would be lenient about my excessive absences. When called upon during recitations, I can’t retort “hindi ko po alam” or “no comment” anymore. Now, I have to be a decent example in upholding the paper’s beliefs by not tarnishing its reputation of training some of the brightest minds in the university.

Though I am thankful for a number of people willing to stay and endure the weekly presswork for yet another year, I’m afraid that I might fail them. There are even times when I feel that a few colleagues could not fathom the idea that they’d be working under the supervision of someone like me.

These thoughts are purely subjective, I know, but I can’t help having them. I am not the best student, not even the best writer in Kule, and my knowledge on issues both relevant and mundane is very limited. If anything, what happened has just brought back to life and concretized all my deepest insecurities and personal problems: here I am again, four years after graduating from high school, still haunted by the pressure and the challenge to prove my worth.

This time though, the responsibility goes beyond my own hang-ups. I keep telling myself that it’s just for a year—for the students, for the people. ●

Get free publicity! Send us your press release invitations, etc. DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS and go easy on the punctuations?! Complete sentences only. Don’t use text language please. Provide a short title, be concise, 100 words maximum. Email us at kule1112@gmail.com

11 • Kulê Opinyon Huwebes 08 Marso 2012

EKSENANG PEYUPS

INBOX

Para sa susunod na linggo, narito ang mga katanungan:1. Ngayong binubuo ng UP admin ang panukalang badyet sa 2013, anong gusali sa Diliman ang nararapat na unang paglaanan ng pondo at ipaayos?2. Sinong pulitiko ang kahawig ni Wako Wako?Send in your opinions and feedback via SMS! Type KULE <space> YOUR MESSAGE <space > STUDENT NUMBER (required), NAME and COURSE (optional) and send to:

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Ze Bazura Edishun!Musta na kayo mga teh! Nagbabalik ang reyna ng inyong weekly pasabog!

In fair talaga sa UP elections, parang UP Fair! Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, aba, BAZURA everywhere. Nakakalat ang mga tumilamsik na flyers—black, white, gray, beige, red, blue, yellow! But wait, may iba pang mga bazurang napulot ang inyong lingkod na bekimae:

BAZURA # 1: Sinetch itey na koyang beklaber na naghasik ng kanyang nega vibes after i-announce ang winners ng ereksyon. Dahil certified popstar princess ang koyang rah-rah-rah after manalo bilang kinatawan ng mga ecoñomista, aba, si negang beklaber, nag-comment sa fezbuk ng kanyang prediction na iwiwiz eventually ni koyang rah-rah-rah ang kanyang kulay! Afraid for love to fade!

BAZURA # 2: Sinetch naman itey na koyang bekibelles from red team na nagkalat recently ng kanyang kamandag sa Kolehiyo ng KALandian! Proud na proud na inannounce ni koya sa fezbuk ang kanyang planong makipag-date with an ex-candidate mula sa yellow team. Hmmm, si koya, charotera!

BAZURA # 3: Para sa huling pasabog this week, sinetch itey na koyabelles na umabot na sa fezbuk ang pag-defend sa “very friendly” na group nito. Uber daming nag-contest lalo na ang dinamay niyang juicy council mula sa cold mountains. Kasi naman koyabelles, deny ka nang deny. Sa kaka-deny naging totoo na! Bwahahaha. Beware, liars everywhere! Hahahaha, bitchesa talaga akey!

Ay sori naman mga teh, ginamit ko ang B* word. Baka i-castrate ako ni Madame Ninretchkabelles. My gedhz, ipaglaban ang women’s rights! At wag kalimutan, Buwan ng Kababaihan ngayong Marzo! Go mga babaeng abante! Hihihi. Keriboomboombelles! Kitakits ulit! ●

Statement on Campus Security in UP DilimanEnsuring the safety and welfare of faculty, administrative and technical

support personnel, and students has been a constant primary concern of the UP Diliman (UPD) administration particularly in recent years. The task is complex given that UP is a secular and public institution of higher learning (RA 9500) and that thousands of alumni, guests, visitors, third-party employees, passers-by, and informal settlers also set foot daily on campus land.

The UPD campus in Quezon City has a contiguous land area of 493 hectares that spans from Camp Karingal in the southwest, segment of C-5 and Barangay Pansol in the southeast, to the Central Avenue in the north. The campus covers seven barangays (at least portions of them) including the Barangay UP Campus.

A set of working principles is needed to develop an effective security system for UPD. Security is a science. Its model must be constantly validated and improved in response to information that is derived from relevant and accurate field data.

The human resource component of our security system consists of the UPD Police (with 42 officers and 9 administrative staff), security guards, and security service brigade (SSB) personnel. Two security service contractors are hired via public bidding (RA 9184) to maintain campus security – one each for the north and south sector of UPD. In the previous security contracts (duration: 12 months), UPD spent close to PhP100M on security guards (303; total value of two service contracts: PhP88.154M) and SSB personnel (51) alone.

New security service contracts (duration: 12 months; contract value: PhP67.26M; baseline: 236 guards) are being implemented since 1 January 2012 for the North (Winace) and 1 February 2012 for the South Sector (Glocke). The number of guards has already increased to more than 240 since then in response to verified feedback from the field.

Our guards are deployed in the academic and administrative buildings as well as in the five access portals/gates (University Avenue, Ylanan, Jacinto, Velasquez and Magsaysay-C5) to the UPD academic core. A separate team is assigned to watch over campus land and prevent the construction of new illegal self-built units (SBU) after December 2011.

The Campus Security and Welfare Committee (CSWC) represented by various sectors in UPD evaluated the previous campus security arrangement for its flaws and weaknesses in order to enhance future effectiveness. The review was not aimed primarily to reduce the security budget although the CSWC had been concerned with its rising cost – the budget increased yearly by 6.5% between 2005 and 2010.

UPD is ready to allocate for 2012 the same amount previously spent but it plans to utilize a portion of the 2012 budget to acquire new security hardware like automatic bar gates for our portals and high-resolution CCTV cameras that will be installed in strategic campus locations.

Let us bear in mind that the UPD campus is an integral part of Quezon City and Metro Manila. The socio-economic and political consequences of increasing urbanization, widespread poverty, and rapid population growth are also seriously felt here. Therefore, let us work closely together to achieve an effective security system for UPD. Your genuine cooperation and sincere participation are crucial to our success.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Office of the Chancellor

1. Anong masasabi mo sa nagdaang halalan?

walang nagbago sa halalan. Pare-parehong mga mukha na nangako nung nakaraan na taon, puro salita. Hati ung mga nanalong candidates of different parties. 2008-16709 Rose

Bakit ganun ang STAND UP? >:( D naman aq against sa kanila pero grabe naman po ang pagtira nila sa ibang partido. Puede naman nilang ipresent ang plans nila during the meeting de avance without pointing out the flaws of others. Yun lng naman po ung gusto qng malaman—ung platforms nila. 201136480.

Overall ang saya ng experience ko sa halalan. Kahit pa may tontang tanong at tontang sagot ang mga candidates sa Q & A ok pa rin. Twas my first time to vote actually and I am pleasantly surprised that voting was very fluid at CMC. Nice job by the technical crew and facilitators. 0812288

Parang artista search ang naganap na halalan. Kung sino ang may good looks at popular ang pasok sa banga. I hope that those who won are not only endowed with the looks but with the genuine intention of serving the student body. San lalong palaban against budget cut. Huwag lang sana puro pagpapacute, gusto namen ng umaatikabong aksyon. – Ayl 06-84958 SLIS

you have stolen m ‘heart’! <-themesong ng nagdaang eleksyon. hello sa 09brc boys. ;) 2009-34373 dogaebi bsece

2. Kung magwawagi ka sa Academy Awards, sino ang un among pasasalamatan?

i will thank my mom kase tiniruan niya ako magbaliwbaliwan acting. ;) 200996872 slis

Ang una kong pasasalamatan ay ang nag-abot sa akin ng award. Hehe. Delfin Mercado, idol talaga kita.:-) 1130153 bsce

kung ako ang wagi sa academy awards,walang dapat pasalamatan k u n d i … M E , M YS E L F & I … d u h …w l a namang ibang umarte f0r me n0!talent un pag gan0n.thank God or others ky0 dyan, eh di naman cla ang naghirap sa pagarte.yan ang natututunan k0 mula kay sir gerry,which makes perfect sense aman…07-16149/kaibsfoodtechn0l0gy

CommentsPara kay Aya ng STAND UP,

IRRELEVANT na ung answer mo sa 2nd question ng kule after your second sentence. Pick-up line lang ung tinanong!! >:( 201136480

Hey, kule! So sad na hndi nyo nafeature yung mga msgs namin lalo na yung sakin! Hahaha! Btw, i lyk d frontpage, especially the emphasis of big pores…hahaha! XD LOL peace sa mga candidates! About the Terminal Cases nga pala. Yun. Yoko nang mag-comment. Haha! And yung EP, habang tumatagal, it becomes less funnier. Sad. Btw, more power pa rn s Kule. 201128662 da ultimeyt Physix meyjooor!! XD

Anyare sa article about next EIC? Anyway, congrats next EIC! Galingan! 201026884

Pabatii missed you kule! parang ang tagal ng

1week. pabati naman sa tropang budoy: jubs, jesi, irene-dora ng letran. hahappy anniv! – bibay ng arki. 09.17740

TEXTBACK

Kumatok ang isa sa mga lalaki sa kabilang bahay at nagtanong, “Maupay. Hain si Micah? Kay an gamit n’ya nga nabayaan (Tao po. Nasaan po si Micah? Kasi ‘yung gamit n’yang naiwan).”

“Basta buwas hanapon ta hanapin sila. Magpreparare (Basta bukas nang hapon hanapin sila. Magprepare),” saad pa ng isa pa.

Agad namang ipinaalam ng grupo ng campus journalists ang kanilang kalagayan sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) at pahayagang Pinoy Weekly. Kinaumagahan, sinamahan sila ng mga kasapi ng NUJP at grupong Karapatan upang ligtas na makapunta sa Catarman airport at makauwi ng Maynila.

Makalipas ang dalawang araw, nakatanggap ng text message si Estella sa mga kasamahan niya sa Samar na nagsasabing may blotter na isinampa ang mga ahente ng militar sa istasyon ng police sa barangay na pinangyarihan ng insidente. Ayon sa blotter, may “dalawang estudyante ng UP” na kasapi umano ng New People’s Army na nagtatago sa isang bahay sa nasabing barangay.

Ayon kay Estella, dalawang araw pa man bago ang nasabing insidente, may ulat na mula sa ibang kasapi ng CEGP na mayroon silang namataang mga hinihinalang ahente ng militar na nagmamanman sa labas ng gusali sa UEP kung saan ginanap ang kumperensya ng CEGP.

Isa pang insidente ng pagmamatyag

Samantala, may naitala ding insidente ng “military surveillance” sa isa pang kasapi ng CEGP na si Ma. Luisa Purrugganan sa tirahan nito sa Laguna, alas-12 ng madaling araw noong Pebrero 26.

Ayon sa salaysay ni Purrugganan, dalawang lalaki na nakamotorsiklo ang nagtanong sa kanyang mga kapitbahay kung saan siya nakatira. Dala ng mga lalaki ang isang papel na may larawan ni Purrugganan. Bumalik ang dalawang lalaki bandang alas-12 ng tanghali at muling nagtanong ng impormasyon. Nang tanungin kung ano ang relasyon ng dalawa sa kanilang hinahanap, sinabi ng mga ito na mga kaibigan umano sila ni Purrugganan.

Ilang araw makalipas ang insidente, habang nag-uusap si Purrugganan at ang kanyang nanay, may namataan silang isang lalaking nakamotorsiklo at umaaligid sa labas ng kanilang bahay. Naghinala na umano si Purrugganan kung bakit pabalik-balik ang motorsiklo dahil dead-end umano ang kalye sa harap ng kanilang bahay at hindi maaaring daanan ng kahit anong klase ng sasakyan.

‘Hindi na bago’Hindi na bago ang mga ganitong

insidente ng harassment at represyon sa mga kasapi ng CEGP, ani Estella. Matatandaan na noong 2002, isa si Benjaline Hernandez, ikalawang pangulo ng CEGP sa Mindanao, sa mga pinatay ng militar habang nagsasaliksik ukol sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa rehiyon.

Noong 2008, pinatay din ng hinihinalang mga ahente ng militar si Rachelle Palang, ikalawang pangulo ng CEGP sa Visayas habang nagsasagawa ng isang medical mission bilang nurse sa isang komunidad doon.

Paliwanag ni Estella, ang nangyaring mga insidente ay bahagi ng Oplan Bayanihan, isang counter-insurgency program ng administrasyong Aquino laban sa mga kinikilala nitong kaaway at kritiko ng pamahalaan.

Inaasahang mas iigting pa umano ito dahil sa napipintong pagdating ng 2,400 Amerikanong sundalo sa Pilipinas.

“There is no doubt the Aquino government is desperate to silence the alternative media, even young journalists and the youth, who expose his anti-people policies and his own incompetency”, ani Estella. ●

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Pagmamatyag sa mga campus journalist...

Kulê The Back Page Huwebes 8 Marso 2012

Dibuho ni RD Aliposa