JULY 15 - 21, 2009 VOLUME 1 NO; 10 BUTUAN CITY, PHILIPPINESCaretakers of our Environment
Our attention is called to our responsibility towards the care of our natural habitat. We have been gifted with the Almighty’s beautiful creation, the heavens and the earth, the water, the plants, animals and every living thing that forms our environment. Within that ecosystem, God gave man a chosen and special habitat – our earth.
Then He put man not only to enjoy it, but also to work and take care of it. As caretakers, we are supposed to tend the plants, care for the trees, fed the animals and see them enjoy space, romp and play, to watch the water resources, to dispose our garbage properly and to perform other tasks that would enhance and preserve our habitat for a happy, harmonious life.
But then, we did not only use our resources. We abuse. The land became barren and the harmonious relationship between man and nature was broken. Nature now became a separate entity for man. It would now be seen as a resource, the capabilities of which were only meant for exploitation. Man’s main aim now is to extract in the shortest possible time whatever he could get from nature.
His passion now is to attain rapid growth we now call industrialization mindless of whether nature’s wealth could sustain it. The concept of caretaking is now forgotten. What were left now are mankind’s exploitation, misjudgment and neglect of the earth.
We fell down trees without caring to replant. We mine and log even within protected or watershed areas. We dispose our garbage irresponsibly and indiscriminately. Sheer human neglect contributes much to our environmental problem as much as our naked human greed and error.
Take for instance our waste management and disposal. It is obvious even here in our city that infrastructure for proper disposal is insufficient. Our adequate garbage collection system is wanting. The result is clear. A slight rain inundates our streets. Creeks, streams, canals and drainage systems are coked with garbage, a good part of which is non-biodegrable. And who are the culprits? You and me. Squatters and full-pledged residents. The government and the citizens.
By just being mindless, neglectful and careless with our wastes, we help spoil the environment to our own disaster.
Where do we place ourselves in the face of deforestation and garbage, oil spills, global warming and other environmental woes?
There is no easy answer. But we know that in some way, despite our exploitative nature, misjudgment and apathy towards our environment, we still can go back and learn anew how to become caretakers of this earth which was created for our good. We have the duty to re-establish the broken harmony of man and nature by being a bridge, a nurturer and a caregiver.
We can do this in an individual level. But we can be more effective when we do it corporately. Like for instance by participating in a tree planting activity, or by setting a good example for our neighbors in cleaning and beautifying our surroundings.
We can also influence government policies on environmental issues by lobbying or protest actions, like what is done by the “Save Taguibo Watershed Network.”
We can make change in the face of the world if we try hard enough. We can still restore to a certain degree the beauty of the earth – the world where God has put us in.
Then He put man not only to enjoy it, but also to work and take care of it. As caretakers, we are supposed to tend the plants, care for the trees, fed the animals and see them enjoy space, romp and play, to watch the water resources, to dispose our garbage properly and to perform other tasks that would enhance and preserve our habitat for a happy, harmonious life.
But then, we did not only use our resources. We abuse. The land became barren and the harmonious relationship between man and nature was broken. Nature now became a separate entity for man. It would now be seen as a resource, the capabilities of which were only meant for exploitation. Man’s main aim now is to extract in the shortest possible time whatever he could get from nature.
His passion now is to attain rapid growth we now call industrialization mindless of whether nature’s wealth could sustain it. The concept of caretaking is now forgotten. What were left now are mankind’s exploitation, misjudgment and neglect of the earth.
We fell down trees without caring to replant. We mine and log even within protected or watershed areas. We dispose our garbage irresponsibly and indiscriminately. Sheer human neglect contributes much to our environmental problem as much as our naked human greed and error.
Take for instance our waste management and disposal. It is obvious even here in our city that infrastructure for proper disposal is insufficient. Our adequate garbage collection system is wanting. The result is clear. A slight rain inundates our streets. Creeks, streams, canals and drainage systems are coked with garbage, a good part of which is non-biodegrable. And who are the culprits? You and me. Squatters and full-pledged residents. The government and the citizens.
By just being mindless, neglectful and careless with our wastes, we help spoil the environment to our own disaster.
Where do we place ourselves in the face of deforestation and garbage, oil spills, global warming and other environmental woes?
There is no easy answer. But we know that in some way, despite our exploitative nature, misjudgment and apathy towards our environment, we still can go back and learn anew how to become caretakers of this earth which was created for our good. We have the duty to re-establish the broken harmony of man and nature by being a bridge, a nurturer and a caregiver.
We can do this in an individual level. But we can be more effective when we do it corporately. Like for instance by participating in a tree planting activity, or by setting a good example for our neighbors in cleaning and beautifying our surroundings.
We can also influence government policies on environmental issues by lobbying or protest actions, like what is done by the “Save Taguibo Watershed Network.”
We can make change in the face of the world if we try hard enough. We can still restore to a certain degree the beauty of the earth – the world where God has put us in.
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JULY 8 - 14, 2009 VOLUME 1 NO. 9, 2009
Are we heading towards another martial law?
It’s a scary scenario to just even think about. But suspicions that the recent rash of bombings in select areas of Mindanao is part of a ploy to place the country under martial law could not be simply ignored. Some groups tend to adopt the military line that the Jemaah Islamiya or the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was behind the blasts in retaliation for the scrapping of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.
Such suspicions could be true. Yet, there are also developments in the national political situation that would bolster allegations the Palace – or a close-knit faction loyal to it – is into something sinister.
At least three things should be considered in identifying the possible culprits – motives and capability. The MILF has both. But so do the individuals and groups who stand to benefit from authoritarian rule. If the latter suspects are the real perpetrators, it’s like hitting the proverbial two birds with a single stone. The stage would be set for the declaration of martial rule on top of deepening the animosities between Muslims and Christians who would interpret these events along religious lines.
Circumspection and wariness over sweeping statements coming from government and military sources are necessary in a situation where the real motives and interests have remained hazy. Remember the lessons of the 2003 Davao City bombings and other incidents where the suspects turned out to be fall guys. This is not to totally discount possible MILF or JI involvement but to caution the public against rushing into conclusions even in the absence of conclusive proof as to the identity of the perpetrators. Treating the bombings as simply blackmail by the rebels to force the Philippine government to return to the negotiating table closes the door to other plausible motives.
Was it the MILF then? As pointed out earlier, the possibility is there. But the elements pointing to such likelihood look too well orchestrated and dwelt much on symbolisms that would stoke the fire of religious enmity, if any. For one, the bomb used in Cotabato City was planted in a store selling lechon (roasted pig) just across the Immaculate Conception cathedral. A similar scene would be repeated in Jolo, Sulu two days after, near the Mount Carmel church. Lechon. Church. The conspirators could not have thought of more striking imageries.
These symbolic subtleties however have only cast doubts on the plausibility of rebel or terrorist involvement in the blasts bolstering suspicions that a sector in the armed forces could be cooking up scenarios to justify a declaration of a state of emergency if not martial law. In this light, Mrs. Arroyo and those who would benefit from her prolonged stay in power are all suspects. With the shameless Charter change initiative facing imminent defeat and with time running out, the only option left is a bloody shortcut – military solution to a political objective.
This is not paranoia but a call for vigilance and critical evaluation of events which threaten to further erode whatever is left of our democratic pretensions. Learn from the past. Remember the events that led to Proclamation 1081.
- - - - -Such suspicions could be true. Yet, there are also developments in the national political situation that would bolster allegations the Palace – or a close-knit faction loyal to it – is into something sinister.
At least three things should be considered in identifying the possible culprits – motives and capability. The MILF has both. But so do the individuals and groups who stand to benefit from authoritarian rule. If the latter suspects are the real perpetrators, it’s like hitting the proverbial two birds with a single stone. The stage would be set for the declaration of martial rule on top of deepening the animosities between Muslims and Christians who would interpret these events along religious lines.
Circumspection and wariness over sweeping statements coming from government and military sources are necessary in a situation where the real motives and interests have remained hazy. Remember the lessons of the 2003 Davao City bombings and other incidents where the suspects turned out to be fall guys. This is not to totally discount possible MILF or JI involvement but to caution the public against rushing into conclusions even in the absence of conclusive proof as to the identity of the perpetrators. Treating the bombings as simply blackmail by the rebels to force the Philippine government to return to the negotiating table closes the door to other plausible motives.
Was it the MILF then? As pointed out earlier, the possibility is there. But the elements pointing to such likelihood look too well orchestrated and dwelt much on symbolisms that would stoke the fire of religious enmity, if any. For one, the bomb used in Cotabato City was planted in a store selling lechon (roasted pig) just across the Immaculate Conception cathedral. A similar scene would be repeated in Jolo, Sulu two days after, near the Mount Carmel church. Lechon. Church. The conspirators could not have thought of more striking imageries.
These symbolic subtleties however have only cast doubts on the plausibility of rebel or terrorist involvement in the blasts bolstering suspicions that a sector in the armed forces could be cooking up scenarios to justify a declaration of a state of emergency if not martial law. In this light, Mrs. Arroyo and those who would benefit from her prolonged stay in power are all suspects. With the shameless Charter change initiative facing imminent defeat and with time running out, the only option left is a bloody shortcut – military solution to a political objective.
This is not paranoia but a call for vigilance and critical evaluation of events which threaten to further erode whatever is left of our democratic pretensions. Learn from the past. Remember the events that led to Proclamation 1081.
The Last Frontier
By A.D.T.
The Citizen has a stake in Civil Servant’s Career
It is now July, the beginning of the second semester of the year. For employees of the Government, especially those occupying regular items in the plantilla or a roll of personnel, or civil servants as they are commonly referred to, the first two weeks of July of each year is a busy and most important period of their employment. It is during the first two weeks of every semester that the civil report and at the same their current semester’s performance targets. The ratings of Poor, Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory, Very Satisfactory and Outstanding. Those rated poor shall be separated from the service. Those with Unsatisfactory are given s second chance. Only those with Very Satisfactory and Outstanding performance ratings could be promoted. So, given their first semester’s ratings, civil servants shall then plan well their performance targets for this second semester.
It is important to note that the present performance evaluation system of civil servants in this country is a 360-degree evaluation, meaning it involves vertical and horizontal lines of raters. Vertically, the civil servant rates himself/herself, and is rated by the immediate superior and by the subordinates if there be any. Horizontally, the civil servant is also rated by his/her peers or those of same rank having working relationship with him/her. More interestingly, the transacting public, his/her client or customer also rates the civil servant’s performance and behavior. Thus, not only is the civil servant rated or graded by the Government but also by the Citizen, the transacting public. So, no matter how brilliant a civil servant is if his/her performance or behavior is unacceptable by the Citizen, his/her career in Government is at risk. This is so because without the customer why should he/she be employed? This is the essence of the constitutional provision that “public office is a public trust”.
The challenge now is: how many of the government agencies implement this system of performance evaluation wherein the civil servant is objectively and fairly rated by all stakeholders, ensuring that the transacting public can freely rate the civil servant’s performance and behavior? And there is even the greater challenge: how do we encourage our transacting public or citizens to spend their precious time to fill the client rater’s form whenever they finished their transaction with the civil servant? Is this something new? Fellow citizens, know more about this citizen power by reading the government agency’s Citizen’s Charter. Email to cscaraga@philcom.ph or text Civil Service Commission Caraga at 09185134278. You may also log on to http://www.csc.gov.ph/.
It is important to note that the present performance evaluation system of civil servants in this country is a 360-degree evaluation, meaning it involves vertical and horizontal lines of raters. Vertically, the civil servant rates himself/herself, and is rated by the immediate superior and by the subordinates if there be any. Horizontally, the civil servant is also rated by his/her peers or those of same rank having working relationship with him/her. More interestingly, the transacting public, his/her client or customer also rates the civil servant’s performance and behavior. Thus, not only is the civil servant rated or graded by the Government but also by the Citizen, the transacting public. So, no matter how brilliant a civil servant is if his/her performance or behavior is unacceptable by the Citizen, his/her career in Government is at risk. This is so because without the customer why should he/she be employed? This is the essence of the constitutional provision that “public office is a public trust”.
The challenge now is: how many of the government agencies implement this system of performance evaluation wherein the civil servant is objectively and fairly rated by all stakeholders, ensuring that the transacting public can freely rate the civil servant’s performance and behavior? And there is even the greater challenge: how do we encourage our transacting public or citizens to spend their precious time to fill the client rater’s form whenever they finished their transaction with the civil servant? Is this something new? Fellow citizens, know more about this citizen power by reading the government agency’s Citizen’s Charter. Email to cscaraga@philcom.ph or text Civil Service Commission Caraga at 09185134278. You may also log on to http://www.csc.gov.ph/.
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