BUDGET SLASH

Photo credit to Deposit photo

Do you know anyone from your community or circle who has children, brothers, sisters or relatives with special needs? This also includes those with "special education (SPED)" support? Do you think the government should continue to allocate funds in order to alleviate the challenges and conditions of the families who have a child that requires special attention.

In July 2018, it was bared publily that children in the Philippines need better care following the study made by UNICEF quoting the PhilHealth that one out of seven Filipino children or 5.1 million school children have disabilities. As far as the enrolled students with disabilities for school year 2021-2022 DepEd registered 93, 895, which is 74% below its pre-pandemic tally of 360, 879. 

Sadly, despite these numbers the national government has struck out from the 2023 national expenditure program being proposed at the House of Representatives (HOR) during the ongoing budget deliberations the P560 million as DepEd's appropriation for special children. 

As a taxpayer I see this unfair knowing there are budget appropriations to the other government offices and agencies that are unnecessary, while those that should be appropriated to benefit the poor and marginalized sectors of the society were being robbed of the opportunity. 

Imagine this government will be spending an X amount for a new catering area in Malacanang, and will allocate budget for "confidential and intelligence funds" of several if not all government agencies and departments in 2023, but slashed the funds for UP-PGH's capital outlay, Commission on Human Rights' financial assistance to victims of human rights, Philippine Heart Center (PHC), National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), and no funding for the Department of Transportation's supposed shift to modern PUV as part of government's assistance to the transportation sector, as well as the DepEd's special education, are among those budgets were cut by the NEP.

I wonder what was the wisdom of the chief executive for allowing the budget cut to these items, as the beneficiaries of these proposed appropriations are mostly the marginalized communities.

Once again, I hope that the 31 million Filipinos who voted for the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the last May election will remain at the top priority of this administration. And I likewise pray that the authorities will exercise prudence as every cent spent by this government comes from the Filipinos hard earned money whether you are a pro BBM-Duterte or not. 

MODERNIZING PH AGRICULTURE?

Photo credit to ops.gov.ph

It has been a while since I posted and wrote something in this blog because I do not want to be presumptive, subjective and negative to the new government administration.

But if you are to look at the Philippine agriculture which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is administering as concurrent Department of Agriculture Secretary, a growing and increasing issue needs to be handled.

About two months ago, some sectors were already recommending that Pres. BBM must appoint an agriculture chief to focus more on the problems of the agriculture industry. Obviously, Pres. Marcos Jr. could not handle the issue because there are a lot more other equally pressing concerns at his desk.

There are the issues of transportation, traffic, fare hike, gasoline, as well as the electricity increase among others. While, the issues of sugar importation, onion, salt and now even the garlic supply will soon become a concern of the Filipino public. I believe these issues are a must that the national government should address with immediacy, as these can affect the people's day to day life whether you are in the upper class of the society or at the bottom.

I would like to believe that the President and his Cabinet members are not taking these problems lightly, and are equally affected as everyone of us. Therefore, it is fitting that utmost concern and urgency be made to address the worries hounding the Filipino public, farmers, electricity, transportation, and the agriculture industry per se. 

Of course, I the president's support to the Gilas Pilipinas on Monday night which was shown by his presence at the MOA Arena are deeply appreciated by the Gilas Team, but the extra time exerted instead of watching the game could have been more appreciated and productive if this was utilized  to expedite to answer the concerns in the agriculture, transportation and energy sectors.

I wonder what the 31-million Filipino voters who supported the candidacy of the administration would feel right now, as there are huge concerns affecting the nation, who has promised to cure the agriculture's problem and to make it a top priority.

Anyway, at the end of the day I hope that the presentadministration would be able to provide reasonable and lasting solutions to the problems affecting not only the agriculture department but all the other concerns involving the Filipino nation.

THE ICONS

 

Photo credit to Roimhie Damian for his scribbled art showcasing the La Primera Contravida Cherie Gil (May 12, 1963-Aug 5, 2022)

As a Filipino who grew up watching her great acting prowess as a "kontra bida", truly it is with deep sadness to know that Cherie Gil or Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann has passed away.

I was browsing my phone that afternoon of August 5, when I chance upon the news of Cherie's passing at Rappler. The news has shaken my peace, that made me browse one social media site to another. But it was the confirmation of Cherie's nephew, actor Sid Lucero that put a stop to my quest.

Every day since Friday, I would read more about Cherie Gil and a lot more other Filipino people have somehow been touched by the so-called La Primera Contravida, even those people who would not ring a bell to their names are giving tribute to Cherie Gil. 

I for one was very fortunate to have experienced the kindness of the veteran kontrabida when in early 2000 she agreed to guest live for free at Radio Veritas studio, which at the time was located in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City  beside the infamous Mystique Disco. I remembered there was no lengthy discussion when I asked her if she could grace our program then. In fact she came that day way ahead of time and brought with her then her young children Bianca and Raphael. Indeed, it was a great memory to recall that once upon a time during my prime I got to meet in person Cherie Gil and got to see that unguarded side of her as an actress and a mother. The daughter of showbiz icons Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil who now lives in the US, has succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 59.

Photo credit to Rappler

Meanwhile, it was not so long ago that I posted on July 22, the condition of the '80s Asia's Sprint Queen Lydia De Vega who at the time was in need of prayers and financial assistance following her battle with breast cancer. Sadly, again as I am engrossed in reading and browsing today, I once more chance upon the news of De Vega's passing at the age of 57. 

Definitely, I am not just being sentimental, but these people Cherie Gil and Lydia De Vega were icons that I grew up with since I was born in 1974, technically, they were just a decade away from me and my generation. De Vega was once my idol, someone I looked up to when I was also making a name for myself in school as a volleyball athlete, and now, she too, is gone. 

Also, Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John who made a name in the '70s through her hit songs "Hopelessy Devoted To You, Xanadu and Sam" among others, also died of breast cancer at age 73, on August 8 at her ranch in Southern California. The singer has been battling the big-C since Sepember 2018.

Thus, this series of deaths takes me back to what Cherie and other people would always say as to what legacy we all could leave behind. So while we can, while you still have a chance, be kind to others as you do not know the battles they are fighting.