And justice for all

NOTE: Re-blogged in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of Mamamayan Ayaw sa Airspray (Maas)--residents of Lower Sirib, Calinan, Davao City, victims of development aggression we hosted here in the city.


IT HAD RAINED all afternoon that day, cold and soggy, she tried to push the thought out of her mind.

She had been tossing and turning on her banig most of the night. Somehow she could not rest easy, all the more—sleep. She felt as if two thousand crickets were sniveling from all directions.

Finally, she sat up and gaped blankly at a portion of a lit parol that managed to sneak its multi-hued lights into their rip-ridden tent.

Alas! Sleep still eluded her.

The night, conversely, was deafeningly quiet. As expected, no cargo trucks passed the road that could have easily engulfed them with dust and petrol fumes. Even the stars that night seemed to shine brighter than she had gazed them for the past month.

But, like her thoughts that night, the draft of the chilly December breeze that crept into their makeshift shelter, was an unwelcome interruption that made slumber for her even more difficult.

Except for their assigned night-watch and her, all of their members were fast asleep—albeit cramped inside their 4x2 meter-shelter.

It was the eve of the 24th of December, and it was her first time to be away from home on such an important evening. Evenings like these are meant to be spent with kin and loved ones. Not this year, at least for Gina and her neighbors.

“Really, I don’t mind spending my Christmas Eve here, away from my family,” blurted Gina.

Home for Gina and her neighbors is Purok 3, Lower Sirib, Calinan, Davao city.

Gina and her neighbors have been encamped just beside the street—over a canal—a few meters from the Court of Appeals here in Cagayan de Oro city. Her group, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray, are on a drive to defend their right to life and healthy environment. Theirs is a basic struggle for sobriety amidst chaotic social structures.

You see, from where Gina lived, near a banana plantation, have been constantly sprayed—along with the bananas—with agro-chemicals.

Gina suffered skin rashes. These worsen, she observed, when the plane that sprayed the agro-chemicals meet crosswinds where the agro-chemicals would definitely drift unto Gina’s neighborhood.

Her other neighbors had it much worse. Many suffered from pulmonary diseases while some mothers gave birth to sickly children. The aerial spraying in the little community beside the banana plantation has adversely affected their way of life.

Theirs is a community of peasants and agri-workers. Their well-being is their only capital for their livelihood—toiling the earth.

Long ago, three years to be exact, they won a battle when the local legislature in their city enacted an ordinance banning the practice of aerial spraying in banana plantations.

When the banana growers questioned the legality of the ordinance in a regional trial court, Gina and her neighbors won yet another battle. The circuit court ruled that there was nothing wrong with the ordinance and that it even upheld the constitutional right of every person to life and a healthy environment.

But the banana growers, having all the resources at their disposal, lodged a question on the constitutionality of the city ordinance to a higher court—Court of Appeals.

It was becoming clear to Gina that they may have won some battles but the banana growers would not easily give up the war.

At that instant, Gina and her neighbors decided that they have had enough of the aerial spraying.

“Dili mi mga peste,” was to be their battle cry.

They decided to take their struggle a notch higher. They decided to come here where the appellate court holds its office.

When they arrived in Cagayan de Oro city, they immediately went to the Court of Appeals and set up camp a few meters away.

After more than a month, Gina and her neighbors had been shouted and glared at, pushed and shoved, harassed and arrested, promised and lied at. But the struggle continues, Gina vowed.

She did not mind having to spend this year’s Christmas Eve away from her home. She did not mind the dust and petrol fumes every time a cargo truck passes their encampment. Gina does not even mind that they have to cramp themselves in their makeshift shelter by the road whenever they have to eat, hold a meeting or sleep.

It was not because she was cold and soggy that night. It was not because of the draft in their makeshift shelter every time the chilly December breeze blew that she could not sleep that night.

Gina did not mind being away from her kin this Christmas Eve because as she reasoned: “What we are doing here is for all of us, so that this thing that has been slowly killing us will be stopped.”

What bugged her this year’s Christmas Eve was her realization that the environment including its inhabitants are being raised to the altar of greed and profit and yet it takes so agonizingly slow for “learned” individuals to see what is right in front of their noses.

Gina could not sleep thinking that as the rights of the people are being trampled wantonly; the supposed vanguards of truth and justice are as lame as their excuses and counter proposals.

It is already fourteen past two in the early morn of Christmas day but sleep still evaded Gina.

Hence, Gina made a solemn oath on her very first Christmas Eve alone, without kin but with kindred spirits, to continue the struggle not only for her rights but more so the rights of those who are downtrodden. Those who have been stripped of their dignity and opportunity by the very people who have sworn to serve them.

What started for Gina as a struggle for her right to life has blossomed into a warm and resolute fervor to serve the people.

Unexpectedly, Gina yawned.

She smirked when she finally felt sleepy—probably weakened by her internal debate that seemingly long dreary evening.

She felt relieved as she laid her head to sleep thinking that tomorrow will, yet, be another day of struggle and that she should be well-rested if she was to continue to struggle for our rights and justice for all.

Wrath of 'Pablo'

http://prezi.com/gcon2xm3dtio/wrath-of-pablo/?auth_key=b00c774cd95c7fc4a00662947e22b8e95087001c&kw=view-gcon2xm3dtio&rc=ref-27388875

Wanted: “Angels”

Note: I am reblogging this old Christmas featurized news I wrote four years ago. I was working as a staff reporter for Sun Star Cagayan de Oro Daily, then.

ROSE Abrogar rises each day just before dawn. After a hot cup of diluted coffee, she goes to Cogon Market, taking the trisikad her father rents, to sell two peso-plastic bags to people picking fresh fish and vegetables.

Stephanie is ten years old. At ten years, she goes about her routine to augment her family’s income. For her labor, she earns P20 a day.

Stephanie lives with her three other siblings in Bolonsiri, Camaman-an and she has been selling plastic bags for as far as she can remember. She said she often wondered how it is to be in school and play with classmates.

Her father is a sikad driver who, on the average, nets P50 a day. Her mother does laundry for their rich neighbors but that does not happen most of the time, leaving Stephanie and her three other siblings to work in order to survive the daily grind.

When asked what she really wants for Christmas, she says, without batting an eyelash, “rice.”

Early this month, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 10) launched a survey to the 100 rescued child workers on what specific items they would want to have for Christmas. Items ranging from complete school uniform, educational supplies, shoes, to basic needs like what Stephanie asked for.

Christmas came early for Stephanie and ninety nine other child workers as last Thursday the children were given gifts they wished for when they were rescued early this month by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 10).

Stephanie is one of the 100 rescued child workers who are the pilot batch to benefit from DOLE 10’s “Project Angel Tree.”

In a simple ceremony held in the Provincial Capitol grounds dubbed “Angel kisses and Gift giving,” child workers received the gifts they wished for plus a bagful of educational supplies.

They were treated with a dance number from mascots of a popular fast-food chain while eating their lunch with their gifts in their little hands.

David Bustig, 13 years old, a child worker from the municipality of Binuangan, Misamis Oriental, told this paper, he had not had fun like last Thursday in all his life. He recalls how his back ached every time he would carry hollow blocks from the factory to the delivery trucks.

“Karon pa ko nakabati ingon ani nga kalipay. Unta magpirmi ning angel tree,” Bustig wistfully says.

Governor Oscar Moreno, who was at the event, is grateful for the project adding that he is particularly proud because the Province of Misamis Oriental is the only province that had adapted Project Angel Tree in its council. Vice Governor Norris Babiera authored the provincial resolution adapting the said project as part of the social welfare and development program of the province.

Although only five out of the 25 municipalities of the province participated in the said project, Moreno said there is always room for improvement even as he challenged the rest of the municipalities to join the network of the project.

Project Angel Tree, in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 10), has been the pet project of DOLE 10. It took off late June of this year and culminated this December. DOLE 10 started the project as an advocacy in January of this year. It is a network of benefactors coming from different sectors of the region.

Rodrigo Deloso, chief labor employment officer of the technical support and supervision division of DOLE 10, says he hopes next year’s Project Angel Tree will include a scholarship package for the rescued child workers, even as he invites people to join their advocacy in rescuing child workers and giving them something to hope for.

“As of now, we have established a network of benefactors which we call angels. It’s a combinative effort of department offices, private non-government organizations, business sector, local government units and individuals. Because we plan to expand the project to include a scholarship program for the child workers, I am invited everyone to share their time and money to the project. Share your blessing to these children, be an angel to them,” Deloso said.

Last Thursday’s gift giving was sponsored by Federacion Internacionalé de Abogadas (FIDA-CDO chapter), Province of Misamis Oriental, City of Cagayan de Oro, League of PESO Managers.

Shock over Sandy Hook shooting tragedy

Peoples from across the world are still reeling from what may well be the worst tragedy in the history of public school shootings in the United States of America. Here, in behalf of the Filipino people, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III extended sympathy and solidarity.

In an emailed statement, Saturday evening, President Aquino enjoined the Filipinos to pray for healing and that the senseless carnage in the Sandy Hook Elementary School—where 28 were killed, 20 of whom were children—should never happen to any community.

“We stand beside you with bowed heads, yet in deep admiration over the manner in which the American people have reached out to comfort the afflicted and to search for answers that will give meaning and hope to this grim event,” the President's statement reads.

On morning of December 14, Adam Lanza, 20, allegedly killed his mother, Nancy, in her home. Riding his mother's car, Lanza then went to the school where his mother taught kindergarten and indiscriminately fired over a hundred rounds—18 of the 20 children were pronounced dead on the spot—US law enforcement sources said.

Authorities said they found three firearms in the car: a .223 caliber “Bushmaster” rifle, a Sig Sauer and Glock pistols. Lanza later killed himself, US authorities added.

The slaughter, US pundits posited, has surpassed the 1999 Columbine shooting incident that left 19 killed and 24 wounded and comes terrifyingly close to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 where 32 lives were lost.

One year after: Do it or die

Since then, I cannot stare at the perpetually murky Cagayan River without slipping into a 'spaced-out' episode.

EXACTLY one year ago today, Philippine Daily Inquirer contributor and NUJP Mindanao Media Safety coordinator JB Deveza, Philippine Star correspondent Jigger Jerusalem and I were busy preparing for a dialogue--between the top brasses of the Police Regional Office (PRO 10) and Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) and officers and some members of NUJP-CGY chapter and Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC).

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ arbitrated while the Social Action Center of the archdiocese's Peace & Justice Program, headed by Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Lerio, co-convened the 'peace talks' to address the mounting tension on account of the 'wanting' investigation behind the shooting of Bombo Radyo chief of reporters James Michael "Dacuycuy" Licuanan. It can be recalled that suspects riding in tandem shot Bombo James while in transit on November 24, last year--only a day after the first commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity and second anniversary of Ampatuan Massacre.

We left the dialogue contented with the mutual understanding and respect reached. Albeit, worried with the sporadic yet continues drizzle that had been pouring for the last five hours that afternoon.

Then, deep into that fateful night's slumber, Sendong unleashed what could only be likened to a Kraken growling in pain and malice.

Since then, I cannot stare at the perpetually murky Cagayan River without slipping into a 'spaced-out' episode.

I can still remember--with clarity and vividness like it was a week-old-- the wailing of Kagay-anons as Sendong wrecked and flooded most parts of the city, especially among those living on sand bars and river deltas.

Shall we learn from our mistakes and move on to a progressive and united people or shall we let our harrowing experience further our divide and doom?

Sendong showed us the worst and best human being we could be. 

Our collective consciousness showed us how an ill-prepared local government be inept in enforcing the disaster risk reduction concept. It showed us bodies of flood fatalities dumped in the city dumpster--open to all the elements. It showed us how the rat-race for the perpetuation of long-held powers take center stage instead of their sworn duty of public service.

And Kagay-anons deserve nothing less. Her people deserves the most progressive, transparent and accountable local governance in the ambit of genuine democratic space and public discourse.

That is also why we witnessed her people rose to the occasion.

It showed us what camaraderie, mutual respect and solidarity could achieve amid massive tribulation and panic.

It showed us ambulant vendors giving out their wares instead of plying it to the calamity-striken communities. It showed us neighbors work hand-in-hand in the spirit of voluntarism.

It showed us our weaknesses and strengths. It showed that we can most certainly move on.

It taught us and gave us the collective will to survive. Do it or die.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfseX-a4-KE]

"You don't choose...

"You don't choose...

Of following orders and understanding 'em

 It is only natural for people to want to protect their hard-earned properties.

I DO NOT want to be a wet blanket—pardon the pun—especially since this city's Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) has already celebrated its “zero-casualty” feat¹ in responding to super typhoon 'Pablo' (International code name: Bopha) that pummeled Cagayan de Oro and other parts of the island, last week.

Even if the “zero-casualty” claim has raised some, if not many, eyebrows, I still say City Hall has done quite a feat as compared to its response—or the lack of it—when tropical storm Sendong (International code name: Washi) flooded this city and claimed some 600 lives and destroyed at least hundreds of millions of infrastructure, properties and agricultural production.

While City Hall sycophants are busy patting each others back for a job well done, there is something we should reexamine if only to further improve our city's disaster response in future calamities—natural and man-made.

Let us take a closer look at the supposed forced evacuation order of Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano at the height of 'Pablo,' ang how the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) implemented the order.

Under the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Law (RA 10121), the local chief executive can exercise its police powers to order a forced evacuation in areas where widespread danger is imminent, of which Emano did on December 4 shortly after raising the alert level to code red. The city then, has been included in the list of areas under storm signal number 3.

I, personally, was sort of excited to see this order in action because one, it was going to be my first time to see a forced evacuation implemented and I only see this in the movies and news coverages on calamities elsewhere in the country.

That day, together with international news wires photojournalists—Froilan Gallardo (Associated Press), JB Deveza (Agence France Presse) and Cai Panlilio (Thomson Reuters)—we visited Sitio Tambo, a community of shacks beside Cagayan River and were surprised to see people, albeit only adult men, still in their shacks.

“We have already evacuated my wife and four daughters to an evacuation center in Zone 8 last Monday afternoon. But we opted to stay behind because we are afraid our homes would be looted. Just last night (December 3), we spied and prevented some people trying to get into the houses of our neighbors,” Felix Araneta, married, 39 years old said when I asked him why he was still in his home despite the code red alert of CDRRMC.

However, when a SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) patrol car entered the community, that day, the five police officers appeared clueless as to the mechanics of the order.

I approached one of the officers and asked him if they were in the area to implement the mayor's force evacuation order in the community and how they intend to do it. The officer replied they were indeed in the community to effect the mayor's order. However, it was clear in his reply that they did not understand what forced evacuation is.

“We will go around the community to persuade the people to evacuate their homes but if they insist on staying, we cannot really force them to,” the officer said.

ABS-CBN TVPatrol Northern Mindanao anchor Primy Cane, Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Bobby Lagsa and other local reporters experience quite the same disappointment in Sitio Tibasak, Barangay Macasandig that same day^.2

Acting city police director Senior Superintendent Antonio Montalba, who arrived in Tibasak two hours late after Emano issued the force evacuation order, told reporters that—he said they were late because they were still having breakfast—they waited for CDRRMC assistant officer Engr. Armen Cuenca to go with them in implementing the order.

Just in case there will be cases filed against them for implementing a direct order of the city mayor, he reasoned to the flabbergasted reporters. Anyway, most of the people in the geohazard areas have already voluntarily evacuated their homes days before, Montalba reportedly added.

Lagsa—in a Facebook thread—quoted Montalba as saying, “wala na lang nako pugsa pud kay gabii na og gusto nako matulog (I did not force the people who stayed behind because the night was drawing near and I wanted to get some sleep),” in the CDRRMC Exit Conference on Wednesday (December 5).

It is only natural for people to want to protect their hard-earned properties. Ergo, for force evacuation to be effective, the people need to be reassured that even if they leave their houses, their properties will be safe from looting.

We can see force evacuation effectively implemented in the Bicol region whenever Mt. Mayon threatens to unleash its wrath. Truck loads of government security forces would go to geohazard areas and physically taken out of harm's way. These security forces stay behind and search every house in the community to make sure every one has been evacuated.

While the people are being transported to the evacuation centers, they could see that the security forces stayed behind to guard their homes from possible looters.

Had Montalba understood his orders, the force evacuation would have been implemented effectively. Ergo, properly implementing the “risk reduction” concept of RA 10121.

Pablo would have been Kagay-anons' first-hand experience of this law in action.

______ 

1 http://www.goldstardailynews.com.ph/mindanao/casualty-takes-new-meaning-in-c-de-oro.html

2 http://www.goldstardailynews.com.ph/mindanao/montalba-takes-his-time-food-first-evacuation-later.html