Mega dike to affect half a million families

Govt maintains benefits despite opposition

Libre!

by John Paul Omac

Around 500, 000 families along the

lakeshore communities of Los Baos, Sta.
Cruz, Sta. Maria, Mabitac, San Pedro and
other coastal areas of Laguna and Metro
Manila are threathened to have their homes
demolished, as well as their fishpens and
aquatic farms, once the Laguna Lakeshore
Expressway-Dike Project (LLEDP) push
through, according to an alliance of local
communities.

Serving Los Baos and nearby communities

JANUARY 2015
www.lbtimes.ph

VOLUME XXXV
Issue 1

Communities and individuals under the

Save the Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM), a
multi-sectoral alliance of concerned citizens,
expressed their disapproval of the LLEDP,
commonly known as the Laguna mega dike,
saying there were no consultations held for the
stakeholders nor were there viable plans offered
for relocation of the communities.
Approved June 18, 2014 by the National
Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), the LLEDP is rooted to solve heavy
traffic flow and frequent flooding in the western
coastal communities along Laguna de Bay,
from Bicutan / Taguig in Metro Manila through
Calamba to Los Baos, Laguna

Fishermen along the coastal communities of Los Banos prepare to sail off to their fishing pens in the
lake. According to the Save the Laguna Lake Movement, once implemented, the proposed mega
dike could affect around 500,000 families along the lake. (Photo by Kimberly Salamatin)

Los Baos senior citizens to get

automatic Philhealth benefits

Flood control, Alternate routes

by Toni Krizia Vivarez

As of February 2015, a total of 988 senior Philhealth.

citizens are registered at the Municipal
On November 5, 2015, President Aquino
Office for Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) to signed the Republic Act 10645 amending
avail of free Philhealth benefits.
the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,
Senior citizens who wish to register must mandating that all senior citizens will be
covered by national health insurance of
accomplish member registration forms and
PhilHealth. The new law states that senior
provide valid IDs. OSCA will collect these
citizens, defined as those aged 60 years old
registration forms. Philhealth will then pick
up the forms and will evaluate these Member and above, can enjoy lifetime benefits of
Philhealth members.
Data Records (MDRs).
Senior citizens who are still employed,
The MDR and Philhealth Lifetime Card
however,
are still required to contribute to
will be returned to OSCA for distribution.
Philhealth.
More than 200 applications have already been
approved since the mandatory registration last
For more information, contact OSCA at
November 5, 2014.
(049) 530-9143 or visit their office beside the
In case of immediate need, applicants
may directly get their MDRs from

SENIORS
AT WORK

05

Municipal Fire Department at Brgy. Baybayin, Los

Baos.

ON THE POPE AND

THE MASSACRE

07

According to the official website of the

Department of Public Works and Higways
(DPWH), the proposed plan for the mega
dike is composed of a 47-km expressway-dike,
starting from Taguig to Calamba and from
Calamba to Los Baos. It includes a six-lane
expressway, eight interchanges and access
roads and a specially designed dike with 16
floodgates for a hundred-year flood. It also
plans land reclamation of 700 hectares from
Taguig to Muntinlupa.
The LLEDP is under a Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) program, wherein private
sectors fund, construct and operate government
services through joint ventures between the
private sector an the government.
Despite disapproval of some sectors,
the administration maintained that the mega
Continued on page 3

SA DAAN
PATUNGONG
MALINTA

08

LOS BAOS TIMES

NEWS

New EO requires business owners to attend

seminar on Eco ordinances
by Kimberly Salamatin

Owners of business or commercial

establishments are required to attend a onehour seminar on municipal ordinances prior
to approval of new or renewal of business
permits, according to Executive Order No.
40 series of 2014.
E.O. 40 mandates business owners to
attend a one-hour seminar on municipal
ordinances. The seminar include talks on the
management and maintenance of ecological
balance, protection of the environment,
reduction and management of waste products,
and regulation of the use of vinyl banners,
and other plastic products as an additional
requirement when applying for business
permits.
The Municipal Environment and Natural
Resources Office (MENRO) is the lead office
to organize and conduct seminars, according to
Section 2 of the executive order.
Last January, MENRO started conducting
seminars at least four times a day. Dr.
Antonio J. Alcantara, MENRO Designate,
said that the objective of the seminar is
awareness. He explained that extensive
information dissemination is needed to
make the people understand how important
supporting and obeying these ordinances are
for the environment and ultimately for the
community.
The seminar discusses the millions of
pesos used to dispose the wastes of Los Baos
to the land fill in San Pedro and how it can be
minimized with the right ways to manage and
segregate wastes. Also discussed were tapat
mo, linis mo program, proper recycling of
used products, antilittering campaigns, and

MENRO sets an example in using different trash bins for effective waste management (Photo by
Kimberly Salamatin)

the different kinds of wastes. Penalties for

not following these ordinances were also
discussed.
Dr. Alcantara explained that if people
understand the gravity of the results of
improper waste management and usage of
plastic products, they would not feel as if
they are being commanded, but rather, it
would appear to them that they are helping
to improve the community.
He added that because the move to
reduce the use of plastic is a big change
for businesses, they are shifting slowly to
give people time to adapt. These steps and
ways are being discussed in the seminar.
Business owners will hope to see that
these can improve their businesses as
well.

E D I T O R I A L S TA F F
Inzle Jarred Santos

Jeremiah Dalman

Kimberly Salamatin
Associate Editor

Ana Catalina Paje

Managing Editor

John Paul Omac

Rosa Pilipinas Francisco

Aletheia Canubas

Areen Chelsie Valentino

Editor-in-Chiel

Toni Krizia Vivarez

Editorial Advisers

News Editor

Feature Editor
Online Editor
Layout Artist

Los Baos Mayor Caesar Perez deputized

the President of the Tricycle Operators
and Drivers Association (TODA) and the
chiefs of the Barangay Peace and Security
Officers (BPSO) as member of the Task Force
Kalinisan to help in disseminating information
on waste management and other related
municipal ordinances. Aside from that, they
can also give penalty tickets to those who do
not abide.
Given that many local citizens rely on
public transportation and that these drivers
are the ones usually roaming around the town,
Mayor Perez and MENRO believe that through
this system, the spread of information would
be easier and thus involve more individuals in
the project.

The Los Baos Times is produced by the students and

staff of the Department of Development Journalism
at the UP Los Baos College of Development
Communication in partnership with collaborators from
government agencies, civil society organizations, and
schools in Los Baos. No part of this paper may be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means
stored in a database or retrieval system without
prior consent. All rights reserved.
The Los Baos Times is located at Rm. 201 B,
Department of Development Journalism,
College of Development Communication,
University of the Philippines Los Baos
College, Laguna
Tel. No.: (049) 536-2511 local 401 or 410
Email: lbtimes@devcom.edu.ph
Website: http://lbtimes.ph

Continued from page 1

NEWS

LOS BAOS TIMES

Mega dike Project to affect half million families...

dike will have more benefits. Engr Amiel
Fernandez of the national office of DPWHPublic Private Partnership (DPWH PPP)
cited that the project will relieve the heavily
travelled Bicutan-Calamba corridor as well
as serve as an alternate route to the congested
road of the National Highway from Calamba
to Los Baos. It will also integrate a flood
control system to protect the flood prone areas
located along the shoreland of Laguna de
Bay.
They also cited economic benefits that
include increase in land productivity in
existing communities and reclamation area.
The 700 hectares of reclaimed land will be
used as a commercial and industrial areas
which they believe would attract investors and
produce jobs for the locals.
No clear plans for communities
Salvador France, spokesperson of
Pambansang Kilusan ng Mamamalakaya
ng Pilipinas, a member organization of the
SLLM, argued on the other hand that the
said economic benefits will be reaped only
by corporations, completely disregarding the
welfare of the fishing communities.
Displaced families are only offered what
the administration describes as development
and progress in form of water hyacinth
processing ventures which is hardly assured,
France said.
Residents along the coasts of Los Baos,
who will also be affected by the said project,

also share the same sentiments.

Norman Atayo, 44, fisherman from
Brgy. Timugan, Los Baos, said that the
proposed mega dike will take away most
of the communitys livelihood. Ang
daming nangingisda dito eh, wala namang
lumalapit pa samin na nagsasabi kung
anong gagawin samin pag pinalayas na
kami dito, Atayo said.
Not only fisherfolks but also ordinary
households such as the family of Erlinda
Gonzaga, 51, from the same baranggay,
will also be affected. Pati kaming mga
legal at matagal nang nakatira dito ay
damay, she said. Kung para sa mabuti
yan, okay sana pero ayusin din nila yung
mga taong madadamay.
Meanwhile, groups opposing the
reclamation of the certain parts of the lake
for use as economic zones as proposed
in the LLEDP found their ally in bishops
led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio
Tagle.
Reclamation happens when part of the
seas or lakes are filled with land to form
a new land surface where establishments
can be built upon.
Tagle, along with 21 other bishops
from affected cities and provinces,
presented their opposition of ongoing and
succeeding reclamation projects in a letter
addressed to President Benigno Aquino
III last September. In the letter they said

that they believe that the project will have farreaching consequences for the people and for
the ecosystem in these areas.
Enduring campaign
Early this year, major progress with the
bidding process for the mega dike began to roll
early this year.
Originally scheduled last October 16,
2014, the deadline was moved to January 14,
2015 and is again extended to Feb. 27, 2015 to
give more time for bidders as they requested
even longer periods of extension, according to
a press statement of the DPWH.
Engineer Fernandez said that as of now,
24 firms have submitted their bid documents
for the biggest PPP project under the Aquino
administration. These companies include Ayala
Land Inc., GT Capital Holdings Inc., Filinvest
Land Inc., San Miguel Corporation and JG
Summit Holdings Inc.
Though considered as a done
deal, France said that they will continue
campaigning against the project.
Other organizations supporting SLLMs
campaign include Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (BAYAN), Anakpawis Partylist,
Bayan Muna Partylist, Gabriela Womens
Party, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap
(KADAMAY) and various other organizations
from coastal areas of Rizal, Laguna and Metro
Manila.

Bagong stand-alone school, binabalak itayo para sa unang

pangkat ng mag-aaral sa Senior High
ni Areen Chelsie Valentino

Kasalukuyang hinahanapan ng pondo

ng lokal na pamahalaan ang pagbili sa
isang pribadong lote sa Brgy. San Antonio
na balak tayuan ng sa isang stand-alone
school o pasilidad para sa Senior High,
ayon kay Ginang Mely Mantuano, Senior
High Coordinator ng Los Baos Integrated
School o LBIS. Sa sinasabing stand-alone
school na ito pagsasamasamahin at papagaralin nang libre ang lahat ng mag-aaral
ng Senior High o Grade 11 at 12 mula
sa limang pampublikong paraalan ng
Los Baos. Ang proyektong ito ay bilang
paghahanda sa inaasahang pagtatapos ng
halos 2,000 na mag-aaral ng Grade 10 na
magtatapos ng Junior High.
Nagdaos rin ng isang pagpupulong ang
local school board noong ika-13 ng Enero

kung saan nagpatibay ng resolusyon ang

lokal na pamahalaan na humingi ng pondo
mula kay DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A.
Luistro, FSC para sa pagpapatayo ng mga
silid-aralan.
Sinundan ito ng isa pa muling
pagpupulong sa Sangguniang Bayan
noong ika-9 ng Enero kung saan ihinain
ni Dr. Esmeralda E. De Castro, district
supervisor, ang hinaing tungkol sa
kawalan ng paaralang lilipatan ng mga
magtatapos ng Junior High sa 2016. Ang
mga nakilahok sa pagpupulong na ito ay
sina Dr. Esmeralda E. De Castro; Nelson
R. Umali, punong guro ng Los Banos
National High School (LBNHS) sa Brgy,
Batong Malake; Laurita P. Arca, punong
guro ng LBNHS sa Poblacion; Magdalena

L. Lorea, head teacher ng LBIS; at ang mga

Senior High School Coordinator mula sa
limang pampublikong paaralan ng Los Baos.
Sa muling pagpupulong ng local school
board noong ika-12 ng Pebrero, inilatag kay
Mayor Caesar P. Perez ang paghahanap ng
paaralang lilipatan ng mga magtatapos ng
Junior High.
Positibo raw ang naging pahayag ni
Mayor Perez at kanyang binigyang linaw na
mayroon nang resolusyon na inihain ang lokal
na pamahalaan para sa pagbili ng lupa na
pagpapatayuan ng stand-alone school. Dagdag
ni Ginang Mantuano, ang site [o lugar] lang
ang sagot ng local government, yung pagbuibuild naman [ng mga silid-aralan] ay sagot ng
DepEd.

Itutuloy sa pahina 5

LOS BAOS TIMES

NEWS

LBFSCI inducts new set of officers

by Jarred Santos

Members of senior citizen federations from the 14 barangays of Los Banos attended the general assembly last February 3, 2015, at the Los Banos
Municipal Activity Area (Photos by Jarred Santos)

One hundred six new officers were inducted to the Los

Baos Federation of Senior Citizens Incorporated (LBFSCI)
last February 5, 2015 at the Municipal Activity Area of the Los
Baos Municipal Hall.
Mayor Caesar Perez, in his opening speech, applauded
the senior citizens (SCs) of Los Baos. He also continued by
encouraging SCs to participate even in small business opportunities
as additional sources of income.
He cited the partnership of the local government with
the Philippine Center for Aquatic and Agricultural Resource
Development (PCAARD) for ventures in organic vegetable
farming and vermiculture. We already have 4.3 million pesos
from PCAARD, he says. There will also be another Php 5 million
coming from the same partnership, according to Perez.
Afterwards, LBFSCI President and Brgy. Batong Malake
Kagawad Florentino Montemayor stressed that as of the 5th of
November 2014, SCs are mandated by Republic Act 10645, also
known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, to be registered
with Philhealth. He also encouraged unity among SCs through
Barangay Senior Citizen Associations (BSCAs).
Sa pamamagitan ng mga association, naipapabot namin ang
mga programa ng gobyerno [sa ibang senior citizens], says Virginia

Aquino, President of Brgy. Timugan Senior Citizen Association.

Aquino said that BSCAs serve as bridges from the government to
those involved in their projects, as in the case of Brgy. Timugan.
Senior citizens in associations are also more visible for government
activities such as Lakbay Aral because they are more accessible,
according to the Municipal Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).
However, Aquino admits that not all SCs are open to joining
associations. Yung iba ayaw na dahil may bayad pa, she laments.
Kada buwan naniningil kami ng sampong piso. 120 pesos lang yun
kada taon, she adds.She says that since most SCs are fresh out of
retirement, some find payments too taxing.
Meanwhile, Ma. Merlina L. Cuenca, a 65-year-old canteen
owner and Brgy. Batong Malake Senior Citizen Association
member, says that there are benefits from joining senior citizen
federations. Once a year kami nagme-meeting, at [doon] nagbibigay
ako ng isandaan she says. According to her, after a minimum of 10
months payment, members are entitled to 2, 500 pesos once they
are deceased.
All 14 barangays were well represented during the oathtaking
according to the OSCA.
After the talks, the officers of the various BSCAs were called up
front to sign certificates of oathtaking.

Pangkalahatang pagpupulong ng mga may kapansanan sa

Brgy. Anos, inilunsad
ni Lorelie Bonapos (LBFPWD)

Nagdaos ng Pangkalahatang Pagpupulong ang Los Baos

Federation of Persons with Disability (LBFPWD) sa Brgy. Anos,
Los Baos, noong Disyembre 2014. Ang tema ay ang pagtaguyod
ng magandang samahan ng mga may kapansanan upang
ipamulat ang kanilang bahagi sa lipunan.
Ilan sa humigit-kumulang 80 na nakibahagi ay ang punong
barangay, Sangguniang Barangay konsehal, mga opisyal ng
LBFPWD at mga may kapansanan. Nagkaroon ng palaro,
pagpapakita ng talento at pa-raffle para sa lahat.

Pinaalala din ang mga pribilehiyo na matatanggap ng isang

may kapansanan, tulad ng 20% na diskwento sa mga gamot, singil
ng doctor, transportasyon, at mga establisyimento tulad ng fast
food chain, sinehan, at hotel. Mayroon ding 5% diskwento sa piling
grocery items.

SENIORS
AT
WORK

FEATURE

LOS BAOS TIMES

A misconception about senior citizens is that they are weak and not
able to work anymore. However, if we are to look around us, we will
find several elderly smiles--each carrying their own story. This series
of photographs will allow you to see how even at an old age, senior
citizens can still be hard workers and an inspiration to others.

by Kimberly Salamatin

DR. ANTONIO ALCANTARA, 67,

is the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office Designate,
Secretary of Senior Citizens Association in Barangay Anos, and a retired
Professor of Industrial Ecology and Landscape at the School of Environmental
Science and Management (SESAM), University of the Phillipines Los Baos
(UPLB).
When he was asked what he will do after he turn 70, he said gladly said that he
would not stop working until he still can. He also added, we are old but we are
still young at heart.
NORMITA LARIZA BALATOSO, 68,
is the owner of Mitz original specialties cassava cake
and carrot cake. She is also a ballroom dancing
enthusiast. Her specialty is Argentine Tango.
Being a senior citizen does not hinder her from her
weekly ballroom dancing workshop in Malate. She
said that seniors should keep themselves busy for
a healthier and more active life.
FIDELA GASTELA, 68,
is a karioka, banana que, and turon
vendor. She roams the streets
selling karioka every morning while in the
afternoon she sells in a stall.
Fidelas inspiration to work hard even in her senior years is her
family. Habang kaya ko pa, tutulong ako, she said.
Mula sa pahina 3

Bagong stand-alone school...

Kasalukuyang hinihintay pa ang pagaproba ng DepEd sa nasabing resolusyon.

Para sa taong 2016, kalahati muna ng
paaralan ang ipapatayo upang matanggap ang
unang pangkat ng mag-aaral sa Grade 11.
Inaasahang makukumpleto ang pagpapatayo
ng buong paaralan sa 2017 kasabay ng
pagtungtong ng mga mag-aaral sa Grade 12.

Ayon sa DepEd, makakapili ang mga

mag-aaral ng gusto nilang kunin na track
sa bagong kurikulum na susundin para sa
senior high sa ilalim ng K-12. Sa bawat
track ay may ibat ibang mga strand o mga
partikular na kurso na pwedeng pagpilian.

Ang mga track na maaring pagpipilian

ay ang pang-akademiko, pang-isports,
pang sining at disenyo, at pang teknikalSa kabuuan, tinatantiyang nasa 96 na
bokasyonal at pangkabuhayan o Techvoc.
silid-aralan ang kailangang maipatayo kung
Ang mga strand na maaaring pagpilian
saan hanggang 40 mag-aaral ang tatanggapin sa ilalim ng Techvoc ay ang Agri-Fishery
sa bawat klase. Kakailanganin din ng
Arts, Home Economics, Information
humigit-kumulang 96 na guro at ilan sa kanila and Communications Technlogy (ICT),
ay manggagaling sa ibat ibang pampublikong at Industrial Arts. Ang mga kukuha
paaralan ng Los Baos. Ang mga gurong
ng Techvoc ay maaaring makakuha ng
ililipat sa bagong paaralan na itatayo ay mga
Certificates of Competency (COCs) at
National Certificate II (NC II) passer mula
National Certificates (NCs) ayon sa training
sa TESDA. Ito ay upang umangkop ang mga regulations ng TESDA at maaari nang
guro sa bagong kurikulum ng Senior High sa magtrabaho.
ilalim ng K-12.

Ang mga strand naman sa ilalim ng pangakademikong track ay Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Math (STEM), Accounting, at
Business Management (ABM) at Humanities and
Social Sciences (HUMSS). Para sa karagdagang
impormasyon tungkol sa kurikulum ng K-12,
maaaring tingnan ang kumpletong gabay sa
website ng DepEd: www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/
About/curriculum-guides
Ayon din kay Ginang Mantuano, sakaling
hindi mahanapan ng pondo ang pinaplanong
stand-alone school, hahanapan ng lokal na
pamahalaan ang mga junior high graduates
ng pribadong paaralan na magkakaroon din ng
senior high tulad ng Trace College at Colegio de
Los Baos. Bibigyan ng lokal na pamahalaan ang
bawat mag-aaral ng voucher na naghahalagang
P15,000 para sa kanilang matrikula sa pribadong
paaralan.

LOS BAOS TIMES

ANONG
MASASABI
MO?
Ano ang masasabi mo sa planong
Megadike project ng gobyerno sa lawa
ng Laguna?
Mas malaki ang benepisyo, mas maganda
kasi kung maglalagay ng dike, madaming
bahay ang hindi na babahain.
- Dyamez M. Espelimberco, Brgy. Tadlac
Ayos din, kaso nakakaawa yung mga
pamilyang malapit sa dagat na paaalisin.
At magiging tambakan ng basura ang dagat
dahil sa mga dadaang pasahero.
- Anatalia P. Magpantay, Brgy. Baybayin
Kailangan pag nilipat mo [ang mga taong
papaalisin], bigyan ng tirahan at pamumuhay.
Titingnan [ng gobyerno] kung anong kalagayan
nila at bigyan na rin ng tulong.
- Ethel S. Manahan, Bucal, Calamba

Sakin maganda yan kasi luluwag ang

daan. Grabe kasi ang traffic lalo na dito
sa may bandang Calamba papuntang Los
Baos. Sana maituloy na nila ngayon
-Ramon B. Bernaldo, Bambang
Actually, matagal na yang balak na yan, panahon
pa ni Marcos. Coastal road pa nga yan noon eh.
Binuo yan para sa traffic congestion at flood control.
Kasi yung ibang sasakyan, di na dadaan sa national
road kundi sa coastal road na. Maiiwasan din ang
pagbaha sa communities along the shoreline. Pero
ang alam ko, kinocontest yan ng mga fisherfolk, kasi
pag nagawa yan, pati livelihood nila apektado.
- Frederico A. Cruz, Office of Senior Citizen
Association, Los Baos
Nakakaawa ang mga mangingisda.
Maaaring higit, doble o triple [sa]
50,000 ang maaapektuhang pamilya.
- Romeo B. Canape, Brgy. Mayondon
Ang pinakaapektado dyan ay ang mga
mangigisda. Delikadong mawalan sila
ng kabuhayan. Yun na nga lang ang
pagkakakitaan nila, mawawala pa
-Raquel Almario, Masaya village, Bay

NEWS

Suspek sa panibagong
kaso ng rape, patuloy na
pinaghahanap
iba pang anyo ng pang-aabuso sa kababaihan,
patuloy ring binabantayan

ni Jeremiah Dalman
Isa muling kaso ng panggagahasa ang bumungad sa mga mamamayan
ng Los Banos matapos matagpuan ang bangkay ng isang walong-taong
batang babae sa Villa Amanda, Brgy. San Antonio noong nakaraang
Disyembre 30, 2014. Ang suspek na kinikilala bilang Albert de Castro o
Ambet ay hindi pa rin natatagpuan hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Dineklarang nawawala ang biktima noong Disyembre 29, 2014 at paglipas
ng isang araw ay may nakarating na balita sa tanggapan ng Los Baos
Philippine National Police (LB PNP) tungkol sa naturang bangkay. Ayon
sa mga ulat ng LB PNP, nagtamo ng mga sugat at pasa sa mukha at iba
pang bahagi ng katawan ang bata. Natukoy ang suspek sa pamamagitan ng
natagpuang kwintas sa pinangyarihan ng krimen. Ayon kay Supt. Ricardo
Dalmacia, LB PNP Chief of Police, ang naturang kwintas ay pagmamay-ari
ng isa pang batang tinangka din niyang gahasain noong Disyembre 24 sa
Brgy. Mayondon Los Banos.
Tumataas na bilang ng naitatalang kaso ng rape
Simula noong 2011 ay naging matunog ang mga kaso ng panggagahasa sa
Laguna, partikular sa Los Banos at mga karatig-nayon. Ilan sa mga kaso ay
panghahalay at pagpatay kina Given Grace Cebanico noong 2011, Rochelle
Geronda noong 2012, at Mary Grace Esguerra noong 2013. Ayon sa datos ng
Los Baos PNP, noong 2014, umabot sa 15 kaso ng rape ang naitala sa Los
Banos, kung saan ang isa ay natagpuang patay. Ngayon naman, kasisimula pa
lang ng taon ay may tinatantiyang limang kaso na ng paggahasa ang naitala
sa Los Baos PNP kasama na ang marital at attempted rape.
Ayon kay PO2 Cherry Pie Azarcon, droga ang nakikita niyang dahilan ng
talamak na kaso ng panggagahasa sa Los Banos. Dagdag pa niya, Yung mga
kaso naman ng rape, hindi naman yung mga tipong kayang gawin ng normal
na tao. Lahad ni Azarcon ay talagang talamak rin ang kaso ng paggamit ng
ilegal na droga sa bayan.
Ayon sa datos, kapansin-pansin ang paglobo ng bilang ng kaso ng
panggagahasa sa Los Banos na naitala ng pulisya simula 2014 hanggang
sa kasalukuyan. Tugon ni Azarcon, Siguro dahil mas napansin nila
na puwedeng i-report yung mga ganoong bagay. Baka nakita nila na
tinutulungan talaga ng mga pulis yung mga lumalapit.
Karahasan sa kababaihan at kabataan
Bukod sa kaso ng panggagahasa ay nariyan rin ang usapin ng
pangkasariang karahasan, partikular sa kababaihan at kabataan o ang
Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). Bagaman madalas ay
hindi maihihiwalay ang kaso ng rape at VAWC, pinaglinaw ni Azarcon
na magkaibang proseso pa rin ang pinagdadaanan ng mga nasabing kaso.
Bukod pa rito, magkaiba at hiwalay rin ang mga batas na sumasaklaw sa
panggagahasa at VAWC. Mayroon tayong Republic Act of 9262 para sa
VAWC, at siyempre yung Anti-Rape Law para sa rape, banggit ni Azarcon.
Kaugnay dito, bilang pagtugon sa lumalalang kaso ng panggagahasa sa
Los Banos ay binubuo ang isang Los Banos Womens Brigada. Ito ay isang
samahan ng kababaihan na naglalayong madagdagan ang kanilang kaalaman
sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng lipunan kaugnay sa paggiit ng karapatan ng
kababaihan nang maitaguyod ang nasabing sektor. Ilulunsad ito sa darating
na Marso bilang pakikiisa sa Pandaigdigang Buwan ng Kababaihan.

OPINION

LOS BAOS TIMES

On the Pope and the Massacre

The early half of January and more
importantly, the beginning of the year
was graced by the presence of a man
many would like to emulate. Pope
Francis, or Lolo Kiko as he came to
be known during his short stay here in
the Philippines, put into realization a
long time plan to visit our country, a well
known predominantly Catholic republic.
The Peoples Pope quickly captured the
hearts of millions of Filipinos who see him
as the prime example of Christian living.
He made it his top priority to visit those
stricken by Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban,
in spite of a brewing storm. The Pope
also broke protocol in some instances to
personally approach children and kiss their
foreheads, much to the delight of their
mothers.

The latter part of January, however, is a

starkly different story. January 25 brought
us the grisly news of 44 fallen Special
Armed Forces Men and 23 other casualties
in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Jarred Santos
Editor-In-Chief

course, one may say that he is, in fact, required

by the very nature of his job to behave as such,
but one can also say that he may very well cut
corners, if only to show the world he is what
the world sees him to be.
How about for the average Filipino? How can
a student laboring to finish a requirement or a
mother of three cooking a meal for her family
or a common street vendor show mercy and
compassion in a world where it seems like
only Popes can afford to do so?

The Pope, armed with the values of mercy

and compassion, showed us how even the
Maybe it starts when we are told that we
head of a thousand year institution can
spare his time just to kiss a childs forehead, should mind our own business. Or when we
and ignore cultural barriers of language. Of are told that we should not be martyrs (wala
nang martir ngayon!). Or when
In the end
we grow tired of the same beggar
Those knocking on our windows at a fast
food chain, signaling for the nth time
who are
, the if we could spare our meal for them.

, only one
thing is certain.

accountable

conks in an inefficient system,

must pay.

Maybe it starts with us.

While wanting to be and actually

being merciful and compassionate are
two vastly different things, most of
the time what hinders us are ourselves. Who
is stopping you from minding the business of
others? Or being selfless at times? Or yes,
even this sparing that beggar who has been
eyeing your food something to fill his hunger?
You dont need to be a Pope to be merciful
and compassionate. Sometimes, you just need
to get over your inhibitions and lend a
helping hand.

***

There was initial uproar over the hows and

the whys on what would be known as one
of the countrys most disastrous attempts to
contain a suspected terrorist. The life of one
for 67 confirmed fatalities.
One thing for thought is that there was and
is an existing peace treaty between the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the
government. How then would MILF attack
SAF personnel if the said treaty is in place?
In much that has been said in the aftermath of
the tragic operation, it is clear that there has
been a grave withholding of information to
key elements. If there had been a notification
of , say, the MILF, whose territory the SAF
were entering to neutralize Zulkifli bin
hir alias Marwan, then a massacre of that
proportion would have been avoided.
It is evident that the information was
withheld in favor of the element of surprise
as the whole operation was under the cover
of darkness.
Even in the ranks of the government there
seems to be a blame game being played.
President Benigno Aquino, Jr. , Special
Action Force Director Getulio Napenas,
and Philippine National Police Chief Alan
Purisima are names most tossed around in the
media. Who does the Filipino people blame
for a botched operation?
Is there an answer for such a complicated
question?
Would the answer even mean anything to
those who were made into widows and
orphans overnight?
In any system if there is lack of coordination
of one part, if one unit malfunctions, the
whole system collapses. Perhaps it is sheer
ill luck, for when back up was called no
one came, or for how the Fallen 44 were
overwhelmed by ever increasing numbers of
MILF and BIFF, or for how all but one did
not manage to survive to tell the tale of how
everything went wrong.
In the end, only one thing is certain. Those
who are accountable, the conks in an
inefficient system, must pay.

Mga natatanging kwento ng Los Baos

Sa daan patungong
Malinta
ni Toni Krizia Vivarez

Malawak ang kalsada patungo sa Malinta. Maraming

kwento ang ditoy nagaganap. Isa sa mga maaring mapag
Si Emily (Pangpito mula sa
ANAP NG KAUNLARAN.
AG
AL
AP
GP
PA
alaman ay ang kwento ni si Nanay Emily Alforja. Bawat araw
pisanan ng mga Samahan sa
ang hanay) kasama ang Ka
gitn
ng
an
iwa
kal
ay sinusuyod nya ang bawat purok sa kanilang lugar upang
g magpalaganap ng kaalam
organisasyon na naglalayon
ng
isa
ta,
lin
Ma
kamustahin at gabayan ang kanyang mga myembro.
g pangkabuhayan.
Si Nanay Emily ang presidente ng Kapisasan ng mga
Samahan sa Malinta (KASAMA). Ito ay isang organisasyong
naglalayong paunlarin ang buhay ng bawat kasapi sa
pamamagitan ng pagtataguyod ng matatag na kabuhayan. Sa
kasalukuyan ay binubuo sila ng 300 myembro. Isang taon na
ang kanilang samahan.
Tuwing Sabado ay mayroon silang pagpupulong.
Bawat myembro ay malayang magtanong at magpahayag
ng kanyang opinyon. Bawat boses ay may lugar. Bawat tao
ay may pag-asang magkaroon
ng hanapbuhay para sa kanilang
pamilya.

ukol sa mga proyekton

Sa kabila nito, maraming ring kaakibat na pagsubok ang

pagiging isang lider. Madalas ay kailangang nyang isantabi ang
sarili para sa ikabubuti ng kanyang mga myembro. Mayron ding
mga maliit na sakripisyo katulad ng sariling pera na kanyang
inilalabas para sa mga simpleng salo-salo na nagpapasaya sa
samahan. May mga mas mabibigat din na pagsubok katulad ng
paghahanap kung saang lupa sila kasunod na magtatanim kung
sakali mang hindi na sila pagamitin
ng may-ari ng kasalukuyan nilang
pinagtataniman.

gusto na niyang

Aminado si Nanay
Emily na madalas ay

Noong Sabadong iyon ay

natagpuan ko silang nakasilong
sa may kawayanan. Mula sa
malayo ay damang dama ang
determinasyon ng grupo na makiisa.
Apat na buwan na kasi mula
nang mag-ani sila ng mga gulay
mula sa organikong pagtatatanim.
Sisimulan naman ng grupo ang
pangongolekta ng mga bote at papel
para maragdagan ang kanilang kita.
Anuman ang kanilang anihing pananim ay hinahati sa mga
mymebrong nakiisa. Karamihan sa mga kasapi ay mga nanay
na hindi nagtatrabaho.

magpahinga,
subalit naniniwala
sya na iba ang
karanasan ng may
natutulungan

Limamput walong taon na si Nanay Emily, at ito na ang

kanyang pang walong taon na pagiging myembro ng civil
society organization. Mahirap sa mahirap, palagi nyang
sinasabi. Hayskul pa lang sa Quezon ay naniniwala na si
Nanay Emily na isa siyang lider. Pagdating nya ng kolehiyo
ay nais sana niyang maging isang sekretarya. Subalit, hindi na
natustusan ng kanyang mga magulang ang kanyang pag-aaral.
Aminado si Nanay Emily na madalas ay gusto na niyang
magpahinga, subalit naniniwala sya na iba ang karanasan
ng may natutulungan. Naniniwala siyang ang husay sa
pakikisama sa mga tao ang dahilan kung bakit sa bawat
pagkakataon ay siya ang inihahalal na lider. Malaki man ang
responsibilidad na ginagampanan ni Nanay Emily, aniyay
malaki naman ang naitutulong nito sa pagbuo ng kanyang
pagkatao.

Marami din namang dumarating na

pagkakataon katulad ng mga ahensyang
patuloy na nagbibigay ng suporta at
tulong sa kanilang samahan.Isa sa
mga sumusuporta sa kanila ay ang
Gender Development Index ng Local
Government Unit. Ang iba sa mga ito
ay nagbibigay ng pagsasanay tungkol
sa organic farming.

Malawak ang daan patungo sa

Malinta, at sa mga kalsada na ito
ay patuloy nating makikita si Nanay Emily na nagbibigay ng
pag-asa at patuloy na nagiging pundasyon ng isang matatag na
komunidad.

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Share stories from your barangay, school, and/or organization.

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