Pebrero 12-18 , 2018
Hold public discussions on proposed amendments to 1987 Constitution
By BENJIE OLIVEROS
WHAT do the public know about the current initiative in Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution ?
First , the Duterte saadministration is proposing a shift to a Federal form of government . And second , there have been disagreements between the Lower House and the Senate on how to amend the 1987 Constitution . Currently , there appears to be a ceasefire as the Senate and House of Representatives agreed to set aside the manner of amending the Constitution in the meantime , and focus on the proposed amendments .
Well , the shift to a Federal form of government is a matter for serious discussions , especially in the light of the continuing reign of political dynasties in local politics .
The manner of amending the Constitution is likewise important considering the quality , or lack of it , of legislators the country has , especially in the House of Representatives . The members of the House of Representatives do not vote on the basis of serious discernment on what is good for the country and for their respective constituents . They vote on the basis of crass self-interest .
And look at what kind of Speaker and House leadership the country has . House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has twice threatened the members of the Lower House that he would withhold their budgets if they would not go along with the position of the Duterte administration : first , for a Federal form of government and recently , if they would side with the Senate ’ s view that both Houses of Congress , when constituted as a Constituent Assembly to amend the Constitution , should vote separately .
Congress has practically set aside the option of a Constitutional Convention where a mix of representatives of the different regions and of experts from different fields could have made more rational decisions rather than our dis-honorable Congressmen .
While these two issues – form of government and manner of amendments – are important , these do not tell the whole story .
There are a lot more issues resulting from the proposed amendments that should be discussed to the public . An example is the proposal of Speaker Alvarez to constrict civil liberties by adding the phrase “ responsible exercise of ” to the provision guaranteeing the freedom of expression , belief , of the press , among others .
Another issue that should be discussed publicly and thoroughly is the proposal to remove all restrictions to foreign investments , such as the 60 percent Filipino and 40 percent foreign equity rule ; the provisions disallowing foreign equity in essential services , media , education , and exploration and use of the country ’ s natural resources .
The matter of term extension should also be discussed . If not , surely our dishonorable Congressmen would rather stay in power forever .
So much is at stake . There are so many provisions and it would not suffice to merely railroad these come referendum time . Or is that the plan all along ?
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CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA DUBAI
NOTICE
No . DUBA / Cons / 434 / MR / 18- ( 07 ) D AT E D : 10 / 01 / 2018
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Ang Caviteño Jan . 22 , 29 & Feb . 05 , 2018
To further intensify the provincial government ’ s program on peace and order , Cavite Governor Boying Remulla led the ceremonial distribution of motorcycle patrol vehicles for the TMC ’ s Home Owners Association on February 6 , 2018 at the Cavite Provincial Capitol Grounds , Trece Martires City . Forty motorcycle patrols were distributed to HOA officers to assure their immediate response on crimes , tragedy and other needs in the vicinity of each barangay . Present during the distribution were Trece Martires City Mayor Melan de Sagun with his wife , Aiza de Sagun , city councils of TMC , barangay captains and members of the Federation of Homeowners Association of the city .
9
Communities pledge to protect , conserve Tullahan River
QUEZON CITY-- Communities near the Tullahan River pledged to protect and conserve the river that is part of the Malabon-Navotas- Tullahan-Tinajeros ( MANATUTI ) river system .
The commitment came after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ) reached out to communities to raise awareness of the value of preserving wetlands and their importance to ecosystems .
The DENR , through its Biodiversity Management Bureau ( BMB ), took the 2018 World Wetland Day local celebration on Feb 2 , to two Quezon City barangays – Sta . Lucia and San Bartolome – where the agency conducted an educational outreach activity consistent with the theme , “ Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future – Making Urban Cities Livable .”
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the focus of this year ’ s celebration enhances the knowledge of communities about the conservation and preservation of wetlands and bodies of water situated in urban areas , and the Tullahan River is a fitting venue for the WWD event .
“ We at the DENR are reached out to the two barangays near the Tullahan River because of its relevance on their livelihood ,” Cimatu said . “ As one of the most polluted waterways in Metro Manila , the river deserves no less than to have reduced pollution for the benefit of the residents within the area .”
A wetland is defined as land area that is saturated with water , either permanently or seasonally , and such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem . It also constitutes rivers and its tributaries , especially in urban areas such as Quezon City .
The holding of educational outreach activity was proposed to the DENR by the Quezon City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Division and was coordinated by the BMB together with the DENR- National Capital Regional Office .
Representatives from the Society for Conservation of Philippine Wetlands discussed the seven environmental principles , the BMB the importance of urban wetlands , and the Mother Earth Foundation on zero-waste management during the learning activities held at the barangay halls of Sta . Lucia and San Bartolome .
Video presentations and group activities aimed at raising awareness on the importance of wetlands were also conducted .
Participants from Barangay Sta . Lucia in Quezon City actively participated in an activity aimed at enhancing their understanding of the various environmental principles . They were tasked to draw what they want to put in the “ land ” near the Tullahan River .
Afterwards , they laid all their drawings and connected them , forming a miniature version of the Tullahan River . At the end of the daylong event , the participants declared their commitment to protecting and conserving Tullahan River .
The Tullahan River spans 36.4 kilometers , from La Mesa Water Reservoir in Fairview , Quezon City , all the way to the mouth of Manila Bay at Centennial Park in Navotas City .
Established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet , WWD was first celebrated in 1997 and has grown remarkably since then . In 2016 , WWD was celebrated in at least 59 countries . ( DENR / EPC / MAPA / PIA-NCR )