Editorial - Dec 1-7, 2010

HIV Epidemic ‘Low and Slow’
by: Recto I. Vidal

KALIBO, Aklan-The state of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines has been described as “low and slow,” which is in stark contrast to many other countries in the region. A review of the conditions for HIV spread in the Philippines is necessary, according to a US peace corps volunteer.

In a recent Kapihan sa Aklan media forum held at Smoke Hauz Bar, Jaywork Casey, a US peace corps volunteer, told the local media here that an estimated 8,300 people were living with HIV in the Philippines in 2007. The country as traditionally had a very low HIV prevalence, with under 0.1 percent of the population infected. Even in groups such as sex workers and MSM that are typically associated with higher levels of HI, prevalence rates above 1 percent have not yet been detected.

In the case of sex workers, this is possibly due to efforts to screen and treat those selling sex since the early 1990s. However, there are reasons to believe that this situation may not last. In early 2010, the Department of Health in the Philippines stated that the country was now on the brink of a “concentrated epidemic,” due to a rise in prevalence. Condom use is not the norm in paid sex, drug users commonly share injecting equipment in some areas, and among Filipino youth, there is evidence of complacency about AIDS. National HIV prevalence among the most at risk populations (MARPs) which includes sex workers, men who have sex with men and injecting drug users, has increased more than five fold from 0.8% in 2009.

The National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia evaluated the current epidemiology, trends in behaviour and public health response in the Philippines to identify factors that could account for the current HIV epidemic, as well as to review conditions that may be of concern for facilitating an emerging epidemic.

The past control of the HIV in the Philippines cannot be attributed to any single factor, nor is it necessarily a result of the actions of the Philippine government or other stakeholders. Likely, reasons for the epidemic’s slow development include: the country’s geography is complicated; injecting drug use is relatively uncommon; a culture of sexual conservatism exists; sex workers tend to have fewer clients; anal sex is relatively uncommon; and circumcision rates are relatively high.

In contrast, there are numerous factors suggesting that HIV is increasing and ready to emerge at high rates, including: the lowest documented rates of condom use in Asia; increasing casual sexual activity; returning overseas Filipino workers from high-prevalence settings; widespread misconceptions about HIV/AIDS; and high needle-sharing rates among injecting drug users. There was a three-fold increase in the rate of HIV diagnoses in the Philippines between 2003 to 2008, and this has continued over the past year. HIV diagnoses rates have noticeably increased among men, particularly among bisexual and homosexual men (114% and 214% respective increases over 2003 to 2008). The average age for diagnosis has also significantly decreased, from approximately 36 to 29 years.

Said study have concluded that young adults, men who have sex with men, commercial sex workers, injecting drug users, overseas Filipino workers, and the sexual partners of people in these groups are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. There is no guarantee that a large HIV epidemic will be avoided in the near future. Indeed, an expanding HIV epidemic is likely to be only a matter of time as the components for such an epidemic are already present in the Philippines./TE

Aklan SP Approved Supplemental Budget of Four Aklan Towns

Kalibo, Aklan- On recommendation of the Provincial Local Finance Committee (PLFC), the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its 19th regular session on Wednesday (Nov.17,2010), has approved the supplemental budgets of the towns of Nabas,Buruanga, Batan and Malinao.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, Budget and Finance and Ways and Means chaired by SP Member Selwyn C. Ibarreta are the Annual Budgets of the town of Ibajay and Supplemental Budget No.2 of the capital town of Kalibo for further review and deliberations.

Supplemental Budget No.1 of Nabas carries total appropriations of P2,598,666 while Supplemental Budget No.1 of Buruanga is funded to the total amount of P347,552.Supplemental Budget No.1 of Batan, has total appropriations of P1,500,731.17 while Supplemental Budget No.2 of Malinao carries total appropriations of P2,406,976.68.

Proposed 2010 General Fund and Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) Budgets of Ibajay still being reviewed by the SP has total appropriations of P72,876,555.55, P64,645,295.62 is for the General Fund and P8,231,259.93 is under the MEEDO.

Also, still being reviewed is Supplemental Budget No.2 of Kalibo which carries total appropriations of P780, 993.60.

Kalibo is a 1st class, Ibajay 4th class, Nabas, 4th class, Buruanga, 5th class, Batan, 4th class and Malinao, 4th class municipality.?TE

Western Visayas Tourism Establishments

Capture Market at World Travel Mart

ILOILO CITY – Department of Tourism Regional Office 6 director Edwin Trompeta, who just newly arrived from the World Travel Mart in London, said that the participating tourism establishments from Western Visayas are really on high hopes as they are able to capture more market.

Trompeta, who accompanied the establishment representatives at the World Travel Mart on November 8 to 11 at the Exhibition Center of London, said that they were in fact given an opportunity to hold a one-on-one talk with their clients who came from different parts of the world.

The participating establishments from this region were the Boracay Regency, Friday’s, Alta Vista, Astoria and even the Jaunts and Journey’s Travel Agency.

Most of these establishments are based in Boracay island and with the travel agency only from Negros Occidental.

The tourism official further said that he is thankful for the Filipinos based in London who actively helped organize particularly the Philippine Travel Exchange, which was a half day allotted for the Philippines to have interaction with travel agents and tour operators.

He said that aside from the tourism establishments from Western Visayas that participated and made their presentations, there were also the Shangrila and Ayala Corporation that have now tourism investments all over the country.

As a result of the world tourism event, Trompeta is very optimistic that the tourist arrival in Western Visayas will further increase by next year.(PNA)/TE

Aklan SP Completes Review of Budgets of Provincial Government Departments

by: Richie D. Oloroso

Kalibo, Aklan. Since it has started its budget briefing and hearings last Thursday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has already completed the review and evaluation of the budgetary proposals of eight provincial government departments as of yesterday, Monday, Nov. 15.

Already reviewed by the provincial legislative body are the budgetary allocations of the Provincial Human Resource Management Office (PHRMO) under Provincial Human Resource Management Officer Ellen I. Tolentino, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) under Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Roger M. Esto, Provincial Budget Office (PBO) under Provincial Budget Officer Mary Grace P. Macahilas, Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) under Provincial Treasurer Suzette F. Pioquid, Provincial Assessor’s Office (PASSO) under Provincial Assessor Kokoy B. Soguilon, Provincial Legal Office under Provincial Attorney Lee T. Manares, Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAO) under Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo and the Provincial Accounting Office (PACCO) under Provincial Accountant Ma. Victoria Salido.

Scheduled for deliberation on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 17, are the budgetary proposals of the Office of the Governor, Provincial General Services Office under Provincial General Service Officer Medelian Solanoy, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office under Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Elma S. Malbas, and Provincial Veterinary Office under Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Gervase Radislao.

The following are the proposed budgetary appropriations of those government offices already reviewed by the SP:

PHRMO-total proposed appropriations of P6,912,477: P6,265,392 for Personal Services; P547,105 for MOOE; and, P100,000 for Capital Outlay;

PPDO-total proposed budgetary outlay of P8,446,933; P7,019,932 for Personal Services; P1,222,001 for MOOE; and P205,000 for capital outlay;

PBO-total proposed appropriations of P7,988,250: P6,853.250 fpr Personal Services, P935.000 for MOOE, and, P200,000 for capital outlay;

PTO-total proposed budget of P14,240,538: P11,335,538 for PS, P2,705,000 for MOOE, and P200,000 for capital outlay; PASSO- total proposed budgetary outlays of P13.693.566:

P10,859,367 for PS,P2,422,799 for MOOE, and, P411,400 for capital outlay;

Prov’l. Legal Office- P2,138,678 total proposed appropriations, P1,693,678 for PS, P345,000 for MOOE, and, P100,000 for capital outlay;

PAO- total proposed appropriations of P8,471,430, P7,612,430 for PS, P769,000 for MOOE and P90,000 for capital outlay; and PACCO-total proposed appropriations of P15,463,861, P13,697861 for PS, P1,616,000 for MOOE and P150,000 for capital outlay.

Said departments’s proposed budgets are part of the 2011 General Fund and EEDD Budgets submitted by Governor Carlito S. Marquez to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which carries total appropriations of P976,436,012, P587,989,907 under the General Fund and P388,446,105 under the EEDD./TE

Sinadya sa Halaran Couples

to Observe Anniversary

Roxas City - A total of 774 couples exchanged “I Dos” over the past three years during Sinadya sa Halaran (SSH) festival’s mass wedding rites every Dec. 7 at the Roxas City Metropolitan Cathedral.

The figure will expectedly increase as another batch of couples is set to march for the wedding ceremonies dubbed “Tambi Palad 2010.”

“There are 146 couples who have completed their requirements for the upcoming mass wedding,” said Commission on Population (PopCom) ? Roxas City staff Margie Degala.

However, she added that some are still in the process of completing their requirements for the wedding festival.

The initial list of couples includes a 70-year old groom and his age band bride.

The oldest groom to benefit from the SSH activity is a 98-year old groom from among the 362 couples in 2008.

Degala noted that the mass wedding is a result of the citywide Responsible Parenthood advocacy which identified unwed couples in the community.

A City Responsible Parenting Movement (RPM) Team composed of members from PopCom, City Health Office (CHO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Agriculture Office (CAO) as well as non-government organizations like Capiz Women, Inc. (CWI), Couples for Christ (CFC), and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) has also been created by the city government to help in the promotion of the Philippine Population Management Program. RPM aims to awaken the parents’ sense of responsibility and commitment towards their family, neighbors, community, society and nation as a whole towards the attainment of sustainable human development. (PIA)/TE

Putting Our House in Order

In last week’s column I expressed concern about the international image of the Philippines, of how Filipinos are perceived abroad, and the impact that this has upon our tourist industry.

A number of recent incidents have reflected badly on the Philippines, and this has been compounded by the litigation currently ongoing on the island of Boracay where four Canadian nationals have filed a case against Ms. Dolly Khanna who is a Philippines national living in Boracay for the recovery of their one hundred million pesos investment, claiming that they have been defrauded of this sum.

The case has taken another turn due to a statement recently made by Ms. Khanna, and which has since been posted on the world wide web, suggesting that a foreign visitor to the island had claimed that he was able to purchase marijuana from a building next to the local police station.

Although her statement was based on hearsay, this affirmation has serious implications for the Boracay police. If true, then how could such a practice be going on under their very noses and without their knowledge? And why would anyone in their right mind sell illegal drugs next to a police station, where they would stand the most chance of detection? If this is indeed the case, then at the very least the Boracay police would be guilty of gross incompetence.

If the statement is true, then questions also arise as to where the dealer or dealers procure their supply? Questions will no doubt be asked as to whether or not corrupt police officers are involved, since the police station would no doubt have in its keeping any drugs which had previously been confiscated.

This matter is serious enough to warrant a full investigation, which should also include a comprehensive audit of drugs that have been confiscated together with any drugs currently held at the police station, and the questioning of officers in charge of the disposal of confiscated drugs.

This is by no means the first time that questions have arisen regarding the integrity of the Boracay police. One foreign visitor told me that he had heard that foreign tourists were targeted for marijuana possession, whilst local ‘shabu’ dealers were allowed to operate freely due to ‘arrangements’ that they have made with rogue elements within the local police force.

Regardless of whether or not this is true, the very fact that foreign visitors have this perception not only reflects badly upon the reputation of the local police, but upon our national image too, not to mention the impact that it has upon our tourist industry.

We urgently need to put our house in order if we want our tourist industry to survive. My own feeling is that a full and thorough investigation should be instigated without delay, and should be conducted by some outside agency in order to ensure an impartial evaluation. Such an investigation is imperative if we are to restore the reputation of our local police.

With regard to posting these allegations on the internet for others around the world to see, I personally regard this as the height of indiscretion, and totally reprehensible. Ms. Khanna may not care about the image that Filipinos have in the eyes of the world, but the rest of us most certainly do. /TE

Food for Though by: Chita Dela Cruz-Heap

Look to the Future

It has long been my conviction that the education of our children is essential if our country is to develop, but there is one essential pre-requisite to acquiring an education, and this is a sincere desire to learn.

In order for our bodies to remain healthy we need to eat. But what if we are not hungry? What use is a glass of water if we are not thirsty? And what use is an education if we do not have a sincere desire to learn and the ability to absorb what we are taught?

It is every child’s desire to attend school and it is only through lack of funding that some children miss out on this opportunity. But for those fortunate enough to attend, what do they learn there? How much of what they are taught do they remember? How much of this learning do they actually retain?

My father in law, who was a very astute man, once told me 5that most children in the Philippines attend school not to get an education, but in order to acquire a certificate at the end of their course of study as proof that they have had an education. His point was that it is the learning itself which is of critical importance, together with the ability to understand what has been learned, and most important of all the ability to apply it. A certificate is just a piece of paper after all.

The most important thing that any child can learn at school is the ability to think but this is one subject that you will not find in any curriculum. All too often our children are taught simply to memorize, to learn the nine times table and repeat it ’parrot fashion’ or to memorize a mathematical formula without any real understanding of the mechanics involved

All too often our children are taught not to think for themselves and to question at every opportunity, but to shut up and listen, to be the same as everyone else, and to wait until somebody else tells them what to do. I consider this to be one of the major causes of what I can only describe as the current ‘malaise’ of our society. The origins go back further however, for it is our own influence as parents, or rather the lack of it, that is the root cause.

Children need to be stimulated at an early age if they are to make the best of their education, and people in the west have understood this. This is why they provide their children with books, with toys which will help them to learn, and with materials for writing and drawing with which enable their children to express themselves. By the time these children are old enough to attend school they not only have a thirst for learning, but they are also able to absorb and retain what they are taught.

What stimulation do we give our children here in the Philippines? Do we explain to them why the earth goes round the sun, or why there are two tides a day? Do we tell them about the people of different cultures or explain why people are the way they are? Do we actually engage with our children, or do we simply tell them, “Go fetch the water?” or “Go fetch the wood”?

When our children return home from school, how many of us ask them, “What did you learn today? What did the teacher tell you? Did you understand what the teacher said? How many of us actually take an interest in our child’s education?

How many of us support our local school and involve ourselves in its activities? Whether we are parents or not, it is the children who represent the future of our country, and as such it is in our own interest to participate an to offer support in whatever way we can.

We assume that because our children are attending school they are receiving an education, but if they are unable to remember, or to retain what they are taught, then they are deriving no benefit at all. They are simply wasting their time.

In the west there is a small percentage of children, probably less than one percent, who are considered to have learning difficulties since they are unable to remember what they have been taught. For such pupils special schools have been set up in order to help them. If the same standards were to be applied to the Philippines I suspect that the number of children considered to have ‘learning difficulties’ would be considerably higher.

Do not misunderstand me, for I am not claiming that our children are stupid. Indeed many of them are very gifted and show real potential. But if, for whatever reason, they are unable to realize this potential then of what possible use can it be?

I am reminded of something that Prem Rawat once said, and that is that “The ability to think is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to ourselves.”

The brain is after all a muscle like the muscle in our legs, though much more complex and sophisticated. If we never used our legs then the muscles in our legs would never develop, and it is precisely the same with our brain. If we are not encouraged to use our brain then it will not develop and our true potential will go unrealized.

Imagine that every day you have to walk to Kalibo, and that every evening you have to walk home again. You would be very tired. Then one day somebody gives you a bicycle and tells you, “This bicycle will make your life easier.” So the next day you push the bicycle all the way to Kalibo and then push it all the way home again, and you come home just as tired if not more so. Of what use would that bicycle be if you did not use it ub the way intended? The same is no less true to our intelligence, for what use can it possibly be if we fail to use it?

I fear that as parents the blame must rest squarely upon our shoulders. A poor diet is a contributing factor, since all too often our children are deprived of the fresh fruit and vegetables so essential to developing an active and inquisitive mind, and instead are fed mainly on rice and fish. But this malaise which has impregnated our society stems in the main from our own failure to stimulate our children at an early age.

As parents we are all role models for our children and it is for us to set an example. How many parents read books? How many of us read or subscribe to a newspaper? Very few of us I fear. In the west most people buy newspapers on a daily basis and on average spend the equivalent of P80.00 per copy and P200.00 for a Sunday edition. The Explorer is published once a week and costs only P10.00 and yet many readers still expect to receive their copy free.

How many of our children read books when they come home from school? How many are inspired to research further into a chosen subject in order to better themselves and to learn more? How many of them have a thirst to acquire more learning and to develop their ability to think? How many borrow books from their local library? How many even know where their local library is?

Do our children attend school because they want to learn, or do they attend because that is where their friends go and they want to spend time with their friends?

I fear the ‘malaise’ to which I refer begins with us, and that the stimulation which is lacking in our children results from a lack of stimulation within us. How can we ever hope to stimulate our children if we ourselves have become victims of our own complacency? How can we ever hope to break this endless cycle?

Our children represent our future and as such are our only hope of emerging from the poverty in which most of us currently live, and of freeing our country from the burden of foreign debt. But they need our encouragement, they need our support, they need to feel the motivation which only we as parents can provide. Most of all we need to set an example for them, and to examine our own lifestyle and attitudes to learning.

It takes a burning candle to light another unlit candle, and in order to motivate our children we first need to motivate ourselves. We need to wake up. We need to look to the future, for unless we do so I fear that we will forever remain a subservient nation, unable to feed itself and totally dependent on foreign aid.

There is no time to lose. The time to act is now!/TE