CONVERSATIONS WITH KAMAEL I

I'm drunk...
I'm lost...
I want to die...
I love her very much...
Fuck! Why?! Why me?!
Amidst my drunken stupor and seemingly suicidal depression... I saw a figure... A sexy figure of an angel... Angel? But I soon noticed she only have one wing...
"Who the fuck are you?!" "Where am I?!" I noticed that I am sitting in darkness with the being looking at me curiously...
She answered me with a sweet melodious voice... "You are at the void, Mr. Borja... As to who I am, call me Kamael..."
"Void?!" "Kamael?!" "You are nothing but a product of my sick mind! Are you the angel of death?! How beautiful?! I'm dead?! How splendid!"
"I am not an angel of death... There is no need for you to know who I am..." As she comes nearer and nearer. She is beatiful... Magical... Like a cross breed of a fairy and a vampire...
I heard your anguish my dear Mr. Borja... Your anguish is like the symphony of the night... Like the howling of a thousand wolves worshipping the full moon... I think you need someone to talk to... Your depression brought you here at the Void and me...
Shut up will you? You don't know me?! Don't act as if you can help me! YOU DON'T KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT ME!
That is where you are wrong my dear... I know a lot abot you... The real you... From the beginning... The you that even you does'nt know... The real you...
Please leave me... I am mourning... I want to be left alone with my depression... Can you drink Matador? Want some? As she sit beside me... I can feel her presence... Her aura something different but calm... There is no malicious intent whatsocer...
Do you want to know who you are? Who you were?
Will you go away and leave me alone if I will let you? She has a sword... Astig!
Ok Mr. Borja... All want is for you to listen... And concentrate on what I am telling you... My confessions might help you survive your present life time...
You have my word for it...

At first you were a part of the earth...
Doesn't all of us? Your joking... I might be drunk but I am not stupid! Shot?!
Listen Mr. Borja... Others started not as earth... Others started as water, fire, air or metal... You on the other hand started as earth...
Can I now continue? With a smirk and a sigh she did continue... That happened 4.6 billion years ago... You are already a part of this planet... Of this reality billions of years ago...
Then after 3.2 billion of years ago you became a diamond... Don't you see Mr. Borja... Even from the start your life was full of struggle and lowliness... After billions of years you as an earth became a diamond... Don't you see it Mr. Borja! If the earth which was you stopped dreaming will it become a diamond... Persistence Mr. Borja! Even from the start you are persistent!
When the single celled animals evolved to different kinds of animals like dinosaurs... You asked the creator if you can be one of them... The Creator obliged and made you a Triceratops 26 million years ago... If you remember when you are yet a young boy you are very fond of the dinosaur Triceratops... A lot of kids want the T-rex but not you! You want the Triceratops! You are defensive in nature like the Tops... And like the Tops you are very dangerous if you run berserk...

CHANGE THE WORLD BY CHANGING ME

THE SUFI BAYAZID SAYS ABOUT HIMSELF

I WAS A REVOLUTIONARY WHEN I WAS YOUNG
AND ALL MY PRAYERS TO GOD WAS:

“LORD, GIVE ME THE ENERGY
TO CHANGE THE WORLD”

AS I APPROACHED MIDDLE AGE, I REALIZED THAT HALF OF MY LIFE WAS GONE WITHOUT CHANGING A SINGLE SOUL.
I CHANGE MY PRAYER TO:

“LORD, GIVE ME THE GRACE TO CHANGE ALL THOSE WHO COME IN CONTACT WITH ME. JUST MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND I SHALL BE SATISFIED”.


NOW THAT I AM AN OLD MAN AND MY DAYS ARE NUMBERED, I HAVE BEGUN TO SEE HOW FOOLISH I HAVE BEEN
MY ONE PRAYER NOW IS:
“LORD, GIVE ME THE GRACE TO CHANGE MYSELF”
IF I HAD PRAYED THIS RIGHT FROM THE START, I SHOULD NOT HAVE WASTED MYSELF.

EVERYBODY THINKS OF CHANGING HUMANITY, HARDLY ANYONE THINKS OF CHANGING HIMSELF.

Heartfelt condolences to family, comrades and the Palestinian people on the death of Comrade Dr. George Habash, Al-Hakim

By LUIS G. JALANDONI
NDFP Chief International Representative
Member, NDFP National Executive Committee

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of Comrade Dr. George Habash, Al-Hakim, to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian people on the passing away of the Founder of the PFLP and the Arab Nationalist Movement.

The NDFP joins the Palestinian and Arab peoples in mourning the death of an outstanding leader of their struggle for national and social liberation. His contributions over seven decades of struggle constitute an ineradicable legacy for all those persevering in the liberation struggle.

As stated by his comrades in the PFLP, not only did he demonstrate the highest level of care and dedication to his people, but he also consistently and clearly conveyed and developed a scientific vision and analysis both of the future of the revolution and the dangers and plans against it forged by the enemies of his people.

After the outbreak of the great Intifada in 1987, he called for upholding Palestinian unity as a necessary condition for the continuation of the struggle. He called for the convening of the Palestinian National Congress in 1988. Appalled by the massive uprooting of over 700,000 Palestinians in 1948, Comrade Habash and other Arab patriots founded the Arab Nationalist Movement. He firmly upheld and defended the vital and central right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their beloved homeland. He therefore strongly opposed the Oslo Agreement in 1993 for attacking this right to return.

At the Sixth Convention of the PFLP in 2000, Comrade Habash declared: “We cannot seize the future without having read our history well, not in order to be enslaved by that history, but in order to benefit from it as a necessary precondition for dealing with the future. The present is a qualitative extension of the past, while at the same time it constitutes the material and intellectual foundation for the building of the future.” On that occasion, when he relinquished the leadership of the PFLP, he announced his idea and plan of establishing a center for studies, which he said would be a “dynamic, social, intellectual and dialectic operation.” He added, “Recognizing the reasons for our defeat is a beginning step on the path toward the sphere of success and achievement, leaving behind the realm of failure, and getting closer to victory.” He highlighted the great role of women and youth in the Palestinian revolution.

At the end of his speech, Comrade Habash declared: “My aim in this closing speech has been to say to you – and not only to you, but to all the detainees, or those who experienced detention, to the families of the martyrs, to those who were wounded, to all who sacrificed and gave for the cause – that your sacrifice has not been in vain. The just goals and legitimate rights which they have struggled and given their lives for will be attained, sooner or later... And my aim, again and again, is to emphasize the need for you to persist in your struggle to serve our people, for the good of all Palestinians and Arabs – the good that lies in a just and legitimate cause, as it does in the realization of the good for all those who are oppressed and wronged. You must always be of calm mind, and of contented conscience, with a strong resolve and a steel will, for you have been and still are in the camp of justice and progress, the camp whose just goals will be attained and which will inevitably attain its legitimate rights. For these are the lessons of history and reality, and no right is lost as long as there is someone fighting for it.”

For the Filipino people persevering in their struggle for national and social liberation, the life and dedication of Comrade Habash is also an inspiration and further strengthens the solidarity between the Palestinian people and the Filipino people.

Long live the noble memory and inspiration of the outstanding and exemplary Founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Arab Nationalist Movement, Comrade Dr. George Habash, Al-Hakim!

Long live the Palestinian people’s struggle for national and social liberation!

Long live international solidarity for the revolutionary cause of the Palestinian people!

“Operation Peace” sows terror in north Brazil countryside

The Brazilian state, military and local government have launched massive operations against the peasants in the state of Pará in northern Brazil, resulting in grave violations of human rights.

The military operation called “Operation Peace in the Countryside” was ordered by the governor of Pará state, Ana Julia Carepa, to hunt down peasants who are courageously fighting for their rights to own the land and against the abuses of the landlords. The military used 400 military and olice troops, 40 armored vehicles, four helicopters and one plane. The massive show of force was to intimidate and harass the peasant population to give up their struggle and to force them to give information about the activities and plans of the League of Poor Peasants (LCP) or Liga, a social movement fighting for peasant land rights.

More than 200 peasants were arrested and imprisoned. They were subjected to severe torture such as constant beatings, drowning and suffocation. The victims were also forced to swallow large quantities of fresh pepper with salt and onion which damaged their internal organs. Although a number of peasants were freed last 03 January, many peasants and their leaders are still missing. Their families and comrades have no information of their whereabouts and they continue to look for them.

A peasant leader from Redencao by the name of Rivaldo was killed. He was shot twice in the head. It is reported that the owner of the Forkilha Farm, Jairo Andrade ordered the killing of Rivaldo.

A series of articles were nationally distributed before the attacks, slandering and demonizing peasant activists and leaders and calling for harsh measures against the Liga.

Brazil is afire with the struggle of the peasantry for land rights. Peasants are evicted from their land to give way to big agricultural corporations. The state and local officials are in cahoots with the landlords in enforcing the eviction and criminalization of peasants.

But the peasants, their families and supporters are not intimidated by the military operations launched against them by the state, the landlords and the officials of the local governments. They know that for them to finally own the land that they and their ancestors have tilled for so long, they would have to continue organizing and preparing themselves for bigger struggles ahead.

Uribe government assassinates FARC commander Raúl Reyes

The Colombian military brutally bombarded an encampment of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) inside Ecuador on 1 March. The attack took the lives of the FARC’s number two commander, Raúl Reyes, and 16 other guerrillas.

Noted FARC leader Julián Conrado, member of the insurgent army’s general command, was also killed in the attack. The US Department of State had recently posted a US$2.5 million bounty on Conrado, 53, whose actual name was Guillermo Enrique Torres.

Reyes, 60, was the FARC’s actual ground commander and chief negotiator in the talks with the Andrés Pastrana government between 1998 and 2002. Reyes’ real name was Luis Edgar Devia Silva.

The encampment was one mile inside Ecuador’s border, just south of the Putumayo River near Santa Rosa. To justify its invasion of that country, Colombia’sright-wing president Álvaro Uribe claims that its military bombarded from within Colombia’s airspace.

But in a contrary statement, Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia’s defense minister, stated that the planes bombed the camp from a position two kilometers – over 1.2 miles – inside Ecuador. He also admitted that Colombian troops entered Ecuador to sequester the bodies of Reyes and Conrado and take them to Colombia to prevent their recovery by the FARC.

Uribe notified Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa only after the attack. Correa has ordered an investigation into the bombardment, and reiterated the call for peace negotiations.

Despite numerous offers by Venezuela’s president Hugo Chávez and other international leaders to help negotiate a peace settlement of the 60-year-old Colombian conflict, the right-wing, pro-US Uribe has responded by calling for the FARC’s extermination.

The assassination of the FARC combatants came only days after the FARC’s second unilateral release of prisoners of war facilitated by Chávez’s government. The four high-profile prisoners immediately joined international calls for a political solution to the conflict, just days before the bombardment.

Uribe has refused any meaningful proposals by the insurgent army to carry out a humanitarian exchange of prisoners held by both sides. In particular, he rejects the call for demilitarizing two territories – Pradera and La Florida – for a period of 45 days, in order to facilitate the exchange of prisoners.

“I publicly challenge President Álvaro Uribe to demonstrate the success of his policy of democratic security and clear the military from the municipalities of Pradera and Florida,” said Luis Eladio Pérez, one of the four former Colombian legislators just released by the FARC. “The solution is political, Mr. President Uribe,” Pérez added.

There is good reason for the FARC’s demilitarization demand: During the previous FARC’s unilateral liberation of

former members of Congress – among them Clara Rojas – the Colombian military bombarded the route of the FARC release, almost killing the hostages as well as FARC soldiers.

It is clear that the US government’s intent is to continue hunting down FARC combatants using Colombia’s military as a proxy. Colombia’s efforts to exterminate the guerrilla army are fully under Washington’s direction, aided by Plan Colombia’s multibillion-dollar counter-insurgency program funded by the United States.

A political solution that might require any compromise on their part is not in the interest of the Colombian and US governments. The assassination of the FARC leaders was unambiguously intended to decisively derail the mediation efforts led by Venezuela once and for all.

In an interview to Kaosenlared.net completed just two days before his death, Commander Reyes said, “In Latin America we see a positive turn towards the revolutionary left with the leadership of governments that are anti-imperialist, progressive, independent, Bolivarian, moving towards socialism, and whose commitment is to fulfill the mandate of the Liberator (Simón Bolivar), that of attaining the greatest happiness for their peoples.

“Colombia will not be the exception. As Bolivarians who are in the midst of conflict with an ultra-right, fascist and paramilitary government, we are proceeding along the same road. Nothing and nobody will impede that.” [Party for Socialism and Liberation, www.pslweb.org] .

US troop “surge” a big failure

Iraqi resistance inflicts heavy toll on US occupation troops

Latest official US statistics document heavy casualties inflicted by the Iraqi Resistance on US occupation troops. As of 19 February 2008, 3,960 US soldiers have died: 3,225 killed in action and 735 through “non-hostile” fire. Wounded in action totaled 29,133, of which 13,013 did not return to duty within 72 hours.

According to data provided by the Defense Manpower Data Center, Statistical Information Analysis Division, from 19 March 2003 through 2 February 2008, the non-hostile deaths included 139 self-inflicted deaths. The great majority of those who died, 3,070 or 78% of the total were aged 30 years or below.

The number of US soldiers who undergo major amputations, toes and fingers not counted, reached 500 on 12 January 2007. This number comprised only 2.2%of the total wounded at that time, 22,700.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), according to one expert cited in a February 2007 Discovery magazine article, affected over 7,500 soldiers. Mental illness or psychosocial disorder affected about 1/3 of the 103,788 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars of aggression diagnosed between 30 September 2001 and 30 September 2005. Among the effects of these psychosocial disorders were homelessness and marital problems, including domestic violence. The Pentagon reported in March 2006 that more than 8,000 US soldiers had deserted. The following year it said that the rate of desertions was even increasing.

Troop “surge” a big failure

The yearly statistics prove that the US troop “surge” proclaimed by the Bush administration as a great success is in fact a big failure.

The US Defense Manpower Data Center recorded the total deaths in the year 2006 as 704. After the so-called “surge” with the increase of 30,000 US troops, the deaths increased to 762 for year 2007. The rate of American deaths in Baghdad over the first seven weeks of the “surge” security escalation had nearly doubled from the previous period. According to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Monitor, US troop deaths since the “surge” has been running at 3.14 per day. Moreover, reports indicate that even after the troop surge, more than two-thirds of Baghdad is under the effective control of various groups within the Iraqi resistance. In an attempt to crush the resistance in Baghdad, the US military dropped 40,000 pounds of bombs in the first ten minutes of a January 10 [2008] assault on the town of Arab Jabour on the southern outskirts of Baghdad.

Forty houses and the main road were destroyed and many civilians were killed.

More than a million Iraqis dead, more than 4 million refugees

The main victim of the US-led war of aggression and occupation in Iraq is however the Iraqi people. A survey made in August 2007 estimated over 1.2 million deaths since March 2003. The Opinion Research Business (ORB), a London polling organization, published the results of its survey on September 14, 2007. The ORB reported that “48% died from a gunshot wound, 20% from the impact of a car bomb, 9% from aerial bombardment, 6% as a result of an accident and 6% from another blast/ ordnance.”

Besides the over a million deaths caused by the US-led war of aggression, Iraqis are subjected to torture, rape, and many other human rights violations. 60 to 70% of Iraqi children are reported to be suffering from psychological problems. 68% of Iraqis have no access to safe drinking water. Cholera and other epidemics are taking place, while half of Iraqi doctors have left the country.

According to a press briefing of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 19 February 2008, there are some 2 million Iraqi refugees outside the country and about 2.4 million internal refugees. 95% of the refugees outside Iraq are in Middle East countries, with about 1.2-1.4 million in Syria and 500-750 thousand in Jordan.

At the end of his mission to Iraq and neighboring countries, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, appealed for international help for Iraqi refugees and for Syria and Jordan. Jordan announced it was spending US$1.7 billion yearly to assist the Iraqi refugees in Jordan.

Iraqi resistance grows in strength,condemns US scheme of sectarian civil war While the US says there were only 2000 attacks against US “Coalition” troops in September 2007 compared to 3200 attacks in September 2006, claiming that the “troop surge” was successful, an Iraqi resistance leader declared in an international solidarity conference in March 2007 that the Iraqi resistance was carrying out over 1300 attacks each week.

Abdul Jabbar al-Kubaysi, general secretary of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance, described how large areas of Iraq and many of the smaller cities and towns are under the control of the Iraqi resistance and in the larger cities, fierce street battles rage daily. The conference held in Chianciano, Italy, also had Ayatollah al Sayyed Ahmed al-Baghdadi, a leader of the resistance among the Shiites, as a speaker by telephone. He condemned the US scheme of fomenting “sectarian civil war” between Sunnis and Shiites and claiming that US occupation is a “peace keeping” mission. He declared: “Confrontational clashes were never known before the occupation. It is a
confrontation planned by external powers to burn Iraq and the whole region.”

He added: “America will never be able to control Iraq because of the strength of the resistance. We will always reject the occupation. No mask could ever cover up its ugly face. The resistance will remove all the masks, and defeat the occupier’s project of civil war in Iraq.” Al-Kubaysi concluded his speech at the international conference: “With the heroic sacrifices of the Iraqi people, the American occupation has been stopped dead in its tracks. The shackles of occupation are crumbling, thanks to the courageous resistance of the Iraqi people.” (See Kosta Harlan, “Voices of the Iraqi Resistance”, Fight Back! Lucha y Resistir!, March 2007, www.fightbacknews.org).

A US armored military vehicle smoulders in the background after an attack by Iraqi resistance forces. file photo.

16 offensives in January and February

New People’s Army frustrates intensified enemy attacks

Despite the intensification of armed attacks by the security forces of the US-Arroyo regime and their repeated self-serving projections about the impending defeat of the revolutionary forces, reports coming from the battlefront reveal that the New People’s Army and the revolutionary masses continue to hold the initiative in armed tactical offensives with the enemy.

At least 18 elements of the enemy armed forces were killed and scores of others were wounded in about 16 tactical offensives and two tactical counter-offensives conducted in the last two months by various units of the NPA across the country. The Red fighters were able to seize several pistols and high-powered rifles, including an M-60 machine gun, which could be used to further increase the strength of the people’s army.

On 29 December 2007, four soldiers belonging to the 21st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were killed in an ambush by Red fighters of Danilo Ben Command of the NPA-Cagayan Province, in northern Philippines. The 5th Infantry Division of the PA had been conducting offensive military operations in several towns in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela since the start of December before they were ambushed by the NPA.

Various units of the Merardo Arce Command of the NPA-Southern Mindanao Region, in southern Philippines, were able to launch victorious tactical offensives during the second half of January 2008 without sustaining any casualty. While the bulk of the enemy’s forces – the 73rd IBPA and PA Scout Rangers – were busy in the western part of the region, the NPA inflicted blows on isolated enemy positions in the eastern side, namely Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental provinces.

In the morning of 30 January, seven soldiers belonging to the 67th IBPA and a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were killed while ten other soldiers were wounded in an ambush by the combined forces of Guerrilla Fronts 15 and 25, when the enemy troops were patrolling through the villages of Kinablangan, San Victor and Kampawan, in Baganga town, Davao Oriental. Seized from the enemy were an M-60 machine gun and two M-16 rifles.

In the afternoon of the same day, an intelligence operative of the 1102nd PNP Mobile Group was killed and two CAFGU elements were wounded in the village of Bukal, in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, when they fought it out with Red fighters of Front 27. Another element of the 1102nd PNP Mobile Group was killed and ten others were wounded, this time in the village of Ngan, in Compostela, when the NPA 5th Pulang Bagani Command ambushed the reinforcing enemy troops.

On 31 January, a soldier was wounded when the NPA launched harassment operations against a detachment of the 733rd Combat Squadron of the Philippine Air Force in Clayo Village, Nasugbu town, Batangas province. Elsewhere in southern Luzon, four soldiers of the 9th IBPA and the 565th Engineering Battalion of the Philippine Army were seriously wounded when their armed convoy was ambushed by the NPA in Buenavista village, Bacon town, in Sorsogon province on 1 February. The following day, an army sergeant was killed when the NPA attacked an AFP detachment in Badian village, Oas town, in Albay province. The Red fighters seized a .45 caliber pistol from the enemy.

Meanwhile, latest reports reveal that the NPA in Samar province, in central Philippines, was able to seize 11 high-powered rifles when they raided the PNP municipal headquarters in Hinabangan town on 23 December. It was earlier reported that the Red fighters seized two HPRs and three pistols from the raid.

US and Philippine military massacre civilians in Maimbung, Sulu

In the early morning of 4 February, while the villagers were sound asleep, troops of the reactionary Armed Forces of the Philippines launched an armed attack on the fishing village of Ipil in Maimbung town, Sulu, in the southern island of Mindanao. They massacred at least eight civilians, including two children aged 4 and 9, two teenagers aged 15 and 17 and a pregnant woman, and a soldier who was on leave at that time. The military operations also caused the wounding of many other civilians and destruction of property.

The AFP tried to cover up the massacre by saying that it was a legitimate operation and that the victims were members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The women and children who were killed, they said, died in the crossfire. The surviving victims, their families and local government officials however vehemently belied these claims of the military. They asserted that the victims were ordinary seaweed farmers and fisherfolk, and not members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The ASG is a creation of the AFP and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1991 to undermine the Moro people’s struggle for self-determination. It has since turned into banditry, kidnapping for ransom and terrorism, but continues to be handled by military officers.

But what is so damning about the Maimbung massacre aside from the killing of civilians is the presence of US military forces in the area. Eyewitness and survivors’ accounts report seeing heavily armed US soldiers in the area while the carnage was going on. There were even reports that what happened in Maimbung was part of the joint military exercise between US and Philippine troops called Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), a sort of practicum for the Philippine military. This is not farfetched since soldiers that attacked the Ipil village belonged to the Light Reaction Company, a unit composed of soldiers who have undergone specialized training from the US military during the joint military exercises.

The specialized US military training produced brutal results in the fishing village of Ipil: civilians were attacked; the children were shot in the head; victims’eyes were gouged out; and fingers and ears were sliced off.

This was not the first time that the US troops have taken part in AFP military operations in Sulu. In early 2007, US troops were present during an armed encounter between the AFP and the Moro National Liberation Front in Indanan town, Sulu. During that period, US military personnel were supposedly building roads in Indanan while the AFP troops were launching big military operations in the entire province.

The US use the so-called humanitarian missions of building roads, bringing relief goods and medical services to neutralize people’s resistance against its presence and to cover up the real purpose of the joint exercises. According to Command Sgt. Maj. William Eckert of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTFP) in his article “Defeating the Idea:Unconventional Warfare in the Philippines”: “Working in close violations including extra-judicial killingscoordination with the US Embassy, JSOTF-P uses Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations forces to surveillance and reconnaissance in very focused areas, and based on collection plans, to perform tasks to prepare the environment and obtain critical information requirements. The information is used to
determine the capabilities, intentions and activities of threat groups that exist within the local population and to focus US forces – and the AFP – on providing security to the local populace. It is truly a joint operation, in which Navy SEALs and SOF aviators work with the AFP counterparts to enhance AFP’s capacities.”[Bulatlat.com]

The presence of US military personnel in the Philippines must be seen in the context of the US’ continuing control of the social,economic, cultural and military aspects of Philippine society, and of the Philippines as the second front in the so-called US war on terror. The Philippines is an ideal launching pad for future attacks against enemies of the US especially in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

The people condemn the Balikatan exercises, the presence of US troops, andUS military aid as having exacerbated the already tense and dangerous situation in the country, and in Mindanao in particular, and has led to increasing human rights and forced disappearances.

They demand a pull out of all US troops, a stop to the joint military exercises, the conduct deliberate intelligence, scrapping of agreements and treaties between the United States and the Philippines such as the Mutual Defense Treaty, Visiting Forces Agreement and Mutual Logistics Support Agreement.

Tens of thousands demand truth, join calls to oust Arroyo regime

In a convincing display of “people power” reminiscent of two previous mass uprisings that led to the ouster of two Philippine presidents, tens of thousands of protesters massed up on 29 February in Makati City, the Philippines’ financial district, to send a strong message to the murderous and corrupt Arroyo regime that its days are numbered.

The protest action dubbed as an “interfaith rally for truth”, was held to demand the truth from the latest corruption scandal involving illegitimate president Gloria Arroyo and to ask for her resignation. First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, together with other top government officials, reportedly demanded up to US$130 million in commissions in exchange for granting the National Broadband Network (NBN) project contract to China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation (ZTE). The project was eventually shelved after news broke out about the anomalous deal, but it had not prevented the mounting protests and seething anger of the whole nation.

A cross-section of Philippine society totaling more than 50,000 converged on 29 February to demand the truth and to push for the ouster or resignation of Arroyo. Participants in the rally included workers, peasant groups, youth and students, women, businessmen, middle and upper class housewives, urban poor, church and religious groups, migrants and their relatives, artists and the political opposition including two former Philippine presidents.

Militant groups estimated the number at 75,000, while the political opposition gave an even higher estimate. It was, according to analysts, larger than expected. Youth and students from many colleges and universities composed the main bulk of the protesters.

Speakers at the rally lambasted the Arroyo regime for its corruption, and its other crimes against the people, including the extrajudicial killings and disappearances of opposition activists. And as with the previous displays of “people power”, protesters came out with their creative expressions of fighting slogans and demands. Militant groups carried a large streamer that says “Goodbye Gloria”. A Catholic nun carried a placard that says “What is evil, is evil. Period”. “Gloria, most corrupt president” says another placard, while a dog was seen with a poster on its back that says “Ow-ow-Oust Gloria!”

The resounding demand and call however was: Oust Gloria!

Ever-fearful of the fate suffered by her predecessor who was ousted by “people power”, Gloria Arroyo sought refuge at a military camp in Quezon City.

Even before this mammoth gathering, military and police loyalists of Gloria acted desperately to prevent a groundswell of people massing-up. They fed media with worn-out alleged reports of possible infiltration of the rally by the New People’s Army or by supposed terrorists. They set up blockades and checkpoints around Metro Manila to prevent rallyists from the provinces from joining the Makati protesters. They further prevented media from taking aerial shots from helicopters of the massive protest by declaring the area a “no-fly zone”.

In an official statement, Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance) said that the Makati mobilization sends a very strong message to Malacañang and other institutions of the government that the Filipino people seriously and urgently demand for truth, justice, and meaningful changes in the leadership and system of governance amid the latest political crisis that has been rocking the Arroyo regime.

Professor Jose Ma. Sison, Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), in a statement on 01 March stressed that “the fake president and her retinue of bureaucratic sycophants and military bully boys should be able to read the handwriting on the wall. They have been weighed and grievously found wanting. Their days are numbered. Their doom is in the horizon.”

As Gloria Arroyo presses all her panic buttons, so to speak, the people and the organized forces are bracing for bigger mobilizations and more creative expressions of protest to force the ouster of Gloria Arroyo.

Militant migrant organizations, representing about 10 million overseas Filipinos forced to live and work abroad because of the corruption, brutality, poverty, unemployment and backwardness of Philippine society, have called for the withholding of remittances at least once a month. The remittances of migrant Filipinos help sustain the bankrupt Philippine economy and bureaucracy. Migrant Filipinos send US$30 million in remittances daily.

Meanwhile, protest rallies by Filipino migrants and foreign allies around the world were also held to show solidarity with the calls being made in the Philippines for the ouster of the Arroyo regime. In Australia and Hong Kong, migrant Filipinos and human rights advocates not only called for the ouster of the Arroyo regime but also called for “Zero Remittance Day” on 8 March. They condemned the plundering of their hard-earned money to prop-up Arroyo’s corruption-riddled government.

Rallies were also held in the cities of New York, New Jersey, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the United States, in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, and in Amsterdam in The Netherlands. They demanded that Arroyo be held accountable for her many crimes against the Filipino people, including massive corruption and grave violations of human rights.

Danielle Galan, president of Anakbayan New York said that “corruption is a disease that robs Filipinos of a promising future. It is the same reason why our parents and fellow Filipino youth left the country to search for better lives abroad. Those who engage in it must answer to the nation’s call for accountability.”

Arroyo regime teeters on the brink of ouster

The conversation between the taxi driver and his passenger showed how desperate life has become for many Filipinos: The driver made remarks on how life has become so difficult these days. Then he said, “If only someone can assure me that they will take care of my family, I am willing to die just so I can assassinate this no-good president Arroyo.”

A social volcano is indeed waiting to erupt with the pent-up anger of the long suffering Filipino people against a cheating, stealing and lying president.

A new and yet bigger wave of calls for Arroyo’s ouster or resignation has swept the country after revelations from former government official Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. confirmed the direct involvement of Mike Arroyo, the husband of Manila president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a multi-million dollar kickback scandal in connection with a proposed National Broadband Project awarded to Chinese company Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company (ZTE).

Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. has insider knowledge of the highly anomalous deal. Gloria Arroyo’s henchmen in the Philippine National Police, military intelligence community and in her cabinet tried everything to stop Lozada from testifying before Senate committees investigating the scandal. They sent him to Hong Kong. But the guilt-stricken Lozada decided to come back to the Philippines to reveal everything he knew. While disembarking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, he was abducted by a unit of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and PNP presumably upon orders of Arroyo’s top cabinet officials. But the incident came to the knowledge of journalists and subsequent outcries from the public forced the abductors to surface Lozada.

Testifying finally before the Philippine Senate, Lozada disclosed in great detail what he knew about the anomalous deal. He revealed how former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, acting on instructions from Mike Arroyo, brokered a deal with the Chinese firm ZTE asking for US$130 million dollars in kickback or commission. He recounted that when the anomalous deal was exposed and subsequently shelved, he was sent to Hong Kong to escape being investigated by the Senate which had subpoenaed him to testify. He told about the harrowing ordeal he went through when he was abducted by elements of the PSG and PNP when he disembarked from the plane from Hong Kong thinking that he was going to be killed to prevent him from spilling the beans.

Reflecting the mood of the general populace, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, has called on the people to launch “communal action”. A broad spectrum of Philippine society, agitated by Lozada’s testimony, has interpreted the archbishop’s words as a call for the people to mobilize to remove Arroyo from the presidency.

The roots of discontent

Under the Arroyo regime, joblessness has grown to record levels. In 2007, conservative estimates put 4.1 million Filipinos without jobs. Since 2001, when Arroyo assumed the presidency, up to 2006, average family income has dropped by PhP20,400.

There is a great disparity in incomes with the top 20% or 3.5 million families accounting for 52.8% of the total income, while the poorest 80% or 13.9 million families taking the remaining 47.3%. The income of the top 10% is 19 times that of the poorest 10 percent. The Forbes.com estimates the net worth of the country’s 20 richest individuals of US$15.6 billion in 2006 as equivalent to the combined annual income of the poorest 10.4 million families or 52 million Filipinos. Eighty percent of families or 70 million Filipinos struggle to survive on around US$2.50 a day.

This situation has impelled the workers to fight more resolutely for a wage increase which has always been stubbornly opposed by the regime. In 2007, the average wage of workers in the most industrialized area around the capital is not even half of the actual cost of living. Poverty in the countryside is even worse.


The trade deficit in 2006 was $6.817 billion The perennial trade deficit is the result of the basic weakness of the country’s semifeudal economy which does not have an industrial base. Because of this, it imports most of its manufactured goods. Even its so-called manufactured exports are merely low-value added re-exports because as in the electronics sectors the products contain from 90%-95% imported raw materials. These re-exports actually earn very little for the local economy.

A fiscal crisis is threatening to explode on the regime’s face in 2008. The regime has been able to buy time in 2007 only because it had gone on a privatization binge unparalleled in the country’s history. In 2007 alone, PhP90.6 billion in government assets were sold to private capital which was nearly as much as the PhP93.9 billion sold in the previous 15 years spanning three administrations. Without the proceeds from privatization there would have been a PhP78.0 billion deficit.

Seemingly, the only bright spot in this grim economic horizon are the remittances of around eight up to ten million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The US$12.761 billion remittances in 2007 served to offset the US$6.817 billion trade deficit. Ironically, this has redounded to the detriment of the families back home dependent on these remittances. Partly because of the surge in dollar remittances from abroad, the peso has appreciated against the dollar. By the end of 2007, the average family dependent on OFW income lost PhP2,440 a month due to the appreciation of the peso against the dollar.

The OFW phenomenon is one clear indicator of the economy’s backwardness. Eight to ten million Filipinos are abroad because the economy has been failing to provide enough jobs for the people.

Already suffering from economic hardships brought on by the regime, a litany of shady deals and corruption scandals involving the first family has further fueled the anger of the people against the Manila president. Among these were the US$70 million payoff by German firm Fraport AG to the Office of the President for a US$425 million airport terminal expansion project; the Php400 million laundering of ill-gotten wealth from monthly kickbacks from government corporations; the diversion of PhP728 million in fertilizer funds for the campaign kitty of Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections; US$50 million in “commissions” for the overpriced North Luzon Railways Project; the 5.1 kilometer Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard whose PhP1.1 billion cost was reportedly overpriced by PhP536 million, and many others.

Massive demonstrations are being planned in the coming days to demand the resignation of Arroyo. Restive anti-Arroyo soldiers and policemen are reportedly watching in the sidelines ready to move at the proper time. (Please see related story on anti-Arroyo demonstrations)

NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison said that Arroyo is “ripe for ouster”. He explained that “the sheer growth of the legal and peaceful mass actions in the National Capital Region and on a national scale in the coming days, weeks and months can encourage the military and police to withdraw support from the Arroyo ruling clique and can suffice to cause the resignation, impeachment or outright ouster of the illegitimate and morally bankrupt president”.

Sison further said that prospects for the resumption of formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations are bright if the broad masses of the Filipino people and the broad united front succeed in ousting Gloria M. Arroyo. He added, “The broad mass movement can succeed to oust Arroyo only with the full active participation of the patriotic and progressive forces. These (forces) would have some significant weight in the new government and would certainly demand the resumption of the aforesaid formal talks in order to address the roots of the civil war through comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms”.

QUEST FOR APRIL 2008!

My month he he he he he.... This month I will be 30 years old... Whaaaaattttt????!!!! I know, I don't look like one...

According to Rev. Fr. Wongsentian (Taoist Grand Minister),this month there is opportunity at work and business.

SUCCEED!
1. Food Cart Start Up!
2. Pay all your bills!

Good Luck to my new quest! I'm already achieving it now!

AAAATTTTAAAACCCCKKKK!!!!

ASSESSMENT OF THE MARCH QUEST

The quest:
FOCUS ON RICHES!
BATTLE CRY FOR MARCH!

YOUTH MAGAZINE PRODUCTION AND SUBSCRIPTION OF THE SK

Result: ZZZZEEEERRRROOOO!

I was a bit out of myself this month... Istead of focusing on the riches I focused on somethig else... I was teeming with anger the whole month that I had a highblood attack!

Dark Side was awakened, my brooding, cold, calculating, battousai personality who has blood lust and vegeance personified... I could have killed if he took 100% rein... At least I can still control him...

May God have mercy on my enemies... The sleeping demon has awakened...

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS QUIZZER

Another important part of the CFA Exam is the Quantitative Analysis. So get your pencils and calculators and rack that brain of yours!

To get the answer key kindly leave a comment so I can send to you the answer key.

1. The future value of $100 invested at 6% for 4 years is:

A. $126.25
B. $79.00
C. $124.79
D. $116.32

2. The present value of $200 to be received 10 years from today, assuming an opportunity cost of 10%, is:

A. $50.79
C. $518.00
B. $200.43
D. $77.11

3. A $100 savings bond with a maturity of 25 years can be purchased for $29.50. Assuming annual compounding, what is the rate of return on the bond?

A. 5%
B. 6%
C. 7%
D. 8%

4. What is the value in five years of $100 invested today at an interest rate of 8 percent per year compounded quarterly?

A. $144.50
B. $144.00
C. $147.75
D. $148.59

5. Tom is saving $1,000 a quarter for the next 4 years. Assuming an annual interest rate of 12% compounded quarterly, how much money will he have at the end of the fourth year?

A. $3,506
B. $19,117
C. $20,157
D. $16,000

6. Jay is 30 years old and will retire at age 65. Jay is saving $1,000 a year and believes he will have a constant interest rate of 7% compounded annually on his investments. How much will Jay have accumulated by age 65?

A. $138,237
B. $97,537
C. $66,674
D. $144,469

7. Zumwalt Inc.’s class B stock is expected to pay $6 in annual dividends forever. If the required return on an equivalent investment is 12%, then a share of Zumwalt stock today is worth:

A. $25
B. $100
C. $50
D. None of the above

8. David wishes to accumulate $1 million by the end of 20 years by making equal annual end-of-year deposits over the next 20 years. If David can earn 10% on his investments, how much must he deposit at the end of each year?

A. $16,556
B. $62,745
C. $117,453
D. $17,460

9. A firm is evaluating a proposal that has an initial investment of $500,000 and cash flows of $125,000 for 6 years. The firm’s cost of capital is 12%. What is the internal rate of return of this investment?

A. 13%
B. 11%
C. 20%
D. 9%

10. Below are some raw data displayed in increasing order from top to bottom.

63.5
96.9
112.3
134.1
66.4
98.3
116.2
138.5
75.6
100.5
116.9
139.8
77.5
100.7
118.3
140.7
84.4
102.0
122.0
143.0
87.6
105.5
122.2
143.9
In constructing a frequency distribution using five classes of equal range, if the first class is “60 up to 80”, the class frequency of the third class is:

A. 4
B. 5
C. 8
D. 9

11. The annual rate of return for JSI’s common stock has been:

20X0 Return 14%
20X1 Return 19%
20X2 Return -10%
20X3 Return 14%

What is the arithmetic mean of the rate of return for JSI’s common stock over the four years?

A. 8.62%
B. 9.25%
C. 14.25%
D. None of the above

12. A portfolio generated the following returns over the last three years:

Year 1 Return 10
Year 2 Return -2
Year 3 Return 5

What is the geometric average return for the three-year period?

A. 4.3%
B. 4.2%
C. 1.3%
D. 5.6%

13. A portfolio of non-dividend-paying stocks earned a geometric mean return of 5.0 percent between January 1, 19X2, and December 31, 19X8. The arithmetic mean return for the same period was 6.0 percent. If the market value of the portfolio at the beginning of 19X2 was$100,000, the market value of the portfolio at the end of 19X8 was closest to:

A. $135,000
B. $140,710
C. $142,000
D. $150,363

14. Which investment has the least risk relative to its mean return?

A. Standard deviation = $500 expected return = $5,000
B. Standard deviation = $700 expected return = $500
C. Standard deviation = $900 expected return = $800
D. Standard deviation = $400 expected return = $350

15. The skyscrapers in a city have heights of 40, 35, 46, 57, 84, 45, and 50 stories.
The percentage of buildings with heights within 1.5 standard deviations of the
mean will be at least:

A. 51%
B. 95%
C. 56%
D. 66%

16. Medical Equipment Suppliers, Inc., must choose between two asset purchases. The annual rate of return and related probabilities given below summarize the firm’s analysis:

Asset A Rate of Return 10% Probability 30%
Asset A Rate of Return 15% Probability 40%
Asset A Rate of Return 20% Probability 30%

Asset B Rate of Return 5% Probability 40%
Asset B Rate of Return 15% Probability 20%
Asset B Rate of Return 25% Probability 40%

Using the information provided above, compute the coefficient of variation of
Asset A and Asset B.

A. Asset A: .11 Asset B: .23
B. Asset A: .18 Asset B: .21
C. Asset A: .23 Asset B: .35
D. Asset A: .26 Asset B: .60

17. A portfolio has exhibited the following characteristics over a 3-year period:

Year 1 Return 5% Variance 43
Year 2 Return 10%
Year 3 Return -3%

The average return on risk-free bonds over the same period was 3.5%. Calculate the Sharpe Ratio for this portfolio.

A. .120
B. .001
C. .011
D. .076

18. There is a 40% chance of an expansion, a 20% chance of a stagnant economy, and a 40% chance of a recession. Stocks behave under these scenarios as follows:

Economy Expansion, Stock Performance Good, Probability 70%
Economy Expansion, Stock Performance Fair, Probability 30%
Economy Expansion, Stock Performance Poor, Probability 0%

Economy Stagnant, Stock Performance Good, Probability 40%
Economy Stagnant, Stock Performance Fair, Probability 30%
Economy Stagnant, Stock Performance Poor, Probability 30%

Economy Recession, Stock Performance Good, Probability 0%
Economy Recession, Stock Performance Fair, Probability 40%
Economy Recession, Stock Performance Poor, Probability 60%

What is the probability of stagnant economy and fair stock market?

A. 30%
B. 10%
C. 34%
D. 6%

19. Based on historical data analysis, an equity analyst provides the following probability of future prices for a particular stock:


Probability 0.10, Price $18
Probability 0.10, Price $16
Probability 0.35, Price $15
Probability 0.30, Price $14
Probability 0.15, Price $12

The stock’s expected value is:

A. $14.00
B. $14.50
C. $14.65
D. $15.00

20. An analyst makes the following calculations about the returns for Stock X and Stock Y:

COVxy = 0.0050
ox = 0.20
0y = 0.06

The correlation coefficient between the returns for Stock X and Stock Y is between:

A. 0.00 and 0.25
B. 0.25 and 0.50
C. 0.51 and 0.75
D. 0.76 and 1.00

21. If there are 9 stocks in a portfolio how many ways can the stocks be labeled if 5 are called outperform, 2 perform, and 2 underperform. How many unique ways can 9 stock in a portfolio be labeled if 5 must be called outperform, 2 perform, and 2 underperform?

A. 1,512
B. 756
C. 3,024
D. 1,008

22. Sandi Santa, CFA, a portfolio manager for North Pole Trust, believes that a well-diversified portfolio can be constructed with 30 stocks. How many 30-stock portfolios can be constructed from the S&P 500 index (assuming there are 500 stocks in the index)?

A. 500!/(500-30)!
B. 500!/30!(500-30)!
C. (30)(500)
D. (30!)(500!)

23. Given the following information regarding the possible returns on a capital project, determine the probability that the project will have a return of 5% or greater.

% Return -5, Probability 15%
% Return 0, Probability 20%
% Return 5, Probability 40%
% Return 10, Probability 15%
% Return 15, Probability 10%

A. 90%
B. 65%
C. 40%
D. 20%

24. If the probability of a stock index generating a return greater than 15% in any given year is 6.68%, what is the standard deviation of the returns assuming the mean return is 5%?

A. 6.08
B. 6.66
C. 10.00
D. 44.36

25. Based on a normal distribution with a mean of 500 and standard deviation of 150, what is the z value for an observation at 200?

A. -2.00
B. -1.75
C. 1.75
D. 2.00

A Tribute to Dorothy Parker

I always loved Dorothy Parker, for those who does not know this heroine of a writter, she is the face behind "Death and Taxes," "Laments for Living," and "After Such Pleasures."

I have collected some qoutations from other writters about her:

"One cubic foot less of space and it would have constituted adultery."

Attributed to Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)
U.S. humorist, writer, editor, and critic.Describing an office shared with the writer Dorothy Parker.


"She has put into what she has written a voice, a state of mind, an era, a few moments of human experience that nobody else has conveyed."

Attributed to Edmund Wilson (1895 - 1972)
U.S. critic and writer.Referring to Dorothy Parker.


"She is a combination of Little Nell and Lady Macbeth."

Alexander Woollcott (1887 - 1943)
U.S. writer and critic.Referring to Dorothy Parker.
While Rome Burns, "Our Mrs Parker"

Speech for Uncle II

Another speech for Uncle...

SPEECH FOR PCC MEDALLION/RECOGNITION DAY
APRIL 2, 2008
THEME: EMPOWERING STUDENT AWARDEES MARCHING ONWARDS TO THE PATH OF PRODUCTIVITY

A PLEASANT DAY TO EVERYONE!

Before I proceed, I would like to send my respects to our energetic principal ___________________, to the teaching and non-teaching personnel, the student organization officers and members, our guests and visitors, the beaming parents, the awardees, I salute you!

Recognition day is a day that is filled with mixed emotions, naaalala ko pa noon nung ako rin ay umatend din ng recognition day namin tulad niyo , hindi lang ako ang excited at may halong nerbiyos nung araw na yun, pati mga magulang ko… (A brief story about your experience during college recognition day, when, what school, etc)

Today’s theme is very much appropriate to each student and parents: EMPOWERING STUDENT AWARDEES MARCHING ONWARDS TO THE PATH OF PRODUCTIVITY. Truly, as your theme espouses, empowerment is today’s key word in life in order to succeed and to survive. Sad to say but in reality a lot of college students in our country are not yet that empowered to face life, to face the real world… As student awardees you are the cream of the crop, you must be emboldened and empowered with character mad of steel, with persistence and determination that never stops… In connection with empowering our youth, the Bicol University and other political leaders like Gov. Salceda, Vice Gov. Sael and yours truly are supporting the “Kooperatiba ng Kabataan para sa Kaunlaran,” a youth cooperative based on Bicol University Main Campus, the contact person for Third District is my nephew and once a faculty of these revered institution.

Empowerment is the key to productivity… For no one can be productive when he/she is not empowered! Empowerment starts with the right mind set and a faith anchored in God. Empowerment is standing on your own two feet and being independent… Empowerment is smiling amidst tons of problems… Empowerment is saying impossible is nothing!
Let us celebrate this achievement of yours by first thanking God… Let us not forget that! For the awardees let us celebrate this day by thanking our parents! Look into their eyes and from the bottom of your hearts say thank you and hug them! Let us celebrate this day by thanking our teachers, kahit na yung binabansagan niyong terror, pasalamatan tabi… For our teachers helped mold us into who we are now and to where we will be. Thank your classmates, your schoolmates, your gf/bf, your crushes, your janitor, si tiya sa kantin at mga tindahan sa labas, lahat ng naging parte ng yung college life! Because without them your college years will never be complete! Remember this – having an attitude of gratitude is one of the secrets to success and productivity!

But as awardees it is not only about celebrations, it is also about facing a new challenge! A new future of pursuing opportunities and productivity! We all know that generally, everybody’s dream is to go to work or start a business and be rich. Hope you have already evaluated yourself and assessed your strength, weakness, opportunity and threat. Because in reality, continuing schooling, looking for a job, starting a business is never that easy. Sa mga awardees at sa lahat ng mga students na naririto ngayong araw na ito dapat maging mature na tayo, don’t expect everything from your parents, from the government, today as college students let us help them! Before I forget palkpakan natin ang ating pro – education na Gobernador, Gobernador Joey Salceda sa pagbigay ng scholarship sa atin. Ladies and gentlemen we all know that life is not a bed of roses, but with God and a proper mind set, we will be empowered and productive!
Let me finish my speech with an excerpt from a song:
Walk on… Walk on…
With faith in your heart…
And you’ll never walk alone…
Yes, You’ll never walk alone…
To the parents and student awardees… walk on… have faith in God, in yourself, we might face hardships and difficulties but those obstacles may be looked upon as challenge and inspiration for empowerment… to walk on… to be productive… to succeed…

Thank you very much! Facing you is such a moving experience for me!
Congratulations and Mabalos!
Albay mabuhay!

Speech for Uncle I

Another speech for my Uncle...

SPEECH FOR SAN PASCUAL, LIBON HIGHSCHOOL
MARCH 28, 2008
THEME: THE FILIPINO GRADUATES: CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS, PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES

A PLEASANT DAY TO EVERYONE!

Before I proceed, I would like to send my respects to our energetic principal ___________________, to the teaching and non-teaching personnel, the PTA officers and members, the barangay council of San Pascual headed by ________________________, our guests and visitors, the beaming parents, the graduates, I salute you!

Graduation day is a day that is filled with mixed emotions, naaalala ko pa noon nung ako rin ay grumadweyt tulad niyo , hindi lang ako ang excited at may halong nerbiyos nung araw na yun, pati mga magulang ko… (A brief story about your experience during your high school graduation, when, what school, etc)

Today’s theme is very much appropriate to each graduate and parents. THE FILIPINO GRADUATES: CELEBRATING ACHIEV EMENTS, PURSUING OPPORTUNITIES. Truly, as your theme espouses, let us celebrate this achievement of yours, you have finished four grueling years of hard work as high school students, baka yung iba higit pa sa four years, pero ang importante nakapagtapos pa rin. Let us celebrate this day by first thanking God… Let us not forget that! For the graduates let us celebrate this day by thanking our parents! Look into their eyes and from the bottom of your hearts say thank you and hug them! Let us celebrate this day by thanking our teachers, kahit na yung binabansagan niyong terror, pasalamatan tabi… For our teachers helped mold us into who we are now and to where we will be. Thank your classmates, your schoolmates, your gf/bf, your crushes, your janitor, si tiya sa kantin at mga tindahan sa labas, lahat ng naging parte ng yung high school life! Because without them your secondary years will never be complete! Remember this – having an attitude of gratitude is one of the secrets to success!

But graduating from high school is not only about celebrations, it is also about facing a new challenge! A new future of pursuing opportunities! We all know that generally, everybody’s dream is to go to college, because that is where much more opportunities abound. Hope you have already taken your entrance exams and applied for a course that is your liking. But in reality others will not make it due to financial constraints. Sa mga graduates ngayong araw na ito dapat maging mature na tayo, don’t expect everything from your parents, from the government, today as graduates let us help them! For those na hindi kaya ng mga parents pag paaralin look for ways na makapag aral tayo. Meron tayong Libon Community College, na malapit lang naman kaya lesser ang operational cost, isa pa ay mayroong scholarship sa LiCom ang ating pro-education na Gobernador – Gobernador Joey Salceda! We can become working students to help our family. Ladies and gentlemen we all know that life is not a bed of roses, but with God and a proper mind set, I do believe everything will be fine!

Let me finish my speech with an excerpt from a song:
Walk on… Walk on…
With faith in your heart…
And you’ll never walk alone…
Yes, You’ll never walk alone…

To the parents and graduating class… walk on… have faith in God, in yourself, we might face hardships and difficulties but those obstacles may be looked upon as challenge and inspiration to walk on… to succeed…

Thank you very much! Facing you is such a moving experience for me!
Again… Congratulations!
Mabalos!
Albay mabuhay!

POST DISASTER REPORT

WASH Cluster

WATSAN FACILITIES
EVACUATION CENTERS (as of June 28, 2007)

13 (87%) – shelter standards (1 rm:20 persons)
13 (87%) – safe drinking water standards
(1 water point: 200 persons)
6 (40%) – latrine standards (1 toilet:20 persons)
15 (100%) – meets the garbage disposal standards

12 evacuation centers
3 transit sites (Taysan, Anislag & Travesia)

What has been done
Conducted initial rapid health assessment
Erected tent hospital in Lidao City
Established joint PHO-DOH CHD 5 command post
Provision of drugs, medicines, water tanks and tents to hospitals and RHUs
Distribution of cadaver bags and lime to local DCCs
Deployment of medical teams to devastated sites and evacuation centers
Distribution of compact food to service providers and victims
Provincial issuance LGUs re: disposal of dead persons
Coordination with provincial agencies for evacuation center needs
Disease surveillance in the evacuation centers and fast- tracked FHSIS reports
Emergency purchase of drugs, medicines and supplies (P 5.4M)
Daily health bulletins re: WATSAN
Coordination with local health workers (15 mun. and 3 cities)
Regular weekly cluster meetings
Drinking water safety monitoring and sanitation needs in evacuations centers and in the community
Nutrition assessment surveys
Vaccination activities in evacuation centers
Health infrastructure damage assessment
Hospital equipment inventory
Fumigation of evacuation centers
Supervision of latrine construction, hand pump installations and water filtration systems
Health information dissemination
Critical incident stress debriefing
Seminar workshops for health personnel on Sphere standards, health promotion, bio-sand filters
Distribution of health kits, drugs/medicines and supplies
Seminar workshops for health personnel on Sphere standards, health promotion, bio-sand filters
Distribution of health kits, drugs/medicines and supplies
Receipt of donations equipment, drugs/medicineswater tanks, bladders, filtration machines and analysis kitshealth kits, hand pumps, chamber pots
Continued implementation of regular health programs in the evacuation centers
Establishment of databases for health
Rehabilitation plans formulation for: health infrastructures and equipment and health programs : environmental sanitation, CDD, EPI, disease surveillance and nutrition
Request for assistance on information processing soft wares from NGOs

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Donations/Assistance from Foreign Governments, Aid Agencies and INGOs
Canada
OXFAM
Malaysia
USAID
Spain
AusAid
Singapore
Telecoms Sans Frontier
Indonesia
World Vision
Japan
Care Philippines
China
Mercy Malaysia
Sweden
JICA
Republic of Korea
U.S.A
Medicins sans Frontieres

UN-OCHA CERF ( Central Emergency Response Fund) = $2,654,255

Components:
Health
Nutrition & WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)
Food Aid & Logistics Support
Emergency Shelter
Non-Food Items & Logistics
Emergency Family Care & Support Packages
Emergency Maternal Care
Agriculture

Water & Sanitation
OXFAM GB - latrines, water containers, bath areas and hygiene kits, test kits, water bladders
Spanish Government – water purification machine - Guinobatan
Global Medic / PMSEA / MGB – water purifiers - Daraga, Legazpi
UNICEF – declogging of septic tanks by trucks; water tanks, latrines, hand pumps, school toilets, tents, water containers, water pipes
World Vision – Sto. Domingo, Bacacay– garbage collection
Mercy Malaysia – hygiene kits
Agua Vida – water purifier – Guinobatan
Daughters of Charity – latrines – Daraga
IFRC – water containers, water pump, hygiene kits
UNFPA – hygiene & reproductive kits, health promotion, generators
WHO – medical kits, hygiene kits, health promotion, generators
TzuShi Foundation – water purification machine in Daraga
IFRC/PNRC – household toilet in selected communities
City Government of Manila – water purification machines

Medical Teams – conducted consultations
Mercy Malaysia –Malilipot, Malinao, Legazpi
Mercy Singapore –Malilipot, Legazpi
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) - Daraga
Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center – Daraga
PAGCOR – Legazpi
Tsu-Zhi Medical – Daraga (with minor surgery)
Australian Aid International – Legazpi, Daraga
Philippine Public Safety College – Legazpi
Handicapped International – Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan
ABS-CBN Foundation – Sto. Domingo
Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA)
Manila Doctors Hospital Med. Mission Group
Bureau of Fire Protection Medical Team – Sto. Domingo
Daughters of Charity – Daraga
Lions International – Tabaco & Legazpi Cities

Drugs and Medicines
UNICEF
Ministry of Health of Indonesia
Ministry of Health of Malaysia
Medicins sans Frontier
UNESCO - ITT
ABS-CBN Foundation
DZGB/DWGB fm
Daughters of Charity
WHO

Stress Debriefing Services
Scientology – Daraga
World Vision Dev’t Foundation – Daraga, Sto. Domingo
Ateneo de Manila/LaSalle – Daraga, Sto. Domingo
UERMMC – Guinobatan
DSWD – Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig & Guinobatan
SAC/COPE/Coastal Core/Christian Aid

Rehabilitation of Health Infrastructure
Medicins sans Frontieres
WHO
UNFPA

Logistics
World Food Program (WFP)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Others
Operation Compassion (OC)
Albay Disaster Response Network (ADRN)
A Single Drop
AQ Foundation
Bicol Center for Community Development (BCCD)
Peace Corps
U.S. Navy (PELELIU)
U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces

HEALTH REGULATION

Regulation Function
The present regulatory structure of the PHO is narrowly focused on sanitary clearances only because the health regulatory function was not devolved and has stayed with the DOH.

Clearances & Certifications
Sanitary and Site Clearances :
1. Drinking Water Site Survey and Clearances – issued before the issuance of the certificate of potability of water which is a requisites to a propose construction or repair/improvement of any water supply systems (Level I, II and III).
2. School Site Sanitary Survey and Clearances – issued before a school, whether private or public school is to be established or constructed.
3. Transport/Vehicle Sanitary Clearance – issued to all vehicle use for the transportation of any food, drinking water, wine and beverages for human consumption.
4. Other Sanitary Survey/Inspection and Clearances – such as sanitary inspection of burial ground/cemetery, sanitary inspection of crematorium, sanitary inspection of funeral establishment/morgue, sanitary survey and clearances of industrial hygiene, markets and abattoirs, public swimming and bathing places, hotels, motels, lodging/boarding houses and the likes, restaurants and other food establishments, clinics, parlors and sauna bath, and other public places.

Certificate of Drinking Water Potability – issued to certify that the water quality of any water supply system has passed the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water as prescribed under the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines(PD 856).
Environmental Health Impact Certificate – issued to all proposed construction, repair or improvement of any projects, future programs and policies which may have a potential effects on health of the population and the distribution of these effects within the population and to help identify and consider the potential or actual health and equity impacts of a proposal on a given population and environment.

Monitoring
Public Health
ACT for Health = Albay Composite Team
DOH Program Coordinators
PIR = Program Implementation Review (PHO)

Hospitals
Internal Control Unit (PGA)
DOH Standards & Licensing
PhilHealth Accreditation Team

INTERLOCAL HEALTH ZONE, Albay, 2006

AID FOR HEALTH [Albay Integrated Developers for Health] (First District)
Tiwi
Malinao
Tabaco City
Bacacay
Malilipot
Sto. Domingo
Ziga Mem. Dist. Hosp.

CRADLEMAN Health Zone {Second District)
Camalig
Rapu-Rapu
Daraga
Legazpi City
Manito
Bicol Regional Teaching & Training Hosp.

JOLLIPPOGUI Health Zone (Third District)
Jovellar
Ligao City
Libon
Pioduran
Polangui
Oas
Guinobatan
JB Duran Mem. Dist. Hosp.

Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee

Municipalities/Cities with DWQMC:
Legazpi City
Rapu-Rapu
Malinao
Oas
Guinobatan
Camalig
Malilipot
Tiwi
Polangui
Bacacay
Sto. Domingo
Tabaco City
Libon


Municipalities/Cities without DWQMC:
1. Manito
2. Daraga
3. Jovellar
4. Pioduran
5. Ligao City

Diabetes Club, Albay, 2006
Municipalities/Cities with Diabetes Club

Malinao
Guinobatan
Tiwi
Oas
Malilipot
Polangui
Tabaco City
Manito
Sto. Domingo
Libon
Daraga
Bacacay
Camalig
Ligao City
Jovellar
Legazpi City

Municipalities without Diabetes Club
Pioduran
RapuRapu

Sentrong Sigla Facilities, Albay, 2006

With Accreditation
Malinao
Bacacay
Tabaco City
Sto. Domingo
Malilipot
Legazpi City
Daraga
Camalig
Guinobatan
Ligao City
Oas

Without Accreditation
Manito
Jovellar
Pioduran *
Rapu-Rapu
Libon
Polangui
Tiwi *

* on process

TB LINC

LINKING INITIATIVES and NETWORKING to CONTROL TUBERCULOSIS

TB situation
Global Rank: 9th among 22 high TB burden countries
Regional Rank: 3rd among WPR countries
TB Incidence (new smear +) = 133/100,000
Case detection rate (2005) = 73%
Cure rate (new smear +) = 81%
Success rate (new smear +) = 89%

Challenges
Wide variation in program performance across regions and provinces
Inaccessible DOTS services in some areas
Low level of participation by the private practitioners
Poor health-seeking behavior of communities
Weak local health systems

Background of TB LINC
USAID-funded
Managed by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) with 5 consortium partners
5 years (2006-2011) $12.5 Million
Primarily, will provide technical assistance (TA)
Will be implemented in 21 provinces / cities

Project Goal
Assist the GOP attain the MDGs (reduce by half the TB prevalence and mortality) by contributing to the achievement of the following targets;
70% case detection rate
85% success rate

Project Objectives
1. Improve the policy, financing and regulatory environment
2. Improve human and systems capacity for quality DOTS implementation
3. Improve utilization of DOTS facilities and services, and influence behaviors/attitudes

Project targets
80% of LGUs increased case notification rate
80% of LGUs with success rate of at least 85%
75% of LGUs purchased Cat. 3 anti-TB drugs
70% of DOTS facilities are PhilHealth-accredited
100 PPMDs established
90% of microscopy centers providing DSSM according to national standards
90% of DOTS facilities are without drug stock-outs
Increased proportion of community adopting appropriate health-seeking behavior

Consortium Partners
CODE NGO
League of Provinces of the Philippines
Philippine Academy of Family Physicians
Philippine College of Occupational Medicine
Philippine Pediatrics Society
Chemonics International (U.S.)

Project Approaches
DOH will be the lead agency
Collaborative and coordinated multi-stakeholder involvement
Complementarity other USAID-funded project
Linkage of national, subnational, and local approaches
Sustainable interventions

Other USAID-funded projects
Health Governance (Health-Gov)
Health Policy and Development Program (HPDP)
Sustainable Health Improvement through Empowerment and Local Dev’t (SHIELD)
A2Z
Health promotion and communication (HPC)**
Private Sector Social Mobilization (PRISM)

Project Components

Component 1
Policy and Finance
Component 2
Systems Strengthening
Component 3
DOTS utilization

PROJECT COMPONENTS
Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis
Strategic Objective: Desired family health sustainably achieved
ARMM: - Participating units achieving at least 85% treatment success rate for TB
National: - Participating units achieving at least 85% treatment success rate for TB

Component 1:
Policy, Financing and Regulatory
Environment for DOTS Implementation Improved
Subcomponents
1.1: Policy environment improved
1.2: Financing improved
1.3: PPMD DOTS scaled-up and sustained
1.4: Coordination and collaboration strengthened

Component 2:
Systems Capacity for Quality DOTS
Implementation
Improved
Subcomponents
2.1: Human resources and institutional capacity for TB control strengthened
2.2: TB lab network strengthened
2.3: Management and supply of quality anti-TB drugs improved
2.4: Management of MDR-TB improved (PMTM)

Component 3:
Utilization of DOTS Facilities/Services and Behavior and Attitude for TB Control and Treatment
Improved
Subcomponents
3.1: Knowledge and health behaviors improved
3.2: Community involvement in TB detection and treatment improved

Component One – Policy and Finance
1.1 Improved Policy Environment
1.2 Improved and Sustained Financing
1.3 Scaled Up and Sustained PPMDs
1.4 Strengthened Coordination and Collaboration

Goal
Improve national and local policy and financing environment to ensure quality and sustainable DOTS implementation

Key Result areas
National and local policies supportive of DOTS (includes localization of issued-policies like CUP and DOLE guidelines)
Increased financial resources for TB control (include LGU support and PhilHealth)
Financially sustainable public and private DOTS clinics
Stakeholder partnerships for TB control

Component Two – Systems Strengthening
2.1 Strengthened Human Resources and Institutional Capacity for TB Control
2.2 Strengthened TB Laboratory Network
2.3 Continued Supply of Quality Anti-TB Drugs and improved TB drug selection and use
2.4 Improved Management of MDR-TB

Goal
Ensure that health care providers, both public and private, provide quality DOTS

KRAs
All DOTS providers had been trained
200 PPMDs are established
Functional TB laboratory network
TB microscopy laboratories are providing diagnostic services according to standards
DOTS services are accessible in difficult areas
Anti-TB drugs are always available
Contributed to addressing MDR-TB

Component Three – DOTS utilization
3.1 Improved Knowledge and Health Seeking Behavior for TB
3.2 Improved Community Involvement in Improving TB Case Detection and Treatment

Goal
Improve utilization of DOTS facilities and services, and behavior and attitudes to TB control and treatment.

KRAs
Community and households adopting appropriate health-seeking behavior
Increased proportion of TB symptomatics promptly consulting DOTS center
Improved adherence to treatment
Empowered TB clients to do advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM)
More groups supporting TB control

Some key interventions
Geographic convergence of TB initiatives in supply, demand and policy environment
Strengthening local governance
Networking of DOTS providers
Inter-LGU collaboration to TB control
TB control initiatives in resource-poor areas

Engagement process
Series of CA meetings with DOH, other government agencies, developmental partners,
LGU engagement to be coordinated by HealthGov in non-ARMM areas and by SHIELD in ARMM areas
Orientation of the regional / provincial stakeholders
Coordinated planning with province / LGUs
Regional / provincial investment planning in ARMM
TA to be provided based on local needs

Challenges in ARMM
Making DOTS services available in difficult areas: geographically isolated, conflict-areas
DOTS for mobile TB patients e.g. those traveling to Malaysia or Zamboanga City
Culturally sensitive TB communication materials
LGU support to TB control in non-devolved set-up
PhilHealth accreditation of DOTS facilities in resource poor areas

How to contact TB LINC
Dr. Dolores C. Castillo
Chief of Party
TB LINC
Suite 903, 9F Ma. Natividad Bldg.
470 T.M. Kalaw Avenue corner
Cortada St., Malate, Manila 1000
02-5671434

HealthGov

Strengthening Local Governance for Health

Cooperating Agencies

RTI International
In partnership with
JHPIEGO
CEDPA
PNGOC

Where we are:
Over 500 LGUs
23 provinces
6 HIV/AIDS high risk zones
Luzon, Visayas and non-ARMM Mindanao

HIV/AIDS zones:
Clark Development Zone (Angeles, San Fernando)
Metro Manila (Pasay City, Quezon City)
Iloilo-Bacolod
Metro Cebu (Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu City)
Zamboanga City
Davao City-General Santos

Our Goal
Together with DOH-CHD, work with LGUs, NGAs, NGOs/CSOs, help to strengthen LGUs’ commitment to and support for public health services, and capacity to provide, manage, and finance quality health services sustainably by providing assistance in:
Developing LGU capacity for continuous participatory problem solving supported by advocacy (DEMAND)
Developing TAP capacity to provide high quality, customer-oriented TA services needed by LGUs (SUPPLY)

Program Areas
Family planning
Maternal and child health
Vitamin A and Micronutrients Supplementation
Tuberculosis
HIV/AIDS
Emerging Infectious Diseases e.g. Avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

What are the Areas for Technical Assistance ?

F1 Reform mechanisms:
Financing (more, better and sustained financing for health)
Regulation (assured quality and affordability of health goods/services)
Service delivery (ensured access and availability of essential basic health packages)
Governance (improved health system performance)



Strengthening key LGU management systems
Improving and expanding LGU financing of key health services
Improving service provider performance
Increasing advocacy on service delivery and financing

Impact/outcomes
Better health outcomes (Improved health sustainably achieved)
Equitable health care financing
More responsive health system (public satisfaction)

Approach
Synergy with FOURmula ONE
Promoting governance for health
Market-driven framework
Strategic use of technical assistance providers (TAPs)
Partnering with DOH, POPCOM, and PhilHealth, NGOs/CSOs

Key Interventions
Strengthen key LGU management systems (IR 1.1)
Improve and expand LGU financing for key health services (IR 1.2)
Improve service provider performance (IR 1.3)
Increase advocacy for service delivery and financing (IR 1.4)
Scoping - consultation meetings
- all regions, provinces
- HIV areas, NGOs/CSOs
Visit to Governors
NGO/CSO Consultation
SDIR / CSR / Financial Mgmt Orientation
Advocacy Activities
Health Planning

USAID TA Teams’ Partnership with DOH, CHDs and LGUs
Facilitate common understanding of health and development, local governance for health, CSR and family health concerns among partners.
Assist LGUs and partners to strengthen local information system for evidence-based participatory decision making.
Assist LGUs and partners adopt HSR consumer/stakeholder participation strategies
Assist in strengthening institutional mechanisms for participatory decision-making.
Assist in developing tools for planning and systems development (local information system; M&E; procurement and logistics; financing and public finance management; quality improvement systems, etc.)
Establish clear policy links between DOH Central Office, CHDs and LGUs.

USAID Technical Assistance Program for Health

SOAG
USAID’s assistance to the Government of the Philippines is defined by a Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) between the two parties through DOH, signed in September 2006
SOAG aims to support the DOH’s national health program, represented by the FOURmula ONE for Health Strategy
USAID program also supports other GRPs agencies’ needs for technical assistance. These agencies include PHIC, NNC, POPCOM; DOF, DILG and DOLE

DOH’s FOURmula ONE (F1):
reform mechanisms and impact/outcomes

F1 Reform mechanisms:
Financing (more, better and sustained financing for health)
Regulation (assured quality and affordability of health goods/services)
Service delivery (ensured access and availability of essential basic health packages)
Governance (improved health system performance)

Impact/ outcomes

Better health outcomes
Equitable health care financing
More responsive health system (public satisfaction)

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE
Improved family health sustainably achieved

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 1
LGU Provision and management of FP/MCH/TB/HIV-AIDS services strengthened

IR 1.1
Key management systems to sustain delivery improved
IR 1.2
LGU financing for key health programs improved
IR 1.3
Performance among service providers improved
IR 1.4
Advocacy for the financing and delivery of health services at the local level increased

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 2
Provision of quality services by private and commercial providers expanded

IR 2.1
Number of TB DOTS and FP service providers in the commercial sector increased
IR 2.2
Quality of commercial sector provision of TB DOTS and FP improved
IR 2.3
Sales of unsubsidized contraceptives increased
IR 2.4
Supply of affordable fortified foods increased

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 3
Greater social acceptance of family planning achieved

IR 3.1
Communications adequately portraying FP as a mainstream health intervention increased
IR 3.2
Key segments of society advocating for the use of FP increased
IR 3.3
Acceptance of FP as a part of routine service package increased

INTERMEDIATE RESULT 4
Policy environment and financing for provision of services improved
IR 4.1
Policies and financing to ensure supply of contraceptive established
IR 4.2
Appropriate legal and regulatory policies to promote provision of services established
IR 4.3
Policies to mobilize financing and resources for key services established

USAID aims to support the Philippines national health strategy, represented by FOURmula ONE

F1 Reform mechanisms:
Financing (more, better and sustained financing for health)
Regulation (assured quality and affordability of health goods/services)
Service delivery (ensured access and availability of essential basic health packages)
Governance (improved health system performance)

USAID’s strategic assistance
IR.1 LGU provision and management of FP/MCH/TB/HIV-AIDS services strengthened
IR.2 Provision of quality services in the commercial sector increased
IR.3 Greater social acceptance of family planning achieved
IR.4 Policy environment and financing for provision of services improved

Impact/outcomes
Better health outcomes (Improved family health sustainably achieved)
Equitable health care financing
More responsive health system (public satisfaction)

USAID Projects

USAID strategic assistance

IR 1. LGU provision and management of FP, MCH, TB, HIV/AIDS services strengthened
IR 2. Provision of quality services in the commercial sector increased
IR 3. Greater social acceptance of family planning achieved
IR 4. Policy environment and financing for provision of services improved

Leads to:
HealthGov, TB LINC, A2Z, ARMM-SHIELD
PRISM, TB LINC, A2Z
Health Communications Project
HPDP