Ang muling pagbabalik

Matagal na panahon mula ng huli akong makapagsulat ulit dito. sobrang dami ng trabaho. kaliwa’t kanan. taas-baba. paikot-ikot.

Daming nangyari. daming naganap. national. local. political. personal.

Chacha, con-ass, banta ng martial law, at nalalapit na SONA.

eleksyong umiinit. kampanyahan na kahit di pa opisyal na campaign season. media wars na naman sa national campaigning. paano yung konti lang ang pera pero karapat dapat.

cpe. daming naging activities. ano ang result? BDP-PLA sa Pasay. BDP-PLA sa Zamboanga Sibugay. Pagsusulong ng PAT Ordinance sa Quezon City. Pakikisangkot sa city development planning ng quezon city. implementasyon ng BAKAL 2 program.

daming gustong isulat. pero daming kalat kalat na ginagawa. pero nakaka pag facebook naman. grabe.

hayaan mo. magsusulat uli ako. isa isa lang.

Disapproval of water rate increases a welcome relief for Metro Manila

The Freedom from Debt Coalition today hailed the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s recent decision to disallow any water rate increases for the entire year of 2009 as a welcome relief for Metro Manila’s 12 million residents now facing the initial tremors of a global economic crisis.

Citing statements made by MWSS Administrator Diosdado Allado, FDC characterized the decision as a long-awaited recognition by the MWSS of the “insensitivity” of any possible rate increase to “the plight of Filipinos”.

Last Wednesday, Allado announced the decision of MWSS, stating that, “We are all called upon to make sacrifices and show our patriotism in some way and we ask our concessionaires to show the same.”

FDC said that the rate hikes proposed by Manila Water and Maynilad would have been a very heavy burden to many of the Metro Manila households, had they been approved.

Word of caution

FDC, however, cautioned that the crisis should not be exploited to railroad old proposals to extend the concession contracts or to grant further allowances to the two concessionaires without closely examining other alternative solutions that may be explored.

According to FDC, current proposals and negotiations to extend the concession contracts of the two concessionaires are being held behind closed doors. They stated that details of any proposals between the concessionaires and MWSS should be revealed and that these be approached with the interests of the consumers in mind.

They stressed that MWSS should step up efforts to include civil society groups and consumers in determining the next steps to be undertaken in ensuring that the water needs of Metro Manila consumers will be adequately met.

Necessary first step

FDC Vice-President Edwin Chavez stated that the disapproval of any proposed increases in Metro Manila water rates is the necessary first step not only in mitigating the impact of the global crisis on the basic water needs of Metro Manila consumers. It is the first step as well in reviewing the actual privatization scheme implemented since 1997.

“This is an opportune time for us to look back on past rate increases and the actual performance and project expenditures of the two concessionaires which have always been used to justify the numerous rate increases implemented since 1997”, said Chavez.

“We hope that MWSS’ recent disapproval of the proposed rate increases will be but the first indicator of a renewed MWSS asserting its role and authority in protecting consumer interests.” said Chavez.

Maynilad to Increase Tariff by Jan 1′09: Gandang Pamasko at Salubong sa Bagong Taon ng mga Hayupak!

Below is a statement prepared by Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) opposing new tariff increase by Maynilad. Aba’y wala tayong kamuwang-muwang na magtataas pala ng singil ang mga damuho ng halos 12 pesos kada cub

ic meter. Matindi. sa gitna ng krisis e tubo na katakot-takot pa rin ang

iniisip ng mga damuho.  kagandang pamasko at pasalubong sa bagong taon ng mga hinayupak na are. pumapayag kasi tayo sa privatization. ayan ang napapala natin.  Sana maraming consumers ang tumutol dito.

———————————

FDC: No tariff increase for Maynilad

The Freedom from Debt Coalition opposes the unconscionable rate hike being peddled by Maynilad Water Services, and condemns as insensitive Maynilad’s profit-oriented attempt to proceed with business as usual in the midst of a financial crisis that has left the poor extremely vulnerable to the slightest rate increase in basic necessities such as oil, power, and water. The proposed rate adjustment is part of the rate rebasing exercise, a scheduled business mechanism done once every five years that paves the way for large rate hikes based on new business plans proposed by water concessionaires to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO). In its “public consultation” held last Friday, Maynilad presented an increase of P 7.10 in the basic tariff for households consuming 30 cubic meters a month.

The cited amount, however, is misleading and does not fully present the impact of this proposed increase. If Maynilad gets its way and the proposed increase is approved, VAT, environmental and sewerage charges, which are all based on the basic tariff charge, will also go up. Households connected to Maynilad’s sewer lines will experience an increase of at least P11.93 per cubic meter. Those without sewer services will take on an increase of P8.75. In the final equation, the average household’s monthly bill will go up by P262-P357. With 86% of Maynilad’s consumers composed of residential connections, 20% of which belong to depressed communities, Maynilad’s proposed rate increase cannot be taken lightly. For several years Maynilad has enjoyed tax holiday incentives from the Bureau on Investments and until now continues its attempt to retain this incentive. In the absence of this tax holiday, Maynilad insists that it is not precluded from having its consumers shoulder Maynilad’s corporate taxes.

FDC believes it is only right that Maynilad reveal a breakdown of their proposed rate hike to publicly show how much of what is to be paid will actually go to the payment of corporate taxes, to the payment of MWSS loans and loan interests, and to the actual projects that they are proposing to undertake. From the P7.10 increase, how much will go to Maynilad’s coffers as revenue? How much of the proposed increase will be allocated to corporate perks for Maynilad’s executives? These items must all be properly laid down in any consultation that purports to seek public approval for a rate increase. The people’s right to refuse paying for unnecessary extravagances must be recognized. We should know what we are actually paying for. Without such transparency in the rate proposal, the public consultation being held will amount to nothing more than a procedural farce. Maynilad’s current rates are already being disputed as over-priced, thereby placing in doubt any moral ground to demand further increases.

A civil case filed by civil society groups questioning Maynilad’s rate hike of January 2005 still remains pending until today thanks to Maynilad’s stubborn refusal to submit its rates under the jurisdiction of the National Water Resources Board, the only water regulatory body with quasi-judicial functions to look into water rates for consumer interests. To this day, the question of whether or not we are paying too much still remains unanswered. It is therefore sheer temerity on Maynilad’s part to demand a rate hike it does not deserve. Maynilad is nowhere near the service targets it submitted in 1997 and still owes the MWSS at least $36.9 Million in unpaid concession fees, not inclusive of a disputed $18.1 Million also claimed by MWSS as additional concession fees. These fees, which should have rightly been paid years ago, have been permitted to be restructured so as to give Maynilad’s new management more room to breathe. Are we to understand then that while the government willingly bailed out Maynilad when it was in dire financial straits, that same government will now stand idly by as Maynilad demands a rate hike that the poor cannot afford? Where is the government in all this? Government itself has also come to earn revenues from Maynilad’s consumers, and continues to insist that Metro Manila consumers should shoulder all the expenses of water provision. It has already collected more than P1.6 B in VAT revenues from Maynilad’s consumers in the years 2006 and 2007. More has been collected in prior years.

As senate debates the allocation of taxes collected from the people, FDC calls on them to reconsider the moral propriety of refusing to allocate people’s taxes to something as basic as water provision. Maynilad’s proposed water rate increase must be opposed. The welfare of millions of consumers in more than 600,000 household connections in Maynilad’s west zone must be protected from the non-transparent profit mechanisms employed by Maynilad.

FDC refuses to wait until disconnections are imposed on 150,000 destitute households that cannot afford the rate hike. We call on government to do the same.

Growing Kids

tagal ko na ring gustong i journal at gumawa ng parang diary tungkol sa mga anak ko. gusto kong mabuhay habang panahon ang kanilang magagandang alaala sa akin.

kagaya nitong si zeke, 10 years old na. wala ngayon dito sa bahay. first time nag camping sa school bilang boy scout. bilib ako sa anak kong ito. malakas ang loob. aba’y grade 4 pa lang e nakauwi mag-isa. sa cubao siya nag aaral samantalang kami ay sa commonwealth nakatira. mula noon, nag ko commute na siya. may pagkaindependent na rin kumbaga. pero pag may time ako hinahatid at sinusundo ko pa rin. nakakapangamba rin. daming loko ngayon. saka daming aksidente sa kalsada.think positive na lang.

nagulat na lang din ako nang minsan, sapatos ko na ang sinuot. masikip pa nga daw ng konti sa kanya. talagang lumalaki na ang anak kong panganay. pero malambing pa rin. laging nakayakap at nakapulupot pa rin sa akin kapag natutulog sa gabi. kumakandong pa rin kahit sa public place….minsan napansin ko may bigote nang tumutubo. ayaw daw niya.pasensyoso din si kuya lalo na kay mika.

si mika naman… kasalukuyang nasa stage ng pangungulit. marahil bunga rin ng pagkakaroon ng sanggol na kapatid. pero nakakaaliw siya dahil sobra ding lambing. maka daddy ata itong batang ito. lagi ako gustong gumawa ng para sa kanya sa lahat ng bagay. magtali ng buhok, magbihis sa kanya, magpaligo, magpakain. pag sinarado na ang ilaw sa kwarto upang matulog, iiyak siya dahil di niya na raw makita ako at kapag yumakap sa akin si zeke, aawayin niya at sasabihin niyang “daddy ko lang to! ngayon ‘daddy lang namin ni gab to!’” bilang pagtukoy sa akin. … ang hilig din kumain. pag may nakita, fight! ang dialogue “gutom ako.” paano mo naman mahihindian , kahit kakakain lang ?

si gab naman, sa ngayon mag 2 months na, ngumingiti ngiti na. puyat ako lagi. grabe. hele. timpla gatas. 4am. 3am. 5 am.. madaling araw.

sarap ding maging magulang..mahirap na masarap.

Nobyembre 30

Nabasa ko kahapon ang sinulat ni Randy David sa kanyang column na “After Bonifacio,” at pagkatapos ay naisip ko na lamang na halos parehas ang nangyari sa panahon ni Bonifacio sa nangyayari ngayon. at sa huli, buti na lamang at may Mabini na patuloy na naniwala at nanindigan laban sa paghahari ng iilan.

Ngayong araw na ito lalabas na naman ang mga tao sa lansangan. daming isyu! sana matauhan na tayo! lantaran na ang lokohan kaso wala o kokonti ang kumikibo. haay buhay.

Heroes day din ito. bayani. source of inspiration ang mga bayani. e dito ang pinakasikat na bayani e si bayani fernando at hindi siya nakaka inspire. nakaka asar lang. sa ibang bansa ang mga bayani nila ay talagang source ng inspiration ng bansa. dito? ano masasabi mo.

welcome gab!

welcome to our new angel, our beautiful Erika Gabrielle.  Born October 10. 2008.  a father of 3 kids at the age of 39. My wife mae gave birth at 41. Bagong inspirasyon.

Para ulit kaming may panganay. hele. linis ng pupu. si mae magdamag na nakasuksok si gab kaya di gaano makatulog ng maayos. 4am gising na si gab. it’s my turn na hehe.

Gab, we love you very much. your ate and kuya , and of course kami ni mommy and the whole bueta-legaspi and chavez-caluag clan are so happy to welcome you.

important events sa pagsilang ni Gab: pagkapanalo ng first black pres ng uS na si Barack Obama, economic recession sa U.S. na makakaapekto sa buong daigdig, pamamayagpag ni GMA kahit marami sa pinoy ayaw na sa kanya, at pagsikat ng mga galing sa survivor philippines tulad ni Patani.

sa gitna ng mga pangyayaring iyan, at marami pang iba, we are so happy to welcome you gab and wish na there’s a brighter future that lies ahead for you.

Participatory Planning in Quezon City

Participatory planning (and governance)  in Quezon City

Last Tuesday, I was invited by a class in development planning, students of U.P. College of Social Works and Community Development (CSWCD) as the main presenter, with co-speakers from people’s organizations and local government units. We were asked to share our experience in participatory local development planning/local governance.

Our organization of course shared our signature BDP-PLA (Barangay Development Planning through Participatory Learning and Action). Aside from sharing, I learned a lot from my co speakers.

After my presentation, the Barangay Chairman (Punong Barangay) of Barangay Pansol, Dominic Flores explained that they conduct regular consultation in their barangay dubbed as KKK or Kumustahan, Konsultasyon sa Komunidad. He also proudly shared that their barangay is gender – sensitive barangay and child friendly.

The urban poor leader, Ping Palfulme, who is also the Executive Officer of their Barangay Peace, Security and Order (BPSO) from Barangay Nagkakaisang Nayon followed by sharing their experience from electoral campaign to actual governance in almost a year in office. the big challenge for their team when they won the last barangay election was being greeted by a coffin lighted by 2 candles placed in their barangay hall. obviously done by the incumbent to send “message” to the new barangay leaders. Instead of being intimidated, he said that they focused instead in developing their barangay and developed a barangay development plan, done with their constituents. Barangay plan he said serves as their guide.

The third sharer, who was just invited by Dean Amar Torres but eventually was asked to share also, was Punong Barangay Ralph Diaz of Laging Handa. He is formerly connected with United Nations, with masters degree in regional planning, and PhD in social planning and now a Barangay Chairman– he doesnt want to be called barangay captain but a barangay manager because being a punong barangay should be like development or corporate managers. Very good. He tried to organize other 7 barangay chairmen and develop an area-wide development plan to promote development, promote basic services (such as housing and livelihood) and combat crime in their area (Area19). His framework is like ours too– human rights based development and governance. This is a good model here in Quezon City and i think for other urban areas. This initiative should be popular and should be replicated in Quezon City and in other urban cities and in the whole country.

In Quezon City, where there are 142 barangays, we have facilitated 6 comprehensive barangay development plans (Nayong Kanluran, Balong Bato, Malaya, Quirino 2-A, Pasong Putik Proper and Bagong Silangan) , one in Laging Handa,  Pansol and Paligsahan so we have 9! 133 barangays more to go

As advocate of participatory, empowering good governance, I hope to see one day that we have barangays who are performing based on sound plans, where projects are based on priority needs identified by the people themselves; budget is intelligently used for worthy projects instead of being pocketed (some say that there is an SOP of 20-30% of project cost that goes automatically to barangay officials) by greedy leaders. This money came from our taxes.40% of our taxes automatically goes to Local governments in the name of Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) and from Real Property Taxes. We have the right to be involved on how local governments use our money (as well as national government, how they use our money: 70% goes to debt payment! grabe!!!!!)

The pilot we did in Quezon City bore some fruits. We trained good people from the city planning office in participatory development planning. we tried to influence them in shifting frameworks. normally ang mga plano ginagawa lang sa kwarto. pero when they got involved in participatory planning process, they felt na iyon dapat ang gawin. going directly to the communities and talking to people about their problems and priorities. grounded. lapat sa lupa. We were excited. which doubled when we learned that the mayor wanted to replicate the process to other barangays — we heard to another 20 barangays. pero til now, wala pa rin kaming naririnig na replication … haaay buhay.

But yes, we have to be optimistic. one step at a time. one barangay to another.

FDC slams abrupt end of OP, OVP budget hearings

“To insulate the President and the Vice-President’s budgets from such process wherein other government agencies and officials were duly subjected into, just to keep up with tradition is pure aristocracy,” FDC vice president Edwin Chavez said in a statement on the FDC website.

—-

FDC slams abrupt end of OP, OVP budget hearings
09/17/2008 | 04:56 AM

MANILA, Philippines – A debt watchdog group branded as “fiscal aristocracy” the abrupt end of hearings on the budgets for the Office of the President and Office of the Vice President for 2009 at the House of Representatives.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) questioned the decision of lawmakers to discuss the details of the budgets in the subcommittee level “out of respect” for the highest positions in the land.

“To insulate the President and the Vice-President’s budgets from such process wherein other government agencies and officials were duly subjected into, just to keep up with tradition is pure aristocracy,” FDC vice president Edwin Chavez said in a statement on the FDC website.

FDC particularly scored presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo for seconding the motion to set aside the President’s proposed 2009 budget.

It said it was “typical and expected” of a congressional representative who “promotes more of his family’s interest instead of the people’s welfare.”

Chavez said the act smacked of Congress’ capitulation to the “fiscal aristocracy” of the President.

FDC criticized it as a feudal custom that has no place in our modern budget process.

It said that while the budget briefings are mere presentations, lawmakers often use them to extract details, clarifications and to develop legislative measures concerning different budget proposals.

Chavez said Congress’ apparent default in the scrutiny of the President and the Vice President’s budgets is virtually an admission of defeat if not of its insecurities to the enormous fiscal powers wielded by the executive department.

“In a time when the annual national government budget is being asked to be scrutinized for alleged double insertions, unreleased funds as well as illegitimate loans and projects, Congress’ decision to cut short the proceedings of the budgets of the two highest positions in government is a sign of weakness,” Chavez said.

At the start of Congress deliberation of the proposed P1.41-trillion 2009 budget, FDC challenged Congress to reclaim its lost constitutional power of the purse by curbing the executive department’s unregulated fiscal powers.

It called for the clipping of presidential powers by amending the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 as instituted by Executive Order 292.

The group specifically called for the removal of the automatic appropriations for debt service (Section 31-B) and the presidential powers of impoundment (Section 38) and realignment of savings.

It also enjoined Congress to put limits and parameters on the unilateral contracting of loans by amending the Foreign Borrowings Act of 1966 and the Official Development Assistance Act of 1996. – GMANews.TV

Calatagan (March) in my mind

Last Saturday, September 6, I saw a paradise. A community/place complete with nature has to offer. Dagat, bundok at parang.Sagana sa isda, gulay, mangga at iba pa. Mababait ang mga tao. Masisipag.

Pero nanganganib na mawala–lahat, maging mga tao.

The community i visited was Barangay Talibayog in Calatagan, Batangas, which is now faced of being trasnformed into a mining area, together with Barangay Baha,  and other 3 barangays covering 2,336 hectares by the virtue of an Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) between Asturias Corporation, headed by Ramon Ang of SMC, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) — the very government agency that should protect our envrionment.

There are 312 farmers in the area who are holding legal titles (Emancipation Patents/CLOA) awarded by former President Marcos (under Presidential Decree 27) who till 507 hectares of agricultural lands But lo and behold! in a sleight of hand, the titles, after transfered to the farmers, ay naibenta ulit ng dating may-ari (Ascue family) sa Asturias corporation dahil may hawak pa pala siyang mother title , which turned out na hindi na – annotate ng Register of Deeds na na cover na ng land reform program.

So last April 21-28, some 55 farmers marched 300 kilometers from Calatagan Batangas to the office of Department of Agrarian Reform and put up a camp there and in front of the DENR for 1 month asking for the cancellation of the MPSA and coverage of the 507 hectares under the land reform program.

Last Saturday, i joined a solidarity program in Calatagan, Batangas for the farmers who are going to march from Calatagan to Metro Manila– for the second time. I gave solidarity message and rendered 3 songs about land issues and hope. The campaign is launched by Task Force Baha Talibayog, composed of farmers organizations in the affected barangays, with support from Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), NGOs like CARET and KAISAHAN, AKBAYAN Partylist, and our organization BISIG, and many more organizations, too many to mention. The campaign is also being supported by Catholic clergy headed by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxillary Bishop of Archdiocese of Manila and Chair of NASSA.

Now, 65 famers , mostly old people/senior citizens are going to march. They are planning to start on september 15. (but a colleague told me that Malacanang people have sent feelers that they are now seriously considering the merits of the farmers case, i don’t know if that would be considered to adjust their plan. )

I I met some of them. the oldest i talked with is a 73 year old housewife/farmer, who has a sick husband. I asked her bakit pa siya sasama, matanda na siya. She answered “Tuwing naririnig ko ang salitang lupa, naiiyak ako. Pero hindi sapat na lumuha. Hindi kami pwede sa relocation na binibigay ng Asturias. Matanda na kami. Wala kaming trabaho dun. Ngayon kahit papaano, magtanim ka lang mabubuhay ka. Doon sa binibigay nila sa amin, mamamatay kami. Kaya sasama ako sa martsa. Para sa amin ang labang ito.”  This will be her first time to march.

I also talked to a 63 year old farmer who is joining the march for the second time. He proudly shared to me that it was his father who started the struggle for land wayback in the 70s, in their community– to oppose the imposition of the landowner (because they are tenants) to plant sugarcane instead of rice and corn. The community struggle eventually led to government awarding the 507 hectares. “Kung nagawa ng tatay ko, tungkulin kong ipagpatuloy ang laban niya,” he said.

I can’t discuss here the details of the issue and its history. You may visit http://calataganmarch.multiply.com instead. This is a website / blog made by Ateneo de Manila University students in support of the calatagan farmers campaign for life and land.

For me, it really struck me and made me internalize deeper the saying that “land is life”. I’ve encountered that phrase many times in my social involvement. But it was only last Saturday that it really hit me that much. On our way back home to Quezon City, I can’t leave the image of calatagan, and the farmers i talked with in my mind. It stuck (like Malcolm Gladwell’s “stickiness factor” in his book “The Tipping Point”). thinking also of how to provide support, specially when they reached Metro Manila.

We too, like the calatagan farmers, are facing challenges of our own– big or small. But i realized that there in calatagan, more than 300 farmers’ lives now depends on the hands of a few people. And you have to put that kind of sacrifice just to make your voices be heard– for a source of your life and livelihood that is rightfully yours but being taken away from you. Nakakainis. Nakakagalit. And like the farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon, who did a historic march from Mindanao to Manila, the Calatagan farmers didn’t just wait. They also took action. It’s their life and their land, or……

Ed

P.S. if you can render any kind of support for the farmers of calatagan , and their families– morally, spiritually, logistically, etc– please do so.  Your little help can bring BIG difference.

10 years of Privatization of Water Services in the Philippines

Heto naman ang position paper ng Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) sa epekto ng privatization at panawagan para i review ang batas na nag privatize ng MWSS.

We presented this during the Committee Hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources, headed by Iggy Arroyo (aka Jose Pidal) in reaction to the Privilege Speech of Cong. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel of Akbayan Partylist on Right to Water. During the first hearing ay absent ang MWSS. Si Cong Villafuerte ay “hot” sa Maynilad at inuungkat ang papel at pakinabang ng dating may ari ng Maynilad read: Lopezes.

After 10 years ng privatization ng MWSS, walang nasunod sa mga pangako ng privatization at kasunduan na tutuparin sana ng mga malalaking kumpanyang naghati sa pagdeliver ng tubig sa halos 10 milyong residente ng Metro Manila.

Palpak na ang privatization sa Metro Manila, gusto pa nilang palaganapin sa buong Pilipinas. Wawa naman tayo.  Bakit palpak? pakibasa na lang po ng position paper. At sana ay dumami ang mga nagtutulong tulong upang huwag nang lumaganap pa ang privatization sa pagdeliver ng mga serbisyong tulad ng tubig para mas maging accessible sa lahat. on the first place, trabaho ng gobyerno na i provide ang ganitong essential services. Pag patuloy na napasakamay ng mga malalaking korporasyon ang negosyo ng paghahatid ng tubig, baka mamatay na sa uhaw ang mga pinoy dahil sa taas ng presyo.

—-

ON THE 10 YEARS OF MWSS PRIVATIZATION

Position Paper presented to the Committee on Natural Resources
House of Representatives, 14th Congress

Freedom from Debt Coalition
August 13, 2008

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) urges the honorable members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources to conduct a thorough review and investigation of the Metro Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) privatization, believing firmly that for the past ten years, impacts of the said privatization thus far run counter to the aims set forth in RA 8041 to “address the nationwide water crisis which adversely affects the health and well-being of the population, food production and industrialization process” and in turn defeats the people’s right to water.