I Am Blogie

I was shocked when I heard about Mayor Sara Duterte’s unconscionable act this afternoon. As a Dabawenyo, I felt deeply embarrassed that our city mayor could descend to that level of baseness. Whether the man who got punched (several times) by the mayor was out of line for his actions or not, violence is never an acceptable response. Especially not from the highest-ranking city official.

It could be that the mayor, embattled from different fronts due to the ineptness of her government in anticipating the recent flash flood, which killed more than 20 people, probably found an opportunity to gain the people’s favor by providing them with some entertainment. Tawdry, at best, but as you might have noticed in the video, the gathered masses were cheering her on.

Or maybe the mayor was so miffed by the apparent lack of respect from the sheriff that she unleashed her temper on him as soon as he arrived on the scene.

Either way, violence is unacceptable and unbecoming, to say the least.

This distasteful incident brings to mind the banana republics of South America way back when — the era of despotic dictators and mesmerized constituents.

Flood in Bangkal, photo by Jojie Alcantara

From the time I posted my Venice of the south? piece last April, Davao City has had a couple more floods, and Dabawenyos simply accept it as a fact of life here. But the other night’s flash flood — and the rain wasn’t even that heavy — caused loss of lives (25 as of this writing) and severe damage to property.

We can’t do anything about nature, but we certainly can do something about public infrastructure. Specifically, the local government unit of Davao City can and should. But what has it done?

How much more worse than this disaster is needed to happen before the government gets its act together?

People need to ask the difficult questions, otherwise, this government will simply get away with their ineptness at anticipating crises. Here’s one question: What happened to the money borrowed from LandBank for public infrastructure? This was reported on in 2009. And here’s another one: Why would the mayor say on TV that the city has no budget for flood control? What about the previous mayor’s allegedly unaudited intelligence fund?

Protect the environment!

Nature is trying to tell us something here. If we mess with the natural balance of things, we will pay the consequences. Wait…let me be more specific: the less privileged in society will bear the brunt of the consequences.

The city’s environment code has to be given more teeth, and law-abiding implementers. The city is growing exponentially, and with that comes greater demand for housing and other types of civil developments. That is a good thing for everyone concerned, certainly. However, we must always keep the natural environment in mind before proceeding with more buildings and roads and other public works.

It has been done successfully in other countries. All we need to do is learn from them.

The Davao City local government’s reputation as a strict enforcer of the law is legendary, owing most notably to its success in the anti-smoking ordinance. This time, the LGU is flexing its muscles once more. As reported here, Davao is poised to strictly implement a new city ordinance on waste management.

According to the city’s environment chief, Dominic Felizarta, the local government is now drafting the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR). Once in place, everyone will need to comply with the new ordinance: basically, to separate biodegradable waste from other types of refuse.

I hope that there will also be measures to inform all Davao City residents of the proper ways to do waste segregation. During the first year of the anti-smoking ordinance, people were unclear about its IRR and this caused a lot of confusion. For the waste management ordinance, the compliance methods have to be made crystal clear, not only the accompanying punitive measures for violations.

I’m very happy about this new ordinance. Davao City is beautiful because of her natural resources, although in recent years I have seen much destruction of woodlands, mangroves, riverbanks… Trash — the need to dispose of it — is a huge culprit. According to the LGU, we produce 500 tons of garbage everyday. Imagine the complexities and sacrifices involved in disposing of all that trash!

If we succeed in doing waste segragation, however, we will be helping our environment tremendously. For one, we can implement recycling of renewable materials. And, we will be able to separate biodegradable garbage and treat it for proper disposal. This means that, according to Felizarta, the sanitary landfill that the city is using won’t be filled up for another 15 years; otherwise, without waste segration, the landfill would be completely used up in just four years.

The city will have a difficult time implementing this new ordinance, I think. I believe, however, that we will succeed eventually, after a period of painful adjustment. But it must be done if we are to protect our environment and natural resources.

I hope that Dabawenyos — and all Filipinos — will realize how important it is to preserve the environment. I hope that this waste management ordinance will open our eyes to more opportunities to contribute.

Personally, I have resolved to minimize my personal carbon footprint. I have decided to stop using plastics as much as I can: straws, grocery bags, etc. If each one of us contributed in a small way, the sum total would be a boost to the global effort of environmental protection.

Kudos to the Davao city government!

The article below was released by the Kaakbay Secretariat, and written by Alain Del B. Pascua.

Before that, though, I just have a personal note. I’m happy that the new banknotes are promoting Philippine heritage sites / tourism highlights. But, no Davao? Ok, there are only 6 banknotes and hundreds of Philippine destinations to choose from, but, nothing from Mindanao was considered at all? Also, why wasn’t the national bird included? The Philippine Eagle represents one of the country’s most laudable efforts in environmental conservation, and yet…

When I first heard the news that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was releasing a new set of banknotes, the first thing I did was to see if the American flag in the ₱100 bill would still be there. It was no longer there, so I was very happy for the removal of a foreign symbol in our national currency. But my gratefulness lasted only seconds and my jubilation was gone when I saw that the Leyte landing led by American General Douglas McArthur was depicted in the ₱50 bill.

I firmly believe that our national banknotes should not in any way give space to foreign symbols and personalities no matter their importance to our history. Yes, it is a reality that we were conquered by the Spaniards, the Americans and even the Japanese, but to put this on our national symbols such as our banknotes defy our very own sovereignty, independence and nationalism.

In the case of the ₱50 bill, why feature the Leyte Landing and the so-called “American Liberation of the Philippines”, when what should be highlighted is the victory and gallantry of the Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese invaders sans the Americans, led by General Douglas McArthur, who left the country and departed to Australia when the Japanese forces held the upper hand in war. It was the Filipino guerrilla who fought it out against the Japanese forces inch by inch until such time as the Japanese stragglers were already in the mountains and away from populated areas even before the so-called “Liberation of the Philippines by the Americans”. We have enough historical references on these events and yet our officials choose to honor events led by foreigners instead of events portraying the greatness of our Filipino kababayan.

Coat-of-Arms

The same observation can be said of the Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of the Philippines, which the BSP erroneously referred to as the “Seal of the President” in all its descriptions of the new banknotes. Why are the Bald Eagle of the United States of America and the Lion-Rampant of Spain (the Charge of the Kingdom of Leon) included in the depiction of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of the Philippines when these symbols and representation of colonial history are no longer mentioned in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines?

Republic Act No. 8491, An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heralding Items and Devices of the Philippines, which was signed into a law on February 12, 1998, states in Chapter IV entitled “The National Coat-of-Arms,” Section 41:

“The National Coat-of-Arms shall have: Paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent studded with three (3) mullets equidistant from each other; and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor and lesser rays. Beneath shall be the scroll with the words “REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS,” inscribed thereon.”

Media highlights, public outcry

When the new banknotes was made public, the media highlighted the placement of three Aquinos in the P500 peso bill — that President Cory Aquino joined her martyred husband Ninoy Aquino, now sporting a smile unlike the sadness he depicted in the old bill, with the new President, their son Noynoy, signing anew the new banknotes. It’s history indeed! (Wait… a living person depicted in a banknote? Doesn’t that rather seem Marcosian? –Blogie)

The media also highlighted the relegation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a not-so-prominent space in the new ₱200 bill.

Of course, the BSP proudly announces the various security measures that are embedded in the new banknotes, the youthful looks of presidents and heroes, and the general designs and features. These changes are truly remarkable and very laudable.

After some hours of the announcement and few days have passed, serious criticisms have started to come out from every ordinary people who will be using the new banknotes.

From different sectors, from various quarters, from separate individuals — Filipinos took to the internet, to social networks, to email groups — they gave their collective observations:

• The Philippine map excludes Batanes (the map only includes the Babuyan Islands);
• Tubbataha Reefs is mislocated hundreds of miles away (the location alluded to is the Bulis Suan and Cagayan Sulu Islands);
• St. Paul’s Subterranean or Underground River is also mislocated (the location should be near the sea, not inland);
• The Blue-Naped Parrot is miscolored (beak should be red not yellow, and tail should be yellow, not green);
• The scientific names defy the standard format (scientific names should be italicized);

Some more criticisms

Of the 6 new banknotes, five feature Luzon (₱20 Banaue Rice Terraces, ₱50 Taal Lake, ₱100 Mayon Volcano, ₱500 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, ₱1000 Tubbataha Reefs), only one features the Visayas (₱200 Bohol Chocolate Hills), and none features Mindanao. Why the disparity?

Can we not give equal representation to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao like the three equal and equidistant stars in the Philippine flag?

In Mindanao can be found Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country; Philippine Eagle, the king of birds; Waling-waling, the queen of orchids; and many, many more. Why the obvious neglect? (Emphasis mine –Blogie)

Why only English names, aside from scientific names, accompany the wildlife species? Why not include the Pilipino names – Alamid, Maliputo, Butanding, etc., which can easily be understood and identified with by the Filipinos?

In the ₱500 bill, why feature the Blue-Naped Parrot when it is more majestic to highlight the endangered Palawan endemics like the Palawan Peasant-Peacock, Palawan Hornbill or the Philippine Cockatoo?

The errors pointed out by the public can easily be corrected by the BSP. They should bow down to the collective wisdom of the Filipino people. The Filipino is their boss, is it not? And the errors pointed out can be rectified easily. Never mind if the first batch already printed becomes collectors’ items. That is a small price compared to doing the correct things, and properly so.

Great features

The new banknotes are generally great and laudable. The highlighting of national treasures — endemic wildlife, national heritage and culture — tops all of the new features being sighted in the new notes.

The use of Baybayin, the old Pilipino script, and the native cloth designs surely lifts the greatness of the Filipino race and stirs patriotism in all of us.

The new BSP logo — the Philippine Eagle in graphic style — makes up for the absence of Haring Ibon in the new series.

Banknotes and Nationalism

The present brouhaha over the new banknotes only show the importance our currency is in our national life, not only because it represents wealth and purchasing power, but more so because the banknotes are representations of the our national treasures and our national struggle for greatness.

While the authorities have decided that the new banknotes continue to depict past Philippine presidents and modern-day martyrs and heroes, one can not help but ask why Presidents Emilio Aguilado, Jose Laurel, Ramon Magsaysay, Elpidio Quirino, Carlos Garcia and Ferdinand Marcos are not featured in our banknotes. Never mind the controversy of having Ferdinand Marcos in our banknotes, but how about the others? Of course President Fidel Ramos, Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are still living so we can safely say they do not yet merit being featured in our banknotes.

Of this new series, four modern-day heroes and martys were featured despite not being Presidents of the Republic: Josefa Llanes Escoda, General Vicente Lim, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos and Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. But where are the other heroes that fought for Philippine Independence and established the Filipino nation?

The greatness of heroes are usually depicted in banknotes bearing lower denominations. Gat Jose Rizal was/is featured in the ₱1 bill/coin, etc. But the practice of featuring national heroes on lower denominations like ₱1, ₱2, ₱5, ₱10 has become irrelevant as coins have replaced paper bills because of the devaluation of the peso. The present poor and the past national heroes are twin victims of the devaluation of the peso.

But our heroes — Gat Jose Rizal, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, Melchora Aquino, Macario Sakay, Gabriela Silang, Lapu-Lapu, etc. — are personalities any generation of Filipino can easily identified with. Hands down, their roster will beat the roster of Philippine Presidents in inculcating love of country and fellowmen. Their delegation to coins whose values are decreasing do not help in inculcating patriotism, nationalism, faith in the Filipino and the greatness of the Filipino people and nation. Put them in bank notes and once again, we help every Filipino love and be proud of his/her country and heritage more.

Every Filipino hero mentioned above were leaders of historical events that have made what our country is today — the Propaganda Movement, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Kataastaasan at Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, the Great 1896 Revolution, the 1898 Declaration of Indepence, the victory of the Filipinos in Balanggiga, Samar, the victory of Lapu-Lapu on Mactan, etc. All these events that stir Filipinism, Filipino nationalism and patrimony, and the greatness of the Filipino people, can have greater and lasting impact on the Filipino people when featured in their banknotes and not just in coins.

Other banknote series

To make our banknotes not only representations of wealth, purchasing power and currencies, but more so as repository of the Filipino people’s struggle for greatness and nationhood, and national treasures and patrimony, there is a need to break the limitations of having just 6 banknotes. Like any other country, it is very permissible to issues new series of banknotes with different features and highlights.

We can have a “national heroes and historical events” series where the national heroes and historical events discussed above are featured.

We can have another series depicting national symbols like the evolution of the Philippine Flag, the Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine Eagle, Sampaguita, Narra, Anahaw, Mango Tamaraw, Arnis, Sipa, etc.

Another series can highlight Philippine endemics, both flora and fauna.

We can have these series while maintaining the bills’ value of ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500 and ₱1000 the same for every series.

It is high time for the country and the BSP to make Philippine banknotes as representations and repositories of what the Filipino is — from past to present — and the national treasures and jewels that we have been blessed with.

Do not deny us our heroes, our history, our treasures, our patrimony. Make us proud and great.

19 December 2010

Kaakbay (Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan) is “an aggrupation of individuals and sectoral organizations that collectively advocate an ideology or platform, principles and policies for the general conduct of government.”