START ASKING CHED, DECS FOR TUITION AID!

It’s less than a month before classes start boys and girls so time to call on the Department of Education, Culture and Sports ( DECS) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for assistance.

Not just for complaints but more importantly, for tuition aid or assistance.

As well as clarification on WHAT ARE THEY DOING, or ARE THEY DOING ANYTHING AT ALL, to cope up with, and control the non-stop hikes in tuition and other fees charged by schools.

For example, Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture chair Edgardo Angara has just urged the government to provide bigger funds for the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Schools program or GASTPE.

Angara says GASTPE was created as early as 20 YEARS AGO and was originally given a P600-million subsidy for tuition. But has anyone among you kids, or your parents, heard about this? If yes, how many?

This is one program which both the DECS and the CHED should CONSISTENTLY come out with in media, and in their field offices, to inform and guide the public ON HGW TO AVAIL of it – where to apply, what are the requirements, who are qualified.

But I haven’t heard or read of anything about it – where the money went, the number of beneficiaries so far and the schools they had enrolled in.

Anybody correct ne if I’m wrong.

The one thing that has come out quite regularly in media is the K plus 12 (I hope I got it right) program of DECS which INCREASES the number of years,, and of course the EXPENSES, for elementary and high school education.

But nothing on GASTPE or any other government program on how parents and students can obtain financial aid for tuition for this gimmick.

Why the DECS and the CHED don’t come out regularly in media with tuition or education relief measures like GASTPE is beyond me. What I know is it’s THEIR JOB to help ordinary mortals keep their kids in school, WITH WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE!

So whether you’re a parent or a student, DON’T BE AFRAID, OR SHY, to ask. It’s their job to inform you.

It’s YOUR FUTURE, or YOUR KIDS’ FUTIURE, which is at stake, not theirs!

***

Nine of our friends on “A P2-billion question for Dinky Soliman”:

PERRY DIAZ

Sounds like the CCT is one big milking cow. Squeeze Dinky, squeeze till the cow bleeds.

KAT ATIENZA of Paombong, Bulacan

Hmm, no one can be trusted huh. No wonder why the Philippines is just a poor country.

NIQUEKY LAU

Sir Boyet, you’re correct. This has to be monitored. What I’ve heard from the time it was conceptualized and prior to its approval, there are so many grey areas, the most significant one of which is the SIN OF INCLUSION and DELETION.

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA of Manila

Boyet, tingnan mo naman si Madam panay alahas.

SHEILA ESPERANZA CIELO TILAN of London, United Kingdom

Her name shouldn't be Dinky because she stinks. Soliman has a lot of explanation to do.

LEMWEL SOLIMAN of Gumaca, Quezon province

Not again, Tita Dinky. I smell 2013, (We are not, in any way, related)

JOHN BRUCE of London, United Kingdom

Dinky a stinker? If what was written about her is true, then the person who appointed her must also be held accountable. Who knows, they may have had a memorandum o agreement!!

JULIAN RABAGO of Cavite City

Naggtataka lang ako,Boyet---wala na bang ibang makukuhang DSWD secretary kundi si Dinky lang?

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Hong Kong

Tama iyan. Isa-isa n silang maglabasan para kahit paano e luminis- linis ang ating pamahalaan.

Eight of our friends on “De Lima must explain on Leviste escape”:

IRENE PERGIS of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

May nagpatakas diyan. Nalagyan na naman. Ganun naman ang iisipin ng taumbayan. May kasabwat kaya nakaescape.

YOLANDA HERRING of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

Kailangan, tanggalin din si Diokno sa puwesto. Bulok talaga ang system sa Philippines.

MANUEL MOGATO of the international news agency Thomson Reuters

Sa Luneta bus hostage incident, hindi lumusot si De Lima kay Chiquito (Manila Mayor Fred Lim). Ngayon kaya? Makikinig uli si PNoy kay Chiquito dahil hindi naman siya ang naiipit na direkta.

JINGZKY MCNACKY of General San Santos City!

Iyong prisons director /warden ang dapat managot. Command responsibility nila yan. Sa pinto ba dumaan? Kung nakalabas hanggang gate ay may pahintulot yan. May grasang ginamit!

ZYRA NIKKA SERGIO IINDAP of Muntinlupa City

Leviste's (departure from the Bilibid is) one of the stupid ideas ever : He has just extend his life in prison.

BORDZ CINCO of Catbalogan, Samar

Malas lang ni Leviste at siya’ng nahuli. Marami pa diyan sa kulungan na nakakalabas.

JOSHUA DAVID

Panawagan kay Pnoy: Dapat alisin sa puwesto si (NBP Director Ernesto) Diokno, iyung warden ng NBP at yung mga jail guard dahil sigurado nalagayan sila ni Leviste. At dapat, ibartolina si Leviste.

JASON JODERIAL of Doha, Qatar

Hay naku, alam mo naman sa Pinas. Pag pera na pinaguusapan, walang mali, lahat tama, lalo na uung mga nakaupo. 30

A P2-BILLION QUESTION FOR DINKY SOLIMAN!

Another Cabinet member who must explain her actions is Department of Social Welfare and Development )DSWD) Sec. Dinky Soliman.

Soliman has requested P2 BILLION more, meaning on top of the P21- billion original budget, for the DSWD’s conditional cash transfer program for the poor.

But despite the additional P2 billion she wants, Soliman has admitted in a presentation in the House of Representatives that the number of beneficiaries will not be increased.

Soliman said on the contrary, a whooping 155,000 families has been removed from the list of beneficiaries because they are not qualified for the program for the CCT.

So where the hell will Soliman use the P2 billion? What is it for?

Normally, one asks for additional funds only when the original allocation has been wiped out or is about to be totally consumed.

Where, then, is the original P21 billion budget for the CCT? Where did the money go and where are the SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS for the expenses, for public scrutiny?

We have the right to know these details, guys. Remember, the P21 billion came from OUR TAXES.

Soliman wants to SPEND MORE FOR LESS. And to think that since the first day of its assumption to office, the Aquino Government has been consistently complaining that THERE’S NO MONEY or NOT ENOUGH MONEY for everything.

Soliman had better have a DETAILED, and I mean ITEMIZED to the last centavo, program on where she will spend the extra P2 billion she wants.

Our congressmen should demand this from her, PRONTO.

Since she has publicly requested for the additional P2 billion, Soliman should already have a justification for it.

If she fails to justify the additional P2 billion, then that request should be THROWN into the GARBAGE DUMP and a THOROUGH REVIEW of the original P21 billion budget for the CCT must be STARTED, on the spot.

If Soliman doesn’t have any basis at all yet, and just requested for the P2 billion simply because she wanted to, then not only the House but the Senate, Malacanang and every other government agency possible must INVESTIGATE Soliman IMMEDIATELY!

And funds of the DSWD had better be AUDITED, now!

That request for an additional P2 billion would be nothing less than a DESPICABLE, CRUDE AND VULGAR attempt at HIGHWAY ROBBERY for us ordinary taxpayers.

Soliman is a known loyal supporter of President Aquino. Let’s see if Pnoy is really for the ‘tuwid na daan’ which he has been trumpeting about since last year.

***

Ten of our friends on “De Lima must explain on Leviste escape” :

ROMMEL LOPEZ of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Pera- perahan lang yan.

LIZA DE GUZMAN of Hong Kong

Hanep talaga ano? Dito kapatid, napaka fair ng batas kaya talagang bibilib ka. Hindi kagaya diyan sa atin.

JUAN DELA CRUZ

They should all answer for it. At yung iba pang VIP na kriminal. for sure pinabalik nila agad sa kulungan. Bbaka mahuli rin ng tao!

BAL DOMINGO of Quezon City

Money works!

DATU CAMAD ALI of Dumaguete City

Officials should observe the highest degree of responsiblity. Therefore, she must explain.

HENRY NERA JR. of Quezon City

Magkano kaya ang temporary freedom sa NBP?

MARLENE DAMOLO HOWE of Tacoma, Washington, USA

Why De Lima? The President should fire the Bureau of Corrections head, then trickle down the warden, jail guards and others who were responsible for letting the prisoner out! De Lima and Diokno are both appointees and Diokno is the one responsible for running the Bilibid. That is his job! It's not her responsibility to run the prison,

JOE ALVARADO JR. of Makati City

IIyan kay Leviste is just the tip of the iceberg. Marami pa iyan. For a fee, any prisoner could go out.

DELIA SANIDAD of Santiago, Ilocos Sur

This is alarming.

NOEMI MONTENEGRO

Why should it be on De lima? She can't do everything all at the same time? There are a lot of priorities to be solved. Complaints are already on her table about the delays in the Maguindanao Massacre and other big cases. The Leviste case should be the responsibility of the prison director and his people. 30

DE LIMA MUST EXPLAIN ON LEVISTE ESCAPE!

The escape of former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste from the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa is just another proof of the age-old, open secret that prisoners can get out of the facility even without authorization.

What’s MORE ALARMING is almost a year into office, Justice Sec. Leila de Lima has apparently not even bothered to look into the anomaly.

News reports quote De Lima as admitting that “We’ve been hearing rumors that things like this are happening there. It’s sort of an open secret.”

The million-dollar question, therefore, is WHY HAD SHE NOT ACTED on it? Why only now, when a controversial and wealthy prisoner like Leviste is the escapee?

De Lima can’t say that she doesn’t have the resources.

She has ALL THE PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES of the Department of Justice, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), at her disposal.

She has the power to conduct an investigation, being Justice Secretary. But SHE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING.

If one is to follow her line of thinking, she still would not have done anything had Leviste, or any other rich and purportedly influential prisoner, escaped or ‘left’ the prison unnoticed.

And Heaven forbid, and President Aquino had better FIRE HER IMMEDIATELY, if De Lima will say that escape or unauthorized exit of prisoners from the Bilibid is not a major problem.

Since time immemorial, we have been reading and hearing of news reports of Bilibid inmates committing crimes, or being spotted in public areas, while they’re supposed to be locked up.

So from the time De Lima says she had heard of the anomaly and did nothing, what is our assurance that no prisoner had pulled off the same stunt as Leviste?

What criminal acts could have been staged by them? Who should be blamed? More importantly, what is our assurance that WE DON’T HAVE PRISON ESCAPPES in our midst?

Malacanang officials have declared that heads will roll over the Leviste escape.

They must also DEMAND AN EXPLANATION from De Lima.

***

DELIA SANIDAD of Santiago, Ilocos Sur

Lozada has to work his butt off to prove his sincerity. With all those indiscretions under his watch, it is so hard to believe that he means well. His credibility is at the very stake here. It makes me think sometimes that he must be doing this kasi nga, dahil sa isang shady deal gone awry!

PEDRO PALABOY

Mukha pong nawawala na credibility ni Lozada. Subalit dapat pa rin nating pagtuunan ng pansin kung tutoo ang sinasabi niya. Kung nagnakaw ang tinuturo niya, then he/she should be punished at kung yung nagturo ay loko rin pala, dapat din po siyang managot.

30

LOZADA SHOULD PROVE HONESTY, CREDIBILITY!

It’s now self-proclaimed NBN-ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada who has the burden to prove his honesty and credibility.

Consider these, boys and girls:

First and foremost, Lozada has admitted in the Sandiganbayan trial of former Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos fthat he was the proponent of a ZTE-Joey de Venecia partnership to implement the NBN broadband project.

The very project for which he accused a lot of people to high heavens of various anomalies and corrupt practices.

BUT, he has also ADMITTED before the Sandiganbayan that he knew of anomalies in multimillion-peso projects involving the Philippine Postal Service, the South Rail Project, and the Philippine Forest Corp. (PFC), which he had all headed from 2006 to 2008.

And DID NOTHING about it.

When asked by defense lawyers about what he did after learning of the $70-million overprice in the South Rail Project, Lozada replied nothing, other than relay it to then National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) head Romulo Neri.

Question: What kept his mouth shut?

Lozada admitted he had agreed to set aside P14 million of a P19-milion fund of the PFC from NEDA for disposition by “a friend of Secretary Neri.”

Why did he agree? Who was the friend and why didn’t he reveal this to the authorities?

It was revealed in the Sandianbvayan that Lozada was facing various charges before the Ombudsman for alleged anomalies while he was the president of the PFC.

The charges were for: the commissions earned by his wife’s agency on a life insurance policy by a private firm rather than by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); the award by PFC of a 50-hectare reforestation project in Antipolo City to his brother, nieces, nephews and other relatives and the award by PFC without bidding of a P15-million IT contract to a company owned by his brother and his family.

Would you trust somebody like this, ladies and gentlemen? Would you consider a person like this CREDIBLE?

***

DELIA SANIDAD of Santiago, Ilocos Sur on “Suspicious ‘potholes’ in NFA audit report”:

So much money wasted. It really angers me when I am reminded of those times when people get to line up just to buy NFA rice, only to find out now what those NFA crocs were doing. How can such abominable acts go unnoticed during those times? Some people's greed is so insatiable.

YOLANDA HERRING of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales on “Time to ask what Aquino Gov’t has done for us”:

Mabagal kumilos si Pnoy. Kasing hinhin niya.

Seventeen of our friends on “Pacman’s CBCP visit cheap political gimmick”:

ROLANDO LEJARDE of Cebu City

I don't like it. The Church must not deserve sympathy from a member of the State like Paquiao. (Separation of the) Church and State must be preserved and Manny has united both.

EPOY ENRIQUEZ of Las Pinas

You're free to express an opinion just as others opposed to you. Can you assert that what the world over saw Pacman kneeling to pray, a rosary on his neck and firm to his Catholic faith cheap gimmick?

NYLRAM DE TEMPLO

That's Pacman, a billionaire but cheap in his hunger to become a good politician.

ARSENIO ANTONIO

Can we change old, bad habits… puro gimmick na lang! When will we learn to take this short life seriously?"

RAUL BELTRAN of Nasugbu, Batangas

Okay ito, Yetbo.

TOMMY BLUE of Seattle, Washington, USA

I agree Boyet!! Manny Pacquaio needs to understand that the bullshit he pulled with the yellow gloves and now this RH bill is not gonna fly. And even if he uses his world celebrity status, the RH bill is what’s gonna paralyze him politically.

MAE FE ANCHETA TEMPLA

Pacman shouldn’t be presumptuous! He should know his boundaries.

BENJAMIN SAMONTE of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Pacman is starting on a wrong foot. I hope in due time he'll mature and learn what is best for him. I'm not happy with the way he sides with certain groups like the "yellow" gloves and CPCP. Cheap indeed and symbolizes "divisiveness! He should unite us. He's changing for the worse.

MELANIE DOMINGO TILLES of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Desperado!

ARMANDO IBARRA of Barobo, Surigao del Sur

Unti-unti nang kumakagat ang sistema sa balat nya.

SERAFIN TABAN

Pacman’s political gimmicks are nothing but empty storage, noisy and blatantly challenge intellectual minds using his money, status as a super-boxer and entertainment tools, including people who idolize him.

ARNOLD LOZANO of Baguio City

It was his belief as a Catholic, not a political gimmick.

ELOISA SENESIO of Dasmarinas, Cavite

Kaya nya magparami ng anak dahil mayaman siya. Paano naman ang mahihirap na walang sapat na ikabubuhay? Mabuti kung bigyan ni Pacman ng budget ang pamilya na marami ang anak,t apos walang trabaho ang mga magulang.

DATU CAMAD ALI of Dumaguete City

Pacman of Mindanao has no political gimmick. His punch line is straightforward.

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Hong Kong

Anong klaseng utak meron yan? Susuporta siya sa mga pari, e samantalang nagpi-pills ung asawa niya?

BILL SAGUING of Rome, Italy

Sure, it is!

ARCHIE GRAPA of Manila

Cheap indeed! Hypocrite! 30

PACMAN'S CBCP VISIT CHEAP POLITICAL GIMMICK!

The visit by Rep. Manny Pacquiao to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to express his opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill was a PATHETIC POLITICAL GIMMICK.

This early, don’t be surprised if he’ll run for senator in the 2013 elections.

There’s nothing wrong if he declares he is against the RH bill. But being a congressman, the proper venue for him to do so would have been the House of Representatives. Even a high school kid would realize this.

His fellow congressmen do, as shown by the fact that not a single member of the House had done the same thing.

Anybody correct me if I’m wrong but I also don’t know of any CBCP official who had visited the House of Representatives for a press conference on the organization’s opposition to the RH bill.

But Manny did the unexpected. A HYPOCRITICAL and DESPICABLE move since he used religion and the Catholic faith.

The immediate, and VULGAR reason I see, is for him to endear himself directly to the CBCP. The long-term goal is to ensure the CBCP’s support for his future moves, especially political.

Even us non-politicians are aware of the influence of the Catholic Church when it comes to politics, and ELECTIONS.

It may not be the biggest but nobody can deny that the number of Catholics is still in the millions, ENOUGH to help propel a candidate to victory or kick him or her down the alley of defeat.

Pacquiao should realize that he is DESTROYING HIMSELF politically with CHEAP stunts like this, as well as his choice of yellow gloves in his recent fight with Shane Mosley.

Except for Malacanang, NOBODY agreed with his reason then that yellow was the symbol of the Philippines’ unity in the fight against poverty.

He may be the most popular celebrity now but Pacquiao, and his handlers, must not forget , or should I say be reminded, that fame is no longer the BE ALL and END ALL for victory in an election.

The late Rudy Fernandez was at the height of his popularity when he ran for Quezon City mayor and lost. Before Bong Revilla ran for senator, he first lost in his bid for reelection as Cavite governor.

If Pacquiao insists on obviously political and publicity stunts in the coming days, it would only mean one thing – ARROGANCE is starting to take over his system.

***

Eight of our friends on “Suspicious potholes in NFA audit report”:

CASIANO NAVARRO of Quezon City

From Jess Tanchanco to Lito Banayo, the anomalies in the NFA never stopped - not for a while. Let us disabuse our minds with the thought that the entry of Mr. Banayo is a signal that finally, the crooks have been check-mated. The incisors of its' past gators have been bequeathed from generation to generation. To single out the alleged anomalies in the watch of Anthony Abad, Arthur Yap, Gregorio Tan and Jessup Navarro (not my kin), would be most unkind, unfair and parochial. Whatever anomalies there were in those times, they were but a continuation of those prevailing historically. In fact, there were much more anomalies in the NFA during the Cory Administration, which is better remembered for the alleged "drowning" of some barges laden with rice. If Mr. Banayo allowed outsiders to perform the audit, there is certainly something wrong in his action and which can put him in a precarious situation. But, if Mr. Banayo is able to see the mote in some other peoples' eyes, I dare tell him to look at his own face before the mirror. Otherwise, let us do the looking for him.

EDUARDO VERZOLA

if you see and identify the problem, then think of a good solution and don't just stand and grandstand by blaming the past... mga sipsip sa daang matuwid!

SHEILA ESPERANZA CIELO TILAN of London, United Kingdom

Nothing new. The never-ending stories of anomalies. But will the new administration be sincere enough to uncover the deceit? It all remains to be seen.

AMADO GUILLERMO

Naligo pa kami ng misis ko sa ulan habang nakapila sa NFA. Then, namumulot pa kami ng resibo sa loob para mas marami kaming mabiling bigas. Hindi tayo kukulangin ng bigas kung may mahusay na suporta sa ma magsasaka. Mga bobong pulitiko, malapit na pong mapuno ang salop. Kakalusin na kayo ng mamamayan.

FERLYN MATAN

Ay naku, ang haba ng pila noon para lang makabuy ng NFA rice. Yun pala, nasa bodega ng mga tinamaan ng magaling. Tinago nila.

ROINILO ACABO of Davao City

Investigations made to convict an 'already prepared' scape goats.

EDNA MEYER

This is not suspicious. Iit´s obvious. They’re all eating from one ‘pot.’

DATU CAMAD ALI of Dumaguete City

Sometimes, NFA papers accommodate technical smuggling.

Two of our friends on “Generating jobs for college grads” :

SUSAN CARO of Damam, Saudi Arabia

Sana, mag-focus naman ang Presidente sa major problems ng bansa tulad ng poverty.Isa pa po ang mga OFW(Overseas Filipino workers). Tulungan po naman ninyo yung may mga problema. Kahit papano, malaki rin ang naitutulong ng mga OFW sa ating ekonomiya.

JOFFRE BALCE of Sydney, Australia

Yes, it does have a plan. It's called the RH Bill. 30

SUSPICIOUS ''POTHOLES' I N NFA AUDIT REPORT!

There are GAPING POTHOLES that tend to CAST DOUBTS on the impartiality and sincerity In the National Food Authority (NFA) audit which purportedly shows anomalies in rice importations during the Arroyo Administration.

First, since the NFA is a government agency, it is the Commission on Audit (COA) who should examine its records. But new reports did not identify the auditors -- Jesus Posadas, Oscar Torralba and Arthur Juan -- as COA guys.

It did not even say from where are the three auditors. If these guys are from the private sector, then why did NFA head Lito Banayo prefer them over government auditors? Is it legal for Banayo to do so? Is the audit legitimate under government rules?

Second, Banayo claimed fictitious firms were used in anomalous importation, including 10 from Pangasinan which he claimed were not even registered with the government.

Question: who or what agency certified that the firms are not registered and when was it issued? May we see a copy of the certification?

Third, the audit showed that the check numbers from the cooperatives in Pangasinan were in consecutive sequence.

Was any law violated? If yes, what? More importantly, has Banayo or any NFA official done anything about this, like questioning the bank (s) which issued the checks?

If they haven’t, they had better have a good explanation, considering the fact that Banayo has been in the NFA for almost a year. What’s interesting is the press release on the audit DID NOT NIDENTIFY the bank(s).

Fourth, the auditors claimed that the first-come, first-served basis rule for import permits was violated as some favored bidders received permits despite being absent or late in the queue.

But the auditors DID NOT NAME the absent or late bidders.

Fifth, the audit said fictitious parties were awarded quotas in 2010 in violation of NFA policy guidelines.

But the audit did not identify the supposed fictitious parties. It did not cite the basis for their being fictitious and did not give the details of the supposed violation, like dates and quantities of importations.

This is not in defense of anybody. I am just citing the GAPS in the supposed FACTS IN THE AUDIT. The NFA or anybody else is welcome to send in clarifications anytime. Just be sure it’s detailed and sticks only to the issue.

***

MAY SUSAN VANZUELA BEDURAL, chief, Parole and Probation Administration, Department of Justice, on “Supreme Court should look into Garcia plea bargain”:

Dapat lang. I still remember the Garcia couple smiling as if they had swallowed the milk and giving the Senate committee the run-around.

Fourteen of our friends om “Generating jobs for college grads”:

SERAFIN TABAN

My suggested solution is for both graduates and students to focus on entrepreneurship. Avoid the normal mindset of "seek employment after graduation." Be an employer and help create jobs instead of seeking one for yourself. Why don’t our business schools focus on courses related to entrepreneurship?

RONILO ACABO of Davao City

Not just for college grads but for undergrads also... I mean making it possible for college students to support themselves.

JOJO ESTRADA of Quezon City

If all graduates will turn entrepreneurs, competing with each other just like in a neighborhood, all we need are factories and offices that can accommodate at least 6.5 percent of graduates each year. The government should bring back courses that are vocational and technical in nature.

JOSEPH LIWANAG

Our problem in job-creation is our current education system is meant to service labor demand instead of focusing on entrepreneurial strategy and tactics. Small and medium business enterprises are the keys to prosperity.

CHIQUI APE

I have heard that the government has started evaluating and informing the public on what are the courses that the Philippines has a shortage of. The government should consistently inform Filipinos about these.

LIZA DE GUZMAN of Hong Kong

Our government is planning a lot. But unfortunately, they haven't done any of these plans.Otherwise, we will not go overseas to work, specially the newly-grads! To our government officials: Wake up!

ANNE DE BRETAGNE

"Does the government have a plan, or program, on how to generate jobs specifically for these kids in the next five years?" Good question. Well put.

INDAYROSE CASTEEL of Los Angeles, California, USA

Alll the college grads seek employment overseas because there is no job available in Philippines. Even the rich come to America as tourists and degrade themselves, working as caregivers to make money while on vacation kuno!

MEDARDO APARICIO of Mandaue City, Cebu

Something is wrong with our educational system. We are designed to become workers, not producers. An example is a graduate of agriculture lands as clerk of a bank. Why not design an educational system wherein our graduates become entrepreneurs?

RAC ROJO of Cabanatuan City, Nueva ERcija

If politicians only know how to serve others, they could think of job creation and not only publicity.

NONITO ALARIC TAN of San Jose, Antique

There are simply not enough jobs available. I think we still have enough assets to support military ship and aircraft maintenance and repair. Pinoys who used to work at Subic and Clark have all grown old or immigrated to the states. It's not too late, though. The key to military modernization is maintenance and repair, and THAT generates a lot of jobs.

CHARLES KELLY of the Bison Company in London, United Kingdom

Thousands of nurses graduate in the Philippines each year, most of whom cannot even get a work placement to finish the board exam (PRC) let alone get a job! They are CHARGED for work placement!

ENRIQUE REYES of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kung tutuusin, yuns mga under graduate at high school graduate ang mas higit na nangangailangan ng suporta, dahil gustuhin man nila magpatuloy hanggang college ay napipilitan huminto upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya.

DANNY CASCOLAN

The economic gains should trickle down to the poor. Sana, tugunan din ng matatag na trabaho ang mga high school graduate, Lahat dapat ay pagbigyan ng ikabubuhay. Hindi naman aangat ang Pilipinas sa puro college graduates lang. 30

GENERATING JOBS FOR COLLEGE GRADS!

Our blogmate, JAY RON DE CASTRO, suggested this topic.

Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of college graduates are added to the labor force every year. Question: Does the government have a plan, or program, on how to generate jobs specifically for these kids in the next five years?

I’m not saying that the older or less-schooled job-hunters should be disregarded. Everybody deserves a fair shake.

I just am being particular with them for two reasons, in one:

As our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal says, the kids are the country’s hope for the future. So the earlier they’re trained professionally, the more efficient they will be when it’s their turn to run the country.

So, is the Aquino Administration DOING ANYTHING, or HAS IT STARTED DOING SOMETHING for these kids?

This problem is not as simple as it appears to be.

First, you’ve got to have connections in or access to data on the manpower needs of as many companies as possible, as in. And not just local but foreign especially, considering their number.

Second, the Aquino Government has to attract as many investors as possible, again both foreign and local. To do this, it must have, among others, a feasible economic development plan, social and political stability and high credit ratings.

Let me emphasize, political stability, NOT POLITICKING.

Third, the Aquino Government MUST INVEST on the people. It must spend more on job-generating ventures like infrastructure projects and skills trainings, instead of birth control stuff which are good enough only for one use and benefits foreign makers only.

Infrastructure projects will require professionals. Skills trainings can produce professionals.

Fourth, a centralized data bank for fresh college graduates will be very helpful in matching one’s degree and academic records with job openings both here and abroad as fast as possible.

There are other possible solutions. But again, the question is: Has the Aquino Government done any of these?

***

Thirteen of our friends on “Time to ask what Aquino Gov’t has done for us”:

MIGUEL LOPEZ II

"It looks like PNOY is getting bogged down with the anti-corruption cases and charges against the Arroyo family and her ilks. Napapabayaan ang mga tunay na programa na dapat niyang harapin which is poverty, homelessness, genuine land reform and just, decent wages for workers…not forgetting the never-ending increases in transport, food and toll.

JAY RON DE CASTRO

We want our nation to become a first-class country but if the Pnoy government will only focus on the filing of cases versus the group of Arroyo, I think, our country will not prosper, but suffer. We should pay attention to our poor countrymen.

DATU CAMAD ALI of Dumaguete City

Thank you, Boyet. You have a nice question about the President

EDUARDO VERZOLA

They have shamed popular people and destroyed the lives of those they find enemies of their soul.

MELANIE DOMINGO TILLES of Jeddah, SaudiArabia

How about being richer in a short period of time?

ARMANDO CONTI of San Francisco, California, USA

Appointing classmates, friends of classmates and friends won’t help.

ROGELIO GLORIA ROBERTO of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Wala, puro pagasa lang!

JOHN BRUCE

Never heard anything but pure blah! blah! Blah!

RONALD CARPIO of Makati City

Pnoy may have done nothing yet, but he's now doing something to turn this country into oblivion or civil war, with his too arrogant statement against pro-life groups! Who's afraid of his armies?

SHEILA ESPERANZA CIELO TILAN of London, United Kingdom

Sorry to say that he has not accomplished anything.

REBECCA KOOMANS of Queensland, Australia

Just having rich, mindless idiots in power is mentally exhausting!

JUAN DELA CRUZ

Can you imagine… five more years. It's mentally draining just thinking about it.

JOSHUA DAVID

Alam ninyo ang puno’t dulo ng problema sa Pilipinas ay ang mabagal at mahabang paglilitis sa mga kaso. Sobrang bagal ang justice system.

Seven of our friends on “Pnoy should explain increase in his wealth”:

JEAN MANCAO SMITH of Carson City, Nevada, USA

Thanks for this info. Wow! Can Aquino not see the financial needs of the Filipinos? Or is adding close to P 40 million his way of fighting corruption (does he even know the true meaning of corruption)?

MANNIX FORTZ of Seattle, Washington, USA

The probability of campaign contributions is strong. The next questions should be: Who are his contributors? Are they locals or foreigners? I hope it has nothing to do with why he is he making so much effort in passing the RH Bill, because I believe its foreign backers have millions of dollars to see to it that it is approved by Congress.

INDAYROSE CASTEEL of Los Angeles, California, USA

I think they are already very wealthy before he became President.

CAMON EILLOR

Detailed explanation is a must.

NORALYN OBIEN JARA of Hong Kong

Dapat lang!

MANUEL TOLENTINO JR. of Manila

Perhaps, it would be more appealing for a President to explain an increase in his wealth when it is a BILLION rather than just the 39.56M. This, i guess, can happen to any ordinary gov’t employee or ordinary citizen.

YASIMIRA MATU

Why? Of course, maraming pera mana sa magulang. 30