Sunday, March 29, 2015
Breastfeeding... Is What Women Are All Made Up For
Sunday, March 22, 2015
A Sunday Afternoon With the Philippine Ambassador
I'm more than proud to say that we have an Ambassador to Papua New Guinea whose hardwork, humbleness, and goal-orientedness are of significant addition to expediate development to this resource-rich nation. His Excellency, Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano once again, to my disbelief second time, asked me to came over to check the sophisticated rice dryer and packing equipment from China at PAU rice mill to be used for the hybrid rice. Hybrid organic rice is a milestone here in Papua New Guinea as it is a first. My whole Santiago pack did not either miss this opportunity =). #TheWorkingAmbassadorPNG
Friday, March 20, 2015
Why Education is Important
RURAL CLASSROOMS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
http://record.net.au/site_data/88/assets/0041/0770/PAU-assists-in-PNG-education-recalibration_banner.jpg
I’m at one with my fellow EDUCATION advocates, as they recapitulate the weighty significance of education. It is indeed our greatest agent for development.
Much has been said and laid on the possible solutions in acquiring literacy. However, we shall not forget that educating its citizens is a primary obligation of the Government. And it is not only for moral considerations. An educated population outweighs all the natural resources of the country put together. One needs only look at city states like Singapore and Hong Kong to know what education can do. Yes, there are international organizations who have been there in our lifetime trying to cushion the problem, but then again, health and education must not be left to donor countries. It is the primary obligation of any self-respecting nation to fund these basic obligations.
Yet many developing countries such as the Philippines and Papua New Guinea may struggle for resources. Again, the government “must” fund education, and they should do it absolutely “free”!
One of my outrageously feasible idea in pushing through an “absolute free education” is by increasing the value added tax by 5% to 15%. Many first world countries, collect as much as 40% taxes in order to provide free services for its citizens. The extra 5% would be for the sole purpose of funding decent free education.
If the nation collects P2 billion in VAT annually today, then you are looking for an extra P100 million each year from the 5% tax increase.
To know, before you dig into the plate of rice in front of you that the rice packet might have cost an extra 50 cents, but that is 50 cents for the education of the children would be most satisfying indeed.
Thus, It is money worth spending.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
SORCERY
It didn't occur to me that sorcery-related violence is part of the broader context of Gender Inequality and Violence Against Women here in Papua New Guinea (PNG). People in this country still believe in witchcrafts and black magic. My husband usually tell me stories of this kind; one of their good local guys, a Papua New Guinean, is no longer frequenting work believed to be inflicted by evil spirits as what the other locals claim. Whenever my husband tells me stories as such, my judgment would always be, "Baka tinatamad ng pumasok."
But after I've seen this documentary by Vlad Sokhin, a Russian filmmaker and photographer, I felt disturbed, deeply saddened, and extremely enraged; that full-scale foolishness allied to this feature, can possibly cripple the important species of women forever. I rekindled the question raised by Glyzelle Palomar, the 12-year-old girl in UST Pope's Mass for the Youth, during Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines, who offered question which left the Pontiff speechless. She said, "Bakit po pumapayag ang Diyos na may ganitong nangyayari?" The exact same question lingered in my heart as I glimpsed this video. Question that I don't think, as Pope, will ever present an answer.
I hope you will spare a moment to see this moving video... click this link SORCERY in PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PRESENT:
The situation in Papua New Guinea is slowly changing. Women are raising their voice and can’t be ignored anymore by the local authorities.
In 2013 the PNG Parliament repealed the country’s controversial Sorcery Act that provided protection for the perpetrators accused of sorcery-related violence if they were acting to stop ‘witchcraft’.
The country’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, publicly apologized to all the women of PNG for the high rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country. On September 18, 2013, Papua New Guinea passed the Family Protection Bill that, for the first time in PNG history, criminalizes domestic violence.
At the same time the PNG government reinstated the death penalty, which will apply to a long list of crimes including sorcery-related murder and rape. International organizations like Amnesty International and local human rights defenders believe that it is a step backward.
It is still too early to say whether the new laws will actually protect women or not. In a country where tribal rules and customs still hold sway in many remote communities, it will likely take years to stop injustice. But now, people are aware because local papers and social media are filled almost every day with horrific news about violence against women and girls. Thank you to our DevCom specialists or those who work for media, in doing their roles as catalysts of change in a nation.
CITATION:
Crying Meri: Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea is a long-term documentary project by Vlad Sokhin. Vlad started documenting gender-based and sorcery-related violence in PNG in January 2012. In the following three years he worked on his own and in collaboration with several print/online media companies, the United Nations and international NGOs.
But after I've seen this documentary by Vlad Sokhin, a Russian filmmaker and photographer, I felt disturbed, deeply saddened, and extremely enraged; that full-scale foolishness allied to this feature, can possibly cripple the important species of women forever. I rekindled the question raised by Glyzelle Palomar, the 12-year-old girl in UST Pope's Mass for the Youth, during Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines, who offered question which left the Pontiff speechless. She said, "Bakit po pumapayag ang Diyos na may ganitong nangyayari?" The exact same question lingered in my heart as I glimpsed this video. Question that I don't think, as Pope, will ever present an answer.
I hope you will spare a moment to see this moving video... click this link SORCERY in PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PRESENT:
The situation in Papua New Guinea is slowly changing. Women are raising their voice and can’t be ignored anymore by the local authorities.
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/Podcasts/640x360/2013/20130605_Sorcery_640x360.jpg
In 2013 the PNG Parliament repealed the country’s controversial Sorcery Act that provided protection for the perpetrators accused of sorcery-related violence if they were acting to stop ‘witchcraft’.
The country’s Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, publicly apologized to all the women of PNG for the high rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country. On September 18, 2013, Papua New Guinea passed the Family Protection Bill that, for the first time in PNG history, criminalizes domestic violence.
At the same time the PNG government reinstated the death penalty, which will apply to a long list of crimes including sorcery-related murder and rape. International organizations like Amnesty International and local human rights defenders believe that it is a step backward.
It is still too early to say whether the new laws will actually protect women or not. In a country where tribal rules and customs still hold sway in many remote communities, it will likely take years to stop injustice. But now, people are aware because local papers and social media are filled almost every day with horrific news about violence against women and girls. Thank you to our DevCom specialists or those who work for media, in doing their roles as catalysts of change in a nation.
CITATION:
Crying Meri: Violence Against Women in Papua New Guinea is a long-term documentary project by Vlad Sokhin. Vlad started documenting gender-based and sorcery-related violence in PNG in January 2012. In the following three years he worked on his own and in collaboration with several print/online media companies, the United Nations and international NGOs.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
4P's Can This Really Help?
http://depedtarlaccity.com/image/4p's_icon.jpg
--primarily, fund allocation that is directly given to the beneficiaries in "cash", is constant and on a regular basis which is a FIRST in the history of Philippine social welfare, and
--secondly, the uncertaintly of the government on whether the allocated funds or cash that are directly down-handed to the stakeholders and the indigents are really spent on what they are intended for.
Clearly, that is why this program is termed "PANTAWID", for this can only aid (presumably) the beneficiaries, "temporarily" in addressing their everyday survival needs. The change and the passion for development must and should still stem from oneself. Therefore, investment in unfolding of individual potentials, or Human Development, as how UPLB Professor Emeritus Nora Quebral defined development, would still be our primary weapon in warring poverty. Hence, a DevCom mindset.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Bride Price In PAPUA NEW GUINEA Equates to Violence Against Women
Here is another interesting root from culture of PNG why violence against women here is prevalent.
They call this tradition “ BRIDE PRICE”...
BRIDE PRICE CEREMONY
http://pngbd.com/photos/data/500/medium/7160100_0407.JPG
A Bride Price is a ceremony meaning the joining of a man and women, whereby the man's family would pay a price and present this gift to family of the Bride. In traditional times would mean food and livestock, but in more modern times means money, food even a house, depending on the wealth of man family and the worth of the female.
There is nothing fallacious in this tradition neither in its act nor in its context for that matter. After all, we also have a “dowry” system that is still a practicing culture amongst Bogobos and other Muslim tribes in the Philippines.
However, police said that “Bride price” is the major contributing factor today that’s why married men feel they can do anything to their wives here in Papua New Guinea. Many men regarded their wives as materials they bought from a shop and not as their partners. Police officials had received many reports about violence against women but when they arrested the husbands, they defended themselves by saying they had paid bride price. Further, they were often told the fault was with wives and the husbands reasoning is, “they decided to teach them a lesson”. As a result most husbands walked away free.
In my opinion, we shall affect the equality in gender on our own terms, when and where it matters. We shall take it up a notch and show our empowered selves as women, when and where it matters. Our gender shall never define our beliefs and capableness. You can only be weakened, if you allow others to weaken you. Thus, your values and your whole well-being shall characterize you as a person, but never the gender.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
The Face Lift of Baguio called URBANIZATION
CITY OF PINES - BAGUIO
https://romanleoreyman.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/b10.jpg
We were chanced to visit Baguio City early last year as we observed my husband’s birthday on a place that we perceived, envisioned, and longed to be outside the hustle and bustle of urbanity. We are from Marilao Bulacan by the way, 20-minutes north of Manila via NLEX :). It was 2002 when we last visited the place prior to last years’. Never did we realize when we succeeded the uphill, at the city centre, that we never really evaded the noise and overcrowding of Manila, for Baguio is likewise :), with cooler temperature of course!
What caught me by surprise on our way up as we self-drove and was widely awake; it was hard not to overlook the dead rivers that we passed through. Not only is a few, if my memory serves me right, yet there are several dead rivers along, and to what I noticed, mining is the culprit. It was equally daunting to see how houses and buildings had occupied almost the entirety of the mountains in the city central. If only with the coldness, one will hardly recognizes that you are in fact on a tableland, because everything is covered with vertical houses, less trees, and volumes of vehicles hitting the road. Tangible beacons of urbanization, indeed. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay to the lovely city of Baguio, and promise to bring the entirety of my clan next time. Armed of course, with a factual expectations of the place =).
Let me share with you a story, when I’ve met an Australian, who’s a husband to my Papua New Guinean friend. He said, he used to work in Baguio for a couple of years and he loved it there. He never mentioned about the quarrying and urbanisation in Baguio, therefore, I assumed he came and lived during those beautiful setting of Baguio several decades ago. He said, he plans to go back anytime soon to Baguio. I am hopeful that his adulation for Baguio will not be overshadowed by the eye sore of mining and quarrying going up there, which is once he decided to come back.
In closing, I’m a strong believer that COMMITMENT and PARTNERSHIP are the keys to conservation and sustainable development. I commend BSU for emulating virtues in Environmental Sustainability. BSU as one of the steering wheels, in partnership with LGUs and Government Agencies in helping communities and leading the conservation acts to save that one air that we breathe, one ground that we walk, and one earth that we live. With appropriate planning, perhaps, URBANIZATION with CONSERVATION can get along well.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Fashion Industry Joining the Battle Against AIDS!
http://celebmafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/heidi-klum-2015-amfar-new-york-gala_2.jpg
It is a joy to learn, that not only developmental agencies such as the Globalfund, WHO, and the likes, are pooling for funds to combat AIDS. Fashion industry has been joining the bandwagon for quite some time now. In a recently concluded amfAR New York Gala last Feb 11, it honoured individuals who have made outstanding contributions to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The amfAR New York Gala has been one of New York City’s most successful and high-profile AIDS benefits since 1998 and consistently attracts and salutes some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, art, and AIDS advocacy. To date, the amfAR New York Gala has raised more than $15 million for amfAR’s life-saving research (averagesocialite.com).
On the other hand, it is keen to reckon that people with HIV who are not receiving antiretroviral treatment, can become ill with active TB disease within weeks to months, rather than the normal years to decades. Hence, a co-infection. The late Nelson Mandela, once president of South Africa where infection of HIV/AIDS is massive, corroborated this when he said:
“We cannot win the battle against AIDS if we do not also fight TB. TB is too often a death sentence for people with AIDS." (tbfacts.org)
We also have to be reminded that HIV/AIDS and MALARIA along with TB are all, not only “preventable”, yet if plagued, are likewise “curable”. Hence, there is this one million dollar question that constantly disturbed me; that if these diseases are veritably “preventable” and “curable”, why it is in greatest irony that the numbers of victims continue to escalate? Moreover, why these afflictions predominantly happen in developing nations? Pursuant to the reported figures of sufferer, do you think it is high time for the Philippines, to embrace the “Condom Culture”?
My Family's Little Discussion About HIV/AIDS
http://www.citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HIV-and-AIDS.jpg
I have two kids, both boys ages 7 and 11. As news of escalating HIV/AIDS cases are prevalent on TV here in Papua New Guinea and in TFC, my boys started questing me how these people adopted suchlike diseases. I told them (pardon me with these wordings), “You are not permitted nor any other person to touch your genitals, otherwise, you will contract the virus.” I know it sounded silly if not irrelevant. Possibly some will discord, nevertheless I value it is age appropriate. What I’m driving at is, my kids shall have to know their body foremost and learn the importance of their bodies. To constantly ascertain them that what they have “down there” is not like any other parts of their bodies such as face which you can show-off, but rather as it is hidden it means it is sacred and must be taken care of. And then later on in school as part of their Science class, they will realize what our reproductive organs are capable of producing, which is another form of life. By which perhaps subsequently in their lives as their rationality have fully-pledged, they will come to a discernment that our body is consecrate and “sex” is not a past time. As I’ve said earlier, “character and values education” are our principal artillery to combat these diseases. I never said that I'm already there, but I'm crossing my finger. What a delicate task for parents, isn’t it? =).
Further, I consort in teaching sicknesses as HIV and AIDS in schools as early as possible. Children must learn how viruses of such cripple our body, weaken our organs, deteriorate our system, shorten our lives, plus the halting of our dreams and future because of social stigma. And these diseases were contracted because of unprotected and premarital sex, and promiscuity. Perhaps, it will be equally effective as yearly’s New Year campaign of “Huwag Magpaputok”.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
HIV/AIDS, MALARIA, and TUBERCULOSIS, Diseases of Poverty?
http://www.fs-researchcenter.com/admin/Pub_Events/140821_FSRC_Infographic-Three_killer_diseases-TB_HIV_Malaria.png
Here in Papua New Guinea, more cases of tuberculosis are being treated than before and case detection of the disease has risen to 89 per cent in 2013 from 61 per cent in 2010. Global Fund have signed K130 million kina (P2 billion pesos) to support TB and malaria programs in PNG. It is aimed to bring the treatments to hard to reach places in Papua New Guinea.
Malaria is much harder to control in remote parts of the world, but Papua New Guinea has had dramatic success in battling the disease. Five years ago one in every five people across the country had malaria parasites in their blood - that number is now down to two people in every 100. One of the reasons of the success is that Villagers from the Highlands in Papua New Guinea are now been trained to detect and treat the disease in the community. More so, in a recent unfolding of news, a small feeder container vessel consisted of 32 containers of mosquito nets owned by international charitable organization the Rotary Club through their subsidiary Rotarians Against Malaria, a not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) have given away Long Lasting Insecticidal Mosquito Nets (LLIN’s) which are delivered free of charge to every household in Papua New Guinea.
I recount when my husband first arrived here back 2009, Malaria was pestilent at those times. We were hesitant for him to accept the job as one of his former colleagues contracted the disease while in an assigned work in Papua New Guinea. He claimed he almost “died” because of malaria here. In God’s grace and power of prayer, until now after nearly six years in Papua New Guinea, he nor any of us didn’t expose to malaria sickness. (By the way, one week prior to his arrival in Papua New Guinea, while in the Philippines he was taking LARIAM, an oral medication for malaria prevention). At present, malaria contagion in Papua New Guinea is hardly seen over the news.
To sum, ACCESS is the real solution in diseases of poverty. Hence, cure and assistance must be brought to the masses.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Reminiscing My Ondoy Experience
According to the study, the Philippines placed third with a little over 1 billion pounds of plastic dumped in the ocean in 2010. China topped the study, dumping nearly 5 billion pounds of plastic in the ocean.
This was on the news last week.
https://ladywithabirthmark.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/ondoy.jpg?w=572&h=413
September 2009 was one catastrophic date in our lives. We were one of those affected by Typhoon Ondoy. I vividly recall as it happened on a Saturday at around 2pm. Me and my kids were about to take a nap. Rain had been incessant for days. We were complacent as flood never occurred in our place came strongest typhoons. But that Saturday, it was hardly surprising when water was rising up swiftly. We’ve got no second floor, my grandmother who was alive then was already “ulyanin” and incapable to walk, I’ve got two small boys who were 2 and 6 years old, and my husband was abroad, only my mother and a nanny were with me, we were all female in the house.
I didn’t know where I seized my strength and unagitation that time, as we lift appliances including the refrigerator and all other stuff to higher portions of the house. However, I decided that it was time for us to evacuate as water was fast ascending, I didn’t want us to be trapped inside our house. A good Samaritan helped us and off he carried by arms my grandmother (she passed away a year after by the way, I miss you Lola. He was 96 years old). When I carried my elder son, and my yaya carried my younger son, my boys were already crying in fear. I was also scared but I remained calm, thinking the safety of my family. We weren’t able to bring anything but my bag with valuables and money inside. As we went outside, water was more elevated, and we saw our car already submerged in flood. Neighbours were similarly evacuating. The current was likewise strong, that we had to grip a rope laid by barangay officials in traversing to a safe higher ground. We stayed on our cousin’s place several blocks from us, whose house is more elevated than ours.
That night, on my own, I was walking in the rain barefooted, in the flood with no more current, going back and forth to our house and was checking the locks, securing important documents, and packed clean clothes for us. Water came reached nearly three quarter high of our house, but when I came back that night it was down to chest level. I never slept that night. I was still in denial, that we just went through that kind of adversity usually seen only in movies. That was when I really felt my energy was consumed.
We were thankful that God is so good there were no casualties reported from our neighbourhood. It was blackout the whole night, cellphone signals were down. The next day when power was back; never did we realize as we viewed the news that hundreds of people were actually killed by Ondoy in different parts of NCR. I went down to my knees, and wept in silence hailing the Lord from keeping my family away from harm.
Since then, my outlook in life had changed. First, material things are temporary, our life is momentary. Everything can be taken away from us in one snap. Better do good “now”, before it is too late. Second, in relation to MDG7, CLIMATE CHANGE is really happening. Ondoy is now the “new norm” in our climate and environment. Places that were never been flooded before are now experiencing flood.
Worst, Ondoy and similar floodings all over the Philippines are caused by what is termed “plastic pollution”. According to members and allies of EcoWaste Coalition, plastic bags account for most of the litter that clog waterways in the metropolis, making it difficult for floodwaters to recede after a heavy downpour.
I was trying to only maintain in my heart pleasant memories, and unpleasant ones take the back seat. Yet for the benefit of this online journal, with deep breath, I reminisced.
I hope “ONDOY” serves as a lesson for all of us to REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Is the Philippines Ready for the ASEAN INTEGRATION?
The Philippines is gearing up for the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) come end of 2015. A discussion that is very concomitant for the past years.
What is ASEAN INTEGRATION?
According to Ian Jester M. de Vera (entrepreneurship.org.ph), the blueprint for realizing an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 was adopted and signed by ASEAN Leaders in November 2007 in Singapore during their annual Summit Meeting. One of the main objectives of an AEC is to create a single market and production base by ensuring a free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor.
The Philippines is one of the signatories in the AEC Blueprint, which means the country, along with other ASEAN Member States (AMS), should be open to zero import duties for ASEAN products and services by 2015. AMS nationals, meanwhile, should be able to work anywhere in the region without a work permit.
The Integration is expected to boost investments, job creation, and incomes in the region. While the ASEAN Integration is expected to level the playing field among industries in the region, it is also expected that Philippine firms should brace for an intense competition with their ASEAN counterparts. An intense competition will therefore raise the bar for innovation, quality and productivity, which will enable businesses to compete head on with other players.
There are several good economic factors that indicate that the Philippines and our people especially the health workers will benefit from this integration, however, others inclined that there are several stumbling blocks to the alliance.
This union of states has been the “most talked about” subject in the business world since early last year. I’ve seen and hear it everywhere be it on business news or business section of the print media. Benguet State University likewise joined the loop as the theme for its 98th Foundation Day last year was…
"BSU @98: Gearing up for the challenges and opportunities of ASEAN 2015,”
As such, Mindanao Daily News reported, that the Benguet State University (BSU) is continuously improving its institutional status ranking being the 23rd among higher educational institutions in the country and in the top ten in terms of agriculture-related programs in preparation for the ASEAN Integration.
What is ASEAN INTEGRATION for me?
ASEAN INTEGRATION is one huge leap for the Philippine economy. Imagine our workforce especially the newly graduates who will be increasing by half a million come March, they will be given a chance to work in ASEAN countries given that they meet the qualifications. As a mother, I was tickled pink by this good news, and hopeful with my sons future that the professional horizon is now wider to accommodate those who work hard with their crafts.
Constructive impingements will be no working visas required within ASEAN countries; Filipinos can invest in other ASEAN countries especially on their stock markets; and duty free taxes, amongst others.
I think we are more than ready. There is no stopping now. Philippines is rising Global. Go Philippines!
What is ASEAN INTEGRATION?
According to Ian Jester M. de Vera (entrepreneurship.org.ph), the blueprint for realizing an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 was adopted and signed by ASEAN Leaders in November 2007 in Singapore during their annual Summit Meeting. One of the main objectives of an AEC is to create a single market and production base by ensuring a free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor.
The Philippines is one of the signatories in the AEC Blueprint, which means the country, along with other ASEAN Member States (AMS), should be open to zero import duties for ASEAN products and services by 2015. AMS nationals, meanwhile, should be able to work anywhere in the region without a work permit.
The Integration is expected to boost investments, job creation, and incomes in the region. While the ASEAN Integration is expected to level the playing field among industries in the region, it is also expected that Philippine firms should brace for an intense competition with their ASEAN counterparts. An intense competition will therefore raise the bar for innovation, quality and productivity, which will enable businesses to compete head on with other players.
![]() |
http://wpadmin.bloggedinasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/15228630071_ff74a8ee1b_b-2.jpg |
This union of states has been the “most talked about” subject in the business world since early last year. I’ve seen and hear it everywhere be it on business news or business section of the print media. Benguet State University likewise joined the loop as the theme for its 98th Foundation Day last year was…
"BSU @98: Gearing up for the challenges and opportunities of ASEAN 2015,”
As such, Mindanao Daily News reported, that the Benguet State University (BSU) is continuously improving its institutional status ranking being the 23rd among higher educational institutions in the country and in the top ten in terms of agriculture-related programs in preparation for the ASEAN Integration.
What is ASEAN INTEGRATION for me?
ASEAN INTEGRATION is one huge leap for the Philippine economy. Imagine our workforce especially the newly graduates who will be increasing by half a million come March, they will be given a chance to work in ASEAN countries given that they meet the qualifications. As a mother, I was tickled pink by this good news, and hopeful with my sons future that the professional horizon is now wider to accommodate those who work hard with their crafts.
Constructive impingements will be no working visas required within ASEAN countries; Filipinos can invest in other ASEAN countries especially on their stock markets; and duty free taxes, amongst others.
I think we are more than ready. There is no stopping now. Philippines is rising Global. Go Philippines!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Where is Papua New Guinea in Information Communication and Technology?
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http://cdn.ict4d.co/img/ict.png |
Here in Papua New Guinea in terms of ICT expansion, there is still a long way to go. Papua New Guinea's landmass is parallel to California's. Their population is at only 7.3 million. However, it was reported that only 50% of the population has sim cards. Mobile communications availability is expected to cover 100% of population as communication companies expands its communication towers across the countryside, hence great challenges are present in expanding and maintaining communication infrastructures.
Let me share few instances in relation to the above, when my husband's team was rolling out a telecom project expansion in the remotest of the remote areas here in Papua New Guinea by putting up microwave discs and cell site towers, I can never forget the strain he suffered in managing this specific project. His team on site composed of Fijians (people from Fiji) are being harassed several times by village people where they were putting up the cell sites. At some point utilities and machines are being stolen from the sites. There was one instance that village people put a road block going to the towers so as the working team could never enter the premise. Another was when a property owner was asking for a storage fee when the working team left few of their items on site and they had to pay money like a ransom so they can get their stuff back. Worse of which was when they were held captive by the village people and were not allowed to leave the place for days until a compensation was given to them for using the space or the land. Clearly, they evade to realize the essentials of putting these towers in their community so as to innovation, and consequently progress and development will pass on to them.
Further, price of broadband internet usage here is ridiculously high which is another restraining component in achieving success in ICT expansion, coupled with the fact that majority of people here are poor. For 1.5gigabytes of download use(yes, there is no such thing as unlimited internet here), I will have to pay P1200 pesos. For locals, this is already a vast amount of money to survive them two or three days of daily meals. However, the silver lining in this unpopulated and unsaturated internet traffic, is its significant speed using LTE technology in mobile. Relatively faster download and upload in comparison to Marilao Bulacan using Smart's unlimited broadband.
Truly, innovation is transformation. Hence, ICT development must be pressed by the government beyond the limitations.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
French President Paid A Visit To The Philippines
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https://butilngkaalaman.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/hollande-in-ph.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1 |
I can relate this visit to United Nation's Millennium Development Goal 8 (MDG8) - A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT . I was moved when Hollande regarded his visit to the Philippines as a "show of unity that could serve as a model in the lead-up to Paris for rich and poor nations". He further emphasized in one of the news articles, "that a Paris accord could not succeed unless rich nations generously and adequately helped developing nations cope with climate change and build clean energy infrastructure." In addition, President Aquino stated that "We, as a developing country, welcome that countries like France have emerged as global partners." I highlighted the fact that this event truly, lives up to MDG8 objectives.
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Hollande in Yolanda struck Samar http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/hollande5.jpg |
Moreover, apropos to the MDG8 targets where developed countries providing financial aids to developing nations, "In Guiuan Samar, Hollande announced 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) in aid for the French non-government organisation ACTED to help local storm-vulnerable communities in the Philippines. This followed a pledge from Hollande on Thursday of 50 million euros ($56 million) in loans to help prevent future weather-related disasters in the Philippines.
Thank you Mr. Hollande, it was a worth while visit Filipinos will never forget.
NEWS SOURCE:
Monday, March 2, 2015
Women's Month
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