EDITORIAL HIERARCHY OF PRIORITIZATION

HIERARCHY of PRIORITIZATION

“Mister President, naumpisahan na natin. Sana ipagpatuloy na natin ang pagpapasa sa SOGIE equality bill,” cried out Gretchen Diez, a member of the LGBTQ+ community who caught the attention of the Filipino netizens after a janitress stopped her from entering into the female’s comfort room.

On the 13th of August, Diez rushed to the toilets of a mall in Cubao only to pee yet she was blocked by the janitress and detained her inside the mall. There were women who asked the janitress to do such act from the fear of harassment. She called out for help from her friends to phone the cops and was brought to the Quezon City. Instead of hearing out her stand, they arrested her. Due to the media’s impact with regards to sexuality, she was released and made her move to call out for President Rodrigo Duterte to quickly implement the proposed SOGIE bill.

The Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Bill was written on February 17, 2017 and submitted by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality. It highlights on prohibiting the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community (Refer to House Bill No. 4982).

After a thorough reading on the topic, is it still necessary to give this our utmost attention? This is not to break those involved in this ongoing issue yet the Philippines has already made several anti-discriminatory laws that have considered not only a certain group but the country as a whole to be involved in such practices. As for those Filipinos in the LGBTQ+ community who fear any form of discrimination, ordinances in different cities ensure that this would be properly observed and practiced. If someone with acne is being discriminated, do we really have to make a law on the “Anti-Acne Discrimination Act” that would imprison those who would try to make such a big deal out of it? Safeguarding the rights of every Filipino, no matter who you are, have been given importance to ensure avoiding discriminating to the society such as the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the even the Magna Carta for Women.

Anyone who is dealing with this heavy topic must look on the other side that needs to be looked upon directly. Just because you have a broken arm doesn’t mean that you will not be given importance as to one losing gallons of blood by the minute. The Philippines needs to focus on the main priorities that would be implemented and well-funded such as the issue of the Filipino farmers. Without them, there would be no food on our plates. We often think of small things as unimportant when they actually create a larger impact that would jeopardize the society as a whole. What is being presented to us through the media influences us, thus, we think that the government always talks nonsense but they have made programs that emphasizes the needs especially those of the poor.

This generation may be the start of welcoming the LGBTQ+ but that does not mean that the spotlight is on them. This SOGIE bill, if implemented, might also be a cause for the members of this community to abuse their powers. Overuse of the benefits given would also lead to harm.

Currently, we are fighting the battle against poverty and climate change. If these are solved, then we may move on to other issues that needs attention. But how will we be able to solve these if we Filipinos would not even bother to follow the simplest rules. This is discipline at its work. No matter how many times we would try to adjust to the needs of the citizens, it would be no use when all we do is rant without any action. Being able to use out your voice for the public is empowerment, such as what Diez did to defend her rights. But we need to look on the wider screen that our country needs help to improve. The simple values that were taught to us as children need to remain as adults even though we have enhanced ourselves to be logical and critical thinkers. Empowerment is useless when we only say it but not mean it.

It was wrong of those people involved to look down on Diez for her sexuality, this is the problem that we need to change not through a law but start within ourselves. We are all human and we often make mistakes yet it is in one’s self that requires a better change. The little acts of kindness that we make will create a difference not only for the LGBTQ+s but also for everyone’s own good as well.

BY KHER TYSON BASTINGA

Alot has happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase 3; a lot of superheroes sacrificed their lives for the sake of humanity’s survival. The fans shed tears as our favorites withered through Thanos’ overwhelming power. This was probably the most sought-after movie of all time. There were too many legendary battles, crazy story plots, time travels, deaths and even revivals to be compressed within just three hours. It was a bittersweet yet satisfying kind of ending. Most of the fans assume that this would be the end of the stories for our favorite superheroes we grew up and lived with. But just like other things, this was an opening for a new world of MCU.

In the history starting from Stan Lee’s imagination, to creation, to its first movie release in 2008 (Iron Man), MCU has already released a total of 23 films in which all fans live for.

Let us have a little review of what happened in the acclaimed last Avengers movie. About five years ago, Thanos snapped his finger and half of life in the universe vanished with no trace. The remaining Avengers were left with no choice but to live with their ghosts and lost hope for their revival until one rat accidentally stumbled the machine of Antman making him able to go back to modern time from the realms where time was not affected by Thanos. His arrival sparked hope and gave them a chance to revive the other fallen Avengers and fight Thanos. Contrary to emotional knowledge, the “Avengers: Endgame” was not the last movie of MCU Phase 3. Cue drumroll please. In fact, “Spiderman: Far From Home” marked the official end of the MCU Phase 3 and expectedly set important plot points for the MCU Phase 4.

For the latest Spiderman series (SPOILER ALERT!), Tony Stark died from the previous movie and Peter Parker was left alone. He was also one of the victims of the five-year transitional period. After Endgame, Peter Parker continues to live his life as a student and was left with a massive responsibility passed to him from Tony Stark. Also, this movie introduced new faces like Mysterio and the Elementals which we might see in the MCU Phase 4 again.

So, what’s next Marvel? Well, there are flooding fan theories all over social media which may be confusing but we will try our best to get the realest. Months ago, there were rumors that the “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” would be the first movie to be released in the MCU Phase 4 and was considered to be the top priority but got cancelled because a director allegedly got fired from his Tweets. The MCU officially confirmed some movies that could kickstart the 4th phase. These include the Black Panther sequel, wherein itsr predecessor reached a billion dollars and was even nominated as Best Picture in the Academy Awards, yet still managed to bag home three awards, Best Original Music Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design. The fate of Black Widow was already shown in the last Avengers movie but the MCU definitely have ears for their fans, yet a prequel is ought to be released of how Agent Natasha Romanoff became the Black Widow. The MCU officially announced that Captain Marvel will take over as a lead character in the MCU Phase 4 movies. There has also been talk that “The Eternals” in which the ever-gorgeous Angelina Jolie will take the role as a major character. Another exciting news is that they announced the development of the movie “Shang-Chi” which reveals the first main superhero of Asian descent. Dr. Strange, together with Scarlet Witch, will also have another film for the eyes of the fans. “Thor 4” might get a crossover with the Guardians of the Galaxy as well. Disney acquired 21st Century Fox Entertainment with $71million which means that other limited series will be released by Disney and open for more films and TV series. Scarlet Witch and Vision series as well as Hawk Eye were the first few announced. A lot of people asked why the MCU only focuses on the Avengers? X-Men and Fantastic Four are part of the universe as well but we must wait for quite some time when these will be ready for a crossover.

In a world of anxiety and fear, Marvel is giving us inspiration on how to get up and fight, reminding us that no matter how big a problem would be, we must sacrifice to win for the greater good.

RICE TARRIFICATION BILL

BY NOEL SAYSON

Malapit nang maisabatas ang Rice Tarrification Bill, na nakabinbin sa Kongreso na magiging amyenda ng Agricultural Tarrification Act of 1996 na magtatanggal sa paghihigpit ng bilang ng imported rice. Ito ang magsisilbing daan upang mawala ang restrictions sa pag-angkat ng bigas at makakapagpababa ng presyo ng bigas ayon sa rehimeng Duterte. Sino-sino ang makikinabang sa Rice Tarrification? Mamimili ba o magbubukas ba lamang ito sa ideyang bababa ang presyo ng bigas mula sa mga lokal nating magsasaka? Ang pagbaba ng presyo nito ay katumbas sa 1% ng inflation rate. Makakaipon ang isang pamilya ng 2,362 pesos kada taon dahil sa mababang halaga ng bigas. Ang kikitain naman ng gobyerno mula sa rice tarrification ay gagamitin para suportahan ang mga maliliit na magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Ang kasalukuyang umiiral na sistema ay Quantitative Restrictions. Ibig sabihin nito, mayroong limitasyon sa bilang ng bigas na pumapasok sa bansa. Ang sistemang ito ang nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga magsasaka na naaapektuhan nang mababang presyo dahil sa mas mura ang imported rice. Ngunit, hindi naman ito ang magiging pangyayari sa Rice Tariffication. Hindi na lilimitahan ng gobyerno ang pagaangkat ng bigas. Susubaybayan na lamang nito ang mga pribadong importers. Ang perang makukuha mula sa rice tariffication ay magbibigay ng maraming benepisyo sa industriya ng bigas lalo na sa mga magsasaka.

Papatawan ng 35% tariff o tax ang bigas. Ito ay mas mababa sa import limitation na kasalukuyang ginagawa ng pamahalaan. Ang presyo ng bigas mula sa Thailand at Vietnam ay magiging 30.30 pesos na lamang. Mas mababa ito ng 4.30 pesos kesa sa bigas na inaani ng ating mga magsasaka. Ayon naman sa IBON Foundation, ang posibleng kita sa pagpapataw ng rice tariff ay hindi magiging sapat para suportahan ang produksyon ng mga magsasaka. Ayon naman sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority, nasa 0.2% lamang ang paglago ng sektor noong 2nd quarter ng 2018 na nagpapahiwatig na mabagal ang paglago ng sektor ng agrikultura. Sinusuportahan naman ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) ang rice tariffication para pagbutihin ang competitiveness ng sektor ng agrikultura at ang kita ng mga magsasaka. Inaasahan ng rehimeng Duterte na makakakolekta ito ng 28 bilyong pesos mula sa taripa sa bigas sa loob ng anim na taon. Ayon sa IBON, mas mataas ito sa kasalukuyang kita ng gobyerno mula sa pag-import ng bigas ng mga private sectors. Mula 2013 hanggang 2017, kumita ang gobyerno ng 2.2 Bilyon pesos kada taon mula sa rice importation. Ngunit, kulang ang suporta na ibinibigay sa mga magsasaka. Hindi pa rin nakakatugon ang National Food Authority (NFA) sa mandato nitong bumili sa mga magsasaka sa mas mataas na presyo. Ayon sa Commission on Audit, 28,514 metric tons lamang ang binili ng NFA sa mga magsasaka. Ito ay 18.6% lamang ng target nila sa 2017. Gayumpaman, ipinambayad ng NFA ang 5.1 bilyon pesos na budget ng Food Security Program para bayaran ang mga pagkakautang nito. Sa datos ng NFA at PSA, 0.8% lamang ng produksyon ng mga magsasaka ang nabili ng NFA kada taon simula 2013 hanggang 2017. Dahil sa paggamit ng pribadong sektor ng tax exemption na ibinibigay ng NFA, 12 bilyon pesos ang nawalang kita ng gobyerno mula 2009 hanggang 2012. Ayon sa Alyansa ng Industriyang Bigas (ANIB), di sila sangayon sa pagpapatupad ng rice tariffication dahil dehado ang mga magsasaka at traders na Pilipino.

BY IVY ABELLANOSA WHEN HELL S WRATH RAINS UPON EARTH

Does it puzzle you when a random fire burned down the only place where it literally rains for majority of the year? Do you wonder how it happened or what caused such catastrophe? When something as alarming as some of the major forests in the world, that is also a major source of the oxygen which is essential to our survival, is burning to the ground, it is only fair for us humans, as the caretakers, to be aware of what went down during these forest fires. When Miley Cyrus posted a photo about her home in California that was burned down to ashes, people barely talked about it or gave a nod to it. No, I am not talking about the million-dollar building that she and her family share, but the actual millions of dollars of biodiversity loss. Before we delve into the alleged political agenda, let us tackle the basic knowledge about forest wildfires first.

Wildfires are uncontrolled blazes targeting a random combustible rural area and runs in a rapid pace of up to fourteen miles per hour, consuming each and every organism and infrastructure hindering its path (NatGeo, 2019). A wildfire occurs for many different reasons: it could be natural, like lightning that strikes during dry season and droughts in a highly flammable area; and then there is the manmade causes which could arise from debris fires, and worse is the possibility of arson. In 2019 alone, four of the major forest areas have been seized by wildfires. These are the vast tracts of forests of Indonesia, Brazil, Siberia, and Central Africa.

The wildfires in Indonesia and in Sub-Saharan Africa are not something people are really surprised about because they fall literally during the “fire season” of the year wherein it is known as the driest season. Like any other reason in a dominantly agricultural country, manmade fires among these areas causes the clearance of an agricultural land for other profitable crops to grow in their places. Unsurprisingly, this has always been a common practice that is rampant in these areas. But to mitigate the situation, experts say that the fires this year were not as bad as what occurred in the past decades. And yet, these wildfires have somehow spurred a commotion of reactions from individuals tying them to the environmental crisis that the world is facing as of the moment. Just because wildfires that are supposed to be benefiting the farmers are not surprising doesn’t mean that they are not alarming. Reports even have it that the cloud of smoke during the fire in the Russian region of Siberia was as big as the size of all the European Union countries patched together, that’s approximately 5 million km2. One could only imagine the damages it had done not only to the humans, but also to the environment as well. And people are not realizing it. Yet.

Particularly, in the rainforest of Amazon, doesn’t it alarm you? Fires are indeed inevitable and are imminent during the dry season, and yet it transpired during the wettest time of the year. Many experts believe that majority of the fires across Brazil are intentionally caused by human activity – to make way of illegal miners. Allegations towards the Brazilian government have not been proven to be true, as of the moment, but when the wettest forest in all of the earth burnt down to a crisp, where there is even the existence and presence of rain, something will never add up. This year’s fire may not be as bad as what ensued during the past decade, but it doesn’t mean it was nothing, especially with people now are getting actually involved and more woke.

The takeaway among all these wildfire knowledges is the fact that capitalist companies are willing to go through extreme measures just to maximize profit even if it means endangering the lives of millions of people and other essential living organisms. We are all for improvement and moderate globalization, especially for a struggling country like Brazil. But when the ways don’t justify the means, and the consequences outweighing the benefits are undeniably visible, it’s time for people to recalibrate their actions and redo their decisions.

The effects of the aftermath are something we normally don’t care about because people feel oblivious. Lungs are not filled with the smoke from inhaling the selfishness of other governments, or other profit-driven companies that destroy lands for their sole benefit. Of course, most of it don’t necessarily matter to all of us since we are an indirect hit. As humans, we are devoid of feeling sympathy towards the environment that gives us life, right? We can never stop forest wildfires, but we can stop our corrupt way of thinking and putting our self-centered motives on top of the profit. We may not feel it now, but what about in the uncertain future?