The Bicol Universitarian - Volume XLIV Print Issue 1

Universitarian

Official Student Publication of Bicol University Vol. XLIV Issue 1 | June-October 2016

The Bicol

Fairness . Accuracy . Genuine Student Service

Member: College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and Bicol Association of Campus Journalists (BASCAJ)

A TREASURED PROMISE. Bicol University (BU) President Arnulfo Mascariñas, Vice President (VP) for Academic Affairs Helen Llenaresas and VP for Administration Amelia Dorosan bury the blueprints of the three new buildings in the university as part of the Groundbreaking Ceremony, October 5, 2016. The construction of BU Dormitory, Regional Information and Knowledge Center and the University Student Union Center shall start this year. (Photo by Aila Marie Bailon)

Academic Landscaping in 2018 set for BU

By Casandra Balala

Bicol University (BU) will undergo academic landscaping in 2018 to achieve a resource-wise quality education which will affect both the faculty and students.

Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation will soon be under the College of Education Center of Teaching Excellence; Information Technology course will be moved from College of Science (CS) to Polangui Campus (PC); and the Bachelor

of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship will be removed from Tabaco Campus and PC. In an interview with The Bicol Universitarian last July, Mascariñas affirmed that in two years’ time, there would be a lot of changes in BU. “Some courses will be put on hold.

Some courses will have to be retained to their mother colleges. New courses perhaps may be proposed to take advantage of the market demand,” he stated.

Based on Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Helen Llenaresas’ proposal

which was already approved by the Board of Regents, the objective of the academic landscape is to identify the banner program for all the colleges in the university.

“We will not be repeating the offering of courses in one college to another college.

Kung ano ang pinakamahusay mong pwedeng i-offer [na course in each college] yun ang ibigay mo,” Llenaresas said.

In addition, courses in certain colleges with small enrollees shall be placed or merged into another college where that course is performing well. “So ang ibig sabihin niyan kung may nursing na dito

and it’s performing very well, you don’t have to offer it in Polangui or in Tabaco Campus. Kung yung education meron doon, meron dito, pag-isahin na lang natin,” she stated.

Patrick Anthony Nota, as the University Student Council Chairperson and Student Regent, disclosed that the Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR) and the Polangui Campus (PC) will be affected most by the change.

Academic Landscaping/ page 3

Going global: Albay hosts Pacific Partnership 2016

By May Altavano, Renzle Mae Miranda and Julianne Nicolle Moral

Albay, known for its disaster preparedness and management, was chosen to host the largest humanitarian and disaster response mission in the world dubbed as “Pacific Partnership” last June 27 to July 10, 2016.

Spearheaded by the United States (US) troops in collaboration with Provincial Government of Albay and some Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Pacific Partnership is an annual activity of the US Navy aimed at strengthening relationships with the countries in the Indo-Asia-

2 News

Pacific and improve disaster preparedness.

The humanitarian mission has three major parts: Community Health Engagement (CHE) or Medical Caravan, Surgical Operations, and Subject Matter Expertise Exchange (SMEE).

The total number of participants or patients in all these activities was approximately 4,530 aside from the Pacific Partnership staff, which was composed of 1000 individuals.

The US Navy Ship (USNS) Mercy, world’s largest hospital ship, was docked at Albay gulf last June 27 and was welcomed by former Governor Joey Salceda together with Brigadier General Claudio Yucot of the Armed

Pacific Partnership/ page 4

4 News Buildings to rise in East and Main Campus

WITHOUT BOUNDARIES. A staff of the United States Navy Ship Mercy paints the face of a kinder student of Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School. Mercy Ship is known as the largest hospital ship in the world, extending humanitarian mission globally. (Photo by Shan Gabriel Apuli)

5 Feature Mandatory ROTC in PH underway BU to scrap NSTP?

An overview of K to 12’s impact in BU

By Maria Vanessa Bernardo, Charmaine Aduviso and Ivy Cuebillas

With the onset of K to 12 Program’s Senior High School this academic year, colleges in Bicol University (BU) were compelled to adapt to the changes brought by the educational scheme.

BU, as one of the State Universities and Colleges in the Philippines, started the implementation of this program on the first semester of the current academic year. Four hundred senior high school students were admitted by the university.

However, the full implementation of the K to 12 Program resulted in a decreased student population due to lack of freshmen students.

This academic year, only 21 985 students enrolled during the first semester. Compared to second semester of academic year 2015-2016’s enrollment of 26 500, this is 20.54% smaller.

The colleges in the university prepared to ensure the program’s effectiveness and to further strengthen the vision of BU which is to become a world-class university.

As part of the preparations for K to 12, each college made some retooling in terms of improving the quality of service given by the faculty.

Seminars and trainings were conducted for the professors and others were required to finish their Master’s Degree.

With this, every college was expected to re-

K to 12’s impact/ page 4 (See infographics on page 3)

15 Sports

6 DevComm Inked Battlecries

Of changes and adaptation:

From poverty to progress: Legazpeños and their story of sustainability

Team Brotherros nanaig kontra Arki Maroons sa Zubiri Cup ‘16

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2 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Buildings to rise in Main, East Campus

By Christian Robert Roxas. Maria Vanessa Bernardo & Charmaine Aduviso with a report from Shan Gabriel Apuli

By May Altavano and Alyssa Marie Bonaobra

Bicol University (BU) administration plans to construct new buildings and facilities in the main and east campuses in order to provide quality service to students, starting this academic year.

According to Engr. Ulysses Bello, head of Physical Development and Management Office (PDMO), the projects which are part of the 2016 approved proposals are the construction of Phase 1 of Student Dormitory, Student Union Center Building, Regional Information and Knowledge Center (University Library) and Phase 3 of Multi-Technology Laboratory Building.

Bello said that the target start for the construction of the proposed projects will be later this year and by January, the phase-by-phase progress is expected to be seen.

The future BU Convention Center which can accommodate to around 1,000 to 3,000 people will soon be built at the back part of College of Science (BUCS) building 4. This is intended for big events of the university.

A Food Court Complex, composed of fast food chains and stalls, near the Institute of Physical Education Sports and Recreation is also part of the plan.

However, the construction of the Convention Center and the Food Court Complex shall not yet start this year since these require enough time to be fully constructed.

On the other hand, BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas headed the creation of a separate land use plan for the East Campus.

Atty. Eduardo Loria, Dean of the College of Engineering (CENG), said that the president wanted to provide for the needs of the students in the East Campus given the road condition difficulty. The dean said that since the road going to the said campus is narrow, the president does not want the students to leave the school unnecessarily.

Atty. Loria stated that Mascariñas plans to construct a dormitory, faculty housing, and a small shopping center that can make the campus a selfcontained community. Through this, he said, students will no longer need to

To give a sense of institutional distinction, the proposal to change the academic costume of Bicol University (BU) was already approved by the Board of Regents (BOR).

HERE IT STANDS. One of the construction personnel as he discusses the details of the gymnasium’s renovation at Bicol University College of Engineering. The building is part of the land plan for the East Campus aimed at addressing the campus’ inadequate facilities during its length of existence. (Photo by Vynce Opeña)

leave the campus.

“The first step to the land use plan involves the demolishing of all the old Marcos-type buildings that were there since the Marcos regime in 1971,” Loria said.

The demolition which will start in the second semester will begin with old buildings in the said college which are already “dilapidated”.

Loria also said that the buildings to be constructed should not be less than three stories in order to preserve the open spaces of the campus. “This way, our campus may provide the students a good ambiance in their studies,” he added.

Furthermore, the CENG dean said that one of the main objectives of the land plan for the East Campus includes addressing the campus’ inadequate facilities during its length of existence despite being recognized as one of the top producers of topnotchers and board passers not only in the region but also in the country.

FUNDING The projects for the main campus

will be sourced under Fund 101, the budget coming from the national government and Fund 164, the university’s income from internal businesses.

This year, the Capital Outlay Projects under Fund 101 amounts to P118, 938,000 while in 2015, it amounted to P106, 448,000.

For the revamping of facilities in the East Campus, Loria said: “The estimated budget for this project is around P1 to 2 billion as a building costs more or less P200 million.”

The fund, allocated for improvement and construction of roads and facilities for East Campus, is already associated in the separate land use plan of the president.

RENOVATIONS Aside from the proposed projects, there will be renovations in the main campus, which will be funded by the Fund 164 for both repair and maintenance.

The renovations comprise the angle parking, improvement and upgrade of the fences and guard houses, and the replacement of the covered walks from

gate 1 going to CS. P4.5 million is allotted for these renovations.

Just before the first semester ends, the Pyramid and Students’ Lounge of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) has already been improved and renovated. Dr. Maria B. Sarte, dean of CAL, said that the budget provided for the roof repairing, installment of electrical connections and repainting of the students’ lounge was P115,000.

By 2018, CAL shall have its new two-storey building. Dr. Sarte said that the Multi-Purpose Building and the current CAL building will undergo overhauling and complete renovation in the following years.

“I hope by 2018 CAL will have a new building because definitely this building will be used as offices and according to the president he will give us around P40 million for the construction of a two-storey building just for CAL,” Sarte added.

The Multi-Purpose Building, commonly called the CAL building, will be utilized as offices by the BU Admin. The new CAL building will be put up near BUCS.

Bicol’s first Fabrication Lab opens in CIT

By Elyssa Kristine Ella and Mark Johnnel Malasa

Aiming to provide assistance to the university and the local community in terms of digital fabrication, Bicol University (BU) paired up with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in order to launch the first fabrication laboratory (FABLAB) in Bicol.

Located at the Multi-Tech Building of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), the FABLAB enables invention by providing access to specific tools for digital fabrication such as three dimensional printer, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, and a universal laser system.

FABLAB is intended to provide operational, educational, technical, financial and logistical assistance to the university and to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within the local community of Legazpi City. The facilities will be open to BU students for their research and other innovative projects.

BU FABLAB is the 9th official

Bicol U changes academic costume

fabrication laboratory in the Philippines.

“It is where we can do more real objects rather than just mere concepts,” FABLAB Bicol administrator and instructor, Jay-R Ballon said.

Ballon stated that production of concept designs were created in fabrication laboratories to be commercially adopted and become useful in other applications especially in technical education.

“The FABLAB is important because we can make things like prototypes to test if we can manufacture it and also help people make their ideas become a reality,” Ballon added.

Fabrication labs are a global network of local laboratories that allow inventions and products to be shared across the world.

“FABLAB has the support of other FABLABs in the community.

Collaboration is the aim wherein they will support you if you build something useful then share it to other FABLABs,” Ballon stated.

According to Ballon, the technical working committee of FABLAB will conduct the first summer training program that will

A sample of the product of the first fabrication laboratory in Bicol located at the College of Industrial Technology. (Photo by Roma Joy Padre)

be open to anyone who is interested to learn about digital fabrication. The program will be spearheaded by the BUCIT Dean, assistant dean, IT personnel and instructors from industrial design.

The inauguration of the laboratory happened on June 23 and was attended by approximately 100 participants including DTI Secretary Hon.

Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas, college deans, DTI directors, Local Government Units, entrepreneurs, faculty and students.

The fabrication lab program began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and branched out to more than 500 facilities worldwide.

In the following commencement exercises, starting 2017, BU graduates will soon wear a new academic costume called Alikbuy as a replacement to the usual toga.

Inspired by the over-dress garment of the Malongs of Mindanao, Alikbuy is like a sash made up of abaca, pina Formosa and cotton with the symbols of Bicol and the BU acronym embroidered in Baybayin form.

The official color of the new academic costume is Aqua blue with International Color Pallet Code for its linings.

BU Alikbuy is a symbol of granting academic degree program earned by Bicol University students as BU graduates.

The Bicol term “Alikbuy” in Tagalog means to clothe, to put, or to bestow. It becomes part of the Philippine costume as bestowing the status of individuals in the society.

INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY In the rationale presented by the proponents for the replacement of the toga to Alikbuy, BU Office of Student Services (OSS) and BU Protocol and Media Relations Office included that one of the main purposes in doing this is to bring value to the institutional identity of BU. The decision of the BOR aims to re-uphold the university’s identity as it moves towards a step higher in achieving its vision to become known nationally and globally in the succeeding academic years.

In the same way, Prof. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III, Grants-in-Aid Officer of OSS said that the office considered the good for the majority of the next set of graduates during the Commencement Exercises in the following years.

Nebres said: "Noong nakaraang graduation, ang daming mga bad post na nareceive ang administration sa social media tungkol sa toga kasi masyadong mainit, tapos yung iba nahihimatay.

Yung iba naliligo sa pawis, kaya we have to redesign.”

PRODUCTION Since its approval last Sept. 30 at the Commission on Higher Education Manila, the plan to change the traditional academic costume is followed by few difficulties in producing the initial bulks of Alikbuy sashes.

According to Professor Jerry Bigornia, BU Vice President for Resource Generation and Assets Management (RGAM), they are still yet to find out if they will be able to produce Alikbuy for all the graduates.

As of Oct. 13, the RGAM is still on the procurement process for the Alikbuy. They are still determining which manufacturers should be chosen to make the new academic costume.

In case the production of the new clothing will not suit the number of all the graduating students, Nebres said that only the Academic Deans and Directors and the university faculties will be able to wear the new costume for this academic year’s commencement exercise.

STUDENTS DIVIDE In relation to this, students also shared their opinion about the change in academic costume.

Francine Arroyo, a senior Broadcasting student from BU College of Arts and Letters affirmed this move of the administration. She said it is about time that BU adapts to the commencement exercises of other state universities like the University of the Philippines since BU is also known for its standards. She added that Alikbuy is less hassle to wear.

On the other hand, Meriam Bauso of BU College of Education and a 4th year Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in Social Studies student said that she is against the implementation of the new graduation attire.

“I prefer toga pa rin. Gusto ko kasi mafeel na magsuot ng toga. Magiging buo ang graduation ‘pag may toga. Kasi ‘yon na po ang nakasanayan, tradition na kung baga na toga ‘yong sinusuot.

It originated during the ancient times, so why change?” she expressed.

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The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Mascariñas: Create global linkages to become world-class

By May Altavano and Alyssa Marie Banaobra

“If we want to transform BU [Bicol University] into a world-class university, we have to invite people from other parts of the world to share with us their good practices, lessons and technologies that we can consider adopting in BU,” said the university’s president, Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, in an interview during a forum last September 20, 2016.

The forum on strengthening research and linkages held at BU Higher Education Regional Research Center aims to enhance BU’s connections and research extension not just here in the Philippines but also in other countries.

As a speaker in the said event, Mascariñas talked about “Institutional Linkages: Strategic Bridges for Research and Extension Capacity Building.”

With regards to the theme of this year’s Founding Anniversary “Journey through Excellence,” the president said that this forum would help the university learn something that would enable it to continue its drive towards excellence.

“One thing that we would like to encourage among our faculty mem-

munication-Cooperation-Creativity: Strengthening Personal, Interpersonal and Team Relations.”

When asked what could possibly be done by the university to further improve in terms of research and linkages, Veneti said that BU should cross borders and should have exchange students because through this, the university can influence other cultures, and it can also be influenced by other countries.

Furthermore, Veneti stated that strengthening research and linkages is very important because it can create a world where there will be quality education for all.

Meanwhile, DR. Ruby Mediona, current Officer-in-Charge of the College of Nursing said, “The fact that we have a speaker from Europe, parang we get some insights and then their good practices as to how we can achieve a world class university like sa kanila.”

They [faculty members and students] should be open to innovations because as a university in the Bicol region, we cannot afford not to be receptive to all of these good things around us.

Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas SUC President - Bicol University bers and students through this forum is that they should be open to innovations because as a university in the Bicol region, we cannot afford not to be receptive to all of these good things around us,” Mascariñas added.

GLOBAL LINKAGE As part of establishing international link-

Academic Landscaping /page 1 “PC, in terms of number of course offered by BUPC, marami ding mawawala since it will now cater more on computer and technological course,” he affirmed.

He added that all banner programs of each college will be retained “I believe that this will highly benefit the future students of BU,” he concluded.

The academic landscaping is intended for the upcoming first year students only.

Those in the higher years who were not included in the implementation of the K to 12 Program will remain in their respective colleges.

“Kung ngayon ako ay third year na, hindi ako dadalhin dito na dito ko ipagpapatuloy. Kung saan ka nag enroll doon ka magraduate. Kasi wala pa sa first year. Ang ibig natin sabihin, nobody will be displaced, kung saan ka nag enroll doon ka magtatapos,” Llenaresas explained.

Once the academic landscape is implemented, faculty members will be transferred to the colleges or campuses where their field courses are offered.

“Kung di na i-offer doon sa kanila [college] ‘yong course, natural they will have to transfer to where the courses are. Alangan naman nursing ako wara naman akong tuturuan duman pa ako, dai naman pwede,” she stated.

IMPACT ON BU The implementation of academic landscape in 2018 eyes several advantages due to centralization of resources, which the administration believes will result to quality education for the students to achieve excellence.

Llenaresas explained that it is less expensive with regards to the human and material resources since all the laboratories and other facilities of the university shall be placed in a particular college.

“Kasi there are several offerings of the same course in the different colleges of the university. Syempre kung dakol kamong colleges magbabaranga-banga, tig diriit sana.

Kung baga, we give the bulk, we won’t spread the butter,” she stated.

Likewise, Nota believed that it will definitely benefit the students since they will be provided with the appropriate resources.

When it comes to the faculty, it is an advantage since the workforce of BU will focus on a specific college.

“Taas ang standard and quality of education in terms of focus of profs on subjects kasi for example, ako taga College of Engineering (CENG), and may Physics 1 ako, and usually sa CENG namin siya ititake pero by this academic landscaping, sa CS na siya, under the Department of Physics,” he explained.

Sean Patrick Sta. Isabel, CS College Student Council President, said that it is very beneficial since the best faculty members will be merged to only one department and each unit will focus on their own exper-

ages, a global educator was invited to be the guest speaker for the event. Foteini Veneti of University of Athens, Greece, discussed about “School Collaborative Projects: The Case of Cultural Loom, and Multilateral Collaboration.”

Veneti, who also serves as the State Primary EFL (English as a foreign language) Teacher in the said university also gave emphasis on “Com-

tise.

However, he uttered that the academic landscape might be a disadvantage for the students in pursuing their course in the nearest BU campus.

“They are left with two choices: first is to spend more when the course they want is offered doon sa ibang campus or second, pumili ng ibang course na offered sa nearest BU campus sa kanila,” he stated.

Nota stated that these changes might be costly when it comes to the transferring of resources and reassignment of professors.

There is also a possibility of lesser number of students in the colleges of the university.

REDUCING NUMBER OF STUDENTS Since first year students shall again enter the university come 2018, BU intends to reduce the number of students per class from 50 to 40.

The target number of students per block is 35 to 40, where five will be for returning students, shifters or for irregulars.

“Kung kailangan madagdagan ‘yong section, why not if there are takers, perhaps we were lessening the number of students in courses where there are no qualifiers. Kasi diba 50 is rather big, overcrowded na, so we believe that quality will be better if we reduce the number per class,” Llenaresas stated.

For laboratory courses, the university will only acquire 25 students per class.

Moreover, Llenaresas affirmed that BU would make sure that all those who come to

SUC Levelling In line with the aim of raising the SUC (State Universities and Colleges) Level V status by 2018, the forum also served as an avenue to strengthen research and linkages since it is among one of the criteria in SUC levelling.

The topic on multilateral collaboration shall aid in the president’s aim of ensuring that the university and its academic units will work col-

the university, especially in board courses, would be able to reach the minimum required BU College Entrance Test (BUCET) rating of 86%.

Nota also discussed that the university will set a higher standard for the students in board courses especially in Forestry and Agricultural Engineering since these are the only board courses not performing well.

Course offerings that comprise most of the below cut-off students will also be lessened.

All curricular offerings will be revised so that it will be aligned with the K to 12 Program in 2018 wherein the university will open the enrollment for graduates of senior high school.

“We are going to start [the revision]. We have 2 years to do that. Kasi diba natake na nila yung ibang mga courses so kailangang hindi na irerepeat sa college,” Llenaresas said.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR Along with the implementation of K to 12 program in the Philippines is the move of some State Universities and Colleges to change their academic calendar from June to August, which BU does not plan to pursue in 2018.

According to Llenaresas, they do not see any reason to change the academic calendar in the university since the Department of Education is not changing their calendar. Also, there are no changes on the schedule of examinations in the Professional Regulations Commission that will not be

laboratively.

“Sabi nga ni President, ‘No man is an island.’ Walang monopoly ng isang bagay and we need each other to strengthen, to improve, and to try. So dapat yung relationship natin doon sa makukuha nating linkages is symbiotic. We will all benefit from the relationship that we will be having,” said Thad Livica, Extension Coordinator of BUCN, who also participated in the event.

The president mentioned that the evaluation of a university was anchored on linkages with other national and international institutions.

According to Prof. Ida Revale, Director of Regional Center for Food Safety and Quality Assurance, the forum is of great benefit especially now that the university is getting through the preparation for SUC evaluation.

“It [forum] gave ideas to the deans and directors from the different colleges in the university as to how linkages will be affected as far as the SUC levelling is concerned,” Revale said.

This forum, which is spearheaded by the BU administration through the Research and Development Center, is in line with BU’s vision of becoming a world class university.

Invited participants were academic deans and directors and research and extension coordinators.

in accordance with the existing academic calendar.

In addition, the Commission on Higher Education is also saying that it is not really advisable to change the academic calendar in the Philippines because our climate is not like that of other countries.

“Those who took change in their academic calendar is now trying to go back to the original. If we change, then during summer we will have classes. That is a time when in the Philippines is so hot,” she added.

For the reason that BU will be synchronized with other countries, she clarified that the university does not have significant number of foreign students as well as BU students who are going out to enroll in other universities.

Considering the Philippines as an agricultural country, the month of August does not synchronize to the farmer’s time of harvest that may result for the students to suffer financial problems during enrollment.

“So baka wara pang pang tuition. Bata ngani many of our students cannot pay their tuition fees the entire amount when they enroll so, if we are going to change, it could affect the process because they might not be ready for money for enrollment. Taliwas kasi sa ani,” Llenaresas explained.

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4 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Mandatory ROTC in PH underway BU to scrap NSTP?

By Mary Joy Bongapat and Jeano Marcayda

In 2018, Bicol University (BU) freshmen students will be required to undergo the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) if President Rodrigo Duterte pushes on mandating the program for all college students.

The President intends for the immediate revival of the program, which will mandate all freshmen students both male and female to take ROTC in all the universities and state colleges in the Philippines including BU. Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo revealed last August 2 that a legislative proposal to make the program mandatory was already being drafted.

However, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Patricia Licuanan said that CHED still needs more information of possible options for strengthening ROTC.

They are now already on the process of reviewing the proposal and the implementation of the existing National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law. It can be remembered that the program was once made mandatory until the NSTP Act was passed in 2002. With this, students were given the option to choose between ROTC, Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), or Literacy Training Services (LTS).

The proposed mandatory program is part of the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs where it aimed to inculcate discipline in the students as well as to prevent them from using prohibited drugs through strengthening the program.

In his first State of the Nation’s Address last July 25, Duterte called onto the Congress for the revival of ROTC. “Let us also strengthen our ROTC Program to instill love for the country and good citizenship,” he said.

The ROTC program was designed to provide

ESTEEMED COMMANDANTS. Members of Bicol University Reserved Officers Training Corps as they represent the four pillars of the university - leadership, scholarship, character and service. (Photo by Aila Marie Bailon)

K to 12’s impact/ page 1 vise the curriculum where general education subjects were removed and downloaded to the senior high. This resulted to the college’s decrease in units.

“First we have to prepare our faculty for the change in the curriculum so we need to retool them, in fact there are some who will be on study leave to finish their master’s degree because that is a must,” Dr. Maria B. Sarte, Dean of College of Arts and Letters (CAL) stated.

This step is alongside the mandate of the Commission on Higher Education as well as the Civil Service Commission for them to be able to qualify for teaching.

Most of the colleges in BU had a similar perception regarding the advent of the K to 12 program. CAL, Institute of Architecture (IA), College of Business Economics and Management (CBEM), College of Nursing (CN), and College of Industrial Technology (CIT) envisioned it as an advantage and an avenue where students were equipped with the right knowledge depending on the track they chose in preparation for college.

“Once they get into the baccalaureate program, they are at least 18 and they would no longer be playing. They would be more responsible,” Arch. Reynaldo O. Nacional Jr., Director of IA said.

Despite its positive effect, BU colleges see some shortcomings on the implementation of K to 12. Some colleges such as CAL, IPESR, IA, CIT and CBEM experienced decrease in income since

the number of students is lesser. Moreover, some colleges namely CAL and CE did not have their intramurals this year due to limited budget and students to participate.

CONFLICTS IN FACILITIES In an interview by The Bicol Universitarian to the college deans from Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR), CAL and CIT, it was stated that the facilities of this colleges need further improvement to fit in the level of the senior high graduates.

In CAL, Dr. Sarte said that the college needs to improve its facilities because there are some subjects, especially for AB Journalism and BA Communication degree programs like digital journalism, that they do not have yet and some equipments are not enough.

According to the officer-in-charge of IPESR, the college sees no shortcomings in their sports facilities since they are serving college students, as of now. She added that the college is equipped with sports facilities even before the rise of Albay Sports and Tourism Complex.

In CIT, some of the equipments were generated from the internal income of the college such as the laboratory fees. However, Prof. Jonathan Arroco, CIT Dean, said that this is not enough to sustain and buy all the equipments needed by the students. CIT collaborated with different institutions to provide the students with the facilities and equipments that they need.

military training to college students to mobilize them for national defense preparedness.

BU ROTC According to BU ROTC Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Alwin Nobora, the mandatory ROTC is a positive move of Pres.

Duterte as this program will aid in uplifting the discipline, cohesiveness, patriotism and sense of responsibility of the BU students in the long-run.

Nobora added that this will prepare the Filipino youth in knowing how to act during unexpected scenarios which might happen in the country.

University NSTP Coordinator, Domingo Nace also expressed his approval on the plan of compulsory ROTC. When asked about the preparations of BU, Nace said that BU does not have any preparation yet because there is no information about the mandatory ROTC given to the personnel of the university.

In addition, he affirmed that once the proposal for rotc mandatory is approved, the NSTP offering in BU may be abolished.

BU ROTC Corps Commander Ma. Ramona Neagil L. Osia shared her positive thoughts about the proposal, “Okay talaga siya para madiscipline yung mga kabataan ngayon kasi yung iba sa kanila pabebe na talaga and para magkaroon ng discipline sa mga students,” she stated.

The proposal gained disapproval from BU students, like the President of the Supreme Student Government (SSG) of BU High School Gerard Martin Magayanes.

“Hindi po ako sang-ayon na ipatupad ang ROTC especially po like, hindi naman po lahat ng estudyante sa Bicol University ay super healthy. Tsaka, naniniwala naman po ako na lahat ng nag-aaral sa BU ay may kanya-kanyang skills and talents na hindi naman pwedeng basta na lang i-angkop or isasabak sa hindi naman nila kagustuhan,” Magayanes said.

However, Nobora stated that prior to the ROTC training, a copy of the students’ medical certificates must be submitted. Students who have health deficiencies shall be given exceptions and special treatment to different activities, but does not constitute an excuse to the mandatory program.

Nylle Llandelar, a senior high school student under the strand of Accountancy, Business and Management, positively embraced the proposal of the mandatory ROTC program even for the girls.

“Okay lang naman ang ROTC sa college as long as kaya ko,” she said.

According to BU C/LTC Corps G-1 John Patrick Musa, about 1000 cadetes enrolled in ROTC last year wherein over 400 are female and the remaining 600 are male.

“The number of enrollees is expected to increase upon the effectiveness of the mandatory ROTC program in 2018,” Musa said.

Dr. Lorna Miña of the College of Education and Dr. See of CBEM said that there are enough classrooms to cater their students; hence, there would be no new buildings which shall rise in their respective colleges.

EXPECTATIONS AND CHANGES According to the college deans, they are expecting more competent graduates ready to face college.

Despite the various tracks and strands offered by DepEd in this program, senior high graduates can freely choose their course in college whether in line or not with their chosen track.

New curriculums will also be felt once the academic year 2018 opens. Different colleges in BU will revise some of its subjects and they will also offer new courses to the graduates of senior high.

Dr. Sarte said that they are preparing for the revision of several courses in CAL such as BA Communication, AB Broadcasting, and AB Journalism. IA also plans to offer Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning by 2018 while CIT is still on the process of developing their curriculum.

Moreover, the College of Nursing stated that they haven’t made any change in the curriculum since they did not download any subject to the senior high.

Pacific Partnership/ page 1 Forces of the Philippines and Director Bernardo Alejandro, chairperson of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council-Bicol.

One of the major events conducted by the USNS Mercy was the six-day CHE program composed of medical teams from the US Mercy Ship and local doctors from Albay.

According to Dorothy Colle, Head of Culture and the Arts - Provincial Tourism, government agencies in Albay were only tapped to assist in the event since the activity is organized by the US troops.

Involved government agencies were Provincial Health Office (PHO), Local Government Units, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, Municipal Offices in Albay, Department of Tourism, and Department of Education. Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) was also of assistance to the event. NGOs engaged are Red Cross and Simon of Syrene.

“Siguro ang saro sa rason kaiyan (being chosen as a host) is that nailing panu ninda ang probinsya kang Albay saro sa probinsiya na talagang wellprepared pag-abot sa mga disaster management. Ang Pacific Partnership saro ini sa HADR na pigasabi, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Activity,” Engineer William Sabater, Engr. IV at PHO said.

Engineer Sabater also disclosed that the mission is exclusive to the province of Albay only. This is the second time that USNS Mercy visited the place after year 1987. But there has also been other missions held in other localities in the Philippines.

“Kang 1987, Surgical Operation lang. Daeng SMEE, daeng Medical Caravan. Kumbaga, nag-expand man ang saindang activity,” Sabater stated.

SERVICES OFFERED Mrs. Mari-Ann Esquivel, Nurse III at PHO stated that on the first day of the event, lectures about nutrition, family planning and responsible parenthood were given to the participants of the caravan.

Health consultations were carried out the next day, which include Medical, Optometry, Dental, and Nutrition Counseling and Consultations.

These health consultations and health education were conducted at the three districts of Albay.

“Before the activity nagstart, umikot kami ng different venues, nakicoordinate kami sa DepEd to use the school and nakipagcoordinate kami sa Office of the Mayor,” Esquivel said.

Only 2,760 patients were expected to be accommodated during the overall duration of the event, but a total of 4,050 individuals were treated. Medical kits and free medicines were also given to the patients.

In addition, the US Navy also brought veterinarians to treat the pets of the locals.

From June 30 to July 10, at least 101 patients underwent surgical operation - 73 were adults and 28 were children.

Eighty-two surgeries were done inside the Mercy Ship and the other 19 were held in

BRTTH. The surgeries conducted are General, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Pediatric surgery, Plastics, Urology, Orthopedics, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, and Podiatry.

“Prinioritize namin na unang makita yung mga major surgeries. Yung mga it’ll take one or two days mag-recuperate sa ship, yun ang inuna. Hinuli na yung medium and minor surgeries,” Dr. Antonio Ludovice, Assistant Provincial Health Officer and coordinator of Surgical Operations said.

There were 18 total cancellations of surgery, 55% of which were Tuberculosis (TB) positive.

The doctors were very strict so operations to those with infectious diseases were cancelled.

Even the patients’ escorts were not allowed to board the ship.

The third part of Pacific Partnership 2016 was the SMEE program, which was headed by Engr. Sabater and was held from July 30 to July 5 at USNS Mercy and BRTTH. “Itong Subject Matter Expertise Exchange na pigaapod na SMEE or in other words digdi satuya, pigaapod na training.

Gari maghuhururon, mag-iiristoryahan. Ano an piga-gibo ta, ano man an pigagibo ninda. So, igwa ki exchange of expertise,” Sabater said.

The topics and activities covered under SMEE were Biomedical Technique, Ancillary Medical Services, Basic First Responder Course, Nursing, Pediatric, Basic Life Support, Joint Medical Disaster Symposium, Wound Care, Emergency Response, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, and Microbiology. There are around 380 participants in SMEE. On the other hand, Miranda disclosed that one of the events in Pacific Partnership 2016 was the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Symposium (HADRS), which was held at Disaster Coordination Center, Bogtong, Legazpi City last July 5 to 8.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Bicol University (BU) also took part in the partnership mission of the US troop, especially the students of BU College of Nursing (CN) and College of Medicine (CM).

The institution was tapped by the PHO to help the Pacific Fleet with their events such as the surgical operations and medical caravan. About 250 BU students volunteered for the event composed of second, third and fourth year nursing students.

Ruby Mediona, the current Officer-in-Charge of BUCN, said that the volunteer students were competent enough and were already having their duties in hospitals outside the university such as BRTTH and to the community, which gave them enough qualifications to participate in the said events.

Third year students assisted during surgeries while those in their fourth year took good care of the patients after the operation. Those in the lower years were assigned to help outside the ship.

“We are very fortunate to be given the opportunity to not only observe but to take part in the different medical and dental activities of the US Pacific Partnership,” Mediona said.

Feature

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The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Inked Battlecries

By Gladys Ebrada and Elyssa Kristine Ella , illustration by Deano Echague

When you first held me in your hands, I had my own heaven.

the truth through in-depth stories. And this field. But then, as I grew more matured, ever I unmask the dark side of their reputa- fessors in my college have given me. when I say truth, I don’t mean hearsays. I I grasped the realization that not all stories tions, their wrongdoings and the facts they A different type of criticism haunts me go into details. I ask different people. I let are meant to be told. don’t want the public to know about. There in the College of Nursing where my power myself hear all sides of the story.

That is why I slowed down. In the are people who think I am fuelled by money to inform is dwindled by my funding which The College Editors Guild of the Phil- Institute of Physical Education Sports and and that I can be paid to bend the truth so is just enough to provide. People judge the ippines, an organization of student publica- Recreation, my lips are automatically sealed that society will favor one side. quality of my pages, but what can I do if tions in the country which advocates for There are those who say that my callthat is all I can afford? Nevertheless, I conwhen the issue involves the admin.

I don’t Your touch electrified every fiber of my body with happiness. Your eyes were press freedom, stated in their website that expose opinions that would intimidate ing to protect the truth is nonsense and stu- tinue to do my job, knowing that my existence must continue to persevere. ablaze with interest as they darted across student publications played a vital role in greater people. I don’t do editorials. But it pid. In my life, I have encountered tons of upholding the truth during the Marcos condemnations in the exercise of my cause.

I thought the sharpness of those doesn’t mean I am a protector of a certain every inch, eager to read every word, exera.

Marcos’ misconducts which cannot be But nothing can compare to the amount criticisms were painful enough. But then I side.

I can’t say I am fearful, but I am more cited to smile and cry at the same time. read mainstream were exposed by student careful now. I can still expose the truth of pain and disappointment I felt after saw you, shutting me out like I was backYour spirited comments were the light of hearing the words of the person whom the ground noise. You ignored me in the same without causing harm to myself. my day and I revelled in your attention publications.

In College of Business country pays utmost respect. manner that you ignored the periods after and your willingness to be aware.

I was in front of him, every sentence. What you did to me in the At that moment, I knew I had Economics and Managewaiting to be fed with facts College of Social Sciences and Philosofound my purpose and I made a vow to ment, I also expose the truth by tapping all relwhen President Rodrigo phy was really heart-breaking. I can still always be fair and honest to you. And Duterte expressed his dis- hardly stand on my own because you deuntil now, believe me, I still and will for- evant persons and offices involved. I listen to their appointment in me. “Just clined to be my feet. It’s hard for me to ever hold onto that promise. opinions every detail of because you’re a journalist establish myself and serve my real purBut what happened to you? Your it.

People throw mouthful you are not exempted from pose because you abandoned me. I don’t concern started to diminish as passivity assassination, if you’re a know if you are too frightened to be prevailed. I started to miss your enthusi- of judgments at me, but it son of a bitch,” he said. I part of me or you just don’t care about asm in understanding our society. Have just further fuels me up to continue my quest for facts. got stuck in my position for the future we could hold together. you forgotten about me? It seemed like Meanwhile, in the Ina moment, the words inchI have always tried my best to it, when I found myself gathering dust stitute of Architecture, I ing in my bone disabling me defend your right to be informed but in a corner one day. to contemplate. Did I fail in what is the use if you continue to deny A study from the Pew Research make sure that all the facts my duty? Have I wronged hearing my voice? I have constantly Center revealed that only 26 percent I speak are fair and accurate. the people I was meant to made sure that you are fed with the of 18-24 year olds make use of me I seek supervision from my technical adviser as well as serve? exact and right information, yet you with an allotted time of about nine students whom I am tasked I knew exactly how keep on insisting that you are full. You minutes a day. Forty three percent of to distinguish constructive cast me aside like I am yesterday’s 16-29 year olds even said that they to serve, to verify the factucriticisms from those that meal - cold and unappetizing. could “get along easily” without my ality of my statements.

Yet, my tongue backs are not. I knew which opinMy pages have worn thin, presence. ions were helpful in shap- weathered by the harshness by which This you should know. I was off a little in the College of ing me into a better ver- you handled me. I am not a rag which not born to be buried alive in places Industrial Technology, not that I embody cowardice, sion of myself and those can be used to soak the puddles on distant in the eye. I have a genuine that were destructive to my your tiled floor. I deserve to be read intention: I thirst to achieve the but rather, I am just protectdignity and self-worth. Mistakes are in- so that I may complete my responsivery reason of my existence. I never ing myself as much as I protect the truth.

I remember hearing someone evitable, of course. I am ready to admit bility to you: to provide factual and MISCONCEPTIONS wanted to sit near the garbage can say in a seminar specifically conducted my flaws if proven that there are. contextual information.

I still fight to stand for what I all day, waiting for someone to pick In fact in the College of Arts and I, the campus newspaper, live me up. I was not made to protect for journalists that “you don’t have to believe in, as long as my argument is you from the unpredictable weath- release all the information for your justified by the facts I have obtained, Letters, a place where I am put on a to serve you. It does not matter but regardless of what I do, people pedestal to be studied and learned, I if the people behind my existence er, to shield you from the rain as self-defense”.

There was a time when I found still misinterpret my intentions. make sure that when I make an erra- are a force of fifty or a meager the water mingled with the words myself exposing some critical issues Politicians sneer at me when- tum, my mistakes are acknowledged ten. Nor will it matter if my pathat were meant to inform you. with an apology. Furthermore, to per is glossy and multi-colored or I was made to sustain equal- against the administration, but the isavoid the possibility of inac- simply black and white. I still aim ity, fairness and balance by reveal- sue was thrown back at me. I decuracies, I make sure to bring you stories, editorials and ing the unexposed misconducts fended myself believing with great certainty that I uphold the graphics in hopes that I may enin the society. My blood is hot that I should be knowledge lighten, inspire and prompt you red and my passion for truth is a that my to be involved in our univerburning flame. Just a little spark completely pro- sity. and I can awaken what you once fearless i n thought was dead.

You ignored me in the same manner that you ignored the periods after every sentence.

My love, I am not dead.

In Bicol University, I strive to complete my objective by providing you with all the information you have the right to know.

UPHOLDING THE TRUTH I was born out of the burning desire of campus p u b l i c a t i o n s.

In the College of Education where I was coined as “The Mentor”, I continue to uphold

Please.

Bring heaven back to my life.

DevComm

6 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

From poverty to progress:

Legazpeños and their story of sustainability

By Keren Anne Bernadas and Casandra Balala Since the start of development in the Philippines, the primary livelihood of the Filipinos greatly shaped their resiliency and attitude towards attaining hope for a brighter future. The local government in the city of Legazpi, in their role to create for the people boundless opportunities, came up with an even bigger chance to sustain this hope.

With this, soon, the Legazpeños are bound to become one of the most empowered individuals even in the midst of poverty.

Farming and fishing are the main sources of income in barangays Banquerohan and Bigaa in Legazpi City, respectively. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to uplift the lives of the people by implementing sustainable livelihood programs in agriculture and fishery.

The projects called “Cassava Plantation” in Banquerohan and the “Fish Capture and Fish Vending” in Bigaa added further to the success of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in enhancing people’s capacities to make use of the available resources for survival.

These sustainable livelihood undertakings were put into action because DSWD wanted to provide alternative sources of income and activities which will hone them to value hardwork and living. With these government services, the beneficiaries will learn to put an effort to their jobs and establish a hope for a better future despite of wavering yields.

These programs are being implemented in cooperation with the Local Government Unit and government agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Beneficiaries of these projects are members of 4Ps. In 2015, when these projects were implemented, trainings on plantation and fish capturing were conducted in order to provide quality products and to attain high net income.

Through the years, the beneficiaries were also provided with different equipments and materials.

“Dati dakol kaming nasasayang na oras sayang na pananom ta dai mi ngani aram kung panu iapply panu gibuhon. Ang itinabang ninda sakong primero karabaw suminunod uning mga pagtraining. Nakakuha ako nin mga adal na dai ko pa naaaraman. Dakol sindang patraining,” 48-year old Arlene Gonzales, one of the beneficiaries, said.

Glenda Añonuevo, a fisherwoman hoped: “Sana continuous ang tabang na pigtatao ninda samuya para patuloy ang pag-unlad.”

AGRI LIFE. Cassava plant on its sprouting stage (left) and a tractor (right) on standby, waiting to be used for future work at Banquerohan, Legazpi City. A Cassava Plantation is located in the barangay which helps families and sustains their livelihood.

(Photos by Aila Marie Bailon)

TRANSFORMING BARREN LAND In order to make use of the idle land in Baquerohan and help the farmers expand their production, DSWD chose to cultivate cassava in the area. Arnel Mapa, a natural technologist from DA, said that cassava is easy to culture and is not sensitive to high temperature.

“Ang cassava, halimbawa bagyo, pag naputol siya, matubo man ulit. Siya kasi nasa irarum ang produkto niya, hindi kagaya ng palay na exposed. Hindi siya masyadong maselan sa tubig. Kung baga yan ang piga promote kan agriculture kasi pwede siya sa bako mauranon, sa bako matubig, pwede siya sa dry, pwede siya mabuhay sa mga damo,” Mapa explained.

Bagong Buhay Farmer’s Association (BBFA), an organization in the area, initiates the delivery of the cassava products to different local markets. The machines which are provided by the government were used for operation and distribution.

The cassava products, after being consolidated and dried, were then sold as animal feeds. These can also be sold to markets as plain cassava or as chips after six months of being planted.

A hectare of harvested cassava can weigh about 16 tons. All harvests are fresh, nothing is rejected, and can yield up to P30,000 net income for the farmers.

Cassava sold in the market can be priced P275 per kilo.

After cultivating the crops for a year, about 15 tons can be harvested. The cost of production amounting to P20, 000 per farmer in one cropping is allotted by DSWD. The LGU also provided cassava kits for the beneficiaries for the continuous growth of the products. The kit includes farm tools like bolo, asadol, and the organic fertilizer that is also promoted by DA.

Fifty 4Ps members currently receive the benefits of this project. All of them are farmers who cultivate a hectare of land to earn a living. Revenues go directly to them and their families.

Beverly Avadister, a mother of 10 children, said that because of the project, they no longer pay for the land where they farm. She said, “Maugma man kami

DSWD promises to continually uplift the livelihood of each and every Filipino. ta nadagdagan su paagi mi sa pagbuhay.”

Mapa said that because of the planting system and proper land preparation given as trainings to the members, the computed 16-ton production can be a potential 23-ton cassava harvest.

He also added that with the use of tractors to till the lands which are not yet utilized, cash forwards can be further created since the farmers are well-equipped with efficient tools and automatic distribution for market consumptions.

CAPTURING NATURAL SEA TREASURES At least 38 fisher-folks from Bigaa benefited from the project of DSWD on Fish Capture and 30 on Fish Vending.

Similar to the project on Cassava Plantation, these individuals are also beneficiaries of the 4Ps Program.

Aside from trainings, the government also supplied six motorized boats and 200-meter fishnets for the Fish Capture project while beneficiaries of the Fish Vending Program received starter kits like huge fish basin, weighing scales and big buckets.

Six members per group utilized one boat and fishnets. They will use these equipments by pair based on their schedule. Currently, there are about six groups in this project. After capturing the fishes, these will go directly to the fish vendors for selling. The overall income from the market is directly given to the fishermen.

Members of this sustainable fishery project are also trained to create Ilay –home of the fishes made from bamboo which stands five meters from the seashore. Through this, fishermen could get bulks of fish easily.

Fishes usually caught include galunggong, tuna, malasugi, tanigi, kwaw and sibubog. But majority of the income comes from galunggong since these fishes are abundant throughout the entire year.

THE STORY OF SUSTAINABILITY “Ang pagtatanom, tyagaan mo. Kahit anong hirap magtanim maski magparasira kaipuhan ki tyaga para mabuhay,” said 40-year old Teodora Alcantara, a farmer and a mother who used to ask for piglets from her neighbors. When it becomes fully grown, its piglet shall be given

SEA ARSENALS. Fishnets and boat provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of the assistance for fishermen at Bigaa, Legazpi City, one of the coastal barangays in the place.

(Photos by Roma Joy Padre)

back to the generous neighbor in order to help another fellow for livelihood. Now, Alcantara said that one of her learnings is that livelihood must be sustained.

Aling Teodora, like other farmers in barangay Banquerohan, Legazpi City, does not bother anymore if her family shall have food the next day. Aside from the farming tools and financial benefits that she receives, she also earns from the cassava crops that she harvested and is able to send her kids to school.

Although natural calamities waste plants and cut some chances to produce crops, Manong Roberto said that the families help one another. He said: “Pagtutulugnan…Mahalaga ito para sa amin, pagkakaisa lamang ang aming pinagkakapitan sa ano mang problemang dumating, bagyo man o problema sa trabaho, nagtutulungan at magkakasama parin naming hinaharap ito.”

When it comes to the use of the equipments, the interviewed fishermen revealed that although the equipments are limited, it still enabled them to unite during insufficient times. They set schedule while other members of the family weave the fishnets, tightening its ends to become more durable.

Manong Roberto shared, “Karaniwan naman, kapag silang dalawa nakapaglaot ngayon, may huling isda, swerte sila.

Pagdating samin walang huli. Pero, sa susunod na araw, kami naman yung unang maglalaot.”

He further stated, “Di sa lahat na oras sapat ang nakukuha sa ibang mga sidelines kaya maganda ang mga ganitong programa kasi di ka na bibitaw ng pera ng basta basta para pang bili ng mga gamit.

Meron ka na pang simula para maka-kayod. ‘Yon ang magandang nabibigay ng mga programa na ‘to.”

He is one of the parents who, through the program, was able to make his child graduate in high school.

In the coming years, DSWD plans to increase the number of beneficiaries of the Cassava Plantation and the Fish Capture projects. Proposals about the increase in budget and other facilities were already sent to the local government.

“Para sa amin maganda ipagpatuloy kasi nakakatulong talaga yun lalo na kung gusto mo makatapos yung anak mo at least nakakatulong sila makapagpaaral sa mga bata lalo na yung walang wala na gusto mag aral yung mga anak nila,” wished BBFA president Magdalena Leron.

DSWD, together with other government agencies, encourages people to completely participate in meaningful social change and promises to continually uplift the livelihood of each and every Filipino.

With these projects, the hope for a brighter future to each and every Filipino shall not just become a dream but can be transformed into reality.

DevComm

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The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Bicol Int’l Airport set to finish in 2021 eration.

“Ang ginagawa ni Gov. Al Francis Bichara, ‘yong mga road. Marami siyang inoopen up na mga road. Meron pa ngang diversion roads,” Pavia stated.

BIA is also one of the first 10 big projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordinating Committee.

By May Altavano and Renzle Mae Miranda

Bicol shall have its international airport by 2021.

The 4.798 billion-peso infrastructure project, Bicol International Airport (BIA), is anticipated to be finished in 2021, which, according to Engineer Macario Pavia, Official Planning and Development Coordinator of the Provincial Government of Albay, is “actually based on the construction schedule set in the program of work.”

With an area of 148.76 hectares, BIA’a construction started in July 2009. As of August 25, 2016, 60 % of the airport was already completed.

The location of construction is between Bascaran and Tabon-tabon, Daraga, Albay. However, during the pre-feasibility study, other sites were also considered by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Pavia said that some of the places visited were Naga City and Polangui.

“Marami silang kinonsider na mga site.

So napili yung Albay kasi yun yung pinaka—technically and economically—pumasok sa standards. Kinonsider din yung runway, kasi kung bundok siya, di pwede. May mga orientation din siyang kailangan, kasi sa wind direction,” he added.

As the first international airport in Southern Luzon, the international airport shall cater national and international flights once finished.

FLY HIGH BICOL. Construction workers endure the heat of the sun as they work towards the completion of Bicol International Airport located in between Bascaran and Tabon-Tabon, Daraga. With a fund allocation of P4.8 billion, BIA is soon to take flight across the world in 2021. (Photo courtesy of philippineflightnetwork.com)

GLOBAL GATEWAY Bicol International Airport is envisioned to serve as a global gateway for the Southern part of Luzon, especially to Bicol Region and some parts of Visayas.

“Pag nag-aabroad [Bicolanos], di na dadaan ng Manila. Diretso na sa Albay, sa

international airport,” said Pavia. He further stated that this can be one of the factors why DOTC considered building an international airport in Bicol—to have one in Southern Luzon.

The planning and development coordinator of Albay also stated that this proj-

ect will help the community’s development and improvement since transportation and movement of goods and people would be much easier.

Meanwhile, the administration of Albay also considered the traffic congestion which may arise upon the start of the airport’s op-

FROM PLAN TO REALITY In order to come up with the project, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) conducted an assessment of the area in the year 2002. They conducted a pre-feasibility study to determine what plans and projects should be carried out.

“Plan emanates with needs,” said Pavia when asked how the airport project was developed. He also said that it is important to have international airports in different places in the Philippines so that it would be easier to have access between the local and global community.

Other places besides Albay that are assessed to be built with international airports are Bohol, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. The proposal for the BIA project already started in 2002, but the approval period took almost two years, from November 2007 to May 2009.

DOTC, NEDA Investment Coordinating Committee, and other concerned agencies approved the plan.

Upon completion, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will be in-charge of its maintenance

Daraga is first applicant for cityhood in 17th Congress

By Christian Robert Roxas

Daraga, inhabited by about 120 000 people, is bound to take a historical leap as the proposal for its conversion into a city reaches the 17th Congress.

In accordance to Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda’s first bill in congress, the Municipality of Daraga is now the first applicant for cityhood in the 17th congress.

The bill which aims for Daraga’s conversion into a city is known as House Bill 66. It was passed in the first reading last July 27 on the first working day of the House of Representatives and was referred to the Committee on Local Governments.

If passed, the landlocked town of Daraga will be the fourth city in Albay together with Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao.

From municipality to city According to an article by Bicol Today, Congressman Salceda said that the cityhood of Daraga was among his top legislative priorities and he hopes that the Office of Civil Defense can endorse its passage.

He also pointed out that Daraga has surpassed its town status and is now ready to become a city. As mandated by Republic Act 9009, the town has reached the income requirement for the conversion.

Daraga Vice-Mayor Carlwyn Baldo stated that the town is already qualified when it comes to population and land area so they focus more on increasing the economic enterprise.

He added that the bill must be passed up to the third reading plus the consensus of the congress or bicameral proceedings and public consultations.

GIVE WAY TO A NEW. A traffic enforcer in the busy center street of the municipality of Daraga whose application for cityhood is now in the 17th Congress. If passed, the cityhood will open more opportunities for Daraga when it comes to economy and tourism.

(Photo by Shan Gabriel Apuli)

If passed, the cityhood will open more opportunities for Daraga when it comes to economy and tourism such as additional real property tax that can be spent for road improvements and additional establishments to provide the basic needs of the people. This is also an advantage for the upcoming opening of the Bicol International Airport (BIA), which is located in Barangay Alobo of the town.

Local Government’s support The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Daraga is giving its full support to Con-

gressman Salceda’s bill to turn the town into a city.

“Kami dito ay nagbibigay suporta sa parte ng LGU dahil mas maganda para sa amin ang cityhood, madadagdagan ang pera para sa mga proyekto at basic services ng mga Daragueno,” Baldo stated.

Baldo also calls the participation of every Daragueño in order to achieve and acquire all the qualifications needed for cityhood.

So far, other projects of Daraga include the infirmary hospital with the help of the Department of Health and the ongo-

ing construction of the BIA. As of now, Daraga is a first class municipality in the Province of Albay and was made known through its famous landmark Cagsawa Ruins and 400-year-old Our Lady of the Gate Parish.

BUEÑOS ON THE CITYHOOD In line with the conversion of becoming a city, Bicol University students and residents of Daraga expressed their side regarding the matter.

According to Abigail Jo Abainza, a graduating AB English student and a resi-

dent of Barangay Ilawod, she has no clear vision of what Daraga would be like if it becomes a city as she is not that aware of the pros and cons it might actually bring.

“I guess Daraga as of today is already a city in its state. Wala lang talaga sa pangalan yung "city" pero we have already a lot of stores, food chains, people and a very congested traffic. So, I don't know what would be different if it becomes a city. Pero optimism nalang na sana if ever, it would be for the better,” she added.

Meanwhile, Joan Charlene Lopos, 4th year AB Economics student from Daraga campus and a resident of Barangay Peñafrancia also expressed her views about the cityhood.

“As a first class municipality in Albay, it is not shocking for Daraga to aim on being a city. With its rapid economic development as seen in the number of business establishments that emerged, it is a pro for the municipality,” Lopos said.

Another student from Daraga campus and a resident of Barangay Tagas, Julie Jane Jacob, 4th year AB Sociology from College of Social Sciences and Philosophy said that it would be good for the place and to the people.

“I am in favor for the said conversion, kasi in my 20 years here in Daraga namasdan ko na hindi lang maayos ang pamamalakad kaya nagreresulta ito sa kakulangan at walang kaayusan ng lugar,” Jacob concluded.

After all, Daragueños could only hope for continued progress in their place. As the municipality crawls into becoming a city, its residents also hope for a brighter future for their families and their descendants to come.

8

Opin

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The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June-October 2016

Editorial

Off Course For a country to prosper, shifting from unitary to the federal form of government should be equipped with an internal change in its leaders. Not doing so will make the shift futile.

In federalism, power is shared between the national government and political units called states or regions. Its rationale lies in the decentralization of powers in order to attain comprehensive development among the regions and its constituents since the country will be deviated into states.

National government will handle the currency or fiscal policy, foreign policy and national defense while the state legislatures will have autonomous powers and can dictate their own revenue generation, health and education policies as well as taxation.

In a survey conducted by Pulse Asia last July 2 to 8, it was found that 44% of the 1200 respondents opposed in amending the 1987 Constitution, 37% agreed while the remaining 19% are ambivalent on the matter. The proposed amendments include the shift to a parliamentary legislature and the move to a federal system of government.

This administrative shift offered by the current administration, although drafted with the aim of finally bringing progress for the country, is a move that deserves a serious look as it is bound to affect the political culture in the Philippines. For the rich regions, the decentralization of powers offers utmost advantage since the income from their natural resources shall go directly to their state. The opposite happens for those regions with little natural resources since the problem on how they shall independently develop and manage their economies shall then arise.

Furthermore, this generates uneven development among states thereby creating not only competition but also division. States would judge themselves in relation to how other states are progressing. Needless to say, the basis for progress shall be dependent on the level of other regions and not on the economic capacity of the state alone.

With the local leaders held accountable to their constituents, delays in projects brought by the central government shall not be held as an excuse. However, with our current political culture, it cannot be denied that autonomy of regions can further increase political dynasties and encourage corruption.

At the very least, shifting to federalism also results to reallocation of powers to government officials. Again, with our current political culture, federalism is not the answer considering our officials’ track record on corruption.

At the very most, it must be taken utmost consideration that the people who operate a system of government are vital for the system to succeed or not. Shifting from unitary to federal, without transforming the country’s leaders, can still cause the new scheme to fail.

What we need now is to strengthen our local economy. Establish projects in regions which would boost and sustain the place’s economy.

The Philippines, composed of thousands of islands, is still full of natural resources. With federalism being pushed, it can only lead to further division in an already divided country.

If only our government officials work with integrity and not be lured by money, serving the people and the people alone, then there would be no need for a governmental shift.

The proposal to change from unitary to federal form of government in the country shall still go a long way but our road towards progress is lying still on the palm of our hands. In order to be on the right track, we shall examine this full well.

Supreme Control One can easily forget a report about an individual committing a heinous crime. But when a person whose duty is to protect the people commits one unlawful act, it is entirely a different story.

The human life, fragile and intricate, is holy in any perspective.

It should not be taken away nor threatened by the hands of another human form, but must be protected in any means possible. The law, recognized and regulated, is peace and order’s core. Breaking it could only lead to one thing – chaos.

The role to enforce the law has been delegated to no less than our police officials. Years of training inculcated into them bravery, selflessness and nationalism so that in due time, they will be more than ready to protect their country. The moment when they take their oath is also the beginning of their promise that their lives will be dedicated alone to their fellow countrymen.

This makes me tilt my chin up to our country’s police officials and raise my salute for theirs is a profession incomparable to any other job.

However, their very role to protect was not realized as a police van rammed several protesters last October 19 in front of the US Embassy, leaving about 60 individuals injured. In a video which circulated online, it seemed that the driver of the police vehicle had no intent of sparing anyone from being run over. An act of bravery indeed, but never of selflessness and nationalism.

Talking about incidents similar to this, police brutality increased with the full swing of the current administration’s antinarcotics operation. As of August, around 750 people have been killed

during police raids against drug peddlers, with another 1,100 fatalities being investigated.

This makes me tilt my chin downward in utter disappointment and drop my salute for theirs is a profession improperly executed.

The Commission on Human Rights has never been silent about this matter. In fact, Agnes Callamard, the new UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions stressed in a news release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Claims to fight illicit drug trade do not absolve the Government from its international legal obligations and do not shield State actors or others from responsibility for illegal killings.”

It is the government’s duty to save. In fact, the very reason why the government is onto the campaign against illegaI drugs is to save lives from utter disdain brought by the narcotics. However, with the increasing number of extrajudicial killings, lives are not being saved from utter disdain but are even lured into it.

With several killed, it seemed that drug charges are being judged by these gunmen on the streets and not by the court of law. On a similar stance, the incident in the US Embassy also showed how the police were unable to uphold “maximum tolerance”, ravaging protesters as if they were untouchables and are above the law.

With several views and eyebrows raised on the police, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated in an article by GMA News Online that it is unfair to accuse these officials of brutality. He stated that the act was a judgment

Summation

Jervy Anne Romero

call made by a policeman who might have felt the threat of being lynched by protesters. In support, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III called on the public not to pass judgment as the video online is not the whole picture.

I understand the idea that these officials, no matter how the situation is looked, are only humans with limited temper. However, it is with the acceptance of their oath that they should exercise maximum tolerance against situations such as these. Even Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronaldo Dela Rosa stated that the

It is with the acceptance of their oath that they should exercise maximum tolerance against situations such as these.

PNP recognizes and upholds the citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. He said, moreveror, that police forces are under strict instructions to exercise maximum tolerance in such public assemblies, with public safety and protection of human life an utmost concern and topmost priority.

I give direct emphasis on the terms utmost concern and topmost priority because it is inherently evident that these are not the case.

As stated in section 25.9 guidelines in dealing with assemblies, rallies, demonstrations and marches of the PNP Operations Handbook, “Respect for human rights and equal treatment and protection for everybody shall be strictly observed.” Needless to say, it was more than clear that respect for human rights was not evident in the scenario. Moreover, the handbook also states that nonlethal methods shall be used to disperse assemblies of rallyists.

The abovementioned scenarios entailed in others the image of the police as untouchables entitled to flout the law. Besides that, the next batch of protesters against any embassy or a convent in mind shall expect nothing but police brutality.

These acts are contrary to what the late night show Ang Probinsyano wants to portray – a police officer who would be willing to risk everything for the law and for the people. With this, the public’s judgment on these officials is currently at its downfall. However, it is never too late to gain the public’s trust. But how can this be done if their acts are nothing but brutal?

I believe that despite what we see now with the police, there are still hundreds out there who are more than willing to put their lives in front of the cliff for the Filipino people. To them, I give my salute and praise.

The human life as well as the rule of law shall never be threatened nor broken. Nor shall any act be manifested which could destroy these. This has to stop now. The police need to examine themselves and carefully check whether or not they are still enforcers of the law.

Not doing so would just lead to utter, utter chaos.

nion

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Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Transmundane Keren Anne Bernadas

It is a different kind of freedom of expression when one crosses the borders of its legitimacy. It is but a freedom to destroy.

The press, although it cherishes the freedom given by the Constitution that it shall not be abridged, must still act according to the guiding principles and ethical standards set in journalism as well as in the law.

The press also serves as a vital soul in the society as it is the chief source of all the affairs in a country, while allowing the public to draw various opinions from, especially in the area of politics and governance.

It is therefore a very powerful medium to engage the people to talk about the leaders that govern them and be influenced by what is spoken by the media, whether good or bad.

The decision made by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Legazpi City to declare persona non grata to three media personalities manifests two shameless actions done by the latter – dejects the code of ethics and breaks the freedom that is actually given to them.

These irresistible commentators used to assert that city Mayor Noel Rosal is involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.

One of the commentators said on-air: “Hanggang mga Rosal an nakupo sa mga Legazpi, hindi mawawala an droga sa Legazpi. Bakit?! Nang umupo ang mga Rosal, ni minsan hindi nabawasan an droga. Eh yung mga suspected ngani sa drugs dyan, identified na mga tawo kan Alkalde, su ibang mga nakadukot diyan sa Alkalde.”

This really sounded like a circulating propaganda against the local government. With this, the capability not only by the government but by the entire citizenry to cope up with the issue on illegal drugs can be so much affected.

This resolution by which is given by the council is not only a statement to unwelcome but an expression of a clear and present danger that brings about double the panic to the minds of the people in the context of President Rodrigo Duterte’s cam-

paign against illegal drugs, noting also the increasing number of extrajudicial killings anywhere.

Reckoning with the number of profane and offensive words that were thrown irresponsibly and unethically in the air, I could no longer accept that what must be a public affairs program that enlightens the people about the significant issues in the society, seemed to be a program of unconfirmed news and a discussion with less than civility, of arraignment without challenging, and of analysis without quality research.

You have already been holding on to that one thing that lets you speak the matters you deemed were the truth against the local government – freedom.

But you over-gripped it.

In his Facebook post, Adrian Loterte commonly known as Golden Boy, who is one of the engratas said: “Ito ang gusto mangyari ng dektador na mayor ng Legazpi patahimikin ang mga media bomabatikos sa mga katarantadohan nila. Una pinasarado station namin, pangalawa pinagbintangan kami ng maling akosasyon at hindi nakuntento inutusan pa sanguniang pang rosal na edeklara kami persona non grata. Ano pa ang susunod na gagawin mo mayor? “ The kind of integrity that these personalities are fighting for, they refer to, is to just expose the malfunctions and allegations against the local government. But that is too far from the integrity that the media must possess – standing up for the truth

Technically Speaking Randall Matthew Lorayes

We are at war; a kind of war like no other. I’m talking about a conflict where most attacks happen nowadays not by sending armies with weapons and explosives but with devices which can attack information and its infrastructure. Indeed, modern warfare now involves the Internet and it increasingly affects how these “battles” are fought.

Here in the Philippines, I mostly see an information warfare going on and it has intensified ever since we’ve gone into an election season and has remained volatile even to this time of writing.

Fallacies such as ad hominem attacks and blackand-white thinking continue to spread and make the unsuspicious believe such unsound arguments and misleading information.

It has come to a point wherein a significant segment of online users who believe these kinds of propaganda to take on professional media outlets and often dismiss of what they report as unfair and biased. Most of these kinds of comments are often vulgar and disrespectful and mainly intended to insult rather than to constructively criticize.

Simply put, it’s hate speech and that’s in most cases no longer protected by our constitution’s freedom of expression. It may also be libelous and thus illegal. Taking these people to court may not be easy however as they often hide under anonymity.

In retaliation, some media outlets now aggressively delete comments which they consider crude and uncivil to allow its readers to have an atmosphere of a safe online discourse. While some cry foul over this move, moderating comments is not something new in online discussion platforms such as forums, chat rooms, and the comments section wherein freedom to express no longer applies if moderators deem it obscene and defamatory. After all, by posting a comment, they are agreeing to the website’s comment moderation policy.

As I see it right now, those claiming to be journalists and believe that they can do a better

job of reporting and commentary are seemingly winning this conflict. It’s disturbing to see – from my view as a Broadcasting student – that there is a huge following for websites and blogs from people such as Mocha Uson who are not necessarily observing the proper ethics of mass communication by misleading their followers by only reporting part of the truth and outright accuse or claim something even without providing logical arguments. A very good example of this would be when Rappler published a three-part series of

As I see it right now, those claiming to be journalists and believe that they can do a better job of reporting and commentary are seemingly winning this conflict. in-depth articles reporting how social media became a tool to shape public opinion by gathering and rallying supporters, taking advantage of algorithms, and creating fake accounts and bots to spread propaganda. Unsurprisingly, several supporters and pollical advocacy groups for President Duterte slammed Rappler, particularly Maria Ressa who wrote the first two of the series, and began to demonize her and her colleagues who were also vocal on the issue through online shaming. These

FREEdoomed by being mindful of what the freedom of expression covers all about.

This subsequent suppression of the press means more than just how unethical some of the local commentators in this city; it could also mean failure to the part of the local government to persevere in the transparency and competency of their platforms and governance to strangulate illegal drugs and answer the accusations through a proper communication and more visible mandate against crimes and misdeeds.

To the media personalities, I commend your bravery, because not all commentators can do what you can. But I condemn your means. I can stand by the years of your experience in broadcast journalism but I can tell you it will never measure how much you live by the principles of your profession.

You have already been holding on to that one thing that lets you speak the matters you deemed were the truth against the local government – freedom. But you over-gripped it. You no longer reflect the hopes and dreams of every Filipino by the words that came out of you. You no longer uphold this freedom with high sense of obligation and responsibility. You only alleged and not verified. You only attacked and never served.

You already crossed the borders.

And though there are some broadcasters that do not anymore serve their functions well enough, it does not mean that you break away the preamble easily too. But by living the principles because you think it is your accountability as a broadcaster to do so, you make all the difference.

The press must support the improvement of the public servants’ efforts to sustain the city’s common good by not only looking at the mistakes committed by them but by giving what else can be done to better serve the people. After all, the press also serves the public by the freedom that they have. What else can be a better way to do it but to do it with fairness and morality, and morality at all times.

Information Under Attack groups also started a campaign to unfollow Rappler’s social media pages.

Will this war come to an end? I believe it is possible however it will be extremely difficult. For one, we must convince people who are at the extreme sides of this conflict to stand down. That alone is already hard to accomplish given their stubbornness to consider the arguments of their opponents by standing firm to what they believe.

Those who are still open-minded from both sides therefore should not remain silent and must not allow them to fully represent their side in terms of expressing of views to put an end to the generalization by encouraging more civilized and constructive discussions.

It is also not advisable to share and call for the closure of blogs and pages of those posting misleading and fallacious content since it would only further spread their propaganda and it would also be, as Jaymee Gamil of the Philippine Daily Inquirer put it, “hypocritical for anyone who values freedom of speech to get onboard any move to silence anyone.”. The better course of action would be to document their activities which can potentially be used to support a case against these groups.

A long-term solution to this would be for a greater push for media literacy to be included in school’s curriculum. The first steps have been made with ‘Media and Information Literacy’ now being taught as a core subject in senior high school under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.

However, I believe the concept of media literacy should be introduced as early as in elementary school and likewise teach children the responsible use of social media given its greater accessibility which now competes with television.

With these solutions in mind, only then can we increase our fighting chances in letting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth win in this war.

Off the Wall Deano Christian Echague

Entry Wounds While you are busy fighting and fussing about the latest in-trend issue in your social media, somewhere in the other side of the world, or perhaps just downtown, somebody your age is fighting for his life.

Bicol University. The home of topnotchers, the cream of the crop, the pride of Bicol. Home of (21 985) students, mostly composed of millennials. House of inborn fighters, mostly internet warriors.I raise to you my left fist in salute for all your wonderful achievements, but it is also raised to question.

I question the lack of awareness in the issue of child soldiers. Most of you fight hidden battles. That is true, however, are you aware that children fight some battles for you? Some of you may have already saw an article about this, but ignored it in favor of the latest endeavors of Jadine or Kathniel. While you are enchanted by the new single of pop artists, gunfire is heard by people our age. While we are complaining about the boredom that is our professor, a child in the other side of the world lost a brother in conflict. Ask yourself, do you even know that they exist?

No? Let me fill you in.

Child soldiers are people aged 18 below, and are used as armed forces of government, non-government or private institutions. Most child soldier activity can be found in third world countries such as Afghanistan, Burma, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, DR Congo, India, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Thailand and Yemen and even here in the Philippines.

Just like how we are easily encouraged or discouraged by social media postings, children are easily influenced.

Children are more easily ma-

We are the people of a third world country, but we act like we are first world rich. nipulated than adult fighters.

Many child soldiers fight on the frontlines because they are considered expendable or paper fodder. Not all fight, some are given jobs such as couriers. Girls are often forced into sexual slavery.

Many are recruited by force – stolen from their

families and forced to fight. In some cases children are made to kill their relatives so they can never return home. Others join voluntarily, driven by poverty and the hope of a regular meal. It is a horrendous and harsh reality that is a big insult to our ethical and moral standards, but it is ignored, because it doesn’t really uplift your societal status when you share it on Facebook or twitter.

Most of the child soldiers only want education, and because of their circumstances, they use armed conflict to earn money to pay for the education of their siblings.

Picture it, children holding guns instead of books. Children holding a dead comrade at arms instead of stuffed toys. Children’s faces covered in tears and blood instead of smiles. Children in fatigue, khaki, or camouflage instead of school uniforms. It is a horrific scenario, and only the old and bitter war perpetrators win. This issue puts you in place, and it helps you gain perspective.

Just like us, these children all dream of a brighter future, but they need help.

Our help. I wrote this column to raise awareness and not for you to pity them. If anything else, I pity you. You complain about your slow internet connection, the traffic, the lag when playing games on your personal computer, and your night classes. These people would do anything to be in your shoes, and what really bothers me is that we are all affected by the root cause of child soldier activity.

We are the people of a third world country, but we act like we are first world rich.

We are surrounded by people faking their social status and then some. Compared to what those children experience we should be grateful. However, being thankful is not enough.

I am not insinuating violence or student activism, I am saying that we should all be involved.

We were all children once, and we reminisce on our childhood and remember something pure, something happy, and something genuine. We do not remember shellshock or posttraumatic stress disorder. We are lucky, but now we must do our part.

I hope the next time I raise my left fist, it is for empowerment. I raise it because finally books outnumber guns. I hope the next time I raise it, I raise it with pride because we have done something, and I raise it with you, fellow millennial. I hope you raise your left fist because finally you see the white elephant in the room, the more pressing issues of the world. Otherwise it will just be my middle finger up your face.

Opinion

10 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Zeitgeist Nichole Baloloy Kritkikal ang estado ng ating kapaligiran sa kasalukuyan. Ang isang maliit na pagkakamali ay maaring magdulot ng pangmatagalang suliranin at nakakabahalang pighati. Marapat lamang na ang mga desisyon patungkol sa paggamit ng mga pinagkukunang-yaman ay pagtuunan din ng kritikal na pagsusuri nang sa gayon ay maging angkop ang pagpapasya.

Ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) ang kauna-unahan at nag-iisang nuclear power plant sa bansa na magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi pinakikinabangan at patuloy pang pinagkakagastusan ng pamahalaan.

Sa pagpasok ng bagong administrasyon ay siyang pag-ugong muli ng hindi matapos-tapos na isyung buksan at gamitin na ang mahigit tatlumpung taong planta. Ayon sa kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Enerhiya na si Alfonso Cusi, balak niyang buhayin ang BNPP at ikunsidera ang nuclear power bilang alternatibong mapagkukunan ng enerhiya dahil na rin sa banta ng energy crisis sa bansa.

Ang BNPP ay ipinatayo ni dating Pangulong Marcos taong 1976 bilang tugon sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at upang mabawasan ang pagaangkat nito mula sa ibang bansa. Natapos ang proyekto taong 1984 ngunit hindi na pinayagan pang patakbuhin ng administrasyong Aquino matapos ang aksidenteng nangyari sa Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant ilang buwan lamang matapos siya umupo sa pwesto.

Ito ay sinuportahan ng mga residenteng malapit sa planta dahil sa pangambang maaaring maidulot nito sa kalusugan at sa kapaligiran.

Sa kasulukuyan, ito ay pag-aari ng National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) na patuloy na pinapanatili at pinipreserba na inaabot ng 40-50 milyong piso ang gastos bawat taon.

Sa matagal nang panahon, fossil fuel

at coal ang mga pangunahing pinagkukunan ng enerhiya ng bansa. Dahil sa patuloy pagtaas ng presyo nito sa pandaigdigang merkado at paubos na rin ang reserba sa ilang bansa, partikular na sa mga bansang nasa Gitnang Silangan nararapat lamang na maghanap ng alternatibong mapagkukunan.

Ngunit nuclear energy nga ba ang solusyon sa ating suliranin sa enerhiya?

Sa pagkakataong ito, solusyon ang kailangan natin hindi panibagong suliranin.

Ayon kay dating Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco, isa sa mga pangunahing nagsusulong ng pagbubukas ng BNPP, mas mura ang nuclear energy kumpara sa coal. Ayon sa kanya, sa bawat labing walong buwan, ang 20 tonelada ng Uranium fuel (pangunahing kemikal na ginagamit sa nuclear power generation) ay aabutin lamang ng 20 milyong dolyar kumpara sa katumbas nitong 2.55 milyong tonelada ng coal na umaabot ng 102 milyong dolyar.

Ibig sabihin, mas makakatipid ang bansa ng 80 milyong dolyar sa bawat labing walong buwan kung nuclear energy ang gagamitin.

Ngunit dahil na rin sa tagal na hindi ito nagamit, kailangan din isaalangalang ang pagsasa-ayos ng planta. Ayon sa Korean Electric Power Company na inatasan ng NAPOCOR na i-assess ang

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Isuko na ang Bataan kondisyon ng tumatanda nang planta, gagastos ng humigit-kumulang 1 bilyong dolyar para sa rehabilitasyon nito.

Samantala, ayon naman sa environmental group na Greenpeace, ang gagastusin sa pag-aayos at pagpapatakbo ng BNPP ay hihigitan lamang ang halaga ng enerhiyang makukuha rito. Sa halip na bumababa ang singil sa kuryente, ay magiging bagong pasanin lamang ito ng mga Pilipino. Kukulangin din umano ang 1 bilyong dolyar na nakalaan sa rehabilitasyon ng planta dahil na rin sa mga overrun, delay, tanda ng planta at mga napansing sira nito.

Isa rin sa mga dahilan ng pagtutol ng mga environmentalists ay ang pangamba nito sa kapaligiran. Ang mga nuclear power plants ay nagpu-produce ng radioactive waste na maaaring magdulot ng masama sa kalusugan at kapaligiran.

Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring nakakaalam kung papaano idi-dispose ang mga mapanganib na kemikal na ito.

Kaya ang lahat ng radioactive waste sa mundo mula nung unang mag-generate ng enerhiya galing sa mga nuclear power plant ay patuloy paring iniiimbak. Hindi man ito itinatapon, ang banta nitong tumagas ang pinangagambahan ng mga environmentalists tulad ng nangyari sa mga aksidente sa Three Mile Island noong 1979, Chernobyl noong 1986 at noon lamang 2011 sa Fukushima matapos tumama ang isang 9.1 magnitude na lindol sa Japan.

Ang BNPP ay hindi malayong maapektuhan din kung sakaling lumindol dahil ito ay nakatayo malapit sa Mt. Natib na isa ring dormant volcano tulad ng Mt. Pinatubo at sa Iba Fault na isang major earthquake fault line.

Dagdag pa rito, ang pag-iimbak ng mga radioactive waste ay hindi tiyak kung hanggang kailan dahil na rin sa tagal bago bumaba o tuluyang mawala ang radioactivity level nito. Maaaring uma-

Letter to the Editor Why is it easy for Bueños to leave copies of publication issues anywhere they please? When I read issues from different publications in Bicol University, I always get the same thing. There’s always the news. There’s a hint of intrigue like students criticizing other students. Most often than not, student councils are the favorite subject of these criticisms. But these usual contents are not any more valuable enough for Bueños to care for these pieces of paper.

Often, the themes of student papers are not really targetive of the experiences of Bueños in the university. I can only count in my fingers write-ups which speak of the realities within the institution. This leads me to a second question.

Has the environment within the university become daunting already that students no longer voice out their dissents, grievances and opinions?

The latter brings me back to a friend who also writes for a publication. She is

This Space

I’m only hoping that the STRAW bill may be passed and implemented to help students.

Maybe only then can students really exercise the gift of democracy.

is open for complaints, concerns, and grievances.

Submit your articles at facebook.com/UnibeWallnews or e-mail us at unibe.online@gmail.com Please don’t forget to identify your name.

baot ng libo-libong taon o higit pa. Kaya kahit isara man ang planta ay patuloy parin ang pag-iimbak ng radioactive waste.

Ibig sabihin, patuloy din ang gastos ng pamahalaan sa pag-iimbak nito.

Hindi rin praktikal ang muling pagsasaayos ng BNPP dahil ito ay higit 3 dekada na ang tanda kung saan ang karamihan sa mga nuclear power plants sa mundo ay umaabot lamang ng 40 taon ang operasyon.

Kilala ang ating bansa bilang ehemplo pagdating sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan ngunit bakit patuloy parin ang usapin sa pagpapatakbo ng isang banta sa kaligtasan, kalusugan at kapaligiran?

Nitong 2008 lamang ay naipasa ang Renewable Energy Act na naglalayong suportahan ang renewable energy bilang alternatibong mapagkukunan ng enerhiya. Bakit hindi na lang pagtuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan ang mga mapagkukunan ng enerhiya tulad ng solar, wind at hydroelectricity na matagal nang nasimulan at hindi pa nagdudulot ng panganib sa mga tao at sa kapaligiran?

Hindi masama ang pagbabago ngunit dapat din nating tandaan na hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay nakabubuti ito.

Sa pagkakataong ito, solusyon ang kailangan natin hindi panibagong suliranin.

Ang BNPP ay isang malaking pagkakamali ng nakaraan at nasa atin na lamang kung ipagpapatuloy pa natin ito.

Sana’y magkaunawaan na tayo’t magkaroon na ng desisyon ang pamahalaan sa kung ano na talaga ang gagawin sa planta upang mapagtuunan na natin ng pansin ang mga totoong solusyon at makausad na tayo sa tila walang katapusang diskusyon.

Isang malaking sugal ang kung ipagpapatuloy pa ba ang nuclear energy sa bansa. Sugal na nakataya ay ang kaligtasan, kalusugan at kaban ng bayan.

Saan ka pupusta? Ipaglalaban o isusuko na nga ba ang Bataan?

Unfavored a brave woman for pointing out what she described as a hypocritical school activity being undertaken annually. I share the same observation as her. I admire her for taking the courage to write about it. As expected, her write-up did not go unnoticed. It raised many eyebrows and caught the attention of a professor, whom she refused to name, who scolded her and made her stop writing for the publication. Of course, my friend did not stop writing. Only now she has to do it anonymously. As you can see, what made her write anonymously is the same fear common to students who opt not to write or even voice out the negative experiences they encountered.

Upon hearing this from my friend, I reviewed her write-up and found nothing seriously offensive about it for her to deserve the treatment. Her story is angering but more of saddening. I don’t understand why a student is being silenced by a member of the academe when she could have talked to her and discussed to her why she thought my friend’s perspective is wrong or whether she is having a misunderstanding.

Student publications are avenues for students to discuss issues within the university in a scholarly manner. It’s not there to destroy a system of administration but a medium to forward questions in need for answers. Sadly, it’s not how some school authorities see it. They view student publications as a bunch of millennials writing in vain. More often than not, there’s no longer room for discourse to tackle whatever the issues between the students and the university and its personnel.

Some professors would often pronounce student activism within the

university as dead. Even in the context of student publications. These pronouncements may be true only because students are disincentivized to do so.

The fear of being unfavored by personalities that may be subjects of write-ups often gets in the way. I believe the lack of safety nets in the status quo wherein students’ rights are highlighted and protected is not really known. Students always fear persecution if they voice out their negative experiences within the university. Even if we have friends within the university such as the guidance counselors, students are still afraid.

I’m only hoping that the STRAW bill (Students’ Rights And Welfare aka Magna Carta of Students) may be passed and implemented to help students. Maybe only then can students really exercise the gift of democracy.

And maybe then students will be reading more about matters that really affect them and appreciate more the value of student publications in the university.

This write-up is not to encourage students to rally against whatever system there is. This is an attempt to allow readers to assess why apathy among the students in discussing their rights is prevailing.This is both a call for students to be more active in forwarding positive causes for the studentry. And for the members of the academe not to misunderstood such action but to see it as an avenue to open up discourse in order to find solutions.

Faith T. Marbella AB Political Science IV President - BU Debate Society

The Bicol Universitarian

Official Student Publication of Bicol University

Editorial Board & Staff AY. 2016-2017

Editor-in-Chief Jervy Anne Romero Associate Editor Keren Anne Bernadas Managing Editor Randall Matthew Lorayes Senior Editor Deano Christian Echague Arts & Graphics Editor Nichole Baloloy Copy Editor Casandra Balala Writers Christian Robert Roxas, Ivy Cuebillas, May Altavano, Julianne Nicolle Moral, Elyssa Kristine Ella, Danica Navida, Renzle Mae Miranda, Gladys Ebrada, Maria Vanessa Bernardo Layout Artists Jerald Talavera, Vince Añonuevo Cartoonists John Paul Revilla, Edward Lustan, John James Doctolero Photojournalists Shan Gabriel Apuli, Roma Joy Padre, Vynce Opeña, Aila Marie Bailon Public Relations Staff Josh Mirabuna, Charmaine Aduviso, Cyrelle Nuñez, Sharmaine Labog, Alyssa Marie Bonaobra, Mark Johnnel Malasa Social Media Producers Mary Joy Bongapat, Jeano Marcayda

Technical Adviser Felipe Jose Peralta The Bicol Universitarian

is located at the 2/F Bicol University College of Arts & Letters, Legazpi City

Financial Statement 2nd Semester , A.Y. 2015-2016

Cash Inflow 2nd Sem Collection (AY 2015-2016) Remaining Cash (1st sem AY 2014-2015) Bank Interest Total Cash Inflow

P317,192.50 P412,394.30 P320.21 P729,907.01

Cash Outflow P100,000.00 1st Print Issue (Full Payment) P108,240.00 2nd Print Issue (Tabloid) P61,432.44 Rayterista 8 P50,655.00 RTSPC P7,859.85 LHEPC P10,096.00 Harapan 2016 P2448.95 Editorial Board Exam P4,000.00 Kick-off Party P4,500.00 Balance (BATSPA) P622.50 Photocopy, printing, and shipment of files P 2,060.61 Office supplies and equipments P4,995.00 Pressworks P7,157.90 Operational Expenses P1,084.00 Transportation Expenses P1080.00 Other expenses P366,232.25 Total Cash Outflow Cash Inflow Cash Outflow

P729,907.01 P366,232.25

Remaining Cash (as of 4/28/16)

P 363,674.76

Prepared by: (SGD.) Bryan Del Castillo Managing Editor Noted: (SGD.) Prof. Felipe Jose Peralta Technical Adviser

News

11

The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Bicol U admits 400 senior high school studes VPAA: We are ready for transition

By Casandra Balala and Randall Matthew Lorayes

BU UNESCO Club backs anti-illegal drug campaign

With the opening of Senior High School (SHS) as part of the implementation of the K to 12 program, Bicol University (BU) admits 400 Grade 11 students for school year 2016-2017.

One hundred two of these students finished Junior High School (JHS) at BU College of Education Integrated Laboratory School (BUCEILS) and 298 came from other schools. They are the first batch to finish four years of JHS and will be entering SHS instead of entering the tertiary level.

SHS also allows students to take specific career tracks and strands which are similar to college courses and specializations.

BU President Dr. Arnulfo Mascarinas said in an interview with The Bicol Universitarian in March that they were not mandated to open SHS in the university, however, they still accepted incoming Grade 11 students because of their laboratory school in CE. “Alangan man ining graduate ta sa lab school daing padudumanan. Automatic na yung galling sa BU lab school pero yung mga taga-luwas, they need to take the exam.” Mascarinas said.

Also speaking to The Bicol Universitarian in March, Dr. Helen Llenaresas, BU Vice President for Academic Affairs, said that the university intends to offer only the academic track for SHS and will have a total of 10 classes: four classes for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand (STEM), three classes for the Humanities and Social Sciences strand (HUMSS), and another three classes for the Accountancy and Business Management strand (ABM).

Llenaresas assured that the university has taken steps in preparation for the new academic arrangements. “We are ready with all the programs in the university for the transition from the old curriculum to K to12 program.” she said.

FACILITIES AND TEACHERS Starting this academic year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been working with state universities and colleges (SUCs) such as BU to use their existing fa-

By Danica Navida with a report from Cyrelle Nuñez

Since Bicol University (BU) has been one of the named priority institutions in the province on the campaign against illegal drugs, the BU United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (BU-UNESCO) Club conducted a forum on Science Behind Drug Addiction 2.0 held at College of Nursing (CN) last July 12.

NEXT LEVEL. Students under the Senior High School Program of Bicol University after their morning class at BU College of Arts and Letters. The SHS Program is part of the govenment’s goal of providing quality education , skills and development. for the students (Photo by Aila Marie Bailon)

cilities and teaching staff to reduce the impact of the lack of incoming freshmen in the tertiary level during the transition period.

Based on the breakdown of enrollees, 160 will be taking STEM which will be lodged at the College of Science (CS), 120 will take HUMSS at the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and another 120 will be taking ABM at the College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM). This means there will be 40 students per class.

Meanwhile, according Sandra Casitas, Unit Head of CEILS High School Department, the university has been training teachers for SHS. Casitas believes that among the trained teachers, there will be around 20 who’ll come from BU which includes the most outstanding

graduates last April, another graduate who works in Dubai but chose to return to the Philippines and teachers coming back from retirement.

“Teachers should share the objectives to the students. They [students] have to be motivated to learn and to accept expectations. They have to do their best. They have to be given activities that will develop their critical thinking and creativity. We will apply the outcome-based education,” Casitas said.

DEPED VOUCHER PROGRAM In order to assist parents for their children’s education under K to 12, the national government allocated a P12 billion fund for DepEd’s Senior High School Voucher Program.

Under this program, qualified students who finished Grade 10 may

get a subsidy. For those coming from public schools, they will get a voucher worth P17,500. Those from SUCs like BU will get P8,750 which will be released to the school on a per semester basis and will only be valid if redeemed within the first semester of the school year after completing Grade 10.

The voucher is disbursed to the school rather than directly to the student.

This covers the tuition and other school fees for two years regardless of how long the student takes to finish. However, if the amount of the fees exceeds the value of the voucher, the student should shoulder the remaining amount.

DepEd expects not more than 75,000 students will apply for the government subsidy.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, University Student Council, College Student Councils (CSC) from College of Science and CN, and Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines-BU Student chapter, the activity aimed to inform students regarding adverse effect of drug addiction.

The forum tackled the reasons why people tend to be addicted to illegal drugs as well as its harmful effects to an individual’s health.

“Maybe because of curiosity kaya nagreresort sila sa use of illegal drugs and yung pleasure na result sa paggamit nito,” Demi Jeaziltyne Uvero, Vice President for Education of UNESCO Club, said.

Uvero also affirmed that forums like this will somehow reduce the number of students who were drugs users, but inadequate to completely solve the issue.

Micah James S. Maravillas, a registered pharmacist and 3rd year medical student of BU College of Medicine, identified during her talk the methamphetamine or Shabu and Cannabis sativa or marijuana as two of the most frequently used illegal drugs in the Philippines.

“We know that the forum is not enough to lessen the number of drug users but this can be a start to spread the awareness of the effect of harmful drugs and can prevent those curious minds from trying to use them”, Mariz Anne Columna, BU-UNESCO Club President said.

BUeños represent PH in Asia Summer Program ‘16

By Elyssa Kristine Ella and Mark Johnnel Malasa

Four students from different colleges of Bicol University (BU) were given the chance to represent the Philippines in the Asia Summer Program (ASP) 2016 held at Bangkok University, Thailand last July 10-30, 2016.

Brian dela Rama, 4th year BS Civil Engineering student from the College of Engineering (CENG), Ainsley Marielle Encabo, 3rd year BS Biology student from the College of Science (CS), Jewel Mary Go, 3rd year BA Communication student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and Ericka Julia Taduran, 4th year BS Social Work student from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), were the selected students sent abroad to participate in the annual event.

The ASP 2016 was a three-week credit-based program attended by 121 student participants and 58 instructors from 16 universities coming from countries which are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, China, South Korea, Bangladesh, Laos, Malaysia, Taiwan and Australia.

The program was composed of 26 courses classified into three main areas of study: humanities; social sciences; and technology, engineering, architecture and design. Each course is equivalent to three units.

De La Rama stated that besides be-

ing a passport-holder, the criteria for the selection of students included a good academic standing and/or an active student leader.

He also asserted that the objective of the ASP is to provide knowledge on specific courses that are not yet available in BU. “They want to share what their university can offer. May courses tayo na wala sa kanila at may courses din sila na wala sa atin,” De La Rama said.

Meanwhile, Encabo stated that for her, the event proved the versatility of a BU student. She also added that the opportunity to represent the country has made her feel proud of being a Filipino student.

“Coming from a biology course, studying film and business which is far different from my course, I was able to adjust to the situation. We may not have enough facilities, in fact we have little but when you’re out there, you know that the country prepared you for this moment.

That’s when I realized that a BU student is always ready for the world,” Encabo said.

The participants were accommodated at the Jasmine Grande Residence in Bangkok for the entire duration of the event. According to dela Rama, the participants shouldered the expenses during weekends and holidays only, while the host university provided their meals for the weekdays.

The next ASP will be held in 2017 and will supposedly take place in Guangdong, China.

PERFORMING WITH PRIDE. Brian dela Rama, Jewel Mary Go, Ainsley Mariell Encabo and Ericka Julia Taduran from Bicol University perform during the cultural night of the Asia Summer Program at Bangkok Thailand, July 10-31, 2016. The ASP 2016 was a three-week credit-based program attended by 121 student participants and 58 instructors from 16 universities. (Photo courtesy of Brian dela Rama)

Entertainment

12 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

KABANATA III: Pagkamulat “Holiday ba ngayon?”

Sitsit Ni Ishmael Pamintuan

Siguro timing din.

Nabawasan ang bilang ng mga estudyante, nabawasan din ang lugar na pwede nilang galawan.

Dibuho ni John Paul Revilla

KOMIKS

Ni Deano Echague

Nakakagulantang na tanong ng bruha kong kaklase na kung iisipin, masyadong feeling close. Di ko siya kilala, siguro returning student o kaya transferee.

Nawindang ako kay ate, hindi ko mapagtanto kung tanga o nagtatanga tangahan lang. Pasimpleng papansin.

“Ate, seryoso ka? Andito ka na sa loob ng unibersidad. Naka uniform ka na, may dala ka ng bag, tapos ngayon tatanungin mo ako kung holiday? Shunga ka po ba?” sambit ko sa kanya habang nakatitig sa mala alien niyang mata.

Aba! Nagtaray pa si ate. Hair flip siya, sabay roll ng eyes pataas, tila ba hinanap yung utak niya sa loob ng makapal niyang bungo. “Suplado! Hmmp! Tumingin ka nga sa paligid mo. May nakita ka bang tao? Wala di ba? Di ba?” pabebe niyang sagot.

Ako namang uto uto, tumingin tingin din.

Kaliwa papuntang kanan, pagkatapos tumingin ako sa likod ko.

Wala nga talagang tao.

Andun lang yung supladong guard na akala mo alam ang lahat ng iyong ginawa at gagawin pang kasalanan pag wala kang I.D, at yung utility worker na nag te-text gamit ang de keypad nyang China phone sa oras ng trabaho.

Mahigit isang taon na rin ako dito sa unibersidad. Isang taon matapos ibigay sa akin ni Justin Jane Kutitob ang bolpen na hugis talong. Nagsulat. Nagdrowing. Linapitan ng mga chicks. Linapitan ng mga feeling chicks.

Sinunggaban ng mga beki. Yung iba sa kanila pinansin ko naman kahit papano, kaso siya lang talaga.

Napaisip ako kung nagpapapansin lang ba sa akin si Ate. Kung ganoon man, mukhang gumagana kasi sa tingin ko matatalo ako sa argumentong ito.

Hindi ako papayag. Competitive ata ‘to.

Tinitigan ko si ate mula ulo hanggang paa, pagkatapos paa naman hanggang ulo. Aaminin ko, nalito ako kung alin yung alin. “Oo nga”, sabi ko, nagpipigil ng itatawa, “Wala nga talagang tao dito.” Ayun walk out si ate. Ishmael-1, strange classmate-0.

Sinimulan ko na rin maglakad palayo sa kinalalagyan ko. Suplado ako, oo, pero hindi naman ako ganun kakapal. Napaisip din ako ng clash namin ni ateng. Kahit papaano eh namulat din ang mga mata ko ng mga pinagsasasabi nya. “Nasaan na nga ba ang mga tao sa aking pinaka mamahal na unibersidad?” tanong ko sa aking sarili. “Bakit parang ang empty ng grounds? Kasing empty ng puso kong marupok.”

Epekto na siguro to ng K-12 program ng gobyerno. Nakakalungkot isipin na

dati, hininga na lang ang namamagitan sa akin at sa mga kapwa ko estudyante.

Ngayon, kahit mag ala chinito ako sa kaka squint ng tantalizing eyes ko, bihira na ako makahanap ng pogi este kapwa ko mag aaral.

Dati nung panahon ko, pagkagradweyt ng hayskul, diretso na agad sa kolehiyo. Ngayon, ‘pag natapos mo ang apat na taon sa hayskul ay mag-aaral ka ulit ng dalawa pang taon sa Senior High School (SHS). Dahil dito, walang freshies sa mga unibersidad ngayong taon. Bagaman, may 400 Senior High School students na pumasok sa BU ngayong taon. Sa buong bansa, mayroong 1.3 milyon na estudyante ng SHS ayon sa datos ng Commission on Higher Education.

Bago pa iimplementa ang K-12 program, halo halong opinion na tungkol dito ang nagsilabasan. Nakatutuwang isipin na hindi lang ating mga magulang ang apektado at nangingialam, tayong mga millennial eh nakisali na rin sa usapan.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Saludo ako sa iba, hindi sa lahat ha, sa iba na kung makapag voice out ng opinion nila talo pa ang atungal ni Tarzan pag hinahanap si Jane. Hindi lang pala puro PBB ang alam ng henerasyon natin.

Bagaman, hindi pa ako pwede humusga kung talaga nga bang mabuti ang kahahantungan ng programang ito. Kung ating hihimayin, ang gusto lang naman mangyari ng nasabing programa ay ‘yong mga graduate ng Pilipinas ay maging par sa mga graduate ng ibang bansa, partikular sa mga mga bansang kasali sa ASEAN at syempre, ang Estados Unidos. “Nakakalungkot pa rin,” bulong ko sa aking sarili. “Walang mga freshie, at nakakaumay na ang mga mukha ng mga taong nakapalibot sakin. Wala man lang akong bagong pwedeng kaibiganin, wala man lang bagong ka spark, wala man la—“ BLAG! “Aray naman!” sigaw ko, sabay hilot sa napaka cute kong bumbunan.

“Wala man lang bang warning?!” Hangin lang pala ang nakarinig sa mala Bugoy Drilon kong boses. Bumangga pala ako sa poste ng bagong Grandstand sa loob ng bagong sports complex. Wow! Nasa dugo ko na ata ang pagiging layas. Di ko namalayan na nakapunta ako dito sa aking pagmumuni muni. Napanganga ako.

Ansakit kase ng pagkaka umpog ko, at the same time nabighani ako sa napaka engrandeng istrukturang ito. Naalala ko tuloy yung mga tagpo noong palarong pambansa.

Andaming tao! Andaming mga pogi at magagandang media personnel! Andaming atletang makikisig at matatayog!

Wow! Ehem. Andami din syempreng mga fans bigla ng sports na umaasang mahagip ng camera at makita ang mga nagmamantika at madudungis nilang pa-cute na mukha sa telebisyon. Sobrang sigla.

Pero ngayon, kung kelan kasagsagan ng school year, wala. Wala man lang nakaka tambay sa bagong sports complex. Epekto ata ng mga bagong rulings ukol dito.

Bawal tumambay at gumamit ng sports complex except kung intrams at BU week.

Ang saklap naman.

Kalahati siguro ng huhubog sayo bilang isang Bueno ay mga matututunan at mararanasan mo sa minamahal nating oval. Dito ka maglalandi, makikipag kaibigan, kakain, tatambay, magpapacute at syempre magmumuni-muni na ang sarap pala talaga dito sa unibersidad. Pero ngayon, bihira na ang access dito. May K-12 na nga, na dahil sa programang ito

nabawasan ang bilang ng mga estudyante, ngayon bawal ka pang pumunta sa lugar na pwede nating matawag na puso ng unibersidad. Sa oval kase, sorry, sports complex na pala, isa ito sa mga bihirang lugar na nagsasalamuha ang ibat ibang uri ng Bueno. Yung athletic, nerdy, natural na cute, papogi, acad scholar, tropang tres lang sapat na, at kahit mga propesor nagagawi dito.

Siguro timing din. Nabawasan ang bilang ng mga estudyante, nabawasan din ang lugar na pwede nilang galawan.

“Bakit kaya hindi rin magbawas ng tao sa admin?” natawa ako sa bulong ng isip ko.

Bigla akong nag init, pinagpawisan, kinabahan, kinilabutan. Ayan na yung guard. Alam niya lahat ng kasalanan ko, at nakakatunaw ang mga titig nya.

“Takbo Ishmael!” sigaw ng subconscious ko. Kaya kumaripas ako. Wala na ako sa sports complex. Andito na ako sa lumang grandstand, hinihingal at mabilis ang tibok ng puso.

Mas bumilis pa ang tibok ng puso ko nang may nakita akong paparating. “Dugdugudug-dugdug-dugdug”, pilit na kumawala ang tunog mula sa aking dibdib.

Siya yung professor ko sa Technical Writing na naging crush ko dahil ni katiting ay wala man lamang akong narinig na mali sa grammar niya. Flawless kung flawless.

Waw. Para sa isang manunulat na kagaya ko, super turn on talaga pag ganun.

Papalapit siya sa akin. Paunti-unti’y tumulo ang pawis ko. Lumingon ako sa paligid para tingnan kung may ibang tao pa ba o kung may ibang lugar pa ba siyang pwedeng puntahan. Sa kaliwa, wala naman. Sa kanan, parang wala din naman. Parang sa akin talaga siya nakatingin. Kaya nasabi ko tuloy sa sarili ko, okay lang. Mag-aassume na ako.

“Pssssssssst” “Kuya, may mga nagkalat pong basura dun sa may swimming pool. Pakilinisan na lang po,” sinambit niya sa akin ng walang pag-iimbot.

Blag! Mas masakit pa ‘yon kaysa sa pagkabangga ko sa poste kanina. Di na lang ako nakaimik habang pinagmamasdan ko siyang unti-unting umaalis.

Kasabay ng kanyang paglisan, humalik ang hangin sa aking mga pisngi. Tila nagpapaalala na sa kabila ng mga pangyayari ngayong araw ay kailangan ko nang harapin ang realidad ng pagiging estudyante at manunulat. Tambak pa ang gagawin. Nakakastress.

Bagaman, sa kabila nito ay naeexcite naman dahil pag grumadweyt ay makakasuot na rin ako ng Alikbuy. Ito yung bagong kasuotan kapag graduation na pinampalit sa toga. Pahabang tela na parang sash. Kagaya nung ginagamit ng mga taga-University of the Philippines.

Class. Kasabay pa nito ay mahahalikan ko na rin ang inaasam na diploma, simbolo ng paghihirap ko dito sa unibersidad. Mga gabing walang tulog at tanging pinapak na kape lamang ang kasangga.

Mga sandaling naiihi na ako sa panty ko tuwing Biyernes at brief naman tuwing Lunes kapag graded recitation na namin.

Anyway, matagal-tagal pa naman ‘yon. Kailangan ko nang tumigil sa pagiimagine at simulan nang harapin ang realidad. May pahabang bagay na pilit umuusli sa bag ko. Kulay bayolet. Pagkabukas ng aking bag, umiilaw na ito. Tambak nanaman ang isusulat ko nito.

“Sana nga. Sana talaga. Sana holiday na lang ngayon.”

Literary

The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

In My Eyes

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

By Deano Christian Echague

“We were all created equal” mommy told me, All loved by God, no place for envy.

Then why is it not so, when I turn on the TV? Why is there war amongst everybody?

Teacher said the world is like a beautiful painting, And all the colors are different people in the drawing, If we all blend together to create beautiful feelings, Teacher tell me now, why are there so much killings?

Is it because that man’s black, like the somber night sky?

Is it because that woman’s yellow with the squinty eyes?

Tell me, do those eyes also cry?

Is it because that fellow is white like the clouds floating by?

Taong Grasa "Hoy pulubi, maligo ka nga! Ang bahobaho mo!" sigaw ng isang bata na sinundan ng paghalakhak ng tatlo pa nitong mga kasama.

Sa kabila ng malakas na hiyawan ay tila walang narinig ang pulubi. Nakatingala siya sa nagraragasang mga sasakyan habang hawak-hawak ang isang kinakalawang na lata.

"Uy ang dami naman niyan," sambit ng isa sa mga paslit sabay dampot sa lata at tinagis sa kamay ang laman nitong barya. "At dahil di ka pa naliligo, amin na muna ito! Amin na 'to! Amin na 'to!" Subalit wala man lang imik ang taong grasa at patuloy na nakasilay sa dating pinagmamasdan.

Walang tigil sa pagsayaw at pagkanta ng pakutya ang mga bata habang sila’y paikot-ikot sa pulubi.

Maya-maya may isang lalaking naparaan at napansin ang pang-aapi ng mga musmos. "Hoy! Tigilan niyo ‘yan!" sigaw nito at napakaripas ng takbo ang mga paslit papalayo sa dating pinagpipiyestahan.

"Ayos ka lang?" sambit nito sa pulubi.

Fairburst

13

Is it because that lady is brown, like the ground, where the flowers bloom and die?

Tell me, do green eyes, do they not cry?

Is it because her hair is red like the blood that makes the rivers dry?

Is it because he is different that you don’t even try?

The world is very colorful, and so are we.

Why can’t we all love one another and not judge what we see?

Why can’t we live together happily and let each other be?

Why can’t people become we?

Why is it always you or me?

It makes me really lonely.

Maybe mommy is wrong, how foolish of mommy.

Maybe teacher is wrong, maybe she didn’t study.

Maybe only in God’s eyes are colors pretty.

Maybe hate exists because it started with you and me.

Ni John Paul Revilla

"Ito kumain ka muna" Napalingon pataas ang pulubi sabay tayo sa dating pinaglugmukan. At natuon ang mga mata sa nagmalasakit na ginoo.

"May proble---" Biglang dumagasa sa kanya ang pulubi dahilan para ‘di na niya matapos ang kanyang tanong. Sinipa nito ang likod na parte ng tuhod dahilan para mawalan siya ng balanse at napaluhod sa daan. Sabay hatak pababa hanggang sa tuluyan siyang nakasubsob at napahalik sa sementong sahig.

Sa pagkagulat, ang lalaki’y napaungol na sinundan ng pagpalahaw ng iyak. Lilingon pa sana siya ngunit tumambad sa kanya ang kalibre kwarenta’y singko na nakatutok sa kanyang sintido.

Biglang sinuksok ng pulubi ang kanyang kamay sa likurang bulsa ng pinatumbang lalaki. At gumulantang ang isang pakete ng puting pulbos matapos hanguin sa bulsa nito.

"Matagal na kitang minamatyagan.

Sa ngalan ng batas, arestado ka!" kahol ng taong grasa habang ipinapakita ang tsapang inusli sa may karumihang sarwal.

By Gladys Ebrada

He is.

He is the absence of light A galaxy’s dark side He is dim and pitch-black and hidden in the stars at night No one could possibly notice the billion twinkling stars if he wasn’t there That is his sphere.

He is power and strength to the world and he is dying to keep that He is like blackout poetry but he is the omitted one rubbed out and swept away from the old pages of the book No one ever dared to look.

Still, he stares at the world with his gleaming eyes Trying to see in between and beyond

He knows exactly how different I am from him and how similar we try to live Fighting each day To find the reason for our existence And not live in false pretense I am.

I am the presence of light A galaxy of galaxies Sparkling amidst hundreds of gleaming rays Never fighting for life Never omitted Never rubbed out Never swept away There is indeed much to say He is.

I am.

Still.

The same.

Illustration by John Paul Revilla

News

14 The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

AACCUP accredits six acad programs in CAF

By Julianne Nicolle Moral

Six academic programs of Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) were once again accredited during the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) Accreditation Survey Visit last June 20-25, 2016.

WEAVING THE FUTURE. A woman from barangay Sumlang, Camalig, Albay uses traditional abaca spooling machine to make a loop which shall then be used for products and furnitures. Abaca is one of the materials comprising BU Alikbuy, the new academic costume of Bicol University. (Photo by Shan Gabriel Apuli)

In PC, nat’l forum promotes use of hybrid rice seeds

By Christian Robert Roxas and Ivy Cuebillas

With the theme “Increase Production through Hybrid Technology,” the three-day National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) at Bicol University Polangui Campus last September 27-29, 2016 aimed to promote the use of hybrid rice seeds in Bicol Region.

The event, hosted by the Department of Agriculture (DA), was attended by almost 2000 rice farmers all over Albay, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs), students and government officials.

Invited speakers were DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol as the keynote speaker together with PhilRice Executive Director Sailila E. Abdula, DA Director for Field Operations Roy M. Abaya, local government officials composed of Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, Congressman Fernando V. Gonzales and Polangui Mayor Cherilie M. Sampal. The heads of the organizing body of NTRF, Rice Board President Recher E. Ondap and DA Region V OIC-Regional Executive Director Elena B. de los Santos, were also present during the activity.

Plenary sessions include the topics hybrid rice production technology, pest diseases management, climate smart agriculture and programs, minimum access volume on rice, as well as interventions on quantitative restrictions.

Aside from the forum, the event also featured an exhibit of agricultural products and services, raffle, games and the distribution of DA interventions mostly machinery and equipment.

RICE GRANARY OF ALBAY In terms of agriculture, the municipality of Polangui is recognized nationwide as Hall of Famer during the Search for the National Rice Achievers Award from 2012 to 2015. Barangay Balangibang in Polangui was chosen to be the site of the compact techno demonstration due to its strategic location and Polangui as the rice granary of Albay.

Edgar A. Pesebre who owns the 20-hectare farm for techno demonstration said that farmers must engage in the new technology presented by DA like hybridization.

Pesebre, a local farmer technician designated by DA V, demonstrated the actual use of the new technology for the hybrid and inbred varieties for farmer’s choice of the appropriate

method and technology to be applied for particular growing conditions. Pesebre and his team target a P1M gain in their harvest every year.

Moreover, Rice Board spokesperson Frisco Malabanan said that when hybrid technology is adopted, farmers could expect to double their production.

According to DA operation department head Roy Abaya, DA is recommending the hybrid rice technology for it is “all-weather and pest resistant”. Also, farmers could expect a big return in their investment when adopting this new technology.

The National Rice Technology Forum is a collaborative effort of the Rice Productivity Advocacy Incorporated (Rice Board), DA Bicol, DA National Rice Program, Municipality of Polangui and the Provincial Government of Albay.

It is the third time for Rice Board to conduct the NRTF in the country; the first was in Digos, Davao del Sur last February 2015 followed by the one in Pototan, Iloilo last March 2016. There are also seven other member companies organizing the activity which include Bayer Philippines Inc., DuPont Pioneer, St. Agritech Corporation, Seedworks, Syngentia Philippines Inc., PhilRice and PhilsCAT.

AGRI IN MIND. A speaker in the National Rice Forum shares his insights on agriculture held at Bicol University Polangui Campus, September 27-29, 2016. The municipality of Polangui is recognized nationwide as a Hall of Famer during the Search for the National Rice Achievers Award. (Photo courtesy of Jesse James Pigon)-

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture majors in Animal Science, Crop Science, and Agricultural Extension, BS AgriBusiness, BS Agricultural Technology, Forestry and Agricultural Engineering which were all in level two, passed the phase one of two evaluation phases in the survey visit.

Master of Science in Agriculture majors in Agronomy and Animal Science was level two reaccredited.

Dr. Gerardo O. Ocfemia, BUCAF Dean, said that preparations were made by their college for the accreditation.

“Kasi meron yang 10 areas tapos may mga standards doon sa ten areas, tapos tinitingnan dun kung ano yung dapat hanapin nila.” Dr. Ocfemia added.

The 10 areas were namely: the vision, mission goals and ob-

jectives; faculty; curriculum and instruction; support for students; research; extension and community involvement; library; physical plant facilities; laboratory; and the administration.

Dr. Lolita L. Beato of Laguna State Polytechnic University headed the accreditation survey team in BS Agriculture, while Prof. Armado D. Vale of University of Rizal System (URS) headed in BS AgriBusiness, Prof Amabel P. Cruz, also from URS, headed in assessing BS Agricultural Engineering.

BS Forestry was evaluated by a team headed by Dr. Darwin E. Totaan from Pampanga State Agricultural University, while Bachelor in Agricultural Technology was reviewed by Dr. Oscar R. Jaballa and his team, respectively.

Dr. Jo A. Espiritu headed the team that assessed MS in Agriculture.

The whole accreditation team was headed by Prof. Marina S. Quesada of Don Mariano M. Marcos Memorial State University.

Dr. Roscefe B. Dy, the person in-charge of the College Accreditation, said that they did a lot to comply with the 10 areas included in the accreditation reviews.

CM celebrates third Founding Anniversary

By Gladys Ebrada and Joshua Mirabuna As part of the celebration of its third founding anniversary, Bicol University College of Medicine (BUCM) hosted the “Medicine Day” last September 22, with various activities for BUeños and visitors from outside the university.

According to Ryan Vibal, Internal Vice President of CM College Student Council (CSC), this year’s celebration of their founding anniversary was so far the biggest in the past three years.

At present, the college is already composed of three levels and a newly-constructed extension builing.

Vibal added that in a span of three years, CM students already established college organizations such as the Anatomy Teaching and Learning Academic Society (ATLAS), and a new fraternity and sorority or the Sigma Lambda Chi which also played a part in the celebration.

One of the activities presented by the medicine students was the health and wellness booth where the students enjoyed free nutrition consultation, nutritional assessment and basic self-defense lessons.

The free consultation was facilitated by CM’s full time and part time faculty members and doctors from different hospitals in the region such as Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, Aquinas Hospital, and Bicol Medical Center.

BUCM students also conducted disaster risk reduction sessions, fun fairs, and pet exhibit.

“Na-try ko lang yung mga forums nila and then itong pet booth, wherein maganda rin yung advocacies nila na kailangan natin makipag-socialize din, hindi lang sa tao kundi pati na rin sa

mga pets,” Loven Babes Rafallo, 4th year Bachelor of Secondary Education student said.

Moreover, they also provided integrative medicine services like ventosa, moxibustion, acupuncture and breast exam that were availed by 51 students and professors from various colleges inside and outside BU which showcased alternative ways of medication.

“Yung integrative medicine, hindi lang kinoconsider ‘yong physical body kasama pati ‘yong mind saka yung spirit. So hindi masyadong nagrerely sa gamot,” said Ruben N. Caragay, Dean of CM. MED STUDE FOR A DAY One of the highlights of CM’s 3rd founding anniversary was the “Be a Medicine Student for a Day” wherein aspiring applicants experienced the system of learning in BUCM for one day.

The participants paid 300 pesos registration inclusive of kits.

“Correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I’m concerned, it’s like the first in the Philippines that a med school is actually offering such kind of event,” Vibal said.

BUCM used the problembased learning format with lectures for the participants to have a chance to know what the college caters aside from the fact that medicine is a double degree program.

The participants also took an exam in which the top three will be given 100 percent, 75 percent and 50 percent scholarship for National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) review, respectively.

Aside from BU students, there were also participants from universities outside Albay such as University of Sta. Isabel and Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges.

Sports

15

The Bicol Universitarian Vol. XLIV Issue 1 June - October 2016

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Sa Zubiri Cup 2016: Team Brotheroos nanaig kontra Arki Maroons, 2-0 Ni Jerald Talavera Bilis, tatag at koordinasyon ang binomba ng Team Brotheroos kontra sa katunggali nitong Team Arki na naging dahilan upang ito’y lumubog, 2-0, sa kanilang paghaharap sa futbol-pambabae kaugnay ng ikawalong taon ng FPL- Zubiri’s Cup Annual Bicol Region Championship na ginanap sa Albay Sports and Tourism Complex noong ika-22 ng Oktubre, 2016.

Bawat koponan ay kinabibilangan ng mga mag-aaral mula sa Unibersidad ng Bikol na nagtapatan upang makopo ang kampeonato sa nasabing patimpalak.

Naging mahinahon ang bawat kampo sa pagbubukas ng unang hati ng labanan na tila sinisipat ang kalakasan at kahinaan ng bawat grupo.

Umatake ang Team Arki sa pangunguna ng kapitan na si Michelle Llandelar gamit ang

crossing ball na sinuportahan pa nina Alyssa Azul, Judith Flores at Natalie Locsin ng kanilang flick pass ngunit hindi sapat upang makasungkit ng puntos. Agad namang sumagot ang Brotheroos matapos gamitin ni Edden Olavario ang liksi ng kanyang footworks at sinubukang umiskor ngunit nagawang mapigilan ni Julie Ann Mediana ng Arki.

Sa kalagitnaan ng laro, dalawang lob kicks ang pinasiklab ni Jennan Miranda na sinuportahan ni Allynette Buiza ngunit nagawang hadlanagn ni Mediana.

Sa huling bahagi ng unang hati ng bakbakan, nagpatuloy ang girian ng bawat koponan ngunit dahil sa higpit ng depensa, walang puntos ang naibulsa.

Kasabay ng init ng panahon, umalagwa din ang tunggalian matapos nag-

mistulang sasabunging teksas ang mga manalalaro sa ikalawang hati matapos magpamalas si Azul ng Toe kick samantalang ikinasa ni Ma .Lourdes Belga ang kanyang side to side dribbling. Sinubukan ng Team Arki na maka-goal ngunit agad sinalag ng kabilang kampo upang mailigtas sa posibleng pagkalugmok.

Umalab ang pagnanasa ng Brotheroos na masungkit ang kampeonato sa kalagitaan ng ikalawang hati matapos magpasiklab si Olavario ng pwersadong straight kick dahilan upang maibulsa ang unang puntos ng laro, 1-0.

Hindi naman nagpatinag ang Team Arki matapos itong kayod marinong humabol sa pamamagitan ng passing dribble nina Sarahleen Buag, Jean Keren Mirabete at Charlotte Nipa at kick attempt ni Llandelar ngunit hindi sapat upang umabot sa pamantayan

ng nangungunang koponan.

Sa huling momentum ng laro, nagmistualng natutunaw na kandila ang lumiliit na pag-asa ng Team Arki na magwagi matapos ikasa ni Belga ang kanyang drive kick na sinubukang pigilan ni Mediana ngunit hindi nagawang manaig. Dahil dito, tuluyang lumubog ang Team Arki sa iskors na 2-0 at naghatid sa Team Brotheroos sa pagkakataong lumaban sa susunod na laro.

“Malaking tulong ang pag-eensayo ng mga players namin bago ang paligsahan. Nagkaroon kami ng mga pagsasanay bago ang mga patimpalak na katulad nito. Sa naging laro namin, masasabi kong nagkaroon ng mga opening sa kalaban kaya nakapenetrate kami at nagawang maka-goal at makapuntos,” wika ng coach ng Brotheroos na si Ginoong Roi Torre.

HOME-GROWN DUELISTS. A face-off between the players of Bicol University (BU) Architecture Maroons and BU Brotheroos during the start of the 8th Zubiri Cup at Albay Sports and Tourism Complex, October 21. (Photo by Shan Gabriel Apuli)

IPESR champs BU Olympics

First futsal kicks off in BU Olympics

by Maria Vanessa Bernardo and Sharmaine Labog

For the first time in Bicol University (BU) Olympics, futsal was included as one of the sports events for women in replacement to the usual football game.

BU together with the tournament managers and sports coordinators decided to add futsal in the sports events for women instead of football to expose the athletes.

This was also done to allow the players to participate in the upcoming meets this academic year.

Futsal is an indoor game on a hard court surface delimited by lines where walls or boards are not used and is played by kicking the ball, mostly similar to football. It is played by five players including the goal keeper inside the court. Unlimited substitutions are also permitted.

Formerly, female football athletes only play during college intramurals and BU Olympics since football for women is not a competitive game during both the regional and national meet of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA).

However, football is still the sports event for the male category this year.

The plan to include futsal in the BU Olympics came up last year. However, it was not pushed through since there was no order from the national SCUAA whether the game could be played. Also, the students are not yet knowledgeable on the mechanics of the game.

According to Celerino Palacio, University Sports Coordinator, the national SCUAA announced this year the establishment of futsal as a regular event for women. This urged them to include futsal in the 2016 BU Olympics.

Despite not having futsal last year, BU still managed to send athletes for futsal who won during the regional SCUAA. The champion in the football women during the BU Olympics represented the university in the exhibition game where there are only two competing teams - BU and Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC). In the game, BU triumphed over CSPC. Palacio said that president Arnulfo Mascariñas wanted BU to be the venue for the regional SCUAA and he is very optimistic of the sport including the admin officers.

However, it is not clear yet whether BU will be hosting this year’s regional SCUAA since the scheduled date for the meeting of the sports coordinators will be this coming November.

Single elimination limits play

By Joshua Mirabuna

Despite being at the last rank in this year's September Festival, Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR) still holds the first spot in Bicol University (BU) Olympics 2016 held last September 19-21.

The institute, which was proclaimed champion for 21 straight years since the time the olympics started, earned a total of 498 points in all sports events. On the second spot is Polangui Campus (PC) with 284 points; College of Engineering on third with 263 points; College of Science on fourth with 226 points; and the College of Business, Economics and Management on fifth with 212 points.

"Actually, we don't expect [to win]

kasi wala namang masyadong preparation ‘yong athletes due to lack of facilities. But I assumed that our athletes are physically and mentally ready kaya naging champion ulit kami," Generose Andes, IPESR College Student Council Public Information Officer said.

IPESR clinched the championship by being part of the top five in most sports events and by ranking first in events such as Arnis (Men and Women), Taekwondo (Women), Sepak Takraw, Swimming (Men & Women), and in the Athletics where they gathered 146 points.

According to Dr. Celerino Palacio, BU Sports Coordinator, one reason why IPESR earned the highest score is because they have completed the line up in all sports events particularly in the Ath-

letics and Swimming where every college can send more than one participant. Also, IPESR topped all categories in Swimming.

Palacio also said that as Physical Education students, they are expected to excel in sports especially that their institute has the facilities like the university swimming pool.

Moreover, most of the athletes from IPESR were players in the Regional and National State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Games.

"The purpose why I was telling them not to include the regional and national athletes is to give way to other intelligent people in athletics. However, we let them play because no one would represent their college," Palacio explained.

The athletes of IPESR also expe-

rienced struggles in the conduct of BU Olympics due to the changes implemented by the sports coordinator, especially in the single elimination format of the games. In the single elimination, teams which lost one game cannot anymore play.

According to Andes, they had a hard time in adjusting because of the hectic schedule of the sports events and some venues of other games are outside the university.

She also expressed that the single elimination format has limited the chance to showcase the skills of their athletes, yet they understand the reason why the sports coordinator had to implement it.

Due to the full implementation of K to 12 next year, Palacio plans to do the clustering per college. There will be eight

clusters wherein two clusters will be from the main campus and one each from the east campus, Daraga Campus, PC, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Gubat Campus and TC. IPESR will be tied up with the College of Education and College of Medicine.

"I think we got a complete package for a good team," Andes said.

On the other hand, the said to be 'powerhouse of athletes' long ago which is the Tabaco Campus, landed on 7th place this year with only 128 points.

The reason pointed out by Palacio is the failure of TC to send athletes in some of the events like Karatedo (Men & Women), Arnis (Men & Women), Taekwondo (Men & Women), Archery (Men & Women), Basketball (Men) and Chess (Men).

Speculative Shift:

Philippines from unitary to federal

By Casandra Balala

For many decades that the Philippines was afflicted by poverty, corruption, and political dynasties, the present administration pursues to change the country’s form of government from unitary to federal, which they believe is the key for progress.

The rationale of a federal government is the decentralization of powers and administration in order to attain comprehensive development among the regions and to its constituents since the country will be deviated into states.

“Sa unitary form of government, highly centralized iyan, kung ikaw ang namumuno, ikaw ang masusunod kung papano at kung magkano lang bigyan ang mga probinsya.

Ganyan po, kaya hanggang ngayon mahirap tayo sa probinsya,” House of Representatives’ Spokesperson Pantaleon Alvarez said during the Forum on Federalism last July 20 at Albay Astrodome.

From being a centralized government, President Rodrigo Duterte desires for a constitutional amendment wherein the country shall be composed of two governments – the national and the state legislatures.

The two governing bodies shall be given definite functions. The national government will handle the currency or fiscal policy, foreign policy and national defense while the state legislatures will have autonomous powers and can dictate their own revenue generation, health and education policies as well as taxation.

“Sa federalism, ‘yong income maiiwan sa probinsya. Say 70 to 75%, magbigay lang tayo ng contribution sa federal gov’t 30 or 25% of our income, and we have the right to manage and to hold our economy, our natural resources. We have the right to chart our own destinies,” Alvarez affirmed.

Regions shall be considered states with their own set of laws.

These states may be classified based on the Department of Interior and Local Government’s geographical regions or there might be some regions that will be merged as one to sustain its people’s necessities.

Government’s Paradigm According to Alvarez, Filipinos are not yet prepared to dismiss their rights to choose their president.

That is why, the current administration eyes to use the ‘Federal – Parliamentary’ type in the country once federalism is impelled.

Dubbed as “hybrid type of fed-

Illustration by Edward Lustan

eralism”, Alvarez explained that it will have a prime minister and a president directly elected by the people. He added that this kind of federalism is not only based on the intent of the president but also from the voice of the people.

Similar to France’s federal form of government, the president shall be more powerful than the prime minister. The country will become unicameral, which means that only one house will exist – the parliament.

“Pag sinabing unicameral ibig sabihin, one house lang, wala ng senado wala ring kongreso, parliamentary na lang. We don’t have the congress but we have the parliament,” Professor Alex de Guzman of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy stated.

De Guzman, a political analyst in the province, also added that the government should have their own model of federalism adopted from other federal countries with the inputs of Filipino culture and politics.

Bicol on its peak Although Bicol is considered as one of the poor regions in the country, it can become one of the most prosperous regions with the suggested form of government because of its wealth on agriculture, natural resources, tourism potential and skilled workers, Alvarez stated.

“Kasi tingnan mo, by region nata kita ang pobre, hain ang income kaan? Nasa national government. Pag federal kita, dai na kita mahagad, nakadepende na sa total income of the region or of the state.

Bicol will be the no. 1 beneficiary,” Prof. de Guzman stated.

He also explained that one reason for the region to bloom is its resources of energy and power supply. The Geothermal energy in Tiwi, Albay and BacMan (Bacon-Manito) in Sorsogon provides more or less 450 megawatts. Through this, communities will not suffer brownouts since energy distribution will be prioritized in all areas within the region.

Moreover, Alvarez elucidated why Bicolanos pay expensive electricity despite the fact that the source of energy considered as the cleanest and cheapest supply is in the region. “ ‘Yong power na pino-produce niyo dito dinadala sa Metro Manila sa NCR, dahil nanduduon ang mga industriya. Pagdating doon, pag may sobra balik sainyo, mahal, kasi dalawa ang pamasahe papunta pabalik, meron pa daw mga charges kasi on the way marami ang nananakaw,” he said.

Impact on Education As part of decentralization’s objectives in a federal government, changes will transpire on the educational scheme of the country.

Bicol University (BU), one of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region, annually receives subsidy from the national government (Fund 101) for the implementation of different projects created for the development of the university.

However, Congressman Christopher S. Co said that in federalism, students and the educational system will be under the autonomy of each state.

“Instead of a centralized department like the current Depart-

The rationale of a federal government is the decentralization of powers and administration in order to attain comprehensive development among the regions and to its constituents since the country will be deviated into states.

ment of Education (DepEd), each state would have their own government agency that has control and supervision of the educational policy,” he added.

Argumentations Adjacent to the benefits and advantages of amending the constitution into federalism, many people raised their issues regarding the conflicts that might happen once it is ratified.

BU President, Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, said that progres-

sive countries like United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Germany were formerly separate states ruled by kings or certain leaders which then joined a union and formed a republic, unlike the Philippines.

“Kita saro kitang bilog na nation, why do we need to federalize pa na buo na kita? So baka ang kaipuhan ta is to strengthen dun sa local autonomy. If we push for this, it may later on spark the fire for Mindanao and other regions there, to secede from the republic,” he stated.

Meanwhile, de Guzman suggested that those who shall draft the constitution should have “safety nets” between the states to avoid intervening with external sovereignty.

When it comes to categorization of states, one problem for those regions with little natural resources is how they will develop and manage their economy on their own.

Competition between states or regions may transpire due to their unequal economic status.

“Pag mayamang estado ka, magmamayabang ka. Pero, kung meron talagang specific na safety net na instead na magyabang ka tulungan mo. It is the prime duty of a human,” de Guzman stressed.

He added that the federal government should subsidize the small states, once other states cannot provide assistance or help, in order to attain equality and balance.

Amendment As stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the present unitary form of government can be changed into federalism by three ways: Constitutional Convention, Constituent Assembly or by People’s initiative.

Delegates from different expertise comprise the Constitutional Convention while Constituent Assembly is composed of the congress. People’s initiative takes place upon a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least 3% of the registered voters therein.

Any amendment or revision of the constitution shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite.

According to Alvarez, the easiest way to amend the constitution is through Constituent Assembly but the president disagreed on it and preferred Constitutional Convention.

Supporting the idea that Constitutional Convention is more appropriate to use instead of Constituent Assembly, Prof. de Guzman pointed out that the congress was

formed to legislate and enact laws, not to draft a constitution.

“Yaun baga anti-dynasty bill, nata for the last 30 years, inimplement ba ‘yon? Dai, kasi who are the members of congress, sila rin. Ano ka tanga, tanga na gago pa na kukuha ka ng bato ipupokpok mo sa sarili mo? So there’s still a vested interest, let it be an independent body that will draft the constitution,” he said.

In the same stance, Hon. Co is in favor of Constitutional Convention for the reason that delegates are more diverse, which would ideally be more reflective of the sentiments of the larger populace, though it would admittedly incur more expenses for the government.

PREPARATIONS Aiming to become an autonomous region by supporting the administration in changing the present government system, organization of “Federalismo Alyansa ng Bicol (FAB)” conducted information campaigns for wider discussion about federalism.

It started through the open forum spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Albay in cooperation with FAB, which was participated by different sectors and government officials in the region.

“Dadalhin pa natin sa ilalim hanggang sa pinaka-barangay kasi di na namin mapapakinabangan ‘to, biktima kami ng bulok na sistema,” Commodore Dante Jimenez, FAB’s Lead Convenor, said According to Hon. Co, there is an ongoing lecture series on federalism, both for representatives and staff. Renowned experts on different fields like constitutional law and politics facilitate the lectures. There are also speakers from other federal countries who share their experience in shifting to federalism.

“For one, the House will appoint 12 deputy speakers unlike before that we only had 5 deputies. So, we in Congress are anticipating and preparing for the process of shifting to Federalism, while doing our usual mandate from our constituents,” he said.

To make it possible, there was a timetable stated by Alvarez. Once the delegates were elected by January 2017, they will be given one year to draft and finish the constitution.

After that, an information campaign and ratification of the new constitution shall commence by 2019. The three years left in the term of President Duterte will then be the time of transition. By the 2022 elections, Philippines can be in a federal form of government.