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MAPAGPALAYANG KAISIPAN SA MALAYANG PAHAYAGAN Hulyo-Agosto 2017
ATuition-free VICTORY TO DEFEND tertiary education signed into law \\ Jemimah Cresencia
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ollowing President Duterte’s signing of the free education bill despite opposition from his economic managers, the youth are now called upon to further defend and assert their right to education.
“TUITION FREE” SUCs RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, granting free education for millions of students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), was signed into law by President Duterte on August 3. “So he weighed everything and came to the conclusion that the long-term benefits that would be derived from a well-developed tertiary education on the part of the citizenry will definitely outweigh any possible short-term budgetary
challenges,” Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the law would be implemented in 2018 and that changes would have to be made in the proposed 2018 budget. He added that he would head the committee that would formulate the implementation rules for the free education law. CHALLENGE AHEAD Kabataan partylist Rep. Sarah Elago lauded both the signing of the
law. She describes the free tuition law as a victory for the present and future generations of students. “At the home front, the student movement still has a lot of battles to wage — the issue of other fees that might be collected, the actual and swift implementation of the ‘No Collection’ Policy, the high cost of other living expenses for students (food, lodging, transportation, etc),
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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
A DISAPPOINTING YEAR Instead of delivering the promise of change for the people, especially for the poor, President Rodrigo Duterte introduced his administration by leaning towards militaristic and authoritarian rule. Due to this, a more militant mass protest greeted Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) giving him a failing grade for his first year in office.
\\ Photos by Divine Penaflor
No way but up
Continuous wave of tuition hike rampant in private universities, colleges \\ King Cris Pulmano
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everal private higher education institutions (HEIs) are set to increase their tuition and other fees for the academic year 2017-2018. While tuition increase is subject to Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) approval, these private schools will implement their hikes, regardless CHED’s decisions.
As projected by youth group Kabataan Partylist, the same scenario of unauthorized fee hikes is expected as what happened in the past years. Data from CHED reveals that only Systems Technology Institute (STI) and Saint Louis University (SLU) were able to secure approval to increase some of their fees for AY 20162017. CHED has junked the proposal of University of the Cordilleras (UC) for fee hikes while University of Baguio (UB) has not even filed any proposal to increase matriculation and other fees. Despite this, UC has increased tuition rates of second, third, and fifth years by 5% to 6%. UB tuition hikes for second and third years was recorded at 5%. While only freshmen rates in SLU are approved to increase, the university also posted 5% to 10% tuition hikes for all other year levels.
TUITION EXAGGERATION Kabatan Partylist blames ‘loopholes in CHED regulatory guidelines as the reason for the said unauthorized increases termed as carry-over scheme tuition policy and the commission’s incapability to solve it.’ In this pricing scheme, yearly batches are paying fixed amount until they graduate. However, this amount is always higher than that of older batches before them. The youth group expose that freshmen always fall victims of automatic increases. As they enter second year, they have to carry-over the said fixed payment instead of paying a lower sophomore tuition rate of previous batch. In other words, incoming freshmen students, who already suffer from automatic fee increases, would again fall victim to further tuition hikes as they enroll in
P482 P437 P459 P396 P416
P530 P557
P613
Average annual increase of misc. fees in UB (2011 to 2015)
Tuition fee per unit in SLU for first year students (exept engineering , nursing, computer science and Information technology subjects)
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16-17
15-16
14-15
13-14
12-13
11-12
10-11
P232.5
their second, third, fourth years, and so on. According to the group, many schools are applying such scheme to escape from regulatory provisions of CHED Memorandum Order 3 series of 2012. This regulation mandates universities to conduct student consultations as a requisite to increase in tuition. The memorandum order also provides freedom for school administrators to bypass consultation for incoming freshmen. Article 2, Section 3 states that “tuition and other school fees may be charged by HEIs to incoming freshmen are not covered by these guidelines”. As a result of this exemption, there exists leeway for school owners to institute a ladderized tuition scheme or carry-over scheme. “FEES SMELLING FISHY” Aside from tuition, other school fees have always been neglected from government minimal regulation, leading to unscrupulously-imposed fees by HEIs. Common exorbitant fees among the three biggest universities in Baguio City in AY 2016-2017 include registration and library fee at an average of Php 1115 and Php 899 per
semester, respectively. Moreover, redundant fees including athletic, PE, and PRISAA fees; medical and dental fees; and registration and admission fees are almost indistinguishable from each other. While development fees are already declared as illegal by CHED, universities remain collecting the said fees, which comes with various names. In SLU, development fee includes audio-visual and IT development, PE development, and research development amounting to Php 661. In UC, research and development, audio-visual, cultural, land infrastructure maintenance and development fees totals P1273. Meanwhile, illegal fees are also collected in UB such as socio-cultural, staff and faculty development, research and development, developmental fee, and audio-visual at a total of Php 1818. According to Kabataan Partylist, since CHED memorandum order number 3 stresses that 20% of increases in tuition is required for the development of facilities and 70% is for increases in wages of faculty and employees, development fees are already redundant.
continued from page1 and the yet-to-be slayed high cost of matriculation in private schools,” Elago added. Recent statements from the President brought dismay as the administration claims that the source for the budget allocation of the new law is still being identified. Also, according to the proposed 2018 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expects an increase in the projected tuition collection of SUCs amounting to P9.1 billion. Different legislators also proposed that free tuition should have a screening process to ensure that only “deserving students” will avail the service as the drafting of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law is ongoing. “We have to keep vigilant, however, on possible limits that may be inserted in the new law’s IRR. Also, Congress has to address the fact that our economic managers excluded any type of funding for this significant legislation in the 2018 proposed national budget,” Elago emphasized. ENROLLMENT MUDDLE IN UP Due to the additional P8.3 billion allotment for State Universities and Colleges, students expect the early implementation of the promised free tuition law. The changes in policies created confusion among students as to how the registration process will be conducted. First, deadline for submission of request for student financial assistance was moved several times. Then, in July, several University of the Philippines (UP) campuses announced suspension on tuition collection which was reversed by UP President Danilo Concepcion. Finally, the pronouncement on free tuition by the UP administration was released last August 8. Despite this, some students who failed to apply at SFA Online were required to pay according to their respective brackets.
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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 43 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
HR violations surge under Duterte administration \\ Daoden Kate Sarmiento
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rom north to south, the intensification of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on terror and drugs continues to claim victims especially during the first half of 2017.
HEIGHTENED MILITARIZATION On March 16, 2017, 2,538 residents of Malibcong, Abra were forced to evacuate due to aerial bombings on their lands. Schools and livelihood duties were halted as a result of massive forest fires. The bombings were said to be led by 24th IBPA and 7th ID, which the Philippine army denied. According to Lt. Col. Glen Joy Aynera, the massive forest fires were instigated by New People’s
Army (NPA) members as a measure to slow down the army troops. However, the residents of the community stated that it is the aerial bombing that caused massive forest fires. Malibcong aerial bombings were only one of the dozen aerial attacks that happened nationwide from June to July this year. These aerial attacks are part of the Oplan Kapayapaan that adapted Oplan Bayanihan’s
principles to promote just and lasting peace for the people and to counter insurgency. However, this Oplan Kayapaan guised as a promoter of peace is now being exposed as nothing less than a scheme of militaristic attacks to the people, as records show. There are also cases of political detainees. Jacinto Faroden was detained last February 8 in La Trinidad for being a suspected communist rebel. A day after, Sarah
School officials dismiss BSU-ROTC abuse case Groups still firm to expose violations \\ Kimberly Joy Alejo
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enguet State University’s (BSU) Student Arbitration Board (SAB) dismissed the case against the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) officials who reportedly abused cadets in the program, last May. Due to the reports of abuses, Kabataan Partylist- Cordillera (KPL- Cordillera) filed a case against the perpetrators, who are high-ranking officials of the program, to the SAB. According to KPL- Cordillera members, Julie Anne Doroja and Karla Prol Rev Naogsan, the case was already dismissed last May but they received the dismissal letter two months after. “Parang tinaon na nakagraduate at naka-transfer na ng school ’yung mga perpetrators bago nilabas ’yung decision. Tingin namin, para ’di na maharang ’yung kanilang paggraduate at pag-transfer ng school,” Doroja said. She also stated that the SAB wanted to see the evidences that will prove the ROTC officials guilty. VIOLATIONS CITED From reports gathered by members of AnakbayanCordillera, a former ROTC cadet exposed a series of sexual and physical abuses since his first year in the program until he quit in 2016 during his second year as a cadet. He complained about the physical torture he regularly experienced every night in their barracks located inside the university, and added that it became common for highranking BSU ROTC officials to
command cadets to masturbate, and failure to ejaculate will further result to torture. Also, there were female cadets who were forced to sleep in the quarters of their male officers. But the evidences slowly disappeared as the case progressed because the bruises from the victims were already healing and when KPLCordillera members visited the place where the abuses occurred, the barracks were already renovated. THE BATTLE CONTINUES Naogsan also pointed out that KPL- Cordillera did not request for a hearing in the first place, but they wanted an investigation to expose the abuses and the admin for not taking any actions regarding the case. “Kasi nagkaroon na ng ganitong issue dati. Pero hindi kasi ni-raise, kaya sana may ginawa pa rin. Tsaka pinunta namin siya actually sa Supreme Student Government (SSG) kaso binasura nila,” she added. “Hindi namin gustong maparusahan ’yung mga officers kasi victims din sila. ’Yun naman ‘yung pagtingin namin—na biktima din sila nung systemic na nangyayari dun sa loob ng ROTC. Kaya nga
’yung call namin para dun sa imbestigasyon ay ’di lamang dun sa case na ’yun, but the whole ROTC program ’yung imbestigasyon na gusto naming mangyari,” Doroja emphasized. She said that the next option is to bring up the complaint and refile the case.
Abellon Alikes, a member of Regional Development CenterKattinulong dagiti Umili ti Amianan (RDC-Kaduami) was also arrested and charged with trumped up charges. Furthermore, two days after the Malibcong aerial attacks, Kabataan partylistAbra members, Antonio Ambalneg Jr. and Joshua Gumatay were also detained due to alleged ties with the NPA. These cases are again indicative of the changes that Duterte has promised. Moreover, Martial law has been implemented in Mindanao, last May 23, 2017 due to the attacks by the terrorist group, Maute. President Duterte promised to implement martial law only for a month and only to pull out the terrorists from Marawi. However, a month after the implementation, Duterte proclaims the extension of martial law until December 31, 2017 despite public clamor to end it. With this, military presence intensifies in different parts of the country. In his previous SONA, the president threatened to bomb the alternative school of Lumad groups, Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV). Due to the allegation that the ALCADEV operates illegally and that it
houses communist and antigovernment youth. ALCADEV later on proved their legality as a school through documents from respective government offices, like Department of Education (DepEd). THE BLOODY DRUG WAR As the administration puts focus on their campaign of ‘War on Drugs’, the numbers of human rights violations also continue to increase. During GloriaMacapagal Arroyo’s January to March 2009, and January to March 2010 reign, there are 3,885 human rights violations. Then, during Aquino’s whole administration, there are 27,937 human right violations. While, now in Duterte’s first year of administration only, there are 893, 311 human rights violations. Recently, several police killings allegedly related to drugs were reported which caused massive outrage from different sectors and groups. These killings purportedly violated judicial processes and guidelines on police operations resulting to human rights abuses. Mass actions also amplify against the administration as Duterte insists on the validity of its war on drugs and terror and continued support to the military and police’s actions.
LAND, LIFE AND HONOR In line with the celebration of International Indigenous Peoples (IP) Day, progressive groups marched along the streets of Baguio City to continue the struggle for IP rights. This year, several cases of human rights violations were reported such as the bombings in Abra and illegal arrest of community development workers and activists. Looming Energy and Dam projects in Apayao, Kalinga and Ifugao also threaten the livelihood and lives of its residents.
\\ Photos by Divine Penaflor
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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
UP Master Development Plan still in the works
PAKIKIISA AT PAKIKIBAKA Naglunsad ang mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Baguio sa pamumuno ng Konseho ng Mag-aaral ng isang gabi ng pagtatanghal upang ipahayag ang suporta sa laban ng mga Katutubo at sa gaganaping Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya.
No completion date yet \\ Daoden Kate Sarmiento
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ngoing construction projects in the University of the Philippines Baguio, under the Campus Master Plan (UPCMP), came to exist under the initiation of the university system’s Master Development Plan.
Planned in 2012, UPB’s CMP aim to support facilities for teaching and research, quality life for constituents, and local and regional economic development linkages. Vice-Chancellor for Administration Jessica Carino identified eight projects under the CMP, both within and outside UPB campus. Budget for these projects were accumulated from the yearly budget for UP while others are from private sponsors. Three of the eight are already finished. Museo Kordilyera, which formally opened this January and cost P30 million, is an ethnographic museum built for research purposes and cultural preservation. Also, Agham Laboratories in the KA and IB area that costs 22-M and a Montane Research Field Station in Sabkil, Itogon worth 1.8-M were finished. There are still on-going projects under the CMP, such as the gym at the Human Kinetics Program building costing P57 million for the structure only and P 11 million for furnishings. There are two projects for student housing: Balai
International for international students located across UP drive and beside UP BREHA costing P49 million, and a planned dormitory for male students, but there are no details yet. Also, the Bulwagang Juan Luna will be part of the Cultural Hub along with Museo Kordilyera. The College of Arts and Communication (CAC) will have an amphitheater, Tanghalang UP Baguio. Finally, the Green UP campaign gave way for installation of tanks in UPB, including roof and path enhancements, costing P36 M. Aside from the amphitheatre expected to be completed next year, there is no exact date of completion for all projects. Construction sites inside campus may multiply in the next years because of UPB CMP’s work in progress to benefit the university with its students in the near future, under the MDP approved by the Board of Regents. UP MDP is implemented in all campuses, such as the UP Town Center and Bonifacio Global City. In 2013, The University of the Philippines
Integrated School (UPIS) was torn down to make way for the UP Town Center’s fine dining restaurants. Another is the Henry Sy Building, donated by the wealthy Sy family, to the university. Implementation of the UPCMP in different campuses especially in Diliman met criticisms as it paved the way to further privatized UP properties.
Proposed dams opposed in Kalinga \\ John Rey Dave Aquino
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ommunities in Kalinga demanded the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) recognize their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in light of five proposed dams in the province. Of the five proposed dams, three are planned by San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group (SLRB), according to Cordillera People’s
KALIWANG SULOK KALASAG LABAN SA KALASAG \\ Photo by Levi Glen Ingente
\\ Kuha ni Divine Penaflor
Alliance (CPA) - Kalinga. In Brgy. Lucog, Tabuk City, SLRB plans to build a 52 MW hydroelectric dam along the Chico River. Drilling tests, an important facet of the technical feasibility study in the area, have already been started even without securing the FPIC from members of the community. The Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act 8371) upholds the right of the indigenous peoples (IPs) to FPIC. Accordingly, anyone who wishes to conduct a feasibility study or survey in IP’s ancestral lands needs to secure permission from the indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) affected. However, according to Lucog people, the NCIP even convinced some individuals and members of the ICC, particularly those from the Naneng tribe, to persuade others in the community to allow SLRB in conducting the drilling test, which started November last year. Amidst the continued drilling, the people protested against the project, forcing NCIP-Kalinga to explain the project; the agency claimed they were only helping in facilitation.
The SLRB’s two other proposed dams include a 37 MW project in Tanudan River and another 17 MW project in Pasil River. Meanwhile, FF Cruz, another construction company, have been conducting drilling activities without securing FPIC along Pasil River after winning the bidding for another proposed dam along Pasil River. Also, drilling activities have been ongoing in Saltan River in Brgy. Gawaan, Balbalan, where another dam is proposed by the Philippine National Oil Company. The peoples of Cordillera oppose development projects such as hydro power dams because of the sure displacement of families once rivers are dammed. The siltation and sedimentation in portions of a dam cause upstream flooding, thus forcing communities to evacuate and relocate away from the river. Also, during heavy rains, when dams need to release water to prevent the structure from collapsing, downstream and low-lying communities experience flash floods and displace families.
LATHALAIN5
UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 43 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
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a kwento ng mga teleserye noon at ngayon, mayroong nawawalay na anak, may rags to riches na kwento, may kabit portions, et cetera. Kung susuriin, lubos mang bumebenta at sumisikat ang mga ito, paikot-ikot lang naman ang mga kwento. Parang teleserye lang ‘yan ng pagbubuwis sa Pilipinas, ang tagal-tagal na, paikot-ikot pa, ang daming plot twist, pero walang pinatutunguhan. LA LUNA SANGRE Bago lang itong teleserye na ito, at tinatangkilik na siya ng mga manonood (siguro dahil KathNiel ang bida rito). Tulad ng bagong teleserye na ito, mayroon ding bagong bill na ipinasa at tinatangkilik ngayon ng mga nasa gobyerno. Sinuportahan ng administrasyong Duterte ang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) o House Bill 4688 (HB 4688) ni Rep. Joey S. Salceda. Isa itong adaptasyon –tulad ng La Luna Sangre na mula sa Lobo (2008) at Imortal (2010) -mula sa nauna na ring House Bill 4774 ni Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua na may pamagat ding TRAIN. Naglalayong itong magbigay ng mas progresibong sistema ng pagbubuwis, mas pantay na pagbabayad ng buwis, at paniniguradong magagampanan ang tungkulin ng gobyernong tumugon sa pangangailangan ng bansa. Binibigyang pokus ng TRAIN ang pagpapababa ng personal income tax (PIT) ng bawat mamamayan sa Pilipinas base pa rin sa kanilang taunang sweldo. Kasama ng pagpapababa ng PIT ang panukalang magdagdag ng buwis sa mga sugar-sweetened beverages o SSBs, produktong petrolyo, pabahay, at maging sa bagong biling mga sasakyan. May mga kathang-isip na karakter na mga lobo at bampira sa La Luna Sangre. Ang kakayahan ng mga bampirang sumipsip ng dugo mula sa mga tao ay hindi nalalayo sa nangyayari sa realidad. Ang uri ng pagbubuwis na mayroon tayo sa kasalukuyan at hindi malayong kahit sa pagdating ng araw ay isang manipestasyon ng pagiging isang bampira ng gobyerno. Patuloy lamang na unti-unting sinisipsip ng pagbubuwis ang natitirang kakayahan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino upang umunlad sa buhay.
“Patuloy lamang na unti-unting sinisipsip ng pagbubuwis ang natitirang kakayahan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino upang umunlad sa buhay.”
ANG PROBINSYANO Hindi basta-bastang teleserye ang Ang Probinsyano, tatalunin na kasi ata nito ang Mara Clara sa tagal ng pag-ere nito sa telebisyon. Sa
TRAIN TO
BU(WI)SAN Ang paikot-ikot na riles ng reporma sa buwis \\ Daoden Kate Sarmiento
teleseryeng ito, naka-tatlong love interest na si Cardo ngunit marami pa ring mga sinusugpong isyu ng lipunan. Ang koneksyon ng love interest ni Cardo sa mga sinusugpo niyang mga isyu ay parang koneksyon ng mga nirarason ng gobyerno sa patuloy nitong pagpapanukala ng mga reporma sa buwis upang masugpo ang problemang pangkalusugan ng mga Pilipino— malayo. Mula 1990s mayroon nang mga dagdagbuwis na reporma tulad ng Value Added Tax (VAT) na 12% dagdag-buwis sa ilang mga bilihin at serbisyo ng pamahalaan ang ipinatupad. Ngayon, para raw sa kalusugan ng mamamayan ang TRAIN. Dinipensahang din ang dagdagbuwis sa SSBs na makatutulong upang mabawasan at mawala ang mga kaso ng obesity at diabetes sa bansa. Kung daragdagan daw ang buwis sa mga ganitong bilihin, mapipilitan ang mga taong hindi na bumili dahil sa kamahalan ng mga ito. Subalit ganito rin ang rason nila sa noong ipinapanukalang Sin Tax Law. Ang batas na ito ay nagdagdag ng P36 na buwis sa mga bilihing sigarilyo. Sa katunayan, ngayong 2017 ibinaba na lamang sa P30 ang buwis na idadagdag sa mga ito kahit na ano pa ang brand nito. Gayunpaman, magkano man ang buwis na idinadagdag nila, hindi naman ito naging solusyon upang mawala o kahit mabawasan ang mga naninigarilyo. Naghanap lamang ng ibang paraan ang mga tao upang makabili ng sigarilyo, sa huli gumastos pa rin sila nang mas malaki. TELESERYE RATING Tulad ng pagtatak ng theme song ng Ang Probinsyano na ‘Wag Ka Nang Umiyak’ sa utak ng mga tao, ang pagbabayad rin ng buwis ay nakatatak na sa pagka-Pilipno natin. Dahil nakatatak na lamang ang pagbabayad ng buwis sa atin, walang iniiwang pagbabago para sa atin. Ang pagsasabatas ng TRAIN bill ay mangagahulugan ng pagdaragdag-buwis sa ating mga basic goods. Ilan rito ang pagdaragdag ng VAT sa mga pabahay o rentahan, na
tinatayang magiging P384,000. Bukod pa rito ay ang P1 hanggang P3 na pagtaas ng mga produktong petrolyo. Dahil dito maaaring magkaroon ng pagtaas din ng pamasahe para sa mga bumabyaheng mga Pilpino araw-araw. Maraming alegasyon ukol sa TRAIN bill na ito. Isa na rito ang pagiging ‘anti-poor’ nito dahilan ng pagpapababa ng PIC ng mga mamamayan na magbubunga naman sa dagdag-buwis sa mga bilihin. Kaya naman ilang mga opisyales ang dumepensa sa panukalang batas na ito bilang isang ‘pro-poor’ na reporma. Sa kadahilanang ito, tunay raw na nagbibigay pasakit ang repormang ito sa mga mayayaman at hindi sa mga mahihirap. Dagdag pa rito ay ang pangakong paglalaan ng P138-bilyong pera para sa mga mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino. Ang P138-bilyon ay magmumula sa makakalap na buwis dulot ng mga repormang ito. Tunay ngang paikot-ikot na ang nangyayari sa paraan ng pagbubuwis ng mga Pinoy. Taontaon higit 10% ang nakukuhang buwis mula sa taunang sweldo ng mga Pinoy. Hindi pa kasama roon ang VAT. Iyon ay mga buwis na dapat ay nagagamit upang mapabuti ang mga serbisyo para sa mamamayan, tulad ng transportasyon at edukasyon. Pero 42% pa rin ng Pilipino ang nakararanas ng matinding trapik sa lansangan, at ayon sa estadistika noong 2016, 3.8-milyon pa rin ang hindi nakapag-aaral sa bansa. Napakarami nang ganap at plot twist ng kwento ng pagbubuwis ng mga Pinoy. Siguro panahon na para baguhin ang point of view ng kwento. Marahil hindi sa paraan ng pagbubuwis, o sa laki ng kinukuhang buwis dapat umikot ang pagiging progresibo ng isang bansa, ngunit sa paglalaan ng pera na tutugon sa mga pangangailangan at hiling ng masa. Maaaring masasabing naging matagumpay ang isang programa o teleserye kung may naiwan itong bagay para sa pagbabago ng, at para sa, mga manonood. Kaya naman sa teleserye ng pagbubuwis, na nakakapagod nang subaybayan, makikita isang malaking flop ang teleseryeng ito. Ang tagal-tagal, paikot-ikot, ang daming plot twist, pero mahirap pa rin ang mga mamamayan.
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UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
THE RISING TYRANT R
odrigo Duterte promised to bring genuine social changes in the Philippines but the past year revealed his administration’s fascist character in his militaristic and authoritarian front. In different attacks leaning towards the interests of private sectors and the local ruling class, his decisions against the masses reveals the abandonment of his pro-people stance. Duterte’s militaristic tendencies manifested in his declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao to aid the military forces against terrorists and rebels. Since late May, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has engaged the Maute group in Marawi. The past three months saw numerous attacks against both terrorists and civilians. The president approved aerial bombings in the city to assist the AFP in moving closer towards their targets and to save the lives of the government soldiers for which he claims to be responsible as commander-in-chief. Bombs were dropped on the city, levelling commercial and residential buildings of the Maranao and forcing residents in Marawi and nearby areas to evacuate. In the end, it was the civilians who were flushed out of their own homes instead of the Maute who until now fights with the military in the razed city. Authoritarian as he is, other branches of the government supported Duterte’s move to extend Martial Law until December this year. He also used the Martial Law declaration to
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Opisyal na Pahayagan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Baguio MAPAGPALAYANG KAISIPAN SA MALAYANG PAHAYAGAN
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OUTCROP
“...he takes pride in the death of his countrymen, the very people he should be serving.”
strengthen the military and the police as the legislative supports Duterte’s plan to add recruits to the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP). Earlier in his term, the president had given promises of ending the armed conflict in the country. However, the government terminated the peace talks that aimed to resolve the roots of the long-time armed conflict in the country and declared an all-out war against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA). The all-out war resulted in human rights violations against communities of farmers and national minorities. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte threatened to bomb schools, such as ALCADEV, built by the indigenous Lumad to give the Lumad children what the state could not provide—education. These institutions were built solely on the efforts of the communities with no help from the state, but Duterte accused these schools as NPA “recruiters”. The threat of bombing, unjustifiable as it is, inflicts trauma on the students and becomes proof of Duterte’s orientation as a dictator, almost. Also, the continuation of the campaign against illegal drugs has resulted in 12,000 extrajudicial killings by the police and vigilantes. Majority of the victims were killed during police operations, and majority were also poor. While drug dealers and addicts
Patnugutan Punong Patnugot Quimberlyn Ranchez Kawaksing Patnugot John Rey Dave Aquino Patnugot sa Kultura Kimberly Joy Alejo Patnugot sa Balita Jemimah Cresencia Patnugot sa Disenyo Divine Penaflor Tagapamahala sa Pinansya Daoden Kate Sarmiento
who turned to drugs to escape poverty are killed in bulks every day (or night), big-time drug dealers get away and even get protection from the state. Duterte even applauds all these killings, as if he takes pride in the death of his countrymen, the very people he should be serving. He protects the killers and perpetrators of human rights violations, characteristic of a man who wants to stay in power for a long time. Four decades ago, another dictator, not unlike Duterte, plunged the economy, took millions from the people’s money and killed, tortured and suppressed anyone who opposed him. That dictator now lies in a burial place for heroes. Duterte idolizes that dictator, but he is also different. He kills anyone who is poor, marginalized, or anyone who deserves more than what they are given. He knows he has the power. Thus he kills the people while the living ones lose their rights. No doubt, this will continue if Duterte is left on his own to destroy the country. The masses know what is happening, and they are talking about it. They know who the real addict and terrorists are: Duterte himself, along with the state forces under his command. This should serve as a warning to the administration, because as long as the people are outraged, they will not give up in breaking the wheel of oppression.
Miyembro ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) at Solidaridad, Alyansa ng mga Pahayagang Pangkampus sa UP upboutcrop@gmail.com Facebook page: “UP Baguio Outcrop” Unang Palapag ng Alumni Center Building, UP Baguio, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City
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Fighting the same fight \\ Jemimah Cresencia
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efore I started studying in UP Baguio, I admit that I was not aware of the issues that the indigenous peoples face. News about them usually don’t make it to mainstream media outlets, unlike news about middle and upperclass people. So I went on having my own thoughts and opinions about national issues and how to resolve them without even thinking about the IPs and how these issues affect them too. Many don’t realize that they face the same problem as any other Filipino. One problem in our country is the decrease of land for farm use. More and more farmers lose their lands and me, whose grandparents are farmers, understand the importance of owning your own land to till. Due to urbanization, these lands are being turned into business centers, subdivisions, and other infrastructures built to address the ever-growing needs of Filipinos. We don’t care about this issue until a typhoon comes along and floods destroy our homes and livelihood. Then we complain. The IPs face the same kind of problem but we don’t care because it doesn’t affect us in the city. There are the Kalinga tribes continuously fighting for the preservation of their rice fields and communities that are threatened by dam projects in the major rivers of Kalinga. Construction of dams can cause soil erosion and can also affect sacred burial grounds.
“When people fight against these corporations, the military abuse them by intimidating them, arresting them illegally, or tagging them as communist rebels.”
These corporate energy projects destroy their ancestral lands and sources of livelihood. As if those problems weren’t enough, the communities in Kalinga are also fighting against mining companies. The Cordillera Region is rich in mineral resources, so it has been a target of mining corporations. Before starting operations, these mining corporations should secure a free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from the community’s residents, but most of the time, operations start without undergoing this process. An example of this is the starting of mining operations by Cordillera Exploration Incorporated (CEXCI) without securing an FPIC, which enraged residents in Tawang, Balbalan. With all these operations in the Cordillera province, it’s not a surprise that there is heavy military presence in the area protecting these projects. When people fight against these corporations, the military abuse them by intimidating them, arresting them illegally, or tagging them as communist rebels. Aside from these problems, the IPs also face degradation of their culture. Their cultures are slowly being degraded to being just a tourist attraction for foreigners and Filipinos alike. The degradation of their culture is a degradation of the Filipino culture as a whole. Theirs is the Filipino culture untainted by
Western influences. Unfortunately, most of us nowadays prefer Western traditions and values over our homegrown ones. Most of us aren’t even aware that these rich cultures still exist. There is a serious lack of education when it comes to cultural studies, with the government wanting schools to teach subjects that can help young Filipinos to be competent in the international market. We want to show to other countries that we are proud of our culture and we get enraged when foreigners discriminate us. What we don’t realize is that we are also discriminating our fellow Filipinos. I saw an instance like this firsthand when I and my family were in SM Baguio. There were men dressed in the traditional bahag that the IPs in Cordillera wear. The tourists were taking turns in taking pictures with them. Most do not understand their traditions and regards them as something for amusement. Many of us continue to fight for the resolution of problems in our country. We voice out our opinions and take action in various ways. We complain that these issues are not getting resolved. But let us also remember that there are others who have been fighting as long as we have, and still not getting the change that they want.
Akala ko lang pala \\ Quimberlyn Ranchez na ang pagiging “libre” ng edukasyon kung may sistema rin pala ng pagpraprayoridad na magaganap. Idagdag mo pa yung batayang usapin ng pagiging matalino at mahirap. Paano masasabing mahirap ang isang tao o paano mo masusukat ang katalinuhan ng isang estudyante? Kamakailan lang, pumasa na rin sa senado ang Senate Bill 1304 o Free Higher Education For All Act. Ngunit ang malaking butas nito ay ang kawalan nito ng posisyon hinggil sa pangongolekta ng other school fees. Kapag ganito ang lagay, hindi pa rin tuluyang makakatakas ang mga estudyante sa mga bayarin upang makapag aral. Maliban sa mga batas na ito ay ang pinakamatunog na Free Tuition Policy (FTP). Nilalayon ng batas na ito na pondohan ang mga SUCs para sa libreng edukasyon. Ngunit sa kabila ng panukalang ito, kinumpirma ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na limitado lang ang makakakuha ng naturang pribilehiyo. Kamakailan lang ay naglabas ang CHED at DBM ng Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) sa pagpapatupad ng FTP. Ayon sa panukalang ito, tanging ang mga estudyante sa ilalim ng Pantawid Pamilya Program ng Pilipinas (4Ps) at Student Financial
“...ito ay isa lamang hamon para sa mga kabataang, tulad ko, na ipagpatuloy ang panawagan at paglaban para sa libre, siyentipiko, at makamasang edukasyon sa ating bansa.”
Assistance Program (STuFAP) lamang ang sakop ng FTP. Ang mga estudyante na hindi sakop ng naturang benepisyo ayon sa kanilang per capita household income o ang pangekonomikong katayuan ng mga estudyante. Kung tutuusin, ang FTP sana ang siyang magiging unang hakbang para makamtan ang libreng edukasyon. Ngunit malinaw na naging porma lamang ito ng umiiral na malawakang iskema ng Socialized Tuition System sa UP na nagsisilbing pasakit sa sangkaestudyantehan. Akala ko libre, hindi pala. Dahil sa pagpapalabnaw sa usapin ng libreng edukasyon, sa pamamagitan ng mga isinulong na batas ng gobyerno, tuluyang naisantabi ang mga panawagan at nagawang pagkilos ng mga kabataan para isulong ang libreng edukasyon. Akala na lang ba talaga? Hindi. Hindi sa “akala lang pala” nagtatapos ang lahat ng ito. Dahil ito ay isa lamang hamon para sa mga kabataang, tulad ko, na ipagpatuloy ang panawagan at paglaban para sa libre, siyentipiko, at makamasang edukasyon sa ating bansa. Naniniwala pa rin ako na darating yung araw na masasabi ko sa mga magulang ko. “Ma, pa, hindi niyo na po kailangang magbayad para sa pang matrikula ko. Libre na po ang edukasyon.”
Hello. Halina at punan ang puwang sa mga pahina (at puso) ng Outcrop. Laging bukas ang opisina para sa mga gustong sumali
ala ang kabiguang nadarama at panghihinayang, ito na lang ang mga nasabi ko sa mga magulang ko nang nalaman kong ang libreng edukasyon na inakala kong matutuloy na, ay mauudlot pa pala. Sa mga nakaraang taon, masigasig na kumilos ang kabataang Pilipino upang labanan ang iba’t – ibang porma ng neoliberal na atake sa edukasyon. Kasabay nito ang pagtulak sa HB 4800 o Comprehensive Free Higher Education Bill sa kongreso na nagsusulong sa karapatan para sa pagkakaroon ng libreng edukasyon. Dahil dito, napagtagumpayang kalampagin ng kabataan ang gobyerno na gumawa ng hakbang. Ngayon, may tatlong batas na sinusulong ang gobyerno. Isa na dito ang House Bill on Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education. Tila malinaw na isa lamang itong sistema ng pagdidiskwento sa matrikula at iba pang bayarin na batay sa pang-ekonomikong katayuan ng mga estudyante. Ito ay dahil sa layunin ng panukalang ekspansyon para sa mga scholarships, loans, at iba pa. Hindi lang ito ang isyu dito; sinusuportahan rin ng batas na ito ang “prioritization scheme” dahil sa panukala nitong bigyan ng prayoridad ang matatalinong kabataan mula sa mahihirap na pamilya. Kung iisipin, napakalabong usapin
...unless may klase kami :) Anyway, gora lang tayez sa outcrop opis at sama-sama nating pagkunutan ng noo bakit baliw-baliw si PDuts o anyare kay Arci. Oye. -Vajingjing, The Outcrop Spirit
D
8KULTURA
BAKIT MADALAS MAGINGLES ANG MGA PILIPINO?* Hinggil sa wika at lipunan
\\ John Rey Dave Aquino
“Sa pagtatangi ng mga Pilipino sa Ingles, masasalamin ang katotohanang tayo’y hawak pa rin ng mga dayuhang bansa.”
UP Baguio Outcrop Tomo 44 Isyu 1 Hulyo-Agosto 2017
Minsan may batang nagsabi na ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda. Pero mayroon din namang nagsabi na let’s go make tusok-tusok the fishball, then, like make sawsaw in manong’s sauce over there sa tambayan. ‘Di na bago ang usapin ng mga konyo. Lalo na sa kabataan, laganap ang paghahalo ng Ingles at Filipino sa usapan kung saan nagiging normal ang “make kain”, “make bili”, at “make ligaw.” Sinasabing kaartehan o kayabangan ang pagiging konyo, na sinabi ring kumalat mula sa Arheneo at Lazulle, at maging sa Yupi, pero hindi madalas nasasapul kung bakit at paano nga ba ito lumaganap. Bilang sagot, hindi ito nagsimula kay Kris Aquino, kundi sa pagkahilig ng mga Pilipino sa Ingles. SO MARAMING LANGUAGES TALAGA NOH? May higit 170 wika sa Pilipinas, mula Ivatan sa Batanes hanggang Tausug sa Sulu. Marami rito ang nanganganib mawala, lalo na ang kalat-kalat na mga wikang Agta, Tagbanwa sa Palawan, at Ratagnon sa timog Mindoro Occidental. Sa kabila nito, marami ang hindi nababahala dahil itinuturo sa paaralan “dayalekto” lamang ang mga katutubong wika, samantalang “wika” ang ginagamit sa pandaigdigang talastasan. Kung gayon, dayalekto at hindi wika ang Ilokano, Sebwano, Hiligaynon, at maging ang Filipino, dahil hindi sila pang”international.” Tanda ang ganitong pag-iisip ng pagmamaliit sa mga wika ng Pilipinas dahil hindi naman magagamit sa ibang bansa. Nagiging dahilan ito upang maliitin ng mga mag-aaral ang kanilang katutubong wika. Samantala, itinuturing na wika ang Ingles dahil ito ang lingua franca ng mundo at, sa maraming pagkakataon, wika ng globalisasyon. ENGLISH ONLY PLEASE KUYA Totoong Ingles ang lingua franca ng mundo. Opisyal itong wika ng maraming bansa kabilang ang Pilipinas at itinuturo rin sa mga paaralan bilang sekundaryang wika. Ngunit sa Pilipinas, kung saan dalawa ang itinuturing na opisyal na wika, nangingibabaw ang wikang banyaga kaysa katutubo. Unti-unting nagiging primaryang wika ang Ingles. Ginagamit ito sa pagtuturo ng halos lahat ng asignatura sa elementarya, high school, at kolehiyo. Nakasulat din sa Ingles ang mga batas sa pambansa’t lokal na lebel. Disbentahe ang paggamit ng mga katutubong wika sa mga hukuman dahil isinasalin din sa Ingles para sa rekord ng korte. Maging sa midya, nakalimbag sa Ingles ang pinakamalalaking pahayagang
Philippine Daily Inquirer at Philippine Star. Dahil Ingles ang ginagamit sa paaralan, gobyerno’t midya, tumatak ang kaisipang ito ang dapat gamitin. Pagtatawanan ang isang Pilipinong hindi makapagsalita ng “straight English” o kaya’y hindi makasabay sa mga nagiIngles na kaklase’t kaibigan. Sa Facebook nga lang, hinihiya ang posts na may maling baybay at gramatika ng Ingles, na para bang kahiya-hiya ito samantalang hindi ito ang wikang kinalakhan ng marami. Laganap ang mga “grammar nazi” na pupunahin ang paraan ng pagsasabi, hindi ang nilalaman ng sinabi. Nagsisimula sa mga panlipunang institusyon ang labis ang pagtatangi sa wikang banyaga, samantalang may paglimot at paghamak sa Filipino at mga katutubong wika. Napag-iiwanan ang Filipino bilang wikang pambansa, at mga katutubong wika sa lokal. Sa kabila ng patuloy nitong pag-unlad, hindi pa rin nabibigyan ng sapat na halaga ang Filipino liban sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika. LET’S MAKE LIPAD TO AMERICA NA Sa pagtatangi ng mga Pilipino sa Ingles, masasalamin ang katotohanang tayo’y hawak pa rin ng mga dayuhang bansa. Nananatiling nakatali ang ekonomya ng Pilipinas sa US, at patunay dito ang pagiging eksporter ng Pilipinas ng hilaw na materyales para sa US habang importer ang Pilipinas ng mga produktong Amerikano. Tumatagos ang relasyong ito sa pulitika at kultura, kasama ang paggamit ng wika. Instrumento sa paghahari ng Ingles ang edukasyon. Sa pagbati pa nga lang sa umaga, sabay-sabay ang “Good morning, Teacher Rose. It’s nice to see you today.” Mayroon ding English only policy sa mga paaralan, pampubliko o pampribado, at pinagbabayad ang mga estudyante ng one-peso per Tagalog word. Nariyang dumating ang Thomasites, mga guro mula Amerika na nagturo ng Ingles sa mga Pilipino. Nang mapagod silang magpadala ng guro, mga Pilipino naman ang pinag-aral doon, kung saan matututunan ang kaisipan ng “American Dream” at “white man’s burden.” Mismong ang pampublikong sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa ay hinalaw mula sa mga Kano. Maging ang K-12 program ay impluwensiya ng mga dayuhang bansa na ipinatupad dahil sa globalisasyon. Sa senior high school, may tuon sa technicalvocational track dahil layunin nitong lumikha ng mga manggagawang may kasanayang sapat upang mangibangbansa. At siyempre, dahil sa ibang bansa ay kailangang matutunan ang Ingles para makipag-usap sa employer, kailangang pag-aralan ang banyagang wika.
Sa paghahanap ng trabaho dito mismo sa bansa, isa sa kwalipikasyon ng employable na manggagawa ang pagsasalita ng Ingles. Sa mga interbyu, ito ang ginagamit ng mga kumpanya dahil ito ang mas propesyunal. ‘Di bale nang mali ang gramatika kapag kaharap na ang future boss; kung maraming oportunidad na naghihintay sa kanya kung marunong siya ng Ingles, mas papaboran niya ito kaysa wikang kinalakhan. Kakabit na ng globalisasyon ang Ingles sa international arena: pakikipagkalakalan, pagpapasok ng dolyar sa bansa ng OFWs, pakikipagusap sa ibang gobyerno. Nagiging marketable o kalakal na ang kakayahang makapagsalita ng Ingles, sa mga call center, pribado at pampublikong paaralan, ahensiya ng gobyerno at iba pa. Sa harap ng Ingles bilang nangungunang wika, nasaan ang lugar ng Filipino at mga katutubong wika? ANG SALITA NATI’Y GAYA RIN SA IBA Primaryang wika dapat ang Filipino, patuloy na paunlarin at pagyamanin, kasama ang iba pang wika sa Pilipinas. Sekundarya lamang ang Ingles bilang lingua franca. Sa pagpapaunlad ng wikang Filipino, nasa sistema ng edukasyon magsisimula ang paglipat mula Ingles. Dapat simulang ituro ang mga asignatura sa Filipino at iba pang lokal na wika, at hindi alisin ito sa mga kurikulum gaya ng tinangka noong 2013. Mas madaling matuto ang mga mag-aaral kung nauunawaan nila ang kanilang pinag-aaralan. Dapat ding baguhin ang kaisipang Ingles ang magdadala ng tagumpay sa mga estudyante, dahil paraan lamang ito upang magpadala ng mga manggagawa sa ibang bansa. Bagaman pinauunlad ang wikang Filipino, hindi naman ito nangangahulugang hindi na bibigyangpansin ang mga lokal na wika. Magkasabay ang pagpapaunlad sa mga ito, gayunman ang Filipino bilang isang pambansang wika ay isang wikang madaling magagap at maintindihan ng masang Pilipino, hindi banyaga gaya ng Ingles. Sa harap ng paghahari ng Ingles, magkasama ang Filipino at mga katutubong wika sa pagtunggali sa mga kondisyong nagpapanatili nito. Ngunit hindi umuunlad ang wika sa sarili nito; umuunlad ito dahil sa karanasan ng mga taong gumagamit nito. Bilang mga Pilipino, sa atin manggagaling ang pagunlad ng mga wikang katutubo, kasabay ng pagpapaunlad ng ating sariling kultura at ng bansa.