Letters to the Editor
Letters to the
editor are welcome on this page. Only those with complete name,
signature, contact number and return address for verification
shall be considered for publication, subject to editing and space
limitation when necessary - Editor-in-Chief.
The School Board is on track
This pertains to Manuel Collao’s email entitled “Teacher
oppression!” which appeared in the July 6 issue of Bicol Mail,
especially the last two paragraphs that directly concern the City
School Board.
Firstly, allow me to clarify, as I have explained before the
NACITEA representatives in our meeting last June 29, that the P400
monthly COLA for the four quarters of 2004 (which is being funded
out of the School Board budget) were released in full, contrary to
Mr. Collao’s claim. The unreleased amount corresponds to the P350
monthly additional allowance sourced out of the General Fund –
mainly because of the city government’s own financial difficulties
last year. In that meeting, NACITEA secretary Ma. Angela Karandang,
revealed that the vouchers for these transactions are in her
safekeeping. A school level representative suggested that they be
returned to their respective schools to finally dispel allegations
of improprieties involving them.
Secondly, I presented the Board’s proposed performance-based
incentive scheme for the P350 monthly component sourced out of the
city government’s General Fund during the same meeting. We have
yet to receive NACITEA’s official stand in regard to the scheme.
But I have been informed by its president, Solomon Sales, that the
organization is in favor of our proposal. I have requested its
secretary to furnish us with a resolution stating its official
position on the matter so that it can be discussed in the next
Board meeting scheduled later this month. This will also pave the
way for the passage of a supplemental budget by the Sangguniang
Panlungsod allocating funds in support of the scheme.
Finally, please be informed that the P400 monthly cost of living
allowance for public school teachers in Naga for the first two
quarters of 2005 will be released by next week, if not within the
week.
In my previous letter, I have explained what the Board has set out
to do in regard to teacher benefits: (1) release the SEF-funded
COLA for the first two quarters of 2005; and (2) implement a
performance-based incentive scheme for the General Fund-supported
component. These developments only show that the Board honors its
commitments to public school teachers in Naga, the presence of
non-believers like Mr. Collao notwithstanding.
WILFREDO B. PRILLES, JR.
Project Coordinator
On GMA resignation
The reported police and military “alertness” in Metro Manila and
nearby provinces in anticipation of bigger “anti-Arroyo” rallies
may be justified. If anything goes wrong, the beleaguered Arroyo
administration can depend on the combined police and military
force to maintain peace and order and keep “business as usual”.
The more “visible” these battle ready troops are, the better.
Their awesome presence may not only be a deterrent to lawlessness
and crime but it could also create a climate of security
particularly for the business community, thereby luring in more
foreign investors and hopefully propping up the ruthlessly
battered economy.
If this works, GMA may choose to ignore the public clamor for her
“resignation” or “ouster” despite her allegedly having lost any
“moral ascendancy” to govern amid the “gloriagate” electoral fraud
and “jueteng” payoff charges hurled against her and some members
of her family. (Anyway, some people’s stamina for outrage couldn’t
possibly outlast 2010. And, by now they must have gotten sick and
tired of launching “people uprisings”, more so if they end up only
having the same crooks in different hides installed in Malacañang.)
Neither would the president worry about getting “impeached”, if
ever one such move prospers in a congressional circus. Call “snap
elections”? Her “detractors” must be “dreaming”. They may as well
wait for their turn and run in next regular elections. Or, even
cheat their way to office, if they can or haven’t done it yet,
provided their phone pal isn’t anyone from the COMELEC and/or
their phone talks aren’t tapped and their dirty tricks exposed?
But, suppose GMA’s public approval ratings continue to plunge into
an unprecedented and dangerous level? Suppose the giant oil
companies would sooner or later start another round of oil price
increases – with or without E-VAT? Transport fares and prices of
commodities would have to increase, too. The workers’ long demands
for long over-due, justified wage hikes would intensify. The ranks
of unemployed and underworld characters may rise. The poor may
continue to get poorer, hungrier - and a lot angrier!
To cushion the impact of a national crisis, the government would
then have to put up funds, assuming still enough are left “intact
and available” despite unchecked corruption. The Arroyo
administration would have to adopt more effective measures to
address the situation and improve her credibility throughout her
term. Otherwise, huge crowds or swelling mobs may continue to take
to the streets, shout “anti-government” slogans and burn effigies,
if not resorting to such a violent option as “butchering” the
“pigs” (with apologies to pigs) in most government “pigsties”, who
have managed to fatten themselves up over the sweat and blood of
ordinary taxpayers and the starving masses!
But with the imposing “visibility” of the police and the military
in public places, and their leaders sticking it out with the
Constitution and the “duly constituted” government, would such
scenario of anarchy take place? Not likely.
Besides, the people have nothing to worry about. They would not
see the brewing “political turmoil” along with increased
“militarization” particularly in Metro Manila as some “prelude
to martial law”, would they? After all, President Arroyo is no
Marcos. She could be trusted, couldn’t she? And with the present
crops of military and political “leaders” at the helm, “let’s move
on” – and survive yet as a sensible, if not proud, nation?
So be it?
MANUEL A. COLLAO, via e-mail
