Church and civil society groups have appealed to newly-elected President Benigno Aquino to appoint a person of integrity as environment secretary.
In an open letter, Nassa chairman and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo led various groups and communities in asking Aquino to replace Secretary Horacio Ramos with someone who has the “trust and support of all stakeholders who are engaged with environmental issues and concerns.”
Ramos has been vilified for his policies that undermined environmental sustainability and protection.
“Mr. Ramos has been at the forefront of revitalizing the destructive large-scale mining in the Philippines for the last five years. This policy has introduced serious social, cultural and environmental issues that many of our organizations have documented,” the letter partly read.
Some of these problems, the group said include human rights violations (forced demolition and physical and legal harassments); land conflicts (ancestral domains vs. mining, productive farm lands vs. mining); encroachment on protected areas and critical biodiversity areas; escalation of violence and social conflicts in mining areas; degradation of cultural values of indigenous communities; resistance from LGUs on aggressive entry of mining in their localities; and violation of rights of indigenous peoples.
Appointing a new secretary for the department of environment and natural resources (DENR) is an assurance to the people of the genuine reforms that Aquino promised his government would pursue, they said.
Laying down the parameters, the group said the DENR secretary should be someone who is genuinely concerned and serious in protecting the country’s fragile ecology and staunchly supports sustainable environment, an effective leader and possesses technical competence in the job.
“We have reasons to believe that retaining Mr. Horacio Ramos, and extending his term as DENR Secretary, will run counter to the reform agenda in the environment sector, and will introduce instability and challenging relationships between your administration and the communities and civil society,” the letter continued.
“Retaining Mr. Ramos as DENR Secretary will only give a signal that it is “business as usual” in the DENR, and will possibly prolong the plunder and destruction of our natural resources, and protract the lingering environmental issues we are confronting,” it further said.
With Ramos’ “continued appointment”, the group said, “the problems brought about by destructive large-scale mining will not be resolved, and possibly even worsen.”
For his part, Aquino’s environmental adviser, Neri Acosta, has insisted that a “least disruptive approach” in the DENR is the best thing to do at the moment.
But the group reiterated that “genuine reforms, especially at the DENR, will require deep changes, structurally and policy-wise.”
“We believe that for your reform agenda to be truly meaningful and substantial, your selection of your alter-ego as Secretaries in the various Departments must be aligned with your campaign promise that reform must happen and that you will not tolerate graft and corruption,” the group told Aquino.
“Our commitment to work and engage your administration in a productive, substantial and meaningful manner is an offer based on our mutual appreciation of reform and change, towards sustainable development,” the group further said.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Order immediate retrieval of sunken ship, Aquino urged
Residents of San Fernando in Sibuyan Island are urging President-elect Benigno Aquino to order the immediate retrieval of sunken ship M/V Princess of the Stars.
Two years since the boat sunk off the coast of Sibuyan island, full retrieval of the victims’ remains and other cargoes are yet to be accomplished.
Fr. Noel Sixon, parish priest of Our Lady of Remedies in San Fernando town lamented the inaction of concerned companies and agencies directly responsible for the retrieval operations.
“How many times that they promised to retrieve the sunken ship completely? Two years is enough for these promises. We pray for justice for these souls who have been taken for granted, who are still trapped in the indifference of the concerned agencies and companies,” Sixon said.
The tragedy has severely affected not only the lives of the victims’ families but his parishioners as well, the priest said.
“There are a lot of things to be done after the tragedy, not only the trauma and sadness of the bereaved family but also the lives and livelihood of my parishioners who are gravely affected by the typhoon which are left forgotten,” he said.
Taclobo village chief Arturo Mortera also demanded the immediate retrieval of the ship saying the people cannot anymore take another year of promise.
“As we seek justice for our fishermen and those who were affected, we demand for the complete retrieval of the remains of the passengers which are still trapped inside the ship, these poor souls are already part of our community,” he added.
A fishing ban was implemented after the sea tragedy which has affected many fishermen who depended on fishing as their main livelihood.
And even after the ban was lifted, fishing was deemed unsafe because of oil leak coming from vehicles trapped in the belly of the ship.
Rodne Galicha, coordinator of environmental group Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) said the wastes and garbage washed ashore transformed the seashore into a virtual dumping ground.
“Huge containers have been stocked along the seashore with putrefying cigarette packs and other products, oil leaking from the ship and unretrieved cars and trucks, the remains of the victims still trapped, garbage pits on the island—these are some realities which continue to worry our island-people,” he said.
An earlier report also said the salvor company built three garbage pits in the area for waste disposal despite restrictions from the local government not to leave any waste in the area.
Galicha said the Aquino administration should include the completion of retrieval operations in the agenda of his first 100 days in office.
“In the first 100 days of incoming President Benigno Aquino, we urge him to look seriously into this tragedy with a sense of urgency,” he said.
Galicha said it is lamentable that the Arroyo government failed to pressure the companies and agencies involved to fully accomplish the retrieval operations. Two years is too long, he added.
Two years since the boat sunk off the coast of Sibuyan island, full retrieval of the victims’ remains and other cargoes are yet to be accomplished.
Fr. Noel Sixon, parish priest of Our Lady of Remedies in San Fernando town lamented the inaction of concerned companies and agencies directly responsible for the retrieval operations.
“How many times that they promised to retrieve the sunken ship completely? Two years is enough for these promises. We pray for justice for these souls who have been taken for granted, who are still trapped in the indifference of the concerned agencies and companies,” Sixon said.
The tragedy has severely affected not only the lives of the victims’ families but his parishioners as well, the priest said.
“There are a lot of things to be done after the tragedy, not only the trauma and sadness of the bereaved family but also the lives and livelihood of my parishioners who are gravely affected by the typhoon which are left forgotten,” he said.
Taclobo village chief Arturo Mortera also demanded the immediate retrieval of the ship saying the people cannot anymore take another year of promise.
“As we seek justice for our fishermen and those who were affected, we demand for the complete retrieval of the remains of the passengers which are still trapped inside the ship, these poor souls are already part of our community,” he added.
A fishing ban was implemented after the sea tragedy which has affected many fishermen who depended on fishing as their main livelihood.
And even after the ban was lifted, fishing was deemed unsafe because of oil leak coming from vehicles trapped in the belly of the ship.
Rodne Galicha, coordinator of environmental group Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment Inc. (Sibuyan ISLE) said the wastes and garbage washed ashore transformed the seashore into a virtual dumping ground.
“Huge containers have been stocked along the seashore with putrefying cigarette packs and other products, oil leaking from the ship and unretrieved cars and trucks, the remains of the victims still trapped, garbage pits on the island—these are some realities which continue to worry our island-people,” he said.
An earlier report also said the salvor company built three garbage pits in the area for waste disposal despite restrictions from the local government not to leave any waste in the area.
Galicha said the Aquino administration should include the completion of retrieval operations in the agenda of his first 100 days in office.
“In the first 100 days of incoming President Benigno Aquino, we urge him to look seriously into this tragedy with a sense of urgency,” he said.
Galicha said it is lamentable that the Arroyo government failed to pressure the companies and agencies involved to fully accomplish the retrieval operations. Two years is too long, he added.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Filipino journalist bags International Journalism Award
A Filipino writer has been chosen to receive the prestigious International Award for Excellence in Journalism sponsored by International Union of Catholic Press (UCIP) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Jose Aranas, editor-in-chief of New City Magazine of the Focolare Movement is among the 43 journalists in religious and secular media who will receive an award for their exemplary contributions in the world of journalism.
Aranas was cited for his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue through his writings.
He, together with Paul Mati, a journalist in Indonesia were chosen by the jury as recipients of “Honourable Mention of International Award for Inter-religious Dialogue 2010.”
The International Union of the Catholic Press told Aranas in a letter, that “the jury took the decision considering on one hand your brilliant and exemplary presentation, and on the other hand the message you wanted to communicate through your work.”
Aranas had sent three articles on interreligious dialogues for the jury’s consideration. One, an editorial titled “To disarm the heart” highlighted the relationship between Christians and people of other faiths and the need for a continuous dialogue that is based on understanding and respect of the other.
Another article was the story of a young Muslim teacher in Maguindanao named Najiyyah, who strives to live the Golden Rule in her relationships with her Christian students. The third was an article on the 60th death anniversary of Gandhi, translated from Citta Nuova, New City magazine’s Italian edition.
Able to dialogue
Aranas believed that Church journalists should be able to engage in dialogue with people who have different convictions and not to overreact when their Christian’s beliefs are attacked.
“The Pope has always urged the faithful to a respectful and joyful proclamation of their faith, and what’s even better, to proclaim the truths that we hold onto especially Christian charity, through our lives,” he said.
Editor of Focolare’s New City Magazine, Aranas’ writings delved mostly on the topic of promoting unity and universal brotherhood, essentially at the heart of the Focolare Movement, of which he is a member.
“I have been active in the Movement for almost 12 years, and have travelled to different places in the Philippines and abroad because of the Movement,” he disclosed in an email interview.
As a writer, he has traveled throughout the country writing stories of hope that seldom featured on the papers.
“I visited the southeastern Philippines, Maguindanao included, last March, and I saw a lot of hope in the region… The Sta. Cruz Mission site in Cotobato is indeed great as they cater to the needs of the lumads, as is the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous People’s Education in Davao City which I featured in an article in the present June issue of New City Magazine…” he said.
Aranas said those are good news that should be highlighted in the media so as to bring hope to the people.
“The uplifting experiences of unity, solidarity and brotherhood are truths which media should highlight more which I have seen very present in our nation,” he said.
Passionate about writing
Now based in Tagaytay, where the New City editorial office is located, Aranas has been with New City for almost three years now but was named only editor-in-chief of the magazine just recently.
Aranas whose first article on the plight of the rural poor was published by a national paper nine years ago believed that passion should motivate one’s writing.
“I was passionate about the plight of poor people in Tagaytay dislodged by certain realtors, who then built subdivisions there. [I was motivated] to write about their situation because of our genuine concern, and a desire to defend the rural poor,” he explained.
When asked what advice he can give to aspiring Catholic writers, he said “it would be good to familiarize oneself with the Social Teachings of the Church to reflect the genuine teachings of the Church. Then ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the source of wisdom and truth before writing.”
This is Aranas’ first international award as a journalist, but the New City Magazine was a finalist in the recent Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).
A Philippine-based journalist Fr. Jose Rebelo of World Mission Magazine was also cited for the International Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Aranas and the other awardees will receive their citation at the UCIP World Congress to be held on African continent, at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 12 to 19 September 2010.
Eight major awards will be handed over during the event: Gold Medal, Titus Brandsma, photojournalism, interreligious dialogue, woman issues, educommunication, solidarity with refugees and international award for excellence in journalism.
The International Journalism and Media Awards are given every three years to outstanding media professionals, publications and institutions worldwide both in secular and religious media by the International Union of Catholic Press in Geneva, Switzerland.
Jose Aranas, editor-in-chief of New City Magazine of the Focolare Movement is among the 43 journalists in religious and secular media who will receive an award for their exemplary contributions in the world of journalism.
Aranas was cited for his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue through his writings.
He, together with Paul Mati, a journalist in Indonesia were chosen by the jury as recipients of “Honourable Mention of International Award for Inter-religious Dialogue 2010.”
The International Union of the Catholic Press told Aranas in a letter, that “the jury took the decision considering on one hand your brilliant and exemplary presentation, and on the other hand the message you wanted to communicate through your work.”
Aranas had sent three articles on interreligious dialogues for the jury’s consideration. One, an editorial titled “To disarm the heart” highlighted the relationship between Christians and people of other faiths and the need for a continuous dialogue that is based on understanding and respect of the other.
Another article was the story of a young Muslim teacher in Maguindanao named Najiyyah, who strives to live the Golden Rule in her relationships with her Christian students. The third was an article on the 60th death anniversary of Gandhi, translated from Citta Nuova, New City magazine’s Italian edition.
Able to dialogue
Aranas believed that Church journalists should be able to engage in dialogue with people who have different convictions and not to overreact when their Christian’s beliefs are attacked.
“The Pope has always urged the faithful to a respectful and joyful proclamation of their faith, and what’s even better, to proclaim the truths that we hold onto especially Christian charity, through our lives,” he said.
Editor of Focolare’s New City Magazine, Aranas’ writings delved mostly on the topic of promoting unity and universal brotherhood, essentially at the heart of the Focolare Movement, of which he is a member.
“I have been active in the Movement for almost 12 years, and have travelled to different places in the Philippines and abroad because of the Movement,” he disclosed in an email interview.
As a writer, he has traveled throughout the country writing stories of hope that seldom featured on the papers.
“I visited the southeastern Philippines, Maguindanao included, last March, and I saw a lot of hope in the region… The Sta. Cruz Mission site in Cotobato is indeed great as they cater to the needs of the lumads, as is the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous People’s Education in Davao City which I featured in an article in the present June issue of New City Magazine…” he said.
Aranas said those are good news that should be highlighted in the media so as to bring hope to the people.
“The uplifting experiences of unity, solidarity and brotherhood are truths which media should highlight more which I have seen very present in our nation,” he said.
Passionate about writing
Now based in Tagaytay, where the New City editorial office is located, Aranas has been with New City for almost three years now but was named only editor-in-chief of the magazine just recently.
Aranas whose first article on the plight of the rural poor was published by a national paper nine years ago believed that passion should motivate one’s writing.
“I was passionate about the plight of poor people in Tagaytay dislodged by certain realtors, who then built subdivisions there. [I was motivated] to write about their situation because of our genuine concern, and a desire to defend the rural poor,” he explained.
When asked what advice he can give to aspiring Catholic writers, he said “it would be good to familiarize oneself with the Social Teachings of the Church to reflect the genuine teachings of the Church. Then ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the source of wisdom and truth before writing.”
This is Aranas’ first international award as a journalist, but the New City Magazine was a finalist in the recent Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).
A Philippine-based journalist Fr. Jose Rebelo of World Mission Magazine was also cited for the International Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Aranas and the other awardees will receive their citation at the UCIP World Congress to be held on African continent, at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 12 to 19 September 2010.
Eight major awards will be handed over during the event: Gold Medal, Titus Brandsma, photojournalism, interreligious dialogue, woman issues, educommunication, solidarity with refugees and international award for excellence in journalism.
The International Journalism and Media Awards are given every three years to outstanding media professionals, publications and institutions worldwide both in secular and religious media by the International Union of Catholic Press in Geneva, Switzerland.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Council of Churches affirms solidarity with RP human rights workers
The World Council of Churches (WCC) through its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA-WCC) has asked the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines (EVPHRP) to speak on the situation of human rights in the Philippines.
WCC is one of the international organizations that issued a statement calling for the release of the 43 health workers arrested on February 6 in Morong, Rizal.
The EVPHRP group is attending the session of the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva to formally file their complaint against the Philippine government and military on the illegal arrest and detention of Morong 43.
Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, director of CCIA-WCC welcomed the delegation of RP human rights workers led by Fr. Rex Reyes, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of human rights watchdog KARAPATAN.
Thanking WCC for its unwavering support to the churches in the Philippines, Reyes said it is essential to speak up in defense of human rights especially in countries “where it seems not to exist” emphasizing the importance to “affirm the church’s self-understanding as being for and with people.”
“We do our best to preserve human dignity in that part of the world, conscious of the fact that we are your representatives there. It is an ecumenical task”, Reyes told WCC.
The group presented to the council the situation of the detained health workers also known as Morong 43, highlighting their illegal arrest by the military, torture and continuing detention.
Atty. Edre Olalia, acting Secretary General of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and a legal counsel of the Morong 43 discussed the various human rights violations the health workers have experienced which he said afforded solid grounds “for citing the arrest and detention as illegal.”
Jigs Clamor, a member of the delegation, and husband of one of the detained health workers recounted the sufferings his family has undergone and still going through while his wife is under detention.
He described how the military threatened his wife of reprisals to her family unless she admits her group’s association with New People’s Army.
“This is the same story with the families of the other detainees,” Clamor said.
The health workers who have been illegally detained at Camp Capinpin since their arrest on February 6 have since been transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa, in Manila. Five of the detainees have turned state witness amid alleged torture and harassment from military.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, for its part, has also issued a statement expressing grave concern on the continued detention of health workers while calling the illegal arrest as a “seeming lack of regard of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for human rights and the rule of law.”
Citing the importance of international pressure, Enriquez said, “the number of human rights victims in the Philippines shoot up each time nobody is watching.”
The delegation also called on WCC general secretary Dr. Olav Fykes Tveit who also reiterated the WCC’s continuing support and interest on the case of Morong 43.
The 14th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council began May 31 and goes on until June 18, 2010.
Eco groups hit Palawan mining ‘midnight deal’
Environmentalists have demanded transparency from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) even as they accused the government agency of entering into a “midnight deal” with a mining company.
Green groups have charged DENR of fast tracking a mining contract in Palawan in favor of MBMI Resources, a mining company that has stake on a wide area of forested lands in the rpovince that is rich in biodiversity.
They claimed the alleged contract is contained in a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) which combines other contracts separately awarded to Narra Nickel Mining and Development Inc. (NNMDC), Tesoro Mining and Development Inc. (TMDI), and McArthur Mining, Inc. (MMI).
The smaller mining contracts cover four mining projects located in the municipalities of Rizal, Bataraza and Narra, all in Palawan.
Alarmed
Fr. Edu Gariguez, Executive Director of the National Secretariat of Social Action of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP-NASSA), has expressed alarm on the alleged awarding of contract.
“The granting of this latest FTAA in Palawan, if true, goes against the Catholic social teaching of stewardship of the Earth and preferential treatment of the poor,” he said, adding that “given the fragile ecology of Palawan and the opposition of local communities, especially IPs, the mining contract should be rescinded as soon as possible.”
The influential Catholic Church in the Philippines has consistently been vocal in its opposition against large-scale mining because of its destructive impact on ecology and livelihood of the people.
For his part, Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, an alliance of mining-affected communities and support groups, dared DENR to be transparent and urged it to release documents for perusal.
“It is unacceptable that affected communities and the rest of the Filipino people learn about this midnight mining contract from international sources and the mining company, and yet the DENR itself is mum about it,” Garganera said.
The groups believed that the FTAA approval will allow MBMI and its Philippine partners to expand in its exploration activities in the province.
At least more than 3,200 hectares forested lands rich in biodiversity along Mt. Bulanjao range in southern Palawan will be impacted by mining if pushed through, not to mention the six major rivers that provide water supply to the population.
“It is the highest form of irony and hypocrisy that a destructive midnight mining deal was fast-tracked in Palawan, a province that is considered as a global biodiversity hotspot, and host to one of the wonders of the modern world – the St. Paul Subterranean River System,” Garganera lamented.
Worst activity
Artiso Mandawa, spokesperson for ALDAW/NATRIPAL (Ancestral Land and Domain Watch-Nagkakaisang Tribo ng Palawan), also decried the DENR’s alleged sneaky decision.
He lamented that mining has so far brought conflict among the people as it destroys not only the environment but also the cultural values of the people.
“Mining is the worst activity of man because it destroys our mother earth; it destroys our livelihood and our Life," Mandawa said.
Protest rally
Led by ALDAW and NATRIPAL, some 500 people joined a caravan rally last June 7 to protest against mining in Palawan.
Other groups who supported the protest include the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipilan, Brooke's Point, GLACC (Global Legal Action on Climate Change), Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), and the Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI).
Green groups have charged DENR of fast tracking a mining contract in Palawan in favor of MBMI Resources, a mining company that has stake on a wide area of forested lands in the rpovince that is rich in biodiversity.
They claimed the alleged contract is contained in a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) which combines other contracts separately awarded to Narra Nickel Mining and Development Inc. (NNMDC), Tesoro Mining and Development Inc. (TMDI), and McArthur Mining, Inc. (MMI).
The smaller mining contracts cover four mining projects located in the municipalities of Rizal, Bataraza and Narra, all in Palawan.
Alarmed
Fr. Edu Gariguez, Executive Director of the National Secretariat of Social Action of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP-NASSA), has expressed alarm on the alleged awarding of contract.
“The granting of this latest FTAA in Palawan, if true, goes against the Catholic social teaching of stewardship of the Earth and preferential treatment of the poor,” he said, adding that “given the fragile ecology of Palawan and the opposition of local communities, especially IPs, the mining contract should be rescinded as soon as possible.”
The influential Catholic Church in the Philippines has consistently been vocal in its opposition against large-scale mining because of its destructive impact on ecology and livelihood of the people.
For his part, Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, an alliance of mining-affected communities and support groups, dared DENR to be transparent and urged it to release documents for perusal.
“It is unacceptable that affected communities and the rest of the Filipino people learn about this midnight mining contract from international sources and the mining company, and yet the DENR itself is mum about it,” Garganera said.
The groups believed that the FTAA approval will allow MBMI and its Philippine partners to expand in its exploration activities in the province.
At least more than 3,200 hectares forested lands rich in biodiversity along Mt. Bulanjao range in southern Palawan will be impacted by mining if pushed through, not to mention the six major rivers that provide water supply to the population.
“It is the highest form of irony and hypocrisy that a destructive midnight mining deal was fast-tracked in Palawan, a province that is considered as a global biodiversity hotspot, and host to one of the wonders of the modern world – the St. Paul Subterranean River System,” Garganera lamented.
Worst activity
Artiso Mandawa, spokesperson for ALDAW/NATRIPAL (Ancestral Land and Domain Watch-Nagkakaisang Tribo ng Palawan), also decried the DENR’s alleged sneaky decision.
He lamented that mining has so far brought conflict among the people as it destroys not only the environment but also the cultural values of the people.
“Mining is the worst activity of man because it destroys our mother earth; it destroys our livelihood and our Life," Mandawa said.
Protest rally
Led by ALDAW and NATRIPAL, some 500 people joined a caravan rally last June 7 to protest against mining in Palawan.
Other groups who supported the protest include the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipilan, Brooke's Point, GLACC (Global Legal Action on Climate Change), Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), and the Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI).
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
DepEd told to review decision to implement sex ed in schools
Pro-life Philippines Foundation has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to reassess its decision of implementing sex education in schools in time for the opening of classes this June.
Marisa Wasan, Executive Director of Pro-Life Philippines, in a position paper, said DepEd should reconsider its decision and instead be consistent in its vision of helping the Filipino children achieve their full potential in a learning environment suited to them.
She further said the primary right to instruct children on sexual morality belongs to the parents or children’s guardian and not to the school.
“Although schools have the right and duty to assist parents in this undertaking, sexual morality must not be imparted in a group setting while this moral education must conform to the tradition and teaching of religion and culture,” she said.
Wasan said Pro-life members complained that teachers who are supposed to teach the subject are apparently not well trained, “so they ignore the curriculum or do not know how to deal with it.”
Since these teachers grew up in an environment where this issue was taboo, it is understandable that they feel uneasy to discuss the subject in public, she said.
“So how can we make this program successful when the ones who will execute them are unprepared and unmotivated,” Wasan asked.
DepEd has earlier announced its decision to pilot test sex education in some 30 public schools nationwide in time for the opening of classes this June.
But Pro-Life expressed concern saying the targeted students are as young as 11 years old and that the program include “videos and sessions [that encourage] use of contraceptives and [show] situations involving decision-making over committing sexual intercourse…”
Sex education that teaches the use of contraceptives can only send wrong signals to children and can lead to promiscuity and diseases, Pro-life argued.
“If we teach children to use condoms, we tell them in effect that it is all right to have sex thus they gain a false assurance in a situation where they themselves should not be trying out at an early age,” Wasan explained.
Elementary and highschool students are obviously too young and immature to handle such sensitive subject, she stressed, adding that college students “should be the ones getting this kind of attention.”
“Yes, knowledge is power but if they are given to the wrong hands, it could be detrimental,” Wasan said.
She noted that sex and sexuality, “by their very nature are private and intimate,” so teaching sex education in school would make them “public and open,” because “education is an activity which is essentially public.”
Wasan also pointed out that she sees no reason for sex education to be taught as a separate subject in school since education on sexuality is already integrated in various programs.
“If sex education is about the anatomy of the reproductive system, sophomores take up Biology and elementary students get a basic glimpse in their Science and Health subjects. If sex education is about personal hygiene, don’t we learn that from our Good Manners and Right Conduct subject? And if sex education is about chastity and delayed gratification, aren’t those handled already by Values Education teachers?” she opined.
But despite her criticism on DepEd’s decision, Wasan also acknowledged the department’s efforts to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and lower pregnancy rates among teens by stressing abstinence.
However, “the rest of their efforts need careful scrutiny and adamant criticism,” the executive director quickly added.
Marisa Wasan, Executive Director of Pro-Life Philippines, in a position paper, said DepEd should reconsider its decision and instead be consistent in its vision of helping the Filipino children achieve their full potential in a learning environment suited to them.
She further said the primary right to instruct children on sexual morality belongs to the parents or children’s guardian and not to the school.
“Although schools have the right and duty to assist parents in this undertaking, sexual morality must not be imparted in a group setting while this moral education must conform to the tradition and teaching of religion and culture,” she said.
Wasan said Pro-life members complained that teachers who are supposed to teach the subject are apparently not well trained, “so they ignore the curriculum or do not know how to deal with it.”
Since these teachers grew up in an environment where this issue was taboo, it is understandable that they feel uneasy to discuss the subject in public, she said.
“So how can we make this program successful when the ones who will execute them are unprepared and unmotivated,” Wasan asked.
DepEd has earlier announced its decision to pilot test sex education in some 30 public schools nationwide in time for the opening of classes this June.
But Pro-Life expressed concern saying the targeted students are as young as 11 years old and that the program include “videos and sessions [that encourage] use of contraceptives and [show] situations involving decision-making over committing sexual intercourse…”
Sex education that teaches the use of contraceptives can only send wrong signals to children and can lead to promiscuity and diseases, Pro-life argued.
“If we teach children to use condoms, we tell them in effect that it is all right to have sex thus they gain a false assurance in a situation where they themselves should not be trying out at an early age,” Wasan explained.
Elementary and highschool students are obviously too young and immature to handle such sensitive subject, she stressed, adding that college students “should be the ones getting this kind of attention.”
“Yes, knowledge is power but if they are given to the wrong hands, it could be detrimental,” Wasan said.
She noted that sex and sexuality, “by their very nature are private and intimate,” so teaching sex education in school would make them “public and open,” because “education is an activity which is essentially public.”
Wasan also pointed out that she sees no reason for sex education to be taught as a separate subject in school since education on sexuality is already integrated in various programs.
“If sex education is about the anatomy of the reproductive system, sophomores take up Biology and elementary students get a basic glimpse in their Science and Health subjects. If sex education is about personal hygiene, don’t we learn that from our Good Manners and Right Conduct subject? And if sex education is about chastity and delayed gratification, aren’t those handled already by Values Education teachers?” she opined.
But despite her criticism on DepEd’s decision, Wasan also acknowledged the department’s efforts to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and lower pregnancy rates among teens by stressing abstinence.
However, “the rest of their efforts need careful scrutiny and adamant criticism,” the executive director quickly added.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Zamboanga launches Priests-Ulama-Pastors forum
Firm in its mission to promote a culture of dialogue for Christians and Muslims to live with one another in a spirit of understanding, respect and acceptance, the Archdiocese of Zamboanga has established a forum consisting of priests, pastors and ulamas.
Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo G. Valles expressed his appreciation of the initiative, saying he is happy of the project as he met with the priests, pastors and ulamas at the Sacred Heart Center on May 28.
“Your involvement in this group expresses our common commitment to inter-religious dialogue. This is part of the mission of the Catholic Church and I emphasized it when I arrived in Zamboanga City and considered it as a key area in my program,” Valles said.
The Priests-Ulama-Pastors Forum (PUPF) is being established in the same spirit as the Bishops-Ulama conference on the Mindanao level. However, PUPF is autonomous of BUC and of other groups that have similar orientation.
With promotion of dialogue as its specific mission, the forum will be directed by three convenors that will represent the Catholic Church, Islam and other Christian denomination.
Additional three members will come from each faith group to make up the PUPF core group of twelve. The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, an association that promotes “deeper understanding between Muslims and Christians,” acts as the group’s secretariat.
The formation of the PUPF is seen as significant step in the promotion of dialogue and in consolidating “linkages with other groups, institutions and movements in Zamboanga City that have programs of interfaith dialogue.”
Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo G. Valles expressed his appreciation of the initiative, saying he is happy of the project as he met with the priests, pastors and ulamas at the Sacred Heart Center on May 28.
“Your involvement in this group expresses our common commitment to inter-religious dialogue. This is part of the mission of the Catholic Church and I emphasized it when I arrived in Zamboanga City and considered it as a key area in my program,” Valles said.
The Priests-Ulama-Pastors Forum (PUPF) is being established in the same spirit as the Bishops-Ulama conference on the Mindanao level. However, PUPF is autonomous of BUC and of other groups that have similar orientation.
With promotion of dialogue as its specific mission, the forum will be directed by three convenors that will represent the Catholic Church, Islam and other Christian denomination.
Additional three members will come from each faith group to make up the PUPF core group of twelve. The Silsilah Dialogue Movement, an association that promotes “deeper understanding between Muslims and Christians,” acts as the group’s secretariat.
The formation of the PUPF is seen as significant step in the promotion of dialogue and in consolidating “linkages with other groups, institutions and movements in Zamboanga City that have programs of interfaith dialogue.”
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