No Politics?

"I am not here to talk about politics but what the people want."- GMA

On her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised not to talk about politics. However, I noticed that her SONA obviously included politics. From the first to the last part of her speech, GMA has mentioned and praised different politicians. She acknowledged her supporters in the congress, number of soldiers and police and even those who tried to oust her.

In line with my observation, I quote a paragraph from yesterday's Inquirer issue:

"She vowed not to talk about politics but her State of the Nation Address amounted to what could be payback to her supporters- from generals and lawmakers to local executives and Church officials..."

It is clearly observed that Ms. Arroyo did not stick to her word--not to talk about politics.

When GMA broke her own vow--not to talk about politics, something popped up in my mind. I thought, if the president can't keep her word with that simple vow, what more with doing the numerous projects she proposed. This may imply that our president is not capable of keeping her promises. This generates doubt on the part of the Filipinos like me. I doubt if GMA will stick to her proposed projects such as making "super regions."

If only GMA delivered her speech without saying politics is not included when in fact it is, she could have not bore a negative impression to the people.

The next time Ms. Arroyo delivers SONA, if she still seats as the president, simple things such as this should be given importance. She should note that every detail that comes out in her mouth is being observed, commented and sometimes "cooked" (criticized).

SONA: A Political Campaign?

"House Deputy Minority Leader Roilo Golez called President Macapagal-Arroyo's State of the Nation Address a political campaign speech."

I read this statement as I browse through the frontpage of the Inquirer yesterday. I agree that somehow GMA's SONA on monday was a form of political campaign speech. I have observed that throughout her speech, lots of names of officials from the different areas in the country were mentioned. And not only mentioned by the President, they were praised for a job "well-done".

I think GMA has used her SONA to uplift the heart of the officials she mentioned who are mostly her allies. For me, the rationale behind this is that Arroyo wants to maintain the support of her allies and gain more support in her administration. When more supporters, GMA is more likely to stay in her position. Through highlighting these officials in her speech, she tried to catch their heart and attention. She hoped to gain more support in her administration as she tries to battle with her ousters.

For me, as she delivered her speech, she's like saying "See, I have recognized you, therefore, you must recognize me and support me all the way."

Another thing that made the recently held SONA a political campaign speech is that the President didn't discuss what were the things done in the past year. She has only proposed different projects and more promises to Filipinos. I think, she has used the SONA to "serenade" the people to still be with her because of the many projects presented. GMA has really used her wits just to stay in her seat.

"Hakot" crowd, where are they?

As I read one of the Inquirer's story yeaterday, I was intigued by a certain part of the story saying "No Hakot visible". It was written that the usual ubiquitous "hakot" crowd from the nearest slums were nowhere near the upper gallery nor at the side lobbies where they ate their packed lunch on previous Sonas.

Questions rapidly bothered my mind. Where are these people--the masses? Why are they not part of GMA's audience?

While I watch President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address on monday, I noticed that Arroyo's audience composed mostly of men and women who are high in profile. I thought, GMA's SONA was intended for celebrities (Politicians, known people and other important guests). Though covered by various television networks to make Filipinos not in the scene able to watch the important event, I think it was not for the masses, it's for GMA's supporters only.

The President should've considered the presence of the masses in the venue of her speech. Another thing that made her SONA exclusive for prominent people is the very tight security being imposed as the event is held. I have learned in yesterday's Inquirer issue that the security outside and inside the venue was very tight. No one was allowed to go out and inside while the speech is being delivered. I can agree that it's for the President's security but how can an ordinary Filipino get inside and hear the SONA personally when this was the situation.

The invisible "hakot" crowd may imply that the President didn't give importance to the masses-- the little people who,ideally, should be rendered with her services.

Inform the people...

Rainy season has come and typhoons find their way to hit our country. It was only this month when typhoon Florita hit Baguio and left damages to life and property. One of its way of destruction is inducing landslides.

Baguio city, as we all know, is vulnerable to landslides because of its geological structure. However, one must know what the safe or dangerous places are in the city.

In this week's issue of Baguio Midland Courier, one of its stories entitled "More Landslides Forecasted" has mentioned about the geo-hazard areas in Baguio. The writer repeatedly stated about the "identified" geo-hazard areas in the city. However, I noticed that he didn't even named at least one or two of these geo-hazard areas. I, then, ask what are these geo-hazard areas the writer talked about?

I tried to answer my own question as I do a requirement in one of my journ classes-- to report on environmental news. I wrote a report on the geo-hazard areas in Baguio city. I went to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR and asked for a list of landslide-prone areas in Baguio city. They provided the list together with a map which determines how an area is susceptible to landslides.

Here is some of the landslide-prone areas provided by the MGB: Dominican, Mirador Area, Kennon Rd, San Luis Extension, Mines View, Quezon Hill, Fairview, Magsaysay Avenue, Pacdal and Cabinet Hill. In the MGB's preliminary geologic hazard map, it was identified that areas along Trancoville, Aurora Hill, Holy Ghost Extension, Military Cut-off, Cabinet Hill-Teachers camp, SLU-SVP housing, Dagsian, Camp 7 and Club John hay are identified as highly susceptible to landslides.

My purpose for naming these geo-hazard areas in Baguio city is to make the people living in these areas aware and prepare especially when typhoons occur. This will inform them and help ensure their safety. In my report, I also included some preventive measures suggested by the MGB and the City Disaster Coordination Council such as building retaining walls, recrop and maintaining a proper drainage system. And as much as possible, avoid building structures in steep slopes.

I hope what I wrote will contribute a great help in the journalistic world. As a journalism student, I'm trying to fill what is lacking in the different news being reported such as this.