Finding solutions to rice inflation requires balancing acts

Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bigas, tumataas din kaya ang kita ng ating mga magsasakang maghapong nakabilad sa init ng araw? Sapat ba ang ilang daang pisong kanilang kinikita para bumuhay ng pamilya? Pakinggan ang kanilang kuwento sa dokumentaryong ito ni Sandra Aguinaldo.

          

B a leader, instead of a boss. Rather lead than rule.

If you want your leadership to count and have real meaning, then transcend from being like a ruler leader into a servant leader.

If you believe that your leadership authority is God-given, then you ought to lead as a servant leader, rather than rule like a taskmaster.

Do away with being like a cruel judge who rules with an iron fist trampling on people's rights that stirs up hate and rebellion. Neither give oppressive decrees that ignites dissent, disloyalty and disunity.

Rather, be a humble and wise servant who leads by example that inspires loyalty, unity, and harmony and encourages cooperation. Let your edicts be righteous and just that uphold truth, justice, and liberty and promote peace.

       

Bagay tulad nito dapat madalas ginagawa

Mabuti at may nakaisip ng ganito. Sa sino mang mga nakaisip na gawing ganito ang format or mode ng pagpapahayag ng presidente sa kanyang mga saluobin o gustong sabihin sa taombayan, tama ang ginagawa ninyo. 

Alam natin na ang presidente ay may kahinaan pagdating sa kahusayan ng magalang na pananalita sa harap ng publiko. Nagiging masamang ugali na niya ang walang prenong pagmumura lalo na kung ang kanyang ego ay natatamaan. Kaya kung ang presidente ay isabak ninyo sa nakasanayang press conference format, kadalasan ay malamang lalabas na makapagbitiw ang presidente ng mga pamamahayag na hindi kanaisnais.

Ang hindi makakabuti sa panig ng presidente ay kapag maligaw na sa ibang direksyon ang lakbay at daloy ng tanungan at sagutan. Dahil sa sandaling ang kanyang isipan at ang kanyang pagsasagot ay natangay na sa direksyon ng agos at linya ng mga pagtatanong na nais tutukan ng mga taga media, e mawawala na siya sa kanyang maayos sana at plastadong pagpapahayag ng kanyang nais na sasabihin sa taombayan. At ang kadalasang mangyari ay aabot na naman sa punto na magmumura na naman ang pangulo dahil nalulunod na siya sa mga [sinasadyang] maintrigang mga linya ng pagtatanong ng mga taga media. E alam naman din natin na ang mga taga media ay wala rin silang kapreno-preno sa tindi ng kanilang maintrigang mga pagtatanong. At dahil sa kanilang pinanghahawakang kalayaan sa pamamahayag, ay natural lamang na magiging makulit at maintriga ang kanilang pagkuha ng mga impormasyon lalong-lalo na pag presidente na ang kanilang tinatanong.

Sana ang ganitong format ay magiging magandang panimula sa paraan ng pagpapahayag ng pangulo ng kanyang mga saluobing nais niyang ibahagi sa taombayan. At uulitin ko, sana simula pa lang ito, dahil kailangan at dapat na mag level up pa ito gradually into a system na habang tumatagal ay lalong nagiging produktibo at kapakipakinabang. Hindi kailangan na parang napaka opisyal at bongga ang dating. (Small hint ko lang ito: Level up patungo sa isang sistema na parang frequent periodic expanded/detailed SONA). Ang importante na kampante ang pangulo na ibahagi at ipahayag niya ang kanyang saluobin at mai-kwento niya kung ano-anong mga bagay ang nasa isip niya na may kinalaman sa bayan sa paraan na walang ego-pressing lines of intriguing questioning mula sa mga taga media.

Hindi natin ma-overemphasize pa ng lalo ang kahalagahan na marinig at malaman ng tamobayan at ng buong sambayanan ang tunay na mga saluobin ng pangulo kaugnay sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, ay ang higit na kailangang malaman ng buong bansa ang update tungkol sa mga plano, direksyon, at hakbang na iniisip at ginagawa ng mga ibat-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno. As well as yong mapagkumbabang pagkilala at paghahanap ng kalutasan sa mga kahinaan, kapalpakan, at kakulangan ng kanyang pamumuno. Sa ganitong paraan, magkakaroon ng bukas at tapat na kasangkapan ng kumonikasyon na magiging tulay sa pagitan ng pangulo at ng taombayan na kahit pa yong mga ayaw sa kanya ay dahan-dahan na ring matutong makikinig at makakaintindi sa mga plano, pamamalakad, kaunlaran, at kapalpakan ng kanyang pamumuno.

----------

Nais ko kayong hikayatin na pagmasdan ninyo ang isang probensya sa Central Visayas. Ang sistemang ito na napag-isipan at ginawa ninyo ngayon, ay matagal-tagal na ring ginagawa sa mga namumuno sa kanilang probinsya at pati sa mga namumuno sa kaninlang capital city.

Sa haba na ng panahon ng kanilang patuloy na paggamit ng pamamaraang ito ay nagiging malaking pakinabang ito sa partisipasyon ng kanilang mga mamayan na makibahagi sa pagtulung para sa kaunlaran ng kanilang probinsya at gayon din sa kanilang capital city.

Ang kanilang pamamaraan bagamat simpli lang subalit ito ay nag level up na ng husto in terms of public participation and effectiveness. Sana magaya nyo rin ito. Kaya para ma-adopt ninyo on a national scale ang simpling sistema o pamamaraan na ito, aralin ninyong mabuti kung papaano nila sinimulan ang sistemang ito at kung sino-sinong mga tao at anu-anong mga institusyon ang kasali nito at anu-ano ang mga dapat gawin at hindi dapat gawin para magiging epektibo ang nasabing pamamaraang ito.

Patnubayan sana kayo ng Maykapal.

       

Character role-playing; Changing of values and principles

Well, we all know that in the realm of relationships, people's preference as to how and to whom they associate with, may change at any available opportunity depending on their personal agenda.

For some people, changing of relationships or associates could be as ordinary as changing clothes. 

In politics, the act of changing relationships or associates has several personal aspects of change that go with it. Politicians often change image to suit a particular time, occasion, or opportunity. They also change their public appearance according to what impressions they would like to project. And occasionally, they change views and perspectives to align their actions with their agenda.

But, in all of the personal changes that people might be willing to undergo or do to themselves, the saddening thing to observe is when they are willing to sacrifice their core values and principles in order to gain things that they hope could ultimately benefit them in the end.

In the world of politics, politicians even have an aphorism for it: "In politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests."

Which sounds like: "Use and/or be used."

In the parlance of our millennials: "Gamitan pa more!"

----------

At the beginning, every time I saw and heard Atty. Harry Roque spoke on television about significant issues that are affecting our country, I saw in him a principled person who has unshakable core values.

Some years ago, because of his staunch advocacy on human rights, he earned the respect and admiration of almost all of our  kababayans as well as of people in the international community. With his excellent ability to spot violations and twisting of the law, many serious voters had prayed that hopefully he would become a staunch human-rights-defender senator someday.

Years back, I didn't know if some people may also had similar thoughts about Atty. Harry Roque, but at least in my evaluative thought then, that to a country whose history is filled with so much human rights violations, I once considered Atty. Roque (along with [the likes of] Atty. Allan Peter Cayetano and Atty. Koko Pimentel) as a very potential high-office public servant who was some steps closer to another human rights hero in the making whom the voiceless poor, whose human rights have been violated, can lean on for real help in obtaining justice.

But since his acceptance to serve as the president's spokesman, Atty. Harry Roque now seems to appear like in the same state as the hero Spiderman whose original heroic inner self is occasionally struggling against an acquired and quickened dark side of himself brought about by the responsibilities and obligations of the duty which he has voluntarily accepted.

Duty-wise, Atty. Roque (and so also are other duty-bound public officials such as DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra, DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and AFP Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr.) maybe struggling against an inner dark side which is brought about by their sworn duty. But I chose not to lose hope in their abilities to triumph over their struggles. In their struggles, they may inadvertently make some errors. But if unavoidably they must commit any error, I'm fervently praying that they shall remain faithful to what is righteous. If they must err, then may they err on the side of truth, what is right, and what is truly just. 

Their respective positions and offices in government public service come with great power and authority. And what they do now could become an example for others to follow.

May God protect their hearts, enlighten their minds, and guide their actions.

"With great power, comes great responsibility." -- The Spiderman

----------

Meanwhile...

Senator Antonio Trillanes is perhaps Max turned Electro, or perhaps Dr. Otto Octavius turned Dr. Octopus -- a villain hero. An idealistic heroic character whose way of heroism mostly appears as villainous to his opponents. At the end of the day, his villainous heroism achieves, or at least proves, his idealism.

What about the president, President Duterte, what character can he be?... Well perhaps..., hmm.... Aha! I think he is of course the writer-director of the entire movie.

On each movie character, he puts a character attribute that he chooses from the different character attributes which he assumes in real life in tackling the different political challenges he himself is struggling within and without as the president.

And as according to the hero-villain dual character role he is forced to adopt as a required necessity of being the president who has enormous responsibilities and hard duties, he must direct the whole movie like a grand master in a modified multi-opponent-version chess game.

          

Huwag luluwag sa inyong mga panalangin

Pagmasdan ninyo ang mga araw ng kapanahonang ito dahil sagana ang mga araw na ito sa mga palatandaan. Kaya magmasid kayo para hindi kayo luluwag sa mga panalangin ninyo.

     

Iilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga palatandaan ng kasalukuyang kapanahonan ng ating bansa. Sa sinomang may angking karunungan sa pag-unawa ng mga palatandaan, subukan ninyong intindihin ng maigi ang mga ipinapahayag ng mga palatandaang ito.

       

Nasaan na ba ang tunay na pakialam at malasakit ninyo?!

Sa gitna nitong matinding inflation na dinaranas natin lalo na sa ating mga mahihirap na mga kababayan, nasaan na kayo, mga lider ng bansang ito?! Ano ba ang mas mahalaga at mas importante sayo? Nasaan na ba ang tunay na pakialam at malasakit ninyo?! Huwag ninyo sanang sayangin ang ibinigay sa inyo ng Panginoon na pagkakataong makatulong sa mga naghihirap lalo na sa mga panahong pinaka-kailangan kayo ng mga taong nangangailangan sa taos-pusong serbisyo publiko ninyo.

Bakit para bang hindi man lang kayo tumutulong sa paglutas ng problema sa bayan na ito? Dahil ba ay hindi kayo intrisado sa gawain na isinasangon sa inyo, at sa halip mas intrisado pa kayo sa kung ano lang ang hilig at kaya ninyo? E kung ganon, bakit pa kayo nagpahalal sa taombayan para umupo sa pwesto kung sa kalaunan man din lamang ay hindi pa pala kayo tunay na intrisado na gawin ang tungkolin ninyo lalo na sa mga panahon ng kahirapan tulad na lang sa kasalukoyang panahon nating ito?

Gumising na kayo! Ang bayan ay lubos na nangangailangan sa tulong ninyo! Dahil kayo ay halal na mga alagad publiko, at di lang yon, higit sa lahat, dahil kayo ay mga tinawag ng Panginoon na maging alagad sa bayan ninyo, kaya kahit sa ngayong mahirap na panahon man lang muna, ay ibahin sana ninyo ang kung ano ang mas mahalaga sa inyo,

Sapagka't kung saan naroon ang iyong kayamanan, doon naman doroon ang iyong puso. (Mateo 6:21)

       

Indeed! There is a way!

Arroyo on 6.4% inflation: I’ve had a more alarming situation as President

By: Pathricia Ann V. Roxas - Inquirer

02:49 PM September 05, 2018

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence that the Duterte administration could solve the record-high 6.4 percent August inflation, saying she experienced “a more alarming” situation during her term as President.

“The government is doing what it can to address it… I have had a more alarming situation at 6.6 percent and I was able to solve it in a few months time so there can be a solution,” she told reporters in an ambush interview after the oath-taking rite of National Youth Commission Chairman Ronald Cardema in her office.

Although she said she wanted to base her suggestions on data, Arroyo had recalled that during her term, they had solved the 6.6 percent inflation in March 2009 by massive importation of rice and massive buying of rice from local farmers.

“I remember in my time, in March of 2009, the inflation was 6.6 percent but by June, it was down to 1.5 percent. So conceivably, even a sharp increase can be resolved. But we have to analyze what’s driving it and therefore how to address what’s driving it,” she explained.

“A lot of measures were taken, combination, but maybe the single biggest factor was the massive importation of rice together with buying massively with the local farmers,” she added.

The Pampanga 2nd District congresswoman also said she would consult her point man on counter inflation, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, on what can be done this time aside from their earlier suggestion to address the five major drivers of inflation: exchange rate, rice, fish meat, and oil.

She also said the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law contributed “a very very small portion” to the inflation.

The government earlier reported that the inflation hit a new, nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August.

It was also the fastest rate of increase in prices of basic goods and services since March 2009’s 6.6 percent inflation rate during Arroyo’s time.

=======

Indeed, there is a way! In fact, it consists of many smaller paths that converge into a main big road. But the rambunctious affairs of the land are leading the seekers astray and away from the thing that they are looking for. Vines of hatred, anger, & bickering have quickly grown such that their leaves and branches have thickly covered the way causing most of the seekers to think that hopelessly they seem to be looking for the way blindly in vain.

But hope must never be lost. For the Lord is quietly equipping the seekers with prayers from those whose hearts whom the Lord is quickening so that their spirits will stay in constant presence with Him through their prayers. In the quiet sanctuaries of their spirits they fervently pray that wisdom, prudence, patience, calmness of mind and spirit, focus, dedication and persistence shall guide and lead those whose hearts are stirred by the Lord into finding that way.

Therefore, seekers: Be hopeless no more and be wary no more! Rather, be very confident and be very courageous!

As you seek for the way, this shall be your guide: Understand the ways and the movements of the waters; for what you should be looking for is a system as that of the waters. As the waters begin from high places and find their ways down towards the seas and the oceans, so shall it be like with the way which you are looking for. Behold with wisdom how the waters of the springs and the brooks flow and how they converge to feed the rivers and the lakes. And understand how the rivers and lakes eventually deliver their contents into the seas and the oceans. And fathom how the seas and the oceans sustain back the waters of the springs and the brooks. And finally, behold and marvel how the plants, trees, animals, and other living creatures thrive because of the system.

As blood is to the body, so is water to the earth; and in similar manner will the system [that you are seeking for] be to your land. When you fully understood the wisdom behind this system and gain the wisdom of how to apply it wisely (in accordance with the statutes of the One who designed this system) to every area of governance, then the land would live in harmony and abundance.

Now seekers, go and look for that way! Be filled with wisdom, prudence, patience, calmness of mind and spirit, focus, dedication and persistence. Be diligent and be not wasteful of time; for the nation is already at its last hour of the third watch of the night. And very soon it will enter the fourth watch of the night, and there will just be enough time left to find the sought way before the words given below could happen:

Sa sinomang may pandinig, ito ay pakinggan ninyo: "May isang araw na darating na may dalang di pangkariniwang sikat. Sa panahon ng araw, may mga naglalakbay, ngunit walang mga anino. May mga punong marami ang mga dahon, ngunit walang lilim. Sa panahon ng gabi, sa ilalim ng sikat ng buwan, may mga anino, ngunit walang makikitang mga naglalakbay. May lilim ang mga puno kahit walang mga dahon."

     

Panginoon, tulungan mo po kami

Halos araw-araw na lang may tumataas na presyo ng commodity. Naku po! Napaka sobrang taas na nang presyo ng bigas, isda, gulay, petrolyo, kuryente, at ngayon tubig! Papaano na kaya tayo nito mamumuhay ng maayos? Hanggang kailan ba kaya tatagal itong matinding pagdurasa na dinaranas nating mga Pilipino?

PLEASE... MAAWA NAMAN KAYO, KAYONG MGA NAMUMUNO SA BANSANG 'TO!

Mayroon pa ba kaya sa kanila ang nakakarinig at totoong nakikinig sa mga naghihirap? Mga sarili lang yata nilang kalagayan ang kanilang binibigyan halaga. Mga lider namin, bakit ba ninyo kami pinabayaan sa aming paghihirap? Saan na ba nakabaling ang mga puso ninyo ngayon?

Sa gitna nitong lalo pang lumalalang suliranin sa inflation ng ating bansa, ano na kaya ang kalagayan ng ating mga naghihikahos sa buhay na mga kababayan?

Panginoon, huwag mo po kaming pababayaan. Tulungan mo po kaming makaahon sa napakahirap na kalagayan naming ito.

-------

Sa sinomang may pandinig, ito ay pakinggan ninyo: "May isang araw na darating na may dalang di pangkariniwang sikat. Sa panahon ng araw, may mga naglalakbay, ngunit walang mga anino. May mga punong marami ang mga dahon, ngunit walang lilim. Sa panahon ng gabi, sa ilalim ng sikat ng buwan, may mga anino, ngunit walang makikitang mga naglalakbay. May lilim ang mga puno kahit walang mga dahon."

          

Let them go as according to their stated agenda

While many think that this travel may not be in a right timing, but just let it be. Let it be so as according to the travel agenda the President has presented.

May God abide in their trip.

       

When a "victimizer" jokes

In the deluded eyes of his supporters, and in the subdued view of even some of the well-intentioned people around P-Dut, the president's remarks on rape should be overlooked as merely a joke.

But if you consider a bit deeper why is it that D-Gong is fund of somewhat making light the topic regarding rape by way of "jokes" and tries putting the blame on the victim rather than on the perpetrator, one would wonder that perhaps unless P-Dut's own beautiful young daughter becomes a victim of rape (God forbid), abhorrent victim-blaming remarks about rape -- such as what filthy-mouthed P-Dut (OMG! Of all people, a president!) has ["jokingly"] said twice already publicly -- could only possibly come from a mental attitude of a "victimizer".

A "victimizer" would always choose to ignore or deny God so as to justify his mentality and actions. The self-deluding reasoning that a "victimizer" perhaps believed in is that if he deny God's existence, then his actions are not subject to any of God's moral laws and that any guilt that there is can just be played down by putting the blame on the victim.

Therefore to the mind of a "victimizer", kung maganda ka at natukso ako sa kagandahan mo, at di ko napigilan ang sarili ko at na-rape kita, then ikaw yung may kasalanan kasi bakit ka pa naging maganda at hindi man lang naging pangit para hindi mo ako sana natukso.

Or typically, sa isang pamilyadong tao: "Kasalanan ko ba kung naakit ako sa iba?! Tandaan mo to, kung makipaghiwalay ka sa akin, kasalanan mo to!"