VERTICAL HOUSING POLICY

VERTICAL HOUSING POLICY My dear countrymen, I fully support the government’s policy to promote vertical housing, instead of single-detached horizontal housing. It is a good idea whose time has come, and I believe that this policy is going to be good for our country in the long run. It does not take a genius to realize that the demand for housing is increasing and will continue to increase, but our land area for housing development is not increasing. It also does not take a genius to realize that we could not continue to convert farmlands into housing project sites, otherwise we may have roofs over our heads, but will not have food over our tables. On that note, I wonder if there is any coordination between the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to be able to control the seemingly runaway conversion of agricultural lands? And is it not that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should also have a say about these conversions? Having worked for the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements (MHS) and having learned a lot from the late MHS Undersecretary Joly Benetiz, I say that I know a thing or two about housing development, even if my work at MHS was focused more on livelihood development and the marketing of livelihood products at that time. Although the MHS built a record number of single-detached units at that time, I still say that DHSUD is in the right direction to build vertical housing this time. By copy of this letter, I am requesting DHSUD Secretary Gerry Acuzar to try his best to make sure that all future vertical housing projects not only “future ready”, but also “environment friendly” as well. I am sure that these two features are nothing new to Secretary Acuzar, since he is an experienced builder himself, with exceptional projects to his name. Going by my own definition of “future ready”, I wish that Acuzar could make sure that these buildings should have high speed internet, clean potable water (no need to buy filtered water), solar energy backup and diesel generator backup. By “environment friendly”, I mean having Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), composting facilities and urban gardens with native trees all around. I hope it is not asking too much, but it would be good if these buildings could already have their own electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and drone landing pads (DLPs). Aside from that, rainwater collection systems would also be good, aside from water recycling and water filtration systems. Optionally, some buildings could use biogas production for heating their grounds and maybe for street lighting. For a building to have fast and stable internet, it needs fiber optic cables going up vertically and horizontally. For purposes of redundancy, it would be good to make provisions for a satellite dish at the top. There may be a need to do a practical layout at the rooftop, to accommodate the solar panels, the satellite dishes and the DLPs. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-23-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

A LETTER FROM AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO (PART ONE)

A LETTER FROM AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO (PART ONE) My dear countrymen, I am featuring a letter from an overseas Filipino here just for us to get an inkling of how they feel about our country now: START QUOTE: I am in Auckland, New Zealand. It is very sad to notice here that most Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble products here are MADE IN THAILAND. Johnson & Johnson products are MADE IN MALAYSIA. These products used to be MADE IN PHILIPPINES, Now, a lot of products are no longer MADE IN PHILIPPINES, we are being replaced by Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, aside from China. It has to do with our "genius" politicians, never ending quarrels, congressional hearings, corruption, etc. They are not serving the people; they are serving themselves. Pity our grandchildren, what are their future might or will be! No wonder, many of my engineering classmates went abroad after graduation. What a waste, those talents could have been used in the Philippines. When Rubber World closed due to never ending strikes, most of our designers and technical people went to China and work there. This is the REAL SITUATION. Instead of bragging about OFWs, (causing plenty of broken families), we should give our talented people opportunities to work and help the Philippines. We educate a lot of these talented people and then let other countries benefit from them. Why is China progressing very fast? It is because most of Chinese scientists and engineers, go back to China and work there, and because of their government policies that give them opportunities to work back home. That is why China is now very advanced in the field of AI, manufacturing and other in many fields. I moved to China because my biggest client moved to China due to strikes (Factory in Laguna, 6 hectares). Six months after CBA. the owner gave up and moved to China, and the Chinese government gave him free land and other financial incentives. That is what our government should do. Serve the people, not serve their pockets. I used to manufacture cashew nutshell oil (CNSL) and export to China. I also opened a small factory that processed CNSL into friction material (an additive for making brake linings), in China., at that time. During that time, in the 1990's, Vietnam also starting planting cashew nut trees on an industrial scale. When my Philippine CNSL source was no longer competitive, I had to use Vietnam CNSL To make a long story short, Philippines is not competitive in many areas due to government indifference to the businessmen’s problems. No incentives to business groups and never-ending taxes and corruption. To renew a business license, you can choose either valid for another 30 years or 50 years, no charge (don’t have to pay any fee). Due to covid, Xiamen local government reduced personal income taxes. Also, for businesses, the government reduced taxes. That is how government helps business groups and wage-earning groups. It is not TRUE that the government subsidizes business, it is more of helping business groups. I started doing business with China in 1983. I have seen them from practically having nothing to now having everything. Only those bad element Chinese are saying bad things about China. Most Chinese are satisfied with their government. There is no Utopia in a society, there are still problems in China, even in Europe, the West, but in the Philippines, it is a very big problem. END QOUTE. When we talk about brain drain, it is usually the scientists, engineers and other professionals. But in this letter that I have published here, we learn about businessmen leaving the country too, to take away not only their talents and business acumen, but also their capital. How can we bring back these people, and how can we prevent these people from leaving? The letter writer already old us what the problems are, can we bring some solutions to them? Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-22-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

FIGHTING OILSEEDS WITH COCONUT OILS

FIGHTING OILSEEDS WITH COCONUT OILS My dear countrymen, many years ago, when I was still working as a consular assistant at the Philippine Consulate General in New York City, I was assigned to an undercover mission to gather information about a company in New Jersey that was a market leader in canola oil, a type of rapeseed oil that is a direct competitor to our own coconut cooking oil. With a small budget, I was able to produce a decent report that was sent back to the Philippines, but then I had a sense that if I had more resources, I could have done a better job. Bottom line, I felt that even at that time, we were not that serious about economic espionage. Fast forward to today, the internet already provides us with tons of overt information about our product competitors, such that covert operations may not be necessary anymore, at least in most cases. Of course, we could still conduct economic espionage if we want to, but it would be a major waste of resources if we do not even try to make use of the overt information that is already available to us, most of which are openly online. For example, it was reported in the Times of India that a recent study linked seed oils like sunflower, canola, safflower, soybean, peanut, linseed, castor and corn to increased colon cancer among young Americans. According to the Times of India, “colon cancer cases are increasing among young Americans, and one of the risk factors could be use of popular cooking oils in ultra-processed diets, a new US government backed research, published in Gut Journal has found out. Not that we ought to celebrate as we hear about the misfortune of others, but it is also widely known that some companies linked to the seed oil industries have been conducting smear campaigns and black propaganda against our own coconut cooking oils. Now, the playing fields are now even, or it might even be tilted in our favor now. I do not mean to overreact to this good news, but this early, I now call upon our government, especially the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately draw up a plan for fighting this new battle for market supremacy. I am neither an agriculturist nor an economist, but I have enough common sense to say that our best move now is to increase our production of coconuts, perhaps even double it if we could. As of now, we are the second biggest producer with 14.93 million metric tons, second to Indonesia’s production of 17.19 million metric tons. Coming in third behind us in India with a production of 13. 32 million metric tons. I am sure that by now, Indonesia and India are already planning to increase their own production. What does it take to gain more market shares in the global cooking oil industry? I am sure that the production of raw coconuts is only the first challenge, because there are other challenges like processing, packaging, marketing and shipping. If what it would take are more subsidies to the coconut industries, then so be it. But this opportunity is so huge that I think the President should create a task force to handle it, possibly including all players such as DA, PCA, DTI, DFA and even Landbank. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-21-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

PROTOCOLS FOR USING NON-LETHAL WEAPONS

PROTOCOLS FOR USING NON-LETHAL WEAPONS My dear countrymen, believe it or not, our country has protocols in place for the use of non-lethal weapons by our police forces. Here is what Microsoft Copilot has to say about it: START QOUTE: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has protocols in place for the use of non-lethal weapons to ensure public safety while respecting human rights. According to the PNP Guidebook on Human-rights Based Policing, the police are encouraged to adopt measures that promote the use of non-lethal weapons. These measures are designed to ensure that the use of force is proportionate to the threat presented and that the fundamental rights of individuals are protected. The PNP Operational Procedures Manual also outlines guidelines for the use of non-lethal weapons, including the requirement for approval for operations and coordination with other units. The goal is to provide a safer environment for both law enforcement officers and the public. END QOUTE Also, according to Copilot, the PNP “is already using non-lethal weapons as part of their efforts to ensure public safety while respecting human rights. The PNP has procured various non-lethal weapons, including pepper sprays, tasers, and batons. These weapons provide officers with alternative options to neutralize threats without resorting to firearms”. That being the case, since the protocols are already in place, and since the necessary equipment have already been procured, I think that what remains lacking are the training programs and the monitoring systems. Presumably, according to the rules of engagement of the PNP, policemen may fire their weapons at a suspect if he or she draws a weapon, or if he or she fires a weapon. I am however sure that the rules do not require the policemen to kill the patient when not necessary. What I mean to say is that the policemen may choose to take a non-fatal shot at the suspect, to only disable him or her, but not to kill him or her. Since it would be very difficult make judgement calls in very dangerous situations, it would be practical to use non-lethal weapons instead, if these are readily available. Much as the PNP is mandated to protect the human rights of suspects, let us not forget that the PNP is also mandated to protect the legal rights of all police officers as they perform their duties. Aside from the Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) that could file cases against police officers who are suspected of human rights violations, they could also be charged by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). By encouraging the use of non-lethal weapons, our policemen will be less vulnerable to false charges of human rights violations. Still according to Copilot, the PNP “has plans to procure taser guns as part of their efforts to handle violent situations with non-lethal means. This initiative is part of their broader strategy to equip officers with alternatives to firearms, ensuring public safety while respecting human rights”. That is good to know, because taser guns could be fired even from 30 meters, using projectile prongs. What that means is that they could even be used by snipers in hostage situations. One advantage of non-lethal weapons is that if the suspects could be caught alive, they could still be questioned for more information, and perhaps, they could even become witnesses. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-20-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR ANCESTRAL DOMAINS

VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR ANCESTRAL DOMAINS My dear countrymen, necessity might be the mother of invention, but I think that persistence is the father. That is what I thought when I finally found a way to contact volunteer lawyers who could help Indigenous Tribal Peoples (ITPs) acquire Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) for their ancestral lands. As it is supposed to be, the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is supposed to be providing the lawyers to the ITPs so that they could acquire their CADTs, but that does not seem to be happening. Based on available data, there are supposedly about 590 ancestral domains that have been “recognized” by the NCIP, but apparently, it does not automatically mean that “recognition” would mean the issuance of a CADT. According to Microsoft Copilot, START QUOTE: to claim an ancestral land in the Philippines, several steps and requirements must be fulfilled, including a cadastral survey. Here's an overview of the process: 1. Community Organization: The indigenous community must organize and form a Community Service Center (CSC) to initiate the claim. 2. Filing of Application: The community applies for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). 3. Documentation: The community must gather and submit necessary documents, including proof of occupation and possession since time immemorial, genealogical records, and other relevant evidence. 4. Cadastral Survey: A cadastral survey is conducted to delineate the boundaries of the claimed ancestral domain. This involves field validation and the production of maps and technical descriptions. 5. Community Delineation Team (CDT): A CDT is formed to assist in the survey and documentation process. 6. Public Consultation: Public consultations are held to ensure transparency and to address any concerns from other stakeholders. 7. NCIP Review: The NCIP reviews the application, survey results, and supporting documents. 8. Decision and Issuance: If the application is approved, the NCIP issues the CADT, formally recognizing the community's rights to the ancestral domain END QUOTE As it is supposed to be, the NCIP is supposed to be providing the money and the other resources so that the ITPs could complete all these eight steps, but that does not seem to be happening. As a result, many of their claims have not been processed, and their CADTs have not been issued. To be honest, having a volunteer lawyer is just one hurdle, because these eight steps will require a lot of money that the ITPs do not have. Fortunately, I got a reply from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Center for Legal Aid. A kind person from that center suggested that I contact their Bukidnon chapter, because I told them that it is the Talaandig tribe in Bukidnon that needs help. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because now I know that the best way to approach the IBP is through their provincial chapters. That is good, because there is an Aeta tribe in Zambales also needing a CADT. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-19-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

HOUSE BOATS AND FLOATING BUILDINGS

HOUSE BOATS AND FLOATING BUILDINGS My dear countrymen, perhaps we have already forgotten it, but the ancient balanghai was a houseboat, and up to now, there are many countries around the world where houseboats are still popular in use. In a manner of speaking, any boat with a roof on top of it could be considered a houseboat, and that is the reason why I think that the Hong Kong junk boats are also houseboats. In a manner of speaking, yachts could also be considered as house boats, not only because they have roofs, but also because some owners practically live in their yachts. According to Microsoft Copilot, there are already a few tourist destinations in the Philippines that are offering houseboats to visitors: 1. Paolyn Houseboats in Coron, Palawan Located in the pristine lagoons of Coron Island, Paolyn Houseboats provide a luxurious and eco-friendly stay. You can choose from private houseboats with indoor and outdoor areas or opt for individual rooms with private bathrooms1. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring nearby beaches. 2. Seahorse Houseboats in Cebu Situated at the Cebu Yacht Club in Lapu-Lapu City, Seahorse Houseboats offer a range of services, including yacht rentals, island hopping, sunset cruises, and party boats. It's a great option for those looking to enjoy the beautiful waters of Cebu. 3. Palawan Secret Cruise Floating Hotel in El Nido This floating hotel is a 27-meter traditional boat equipped with comfortable living spaces. Located in Bacuit Bay, it offers stunning views of limestone karsts and various activities like trekking, snorkeling, and cliff jumping4. 4. Mountain Lake Resort in Laguna Located in Cavinti Town, Laguna Province, this resort offers a serene and scenic stay on the water. It's perfect for those looking to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. While it is obvious that this is a very trivial topic, allow me to tell you why I have chosen to write about it. I decided to cite a few actual examples to prove my point that houseboats could be a viable option, not only for commercial uses such as for tourism, but also for residential purposes. Truth to tell, I have seen pictures about houseboats floating in the Agusan River and in the Agusan Marsh. In the case of the latter, some of the houses were built on top of the floating “islands” of vegetation that have formed over the years. Now that I might have convinced you that houseboats are viable, I will now try to convince you that we should build houseboats instead in the flood prone areas of our country, and in the areas where rising sea levels could potentially submerge the traditional houses that are there now. Although I have heard that the government has the option to forcibly evacuate them if push comes to shove, why not consider building house boats as an alternative? Or perhaps have some floating buildings also? The latter could be used for evacuation centers complete with community kitchens and health clinics, and why not? Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-18-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

CHILD WASTING

CHILD WASTING My dear countrymen, I was already saddened when I heard about child stunting, now I think I am feeling sadder after I heard about child wasting. I know that I am only a writer, but I feel that it is my duty to tell everyone about it, so that everyone could do something about it if they want to. According to Microsoft Copilot, “child wasting, also known as acute malnutrition, occurs when a child's weight is too low for their height. This condition results from short periods of undernutrition, leading to significant loss of muscle and fat tissue. Wasting is a serious health issue because it weakens the immune system, making children more vulnerable to diseases and developmental delays. It can be caused by factors such as severe food shortages, infections, or both”. Additionally, Copilot also reported that child wasting in the Philippines has been a significant concern, but there have been some improvements over the years. Here are some key data points according to Copilot: · Prevalence: The prevalence of child wasting (acute malnutrition) among children under 5 years old was 5.5% in 2021, down from 5.8% in 2019. · Trends: Between 2013 and 2018, there was a notable decline in wasting prevalence by 2.3 percentage points. However, around 800,000 children in the Philippines are still affected by wasting. · Economic Factors: Improvements in economic outcomes, maternal nutrition status, and energy intake have contributed to the reduction in wasting. · Challenges: Despite progress, the Philippines remains among the countries with the highest prevalence of stunting globally. Additionally, there are concerns about increasing overweight and obesity rates among older children and adolescents. Unfortunately, the latest data available is only from the year 2019. Although some improvements were reported as of that year, it is still worrisome that even then, almost a million children were affected by wasting in the Philippines. What could possibly be the current data now? The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) serves as the overall coordinating and monitoring body for child welfare programs, including those related to child wasting. Aside from the CWC, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) leads programs like the MAKABATA program, which includes efforts to monitor and address child rights violations, including malnutrition. The CWC is an attached agency of the Office of the President. It serves as the focal inter-agency body of the Philippine Government for children, coordinating the implementation and enforcement of laws related to child welfare If I will be the one to design a nutrition database in the Philippines, I will create three subsets namely those that are affected by child malnourishment, child stunting and child wasting, that way we could determine the gravity of how this problem affects every child. That way, we could also monitor whenever a child slides down or goes up from one subset to another. Other than that, we should also know what foods and nutrients we are feeding these children, and whether they have any effect on their condition or not. Perhaps our government officials must be reminded that child wasting is a subset of child stunting, and that child stunting is a subset of child malnutrition. Going up the problem chain, child malnutrition is a result of hunger, and hunger is the result of poverty. Although it would be wise to solve the problem at the top, it would even be wiser to solve the problem at the root, and the root of the problem is poverty. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-17-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

PATHWAYS TO PROFESSIONS (PART TWO)

PATHWAYS TO PROFESSIONS (PART TWO) My dear countrymen, very recently, it was reported in the news that the DEPED lacks guidance counselors, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara was calling for help to solve that problem. I think that it is important for Congress to respond to Angara’s call, because without proper counseling, it would be difficult for the students to be guided in what professions they should pursue, as early as possible. As an ICT practitioner and consultant, the first idea that comes to mind is that the DEPED should have a database of the student’s educational performance, along with their known aptitude. If DEPED could have that, then we could use data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to derive possible professional directions of choices that the student could take. No, I am not saying that AI could take the place of guidance counselors, all I am saying is that AI could be used as a tool by the guidance counselors. As of now, most students may not have the ability to choose the academic “tracks” that are most suited to them, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Accounting, Business and Management (ABM). Of course, students might have their own “got feel” about what tracks they should pursue perhaps based on their own grades, but who knows that a guidance counselor using AI could guide them better what to choose? When I was in high school, I never had the chance to visit a newspaper publisher or a radio station. Later in my life, I became a writer and editor, and as a radio and television host. Who knows that I might have chosen the professions of being a publisher or a broadcaster if I was given the right guidance early in my youth? Or if a guidance counselor might have discovered those hidden skills in me before? I also never set foot in a courthouse or a law office in my youth, so I never thought of becoming a lawyer. Even in college, nobody encouraged me to take that path. As I understand it, some schools hold what they call “career days”, wherein guest professionals will tell the young audience of students’ real stories about their jobs, including the pros and cons of it. since nothing beats hearing it “from the horse’s” mouth so to speak, it would really help the audience to think about their own career paths, with the help of their teachers and guidance counselors of course. Aside from the “career days”, I think that it would be a good idea to organize site visits to the offices of professionals such as lawyers, doctors, architects, engineers and accountants. These could be done with the assistance of professional organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and United Architects of the Philippines (UAP). I also think that we should encourage the young people to choose their professions based on the demand data, meaning based on what the country needs. For example, the data shows that the country needs more doctors and dentists. In that case, the students should be encouraged to choose the STEM track, so that they could eventually take up medicine and dentistry. As an option, they could also become scientists, engineers or math teachers. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-16-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CRYPTOCURRENCY

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CRYPTOCURRENCY My dear countrymen, it may not mean anything significant, but I am curious why President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly offering Elon Musk to handle both artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto currency in the next administration. The reports are sketchy, but Musk was also supposedly offered to run the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an offer that Musk will reportedly decline, because he would rather be a “volunteer IT consultant” himself. What these bits of information are telling us, is that AI, cryptocurrency and government efficiency are all in one loop, at least in the mind of incoming President Trump. From what I hear, Musk is attributing government inefficiency to outdated software that is being used in the government, an issue that no one has dared to bring out in the Philippines. I wonder what Musk is alluding to? Perhaps what he means is that the software of the US government is outdated because it does not use AI, and it also does not yet honor cryptocurrency? Although Musk was initially quoted as saying that it is the software of the US government is outdated, he also said that in a separate quote that computers themselves are also outdated. In other words, he was referring to entire systems as being outdated. While there is not enough information yet to make final conclusions, I could guess from my own initial observations that Musk will replace the antiquated ledgers of the US government with blockchain technology, in effect using electronic ledgers instead, but with multiple copies, so to speak. I wonder how Musk’s technology innovations to bring about government efficiency will affect the practices of governance in the free world. I also wonder how the Philippine government will catch up, considering that up to now, most National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) do not even accept personal checks yet, much less virtual money or bitcoins. As far as I know, anything that is cloud based and browser based is not antiquated, but the software running in the cloud could be antiquated. Some years ago, browsers were used only for web apps, but eventually they were also used for mobile apps. There used to be a distinction between web apps that used browsers and mobile apps that were native to the device, but now the distinctions were seemingly erased. Perhaps what Musk means by antiquated is that American government services are not yet accessible via mobile apps. Here in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has already set the standard that all government services must be available online, and not only that, but they also must be interoperable. Since many NGAs and LGUs have not yet met that standard, it could be said that all of those that are below standard could be considered as antiquated. As defined by President Marcos, Jr., all government services must be digitalized and not just “manual”, so to speak. Going back to the basics, there is a big difference between being “computerized” and “digitalized”. As a matter of fact, a government service could already be “computerized”, but it is not yet “digitalized”. For example, a government office could install Microsoft Excel in a computer to produce accounting spreadsheets, but that does not mean that they already have a digitalized accounting system. And if they could not even accept online payments and issue electronic receipts, that tells you a lot. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-15-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

INTEROPERABLE GOVERNMENT DATABASES

INTEROPERABLE GOVERNMENT DATABASES My dear countrymen, it has been several months since President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. instructed all National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) to digitalize their operations, saying that they should have common “operating systems”. Sad to say, many of the NGAs and LGUs are having difficulties in complying with the President’s instructions, as reported by DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy himself. In my desire to help the government with its digitalization goals, please allow me to offer my own suggestions on how to do it. Looking back, I think what the President really meant when he said “operating systems” are the software “applications” such as those for Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Computerized Accounting Systems (CAS), Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Building Management Systems (BMS), among others. If my interpretation is correct, then I think that the goal really is to make these “applications” become compatible with each other, in other words become “interoperable” with each other. To comply with the President’s instructions, all NGAs and LGUs should implement both data integration and systems integration projects, back-to-back with its other. If they could not do that, they will not be able to fix their backend, and because of that, their frontend could never be integrated. In most cases, data integration will require data conversion and data migration, two difficult tasks to do, but must be done. Also in most cases, system integration could happen by using an Applications Programming Interface (API), but it is more complex than that. If you ask my advice, I will tell you that the best approach towards digitalization is to move towards Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). It is an approach that could easily and systematically accomplish both data integration and systems integration. If you are involved with NGA or LGU digitalization, do not worry about costs because there are Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) versions that are available for most ERP offerings. Going back to what the President said, I think that what he was looking for was a “single sign-on system” (SSOS), a system that will enable any registered citizen to sign on to any government system or application, by using the same “credentials” to be able to verify or authenticate his or her identity. SSOS will avoid the tedious and bothersome practice of having to fill up new forms each time a citizen transacts with an NGA or an LGU. Of course, it goes without saying that each NGA and LGU should be responsible for implementing their own data security and data privacy systems. A software system is only as good as its database. If the database is no good, then the software system is no good. If two or more government databases are good, then they could easily and efficiently share data with each other. If they could “talk” to each other as if they are speaking the same language, then true interoperability will happen. The bottom line is to make “ease of doing business” happen, so that it will no longer be difficult for citizens to transact with the government. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-14-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

CATEGORIES OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS

CATEGORIES OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS My dear countrymen, as a former Foreign Service Officer (FSO), I have not lost interest in the concern for overseas Filipinos, more so that I have been influenced by my late brother, to care for them. In my early years as an FSO, I was already attracted by the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) function of the DFA. Looking back, I am now very grateful to my former boss, DFA Undersecretary Federico M. Macaranas for assigning me to do some coordinative functions with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). With the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), there are now the Philippine government agencies that are helping and caring for overseas Filipinos, adding to DFA and CFO. I gather however that many Filipinos could not really tell the difference between the three agencies, and so I will now try to define that for the sake of everyone. The function of the latest addition, the DMW is easy to define. They oversee all Filipinos who are under contract to work abroad. Formerly called Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs), they are now called Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The function of the CFO is also easy to define. They oversee all Filipinos who have been petitioned by their relatives to migrate abroad. Technically, they are categorized as “immigrants” when they leave, but they become “emigrants” once they settle in their host countries. Included in this category are the “green card” holders who settle in the United States, but do not choose to acquire American citizenship yet, for one reason or another. During this interregnum, they remain as Filipino citizens. By process of elimination, all Filipinos abroad who are not under the care of either the DMW or the CFO are deemed to be under the care of the DFA. Fortunately, our government has made provisions for this “catch all” mechanism, because there are really many Filipinos who are abroad, but do not belong to the clear-cut categories under the DMW or the CFO. For example, there are many Filipinos who are working abroad without formal work contracts and are therefore unknown to the DMW. The CFO is a cabinet rank agency that is under the Office of the President (OP). When I met with the incumbent CFO Secretary Dante Francis Ang II, we shared some ideas about how he could improve the services of the CFO. One of his ideas is to establish better cooperation with the DFA. According to Microsoft Copilot, the functions of the CFO are as follows: Registration and Orientation: The CFO registers Filipino emigrants and provides pre-departure orientation seminars to help them prepare for their journey abroad. Promoting Interests: It develops and implements programs that promote the interests and well-being of Filipinos abroad. Cultural Preservation: The CFO serves as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic, and cultural ties of Filipinos abroad with the Philippines. Liaison Services: It provides liaison services to Filipinos residing outside the Philippines with appropriate government and private agencies for business and other projects I agreed with Secretary Ang that there should be CFO Attaches assigned to Philippine Embassies that are servicing jurisdictions where there are large populations of Filipino emigrants, after all it is allowed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In my opinion however, it may be in the best interests of Filipino emigrants to grant consular ranks to the CFO representatives who are assigned to our Consulates and Consulates General abroad, provided it is approved by the President, and subject to the rules of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-13-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

PROTOCOL AFTER USING POLICE WEAPONS

PROTOCOL AFTER USING POLICE WEAPONS My dear countrymen, out of curiosity, I used an artificial intelligence (AI) engine to find out what is the protocol after policemen use their weapons, and here are the unedited results: START QUOTE: In the Philippines, the protocol for police officers after using weapons is outlined in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Operational Procedures Manual. Here are the key steps: 1. Immediate Reporting: The officer involved must immediately report the incident to their superior officer. 2. Securing the Scene: The scene of the incident must be secured to preserve evidence and ensure the safety of all individuals present. 3. Medical Assistance: If anyone is injured, the officer must provide or arrange for immediate medical assistance. 4. Investigation: An investigation is conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the use of the weapon. This includes collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing the actions of the officer involved. 5. Documentation: Detailed reports must be prepared, documenting the incident, the use of the weapon, and the actions taken by the officer. 6. Review and Evaluation: The incident is reviewed by higher authorities to evaluate the appropriateness of the officer's actions and to determine if any further action is required, such as disciplinary measures or additional training. These steps ensure accountability and transparency in the use of force by police officers, aligning with the principles of human rights and public safety. END QOUTE Based on what you know, does the PNP follow these rules of protocol? If so, where are the records of these reports or investigations if ever? According to that same AI engine, “the Philippine National Police (PNP) has an Internal Affairs Service (IAS). The IAS was established under Republic Act No. 8551, also known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998. Its primary role is to investigate infractions allegedly committed by PNP members and ensure police discipline and accountability. The IAS functions as an independent, impartial, and objective investigative and adjudicatory body within the PNP. It conducts inspections, audits, and investigations to address misconduct and promote professionalism within the police force.” Aside from the IAS, the PNP is also under the oversight and supervision of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), thus making the NAPOLCOM an extra layer of assurance that the protocol would be followed and implemented? Not to forget, the PNP is also under the oversight and supervision of the DILG, which is a good and extra layer of transparency. Certainly not a duplication, but a welcome addition, if you ask me. Based on the protocol that was outlined earlier, it goes without saying that if a weapon was fired by a policeman during an operation, he or she and the weapon must undergo a paraffin test. Under the rules of some foreign police forces, the weapon must be surrendered as part of the evidence, which must be fully investigated. As I understand it, these protocols are not only useful for the protection of the human rights of the victims, but they could also protect the legal rights of the policemen, as they are accused of wrongdoing. This is also a good way to determine if the victim really had a weapon or not, and whether he or she really put up a fight or not. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-12-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

RECYCLING OF USED COOKING OIL

RECYCLING OF USED COOKING OIL Dear Mr. President, according to Microsoft Copilot, “there is a law in the Philippines that mandates the proper management of used cooking oil. Republic Act No. 6969, also known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, regulates the collection, storage, transport, processing, recycling, and disposal of hazardous substances, including used cooking oil”. Up until I started my research on the subject, I did not know that used cooking oil was considered as a hazardous substance. My only reason for starting my research was because I considered used cooking oil not only as an environmental problem, but also as a health problem. My first reason is obvious, because used cooking oil not only pollutes the topsoil if it is not properly collected, it also contaminates the aquifer if it seeps down below the soil. Those problems could happen if there is no proper drainage, but there could still be a problem even if there is a drainage, because the system could clog up if the cooking oil congeals or solidifies, hence it could contribute to flooding. My second reason is not too obvious, because not too many people are aware that used cooking oil is illegally collected by some unscrupulous people, recycled and resold as “second hand” cooking oil in the black market. That is a very dangerous practice that should be stopped, because that resulting is very much carcinogenic. We already know that fried foods are already unhealthy as they are, but can you imagine how much healthier they could be if foods are fried with carcinogenic oil? The DENR, through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is responsible for implementing RA 6969, meaning that they oversee the process of conducting the inspections, to see to it that violations are detected. Apparently, that is just in theory, because in practice, it would be difficult for them to do that nationwide. Perhaps the solution to this problem Mr. President, is to create a permanent interagency task for consisting of the DENR, the EMB, the DILG, the DOH and the DOE. The DILG would be needed in the task force, because all the commercial establishments which would most likely be the restaurants and fast-food outlets are within the jurisdictions of the LGUs. In practical terms, these establishments could be denied the renewal of their business permits if they are in violation of the law. The DOH would be needed to deny the issuance of health permits, in case the establishments are using recycled cooking oils. The DOE would be needed to make sure that used cooking oils are sold to recyclers that could convert them to biodiesels. Mr. President, I can understand how difficult it is to implement these ideas nationwide right away. To start, may I humbly suggest that the task force could start implementing them in self-contained government-controlled jurisdictions such as public schools, public hospitals, city halls, prisons and military camps? By doing that, we could save not only the environment, but we could also save a lot of people from cancer, and we could save a lot of money on diesel expenses. Respectfully yours, IKE SENERES/12-11-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

MOBILE NUMBERS FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

MOBILE NUMBERS FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES My dear countrymen, have you ever wondered why we are so proud to be the “texting capital of the world, and yet we could not even text our own government? Why is it that we could text our relatives, our friends and our neighbors, and yet we could not text most of our government agencies? I say that because I send messages to our government agencies everyday via email and Facebook Messenger, and that is why I know for a fact that very few government agencies have mobile numbers, and even if they do, they do not have Viber or Telegram. Never mind WhatsApp, because of some concerns about its data security, but why are these National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) not using Viber and Telegram? Since these two messaging apps are available for free, we can be sure that the reason is not money. And so, if it is not money, what could be the reason? I could only think of two reasons. It’s either they are lazy, or they do not want the public to contact them. By my own estimate, based on my own experience, less than 20% of NGAs and LGUs publish their mobile numbers, meaning that they only publish their landlines. That by itself is really a problem, because not too many people have landlines nowadays anymore. According to Microsoft Copilot, “it is generally more expensive to call a landline number from a mobile phone in the Philippines compared to calling another mobile phone. For example, calling a landline number typically costs around 7.50 pesos per minute with most mobile service providers like Globe and Smart. In contrast, calling another mobile phone is usually cheaper, often around 6.00 pesos per minute or less, depending on the plan”. But my point is, why would anyone spend 7.50 pesos per minute to call another mobile phone if they could just send a text for only one peso? Better than that, why not send a message for free via Viber or Telegram? For so long a time now, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has been calling on the NGAs and LGUs to move towards digitalization. Unfortunately, their compliance has been rather slow, as reported by DICT Secretary Ivan Uy. If they are really having a hard time obeying the President’s orders, perhaps they could start by buying a simple mobile phone, subscribe to Viber and Telegram, and then post that number in their websites and Facebook pages? Since Instagram and Twitter (X) are also free, why not post that number there too? It is not really rocket-science, but if the heads of these NGAs and LGUs do not know how to do it, I can teach them how to use Google’s “Messages for the Web” app so that they do not have to send and receive text from a small mobile phone, and do it instead from a computer, meaning a larger tablet, laptop or desktop. It’s also not a big deal, but I could also teach them how to download and install Viber and Telegram into both their mobile phones and their computers. Perhaps they would be happy to know that they could use these apps interchangeably and simultaneously in their mobile phones and their computers, just like Facebook Messenger. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-10-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS My dear countrymen, I consider it as very good news that the government, through the DHSUD is aiming to meet the backlog of 6.5 million units by 2028. Since the government is planning to achieve that goal through vertical housing, please allow me to contribute my two cents worth as to how internet connectivity could be installed and sustained in those buildings, in such a way that the signal will be cheaper, faster and safer. For purposes of this discussion, we shall refer to both medium rise buildings (MRBs) and high-rise buildings (HRBs) as one and the same. As defined by DHSUD however, an HRB is at least ten stories high. That said, it would be good to know how we could make sure that the internet signal at that height is strong and stable, to say the least. Of course, we also want the signal to be cheap, fast and safe, but more important than that, we want it to be strong and stable. Just like any other building, internet signals can go into an HRB by way of WI-FI networks (WFNs) or cellular data networks (CDNs). We often refer to CDN as “data” which is rather confusing. To distribute internet signals within an HRB, there is a need first to set-up a data center, otherwise known as server room. The signal comes the entrance cable and from there, it is fed into the servers. From there, it is fed into the main distribution frame (MDF). From the MDF, the signal is fed to the intermediate distribution frames (IDFs), which are typically located in each floor. The IDFs then connects to the access points (APs) through network cabling. The APs provide the WI-FI signals to the designated areas. The signals coming in from the CDNs are another story. In theory, CDN signals should be able to reach up to the highest stories of an HRB, but that depends on a lot of factors. According to Microsoft Copilot, “cell phone signals can reach high-rise buildings, but the quality and strength of the signal can vary depending on several factors, such as the building's construction materials, the distance from cell towers, and any potential obstructions”. To remedy these constraints, it is better to use signal boosters or distributed antenna systems (DAS). The data centers are usually located in the lower floors, where these are safe from floods and are proximate to the entrance cables. As it usually happens, there are risers inside the HRBs that could bring up the fiber optic cables to the higher floors. It is however, a different story when it comes to satellite connectivity. Since the satellite dishes are usually located at the top of the building, it is highly possible that a fiber optic cable from the satellite dishes could just connect to the IDFs to go downwards, and from there connect to each floor. Technically speaking, the “jurisdiction” of the Telcos or the internet service providers (ISPs) are only up to the entrance cables. Beyond that, the “jurisdiction” already belongs to the developer, the building owner, or the condo association. What that means is that the developer, the building owner, or the condo association could become the ISP inside, for all intents and purposes. That could be a good business opportunity, especially if a cooperative is organized inside. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-09-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

THE QUEST FOR THE FILIPINO CAR

THE QUEST FOR THE FILIPINO CAR My dear countrymen, some of you might remember the Ford Fiera and the Volkswagen Sakbayan. Both were built with foreign engines, but I believe in my heart that as far as I am concerned, they were Filipino cars, as Filipino as the jeepneys that were also built with foreign engines. But if I may ask you, what is it that makes a Filipino car? Is it a Filipino engine? Or is it a Filipino chassis with a Filipino body? While we were debating that, the Malaysians built their Proton with a Mitshubishi engine, but with a Malaysian body and chassis. I recall that it was the late Senator Raul S. Manglapus who championed the idea of building a Filipino car. Sad to say, his idea never materialized, because we were unable to build a Filipino engine. However, it could be said that his idea became partially true with the introduction of the Fiera and the Sakbayan. But where do we go from here? Since the world is going towards using electric vehicles (EVs), we should go towards that direction, without turning back anymore. To be able to go towards that direction, why don’t we start with what we already have? Rather than start with nothing but a drawing board, why don’t we just fund the solar vehicle products of DLSU? Upon checking, it turns out that the Sikat II model of DLSU is an electric vehicle (EV), because it uses electric energy that is fed into its batteries by solar panels equipped with photovoltaic cells. Can we therefore call Sikat II a solar vehicle? My answer is yes, but we can also call it an EV! In the United States, the National Science Foundation (NSF) funds the R&D of universities, including private universities. Can we do that here? Can the DOST fund the R&D of private universities like DLSU? I think that can be done, and likely, there is already a legal basis for that. If not, perhaps the President can make an exception, citing the national interest as the justification. To kick the ball rolling, perhaps the President could convene a Technical Working Group (TWG) that could come up with an action plan towards this goal. Among others, the TWG could be composed of DOST, DOE, DOTr and DLSU, among others. Because of our robust jeepney manufacturing industry, I do not think that we would have a problem with making any chassis of any design. However, we could have a problem with making the car bodies, because we previously lacked the stamping plants for body parts. If that is still a problem, perhaps we could shift our focus towards fiberglass instead. The good news is, there are already two local companies that are making electric motors. One of them, IMI is already making EV motorcycles. The other one, To-Jo Motors is already making EV jeepneys and EV tricycles. How far are these two companies from making an EV car? Or shall I say the first purebred Filipino car, and not a “Mestizo” car? Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-08-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC VEHICLES My dear countrymen, a few years ago, there was an Israeli company called Solar8 that sold what they presented as purely solar vehicles, including a line of buses and motorbikes. As far as I know, they were doing well, and as a matter of fact, they were able to sell a few units to MERALCO. Just to prove that they had a good product, many of their buses are still running up to now. Looking back, I now realize that what they were really selling was a line of battery powered vehicles, recharged by both the sun and the power grid. That said, could those units be called electric vehicles (EVs)? According to Microsoft Copilot, “a solar vehicle is a type of electric vehicle that is powered primarily by solar energy. It utilizes photovoltaic cells, usually integrated into the vehicle's exterior (like the roof or hood), to convert sunlight into electricity. This electricity is then used to charge the vehicle's battery, which powers the electric motor”. It is therefore very clear that a solar vehicle is not an EV, because unlike an EV, it is primarily powered by sunlight. But could it be that we are just dealing with a play of words here? As of now, what is generally known as EVs are powered exclusively by electric power from the grid, by way of recharging, hence the use of charging stations. It is however possible that the charging stations could be powered by solar panels, but that does not make the car itself a solar vehicle. Except for a few prototype models like DLSU’s “Sinag” car, there are no purely solar vehicles in the market. That said, I think we can still decide this early which direction we should take. I think that all things considered, we should go towards the direction of where Solar8 stopped. What do I mean by that? I think Solar8 was an EV that was powered by both the sun and a charging station. Yes, it had batteries, but don’t all EVs have batteries also? But if we adopt the design of Solar8, what should we call the vehicle? To avoid any confusion, I think that we should just call it an EV, because it uses a charging station powered by the grid to recharge its batteries. Yes, it could still be called an EV, even if its batteries could also be charged by the sun, by using solar panels. My dear countrymen, I really believe that as a country, we now have an opportunity to revive our car manufacturing industry, but this time with electric motors, and no longer with gasoline or diesel engines. Again, it might just be a play of words, but an EV is just any car that is run by an electric motor. In the past, we failed to make our own cars because we were not able to gather the political will to build our own engines. That challenge is behind now, because I believe that we could now build our own electric motors. So, shall we, do it? shall be build our own solar powered EVs? Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-07-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

MEDIUM RISE HOUSING

MEDIUM RISE HOUSING My dear countrymen, I understand that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is now implementing a policy that gives preference to the development of medium rise housing (MRH) and row housing projects. While I could support both choices, I would personally support the former rather than the latter. What is clear however is that DHSUD is no longer promoting single detached housing (SDH), and I think that is a good policy decision on their part. As I understand it, DHSUD now prefers MRH buildings because the demand for housing is continuing to grow, and yet the land area for housing is not growing. I say that that is a good policy decision because the more they would support vertical housing, the more agricultural lands that they could save. That is not just a theory, because it is a widely known fact that more and more agricultural lands are being converted to housing projects. By definition, an MRH project could range between 5 to 10 floors, but the actual range would depend on the building laws of each country. In the Philippines, the height limit for medium rise buildings is more than 10 meters but not more that 18 meters, and that translates to about 4 to 6 floors, depending on the height of each floor. Residential buildings here could be built up to 3 floors without elevators, but beyond that, elevators are already required. The good news is, MRH projects in the Philippines are required to have their own Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Rainwater Collectors (RWCs). The bad news, implementation of the relevant laws are largely ignored, especially if the LGU officials either do not know about these laws or do not care at all. There is a gray area in the implementation of STPs, because they may not be mandatory if there is a centralized sewerage system, but as we already know it, very few LGUs have that. According to Microsoft Copilot, “the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) does not currently mandate built-in internet connections for buildings. However, there have been discussions and proposals to amend the code to include broadband connectivity as a standard amenity, similar to electricity and water. This would ensure that all new buildings are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for internet access”. As far as I am concerned however, “Fiber to the Home” (FTTH) should already be required in all MRH buildings, and not only that, but it should also be supplemented by a wireless network that would deliver WI-FI to the whole building, supported by Access Points (APs) that should be strategically placed in “dead spot” areas. Since fiber optic cables (FOCs) are relatively cheap nowadays, the entire MRH could have FOCs going up vertically and going across entire floors horizontally. FTTH service is available from PLDT, Globe, Converge and Sky. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-06-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

WHOLISTIC HOUSING APPROACH

WHOLISTIC HOUSING APPROACH My dear countrymen, the housing backlog is estimated to be about 6.5 million units. Based on best estimates, it is projected that the government will be able to build about 1.5 million units on or before the end of 2028, which means that there would still be about 5.0 million families that will remain homeless by then. Our choice therefore is obvious. Either we leave the shortage and just let the homeless people suffer, or we come up with a doable solution that would at least lessen the backlog. I am neither an engineer nor a builder, but the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity of learning from two of the top housing czars of our time, Jose Conrado “Joly” Benitez and Jejomar “Jojo” Cabauatan Binay, Sr., both fondly called “JCB”. Perhaps it would be too much to brag that they were my mentors, but I could rightfully claim that I was their student or mentee, so to speak. Joly was Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Human Settlements (MHS), and Jojo was the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), concurrent to being Vice President. A few months before he died, Deputy Minister Benitez invited me to dinner, just the two of us. He said that he has been reading my columns, and that he wanted to share some of his ideas with me, suggesting perhaps that I could write about them too. And so he told me his ideas about reforesting the barren mountains, building high speed trains from Luzon to Mindanao, and constructing more public housing. Talking about the latter, he said that his leasing program during his time was a form of “rent-to-own”. During one of our “kitchen cabinet” meetings, Vice President Binay said that housing is not a technical problem, meaning that it is a financing problem. To make his point clear, he said that anyone could afford to buy a Mercedes-Benz, if he or she is given the right long term payment terms for it, at monthly rates that he or she could afford. He then talked about the housing financing terms of Hong Kong and Singapore, wherein lease payments are so low that even the poor people could afford it. Binay added that the lease agreements could even be passed on and be taken over by the succeeding generations, and that is why these are so affordable. In New York City (NYC), the public housing projects are owned an operated by the city. The residents, who are from low-income and middle-income families, pay affordable rent and they could stay as long as they make good on their rental payments, but they could not own the units. And because the transportation system in the city is very efficient, the residents could easily go to their places of work or business. I think that the NYC model is best for us, with some modifications, and incorporating the best of the Benitez and Binay approaches. What do I mean by that? Firstly, the rent must be very affordable. Secondly, there should be a transportation system that that would make it easy for residents to go to their places of work or business, and of course, also make it easy for students to go to school. And these housing units should have complete services and utilities such as water, power, sewerage and internet. To make that happen, there should be complete cooperation among all government agencies concerned, hence the need for a wholistic approach. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-05-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

PRAYER POWER (PART TWO)

PRAYER POWER (PART TWO) My dear countrymen, the following is a continuation of a letter that Fr. James Reuter, S. J. wrote many years ago. Just like the first part of this letter, I edited it for brevity. START LETTER: “Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for five minutes of your time in a day, to forward this email to your close friends and relatives. This is the kind of unity that can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center”. “We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it’s time to try prayer power. God never fails. Is there hope? Yes! We can rely on God’s promise, but we must do our part. If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, God will heal our land. By God’s grace, we may yet see a better future for our children”. “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)”. END LETTER. I had the honor of meeting Fr. James many years ago. I think that it was a few months before he died. When I told them that I had a desire to help the Church by doing a media ministry that would be following in his footsteps, he got up from his wheelchair to bless me and to pray over me. I was so touched by that experience, because I believe that he was a holy man. I believe that he was already a living saint at that time, and I will not be surprised if he will become a saint someday. Fr. James was a very young Jesuit priest when he was assigned to the Philippines, and he stayed here until the day that he died. One might say that he was one of a kind, because he was one American who chose to become a Filipino, while many other Filipinos have chosen to become Americans. That is evident in his writings, wherein he already wrote in the second person as a Filipino, because that is how he felt, and how he thought. I am not sure if he was eventually naturalized as a Filipino citizen, but I am very sure that he was “Filipinized” in every possible way. I decided to feature this letter because I believe in what he said that we should now try “prayer power” to save our country from a downward spin, to say the least. Of course, we have already tried “people power”, but now we know that that is not enough to save us from a path of destruction. In these times when some of us are already feeling desperate, thinking that there is no more hope because there is nothing more that we could do, we should not lose hope because we could still turn to God, using the power of prayer. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-04-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

PRAYER POWER (PART ONE)

PRAYER POWER (PART ONE) My dear friends, please allow me to quote here, an old letter written by the late Fr. James Reuter, whom I greatly admire (edited for brevity): “By her own admission, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo rightfully assessed that over the last decades, our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors. Forty years ago, we were second only to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is. 1. A population of 160 million; 2. Of those, 70 to 90 million will live below the poverty line; 3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B; 4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam, but against Bangladesh; 5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia, if not in the world. “The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We’ve seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups and people’s organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often against insurmountable odds. But not even two people’s revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend. At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward. We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster. It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm. It’s time to claim God’s promise of healing of the land for His people. It’s time to gather God’s people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. Is prayer really the answer”? “Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I’d like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history. England’s ascendancy to world power was preceded by the Reformation, a spiritual revival fueled by intense prayers. The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most powerful nation today -- a strong faith in God and a disciplined prayerful life. Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movements swept across the land. In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and, in the process, producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering. Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For where there is genuine humbling and seeking of God through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. Yes, we believe prayer can make a difference. It’s our only hope”. TO BE CONTINUED Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-03-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

GROWING ALTERNATIVE FOODS

GROWING ALTERNATIVE FOODS My dear countrymen, according to Microsoft Copilot, “in 2022, a national Social Weather Survey found that 12.2% of Filipino families, or an estimated 3.1 million families, experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months. Additionally, the World Food Program (WFP) reported that one out of ten households in the Philippines are food insecure, with the poorest regions being the most affected”. Copilot said further that “the incidence of hunger in the Philippines has been a significant concern. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2024, the Philippines ranks 67th out of 127 countries, with a score of 14.4, indicating a moderate level of hunger. The GHI score is based on four component indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality”. Based on our present population, there are about 15 million people who are experiencing hunger, at one time or another. While hunger may not be real among those who have not experienced it, it is very real among those who have experienced it, sometimes everyday as a matter of fact. It does not take a genius to realize that in reality, hunger is just a side effect of poverty, meaning that people are experiencing hunger because they have no money to buy food. Or, they might have some amount of money, but they must spend it for their other needs. While I understand that if the poor people do not have the money to buy their food, we just have to give it to them for free. Well, the government is already doing that, but it is never enough, and the government may not have enough money to sustain a welfare state. What is the solution? I think one solution is community gardening, not for the purpose of making money, but for the purpose of feeding the hungry, During the Covid pandemic, community pantries and community kitchens emerged as groundswell movements, to help people who do not have the money to buy food because they either could not go to work, or they could not go to the places where they used to buy food. As I recall, community kitchens might have emerged as a result of community pantries, because people may not have the means to cook, even if they had raw foods to cook. Having learned from the experience of the Covid pandemic, I am now advocating that we should now have community gardens everywhere, in every vacant lot that is either owned by the government or by private owners. The latter could be borrowed by way of usufruct agreements, so that the owners will not fear that their properties will be taken from them. By way of bayanihan, everyone could help in the planting, and everyone could get their share for their family to eat. What do I mean by alternative foods? These are the foods that we may not normally eat a lot of but are good to eat in case of food shortages of some kind. Examples of these are potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, cassavas, breadfruits and taros. To that list, we could even include plants or crops that do not need standing water, such as upland rice, upland kangkong, moringa and mung beans. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-02-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com