The Republic

Media

Part of The Republic

Title: The Republic
Issue Date: Volume I (No.15) 1-15 August 1976
Year: 1976
Language: Filipino
Rights
extracted text: ur inr, rniumjjwj f'lT LIBRARY 7' THE REPUBLIC Isang bansa, Isang diwa___________ For Government Managers Vol. I, No. 15 1-15 August 1976 Mga puno: silong sa init, gamot sa maysakit, ligaya sa paningin. Wika: tulay ng pagkakaisa ISANG BANSA, ISANG DIWA... larawan ng matatag na pamayanan na ang kultura at kaisipan ay ipinahahayag ng isang pambansang wika. Watak-watak ang mga islang bumubuo sa bansa; gayunman, ang mga mamamayan ay binubuklod ng iisang damdamin, na sila ay mga PILIPINO. Ang mga pagkakaibang kultural ng bawat etnikong grupo ay hindi naging sagwil upang tumubo at yupiabong sa kanilang diwa na sila ay haligi at suhay ng isang lahi. Ang pagkakaiba ng kanilang mga pag-uugali at paniniwala ay naging mabisang sangkap sa pagiging makulay ng sinisimpang bansa. At ang lahat ng ito ay isinasakatuparan ng komunikasyon at pakikipag-unawaan sa pamamagitan ng wika. Sa pagbabagong-tindig ng ating bansa, mahalaga ang pagkakaisa ng sambayanan upang maisakatuparan ang lahat ng adhikain tungo sa kaunlaran. At makakamit lamang ang ganap na pagkakaisa kung mararating ng mga namumuno ang pinakamaliit na mama mayan ng bansa. Sa paglapit sa kanila, hindi maiiwasang maging suliranin ang wikang gagamitin sapagkat may mahigit na 700 ang diyalekto na ginagamit sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa. Kakailanganin ang isang wikang magagamit mula Batanes hanggang Jolo na panunulayan ng mga kaisipang nais iparating sa mamamayan. Ang suliraning pangwikang ito ay malaon nang binibigyan ng kalutasan ng mga kinauukulan. Mula sa panunungkulan ni Presidente Manuel Quezon ay nagkaroon na tayo ng pambansane wika, na noong 1953 ay pinangalanang Pilipino. Subalit ang naturang pam bansang wika ay batay lamang sa Tagalog, kaya sumilang ang mga pagtutol mula sa mga rehiyong diTagalog. Ang umusbong na suliranin ay nilutas naman ng katatapos na Kumbensiyong Konstitusyunal nang itakda nito na ang magiging pambansang wika ng Pilipinas ay ang FILIPINO na mababatay sa iba’t ibang wika at diyalekto ng bansa. At, sa kasalukuyan, ang pamahalaan at ang pribadong sektor ay nagpupunyaging mapaunlad ang wikang ito upang maging mabisang kawil ng unawaan ng lahat ng rehiyong lingguwistiko. MARAPAT lamang isaalang-alang na ang wika ay pambalana. Ito ay hindi dapat maukol sa iilang mga tao o pangkat lamang. Ang wika ay nangangailangan ng makakaugnay na kahulugan upang magkaiba man sa pagbigkas ay hindi naman magkaroon ng kaibang kahulugan sa ibang makaririnig. Kung magkaroon man ng pagbabago sa baybay ay mauugat pa rin ang iisang diwa ng salita. Sa ganitong aspeto inaasahang magiging mabisa ang Pilipino, o Filipino, bilang wikang pambansa sapagkat ito ay bubuuin mula sa establisado nang talasalitaan ng Cebuano, Kapampangan, Subanon, Ivatan at iba pang mga diyalekto. Ang ganitong hakbang ay bunsod ng katotohanang ang pambansang wika ay mapauunlad lamang kung ito ay bibigyan ng mayamang bokabularyo na makatutugon sa pangangailangan ng makabagong daigdig-ng siyensiya, komersiyo, teknolohiya at pakikitungong panlipunan. Ito ay magiging instrument sa pagpapalawak ng pampamahalaang pakikilahok sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan. Sa gayon, ang Filipino ay hindi magiging banyaga sa alin mang rehiyon sapagkat bawat isa sa mga ito ay may kani-kaniyang kontribusyon sa pinalawak na bokabularyo. Gayundin, walang rehiyong magiging dominante sa pag-angkin ng batayan dahil hindi sa isa, kundi sa lahat ng namamayaning wika at wikain, ito mababatay. Bukod dito, ang Filipino ay bukas sa mga pag babago. Kung ang wikang ito ay mabahiran ng pagkabanyaga, hindi ito nangangahulugan ng kabiguan bagkusay ng pananagumpay. Nagtagumpay tayo sapagkat umunlad ang ating kalinangan at nagtagumpay din ang mga banyaga-sa pagtupad ng layunin ng wika—ang makipag-ugnay. Dahil dito, ang naturang wika ay magiging makamasa. Ang masa ang bumubuo ng malaking bahagi ng ating lipunan kaya sila ang may higit na karapatan upang magsatinig ng damdamin ng bayan. Sila ang higit na nakauunawa at nakadarama ng tunay na kalagayan ng lipunan. Sa gayon, ang wika mula sa kanila ay magiging mabisa sapagkat iyon ay bahagi na ng kanilang buhay. Kung ang wika ay magmumula sa nangakapag-aral ng mataas na antas tulad ng mga pan tas at dalubhasa, kakailanganin pa ang mahabang panahon ng pagsasanay na aagawin naman sa panahong ginugugol nila sa paghahanap ng ikabubuhay. □ Inside track P.6 P. 8 P.3 P. 11 P. 13 p. 14 2 1-15 August 1976 The Nation THE REPUBLIC THE ECONOMY □ Gov. Gregorio S. Licaros MONETARY POLICY A solid basis for optimism FOR the Philippine economy, the first six months of 1976 was a period marked by both progress in many areas and continued difficulty in others. While the external sector showed a deficit, favorable developments were noted in the domestic sector, particularly in pro duction. The latter indicated the impact of the government’s self-reliant policy, reflected in the stimulation of local economic activity in the face of ad verse world conditions. Heightened pro ductive activity in turn triggered off favorable impulses in related sectors, notably employment. Although domes tic resources were used in such under takings, foreign assistance was also im portant. OVERVIEW J IGNIFICANT developments during the first six months of 1976 were: 1. Foreign exchange transactions ended in an overall deficit of US$173 million due to a heavier trade shortfall of $543 million. The overall deficit was, however, $91 million smaller than the deficit in the same period last year as some improvement was registered, not ably in the capital account. 2. The foreign exchange rate exhib ited generally strong behavior and aver aged P7.451 per US' dollar in the six months ending June, reflecting a slight appreciation from July-December 1975 but a depreciation from the first half of the same year. Notwithstanding the foreign exchange deficit, relative strength was observed in the value of the peso due to, among others, the country’s good credit image abroad, adequacy of Central Bank standby credit lines for ' ]jnce payments financing and the - dent oil find off Pal3*»»jr^island. ! 3. The external debi J mounted to $4,505 million as of June 30, 1976; showing an increase of 18.2 percent over the level in December 1975. The major portion of the transactions during the semester involved revolving credits but the outstanding amount in June was composed largely of fixed-term loans. Accounting for the largest share in total debt was the private sector. 4. The national government’s cash operations ended in a deficit of P354 million in contrast to a surplus of Pl,040 million in the first semester of 1975. As Of June 30 this year, the gov ernment’s cash position was P7.458 mil lion, up by 5.0 percent from the level at the beginning of the year as a result of net borrowings of P707 million. 5. Money supply reached an esti mated Pl0,740 million by the end of June, greater by 4.1 percent than the end-1975 level and 11.8 percent on art annual basis. The growth in money stock, together with the expansion in quasi money (savings and time deposits and deposit substitutes) led to 9.0 per cent semestral and 23.0 percent annual increases in domestic liquidity to P31,480 million. 6. Outstanding domestic credits were estimated at P39,200 million, 42.6 percent higher than a year ago and 13.1 percent more than the end-1975 level. The greater portion of the credits was made to the public sector with com mercial banks accounting for most of it. Despite the increase in credits, liquidity grew at a slower pace due to the com pensating effect of the external deficit and the selective mop-up operations of the Central Bank. 7. Partly reflecting the impact of the new circulars on interest rates, mon ey market transactions were at generally lower rates whose average fell below the averages registered in January-June and July-December 1975. Meanwhile, the stock market showed bullish behavi or, with both volume and value of trans actions rising phenomenally in the Man ila Stock Exchange. 8. Expansion was registered in dom estic production, with the manufactur ing sector recovering from negative growth last year to moderate advance in 1976 and agriculture increasing at a faster rate. Allied to this, the employ ment index showed improvement in con trast to a decline in 1975. 9. Inflation in Manila continued to be at single-digit rates although there was strong upward pressure in May and June due to the effects of the typhoons during these months, the increase in land transportation fares, the hike in the minimum wage and the upward ad justment in the controlled prices of rice and corn. The rate of price rises was 9.3 percent in June compared to 8.0 per cent a year ago. Nevertheless, the aver age for the semester was still well be low that in the first half of 197 5. FOREIGN EXCHANGE MERCHANDISE trade transactions during the first six months of 1976 ended in a deficit of $543 million, 19.9 percent higher than the shortfall in January-June 1975. Although imports declined by 7.0 percent to $1,544 mil lion—indicating the effectiveness of ef forts to reduce them—exports went down at a faster rate. The 17.1-percent drop in the latter to $1,001 million was the offshoot mainly of the sharp fall in sugar earnings and decreases in re ceipts from iron ore, logs and lumber. Nonmerchandise trade and transfers registered net receipts of $59 million and $100 million, respectively. Behind the decline of 67.9 percent in the form er were smaller earnings from services, interest income and tourism. Meanwhile, the decrease in the donations and con tributions account led to lower transfer inflows. Capital transirctions revealed consid erable improvement during the period. Net inflows of long-term capital amount ed to $169 million, more than four FOREIGN EXCHANGE RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS January — June 1975 and 1976 (Milljon US Dollars) A. Current Transactions 1 9 7 6P 19 7 5 Increase (Decrease) in International Reserve 54 — 36 — 1 Includes US Government expenditures. ’Excluding transactions pertaining to Central Bank foreign loans. ’Preliminary. times the comparable figure in 1975, brought about by greater loan availments by the private sector,- particularly some major firms engaged in manufac turing, mining and services. In short term capital, inflows netted $37 mil lion, compared to an outflow of $168 million in 1975. In sum, foreign exchange transac tions in January-June 1976 reflected an overall deficit of ,$173 million, down by 34.5 percent from the shortfall in the same period last year. To finance this deficit, the Central Bank had to avail itself of compensatory borrowings which netted $227 million and simul taneously permitted a $54 million rise in the international reserve. At $1,143 million, the reserve was 5.0 percent and 1.2 percent higher than the December 1975 and June 1975 levels, respectively. Meanwhile, the foreign exchange rate averaged P7.451 per US dollar, re flecting an appreciation from the sec ond half of 1975 but a depreciation from the first half of the same year. The relative strength of the peso—the exchange rate continuously appreciating except in June—could be traced to a number of factors with the credit-worthy image of the Philippines abroad and the oil find off Palawan island EXTERNAL DEBT THE country’s total external debt amounted to $4,505 million as of end-June 1976, higher by 18.2 percent than the outstanding amount in Decem ber last year. At $1,591 million, availments during the semester were made up mostly of revolving credits (62.5 per cent) with fixed term credits account ing for only 37.5 percent. Meanwhile, repayments totalled $1,001 million and together with some adjustments, brought about an increase of $695 million in foreign debt. THE underlying thrust of monetary policy during the first semester of the year was the further strengthening of the foundation of the nation’s finan cial system. During the first quarter, it would be recalled that circulars on interest rates were promulgated to en courage long-term deposits and invest ments as well as to narrow down the spread between regular bank deposits/ credits and money market rates. Also issued were regulations pertaining to the issuance and negotiation of com mercial paper by banks and non-banks and additional guidelines so designed as to improve the operations of the thrift and rural banking system as well as non bank financial intermediaries. Circulars and memoranda issued during the second quarter were drawn up along the lines of the policy adopted earlier. The reserve position of banks was strengthened through revised penal ties for chronic reserve deficiencies as a way to protect depositors via a more stable banking system. Regulations were also effected regarding the minimum size and maturity of deposit substitutes with a view to permitting only big in vestors to deal in these instruments. To further boost food production in the countrysides and to provide some meas ure of relief to those adversely affected by the May and June typhoons, rural banks were afforded a special restruc turing scheme for their past due obliga tions with the Central Bank pertainine to their loans under Masagana 99, Masaganang Maisan, livestock, poultry. Money supply reached an estimated P10,740 million on June 30, 1976, re flecting an increase of 4.1 percent over the end-1975 level and 11.8 percent on an annual basis. The increase originated exclusively from the rise in internallygenerated money, as unpropitious for eign developments continued to siphon off money. As to component the growth in the money stock froj^six mortths ago was accounted for by the rise in currency in circulation (6.8 percent) and in peso demand deposits (1.8 per cent). Peso demand deposits made up 52.8 percent of the money supply with the balance of 47.2 percent being attributed to currency in circulation. The compar ative breakdown at end-1975 was 54.0 percent and 46.0 percent, respectively. The expansion in money supply, together with the growth in quasi-money (savings and time deposits and deposit substitutes) pushed domestic liquidity up to an estimatedP31,480 million as of June 30, 1976. This level was higher by 9.0 percent than that in December 1975 and 23.0 percent than that a year earlier. Of total liquidity, money sup ply made up 34.1 percent and quasimoney, which totalled P20.740 million, accounted for 65.9 percent. Savings and time deposits amounted to P10,336 mil lion and deposit substitutes, Pl0,404 million. Domestic credits outstanding of the monetary system were estimated at P39,200 million in June 1976, up by 42.6 percent from a year earlier and 13.1 percent from the end-1975 level. The increment from six months ago was brought about by greater availments of the public sector which pursued in frastructure development and other high priority activities, mainly of the Philip pine Exchange Corporation, the Nation al Grains Authority as well as the Na tional Shipbuilding and Shipyard Cor poration. Credits to this sector increas ed by P2.366 million to P8,538 million. In the case of private borrowers, credits attributable to them rose by a slightly lower amount (P2.160 million to P30,662 million). The growth in credits out paced that in domestic liquidity due principally to the drain arising from the external deficit and the selective mop-up operations of the Central Bank. As to source, the commercial bank ing system accounted for 87.8 percent or P34.410 million of aggregate out standing credits and the Central Bank, P4.790 million or 12.2 percent. The Nation 1-15 August 1976 3 CONVERSATION □ NSDB Chairman Melecio Magno ‘We need labor-intensive technologies' Prior to his chairmanship of the National Science Development Board (NSDB), Dr. Melecio Magno was vicepresident for academic affairs of the University of the Philippines. In the fol lowing interview with The Republic, Dr. Magno discusses his role as NSDB Chair man, and his plans and programs for the agency and, in general, the develop ment of science and technology in the country. What do you seek to accomplish as NSDB Chairman ? We hope to be able to see to it that all the objectives of the NSDB will be implemented. The main thrust of any agency is to contribute to the improve ment of “the quality of life of the people.” Surely, the NSDB could not veer away from this. It is charged with seeing to it that science and technology resources are utilized to the maximum for the attainment of this objective. My success will of course depend on a strong base of accurate data and infqrmation. To be able to fully utilize scientific manpower, we must have ac curate information. At this moment, the NSDB doesn’t have updated data on the researches taking place in the govern ment. However, as part of our programs, the NSDB will update surveys and data, and complete data-gathering on re sources, equipment, laboratory and man power. What are the programs of the NSDB under your Jeadership? There is an apparent'need for the restructuring of the NSDB, so at the moment, we are involved in the reor ganization plan. In the present set-up, the NSDB is composed of seven or> - ganized agencies and five attached agen cies. Probably, in the future, some of >■ .these agencies have to be transferred to other offices because of the creation of other units in the government For instance, the Pollution Commission . might be attached to the newly-created Environmental Planning Center. The reorganization scheme calls for the involvement of the private sector in NSDB projects, that’s why representatives from this sector will be appointed in the board. There must be coordination and cooperation between the private and government sectors for more relevant and more meaningful researches. Likewise, the NSDB is embarking on the production of low-cost housing mat erials, such as the ongoing research on treating nipa to make it a more durable material for housing, and the use of clay and soil for housing needs. There is also a research on bio-gas which is pro duced by using certain bacteria and injecting it to hog manure. Bio-gas can be used for cooking, and in this ex periment, I am glad to report that we are much ahead of India. What incentives are being extended by the government to Filipino scientists and researchers? The NSDB is looking into the science policy of the country, as well as the methods of supporting and evaluating researches. As of now, support to scien tists comes from the NSDB itself and sometimes through outright grants. For the University of the Philip pines, for instance, the NSDB grants P7 million, and the practice each year is to give cash awards and rewards to the best researchers. Recently, the NSDB gave P5.Q00 each to five researchers from UP Baguio because of their outstanding works. On the other hand, the Philippine Inventors Commission also gives mone tary awards every year, and protection is being extended to inventors through the securing of patents for their inven tions. Every year, the NSDB holds a contest whereby Filipino ingenuity is featured in a weeklong exhibit. Do you think we have enough scien tific manpower in the country? We have enough of them, as evi denced by the number of scientists and technologists who have gone abroad. Dr. Magno: “We are reorganizing. ” There are also scientists from the aca demic community, but they prefer to work on research projects, the result of which they can publish in foreign jour nals and be ji dged by peers abroad. Possession oi^graduate degrees is a must for scientists; however, for re searchers, it is not quite important, but they must at least take up advanced courses. How much is the annual budget of the NSDB, and where does the biggest share of this amount go to? Our 1976 budget is P85 billion, and half of this goes to support research and self-reliance projects. This is not enough. For one, salaries of personnel are low compared to other agencies. Even our scientists get low salary, caus ing dissatisfaction and an internal brain drain, but only on a minimal scale. Where before scientists used to transfer from the UP to the NSDB, now it's the other way around, from the NSDB to the UP. UP scientists are more highly paid than NSDB scientists. In line with the policy to attract Filipinos abroad to visit their homeland, the government has also launched the Balik-Scientist program. What is the cur rent status of this program? Of late, 30 scientists have come back to the country; half of this are still shopping around, visiting universities, laboratories, to find out where they could fit. Half have decided to stay for a longer period. One difficulty of scientists coming back to the Philippines is the lack of facilities to which they have become accustomed to in their stay abroad. There are the lack of library and labora tory facilities, hard to acquire equipment and the isolation of scientists. The lat ter is probably the result of the training and expertise they acquired in foreign lands. How do you assess the develop ment of science and technology in the country? I will not speak of development only in the Philippines because science is something universal. Efforts of science apd technology in a developing country are not sufficient. We need support from other developing countries, but more from the developed countries. Efforts of more advanced countries in science and technology tend to affect the development of science and tech nology in developing countries. For ex ample: technologies developed in ad vanced countries are more capital-inten sive than labor-intensive because of the shortage of labor in developed countries. In a developing country like ours, there are many unemployed, so what we need are labor-intensive technologies rather than capital-intensive ones. Another instance is that developed countries have inventions which are sub stitutes for products being exported by developing countries. Take abaca. Be fore, we used to export abaca, but de veloped countries have learned to pro duce nylon which eventually substituted for abaca. There is a need for an international agreement, probably a scientific order, on this. In this regard, science and tech nological efforts must be coordinated so that the developing countries will not suffer. s □ GOVERNMENT CASH operations of the national gov ernment resulted in a deficit of P354 million, in contrast to a surplus of P 1,040 million attained in JanuaryJune last year. At Pl 1,409 million, re ceipts indicated a moderate rise of 6.7 percent while disbursements rose at a faster rate of 21.9 percent to Pl 1,763 million. The growth in the latter was the offshoot of the government’s con tinued implementation of infrastructure development and other national high priority projects. The deficit was fully financed through net borrowings of P707 mil lion. The remaining portion of the in flow served to boost the cash balance by 5.0 percent from the beginning of 1976 to P7.458 million by the end of June. EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES PRODUCTION indices of the coun try’s major economic sectors show ed sizeable improvement during the period. The combined index of agricul ture, fisheries and forestry (1972=100) rose by 6.3 percent in crop year 1976, compared to 4.6 percent in 1975. Lead ing the favorable trend in output were food crops, particularly palay, corn, ba nana and pineapple. Meanwhile, the index of physical volume of manufacturing production (1972=100) recovered from a negative growth rate (-6.9 percent) in JanuaryJune 1975 to an advance of 2.2 percent in the first semester this year. Major in creases were noted in the manufacture of food, beverages and footwear. This could indicate the start of recovery in this principal sector. The overall employment index for the first six months of 1976 reflected the favorable trends observed in many productive sectors. At 115.2, (1972= 100), the employment index showed an increase of 4.3 percent, in contrast to-a decline of 9.1 percent a year earlier. The construction sector exhibited the greatest rise in employment with the electricity, gas, and water, wholesale and retail trade as well as manufactur ing sectors showing major contributions to the increase in jobs. The money wage rate index (1972= 100) in Manila and suburbs exhibited increases both for skilled and unskilled laborers. The former rose by 5.3 percent compared to 4.0 percent in the year previous but in the case of unskilled laborers, the rate of increase was lower at 5.2 percent as against 9.6 percent in 1975. Meanwhile, real wage rates remain ed at approximately the same levels as in the first semester last year. CONSUMER PRICES INFLATION rates in January-June 1976 were generally lower than in the com parable period in 1975. However, after fluctuating between 2.8 percent and 4.7 percent in January-April this year, the rise in the cost of living in Manila in creased to 6.7 percent in May and fur ther to 9.3 percent in June. Steeper price increases during these months were trac ed to a higher food index as the after math of two major typhoons made itself felt on food crops, particularly vege tables. Non-food items actually showed a decline in June. Also contributing to the rise in prices was the 25 percent hike in land transport fares which was allow ed early in May, the authorized increase in the minimum wage and the upward adjustment in the controlled prices of rice and com. Nevertheless, the average inflation rate for the semester was only 5.3 per cent, compared to 13.6 percent in the same period last year. In June 1976, prices in Manila rose at the rate of 9.3 percent as against 8.0 percent a year ear lier. PROSPECTS THE Philippine economy showed a generally favorable performance dur ing the first six months of 1976. Promis ing developments, reflected in improved agricultural and manufacturing produc tion and in higher employment and rela tive stability of the peso, indicated a basis for optimistic expectations in the near future. / However, imbalances persisted in the country’s foreign exchange transac tions, largely because of a weak trade position as exports declined, notably sugar. Certainly, the rising trend in ex port receipts observed in March-June provided hope for the possible re-establishment of propitious market condi tions overseas. This optimism on potenSially higher exports gained added sup port with the long-term sugar contracts recently signed with foreign buyers. improvement in world metal prices and the favorable response of new com modity outlets. In view of the continued high level of imports, however, the overall external position might not quickly recover and would therefore require surveillance and appropriate measures to moderate for eign exchange shortfalls. Toward this end, the Central Bank will sustain its ef forts to improve, the external position and provide for a more favorable foreign exchange situation ahead. A more recent development during the semester was the upward pressure felt on price levels. Clearly, the main cause of this development was the ad verse effect on food supply wrought by the typhoons in May and June. To as sist in the repair work now under way in typhoon-ravaged regions as well as to help contain further price rises, the Central Bank will continue to provide credit resources for the rehabilitation of these areas. Other sectors of the economy, par ticularly the monetary area, will also remain of major consideration for Cen tral Bank action. In view of the need for speedier recovery and higher domes tic output, monetary policy will con tinue to be drawn toward the exten sion of credit to priority productive en deavors with short gestation periods to intensify national savings mobilization, thus providing the private sector with a non-inflatior.ary source of financing and to sustain the CBCI program and of fund mobilization for priority area financing. Thus, the monetary authorities, working on current observations on eco nomy and monetary developments and trends, will go on drawing up the need ed policy mix for promoting growth under stable conditions. □ New Decrees arrest and detention pursuant to existing laws, decrees, orders and instructions promulgated pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972 and No. 1104, dated January 17, 1973. Additional Penalties. In Section 4 of PD 960; additional penalties were prescribed as follows: 1. I/i case the offender is a govern ment official or employee who allows the violations of Section 1 hereof, the penalty shall be imposed in the maxi mum period and in addition, the acces sory penalties provided for in the Re vised Penal Code, as amended shall like wise be imposed. 2. The license or permit of the theater, cinematographs or other place or establishment where the violation has been committed shall be cancelled tem porarily or permanently, depehding upon the gravity of the violation as determined by the proper military tri bunal. PD 960 takes effect 15 days after its publications by the Department of Public Information in two newspapers of general circulation. Penalty lor obscenity LAST July 14, President Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 960 providing for more severe penalties for persons putting up obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows. PD 960 increases the penalty for immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows from prision correccional (6 months and 1 day to 2 years and 5 months) or a fine ranging from P200 to 2,000 as provided in Art. 201 of the Revised Penal Code, to prision mayor (6 years and 1 day to 12 years) and/or a fine ranging from P6,000 to to P12,000. Obligation of State. In PD 960, the President said: “It is the obligation of the State to safeguard the morality of society, particularly the youth, against the eroding influence of immoral doctrines, obscene publications and ex hibitions and indecent shows.” In order to arrest the proliferation of such doc trines, publications, exhibitions and shows, it was necessary to amend the pertinent provision of the Revised Penal Code, the President added. PD 960 amends Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code to read as follows: “Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, ob scene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows. - The penalty of pris ion mayor or a fine ranging from six thousand to twelve thousand pesos, or ____ ,__ ~both s"r-h impr>®cnment and fine, shall a condition for the remittance of foreign be imposed upon: “1. Those who shall publicly ex pound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals; “2. The authors of obscene litera ture, published with their knowledge in any form, the editors publishing such literature, and the owner/operators of the book store or other establishments selling the same; “3. Those who in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, shall exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, including the following: “(a) Films which tend to incite subversion, insurrection or rebellion against the state; “(b) Films which tend to under mine the faith and confidence of the people in their Government and/or duly constituted authorities; “(c) Films which glorify criminals or condone crimes; “(d) Films which serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography; “(e) Films which offend any race or religion; “(f) Films which tend to abet traf fic in and use of prohibited drugs; “(g) Films contrary to law, public order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees, edicts, and any or all films which in the judg ment of the Board of Censors for Mo tion Pictures or other agency established by the Government to oversee such mo tion pictures are objectionable on some other legal or moral grounds. “4. Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit prints, engravings, sculptures which are offensive to morals.” PD 960 also provides that “litera ture, films, prints, engravings, sculpture, paintings, or other materials and articles involved in the violation referred to in Section 1 hereof shall be confiscated and forfeited in favor of the government and to be destfoyed.” According to Section 3 of PD 960, violations of Section 1 hereof will be subject to trial by the military tribunals and the offenders shall be subject to Increase oil tonnage HROUGH Letter of Instructions No. 400, President Marcos has directed the Philippine National Oil Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries to increase their crude oil tonnage capabil ity by negotiating and executing approp riate charters and/or hire contracts cov ering crude oil tankers suitable for the requirements of domestic oil companies. He also ordered them to negotiate and execute appropriate contracts of af freightment and/or sub-charters with the oil companies for the transport of the latter’s crude requirements to the country. In the LOI, the President likewise directed the Central Bank to require as exchange payment of freight for crude oil hereafter imported into the country a certification from the PNOC that it and/or its affiliates and subsidiaries did not have the appropriate and/or required tonnage capability, whether owned, chartered or hired, to transport the crude oil for which frequent payment remittances are requested. All this is in line with the govern ment’s program to prevent unnecessary expenditures of foreign exchange and, at the same time, serve the national objective to increase and develop the government’s crude transport capabilities. The President enjoined the PNOC to consider the following factors in negotiating the freight rate and other terms and conditions in its contracts with the oil companies: □ The freight rate and other terms and conditions at which the oil com panies operating in the Philippines have traditionally imported their crude re quirements into the country; □ The stability and adequacy of crude transport availability in the inter national market for Philippine crude requirements, and □ Other factors and circumstances as the PNOC shall consider material and relevant. LOI 400 was addressed to the gov ernor of the Central Bank, the chairman of the Philippine National Oil Co. and the chairman of the Oil Industry Commission. □ A freer air policy LAST June 30, President Marcos ap proved the liberalization of the Philippine government's air policy to enable air services to keep pace with development of other aspects of the tourism industry, such as hotels, ground transportation, resorts, tour operations and others. The President issued Letter of In structions No. 417 implementing the his toric move to further push the Philip pines into the mainstream of world travel and tourism. The LOI was addressed to the sec retary of foreign affairs and the chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. The liberalization of the air policy was strongly recommended by both the public and private sectors of the tourism industry, who expressed apprehension that the huge investments of both the government and the private sectors in tourism development would be wasted if the expansion of airline operations is not encouraged. The President emphasized that the liberalization of the air policy does not mean the unregulated operations of foreign airlines in the Philippines. The entry of new foreign airlines, or increased frequency of flights by currently operating airlines, would dep end on their actually landing tourists in the Philippines and on their promotion of the Philippines as a tourist des tination. The President also stressed that the interests of the Philippine flagcarrier should be adequately protected. The President signed the LOI after a final briefing ,on the subject by Tourism Secretary Jose D. Aspiras, other officials of the Department of Tourism, officials of the Philippine Tourism Authority, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and of the tourism private sector. The key provision of the LOI reads: “3. Air agreements/diplomatic notes should treat only with the grant of traf fic freedoms and rights, in consonance with the rights of a sovereign state to exercise its political prerogative, and should provide for equality of oppor tunity. Reciprocity is demanded by sovereignty but it should be interpreted to mean the exchange of rights, free doms and opportunities immediately after the grant or at some later time, or tile subsequent decision of the airline not to exercise such rights, freedoms and opportunities at alL Further, recip rocity should not be strictly interpreted to mean exchange of frequencies on a one-to-one basis.” □ THE REPUBLIC T Photo Essay I 1-15 August 1976 S Photographed by George Gascon 6 1-15 August 1976 Labor THE REPUBLIC PRIMER □ Feliciano V. Maragay Labor relations in the New Society WITH the influx of progressive labor innovations, labor relations in the Philippines has been undergoing wideranging reorientation. As explicitly ex pressed in the Labor Code, the improve ment of labor relations is ultimately geared toward the promotion of a “stable but dynamic and just industrial peace.” The government seeks to transform this goal into reality primarily by providing workers an adequate machinery for the expeditious settlement of industrial dis putes, promoting trade unionism and guaranteeing their democratic access to free collective bargaining. Settlement of industrial disputes in the past was largely humstrung by the malfunctioning and inherent weaknesses of the governmental machinery charged with the enforcement of this task. As statistics show, reckless resort to strikes, layoffs, shutdowns and other coercive means of labor-management confronta tion oftentimes arose from breakdown in negotiations. Encumbered by legalities, and paradoxically, in not few cases, by powerlessness to effectively intervene in the dispute, the government as the final arbiter of labor justice failed in compelling the protagonists to come to terms. Backed up by enlightened legisla tion as manifested in new labor laws and dynamic flexibility in the execution of its police powers, the government to day has been efficiently and relentlessly harnessing all efforts toward the peace ful disposition of industrial disputes within the context of accepted modes of settlement such as mediation, concilia tion and arbitration. Whereas past government approach es to dispute settlement heavily relied on judicial channels, today it has shifted to exhaustive use of administrative proce dures. Nowhere is this cardinal concept more concretely articulated than in the Labor Code which provides that pro ceedings in the adjudication of cases “must be summary in nature without regard to legal technicalities obtaining in courts of law.” Thus, by dismantling the discredited system, as exemplified by the ineffect ual (now defunct) Court of Industrial Relations, which in many instances mili tated against the very purpose of its ex istence, the parties to the disputes, par ticularly the workers, are now disen tangled from lengthy, if not costly, court litigations. The present framework of dispute settlement followed by the Department of Labor (DOL) has been established by the Labor Code as amended. It has been prescribed and regulated by a series of presidential directives and implementing rules, orders and procedures promulgated by the DOL. Collective Bargaining. Toinstitutionalize steps to govern labor-management action in determining and settling down the terms and conditions of employ ment and in handling problems and con flicts, the two parties—labor and man agement-must enter into a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) contract. In case there is more than one labor union in a company, only the union of ficially recognized as the workers’ bar gaining agent may deal with manage ment. Usually, the recognized union is the one that draws the biggest member ship among the employees. In drafting the CBA, assistance may be sought from the Department of La bor’s Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR): or its counterpart Labor Relations Divi sion (LRD) in the regional offices. The agreement becomes effective once it has been approved by both parties and duly certified by the BLR. As a covenant regulating the rela tionship between employees and man agement, the CBA is formal proof of re cognition by both sides of their rights, obligationsand responsibilities. Any vio lation therefore of the provisions of the agreement by one party may constitute an infringement on the rights of the other. This is enough cause for the ag grieved party to file a complaint through the steps specified in the grievance pro cedure. Through the grievance procedure, which is a mandatory portion of the bar gaining agreement, the aggrieved party is assured of a proper venue for the re dress of its complaints. The CBA must also contain a separate provision (usual ly called the agreement clause) catego rically enjoining the parties to submit themselves to voluntary arbitration in case of an impasse or breakdown in ne gotiations. Arbitration. In voluntary arbitra tion, both employees and management mutually agree to refer their case to an arbitrator who is empowered to inves tigate and determine the case on the basis of arguments and evidences pre sented. The parties agree in advance that the decision of the arbitrator is final, binding and non-appealable. The CBA may include a supple mentary provision naming the voluntary arbitrator or panel of voluntary arbitra tors selected by the two sides. Should a panel try the case, it will constitute a tripartite body with equal seats occupied by employees, management and an im partial or neutral party who acts as chairman. In the absence of a stipulated list of compulsory arbitrators in the CBA, the parties may choose from the registry of voluntary arbitrators authorized by the BLR. They may also designate a volun tary arbitrator or panel of arbitrators other than those in the BLR master list, but the designation must be approved by the Secretary of Labor. Both in unionized and nonunion ized companies, the aggrieved party, af ter failing to receive a satisfactory action on its complaint, may file its case with the BLR or with the regional office’s LRD. Following its evaluation, the case is referred by the DOL regional director to a labor conciliator or med-arbiter who immediately conducts his investigation by summoning the parties involved to a meeting or hearing. Any party which de liberately ignores the proceedings of the case may be subjected by the labor con ciliator or med-arbiter to disciplinary measures, including citation for con tempt. Should the conciliation or med arbitration measures fail to effect a set-1 tlement within the period prescribed by law or as agreed by both parties, the DOL regional director will refer the case to a labor arbiter for compulsory arbitra tion. (The labor arbiter represents the National Labor Relations Commission or NLRC counterpart in the regional branch). In compulsory arbitration, the la bor arbiter of the NLRC, as the designa ted government agency, has the power to investigate and make an award or deci sion which is binding to all parties con cerned. The decision of the labor arbiter is final and executory unless appealed to the NLRC proper. The losing party may appeal the decision to the NLRC proper within 10 days from receipt of the copy of the decision. NLRC decisions are generally final and executory unless ap pealed to the Secretary of Labor within 10 days from receipt of the decision. Strikes. With the partial restoration of the right to strike in non-vital indus tries, conciliation, med-arbitration and subsequently, compulsory arbitration, have been extensively used in settling in dustrial disputes. Under Presidential Decree No. 849, amending P.D. 823, strikes may be de clared by a legitimate labor organization only after exhausting all means of re solving economic issues in collective bargaining. Among the common reasons for strikes based on recent strike notices received by the BLR are: nongranting of living allowances, non-granting of the 13th month salary, unfair labor practices, deadlock in collective bargaining or socalled interest disputes and harassment of union officials and members. The decree provides that the labor union or employer must file an official notice with the BLR or the regional of fice’s LRD at least 30 days before the intended strike or lockout. Within 30 days, which is considered a cooling-off period, the BLR or the regional office’s LRD should effect settlement of the in dustrial dispute through conciliation and med-arbitration in order to prevent the imminent stoppage of normal company activities. Should the dispute remain unre solved after the 30-day cooling-off per iod, the strike or lockout may be staged unless the President of the Philippines certifies the dispute to the National Labor Relations Commission, which, through compulsory arbitration, will try to terminate the dispute within a period of 45 working days following receipt of the certification. Once the dispute is cer tified by the President to the NLRC, the workers should return to their work and the management should postpone the lockout. On the other hand, if the dispute is not certified by the President after the 30-day cooling-off period, the strike or lockout may take place. But this does not prevent the BLR or the regional of fice’s LRD from taking conciliatory measures to terminate the dispute. While the strike is going on, the President may certify the dispute to the NLRC, which in effect automatically suspends the strike or lockout. The President may elevate a dis pute to the NLRC for compulsory ar bitration in the interest of the national security or public safety, public order, protection of public health or morals and the protection of the rights and free dom of others. Cases which may be elevated to the NLRC proper are classified into: Labor Sec. Blas F. Ople □ Those where the national secur ity or social and economic stability is threatened; □ Those appealed from decisions of the labor arbiters, compulsory or voluntary arbitrators concerning unre solved issues in collective bargaining in volving demanded or expected economic benefit of P100.000 or 40 percent of the paid-up capital of the employer; □ Contempt cases; □ Intricate question of law; and □ Appealed cases of such compli cated nature. As provided for in the rules imple menting PJ). 489, the Secretary of Labor may assume appelate jurisdiction over a labor dispute and make a summary deci sion on the case on the following condi tions: □ Grave abuse of discretion or gross incompetence is evident in the appealed decision; □ The dispute has not been resolv ed by the labor arbiter, the NLRC or the voluntary arbitrator within the reglamentary period; and □ The dispute poses an extreme emergency as determined by a commit tee composed of the Undersecretary of Labor, the NLRC Chairman and the BLR Director. In few exceptional cases, the deci sion of the Secretary of Labor may be appealed to the President of the Philip pines within 10 days from receipt of the decision. Enforcement To ensure maximum effectiveness in the enforcement of labor laws, assistance may be sought from the Department of National Defense (DND). The Department of Labor may deputize the DND to maintain peace and order during strikes and lockouts and to pre vent the holding of unauthorized strikes or lockouts. The DOL-DND Memoran dum Agreement on the enforcement of labor laws signed on April 5, 1976, how ever, provides: “No union organizers/members, in cases of strikes, or management person nel, in cases of lockouts, shall be arrested or detained without the written clearance of the Secretary of Labor or his duly authorized representatives, except on grounds of national security, public peace, commission of crime, or upon warrant or order of a competent court Under the same agreement, the Department of Labor may seek the di rect assistance of the two DND instru mentalities, namely, the Philippine Cons tabulary (PC) and the Integrated Na tional Police (INP) in enforcing or exec uting the DOL’S decisions or awards. It Harmonizing Force. From the fore going explanation, it may be discerned easily that the systematic and expedi tious disposition of labor justice is the principal objective of the new process of dispute settlement. This is made possible with the emergence of a responsive and adequate machinery which has strengths ened government capability to act as a countervailing or harmonizing force in labor-management conflicts. The existence of this machinery has enabled employees and management to avail of aviable alternative to what Labor Secretary Blas Ople describes as “wea pons of naked economic coercion and warfare.” The substitution of arbitration for violence-prone instruments is certain ly not tantamount to a diminution or impairment of the worker’s rights, for the state still recognizes strikes and lock outs as the last-ditch means for pressing their legitimate demands. Moreover, the use of arbitration means the government sees to it that rationality, sobriety and responsiveness should ride over petty considerations in mending labor-manage ment differences. The masterstroke in the now widelyconceded vibrant system of dispute set tlement is the creation of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) which has a tripartite composition. The NLRC is headed by a Chairman and assisted by six Commissioners, with two seats each occupied by labor, manage ment and government Established on November 1, 1974 by virtue of the Labor Code, the NLRC disposed of 10,840 out of 14,267 cases in its maiden year of operation (January to December, 1975). These figures show that the NLRC re solved labor cases five times faster than its predecessor, the defunct CIR. To gether with the terminated cases which represent 76 percent of the total cases filed, the NLRC, also awarded P108 mil lion in money claims to more than 40,900 workers in 1975. Attributing this record performance to the flexible and subtle use of arbitra tion in dispute settlement, NLRC Chair man Alberto Veloso remarks: “Perhaps there is no better way to describe the new system of solving the recurring stale mate between management and emplo yees than to say, somewhat in contra diction that it is both compulsory and voluntary. Upon closer examination of the system, however, the contradiction becomes more apparent than real for there is, on the contrary, a happy inter play of compulsory and voluntary meas ures, interminably being called into appli cation, obviously to make sure the dis pute does not get out of hand.” □ (From Philippine Labor Review, Vol. I No. I.) Guidelines on appointments IN line with the national policy to decentralize agency operations, Bud get Commissioner Jaime Laya and Civil Service Commissioner Jacobo Clave re cently agreed to streamline the process ing of regional appointments. Some problems have cropped up due to the system of the regional appointee filling out two position forms, one for the Wage and Positions Classifications Of fice (WAPCO) and one for the Civil Serv ice Commission (CSC). The two offi cials noted that “the continued use of separate forms for essentially the same purpose opens the possibility for an employee to describe his duties and res ponsibilities depending on the purpose he wants to achieve.” To prevent this possibility, Laya and Clave agreed to simply require the regional appointees to fill out just one positions form, the BC-CSC Form No. 1 “which shall be used henceforth by all agencies for classification of positions and for other personnel action needed by the CSC in connection with the proc essing of appointments.” Of course, this move will also save the regional govern ment employees the trouble of filling out several copies of another form. More significantly, the two officials decided to give more powers to the re gional officials in the approbation of ap pointments. The Joint BC-CSC Memor andum Circular No. 1 issued last June 25 read in part: “Vital to the effective ness of this decentralization of agency operations is the delegation of authority to agency regional heads to enable them to carry out with reasonable speed es sential public services at the regional executive, however, the Memorandum Circular prescribed the following guide1) The WAPCO shall check, review and verify agency plantilla of personnel and certify the same to the effect that the item number, classification title, and salary range indicated for each posi tion therein conform to WAPCO records. 2) The WAPCO shall furnish the Civ il Service Commission, the Civil Service Commission Regional Office involved and the agency concerned a copy each of the WAPCO-certified agency plantilia of personnel, which shall be used by them as the sole official basis for proc essing proposed appointments to posi tions in the region involved. 3) The agencies shall furnish their respective regional directors an authen ticated copy of the plantilla of person nel duly certified by WAPCO. 4) The WAPCO shall likewise certify to the Civil Service Commission, the Civil Service Commission Regional Office con cerned, and the agency and its regional office involved, changes in the WAPCOcertified agency plantilla of personnel that may subsequently be approved, such as allocation of new positions not yet previously classified and changed in title and/or salary range of positions re sulting from duly approved reclassifica tion or reevaluation, through an appro priate Record of Allocation List Change (RALC). 5) The Civil Service Commission, the agency and the regional offices in volved shall, Upon receipt of the RALC from WAPCO, promptly reflect in their respective copy of the agency plantilla the required change(s). 6) The Civil Service Commission and agency regional director, through their respective personnel officer in the region, shall keep their official copy of up-to-date, by reflecting therein all duly approved changes certified by WAPCO through the RALC. 7) The personnel officer in the re gion shall prepare for the approval of the Regional Director appointments of regional office employees covered by the delegated authority. After signature by the Regional Director, the proposed ap pointments shall be forwarded to the Civil Service Commission Regional Direc tor for approval. 8) The Civil Service Commission Regional Director shall see to it that ap pointments submitted to him for approv al conform with the WAPCO-certified agency plantilla of personnel including duly approved changes in said agency plantilla, as to item number, classifica tion, salary range, authorized salary, as well as allowable salary for the pro posed appointees based on existing law, rules, regulations and Circulars. 9) The Civil Service Commission action appointments to positions not yet duly classified by WAPCO with a pro viso that the appointments should be re-submitted within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof by the appointing officer; otherwise, the appointment shall become ineffective 30 days thereafter. 10) A duly approved change in title of a position that has become effective as a result of reclassification or reevalu ation, must require the submission of a new regular appointment for approval by the Civil Service Commission. Agen cy regional directors must see to it that the required regular appointments cov ering change in title of positions of re gional office personnel are promptly pre pared and submitted to the Civil Service Regional Office for approval. 11) Only proposed appointments which are not clearly covered by exist ing rules of precedents that may be en countered in the region shall be forward ed to WAPCO, Budget Commission, Manila (if classification and compensa tion questions are involved), or to the Civil Service Commission (if questions of eligibility and qualifications are in volved), for appropriate action. 12) Approval of appointments of re gional office personnel shall be final at the Civil Service Commission Regional Office. 13) The Civil Service Commission and the WAPCO shall from time to time conduct joint audit of personnel prac tices at the regional level to determine compliance with duly issued rules and regulations on position classification and salary administration by agency regional offices. 14) This Joint Memorandum Circu lar shall be effective as soon as the WAP CO of the Budget Commission shall have furnished the Civil Service Com mission and the agencies concerned co pies of the WAPCO-certified agency plan tilla of personnel as of January 1, 1976. Special! Tungo sa isang pambansang wika Kasaysayan NOONG Agosto 13, 1973, sa isang talumpating bihigkas ni Presidente Marcos sa Manuel L. Quezon University sa pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Wika, sinabi niya na: “Pinatutunayan ng sarili kong karanasan na maaari na akong makipagtalastasan sa ating mga kababayan saan mang dako ng kapuluan sa pamar magitan ng wikang Pilipino.” Halos 40 taon Simula nang ipahayag ni Presi dente Quezon ang wikang pambansa ng Pilipinas na batay sa Tagalog, ang Pilipino, na sa kasalukuyan ay ginagamit na ng mahigit sa 56% ng populasyon, ay itinuturing nang isa sa mga puwersang mahigpit na nagbibigkis sa sambayanang Pilipino. Ang kasaysayan ng wikang pambansa, ay lagi nang kaakibat ng mga pinagdaanang karanasan ng Pilipinas sa loob ng ilang daan taong pagkakapailalim sa mga kolonyalista. Kasabay ng patuloy na pagtatangka ng mga Pilipino sa mula’t mula pa na makaalpas sa pagkakahawak ng mga mananakop, at maigiit ang kanyang kasarinlan, ang landasing tinahak ng wikang pambansa ay naging isang mahalagang bahagi ng paghahanap ng Pilipino ng kanyang kakanyahan o identity. Pang. Quezon: ama ng Wikang Pilipino. Noong mga huling bahagi ng ikalabinsiyam na dantaon, bagamat ang pangunahing wika ng Kilusang Propaganda ay ang Kastila (sapagkat ang direksiyon ng propaganda ay ang mga awtoridad sa Espana), ang pangunahing layunin nina Rizal, del Pilar at mga kasama ay ang paggigiit ng katutubong kultura upang maipantay sa mga kulturang dayo. Kaakibat ng kilu sang ito ay ang pagbibigay-diin sa mga katutubong wika bilang mabisang instrumento sa pagmumulat sa mga mamamay an. Noon pa, ang mga lider ng Kilusang Propaganda, at sumunod ang Katipunan, ay naniniwala na ang isang pambansang wika ay mabisang sandata sa pag gigiit ng kakanyahan ng isang bansa. Bagamat nagkaroon ng mga pagtatangka na itakda ang pambansang wika ng Pilipinas nang inihahanda ang Malolos Constitution noong taong 1899, hindi ito nagkabunga. Ang ideyang ito ay lalong napasaisantabi nang dumating ang mga Amerikano. Mas matatalinong mananakop ang mga Ameri kano kaysa sa mga Kastila. Nagamit nila nang husto ang wikang Ingles sa pagkikintal sa isipan ng Mga Pilipino ng “kadakilaan” ng kanilang “misyon” sa Pilipinas. Saang wika pa nga ba higit na mabisang maipaabot sa mga Pilipino ang matatayog na mga ideya, pamamaraan, at mga konseptong Amerikano kung hindi sa wikang Ingles. Bagamat ang Schurman Commission ay tumutol sa pagsasabing: “Ang imposisyon ng isang dayuhang wika sa mga Pilipino ay hindi makatarungan, at walang kahihinatnang pagsisikap,” ipinatupad ng administrasyong kolonyal ang pagtuturo ng Ingles sa buong bansa. BUHAT noon, nabuksan ang isipan ng mga Pili pino sa kulturang Kanluranin. Sumilang ang “little Brown Americans.” Ngunit kasabay rin ng pagkapukaw ng dam darning nasyonalistiko sa mga Pilipino sa mga panahong iginigiit ang kalayaan sa Amerika, noong mga unang dekada ng ika-dalawampung dantaon, pinangunahan ni Presidente Quezon ang paggawa ng mga hakbang sa pagbuo ng isang wikang pambansa ng isang bansang naghahangad na lumaya. Sa pamamagitan ng Commonwealth Act No. 184, nilikha noong 1936 ang Surian ng Wikang Pam bansa na binigyan ng tungkuling pagsasagawa ng pagaaral sa mga katutubong wika ng Pilipinas, at pagpapaunlad at pagpapatibay ng isang wikang panlahat na batay sa isang katutubong wikang umiiraL Noong Disyembre 30, 1937, alinsunod sa tadhana ng Commonwealth Act No. 184, ipinahayag ni Presidente Quezon ang Wikang Pambansa ng Pilipinas batay sa Tagalog, ayon sa rekomendasyon ng Surian. Ang wikang Tagalog, na ginagamit sa Central Luzon at sa Southern Tagalog, ay nabibilang sa tinatawag na “Malayo-Polynesian family of languages.” May pagkakahawig ito sa Malayan at sa Bahasa Indo nesia, patunay na ang mga Pilipino ay galing sa liping Malayo. Ang T agalog ay pinagyaman pa ng mga salitang mula sa may 60 pangunahing wika sa bansa, bukod pa sa mga salitang hiram sa Tsino, Kastila, Ingles, Sanskrit at Arabic. Sa kasaysayan ng wikang pambansa, ang mga sumunod na dekada, hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ay kinakitaan ng mga diskusyon, paghahabla, debate, at hidwaan ukol sa katumpakan ng pagkapili sa Tagalog bilang wikang pambansa. May mga Pilipino, karamihan ay ibinubuyo ng mapaghidwang damdamin ng rehiyonalismo, na nagtangkang humadlang sa landasin ng wikang pambansa. Ilan pa rin, na may malalim na pagkakatatak ng kulturang kanluranin sa kanilang mga noon, ang ginamit ng mga kolonyalista sa mga “divide and rule tactic” sa mga Pilipino. Sa kabila ng mga balakid na ito, na walang intelektuwal na batayan kundi emosyon at kamangmangan sa mgakalakaran sa lingguwistika at sa natural na pagkadebelop ng isang wika, hindi nahadlangan ang paglaganap ng Pilipino. HIGIT kailanman, sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, ang kasigasigan ng pagpapalaganap ng Pilipino ay naganap nitong mga unang taon ng kasalukuyang dekada. Pinukaw hg diwang nasyonalistiko na isinatinig, pangunahin na ng mga estudy ante, sa mga pamamahayag, diskusyon, at teach-ins, ang wikang pam bansa ay nabigyan ng kaukulang pagtangkilik ng mga mamamayang nagsimulang magtanong at mag-isip-isip ukol sa saysay ng kanilang matagal-tagal din namang pakikipag-ulayaw sa mga kulturang banyaga. Di-iilang artista, manunulat, mandudula, ang nagising sa katotohanang ang kanilang sining, upang magkaroon ng kahulugan, ay kinakailangang makarating sa masa hg mga mamamay an. Upang mangyari ito, kinakailangang ang gamitin nila ay Pilipino. Nito ring mga nakaraang taon sa mabilis na pag-unlad ng industriyang panlibangan, sumabay ang paglaganap ng Pilipino sa pagdami ng mga pelikulang Pilipino, mga programang Pilipino sa telebisyon at sa radyo at mga babasahin. Higit din kailanman, sa kasaysayan ng lahat ng administrasyon sa Pilipinas, ang panunungkulan ni Presidente Marcos ang nakapagbigay ng pinakamalaking kontribusyon sa pagpapalaganap ng Pilipino. Kung sa mga nagdaang administrasyon, ang pagdaraos ng Linggo ng Wika tuwing Agosto 13-19, na itinakda ng Proclamation No. 186 ni Presidente Magsaysay ay nangangahulugan lamang ng pagsasalita sa Pilipino sa loob ng isang linggo sa mga paaralan at paglalagay ng mga poster nina Quezon at Rizal, ang pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Wika nitong mga nakaraang taon ay idinaraos sa pamamagitan ng mas makakahulugang aktibidad, tulad ng mga symposia, lecture at timpalakbigkasan na pawang naglalayong makapagkintal sa isip ng mga mamamay an ng kahalagahan ng wikang pambansa, hindi sa loob lamang ng isang linggo kundi sa lahat ng panahon. Mula rin noong 1967 hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ang administrasyon ay nakapagpalabas na ng mga kautusang tagapagpaganap, memorandum, at mga circular sa mga opisina at ahensiya ng gobyerno, ukol sa pagpapalaganap ng Pilipino. May kautusang umiiral na nagtatadfcana na lahat ng gusali, edipisyo at tanggapan ng pamahalaan ay pangangalanan sa Pilipino. Ang mga “letterhead” ng mga kagawaran, tanggap an at sangay ng pamahalaan ay nararapat nasusulat sa Pilipino kalakip ang kaukulang teksto sa Ingles. Noong Hulyo 29, 1971, pinalabas ang Memorandum Circular No. 488 na humihiling sa lahat ng tanggapan ng pama halaan na magdaos ng palatuntunan sa pagdiriwang ng Linggo ng Wikang Pambansa. ANG suportang kinakailangan ng wikang pam bansa ay nagmumula mismo kay Presidente ’ Marcos. Sa lahat ng kanyang mga talumpati sa mga mamamay an, ang mga ito ay laging nasusulat sa Pilipino o kaya ay pinangungunahan ng ilang mga talata sa Pilipino. Sa pagtanggap ng credentials ng mga kinatawang diplomatiko ng ibang bansa, ang wikang ginagamit ng Presidente ay Pilipino. Ngunit sa lahat ng mga kasisimulang proyekto ] ng gobyerno para sa pagpapalaganap ng wikang pam bansa, ang patakaran sa bilinguwalismo sa mga paara lan ang pinakamakahulugan. Sapagkat ito’y nasa larang an ng social science, tinatayang malaki ang magagawa nito sa dekolonyalisasyon ng mga Pilipino. Bilang pagsunod sa probisyon ng 1973 Konstitusyon ukol sa pagsasanay sa mga mamamayan sa wikang Pilipino at Ingles, naglabas ang Department of Education and Culture ng Department Order No. 25 noong Hunyo 19, 1974 ukol sa patakaran ng bilinguwalismo sa mga paaralan. Sa ilalim ng mga guidelines ng DEC, ang Ingles at ang Pilipino ay gagamiting wikang panturo sa lahat ng antas sa paaralan. Ang mga ito ay ituturo rin bilang aralin sa lahat ng grado sa elementarya at sa haiskul. Ang Pilipino ay gagawing panturo sa mga sumusunod na aralin: social studies, social science, char acter education, work education, health education at physical education. Ang unang bahagi ng programa, na sasakop mula school-year 1974-75 hanggang 1977-78, ay magiging transition period para sa pagtuturo ng mga araling_ nabanggit sa wikang Pilipino. Sa ikalawang bahagi,’ sa school-year 1978-79 hanggang 1981-82, ang paggamit ng Pilipino sa pagtuturo ng mga nabanggit na aralin ay magiging obligado. Para sa implementasyon ng mga hakbang na ito, ang DEC ay naghahanda rin ng mga libro at iba pang materyales na kakailanganin at nagsasanay ng mga titser na kalahok sa programa. Kasama rin sa patakaran ng bilinguwalismo, ang mga kolehiyo sa kasalukuyan ay inatasan din ng DEC na isama sa kanilang curricula ang mga kurso sa Ingles at Pilipino. Iniaatas din sa mga kolehiyo na tiyakin na lahat ng magtatapos, pagdating ng 1984, ay nakapasa sa kanilang mga eksamen sa Ingles at Pilipino. Ito ay nagsimula noong school-year 1976-77. Samantala sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, ang subject na Pilipino * ay itinuturo na noon pang 1968. PARA sa patakarang bilingguwalismo, ang Surian ay nagsasagawa ng mga sumusunod na proyekto: □ Paggamit sa mass media sa pagsasanay ng mga titser na magtuturo ng Pilipino. □ Istandardisasyon ng mga terminolohiyang ginagamit sa iba’t ibang subject na ituturo sa wikang Pilipino. □ Pagbuo ng isang diksiyonaryo na magtataglay ng mga lexical terms na kakatawan sa mga pangu nahing wika sa Pilipinas. □ Section Kultura ANG WIKA ay salitang ginagamit ng isang bansa, nasyon o lahi na nagbubukod sa mga ito sa i ibang bansa, nasyon o lahi. Ang kultura naman ay kalipunan ng damdamin, kaisipan, paniniwala, pag_jjugali at jradisyon ng isang grupo ng mga indibiduwal, pamayanan o bansa, na naghihiwalay sa kanila sa kapuwa indibiduwal, pamayanan o bansa. Datapuwat sa kabila ng katangiang nakapagbubukod, ang wika ay daluyan ng kaangkinan ng tao, komunidad o bansa; sa kabila ng katangiang nakapaghihiwalay, ang kul tura ay batis na salukan ng kakanyahan ng pama■ yanan, rehiyon o bansa. Samakatuwid, sa kabila ng sa malas ay mga negatibong katangian, ang wika at kultura, taliwas mandin sa dalawang naunang kata ngian, ay nakapagbubuklod din sa isang banda. Wika ang tulay ng pagkakaunawaan ng magkatulad o magkaiba mang kultura. Ang kapirasong kaalaman tungkol sa wika ng ibang kultura ay puhunan na upang matawid ang pagitan ng komunikasyon ng dalawang magkaibang kultura. Sa panimulang pagpaj palitang-wika, kasunod ay ang unti-unting pagpapalitang-diwa na humahantong sa mutuwal na pagka kaunawaan ng mga kultura. MAGUGUNIT ANG noong panahon ng liberasyon, isang ngiti, muwestra ng daliri at “Victory Joe ay sapat na upang makamit ang mutuwal na kagandahang-loob sa mga Amenkano na sineselyuhan ng huli sa pamamagitan ng isang bara ng tsokolate o isang rasyon ng sigarilyo. Sinusuklian mandin ng mga Amerikano ang ganoong pitagan sa kanila noon; samantala, ang mga kabalat nilang nangasa-bansa sa ka salukuyan ay humuhuli naman ng loob ng mga Pili pino sa pamamagitan ng pakara-karampot at pabalubaluktot na pananagalog-matiim at tapat na hangad, gaano man katawa-tawa, ang pagpupumilit. Ang wika ay ekspresyon ng kultura ng isang grupo ng tao na may likas na katangian. Upang maging ganap ang pagkakaunawa sa kulturang iba sa kinabibilangan, kailangan ang sapat na kaalaman at kaangkupan ng wika sa kulturang nais unawain. Wika ang siyang kakikilanlan ng isang kultura, sapagkat ito ang nagbibigay-anyo rito para sa kaalaman ng mga kulturang hindi nito saklaw, nagtatakda ng pagkakaiba at pagiging sarili at orihinal ng uri nito, ng pagkakabukod nito sa ibang kultura. Sa Katagalugan, kung paanong ibinubukod ng “ala e” ang Batangueno sa Bulakeno, gayundin ang ipinag-iba ng putong Binan sa putong Pulo. Sa Timog, bagamat bigkis ng Islam ang mga Muslim, may sari'ing wika ang Tausog, mayroon din ang Maranao at gaj un din ang Maguindanao; liban sa relihiyon, binubul lod din ang mga ito ng kulturang partikular sa katimugan, kaisahang nagpapatingkad sa iba’t ibang indayog at igting ng halu-halong wika. Hindi lamang daluyan ng sariling kaisipan at kaalaman ang wika. Isa rin itong daang maaaring bagtasin ng isang kaisipan tungo sa ibang kaalaman. Humigit-kumulang, batid ng sinuman na hindi niya mabubuwag ang pader ng kawalang-muwang sa alinmang kulturang banyaga sa kanya hanggang hindi niya naaabot ang wika ng kulturang nasa kabilang paderbagamat hindi basta kung-pa-paano-na-lang na ka alaman sa wikang nabanggit ang kinakailangang taglay niya, kundi, gayundin ang sapat at angkop na pakikisalamuha sa kulturang gusto niyang maunawaan. Maaaring maunawaan ng mga Ilongot sa bulubunduking Nueva Vizcaya ang isang “kumusta” na sinasabayan ng ngiti at kaway ng kamay ngunit magi ging palaisipan sa mga ito, sa oras ng kainan, ang pag gamit ng kubyertos ng inaakala nilang nakikipagkaibigan. Katulad din ito ng katotohanang sa kabila ng pagsusuot ng mga Igorot na mga kasuotang ka akibat ng niyakap na sibilisasyon, hindi pa rin nito tuluyang maiwaglit ang kinapamihasnang bahag, na ayon sa kanilang kaiinangan ay may sariling rikit at maginhawa sa katawan. Isang kahingian kung gayon sa hangaring mapabilang sa alinmang kulturang iba kaysa sa kinamulatan, na ganap na maangkin ang establisado at tunay na wika ng kulturang ibig aniban. Na walang pinag-iba sa pakay na pagkakaunawaan ng dalawang taong mag kaiba ng wika: gaano mang pagsikapan sa pamama gitan ng isang tagapamagitang wika na pag-ugnayin ang dalawang diwa, hindi nito ganap at buung-buong maipapahayag ang tunay, pinaka-elemental, at pinakaubod na damdamin ng alinman sa dalawang kaisipan. Maipapahayag lamang ito sa wikang magiging iskala ng dalawang kultura, ang pagsasalubong-wika o pagiisang-diwa-pag-aaral ng isa sa wika ng ikalawa at bise-bersa. Sa ganito’y magagagap pati na ang pinakamunting detalye ng dalawang damdamin. SAMANTALA, wika rin ang nagsisilbing instru ment sa pag-aanalisa at pagsasaayos ng katotohanan ng kabuuang kalagayan upang ang isang kul tura ay umiral at magkaroon ng kakayahang gumawa at lumikha. Sapagkat napapaloob sa wika ng isang kultural na kabuuan ang daigdig at realidad bilang makatotohanang karanasang maipababatid ng isa sa kanyang kapuwa at kakultura. Ito ang sandigang konsepto kung bakit ang mga salita’t katawagang hindi magkakatumbas sa iba’t ibang wika ay naisasaayos at napag-uugnay-ugnay upang bawat wikang maisaayos at mapag-ugnay ay magkaroon ng likhang kalikasan at matanggap bilang isang nauunawaan at natatanging pangkalahatang balangkas. Sa konseptong ito batay ang pagtanggap sa mga salitang bagamat may sangkap na wikang hiram o sinipi sa mga salitang dayuhan ay, sa proseso ng asimilasyon, nagkaroon ng kaangkinang likas na Pilipino. Halimbawa ang almirol, kutsara. debelopment, drayber, siyopaw at pansit. Ang mga nabanggit, bagamat naisasalin din sa katumbas na mga katawagang may kani-kaniyang interpretasyon ng kung ilang daang wika at diyalekto sa bansa, ay higit na empatiKo sa gayong kaayusan. Higit na may empasis kung sasabihing “maggogroseri” kaysa “mamimili ng groseriya,”i-“follow-up” ang “appointment” kaysa “kumustahin ang nombramiyento,” “kandidatura” kaysa “pagiging kalahok sa eleksiyon,” “kontrobersiyal” kaysa “nakalilikha ng alingasngas.” Sa kaisipan, ang wika ay repleksiyon ng mga impluwensiya ng nakaraang mga panahon sa kasay sayan ng bansa. Sa mga Kastila natin namana ang “puneta” at ang sinumang karinggan ng ganitong bulalasng galit, pagsisiklab ng kalooban o pagmumura ay alinman sa mulata o indiyang ala-Donya Victorina. Maraming Pilipino ang higit na nagugustuhan ang “canton” kaysa sa sariling “palabok.” At sa mga malumanay na nagugulantang sanhi ng bahagyang pisikal na sakit at napapaatungal ng “ouch,” ang tingin natin ay “Brown Americans,” kundi man burgis na nagpapaimpres. Ang mga samut-saring katulad nitong mga salita ay dagdag na kaalaman sa personalidad, bokabularyo at kultura ng indibiduwal. Kaalamang kung malilinang at magagamit sa positibong paraan ay maipaaabot at mapalalaganap sa kapakinabangang pangkalahatan. ISANG hungkag na kaisipang maituturing ang pag pupumilit na makapagkintal ng isang kagulat-gulat na impresyon ang isang taal na taga-Kabisayaan o tagaKailokohan na nagmumutaktak sa labi ang bugalbugal at pilipit na Ingles, gayong higit siyang magiging kapuri-puri, kahit mahirap ding maunawaan, sa pagpapahayag sa kahit pa mas baluktot na Pilipino. Katawa-tawa man, kundi man nakalulungkot, maling esensiya ng kulturang Kanluranin ang hagap ng ibang Pilipino. Konkretong katibayah pa ang isang tipikal na usapan sa bus, waiting shed, department store o sa iba pang lugar na pampubliko: “You naman e, always making bola.” Hindi ito implikasyon na mali ang sumipi ng esensiyal at makabuluhang mga ideya mula sa kul turang panlabas, bagkus, hinihikayat pa nga ang ga yong praktikal na kaisipan. Lamang, sa pagsipi, pagkuha ng mahahalagang detalye, at partisipasyon sa kalinanganglabas sa kinamihasnan, ipinangangamba ang lubusang pagkagumon sa kasabikan at musmos na katuwaan sa pamilyaridad sa bagong kaalaman. Ipi nangangamba ang pagpapatuloy ng ganitong entusiyasmo sa katutuklas na kaalaman, sa takot na tunawin nito ang orihinal na kultura. Malayo man ang posibilidad, dahil sa kinakailangan munang patayin ang kultura ng isang indibiduwal, kasunod ang sa grupo ng mga indibiduwal, pamayanan, sambayanan, bansa at patuloy pa bago magawang patayin ang pangkalaha tang kabuuan ng kaiinangan, naroroon ito—isang laging posibilidad—katulad ng katotohanang ang Ca nada, sa kawalan ng katutubong wika ay walang likas na kultura, at kung mayroon man, ay halu-halo, kumplikado, masalimuot. Hindi kailanman masasabing ang lahat ng taga-Canada ay Canadian (bagamat sa isang banda ay maaari ito sa puntong heograpikal) sapag kat binubuo ang bansang ito ng maraming kultura, mas marami at iba’t ibang wikang walang pamantayang kaisahan. Hindi na makakatkat sa balangkas ng kaiinangan ng Pilipinas ang samut-saring mga wikang baon at iniwan ng mga kolonyal na nasyon. Mga alaalang sa rub dob ng damdaming makabayan ng ating mga ninuno ay tinangkang burahin upang huwag bumahid sa kaPang, Marcos: tagapagtaguyod ng wikang Pilipino. likasan ng kulturang Pilipino at siya ring dahilang nagbunsod upang ang mga ninunong iyon, partikular ang mga Tagalista, ay ipanukala at ipagdiinan ang wikang Tagalog, kaangkinang likas, sarili at di-mapapaknit din, bilang pamantayang wika ng Pilipinas. Ngunit ang kalikasan ng kulturang Pilipino ay may katangiang mapanlikha, kundi man mapanlagom, na ang ginagamit na huwaran at sangkap, kadalasan, ay mga hiram at ligaw na kaalaman para sa sariling kagalingan. Kaya ang puta-putaking wikang Intsik, Kastila, Ingles at iba pa ay kinasangkapan nito sa pagdedebelop ng wikang manipestasyon ng kulturang Pilipino, kul turang sanib-kultura ng mga sumaklaw rito at sinaklaw nitong mga kultura, at hindi ng wikang katutubo nga ay banyaga naman sa mismong mga mamamayan ng kabuuang kultura. Hindi nawawala ang ka-Pilipinuhan ng Pilipino, bagkus ay napatitingkad pa nga, sa wikang daluyan ng kulturang Pilipino. Ang Ilokano ay para sa Kailokohan; Bisaya para sa Kabisayaan; Maranaw para sa kaMindanawan; Tagalog para sa Katagalugan. Ngunit kailanman at saanman, ang Pilipino ang para sa Pilipino. □ THE REPUBLIC Hrwi'inn PROJECTS □ Alma Diputado Reaching back to our roots CONVERSATION □ Sec. Gerardo P. Sicat ‘Land speculation is not fair' "Kapitbahayan, .. . a total com munity that will reflect the spirit of the Filipino people with dignity, beauty and respect. Itis a reaffirmation of a Filipino tradition. ” -Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos KAPITBAHAYAN’S beginnings can be traced back to 1940 when the national government decided to reclaim the foreshore of Tondo to provide a site for an inter-island port complex. This land was basically unfit for human set tlement, but it has attracted nonetheless a total of 27,000 families or 180,000 people over the last four decades. Wijh a net density of over 2,000 persons per hectare, this community has become sprouting ground of crimes, violence, filth and disease-representing the worst in urban blight and socio-economic deprivation. Its miserable condition has led the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos to make Tondo Foreshore the recipient of a pilot urban development program—the biggest project of its kind ever to be launched by the government The ultimate objective of the pro ject, which is the responsibility of the National Housing Authority through the Tondo Foreshore Development Author ity and Dagat-dagatan team, is to up grade the quality of life of the people. “When we speak of human settlements, we give our emphasis on human beings in relation to his settlements, on man rather than just land. For in the end man is, and should be, the main focus of our concern and attention. The idea of this total community is not only to include the survival of our marginal people on marginal land but also to provide them with the necessary tools for their advancement,” the First Lady explained during the community’s inau guration last May 17. The physical plan for Tondo Fore shore was tailored to the following goals: the resolution of land issue, the develop ment of a self-sustaining resettlement site for prospective relocatees, the es tablishment of a planned commercial industrial estate which will provide eco nomic opportunities for the people, and the creation of an implementing body. These objectives are based on six guiding principles: maximum community partic ipation in the planning and implementa tion, total community development, provision of economic opportunities, maximum retention of structures and families, provision of site and services and maximum recognition of land rights. Project implementation started Fis cal Year 1975-1976 with an accelerated program of upgrading sites and services in the Tondo Foreshore. By the end of this fiscal year, it is estimated that 56 percent of the upgrading program of the whole Tondo Foreshore shall have been completed with emphasis on installation of surface water drainage system, water distribution and sewer systems, and im provement of roads. Experimental areas are being devel oped both in Tondo Foreshore and Dagat-dagatan. The objective is to de monstrate the Authority’s concept of upgrading sites and services as a means of improving environmental conditions, its schemes for rehabilitating dwellings, housing within the means of the people, provision of social-economic infrastruc tures that go with a total community. The Authority intends to evolve stan dards which may be replicated in the succeeding phases of the project and in other depressed areas. Completion of these experimental areas is estimated within the current fiscal year. Together with the experimental area in Dagat-dagatan, the Authority will develop for the First Lady a community complete with all services and facilities necessary for healthful living for 520 families. The 520 families that will be the initial beneficiaries of the model com munity planned from a total man-andenvironment approach were chosen ac cording to the following criteria: "(1) bonafide residents of Tondo foreshore; (2) he should, be receiving a salary of not less than five times nor more than ten times the amount of rent; (3) should be twenty one years of age; (4) the place of work should be within the ten-kilo meter radius; (5) the size of the family, six to seven members (first priority), four to five members (second priority), and two to three members (third prior ity); (6) should not be a land owner; and (7) should belong to the International Port Zone namely the Luzviminda Vil lage, Bonifacio Village and Dulo Puting Bato. Kapitbahayan is made up of 72 clusters—each cluster composed of .seven to eight units making a total of 526 units; 520 to be leased out on a 25-year contract renewable for the next 25 years, six units intended for the management and staff. There are 64 three-storey units, 410 two-storey units and 52 onestorey units. The one-storey units have a livable floor area of 64 square meters. The two-storey units have an area of 48 sq. m.; the three-storey units have a floor area of 64 square meters. There are 139 units reserved for the fishermen. A deep-well water tank with a capacity of 60,000 gallons provides the whole com munity with water. Occupants will be paying between P70.00 and P100.00 a month. Kapitbahayan is envisioned to firm up and make more whole such positive human interaction through a commu nity carefully planned and executed along the pattern of our people’s way of life and reinforcing the positive aspects of our lifestyles. It is a good beginning. As the First Lady has said: “We hope Kapitbahayan will serve to point out that the Filipino is capable of reaching back to his roots, and in so doing, affirm his present and shape his future.” □ QDoes the expropriation of private lands for public use have a strong Constitutional basis? AY es. I am not a lawyer and I have not studied it but I have asked some people about this and they said that it has some Constitutional basis. Specifically, even for public housing and low cost housing, there is a great possibility along this end. In fact, we feel that for the National Housing Au thority to succeed in its effort to pro vide cheap housing, we will have to resort to expropriation every now and then. Our land system is such that if the government has 20 hectares, to make a community sustained, it has to expand to, let, us say, 60 hectares so that con tiguous operations of many things can go on. We are not thinking of housing as housing per se. We want to develop communities using the housing approach. Communities imply availability of indus tries, availability of power and so on. In fact, our view is that even though in some areas housing would be for the very poor who cannot afford, there ought to be some degree of variation. Let us say, in a given community, it should not only be the very poor that shpuld live there. Or else, we will be es tablishing ghettos where there will be no interaction or desirable social system. We would like to have a mixture. And here, when you have jobs available, people will have the opportunity of growing with them. Sec. Sicat: for cooperative housing So this is one of the concepts that is evolving in the housing program. The National Housing Authority is very busy in the preparation of the master plans and programs. I have specifically em phasized in the Board Meeting that we ought to attend to the industrial estate activities of the housing areas because attending to the industrial estate activ ities would imply that jobs will be forth coming for people who are being re located. Will housing be primarily left to the private sector? Not necessarily. But the National Housing Authority will play a role also in having the private sector work. The period of huge investments in low-cost housing, I would think, is going to begin in 1977 and although we have already done some recently, we would like to snowball this in the, year 1978, 1979 and so on. I think the program will evolve and generate more activities. How does the present interest rate policy affect housing? Well, you know, there have been many problems. Some people say lowinterest rates would be necessary for housing; some say that what we need are jobs to generate the income to pay for housing. But the government is mind ful of this and in undertaking the pub lic housing program, it would surely have to look into some relatively sub sidized interest rates in order to generate a particular type of demand for housing. The area where housing loans can de pend on the interest rate market is something for the higher income groups. This community concept you men tioned, is it more on a sort of commu nal ownership scheme? Not necessarily. By community, I mean an area where people who are located in a housing area would also necessarily have a great deal of their livelihood derived from that commu nity. Self-contained? Not exactly self-contained, but a majority of people would find livelihood there. Such an area would depend, of course, on trading with other areas be cause raw materials they buy would be moving in from other regions. But this is the concept that we are trying to build. Do you think that increasing apart ment rentals would help people to construct more houses? Some people have been making representations that the rent control law should be adjusted. And we are studying this. If we hold a public hear ing on it, you would get two sides fighting each other. But we recognize that the supply of apartments depends also on the rental rate. And so we are studying this. In fact, we discussed this recently at the NEDA. We discussed the question of whether some adjustments could be possible which would be re latively tied to the tax declaration for the property. Taxes have been going up for owners of aprtments and some of them are crying. I think they have cried themselves out and there are no more tears coming out Some of them com plained that the taxes are soon going to be equal to the rentals that they are collecting. We understand the situation and we are trying to study how this thing can be adjusted. So there might be adjustments up ward because prices are going up? This is under study. But I am just pointing out that there are representa tions being made at many ends. This is the reason why some apartments being constructed are now in the P600 cat egory because they want to be far away from the P300 limit, hindi ba? Natatakot sila . . baka abutan sila. Supposing the government says, “Freeze at a higher point.” But let us not talk about freez ing, ha? You said that the home ownership orientation needs to be adjusted. I agree with that view. I think home ownership in our programming for the future should be adjusted in terms of ownership of dwelling rather than ownership of a lot with a dwelling. You know, in Poland, for instance-I read a recent article, and I told the NEDA about this—they have changed thenpublic housing policy completely so that only cooperative housing could be undertaken. Now you talk about cooperatives and the President talked about exprop riation. Instead of outright expropria tion, could there be a scheme whereby the landowners will exchange his pro perty for shares in a corporate com plex? So, you have a corporate develop ment side by side with a cooperative development. Well, you know, the President’s announcement is an offshoot of the tremendous land speculations going on in areas where the government cons tructs infrastructure. In such activities, the ones who are going to gain are those who happen to be luckily in the path of the public work project It does not seem fair to the nation because when the government constructs new road facilities, it is to make transport more efficient and to define new areas of set tlement. These new areas of settlement might, in fact, be the areas thru which these roads lead to, like the ones in the higher hills near Antipolo and beyond along the road going to Infanta, Que zon. So, there are new communities that can be developed there, and such new communities can only come about if we are able to maintain the price of land at a fairly reasonable level. □ THE REPUBLIC Population | _____________________________ 1-15 August 1976 11 EXEMPLARY FAMILY PLANNING LAWS □ Our population laws are models to the world EVEN though legal developments have not kept pace with scientific and technological changes in the field of population and fertility control, inter est in revising existing laws or writing new ones is on the increase throughout the world. Countries that are seeking to bring their laws in line with improved policies and practices can look for guidance to ex amples from other nations. The following selected excerpts from laws related to general population policy, contraceptive methods, voluntary sterilization, abdrtion, and economic incentives and disincentives are such examples. POPULATION POLICY. IN the development of laws concerned with popu-' lation policy, consideration is usually given to elements such as the establishment of a group or agency to initiate and implement policy recommenda tions; the makeup, number, purposes, and functions of such a group; and the purposes or reasons for a population policy in relation to the needs and require’ments of the country. Section 86 of Thailand’s Constitution focuses on the reasons for developing a population policy. It includes the following provision: “The State should have a demographic policy appropriate for naturql resources, economic and so cial conditions and technological progress for the purpose of economic and social developmen t and for the security of the state. ” In October 1974, the government of El Sal vador approved a plan of action for its newly created National Population Commission to oversee. It reads, in part: "... the Comprehensive Policy on population should be considered as a series of actions determined and coordinated by the State which have as their ob jective the full development of the human person as well as the greater participation by each person in the responsibilities and benefits of progress, through the harmonious accommodation of the quality, distribu tion and size of the population to the country's re sources in its economic and social development." CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS. THE existing body of laws affecting contraceptive methods is wide-ranging and differs by country due to varying local needs and considerations. In drafting new laws on contraception interested nations might include consideration of-one or more of the following areas: contraceptive sales and distribution, regulations governing advertising, taxation of import ed raw or finished materials, manufacture of contra ceptives, prescription requirements, training of med ical and nonmedical personnel involved in a variety of family planning programs and services, and regula tions for the establishment of urban and rural clinics. The preceding listing is not all-inclusive, however; each country must consider first its own require ments and develop laws best suited to them. The fol lowing are selected excerpts from laws currently in force. Chile’s 1974 law on the use of nonphysicians to distribute oral contraceptives and to insert intrau terine devices reads, in part: . . The National Health Service estimates that it must prepare for a growing demand for family plan ning services from women of child-bearing age. This cannot be accomplished if the administration of con traceptives is limited to surgeons and physicians. . . . The Public Institution of the National Health System may authorize midwives to prescribe and administer some or all of the reversible contra ceptive methods now in use. . . . The prescription and administration of contraceptives by professional midwives shall be un der the control and supervision of the physician res ponsible for family planning activities in the institu tion or service concerned." A Presidential decree in 1973 amended an exist ing law in the Philippines regarding women in the labor force and making contraceptive services avail able to them. It reads, in part “This Decree (No. 148) amends Republic Act No. 679, notably by prescribing that establishments required by law to maintain a clinic or infirmary must provide free family planning ‘services to their em ployees including (but not limited to) the applica tion or use of contraceptive and/or intrauterinedevices” (26). VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION. MANY countries have no laws regulating sterili zation; therefore, family planning programs are legally free to introduce this method. Other countries have recently provided legislation supporting surgical contraception. These laws deal with such factors as: reasons for allowing sterilization, age requirements, personnel qualified to perform sterilization, provisions for and regulations governing facilities where steriliza tions may be performed, and consent required. The following excerpts are from Sweden’s steril ization law, which became effective in January 1976: Highlights of Singapore’s sterilization legislation, approved in 1974 and effective in 1975, include the following: “Section 2: Treatment of sexual sterilization (means) the surgical sterilization of a male or female that does not involve removal of the reproductive glands or organs unless such removal is necessary for medical or therapeutic reasons... Section 8: No registered medical practitioner shall be liable civilly or criminally for carrying out treatment for sexual sterilization so long as the person undergoing such treatment gives his consent or con sent is given on his behalf under this Act and suchtreatment is not carried out in a negligent manner. .. Section 9: For avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that any treatment for sexual sterilization by a registered medical practitioner shall not constitute a ‘grievous hurt' under sections 87 and 320 of the Penal Code.” Under the new law in Singapore, any married person over 21 years of age may be sterilized upon request ECONOMIC INCENTIVES. WHEN a country wishes to modify its birth rate, it naturally considers legal means for adjusting incentives and disincentives toward its desired pur pose. Some of the areas for possible consideration in clude: provision of or limitations on maternity bene fits; changes in tax laws with respect to dependents claimed as tax deductions; government or public serv ices which can be given or withheld such as housing, school selection, welfare assistance, and insurance; and family allowances. The Singapore government’s plan of incentives and disincentives, the first mqjor program of its kind, was introduced in the early 1970s. Other nations have since followed suit—for example, the Philippines and South Korea. The Singapore plan, launched officially in 1972 and since updated, includes the following provisions: □ Increases in delivery charges at government hospitals for each child after the first; □ No paid maternity leave to be given for delivery of the third and subsequent children if the woman already has two or more living children; □ No income tax relief for the fourth and sub sequent children born on jmftei August 1, 1973; - - □ No priority to large families in the allocation of Housing and Development Board flats; □ Lower priority for choice of primary school for children after the third birth (36). In 1974, the government of the Philippines amended its Labor Code to read as follows: “The maternity leave provided in this Article (13l,c) shall be paid by the employer only for the first four deliveries by a woman employee after the effectivity of this Code.” □ LETTER FROM THE REGIONS □ Jose Abcede Harnessing the barrio midwives CHOCOLATE Hills and midwives seem unlikely ingredients for a story of rural uplift. But in the island of Bohol in the southern Philippines they appear to have mixed well. The mixture has in fact sparked a current that has put fresh life into this pastoral island. Life in its villages has visibly improved. Since tourism in the Philippines is now in top gear, visitors invariably hear about the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. These are more than 1,000 cone-shaped limestone mounds arranged—as if by design—over an area of several hundred square kilometers in the north-eastern part of Bohol. This is more mundane, involving or dinary village folks, rather than the leg endary giants. It is a human process, not a geological formation, and its object is to seek a better quality of life for the barrio people and the improvement of the health of mothers and children. Why is it special? Why is it an “attraction”. The Bohol Province Family Plan ning Project is one of four such projects in the world assisted by the New York based Population Council. The others are in Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. Family planning. Like its counter parts, the Bohol project was started be cause there were still many unanswered questions about family planning. What is the best approach to reducing fertility? Does a maternal and child health (MCH) service provide the best framework for family planning? How can MCH and family planning be integrated effective ly? With what resources? How can community participation be assured? International organizations interest ed in these questions teamed up with the Philippine government and other bodies in Bohol to get some answers to these questions. They are the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), the Pop ulation Council and the World Health Organization (WHO). On the Philippine side are the Department of Health, the Population Commission, the UP Popula tion Institute, the Bohol provincial gov ernment and the Tagbilaran City health office. Chocolate Hills: a model family planning project is another attraction. In July 1975, personnel trained in MCH and family planning set to work in the area and a number of project activi ties were started. Thirteen primary care centres were opened. Project activities, in fact, revolve around these centres which are staffed by newly-trained mid wives. These primary care centres (PCCs) are satellite clinics linked to rural health units and hospitals. They are located in barrios not regularly reached by rural health units. Eventually 60 PCCs are to be opened. The people had a voice in the selec tion of the sites and in setting up the PCCs. Barrio funds were used to buy construction materials and the people themselves built some of the centres. One PCC was built from funds raised at a beauty contest among wives of the barrio captains. The barrio people also helped to provide housing for the mid wives assigned to the centres. Dr. A. Zahra, Director of the Divi sion of Family Health at WHO head quarters in Geneva, was a recent visitor to BohoL He summed up what he saw in these words: “The Bohol project is a good pro ject because it is realistic. It is a good approach for building up services where these did not exist or where they were not developed. It is good in the sense that the country—or any country for that matter—could afford that kind of service. “Training is done progressively. It is mostly based on in-service training and is related to the problems of the community. The Bohol project is in the spirit of the WHO/UNICEF alternative approaches for better health services.” Dr. Zahra added that “what needs to be done more is to exploit visits in the home to bring out more community involvement and participation”. He suggested that this could lead to increas ed two-way traffic between homes and the barrio primary care centres. Dr. Zahra was asked why the fam ily planning project should be MCHbased. He replied: *’If you analyze the most impor tant leading causes of ill health, the di seases and complaints, you will find they are related to the mothers and children who form 70 per cent of the population.” □ PROGRESS REPORT □ Jake Espino The Government THE REPUBLIC Participate in the metrication drive THE metric system is now seeping into the mainstream of our national life. Proof of this is that in a span of three years since the adoption of the metric system as the sole standard of weights and measures, a number of our industries have already gone metric. For instance, commodities like sugar, rice, fish, vegetables and fruits are now sold by the kilo. Responsible for the significant head way in the metrication drive is the Metric System Board (MSB) which was created by Presidential Decree No. 187 issued on May 10, 1973 and amended by PD No. 748. The amended decree requires, among others, the full use of the metric system starting January 1, 1977. But the success thus far achieved by the MSB is still far from the desired goal. This is not entirely unexpected considering that the shift to the metric system involves a change in the old ways of doing things, the traditional practices in measurements. For it is a fact that the transition period in metrication, just like all other transition periods in volved in change, may entail difficulties. Most of these difficulties, however, are economic. For instance, while standard ization of product sizes is required for real metrication, this cannot be done for all commodities at the same time be cause of the huge investment required to purchase new machinery, equipment, instruments, parts and supplies calib rated in metric units. And besides, the government can not just order the producers and manu facturers to junk their machineries and equipment not calibrated in metric units for the sake of metrication. To do so Would amount to stuniii'4' ^&£Kuevelopment efforts. Despite these odds, the MSB has creditably performed compared to other countries which are also shifting to the metric system, according to Vicente Coloso, Metrication Program director. Accomplishments. Coloso cites the following accomplishments of the MSB since it launched the metrication drive in 1973: 1. Completed the basic and tech nical definition of what constitute the metric system, the primary or base units, derived units and supplementary units, requisite complements for the enforce ment of weights and measures. 4. The draft of a Presidential Decree/Executive Order on legal metrology has been completed and now being re viewed for submission to the authorities. It provides the rules and regulations pertaining to the usage of the metric system and weights and measures, in cluding the enforcement machinery and penalties. 5. Informational and Educational activities have been undertaken including orientation seminars, workshops, indus try dialogues, and consultations with and among government offices and pri vate parties concerned. Among these groups are the officials of the Depart ment of Education and Culture, Depart ment of National Defense, Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications, Department of Trade, Department of Health, Board of Invest ments, National Institute of Science and Technology, private university officials, faculty and students; Philip pine Standard Association; Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Iron and Steel Institute, Philippine Chamber of Industries and its committees, Gold Producers Association, Base Metals Min ing Association, Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers, Philippine As sociation of Flour Manufacturers, Phil ippine Cement Corporation, sugar in dustry, automobile manufacturing in dustry, petroleum industry, and abaca industry. 6. Metrication programs have been approved as follows: □ Weather and tide forecast and reports are already using metric units but still with English units in parenthesis during the transition period. After Jan. 1, 1977, only metric units will be used. □ Textbooks, especially those pub lished by the government are being re vised to include changes to metric units. □ Poultry feeds are now being packed in 50 kg bags. □ Abaca and other fibers are now being packed in 125 kg bales instead of the traditional 126.5 kg. bales. □ Paints, varnishes and related pro ducts are now .being packed in rational ized metric sizes. □ Wheat flour is now being packed in 50 kg bags for bulk consumers and in rationalized small packs for general use. □ Sugar is now being packed in metric sizes for retail; however, begin ning with the next year’s crop, sugar may be packed in metric sizes for wholesale purposes. □ Gasoline and other petroleum products are being sold in metric units. □ Cement will be packed in 40 kg. bags for domestic sales, instead of 94 lb bags, and in 50 kg bags for exports, beginning August 1, 1976 and to be completed by December 31, 1976. □ The automobile manufacturing assembly plants will metricate as soon as their mother companies metricate, but one local plant is already fully metric. □ In the steel bars industry, weights are already expressed in metric units. □ The gold and base metals min ing industries have already adopted the metric system for their infernal systems and procedures but in international transactions they have to abide by the system used by the importing country. □ School pads, notebooks, and supplies are now in metric sizes. Programs. The Metric System Board, on the other hand, has lined up several metrication programs, including meet ings with the food and manufacturing industries for the standardization of contents of containers of Equids, semi Equids and solid, textile industry, soft drinks industry, paper and paper pro ducts industry. Benefits. The government is aware that the adoption of the metric system, will mean an adjustment in our way of doing things particularly on matters concerning measurements. The govern ment is equaUy aware that the minor difficulties encountered in the process of metrication are nothing compared to the benefits which we could derive from the metric system among which are: 1. The metric system promotes uniformity and simpEfication of mea surements, consistency in calculations, faciEtates domestic and foreign trade, affords better protection to consumers, promotes advances in science, arts and technology and at the same time tunes the PhiEppines, on measurement, with the rest of the world, 90 percent of which are already using the metric system. 2. Students do not have to waste time, spending long hours memorizing and learning conversion tables from English to metric units, from metric to EngEsh units, from American to English, from customary to metric units. The metric system, which uses multiples of 10 and decimal points, is easier to learn and to use than any other measurement units. 3. Housewives and other consumers would find it easier to determine which product is cheaper to buy and thus be able to get more value for then peso. 4. Manufacturers, by producing more of a lesser number of product sizes, in standardized units, would be able to save on production cost and gain from the resulting economies of scale. 5. Farmers would be able to get more from their produce since with the use of metric units they would be better protected against dishonest trading prac tices and sales of their goods would be facilitated. 6. Domestic traders would be able to seE more as the products they handle are standardized, rationalized in sizes and procurement and marketing costs are reduced. Uniformity and simpEcity in measurement of products would facil itate trading. 7. Exporters would be able to seE more if their products are in standard metric sizes and they quote prices in metric terms. 8. Importers would be able to maintain and stimulate then business if they deal in products already metricized since more and more goods are being produced in metric sizes abroad. Metrication being an important na tional policy, government officials are expected to take the lead in promoting and implementing metrication in thenrespective jurisdiction. While the Board nas been created to provide the orderly shift to the metric system and to serve as the central im plementing authority, the active partici pation of aU government departments, agencies, offices and instrumentatities is necessary to be able to achieve fuU metrication. □ preparation of conversion factors and tables and the rules of style and usage of metric system or SI and related units; researches on PhiEppine laws and or ders prescribing metric system and weights and measures; establishment of contacts with international organizations concerned with SI and weights and measures; setting up the organization for metrication, including continuing re search on metrication work being un taken in other countries. 2. Standard specifications have al ready been prescribed for the local manufacture of commercial metric weights and measures Eke weighing scales for general purposes, steel scales for engineers, various tape measures, surveying chains, traders’ buEion and carat weights, capacity measures, medi cine glasses, dispensing measures for pharmaceutical purposes, kitchen mea suring spoons and measures, catibrating measures for liquids, graduated measur ing cylinders. These physical standard devices are necessary for (he practical, commercial appEcation of the metric system. These are the instruments by which commodities, materials and pro ducts are to be measured in metric units for production and trading. 3. Determination and listing of the necessary laboratory equipment, instru ments and other specific facitities which have to be procured and maintained by which commercial weights and measures may be tasted periodicaUy for accuracy. Estimated to cost about US$4 miltion, these equipment including reference, secondary and working standards are A pocket guide to metrication Volume or Capacity English Units Length inch foot yard mile (statute, land) mile (nautical, international) Area square inch square foot square yard acre 'square mile Metric Equivalent cubic ihch cubic foot Cubic yard 16.387 cubic centimeters 0.028 cubic meter 0.765 cubic meter 2.54 centimeters 0.3048 meter 0.9144 meter 1.609 kilometers 1.852 kilometers Liquid Measure fluid ounce Weight 29.573 milliliters 0.473 liter 0.946 liter 3.785 liters 6.4516 square centimeters 929.030 square centimeters 0.836 square meter 4.047 square meters 2.590 square kilometers ounce pound ton (short) ton (long) 64.79891 milligrams 1.772 grams 28.350 grams 453.59237 grams 0.907 metric ton (1,000 kilograms) 1.016 metric tons THE REPUBLIC i The Government 1-15 August 1976 13 PRIMER □ Delfin Sd. Perez What is the Land Bank? A home for all of us THE great concern of the govern ment in assuring the continued via bility of the land reform program is reflected in the growing strength of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), a government corporation created by Re public Act No. 3844, as amended. The LBP has now an authorized capital ol P3 billion, and a total paid-up capital ol P873 million (as of end 1975), a fai cry from its miniscule funding before the proclamation of martial law. The basic functions of the LBP are: □ To provide timely and adequate support to the implementation of the agrarian reform program in all its phases; and □ To administer agricultural guar antee funds. The LBP is intimately involved in three stages of the land reform program: 1) the transfer of agricultural land from landowners to the tenant-farmers; 2) the diversion of landlord capital to industry or other productive projects; and 3) the creation of a strong and viable economic structure in agriculture conducive to greater productivity and higher farm incomes. Administration. The LBP is headed by a seven-man Board of Directors with representatives from both the govern ment and the private sectors. Only gov ernment representatives have as yet been appointed. They are: chairman, Finance Secretary Cesar E. A. Virata; vice-chair man and president, Basilio Estanislao; and ex-officio members-Labor Secre tary Blas F. Ople and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado F. Estrella. Land Transfer. The landowner has a wide range of payment modes to choose from when the government steps in to arrange transfer of ownership to the tenants. The land transfers are fi nanced by the LBP through two methods; □ The tenant-farmers pay the land owners directly in 15 equal yearly amort izations at 6 percent interest annually, with the LBP guaranteeing the payment of amortizations. □ The LBP, instead of the tenants, pays the landowner compensation for the land; the LBP takes charge of col lecting the yearly amortizations from the tenants. In the latter case, the landowner can choose from a number of payment methods: 1) Cash payment of 10 percent and balance in 25-year, tax-free 6-percent Land Bank bonds; 2) Payment of 30-percent in pre ferred shares of stocks issued by the Bank, the balance in 25-year LBP bonds; In addition to these modes of pay ment, President Ferdinand E. Marcos has issued Letter of Instruction No. 273 providing for the adoption of another mode of payment as an additional op tion for small landowners. In accordance with this LOI, landowners, whose total tenanted rice and/or corn landholdings are less than 24 hectares, may choose to get paid by the Land Bank in cash equi valent to 20% of the cost of the land and the balance payable in 25-year taxfree 6% LB Bonds. Besides the bigger cash payment, small landowners are also entitled to the following benefits: □ Additional cash payment or loans at low interest rate. The small landowner may get an additional 10% cash payment, over and above the 20% he has received, if the additional cash payment will be used for any of the fol lowing purposes: education, the secu rity of his children’s future, such as insurance, or housing. □ Collateral. On the other hand, if the landowner does not want to avail of the additional cash payment but de cides instead to secure a loan from the Bank for investment purposes, he may borrow at a low 10% interest rate using his LB Bonds as collateraL □ Tax Exemption. Payment by the Land Bank to the landowner is LB President Basilio Estanislao exempted from the capital gains tax; the interest that shall accrue on the bonds is exempted from income tax. For the landowner, LBP’s assistance in shifting landlord capital to industry and other production endeavors consist of a variety of financial as well as tech nical assistance to help him identify, develop, establish and manage produc tive and profitable projects or businesses in fields of investment high in the prior ity of the government, as well as expand already existing ones. For the farmer-beneficiary, LBP’s assistance is two-pronged: 1) Provide the farmer with finan cial as well as technical support aimed at increasing his farm production; and 2) Help him set up small or med ium-scale projects, such as cottage in dustries, livestock raising or some other off-farm venture, which shall augment his income from traditional sources (rice or corn production). At present, the LBP administers two sets of guarantee funds, namely: 1. A guarantee fund created by contributions from the GSIS, SSS, USAID-NEDA and the national government which is now being used to guarantee agricultural production loans granted by PNB and rural banks under the supervised credit scheme (notably the Masagana 99 Pro gram); and 2. A guarantee fund created by R.A. No. 6390 now being used to guarantee loans granted by PNB and ru ral banks for corn, sorghum and other feedgrain production programs and med ium and long-term loans granted by ru ral banks and stock savings and loan as sociations to the beneficiaries of the land reform program and to shipping boat operators, under the third CBIBRD rural credit program. Through its guarantee operations, the LBP encourages lending institutions to grant to farmer-beneficiaries agricul tural production loans to help them in crease their productive capacity as well as medium and long-term loans to, among other purposes, facilitate the mechanization of farms. Through these guarantee operations, the LBP sees to it that the farmer-beneficiaries get the financial support they need to increase Land Bank headquarters: servicing former tenants and landowners. THE almost forgotten dream of Presi dent Quezon’s vision of a govern ment center will soon be realized with the revival of the plan to put up a Na tional Government Center. President Marcos, recently after meeting with gov ernment planners, has urged the early completion of said plans. Under this plan, the physical structures of the Gov ernment Center will express the spirit and courage of the men and women of this generation that have made this age “An Age of New Beginnings”. With the construction of the Na tional Government Center, walking from one government office to another will become a pleasant experience—what with the parks and green open spaces near and around the government buildings. This Government Center is neces sary for the following reasons: 1. To help promote efficiency, economy and responsiveness in public administration; 2. To provide a desirable working environment, conducive to promoting the above desirable policy objectives; 3. To increase the opportunities for sharing relevant experience and ex pertise ; 4. To promote friendly competi tion in the areas of improving service and upgrading of skill and competence; and 5. To solve the problem arising from the present irrational distribution of government offices. For reasons of security and support systems, there shall be more than one site for the Government Center to lead to a balanced development. A thorough and comprehensive study was made of their productivity and improve their in come. A Unique Bank. Strictly speaking, LBP is not a commercial bank. Neither is it a development bank, a savings bank nor an investment house. It is a unique the implications for Metro Manila, and the nation, of placing the center in two sites. The proposed design is viewed in the context of a national planning frame and a metro-local planning frame. Based on the data collected, the functional and transactional relationships between the different government agencies are established. A clustering concept is used to create stronger unity and to give dis tinct character for the design. This would save space, facilitate communica tion, and encourage cooperation among government agencies. Under this con cept, seven departments which are pol icy-making agencies will be grouped to gether in one area, while fourteen de partments which are implementing agen cies will be in another area. Construc tion of government offices out of down town Manila is designed to decongest the area and to help ease the traffic problem. Under this plan, the proposed sites are: Quezon City, where the im plementing agencies will be placed and the Manila-Cavite Coastal Reclamation Area, for the policy-making agencies. The uncomplicated transactional procedures and easily accessible services is synonymous with an effective ser vice-oriented government. Public orient ed services will be located where they will be most accessible to facilitate bus iness transactions. This Government Center, designed to be an administrative and political center for the Filipino people, will pro ject a strong national image—the cre ativeness, strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit. For the Filipino, it is a symbol of his nation, and for all, a symbol of the Philippines. □ financial institution with very special objectives. Nevertheless, it is empowered to perform operations that normally are performed only by the aforemen tioned financial institutions. This simply means that LBP is em powered to: extend loans; accept de mand, savings and time deposits; accept deposit substitutes-which is simply another form of borrowing from the public, just like deposits-and to re-lend the funds generated thereby; to engage in the financing of imports and exports; to perform other international banking transactions; to engage in trust opera tions; and to engage in other similar financial operations. To assist tenant-farmers increase their production or augment their in come, LBP grants them or their coopera tives loans for production, marketing and processing. It also helps in the identification and financing of small industrial or business projects. Its financial operations enable LBP to generate the funds needed, in addi tion to government capitalization, to meet the massive financing requirements of the agrarian reform program. The generation of income enables it to main tain solvency and to operate as a viable, self-sustaining financial institution. □ 14 1-15 August 1976 Viewpoints THE REPUBLIC CONCLUSION □ i Today Began Yesterday1 by Leon Ma, Guerrero I cannot escape the sense that events, the thrust of history, and even the will of the people somehow guided my hand to the deed. - Ferdinand E. Marcos I T was to this pass that the Filipino nation had been driven by historical forces when President Marcos placed the whole country under martial law. It is be yond dispute that he had the authority, if not in deed the constitutional duty, to do so under the 1935 Constitution wliich provided for such a proc lamation in case of invasion, insurrection, rebellion, or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety required it. That there was more than imminent danger, that in fact there was actual insurrection, there can be no doubt; the Supreme Court explicitly so found in a series of cases questioning the previous suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. It was the insurrection organized and fought by the New People’s Army, the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, restored and revitalized by the young Maoists. That there was imminent danger of rebellion was established beyond doubt when a few days after the proclamation an armed Muslim secessionist move ment broke out in the southern islands of Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu archipelago which is still continuing. That the public safety required the imposition of martial law, over and beyond the suspension of habeas, corpus, was a question which the Constitu tion left to the judgment of one man, the President; and that his judgment was not totally unreasonable was persuasively established by the Muslim rebellion. The very integrity of the Republic was at stake. And that the public safety required the proc lamation of martial law not only in the southern is lands but throughout the Republic was again a not wholly unreasonable judgment of the President. There were at the time 145 so-called private armies, and various criminal smuggling and murder “syndicates”, throughout the length and breadth of the country, armed with over half-a-million illegally held wea pons. Thousands of activist students roamed the streets of the capital, challenging the constituted au thorities and threatening to sack and burn the Presi dential palace itself. The captured “Regional Program of Action 1972” of the New People’s Army, and the discovery and interception of the Digoyo Point landing, perhaps not the first or the last, of a signifi cant quantity of foreign arms, ammunition and mil itary equipment indicated that the Communist insur rection was entering a new and decisive stage. Subsequently, the President would offer a more elaborate and persuasive account based on se cret intelligence reports not previously made avail able for obvious reasons. He was to contend, in brief, that the inescapable inference from these reports was that the Communists, the “oligarchs” and the “right ists”—apparently a group of retired generals—had been conspiring, each for their own ends, to eli minate him either by forcing him to resign or by as sassinating him. The details of the murder plot or plots were not revealed, but that they were not sheer fancy was shown later by an attempt to kill his wife at a public function. In the alternative, the forced resignation would have been brought about by increasingly uncontrollable disorder, fed and fo mented by student riots, in reality to be financed by the “oligarchs” and spearheaded by the Communists, but to be attributed to the President himself and the leaders of the armed forces, who were to be exposed as contriving enough “incidents” to justify the im position of martial law. In the chaos that would follow assassination or resignation, each group of conspirators would reach out for total power, either singly or in tempo rary and opportunistic alliance with the others, and impose its own version of “martial law”. At the out set the retired generals, the “oligarchs” and the op position politicians, would seize power on the pre text of restoring law and order. Thereafter, as the opportunity arose, the Communists in turn would seek to overthrow this fascist dictatorship to estab lish a people’s republic. The scenario was civil war, with the Muslim separatists going their own way in the southern islands. In such a war normal constitu tional guarantees and processes would have been, in any case, meaningless. For all that, the proclamation of martial law was essentially a temporary measure, and the Presi dent was to go much further; the Convention had drafted, as has been noted, a Constitution instituting a parliamentary form of government, with a Prime Minister elected by and responsible to a unicameral National Assembly, which would replace the bicam eral Congress. Before the latter could convene as scheduled on 22 January 1973, the President submit ted the new 1973 Constitution for approval by the people, not by secret ballot in a plebiscite among the registered voters, but in “citizens’ assemblies” not envisioned either in the 1935 Constitution or in the electoral code. In the event, the Congress failed to convene, and the Supreme Court, for its part, refus ed to interfere in what it considered to be a political act rather than a justiciable question, and declared in a resolution that “there is no further judicial ob stacle to the new Constitution being considered in force and in effect.” Thus in the context of events, the declaration of martial law was more than “a simple police ac tion”, the protection of the status quo; it entailed a much greater responsibility than the restoration of public order: “that enormous responsibility, one that could not be shirked, was laying the foundations of an entirely new society.” It had been attempted be fore. Mabini had hopefully announced a new “True Decalogue”. The Japanese had imposed a “New Or der”. The Communists had promised a “New Dem ocracy”. What was this “New Society”? Its progenitor had envisioned it as “a revolu tion from the center, in sum, a democratic revolu tion” whereby in effect the government itself be came revolutionary in order to forestall and compete with the “Marxist-Jacobin” revolution that sought to overthrow the existing order by violence and replace it with a dictatorship of the proletariat. The old so ciety was “the social and political elite manipulating ... a precarious democracy of patronage, privilege and personal aggrandizement” in “a political culture which was populist, personalist and individualist in orientation.” The new society, under a regime of “constitutional authoritarianism”, would “democra tize wealth” and discipline the “oligarchs”. It would redress the grievances of “the rebellion of the poor” by freeing them from bondage to the landlords, and giving land to the landless, and jobs to the jobless through the honest and efficient husbanding of the country’s resources. To achieve this, it would put an end to the old “politics of conflict”, and to the “vertical view” of society, making it “authentically human”. It would reform the entire political system through the “participatory democracy” of citizens’ assemblies where the old inequalities of wealth and influence, and the discriminations against the young and the illiterate, would no longer be available, and where demagogues would no longer be able to “mis lead and manipulate” the popular wilL Obviously, even the new Constitution, with its mainly structural changes in the machinery of gov ernment, was insufficient for this. Pondering over Walter Lippmann’s distinction between The People and The People “as a community of the entire living population, with their predecessors and successors”, and Edmund Burke’s view of The People as “con nected generations of persons joined in partnership” not only “between those who are living” but also with “those who are dead and those who are to be born”, the President asked the meaning of the term, “The People of the Philippines”, as it was used in proclaiming the Constitution. “The framers of our present (1935) Constitu tion were certainly not drafting it for the interest of those who ratified it at a specific period in history. If they were, the whole charter would have been so particular that it would have lost its validity right after it was made. Nor is the present (1971) Constitution al Convention meant to consider only the interests of The People as voters, as masses, or even all of the people at this time in history, for (at) this very hour, this majority, the masses, and the entire people are changing: many are dying and many are (.being) bom. And it is certainly anomalous to say that The People of the Constitution are whatever people there may be at the time of its ratification. Constitutions are changed not only because of new social, econom ic, or political conditions, but because the interests of The People cannot be anticipated for all time. “We begin to realize, then, the shortsighted ness of our approach to popular sovereignty, tne ar rogance of our self-regard, when we confine the peo ple’s interest to what we, at present, regard to be our interests. Our populist, personalist and indiv idualist culture must give way not only to collective responsibility, but beyond that to our historic res ponsibility. We, as a people, exist not only in the ur gent present but in the continuum of history. We shall live, labor and die as individuals, but as a peo ple, we are a part of that historic stream of genera tions that (is) The Filipino People . . . We do exist and die for those who will come after us, and by our actions we either serve or betray them—those coming generations which are, in their totality, The Filipino People. Nothing less than this high moral conscious ness must necessarily guide the democratic revolu tion as it reaches out for a new society.” Thus, he seemed to be saying, even Constitu tions, new and old, with their elected parliaments, prime ministers and presidents, had perforce to yield to the supreme interest of the whole people, past, present and to come. “Let constitutions founder,” Mabini might have cried with him, “and the people be saved.” □ Tai pueblo, tai gobierno. - Jose Rizal TODAY began yesterday. The Huks were tne progeny of the Katipunan, as indeed they proudly claimed to be; the-Muslim secessionists were fighting the old long war with Spain, seeking their identity in the medieval sultanate; the revulsion against the politicians, and the indifference, if not outright relief, upon the death of the Congress and the stillbirth of the New Assembly, were the culmination of a long process of disenchantment with a system of govern ment made by another people in another place for another time. If, as Rizal observed, “like people, like government,” the Filipinos had had perhaps the gov ernment they deserved, but, in another and more pertinent reading of the phrase, they would have the government they needed. A nation is its history, and the Filipinos needed and deserved a system of government shaped by the national experience, the structure of their own com munity, their own unique capacities, grievances, desires and aspirations; Their society of semi-feudal landlords and unlettered peasants, a society of ar rogant contrasts between palaces and hovels, was not the society of hardy pioneers and backwoods lawyers that had evolved the American form of representative government, which itself was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and unsatisfying for an industrialized and “affluent” society of “conspicuous consump tion”. The experience of the Filipinos with this sys tem, after it had been imposed by the colonial regime, had been of parties that were not parties but unprin cipled coalitions of the rich, the powerful and the unscrupulous; of elections that were essentially mean ingless exercises in fraud, terrorism, bribery and demagoguery; of politicians who represented no one but themselves. The people’s capacity for self-govern ment had been trapped in a political mechanism they had not learned how to work or to control, and their capacity for indignation and generosity, sacrifice and service to the country, left to wither and decay. Faced with these political realities, Quezon had advocated “partyless democracy”, and “self-restraint” in the exercise of individual liberties. The Filipinos, he exhorted, faced the task of “devising our own democratic institutions and government” Sumulong had spoken darkly of “farcical representative govern ment” under a “feared and detested oligarchy”. Laurel had ruminated wistfully about “men of super ior moral and intellectual endowments” who would exercise a “benevolent” control of the state. Long before them, Rizal and Mabini had called for “social regeneration” and an “internal revolution”, in brief, a new society. Such a society would face the task of redressing grievances that had been mocked in the past, and fulfilling desires and aspirations that remained frust rated; of redeeming the peasants from age-old bond age, and giving them the lands that the Revolution had promised; of “democratizing wealth” and enlist ing it to provide tolerable lives for the common peo ple; of assuring equal progress for all in a just society without sacrificing the workers to the technocratic goals of full and rapid development at any cost; of reconciling the basic human rights and freedoms with the requirements of national discipline and security; of devising a form of representative democracy that would enable the ordinary Filipino, in his village, farm or humble tenement, to make his voice truly heard, and his will effectively participate in the great decisions of his government. What is the alternative? □ THE REPUBLIC Viewpoir 1-15 August 1976 15 Linggo ng Wika A f ASIGLANG sinimulan ng bansa ang paggunita sa 1VL Linggo ng Wika noon ika-13 ng Agosto hang gang ika-19, ang ika-98 kaarawan ng pagsilang ng yumaong Pangulong Manuel L. Quezon, kinikilalang “ama ng Wikang Pambansa at Katarungang Panlipunan.” Sa ipinamalas na init ng paggunita, na nanguna pa ang Pangulong Marcos, na nagpakilala ng tunay na pagmamahal sa wikang Pilipino, ang katuparan sa layong pagkakaroon ng isang wika ang Pili pinas, na magagamit na tulay ng pag-uunawaan ng lahat ng Pilipino ay malapit na sa kaganapan. Tauntaon ay sumisigla ang pagdiriwang sa Linggo ng Wika, na halos ang lahat ng mayidamdaming makarbansa ay lumalahok. Ang Surian ng Wikang Pambansa, ang KAWIKA, isang pambansang samahan ng mga makawika, ang mga paaralang pribado at bayan, ang lahat ng samahang pang-wika sa loob at labas ng mga paaralan ay parang iisang tao na nagbunyi sa pag gunita ng Linggo ng Wika. Sapagkat kinikilala na ngayon ng Sambayanang Pilipino ang kahalagahan ng mga pagsasakit ng mga maka-wika sa pagtitindig ng Wikang Pambansa, salig sa Tagalog. Nagsimulang sumigla ang wikang Tagalog noong panahon ng Com monwealth, nang sa bisa ng Kautusang Tagapagpaganap na nilagdaan ng Pangulong Quezon at ibilang ang Tagalog na isa sa tatlong opisyal na wika ng Pilipinas. Sa panahon ng martial law ay lalo itong sumigla pagkaraang ang Pangulong Marcos at Kalihim Francisco Tatad ng Kagawaran ng Kabatirang Pangmadia ay magsigamit ng Wikang Pilipino sa tuwing magsasalita sila sa mga pagtitipon. Ngayon ay hindi I ) lamang sa mga kubo at bahay na dampa ginagamit ang wikang Pilipino kundi pati na rin sa malalaking •*“' tahanan. Aug Kagawaran ng Paggawa na inuugitan ni Kalihim Blas Ople ay laging nangunguna sa mga kilu sang pangwika, laluna sa lahat ng pagtitipon, opisyal at hindi, na kailangan ang tulong ng kagawaran. THE REPUBLIC Isang Bsnsa, Isang Diwa Board of Editors Chairman: Francisco S. Tatad Members Lorenzo J. Cruz, Florentino S. Dauz Managing Editor: Luis V. Ople Editorial Staff: Juanita G. Trinidad, Marcos D. Agayo, Gloria Jane Bayion, Rosalinda G. Roxas. Rowena M. Lumen, Jake T. Espino, Alma L. Diputado Art Director: Micaelita C. Almendral; Art Con sultant: Larry Z Attila; Photo Editor: Wilfredo G. Av'da, Production Manager: Marcelino N. Palisoc; Production Asristanf: Cesar B. Tablason Circulation Manager: Bruno R. Dabu. THE Repubi f€ is published fortnightly by the Department of Public Information, Malacanang, Manila, for government managers. The Editors welcome contributions of manuscripts and pho tographs which should be sent to THE REPUBLIC, BNFI, UPL Building, lntramuros, Manila. While they will take reasonable care, the Editors as sume no responsibility for the return of unsoli cited manuscripts. Entered as a second-class mail matter on March 5, 1973 at the Manila Central Post Office. ISANG BAGONG brain-child ni First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, bilang gobernadora ng Metropol itan Manila, ang dapat na suportahan ng lahat. At isagawa ito, hindi lamang sa MM kundi pad sa lahat ng dako ng bansa. Ito ay tungkol sa proyektong pagpapagawa ng bahay para sa maliliit na empleado at manggagawa ng gobyerno. Tinatawagan niya ang pribadong sektor na magpasimuno sa kapakanan naman ng kanilang mga empleyado. Halimbawa, ang maliliit na empleyado at manggagawa sa Malakanyang. Para sa kanila ay isang housing project ang ipatatayo sa An tipolo, Rizal na masasangkapan ng lahat ng kaluwagan na masusumpungan sa mga modernong komunidad. Ang mga bahay na ito ay paaakupahan sa mga empleyadong maliliit ang sahod at pauupahan nang mababa, depende sa kanilang sinasahod. Ang hakbang na ito ng First Lady ay tungo sa makatotohanang paglutas sa problems ng pabahay sa MM. Ito ang pangunahing problema ngayon sa MM na dapat na pagtuunan ng pansin ng mga kinauukulan. Sapagkat higit sa nararapat na dami ng mga dapat manirahan ang nasa MM. Kaya, ang mga pribadong sektor, laluna ang malalaking korporasyon at bahay-kalakal ay tinatawagan niya upang manguna. Ito lamang ang paraan upang mabawasan ang dami ng tao sa MM, laluna sa Maynila. Sari-saring problema ang sumisipot saanmang purok na sobra ang dami ng tao—problema sa polusyon, transportasyon, kalusugan, edukasyon, bahay-tirahan at marami pang bagay na kaugnay sa pamumuhay. Kaya naman dapat na magtulungan ang lahat ng may kaya. ISANG BAGONG mapayapang pakikidigma ang nasasaksihan ngayon sa Timog, na labis na ikinatuwa ng Peace Panel ng gobyerno. Ang bagpng sistema ng pakikidigma ng mga Muslim na nagtataguyod ng kaayusan at kapayapaan sa Mindanaw at Sulu ay tungo sa kaunlaran. Nakikipaglaban sila, hindi sa pamamagi tan ng ar mas. Ngayon, ang hawak nila ay araro at kalabaw. Nabatid ito sa ginawang pag-survey ng Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). At gumagamit pa ng makabagong sistema sa pagsasaka, kaya nakatitiyak nang malaking ani. Unti-unti, ang mga magsasakang Muslim ay namumulat na sa makabagong sistema ng pagsasaka. At nakikinig sila sa payo at tulong ng mga tekniko ng agrikultura. Sa mga magsasakang Muslim, karamihan ay nasa Kutabato, ay mahalaga na sa kanila ang nagagawang buti sa kanilang kabuhayan ng pamumuhunan ng sipag, tiyaga at pagod. Gayunman, ipinapayo pa rin ng SEARCA sa mga magsasakang Muslim na magpayaman pa ng kamulatan sa pagsasaka nang mapadali ang pagpapaunlad ng ka buhayan nila, na bahagi rin ng pambansang kaunlaran. MARAMI ang nagsasabi, laluna yaong mga maibigin sa katahimikan, na malaki ang naitulong ng martial law sa tinatamasang biyaya ng kalakhan. Sa panahong ito natuklasan nang maraming malikhaing isip ang mabibisang di-karaniwang paraan sa pagpapalaki ng ani sa agrikultura at industriya. Napagbago ang kaisi pan ng maraming kabataan na noon ay alipin ng aktibismo. Ngayon ay masusugid na silang kawal ng kabutihan na pangunang layon ng Bagong Lipunan. Kapuri-puri ang ginagawa ng Kabataang Barangay sa paghahayag ng mga katiwaliang ginagawa ng mga kilala atlitawna tao. Sila rin ang may kagagawan sa pagkilos ng mga pinuno ng gobyerno upang usigin ang mga cocktail lounge, bar, sauna bath, bilyaran, bahay aliwan at iba pang libangan na malalapit sa mga gusali ng paaralan. Sa panahon ng martial law nagkaroon ng mga bagong kaibigang bansa, sumigla ang kalakalan, at marami ang umunlad ang kabuhayan, laluna yaong mga namumuhunan ng sipag, punyagi at pagpapakasakit Anupa’t sa panahon ng martial law natuklasan ng marami ang kanilang sarili at ang katotohanan, na ang gutom ay madaling digmain sa pamamagitan ng sipag at punyagi, na kalangkap ang pagkilala sa naga gawang bisa ng disiplina sa pambansang kaunlaran. NAKIKITA na ang malaking tagumpay ng gobyerno sa kampanya nito sa paghimok sa mga rebeldeng Mus lim upang magbalik sa lupi ng batas at tumulong sa pagpapaunlad ng pambansang ekonomiya. Ang tagum pay, ipinakikilala sa pagbabalik-loob sa gobyerno ng LETTERS Dear Sir: We acknowledge with appreciation v. 1 no. 7 of The Republic. This is a useful pubheation for our program. May I request that you send us one copy of v. 1 nos. 1-6? We would like a complete run. In this way, we can bind each volume when it is completed. Please let us continue receiving your excellent publication. DQNNV. HART Director Center for Southeast Asian Studies Northern Illinois University Dear Sir: We wish to bring to your attention the northern most island-province of the Philippine archipelago, Batanes. The Department of Public Information Region 2 has special concern for this province because of its isolation and consequently its apparent want for a reHable source of relevant information for enlighten ment While the province receives newspapers only twice a week, it can monitor only some Manila-based broadcast stations for up-dated information. We were able to establish a Development In formation and Assistance Center (DIAC) in Basco, Batanes to serve the development information needs of the province. Since our main concern is the timeliness and relevance of information disseminated, may we re quest that you send at least 200 copies of the Repub lic directly to DIAC, Basco, Batanes which will take charge of its distribution to pubhc officials. This proposed procedure may help minimize delay and expense in the distribution of this prestigious develop ment information paper. As of now the course of distribution is from Manila to Tuguegarao, then back to Manila to Batanes. We sincerely wish you can accommodate this request for the good of the people of Batanes. ALIPIO C. PAGULAYAN, JR. Chief, Information Section Department of Public Information Region 2 Tuguegarao, Cagayan may 1,120 rebelde sa Lanao del Sur, ay utang sa matataas na pinuno ng rebeldeng Muslim, sa mga tauhan ng AFP, sa Peace Panel ng gobyerno at kay dating Kongresista Muhammad Ali Dimaporo na nga yon ay gobernador ng nasabing lalawigan. Ang pamamaraang ginagamit ng mga kinauukulang ito ay itinuturing na positibong pakikitungo sa mga Muslim ng matataas na pinunong militar, sa pangunguna ni Koronel Emilio Luga, pangkalahatang komander ng brigada ng AFP at Ten. Kor. Demasunong Macabuat Kasama sa bagong pakikitungo nina Gobernador Dimaporo ang paglalaan ng permanenteng lugar para sa mga sumusukong rebelde, na ang lawak ay Ubu-Hbong iktarya ng basal na lupain. Ang layon ay mapadali ang rehabilitasyon ng mga rebeldeng ito na nagpasiya nang tumalikod sa pamumundok. Sa rehabilitasyon ng mga rebelde ay kasamang nagtataguyod ang kagawaran ng kagalingang panlipunan at iba pang pangkat na may malaking malasakit sa paghahari ng kapayapaan sa timog. □ Not So Funny - Larry Alcala FOREIGN POLICY □ Marcos Agayo Toward ASEAN solidarity Code of Conduct THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was organized to provide its members with a stronger base for attaining common goals including economic development and promotion of peace. Philippine involvement in the ASEAN is premised on this principle stated by President Marcos: “National problems call for national solutions, but in the world in which we Eve, many problems cannot be solved in a purely national context. We have to reach out into the larger world and seek forms of cooperation with other countries con ducive to the attainment of our goals.” The Philippines does not of course measure its involvement in A SEAN pure ly by national standards since ASEAN operates on “mutuaUy advantageous re lationships.” How do Philippine objectives tie in with those of ASEAN? First, the Phil ippine “policy of nonalliance” fits into the ASEAN declaration of establishing a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality in Southeast Asia. Second, the Filipinos’ efforts to forge national unity are but tressed by ASEAN’s principles of “selfdetermination, sovereign equality and noninterference in the national affairs of nations”. Third, Philippine economic development programs—like export pro motion, diversification of production, market expansion-are being fulfilled by ASEAN’s declaration “to broaden the complementarity of their respective economies!’ A Southeast Asian zone of peace, neutrality and freedom and ASEAN eco nomic complementarity would help solve the regional problems of poverty, hunger, disease and iUiteracy. Strength of ASEAN sobdarity. From 1967 when the ASEAN was form ed until recently, the ASEAN went through “nine years of self-enriching experience”. During this period, the members became acquainted with each other’s national problems, the limitations of their speculations from each other, and the problems of national sec urity as affected by the shifting power balance in the region. Now, ASEAN has these uniting fac tors: a) “The leaders have shown that they respect the national sovereignty and independence of each state;” b) “They have ameliorated bilateral dis putes between themselves;” c) The mem bers have, through the Bali Summit last February, “the necessary political will (for cooperation)”. During the summit, a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and an ASEAN Declaration of Concord were signed. The Treaty of Amity and Coopera tion, according to Carlos P. Romulo, “lays down the principles as well as the modalities for achieving regional peace, harmony and stability.” (It) formalizes the (the ASEAN’s) determination to solve possible intra-regional disputes wholly and solely through peaceful means . . . Furthermore, the treaty em phasizes the need for national and re gional resilience as an indispensable ins trument in meeting the complex and rapid changes in the region and in Asia.” The Declaration of ASEAN Con cord, on the other hand, lays down in realistic perspective the objectives of ASEAN cooperation embodied in the first ASEAN declarations at Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. It also “confers legitimacy on (ASEAN’s) cautious and tentative efforts at cooperation in the political field.” Economic Cooperation. Embodied in the Declaration of ASEAN Concord is a provision for economic complemen tarity. The idea behind economic com plementarity, according to Carlos P. Romulo, is that “no single country in. the region is capable at this stage of establishing economies of scale, but on a regional basis, we can.” In pursuit of the complementation scheme, these in dustrial projects have been aUocated: a) Sec. C.P. Romulo: formalizing the determination to solve disputes* a urea plant in Indonesia and Malaysia; b) a superphosphates plant in the Philippines; c) a diesel engine plant in Singapore; d) a soda ash plant in Thailand. Most of the ongoing and projected activities of the ASEAN belong to the economic, trade, and industry areas. A noteworthy development is the accept ance by the World Employment Con ference of the ASEAN labor ministers’ stand on a “basic needs strategy”. This strategy means that “the creation of an adequate level of productive and remu nerative employment should be given the highest priority in drawing up devel opment objectives”. It also means that economic growth should be measured through amount of employment gene rated which promotes more equitable distribution of income. Some other major developments in the economic, trade, and industrial areas are: a) the adoption by the PhUippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand of a liberal exchange rule where transfer of funds to and from these countries are no longer restrictive. This means that residents of the four countries can in vest freely in any of the countries; b) the call by the economic ministers for a regional investment code to strengthen ASEAN bargaining leverage in dealingwith foreign companies; c) the caU for an agency in each member country’s labor ministry to attend to matters of social concern and assist a regional body that wiE take charge of information ex change on labor; d) ratification of the the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and of the agreement establishing the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta. The ASEAN may eventually estabEsh a common market depending on the achievement of high and viable levels of development and complimentation, ac cording to Industry Secretary Vicente T. Patemo. The Ninth ASEAN Ministerial Meet ing held ,in Manila endorsed all ongoing and projected ASEAN activities. It also boosted the ASEAN economic program further by calling for the speeding up of projects in transportation and telecom munications, civil air transport, air traf fic services, metereology, and shipping. Other positive steps taken to im plement the ASEAN Concord were the signing of two declarations: a) the ASEAN Declaration of Principles to Combat the Abuse of Narcotic Drugs, which aims at intensifying cooperation among the ASEAN members and be tween ASEAN and other international bodies in the prevention and eradication of drug trafficking and abuse; b) the ASEAN Declaration for Mutual Assis tance on Natural Disasters, which pro vides for the extension of relief assistance to a member country in dis tress by the other member countries. These declarations had been projected since 1972. The problem of reorganizing the ASEAN did not go beyond taking note of the report on reorganization since continuation on some issues, like the regrouping of the permanent commit tees, remain. The ninth ministerial conference demonstrated that the A SEAN has reach ed the take-off stage of soEd coopera tion. Its concrete output, however, is largely confined to the economic argu ments. But poHtical harmony was, of course, given a boost with the establish ment of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. The big problem is political harm ony with the other Southeast Asian nations-not necessarily harmonization of political philosophy but pohtical ac commodation. In deaEng with this prob lem, ASEAN has avoided any ideological or security commitments that would in vite opposition from the Asian Com munist powers. Instead, the members now deal with Communist insurgency on a bilateral basis Presently, big power interference is a major obstacle in ASEAN relations with the Indo-China nations. A formula, as suggested by Carlos P. Romulo, is “the estabEshment of a system of coun tervailing forces acting in reciprocal deterrence. Given the numerous and varied interests, many of which inter sect and cut across one another, the possibility exists that eventually a natural balance will emerge among the great powers in the region”. Peaceful, not destructive, competition, in short A balance of power or, as officiaHy sought by ASEAN, a Southeast Asian zone of peace, freedom and neutraEty. A noted observer, however, says that it will be difficult to get the big powers to jointly agree on a'neutral zone in the region; so, it is perhaps more practicable to establish treaties of nonaggression with each of the big powers. □ ANY PERSON IN THE SERVICE OF THE REPUBLICOFTHE PHILIPPINES SHOULD: I. Respect and uphold the Consti tution and laws of the Republic of the Philippines. II. Observe the highest standard of morality, integrity, honesty, loyalty and devotion to the public welfare. III. Perform his tasks thoroughly, faithfully and efficiently. IV. Be physically and mentally fit for public service and live within his income. V. Expose corrupt practices in the public service without fear or favor. VI. Serve the public courteously, justly and impartially regardless of kin ship, friendship, social standing, religious or political difference. VII. Discharge duties promptly without thought of gifts, benefits or any remuneration which may influence the proper performance of official func tions. VIII. Engage in no business with the government or with any private party, either directly or indirectly, which will be inconsistent with his position * > as a public servant. IX. Divulge no confidential infor mation coming to him by the nature of his office or duties. X. Uphold, respect and observe these principles, ever conscious that pub lic office is a public trust which he should neither violate, nor should he allow suspicion to arise that such trust has been abused or betrayed. A soldier's code I. I AM A FILIPINO SOLDIER. I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. II. I AM A FILIPINO SOL DIER. I WILL FIGHT ALL FORC ES THAT WOULD DESTROY THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE. III. I AM A FILIPINO SOL DIER. I WILL OBEY THE LAWS, LEGAL ORDERS AND DECREES OF MY LAWFUL SUPERIORS AT ALL TIMES. IV. I AM A FILIPINO SOL DIER. I WILL UPHOLD THE SU PREMACY OF CIVILIAN AU THORITY OVER THE MILITARY IN WAR OR IN PEACE. V. I AM A FILIPINO SOL DIER. I WILL LIVE AND DIE IN THE TRUE FILIPINOTRADITION OF VALOR AND HONOR, DUTY AND LOYALTY. TO ALL THESE, I PLEDGE MY LIFE, MY TREASURE AND MY SACRED HONOR.