On Additional Expenses and Arbitrary Fees: Tablet PC's for Everyone!

I find it interesting that my alma mater, La Salle Green Hills, will be issuing tablet PC's to students and parents who aren't willing to carry heavy books on a daily basis. It is brought by the fact that students are prone to health risks when they constantly carry heavy loads. Hence the simple logic of having everything needed for academics in an all-in-one gadget. However, cheaper and more efficient alternatives can be pursued. Alternatives which can tackle not just the initial problem but the several other problems as well.

Perhaps it is about time for the institution to review their curriculum and study the required materials need for each subject. Quite frankly, in 10 books, only 60% percent are used regularly. The rest of the materials aren't used by the students. Instead of having the students buy 2 books which contain the subject's coverage, why not search for a book which can cover the whole subject? Also, by reducing the number materials needed, you also reduce the overall weight which is being carried by the student. In addition to that, you lessen the parent's expenses by a few hundreds or thousands giving them more money for other academic expenses such as uniforms, transportation allowance, baon and etc.

Personal lockers are already available by the time the students reach Grade 3. Why not encourage the students to properly utilize their lockers in order for them to lessen their load? Remind them that their lockers are there for their books. Not for their garbage, notices of low scores, violation reports, pornography and etc (something which I admit am guilty of).

Each tablet costs P14,500 per unit. In addition to that, students who will be purchasing the unit will need to pay for the e-books which they will be using for that year. That is if the publishers will be charging for their copyright. Which they surely will. Also, transferring written material into e-format will also cost some money. I am extremely doubtful that the publishing company will be willing to cover the expenses. Hence, extra amount per material will be charged in order to cover the processing expenses. I will not be surprised if an additional P3000 (more or less) will be charged to the students. Obviously, this will cost more than the regular P5000-P6000 which we pay for every year.

An iPad rip-off costs roughly P2500-P4000 per unit. How much do you think it will cost if you buy it from the source (some factory in China most probably) at wholesale? Judging by the picture shown on the article, the tablets which will be issued to the students are very similar. Look, I understand that private schools are a business and consumers are willing to pay extreme amounts of money for an "exclusive" education. But seriously, P14,500 for a generic tablet? I could buy a netbook for that amount. Something which is more functional.

Annually, students and their parents are being charged with arbitrary fees. Besides the extremely expensive tuition fee, misc fees, developmental fees and other fees are being added. Fees which supposedly pay for the school's management, maintenance and operational expenses. Add the tablet pc plus the other expenses attached to it and you greatly increase the amount needed to cover the student's educational cost. Parents will be paying an estimated P100,000+ per child. Lunch money, transportation allowance and other necessary expenses aren't added to the equation.

Though I am not entirely against La Salle Green Hills' new project, I feel that there are alternatives which can be taken in order to create an environment conducive to learning and progress. Don't get me wrong. Mahal ko ang LSGH. Hence my sincere wanting for it to improve and at the same time lessen the Students' and Parents' financial burden.

Ang Mamatay ng Dahil sa Iyo

Dahil sa pamahalaan, buhay na naman ang naging kapalit ng kanyang kakulangan. Tatlong Pilipino ang binitay sa Tsina dahil sa kanilang paglabag sa batas nito. Isa na naman itong pangyayaring dulot ng lantarang pagkawalang bahala ng ating pamahalaan sa isang pangkalahatang perspektibo.

Ngunit ating isipin, hindi lamang ang buhay ng tatlong ito ang napaglaruan. Sa katunayan, sa pangaraw-araw na pangyayari, buhay nating lahat ang napaglalaruan ng mga kakaunting indibidwal na naguusad ng kanilang mga pansariling interes.

Marahil ay dapat nating palakasin ang panawagang ayusin ang mga karapatan ng mga OFW. Hindi tago sa ating lahat na maraming karahasang nangyayari sa mga kababayan nating nagtra-trabaho sa ibang bansa. Mula dito sa Pilipinas hanggang sa mga amo nilang dayuhan. Na ang kanilang ikabubuti at isinasantabi kapalit ng salaping para sa kanila, ay makakatulong sa mga pamilya nilang nandito sa Pilipinas. Ang nangyari sa tatlong binitay sa Tsina ay isang konkretong halimbawa sa kung saan ay hindi binabantayan ng pamahalan ang mga taong lumalabas sa Pilipinas upang manilbihan sa ibang bayan.

Sino ang mga recruiter ng mga ito? Paano sila nagkaroon ng droga na ayon sa balita, ay kanilang dinala sa Tsina. Paano sila naging mga "drug mule"? Hindi ba't responsibilidad ito ng POEA at ibang sangay ng pamahalaan na may kinalaman sa mga OFW? Na bago pa man makalabas ng Pilipinas ang mga ito, at maski sila ma'y nasa ibang bansa na, ay mabantay ang mga ito? Malinaw sa kasong ito ang matinding kakulangan ng kasalukuyang sistema. Ngayong malinaw na ang mga butas at gusot (na sa aking paniniwala ay dati nang mga problema), ano na ang mga lohikal at rasyonal na hakbang na gagawin upang sulosyonan ang mga suliraning ito?

Higit sa lahat, ano ang dahilan at kinailangan nilang gawin ang mga ito? Bakit pa nila kailangang lumabas ng Pilipinas upang maghanap ng trabaho na magbibigay ng sapat o higit na sahod upang buhayin ang kanilang mga pamilya?

Sabi nila, ang OFW ang bagong bayani. Na sa kanilang pagsisikap at sakripisyo, hindi lamang ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya ang kanilang natutustusan. Tinutulungan din nila ang bayan. Ngunit, nababahala ako sa konsepto ng "OFW, bagong bayani". Nababahala sa kadahilanang ang ideyang ito ay nagagamit ng pamahalaan sa mahusay na paraan upang ikondisyon ang mga tao na manilbihan sa ibang bansa. Na kahit ano pa man ang trabaho nila sa mga ito, paguwi nila sa Pilipinas, ay bayani ang turing sa kanila.

Bakit kailangan palakasin ng pamahalaan ng ideyang ito? Bakit kailangan niyang hikayatin ang mga mamayan? Dahil ba sa kakulangan nitong makapagbigay ng trabaho na makakapagbigay ng sapat na suporta para sa mga pamilya ng bawat Pilipino? Tinatanggap na ba ng ating pamahalaan ang kanilang kakulangan, ngunit ginagawan ng solusyon sa maling paraan? Hindi nito ginagamot ang malubhang karamdaman. Kung baga sa malaking sugat, first aid lang ang ginawa. Pagkatapos ay bahala na.

Ang naging sakripisyo ng tatlong Pilipino at ng kanilang mga pamilya ay hindi dapat mapasawalang bahala na lamang. Ang pangyayaring ito ay isang malinaw na halimbawa ng kakulangan ng ating pamahalaan. Isang kakulangan na dapat nitong gampanan. Ngunit, tulad ng mga isyung nangdaan, dahan-dahan itong makakalimutan. Ating palakasin ang panawagang ayusin ang kasalukyang sistema.

Ilang OFW pa ba ang kailangang bitayin? Ilang tao pa ba ang kailangan magdusa, maghirap o kaya'y mamatay dahil sa kakulangan ng pamahalaan? Ang kanila bang mga karanasan ay muling kalilimutan?

No, Mr. President. Fare Hikes Aren't "For the Good of the People."

JUST IN: Due to collective action, the LRT/MRT Fare hike is currently postponed.

How can the Filipino people respect a leader who favors anti-poor policies? Similar to his predecessors, his current activities and decisions are contradictory to his promise of good governance and pro-poor policies. Simply put, he promised to be our "boss".

However, the question is, are we really his "boss"?

It seems as though his decisions have been catered to accommodate the interests of private corporations and  other entities who are interested in maintaining the very oppressive status quo. If this is the case, then it clearly shows that we aren't his "boss".

Effective March 1, 2011, LRT and MRT passengers will have to pay P11 for boarding fee and another P1/kilometer. Also, those who opt to avail of the single journey tickets will have to purchase the P15, P20, P30 tickets depending on their destination.

The LRT/MRT fare hike, alongside other unfavorable decisions are clear indicators that the current administration is completely alienated towards the everyday problems of the Filipino people. It is very worrisome that an administration which presents itself as a pro-people government is pushing for policies and decisions which will make everyday life for the Filipino harder.

It is with utmost sincerity that I ask the administration to let go of its pretentious claims of doing what is "for the common good." It is wrong to claim that the LRT/MRT fair hike is "For the good of the people." Also, I urge the administration to avoid using Rep. Gloria Arroyo's administration as an easy excuse for doing unfavorable decisions. That the logic of inheriting "these problems" and having their backs held against the wall will should never be used.

Mr. President. The Filipino people, 16 million of them, put their faith in you. It is imperative that you uphold their rights and well-being. People in oppressed societies have a boiling point. I suggest that is best that you avoid ours.

To His Practice of Better Judgment, We Say "Au Revior"

We Filipinos have the concept of "delikadesa." It so ingrained in our system that the term itself does not need explanation. Having this is a requisite for every functioning individual in society. It baffles me to actually see people who completely disregard their own sense fastidiousness. Simply put, "How can some people be so indifferent?"

As basic commodities skyrocket, we see ordinary people struggle to sustain their standard of living. Gas prices have tremendously increased, food products have become more expensive, the MRT and LRT are facing possible price hikes and several government institutions face tremendous budget deficit. These things are only some of the troubles that normal people face. As a leader of the whole country, how can you afford splurge on certain luxuries when the majority of your people are starving? To be concrete, why will you buy a sports car when most people are now complaining about the prices of their everyday commute?

As a public servants, our politicians should at least show their people that they are living simple and frugal lives. This is in order for them to show the people they lead that they are completely aware of their  situation. Doing the opposite will not only show their utter disregard for the masses' situation, it will also emphasize on the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

Perhaps it is sufficient to say that our leader has once again failed to practice better judgement. The thought of him being either aware or unaware of the probable effects of his actions amuses and troubles me at the same time. As a leader of an emerging economy, who can he manage to make terrible decisions consecutively? What was running through his mind when he made the purchase of his sports car public? That it would be accepted by the people? Is he too confident to think that the people will not take it negatively? That perhaps, by virtue of "moral ascendancy", no negative reactions will come his way? Quite frankly, his new sports car will not be big enough to fit his continuously growing ego.

So much for taking the "Matuwid na daan".