Corrupting Minors

Editorial

            “The youth is the hope of the future,” Jose P. Rizal has one said and a very common quote to everyone. As the hope of the future it is their right to be educated and to be given due attention by the government in nurturing them to become responsible citizens of the country. One way of doing it is through the development of educational system in the country as well as in informing them in the real scenario and making them aware of the problems being faced by our nation. How about if the right to enjoy one’s childhood would be deviated to serious matters like societal problems and sex? Could this be a reason of an early corruption of one’s mind and instead of making it as a remedy, would it be the reason of making the problem more severe?

            

        Population around the globe is indeed a problem. Many countries made actions of controlling them through programs such as contraceptives and sex education among its people.  And such aimed in cutting the population growth rate, which is blamed for massive poverty in Southeast Asian country of about 92 million. Indeed talking about sex remains a taboo in many quarters of Philippine society but all that is changing as the government introduces a controversial sex education programme to public school pupils. The Roman Catholic Church is demanding the plan be scrapped, but the cash-strapped government is struggling to contain an annual population growth rate of more than 2 percent.

                  However, the Department of Education says that, “Sex education is not all about making love.” This clarification was made by the Department of Education (DepEd) after drawing strong opposition from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the plan to teach sex education to elementary pupils and high school students. The statement was made by Education Secretary Mona Valisno after Malacañang asked the DepEd to defer its plan to integrate sex education in the basic curriculum until consultations are done with Church leaders and after addressing the concerns of the CBCP. Valisno clarified that classroom discussion on sex education that will be piloted in almost 160 schools and 79 public high schools and 80 elementary schools, is not about the sex act but “on the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values and the norms of interpersonal relations to avoid pre-marital sex and teen-age pregnancy.”

   Monsignor Pedro Quitorio CBCP’s media director has once said, “These issues are not for children.” “This is better left to the parents. This will just lead to promiscuity. Sex should be taught as a gift from God and not just the physical aspect of it.” Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children about these sensitive matters. Thought the purpose of such program is for the good of the country, let us not CORRUPT young minds. Instead of making such program, why not focus on the development of Public schools like adding more classrooms, developing class facilities and retooling of teachers. Instead of blaming population growth as the reason of poverty. Why not delve in through possible programs that would help nurture and create a better environment for our children? In all these issues what have you done? Whether you are in the government or private sector? Have you done something about all these? Or you left the youth as the future being corrupted by this ruthless program of the government? Yours is the answer.

     

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The Wrath of Sendong

     

John Paul Mancawan

        December 16, 2011, Friday, was a tragic date to all our fellow Kagay-anons. More than 1000 people died and more than 100 people are still missing up to this date. The entire city was devastated including  infrastructures, livelihood, homes and even their own lives. Today, people are asking, " Who's to blame in all these?"

         There are many things to consider in answering such question. It might be too personal to some of us, but we have to admit it. One of the reasons why the said catastrophe happened was because of the illegal cutting of trees. Bukidnon, known to be the pineapple capital of the Philippines and unknowingly such became the reason of the devastation of the city. Instead of planting trees, pineapples were planted. It ranges up to 80% of the water that flow within the Cagayan de Oro rivers came from the province which would entail that such might be the cause.

          How about the "Piso Pisp Project" of Mayor Vicente Emano? That practically allows our fellow poor Kagay-anons to live at Isla de Oro which was known to be the slit of the famous Cagayan River. Our dear mayor allowed them to live without being informed of the risks it can give to them. With more than 1000 hectares of watersheds in the city, only few were left and it would generally cause the river to over flow.

         However, some would also say that the information dissemination was too slow from the government. But let us ask ourselves. As citizens of our community, are we concerned of knowing the risks and hazards of our place? Are we aware enough of our rights as citizens of this nation? Are we all willing to set aside political   issues and work hand in hand in building each other? Sometimes, the only thing to do is for us to be curious and aware of our situation. With the question "Who's to blame?" I think we already know the answer. All of us must be blamed, so let us stop gossips and political bickering. Let us go forth and help one another from the devastation brought by Sendong to each of our fellow poor Kagay-anons.