- Attitude and adaptation of community paper towards the salary and changes due to technologyPutting-up a newspaper in a community faces some troubles before reaching the success in the business. Financial was one of the difficulty that every, if not most, publisher faces as they aimed to serve the public, relay news in events happening in a locality.Like Maria ‘Ka Nene’ Bundoc-Ocampo, Editor-in-chief (EIC) and Publisher of Punla (Pulso ng Madla), experienced when she was putting-up her local newspaper. She remembers how her family helps her to build-up a newspaper and her mother selling the paper to their baranggay.Starting for several pages and small budget for circulation, makes her passion in writing useful and serve the public, through supplying their hunger for information.Journalism attitude towards Salary“Of course, most business do. I’m still buried to death from the loan mortgage of my lot property I inherited from my parents which I used as the capital in this paper,” NewsCore EIC and Publisher Carmela Reyes-Estrope said, as she stated how she build-up and financial problem took place on her publication.Also according to her, as he expound her statement, the weekly printing cost, layout artist fee, honoraria of columnists reach the amount of minimum of 7000php to 8000php, which also includes other incidental and operational expenses.With this, as the budget can’t sustain the expenses of the publication the salary of the reporter can be affected, possibly.“Ang sweldo kasi sa ganyan (community newspaper) ay ayon sa naisusulat mo, baka sumulat ka lang ng kapiraso at wala pang kadating-dating, paano ka papaswelduhin?” Ato Gabe of Luzon Times, a community newspaper, said.Also according to him, the salary between national newspaper is different form how much earnings that reporter of local newspaper gain. He also said that regular earning in journalism profession is very seldom, because most of the newspaper salary depends on how many news story you published.Meanwhile, Bundoc-Ocampo said that she gave her reporter, even contributor, an honorarium because she still can’t give fixed salary. She also mention how the honorarium circulates in her publication, she gave 200php for banner story, 150php for front and back page story, inside page stories amounts 100php and 75php for every press releases.“I pay article contribution 200php – 300php to 500php the most. For my columnist, it’s 500php per week,” said Estrope.Unfortunately, because of this reality of not having a good and regular salary that can feed their everyday expenses, some journalist do unethical acts, like orbit, act of collecting money to the sources, politicians.“ ‘Yung mga hindi talaga regular na naglalabas ng dyaryo (ang kilala kong hindi nagpapasuweldo), na ang tawag ay fly by night,” Gabe said.Also, he said that he don’t know if there is newspaper publication who do orbits in the province, but he never that only fly by night type of newspaper exist here.“Kulang kasi ang kita nila (orbit reporter), kailangan kasi nila mayroon sila maipublish na (may) magbabayad, para kumita. Hindi kamukha nitong mga nandito (nasa Bulacan Press Club) na mayroon (pinagkukunan) weekly,” Gabe said.Local journalist collects money from the sources because they don’t have enough money to pay all their daily expenses.Sometimes, this orbit system was from the mind of the publisher and EIC of each publication. This is because of the fact that they can’t give enough salary to their reporter, so that, they suggest or advise their reporter to do orbit, for the earn money.“Akala nila gano’n (orbit rm to eporter) ang peryodismo, puro paninikil. Hindi dapat nag-eexist sa peryodismo ang mga orbit reporters,” Punla EIC and Publisher said.On the other hand, Ato Gabe cleared that there are several source of fund, where did the publication can earn more money for the organization to pay good salary for their reporter, aside from the sale and bulk order of the newspaper.“May legal notice o kaya naman nagpapapublish ng mga PR (Press Release) and advertisement,” he said.Aside from the problem in the salary, ability of the reporter was mentioned some local journalist.“(From 1 to 10) 10 ang level of competency ng reporters ko, pero kapag may mali sa ginawa nila, nilelecturan ko sila para matuto sila sa susunod, ipinaliliwanag ko talag sa kanila na ganito yan, ganire yan,” Bundoc-Ocampo said.On the other hand, Gabe of Luzon Times said that the reporter who doesn’t receive enough salary and rounds on the government offices in the province to solicit money from the officers are the one who unable to write a good story.Journalism in Modern Technology YearsToday, newspapers are adopting the changes caused by the modern technology. Changes from the ways of making the layout of the paper up to the new way of disseminating of news, were adopted by the newspaper publication.Most of the publication now used to have their layout using publisher software of the computer, but some are using the newer and in trend software called page maker.“Kami (ang ginagamit namin na panglayout) publisher, pero dati page maker,” Ka Nene of Punla said, “(noong nasa star kasi ako) publisher ang gamit namin kaya gamay ko,” she added.And when it comes to the adaptation of new media, local publications are stepping little by little.“Website meron kami, wala nga lang pambayad kaya hindi na natuloy. Nakaplano na yung e-Punla, yung website…” she added.Aside from Punla, Luzon Times also had their own version of newspaper in social media, who manipulated by the owner of the publication.Posted/ Published at Facebook, as a requirement in Special Problems in JournalismPosted/Published last July 19, 2012.
Friday 3 August 2012
Bulacan Newspaper: How the publication deals with modernization? Salary?
Review on News for Sale
The Book
News for Sale 2010: Cash Overload, Media Overdrive, compiled book by Philippine Center for Investigative Journalist, tackles about how media covers the candidates for national and local government. Also, discuss about the how media practitioner deals with envelops, which candidate offers to them.
Before the 2010 Election, politics was very simple. Campaign then, was not that glamorous like the 2010 Election, which there are several celebrities endorses their bets and online media exists – For the candidate to be more known, and showbiz personalities influence the people to vote for whom.
But, in the history of politics, media corruption is always present. Having a barter between the politician and media practitioner, trade of money or gifts for a story with a whole lot of twist. This trade between the source and media may result to influence the write-ups of the news men.
May 10, 2010: Pera-Pera lang ‘yan!
This election, 2010, was a lot differ from the previous polling, from the system of voting and how candidate competes with each other had a lot of difference. This automated election tested the ability of media in delivering news quicker than before.
Covering this type of reporting requires a lot of skills and money, for the expenditures of the media organization while conducting coverage to supply news to the public.
“We can’t even raise the salaries of reporters or provide them enough allowance for out-of-town coverage,” said one senior newspaper executive. While, Lynette Ordonez-Luna, editor of Inquirer.net said, “We could have had more people and equipment for an improved coverage of the elections. All of that can only be possible if we had a budget for it,”
Without the money, funds, improvement in coverage of media organization was affected. Media outlet may depend on the politicians allowance for coverage, which may affect or twist the content of the news in exchange to the goodness of the candidate.
On the other hand, television networks did some program to educate the Filipino on what to do in the upcoming automated election. This program are ‘Eleksyon 2010’ with a ‘Leksyon sa Eleksyon’ and MTV ‘Bilog na hugis Itlog’ of GMA 7 and ‘Ako ang Simula’ and ‘Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo’ of ABS-CBN.
“Globally, it’s really citizen journalism and professionalism combining,” Maria Ressa of ABS-CBN said about the ‘Ako ang Simula’, “So, our goal was how to grow citizen journalism so that it becomes a force in the election,”
And because of the success and popularity of ABS-CBN’s ‘Ako ang Simula’, GMA 7 and TV 5 build their own version of citizen journalism program, ‘YouScoop’ and ‘JournalisMo’, respectively.
In addition, GMA 7 showcase election special program such as ‘Kandidato’ and ‘Isang Tanong’, which features the candidates to present their platforms and stands to the current issues; ‘Biyaheng Totoo’ and ‘Votebook’, an election-related mini-documentary.
This program were established because, GMA 7 believes that through this shows, all candidates of are given a chance to speak-out their voice.
And to avoid biasness, ABS-CBN made Kris Aquino, sister of Noynoy Aquino, and Korina Sanchez, the senior news anchor, who recently married to Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas, rest during the campaign period.
Newspaper also had their own version of citizen journalism; they allot pages for the writer-wannabes. Star made ‘Inbox’, in which email and text messages from readers are posted while, PDI have ‘Youngblood’ and ‘Highblood’, a feature essays written by youths and senior citizen, respectively.
Also, Star conducted a getting-to-know-you session with the presidential candidates, resulting a write-up that aims to know the candidate more.
“Everybody was given a chance, except Jambi Madrigal, who did not come,” Marichu Villanueva, Star Associate Editor, said.
Meanwhile, as Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility review the flagship of the two big TV network in the Philippine, they showed that ABS-CBN covers a lot of Villar while GMA 7 aired more of Aquino, Estrada, Teodoro then, Villar.
Exposing more news about some particular candidates, the biasness is not only exist in the media practitioner who made the news but, also to the gatekeepers or front-liner of the media organization. This is because they are the one who choose which news to air or publish and which is not but, sometimes the choice is with the owner of the company or editorial policy.
“Our rules are simple: If the story is newsworthy, it goes on air. The call always belongs to the people who cover and air the news, not (to) the people who fund or advertise in it,” GMA 7 said.
Additionally, Howie Severino of GMA 7 said about their policy, “We refused offers of money and policed our ranks. We constantly reminded the staff about our rules and the consequences of breaking them,”
“We always paid our own way and never relied on political parties or candidates, even if they offered to foot the bill. We believe that to be able to live up to tenets of ‘serbisyong totoo’, which is ‘walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan’, to be truly objective, we could not be beholden to any individual or entity,” GMA 7 said.
Some of the reporter, respondent on the study of PCIJ, revealed that they were offered some gives like branded flipflops, pasalubong, travel bags and money, called as reimbursement allowance that ranged from 500- 3000 php. Envelops were sometimes attached with the Press Release that they handed after or during the coverage and mostly, handed through personally – Face-to-face.
Whenever a media practitioner receives money, even gifts, from the source or candidate, the news story that you were writing is influenced and twisted.
For instance, a media practitioner received 3000php from a gubernatorial candidate and hears the candidate said some negative things on his opponent then, the media practitioner will no longer write about the bad attitude that the candidate showed during the press conference but, he will report only about the platforms and plans of this governor wannabe. And through this, the position runner already buys the media men favors.
And sometimes, the gatekeeper and editor are the one who push them to that thing, to be bias.
“Para lumabas ang story, dapat kunin and pahayag ng partikular na kandidato at hindi masyadong halatang banat sa pinapaburan ng publisher,” one of the respondent said.
Not only that, there are also some media company that are controlled and funded by the government. This are the NBN Channel 4, Philippine Broadcasting Service, RPN 9, IBC 13, Times journal, and its sister tabloids People’s Journal and People’s Tonight, who receives budget subsidy from Malacanang.
Corruption not only exists in Metro Manila, but also to the province, where media are more prone to be exposed in corruption.
In fact, there are some media organization, which only publish or airs during election because, this business is best during this time.
And the reason that was seen why did community media commits corruption because, through this they can gain more money.
Community media are not just a reporter, most of the time they’re also do sale man of their newspaper.
Freddie Solinap said, “Pag hindi ka magdikarte ng ganun (to sell space), wala kang income. We do that, we make contracts where there’s festival, we’d really give a proposal to the mayor to feature that town. Sometimes, they will buy the newspaper edition, for example, they will buy 10,000 copies to distribute to the communityor their constituents, depending on the headline,”
Through those strategies, the community paper raised some income that can support their following issues.
Sometimes, it comes to the point that one community media was shocked because one of the new elected officer offered him money after the interview, the officer called it as ‘gas allowance’. It felt so insulted in the journalist pat because, he don’t got their for that envelop but for the information that is needed, for the media practitioner to disseminate to the people.
“Balita lang ang kinukuha namin,” Solinap said, “If they give something, well, it is normal, you woyld be a hypocrite to refuse. You accept, but it does not mean that just because he gave you money, you will agree to what he says,”
“It is a matter of survival for journalists who are in outlets that don’t pays them enough,” says Romy Elusfa, Mindanao freelance journalist.
Government is the one who made the media corrupt, as they also corrupt from the funds of the public. Without their offers, money and gifts, journalist would not received any from them, the sources. Maybe, journalist can received those money and gifts but, you’ll give it to a charity, like what other respondent of the study said.
Whether a media practitioner receives money or gift from the sources, he must write for the truth because, media serves for the public, who had a right to know the truth.
Posted/Published at Facebook as a requirement in Special Problem in Journalism course.
Posted/ Published last July 16, 2012.
Media Corruption
Corruption in Media
Rommel Ramos, a stringer of GMA- 7 and owner of a local radio station in Bulacan, can’t remember how he refused in his ‘kumpadres’ offer, to protect him from illegal videogame; video karera, a long time ago.
Asking him how much he needs then, telling his kumpadre that he cannot do anything nor help him, because he is not working for his interest but, for the public, who needs the truth, and only the truth, in a news facts that every media practitioner lends to them.
Corruption in the Philippines does not only exist in the officials and sectors of the government, but also in the line of journalism, the fourth state.
It is undeniable that media practitioner does corruption while their in the work. But, issue goes with the damage to the profession it causes.
Author of this report interviewed Bulakenyo journalist, who had a knowledge and witness corruption in media, to know how does this matter exists in the province and its status.
Corruption knowledge and dealing with it
“Na-experience ko ‘yung corruption sa media but, I’m on the other side. Kumbaga, ako ‘yung nasa likod nung corruption, noong nagtatrabaho ako as PR officer sa isang PR office,” Romulo Maturingan, who currently working as junior news desk at GMA 7, said.
In fact, he also stated in an interview that, during the time as he is working as a PR officer, he encountered several media practitioner, who’s looking to him just to get the envelops, whenever they set a press conference.
“Nung hindi nila alam na may envelop, wala silang pakialam [on Press Release], pero nung nalaman nilang may pakialam na sila sa press Release,” he added.
Additionally, Rommel Ramos, streamer of GMA 7 and owner of Radyo Bulacan 90.3, a local radio station in the province, said that media corruption is a broad topic to talked to. But, he said that this corruption occurs because of the small and minimize value of salary in media industry, which mostly encountered by the small newspaper and radio station.
“Payoffs, sa pagkakaalam ko, yan yung coverage with budget. Samantalang may payroll naman ang payola sa sugal, tumatanggap ng pera mula sa mga illegal na sugalan,” as he define some types of media corruption as he mention does.
On the other hand, Maria ‘Ka Nene’ Bundoc-Ocampo, the publisher and Editor in Chief of Punla (Pulso ng Madla), a local newspaper that circulates in Bulacan, shares how she deal with the media corruption.
“Tinitingnan kong mabuti if it is given in good will. Kung alam ko na panunuhol, hindi ko tatanggapin,” she said, “Pero sa pag-cocover, mayroon naman kasi nagbibigay talaga, tinatawag nilang transportation allowance,”
Also, according to her, corruption in media was not only involving money and give aways but, also cheating in publishing article. She also mentioned that when a newspaper copied an article without the permission of the writer, it is also a corruption, because it has the copyright.
“Kasi, may ilang newspaper na kumukuha ng istorya at aalisin lang ang by line at papalitan ng iba,”
Aside to that, she also mentioned that the media corruption starts with the generosity of Imelda Marcos, the wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, during the Martial law period.
“Kasi kapag natuwa siya sa media, kahit na anong suot niya, halimbawa yung relo, huhubarin niya ‘yun at iaabot,” she said.
Ethics
Article 356 of Revised Penal Code entitled ‘Threatening to publish and offer to present such publication for compensation’ is known for journalism as extortion, in which a writer blackmailed a person for him to earn money, and an act of corruption.
“[yung act na] pag ‘di ka nagbigay [ng pera] ilalabas ko ‘to,” as Maturingan illustratate it.
Meanwhile, Ka Nene said that she knew a lot of corrupt media personality here in the province. Indeed, she encountered a journalist, who talked to her and want to used her newspaper to collect money from the government official.
“Marami [corrupt media personality] pero unethical na sabihin. Mayroon nga d’yan 20 pesos lang ang pinag-aagawan pa,” Ramos said, as he prove that he knew corrupt media practitioner, “Mayroon pa nga, pitong tao, naghati-hati sa 500,”
Aside to that, journalist also stated the factors why did journalist do this type of crime.
“Dahil sa pangangailangan at tempting din kasi e,” the junior desk officer.
Additionally, Ramos viewed that the journalist lifestyle is the most thing that contributes to professionals to do corruption.
For an instance, if an individual earns 15, 000 pesos in a month, his lifestyle must limit up to that cost. And if an individual go beyond that, there is no source to find more money, and if he reached that point, they depend on those illegal things to gain and have extra money.
However, he emphasize that whenever an individual did this acts the journalism code of ethics is not affected but, it affects the identity and dignity of the one who did this.
Manila-based vs. Provincial-based journalistWorking for a newspaper is not an easy job, indeed, this job is the hardest because, journalist serves the public.
As the journalist-educator, Maturingan, compared how corruption works in Manila and provincial based journalist, he said that the media in Manila receives more money than provincial-based but, provincial journalist are more prone in corruption.
But, this several media men, viewed only one solution to solve this corruption problem and that is to be more professional and discipline in line to the work.
“Kasi kung [responsible] media ka, alam mo kung ano ang tama at mali at kung kailan nasasangkalan ‘yung trabaho mo,” Maturingan said.
Moreover, before they ended their interview, they left some pieces of advice to the next generation of media practitioner on how to avoid this corruption.
“Lead to the principle, kung ano ang dapat na role ng reporter. Kumbaga nandito ka to inform, to entertain and to educate, ganun nalang. Kaya namang gampanan ‘yun without considering ‘yung nasa paligid mo,” he said.
It is so obvious that every journalist had their own views with regards to corruption; one says that it’s a God’s gift; the other one says that it depends on upon individual conscience and the other two were believes that’s whenever you receive money, its corruption.
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Posted/Published at Facebook as a requirement in Special Problem of Journalism course.
Posted last July 08, 2012.
Tuesday 27 March 2012
BAHA: Kaparaanan ng nasalanta para sa kanilang Kaligtasan
- Maghapo’t magdamag na nakababad sa tubig baha ang mga taga-Hagonoy at Calumpit, dulot ng pagsasalubong ng pinakawalang tubig mula sa mga dam at tubig baha na mula sa nasirang irrigation dam sa San Miguel.Malalim na ang tubig sa peligrong maaring maidulot ng bagyong nanalanta sa lalawigan ng Bulacan.Kakulangan sa malinis na tubig, rasyon ng pagkain at maging sa kuryente ang hinarap ng karamihan upang mairaos ang pang-araw-araw ang kalam ng tiyan ng nananalanta ang bagyo.Humigit kumulang sa dalawang lingo ang inabopt ng pamemerwisyo ng na idulot ng bagyo. Simula ng magbabaybay si Pedring noong ika-27 ng Setyembre at dumating si Queil sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas ay lalong lumalala ang hirap na naranasan ng mga nasalanta ng biglaang pagbaha.Hagupit ng Kalamidad“’di ko ineexpext na ganun kataas ‘yung baha, nagpatambak na kasi kami dati. ‘Yung ordinaryong high-tide eh hindi naman inaabot, usually hanggang tuhod na pinakamataas na baha sa amin,” ani ni Cenon Salcedo Jr., residente ng Sto. Rosario Hagonoy, Bulacan; nasalanta ng malawakang pagbaha.Hindi subok akalain ng mga mamamayan ng Hagonoy na aabot nglagpas tao, humigit kumulang anim na talampakan, ang magiging lalim ng tubig baha sa kanilang lugar. Ito ay dahil sa pag-aakalang hindi ito hahantong sa katulad na pangyayari.Karaniwan lamang sa bayang ito ang pagbaha. Kadalasang umaabot mula binti hanggang bewang, dalawa hanggang tatlong talampakan, ang tubig baha sanhi ng high tide at pag-ulan.Ngunit, ang pagsasalubong ng tubig baha mula sa nasirang irrigation dam at pinakawalang tubig ng mga dam ang naging dahilan kung bakit nalubog at tila naging karagatan ang naturang bayan.Bayanihan para sa kaligtasanKaramihan sa mga nasalanta ay hindi handa sa naganap na pagbulusok ng baha. Hindi lahat ng residente ay nakapagimbak ng pagkain para sa mga gayong pagkakataon.“Halos naubos ang paninda ng tita ko sa tindahan nila. Dahil doon kami kumukuha ng pagkain habang bumabagyo,” ani Salcedo.Sa katagalan ng paghupa ng baha, marami sa mga residente ang naubusan ng mga kakailanganin sa araw-araw. Sa loob ng humigit kumulang na dalawang lingo ng pagkalubog ay maraming mga taga-Hagonoy ang nauhaw.Sa katunayan, ayon sa kuwento ni Glecy Jose, may kakilalang naepektuhan ng pagbaha, ay nagkatay ng alagang manak na tagalong ang tatlong pamilya nagsama-sama sa iisang bahay, kasama si Evelyn Yumbao na may edad na edad 59, sa Pandakot Hagonoy, Bulacan at naghati-hati sa mga bitbit na pagkain ng bawat pamilya upang makaraos sa pananalanta ng bagyo at baha.“Kulang sa malinis na tubig, ‘yun ‘yung kailangang kailangan nila,” pagpapaliwanag ni Reineir Estrella, staff sa Red Cross of the Philippines- Bulacan Chapter.Samantala, suwerteng nakagawa ng paraan ang ilan upang mapatid ang kani-kanilang uhaw.“Nakapag-ipon naman ng tubig sa gripo, pinakukuluan lang para malinis,” ani muli ni Salcedo.At karamihan naman ay nagtitipid sa pagkonsumo ng tubig nang hindi sila maubusan ng rasyon sa kanilang tinutuluyan.Tulong at AksyonAgad-agad namang umaksyon ang pamahalaan upang matulungan ang mga kababayang nasalanta ng bagyo. May ilan ding personalidad, organization at institusyon ang nag-abot ng kamay para sa mga nasalanta.Kahit na ligtas na ang bawat residente ay umaasa pa din silang makakagawa ngparaan ang gobyerno upang maibsan ang pag-ulit ng nasabing pagbaha.At hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ay positibo namang hinaharap ng mga ito ang bagong kinabukasan at unti-uniting bumabangon sa pagkakadama mua sa pagkasalanta.
Pedring at Quiel: Ekspedisyong hindi maitatapon
- Halos sumabay ang pagbayo ng hangin sa pagtilaok ng manok na siyang nagpagising sa karamihan sa mga tao sa aming lugar, sa Guiguinto, lalo na sa akin.Lamang na ang liwanag ngunit, mukhang nakikipag-agawan ang dilim ng kalangitan na nagbabadya ng bugso ng ulan.Halos matuklap na ang mga yero sa bubong ng mga bahay at ilang garahe sa paligid ng aming tahanan.Araw ng Martes, ika-27 na araw ng Setyembre, hindi pa man din tuluyang naaaninaw ang pagsikat ng araw ay nagsahimpapawid na si bagyong Pedring. Ito rin ang unang araw ng pagbaybay ng bagyo sa ating bansa.Delubyong PedringHindi man tayo ang naging sentro ng daan ng bagyo, ang Bulacan pa din ang naging pinaka-nasalanta sa buong bansa.Takot at kaba ang aking naramdaman habang nasasaksihan ko ang pagsayaw ng mga punong kahoy at ang saliw ng musika na nilikha ng paghampas ng malakas na hangin.Wala pa man ang pagbuhos ng ulan, agad-agad na nawalan ng kuryente sa kalakhang lalawigan. At dahil sa malakas na paghampas ng hangin ay agad-agad na rumispunde ang mga taga-pangasiwa sa enerhiya upang hindi ito magdulot ng peligro sa nalalapit at posibleng sakuna.At dahil sa pagkawala ng kuryente na ito, ako at ang mga kasama ko sa bahay ay nainip at hindi naging produktibo ang araw.Bumuhos ang ulan, karamihan sa mga kabataan ang nagtatatakbong naliligo sa ulan. Hindi nila alintana ang peligrong maaaring mangyari sa kanila habang nakikipagsabayan sila sa lakas ng hangin.Gayunpaman, sinubukan ko ding sugudin ang lakas ng hangin. Kasama ang aking pinsan, nilakad namin ang daan patungong labasan upang humanap ng bukas na tindahang maaring bilhan ng makakain.Habang binabaybay namin ang daan patungo sa tindahan, may ilang beses na bumaliktad sa pagkakatupi an gaming gamit na payong. At halos matangay na din kami ng hanging humahampas sa aming mga katawan.Bukod pa dito, nakakita din kami ng isang garahe na bumagsak ang bubong na tiyak na sanhi ng malakas na pagbayo ng hangin ni Pedring.Pasyal bago si QuielMatapos ang ilang araw, ginulantang ng mga balita ang aking ulirat nang malaman ko na ang bayan ng Hagonoy, Calumpit at ang ilang parte ng Pulilan at Lungsod ng Malolos ay lubog na sa baha, na dulot ng pagsasalubong ng tubig mula sa Ipo Dam at sa nasirang irrigation dam sa San Miguel.Bidang-bida sa mga estasyon ng radio at telebisyon ang mga nasabing lugar. Maraming mga Bulakenyo ang humihingi ng tulong upang ma-rescue sila ng mga tauhan ng opisyal ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at maging ng ilang pribadong institusyon.Samantala, habang tinatahak namin ang North Luzon Expressway paluwas, parang natutunaw ang aking puso habang nakikita ko ang ilan sa na naputol na puno, nalubog na bahay at maging mga kabuhayan ng ating kababayan.Noong araw na muling ibinalik ang klase sa BulSU, naaawa ako sa mga taong inililikas ng mga rescue team na nagmula sa mga nalubog na lugar. Trak-Trak ang ibinibyahe ng mga tao.Makabuluhang orasSa kasabay na araw, naligaw ako sa opisina ng Philippine Red Cross- Bulacan Chapter (PRC-BC), ang lugar kung saan hindi na nakakauwi ang mga volunteer dahil sa daming kanilang gawain na dapat nilang isakatuparan sa kapakanan ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan.Marami ang mga nakipagbayanihan upang matulungan ang mga kapwa nila Bulakenyo. Naglungsad ng pangungulekta ng mga lumang damit at relief goods ang Office of Student Organization at maging ang Student Government ng BulSU. Gayundin ang samahan na kinaaaniban ko, ang BulSU-Red Cross Youth, nangulekta at tumulong kami sa pamimigay ng mga relief goods sa mga nasakunang lugar.Sa katunayan, noong ika-6 ng Oktubre, ako kasama pa ng ilang miyembro ng nasabing organisasyon, ay tumulong sa PRC-BC na magdala ng relief goods sa Hagonoy. Nasaksihan ko ang hindi-na-malalalang-baha sa nasabing bayan. Ngunit, marami pa rin sa mga nadaanan naming mga barangay ay may kalaliman pa rin ang tubig baha.Habang tinatahak ang daan patungo sa munisipyo ng bayan, may ilang grupo ng kalalakihan an gaming nadaanan sa may barangay Sto. Nino. Ang ilan sa mga ito ay nagnanais na sumakay at may isang sumampa agad sa aming sinasakyang trak. Ngunit, dahil sa relief operation ang aming serbisyo, sinabihan namin ang mga kalalakihan na hindi kami maaaring magsakay. May isang lalaki na nagalit at nagsisisigaw habang patuloy na gumugulong ang gulong ng aming sinasakyan.“Naturingan pa man din kayong taga-Red Cross… Kaya kayo nandiyan para tulungan ang mga naghihirap. Isang kilong bigas lang naman ang pinamimigay niyo,Kaya naming bilhin ‘yan,” ani ng nagagalit na lalaking taga-Hagonoy, sabay mura sa dulo.Habang naririnig ang mga katagang sinabi ng nasabing lalaki, nakaramdam ako ng ‘di malamang pakiramdam na parang may kumukurot sa aking puso. Nahiya at nawa ako sa kanila dahil hindi namin sila naisakay sa trak na puno ng relief goods.Napag-alaman ko ang dahilan kung bakit hindi namin sila maaaring isakay sa trak.ito ay dahil kapag pinasakay namin sila ay tiyak na tutupukin kami ng mga tao na nag-nanais din sumakay.Gayunpaman, nasiyahan ako sa mga naranasan ko noong mga araw na iyon. Naging makabuluhan ang mga oras ko sa mga taong nangangailangan. Nabasa man ako ng ulan, naarawan at lalong nangayumanggi ang kulay ay magsisilbi ‘yung tatak ng kabayanihan kong ituturing na ginawa.
Pagbabago ng Panlalawigang Kainang Gusali, nagbukas ng magandang impresyon sa mamimili
- Pangangalam ng sikmura ang nagdala sa maya upang marating ang isang lugar kung saan nagmistulang mga ‘tattoo’ ang dungis na nakamarka sa mga dingding, ang lugar na tinatawag na Kapitol Food Court na mas kilalang KFC.Kainang bago niya marating ay makaka-amoy muna siya ng humahalimuyak na nakakasulasok na amoy ng paligid, sanhi ng umaalingawngaw na bukas na estero, malapit sa ilang tindahan.Hindi man kaaya-aya at kagandahan ang paglalarawan, sandamakmak pa rin ang mga estudyante at empleyado ng kalapit na establisimyento ang dumarayo upang lamnan ang kanilang mga sikmura ng pagkaing magaan sa bulsa.“Ang problema kasi d’yan eh, kapag umuulan nahihirapan kami [mga mamimili] na dumaan sa kalsada. Kasi, ‘yung tubig sa kanal eh, umaapaw, makakarating sa kalsada at ikalawa, ‘yung amoy lalong lumalala, umaabot na sa [kainan sa]taas,” ani ni Lhor Quiwa, estudyante mula sa AB Journalism 2A ng Bulacan State University (BulSU), habang inilalarawan niya ang naranasan niya noong panahon ng tag-ulan sa nagdaang taon, 2010.Ngunit ngayong taon, bumulaga sa mga suki ng mga kainan ang bagong anyo ng Panlalawigang Kainang Gusali (PKG), sa likod ng Capitol Gymnasium, na tila sumagot at ang naging aksyon ng Provincial General Service Office (PGSO) sa mga daing ng mga tiga-konsumo sa mga tindahan sa naturang lugar.Ang nasabing pagsasaayos sa lugar ay ginugol noong nakaraang bakasyon upang sa pagbabalik eskwela ay maging malinis at naaliwalas tingnan ang paligid ng PKG.Binihisan ng PGSO ang nasabing kainan, mula sa madungis at madilaw nitong kulay ng pader ay pinalitan ito ng maaliwalas na puti at kaunting berde sa ibabang banda. Ang kombinasyon ng dalawang kulay na nakapinta sa pader ay siyang nagpaliwanag sa itaas na bahagi ng kainan.“Gumanda na [‘yung paligid]. Nag-improve na ng kaunti. Lalong na-e-engganyo ang mga costumer na bumili kasi, makikita na nila ‘yung kalinisan sa mga tindahan,” ani ng isa sa mga tauhan ng Student Meal, Fering Cruz, habang ipinaliliwanag niya ang naging pagbabago sa lugar na kaniyang pinag-ta-trabahuhan.Samantala, isinara na ang mga bukas na kanal sa gilid ng mga tindahan. Nawala na ‘yung amoy at hindi na magkakaroon ng tiyansa na magtapon sa mga kanal na sanhi ng pagpigil sa pagdaloy ng tubig sa kanal.“Maganda ng tingnan ‘yung paligid [sa unang palapag ng gusali]. Wala na ‘yung amoy na matagal nang inire-reklamo ng mga mamimili. At hindi na gaanong umaapaw o naglalabas ng tubig ang kanal,” sambit ni Evelyn Samson, tatlong taon nang tindera ng kainan sa ibaba ng KFC.Ayon din naman kay Lhor, nagulat din siya sa bagong anyo ng gusali at lalo na siyang na-e-engganyong kumain sa naturang lugar. At maging ang pag-apaw ng kanal ay nabawasan na, tanging tubig ulan na lamang ang nagiging laman ng kalsada sa tuwing uulan ng malakas.Sa kabilang banda, nagkaroon ng pagtataas sa presyo ng renta sa bawat kuwadro sa naturang gusali na sanhi ng pagsasa-ayos at pagpapaganda dito.“‘Yun tumaas ang singgil sa renta, [tulad ng sa’min] noon 6,000 php lang ang binabayaran namin, ngayon naman eh, 7,000 php na,” ani ni Enrico Cruz, ang nagmamay-ari sa Student Meal, patungkol sa upa nila sa puwesto buwan-buwan.Bukod sa bayarin sa renta ng puwesto, buwan-buwan din silang nagbabayad sa Malolos Water District, para sa tubig, at sa Meralco naman para sa buwanang kinokonsumo nila sa kuryente.Ayon na rin sa kanya, sampung poryento (10%) ang itinaas sa presyo ng renta sa pewesto, na siyang dahilan kung bakit nababawasan ang dapat na kanilang kita sa araw-araw. Marahil ang pagtataas ding ito ang naging dahilan kung bakit nabawasan ang mga nangungupahan sa puwesto sa naturang kainan.Samantala, ang bawat kwadro sa gusali ay may renta buwan-buwan na nagkakahalagang 1,600 phpm, na siyang average rental rate na ibinabayad ng mga nangungupahan sa PGSO.Gayunpaman, sa mabilisang pagbabago ng Panlalawigang Gusaling Kainan na mas kilalang Kapitol Food Court ng mga estudyante ng BulSU, ay nagkaroon ng kaunting kaibahan sa pamamaraan ng pagbebenta ng mga tindahan, tulad ng pagbabawas sa kanilang pakulo sa pagtitinda o pagdadagdag ng ilang piso para makabawi sa pagtataas ng presyo sa renta.
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