< Back ADAPTING TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE AI ERA: WILL JOBS BE REPLACED BY AI? BY KAYELAH GOMEZ IN RECENT YEARS, THE WORLD OF WORK HAS UNDERGONE PROFOUND TRANSFORMATIONS, DRIVEN BY THE RISE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TECHNOLOGIES. AS WE STAND ON THE BRINK OF THE AI ERA, WORKERS FIND THEMSELVES AT A CROSSROADS, NAVIGATING A TECHNOLOGICAL FRONTIER THAT PROMISES BOTH CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES. INDEED, THE INTEGRATION OF AI INTO THE WORKPLACE SPARKS AWE-INSPIRING ADVANCEMENTS AND DEEP-SEATED CONCERNS. As AI technologies advance, concerns about job displacement also become more and more prevalent. Automation, machine learning, and robotic processes are reshaping industries, rendering some traditional roles obsolete. The question thus arises: Will AI eventually replace human workers? ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING NATURE OF WORK The traditional 9-to-5 office model is evolving, thanks to the flexibility afforded by AI. Remote work, gig economies, and collaborative digital platforms are integral components of the modern work landscape. Employees are challenged to adapt to a more dynamic and decentralized work environment, requiring honing digital literacy, fostering adaptability, and cultivating effective communication skills in virtual spaces. STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATION Continuous learning emerges as an imperative for successin this new era of work. Employees now have to activelyseek opportunities to upskill and reskill, keeping up with technological advancements. Companies, in turn, have toinvest in training programs to empower their workforce. The interconnected nature of AI systems emphasizes the importance of collaboration, requiring a collaborative mindset and leveraging AI tools to enhance teamwork, leading to increased productivity and innovation. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS As AI becomes more integrated into workplaces, ethical considerations take center stage. Employees and organizations are expected to prioritize responsible AI use, ensuring that technology aligns with ethical standards and societal values. Should fast, highly structured output be given more weight than output that comes from thinking out of the box? On the other hand, workers, such as writers, artists, and the like, are expected to abide by set rules on the use of AI. Intellectual property rights, for one, still have to be respected. LOOKING AHEAD Even with the above, it is crucial to recognize that AI also creates new avenues for employment. Jobs centered around AI development, maintenance, and ethical oversight are on the rise, offering opportunities for upskilling and career pivots. While the AI era brings about significant changes, it presents an opportunity for a more efficient way of getting things done. Rather than take either of the two extremes—relying heavily on AI at the expense of qualified, experienced workers or totally shutting the door on AI—we can pave the way for a future where AI enhances, rather than replaces, the human workforce. As we stand at the forefront of this technological revolution, we could seize the opportunity to shape a future of work that is both technologically advanced and reflective of human ability.

While their barangay has a “posh” reputation, Manotok strives to include everyone in their programs because being a good neighbor means treating everyone equally regardless of background. < Back EVERYONE’S BARANGAY CHAIRWOMAN While their barangay has a “posh” reputation, Manotok strives to include everyone in their programs because being a good neighbor means treating everyone equally regardless of background. By Camille F. Cabal PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL SORIANO Forbes Park, Makati City, is always associated with the words “posh” and “exclusive” since it’s home to some of the richest and most well-known people in the country. For some, the place may be daunting but Chairwoman Evangeline Manotok has enthusiastically accepted the challenge of leading one of the most affluent barangays in the country. Growing up as the youngest child in a family with loving parents and protective siblings shaped Manotok into a community leader with the biggest heart. Manotok spent most of her childhood tagging along with her parents. She shares that her father was active in doing volunteer work, particularly with the Knights of Columbus, and her mother would teach catechism to the youth after mass. There were also times when they would visit the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to hand out food and magazines. The years Manotok spent tagging along with her parents exposed her to numerous charitable endeavors. When she became a public servant, the people around her no longer wondered why she belonged in her position. Her childhood experiences had already prepared her for what she would become. TEARING DOWN THE WALLS Manotok began her professional career as a certified public accountant. She has a simple story on how she was introduced to the world of politics, yet a special reason on why she accepted the opportunity. Prior to becoming a barangay chairwoman, Manotok was elected as a barangay councilor in 2007, a position initially offered to her brother. However, her brother declined and suggested she run instead. With this opportunity, Manotok considered her children, who were still young at the time. Instead of declining for this reason, she accepted the invitation because she wanted her children to get to know their neighbors better, and she believed it is best to start early. Inspired by this, Manotok started doing projects for the children in the barangay since the existing projects were mostly focused on the elderly. Manotok founded the Sapphire Girls Club, an exclusive group for girls where cooking and art skills are taught. She says, “I made it a point to ask some of my friends who are skilled in cooking and the arts if they would be willing to teach the children in the barangay every Saturday.” In addition to this, she organized a club where mothers and their children cook together. She also recalls organizing the first Flores de Mayo in the barangay. “The people here are very shy or very reserved, so I invited all [grandparents to let their] grandchildren participate.” It was the first time they went around the barangay, and fortunately, the event was well-received, so she added more events and activities like the Chinese New Year Party and the August Mooncake Festival. There was even one time when she invited the Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in a concert series. God should always come first, followed by family, but if you want to be a good neighbor, you can’t just refer to people as ‘boys’ or ‘staff.’ You shouldn’t feel privileged because lahat naman tayo pantay-pantay. Manotok explains that she did all these things to encourage residents, especially children, to go out of their homes and socialize with their neighbors. EVERYONE IS FAMILY The LEAGUE team arrived at Manotok’s residence early in the morning. Her home, where she was interviewed, exuded a distinct sense of tranquility and peace. While she prepared, she allowed us to freely explore the house to find a suitable spot for her photoshoot. Hospitality was genuinely felt. We Filipinos are known to be hospitable. We offer visitors food we have at home and provide the most comfortable seats to them. This is made easier by having househelp whom we treat not just as visitors, but as a part of the family. Filipinos are taught to treat househelps with the same level of respect as a family member, regardless of whether they have one in their home. Manotok desires that Barangay Forbes Park put the above into practice. “My parents raised me to always keep your family and God in mind. God should always come first, followed by family, but if you want to be a good neighbor, you can’t just refer to people as ‘boys’ or ‘staff.’ You shouldn’t feel privileged because lahat naman tayo pantay-pantay (we are all equal),” Manotok explains why she includes housekeepers in the barangay’s programs. Although the residents could afford food and supplies during the pandemic, Manotok’s office still gave out food packs because it was not just for the families but also for their staff. She also mentions organizing events for the househelps themselves. The majority of these events, such as Barangay Idol, Barangay Forbes Got Talent, and the most recent Miss Barangay Forbes Park, are contests that showcase the hidden talents of the househelps. While talking about the contest, Manotok brought up that the winner was the househelp of Tessa Prieto, a socialite known for wearing audaciously fashionable attire. Not surprisingly, the helpers made the most of the events prepared for them and proudly showed what they had. ANTICIPATIVE AND COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP Manotok, like most public servants in office during the pandemic, recalls the COVID-19 pandemic as the most memorable event in her political career so far. Her sole priority during the height of the emergency was to protect the residents of the barangay. Considering that the situation was full of uncertainties and volatility, Manotok’s first effort was to secure vaccines for all of her constituents. Aside from making sure everyone is reminded of the safety protocols, Manotok also ensured that the needs of those who tested positive will be given due attention. “If there’s one person who tested positive, I made it a point to personally ask them what they need, and I sent medicines and all the things that they required,” she reveals. Although no one wants to lose a constituent under her watch, Manotok was still grateful to have had only one casualty since the beginning of the global medical crisis. The barangay leader, on the other hand, never stops thinking of ways to keep everyone out of harm’s way, even though health protocols have been relaxed as the situation has somewhat gone back to normal. With this, she has made it a point to also devote enough effort and resources for other needs. Apart from the pandemic, Manotok says, “I guess the biggest challenge is trying to be more anticipative, thinking ahead of what the community needs and wants, like preparing for ‘The Big One’ [a major earthquake that could hit Metro Manila] and floods.” Manotok shares that they started what they call “block parties” even before the surge of the pandemic. She says that people nowadays do not know who their neighbors are. This initiative intends to familiarize residents with other members of the community they are living in. This is an important part of being a community member, for when a disaster takes place, residents are responsible for their own neighbors. The entire barangay is divided into 40 blocks. These block parties were briefed on what to do in the event of a disaster and what things they needed to prepare. The primary objective is to check on their neighbors before, during, and after a disaster. The chairwoman states that the population of seniors in the barangay is greater than that of the youth, so this initiative will be of the greatest assistance in times of crisis. Asked about the programs that she finds closest to her, Manotok enumerates those centered on the youth and environment, emphasizing that whatever a leader thinks to be in the best interest of the people today must also consider the repercussions for the future. “I would like to think of programs that are applicable for both now and the future,” she says, citing examples such as controlling the population or building bridges to solve traffic. For instance, easing the traffic contributes to lessening air pollution. “I want to [assure Forbes Park residents] that I’m here for them 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. But basically, I’m not just a barangay chairwoman. I’m also a friend, a neighbor, a sister, and someone to talk to when they need help.” MODEL BARANGAY It was a busy day when LEAGUE visited Manotok. The disaster resilience officers of Makati City conducted an inspection of the barangay earlier that day. On the same day, Mandaluyong City officials visited Forbes Park to do benchmarking on the solid waste management efforts in the barangay. The barangay is implementing a zero waste to landfill initiative, which encourages every household to dispose of less waste that will eventually end up in landfills. Every Wednesday, the residents can bring out their recyclables and sell them. The city has partnered with junkshops that buy their recyclable waste. Meanwhile, they also send recyclable plastics to private companies such as The Plastic Flamingo (Plaf), which transforms plastics into something more useful, and GreenSpace, which collects biodegradable wastes such as food wastes and leaves for farm use. Through the years, Manotok’s efforts have borne fruit. The barangay was recognized as the third Cleanest and Greenest Barangay in Makati in 2017 and 2019, and as the Champion in DRMM (Disaster Risk Reduction Management) for the Low Risk Category in December 2022. Forbes Park is also one of the first barangays to be certified “Drug-free” by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2018. And in 2022, they won fifth place in the competition to determine the Best-Performing Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council. Manotok, a barangay chairman since 2013, is honest about her intentions to run for reelection. She desires to systematize the communications system, announcements, and processes in the barangay through a Forbes Park mobile application. She wants to centralize all the programs, barangay procedures, and emergency contact information through the application. Manotok concludes the interview with a message for her constituents: “I want to [assure Forbes Park residents] that I’m here for them 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. But basically, I’m not just a barangay chairwoman. I’m also a friend, a neighbor, a sister, and someone to talk to when they need help.”

cc89f327-5137-49e6-96f3-eb9c76f357e1 BACK FROM VISION TO REALITY Brgy. Alabang Chairwoman Abas shares how the barangay has transformed into the place to be–bustling and cosmopolitan. BY NOVIE ROSE NUÑEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANUEL GENOROSO Located in Muntinlupa City, Barangay Alabang has long served as Metro Manila’s “gateway” to and from South Luzon or majority of the CALABARZON Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). Because of its accessible location and efficient transportation services, many businesses, shopping centers, and highscale real estate properties were developed in the area. The barangay was no longer just a portal to the South, it became the place to be with its bustling streets, diverse population, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Alabang is home to 71,000 people, not counting the thousands of employees that flow in and out of the barangay for work. Relational Service Behind all these is a woman, a leader, and a humble chairperson —Christine May “Tin-tin” Abas. She is the first female leader in the history of the barangay. But apart from this, her political experience shows that this is not her first rodeo. Abas’ political career started in 2007 when she was elected as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairwoman. Since then, she was twice elected as barangay kagawad before finally achieving her historic win as Brgy. Alabang’s chairwoman. With almost 15 years of experience, Abas has witnessed nearly everything, most notably the many changes in the political landscape of Barangay Alabang and its growth—hardships and successes alike. For Abas, politics is not just a business, for her it’s a “commitment na bago ka .... BUY MAGAZINE NOW TO READ FULL ARTICLE BACK

< Back Soil Health Champion BY GODFREY T. DANCEL Llamado , meaning favored to win, is a word that aptly describes Agusan del Sur 2nd District Representative Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” G. Plaza in all electoral contests he has taken part in. From the time of his first foray into politics as provincial board member up to his present position as congressman, he has been the overwhelming choice of Agsurnons to help them reach their collective goals. To say that Plaza’s political fortune was served to him on a silver platter would be grossly inaccurate. Coming from a family of public servants, Plaza saw it as an imperative for him to make a name for himself. “I was able to prove that I can stand alone through my hard work, through my passion in public service. I was able to show them that I am worthy to be their leader not just because I’m the son of D. O. Plaza, but because I’m the son of Valentina Plaza who pursued and studied the right way of effective governance,” he stresses. Plaza’s systematic, holistic approach to addressing the problems faced not only by his district but by the whole province of Agusan del Sur has greatly helped prevent a carambola (free for all) approach to the province’s development. Paying particular attention to the areas of education, agriculture, and development of upland communities, Plaza has shown what benefits a realistic vision based on a clear understanding of the people’s situation can bring. IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION THROUGH SOIL SCIENCE Among the multitude of programs Plaza is presently involved in and actively pushing, soil science as a means of improving agricultural production stands out. His attention to agriculture is based mainly on two basic truths: agriculture is an important source of livelihood for Filipinos, and the strength of Agusan del Sur is agriculture. Meanwhile, his emphasis on soil science is rooted in the basic fact that soil is the base if agriculture. The solon laments that even with all the efforts that the government has had in promoting agriculture and helping individual farmers, agricultural production still leaves much to be desired. With this, Plaza looked into modern, scientific ways of addressing the major issues besetting farmers. “I became an advocate of the soil test-based fertilization program and soil health program for the country,” he declares. Plaza likens soil test-based fertilization to having a medical check-up. “When I have a check-up, say a blood test, I wilL nutrients such as calcium, sulphur, and magnesium, as well as minor nutrients such as iron, manganese, and boron is also determined. Soil testing results serve as a guide for identifying what crops are suited for planting in specific plots of land, and for calculating fertilizer requirements. Soil scientist Dr. Johnvie Goloran, who holds a doctorate in soil science from Griffith University in Australia and post- doctoral fellow on soil health and nutrition at IRRI-Headquarters, echoes Plaza’s sentiments. “During the discussions about the plan to launch USAD or the Upland Sustainable Agrifores try Development program, we saw a research gap,” he reveals. “So we had to close this gap to help farmers engage in research- based farming in order to ensure sustainability.” Goloranplayed a major role in linking the provincial government with know whether I have a sugar problem, high cholesterol, or even an infection. With this knowledge, I could adjust my lifestyle and take the necessary medication. It works the same with soil,” he says. “It’s very important that you have accurate knowledge about the soil you are going to plant in, and such knowledge you could get from soil testing. With the correct information, you could maximize the yield of your plot of land. That is what we want to achieve. Because for now, most of our farmers practice what the technicians are saying, but such are not based on scientific tests.” He expresses deep concern at how “everybody has forgotten the importance of soil testing. There are rapid test kits, but these are not really effective.” Indeed, soil testing is not a new concept. It has been proven as a vital tool in improving soil health and increasing agricultural yield in countries such as Australia, the United States, India, and China. These countries have invested in soil testing as the basis for their national fertilization programs. In brief, soil testing can be described as a soil nutrient diagnostic tool meant to provide soil information. Soil tests primarily look at how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the three most essential nutrients for plant health and growth—a soil sample has. The amount of secondary the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Through the resulting partnership, soil sampling was done in seven municipalities, giving the USAD team clear, science-based information on what crops to make their farmer- enrolees plant. Today, the partnership between the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and ACIAR remains, with farmers in and outside the province benefiting trough the research center’s efforts to develop soil knowledge, information, and capacity to improve productivity and sustainability in local agriculture. The soon-to-be-completed provincial soils laboratory is expected to result in a big leap for the project. The modern laboratory will be able to analyse soil and other samples and provide results in a couple of days. Such results, when integrated into agricultural programs and individual farmers’ practices, are expected to increase yield dramatically. “In my lifetime, I would like to see the country having food security,” Plaza shares. “Every year, our population is growing, but our rice production is not able to keep up. Thus, we always resort to importing rice. With soil science being part of agriculture at the national level, we can produce much more rice and we won’t need to import rice anymore.” So far, the Agusan del Sur provincial government’s soil test-based fertilization program trials are moving forward and showing encouraging results. In the municipalities of Prosperidad, Trento, Bayugan, and Loreto, which have been characterized as having “problem soils,” the farmers’ yield has increased, and the expenses for fertilizer have decreased because of the program. “Yield has increased by 35 percent, while expenses for fertilizer have gone down by 25 percent. That’s a big impact,” Plaza shares. The congressman is confident that once fully implemented, the program will result in farmers earning doblado (double). “At the end of the day, usually a farmer earns about between Php20,000 to Ph30,000 per hectare. Our aim is Php60,000 pesos per hectare,” he says. Vice Governor Samuel Tortor, for his part, is confident that with soil testing, the provincial government will be better guided in attracting investors. “With knowledge about the crops fit for the soil in specific areas in the province, we will know which potential investors to talk to,” he says. STATE-OF-THE-ART SOIL LABORATORY Proof of Plaza’s seriousness in pushing for soil health is the ongoing construction of Agusan del Sur’s state-of-the-art soil laboratory in Prosperidad town. Once completed, the 1,687-square meter laboratory is expected to be the center of soil health activities in the province. The laboratory represents part of Agusan del Sur’s major investment ins oil science. The Php550 million project is a joint initiative of the provincial government, ACIAR, and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development. Set to complement the laboratory’s modern facilities is its group of soil health experts, led by soil microbiologists, soil chemists, and agronomists. The laboratory will be able to perform IN MY LIFETIME, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTRY HAVING FOOD SECURITY... WITH SOIL SCIENCE BEING PART OF AGRICULTURE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE CAN PRODUCE MUCH MORE RICE AND WE WON’T NEED TO IMPORT RICE ANYMORE. physical, chemical, and biological analysis of up to 100 soil samples per day, with results available in two to three days. It will also be able to analyse water, plant, fertilizer, and gas samples. With accurate soil information, farmers will be able to avoid overestimation or underestimationof the rate of fertilizer application. Underestimation may lead to poor plant health due to nutrient deficiency, while overestimation may result to toxicity, which is detrimental to plants in particular and the environment in general. The soil laboratory has been hailed by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as a major step toward improved agricultural production. During a site inspection earlier this year, the chief executive expressed pleasure with the establishment of the laboratory, describing it as “one of the many projects for farmers being implemented in Agusan del Sur.” The president had earlier acknowledged Plaza’s soil health advocacy and recognized the need to implement science-based measures in response to growing problems of soil degradation, acidification, and pollution. With help from DOST-PCAARD and ACIAR, Plaza co-organized the First National Soil Health Summit in June 2023 which finally gathered the country’s soil health stakeholders to exchange their insights on the soil health crisis. This led to the signing in September 2023 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippines and Australia establishing a bilateral partnership on national soil health strategy which identified Bataan, Tarlac and Ilocos Norte as the pilot areas and Agusan del Sur as the lead project pilot province. Meanwhile, Plaza expressed optimism for the soil testing program. “I have a very strong belief that with the president’s Food Security Program and his advocacy for the scientific way of agriculture, our soil testing program will get the attention and support it deserves. At the end of the day, what is important is we are able to help the farmers,” he says. He wants Filipino farmers, who have to deal with a number of challenges, to have the same opportunities for a better life as do farmers in other countries. TOWARD UPLAND COMMUNITIES’ DEVELOPMENT Another flagship initiative began by Plaza is the Upland Sustainable Agriforestry Development (USAD) program. This is a convergence program that has successfully addressed the need to lower the poverty incidence in upland areas; create/increase income for upland farmers; protect and conserve natural resources by providing alternative sources of livelihood; and empower individuals and communities for sustainable development through formal and continuing education, capacity development, and technology and skills transfer. USAD came about as Plaza’s comprehensive response to Agusan del Sur’s upland communities being dehado (in a disadvantaged position) especially during times of disaster. “When Typhoon Pablo ravaged our province in 2013, our upland communities’ livelihood was wiped out,” he recalls. “We had to reconsider our priorities and think out of the box. It was then that we came up with USAD, confident that with it, we could hit three birds with one stone: recover quickly from calamities, protect the environment, and fight poverty.”The second-term congressman describes their implementation of USAD as part of a critical paradigm shift. “We shifted our thinking from planting crops to growing people!” he exclaims. Steering clear of the usual dole-out strategy, the program pushes for the empowerment of individuals and communities “for greater productivity and sustainability.” Instead of just giving out seeds, tools, and other farm inputs, USAD gives upland farmers “comprehensive support anchored on accountability, assisted by science, and nurtured by the provincial government.” The program’s farmer-enrolees are selected based on data collected from the Community-Based Management System to ensure that upland communities with high poverty incidence and farmers living below the poverty threshold are prioritized. Farmer-enrolees’ willingness to participate in the program, site accessibility, and the community’s commitment to provide counterparts such as labor, land, and time are also major considerations. “The program is driven by the farmer’s commitment, ownership, and accountability. The farmer-enrolee is our development partner, nota beneficiary of a dole-out,” Plaza says. USAD’s convergence approach capacitates farmer-enrolees by providing technology trainings and farm inputs as well as reliable interventions in infrastructure, health and social support services, and livelihood. For remote upland communities, USAD is right and center in the development of infrastructure projects such as road construction and rehabilitation, daycare centers, sanitary toilets, water system facilities, and pre and post-harvest facilities. Since its inception in 2013, about 90 percent of the 6000 USAD enrolees have breached the poverty threshold. The program has been credited by provincial officials as a major factor in the continued decrease in the province’s poverty incidence. A marked improvement took place between 2021 and the first quarter of 2023, where the poverty rate dropped from 36.9 percent to 25.9 percent. This led to Agusan del Sur graduating from the list of the country’s 20 poorest provinces. It must be noted that two years before the implementation of USAD, Agusan del Sur was one of 11 Mindanao provinces included in the list. With USAD’s success, Plaza wants communities in other provinces to benefit from it as well. He and Agusan del Sur 1st District Representative Angelito M. Bascug filed in 2022 House Bill 3489, which seeks to implement USAD as a major poverty alleviation program all over the country. Local leaders’ positive response to the bill has emboldened Plaza all the more to make sure that it is enacted into law in this Congress. He describes USAD as “something that Agusan del Sur is proud to share with the Filipino nation.” HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE TO LEARNERS Education is also one of the areas where Plaza is focusing his energy on. One tangible proof of this is the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur Scholars (PGAS) program. The PGAS program was borne out of their firm beliefthat with human development will also come the success of other development initiatives in the province. The project was initiated in 2001 in order to help poor but deserving youth pursue their college education. “The provincial government thought of the project as a way to help financially-challenged students and their families overcome poverty,” Plaza says. “We saw that our human resource base was quite weak. Meanwhile, a lot of students have the talent and intelligence, but don’t have the means to study. So the provincial government addressed this by coming up with a scholarship. I was one of the main authors of the scholarship program, together with present Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr.” Aside from tuition and entrance fees, the scholarship program also provides book and uniform allowances, monthly allowance, and financial assistance for board exam review classes. Among others, the PGAS has produced 40 doctors, who now play important roles in addressing gaps when it comes to health services our healthcare system in the province. “Right now, we’re focused on medicine and nursing students because we don’t have enough doctors,” Plaza states. “We want to have more scholars in other fields, but right now we’re focusing on soil science because this is the strength of the province,” the lawmaker continues. “We really need to capacitate people and change the mindset of our farmers. What we’re doing is really capacitating people to have and understand the new technology, and to replicate it.” Incidentally, Goloran, a consultant for the province’s soil science program, is one of the many beneficiaries of Agusan del Sur’s comprehensive scholarship program, Plaza’s passion for promoting education can be traced back to his first term as Agusan’s local chief executive. “I became governor in 2001. I made it a point to visit elementary schools and high schools. At that time, schoolchildren still frequented libraries. I was able to get a grant from Booksfor the Barrios, so I built libraries in the whole province,” he reveals. “This helped boost the children’s morale.” The above project earned Plaza the moniker Big Brother, from a main character in a famous reality television show. The nickname clearly reflected the then-governor’s image of an elder brother looking after his younger siblings. Books for the Barrios is a United States-based non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of education for underprivileged youth in deprived communities, particularly in depressed regions in the Philippines. PROVIDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION In the 18th Congress, Plaza was a principal sponsor of House Bill 7019, which paved the way for the conversion of the Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, into the Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU). The bill provided for ADDSU to “provide advance education, higher technological, professional and advance instruction in the fields of agriculture, agribusiness management, science and technology, education, forestry, engineering, arts and sciences, non-traditional courses, and other fields of study.” The university shall offer short-term technical-vocational courses, as well as undergraduate and graduate programs in said areas of competence and specialization. Enacted as Republic Act 11586, Plaza’s brainchild is described by him as a “long shot dream, but it’s happening already.” He shares that while the law has been signed by the president, ASSCAT has not yet been converted into a full- fledged university. “We have to do the necessary requirements for the institution to become a full-fledged university,” he clarifies. That the university will benefit Agsurnons, however, is beyond doubt. College students from Agusan del Sur willno longer have to go to Davao, Cebu, or Bukidnon to study, since ADSSU will be able to provide them the quality tertiary education they need. Plaza hopes instead that the students of other provinces will flock to ADSSU to study soil science and soil health. ADSSU is also expected to be a showcase of the convergence of the different programs initiated by Plaza and sustained by other provincial officials. With ADDSU, more PGAS scholars will be able to pursue their education in the province. It will also put special focus on soil science, improving on ASSCAT’s existing soil laboratory. ASSCAT’S existing partnerships with Griffith University will be strengthened, and similar linkages with other universities in Australia will be established. “If possible,we will send exchange students and maybe bring in foreign professors to fill in the gaps,” Plaza says. THE PLAZA BRAND OF LEADERSHIP With modern devices at his disposal and with his staff and local leaders ready to do things for him in his district, Plaza chooses to personally meet his constituents in order to get an unfiltered view of what is happening on the ground. Cane, who has served the province with Plaza for three decades, describes the youthful-looking lawmaker as being “a man of the masses, approachable, aware of the people’s needs.” One thing that sets Plaza apart from other government officials, he says, is the congressman always walks the talk. “ Ang kapakanan ng tao ang iniisip, ang nasa puso , (He puts his heart into ensuring the people’s welfare), ” he says. Moreover, Plaza is not who one thinks so highly ofhimself so as to dismiss other people’s ideas. “My principlein governance is that it is not prohibited to copy. If there is a congressional district, city or province that has a good practice, and I think it fits my province, I ask their leaders if I can use such, of course with necessary adjustments to fit our situation,” he shares. By the same token, the second-term congressman is never stingy with his ideas. Local leaders flock to his home to seek his counsel. Not a few projects have been hatched based on discussions Agsurnon leaders have had with Plaza. Still, he chooses not to crow about all these. With all the legislative measures he has to scrutinize and shepherd into enactment, consultations and activities he has to attend, as well as the people’s concerns he has to give attention to, Plaza at times takes a step back to reflect. Spending time with his fighting cocks is one way for him to do this. “This is especially true when I was the governor,” he shares. “During those times when my mind is full and I could not figure out how to deal with some concerns, I would go to my farm. There, I get over my tendency to overthink. When I am relaxed, it is easier for me to think of solutions to the people’s concerns.” “Taking care of your people is like taking care of chicken,” the perennial derby champion says. “You have to take careof them as much as you can, know what their needs are and respond accordingly. And you try to deliver the needed services the best way you can, so that when the time comes, the rewards you gain will be worth all the effort you have exerted. With chicken, you also have to give them attention from breeding, when they grow up, up to when they fight... As for my constituents, we try to equip them for a better future.” With the way Congressman Eddiebong Plaza has rendered service to his constituents and fought for a better life alongside them, it is no wonder that he remains the people’s choice. For his part, he remains steadfast in ensuring not only soil health within Agusan del Sur, but across the nation. PLAZA IS NOT ONE WHO THINKS SO HIGHLY OF HIMSELF SO AS TO DISMISS OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS. HIS PRINCIPLE IN GOVERNANCE IS THAT IT IS NOT PROHIBITED TO COPY OTHER LEADERS’ PROGRAMS AND TAILOR-FIT SUCH TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF AGSURNONS.

< Back Filipino Athletes Shine in the 31st SEA Games By Julia Garcia The 31st SEA Games is the first in-person sports competition in the region after the COVID-19 pandemic struck. How did our delegates perform after the long hiatus in such events? Filipinos have proven themselves to be more than competitive in the athletic field. From Manny Pacquiao to Hidilyn Diaz, we can make big names in almost every sport there is. Resilience and determination are common among Filipino athletes. Resilience not just in the face of difficulty and discipline required in training, but also because of the personal reasons that hinder them from focusing on strengthening their skills. This is why rags to golden medal stories are also not unfamiliar. What more if faced with the pandemic that isolated them from their usual activities as athletes. Due to the relaxed protocols worldwide, the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games finally took place on May 12 to 23, 2022, six months after its supposed date of opening in December 2021. Despite the pandemicinduced challenges, host country Vietnam still managed to present an eye-pleasing opening ceremony with group dance performances backed by magical lighting and made extra special by the computer generated imagery of elements floating on the screen. Even the torch lighting was presented through this modern way. The 31st SEA Games had the theme “Let’s Shine.” At first glance, the logo looks like a hand. The hand serves as a welcoming symbol, with Vietnam being the host country. It also shows Vietnam as a friendly and peaceful country. The hand also stands for humanity and chivalry while the rough and soft edges of the “fingers” convey the flexibility of sports. Aside from the aforementioned details, the logo is also designed to look like a flying bird. The bird represents the strong will and extraordinary efforts of the athletes. The logo is intentionally shaped like a V which stands for Vietnam and victory. HIGHLIGHTING ATHLETES Finishing 4th in the overall ranking among 11 participating nations, the Filipino athletes showed that they are ready to be back in the game after the long hiatus the pandemic forced them into. One of the gold medalists is Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to bring home an Olympic gold medal. This is her first competition following her monumental win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ernest John Obiena, the world’s number 6 pole vaulter, also brought home a gold medal after setting a new SEA Games record of 5.46 meters. Meanwhile, world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo bagged five gold ......

< Back CHED COMMISSIONER POPOY DE VERA Better Education for More Commission on Higher Education OIC, Commissioner Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, talks about the historic developments in Philippine education BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA PHOTOGRAPOHY BY JAR CONCENGCO The education journey of many students—including young Filipinos who are off to college with the goal of earning a degree—culminates this month. The new school year may seem like business as usual, except that some families did not have to shell out tuition fees for highereducation scholars. A new piece of legislation known as Republic Act (RA) 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), now makes the government responsible for the tuition in state-run universities, colleges, and technical vocational institutions. If learning is a right, then it’s time to do things right. It is a “historic development,” according to Commissioner Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). “This has never been tried in our country or, for that matter, in any developing country. We’re entering uncharted waters, so to speak.” RA 10931 is pillared on four programs: free higher education to students admitted in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and CHEDrecognized local universities and colleges (LUCs), free technical-vocational education and training in state-run technical-vocational institutions (TVIs), tertiary education subsidy (TES) or grants-in-aid, and a national student loan program (SLP). The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), along with other government agencies, will implement the law, while CHED is the central agency because the network of public higher education institutions are under the commission. INVESTING IN THE YOUTH According to De Vera, who has been with the agency since 2016 and was appointed OIC at the beginning of the year, this means overseeing P41 billion in funding for quality higher education. This makes him and his office accountable for over 1.3 million young people. “If we invest in them, we give them the opportunity to complete their education and develop the skills needed,” he tells LEAGUE Magazine. “We’ve always looked at population as a problem, or the fact that we have a lot of young people as burden to this country . The impact of this (law) is not just going to be felt during the Duterte administration when students will not have the heavy burden of paying for tuition and miscellaneous fees. It will be felt maybe 10, 20 years from now when you see we have produced a bigger number of more educated, better -trained young people who will be the engines of growth in the country.” De Vera shares that CHED and some education institutions have warmed up to the recent changes since last year when President Rodrigo Duterte and the House of Representatives realigned P8.3 billion in funds to assist at least 900,000 students in 1 12 SUCs with their tuition fees. This means that these educational facilities already have experience in reimbursing from, and reporting to, the national government. The only change RA10931 brings is that aside from tuition fees, miscellaneous fees will be paid for by the government as well. Now CHED has to transfer knowledge to 78 local universities and colleges created by local governments. “We have to make sure that SUCs created by local government efficiently implement the law,” continues De Vera, former vice president for public affairs of the University of the Philippines. “That is non-negotiable and we have to help them because they don’t have the experience. They have to learn fast and catch up.” De Vera recognizes the autonomy of local governments and has met with groups like the Association of Local Universities and Colleges, heads of colleges and universities to build relationships. In these dialogues, he said he has always stressed the role of CHED as they work together to help improve the quality and standards in schools. Click here to read full article for free

< Back 10 QUESTIONS: SEN. BAM AQUINO Carrying on the Legacy of Democracy BY MAAN D’ASIS PAMARAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAR CONCENGCO 1. Did you always know that you would go into politics? No, I didn’t think I would go into politics, but I wanted to be in public service, so I thought of going into media. Of course, I was in social enterprise for a long time, and I also served in the National Youth Commission before. There was a long time that I felt I was in public service, but not necessarily in politics. I made the jump into politics in 2013, and I entered kind of late at 35. Getting into public service was something I always thought about, especially with my being exposed to my relatives doing that kind of work. But you can say that I resisted getting into politics as much as I could. 2 .What was the deciding factor that led youto run for a Senate seat? We had social enterprise projects like Hapinoy, which empowered sari-sari store (neighborhood store) owners; Rags2Riches, which gave livelihood to women through weaving upcycled materials into bags and other accessories; and Gawad Kalinga (GK), which gave livelihood opportunities to those living in GK communities. They would end up doing well, but in very limited communities. We realized that if we wanted to expand and scale up, we needed some more government support or policies behind what we were doing. At the time, in 2007, we were cutting-edge. It was so new to be using business models to develop communities and we were helping about two or three communities, and with Hapinoy, about 11 provinces. But with no policy or program in place, you would never get past that scale. One of the challenges was finding people in government who understood what we were trying to do. GK’s Tony Meloto and I were at a conference together and during our four-hour breakfast, he said, “You should think about running.” And I said, “Okay.” Then, things just fell into place. My name was floated around in the surveys a year before the election and it showed me at around number 20. So, two weeks after I got married, they asked me if I still wanted to run because they have a slot. Thankfully, I won and a lot of the things we wanted to do we were able to fulfill. In the past four or five years, we were able to build a framework or ecosystem where your micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), community enterprises, and startups get more support from the government through negosyo (business) centers or better financing opportunities. 3. What was your idea of politics before you entered it and what was your goal? I was not new to politics because my family has been there for quite some time. I went into it because I wanted to make a change for something. With my years in social enterprise, I saw that with a good solution, so many lives can be improved. A number of us Filipinos have a defeatist mentality where they think nothing will change. Those of us who go into politics should have a reformist mindset. If you are in the legislative branch, you bring change through laws, policies, and budgets. You try to create those avenues where your countrymen will be able to do better. The problem with us is that there are politicians who win, but do not have plans or have no idea what they want to do. They end up just wasting time. In our office, we knew what we needed to accomplish, so we hit the ground running. I think we have 20 laws already and these were created to open more opportunities for our countrymen through education, entrepreneurship, and financing. All those things that are lacking for the people to improve their lives, we try to unlock them. 4. How did you get ideas for what to prioritize? It goes back to my years with social enterprise. I worked in the National Youth Commission with my friend, Mark Ruiz, who was with Unilever at the time, and we looked at microbusinesses such as the sari-sari stores, while at the same time we were exposed to the other side of the fence, which are the large supermarkets and big manufacturers. We saw that the store owners often got the worse end of the deals, but they somehow helped to move the economy along. We worked to band together the sari-sari store owners so they could get better deals because their larger groups held inherent power. It became sort of a People Power in that sense, and with the right interventions, they were able to move up and grow their business. That was why the first bill we had was the GoNegosyo Act. We look into areas where people should begetting but don’t get, such as Free Education, which is why one of our latest bills is the free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs). By giving more Filipinos the opportunity to study, they can have better jobs and hopefully lift themselves out of poverty. 5. You are one of the most prolific senators when it comes to passing laws. What is needed to ensure that a bill gets passed? Persistence and perspiration. We all have that equal opportunity in the Senate, to pass laws that we think are important. That said, dapat masipag ka, persistent ka (You should be hardworking and persistent). Your team members should also know what they are doing. We are confident to push for those reforms because we convince not only our congressmen and senators to support us, but also the stakeholders as well. The sectors we are supporting are also supporting the bill, so when we put it forth, people agree on it already. For the GoNegosyo Act, we consulted with MSME groups, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, GoNegosyo, and a lot of other groups who thought it was a good idea. For the Education Bill, the students and their parents, the school heads, the SUCs, and even private sector were all in support. 6. It seems that you and the other senators in your political party are beleaguered by negative comments. How do you handle those? Trabaho lang (Just keep working). Honestly, if you dwell on negative comments you will do exactly what they want you to do, and that is nothing. Because, when you get barraged with negativity, the tendency is that if you do nothing, someone will get angry; if you do something, someone will get angry, too. It is a “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. I think the best way to rile them up is to work hard to get your stuff passed. I think that is what riles them up the most—if you pass your law and it works so well that so many people benefit from it. I have accepted that politics, especially in the modern day, is like that. If you let the trolls get to you, you won’t do anything or say anything. If you want to make them angry, speak your mind even if you don’t know how people will react. Do your work and execute your plans to help as many people as you can. I think that is the best way to move forward. 7. How would you describe your management style? Leading by example. I think I was stricter before, but after five years, I trust my team a lot to be able to do the work with me. I tell them that it is my name boutside, but the office is more than just Bam Aquino. It is every single person that works here. The staff knows how important our work is and we are all invested in the things we espouse and advocate, and our office is inclusive and empowering. We pride ourselves in doing excellent work. I do not accept mediocrity; we strive for excellence and to be as inclusive as possible. If we can have fun along the way, we also do it. 8. What do you think the government should focus on right now? It should focus on what it should have focused on ever since, which is on what every Filipino family needs. You look at the common Filipino family and you find the blueprint of what we need to do. They find the prices of commodities too high; then don’t raise prices. Their children want to finish school; help them by offering free tuition. They want job security; remove contractualization and give them regular jobs. The reverse is to not pass laws that will make things more expensive, which is why I opposed the TRAIN Law. If you think about it, our job is not rocket science. If you look at our bills, it goes down to the needs of every Filipino family, regardless of whether they live in the city or anywhere in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. What is difficult is to have the wherewithal to pass those reforms, because none of them are simple reforms. We live in a complicated world where we need to determine what policies and reforms should be done to help the most number of people. In order to do that, we study a lot, we consult a lot. 9. What comes to mind when you hear theterm “public trust?” I don’t know how much the public stilltrusts politicians. For me, I always go back to the Jessie Robredo line of “Matino and Mahusay.” For you to get the trust of people, you need to be both. You need to be not only free from corruption— which is what people were looking for 20 years ago; you also need to be effective—which is what people are also looking for now. You need to come up with proposals that are cutting edge, not ones that have been around since 1965 or 1975. If we really want people to trust politicians again, we need to show them that we can get things done. It is not enough to say you will pass a law. You need to make sure it is funded, implemented, and refined across the years. I think our countrymen are looking beyond good intentions, but really try to see how their lives will be affected and improved. 10 What is your dream for thePhilippines? My dream for Filipinos is simple, where if you are ready to work and ready to apply yourself, you should be able to achieve success. Unfortunately, there are so many who are willing to work and are intelligent, but still have a difficult life because they don’t have enough opportunities. When we live in a country where the family can be comfortable, can have their children finish school, have some leisure, live in a decent place and have certainty in their jobs because they are willing to work hard and give of themselves, that is the dream. We are not there yet, but hopefully with measures like supporting MSMEs, better education, and being able to find better jobs by also attracting investments, then we can unlock the potentials of the Filipinos. As such, we are willing to work with all segments, all political parties, all persuasions, public and private sector, to be able to provide these opportunities to our countrymen for them to lift themselves up. No matter where they come from and no matter what circumstances they had when they were born, they will have opportunities if they are willing to work well. It may take one or two generations; Singapore was able to achieve a development ladder based on meritocracy in a span of 30 to 40 years. Hopefully in our lifetime, makita natin iyan (we will be able to see that). Click here to read full article for free

< Back UNEARTHING THE WONDERS OF BONGABONG BY TEODORA MARTINEZ Tucked away in the serene municipality of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro lies a pair of destinations that quietly weave the threads of heritage, sustainability, and hope into the fabric of the community: the Gabutero Organic Farm Resort and the mysterious Kuta Shrine. Each tells a compelling story—one of innovation rooted in nature, and the other, a spiritual remnant of a centuries-old past. GABUTERO ORGANIC FARM RESORT What started as a simple plot of land has blossomed into a 15-hectare haven of sustainability, thanks to the vision and dedication of Mr. Nelson Gabutero Sr., the founder of the Gabutero Organic Farm Resort in Sitio Tubigan, Barangay Labonan. Here, the usual reliance on chemical fertilizers is replaced by a more mindful method. Coconut husks enrich the soil, while a developed blend of animal waste, carbonized rice hull, mudpress, and indigenous microorganisms fuels plant growth. The result? Fruits and vegetables grown without a trace of synthetic additives—pure, healthy, and grown with the planet and consumers in mind. But the farm’s mission goes far beyond providing organic produce. It stands as a learning hub, offering training on sustainable agriculture techniques like organic rice cultivation and vegetable production. Gabutero’s knowledge-sharing efforts have turned this site into a classroom under the open sky, open to those who wish to learn the craft of eco-conscious farming. As innovation continues, the farm explores unconventional methods of animal feed, such as black soldier fly larvae, which serve as a protein-rich food source for chickens. In a bold move to contribute to environmental protection, Mr. Gabutero has also begun cultivating super worms, which digest plastic O materials at a rapid rate—a potential breakthrough in the fight against waste pollution. THE KUTA SHRINE Deep within the heart of Anilao, surrounded by the gnarly embrace of ancient Balete trees, stand the haunting yet beautiful ruins of the Kuta Shrine. Though its roof and walls have long surrendered to time, its story continues to echo through the stones and soil. This 18th-century church, once a fortress against Moro invaders and a refuge for faith, remains unfinished which symbolizes devotion and resistance and yet, its spiritual pull is undeniable. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2012, the first of its kind in Oriental Mindoro, Kuta Shrine is more than just a remnant of colonial architecture—it is a vessel of folklore and belief. Locals whisper that the shrine holds a kind of quiet magic. It is said that any wish made here, no matter how far-fetched, has a strange way of finding its path to reality. Y B U U Perhaps it’s the history soaked in the stones or the sacred stillness of the surrounding forest, but visitors often leave with a sense of peace and a spark of hope.

< Back Helping Promote Peace and National Development By Godfrey T. Dancel NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS JONATHAN E. MALAYA SHEDS LIGHT ON THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL IN ADDRESSING NOT ONLY SECURITY CONCERNS BUT DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AS WELL. THE NSC’S ROLE “There are three main functions of the NSC,” Malaya states. “The first is to advise the Philippine president on matters of national security. The second one is to monitor, guide and supervise the intelligence community, and third, to be part of and support various task forces involved in matters of national security.” The advisory function is performed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Secretary Eduardo Año, who primarily advises the president on the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting national security. The monitoring and supervisory function, meanwhile, is done by working closely with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and all intelligence outfits of government, including the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces (ISAFP), and the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG). This involves, among others, making sure that policies adopted by the NSC on national security are effectively and efficiently implemented. Finally, the NSC, through the secretary and other top officials, plays a major role in government task forces. Among these are the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which, despite being quite controversial, has been very successful in diminishing the communist insurgency in the country. The NSA also chairs the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), which deals with all deployments and actions which relate to the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea. WORKING WITH MEDIA “My role as Assistant Director General is technically to handle the public affairs of the NSC,” Malaya states. “My role is to promote peace and development in the country by communicating the programs and projects of the NSC. Meanwhile, utilizing the measured transparency policy of the NTF-WPS, we, together with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCO), handle information dissemination insofar as our operations in the West Philippine Sea is concerned,” Malaya states. “So, we deal with media; we are the ones who invite mediamen to board Coast Guard vessels, sail with us to Bajo de Masinloc, to show what government is doing.“ “We work with media, because we understand media has a critical role to play in disseminating information to the public. With media reporting about us, there is a certain type of credibility and legitimacy to it. So we need media to be able to report government’s programs and projects. At the same time, media also needs government. Because media won’t have anything to write about if the government doesn’t have an official position on specific issues and does not communicate such to them. It's a symbiotic relationship. So that’s exactly what we do, through the policy of measure transparency,” Malaya stresses. Malaya notes that even with the love-hate relationship between government and media, the two actually work together in disseminating information as part of efforts to promote peace and security in the country. “We do that in all of our assignments, whether it is internal or external threats to the Republic. So in the communist insurgency, we also work with the media in bringing about and communicating to the rebels that they can immediately surrender. They will be given assistance from government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government, so that we can promote peace and development across the country,” he elaborates. THE ROAD TO THE NSC Malaya, who has spent half of his life in government service, traces his interest in public service to the fact that his parents were also dedicated public servants. “I think I was brainwashed early on by my parents into entering public service,” he chuckles. “My parents were both public servants. My father retired as a regional trial court judge. My mother retired as a schools division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd). My brother joined the foreign service, and my sister used to work for the Supreme Court. So that was really what I wanted to do, early on, to join government. Public service has always been part of my DNA.” Just like public service, studying at the University of the Philippines was part of the Malaya family culture. “So all of us four siblings went to UP,” he shares. “When I got to UP Diliman, I knew exactly what I would do.” An English major, Malaya became a writer for the Philippine Collegian and founding member of the UP Debate Society. He also emerged as a leader of the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and the Independent Student Alliance, one of the major student political parties in campus during the 1990s. “The trajectory really was to enter public service,” he declares. In a career that has spanned 25 years, Malaya has served in all three branches of government. He first worked at the Lower House with then- Samar Congressman Antonio Nachura and later on at the Upper Chamber with then-Senator Mar Roxas. He later joined the executive branch as chief of staff to then-DepEd Secretary Florencio Abad, then as assistant secretary at the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. He was subsequently appointed as chief of staff at the Office of the Solicitor General. In 2007, Malaya reunited with Nachura, who by then had been appointed as Supreme Court associate justice. He later on rejoined the DepEd, again as assistant secretary, this time under then Secretary Jesli Lapus. In 2011, Malaya took his talents to the Pasay City government, serving as spokesperson and public information officer during the term of Mayor Antonio Calixto. Six years later, he joined the DILG as assistant secretary, undersecretary, and eventual spokesperson. The multi-hyphenate Malaya has also been part of the academe, having taught at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) and the University of Makati, among others. He has also written a number of books on topics such as Philippine presidents, constitutional reform, and debating. A PERFECT FIT Malaya’s appointment to the NSC in March 2023 seemed to be part of the natural flow of things, what with Año being chosen to lead the agency two months prior. The ADG, however, shares that he did not quite expect such. “I was already supposed to join another agency. When Secretary Año called and asked me to join him, I acceded.” Asked what he thinks Año saw in him, Malaya shifts the focus to the perfect team at the helm of the NSC. “The team that is here, I think it’s a Dream Team,” he says. “Because the Deputy Director General is also a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, retired Gen. Benjamin Madrigal. Our Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Engagements, retired Gen. Nestor Hericho, used to be the Commandant of the Philippine Marines. Our Deputy Director General for Operations used to be the Commanding General of the Army Intelligence Regiment. And Secretary Año used to head the Intelligence Service of the AFP. So they’re all intel.” “I think what Secretary Año did was to choose the people he worked with in the past. He chose those who have shown him their expertise,” Malaya continues. Indeed, the ADG enjoys the full confidence of the secretary. Following Malaya’s appointment last year, Año was quoted as saying that Malaya’s “25-year experience in public service as well as his proven dedication and commitment to the national interest will serve this agency and the country well.” Their successful partnership at the DILG serves as a solid basis for Año to have complete faith in Malaya’s character and capabilities. “It’s important that when you work for someone, he has trust and confidence in you,” Malaya stresses. “Trust is very valuable. So I reckoned that, rather than work in another department, I would rather work at the NSC.” Aside from their good professional relationship, Malaya also values the close personal relationship he has with Año. “I consider him as my mentor. So I immediately took the opportunity to join him here at the NSC,” Malaya reveals. MAKING PROGRESS The same team Malaya mentioned above has been responsible for the success that the NSC has had in the recent months. For instance, Malaya points to the much-improved internal security situation. “The New People’s Army (NPA) has been decimated to such a degree that it’s no longer a major threat to the State,” he declares. Of course, there are still remnants in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Negros. But the NPA is now just a shadow of what it used to be, because of the successive losses coming from focused military operations and development programs.” “Of course, there will always be violent extremism in the South. But, it’s quiet there now,” he adds. He shares how a friend who came all the way from Basilan related to him how Lamitan, Isabela, and other parts of the province are much quieter now. “Because we were able to build the circumferential road in Basilan. Then the road that crossed the hinterlands to the other coast was also built. So they are now reaping the benefits of peace.” Malaya shares that the NSC is also actively looking at ways to stop the active recruitment of youth to take up arms against the government, noting that a number of schools in Metro Manila and nearby areas remain as recruitment grounds for the NPA. “Hopefully, we can find common ground with the Commission on Higher Education and university officials. I know it’s going to be hard, because to be honest, there is no anti-subversion law so it is not illegal to believe in communism. The only concern of the NSC is when students take up arms against the government,” he underscores as he laments the fate of students who, thinking that it was part of their duty as nationalist young citizens, joined the armed struggle, only to perish afterwards. With relative internal peace, Malaya says that “We can now focus our attention on the West Philippine Sea and external threats.” He also points to the continuing threat of China’s invasion of Taiwan, as well as possible conflict in the Korean Peninsula as threats that the NSC has been helping the government prepare for. Among the possible effects such are the disruption of the flow of goods to and from the country, as well as the displacement of overseas Filipino workers in affected areas. “All of these, we’re constantly monitoring to make sure that we can minimize the impact and keep us safe as a nation,” he assures. MALAYA’S STINT AS COLLEGE PROFESSOR SERVED NOT ONLY AS A MEANS FOR HIM TO IMPART HIS KNOWLEDGE TO THE COUNTRY’S NEXT SET OF LEADERS. IT ALSO SERVED AS BOTH AN EYE-OPENER ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION’S VIEWS OF GOVERNMENT AND A CHANCE TO CORRECT LONG-STANDING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICE. THE EDUCATOR AS PEACEMAKER Malaya’s stints as college professor served not only as a means for him to impart his knowledge to the country’s next set of leaders. It also served as both an eye-opener on the younger generation’s views of government and a chance to correct long-standing misconceptions about government services. “They’re mostly anti-government. Malaya says of his former students at the UP-NCPAG. I tell them, ‘Why did you go to NCPAC? Because you want to be public servants. Therefore, you must be fair to government. Because eventually, you’ll end up sitting there. You have to understand that not everyone in the government is stupid, crazy, or corrupt’.” “There’s an automatic mistrust. And I don’t blame them,” Malaya avers. He points to social media and Left-leaning groups as being major contributors to the prevailing view among students. “When you Google, you’ll usually see negative things about the government. And you know, that’s intentionally done by the Left. When we looked at the way they operate, we saw that they have propaganda campaigns on everything. On the economy, they have Ibon Databank; on human rights, they have Karapatan; on fishermen’s rights, there’s Pamalakaya. And they produce press releases almost every day. So researchers and students are bombarded with negative stories which are readily available online. So what I told my students is for them not to immediately believe in what they are reading hook, line, and sinker without subjecting such to critical analysis.” One strategy Malaya resorted to in his classes is the use of case studies in addition to discussing the theoretical aspects of governance. “So when we discuss about corruption, we have a discussion about the law itself. And then, we will discuss one or two graft and corruption cases, so that they can really understand the concept,” he shares. His experience as college professor has made such an impact on Malaya that he sees himself going back to teaching if ever he leaves government. “I don’t really know where life will bring me, as I never really planned on my career. In any case, if I leave government, I’ll go back to teaching. That’s what I did after I left the DILG. And before I joined government, I taught at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Assumption.” How long he will stay in government, even Malaya himself cannot say for sure. “I never really planned on my career. I did not plan to work in the Supreme Court, for example, since I am not a lawyer. But I found myself there. I did not plan to go to the Office of the Solicitor General, but I ended up working there.” Joining electoral politics is also an option that has been presented to Malaya a number of times. He has been asked to make a bid for a seat at the Lower House either as district representative or as a partylist lawmaker. He has also been named as a possible senatorial candidate a number of times. For now, however, he would want to concentrate on his role at the NSC. With this, one thing is crystal clear. With his active involvement in responding to various present-day threats to national security as well as in helping mold the country’s future leaders, Malaya is indeed a major figure in efforts to ensure peace and development in the country.

< Back Barangay connection By Treisha C. Rovero IMPROVED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES FOR BARANGAY MAGNAO, TABUK CITY, KALINGA Residents of Barangay Magnao, Tabuk City, Kalinga have one less worry about their health facilities. This, as a barangay health center featuring a lying-in facility and an outpatient clinic was constructed recently. With a budget of Php 2.2 million, a 320-square-meter lot was acquired and turned over to barangay Magnao officials through the support of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cycle II. As part of the program, Barangay Magnao was selected as one of the 22 beneficiaries of the three-cycle project initiative by the DSWD Cordillera Office. In the first cycle, a waterworks system was successfully implemented with a budget allocation of Php 1.2 million. The second cycle saw the completion of the barangay health center, and the community is now preparing to identify their third project. Barangay Chairperson Eduardo Tubban expressed deep gratitude for the assistance provided to their community, which has helped alleviate the residents’ burdens through improved healthcare services and facilities. YOUTH LEADERS STEP UP IN RAGAY, CAMARINES SUR COMMUNITY With the goal of supporting students for the upcoming school year, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Council of Barangay F. Simeon, Ragay, Camarines Sur, led by Chairwoman Donna Caña, distributed school supplies and hygiene kits to learners of Pugod Elementary School. Each student received a kit containing notebooks, pencils, and other essential school materials, along with hygiene items. This program highlights the SK council’s commitment to promoting the welfare of young learners and supporting their educational needs. Caña and the entire SK council emphasized their dedication to improving the community’s quality of life through such programs. They also announced plans to organize more activities and initiatives aimed at positively impacting students’ academic journeys and overall development.