< Back The Voice of Filipino Nurses BY CAMILLE F. CABAL PHILIPPINE NURSES ASSOCIATION (PNA) PRESIDENT MELVIN D. MIRANDA TALKS ABOUT THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE ASSOCIATION IN AMPLIFYING THE VOICE OF FILIPINO NURSES. HEALTHCARE HEROES Miranda undoubtedly understands how challenging it is to be a nurse in the Philippines. Despite this, he himself still finds fulfillment in being one. He also attempted to become a doctor but instead prioritized paying his parents back by looking for a job right after graduation. He chose to work in a hospital where he earned a pittance. “Can you imagine earning Php3,000 to Php4,000 a month as a nurse? But it did not discourage me from continuing because of the fulfillment I got from it,” he says. He adds that the people around him were already encouraging him to quit, considering his salary. But he opted to stay because he was provided with opportunities to grow professionally. Through his commitment and hard work, he was later on promoted as chief nurse. Miranda shares the same passion with the rest of the Filipino nurses. He even shared one story of a chief nurse in one hospital in Malabon who risked his own life serving the public during the pandemic. When Miranda visited the hospital that time, most hospitals did not have a COVID-19 vaccine yet and fear and anxiety was all over the place. While others backed out and no longer reported for duty, the chief nurse showed remarkable service. He led the swabbing team, unmindful of the risks to his health. He eventually contracted the virus and suffered critically but fortunately recovered. Upon coming back from sick bay, he continued to serve and lead the hospital’s team of nurses. While these stories may be perceived as either positive and admirable, there is always this side to the profession that is prone to burnout. Miranda uses figures to illustrate the common experience of hospital-based nurses. He says that the standard nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:12. But in a real hospital setting, one nurse manages the whole ward which has 30 to 40 patients. He adds that each patient has a minimum of five medicines that a nurse should monitor and their level of patient care also varies. Patients classified as critical, for example, need more attention because they have risks of possible cardiac or respiratory arrest. “Eight hours may not be sufficient to manage all of these 30 patients. That’s why nurses feel burnt out,” he says. FILIPINO NURSES’ COMPASSION TOWARD PATIENTS, DEDICATION TO DUTY, AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD WORK IS VALUED BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS. The ability of Filipino nurses to manage this kind of situation may be the biggest factor why they are patronized by other countries, according to Miranda. He enumerates three characteristics of Filipino nurses that hospital administrators in foreign countries appreciate: compassionate, dedicated, and rarely complaining about work. He however clarifies that the last may be perceived as positive or negative but he emphasizes that this pertains to the nurses’ willingness to accept whatever task is given to them because they are committed and compassionate. This attitude is what foreign employers see as the “Tender Loving Care” brand of Filipino nurses. MANAGING MIGRATION The year 2008, according to Miranda, was when the demand for Filipino nurses abroad reached its peak. And while the country initially saw this as a great opportunity for Filipino nurses, it eventually became a challenge to the local health sector because while the Philippines continued to produce thousands of registered nurses, it was now being deprived of their services. The problem became even more complex because of what he calls as “unethical recruitment.” This happens when the recruiters do not pass through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). Miranda, who is also dean of the MCU College of Nursing, reveals that even in the academe where he works, recruitment agencies and other countries are already offering scholarships for students and guaranteeing them work abroad upon earning their degree and license. What sways the students more is the lucrative offers of benefits that extend to their family members. He admits that this is tempting but as the local government or private hospitals cannot match these offers, officials cannot bar nurses from going abroad. A major problem Miranda is concerned about is the lack of regulation when it comes to “unethical recruitment.” With this practice, professional nurses are not safeguarded with regard to the legalities of the contracts they enter into. The PNA head has raised the concern to DMW, seeking that the association be involved in the process of renewal of bilateral and multilateral agreements to protect professional nurses. “One thing that we have addressed to the DMW is that if other countries need manpower, we will be deprived. There will be continuous migration, and at the end of the day, tayo ‘yung mawawalan (we will face a shortage of nurses),” Miranda shares. What they are proposing is to impose the agreement of return of service wherein the countries or agencies who need nurses from the Philippines should subsidize their scholarships, and after they graduate, the nurses will be required to serve the country for two years before being allowed to leave. He says that this had been implemented in the University of the Philippines Manila during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte. However, not all state universities and colleges have this agreement because they too cannot deprive the students of their chance to choose. But for Miranda, they supported it because at the same time, the Filipino people also cannot be deprived of the services that they deserve when it comes to health matters. MAKING THEM HEARDAt the end of the day, the challenge is how to keep the nurses at home to serve the country while providing them the dignity and the benefits that they need and deserve. This is where PNA comes into the picture, amplifying the voices of Filipino nurses. Miranda claims that as of the LEAGUE interview, there are bills pending in the two chambers of Congress with regard to increasing the starting salaries of nurses to Php50,000. According to studies and surveys, this is the amount that nurses consider as a living wage, the amount that could allow them to meet their basic needs. Such a starting salary could make nurses stay in the country. "ONE THING THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED TO THE DMW IS THAT IF OTHER COUNTRIES NEED MANPOWER, WE WILL BE DEPRIVED. THERE WILL BE CONTINUOUS MIGRATION, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WILL FACE A SHORTAGE OF NURSES." Miranda recalls that In 2019, PNA members staged a rally near Malacañang to fight for the implementation of giving nurses compensation equivalent to Salary Grade 15, as provided for in the Nursing Act of 2002. Miranda laments that it took too long for the salary grade provision to be implemented, this being realized only in 2019. As for other concerns, Miranda also expresses his frustrations. “Moves to amend the law started in the 16th Congress. We are now in the 19th Congress. So what’s wrong? What is the problem? Are we the ones lacking in effort? Or could the government no longer realize our importance?” Miranda laments. Two important proposals are the improvement of the basic nursing program and the establishment of a graduate program. The former aims to institutionalize a National Nursing Admission Test for prospective students as well as community immersion for nursing students in order to encourage them to eventually work in community settings. Meanwhile, the latter envisions a post-baccalaureate program that will build upon the experiences and skills of nurses and prepare them for leadership positions in the field of nursing and beyond. Despite delays in the approval of the bills, Miranda is already grateful with the developments and how the government is already reaching out to and involving the PNA in making decisions. The association already has strong links with different government agencies, which is also why PNA leaders do not want to burn bridges with them. PNA MANDATE Aside from the above, Miranda is also working hard to ensure that the other parts of the PNA mandate are realized. These include ensuring continuous professional development; providing training and seminars; as well as improving members’ clinical competencies. Also part of the organization’s mandate is attending to the concerns of nurses within its 95 chapters in the country and 15 overseas chapters. Therefore, PNA’s assistance extends even outside the country. On top of these, PNA also provides legal services to its members, with nurse-lawyers providing free services to their fellow members. Whenever there are concerns in a specific region, they will be referred to the volunteer nurse-lawyer in their area. The PNA then connects the nurses with the appropriate agency that could act on their concerns. “That’s the advantage of having a strong network. If there is a problem, we could immediately refer members to the appropriate agencies,” Miranda shares. Through the years, PNA’s efforts have paid off. It has also been given recognition by the government, having been named as the Most Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in 2003, 2014, 2016, and 2020-2021. Miranda reveals that the PNA leadership is still working on further improving the association for it to better represent Filipino nurses, primarily by serving as their voice. “Ensuring the welfare of Filipino nurses is the concern not only of the Filipino Nurses Association. But we stand in the forefront, serving as a unified voice to lead members of the profession toward a more secure future. Our support to amend the Nursing Act is part of efforts to prepare future professionals, and our healthcare system in general, to provide universal healthcare. We thank the public, who are beneficiaries of care, for the recognition they have given us. However, we also need the support of the public to ensure the welfare of our Filipino nurses,” Miranda ends. "AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE CHALLENGE IS HOW TO KEEP THE NURSES AT HOME TO SERVE THE COUNTRY WHILE PROVIDING THEM THE DIGNITY AND THE BENEFITS THAT THEY NEED AND DESERVE. THIS IS WHERE PNA COMES INTO THE PICTURE, AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF FILIPONO NURSES."

< Back The Rise (and Occasional Fall) of Inflation in the Philippines Amidst skyrocketing prices (then and now), we are faced with a sobering reality that was, is, and will constantly be with us—inflation. BY FREDERICK CASTILLO How’s that pandesal you usually have for breakfast or even for meryenda? Surely, there’s no problem with the taste, as pandesal is pandesal; whether you pair it with egg, cheese, various spreads, or simply dunk it into coffee. This local bread definitely hits the spot as far as the vast majority of Filipinos’ diet is concerned. But have you noticed certain changes in your favorite pandesal lately? A bit smaller and, more significantly but sadly, a bit pricier, right? In this case, “pricier” is the key. Unfortunately, such a price increase has not only been observed currently in bread but also in virtually all goods and services we can think of: rice and grains, sugar, poultry and livestock, grocery items, clothes, petroleum products, haircut, medical and dental services. Amidst skyrocketing prices (then and now), we are faced with a sobering reality that was, is, and will constantly be with us—inflation. INFLATION: A SHORT REINTRODUCTION Economists define inflation as the general rate of increase in prices across a country’s economy, in which the following basic formula is used: (current price – former price)/former price. In layman’s terms, this concept simply states that the prices of goods and services in the current month or year, for example, have increased by a certain percentage from those in the previous months or years. To further illustrate, the typical price of a piece of pandesal in 2021 was Php2.50 but its 2022 price is Php3.00, with the increase caused by various factors, including (as expected) price increases of flour, sugar, and other ingredients; liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity for baking; salaries of bakers; and diesel/gas for deliveries. Consumer Price Index. One of the most common tools to measure inflation rates is the consumer price index (CPI). CPI is used to assess the weighted average prices (i.e., retail prices) of a “basket of goods and services,” which refers to consumers’ primary needs, including food, housing, clothing, medical care, and transportation. Economists calculate CPI by considering price changes for each item in the predetermined “basket” and obtaining the average based on the relative weight in the entire basket. Purchasing Power. Inflation is generally associated with a decrease in purchasing (or buying) power, which is the value of a unit of currency (or money) expressed in terms of the number of goods and services that can be bought over a certain period. As inflation increases, purchasing power decreases because rising prices decreases the number of goods and services that people can buy. Again, to use the price of pandesal in the preceding paragraph as an example, one’s Php10.00 in 2021 can buy four pieces of pandesal but the same amount can only buy three pieces in 2022. Evidently, the buying power of Php10.00 in 2022 is definitely weaker than that in 2021. CAUSES OF INFLATION The mechanism that causes inflation is generally classified into three types: demand-pull, cost-push, and builtin inflation. These classifications are ultimately based on the fundamental economic concepts of supply and demand. Demand-Pull Inflation. Demand-pull inflation occurs when demand for goods or services increases but supply remains constant. When people make more money, the corresponding increase in purchasing power enables them to buy more than they could previously. Inevitably, prices are “pulled up” because demand for goods and services increases more rapidly than the capability of companies to produce them. Cost-Push Inflation. Cost-push inflation is the outcome of the relatively limited supply of goods or services, possibly caused by various natural disasters and/or man-made events, but demand for such remains the same. Hence, companies are hindered from producing sufficiently to keep up with consumer demand, thereby resulting in prices being “pushed up.” Built-in Inflation. Built-in inflation refers to people’s expectation that present inflation rates will continue in the future. The possible result of such an expectation is the demand for higher wages to maintain a certain standard of living, which, in turn, causes higher costs of goods and services. CURRENT INFLATION IN THE PHILIPPINES: ‘WE’RE NOT THAT HIGH’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. recently commented that “We’re not that high,” referring to the country’s 6.1 percent inflation rate for June 2022, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Or are we? On July 5, 2022, the PSA reported that the 6.1 percent inflation rate in June was higher than those in May 2022 (5.4 percent) and June 2021 (3.7 percent), and the highest since the recorded 6.9 percent and 6.1 percent in October and November 2018, respectively. June 2022 inflation rate for the National Capital Region (NCR) also increased to 5.6 percent from 4.7 percent in May and 2.6 percent in June 2021. Areas outside NCR likewise had a similar general increase in the inflation rate (6.3 percent from 5.5 percent and 4.0 percent in May 2022 and June 2021, respectively). The PSA report indicated that the higher inflation rate in June was primarily driven by higher annual growth rates in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (6.0 percent), transportation costs (17.1 percent), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (7.8 percent), and housing, water, electricity, and gas and other fuels (6.6 percent), among others. Note that economists also expect that the continuing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine will cause the global prices of petroleum products and wheat to remain elevated in the near term, thereby affecting the prices of goods and services dependent or based on these commodities. Meanwhile, aggravating the situation was the announcement of National Statistician Dennis Mapa that the purchasing power of the Philippine peso (Php) has declined. That is, Php1.00 in 2018 is worth just Php0.87 in June 2022. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE Department of Finance (DoF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno has endeavored to allay the public’s apprehensions and assured “that the government is diligently working to maintain price stability.” He added that “the recent acceleration of inflation will be arrested by the government through addressing constraints in the food, energy, and transportation and logistics sectors.” In response to Marcos, Jr.’s comment on the June inflation rate, Diokno clarified that the president referred to the full-year inflation rate, in which the year-to-date average (as of June 2022) is 4.4 percent. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBBC) had earlier indicated that current inflation figures (as of June 2022) are within their forecast range of 5.7 percent–6.5 percent for June 2022 and 4.5 percent–5.5 percent for the full-year forecast. Diokno reiterated that the high inflation rate is not only a concern in the Philippines but globally. “Among our peers, Indonesia’s overall inflation climbed to 4.4 percent in June from 3.6 percent in May. Thailand’s inflation rate increased to 7.7 percent in June from 7.1 percent in May. Inflation in the Euro zone, which includes Germany, Italy, Spain, etc., stood at 8.6 percent in June, the highest in 11 years. The United States’ inflation rate in May reached a 40- year high of 8.6 percent.” Meanwhile, among the immediate measures of the government to address the impact of inflation are the provision of a Php6,500-worth of fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers and the importation of products that are in short supply. Diokno further explained that these and other similar measures have been implemented in past administrations. INFLATION IN PREVIOUS YEARS Clearly, the effects of the recent rising inflation rates are being felt by virtually all sectors of society. But despite Diokno clarifying Marcos, Jr.’s comment, we go back to the president’s comment: that although a 6.1 percent inflation rate is “not that high,” it is certainly the highest, so far, in 14 years or since 2008 (8.26 percent, during the Asian financial crisis). Although 6.1 percent is considered a “walk in the park” if we go by raw numbers, a developing country like the Philippines simply cannot be complacent that everything is well and that the country is doing fine, particularly given that the government’s target inflation rate for 2022 is from 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent. Looking back at the country’s recent economic and financial history presents a telling realization: numbers do not lie. Inflation numbers in the past actually provide us with a glimpse of where the country stood (or stands presently) as far as its economy and finances are concerned. From 1960 to 2021 (62 years), there have been 30 years when inflation rates were above 6.1 percent, and 16 years when there were double-digit inflation rates. However, of particular interest are certain periods (i.e., consecutive years) in the 62 years when the Philippines practically recorded double-digit inflation rates, which were the result of the prevailing developments in those periods. The period 1979 up to 1985 is of particular interest. Debt-driven growth that eventually led to a debt crisis, global oil shocks, economic mismanagement, and problems with the exchange rate all contributed to high inflation rates. The eventual sustained slowing of economic activity coupled with a staggering 50.34 percent inflation led to the 1984 stagflation—sustained economic stagnation along with high double-digit inflation. Double-digit inflation persisted in the mid-to-latter part of the Cory Aquino administration, peaking at 19.26 percent in 1991. Slow economic growth exacerbated by a massive power crisis as well as natural calamities and persistent coup attempts proved to be the main culprits. SILVER LINING… SOMEWHERE? Is there a silver lining somewhere in the case of rising inflation rates in the Philippines? Can we still enjoy our favorite pandesal? Evidently, the majority of the burden should be carried by the government, specifically by providing the needed leadership to enable the country to navigate the intricacies of inflation. However, we as citizens also have a role in mitigating its impact on our daily lives. Creating a budget, exploring and pursuing other sources of income, reducing expenses, investing, and even paying the correct taxes are among the strategies that everyone can apply to address our current situation. At the end of the day, there is a silver lining that will eventually still let us enjoy our pandesal for breakfast or meryenda.

< Back REMEMBERING FVR When former President Fidel V. Ramos passed away on July 31, various personalities took to social media to pay tribute to him by sharing their experiences with him and baring their thoughts about him. Much has been written and said about former President Fidel Valdez Ramos (FVR) as the country’s 12th chief executive and as a military officer. But how was he beyond the titles, as FVR the man? How was he as subject of interviews? as a collaborator in book projects? as an uncle? When Ramos passed away on July 31, various personalities took to social media to pay tribute to him by sharing their experiences with him and baring their thoughts about him. Among them were historian Ambeth Ocampo, University of the Philippines (UP) professor emeritus Jose Dalisay, former Vice President Leni Robredo, journalist Inday Espina-Varona, biographer Melandrew Velasco, and former UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines secretary general Lila Ramos Shahani. Following are excerpts from their posts Lila Shahani Post Remembering my Uncle Eddie (former President Fidel V. Ramos, 1928-2022) My Uncle Eddie (FVR) was the only father figure I have ever known. My own father, the writer Ranjee G. Shahani, died when I was just a year and ten months old. At the time, he was a professor of literature and my mother, the late Senator Leticia “Letty” R. Shahani—my Uncle Eddie’s sister—was working at the United Nations in New York. Once Dad died, Mom went back to the Philippines with three kids in tow—my two brothers, Ranjit and Chanda, and me. My Lolo (former DFA Secretary and Congressman Narciso Ramos) and Lola (Angela “Ilang” Valdez Ramos) were doting grandparents. But Mom, like her father before her, was too busy with her work at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pay close attention to her children. But she faced even more challenges because she was both a woman and a single mother struggling to survive in official life. By the time I was nine years old, I didn’t see Mom for well over a year because she had to open the Philippine Embassy in Romania, the country’s first diplomatic posting in all of Eastern Europe. So my Lola Ilang graciously picked up the slack from the get-go, offering to take care of the three of us. She did everything —took us to the doctor; piano, ballet and karate class; Chinese and French lessons for me; and taught us to write thank you notes to people (a habit I would only pick up again much later in life). Lola was the glue that kept us all together, often inviting the families of their three children— Eddie, Letty, and their sister Glory—to their home in Bel-Air, where the Shahanis have been living since. When Lola died in 1976, all that changed. Lolo was too old to organize anything, and Mom and Uncle Eddie were both extraordinarily busy with their respective careers. But Uncle Ed did whatever he could to mentor the Shahani children. I vividly remember how he would take us to Polo Club and teach us how to swim while wearing his glasses in the water tied around his head with rubber bands. Like his father, Uncle Ed had the classically large Ramos ears and, like all of us, poor eyesight. He would take us on trips all over the country, often when he went scubadiving with my cousins Tet and Jo. Once, I was thrilled when he invited me to enter the cockpit of an army helicopter and watch as the pilot navigated the plane. As a little girl, I learned to swim in Camp Crame, got far too many teeth pulled out by the orthodontists in Camp Aguinaldo, and failed my target shooting classes miserably. But Uncle Ed was always lots of fun, and would often ask his wife, our Auntie Ming, to organize lunches and dinners so the cousins could all sit down and share a meal together. The higher up he went in his military career, the busier he got. He was often away on the weekends “maintaining peace and order,” according to my Lola, who would always speak about him in hushed tones. He would regularly visit my Lolo in our Bel-Air home, where they would sip cognac and smoke a cigar while discussing pressing matters of the day… [T]here is little doubt in my mind that Uncle Ed was brilliant. I remember another time when I was much older, sitting on a plane with him while he laid out a map of the Philippines on a table. For the better part of an hour, he patiently explained where every bridge, dam and irrigation system in the Philippines was. Another time, while I was working for the United Nations (UN), he asked me where and how New Yorkers disposed of their waste. Was it still Staten Island, he asked? I thought: heck if I know, Uncle Ed! He was a gifted engineer, after all. In the end, he may have been a better military man than a politician. After all, politics is messy, often requiring one to sell oneself to the lowest common denominator. That said, he was still an outstanding salesman for the country, garnering US$20 billion in foreign investments during his term alone. Besides his significant role in EDSA 1, his other achievements —in economic development, electricity, deregulation, private enterprises, trade, poverty alleviation, and reproductive health—were equally critical. He also brokered peace agreements with the MNLF and the CPP-NPA, bringing them to the table through consultation and consensus. Thousands of prisoners were given amnesty and a few warlords taken down. Finally, even before he became President, he could have easily taken advantage of the numerous coups d’état that former President Cory Aquino was unceremoniously subjected to: he never did. Always and throughout, Uncle Eddie was a Constitutionalist. Was it enough? Perhaps not. But what can a human being and his team dismantle in a mere six years and how much return on investment can a public realistically expect? Perhaps, as the scholar Al Macoy has suggested, he could also have dismantled the entire security apparatus of which he had been an integral part. But he was not only a part of Marcos, Sr.’s early coterie (like the Rolex 12): how can one expect anything else of someone who had been steeped in the values of the US empire at West Point, its strident anti-Communism during the Cold War and its later forays into the Middle East in the aftermath of 9/11? As he once told us, the scar on his upper left lip was made by the bayonet of a Chinese communist soldier with whom he had fought in combat during the Korean War. I also remember how sad he once was when recounting how so many of his West Point classmates had died in that selfsame war. So the anti-Huk and anti-Communist sentiments of his early years, in my view, were simply a logical consequence of that ideological line… [M]any continue to describe FVR as one of the best presidents the Philippines has ever had, and I agree. One of the things he was committed to ending, and rightly so, was political dynasties. However, this vision, as we have all seen, has yet to materialize. It has also had an unfortunate effect on his family relationships, especially the women. For example, he often discouraged his immediate family from running for public office, starting with my mother. What this has meant, sadly, is that there are few members of the Ramos clan willing to run for public office, despite the fact that some are highly qualified. Once out of office, he often became critical of his successors for a number of reasons. But later in life, as his short-term memory slowly began to fade, he would remember his own childhood in precise detail. As soon as he saw me, he would say: “Your Mama was the brain in the family.” I remember thinking: how I wish you had told her that when she was alive, Uncle Ed! In his twilight years, as life became slower, his sweetness returned and he was always making people laugh. I’m reminded of a 1951 letter he once wrote from the jungles of Cavite to amuse my Mom, who was traveling around Europe at the time: “I have endeavored to keep alive the dying embers of my finer sensibilities, that is, the little that I used to have. Music, literature and the social graces have long been neglected —although I do try to remember to carry a copy of Shakespeare’s tragedies in my jungle backpack whenever we go up into the hills.” Such bittersweet but fond memories—so much pride and honor, sadness and love. RIP, dear heart.

21585f3b-3b7e-436b-a2a3-b945901b6ba5 <Back LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP THE HEART OF MENTORING 8 transformative lessons from Senator Loren Legarda BY MARYJANE SALOMON It was not easy working for and with Sen. Loren Legarda, public servant par excellence, but I am fortunate that did. To some, she was like Meryl Streep in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, and yes, there are similarities, but she has a heart of gold. She is not just a woman of substance, but works with purpose, too. Her love of country, dedication to public service, and fidelity to family are the things that will always bind us until the end. Despite the sleepless nights spent working under her office, I look back on those days with great satisfaction and fulfillment. I’m thankful for the opportunity of working for and with her, and grateful for the privilege of learning directly from her. While others quit because of one reason or another, I am glad that I never gave up on her. I am proud that I did not refuse her. I left to work overseas to pursue new opportunities for my career advancement, with her permission, but I never really left. My spirit stayed with her. Sen. Loren Legarda, or SLL as we call her, molded me to follow her example, challenged me to rise above everything and inspired me to become what I am capable of becoming. For me, that is mentoring at its finest. A leader extraordinaire, Sen. Legarda’s brand of public service is principled, positive, instructive, and sharp—a rarity nowadays. Here I share some of the enduring values and lessons that I’ve learned from her. 1. Have a “can do” attitude. As a public servant who broke numerous glass ceilings, she stood as a guide and example for other women in government. She urged us to be pro- active and outspoken. She told us: “Do not tell me that it cannot be done, it can be done, of course!” No excuses. 2. Nothing beats hard work. Hard work is necessary for every endeavor. She puts premium on hard work and advised us to not let our emotions get the best of us or get in the way of our work. 3. Work hard as an individual, work well as a team. Being serious, resourceful, and dedicated are the qualities she required from every one of her staff. We had to work according to process and be guided by our goals and objectives. Feedback is a must. 4. Coordinate. Collaborate. Cooperate. Multi-tasking is an ordinary occurrence in her office. Everyone must work, side-by-side, to ensure the quick and efficient delivery of services and execution of orders. Everything must be done without delay. 5. Dress appropriately. Be professional at all times, in words, in deeds, and in appearance. Respect the occasion by dressing appropriately. It is a sign of a cultured person. 6. Be loyal. For loyalty must not be decided by opportunity, but by fidelity to both the cause and the person. 7. Don’t be naive. Study. Observe. Listen. Learn. Age should not be used as an excuse for ignorance. 8. Respect Deadlines. Time is gold and the three-day rule to reply is very important. It is mandatory to carry a small notebook, so that nothing is overlooked, and you won’t miss commitments and deadlines. Click here to read full article for free

< Back Championing Philippine Sports By: Ragie Mae Taño-Arellano IN THE FAST-PACED WORLD OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS, CHAIRMAN RICHARD S. CLARIN LEADS THE GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS BOARD (GAB) WITH A MISSION TO IMPROVE THE COUNTRY’S ATHLETIC SCENE. DISCOVER HIS MOTIVATIONS, OBSTACLES, AND INNOVATIVE PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS, ALL TO PUSH PLAYERS TO TAKE CENTER STAGE CHAMPIONING PUBLIC INTEREST After careful consideration, the selection committee ultimately chose Attorney Richard S. Clarin for the GAB chairmanship. While acknowledging the noteworthy qualifications of other candidates, Clarin humbly expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him. Seeing his appointment as a rare opportunity to give back as an Iskolar ng Bayan, he sees it as a way to help his fellow citizens. He could have continued his private law practice, but he chose to take the job with a focus on “public service.” The GAB chairman claims that this is comparable to his work as a lawyer since it demonstrates his unwavering commitment to attending to clients’ needs and going above and beyond the bare minimum to safeguard their interests. He now channels his efforts to serve the public interest, carrying with him this commitment to hard work. “I focus on the word 'service.' As a private lawyer, I give 100% to addressing all of my clients’ concerns. This work ethic is what I bring to public service,” he declares. GROWING UP IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT VALUED LOYALTY AND RESPONSIBILITY, CLARIN CONSENTED TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF GAB CHAIRMAN. HIS FATHER’S STEADFAST DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE SERVED AS A SOURCE OF IMMENSE INSPIRATION FOR HIM, INSTILLING IN HIM A STRONG SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND HONESTY. Clarin claims that his commitment to serve the people was greatly influenced by his father, who dedicated all his life to working in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). “It was my upbringing and the admirable example set by my father that motivated me to accept the position of chairman of the GAB.” Clarin saw how public service can change lives while growing up in a family with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. “My father’s dedication to his role in the BOC left an indelible mark on me, instilling the values of integrity, responsibility, and a deep understanding of the importance of contributing to the betterment of our society.” In the hectic world of Philippine sports, today is a normal day for Clarin. As the chairman of GAB, he actively engages in the industry that his life revolves around. He meets at the chairman’s office to begin the day with a team briefing. He reviews the agenda for the day and any pressing issues that require his immediate attention. In addition, he confers with department heads, legal specialists, and other relevant parties. CRUSADE AGAINST GAMBLING GAB is crucial to Philippine professional sports management. It regulates a wide range of sports, from basketball and boxing to eSports and wrestling, ensuring honesty, fairness, and growth. The board ensures that all professional sports in the country are ethical. This includes ensuring fairness, integrity, and diversity in sports. GAB has protected professional sports and sportsmen for 72 years. Clarin acknowledges that organized gambling in professional sports threatens fair play and sports credibility. The board chairman says professional sports gambling includes game-fixing, point-shaving, insider knowledge, and unlawful betting. “These activities undermine the credibility of the games and erode the trust of fans and stakeholders in the sports industry. It jeopardizes the fundamental values that sports represent, tarnishing the spirit of healthy competition and jeopardizing the careers and livelihoods of professional athletes.” GAB also supervises horse racing and international cockfight derbies betting. Marcos, Jr., has ordered Clarin to inform Filipinos that “e-sabong”—online cockfighting where people can gamble on virtual or live-streamed fights—has no place in the country. Clarin recognizes e-sabong’s negative effects on locals and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). He is concerned about OFWs’ financial problems caused by e-sabong, which leads to debt instead of supporting their families. Clarin also worries about online cockfighting, especially since mobile phones make it easy for younger people to gamble 24/7. He says the president believes these changes undermine Filipino values and traditions. Executive Order No. 9, s. 2022, was issued as an interim approach to address these issues while Congress enacts a stronger e-sabong law. “This reflects the president’s commitment to curbing the adverse effects of e-sabong on families, values, and the overall welfare of the Filipino people,” he adds. Clarin, a lawyer, supports legalizing gambling where illegal operators are making big profits, citing the government’s potential benefits from regulation, tax collection, and betting on public integrity. The purpose is to help gamblers collect their winnings, underscoring the need for regulated and legal gaming. He believes that not all betting methods should be authorized, and he predicts that e-sabong will not succeed. Business, government, and civil society organizations work with GAB to enforce professional sports and entertainment regulations. This collaboration merges resources, knowledge, and networks to strengthen GAB’s regulatory operations and promote innovation and cooperation. The public, casino operators, government agencies, stakeholders, and community leaders should report suspicious behavior and help law enforcement officials eradicate illegal gambling in the Philippines. GAB works with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to combat unlawful gambling in professional sports and amusement games due to its limited resources and skills. Under a memorandum of agreement, the GAB-Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit (AIGU) receives committed PNP officers from across the nation. The PNP collaborates with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Anti-Cybercrime Group, and other investigative teams. These units collaborate with GAB-AIGU to monitor, investigate, and capture online illegal gaming operations. GAB now works with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Telocommunications Commission (NTC), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). PROMOTING, PROFESSIONALIZING, AND PROTECTING Clarin leads a pioneering GAB 3xPRO program that promotes, professionalizes, and protects Philippine sports. To promote Filipino professional sportsmen abroad, the board arranges for famous victors to visit the president and forms strategic connections. “I want to recognize and honor Filipino athletes for their passion and hard work in representing the colors of the Philippine flag on the world stage,” the chairman says. GAB uses strategic alliances, state visits, and partnerships with local government and tourism organizations to promote Philippine sports and celebrate players worldwide. As for professionalization, GAB raises standards, maintains transparency, and supports athletes to provide a fair and competitive environment for all. This comprises financial literacy seminars, livelihood programs, and industry-expert led education. Finally, for protection, GAB prioritizes athlete safety through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, emergency response teams, and government agencies. The board showed its commitment to athlete care by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This cooperative effort aims to provide comprehensive support to retired, wounded, or resting professional athletes. The agreement emphasizes the need for a cooperative approach to sports and entertainment workers’ wellbeing by offering emergency employment and player livelihood assistance. Future-focused GAB values digital innovation. The board’s Online Application for Licenses and Permits emphasizes efficiency and technology. This online platform streamlines administrative tasks for athletes, coaches, and stakeholders, boosting productivity. GAB also seeks worldwide sports regulators. The board collaborates with foreign organizations to share knowledge and promote Filipino athletes abroad. CHALLENGING GAME Leading GAB toward fair rules and regulation in the complicated world of sports governance, Clarin is trying to show a great strategic skill in the face of many obstacles. Asked about the biggest problems he faced as a GAB Chairman, he names three: the idea that the GAB is prone to too much control, a lack of resources to help athletes, and the ongoing problem of illegal gambling. As a result, he set up focused communication plans, encouraged partnerships with private organizations to improve athlete support programs, and pushed for stronger laws to protect the GAB’s duties, showing a proactive and strong leadership style. In his demanding role as GAB chairman, Clarin relies on core values and beliefs that go beyond the law. As a lawyer, he follows Article 19 of the Philippine Civil Code, which states that everyone must act with justice, give everyone his due, and be honest and good-faith. As GAB chairman, he must ensure that every decision and action upholds fairness, equity, and the moral imperative of creating an environment where athletes, coaches, promoters, organizers, and the public are respected and considered. “My dedication to honesty and good faith is non-negotiable. I strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity in all facets of my role in GAB. By adhering to these values, I aim to inspire trust and confidence in the regulation and supervision of GAB,” he declares. DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT Clarin also tells LEAGUE that since he is too focused on his role and commitment to transform GAB, he does not involve himself for a while in any personal engagement in his favorite sports like running, basketball, and golf. This is because he is dedicated to helping professional athletes achieve their dreams. Clarin, a sports fan, wrote to professional Filipino athletes that sports can break down barriers and promote inclusivity. He reiterates GAB’s 3xPRO push to promote, professionalize, and protect Philippine sports. The GAB family will diligently promote athletes’ voices, stories, and accomplishments worldwide. “We understand the sacrifices you make, the hours of training, and the dedication that goes into your careers. Our mission is to provide a supportive environment where your talents can thrive and your rights are protected,” he assures. To Filipino fans of professional sports, the GAB chairman encourages unwavering support for Filipino athletes and the sports community. “Let us come together as a united sports-loving nation, recognizing that the power of sports goes beyond competition. It instills values, creates role models, and builds a stronger, more resilient Philippines. I look forward to a future where we can celebrate more victories and inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes," he says.

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. < Back VP Product Apply Now San Francisco, CA, USA Job Type Full Time About the Role This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Requirements This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. About the Company This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Apply Now

< Back Barangay Pampang Is Angeles City’s Cleanest and Safest Barangay Among 30 villages, Barangay Pampang headed by Chairperson Lydon De Luna bagged Angeles City’s “Gawad Parangal sa mga Pinakamalinis, Luntian, Ligtas at Kaaya-ayang Pamayanan — Pogi Ya Ing Barangay Ku” which was awarded in November 2023. As the grand winner, Barangay Pampang received a dump truck worth Php 4 million and a Php300,000 cash incentive. The barangay garnered an almost perfect score of 98.55% after being evaluated based on the following criteria: Urban Farm and Greening Program (35%); Solid Waste Management and General Cleanliness Program (35%); and Disaster Risk Reduction, Peace and Order, Health and Sanitation Program (30%). Each of the city’s barangays were personally visited by the judges, namely environmentalist and veteran broadcaster Cecile Yumul; Edna Marissa Simbre of Department of Environment and Natural Resources—EMB Region III; Ladislao Puno III of Department of the Interior and Local Government – Angeles City; and Lisa Juco of Office of Civil Defense Region III with the assistance and supervision of Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO) Head Irish Bonus-Llego and Chief Adviser IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel. Mayor Carmelo G. Lazatin Jr. congratulated all the participants and acknowledged their efforts in this project “to promote sustainable programs for participatory governance, environmental management, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction management.” “More than the contest, the essence of this is to build back better communities and encourage implementation of intensively and extensively proactive, participative, sound, and sustained programs, projects, and activities on socio-economic, environmental, and risk reduction management,” Lazatin said. Photos courtesy of Angeles City Information Office: https://www.facebook.com/angelescityinfo/p

< Back The Legal Implications of the Act Declaring Ghosting as an Emotional Offense On June 30, 2022, Congressman Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr. of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental introduced House Bill No. 611. BY ATTY. JOSE MARIA B. SANTOS & ATTY. DOMINIC UMANDAP On June 30, 2022, Congressman Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr. of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental introduced House Bill No. 611 (HB 611) titled “An Act Declaring Ghosting As An Emotional Offense.” The introduction of the bill garnered mixed reactions from the public. This article hopes to shed light on the legal implications of the aforementioned bill. WHAT IS “GHOSTING?" Ghosting in common parlance refers to the act of suddenly and/or unexpectedly ceasing communication and correspondence with another person without any explanation. The victim in ghosting is typically someone who might have been a potential dating or romantic partner, yet for reasons often unknown, had been cut off from all contact without explanation by the prospective partner. In Teves’ explanatory note for HB 611, he described ghosting as when “someone cuts off all forms of communication [which] can be mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting to the ghosted person.” Section 2 of HB 611 defines ghosting as “a form of emotional abuse and happens once a person is engaged in a dating relationship with the opposite sex which affects the mental state of the victim.” Section 3 of HB 611 defines a dating relationship as “a situation wherein the parties live as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage or are romantically involved over time and on a continuing basis during the course of the relationship. A casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization between two individuals in a business or social context is not a dating relationship. IS GHOSTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE UNDER PHILIPPINE LAWS? HB 611 seeks to declare ghosting as an emotional offense. However, the bill does not provide penalties in case of a violation. It also does not mention any other law to which its status as an emotional offense may be applied. Consequently, it could not be considered as a criminal statute if it were to pass in its current form. Assuming that HB 611’s objective is to penalize emotional abuse, it may be akin to Section 5(i) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9262, or the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law of 2004.” This punishes the act of “causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule or humiliation to the woman or her child, including, but not limited to, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody of minor children of access to the woman’s child/children.” The Supreme Court held in Araza v. People (G.R. No. 247427, 08 September 2020) that the following elements must be proven to constitute a violation of Section 5(i) of RA 9262: 1. The offended party is a woman and/or her child or children; 2. The woman is either the wife or former wife of the offender, or is a woman with whom the offender has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or is a woman with whom such offender has a common child. As for the woman’s child or children, they may be legitimate or illegitimate, or living within or without the family abode; 3. The offender causes on the woman and/or child mental or emotional anguish; and 4. The anguish is caused through acts of public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar acts or omissions. Applying the foregoing, ghosting, as defined in HB 611, may be punishable under existing law if it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that: (a) the offender and the offended parties are those mentioned under RA 9262; (b) the act of ghosting amounts to mental or emotional anguish; and (c) the anguish is caused through “public ridicule or humiliation, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, denial of financial support or custody of minor children or access to the children or similar acts or omissions.” This requires the presentation of the offended party as a witness to prove that the offender caused psychological or emotional violence. Note that RA 9262 is only applicable to women and/or her child or children. In addition, Section 3 of HB 611, which defines “dating relationship,” is a reiteration of Section 3(e) of RA 9262. Hence, ghosting under RA 9262 would only apply for women who have been engaged in a prolonged romantic relationship. THE SUPREME COURT’S INTERPRETATION OF “GHOSTING” Interestingly, the Supreme Court has decided a case which involved ghosting-like behavior. In Wassmer v. Velez (G.R. No. L-20089, 26 December 1964), Francisco X. Velez and Beatriz P. Wassmer were set to marry on September 04, 1954. However, Velez left a letter for Wassmer informing her that the wedding will have to be postponed. The next day, Velez sent a telegram to Beatriz stating that nothing has changed and that he is returning very soon. Unfortunately, Velez did not return and the wedding was cancelled. Wassmer sued Velez. The Supreme Court then decided against Velez and awarded Wassmer moral damages. The Supreme Court explained that there was nothing wrong in Velez’s cancellation of the wedding. However, it noted that Wassmer and her family had undertaken preparations for the wedding. The wedding had been formally set, a great deal of money had been spent, and the bride and the groom’s friends and relatives had been invited to celebrate the occasion. Consequently, the circumstances surrounding Velez’s cancellation justified the award of damages. Note that the above was a civil case for damages against Velez. CAN MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY BE GHOSTED UNDER THE BILL? HB 611 only covers persons in a dating relationship "with the opposite sex.” It thus excludes same-sex relationships. However, there have been developments towards the inclusion and protection of persons in same-sex relationships. On September 19, 2019, Rep. Fidel F. Nograles introduced HB 4888, which sought to amend RA 9262 to expand its coverage to also protect men and members of the LGBTQ community. Dubbed the Anti-Violence Against Partners and their Children Act, or the Anti-VAPC Law, it specifically provides that “the term ‘partner’ includes intimate relationships of heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex, cisgender, and transgender partners.” Senator Robinhood Padilla also introduced Senate Bill (SB) 449 seeking to institutionalize civil unions between same-sex couples. The bill intends to create a union between same-sex couples akin to marriage, binding them to the obligations and responsibilities as well as to the protection and benefits afforded by the act. FINAL THOUGHTS It remains to be seen whether HB 611 will be passed into law. It may nevertheless still have a place in the Philippine legal system if it provides consequences for its violation and after further deliberations on how it could be interpreted and enforced with existing laws.

< Back Purpose-Driven Politics. Business. Corporate Social Responsibility. Marie Loise Ticman-Canson has ventured into all these and more. BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO PERALTA, JR. In their family’s Rublou Group of Companies (RGC), she leads in various areas. Ticman-Canson is president of Lucky Realty Development Corp., a subsidiary of Rublou, and RGC’s vice president for administration and finance where she oversees various business units, including human resources, marketing, and accounting. At the same time, she is the managing director of the firm’s real estate and leasing group where she looks after their commercial buildings, community markets, and rentals. Ticman-Canson was born a day before the EDSA People Power Revolution concluded in 1986. “My dad (retired Gen. Luizo Ticman) was a soldier with the Philippine Constabulary (PC) then,” the self-described EDSA baby recalls in the vernacular. “He was in EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, where the revolution took place). While the People Power uprising was happening, his PC unit helped maintain peace and order in affected areas. My mom (Ruby), on the other hand, was in the hospital a few kilometers away waiting to give birth to me.” Most of her birthdays as a child were celebrated with the country on red alert status. “It was in anticipation of any rallies,” she explains. “It’s like I became allergic to the term ‘red alert’ because my dad will always be away working. He was always out serving the country and the people.” The instability in the country during the late ‘80s almost led her family to migrate at the insistence of her mother Ruby, but her father did not want to leave as he wanted to be in the country where it matters in times of socio-political upheavals. “At some point, I hated it, to be honest,” she reveals of her father’s profession. “I barely saw him as a child.” Aside from his police work, her dad was also busy with the family’s business. Ticman-Canson recalls feeling that her parents worked 24/7 when they established their company in the early 1980s. Her mother also gave up her career as a nurse. It was in college when she appreciated her father’s calling more. The elder Ticman was involved in the investigation of the 2008 siege in The Peninsula Manila where former defectors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) occupied the hotel to voice out their concerns and allegations against the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the explosion several months earlier in a section of the Glorietta Mall in 2007. “Learning about what he did in the search for truth and justice” had an impact on Ticman-Canson. “I understood that he was doing it ultimately for the country and for his family to give us a better future. I could not imagine what he went through back in the 1980s, with the coup d’état and maybe the work-related threats he received.” She adds that her father’s profession provided her with unique experiences that helped mold her personality, including living in a camp where she played with the children of prisoners, soldiers, and other PC officers. Ticman-Canson actually dreamt of becoming a lawyer. But her parents influenced her to specialize in a field that will allow her to be part of the family’s business. She took up Humanities and majored in Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). Not long after, the fresh graduate received an invitation to join politics from some leaders in Cainta, Rizal where her father is well known. It was while serving as vice-chairman of the Cainta Municipal Tripartite Council as Rublou representative that she became involved with government organizations. The then 22-yearold was reluctant to get into politics and her father was opposed to the idea, too. The elder Ticman told his daughter that she would never be allowed to use the name and resources of the family business should she pursue public office. She obeyed her father’s wishes but informed him that she will consider joining politics in the future. She did not want to regret not running for office and possibly blaming her father for it, in case it becomes a missed opportunity. She already followed their request to take a course that was not her primary preference and immediately joined the family’s company instead of exploring other firms. “This time, I wanted a decision that I was going to make for myself,” she shares. “I wanted to tread my own path. My experience was limited to our company and I was always looked at as the child of General Ticman. I wanted to prove something and make a name for myself. I wanted to find my purpose.” Ticman-Canson ran for public office in 2013. “I saved up for it and wrote my father a letter to inform him of my decision,” she remembers. To her surprise, the former general later formed a team to help her bid. She received the highest number of votes among the candidates for councilor in the municipality. Shorly after her victory, the neophyte politician realized that politics was far from what she envisioned. “It was a difficult place to be in for an idealistic person such as myself,” she explains. “You want to make changes but what can you do when you are just a councilor? I realized that politics was not for me at that time.” “I wanted to tread my own path. My experience was limited to our company and I was always looked at as the child of General Ticman. I wanted to prove something and make a name for myself. I wanted to find my purpose.” Eventually, Ticman-Canson looked for ways to influence people and make her voice heard as a civilian. The former member of the Junior Chamber International Philippines, an organization that provides “opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, social responsibility and fellowship necessary to create positive change,” according to the Philippines Jaycees, Inc. website, has been a Rotarian since 2013. “Every opportunity that I get to do something for the community and for the country, I’m willing to do it,” TicmanCanson says. “I want to do things that will not make my child feel that there is division in our country. It should be a country she will be proud of.” She believes in positive campaigning and says she never engages in gutter politics. Ticman-Canson has declined previous offers to run for public office again although she is not totally closing her doors to public service. THE FAMILY BUSINESS The Rublou Group of Companies was established in 1984. It started as a “small meat dealership,” according to the former councilor. Her father eventually built a service facility to process and distribute their products to wet markets and supermarkets. The business expanded into real estate and leasing around 1996. It was in 2006 that the Ticmans started to build community malls and markets. “I’m very proud that my sibling and I were able to help our parents expand the business and professionalize it,” TicmanCanson says. She was able to help craft policies, publish employee handbooks and organizational manuals since joining the firm. She had to put things in order and while she did not want to be the “bad cop” in doing so, she had no choice but to perform that role. Her father and brother are both generous and at times, they were not able to monitor how much money employees were borrowing from them. “It took us years to change some habits and instill discipline. You have to explain why you are doing certain things. You have to speak your employees’ language, especially since our policies apply to everyone, from our meat cutters up,” she explains. Ticman-Canson also leads the corporate social responsibility arm of the RGC. It’s her favorite role because she is able to work for the company and help the community at the same time. “I am able to quench my thirst to help because it’s like public service,” she explains. “We are able to do more when we collaborate with other organizations and the government. How does Rublou do it? Sixty percent of the spaces the company leases out prioritize micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “Instead of having them on the streets, we help legalize their business by allocating space in our community malls or markets,” she says. “And when we build other community malls or commercial spaces, we ask them if they want to expand. I am proud that several former ambulant vendors are now their own bosses and employers of more people. It’s a good feeling that we are able to do this. They are able to send their children to school and earn decently. You empower them to progress.” “We advise our team to help people who are interested to get into business. We give suggestions. We guide them. We look at them as business partners. We want them to be part of our success. Especially when the pandemic hit and we were on lockdown, it was very challenging for all of us. We had to push them to evolve, including those without Facebook pages, and those who refused to offer delivery services. We told them that we had to adapt or else we will not survive. I found my purpose somehow in helping these entrepreneurs.” The company also has partnerships with the indigenous people of Antipolo and Baras. They are working with the local government and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help tribes make their livelihoods sustainable and have less interference from middlemen. Ticman-Canson says their company is supportive of protecting the environment and collaborating with all parties to help boost the economy. “We have to encourage small businesses,” she says of her advocacy. “I find satisfaction and fulfillment when I see others also become successful and prosper, even if you just give them an opportunity.” In closing, Ticman-Canson is looking forward to the time when the pandemic is better controlled. “We’ve got a little bit of a stop in real estate. But that’s one thing I am looking forward to in the future—to put up more community malls, and work with more entrepreneurs.”

< Back Ensuring Water Security for the Country By Godfrey T. Dancel LOCAL WATER UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATOR VICENTE HOMER REVIL SHEDS LIGHT ON THE AGENCY’S FUNCTIONS AND SHARES INFORMATION ON THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO ENSURE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF SAFE AND AFFORDABLE WATER FOR THE COUNTRY. THE ADMINISTRATOR Chosen to lead LWUA in February 2023, Revil has made his mark as part of the national government bureaucracy, just as he had made a name in local legislation and governance. From a local legislator and local chief executive, Revil now performs the role of the head of a GOCC which deals with specific concerns of local governments across the country. He describes the transition from local government official to LWUA administrator as being akin to moving from one world to another. “It's a totally different world that we're looking into at LWUA compared to the local government,” he notes. Revil, however, is no stranger to the major water supply-related issues faced by water districts and local government units. “I started out as a lawyer and a public servant in our province of Masbate,” he says. “I was elected as a provincial board member, then vice governor, then also assumed the position of provincial governor. But, I would say, with that background, my advocacy towards water had always been there. Because, in our province, there's also the water district, and there were some problems with regard to water supply. So I personally know the plight of our people.” The 2016 Outstanding Public Servant-People’s Choice awardee notes that “until now, many provinces in our country, mostly small island-provinces, have no sources of potable water. A lot of our countrymen badly need potable water.” Revil, however, is confident of making an impact at LWUA. “I take this reality as a challenge and at the same time a call to action because as a public servant, I have to give back. It is my commitment as LWUA administrator to be there for our people in ensuring that there's water for Filipinos.” Drawing the line between his present position and his past as a local government official, he declares: “I am not a politician anymore. I am now part of the executive branch of government, an appointed member of the bureaucracy. And I am here to ensure that the leadership of LWUA will do what is needed for the water sector to develop as needed.” LWUA AND WATER SECURITY Water security may be defined as a society’s capacity to guarantee a sufficient supply of safe and affordable water that is essential for survival and to carry out various domestic and productive activities. This very concept served as a major basis for the creation of the LWUA and the formation of local water districts as provided for by Presidential Decree 198, issued by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos in May 1973. Said decree declared “[t]he creation, operation, maintenance and expansion of reliable and economically viable and sound water supply and wastewater disposal systems for population centers of the Philippines” as a high priority objective of national policy.” The same decree identified “the formulation and operation of independent, locally controlled public water districts” as the “most feasible and favored institutional structure” to achieve said objective. For the past 50 years, LWUA has steadfastly worked for the pursuit of the national government’s goal of universal access to safe water and sanitation, including septage and sewerage management in the countryside. Revil points to the fact that the incumbent president’s directive regarding water security is perfectly aligned with his father’s vision. “What President Ferdinand E. Marcos wanted 50 years ago was to ensure that a systematic approach to local water development would be established and maintained. What’s very inspiring is that our incumbent president also wants to ensure that there’s a continuing development of the water sector for our country,” he enthuses. LEGACY IN THE MAKING In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for LWUA to give “special focus” on improving water security in the country, Revil unveiled the Patubig sa Buong Bayan at Mamamayan (PBBM) legacy program in the third quarter of 2023. Marcos earlier made the call in his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling for a “cohesive, centralized, and systematic” approach to the country’s water security concerns, rather than one that is broad in scope but random and haphazard in implementation. “We have set a target of more than 700 water projects and more than 40 sanitation projects in various parts of the country. Those projects are for the new transmission or water lines for households, development of more water sources, and at the same time, lessening water wastage,” Revil shares. “We will also be coming up with projects for sewerage and sanitation, so that the used water will be treated.” The sheer number of projects under the PBBM program entails significant funding, but Revil is confident that this will not be a hindrance, especially since this is a major project of the present administration. “We have been asking the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate, through President Marcos, Jr., for the approval of the more than Php25 billion budget for this five-year program,” he shares. “As of now, however, we have continuing funds at LWUA that we’re using and at the same time, we were able to access USD60 million from the Asian Development Bank for these projects.” “This will be the legacy of this administration under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.,” Revil states, again underscoring the president’s instruction for LWUA “to ensure that there’s adequate water for the Filipino people.” REVIL IS NO STRANGER TO THE MAJOR WATER SUPPLY-RELATED ISSUES FACED BY WATER DISTRICTS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS. HIS EXPERIENCE AS A LOCAL LAWMAKER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO HAD TO DEAL WITH WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS HAS GIVEN HIM PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF “THE PLIGHT OF OUR PEOPLE.” COMMITMENT TO SERVICE Even as LWUA is giving the PBBM Program the attention it deserves as a flagship program, the agency has not lost sight of its lending, regulatory, and other functions. “What we're trying to do here is to ensure harmony in the development of the country’s water sector,” Revil states. “There are different agencies that we have to deal with. We have to deal with local government units, because water districts must be formed through local initiative.” After a water district is formed and its board of directors is formed and its general manager is chosen, LWUA provides it with help with regard to institutional development. Its team of managerial experts comes up with the necessary interventions to equip the water district officers with the needed policy-making, managerial, and technical expertise needed to effectively run their water district. “At the same time, we have to ensure that the water districts follow all the relevant standards,” he continues. “Because we have to follow the environmental standards set by the Departmen of Environment and Natural Resources. For example, the water must be safe for drinking, for human consumption, because safe water is life. We also have to ensure that there's environmental sustainability. This includes standards and environmental safeguards for reusing wastewater. This way, when wastewater is returned back to the environment, it is safe and clean, and it can be used again, in line with the principle of sustainability.” As a lending institution, LWUA provides water districts with much-needed financial assistance. “We have to harness financing on the part of the local water utilities,” Revil says. “We would like to ensure that financing is being given through a grant, or soft loan at a very low interest, even zero interest as the case may be, for the development of water districts.” What sets LWUA apart from other lending institutions is its unique view of countryside water supply development—that this is not just a simple financial venture or waterworks construction project, but a comprehensive development initiative that takes into consideration a number of factors that could ensure a reliable and sustainable water service. With a commitment to the above, and guided by the core values of dedication, professionalism, integrity, and excellence, LWUA’s leadership and entire workforce have succeeded in making the agency a model for water supply development in Asia. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS TO ENSURE HARMONY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY’S WATER SECTOR. MAKING WATER DISTRICTS WORK With the Philippines’ archipelagic nature, LWUA is faced with the task of dealing with 532 water districts across the country, each with its particular concerns. Revil, however, prefers to look at the situation with a positive outlook. All the water districts are GOCCs and have the capability to sustain their operations. “The good thing with having them,” he says, “is that since they are local institutions, the ones running them know the conditions within which they operate. They are familiar with what is needed by the province, the city, municipalities, and barangays within their respective territorial jurisdiction, and could respond to such accordingly.” “Of course, not all water districts are similarly situated,” Revil states. “There are developing ones, the small ones. There are medium water districts, and large ones. They each face different conditions.” As such, LWUA has to approach their concerns in different ways also. Some existing water districts somehow could not be up to par with the standards, and LWUA has to approach these differently. “Non-operational or inefficient districts are at times consolidated, combined into clusters, in order to improve management and make the investments more viable,” Revil discloses. “We have to come up with immediate steps to enable small water districts to come together and operate as bigger corporations so that they could take advantage of economies of scale in the development of the water districts.” “Once these small water districts merge, they can serve the people better because they have bigger coverage and they can save financially and at the same time,” Revil adds. “This way, they could ensure that as GOCCs, they have sustainable operations.” GIVING BACK AND INSPIRING OTHERS Revil, whose parents are both former teachers, puts a premium not only on education but on public service. “My mom and dad instilled in me the idea that I should be seasoned enough and at the same time, season others. It means that I should learn as much as I could, and always give back to humanity. So that has always been my motivation for public service,” he shares. “As the son of educators, I believe in capacity development. And I will always be a student, a student of life,” the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law alumnus says. “Even as we serve the people, we should continuously learn and capacitate ourselves. So, yes, even after I finished my schooling, even though I was already holding elective posts, I continuously studied to ensure that I have enough tools and capability to perform my duties as a leader.” This same view of personal and professional development is something the administrator has inculcated in the employees of LWUA. “I've been telling our people that capacity building is very important. You have to develop yourself, internalize the things you learn. Because the worst that we can do to ourselves is not developing ourselves anymore. There must always be change in our lives,” he says. LOOKING AHEAD With an experienced and dedicated technocrat at the helm, LWUA is expected to be even more relevant in the next years, particularly for the remainder of Marcos Jrs’ term. “We envision LWUA as the premier, topmost agency in terms of water sector development in the next five or so years,” Revil declares. “We want to show that LWUA is doing a great job in terms of local water utilities administration.” Revil also considers Congressional initiatives to establish the Department of Water Resources (DWR) as a “very exciting” development. Said department shall take charge of the comprehensive mapping of the country’s water resources, as well planning, policy formulation, utilization, exploitation, development, and protection of such resources. “These are exciting times ahead of us in terms of water sector development,” Revil says, noting that LWUA, with its 50 years of experience as an institution, will continue to play a major part in the success of the DWR. Again, Revil stresses the important role that institutional learning has played, and will continue to play, at LWUA. “We have proven technical expertise on matters regarding water supply development. We have shown the capacity to do what is right in terms of financing and institutional development of water districts, and the entire water sector. We will be there to take on whatever challenges the future may bring. LWUA will continue to work for water sector development and ensure that when it comes to water security, no one is left behind,” he concludes.