For health, land, and livelihood: Prepare for El Niño!

For health, land, and livelihood: 

Prepare for El Niño!  

 According to a new World Meteorological Organization (WMO) update, the possibility of El Niño forming later this year is growing. This would have the opposite effect on weather and climate patterns as the long-running La Niña, and would certainly fuel higher global temperatures. 

 At the moment, neither El Niño nor La Niña are present in the tropical Pacific, which includes the Philippines. However, the update, which is based on input from WMO Global Producing Centres of Long-Range Forecasts and expert assessment, indicates that there is a 60% chance for a change from ENSO-neutral to El Niño during May to July 2023. This probability will rise to about 70% in June to August and 80% between July and September.  

It may persist until 2024 according to PAGASA.

From this update would say that the agricultural industry and the peasantry will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the harm that El Niño will cause. The agricultural losses during the previous period of extreme drought in the country totaled P400 billion. In this vein, the peasantry demands that the government take fast steps to offer a thorough plan to tackle this. It is essential to guarantee adequate assistance especially for local agriculture, small farmers, and farmworkers. 

However, while pleading with the government for prompt and sufficient aid, this also necessitates readiness as farmer groups and rural organizations should band together and mobilize in anticipation of this phenomenon. History has shown that assistance from a dysfunctional government is frequently tardy, meager, or worse, absent altogether. 

The need for unity in this situation may be dismissed as political, but it goes beyond in anticipating the upcoming drought to ensure food and water security as this affects local agriculture and everyone’s well-being. This includes immediate planning and execution of drought preparation measures. It is necessary to encourage farmer organizations, mutual-aid groups, and cooperatives to organize for their own benefit as communities must have adequate food caches such as rice, corn, root crops, and vegetables, for widespread starvation brought by the drought must be anticipated especially since more than half of the agricultural lands in the region are expected to be affected. 

Furthermore, people must also better coordinate their efforts in order to combat the prospect of a water shortage- and that includes planning and preparing for community irrigation systems and other practical measures to guarantee that livelihoods weather the impending phenomenon. 

Other than agriculture, El Niño also affects health as Changes in precipitation and temperature contribute to the effects of El Niño on human health such as diarrhea, skin diseases, poisoning, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and respiratory diseases. This can also lead to increased incidence of outbreaks and diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.  Hence, people should stay hydrated, wear light and loose clothing, not doing strenuous physical activities, as well as seek medical attention in case of experiencing symptoms of disease.

Stir the flames of nationalist consciousness

Stir the flames of nationalist consciousness 

At first, this note pays tribute to those whose nationalist consciousness meant resistance against tyranny and injustice. 

For driven by the desire for national rebirth, these folks, with iron will and sheer determination will continue to unwavering in their principles, even in the face of battle, torture, or even death. They may be old or young as they join and engage in this struggle, and true to their oaths that from their sacrifices and contributions this will always be remembered and emulated by those who are truly concerned- for they know that through their actions born out of love must give the nation itself a new substance! 

For in a century wherein the country is exploited by various entrenched interests, the folk had to endure the repression what the order described as means to create a docile, disciplined, and cheap working force that’s contented in meager wages. Education remains tied to the “demands of the market”, that agriculture has to deal with “international demands” over “local needs”. The entrenched interests that the order supported and rake profits had to “invest” in this kind of stability as that of its predecessors.

But this “orderly” setting and its appeal for “unity”, no matter how it tries to create an atmosphere of stability failed to suffice the problems brought by corruption, rent-seeking, the lack of social justice, failed agrarian reform, and others that is further aggravated by state-sponsored terror.   

Such scenarios reflect that a struggle between the haves and the have-nots still occur even in this atmosphere where words like “unity”, “justice”, and “nationalism” been rung most. But in order to be able to admit that Karl Marx's assertion that all history is the history of class struggles is at least wholly accurate to this current setting, individuals must first undoubtedly disagree with it. Reality, however, demonstrates that all conflicts, whether they be of a foreign policy or domestic political nature, occur on the level of economic conflict.

Especially in today's global capitalist system, it is clear that the ruling order means bondage, as the nation's subjugation to anonymous powers has resulted in a disenfranchised, oppressed, and exploited entity that is duped by words like "unity", "change", and even "nationhood" or "nation-building." It is not surprising, however, that the current order exploits the word "nationalism" and the people's love of country the consciousness becomes distorted while the very people who composed the nation as exploited.

And it's not unexpected that this rejection extends to established values like "proletariat," "bourgeoisie," and "class struggle." But reality forces individuals to face such proven facts, even if it is for the benefit of the nation, the national unity that certain sectors of the populace formerly held so dearly, a unity that the current order itself have squandered via their actions.

If national unity is enough, how come national consciousness is not driven just by a desire for "nationhood"? Why not acknowledge that people who battled for independence were motivated by a desire to solve a variety of social injustices? Bonifacio, despite his almost privileged background, had to organize the revolution's mass base from the proletariat and peasantry, and take the field when the principalia, ilustrados, and insulares faltered? Call it Marxist, but the struggle for national liberation, or nationalism itself, does not end with independence alone as that of having flag, anthem, and a constitution; but also with the emancipation of the majority--for that the destiny of this nation, to whom its passionate love is dedicated, can in the future only be shaped by that class which rightfully calls itself the proletariat.

  Perhaps as time goes by, rekindling nationalist consciousness includes affirming the class struggle, which was simply imposed upon the working masses by the other side, as a fact. The idea of national unity cannot just be mellowed down to that of accepting the order thinking the order can be ‘reformed’ or downplaying the systemic socioeconomic problem as that of a question of leaders and voters. The working masses, being creators of society and of history must take the nation, unity, change, and future away from the order that exploits and distorts in the name of interest.

  The people want national unity, as well as a prosperous and free homeland. Reality has become evident that this purpose is the same as that of the proletariat, albeit with slightly different nomenclature. The antagonistic posture taken against the current semifeudal-semicolonial order, its supporters and guardians, automatically places those concerned with the proletariat at the top of the list. After all, to rephrase Mao: “Who are our enemies? Who are our friends? This is a question of the first importance for the revolution. The basic reason why all previous revolutionary struggles achieved so little was their failure to unite with real friends in order to attack real enemies.”

  As a result, this note applauds this united front with the working class. It is only natural that this unity also affirms the route towards the common objective, the path of the proletariat, by which alone the nation lives today, consciously and unconsciously. This path is known as the class struggle. The nation is the goal.

Expect cracks, contradictions, and people taking their words from them

Expect cracks, contradictions, 

 and people taking their words from them

It is expected that this administration’s appeal for “unity” plus its supporters appeal for a nostalgic return to order, no matter how distorted it is shown, seems lasting. 

For the administration’s promise of development has shown its otherwise as the president been going around the globe panhandling for investments from the international business community, while his vice president wanting to continue her father’s legacy of blaming towards the opposition instead of resolving problems in education as its secretary. 

How “orderly” it is the paranoia and terror that’s being churned on, so’s the “unity” that’s meant submission to their distorted wishes. However, as time goes by people may beg leave to doubt the sincerity of the current administration’s professed attachment to “unity” and the yearness for “order” as its guide to political action. Especially that from seeing the cracks last year to the recent statement about the past administration’s war on drugs in the United States these shows a decision to disregard that of their fellow “uniteam” in favour of their interest.   

Of course those who fanatically supported the duo become confused especially after these events. That instead of continuity comes a change of direction that can disregard “unity”. Clearly, Malacanang’s operating principle becomes a principle of inconsistency that benefits one at the expense of another.   

And it is not surprising that as contradictions been intensified people, including those who are snared by promises of “unity” are now increasingly becoming concerned especially in seeing their idols showing off their contradictions while failing to resolve the socioeconomic problems a nation still facing. 

• The price of rice and other foodstuffs continue to hike yet wages remained low, while traders had to create artificial scarcity in the face of growing demand for food and other basic necessities. 
• The abuse and excesses left from the war on drugs and issues on human rights during the past administration left Marcos jr. to question his ally despite insisting that the International Criminal Court as a “threat to sovereignty”. In an article from the Inquirer, the president admitted about abuses of his predecessor making people questioning his ‘unity’ with Duterte. “In my view what had happened in the previous administration is that we focused very much on enforcement. And because of that, it could be said that there are abuses by certain elements in the government and that has caused some concern in many quarters about the human rights situation in the Philippines,” he said. 
• Even in foreign relations contradictions also showed such as Marcos kowtowing to the United States in the face of Chinese threat over South East Asia, while Duterte and his allies insisted that his rapprochement with China, did help in averting a possible conflict with that country; but does these kowtowings towards the Yankees and the Mandarins, resolve the problems of affecting sovereignty as that of poverty and injustice?  

There are others that’s too many or long to mention, but the “unity” they babbled about, just like the word “change” of the past administration is no different from the false hopes peddled by the compradores and the landlords claiming themselves to be patriotic or democratic. Of course it still continues to sound appealing to the public as its apologists trying to insist, but will the people, especially who sought an inconvenient truth from the realities they face just accept the order’s interpretation?  

For now It is well that the people should be under no illusions about the foundations on which their constitutional guarantees and political promises rest. Ultimately, they rest on the changing moods from that “uniteam” as reflected by their political representatives at Malacañang and at the Congress, if not that of their propagandists.  

Perhaps with this situation looming, and cracks being exposed throughout, the goal of those who are genuinely worried about the country is straightforward: take unity and change back from them as that of taking back the future from this continuing past, since the current order cannot even embody those thoughts being babbled, much less be used for elections. However, the majority of people, these nostalgic voters, have given these phrases to these elected fools who claim they can, but these same people are fools in and of themselves for thinking that absolute power corrupts utterly.

Glory to the working folk this International Workers Day! Reignite the determination against oppression and towards justice, freedom, and democracy!

Glory to the working folk this International Workers Day! 

Reignite the determination against oppression

 and towards justice, freedom, and democracy!

Kat Ulrike

This note is in one with the working people in celebration of the International Workers Day this May 01. 

On this occasion, let the working folk reignite the determination to advance the struggle against various forms of exploitation as well as the struggle of the Filipino people for genuine nationalism and democracy. 

For as workers, coming from various sectors, have showed their tireless hard work, dedication, and contribution to the world and to history. But as this note honours its achievements, let people not forget the realities, challenges that workers had to endure and the reason to fight for their rights and welfare.

Because the working class's conditions continue to deteriorate as a result of the current order’s crisis, various forms of exploitation deteriorate further under the Marcos Regime. This regime, like its predecessors, has pursued anti-worker and anti-people policies that benefit entrenched interests of both local landlords, compradores, and multinational companies. The regime's neoliberal policies, such as contracualisation and "flexible employment," continue to be implemented, exacerbating the repressive and unjust conditions of Filipino workers. Wages remained low while prices of commodities and utilities, as well as taxes, continue to increase while big companies able to have tax cuts after the passage of “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act”. The presidential visits of Marcos jr. abroad contradicts the fact that the country continues to wallow in poverty. 

In the BPO sector, for example, workers are asserting issues such as contractualization, lower wages, the need for safe workplaces and better working conditions, as well as freedom of association, despite providing a whopping 32.5 billion dollars, as entry level wages are now as low as 11000 monthly, significantly lower than the minimum wage.

Furthermore, this note condemned the recent killings of trade unionists and activists who advocate for workers' rights and welfare. Alex Dolorosa, a union organizer and civil rights fighter, was one of them. For his death demonstrates that the current administration is the same as its predecessor in that it exhibits lawlessness and impunity, from red tagging to extrajudicial killing and organizations like the NTFELCAC, all from a government that claims to be maintaining peace and order, including in the workplace.

 Despite these challenges, workers from the service to manufacturing sectors, as well as farmers, women, and youths, continue to advocate for better wages, safer workplaces, an end to unfair policies, and the right to association and representation. Recently, unions demand for a 750.00 peso wage increase, while teachers asserted for an upgrade in their salaries. In the BPO sector, workers campaigned for the passage of a Magna Carta for BPO workers, which aims to protect and maintain their rights and welfare. 

But the struggle for the working class doesn’t end in the working masses alone. As builders, forgers, creators of society and history still endured in hardship and oppression, should reignite national consciousness in a country still bound by unjust trade agreements and acting as vassal by countries like the United States and China. Looking back at history, the working class who joined the Katipunan, the Union Obrero Democratica, and the HUKBALAHAP had showed its dedication to see a nation that’s meant to be independent, just, and prosperous. Farmers demand land reform; Moros, Cordillerans, and indigenous folks for their right to self-determination; patriotic businesspeople for nationalist industrialisation; the youth for its right for education; professionals for their right to expression and creativity; and women for equal rights and opportunities. All these would say that the labouring folk should hand in hand with the oppressed and disenfranchised sectors in its struggle to break free a nation from its vassalage by big countries and entrenched interests, from its domestic despotism. 

 Thus, this statement reiterates the working class's appeal to unite and fight for decent wages, improved working conditions, safe workplaces, and the right to organize, as well as the nation's need for genuine freedom and true democracy. 

Glory to the working people, the builders of society and history! Glory to the first of May, the day of solidarity of the working people around the world against oppression and injustice! 

Workers and oppressed masses around the world, unite!

“A nation unfree shall never be at peace.”

“A nation unfree shall never be at peace.”

 Those who are truly concerned are by themselves driven by an act of love. For with all their knowledge, talent, and dedication, one would say that their love of country and people is itself provided lights and guides to the present and future generations, all despite the risks that they endure, and even at the expense of their lives.

But despite their sacrifices this doesn’t stop the people from becoming aware of the realities making themselves obliged to rise and fight. True it may be that those who are against the concerned, the patriotic, the one who’s driven by the will to resist and thus partake the bitter cup of sacrifice are now rejoicing. They think that they have pacified the country by all means. They think that they have purchased half of the people and intimidated the other half. Sorry to rephrase Pearse but this reflects the current condition. Why? The sacrifices of those truly concerned showed that the country and its people should seek truth from facts, that behind the “progress” and “development” that’s blabbered is the poverty that everyone felt and endured. 

 Will a worker just mum after receiving a wage of 11000 pesos in the face of rising commodities and fare hikes? Will a coconut farmer just kept silent after having 15 peso after selling a sack of copra? Will a loved one just stay quiet after their special someone harassed or killed after accused of a crime that’s not been committed or by simply expressing their disgust against an order that’s decadent? Such realities contradicts the press releases claiming that the country geared towards development. The roads, the bridges, the skyscrapers, the debt driven growth doesn’t stop the fact that the country remains in squalor making these affected farmers, workers, and various concerned folks able to rise up and fight for this. 

 Yes, the order think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything; how foolish then despite snaring each and every one by claiming they’re defending the country. But the realities that lead them to resist are there. They may partake the bitter cup of sacrifice if necessary just because they stand with the truth, justice, and freedom for a nation that’s in dire need of redemption. 

There may be heroes, or martyrs all because of a country’s love- and since there is, then while this nation holds these graves, to rephrase Pearse, a nation that’s unfree shall never be at peace.

When Easter means a time to Uprise!

When Easter means a time to Uprise!

This may sound hardcore to those who think Easter as all but a time to rejoice or a time to convert souls, hearts, and minds; but as realities brought each and everyone to face the abyss, may as well this Easter means the time to uprise the way Jesus Christ conquer death and rose from the grave.

What makes the message hardcore, if not rebellious? Just like the risen Christ, people should rise up from its slumber, seek light and inspiration from the divine word so as to continue the struggle along with the poor and downtrodden, all in pursuit of just society. 

In the Old Testament, God urged Moses to liberate the enslaved Jews from Egyptian domination. The Jews were indeed redeemed as Moses and his followers finally left Egypt and observed the laws given to God through the commandments. 

Later, once they had established in the Holy Land, wealthy and powerful Jews emerged, living affluent lives without regard for the plight of the poor. In reaction to their apathy, God called forth prophets to lament the condition of the poor and to summon the rich to repentance. In the name of God, the prophets of ancient Israel opposed what was occurring to people who were victims in an unfairly stratified society. 

Even the Kings faced chiding from the prophets as their disobedience to God and to law been shown to its people. In an instance, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel are confronted by Elijah the prophet after they turned away from the Lord to worship pagan gods like Baal and Asherah. The prophet even instructed the king to gather the entire population of Israel and the prophets of Asherah and Baal to Mount Carmel. He approached the people, warning them that if they offered a sacrifice and invoked Baal, he would do the same and invoke the Lord. Whichever caught fire would then prove who the real God was. Baal's worshippers prepared their sacrifice and prayed to him all day long without receiving a response. Then Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord, prepared the sacrifice, and poured four jugs of water on it. He called upon the Lord, and the Lord answered him: 

“The Lord’s fire came down and devoured the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!” (1 Kings 18:38-39) 

 

So is the New Testament, when God sent Angel Gabriel to announce to Mary that she will give birth to the Messiah by stating that one day her soon-to-be-born son will be said: 

“…He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent away empty.” (Luke 1:51-53) 

But that Messiah happens to be that of a redeemer of hearts than that of a sword-raising fighter as promised to the Jews, teaching every folk the value of faith, hope, and love as keys to redemption. In his sermons he declared that He has come to bring “good news for the poor” and to “preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18-19). He even healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry as to show the world that God is with them. 

But, he is also the same Christ who said: 

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send [or bring] peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34), 

As well as how he expelled the moneylenders and vendors from the temple: 

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” ( Matthew 21:12–13). 

Such actions would say provoked ire from the established order- and be constituted as a rebellion, leading to his passion and death. 

But regardless of what the established order seen him as a rebel, the faithful rather saw in him a redeeming figure who wanted a “revolution of the heart” in order to bring change. That by his death this meant sacrifice to end sin, a “passover” in which humanity should be liberated from suffering, but in his resurrection he restored life after death; Indeed, the Jesus story is the poor person's tale, for God becomes poor and weak in Christ in order for the oppressed to be freed from poverty and helplessness. He chose to sacrifice himself as he endured the pain from his passion and crucifixion. But his quest for redemption doesn’t limit to that of the Jews who desired for a messiah but also to the world as they hear his message. He even descended into hell as he set free the captive souls before he rose up from his death thus conquering both sin and death by his resurrection. Again, it is a poor man’s story that desire for liberation, but Christ himself who resurrected from the dead shows an ultimate liberation- that of liberating from both sin and death as sin itself leads to death, both physical and spiritual. 

 For sure some would say that this note may justify rebellion as such but to bring closer to God means to rebel against unjust. Why is it? Does it mean to bear arms? Yes it is, even the heart of a Christian can be a weapon itself as to demand a revolution of the heart (no wonder why “setting the world on fire” is what Ignatius of Loyola ended his letters) if not a rebellion against unjust traditions, the way God always champions the cause of those who are poor and beaten down as they struggle for national and social liberation, as well as that of human dignity. Should a Christian remain silent when a government reduces funding for agriculture, education, or medical care for the poor in order to reduce taxes for the wealthy? People will perish as a result of the government's sin of upward wealth redistribution. Depriving starving people of food or making them illiterate in order to balance a stupid budget or pass judgment on their character is an evident evil that requires no additional explanation- if not the fact that this shows an attitude of callousness towards the very humanity of other people. 

Perhaps, before this note would end, this writer would say that If Jesus can overcome death and sin, then the world can overcome poverty, disease, hunger, and oppression of human rights. All of these things come from human society structures, how humanity organizes its affairs, and not from God. This may sound “hardcore” as it urges the folk to “uprise” in this season of joy, but this Easter means the chance to liberate so as to liberate others as Christ urges each and everyone to be with God and to build his kingdom.

“A Letter to Churches, church leaders, and faithful”

 “A Letter to Churches, church leaders, and faithful”

by Bishop Antonio Nercua Ablon,

 Philippine Independent Church 

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

As we celebrate the joyous occasion of Easter, let us take a moment to reflect on the world situation that we find ourselves in. It is no secret that we are faced with many challenges, including war, economic poverty, security concerns, and the protection of the environment. These issues are affecting people in every corner of the world and require urgent attention and action.

In times like these, it is important that we turn to our faith and draw strength and hope from the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through His sacrifice and triumph over death that we are reminded of the power of love, compassion, and selflessness. As Christians, we are called to emulate these virtues and be a light in the darkness.

The world is currently experiencing a number of conflicts and wars that have caused immeasurable suffering to innocent civilians. As followers of Christ, we must work towards peace and reconciliation, promoting dialogue and understanding between different nations and peoples. We must also advocate for the protection of human rights and the dignity of all people.

Economic poverty is another major issue that affects millions of people around the world. We must work towards creating a more just and equitable society, where everyone has access to the basic necessities of life. This includes promoting fair trade practices, providing education and job opportunities, and advocating for the rights of workers.

Security is also a major concern in many parts of the world. We must work towards creating a safer and more secure environment for all, promoting social justice and the rule of law. This includes addressing the root causes of violence, such as poverty and inequality, and investing in education and conflict resolution programs.

Finally, the protection of the environment is an issue that affects us all. As stewards of God's creation, we must work towards preserving and protecting the environment for future generations. This includes reducing our carbon footprint, promoting sustainable practices, and advocating for policies that protect our natural resources.

In closing, let us remember that as Christians, we have a responsibility to love and serve others. Let us pray for those who are suffering and for those who are working towards creating a better world. May the joy and hope of Easter inspire us to be agents of change and bring about a brighter future for all.

Yours in Christ,

 + Antonio