2011 Happy New Year

DOST urged to assess Sorsogon town as potential tidal energy resource

Rep. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr., (Sorsogon, 2nd District) has asked the Department of Science and Technology to include the town of Matnog as one of the areas to be tested as a potential tidal energy resource.

"There is a need to look at other alternative sources of energy to meet demand. Harnessing the full potential of marine energy will help reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on fossil fuel imports. Matnog shows potential as an excellent energy resource," he remarked.

The DOST believes the topographic conditions of the Philippines with narrow straits between the islands and strategic location between the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea make tidal energy development promising.

Matnog, a fourth-class municipality in Sorsogon, has one of the busiest seaports in the country as it serves as a jump off point to Visayas and Mindanao.

Under the proposed marine current project, the DOST will identify and select 10 areas that would be tested for its energy potential.

The project's objective is to assess marine current resources, develop a geographical information system (GIS) - marine current map of the selected sites and improve local capacity in handling marine current resource assessment and development.

The sites are selected based on several factors such as depth, location, presence of marine traffic and high current velocity. An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler will be used to determine the current velocity.

Monitoring of the selected area is carried out for a period of two months. The result of the study is then used to produce a GIS map. The findings will also show and quantify the extractable energy potential of the site.

Part of the project involves the development of small-scale marine current energy systems. The agency is expected to make its selection by the first quarter of 2011.

According to the DOST, the country imports over 90 percent of its primary energy consumption, mostly in the form of fossil fuels.

Rep. Ramos said new energy ventures would open opportunities for Sorsogon, potentially attracting new investments and help create jobs.

"Marine current technology has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the country's energy requirements. The results of the assessment will greatly help policy makers and developers to further develop this energy resource," he added.

Potential areas previously identified by the DOST include San Bernandino Strait, Hinatuan Passage, San Juanico Strait, Cebu Harbor, Basilan Strait and Iloilo Strait.

(Source: http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=4705)

24 Oras: Even Pets are at Risk during New Year's celebrations

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Commentary: General Appropriations Acts of 2010 and 2011 shows many new infrastructure projects were funded for U.P. in 2010 but without corresponding operating funds for 2011 and beyond

By Chanda Shahani

The 2010 General Appropriations Act which we have embedded below from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) website shows that many important projects for the University of the Philippines (U.P.) were funded by the national government headed by the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has just signed into law the General Appropriations Act of 2011; but there has been zero allotments for new capital outlays for U.P. and for other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

The basic problem in U.P.'s and other government entity budgets for third party observers (such as ourselves, other bloggers, concerned citizens, NGOs etcetera) is the lack of detail in public documents which allow us to do some basic analysis for our readers.

The Diliman Diary subscribes to basic Hegelian dialectics which takes into account opposing points of view in order to arrive at a richer, more meaningful interpretation of the truth; mindful of the fact that any such insights may be later overthrown by new information and analysis. While we do take a stand on issues, we find it unacceptable not to take other sides into consideration because to do so would be for us to degenerate into mere propagandists.

(To zoom in on the graphics, just click on them)

(Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph/GAA2010/SUCS/A/A.8.pdf)

Opponents of the SUC budget cuts say that the deterioration of the peso in real terms plus the hidden costs associated with inflation virtually guarantee that any claims to a slight increase in budget to SUCs are without significant merit and only constitute a token or symbolic increase.

But what is perhaps understated or underplayed is the sustainability of newly started U.P. programs and projects which have had the funding pulled out from under their own feet by the national government through the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management, as DBM did not recommend further capital outlays for SUCs in 2011.

Some of the significant capital outlays for U.P. in 2010 which were given funding were:

• Construction of the College of Business Administration Building: PhP 50 million
• Construction of Academic Building, Clark University Town: PhP 50 million
• School of Health and Science Extension Campus in Aurora Province: PhP 79.325 million
• Construction of the U.P. Manila Centennial Building - Phase I: PhP 150 million
• Engineering Research and Development for Technology Projects: PhP 275 million
• Consturction of the U.P. Sports Center: PhP 500 million

The basic problem, however is that assuming these projects are all finished on time and within budget, there also need to be additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) to operationalize these new projects, as can be seen by the National Expenditure Program of the U.P. System which is posted on DBM's website (http://www.dbm.gov.ph/NEP2011/SUCS/NCR/A.8.pdf), and there has been no additional allocations for these new projects in 2011. Moreover, the National Government has sent out clear signals that the U.P. System has to already shoulder a bigger share of its existing budget which leaves these new projects in danger of becoming white elephants unless additional funding can be sourced from either the National Government or through U.P.'s own capabilities to generate additional revenues.

Unfortunately, the controversy-ridden administration of outgoing U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman and her cabal of has failed to communicate U.P.'s legitimate needs for an increase in its budget to the new administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. It is really up to incoming U.P. President Alfredo E. Pascual, whose term begins on February11, 2011 to make the case for an increase in U.P.'s budget to the administration of President Aquino stressing U.P.'s historic and future role in national development while at the same time making good on promises of financial transparency, accountability and democratic governance so that the regard for U.P. as the indispensable national university will remain undiminished.

Will Rudolph the Deer survive tomorrow's New Year's revelries at East Avenue Medical Center in Diliman, Q.C.?

This is another update to our readers who are interested in Rudolph the Deer's probabilities of surviving to live out the natural term of his alloted lifespan at a time when prime deer meat is being sought after by alcohol-fueled party goers who seek to welcome the New Year at Ground Zero: the compound of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) at Diliman, Quezon City. Ms. Anna Hashim-Cabrera, the Program Director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has written Dr. Roland L. Cortez, the Medical Director of EAMC and this letter is being received by his office today. In effect, the letter requests for a stay on the writ of Rudolph the Deer's possible execution in order to be converted into New Year's "pulutan" or "finger food" or Philippine-style tapas.

Specifically, Ms. Hashim-Cabrera asks Dr. Cortez in the letter to allow PAWS to take Rudolph the Deer into its temporary custody at its animal shelter in Aurora Boulevard, Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights, Quezon City pending turnover to a proper sanctuary who will care for this deer.

The Diliman Diary is earnestly hoping that the management of EAMC grants the request of PAWS not to harm Rudolph the Deer; even as PAWS is now scrambling to find a permanent home or habitat for him.

We shall keep our readers informed of future developments regarding Rudolph the Deer.

(To enlarge the graphic, just click on it)

(Rudolph the Deer. Photo by: Chanda Shahani)

DOH asks New Year’s Eve revelers to be careful in using ‘torotot’

MANILA, Dec. 28 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday asked New Year’s Eve revelers to be careful in using "Torotot" (paper horns) in welcoming the 2011 on Friday.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the paper horns can also be dangerous to children who will be welcoming 2011. He said two children have been rushed to the hospital after swallowing "torotot" whistles.

Ona said instead of using torotot and firecrackers, people should just use pots and pans to make noise on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, Ona announced that the DOH has already recorded 173 firecracker-related injuries from December 21 to December 28.

He said the number is a 36 percent jump from the average of the last five years, but 12 percent lower compared to the number of firecracker-related injuries recorded in the same period of 2009.

Ona said that the China-made Piccolo firecracker remains on top of the list of reasons for these injuries followed by "kwitis."

The health secretary said they are expecting the figure to balloon to 1,000 in the next three days if people would continue using firecrackers.

The DOH has repeatedly advised people to conduct "community fireworks" and local governments to assign specific areas where adults can light firecrackers during the New Year revelry. (PNA)

Philippine Animal Welfare Society responds to the issue of Rudolph the Deer

(Rudolph the Deer is being held at East Avenue Medical Center,

Diliman, Quezon City)

Editor's note: The following is an update to the issue of Rudolph the Deer whom the Diliman Diary stumbled across last December 23, 2010. Our immediate concern is the possible imminent demise of Rudolph the Deer where he will be converted into "pulutan" or finger food in time for the December 31, 2010 New Year's revelries. To readers following this story, here are narrative threads of the progress of this story,
in the form of previous links: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/update-on-rudolph-deer-who-remains.html and http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas-to-all-and.html.

The Diliman Diary is also embedding below our email correspondence with Ms. Anna Hashim-Cabrera, the Program Director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). We shall continue to keep our readers updated about future developments about Rudolph the Deer.

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Re: Rudolph the Deer

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:03 AM

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"diliman diary"

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"paws paws"

Cc:

tsalazarph@yahoo.com, dilimandiary@yahoo.com

Dear Ma'am: Thank you so much for your swift response as well as Ms. Tessa's very timely reaction to the plight of Rudolph the Deer. I completely agree that a letter from PAWS to Dr. Cortez, the Medical Director of East Avenue Medical Center would be very appropriate. I would urge PAWS to have the letter received by at least December 30, as the Palace has declared December 28 to 30, 2010 as the only remaining working days of the year (please see: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/malacanang-advisory-december-holidays.html). Rudolph the Deer was tied up to a very short leash in the back of the EAMC compound so if it is at all feasible (Ms. Tessa suggested in a text that there was a possibility that an institution such as Central Luzon State University might be able to adopt Rudolph the Deer), it would be ideal if Rudolph was sent to another place where he can roam freely as he was meant to. While I do not have concrete evidence that Rudolph will soon become finger food, I was brought to the security guard compound where I had the feeling that those guys were already in full party mode which usually means all-out libations with beer, revelry and food (i.e., finger food); so the earlier the letter reaches EAMC before the critical date of December 31, 2010, the better so as to put a stay on Rudolph's possible "execution." At any rate, please keep me posted about what transpires next. I would also like to take this opportunity to request if I can interview you in your office about PAWS current programs for 2011. Many of the Diliman Diary's readers are from the Diliman area and may be interested in the issues of animal welfare and the environment. Thank you very much. Mabuhay! Have a Great Day! Chanda R. Shahani Editor The Diliman Diary http://www.dilimandiary.com --- On Tue, 12/28/10, paws paws  wrote: From: paws paws Subject: Re: Rudolph the Deer To: "diliman diary" Cc: tsalazarph@yahoo.com Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 9:16 AM Dear Chanda,   Thanks to you and special thanks to Tessa for her quick action on this case. PAWS is swamped with cases of checking on so many cat and dog cruelties - and it is only I (a commuter) and two volunteers with cars who can go check (when these volunteers do not have work).  We usually leave the PAWS van with the shelter to get construction or medical supplies or to shuttle animals from the shelter to more well-equipped clinics as the need arises (Doc Wil is all alone caring for about 300 rescued animals in a clinic without an x-ray and other more advanced equipment).  We really, really appreciate volunteers who can go and immediately check on reported animals and talk to people on our behalf. Thank you. =)   Re: Rudolph - As there is currently no cruelty/neglect and the animal appears to be, as you say, in good health, I can write to the medical director to appeal to him not to make Rudolph into pulutan (what should I mention is making us think that he is going to be pulutan?) .. and to let him live out the rest of his days in that area. Is this ok?   Please let me know. (My mobile number is 09178315970)   Thanks.     Anna Hashim-Cabrera Program Director The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Telefax: 475-1688  Office hrs: Mon to Sat 10am to 5pm Please spay or neuter your pets. Help shelter animals by adopting, volunteering or by making a contribution: PAWS' BPI Account Number 3944-0021-61 www.paws.org.ph  --- On Mon, 12/27/10, diliman diary  wrote: From: diliman diary Subject: Rudolph the Deer To: philpaws@yahoo.com Cc: tsalazarph@yahoo.com, dilimandiary@yahoo.com Date: Monday, 27 December, 2010, 6:16 PM Dear Sir or Madame: I had earlier emailed to your good office (PAWS) the link to a brief dispatch I had uploaded in the Diliman Diary about a deer I had stumbled across while walking along East Avenue on the way to U.P. Diliman (Please refer again to tha atached link at:http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas-to-all-and.html). I had come across "Rudolph" the deer on December 23. Today, I received a text from Ms. Tessa, one of your volunteers asking about updates to the case, so I decided to travel back to East Avenue today to check up on Rudolph. Ms. Tessa advised me to be very diplomatic, ask them not to hurt the deer, but to invoke RA 8485 as my basis for interest in th deer's welfare. I did my best to follow all these instructions to the letter. When I got there, I discovered that the deer was not located as the SSS compound at East Avenue in Diliman (that was a mistake on my part and I have corrected my dispatch in the Diliman Diary to reflect this), but at the adjacent East Avenue Medical Center, also located at East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C. I was intercepted by some security guards, and I explained to them that I wanted to check up on the deer, because it was no longer visible from the main road. The guards were very courteous, but they did not allow me to take pictures of Rudolph the deer, although they did let me visit him (he looked outwardly health as of today). I was able to take pictures of Rudolph last December 23, because he was visible from the main road back then. The guards asked me what my purpose was, and I said I was representing the weblog, Diliman Diary, but that I was also coordinating with PAWS. I gave the guards a copy of RA 8485 and asked them who was the owner of the deer. They told me the owner was the Director of East Avenue Medical Center. I asked them if it was okay if a letter was written to the Director, asking for custody of the deer (although I would not know what to do with it, but I am assuming PAWS has a better grasp of what to do inasmuch as relocating a wild animal is concerned once custody is obtained), and they advised that the letter should be addressed to the following: Roland L. Cortez, M.D. Medical Director East Avenue Medical Center East Avenue, Q.C. Trunk Line: 928-0611 Please advise me what to do next as I am just a humble blogger. I am willing to help, but I think my efforts would have more teeth if any organization with the stature of PAWS was involved. I hope Rudolph is not sacrificed for some New Year's celebration, which is a distinct possibility in our macho, alcohol-fueled Pinoy culture. Hoping for the best. Best regards, Chanda Shahani Mabuhay! Have a Great Day! Chanda R. Shahani Editor The Diliman Diary http://www.dilimandiary.com

Aquino signs 2011 national budget into law

(Source: http://tinyurl.com/2ebxjva)

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday signed into law Republic Act 10147, the P1.645-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2011 which is actually his first financial blueprint that will enable the national government to address the urgent needs of the marginalized sector of society.

In a speech after the signing at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall, the Chief Executive said this is the first time in 11 years that the national budget was signed on time.

Of the total budget, the social services sector got the lion's share at 34.1 percent, a 16.8 percent hike from its 2010 budget, the highest increase among all sectors. It includes a P21-billion allocation for the conditional cash transfer program and P1.2 billion in unaudited intelligence funds.

"Congress has ratified the General Appropriations Act for 2011. By so doing, it has made possible my signing the national budget today. This will be the first time in 11 years that the budget will be signed into law on the same year that it was submitted," the President said.

The President noted that the House of Representatives and the Senate “have proven that both chambers of Congress are indeed serious about the primary duty of the legislature.”

"The budget is the most important act of any Congress. Its early passage means that the much-needed programs for poverty alleviation and development can be implemented earlier," he stressed.

The President pointed out that the early signing of the budget "will enable us to address the urgent needs of our people in a timely manner. Such needs include building more rural health units and providing immunization for children. This also allows us to construct new classrooms and hire new teachers, as promised to the Filipino people."

Present during the budget signing ceremony were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Congress committee leaders and members of the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said the signing of the GAA for 2011 is the first budget with transparency and accountability provisions integrated under the zero-based budgeting (ZBB) approach.
Under the ZBB approach, the government, according to Abad should reduce or terminate funding for projects or programs which are ineffective, inefficient or fraught with leakages, and to expand funding for those which are well performing and are critical for development.

“These general and special provisions require us to disclose key information on budgetary appropriations and releases using new information technology. This administration has nothing to hide from the people,” he said.

Aside from social services, the sectors that got an increase in the 2011 budget were the following:

- P110 million for the maintenance and operating expenses of 80 state universities and colleges (SUC);
- P8 million in the budget of the Office of the Vice President;
- P200 million in subsidies for local government units;
- P590 million in the budget of the House of Representatives; and
- P345 million in the budget of the Senate.

(Source: http://www.president.gov.ph/news/default.aspx?n=594)

Update on Rudolph the Deer who remains under captivity at East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Q.C.

(Rudolph the Philippine Deer. An endangered species or

this coming New Year's Eve "pulutan" at
East Avenue Medical Center?)

(East Avenue Medical Center, Diliman, Quezon City)

By Chanda Shahani

Last December 24, 2010 the Diliman Diary reported to its readers about the plight of Rudolph, the deer (please see: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas-to-all-and.html) who can be considered endangered, because all three species of Philippine deer have been put in the endangered list by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Diliman Diary was roused out of its slumber today by an urgent text from Ms. Tessa, a volunteer from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), asking what follow-ups the Diliman Diary had done to protect the animal. While this blogger had every intention of contacting the DENR once government offices had resumed oeprations, Ms. Tessa's concern acquired a sudden urgency in this writer's mind with the realization that the natural accompaniment to yuletide celerations in the Philippines is none other than savoring glass after glass of  world-class San Miguel Beer with  "tapas" - or in Filipino - "pulutan" or "finger foods."

Rudolph was in imminent danger of becoming pulutan by a bunch of rowdy drinkers. When the realization sank in, this writer knew he had to rush over to EAMC to check up on him.

After arriving there, this writer was intercepted by courteous but firm EAMC security guards who asked me why I was so interested in Rudolph. I explained by politely giving the guards a copy of R.A. 8485 of the Philippine Animal Welfare Act of 1998 (http://www.internationalwildlifelaw.org/phil_animal_act.html) and asked them who was the owner of the deer. They told me the owner was the Director of East Avenue Medical Center. I asked them if it was okay if a letter was written to the Director, asking for custody of the deer (although I would not know what to do with it, but I am assuming PAWS has a better grasp of what to do inasmuch as relocating a wild animal is concerned once custody is obtained), and they advised that the letter should be addressed to the following:

Roland L. Cortez, M.D.
Medical Director
East Avenue Medical Center
East Avenue, Q.C.

The Diliman Diary's basic plan is to ask PAWS for help in asking EAMC for custody of Rudolph the deer and for PAWS to find a proper habitat for Rudolph the deer. This writer is hoping for a positive development before December 31, 2010 because of the imminent danger of New Year's celebrations getting out of hand with the possible result that Rudolph becomes finger food instead of a protected animal. Although a reading of R.A. 9485 would seem to allow for the destruction of a deer, albeit in a humane manner, however a later law, R.A. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 make,s it illegal to destroy wildlife - the definition of which is updated by DENR on a constant basis.  

The DENR Secretary Elisea G. Gozun issued DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2004-15 in 2004 in compliance with a provision in the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001.” The Act cites specific penalties in varying degrees depending on the status of an identified threatened wildlife species under the categories of “Critically Endangered Species (CES),” “Endangered Species (ES),” “Vulnerable Species” or “Other Threatened Species (OTS).

We will keep our readers updated on future developments on this topic.

(Photos by: Chanda Shahani)

Another Look at the New Philippine Banknotes

(Editor's note: to enlarge the graphics, just click on them)

By Alain Del B. Pascua

MANILA, Dec.20 (PNA Feature) -- When I first heard the news that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is releasing a new set of banknotes, the first thing I did was to see if the American flag in the P100 bill is still there.

It was no longer there, so I was very happy for the removal of a foreign symbol in our national currency. But my gratefulness was only for seconds and my jubilation was gone when I saw that the Leyte landing, led by American General Douglas McArthur, was depicted in the P50 bill.

I firmly believe that our national banknotes should not in any way give space to foreign symbols and personalities no matter their importance to our history. Yes, it is a reality that we were conquered by the Spaniards, the Americans and even the Japanese, but to put this on our national symbols such as our banknotes defy our very own sovereignty, independence and nationalism.

In the case of the P50 bill, why feature the Leyte Landing and the so-called “American Liberation of the Philippines,” when what should be highlighted is the victory and gallantry of the Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese invaders sans the Americans, who, led by General Douglas McArthur, left the country and departed to Australia when the Japanese forces held the upper hand in war.

It was the Filipino guerrilla who fought it out against the Japanese forces inch by inch until such time as the Japanese stragglers were already in the mountains and away from populated areas even before the so-called “Liberation of the Philippines by the Americans.” We have enough historical references on these events and yet our officials choose to honor events led by foreigners instead of events portraying the greatness of our Filipino “kababayan” (compatriots)..

COAT-OF-ARMS

The same observation can be said on the Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of the Philippines, which the BSP erroneously referred to as “Seal of the President” in all its descriptions of the new banknotes. Why is the Bald Eagle of the United States of America and the Lion-Rampant of Spain (the Charge of the Kingdom of Leon) included in the depiction of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of the Philippines when these symbols and representation of colonial history are no longer mentioned in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines?

Republic Act No. 8491, An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heralding Items and Devices of the Philippines, which was signed into a law on February 12, 1998, states in Chapter IV entitled “The National Coat-of-Arms,” Section 41:

“The National Coat-of-Arms shall have: Paleways of two (2) pieces, azure and gules; a chief argent studded with three (3) mullets equidistant from each other; and, in point of honor, ovoid argent over all the sun rayonnant with eight minor and lesser rays. Beneath shall be the scroll with the words "REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS," inscribed thereon.”

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS, PUBLIC OUTCRY

When the new banknotes was made public, the media highlighted the placement of three Aquinos in the P500 bill – that President Cory Aquino joined her martyred husband Ninoy Aquino, now sporting a smile unlike the sadness he depicted in the old bill, with the new President, their son Noynoy, signing anew the new banknotes. It’s history indeed!

The media also highlighted the relegation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a not so prominent space in the new P200 bill.

Of course, the BSP proudly announces the various security measures that are embedded in the new banknotes, the youthful looks of presidents and heroes, and the general designs and features. These changes are truly remarkable and very laudable.

After some hours of the announcement and few days have passed, serious criticisms have started to come out from every ordinary people who will be using the new banknotes.

From different sectors, from various quarters, from separate individuals – Filipinos took to the internet, to social networks, to email groups - they gave their collective observations:

1. The Philippine map excludes Batanes (the map only includes the Babuyan Islands);

2. Tubbataha Reefs is mislocated hundreds of miles away (the location alluded to is the Bulis Suan and Cagayan Sulu Islands);

3. St. Paul’s Subterranean or Underground River is also mislocated (the location should be near the sea, not inland);

4.The Blue-Naped Parrot is miscolored (beak should be red not yellow, and tail should be yellow, not green);

5. The scientific names defies the standard format (scientific names should be italicized);

SOME MORE CRITICISMS:

Of the 6 new banknotes, five featured Luzon (P20 Banaue Rice Terraces, P50 Taal Lake, P100 Mayon Volcano, P500 Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, P1000 Tubbataha Reefs), only one featured the Visayas (P200 Bohol Chocolate Hills), and none featured Mindanao. Why the disparity?

Can we not give equal representation to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao like the three equal and equidistant stars in the Philippine flag?

In Mindanao can be found Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country; Philippine Eagle, the king of birds; Waling-waling, the queen of orchids; and many, many more. Why the obvious neglect?

Why only English names, aside from scientific names, accompanied the wildlife species? Why not include the Pilipino names – Alamid, Maliputo, Butanding, etc. which can easily be understood and identified with by the Filipinos?

In the P500 bill, why feature the Blue-Naped Parrot when it is more majestic to highlight the endangered Palawan endemics like the Palawan Peasant-Peacock, Palawan Hornbill or the Philippine Cockatoo?

The errors pointed out by the public can easily be corrected by the BSP. They should bow down to the collective wisdom of the Filipino people. The Filipino is their boss, is it not? And the errors pointed out can be rectified easily. Never mind if the first batch already printed becomes collectors’ items. That is a small price compared to doing the correct things, and properly so.

GREAT FEATURES

The new banknotes are generally great and laudable. The highlighting of national treasures – endemic wildlife, national heritage and culture - tops all of the new features being sighted in the new notes.

The use of Baybayin, the old Pilipino script, and the native cloth designs surely lifts the greatness of the Filipino race and stirs patriotism in all of us.

The new BSP logo – the Philippine Eagle in graphic style – makes up for the absence of Haring Ibon in the new series.

BANKNOTES AND NATIONALISM

The present brouhaha over the new banknotes only show the importance of our currency forms in our national life, not only because if represents wealth and purchasing power, but more so because the banknotes are representations of our national treasures and our national struggle for greatness.

While the authorities have decided that the new banknotes continue to depict past Philippine presidents and modern-day martyrs and heroes, one can not help but ask why Presidents Emilio Aguinaldo, Jose Laurel, Ramon Magsaysay, Elpidio Quirino, Carlos Garcia and Ferdinand Marcos are not featured in our banknotes.

Never mind the controversy of having Ferdinand Marcos in our banknotes, but how about the others? Of course President Fidel Ramos, Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are still living so we can safely say they do not yet merit being featured in our banknotes.

Of this new series, four modern-day heroes and martys were featured despite not being Presidents of the Republic – Josefa Llanes Escoda, General Vicente Lim, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos and Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. But where are the other heroes that fought for Philippine Independence and established the Filipino nation?

The greatness of heroes are usually depicted in banknotes bearing lower denominations. Gat Jose Rizal was/is feature in the P1 bill/coin, etc. But the practice of featuring national heroes to lower denominations like P1, P2, P5, P10 has become irrelevant as coins have replaced paper bills because of the devaluation of the peso. The present poor and the past national heroes are twin victims in the devaluation of the peso.

But our heroes – Gat Jose Rizal, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, Melchora Aquino, Macario Sakay, Gabriela Silang, Lapu-Lapu, etc. – are personalities any generation of Filipino can easily identified with. Hands down, their roster will beat the roster of Philippine Presidents in inculcating love of country and fellowmen.

Their delegation to coins whose values are decreasing do not help in inculcating patriotism, nationalism, faith in the Filipino and the greatness of the Filipino people and nation. Put them in bank notes and, once again, we help every Filipino love and be proud of his/her country and heritage more.

Every Filipino hero mentioned above have been leaders of historical events that made our country today – the Propaganda Movement, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Kataastaasan at Kagalanggalangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, the Great 1896 Revolution, the 1898 Declaration of Independence, the victory of the Filipinos in Balanggiga, Samar, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, etc.

All these events that stir Filipinism, Filipino nationalism and patrimony, and the greatness of the Filipino people, can have greater and lasting impact on the Filipino people when featured in their banknotes and not just in coins.

OTHER BANKNOTE SERIES

To make our banknotes not only representations of wealth, purchasing power and currencies, but more so as repository of the Filipino people’s struggle for greatness and nationhood, and national treasures and patrimony, there is a need to break the limitations of having just 6 banknotes. Like any other country, it is very permissible to issue new series of banknotes with different features and highlights.

We can have a “national heroes and historical events” series where the national heroes and historical events discussed above are featured.

We can have another series depicting national symbols like the evolution of the Philippine Flag, the Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine Eagle, Sampaguita, Narra, Anahaw, Mango Tamaraw, Arnis, Sipa, etc.

Another series can highlight Philippine endemics, both flora and fauna.

We can have these series while maintaining the bills’ value of P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1000 the same for every series.

It is high time for the country and the BSP to make Philippine banknotes as representations and repositories of what the Filipino is – from past to present – and the national treasures and jewels that we have blessed with.

Do not deny us our heroes, our history, our treasures, our patrimony. Make us proud and great. (PNA Feature)

(Editor’s Note: The author of this article is the current president of the Kaakbay organization, which sought party-list elections in the national poll this year with former National Treasurer Eleanor Briones as its candidate.)

(Pictures of banknotes with graphics from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas website at: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=2471)