National Concerns

CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL CONCERNS

Hi, Thomasians!! In the previous module you have learned what are expected of you as Christians and your role in the society as Thomasians. In this module, you will be given a task to examine the current state of our country by being oriented to societal issues and problems and try to think for possible solutions. You will learn more about the different societal problems that hinders our country from progressing as contained in the Millennium Development Development Goals (MDG). Also, in this this module you will discover about the Millennium Development Goals and its implications to our national problems. At the end of this this module, you are expected to: 1. To find out about Millennium Development Goals and their implication to society and how they become hindrance to our much desired development 2. To understand the nature of the different issues and problems of the society 3. To identify possible solutions to vis-a-vis the pressing problems to the country 4. Recognize the role of youth in National Security.

Social issues and problems are ubiquitous in social living. Today as our lives become more complex, so are these social issues and problems. Knowing what they are and how they affect our society becomes a necessity in order for us to confront. Sad to say, we are numbed by the system and became indifferent to these issues. We became part of the problem instead of the solution. We can work to together in combating these societal problems that have been burdening our nation for years.

The Millennium Development Goals The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) was launched. It is a pledge set forth by the United Nation as the result of the agreement among 189 countries, including the Philippines to eradicate extreme poverty and other multiple deprivations. Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger This aims to eradicate poverty and hunger by reducing by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people and halve and halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

MODULE 3: NATIONAL CONCERNS Page 2 of 45

CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL CONCERNS

Hi, Thomasians!! In the previous module you have learned what are expected of you as Christians and your role in the society as Thomasians. In this module, you will be given a task to examine the current state of our country by being oriented to societal issues and problems and try to think for possible solutions. You will learn more about the different societal problems that hinders our country from progressing as contained in the Millennium Development Development Goals (MDG). Also, in this this module you will discover about the Millennium Development Goals and its implications to our national problems. At the end of this this module, you are expected to: 1. To find out about Millennium Development Goals and their implication to society and how they become hindrance to our much desired development 2. To understand the nature of the different issues and problems of the society 3. To identify possible solutions to vis-a-vis the pressing problems to the country 4. Recognize the role of youth in National Security.

Social issues and problems are ubiquitous in social living. Today as our lives become more complex, so are these social issues and problems. Knowing what they are and how they affect our society becomes a necessity in order for us to confront. Sad to say, we are numbed by the system and became indifferent to these issues. We became part of the problem instead of the solution. We can work to together in combating these societal problems that have been burdening our nation for years.

The Millennium Development Goals The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) was launched. It is a pledge set forth by the United Nation as the result of the agreement among 189 countries, including the Philippines to eradicate extreme poverty and other multiple deprivations. Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger This aims to eradicate poverty and hunger by reducing by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people and halve and halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.


Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education This target to ensure that by 2015, everywhere, boys and girls alike will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women This intends to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality This aims to reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five .

Goal 5: Improve maternal health This seeks to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio and achieve universal access to reproductive health. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases This aims to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, incidence of malaria and other major diseases. It also target to provide universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it. Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability This plans to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources, reduce biodiversity loss, reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, and achieve significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020 Goal 8: A global partnership for development It aims to develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system. This also addresses the special needs of the least developed countries and landlocked developing countries and small island developing States. In addition, this will deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries . Under this goal, this aims provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries through cooperation with with pharmaceutical companies. Lastly, in cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.


LESSON 1: EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES At the end of the lesson, I hope you will be able to: to: 1. Discuss the different issues in the Philippine education 2. Develop an understanding on the government initiative sin improving the education system in our country 3. Develop awareness on the state of the educational system, focusing on significant issues and concerns I. The importance of Education in us Education plays very important role for every individual it provides the skills that prepare us physically, mentally and socially for the world of work. In addition it is a critical weapon against poverty. Education is generally seen as the foundation of society which brings economic wealth, social prosperity and stability in life. This may also be the best investment for the people because well educated persons have more opportunities to get a job or be hired immediately. Do you know him? “He is the major proponent of the K+12 Basic Education Program in the Philippines” Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro Source: quesober.com (Google)

II. Issues in Philippine Education Let us now explore and discuss issues and problems that need to be addressed in our education system. A new President was elected and also a new secretary of the Department of Education is appointed he is Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro. He will have to bear a heavy load, as the United Nations goal of primary schooling for all by 2015 falls under the Aquino’s administration. Aquino’s administration. Let us, investigate on the state of education right now and find out those the issues that the new secretary must address.


A. Government budget for education Do you think our government ’s top priority is education? The 1987 Philippine Constitution has mandated the government to allocate the highest proportion of its budget for education. However, the Philippines still has one of the lowest budget allocations among the ASEAN countries. Even though, the budget for Department of Education is the top priority of our government, it seems that there are still some problems that need to be addressed. Based on the Department of Education (DepEd) there was an acute shortage of almost everything they revealed that for the school year 2011-2012.

“ DepEd needs 101,612 teachers; 135, 847 comfort rooms; 66,800 classrooms and 2,573 chairs.” Source: reuters.com

In addition, the 2010 inventory of DepEd, elementary public schools have 456,067 classrooms, 509,637 teachers, 15,960,353 seats, and 316,112 toilets. Does it mean that the budget allocated is not enough, reason for having shortage in teachers, comfort rooms, class rooms and chairs? Do you think that the government has the budget to address those needs? Let us now discuss how the government allocates budget for education.

The 2011 budget for basic education is P207.27 billion. It grew by 18.46% this year by (P32billion) from the 2010 basic education budget of P175 billion. The allotment for basic education is 12.06% of the P1.645 trillion of the national government budgets. According to World Bank, if a country wants to attain quality education for all, the average share of education budget in developing countries should not be lower than 20% of the total budget. On the other hand, UNESCO stated that the international standard for allocating budget for basic education is 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In the case of the Philippines around 2% of t he GDP goes to education from 2001 to 2007.


B. Affordability of Education There is a big disparity in educational achievements across social groups. For example, the socioeconomically disadvantaged students have higher dropout rates, especially in the elementary level. And most of the freshmen students at the tertiary level come from relatively well-off families. Based on the Article XIV, Section 1 of the Philippine constitution articulated that “The state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

According to Senator Escudero, “ estimated that of the 100 children who entered Grade 1, only 86 moved on to Grade 2, 76 to Grade 4, 67 to Grade 6, and only 65 finally completed the six years of elementary education.”

Image source: reefbuilders.com

Are you enlightened now about the present situation of our education? Have we forgotten the passage of Dr. Jose Rizal in La Juventud Filipina ?

Sa Kabataang Pilipino ”Itaas

ang iyong noong aliwalas

ngayon, Kabataan ng aking pangarap! ang aking talino na tanging liwanag ay pagitawin mo, Pag-asa ng Bukas! ” Source: maa an

aalam.word ress.com

C. Quality of Education Both DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) revealed that the quality of education in the country continues to deteriorate, citing the declining achievement rates among elementary and high school students. (Based on the National Achievement Test (MPS) of 2010)


“…only an average of 68.01% and 45.56% of the test questions were correctly answered by elementary and high school s tudents ” , respectively. The NAT is taken by Grade 3, Grade 6 and Second Year high school students in both public and private schools. (It is used to determine the students’ knowledge based on their level.)The National Statistics Office (NSO) stated that the unemployment rate in January 2011 was estimated at 7.4%, while the employment rate was recorded at 92.6%, and that there were more unemployed males than females.

D. Education Mismatch There was a large proportion of “mismatch” between training and actual jobs. This is the major problem at the tertiary level and it is also the cause of the existence of a large group of educated unemployed. For instance, there are a lot of nurses registered by annually in the Philippines but the actual number of the available nursing job opportunities in the country is very low. I am sure many questions have crossed your mind why these things happen. In the midst of all this issues and problems, there is still something that you need to know and be proud of being Filipino. Do you know that our country has good standing in-terms of literacy rate? The good news is that based from census of population and housing “Among the household population 10 years and over 9 out of 10 cannot read and write or basically illiterate and while, 92.28% were literate or able to read and write a simple message. Females with 92.47% are much higher as compared with males by 92.10 %.” That is a good sign, it only shows that majority of our population are able to read and write. For further discussion, what is literacy and why is it important? Traditionally, literacy means the ability to read and write and is also essentially needed in today’s society. Added to this is the ability to communicate with other and the ability to comprehend and solve problems. High school graduates have a level of literacy and a skill set from which they can learn and improve their abilities to function and enhance their lives. From this level of literacy, adults can improve their skills in other types of literacy such as academic, non-academic, cultural and technical literacy.


III. Government Initiative: Transforming for Better Education Improving the education system in our country is part of the agenda of President Noynoy Aquino’s administration. As mentioned in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), he included the 12-year education cycle as part of his reform programs, saying, “Magkakapondo

na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon. Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon .”

Let us see, what the programs of Aquino Government are: What are under the 10 point basic education agenda of the Aquino administration.

12-year basic education

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Expand the basic education cycle, from a 10-year cycle to a globallycomparable 12 years, for public school children. Universal pre-schooling for all All public school children will have preschool as their introduction to formal schooling by 2016, and will make this available to all children regardless of income. Madaris education as a sub-system within the education system

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Full basic education for all Muslim Filipino children. This is to give proper respect to their culture while providing a sound curriculum in English, Filipino, Science, and Math. Madaris education, with subject in Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education That can be integrated in public schools.


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Technical vocational education as an alternative stream in senior high school Vocational programs will be included in the 12-year basic education program

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Every child a reader by Grade 1 Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP) aims to train each child so that he/she is able to read with comprehension as early as Grade 1.

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Science and Math proficiency Rebuild the science and math infrastructure in schools so that we can produce more scientists, engineers, technicians, technologists and teachers in our universities so that this country can be more globally competitive in industry and manufacturing Assistance to private schools as essential partners in basic education Increase government assistance to private education. A strong private school system will strengthen public schools by providing parents an alternative and not adding to the overcrowding.

8

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Medium of instruction rationalized DepEd will be using mother-tongue or bi-lingual as medium of instruction for Pre-school to Grade 2. Learn English well and connect to the world. Learn Filipino well and connect to our country. Retain people’s dialect and connect with heritage. Quality textbook DepEd will not tolerate poor textbook quality in public schools. Textbooks will be judged by three criteria: quality, better quality, and more quality.

10

Covenant with the local governments to build more schools Build more schools in areas where there are no public or private schools in partnership with local governments.


Have you heard the new program of the Department of Education that being proposed for this S.Y. 2011-2012, as part of the agenda of President Aquino? This is the K+12! After considering various proposals and studies, the model that is currently being proposed by DepEd is the K-6-4-2 Model . The program seeks to add two years to the current 10-year basic education curriculum, and make graduates more competitive. This model involves Kindergarten, six years of elementary education, four years of junior high school (Grades 7 to 10) and two years of senior high school (Grades 11 to 12). The two years of senior high school intend to provide time for students to consolidate acquired academic skills and competencies. Now, I hope you already gained deeper understanding on the government initiative in improving the education system of our country and insights on the issues that need to be addressed. This only show that basic literacy is essential for everyone this becomes the basis of education as one of the critical components of human development: it becomes the foundation upon which all learning throughout life is based. It also, provides the means for greater participation in all spheres of society. Low levels of literacy can limit individual’s ability to take part in decision -making and thus making it complicated for a person to exercise their fundamental citizenship rights. Moreover, because the outcomes of one generation affect the opportunities of the next, care must be taken to ensure that children have sufficient and equitable access to education- enhancing experiences, regardless of their socio-economic background, in order to prevent sowing the seeds of social exclusion at an early age. In the context of UST-NSTP we believe your role is important as a youth to contribute in nation building and aims to encourage you to become civic leaders and volunteers. If you are enrolled in Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) component your activities are geared towards the general welfare and betterment of life for all the members of the community. These are improving health, education, environment, recreation, facilities and the morale of the citizenry. Along with it is the Literacy Training Service (LTS) which is designed for you to teach literacy and numeracy skills to children, out of school youth and other sectors of the society that are in need of your service.


LESSON 2: HEALTH It seems that our country will not run out of problems and this reduces the spirit of millions of Filipinos. As you read further through this module, you will encounter different societal problems that are probably not new to you. In this lesson, we will tackle the problems and issues regarding health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. At the end of this lesson, I hope you will be able to: 1. Discuss the different issues in health condition in the Philippines 2. Develop consciousness in different diseases in our country

A. Maternal Mortality Did you know that every year, half a million around the world die from complications of pregnancy and childhood? According to WHO, severe bleeding infections, unsafe abortions, hypertensions and obstructed labor are the main causes of these deaths. In addition, more than 90% of reported deaths occur in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Ironically most of these can be prevented at small cost. In order for us to understand more about it, let us first define Maternal Mortality. It is the death of woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of giving birth due to complications arising from aggravated by pregnancy. With an estimated 230 maternal deaths occurring every 100,000 live births in the Philippines , we are indeed behind our neighboring countries like Thailand (110 Maternal Mortality) Malaysia (62 Maternal Mortality) and in Singapore (14 Maternal Mortality). Furthermore, why do you think these incidents happen if they can be prevented? Isn’t it alarming the figures regarding Maternal Mortality in Philippines is so high than in our neighboring countries in South East Asia? Aside from this includes the 42.4% of Filipino infants who suffer from maternal health and nutrition, inadequate care during pregnancy and delivery, lack of essential care for the newborn infants, birth injury asphyxia** and problem relating births. Furthermore, Philippines is being left behind when it comes to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal number 5 “Improve of Maternal Health” in which our country is rated as “low” in probability of attaining the target. Out of three (3) million pregnancies that occur every year, half were unplanned and one-third of these end in abortions, according to a 2006 report of the Allan


Guttmacher Institute conducted in the Philippines. Induced abortion was the fourth leading cause of maternal deaths. A lot of proposed solutions are made and come up by the Philippine Government in order to alleviate reproductive health issues such as: a) New Born Screening test in which it is a simple procedure to find out if your baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation and even death if left untreated. b) Safe Motherhood and Women’s Health Project in which this program is to educate and empower women with regards to proper maternal care. c) Promotion of Breastfeeding program / Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) in which it promotes the breast feeding of mother to its children as the natural and healthier way of nourishment. But nothing is much as controversial as the “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008”. So what is Reproductive Health? What is the bill all about? Why does lots of people are against it? How are you affected by this bill? Read further to know the answers to these questions. Asphyxia**: a condition in which an extreme decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase of carbon dioxide to loss of consciousness or even death.

B. Reproductive Health Bill Before we discuss the “Reproductive Health and Population Act of 2008”, let us first get acquainted with the concept of Reproductive Health. It is referred as the state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its absence of disease or infirmity. This implies that people are able to have satisfying and safe sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so, provided that these are NOT against the law. Now that we know what Reproductive Health is, let us find out more about the proposed bill. You may be aware on the growing debate regarding the proposed “Reproductive and Population Development Act of 2001” . This bill was authored by Representative Edcel Lagman. This bill aims to grant public funding to family planning methods using artificial contraceptives and sex education for students. It also gives access to reproductive health information to avoid unwanted and untimely pregnancies and to limit the country’s population.


On other hand, the Catholic Church strongly opposed the bill that artificial contraceptives as anti-life and immoral. According to the teachings of the Church, married couples should practice only natural family planning methods, which require sexual absence when the woman is ovulating. In addition, the Church stressed that instead of allocating funds to family planning methods, the Government should provide funding to medical services to improve the reproductive health of Filipinos. According to Catalina Macaruog, Commission Representing Woman, the bill is to intensify sex education in the school curriculum. The program will start in the grade five levels up to fourth year high school. Before the Reproductive Health bill was filed, a study was done by the University of the Philippines Population Institute in 2002. The study revealed that around 3.5 percent of the entire elementary students are already sexually active and that the premarital sex among adolescent increased to 27 percent in 2002 – when they compromised 15.1 million or 20 percent of the population – from 20 percent in 1994. Consequently, sex education is to be promulgated in the school curriculum to ensure that children will be oriented properly through the guidance of the teacher. As a Filipino youth, what do you think of this pressing issue? Do you believe that this bill will solve these problems? If you were given the opportunity, how would you resolve the current health related problems? For further readings please refer to the link below: http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/reproductive-health-bill-5043/text-of-rh-bill-no-5043/ http://www.varsitarian.net/editorial_opinion/editorial/20110315/new_rh_bill_deadly_anti_constitution http://www.varsitarian.net/editorial_opinion/editorial/dishonest_mediocre_anti_poor http://www.varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20110324/junk_rh_bill_%E2%80%93_ust

C. HIV/AIDS “ The ingredients for an (AIDS) epidemic are all present [in the country]. Oras na lang ang hinihintay bago ito maging problema ” -Ferchito Avelino, Philippine National AIDS Council Secratariat

Secretary Avelino warns the public concerning the growing number of HIV/AIDS infected Filipinos. In a recent study of Department of Health, there were 1,305 confirmed new HIV infections during the first 10 months of 2010, the highest accumulation of cases within a single year in the Philippines since 1984. To combat HIV/AIDS is a vital target of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG).


In order for us to have a better understanding of HIV/AIDS, let us first define the term. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a medical condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The latter gradually attacks the immune system which is vital in preventing infections in general. In other words, HIV attacks the soldiers of the human body that prevent other infections from taking place. Consequently, the immune system will be too weak to fight off further invading organisms. The AIDS virus can be transmitted in many ways, specifically through blood and body fluids. First is through sexual contact. People who do not practice unprotected sexual contact, who have multiple sexual partners, who participate in sexual intercourse that involves the vagina, penis, rectum (anus) or mouth and those who engage in sexual activities with an HIV infected partner and/or other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are at greater risks. Second and the most common, is through exposure to HIV infected blood and blood products. However, there is doubt that blood transfusion causes transmission since blood products are screened and thoroughly tested before they are released. Third, direct contact of open wounds or mucous membrane with contaminated blood, body fluids, semen and vaginal discharge has also been found to increase the risk of contracting the disease. Fourth, some evidence suggest the possibility of acquiring the infection through being accidental pricked by contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Lastly, it could also be transmitted during pregnancy, during birth or breastfeeding. On a positive note, HIV is not transmitted by handshakes or other casual non-sexual contact, coughing or sneezing or by blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, not even through sharing the same swimming pool. The virus may not cause recognizable symptoms for a long period after the initial exposure. It takes an HIV infection to be diagnosed as AIDS from about less than a year to 15 years or longer, depending how strong the immune system is. Disturbingly, other people think that there is cure for AIDS. As of 2009, NO VACCINE was available to neither cure nor prevent HIV infections. Actually, it is not the virus directly causes the death of the patient, but, the spread of infection and complications in an otherwise compromised immune system. All forms of HIV/AIDS therapy are focused on improving the quality of life by attempting to slow down or halt the replication of the virus. Therapies also aim to treat or prevent presentation of other infections and common AIDS related comorbidities. As has long been said, prevention is always better than a cure To further continue on the exploring the foci of MDG 6, the proceeding sections shall explore on Malaria and other Diseases.


D. Malaria A staggering 58 out of 80 provinces in the Philippines are Malaria endemic. -The National Academy of Science and Technology and National Institutes of Health Figure on the left side shows the Malaria Risk area in the Philippines. http://www.traveldoctor.info/ vaccinations/philippines.113.html

Malaria remains to be one of the major causes of death in many regions in the Philippines. Statistics reveal that in 2009, 60.4% cases came from Luzon, 39.5% from Mindanao and interestingly, only 0.1% from the Visayas (DOH). Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium virus. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito that usually happens between dusk and dawn. This is because of the nocturnal feeding habits of the latter. There are four types of Plasmodium virus, (ovale, vivax, falciparum, malariae) of the four, Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal. Once a person acquired the virus, it multiplies in the liver, and then invades and destroys the red blood cells (RBC). Usual signs and symptoms are recurrent chills, fever, profuse sweating, anemia, body malaise and increase in the size of the liver and spleen. Early detection of the disease could be done through observation of the sign and symptoms and through blood smear which is the most accurate way of diagnosing the infection. Early management should also be started and completed by taking antimalarial drugs to prevent the spread of the infection and drug resistance, or worse, death. One should therefore take protective and preventive measures to eliminate the source of infection reduce mosquito contact and the density of the mosquito population (DOH). The following are some sustainable measures that are affordable, applicable and appropriate under local conditions. 

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Stream Clearing – the anopheles mosquito prefers a low lighted breeding place. Cutting the overhanging vegetation along stream banks exposes this breeding site to sunlight making it unfavorable for the mosquito. House Spraying – the use of insecticide in the households


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Stream Seeding – this involves breeding of fish that consumes larvae of the mosquito to prevent the propagation of the vector population Using of treated mosquito nets or curtains (kulambo) – involves the use of a mosquito net / curtains soaked in an insecticide solution. This is used as a protective measure during sleeping time at night Wear clothes that covers the whole body – this prevents contact of the mosquito especially in the evening Avoiding night activities – Anopheles mosquitoes prefers biting from 9 pm to 3 am Planting Neem trees or other insect repelling plants The use of domestic animals – this measure diverts mosquito bites from man to these animals Drug intake before going to endemic areas – before going to a malaria endemic area, Chloroquine must be given once a week, 1-2 weeks before arriving at the area. For pregnant woman, it should be given for the whole duration of the pregnancy

In May 2010, the National Academy of Science and Technology and the National Institutes of Health discussed ways on how to combat the dreaded Malaria in the Philippines. Representatives of Malaria endemic areas were present in the said event including those from Apayao, Sarangani, Sulu and Palawan. It has been found that fund allotment and the willingness of local government units to provide counterpart funding contribute to eliminate the vector (carrier mosquito) with the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual sprayings (IRS), and behavioral modifications of the people to correctly use these means. Reducing Malaria cases in the country requires the joint effort of the government and the people. We are all called for to mobilize in fighting off its proliferation. Malaria is not the only mosquito borne infection widespread in the country. The next section will discuss about Dengue Hemorrhagic fever.


E. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (H-Fever) “Dengue is the “fastest emerging arboviral infection" in the world. Out of the 2.5 billion people at risk globally, about 1.8 billion or more than 70 percent live in the Asia-Pacific region.” -World Health Organization, GMA News

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that has become a major national health concern. The culprit is the Dengue virus which has four strains (Dengue 1, 2, 3, 4) and the Chikungunya virus transmitted through the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito, otherwise known as the household fly. Aedes mosquito prefers to breed in man-made containers like jars, metal drums and concrete cisterns used for domestic water storage, as well as plastic food containers, used automobile tires and other items that collect rainwater or stagnant water. Little did we know that in reality, infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus. It circulates in the blood of infected humans for 2-7 days, at approximately the same time of the occurrence of fever; Aedes mosquitoes may acquire the virus when they feed on an individual during this period. Once the mosquito is infected, they are capable of transmitting the infection for the rest of their lives. All persons are considered susceptible to the disease, regardless of gender. When it comes to age groups, pre-school and school age children are predominantly affected (5-9 years old). Occurrence of the disease is sporadic throughout the year. The infection is present wherever there is a vector mosquito. Epidemic usually occurs during the rainy season, which peaks during September and October. Sign and symptoms First 4 days (invasive stage) – high fever, headache, abdominal pain, eye infection and nose bleeding 4th- 7th days (toxic or hemorrhagic stage)- low temperature, severe abdominal pain, blood in stools and vomitus, unstable blood pressure. Death may occur 7th – 10th day (recovery or convalescent stage) – general redness, appetite regained, blood pressure stable There is no specific treatment for the infection. Management of the disease is based on the symptoms present. Never give aspirin because it will exacerbate


the symptoms. Rapid replacement of loss fluids is the most important treatment (ex. blood transfusions) The best way to prevent the disease is to eliminate the vector with the following measure. Firstly, changing water and scrubbing sides of lower vases once a week to prevent collection of stagnant water which is a suitable breeding site for the mosquito. Secondly, destroy breeding places by cleaning the surroundings. Third, proper disposal of items that could be a possible breeding site (tires, jars, cans etc.). Fourth, is to keep all water containers covered and lastly is to use insecticides. F. Drug Abuse "Mahalin ang Kalikasan, Ingatan ang Kalusugan, Droga'y Iwasan! - International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) 2011 Drug abuse affects almost every country in the world and the its proportions in the Philippines have reached maximum proportions. It does not only affect the health of the people but has contributed most as a source of criminal activities, including drug trafficking and outsourcing. In addition, it has been found that 65% of crime suspects and 36% of inmates (Based on Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)) are drug addicts. It is as alarming to note how greatly it has influenced the safety of the community. Moreover, there are existing statistics on increasing percentage of drug addicts being unemployed or underemployed showing how it has well penetrated poverty. Efforts have been made by the government and yet, the demands for better strategies are called for. This year, President Benigno Aquino III has pledged strong support to ASEAN Work Plan on Combating Illicit Drug Production, Trafficking, and Use for 2009 to 2015. Before we dwell deeper into the topic, let’s begin with the definition of terms. 

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Drug abuse – excessive use of a substance that differs from societal norms Drug dependence – a state in which a drug user must take a usual or increasing dose of a drug in order to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms. The drug user must take the drug to feel normal Drug tolerance - The need for increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effects.


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Drug withdrawal – physical signs and symptoms that occur when the addictive substance is reduced or withheld

There are various reasons for drug abuse which includes: achieving the calming or exciting effects, escape from reality, search for awareness & mysticism, masking pain, blunting anxiety, fighting depression, escaping mental or physical deficits, lightening other burdens and improving performance. The data below shows the usual profile of drug abusers in the Philippines.

Profile of Drug Users Referred for Rehabilitation Average Age:

29 years old

Majority Age Group:

23-29 years old

Drugs of Choice:

Shabu and marijuana

Ratio of Male Users to Female:

3:1

Civil Status:

53 % are single

Employment Status:

74 % are unemployed, 21 % are underemployed

Educational Attainment:

53 % have high school education 29 % have college education

Profile of Arrested Drug Users Average Age:

31 years old

Majority Age Group:

22-29 years old

Drug of Choice:

Shabu and marijuana

Ratio of Male Users to Female

9:1

Employment Status:

21 % are unemployed, 58% are underemployed

Educational Attainment:

52% have high school education 29% have college education

***based on the data collated by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)


Commonly abused drugs in the Philippines Marijuana Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused drug in the Philippines. It originates from a plant called cannabis (Cannabis sativa). The leaves, tops, stems, flowers and roots are dried and prepared for smoking or taken orally as “brownies” (hash). The main active chemical in marijuana is the delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a mind altering chemical. When marijuana is smoked, it enters the lung and directly goes into the bloodstream where it is distributed into the brain and other organs of the body. Once it reaches the brain it triggers a series of chemical reaction which leads to the “high” that is felt by the user. Most of the reaction takes place in the part of the brain which influences pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. The result effects are a dreamy state of consciousness in which ideas seem disconnected, unanticipated and free-flowing, difficulty with thinking and problem solving. Time, color and spatial perceptions are distorted which impairs coordination – hazardous in certain conditions (driving, operating heavy equipments, etc.) Over-all, a sense of well-being and relaxation is felt. Although, panic reactions happens, particularly in delicate users. Other adverse effects are as follows:           

Problems in learning and memory Increased heart rate Dry mouth (bad breath) Conjuctival irritation (red eyes) Respiratory problems (cancer, bronchitis, etc.) Abortion, premature babies, low birth weight Slow moving, inattentive and unaware of the surroundings Decreased immune system Alters sperm structure and production Fertility Psychosis

Methamphetamine hydrochloride/SHABU Methamphetamine HCL, is a stimulant closely related to amphetamine, also known as “poor man’s cocaine”. Other names are Shabu, Ubas, Siopao, Sha and Ice. Shabu is a white, odorless crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter numbing taste.


Abusers usually take this drug in different routes like: ingestion inhalation (chasing the dragon), sniffing (snorting), heated and smoked or by injection (intravenously). When taken intravenously, they have almost an immediate effect compared when taken orally, which takes an hour before the effects are felt. When the drug reaches the brain, it increases the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) dopamine which is involved in reward, motivation, the experience of pleasure, and motor function. This, in turn, produces a state of euphoria, or “rush,” increased attention and decreased fatigue, increased activity and wakefulness, decreased appetite, rapid/ irregular heartbeat (which could lead to a heart attack), elevation of temperature and increased respiration. Other adverse effects are as follows 

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Produces anxiety, tension, irritability, irrational behavior, talkativeness and loss of self control Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping) Addiction Changes in the brain structure. Memory loss Weight loss and dental problems Decreased libido Chronic users may lead to frequent nose bleeding due to severe irritation to the nose

Psychosis is one of the major consequences of chronic “shabu” abuse and dependency. Long-term use and even a single exposure especially if administered through injection can lead to symptoms of schizophrenia characterized by the presence of paranoid delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations. The paranoia may lead to violent and aggressive behavior. Abusers who prefers the intravenous routes increases the risk of acquiring infection, blood poisoning and HIV, which can lead to death. Inhalants Inhalant are volatile chemical substance that contain psycho active (mind altering) vapors to produce a state of intoxication. Most inhalants were never thought to be as drugs because they were never invented to produce intoxicating effects. Most of these substances are common household products such as nail polish remover, glue, gasoline, household cleaners, and nitrous oxide. These household products are easily obtained by children and adolescent who is considered to be most likely to abuse them.


Immediate Effects        

Confusion Distorted perception of time and distance Aggressive behavior/violence Hallucinations and delusions Illusions Headaches Nausea and vomiting Drowsiness and weightless, light headedness, loss of control

Delayed Effects       

Loss of memory Inability to think Muscle cramps and weakness Tremors Numbness in limbs Abdominal pains Damage to the central nervous system, kidney, liver and possible bone marrow

Ecstasy Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or commonly known as "Ecstasy", "X-TC", "Adam", "Eden Tablet", yuppie drug, hug drug, club drug. It is synthetic drug which has stimulant and psychoactive properties. It is popular in young adults in the nightclub scene or at weekend-long dance parties known as raves. The usual cost of this drug is about 2,000 pesos per tablet Ecstasy is usually taken orally as a capsule or tablet. When it reaches the brain, it enhances the effect of serotonin which is responsible for regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. Other effects are as follows:  

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Fatigue and perhaps depression after the drug is stopped, Restlessness, anxiety and pronounced visual and auditory hallucinations at large doses, Nausea and Vomiting, A rise in blood pressure and heart rate, death from heart failure or stroke. Prolonged regular use can lead to the same long-term effects as with synthetic stimulants, including a potential for neurotoxicity and brain damage as well as liver damage


Opiates/Narcotics Opiates, sometimes called narcotics, are a group of drugs that are primarily used to relieve severe pain, but have a high potential for abuse. Opiates that are commonly abused are Opium, Morphine, Codeine, and synthesized or manufactured opiates. Opioids are usually administered intravenously (injected) but it could also be taken in other routes like orally, or the pills may be crushed and the powder snorted. The former have an increased risk of overdose (if uncontrolled) which could lead to death due to the rapid release of the drug into the bloodstream exposing the user in high doses. Opioid drugs can affect regions of the brain that mediate what one perceives as pleasure, resulting in the initial euphoria or sense of well-being. Long-term use opioids can lead to addiction —characterized by drug seeking attitude and abuse despite its known harmful consequences. In addition, these drugs produce drowsiness, constipation, and, depending upon the amount taken, depress breathing. A single large dose could halt the breathing process that leads to death. Although, it is safe and effective when used under physician’s supervision. Definitely these drugs should not be used with alcohol and other drugs which slows breathing to prevent life threatening effects Cocaine Cocaine is a drug from the leaves of the Cocao plant, a shrub that originated in South America. This drug affects the central nervous system as a stimulant. Cocaine can be sniffed or mix with water and then injected (which increased the risk of contracting HIV). Crack is the street name given to the form of cocaine that has been processed to make a rock crystal, which, when heated, produces vapors that are smoked. It effects on the brain is somehow same with shabu which include increased energy, reduced fatigue, and mental alertness. The more that it is easily absorbed in the bloodstream the more intense the feeling of “high”. “The Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002” RA 9165, otherwise known as the “The Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002”, (repealed RA 6425) was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 7, 2002. This new law was done to further strengthen the existing laws governing drug reinforcement. Thus, the


Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was created with its mission to be the lead agency in the enforcement of the anti-drug law; to serve as the principal implementing arm of the DDB; to exercise operational supervision over drug enforcement units of other law enforcement agencies; and to coordinate the participation of other sectors in the national anti-drug campaign. Dr. Jose Rizal once said “ang kabataan ng bayan”. With the rate of drug addiction influencing Filipino children from a very young age of 10 years old, it is a challenge that we become more resolute in our war against illegal drugs. It is not only a national predicament but personal responsibilities for each of us Filipinos. Thoughts to ponder on:  

What are some of the Government’s initiatives in preventing the problems regarding health concerns? Is it effective? Am I really aware that these problems are occurring in my country? What can I do to lessen these problems?

Lesson 3: Environmental Degradation In the previous lesson you have learned about some national health issues. Some of the health issues we are dealing with today are caused by several factors. One of the factors is environment. In this lesson, you will correlate these health problems with environment, how it affects our way of life. At the end of this lesson, you are expected to: 1. Understand the impact of the environment degradation to our lives 2. Recognize the different government policies on environmental protection 3. Promote environment protection and preservation

Deemed as the “Pearl of the Orient” for her rich natural resources, the Philippines is home to several natural wonders such as the Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, and the Mayon Volcano in Bicol. The Philippines is endowed with vast biodiversity that can enthrall any person. Sadly, not many


Filipinos are able to appreciate the beauty of this country. Overtime as the Philippines becomes progressive; people began to abuse our environment. Thus, many problems began sprouting as the consequences to our crimes against Mother Nature. One of the perennial environmental problems not only in the Philippines, but also all over the world is environmental degradation. Now, accesses to safe food, clean water and fresh air have become a luxury. What is environmental degradation? Environmental degradation is the deterioration in environmental quality from ambient concentrations of pollutants and other activities and processes such as improper land use and natural disasters.

A. Pollution Wala ka bang napapansin Sa iyong mga kapaligiran Kay dumi na ng hangin Pati na ang mga ilog natin Ang mga duming ating ikinalat sa hangin Sa langit, 'wag na nating paabutin Upang kung tayo'y pumanaw man Sariwang hangin, sa langit natin matitikman 

Excerpt from the song “Masdan Mo ang Kapaligiran” by Asin

Pollution has taken its toll in our lives. Our negligence has resulted to several dreadful outcomes. We hear incidents of red tide poisoning in the news as well as people slowly dying because of the diseases brought about by unclean environment. These are just some of the issues we have to deal with everyday and unless we do something about http://mjvgbg.files.wordpress.com/ 2010/1

it, it will be all too late.


A1. Water Pollution Water pollution is any chemical, physical or biological change in the quality of water that has a harmful effect on any living thing that drinks or uses or lives (in) it. STATUS: 

10 out of the 19 river basins in our country are polluted. Domestic and industrial wastewaters are the leading water pollutants in our country. As a result, several environmental and health problems began surfacing.

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“ Access to clean and adequate water remains an acute seasonal problem in urban and coastal areas in the Philippines. The National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Central Visayas are the four urban critical regions in terms of water quality and quantity. The Government’s mon itoring data indicates: 

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Just over a third or 36 percent of the country’s river systems are classified as sources of public water supply; Up to 58 percent of groundwater sampled is contaminated with coliform and needs treatment; Approximately 31 percent of illnesses monitored for a five-year period were caused by water- borne sources; and Many areas are experiencing a shortage of water supply during the dry season.

Nearly 2.2 million metric tons of organic pollution are produced annually by domestic (48 percent), agricultural (37 percent), and industrial (15 percent) sectors. In the four water-critical regions, water pollution is dominated by domestic and industrial sources. Untreated wastewater affects health by spreading disease-causing bacteria and viruses, makes water unfit for drinking and recreational use, threatens biodiversity, and deteriorates overall quality of life.” 

There is possible water scarcity in our country by 2025 and around 1.4 billion people will not have access to safe water.


EFFECTS: 

Human health is greatly affected by polluted water. Life threatening bacteria and viruses contaminate the water we drink causing diseases such as gastroenteritis, diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis. In addition, seven million die yearly due to water-borne diseases, 2.2 million of which are under five years of age.

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Pollution also affects our aquatic ecosystem. When polluted water reaches other bodies of water, bacteria from the polluted water reproduces quickly and consumes oxygen supply from the receiving water leading to the death of fish and other living organism.

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Large amounts of solids from inadequately treated domestic and other wastewater containing organic material accumulate on the banks of the receiving waters, settle at the bottom to form sludge deposits, or float on the surface to form scum. Sludge deposits and scum are not only unsightly but may also cause oxygen depletion and are sources of foul odors and gases

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A massive fishkill struck Laguna Lake on Friday affecting thousands of 'tilapia' and 'bangus' after around 5,000 hectares of fish pens were destroyed by typhoon "Basyang." Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) chairman Ed Manda and residents said the fishkill happens every rainy season when the lake's oxygen level goes down due to pollution. The pollution is caused by wastewater and garbage thrown into the creeks and rivers that flow into Laguna Lake.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: 

Department of Science and Technology’s Integrated Program on Cleaner Production Technologies that provides technical and/or technology assistance to the industry sector in the selection and implementation of cleaner production technologies

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RA 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 - The law that provides comprehensive water pollution control policy. Specifically, this legislative intends to apply water quality management in all water bodies in order to implement abatement and control of pollution from land based sources.


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Industrial Environmental Management Project are designed to reduce pollution at its source by improving “industrial housekeeping”, or changing industrial production processes, and reducing and reclaiming industrial waste. Isn’t it ironic that we foresee water scarcity in the near future when 70% of planet is composed by water?

A2. Land Pollution Have you ever wondered where our garbage goes after being collected? Did you know that the great mass of pollutants is comprised by domestic wastes? It is hard to imagine that our food leftovers and used household items poison the land from which we get our food from. Land pollution is where our land may be as far as being contaminated. All of the bad toxic chemicals and waste, that is left or dumped on our land, causes it to become polluted. All types of waste can be found on land. Some is left behind after human activities and some is washed ashore from boats and sewage outlets. Land pollution is caused by improper waste disposal and weak recycling practices and these wastes Landfills are disposal sites where wastes are dumped and buried. But landfills are not the solution to the growing problem of waste disposal. Every year, millions of acres of land are lost because of landfills. In addition, landfills emit hazardous gases to the atmosphere contributing to air pollution. STATUS: 

Solid waste remains a major contributor to land, air and water pollution, with Metro Manila generating 6,169 tons of garbage every day and which is expected to double by 2010. Source: http://www.senate.gov.ph/publications

EFFECTS: 

“Soil pollution disrupts the essential cycles of decomposition and energy recycling. Acidic soils can leach vital nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium from the topsoil, making them unavailable for plants. It can also kill soil bacteria. These bacteria are necessary to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it available to plants and micro-organisms.”


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“Foul smell due to industrial chemicals and gases might result in headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc. in many people”. (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/soil-pollution-causes-and-effects.html) “Generally crops cannot grow and flourish in a polluted soil. Yet if some crops manage to grow, then those would be poisonous enough to cause serious health problems in people consuming them.”


Republic Act No. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” provides the legal framework for the country’s systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program that shall ensure protection of public health and the environment. It underscores, among other things, the need to create the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, as well as imposes penalties for acts in violation of any of its provisions.

A3. Air Pollution Air pollution is defined as any alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmospheric air, or any discharge thereto of any liquid, gaseous or solid substances that will or is likely to create or to render the air resources of the country harmful, detrimental, or injurious to public health, safety or welfare or which will adversely affect their utilization for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate purposes (Republic Act No.8749: Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999) STATUS:  

DENR tests confirmed that air quality in the metro has worsened to an alarming level. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said that motor vehicles were the main source of pollution in the metropolis, accounting for as much as 80 percent of the pollution. The rest comes from industrial sources.

EFFECTS: 

A study conducted by the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine showed that more than 50 percent of the medicines sold in the country are for respiratory ailments.


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According to the Philippine Environment Monitor, nearly 4,968 premature deaths each year in Manila due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases from exposure to poor air quality


The Philippine e-jeepney project is one of a growing number of initiatives in developing countries to reduce air pollution by improving the quality of public transportation.

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Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 is an act providing for a comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes Lung cancer, respiratory infections and mortality among children are some of the results associated with air pollution. Human activities are one of the major causes of air pollution.

Different advocacies are launched to prevent our environment from deteriorating quickly, but as long as http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/makati-ci 1 the government will not be vigilant in implementing environmental laws and the people will not take conscious efforts to take care of our environment. You can do something today to prevent this. Start small. Learn to recycle and promote recycling. You can conserve electricity or go on a carpool with your friends. So that something will be left for the future generations. B. Deforestation Look at table 1. This represents the forest area of our country in given period of time. The green part represents our forest areas and how rapidly it has deteriorated over the years. It is saddening that in a couple of years; only 6% of the Philippine land area will be covered by our forests. No wonder we are experiencing mudslides, abnormal weather patterns and extinction wild life. According to a study made by Asian Development Bank, the average annual rate of deforestation in the Philippines is 1.4 percent from 1990 to 2000, the highest among Asian countries making deforestation in the Philippines the worst in Asia.


Why does this practice thrive in our society? One of the reasons is corruption. It is reported that corruption is behind the massive deforestation in our country. Isn’t that our Government should be the one leading the people towards environmental preservation instead of favoring few greedy and powerful men in exchange for money or other favors? As future leaders, we must take step towards in improving and protecting our environment. As a part of the NSTP Program, you are provided with opportunity to help out in battling against forest degradation through the tree planting Activity. Can you think of other ways on how we can preserve our environment? National Greening Program: Visioning a Green Renaissance in the Philippines On February 24, 2011, President Benigno Aquino III signed the Executive Order No. 26 or the National Greening Program (NGP). Its goal is to plant 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares for a period of six (6) years, from 2011 to 2016. In addition, NGP aims to reforest 100,000 hectares requiring 100 million seedlings needed for 2011; 200,000 hectares with 200 million seedlings for 2012; and 300,000 hectares with 300 million seedlings annually for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Half of the total number of seedlings to be planted would be forest tree species for timber production and


protection purposes, with the other half consisting of tree species used in agro-forestry sites conducive for growing cash crops and fruits. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje envisioned this program as “the widest and most sustained reforestation venture ever embarked on a national scale combining the resources and manpower of almost all national line agencies” (http://www.denr.gov.ph) C. Illegal Trade of Natural Resources The international wildlife trade supplies both the domestic and international markets. Wildlife is traded, both legally and illegally, for a number of reasons, the main ones being for food, consumption, traditional medicines, pets, trophies and decorative purposes, and zoos and collections. (Source: http://www.haribon.org.ph) Here in the Philippines, smuggled exotic animals make way through the Ro-Ro from our neighboring Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia to Mindanao. These shipments either end up in public markets like in Cartimar in Pasay City or Arranque in Manila or are shipped again to Thailand. Recent incident is the rampant smuggling of black corals and other endangered species to foreign market. It is sad to that people responsible for these illegal transactions get away with it. One solution is to not patronize these merchandises or any by-product of these animals. You are not only saving these animals, but also maintaining the balance of our eco-system.


Lesson 4: National Security Now that you are aware of different burning issues in our country and we learned how to be responsive on those problems. As a citizen we should develop and gain knowledge on how to serve and protect our territory to show our love and care for our nation. At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to: 1. Identify possible threats to National Security 2. Define what is “National Security.” Have you seen the movie, “Taken”? It is about a seventeen year -old girl, Kim, who travelled with her friend, Amanda to Paris. Unfortunately, a gang of human traffickers kidnaps the girls. On a positive note, Kim was able to call her father and gave him some information about her kidnappers. Through this, her father, a retired agent in Central Intelligence Agency-California, was able to rescue them both back to safety. A lot of stories similar to this kind and all other crimes have been showcased in various movies, but it doesn’t end there. These crimes, even the bigger and more organized ones, happen every day. This is really sad. Now, how safe are we in the country? The National Security Council (NSC) defines Philippine national security as “a state of condition where our most cherished values and beliefs, our democratic way of life, our institutions of governance and our unity, welfare and well-being as a nation and people are permanently protected and continuously enhanced .” NICA defines it as “the state of condition wherein the people’s way of life and institutions, their territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as their welfare and wellbeing are protected and/or advanced.” As a matter of policy, the State shall undertake the necessary steps to ensure that the Filipino National Community’s welfare, well being, ways of life, institutions; territorial integrity and sovereignty are enhanced and protected . The DND asserts: The country’s national security, as a responsibility of the Philippine government, is no longer preserved and enhanced within its borders, but well beyond them through its first line of defense —diplomacy. The Philippine government stands ready to work with its friends and neighbors with the nation’s interest as its underlying beacon. Thus, Philippine foreign policy must be timely, responsive and driven by a desire to bring about


change that makes foreign policy work directly for the benefit of generations of Filipinos.

Elements of National Security In attaining and maintain national security, the following elements should be kept in good state at all times: I. Socio-Political Stability We can achieve this if there is peace and harmony among the divergent groups of people in the country, and mutual cooperation and support exists between the Government and the people as a whole. The rule of law is supreme and respected by all sectors of society, as well as by visiting or resident foreigners. II. Environmental/ Ecological Balance When we take of the environment, it is able to support sustainable development strategies for the benefit of the nation and the people who depend on it for existence. III.

Territorial Integrity

We have to maintain the territory of the country to be intact and under the effective control of the Government. IV.External Peace and Harmony The country and the people should enjoy cordial relations with their neighbors, and they are free from any control, interference or threat of aggression from any of them. V. Cultural Cohesiveness The people share the values and beliefs handed down by their forebears, core values strongly associated with the national community and identity despite religious, ethnic and linguistic differences. VI.Economic Solidarity The economy should be strong, capable of supporting national endeavors, and derives its strength from the solidarity of the people who have an organic stake in it through participation and ownership.


VII.

Moral-Spiritual Consensus

There should be moral and spiritual consensus on the wisdom and righteousness of the national vision and they are inspired by patriotism and national pride to participate vigorously in the pursuit of the country’s goals and objectives. (Source: NSC Permanent Secretariat)

Here are some factors and issues that concern our National Security: 1. Terrorism A systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. At present, the International community has been unable to formulate a universally agreed, legally binding, and criminal law definition of terrorism. Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those “violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for an ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non- combatants (civilians).” (Labuguen, et.al.) a. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) b. Act of Random Violence (Bombing) 2. Rebellion or Insurrection A refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors from civil disobedience and mass nonviolent resistance, to violent and organized attempts to destroy an established authority such as the government. (Labuguen, et.al.) 3. Crime An action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. (http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/crime)

a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i.

Murder Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention Hijacking/ Highway Robbery Crimes involving Destruction Human and Drug Trafficking Smuggling Cybercrimes – Child Pornography Piracy at Sea Human Trafficking (Kidnapping, Prostitution and Slavery, Organ Harvesting) j. Terrorist Recruitment/ Deception


4. Natural Crises/Disasters a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j.

Typhoons , Flood, Landslide Earthquake, Volcanic eruption, Tsunami La Nina/El Nino Environmental Degradation Pollution - air, land, water (Oil spills, Fish kills) Sea Mishaps (accidents at sea) Pandemics (AH1N1 Virus, Bird Flu, SARS) Other health concerns Climate Change Global Warming

5. Disunity or irreconcilable multiple historical and cultural traditions - this include activities that would undermine the morale of the populace or those conflicts caused by cultural differences and the like. 6. Activities that would undermine the morale of the populace such as: a. Indulgence to vices b. Drug addiction c. Prostitution, etc. 7. Others a. Work Stoppage b. Closure of business/factories c. Brain Drain d. Fake dollar or peso syndicates e. Graft and Corruption f. Extortionists g. Diplomatic and Defense Irritants (overlapping land or maritime boundaries and competing claims) h. Undocumented workers and settlers i. Illegal recruitment


Other Strategic Issue: Recruitment and Deception of the Youth Communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the Philippines have employed at least 340 "child warriors" since 1999, most of them aged 15 to 18. Of the number, 209 surrendered to the government, 119 were captured, while 12 were killed in combat. The NPA rebels have been named as constant violators of child rights by the United Nations. NPA child warriors are often tasked to assassinate families of rebel returnees. These children were made to believe that “violence is the only solution and the means of achieving one’s end…" Other identified terrorist threats: a. Ideology-Based – NPA, MILF, and Misuari Group b. Terrorists – ASG, JI and other foreign terrorists c. Auxiliary Threats – Pentagon Gang, Al Khobar Group, Private Armed Groups, others Ideology -based groups are those that fight for a certain shared belief like Marxism and extremist religions. Terrorist groups commit themselves to inducing fear to people. Auxiliary threats are composed of groups with various intentions leading to conflict or disunity. This is a disturbing issue. Corruption in the minds of our young brothers and sisters due to whatever reason should not be tolerated. As Jose Rizal once said, “the youth is the hope of our future.” Will we allow our future to be like this?

ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN NATIONAL SECURITY I. Vigilance With the so many threats present in our society, it is therefore important to understand these threats and know what actions we can take to protect ourselves. The following are some reminders/suggestions which can help us in identifying threats and how to best handle them:


a. As good citizens, we should report and denounce armed activities, even in the pursuit of legitimate issues. b. We should keep in mind that any act of terror is a crime against Filipinos. c. When joining any organization, keep in mind that you should know and understand the ideals of the certain group you have chosen to participate in. With regards to the case of UST, check if it is a part of the recognized student groups/organizations by inquiring at the Office for Student Affairs (OSA). d. In case of chemical threats, most chemical agents are toxic when inhaled and may cause injury when in contact with the eye or exposed to the skin. To know more about biological or chemical threats, follow these link or .

e. If you see a suspicious object or an unexploded bomb, keep away from it, warn others, call the police or other security personnel, and evacuate the area. f. When a bomb threat is received, do not panic. Stay calm. Take note of caller’s: vocal characteristics (e.g. pitch, male or female, adult or child, local accent or foreign, manner of speaking – rapid, deliberate, emotional, angry); background sounds (traffic, announcements, shouting); take note of the person or authority to whom the message should be conveyed Do not antagonize or taunt the caller in any way Be polite and remain calm Do not spread rumors Alert someone to call the police, and Notify the building management. 

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Let us always think of our safety, security or opportunities for our countrymen, especially those who are in the vulnerable sectors of the society (poor, uneducated, unemployed, farmers, fisher folks, women and children, exploited OFWs, and others); the government (offices, administrators, officers and personnel); vital infrastructure and/or installations (water, power, transport, telecommunications, etc.); and, environment, especially those that support the basic needs and socio-economic life.


There are still so many other forms of attack, crimes, and terrorism that can happen, but the key to surpass all of these is to always be vigilant. Before deciding on doing something, make sure that you will be safe. Do not be deceived. Do not be terrorized. Think twice or thrice before you act. I. Peace Education “We must revive the peace process on the basis of a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of the conflict, under clear policies that pave and clear the way ahead, and driven by a genuine desire to attain a just and lasting peace. We shall endeavor to restore confidence in the peace process that is transparent and participatory, and renew our faith in our shared vision of a peaceful, secure and prosperous future under one sovereign flag.” Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III April 22, 2010

Peace Education: Concept Peace education is more effective and meaningful when it is imparted taking into account the social and cultural context and the needs of a country. It should be enriched by its cultural and spiritual values and with the universal human values. It should also be globally relevant. Peace education, hence, can be defined in many ways. There is no universally accepted definition as such. Here are a few pertinent definitions from the peace literature. • Peace education is an attempt to respond to problems of conflict and violence on scales ranging from the global and national to the local and personal. It is about exploring ways of creating more just and sustainable futures — R.D. Laing (1978) • Peace education is holistic. It embraces the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth of children within a framework deeply rooted in traditional human values. It is based on a philosophy that teaches love, compassion, trust, fairness, cooperation and reverence for the human family and all life on our beautiful planet — Fran Schmidt and Alice Friedman (1988)


• Peace education is skill building. It empowers children to find creative and non-destructive ways to settle conflict and to live in harmony with themselves, others, and their world...... Peace building is the task of every human being and the challenge of the human family —Fran Schmidt and Alice Friedman (1988) Source: Peace Education: Framework for Teacher Education. UNESCO. 2005.

Scope of Peace Education Peace education can be considered at different levels: 1)Individual or self-development level, 2)School or community level, 3)National level, and 4) Global level. There are many important self-development needs in children that are not sufficiently addressed to in the process of schooling. One of the important felt needs is building an effective, integrated personality in the child with positive self-esteem. To live peacefully, an individual has to have many skills, like those related to affirmation, positive thinking, empathetic listening and communication, assertive behavior, decision-making and critical thinking, etc. School should help children to develop such skills so that they are empowered as individuals in the society. At the school level, the predominant need is to have a peaceful climate, i.e. a peace culture. In such a culture, children will naturally absorb the spirit of peace. There is a popular saying that peace has to be caught rather than be taught. Initiating a peaceful culture in school should start from within the staff, by developing attitudes and behavior of appreciation, co-operation, belongingness, trust and spirit of learning. By way of developing a friendly and mutually respectful teacher-pupil relationship, a peace culture will bloom naturally in the school. To ensure it, the school has to introduce a living system of peace values, norms and practices into the daily life of the school. At the national level, a school has to focus on the citizenship education needs of the nation or the country. This aspect of citizenship education is an integral part of peace education. Education is entrusted to produce good and productive citizens to the nation. In this regard, learning and understanding the current socio-political and economic problems and issues is also important. Students as


future citizens need to develop healthy and realistic perspectives to view problems in the society. Coming to the global level needs, it is important to recall the fact that the ultimate purpose of education is to produce a world citizen . No country can live in isolation any more. Children have to develop a sensible worldview. The need here is to broaden the world vision. With this objective in mind, the school can select current issues; generate discussions and debates on world issues to raise the global awareness in the students. Some such issues are: • Commonality and diversity of human cultures • Population • Destruction of the ecosystem/pollution • Gender issue • Racism • World poverty • Problem of war/terrorism • Trading relationship • World cultures • Animal rights/animals threatened by extinction

Figure 1. Ishikawa’s fishbone structure

The Peaceful Person The UNESCO Handbook on Peace Education offers a model consisting of 10 themes that can accommodate the most meaningful peace values and concepts that can provide it the framework of the curriculum for peace education. Let us review the model. The 10 themes are given in Ishikawa’s fishbone structure (Figure 1). a. Think Positive: develops positive self-concept and also attitude of accepting others with respect, and appreciating them.


b. Be Compassionate and Do No Harm: develops qualities like love, kindness, sympathy and so on. c. Discover Inner Peace: develops ability to control anger and build soothingness within. d. Learning to Live Together : builds ability of sharing, mutual help, trust building and accepting group responsibility, including leading and following. e. Respect Human Dignity: develops respects for human rights, duties and justice; ‘do unto others what you expect others do unto you’. f. Be Your True Self : develops strength of character to be honest in expression of one's feelings and thoughts without letting down others. g. Developing Critical Thinking: develops the essential skill for problem solving involving analysis and synthesis, looking at the issue from alternative standpoints. h. Resolve Conflict Non-violently : develops skills of conflict analysis, negotiation, active listening, mediation, creative problem solving and seeking alternative solution. i. Build Peace in Community: develops understanding of social realities and people’s problem and skills and attitudes to work with them. j. Caring for the Planet: develops understanding of the immediate environment, the national and global environment, and need for protection of the mother (planet) earth. Source: Peace Education: Framework for Teacher Education. UNESCO. 2005.

Service towards Peace Service to others ultimately means working toward a peaceful world in which everybody can experience prosperity and happiness, engaging with the entire human family and working for the good of all people. Service in the broader context means “being creative and working together to solve problems.” Serving together in common cause can help to break down barriers that exist between people in conflict. Thus, it can be a powerful instrument for peace, understanding, and social transformation. Service to others also means “helping each person toward improving their situation, depending on their needs.” The most powerful result for peace can be achieved when we reach out and engage in loving service to others; especially to those that we may have


experienced conflict within the past. Serving others brings all our emotions into the present and gives us the vision to see a former enemy in a new light. The act of kind service is the most powerful tool of reconciliation and peace. Service to our community empowers us; we become aware of our power to make a difference regardless of our age, position, or background and we can become a source of hope, comfort, and peace to others. When we give service to others, we are making a statement of action. Our actions speak the truth that all humanity deserves equal value and respect because we come from one source and we live in one home, a family, together, under God.

Source/References for further readings Lesson I: Education   

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http://www.mb.com.ph/node/320027/depedhttp://www.mb.com.ph/articles/309607/unemployment-rate-hits-74-jan http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090703213603/High-dropout-rate-in-schools-alarming http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2003/pr0323tx.html http://lcc.deped.gov.ph/lcc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71: literacy-information-in-thephilippines&catid=45:secretariat&Itemid=76 http://www.adb.org/documents/briefs/ADB-Briefs-2010-2-Net-Enrolment-RatePHI.pdf http://barriosiete.com/noynoy-aquinos-10-point-basic-education-agenda/ http://www.gov.ph/2010/11/02/briefer-on-the-enhanced-k12-basic-educationprogram/ http://www.thenewstoday.info/2010/01/05/issues.in.philippine.education.in.retro spect.html http://uk.reuters.com http://philippineconstitution1987.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/philippineconstitution-article-xiv/ http://www.scribd.com/doc/38674847/2011-DepEd-Budget-Briefer maagangpaalam.wordpress.com Compassion in Action: A guide to the UST Community Development Program. UST-OCD, 2011.

Lesson II: Health


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http://www.who.int/inf-new/mate.htm http://www.thepoc.net/thepoc-features/health-and-wellness/health-and-fitnessfeatures/5009-maternal-perinatal-health-philippines.html www.unfpa.org/public/News/pid/2452 http://www.thepoc.net/thepoc-features/health-and-wellness/health-and-fitnessfeatures/5009-maternal-perinatal-health-philippines.html http://www.who.int/inf-new/mate.htm http://www.cbcpworld.com/misamis/cbcp2008.htm http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news05_june30_2006 http://www.doh.gov.ph/kp/statistics/maternal_deaths http://www.doh.gov.ph/kp/statistics/feataldeaths http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20110102312124/Philippines-HIVAIDS-problem-worries-UN http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/HIV+AIDS http://medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4255 http://www.upm.edu.ph http://www.tucp.org.ph/news/index.php/2011/03/drug-trafficking-corruptionprime-sources-of-criminal-activities-in-phl-report/ http://www.tucp.org.ph/news/index.php/2011/05/president-aquino-attends-firstday-of-asean-summit-highlights-phl-initiatives/ http://www.gmanews.tv/100days/story/223701/nation/philippines-ranks-4th-inasean-wide-dengue-incidence http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs117/en/ http://www.pdea.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&It emid=68 http://www.doh.gov.ph/program.html Keltner, N., Schwecke, L.H. and Bostrom, C. (2002). Psychiatric Nursing (3 rd ed). Missouri: Mosby Inc. Cuevas, F., Reyala, J., Earnshaw, R., Bonito, S., Sitioco, J. & Serafrica, L. (2007). Public Health Nursing in the Philippines (10 th edition). Phillippines: National League of Philippine Government Nurses, Inc.

Lesson III: Environment 

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http://www.worldbank.org.ph/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFI CEXT/PHILIPPINESEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20266328~menuPK:333013~pagePK:14 97618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:332982,00.html http://www.lenntech.com/water-pollution faq.htm#ixzz1RnYx3BeJ http://www.emb.gov.ph/eeid/watermatters.htm http://cptech.dost.gov.ph/ipct.php http://www.doe.gov.ph/TE/Envi.htm http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/seasia/en/press/reports/the-state-ofwater-in-the-phil.pdf


National Concerns

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