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IS THERE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE PHILIPPINES? Mental health is increasingly becoming a major concern in the Philippines, with mounting evidence suggesting that the country is already amid a mental health crisis. Despite various efforts to address the issue, a combination of socio-economic, environmental, and systemic factors continues to exacerbate the situation. Climate Change and Mental Health: An Overlooked Factor While the impact of socio-economic struggles and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is widely acknowledged, very few scientists and policymakers in the Philippines have explored the connection between climate change and mental health issues. Dr. John Janir Benzon Aruta is leading research in this area, arguing that climate anxiety can contribute to moderate or severe mental health conditions. Dr. Aruta highlights a critical concern: the lack of access to the internet in many parts of the country prevents people from learning about climate change and its m...

HOW TO CONTROL MICROPLASTICS? Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size—have become an alarming environmental threat. These minuscule pollutants are invading our oceans, food chain, and even human bodies. The world urgently needs a solution, and a recent scientific breakthrough in China offers a promising answer. A Breakthrough in China Scientists in China have developed a biodegradable foam made from cotton cellulose and chitin derived from squid bone. This innovative material efficiently absorbs microplastics from various water sources, boasting a nearly 100% success rate on its first use and maintaining a 95-98% efficiency even after multiple uses. Unlike other methods, this foam is recyclable, preventing further pollution while remaining cost-effective for large-scale application. The Dangers of Microplastics in Our Food Chain The presence of microplastics in our food chain is an alarming reality. These particles have been discovered in fish, shellfish, s...

ARE RAPE KITS REQUIRED IN THE PHILIPPINES? Rape kits are essential forensic tools that aid in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases. In the Philippines, they are legally mandated for use by law enforcement agencies, yet their implementation appears to be slow or inadequate. The question is, why? Challenges in Implementation Is this a matter of political will? Are budgets and resources insufficient? Or is there a lack of training among law enforcement and medical personnel? If funding is the issue, Congress must allocate more resources to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure the full implementation of rape kit protocols. Additionally, local government units (LGUs) with sufficient income should consider supporting their local police forces to bridge the gap in funding and resources. A Matter of Human Rights This should not be a debate over financial constraints. We are dealing with human rights violati...

UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO ELECTRIC POWER: A CRITICAL GOAL FOR THE PHILIPPINES A recent fire in Metro Manila gutted 24 homes. Tragically, the blaze started when a resident accidentally knocked over her kerosene lamp. Her explanation was heartbreaking but familiar: "I only use a kerosene lamp because I have no electricity." This situation is far too common in the Philippines. Many of those who live in homes made of flammable materials also rely on kerosene lamps or candles due to a lack of access to electricity. It’s a dangerous, persistent reality. With a poverty rate of 15.5%—roughly 17.54 million people—it is estimated that 1.8 million households, or about 9 million Filipinos, still live without electricity. This is not just about lighting up homes. No electricity often means no internet, no modern means of communication, and no access to digital livelihoods. Without universal access to electricity, universal access to the internet is a distant dream. The Philippine govern...

WHO ARE THE REAL HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES? The Philippines is home to a staggering number of homeless individuals, but who exactly are they, and how is homelessness defined in our country? Surprisingly, the Philippine government does not seem to have an official or legal definition of homelessness, leaving this critical issue open to interpretation. Internationally, a homeless person is often defined as someone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Based on that definition, unofficial sources estimate that there are around 4.5 million homeless people in the Philippines. Alarmingly, this figure includes street children, who make up a significant portion of the population without stable shelter. To put things into perspective, the United States, a much larger country with a population of approximately 346.5 million , has around 653,104 homeless people . That’s a homelessness rate of 0.19% of their total population. Compare that to the Philippines...

  CAN AI BE USED FOR NATIONAL BUDGETING? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already being used effectively in personal and corporate budgeting. It can analyze spending patterns, predict future expenses, and provide actionable insights for financial management. If AI is proving successful in these areas, the question arises: can AI also be utilized for national budgeting? The answer lies in exploring its potential applications and addressing the challenges involved. The Potential of AI in National Budgeting 1.    Data-Driven Appropriations : National budgets are complex and must account for mandatory requirements, such as the constitutional mandate for the education sector to receive the highest allocation. AI can analyze data to determine allocations based on objective needs, historical utilization, and actual demand. This ensures that resources are directed where they are needed most. 2.    Alignment with Development Goals : AI can help align budget alloca...

  PREPARING FOR THE INTELLIGENCE AGE The Philippines has long identified itself as an agricultural country. However, this claim merits closer scrutiny, as we remain heavily dependent on importing essential food items such as rice, flour, and milk. This reliance raises a critical question: have we truly embraced the agricultural age? Arguably, we have missed this era. Similarly, it seems that the Philippines has also fallen short of fully capitalizing on the industrial age. Despite some progress, the development of heavy industries remains far from optimal, leaving us trailing behind nations that have leveraged industrialization for economic growth. When it comes to the information age, our country’s performance is equally concerning. The Philippines has yet to produce world-class hardware or software to showcase on the global stage. Even domestically, we have not fully computerized or digitalized our government systems, nor have we made significant advances in areas like e-le...