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TOWARDS AN OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF THE HOMELESS RATE How can we compute the homeless rate if we don't even have an official definition of what it means to be homeless? This fundamental question needs to be answered before we can accurately measure and address the issue of homelessness in the Philippines. Contrary to popular belief, homelessness is not solely about home ownership. If we define homelessness based on whether a person owns a home, the homeless rate would be disproportionately high. Many people live in rental homes, boarding houses, or shared accommodations. Excluding them from the count simply because they do not own their living space would lead to flawed data. Take, for instance, the village where I live. Our homeowners' association welcomes not just owners but also renters and other types of residents. This inclusive definition recognizes that having a stable place to live is more important than ownership status. Similarly, the official definition of homele...

GROWING HIGH-VALUE GROUPERS IN BRACKISH PONDS Of course, it makes sense to grow tilapia in fishponds, considering they sell for about ₱43 to ₱271 per kilo. But why grow tilapia when you can grow milkfish, which fetches around ₱150 to ₱250 per kilo? Now, if you are leaning towards milkfish, let me pose a follow-up question: Why grow milkfish when you could grow Lapu-Lapu (grouper) that sells for a premium price of around ₱800 to ₱1,395 per kilo? Lapu-Lapu is not only in demand locally but is also a sought-after delicacy in international markets like Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore. The prospect of fishermen transitioning into fish farmers cultivating and exporting Lapu-Lapu could be a significant boost to the local aquaculture sector and the economy. Forming Cooperatives for Cost Management One major downside of Lapu-Lapu farming is the high cost of investment. However, this challenge can be mitigated if fish farmers form cooperatives. Pooling resources can reduce...

PROS AND CONS OF RUBBERIZED ASPHALT ROADS Rubberized asphalt roads (RARs) are increasingly gaining attention as an innovative and sustainable solution for road construction. By incorporating recycled tire powders into asphalt mixtures, RARs offer significant benefits. However, like any technological advancement, there are challenges to consider. The Environmental Upside One of the most notable advantages of RARs is their positive environmental impact. By recycling used rubber tires, we reduce the number of tires that end up in landfills. Considering that tires can take hundreds of years to decompose, this form of recycling is a meaningful step toward waste management. In addition to waste reduction, using rubberized asphalt also mitigates the environmental damage caused by mining limestone for cement. Cement production contributes significantly to carbon emissions, whereas RARs minimize the reliance on virgin materials. Addressing the Microplastics Concern On the downside, ...

REVIVAL OF THE ABACA INDUSTRY The decline of the abaca industry in the Philippines is a matter of national concern. Despite the country remaining the world’s leading producer, supplying about 87.5% of global abaca fiber needs, challenges have stifled production growth. In 2021, the Philippines produced 62,404 metric tons of abaca fiber, and while projections suggest a 2% annual growth until 2028, this remains insufficient to meet global demand. The estimated global demand for abaca fiber stands at 80,000 metric tons annually, but local production falls short, resulting in a supply gap of approximately 18,000 to 25,000 metric tons. This gap could widen further as industries increasingly shift from synthetic to organic materials, given abaca's eco-friendly properties. It is imperative to bridge this gap through innovative solutions and strategic government support. Leveraging Science and Technology Admittedly, addressing the supply gap is no simple task. Natural disasters and...

IN SUPPORT OF RENT TO OWN HOUSING Rent-to-own (RTO) housing presents a viable pathway to homeownership for many Filipinos, particularly those who may not have the financial means for an upfront purchase. It offers a practical middle ground between renting and owning, with the added benefit of allowing occupants to build equity over time. However, to fully appreciate the value of RTO housing, it is important to understand how it compares with lease-to-own (LTO) schemes and why government support is essential. Understanding Rent-to-Own vs. Lease-to-Own The distinction between RTO and LTO is subtle but significant. In an RTO arrangement, the tenant has the option to purchase the property after a specified period, while in an LTO agreement, the tenant is obligated to buy the property at the end of the lease term. Naturally, the requirements for RTO tend to be more lenient compared to LTO, as the commitment to purchase is not immediate. To illustrate, consider the analogy of renti...

LET US APPOINT A FULL-TIME PACKAGING CZAR Is there a specific government agency dedicated to ensuring that consumer packaging is environmentally friendly? Based on the current lineup of government offices, which one is responsible for this crucial function? It appears that both the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have already taken initial steps in this direction, but neither has claimed the role of a de facto packaging czar. The DOST certainly has the technical expertise to take on this role, given its focus on innovation and research. However, it may not have the necessary political influence to push for strong regulatory measures. The DTI, with its close ties to the industrial sector, could be in a better position to handle this responsibility. Yet, it too may lack the necessary political clout. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) could be a potential candidate, but its past inaction on ...

CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE When it comes to determining who should take the leadership role in disaster management in democratic countries, it often appears to be a toss-up. In contrast, the military still leads disaster response in many communist and dictatorial states. Take the United States, for example. A civilian agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), leads emergency management. FEMA operates under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is also a civilian-led institution. This setup underscores the importance of maintaining civilian control in times of disaster. In the Philippines, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) serves as the primary agency responsible for disaster management. However, since the NDRRMC is under the Department of National Defense (DND), there is a general perception that disaster management remains dominated by the military. While it is true that the Armed ...

DECLARING TOTAL WAR AGAINST THE JANITOR FISH Yes, the janitor fish is a catfish, but it is not our catfish. Native to South America, this species was never meant to be part of our lakes and rivers. It was only intended to be a pet fish, valued by aquarium owners for its ability to clean fish tanks of waste and algae, thus earning its name, “janitor fish.” However, the fish has now established itself in Philippine waters, wreaking havoc on our ecosystems. How did it get here? Some say floods released them into the wild, while others blame irresponsible owners who discarded them into our lakes and rivers. Regardless of how it happened, the janitor fish is now an invasive species, rapidly multiplying and endangering native aquatic life. A Culinary Misfit and Ecological Threat Unlike our beloved native catfish, janitor fish are not suitable for human consumption. Reports suggest that although it may technically be edible, it tastes bad and has little culinary value. Instead, it is ...

WE MUST CLEAN OUR LAKES AND RIVERS TO REMOVE TOXINS AND POLLUTANTS This problem is simple enough. The fish we eat may be poisoning us. Certain species, like tilapia, ingest toxins and pollutants from contaminated lakes and rivers. When we consume these fish, we unknowingly introduce the same toxins and pollutants into our bodies. The irony is unsettling — we eat fish for nourishment, yet it could be causing us harm. The problem doesn’t end with fish. Water spinach ( kangkong ), a popular vegetable that grows in aquatic environments, similarly absorbs toxins and pollutants. Eating contaminated kangkong can have the same effect as eating toxic fish. The unfortunate truth is that consumers have no way of knowing whether their food is safe. Without transparency and monitoring, every bite could pose a risk to our health. A Call to Clean Our Waters Since an outright ban on tilapia and kangkong is neither practical nor sustainable, the only logical solution is to clean our lakes and...

MEETING THE DEMAND FOR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS In Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes , it was a young boy who bravely spoke the truth, revealing that the emperor was wearing nothing at all. In a modern context, we might wish for another child to point out a different uncomfortable truth: the presence of guidance counselors in Philippine schools seems like an illusion. The Department of Education (DepEd) estimates a need for around 47,000 guidance counselors to cater to students across the country. However, DepEd currently has Plantilla items for only about 4,460 positions. This glaring gap leaves students without crucial mental health support and career guidance. What can be done to address this shortage? The First Solution: Overloading the Few Counselors We Have One option is to assign one counselor to cover multiple schools—perhaps as many as ten. While this may seem like a quick fix, it risks overworking the limited number of guidance...