Living in our beloved nation of “laws and not of men,” this near-sighted Ibaloy writer would not be alone in observing that we seem to have a law or regulation for almost everything under the sun. This is a good thing of course, don’t get me wrong. It’s always better to have laws than none at all since this would lead to anarchy in the streets. We don’t want that, do we? We already have enough problems from natural and man-made calamities including greedy self-serving political dynasties (who ironically craft many of these laws).
Here’s the rub. We may have the best laws and regulations in the world but are these being strictly, humanely and consistently enforced or implemented without bias, fear or favor by those charged to enforce or implement them? Your answer is as good as mine.
Anyway, the “Baguio City Public High School Student’s Incentive Fund Ordinance (Ordinance 110, s. 1988, as amended) is being implemented according to a legislative monitoring and evaluation status report submitted to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan.
The measure is amended by ordinances 3, s. 1990; 63, s. 1992; 1, s. 1993; and 49, s. 2001.
The report disclosed that the ordinance’s implementing offices are the City Budget Office; Department of Education-Cordillera, Baguio Division; Baguio City National High School, and Pines City NHS.
It stated that based on the information and recommendations submitted by the heads of these concerned offices, agencies, and institutions, the ordinance, as amended, is being implemented.
To further improve and strengthen the ordinance’s implementation, the report recommended that in addition to the recipients of incentives in the existing legislations, the following students in all Baguio public schools be included – any student who becomes a member of the Supreme Pupil and Student Governments; those who represent the city and won in any DepEd-recognized/endorsed competition in the regional, national, international level; and any student from the special journalism program and senior high school students.
It recommended that instead of a fixed amount stipulated in the ordinance, a formula that includes factors that might affect the value of incentives such as inflation rate may be formulated to ensure that the measure does not need to be revised occasionally to reflect economic conditions.
It also suggested that multiple incentives be given to students when they qualify under any or all of the various categories provided in the ordinance; and include allowances of participants of the special program in arts, sports and journalism. Cheers!
Good news: The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera has awarded a certificate of appreciation and a computer set to the city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong for its “invaluable support and continuing partnership with the DOLE-Cordillera in the implementation of DOLE Employment programs.”
The award was handed over by Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman to Public Employment Services Office-Baguio labor and employment officer III Romuelda Escaño du-ring an orientation on basic employment and PESO Act at Venus Hotel.
Guzman said the city government’s effort for the full institutionalization of its PESO under Marlene de Castro has resulted in the improvement of the quality of life of the people in the region through the provision of career opportunities and employment programs.
Escano said that PESO-Baguio, located at the second floor of City Hall, is among the 12 fully institutionalized PESOs in the region that were also awarded certificates and computer sets.
She added that her office under the City Mayor’s Office handles around 500 clients daily during the peak months of January to April.
Escano explained that PESO is the DOLE office at the grassroots level operating by virtue of the Local Government Code. It is mandated to fulfill four core functions: employment facilitation; collection, interpretation, and analyses of labor market information; implementation of special programs relevant to the city; and conduct of career and employment coaching.
Here’s “A Poison Tree” by William Blake: “I was angry with my friend:/ I told my wrath, my wrath did end./ I was angry with my foe:/ I told it not, my wrath did grow./ And I watered it in fears,/ Night and morning with my tears;/ And I sunned it with smiles,/ And with soft deceitful wiles./ And it grew both day and night,/ Till it bore an apple bright./ And my foe beheld it shine./ And he knew that it was mine,/
And into my garden stole/ When the night had veiled the pole;/ In the morning glad I see/ My foe outstretched beneath the tree”
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May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
