MARCH 14 - MARCH 20, 2021 10 THE WAY...FROM P.5


about this? Well, it should be that if you asked the LTO why this is the only school they accept, they could explain why. But they couldn’t!


from the chief at the LTO is that it’s been like that when he took the reigns of the local office—that it is coming from the regional office—whatever that means.


People have asked me about this monopoly, and how the LTO has not done anything about it.


of the LTO regulating this school to the chief, but he simply told me it would be up to the top brass. To delve into this matter further would be like diving into a stack of hay to look for a needle whilst being bitten by red ants, whilst trying to protect your head from hail the size of tennis balls. It would be a futile endeavor.


I brushed on the topic The only answer I got


METROPOST FOOD...FROM P.5


abused women and children continues.


Champion against VAWC Even before her appointment


Commission on Elections, Commissioner Rowena V. Guanzon, an Outstanding Silliman Alumna Awardee had focused her law practice on women’s rights cases. She co-founded the Gender Justice Network that gives pro bono legal aid to survivors of violence against women and children who are victims of rape.


there who would rather flea an accident scene than be cited for driving without a license.


It seems to be a matter for our own leaders to pursue, if they cared about their constituents enough. I would think this would open their eyes to this situation, and how it may be a particularly big part of the traffic problems we have.


seems to agree with me that if the process of acquiring a driver’s license were to be made cheaper, and therefore easier, there would be less unlicensed drivers out


The local LTO chief


But the power to change the current situation is not his, unfortunately.


There were other things we talked about, but those could be for another column. The LTO is just one office


among the many in our government. But seeing as how much of our daily life it affects, it should be one where vigorous innovation should take place, all the time, and for the better. If, like it is now, it


-- should intervene to give the people an advantage. Government offices should be like transparent bags where we can see all the contents all the time. The only things in the bag should be items that belong to all the people and, therefore, do not need to be hidden. There should be no grayed-out areas, no opaque portions that could hide things from public view.


seems to be a monopoly on driver training.


doesn’t move on its own, our politicians -- who, by our vote, possess the clout


The way it is now, there


“They” may say that there isn’t but with the lack of transparency, they may just be pulling our legs.


Her resource book on The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, currently being referenced by law experts and women’s groups alike, exposes sexual harassment as a form of violence against women and is the first step in a long journey to deepen the understanding of offenses against women. Guanzon had previously lauded the passage into law of Republic Act 8353 (Ant-Rape Law) which also protects married women who were forcibly raped by their husbands, saying that “by marrying, a wife does not divest herself of the human right to an exclusive autonomy of her own body and a husband does not own his wife’s body by reason of marriage.”


Commissioner Guanzon has written four landmark books that are now used extensively by law students, law professionals, LGUS and NGOs and law enforcement officers.


the United Nations agencies, and civil society organizations have forged strong partnerships in combatting VAW with renewed vigor -


The Philippine government, Challenges to the


isolation, restricted movement and stay-at-home measures to contain the spread of the infection have a particularly acute impact on women. The chances of women and their children being exposed to violence is dramatically increased, as family members spend more time in close contact and household stress intensifies, and the risk grows even greater when families also have to cope with potential economic or job losses. “Despite the favorable rulings


on women’s rights issues in the country,” Guanzon said “there are still challenges that need to be addressed specially in the judiciary.”


judges who still fail to implement the anti-VAWC law with liberality and ensure that that the women and their children are protected.”


She cited cases in which judges issue temporary stay away orders, but fail to include an order to provide support for the victim. This leads to a lot of women returning to their husbands for support for the sake of the children.


members of Soroptimist International have been working to eliminate violence against women and girls and ensure women’s participation in conflict resolution. The group has executed projects to respond to, prevent and eliminate violence against women across the globe. Efforts include building


For almost a century now, “For instance, there were


harnessing collective tools, intelligence, and resources to adapt, innovate and continue to ensure that GBV services will be available to survivors when they need it. In the case of COVID-19,


shelters, aiding victims of violence, providing counselling services, lobbying for improved prevention programs and policies and raising awareness of this problem. Many of its projects are conducted in collaboration with local and national governments, policy makers, and other organizations working towards the elimination of violence against women through improved prevention and response strategies and programs. Yvonne Sim ps o n,


Soroptimist International President 2015 – 2017 puts it quite clearly: “I believe it starts with respect. Respect for ourselves and respect for others. If we truly respect ourselves, we would never treat another person as any less than we would like to be treated.


it is the most common form of abuse. If we stand by silently, we are guilty of abuse too.” Since 2004, with the Avon


Foundation for Women, has contributed more than US$80 million globally to support awareness, education and the development and implementation of prevention and direct service programs. The Gender Watch against


Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) is an NGO based in Dumaguete City, accredited and licensed to operate by the regional and national Department of Social Welfare & Development. GWAVE can be contacted


“Neglect is the silent violence.


at genderwave@gmail.com or at (035) 422 8405. Let us echo the International


Women’s Day 2021 Slogan: #Choose to Challenge and work towards Gender Equality.


Our dear PHCCI members,


Every year, we look forward to holding our PHCCI Chapter Assemblies as these are moments when our 100,000 strong members gather to connect and be one in sharing our vision for a better future for everyone. However, we have made the difficult decision to CANCEL all of our Chapter Assemblies for the year 2021.


passed Board Resolution No. 65, Series of 2021 to adopt Memorandum Circular 2021-03 issued by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) the option to cancel the conduct of the General Assembly (GA) meetings for the calendar year 2021. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and two tangible reasons have caused us to make this decision.


The Board of Directors in its February 15 meeting


aware that COVID-19 is still very much a battle that we all must fight and win. This has meant that it is still vital that we limit social contact and avoid large gatherings. Thus, having to gather thousands of members in one venue is definitely not practical and safe at this time.


Second, although modern technology has allowed virtual gatherings a possibility in other industries, it is, however, a jarring reality in ours that not all of our members have the access to gadgets and the internet to allow such. Hence, we admit that as of the moment, we are not capable of holding virtual Chapter Assemblies.


First, we have to give our full support to our government to put an end to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As we are sure you are


While we know this is disappointing, we hope you can understand the considerations we have to weigh in to help keep everyone healthy and safe. We assure you that we will continue to work hard to make PHCCI the cooperative you are proud to own. Thank you so much for your understanding.


Sincerely,


(sgd.) CLIFFORDSON T. LARIOSA Chief Executive Officer


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