JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2021 4 OPINION


EDITORIAL Topnotcher


Last week, Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental were in the national news for all the wrong reasons. The OCTA Research Team tagged Dumaguete as “extremely high risk” for CoViD-19, as we had a 129 percent one-week growth rate, and an Average Daily Attack Rate of almost 70 per 100,000 population.


The DOH, meanwhile, named Negros Oriental as the “epicenter” in Region 7 (Central Visayas). This time last year, Dumaguete was still proudly bannering its “zero CoViD” status. In fact, our City was CoViD-free until October. So what changed? “Atong pabaya”, said Provincial Info Officer Bimbo Miraflor. Indeed, we all became too complacent, and maybe thought that, like in other parts of the world, we could resume our normal lives even with CoViD just waiting outside our doors, ready to pounce on us.


In a nationally-televised interview, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo also blamed the easing of travel restrictions in February as one reason for the spike in cases. Gov. Roel Degamo, on the other hand, presented


That led to the conclusion that Dumaguete is the ‘area of most concern’ outside the National Capital Region-Plus.


METROPOST


a controversial idea: that it is up to the person to get infected with CoViD or not. “It’s a personal choice,” he said in a virtual press conference. Explaining his statement, the Governor said CoViD has no brain; and yet, we who have the brains continue to go out of our homes and violate health protocols. So now that we think we know the reason for the rise in CoViD cases, what must we do? The fact that people would always find an excuse


to leave their homes and congregate with others outside their household seems to be a given in our culture. But that shouldn’t stop the authorities, through their barangay officials, from reaching out and engaging them to explain why their cooperation is badly needed at this time of the pandemic. As long as each of us is doing the right thing mandated by our health authorities, the last thing we need are naysayers and pessimists who try to derail our efforts by spreading unfounded conspiracy theories and recommending unscientific remedies.


ATTY. WHELMA SITON-YAP ECON 101 whelmayap@yahoo.com T


Now that we have Executive Orders from both the Province and the component local government units about how the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine should be implemented, we expect that these have to be executed with an even hand. If gatherings are prohibited because they are CoViD super-spreaders, then activities like wedding receptions, birthday parties, or funeral wakes -- basically eating/drinking together -- must be banned for now, and for all.


society.


oday is a special day to honor fathers, and their role and influence


in


Fatherhood is not just title a man earns for himself when his child is born, it’s a responsibility and a commitment that he must endure before and after the child is born. Fatherhood can be


when the daughter asked, ”Where did you learn how to be a father?”


In the past, the father was always identified as being the one who would ‘bring home the bacon’. The role of child rearing and home management was attributed to the mother.


We also need consistency in the vaccination procedure. Telling the public to “wait for the call” has proven to be inefficient. People who registered online have been complaining that no one has actually called to inform of a possible vaccination date. Acknowledging communications is part of governance, and is basic courtesy.


We can beat CoViD together but all of us—the governors and the governed--have responsibilities in this war against an invisible and virulent virus. As the late Sec. Juan Flavier said, “Let’s DOH it!”


irresponsible, dangerous driving by anyone using the road?


I


Member, Philippine Press Institute


ALEX REY V. PAL Publisher & Editor-in-Chief (On-leave) IRMA FAITH B. PAL Managing Editor


JOEL V. PAL Online News/North America Editor RICHLI D. AVES Cartoonist


2018 National Awardee: Best in Photojournalism 2017 National Awardee: Best in Photojournalism 2017 Best in Visayas: Best in Photojournalism, Best Editorial Page, Best Edited Community Newspaper 2016 Best in Visayas: Best in Photojournalism, Best in Environment Reporting, Best Editorial Page, Best Edited Community Newspaper


2007 National Awardee: Best Editorial Page


The MetroPost has business and editorial offices at Scoobys Bldg., Real St. (across Noreco II), Dumaguete Tel: (035) 420-5015. Mobile: 0918-9400-731 Email: UniTownPublishing@gmail.com Website: www.DumagueteMetropost.com


The MetroPost is published by the UniTown Publishing House. All rights reserved. Subject to the conditions provided by law, no article or photograph published by the MetroPost shall be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part without its prior written consent. The views expressed in the opinion pieces are those of the Columnists, and not necessarily of the Editors and the Publisher.


In the past year, I’ve been involved in two significant road accidents.


responsible for either accident, but each time, I got what we expats call a ‘Philippine tattoo’ -- I now have permanent scars in both elbows, and in several areas on my left leg, knee, and foot. While driving along Rizal


I wasn’ t


distinguished by three different divisions: the excitement that comes during the pregnancy with his wife; the knowledge they both gain as they progress through parenthood; and the acceptance of seeing what the child eventually amounts to, as he welcomes adulthood himself. As the saying goes, “Every father should remember that a child remembers his example, not his advice!” One time, a father caught his daughter lying, so he scolded her and punished her. But the father was dumbfounded


Honoring our fathers As time passed, the


different roles and fused expectations blurred; now gender expectations have evolved into a more egalitarian level.


In 2019, President Duterte signed RA No. 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, which not only gives working mothers up to 105 days or three months of maternal leave, but it also entitles the fathers upto 14 days of paid leave, whether the couple is married or not.


MICHAEL O’RIORDAN


OUTSIDE LOOKING IN


s there a law in Negros Oriental I’m not familiar with that requires


reminder of the challenging driving environment.


And then one evening while driving in Valencia, I signaled my intention to turn left onto the street immediately after 7/11. Despite that, a driver behind me tried to overtake on the left-hand side! I took evasive action so no physical damage was caused. Despite these unpleasant experiences, I’ll try to be objective, and offer comments


Boulevard, I was hit from behind by a man driving a scooter. I’d noticed him coming from the side road onto Rizal Boulevard, and being too close to my rear. I’d signaled my intention to bear left and park infront of Tom n Toms coffee place. Despite my slowing down, the driver behind me still drove into the rear of my Honda.


not clouded by personal prejudice.


Parenthood is now a joint responsibility. Fatherhood has emerged to be an important concern, as both mothers and fathers are expected to play significant roles in the growth of their children’s lives. Both parents may raise


means more than just earning a living, as such role may be assumed by the mother, or another member of the family, as well.


their children using different approaches but they both are expected to have the same goal:


anything for the good of the children.


them, Tatay, Papa, Daddy, our fathers influence our lives, whether we’d like to admit it or not. Generally considered as


the head of the family, fathers are expected to take care of the basic needs of the household by earning an appropriate income by being engaged in a decent job.


Today however, fatherhood


No matter what you call


Being a good father is about willingness to learn and take on various roles in the family, such as being a supportive partner, and a loving parent. This is important to the child’s psychological and physical well-being. When a child grows up developing a healthy relationship with his father, he tends to mature with a higher level of psychological health, as well as develop better quality relationships with people around him. In addition, there is no one type of family where the child enjoys the healthiest father- child relationship. The term ‘father’ does not solely apply to biological relationships between parent and child, nor does it only apply to a husband and wife relationship. The existence of same-sex couples, transgender men who are parents, and single fathers can provide just as meaningful parent-child relationships as do families headed by a husband and wife tandem. This is time to show our love for our fathers, or to the father of our children. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!


irishauthorMichaelCassidy@gmail.com


main road from a secondary road oblivious to the presence of oncoming traffic; 6) When on a scooter, carry the entire family, up to a maximum of six children, plus Lola; Tall plants, kitchen appliances such as pots and pans are also encouraged; 7) All drivers, especially the slowest, must be in the center lane, as close as possible to the line that divides both lanes, but preferably over it; That results


5) Always drive onto the


most. These folks spend a considerable amount of money on expensive bikes with flashy brand names, don racing gear normally worn by professional cyclists. Despite this considerable expense, they don’t bother to shell out a small amount for a lamp on the front of their bicycles, and reflecting lights in the rear.


Driving dangers in Dumaguete


Then he casually drove on, waving his hand, yelling the classic Filipino “Sorry!”. I had to laugh. It’s in moments like this that I rejoice in living here. No injury happened; it was just another uncomfortable


However, I digress. Is there a provincial law I’m not aware of that requires every driver of a truck, van, Ceres bus, jeepney, car, motorbike, scooter, or bicycle to: 1) Never indicate which direction you are turning, be that left or right; 2) Always drive at either excessive or snail-like speed; 3) Never drive with lights


turned on at night time. Occasional use of a flashlight is allowed, but it must be dim; 4)Whenever possible, drive directly into oncoming traffic, especially when driving along the incorrect side of the road;


in many vehicles illegally overtaking from the right, or slow lane, with potentially- dangerous consequences; 8) The heavier the rain, the faster you must drive, and in the process, create a higher probability of accidents; 9) When purchasing fish


or fruits from a street vendor, stop right infront of the stall, never mind that it is along the national highway, completely blocking the view of anyone trying to exit from the road; 10) No driver should have a valid driver’s license, insurance, or LTO certificate. The misbehavior of cyclists is what disturbs me


Unlike many who drive RUSI scooters, this is not because these cyclists cannot afford to purchase those basic, but essential, items. They happily cycle each evening from Dumaguete to Valencia, then down again, with no possibility for any driver to see them in the darkness. It’s a blatant example of their callous disregard for everybody’s safety, including their own. It surprises me there’s not mass carnage on the roads around Dumaguete


every day.


consequences of such irresponsible behavior should be substantial casualties. My experiences in the past year constantly reminds me of the need for vigilance. I always drive defensively, while being aware of danger lurking that could, at any moment, become a painful, perhaps deadly, reality.


Every expat I’ve discussed this matter with shares similar concerns. It baffles us foreigners that in such a polite, civil society that we’re privileged to experience in


TO PAGE 6 Statistically, the


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14