Drawing a borderline

It has been a month since the Manila hostage crisis of August 23 took over the center stage as everyone talked and feasted the subject which is the Philippines—being the top most dangerous country in the world. This is indeed another reflection as to how bad the security system and how unprepared the country is when being confronted with such problems.

I am a media student, and the things that happened within that hours of hostage drama lead me to a lot of realizations. The three most important developments on the hostage taking crisis that I have noted are the following: (1) The failure of the media to regulate themselves same as the failure of the Philippine police to manage and deal with the press during crisis situations; (2) The agreement between the government and the media to apply 4 “generally accepted” points in covering crisis situations and;(3) The introduction of the House Bill No. 2737 that would require TV and radio networks to delay airing of broadcasts during crisis situations.

The failure of the media to regulate themselves during the crisis showed how much they could make the bad situation worst to the extent of the death of several lives. And the failure of the police to handle the media proved how much they are unprepared on dangerous situations like this. Also it showed lack of association between the two groups, which is unfortunate because they should have been working hand in hand for a common goal.

The Philippines has been one of the freest media around the globe, for years we experienced the effect of their so-called “self-restraint, self-discipline, and self-regulation”. Did it work? I think it didn’t. That is why I believe that the House Bill No. 2737 should be strictly implemented, if ever be approved as law—strict implementation in the sense that it shouldn’t be just another forgotten rule/policy/code. It should be memorized and kept in the hearts of every media practitioners.

Although the Philippine police failed in some ways to perform their duty and apply their basic principles in handling the incident, the media has an equal share also of the blame. So I strongly believe that passing of the the House Bill No. 2737 is needed and indeed a positive action coming from the government.

It is just disheartening to note that “ratings war” as pointed out by the RMN anchor, Erwin Tulfo, was one of the reasons why these media men tend to forget their journalism code and policy. With this, can you still tell me that these media professionals are reliable and objective? They ought to forget their ethics just for the sake of money. And they even keep on excusing themselves on the blames that are being thrown to them.

A real public servant thinks first of their social responsibility through responsible journalism rather than securing advertisers through ratings. Money should be secondary. I think media practitioners should first relearn by heart their basic principles and learn to follow it not by words but with all their hearts and minds. Also during crisis situations media should avoid intervening with the affairs of the policemen and also stop doing the negotiations. That’s why we have police, it’s their job to negotiate not theirs. Media shouldn’t meddle with the police operations. They should stick with their job—and that’s to report straight just how the way things happened.

I don’t know what’s the best thing to do with these stubborn media men who kept on intervening and forcing their selves in the situations like these. Maybe they could get some help from someone who’s kind enough to reread to them their job description in case they are a little bit confused.

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Iloilo

MUNICIPALITY OF MIAG-AO

-o0o-

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN

ORDINANCE NO. 96-04

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE OPERATION OF BOARDING HOUSES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MIAG-AO AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan that:

SECTION I. SCOPE. The ordinance shall regulate the business and operations of boarding houses in the Municipality of Miag-ao.

SECTION 2. LICENSING. No person shall own, keep, maintain, operate or conduct any house or place for accommodation of boarders or bedspacers for compensation or rent without first having obtained a Mayor’s permit, sanitary permit, fire safety inspection permit and paying such other required taxes, fees, and other charges under existing ordinance.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. For the purpose of this ordinance, the following terms and words shall be taken to mean as:

“Boarding House” Any house where boarders are accepted or accommodated for compensation by the week, or by month, and where meals are served to boarders; or where boarders occupy space only. For the purpose of this ordinance, a boarding house includes any dormitory.

“Boarders” Any person who lives or is accommodated in a boarding house by paying for his board and bed (lodging) or renting the room for himself without the board (food).

“Bedspacer” Any person who lives or is accommodated in a boarding house by paying for bedspace only, and cooking or buying his/her food for subsistence.

“Commission” Municipal Boarding Housing Commission.

SECTION 4. CLASSES OF BOARDING HOUSES.  Boarding Houses shall be classified as follows:

CLASS “A”

1. Made of strong materials;
2. Forty (40) meters reception area with radio, television and telephone;
3. Room accommodation measuring at least twenty (20) sq. meters;
4. Accommodates four (4) persons in one room;
5. Ratio of one (1) bathroom for seven (7) persons and one (1) toilet for seven (7) persons;
6. Sufficient water supply with storage tanks;
7. Adequate space for kitchen;
8. Bedrooms are lighted with fluorescent lamp with at least one (1) convenient outlet with food ventilation;
9. Telephone availability for local calls.

CLASS “B”

1. Made of strong materials;
2. Reception area of at least thirty (30) sq. meters with television and telephone;
3. Room accommodation measuring at least twenty (20) sq. meters;
4. Accommodates between four (4) to six (6)person in one (1) toilet for nine (9) persons;
5. Ratio of one (1) bathroom for nine (9) persons and one (1) toilet for nine (9) persons;
6. Sufficient water supply;
7. Sufficient kitchen area; and
8. Bedrooms are well ventilated with fluorescent lamp.

CLASS “C”

1. Made of strong materials;
2. Double decks bed;
3. Toilet and bathroom at a ratio of one (1) bathroom to ten (10) persons; and
4. Well ventilated rooms and with fluorescent bulb per room.

CLASS “D”

All others not falling under any of the above classification. Provided however, that boarding house shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher at a ratio of one (1) fire extinguisher for every twenty (20) persons or fraction thereof. The said fire extinguisher shall be placed in strategic areas of the boarding house.

Provided furthermore, that where a boarding house accommodates more than twenty (20) boarders, the house must be installed with a fire alarm system and have an adequate fire exit aside from the main door.

Provided finally, the purpose of identification, the owner/operator of a boarding house/dormitory shall put a signboard which shall be placed prominently at the house containing the following data:

1. Trade name or style
2. Class
3. Owner
4. Telephone Number (If any)

Furthermore, signboards shall be uniform in specifications and shall be procured by the commission and color coded for easier identification as to “class”, and shall be provided to the owners/operators of the boarding houses/dormitories at reasonable cost.

SECTION 5. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

1. Owners, operators of boarding house must secure a Mayor’s Permit before operating a boarding house and shall renew the same from January 1 to 20 of each year.

2. The application for Mayor’s permit shall comply with it:

a. Sanitary permit;

b. fire safety clearance;

c. registration of business name;

d. BIR clearance

e. Boarding House Commission Clearance.

Provided furthermore, that operators/owners will provide basic facilities to bedspace boarders with ratio as follows:

a. there will be one (1) comfort room for seven (7) bedspacers/boarders;

b. there will be one (1) bathroom for seven (7) bedspacers/boarders;

c. availability of telephone for local call only for boarders/bedspacers (if available).

SECTION 6. RATES.

The owners or operators of a boarding house shall charge the rates shall be prescribed by the Municipal Boarding House Commission every year before the start of each school year with the following class:

CLASS “A”

a. Board and Lodging

b. Bed space only

CLASS “B”

a. Board and Lodging

b. Bed space only

CLASS “C”

a. Bed space only

CLASS “D”

a. Bed space only

Any additional charge on electric consumption by the boarders using personal radio cassette or television set shall be by mutual agreement between owner/operator and the boarder, provided, however, that the additional charges shall be reasonable and not exorbitant.

Any stipulation of agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the boarder shall promptly and regularly pay his rent or bills on or before the fifth (5^th) day of the succeeding two months advance.

SECTION 7. BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION.

Every person desiring to secure a Mayor’s permit and/or license to own, keep, operate, conduct or maintain any boarding house shall state in his application a sworn statement detailing the following:

a. The kind of construction of the building;

b. The size, ventilation and lighting of each room;

c. Toilet, bathroom and sanitary facilities;

d. The greatest number of persons that can be accommodated at any time;

e. Safety exit.

SECTION 8. CONTRACT

The owner or operator of a boarding house and the boarders shall execute a written contract stipulating the period of stay, the rate per month and the nature of facilities. Provided, that the stipulation of the contract shall be in accordance with the provision of this ordinance and such other applicable laws and ordinance. In the absence of any written contract, the duly filled and signed registration form shall be considered as the agreement between parties.

SECTION 9. BOARDING HOUSE REGISTER INSPECTION.

No owner, manager or operator of a boarding house shall accept a boarder unless he or she has signed his/her name, entered his/her home address, residence certificate (if applicable) and personal circumstances in a register of boarders.

Minors less than eighteen (18) years old shall not be accepted unless accompanied by one of the parents or lawful guardian at the time of registration. Every owners of boarding house shall keep and carefully preserve a well-bound register of boarders, which shall be open to the inspection of lawful authorities or members of the commission or their duly designated representatives.

SECTION 10. HOUSE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

The owners or operator of boarding houses shall post in each room and reception room, in printed form, a house rules and regulations for the information and guidance of the boarders, shall prohibit, among others, gambling, use of prohibited drugs or regulated drugs without a doctor’s prescription, and other violation of laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 11. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS/OPERATORS.

It shall be the duty and responsibilities of the owner or operator of boarding houses to maintain cleanliness of the boarding house and sanitation of the premises, undertaken major and minor repairs whenever necessary to prevent danger to life or cause injuries to boarders and shall see that the facilities are all in good condition. It shall also be the duty of the owner or operator to provide and institute safety and health measures, such as fire escape, locked doors, first aid kit or cabinet and others.

SECTION 12. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF BOARDERS/BEDSPACERS.

It shall be the duties and responsibilities of the boarders/bedspacers to faithfully comply with the contract of accommodation or agreement, follow the house rules, regularly and promptly pay his/her bills or rent, such other obligations that will promote harmony, good order and mutual respect.

SECTION 13. MUNICIPAL BOARDING HOUSES COMMISSION.

There is hereby created an overnight body to be known as the Municipal Boarding House Commission to be composed of the following:

a. Chairman- to be designated by the Municipal Mayor, subject to the confirmation by the Sangguniang bayan members from among the ranks of non-government organizations or civic or service organizations;

b. Vice Chairman- the Municipal Engineer or his duly authorized representative;

c. Members- Chief, Municipal Fire prevention Office or his duly authorized representative;

- Municipal Health Officer, or his duly authorized representative;

- SK Federation President or his duly authorized representative;

- A representative from the student sector;

- A representative from the owners and operators of boarding houses.

The SK federation President, shall recommend three (3) nominees each from the student sector and association of the boarding houses to the Municipal Mayor who shall select and designate the representatives from both sector.

Expenses of the commission shall be provided as an annual budgetary allocation under the Office of the Municipal Mayor.

SECTION 14. FUNCTION AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

The commission in the exercise of its oversight function, shall have the following functions and dutes:

a. Formulate the issue, subject to the approval of the Sangguniang Bayan Members, rules and regulation necessary for the efficient and effective implementation of any and all provisions of this ordinance;

b. Meet regularly, but not often than once a month, to take up matters relative to the implementation of this ordinance and promote harmonious relations between the boarding house operator/ owner and boarders/spacer;

c. Undertake either by themselves or through their respective, ocular inspection of boarding houses to determine compliance with this ordinance and other related laws, rules and regulations, with the need in view that the interest of all concerned are well protected;

d. Recommend from time to time to the Municipal Mayor and the interests of the boarding house owners/operators, boarders/bedspacers, and the general public; and

Undertake such other program or action related to the smooth implementation of this ordinance, such as projects designed to recognize and award clean, well kept and maintained boarding houses.

SECTION 15. UPDATING OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES.

The boarding house operator/ owner shall have six (6) months from the effectivity of this ordinance within which to upgrade and improve the physical facilities of his boarding house to conform with the requirements of this ordinance, the building code, the fire code and other allied laws, rules and regulations.

Boarding house owners/operators shall allow the sanitary inspections, municipal engineer or his respective personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection in the conduct of routinary inspection of the premises within reasonable hours of the day.

Provided however, that the owner/operator who improve and upgrade his boarding house facilities pursuant to this ordinance may petition the Sangguniang Bayan for local business tax exemption, through the commission, except the payment of other taxes and regulatort fees.

SECTION 16. PENALTIES.

Any person, owner, operator or keeper of boarding houses who shall violates the provisions of this ordinance shall pay a fine of not less than One Thousand (1,000.00) pesos but not more than Two Thousand Five Hundred pesos (2,500.00) or as imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court, in addition to the revocation of permit to operate and closure of the boarding house.

Capability over Popularity

UP election

Mother cares

(Maternal and Women’s Care at Brgy. Lumanggan)

The millennium development goals in the Philippines aim a zero maternal mortality rate in 2004 and contraceptive prevalence rate of 58% in 1990. The thrust is not to increase prevalence rate but to lay down the available options to married couples.

In a survey conducted to 9 mothers of Brgy. Lumanggan, Miagao, result shows that 66.70% of the respondents gave birth to their children in their home with the aid of “hilot” and midwives; while a total of 33.30% gave birth in the hospital. There were no documented cases of death during the child delivery.

Also, 6 out of 9 respondents (66.70%) had their regular check-up at their health center or hospital, but a total of 3 respondents (33.30%) still believe in “hilot”. This could be attributed to lack of financial resources and as well as the practice of “hilot” at their barangay.

5 out of 9 respondents (55.60%) did not participate in any fora/seminars conducted by the government or any volunteer group. While 4 out of 9 respondents (44.40%) attended the seminar about family planning conducted by volunteer groups of UPV and other institutions.

When it comes to controlling vices during their stage of pregnancy, 100% of the respondents claimed of not indulging themselves into smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. This is due to the fact that they were made aware of the possible harmful effects to their baby.

The survey shows that majority of the respondents still adhere to traditional matrnal care methods like “hilot”. It also shows that majority of them practice the concept of contraceptive in the form of family planning. This is an indication that the implementation of the millennium development goals have been somehow succesful.

Just a small dot

www.keepbanderabeautiful.org/climate-change.jpg

Climate change is one of the most critical issues in our environment today. This is surely one of the great threats that people around the globe are most likely facing by now. With the increasing temperatures in various regions and increasing extremities in weather patterns, inhabitants of the earth could come up with a consensus that this issue ranks on the top as the major threat of our planet.

Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in average global temperatures. Natural phenomena and human activities are believed to be the contributing factors to an increase in average global temperatures. This is caused primarily by increases in “greenhouse” gases.

The term greenhouse is used in combination with the phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. The energy from the sun drives the earth’s weather and climate, and heats the earth’s surface. The rise in temperature that the Earth experiences is due to certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, etc.) that trap energy from the sun. Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earth’s average temperature would be about 60ºF colder.

Many of greenhouse gases are actually life-enabling, for without them, heat would escape back into space and the Earth’s average temperature would be a lot colder. Because of how they warm our world, these gases are referred to as greenhouse gases.

However, if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, then more heat gets trapped than needed. And this will be the start of the problem. Human activities have caused an imbalance in the natural cycle of the greenhouse effect and related processes. Just take for example sleeping and human health.  An amount of sleep is needed to rejuvenate energy from the body.  More sleep will give a better condition to one’s body. But too much sleeping could also cause harm on the body.

In much the same way, greenhouse gases are essential for our planet; the planet may be able to deal with slightly increased levels of such gases, but too much of it will affect the health of the whole planet.

Climate change is a one big concern that one person alone can surely not handle it. But this will indeed be a small dot if people around the globe will work hand in hand in addressing this problem.

Not all bad things

www.pcij.org/blog/?p=2114

Filipinos are having a hard time trusting the Philippine government. Up to the end of term of PGMA, several issues and arguments are still being raised questioning the leadership of the president.

Although there are enumerable downfalls of the Arroyo administration, the extent of which the president has served the country doesn’t just stop there. The administration has accomplished several things in different aspects that the Filipinos should also learn to acknowledge.

There were improvements in tax collections, which strengthened the economic position, and renewed the trust of investors in Philippine economy. With the improved fiscal condition, the government was able to fund priority infrastructure programs and basic services, especially for the poor.  This lead to the decrease on the poverty incidence among Filipino families from 27.5% of 2000 down to 24.7% in 2003.

When it comes to tourism, the visitor arrivals to the Philippines increased from 1.8 million from January to October 2004 to 2.1 million during the same period in 2005. Chinese tourist arrivals registered a significant increase of 157.5% over last year’s 3,742.

Based on the 2005 Labor Force Survey (LFS), the average employment increase reached 699,000. Government intervention in priority programs resulted in a total of 1.99 million jobs generated from January to September 2005.

In terms of education, a total of 8,800 classrooms were built from July 2004 to May 2005, or 47% higher than the annual target of 6,000, while 4,516 classrooms or 75% of the annual target were constructed from June 2005 to October 2005.

The government also expanded access of the poor to half-priced essential medicines by establishing more than 4,000 Botika ng Barangay/Bayan outlets nationwide.

Although Filipinos keep on complaining about the present administration’s governance, one should also try to acknowledge the accomplishment and the good things done by the Arroyo administration.

Especially ordinary

flickr.com

A lot of teenagers are lucky enough to go to college. A number are privileged to go to prestigious universities. But a few, the chosen few, could get into the University of the Philippines and be labeled as one of the country’s brightest minds.

They say the UP student is the best of the best. He leads a simple life; is well-rounded and smart. The UP student is involved in the most pressing issues of the country because of his love for the motherland. He is willing to serve it even after he graduates—characteristic of a true iskolar ng bayan. He is noble, and he is proud of that.

Well, that’s what they think. Right now, this UP stereotype needs a reality check.

The ideal UP student is intelligent—an honor student, an achiever, a leader. Now, UP students are not necessarily intelligent. They are however hardworking and diligent—the reasons why they excel in the academe. Being a UP student is not merely struggling for knowledge and learning. It is constantly enduring the demands of school work together with extra-curricular activities and social responsibilities and of course, your personal time. But because you are from UP, the bar is raised higher as compared to the average college student.

The iskolar ng bayan is not the son or daughter of a business tycoon nor was he born to an old-rich family. The iskolar ng bayan is the son or daughter of a humble worker in the fields or an employee in government offices or small enterprises or even self-employed individuals just struggling to make ends meet. This is why the ideal UP student is accustomed to and enjoy a simple lifestyle. But now, the UP student has his fair share of branded outfits and sophisticated gadgets. Havaianas footwear, signature shirts, and the best laptops only fall a little short of the ordinary. UP has opened its doors a little wider now for the higher middle class and even the elite.

The real UP student takes a lot of pride from where he’s from. You can see him in his UP jacket, UP shirt, UP lanyard, UP baller and everything else that screams “UP” to anyone who bothers to look. But where does this UP pride stem from? It is from the realization that the UP student owes his education to the taxes of the Filipino people, and he is supposed to give back what he owes. But what is there to be proud of when this is precisely what the UP student has forgotten?

UP pride is not anymore about being of service to the motherland. It is not the reason why the UP student excels in school. He continues to excel in school to advance his status in the competitive economic and business-centered world that will welcome him when he graduates. The love for learning and the eagerness to seek knowledge is not anymore the driving force in intellectual discourse. The UP student doesn’t anymore seem interested in making significant changes through innovation. He is merely struggling to keep his head above the turbulent waters of trying economic times. The priority is a better life for himself, because more than anything else, he needs to ensure his own survival first. He has become just like everybody else.

People may say that the UP student is the head of the pack of his generation. He has what it takes to make things happen. But people change and nothing stays constant. We may attribute these changes to an evolving culture or increased influence from all over the world. But we cannot deny that every individual still has his own choice. And given that UP is a symbol of democracy, free will and social responsibility, we can stay that the UP student has taken a stand for himself, one that people cannot question, a decision we can only hope is intelligent.

Wanted Perfect Boarding House

There were reports that some operators of boarding houses in Miagao do not comply with the rules and regulation set by the municipality. Also there were persistent rumors that most boarding houses do not issue receipt upon the boarder’s payment of monthly rental.

In accordance to these, the researchers conducted a census in order to find out whether these claims have enough grounds.

“Boarding House” as defined in Miagao’s Municipal Ordinance No. 96-04 is any house where boarders are accepted or accommodated for compensation by the week, or by month, and where meals are served to boarders; or where boarders occupy space only. For the purpose of this ordinance, a boarding house includes any dormitory.

It is essential that there are clear standards governing the care provided in these settings, and that these standards are monitored and enforced effectively.

This report concerns monitoring of boarding houses based on the requirements cited on Miagao’s Municipal Ordinance No. 96-04. The purpose of this report is to outline findings from our inquiry that will highlight serious problems with the way boarding houses are being managed.

Most Boarding House operators do not abide on the Ordinance which regulates the operation of boarding houses in the Municipality of Miagao.

The reporters conducted an initial interview with at least 10 boarders and owners to assess the common problems among boarding houses. In addition, a municipal ordinance was requested from the municipal office to serve as the guidelines in making the questionnaire.

In order to determine the trend, the reporters conducted a survey among 20 respondents. Each of the respondents comes from a particular boarding house in Miagao town proper or private dormitory within the UPV dorm area. A questionnaire is given to the respondents for data gathering.

The study is limited to the following boarding houses and private dormitories:

1. Car An’s Place

2. Royal Angels

3. Romyr’s Apartment and Dormitory

4. Pink House

5. RL

6. Fajarillo’s Residence

7. Nafunar’s Residence

8. Mumbay

9.  Balay Cawayan

10. Susan’s Dormitory

11. St. Michael’s Dormitory

12. Rey Dumalag’s Fashion Corner

13. Nonato’s

14. Monte Claro Building

15. Neild’s Apartel

16. Saquian Boarding House

17.Natonio’s Dormitory

18.Nochete Boarding House

19.Kamalig ni Cano

20.British House

The search and interviews with various sources showed that:

• 12 out of 20 boarding houses do not issue receipt for the boarder’s payment of monthly rental. 

Issuance of receipt is important for taxpaying purposes. If operators of boarding houses do not issue receipts, it only means that there is a big possibility that they are not also paying their taxes exactly to the government.

• 11 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide a registration form to the boarders upon admission.

This violates the Sec. 9 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04.(No owner, manager or operator of a boarding house shall accept a boarder unless he/she has signed his/her name, entered his/her address, residence certificate and personal circumstances in a register of boarders.

• 10 out of 20 boarding houses do not have fire exit.

This violates the Sec. 4 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04. (The house must be installed with a fire alarm system and have an adequate fire exit aside from the main door.)

• 6 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide a printed copy of house rules and regulation in each room and reception room.

This violates the Sec. 10 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04. (The owner/operator of the boarding house shall post in each room and reception room, in printed form, a house rules and regulations for the information and guidance of the boarders, shall prohibit, among others, gambling, use of prohibited drugs or regulated drugs without a doctor’s prescription, and other violation of laws, rules and regulations.

• 5 out of 20 boarding houses do not provide/institute safety and health measures for the boarders.

This violates the Sec. 11 of Municipal Ordinance No.96-04. (It shall be the duty and responsibilities of the owner or operator of boarding houses to maintain cleanliness of the boarding house and sanitation of the premises… It shall also be the duty of the owner or operator to provide and institute safety and health measures, such as fire escape, locked doors, first aid kit or cabinet and others.)

• Some of the concerns that were pointed out by the respondents were on the issue about sanitation, maintenance, privacy, security and lack of water supply.

The data show that only three (3) boarding houses were able to comply with the guidelines provided by the municipal ordinance of Miagao on the operation of boarding houses and private dormitories.

The issuance of receipt and securing the tenant’s information on or before admission are given the least attention by the owners of these commercial establishments.

Also, most boarding houses do not have fire exits but the owners have provided fire extinguishers which are not enough to secure the boarders.

If these problems will not be properly addressed, it can cause future problems between the owner, tenants and the government.

Commercial establishments should adhere to the rules and regulation in order to provide quality services to the students and to other tenants.

Boarding house owners should issue receipt to serve as proof of payments and to make sure that they are exactly paying their taxes. They should also provide fire exits or backdoor in case of fire and other unavoidable circumstances. The cleanliness of the area should also be maintained for the convenience of the boarders and for health reasons. They should also give privacy and secure the things of their tenants such by providing security device on the doors, lockers, and drawers. In order to monitor the operation of the boarding house, owners should allow and give permission to the government to inspect, check and examine the area and the facilities provided.

The issue on sanitation and water supply as well should be given proper actions in order to provide convenience to the boarders and to compensate to the amount that they are paying.

Prostitutes have price tags

People today still have a negative connotation when the words ‘hooker’, ‘prostitute’, and ‘whore’ are being mentioned. For them, these women are considered to be deviants of the social norms, immoral and carrier of sexually transmitted diseases; while media often portray them as a symbol of cultural and moral decline.

I’m not an advocate of women prostitution but I have several reasons to say why prostitution is not bad after all. Prostitutes are not committing an inherently harmful act. While the spread of diseases are possible in the practice of prostitution, criminalization is a sure way of not addressing such effects. Human beings have the nature of pursuing something which is prohibited to them. So if you prohibit prostitution, people will engage more on doing it.

Although prostitution is stereotypically considered as crime, it is still a victimless crime. Victimless in the sense that no one is necessarily harmed by doing it since the parties involved have both wanted it.

Often times it puzzles me why our society would jump with the conclusion that these prostitutes are trash, do not respect their body and are morally wrong.

If they are trash, then why is it that there’s still lot of men who would go into trouble just to have them. Trash is unworthy and priceless. Prostitutes are desirable with price tags.

If they do not have respect for their body, then why would they still bother to wear make up and make themselves beautiful. Respect comes with giving value and time to one’s self.

There are still lots of things to be considered morally wrong than just prostitution itself. In some countries, prostitution is being criminalized. I wonder why it is morally wrong for two people to go inside the room for sexual pleasure and money but it is not morally wrong for two men to  go inside the boxing ring and beat each other for money.

The dark side revealed

advertising-in.com

Advertising has grown to be the leading industry world wide. It is present almost everywhere. From billboards, newspapers, internet, and even in the simple packaging of products—advertising is always there.

In the world where every public spaces and where media has flooded and saturated with ads and endorsements, one question arise, is having widespread advertising good for a society?

Although advertisements help the consumers decide what to choose and what a certain product could offer, I believe this extensive advertising can be harmful to a society. It makes people want too much. It makes people get disappointed when they don’t have something they want very much. And it makes people open to risk of feeling insufficient and empty for not having something they can’t afford.

Advertising now days is just too much. You cannot start your day without being bombarded by these widespread endorsements. You walk down the streets and you’ll see posters of different businesses glaring at you. You try riding in a bus and you can’t reach your destination without having a glimpse with these giant billboards towering over you. Try listening to radio or watch television and you’ll have enough of these ads aired over and over again. This is how people are being attacked with information they do not necessarily need. Information that they may not want but are being imposed for them to embrace.

Some might say that no one is forced to look at these advertisements or one could even argue that you can switch the TV channels, or just flick past ads in newspapers if you don’t want to see these advertisements. Well, people cannot just choose to ignore advertising because advertisers use techniques to ensure that their messages cross their audience. Print ads for example have attention grabbing words or provocative pictures while TV and radio ads employ subliminal messages and effective jingles for easy recall.

Also, many advertisements do more than just advertising products. Some try to make people feel inferior if they don’t have the product. Perceptions of beauty and fashion have been defined by these media advertisements. Many young people have low-self esteem and live unhealthy lifestyles because they feel that slim body figure and white complexion makes a person beautiful.

Another downfall of having extensive advertisements around is that it makes people too materialistic. People now a days gives value more on material things because this is what’s being exposed to them most of the time. They tend to always want the latest product because advertisements portray that if you have it, you are on the top. People become selfish because they always think what they want. They put these material and superficial things on higher pedestal forgetting other things which value most like family.

Advertising is not bad. But having too much of it is a great deal to handle.