Welcome 2011

A professor of mine sent a text message that is very much appropriate as we welcome 2011 in our midst. SHALOM is a Hebrew greeting which means that the one who greet is asking God to bestow upon a person all the good things he/she could possibly think of like: good health, success, safety, joy, abundance...So, SHALOM to all of you for 2011.

Happy New Year Everyone...

Civil Service Examination Results - October 17, 2010

Results for the Civil Service Examination - Paper and Pencil Test taken last October 17, 2010 has been released yesterday. Visit http://www.csc.gov.ph and see if your name is included to the list of passers.

Congratulations!



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Everyone...

Female gov’t workers who undergo surgery entitled to special leave

Women employees in government who will undergo surgery due to gynecological disorders are now entitled to avail of special leave.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through Resolution No. 1000432 promulgated on November 22, 2010, has issued the guidelines for the availment of special leave benefit granted under Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW).

Covered by the special leave benefit are female employees in the public sector, regardless of age and civil status, who have rendered at least six months aggregate service for the last 12 months prior to undergoing surgery for gynecological disorders.

Under the CSC guidelines, the special leave shall be for a maximum period of two months per year with full pay based on her gross monthly compensation (monthly basic pay plus mandatory allowances). It may be used for the period covering the surgery until recuperation. Absence incurred from the pre-surgery period, as well as those in excess of the two months allowed under the special leave benefit, may be charged against the employee’s earned leave credits.

The benefit covers procedures provided in the List of Surgical Operations for Gynecological Disorders formulated by a Technical Working Committee composed of obstetrician-gynecologists, surgeons and medical doctors.

Further, the CSC guidelines state that “the special leave benefit is non-cumulative and not convertible to cash.”

The guidelines shall be implemented retroactively starting September 15, 2009 or the day the MCW took effect. This means that employees covered by the said guidelines who have undergone surgery and recuperation due to gynecological disorders from the said date onwards are allowed to avail of the special leave.

Those who used their sick or vacation leave credits for surgery and recuperation that occurred between September 15, 2009 and November 21, 2010, the day prior to issuance of the CSC guidelines, can have their leave credits restored.

For a full copy of CSC Resolution No. 1000432, log on to www.csc.gov.ph.

Chinese teen kills self when blind date turns ugly

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 16:39:00 01/05/2007

Filed Under: Internet, Social Issues

BEIJING -- A 17-year-old boy in northeastern China was so disappointed with the looks of a woman he met over the Internet that he hanged himself after seeing her face-to-face, state media reported Friday.
The unnamed teenager first contacted the woman -- known by her chat moniker "Qunjiaofeiyang", or "Flying Skirt" -- using the popular Chinese online messaging software QQ, Xinhua news agency said.
The girl described herself as a beautiful 19-year-old and the pair chatted on the Web for weeks before arranging a December 26 rendezvous in the nearby city of Mudanjiang, in far northeastern Heilongjiang province.
The boy arrived to discover the woman far less attractive than advertised and 10 years older than him, Xinhua said.
The boy immediately returned home, lost his appetite, and four days later hanged himself from a tree.

Job Vacancy - National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)

NOTICE OF VACANCY

 

 

Applications are open for the position of Regional Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the following regions: Regions I,  II, III, V, IX, X, XII and XIII (CARAGA).

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

·         Must be a CESO III holder

·         Belonging to any of the IP groups in the  ethnographic region where s/he is applying

·         Solid record of advocacy for the IPs and IP agenda

·         Working knowledge of government processes and programs for mainstreaming IP concerns

·         Good Administrative and managerial skills to run a regional IP office

·         Good communication and interpersonal skills

·         Ability to build and sustain partnerships with IP constituents and support group groups

 

SUBMIT APPLICATION AND CURRICULUM VITAE TO:

 

The Search Committee-Technical Working Group on the NCIP

Presidential Management Staff Building, Arlegui Street

San Miguel, Manila

 

or

 

EMAIL: search.ncip@gmail.com

 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION: 10 December 2010, 12pm

The Irreplaceable Void

A story worth sharing

4 years ago, an accident took my beloved away and very often I wonder, how does my wife, who is now in the heavenly realm, feel right now? She must be feeling extremely sad for leaving a husband who is incapable to taking care of the house and the kid. 'cos that is the exact feeling that I have, as I feel that I have failed to provide for the physical and emotional needs of my child, and failed to be the dad and mum for my child.

There was one particular day, when I had an emergency at work. Hence, I had to leave home whilst my child was still sleeping. So thinking that there was still rice leftovers, I hastily cooked an egg and left after informing my sleepy child.

With the double roles, I am often exhausted at work as well as when I am home. So after a long day, I came home, totally drained of all energy. So with just a brief hug and kiss for my child, I went straight into the room, skipping dinner. However, when I jumped into my bed with intention of just having a well-deserved sleep, all i heard and felt was broken porcelain and warm liquid! I flipped open my blanket, and there lies the source of the 'problem'... a broken bowl with instant noodles and a mess on the bedsheet  and blanket!

Boy, was I mad! I was so furious that I took a clothes hanger, charged straight at my child who was happily playing with his toy, and give him a good spanking! He merely cried but not asking for mercy, except a short explanation:

"Dad, I was hungry and there wasn't anymore leftover rice. But you were not back yet, hence I wanted to cook some instant noodles. But I remembered you reminding me not to touch or use the gas stove without any adults around, hence I turned on the shower and used the hot water from the bathroom to cook the noodles.. One is for you and the other is for me. However, I was afraid that the noodles will turn cold, so I hid it under the blanket to keep it warm till you return. But I forgot to remind you 'cos I was playing with my toys...I am sorry Dad..."

At that moment, tears were starting to run down my cheeks...but I didn't want my son to see his dad crying so I dashed into the bathroom and cried with the shower head on to mask my cries. After that episode, I went towards my son to give him a tight hug and applied medication on him, while coaxing him to sleep. Then, it was time to clear up the mess on the bed. When everything was done and well past midnight, I passed my son's room, and saw that he was still crying, not from the pain on his little buttock, but from looking at the photograph of his beloved mummy.

A year has passed since the episode, I have tried, in this period, to focus on giving him both the love of his dad and mum, and to attend to most of his needs. And soon, he is turning seven, and will be graduating from kindergarten.. Fortunately, the incident did not leave a lasting impression on his childhood memories and he is still happily growing up.

However, not so long ago, I hit my boy again, with much regret. This time, his kindergarten teacher called, informing me of my son's absence from school. I took off early from work and went home, expecting him to explain. But he wasn't to be found, so I went around our house, calling out his name and eventually found him outside a stationery shop, happily playing computer games. I was fuming, brought him home and whack the hell out of him. He did not retaliate, except to say, 'I am sorry, Dad'. But after much probing, I realized that it was a 'Talent Show' organized by his school and the invite is for every student's mummy. And that was the reason for his absence as he has no mummy.....

Few days after the caning, my son came home to tell me, the kindergarten has recently taught him how to read and write. Since then, he has kept to himself and stayed in his room to practise his writing, which I am sure, would make my wife proud, if she was still around. 'cos he makes me proud too!

Time passes by very quickly, and soon another year has passed. It's winter, and its Christmas time. Everywhere the christmas spirit is in every passer-by...Christmas carols and frantic shoppers....but alas, my son got into another trouble. When I was about to knock off from the day's work, the post office called. Due to the peak season, the post master was also on an edgy mood. He called to tell me that my son has attempted to post several letters with no addressee. Although I did make a promise never to hit my son again, I couldn't help but to hit him as I feel that this child of mine is really beyond control. Once again, as before, he apologized, ' I'm sorry, Dad' and no additional reason to explain. I pushed him towards a corner, went to the post office to collect the letters with no addressee and came home, and angrily questioned my son on his prank, during this time of the year.

His answer, amidst his sobbing, was :  The letters were for Mommy.

My eyes grew teary, but I tried to control my emotions and continued to ask him: " But why did u post so many letters, at one time?" My son's reply was: " I have been writing to mummy for a long time, but each time I reach out for the post box, it was too high for me, hence I was not able to post the letters. But recently, when I went back to the postbox, I could reach it and I sent it all at once..."

After hearing this, I was lost. Lost at not knowing what to do, what to say.....

I told my son, " Son, mummy is in the heavenly kingdom, so in future, if you have anything to tell her, just burn the letter and it will reach mummy. My son, on hearing this, was much pacified and calm, and soon after, he was sleeping soundly. On promising that I will burn the letters on his behalf, I brought the letters outside, but couldnt help opening the letter before they turn to ash.

And one of the letters broke my heart....

Dear Mommy,

I miss you so much! Today, there was a  'Talent Show' in school, and the school invited all mothers for the show. But you are not around, so I did not want to participate as well. I did not tell Dad about it as I was afraid that Dad would start to cry and miss you all over again. Dad went around looking for me, but in order to hide my sadness, I sat in front of the computer and started playing games at one of the shops. Dad was furious, and he couldnt help it but scolded and hit me, but I did not tell him the real reason. Mummy, everyday I see Dad missing you and whenever he think of you, he is so sad and often hide and cry in his room..  I think we both miss you very very much. Too much for our own good I think.. But Mummy, I am starting to forget your face. Can you please appear in my dreams so that I can see your face and remember you? I heard that if you fall asleep with the photograph of the person whom you miss, you will see the person in your dreams. But mummy, why havent you appear?

After reading the letter, I cant stop sobbing. 'cos I can never replace the irreplaceable gap left behind by my wife....


For the females with children:

Don't do so much overtime. If you cannot finish the work, it must be some kind of problems within the company, and it is not your sole problem. Feedback to your boss. Endless overtime may not necessary be the answer to the problem. Take care of your health so that you can treasure and take care of your little precious.


For the married men:

Drink less, smoke less, cause nothing can replace your good health, not even business nor clients.

Try thinking this way, are you able to work till your clients are totally dependent on you? or your boss is totally dependent on you? In this society, no one is indispensable.

Take care of your health, so that you can take care of your little precious and your loved ones.

For those singles out there:

Beauty lies in loving yourself first.

With confidence and loving yourself, you will see the beauty in other things around you. You will be able to work better and happier. Don't let your health be affected by your work or your boss, so nothing matters more than your well being.

For everyone:
Love God above all things for He is our everything. He gave His only Begotten Son to save us from our sins and prosper us. Let's love one another forHis Honor and Glory. 

Female gov’t workers who undergo surgery entitled to special leave - CSC

Women employees in government who will undergo surgery due to gynecological disorders are now entitled to avail of special leave.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through Resolution No. 1000432 promulgated on November 22, 2010, has issued the guidelines for the availment of special leave benefit granted under Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women (MCW).

Covered by the special leave benefit are female employees in the public sector, regardless of age and civil status, who have rendered at least six months aggregate service for the last 12 months prior to undergoing surgery for gynecological disorders.

Under the CSC guidelines, the special leave shall be for a maximum period of two months per year with full pay based on her gross monthly compensation (monthly basic pay plus mandatory allowances). It may be used for the period covering the surgery until recuperation. Absence incurred from the pre-surgery period, as well as those in excess of the two months allowed under the special leave benefit, may be charged against the employee’s earned leave credits.

The benefit covers procedures provided in the List of Surgical Operations for Gynecological Disorders formulated by a Technical Working Committee composed of obstetrician-gynecologists, surgeons and medical doctors.

Further, the CSC guidelines state that “the special leave benefit is non-cumulative and not convertible to cash.”

The guidelines shall be implemented retroactively starting September 15, 2009 or the day the MCW took effect. This means that employees covered by the said guidelines who have undergone surgery and recuperation due to gynecological disorders from the said date onwards are allowed to avail of the special leave.

Those who used their sick or vacation leave credits for surgery and recuperation that occurred between September 15, 2009 and November 21, 2010, the day prior to issuance of the CSC guidelines, can have their leave credits restored.

For a full copy of CSC Resolution No. 1000432, log on to www.csc.gov.ph.

Trends and Patterns in Social Development Efforts of the Philippine Government By: Victoria A. Bautista (Professor, College of Public Administration, University of the Philippines)

Introduction

          In 1966, Herbert Blumer bewailed the difficulty of defining social development. In fact, he ended his classic article on “The Meaning of Social Development” with the statement that the “idea of social development is vague and confused”. He argued that societies differ in their goals and in the means and standards in attaining them. In spite of this difficulty, Stewart Macpherson (1989: 70) later averred that a generic definition can still be given of social development. According to him, social development is the enhancement of well-being and the progressive enrichment of the quality of people’s lives. Likewise, the United Nations Center for Regional Development (UNCRD) attempted to define “social” to make sure that it is not confused with other types of development activities. The term “social” generally suggests the nonmaterial or less economic factors which contribute to the overall quality of life, and in particular those aspects which are more concerned with people rather than with material things. Thus, no matter what paths or visions societies tread, those which contribute to the betterment of people’s conditions can be considered as a component of social development.

Definition

Social development is a process which results in the transformation of social structures in a manner which improves the capacity of the society to fulfill its aspirations. Society develops by consciousness and social consciousness develops by organization. The process that is subconscious in the society emerges as conscious knowledge in pioneering individuals.

Development is a process, not a programme. Its power issues more from its subtle aspects than from material objects. Not all social change constitutes development. It consists of four well-marked stages -- survival, growth, development and evolution, each of which contains the other three within it. The quantitative expansion of existing activities generates growth or horizontal expansion. Development implies a qualitative change in the way the society carries out its activities, such as through more progressive attitudes and behavior by the population, the adoption of more effective social organizations or more advanced technology which may have been developed elsewhere. The term evolution refers to the original formulation and adoption of qualitative and structural advances in the form of new social attitudes, values, behaviors, or organizations. While the term is usually applied to changes that are beneficial to society, it may result in negative side-effects or consequences that undermine or eliminate existing ways of life that are considered positive.

Social Change and Development

According to Lande(1986), social change refers to the “significant alterations in social relationships & cultural ideas”. It is assured that social and cultural factors are inseparable inasmuch as they are interrelated.

Carolina Pascual says: “The shift from rural to urban life; from agricultural to industrial company; the introduction of democratic patterns and their focus on individual freedom and initiative; keener competition for economic survival is that both parents are focused to work; greater opportunities for personal and professional enhancements; increased participation of women in activities outside the house – all of these have left their marks on the Filipinos”. All of the foregoing factors are closely associated with a sociological term called social change.

Theories of Social Change

1.    The Evolutionary Theory

-       Implies that societies evolved from the simple and primitive to the more complex and advanced form. Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher and revolutionary theorist believed that, as society grows, the functions of its members become more specialized and better coordinated into the bigger system.

2.    The Conflict Theory

-       Suggests that as societies progress, oppressed groups struggle to improve this lot. Karl Marx, a German thinker and political analyst, believed in the conflict theory and predicted the revolt of the masses under the capitalist economic system. He saw the upcoming conflict as a stage of development and that human society is evolving toward a more perfect state in w/c everyone would be equal and where the capitalist economic system would be overthrown.

3.    The Cyclical Theory

-       Oswald Spengler (1918), a pessimistic cyclical theorist, believes that decay is inevitable. This theory suggests that every society is born, matures, decays and eventually dies. His theory hinges on the political experience of the Roman Empire that uses the crest of power and then, gradually collapsed. Spengler contended that, in a certain period of time that social change may take the form of progress or of decay, but no society lives forever.

4.    The Structural Functionalism Theory

-       Believe that society is a balanced system of institution. Talcott Parsons, an American Sociologist, noted that in the Structural Functionalist Theory, society is composed of various parts, each of which has its complementary functions. It views that when events outside or inside the society disrupt the equilibrium; social institutions readily make some adjustments to restore stability.

3 Factors that Influence Social Change

1.    Social

2.    Economic

3.    Political

The term development is sociologically equated with social change. Development is only those changes which are seen desirable. It is viewed as an important improvement in the quality of life of people, whether the dimension is economic, political or social. Sociologists classify different countries based on the level of development. Development is a continuous change. It is in this context that they came up with certain acronyms like DC (developed countries) and LDCs (least developed countries).

          Sources of Social Change

1.    Physical Environment (e.g. Labor, flood etc.)

2.    Population – changes in relation to size, density and composition

3.    Science and Technology

4.    Social Inequality

5.    Youth

Benefits of Technological Change

1.    Increased production of goods and services;

2.    Reduced the amount of labor needed to produce goods and services;

3.    Gives people high standard of living and made jobs easier

Contributions of Technology

1.    Internet

2.    Change in the taste of music

3.    Cellphones

Human Side Effects of Technology

1.    Environmental Pollution

2.    Depletion of Resources

3.    Unemployment

4.    Turns a child into a space cadet (computer games)

Processes that causes Social Change

1.    Discovery

-       A shared human experience of an element of reality which already exists. Discoveries become a factor in social change when new knowledge is put to new uses.

2.    Invention

-       A new combination or a new use of existing knowledge.

3.    Diffusion

-       The spread of culture traits from group to group.

-       Takes place whenever societies come into contact.

(Two) 2 Modes of Social Development

          Two broad periods characterize the management of social development in postwar Philippines. The first period spans from 1946 to 1991 of the centralist/sectoral period and the second, from 1991 onwards, the devolution period.

CENTRALIST/SECTORAL MODE

Management of Social Development

          Management of development in a sectoral, centralist mode was characterized by the formulation of development policies and plans by the President and his cabinet members. They were provided with technical support by the national planning body. Implementation was undertaken by the sectoral departments.

          Three Phases of Centralist Structure

1.    First Phase (Lack of Unity) – spans the postwar period until 1972 when management lacked a unified framework as a basis for sectoral departments to interface in planning and for establishing machinery for the implementation of local social development.

2.    Second Phase (Towards a Unified Effort in Management) – covers the years 1972 until 1985. A comprehensive set of policies to unify the general management of development activities from the national to the regional levels was initiated with the formulation of the Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP) of 1972.

3.    Third Phase (Forging NGO Interface) – continues on with the salient provisions of the IRP. It was in this period that the interfacing of nongovernmental organizations in the planning process was formalized.

The Role of Social Development in Overall Development during the Period

          The emphases given to social development in the overall thrust of the country maybe summarized into four (4) phases;

1.    First Phase – views social development merely as supplementary to economic development. This was apparent until 1957.

Components of Social Development

·         Provision of social services

o   Constituted by education and public health

·         Provision of social welfare

o   More reactive in nature as the service was extended to those who are already beset with problems. The clients targeted were the “destitute, the unfortunate victims of calamities and dissidence, and others not in position to take care of themselves or be taken care of by relatives and friends.

2.    Second Phase – characterized by the view of equal and interrelated role of social and economic development to achieve the goals of development.

·         President Carlos P. Garcia’s Term

o   Aimed to promote social justice and general welfare together with the economic goal of achieving a balanced economy by providing impetus to both agriculture and industry.

·         President Diosdado Macapagal’s Term

o   Continued President Garcia’s platform.

o   Alleviate the common man’s plight and to restore economic stability.

o   Address the plague of unemployment and the need to create conducive and adequate incomes for the people.

3.    Third Phase – may be considered as retrogression as only lip service was given to social development. This characterized the Marcos years.

a.    Ushered a grandiose design for social development from1978 – 2000 in anticipation perhaps of his long term vision to remain in office.

b.    His goal demonstrated priority concern for social development. He declared that the underlying current and the heart of the plan was the concern for social justice.

c.    Marcos’ design was direct and purposeful as it focused of the poorest of the poor by focusing on:

                                                 i.    Health – Medicare was introduced

                                                ii.    Nutrition – National Nutrition Council was formed in 1974

                                               iii.    Population - POPCOM was created in February 1969

                                               iv.    Education – upgrading quality education

                                                v.    Housing – became a national priority program. Created the Ministry of Human Settlements.

                                               vi.    Social Welfare – shifting of focus from affected individuals to organized group.

4.    Fourth Phase – demonstrates the resurgence of social development effort and the initiatives to incorporate the community-based approach as a strategy. This was the dominant view from 1986 until the present.

a.    Eradication of poverty and the attainment of a better life for each and every Filipino in an equitable and just society (NEDA 1986).

b.    Institutionalizing and participation of non-governmental Organization in local governance.

Administration of Social Development under Devolution

1. Administrative Context
1. Implementation of the 1991 Local Government Code. It drastically transforms the administration of social development of the Philippines. It signals the transfer of vast power to the local government.
2. Thrust
1. Attaining the quality of life as an ultimate goal of development efforts.
2. Two chief strategies

                                         i.    Empowerment

                                        ii.    International Competiveness

Strategies and Approaches

-       To ensure the realization of the area-based approach development, the Ramos’ administration has adopted the five emerging strategies and concerns:

o   Minimum Basic Needs(MBN) approach

§  Survival needs (Health,nutrition,water etc)

§  Protection from physical harm

§  Enabling Needs (Education, livelihood etc)

o   Focused targeting

o   Community-Based Information System

o   Community-based Approach

o   Capability Building

Conclusion

          On the whole, the most difficult years in forging social development was experienced in the last decade of the Marcos administration. Many indicators for social development either declined or improved at a very slow pace. These measures were crude death rate, infant mortality rate, nutrition, family planning, housing and unemployment rate.

          The Aquino administration marshaled its efforts to improve on these conditions. Labor management substantially improved during this administration as indicated by the drop in the number of strikes, increase in the number of unions and a decline in the percentage of workers going abroad. Despite these efforts, unemployment increased perhaps because the opportunities for employment had not been sufficiently generated despite a big investment for the economic sector in previous years. Further, the Aquino administration bogged down in the area of population control as its policy on family planning was perceived as one of ambiguity.

          In spite of the consistent concern for the poor in post war development efforts, poverty has remained a major problem. The poverty situation declined minimally from 44.2 percent in 1985 to 40.2 percent in 1988. A slight increase was witnessed in 1991 with poverty incidence of 40.7 percent.

References:

Bautista, Victoria A. - A Reader in Philippine Social Development Administration

Zulueta, Francis M. – Sociology (focus on the Philippines) 2005

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6235213/Social_development