By: Danielle Lois E. Afuang (text and photos)

Entrance of Mt Makiling trail. A father and a son is on their way to pay for their entrance fee and see the inside of the mountain.

There is a Filipino belief that if you are lost in a forest, you should flip your clothes inside out so that the forest spirits will allow you to get out of the forest (Story on Mt. Apo). In Mt. Makiling, traveling to Los Baños, Laguna and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, you don’t have to do such thing.

However, you have to collect garbage inside the mountain to be able to go out. Make it Makiling (MIM) is the annual program of Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME)  during the Lenten Season that aims to uphold the values of ecotourism to the visitors of Mt. Makiling.

In the annual report of MCME on Make it Makiling, about 60% of the total number of visitors (about 20,000 visitors) per year came during the Lenten season. Aside from the open visit areas of Mt. Makilling: Mudspring, Flatrocks, Peak 2, it is only during Lenten Season that MCME opens the Sipit Train, because aside from the months of March to May, the rest of the calendar suggests a normal or a rainy day which is quite unsafe. It’s better to hike the Sipit trail during the hottest time of the year when the ground is dry and safe for hiking.

Last April 3, 2015, access to Mudspring area was cut until 10:00 am of Good Friday because of the  Typhoon Chedeng. Even with the early end to MIM this year, the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) is still implementing the “Garbage In, Garbage out” policy and other rules in the area to promote ecotourism.

Lenten season or as the Filipino calls it Semana Santa, is a week-long break from work to reflect on the coming of Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. This time of the year, different groups of people (families and friends) take this vacation break to visits churches to conduct Visita Iglesia. While, according to Marjorie, a visitor from Sariaya, Quezon, others like them go on a hike to be one with nature.

The concept behind MIM is ecotourism and its five E’s: Enjoyment, Economic, Engagement, Educational and Environment. In the stations set by MIM, visitors are to follow them to be able to make it to Makiling. So, how do you Make it to Makiling?

Rule number 1: Follow entry requirements. The first two things needed to ‘Make it to Makiling’ are valid Identification Cards (one I.D. for every five people) and an entrance fee of Php15 per person, the fee is inclusive of a colored rubber bracelets that is used to monitor MIM visitors. There should strictly be no bringing of alcohol, cigarettes, sharp objects, or writing materials.

Concrete road of Makiling Trail

Rule number 2: Observe access hours. According to the MIM rule “visitors may come through the Mariang Makiling Trail anytime but are restricted from entering the Wilderness Zone (this is from the Jump off area up until Peak 2) from 3:00pm to 5:00am”.

Map of the Mariang Makiling Trail. Tayabak campsite is at the lower part, malaboo is near the jump off point also know as the wilderness area.

At 3:00 in the afternoon, volunteers from Peak 2 go down the trail and informs all visitors they come across with to go down the trail with them and avoid possible dangers at dark. Hikers can rest at the camping area and are reminded that they can continue their trekking the following day starting at 5:00 am. This is done to prevent accidents and unmonitored camping in dangerous places.

Rule number 3: Use established hiking trails. This is to ensure a safe road for the visitors to follow. The roads leading to the Mudspring and Flatrocks may be slippery thus hikers must follow directions to avoid accidents in unsafe areas.

Rule number 4: Camp in designated campsite. There are two camping areas, the Tayabak Campsite (Tayabak means Jade Vine in Filipino) opposite the Mudspring road and the Malabòo Campsite (Malabòo means Rafflecia Flower in Filipino), near the Jump Off point. Camping is not allowed in the peak areas of the mountain. These two flowers are significant to Mt. Makiling because the mountain supports the increase of these two flowers. Hikers can see these flowers along the trail.

Forester Ben Arizala, head of the volunteerism component of MIM, said that naming the camp sites with flowers allows that visitors to learn about the flowers of Mt. Makiling. This information will allow them to identify the flowers when they see them and learn to respect them at the same time.

Rule number 5: Garbage-in-garbage-out.According to the Los Baños Municipal Anti-Littering Ordinance No. 2001-08 to be followed by the hikers with accordance to Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001). However, the MIM employs a different mechanism to ensure the cleanliness of the mountain. Hikers are required to surrender any kind of trash at the exit of the trail. This is a requirement for them to follow if they want to leave the mountain. Forester Aldin Alegre, head of the waste management of this year’s MIM, said that hikers must go up again to find trash if they have not surrendered any kind of trash upon their exit.

A visitor segragating garbage they accumulatated during the hike.

Trash bins for different kinds of garbage.

Rule number 6: Leave what you find. Mt. Makiling reserve is an ASEAN Heritage Park. Needless to say, everything that is part of the natural features of the mountain is very important: plants, rocks, leaves, birds, and other organisms. MIM officials would jokingly remind the visitors that they are not allowed to take home anything inside the mountain except for one thing: pictures. This is to lessen adverse effects to the ecology inside the mountain and for other visitors to witness the natural beauty of a certain species.

Rule number 7: Beware of obnoxious plants and insects. Mt. Makiling is a forest reserve; there are many species of plants and animals that live within it. Some of which are dangerous to humans. Lipang Kalabaw, a plant that can be found in the recesses of the mountain. This causes a hot sting on the skin which will last for three days. Another common species that is to be avoided is the limatik or the forest leech. To avoid the limatiks, hikers are encouraged to wear pants and long sleeves. Hikers can also use insect repellant to avoid different kinds of insects and other unwanted small organisms.

Rule number 8. Respect Wildlife.  There are times when visitors will chance upon animals living inside the forest like snakes, frogs, lizards, birds, etc. It is important to keep distance from the animals to avoid unwanted, sometimes dangerous, encounters. “Most animals are eager to escape if not provoked”, as mentioned in the MIM leaflet produced by the MCME.

Rule number 9: Prevent forest fire. No Smoking! Mt. Makiling is inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños management and the university prohibits smoking. This time of the year, the fallen leaves are extra dry because of the heat of the summer. This makes the mountain more prone to forest fires. As a safety precaution cigarettes are confiscated at the checking area. Although the management is strict, a Japanese hiker, Mr. Kasuda, said that during his hike in the morning of April 1 he still saw some cigarette butts along the trail.

Rule number 10: Stop Vandalism.Similar to the previous rule, this rule is to lessen distractions to the forest.  For. Arizala, said that the writings and carvings on the barks of trees may cause sickness to the tree and possible abnormalities to the trees.

Guide Tommy Timog, briefing the visitors.

Rule number 11: Be considerate of other visitors. There are different kinds of visitors. According to last year’s report on the MIM 2014, the primary reason of their visit is ‘penance’ with regards to the Lenten season, but some are also there to experience the wilderness.  Different hikers interact with each other that is why, MIM highly recommend meeting new friends in their time of visit and know their purpose on why they chose Makiling. This is will help the visitors understand how to act accordingly with other hikers.

Rule number 12: Familiarize yourself with this guide. Volunteers at the briefing station hand out leaflets of the rules and regulations (which are the 12 rules listed  in this articles) and the picture of the trail. It is very important for visitors to refer to this leaflet when in need. It is important that visitors familiarize themselves with first aid stations located at designated areas shown in the map and the emergency contact numbers University Police Force: 09495362803/ 536-2243 Los Baños Mayor’s Office: 09495362589/ 530-2818

Next Lenten season, you might also want to ‘Make it Makiling’, just don’t forget these basic reminders.

by Roi Louis F. Mojado and Jahn Patrice M. Rington

Sun’s out, ball out!

Brgy. Batong Malake, Los Banos started its month-long Inter-Purok Basketball League last March 28 at the Batong Malake Covered Court.

With the leadership of the barangay’s Sports Committee Head Jomer Eusebio, representatives from the eight puroks in the barangay participated for this year’s basketball league.

“Tinuloy namin siya dahil nga ang habol ng mga kabataan dito sa barangay ay basketball (We continued the event since the youth here in the barangay really likes basketball)”,  Coun. Eusebio explained.

This Year’s Inter-Purok

For the past years, only players until age 25 can join the summer league. Now, players from 26 years old and above participated in the basketball game. Along with the newly introduced categories – senior and super senior – there were a total of five categories for participants this year and they were grouped according to their age brackets:

• Mini, for children aged 13 and below;
• Midget, for children aged 14-17;
• Junior, for aged 18-25;
• Senior, for adults aged 25-37; and
• Super senior, for aged 38 and above.

All players attended the screening weeks before the start of the league. During those screenings, the participants were asked to show the requirements (birth certificate and proof of barangay residency; senior and super senior category players game fee of P1000). The said screenings were held by Eusebio and Rene Elayda, the barangay’s Sports Coordinator.

The championship game and the awarding of the winners under the mini, midget, and junior category were held last April 19. The winners for this year’s league were:

• Purok 3 – Bangkal, Mini category;
• Purok 2 – El Danda and Sipit, Midget category; and
• Purok 2 – El Danda and Sipit, Junior category.

The winners received medals and trophies.

Meanwhile, the games for the Senior and Super senior categories opened last Sunday, April 26.

On the same note, the barangay have already selected the players who will be representing Batong Malake in the upcoming Inter-Barangay Basketball League of the municipality this August. The Sports Committee have selected Mini and Midget players from each of the eight puroks of the barangay.

According to Ref. Ocampo, coach of the team, their preparations for the Inter-Baragay League started right after the selection of players. The team practices twice a week every Saturdays and Wednesdays at the barangay covered court.

Kids ruling the court

Nowadays, children can start playing competitive basketball at the early age of six. Last March 30 at 9:00 am, the teams of Purok IV-A (Team Umali) and Purok V (Team Clebelmore) in the Mini category played their first game. Children between six and 13 years old, despite the small physique, were smoothly able to manage the game. They dribbled the ball effortlessly across the very wide court and shot the ball through the high hoop.

SMALL BUT TERRIBLE. A player from Purok V dribbles the ball away from his opponents despite his height.

“Ang liliit nila, pero ang gagaling (They are all little, yet so great)” 11-year-old Abi Macatangay expressed her amazement while rooting for Purok IV-A.

Parents and children cheered and yelled for the sons throughout the one-hour game. Most of the mothers held up their phones and tried to snap a picture of their sons while in the game.

“Go anak!” A mother shouted at the top of her voice as she cheered for her son who was aiming for a 3-point shot. The crowd enjoyed the game of the little players.

An answer to physical inactivity

Coun. Eusebio headed the event because he also wanted to encourage the youth to see the importance of engaging in sports. “Para na rin siguro mahikayat sila na magkaroon ng active lifestyle (It was also to encourage them to have an active lifestyle)” Coun. Eusebio said.

According to a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Institute of the Department of Science and Technology in 2008, 86% of the Filipino youth aged 11-18 years old are physically inactive and this contributes to the risks of having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity among children.

Health experts suggest that a child should be physically active for at least an hour per day. One of the best ways to help children become physically active is by enco uraging them to engage in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

Referee Jonjon Ocampo, one of the facilitators of the basketball tournament, explained that events like this could help in keeping children away from unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle.

“Sa nakikita ko kasi, ‘yung mga bata sa panahon ngayon ay nahihilig sa computer, sa mga gadgets, at pagtambay. So para maging active sila, physically fit at bilang exercise na rin nila, maganda na sumali sila sa mga ganitong events (As I see, children nowadays are becoming attached to computers, gadgets, and laziness. So as an exercise and opportunity for them to be active and physically fit, it is good for them to participate in such events)”,  Ref. Ocampo said.

More than just a game

Aside from encouraging children to be physically active, basketball tournaments can also hone a child’s values of teamwork and sportsmanship.

“Kumbaga kahit papaano, bukod sa pagbuo ng friendship, magkaroon rin sila ng konsepto ng teamwork, mabuo ‘yung samahan na sila ‘yung magkakakampi, at yung pagiging sport (In a way somehow, aside from building friendship, they can also acquire the concept of teamwork, form a union of co-members, and become a sport)” Ref. Ocampo explained.

SUPPORTIVE AND PROUD. Mrs. Babes Jimenez takes a picture of his son while in the game.

Babes Jimenez, mother of a player from the Purok V team, is delighted because of the league. She said that events like this are really of great help when it comes to encouraging children to be active in sports at a very young age. For her, it also serves as an opportunity for children to learn the values of cooperation and discipline.

“Ang sport kasi talaga ng anak ko ay futsal, pero inencourage ko na rin siyang sumali dito since ibang discipline din naman kapag sa basketball. Para habang bata, maencourage na rin silang mag-engage sa sports (My son’s sport is futsal, but I also encouraged him to join here since it is a different discipline with basketball. So as a child, they can already be encouraged to engage in sports)” Mrs. Jimenez added.

Aside from letting her son explore and improve his skills in basketball, Mrs. Jimenez also said that she encouraged her son to participate in the event to have new friends.

“Usually kasi ang kaniyang mga friends ay nasa school lang din, so dito sa basketball ng barangay marami siyang magiging bagong kaibigan (His friends are mostly just from school, so in this event, he can meet more new friends)”, Mrs. Jimenez said.

According to Coun. Eusebio it is likewise possible for the barangay to conduct a sports event for the young girls. “Pwede naman ‘yan magawan ng paraan. Sa katunayan, gusto ko nga sanang makipag-tie up sa mga samahan sa UPLB para magconduct ng sports event na mas maraming kabataan ang pwedeng kasali (We can make way for that to happen. In fact, I was thinking of tying up with groups in UPLB to conduct a sports event where more youth can participate)”, Coun. Eusebio said

Summer sports league without the SK

Coun. Eusebio said that organizing the sports activities of the barangay is not easy because he also has other responsibilities as a barangay councilor. The money used for this year’s league expenses is from the SK’s budget for sports.

Coun. Eusebio, with the help of Mr. Elayda, the referees, and table officials, handled the managing of papers on the league’s program of work, allotting the budget, and buying of equipment and other things needed in the said summer league. He also talked to referees Jon Jon Ocampo, Jojo Basquez, Marlon Antonio, and Alvin Montecillo. They are the referees who already coached the summer league participants for years.

Inter-Purok Back Then

Before the SK was put on hold, they were the ones who organized the inter-purok and other sports activities in Batong Malake. Their sports activities back then include different events for basketball, volleyball, and chess. These were usually held during the summer, when students are on vacation.

Batong Malake’s SK chairperson from 2010 to 2013, Debbielyn Mirabelles said the SK council plan the events and then have these approved by the barangay council.

“Kung napagplanuhan na, kailangang ma-approve muna ang budget at program of work. Pagkatapos, paghahandaan na ang liga at magpapa-meeting para sa mga coach at sa ibang tao na involved sa activities (After planning, the budget and program of work have to be approved first. Then, we get ready for the league and hold meetings for the coach and other persons involved in the activities)”, said Mirabelles

“Mga dalawang buwan bago ang liga ay napaghahandaan na namin ang liga (About two months before the league, we are already planning the event)”, she added.

Better With or Without SK?

Jojo Basquez, a referee in the summer league for more than a decade now, said that the management of SK regarding the basketball league and other sports activities differs a lot from the management now. He said the one managed by the SK was relatively more organized.

Ref. Ocampo said he thinks it was more organized then when it was the SK who organizes these events. “Siyempre kasi nakatutok sila sa kanilang goal na magpalaro sa mga bata. Ang mga konsehal kasi may mga trabaho ding iba sila at kumbaga nagiging singit na lang ito (They are focused on their goal to involve the youth in such games. The councilors, though, have other tasks so this sometimes becomes minor)”, he added.

For the past years, the eight puroks have complete representatives per team. Yet this year, some of them had additional tryouts to complete their roster.

Other hitches for the organizers include gathering the participants to attend the screenings. It was, however, resolved by encouraging the residents, especially those from Purok 8 – Jamboree, to join so they have their representatives.

SK reform faults

The SK of 2013 was the last batch of leaders before its postponement. There will officially be no SK elections yet to replace them this year after Pres. Benigno Aquino III signed the Republic Act 10656 , or “An Act Postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to the Last Monday of October 2016” on March 25, 2015.

SK is the venue for young Filipinos to be trained as leaders. It was institutionalized under the Local Government Code of the Philippines (RA 7160) passed in 1991. It is composed of a chairperson, seven members, a secretary and treasurer who serve for a three-year term.

The youth council is formed to share resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the youth in the barangay; to initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, spiritual a physical development of the members; and to conduct fund-raising activities.

However, it has faced a lot of issues as an institution: corruption, nepotism, ‘hakot’ system, vote buying, and focusing only on sports and pageantry programs.

Sports activities and programs are still important events of the barangay. However, there have been reports that sports activities become the major sources of corruption in the SK. To address this, one of the SK reforms being considered include broadening community involvement not just in sports and youth development but also in education, employment, entrepreneurship and health.

According to RA 10656, SK elections will be moved to the last Monday of October 2016, synchronized with the next barangay elections.

Batong Malake’s sports initiatives while SK is on hold

Even without the youth council to manage the barangay’s sports activities, Coun. Eusebio still made plans on engaging the residents of all ages, not only the youth, to participate in the games. These events will help the Batong Malake youth to develop friendships, sportsmanship, and healthy camaraderie among the participants.

Coun. Eusebio admitted that the preparation for this year’s event was in a rush because of the absence of SK. For now, he is hoping for a successful execution of the event.

by: Kimberly B. Salamatin, with reports from Louise A. Barcial

The UPLB Genetics Society (GeneSoc) conducted the 10^th Genetics Camp (GeneCamp) at the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS), UPLB last April 18-19.

Participants consisting of 50 high school students and 13 teachers from different parts of the country attended the two-day event. This year’s camp revolved around the theme “OriGene: Reconstructing the Past and Interpreting Present Human Variations through Anthropological Genetics”.

Students were engaged in genetics-related activities composed of a symposium, tour, seminar, and several contests. The main speaker of the seminar, Mr. Jae Joseph Russell B. Rodriguez of the Genetics and Molecular Division, gave the participants an introduction to anthropological genetics.

Participants listening to the seminar during the 10th Genetics Camp last April 18-19 at UPLB.

Teachers, on the other hand, attended a special workshop entitled “Genetics: DNA Extraction”. They also went to the molecular biology and biotechnology laboratory to observe different apparatuses and equipments as well as some of the process carried out in the laboratory.

Since 2006, GeneSoc promotes and creates awareness of genetics through GeneCamp activities.

Gian Lorenz S. Vergara, head of Genetics Camp 2015 said that GeneCamp was made especially for high school students and teachers to raise awareness among younger generations. It helps them understand what genetics is and how it affects individuals. Vergara also added that the camp also aids in the dissemination of recent discoveries and trends on genetics to the participants.

In celebration for the 10^th year of GeneCamp, GeneSoc included a socials night wherein all participants performed together with other schools as a form of “stress relief” in the midst of two arduous days of competitions.

After the contests, seminars, and symposiums, GeneCamp concluded with Philippine Science High School Western Visayaz Campus declared as the overall champion for the second straight year.

A participant competing for poster making contest.

The other camp participants were the Philippine Science High School Main, Tabaco National High School, Brent International High School Subic, Ramon Magsaysay High School Main, Laguna College, and Regional Science High School for Region I.

“It was fun. Overall maganda siya kasi (it was nice because) we learned a lot from it”  Philippe Jesse C. Prieto, a participant from Ramon Magsaysay High School Manila, said.

GeneCamp was held in partnership with Choral Ensemble, The Parliament: UPLB Debate Society, Red Cross Youth UPLB, and UPLB Painter’s Club.

Nakaranas ng mga aberya sa  pagboto ang ilang mga barangay sa Laguna.

Sa Antonia Manuel Magcase Elementary School, sa Sta. Isabel, San Pablo City, nakaranas ng napakahabang pila ang mga botante dahil dalawang PCOS machine lamang ang gumagagana.

Sa Brgy. Del Remedio, San Pablo City ay may mga naiulat na kaguluhan dahil sa magkakaibang sistema sa pagpila at paghihintay para maka-boto.

Sa Siniloan ay nakakaranas naman ng problema ang ilang botante dahil sa wala daw ang kanilang pangalan sa listahan ng mga voting precincts. Sa parehong bayan ay merong halos 1,500 na pangalan ng botante ang tinanggal sa listahan habang may isa namang pitong taon nang patay ngunit nasa listahan pa rin ang pangalan.

A child stands in front of their house found in Maahas, Los Baños relocation site. The relocation site has 76 houses which the Municipal Urban Development and Housing Office built for informal settlers of Barangays Bambang and Lalakay.

by Asle Carey A. Ciscar

The woman wailed when she saw their clothes, utensils and other belongings washed out from their house in Bambang, Los Baños. The sight was painful for Irene Malana, 44, who had their house cleared during the havoc of Habagat or southwest monsoon in August.

Malana said it was past midnight of August 8 when they heard a huge blast due to collapse of terrain and rocks from the mountainside. She said that upon hearing the blast, residents immediately ran to the evacuation center because of fear for massive landslides.

“Akala namin hanggang doon nalang ang buhay namin kasi may gumuguho dito, mayroon din dyan, meron pa doon. Kasabay pa nun yung napakalakas na daloy ng tubig na may kasamang mga bato [We thought that our lives would end there because there were landslides everywhere. Synchronous to it was flashflood that carried away rocks], she said.

Malana was one of the 496 informal settlers in Bambang who were displaced from their houses due to massive flooding, rockslides and landslides. Yet despite the risks of informal settling in Bambang, barangay officials said that the number of informal settlers is increasing. From 1,345 families in 2008, they already have recorded 1,800 families in the first quarter of 2012.

Increased informal settlers

Records from Municipal Urban Development and Housing Office (MUDHO) show that the increase is not in Bambang alone, but in the whole Los Baños, Laguna. From 6,366 families in 2011, MUDHO has recorded an increase of 462 families in 2012. Bambang has the highest number of informal settlers among the municipality’s 14 barangays.

According to National Statistics Office (NSO), it has a total population of 109,210 in 2011, about 31% of which are informal settlers or squatters. Los Baños is located just 63 kilometers southeast of Manila, which also has its problems with informal settlers.

According to MUDHO Administrative Assistant Annie Dimaano, the increase was highest since the start of informal settling survey in 2002. She said that even if no relocation of informal settlers from Manila to Los Baños was taken, the increase was still incurred due to increased number of immigrants from different provinces such as Sorsogon, Bicol and Quezon.

Comprehensive inventory

In response to informal settling problems, MUDHO has started in August its first Comprehensive Inventory of Informal Settlers. The inventory involves demographic and economic profiling of informal settlers in the whole municipality, as well as other factors that would help MUDHO in establishing appropriate solutions.

“Hindi tapal-tapal na solusyon ang gusto ng present administration, kundi permanent solutions. Kung walang inventory, kung ano lang makita, yun lang ang masosolusyunan [The present administration wants not selective but permanent solutions. If there’s no inventory, only those problems seen can be solved],” said Dimaano.

Dimaano added that the result of the inventory will be the “basis of MUDHO in establishing comprehensive, permanent and rational shelter plan” to address informal settling problems in the municipality.

Relocation

MUDHO has also been relocating residents from Bambang, Lalakay and Tuntungin-Putho to relocation sites in Maahas and Lalakay.

The program called Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) provides “typhoon resistant housing units” for families who were greatly affected by typhoons Milenyo and Reming. Each family-beneficiary will receive P70 000.00 cost of assistance and will build their housing units themselves. It was implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development of Region IV-A under the Administrative Order No. 76, Series 1998.

Dimaano said that through CSAP, they already have relocated a total of 124 families. She said that 100 more houses are being constructed for the CSAP housing project. She added that based from the partial result of the comprehensive inventory in August, they are now making an inventory of collected housing sites where they could establish community settlements that are “far from danger”.

Dimaano also admitted that the ongoing construction of housing sites is not enough to cater the needs of informal settlers in Los Baños. She said one of the major problems they face is to find an idle land where the informal settlers can be relocated.

Meanwhile, Lilibeth Pondivida, a former resident of Bambang, was one of the residents relocated to Maahas relocation site. She was living in upper Dampalit then and experienced numerous rock slides and flashfloods.

“Ngayon maayos na tulog namin. Hindi tulad noong nasa taas, inisip mo lagi na baka may babagsak na bato. Kung bumaha man dito, hanggang talampakan lang at hindi pa malakas ang agos,” said Pondivida.

Employment woes

Pondivida, however, said that living is far difficult in relocation site than in upper Dampalit. She said that they could depend their living in resources available in upper Dampalit, such as various crops, drinking water and firewood; while not even a single crop can be planted in the relocation site. She added that people in the relocation site could hardly get stable jobs since most of them have not finished their education.

“Kung bumabagyo, mas magandang tumira dito. Pero kung okay naman yung panahon, mas maganda dun kasi mas madali ang buhay sa taas [It’s better to live in relocation site if there are storms. But life is easier in upper Dampalit],” Pondivida said.

Matilde Erasga, livelihood officer of Gender and Development (GAD) Los Baños, said that GAD has been conducting livelihood trainings for women development. Dubbed as “One barangay, One product”, the program mobilizes 30 female residents in each barangay.

As the program title implies, women are trained on how to produce a particular product which they can sell for a living. Erasga added that the program provides capital for the participants so that they can be able to start a small business.

Erasga cleared that the program is not offered for informal settlers alone. But according to her, barangay officials, who determine the program beneficiaries, focus on mobilizing informal settlers because “they need it more than anyone else.”

Everyone’s task

Since the whole municipality is affected by the problems of informal settling, Dr. Esteban Godilano, a member of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines,  said that everyone should get involved and participate in addressing them, like helping the local government in monitoring areas and prohibiting people who plan to build houses illegally. He said the government, on the other, should secure stable jobs for informal settlers, as well as lead and support everyone’s effort.

“If we would be able to tap issues on informal settling, informal settlers would contribute to the development of the municipality,” said Dr. Godilano.

He said that informal settlers could provide benefits to the municipality as most of them provide blue collar jobs such as construction workers, carpenters and laundresses. He said that, if mobilized, they could also help in cleaning, rehabilitating and restoring the environment.

“Ang parte ng problema ay parte din ng solusyon [A part of a problem is a part of solution as well,” he added.

Gilbert Malinaw, one of the top notchers of the ALS Program, delivers his speech.

by Rose Jeanette L. Agustin and Kimberly M. Afundar

They once looked at him with judgment and scrutiny, but now they look up at him as if he was a different person.

It was all like a dream to Gilbert, a 21 year-old detainee in Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Los Baños, Laguna. But as he marched towards the stage during the commencement exercise of the Alternative Learning System-Literacy Reform Program (ALS-LRP) Los Baños last September 5, he knew that dreams do come true; and that hindrances, like being a 2-year detainee, won’t stop him in fulfilling his dreams.

Gilbert, from Brgy. Batong Malake, Los Baños is just one of the many learners of ALS. This program prioritizes Out-of-School Youths (OSYs) and adults, drop-outs, persons with disabilities and less fortunate people who live below poverty line coming from disadvantaged and underserved communities. Gilbert was one of those who got side tracked by his peers and by the false pleasure from vices. With that, he dropped out from high school and was accused for drug pushing.

“Sinayang ko yung sustentong binibigay sa’kin ng mga nagpapaaral sa akin Akala nila nag-aaral ako pero nasa barkada [ko] lang ako. (I wasted all the money that was given to me. They thought I’m in school, but the truth is, I’m wit my peers),” he said.

The beginning of hope

Gilbert and his other inmates were informed about ALS-LRP which is a non-formal education program. This program offers its graduates a diploma that provides them opportunities to enroll college or other training programs and into better paying jobs. He thought that this would be a great opportunity for him to gain one of the most important things he had lost – education.

With the program, he then realized that there were still a lot of things he didn’t know. ALS-LRP helped him become more knowledgeable about mathematical problems and most of all, essay writing.

People who made him push through

The encouragement from his second family played a very important role for Gilbert. When Gilbert got jailed, his biological parents despised him and stopped recognizing him as their son. However, his aunts and uncles kept him and made the effort of getting him out. They paid his private lawyer and visited him regularly. The help given to him made him more determined to return the kindness of his second parents and win back the trust of his family.

More than his family, the people from ALS-LRP motivated him as well. Municipal Councilor Lourdes Principe, who established the program, encourages him and other inmates to continue as well. Councilor Principe admits that what she saw in the learners of ALS-LRP is somehow parallel with her own life.

As one of those who were less fortunate in life, Councilor Principe and her mom used to sell samalamig (juice drinks), bibingka and other kakanin (rice cakes) in the markets in order to support their family and continue her studies.

“Kung meron kang dream sa buhay mo, you will achieve it. Basta determined ka sa education, walang imposible. (If have a dream in your life, you will achieve it. As long as you are determined to pursue your education, nothing is impossible),” Councilor Principe said.

According to her, the other goal of ALS-LRP – which is to accommodate not just smart students but even those who are drop-outs and “pasang-awa’s” – is also pretty much in line with her advocacies.

ALS-LRP’s Advocacies and activities

One of the advocacies of the program is to make education accessible to everyone no matter what status they have in life. The learners need not to be smart or knowledgeable. As long as they are basically literate, they are qualified to be part of the program.

In ALS-LRP, the learning session which is called Learning Support Delivery System (LSDS) focuses on essay writing and reading comprehension. Learners are also equipped with skills in English communication, problem solving and critical thinking. These are preparations for the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (A&E) since an ALS learner will only graduate if he will be able to pass the said exam.

The students will take their A&E test after 800 hours of LSDS. For Gilbert and 8 other inmates, their A&E exam happened on October 23, last year. After the exam, they had to wait for four months to know if they passed or not.

When the results came, Gilbert was pleasantly surprised on the results of his exam. He was one of the passers of the exam but more than that – he was actually one of the topnotchers nationwide.

“Natawa pa nga sa’kin yung mga kakosa ko kasi nagtatatalon ako sa tuwa. Sumasayaw-sayaw pa ako. Agad kong tinawagan yung pamilya ko. Na-feel ko na yun na yung simula ng pagbabago ng lahat. (My inmates even found me funny when I jumped and even danced for joy. I immediately called and my family to tell them the news. I had the feeling that it things would change from then on),” he said.

Los Baños’ Mayor Anthony Genuino congratulates Gilbert Malinaw for being one of the topnotchers in the Alternative Learning System program

The turning point

Gilbert is now one of the successful learners who graduated from ALS-LRP. Since the establishment of the program in Los Baños in January 2009, it was able to accommodate more than 200 learners. From 18 graduates in each year of 2010 and 2011, it had increased to 32 graduates this year. Today ALS-LRP has expanded, not only with the number of graduates but also with their learning centers. From a single center in Gabaldon, other centers were established Bayog, Lalakay and of course, in BJMP, with plans of further expanding in other areas in Los Baños.

During the commencement exercises of ALS-LRP, Gilbert and eight other inmates were given five hours of freedom to attend and celebrate it as well. Municipal officials, BJMP inspectors, ALS-LRP facilitators and of course, their respective families witnessed this important event in their life.

Being a topnotcher, Gilbert was given the privilege to speak in front to deliver a speech. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he proudly delivered his speech. He thanked everyone who helped him with his journey and gave his deepest gratitude to the program, ALS-LRP.

The diploma for Gilbert did not only provide him open doors, but it also restored broken relationships and made him win back the trust from his parents. He promised himself that he will take care of this blessing forever. The chapter in his life where he became a learner in ALS, graduated from it and received his diploma became a milestone in his seemingly hopeless situation.

“It was all thanks to ALS-LRP and all the people behind it,” he said.

A step for a future

ALS-LRP always wanted its graduates to use their diplomas for good. The program hopes that they will use it to enter college and pursue education to the fullest. However, given the graduates’ status in life, they rather get employed. This is why as much as possible the program wants to provide scholarship grants to its graduates. According to councilor Principe, negotiations are still underway

For Gilbert, he plans to take up a computer-based course with his diploma. He promised himself that he would work on it seriously so he’d be able to graduate and have a college degree. Because more than graduating, he would want to give back to his parents.

Gilbert now knows in the importance of education. He now believes that, education is the only key for the future.

“Kung wala ang susi na to, di ka makakapunta sa road to success. Hanggang pinto ka lang. (Without education, you will not be able to enter the door which will lead to the road of success.),” Gilbert said.

He had experienced the hardships brought about by slacking in his studies but more than that, he had seen the consequences brought by the lack of it. Gilbert proved that by being persistent and hardworking, one will truly achieve one’s ambitions in life.

Living a life behind bars, Gilbert may still be deprived of liberty but this would never be the case o his hopes for the future. His plans may also be on hold by bars in his prison cell, but there is one thing that he is sure of, that with his patience and perseverance, his dream and aspirations will be fulfilled soon.