Special Report (Last of two parts) They put up common funds among towns or charge socialized fees in public hospitals By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com Maggie de Pano Fellow MANILA — When devolution proved to be too challenging in the earlier years, many public health workers and professionals started calling for the “re-nationalization” of their services.…
Category: Other Stories
66 years since Hiroshima, Nagasaki bombings, nuclear threats remain
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Environmental advocates and anti-imperialist groups condemned the continuing nuclear threat from the US as they marked the 66th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In August 1945, the US dropped atomic bombs in Japan’s two cities. This has so far been the only…
Aquino’s optimism on Philippine resilience to US debt crisis foolish – group
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com The Aquino administration is in a serious state of denial over the impact of the debt crisis in the United States on the Philippine economy. According to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the US’ debt woes will inevitably affect the domestic economy and the outlook is not good. Bayan…
Artists decry censorship, repression as CCP yields to pressure
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — A new formation of Filipino artists and civil rights defenders calling themselves Palayain ang Sining (Set Art Free) have taken up cudgels in defense of beleaguered artist Mideo Cruz. In a manifesto, the group said the whole controversy surrounding the Kulô exhibit at the CCP — particularly…
Groups call for probe on abduction of 3 farmers in Negros
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Peasant group Unyon ng mga Mangggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the abduction of three farmers by suspected paramilitary agents in Canlusong village, Enrique B. Magalona municipality, Negros Occidental. Farmers Michael Celeste, Gerald Abale and Jully Devero have been missing since…
DTI opposition to legislated wage hike hit
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Workers criticized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for opposing a bill seeking to legislate a P125 ($2.93) across-the-board wage hike nationwide. Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano filed House Bill 375. The late labor leader Crispin Beltran first filed a similar bill in 2001 as representative…
Urban poor group slams Aquino gov’t for continuing CARPER, CCT scheme
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Blame the lack of genuine agrarian reform in the country for the increasing number of urban poor and worsening urban poverty. Blame the Aquino government for continuing disastrous programs implemented by the previous administration. On the second anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and…
Probe of Pagcor’s release of millions to Arroyo’s district before May 2010 polls urged
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — A year after she stepped down from office, controversies and scandals continue to hound former president and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares wants the House of Representatives to investigate the transfer of P 435.15 million (US$10,116,279) from the funds of the…
Groups call on government to address issues raised by Col. Mariano
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
In Mariano’s three-minute video he said soldiers, too, feel what the ordinary people are feeling. “We also suffer the poverty brought about by the continuous price increases of commodities, medicines and food.”
Lower House passes bill banning ‘no permit, no exam’ policy in schools
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – A piece of good news to parents and students: the bill banning the ‘no permit, no exam” policy in schools was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives this week, Aug. 4. Students who cannot pay their tuition in time can now take their exams. “This is…
Environmental activist harassed
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com An environmental activist based in Cebu City was tailed and harassed by suspected intelligence agents on July 29 to 30. According to Task Force Justice for Environmental Defenders, Vince Cinches, country coordinator of international climate change organization 350.org, was on his way to Dumaguete City when he noticed men tailing…