Opinion

The Special Agreement in Protected Areas (SAPA) has been another contentious issue facing the Northern Negros Natural Park in Negros Occidental, recently. This protected area instrument for land and other resource uses is not actually new, but its implementation was suspended several years ago because of numerous concerns as to its main purpose and who are supposedly the main beneficiaries of this 25-year agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.The suspension of the SAPA was later lifted, and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu issued Administrative Order 2018-05 providing an addendum to DAO 2007-17, which is the original guideline for special uses in protected areas.Last week, mainstream and online media platforms based in Bacolod City came out with reports claimi...

It is said that Trinity Sunday is every preacher’s nightmare. It does not have to be because while the Trinity may be the most profound mystery of our faith, the feast is more of a celebration of the nearness rather than the remoteness of God.The story of salvation recorded in the Scripture unfolds the gradual awakening of man to God’s unimaginable plan to enter into an intimate relationship with him. We see this in today’s readings.In the first reading, Moses is totally overwhelmed by the graciousness of God who deigns to speak directly to Israel, pick them out from among the nations, make them his own people, and save them from Egypt (the superpower then) with signs and wonders… Moses could only ask, “Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of?”In the seco...

We were cheered recently with the good news that the Bayanihan 3 stimulus bill was approved by the Committee on Appropriations which, according to Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Kiko Benitez who chaired the Technical Working Group, is “a crucial step for the passage of the comprehensive lifeline measure.”Who wouldn’t be pleased with it when the bill seeks to provide at least P2,000 for all Filipinos. I would be happy to get back a little something from this government, after all, I am a taxpayer. Since the pandemic started, all I got was one whole chicken thanks to San Miguel Corporation, 5 kilos of rice and several canned goods. And of course, the vaccine, thank you.P2,000 can go a long way and I will not be an ingrate to say it is not enough as others complained last year wh...

Long Covid is a term to describe the effects of Covid-19 that continue for weeks or months beyond the initial illness. Many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most make a full recovery within 12 weeks but for some, symptoms can last longer. The chances of having long-term symptoms do not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first got COVID-19. What’s the latest on Long Covid?The inaugural cohort of Mayo Clinic's COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program (CARP) for post–COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) were mostly women, younger, had few pre-existing comorbidities, and experienced milder forms of COVID-19, but only a third were able to return to full-time work.The descriptive study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, involved 100 CARP participants from Jun...

The global conservation communities commemorated International Day for Biological Diversity Saturday. This year’s theme calls for the participation of everyone in conserving and protecting nature.Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2000, this international event, that is now drawing attention from various countries, including the Philippines, aims to increase awareness and understanding on biodiversity issues and concerns. It calls, too, for immediate actions to address the declining quantity and quality of the world’s biological resources.Specifically, the theme for the 2021 commemoration of the Biodiversity Day is “We are Part of the Solution for Nature”, and international organizers encourage everyone to personally customize the theme with “I am Part of th...

“Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew…” One of my favorites, this hymn perfectly articulates the meaning of today’s feast, Pentecost. God sends the Holy Spirit to the apostles and to the Church to breathe life, his life, in them so they can continue Christ’s saving mission.The name Holy Spirit originates from the Hebrew word, “ruah,” which means breath or spirit.Obviously, the word connotes life and its principle. Thus, we read from the Bible about “the Spirit of God hovering over the waters” that started the work of creation. (Gen 1:2) Reading on, “God formed a man from dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7) Throughout the Scripture, the Holy Spirit is portrayed in many images (wind, breath, dove, oil, ...

We have not even made a dent in vaccinating enough number of Filipinos against COVID-19 to claim herd immunity, yet calls for possible booster shots, especially from US-made vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are already being made.This week, the national government announced that they have inoculated some 3 million Filipinos already. I suppose many of these are just first jabs but the 3 million is still a far cry from the 70 million we are targeting to attain herd immunity.But I am happy that more and more people are lining up to get vaccinated and are less choosy of the brand they’re going to get. I see a lot of friends posting their first jab and this kind of messaging is very powerful to encourage others to sign-up.If you notice, however, many who got inoculated by Sinovac, do n...

Digital technology has changed forever the way we communicate, build relationships, share knowledge, set social standards, and negotiate and assert our society's values. Digital technology has also distorted facts and fiction.We know that acting on the wrong information can kill. In the first 3 months of 2020, nearly 6, 000 people around the globe were hospitalized because of coronavirus misinformation. During this period, researchers say at least 800 people may have died due to misinformation related to COVID-19. CCDH is a UK/ US non-profit that disrupts the spread of digital hate and misinformation. Anti-Vax Watch is an alliance of concerned individuals who are seeking to educate the American public about the dangers of the anti-vax industry. CCDH and Anti-vax Watch ide...

While it is true Negros Occidental has lost much of its forest, both terrestrial and mangroves, as well as the declining quality of other natural ecosystems due to conversion into other purposes, like industrial development, agriculture, mining, road construction, and settlement, there are still several areas in the province that are worth protecting and conserving primarily due to their important life-support functions. In addition, these sites are potentials for nature-based tourism, if only the true concept of ecotourism, meaning ecological tourism, is properly planned and executed.Any development, however, that will deform, alter or destroy the natural setting of our environment is absolutely contrary to what ecotourism is all about. Ecotourism development must be sensitive and res...

The theme of the Lord’s Ascension into heaven offers us a rich fount for spiritual and theological reflection.In this homily, I wish to share just two simple personal thoughts on ascension as homecoming and mission.The Lord’s ascension marks the return of Jesus to his heavenly glory after fulfilling his saving mission from the Father which began with his incarnation and culminated in his passion, death and resurrection. The ascension thus was an exaltation of Jesus at the end of his earthly existence as he gave his final report of a “mission accomplished” to his Father.HOMECOMINGI love to think of the ascension as a homecoming. After accomplishing his mission on earth, Jesus comes home to the Father. The ascension also points to our own homecoming. At the last supper, Jesus...