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When man becomes the worst beast on earth

THIS happens when we allow ourselves not to be guided by faith. No matter how intelligent and smart we are, if we are not guided by our Christian faith, it would just be a matter of time before we become the worst beast on earth, inflicting all kinds of evils far worse than what other animals can cause. We are reminded of this scary fact of life by that gospel episode where Herod started to get disturbed by what he heard about Christ. (cfr. Lk 9,7-9) “He was greatly perplexed because some were saying, ‘John has been raised from the dead’; others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” We, of course, know how this drama would unfold. It led to the worst evil that can be committed—the killing of the very son of God who became man to save us! The animals can only do so much harm on us. But we, when we are not guided by faith, can do a lot worse things—genocide, all kinds of evil conspiracies, etc.—until we ourselves reach that poin
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From enrollment to employment

Dear Mr. President : I am writing you about the long journey that Filipino students must make from enrollment to employment, and how difficult it is for them to arrive at their destination, and that is a stable job, while having a good career or profession. As it is now, that journey is fragmented, and they are bound to encounter problems in every fragment, and there is no one to help them with those problems, more often than not. According to human resources expert Ms. Deanne Hernandez, it is possible to plan the entire journey of students from the time that they are enrolled in the schools, to the time that they are assigned to temporary engagements as part of “on the job” (OJT) programs. Ms. Hernandez was quick to clarify that these should be real OJT programs with actual work to do, and not the bogus “programs” where the students are just assigned to make coffee and to photocopy documents. When I was the Dept. Manager of the Information Technology Systems Department (ITSD) of the P

MMSU-PhilRice paddy art showcases ‘IMEEsolusyon!’

City of Batac —The Mariano Marcos State University and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) unveiled this year’s rice paddy art featuring Senator Imee R. Marcos and her flagship program, "IMEEsolusyon!" on Sept. 11, 2024 at the MMSU Extension Demonstration Area. As a former Ilocos Norte governor Norte and a champion of agricultural development, Marcos continues to lead initiatives supporting local farmers, promoting food security, and improving rural infrastructure. Her “IMEEsolusyon!” platform underscores her commitment to these crucial issues, vital to the country’s agricultural progress. “I am deeply honored to be featured in this project. It not only celebrates my work but also pays tribute to the dedication of Filipino farmers and the future of agriculture,” Marcos remarked during the unveiling. She urged Ilocano farmers, particularly the youth, to join her in advocating for enhanced food security in the Philippines. “I would also like to commend MMSU fo

Imee: Empower farmers’ coops

Laoag City —Senator Imee R. Marcos sponsored a legislative measure on Sept. 9, 2024, that aims to further empower and strengthen cooperatives, which are considered a lifeline for farmers, fisherfolk, small businesses, and families as proven during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. “ Sa panukalang ito, layon nating gawing mas madali at mas abot-kaya ang kanilang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng tax exemption, mas mababang kapital, at maluwag na patakaran sa pagsasagawa ng joint venture,” Marcos said. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2811, which proposes the passage of the “Revised Cooperative Code of the Philippines,” aims to shore up the financial position and capacities of agricultural cooperatives by allowing farm and fisheries clustering and consolidation; and inter-cooperative arrangements “to pursue value and supply chain solutions and other agribusiness development programs.” This encourages big cooperatives to “adopt” micro agricultural cooperatives by infusing capital and know-

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy.   18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

US Hands Over P11.6-M worth of equipment to boost Cagayan’s disasters response

USAID mission director Ryan Washburn (5 th from left) and Cagayan provincial administrator Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor (4 th from left) with provincial government staff stand in front of a mobile storage unit handed over by USAID and the World Food Programme. Tuguegarao , Cagayan —On Sept. 9 and 10, 2024, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), handed over a mobile storage unit and mobile energy systems worth more than PHP11.6 million (US$208,000) to boost Cagayan province’s disaster risk reduction capacity. USAID mission director Ryan Washburn handed over a mobile storage unit that can store 50,000 food packs to Cagayan Provincial Administrator Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor.   The mobile storage unit will allow the provincial government to store food and non-food items so they can rapidly deliver life-saving assistance in the immediate aftermath of disasters. “For many years, USAID has dispatched teams to Cagayan

‘My father continues to live in the heart of every Filipino’

Laoag City —“Now, more than ever, my father continues to live in the heart of every Ilokano and every Filipino,” Senator Imee R. Marcos remarked during the wreath-laying ceremony for the 107 th birthday celebration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. in the City of Batac on Sept. 11, 2024. The province of Ilocos Norte commemorates every year the birth of President Marcos Sr. through a week-long celebration with various activities that aim to honor his legacy in nation-building. In Marcos’ speech, she emphasized that her father's legacy remains alive in the hearts of Filipinos, particularly Ilokanos, whose lives were significantly shaped by his leadership. She underscored how the late President's contributions have transcended generations and continue to affect the various sectors at present. "My father lives in the heart of every youth studying at public high schools, state universities and colleges, and the Mariano Marcos State University, which he fou