Archives for Politics category
Dear Doki-Rich,
Happy New Year!
It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was difficult not to call up the Emergency Room to ask about all of you and how you all did after the new year. But certainly, life is like that.
At the outset, please allow me to say that I hold no grudges nor have I ever regretted the decision to take on the JRBGH leadership… even while my heart (which used to be majority “hospital mother”) is sad at the moment.
Thank you very much for the “Open Letter…” that you wrote. Can a heart enlarge non-physiologically, Doctor? My heart swelled with pride to know that there are among you who value my stay at the JRBGH. But, I had to caution myself… let the swelling stay in my chest… I did not want to be afflicted with emphysema of the brain… or symptoms to that effect.
But, even while I had decided to leave the JRBGH (where I was prepared to retire and die in… maybe not really “… die for…” as you said), I couldn’t help but try to point out a few things for you. It seems my leadership mode for the JRBGH hasn’t really been totally turned off.
Doki Rich, as soon as I arrived at the JRBGH a little over a year and 3 months ago, among other things, I made sure that we had a working Executive Committee (Execom) composed of the Division Heads and me. Please humor me by allowing me to explain why. Because I believed that everyone in the hospital needed to have a significant part in how we would run the hospital. We needed to allow every single person to be accountable not only to their immediate supervisors but to the hospital clientele, the people of Cagayan de Oro City: the main reason why we are. This meant that every week, the Execom met and discussed hospital concerns emanating from city hall, hospital management, personnel, patients and other stakeholders (DOH, media, the youth council, etc).
From these meetings, the Execom went to their Divisions to trickle down our thoughts and promote upstream run of issues. And once a month, we had a Hospital General Meeting to identify, air out and address concerns. (At this point, allow me to say thank you to everyone… those who supported what I tried to do: because they made my work easy and those who didn’t quite agree: because they kept me on my toes to try and be better.)
Why do I bring this up again? Because Doki-Rich, I want to point out that my leadership style called for the involvement of everyone and that such be properly implemented, too. I wanted to walk my talk. All of us needed to have a voice in how we run the hospital. All of us needed to know where we wanted to go. All of us needed to know our weaknesses. All of us needed to know our strengths. All of us needed to know our Vision and Mission: to be a tertiary hospital responsible for the health needs of Cagayan de Oro City. Thus, as your previous leader, I encourage you to continue to be responsible and accountable to yourself, the hospital and the people with regards what we are BEST in: the hospital care of Cagay-anons.
I do not intend for this to be a pitch for my return to the JRBGH. At this stage, I don’t think that’s best for our hospital. You were all witness to my experience there. My staying on will only mean that the JRBGH will not be able to get what it truly needs.
FOCUS instead on the Systems changes that can improve the services of the hospital: Fiscal autonomy or at least, retention of income and a revolving drug fund; Hiring of Resident doctors and augmentation of staff for expanded hospital operations; Review and modification of the procurement system; Training, training and more training for the staff (on clinical knowledge and values formation); and provision of appropriate benefits for personnel and staff. We need to open up our hospital to knowledge and technology that can markedly improve our services.
Doki Rich, our problem is not just money. It is a metanoia (is this the right word?) , on all levels. We need to take on our vision and mission. We need to live it and exert all our energies to “get there.” (as YOUR favorite President-elect aptly puts it. ) I hope we can “get there” without dealing with all these on a personal level.
While accolades and verbal or nonverbal support truly warms this ageing heart and adds to my treasure chest of fond memories to delve into during times of strife, I really should once more “lead” you away from this track. As I have said over and over again, no one is indispensable. Our systems should run; our services should be optimal whoever is at the helm.
Lastly, let me share with you this piece (attached file “national”) on why I think Nationalization of our Hospital is advantageous to all concerned. No one really asked for my opinion on this matter so please allow me to impose it on you. It is not a complete list, I am sure. It may not even be totally true as I did not consult with anybody on this. But, these are my personal ideas and if proven wrong, again, I shall humbly accept.
My warmest regards to you, Jovy and your beautiful family. Pa sobra pa diay: my personal and humble thanks to Jovy who selflessly turned over her hospital showcase. It shows what kind of hearts you have and where our hospital lies in your lives. And, while I have thanked you for this, let me say that one of the peaks of my stay at the JRBGH was having a website: ALL OUR VERY OWN! And this was because of you… May blessings upon blessings come upon you.
Yours truly,
DET
ADVANTAGES:
1. Direction for this government health facility will be in line with the New Public Management System of the Health Sector.
a. The DOH is the authority in health systems
b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City.
c. Rationalization of Health Resources based on Health Need for Cagayan de Oro City and Region X can be more fully studied and addressed.
2. The DOH has the budget for the Health Sector
a. A hospital under the DOH will have priority to its annual budget
b. The JRBGH need not compete with other services of the local government for its limited budget
c. The DOH has access to overseas funding agencies that regularly provides for the health sector and can direct some of these to the JRBGH
d. The LGU-run hospital will not need to constantly ask for a share in the national DOH budget for health; the JRBGH shall have a regular budget from DOH.
e. When properly managed with the appropriate directives, the JRBGH can further move towards sustainability with Corporatization and better fiscal management, thus providing for its own means to support advances and upgrading of facilities.
3. Continuing Education and training
a. DOH is the repository of brilliant minds in health: including training and education
b. DOH has regular training for its staff and personnel
c. Foreign-funded training coursed through the DOH will be available for the personnel of JRBGH
d. Services will be enhanced with training of the Administration, Nursing, Ancillary and Medical Staff of the Hospital
4. Hospital Services
a. All directives and orders of the DOH shall be implemented. These are guaranteed to provide optimum hospital health care for the patients.
b. Infrastructure completion can be factored into the short, medium and long-term plans of DOH for the JRBGH, hence completing the whole hospital as a Medical Center in probably 5-10 years.
c. Retention of Income can allow the hospital to continue to improve and add to its equipment complement to be able to provide the various basic and specialty hospital that is necessary in Cagayan de Oro.
d. A Revolving Drug Fund can be put into place immediately to correct the dearth of drugs and medicines. Emergency drugs shall then be always available for the hospital clientele.
e. Suppliers will not hesitate to negotiate with a re-nationalized hospital.
5. Personnel Benefits
a. DOH administrative orders shall provide the best milieu and work conditions for the staff of the JRBGH. Benefits shall be provided. The Magna Carta for Public Health Workers can be implemented.
b. National Qualification Standards and the Career Path for the Health Sector shall be implemented.
6. Others:
a. The hospital can continue to be named the J.R.Borja General Hospital and thus, hold on to the historical aspect of the hospital. It shall continue to be a City Hospital for Cagayan de Oro City but, more responsive to the City’s needs.
b. The JRBGH can be more involved in the Rationalization of Health Services for the City in particular and the whole region in general.
c. The JRBGH can be a more responsive Government Health Facility for Region X because an upgraded and properly managed hospital can provide the necessary tertiary health care while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center can be allowed to develop and provide Sub-specialty care. This will then mean that patients who need transplant surgery, advanced cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, neuro-surgery and other services need not go to Cebu or Manila for such
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Ownership will not anymore rest with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City.
2. Hiring, Firing and management will be turned-over to the National Government.
(Attachment: Dr. Tagayuna’s letter)
I am writing this to show my sentiments on the current issue that the Chief of Hospital of J.R. Borja General Hospital in the person of Dr. Dures Tagayuna received an order recalling her to the City Health Office.
What’s all the fuzz? Dr. Tagayuna has done more for the Hospital and it’s Personnel and Staff in the past 2 years she served as Chief of Hospital than any of her predecessors who served the same period. She was sweet-talked into running an almost dying institution probably not so much as to save it but more so in the hope of making her a political ally by the way things are going.
However, seeing that her being in her present office is not serving IT’S ORIGINAL PURPOSE but rather going in a different direction notwithstanding that direction is for the good of the institution and of it’s staff and clientele, she is being ordered to vacate her office in the pretense of being needed elsewhere for her leadership.
If the appointing office really believes in her capabilities as a leader, they will retain her in her present office and not put her at some imaginary station where she is supposed to be of better service. That reasoning may go unchallenged by the run of the mill folks whose loyalties can be easily bought by a handful of pesos but to expect the honest intelligent worker to believe that, is definitely an insult.
Dr. Tagayuna has her eye on the future of J.R. Borja General City Hospital. She hopes she can make a difference and leave a legacy for the succeeding generations of patients who will benefit from such changes. She is even willing to die for it but apparently others “entities” have set their sight on the hospital too and one can only wonder what they see.
What do they see? Do they see a leader who can bring the hospital to greater heights or do they see an obstacle to their own purposes? Do they see the health workers serving more than they are required to, under substandard condition, being exposed to communicable diseases with inadequate protection and no hazard fee? Or do they see sweatshops where they can cut down on benefits and save money for other projects? Do they see the father who is the breadwinner of the family laying sick in a worn out bed? Do they see the mother of 10 children taking care of a sick baby? Do they see a 10 year-old child wondering what he will do with the prescription in his hand because there is no medicine available in the hospital pharmacy? Or do they see that at least none of them are their fathers, neither their mothers, nor their sons nor their daughters? Do they see the sick who seek the comforts of the hospital or do they only see what the hospital can give back to the City?
Who took it upon themselves to be responsible for caring for the people? Do you? We at J.R. Borja General City Hospital do! That’s why we cannot just sit down and let anybody take away from us, a good leader who has given this hospital a direction. She boosted the staff’s morale that had been hanging low in the past several years and pulling her out means pulling everyone’s morale down.
If the goal is to make everyone subservient to the whims of a self-seeking power then the hope for change will be crushed. How long can one keep on banging his head against the wall if the wall does not give in? Until he finds another way to survive without banging his head on the wall.
I have worked in the hospital for almost three years now. With my training, I thought I could make a difference. On my own I found out I could not. It took the presence of a passionate leader to help realize some of those hopes. Suddenly, going to work is not so much of a burden anymore knowing what we are doing is not going to waste. While we still lack equipment to give the most basic of services, while we are still short on supplies, while some of our basic benefits are still not given to us, we can work thinking, all those problems are workable and someday the solutions will be found by the right person/s with the right attitude.
Health should be a priority that is not affected by biases, pride, and powerplay. Dr. Dures Tagayuna is the man for the job as Chief of the J.R. Borja General City Hospital. Remove her from the helm and the hospital will be like a ship without a Captain, driven wherever the wind fancies it to go. If you want to save the hospital put Dr. Tagayuna at the helm.
DR. RICHEL BACOT
Medical Officer IV
J.R. Borja General Hospital
SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW
Hereunder is the letter-appeal of the Coalition of Chambers of Commerce
and Industry Associations of Northern mindanao to
Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
COALITION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
Northern Mindanao
AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
14 October 2008
H.E. PRESIDENT
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Malacanang, Manila
Your Excellency,
With all humility we come to your Excellency on a matter of survival for our business. In the last three (3) consecutive years, our Revenue District in Cagayan de oro was consistently recognized as most Outstanding, among the country’s top three (3) in tax collection. This clearly demonstrates our cooperation with the Bureau of Internal revenue in nation-building through the payment of correct taxes.
However, the cooperation and tax consciousness of our members have been abused by the BIR Regional Director of Region XVI when he formed a Special Task Force composed of the Regional Special Investigation Division (SID) and issued hundreds of Letters of Authority (LAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) to conduct tax examinations on the heels of the annual tax audit by the Revenue District Officers (RDOs). The Regional Director has issued a barrage of LAs and MOs, repeated subpoenas duces tecum with undue procedural haste, giving no reasonable opportunity to our members to comply before the Regional Director imposes arbitrary and oppressive “assessments”.
Correspondingly, we most humbly appeal to you, Madam President, for the following corrective measures:
* the reassignment of Dir. Mustapha M. Gandarosa as Regional Director of BIR Region XVI, to another Region or to the National Office;
* retain the regular tax audit by the RDOs concerned on an annual basis and set the on-going series of tax examinations of the BIR regional Task Force, and accordingly, recall the tax “assessments” thereunder.
To demonstrate the depth and extent of our suffering under these oppressive tax examinations and “assessments”, our members will be constrained to stage simultaneous BUSINESS SHUTDOWN (SARA PROTESTA) initially on October 18, 2008 (Saturday).
Madam President, please help us survive, even under the looming world financial crisis.
Thank you ver much.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Efren T. Uy
President
Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Rodolfo L. Menes
President
Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce
and Industry foundation, Inc.
Quinciano H. Lui
President
Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce
Rogelio Lim
President
Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Industries
Mr. Yang Jian Xin
President
Philippine Chinese Chamber
of Commerce- Misamis OrientalChapter
Pershing Tanqueto
President
Ozamis City Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce
Antonio F. Chua
President
Bukidnon Filipino-Chinese Chamber
of Commerce and Industry
Nelia Lee
President
Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association
Elvira D. Tan
Regional Governor
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
The “Sara Protesta” has been moved to October 21, 2008 (Tuesday)
Posted on 2008 under People, Politics |
2
Sep
CAGAYAN DE ORO — Muslims in the province seek to stop the military operations against Moro rebels as the large Islamic minority observed the holy month of Ramadan Monday.
Alex Ampuan, Misamis Oriental director of the Office of Muslim Affairs, issued the appeal as evacuees, mostly Muslims, displaced by the ongoing military offensive hit the 80,000 mark according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Ampuan said Muslims will strictly observe fasting, not eating or drinking anything until sunset during the duration of the Ramadan.
“Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer even more prayer than usual. Also, asking forgiveness for the sins of the past, asking for guidance in the future, and asking for help with refraining from every day evils and try to purify oneself through self-restraint and good deeds,” Ampuan said.
He said the ongoing offensive have hurt civilians, Christians and Muslims, alike.
He added that the economy of Mindanao will suffer because investors will shy away from the region for fear of being caught in the middle of the war.
“Kung sincere ang National Government on seeking peace, then they should stop sending troops in Mindanao,” Ampuan said.
He also lamented that relationship between Christians and Muslims are soured because of the latest fighting. He blamed politicians for it.
Lieutenant General Cardozo Luna, chief of the Armed Forces Task Force Mindanao, said troops will continue pursuing Moro rebels responsible for the attacks on civilians in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte during the month of the Ramadan.
He said rebel leaders Umbra Kato, Abdul Rahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and Aleem Pangilian are “hardened criminals” and should be “showed no mercy.”
“They have turned into criminals when they attacked defenseless civilians. We cannot just forgive them,” Luna told reporters at the Camp Evangelista where he awarded medals to soldiers wounded in battle in Lanao del Norte on Monday.
Ampuan invited all Muslims to come to the Islamic Center in Barangay Nazareth to pray.
“We are inviting one and all to come and observe Ramadan for peace and order in Mindanao as well as embracing the will of the almighty One. Salaam to all Muslim brothers and sisters in the world,” he said. (Cong Corrales of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
Posted on 2008 under Consumer, People, Politics |
26
Aug
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today expressed fears that the city government of Cagayan de Oro is headed for a financial ruin as a consequence of the imprudent decision of the previous city administration to obtain a scandalously huge bank loan that is disproportionate to its paying capacity.
Pimentel said he was told that more than P1 billion worth of loan was granted to the Cagayan de Oro city government by the Land Bank of the Philippines without sufficient collateral.
From initial reports reaching his office, Pimentel said the collateral for the loan was in the form of a lot with a total area of less than 5,000 square meters. The lot is located not in the heart of Cagayan de Oro but in a barangay east of the city.
“The repayment of that loan and other existing loans of the city will impoverish the city and prevent it from delivering public services to its residents. Its internal revenue allotment will be consumed by the payment of these unconscionable loans,” he said.
Pimentel said that although local government units are authorized to borrow loans from banks and government financial institutions to finance projects needed by their communities, they should be of reasonable amount and should not unduly burden the LGUs.
He said the Cagayan de Oro city officials - both elected and appointed - who had a hand in securing the excessive bank loan should be held administratively and criminally liable for abusing the authority to borrow that is granted by the Local Government Code.
The senator from Mindanao said such anomalous loan is unfair to the residents of Cagayan de Oro since they will end up paying back the debt possibly in the form of higher local taxes.
“That is unjust to the people of the city. The Land Bank officials who approved the loans even if they would cause hardships on the people of the city should also be sanctioned,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel, principal author of the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160), said officials of the Land Bank have obviously failed to exercise due diligence and to comply with basic banking rules before approving the P1 billion to Cagayan de Oro city government.
He also stressed that the Internal Revenue Allotment - representing the share of LGUs from the collection of national taxes - is intended to help provincial, city and municipal governments meet the financial costs of delivering public services.
It is simply not right if the lion’s share of the IRA will be eaten up by the repayment of loans incurred by the LGUs, the senator said.
To prevent the abuse of the borrowing authority of LGUs, Pimentel said that any loan application should have the prior approval or consent of the provincial board, city or municipal council.
Likewise, he said there should be full transparency in the availment of loans by informing the people about such financial transaction. Mindanao Current
Posted on 2008 under Government offices, Politics |
18
Aug
MANILA, Philippines - Suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked two towns in Lanao del Norte province early Monday, prompting police in nearby Iligan City to go on heightened alert.
Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz appealed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hierarchy to send troops to his city to defend the residents.
“Sa ngayon ang heightened alert ang ating mga tao rito. Ilang municipalities from Lanao del Norte, ang Kolambugan at Maigo sinusunog ng MILF. Dahil dito ang information galing AFP kinumpirma, tayo naghahanda rin. Kung kailangan depensahan ang sarili gagawin natin (Our police forces are on heightened alert for now. We received word the MILF had attacked Kolambugan and Maigo towns in Lanao del Norte, so we are preparing to defend ourselves),” Cruz said in an interview on dzXL radio.
Citing reports reaching him, he said roads to Iligan City from Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns in Lanao del Norte, and from the cities of Ozamiz and Pagadian have been closed.
A military intelligence official confirmed that heavy fighting was on going in Kauswagan and Kolumbugan towns in Lanao del Norte since 4:30 a.m. Monday.
The same official said there have been no reported casualties so far in the skirmishes.
On the other hand, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said a convoy of the 104th Brigade was ambushed although no casualties were reported.
At the same time, Brawner denied reports that six priests have been seized by the attackers.
“Based on field reports, the priests just hid from the attackers. They have been accounted for,” Brawner told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
He said that as of posting time, troops are engaging the MILF forces headed by Commander Bravo, who has taken over the Kauswagan municipal hall. “We will consider them as criminals,” Brawner said. Appeal Mayor Cruz had appealed to commuters for understanding, adding it will be safer for them to stay home for the day. “Malakas ang bali-balita may mangyayaring malaking gulo. Kung totoo mas maigi sa tahanan (There is information indicating probable chaos. If this is true, it would be better for our commuters to stay home),” he said. But Cruz said that if the attacks were a message from the MILF to him, he said the city and its residents will not be cowed. Iligan City is one of the areas whose residents have rejected inclusion in a proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, as provided in a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain. “Kung ito ang ginagawa nilang mensahe sa amin nagkakamali sila. Steadfast kami, dapat respetuhin ang tinig ng Iligan (If this is a message of the MILF to us, they are sadly mistaken. We remain steadfast against inclusion in the BJE),” he said.
Cruz also noted the MILF attacks came after the bombings of at least two inns Sunday, where at least three people were reported injured. Also Sunday, a 30-minute power failure hit the city but Cruz said this was a power trip-off and not likely related to the MILF. He said power returned to normal between 11 and 11:30 p.m. - GMANews.TV
Joint Manifesto on the Full Implementation of the Magna Carta of Public Health
Workers
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AND STRONGLY DEPLORE THE FAILURE OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS
OF REPUBLIC ACT 7305, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA OF
PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS ENACTED ON MARCH 26, 1992
SUCH FAILURE HAS FURTHER AGGRAVATED THE POOR STANDARD OF
LIVING OF MOST OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AT PRESENT WHO
HAD BEEN SHORTCHANGED FOR SO LONG, AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TO
OUR HEALTH WORKERS LEAVING GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO LOOK FOR
GREENER PASTURE ABROAD.
THE UNABATED EXODUS OF HEALTH WORKERS WILL, IN THE VERY NEAR
FUTURE, CREATE AN UNMANAGEABLE HEALTH CRISIS WHEREBY SO FEW
HEALTH WORKERS WILL BE AROUND TO CATER TO THE HEALTH NEEDS
OF FILIPINOS.
WE REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TO
SPECIFY AND SEGREGATE IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT
GIVEN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, THE FUNDS NECESSARY IN
IMPLEMENTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2007 AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER
PURPOSES.
WE SINCERELY REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A MEMORANDUM DIRECTING/MANDATING ALL
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVES TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THE MEMORANDUM, OTHERWISE APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE
DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS WILL BE GIVEN.
WE THEREFORE REQUEST ALL CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
INCLUDING THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT THROUGH OUR PRESIDENT
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO TO STRICTLY IMPLEMENT ALL THE
PROVISIONS OF THE MAGNA CARTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS AS A
SIGN OF SINCERITY TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF LIVING OF OUR
HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVE OUR COUNTRYMEN BEFORE IT IS TOO
LATE.
PHILIPPINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
PHILIPPINE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS
PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICERS OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE NURSES ASSOCIATION
INTEGRATED MIDWIVES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS
NUTRITIONISTS DIETITIANS ASSOCIATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
PHILIPPINE DENTAL ASSOCIATION
http://www.pma.com.ph
