The Value of Water

We don't think much about it other than that we expect it to flow from our taps on demand. We leave the it running when brushing our teeth, cleaning our cars and homes, and doing our laundry. We use potable treated water for flushing our toilets, or pouring into the ground for watering plants, and washing driveways.

While the world’s water is stuck on the planet with all of us, the all of us part of the equation is increasing. Furthermore, fresh potable water is getting harder to find. There’s plenty of water, but only if you like it filthy or salted.

Almost half the world's people face serious fresh water shortages, and of those that do get water, only half again have access to truly potable water that doesn't cause disease.

The forecasts for water availability are appalling, but the problem is complex with no easy answers. The lack of water is a bigger problem than global warming, terror attacks and new diseases combined.

There are many proposals to deal with existing and looming water shortages, but too many focus on mega-engineering projects like dams and pipelines, and less on rebuilding natural systems like forest watersheds and wetlands to conserve and provide water resources.

Pahang State in Malaysia had a Eureka moment when it realized it could sell water from forest watersheds to adjacent Selangor State for 70 Million Ringgit (P980Mln) annually, ten times more than the 7 million Ringgit (P98Mln) it earns from logging. Ergo, Pahang is exiting the logging business and entering the water business, selling water to Malaysia's most populous state.

Unfortunately, many Philippine forests have been stripped bare by loggers in cahoots with corrupt government officials, and the small patches that remain are barely adequate for watersheds.

Replanting may help, but forest watershed ecosystems are not just ipil-ipil trees planted by politicians seeking photo opportunities, but complex systems of trees, shrubs, vines, and ground crawlers that have developed over hundreds of years.

These spongelike ecosystems capture water from rain, from dew, and mountain streams gradually releasing water into the environment as clean rivers and underground water reservoirs.

Sadly, our depleted landscape merely funnels muddy rainwater into the valleys, occasionally triggering landslides that kill hundreds, on its way back to the sea.

A research analyst points out that as much as we complain about the high price of oil, the price of potable water has risen at a faster rate.

We used to be able to stick a pipe into the ground and expect potable water, if we couldn’t, there was always cheap, potable NAWASA (the state water utility) juice.

Those days are long gone.

Many subdivisions have to rely on expensive trucked in water, and when was the last time you believed you could safely drink water from the tap? Don’t forget to buy a gallon of filtered water on the way back, wil’ya?.

Checked your water bill lately? It’s now around P26/cubic meter for treated water. Analysts say this could easily double or triple over the next ten years.

As recently as ten years ago, it was six pesos per cubic meter, and tap water was potable. If gasoline changed as much, we’d be paying P52/liter for dirty gas.

If we instead compared the price of filtered water and gasoline increased as much, we'd be paying five hundred pesos a liter for gas.

The truth is that we cannot increase the supply of fresh water, which is why it’s getting more expensive.

There are more and more people, and people are moving into areas that used to be sustainable watersheds. The human imprint on the planet is getting much bigger than the ecosystem that supports us.

Most fresh water comes from rain, which rushes down denuded mountains on its way back to the sea to become undrinkable seawater. Desalination plants work, but they are expensive to run and leave behind mountains of salt.

The only thing we can change right now is how we use water. Conserve water, close the faucet while brushing your teeth, use a pail, not a hose, to wash your car.

We all know the drill.

These little measures help, but are sadly nowhere near enough. The
global fresh water situation is already too grave.

Agriculture is the biggest consumer of fresh water, accounting for 70%
of consumption, yet offers the greatest potential for conservation.
Techniques pioneered in the desert regions of the midwestern U.S., and
the middle east show water savings of as much as ten fold for every ton
of produce.

In Asia, flood irrigation is most common--and most wasteful. It is
essential for growing rice in the developing world, but less essential
for other crops. Overhead and drip irrigators help conserve water (and
expensive fertilizer) when growing vine, shrub, and tree crops.

Harnessing what would otherwise become floodwater is another plentiful
source of agricultural water.

Several countries saw the sense of that decades ago and combined the
agency handling flood control with the one handling irrigation. It’s
all about water management: Control the huge volumes of floodwaters
and divert them to storage areas for distribution to agricultural
lands.

Industry and residential uses account for 30% of water consumption, but
there is so much waste of treated potable water for uses that simply
don’t require it.

Water engineers classify water into three categories: Whitewater,
which is treated and generally potable; Graywater, which has some
impurities and therefore not potable, but which has not come into
contact with food scraps and toilet waste; and Blackwater, which is
wastewater containing toxic chemicals or toilet waste destined for
septic tanks and other treatment facilities.

Re-using graywater offers the greatest potential for conserving water
at the residential and industrial sectors.

Sources are plentiful, and the uses are many: Stored rainwater,
condensate from airconditioners, rinsewater from the washing machine,
used water from bathtubs and showers are all forms of graywater that
can be used for flushing toilets, cleaning cars and floors, and
watering lawns.

There is no sense in wasting potable whitewater for flushing toilets.

If you’ve ever stayed at the Excelsior in Hong Kong, you’ve seen
graywater at work. Toilets at the hotel, and many others in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East use graywater for flushing.

In California, “graywater” laws require buildings and apartment
complexes to install graywater plumbing for flushing toilets and
watering lawns. Countries in Europe, notably Germany, have similar
requirements.

Malaysia is currently debating laws requiring buildings and residential
apartments to catch and store rainwater for use in flushing toilets,
washing cars, and watering lawns. The laws limit use of treated pipe
water to drinking and personal hygiene.

Another plus is that with numerous rainwater catchments, there will be
less rainwater to drain away, alleviating city flooding.

We may not have these laws yet, but there is no reason why we can’t
build these systems into new homes or retrofit them into existing
homes.

Think of all the graywater sources in your home: Rainwater,
bathwater, airconditioners, and the washing machine. How much
additional plumbing would you need to store this water and divert it to
toilets and a faucet in the garage?

You may not even need plumbing: It could be as simple as placing your
washing machine near a frequently used toilet and diverting rinsewater
to the flush tank. Or placing it in the garage and draining rinsewater
into a bucket for washing the car or watering lawns. Or diverting the
drain hose from the airconditioner, or rainwater pipe, into a storage
pail or drum.

For more information on graywater and its uses visit this site. Waterwise promotes water conservation in the United Kingdom.

Sun Safety

SUMMER IS HERE and many of us are looking forward to spending days by the beach and under the sun.

While we all need some sunshine to help our bodies produce Vitamin D, too much sunshine can cause premature skin aging, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even young people can develop skin cancer.

Most individuals get 25% of their total lifetime exposure to sunshine before the age of 18, and just two blistering sunburns are enough to double our lifetime skin cancer risk.

Repeated sun exposure can cause the skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, to become thick and leathery, with wrinkles and furrows, particularly on the face.

Compare the skin on your upper forearm with the skin on your lower forearm, and you’ll see the effects of prolonged sun exposure. Notice the difference in texture and skin thickness?

Not all individuals burn at equal rates. White and fair skinned individuals are in greatest danger of burning; their skin is unable to produce enough melanin even after several days of sun exposure. These are individuals whose skin quickly turns red, without tanning.

Darker skin produces enough melanin to offer some protection, but will still burn, dry, and peel off with too much sun exposure.

The culprits are the three types of ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

UVA rays are not blocked by the ozone layer and account for most of our sun exposure. UVB, and UVC rays are mostly blocked by the ozone layer, but if you’re visiting countries in the north and south, note that the ozone layer has been thinning, resulting in increased cases of skin cancer.

Remember, sunlight,and the UV rays still get through even in winter and colder climates.

Here are some basic tips to protect yourself:

Limit your exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun is strongest. Play golf, tennis, and swim in the early morning or late afternoon.

Use a broad spectrum sunblock, with SPF of 15 or greater, particularly for children, who tend to stay out in the sun for longer periods.

Apply sunblock 30 minutes before venturing out into the sun and reapply every hour or so, particularly if you are swimming or perspiring heavily.

Use a higher SPF sunblock on areas that need extra protection like the tip of your nose, your ears, your shoulders and upper forearms and your back.

Babies below one year of age should stay out of the sun— period. Their little bodies cannot tolerate high-SPF sunblock lotions whose chemicals may be absorbed through the skin, so the best protection is to keep them out of the sun, and have them wear a small hat if you need to carry them under the sun.

Wear a good pair of sunglasses, one that specifically provides UV protection, to protect your eyes and wide-brimmed sun hats to protect your face and provide some shade from the heat.

Polarized sunglasses offer extra protection from glare, but should not be used for driving.

(The Polarization interacts with the glass of your car’s windshield creating false rainbows)
Encourage children, in particular, to wear hats when playing in the sun.

Check with your physician if you are taking certain drugs such as tetracyclines, diuretics, and tranquilizers which may increase your sensitivity to the sun. Birth control pills are also known to increase sun susceptibility.

Take multivitamins and extra doses of antioxidants a few days before planned sun exposure to increase sun tolerance.

An additional five hundred milligrams to one gram of Vitamin C , 400 I.U. of Vitamin E, and 5,000 I.U. of Vitamin A (or lots of carrots) a day for three days before, during, and after your beach trip will increase your sun tolerance and help healing of mild sunburn.

If despite these measures, you’ve developed some form of sunburn, estimate the extent of the injury with this guide:

If skin is deep pink, with sensations of heat and burning, the sunburn is mild and should be treated by applying cool towels and a cool bath.

If skin is red, with itching and stinging, with visible strap lines, the sunburn is moderate.

Aside from cooling down with cool towels and a bath, take an aspirin every four hours, and apply an aloe vera (sabila) based cream.

If the skin is bright red with blisters, and the patient is running a fever and nauseous, the sunburn is severe. Seek medical attention.

While waiting, cool down the patient with cool towels or a cooling bath. Pat skin dry, do not rub sunburned skin. Take an aspirin every four hours, and apply aloe vera gels. Cooked oatmeal also makes an effective balm for severely burned skin.

Excessive sun exposure may also result in sun stroke, a severe life threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s heat regulating mechanism breaks down or is unable to cope with excessive solar heat.

Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, as are diabetics, and individuals under the influence of alcohol.

Symptoms of sunstroke include: hot, dry, flushed skin. A lack of sweating (due to the breakdown of the body’s heat control system).

Rapid breathing and/or pulse. High body temperature and headache. Mental disorientation, ranging from agitation to lethargy and stupor.

Severe sunstroke victims may convulse, lose consciousness, and even die if corrective steps are not taken immediately.

The primary treatment goal is to bring down the body temperature by immersing the victim in a cooling bath, applying cool sheets and towels, or sponging down the victim with cool water.
Apply ice packs, if available to the neck, armpits, and groin areas. Call a doctor or emergency medical services at your location.

Fan the person to increase air flow and evaporation. When some body heat has been dissipated, gently elevate the feet to increase blood flow to the head. Massage the arms and legs to encourage blood flow throughout the body.

If the person is conscious, have him sip a glass of cool water or soft drink. Do not administer liquids to an unconscious victim.

Continue monitoring the body temperature until medical help arrives.

The body temperature of sunstroke victims may fluctuate and rise again even after a cooling bath.

To avoid sunstroke, drink plenty of fluids and pace your exposure to the hot sun, particularly if you’ve spent most of your time in the office shielded from the sun.

With sun safety consciousness and awareness of emergency procedures for sun and heat related injuries, we can all safely enjoy the abundant summer sunshine.

Rabies Awareness

March is the (Philippines') Department of Health's Rabies Awareness Month.

Rabies is an terrifying and fatal neurological disease. Once symptoms are apparent, there is no cure and there is a rapid progression to death. Bring your pets in for free vaccinations at your local Animal Health and Safety Center, and consider vaccinations for yourself and your family if you live in an area with Rabies, or plan to go camping and mountain climbing this summer.

Spelunkers (Cave Explorers) beware! Rabies can be acquired by inhaling the virus laden air found in caves with large numbers of bats.

Because it is slow progressing in the initial stages, Rabies may start days or even weeks after exposure through an animal bite, lick on broken skin, or scratch or, beer drinkers beware, by eating parts of an infected animal. By then, it is too late.

Fortunately, vaccination is a simple and effective means of protecting yourself, your family, and your beloved pets from Rabies. Most towns and municipalities have a free rabies immunization program for domestic animals, all you need to do is bring your pet to a nearby animal health and safety center.

Metro Manila and the Bicol region are known to be rabies hotspots. Consider vaccination if you intend to visit places with Bats and stray animals, or go camping and mountain hiking. Even popular Boracay has had known Rabies cases in both people and animals.

The cost of a preventive Rabies vaccine is far less than the cost of post-exposure Rabies vaccination. Bat bites, for example, frequently go unnoticed. That bat that brushed against you during a hike may have just inoculated you with his Rabies-infected saliva.

All animal bites are a medical emergency. Seek treatment as soon as possible. Even previously vaccinated individuals will need follow on treatment following an exposure.

Thankfully, new Rabies vaccines are painless, requiring only short-needle injections to the arms or buttocks, unlike older types which required daily intra-abdominal injections.

Many towns and all hospitals have bite centers that can administer the initial Rabies shots, then refer you to another center or hospital for follow-on treatment, a series of hassle-free shots over a period of a month.

"Shameless People."

The shameless attempt by lawyers of multinational drug company Pfizer to interfere during the hearing of House Bill 6035, popularly known as the "Cheaper Medicine Bill" reveals the extent that these companies will go to protect their exhorbitant margins.

It shows the tragic extent that some Filipinos will go to betray our country’s interests to protect their paychecks.

Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin was correct to show Pfizers lobbyists the door, as a fuming Representative Ferjenel Biron (4th District, Iloilo) called them "shameless people."

HB 6035, certified as urgent by no less than President Gloria Macapagal, seeks to make changes in the Intellectual Property Code to allow the parallel importation of drugs sold cheaper elsewhere.

These are the same drugs sold here, but because of different pricing models in different markets, many drugs sell for as much as 80% less in other countries.

To understand why this is so, one needs to understand the pricing models that drug companies use.

The manufacturing cost of each pill, or bottle of syrup, is usually a mere fraction of the selling price.

Medicine which sells for fifty pesos a tablet may cost only five pesos to produce. The rest of the wholesale price, as much as 80%, goes to amortizing the research, development, and marketing costs of the drug.

Because some countries have well-crafted laws to limit excessive margins, multinational drug companies have lower prices in these countries.

In countries where they can get away with it, they price as aggressively as they can.

They also use expensive sales tactics, employing hundreds as "medical reps," providing them with fleets of cars to regularly visit medical doctors and aggressively push their products. Drug companies also routinely sponsor "medical conventions," and "educational trips," free to doctors but paid for by the exhorbitant retail drug prices.

Some doctors say med reps can be persistent—and annoying.

St. Luke’s Hospital parking has a sign: "Medical Reps are not allowed to park here." Otherwise, the cars of the medical reps would fill up the parking spaces.

The World Trade Organization specifically emphasizes that safeguards should be written into Intellectual Property Laws as they are not intended to be used to create quasi-monopolies within countries.

In WTO’s view, IP laws mean no one else can copy the brand name and product (if still under patent), but it does not mean that it is a license for a multinational to charge exhorbitant prices in one country while charging far less for the same product in another.

IP laws are not intended to prevent the importation of identical goods from a country where prices are lower. Nor are IP laws intended to create opportunities to "extend" patents that have expired elsewhere.

Says Celine Charveriat, head of Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign:

"The (multinational drug) industry is fighting hard because developing country markets, especially in Asia, are vital for its future growth and these medicines under dispute are so valuable. These disputes put monopolies and profits over public health, which is exactly what world leaders promised would never be allowed to happen under WTO intellectual property rules."

Last year, Pfizer sued Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), the heads of the Bureau of Food and Drug, other government agencies in their personal capacity, despite the fact that they were fulfilling official functions by importing Norvasc from India, not for sale, but for product testing.

Norvasc’s patent expires in June 2007 and the our existing laws allow parallel importation when that happens.

All Chairman Obet was doing was ensuring that when the patent does expire, the Indian version of the drug would have been tested and approved by the Bureau of Food and Drug and other relevant agencies.

This is known as "early working" of a patent in anticipation of a change in the patent.

A precedent was set in 1983 in the United States when Roche sued Bolar Pharmaceuticals, which was preparing a generic version of a Roche drug whose patent was due to expire. Bolar was not yet engaged in the sale of the drug, it was merely preparing for the patent expiry. The Roche suit was successful and delayed the entry of a generic equivalent for up to eighteen months.

However, recognizing the flaw in the patent law, the U.S. Congress created the Bolar amendment, which recognized that potential competitors have the right to "early-working" to prepare for the expiration of a patent, effectively overturning Roche’s court victory.

Several countries have since implemented similar changes (early Australia, Canada, Argentina, Israel), and recently the European Union has required member states to do so as well. Drug companies can no longer sue people or companies preparing for the expiration of their patents.

The Philippines has no express provision for "early working," however, it has been the de-facto practice for several years and has never been challenged before the Pfizer lawsuits.

The President herself has had to shoo away drug company lobbyists during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Obet has recently announced that PITC will increase generic drugs importation from R115 Mln to R400 Mln by the end of March 2007, and will focus on the creation of 4,000 Botika ng Bayan outlets specializing in generic drugs.

He laments that generics comprise only 3% of our drug market. In other countries, generics account for as much as 70% of the drug market.

We salute your determination, Madame President and Sir Obet!

The passage of House Bill 6035 will mean cheaper drugs for Filipinos and cheaper drugs for the Department of Health’s medical programs.

In the meantime, there is plenty that we can do as drug consumers to ensure that we get the most value from our medicine budget.

Many doctors are not aware of the market prices of drugs recommended by medical representatives.

If the drug prescribed carries a "shocking" price tag, immediately contact your doctor and ask him for a cheaper equivalent. You may find that some may even be surprised that the original drug sells for so much, and will gladly issue a new prescription for less expensive drug.

Second, be aware that there are also fake drugs. Purchase only from reputable drugstores, and you’ll have little to worry about. Caution: many of Internet Drugstores sell fake drugs.

However, the possibility of fake drugs getting into the market is not an excuse to prohibit the importation of cheaper genuine drugs. IP Laws prohibit fake drugs, even after H.B. 6035 passes into law.

But, most importantly, stay healthy. Eat a proper diet, with minimal red meat, fair amounts of fish and poultry, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Then, no matter what local drugs will cost, it won’t affect you as much.

And when you do need to buy maintenance drugs, ask a relative who lives abroad to buy them for you from a reputable drugstore overseas, at least until local drug prices go down and there are less of those Rep. Biron calls "Shameless People."

Let them do it!

The Cable TV operators convention at the Dusit Hotel on March 1st has one overriding theme: Broadband Internet and the right to provide the service over cable TV networks to their thousands of subscribers throughout the nation.

Broadband over Cable was the world's first broadband service, pre-dating the DSL technology of the telephone companies by at least a year. In the United States, the first broadband subscriptions were over Cable TV networks.

In the Philippines, however, this medium for providing high-speed Internet is underdeveloped with only Metro Manila cable providers PLDT-affiliated Sky/Home Cable and Destiny Cable offering the service.

Why is this so?

It certainly couldn't be for any technical reasons: Cable Broadband is a mature, cost-efficient and proven technology that has reliably delivered high-speed Internet to areas worldwide that telephone companies have been unwilling or unable to service.

The Cable TV association are lobbying the NTC to allow them to provide this service, correctly pointing out that they already have the infrastructure in place to offer this service. The problem appears to be regulatory in nature, with the NTC requiring an investment of P10 Million from the cable companies to “qualify” for the privilege.

The millions of pesos in investments in the cable TV infrastructure should already qualify cable operators, but these investments do not count, according to the NTC. The P10 Million should be invested in Internet equipment, they say.

But with the cost of Internet equipment falling, Internet providers would be hard pressed to spend P10 Million pesos to establish a network. Internet equipment that cost millions a decade ago can be purchased at computer shops for less than ten thousand pesos.

More so when the provider already has a viable infrastructure on which to deliver the service, which is exactly what the Cable TV operators association is lobbying for: That their existing investments in their cable network be considered as fulfilling that investment requirement. Their Internet service runs on their existing networks after all!

To economists, such unneccessary regulatory restrictions are deemed protectionist, designed to protect another sector that provides equivalent services and create barriers to new entrants with more efficient alternatives. The restrictions are also rent-seeking, allowing the competing sector to charge higher prices than would be if the technologies are allowed to compete on a level playing field.

It is also horribly hobbles our national competitiveness, at a time when governments worldwide are racing to connect their entire countries to the Internet. The Association correctly points out that many members operate in areas where telephone services are scarce and the operating telephone companies don't have the capacity to provide DSL. Having Cable TV operators as partners in the delivery of Internet services throughout the archipelago is essential to National competitiveness.

If your view of the Internet is reading online news, checking email from friends, and watching videos on YouTube, you may miss the reason why the Internet is so essential to modern economies.

For manufacturing companies, it is a way to keep in touch with the latest industry trends, a way to search for and communicate with suppliers and purchasers. For farmers, it is a way to study the latest agricultural technologies, a way to obtain accurate weather information, a way to identify markets and correctly price products. For service companies, it is a way to market services, and deliver those services to the global marketplace.

For students, it is a way to learn outside the classroom.

Think about the situation in rural areas, with hardly any libraries and educational materials around, then think about the impact of the Internet in a rural barangay (perhaps in the barangay hall or public school). Many schools in developed countries publish their educational materials online, free for downloading: With widespread Internet access, a student in Mindanao has the same access to materials as a student in New York, or Hong Kong, or London.

The CITC and DOST's promotion of the cooperative Philippine Open Internet Exchange makes it easier for SMEs to join and build our nationwide Internet (previously limited to large national operators). Encouraging more sectors to provide Internet services increases participation and promotes its success, and consequently the success of the nationwide technology corridor.
Now is not the time for the government to be limiting which sectors should or should not be providing Internet access.

Any sector, that due to advances in technology, can provide Internet, should not be restricted from doing so, either overtly or through the creation of needless restrictions.

Ten years ago, who would have thought that one could walk into a shopping mall with a laptop to get free wireless Internet? Who would have thought that in hundreds of cities worldwide, one need only turn on a laptop to get free wireless Internet?

Neither should the telephone companies be complaining, and myopically attempting to “defend their turf.”

Ask yourselves: If we let the cable TV companies provide broadband Internet services to areas we cannot serve, couldn't we then offer virtual telephone lines over the Internet via their infrastructure?

Revenues without capital expenditure. As many businessman will tell you, this is a good thing.
Just ask AT&T Vonage and Broadvoice: These companies offer virtual US phone lines registered as local in any city in North America to anyone in the world with access to an Internet connection.

Now, reverse the situation and ask yourselves: How many Filipinos worldwide would love to have a virtual local phone number in Manila (or Bacolod, or Legaspi City, or Cebu, or Baguio, or Davao) that they can access over the Internet wherever they are, be it in the US, the Middle East, Europe, or Asia?

Wired Magazine calls Filipinos “The World's Largest Virtual Nation,” yet we don't have anything close to “The World's Largest Virtual Telephone Network.” We should. Think of the Dollar and Euro revenue. Bling! Bling!

Real PCs and a Real Internet

We're excited about two developments in the technology arena, something that will affect all consumers and help to improve our lives.

First, is the empowerment of our youth and office workers through a genuine low-cost PC initiative, and second, are the concrete moves to create a real Internet in the Philippines.
The PC4All initiative is a result of a review of the failed PC ng Bayan initiative of 2005.

Wheareas the older PC ng Bayan was an ugly commodity PC loaded with expensive commercial software, the new PC4All is a sleek compact unit loaded with free, industry-standard, open-source software.

With a price of P25,000, the 2005 PC ng Bayan was little more than a thinly disguised attempt to sell expensive technology, and inappropriate commercial software, to poor teachers, cash-strapped schools, and starving students. Nakalimutan na ang konsiyensiya para lang kumita, and the resulting PC ng Bayan wasn't even cheaper than commercially available PCs.

At a mere P10,000, the 2007 PC4All complete with operating system, office software, web browser, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, is a genuine endeavor to improve technology access in schools, teachers, students, and government offices.

Credit goes to CITC head Ramon Sales, whose private sector experience has been invaluable in identifying critical issues and crucial directions for Philippine IT Policy.

More importantly, the PC4All runs on open source software, and compatible open source applications, providing opportunities for students to study, analyze and build upon the openly available source code.

The Philippine Software Industry Association ambitiously proclaims that it will employ 100,000 programmers in 2010, up from 14,000 in 2006, so the education system better ensure that today's students have access to open source computer code for study and practice.

Beyond education, employing the low-cost PC4All in government offices will make it easier to adopt technology driven solutions for e-governance. Using a Web Browser, government agencies can update records, and the people can check on their accounts and filings with government via the Internet.

The second exciting development is the move, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology's Advanced Science and Technology Institute, to create a real Internet in the Philippines.

As it is, our Internet is a mere branch of the real Internet. When a user accesses another user on a rival network, the data travels all the way to the United States where the real Internet is then back to the country on a nother cable to the rival network.

Having a real Internet means that all the Internet Service Providers and all the major users are interconnected locally, and not dependent on a fragile cable off Taiwan. Ever since that cable broke on December 26, Internet access has been spotty, and the latest pronouncements are that it won't be fixed until February 21st.

PLDT says they didn't plan for redundancy because such events only happen once every one hundred years. Technology failures also happen rarely, around once every several hundred thousand hours, but that doesn't mean that responsible businesses should ignore the need for back-ups and failsafes.

Imagine if your bank told you one day that your account has been wiped out because their system failed and they didn't have a back-up “because these kinds of things only happen once every one hundred years.” In the future, would you rely on that bank?

The problem with the hundred year argument is that failures can happen at the worst times, just when we need it most, such as during an earthquake, a time of war, or other calamity.

Better redundancy, fault-tolerance, and lower cost of Internet access is the goal of the PHOpenIX, a joint project of DOST-ASTI, Globe Innove, Cisco Systems, and the international organizations Packet Clearing House of the US and Consulintel of Europe.

PHOpenIX is a non-profit cooperative operation. Members of PHOpenIX share operating costs and bandwidth among themselves, and invite others to join them through their website.

ISPs and heavy bandwidth users, such as call centers and call center property developers are encouraged to hook up with PHOpenIX and share their bandwidth in exchange for better Internet performance and reliability.

Previous telco-run Internet exchanges where really just repackaged Internet subscriptions that rendered independent ISPs vulnerable to price-squeezes. It did not serve its purpose because all the bandwidth still originated from the owner of the Internet exchange (and that infamous cable off-Taiwan).

Looking ahead, a truly cooperative PHOpenIX provding redundant, reliable Internet nationwide opens doors of opportunities: Outsourcing in provincial areas, and server farms for the rest of the world maintained by local IT engineers.

Another benefit is that ISPs would be inclined to encourage customers to contribute to the Internet, not merely use the Internet, in order to boost their inbound traffic. Business users would be encouraged to provide services, and ISPs would be inclined to lower the prices of business Internet subscriptions, as more inbound traffic into their network improves their standing among peers in the Internet Exchange.

Furthermore, a PHOpenIX linked ISP in Mindanao may consider links (via cable or microwave) with counterparts in East Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, or to Papua New Guinea, Guam, and Australia to the East, strategies a dominant Manila-based telco is not likely to consider.

Imagine Technology Embracing Lives.

The catchy marketing slogan is nice, and when it's the cornerstone of a corporate social responsibility that touches the heart it's even better!

Launched in 2003, Samsung's Digital Hope has awarded over US$1.65 Million to 38 organizations in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia, benefitting over 600,000 youth and persons with disabilities.

Bridging the Digital Divide is the goal of Digital Hope, winning it the coveted PRISM Award in 2005 for best Corporate Social Responsibility Program.

With two categories, Digital Hope supports programmes that either assist people living with disabilities to lead richer lives through technology or help the youth to achieve their dreams through the use of technology to improve their lives and their community.

Creativity and innovation are the main criteria for selection:

• Does the project creatively and innovatively use information technology as a means to promote or develop the lives of the youth or disabled?
• How does the project impact the quality of life of a significant number of people?
• Is the project sustainable to provide long-term benefits for the youth?
• Does the target group adopt ownership of the project, thus contributing to its sustainability?

For 2006, The Knowledge Channel for youth education, and ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired) are Digital Hope's Awardees chosen by a selection panel composed of Margie Moran-Floriendo of the Women's Commission on Mindanao and Habitat for Humanity, Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino of the National Youth Commission, and Paolo Manzano of Hardware Zone Magazine.

The urgent need to improve the quality of education is the driving force behind the Knowledge Channel. Founded in 2000 by Rina Lopez Bautista, it is the first and only educational channel in the Philippines reaching 1,699 public schools in 57 provinces and millions of viewers on cable television.

Samsung's Digital Hope grant money will be used to develop three components of the Knowledge Channel's operation:

• Programming--the acquisition, production and airing of fourteen hours of instructional videos anchored on the DECS' grade school and high school curriculum;
• Access—providing the Knowledge Channel through cabling in cooperation with local cable operators or via satellite in remote areas; and
• Support programs--teacher guides, and training & evaluation programs.

KCFI applied for and was awarded two million pesos by Samsung for this endeavor. In addition, Samsung will be providing dozens of television sets to schools for receiving the knowledge channel.

Beyond these three components, the Knowledge Channel also works with grant money from the US AID for Madrasa (Muslim-based) teaching programs in 150 schools in Mindanao, with a special focus on Peace education & conflict resolution combined with practical livelihood education.

To reach non-school audiences, the Knowledge Channel is provided free to hundreds of cable operators, and in remote areas and depressed communities, schools are encouraged to offer their viewing facilities to adults and out of school youths on weekends.

“Helping the Blind See Through Computers” is the focus of ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment).

Founded in 1994 by blind computer experts, ATRIEV is supported by the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, USA, the Nippon Foundation of Japan, and Christofel Blindenmission (Christian Blind Mission) of Germany.

Its local partners include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the STI Foundation, with whom it has developed five-month computer training programs for the blind.
Education in adaptive computing is its main offering, through ATTRAC (Adaptive Technology for Training, Resource, and Access Center), which provides preparatory courses for secondary and technical education for the blind. ATRIEV's technology relies on the use of computerized voice software that reads out items on the screen, together with touch typing skills that eliminate the need for visual inputs while operating a computer.

Upon completion of the courses, ATRIEV's beneficiaries can enrol in regular schools, and seek employment in numerous industries. With ATRIEV, blindness no longer is a handicap to a bright future.

Julius Serrano, is ATRIEV's first blind computer science graduate, finishing in 2005 and winning multiple awards and recognitions along the way: “Best in Systems Analysis and Design” in 2002, “Best Programmer” in 2004, and the “Manuel Villar Excellence Award for IT Students” in 2005.

Doc Mike is Asia's first blind medical transcriptionist, with a better than 98% accuracy score. Today he works for Total Transcription Solutions, Inc., who says he performs as well as his sighted peers.

Krissy Bisda lost her sight at age twelve. Not discouraged by potential employers who saw her diability more than her ability, Krissy trained at ATRIEV and with the help of the foundation she now works at Teletech solutions, which has an active equal opportunities employment program.

JR is a graduating student in computer engineering at STI, but his unique musical skills reveal an equally promising future in digital music.

Already self supporting as a composer of ringtones, musical jingles, and songs, JR uses computers and electronic keyboards to compose and create soulful music.

Move over, Stevie Wonder! JR captivates the audience with his soulful voice and self-arranged musical compositions.

For more information on ATRIEV, visit their website (maintained by their blind webmaster) .

Technology has many uses, but imagine a world where technology helps people with disability lead richer lives, and helps further the education of the youth. With Samsung's Digital Hope Program, it's not that hard to imagine...

Gasp!

Been feeling heavy lately?

Listless and without energy? It's in the air.

As the cold winds from China's winter drift overSouth East Asia, it creates a blanket over our cities that lock inlocal pollution, creating a choking smog hanging over the cities.

You can see it when you look out the window in the morning, and you can feel it when you breathe. It's a phenomenon known as thermal inversion, which stalls the normal process of convection that drawspollutants away from the cities.

Unfortunately, there is already precious little we can do about it.

We already have the clean air act, which has helped reduce pollutionfrom private cars, but we still have the choking diesel fumes fromjeepneys, trucks and busses, and choking fumes from oil burningtwo-stroke motorcycles--long since outlawed in other countries.

The World Bank estimates that for Metro Manila's population of 9 million, 1,300 deaths, 45,000 emergency room visits, 11 million restricted activity days, 35 million respiratory symptom days, at a cost of over Five Billion Pesos are due to the negative health effects of Air Pollution.

Extrapolating this data to our country's other major cities, and the cost of air pollution is a staggering P21.5 Billion Pesos. We already have Clean Air Laws in place (which have resulted in a decrease in the previously high levels of lead in the air), and a recently passed bio-fuels bill, but the combination of economic growth,increase in number of vehicles, lack of political will to reform the transport sector, and seasonal meteorological phenomenons mean we'll just need to find ways to cope.

Air filtering devices are widely available, from costly HEPA certified filters, which remove even pathogenic bacteria from the air, to more affordable particulate filters which remove suspended particles from the air.

The World Health Organization says the suspended particulate levels in Metro Manila are dangerously high, something that in annoyingly obvious when dusting shelves--not just of dust, but that slimy oily film that covers most household objects.

The first step in coping with the air pollution is to get a good,reliable air filter. HEPA filters are the best, with prices to match,but even the more common filters will result in a large improvement in home air quality. Ensure that the device is matched to the size of the room you'll most frequently use it in.

If you use airconditioning, install a micropore filter, such as 3Ms Filtrete over the airconditioner's regular filter. An airconditioner's regular filter is designed to protect the airconditioner, not the quality of the air you breathe. 3M's Filtrete, with it's micropore fiber traps many particles that would otherwise get into your lungs.Maintaining an environment of clean air at home will help you sleep andrelax. If you've frequently awoken with mild headaches, your home's air quality may be the cause.

There are similar air filters for your cars, and many modern cars already have these filters built-in. Either way, it's important that these filters be regularly maintained, but competent technicians, notsome neighborhood hack who "fixes" it by removing the air filter.

Of course, you can do your share to minimize your contribution to air pollution by ensuring that your car, stove, and other fuel burning devices in your household are well maintained.

For households with known asthmatics and elderly residents, a standby medical oxygen kit is a worthwhile investment, as is a home nebulizer. Like a fire extinguisher, you'll never know when you'll need these, but when you do, it may save lives.

For your own health and those of your loved ones, try to schedule a trip to a less polluted area at least once a week, whether it is a visit to the seaside, nearby Sta.Rosa or Tagaytay, or north toPampanga. A good multivitamin and extra vitamin C will help maintain respiratory immunity, as will eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Many of us have no choice but to live in this polluted city, and there is already precious little we can do to reduce the pollution level. The best we can do at this stage is protect ourselves and ensure that our home environments are, at the very least, still livable.

Disconnected!

For days after the December 26, 2006 Taiwan Earthquake much of South
East Asia was disconnected from today's vital utility: The Internet.
Call centers shut down, emails bounced, Christmas pictures and videos
couldn't be shared, and manufacturing plants sat idle.

Several weeks later, the Internet is still mind-numbingly slow.
Experts predict it will take at least until the end of January for the
situation to normalize.

Back-up links have been powered up, but these are apparently limited in
number and capacity. The large telcos that regulators let operate
Asia's Internet simply couldn't foresee the need for such redundancies.

Regulators couldn't foresee that the Internet works best with a
multitude of interconnected small operators, not with a handful of
giant telephone companies relying on a limited number of fat pipes
branching off the real Internet.

It is an Asian problem, a structural weakness of Asian economies as
significant as the structural weaknesses that created the financial
crisis of the late 1990s.

It is a weakness that has been embarrassingly exposed, created when
regulatory agencies gave in to large telcos claims that they needed
"protection" before making the investments to connect to the Internet.

It is a perfect example of the problems created by what Economic
Planning Secretary Romulo Neri calls "regulatory capture," when the
industries being regulated manipulate rules to their own advantage,
instead of being guided by the country's need to be competitive.

We've seen how vulnerable we are in the hands of a dominant telco that
makes a credible claim to having the country's most advanced Internet
network. Break that advanced network's link, its single point of
failure, and we might as well all go on holiday.

Originally designed by the the United States Defense Department's
Advanced Research Projects Administration (ARPA) to connect the US
military, universities, and vital businesses, the Internet is built to
survive a nuclear war through a mesh of redundant connections.

In the real Internet, each node connects to numerous other nodes, and
losing one link has little effect--the technology auto-magically finds
another route via another node.

The redundancy is strengthened by adopting alternative technologies to
easily damaged cabled connections: Broadband wireless, microwave,
cellular, and satellite. More importantly, the links are two-way, with
each node supporting traffic to other nodes.

The very nature of that structure implies that the Internet must be
predominantly hundreds of small interconnected providers. More
providers = more redundant connections to each other. Stupidly allow
the old-fashioned oligopolistic telco business models, and you've
forced the fault-tolerant mesh structure into a hierarchical structure
with single points of failure.

Asia's hierarchical Internet, like the branches on a tree during a
storm, break away easily and can't even survive a deep sea earthquake.

It may have been an earthquake that caused last month's loss of
connectivity, but consider how vulnerable we are if our major telco's
Internet link to Japan's NTT is cut intentionally, for geopolitical
reasons?

In his last column, my uncle, Max Soliven, warns that Japan, although
presently docile and a major benefactor, has a dark side and can turn
on a dime from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hide. As more and more businesses use
the Internet as a vital tool, have we handed over our economy's on-off
switch to a wartime adversary?

Japan may no longer go back to its militaristic ways, but the mere
possibility and the vulnerability we have foolishly allowed are real
business risks. Even risk-averse Japanese investors consider that
possibility in their country evaluations.

Attention Regulators: The real Internet is composed of hundreds of
nodes, providers, and backbones connected to each other in a mesh
network of cabled, wireless, and satellite links.

We need links to several countries, owned by a multiplicity of
providers so no single entity controls our part of the Internet. We
need to encourage two-way local interconnectivity, so that providers
and vital institutions are redundantly connected to each other via
wired and wireless technologies.

It is not enough that we are a branch off the Internet at the mercy of
a vulnerable solitary link: For the sake of national security and
economic competitiveness, bring us the real Internet, with mesh
connections across the nation, and multiple connections via cable,
wireless, and satellite to other countries across the region.

As a result of the Taiwan earthquake, China announced that it will
install multiple routes to the Internet by the middle of this year.
Previously connected only through Japan, China will encourage internal
links among its providers and connect directly to Southeast Asia (via
Hong Kong), India, Europe, Russia, and the United States.

With a superior Internet infrastructure, better access to financing,
and 1.3 billion people, all China needs to do to trample all over our
outsourcing industry is learn English.

Rediscover Hong Kong!

To many Filipinos, it’s the destination of their first overseas journey. Only ninety minutes away by plane, Hong Kong is the the leading Asian destination for Filipino tourists, businesspeople and migrant workers.

Asia’s premiere International center, Hong Kong is ever-changing and always exciting. Seven million people live here, including about a million expatriates, and a hundred thousand kababayans, placing us among the top non-Chinese ethnic group in the territory.

Our kababayans occupy a wide range of positions from domestic helpers, to mission workers, to musicians, entrepreneurs, and professionals in major Hong Kong companies. Even most of Mickey’s performers in Disneyland are Filipino!

If all you’ve seen in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui, with maybe a peek at Causeway Bay, and The Peak, there’s still so much more to Hong Kong that will amaze you!

The highly developed public transport system in Hong Kong ensures that it’s easy to get around and plan your own tours whether on foot, by cab, by ferry, or Mass Transit. And with Hong Kong’s advanced road and transit network, you’ll rarely waste time b eing stuck in traffic.

In the arrival area, right after customs, be sure to pick up a handful of Hong Kong Tourism Board’s free brochures: The essential Hong Kong Visitor’s Guide with a comprehensive overview of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Walks do it yourself walking tours guide to the scenic and shopping districts, The Hong Kong Family Fun Guide with directions to major family attractions and children’s shopping districts, the Hong Kong Leisure Guide for Business Travellers with information on major shopping malls, dining centers, local nightlife, and sport venues.

Don’t forget the free maps for everyone in your travel group, and go ahead, get extra copies for friends in Manila planning a visit to Hong Kong.

Many of these guides are available online as well. There are even downloadable interactive versions for Windows CE and Palm PDAs available on the site.

Hi-tech Hong Kong offers the Mobile Host service, a guided audio tour delivered via your mobile phone for for 72 hours of service. For details, read the Mobile Host guidebook and be sure to purchase a local SIM card at a 7-11 to avoid prohibitive roaming charges. Your Hong Kong friends will also appreciate being able to contact you without IDD charges.

Local SIMs vary from HKD50 to HKD100 depending on features (more expensive SIMs offer free IDD to selected countries — North America, and selected European countries, but not the Philippines).

For special interests, there is the Hong Kong Museums and Heritage Guide with directions to local museums and sites of archeological interest; the 2006 Winterfest Guide for the seasonal events until January 1st; the Hong Kong Jockey Club Guide for Horse Racing aficionados, also available online at http:// ; the Newsletter of the Hong Kong Museum of Art; and the Disneyland brochure.

The ever helpful Hong Kong Tourism Board also has two public centres to provide the latest information on tourist activities, and help you plan itineraries, or book HKTB sponsored tours.

On Kowloon side, visit the HKTB Info Center at the Star Ferry Terminal. On Hong Kong side, visit the HKTB Info Center inside the Causeway Bay MTR Station. There is also a visitor hotline +852 2508 1234, available 8am-6pm daily, to assist with your travel queries.

Also, HKTB has organized the Quality Tourism Services seal of approval, that requires merchants to provide only genuine products with clearly displayed prices, present accurate product information and/or menus in food establishments, and employ staff with extensive product knowledge.

The QTS sign makes it easy to find shops and restaurants to trust, just look for it prominently displayed in establishments that have qualified for this exclusive recognition.

Among Hong Kong’s must–visit attractions are four major theme parks with exciting adventures for everyone:

Disneyland Hong Kong on Lantau Island, is the first in a territory that doesn’t require visas from Filipino travellers. Join Mickey and friends as they welcome you into their magical kingdom, and invite you to stay at picturesque Disneyland Hotel or glitzy Disney Hollywood Hotel.

Ngong Ping 360 Theme Park on Lantau Island is built right next to the world’s largest sitting Buddha. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at the Po Lin Monastery, enjoy the serenity of the Temple grounds, then journey through the culturally themed village and watch enlightening shows about the life of Buddha. Then take a cable car ride on the Ngong Ping Skyrail with panoramic views of Lantau Island, Chek Lap Kok Airport, and the South China Sea.

Ocean Park in Aberdeen, Hong Kong Island, has more than 40 parkwide rides and attractions, spread out over six main areas: Lowland Gardens, Kid’s World, Marine Land, Headland rides, Adventureland, and Birds Paradise. Take a scenic cable car ride to see stunning performances by seals, dolphins and sea lions, the Atoll Reef with its huge coral aquarium, and the all-new sea jelly aquarium, the first in Asia.

The Wetland Park builds upon existing wetland ecosystems in Tin Shui Wai, NT, Hong Kong. With 60 hectares of opportunities to learn about wetlands, it features outdoor exhibits, boardwalks, and bird hides.

Over 250 different species have been recorded in the park, so you’re sure to see something new each time! A 10,000 sqm. visitor’s centre features interactive exhibits to illustrate the biodiversity of wetlands and mangrove areas and issues related to human culture and conservation.

History buffs will appreciate the 80 declared monuments in Hong Kong, including thousand year old stone carvings, ancient Chinese temples and villages, 19th Century colonial buildings, forts and lighthouses, some in city centres, and many easily accessible by the public transport system.

The diversity of Hong Kong surprises even the most jaded traveller.

Located on the south side of the Island in the quiet town of Shek O, the Shek O Beach offers white sand and the clean waters of the South China Sea. On weekends, the beach is filled with locals having beach barbecues, so its best to go on weekdays to enjoy the beach or savor the fresh seafood cuisine.

The outlying islands of Cheung Chau and Lamma also offer a glimpse of a more relaxed seaside lifestyle, with good hiking and beaches, and delicious fresh seafood restaurants. Yung Shue Wan town on Lamma has a refreshing mix of Western and Chinese style seaside bars and restuarants.

Then, of course, there’s the shopping!

In Hong Kong, you can dress like a million bucks for a million bucks, or spend much less, depending on where and how you shop. For the fashion shopper, Hong Kong offers three distinct shopping venues:

The premiere shopping districts in Central and select high-end malls feature the world’s fabled brands at prices guaranteed to bust your credit cards. But, hey, if you’ve got to have it, Hong Kong’s highend shops gladly oblige!

The mid-market shopping districts are where most Hongkongers shop. These are mainly in East and West Central, Causeway Bay, and in major malls in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tai Koo, and Whampoa Gardens, featuring a mix of local brands and affordable international brands.

Also, in this mix are specialty shops in Causeway Bay and Mongkok that offer high quality unbranded and unknown brand goods from around the world, from leather goods, cocktail dresses for ladies, and office suits for men.

Then, there’s the bargain hunters’ paradises, centered around the specialty street markets in Fa Yuen St., Tung Choi, and Temple Sts. in Mongkok, and the market at the expat enclave of Stanley on the Island’s south side. All offer a dizzying mix of designer label over-runs (be sure to check for small tears and stains, as the items are not returnable), out of season items, lowcost clothes from China, cheap gadgets and curios.

Technology is no longer the bargain it once was with Manila prices more or less in line with regional prices, but Hong Kong offers a wider selection of hard to find items for photo and computer hobbyists. Specialty malls in Wanchai, Causeway Bay, Mongkok, and ShamShuiPo are the best places to shop.

Remember to check equipment for compatibility with our own standards, and if it matters to you, verify that the warranty is honored worldwide. Electronics goods legally imported into Hong Kong are accompanied by an English language manual. Goods with foreign language (usually Japanese or Korean) manuals are often grey market imports without warranty.

Like fashion, eating out in Hong Kong can be affordable. Western fastfoods, like Mcdonald’s, have the cheapest eats in Hong Kong, as does 7-11 with its delicious Chinese rice bowls.

But for a real Hong Kong adventure, try out the little Chinese noodle and congee shops, dim sum parlors, and hot pot restaurants of West Central, Causeway Bay, Wanchai, North Point and Mongkok. English skills vary, so look for the QTS seal for the assurance of an English Menu.

For ethnic cuisine, stroll the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, and Central Hollywood and SoHo districts for small regional restuarants. Times Square in Causeway Bay offers a variety of casual dining resturants in the upper floors.

Hong Kong’s nightlife has something for everyone, whether it’s a quiet dinner at a fancy restaurant, dining alfresco near the the sea, or joining a boisterous crowd at a trendy nightspot.

Visit the highend restaurants in Central, The Peak or Repulse Bay for some quiet dining, and if you’re in town for business, be sure to drop by the Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, where the expat community unwinds daily from 5-8 pm.

For dining by the sea, try the seafood markets in Lei Yue Mun, or Sai Kung or the tourist oriented floating restaurants in Aberdeen.

Hong Kong’s trendy nightlife centers around bars in the Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo districts, the newly redeveloped artsy cafes of Starstreet next to Pacific Place in Admiralty, and Knutsford Terrace in northern Tsim Sha Shui.

Visit Cafe Havana at Knutsford and enjoy their delicious buffet, then groove to the beat of Mang Tony’s pop and reggae band, one of dozens of Filipino bands performing in Hong Kong.

And when you’re done with the weekend nightlife, Sundays are a time to relax in Hong Kong, to visit an outlying Island: Cheung Chau or Lamma via the ferries at Central; or take a bus to Stanley to savor the relaxed European Cafe lifestyle. But don’t forget the late afternoon mass at Rosary Church in Tsim Sha Tsui East, where our kababayans, both residents and tourists, congregate to see who’s in town.

(Photos taken with a compact, affordable and near professional quality Olympus SP-500 series digital camera, courtesy of Nancy Harel & Associates, Axis Distribution, and Olympus Imaging Corp.)

The World of Jade

Part of the Beijing Series of Articles, the result of a media Tour organized by Sponsors Philippine Airlines, Panda Travel, Marco Polo Hotels, and American Tourister Luggage.

The World of Jade

When polished and professionally worked, it is a beautiful luminous gemstone. For many, it symbolizes love and virtue. For the Chinese, it symbolizes the Confucian virtues of wisdom, justice, and compassion, although its first known use was in arrowheads and axes.

The Aztecs and many other pre-Columbian American cultures valued it more highly than gold. In many cultures, from the Egyptians to the Maoris of New Zealand, it is believed to be a lucky, protective stone.

Trade with the East brought this gemstone to Europe in the 16th Century, but it was the Spaniards, who found another source in Central America, that gave its name: Piedra de Hijada, later shortened to simply "Jade."

But it's not always what you think it is.


Until about 1786, most Jade in China was Nephrite, a similar looking mineral, but with a different composition. In fact, both minerals look so similar that it was only in the late 19th Century that it was determined that the "Jade" in China was a different "Jade" from that mined in Burma.

In Mandarin, Jadeite is known as "ying yu," hard Jade, and Nephrite is known as "ruan yu," soft Jade. The word "Yu," by itself, means precious ornamental rock, a description that can be applied to any valuable stone.

True Jade is Jadeite, a sodium-rich aluminous pyroxene, obtained mainly from northern Burma, but with minor sources throughout the world. Jadeite is a metamorphous rock formed under specific conditions of high-pressure and low temperature.

The colors of jadeite vary: Yellow to gold, pink to blue lavenders, rusty reds, light to dark greens, pure white, brown, and black are jadeite colors. It is slightly harder than Nephrite, with a hardness rating of 7.

Nephrite is a fine-grained, calcium-rich, magnesium and iron aluminous amphibole with a hardness of 6.5. It is also a metamorphous rock, but unlike Jadeite, it does not require specific conditions of pressure and cold to form. It is available in fewer colors than Jadeite: Creamy white, and shades of green, brown and black.

Some colors of Nephrite are hard to distinguish from Jadeite by visual inspection, but an ultraviolet money checker can distinguish the two: Jadeite flouresces weakly like human teeth, Nephrite does not flouresce. The sheen of a finished piece is another distinguishing feature: Jadeite is glass like, while Nephrite finishes to a fine luster.

In the US, only Jadeite and Nephrite can be labelled "Jade," but disreputable traders often mislabel other more common stones "jade varieties" to confuse the unwary. Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms: Amazon Jade, Colorado Jade: Green Feldspar; American Jade: Californite (Green Idocrase); Mexican Jade: Green-dyed Calcite; Indian Jade: Adventurine; Korea Jade: Serpentine; Oregon or Swiss Jade: Chalcedony; and Transvaal Jade: Green hydroglossular garnet.

Most of these stones are softer than Jadeite and Nephrite and will not scratch glass (hardness 5) .

The best Nephrite from China is a creamy white variety known as "mutton fat." Spinach Nephrite, the color of the cooked vegetable, is also popular. Ancient Chinese jade items made before the 1800's are usually Nephrite.

Believed to preserve the body after death, Chinese emperors had burial suits made of Nephrite, and filled their tombs with items of this material.

Since 1786, true Jadeite has been imported into China from northern Burma. Every year, the Myanmar Gems Enterprise holds an auction of rough Jade for registered Jade dealers. Jade dealers are seasoned gamblers: The rough stone looks like an ordinary boulder with a small window ground into the surface, only when the stone is cut up will the buyer know whether he's purchased a valuable raw material or a low grade rock.

Burmese Jadeite quickly replaced Chinese Nephrite as the Imperial variety of Jade because of its superior luminosity, translucency, and hardness, hence its prestigious status in Chinese jewelry, where it is sold alongside local Nephrite. Before the 1800s, only Chinese Nephrite was considered true Jade, but the adoption by the Imperial household of the Burmese Jadeite reversed the situation.

Imperial Jade is the most expensive, colored a specific emerald-like green with an inner glow not found in other stones. The more uniform the green in an Imperial Jade piece, the greater its value. Some pieces can be worth millions, and it is rare that you will find a true Imperial Jade quality piece except in Museums.

Uniformity of color usually enhances value, but there are also unique color patterns that are highly sought after. The next most valuable colors are in the pink to lavender range, followed by the lighter and darker greens. Spotty greens (moss in snow) are highly sought after.

Because certain colors are more valuable than others, some merchants dye the Jade. Dyed jade is difficult to detect with the naked eye, but a magnifying loupe will show color accumulation along grain boundaries in a dyed stone. A Chelsea filter, a tool of Jade merchants, will show red streaks in a dyed stone.

When buying a piece that is claimed to be natural in color, have the seller mark on the receipt or certificate that the Jade is "natural color."

Microscopic flaws, dark spots, veins, splotches, and cracks in a Jadeite piece may dramatically reduce an item's value, but honest dealers price their items accordingly, noting the item's characteristics in the certificate of authenticity.

Jade pieces with barely detectable flaws provide excellent value as jewelry accents, but a true collector will want only the most perfect items.

Surface waxing is the only method of enhancement acceptable to serious collectors, but bleaching and acid treaments, dyeing, and heating may be used to alter the material.

It is important that if any of these techniques (other than waxing) are used, these are disclosed by the Jade merchant as these may reduce its value as a collection item.

Given the pitfalls of buying Jade, it is important to deal only with reputable merchants and Jade factories. Honest dealers price accordingly and describe the characteristics of the item you've purchased in the receipt or accompanying certificate. They will not misrepresent an item in order to obtain a higher price, but will take the time to explain why seemingly identical items have widely varying prices.

Visits to reputable Jade and Jewelry factories are included in many of Panda Travel's China Tours. Through its partnership with China Panorama, Panda Travel provides an affordable, exciting and informative perspective of Ancient and Modern China.

Philippine Airlines flies four times weekly to Beijing. For extra Mabuhay Miles credits, book your stay at a Marco Polo Hotel, and bring along American Tourister luggage. American Tourister is Samsonite's value priced line of durable luggage.

The Never Ending Story

As a result of this and other similar articles, Philippine National Oil Corporation created and implemented a sustained rehabilitation program for the affected areas.


The Never Ending Story

Over a hundred square kilometers of marine sanctuary and rich fishing
grounds are threatened by yet another oil spill off Guimaras, the
second so far this year.

International Maritime Law requires that environmentally dangerous
cargo, such as fuel oils, be transported only in double hulled ships to
minimize tragedies such as these.

Petron was quick to point out that as cargo owner, they have no
liability. This, of course, did not sit well with the Justice
Department, which points out that Petron also selected the shipping
company, knowing full well that the ships transporting their cargo had
single hulls.

We take such irresponsible liberties with our environment, and so soon
after the President had declared the area of the spill as the tourism
hub of the country.

Millions are being spent today to clean up this mess. But the effects
of this disastrous oil spill go far beyond today's news.

Oil spills go far beyond the immediate effects of the visible oil. The
seas off Guimaras will produce less fish for the next twenty years.
Hectares of lush coral remain covered in sludge.

And those local hires, working with little protective gear for P150/day
have just acquired a lifetime of potential health problems in the
bargain.

But, it will all be forgotten by then.

The fishermen and the local laborers are little people. Their lives
have forever been affected by this tragedy, but once the headlines are
gone, they will be forgotten.

When the Exxon Valdez spilled ten million gallons of oil in 1989, the
clean up took over ten years, and the legal claims continue seventeen
years later, centered around punitive damages of $5Bln, or Exxon's
single year profit in 1989.

This is aside from the $2Bln Exxon already claims to have spent in the
clean-up and $1Bln paid out to various civil claimants, mainly
businesses damaged by the viscous oil.

Are these enough? Not according to some experts. The damage to the
environment and local businesses has run into tens of billions of
dollars, and seventeen years later, there is still much work to be
done.

None of these can be handled by a quick fix solution.

Mopping up the oil is an immediate concern, but longer term approaches
to repair the local environment and provide support to the displaced
local economy are essential. Corals and affected businesses do not
miraculously re-grow when the visible oil is gone.

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/ created by the State of Alaska handles the long term management of the oil spill's damage to the environment and the rich fishing grounds off
Alaska.

The Philippines Super-Tourism Program

Super-Tourism!

Super-Tourism is how Undersecretary Phineas Alburo defines the Department of Tourism's strategy to develop the Tourism Super Region defined in President GMA's 2006 SONA. Comprising Regions 5,6,7,8 and Palawan, the Super Region includes the country's most popular tourist destinations.

Going beyond the traditional approach of simply marketing the Philippines as a tourist destination, the DOT's wholistic strategy incorporates the whole spectrum of tourism-related issues.

"Infrastructure first, Programs second," says Alburo, explaining the DOT's new role coordinating tourism related infrastructure projects of DOTC and DPWH. "We need to focus on building the roads, bridges, and RO-RO Seaports going to tourist destinations, next, we need to involve the local communities in providing tourist services."

Aside from the usual beaches and resorts, the tourism strategy aims to develop tourism products in three areas: 1) Heritage Sites comprising old Spanish fortresses, historical churches, homes, and estates. 2) Wellness and Spa resorts where tourists can relax and provide employment to hundreds of wellness professionals. 3) Medical Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Health, encouraging foreign nationals to avail of our value priced, yet state of the art, medical facilities.

U.S. Tourists comprise the bulk of foreign arrivals at 40%, but Alburo would like to see more third generation Filipino-Americans visit the Islands. "Many of these Filipino nationals have never seen the land of their ancestry. We would like to invite them over to visit the Philippines and bring their mainstream American friends," says Alburo.

Third generation Filipino-Americans are more likely to invest in the Philippines, according to DOT's studies, investing in Philippine real estate and helping Philippine based relatives establish businesses.

The next most important audience are the Koreans and the Japanese, many of whom fly directly to Cebu for rest and relaxation. Cebu's International Airport handles 42 International flights a week, 21 of which travel routes to Korea and Japan.

Intra-South East Asian tourism is also booming. With direct flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei, Cebu is the preferred destination for recreational tourists looking for a quick getaway.

Another important market, according to Alburo, is the so-called M.I.C.E. Market: Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions. The forthcoming ASEAN convention is an extraordinary example of convention tourism. With two thousand official delegates, and four thousand expected guests, the ASEAN summit will help promote Cebu and the Philippines to the entire region.

Promoting local tourism is another key element in the tourism strategy. Local tourists help maintain the tourist infrastructure by providing a year round market for tourism service providers. The DOT identifies two segments in the local tourism market: The first are tourists from other parts of the country, and the second are tourists from within the provinces themselves.

"Many Cebuanos have not seen the northern and southern ends of the island, and we encourage them to traverse the island to visit resorts and other interesting spots," says Alburo. "The same is true of any other island in the Philippines, and encouraging local travel helps develop the infrastructure to service all kinds of tourists."

Involving the local communities is another key element in the wholistic strategy.

"We're encouraging local communities to train tour guides and produce souvenirs, while encouraging tour operators to avail of local services. For instance, we actively discourage operators from bringing along packed lunches, directing them to local caterers and restaurants for their tourist meals," says Alburo, citing their current pilot project in the Olango Island nature reserve near Mactan.

Alburo is also encouraged by our discussion about liberalizing the telecommunications infrastructure, something he promised to discuss with the DOTC and NTC during their next meeting.

If we can provide free and low-cost Community Internet access in our tourist spots, Alburo believes it will encourage tourists to stay longer, and provide the community with up-to-date information on the latest industry trends.

When the Department of Tourism talks about marketing the Philippines, that's just tourism, but when it takes a wholistic approach, considering every aspect of the tourism experience, and involves the local communities as partners, they've gone one step beyond into a strategy that can only be called Super-Tourism.

Cebu: Island Republic, The Culture of Boom

The market was busy the day Magellan first landed. Merchants from Thailand, China, and the East Indies noisily bartered their wares of silk, ceramics, iron and bronze for the natives' produce of pearls, tortoise shell, gold and spices, paying little attention to the political circus then unfolding.

Rajah Humabon, eager to find a way to avoid paying tribute to the Sultan of Sulu, accepted Magellan's offer of protection and allowed himself to be baptized a Catholic. Thus began our conversion to become the leading outpost of Christianity in Asia.

Of course, that did not stop the Cebuanos from continuing robust trade with the Buddhist Siamese and the Malay Muslim communities.

Then, as today, Cebu is a melting pot for Asians of different persuasions, including the Chinese. With the arrival of the Hispanics, Cebu welcomed them too, creating a melting pot culture disparate in its origins but unified by common values of trade and entrepreneurship.

Cebu City's metropolitan area has grown to encompass two other cities, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island. When the President chose Cebu as the site of the Philippines' Southern Capital, Cebuanos were quick to point out that in the early years of Spain's rule, Cebu was the Philippines' capital, and the move is simply modern-day recognition of its historic place.

In the last three decades, Cebu has led the country in economic growth, with rates averaging 20% above the national figures. It has its own International Seaport, the busiest outside Manila, with direct ports of call to Asian centers Hong Kong and Singapore.

As the country's most popular tourist destination, the International Airport in Mactan handles 42 direct flights a week from Hong Kong, Singapore, Narita (Japan), Incheon (Korea), Pusan (Korea), Doha (Qatar), Taipei (Taiwan), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

Tourist spots throughout Central and Southern Philippines are also a short trip, by land or sea, away from Cebu. Bohol province, with its pristine beaches and spectacular dive spots is a thirty minute ferry ride away.

Long marketing itself abroad as an island in the Pacific, Cebu has managed to insulate itself from the political storms occasionally distracting Imperial Manila. That doesn't mean Cebuanos don't involve themselves in their own politics: Cebuano TV regularly broadcasts provincial and city council sessions. Cebu business, after all, relies on the local governments, headed by Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and City Mayor Tommy Osmena, to maintain their business friendly environment.

In Cebu, entrepreneurs and businessmen are the local heroes. In this culture, it is the home-grown entrepreneurs who endorse products on print ads, billboards, and local TV. It is this kind of role-modelling that has developed Cebu into the Central Philippines' center of trade and commerce with leading positions in electronics exports, furniture manufacturing, mining, and now, business process outsourcing.

Big Business has also found its way to Cebu: Major Property developers Ayala Land, Robinson's Land, and Federal Land are all here, eager to develop quality office and residential spaces for the City's booming outsourcing industries and growing population. The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry envisions their metropolis as the software, and e-services hub not just for the Philippines, but for the entire Southeast Asia.

The old golf course, converted to the Cebu Business Park in the 1990s, wanted for locators until outsourcers discovered Cebu. Then it became a boomtown. The old airport at Lahug, converted into a business park also in the 1990s, is Asiatown I.T. Park, with purpose built developments hosting international call center operators.

Two decades ago, Rustan's was the only Manila based department store operating in Cebu, followed by Robinson's in the late-1980s. Today, SM and Ayala both operate large malls in the city, competing with the home-grown Gaisano Malls, and the dozens of pocket malls that line the city streets.

These pocket malls play an important role in the continuing boom, providing incubators for hundreds of start-up businesses, a preferred career path for many young Cebuanos. Visit any of these little malls to experience the ideas of Cebu's innovative entrepreneurs, themselves an invigorating mix of old-money and new talent.

From unique gift shops to delicious restaurants and exciting watering holes, Cebu's entrepreneurs are constantly testing new concepts. Many, like Bo's Coffee Corner, Julie's Bakeshop, Penshoppe, Oxygen, and Island Souvenirs have become nationally recognized brand names.


Bright ideas are the currency of Cebu's continuing boom and the value creators of Cebu's economy are its export designers, people like furniture designer Kenneth CoBonPue, Asia Design Awardee 2005, and Ma. Concepcion Barba, who with her daughters, and one-time student Belinda Mangayon, comprise Vanya Creations, a leading exporter of fashion and costume jewelry.

Cobonpue's designs have gained international recognition, filling the celebrity homes of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, with cameo appearances in the latest James Bond flick "Casino Royale," while Vanya's creations have made the fashion pages of Vogue, Elle, and every devil wearing prada edited magazine.

Julia Barba of Vanya laments that Chinese manufacturers often try to copy their designs, sneakily attempting to photograph their products at trade shows in Milan, Tokyo, and Paris. "I must have the most photographed palms in the world," says Barba, describing attempts to fend off would-be pirates from photographing their wares at trade shows.

Competition and copycats are a threat, but Cobonpue deals with IP violations creatively: "We're constantly creating new designs, if they copy our designs, by the time they make it to market, they're selling fakes of last year's designs."

The process of reinvention is key to Cobonpue's success, next year's designs may carry elements from last year's ideas, or be entirely fresh. It is the combination of old and new that creates excitement, the use of traditional materials with new forms, or new materials with traditional forms.

This same process of reinvention keeps the boom times rolling in Cebu: Combining old with the new, guided by a centuries old tradition of trade and commerce.

The Grand Dame has a New Name

Written for Federal Land, and the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, following a media familiarization tour.

The Grand Dame has a New Name

She towers majestically over Metro Cebu in Nivel Hills, Lahug, an unmistakeable landmark in a remarkable city. Formerly the Cebu Plaza, she is now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Acquired by a consortium led by Metrobank and Federal Land in 2002, Chairman George Ty takes a personal interest in this landmark project, carefully overseeing, along with Federal Land General Manager Reynaldo Villar, the Grand Dame's P800 Million renovation.

Marco Polo signed on as the hotel's operator in July 2005, the group's second hotel venture in the Philippines and eighth worldwide. Marco Polo, based in Hong Kong and one of Asia's fastest growing hotel chains, brings international hospitality standards to Cebu.

Most of the exterior structure remains intact, including the hotel's signature scenic elevator--a tribute to the original architects' forward looking design. Elegant furnishings from Cebu Plaza were spruced up and retained, and where needed, new pieces contracted from Cebu's leading furniture manufacturers.

The refurbished Grand Lobby ranks among the country's most elegant, and is certainly above anything else in Cebu. The hotel's Grand Ballroom and function rooms, lavishly upgraded to modern standards, remain a favorite for Cebu's premiere business and social events. The hotel's 329 rooms have been upgraded to Marco Polo standards, with central airconditioning and modern amenities, including broadband Internet.

For business travellers, the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu offers the Continental Club, an 81-room virtual hotel within a hotel. Guests at the Club avail of extra perks at the exclusive Club lounge on the 24th floor which offers all day snacks, wireless Internet access, a boardroom with multimedia facilities, and express check-out.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is a major host in the forthcoming ASEAN Summit in December and several countries are competing to book their delegations at the hotel. Given the size of each delegation and their unique requirements, the hotel can only accommodate three or four countries during the summit, "but we're glad to know that we're the first choice of several countries." says PR Manager Carlo Borromeo.

Gearing up for the ASEAN Summit is what's kept the hotel's 368 person staff busy since it opened for business in January 2006. It has since hosted several important functions: Metrobank's International Conference, the Philippine Anaesthesiologists Convention, and its own Inauguration on April 27, with no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cutting the ribbon.

The main market of the hotel, in line with the President's SONA program for tourism is the MICE market, or Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, and Exhibits, but it also has a generous share of the leisure travel market, says General Manager Hans Hauri, who ensures that Marco Polo's standards of service are maintained.

The hotel boasts three F&B outlets: The trademark Cafe Marco, the Lobby bar, and Garden Terrace beside the pool. The Garden Terrace, with its outdoor stage, is a popular venue for Cebu society's outdoor events.

Overseeing the hotel's food service is Executive Chef Luke Gagnon, a Canadian with over fifteen years experience in Asia's best hotels, from the Excelsior in Hong Kong, to the various Shangri-La Hotels (including Mactan), Sutera Harbor in Malaysia, and now, the Marco Polo Hotel Cebu.

Chef Gagnon enjoys cooking in Cebu where he can find the freshest ingredients and organic vegetables from a contract supplier. He loves the Cebu Mango, "the best in the world," and incorporates it into many dishes from appetizers to salads and entrees, and of course, desserts.

Walking into the Cafe Marco, one could easily proclaim this Cebu's best hotel buffet, but be careful not to let the Chef hear you: "This is not a Buffet!" proclaims Chef Gagnon, "In a buffet, you get food which is several hours old, at the Cafe Marco, food is cooked on demand by our chefs, and always served fresh and delicious."

There are many exciting things in store for the hotel's 7.5 hectare property. Federal Land, owner of the hotel property, foresees further development of the area into a premiere business, leisure, and residential complex within the city. "This is in line with our main business as a quality property developer," says General Manager Villar, "We are currently fixing up the low-rise area, formerly a sports complex and apartelles, and studying redevelopment possibilities."

"But rest assured," Villar adds, "...the Grand Dame, now the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, will always be the property's flagship and a prestigious Cebu landmark for decades to come!"

The Emergency Revolution

Published in the Manila Bulletin, 12 March 2006, two weeks after a State of Emergency was declared due to political unrest.

The Emergency Revolution

IT’S WHAT YOU DO in a State of Emergency that reveals where your priorities lie.

For President Gloria Arroyo, that meant taking the time last February 25 to rally the troops at the "Go Negosyo" Entrepreneurial Fair.

Accompanied by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, and Presidential Adviser on Job Creation Arthur Yap, the President was warmly greeted by both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, who she referred to as "patriots," creating livelihood opportunities and feeding families.

Entrepreneurial development is key to the President’s 10-point program of governance.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, Entrepreneurial Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) ensure a more equitable distribution of income, disperse economic activity to the countryside, and are a potent force in the war against poverty.

SMEs account for 99.6% of firms registered nationwide, and employ 69.9% of the labor force.

But why focus on entrepreneurship?

For one, entrepreneurial start-ups are amazing creators of economic value, in percentage terms, start-ups create more economic value than any other stage of the business life cycle.

Seasoned entrepreneurs can start up valuable businesses with nothing more than a business plan, creating a return on investment approaching infinity. Quite an advantage for a country that is perennially starved of capital.

Second, because of OFW remittances, we have one of the highest savings rates of any country in the world at 28%.

By actively promoting entrepreneurship, we provide channels for the conversion of savings and overseas remittances into productive enterprises, creating opportunities and jobs.

Republic Act 9178, The Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Law (fondly known as the BaMBE Law) is the cornerstone of the government’s SME program.

Under this Law, businesses capitalized below Three Million Pesos are eligible for Income Tax Holidays, access to preferential credit (from Land Bank, DBP, the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation, and the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation), listing in the Local Government’s BMBE directory, and other perks.

To qualify as a BMBE, all you need to do is fill out the BMBE form downloadable from the DTI website (http://www.dti.gov.ph click on the "SME Agenda" Link along the lower left column), and submit it together with your business registration documents to your City or Municipal Treasurer, and pay the BMBE registration fee.

One note on the BMBE Program: Not all local governments are aware of it, and even among those that are, offices in some LGUs pretend it doesn’t exist.

Make sure you speak directly with the City Treasurer’s Office. They are the implementing office at the local level, but if you still have problems, contact DTI’s SME Center in your region.

A directory can be found on DTI’s website.

To help you out on your entrepreneurial venture, the government has volumes of information and technical assistance for you.

From DTI’s SME Agenda home page, you can find a startup business plan, a document with the programs and services for SMEs, and the 2004-2010 Development plan for SMEs. Review these documents for a guide on the specific programs you can avail of.

From the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Home Page (http://www.tlrc.gov.ph), you can find training resources, class schedules, and other useful information. TLRC’s offerings are good investments for anyone serious about starting a business.

From the DOST home page (http://www.dost.gov.ph), find the training catalog of the technology training center, and links to free software for your business.

Most startup businesses can’t afford the prices of commercial software, but don’t be tempted to use pirated software — piracy is illegal and will get you into trouble sooner or later.

Use DOST’s Bayanihan Linux or Ubuntu Linux, the free OpenOffice.org suite, and other free software for Windows and Macintosh.

Other sites that are useful for SMEs are the Cottage Industry Technology Center, UP- Institute of Small-Scale Industries, the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority, and the DBPs SME page.

The National Government’s programs to promote entrepreneurship are a great start, unfortunately, these may not yet be enough.

SMEs contribute a mere 32% in value added to GDP, an under-performance compared with Japan (56%), China (60%), South Korea (46%), and Indonesia (63%).

For many small entrepreneurs, the only government they see is at the local level, yet how many local government units (LGUs) actively promote the National SME Agenda?

Many have job fairs, hoping to earn points with the hungry masses, yet few have activities that promote genuine entrepreneurship and true livelihood opportunities for their constituents.

The Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Law encourages local governments to take a pro-active stand towards entrepreneurship by simplifying registration procedures and creating a directory of registered microbusiness enterprises.

Many LGUs have simple enough registration procedures, but how many LGU websites have directories of BMBE’s?

Hardly any.

City and municipal treasurers both inside and outside Metro Manila lament that although their office implements the BMBE Law by issuing certifications, other offices in some LGUs are hardly enthusiastic about it, reluctant to promote it, with others even discouraging businesses from availing of it.

Another issue for small businesses is the cost of administrative compliance.

Any duly registered business has to make two filings with the BIR each month, four filings a year with the Local Government, and about half a dozen other filings a year with relevant agencies.

For medium and large scale businesses, the cost of compliance is negligible, but for the MicroEntrepreneur with limited resources, compliance costs can be debilitating and a bane to the productivity of the microenterprise.

Perhaps in the spirit of the BMBE Law, offices such as the BIR can limit these filings to once a quarter for BMBE certified businesses.

It will be a great help to micro-businesses and may even improve the tax take.

For the National Government’s proentrepreneurship program to be efective, it's important that the programs reach the frontlines.

Pitting these resources online is a great start: It conveniently circumvents any obstacles between the programs and their intended audience; but ultimately it is the enthusiastic involvement of LGUs and regional offices of government that will determine the success of the SME agenda.

State of Emergency or not, we are in a crisis, and we need a revolution to resolve the crises of poverty and lack of opportunity.

Entrepreneurship is that revolution: and Revolution that involves us working hand-in-hand with the National Government’s pro-SME agenda.

Any lesser agency, regional authority, or local government office that hinders this cause should be stomped on like the so many cockroaches that they are. They are the real cause of poverty.