MANILA, Philippines – Environmentalists, active transport advocates, and heritage conservationists celebrated the apparent cancellation of the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) as a win for communities threatened by the project.
But what’s next after San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang’s announcement? What other government projects could affect Pasig River, Metro Manila’s most iconic waterway?
Rappler community lead Pia Ranada talks to two advocates who fought PAREX alongside communities: Joven Jacolbia of Ilog Pasiglahin, and Rigel Magcale, an urban planner.
Ilog Pasiglahin is a group pushing for the sustainable revitalization of Pasig River. Learn more about their advocacy and how they think rivers in Philippine cities should be developed.
Catch the conversation at 7 pm on Friday, March 22, on this page and Rappler’s YouTube and social media pages.
This is the first episode of a special series of Be The Goodcalled Let’s Talk Liveability that will focus on efforts to improve the quality of life in Philippine cities in the aspects of transportation and mobility, green and open spaces, access to basic services, heritage conservation, disaster resilience, and local economy.
The series is part of Make Manila Liveable, a collaboration between Rappler and civil society groups pushing for liveability in cities. Learn more about the movement here. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – With the future of the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project uncertain, advocates who opposed the project called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to center his Pasig River revival initiative on the needs of communities near the iconic waterway.
Joven Jacolbia and Rigel Magcale, members of volunteer group Ilog Pasiglahin, told Rappler on Friday, March 22, that they would support the President’s and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli Project” (PBBM), if it would be based on genuine consultation with communities.
“We welcome the plan because we in Ilog Pasiglahin think that government should take the lead in rehabilitating Pasig River,” said Jacolbia in a Be The Good interview with Rappler community lead Pia Ranada.
“We’ve seen the plans. President Marcos said, it will be people-driven, community-oriented, but right now, unfortunately, none of us–and even none of our partner communities–have been consulted in the drafting or planning the program,” he added.
The “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli Project,” which has the same acronym as Marcos’ name, was officially introduced to the public last January. It has its roots in his July 2023 executive order which created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD), headed by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and vice-chaired by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
In the plan, 8 areas along the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River will be developed into “people-centric” zones that will feature a mix of commercial spaces, public parks, bike lanes, and jogging areas. Thousands of informal settlers stand to be displaced by the project but the government gave assurances they would be given new homes in permanent relocation sites.
How the Palace-backed river revival plan would jive with PAREX and other road projects near Pasig River confuses groups like Ilog Pasiglahin.
PALACE-LED PASIG RIVER PLANS. On January 17, the ‘Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli’ project was officially introduced to the public during an opening ceremony headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook Page
But Marcos’ vision for the river is closer to their goals than the planned expressway.
Jacolbia and Magcale, however, emphasized that genuine public consultation and collaboration with Pasig River communities would make the Marcos plan more sustainable. Without the involvement of communities, it would be easier for another administration to scrap the project. It would also be much easier for private developers to “co-opt” the riverside sites and turn them into enclaves for the rich, shutting out ordinary people who have the right to enjoy the river too.
“Hindi naman gagana ‘yung isang proyekto ‘pag hindi naman ‘to ginamit o hindi naman ‘to sinosolve, ‘yung kung ano bang mga problema ng communities,” said Jacolbia, pointing out the importance of consulting with the people.
(A project cannot run without people who can benefit from it and if it does not address the issues of the communities.)
The two advocates also pushed for a law that would ensure protection of Pasig River from projects like PAREX. There is also still the planned Southern Access Link Expressway or SALEX that could affect one end of Pasig River.
One way is to declare Pasig River a heritage site, something which only one city, Makati, has done, through an ordinance.
“It needs to be protected by law, Pasig River, that it’s open for nature and sustainably developed. The laws should make it hard to be co-opted for things or developments that are not people-centric,” said Magcale.
He also pointed out that, in the local development plans of cities that would be traversed by PAREX, the river’s banks were identified mostly as recreational or tourist sites, not as a site for a major road. Thus, if national government were to listen to local government units, PAREX and other projects like it should not be given the green light.
The national agency that had previously coordinated policies for Pasig River, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, was dissolved by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2019.
Pasig River rehabilitation guide book
Currently, Ilog Pasiglahin is developing a “Pasig River Rehabilitation Guidebook” that encapsulates the “vision” of different communities for the future of the Pasig River. In their book, they enumerated six factors that they believe is essential to a “sustainable Pasig River development.”
Local communities and their livelihood: A project can only be fully realized if the government understands what the people need.
Environment: The rehabilitation of the Pasig River should not only center on a clean-up drive for the water system, but also ensure that there is a healthy ecosystem where animals, particularly fish and birds, can thrive.
Transportation: There should be clear, concrete plans on how the waterway and its banks can be utilized for transportation. Access to bike lanes and ferry services must be open and expanded to all communities.
Heritage and tourism: These two interconnected components point to the prominence of the Pasig River both as a heritage and tourist site. Proper utilization and promotion of historical structures built near the rivers such as the Intramuros and Fort Santiago situated inside it help revive interest in landmarks.
Urban planning: The Pasig River stands at the heart of the busy metropolis, stringing together cities and bodies of water, including Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay. With strategic urban planning, Pasig River could better contribute to improves access, mobility, and connections throughout the metropolis.
– Adelainne Balbin/Rappler.com
Reviving Pasig River and developing it sustainably is among ways groups believe we can #MakeManilaLiveable.
‘Be The Good: Let’s Talk Liveability’ is a special series of conversations about improving quality of life in Metro Manila involving experts, activists, government officials, and ordinary people. If you want to learn more, check this page.
MANILA, Philippines – As Women’s Month comes to an end, Rappler’s community show Be The Good shines the spotlight on Filipino women community leaders making a mark in their respective fields.
Join Rappler head of community Pia Ranada in a special panel discussion with our guests:
Anna Oposa, marine conservationist and co-founder of Save Philippine Seas
Maureen Mata, advocate for persons with disability rights
Karen Crisostomo, active transport advocate and co-founder of Bicycle Friendly Philippines
What do these three women on a mission have to say about dealing with unique challenges for women in their sectors? What is their advice for women or anyone who feels stuck, who want to pursue their passions but don’t know where to start or lack support?
Watch the episode on April 1 at 7 pm on this page, Rappler’s YouTube page, and other social media pages.
Be The Good is Rappler’s show about advocacies, campaigns, and issues faced by communities.
PALAWAN, Philippines – Since January 2024, an urban coastal barangay in Puerto Princesa has been conducting weekly coastal cleanup activities in an effort to rid its coastlines of plastic pollution.
“Ginawa na naming weekly para makita natin ‘yung impact ng ginagawang coastal cleanup. We have mobilized the coastal residents themselves at maganda ang ipinakita nilang active participation,” Lha Gallo, newly elected chair of Barangay Mandaragat said.
(We made it weekly so we could see the impact of the coastal cleanup operations. We have mobilized the coastal residents themselves, and they’ve shown good active participation.)
Their latest coastal cleanup activity was on Saturday, March 23. A few hundreds of its households are located in coastal zones that are within the coastal easement, an area supposedly for public recreation and a salvaged zone pursuant to the Philippine Water Code.
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. Residents of Barangay Mandaragat in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, participate in a coastal cleanup activity. Photo by Gerich Reyes
Since these families living in coastal households are considered informal settlers, the city government intends to relocate them to a housing project in Irawan, 15 kilometers from their present location.
Among those who actively participated in the activity aside from coastal residents were barangay officials both elected and appointed, tanod (village guards), purok officials, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), barangay workers, and civic organizations based in their barangay.
In Purok Talisay alone, they collected 51 sacks of solid waste from underneath the coastline’s houses. This is equivalent to more than 400 kilos.
Since coastal clean-up activities are not funded by their barangays’ annual budget, officials relied mainly on donors like Kagawad (Councilor) Marife Diaz-Bumanlag who sponsored arroz caldo (porridge). Barangay Mandaragat has an annual budget of P23 million.
Mary Jane Magbanua is among the 4Ps beneficiaries who actively participated in the activity. She said that she is proud to be part of their coastlines’ eco warriors.
Former barangay chairman and now Kagawad Gerry Abad said that they will not stop cleaning their coastlines.
“Kahit linggo-linggo na ginagawa ang coastal cleanup ang mga basura ay nandiyan pa rin. Hindi pa rin nauubos ang solid waste at mga plastic sa dagat,” Abad said.
(Even if we do the coastal cleanup every week, there will always be garbage there. Solid waste doesn’t seem to run out, and neither does plastic in the ocean.)
Another initiative that they introduced is the Palit-Basura (Waste Exchange) program which started before the pandemic or sometime in 2018 during the term of Abad. This time, Gallo found the program important in getting rid of solid waste, and so she vowed to sustain it.
Championing solid waste management
Mandaragat is among the urban barangays in this city that have championed solid waste management.
Community Development Officer IV Mary Ann Joylle Madriñan of the city’s Environment and Natural Resources Office said that Mandaragat has been implementing various projects on solid waste management for more than 10 years.
Mandaragat also established 13 gulayan (vegetable gardens) so that biodegradable solid wastes will be directly transported by a barangay worker they call bio-man to these gulayan. This way, the solid waste from their barangay that will be collected by the City Solid Waste Management trucks are only residual wastes, like soiled plastic, thin films, sando bags and other single-use plastic packaging like sachets.
But what is interesting about this barangay is that they do not have wastebins on its streets and alleys. Rather they teach local residents to bring out their solid waste only when there’s waste collection.
COMMUNITY. Community members in Barangay Mandaragat join in solid waste management efforts. Photo by Gerich Reyes
In the entire Puerto Princesa, 180 to 200 tons of mixed wastes reach its sanitary landfill daily, a volume that city authorities fear might reached the facility’s maximum capacity. But with the impact Mandaragat is trying to achieve, they are hopeful that it will yield tangible results for the people and the environment. – Rappler.com
LEYTE, Philippines — At the Regional Tertiary School Press Conference (RTSPC-8) held from April 3 to 6 at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, student journalists from 29 different colleges and universities were asked what key issues and concerns in Eastern Visayas require urgent government response and media attention.
The students went on the Rappler Communities app to weigh in, sending their responses to the #FactsFirstPH chat room. Some of the responses were read out during the program by Rappler head of community Pia Ranada who moderated a workshop on how Rappler uses AI to build communities and crowdsource insights from the public. The workshop was held on April 3, the first day of the summit.
What were the pressing issues of Eastern Visayas, according to the students? Here is a summary.
Rutted roads lead to inconvenient and unsafe travels
Traversing bumpy roads is just another run-of-the-mill occurrence for the residents of Samar.
From the municipality of Lope De Vega in the north, the capital of Catbalogan in the west, and the major road network of the Daang Maharlika Highway (or the Pan-Philippine Highway) linking Samar to Luzon and Mindanao, these freeways have become the subject of public clamor for years.
In the #FactsFirstPH chat room, student journalist Diosdado Ompad had this to say about the roads in Samar.
Lorraine C., on the other hand, said that the journey through the main roads of Samar feels like a “roller coaster ride,” acknowledging the possibility of vehicular accidents.
When Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the areas of Leyte and Eastern Samar in 2013, the ruined conditions of all routes made it difficult for people past its borders to access the calamity-stricken provinces. Since then, recovery goals have been slow in progress, with the onslaught of rainstorms in the following years only aggravating the delay. Reports of poor project handling had also led citizens to pin the mismanagement to the higher-ups.
In Catbalogan, the locals are left with no choice but to endure its rough roads, reported Franco Nube.
For Florentino Mainit, the roads in Samar only ever get a “temporary fix” by dumping sand on them. They added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) seem to not take notice of the road problem.
The following year, DPWH’s Eastern Visayas Director Edgar Tabacon said in a Philippine News Agency report that their budget had a “big reduction of funds for road maintenance” since 2020, limiting its capacity to carry out necessary measures for the roads in Samar.
In April, a project for a damaged road in the 2nd congressional district of Samar only received a budget of P18.35 million—a far cry from the district’s P100 million maintenance fund it had before 2020.
According to another Inquirer.net article, the national government launched another rehabilitation project for the Maharlika Highway. With a budget of at least P8 billion, the plan included road repair and bridge widening among others. DPWH sees no starting date for it just yet, but hopes to finish it before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.
Environmental threats
Among the environmental issues reported were the mining operations in Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar and the halted Cancabato Bay causeway project in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The island of Homonhon, on the east side of the Leyte Gulf, holds historical significance as the first landing site of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. For decades, its mountains have been mined for nickel and chromite, with operations currently led by four corporations: Techiron Resources Inc., Emir Mineral Resources Corp., Global Min-net Resources Inc., and King Resources Mining.
In a 2021 report by the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Techiron and Emir were issued a closure order in February 2017 by the late Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Gina Lopez, citing environmental violations in an extensive audit covering 26 other mining firms across the country.
As per reports from PinoyWeekly and Rappler, environmental advocates and parish groups have been opposing the mining for years. For them, the operations have drastically lowered the quality of life in the area, affecting the residents’ drinking supply, health, and farming and fishing livelihoods.
Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of the municipality of Guiuan, of which Homonhon is a part of, nevertheless supports the operations—in an Inquirer.net article, Gonzales-Kwan emphasized that the mining brought employment to 2,300 residents.
Meanwhile, in Tacloban City, locals and advocates remain wary amid the DPWH’s halted P3.46 billion-causeway project over Cancabato Bay.
In 2023, Tacloban’s city council had passed a resolution to put the project on hold, citing lack of environmental studies by the DPWH on the impacts of reclaiming a protected mariculture zone.
The proposed four-lane, 2.56-kilometer project alleges ease-of-access from the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport to the city center, as well as protection from storm surges.
But environmentalist Roque Regis of Barangay 83 (“Paraiso”) said that the mangroves surrounding their area already protect them from storm surges, including the 2013 supertyphoon Yolanda, which the causeway would threaten to destroy.
Student journalist Clarenze also emphasized that Cancabato Bay is a “breeding ground” for fish. Should the causeway be built, roughly half of the registered 3,649 fisherfolk would have their livelihoods affected.
Tying Homonhon and Concabato together, student Mark Phel Trota said that these sites are “exploited for [the] self-interest of the people in power,” lamenting how profits are prioritized over environmental repercussions.
Spikes in political killings, rising cases of suicide
Behind the political climate in Eastern Visayas lies a trail of blood with no seeming end.
In the 3rd district of Leyte alone, locals have voiced out concern and apprehension over the violence that ensued in February this year.
The latest, as per a Philstar.com report, was the slaying of three barangay officials in Barangay Daja Diot: chairman Elizalde Tabon, watchman Rusty Salazar, and councilor Paulo Al Mindero, all found dead on the spot.
The Leyte Samar Daily Express reported that on top of four attacks against village officials that same month, alarmed mayors in the third district reinforced their police forces in their respective towns.
Student journalist Jerry Yubal, who cited Inquirer.net’s article on the December 2022 ambush killing of Juanita Veloso, sister of San Isidro’s municipal mayor Remedio Veloso, expressed fear over the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
“Since we will have another election this 2025, I fear that the political conflict in the district might become more bloody,” he said on the Rappler app.
Some of the student journalists also touched upon the suicide cases among teenagers in Leyte.
Gem cited a suicide case from the town of Isabel. Username Yanxi_26, who had the same concern also highlighted the crucial role of journalists in shedding light on this issue.
Several other concerns were addressed in the open forum: inadequate funding and support for education and health services, incompetent and abusive public servants, election-related injustices, disinformation campaigns, animal cruelty, and LGBTIAQ+ discrimination.
With past local coverage efforts met with red-tagging and arrests, the student journalists of Eastern Visayas call for press freedom, protection, and coordinated action between government and community in addressing these long-sidelined issues. – Rappler.com
Be a part of the conversation of change in the Rappler Communities app, the first of its kind in the Philippines and around the world. Download the app on App Store or Google Play and join the chat rooms that matter to you.
Adelainne Balbin is a Rappler intern from the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila. She is currently in her fourth year in college taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Mika Soria is a Rappler volunteer from the University of the Philippines Diliman. As a soon-to-be graduate from the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing program, they are interested in exploring writing in the field of journalism–most especially when it comes to stories centered on community and nation-building.
MANILA, Philippines – Are you interested in volunteering?
Rappler has launched a chat room in its Rappler Communities mobile app, where individuals and organizations can share, promote, and access volunteer opportunities and potential collaborations.
Called the volunteer opportunities chat room, it is a digital space aimed at promoting civic engagement and collaborate with like-minded individuals.
The chat room, which opened on Friday, April 19, is moderated by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH, as well as partner organizations carrying a wide range of advocacies, such as media and information literacy, press freedom, disaster risk reduction and management, and human rights, among others.
The following are MovePH’s partner organizations:
Amaranth
AMAPS
Ashoka Philippines
Bike Scouts Philippines
Break the Fake Movement
ExplainedPH
LILAK
MapaKalamidad.ph
Media Educators of Mindanao
What can you do in the chat room?
The volunteer opportunities chat room is public, making this accessible to interested organizations and individuals alike.
Anyone is welcome to share opportunities, potential collaborations, resources and learning materials, project showcases, inspiring finds and pitches, and best practices in civic engagement in the chat room.
People can also share opportunities for leadership development and growth here, which could include but are not limited to job openings, internships, trainings, workshops, educational discussions, and mentorship programs.
The chat room will also feature chat discussions on civic engagement and volunteerism, where people can learn from fellow advocates.
Additionally, it gives organizations and individuals a chance to interact with each other, build a connection, and collaborate on future projects.
Being part of an organization is not required. Even those who are still looking for volunteer opportunities or are still figuring out their advocacies can be a part of this chat room. Who knows? You might find the right fit for you here!
To be part of this chat room, first download the Rappler Communities app through iOS and Android, then join the volunteer opportunities chat room on the platform:
MANILA, Philippines – To mark the 54th celebration of International Earth Day on April 22, numerous groups in the country are organizing initiatives and campaigns to raise awareness and confront environmental issues, specifically plastic waste.
This year, the theme of the annual celebration focuses on ‘’Planet vs Plastics,’’ which emphasizes the goal to achieve a 60% reduction in plastic by 2040, educate the public on its negative effect on biodiversity, and demand policies and technologies that correspond to a plastic-free world.
To spread and advocate for environmental conservation, here is a running list of upcoming events and activities initiated by advocacy groups for International Earth Day:
EarthDay Jam Foundation, Inc.
EarthDay Jam Foundation, Incorporated, in support of the local government of Quezon City, is hosting “Earth Jam Day 2024” on Saturday, April 27, 3 pm, in SM Novaliches. The event will feature a series of jam sessions, exhibits, and film screenings. Admission is free.
𝗘arth Island Institute Asia Pacific
The Earth Island Institute Asia Pacific along with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Disaster Resilience Institute is leading an online educational discussion webinar on Monday, April 22, 9 am, via Zoom. The webinar is geared to raising awareness on fighting plastic pollution, marine wildlife, and reiterating the struggles of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin in the Iloilo-Guimaras Straits.
Kalikasan People’s Network, in partnership with various environmental groups in the Philippines, invites everyone to their month-long activities for Earth Month, incljding environmental summits, bike tours, forums, and art exhibits happening until April 29 across the country.
You may access the full list of activities below.
National Confederation of Cooperatives
The National Confederation of Cooperatives conducts an online forum themed “Planet vs Plastics,” to discuss pressing environmental issues including health hazards brought by plastic, and action steps towards sustainability. The webinar is happening on Monday, April 22, 2 pm, via Zoom.
Youth organization Proyekto Philippines along with several groups and government agencies in Iloilo, invites everyone to “Earth Warriors Invasion: An Earth Day 2024,” a whole-day activity featuring clean-up drives, workshops, and policy advocacy campaigns. This will happen on Wednesday, April 24, at SM City Iloilo.
Details about the event may be found below:
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy, in partnership with charity organization Tzu Chi Philippines, organizes Runrio Earth Day Run to “promote environmental consciousness and spur collective action” on April 21, at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. The activity aims to heighten awareness about environmental protection and to help advocate the importance of conserving resources and reducing our carbon footprint.Registration fee ranges from P1,200 to P2000.
The University of the Philippines Visayas University Student Council is inviting cause-oriented individuals to join the call for climate justice at the Panay Environment Summit 2024 on Monday, April 22, 8 am, at the University of the Philippines Iloilo campus.
Themed “Defend the Environment: Uphold People’s Rights to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable envrionment,” the summit aims to tackle Panayanon concerns, such as the Jalaur River mega dam, its effect on the Tumandok people’s ancestral domain, the impact of mining in Pan de Azucar, Concepcion, on livelihood and marine resources, and sustainability.
– with reports from Allaine Kate A. Leda/ Rappler.com
Do you know of other events and activities in celebration of International Earth Day 2024? Email them to move.ph@rappler.com.
Allaine Kate A. Leda is a Rappler intern from West Visayas State University – Main Campus. She is currently a fourth-year student taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Miagao, Philippines – The UP Fair has been one of the most anticipated events in some University of the Philippines campuses. This year, UP Visayas will have its first-ever UP Fair – that will serve as a celebration of artistry and advocacies combined in one event.
This highly anticipated event is entitled “SILAKBO: The UPV Fair 2024” with the theme, “Hugyaw kang Katilingban kag Pag-himakas Tubtob sa Pang-pungsodnon nga Demokrasya kag Kahilwayan (The clamor and movement of the masses toward collective democracy and liberation)!” It is a three-day activity scheduled from April 23 to 25, 6 pm to 11 pm, at the UP Visayas Miagao Campus football field. This is open to both students and non-UPV students.
Here’s what you should know before going to SILAKBO: The UPV Fair 2024.
Advocacy-driven causes
Similar to other campuses, the UPV Fair in Miagao is be cause-oriented. Proceeds from the first day concert will go to the Asian Medical Students Association-West Visayas State University (AMSA-WVSU) chapter’s medical outreach project.
This event is in collaboration with several advocacy groups such PH Pub for Public Health: Project PAWrdise for Animal Welfare, UPV College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (UPV CAS SC) for No To Cha-Cha, and SAMAKAKA-UPV for Wage Hike that will feature their respective booths during the event.
The organizers have also partnered with public transportation drivers of Miagao to help with their income and ensure that audiences from the city can travel back safely by providing them with a means of transportation.
Local artists
During the three-day event, Tumindig at Tumingkad, Tinig Gubat, and SILAKBO Sectors’ Night will take place and will be organized by several student organizations. They will feauture local artists such as The Ridleys, Autotelic, MusikangBayan, DJ Young, and Clyde Ortencio, among others.
You may access the full lineup below:
Ticket pricing
These are the ticket prices for the event:
General admission – P350
VIP – P450
VVIP – P550 (including meet and greet with the artists)
You may get your tickets at the Lean Alejandro Hall (CUB) or through this link.
The following bundle tickets are also available on site at the same venue:
VIP for two nights – P1000
General admission for two nights – P650
Meanwhile, there will be free admission on SILAKBO Sectors’ Night, the third and last day of the fair.
Other things to consider
Before entering the venue, make sure to bring your ticket upon entrance. It is also highly encouraged to support booths and local businesses around the area. To ensure safety, smoking, bringing of sharp objects and alcoholic beverages, and littering are strictly prohibited.
Organizers also remind attendees to stay hydrated given the heat. – with reports from Allaine Kate A. Leda/Rappler.com
Allaine Kate A. Leda is a Rappler intern from West Visayas State University – Main Campus. She is currently a fourth-year student taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
MANILA, Philippines – Limited livelihood opportunities for people with autism are often exacerbated by societal misconceptions and insufficient support systems.
In the Angels Walk for Autism event organized by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) on Sunday, April 21, some 22,000 participants, including individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, raised awareness about the need for more disability-inclusive livelihood opportunities where Filipinos with autism can thrive.
With the theme, “Kakaiba, kasali, katrabaho (Unique, included, colleague)” the event featured a talent showcase from performers on the autism spectrum, talks from advocates, and a walk, among others.
Unequal opportunities
ASP national spokesperson Mona Magno-Veluz pointed out that economic empowerment for individuals on the autism spectrum comes with high stakes given the difficulties they are confronted with from job seeking to work deployment.
“We are very aware of the limited opportunities for job seekers on the spectrum – our children. Many think of autism as a condition of the young, rather than a condition that is present in adults,” Magno-Veluz said in an interview with Rappler.
One instance where this can be seen, as per Magno-Veluz, is during job interviews. “The most obvious challenge for job seekers on the spectrum is that they do not interview well. This difficulty makes our job seekers frustrated as it stops them even before they get too far.”
Acknowledging that not all people may fit in traditional work spaces, she emphasized the need for other forms of livelihoods where people on the spectrum can excel like entrepreneurship, freelancing, and artistry.
WORK, WORK, WORK. Buboy Dolor and students of Hopewell Integrated School perform a song and dance number clad in outfits representing different work fields during the Angels Walk talent show at SM MOA Arena on April 21.
Inclusive employment
ASP national president Lorenzo Sumulong highlighted some of their ongoing livelihood projects in support of inclusive employment, such as the ASP Autism Work, a career placement initiative that offers job coaching and sensitivity training to coach its partner companies and organizations to better handle potential employees on the spectrum.
ASP Project GourmA and Project ChocolatA are also programs catering to aspiring culinary chefs on the spectrum.
Additionally, there are ASP programs that provide platforms for individuals where they can harness their skills and learn to be independent in the workforce. Among these are ASP ARTismo, a culture and arts platform where people on the spectrum can express their creativity through workshops and exhibits, and ASP AutisMALL, an online marketplace by and for individuals on the spectrum.
“These initiatives not only champion the cause of autism acceptance, but also strive to create inclusive opportunities for individuals of the autism spectrum,” Sumulong said.
SAN JUAN CITY PDAO. Autism Society Philippines national spokesperson Mona Magno-Veluz, children on the autism spectrum, and representatives from the San Juan City Persons With Disability Affairs Office smile for the camera during the Angels Walk event at the SM Music Hall.
With the challenges employees and job seekers on the autism spectrum face, Magno-Veluz emphasized the importance of helping families and employers to create a kinder and more genuine work environment for individuals with autism.
“We advocate with our partner employers for an equitable screening process that also tests practical skills and problem-solving skills to give them a better chance at showing off their strengths and getting hired,” she said.
For an empowered workforce on the spectrum to be emboldened, Magno-Veluz also called on everyone to be proactive supporters, specifically the public, on digital spaces.
“It is not enough to rally behind ‘autism awareness.’ We need action. We need acceptance, accommodation, and appreciation – especially in the workplace,” she said. – Adelainne Balbin/Rappler.com
Adelainne Balbin is a Rappler intern from the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila. She is currently in her fourth year in college taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
The following is a press release from MAD Philippines.
The Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), in partnership with Lyceum of the Philippines University – College of Law, proudly presents the inaugural MAD Debate Cup 2024, scheduled for May 12 and 19, 2024. This new debate competition invites law students to critically examine the pervasive issue of disinformation and its harmful effects to individuals and to our society. The central theme of the competition focuses on the spread of disinformation in emerging media landscapes, delving into cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, big tech, social media, deep fakes, online fake news, and information ops.
Conceived by MAD, a diverse non-partisan coalition comprising members from academia, the legal profession, civil society organizations, international and local non-governmental organizations, and other advocacy groups, this tournament aims to combat the systematic and unregulated dissemination of disinformation on social media platforms. This phenomenon is seen as a genuine and significant threat to democracy, good governance, and human rights. In line with its ongoing commitment to raise awareness about disinformation, MAD has organized this debate cup to provide a platform for law students to engage in discussions and address emerging issues related to disinformation propagated through rapidly evolving media technologies.
Teams aspiring to participate in the tournament can still register until April 26, 2024.
Venue: LPU – College of Law, Makati and LPU Manila Competition Dates: May 12 (Prelims) and May 19 (Semis and Finals) Debate Format: Oxford-Oregon Format Prizes: Php 10,000 cash prize for the top-performing team
This tournament serves as a dynamic arena where future legal practitioners can refine their debating skills, connect with peers and seasoned professionals, and potentially influence national-level public discourse. Through this event, MAD aims to cultivate a new generation of advocates equipped to uphold truth and critically engage with the multifaceted challenges posed by disinformation.
This project is made possible through partnerships with Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia, R.V. Domingo & Associates, Bello Valdez & Esguerra, in cooperation with Mawis Law Office, and sponsored by La Viña Zarate & Associates and Taton Law.
For questions and clarifications, please email us at madphilippines2021@gmail.com. – Rappler.com
