Letter to the Editor

Eleven year olds used to just play “Chinese garters” or “patintero” on the street, otherwise, they are at home doing their homework, watching TV, or simply doing what a normal 11-year old should be doing.

We appreciate Joey Gabieta’s article on page 14 of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 2 November 2007.  The article focused on the ancestral claims of the Higaonon marchers from Sumilao, the pains of their form of struggle, and the tremendous help of support groups in Eastern Visayas such as Palo Archbishop Jose Palma.

31 October 2007

As an advocate of water for the people and environment, I am always monitoring updates on the issue of imminent threat of privatization and commodification of freshwater resources of Davao City, particularly the plan of the Board of Directors and Management of Davao City Water District (DCWD) to avail a PhP 126-million loan from the Local Water Utility Administration (LWUA) or any local and international financial institutions. 

This is in reference to the immolation of 267 Indonesian parrots and birds on 10 July. The article I read stated that government officials were proud of their actions in keeping the Philippines free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. I would find very little to be proud of in the burning of helpless, suffering animals when scientific evidence would support the fact that it was all unnecessary