I have spent more than 30 years of my professional life in development work, but it was only last year that I came across the term “women-managed areas” or WMA. It was identified as one of the possible topics for research during a consultation held with our partner nongovernment organizations…
Leave a CommentAuthor: Gemma Rita R. Marin
I recently came across a news article about the country’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which read, “CARP did more harm than good to farm sector, says economist.” The program, the article said, caused the fragmentation of agricultural lands and the eventual disempowerment of farmers who could not sustain the…
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I am a pilgrim. Along with friends from the Christian Life Community of the Philippines and with guidance from P. Josep Lluís Iriberri, SJ, I recently walked a hundred kilometers to do the Camino Ignaciano in 10 days. Following the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola, we walked around the…
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The first time I heard about Boracay was in the early ’80s, from a former officemate who visited the pristine place that it was back then. The first time I set foot on the island was two decades later, in 2003. I enjoyed the child-friendly white sand beach, fresh air,…
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Rice importation has been a hot topic these past months. Last March, the National Food Authority insisted on not allowing private-sector rice imports even if it meant defying the NFA Council’s decision of a month-long extension on rice importation. In April, a Cabinet undersecretary was sacked by President Duterte for…
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I am no fan of President Duterte. I did not vote for him. Before the election, I was already turned off by his cussing during rallies and sorties, careless and foul remarks on women, and lack of concrete programs to address the economic and social issues of Philippine society, save…
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CALUMPIT, Bulacan, is one of the first places outside Manila that I came to know because it is my father’s hometown. I remember visiting Calumpit at least twice during the year when I was young: June 24 to celebrate the town fiesta and Nov. 1 to visit my grandfather’s grave.…
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We remember our dearly departed relatives and friends especially in these days of November. I believe I can speak in behalf of my colleagues at John J. Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues (JJCICSI) that among those we remember is Fr. John “Jack” J. Carroll, SJ, who passed away…
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The rainy season has begun, certain to be followed by typhoons and floods. Two episodes of heavy rains and resultant floods in fact occurred in Metro Manila last month. Horrendous traffic followed, commuters were stranded, those who could not wait to reach home waded through the waters, oblivious to the…
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Bugsuk indigenous people’s appeal: allow them to till their lands
The National Land Use Act (NLUA), of which a bill had been repeatedly filed since the 9th Congress and declared urgent by several presidents, was closest to becoming law during the 15th Congress. In February 2013, before the three-month interruption of sessions to give way to the campaign period of…