Health Care in the Philippines
by Jose Marc Castro on August 8, 2009
Like any other third-world country, the Philippines have been struggling in some health issues and one of it is malnutrition. There have been studies conducted and accordingly, most of the Filipinos that suffer from malnutrition are the poor ones. The Philippine government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Developments along with the Department of Health has provided projects to help poor Filipinos from starvation.
Hospitals in the Philippines
Finding the right hospital in the Philippines is not that difficult because there are a number of options to choose from. The Philippines has both private and public health care institutions. Most of the government hospitals provide quality health care the same way private hospitals do.
Some people have these wrong misconceptions though than when you are seeking for medical advice from doctors in public hospitals, these are not reliable. However, you should be aware that most of the well-trained doctors in the Philippines are serving government hospitals. What differs the Philippine government hospitals from the Philippine private hospitals is simply the facilities. Most of the public hospitals in the Philippines are not equipped with the latest technologies in medicine. But then, most Filipinos seek for advice from these government hospitals because charges are not implemented.
With the low cost of medicine and health care, living in the Philippines is really not a thing to worry. The people are very hospitable and accommodating, the doctors and medical practitioners are friendly, and the place is really very inviting. If you wish to settle down and relocate in the Philippines, have no doubt about it. In fact, a lot of people have already relocated in the Philippines and so far, there have been no recorded negative incidents, as far as their health is concerned.
Source:
http://www.expatforum.com/articles/health/health-care-in-the-philippines.html
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My Reaction:
I got hook up on this article because the writer or the blogger seems to be a Filipino citizen who currently lives in another country. Basically, he pointed out the health care in the Philippines as the main topic. The thought quite flows well and it creates a positive view point from him. However, I do believe that this is not the real picture of what is happening in our country. Mr. Castro only sees what for him are the ‘outsides’ of our reality.
I do not take forgranted our hospitals, doctors, and even the Depatment of Health. In fact, my point is only to discuss what kind of system we have regarding our health services because for me, this will affect not only our physical well being, but also our economic state.
Before midterms was about to end, we’ve witness a documentary about the basic health problem among Filipino children- malnutrition. It showed how marginalized families deal with it despite their situation. And many of the families presented there are living in the rural zone that are suffering from lack of health facilities and equipments. From what I’ve seen, the thing that immediately pops up in my mind is the kind of health system we have here, and the fundings for our public hospitals and health care centers. It appears to me that health care services especially on the rural areas are not functioning well. Its either there is the absence of the doctor, or there are no medicines available at all.
I mean, where is now the national budget for health services in our country? How would the Filipino people respond to their everyday situation if their physical body is not well- supported or taken forgranted by giving very expensive medicines? I hope and pray that the budget allocated for our health shall be properly allocated because there are really number of poor people suffering from diseases that cannot be cured because of financial problems. I believe that it is only then the people can continue on with their lives; working in the fields, fishing, mining etc., if thier body can sustain enough nutrients. Let us say that these are the kinds of people who are called the laborers or the ones who lies below the capitalist's structure, but even then, they are part of our society and humanity. :)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Reaction Paper 3
Issues in Philippine Education: In Retrospect
By Engr. Herman M. Lagon
January 5, 2010 Iloilo City, Philippines
According to the IBON Facts and Figures, the literacy rate in the Philippines has regressed a lot over the last ten years. This is attributed to the dwindling quality, relevance and accessibility of education—the very basic rights of the Filipino youth as etched vividly in the Constitution.
Despite the good things that Department of Education has reported such as the increased number of classrooms and students, the fact remains that the crowding 1:70 classroom ratio, the decreasing aptitude of students and the decadence of the values of the young, among hundreds others, hamper the progress of the state of education of the country.
From http://www.ph.net/htdocs/education/issue.htm, education in the Philippines may be summarized into the following four issues:
1. Quality–There was a decline in the quality of the Philippine education, especially at the elementary and secondary levels. For example, the results of standard tests conducted among elementary and high school students, as well as in the NCAE and Board Exams for college students, were way below the target mean score.
2. Affordability–There is also a big disparity in educational achievements across social groups. For example, the socioeconomically disadvantaged students have higher dropout rates, especially in the elementary level. And most of the freshmen students at the tertiary level come from relatively well-off families.
3. Budget–The Philippine Constitution has mandated the government to allocate the highest proportion of its budget to education. However, the Philippines still has one of the lowest budget allocations among the ASEAN countries. This, not to mention the corruption component in the same institution that must abhor such act.
4. Mismatch–There is a large proportion of “mismatch” between training and actual jobs. This is the major problem at the tertiary level and it is also the cause of the existence of a large group of educated unemployed or underemployed. Here, also to consider is the degenerating educational mindset of working abroad or of working for employment no matter what it takes, with no regard to other more valuable intentions like social work, inventiveness and entrepreneurship leading to public service and better self-actualization.
The macro-level educational issues and concerns above can be better understood when the micro-level concerns—mainly curriculum issues—are put into the equation. This way, people can understand the state of education more and eventually face and nip the problems in the bud.
Curriculum managers and educational experts are always looking for better ways to achieve better learning through teaching. However, since curriculum innovations seemed to be difficult for many, issues and concerns have been raised about curricular innovations. The newness of the idea to the users raises issues which need to be addressed. Certain aspects need to be clarified in order to overcome the attitude and feelings that create some concerns.
Source:
http://www.thenewstoday.info/2010/01/05/issues.in.philippine.education.in.retrospect.html
Reaction/ Reflection:
Today, for every 10 children who start their primary education, only 6 go on to continue with their secondary education, and 4 will manage to enter college. What happened? Other countries used to send their students to the Philippines to learn, now they've overtaken us and are the experts. Isn't that frustrating? The situation of the educational system here, in the Philippines, is a great cause for worry.
As a student, I feel for those children who want to go school but situation would not allow them, especially the ones that barely go to school yet without any materials in hand and with empty stomach, at the same time. This is very unfortunate. I believe every child has the right to proper education as stated in our Constitution. However, what has happened? Instead, they’ve deserve less, with crowded classroom, shared textbooks, incomplete school facilities, and incompetent teachers.
I would like to point out three reforms to our government officials regarding our educational issues. First, upgrade teachers’ salary scale. Our dear teachers have been underpaid; thus there is very little incentive for most of them to take up advanced trainings, and there is less interest to teach if that’s the case. Second, stop the current practice of subsidizing state universities and colleges. Because this may not be the best way to promote equity, an expanded scholarship program to give more focus and priority to the poor but deserving, maybe more equitable. Finally, get all the leaders in business and industry to become actively involved in higher education. This is aimed to carry out a selective admission policy, i.e., installing mechanisms to reduce enrollment in oversubscribed courses and promoting enrollment in undersubscribed ones.
To tap it all, they say that education is the very answer to poverty, corruption, hate, and ignorance. If it really is like many people believe it is, then the study of the key educational issues in the Philippines is a significant endeavor that needs serious attention and action. I hope to be able to make some sense about the decline in the quality of education, and with the help of people as concerned as I, do something to change for the better.
By Engr. Herman M. Lagon
January 5, 2010 Iloilo City, Philippines
According to the IBON Facts and Figures, the literacy rate in the Philippines has regressed a lot over the last ten years. This is attributed to the dwindling quality, relevance and accessibility of education—the very basic rights of the Filipino youth as etched vividly in the Constitution.
Despite the good things that Department of Education has reported such as the increased number of classrooms and students, the fact remains that the crowding 1:70 classroom ratio, the decreasing aptitude of students and the decadence of the values of the young, among hundreds others, hamper the progress of the state of education of the country.
From http://www.ph.net/htdocs/education/issue.htm, education in the Philippines may be summarized into the following four issues:
1. Quality–There was a decline in the quality of the Philippine education, especially at the elementary and secondary levels. For example, the results of standard tests conducted among elementary and high school students, as well as in the NCAE and Board Exams for college students, were way below the target mean score.
2. Affordability–There is also a big disparity in educational achievements across social groups. For example, the socioeconomically disadvantaged students have higher dropout rates, especially in the elementary level. And most of the freshmen students at the tertiary level come from relatively well-off families.
3. Budget–The Philippine Constitution has mandated the government to allocate the highest proportion of its budget to education. However, the Philippines still has one of the lowest budget allocations among the ASEAN countries. This, not to mention the corruption component in the same institution that must abhor such act.
4. Mismatch–There is a large proportion of “mismatch” between training and actual jobs. This is the major problem at the tertiary level and it is also the cause of the existence of a large group of educated unemployed or underemployed. Here, also to consider is the degenerating educational mindset of working abroad or of working for employment no matter what it takes, with no regard to other more valuable intentions like social work, inventiveness and entrepreneurship leading to public service and better self-actualization.
The macro-level educational issues and concerns above can be better understood when the micro-level concerns—mainly curriculum issues—are put into the equation. This way, people can understand the state of education more and eventually face and nip the problems in the bud.
Curriculum managers and educational experts are always looking for better ways to achieve better learning through teaching. However, since curriculum innovations seemed to be difficult for many, issues and concerns have been raised about curricular innovations. The newness of the idea to the users raises issues which need to be addressed. Certain aspects need to be clarified in order to overcome the attitude and feelings that create some concerns.
Source:
http://www.thenewstoday.info/2010/01/05/issues.in.philippine.education.in.retrospect.html
Reaction/ Reflection:
Today, for every 10 children who start their primary education, only 6 go on to continue with their secondary education, and 4 will manage to enter college. What happened? Other countries used to send their students to the Philippines to learn, now they've overtaken us and are the experts. Isn't that frustrating? The situation of the educational system here, in the Philippines, is a great cause for worry.
As a student, I feel for those children who want to go school but situation would not allow them, especially the ones that barely go to school yet without any materials in hand and with empty stomach, at the same time. This is very unfortunate. I believe every child has the right to proper education as stated in our Constitution. However, what has happened? Instead, they’ve deserve less, with crowded classroom, shared textbooks, incomplete school facilities, and incompetent teachers.
I would like to point out three reforms to our government officials regarding our educational issues. First, upgrade teachers’ salary scale. Our dear teachers have been underpaid; thus there is very little incentive for most of them to take up advanced trainings, and there is less interest to teach if that’s the case. Second, stop the current practice of subsidizing state universities and colleges. Because this may not be the best way to promote equity, an expanded scholarship program to give more focus and priority to the poor but deserving, maybe more equitable. Finally, get all the leaders in business and industry to become actively involved in higher education. This is aimed to carry out a selective admission policy, i.e., installing mechanisms to reduce enrollment in oversubscribed courses and promoting enrollment in undersubscribed ones.
To tap it all, they say that education is the very answer to poverty, corruption, hate, and ignorance. If it really is like many people believe it is, then the study of the key educational issues in the Philippines is a significant endeavor that needs serious attention and action. I hope to be able to make some sense about the decline in the quality of education, and with the help of people as concerned as I, do something to change for the better.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Market Economy (group summary)
Ours is a presentation about the two different situations faced by our market economy- surplus and shortage.
Act I: “Surplus”
Characters: Daphne Kaamino
Alma Legaspina
LJ Sayson
Leah del Gado
Daphne was thinking on how to spend her New Year effectively. Since she is such a bookworm, she decided to read 10 books in a week, as her New Year’s resolution. However, she realized that she has only php100 in her pocket, and she pondered how’d she purchase 10 books for only a hundred peso bill. She, then, called her friend, LJ, to ask advice. LJ told her to go a book sale at Victoria Plaza and check out “Leah’s Book Shop” for cheap readings. Earlier, “Alma Publishing Company” has disposed a handful of old and unnecessary books to “Leah’s Book Shop”. Luckily, it was just on time that Daphne arrived there. The books were really sold at lower price due to over production yet less demand from the buyers. Surplus now happens here when there was less demand of books from “Alma Publishing Company” and more supplied given to “Leah’s Book Shop”. Finally, Daphne’s 100 bill has purchased a lot. It even exceeded her expectations and thus gave her relief in fulfilling her New Year’s resolution.
ACT II: “Shortage”
Characters: Alma Legaspina
Belle Babista
LJ Sayson
Bea Diaz (absent)
Alma, a cosmetic dealer, has sold a lot of cosmetics to her daily customers. With her few remaining products, she decided to sell those in a higher price. Her first customer that day, LJ, didn’t compromise to it, however, Belle, who knew more about business matters, and knew that Amla’s products are imported and high in quality, she pursued in buying those. Thus, although there is a shortage in producing cosmetics, there is still a solution through and by means of increasing the price of the products.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Reaction Paper 2
Philippine legislator wants AIDS fund probed
MANILA, Philippines—Iloilo (1st District) Rep. Janet Garin calls on the government to investigate the “health” of the AIDS fund as cases of the disease now reaching almost a pandemic proportions.
In a statement sent to media, Garin said that the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, one of country’s biggest donors for HIV and AIDS programs had already suspended all five of its grants to the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) in the Philippines after reports of unauthorized expenditure. TDF is a Department of Health (DOH)-supervised institution and co-chaired by the Secretary of Health.
“As a medical doctor, I am disheartened that this happened to one of our foreign partners in improving the health outcomes in this country for years,” she said.
Citing a report from the Office of the Inspector General, she said that around US$1 Million (P46,707,999.11, based on February 10 Forex), out of the total $85 million (P3.97 billion) disbursements for the AIDS prevention and intervention funds were spent illegally, or beyond the Grant’s terms and condition.
Garin, who is also a doctor says that she is disheartened by the incident and urges the authorities take the necessary actions to know what really transpired and what the accountability of the DOH is, as it performs a supervisory role in the implementation of the Global Fund Grants.
On December 2009, the DOH has sounded the alarm of the sudden increase of the number of people positive with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV), especially among the young people.
The Philippine HIV/AIDS Registry reported that for October 2009, 80 new HIV cases have been confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory. This was a 36% increase compared to the same period last year (59 in 2008). This brought the total of cases for 2009 to 626. Four (4) of these new cases were reported as AIDS. There was no death reported for the month of October.
In a statement sent to media, Garin said that the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, one of country’s biggest donors for HIV and AIDS programs had already suspended all five of its grants to the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) in the Philippines after reports of unauthorized expenditure. TDF is a Department of Health (DOH)-supervised institution and co-chaired by the Secretary of Health.
“As a medical doctor, I am disheartened that this happened to one of our foreign partners in improving the health outcomes in this country for years,” she said.
Citing a report from the Office of the Inspector General, she said that around US$1 Million (P46,707,999.11, based on February 10 Forex), out of the total $85 million (P3.97 billion) disbursements for the AIDS prevention and intervention funds were spent illegally, or beyond the Grant’s terms and condition.
Garin, who is also a doctor says that she is disheartened by the incident and urges the authorities take the necessary actions to know what really transpired and what the accountability of the DOH is, as it performs a supervisory role in the implementation of the Global Fund Grants.
On December 2009, the DOH has sounded the alarm of the sudden increase of the number of people positive with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV), especially among the young people.
The Philippine HIV/AIDS Registry reported that for October 2009, 80 new HIV cases have been confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory. This was a 36% increase compared to the same period last year (59 in 2008). This brought the total of cases for 2009 to 626. Four (4) of these new cases were reported as AIDS. There was no death reported for the month of October.
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My Reflection
It is very saddening to know that cases of AIDS in our country has continue to rise. Questions, then, popped up in my mind; Are these present cases of AIDS the result of poor implementation of the RH Bill ( Reproductive Health Bill)? Or is it because the government officials fail to sustain funds needed for this widespread issue?
Personally, I, myself, cannot find a concrete answer nor any possible solutions for this problem. I am confused on why our agency – DOH, has this kind of issue. I mean, with all due respect, if they are currently implementing this law ( RH Bill) to control our population, and to prevent contagious diseases, then there must not have been any problem for this. I think what becomes the concern now, especially to our government, is how to equally allocate resources- medicines, pills, ect., among Fililipinos. Basically, the issue here lies among the people itself; the people managing funds, producing these funds into resources and allocating these resources to everybody in an honest and most equal ways. This shouldn't exclude our fellow indigenous people who are less educated. With rapid increase of AIDS cases here, these indigens become the target or most probably the ones who mostly suffer the deadly disease.
To end my discourse, I would like to reiterate that health should be highly prioritized by the government, and that it is necessary to have sustainable funds for AIDS. We all know that nothing can cure such disease. However, prevention is still better than cure. And with the help of proper funding, it can be helpful for the citizens. These funds can be used to conduct reproductive health programs and provide medicines. Let us also hope and pray that government officials practice honesty in their actions, especially in dealing with the national funds of the Philippines.
Friday, December 17, 2010
answers in review question prelim
CHAP I
- a
- d
- d
- d
- b
- b
- d
- d
- c
- d
- d
- c
- d
- c
- b
- c
- b
- c
- b
- d
- a
- b
- a
- c
- b
- a
- b
- b
- a
- c
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