Reality checks

An eye opener in my role as head of a higher education institution was the information that, for many students, the University guidance center was a true refuge. In fact, the school guidance counselor is oft referred to as a rock, a best friend, a parent figure. This has been a common observation across the spectrum – from kolehiyalas to iskolars ng bayan.

Translation: I can’t talk to my folks or, worse, there’s no one home to talk to. This was the first thought in my head when I started to think of a position on the issue of condoms in schools. Why? Because this is one of the strongest rebuttals against the argument that it is the parents who should be the primary source of a teenager’s education on values and sexual responsibility. To effectively direct, influence or guide their children’s behavior, the parent or the child has to be in the room.

The Department of Health has called for the Church’s understanding on this proposal. Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto dangled a Secretary’s confirmation at the Commission on Appointments. Even the most advanced, liberal countries have grappled with this issue. So many of us parents would prefer to sidestep the discussion. Of course, in the end we need to have the talk.

Here are the facts. 1. More and more of the Filipino youth (15 to 24) are having pre-marital sex according to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS 4) of the University of the Philippines Population Institute with the Demographic Research and Development Foundation Inc. From the previous YAFS of 1994, the number has increased 14 percent. The bigger jump was among young females – from 10.2 percent to 28.7 percent. As to area, Metro Manila and Central Luzon youths are the most engaged with 40.9 of the males and 39.1 of females. This is really quite shocking as it approaches levels seen in the more liberal cultures.

2. This early sex is almost entirely unprotected sex. Almost 80 percent of first timers do not use contraception. The clueless count is higher for females at 83.8 percent than for males at 73.4 percent.

3. You will find our youths, at least a great majority of them, in our schools. This last factoid is why the Department of Health feels that a condom use campaign would be best conducted in our high schools. Well, Secretary Ubial may have a point. We don’t see the parents agreeing to be condom pushers. Neither would the church. These are both nonstarters as youths would not possibly agree to ask for contraception from their folks just as easy as they would their allowances.

But is this the only solution? Its been called knee jerk. Yes, you can throw a condom at the problem. But you can also try other proactive approaches. We saw the same discussion on the objection to the proposed diesel tax.

There are many effective strategies, depending on the studies conducted. Among them, making the male protagonists answerable; an attitude change campaign; including and coopting the places frequented in a comprehensive safe sex campaign; using new technology (which has contributed to the promotion of earlier sex) to promote safer sex.

Objectors do have a point. You may catch the 30+ percent in your dragnet and save them from themselves. But aren’t you sending a message to the 70 percent that they are also good to go?

The SSS board has put President Rodrigo Roa Duterete in a spot by proposing their P2,000 pension hike, per “Little President” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno. He proceeded to deliver a stinging rebuke of the SSS Board.

Rep. Neri Colmenares and co. are backing SSS Chair Amado Valdez not to give in to pressure from Sec. Diokno and co. This healthy debate is the classic case of whether to feed the few hungry now or to sacrifice them for the good of the larger number.

To his credit, SSS Chair Amading’s announcement of a pension hike was conditioned on funding from possibly hiked contributions or even a tax.

Yes, you can throw a tax at it or an increase in contributions. In the end, as they say, the solvency of the Fund is guaranteed by the government. There is, indeed, a point in making the government responsible for the security of the Filipino elderly. But the SSS can also try doing a better job. And, of course, commit to give up the fat bonuses. We are still hearing the chorus from 2016 calling these mere excuses for inefficiencies.

Why not take a page from the GSIS under President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara and its Board of Trustees led by Governor Bitay Lacson. When they took office in 2010, they were looking at an actuarial life for the GSIS fund of up to 2042. As of 2015, they had successfully increased the expectancy to 2049. The secret? Sound investment decisions, streamlined expenditures, reorganization and improved collections.

GSIS total assets were at 578 billion in 2010. At the turn over of administration in June 2016, assets were at over P1 trillion. Secret? Same as above.

Because of soundness and prudence, this GSIS board in 2013 approved the increase of pensions to 5k from the old minimum rate of 2k.

The passing of a giant. In his lifetime, Gemiliano “Mel” C. Lopez Jr. wore many top hats. He was Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Chairman of the Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corp., President of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines. He had a knack for being at the center of the action in the most of earthshaking, game changing events of our times. At EDSA, he was right there jumping in the air with FVR and JPE; on stage at the Plaza Miranda at 1971 bombing, campaign manager of the legendary 1978 Lakas ng Bayan ticket in Metro Manila. But his greatest role was as the first post Martial Law Mayor of Manila. In essence, he inherited a City that lost its identity and gave it a new lease on life. He was my first boss and one of my role models in public service. Well done, Mr. Mayor!