ABOUT GRUPONG SAGIP

I saw your website. I was in the Philippines a few months ago. I am interested in knowing more of what you do. I am environmentally interested and I'm a human rights activist. I wish to become involved and I wish to know what sort of help you are looking for.

Hi, I'm still a student. I just want to ask some information about Indigenous peoples. Do you have some statistical data about IP's? I'm asking because I chose it for my thesis.

Harold Padura

Hi, I'm from Singapore. Currently I am trying to discourage the use of styrofoam products for food packaging in Singapore due to the possible leakage of toxins when food is packed but the progress is just too slow.

I have approached the local ministry on this and they told me that if I am able to produce evidence that styrofoam is indeed poisonous to one's health, they will then do something about it.

Is it possible that you can guide me in the right directions in my search for evidences form recognized laboratories that can prove that styrofoam is bad? If I am able to do that, not only will I be helping people to stay away from them, I will also be helping the environment too. Thank you very much.

Good day! I am Raymund Christoper A Ilajas, 21 years old, born in Cagayan de Oro city, I am a member of Higaon ethnic group, a native of Cagayan de Oro city. We migrated here in Tacloban city, Leyte since I was 4 yrs old. I applied in the recruitment for PNP here in Tacloban. My height is only 157cm and it did not reach their standard which is 162cm. I show them my certificate that I am a member of such ethnic group. The regional director of Napolcom here at Tacloban told me that they cannot allow me to apply because Higaonons are natives of Cagayan de Oro city which belong to region 10. Tacloban city is region 8. He added that I can be allowed to apply for PNP but not here in region 8, only in region 10. I just want to inquire if what they have done is not against the statements that I have read in the 1st paragraph of chapter 5, section23 of Republic Act 8371 which is also known as "The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997" which states that "It shall be the right of the ICCs/IPs to be free from any form of discrimination, with respect to recruitment and conditions of employment, such that they may enjoy equal opportunities for admission to employment, medical and social assistance, safety as well as other occupationally ?related benefits, informed of their rights under existing labor legislation and of means available to them for redress, not subject to any coercive recruitment systems, including bonded labor and other forms of debt servitude; and equal treatment in employment for men and women, including the protection from sexual harassment. " Sorry for the inconvenience. I need your help ma'am/sir regarding this matter. I'll be waiting for your reply. Thank you!!!

PLASTICS!
THIS CAN CAUSE "STIR" from the Health & Home editor

   It was indeed intriguing hearing about your concerns for our environment. Our country certainly needs to wake up to the hazards of plastic usage. Much more so to the fact that it takes about 80 years for plastics to disintegrate when buried along with other bio-degradable garbage. The burning of plastics is discouraged, and should be banned too because it is toxic.
     As regards to reading material on the subject, I have to honestly admit that we are in great want of that too, except for passing tidbits which we share in our newslines. However, with the wonder of the Internet, perhaps we can find helpful material on the web.
     Rest assure though, that we be pleased to publish any material on the said subject. Better yet if you make a contribution on this. I know this can cause "stir" especially among the influential "plastic kings" of our country, but I believe the truth has to be said about it.
    Tell us of the progress with regards to your coordinating efforts with Sen. Flavier on a proposed garbage bill that would ban production of plastic, etc.    We'd be happy to share that with our readers and with the Filipino nation as a whole.
    God bless you, and more power in your endeavors!

Sincerely,

LEMUEL LL. NERIE
Editor, Health & Home Magazine

"I SUPPORT" From Akron, Colorado, USA

I fully support your thoughtful proposal for our environment. Our Filipino people, I am afraid, will be swept to the gutter along with our trash if we will not act quickly to re-educate them about values that have been forgotten because of the inception of many negative influences.

Peace!

LIWLIWA ROBLEDO, Ph.D.

I was surfing the web and looking for the chords of Limot na Bayani as I am a big fan of Asin. Sa awa ng Diyos, I was able to locate the song and was able to surf through your web site. I was quite pleased with the organization's intentions and goals and wish to become part of it any which way I can. I am currently in Canada. Will this be possible? Thanks and more power!

Thanks for the support! I agree very much that we need to put the ante up of our campaign. Surely we can join you to lobby for a national bill because that is part of our advocacy. We are much more inclined to lobby ordinances in the local governments level because we think it will be easier. But to have partners like you for the national lobby would be good.

We have education kits for children on this matter too. we have an animation in powerpoint and anti plastic jingle written by Gary Granada. We go around schools here in Manila with this education kit and an inter-active exhibit to increase our pressure leverage from the ground. you might want also to do grassroots (schools, parishes, communities) education through this kit? We will be willing to provide it to you.

I am happy to know that you are into this for a long time now. Hope we can coordinate better in the future. Lets keep in touch. and tell us more about the bill.

Thanks

YOLLY ESGUERRA, Kaalagad

ASIN IN CANADA

Pampanga talaga kami and migrated dito sa Canada in '94 after I graduated from Ama Computer College in Makati. I met Asin last year nung nag tour sila dito. We invited them for dinner and luckily, they agreed to meet us sa bahay with my whole family. Very down to earth sina Pendong and Lolit at ganon na rin kay Tita Chat. I've been listening to their songs since grade school in the 70's and early 80's but never see them perform live. When I heard that they reunited in 2000 for their album "Pagbabago" I promised myself to see them live if I ever get back home. With the help of the internet, I was able to find out that they are touring Canada. I immediately reserved the best seat in the house and it was magical the moment they started singing "Masdan mo ang Kapaligiran" as their opener. They rocked the house when they sang Limot na Bayani as everyone started singing with them. Pinaka malakas yata ang boses ko sa audience...(hehehe). Shortly after that, na meet ko ang production manager nila and she invited me to see them live on one of their intimate shows at dun namin sila ininvite sa bahay. To see them perform live is magical but to know them personally was heavenly...From that point, I became very close with them and they asked me If want to help out in their farewell concert. I agreed instantly and we helped them prepare some video clippings about the environment, society, war, etc. while they are singing the tunes during the concert. It was a magical experience and I hope it will happen again!

Naku po haba na ng kwento ko... Anyway, I'm glad you've responded to me right away and accepted my membership. Being in Canada for more than 10 years now, I realized that our country have a lot of work to do. Kahit mataas ang tax dito, the government make sure that the environment is protected kaya kahit saan ka magpunta maraming puno at malinis ang paligid. If the west can do it, I'm sure we can do it too as long as we have citizens and group who still cares. Di ba? Please keep me on the loop and hopefully in my own little way, I can do my part for the environement.