Last February 15, 2021, an organization called the Philippine Patriotic Movement or PPM held a media conference at one of the restaurants in Quezon City, its goal is to air the call for an alternative Roadmap to National Recovery and to have a Hybrid 2022 National Election. The PPM, a coalition of different sectoral organizations composed of OFWs, jeepney drivers, farmers, urban poor, and other marginalized sectors.

Present during the conference are Mr. Lorenzo "Boots" Cadswan, National President of Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM); Cynthia Villarin, National Secretary General of People's Movement Against Poverty (PMAP); Geornel Haresco, Assistance National Secretary of Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP); David "Dave" Diwa, Labor Leader of National Labor Union (NLU); and Eleuterio "Terry" Tuazon, National President of Philippine Association of Free Labor Union (PAFLU). 

During the media conference, PPM cited some of its main agenda, its priority is the call for aspiring electoral candidates to adapt or have a better National Recovery plan for the country. Indeed our economy is not in its normal state. They even quoted the warning from President Duterte that the 'economy is sinking.' That is why they are pushing for a candidate that will address the National Recovery program. Part of their statement signifies support to candidates who can provide an Alternative Recovery Program for the country.

The PPM also provided a list of their Social Agenda, which will be the basis for the national recovery program.

Kalusugan (Health)

• Bakuna (Vaccine) - Mura, epektibo at pinakaligtas (Affordable, effective, and safest.)
• Universal Health Care - Matuwid na implementasyon at hindi korapsyon. (Good implementation of the program without corruption.)
• Health Workers - Mataas na sahod upang huwag ng mangibang-bayan. (Competitive salary to encourage not to work abroad.)
• Public Hospitals - Moderno at sapat na ospital sa bawat bayan. (Modern and enough hospitals in each town.)

Kabuhayan (Livelihood)

• Trabaho (Jobs) - Regular na trabaho at nakakabuhay na pasahod, at hindi kontraktwalisasyon. (Regular jobs that can earn a living, not contractualization. )
• Dagdag Kita (Extra Income) - Alternatibong programang pangkabuhayan. (Alternative livelihood program.)
• Negosyo (Business) - Suporta ng pamahalaan sa maliliit na negosyo. (Government support to small businesses.)

Kalikasan (Environment)

• Disaster-Preparedness - Mataas na antas ng paghahanda na naaayon sa aktwal na umiiral na kalamidad. (High level of preparedness following the actual existing disaster.)
• Renewable Energy - Pambansa at pangmatagalang seguridad sa enerhiya. (To secure a national and long-term source of energy.)
• Protection of Environment and Natural Resources - Muling buhayin at isaayos ang mga kritikal na watershed. (Activation and repair of all critical watersheds. )

Kaunlaran (Development)

• Housing - Abot-kaya, maayos at ligtas na township program. (Affordable, orderly, and safe township program.)
• Road Networks and Railways - Moderno at malawakang riles ng tren at bagong bagon. (Modern and extensive railroad system with new wagons.)
• Investments - Bigyang prayoridad ang health infrastructure at turismo ng ating bansa. (Give priority to the health infrastructure and tourism industry of the country.)
• Transport Modernization - Ipatupad ang isang abot-kayang jeepney modernization program. (Implement an affordable jeepney modernization program.)
• Education - Libre at de-kalidad. (Free and quality education.)
• Utilities - Ligtas, mura, epektibo at modernong pasilidad sa tubig, kuryete, telekomunikasyon at internet. (Have safe, affordable, effective, and modern facilities for water, electricity, telecommunications, and internet.)

Kapayapaan (Peace)

• Social Justice - Pangmatagalang solusyon sa ugat ng pag-aaklas. (Long-term solution to the cause of the uprising.)
• Peace Talk - Pakikipag-usap sa lahat ng armadong grupo sa layuning makabangon ang lipunan. (Communicate with all armed groups aiming at rebuilding the society.)
• Information Dissemination - Institusyunalisasyon ng usaping pangkapayapaan na angpapabatid sa mamamayan. (Institutionalizing the peace talk process that informs the people.)

With these social issues, the organization will be conducting consultations and assemblies in different parts of the country. Aside from the assemblies, they will also launch a social media-based survey and the website called phrecovery.com.ph. These are some of their means to involve different individuals in this cause. Accordingly, they will involve different sectoral representatives from government and private workers, the education sector, the health sector, the urban poor, the tourism and transport sector, youth and senior citizen, women and LGBTQ, SME and professionals, and the agricultural sector.

To know more about the Philippine Patriotic Movement, visit its social media platforms.
FB Page - Philippine Patriotic Movement
Twitter - @PHLPatriotMovt
IG - philippinepatrioticmovement

Global toilet sanitation problem leads to 443 million missed school days.

According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), children around the world miss an estimated 443 million school days each year because of diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, including using unsanitary toilets. Simply put, this number of sick days is equivalent to all grade school and high school classrooms in the Philippines being empty for one month. This sanitation-related concern hinders the children’s learning and significantly reduces their quality of life.

Illnesses due to poor toilet sanitation include diarrheal disease and parasitic worm infections which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, physical and mental stunting, and death. Every day, millions of children in rural communities and urban households nationwide are exposed to these health problems by using dirty toilets populated by disease-carrying germs.

 According to Dr. Luisa Efren of the Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA), the simple act of proper toilet sanitation can help prevent the spread of these germs. However, children continue to be at risk from these deadly diseases because many households still use ordinary laundry bleach to clean their toilet bowls, which is not enough to kill all toilet germs.

“A toilet that looks clean to the naked eye may not necessarily be free from germs and bacteria. So, it is very important to properly sanitize all surfaces using a germ-kill expert with proven efficacy in eliminating bacteria, and not just any ordinary laundry bleach,” Dr. Efren warned.
For the past three years, Unilever Philippines through its germ-kill expert brand Domex, has been working with UNICEF and PPHA to champion the One Million Clean Toilets Movement. This advocacy program aims to educate Filipinos on proper toilet hygiene and the need for sanitized household toilets to keep their families safe against disease-causing germs.
On November 13, World Toilet Day, join the One Million Clean Toilets Movement in the fight against disease causing germs to save lives, one clean toilet at a time. To learn more about Domex and how you can stay safe from disease with a germ-free home, visit Domex Philippines on Facebook.


You can also help the 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement fight against disease by spreading awareness on the sanitation issue caused unsanitary toilets. Watch and share the “Sick Days” video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypMNHyUwQOQ) to help keep your family and friends germ-free.