20 February 2013

Excessive TV Exposure Produces Criminals

TV and Children
There was a time that television in the Philippines only offered 4 channels for viewing. Pick any major historical event during the past 60 years and chances are you may have witnessed it happening on those four major networks. Unfortunately, because of their limited coverage, there was no choice during some lull moments in television programming but to endure long hours of rehash programs that included movie shows that are still in black and white color.

Those days are gone. The television set, which has become a permanent fixture in most Filipino household today, had generated a shared consciousness that transcended economic and social strata. Majority can afford one and can access 80-100 channels easily.

01 January 2013

False Ads on Condoms

Covered Church
After their failed attempt to gather enough support in stopping the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress, Catholic bishops are resorting to misinformation by claiming that condoms are too porous and do not work in preventing the spread of infection.

The bishops, whose church claims over 80 percent of Filipinos as its followers, have been attacking the government openly after health officials distributed free condoms to mark Valentine's Day. Now, they are trying to raise doubts and questions in order to incite a wave of criticism and opposition to condoms.

05 December 2012

Absurd Question on Condom Use

Photo courtesy of amparoland
The Roman Catholic church in the country and their affiliate organization are not only contented with their recent disgraceful attempts to interfere with the democratic process by blocking the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill pending in Congress, but are now questioning the effectiveness of promoting condoms to curb population growth.

The Catholic Association of Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals in Asia (ACIM-Asia) is using the doctrinal ecclesiastic muscles of the church to propagate half-truths and lies by warning the public that condom promotion encourages premarital or free sex in this article.

21 November 2012

Meeting MDG Targets on Safe Drinking Water

Photo courtesy of acfj381_spartans
Data from surveys conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveal that access to safe drinking water and access to sanitary toilet facilities has slightly improve over the years.

Based on the 2004 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), access to safe drinking water has increased from 80.0 percent in 2002 to 80.2 percent in 2004. The proportion is, as expected, lower for those belonging to the lowest 30 percent with six out of ten families using clean and safe water, compared to families belonging to the highest 70 percent income group. The latest survey also showed that the percentage of those using water sealed and closed pit type of toilet facility is 86.2 percent, which is slightly higher than the proportion in 2002 (86.1 percent).

15 November 2012

Medicines Still Beyond Reach of Many

Affordable Drugs
By Oscar F. Picazo

Drugs in the Philippines are more expensive than those in other parts of Asia and in countries of similar economic status.

Brand names in the Philippines have been found to be 5 to 30 times more expensive than similar brand names of similar manufacturers in India and Pakistan. This is the strongest factor that impelled the government to institute a parallel drug importation policy under the Cheaper Medicines Program. (Tables 1 and 2)

02 November 2012

Total Lifetime Savings of Smoking Cessation

Quit Smoking
The Senate Committee Report on the Sin-Tax Bill has been labelled by its supporters as a more realistic version, especially when it comes to the assumed revenue projection (PhP 14.8 Billion). They expressed doubts on the much-hyped target of the executive agencies which pegged the collection to as much as PhP 60.0 Billion in revenues if the bill is passed in its original and unaltered form.

The only problem with the assumption of Senator Ralph Recto’s new version is that it valued everything in monetary terms when in fact, the bill was intended primarily to address health concerns before anything else, including the revenue collection. When you factor in non-monetary benefits and savings, the assumptions become more than just using financial analysis indicators. It has to consider economic benefits of not smoking.