EDITORIAL - Back in business

(The Philippine Star) Updated September 20, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (6)

Four years ago, backhoes went to work in Subic, destroying 18 luxury vehicles that were smuggled through the Freeport Zone. Customs officials opposed proposals to sell the vehicles instead, saying smugglers participated at auctions and ended up getting their hot goods legally. So the destruction was conducted with fanfare, ostensibly to make sure smugglers got the message. They probably did, but only while the heat was on, which in this country could last no more than a few months. These days the Land Transportation Office is trying to trace 172 luxury vehicles that cannot be accounted for at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The 172 were issued warrants for seizure and detention by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority but can no longer be found at the Freeport. Those who can bring in vehicles duty-free through the Freeport are diplomats and those employed within special economic zones. For the second category, the vehicles can be used outside the zones only temporarily, and with the permission of the zone administrator. Employees who want to own the vehicles and use them freely outside the zones must pay import duties and comply with all requirements forvehicle registration. This privilege has been abused for many years, with smugglers exploiting loopholes in rules on vehicle importation. Legitimate dealers have long complained about vehicle smuggling through special economic zones, with influential politicians believed to be involved in the lucrative enterprise. The destruction of those 18 luxury vehicles should have paved the way for an overhaul of the rules. But the case of the 172 luxury vehicles that have gone missing from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone indicates that smugglers are back in business. Like many other campaigns against illegal activities in this country, the one against vehicle smuggling has not been sustained. Apart from tracing those 172 vehicles, the government must tighten rules on vehicle importation through special economic zones. Smuggling poses unfair competition and is one of the biggest sources of corruption. There cannot be room for this in the administration of daang matuwid.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=728985&publicationSubCategoryId=64

LET% S STUDY AND ANALYZE

Directions: Read the case scenario below and analyze carefully. This active learning activity can be answered and followed using the DISCUSSION BOARD. Answer the guide questions by adding thread to the forum. Just remember! This is a GRADED activity. Make sure you have added your thread before the time is up. This activity will be made available for ONE WEEK only. Ill be waiting for your responses!

CASE SCENARIO Sitio Masagana is a large and overpopulated community situated in the middle of a business district in Metro Manila. The land where they are in is owned by a private corporation thus making them illegal settlers. The community has been in existence for more than 40 years and has around 900 families living within. They experiences social problems such as school drop-outs and drug use. Crime rate remained high and the business owners nearby have expressed their concern over this several times. Most of the settlers are casual employees either working in the department stores and factories or as construction workers. Last year, a court order was issued instructing them to leave the site within a year in lieu of a more dynamic and bigger commercial district that will rise in the site. They were given options to go back to their provinces (incentive money will be given to start a new life) OR allow to be relocated and start a new life in just outside Metro Manila. More than half of the families chose to be relocated (around 700 families). Housing units were provided and for a period of one year, they will enjoy free housing. Water and electricity will also be provided. Children will be accepted to 2 public elementary schools and 1 high school near the area. The educational facilities are obviously not enough to support the new transferees but regardless they will still be accommodated. A whole new life for the people of Sitio Masagana was given. Now they called their community, Sitio Bagong Pagasa. You live just outside of the relocation site and have witnessed how the new community has struggled. Your family and several of your neighbors have raised their concern and expressed that they have a crucial role to address the various problems that may arise at the same time find ways to help their new neighbors. GUIDE QUESTIONS 1. List 5 social problems in the order you want to resolve. (* But if you can identify more, feel free to add spaces). And if given an opportunity, what will be your first priority and lest priority a. ___________________ b. ___________________

c. ___________________ d. ___________________ e. ___________________ 2. Why did you decide to address the social problems in this particular order? Explain your rationale for choosing the first social problem. Why is this your top priority? Why is the last concern listed as your lowest priority? 3. Guided by the social problems listed above, plan specific solutions to these problems. What projects can you initiate to help out the community. Name three (3) best projects that you can think of and briefly discuss them. a. ______________________________________________________________ b. ______________________________________________________________ c. ______________________________________________________________