Professional Documents
Culture Documents
AN ISLAND STORM
There is always a pros and cons once development took place. Environment degradation is the
most common outcome of it, because economic development generally comes at the expense of cultivating
the rich resources of environment without the proper waste disposal of wastes and toxins that can harm
living things. Sometimes in exchange of innovation, commercial establishment and new technologies the
most important part (health, wellness, preservation of environment) were neglected.
An island as beautiful as its majestic fine beaches and crystal clear water made it popular among
international tourist, once development took place. Commercial tourism establishment were built, houses,
hotels, bars and such mushroomed rampantly. Waste disposal became the main issue due to bulk of tourist
(international or domestic). The effect of this creative destruction was founded by a chemist from the
Agency for Environment and Natural Resources report that the October- December 1996 findings showed
that the water contained a high 85, 397 most probable number of coliform microorganism per 100
milliliters and a low 3, 170 mpn/100 ml. Drinking water taken from deep wells in the island were highly
contaminated with coliform (bacteria found in human wastes) and were dangerous to health. The sea
became unsafe as well due to contamination from sewerage system through seepage, waters were not
even safe for swimming.
Shaken by this event an emergency meeting was held. The announcement threw tourism industry
into a crisis. As a result of that meeting, a government official apologized publicly and declared that it was
safe once more to swim in water, some local official says that December finding was no longer valid because
six months had passed and the coliform could have been washed away by the tides, the water and the
wind. But another official justified the warning. He gave more details about environment disaster in the
island, such as 201 of 207 are operating without environmental clearance; of the 23 condition on sanitation
21 had been violated and the pollution could have increased (April-June 1997) because it was peak season
tourists visited the island. More people means more pollution moreover when the water is warm bacteria
and organism thrive better one example was red tide phenomenon.
If I were the official concerned with this matter, I will look at the bigger picture with regards to the
root cause of the problem. As a government official even though tourism will be affected the well-being
and the welfare of the people in the island will be my first priority. Facts based on the chemist analysis were
a clear evidence that it should be address accordingly. More over health authorities strongly recommend
annual coliform bacteria testing as contamination can occur without any change in taste or odor to the
water. It started with the wrong disposal of human, industrial and domestic waste. International and
domestic tourist, industries and community people should be aware of the problem and their compliance
with the laws of proper waste disposal should be strictly and properly implemented for the good of all.
A comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and
participatory approach involving all the stakeholders must be strictly implemented to utilized public
interest.
CASE STUDY # 2
WANTED: DEAD HEROES
Public forests and forest reserves are important natural resources of the country which must be
preserved and conserved for future generations. Narra tree (Pterocarpus indicus) is Philippines national
tree. It works so well for furniture and houses because of its ability to resist termites, very hard wood and
durable and most specially it increases oxygen production which is vital in our ecosystem. Due to huge
exports, illegal logging and uses extinction of Narra tree became an issue. That is why the Philippine
Government through Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued directives banning
the cutting of Narra Trees. The government station guards to serve as checkpoints in order to verify the
documents of inbound and outbound truck vehicles.
The case of Rick and his five- man team, one cold Sunday morning in a far-flung area of South
Cotabato was a not new to us, he was on his post when they sighted three truckloads of freshly-cut flitches
of Narra tree, it was illegally cut based on the prevailing regulations that Rick sensed. He courteously
informed a certain Alonzo, who introduced himself as the Commanding Officer and was commandeered by
uniformed men in full combat gears that it was unlawful to cut trees without necessary permit. Alonzo
explained that they need funds to bury their dead comrades and money to give to their bereaved families.
Rick case will weigh my integrity in my sworn duty versus the empathy for the fallen soldiers and
their families plus his and teammates safety.
If I were in Ricks shoes, I will respond to the situation by first explaining the rules and regulations
of cutting tree based on SNO 196. I will asses how did they managed to cut the trees because there are
some prohibition in the law. It stated there that No Narra tree shall be cut except in the following cases
and only after a permit had been issued therefor: a. When the tree is planted, and grown in a tree lumber
yard; b. When the tree is damaged by typhoon or lightning; c. When the land shall have been converted
in accordance with law into residential, commercial or industrial areas; d. When the land shall be
converted into other agricultural uses or other agriculture- related activities in pursuance to a conversion
duly applied for by the owner and approved by the proper authorities; and e. When the tree would cause
hazard to life and property. If they didnt met the standard permit. I will ask the assistance of Philippine
National Police or law enforcement agencies to further investigate and apprehend the issue, because I
cant handle the situation all alone and my life will be at stake. I will take note the plate numbers of the
trucks, and coordinate it the Police officer near checkpoints after my post. I will inform them that they
were fully armed and such.
CASE STUDY # 3
Why be honest, when it pays to be dishonest? Why fight for others, when they wont fight for
you?---or even for themselves?...the answer I think lies in what life means to you. If life means having a
good time, money, fame, power, security---then you dont need principles, all you need are techniques. On
the other hand, if happiness counts more than a good time, respect more than fame, right more than
power and peace of soul more than security; if death doesnt end life but transforms it, then you must be
true to yourself and to God and to love the truth and justice and freedom that are Gods other names.
--Sen. Jose Diokno
Glenda was ordered to prepare the paperwork to justify and allow the ACME mining company to
start an open pit mining in an area where they dont have a proper environmental impact study, they gave
a quickie consultant report showing minimal impact to the environment without a proper Environmental
Impact Assessment Clearance (this is a certification that the effect of the proposed project do not pose a
hazard to the environment or its surrounding community). Glenda was torn between her sworn duty
versus what the Chief Director told her that its inadvisable to raise the matter anymore because its an
order from the powers vs what the press might say about the issue vs how will Sen. Enriquez might take
the opportunity for him to grandstand.
With regards to the case of Glenda, I will stand for what is true and just. Whistle blowing to the
media might come up a little less or more exaggerated depending on the extent of the issue that was
raised cause thats what they are paid for. While whistle blowing to an elected national official might be
a way indeed to make their names popular or well known. Whatever might be the end result of both
parties the most important part is we raised awareness to the public with regards to the discrepancies
and corruption that is happening in our working environment and the need to reinforce and improve
institutions that will have to process that information and act upon it. Whistleblowing is essential in order
to protect the public interest. Because of its potential for promoting individual and organizational
accountability. The whistleblowers participation is important in the initiation of the process of corruption
control.
CASE STUDY # 4
PICK ME UP
Being appreciated because you managed to make your work efficiently is a very nice feeling
because your hard work had been recognized.
With regards to what happened to Ronnie, the scenario is a normal and very rampant in most
if not all of the government offices. People give money to the public or government employees as a form
of gratitude because of a fast, job well done while other use it under the table to process their request
fast.
If I will be on Ronnies shoes, I will return the money to Ms. Santos. This is because I know from the
very beginning that accepting money is a prohibited act. It is very unethical for a government employee to
receive any amount from the people, as my sworn duty to the public Im obliged to work fast and efficient
in order to serve the public, it is my duty and obligation to serve the people to the best of his ability. As a
public servant. I have to perform my responsibility to the people with all my heart without expecting any
amount in return. Upon returning the money, I will explain to Ms. Santos that Im grateful that she
recognized my hard work but as a public servant I cannot accept the money from any client because its
prohibited by the law and its a form of corruption even if its just a little amount of money. And if she really
felt that I did help her in a way she can just write to our evaluation satisfaction form in our office and write
her comments without giving any form of money.
Case # 5
sing government properties in any form for personal is not proper. Whether its just a
simple
office supply it is still wrong. A government property should be utilized properly.
Thegovernment purchased
those supplies not for the employees used but official business only. In
the situation given, I would take Cynthias side. It is simply because what Emy did was a
form
of
stealing its because those supplies do not belong to her. Bringing home office supp
lies of theoffice to be used for personal interest is obviously unethical. This act may
provide wrongperceptions of all the employees in the government officials or employees.
People who willknow of an employee doing such thing will make wrong conclusions or
generalizations ongovernment employees. As mentioned in R.A6713 that public officials and
employees shallutmost devotion and dedication to the duty. And lastly, as a government
employee, one has theresponsibility to take care of every government property and utilize
them properly. And thatthose things should be used for public interest and not for
personal interest.
Case Study #6 More Than Just Casinos
If something is legal it doesnt mean that it is automatically moral. There are things that
are
legal but are immoral. That is because there is a big difference between legal and moral.
Whenwe talk of morality, it is based on an internal and possibly external sense of what
is right orgood. Legality simply refers to acts that conform to the law. And aside from
that morality is
based on an individuals beliefs and not the law. On the given example, PAGCOR, like the
Lotto
and sweepstakes symbolize gambling. It is legal because it is allowed by the government.
Andthe revenues it remitted to the government help a lot in building schools as well as in
otherprojects of the government. And aside from that, it has helped lot of sick people in
theirmedication and hospitalization. It also extends help to victims of calamities. Those
are someof the reasons that make it legal and that the government allowed it to operate.
But we cannotdeny the fact that it symbolizes gambling. And gambling has destroyed many
lives and hasbroken many families. It is a game of chance that people bet even the last
money in their walletbecause they believe that if they will win, they will get their money in
many folds. Indeed it isasocial ill. Yes, lotto and sweepstakes is legal, but since the
symbolize gambling, it is immoral.This is a best example that tells us that if some
thing is legal, it does not automatically mean its
moral.