M. Albert Rile

Finally, Domestic Helpers DH have reasons to be happy what with the approval by President P-Noy of the Kasambahay Law or Republic Act 10361 which "institutes policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers," on January 18, 2013 and this takes effect 15 days from date of signing. Hence, from now on domestic helpers viz. yayas, laundry men and women, drivers, gardeners, cooks, etc. are entitled to a minimum wage of 2,500 PHP per month in National Chartered Cities, 2,000 in Chartered Cities and First Class Municipalities and 1,500 in other Municipalities. Aside from this, they will be entitled to a paid one month leave (meaning they get paid on a 13-month/ per year basis), paid day off, Social Security, Philhealth and Pag-ibig benefits. With all these changes that will take effect, only the wealthy, the rich and famous and probably families of OFWs will be able to afford domestic helpers. Since most Overseas Foreign Workers cannot enjoy the luxury of a household help abroad, at least their families in the Philippines can benefit from their hard work and sacrifices. They too, will have their chance only when they retire and/or when they have saved enough.

How would you feel if your own mother does not even know who you are? Devastated? Absolutely! That is exactly how I felt when Nanay called me "Big Brother" (she probably pictured me as her favorite older brother, the late Cesar Cuadra, Sr.) when I reached Orange County after driving with my sister Elizabeth from Chicago in my brand new Toyota Corolla. Prior to that, she kept calling me up and asking me to join her and my brother Rafael and sister Elizabeth in Southern California. When my sister confirmed Nanay’s condition, I became very emotional, I ran to the bathroom and cried my heart out! Her nagging insistence got me into selling my house and lot in Berwyn, Illinois, quitting my job and buying myself a brand new car. However, if she would take her prescription Aricept, her brain cells got reactivated and she regained her memory meaning that she had an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Proof was that she introduced me to her primary doctor as "her son" which somehow amazed her physician. I used to take time off work just to take her to the doctor and I even fed her as I was aware that she had a hard time eating. I got the consolation however that I spent some quality time with Nanay. Later, I learned that dementia is genetichence, I decided to do some research on this subject.

This article will dwell solely on two neighboring suburbs namely, Bel Air and San Lorenzo in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City. Recent incidents triggered the reactivation of Security Guards/ Tanods for the safety and security of the homeowners and the residents.

A woman walking on the streets of San Lorenzo had her bag with her cell phone inside snatched by a motorbike-riding guy in broad daylight. On the other hand, in Bel Air, a couple was robbed of their jewels, cell phones, etc. (kuno!) in their house on Ford street. That was the second theft that took place in the same house also in broad daylight. There were reports of robbery in San Lorenzo Subdivision as well and laptops, cell phones and other personal properties belonging to the homeowner were taken by an unknown individual from their home, not to mention attempts of theft in some houses in the area. Apparently, the Burbs are no longer as safe as they ought to be.

The new LTO Head, Renato Novero seems to be heading towards the right direction with the implementation of at least, PHP 1000 fine on motorcycle riders violating the new law requiring them to wear DTI-Certified standard helmet for their own protection. Since then, the streets of Bacolod have been flooded with helmet-wearing motorcycle bikers, good start! Kudos to the Enforcement Officers who have been giving out tickets to violators.

Also, the anti-jaywalking campaign seems to be going quite well, but there are still many pedestrians who either ignore or just do not know what the pedestrian lanes are for. Proper warning should be given them and fines should be imposed on them as well. Only trouble is that many pedestrian lanes are hardly visible in many cross streets and intersections all over the city and suburbs.