Hannah Aster I.

Abuid

12 STEM - Pythagoras

WILL THE 'RICE TARRIFICATION LAW' BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR LOCAL FARMERS?

A recent news about our hard-working farmers broked the internet and the social media, the
rice tarrification law. After reading and evaluating the said post published by Larry Monserate
Piojo, I rushed and search about this Rice Tarrification law. According to Manila Bulletin, Rice
Tarrification Law (or RTL) liberalize the importation, exportation, and trading of rice, lifting for
the purposebof the quantitative import restriction on rice. Also it is stated that the RTL had rice
importers to pay a tarrif, given that 35% tarrif for Southeast Asian countries and 50% tarrif for
the Non-ASEAN members. I am saddened by the news, and about the truth that our farmers are
the one's that feeds us from their hard works as our heroes in fields.

I wrote this to share my thoughts and insights about this certain news. I claim my stand to
disagree with this said Law. I take my stand as an honor to fight for my hard working farmers, as
a daughter of a farmer and a horticulture-major student. Being a student in horticultural major, I
am indeed a huge admirer of farmers. From sowing seeds to making them grow up to
harvesting stage, it is a daily sacrifice for our farmers.

They provide us foods to eat, especially rice that we, Pilipinos, value most. I am saddened by the
fact that our farmers hard work and sacrifices are being under-rated. Our Farmers are being
underestimated. Farmers earns less because palay prices are decreasing. I understand the need
to reform our Agricultural ways, but we should hear our farmers first, we should hear them for
they are to be heard also. The influence of cheaper imported rice is threatening the locals. I
can't stand seeing our food providers starving while their only concern is to provide us food for
us to survive and exchange it with the money they deserve for them to survive also.
We, youths of our generation, can help our farmers by promoting and by supporting their rice
used in providing our daily consumption. By patronizing local rice prodyced by our local farmers.
The RCL has been officially announced, but we can still do something for it. Can you stand
seeing our rice planters die in hunger? Do you picture our country with less farmers? Will you
just stay still and wait for our agricultural ways die? Who do you think will still aim to be a
farmer, having these laws? I get it, these agricultural reformation can do our country with
goodness also.

I say this not because my ego being a horticulture student is being stepped on, but I say this in
behalf of those farmers that can't share their own insight in public. I wrote this in behalf of our
country's best workers, for you to realize how they are feeling, experiencing and thinking. I do
not want to just be silent while there are my co-citizens suffering.

I respect the Rice Tarrification Law, I respect the decision made. I still take my standand I bet to
disagree to the Law. I respect my country's farmers. Our farmers deserves all honors and
respect. Our farmers makes our country yield, they are one of the legitimate treasures we have.
Our farmers gave us rice for us to survive, let us give them their right to rise up, survive and
revive. To God be the Glory!

Jovit Mar P. Sanchez

12 STEM - Pythagoras

WILL THE 'NO HOMEWORK POLICY' BE EFFECTIVE FOR STUDENTS?

The Department of Education and also Sec. Briones agrees and supports the 'No Homework
Policy' for somewhat nonsense reason they agreed to. It is stated that the policy would help the
students to balance the time between their academic qualities and spending quality time with
their family and friends and have fun. Meanwhile, there is a bill Escudero filed and stated to
which seeks to remove homework as a requirement and only have the K-12 students do their
academic activities in school, also the bill seeks to prohibit students from taking their textbooks
at home.

I feel like this needs a further explanation because why would the DepEd agreed on this because
it is clear that it's just not right. I do respect the Department of Education and the secretary but
in this one, I don't think I would agree on this. I claim my stand to disagree with the policy as a
student and as a future worker for our Country. I claim that students need to perform
homeworks still.

In my opinion homeworks are crucial in learning that's why I do not agree with the DepEd's
decision regarding the no homework policy that prohibits teachers from giving students
assignment or academic activities to be done outside the school premises. Well okay, let's say
that students are afforded a quality time for rest and spent time for family bonding, more fun
but less studying. So, I say that, Where is the balance in a student's life?

Just like what I've said, homework is one of the important part of education because it helps to
retain the knowledge from school up to their homes. Also it provides the ability to apply the
lesson gained inside the classroom in a real-life setting. Homeworks makes the student be more
inclined to practice, develop, and in achieving a good studying habit. This allows to continue the
learnings even in weekends not just in school.

Lastly, we all know that having a great studying habit can lead you to success, but without
homework? Students may fail and become weak in thinking skills and also they will have no
much preparation for college and will have a hard time studying.

In conclusion to all that, homeworks are important and it can help students in achieving
success.This is for the students, they will deeply suffer and affected by it in which is in the hands
on the higher position, but with all due respect to DepEd and the congress, it's not late to stop
filing this policy and to change their minds. It feels like the DepEd are not thinking straight and
totally agreed already. Why?