NORIELYN B.
TEODORO
1. What are your thoughts, experiences, and observations in the current government as they
battle the COVID 19 pandemic?
In this past few months is a quiet though for all the Filipinos especially for the frontliners
and government officials who've been struggling to fight for this pandemic. This situation
that I had is not as easy as I think, therefore, as fellowmen for this country I had observed
that this disease is very alarming especially to those people who have a weak immune
system. though this virus has a low fatality rate compared to the last viruses that people
encountered, however, we can't deny the fact that this disease is contagious. The
government officials are diligently laboring to understand and act accordingly as they
implement a total lockdown for the benefit of the individuals to not harmed and attempt
to minimize all possible exposure outside. The worst part of this occurrence is the
number of COVID-19 increases more people are getting panic which is not helpful for
this situation. It was terrifying, I honestly admitted that I was scared for a while and many
individuals are not following the rules and keep on insisting to leave on their houses
instead of isolating themselves. Also, social media helps communicate with my relatives
outside the city. Despite that, some people use social media to make fake news which not
beneficial for everyone besides, knowledge dissemination is important in these crucial
circumstances that we've been facing. I salute the government officials, frontliners,
volunteers and all the other people who had been working to eliminate this virus and
sacrificing themselves for the sake of the others and to those who give us help in terms of
food supplies, necessities like PPE's. This pandemic is more than a health crisis, it has a
big impact on our lives much as we expect it to be, However, if we continued to follow
the rules that were implemented then we can fight this pandemic. Optimism, enthusiasm,
and prayers are what we needed today as I hope that this will end too soon.
2. What are your views regarding federalism? Would you recommend it as a replacement in
our current government system? Explain your answer.
Philippines would be divided into 18 regional states (including BARMM and CAR), this
provides greater and direct control over revenues, legislation and judicial system. On the
other hand, affairs that embodied national interest such as international/foreign relations
and defense would be in the command of the President. Federalism will promote a
stronger sense of regionalism that celebrates the diverse linguistic and cultural
backgrounds of the country. There will be a dramatic change of the long-held
glamorization of Imperial Manila and Katagalugan as the center of the Philippine history
and politics, into a more heartfelt sense of nationalism that was rooted in the deep
connection of a Filipino to his/her native identity. Besides, the dynamics of power would
also be modified, for instance, Davao Region would solely administer its resources that
generate income and only a percent would be left for the national treasury; Banana
Industry (del Norte), Mining (Oro), Tourism (Oriental), Maritime Industry (del Sur),
Fisheries (Occidental). However, we also need to consider some regions suffer dilatory
social mobility and a battered economy. If Federalism were implemented the richer
regions would subsidize to stabilize their socio-economic status, and this would mean
that the richer ones would impose substantial taxes at its people. Furthermore, Regional
States cannot implement its policies without appropriate funds, the striving economy of
NORIELYN B. TEODORO
the poorer regions would also face catastrophe in allocating necessary wages for its
employees such as public teachers and civil servants. Thomas Jefferson once stated that
government is best when it governed least, this idea became one of the foundations of the
United States Federal government. Although the Philippines has the capacity to duplicate
or mix this system into others, our country is not yet ready for an immediate shift. Our
government must first resolve economic problems before investing in a new regime.
Apart from this, our Local Government should take a competent step in mastering
decentralization for the reason that it serves as a concrete pillar of federalism.
3. In our current situation, do you agree that martial law should be implemented? Why or
why not?
Martial law imposes direct military control of normal civilian functions by a government,
especially in response to a major disaster. Martial law has been recognized in the
Philippines since the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos although there are negative effects
that happened like too much power in the hands of the few and hard to reverse could end
up with a dictator. However, in this situation that we are experiencing, I think martial law
should be implemented. It’s been over a month when enhancing community quarantine
(ECQ) started but until now we can still see a lot of people violating the Enhance
community quarantine (ECQ) through riots, rallies, fights, gambling and etc.
Maybe it will be better to impose martial law if that what it takes for people to follow
simple rules. Although, what we need is a medical solution but we cannot deny the fact
that if Filipinos continue to not follow the rules then, Martial Law might be imposed by
the president. According to President Duterte, he was just asking for cooperation and if
not then might as well declare martial law. Martial Law is indeed a good solution I truly
understand why the president wants martial law. The president has the power to restrict
citizen’s movement until the COVID-19 curve is flattened.
4. Enumerate all the countries that colonized the Philippines and state their intention.
One of the foreign countries that colonized the Philippines was Spain. The Philippines are
very lucky because of its natural resources. That's why that is the major reason Spain
colonized the Philippines. Spain colonized the Philippines for almost 300 years. Another
reason is the Geographic area, The Philippines' area ends up being a perfect exchanging
post for products originating from China (silk) and Indonesian archipelago (spices) while
far enough from potential effective attacks from different forces. Even though there are
endeavors such as Portuguese, Dutch, British, etc.
Also, the Religious expansionism, The Spaniards of the Age of Discovery needed so
gravely to affect at the world stage, while cautious not annoy their God by crediting all
their majestic desire to His Grace and Will. The Philippines isn't only a perfect
exchanging post yet additionally a perfect bouncing board for Catholicism.
NORIELYN B. TEODORO
The American invasion of the Philippines in May 1898 was a piece of the Spanish-
American War, which came about after the US mediated in the Cuban rebel contrary to
the Spanish principle. The USA is also one of the countries that colonized the Philippines
one of their reason is more economic. With an end goal to turn into a worldwide majestic
and financial powerhouse, the United States political pioneers colonized the Philippines
because of its key area in the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, a significant purpose behind the
United States imperializing the Philippines was its vital position that could push America
forward in its journey of turning into a worldwide financial and royal force. Truth be told,
America effectively used the Philippines. In addition to the fact that it was helpful as a
port and coal renewal station, yet it likewise, as arranged, profited the US monetarily
through exchange with China. Acquiring the Philippines was a great accomplishment for
the US since it gave the US access to numerous high-value natural resources. Although
the taking of the Philippines did not depend on the requirement for assets, the keeping up
of the nation was somewhat because of the resources.
Japan’s invasion of the Philippines has 3 purposes. First, to remove US bases in the
Western Pacific that could threaten Japan and its seaborne coordination associations.
Second, to protect Japan's access to territories in Southeast Asia and Oceania that Japan
expected to conquer. Last, is to secure much of Filipino rice and food production, and
other natural resources.
5. If the conspiracy theory will be proven true that COVID 19 is a human-made virus and it
is the way of China to defeat their opponent countries, as a millennial how will you
protect your country?
If that's the case then the first thing that I will do is to protect my family because I believe
that the family is the vital role of the society and the strongest unit of the future
prosperity of the country. A stronger family means a stronger country. I love my family
as to how I love my country and I will protect my country as to how I protect my family.
A great connection between the relatives could tackle all the issues. The people group
with solid families could both take care of the issues and increase the monetary and virtue
of the community. The government and neighborhood authorities need to do everything
conceivable to reinforce the relationship outside and inside the community and family.
Also having a good education is probably the best thing that I can do to help my country.
When I well educated, I can get better jobs and contribute more to the economy. I can
also be better informed and make good decisions when it comes to any situation like this.
In order to do that I also need to seek professional assistance, cooperation is indeed
needed in this kind of situation anyone can help even the high ranking officials, the
government and all those who belong to my country. This is not only my fight but to
those people who want to protect their country.
