SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, May 20, 2004
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Not feeling well today
Must be the dust, the heat, whatever. I'm have colds and a little bit under the weather this morning until now.
My contacts at the UN are requesting me to accomplish a monthly time sheet with spaces for outputs per day. Per day! Sensing that this kind of monthly sheet may not be applicable to me and my work, I submitted it only for the reason that they can process my first monthly payment. I left the spaces for outputs blank because we're only starting the project. In addition, as a consultant, I do not have fixed work-schedules and work-days. Hence, I work even during the night (at home), and even during weekdends whenever I need to and whenever I feel like working. I really got annoyed when I was requested to fill in spaces for dates and outputs. Somehow, I expected that UN agencies should have a more sensible tracking system for output-based consultants who do not have to report on a daily basis, and hence do not have fixed work-schedules and work-days. This monthly sheets are best applied to people who are required to report for work every working day. Argh. My goodness.
posted by Allan at 8:21 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
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I've been here for a month?!
Time flies.
After a month, I now have a thick pack of name cards from people I've met, work-related or otherwise; a few Khmer phrases to get me through my daily motodup rides, dinner, grocery purchases, etc; and a bit of familiarization with the routes (quite an accomplishment for someone who knows the ins and outs of Singapore better than Makati or Manila). I'm still adjusting, and will probably be in this stage for quite some time.
Brownouts seem to be becoming more frequent. It's now an everynight thing. I experienced power interruption twice last night, probably one hour for the first, and 30 minutes after the first one (with only 10 minutes interval). Terrible. It's not hot and humid though because there was breeze coming from the riverfront. But being alone with nothing to do... argh.
I wonder why small red ants here like toothpaste and mouthwash so much. Duh. I guess Cambodian ants have different appetite than their counterparts in Manila? I just wonder if German ants like toothpaste and mouthwash too? Hehehee...
Well, one month down, 3 more to go. I will submit my first monthly report to UNIFEM on the progress of project implementation so far. And of course hehehe, I'll get my first monthly professional fee in a few days. Yey.
posted by Allan at 5:25 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
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Gender-responsive budgeting 101 for mom
Mom emailed me earlier and asked what I am doing here, my position and where I am based. No this isn't a usual "how are you" which is too often abused by some (some don't even care what your response is). Anyway, I was taken aback when mommy asked me that, not because I haven't been emailing her but because she asked me specifically what I am doing here. My work is quite technical and I work with planning and budget officers with different ministries here, some people from NGOs and international donor agencies. However, it has always been a challenge to get people outside the usual circle to appreciate gender-responsive budgeting (even in Manila). So this is how my reply (on that portion only) looked like:
Member ako ng project team implementing the "Gender-sensitive monitoring, planning and budgeting for the implementation of the poverty reduction strategy". World Bank ang nag pondo ng project pero WB tapped United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) for one component, kaya yung contract ko is under UNIFEM. Ako ang International Gender Budgeting Consultant ng project team. Yung isang member ay Canadian married to a Cambodian and she's the team leader. The rest (3 people) are locals working for the ministry. Tuturuan ko sila (budget and planning people in different ministries, with some NGOs) mag analyze ng mga programs ng gobyerno at kung pano malaman kung ano effect ng mga programa to the women of Cambodia. After that, tuturuan ko sila mag plano para ma-address mga problema ng kababaihan na lumabas sa analysis. Yung budget para ma implement ang mga programa sa plano nila will either come from the government budget or from international donors. Tapos tuturuan ko rin sila i-monitor kung nai-implement nga ba ng tama ang mga programa... pag hindi, aalamin namin mga problema at ipapasok naman sa susunod na analysis next year para mapasama sa susunod na budget year. 'Di pa nagsisimula mga training na i-ko conduct ko for them, ginagwa ko pa ang module (like syllabus for teachers). Baka sa July and August ang first 2 training programs. May study tour din sila (5 of them, plus the project team) to either Vietnam or Manila next year. Gagawan ko rin ng module yun kung pano i-conduct at paano ma-i apply ang matutuhan nila sa study tour in their work.
It dawned on me that I need to prepare a similar version because gender-responsive budgeting is new here. In fact, I will have to start with the basics (defining "sex" and "gender" and move to gender analysis, logical framework analysis, planning, budgeting, monitoring and advocacy) even with the budget and planning people in ministries. It's even more critical to make it non-technical as the modules may have to be converted to Khmer! I may be looking into the possibility of using simulataneous translation facilities soon. The language barrier is really serious, and it's partly because the Cambodian members of the project team do not speak English other than the commonly spoken phrases. Oh my.
posted by Allan at 5:44 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Sunday, May 16, 2004
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Cocktails at K-West
When I go back home, remind me to gorge on my favorite hard drinks and cocktails. I had a nice time at K-West along the riverfront last Friday night. The place is beside the hotel where I previously stayed for a week before I moved in to my apartment. I'm not sure if I got tipsy from the margaritas or from the whopping US$3.60 price per glass! Hehehee... This is Phnom Penh for pete's sake.
posted by Allan at 5:48 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Saturday, May 15, 2004
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Copyright - the right to copy
There's a market here selling photocopied books, I forgot the name but it's somewhere near (as everything is, here in Phnom Penh). I got a chance to visit the copying center recently where bundles of of books are being reproduced. Feels like home, I whispered, where copyright seems to connote the right to copy. Singapore is quite strict on that (at least on paper). When I was there, we were only allowed to reproduce 10 percent of a book or 1 chapter (whichever is less). However, in practice, photocopying shops reproduce books like there's no tomorrow. The only page they do not copy is the copyright page. For what reason, I don't know. It's still a breach of copyright regulations. I'm not passing any judgment whatsoever. I don't have the moral ascendancy to do it anyway.
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Cambodia's new government to be formed soon
After 10 months of political deadlock, Cambodia may soon have a new government as major political parties engage in coalition talks.
The Cambodian Peoples' Party (CPP) gained majority seats based on last year's elections but failed to gain the required 2/3 majority. It has to form a coalition with either FUNCINPEC or Sam Rainsey Party (SRP). However, FUNCINPEC and SRP has formed a coalition among themselves, which poses a huge challenge to CPP in terms of forging a coalition with FUNCINPEC.
The details are amazing particularly how the deadlock is being resolved. Unfortunately, and because I don't want to get into trouble (heheheee), I will have restrain myself and keep my mouth shut (fingers folded, whatever). The modicum amount of information in the papers should be an indication of a temporary hush hush while things are being resolved.
If only it is possible to publish this process of high-level conflict resolution, the Cambodian political deadlock and its ultimate resolution will make a great case study for Public Policy graduate courses. The understatement of the year, as I find it even more exciting than the outcome of the Philippine elections.
posted by Allan at 3:27 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Thursday, May 13, 2004
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Start-up woes, etc., nth day at Phnom Penh
Somehow, I must really have underestimated the language barrier. I initially planned to conduct my training-workshops in English but as days passed, I am getting convinced of the difficulty in doing that. We had our regular meeting with our 2 counterparts from the ministry where we are stationed and as usual, my colleague (who speaks Khmer) ended up translating all the time. We have to translate our letters, agenda, powerpoint slides into the local language. Our project funds do not include an item for translation and we must look into the possibility of requesting for additional funds if we can't tap in-house talents. This is quite a setback for us, especially during the training-workshops as gender-responsive budgeting is quite a technical matter.
I saw one taxi earlier on my way to work. I was told that taxis are not allowed to enter Phnom Penh and they are mostly used (with mini-busses) for travelling outside Phnom Penh. Apparently, there is great concern that the motodup business will be adversely affected and/or traffic will worsen in the capital if these taxis are allowed to extend its route here. Oh well.
Gloria Arroyo is ahead as of tonight based on the unofficial quickcount, overtaking FPJ, and the rest are way too far behind. I wasn't able to vote as I wasn't able to register here. I could have casted my vote had I been in Manila 3 days ago. Nevertheless, I never intended to vote for Arroyo. But as things are beginning to shape up, between her and FPJ... arrggh... I wish we had more choices available as if looking from a thick restaurant menu or something.
posted by Allan at 6:51 PM (GMT+8)
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SOUNDING BOARD
Friday, May 07, 2004
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First hand experience of petty crime in Phnom Penh
Yup, that's right. And to be specific, my phone was stolen earlier around 900 hrs GMT+7 while I was watching the ceremonies (Royal Plowing Day) marking the start of the rainy season. I didn't even feel it, next time I know, the front pocket of my pants was already empty. That totally sucks. So I had to call the phone company and report it. Fortunately (damn it, I'm just looking at the bright side), after blocking it temporarily, it is still possible for me to use the same number. So I had to buy a new phone. Gheez.
SOUNDING BOARD
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
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Day whatever... I lost track and I don't want to count anymore
Probably day 14 or 15, I think I'll stop counting. I don't want to see future posts with Day 100+, that's going to be annoying (at least for me). Hmmm, so I've been here for 2 weeks more or less... that means Vong, Polla and Sok will be picking me up again this weekend for a few rounds of beer! Yey!
I corrected a spelling error - it's Phnom 'Penh', not Phnom 'Phen'. And now I know the reason why. I got mixed up with the 'Phen' in Phen card. For fellow Midgard citizens, you know what I'm talking about. It's that card that lets you cast magic spells in Ragnarok without getting interrupted. Oh well, it seems like I miss the game after all.
I've been cooking in my new apartment for days now. I find it quite relaxing to spend some time in my kitchen after work (I mean after 5 pm at weekdays, because I still work at home even on holidays and weekends. Consultants do not have official working schedules, so go figure.).
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The Cambodian government is still doing line budgeting although it will be moving forward with results-based budgeting in a few years. We just had a meeting earlier with the MInistry of Economy and Finance and Dr. H N confirmed this. It will be a huge challenge on my part because gender-responsive budgeting is best implemented on a platform of results-based budgeting - linking goals, purpose, outputs and activities/inputs. It's good to verify this challenge at this early stage to give me ample time to re-strategize on the specific activities. There goes my evening, perhaps even a couple of evenings.
posted by Allan at 5:33 PM (GMT+8)
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