Northern Philippine Times

Baguio mayor urges dialogue; nationwide boycott of SM malls pushed: Large group rallies vs city trees’ cutting

2012-01-24T21:21:00.000-08:00

By Alfred Dizon and Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY–In what is considered the biggest rally here ever, more than 5,000 folks held protest actions Friday urging a boycott of SM malls in the countryover the giant firm’s plan tocut or “ball” around 200 fully grown pine trees to construct a huge seven-storey parking lot beside its mall here.

Even as Mayor Mauricio Domogan offered to broker a dialogue between protesters, SM management and the city government, placard-holding protesters which included former Baguio Mayor Braulio Yaranon massed at Gov. Pack Road.

The road was full of people from the National Bureau of Investigation regional office to Session Road that police had to close the thoroughfare from the NBI, the rotunda below SM where four roads converge down to Malcolm Square.

Protesters let out fiery speeches and chants the whole afternoon starting 2 to 6 p.m. condemning the SM plan and paraded down Session Road to Malcolm Square urging concerned government offices to stop the project.

They were composed of various sectors of society from the young to the old which included militants. businessmen, housewives, students. professors and expatriates.

A sizable number of old time Baguio residents who migrated abroad said they came home just to join the protest actions and show concern for their city which they said “had become a haven of capitalist greed,” after reading facebook and other internet sites.

The groups urged SM management and owners to stop the project as it would be detrimental to the city as trees are necessary in purifying air, conserving water and in preventing landslides.

A signature drive was earlier startedlast week wherein signatories signed a letter addressed to President Aquino urging him to order the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or concerned government agencies to stop the project considering the government’s total log ban policy.

Mayor Domogan Wednesday bared plans to broker a dialogue on the SM Baguio tree-cutting issue which continued to heat up amid snowballing opposition that started in a popular social networking site and which spread on the streets with a mass rally staged by environmental groups Friday.

In his UgnayangPanlungsod press briefing, the mayor said the city will schedule a public consultation to give opportunity to both sides to come face-to-face to air their sentiments and clarify issues on SM’s expansion project that will entail the clearing of trees at its newly acquired property adjacent to the mall’s present site in Luneta Hill.

“Hopefully during the hearing, SM will listen to the sentiments of those opposing the project and the opposition will likewise take into consideration SM’s viewpoint,” the mayor said.

He said DENR representatives will also be invited to also explain its issuance of the permit “to cut, ball or prune” a total of 182 trees within the planned expansion site of the mall.

The mayor clarified that it was the DENR that issued the said permit along with the Environmental Clearance Certification (ECC) for the expansion project.

“When the matter came to our office, the plans have been made complete with the DENR permit and the ECC,” the mayor said.
He said the lot was sold to SM by the national government and therefore is now a private property of the retail giant.
“We cannot just stop the plan of SM because under our laws, they have their rights as private owner of that property and moreover, they were able to secure the necessary permits from the proper agency,” the mayor said.
Described by SM management as “green development,” the project will involve the construction of another seven-story building with a new parking facility, roof garden and rainwater collection system.

In a press statement, SM clarified that they will not cut any tree in the area and instead will undertake “balling out” of some trees to be replanted within the SM property under the supervision of tree balling experts
to ensure survival of the trees.

“In addition, rather than merely complying with the stipulation that we plant 20 saplings for every tree balled out, we decided to go beyond this requirement, and have increased this to 50 saplings for every tree we will transfer,” SM said.

Oppositionists to the project led by Cordillera Ecological Center director Dr. Michael Bengwayan who drummed up support to an on-line petition against the issue however denounced SM’s plan as anti-environment and anti-people.

They questioned the reliability of the earth-balling technique which they said does not guarantee the survival of the trees.

Even Domogan expressed doubt on the balling scheme citing the city’s past experience in Camp John Hay where balled trees registered a low survival rate.

Protesters Friday showed force drawing in massive participation during the rally dubbed “Occupy SM Baguio” to dramatize their objection to the plan.

The on-line petition started in Facebook was said to have gone viral and has gathered more than 4,000 signatures as of press time.

A “writ of kalikasan” was due to be filed in court by University of the Philippines professor Harry Roque as lawyer of Bengwayan.

Bengwayanearlier told the media they would be pushing for the boycott of SM malls nationwide if the project would push through due to its adverse effects on the environment.

“Balling” trees, as proven when trees were “transferred” from Camp John Hay, was not effective as 85 percent of the trees died, he said.

Cutting trees, he added, was more devastating top the environment.

Thousands of “netizens” worldwide have reportedly joined the move against the project in various internet networking sites while those in the Philippines said they would join the boycott.

Netizens expressed solidarity with local folk saying people of Baguio should not allow moneyed firms to trample on their right to breathe fresh air and destroy the environment, saying there should be a limit to greed for money.
The Baguio Regreening Movement which was reported earlier as in favor of the project didn’t issue a press statement on the matter.

Critics said the BRM, whose members are composed of city government and line agency officials (including the DENR) and church personalities should abolish the BRM as it had outgrown its use and become an instrument of “crass commercialism.”

DENR regional director Clarence Baguilatearlier told the media all papers of SM relative to the project were “in order” and the firm could start construction.

Baguilat said 22 “conditionalities” were imposed by the DENR for SM to comply with even as he denied allegations from critics that money changed hands, reason why the government agency allowed the project.

Domoganearlier said the controversial site was reportedly part of the property acquired by SM through an “auction” sale on April 22,1992 for a bid price of P69,000,995.52 in six separate amortizations which ended in 1997 located in Residential Section “A” described as Lot. Nos. 3-B, 114-A, 128, 115-B, 125-A, 126-B-2, 126-A, X—1 and Y-2.

Domogan said SM furnished his office documents for its expansion plans last year.

Former Rep Singson claims innocence on drug charges

2012-01-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur- Freshly- arrived Saturday afternoon from Hong Kong after spending 18 months in jail, former Rep. Ronald Singson claimed innocence on illegal drug charges slapped against him but said he admitted the charges since the drugs were found inside his travelling bag when he arrived in Hong Kong airport.

A son of incumbent Gov. ChavitSingson, Ronald told his supporters and relatives in their jampacked Baluarte residence that he could do nothing when he was accosted except to accept it.

The former congressman blamed his foreigner friends who, he said, were the real owners of the drugs that they had inserted inside his bag when he went to Hong Kong last July, 2010.

Gov. Singson later asked authorities to hunt suspected drug lords who were behind the apprehension of his son.

In his remarks right after arriving here, Ronald said that he was not even a drug user as proven by the number of drug tests conducted on him in Hong Kong.

He said at first, the judge did not believe him that he was not using illegal drugs but when the results of the drug tests affirmed that he was negative, the judge believed.

He said he admitted guilt, despite his being innocenct, that the drugs were for his personal use “being a drug usher since I could do nothing anymore.”

This has prompted the Hong Kong court to sentence him to 18 months in jail.

Usually, a number of Pinoys caught with illegal drugs in other countries were sentenced for death.

From Hong Kong Airport, Ronald was fetched by his father on a private plane, then went directly to Laoag Airport where a number of media practitioners were waiting.

The Singsons had proceeded to their home in Baluarte in Vigan where they immediately held a mass.

“Siyempre masaya ang pamilya. Gusto sana namin private para sa pamilya pero marami ang nagmamahal. May thanksgiving din,”Ronald’s younger brother now Rep. Ryan Singson told newsmen.

Last May 28, 2011, the Commission on Elections held a special election for the post vacated by Ronald after he filed his resignation as member of the Lower House in Congress.

Ryan replaced him to represent the first district of Ilocos Sur after winning in a landslide victory.

But some of Ronald’s supporters said they were willing to elect the convicted congressman into office again if he decides to throw his hat again into the political arena.

Hijacked vehicles recovered in Isabela

2012-01-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Eight luxury cars believed to have been carjacked were recently recovered in Isabela.

Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia, Cagayan Valley police director, said the recovered vehicles were four Hyundai Accents, a Toyota Avanza, a Nissan Sentra, a Nissan Urvan and a Mitsubishi Adventure.

The vehicles, now in police custody, were seized in separate operations in the towns of Tumauini and Ilagan from Jan. 13 to 17.

The recovery of the stolen vehicles started when authorities pulled over a Hyundai Accent at a checkpoint in Baligatan village in Ilagan town.

The driver, Henry Ferrer, admitted the car was stolen and turned over three more Hyundai Accents to authorities.

Last Monday, authorities recovered a stolen Toyota Avanza driven by one ArsenioBucad, also at a checkpoint in the town proper.

Follow-up operations led to the recovery of the three other stolen vehicles.

Five fishermen rescued off Ilocos Norte waters

2012-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte-- Five fishermen on board a capsized motorboat were rescued along waters off Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Tuesday.

Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente, PCG Public Affairs chief, said the PCG Currimao Station responded to a distress call from Barangay Chairman Elviro Agod of Barangay Davila in Pasuquin about five of his constituents in trouble at sea Jan. 15.

Elements of the PCG responded to the call for help and located the troubled fishermen and their motorboat approximately seven nautical miles west of Barangay Davila, Pasuquin.

The five fishermen were picked up by PCG rescuers and their capsized “M/B Russerl May” towed back to Pasuquin, said Ricafrente.

John Hay firm’s arbitration bid a desperate act: JHMC

2012-01-24T21:13:00.000-08:00

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority Thursday dismissed as a desperate act Camp John Hay Development Corporation's filing of an arbitration case for P14.4 billion in damages arising from its failed lease contract.

"So, all of a sudden it is BCDA that will now have to pay when as late as July 1, 2008 CJHDevco recognized its obligations which have now reached P3.024 billion," BCDA chair Felicito Payumo said.

Payumo said he has been treating the row with CJHDevco, which developed prior to his watch, with fairness and objectivity.

He added the rescission of the 2008 Restructured Memorandum of Agreement was “provocative and complicated matters.”

“There are no questions about the amount of the arrears. The fact that CJHDevco signed a Restructured Memorandum of Agreement on July 1, 2008 was an acknowledgment of its obligations."

Payumo also clarified that the ruling of the Supreme Court revoking the tax privileges in the John Hay Special Economic Zone in 2003 is already a non-issue as it has already been rectified when Congress restored the tax incentives to the locators of JHSEZ in 2007.

“That was the reason why a deferment of payments had been granted and three restructurings had been done,” he said.

He also shrugged off as “old issue” the One Stop Action Center row which the CJHDevco has been trying to resurrect as an excuse to evade payments.

“To put matters in perspective, the OSAC has been operational. Otherwise, it would not have been able to issue 22 building permits in 2009, 28 in 2010, and eight in the first quarter of 2011. A total of 60 locators have been granted permits to operate,” Payumo said.

With respect to the applications for permit to operate that are still pending, including the CJH Suites occupancy, the John Hay Management Corp. clarified that CJHDevco still has some violations of the Building and Fire Code. JHMC is BCDA’s management arm in the JHSEZ.

Because the JHMC has no authority to issue tree-cutting and tree-balling permits which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) does not delegate, JHMC has actually arranged for a DENR representative to regularly visit and hold office at the OSAC for purposes of permit issuances.

“At any given time, there will always be a number of applications pending,” Payumo said, “but does that mean the OSAC is not operating? And is that a valid reason for CJHDevCo to withhold payment of its arrears totaling P3.024 billion?

“Clearly, the OSAC case is also a non-issue,” Payumo said.

Then again, the CJHDevco contradicted itself by saying it has set up an escrow account in lieu of direct remittances of its lease obligations, the BCDA added.

“Such account does not exist,” BCDA Vice President for Business Development and Operations Dean Santiago said.

He explained that it cannot be called an escrow account because the money allegedly deposited is unilaterally determined by CJHDevco, and only CJHDevco can withdraw from it.

Meanwhile, the BCDA vowed to explore all options available to protect the government’s interest in the Camp John Hay dispute and collect from the lessee CJHDevco all overdue accounts, even as it meets head on the legal moves being taken by the private developer.

Citing the Sobrepena Group’s history of failed big-ticket projects including the College Assurance Plan, Santiago said “ it came as nosurprise that CJHDevco, after defaulting on its lease payments for morethan ten years, would unilaterally rescind the Camp John Hay project.”

Internet-based crime prevention program launched in Cordillera

2012-01-24T21:11:00.000-08:00

CAMP BADO DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Regional police office based here launchedJan. 13 a breakthrough in crime investigation and detective management with the “e-Blotter.”

The e-Blotter is a “stand-alone system” which will be installed in all police stations as a means of reporting and monitoring crime that transpired within an area as well as results and records of investigations conducted by the police stations.

The launching was graced by Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara, his daughter Gladys and Supt. Ricardo Marquez, executive officer of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Among the highlights of the launching was the turn-over of the e-Blotter by Rep. Vergara to regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong.

The e- Blotter hardware for the 6 police provincial offices in the Cordillera, 10 police stations of Baguio are initiatives of Rep. Vergara.

In his speech, the Vergara assured police of his support in all the projects the regional headquarters would venture into.

Marquez,, in his speech said the DIDM with the Information Technology Management Service developed a more efficient electronic blotter system for recording crime incidents across the country with the National Capital Region as the pilot study.

Dubbed the e-Blotter, it does not only facilitate crime documentation and modernization of data storage but also presents quick, fast and reliable transmission of crime information from police stations to the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City as an effective management tool for decision makers and security strategies to have an intelligent way of mapping out peace and order and anti-criminality strategies.

The main goal of the project is to have a daily update on what is happening on the ground, particularly in every police station which is vital in mapping out strategies for quick response and crime prevention.

Prior to this launching, 80 officers representing the six provincial police offices and CPO attended a seminar workshop on e-Blotter starting Wednesday.

On Jan. 14, Magalong turned over to Baguio City police director Senior Supt. David Lacdan 12 e-Blotter hardware sets for city police.

Pampanga to enforce anti-overloading law;veggie dealers warned

2012-01-24T21:09:00.001-08:00

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Officials here warned vehicle owners, which include vegetable dealers from Cordillera and Ilocos regions, not to overload their trucks as the province will now strictly implement Republic Act 9784, the Anti-Overloading Act, through cooperative efforts of various government agencies.

This developed after the provincial government signed Tuesday a memorandum of agreement with the Pampanga Environment and Natural Resources Office and other stakeholder-agencies for installation of additional weighing stations in different points of the province.

Vice Governor Joseller Guiao was designated by Gov. Lilia G. Pineda to sign the MOA with official representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, Pampanga Truck Owners Association and the Pampanga Mayors League.

Guiao thanked all the signatories to the MOA, which he described as “makasaysayan (historical)” because “it was done in the interest of all stakeholders and for the residents of Pampanga”.

The provincial government provided the weighing scales, samples of which were shown during the signing, to be stationed at strategic areas where trucks may be monitored for compliance to the law.

Under the MOA, the province shall also operate the weighing scales and ensure that these are maintained in accordance with the standards imposed by the Department of Science and Technology.

The DPWH has the mandate of operating the weighbridges and portable weighing stations; determine and indicate in the prescribed form the actual load per axle and the total allowable gross vehicle weight; and identify the overloaded trucks and trailers.

The LTO shall deputize designated personnel that will monitor the law’s implementation and cause the apprehension and impose the penalties on overloaded vehicles.

The PNP shall enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties and maintain peace, order and public safety.

The PTOA shall strictly comply with anti-overloading law and pay the necessary weighing fee of P30 per truckload pursuant an ordinance issued by the SangguniangPanlalawigan.

Aside from the vice-governor, others present during the signing are Regional Director Oliver C. Macaspac of the LTO; PSSupt. Edgardo Tinio of the PNP; representatives of the DPWH Regional Director Antonio V. Molano and Arnold C. Liwanag of the PTOA; and Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr., vice president of the PML and an officer of the Quarry Operators of Pampanga.

Pampanga to enforce anti-overloading law;veggie dealers warned

2012-01-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Sagada Etag fest set Feb. 2-5

2012-01-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

by Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -This year’s Sagada Etag Festival will be celebrated with exciting events from Feb. 2-5 by constituents from 19 participating barangays of this tourist town, guests and visitors.

Opening of “etag” (smoked meat) booths shall be observed on the first day of the festival along with the opening of the art gallery. The first SagadaEtag Festival was held Jan. 29- Feb. 2 last year to promote ‘etag’ and coffee Arabica.

Vice mayor Richard Yodong who chairs the executive committee of the festival said the activity furthers the promotion of local products including ‘etag’ and coffee and affirm culture as a guiding framework to community development and Sagada as a tourist destination.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin along with the community shall observe the ceremonial Presentation of Christ at the Temple and Purification of the blessed Virgin Mary which happens every Feb. 2 in the Christian calendar.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist shall be done morning of Feb 2 followed by a bible quiz bee and a choir festival in the evening of same day.

A bike race coordinated by Paul Ballola and AlwynPiluden shall commence at Sagada Poblacion in front of the Community Coop store.

The bikers, around 150 of them shall proceed to Danum Lake on to Lazig hill to Langsayan Ridge and finally to northern Bangaan barangay. The bike race aims to promote environmental protection.

The race sees action on Feb. 4 with send-off ceremonies by Department of Tourism Regional Director Purificacion Molintas.

An art exhibit shall specially show paintings from Sagada’s visual artists including James Wandag, David Fowler, Eugene Magsino, and Janet Eason including works of Sagada potters Lope Bosaing. SiegriedBangyay- Rogers, and Tessie Baldo.

Coordinated by artist David Fowler, the art items shall be displayed at the fourth floor of the newly inaugurated municipal building.

Street dancing participated in by delegates from the four zones of the municipality shall see action morning of February 4. With fiesta theme , ‘Cultural identity, the Strength of our Community’, other cultural shows follow thereafter.

Indigenous games shall also be observed afternoon of February 5 at the community basketball court. Sanggol (arm wrestling), tulsi ( finger wrestling), tinnampaksiupu ( leg spanking) among others shall be played by delegates from the four zones of Sagada. Aeta archers shall be showing enthusiasts how to shoot with bow and arrow.

The National Commission on Culture and the Arts will sponsor most prizes in the cultural presentations and indigenous games.

The Baguio City National High School Rondalla and Rambak Cordillera Performing Arts shall be performing at the community court night of Feb. 3. The performances shall be followed with a literary- musical contest among elementary and high school students.
Search for Miss Sagada shall be done at St Jo Café conference hall eve of February 3 coordinated by Bernard Makellay and Divine Sibayan. Search for Miss Gay Sagada also follows eve of February 4 at St Jo Café Hall.

A quiz bee participated in by elementary and high school students shall be conducted at the Saint Mary’s School Quadrangle.

The above day activities will be done simultaneously with ball games and other sports including a muaithai tournament and a basketball shoot out and plotting game sponsored by SMART Telecommunications.

Mayor OK’s temporary site for market vendors

2012-01-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – Due to cooperation showed by Block 4 vendors to voluntarily demolish and vacate their stalls last year, Mayor Mauricio Domogan approved their request for a temporary vending site to continue their business within the city market.

Domogan signed Baguio City Market Task Force resolution 04-2011 designating the perimeter area of block 4 as a temporary vending site for displaced block 4 occupants.

Prior to its approval, Domogan ordered the Baguio Market Task Force to inspect and assign a relocation site for vendors affected by the block 4 rehabilitation.

At least 87 vendors can be accommodated in the perimeter of block 4 as per reports by the Task Force which recommended the area suitable as a relocation site.

Vendors who are included in the 2006 and 2011 block 4 surveys will be assigned vending spaces except for occupants who used their stalls as bodegas and eateries prior to demolition.

Session Rd ordered closed for Panagbenga; No classes Feb 1

2012-01-24T20:52:00.000-08:00

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – The scent of flowers will fill the air as the 17th edition of the Baguio Flower Festival starts in this mountain resort.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan also ordered the suspension of classes for Elementary and Secondary Levels both for public and private schools on Feb. 1.

“Suspending classes in both Elementary and High School levels will give them the opportunity to participate in the grand opening parade of the Panagbenga’ which falls on a Wednesday,” he said.

The grand opening parade is now converted into an open competition among participating elementary and secondary schools in the city.

This will jumpstart the bigger and better activities lined up for the month-long event.

The Panagbenga Flower Festival will be held Feb. 1 to March 4 with the theme “Community convergence for sustainable tourism Growth.”

Numerous traditional and community-led government supported activities will be featured during the event to boost the city’s robust tourism industry.

Classes for College level will also be suspended on Feb. 25 for the Grand street Dancing Parade.

Domogan also approved temporary closure of Session Road to vehicular traffic come Jan. 27 and certain days on February in line with the Pangabenga Festival.

The mayor said this discussed earlier in a forum with theme “Recreating People Friendly Session Road” which will be participated in by residents, students and visitors from Manila.

“The temporary closure of Session Road during the conduct of the activity will popularize the concept of public space and road sharing.” Domogan said. “This will also entail people to have a feel of the city’s landmark structures so they can appreciate Baguio City as it is.”

The organizers of the activity lined up events which would spice up the forum at the University of the Cordilleras theater.

The main concept would focus on the dream of some stakeholders for a carless Session Road which would in turn be replicated in major cities around the country.

The temporary closure will affect the whole stretch of Session Road from its junction with Magsaysay Avenue up to its junction with Fr. Carlo Loop from 8 am to 5 pm.

The junction of Session Road with Upper Lower Mabini Street will be kept open as alternate route for private and public vehicles.

Meantime, Domogan also ordered the temporary closure of major roads in and around the Central Business District (CBD) come February for the conduct of the 17thPanabenga Festival.

The South Drive Teachers Camp Gate to Military Cut-off rotunda to Lower Session Road and Harrison Road will be closed on February 1, 25 and 26 from 4 am to 1pm for the Flower Festival Opening parade, Grand Street parade and Grand Float Parade.

Upper Session Road (SM rotunda to Mercury Drug of Malcolm Square) to include roads and backstreets intersecting Session Road and Gov. Pack Road will also be closed on February 28 to March 6 midnight for the Session Road in Bloom.

Baguio City officials meet to fix traffic

2012-01-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – The Traffic and Transport Management Committee met last week to discuss issues on traffic to include exemptions, loading and unloading areas, parking areas, pedestrian lanes and concerns on jeepney groups’ rationalization scheme.

Chaired by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, committee members including Councilor NicasioAliping, Jr., Baguio City Police Office Traffic Management Group’s James Logan, OIC planning officer engineer Evelyn Cayat, representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and drivers’ groups tackled the transport sector’s needs.

First, the mayor said, is inspection for vehicle owners’ application requirement as to existing private parking space, as this exacerbates vehicular traffic in city and barangay roads. Transport and traffic officers should be strict in implementing the ruling in such since the city is wanting in parking space, he said.

The uniforms for drivers should also be implemented, as to the administrative order issued by the mayor on the first week of January. This was the subject of clarification as queries arose if the uniforms are in accordance to the directives from the national transport office. Perfecto Itliong, Jr. of the local transport group made the clarification, and there is no need for an amendment as earlier mentioned.

Requests from several commercial establishments for motorcycle route exemption and parking along Magsaysay rd sidewalk and Session road were outright denied by the committee. Session road should be motorcycle-free, the mayor said, and sidewalks used as parking endangers pedestrians, as they are forced to walk instead on the road.

Additional loading area for a jeepney line was up for study. The said request came up with the observation that two jeepney units could better serve the riding public, lessen the lines snaking along the sidewalk and road.

A proposal for signal lights and an overpass at Lower Session road was also requested for further study.

Building contractors asking for exemptions for delivery trucks were denied by the committee, even as it was for a government project. The mayor however advised them to carry out the project during night time, as delivery trucks can ply city roads from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Trunkline color change can only be clarified with the Department of Transportation and Communication national office, it was so learned as an appeal for such change was logged in.

The change was requested on need for the usual parking space.

Crosswalks along Harrison road shall also be subjected to a comprehensive written report, Mayor Domogan said, as with the need for a wider space for the overpass along Abanao.

A report was submitted on traffic and pedestrian volume along Abanaostreet.

For DPWH projects, it was learned that all efforts are being done to finish all before the Panagbenga grand parades on Feb. 25 and 26. Adjustments are being done, the DPWH representative said.

Re-routing schemes for Kayangstreet was also assured by the committee, for the benefit of transport business and the riding public.

Luisita farmers decry raps filed by RCBC

2012-01-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

ANGELES CITY– The AlyansangManggagawangBukidsaAsyendaLuisita (Ambala) and the AlyansangmgaMagbubukidsaGitnangLuson (AMGL) decried as harassment charges of grave coercion and illegal occupation of property filed against them by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).

Felix Nacpil Jr., Ambala chairman, said the case involved some 184 hectares in Barangay Balete within the Cojuangco-Aquino family-owned Hacienda Luisita which the Supreme Court, in a verdict on Nov. 22 last year, awarded to the farmers.

“We decry RCBC’s criminalization of agrarian cases involving the lands it claims at Barangay Balete. We are determined to fight and assert our rights as legitimate owners also of the 500 hectares of land being claimed by Luisita Realty Corp. (LRC), Luisita Industrial Park Co. (Lipco) and RCBC,” he said.

Over five years ago, some 184 of the 500 hectares were turned over by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) to RCBC as payment for a loan.

In protest, the farmers started what they called “bungkalan” by farming the area.

Last Jan. 5, Ambalapetitioned the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to revoke its order six years ago converting the 500 hectares from agricultural to industrial land.
The DAR has yet to decide on the petition.

Nacpil said RCBC has filed grave coercion and occupation of real property charges against 23 leaders and members of Ambala after they cultivated the land starting July last year.
“We strongly believe that it was pure harassment to demoralize the struggling farm workers,” he said.

In a joint statement, Ambala and AMGL said that the criminal charges could be part of a ploy to harass farmer-beneficiaries of land reform covering 4,915 hectares in the hacienda.

Even leaders of the United Luisita Workers’ Union (ULWU) and their sympathizer Tarlac City Councilor EmmieLadera reported being harassed, the statement added.

The farmer groups also accused the Cojuangco-Aquino clan of backing RCBC in filing charges against their officers and members.

Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairman, said in October last year some 60 Army soldiers allegedly summoned by RCBC failed to dismantle camp structures built by the farmers tilling the lands.

“We are preparing for the worst in the RCBC case, as they are powerful and influential and the courts could easily decide in their favor,” he said.

“We are consolidating our members so that they would not fall for the Cojuangco-Aquino’s coercive moves.”

Canlas said should the court favor RCBC, “we would mobilize all our members in the region, to defend the campout.”

“RCBC is playing with fire, it should realize that the farm workers have endured the violent massacre in 2004, thus, plain issuance of warrants or whatever would not cow and derail them from occupying the hacienda. It is inviting the farmers’ wrath to fall on their Makati office,” he said.

“We are calling on our supporters in Metro Manila to immediately protest at the RCBC main office in Makati if the harassment of farmers continues.”

Cordillera tops nation’s newborn screening stats

2012-01-24T17:20:00.000-08:00

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY-- The Cordillera was found most compliant in following provisions of Republic Act 9288 (on newborn screening statistics) reports from the University of the Philippines, National Institute of Health revealed.

The Newborn Screening Reference Center (UP-NIH-NSRC) said the Cordillera Administrative Region topped the country’s Newborn Screening Program (NBS) implementation with 67.4 percent coverage besting Region 6 (Western Visayas) coverage of 60.5% who placed in second and Region 11(Davao) coverage of 60.3% who landed in third.

Also included in the performance evaluation are Region 1 (32.5%), Region 2 (40.4%), Region 3 (38.8%), NCR (51.6%), Region 4a (38.2%), Region 4b(43%), Region 5(21.5%), Region 7(36%), Region 8 (42.5%), Region 9 (33%), Region 10(50.6%), Region 12 (47.8%), CARAGA (36.4%) and ARMM (15.3%).

The monitoring also showed the country has increased its Newborn Screening Service from 15.6 percent or 234,000 of the 1.5 million babies born annually in 2007 to 42% or 713,580 of the 1.7 million babies born for 2011 which has undergone Newborn Screening.

The Newborn Screening Act was instituted to screen newborns for 5 metabolic disorders or defects that can be cured when detected right after birth.

It involves extracting blood from an infant’s heel to test for Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Galactosemia, Phenylketonuria and Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD).

Recently, Newborn Hearing Screening have been introduced by Senator Loren Legarda as House Bill 1372 which aims for the early diagnosis, prevention and intervention of hearing loss among children as a separate legislation from that of RA 9288.

The Department of Health says early detection and treatment of these disorders could increase the infants chances of a normal life.

DOH-Center for Health Development-CAR says at least 71 Newborn Screening Facilities (NSF’s), have been their partner in the continued implementation of Newborn Screening Services in the region.

Still, efforts are being undertaken to ensure the nationwide implementation of the newborn screening law.

Life goes on for parents of dead conjoined twins

2012-01-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

DAGUPAN CITY– For parents of conjoined twins recently born at the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center here but died the following day, the twins were a blessing and a reminder from God that life must go on.

“They are now in heaven,” said Samuel Cuadro, 25, father of the female twins named Sarah Grace and Sarah May, after popular singer-actress Sarah Geronimo, of whom their mother Sarita Prestoza, 22, is a big fan.

Cuadro, a farmer, said he knew his twins would not live long yet he considered them as God’s blessings to him and his live-in partner. The twins were born Dec. 28 but died the next day.

The twins had two heads and just one set of hands and feet, but had two hearts, in a rare case of parapagus dicephalus, according to Dr. Michael Canto, spokesman of the Region 1 Medical Center.

Canto said the hospital has had four cases of conjoined twins of different types, including Cuadro’s twins, which he added were the third case of parapagus dicephalus in the world.

The conjoined twins weighed 3.8 kilograms at birth. One of the heads was described as apparently weak and “incubated.”

Cuadro and Prestoza are not yet married, and the twins were their first-born. He said his family does not have a history of having twins.

Wife of cop stabbed dead still recuperating

2012-01-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

By Teddy Molina

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur – The pregnant wife of a police officer is still recuperating after she was recently stabbed while trying to help her husband who was trying to pacify a melee on a basketball court here.

One of security escorts of Ilocos Sur Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, PO2 Rufino Rapacon, the husband was knifed to death night of Dec. 29.

His six-month pregnant wife Florence, with rank of Police Officer 1, was seriously stabbed in the abdomen.

Investigation showed Rufino rushed out of his house near the basketball court in Barangay Cabaroan where a tournament was being held to pacify the players who were having a quarrel.

PO1 Estrellita Regua, assistant investigator of the Bantay police station, said the four brothers attacked Rapacon, with one of them stabbing him in the back with a broken beer bottle.

She identified the suspects as the Bautista brothers Roberto, 39; Roger, 48; Rollie and Ronnie, 33.

When Rapacon fell, Rollie Bautista stabbed the policeman in the chest with a knife. It was Roger who attacked the policeman with the beer bottle, Regua said.

Rapacon was not carrying his service firearm during the incident, as the guns of policemen were sealed to prevent indiscriminate firing during the New Year’s Eve revelry, Regua said.

The victim’s wife, Florence rushed to the scene with her pistol when she saw her husband fell, but she was stabbed in the abdomen.

Mrs. Rapacon was rushed to the Metro Vigan Cooperative Hospital where she and her unborn child were declared safe several hours later.

Also brought to the hospital were Rollie and Ronnie Bautista who Mrs. Rapacon managed to hit with her pistol.

Their two brothers are now in police custody.

8 towns illegal logging hot spots in Cagayan

2012-01-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– At least eight towns in Cagayan Valley have been identified as illegal logging hot spots.

This was disclosed during a recent regional multi-sectoral forest protection committee meeting in Tuguegarao City.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-led committee identified the towns as Cabagan, Ilagan, Jones, San Guillermo, San Mariano and Tumauini in Isabela, and Maddela and Nagtipunan in Quirino.

It was also disclosed during the meeting that several areas in Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan are still prone to illegal cutting of trees as shown in various apprehensions of hot lumber in 2011.

Based on these apprehensions, the towns of Kasibu and Quezon in Nueva Vizcaya are still havens of so-called carabao logging wherein loggers utilize water buffaloes to haul illegally cut timber from the forests down to the nearest access roads.

Forester Bernardo Valiente said a total of 934 cubic meters of illegal cut lumber placed at P10 million were confiscated or intercepted during the second quarter of 2011.

Overall though, the DENR said illegal logs seized by the anti-illegal logging task force, composed of the DENR, local government units, police and military, last year were significantly less than in previous years.

The DENR attributed this to its non-stop crackdown, with the help of the private sector, including Bantay Gubat volunteers, on illegal logging in line with President Aquino’s order for a logging moratorium nationwide.

Forester Benjamin Tumaliuan, DENR regional executive director, said they would further intensify their ground and aerial operations to eventually rid the region of illegal loggers or timber poachers.

The northern Sierra Madre biodiversity corridor, home of some of the world’s endangered flora and fauna species, including the Rafflesia leonardi, said to be the world’s biggest flower species, lies in Cagayan Valley, especially Isabela and Cagayan.

The northern Sierra Madre also hosts one of the country’s remaining largest forest covers. However, it continues to be threatened by illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming and environmentally destructive practices.

“There are no sacred cows in the implementation of the logging ban in the region. We have to protect our remaining forest cover in the region,” Tumaliuan said.

Clark int’l airport passenger list up

2012-01-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) reported that over 700,000 international passengers arrived at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) last year.

CIAC recorded over 725,023 international passengers for the year 2011.

The CIAC Corporate Planning Department said international passenger volume increased to 19 percent from the 607,704 passengers in 2010.

The state-run corporation added that it expects Clark airport to experience an exponential growth in passenger volume in the next five to seven years.

“In December 2011 alone, the international passenger volume increased to 80,802, representing a 36 percent increase over the 59,045 figure on the same period last year,” said CIAC President Victor Jose Luciano, adding that they are still expecting the number to increase because of the tourism promotion initiatives of the national government.

By the end of 2012, Luciano said that passenger volume at Clark may reach 5 million once Air Asia Philippines, an international airline company, starts operations this year.

“We expect a growth in passenger volume once Air Asia Philippines starts its flights out of Clark,” he stressed.

He added that since 2003, the Clark airport has already carried more than 3.5 million international passengers.

“This is an accomplishment for the DMIA as it is the first time that a tremendous increase in international passenger volume was achieved. This only shows that the Clark airport is being recognized around the world,” Luciano said.

Luciano, however, said that there is an urgent need to construct a bigger terminal at DMIA as it can only accommodate about 2.5 million international passengers.

“The budget terminal is the only solution to accommodate the 5 million annual passengers that we expect from the slated operations of the Air Asia hub at Clark,” Luciano pointed out.

Luciano said the proposed budget terminal will be presented to Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas.

“The bidding process for the second phase of the expansion of the existing terminal has already started while CIAC officials prepare the plans for the construction of a separate and new budget terminal that will cost an estimated P12 billion with an annual passenger capacity of 10 million,” he said.

DMIA is being groomed to be the premier gateway of the country.

CIAC, the operating arm of DMIA, has already infused P338 million for the expansion of the existing DMIA Terminal 1, increasing passenger capacity to 2.7 million annually.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales, Co-Chairman of the Metro Clark Advisory Council, said the government should now look into the development of the Clark airport because “it had been proven several times that it can accommodate the entry of wide commercial aircraft, plus the fact that it will bring in more development to the countryside.”

He said that the country should have more than one premier airport to accommodate both foreign tourists and transfer of goods from the Philippines to other country and vice versa.

Isabela eyes change in cropping sked

2012-01-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The provincial government of Isabela is considering adjustments in the cropping schedule of its farmers to suit the changing weather patterns.

“We have suggested to farmers and other stakeholders a possible revision in the cropping pattern being followed in the province (and the rest of the region) to avoid reaching typhoon months (when massive destruction of crops occur),” Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III said during a climate change summit last Friday January 13.

Isabela lost more than P3 billion worth of crops, mostly rice and corn in last year’s typhoons.

Baguio mayor names 2012 priority projects

2012-01-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan vowed to continue this year unfinished programs and projects which were either conceptualized or started last year to address various concerns of the city and attain the development goals set by his administration.

Topping his list were the projects pipelined for solid waste management particularly the rehabilitation of the dumpsite at Irisan barangay for conversion into a park, the continued improvement of the waste segregation scheme in the barangays and enhanced operation of the Environmental Recycling System (ERS)
machines.

The mayor said clearing and development works continue at the dump facility including the areas affected by the fateful trash slide using last year’s calamity fund.

He said bulk of the rehabilitation work which includes the construction of an all-weather retaining wall to stabilize the area as per the plan prepared by the technical working group composed of engineering teams from the city government and the top three universities of the city will be started once the city receives the P80 million fund from the national government.

On the environmental front, the mayor said programs on tree-planting and caring will be sustained along with the campaign for the improvement of air quality in the city and the clearing and cleaning of creeks and tributaries.

The city will also continue to prioritize the rehabilitation of the aging sewer treatment plant (STP) in tandem with the rehabilitation of community septic tanks to improve the management of the city’s liquid wastes.

The mayor said the city devoted the P25 million performance challenge fund it received from the national government to improve the capacity of the STP and this year, the city earmarked P50 million in the proposed city budget to continue the expansion.

The city will also pursue public-private partnerships on the following key ventures: development of Burnham Park, Asin minihydroelectric plants and the improvement of the abattoir.

The city is scheduled to open bids for the Asin hydropower plants on January while the terms of reference for Burnham Park and the slaughterhouse are still being firmed up.

Other priority projects lined up are:

*Improvement of Rose Garden with the first phase set for completion and the second phase under the planning process; Botanical Garden improvement for which a contract for the initial improvement has been signed with a budget of P10.5 million from the city and P2.5 million from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA); Mines View Park initial improvement with P4 million fund;

*Various infrastructure projects in the barangays for which the city allocated P30 million or 40 percent of the 20 percent development fund and complemented by another P30 million from Rep. Bernardo Vergara’s development fund;

*Improvement of crime laboratory at the Baguio city police office with P6 million fund and increased social and health assistance programs for indigents.

Cordillera needs 6,000 cops; applications on

2012-01-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP BADO DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional office here announced the Cordillera is in need n of new policemen to fill the needed force totaling 6,000 new policemen this year.

To qualify, applicants should be citizens of the Philippines, of good moral character and should pass psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to be administered by the Philippine National Police or any National Police Commission-accredited government hospital.

Applicants must also possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning institution and must be eligible in accordance with standards set by the Commission.

Applicants must also not have been dishonorably discharged from military employment or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in government or convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude.

To be eligible, applicants must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62m) in height for male and one meter and fifty-seven (1.57m) for female; must weight not more or less than five kilograms from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex an must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age.

Applicants should also bring with them duly accomplished CSC Form 212; birth certificate authenticated by the NSO; Report of Rating of Eligibility authenticated by the issuing authority two pieces 2x2 black and white picture with name tag, transcript of scholastic records and diploma duly authenticated by the school registrar; and clearances such as barangay, local police station, municipal and regional trial courts and NBI.

The advisory also said that additional documents such as medical certificate issued by the local health office, copy of two valid IDs with pictures, signature and address; and certificate of good moral character issued by the college/university last attended by the applicant.

Man nabbed for poking knife at sleeping lady; robbing her of P5,000

2012-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

CONNER, Apayao – A man here is now in jail for poking a knife at a sleeping lady and trying to rob her.

A police report said on Jan. 15 at about 11:40 p.m. at Barangay Malama here, DJ AbubakarAgcon, 23, married and resident of Purok 1 in the barangay was arrested by police for robbery and frustrated homicide.

The victim was identified as Emily G. Guib-awen, 40, married and resident of same place.

The report said Guib-awen was asleep inside her residence when Agcon entered the back door of the house and once inside, awakened the victim by pointing a knife at her.

The suspect demanded for money but the victim resisted which prompted the suspect to stab her and was able to cart away cash money amounting to P4, 918.

Responding police immediately brought the victim to San Juan Medical Clinic for medical treatment, while other cops conducted follow-up operations that resulted to the arrest of the suspect at his residence.

Agcon was failed at the Conner Municipal Police Station.

Kagawad jailed for trying to shoot victim

2012-01-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

LAMUT, Ifugao – A barangay kagawad was arrested and jailed here last week for allegedly striking a resident’s face with a pistol after repeatedly trying to shoot the victim but the gun misfired.

A police report said on Jan, 15 at Ifugao State University compound in Barangay Nayon here, village council member Antonio Tayaban Allaga Jr. 58, married and resident of Nayon, allegedly using a firearm, struck the face of Atachi Pulig Saguilot, 30, single, also resident of said place.

Investigation disclosed prior to the incident, gunfire was heard at the residential area of the suspect prompting Noel Ballitoc, security guard on duty at IFSU to call for police assistance at Lamut Municipal Police Station.

Responding personnel immediately proceeded to said area where they saw the suspect holding a gun while confronting the victim with blood oozing on his face.

The suspect also was seen poking his firearm at the victim and squeezing the trigger several times but the gun misfired.

The suspect was immediately disarmed by police and confiscated from him a Cal. 9mm Tanfoglio handgun with serial number AB70257.

The suspect was requested to present documents of his firearm and showed a license issued last August 4, 2011 due to expire Feb. 7, 2015.

The suspect was submitted to paraffin test while the firearm was turned-over to Ifugao Crime Laboratory Office for ballistic examination.

Allaga is now under custody of Lamut police while charges are set to be filed against him.

P.5 marijuana bricks seized from young man

2012-01-24T16:58:00.001-08:00

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police arrested a man aboard a bus here Jan. 16 with eight pieces of marijuana bricks valued at half a million pesos.

Members of the Regional Anti Illegal Drugs Operations Task Group led by Senior Insp. MelchorOng and Regional Intelligence Unit-14 members reportedly set up a checkpoint along Alapang Road here after being tipped off and nabbed LardiDianzo, aboard Kibungan, Pine Tree Transit Bus with plate AVK 260.

The young farmer and a resident of Sablang, Sagpat, Kibungan, Benguet was caught with approximately 9,000 grams of marijuana.

The suspect told police he had no knowledge about the marijuana bricks inside two bags.

He said he was asked by someone to look for the bags during the trip, from kibungan to Baguio City.

Arrested person is now detained at La Trinidad Municipal Jail while documents are being prepared for the inquest proceedings.

2 miners jailed for shooting colleague in Itogon,Benguet

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

ITOGON, Benguet – Two small scale miners are now in jail here after shooting a man of the same profession here Jan. 16 around 5:30 p.m. at Antamok Mines.

Police identified the victim as Lawrence B. Nadudo, 44 while suspects were named as Chito H. Ballogan,29 and Edwin D. Duhalwon, 49.

All were natives of HingyonIfugao and at present residents of Gate 1, Barangay Ucab here.

A police report said prior to the incident; the suspects accosted the victim and accused him that he was the one spreading gossip that a certain Banawol, one of the suspects, was responsible for stealing gold ore inside the mine tunnel where they worked.

A heated argument ensued and suddenly both suspects brought out handguns and reportedly shot the victim.

The victim sustained two gunshot wounds, one on the right side of his neck and another on the left side of his abdomen and was immediately rushed to Saint Louis University-Hospital of the Sacred Heart for medical treatment.

Nadudo is still recuperating from his wounds.

The suspects were later arrested by responding police personnel.

Charges for frustrated murder were being prepared against the suspects at press time.

Finding solutions to the SM mess

2012-01-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

EDITORIAL

The huge rally against the planned cutting or balling” of trees at SM Baguio could not have happened if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources didn’t issue a tree-cutting or “balling” permit and the city government didn’t issue a building permit to the giant firm to make a seven-storey parking lot.

The government is now being perceived again as the culprit. With the thrust of the Aquino administration for a total log ban, it is a wonder how the DENR granted the permit.

To SM, business is business, but to the protesters, it is a matter of environmental protection. So what gives? It is either SM will stop the project or the protests will continue as gleaned from Friday’s rally in downtown Baguio where more than 5,000 people came out of nowhere to air their sentiments against the project.

A dialogue on the matter as proposed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan is a positive step in finding solutions to the controversy.It is high time huge like SM and government officials should be more sensitive to the people. After all, is they who are the customers of the former while the latter’s salaries are being paid out of taxpayers’ money.
Being in a democratic society, a dialogue on the issue by stakeholders is wanting

A night with JHMC ladies /SM statement on tree-cutting

2012-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – Members of the media here one evening met Jamie Eloise Agbayani, new president and chief executive officer of John Hay Management Corporation and found out she was one friendly, pretty lady, much unlike her predecessor who now has to contend with the news-hungry media in Manila due to issues besetting her husband.

People were surprised when they were told she was the wife of former Pangasinan Gov. Agbayani.

It was during the occasion at The Chalet that I also espied lawyer Lyssa Pagano, longtime acquaintance, a beauty in her own right and former officer of the JHMC who said she was returning as consultant of the government-run corporation.

Lyssa, a former Bartopnotcher, said she had been working in Manila and returning to Baguio was always a “painful experience” nowadays, but I won’t tell you why. It looked like she didn’t age, but then, some people just have the genes.

The social niceties, I will talk about later in another column so more on the JHMC and the new president’s thoughts on the matter.

Ms Agbayani said part of her thrust would be to support and boost the city’s tourism and help in protection and preservation of the city’s remaining forest reserveslike Camp John Hay though various activities.

She earlier bared this during the Department of Tourism-Cordillera-led regional tourism conference here last week.

The JHMC is reportedly set to implement a Medium-Term Development Plan for Camp John Hay starting this 2012 whose primary objective is to help boost the city’s tourism by putting in more attractions inside the camp for both local and foreign visitors.

“We would like to bring more visitors including the city folks inside Camp John Hay,” Agbayani said.

First on the JHMC’s agenda is the rehabilitation of the camp’s historical core, which according to Agbayani, is the soul of Camp John Hay and one of the remaining original American architecture inside the camp.

“We are going to rehabilitate the core and we will put in activities such as arts festivals and concerts. I have already talked to the academe to help in bringing in the Cordillera culture, hoping to preserve such culture, not only by educating the tourists but the youth and the locals as well,” Agbayani added.

She also disclosed an agro-forestry project through a partnership with Canadian company, Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee. “We are going to plant coffee on about 60 hectare area inside the camp, which somehow will also help in reforestation effort of the city.”

For other environmental projects, Agbayani said the JHMC is also pushing for renewable energy thus upgrading the mini-hydro inside the Camp John Hay reservation is in the works.

The mini-hydro which was built by the Americans is a 500kw power plant, but according to initial studies made by JHMC’s proponent, it can be upgraded to 3.8 Mwatts which could be shared to the city as the camp’s energy requirement is only about 1.5 Mwatts.

Agbayani also dismissed the issue that there is indiscriminate cutting of trees inside Camp John Hay. She said they have close coordination with the city government through Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Department of Environment and Natural Resources regionalexecutive director Clarence Baguio as far as monitoring and overseeing tree-cutting inside the camp is concerned.

Agbayani outlined the five-point development plan for JHMC to include IT Service Export Processing Zone; Medical Tourism Zone; Educational Tourism Zone; Sports and Recreation Centers; and Eco Cultural Tourism.
***
In the interest of fair play, we are printing hereunder en toto a statement of SM management, courtesy of media relations officer Karren Padilla, on the controversial and planned “cutting” or “balling” of around 200 trees at their Baguio establishment:

In 2005 and 2010, we experienced soil erosion in our Baguio property. Seeking permanent solutions, we researched the problem and consulted many experts. The collective inputs we received revealed that a careful enhancement of the area, was the best way to address this concern for the long term. We started to draw up plans. To help ensure alignment with globally accepted standards for green development, we also decided to aim for possible LEED accreditation.

These redevelopment plans will not only take the environment into consideration. The project will also create new opportunities for employment, business and tourism in the city. These include:

1. A new parking facility that will provide alternatives to street parking and, hopefully, help decongest the streets around the facility;
2. A roof garden with trees and shrubs to cover the building footprint;
3. A rainwater collection system to help control water runoff in and around the property, while providing a secondary water source for the facility’s needs.

We then sought the approval of the city government and all government agencies and secured these permits over time. We have strictly followed the stipulations on the permits. We are not cutting trees. Rather, we are going to ball out some trees carefully and have utilized recommended specialists for this activity who will replant them in designated areas within the SM property.

In addition, rather than merely complying with the stipulation that we plant 20 saplings for every tree balled out, we decided to go beyond this requirement, and have increased this to 50 saplings for every tree we will transfer.

We are grateful that our transparency has been appreciated by local government units, as well as city environmentalists and religious organizations when we made our presentations.

As a responsible mall developer, we shall continue to inform the public of our plans to help safeguard and improve life in the city by supporting the need to plant more trees, promote improved engineering and safety standards, help in traffic and vehicle management, and make better use of Baguio’s abundant rainfall.

We thank you for your kind understanding and patience.

Corona’s day in court

2012-01-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

Finally, Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona had his day in court. Accused of betrayal of public trust, and graft and corruption, and culpable violation of the Constitution, Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives and is now facing his accusers – eleven representatives of the people – before a Senate impeachment trial with the 23 senators sitting as judges.

Corona and his wife Cristina attended the first day of the trial to prove — as his chief defense counsel retired Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas pronounced — that he is not hiding anything.

But as it turned out, Corona’s defense attorneys demanded that the list of 45 properties allegedly owned by the Coronas not be accepted in the trial. If he was not really hiding anything, why would he object to the introduction of public information as evidence?

The impeachment trial is all about Corona’s character. It’s all laid out in the prosecution team’s opening statement, which was read by Congressman-prosecutor Niel C. Tupas Jr.

“As public servants,” Tupas began, “we took an oath to uphold the people’s will at all times. All who hold positions in the government of our Republic are accountable for their actions. For the power of the sovereign Filipino people is a power that is higher than the Executive, the Legislative or even the Judiciary. And therefore, no matter how high and mighty one’s position may be, one can never, ever be beyond public accountability. Today, we lay down before this impeachment tribunal the product of the collective voice of the people.”

Having said that, Tupas then crystallized the prosecution’s objective: “We are not here to indict the Supreme Court as an institution, or to do battle with the judicial branch of government. We are here to search for the truth so as to restore the strength and independence of the judiciary. We are here because one man — Chief Justice Renato Corona — has bartered away for a pot of porridge the effectiveness, the independence, and the honor of the Supreme Court. Mr. Senate President, your honors, one very important question before this honorable impeachment tribunal is, by what standards should Renato Corona be judged?”

After he briefly extolled two Supreme Court icons, Cayetano Arellano, the first Chief Justice and Jose Abad Santos, who preferred to die at the hands of the Japanese rather than betray his country, Tupas said: “The Code of Judicial Conduct demands that a judge must be like Caesar’s wife — someone who must not only be pure but must be beyond suspicion at all times. Therefore, a Justice must be judged according to the highest standards. Against such standards, we then ask: Who is Chief Justice Corona? What kind of a man is he?”

Tupas described Corona as a “loyal servant” to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from the time she became Vice-President in 1998 until she became President in 2001. Then Arroyo appointed Corona’s wife Cristina to plum positions in the Camp John Hay Management Corporation and then appointed Corona himself as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and the “best reward” of all, Corona took a “midnight oath” as Chief Justice. Tupas said that Corona’s appointment as Chief Justice also served an “immoral” purpose: to shield Arroyo from prosecution for her misdeeds during her presidency.

Tupas then outlined the eight articles of impeachment against Corona. He mentioned Article 2 last, saying: “And finally, we come to Article 2 where the prosecution will prove that Chief Justice Renato Corona amassed ill-gotten wealth after he was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002. To give you an idea of this article, let me present to you some of the prized pieces of the Corona crown jewels,” and named several multi-million properties.

And in a stinging indictment of Corona, Tupas said, “The governing principle of our laws is clear: unexplained discrepancy between an official’s income and his assets, declared or undeclared, is prima facie evidence of ill-gotten wealth, and therefore, is an impeachable crime of graft and corruption.”

“In closing,” he said, “the message of the House, as the representatives of the people, is the same as that given by Oliver Cromwell when he dismissed England’s Long Parliament on April 20 of 1653. Before God and country, we say: ‘It is high time for us to put an end to your sitting in that place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice, you are an enemy to good government, as you have sold your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas Escariot betrayed your God for a few pieces of gold. Depart I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!’ ”

It was a lacerating rebuke to Corona who was at that time sitting at the VIP section with his wife. Makes one wonder how he felt? It must have taken him a lot of courage to make an appearance at the opening day of the impeachment trial, knowing that the prosecution team would certainly attack him. Could it be that his appearance was calculated to evoke public sympathy and make him a martyr in the public eye?

But it must be remembered that for several days prior to his “day in court,” Corona staged press conferences and public rallies and attacked several people of conspiracy to bring him down. First, he accused the Land Registration Authority (LRA) Administrator of producing a fake list of 45 properties that were allegedly owned by Corona, his wife and children, and in-laws. He branded the list as a “hoax.”

And just hours before the impeachment trial started, Corona told his supporters who gathered in front of the Supreme Court that three persons were conspiring to remove him from office. He said that the first wanted to stop the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to farmer-beneficiaries, the second lost in his bid to become vice president, and the third “desperately” wants to become Chief Justice.

Corona shouldn’t blame anybody but himself for the problems he’s having now. It must be remembered that when he was nominated for the soon-to-be-vacant Chief Justice position in the waning days of the Arroyo administration, several other justices were nominated including then-Associate Justice and now-Ombudsman ConchitaCarpio-Morales and Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. Carpio-Morales and Carpio declined the nomination noting that there was a ban on “midnight appointments.”

But Corona accepted the nomination saying that it was the dream of every lawyer to be appointed to the highest position in the Judiciary. However, many warned him that accepting a “midnight appointment” could be problematic in the future. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy and look where he is right now – fighting to keep the position that he dreamed about all his life.

It’s too early to see how the political weather vane would turn. But if Corona were acquitted, would history give him a place to occupy next to Cayetano Arellano and Jose Abad Santos? Or would an unforgiving people consign him to the dustbin of history when he steps down in 2018?
He had his “day in court.” Quo vadis, Corona?
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Two Ramons’ New Year’s resolutions

2012-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

The Ramons I know are both engaged in environmental protection. I do know how the one Ramon is dedicated to what he does in as far as trees are concerned, but for the other Ramon – I am not so sure.

Four years ago, the Ramon that I first knew had a New Year’s resolution to stop his association with wine and liquor which he sustained through the following New Years. He later stopped smoking.

By the way, even while being diabetic, he had a stent or tube “painlessly” inserted in one of his arteries around his heart. Friends who visited him at his bed in St. Paul told me he is back to his usual self with the normal smile accompanied by his extemporaneous jokes.

Let us say that the smile stays for as long as he is not shown his hospital bills.

While he went on fulfilling his New Year’s resolution year after year, he also continued working for the protection of the environment in his own capacity, not like the line government agency employee who works for the environment 8 to 5 because that is what is required in his job description and earns a monthly salary by doing so.

Ramon, the “sweet” guy with the “big” heart has been able to sustain his Eco-Walk project, having coordinated hundreds of tree-planting activities for several organizations.

Ironically, instead of harvesting trees that it planted, the Eco-Walk project reaped awards and citations from organizations here and abroad.

I am certain that when Mondax gets out of his hospital bed, the first thing that he will think about is how the trees at Busol are doing. I am sure that when Mondax gets up, he will again lead people to Busol. Mapanisuagmulati Pine Tree because that is one of the best things he wants to do.

Two years ago, GSIS agreed to allow the SM giant to build over a mini forest that the former owned beside the Baguio Convention Center.

While this was being opposed by the concerted effort of the media, concerned Baguio residents and some public officials; Mondax convinced colleagues in the media to plant more trees inside the GSIS lot.

The other Ramon that we recently knew had a New Year’s resolution that was different from Mondax’s. This Ramon who heads the country’s environment agency is the opposite of Mondax.

Last December, I saw him on TV talk about the floods that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. In his interview, he pointed to both legal and illegal logging as the culprits.

He said, the “Total Log Ban” declared by PNoy through Executive Order 23 in January 2010 should be applicable all over the country since it is a national law.

He was referring to the manner by which EO23 was wrongly interpreted and therefore unimplemented by officials of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

They said that since they were “autonomous,” they were in control of their natural resources. That is why they issued their own tree-cutting permits.

Mr. Ramon Paje of the DENR is correct in saying that the total log ban should be implemented nationwide because it is a national law. He could have also known of the logging permits issued in the ARMM, but how come he did not run after the ARMM permitees?

If the Sendong flooding in CDO and Iligan did not happen, maybe he could not have come out on TV to say what he had said about the nationwide implementation of EO23.

If the Sendong disaster did not happen, maybe Ramon of the DENR could not have acted to stop both legal and illegal logging in the ARMM even while he knew that EO23 had to be implemented nationwide.

Ramon of the DENR is the opposite of Mondax. He implements his laws selectively.
On October 27 last year, contrary to the total log ban, the DENR again granted a tree-cutting and balling permit to SM giant upon his instructions.
Of course, the prime “protector” of the environment cited its own interpretation of the law to suit the permit that it issued.

With the permit, SM is set to sentence to death more than 180 trees by cutting more than 40 fully grown Alnus trees and uproot for balling more than 90 growing Pine Trees and more than 40 saplings that are growing within the Luneta Hill to give way for its expansion.

That is what I am saying about the two Ramons’ sincerity and dedication to implementing environment protection. The difference is glaring that Mondax is sincere in protection while the other Ramon is coldheartedly insensitive to the value of trees.

By issuing the tree-cutting permit, Mr. Ramon Paje displayed an act favoring a private business entity and has brought upon DENR the question from people why it allows the killing of trees instead of protecting them. Was this in exchange of money or other favors?

And why are our city officials abnormally silent on this? Did they also receive anything in exchange for zipping their mouths?

For SM representatives who have tried to defend their plan by saying that they went through due process in obtaining a permit, they are like their boss who prefers to work for greed at the expense of the green environment.

After a public protest rally last Friday, I wish to see us continue the fight to stop the “partnership” of Ramon and Henry, both of whom are about to sacrifice Baguio’s environment in favor of personal profit and money.

As we were saying, the two Ramons have opposite New Year’s resolutions. If only Mondax was strong enough to be with us today, I am sure he would be off to embark on what to do against the tree-cutting at the Luneta Hill.

The other Ramon with the DENR would only wish that his tree-cutting orders are implemented, no matter if PNoy’s total log ban was violated. “Daang matuwid” your ass. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Of representation, unity in Cordillera autonomy

2012-01-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

Picking up from former congressman-lawyer William Claver’s sponsorship speech, An Act establishing the Cordillera Administrative Region, at the House of Representatives in 1989, it is interesting to note that representation of the legislative assembly of the proposed autonomous state in the first proposed Organic Act worked on by the then Cordillera Regional Consultative Commission included sectoral representation from the youth.

This inclusion apparently opened other sectors in being part of the Council of Leaders meant to be the policy making body of an envisioned autonomous Cordillera region; aside from the equal representation of provinces and cities.

Indeed, the ideals of the first Organic Act where such may have been the initial intention to include sectoral representation in the Legislative Assembly was not far from the creation of sectoral representation of the Mountain Province sub drafting committee for a proposed Organic Act in the Cordillera’s third attempt to establish an autonomous region.

Representative sectors-academe, business, church, elders, and Non-Government Agencies to include women and farmers- were identified in an earlier consultation called for by Mountain Province Gov. Leonard Mayaen late last year.

It is unfortunate though that such sectoral representation and what it was supposed to do to get the pulse of each sector had not worked out as it should be due to no funds to work on, or rather, the system to make use of the funds administered by the Regional Development Council -National Economic Development Authority (RDC-NEDA) intended for information was not facilitative enough to let full consultations proceed.

As noted during the municipal consultations in Mountain Province late last year, such were limited left with a strong clamor for barangay and sectoral consultations which haven’t seen implementation. It is in this context that the Sangguniang Bayan of Sagada in a resolution forwarded the need for consultations in the barangays and thus submitted a proposal to the Regional Development Council for their consideration.

And to make matters quick, House Bill 5595 was recently signed by congressmen Theodore Baguilat of Ifugao, MaximoDalog of Mountain Province, Eleanor Begtang-Bulut of Apayao, ManuelAgyao of Kalinga and Baguio City solon Bernardo Vergara. Benguet congressman Ronald Cosalan and Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos of Abra declined to sign with the reservation that the proposed Act needs further consultation.

To continue the topic on sectoral representation, the now proposed Organic Act does not mention any sectoral representation at all or even a youth representative for that matter in the legislative assembly. It only provides for two representatives per province and per chartered city, and one representative per component city.

Within the light of distinct sectoral concerns where these need special attention, the idea of a sectoral representation is indeed appropriate and wanting in a legislative body which the third autonomy act drafting committee has ignored.

Another proposal in the initial Organic Act is that of a Council of Elders which is meant to have functions similar to that of the Sandiganbayan. As AttyClaver forwarded, the Council of Elders with the Office of the Cordillera Chief Prosecutor are “patterned after the customary Council of Elders whose competence and integrity are a by-word word among the people.”

The now proposed Organic Act though does not mention the existence of a Council of Elders. Strange how such an organic Act ignores a very significant part of the socio--political systems of the Igorot where elders play a significant role in settling disputes.

While House Bill 5595 does recognize indigenous practises in maintaining peace and order, the special role of the Council of Elders was especially pointed out in the first Organic Act.

Now comes the rushed proposed Organic Act targeted for plebiscite before the 2013 elections as if we didn’t learn from history that the failure of the previous two plebiscites in 1990 and 1999 noted the lack of information and consultation from where informed comments and recommendations be taken note of.

In the words of Claver, “Consultations are the most democratic means of ascertaining the needs, demands, and dreams of the people. The phrase, ‘VoxPopuliVox Dei’ can never become a cliché, if only because it reflects a truism and a condition that seem to be always present among us; that the majority have a right to be heard, and when they are not listened to, they have the option to choose which weapon of empowerment they can resort to so that not only will their voice be heared, but will also be followed.”

And in crafting a vital legal document from where people shall craft a law to govern their distinct oneness as a people and the development that they want as a region, such may take years for people to get empowered of a regional autonomy that they want. For after all, the most vital of a government are the people.

Yet, congressmen now pushed by the chairman of the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan and the Regional Development Council are that impatient and signed a document which in the first place needs enough consultation for people to get informed and in that manner come up with intelligent suggestions to get incorporated in a proposed law.

HB 5595 even carries a threatening provision that provinces which vote unfavorably shall go back to their mother region and that would be either Region 1 or 2.

How ironic. The current proposed Organic Act is trying to divide provinces of the Cordillera instead of gathering them as one region. From the words of a Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) founding leader Benjamin Solang who lobbied for regional autonomy of the Cordillera in the 1987 Constitution, such bogus regional autonomy is “divisive”.

Marketing of livelihood products”

2012-01-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
Ka Iking Seneres

After all that is said and done in the area of social housing and community development, everything boils down to the challenge of marketing the products that are coming out of these project sites.

This is the challenge that Bliss Marketing Corporation (Blissmark) took on about thirty years ago as an agency of the defunct Ministry of Human Settlements (MHS). I joined Blissmark as a Group Product Manager when I was recruited from the private sector, along with other marketing professionals from the operating divisions of San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The challenge was very simple, but we realized later on that the job was easier said than done.

The idea for a government owned marketing agency came after the MHS realized that the livelihood projects in the housing sites needed professional marketing support in order to be able to sell their products. The original idea was to provide affordable housing, but it became very obvious that without livelihood projects, the housing beneficiaries would not be able to sustain their amortization payments. As it turned out, the easy part was to fund the livelihood projects, but the hard part was to market the products from the projects.

Going back farther, the root challenge is really poverty alleviation and poverty reduction. On one hand, providing affordable housing is a means of poverty alleviation on the other hand, providing sustainable livelihood is a means towards poverty reduction. These two goals are not one and the same, even if they sound similar. On one hand, poverty alleviation is the goal of making poverty more bearable, like applying a pain reliever.

On the other hand, poverty reduction is the goal of removing poverty (or reducing it), like a surgical procedure. As the world has changed, there is now a huge market for products that could pass global standards for fair trade and organic grade. Consumer marks are now being used to identify the products that have passed these standards, and enlightened consumers all over the world will not buy anything that does not have these two marks.

In addition to these new marks, there is also a global system of identifying products that have passed halal standards. Finally, there is now a new trend to identify products that have low carbon footprints and more often than not, these are locally produced products that do not travel too far from the source.

There are many factories and cooperatives that could produce goods for the global markets, but not unless they could carry one or more of these four marks, they would not have a chance of selling anything in big volumes abroad. By the way, the fair trade mark is not only for food products, it is also for anything that is produced using human labor, and that is just about everything. That means that even arts and crafts are included, and that broadens the possibilities for small producers to take advantage of this opportunity.

In cooperation with the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the CSR Coordinating Council (C3) now has the opportunity to award homesteads to poor families that would want to start a new life by cultivating tree farms in former logging camps and idle military reservations. This is really a livelihood project at the outset, but it will also have a social housing component, along with other social services in the context of an overall integrated area development (IAD) framework.

The main product in the homesteads would still be trees, but aside from trees, the families would also be growing cash crops and raising poultry and livestock with some fish and crustaecians in between. This is the essence of the forest biodiversity approach that C3 members Joseph Reynolds and WynSandico have perfected in Mindoro.

They are already producing moringa and turmeric capsules. C3 member Howie Mijares has also developed a system of growing eels and crabs in Cagayan Province. My former boss at Blissmark, C3 member Tito Osias is also ready to deploy bamboo growing technologies to these sites. We have many more “walk the talk” members at C3, but too many to name here for now.
For feedback, email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639997333011

Court case to stop cutting of more than 100 trees in Baguio: Nationwide boycott of SM malls pushed

2012-01-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

By Alfred Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – Cause-oriented groups and concerned citizens urged a boycott of SM malls in the country, following expose of the giant firm’s plans to cut or “ball” around 200 fully grown pine trees to construct a huge three-storey parking lot beside its mall here.

The groups urged concerned government offices to stop the project saying it would be detrimental to the city as trees are necessary in purifying air, conserving water and in preventing landslides.

A signature drive was started wherein signatories would be included in a letter addressed to President Aquino urging him to order the DENR or concerned government agencies to stop the project considering the government’s total log ban policy.

A “writ of kalikasan” was also reportedly due to be filed in court by University of the Philippines professor Harry Roque as lawyer of Michael Bengwayan, executive director of Cordillera Ecological Center, an environmental nongovernment organization.

Bengwayan told the media they would be pushing for the boycott of SM malls nationwide if the project would push through due to its adverse effects on the environment.

“Balling” trees, as proven when trees were “transferred” from Camp John Hay, was not effective as 80 percent of the trees died.

Cutting trees, he added, was more devastating top the environment.

Thousands of “netizens” worldwide have reportedly joined the move against the project in various internet networking sites while those in the Philippines said they would join the boycott.

Netizens expressed solidarity with local folk saying people of Baguio should not allow moneyed firms to trample on their right to breathe fresh air and destroy the environment, saying there should be a limit to greed for money.

Environment groups were set to conduct rallies here on Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. to protest the project saying they were concerned the Baguio Regreening Movement was allowing it.

They called on residents to and supporters against the project to converge at Gov. Pack Road below SM.

Critics said with this, the BRM, whose members are composed of city government and line agency officials (including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and church personalities should abolish the BRM as it had outgrown its use and become an instrument of “crass commercialism.”

This, after DENR regional director Clarence Baguilat told the media all papers of SM relative to the project were “in order” and the firm could start construction.

Baguilat said 22 “conditionalities” were imposed by the DENR for SM to comply with even as he denied allegations from critics that money changed hands, reason why the government agency allowed the project.

As the controversy grew, mayor Mauricio Domogan denied having a hand in the issuance of a permit allowing cutting and balling of trees in the area.

The mayor said the authority to issue such permits was within jurisdiction of the DENR.

“My power as city executive to issue such permit is limited to emergency situations and since the SM case does not fall in said category, then I have no power to issue such permit,” Domogan said.

The site was reportedly part of the property acquired by SM through an “auction” sale on April 22,1992 for a bid price of P69,000,995.52 in six separate amortizations which ended in 1997 located in Residential Section “A” described as Lot. Nos. 3-B, 114-A, 128, 115-B, 125-A, 126-B-2, 126-A, X—1 and Y-2.

Domogan said SM furnished his office documents for its expansion plans last year.

He said he asked the company to include development of a centralized parking terminal for buses along Gov. Pack Road in the development plan measuring 1,500 square meters.

This would help decongest the central business district of vehicles, he added.

The Baguio SM management didn’t issue a press statement on the matter at press time.

Vizcaya town cop head axed over subordinate's killing

2012-01-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The police chief of a southern town in this province has been relieved of his post following the Christmas Day killing of one of his men by a supposedly drunk colleague.

Chief Insp. Chevalier Iringan has been designated last week as police chief of Aritao town, replacing Chief Insp. Roberto Aldea, who was recalled to the regional police headquarters in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Senior Supt. Elmer Beltejar, provincial police director, said Aldea’s relief came as a result of the pre-dawn fatal shooting last Dec. 25 of PO3 Edwin Marabut, and the wounding of PO2 Tomas Luis.

The two policemen were on board a patrol car to respond to a stabbing incident when they were shot.

The suspect, PO3 Roberto Discipulo, is now locked up in jail and is facing murder and frustrated murder charges as well as summary dismissal proceedings.

Discipulo earlier said he thought that he was being kidnapped after being roused from sleep at the back of the patrol car. With this in mind, he drew his firearm and shot his colleagues, an alibi that Aldea reportedly supported.

This angered Beltejar and Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia, regional police director, especially after learning that some Aritao policemen, including Discipulo, were reportedly drunk when they responded to the stabbing incident.

There were reports that Discipulo and the victims had an altercation while they were having fun with their colleagues on Christmas Eve.

“We will not tolerate such behavior of our policemen. (Discipulo) has to face the consequences of his action. He has to substantiate his alibi,” Beltejar said.

Firm cries foul over bid for Sagada water project

2012-01-17T12:27:00.000-08:00

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province – A firm for a huge water project is crying foul after this town government’s bids and awards committee found it had lowest bid but was “disqualified” by the BAC.

Benguet Builders who bid lowest at P32 .1 million for a P35.2 million improvement of Buasao irrigation system and construction of Tanulong Tribe Irrigators Association Water Services, was disregarded after taking part in the bidding Dec. 23, 2011.

In their motion for reconsideration, they said their disqualification was “discriminatory and rendering undue favoritism to FFJJ Construction.”

Claiming that Benguet Builders was accepted during the bid opening, engineer Thomas Batnag of Benguet Builders said “any question related thereto had already been considered waived by the BAC. To rule now for its (Benguet Builders) disqualification would result to advantage of FFJJ Construction.”

Following evaluation of the four bid documents submitted, the BAC found Benguet Builders “non-responsive” in its abstract of bids; and considered FFJJ recommended for the implementation of the project being the “most responsive.”

In their motion for reconsideration, Batnag said there was “substantial compliance of the requirements considering that they submitted the summary of cost estimates”.

The Procurement Law (RA 9184) provides, “Prior to Bid evaluation, the BAC shall examine first the technical components of the bids using "pass/fail" criteria to determine whether all required documents are present. Only bids that are determined to contain all the bid requirements of the technical component shall be considered for opening and evaluation of their financial component.”

Four bidders were considered for the P35.2 million Buasao waterworks project: Benguet Builders represented by Isabelo Abing, Cotabato –based FFJJ Construction, Tarlac-based BMK Construction and Tuguegarao-based Camia Construction- in the December 23 bidding.

FFJJ Construction bid P34.9 million with piping works worth P31 million, clearing and grubbing at P47 thousand, solid rock excavation at P710 thousand, and carpentry works at P136 thousand.

Benguet Builders bid the lowest at P32.1 million with piping works costing P20.7 million, clearing and grubbing at P2.8 million, solid rock excavation at P4 million and carpentry works at P951 thousand.

Benguet Builders said “What should be paramount is the benefit the bid works for the government and the procuring agency”, stating that its “bid is the most beneficial to the government and the procuring agency considering that it is the least burdensome on the government coffers with its bid of lower by P2.8 million than FFPJ Construction. Over and above technicality, the amount of almost 3 million pesos would be for the benefit of the government.”

The Buasao waterworks project is funded by P18 million from the priority development assistance funds of Sen. Teofisto Guingona 111 and additional funds from the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project. Said project is expected to answer the water woes of the tourist town of Sagada.

It was known further that Department of Agriculture Secretary Prospero Alcala in his visit to Mountain Province December last year said the DA shall be funding 30 percent of CHARMP project costs and CHARMP beneficiary barangays shouldering 20 percent of projects implemented in their locality.

Barangay beneficiaries source their counterpart from LGUs and other agencies. CHARMP shoulders 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

Kalinga bans mercury use in mining operations

2012-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

TABUK CITY -- Kalinga province has banned the use of mercury in small-scale mining operations.

The provincial government, through its Environment and Natural Resources Office, said the ban is in keeping with its commitment to the national government’s declaration to eliminate mercury in mining where Kalinga is a signatory.

Dominic Sugguiyao of ENRO said the declaration is in support of the United Nations Environment Program, which aims to identify and reduce mercury releases to the environment.

Kalinga formalized its commitment to ban mercury during the recently held artisanal small-scale gold mining national summit.

The province is one of the seven most important provinces in the country involved in artisanal small-scale gold mining.

The main agenda at the summit was the wanton use of mercury in ASGM through amalgation, which contributes to high levels of mercury emissions in the atmosphere.

Among those who participated in the summit were officials from the Banao-Bodong Association of the Gaang Mines and representatives from the provincial government and civil society.

Kalinga is promoting the use of borax as a more affordable and safer alternative to mercury.

MPSPC board dismisses charges versus president

2012-01-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

By Dexter A. See

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Board of Trustees of the Mountain Polytechnic College approved the recommendation of a three-man independent investigating committee created by the Commission on Higher Education to dismiss all complaints filed against Dr. Nieves A. Dacyon, president of the State-run higher education institution, for “want of prima facie case.”

In its 109-page recommendation, the independent investigating committee composed of Dr. Freddie Bernal, former CHED-Cordillera regional director, Dr. LauroTacbas, president of the University of North Philippines and Marife Flores, noted that students, faculty and the community have gone extra-legally, like disruption of classes, rallies by some government employees but participation of politicians heightened the clamor for Dacyon’s resignation and request for the designation of an officer-in-charge.

“While the right to ask for redress of grievance is respected in this jurisdiction, it must not be so overwhelming exercise to go beyond what the law, the rules and reasons require. The exhaustion of legal remedies by directing complaints before the competent fora has not been exercised,” the report stated.

It added that filing and tension led to unrest in the institution.

“For its part, the committee had seen the case in the legal perspective and decided the case based on the evidence on record. We are not persuaded by the complaints,” the report cited.

On the issue of appointments by the president, the committee said all of Dacyon’s appointees and designations passed through the regular process of the personnel selection board and that she exercised her wide latitude of discretion pursuant to civil service rules and regulations in selecting the right person for the office plus the fact that the appointments were all approved by the board of trustees.

“The rule is that an appointment is essentially a discretionary act, performed by an officer in whom it is vested according to his or her best judgment, the only condition being that the appointee should possess all the qualifications required,” the committee report cited.

The report stated the committee is not persuaded by the mere allegations posed by the witnesses. The presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties enjoyed by Dacyon cannot be disregarded by mere allegations. Mere allegations are not proof.

The committee ruled many of the complained acts were done in the exercise of management prerogatives and such prerogative is left for management to decide, no matter how unpopular they would be. Again, it is left to management’s exercise of their best lights, which are not within the competence of the complainants to decide.

The committee said participation or non-participation in festivals by a College administrator does not amount to an administrative or criminal offense and Dacyon’s non-participation in the previous staging of the Lang-ay Festival as alleged by former Gov. and Rep. MaximoDalog is a non-issue in the case filed against her before the board.

With respect to the imposition of fees, the committee found this in order considering that collection of school fees are supported by board resolutions, and were within the coverage of CHED Memorandum Order No. 14.

Upon learning of the dismissal of the numerous complaints filed against her before the board, Dacyon said that the independent investigating team was able to prove that the allegations against her when they tried to oust her were baseless, unfounded and unfair and that the same were tainted with politics.

Mayor vice face recall

2012-01-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija– A recall petition has been filed against the mayor, vice mayor and two councilors here.

Sought to be recalled, in an 11-page petition filed before acting Commission on Elections officer Belen Rivera, were Mayor Christian Tinio, Vice Mayor Rodel Matias and Councilors Marcelino Alvarez and Eliser Padiernos.

Romeo Natividad, brother of former three-term mayor Ernesto Natividad, whose wife Baby lost to Tinio in the 2010 elections, and Reynaldo Gutierrez of Ramos street in Barangay San Nicolas, filed the petition.

The petitioners cited loss of trust and confidence and alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the four officials.

They cited, among others, conflict of interest, entering into disadvantageous contracts and acts of oppression committed by Tinio and his group.

The alleged forced transfer of the vendors at the old public market to a residential subdivision owned by the mayor, as provided in a city council resolution initiated by Matias, Alvarez and Tinio, was among the issues raised against the four.

The petitioners also accused Tinio’s group of pushing for the alleged anomalous procurement of P120 million worth of heavy equipment, and incurring loans worth P230 million for the construction of a wet section in the old market and a commercial center.

The petitioners submitted 20,409 signatures representing 34.5 percent of the voting population.

Meanwhile, Tinio laughed off the recall petition, saying it was a “sham” and an act of desperation on the part of Natividad’s camp. -- MG

Ilocos Sur opens Adventure Zone

2012-01-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur- Tourists can now enjoy different kinds of extreme sports following the opening of the unique Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone in Banaoang, between the towns of Bantay and Santa.

The adventure zone will showcase sports activities such as rock climbing and rappelling at rocky mountains in the place, kayaking and zorb ball at Abra River and zip line that will go across the river, said Gov. Chavit Singson.

Prior to this, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur trained several individuals as personnel of the adventure zone to ensure quality service and security of tourists.

In line with this, Traverse Ilocos Sur Adventure Challenge: Discover the Wonders of Ilocos Sur, participated by 15 celebrities including Emilio Garcia, Tyrone Perez ken Sam Pinto was staged here.

The race started at the famous Vigan Heritage Village all the way to empanadahan, Pagburnayan, Baluarte Zoo, Bantay Bell Tower, and ended to Banaoang where they swim and tried kayaking as they signalled the formal opening of the Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone.

Singson said they developed the adventure zone to become an additional spot for tourists as they usually ask for other activities they can do during their stay in the province.

“Aside from enticing tourists to flock in our province, this will be an additional source of revenue as we collect fees for using the facilities,” Singson said.

Vice Gov. DV Savellano announced the adventure zone is open every day for those who want to try the amenities.

“I myself can say that Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone is different from those in other provinces specially the zipline which is not atop trees but passes through the clean waters of Abra River” Savellano added.

Camp John Hay developer rescinds deal with BCDA

2012-01-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

BAGUIO CITY -- Developers of the Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone here have moved for the withdrawal of their Restructuring Memorandum of Agreement (RMOA) signed in 2008 with the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

This, after Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJH Devco) filed recently a formal rescission of the RMOA due to the BCDA’s alleged failure to pay over P2.8 billion in contractual obligations and non-compliance of the developers’ latest demands to immediately set up the so-called “One-Stop Action Center” as mandated by the agreement.

“Simply put, CJH Devco could not raise the revenues to pay the rental payments due to BCDA’s inability to deliver what it committed to. Obviously the formula isn’t working…the ‘lessor-lessee’ relationship isn’t working …three restructurings have been done but BCDA was unable to comply. Perhaps the structure is wrong and no longer feasible,” CJH Devco said.

“To date, the OSAC was never set-up or fully-operational as envisioned in the agreement. This can be proven by the documentation between CJH Devco and BCDA over the years where CJH Devco has consistently been calling the attention of BCDA on its continued default in setting up a fully operational OSAC. In fact, there are currently over 15 existing projects requiring various permits such as the CJH Suites occupancy permit, etc., within Camp John Hay which have been pending now for over a year,” it added.

“Thus, the new restructuring agreement signed with BCDA in July 2008 after the SEZ status was restored by Congress has, once again, been violated by BCDA. Even the large amount CJH Devco conceded to, though not warranted, was conditioned simply on the full operation of the OSAC.”

Since 1996, CJH Devco has paid BCDA approximately P1.4 billion in cash and properties, and has pumped in more than P2.6 billion in investments and improvements.

In a statement, BCDA vice president for business development Dean Santiago said: “The delinquent lessee of Camp John Hay cannot go scot-free from paying its P3.024 billion arrears.”

“This is an ill-disguised ploy,” Santiago said, adding “this is another attempt at evading payment by unilaterally rescinding their contractual obligations to the Philippine government after benefiting from the John Hay property.” He also pointed out that “the lessee reportedly has grossed double-digit figures in billions of pesos. It must be asked by the public where the money went.”

BCDA officials said the lessee cannot escape their obligation to pay their mounting debts.

The RMOA refers to the compromise settlement entered into by the BCDA and CJH DevCo on July 1, 2008, where the latter agreed to several substantial concessions, including the assumption of “prior rental obligations” amounting to more than P2.69 billion and current rental of P150 million.

In its letter last Jan. 9 to BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Casanova, CJH Devco through its president, Ferdinand Santos, a lawyer, demanded that BCDA fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, specifically to establish and maintain a ‘One Stop Action Center (OSAC)’ with the “full authority to process and issue all business, building and other developmental permits, certificates and licenses, local and national, from all government agencies necessary to facilitate the construction and commercial operation of Camp John Hay.”

Once established, the OSAC should “issue the necessary business, building and other developmental permits, certificates and licenses within thirty days from compliance with the provisions,” the letter stated.

Santos disputed BCDA’s opinion that their role is merely to ‘endorse’ the applications to the respective local and national government agencies, saying they have obviously misinterpreted this explicit provision in the RMOA. “In other words, BCDA has legally committed to something which they cannot fulfill to the detriment of the developer CJH Devco,” Santos said.

Per the deal, CJH Devco also asserted that it is within its rights to suspend rental payments due to violations and continued failure by BCDA to comply with its contractual obligations to CJH Devco under the RMOA, including payment of rentals, whether current or restructured.

Suspects in killing of tanod, driver nabbed

2012-01-17T12:15:00.000-08:00

BANGUED, Abra – Two men were recently arrested for the killing of a barangay tanod and tricycle driver in Abra.

In the first incident, Boyet A. Atmosfera was arrested Dec. 31 by Dolores police at SitioPudao, Barangay Mudit, Dolores in the town for shooting to death Rodrigo B. Atmosfera, 44, single, resident of same place, a barangay tanod.

Investigation revealed the victim and the suspect, both cousins were having a drinking session at the residence of Rosalinda Atmosfera when a heated argument ensued between them prompting the suspect to shoot the victim.

As a result, the victim sustained gunshot wound on his back that resulted to his death while the suspect was immediately arrested by police.

Atmosphera and the homemade shotgun used in the shooting were brought to the town police station.

On Dec. 29, another shooting incident transpired wherein the suspect identified as Bartolome Trinidad, resident of Zone 3, Bangued, Abra was also arrested after he allegedly shot to death a tricycle driver identified as Elmar B. Bayle, 39, of Barangay Calaba, Bangued, Abra at about 3:50 p.m. that dayat Lopez Jaena St. Zone 3 in the capital town.

Trinidad was arrested at his residence by police and is now under the custody of Bangued police while the firearm he used was missing.

Bodies of drown victims recovered

2012-01-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Authorities recovered Wednesday the bodies of two of the three school children who drowned in Cagayan River.

The fatalities were identified as Rickson Rasa, 7, and Eric John Rasa, 6. Fishermen discovered their bodies on the riverbank in Ilagan town’s Lulutan village.

Rescuers are still searching for the body of the third victim, Andrea Maureen Corpuz, 6.

Reports said the victims, all from the city’s Barangay Dabburab, fell into the river at around 3 p.m. four days earlier.

Coast Guard ends search for sunken Viet ship's crew

2012-01-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The Coast Guard has terminated its search for the 22 missing crewmembers of a Vietnamese cargo ship that sank off the northern Cagayan coast, after its efforts have yielded negative results.

“We now presume that all of the missing Vietnamese sailors are dead, especially after their lone survivor described how the ship suddenly went underwater,” said Capt. George Ursabia, Coast Guard-Northern Luzon district commander.

The ship, M/V Vina Lines Queen, sent out a distress signal received by Coast Guard authorities last Dec. 25, after it started to list while on its way to China.

The distress call was monitored 200 nautical miles northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.

The ship, owned by the Vietnam National Shipping Lines, was loaded with 54,000 tons of nickel ore from Indonesia.

Ursabia quoted the lone survivor, Dau Ngoc Hung, who was rescued by a Singapore-flagged vessel, as saying that the ship developed mechanical problem and suddenly started to sink while traversing the Babuyan Channel.

The Babuyan Channel is an extremely rough waterway where the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea (or West Philippine Sea) meet.

“He (told his rescuers) that the accident happened so suddenly that he was the only one who was able to reach the lifeboat. Another crewmember should have been with him but failed to step on the lifeboat before the ship sank,” Ursabia said.

“Although we have terminated the search, we have come out with an advisory to all vessels passing the area to be on the lookout for any wreckage,” he added.

Police hunt Cagayan provincial jail escapees

2012-01-17T12:11:00.000-08:00

By Armand Tamaray

TUGUEGARAO CITY– Police are still tracking down the remaining prisoners who escaped from the Cagayan provincial jail last Dec. 11.

Cagayan Valley police director Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia said the fugitives are “armed and extremely dangerous.”

One of the four jail escapees identified as CristopherTasi, alias Jennifer, was captured in Arayat, Pampanga last month.

The other fugitives were identified as Romeo Tasi, alias Harris; Romer Romero, alias Jong; JainangCai, alias Kevin Chua; and Vincent Badajos, who were charged with robbery with rape before a court in Tuguegarao City.

Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio offered a P100,000 cash reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the fugitives.

Baguio jeepney loading areas allocated by execs

2012-01-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY - Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week issued Administrative Order 4, series of 2012 for the allocation of loading areas along Perfecto and Harrison roads for Aurora Hill and Trancoville public utility jeepneys.

This was after deliberation of the Traffic and Transportation Management Committee, as chaired by the mayor, which tackled said transport matters during their recent meeting.

One loading area each for Aurora Hill and Trancoville public jeepneys are designated along Perfecto st, in front of the Old Plaza Theatre.

Another loading area along Harrison road, in front of the demolished building formerly housing Rosebowl restaurant, is allotted for same jeepneytrunklines. The AO specified one loading area each for Aurora Hill and Trancovillejeepney lines.

To prevent clogging of vehicles in that road stretch, there shall be no loading of passengers along Perfecto st corner Magsaysay avenue, and Harrison road from entrance of Harrison Tiongsan grocery to Km. 0 Plaza Garden, the AO states.
Signages shall be prepared and installed by the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) while the Traffic Management Branch of the Baguio City Police Office (TMB-BCPO) shall cause the enforcement of the AO.

Dispatching, orderliness and cleanliness of the loading and unloading areas shall be handled by an operator-drivers’ group and supervised by barangay officials and tanods who has jurisdiction over the area.

Minor traffic adjustments shall be made during the implementation, and as may be determined by the TTMC.

As to the AO, the implementation shall take effect immediately.

Another Isabela barangay chief slain

2012-01-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

TUGUEGARAO CITY– Although Isabela authorities have yet to solve the killing of a village chief in San Mateo town in November 2010, they are again confronted with another case.

Night of Jan.11, motorcycle-riding men gunned down John Cu, chairman of Barangay MarasatPequeña Sur, also in the same town.

Police said Cu was on his way home on his motorcycle when he was attacked.

Tourism boom won’t increase resort rates

2012-01-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

By Jennelyn Mondejar

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — The city tourism office here assured tourists last week there will be no room rate hike in the city’s resort-hotels amid the expected influx of tourists at the famous Hundred Islands at the start of the year.

Miguel Sison, city tourism office chief, said room rates along the Lucap area where the tourist spot is located, are controlled by ceiling prices and no resort-hotel can charge fees or rates more than what is prescribed.

He said rates are reasonable and there is an abundance of transient or budget homes which he said are good substitutes for hotels.

“The rates vary depending on the facility of the resort or the transient home,” Sison said.

There are about 30 resort hotels in the city near the central business district and in the Lucap area. Hotel room rates range from P1,600 to P3,500 a day.

Transient homes or budget homes are more like houses complete with air-conditioned bedrooms, comfort rooms and kitchen and can accommodate at least 10 people.

Daily rates range from P4,000 to P5,000 or P300 per head for some.

Sison said based on their experience, the resorts and transient homes get fully booked during the peak season from January until summer.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard and the city tourism office here are intensifying measures for the safety of the local and international tourists due to the changing weather condition.

The Coast Guard said they are continuously monitoring motorized boats at the Hundred Islands National Park to prevent any untoward incidents like drowning especially when the current is strong.

CPP-NPA leader surrenders in Abra

2012-01-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

MALIBCONG, Abra -- A Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army leader recently surrendered without firearm here to police following intercession of Vice Mayor Joseph Duggay.

A police report identified the surrenderee as Arnel G. Balucas ,35, single of Barangay Lat-ey here.

Balucas was reportedly the NPA’s KalihimngSamahang Unit Pangpropaganda and political officer of KilusangLarangangNortheast and head of its education group assidce from commanding officer of SandatahangYunit.

He was fetched at SitioAgibo, PoblacionMalibcong by authorities.

At the regional police headquarters in Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Cordillera police chief Benjamin B. Magalong expressed hope the rebel-returnee will serve as example and inspiration to others who are still with the rebel movement to give up their arms and join the government’s Social Integration Program.

The SIP is the government's centerpiece initiative in its peace and development efforts, under which former rebels, now called "KabalikatsaReporma" and their dependents are provided livelihood to facilitate their integration into mainstream society and be productive members of their communities.

PCG to file raps against Cambodian ship owner

2012-01-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

By JennelynMondejar

AGNO, Pangasinan -- The Philippine Coast Guard is set to file charges for damage to the environment and negligence against the owner of the Cambodian-flagged ship loaded with coal and bunker fuel, which ran aground in this town last month.

PCG Northern Luzon district commander Captain George Ursabia said M/V Chang Da-12 hit the shores of Aren Point along Barangay Abagtanen last Dec. 19.

The vessel was carrying more than 6,000 metric tons of coal from Indonesia on its way to China.

Ursabia said they decided to take legal action because the reported owner and operator of the vessel, Sino Genesis Investments Ltd., failed to act on the situation.

“Time is of essence to prevent the cargo vessel from breaking up which might cause an environmental disaster since big and strong sea waves brought by the northeast monsoon continuous to pound the grounded vessel,” Ursabia said.

He said the vessel is also loaded with 13,000 liters of bunker fuel, which is threatening to spill and affect the coastal residents.

The PCG official said a towage company was commissioned by the PCG to salvage the vessel on Dec. 24, due to the slow action from the ship owners.

He said the ship does not also have the required certificates of ownership and registry, cargo ship safety certificate and manning certificate.

The ship does not have any insurance coverage such as hull and machinery insurance and a protection and indemnity coverage, he added.

Baguio churches join World Week of Prayer

2012-01-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

By Maurice Malanes

BAGUIO CITY – Roman Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches and fellowships in Baguio have set aside doctrinal differences and would join the rest of Christendom in participating in a worldwide “Week of Prayer and Unity.”

Slated on January 16 to January 21, this year’s week of prayer is inspired by a letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, which said, “We shall be transformed because of the victory of Christ Jesus, our Lord (1 Cor. 15:51-58),” according to Rev. Joie Galinato, a Methodist pastor and president of the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group.

The first hosts are the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and Yeshwa Set-free Fellowship and the prayer activity starts 5:30 p.m. on January 16 at the UCCP-Baguio, Westside of Burnham Park.

The Episcopal Church in the Philippines and Bukal, an ecumenical pastoral and counseling group, will host the second day of prayer also at 5:30 p.m. at the Church of the Resurrection along Magsaysay Avenue.

The other venues for the 5:30 p.m. prayer activity: United Methodist Church, Marcos Highway, Jan. 18; PMA Evangelical Church, Philippine Military Academy compound, Jan. 19; Lutheran Church, St. Stephen Church, Jan. 20; and Sangkabalayan Hall at the Baguio Cathedral compound, Jan. 21.

Since it culminates on Jan. 21, a Saturday, the final prayer activity, which the Catholic Church hosts, starts at 5:00 p.m.

Other participating groups include the Jesus is Lord Fellowship, Zion Christian Center and Bethesda Ministries.

Started by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1968, the Week of Prayer and Unity has since ushered in interdenominational cooperation and understanding between and among the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches, and later including other Christian fellowships.

Based on this year’s scriptural theme, the goal this time is “to achieve a victory which integrates all Christians worldwide around the service of God and one’s neighbor,” said a joint statement of the Vatican and the WCC.

New Luzon toll roads completed in 10 years

2012-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga— It will take approximately 10 years for new toll roads in Northern Luzon to be completed.

“The toll roads will pave the way for easier travel of goods to and from Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora which are known food baskets of the country as well as attract more tourists to visit Northern Philippines’ picturesque spots such as the beaches of Ilocos Region and Zambales,” the Central Luzon Regional Development Council said.

These include the 88.58-km Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and the 63.9-km Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) to be integrated with existing expressways, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council said.

In a statement, RDC-Central Luzon (Region 3) said initial operation of the P11.594 billion TPLEX will be on March 2012 for the Tarlac-Carmen section, April 2012 for the Carmen-Urdaneta section, and October 2014 for the Urdaneta-Rosario section.

The TPLEX project is divided into two phases: Phase 1 is the construction of two-lanes and Phase 2 is the expansion into four-lanes when capacity reaches 25,000 vehicles per day.

Moreover, Phase 1 of the P34 billion CLLEX is due for completion by 2016 while Phase 2A opens in 2017 and Phase 2B in 2021.

The 28-km first phase starts in Tarlac City and ends in Cabanatuan City whereas the 35.9-kilometer second phase commences in Cabanatuan City and concludes in San Jose City.

“The construction of TPLEX and CLLEX will physically integrate all the regions north of Metro Manila through a reliable and dependable network of toll roads which also include the Subic-Clark-Tarlac and North Luzon expressways,” the RDC said.

This Baguio girl – and nurse - needs a miracle

2012-01-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- Nurse Shirley Concepcion is no stranger to miracles. She has seen them happen to terminally ill patients she has handled, cases that even best in the medical field agreed only a miracle could heal.

Beyond the medical care she had trained for years to provide, Shirley readily learned to pray for these miracles from the moment she entered the actual field and encountered her first seriously ill patient.

She never thought she herself would need a miracle. Until late last November, when, while on duty at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, she ended up at the cardiac care unit- with hardly any blood pressure at all.

The 40-year old nurse recovered and decided to appear at the Philippine Heart Center last Dec. 9 to hear alternatives from the experts. She was told her rheumatic heart, diagnosed in 1996, could no longer be maintained through medication and regular check-ups.

The latest diagnosis was rheumatic heart disease, severe; mitral stenosis; aortic stenosis; cardiac dysrrhythmia (supaventricular tachycardia).

At the Heart Center, she was told she had to be operated on, as soon as possible. For “two-valve replacement and one valve repair”, she was told.

Asked if she could be admitted this Jan. 22 and go under the knife two days later, she answered ‘yes’ without question. The reply came from a mother whose mind was suddenly occupied by the image of Sean Aldridge, her 18-month old son.

On the way back to Baguio, she and her common-law husband, jeepney driver Marcelino Lopez, pondered the cost of the surgery – P750,000.

The shoe is now on the other foot.

“ I’d encourage patients, however serious their conditions were, never to give up, for the sake of their loved ones,” she recalled last Thursday.

From her work last Thursday December 29, she obtained a document from the city social welfare and development office validating her plight and her family’s inability to raise, much less shoulder, the cost of surgery.

Told people out there won’t be able to help unless they know the difficulty she’s in, Shirley agreed to have her case written.

After all, she was told, some people out there may have as their New Year’s Resolution a commitment to be more generous and help the needy more often, as Shirley does as nurse of the BGHMC where she was born on April 28, 1971.

The youngest of five children, she finished sixth grade at the St. Louis University Center (1982) high school at SLU Girls High (1988) and nursing at the Pines City Educational Center (1992).

She passed the nursing board in 1994 and served for eight years as private nurse of her father, Edilberto, who was afflicted with and later died of emphysema and heart ailment. Perlita, her eldest sister, works as telephone operator. Her brother Joseph died of heart ailment in 1994.Her sister Soledad is a factory worker in China while sister Julie serves as baby-sitter.

“My sisters will help but only as much as they can,” she said.

As will people out there who feel the culture of caring that, for years, has been the mark of a boy or girl, who, like Shirley, hails from Baguio or the Cordillera. Or studied in the same schools she went to. Or also worked at the BGHMC.

Or anybody who, like the celebrities, finds inspiration in heroes from the ranks of ordinary mortals that CNN features before the end of the year, making people from all over closer to each other.

Shirley will be at the gynecology ward of the BGHMC until the 14th. She’ll then take a leave to rest, pray and hope for a miracle that would raise P750,000 for the surgery.
It’s a tall order of a New Year’s Resolution imposed on a hardworking nurse who had witnessed miracles happen to her patients.

Those who want to make it happen for Shirley may ring her cell phone number (09175069431) or course their support through her Development Bank of the Philippines account number 05 10145859 560. They may drop by her address at 190 Armenia St., Quezon Hill.

Bridges eyed priority for MP infra projects

2012-01-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

By Pamela F. Dungala

BONTOC, Mountain province -- The Department of Public Works and Highways district engineering office here has programmed nine bridges for this year’s regular infrastructure projects under the General Appropriations Act.

Funds for these bridges amount to P93,510,000 out of the 2012 regular infra projects amounting to P221,182,000.

Programmed bridges set for implementation this year for their partial completion include Agodong and Ampawilen Bridges along Mountain Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road, Masablang Bridge along Mt. Province-Ifugao Road (Kiling-Paracelis Section), Bontoc-Cadre Bridge along Bontoc-Cadre Road, Agog-go Bridges 1 and 2 along Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road, Losong Bridge along Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Kayan Road, Calacabban Bridge along Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Tue Road and Lagangeo Bridge 2 along Mt. Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road.

The other bulk set for these infra projects has been programmed to upgrade or rehabilitate road sections along Mt. Data Access Road, Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road, Mt. Province-Ifugao Road (Paracelis-Kiling Section), Mt. Province-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Baguio-Bontoc Road and two (2) sections along Dantay-Sagada Road.

“This is in support to the department’s goal to change bailey and temporary bridges to permanent bridges”, said OIC assistant district engineer Charles Sokoken. “By 2016, the department aims that all national road networks are paved.”

Meanwhile, eight projects, including three bridge projects, will be awarded this month as the procurement processes have already been conducted on December 16, 2011 while projects bid out on December 27, 2011 are still undergoing post evaluation.

Other bridge projects have undergone soil exploration conducted by highly technical entities to determine the profile of the soil which is necessary for the design of the bridges’ foundation.

“The district is waiting for the detailed design of these bridges before the office could prepare the programs of work then we could proceed to the bidding of these bridges,” said construction chief Benedict F. Matib.

“These projects will be implemented early this year “to take advantage of the good weather and so as not to coincide with the start of classes in June 2012. Further, the department does not want being criticized because of projects being implemented during rainy season which causes much traffic and inconvenience to the riding public,” Sokoken said.

The office will be conducting preconstruction conference before the start of project activities. “This will be an avenue for all the participants of these projects to establish coordination and communication links and the delineation of roles.” Matib said.

Moreover, in his commitment in fast tracking projects guided with the 3-R policy (Right project, Right Quality, Right cost) of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, OIC district engineer John Marquez urged contractors’ compliance to department orders and circulars in implementation of infrastructure projects.

On the other hand, for CY 2011 Regular Infra Projects, the district has completed four projects with seven ongoing which are expected to be finished this semester.

Activities for these projects are mostly upgrading and rehabilitation of various road sections along the province’s national road network.

Disaster related rehabilitation projects for CY 2011 affected by typhoons Juan, Pedring and Quiel are expected to be finished this semester while the six
ongoing CY 2011 priority development assistance fund projects will be completed this mon

Luisita farmers fear reversal of land distribution ruling

2012-01-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

TARLAC – Farmers of Hacienda Luisita here expressed fear last week the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona could pave the way for the Supreme Court to reverse its decision last Nov. 22 to distribute the hacienda to farmer-beneficiaries.

The AlyansangManggagawangBukidsaAsyendaLuisita (Ambala) and the AlyansangmgaMagbubukidsaGitnangLuson (AMGL) claimed that the relatives of President Aquino, whose family owns the hacienda, “scolded” him for failing to prevent the SC decision favoring the farm workers.

Ambala chairman Felix Nacpil Jr. said his group is facilitating the land distribution at the hacienda.

Ambala and AMGL have started the consultation with farmers to consolidate their position on the motion for reconsideration filed in the SC by the Cojuangcos and Aquinos last Dec. 19.

Lawyers from SentroparasaTunaynaRepormangAgraryo (SENTRA) are representing the farmers in the case.

“As our lawyers explained, the motion was no different from their (Cojuangco-Aquino party) oral arguments. They still want to offer ‘stocks’ to the farmers and keep control over the vast lands of the hacienda. They sound like a broken record and we are hopeful that the High Court would find nothing new in their argument and keep the essence of their Nov. 22 decision,” said Nacpil.

AMGL chair Joseph Canlas called on the SC to immediately junk the motion of the Cojuangcos and continue with the land distribution.

“We know that the Chief Justice is aware that he is being impeached mainly because of the Hacienda Luisita issue,” he said.

Canlas warned that a successful impeachment of Corona would “backfire” if Corona’s successor eventually reverses the Court’s verdict to distribute hacienda lands to the farmers.

“We all know that betrayal of public trust is a legal and moral basis for impeaching a president,” Canlas said.

Ambala and AMGL challenged Corona to “keep his footing on the decision favoring the farm workers and not succumb to political offensive launched by the Aquino government through his impeachment.”

Amabala and AMGL said that the Cojuangcos are again pushing for a referendum among the farmers in their bid to reimpose the stock distribution option (SDO) scheme, which gives the farmers shares of stock in Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) instead of actual distribution of land to them.

The farmers said the Cojuangcos have also petitioned the court to lift the 10-year moratorium on selling portions of the hacienda and for the SC to refrain from using the minimum value of P1 million per hectare that was used in selling parts of the hacienda for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) project.

Canlas said that the motion filed by the Cojuangcos indicated that the President’s family has no intention of giving up the hacienda.

Nacpil said 700 farmers attended a meeting last Jan. 3 at Barangay Balete as more farm workers are consulting Ambala on how to implement the bungkalan or land cultivation.

Ambala also filed last Jan. 5 a petition for cancellation of the order of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that allowed the conversion from agricultural to industrial use of 500 hectares in the hacienda.

The land that was approved for conversion included the 184 hectares at Barangay Balete that was turned over to the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) as loan payment.

“The conversion order is deemed void as there were no improvements for five years since 1996 in the area of RCBC, so we are demanding RCBC’s pullout from the hacienda,” Canlas said.

DPWH commits to hasten Baguio City roads’ repair

2012-01-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan appealed to the public to bear with the inconvenience caused by the implementation of various road projects here even as he assured that the Dept. of Public Works and Highways has given its commitment to the city to fast-track and complete the projects before the Baguio Flower Festival staging next month.

The mayor said Baguio City District Engineering Office Engineer Ireneo Gallato served notice to begin implementing 18 road improvement works in various areas of the city this week to ensure completion of these projects before the Panagbenga.

He said Gallato committed to time the implementation of the projects properly this year to avoid conflict with the scheduled events and activities of the city and prevent inconvenience that will discourage tourists from coming up to the city for the said events.

“I hope the DPWH will comply with its commitment to fast-track the projects to prevent further inconvenience and I hope that our people will also understand the need to implement these projects,” the mayor said.

The road works are located in Governor Pack Road 1 and 2, Kayang St., Leonard Wood Road, Quirino Highway, Harrison Road, Abanao Road, Abanao Ext., Chanum St., Andres Bonifacio St., Government Center, M. Roxas St., PMA-Cut-off Road, PMA Road and Marcos Highway.
Residents of Marcos Highway voiced out complaints over transport difficulties after the road repair works were started last week in the area.

Baguio public transport group head Perfecto Itliong Jr. expressed doubt that the 30-day target completion will be met by the contractor of the said project and suggested that the contractor implement a round-the-clock work to ensure that the deadline will be met.

He said the traffic management measures should be implemented in the areas affected particularly along Marcos Highway to allow smoother traffic flow and ease the commuters’ burdens while the project is being undertaken.

Itliong led a transport leaders’ consultative forum last Thursday to discuss the city’s traffic situation in face of the said road improvements. – A Refuerzo

Pangasinense kid wins international chess fest

2012-01-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan --A homegrown young chess aficionado recently bagged a gold medal in the Singapore International Chess Festival.

Dennis Guttierez III, a native of San Fabian town and a product of the provincial government’s chess clinic series and a regular participant of the Gov. Amado T. Espino’s (GATE) Cup Chess Tournament, notched the top post after beating JiddanFirman of Indonesia in the finals of the open under-8 category in the Singapore chess tournament.

Espino congratulated the 8-year old chess player for his victory as he thanked him for bringing honor not only for Pangasinan but for the country.

He said the provincial government fully supports chess thus regular chess clinics and tournaments became part of the province’s program on youth and sports development.

Last year, Pangasinan chess players, regular participants of GATE chess tournaments like Dennis Gutierrez, made waves both in national and international chess tournaments with the likes of FIDE master Haridas Pascua, FIDE master Cherry Ann Mejia, Samantha GloRevita, Giovanni Mejia, Gutierrez siblings Dennis Jr. and Dennis III, JodilynFronda, Prince Mark Aquino and Rowene Wyse Palaming.

Eight-year-old Dennis III figured prominently in the field of chess after pocketing several awards that includes 1st place in the ASEAN-BLITZ category, 2nd in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships (Individual), 3rd in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship, 12th in the AFPI National Rapid Chess Championships (Kiddies Division), 5th in the ASEAN VS. China, 4th and 2nd in the Asian Youth Chess Championship/Individual Silver Medalist.

Overwhelmed with the achievements of the young Pangasinanwoodpushers, Espino vowed to improve the administration’s program on sports to transform the province as “Chess Capital of the North.”

The governor assured continuous support not just in chess but other sports endeavors where homegrown athletes can show their intellectual prowess, physical vigor and Pangasinense’s winning attitude.

Dennis III was among the four Philippine chess players who bagged gold in the Singapore tournament.

The other gold medalists were Michelle Yaon in the girls’ Under-17 division, Vince Angelo Medina in the Open Under-17, FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina in the Open Under-14 category.

Other Philippine wood pushers who brought home silver and bronze medals during the Singapore chess joust are as follows: JeradDocena of Bohol (silver); Marc Christian Nazario (Open U-17), Julius Gonzales (Open U-11), Fiona GeewenethGuirhem (Girls U-11) and Mae Ann Joy Baclayon (Girls U-8), all bronze medalists.

A P229 million TESDA anomaly

2012-01-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

EDITORIAL

Some 2009 “graduates” of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) courses were “paid” to pretend that they actually underwent call center training while others were just made to sign documents and vouchers in exchange for money.

The Commission on Audit (COA) discovered these anomalies in 2010 after auditing the agency’s Pangulong Gloria Scholarships (PGS) project which has so far been a failure.

State auditors said TESDA, then headed by former Rep. Augusto Syjuco, embarked on a Group Training Scheme (GTS) in January 2009 with TEKBOK Providers (TBPs) which involved entering into agreements with 22 organizations and partners under a Enterprise-Based Group Training Scheme (EBGTS).

The agency spent over P229.4 million for 31,812 graduates, at least 60 percent of which were supposed to be assured of employment immediately after completing their sources that would be monitored by a purposive tracking and reporting.

State auditors said the memorandum of agreement between TESDA and TBPs states that the latter shall provide the former with monthly progress reports on the utilization of scholarship, disbursement of funds and other required data for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

The project however failed to meet its objective for various reasons including weak implementation of standards set for the program specifically in the programming, training and training evaluation stages; non-enforcement of the monitoring/control and reporting system strategies by the agency; and failure of the TBPs to establish purposive tracking system to ensure that the employment rate target is attained, among others.

State auditors also eventually discovered fictitious conduct of training of some TBPs by submitting names of scholars with incorrect address and contact number as well as similar strokes of signatures; double entry of names in the same training program; overlapping of training schedules of participants; and submission of list of scholars with the same pictures but different names appearing in the same training or different training programs.

And in their effort to further check on whether or not graduates, especially those who underwent call center training considering that over P151.5 million or 66 percent of the total budget was allotted to 139 institutions under the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), actually benefited from the program, the audit team tried to contact some 211 graduates from People 2 Outsource, Mirof Resources, and Incomtech Philippines Inc.

Results bared that 69 did not reply or had invalid contact numbers, 82 had doubtful contact numbers or are no longer using them, and 42 have undergone training in one call center company and not with the TBP but were later made to be scholars of PGS.

Notably, the audit team said three confirmed that no training course was conducted but was made to fill-up/sign vouchers and receive allowances ranging from P300 to P750.

“Based on the said interview results, it was determined that out of 211 reported graduates, only 50 or 23.70 percent were employed. Out of those employed, there is a probability that 42 graduates 86 percent of those employed were not actually scholars of PGS and yet payment for training fees amounting to P210,00 was made to one of the TBPs through BPAP,” the COA report said.

“Verification showed that 42 of the alleged graduates were already undergoing training being conducted by a call center company when they were made to sign in the scholarship vouchers by some training providers who visited their call center company. The said trainees willingly signed the scholarship vouchers because the promise that they will be given a certificate from TESDA. However, up to this writing no certificate has been issued by the training providers to these call center agents,” the audit report read.

Heeding the COA’s recommendations, the new TESDA management under director general Joel Villanueva has created an investigating team through the issuance of TESDA Order No. 172 Series of 2011. Charge in court the culprits.

Does SM own the road at Luneta Hill?

2012-01-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY –Heavy traffic is still a headache here with the resumption of activities to “rehabilitate” roads after the Christmas break even as constituents and visitors have to contend with the problem due to other factors.

A question often asked by motorists is whether the Luneta Hill road was bought by SM as security guards of the giant firm are lording it over the thoroughfare directing traffic and making drivers move out from areas they consider “no parking areas” but opening these to parking on their whims.

I had the misfortune of parking along the road across the main entrance this holiday break. A security guard accosted me saying I couldn’t park in the area. I told him, as far as a knew, the road was public property so I had all the right to park considering there was no “No Parking” sign along the road.

He was at a loss so he called his supervisor. I repeated what I told the guard telling him to call the police so we could settle the matter by determining if motorists are not allowed to park in the area. He said he didn’t want it to go that far so could I please move my vehicle?

I told him again to call the police so the matter would be settled, but he didn’t, so I left the vehicle and went inside one of the restaurants for an appointment, while he was fuming.

This incident actually happened to me at least five times. But since I didn’t want to be bullied, I left the vehicle there whenever the security guards accosted me. Strange, but they never called the traffic cops who should know whether the road is private or public property or whether I was violating a parking law. I called up some cops I knew and all had the same reply: the road is public property.

Before anything untoward would happen in the area over similar situations, it would be appreciated if the city government clarifies whether the road was included in the deal for SM to occupy Luneta Hill.

The clarification should include the metes and bounds of the area, particularly on status of the road before a hot-headed motorist shoots someone particularly a security guard.

The so-called firewall could be used for parking purposes. Or was the road called a firewall so that motorists would have to park inside SM and pay P35 everytime they do so?

Enough of SM for a while. Methinks parking should also be allowed along city roads at all times of the day including Mabini as traffic is still alright even if both sides of the road are occupied by vehicles. That 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. prohibition, sad to say is incomprehensible.Where would people park?

People are left with no option but to pay parking fees at the Cathedral where the Roman Catholic Church is making a killing and SM, where Henry Sy is also making lots of moolah.It is good this prohibition along Session Road was lifted.

On closing pedestrian lanes, a comprehensive evaluation report on its benefits to include coordinated traffic signal lights with timers for vehicles and pedestrians installed at said lanes is wanting.

City officials had requested closure of pedestrian crossings along Harrison Road fronting Bank of the Philippine Islands and beside Jollibee Harrison as these reportedly put pedestrians in danger due to vehicles from Lower Mabini and Calderon streets.

The danger could have been overstated, but then, the lanes could be moved a few meters away so people could easily traverse to Burnham Park and back.

During a recent meeting among city officials including the police, a reclassification of trunkline colors was requested and endorsed to the Department of Transportation Communication and Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board.

The need for public utilityvehicles’ drivers to wear uniforms to identify them as frontliners for tourism was also cited during the meeting.

The Baguio Tourism Council said drivers and transportation personnel should wear color-coded uniforms. It was proposed that PUJ drivers wear green, yellow, blue and red and be in a light blue t-shirt with collar during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and in casual clothes Sundays.

Green trunkline PUJ drivers were advised to wear green shirts with collars on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Yellow trunkline PUJ drivers were also told to wear yellow shirt with collar, blue trunkline PUJ drivers in white shirt with collar and red trunkline PUJ drivers in red shirt collar on Tuesdays and Thursday.

The use of seat belts, early warning devices during trips, were also pointed out; with the drivers in neat appearance with properly displayed DOTC-LTFRB identification card, in the vehicle.

Public utility bus drivers, conductors and inspectors were also advised to wear white shirt, with company and DOTC-LTFRB identification card every trip. Drivers’ uniforms for school service, tourist transport, shuttle service, trucks-for-hire service, and van/utility van were also specified in the standards set by concerned officials of the 1-united transport koalisyon, Cordillera, Region 1 and II.

Several business establishments’ request for exemption from the truck ban have been denied for consistency with ban implementation.

Moreover, requests for parking spaces, loading and unloading areas for public utility vehicles associations have been denied, due to the rationalization scheme. Assigned areas for specific trunklines should be strictly enforced, traffic members agreed.

A number of public utility vehicles however would be given number coding exemption during emergency situations.

Considering all these, it would be a boon if the city government could come up with comprehensive solution to these issues – and of course, return control of public roads occupied by SM to proper government authorities.

Gloria’s New Year’s Resolution

2012-01-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

In an interview with ANC News, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III said that he might pardon ex-prez Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if she showed remorse for the anomalies and scandals that had hounded her nine years in power. Yep, P-Noy told Gloria, “No remorse, no pardon!”

After seeing P-Noy’s interview on her TV in her detention suite at the Veteran Memorial Medical Center, Gloria went to work and wrote her New Year’s Resolution.

My investigative reporter James Macaquecquec through his connections with Gloria’s jailers got a copy of Gloria’s 2012 New Year’s Resolution and sent it to Global Balita.

First of all, I would like to thank President Aquino for offering to pardon me provided that I showed remorse for the anomalies and scandals during my presidency. I am glad that P-Noy is keeping up with the tradition that I established when I pardoned former President Erap Estrada after he was convicted of plunder in 2007. I did it then out of my Christian upbringing, “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” I have always felt that my ascension to the presidency was a divine providence; thus, it was just natural for me to forgive those who erred.

But what bothers me is that P-Noy offered to pardon me even before I was convicted of bogus charges of election sabotage in 2007! How could I have sabotaged the elections in 2007 when I was not even a candidate? P-Noy claimed that I cheated because all the 12 candidates on the administration slate won in Maguindanao. Well, there’s only one explanation why all my candidates won – it’s because of divine providence! There is no other reason. I did not err.

However, in the spirit of Christmas, I have decided to demonstrate that I’m still a human being prone to making mistakes just like anybody else. In the nine and a half years that I was President, I made a lot of grave mistakes, to wit:

1. I regret ousting Erap from the presidency in 2001. As his Vice President, I should have helped him succeed instead of plotting to remove him from office.
2. I regret appointing Leila de Lima as Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. Had I known that she would bite me like a pit bull, I would have sent her to Tawi-tawi instead.
3. I regret appointing Jun Lozada as technical consultant on the national broadband project. He turned out to be a whistleblower and exposed all the anomalies involving the NBN-ZTE project. Now, he’s going to testify against me in court.
4. I regret not declaring martial law when I had a chance. If I did that I would still be in power and enjoying life in the Enchanted Kingdom. Now, my life is confined to a hospital suite with no kitchen, no telephone, no computer, and I am not even allowed to use a mobile phone.
5. I regret not cheating P-Noy of the presidency in 2010 by fixing the Smartmartic automated election system. Mike promised me that if we did not cheat P-Noy, he would not prosecute us for graft and corruption. Mike was wrong!
6. I regret coming back from my trips to Spain and Switzerland. If I did not return, I would have been free as a bird in Portugal where there is no extradition treaty with the Philippines.

With my friend Merci Gutierrez impeached and resigned as Ombudsman and my protector Chief Justice Renato Corona impeached and may soon be convicted in a Senate impeachment trial, I have come to terms with my fate.

With this silly gadget wrapped around my head and neck, I don’t have any options left except to put myself at the mercy of P-Noy. Yes, Mr. President, I am sorry for all the anomalies and scandals during my presidency. I was weak and indecisive and I allowed my husband Mike to the run the government the way he wanted it and did all those shenanigans. I tried to stop him but he became too powerful to be stopped. If there is one person who should go to jail, it’s Mike.

I hope that P-Noy would pardon me. In good faith, I resolve to do the following:
A. I will resign as Representative of Pampanga’s Second District.
B. I will not get involved in politics for the rest of my life.
C. I will ask Susan Roces for her forgiveness for cheating her husband Fernando Poe Jr. of the presidency in 2004.

And since P-Noy only asked me to show remorse, I will keep the money I earned during my presidency. God is my witness, Gloria

A world full of heroism

2012-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

BENCHWARMER
Ramon Dacawi

As did then United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, I, too, rooted for EfrenPenaflorida, the pushcart teacher who was CNN’s “Hero of the Year” in 2009. Since then, it’s been a year-end treat to watch the giant television network’s annual tribute to ordinary people who quietly live out extraordinary lives.

For celebrities, it’s truly double honor for them to be chosen to present and personally shake hands with these seemingly ordinary mortals who fit novelist Richard Paul Evans’ observance that “the greatest acts are done without plaque, audience or ceremony”.

Still, CNN sees the need to bring to the fore and celebrate the lives of these heroes as a counterpoint to another troubled and tragic year ending with a Christmas His Holiness, the Pope, lamented for being commercialized and materialistic.

In a supposedly universal culture that seems to frown on men shedding tears in public, I found relief being alone watching the tribute in the house this year, while again hoping my kids and grandkids were also witnessing such sacraments of the ordinary from their own sides of the globe our poverty here had forced them to be.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to have encountered heroes like those in CNN’s list. I list some of them again, as I do - to draw strength and lessons from them each time uncertainties, like the new year, loom dark:

Mongilit Ligmayo – He was an unlettered farmer, originally from Banaue, Ifugao, who resettled in a remote area in Lamut, Ifugao. As more farmers followed him, the wasteland grew into community that is now Ambasa Barangay. They elected the no-read, no-write pioneer as village chief. Not wanting their children to become like him, he built a primary school on a lot he sliced off his property. Soon, they needed a high school so he knocked on doors and built one on a lot he again sliced off his land. After selling most of his cattle to pay the teachers, he traveled to Baguio to ask then education regional director Stephen Capuyan to please include the teachers’ pay in the regular education budget. After Lakay Mongilit died, Lamut town officials led by Mayor AngelitoGuinid renamed the elementary school in honor of the diminutive, unlettered visionary. Then Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao also authored a bill renaming the high school in memory of the pioneer of Ambasa.

Lorie Ramos and Noney Padilla-Marzan – When she heard Noney was battling cancer, Lorie, then a 43-year old widow with a 10-year old son, contributed to the cost of treatment. “I know how your wife is suffering,” she told Conrad Marzan, Noney’s husband to whom she handed her support. “This is my own second bout against cancer – from breast to bone,” the widow said, her apparently bald head wrapped by a turban.

The two women of substance became the best of friends, texting each other until they were too weak to do so. Noney called me once, asking if I could call Lorie, who had deposited her son so he could live with her sister in Quezon city after she had gone. Not knowing what to say, I never rang her up, an omission I regret to this day. Noney spent her last two years supporting children of the cancer ward, now and then comforting parents who had just lost a child to the big C. She prepared a death wish that Conrad and friends followed to the letter: short wake, sealed casket, no gambling and drinking liquor at the vigil; cremation, with her ashes strewn at the top of Mt. Pulag which the couple had climbed when she was already limping; for Conrad to marry again, “so someone would give direction to your life”.

Kids for Central Luzon – Months into “Operation Sayote”, the five-year media-initiated relief mission for lahar-devastated Central Luzon, I opened a box of donations for sorting before shipment at the Philippine Information Agency here. Inside were small plastic packets of white, green, red and black beans. Each packet was sealed by a string, at the end of which was a pad paper tag, on which was pencil-written the young donor’s name, grade, section and elementary school. The box came from Bontoc, Mt. Province. Another box contained an over-ripe pineapple, with a tag on which was written a boy’s name. It came from Sablan, Benguet. Products of good breeding, these kids are adults now. Whoever and wherever you are now, thanks for the inspiration that comes with that image of your contributions after Mt. Pinatubo blew its top over Central Luzon in June, 1991.

Bernard Dicang and Family – The eldest of 12 children, Manong Bernard opened his home in Dinalupihan, Bataan as midway station for volunteers in “Operation Sayote”, the five-year Baguio-based relief mission for Central Luzon. His family has kept a tradition of sharing gifts with kids who line up infront of their home every Christmas Day. His eldest son, newly retired Army Gen. Alex, established a Christmas program for street-children when he was public information officer and logistics chief of the Philippine Military Academy. Alex also worked out the donation of eight buses from Korea. Like his father, Alex never acquired material acquisitiveness and is now a farmer.

Samaritans from all over – Pupils of Brent School would now and then fashion out recyclables for what they call a “thrashion show” and turn the proceeds to a boy or girl battling cancer. Friends of Brent alumnus Carlos Anton would match what the kids would raise to double the donation. For years now, expats the likes of Freddie de Guzman in Canada and Julian Chees in Germany would send over amounts for seriously ill patients back home.

So did local folksingers and their counterparts sing for years with Conrad Marzan. Mike Santos and Joel Aliping here or at Fr. Leonard Oakes’ parish in Northern California. Kids of Westmont Montessori here sold kimchi and cried when, despite their efforts, they lost 13-year 0ld kidney patient Ashley Sabling of Kayan, Tadian, Mt. Province.

Sunshine and Paolo Balanza stood for hours with donation boxes on Sundays and, with other young Cordillera expats, raised $4,195 which went to victims of Typhoon Pepeng that hit Northern Luzon in 2009. A smart-looking, leather jacket-wering Samaritan recently bankrolled dialysis patient Genevieve Gano’s treatment until this New Year. A patient herself who requested anonymity once wrote a check for P50,000, asking that it be distributed to patients who needed support the most. Many others remain an anonymous, too.

Inmates of the Baguio City Jail –Last May, they came up with P4,000 which they coursed through the Philippine Red Cross for victims of the earthquake, tsunami and radiation victims in Japan. Earlier, they passed the hat for two young heart patients, proof that one’s own suffering need not blind us to the pain of others.

Elena, a laundry woman – Her name skips me now but she came some years back to seek help for her daughter needing protracted treatment for lupus. Months after, at Christmastime, she came back, saying her child has been healed, thanks to Samaritans from all over. She then handed P2,000, saying it came from the year-end bonus of her husband who was working as a security guard. She asked that it be given to a patient needing support. It was her way of passing kindness forward.

Alex and Annabelle (nee Codiase) Bangsoy – One of the brightest young couples hereabouts, their initial and impressive success in business hasn’t gone to their heads. Goshenland, their real estate and housing venture, is living up to its name, after the biblical fertile land and sanctuary. They have elevated social responsibility to heights far greater than even some of the most successful and profitable corporations ventured into.

They are into development of football as a means of providing concrete ground on which street-children can pursue their dreams for a better life. The couple brings to mind the comparison by the late Baguio lawyer Art Galace who said the difference between “involvement” and “commitment” is found in a plate of ham and egg. Art said the chicken contributed the egg and that’s involvement. The pig contributed the ham and that’s commitment..

There were countless others I’ve met and will still encounter along this journey to the grave called life. I’ve been and will continue to be blessed by them. They include the numerous Cordillera and Filipino expatriates who readily take you home wherever they are, making you feel they never left home in the first place. (e-mail:mondaxbench@yahoo.com for comments.)

Chinese dragon spits fire / SM owns us

2012-01-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- Chinese friends based in Baguio and Benguet who have been organizing the Spring Festival celebration said that it has been drawing a good crowd for the past 10 years. This lunar year is a “Water Dragon” year.

Jokingly, it is a year for all kinds of dragons – small, big, slippery, and whether they live in the streets or in Congress.

Although the number of visitors who come up to witness the Chinese grand parade is not comparable to the crowds pulled in by the annual Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga because the former has a measly P500,000 funding, while the latter festivities boasts of millions of pesos for its celebrations.

Newsmen in a dinner with leaders of the Baguio-Benguet Chinese community last week learned that of the half-million Chinese Spring Festival, half of it was contributed by the city.

This prompted a few newsmen to ask why. Kathleen Okubo of another print publication hit the nail right on the head when she said, the Chinese festival has been an existing celebration of a tradition and a tourism event that needed more support than the Panagbenga that was an invention.

True indeed. But in most cases, ideas especially those tied with “money” are the ones supported by government. Our officials would always be short-minded and would say, “oh never mind the Chinese, they can survive.”

Believe me, government only remembers the Chinese when it needs something, but will never sincerely think of giving its support if it is not solicited.

Government officials would rather choose to support trade fairs, carnivals with bingo socials that shift to “salisi” and drop-ball gambling when the police pretend to be blind.
***
For this year’s Spring Festival Celebration, Dr. Charles Cheng and the event’s Executive Chairman Peter Ng of Supreme Hotel said the Grand Colorful Parade from Session Road through the city’s main thoroughfares to the Melvin Jones Grandstand will be on Jan. 21 (Saturday) at 3 p.m.

Before that on January 18, Wednesday at 2:00PM, the barangay gift–giving activity which has become an annual event will be at Kms. 04, 05 and 06 along Asin Road, the community that was hit by the Irisan trash avalanche.

But I find January 19 (Thursday) more interesting as this will be the day when Dr. Cheng and his partners will speak on Chinese medicines, acupuncture and the importance of FengShui to a man’s existence at the Baguio City Hall multi-purpose hall at 1:00PM.

FengShui, according to the dictionary is literally translated in English as “wind-water.” It was widely used to orient buildings, spiritual structures such as tombs and people’s residential houses.

Depending on the particular style of FengShui being used, a lucky site can be determined by looking for natural features such as bodies of water, stars, a hill or a mountain or a compass.

During the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s, FengShui was suppressed, but continued to gain popularity since then.

Whatever, I understand FengShui to be the good balance and pleasant living that is needed in anyone’s existence.

For example, I was told the good FengShui of the interior of a house may not be characterized by the presence of complete sets of appliances but by the way its occupants relate with each other.

Harmonious spiritual relationships, love and affection, no quarrels among the occupants, as well as seeing to it that people do not bump into each other along the corridors and passageways in the house is good FengShui which brings pleasant and stress-free living.

Unfinished chores have to be done, pointed fixtures and broken things should be removed and anything that disturbs the psyche of people in a house should be fixed.

In fact, psychiatrists and related professions found some principles of Feng Shui quite rational and have noted the same to be nearly parallel to folk remedies, or the tribal priests’ counsel and warnings – themambunong’s words included.
***
Through this column, may I invite our readers to a street protest and rally on January 20, Friday at 2:00PM to fight against the cutting of trees at the SM area. Assembly will be at Governor Pack Road. Please inform your friends. Thank you.

In a petition against the planned tree-cutting activity, SMDC is set to kill 182 trees consisting of 43 fully grown Alnus trees and uproot 97 growing Pine trees and 42 saplings inside the Luneta Hill area to pave way for a parking lot.

It was learned that on Oct. 27, 2011, the DENR granted a cutting, balling and pruning permit to SMDC upon the instructions of a clearance signed by DENR Sec. Ramon Paje on Oct. 2011.

And quicker than lightning, the city architect also has already issued a building permit for SMDC to start building the parking lot.

The petition also said: “By issuing a tree cutting permit, DENR allows itself to be questioned publicly of its worthiness as well as its role as defender of the environment and natural resources. By ruling in favor of tree cutting by a business entity, it is fast losing public support to an already tarnished image.”

“DENR also shows preferential treatment for business establishments against original inhabitants, locals and residents who have long cared for the environment. Economy at the expense of the environment is greed.”

Of course, every true-blue Baguio boy like me is against the reprehensible act of cutting trees by those who were tasked to protect the environment, but this does not follow to mean that we are against the persons or against SM.

In fact we are friends. What we are up against are their plans which we think are wrong. So if we are friends, I should be able to tell them: “pards, madi dyta plano yu. Apay manu aya inted da?”

By the way, many have already noticed that traffic authorities have allotted the road from the DILG crossing at Upper Session Road down to the Session Road circle for the exclusive use of SM clients, including me. By installing the signboard “to SM only,” the authorities have practically given away the road as the “private driveway” of SM.

Not only that – the authorities have also given away the Luneta Hill road. It is a public road and nobody can buy or sell a public road unless you are God. Now, that makes me think - is Mr. Who a god?

If you haven’t noticed, the traffic experimental schemes were arranged in such a way that “all roads lead to SM.” – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Coordination of social actions

2012-01-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY
Ka Iking Seneres

Originally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) was supposed to be purely charitable in purpose, meaning that the givers are not supposed to derive any benefits from their actions or donations. Putting it another way, what they give was supposed to “hurt” them in order to make their actions or donations more meaningful.

Over the years however, many corporations have discovered that “enlightened self-interest” could be good for them, even if it is also good for others too. Going back to the original concept, CSR was not supposed to be tax deductible even, because by doing that, it would even “please” them rather than “hurt” them. There is really nothing wrong with that however, because most charitable donations are now tax deductible.

Definitely, public relations (PR) programs are purely for the self-interest of the corporations, but sometimes, it could also be charitable in its outcomes. As it is now, many corporations have created new CSR departments that are separate from their existing PR departments, perhaps for the purpose of drawing the line between the two, the difference being the clear social purposes of the former. Even if the CSR programs of the corporations are purely for charitable purposes however, it goes without saying that ultimately, it creates goodwill for them, and that indirectly brings them monetary benefits too.

It appears that private and public partnership (PPP) is a hybrid concept, because ostensibly it is born out of the social responsibility of the corporations and yet, there is no denying that it is also a commercial investment for them that would give them monetary benefits.

Being born out of their social responsibility, it could be said that they are also doing it out of “enlightened self-interest”. Firstly, it brings them closer to the good graces of the political powers. Secondly, it also gives them a chance to participate in national development, without “hurting” them, and in fact “pleasing” their investors as they make money in the process.

As far as I know, there is no central organization that is actively coordinating the CSR, PR and PPP programs of the corporations, for the purpose of coordinating their actions with each other, and also with the development programs of the national government and the local government units (LGUs). In order to address this need, the Corinthian Coffee Clutch (C3) has decided to double up as the CSR Coordinating Council, still to be known as C3 also. The schedule and venue remains the same, 3PM every Friday at the Elks Club in Makati City.

Two recent developments could strengthen the role of C3 as the CSR Coordinating Council. Firstly, Global News Network (GNN) has agreed to cover the meetings of C3 every Friday, and will air it nationwide once a week. Secondly, Super Brands has agreed to work closely with C3, so that the corporations that are found to have good CSR, PR and PPP programs will be considered favorably for inclusion in their brand recognition program. Many columnists who are active in C3 have also agreed to give these corporations free publicity in their columns.

For purposes of better coordination, C3 has adopted integrated area development (IAD) as the overall framework for all its actions. Twelve basic sectors have been identified as the priority areas, each sector with its own measurable and visible infrastructure outcomes. Technical working groups (TWGs) will be created for each sector, and each TWG reporting every week. As usual, representatives of the government agencies and the foreign chambers will be invited to participate. There is always an open invitation for members of the media to come and join.

Hot in the agenda of C3 now is the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). NGP is part of the PPP program, and the DENR has already allocated three large areas for C3 participants to plant with trees, complete with livelihood, healthcare, education and other components. With IAD as the overall framework, we are hoping that the new communities that will be built soon will be complete also with ecology and energy, the two main ingredients of the green and blue advocacy.

For feedback, email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639997333011

Corona’s conviction against political patronage

2012-01-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

History has proven that a general number of employees and officers appointed by persons in authority return the “favor” by doing or omitting acts in favor of the appointing or recommending officer and in the process, further patronage politics and corruption.

Such is manifested during elections where the appointing officer is voted into office by the appointee, and acts done or not done in favor of the appointing or recommending officer.

In like manner, Chief Justice Renato Corona, former chief of staff and legal counsel to former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would have the tendency to vote for decisions before the Supreme Court favoring the former president. Why should he not?

GMA appointed Corona May 17, 2010 as midnight Chief Justice and placed him to where he is now, and also appointed his wife Cristina Corona as Chairman of the John Hay Management Corporation receiving P1.9 million or nearly P2 million in salaries and benefits in 2009. Why should he not be beholden to the former president? Unless he is doing his job per se and his appointment not influential of his decisions remains to be seen.

Corona’s questioned voting pattern where such may be heavily influenced by his “loyalty” to GMA is now left under the scrutiny and judgment of the 23 senator judges to determine loaded charges of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution whether such charges are true or not.

The questioned SC list of decisions as having been done with betrayal of public trust particularly include the invalidation by the Supreme Court of the Executive Order creating the Truth Commission by President Benigno Aquino, and the issuance by the Court of a temporary restraining order against the government’s watch list order preventing Mrs. Arroyo from departing for a scheduled medical checkup abroad and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo “to give them an opportunity to escape prosecution and to frustrate the ends of justice”. The latter is one among eight charges where Corona has to show his impartiality in such a collegial decision.

The Lower House in their petition forwarded that “the Supreme Court, under respondent Corona immediately acted upon the petition and granted the TRO despite the fact that there are clear inconsistencies in former President Arroyo’s petition”.

Newsbreak report showed that “he has consistently sided with the (Arroyo) administration in politically-significant cases”. Newsbreak further reported when it tracked the voting pattern of Supreme Court justices, “Corona lodged a high 78 percent in favor of Arroyo”.

This tracking shall now be viewed as to its factually logical conclusions whether there may be truth to such. And where there may be rests upon the intelligent and wise decisions of the 23 senator- judges to use their political arguments to arrive at a sound decision best favoring the people of the Philippines. The Constitution provides 2/3 vote to convict the impeached chief justice.

And as the congressmen- prosecutors forwarded in their argument, Coronas’ vote is what he shall account contesting Corona’s assertion that SC decisions are arrived at as one collegial body. It would be interesting to know how the senator judges shall decide on an obvious claim of Corona that his decision is one of a collegial decision.

Where Corona’s political past is as clear as the clear blue skies, whatever his ‘bias’ shall be technically hidden in a decision by a collegial body of the Supreme Court who in the first place is partly composed of nine midnight appointees in the first place.

What more, Corona has an ace with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines who forwarded that SC decisions are done as a collegial body and not by the Chief Justice alone. The IBP found the Lower House’s impeachment complaint as ‘discriminatory’ against Corona questioning why Corona was singled out for impeachment when Court rulings are decided collegially or by majority vote.
With these allegations which shall be incised and analyzed to arrive at a conclusive decision whether there was bias in favor of GMA leaves much of the senator-judges’ conscience how best they shall dispose of the questions at hand as to whether or not Corona committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayed public trust.

As Senator Joker Arroyo said, “There is very little question of facts in all the eight articles. There are more (legal) arguments than evidence,” Arroyo said.

The rest of the charges including that of alleged graft and corruption seemingly is not going to work against Corona with the Commission on Audit finding nothing illegal in the disbursement of Judicial Development Fund. Recent news reveals that the Supreme Court (SC) had “no serious fund irregularities in 2010, according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report. Except for some accounting errors like misstatements of balances, unliquidated cash advances, uncollected fees, as well as recording and classification errors, there was nothing in the COA report that would indicate fund misuse in the Supreme Court, much less one involving Chief Justice Renato Corona.”

This leaves the question what the Filipino people will get out of this Corona impeachment brouhaha. Where evidence may be weak leaves much to be culled from how senator judges will decide based on their justiciable conscience. Where the senator judges may find no compelling evidence in the complaint may mean dismissal of the complaint.

Where the political exercise finds dismissal of the complaint shall further a system of political patronage and further corruption. The rule of law shall persist to be mocked at. This will also make the country continue to be ruled by persons who are beholden to their appointing patrons. The country’s political system shall continue to be a scramble at the beckoning power of powers that be and a proliferation of bootlickers. What a shame!

Where recommendations and appointments carry with these a compelling return to a ‘favor’ done by an appointing or recommending officer shall make this country as what it is- corrupt and impoverished- with the chosen very few continuing to enjoy the taxes of people and the vast majority of the Filipino people wallow in poverty and continued subservience. Let it not be.

As the year of the Dragon comes with its wisdom, let this impeachment exercise find wisdom as well in wisely disposing a case which will test the rule of law and realize a society of dignified Filipino people

Year of the Dragon

2012-01-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

FEATURE
Dr. Charles L. Cheng, M.D.

Spring Festival is more popularly known as the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is one of the most important festivals of the year since it is the symbolic rebirth of the New Year and an occasion for all members to get together to renew, rekindle ties. The homecoming is the much awaited event for every household.

The date of the new year is determined by the lunar calendar and this year which is the Year of Dragon falls on Jan. 23. New Year’s day typically occurs on the appearance of the second moon after the winter solstice and vary between January 21 to February 19.

To prepare for the auspicious event, houses and surroundings are thoroughly cleaned, debts repaid, sport a new haircut and new clothes. Streamers of red paper with characters printed in fine calligraphy expressing sentiments like good health, prosperity, luck, happiness, long life, family harmony, peace are placed in front of the house, living room and walls of every room.

Food for the feast are meticulously prepared by members of the family and the special dishes that will convey luck and fortune. Jiaozi or dumplings with meat, shrimp, egg and vegetable fillings to encourage a year of peace. Others wrap coins in the dumplings and it is believed that anyone who will partake of its will have a happy and prosperous new year.

It symbolizes the new, replacing the old. Niangao, a sweet streamed glutinous rice for family and harmony and tranquility and a symbol of reunion of the family. A tray of 12 types of fruit representing the colors of the Five Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Water and Metal as symbol of bountiful and fruitful year. Trays of candies are also displayed to sweeten one’s life and harmony in the family.

On New Year’s day, children receive their Lai See, red envelope with coins or bill for good fortune. The elders talk of good virtues to be followed by the children. Visitation to relatives and temples follow with offerings to be given to ones ancestors. The festivities are followed with great fun, setting of firecrackers and with a grand parade to conclude the festivities.

Those born in the Year of Dragon are the following years 1928, 1940, 1952, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024. The Dragon is the only mythical animal in the Asian animal zodiac sign. It represents authority, fire, power and the Yang or male element in nature. So, the dragon year is wonderful year to be born into, especially for a boy. Dragon year people are healthy, energetic, brave, honest, sensitive and they inspire confidence.

They are usually taken advantage by people because they are soft hearted but once they feel they are being abused, they become bitter and it takes a long time to forgive and forget. They can be blunt, tactless or forthright in their views. They are ambitious, highly intelligent and very quick to take advantage of any opportunities that will enable them to attain their goals in life. Being perfectionists, they will set their goals and try to maintain the high standards he has set to reach the top of his chosen profession.

Their leadership qualities enable them to communicate their ideas enthusiastically, hence a persuasive speaker, a gifted orator, writer, have acumen for business and even have a successful career in politics. His interests are diverse and enjoys sport and other outdoor activities. His adventurous streak will enable him to travel considerably to distant place during his lifetime.

Dragon people can mingle well with those whose zodiac signs are that of the Snake, Rat, Monkey, Rooster. He can also be an ideal companion to that of the Rabbit, Pig, Horse, and Goat. He can get along well with a Dragon for they can understand each other, however, they find it hard to mingle with the Dog and Ox because both are critical of his impulsive and extrovert manner. Moreover, he is in conflict with the Tiger because the tiger speaks his mind, strong willed and wants to take the lead like the dragon.

Aboitiz pays P61.2 M taxes to Benguet

2011-12-27T03:43:00.000-08:00

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – More development projects that will have a big impact in uplifting the living condition of people in the host communities will be implemented by both the provincial government of Benguet and the municipal government of Bokod following the remittance of more than P61.2 million as advance payment of real property taxes for the rehabilitated electro-mechanical equipment of the 105-MW Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant based in Bokod town, approximately 36 kilometers away from Baguio City.

SNAP-Benguet’s president and chief executive officer Emmanuel V. Rubio turned over the ceremonial check representing PhP61,260,311.52 due in 2012 to mark the actual payment to Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan in a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol.

Benguet Vice Gov. Crescencio C. Pacalso, Bokod Mayor Mauricio T. Macay and Bokod Vice Mayor Reynaldo B. Tello, Jr. and members of the municipal council witnessed for the local government while SNAP-Benguet Chief Financial Officer Eleanor Blomdahl and Vice President for Corporate Services Michael Hosillos, a lawyer, represented the hydroelectric power firm.

“SNAP had been a good taxpayer over the past several years, We are elated that the company has set an example for paying their real property taxes on time so that the provincial and municipal government will be able to use the funds for the development of the different communities, especially the host communities,” Fongwan said , adding that 50 percent of the paid taxes will be equally divided by the provincial and municipal school boards to bankroll their respective priority education projects.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, Fongwan explained the remaining 50 percent of the paid taxes will be divided where the province will get P35 percent, the municipality will be getting a share of 45 percent while the host barangay will be receiving 20 percent.

Rubio noted that since Ambuklao’s re-operation six months ago, its contribution to the province and municipality has already been “significant.” “As we continue to operate the Ambuklao and Binga HEPPs, we can work together to make a difference in the lives of the people in areas where we operate,” Rubio added.

SNAP-Benguet took over the Ambuklao HEPP along with the 100-MW Binga HEPP in 2008 following a successful bid for the twin plants in the amount of USD325 million through the government’s power sector privatization program.

In the same year, it set to work rehabilitating and upgrading the then decommissioned 75-MW Ambuklao HEPP which came back on-line in June of this year. The plant had been on shut-down since 1999 as a result of technical problems and siltation brought about by the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

The re-operation of the Ambuklao facility in 2011 enabled Bokod to collect substantial real property taxes, a source of revenue not available to the municipality since Ambuklao’s shut-down in 1999. It brings renewed economic and development opportunities for the host province of Benguet, host municipality of Bokod, and host barangays Ambuklao and Tikey through the real property tax, National Wealth Tax, and access to financial benefits under applicable laws such as Energy Regulation No. 1-94 providing benefits to host communities. The plant also has programs for its host indigenous peoples’ community, the Shakilan ni Ikulos Peoples’ Organization.

“We now could implement our priority development projects in depressed villages of our town because of our added revenue with the re-operation of the Ambuklao dam. Our constituents will now have better access to economic activities that will surely help improve their lives and help Bokod become a well-developed town in the future,” Mayor Mauricio Macai said after the turnover of the payment to the provincial and municipal officials.

2 dead, 1,200 families hit in Cagayan floods

2011-12-27T03:22:00.001-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

TUGUEGARAO CITY– Flashfloods spawned by torrential rains left two villagers dead and at least 1,200 families affected last week in the Cagayan Valley particularly in Isabela, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Authorities identified the casualties as Eugenio Abista, 25, and Daniel Binsay, 13, both of Barangay Yeban Norte in Benito Soliven, Isabela.

The flashfloods affected eight municipalities, including the capital town of Ilagan where at least 30 barangays were inundated.
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Several areas in Cagayan province were submerged in floodwaters after a main river in Northern Luzon overflowed due to non-stop heavy rains.

A radio report said that according to Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio, nearly 10 towns in Cagayan province went under very deep floods after the Cagayan River overflowed.

A forecaster from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that several areas in the northern part of Luzon are experiencing heavy rains due to the northeast monsoon.

"Usually, during this time of the year, the northern side of the country, particularly the eastern part of Luzon experiences the northeast monsoon. It is also being aggravated by winds coming from the east," the forecaster said in a radio interview.

The weather forecaster said that Casiguran area experienced very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, measuring at 194 millimeters, followed by Tuguegarao City.

He said that Cagayan residents should watch out for flashfloods and landslides.

Benguet optimistic SC will close Baguio dump

2011-12-27T03:09:00.000-08:00

BAGUIO CITY – Residents of nearby Tuba, Benguet and provincial officials are optimistic that the Supreme Court would issue an order closing down the Irisan dump in Baguio City as the petition for a writ of kalikasan against the dump was officially filed with the SC last week.

SC justices are ready to study the merits of the petition, said lawyer Noe Villanueva of the Sanidad and Villanueva Law Office.

Last Dec. 14, Benguet and La Union officials along with the Tuba residents signed the petition asking the SC to order the Baguio City government to finally close down and rehabilitate the Irisan dump.

Benguet officials led by Rep. Ronald Cosalan, joined by National Artist and Tuba councilor Charlie Juloya, and eight residents, submitted the petition.

Cosalan personally brought the petition to the SC after furnishing a copy to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje.

Villanueva said they are hoping to get a temporary environmental protection order from the SC for the Baguio City government to halt the disposal of garbage at the Irisan dump.

“We hope the SC justices will do what is right,” Villanueva said.

“We want Baguio to sit down with Tuba officials to craft a comprehensive plan on how to face the avalanche problem, not just piecemeal solutions,” Cosalan said.

Last Aug. 27, tons of garbage cascaded from the Irisan dump at the height of typhoon “Mina,” burying alive a sexagenarian woman and three grandchildren and two other residents and contaminating potable water systems.

After receiving copies of the petition, Baguio officials maintained that they are doing their best to avert disastrous situations at the Irisan dump.

A company contracted by the local officials to haul non-biodegradable waste, however, has failed in looking for dumps outside the city.

In Baguio,Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the city government is ready to answer the writ of kalikasan filed by different interest groups and individuals in Benguet and Aringay, La Union once the Supreme Court will issue the corresponding order to clarify issues being raised against the utilization of the Irisan dumpsite as sorting area and transfer station for the city’s non-biodegradable waste.

“We understand the sentiments of the petitioners who filed the writ. We are ready to answer the writ if ordered by the SC,” Domogan said after the city government was furnished a copy of the writ of kalikasan which will still be filed with the High Court.

While the writ will be heard by the SC, the local chief executive cited the city will continue to use the Irisan dumpsite as a sorting are and transfer station for the city’s non-biodegradable waste being hauled out of the city by Pro Tech Machinery Corporation pursuant to its earlier memorandum of agreement with the city government.

“The problem with Pro Tech is that it cannot find a permanent sorting area or transfer station even outside the city because some critics are always following them where ever they go but they are doing their best to comply with their obligation under our contract,” the mayor stressed.

Domogan explained what is prohibited by the provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act is the continuous use of the Irisan dumpsite as an open dumpsite but not as a sorting area or transfer station considering that it was given due course by the National Solid Waste Management Commission .

The city mayor said programs of work for the putting up of a super structure that will protect the damaged portion of the Irisan dumpsite was already submitted to the office of Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and is being subjected to review prior to the release of the P110 million committed by the Office of the President for the rehabilitation of the damaged retaining wall to prevent the occurrence of untoward incidents in the future that will pose a serious threat to life and limb, especially those below the dumpsite.

The design of the super structure was a collaborative effort of a multi-sectoral technical working group created by Mayor Domogan to ensure that the structure to be erected in the Irisan dumpsite will serve its purpose and will not collapse. Experts from the colleges of engineering of the Saint Louis University University of Baguio and the University of the Cordillera were tapped to be part of the technical working group to ensure that all concerns relative to the construction of the super structure will be satisfactorily addressed.

For his part, Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara said the collapse of a portion of the Irisan dumpsite is not the fault of the city government but it has been classified as force major, thus, it is unfair to totally put the blame to the local government.

“It is unfair to totally put the blame to the city. We are exerting all possible efforts to solve our garbage disposal problem,” Vergara stressed, adding that the city does not want its neighbors to be suffering the consequences of whatever untoward incidents that will happen in the future at the Irisan dumpsite.

“We have to face the writ of kalikasan that was filed by the petitioners. We will rely on whatever the decision of the high tribunal on what to do with the Irisan dumpsite which is no longer being utilized as an open dumpsite,” the veteran lawmaker said. – With a report from Dexter See

Kalinga nabs 351 vehicle violators

2011-12-27T02:59:00.000-08:00

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga- - The Land Transportation Office here through its law enforcement arms and deputized agents apprehended 351 transport utilities for violation of land transportation rules and traffic regulations of various kinds from January to November 4 this year.

Provincial LTO officer Jennilyn Angog said the Flying Squad apprehended 250 violators; the Philippine National Police – 101; and an undetermined number of crash helmet violators by the Highway Patrol Group.

Violations ranged from operating as colorum, unregistered vehicle/motor, driving without license, no helmet, and other charges.

“Apprehended vehicles and motors were impounded immediately and were released upon payment of penalties and compliance to requirements,” Angog said.

She said the Flying Squad conducted four operations within the period while the 17 deputized PNP agents and HPG are stationary in strategic points enforcing traffic rules and regulations.

The PNP, she said was deputized for three months but their deputization is renewable. “We requested additional policemen from the Provincial Mobile Group to help in the enforcement of traffic laws,” Angog informed adding that the deputization of policewomen formerly among the 25 PNP personnel deputized before was not renewed.

Meanwhile, Angog called on parents of minors aging below the 17 age limit not to allow them to drive. “Records of most road accidents involved minors especially those driving motorbikes,” she said.

Though the number of road accidents is insignificant in the province, Angog reminded drivers to observe traffic rules, and asked operators and drivers to comply with LTO requirements to avoid travel inconveniences.

‘Cordi autonomy to spur Cordillera development’

2011-12-27T02:58:00.000-08:00

BAGUIO CITY – Regional autonomy will benefit Cordillerans because they will have greater control of the region’s rich resources with lesser restraint from outside forces and a permanent regional autonomy which are instrumental in speeding up the development in the countryside, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said here following the filing of House Bill 5595 entitled “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region.”

“Autonomy is for our children and our children’s children. We do not want them to be continuously suffering the difficulties in life which we are currently encountering because we do not actually have the full control of our resources and the administration of government policies,” Domogan said.

The mayor, who chaired the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee that crafted contents of HB 5595 said self-governance will allow the autonomous regional government to control the exploitation, utilization and development of the region’s rich resources.

According to him, the key to the immediate passage of the autonomy law will be the unity of the Cordillerans towards the direction of self-governance so that President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III will be convinced to certify that HB 5595 is an urgent administration measure that must be passed by Congress.

Originally, HB 5595 was principally authored by Baguio City Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, Kalinga Rep. Manuel S. Agyao and Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang. Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog later signed the bill.

Aside from securing the President’s certification that the autonomy bill is an urgent administration measure, Domogan cited all local governments in the region, particularly the 76 towns, 6 provinces and two cities, and other groups pass the necessary resolutions supporting the immediate passage of HB 5595 so that it will serve as an added boost for Congress to fastrack the passage of the measure.

“WE have to give meaning and substance to the constitutional mandate of having an autonomous region in the Cordillera as contained in Article X, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Vergara stressed, asserting that all sectors must now get their acts together and facilitate the frequent conduct of grassroots consultations and information and education efforts to inculcate in the minds of Cordillerans the real essence of achieving an autonomous status.

The Cordillera autonomy bill is composed of 17 articles and 173 sections that evolve around five major principles such as the establishment of a permanent regional identity for the Cordillera, no reduction in the benefits and powers of local governments, nationally paid officials and employees will continue to be nationally paid, grant of a subsidy to the Autonomous Regional Government by the national government in the amount of P10 billion for the first five years and P5 billion for the succeeding five years and the continuous support of the national government to the Regional government after the expiration of the 10year subsidy period.

“The goal of a well-balanced and equitable development of the country, its various regions, more so the traditionally left out regions such as the Cordillera must be given the much needed attention it deserves and the same could be achieved with the establishment of an autonomous region,” Agyao added.

The Cordillera Administrative Region was organized by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 220 which was signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on July 15, 1987 and it was meant to prepare the region for autonomous status.

Begtang pointed out achieving self-governance will surely allow the development of poor provinces within the autonomous region because of the expected huge share from the subsidy that could be utilized to improve roads and bridges which are vital in spurring economic growth and instrumental in improving the lives of the people in the far flung communities.

Bontoc folks want firm to water woes

2011-12-27T02:57:00.000-08:00

By Wabilyn C. Mana-od

BONTOC, Mountain Province - The reactivation of the Bontoc Water District to address water shortage in this capital town gained support from different organizations here including barangay officials during a recent public hearing here.

During the hearing, the pre-investment study regarding the re-activation of the BWD for a sustainable and potable water supply project was presented as initial plan.

The study showed water supply at present is being supervised by the Bontoc Water Unit (BWU) with low clientele coverage of 1023 connections representing 37 percent of the target households of 2750 and 16.3 percent of the total 6275 households and establishments of Bontoc.

Majority of the households (67%) have been sourcing out potable water from small water systems managed by barangay LGUs, enterprising individuals and private groups either by pipes or by truck delivery at prohibitive cost.

In addition, water quality supplied by a few private individuals appeared to have better quality as they were piped from protected springs.

However, most were sourced from open surface water with no assurance of potable quality.

Three major existing water sources included the following: Sullong water source which is still functional water system that supplies the water requirement of Lanao, Sub-ang, part of Loc-ong, Public Market, Poblacion, Eyeb, and houses near the office of the DPWH.

Another is the Bay bay water source which is functional but with low water discharge at the distribution area due to pilferage, leakages and unauthorized connections at barangay Talubin. Lastly is the Balabag water source where the water supply is tapped from open water surface flowing from the creek that supplies the water requirement of Bontoc Ili, Samoki, Caluttit and Poblacion.

With the initiative of the present administration, Mayor Pascual Sacgaca said re-activation of the BWD was a viable option to sustain a potable water supply in the long run.

This was in response to the prevailing problem of the constituents to have clean, safe, adequate and lasting potable water in every household.

After the public hearing, a resolution by the Sangguniang Bayan members was solicited for the re-activation of the Bontoc Water District.

Coordination with the concerned line agencies will be made to formulate the Bontoc water system master plan.

Subsequently, the mayor will appoint the new board of directors while the SB will enact a resolution re-activating the BWD with provisions to appoint the new BOD including the revised bylaws.

The BOD shall be composed of a representative from the civic-oriented service club, one from professional associations, one from the business sector, one from the education sector and one from the women’s organization.

Series of processing and dealings will be mandated before the implementation.

Majority of the population during the public hearing approved to re-activate the Bontoc Water District.

The hearing was attended by Sacgaca, with the support of councilors Eusebio Kabluyen, Bryan Bellang and Wilbert Padngaran including former Gov. Jaime Gomez and former councilor Ciriaco Filog.

P20 million earmarked to energize 47 Benguet sitios

2011-12-27T02:54:00.000-08:00

By Dexter A. See

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The energization of non-viable villages will help attract the influx of investors and help improve the living condition of people in far flung communities in the different parts of the province, Gerardo P. Verzosa, general manager of the Benguet Electric Cooperative, said, following reports that the energization of 47 sitios in the province funded by the Office of the President to the tune of at least P20 million is about to be completed.

“We have a unique situation in Benguet because our sitios are located far apart from each other which results to the increase in our expenses just to complete the energization of our non-viable areas,” Verzosa stressed, adding that by 2016 all unenergized sitios in Benguet shall have been energized pursuant to the desire of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino to fully implement the rural electrification program of the government.

In his report, Engr. Melchor Licoben, manager of Beneco’s engineering department, said all their rural electrification projects are about to be completed before the end of the year so that they could avail of more funds to continue the energization of still unenergized sitios in 11 out of the 13 towns of the province in the coming years.

“We have approximately 250 sitios distributed in the 11 municipalities which need to undergo energization,” Licoben added, citing that they will continue to conduct the necessary detailed engineering of the unenergized sitios for prioritization.

He disclosed the newly energized sitios are located in Bokod and Kabayan with 8 sitios each; Atok and Tublay with five sitios each, three sitios each in the municipalities of Kibungan, Mankayan, Tuba, Buguias and Itogon; four sitios in Sablan and two sitios in Kapangan.

According to Licoben, the fund was used by Beneco to purchase the necessary poles, wires and other units of equipment that will facilitate the energization of the unenergized areas.

With the power already available in far flung communities, Verzosa explained local residents will be convinced to be engaged in economic activities that will uplift their living condition and create an impact in the economic status of their respective places.

“More importantly, investors, particularly those engaged in resource development, will be enticed to do business in areas identified to be minerally rich and eventually contribute to the development of the remote communities,” he added.

The Beneco official pointed out electricity is an integral part of development, thus, the rural electric cooperative is doing its best to bring power even to the non-viable areas with the hope that local residents will be able to utilize it for progress not only in their living condition but also in the state of their respective communities.

Unlike other lowland areas, Verzosa claimed the peculiar terrain of the province is causing the increase in the expenses required to bring power even to the remotest area of Benguet but they are obliged to do so pursuant to the rural electrification program of the national government.

At present, Beneco has a total of 130,000 residential and commercial consumers with 80 percent based in Baguio City while the rest are distributed in the 13 towns of Benguet.

106 examinees take DOST, OWWA test in Kalinga

2011-12-27T02:52:00.000-08:00

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – One hundred six examinees took the qualifying exams for scholarship under the sponsorship of the Department of Science and Technology simultaneously with those dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Ninety-eight DOST examinees while eight OFW dependents for OWWA took the qualifying tests at the St. Louis College of Bulanao this city. Fifty took the examination in the ograms sponsored by DOST under RA 7687 selecting two qualifiers for two scholarship slots per province and the merit category for passers with family income of not more than P156,000.00 per annum.

He said results will be released April next year. However, Berto advised examinees not to wait for the results but instead seek admission in college in order not to delay enrolment or disrupt entry to college in case of positive or negative results.

He said scholars under RA 7687 receive higher stipends than those under the merit program.

Under RA 7687, the DOST Science Education Institute will award Bachelor of Science degree scholarship to students to pursue priority fields of study in science, mathematics and engineering, Berto said.

He said DOST-SEI will also award scholarship in Bachelor of Science degree to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics who are willing to pursue fields of science and technology under the merit program.

Meanwhile, students passing the OWWA scholarship can choose any course in any school in the country. Last year, three passed the DOST test while four in the OWWA 2009 test.

Pangasinan man loses fingers to 'super lolo'

2011-12-27T02:50:00.000-08:00

DAGUPAN CITY – A 36-year-old man became the first victim of firecracker injuries in Pangasinan when two of his fingers had to be amputated after A “super lolo” went off in his hand, authorities said.

The victim, identified only by his initials J.B. from San Fabian town, was operated on at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) here.

Dr. Roland Mejia, R1MC director, though said there is no let-up in their information campaign against the use of firecrackers during the holidays.

“It’s no longer iwaspatutok (avoid firecrackers) but bawalangpaputok (firecrackers are banned),” he said.

He said lighting firecrackers is not only dangerous to the person lighting them but also to passersby.

Mejia said hospital workers are ready round the clock to respond to emergencies such as firecracker injuries and accidents. -- EV

Hunt on for ‘The butcher’ Palparan

2011-12-27T02:48:00.000-08:00

MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan can no longer leave the country after a Malolos City regional trial court in Bulacan issued Wednesday a hold departure order (HDO) against him following his indictment for the disappearance of University of the Philippines student activists SherlynCadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed Dec. 14 that Judge Teodora Gonzales of Malolos City RTC Branch 14 had issued the HDO on Palparan and his co-accused, military officers Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr., S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.

Last Monday morning, Palparan attempted to fly to Singapore but was stopped by an expired watchlist order (WLO). Palparan was offloaded but not detained since the arrest warrant from the court came later in the afternoon.

CCTV footage from the Bureau of Immigration showed Palparan presenting his passport to an immigration officer behind immigration counter 4. Palparan was wearing a beige jacket, white cap and sunglasses. He was questioned by the immigration officer for a few minutes before he was led to the BI office at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and prevented from leaving for Singapore.

De Lima had explained that while the WLO was already expired, it would take an order from her office lifting it for Palparan to be able to leave the country. Still, prosecutors applied for an HDO before the RTC.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) had failed to extend the WLO against Palparan due to a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on its Department Circular No. 41, which gives the department the power to issue WLO and HDO.

Apart from the HDO, De Lima also announced she had ordered a manhunt by the National Bureau of Investigation against Palparan and Hilario, who have reportedly been missing since the issuance of the arrest warrant against them.

She confirmed that efforts to locate the whereabouts of the two accused were unsuccessful.

“I appeal to them to surface and submit themselves to the authorities,” De Lima said.
In the warrant, Palparan’s last residence was listed as Dado St., Wild Cat Village, Barangay Ususan, 1630Taguig City. Hilario’s last residence, on the other hand, was listed as 7th Infantry Division, Fort Magsaysay, Palanan City, Nueva Ecija and/or Dado St., Wild Cat Village, Barangay Ususan, 1630 Taguig City.

The team that went to Palparan’s residence in Taguig came away empty-handed while an investigator said operatives also visited his residence in 11 Late View Drive, BagongIlog in Pasig City but their housemaid claimed she has not seen her boss for over a week now.

Osorio and Anotado, on the other hand, had surrendered to the police last Tuesday.
In indicting the four suspects, the DOJ gave weight to the testimonies of witnesses who were able to establish that Cadapan and Empeño were kidnapped on June 26, 2006 and detained until June 2007.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Anotado has been placed on floating status while Osorio may be subjected to dismissal proceedings.

Burgos said Hilario, who is also in the charge sheet, has not been in active service since 2008.

Burgos said an officer facing charges is placed on floating status to allow him to answer the allegations against him. The process is different for enlisted personnel, as those facing criminal raps would be dismissed from the service.

Burgos said they are ready to cooperate with investigators to shed light on the disappearance of Cadapan and Empeño in 2006

“We will follow the law. If they need resource persons or documents, we will volunteer assistance,” he said.

Taiwanese poachers pay P1million fine

2011-12-27T02:45:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

TUGUEGARAO CITY -– Two Taiwanese fishermen, who were apprehended for poaching in May this year, paid a compromise fine amounting to P1.05 million to settle their administrative case before the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Taiwanese, identified as Hsu Hung Tse and Chen Fu Nan, together with seven Filipino crewmembers, were aboard their fishing vessel F/V JV PHIL5, when apprehended by elements of the BFAR and Philippine Coast Guard last May 21 off the coast of Palanan town in Isabela.

The Filipinos were identified as Pedeto Manungbaga, Pablo Sanchez, Jonathan Abarquez, Asterio Velasco, Roger Sazo, Noel Lomberio, and NisiforoOmela.

BFAR Regional Director JovitaAyson, who acted as complainant in the case, expressed her appreciation saying the hefty fine shall serve as deterrent to other poachers.

The Bureau accepted the compromise fine, although the collected amount is lower than the minimum penalty prescribed under the law for poaching violation.

The Bureau further cited the possibility of flight on the part of the respondents, the difficulty in maintaining airtight evidence and the dire need of the government to come-up with funds to finance vital projects.

The amount collected was remitted to the National Treasury.

P-Noy fund for collapsed dumpsite rehab awaited

2011-12-27T02:43:00.000-08:00

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed hopes that the P110 million approved by President Benigno Aquino for the rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall at Irisan dumpsite here will be released soon to ensure early implementation of the project.

“Hopefully the national government will release the fund approved in principle early so the project can be expedited and completed hopefully before the onset of the rainy season next year,” the mayor said.

He said the program of work for the project has been submitted to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The project will cover the reconstruction of the retaining wall which collapsed at the height of a typhoon in August triggering a trash slide that killed six people.

The new structure is designed to withstand strong typhoons and heavy water flow which toppled the erstwhile protective wall in the area.

Earlier, the mayor formed a technical committee to prepare the plans for the rehabilitation of the wall and other reinforcement measures to strengthen the area.

The committee is chaired by city engineer Leo Bernardez and composed of Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR–CAR EMB) regional director Paquito Moreno, DENR– CAR Mines and Geo–Sciences acting regional director Orlando Pineda Sr., city building official Engr. Oscar Flores, Saint Louis University School of Engineering and Architecture Dean Engr. Bonifacio Dela Pena and Non –Government Organization consultant Dr. Virgilio Bautista.

Raps set vs farmers for burning Luisita farms

2011-12-27T02:40:00.000-08:00

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga– Police are set to file in court arson charges against several farmers for allegedly setting fire to 300 hectares of sugarcane fields at the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac that is owned by the family of President Aquino.

Tarlac City police chief Sup. Arnel Ramos said he was waiting for a complainant to file the charges in his office Dec. 21.

Ramos said the farmers allegedly responsible for the burning of the sugarcane fields in Barangay Balete last week were invited for questioning last Monday.

He said that after the investigation, “we released them because no one filed a complaint against them.”

Ramos said the motive of the suspects in burning the plantation is to force the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) management to distribute the lands to the farmers, in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Hacienda Luisita Independent Planters Association, Azucal Incorporated and other farmers from Sugarcane Farming Agricultural Corporation are currently renting the sugarcane plantation from HLI.

Police said that 30 farmers led by Balete councilmen Pual Mallari and Hilario Hipolito, Leonila Halili, Dominador Salian, all of Barangay Balete and Felix Nacpil, chairman of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) were allegedly involved in the incident where P1-million worth of crops were destroyed.

But in a phone interview, Nacpil said he was not in the area when the incident happened.

Aside from Ambala, farmers’ groups Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) also vehemently denied yesterday accusations they had burned some 300 hectares of the Luisita sugarcane plantation last Dec. 16.

They instead accused the management of Hacienda Luisita of “arson of three parcels of land planted with sugarcane.”

They said the burning was done “so the family of President (Aquino) and the HLI management could put the blame on farm workers and legitimize the filing of criminal cases against leaders and other farm worker beneficiaries.”

UMA secretary general Rodel Mesa said the President’s family and officials of HLI are “definitely behind this well staged political drama to justify the reversal of the decision of the Supreme Court on Hacienda Luisita and the filing of trumped up charges against leaders and members of Ambala.”

The farmers even have their version of what reportedly happened last Dec. 16.

“On Dec. 16, at around 9: 30 a.m., while farm workers were busy harvesting sugarcane in Barangay Balete, members of the Tarlac police and private security personnel of HLI came and told farm workers to stop their work for a while. While engaging the local police force and Luisita personnel in verbal debate, the farm workers suddenly noticed that three parcels of land planted with sugarcane were set on fire by unidentified men,” they said in their statement.

De Mesa also accused the HLI management of “sowing terror among farm worker beneficiaries to compel them to let go of their claims on the land and to the P1.33-billion share from the sale of Luisita lands.”

“Whether the HLI denies it or not, its motive and role in the burning incident last Dec.16 is undeniable,” said Mesa.

Kennon rehab to boost tourism

2011-12-27T02:35:00.000-08:00

By Dexter See

BAGUIO CITY – The planned rehabilitation of Kennon Road, the shortest route from the lowlands to this mountain resort city and vice versa, through the Aquino administration’s public private partnership (PPP) will greatly help attract more tourist and investors who will contribute to better economic growth not only for the Summer Capital but also for the Cordillera, Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, vice chairman of the House Committee on public works, said here last week.

“We had already made representations with the management of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority through its chairman former Bataan Rep. Felicisimo Payumo in order for the State-run corporation to upgrade and rehabilitate the scenic and historic road,” Vergara stressed, adding the BCDA will undertake the feasibility study on the road to ascertain the kind of development to be introduced in order to make it an “all-weather road.”

Kennon Road is one of the three major access roads that leads up to Baguio City from Manila and the provinces in the central and western parts of Luzon. It connects the city with the town of Rosario, La Union.

The other two are Marcos Highway from Agoo, La Union. There are beautiful and scenic sites along Kennon Road such as the Bridal Veil Falls, Bued River gorge, Twin Peaks, Colorado Falls, a pedestrian suspension bridge, the sculptured limestone lion's head, and the spectacular view from the observation deck at the upper end of Kennon Road.

According to Vergara, the BCDA will be using the similar scheme it used to complete the 94-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in order to upgrade Kennon road so that the 45-minute travel will be further reduced to at least 30 minutes which will serve as an added attraction not only for tourists but also for future investors.

Kennon Road was ordered built by American governor general William Cameron Forbes in 1901. Although originally called Benguet Road, it was named after U.S. Army Colonel Lyman N. Kennon who was its final builder. With the labor of Igorots and some foreign workers, the road was completed in 1903 and has since become a major route to Baguio City.

The inter-connection of an upgraded Kennon road and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) will definitely be a big boost to our robust tourism industry and our desire to attract more investors to infuse their capital to the city’s economy. We will do our best to provide the necessary assistance to BCDA in order to complete the rehabilitation of Kennon road,” Vergara added.

The 34-km road is characterized by steep and winding curves that serve as a natural attraction for motorists and visitors who want to drive through it and hurdle the challenge of driving along the mountainous road.

Vergara supports the planned declaration of Kennon road as a national heritage to help preserve it as part of the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage that was placed in the global village due to its scenery and winding curves en route to the city proper.

Because of the natural wear and tear aggravated by earthquakes and typhoons over the past 100 years, Vergara said the government continues to spend millions of pesos in order to maintain it as passage for light vehicles purposely to enhance the growth of the local tourism industry.

Kalinga gov’t, NGO start anti-mercury use in mines

2011-12-27T02:33:00.000-08:00

By Gigi Dumallig

BALBALAN, Kalinga-- The provincial government and the non-government organization Ban Toxins (Bantox) have started a project to break off small-scale miners from mercury dependence in local mines here.

Starting the groundwork, information education campaign and demonstration on use of an alternative method was recently conducted at the Gaang Mines of Barangay Sesec-an, this town.

Leoncio Na-oy of Bantox, a nongovenrnment organization member said the IEC included lecture on mercury poisoning and hands-on demonstration on the construction and usage of borax slosh boxes as an alternative for the mercury process in extracting gold.

The miners, he said were very receptive on the idea of adopting a new mining method after getting to more on the devastating effects of mercury on their health and environment.

Having witnessed the demonstration results, the miners became more convinced to shift their methods after discovering that they are able to extract more gold using borax, he said.

He related that during one of the demonstrations, the mercury process has produced 1.2 grams of gold while the borax slosh method extracted 4.3 grams of gold using the same amount of randomly picked ore. Gold quality using borax he said is also higher, which translates to higher selling price for the miners.

Engr. Dominic Sugguiyao of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said that in an effort to eventually stop mercury usage in local mines, ENRO will include in next year’s work and financial plan the conduct of additional training and the construction of borax slosh boxes for the demonstrations.

Having seen positive reception of the miners, the province he said will emulate the process and introduce the same to other miners who have yet to undergo the training especially in the municipality of Pasil where a larger number of miners are operating.

To strengthen the campaign, there is a proposal for the provincial government to set a policy enforcing mercury ban including proper disposal of products with mercury contents such as used batteries, light bulbs and others.

Bantoxins has selected Balbalan as pilot for their training in the province after getting reports that mercury contamination had been detected in major river networks in the locality.

Ifugao town regulates use of its ambulance

2011-12-27T02:31:00.001-08:00

By Dan B. Codamon

LAMUT, Ifugao-- The municipal government here has promulgated policies for proper and effective use of its ambulance to prevent abuses and promote residents’ access to its services.

The policies issued provided that the ambulance should be used only and solely for medical ambulance purposes such as the transport of sick people to and from the Rural Health Unit or in the municipality to any hospital or when a patient requires its use when discharged from any hospital.

It can also be used by personnel of the RHU in the performance of their official functions during medical missions and emergency cases like an outbreak of epidemic and natural disasters .

Prohibited acts in the use of the ambulance are going to seminars meetings, conventions and other similar activities, used as service in going to weddings, funerals and other social occasions in and outside the municipality, parking in front or near bars, disco pubs, folk houses, drinking dens and other similar establishments.

The ambulance will only be driven by the authorized driver of the RHU except in case of incapacity or unavailability of the authorized driver can it be driven by a competent driver who is a permanent driver of the municipal government.

On the other hand, patients who use the ambulance shall be charged the fees based on a radius set from the Municipal Health Office as follows: P300 within 30 kilometer radius and below; P500 from 31-50 kilometer radius, P1,000 from 51-100 kilometer radius and P2,000 from 100-300 kilometer radius.

All fees collected in the use of the ambulance will be issued official receipts and shall be deposited with the Municipal Treasury Office under a Trust Fund for the maintenance of the vehicle.

Espino pushes food programs

2011-12-27T02:17:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- -Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged the Region 1 Confederation of Irrigators Associations to help the government fulfill its goal to make the country food sufficient the coming years.

The governor delivered a message during the opening of the two-day confederation congress on December 13 to 14 at the Sison Auditorium here.

Citing Pangasinan as an example, Espino said the province in his younger days, used to be the food basket of Luzon. “When I was young, the province is sufficient with rice and other agricultural products,” he said as he added that it is possible for the region to regain its stature with the full support of the agricultural sector.

This, according to the governor, has brought the present administration to set its sight on improving the province’s agriculture by launching various programs and projects geared to boost and improve the sector.

Manuel Collado, NIA Region 1 manager, commended efforts of the provincial government through the leadership of Espino as he said that a development-oriented leader like him can make the difference.

Collado noted that continuous agricultural assistance from the local government just like what the governor is doing can serve as a winning formula towards agricultural development.

Former Sen. Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who graced the occasion together with Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, said the need to increase funds for the irrigation program is a must considering Region 1’s main source of livelihood lies on agriculture. “What we need is to focus on irrigation if we want to strengthen agriculture.”

The regional congress opened with the presentation of the NIA’s vision, mission and objectives as well as its thrusts and programs.

Oftociano Manalo, regional federation president, said that the objective of the congress is to strengthen the partnership of their group with the government and other counterpart organizations.

Other topics to be discussed during the congress included, programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture, updates on Philippine Rice, updates on Department of Environment and Natural Resources programs and projects, status reports of National Food Authority, among others.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. also graced the occasion.

P34 M unauthorized benefits: Return money, Pampanga officials, employees asked

2011-12-27T01:02:00.000-08:00

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- The Commission on Audit has called on officials and employees of the provincial government of Pampanga to return over P34.4 million in unauthorized financial benefits they received last year.

A COA report released Dec. 19 said the grant of the allowance is considered “irregular, illegal, unnecessary and excessive” and a waste of public funds.

Records show that the provincial government gave its officials and employees a total of P34,166,690.52 last year as Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

COA issued a notice of disallowance and called for a refund in February 2010 but only P263,821.80 of the amount has so far been returned.

State auditors said that under Section 3.1 of COA Circular 85-55-A, any expenditure incurred without adhering to established rules, regulations, procedural guidelines, policies, principles and practices is considered irregular.

“Thus the payment of allowances and other forms of additional compensation without proper authority is an irregular transaction/expenditure,” the audit team said.

“We recommend that management initiate appropriate action to recover the amount of COLA paid without legal basis and be more prudent in the disbursement of government funds in order to avoid wastage and loss,” state auditors added.

COA also urged provincial officials to adhere to the policy that “government funds and property should be fully protected and conserved, and that irregular, unnecessary, excessive or extravagant expenditure should be prevented.”

Tribal woman leader urges youth: Become activists

2011-12-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Woman leader and social activist Petra Macliing urged the youth here to be social activists.

During the general assembly of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance in this capital town early this month, Mother Petra Macli-ing told youth participants to stand up for collective rights amidst any harassment of being branded as “communists.”

The octogenarian woman leader from Bontoc said there is reason to be steadfast for people’s rights for the good of the community.

The militant leader added the regional autonomy waged by CPA leaders in the late 80s has proven right what CPA has been doing and which government eventually followed thereto.

CPA’s quest for Cordillera autonomy has reached a stage where the third attempt for autonomy - House Bill 5595 was signed by Cordillera congressmen and eventually set for a plebiscite.

Earlier, the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee chaired by Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan drafted the organic act for the region’s third attempt to have the Cordillera be in a state of regional autonomy.

The previous two government-led attempts failed in the plebiscites in 1991 and 2000.

And so with other ideals furthering indigenous cultural practises that CPA has been advocating for years before these were enacted into laws and espoused now by government including education, agriculture and environmental departments.

Mother Petra as she is fondly called is an epitome of courage where she serves as a member of the Advisory Council of CPA.

CPA members said women leaders like Mother Petra was one among 200 men and women who drove away Benguet Mining Corporation prospectors who went to Mainit in the ‘70s by baring their breasts in protest actions.

A founding member of the Kalinga-Bontoc Peace Pact Holders Association, she also helped organize women in Kalinga against the Chico Dam in the 70’s.

During the CPA’s assembly, issues discussed included large scale mining companies having occupied 66% of Cordillera land alongside militarization. It was also cited that military elements have been using public building including schools as their quarters in the past year in some areas in the Mountain Province and currently now in Sadanga.

In the same occasion, elder and Movement for the Advancement of Inter Tribal Unity and Development (MAITUD) leader Jaime ‘Tigan-o’ Dugao said that aforementioned issues have consistently confronted the Cordillera requiring leaders and communities to continuously assert their rights as indigenous peoples.

Baguio gets P200 million for more arterial roads

2011-12-27T00:58:00.000-08:00

ByDexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – This country’s Summer Capital got funding support from the national government for the construction of more arterial and bypass roads that will help decongest increasing traffic congestions.

Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, vice chairman of the House committee on public works, bared this announcing the availability of at least P200 million for the construction of four arterial and bypass roads in the different parts of the city to boost the city’s linkage with other neighboring towns of Benguet.

Based on Vergara’s list of projects, P50 million each will be earmarked for the construction of the Irisan-Balenben-Pinsao arterial road, the Ambiong-Lamut-Ambuclao arterial road, the Kisad road-Gov. Pack by pass road and the Magsaysay Avenue-Bell Church-South Sanitary Camp bypass road.

The construction of the four new arterial roads around the city is apart from the completion of the 21-kilometer Baguio circumferential road that would link the city’s western and eastern links through the interconnection of major roadlines that cut through the said areas.

With the construction of more arterial roads, the veteran lawmaker expressed confidence that there will be a significant reduction in the heavy volume of traffic in the central business district area since motorists will be forced to take the arterial roads en route to their destinations due to lesser inconvenience and traffic congestions.

Aside from providing alternate routes to vehicles who are often trapped in traffic, Vergara added the building of the new arterial and bypass roads will surely result in growth of businesses outside the city’s central business district area since more investors will be enticed to infuse their capital in potential and strategic locations outside the city but near busy roads that will also help in generating employment opportunities for local residents.

The construction boom in the city is pursuant to the Aquino administration’s desire to have all national roads improved and concreted by the year 2014 and the subsequent concreting of all secondary arterial roads by the end of the administration in 2016.

Because of the expected influx of more infrastructure projects in the coming years, the congressman challenged project implementers to show their ability to complete their awarded works on time and with the right quality amidst the serious negative effects of the continuous afternoon rains so that they will be given a chance to implement more infrastructure projects in the coming years.

Aside from new arterial roads, other vital infrastructure projects which are expected to be constructed around the city to provide convenience to motorists and pedestrians include an underpass along the junction of Naguilian and Bokawkan roads, several overpasses within the central business district, improvement of several deteriorating national roads among others which will again greatly bring back the robust economy of the city which had been stagnant for almost six years due to the change in the city’s administration.

Ifugao town PNP warns public of firecrackers

2011-12-27T00:53:00.000-08:00

By Mhars B. Lihgawon

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The municipal police office here warned to the public against the use of firecrackers during the yuletide season saying these are dangerous to one’s health and limb.

In a radio interview, SPO2 Vermose Atluna said that if possible all residents should observe the “Iwas paputok” policy of the government for a safer and happy holiday season.

“People should refrain from buying destructive pyrotechnics to avoid unwanted accidents caused by these firecrackers that might lead to permanent disability or even death,” the police officer said.

Atluna said that during the past years their office recorded cases of accidents in the different barangays inflicted by these pyrotechnics particularly firecrackers.

“To avoid being a victim of firecrackers, celebrate the holiday season with your families in a productive way as others are doing,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Atluna disclosed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was also tasked to strictly implement the Toy Gun ordinance of the municipality banning the purchase, sale, display and distribution of pellet toy guns particularly those that are exact replica of real guns.

“The ordinance states that it is prohibited for business establishments, ambulant vendors and for any person to display, sell or distribute toy guns that are exact replicas of real guns that use pellet as bullets,” Atluna explained.

The penalties for violating the provisions of the ordinance are as follows: for individuals arrested, first offense will be a fine of P1,000 while second offense, P 2,000 or six months imprisonment.

For establishments and ambulant vendors, the first offense is a fine of P2,000 while second offense is P2,500 or six months imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

Furthermore, a tipster shall be given 20 percent incentive from the collected fine in feeding the secret information to the police.

In case of confiscation, all confiscated toy guns shall be inventoried and kept under the custody of the operations unit of the local police to be burned during the first month of the quarter as a special activity of the Municipal Peace and Order Council.

City set to develop Mines View Park

2011-12-27T00:48:00.000-08:00

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government plans to redevelop Mines View Park here to restore its glory as a promenade center and tourist destination.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said they have allocated P4 million in this year’s budget for the improvement of the park which he said will begin as soon as the vendors vacate the park’s premises and move to the satellite market building constructed by the city government nearby.

The satellite market project that cost P50 million was intended to house the legitimate vendors occupying the park along with the barangay hall, multi-purpose hall, day care center and health center of the barangay. It was envisioned to solve the vending problem and put back order in the area in the hope of reclaiming its status as a park and favorite tourist hub.

The mayor said the city government will fast track the screening of the vendors to be accommodated in the satellite marker based on the guidelines and master list of legitimate grantees along with the Memorandum of Agreement between the city government and the Mines View Open Market Vendors Association and the Mines View barangay.

“We hope to speed up the process so we can start the redevelopment of Mines View to bring it back to its old condition as a park and tourist spot,” the mayor said.

Mines View was delisted as a park by the Dept. of Tourism (DOT) after vendors mushroomed and turned the site into an eyesore.

As planned, the legitimate vendors will be immediately relocated to the satellite market upon completion based on guidelines to be set by the city government.

The area will be then be cleared and spruced up to restore its erstwhile appearance and ambience as a promenade center.

Emulating Jesus Christ

2011-12-27T00:45:00.000-08:00

EDITORIAL

It is only once a year that we celebrate the birth of Christ, so we deem it fitting to stray way from our usual hard-hitting editorials on corruption in government and the evil ways of those in power particularly during the previous administration.

So let us cite some Christian doctrines like the best way to live a peaceful life is to emulate Jesus Christ’s way by embracing the values of peace, forgiveness, love, hope and humility.

Another Christian doctrine is forgiving those who sinned against us. But for this nation to be more peaceful, those who have done evil deeds like murder, corruption, poll fraud, among other transgressions of the law, should be made accountable for their sins

Considering that God gave his only begotten son to save mankind, people must also learn to practice love in order to prevent conflicts at home, in the community and the country.

The best way, priests exhort, is to reflect on Jesus Christ’s way of life and start reforming to do better the coming year.

People must be hopeful for progress and improvement in their living condition the coming years, they are told, because hope will keep people up on their feet to meet challenges that confront them and hurdle them.

Humility is one trait Christianity teaches. But how often have we seen people, particularly those in government who have acted the opposite.

For those in government, priests have often exhorted that they should institute reforms in themselves and in their offices so that the impression of the public on their competence to serve their constituents will not be compromised because of the wrong deeds of a few of them.

There are a lot more. But like we said, the yuletide season should be a time for a ceasefire and respite from bickering, backbiting, wheeling dealing and other evil ways. Let us hope the government will do more for the people this coming year particularly in going after crooks and in improving the economy.

So peace be unto you and here’s hoping for a more peaceful and prosperous new year.

Improving gov’t services in Cordillera / Rights violators

2011-12-27T00:39:00.000-08:00

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

The Civil Service Commission- Cordillera Administrative Region has released its “report card survey” results of the performance of Cordillera agencies and there is much to be desired in improving these.

Out of the 35 agencies surveyed, 20 passed and 15 failed. Fernando M. Porio, regional CSC director said those who failed will undergo the Service Delivery Excellence Program to improve their processes and procedures on frontline services delivery. The RCS results were furnished the heads of agencies for them to consider the recommendation.

The survey is a CSC program required by Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007. More agencies are targeted to be subjected to the survey in 2012 to promote efficiency in government.

The RCS aimes to check on compliance of government agencies with the ARTA provision on its Citizen’s Charter to include, “no lunch break” rule, anti-fixer campaign, service quality, help desk, physical working condition and client satisfaction.
***
Sen. Francis Pangilinan has cited the government’s commitment to press charges against former Maj. Gen. JovitoPalparan and several others for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of two University the Philippines students

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, expressed hope this will send a strong signal to those believing they are still protected by a cloak of impunity. Pangilinan called on the courts to also resolve similar cases of disappearances, especially under the past regime.

The senator made the call as Malacañang accused detained former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of protecting Palparan during her administration.

“Retired Major General Jovito Palparan, formerly so bold and brazen, and lavishly coddled by the former administration, is now a fugitive from justice,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

“Come out, come out wherever you are,” Lacierda said in a statement. “While he no longer has men under his command, and while he can no longer behave with impunity, it is incumbent upon Mr. Palparan to submit to the authorities and face the charges in court,” Lacierda added.

“We hope that he will face the music and face the charges. Surrender now,” he said. –

Palparan is now on the run after a local court in Bulacan province ordered his arrest in connection with a kidnapping and illegal detention case filed by the Department of Justice.

Judge Teodora Gonzales of Malolos Regional Trial Court branch 14 issued the warrant against Palparan, accused in the disappearance of University of the Philippines students SherlynCadapan and Karen Empeño.

The retired military official is being accused as mastermind in the disappearance of the two students in 2006. Abducted with the two students was farmer Manuel Merino.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said copies of the warrant of arrest were earlier furnished to the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to serve it.

The warrant of arrest was issued a day after the former military general, who has been tagged by activists as "The Butcher," attempted to leave the country via a SeaAir flight bound for Singapore.

The Bureau of Immigration said that Palparan was offloaded from the Singapore-bound flight at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the DiosdadoMacapagal International Airport in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

Palparan had protested that he should have been allowed to leave since the watchlist order issued against him by the Department of Justice has already expired. De Lima, however, said that the watcthlist order remains effective since it has not been officially lifted.

Human rights group Karapatan has called on the justice department to transfer Palparan's case to another court due to security reasons.

The group demanded a change venue from Malolos Regional Trial Court to Metro Manila RTC because of what they called real security risks to complainants, witnesses and attorneys.

It is high time alleged human rights violators like Palparan are made to answer for their crimes. And for starting this by filing charges against Plaparan, the Aquino administration deserves credit.

The rich and the poor

2011-12-27T00:27:00.000-08:00

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

Recently, a small group of less than 50 people gathered and camped at the Zuccotti Park near Wall Street in New York City – the hub of America’s financial institutions. They’re concerned that the middle class in America is shrinking – nay, vanishing! -- with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer and growing in numbers. They just want to be heard. They called themselves, “Occupy Wall Street” and vowed to stay until they’re heard. But they were ignored. The financial executives went about their business, unmindful of the world outside their glistening ivory tower.

Instead, the protesters were ridiculed. Rep. Eric Cantor, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, called them, “mobs.” Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told the protesters: “Don’t blame the banks. Don’t blame the financial institutions. If you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself!”

Within four weeks, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement spread like a prairie fire in 190 cities across America. Last October 15, similar “Occupy” movements mushroomed around the world in solidarity with the “Occupy Wall Street.” Called “International Day of Action,” demonstrations in 951 cities and 82 countries were planned for this weekend. Their goal was to “elevate local social justice issues into one worldwide demonstration.”

It’s a phenomenon never before seen in human history! And like their American counterparts, protesters in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin American, and Africa chanted the cry that the “Occupy Wall Street” movement started, “We are the 99%!”

One of the first demonstrations in Europe was held in Milan, Italy where protesters pelted the police with fruits. And like a lashing tsunami, the “Occupy” demonstrations spread Rome, Toronto, Paris, Berlin, London, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, Sidney, and other cities around the world.

The worldwide “Occupy” movement is beginning to look like the “people power” movement in the Philippines in 1986 and in Europe in 1989. The “people power” movement then was against dictatorial and totalitarian regimes. Today, the “Occupy” movement is about the evil of corporate greed and the excesses of wealthy capitalists whose unregulated policies and profiteering schemes have caused the financial meltdown in the U.S. in 2008, which eventually caused a global recession.

In 1984, when millions of Ethiopians were starving from famine, the late singing icon Michael Jackson wrote the “We’re the World” song with Lionel Richie to raise funds for the starving Ethiopians. The people of the world heard the song and they gave money.

Today, it’s not just hunger for food that’s threatening the world. People around the world are hungry for social justice! If the world’s present civilization is to survive -- and thrive -- social justice must prevail and government must provide social services to the unfortunate poor, the jobless, the sick, and the infirm. We cannot be the Sparta of today where the weak and feeble do not have a place in a society built only for the strong. Nor can we be the land of “Herrenvolk” where people who do not fit the mold are shunned and treated as sub-humans. We cannot turn back the clock to those dark ages.

As the population of the world continues to grow, resources become scarcer. It did not then come as a surprise that the “Occupy” movement sprouted like mushrooms -- they multiply when lightning strikes.

Little did the handful of young Americans who gathered peacefully at Zuccotti Park realize that they were about to start a “people power” movement driven by the desire to live in peace and prosperity. They just wanted to air their grievances to the executives of the financial institutions on Wall Street. They just wanted to be heard. Instead, the police responded with brutality on the demonstrators. One police officer was caught on video as he pepper sprayed a cowering unarmed woman.

The image of that senseless police brutality struck the world like lightning. The people of the world responded. -- (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

Sad Christmas stories for Mindanao victims

2011-12-27T00:21:00.000-08:00

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

The following stories were lifted from the internet. Incidentally, the month of December is the month of volunteerism. Thus, the stories struck a chord as Pinoys and races all over want to contribute anything to help the victims in Mindanao tragedy.

I do not know how or why the stories connect to the acts of volunteerism in the south. I just felt that these were truly interesting stories that reveal the many faces of life at a time when people are supposed to rejoice and celebrate the birth of Christ.

On Christmas Eve in the trenches in Flanders fields in 1914, suddenly in the still of the freezing night a young German voice began singing “StilleNacht” (Silent Night).

Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony. As soon as they were finished there was a pause. Then from across the trenches a young English soldier sang out loud and clear“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and the other English soldiers sang in harmony.

Then both sides sang “Silent Night” together in two different languages. After a considerable pause the lone figure of a young German walked out between the trenches
into “No Man's Land.”

Then the soldiers on both sides slowly walked out to join him. The soldiers from opposing sides shook hands, hugged and traded chocolates, cigarettes, photographs, scotch and cognac.

The Christmas carols resounded throughout the frozen fields of Flanders. Soon daylight was upon them and with sad farewells they returned to the trenches to continue the fighting. A sad but true story.
***
One cold winter Christmas Eve, there was a family who lived in the slums of Brooklyn. The family lived in an old run-down apartment, suitable for rats.

The wife wanted to buy a chain for her husband's damaged watch, but did not have enough money. She was frantic and overwhelmed in panic. She did not know what to do... her Christmas would be ruined! She thought and thought until she came up with an idea. She decided to sell her hair at the local salon.

She entered the salon and was quickly examined by the stylist. The hair stylist was astonished in not finding damaged hair. So the wife and the stylist bargained until it resulted in the wife receiving $20 for her hair – just enough to buy the chain.

She looked at herself and saw that she looked hideous, but she did not care and cloaked her head with a shawl. She purchased the watch chain and left for home. She wrapped the chain in newspaper and sat quietly waiting for her husband to return from work that afternoon.

The husband returned and entered the house. He said nothing as the wife saw that he had a grin upon his face.

After dinner, they sat next to the warm stove. The wife then pulled out the gift and gave it to the husband. The husband looked confused, but opened it.

He was in tears when he saw the gift, because he had sold his watch to buy a gift for the wife. He pulled out his gift, which was a hair brush for his wife's delicate hair. Both the wife and husband wept. The love within the family had proven that they would sacrifice anything it took to see happiness upon their partner.
********
As of yesterday, reports had it that the death toll in the Mindanao flooding reached a high of 1,010. Secretary of Interior and Local Governments Jesse Robredo said he was happy with the response of the private sector in the floods of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.

As fast as news reports of the Mindanao tragedy were updated, people started donating medicine and food, launched relief operations, non-government organizations sent doctors and forensic medical examiners, and volunteer from all over wanted to help in every way they can.

In an individualistic and self-centered society, volunteerism such as what has been happening recently in Mindanao is an exceptional and an isolated gesture of unselfish neighborliness.

Definitely, in most third world communities, reciprocal self-help is fundamental to the continued existence of rural communities. This was commonly seen in farmers in the barrios who help each other bring in harvests, assist in the construction of houses, transfer the same houses from one site to another thru the bayanihan way, cooperate in maintaining roads, among other activities.

In the 19th Century, population growth and urbanization, industrialization, and the use of money as the means of trade and exchange weakened and diluted mutual assistance and community cooperation.

However, volunteerism came back in the early 20th Century in answer to the devastation wrought by the First World War, when former soldiers who were former enemies decided to volunteer and reconstruct a village that was destroyed in their war that killed more than a million lives.

That cooperative volunteerism displayed by former soldiers who were former enemies resulted to the creation of the first international voluntary service movement.

From that time on, volunteerism wore many masks. It built friendships across continents, provided jobless people useful social work in exchange for food and shelter, it reached out to the poorest of the poor anywhere in the world.

And so, the US Peace Corps Volunteers, British Volunteer Program, the Japanese Overseas Volunteer Corps, among others, were born and recognized by the UN Volunteers Program.

Among them, the biggest humanitarian movement called the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded to have today an estimated number of 100 million volunteers, roughly more than the population of the Philippines.

Since then, volunteerism has taken many forms and has involved a wide range of people. It has been involved in medicine, emergency rescue, and response to a natural disaster, extinguishing fire, education, environmental protection, community service, orphanage work, donating cash, cultural heritage, social justice, rural and human development, and even free legal assistance.

The volunteerism of Mother Theresa has inspired people to emulate her so that most of the volunteers from more developed countries in the West choose the Third World such as India, Africa and Southeast Asia as their volunteering destinations.

December is the month of volunteers who are always remembered for their deeds. They are now in Mindanao.

To quote Scholar-Teacher and Boy Scout administrator Forest E. Witcraft, he once said: "one hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house you lived in... what kind of car you drove... what your bank balance was... but what will matter most is that you were important in the life of a child.”

May you all have a blessed Christmas. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Democracy and autonomy

2011-12-27T00:17:00.000-08:00

FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
Ka IkingSeneres

We are a democracy and our Constitution allows the impeachment of the Chief Justice. Simply put, when a Chief Justice is impeached, it does not mean that our democracy is already threatened. The same Constitution provides for the independence of the Judiciary.

There is no question about that, but when a Chief Justice is impeached, it does not also mean that the independence of the Judiciary is already threatened.

The Chief Justice is a person, and if and when he is impeached, it does not mean that neither the Supreme Court nor the Judiciary is already being impeached. Since we are a democracy, we have to go through democratic processes and impeachment is one such process.

Although Chief Justice Renato Corona was already impeached as far as the Lower House is concerned, his impeachment still has to be affirmed by the Upper House, sitting as the impeachment court. It is not the job of the Senate to decide whether to impeach him or not, because he was already impeached. Their job is to decide whether to affirm his impeachment or not.

Since the Constitution allows the impeachment of the Chief Justice by the Lower House of the Congress, there is really no constitutional crisis now as Chief Justice Corona would like us to believe, because it was only him as a person who was impeached, and not the entire Supreme Court. If ever there is a crisis as he would like us to believe, it is probably just a personal crisis that he alone should face, meaning that he should not have dragged the Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary into it.

Being a democracy, we are subject to party behavior and that too, is part of the democratic process. If the Liberal Party decided to impeach Corona as a party action, it was their prerogative to do so, and it was also the prerogative of their own party members to go along with the party decision or not. If they were able to gather the majority as they did, there should be no question about that either, because they are the majority party and it is as simple as that.

Following the logic that an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty, Corona should look at his present personal situation simply as that, meaning that he should deem himself innocent, and leave it to the impeachment court to find him guilty, if indeed he is. Perhaps what he is saying is that he should not have been impeached because the Judiciary is independent, but that is not how our democracy works. As it is now, he could not be charged in an ordinary court because of his immunity, but it would be too much to think that he should be immune from impeachment too.

Perhaps Corona knows too well that impeachment is a political process, and not a legal process. The question really is not whether he is guilty or not, but whether it is politically expedient to affirm his impeachment or not. This is probably the reason why he is trying to portray his case as a political issue, to somehow build up the political capital that he does not have.

Meanwhile, his political adversary President Noynoy Aquino has all the political capital that he needs. His popularity rating has already reached about about 80%, breaking all known historical popularity records in the presidency. His move to prosecute Gloria has probably attained about 90% approval, if it is measured now. It remains to be seen how much public approval the move to impeach Corona would get, but it is likely to be very high too, since the public knows that Corona is a protege of Gloria.

We are a democracy and the will of the majority has put President Aquino in power. As his victory in the polls was affirmed further by the steady increase in his popularity ratings, there is no question that he has the solid mandate of the people to do what he wants to do for the good of the people. This is democracy at work, and we should savor it while it lasts, after it was stolen many times by you know who.

For feedback, email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639997333011

Mayor-operator uses goons, defies authorities; claims he is close to P-Noy: Illegal quarrying poses danger to Ilocos towns

2011-12-25T04:34:00.000-08:00

By Mar T. Supnad

TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur -- Provincial and Environment officials in the province expressed alarm last week over massive illegal quarrying along the Amburayan Bridge in this town posing danger not only to property but also to lives of three towns in this province and in nearby La Union.

As this developed, Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson directed the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the province’s committee on environment led by board member Robert Tudayan to file an environmental case against Mayor RoqueVersoza and the barangay captain in the area.

Tudayan, a lawyer, said illegal quarrying constitutes “violation of the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology.”

The quarry is allegedly operated by the mayor at the Amburayan River which divides the provinces of Ilocos Sur and La Union.”

Singson said despite repeated demands for Mayor to stop his alleged illegal quarrying “no one can stop him since he is claiming to be a close political leader of PresidentAquino.”

According to Singson, even the personnel of PENRO cannot prevent the illegal quarrying along the endangered Amburayan river since the mayor deployed armed goons and policemen in the area to protect the illegal quarrying.

Versoza cannot be reached for comment.

Tudayan said “the illegal quarry which is currently being operated downstream and is about to be operated upstream of the newly built giant Amburayan Bridge, poses danger to the life and safety of the residents of the uunicipalities of Tagudin in Ilocos Sur and Bangar and Sudipen in La Union particularly barangays situated near river banks.”

Tudayan reported to Singson that the “illegal quarry certainly poses danger to the life and safety of the people since the mayor undertakes the quarry not at the mainstream of the Amburayan River but near the river banks and near the houses of the residents thereby causing the flow of the water to run near the houses of the residents.”

Worst, Tudayan said the illegal quarry may likewise affect the newly built P500-M Amburayan Bridge because the continued operation near the bridge would certainly cause the collapse of the bridge.

Tudayan said in 2005, a memorandum of agreement was entered by and between the province of IlocosSur,the Department orf Public Works and Highways, the DENR-Region 1, and Mayor Versoza to conduct dredging operation to divert flow of the river away from residents living near the river banks who have been repeatedly suffering from flood and to collect taxes and fees on materials hauled out of the river and remit the same to the barangays concerned and to the province.

Tudayan said however that sometime in 2007, they received reports that the municipal mayor of Tagudin was no longer conducting dredging on the Amburayan River but instead, was already engaged in illegal quarrying.

This prompted the Provincial Board to investigate the supposedly dredging and found out the municipality of Tagudin had been engaged in illegal quarrying and illegally imposing taxes for the hauled sand and gravel, said Tudayan.

The SangguniangPanlalawigan of Ilocos Sur issued Resolution No. 076 Series of 2007 revoking and cancelling the MOA which authorized the respondent to conduct dredging operation at the Amburayan River.

The MOA was revoked because of the violation committed by respondent mayor when he allowed the quarrying operation at the Amburayan River instead of Dredging only as embodied in the MOA, said Tudayan.

Worse,Tudayan said, because of Versoza’s allegation that he had passed an ordinance for the expansion of quarry at the Amburayan river, he is now conducting quarry operations downstream of the Amburayan Bridge and is about to proceed upstream of the said bridge.

“This illegal action would undoubtedly place the people of Tagudin,and the people of the Sudipen and Bangar, particularly those living along the river banks to the perils of losing their lives,” Tudayan added.

Indian lender shot dead

2011-12-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– An Indian national was shot dead last week while collecting debts in a village in Santiago City, Isabela.

Authorities said the victim, Chander Subhash, 37, was collecting debts from sari-sari stores in Barangay Nagassican when two motorcycle-riding men fired at him. He sustained 11 bullet wounds.

DOH probes trucks dumping toxic hospital waste in landfill

2011-12-25T04:24:00.000-08:00

CAPAS, Tarlac, -- The Department of Health is now investigating last week’s attempt to dump untreated toxic medical waste at a landfill here saying it will do its part in protecting the environment by ensuring responsible disposal of hospital waste.

DOH-National Capital Region Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said the DOH is currently investigating the liability of the said hospitals in the reported attempt by Chevalier Enviro Services to dump their medical waste in Metro Clark Landfill in Capas.

At least 12 private hospitals in Metro Manila are included in the DOH investigation for being the source of the reported attempt to dump the untreated medical waste in the landfill.

Last week, authorities intercepted the two trucks of medical waste owned by CES, which attempted to dump hazardous medical waste from the 12 hospitals without undergoing the necessary processing in its waste treatment facility in Parañaque City.

“We now assessing the contract entered by these hospitals with Chevalier Enviro Services require them to at least disinfect the medical waste before it is disposed,” Janairo explained.

The DOH earlier submitted samples of the recovered medical waste to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for analysis.

Medical wastes like discarded human and animal anatomical parts, disposable syringes, outdated and contaminated drugs, are considered hazardous to public health since it may spread infections and expose people to poisonous substances.

Janairo said the 12 hospitals may face the cancellation of their licenses if it will be proven they failed to disinfect the said medical wastes before transferring to CES.

He declined to disclose the name of the hospitals due to the pending investigation.

Meanwhile, Janairo said the CES may face sanctions from DENR, which includes a fine, closure, and even imprisonment if it will be proven the company neglected it to properly treat medical wastes.

He said this is the first time DoH have received such a report since each hospital usually has its own health waste management officer to ensure medical waste will be properly disposed.
In line with this development, DoH Secretary Enrique Ona ordered DoLE-NRC to intensify it monitoring on the waste disposal of public and government hospitals to prevent similar incidence.

“Hospitals and public health care units are supposed to safeguard the health of the community. They should not be irresponsible in disposing their health care waste as it can pose an even greater threat to health than the original diseases they carry,” Ona said.

Folks warned on use, sale of firecrackers

2011-12-25T04:01:00.001-08:00

BAGUIO CITY – Department of Health authorities warned residents in the region on hazards of using firecrackers or other forms of pyrotechniques this yuletide season even as the city council here has set guidelines on distribution, sale and use of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices here.

The city guidelines were culled from recommendations of the committee on market, trade and commerce and was contained in Resolution 418 series of 2011 approved by the body last month.

The guidelines:

“*The distribution, sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the City of Baguio, as enumerated under R.A. No. 7183, entitled, “An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture and Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices” specifically Sec. 2 thereof shall be allowed except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2 hereof;

“*All other firecrackers and pyrotechnics, including and especially those of such explosive content that may endanger life and limb, such as bawang, baby rocket, triangle, judas belt pooled firecrackers, luces, jumbo regular and special, whistle bomb, five star, sawa, atomic big tranggulo, super lolo, kwiton (giant kwitis) and watusi when ingested are hazardous or fatal and their equivalents, are hereby prohibited.

Therefore, the following fireworks/pyrotechnic devices, such as sparklers or any of its kind except luces, roman candles, fountains and the like, trompillo, kwitis, pailaw, pop pops, aerials like dragon, tiger and platinum products, are allowed;

“*The City Police Director, Philippine National Police, Baguio City, the City Fire Marshal, Baguio City Fire Bureau, the Emergency Medical Service, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and other volunteer emergency assistance groups, are hereby requested to strictly implement these guidelines;

“*A “Task Force Paputok” is requested to be created by the City Mayor whose task shall be to inspect the quantities and kinds of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices sold and held in stock by or in the possession of every licensed distributor, retailer or wholesaler, and to conduct an inventory of same to ensure that the storage of said materials is properly made so as not to endanger the lives and property of the people. The said inventory shall be submitted to the City Administrator for information/record purposes;

“*Only those persons/entities duly authorized by Special Business Permits to distribute and/or sell the firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices herein allowed to distribute and sell such product in the City of Baguio;

“*The sole venue for the distribution and sale hereof shall strictly be inside the Old City Auditorium, Burnham Park, Baguio City and such distribution and sale shall be limited to their registered place of business;

“*The duration of sale and distribution shall be from December 20 to December 31, 2011; and

“*Any violation of these guidelines shall be dealt with in accordance with Sec. 11 of the RA 7183 which specifically states that a fine of not less than P20,000.00 nor more than P30,000.00 will be imposed or; imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court to include the revocation and or cancellation of the business permit/s.”

The resolution was approved by a majority of votes. Councilors Isabelo Cosalan, PhilianWeygan-Allan and Joel Alangsab voted against while Councilor Peter Fianza abstained from voting. Councilors NicasioAliping Jr. and Karminn Cheryl DinneyYangot were out during the voting.

Isabela residents rally behind ethanol plant

2011-12-25T03:51:00.000-08:00

SAN MARIANO, Isabela -- Thousands of villagers, farmers and local officials recently gathered here to call for creation of a zone for peace in line with their clamor to promote peace in the area.

The municipal government initiated the gathering to highlight the need for peace. This is also their way of showing their support for the bio-ethanol project and the sugarcane plantation in the area.

Multinational firm Green Future Innovations Inc. (GFII) is the company behind the bio-ethanol plant that has jumpstarted social and economic development in the province and adjacent areas.

The plant will produce ethanol from an 11,000-hectare sugarcane plantation in and around San Mariano’s 30-kilometer radius.

The project has yet to be completed, but this early, farmers are already reaping the benefits of progress, as they have received financial and technological assistance from the sugarcane plantation managed by Ecofuel Land Development Inc.

Once the bio-ethanol plant is operational, more jobs would be available. Given the employment opportunity, majority of the residents, including local officials, are in favor of the project.

More than 1,000 residents even signed a petition for the zone for peace to reiterate their call for peace and development in the municipality. A copy of the petition will be given to President Aquino, congressmen, the Commission on Human Rights and other government agencies.

Jose Wanol, president of the multi-sectoral group AlamatKa, who is also a signatory to the petition, said, “We all know how San Mariano was in the past, and what it is today. Let us not let anything happen to hamper our road to success. We should support moves for change and development that is right in our midst.”

San Mariano Mayor Edgar Go thanked the participants in the peace gathering, which coincided with the International Human Rights Day, and reiterated his support for the bio-ethanol project.

Storm-affected farmers receive free rice seeds

2011-12-25T03:49:00.000-08:00

By Mhars B. Lihgawon

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Farmers in this municipality affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel received free certified rice seeds from the government last week.

According to Elizabeth Bulayo of the Municipal Agriculture Office, about 863 rice farmers were given various kilos of certified rice seeds as calamity assistance from the Department of Agriculture and the local government of Lagawe.

The sacks of certified rice were delivered by the DA for distribution to the farmers in the municipality based on actual damages.

“The number of kilos given to beneficiaries were not the same since we based from the submitted actual damages incurred by each farmer,” Bulayo explained.

She said that different barangays submitted lists of farmers affected by the twin typhoons that badly affected the province in September, for verification to ensure the actual beneficiaries.

The municipality of Lagawe incurred a total of P37,414,650 worth of damages to agriculture that covered 1,378.9 hectares. For livestock, she said that about 187 heads worth P.82 million were also affected by the twin typhoons.

10 Kalinga firms covered in DOST export program

2011-12-25T03:42:00.000-08:00

By Larry Lopez

TABUK, Kalinga-- Ten small firms in the province were selected clients under the Department of Science and Technology’s manufacturing productivity extension for export promotion.

According to DixiCatacutan of DOST provincial office, the program provides business enhancement to clients to upgrade product quality and expand operation.

The program has already attended to the development of 11 firms engaged in food processing, gift textile handicraft and furniture in the operatives.

This time the 10 firms are into food manufacturing- BITICK Women Wine Makers, Mayta’s Meat Processing, Bulaglag Bakery, NitzNutri-snack, Gramp’s Bakery, Balawag Saver’s SKA Coffee Processing, Theresa’s Veggie Noodles, Kalinga Food Treat, Binguet Food Production and VBS Food Products.

In helping clients make their business grow, MPEX provides progress interventions that would hasten small entrepreneurs develop business standards.

In the case of the 10 small firms, Catacutan informed these do not even have simple book keeping that would show if their operation is making profit or not.

How to develop big exporters starts from teaching small traders the basic business practices and strategies and exposing them to market expansions, Catacutan explained.

The program also develops production capabilities of the manufacturing sector helping them become potential exporters.

Client firms under the MPEX are recommended by the Department of Trade and Industry while others are existing proponents of DOST projects.

In the province, DOST set a MPEX seminar for 35 small manufacturers on leadership and shop floor management as part of its business development assistance.

Basic education grads have employable skills -TESDA

2011-12-25T03:41:00.000-08:00

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY - - Through the national government’s K + 12 basic education reform program, high school graduates will soon have the necessary technical-vocational education and skills development that would give them a very good opportunity to be employed or to be entrepreneurs at young age.

Undersecretary Milagros Dawa-Hernandez, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director General bared this in an interview here.

According to Hernandez, part of the priority agenda of President Benigno Aquino III is to reform the country’s basic education as the Philippines is one of only two remaining countries that still have a 10 year basic education. “Our high school graduates today even if they graduate as valedictorian lack the tech-voc skills education and training that could immediately provide them a better opportunity for employment or to start a livelihood.”

The K+12 requires all incoming students to enroll two more years of basic education.

The K+12 system will include Universal kindergarten, six years of elementary, four years of junior high school with an additional two years for senior high school. The 6-year-high school is set to be implemented next school year .

“Through the K +12 basic education program, tech-voc education and skills development will be embedded in the curriculum of basic education, particularly on the higher years or from grade nine to 12 and through TESDA regular high school graduates could also get a National Certification (NC I or II) if they pass the required assessment”, she said.

According to Hernandez, the objective is to provide pre-employment education and skills to young people since not all high school graduates are capable or fortunate enough to pursue higher education and that not all needs to take one just to get a good employment or entrepreneurship opportunity.

“It is also a fact that not all Filipinos need to be a graduate of higher education, since there is a very high demand among different industries for nationally certified highly skilled Filipino workers. Skilled Filipino workers are among the best workers all over the world that we can proud off,” Hernandez said.

Through the K + 12 basic education program, we are looking at a yearly average of about 1.2 million high school students that already have tech-voc education and skills training wherein upon graduation can even be nationally certified by TESDA (up to NC II level), upon passing the needed certification assessment requirements, according to Hernandez.

She added it is a priority of the Aquino administration to intensify the country’s tech-voc education and skills development training, so that we can respond to the manpower need of the leading industries in the country such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and electronics/semi-conductor industries.

Hernandez was in the city to represent TESDA in first K to 12 pre-summit and conference at the Teachers Camp here.

Zonification for Dagupan plan up

2011-12-25T03:37:00.000-08:00

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan— Mayor Benjamin S. Lim the city government would start a zonification program to protect lives, property and the environment from natural disasters.

“We are all guilty of not caring for our environment. Technically, even the government has been remiss for not being strict with zonification,” said Lim.

The mayor told local and regional officials at a meeting proper placing of structures and location of residents and business was the best way to prevent natural hazards.

City officials agreed but said prospective problems like rights of way would have to be addressed.--LBI

126 avail of DFA-Tabuk gov’t passport program

2011-12-25T03:33:00.000-08:00

By Gigi Dumallig

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- One hundred twenty six individuals recently received their passports after the city government here helped facilitate their application at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

City Public Employment Service Officer LoydaSaboy said DFA Tuguegarao office recently delivered the passports..

Passport processing, she said usually takes months before it is released.

According to Saboy, the original plan was to invite the DFA National Office for a mobile passport activity last November, but was re-scheduled because the required 500 applicants were not met.

She said that since their announcement last August, more than 400 individuals manifested their interest to avail of the program.

However, since the mobile passport machines were already booked until January, the city government through the full support of City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban opted to ferry the applicants to DFA Tuguegarao to avail said passport application and renewal service, with the city government hiring at least three buses for the activity. Meals and snacks she said were also provided for.

According to Saboy, out of 221 who availed, only 126 were able to submit all the required documents for their application. Priority she said were also given to those needing passports immediately like newly hired Overseas Filipino Workers.

Said program of the city government was conceptualized a few years ago to facilitate the speedy and easier passport application processes to help especially OFWs from Tabuk as well as those coming from the other municipalities of Kalinga and nearby provinces.

She said that by bringing said DFA service in the province, applicants would be spared from spending much time and money for the trips they have to take just to process their passports.

The city government is planning to hold another mobile passport service by February or May next year. Applicants she said are invited to come to the City PESO to inquire for the requirements.

In certain cases such as applicants for minor and others, there are some documents that are being required by the DFA which the applicants should know to facilitate their applications.

“It is required that before they avail of the mobile passport services, all documents should be in placed to avoid delaying the process,” she said.