Northern Philippine Times

League of Cities misleading public, says Tabuk City exec

>> Sunday, November 8, 2009

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The vice mayor of this city assailed the League of Cities of the Philippines for reportedly trying to make it appear in a published press statement that the November, 2008 decision of the Supreme Court reverting the 16 new cities, including Tabuk to towns is final and executory.

Vice Mayor Rainier Sarol, a lawyer, said that in the statement, the LCP intentionally left out the fact that on Sept. 29, the SC ordered the league to comment on the latest motion for reconsideration filed by the 16 new cities.

“The LCP would like to mislead the public that the November, 2008 decision of the Supreme Court is already final by intentionally not admitting that there is still a pending motion which they were required to comment on, meaning the only logical conclusion is that the decision of the court on the case is not yet final,” Sarol said.

The statement of the LCP which denounced the 16 respondents for employing “sneaky tactics intended to reverse what has already been decided with finality” made no reference to the Sept. 29 resolution of the SC which ordered the league to comment on the Motion for Reconsideration of SC Resolution of June 2, 2009 which seeks the reinstatement of Motion to Amend Resolution of April 28, 2009.

In their motion seeking to amend the April 28, 2009 SC resolution, the 16 cities claimed the 6-6 vote on the Second Motion for Reconsideration violated Section 4 (2), Article VIII of the Constitution which states that all issues involving constitutionality should be heard by the SC en banc and should be decided by a majority.

According to the LCP statement, the 16 new cities have been writing private letters to the individual justices and filing prohibited pleadings in an attempt to change the votes of the justices.

Sarol said there is nothing immoral or wrong about writing individual justices for so long that this is done publicly as a letter to a justice is a public document for everyone to see.

“Such letters could be likened to the resolutions passed by the different members of the LCP urging the Supreme Court to deny our motion for reconsideration such as the resolution made by the city council of Baguio City. They are just public documents expressing the side of the petitioners and the respondents,” Sarol said.

As for the alleged prohibited pleadings filed by the 16 respondents, Sarol said that a pleading is only prohibited when it is expunged from the records by the Supreme Court but not when the court entertains it which he said is the case with the Motion for Reconsideration of Resolution of June 2, 2009 of the respondents. -- EAJ

Korean group gives relief goods to typhoon victims

By Briccio Domondon Jr.

BAGUIO CITY -- In a show of kindness and generosity, a Korean association here conducted its second wave of relief distribution to victims of typhoon “Pepeng” Thursday at the Athletic Bowl last week.

The Korean Association in Baguio in coordination with the Family and Community Welfare Unit of the OCSWADO, the office of Councilor Pinky Chan-Rondez and BB-PICAG distributed relief packages containing rice, clothes, coffee, milk, sardines soap and other toiletries to victims from seven barangays.

Jet Junio, Social Welfare Officer III of the Family and Community Welfare unit of the OCSWADO said relief distribution targeted barangays within and surrounding the City Camp Lagoon affected by flooding.

She identified the barangays as City Camp Central, City Camp Proper, MRR Queen of Peace, Lourdes Extension, Lower Rock Quarry, Middle Rock Quarry and Palma Urbano.

Similar to their previous relief distribution held last week, the Koreans led by group president Ahn Seung Woon gave stubs distributed by the social workers of the OCSWADO to identified families.

Although the Social Welfare office listed 570 individuals as beneficiaries of the relief distribution the presence of numerous individuals and families who claimed to have also been victims of “Pepeng” encouraged the Korean association, through the intercession of City Councilor Pinky Chan Rondez, to distribute additional relief packages.

Rondez thanked the Korean association their help. She said as fellow members of the Baguio community the Korean group is to be lauded for their zeal, bigheartedness and generosity for aiding residents affected by calamities like typhoons.

Rehab of flood-stricken Pangasinan in full swing

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Rehabilitation for 34 towns and three cities in Pangasinan severely affected by recent floods due to typhoons is now in full swing.

Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. bared this to local media as he expressed his sympathy to those who lost their properties at the height of the typhoon especially to the families of the 62 casualties and further stressed that the province is set to provide them financial aid.

With P9.5 billion cost of damages, the governor said that the province through the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council submitted the report of damages to the office of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Disaster Coordinating Council and other concerned agencies like the departments of Agriculture and Public Works and Highways.

The province, according to the governor, has started rehabilitation works of the Ambayaoan Bridge in San Nicolas town which was damaged by the strong water current that came from Agno River .

Setting up of embankments on the dike that connects to the said bridge will follow, although that bridge is now passable, he said.

“This immediate response made by the province has helped 18 barangays in San Nicolas where 62 percent of its populace lives on the other side of the bridge,” he disclosed.

The governor also said that the rehabilitation move has already been done in some of the damaged dikes and roads in cooperation with the district engineers of the concerned agencies.

On relief operations, Espino said about 48,600 families have already availed of relief goods from the province that include medicines.

Distribution of goods is continuous with the support of other entities like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and other non-government or civic-oriented organizations.

Possible ways to assist the Pangasinan farmers who are severely affected by the deluge will also be taken into consideration to primarily help them recover from losses in harvests, he said.

Meanwhile, the governor clarified the issue stating that “he is blaming the San Roque Power Corporation for the heavy flooding in Pangasinan during the height of the Pepeng.”

“I have never finger-pointed the San Roque Dam as the cause of the massive flooding,” he said, adding he was just after the main culprit running the dam.

According to him, he is just concerned with the welfare of the entire province. “My job as a governor is to protect lives and properties of the people of Pangasinan and I don’t give a damn if the dam stays there as long as there will be no loss of lives and properties,” he added.

Villegas installed as fifth Lingayen-Dagupan bishop

By Jennelyn Mondejar

DAGUPAN CITY– Bishop Socrates Villegas was installed as new archbishop of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese Wednesday during liturgical rites at the St. John the Evangelist Parish Church here.

“In the name of God, by my authority, I, Edward Joseph Adams, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, do install you Socrates Metropolitan Archbishop in this Church of Lingayen-Dagupan. May our Lord Jesus Christ guard your going in from henceforth now and forever more,” Adams said as he presented the crozier to Villegas.

“Our Holy Father the Pope has chosen you to be the shepherd of the people of the Church of Lingayen-Dagupan,” he added. “With prayerful confidence and trust I hand to you the crozier as a sign of the shepherd’s office.”

“May the Lord sustain you, as you watch over the flock of this archdiocese to which the spirit has assigned you as archbishop to serve this church of God.”

After receiving the crozier, Villegas responded, “With faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and with love of God in my heart, I accept the pastoral care of the people of God in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.”

“I resolve to serve faithfully the Church in this archdiocese,” Villegas added.

An estimated crowd of over 4,000, including more than half of the country’s bishops as well as Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, witnessed the installation rites.

Villegas, who succeeded Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, said there is so much to be thankful for.

Villegas, 49, Lingayen-Dagupan’s fifth archbishop and the youngest in the country at present, said, “I am here before you as one who serves. You are God’s precious gifts to me as I start my ministry here. God has indeed been so good.”

Villegas said the ways of God are mysterious and hard to comprehend. He recalled that 18 years ago, before Cruz was installed as archbishop here, Dagupan was struck by a powerful earthquake that left the city in shambles and the old cathedral church in ruins.

This year, the archdiocese was hit by massive flooding that wreaked havoc, too. Villegas said though that he believes the faith of Pangasinenses is strong and firm.

“I want to assure though it is not the archbishops who cause disasters to happen,” he said jokingly in his homily.

Using the word asin (salt) from which Pangasinan originated, Villegas exhorted the people, including priests, the laity and politicians, to be like “salt of the earth.”

He urged local government officials to “be the salt of livelihood and honest public service.”

“Spare the people from salty words of anger and malicious conduct that kill and destroy. Serve the people with honesty. Serve the people well. We can work together for the people,” he added.

Baguio coding scheme suspended up to Jan.1

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY- Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. last week issued Administrative Order 169 suspending the implementation of the number coding scheme for private vehicles from Nov. 11, next week, up to Jan. 1, 2010.

The mayor bared this saying local and foreign tourists are expected to flock to the city for this coming Christmas season.

Business people, especially of tourism-oriented establishments are also expected to gain a little bit more after the blow to the economy as to the devastation from the calamities that struck the city, the mayor said.

The city shall also host several conferences during the next weeks, including the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers convention, with participants numbering to more than thousands.

About a thousand and five hundred golf enthusiasts are also expected to flock to the city during the opening and tee-off of the 60th Fil-Am Centennial Golf tournament on Nov. 18, at playing venues; Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club, as with tourists and balikbayans who will join the annual Christmas in Baguio activities.

Bautista, Jr. expects most of the guests to arrive with their own vehicles, or would rent public utility vehicles for convenience in travel and touring purposes. The convention participants, as well as the balikbayans are expected to take the opportunity in going around the Baguio-Benguet area, thus the need for the number coding scheme suspension, issued by the mayor.

Adventure trips; kayaking and fishing, mountaineering, spelunking, snorkeling, and diving, in addition to hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding and mine tours on the outskirts of the city and around the province have been prepared for tourist groups, thus transport within the areas would be needed.

Hired and rented public utility vehicles are also exempted from the number coding scheme upon presentation of appropriate identification that they are truly visitors/tourists/vacationers or convention participants, the order further read.

The order is anchored on Section 7, of the Baguio City Number Coding Scheme Ordinance.

League of towns eyes inclusion of seawaters in revenue tax shares

CASIGURAN, Aurora – The leadership of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines has endorsed the proposal to include seawaters in determining the internal revenue allotment shares of local government units, a move seen to further speed up economic growth in this northern Aurora town, which is home of the Aurora Special Economic Zone.

LMP president Ramon Guico told members during its recent three-day general assembly of the league at the Manila Hotel the leadership of the league is fully supportive of the resolution calling for the inclusion of marine areas as a basis for computing of the IRA. “Of course, we are supporting it as it would benefit coastal municipalities in general,” Guico said.

The proposal started to gain ground in June during the second national conference of coastal municipalities of the Philippines on sustaining municipal fisheries and marine biodiversity held in Cebu City

During the conference sponsored by the United States Agency for International Agency Fish Project, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, and participated in by 397 mayors, the LMP adopted resolutions calling for institutionalization of the conference of coastal municipalities every two years, requesting the Philippine National Police to direct the provincial director in coastal provinces to assign at least two policemen per municipality for the enforcement of fishery and coastal laws and requesting BFAR to give patrol boats and other necessary paraphernalia to coastal towns in need.

Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 stipulates that the IRA should be computed on the basis of a LGU’s population, land area and income. But the law is deemed unfair to coastal municipalities which not only manage lands but also the seas.

In Aurora, the proposal, if approved and passed into law, could benefit the capital of Baler, Dingalan and this town, home of the Aurora Special Economic Zone.

Casiguran Mayor Reynaldo Bitong said that the proposal is appropriate since coastal towns have the additional responsibility of protecting its territory from poaching of resources by fishers using illegal methods. These towns have land-based concerns and need to hire fish wardens and acquire speedboats to run after violators, a concern the land-based towns do not have.

Patrolling the seas needs allocations for the fuel and maintenance of high-powered boats or else, they won’t be able to catch the offenders.

Bitong said this is the scenario in this coastal town where even foreign poachers, such as Taiwanese, encroach in local waters to catch fish.

Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo said that she would not oppose the proposal as this would redound to the overall economic benefit of the province. – MG

Mayor to veto council move to award stalls

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. Thursday said he will veto the city council resolution awarding the 56 stalls at the sari-sari section of the city market because six of the stalls are not suitable for award at all.

The body the other week approved a resolution awarding immediately the 50 stalls to the original grantees while the remaining six spaces will be raffled off to other claimants.

The mayor said he is aware that the 50 original stallholders in the area have valid contracts with the city but the six others have no legitimate permits.

The said six were said to have permits purportedly approved by the City Council in 1995 despite provisions in the Market Code that disallow subdivision and subleasing of stalls at the trading center.

The mayor said that the 50 original grantees were included in the list of legitimate stallholders with existing and valid contracts with the city government based on the report of the Baguio City Market Authority under the city treasurer’s office.

With his plan of disapproving the council measure, even the award of the 50 legitimate stalls will also have to wait, the mayor said.

He said it is better that the six stalls be left vacant and be used for other purposes than for vending.

Occupants of the six disputed stalls demanded reinstatement at their stalls during the city council session.

The mayor earlier said that only legitimate stallholders are entitled to spaces at the newly built structures at the city market amid complaints that many vendors were displaced or unceremoniously stripped of their right to stalls they claimed to have occupied for many years before the fire.

The mayor said the subject persons who claim to have occupied stalls but are not included in the list may have just been sub-lessees of the spaces rented out by the original stallholders or just plain illegal occupants.

He said it is not the city’s responsibility to accommodate them as they have no contracts with the city government.

He said on advantage gained from the market improvement project was that it gave the city the chance to purge the said area of illegal vendors and stem the practice of sub-leasing which is also not allowed by the city government. The project also ensured fairness as all stalls were constructed in uniform sizes.

The stalls number 200 at the vegetable section, 56 at the sari-sari section and 20 at the tobacco section.

Meanwhile, the mayor bared plans of constructing stalls at the Blocks 3 and 4 of the city market to develop the long idle area of the trading area.

The mayor said the city believes the subject area is not part of the city’s contract with Uniwide and is therefore free for development.

He said the city may avail of the loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines to finance the project along with other plans like the satellite markets at City Camp and Pacdal and the establishment of the engineered sanitary landfill for waste management.- Aileen P. Refuerzo

Mayor orders collection of garbage at dumpsite

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Bucking indifference from the city council, the broiling unrest at the dumpsite area and possible culpability to environmental laws, Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. last week ordered the emergency collection of wastes and the disposal of the same at the same at the Irisan controlled dump facility to alleviate the waste crisis hounding the city for weeks now.

The mayor said it is high time to implement these emergency measures to ease the garbage problem and prevent health risks that go with it.

The mayor earlier bared plans to use his executive powers on the garbage issue on account of the health risks involved.

The waste problem recurred after the city council failed to act on the proposed budget for hauling and disposing the wastes until the end of the year amounting to P36 million. This has disgruntled barangay officials and residents who aired continuous appeal to the city officials to address the problem.

The mayor said that despite the council’s disapproval of the funding, he dared to contract out the hauling of 100 truckloads of wastes to a private firm at a minimal cost just so some priority areas in the city would be cleared of the refuse.

This was assumed to be part of the drastic measures the mayor was expected to undertake on his executive prerogative along with his order to reopen the dumpsite amid the threat of residents to again mount a barricade and despite the lack of approval by the National Solid Waste Management Board which would make the mayor liable to environmental laws.

The mayor said he took the risk out of the pressing need for the reuse of the dumpsite in the absence of a disposal area and funds to haul out and dispose the wastes at the Capas facility in Tarlac.

He said the dumping of residual wastes would nevertheless be needed to backfill the recessed portions created by the construction of the retaining wall. He also assured that there is no more cause for fear in the area as the retaining wall constructed had stabilized the area enough.

The mayor said he is willing to face charges for reopening the dumpsite but he also warned residents who will dare to prevent the city from reusing the dumpsite of further legal suits from the city government’s end.

He said the city has the right over the property which under the zoning ordinance is reserved for waste management and never for residential purpose.

This is the reason he said that the city is now in the process of reclaiming the entire 7.5 hectares by evicting squatters who put up residences within the reservation.
He assured that all structures in the reservation, big or small, that are not covered with building permits will be removed.

The mayor said the hauling of wastes at the Irisan dumpsite will be sustained until funds are made available for hauling to the Capas facility.

As this developed, Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas who assumed as acting mayor last Friday assured barangay captains that they will appeal to the city council to reconsider their decision to approve funds for the tipping fee, gas expenses and per diems and the repair of damaged dump trucks needed to haul out the wastes to Capas to enable the city to normalize its waste collection operations.

While this is being worked out, Farinas directed the city environment and parks management office to implement continuous garbage collection for ten succeeding days to reduce the accumulated wastes.

CEPMO officer-in-charge Cordelia Lacsamana said the office would comply using all the city’s available resources.

Comelec should revert to poll manual system

EDITORIAL

The Commission on Elections should revert to manual system of counting ballots for next year’s elections, according to concerned groups. House Resolution 1465 which was filed in the House of Representatives on Oct. 14 urged the Commission on Elections to seriously consider the use of partially automated election system in the 2010 national and local elections.

The resolution was introduced by Representatives Pablo P. Garcia, Carlos M. Padilla, Rodolfo G. Plaza, Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, Eduardo Nonato N. Joson, Eric D. Singson, Arnulfo P. Fuentebella, Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Benhur L. Salimbangon, and Jeci A. Lapus.

The lawmakers filed H.R. 1465 because of potentially fatal problems in implementing the new automated election system (SMARTMATIC- TIM). The lawmakers said technology experts have identified 14 “risks, vulnerabilities, threats, and other logistical nightmares that will seriously cause failures of elections,” to wit:

1. Sensitivity of the machines - when you place epoxy/glue in the ballot immediately before placing it into the machine, the machine will break down.

2. Erroneous printing of the ballots - There will be 1,631 versions of the ballot and there will be some 35,000 names to be distributed among 1,631 versions of the ballot, for printing. The probability of making mistakes is very high and the consequences of such mistakes could be fatal.

3. Erroneous delivery of the ballots - After printing, the right set of ballots will have to be delivered to the 1,631 cities, districts and municipalities, which errors could also be fatal.

4. The numerous names of candidates numbering around 250-300 that would have to be pre-printed in the ballot will require long and large ballots. This will make it difficult for the voter to keep his voting secret.

5. The need to train some 500,000 teachers to assist the voters.

6. The need to train 45-50 million voters.

7. The need to hire and train 40,000 technicians, one for each precinct.

8. The clustering of 300,000 precincts, down to 80,000, could cause confusion.
9. Due to COMELEC’s decision to let the voter himself feed his ballot into the machine, any breakdown could cause delays.

10. Voters could intentionally introduce substances into the PCOS that would result in its malfunction.

11. Erroneous markings, smudges, poor calibration/ alignment could cause rejection of the ballot.

12. Nobody would see the counting at the precincts.

13. Given that nobody would see the counting, the voting public would likely not trust the results. Losing candidates therefore, especially in hotly-contested areas, might create trouble that could cause a failure of elections in their localities. If this occurs in many areas, it could mean a total failure of elections nationwide.

14. The reliability of the machines come election day is also suspect. It took the Department of Science and Technology fours months in 1991 to test the failed Mega Pacific Election Automation System to certify the reliability and accuracy of the counting machines. This time around, COMELEC is only giving one month to test the 80,000 SMARTMATIC-TIM machines.

The lawmakers are also concerned about the delays in implementing the automated system. Production of the election machines was held up for four months due to the government’s delay in releasing the mobilization fund. In addition, implementation has been delayed by 60 to 120 days due to unrealistically tight schedule, which was later aggravated by the petition filed by the Concerned Citizens Movement wit the Supreme Court for alleged violations of Republic Act 9369.

R.A .9369 mandated, among other things, to “use a direct recording electronic system (DRE) for the process of voting, counting of votes an canvassing/consolid ation and transmittal of results of electoral exercises.” However, the lawmakers claim that the “legal mandate to use the DRE will not be implemented due mainly to the fact that the COMELEC acquired only counting machines with limited functions and capabilities.”

The lawmakers are also concerned about Comelec Chairman Jose A. Melo’s recent statement declaring that 30 to 50 percent of the precincts “may have to use the manual election system in the 2010 National and Local Elections due to the absence of power and communications facilities in some areas.”

The lawmakers also claim that the use of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) is “not compliant with the provision of R.A. 9369 and other laws incorporated in said Act.” Evidently, this was known to COMELEC; however, it was ignored.

And, lastly, the lawmakers are concerned that since the “risks and vulnerabilities of the automated election system have not yet been properly addressed, particularly the adoption of the potentially dangerous open balloting and secret canvassing, which is the complete opposite of the secret voting and open canvassing under the manual system, there is great possibility of failure of elections that will eventually cause chaos in the streets.”

But while H.R. 1465 urges Comelec to revert to manual voting and precinct counting, it recommends the automation of the canvassing of the votes and requiring a “simultaneous electronic transmission system from the precinct level to the municipal, provincial, National Board of Canvassers and to Congress in the 2010 National and Local Elections.”

In my opinion, the automation of the canvassing of the votes would be vulnerable to massive “dagdag-bawas” (add-subtract) cheating.

As in past elections, “dagdag-bawas” cheating was done during the canvassing of votes where it was easy to cheat -- with the connivance of Comelec officials -- by subtracting votes from a certain candidate and adding them to another candidate’s tally. If canvassing of votes were done electronically, it would be easier to perform “dagdag-bawas” manipulations. During the 2004 presidential elections, “dagdag-bawas” cheating was allegedly perpetrated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which was exposed in the celebrated “Hello Garci” election cheating scandal.

To pursue total or partial implementation of the SMARTMATIC-TIM automated election system could lead to wholesale confusion and total breakdown of the 2010 elections. The prudent thing to do is to totally revert to the old manual system.

Manhid

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

Credit it to the immense popularity of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, idol of our congressmen who would like to share the limelight when he fights Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.

Now, it appears that the man who is moving heaven and earth to stop the solons from going to the MGM Grand or explain why they have to go there is being frustrated at every turn. Nueva Ecija Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson complained he has been trying to get his resolution heard in the House of Representatives but chamber leaders, he claimed, were not keen on taking up his proposal.

In April, Joson filed House Resolution No. 371 calling for three-year travel ban for public officials. Joson proposed that foreign trips should be justified as to purpose and cost. “I really don’t know why they don’t want to have my resolution taken up by a committee. This has gained more urgency as we are facing a ballooning deficit (estimated to hit P300 billion this year) and the public is demanding more sensitivity to the typhoon victims plight,” Joson said, referring to the devastation left by Tropical Storms “Ondoy,” “Pepeng” and “Santi.”

He reiterated his no-travel proposal in the midst of new reports at least 20 members of the House, including Speaker Prospero Nograles, had left for the United States on business, vacation and presumably to watch Pacquiao slug it out with Cotto.

Government officials are a fixture in every Pacquiao fight abroad. Essential House and government business are left hanging when there is no quorum in Congress, he complained. “I call this being manhid (insensitive, callous). Many of our countrymen are still suffering from the typhoon devastation and they (congressmen) are spending a lot of money just to satisfy their whims,” Joson said.

The congressman could also tell that to other officials in government particularly those holding office or living beside that big house by the Pasig River.

***
They call it urong-sulong. Malacanang Nov. 2 apologized for having withdrawn the nationwide scope of the special nonworking holidays on Nov. 27 and 28, the two-day commemoration of Eid’l Adha or Day of Sacrificed by Muslims.

“We apologize to those who have been inconvenienced by the change,” said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a radio interview. Malacanang initially announced the special nonworking holidays marking the end of the Muslim’s annual pilgrimage to Mecca would be celebrated nationwide.

Later it decided the holidays would be marked only in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Remonde said the change was made on the request of the business community, which had expressed concerns over the number of holidays celebrated in the country throughout the year which, they said, was having on adverse impact on productivity on their payrolls.

A list of holidays this year obtained from the official government website showed 14 nonworking holidays excluding the two that were just scratched. It is no wonder those in the business sector are complaining that too many holdidays leads to stunted economic growth for the country and overhead expenses on their part like additional wages.

Somehow, the withdrawal of the Eid’l Adha holiday by Malacanang was a prudent decision considering that more religious sectors could also clamor to have a nationwide holiday for their religions like those moralist (rather molarist) nutshells who spew venom on television.
***
In the local front in Baguio following onslaught of Typhoon “Pepeng,” the city council is studying a proposed one-year moratorium on construction of commercial establishments and issuance of building permits.

Local legislators, who filed the ordinance granting temporary stop to construction of commercial structures, said the moratorium would mean total halt in construction of of buildings and additions to existing commercial buildings and on issuance of all permits for all commercial constructions in this mountain resort city.

However, the moratorium will exempt applications for issuance of a building permit for remodeling of a commercial building and existing applications for building and occupancy permits prior to the effectivity of the ordinance.

The proponents of the measure said the one-year moratorium is a definite and reasonable period of time to consider the comprehensive land use program, pursuant to the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay development scheme being pushed by the Cordillera Regional Development Council and BLIST local govnemrnets.

The moratorium is expected to strictly regulate issuance of permits to commercial buildings will “create conditions essential to public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city and provide the framework for the orderly growth and development of the country while preserving and enhancing the city’s natural heritage.”

Since 1995, the RDC had been advocating full implementation of the BLIST development concept order to decongest overflowing development in Baguio which is now resulting to numerous problems on solid waste management, traffic, water, air and land pollution.

The proposed ordinance should be given more thought by the councilors as any lot owner who has a title to his property and wants to build an establishment over his land can summon private geologists or surveyors to determine the structural soundness of the building he would like to build.

A one-year delay in construction could mean a lot of losses particularly for those engaged in business or entrepreneurship. It could also be a violation of people’s right to earn a living or do business.

Ace in the Hole

BALITANG KUTSERO
By Perry Diaz

My investigative reporter James Macaquecquec told me of a story he heard. The story goes: Gloria Arroyo was applying for a permit to build her own ark. "You need to put two of each kind in it," said Noah, "so they can breed while afloat." "Oh," Gloria shot back with as much sweetness she could muster. "But I only need one each of my Cabinet, one each of my congressmen, one each of my presidential staff, and one each of the church men on my side to breed." "Breed what?" asked Noah. Gloria hesitated… then said, "Corruption." That’s Gloria’s Ark.

My other investigative reporter from Northern California sent me this report: According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo’s report to President Arroyo, donations from various governments for Typhoon Ondoy victims have reached P4.41 billion. And more are coming in. Hmmm… that’s a lot of money to build Gloria’s Ark.

I wonder if the Philippine government has established an accounting system to show how much money is coming in from donors and how much is going out to the typhoon victims. We just want to make sure that the kleptocrats don’t get near that money.

And the last thing we want to see happen is Gloria junketing again and dining in expensive restaurants abroad. The past year that she had been junketing, she used her P800 million contingency fund in addition to the P1 billion already budgeted for her travels. Gloria probably thought that the contingency fund is to be used when she’s short on shopping money.

Rey Arcilla of Malaya reported in his column that Gloria has authorized Romulo to host on Dec. 1-3 the Special Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on the Interfaith Dialogue.

The amount allotted for that event is more than P400 million!!! Holy goat! Where is Gloria going to get that money for this extravagant meeting! Madame President, the typhoon victims need the money more than the junketing foreign government officials!!!

And guess where Romulo was recently? He was in Paris attending the UNESCO General Conference. And guess where Romulo and Gloria will be going next? To Thailand to attend the annual Asean Summit Meeting. Reminds me of Nero who fiddled while Rome was burning. This time, Gloria is junketing while Filipinos are drowning.

Meanwhile, Rep. Satur Ocampo is renewing calls “to suspend interest and principal payments on the country's foreign debt and instead use the funds for disaster response measures.” Of the proposed P1.541 trillion 2010 budget, P340.8 billion -- or 22.1% -- is allocated for interest payments! That doesn’t include principal payments. Wah wah wee! Kawawa naman kami!
Presidential wannabe Sen. Manny Villar is having fun with Wowowee host Willie Revillame in three early Christmas concerts in Cavite. Wow! These two happy-go-lucky guys are having a good time while Pinoys are suffering from the ravages of typhoons. Wah wah wee! Kawawa naman ang mga Pinoy!

It was reported in the news that Willie Revillame is “Manny’s ace.” Reminds me of a poker game called “ace in the hole.” Willie might just be Manny’s “ace in the hole.” But Manny should be careful not to mispronounce “ace” as “ass.” That could be very embarrassing. Imagine, “ass…”?
Rumor has it that Willie is eyeing the vice presidency or mayorship of Quezon City. Well, if I were Willie, I’d rather run for vice president. What does he know about running a city government? Look at Vice President Noli De Castro, all he does is cut ribbons and attend funerals.

Pa bandying bandying lang siya! I’m pretty sure Willie would love to do that.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero turned 40 last October 10 but he decided to postpone his announcement of his political plans in 2010. The reason, he said, was so his party can focus its efforts on helping the typhoon victims. Well, at the rate typhoons are coming to the Philippines, Chiz might consider postponing his political plans indefinitely cuz he’s going to be really busy helping typhoon victims for the rest of his adult life.

Meanwhile, Chiz said that he favors abolishing the pork barrel system saying, “The current system poses a problem since we do not know where it came from or where it goes. I am in favor of abolishing the pork barrel system and institutionalizing line-item budgeting.” Wrong! We know it came from the taxpayers and we suspect it’s going into some politicians’ pockets. If Chiz wants the support of those who are running for Congress, he’d better not talk about abolishing pork barrel. They’d kick him in the ass for proposing that.

Did you know that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s look-alike pal, Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, is running for governor of Capiz? Well, Sen. Mar Roxas, Noynoy’s running mate, is pissed off cuz Joc-joc has been pirating members of the local chapter of the Liberal Party. Mar should have known long time ago that Joc-joc is a real “ace in the hole.” And I’m pretty sure Mar wouldn’t mind people mispronouncing “ace.”

Hey, finally, Mar and Korina Sanchez are set to wed on October 23 at the cavernous Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City. The couple want the big church to accommodate their relatives, friends, and the public as well. A reception was planned to be held at the Araneta Coliseum but the couple canceled the reception and decided to donate P2 million they had set aside for the reception to help the typhoon victims. That’s about $40,000 -- twice the amount Gloria spent dining with her friends at Le Cirque in New York! Now, that’s a real wow wow wee! Bless your hearts, Mar and Korina.

By the way, Ombudsman Merceditas “Mercy” Navarro-Gutierrez -- Mike Arroyo’s college chum -- said that her office is still investigating Gloria’s $20,000 dinner at Le Cirque. She said that “the investigating prosecutor is thoroughly scrutinizing the case.” Well, the last time Mercy scrutinized a case filed against Gloria and Mike, it led to a bridge to nowhere. That’s what friends are for.

After months of dilly-dallying, former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who was forced to take a “leave of absence” in 2001, finally picked his vice presidential running mate -- Jejomar Binay. Erap said that Binay’s experience as mayor of Makati City made him “his best choice for running mate in next year’s elections.” Indeed, Binay is Erap’s “ace in the hole” who is ready to take over the presidency in case Erap takes another leave of absence. -- (PerryDiaz@gmail. com)

Lots and lots of rain

BENCHWARMER
Ramon S. Dacawi

(Johann D. Dacawi, son of Ramon Dacawi writes this week’s column. Johann is now based with his family in Italy—ed)

I’ve seen them, Brad and Angelina and Madonna with their kids. They are always on the news, be it on TV or print. Every time they go out the door the paparazzi feast on them relentlessly. The reporters are not like the vultures. They seem to be more like zombies on speed, hungry to feed on these stars and their children.

Two days ago my wife Lovelyn frantically prepared dinner for our guests and we met them that night for the first time. Lovelyn told me that she met a Baguio-born lady in the web who had been reading her blog. She married a half-Italian half-Austrian gentleman and they settled in Austria for good. This lovely couple had a problem though. . . . they couldn’t have a child. So they adopted Christopher John.

Just months after Christopher was born, he was brought in to a hospital in Tarlac. Most probably the boy was sick. His biological parents wanted him to get well and wanted something more than that. I bet it tore them to pieces. They prayed to God to protect their boy as they left Christopher there in the hospital in the care of nurses and doctors.

The authorities published in the paper and announced on the radio that a boy was left in the hospital. No one went back for Baby Christopher. So they transferred him to an orphanage in Pampanga and placed him up for adoption.

Our dinner guests went through all sorts of trouble. Paid a fortune just to be labeled as “good normal people,” eligible to be parents. It was a terrible experience, they told us. Christopher was four when he became their son. He was aloof, scared, traumatized and cried always over things normal children would not cry about.

The cars frightened him, alongside with everything in the city or the outside world for that matter. He was afraid of people and even children of his age. He held on to his new parents’ arms and legs like glue.

When they ate, the boy would devour everything and would always put food in his pocket, like it would be the last meal of his life. And then he got over it all. The first time they brought Christopher to the beach, the boy said, “Wow, ang dami-daming ulan!”

I try to picture Christopher’s face, his first time with the ocean and I think he saw our Lord or felt Him that moment. Then I took a good look at Christopher when we sat down for dinner. He complimented me politely for his plate of pasta which he finished with a smile. Seeing no trace from his past, with a smile warm and bright as the sun, I saw one of the happiest boys in the world.

The family went back to the “Reception and Study Center for Children,” Christopher’s former home, some time ago. It was a good facility but in desperate need of serious funding. Mostly good hearted “volunteers” run the center and they also act as parents for the children. Ten children in every small house in the facility need a papa and mama.

Christopher brought the lots and lots of rain he saw for the first time to his former mother at the orphanage. She was happy for her boy. Christopher also met his best friend at the orphanage and his friend was very sick. No one has adopted him yet. So Christopher asked his parents for a brother. Their answer was a painful. . . . “only if we could”.

I wonder how could this little boy, same age as our son Lukie now, could have brought the lots and lots of rain he saw for the first time here in our home and in our hearts, too.

As the dinner and conversation drew on, Christopher, Lukie and Dylan played happily together. I thought back on the Brangelinas and Madonna and their children. They went through what our guests had gone through -- and I was wrong.

Illicit excavations partly blamed for landslides

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

After all has settled in the aftermath of the recent calamities, except for those who still weep over lost lives and property, the finger-pointing on who is to be blamed continues.

However, all of these can only be substantiated by reopening records attesting to things that were done or actions that could have been implemented that could have prevented or minimized the effects of the catastrophes, in addition to actual inspections of the devastated areas.

In a presscon held last week and attended by no less than multi-awarded Forester Regidor “Doy” M. de Leon, the newly appointed Regional Executive Director of DENR-Cordillera, it was learned that spots hit by heavy landslides such as Sitio Little Kibungan in Barangay Puguis, La Trinidad has been assessed in a geological mapping and survey in 2007, where officials and residents were warned of the circumstances surrounding the condition of the area.

Despite the information, Little Kibungan that was previously dubbed “ Kibungan Village ” because most residents here originated from the town of Kibungan , Benguet, grew even more populated as houses mushroomed on the embankments of a natural gorge.

In the words of the DENR staff they said that LGUs should apply more intense engineering intervention in dangerous residential zones, build houses with sizes suitable to the soil condition or simply prevent big constructions.The geological survey was conducted in Baguio , Benguet, Mt. Province and in some other parts of the region in 2007.

But in a country where elections come in every three years, to whom will politicians pay attention to? Is it the advice of technical teams from knowledgeable engineers, or the counsel of their political campaign leaders? And people will not stop constructing houses especially when they know that their officials will not stop them.

The weather, aside from having multi natural values of creativeness, helpfulness and kindness to some sectors, it is violent and disastrous to others. Man can not do anything about that, although, he knows the consequences.

The LGUs concerned are “aware of the warning,” Geologist Apil said. What the agency can do now after the fair warnings have been defied and after hundreds of deaths and displaced families, is to identify safe relocation sites and suggest that the affected are evacuated immediately.

Accordingly, Mt. Province PENRO Manny Pogeyed said the agency has already made such recommendations to the concerned LGUs in Benguet and the Cordillera.

Tadian, Mt. Province was doubly drenched by the continuous and heavy downpour of typhoon Pepeng when it made an unusual turn and re-entered from the western side, Forester Pogeyed said, causing massive landslide on a mountain at East Kayan that killed more than 35 residents in an instant.

News reports had it that folks in Kayan had previous knowledge of an old crack or a natural fissure on the mountain that eroded during “Pepeng.” But this information was not enough to warn the residents of possible danger.

DENR Geologist Fay Apil confirmed that landslides easily occur in the Cordillera because of its geomorphic character which is mountainous aside from being weathered and fractured. Such is the case of the mountain in Tadian.

Apparently, after several evaluations of the consequences of bad typhoons, it appeared that in most cases, damages to properties and deaths became more unthinkable when man interfered or disturbed the natural physical appearance of his environment.

Better judgment of nature that is taught to us through our environment is implanted in us only after it has taken away things that are precious to us. Has man aggravated his own disaster and has he become his own destroyer?
***
Talking about environmental destruction aggravated by man, I happened to pass by Shilan Barangay in Trinidad and accidently found out about the opposition of residents against the earth-moving activities of a proposed subdivision at Sitio Takian.

Businessman Sonny Bahod said the opposition against the alleged developer identified as Elmer Cambolo, a councilor in Bakun, was led by Shilan Chair Georgina Delmas.

According to Bahod, his property has already been damaged as earth-fill has reached his house lot situated beside the former poultry farm of a certain Benito G. Sy that is being developed into a subdivision.

Mayor Artemio Galwan has taken note of the residents’ plight and has posted a notice in a local paper that warned the public to avoid dealing with the former poultry farm’s developers.

The notice said that the developer has not acquired the necessary documents such as subdivision development plan, development permit, environmental compliance certificate, land conversion papers and subdivision approval from the municipality in order to proceed in developing the 3.5 hectare area.

My reliable source whose relatives and friends were duped into buying lots from the landowner said residential lots are being sold at P2,500.00 per square meter.

Allegedly, the property was acquired from Benito G. Sy for P1,100.00 per square meter, which means that the seller stands to gain a whopping P1,400.00 per square meter, no sweat.

Just imagine how much profit he will get if he is able to dispose all of the 35,000 square meters. If the selling continues without the legal means, the seller would become a millionaire many times over through fraud and deceit.

Bahod confirmed that those who already gave cash advances to Cambolo were shown a plain subdivision plan that identified the lots to be bought, but these were not supported by technical survey descriptions.

I was told that many of the unwitting lot buyers are residents and businessmen from Mt. Trail and that this was the second time that people from the same community are tricked into buying residential lots with the promise from the dealers that the subdivision would soon be provided with access roads.

The first time was when buyers bought undeveloped residential lots from Cambolo located near Governor Fongwan’s house at Puguis, with the promise to construct roads. After three years, those who bought from him have yet to construct their houses because of the absence of access roads.

“I do not mind if one disposes his lots but the manner by which this is done should be carried out properly where buyers will not feel cheated after giving away their hard-earned cash,” my informant said. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Local governance

NO HOLDS BARRED
Ike Señeres

Rescue, relief and rehab represent a complete supply chain (CSC) that should now become the three “R’s” of disaster monitoring, management and mitigation. The latter should now also become the three “M’s” of the same CSC. In the first place, how many of our local government officials are aware that it is indeed a CSC?

A Filipina citizen who is working with the a United Nations relief agency just happened to be in the Philippines when the typhoons struck, and so she was asked to assist in the local rescue efforts, and also to assess whatever she sees. In her report, she said that she was SHOCKED to see the state of UNPREPAREDNESS of the local governments in dealing with the disasters, including the national agencies as well.

By now, the government is already into the rehab stage of the CSC, or at least it is theoretically supposed to. While it is supposed to be doing rehab already, it is barely able to do good in the relief stage. Meanwhile, the threat of another typhoon looms, and I wonder whether it is already trying to improve its capabilities in rescue operations.

The mandate of the government in the three “M’s” is to monitor, manage and mitigate. These three components are intertwined with each other, and the chain could not work if one component is missing. As I say this, I wonder if the national government is already planning to upgrade its weather forecasting infra, which is completely analog based as I know it.

Monitoring is the most basic of all the three components because everything should start with it. In this time and age of modern digital technology, it is a shame to still hang on to analog means, especially when the lives and limbs of our citizens are concerned. In this time, we should already be talking about REAL TIME data, because the delay in data could mean the deaths of more people and the destruction of more properties.

As I pondered over the apparent incompetence of many local authorities in dealing with the disasters, I came across the question of whether there is something wrong with our local government system, or whether there is something wrong in the way that we are electing our local authorities. I have already concluded that it is a case of the latter. We are not electing the right people who could deliver the right services to us.

In the coming elections, we should elect candidates from the political parties that have a program of managing all aspects of local governance. The emphasis here should be on the parties, because from now on, we should proceed on the presumption that no single individual is capable of planning and implementing good governance programs, no matter how good or how popular he or she is.

The core of every good management program should always be a good plan that is both doable and sustainable. Needless to say, the planning should be the product of a process that should involve many technical and legal experts, meaning that it should not be the product of one man’s thinking, no matter how intelligent or powerful he or she is.

Speaking about planning, I will never get tired of saying that according to the law, all plans of the national government agencies and the local government units (LGUs) should be in line with, and should be consistent with Agenda 21, the long term agenda for sustainable development here in the Philippines. In other words, we should elect local officials who not only understand Agenda 21, but who could plan and implement in line with it.

At the risk of stating the obvious, I will also not get tired of saying that all planning activities should start with good data gathering, and should end with the operation and maintenance of good databases. In a recent report aired by one of the networks, it was mentioned that the government was supposed to have implemented a Geographic Information System (GIS) a long time ago, but it did not materialize. What happened to that?

A GIS database is not everything, but it should really be at the core of all local planning activities, incorporating all demographic and topographic data that could reasonably be gathered. With GIS at the core, it would then be easy to include a Global Positioning System (GPS) on one hand and a Short Messaging System (SMS) on the other hand, thus making it open to all.

Watch my TV show “Bears & Bulls”, a daily coverage of the Philippine Stock Exchange. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Global News Network. Email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639293605140 for local cable listings.

The deadly Sagada-Dantay road

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- This dilapidated centennial ‘death road’ which claimed a number of lives through the years needs all the improvement to prevent further accidents.

The recent October 31 deaths of four members of a family then riding in a family jeep driven by pastor engineer Victor Batcagan is too much of an accident to ignore and claim as a mechanical error, or another of those vehicular mishaps due to bad road conditions.

Sympathies to the families of the victims, and groans on the current state of the still-sorry looking Dantay- Sagada road moved the northern Kankana-ey speaking yahoo e-groups Kotim-ya-Eta (KyE) to forward the need to reroute the accident prone section atop Dantay barangay where the ill-fated Batcagan jeep fell.

The suggested diversion road proceeds leftwards (if coming from Dantay), snaking along the area where another vehicular accident in 2007 plunging the jeep of Engr Lawagan towards the river and causing his death, and further onwards till it reaches the nearest accessible part of the road.

Engineer Richard Yodong said the suggested diversion road will avoid the dangerous curve while moving out from threatening landslides on the current winding stretch of avoided road. Yodong said, the proposed initiative is currently on the desk of Mountain Province OIC District Engineer John Toynoan Marquez of DPWH-Mountain Province for his appropriate action, to be eventually followed up for request for the necessary funding to the office of the President through Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs Thomas Killip.

While this is so, affected properties on the road-right of way portions was forwarded as an important factor to consider based on existing laws before implementation pushes through so as to let the planned project proceed smoothly.

Yodong mentioned that this suggestion was earlier aired to check the dangerous curve atop barangay Dantay when a Besao- Bontoc jeep fell in the same curve which led to the deaths of 7 teachers and injury to 13 others in December 1996. Re-routing alternatives were also explored in earlier attempts as claimed by lawyer Lino Macalingay, whose mother was one of the ill- fated victims of the 1996 accident.

Nine passengers of a Besao-Bontoc jeepney also died and nine others were injured in November 2007 when the jeepney plunged into a 50-foot ravine on the Dantay-Sagada Road at Sitio Pegeo which led to the conduct of a ritual to prevent further accidents. The driver of the ill-fated jeepney tried to maneuver the vehicle off a poorly engineered portion of the road while on an uphill climb when it fell down the ravine, as earlier reported.

The suggested diversion road comes as an added initiative from resolutions already presented in previous efforts; and so with projects already done along the stretch of the road.

Early this year, the Regional Development Council in its efforts to promote tourism, expressed support to the completion of the concreting of the Dantay-Sagada Road also known as John Staunton Road in honor of Anglican Bishop John Staunton who led in constructing the road in the early 1900s .Savings from the Halsema SONA projects is eyed as source for the proposed funding for the repair of the 13.5 kilometer road.

The Dantay- Sagada Road was declared as a national road by virtue of Department Order No. 20 by DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr as a vital access road to boost the tourism industry of the municipality Sagada. This means concreting of the 13.5-km road can then be directly appropriated by the department as it is a national road.

A P20 million Bayan Muna project was implemented four years ago which cemented a section of the road along sitio Mabbay; plus a P1 million project from the Provincial Government which cemented a portion along Dapdapanan.

President Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo also handed P100 million to then former Sagada Mayor Robert Baaten for the rehabilitation of the 13.5 kilometer Dantay Sagada Road when she visited the tourist town in 2005. Part of the funds was used to cement the intersection at the Dantay area.

As it stands, a long stretch of the dilapidated road still needs more finances for concreting aside from appropriating funds for the suggested diversion road.

Sheltering the living

TRAILS UP NORTH
Glo Abaeo Tuazon

ALONG THE HALSEMA HIGHWAY -- ShelterBox and Rotary Club of La Trinidad took the hazardous roads of Halsema on All Saints Day and All Souls Day to deliver and install the much needed temporary shelters in Mankayan, Benguet and Mountain Province. Rachel Simpkins (UK), Greg Moran (Australia) and ShelterBox Teamleader Ron Noseworthy (Canada) together with Rotary Club International District 3790 and Rotary Club of La Trinidad delivered a total of 46 shelterboxes, 28 to Mankayan and 18 to the Mt. Province.

Unlike the previous deliveries, the boxes contained complete kits usually given out by ShelterBox Company. The boxes included the tents, floor mats, thermal blankets, basic pots and kitchen utensils, basic building tools, water purification kits and kiddy packs. Brian Joy who led the previous ShelterBox teams to Tublay, Atok and Itogon said earlier deliveries consisted of basic tents because at that time they were in a rush to address the temporary shelters of those displaced, reason why they only brought tents to maximize the load.

With a few weeks passing after Typhoon Pepeng though the new team now were able to include the whole set for the recipients of Mankayan and MP which were in fact the last places where the roads became accessible.

Rationalizing ShelterBox, the teams have these to say. ShelterBox is an organization thriving on donations all over the world to come up with the kits. In most cases of calamities, a lot of people are displaced and left homeless. Most of the helping organizations cater to the most basic needs of food, medicines, clothing and household needs.

But more often than not the issue on temporary shelters are left untouched. That was the very reason ShelterBox took the challenge to answer the need. The box would contain a tent that could house at most 11 people -- a weatherproof tent that would serve as a “home” for the family while trying to rebuild their lives. In most evacuation centers, especially with casualties, some people have to have a private place to rest and grieve, to hug each other and be a family inspite of the tragedy. A place where even if the family lost everything, they could at least have a little dignity until a permanent shelter is ready to be had.

In Mt. Province, Gov. Maximo B. Dalog welcomed the team and was ever grateful for the help extended to his people who were displaced. Though the Mountain Province was one of the last places touched by ShelterBox in the Cordillera, it was understandable because of the hazards of the road. The important thing was that those in need were still extended the much needed help. For now the region is still reeling from the catastrophe but pushing on to rebuild itself and regain its lost glory.

For ShelterBox and Rotary, missing the tradition of family gatherings during All Saints Day and All Souls Day to commemorate the departed is nothing compared to reaching out and helping those who are still living. -- Email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com

Great Ilocanos /Honolulu Mayor Hanemann

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G. Bonilla

LAOAG CITY – Whenever foreign and local visitors visit the Syquia Mansion in Vigan City, the memorabilia of Ilocandia's first contribution to Malacanang, the late President Elpidio Quirino, is main focus.

This column gives tribute to Quirino whose birthday falls on Nov. 16,1890. His birthplace was the second floor of the provincial jail of Vigan of which his father, Mariano Quirino, was the provincial warden.

His mother Gregoria Rivera hailed from Agoo, La Union. Pidiong, as he was called by his peers, was a good painter, an orator, debater and a noted student like Jose P. Laurel. Laurel was a famed politician, lawmaker, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court and President of the Philippines during the Japanese era.

With the approval of the Jones Law of 1916,destiny willed that Quirino be chosen as the secretary of then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon. His political career started in 1919 when he was elected representative of his Congressional district against a well-established opponent.

Quezon's political career inspired Quirino to throw his hat in the political ring. He married the charming Alicia Syquia,a scion of the wealthy family of Vigan, Ilocos Sur on January 16, 1921. Unfortunately,at the height of the liberation campaign in Manila, Dona Syquia together with her three children fell victims to Japanese massacre on February 1945 leaving only Rep. Elpidio Quirino ,his son Tomas and daughter Victoria as survivors.

Tomas was then the father of the beauteous Cory Quirino. The Collectivista Party chose Quirino as its standard bearer for senator in 1922 but he lost to the more popular and intellectual giant Isabelo de los Reyes.

Fate favored this young politician who won overwhelmingly as senator in 1925 at the age of 35 and was re-elected in 1931.He lost to an equally promising lawyer-politician in the person of Benito Soliven when he launched his candidacy in his district in the 1938 election because President Manuel L. Quezon supported Soliven.

Quirino was appointed by Quezon as Secretary of Finance during the governor-generalship of Frank Murphy. Before the outbreak of World War II, he was elected a senator in 1941.

As running mate of Senate President Manuel A. Roxas, official candidate of the newly formed Liberal Party, the LP won. Quirino was elected Vice-President and inducted into office on May 28,1946.

He became president after the death of Roxas on April 15,1948.He served as President from 1948 to 1953.The country will always remember the late President Elpidio Quirino as the Father of Industrialization who spearheaded economic programs that helped alleviate poverty of the masses especially those living in rural areas.

May the generation of Ilocano leaders find inspiration in the person of President Quirino who had proven that Ilocanos could become great leaders of the nation.
***
The press conference of Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Marcos Keon highlighted several issues including upgrading of the Laoag City General Hospital. The way I look at it, the ideas of the chief executive is very much supportive of the program of the city government and Dept. of Health.

The better system that might give harmonious relationship between the city and the provincial governments is honest, open and transparent dialogue or communication in pursuing objectives of the city and the province. The governor expounded very well the different aspects concerning health as primordial concern of the city.

After the press con, here came the Miss Earth beauties with their amazing and dazzling personalities during the motorcade that bedazzled the crowd with their looks and global concern.
They discovered the fine culture and traditions of the Ilocanos. With their stature as representatives of environmental concerns, they could have a big impact on the tourism industry of the province.

It was known that Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos,Jr. with lawyer Adel Tamano delivered inspirational talks for the candidates at Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel and Casino. The last day of their visit will be a cultural presentation and a bit of socialization at San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte for them to know the dedication of San Nicolenos in the field of arts.

I would like to mention the names of Vice-Gov. Windell Chua, honorables Vicentito Lazo, Elena Nalupta, Shirley Ong Sin, Portia Respicio Salenda, Cris Ablan, Albert Chua, Angelo Marcos Barba, Jessie Galano, and provincial legal officer Jaime Agtang for being there at the Session Hall and highlighting ideas presented by the chief executive.
***
The mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii Mufi Hanemann will visit the province of Ilocos Norte to strengthen ties between the Ilocanos and those of his city knowing very well that Ilocanos who once worked as the Sakadas almost dominated the County of Honolulu. They contributed a lot for the development and progress of Hawaii.

I first met Hanemann during the highlight of Bacarra's town fiesta where he was invited as guest of honor and speaker during that momentous event. I interviewed the good mayor and truly he could relate clearly to anyone his wisdom and nobility of spirit. His inspiring message made Ilocanos proud of their roots.

Nude shows in Baguio

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

Days of the saints and souls in Baguio City went on smoothly and ended well ---traffic was manageable. I guess police inspector Elmer Cereno of the Baguio City police office traffic management division deserves a two hands salute and likewise to all volunteers and the public order and safety division headed by engineer Greg Delijero. More power!!
***
Baguio City on its garbage problem, quo vadis? My ears are becoming deaf due to numerous complaints on the issue. My body could have nervous breakdown soon with the warning of the Department of Health informing us of diseases these rotting garbage could give us.

Anyhow, our city officials are entertaining us with their doing their pangFamas acting with the way they are tackling the problem. Meanhwile, my body is on near collapse as my friends keep on telling me the city “kaha-da-yero is near empty because of questionable high cost of garbage hauling. My mind is going crazy wondering why these so-called how shiao are solving the garbage problem when there are alternative solutions and proposals rotting at the desk of those city officials.

Political will? Maybe the City officials should sit together and act to fastback an engineered sanitary landfill at Aleman, Palali, Sablan, Benguet. Reports have it that this proposed 22-hektare lot could benefit Baguio and neighboring municipalities like la Trinidad , Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay.

Accordingly, this proposed lot that is owned by private individuals got no objection from Sablan officials and residents. In fact, it was no other than Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan who is giving the nod for this to go on.

If it is true that this proposal was submitted at the office of Baguio city mayor Reinaldo Baustista Jr. way back in 2008, then it is a wonder why they did not discuss the matter or made a plan with the proponents for a quick solution to the garbage problem. Technically, it is far better for the proponents to explain its mechanics than the mayor or any of the city councilors.

Remember that engineers know far better technical aspects on the matter than lawyers. I am not saying that there might be some anti’s -- I mean antay – grasya or those who are waiting for some cashsunduans before they go for the ride.

Nevertheless, I would like to salute civic leader Butch Mandapat who is exerting his efforts for this project to push through. Maybe, with his initiative, this beloved city will soon get rid of its garbage problem..Ano say ninyo, pulpullitiko? I bet, Mr Mandapat is a far better man who could solve the problem.
***
My bubwit recently told me that the gambling activity at the second floor of Fortunata’s at 2nd kayang St., is again back. Months ago, we called the attention of punong barangay Julita Sino Cruz of Kayang Hilltop regarding this activity and she was quick to give a letter urging operators to stop their illegal activity. However, after months of laying low, it is again back and the poor kapitana could not do nothing but to stomp her feet in anger saying kayo “na ang bahala sir “when we informed her.

Attention, Senior Supt. Agrifino Javier of the Baguio City police office, and also regional police director Chief Supt. Orlando L Pestano. Please look into this as one of your men is reportedly protecting this illegal gambling activity at Kayang.

I am also calling the attention of Insp.Deo Garciaof BCPO Station 1 on rampant illegal gambling at this billiard joint along the intersection of Ferguson and Naguillian roads especially at night. Is the gentleman of Station 1 aware of this activity going on under his jurisdiction? If not, then we expect prompt action from him, right?
***
According to reports from my bubwit there are rampant bold shows at adjacent bars along Naguillian Road, a few meters away from Baguio City Hall and Justice building. Dancers of these girlie and gay bars show their private parts right in front of their customers while dancing on stage. I wonder why they seem to dance at ease naked when this should be stopped by concerned city officials.

Elements of the Cordillera Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Baguio mayor’s office inspected these night establishment months ago. I wonder why they were not able to note the nude shows of these establishments. Could it be that there was someone or people in high positions protecting these night establishment? Are these officials bold enough to go after these bold shows? Just asking!!

Banayoyo’s School of Living Tradition

PUNCHLINE
Onnie C. Duran

BANAYOYO, Ilocos Sur -- Aiming to preserve and promote the traditional dances, songs and musical instruments of the Bago Tribe here, a School of Living Tradition was established.

Phase I of the project was funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, amounting to P200,000. The teaching and learning process for students started in January 2006 and ended December the same year.

The first 40 SLT students, all members of the Bago here were selected from students enrolled at Naguimba Elementary School, Candon National High School, Banayoyo National High School and Saint Joseph Institute.

The students were taught by three masters on traditional dances likekam-an si gamit, sayao, lablabbaan, pinnanyuan, sapatiar, binnakes and puggapug. Traditional songs like bulakengkang, iddumdum, malleyda and on musical instruments like gangsa, tonggatong, tambor, burangkang, kulaleng and suggaypo.

Classes on Phase – I were held every Saturday at the Naguimba Elementary School, Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur. With the success of the SLT Phase – I, trainees were invited to perform in many places prompting the Parents Teachers Association and tribal leaders of the community to recommend the SLT to be institutionalized to make sure that the dwindling customs and traditions of the Bago Tribe would be perpetuated among the younger generation.

With the indulgence of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, another P200,000 was granted for Phase – II of the SLT which tuaght 30 students ages 8-10 years old and are all enrollees of Naguimba Elementary School.

The Phase –II of the project was implemented through the local government unit of Banayoyo under the administration of Mayor Severino P. Galanga which culminated Nov. 7.

Work smarter, not harder

BUSINESS BITS
Aileen Santos

In his book The Now Habit (A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play), Dr. Neil Fiore presents a proven plan especially designed to help people stick to their "big goals" and reach them. "Big goals" include those personal projects which we know are important to us, but which we sometimes never get around to actually implementing so that they can really take off--such as our dream business!

Interestingly enough, the foundation of Dr. Fiore's solutions have less to do with managing our time, and more to do with managing ourselves. Instead of telling people to work harder, he presents psychologically-based techniques for using our brains to work smarter. Here are three of them:

1. Change your "I have to" to "I choose to" as well as your "I should" to "I will".
One reason many people procrastinate is that it?s in our adult nature to not want having other people tell us what to do. Surprisingly, this truth applies even when we are the ones already telling ourselves what we’re supposed to do. Our subconscious reaction is still to rebel, and "show them who's boss."

To get your own subconscious mind working for you, choose more empowered words to describe your tasks. Words like "I will" and "I want to" (e.g., "I want to get these business permits approved.") will shift your mindset from that of a "forced employee" into one of a "producer/owner," and motivate your brain to find solutions rather than reasons to do other things.

2. Aim for just 30 minutes each of focused output each time.
Focused work means focused work: no distractions, no phone calls, no looking at Facebook, no checking of e-mails, no Googling for this one specific word? no thoughts of anything at all that is not about actually DOING the TASK at hand.

This might sound like a daunting task to a lot of people, but the truth is we can do this: if we think in terms of 30-minute blocks. Thirty minutes of focused attention on one thing at a time is not just a more manageable (and realistic) goal for those who have many things to do, but also maximizes the way our brain works.

After 30 minutes of focused attention our minds usually need time to recover, and--if you have blocked off two hours to devote to an important project--you can add 5- to 10-minute breaks between each 30-minute period to give your mind the necessary rest.

3. Try to "Unschedule"
Most of us use a daily schedule where we list down all the things we need to do (with the hope of doing them), but in the end feel like failures for not doing enough. To address this problem Dr. Fiore created the "unschedule":

You schedule your day by first penciling in your "self care" and personal times (including eating, bathing, sleeping, time with family, bringing the kids to school, etc.). This gives you a more realistic idea of how much time you really have for focused work.

Instead of believing, for example, that you have the "entire weekend" to finish your business plan, your unschedule makes you see that all you really have is five hours. This wake up call makes you more motivated to use those few hours for really focused work.

(Aileen Santos is a Life ReInvention Coach & A-Ha! Trainer who brings "lightbulb moments" of clarity & creativity to individuals & teams. Learn more about her training & coaching work at LightBulbOnYourHead.com or visit her blog at AileenSantos.com).

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