Northern Philippine Times

Fire ruins Vizcaya Eucalyptus tree farm

>> Monday, March 8, 2010

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A multimillion-peso eucalyptus tree farm managed by the Bayombong diocese in a mountain village was ravaged by fire last week, the latest of a series of forest and grass fires in the province.

It took residents of the seminary and those in nearby Barangay Busilac here more than 12 hours to put out the grass fire, which engulfed the seven-year-old, seven-hectare tree farm-cum-reforestation area.

Reports said the fire started at around 6 a.m. and was put under control at around 7 p.m.
“Miraculously, the (grotto with the) statue of Our Lady of Hope perched atop (the burned) hill (went) untouched,” a resident said.

The fire also swept through some 50 hectares of grassland in the adjacent area, bringing to some 100 hectares of forest and grasslands damaged by the series of fires in the past weeks.

Environment personnel are still assessing the damage and investigating the causes of the fires, although initial reports blamed kaingeros or slash-and-burn farmers.

Forest and grass fires were also reported last week in the southern part of the province, including Aritao town, affecting several hectares, including grazing lands.

Also last week, some 50 hectares of grasslands in Barangays Balete and Duruarog, both in mountainous Diadi town, and in Barangay Villaros, Bagabag town were also razed by fire allegedly perpetrated by gatherers of abuos or ant eggs, a local delicacy.

The hunting of ant eggs, which usually peaks during summer, requires the burning of poles to clear the nests of ants perched on trees before gatherers collect the eggs.

Provincial environment and natural resources officer Roberto Apigo said they have intensified their campaign against these activities. – CL

Thieves caught on CCTV hunted

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Pampanga Provincial Police Office has ordered a manhunt against the thieves who were caught on closed circuit television camera last week while victimizing the wife of a veteran columnist inside a fast food outlet in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga last week.

Senior Supt. Gil Lebin identified the victim as Juliet Manabat, wife of Ashley Manabat, the provincial chairman of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

The woman was dining at the McDonald’s branch in Barangay Dau at about 7:50 p.m. when the suspects, who were seated in a nearby table, surreptitiously took her handbag.

Her husband said that after he was informed of the incident, he immediately called the police.

However, when the police arrived, bureaucratic procedures at the fast food chain outlet prevented them access to the recording made by the CCTV camera, thus stalling pursuit operations.

The culprits remain at large. “It was a situation that needed immediate response. The recording could have enabled the police to pursue the group and pin them down immediately,” Manabat said.

“There was a group of four women and two men who were seated at the table behind her. Even before her shoulder bag vanished, she had already noticed one of the women acting suspiciously, but she ignored this.”

The victim said her handbag contained a mobile phone worth P24,000, credit cards, and
cash.

2 trike riders killed, one hurt in mishap

ByMar T. Supnad

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur- Two persons were killed and one another was seriously hurt Sunday when the motorcycle they were riding bumped head on into an incoming passenger bus in barangay Zone 4, this town.

Sr. Supt. Eduard Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, identified the victim as Jeffey Tabisula and Clifford Tabisula, both of barangay Puro, Magsingal town.

The victims' driver identified as Raymund Talledo, also of barangay Puro, was still in serious condition due to the strong impact of the crash.

Investigation showed the three victims were aboard a Honda Wave going home to Magsingal when upon reaching the highway of Zone 4, they encountered the RCJ passenger bus dive by one Charlie Tulay of Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

Police said since the area was a blind curve, the motorcycle invaded the opposite lane where the passenger bus was also running towards South direction.

A head on collision occurred since both the diver did not control their vehicles that resulted to the incident.

The two victims were bought to a hospital in nearby Vigan city but were declared dead upon arrival by attending physician while Talledo was still unconscious.

Dopale ordered a thorough investigation into the case.

The bus diver surrendered after the incident.

Measles outbreak declared in Baguio City; infant dies

BAGUIO CITY – The city health services office warned the public about a rise in measles cases after the death of a seven-month-old infant here recently.

This, as the city health services office declared a measles outbreak in Barangay Kayang Hilltop after it recorded a rise in the incidence of the disease during the past few weeks.

All 21 measles cases in the city were recorded in Kayang Hilltop with a seven-month infant as the latest fatality.

The local health department alerted the different district health centers to conduct a massive information and education campaign in their respective areas of jurisdiction in order to convince mothers of children aged 6 months to 12 years old to avail of the massive anti-measles vaccination in the city.

The city health office is also coordinating with the Department of Education to facilitate the vaccination of children in the different private and public schools to prevent the disease from spreading.

Health authorities said they intensified vaccination of children to protect them from the predicted outbreak of measles due to the prolonged dry spell or the El Niño phenomenon.

Officials said the parents of the infant reported that the baby was initially diagnosed only as suffering from plain fever.

After a few days, rashes appeared on the infant’s body, prompting the parents to again seek medical attention.

By that time, however, the baby’s immune system had considerably weakened, leading to the infant's death.

The local health department reported that the victim’s relatives were also found infected with measles and were given vaccines.

The city health office directed its district units to conduct massive information and education campaigns in their respective areas so that residents will be guided on what to do when their children or family members fall ill with measles. – With a report from Dexter See

Abandoned rebel hideout found

By Freddie Lazaro

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur — Joint elements from the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion and the 53rd Intelligence Company recovered a high-powered rifle and subversive documents when they raided a suspected lair of the communist New People’s Army in the forested area of Barangay Lucbuban, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur.

Col. Eduardo Collado, head of the Joint Civil Military Operation Task Force of the ongoing humanitarian component of the RP-US Balikatan 2010, said the raiders recovered an M-16 rifle with defaced serial number in a makeshift hut believed to have been hastily abandoned when the rebels sensed the soldiers’ arrival.

“We received reports from our civilian assets in the area that these NPA rebels are planning to conduct harassment and sabotage against the Filipino and American soldiers who are rendering humanitarian mission in the municipality of Salcedo as part of the ongoing RP-US Balikatan 2010 in the province,” he said.

He said troops are in hot pursuit of the rebels to secure the Filipino and American servicemen who are conducting medical and engineering action programs as part of the annual joint military exercise.

The humanitarian programs of the 2010 RP-US Balikatan Exercise were formally started last February 14 in Barangays Sinait and Salcedo, both in Ilocos Sur.

GMA orders moratorium on irrigation fees due to El Nino

TUMAUINI, Isabela– President Arroyo ordered a moratorium on the payment of irrigation fees amid the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, giving farmers bearing the brunt of the worsening dry spell a reprieve.

The President announced the nationwide moratorium, along with other measures to cushion the effect of the ongoing dry spell during her visit to this severely devastated province Wednesday.

“We commiserate with our farmers on their plight. The government is doing everything to respond to the situation. Rest assured that the bulk of our calamity funds will go to farmers,” she said.

Ms Arroyo, who arrived with some of her Cabinet officials, including Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, acknowledged the burden the country’s farmers are now facing in the wake of the debilitating drought, noting Cagayan Valley as the worst-hit region.

Aside from the moratorium, the President also ordered the Department of Agriculture, which is spearheading the multimillion-peso-funded El Niño Task Force, to also prioritize emergency employment for farmers in areas severely hit by the prolonged drought.

“Extending emergency livelihood to our farmers would somehow allow them to recoup their losses,” said the President in a roundtable dialogue with the local media.“We also give priority to the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities and construction of new ones.”

The President added the government is conducting cloud-seeding operations and providing pump wells to drought-hit areas to complement the long absence of rainfall, which is predicted to last until June.

For long-term measures, besides the repair of irrigation systems and the construction of new ones, the President underscored the need to desilt the Cagayan River and utilize it for small water impounding areas.

Ms Arroyo urged local government units to do their share in helping the farmers. “The national government is the court of last resort. It should be the LGUs who will be spearheading efforts to mitigate the effects of the El Niño,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley’s total corn and palay losses due to the ongoing dry spell have already reached more than P4 billion, with Isabela incurring the bulk of these losses.

Dr. Danilo Tumamao, Isabela agriculture officer, said the province is already losing P3.2 million in corn and palay damage, covering 156,527 hectares of farmlands.
Reports show that 97,069 rice and corn farmers in 35 towns and two cities in Isabela are affected by the dry spell.

The corn sector incurred the biggest loss estimated at 191,150 metric tons worth P1.9 billion, while rice farmers incurred P1.4 billion in losses at the current buying price.

Isabela’s fishery sector also lost some P6.6 million, covering 331 hectares of the province’s 812 hectares of fresh water or aquaculture farms, including fish cages at the Magat Dam in Ramon town, as a result of the El Niño phenomenon.

Quirino province has also been placed under a state of calamity amid huge agricultural losses brought by the dry spell.

This has practically placed the entire Cagayan Valley under a state of calamity, with Isabela, the worst-hit province, the first to make such a declaration, followed by Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya.

Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua said initial estimates show that his province has already lost some P425 million in crops. – CL

Panagbenga draws 1.5 million tourists

BAGUIO CITY – At least 1.5 million foreign and domestic tourists visited this mountain resort city to witness the highlights of the 15th Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival over the weekend.

Tourism industry stakeholders said most of the visitors came for the street dancing parade last February 27 and the float parade and marching bands competition last Feb. 28.

At the same time, hotels and lodging houses reported full bookings until the end of this week as tourists flock to take a glimpse of the numerous flower-related activities and displays of work of hundreds of landscapers in the city.

The month-long activities for this year’s festival started Feb. 1 and will end on March 7 with a colorful closing program and announcement of winners of the various competitions.

Tourism officials said the influx of visitors is mainly due to the extreme heat prevailing over the lowlands due to the effects of the prolonged dry spell which is an offshoot of climate change and global warming.

Local businessmen and public utility drivers estimated this year’s crowd was three times more than last year’s.

Monday, the city’s main thoroughfare, Session Road, was closed to vehicular traffic and was transformed into a promenade area with sidewalk cafes on both sides to allow local residents and visitors to enjoy the flower-based displays by hundreds of exhibitors from different parts of the country.

The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. organizer of Panagbenga, said while this year’s festival is successful, they will introduce innovations the coming years to sustain visitors’ interest.

Panagbenga is a Kankanaey term to mean blossoming of flowers and was used by Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan to name the city’s crowd-drawing event since it is being held simultaneous with the blossoming of flowers in nearby Benguet. – Dexter A. See

The highlights of the festival this year were held in time for the alumni homecoming and graduation ceremonies of the Philippine Military Academy which in itself is an annual crowd-drawer to the highland city.

Internal security tasked to local government units

By Dexter A. See

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – The national government’s internal security operations is slowly being transferred to capable local governments after the significant gains of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against the communist movement over the past four decades, AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said here Monday.

The successful anti-insurgency operations by the police and military since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed to crush the communist movement by the end of her term allowed the transfer of security operations to local government units, Brawner said.

He said the AFP will soon download its anti-insurgency operations to more than 20 provinces depending on the outcome of ongoing assessments so that the AFP could concentrate on crushing the Abu Sayyaf Group and other militias in Mindanao.

From an estimated strength of over 25,000 in the early 2000, Brawner said the AFP was able to reduce the number of New People’s Army rebels to less than 4,000. He said military operations were coupled with the provision of basic services to depressed communities, prompting many rebels to return to the mainstream.

Once peace is attained in former rebel strongholds nationwide, the AFP spokesman said economic development will start to flourish even in far-flung areas.

Under the agreement signed by provincial officials and representatives of the AFP and the Philippine National Police, local officials are mandated to pursue internal security operations by providing rebel-infested areas with appropriate infrastructure development coupled with the delivery of basic services to the people, especially in remote communities.

Severe water shortage hits Baguio City

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — This the summer capital of the country is now suffering from severe water shortage due to drying of its main water sources.

The bad timing of the water shortage in the city comes as it welcomed influx of tourists who came to see the two-day highlight of the 15th staging of the “Panagbenga” or the Baguio flower festival, particularly the street- dancing competition, and the colorful float parade and marching band competition held Feb. 28.

Despite denial from management of the Baguio Water District on severe water shortage, residents in highly elevated areas such as Aurora Hills, Quirino Hills, Quezon Hills, among others, are now experiencing twice- a- week water rationing schedule instead of the usual thrice- a- week regular supply.

Worse, the usual 12-hour water supply has been significantly reduced to only six hours since water sources are now drying up because of the El Niño phenomenon or long dry spell.

Even residents living in lower villages noticed a significant reduction in the pressure of water flowing into their homes which is an indication that the absence of rain in the coming months might deplete the city’s aquifers that will result to serious water shortage.

The Mount Santo Tomas rain basin located at the top of Mount Kabuyao in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet, which provides water to almost one-third of the city’s population was earlier reported to have dried up due to the prolonged dry spell which reduced water supply distributed to residents in the southern part of the city.

However, the BWD management, in a press statement, claimed the water supply in the city is still under normal conditions, but they expect the situation to become worst in the coming months if the city will not have rain in the next two to three months.

Man looking for sayote finds dead man instead

By Elizabeth Cedo

BAGUIO CITY -- A man looking for sayote to be cooked for lunch discovered a dead male body inside a hole here Feb. 28 at about 12 noon.

Benjie Licay, 28, married and a resident of Upper Km 3, Asin, found the lifeless body ofAnselmo Bogbog y Nagulman, 34, of Hingyon, Ifugao, and a resident of Upper Km 3, Asin, in a natural hole about eight feet deep at a vacant lot near his residence.

ChiefInsp. Elizardo Dailig, whoheadeda police teamto the crime scene said the victim bore four stab wounds and the body was already in a state of decomposition.

According to the victim’s wife, Dominga, 31, the victim was last seen about 12 noon on Feb. 20 when they had a heated argument regarding his frequent drinking habit.

This irked the victim who went out of the house allegedly holding a knife. He was never seen since then.

Personnel of Station 9 are looking for possible witnesses to shed some light about the incident.

Meanwhile, earlier, at about 11:30 p.m. of Feb.27, a case of robbery with intimidation and grave threats was filed against Dominador Balasbas y Mossni, 30, married, laborer, native of Maragusan Del Norte and resident of Dontogan and Jimmy Da Silvay Garcia, 49, married, landscaper and resident of Ridge View, Dontogan by complainants Lino Domilos and his wife, residents of Purok 1, Dontogan.

Suspects were detained at the city jail.

Pangasinan has official birthdate after 430 years

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan– Finally, after 430 years, officials of the province made history yesterday when provincial board members passed an ordinance declaring and citing April 5, 1580 as the official foundation day of Pangasinan which was signed immediately by Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

“This is Agew na Pangasinan (Day of Pangasinan), the real Pangasinan birthdate,” lawyer Gonzalo Duque said who is the chairman of the Research and Study Committee created by Espino through an executive order composed of representatives from the provincial government, historical and cultural organizations, academe and media.

The committee found out that it was on April 5, 1572 when Pangasinan was made an encomienda by the Spanish royal crown to receive instructions on the Catholic faith, which means that Pangasinan was organized under one leadership and has identity before the Spanish royal court.

Eight years later, in 1580, Pangasinan was organized into a political unit under an alcalde mayor who at that time has authority as head of the province or provincial government with judicial function indicating that Pangasinan has become a province. However, there are no records found by the committee to establish the exact date in 1580.

The approved ordinance said that the Research and Study Committee unanimously recommends the declaration of April 5, 1580 as the official founding day of the province of Pangasinan to commemorate two historic events in its existence. The date April 5 is to commemorate the day when Pangasinan became an encomienda and 1580 to commemorate the year it became a province.

The declaration of April 5, 1580 as the official foundation day of the province of Pangasinan will further enhance the cultural and historical enlightenment and social consciousness of our people, the ordinance added.

“Such declaration will usher in the celebration of the 430th Foundation Day of the Province of Pangasinan on April 5, 2010,” it added

Paying lip service to human rights

EDITORIAL

Republic Act No. 9851, the “Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity” which President Arroyo recently signed was cited by the Civil Society Initiatives for International Humanitarian Law (CSI-IHL), a non-governmental organization who described it as a “breakthrough law” for human rights’ enforcement in the Philippines.

Following this, a government press release said the “Philippine government strongly condemns all human rights violations that caused harm and danger to the point of taking life to satisfy one’s lust for power. The significant enactment of RA 9851 will substantiate our local laws in order to advance the protection of human rights.” Lawyer Soliman M. Santos, Jr. of CSI-IHL said that this could even surpass RA 9745, or the “Anti-Torture Act of 2009,” which Ms Arroyo signed on Nov. 10.

More of the press release: “RA 9851 is a tool against human rights violation. The government will implement this without fear or favor. No human being is over or above another human being in terms of right to live a decent life, right to freedom and expression, right to education and others. Respect for human rights is a priority advocacy of the government. Our country has outlived many violations of human rights and this has devastated the Filipino people and the world. This is why the government vows to protect any individual against violence, abuse and inequality. Deference for every person creates a high standard of morality because life is highly regarded.

“The PNP and other law enforcement agencies and security sectors will always respect human rights. People in authority are trained to serve others before self. Even criminals and other law violators should be treated as human beings and not animals. Respect to one’s rights and individuality should be practiced without the use of force or threat. In no case will the PNP will violate constitutional guarantee on human rights.”

Personnel of PNP/AFP and other security sectors who will commit actuations in violation of human rights, the press release said, will face the full force of the law. The primary function of these organizations is to protect any individual from violence and abuse, prevent and suppress crime and not to inflict fear and violence in the community.

More of the press release: “Protection to human rights is a shared responsibility. The promotion of peace and order is being intensified by the PNP and other line agencies in all parts of the Philippines. Our local leaders sit together to discuss and act on the concerns of the community and support each other in the programs and projects to assist the government in this common goal. We look out for each other. We are our neighbor’s keepers and we are accountable for them. This partnership of enforcers and community is a strong binding effort in protecting the right of every individual. Its realization will only be felt if the government and community will work hand in hand in supporting the different plans and programs on this matter. “

People are tired of government paying lip service to issues like human rights. There are a lot of human rights violations which had been happening in the country ever since the present administration took over, the latest of which was the case of the “Morong 43,” a group of medical workers who were arrested by the military who claimed they were members of the New People’s Army. They are still detained and allegedly had been subjected to torture and other atrocities, violations of international laws on human rights.

Before the government issues more presS releases on its advocacy for human rights, it better do something first to improve the dire human rights situation in this country wherein a lot of human rights advocates and innocent civilians have been killed by members of the AFP and PNP who were supposed to protect them in the first place.

What’s in a tree?

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- After 15 years of being an object of ridicule, the concrete pine tree atop Session Road here was finally was torn down last week, Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. did not even need a permit to cut from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the job. The 15 year old pine tree’s demise was expected.

Workers tore down the needles, then armed with maces, they started tearing down the trunk while onlookers gawked. Bautista said it will be replaced with a marker that is better than anything found in the city. “It will be a structure by the people and a testimony that this administration is listening to the clamor of the people.”

Surprise, the replacement turned out to be “installation art” made of boulders. The monument, builders said, represented members of the Second Philippine Commission – a legislative body which declared Baguio the Summer Capital. The sessions of the body was how Session Road got its name.

Built in 1995 from funds (around P5 million) given by then Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara, the concrete pine tree (or rather concrete that imitated a pine tree) replaced the garden put up by King Louis Farm. It was the replacement of a pine tree sapling that replaced the fountain put up by former mayor Ramon Labo. The statues of cherubs at the fountain were often referred to as Labos (naked in the local dialect) angels or Labos boys.

“If that is what they want, then they can tear it down. I have no opposition to it,” said Vergara. “It has outlived its purpose, that of giving hope to the people of the city, still recovering from the devastations of the 1990 earthquake and with the city given up for good by economic experts. They could have done it earlier."

Local folk and visitors had been criticizing the concrete tree. Lately people aired their opposition to it through a popular social networking internet site. The removal was undertaken by the Baguio Commission, a group composed of young urban planners and professionals.

The group is expected to replace the Baguio Centennial Commission and will be tasked to “plan dreams” for the city. The tree’s replacement was a product of pooled talents, resources and community spirit that “surprised everybody,” the mayor said.

What will the next mayor of the city replace the marker with? It seems with every change of administration, markers or edifices are replaced at the loop. So after the May elections, don’t be surprised of the Bautista marker would become a garbage receptacle, a table with chairs for playing cards, a dap-ay (indigenous Igorot hut with a bonfire site), an internet hub for cornering international projects for rocket parts or a law office for indigents.

This depends of course on the next mayor.

No guts, no Gloria

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

Presidential wannabe Noynoy Aquino may not have billions to spend in his campaign, but he sure has a lot of guts! At a rally of thousands of his “Yellow Army” supporters, he warned corrupt officials that their days were numbered. That’s gutsy! Not too long ago, Noynoy promised that he’ll recover the Marcos “loot.” That’s gutsy! And recently, he promised that he’d prosecute President Gloria Arroyo for plunder if he’s elected President. Now, that’s really gutsy! No guts, no Gloria!

During the 24th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution at the People Power Monument, Gloria said that her vision to “heal the wounds of the past EDSA uprisings has been partially met.” According to her, “healing the wounds of Edsa is a part of her 10-point pro-poor agenda.” “Healing the wounds of Edsa”? Hmmm…

Well, here’s what I wrote in my article, “Power of the Pork,” a few weeks ago:

“Biggest pork barrel in history:

In 2005, Gloria used more than P80 billion for pork barrel — that’s 10 times the normal amount! — for projects in which most were shrouded in mystery. More than half of this — P46.8 billion — were allocated for ‘Healing of Edsa I, II and III Funds.’ When asked in a radio interview, then Budget Secretary Romulo Neri explained that the P46.8-billion ‘healing of Edsa wounds’ fund included P29 billion for ‘back pension payments for retired Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police personnel.’

That’s a hell of a lot of money! Shouldn’t they be included in the Department of National Defense and Philippine National Police budgets? Or was it used surreptitiously to keep the military ‘loyal’ to Gloria during the ‘Hello Garci’ election cheating scandal and Edsa III uprising?” Yup, as Gloria’s granddaughter once said, “What Lola want, Lola gets.”

Gloria also said, “The world embraced EDSA I in 1986. The world tolerated EDSA II in 2001. The world will not forgive an EDSA III but would instead condemn the Philippines as a country whose political system is hopelessly unstable.” Huh? And I thought Gloria’s EDSA II was what made the country’s political system “hopelessly unstable.” Kurakot na, mahirap pa. Wah wah we! Kawawa naman kami!

Gloria also claimed that the “Glorious Revolution” had deteriorated into partisanship over the years.” She’s right. EDSA I was the “Glorious Revolution” and EDSA II was “Gloria’s Revolution,”and it’s been downhill since then. And if there’s going to be EDSA III, what should it be called? Let’s see…

Noynoy’s “Yellow Army” celebrated the “People Power” in the jam-packed Araneta Coliseum with 30,000 Coristas, Ninoyistas, Noynoyistas, and Liberalistas. The sea of yellow was a breath-taking sight.

Meanwhile, Manny “Money Villarroyo” Villar had a campaign swing featuring go-go girls clad in bikinis gyrating on stage to an audience of salivating Villaristas, Marcos loyalistas, Nacionalistas, and communistas. In the old days, that’s called “burlesque.” Oh, well, that’s the sign of the times. What Manny wants, money gets.

The other day, Noynoy accused Villarroyo of stealing his line. According to Noynoy, Villarroyo stole his slogan, “Hindi ako magnanakaw” (I will not steal). In one of his campaign sorties, Villarroyo said, “Sa harap ninyo, sa mata ng Diyos, hindi ako nagnakaw … Hindi ako magnanakaw”(In your presence and in the eyes of God, I did not steal ... I will not steal). Well, after nine years under Gloria Arroyo’s corrupt regime, it makes one wonder if there’s anything left to steal.

But what’s going on with the other eight presidential wannabes? Gloria’s hand-picked candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro is finally feeling the effect of Gloria’s “kiss of death.” He’s now distancing himself from Gloria by not talking about Gloria’s legacy. It won’t be long before he’d realize that it’s time to abort and join the “Yellow Army” of his cousin, Noynoy.
***
I read that two VIPs whose endorsements could be “kiss of death” to the candidate are former President Fidel V. Ramos and boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Ramos said that he’ll make his endorsement by the end of March or early April. I can hear most of the candidates saying, “Please not me!” But not Richard “Flashy Dick” Gordon. With a 1% rating in the poll surveys and a shoe-string campaign budget, what has he got to lose?

In the case of Pacman, he said that he’ll start campaigning for Villarroyo, his “beloved president,” after his fight with Joshua Clottey. For someone who claims that he had a talk with God, Pacman is becoming a joker. And the joker is wild, man! He should stay sway from Villarroyo’s go-go girls during the campaign. Some people say that Pacman has an eye for beautiful girls.
***
Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada claimed that an opponent urged him to withdraw from the presidential derby and offered to reimburse all his campaign expenses if he quit. Well, with his funds drying up, Erap should take the offer and call it quits. Heck, he can always claim that he already spent P2 billion. I’m pretty sure that Money Villarroyo wouldn’t blink an eye to shell out that kind of money. With that kind of money, Erap can retire in his “Boracay” mansion.

A few days ago, Villarroyo was criticized for giving P20 bills to several street children who approached him during a campaign swing in Batangas. That’s nothing. They’re just children, not voters. I think he was just practicing the art of “vote-buying.”

In another instance, Villarroyo got himself in trouble with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Comelec said that a disqualification case may be filed against him “for violating the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) after giving away scholarship grants to his supporters.” Whoa! That’s vote-buying, clear and simple! Section 261 of the OEC states that “vote-buying is when a person ‘gives, offers or promises money or anything of value’ in order to induce anyone to vote for or against any candidate.” Now, that is serious.

But in another instance, Villarroyo got himself in big trouble. This time, it’s with the military. According the military spokesman, Villarroyo’s group “violated an agreement that they would not conduct any form of campaigning inside the highly-restricted military compound.” Villarroyo and his group met with detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin -- who is running for Senator under Villarroyo’s party -- inCamp Aguinaldo.

They then locked arms and made a “unity walk” inside the camp. The military spokesman said that “the unity walk” violated standing regulations of the military banning any political activity in all its camps. Now, that is very serious. Villarroyo should know better than not to mess around with the military. Villarroyo may have lots of money but the military have lots of guns... sometimes they shoot first before they ask questions.
(PerryDiaz@gmail. com)

‘Buy the people…’

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

Pinoys love to play with words and have a way of twisting famous quotes and statements depending on what they experience. For example, I heard my friend Joe Zambrano of the Philippine Information Agency twist the “sipag at tyaga” infomercial of billionaire businessman Manny Villar to something like “C-5 at taga.”

Abraham Lincoln had a statement about his government and country. “A government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth.” This is the last line of the Gettysburg Address he delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Pennsylvania after the Union armies defeated the Confederacy.

His famous quote accurately describes his government then and now. That is not the kind that we have in the Philippines. Ours is a country 30 or more years younger than the Americas. But while the Americans continue to improve their ways of governance, our government seems to be rotting away or veering away from the freedoms it fought for in many wars in the past.

This reminds me of another Lincoln famous quote which goes: “You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.”

Last week, I received a text message that was a distorted variation of Lincoln ’s famous quote but which may be true in some ways. The text message wanted to point out that if we will not be careful in choosing the next president, the national leadership might be one who will “fool the people and buy the people.”

It could fittingly be linked to the latest news report, where Dick Gordon accused Villar’s camp of attempting to bribe him.

Gordon said that through a former cabinet official who acted as an emissary, Villar offered him a Cabinet post and reimbursement of his campaign expenses in exchange for pulling out of the presidential race and joining a plot to unseat Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Aside from that, Enrile also revealed that Villar tried to buy him off by offering his “assistance” if he (Enrile) changed his position on the C-5 road project controversy. This happened a day after the Senate formally presented the committee report recommending the censure of Villar for alleged unethical conduct.

Now, isn’t that dangerous. Such revelations by his peers can not be taken for granted. How can 12 senators who signed the committee report go wrong? Villar’s camp says the C-5 committee report was all about politics since he was running for president.

But by their refusal to face the committee in the senate just because those who signed the report are their political rivals, it only shows that Villar and his men are the ones who are politicking for intentionally treating the “C5 at taga” controversy as a political issue.

In the end, it is we the people who will choose who the next president will be, but voters must be warned of candidates who have billions to spend if only to get elected to Malacanang.
***
In a presscon held with local news correspondents last week, Senator Dick Gordon and vice presidential bet Bayani Fernando promised to “clean not only Malacanang but the whole government.”

This was the duo’s answer to Raffy Resuello, a businessman in Baguio , who took off his soiled shirt that bore the Malacanang seal, handed it to Gordon and said “please clean Malacanang.”

A commerce student at the University of Baguio and chairman of the UB Student Council in 1990, Raffy was one among hundreds who was pinned down between the ceiling and fourth floor of the commerce building when the killer EQ struck.

Now a businessman who runs a boarding house, Raffy who wears an artificial left arm as a result of the 1990 EQ, he felt that his future suddenly changed because he always thought of becoming a successful executive in the business field.

Today, only few are contented with what they do in life, whether they “lumangoy sa basura or buy their political supporters with their billions.” But like Noynoy Aquino, Mar Roxas, Gordon and Nick Perlas, Raffy Resuello simply dreams of getting rid of corrupt people in government, especially in Malacanang. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Unida primer

NO HOLDS BARRED
Ike Señeres

How can convergence happen on the environmental side? First, we have to restore our environment, and then we have to preserve it. Restoration and preservation are the twin approaches that are needed in order to ensure higher productivity and long term sustainability of the environment.

Every piece of land, every sphere of air and each body of water in our territory has to be made productive, and sustained on the long term. How can we make every piece of land productive?

Agroforestry is the technology that UNIDA will promote to make every piece of land productive. Agroforestry is the combination of agriculture and forestry technologies, but without the plantation method. According to Joseph Reynolds, a member of UNIDA, agriculture was built on the back of slaves. This is a true observation, because it was the plantation method that encouraged the growth of slavery.

Today, many plantation workers are still laboring under slave-like conditions. In agreement with Mr. Reynolds, UNIDA will pursue the biodiversity method instead; growing and raising plant life and animal life together in restored and preserved forests, both in urban and rural settings.

How can we make every sphere of air productive? Aerophonics is the technology that UNIDA will promote to make every sphere ofair productive. Aerophonics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment, without the use of soil or any other growing medium. In some ways it is similar to hydrophonics, except that the latter uses water or water based solutions as the growing medium.

How can we make each body of water productive? Aquafarming is the technology that UNIDA will promote to make each body of water productive. These bodies of water will include the natural forms such as the seas, lakes, rivers and streams, as well as the manmade forms such as swimming pools, fish ponds and fish tanks. Mr. Enrique Macadangdang, a member of UNIDA says that fish could now be grown anywhere and everywhere, even in the mountains, for as long as fish tanks could be built, and for as long as clean water could be made available. In Europe , some countries are already growing salmon in factory buildings.

What is the correlation between connectivity and automatibility? Automatibility is necessary in order to achieve higher productivity. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are now available in the market. In a manner of speaking, PLCs are the industrial equivalents of personal computers (PCs). PCs are used foroffice automation, whereas PLCs are used for factory automation, PLCs are used to control machinery, running on programs that are designed to work repeatedly, such asrepetitive manufacturing processes. Through the combination of connectivity and automatibility, factories could integrate their backend production activities with their front end marketing activities.

What is farm automation? Farm automation is the goal of modernizing all land, air and water production activities though the use of PLCs.

How will UNIDA promote farm and factory automation? UNIDA will offer training services and financing services to cooperatives and enterprises, leading to the adoption and implementation of farm and factory automation.

What is the correlation between training and financing? Many cooperatives and enterprises fail because of the lack of coordination between the training aspects and the financing aspects. As a remedy to this problem, UNIDA is going to make sure that the training provided will qualify the borrowers to pass the financing requirements of the lending institutions.

Watch KA IKING LIVE! Thursdays 7pm to 8pm in Global News Network (GNN),Channel 21 in Destiny Cable. Email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639293605140 for local cable listings. Visit senseneres@blogspot.com

Katribu on health

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

There is a breath of life in Katribu President Beverly Longid’s commendation to medical board topnotcher Marie Jo-Ann Beltran Cabanting’s decision to stay and serve the country. Folks from far flung villages not reached by doctors and nurses who suffer from lack of health services, would be happy.

Among health service-needy areas are places where ethnic peoples are found. Indigenous Peoples which account for 15% of the population compose 110 ethnolinguistic groups including the Isneg and the Igorots in the uplands of the Cordillera, the Bugkalot of northern Luzon, the Aetas of Southern Luzon, Mangyans of Mindoro to the Lumads of Mindanao.

On account of isolation, ethnic groups have generally been forgotten in the mainstream population in terms of socio-economic development. One of these features of government neglect is health service.

Katribu, a party list organization-candidate for a legislative seat in Congress for the 2010 elections, considers health as one of its major platforms in government.

Infant mortality rate for one is still high and varies throughout the country depending on socioeconomic and demographic factors. A high infant mortality rate is noted among infants of mothers with less or no education and those who receive no antenatal and delivery care. In most cases, those who suffer from infant mortality are found in remote villages.

The World Health Organization reports the Philippines is one of 42 countries that account for 90 percent of global deaths among children under five.Communicable diseases are also high. In 2005, there were reported cholera outbreaks in Catanduanes and Palawan, causing deaths among children and adults. Tuberculosis remains among the 10 leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

With health services devolved to LGUs and now managed by the municipal government through its rural health units and barangay health stations, persisting issues such as less access to health services by remote and isolated areas is still a major complaint. The mass migration of doctors and nurses to other developed countries is making health services doubly difficult for far flung communities.

Besides, personal spending of health services is still a major issue with government lacking provision of medicines and hospital fees. Health remains to be a major concern in the country. The government's attention to provide the needed services and build a healthy base by uplifting the local economy instead of sending people out of the country remains to be a top call.

Untouchable bingo lord, media ‘boss’ and a tree

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

BAGUIO CITY -- Is “King Arthur” of Arlins Entertainment that untouchable he was allowed to operate a peryahan at Lower Magsaysay, formerly Rabbit Sink Hole which is just a stone’s throw away at Lower Magsaysay Barangay Hall and a road across compact 3, Station 7 of the Baguio City Police?

Last Month, this peryahan that is operated by King Arthur at Sto. Niňo Barangay of Slaughter House was dismantled by the Public Order and Safety Division upon order of Baguio city Mayor Reynaldo Bautista. Based on information, the operation of this peryahan would transfer at La Trinidad, Benguet, this after said operator reportedly did not get the nod of city officials.

But twist of events came last week when one of my bubwit informed me that a structure likely to be used as peryahan was built alongside the wall of Summit Bank at Lower Magsaysay, near intersections of Bonifacio, T. Alonzo and Lower Magsaysay roads.

To check, I personally visited and tried to peep in an open plywood siding and saw a rectangular side strip table for a bingo joint and two protracted square iron booms supposedly for drop ball and pulley games.

I then instructed my bubwit to get more information and it took only an hour to know that same “King Arthur” owns the said peryahan cum pasugalan to be.

I wonder why our city and barangay officials allowed this which is within the central business district, an open area prone to corrupt the minds of the passing public -- against the advocacy on programs for public morals and character.

Or is it true that there were cash-sunduans so this would push through, amid several objections. Or is the joke by one of my friends true that the kupitan err… I mean the kapitan already pocketed the piso (one hundred thousand pesos) for you know what?

And, what about the others, did they also get the same advance share of the pie? Ahem, perhaps I’m just too imaginative thinking that the joke was true, right Punong Barangay “Boy” Amagen of Lower Magsaysay?

As if to answer these questions, the said peryahan according to my bubwit was voluntarily dismantled by men of King Arthur as I write this column. Well and good, but why them? Why is it that the POSD is not doing the job? Anyway, good that untouchable Arthur did it for only one day and one night otherwise, I would be making him a big star in this column.
***
I can’t seem to understand why organizers of the Baguio City Flower Festival or Panagbenga 2010 wanted to impose conditions to media practitioners covering the events of this festival. For me, it was more of a dictate than guidance -- an curtailment of press Freedom.

Sad to say but some of our colleagues do not seem to know their rights or to fight for it. Worst, some of these sanamagan BFF officials are propping their heads too high thinking they are above anyone else including members of the Fourth Estate.

And where in high heavens do you know where event organizers impose conditions on media people? Only a few I think and one and one is this mountain resort city. Right Mr. Anthony De Leon?
***
Nothing is wrong and I don’t have anything against the removal of that cement pine tree and replacing it with cement or stone murals atop the Session Road rotunda. But lo and behold, it makes everyone say “sayang” for all the effort and money just to build something, remove it afterwards and replace it again for other one.

If I remember right, a mural for a horse was built during the term of then Mayor Jun Labo and was removed, replaced it with a cement pine tree by then Mayor Bernardo Vergara. Now, here comes another mural so significant according to present Mayor Reynaldo Bautista to replace that controversial cement pine tree.

If the amount used in removing the concrete tree and replacing it with murals was used for garbage bins around the central business area, then I should have made a two- hands salute to these city mayors. Well, perhaps our honorable councilors should start thinking of making a resolution on what to do of this Session Road rotunda.

And once it’s there, a permanent landmark truly significant of the city like an information bulletin or a calendar should not be removed. Because if they don’t do it now, there might come a time that the change of murals will come at the same time with the change of administration.

There is a possibility that busts of their heads will be built as monuments. But then, better still, it would be better to build the head of this politico who made a killing for this “…” of SM. Enclose rectangular beams around the head and color it for a money mural, Ha! Ha! Ha!
***
While most of us are excited on the forthcoming May election, parents whose children are among those who are graduating this March and April are likewise excited but having to carry the burden of paying all the required fees.

Like me whose son would be graduating in high school is trying to move heaven and earth just to pay my obligation at the school. I don’t know if the Department of Education here in Baguio knows how teachers of public high schools race against each other in giving projects to their students that costs something which could deprive a family for a one meal or two.

It’s good that I have kunswelo de bobo of having my son among the topnotchers to graduate high school this coming March 30. It pays to have one, otherwise, I could have been paying too much for nothing! Wake up DepEd!

Honey, yakun and lemon grass

SUPPLEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
Jhunie B. Wahayna

Have you ever tried tasting honey wine? How about yacon or lemon grass tea with honey? Oh great! You’re missing something.

Honey, (not your sweetheart, my dear) as stated in the book of Matheson, is a viscous fluid, or crystallized substance produce by bees from nectar of blossoms or from secretions of the living parts of plants other than blossoms. The US Food and Drug Authority also defines honey as the nectar and saccharine exudation of plants, gathered, modified and stored in the comb by honey bees.

Researchers found out that honey contains a wide array of vitamins such as B6, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid, essential minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, amino acids - the building blocks of protein, and several compounds that function as antioxidants. One of which is pinocembrim - this is unique to honey.

Our folks have used honey to treat wounds, skin ulcers, decubitus ulcers, and burns. They found it effective. Our family had witness the wonder of honey in healing wounds. Our dad had an accident before and was confined to the hospital for long. The attending physician applied honey to his wound. Although there were medicines taken but we didn't spend much as we expected. The honey had help healed his wound.

Aside from its medical uses and health effects, honey is also used in cooking, baking, spreading on bread or pancakes, and as an addition to various beverages such as tea and wine. Instead of sugar, there are those who use honey as sweeteners to their tea or coffee. But honey is a big no for children under one year old because of its effects. It would be best to wait until they are at least two years old.

Popularly known also to be health beneficial is the yacon. It contains several carbohydrates such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, low polymerization degree oligosaccharides and traces of starch. Aside from that, the root contains water, traces of protein and lipids. It is high in oligofructose. Yacon roots is said to be a natural treatment for diabetes and liver problems while the leaves help reduce high blood pressure and serve as antioxidant as well.

Another product is the takrai or lemon grass. It has a light lemony taste with slight hint of ginger. It has been used for centuries in Indonesia and Malaysia by herbalists and in Ayurvedic herbalism. Most often used in curries, marinades, stews, and seafood soups as it needs liquids to bring out its essential oils. Its citrus taste helps to lighten some of the richer tasting dishes. It also used in teas to combat depression and bad moods, fight fever as well as nervous and digestive disorder. Studies show that it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The oil is used to cleanse oily skin and as a relaxant for aromatherapy.

People who are health conscious recognize the value and benefits of these products. Guess we are going the trend of organic and natural - less expensive and natural treatment.

We have local producers but need further marketing and advertisement of their products. Only during festivals and trade fairs that allow them to apply for a booth so they can introduce and display their products.

One of these is the Kerobee farm. The owner started learning beekeeping and eventually helping and teaching those who are interested. From beekeeping, he started gardening on yacon and lemon grass. It was a lot of hard work and some frustrations but eventually he was able to package his product and supply few stores. Production is limited though because it is done manually thus cannot supply when demand is high. But hope still lingers that more and more people will notice and use his products. Always remember that health is wealth.

If you are interested and want to know more information on honey, yacon, and lemon grass products, you can e-mail this address: kerobeefarm@yahoo.com

Breaking free from your stress cycle

BUSINESS BITS
Aileen Santos

When people ask you how you are, or how your startup business is doing, do you often find yourself saying something along these lines: "I have such a long to-do list!" "I'm so stressed." "As usual, busy."

Perhaps you're wondering how a small business owner can find balance amidst a really hectic schedule. The thing is, it's perfectly okay to be busy as long as you're doing something that also brings you enjoyment, whether directly or indirectly.

Remember, work-life balance is not about "allotting an equal number of hours to all the important parts of your life each day." That would be impossible, unrealistic, and ultimately more stressful.

Instead, balance is all about knowing that--in any given week or month--you were able to devote the amount of time needed to the things that really mattered to you, bringing you closer to your own vision of success.

Your words can cause imbalance and loss of profits. You don't need to have a PhD in Psychology to figure this out: If you keep on telling people you're stressed, you tend to feel stressed and behave in stressed ways. After all, your body is designed to prove you right (just ask anyone with a PhD in Psychology).

And if you put yourself in the shoes of a prospective client, would you really want to give "more work" (a.k.a. income opportunities) to someone who keeps talking about being overworked?

Positive entrepreneurs attract positive people, income, and opportunities. If you'd like to become this kind of entrepreneur now, you'll want to install these two new habits in your business and your life.

Practice being complaint-free In the website of "A Complaint-Free World," purple wrist bands are given away to anyone who wants to join their movement. The way the band is used is very simple: when you catch yourself in the act of complaining (in your head or through your mouth) you're supposed to move the band from one wrist to the other.
Notice that we say "when you catch yourself," not if.

Because complaining has become such a worldwide habit, and it takes real decisiveness to get rid of its toxic effects in your life." But what if there's really something to complain about?" you might ask.

The answer here is simple: you can notice (or point out what you're noticing) without having to label it as 'bad.' In short, you can state what's happening without having to complain. It's the difference between, "The service here is sssoooo slow, I just hate it!" and "Hi. It's been 30 minutes since you took my order," and saying it in a calm and non-emotionally-charged way.

Once you become aware of how often you actually complain in a day, you'll gradually be able to catch yourself before a complaint starts, until you become totally complaint-free... and a really cool person to be around!

Give yourself permission to be happy. Too many people put needless obstacles to their own happiness. They say they'll be happy when they've opened their second branch, or when they've sold their hundredth unit, or when they've earned their first million.
But guess what happens when they've achieved this "condition?" That's right: they just create new ones!

While it's always a good thing to set goals for your business and for yourself, you should never turn these unmet goals into obstacles that prevent happiness from showing up in your life. After all, truly successful people know that the road to any worthwhile destination is paved with the lessons of countless detours and failures. But they've chosen to enjoy the journey anyway... every step of the way.

Aileen Santos is an internationally certified Work-Life ReInvention Coach and A-Ha! Trainer who helps overwhelmed leaders and entrepreneurs achieve balance and success in the things that truly matter. If you want more "LightBulb Moments" of clarity and direction for your own situation, sign up for her free tips at LightBulbOnYourHead.com.

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