POSD, bocap trade legal blows over Malcolm gambling den raid

By Isagani S. Liporada

BAGUIO CITY – “They were trying to elude us, scampering in all directions when we approached the target site. When we got there, there were no bingo players save for three suspected hired hands operating what seemed to be jueteng.”

Thus, related Public Order and Safety Division chief Fernando Moyaen of events transpiring during the joint POSD-police raid of a suspected gambling lair at 22 Jacinto St. , Barangay Malcolm Square here on Nov 29.

“If it truly were bingo socials, why didn’t we find any ‘socials’ and bingo cards in the area,?” Moyaen said. “By all indications, they were doing something illegal.”

Gambling paraphernalia and bet money amounting to P14,335.00 were confiscated by the team during the 4 p.m. crackdown.

On the same day, Moyaen, Chief Insp. Nestor Carino, and the mayor’s executive assistant III, Policarpio Cambod, filed joint affidavit-complaint tagging Daniel Mirasol, 38, Allan Alvarez 27, and Dexter Santos, 20 for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 – the anti illegal gambling law.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated his anti-gambling stance reminding newly-installed barangay officials of their sworn duty to uphold the law during the ‘Ugnayan’ presser hosted by DZEQ ‘Radio ng Bayan.’

“We cannot guard everybody’s activities day and night,” he said urging barangay officials and city constituents to be vigilant in curbing illegal gambling activities and coordinating knowledge of the same with his office.

He said officials of Barangay Malcolm Square offered no explanation after the raid. “Apparently, an official of the barangay even claims what was raided was bingo socials legally operating. But looking at the reports that reached my office, it is clear they were [running something else] other than bingo.”

Domogan added “I have already advised investigators to look into the identity of this official and his cohorts so they could be sued with the three hired hands arrested during the raid.”

The hired hands who run the controversial gambling operations are all natives of Lipa, Batangas and not from the concerned barangay.

This, as William Domoguen, reported barangay captain of the area filed complaint against city police and POSD element over the raid.

In a Dec. 1 complaut, Domogen accused Moyaen, et al. of illegal arrest, grave coercion, robbery, extortion, and usurpation of authority.

Domoguen maintained the raided activity was legal by virtue of barangay resolution No. 15-2010.

He cited a decision penned by Regional Trial Court Branch V judge Antonio Estevez on Nov. 30, 2006, declaring barangay councils are vested with authority under the Local Government Code to hold bingo sa barangay to raise funds.

He also cited an April 18, 2006 order of the same court granting the prayer of the Association of Barangay Councils for a “twenty day restraining order” from date of the said court.

The lower court’s decision was challenged by the City Government and the Republic of the Philippines through the Office of the Solicitor General.

The case is pending with the Court of Appeals.

Earlier, Liga public relations officer Benjamin Macadangdang said “The board never authorized anybody to operate bingo sa barangay. Thus any operation of the same should be condemned.”

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2 dead, 18 injured as truck falls off ravine

By Charlie Lagasca

SAN GUILLERMO, Isabela – Another road mishap in this province claimed the lives of two persons and left 18 others injured when a 14-wheeler truck fell into a ravine in this town Wednesday morning.

One of the fatalities, Irene Carbonel, failed to jump off the truck before it plunged into the 20-meter ravine along the provincial road in Barangay San Mariano Sur.

Senior Insp. Charlemagne Tabije, San Guillermo police chief, said the other fatality, Eduardo Ancheta, was pinned by the truck as he was grazing his farm animals below the cliff.

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Financial assistance given to former rebs

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Two rebel returnees who had been operating in this province recently received P5,000 each from the provincial government of Mountain Province.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen gave the money as financial assistance in simple rites at his office witnessed by representatives of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and offices of the Provincial Treasury and Social Welfare and Development.

The identities of the rebel returnees were not divulged due to security reasons.

Both rebel returnees thanked Mayaen for his support and inspiration to members of the communist movement to come down from the mountains and enjoy the life of ordinary citizens.

Mayaen said that P2 million was budgeted for 2011 for the livelihood programs of rebel returnees in the province.

Though the implementing guidelines are still being finalized, he said that a rebel returnee who surrenders to the government shall be given P5,000 per month as honorarium on condition that he or she must work as a road maintenance worker or plant fruit trees in public lands or does other community works from Monday to Friday where the returnee is residing.

The rebel returnee shall maintain daily time record that shall be signed by the barangay chairman at the end of the month.

Mayaen said he is concerned about the bad circumstances brought about by dissidents living in the mountains.

He said the administration has programs that respond to bickering of some rebels on employment and rehabilitation and concreting of road networks and other infrastructure projects.

The governor also pointed out that rebel returnees can pursue their studies through the ongoing Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education or the skills training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Mayaen said, to avoid unscrupulous individuals availing of financial assistance from government, a legitimate process must be undertaken.

This should pass evaluation and approval of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Mayaen promised to extend financial assistance to rebel returnees as long as he is the provincial executive.

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Tussle over debt leads to Chinese trader's slay

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A Chinese trader was shot dead while a companion was wounded during a verbal tussle over a debt with two other fellow Chinese at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga Tuesday morning.

Police said the fatality, Shahani Co, alias Raymund Co, together with his friend Kay Teng, went to Villa 3406 at the Fontana Leisure Park at around 6:30 a.m. that day to visit Wang Yang Zhen, 48, reportedly to discuss the debt of a friend of the latter.

Wang was with Zeng Hua Quiang, alias Ricky Cheng, at that time.

Police said Wang reportedly acted as guarantor of an undetermined amount of money which Co lent to Wang’s friend.

Kay, who stayed in the car outside of Wang’s villa, said he was not aware of what transpired in the talks between Co and Wang.

But a few minutes later, he said he saw Co and Wang grappling for possession of a gun that later went off, hitting Wang in one hand.

Wang managed to take control of the gun and fired at Co, hitting the victim eight times and killing him on the spot, police said.

Senior Supt, Danilo Bautista, Angeles City police chief, said they were still determining the owner of a 9-mm Glock pistol recovered at the crime scene.

Bautista, however, said they were puzzled why there were bullets of two calibers at the crime scene: five spent 9-mm shells, and five spent Cal. 45 shells.

Wang did not leave the crime scene and was immediately placed under arrest by responding policemen.

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Solons move to preserve Sierra Madre mountains

By Dexter A. See

Lawmakers from the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions have introduced House Resolution No. 438 – a resolution declaring Sept. 26 of each year as “Save Sierra Madre Day” to help empower local residents and visitors to be actively involved in preservation and protection of the environment in Northern Luzon.

The bill was filed by the lawmakers in response to the call of the Save Sierra Madre Network to declare Sept. 26 of each year as Save Sierra Madre Day which will serve as an avenue where local residents and visitors will be empowered to actively participate in activities geared towards watershed protection in accordance with a covenant signed by the three RDCs over two years ago.

The SSMN consists of more than 30 organizations involved in development and conservation projects in the Sierra Madre mountains, one of the key watershed areas providing abundant water supply to the Cagayan River, the biggest river system in Northern Luzon and other major river systems in the Cagayan Valley.

The tributaries to the river systems trace their headwaters to the Cordillera mountain ranges, which connect to the scenic Sierra Madre Mountains.

The declaration of Sept. 26 as a special event will serve as a catalyst for the awareness that will generate positive reaction among people to save the Sierra Madre to protect them and to collectively share in the mitigation of floods, landslides and other disasters, officials said.

On Sept. 26, 2009, tropical storm “Ondoy” wreaked havoc to the population of Metro Manila, the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan and other nearby localities.

A week later, Typhoon “Pepeng” aggravated these calamities, causing the deaths of hundreds of people and devastation of properties worth billions of pesos.

Officials blamed the devastation caused by “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” to the destruction of the Sierra Madre brought about by rampant logging and quarrying.

To make the day more meaningful and significant, it was provided in the resolution that the group of the Save Sierra Madre Network be designated to coordinate with other groups and agencies and line up activities proper for the celebration of the Save Sierra Madre Day.

The lawmakers said preserving and protecting the watersheds of the Northern Luzon area will help sustain the desire of the national government for the country to be food and energy self-sufficient in the coming years.

The Cordillera and Sierra mountain ranges are among the thickly forested mountains which serve as the major source of water for the country’s lucrative agriculture and energy sectors.

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NCIP suspends processing of ancestral titles in Baguio

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples en banc approved a resolution last week suspending the processing of ancestral land claims in this city until these have been officially endorsed and passed upon by a clearing committee of the city government.

This, after local residents questioned the award of a huge portion of the Forbes Park reservation here to purported ancestral land claimants.

The NCIP ruled suspension of processing of increasing number of ancestral land claims to be issued certificates of ancestral land title (CALTs) will allow the clearing committee to investigate whether or not the pending ancestral claims are legitimate and in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the Office of the President must make necessary directives to the Office of the Solicitor-General to immediately file the necessary pleadings for the nullification of the CALT issued to the heirs of Lauro Carantes covering at least 23 hectares of the Forbes Park watershed reservation considering that the ancestral land title was allegedly dubiously issued.

Section 78 of RA 8371 allows Baguio City to maintain its townsite reservation provided that land rights recognized by the courts or other administrative bodies prior to the enactment of the IPRA will be duly recognized.

Based on records, there are 47 Igorot claims that were recognized by the courts in 1910, followed by another 285 ancestral claims until 1957. Under Special Order No. 31 issued by former President Corazon C. Aquino in 1990, 6 Igorot claims were initially approved while another 757 ancestral claims were again recognized by Department Administrative Order No. 2 before the recognition of the claims were halted.

Domogan underscored there is an urgent need to validate the increasing number of ancestral claims being filed by indigenous peoples in some portions of the city so that those legitimate claims will be given the approval while those which are illegal should not be entertained.

He cited the glaring example of the approved CALT within the Forbes Park reservation where even the heirs are now at odds with each other on how to proceed with the sale or disposal of their claims or maintain the same in accordance to the primordial aim of the IPRA which is to preserve and protect the rights of indigenous peoples over their ancestral domain.

Domogan said there is need t o investigate the Forbes Park CALT considering that initial plotting made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed the area covered by the title even extends to the golf course of Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club.

The members of the Baguio ancestral lands clearing committee include the city mayor as chairman with the members coming from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the Cordillera, city legal officer, city administrator, city council committee on urban planning, lands and housing and the regional technical director for lands.

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P770-M Chico River irrigation system plan worked out in Kalinga

Engineer Raymundo Apil, chief of the Kalinga-Ifugao-Mountain Province Irrigation Management Office explains to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and other officials the proposed expansion project of the Chico River irrigation system using a model during inspection of the Chico River Diversion Dam last week. --Gigi Dumallig

By Dexter A. See

TABUK, Kalinga – The Kalinga Provincial Irrigation Management Office is preparing a comprehensive plan for the total rehabilitation of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System to expand the service area of the system.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala inspected the dam site and canal recently and directed the National Irrigation Administration and the KAPIMO management to prepare a plan for possible funding by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Engineer Carmen Bustonera, OIC of the UCRIS, said the project proposal estimated to cost P770 million will irrigate an additional production rice area of 1,218 hectares - 718 hectares in Kalinga and 500 in Isabela side.

Butonera said KAPIMO proposed to the secretary to restore the system’s high service efficiency under the Participatory Irrigation Development Project that will rehabilitate and improve both the Chico diversion dam and Talaca catch dams including the upgrading of embankments of the main diversion canal, Tabuk supply canal, and lateral canals.

Outlet protection works of all existing structures were also proposed for improvement so with measuring and control devices, service access roads and terminal facilities.

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Truck rams onto two trikes; 6 dead, 3 hurt

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– Six people were killed while three others were seriously injured when a Cagayan-bound truck rammed into two tricycles along the national highway in Santiago City, Isabela past noon Nov. 29, police said.

The truck was negotiating the highway in Barangay Villasis when the two speeding tricycles suddenly emerged from the corner of a road.

The strong impact resulted in the instant death of five of the tricycle passengers. The sixth fatality was the truck driver’s helper. – Charlie Lagasca

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Exciting Baguio Xmas activities set for public

By Julie Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Various activities have been set up by the city government her this yuletide season to include athletics, lighting up, spiritual musicals, family-oriented events, environmental and health-focused programs and a grand fireworks display to cap the season of nativity.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan invited the public to “celebrate with us,” this season. “There are events and awesome sights which would serve as “feast for the eyes.”

The month opened with a colorful mardigras parade in the morning along Session road for daycare children, with lighting of the giant Christmas tree at the lower portion of the same road in the evening. Both activities saw city officials led by Domogan.

At Abad Santos Drive, Burnham Park, a Christmas Village and bazar with echo environment, recyclable, health products and services shall run up to Jan. 2.

December 1 marked the start of the City of Lights competition, citywide, up to Jan. 2. Judges shall go around to evaluate lighted-up houses and business establishments.

Burnham Park and City Hall grounds were brightened up Thursday evening 2, with Domogan switching on the lights as witnessed by guests and spectators.

The event was joined by the Philippine Military Academy grounds being lighted up on the same date. Centennial celebrant Saint Louis University also lighted up Session road going to Melvin Jones with a lantern parade Saturday evening of Dec. 4, before the first-ever 15-minute snow show at the upper portion of the city’s main road.

Enchanted lake of lights is also featured today, Sunday, at Burnham Lake with a romantic repeat of “Venetian Night” at the same venue on Dec. 18.

Scheduled snow shows shall be done at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 up to the 31st, except Dec. 27 and 28.

Artificial snow shall fall for 15 minutes for city folks at upper Session road.

Sports activities include the Kafagway Sportsfest on Dec. 12 at Malcolm Square, and Sumo Soccer on Dec. 12 and 19 at Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.

A photo walk is scheduled on Dec. 20 at the Igorot bandstand.

Musical treats start today with the Baguio City Lights and Music Festival at Abad Santos Drive, the Drum and Lyre Parade Competition on December 8 along Session road to Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.

On Dec. 12, there will be a Children’s Christmas Cantata during regular worship service at the United Church of Christ of the Philippines at Westside, Burnham Park while the Christmas Offering Presentation “One Voice, One Melody,” shall be at 4 PM, at the SM Event Center

The elimination round for Christmas Rhythm will be on Dec. 13-15 at the Baguio Convention Center, the Maryknoll Sanctuary Choir Concert will be at the Baguio Cathedral on Dec. 18 at 7:30 PM; with the finale at the Melvin Jones Grandstand on Dec. 22.

A Christmas cantata by the youth and adults shall be done during regular worship services at the UCCP; while awarding of the drum and lyre competition shall be on Dec. 22, 7 p.m. at the Melvin Jones Grandstand. An Ecumenical concert dubbed as “Worship Explosion,” will be on Dec. 31 at 8 PM to 1 a.m. at the Baguio Convention Center.

On Dec. 7 to 10, the City Social Welfare and Development Office conducts the quest for the Lucky Christmas Family, Dec. 11 will be a “Special Day for Special People” at Malcolm Square, Dec. 22 is Share-a-Toy day at the SM events center, and Dec. 26 is Baguio Lucky Balikbayan Christmas day at Sunshine Park.

Dec. 7 at the SM events center is reserved for a Christmas Cultural Special Events; Dec. 8 is Immaculate Conception Day and Aurora Hill Fiesta; Dec. 16-24 is the annual simbang gabi in various churches in the city; Dec. 18-19 will showcase “Parol on Wheels,” along Session road.

Dec. 30 is a regular holiday being Rizal Day and on Dec. 31, the whole nation welcomes New Year with a grand fireworks display at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.

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Composting machines due on December 8

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan Wednesday said the delivery of the awaited Environment Recycling System (ERS) waste composting machines has been moved from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8.

But the slight delay in the expected time of arrival of the machines would not put the city behind its target schedule of installing the units before Christmas day, the mayor said.

He said the Japanese firm that would supply the machines had assured that the machines would arrive in the country Dec. 4 and will be transported to the city on Dec. 8.

The Japanese technicians are also expected to arrive in the city on Dec. 4 to begin ground preparations for the installation of the machines at the Irisan dumpsite area. Installation and break-in would take around ten days, the mayor was told.

But even if the machines are not yet installed, the Japanese subsidiary Pro Tech Machinery Corporation assured that it will begin hauling out the city’s wastes this week. The hauling will be for free as per the memorandum of agreement earlier signed by the parties.

The mayor did not allot any funding for hauling out wastes beginning January next year banking on the deal with Pro Tech.

The ERS machines are expected to convert 48 tons out of the 66 tons of biodegradable wastes of the city daily.

The remaining 18 tons will be composed using other existing technologies of the city.

The company also will also take charge of hauling out residual wastes. – Aileen Refuerzo

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COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

College head dies of stroke
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– A college president in Quirino province succumbed to stroke shortly after delivering a message during a mañanita for the 31st birthday of Rep. Dakila Cua Monday.

Engineer Edilberto Acio, head of the provincial government-run Quirino Polytechnic College, was declared dead on arrival at the provincial hospital where he was rushed after collapsing just after extending his birthday greetings to Cua.

Mañanita is traditionally performed at dawn to greet someone during special occasions like birthdays. – Charlie Lagasca

Halsema waste campaign upped
TUBLAY, Benguets – The massive information drive for proper waste disposal on Halsema Highway is targeting to reach about 5,000 motorists, travelers and passengers traversing one of the major thoroughfares in Cordillera region.

In an environmental forum, groups were clustered into four and stationed at strategic locations in Ambassador in Tublay; Pali or Highest Point in Sayangan; Atok, Pakpakitan, Natubleng in Buguias; and in the area of Sinto, which is the boundary of Benguet and Mt. Province to halt more than a thousand vehicles to warn them against throwing trash on the highway.

Mass transport vehicles were also provided with trash bins so that passengers will not throw their wastes outside the window. -- Dexter A. See


COPS 2011 launched in Ilocos Region
CAMP FLORENDO, La Union— Supt. Eric Noble, who was one-time recipient of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) award, encouraged Tuesday other police officers to be loyal and dedicated to the performance of their duties as the search for COPS 2011 kicked off recently.

The award was launched last Oct. 27 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement among financiers and organizers of COPS 2011 – Metrobank Foundation Inc., the Rotary Club of New Manila East, the Philippine Savings Bank and the Philippine National Police.

The COPS award is now a career service award given annually to 10 winners consisting of four police commissioned officers (from police inspector to superintendent) and six police non-commissioned officers (from police officer 1 to senior police officer 4).

'Christmas ed Kapangan'scheduled December 10-11
KAPANGAN, Benguet – This town in coordination with the provincial government and Department of Tourism presents an early Christmas escapade “Christmas ed Kapangan” on Dec. 10-11.

Kapangan is located at the western part of Benguet, 1,700 meters above sea level with a total land area of 17, 327. 25 hectares.

It has a population of 18, 380 in 15 barangays. Farming or agriculture is the main source of livelihood of residents. Kankanaey and Ibaloi are their main dialects.

According to Tourism Operations Officer Clarita Prudencio, the two-day tour is one way of boosting the local tourism industry since the place has the most number of tourist attractions in Benguet. Besides, it also serves as an early celebration for the coming Christmas season.

The first day of the tour would be visitation to the Anthurium Forest and to the Municipal Livelihood Center for their high quality silk being their One town One Product (OTOP).
Camping at Balakbak E/S campsite, fellowship and programs such as cañao and cultural shows will follow.

Hands on harvest at the Obellan/Catampan Rice Terraces, spelunking at the Longog Cave, picnic at the Amburayan River and shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables and handicrafts at Taba-ao will complete the tour.

Registration fee varies from P1,500 to - P2,000 depending on the date of registration. – Dianne Estino

1st BSA deanery recommitment held
BONTOC, Mountain Province – Seventy seven members of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew of the central deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines attended the first deanery rededication at Barangay Gonogon here on Nov 29 at the St. Agustine Mission Church.

The central deanery is composed of all Anglican churches in the capital town of Bontoc and Sabangan municipality.

EDNP diocesan bishop Brent Alawas urged the brethrens to religiously follow the footsteps of Apostle Andrew who is the organization’s patron saint.

“We members must strengthen our fraternal ties with other chapters nationwide as this will help prevent conflicts among member and church members as well,” he said. “As a cohesive religious organization we can assist in the resolution of some problems between and among other people such as tribal conflicts especially if we have brothers in the conflicting parties.”

Before the rites seven individuals were received as new members of the BSA. An orientation on the history of BSA and a short meeting ensued after the service.

The brotherhood is a lay organization among men and youth of the Anglican or Episcopal Church worldwide with the objective of Spreading Christ’s Kingdom or bringing others nearer to Christ.
It has three disciplines that a member must have to abide such as to study the bible regularly, conduct of daily prayer for the organization and all people in this world and extend services to the church and community.

The organization’s patron saint is Apostle Andrew who with his brother Peter was called by Jesus Christ to become “fishers of men.” -- Francis B. Degay

19 Ifugao youths get DAR grants
LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in the province has provided scholarship grants to deserving children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, which is part of the interventions of concerned government agencies to boost rural development.

Leanor Bascos, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said the Programang Agraryo Iskolar of DAR was awarded to 19 dependents of ARBs in the province to help them finish a four-year agriculture related degree course so they will be able to utilize their acquired skills and knowledge for agriculture development in the countryside.

Bascos said qualified scholars are currently enrolled at the Ifugao State University with 13 of them studying at the main campus, four at the Portia campus and two at the Lagawe campus. -- Dexter A. See

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Collection of fees in public schools banned: DepEd

EDITORIAL

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro has warned erring school administrators and teachers on the Department of Education’s policy against illegal fee collection in all public schools to encourage more parents to send their children to school and complete basic education.

Luistro said the policy is enshrined in the Constitution and DepEd is serious in the enforcement of the policy especially in its all-out bid to increase the completion and participation rates in public schools.

Luistro said “Our goal here is to lessen the worries of parents about school fees which is one of the reasons why many children are out of school or have dropped-out in the middle of schooling. If schools are collecting fees, we will be discouraging enrollment especially among the very poor. This is also why we have taken serious action against schools officials violating this policy,”

In reiterating the department’s appeal, Luistro said that no fees shall be collected from school children enrolling in pre-school up to Grade 4 at any time during the school year.

For the levels beyond Grade 4, there should be no collection during enrolment period and the first month of classes.

Contributions, on a purely voluntary basis, may start on the second month of every school year. This covers contributions for Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis Fund and Parents-Teachers Association.

DepEd has taken an aggressive position to put every school-aged child in school at no cost as part of its Education for All (EFA) commitment, a promise of 100 percent enrollment of all children and youth of school age by 2015.

Luistro said the no collection policy is one of government’s anti-poverty measures. Through this, parents can instead use the money for other important needs such as food and transportation fare.

Aside from the no collection policy, DepEd has prohibited all public schools from imposing on students the wearing of uniform or of IDs which may also become a financial burden for parents. The government has allotted budget to shoulder the expense for identification cards.

Luistro also made it clear that the Parents Teachers Association is the only recognized entity to collect voluntary financial contributions. However, non-payment of the contribution by the parent-member shall not be a basis for non-admission or non-issuance of clearances to the child by the school.

“No teacher or any school personnel shall be involved in such collection activities,” Luistro reiterated.

DepEd has advised concerned citizens to report any violation of these policies through DepEd’s DeTXT Action Center at tel. no. 6361663. Complaints may also be sent via email at action@deped.gov.ph.

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Appointment of Bontoc police chief opposed

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(We give way to a letter of a certain Pablo Santos to the chief of the Philippine National Police and Secretaries of the departments of Justice and Interior and Local government. Those alluded to may email their comments to northphiltimes@yahoo.com for publication in this space. We edited out the more serious allegations against PSI Pablo Ondalos as contained in the letter but will print it if the complaint is filed before the proper forum.)

I would like to bring to your attention the illegitimate assignment of a certain PSI Pablo Ondalos as chief of police of the Bontoc, Mountain Province police force.

According to insiders, Bontoc Mayor Pascual Sacgaca endorsed Ondalos to Mt. Province provincial police director Fortunato Albas to replace PCI Marcial Faed which Albas approved.

Faed was assigned as full-fledged chief of police for 10 months only. Why was he changed? He was discharging his work well. It was during his time and PCI Lizardo, former Bontoc police chief, that millions worth of illegal drugs were confiscated. Some petty criminals were also caught.

Some top rank police officers revealed that a police with the rank of police major must be the chief of police of a capital town. Not below this rank.

In 2007, Undalos was relieved as Bontoc police chief because of rampant crimes that were unsolved. Among these were forcible entry of business establishments fronting the police station, public market and along the national highway at Poblacion.

We have a law and procedure to follow which I think Sacgaca, Albas and the deputy provincial director for administration are not yet aware of. If a position is vacant or supposed to be vacant, applicants are required to submit their application letters including their credentials to the Selection Board.

The Board evaluates the documents of applicants and endorses the applicants who passed the initial selection to the National Police Commission after which the Napolcom endorses those qualified (at least five) to the Local Government Unit for its final selection.

The case of Undalos is absurd. Sacgaca alleged that there was only one applicant to position of Police Chief of Bontoc. But in the first place there was no vacancy and Faed did not vacate his post or overstayed in his post to have a mandatory re-assignment or relieved.

Ignorance is no excuse so the people concerned with this illegal act must have to be relieved or dismissed from their posts due to gross negligence or incompetence, grave abuse of authority and criminal charges that maligned Faed and his family. Relieving Faed without just cause is a slap to Faed, his career and his family.

To those concerned in the relief of Faed, before making a decision especially if you are ignorant or do not know the interpretation of the law or procedure, please be humble enough and seek the assistance of the Fiscal’s Office of the government and judges of the regional and municipal trial courts. Thank you for your favorable action on this matter.

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Quo Vadis, Manny Pacquiao?

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

At 32 years old, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao achieved what nobody in the world – nay, history – has achieved. Born dirt poor, Pacquiao slugged his way to greatness, one weight division at a time – from flyweight to super welterweight – and captured eight world championship titles in eight weight divisions. Indeed, there is only one man on earth today who could break his record – himself.

Asked what his plans are now that he’s achieved what no man has done before, people are asking if he’s going to retire and concentrate on his new job as a congressman of Sarangani province.

During a media interview upon his arrival in the Philippines, Pacquiao said that he plans to retire in three years when he reaches the age of 35. “I want you to know that I will not be retiring anytime soon, maybe a few more fights. Since I just finished my fight with Margarito, let’s forget boxing for a while and focus on serving the people,” he said. “As congressman, it is my duty to do my job right for my fellow men, especially those in my district.”

The question is: Why would Pacquiao want to continue fighting? He has already proved that he is the greatest boxer of all time. What more does he want to achieve… or to prove? He can no longer be “greater”; he is already the “greatest”!
***
Maybe he realizes that “greatness” is not measured in terms of championship titles and wealth. Perhaps he is no longer content with the “greatness” that he has achieved for himself. He probably thinks that there is a loftier greatness and that would be the greatness he could achieve for his people. Does he have a vision for his constituents in Sarangani? Or better, does he have a vision for his country?

I am beginning to believe that Pacquiao has a vision for his country. Perhaps his personal experience of growing poor and seeing – and living in -- poverty has imbued in him a burning desire to overcome poverty and uplift his people from the bottomless pit of economic bondage.
Thus, it did not come as a surprise when Pacquiao entered politics in 2007 at the height of his boxing career. He ran for congressman and lost. But like the true fighter that he is, he ran again last May this year… and won. Sworn in as congressman last July, he took off again in quest of his eighth championship title in his heaviest weight division ever.
***
Last Nov. 13, he faced Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito for the world super welterweight title. Many people were apprehensive that Pacquiao may finally have met the man who’d bring him down. Some of his fellow congressmen even considered filing a resolution in the House of Representatives that would stop him from fighting Margarito.

Indeed, they had reason to believe that Pacquiao might not win this time: Margarito was five inches taller and 17 pounds heavier that Pacquiao. Many called the fight “Flyweight vs. Welterweight” because Pacquiao started as a flyweight fighter and Margarito has always been a welterweight. But once again, Pacquiao proved the unbelievers wrong. His victory over Margarito was his 13th straight victory, which included eight knockouts.

But what concerned a lot of boxing aficionados was Pacquiao’s failure to knock Margarito out in spite of the high number of Pacquiao’s power punches that landed on Margarito.

The same was true when Pacquiao beat Joshua Clottey last March 13 for the world welterweight championship title -- Pacquiao failed to knock out Clottey. This led many people to believe that Pacquiao was not a true welterweight but an overweight lightweight who doesn’t have the punching power to knock a welterweight out.
***
During the media interview, Pacquiao said he’s willing to fight Juan Miguel Marquez again.

However, he said that his fans might not be interested in a second Pacquiao-Marquez rematch. The first fight between the two fighters ended in a disputed draw and the second ended in a split decision in favor of Pacquiao. Many supporters of a Pacquiao-Marquez rematch argue that Marquez may have won both fights. Should Pacquiao fight Marquez for the third time, it would be to prove, once and for all, that he is better than Marquez.

But what is eluding Pacquiao is an opportunity to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. who remains undefeated, and who claims that he’s better than Pacquiao. If a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight would happen, it would most likely be the biggest fight ever in boxing history. Is this the fight that Pacquiao would be waiting for in the next three years before he retires?
***
Meanwhile, where’s Pacquiao going? With a three-year term as congressman, he would qualify to run for the Senate when he reaches 35 years old. In 2022, when he’s 44 years old, he’d qualify to run for President. But a lot of people are saying that Pacquiao doesn’t have what takes to become president or, more aptly, run a government.

But 12 years is a lot of time to learn on how to govern. And that’s more than enough to hone his political skills. Heck, Ferdinand Marcos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo -- two of the most educated and smartest politicians -- turned out to be the most corrupt presidents. And Ramon Magsaysay -- who was put down because of his “inadequate” education and ridiculed as a lowly mechanic -- turned out to be the best president we ever had. As the old adage says, “Don’t judge the book by its cover.”

There is no doubt that Pacquiao is very smart. His boxing speed and prowess are the result of an extraordinary mind – a genius if you may. His mind must work like a computer to be able to play a game of wits that require fast thinking and precise execution of attack. It’s a mind game as well as physical prowess.

Recently, Pacquiao was quoted as saying: “We should be close to God. The way we seek to be close to our family, the way we struggle for ourselves, we should be that close to God. We rarely tell God we love him, not as much as we say ‘I love you’ to our loved ones.” That’s wisdom… and greatness of mind.

Indeed, Pacquiao could be a diamond in the rough. Watch him!

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Tribute

BENCHWARMER
Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- Among the recent transitions in this continuing season of births and burials were those of 86-year old mother and teacher Josefina Kintanar-Carino of Camp 7 and 62-year old village chief Dominador Rosado Della of here of Barangay Dontogan.

Doming, who grew up in Trancoville, ended his long fight against the big C last Nov. 10. He was honored in resolutions from the city council, the Association of Barangay Councils and the Knights of Columbus. He was cited for his 13-year service as punong barangay of Dontogan, as vice-president of the ABC and as founder of various councils of the Knights of Columbus which he also steered as Grand Knight, District Deputy and Faithful Navigator.

As his elder brother, former punong barangay Albert of Trancoville noted during the final rites, Doming, who rarely delivered speeches, exuded silent yet powerful, undeniable eloquence in the things he did to bring closer his community to what it should be.

I noticed his economy of words and his focus on action years back when he asked me to capture with a roll of black and white film the Kenny Rogers feature of Baguio boy and respected lawyer Galleazzo Bucaycay. Doming needed a fitting photo for the posters and leaflets needed in helping run the campaign of a brilliant lawyer who badly needed support in his bid for a seat in the city council.

Despite his genuine luster in law, Manong Lizo didn’t know how to set, much less collect, his fees. It was comparatively easy to frame his rugged handsomeness while he was in his element explaining to other Baguio boys why he was joining the hustings.

The huge crowd that attended the final rites for Doming at his residence reminded me of Manong Lizo’s own funeral. After the mass, two elderly women of Trancoville were boarding one of the long line of jeepneys when one of them took a glance at the long line of mourners.

“Ay apo, no kastoy laeng koma ti kaadu ti nagbotos kenka, nangabak ka koma nga konsehal, anak nga Lizo,” the senior citizen noted. That wish – and tribute – also goes to Doming who also later lost his own bid for city councilor. Indeed, those deserving sometimes do not get elected.

Doming is survived by his wife Lucing, children Chris and Ditas, Derrick and Edln, Cliff and Ria, and Maricris and Awin; 12 grandchildren; sisters Gunda, Annie and Vita, and brother Albert. Annie is the wife of noted Baguio medical doctor Alex Fangonil, son of the illustrious judge and vice-mayor Sinforoso Fangohil and cousin of Manong Lizo.

Teacher Josefina Carino, a scion of the Kintanar clan of Cebu, was the widow of Jose Carino, a scion of the Ibaloi clan of Baguio. She was mother to eight brilliant children who studied at the University of the Philippines and who dedicated themselves to the continuing struggle for a just society: Jingjing, Joanna, Joey, Joji, Jessica, Jack, Jill and Judy.

Josefina , too, was mother to us hundreds and thousands of students activists of the First Quarter Storm who sought refuge in her home long before human rights lawyers were allowed to defend and protect militants, reformists, progressives and revolutionaries – or even themselves.

At the last night of the wake, Joanna showed me a tribute from abroad, written by Cesar T. Taguba, an Ibaloi from Adaway, Kabayan, Benguet. Cesar was a pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and now an exile in the Netherlands, in the company of Jose Maria Sison, Ed Jalandoni and Edberto Villegas.

I met Cesar at the University of Baguio, when he enrolled in subjects I can no longer remember. We lost track of each other after martial law was declared, although I eventually caught a glimpse of him in a fleeting moment near a church. We met again in an FQS reunion arranged by Joanna and her cousin Kathleen Okubo at the UP Baguio here.

Here’s Manong Cesar’s tribute to Ina Josefina “Jojo” Kintanar-Carino: “The progressive Filipino community in the Netherlands condole with the family of the late Josefina “Jojo” Kintanar-Carino who passed on last 11 November.

“She raised a family who contributed and are contributing in their own way, to the unity and just struggle of the Cordillera people for the right to self-determination, social emancipation, liberation and solidarity. “She was a gracious mother to the activists of the early ‘70s, welcoming them to meet and stay in their home.

“She showed much courage during the imprisonment of Joji (the youngest political detainee in 1971), the martyrdom of Jennifer “Jingjing” and the political persecution of her family by the Marcos dictatorship.

“In a commemorative gathering for Jingjing in the late ‘90s, she looked serene, giving the impression that she was at peace with the world, Her graying hair and wrinkles revealed years of pain and suffering. Yet, she showed an inner strength. She radiated life.

“She belonged to the generation of mothers who deserve honor and recognition for warmly embracing the sons and daughters of the “First Quarter Storm” as their own and who stood in solidarity with the aktibistas, offering motherly protection, assurance, recognition and inspiration.

“Let us celebrate here life. Let us turn our grief into courage to pursue our noble dream of a just society. Let us honor and remember her as one of the outstanding “Ina” of the Cordillera People.”

A second FQS reunion is in order, if only to celebrate and share more of the strength, courage, inspiration and love the now aging activists drew and received from this teacher and mother. (e-mail:mondaxbench@yahoo.com for comments).

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Autonomously yours

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- Autonomy is often defined as “self-rule” or the “power to make one’s own decisions.” However, some sectors have automatically equated that to mean “decision-making by one,” which to me should not be.

Meanwhile, others have associated the clamor for regional autonomy with the personal interests of individuals, particularly politicians.

If this is the case, then all the more that there is need to consult all who come to be consulted and want to say their piece, including those who feel they are being left out in the consultation process.
In the Cordillera, provincial leaders, particularly governors, who were asked questions on autonomy and things related to it, gave initial answers, some of which I am trying to recall.

In the regional development council press conference held in Apayao last year, Gov. Elias K. Bulut said that attaining regional autonomy will depend on the organic act.

“If it only provides concerns for Baguio, Benguet, Bontoc … we will not approve it,” he said. Development should not be concentrated in Baguio alone. “Baguio is not the whole Cordillera” he further said.

His statements came in the wake of several infrastructure programs his province was undertaking with the use of provincial funds, while other provinces were sourcing out development funds from the national government through the agencies.

“Apayao is only 14 years old but it is blooming…It is the people (Apayao) who should tell you (media) if there are changes and developments that happened in 14 years,” Bulut told newsmen during the province’s 14th founding anniversary.

In simple terms, Gov. Bulut was saying that even without help from outside, Apayao has been undergoing positive changes for the past years. Similarly, Benguet Governor Nestor B. Fongwan said the same thing in relation to regional autonomy.

If I can recall, Gov. Fongwan said in the Bontoc RDC meeting that he is in favor of autonomy but government must first develop the provinces in the region – not the other way around which is “regional autonomy before development.”

But Director Juan Ngalob of NEDA said during a meeting at city hall last week that the Cordillera Administrative Region is in reality existing as a regular region

What Gov. Fongwan said about regional autonomy also makes sense considering that even after two autonomy plebiscites that failed, provinces in the Cordillera “administrative” region continued to grow. Although, RDC members Ngalob and Dr. Gil Bautista, private sector rep (PSR) said “don’t we want more?”

In Mt. Province, Abra, Kalinga and Ifugao, local leaders have expressed willingness to support the clamor for autonomy with particular reservations. The more ticklish issue of which are that certain provinces do not want others to be lording over matters of personal concern.

Point well taken, Baguio mayor Morris Domogan said the LGUs in the provinces and municipalities and the private sector will be very independent in coming up with provisions that they want included in the draft organic act. “Nobody should pre-empt their suggestions,” he said.
It cannot also be hidden in the process that some sectors have already equated the quest for regional autonomy with the personal interest of politicians who may someday want to be regional governor.

But again, PSR Dr. Bautista clarified that the RDC has stopped calling the committee headed by Mayor Domogan that tasked to collate the autonomy draft as the “Domogan committee.” It is now called the “Third Autonomy Draft Committee” or TADC.

I just hope no one with his foolish mind will come out and say that TADC means “Third Autonomy Domogan Committee.” The clamor for regional autonomy failed in two plebiscites, but talking to the mayor, I feel that he is sincere in his words even if some sectors look at his intentions differently.

In one of the media meetings on the issue, it was asked why government and politicians are leading in the process. I understand why the question was asked. For all we know the reason why the plebiscites failed was because of the presence of politicians. And with that, Lawyer Pablito Sanidad asked “doesn’t that tell us something?”

In Benguet, Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan told media that there must be warm bodies in the conduct of consultations – not just one or two influential individuals representing a whole group, which brings us to a point that the CAR bodies constituted during President Cory’s time may no longer be re-installed and officially take part in the autonomy consultations.

Rep. Cosalan has been consistent in saying that the CAR bodies had nothing to show except to meddle in local LGU affairs, and after drawing salaries for many years. Mayor Domogan said the authority of the RDC to conduct consultations has always been questioned even as he admitted that any group from the private sector can consult the public on its own and submit a draft in congress.

“But, it will still be congress that will pass the autonomy bill,” he said as he further pointed to the practicality of holding preliminary exploratory talks with the Cordillera congressmen because ultimately they will be the ones who will approve the final draft.

He also clarified that the Cordillera bodies may no longer be re-installed after congress diminished their functions by allotting them a one-peso budget. That is another story for next week. “What is clear is that we are all for autonomy, although we have different styles in the way we consult and inform people,” Domogan said. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

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Towering Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

LIGHTER MOMENTS
Hilarion ‘Abe’ Pawid

They are both recipients of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

They are the modern-day darlings of the world who stand for humanitarian values, equality, justice, peace and democracy. Separated thousands of miles from each other they are Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, now called Myanmar.

Strikingly, they served time in prison for their advocacy. Kyi was freed a few weeks ago on November 13 by the Burmese ruling military junta after 16 years under house arrest. Her local supporters and the world welcomed her release even as she appealed to “keep fighting for political reforms” in her impoverished country.

Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years and was released in l990. He later became the first democratically elected president in l994 and laid the foundations of cooperation between the black and white populations of South Africa. Both could be considered the most famous political prisoners of modern times for their avocation for peace and democracy.

Writing for Time Magazine, Hannah Beech described Kyi as the “voice of the most oppressed people”. On the day of her release, Kyi asked for a reconciliation meeting with the top military rulers but the junta seems to ignore her request. Undaunted by the snub, she is moving around the countryside rallying her supporters while the junta is watching her commit mistakes that could mean another arrest.

How Kyi, a beautiful lady of 65 years with delicate features, continue inspiring millions of her countrymen to clip the powers of the military junta and install a democratic form of governance is not an enigma.

She is a Buddhist and a believer for non-violence. Unlike Mandela who has the penchant for writing his thoughts and experience, Kyi is news with the media documenting her campaign for peace and democracy.

The world watches and listens to her pleas for help. Mandela is the author of international bestseller “Long Walk to Freedom” and “Conversations with Myself” which very recently came off the press.

How would Kyi transform the ideology she vigorously articulated in actual settings is the question in the minds of some of her former party mates and world observers after the results of the recently concluded elections she opted to boycott.

Time Magazine observed that the transition of principle to reality is difficult enough citing the case of Poland’s Lech Valesa, considered the “Lion” of the resistance to communism “but became a disappointing President”.

In the Philippines, Cory Aquino failed to address the principles her late husband advocated and died for. Graft and corruption flourished, illegal gambling such as jueteng was institutionalized while dollar reserves dwindled and foreign debts more than doubled.

A former Burmese activist and a colleague of Kyi says “She must realistically accept the rule of the military and figure out how to co-exist because the military is not ready to go back to the barracks,” reported Beech of Time Magazine.

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Autonomy blues and persistence

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Amidst the blues, Mountain Province is bullish with its consultation drive on autonomy. The sub- committee for the drafting of the third organic act of Cordillera regional autonomy for the province chaired by Franklin Odsey has the remaining eastern towns to deal with this first week of December.

Earlier consultations had already been done in the towns of Botnoc, Besao, Sadanga, Bauko, Sabangan, Sagada and Besao. One major issue was about control of natural resources vis a vis national laws.

Mountain Province with its 90 percent forest cover is rich with trees and timber. Yet full control by the people of the very trees which they nurture is barred by Presidential Decree 705 providing restrictions on logging.

Its underground treasures are also substantial with mineral resources including gold and copper. Such is now the subject of mining applications from big mining corporations for quite some time, one of which is Cordillera Exploration Inc, a subsidiary of Anglo Saxon Mining Company based in the US. Control of natural resources vis a vis benefit sharing is also one big issue raised in all municipality consultations.

Talk about SMART and GLOBE telecommunications perched in mountain peaks and you know what the people mean. Are they deriving benefits from these multi-million peso earning companies? What are recommendations to these inconsistencies?

Exception to the rule was forwarded by Odsey. How positive will be with our national legislators is another. As it is, the overarching Regalian doctrine on lands being owned by the State come as a constitutional question on natural resources.

While people here seek questions on control of their natural wealth, the consultation results say people are hungry for information on what autonomy is all about. Otherwise, it would be a dead end to autonomy if people are not asking. Other questions raised include: What assurance is there that with regional autonomy, the Cordillera would not be like “Ampatuan Country”? What assurance is there that corruption will not happen? What assurance is there that nepotism will not be practiced in employment ?

Questions are a good sign that people are curious and want to know answers which baffle them. Following municipal wide consultations, almost all municipalities want sectoral and barangay consultations done. This means the Regional Development Council should be providing more budget from the P15 million autonomy budget to provincial wide consultations instead of just a measly P500,000 each per province.

As noted, the people want straight and direct answers whether these are legal provisions or experiences on autonomy by other states. This call for autonomy is neither an academic exercise nor a discussion of philosophical theories.

This, as those moving around to conduct consultations have an initial big responsibility to answer issues while noting recommendations that people forward in the light of hesitancies and lingering questions. I guess the rest of information will follow once the proposed organic act is done and ratification comes in.

Meantime, this call for regional autonomy by the RDC is struggling as it had been when it was earlier called for by the Cordillera People’s Alliance in the early ‘80s. Still opposed by the CPA, their basic framework for regional autonomy persists.

Talk about national laws working against control of natural resources and you know what it means. PD 705 provides lands 18 degrees in slope and over are considered alienable and disposable. With people of the Cordillera living on slopes beyond 18 degrees in slope is already one big question on how autonomy can answer control to natural resources.

Or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 saying all mineral explorations shall be under the supervision and control of the State based on the Regalian Doctrine, rests the question how people of the Cordillera can assert their legal control on their very own resources.

In the same perspective, the militant organization forwards the analysis that communities vis a vis decision making in governance is still a far cry as to their full participation and confidence in their very own leaders. Can regional autonomy, considering the dictate of national laws and present state of patronage and corrupt politics assure better times in this present call for regional autonomy?

While this is so, the camp of the Cordillera Executive Board and Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army are opposing this RDC- led call for autonomy with legal questions on RDC not being the right personality to implement the road to regional autonomy.

This embattled road to regional autonomy is now in the hands of the people as it reaches its third take. I would like to take this exercise as a venue to forward whatever recommendations there may be. As whether government would listen to what the people want is still a point of contention.

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Noynoy’s Jollibee gig in Baguio – ka-cheapan!

G-SPAT
Grace Bandoy

Our dear president of the Republic of the Philippines, the honorable Benigno Aquino III, visited Baguio to cut the ribbon of the newest Jollibee in the city – the Harrison Road branch, the 700th Jollibee branch in the country, kaya historical daw po ang event na yun para sa Jollibee corporation. Yun lang po ang ipinunta niya dito.

Official o unofficial man po ang pag-visit niyang ito sa city natin, it’s still kagaguhan for me. Kris Aquino must be furious sa ginawa ng dear brother niyang yun. Mcdonald’s po kasi ang ine-endorse ni Kris!

While it may be true that Jollibee is one of the most successful Filipino companies in the world, a president should never go out of Malacanang, spend government money and travel to some place and cut the ribbon for a Jollibee store opening. It’s totally cheap and low! Wala na ba siyang mas importante pang gagawin?!

Was that ribbon cutting so very fu*king important na hindi niya matanggihan? Hindi ba siya puwedeng magsulat ng congratulatory letter na lang at ibigay sa Jollibee?

Or mag-utos ng staff niyang mag-represent na lang sa kanya?!

The country had to spend money for his transportation and presidential security guards and other staff para lang po sa nonsense na ginawa niyang iyon. And inisnab po niya ang invitation para i-oath-taking ang mga nanalong barangay officials ng Baguio sa Athletic Bowl nung araw din na yun.

Napakalaki po siguro ng utang ng ating dear president sa mga owners ng Jollibee na yan at kahit alam niyang cheap ang ginawa niya eh go pa rin siya?!

I remember na sinumpa sumpa ni P-noy na wala siyang babayarang utang na loob kahit kanino. Well, sinungaling siya. Sobrang laki ng utang na loob niya sa Jollibee at pinatulan niya ang pag ribbon cutting na yun.

Jolibee must be getting special treatment from the government. Sobrang lakas nila sa president natin at na-invite nila siyang mag gupit ng ribbon nila!

Nakakatakot naman po yata ang mga pangyayaring ito. Abangan na lang po natin ang mga kababawan at ka-cheapan pang mga gagawin ng ating pangulo.

“.…ang mahuli ang panlasang-Pinoy, ang mabihag ang pusong-Pinoy, at ang maging bahagi sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng mga Pinoy…,” bahagi po yan ng speech ni president sa event na yun.

Hindi rin kaya nagalit ang department of health sa kanya? Coz alam naman po nating lahat na ang mga fastfood joints po na ito ang sumira, sumisira at sisira pa sa health ng sangkabayanang Pilipino. Sa mga fastfoods po natin nakuha ang maraming sakit sa puso at kung ano-ano pa hong sakit meron tayo ngayon.

We don’t eat healthy anymore and depend on these fast foods for our daily supply of food. Kaya rin siguro mukhang very sickly ang ating president coz Jollibee kinakain niya everyday! Mag people power na kaya ulit?
***
I was extremely shocked when I learned that a Grade 6 student of one of the private schools in Baguio was kicked out of school for being allegedly five months pregnant!

This pretty elementary student allegedly had a 4th year high school boyfriend from a public school in the city.

I cannot imagine an elementary pupil na pregnant! Grabe naman!

This should come as a wake-up call for all of us na ganito na po ang nangyayari sa society natin ngayon. These realities are really what we ended up becoming as a people. It is sad. I can only feel for the parents of these kids. I know these parents did their best in bringing them up. Hindi naman po siguro sila nagkulang sa pangaral.

I want to blame the high school BF who was old enough to know what was right and wrong. He knew better than the grade 6 pupil.

How can a grade 6 pupil, 11 - 13 years old, become a mother when she’s not so far from being a baby herself!

Gusto kong pag-untugin ang ulo ng mga batang ito but I guess mas importante po siguro na kalkalin natin ang true causes ng problems ng society natin na ito. Young moms are becoming younger and younger. We are shocked to our bones when we hear of teen agers getting pregnant. Ang isang elementary student na nabubuntis is something.

Maybe we should start teaching anti-pregnancy techniques in elementary school already. Kids should already be educated about sex especially now that girls menstruate early.
Abnormal na po ang lahat ngayon. Hindi na po talaga kagaya ng dati. And we should adjust to what’s going on.

Teach our kids early of the realities of life. Yan lang po ang naiisip ko sa ngayon. And these kids should know the consequences of all their actions.

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The off-price store

BUSINESS BITS
Mishell M. Malabaguio

“Fashion should not be expensive but affordable.” This thought occurred to Jonas Ang, who has been selling clothes wholesale since 2002, when he felt the need for his own retail store. His business has been providing various retail stores in and out of Metro Manila factory overruns and shelf-pull merchandise.

Ang has always been a stickler for quality—he refuses to sell clothes that are damaged or carry fake designer or custom labels. With the market flooded by such goods, however, he saw the need to put up a retail outlet that would only sell quality but affordable branded clothes.

That was why in 2003, with P3 million in capital, he started The Off-Price Store, located on Escrivá Drive at the Ortigas Center in Pasig City. Since then, The Off-Price Store has grown to eight outlets, five of which are franchised.

Each outlet has its own identity depending on its location and market. The Malate, Manila branch, for instance, is a boutique, while the Ortigas branch has a warehouse look and feel. This way, Off-Price is able to hit markets A to C, even if pricing is uniform in all of the stores.

The Off-Price Store started franchising in 2007, with the franchise fee ranging from P500,000 to P650,000 depending on the store size and location. Based on their studies, an Off-Price franchisee could recover his investment in 1.5 years.

Ang explains that the franchisee is allowed to add items to their merchandise; however, this should not exceed 5 percent of the total merchandise being sold, and the pricing and quality of such merchandise should be approved by Off-Price itself.

The factories from where Ang sources the clothes have the consent of the specific brands to sell their overruns; thus, he says he doesn’t need to get any license or permit from these clothing brands.

The only agreement he has with the factories, he says, is that all the goods he gets from them should be damage-free and that they should offer him the lowest price in the market. “I could make such arrangements with them because a lot of them are my friends,” he explains.

Among the brands he sells are Crocs US, Replay, Buffalo David Bitton and Seven7 Jeans. Off-Price also has in-house brands such as Vanilla and Low Label. Based on Off-Price’s studies, the average price purchase of people per clothing item is P450.

Therefore, Ang makes sure that their prices are close to that amount, or that the items are 60 percent to 80 percent lower than the original price. He also conducts comparative shopping to ensure that Off-Price is really offering the most affordable quality branded items in the market.

“Because I’ve been in the industry for a long time, I know what’s fake and what’s original, and if the item has any damage,” he says. “I also let my franchisees know why a certain item is priced lower than ours; if there is any such item, most, probably it’s damaged.”

To sell affordably priced goods, Ang keeps his overhead costs minimal. For one, he does not locate stores in malls to avoid high rental costs. He also maintains a strong and active customer database, and monitors customer preferences.

Despite the store’s low prices, it still gives discounts and promos to its customers, such as 10-percent discount on first purchase and a so-called valued customer card. Ang says: “Our profit is not that thick per item, but we aim for economies of scale.” They have built a strong customer base and give first-rate customer service.

“Having well-trained staff is really crucial for us because we’re relying on word of mouth,” he says. Ang says that at present, Off-Price has an average of 100 customers per store daily.

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