Video conferencing for faster governance

BANTAY GOBYERNO

Ike Señeres

Video conferencing is nothing new. For all intents and purposes, it is really just teleconferencing but with video added. Perhaps what is new about it is that it is cheaper now, and is even more secure.

What makes it cheaper now is that it could now be done over Internet Protocol (IP) in other words over the internet, whereas before it could only be done through the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS).

What makes it more secure now is that it could now be encrypted, and could even be done within very secure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). What used to be simply known as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has now evolved to be known as Voice and Video Over Internet Protocol (VVOIP).

 There is something else that is new about video conferencing, and that is the option to integrate it with Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) and Social Networking Services (SNS). The latter could be done over the internet, or over a corporate intranet that is even more secure.

As originally intended, both PPM and SNS were developed to work independently of each other and also independent of video conferencing, but for best results, these three should be integrated into one seamless deployment. Once integrated with SNS, there would be an additional advantage of having non-voice messaging and text archiving. Once integrated with PPM, there would be an additional advantage of project progress monitoring on one hand, and project cost reporting on the other hand.

Because of videoconferencing, the employees and officers of companies are no longer bound by time and space, because they could already conduct meetings and conferences any time, regardless of where they are. Of course, this technology could also be used by bureaucrats and government officials who could also meet virtually at any time, from any location.

Regardless of whether the technology is used by the government or by the private sector, the bottom line is the same, and that is the savings in time and money, the latter usually in the form of avoiding the costs of travel, accommodation and meals. For a new government that wants to save money and to make its governance faster, this is the ideal solution.

 As it is now, everyone could already do video calls in most mobile phone models therefore video conferencing is already a reality and no longer just a theory. Being able to do video calls in mobile phones in effect completes the available mobile services because users could now do video, voice and text in their units. What that means is that most users could already fully enter the realm of mobility, a condition that is also needed to fully enter the realm of agility. Could you imagine what would happen if most of our citizens would become fully agile? This is now possible because most of the services that could only be accessed before via a computer could now be accessed via a mobile phone.

 Although video conferencing software is already very useful by itself, its use could be maximized by integrating it with three other software products, namely project and portfolio management (PPM) software, user collaboration software and business intelligence (BI) software.

PPM software would enable private companies and government agencies to monitor the progress of projects, but also the status of portfolios in terms of how much money has been allocated, how much has been spent and how much has been accomplished in terms of overall targets.

User collaboration would enable all offices within an organization to work together on joint projects and activities. BI software would enable officers and senior managers to analyze the data coming from projects and portfolios, at the same time it will produce a dashboard that will show current data that they need to know on a daily basis.

 All told, the combination of video conferencing software, PPM software, user collaboration software and BI software will enable all types of organizations to work better and faster. The other choice for them of course is to stick to the old ways and just use written memos and phone calls, even text messaging.

There is really nothing wrong with these old ways, because these could still be integrated with the new ways.

As a matter of fact, it would not be too difficult to integrate in-person, voice, non-voice, video conferencing and live chat into one seamless bundle. Regardless of the means that will be used, what is important is that all organizations will be able to do their work faster and better, and at the same time, do it cheaper and easier.Email bantaygobyerno-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or text +639956441780

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International court of public opinion

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz   

Now that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has ruled strongly in favor of the Philippines’ maritime disputes against China in the South China Sea (SCS), people are wondering, “What’s going to happen next?” 

 Unless China accepts the arbitral tribunal’s ruling – in parts or in its entirety – nothing is going to happen in terms of enforcement.  While the Philippines may have won a moral and legal victory, she cannot force China to dance “tango” with her, simply because China has refused from the get-go to participate in the arbitration case and made it crystal clear that she would not abide by the PCA’s ruling. 

However, to avoid the appearance of losing face, China opened a little window for bilateral talks.  But the question is: Is she going to impose the same old demand that the Philippines must first recognize China’s “indisputable sovereignty” over the South China Sea before talks could begin?  And since the Philippines had refused to agree to it, bilateral negotiation was out of the question; hence, the Philippines went to the PCA to seek arbitration.   

With the PCA’s legally binding ruling, the Philippines is left with few options, none of which is easy to achieve.  But with an alternative of going to war against China, a “peaceful” means of settling their disputes would be in everybody’s best interest, including the international community, which is keeping a keen eye on how China is dealing with the arbitral tribunal ruling. 

With 80% of global trade – that’s $5 trillion annually – passing through the SCS, there is just too much at stake.  Any change in the status quo could upset the balance of power in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, which would directly or indirectly affect the world’s leading economies.  And that includes the Group of Seven (G7), which represents the top seven world economic powers. 

International rule of law

At the G7 summit hosted by Japan on May 25-26, all the G7 members – Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. – displayed an impressive show of unity to “defend the international rule of law and jurisdictional status quo in both the South and East China Seas.”  As reported in the news, the G7 leaders also  “affirmed the freedom of navigation and overflight, international law, peaceful settlement of disputes and arbitration, and they condemned unilateral action and the use of force or coercion.”    

 “Rock the boat”

 But while the G7 is solidly in favor of abiding by the international law, the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), at their Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Vientiane, Laos, was divided over the PCA’s ruling.  The members were deadlocked over the Philippines’ request to mention the PCA’s ruling in their joint statement.

 The Philippines and Vietnam backed the PCA’s ruling, which denied China’s sweeping claims in the SCS, including the nullification of the controversial “nine-dash line,” which delineates about 90% of the SCS as belonging to China.  But Cambodia opposed the wordings in reference to the PCA’s ruling; thus, preventing ASEAN from arriving at a consensus. 

To break the impasse, the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay Jr. withdrew the Philippines’ request and agreed to a watered-down joint communiqué that avoided any reference to the PCA’s ruling.  Yasay said, “The Philippines did not want to gloat over the win, or rock the boat with ASEAN.”

But excuse me Mr. Yasay, “rocking the boat” is not “gloating over the win.”   On the contrary, it would have brought to the fore the importance of ASEAN unity in geopolitical issues that affect them collectively as a regional power bloc as well as individually as nations.  Had ASEAN failed to gather unanimity among its member-nations, so be it.  But it would have triggered a process to bring the maritime disputes to the center stage of international debate. 

Enforcing the ruling

 In a commentary by Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last July 21, he asked: “How can the Philippines enforce its exclusive right to the resources in its EEZ?
            “If China National Offshore Oil Co. (CNOOC) installs a gas platform on Recto Bank (Reed Bank), which is entirely within the Philippine EEZ, and extracts the gas there, the Philippines can sue CNOOC in Canada where CNOOC has assets.
“The Philippines can show the ruling to the court in Canada, which ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), that the gas on Recto Bank belongs to the Philippines and CNOOC pilfered it.

“The Philippines can ask the Canadian court to seize CNOOC’s assets to compensate the Philippines for the pilfered gas.

“The Philippines can also ask the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a creation of UNCLOS, to suspend the exploration permits it issued to China.

“The ISA has issued 27 permits to explore the seabed outside any national jurisdiction, and four permits have gone to China, the highest number for any state.

“UNCLOS is a “package deal”—any United Nations member that ratifies UNCLOS must accept all its provisions.
“If China refuses to comply with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Philippines can ask the ISA to suspend the exploration permits of China because China is accepting only beneficial provisions of UNCLOS and rejecting its burdensome provisions.

“The Philippines must be creative in finding legal means of enforcing the ruling, and not be timid in exploring the frontiers of international law.

“To paraphrase Sun Tzu, you must defeat the enemy in the courtroom if you cannot defeat the enemy on the battlefield.”

The primacy of UNCLOS

Indeed, the most potent weapon that the Philippines could employ to force China to comply with the PCA’s ruling is UNCLOS, which both China and the Philippines are signatories; thus, obligating them to adhere to its provisions.  And should China refuse to abide by it, the Philippines could then avail of the legal means that Justice Carpio outlined in his commentary.

It is interesting to note that the U.S. has been pretty vocal and persistent in asserting freedom of navigation and overflight for her naval and air forces.  Other countries might follow including Vietnam, Japan, Australia, and India, which begs the question: Is China prepared to go to war against her neighbors, five of which have mutual defense treaties with the U.S.?

While China would try to save face and cut her losses and keep as much territory that she could bargain for, she is vulnerable to global economic sanctions and condemnation.  And if the negotiations fail, then there will only be one court left to settle their disputes; that is, the “international court of public opinion,” where judgment is final and there is no appeal.   Can China afford to disregard global public opinion, just like what’s happened to another rogue state, North Korea?  I doubt it.(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

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P65-M road project set in Mt Province

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Two contract firms  are on post qualification  status after they underwent  bidding here conducted by the provincial bids and awards  committee (PBAC) last week on a P65 million project -- improvement of Banata-Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan Bauko  farm to market road.

The 65 million FMR is part of package proposals costing  P424 million for Mountain Province  projects approved by the Regional  Project Advisory Board  of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Dept. of Agriculture.

Of the P424 million, the amount of P339 million is sourced from a World Bank  loan and the rest from Philippine counterpart.  

The P65 million  4.5-km Banata- Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan  FMR  is sourced from P52 million WB loan, P6.5 million counterpart from the  Philippine government and  P6.5 million from the LGU.

The DA-PRDP is a six-year rural development nationwide project  worth a total of  P27.5 billion composing  P20.5 billion loan from World Bank and P7-B counterpart from the Philippine government and concerned LGUs.

Here in the Province, another PRDP FMR set for  bidding is the P40 million improvement of the 3.1-km Poblacion-Bantay FMR with  P32 million loan from WB and P4 million each from the national government and local government unit.

Other  PRDP projects  are the civil works of Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise costing P8 million and the P156  million Improvement of Little Hill - Cada Bauko FMR with proponent LGU preparing the feasibility study .

Funding of  DA-CAR”s sub project proposals is classified  under the Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (IBUILD) component of  DA-PRDP.

The sub project Improvement of the existing Besao-Nacawang Road and Tadian-Mabalite FMR with a budget of P194 million is split in 2 phases- P92 million and  P102 million, Engr. Gaston Cael, I-BUILD Component Head  said.

Bidding will be scheduled  for the improvement of the 20.7 kilometer Besao Nacawang-TadianMabalite  FMR after bidding  failed  in 2015 due to non takers, Cael said.

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P65-M road project set in Mt Province

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Two contract firms  are on post qualification  status after they underwent  bidding here conducted by the provincial bids and awards  committee (PBAC) last week on a P65 million project -- improvement of Banata-Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan Bauko  farm to market road.

The 65 million FMR is part of package proposals costing  P424 million for Mountain Province  projects approved by the Regional  Project Advisory Board  of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Dept. of Agriculture.

Of the P424 million, the amount of P339 million is sourced from a World Bank  loan and the rest from Philippine counterpart.  

The P65 million  4.5-km Banata- Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan  FMR  is sourced from P52 million WB loan, P6.5 million counterpart from the  Philippine government and  P6.5 million from the LGU.

The DA-PRDP is a six-year rural development nationwide project  worth a total of  P27.5 billion composing  P20.5 billion loan from World Bank and P7-B counterpart from the Philippine government and concerned LGUs.

Here in the Province, another PRDP FMR set for  bidding is the P40 million improvement of the 3.1-km Poblacion-Bantay FMR with  P32 million loan from WB and P4 million each from the national government and local government unit.

Other  PRDP projects  are the civil works of Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise costing P8 million and the P156  million Improvement of Little Hill - Cada Bauko FMR with proponent LGU preparing the feasibility study .

Funding of  DA-CAR”s sub project proposals is classified  under the Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (IBUILD) component of  DA-PRDP.

The sub project Improvement of the existing Besao-Nacawang Road and Tadian-Mabalite FMR with a budget of P194 million is split in 2 phases- P92 million and  P102 million, Engr. Gaston Cael, I-BUILD Component Head  said.

Bidding will be scheduled  for the improvement of the 20.7 kilometer Besao Nacawang-TadianMabalite  FMR after bidding  failed  in 2015 due to non takers, Cael said.

Read more...

P65-M road project set in Mt Province

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Two contract firms  are on post qualification  status after they underwent  bidding here conducted by the provincial bids and awards  committee (PBAC) last week on a P65 million project -- improvement of Banata-Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan Bauko  farm to market road.

The 65 million FMR is part of package proposals costing  P424 million for Mountain Province  projects approved by the Regional  Project Advisory Board  of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Dept. of Agriculture.

Of the P424 million, the amount of P339 million is sourced from a World Bank  loan and the rest from Philippine counterpart.  

The P65 million  4.5-km Banata- Sumey-ang-Cuba-Sadsadan  FMR  is sourced from P52 million WB loan, P6.5 million counterpart from the  Philippine government and  P6.5 million from the LGU.

The DA-PRDP is a six-year rural development nationwide project  worth a total of  P27.5 billion composing  P20.5 billion loan from World Bank and P7-B counterpart from the Philippine government and concerned LGUs.

Here in the Province, another PRDP FMR set for  bidding is the P40 million improvement of the 3.1-km Poblacion-Bantay FMR with  P32 million loan from WB and P4 million each from the national government and local government unit.

Other  PRDP projects  are the civil works of Mountain Province Arabica Coffee Enterprise costing P8 million and the P156  million Improvement of Little Hill - Cada Bauko FMR with proponent LGU preparing the feasibility study .

Funding of  DA-CAR”s sub project proposals is classified  under the Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (IBUILD) component of  DA-PRDP.

The sub project Improvement of the existing Besao-Nacawang Road and Tadian-Mabalite FMR with a budget of P194 million is split in 2 phases- P92 million and  P102 million, Engr. Gaston Cael, I-BUILD Component Head  said.

Bidding will be scheduled  for the improvement of the 20.7 kilometer Besao Nacawang-TadianMabalite  FMR after bidding  failed  in 2015 due to non takers, Cael said.

Read more...

Video conferencing for faster governance

BANTAY GOBYERNO

Ike Señeres

Video conferencing is nothing new. For all intents and purposes, it is really just teleconferencing but with video added. Perhaps what is new about it is that it is cheaper now, and is even more secure.

What makes it cheaper now is that it could now be done over Internet Protocol (IP) in other words over the internet, whereas before it could only be done through the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS).

What makes it more secure now is that it could now be encrypted, and could even be done within very secure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). What used to be simply known as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has now evolved to be known as Voice and Video Over Internet Protocol (VVOIP).

 There is something else that is new about video conferencing, and that is the option to integrate it with Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) and Social Networking Services (SNS). The latter could be done over the internet, or over a corporate intranet that is even more secure.

As originally intended, both PPM and SNS were developed to work independently of each other and also independent of video conferencing, but for best results, these three should be integrated into one seamless deployment. Once integrated with SNS, there would be an additional advantage of having non-voice messaging and text archiving. Once integrated with PPM, there would be an additional advantage of project progress monitoring on one hand, and project cost reporting on the other hand.

Because of videoconferencing, the employees and officers of companies are no longer bound by time and space, because they could already conduct meetings and conferences any time, regardless of where they are. Of course, this technology could also be used by bureaucrats and government officials who could also meet virtually at any time, from any location.

Regardless of whether the technology is used by the government or by the private sector, the bottom line is the same, and that is the savings in time and money, the latter usually in the form of avoiding the costs of travel, accommodation and meals. For a new government that wants to save money and to make its governance faster, this is the ideal solution.

 As it is now, everyone could already do video calls in most mobile phone models therefore video conferencing is already a reality and no longer just a theory. Being able to do video calls in mobile phones in effect completes the available mobile services because users could now do video, voice and text in their units. What that means is that most users could already fully enter the realm of mobility, a condition that is also needed to fully enter the realm of agility. Could you imagine what would happen if most of our citizens would become fully agile? This is now possible because most of the services that could only be accessed before via a computer could now be accessed via a mobile phone.

 Although video conferencing software is already very useful by itself, its use could be maximized by integrating it with three other software products, namely project and portfolio management (PPM) software, user collaboration software and business intelligence (BI) software.

PPM software would enable private companies and government agencies to monitor the progress of projects, but also the status of portfolios in terms of how much money has been allocated, how much has been spent and how much has been accomplished in terms of overall targets.

User collaboration would enable all offices within an organization to work together on joint projects and activities. BI software would enable officers and senior managers to analyze the data coming from projects and portfolios, at the same time it will produce a dashboard that will show current data that they need to know on a daily basis.

 All told, the combination of video conferencing software, PPM software, user collaboration software and BI software will enable all types of organizations to work better and faster. The other choice for them of course is to stick to the old ways and just use written memos and phone calls, even text messaging.

There is really nothing wrong with these old ways, because these could still be integrated with the new ways.

As a matter of fact, it would not be too difficult to integrate in-person, voice, non-voice, video conferencing and live chat into one seamless bundle. Regardless of the means that will be used, what is important is that all organizations will be able to do their work faster and better, and at the same time, do it cheaper and easier.Email bantaygobyerno-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or text +639956441780

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Wild West

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

By  March Fianza

There was a time when small developing American towns operated under the barrels of guns. In bigger cities, official functions were at the mercy of organized gangs, while remote settlements were under the control of coldblooded gunslingers.

Imagine true to life events portrayed in “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” a quick 30-second shootout. It was a gunfight that happened at close range when outlaw cowboys chose to shoot it out with the lawmen of Tombstone, Arizona led by Wyatt Earp. It is considered the most famous shootout in the history of the American Old West.

One way to maintain peace and order in a territory is for law enforcers to disarm cowboys who come in the town for rest and recreation or to leave town. This is where the conflict or “accommodation” begins.

More often than not, cowboys engaged in cattle rustling, stagecoach robbery and murder became prevalent in the Old West when the frontier was an open range for outlaws. This was so because outlaws were mostly unrestrained by law, and because city marshals and town sheriffs were thinly assigned on the four corners of old America that left other areas exposed to criminal elements.

Townes Van Zandt’s song “Pancho and Lefty” tells the story of a Mexican bandit named Pancho who wore his guns outside his pants for all the honest world to fear. His friend Lefty was of mysterious character. The song tells about the sad death of Pancho, betrayed by his friend Lefty who was paid off by the Mexican authorities.

American gangster Alphonse Gabriel Capone, boss of the Chicago Outfit illegally supplied alcohol and expanded the bootlegging business through violent means. To survive, Al Capone maintained a profitable relationship with some public officials and the police that kept him safe from the law.

In comparison to the Wild West era, some present-day local governments are no different. Following news reports, President Duterte and PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa started naming public officials linked to drug personalities and promised to go after them.

 To make things easier for this administration, the two had been soliciting cooperation from LGUs and ordinary citizens. As in the Wild West scenarios, the assistance of barangay officials are necessary. The presumption that barangay officials know who their residents are, and residents know who their officials and neighbors are should be put into good use.

********

“Rumwar Omuneg Tumaray Cumleb!” That was how young kids here described the ROTC or Reserve Officer Training Corps. The young men in fatigue uniform were then a common sight every Sunday morning until the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 was passed. This gave college students the option to choose between ROTC, Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), or Literacy Training Services.

With the NSTP law, not only did it decrease the number of ROTC enrollees, it removed the spirit of volunteerism among college men. In emergency cases, we used to witness ROTC men helping save lives and properties during calamities.

Along with senior Boy Scouts and neighborhood policemen, they were the first responders during fire incidents, floods, landslides, and other calamities. They were helpful during the 1990 earthquake.

In peace time, the ROTC help manage traffic and guide visiting motorists during the Holy Week exodus. I have seen them in vehicular accidents in Kennon Road, rescuing victims alongside civic organizations and disaster volunteer groups.

While many lawmakers are seeking to make ROTC as a mandatory course in college, one Anakbayan party-list character is opposed to the idea. He said ROTC has never instilled nationalism, social responsibility or discipline. Obviously, the guy has a problem with something he has not seen nor experienced. You see, he has not even graduated from high school when the ROTC was revised to NSTP.   

President Duterte supports the revival of the mandatory ROTC program for all college students in the next school year saying it will help in the building of discipline and values in the youth, and help build a sense of patriotism among the next generation.

It is one way of having military reservists who can be called in times of emergencies. I can name some of them: MSgt Joseph Zambrano of the PIA, Colonel Cris Bartolo of DzWT, Col. Ramon Tagle and many more.

            I see the President’s dream of raising good citizens and making clean communities. Although, I do not wish to make conclusions that this can be done by shooting all the criminals and unwanted elements as Hitler did in his dream to create a “Master Race” of blonde and blue eyed citizens.

             The proper way is to revive the ROTC program that will focus on community service.

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Drug war on: Scores slain in North, Central Luzon

MORE DRUG SUSPECTS, including a public school teacher and a former police officer, were killed in North and Central Luzon last week.

In Dagupan City, Pangasinan, a former policeman who has allegedly turned into a drug personality was killed in an encounter during a drug buy-bust operation in Barangay Tambac Melag.

Supt. Christopher Abrahano, chief of police, said ex-cop Vicente Moulec was shot by police at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday because he drew a gun at arresting lawmen.

In Bulacan, Napoleon Miras, alias Nono, a resident of Barangay Antipona in Bocaue, and a certain Edong, a resident of Barangay Longos in Pulilan, were killed in separate anti-drug operations on Sunday.

Miras’ companion identified as Eunice Ripia, alias Nice, was arrested.

       A suspected drug pusher, who has yet to be identified, was killed during a raid on a compound in Barangay Grace-ville in San Jose del Monte town. Eight others were arrested.

Vigan

In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Franklin Amistad, 57, was gunned down on a crowded street in Barangay 7 night of July 24. 

       He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gabriela Silang General Hospital.


Pangasinan

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, Jay Relosa and Jestoni Bernardo were killed when they shot it out with police during a raid on their residence in Binmaley town, said Senior Supt. Ronald Lee, provincial police director.

Lee said Relosa was the top drug suspect in Binmaley.

       Rodel Jalimao, 30; Jaydee Juguilon, 24, and Emmanuel de Lemios were killed in separate anti-drug operations in Paracale, Camarines Norte last week.

Public school teacher

A public school teacher who was ranked third on the list of drug personalities in Aurora, Isabela was shot dead Tuesday.


       Cesar Alejandro, 51, was driving his motorcycle in front of his school when unidentified men on another motorcycle shot him at around noon, said Senior Inspector Mervin de los Santos, Aurora police chief.

De los Santos said Alejandro was among those who recently surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

Ex-cop

Also Tuesday, a  former police officer was shot dead when he allegedly engaged anti- drug operatives in a shootout in Barangay Tambac in Dagupan City.

Vicente Moulic, a resident of Barangay Maasin in Mangaldan town, reportedly drew his 9mm rifle after sensing that he was dealing with an undercover agent.

Moulic was initially suspended for drug use, but was reinstated when he appealed his case. He was dismissed from the service when he went on AWOL or absence without official leave.

Three were also killed in Pangasinan and one in Benguet early last week.

 Jay Relloza, said to be the top drug supplier in Binmaley, Pangasinan, and his companion Jestoni Bernardo, 27, were shot dead after they reportedly resisted police officers out to serve a warrant for their arrest.

Probers recovered two handguns and several plastic sachets said to contain shabu from the suspects.

Dagupan City

In Dagupan City, Jay Morante of Barangay Malued was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Centro Pantal.

City police chief Superintendent Christopher Abrahano said Morante was on the police drug list and was the ninth to be killed in the city since July 1.

Benguet

In Benguet, mechanic Anthony Salaing was shot morning of July 17 in a village in La Trinidad, where two drug suspects were executed last week by unidentified men.

Salaing, whom police said was on the drug list, was declared dead on arrival at the Benguet General Hospital.

He was the fifth to be killed in La Trinidad since the nationwide anti-drug war started.

Bulakan

Also in Bulakan town, Jhonny de Leon was allegedly killed in a shootout with police in Barangay Sta. Ana.

Police said a .38-caliber revolver, three sachets of shabu and P500 in cash were recovered from the suspect.

Two other drug suspects were shot dead in Pangasinan.

Lourdes Panlilio, alias Naneng, 31, was walking with her siblings in Barangay Casantaan in Urdaneta City when two men on a motorcycle pulled over and shot her.

Police said Panlilio was ranked seventh on the drug watchlist in Urdaneta.

Tricycle driver Rechel Agpon, 37, who was among the most wanted drug suspects in Calasiao town was shot dead in Barangay Banaoang on Monday.

In Isabela, Jerry Cardenas, 23, a suspected drug pusher in Cauayan City, was gunned down in Barangay District One.

Parade

Meanwhile, around 600 suspected drug users and pushers who have surrendered from July 11 to 22 joined a parade in Mangatarem, Pangasinan Tuesday

Free legal assistance

Members of the Pangasinan police who may face charges for implementing President Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign will be given free legal assistance.

An agreement providing free legal assistance to police officers had been signed between the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Baby Ruth Torre, IBP-Pangasinan president, said they are the first in the country to ink the pact with PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and Solicitor General Jose Calida on July 21.

“We are hoping the memorandum of agreement will be implemented nationwide,” Torre said.

She said they signed a similar agreement in February with the former acting provincial police chief and regional director of the National Police Commission.

In Angles City on July 22, Jaymor del Rosario, 46,was killed in an alleged shootout with police during a sting in Barangay Cutud.

Senior Superintendent Sidney Villaflor, Angeles City police director, said the suspect yielded four sachets of suspected shabu and a .22-caliber rifle.

Pangasinan

In Pangasinan, Nikki Cacam, 27, was shot dead by unidentified men who barged into his house in Sitio Inansuanan, Barangay Lucap in Alaminos City.

Mechanic Joseph Parcasio, 50, was repairing a motor vehicle in front of his house in Barangay Hucab in Lagawe, Ifugao when he was shot in the head.

Cagayan

In Cagayan, Reynante Urias was driving his motorcycle when unidentified men on another motorcycle fired at him in Barangay Kapanikian Norte in Allacapan town.

        Police said the fatalities were on the drug watchlist in their respective areas

Kalinga haul

Also on July 22, around P7 million worth of marijuana plants were destroyed in Barangay Loccong in Tinglayan, Kalinga.

The marijuana plants were uprooted from a 20,000 square-meter plantation, said Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan, Kalinga police director.

In Baguio City, four were slain July 22.

Joel Nider, 35, was gunned down by unidentified men in front of his restaurant in Barangay Sto. Niño at around 3:29 p.m. while Marvin Lazarte, a jeepney barker, was shot along Magsaysay Avenue.

Nash Palomique and his companion, who has yet to be identified, were killed in an alleged shootout with police along Labsan street.

Senior Superintendent George Daskew, Baguio police director, said Nider, who was previously arrested for illegal drugs, could have been killed by members of his own drug ring.

In Isabela, Vivencio Gamiao, 40, was gunned down while driving his motorcycle along the highway in Barangay Cabaruan in Cauayan City.

Two other suspects were found dead in Pangasinan.Their bodies, which bore  placards identifying them as drug pushers, were dumped in Barangay Babasit in Manaoag town. A sachet of suspected shabu was found  near one of the body.

Killing each other

Senior Superintendent Ronald Oliver Lee, Pangasinan police officer-in-charge, said drug personalities themselves could be killing each other.

“There is purging (among drug suspects),” Lee said.

         He said an investigation into whether vigilante groups are behind the killings of drug suspects in the province is underway.

He noted that the killings of 21 of 34 drug suspects in Pangasinan were perpetrated by unidentified men.

Lee said 6,230 other drug personalities have surrendered in the province.. – Ric Sapnu, Francis Elevado, Eva Visperas, Raymund Catindig, Michelle Zoleta, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Celso Amo, Ben Serrano and Cesar Ramirez

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Tax hike to add P650M for Baguio

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The proposed increase in business and real property taxes will produce an additional income of more than P650 million for the city government annually which would mean improved services to the public.

This was the assessment made by assistant city treasurer Alex Cabarrubias and assistant city assessor Almaya Addawe when they presented the business and real property profiles of the city government during the city officials’ transition planning held last July 7-8.

Cabarrubias volunteered that they expect an additional income estimated at P250 million annually if the proposed hike in business taxes is implemented while Addawe reported a P400 million estimated additional revenue for lands alone if their proposed revised schedule of fair market values of real properties will be enforced.  This does not include the expected revenue for adjusting rates for buildings and structures.  

The two department heads echoed Mayor Mauricio Domogan’s call for the immediate passage of the proposed tax increases to update the antiquated rates which are not attuned with the times and with the requirements of the law any more.

Domogan again asked the city council to treat the tax measure as priority legislation stressing its urgency after many years of failing to impose any increase due to humanitarian consideration.

        Addawe said the city has been given a failing mark by the Bureau of Local Government Finance for being remiss in updating the schedule of fair market values of real properties which has remained unchanged since 1996 making the city non-compliant with the New Local Government Code or the Republic Act No. 7160 provision mandating local government units to undertake a general revision of real property tax valuation every three years.  

She said that to temper the huge increase in the market value as a result of the city’s passing up on several revision terms, they proposed to drastically decrease the assessment levels from the present 12 percent for residential and 35 percent for commercial and industrial to just three percent for residential and five percent for commercial and industrial properties.    

Addawe considered the suggestion of Rep. Marquez Go and Mayor Domogan to review the stratification of the taxable areas as well as the zonal values to make them more appropriate albeit it will entail having to go through the process of gathering data anew to establish market values.

       For business taxes, Cabarrubias said they are proposing an average of 10 percent increase in business taxes under Tax Ordinance No. 2000-01.

He said some proposed percentage increases may appear massive but are still low when translated to their peso value including land, market and cemetery operations.

The city’s market rental and fees and garbage charges were last adjusted in 2001 or 13 years ago.

“Public hearings had been conducted with the concerned sectors so I think we can now act on the proposals, not exactly as proposed but what they perceive as reasonable rates based on the outcome of the hearings,” the mayor said.

He expressed confidence that Baguio residents will be fair enough to consider the adjustments as long as these are realistic and justifiable and are being used for their intended purpose. 

Apart from the revenue measures, the mayor also pitched for the proposed policy reforms to update the current levels of garbage and sewerage fees.

The mayor said these tax reforms are needed to further improve the revenue standing of the city and fund priority development projects in the pipeline.

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3 dead in Ilocos road accidents

By Erwin G. Beleo and Freddie G. Lazaro

A tricycle passenger in La Union, and two motorcycle riders in Ilocos Norte all died in separate road accidents last week, police reported.

Chief Insp. Artemio Infante, La Union police’s information officer, said Winifredo Garcia, who was on board a tricycle, was killed when the vehicle was sideswiped by a truck in Barangay Tubod, Sto. Tomas, La Union.

In Ilocos Norte, police said motorcycle rider Bryan Mark P. Aganon, 35, slammed into a post in Batac City and died of his injuries.

In a separate incident Ronald D. Navarro, another motorcycle rider was killed after a collision with a truck along the national highway in San Ildefonso, San Nicolas town.

       Navaro’s tandem rider identified by police as Rocela de la Cerna, 34, a native of Cebu City, was injured and hospitalized while the truck driver, Francis A. Quillermo, 29, was arrested by police.

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Itogon pushes revocation of 2 firms’ mining MOA

By Susan C. Aro

ITOGON, Benguet – Folks of this mining town backed the call of council of elders and community members of Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples for revocation and withdrawal of consent  of mining application of two companies  in the area.

Officials of Ampucao led by barangay chairman Eddie Amuasen passed a resolution strongly supporting and endorsing the statement of the council of elders, surface claimants and community residents for the office of the NCIP and MGB-DENR to deny the application of the Omico Corporation and the Macawili Gold Mining and Development Company, Inc. (MGMDCI).

Barangay Resolution No. 25 series of 2016 is entitled, ‘Revocation of consent as contained in a memorandum of agreement dated Oct. 17, 2006 between the Indigenous Peoples and Landowners of Ampucao, Itogon and Omico Corporation.”

The reason for the revocation and withdrawal of consent was gross violation of the terms and conditions of the MOA.

The council of elders and the community members claimed there was utter disregard by said companies on the rights not only of the host indigenous peoples but all surface owners and claimants within the area under the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement(MPSA).

       Omico accordingly illegally utilized the consent to apply for MPSA when it is clearly stated in the agreement that the same is limited to the conduct of exploration only.

Further, Omico or the present permit holder, MGMDCI, disregarded or totally violated the “No payment, no exploration” policy as embodied in the MOA.

        The council of elders and community also claimed that Omico transferred the consent in favor of MGMDCI without the knowledge of the host IPs.

They sought for the denial of the application of the MGMDCI for the renewal of their exploration permit and to ultimately revoke the issued MPSA No. 278-2009 and also for the NCIP to revoke Compliance Certificate CCCAR-07-02-71.

Copies of said resolution were forwarded to the EMB-DENR, NCIP for their appropriate action and likewise furnished other concerned offices for their information, support and endorsement. 

       It was also furnished the Provincial Board and was referred to the Committees on Mining and Energy and IP for further action. 

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DENR urged: Stop Hedcor until folks’ demands met; land payments questioned

  

By Gina Dizon

SABANGAN, Mountain Province – A petition was lodged with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources for a  cease and desist order  of operations of the Hedcor hydroelectric plant here until demands of local folks are met.

Resident environmentalist Juniper Dominguez petitioned the DENR also asking why  rental fees of  Hedcor’s 14 megawatt hydro energy plant here were being paid to DENR instead at Sabangan where the plant is located.

This as rental fees of P87,030.90 for three years 2012 to 2015 representing special land use permit  (SLUP) covering 8.7 hectares was paid by Hedcor to DENR .

The SLUP was computed on the basis of 3% of the land and 1% of the value of improvements introduced in the area.  

Hedcor’s Sabangan hydro electric plant costs P2 billion.

In his petition,  Dominguez asked why Hedcor was  paying rent to the DENR when land utilized by Hedcor was part of the Sabangan ancestral domain owned by the indigenous peoples of the town.

Sabangan with its 15 barangays  cover 7,204 hectares.

Hedcor’s 14 megawatt hydro plant began generation operations in 2015 and activities on the establishment of its energy plant in 2012 covering two barangays Napua and Namatec where the diversion dam and turbines are located respectively. Other nine barangays Supang, Poblacion, Bus, Kapinitan, Gayang,Camatagan,Pingad, Baoangan, and Lusad locates transmission lines of the energy line aside from barangay Otukan of adjoining Bauko municipality. 

The run-of-river hydropower project aims to produce over 50 million kWhs of  clean energy annually.        Dominguez in his petition asks for a cease and desist order  of the operations of the Sabangan Hedcor hydro electric plant to temporarily stop unless and until demands are met.

He urged a resume order  be issued when  Hedcor  has done a survey  to be conducted by the DENR  to  determine the actual area being utilized by said Sabangan hydroelectric power  plant from sitio Duskit, Sabangan  to barangay Otukan of  Bauko in coordination  with the indigenous  peoples mandatory representatives (IPMR) of the 15 barangays of Sabangan, the local government unit of Sabangan  and concerned  stakeholders.

He said the SLUP should not be renewed until a memorandum of agreement is executed by the concerned IPs and Hedcor Sabangan.

Dominguez  petitioned that a promissory note  be issued by  Hedcor  to restore  environment  damage its construction activities  has caused the  Chico river.

An Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) was issued by DENR in favor of Hedcor Sabangan October of 2011; and a special land use permit  issued by same government office  March of 2013 for barangays Napua and Namatec only.

Meantime, it was  known from the treasury office of Sabangan that the 40% share of Sabangan municipality from national wealth taxes of Hedcor operating in their jurisdiction has not yet been received by said office.

Hedcor Sabangan Incorporated has its business address at Beckel, La Trinidad. Benguet

Companies pay their taxes in the locality where the address of their firm  is located as per Philippine law. 

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NPAs torch P1-M mine equipment in Ilocos Sur

By Freddie G. Lazaro

QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — A group of fully armed men, who introduced themselves as members of the New People’s Army to mining workers, has torched an estimated P1 million worth of equipment here in Mount Nakawkawa, Barangay Patiacan July 23.

Chief Insp. Greg Guerrero, the spokesperson of the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO), confirmed the arson incident that happened about 4:30 a.m.

A total of 13 rebels with high-powered long firearms swooped down on the mining processing firm owned by Luneza Beligen and held its workers at gunpoint.

Guerrero said the gunmen told the workers all their equipment would be burned because they had failed to heed earlier warnings to cease operations.

It was learned that the mining process plant lacked the necessary permits to operate, police said.

Guerrero said Tuesday that hot-pursuit operations against the armed men were ongoing.

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DENR probes mine firm Oceana Gold in Vizcaya

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya – Tribal folks and environmentalists lauded the commitment of Environment Sec. Gina Lopez to investigate the planned expansion of mining operations by Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI) here.

In a meeting here a few days ago with community leaders from Kasibu and Padilla, Lopez expressed her commitment to “not let the people suffer” instructing MGB director Leo Jasareno to act on these complaints against OGPI.

Jasareno told the group the MGB will write OGPI and ask the company to justify why their exploration permit for the expansion of their operations should not be withdrawn, given that social acceptability of the project is clearly being withdrawn by the local communities and the provincial government. “We also understand that this process might take several days to be completed, after which, the decision to cancel the permit or not will be issued.” 

The environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said “due process in the cancellation process for this mining permit is important, and we recognize the efforts of all parties to resolve the issue in the appropriate manner at the soonest possible time. We understand that Sec. Gina Lopez’s pledge to favorably act on the communities demand must undergo the proper procedure of review and due process, under existing guidelines of the DENR.

“The alliance fully supports the efforts of Gov. Padilla and his administration to protect the important watershed of Nueva Vizcaya threatened by the expansion of mining, as well as the effort to develop the eco-tourism and massive agriculture production in the province.

            We sincerely hope that Sec. Lopez will continue to stand strong on her convictions that we cannot develop an economy that is based on suffering, said Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator

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Businesses in Ifugao town have no permits

By Daniel Codamon

KIANGAN, Ifugao- - A municipal monitoring team here discovered that many establishments were operating without permits like furniture shops videoke bars, boarding and lodging houses, and handicrafts and woodcarving outlets.

There were also those selling “takal’(bottled) gasoline.

Some establishments were found also to have only one permit for sari-sari store but operate many kinds of businesses.

Some computer shops and videoke bars were also found operating near schools with  no adult supervision and with poor health and sanitation condition, among others.

Following this, the MMT recommended writing establishments without permits to secure one, and those operating different kinds of business  should get additional permits  or else their establishments will be closed.

The MMT also recommended that videoke bars operating within 100 meters near schools be closed; that  videoke bars and computer shops should have fire extinguishers and comfort rooms.

Stalls used as residential area in the market were also recommended that these be closed  including removal of improvised urinals at the market place  and replace them with a permanent ones.

Another recommendation was  to request the Sangguniang Bayan to update the Local Revenue Code of 2011 to include the business permit fee on enterprises and identify what kind of business  is covered  including the selling of “takal’ gasoline.

The MMT is composed of representatives from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Solid Waste Management Officer and Sanitary Inspector, Municipal Engineering Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Treasurer’s Office, Sangguniang Bayan, Municipal Accounting Office, Local Civil Registrar, Office of the Municipal Mayor, Municipal Police Station and barangays.   

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