Two miners dug out from Tuba landslide

>> Monday, July 27, 2009

TUBA, Benguet – Local folk are now contemplating a native rite to “cleanse” a mountain here where two pocket miners were dug out dead from a huge landslide that buried their temporary shelter while mining along Barangay Padcal here.

Police identified the victims as Cesar Panganiban, 26, from Aurora province and Alvin Sabbang, 20, from Quirino province.

They were dug out by rescuers more than three hours after the landslide that buried their shelter around 5 a.m. on July 21.

Orly Aglibot, 17, from Suyo town, Ilocos Sur, their companion, was brought to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment from wounds caused by the tragedy. He lived to tell the tale.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources said mining operations by the victims were not sanctioned by government because they were operating illegally.

The MGB earlier asked the provincial government to register all pocket and small scale miners in Benguet after 16 pocket miners in nearby Itogon town were trapped in an abandoned mine tunnel of the Benguet Corp.

Nine miners were retrieved dead while seven survived in their more than a week ordeal.

A month after the tragedy, three more pocket miners were retrieved dead inside another abandoned tunnel in Itogon after their oxygen supply ran out.

Sabbang, one of the victims, headed the Emerald Mountain Explorers Association, a small scale mining association reportedly not registered with the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.

MGB officials earlier reported sudden boom in pocket mining activities in Benguet and government must regulate such to prevent accidents.

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Cordillera officials deny begging for autonomy fund

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development Council here said it is not begging for the national government to provide the abolished funds for the renewed pursuit for regional autonomy but it is simply showing its firm commitment to prepare the region for autonomy.

This developed as the RDC-CAR abandoned its earlier plan to lobby with Malacanang to source out the P15 million autonomy fund placed in the budget of the region’s policy-making body this year which was reportedly scrapped prior to the signing into law of the 1.4 trillion national budget.

Juan Ngalob, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority in the Cordillera and acting RDC-CAR chairman, pointed out they thought it wise to propose for a P48 million autonomy budget in next year’s general appropriations law which will include the P15 million lost budget this year to expand what has already been started in the relentless effort to achieve the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera.

After laying the ground work on regional autonomy and development over the past two years, he explained the RDC-Car is now ready to expand the linkages and machineries it developed so that it would be able to realize the desired grassroots level information and education campaign on autonomy.

Under next year’s proposed budget for autonomy to be included in the regular allocation of RDC-CAR, a portion of the funds will be downloaded to the local government units in order to help the widespread information and education campaign among the general public, youth and academe, government instrumentalities and multisectoral groups.

At the same time, Ngalob asserted the capacitation of local governments will also be their primordial concern so that local officials will be taught on how to be financially autonomous without putting the burden on the people through increased taxation but through the proper utilization, development and exploitation of available resources for the benefit of their constituents.

The NEDA-CAR official reiterated there is no need to rush the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera since they have adopted a scientific method to determine voter inclination on the controversial issue before moving on to the next step which is together the consensus of the sectors in preparation for the drafting of a new autonomy law for the approval of Congress.

Despite the scrapped autonomy budget for this year, the RDC-CAR is still on an upbeat mood in pushing for its slowed down activities for the information and education campaign and capacitation of local governments to keep the issue alive until such time that the funds are already in place for a more aggressive campaign.

The scientific approach being undertaken by the lead agencies in the renewed pursuit for regional autonomy is based on the findings of a sampling survey last year which showed 66 percent of Cordillerans are not aware of the existence of the constitutional provision mandating the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao. -- Dexter A. See

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4 gun-for-hire ‘killers’ nabbed in P’sinan raid

By Mar T. Supnad

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Four members of an alleged gun-for-hire group who were suspected in the murder of a village chief, a principal, an engineer, and several Indian traders in Pangasinan, were arrested Monday afternoon by joint police  operatives at a safehouse in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Combined elements of Region 1 police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group busted Tuesday the notorious Colisao Gang nabbed the group in their safe house .

At Camp Florendo here, Chief Supt. Ramon V. Gatan, Region 1 police director, said the gang, headed by its leader Manny Colisao is an organized crime group involved in gun-for-hire and robbery/hold-up activities in Pangasinan, Tarlac and nearby provinces.

Usually the group victimizes Indian nationals and messengers of door-to-door delivery companies, said Gatan.

The group is included in the PNP list of criminal gangs and falls under Category 1 of Partisan Armed Groups (PAGs).

Aside from Manny Colisao, also arrested were Modesto Colisao, 25, Alver Mendoza alias Ambet, and Jojo Torio, 21.

The arrested persons are all residents of Malasiqui, except for Torio who is from the nearby municipality of Villasis.

The police led by Supt. Romeo N. Caramat, Jr., Group commander of the 107th PNP mobile group, confiscated from the gang a Cal. 45 pistol, one Cal. 38 revolver, two hand grenades, two magazines for Cal. 45, and 28 bullets.

Gatan said Manny Colisao and Modesto Colisao had warrants of arrest for frustrated murder issued by Judge Emma Bauzon of RTC Branch 57, San Carlos City, (Pangasinan.

Records showed the Colisao group was involved in the killing in separate occasions of Luisito Gabat, a school principal, and that of Flor Benitez, a former barangay chairman.

Both killings happened at Barangay Gomez in Malasiqui March this year.

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Panlilio to appeal to Vatican if Church won't take him back

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- If he ends up defrocked by the Church because of his foray into politics, priest-on-leave and Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio said he would contest the decision and even appeal to the Vatican.

“I would contest because there were previous cases wherein priests left (the priesthood) because they wanted to serve their mothers. In my case, I do not only want to serve my mother but the motherland,” Panlilio said.

“Why were the others allowed to return, but with me, they are against my return?”
Panlilio has often said that despite joining politics as governor of Pampanga two years ago, in his heart he remains a priest.

He said his joining politics was a “big sacrifice.” “Actually, if I lose (in the 2010 elections) I would want to become a priest if possible. I only did this (ran for governor) because our countrymen have been burdened and that is why we have to show that we love our country, even if it would mean making this big sacrifice,” he said.

Panlilio is said to be aiming for the presidency in 2010 but he has yet to make a formal announcement.

He said he is confident he would be able to defend his position before his superior, San Fernando, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto.

The priest-turned-governor has been receiving flak from his confreres in the Church because of his high-profile political exposure.

But he said the negative comments coming from some of the bishops were borne out of their love for him.

Aniceto rejected the idea of Panlilio running for president.

“I would decide when it is time for the filing of certificate of candidacy because I am still looking at the viability and if the support is sufficient. I still have until Nov. 30, so I am looking at my ability to win,” Panlilio said.

He added that he only wants to fulfill the will of the Lord. “If he wants me to continue (with politics), then I will continue.”

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who is a Canon Law expert, said Panlilio has a choice to ask for dispensation from Rome or he may be dismissed from the priesthood by the Pope if he is found to have committed gross and errant behavior but refuses to seek dispensation.

“There is a formal judicial process in the documentation of dismissal cases. When thus penalized, a priest is commonly said to be ‘defrocked’ – thrown out of the clerical state and thereby also dispensed from his canonical obligations,” Cruz added.

Cruz emphasized Panlilio could not be a priest and a politician at the same time.
“I will leave it up to him if he wants to run for president or be re-elected as governor but it cannot be that he is in and out (of the priesthood) at the same time,” Cruz said.

Cruz also said Panlilio does not have the political machinery to win a presidential election.
“Panlilio would also need political machinery and the support (of local officials). We can be idealistic but we (also) need to be realistic,” he said.

Cruz pointed out Panlilio won the gubernatorial race in Pampanga in 2007 by a margin of just over 1,000 votes with only one mayor as supporter.

No chance

With his lack of political machinery, there’s no way Panlilio can win the presidency in 2010, according to Speaker Prospero Nograles.

For a candidate to win, Nograles said “you have to be popular, acceptable and have the machinery.”

“Maybe he is dreaming he has a chance,” Nograles told reporters after attending a forum at the Manila Hotel.

Panlilio on Saturday hinted at running in next year’s national elections during the launching of “Kilos Na” movement, a political organization that is likely to serve as vehicle for his political plans.

Panlilio is better off running as president than as governor because he is all over the national media but is rarely seen in his home province, presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said.

“First of all, there is no legal impediment for him to run for president in 2010. There is no law barring him to do such, so he may very much run for president just like the others,” he said.

The young Arroyo also said he believes the priest-turned-politician has a “better chance of winning a national position than seeking re-election, since 85 percent of his local supporters here have publicly deserted him.”

“Most of his (Panlilio’s) supporters now are based in other areas outside of Pampanga,” Rep. Arroyo said.

“So for me, it would be a better decision for him to run for a national post including that of the presidency.”

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Distributed by gov, wife: Nueva Ecija SP probes ‘overpriced’ school bags

CABANATUAN CITY– The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is investigating reports that 200,000 school bags distributed to schoolchildren in Nueva Ecija were grossly overpriced.

Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, SP presiding officer, said the provincial government will have to shed light on the exorbitantly priced school bags.

The bags, reportedly costing P20 million, were distributed all over the province by Gov. Aurelio Umali and his wife, third district Rep. Czarina Umali and were allegedly overpriced by P40 to P60 each.

Joson said a supplier told him the school bags, handed out to schoolkids from Grades 1 to 6, were overpriced.

He said each bag, according to the supplier whom he did not identify, would cost only about P50 to P60 each.

“The supplier told me that such kind of bags would cost only about half of the P100 it was supposed to cost each bag,” he said.

Local media called the office of the governor but his staff answered he was not available.

The vice governor said the SP would also look into the provincial government’s utilization of its special education fund from which the money to buy the bags was sourced.

He said Randolph Alingig, provincial budget officer, could not explain the cost of the bags.

Joson said the school bags were not only overpriced but also defective as they get destroyed easily. “In fact, many parents of schoolchildren have also been complaining that the school bags were of poor quality.”

He also questioned why the school bags were distributed way past the opening of classes when many of the parents have already bought school bags for their kids.

Joson said that the allocation by the provincial government of P20 million for school bags indicated that its priorities are misplaced since the amount could have been better used in building additional classrooms and computers among other facilities.

Provincial administrator Alejandro Abesamis was also contacted by local media but he did not return calls.

In an earlier talk with, Abesamis vowed to give the provincial government’s side on issues involving the Umali administration.

The SP has been investigating other alleged anomalies of the Umali administration, including allegedly overpriced multi-cabs distributed to various barangays. – MG

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3 escaped prisoners captured in La Union

By Mar T. Supnad

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- – Members of the San Juan Police Station in La Union province recaptured Monday three inmates who escaped night of July 17 from the provincial jail in this city.

Chief Supt. Ramon V. Gatan, Regional Director in Ilocos region, here in Camp Florendo identified the escapees as Michael Abecilla, of legal age, jailed for theft and illegal possession of firearms; Adiel Rolloda, 18, for drugs case and Edward Pejo, 21, also for drug-related cases.

The escape was discovered by jail guards during the headcount conducted at about 12 midnight.

The three reportedly escaped by detaching the lower portion of the iron window grill of the provincial jail’s mess hall.

Upon receipt of the report, Gatan immediately alerted his men to hunt down the escapees and assist in investigation of the incident.

Swift action by police personnel resulted in arrest of the inmates at Barangay Ili Sur in San Juan town just several hours after their escape.

Gatan commended the San Juan Police for the immediate re-arrest of the three, even as he reiterated his offer of assistance for an in-depth investigation of the case.

“While the provincial jail is under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, we are duty-bound to give our best services to address public safety concerns,” Gatan said.

The recaptured inmates were taken to the San Juan Police Station for booking prior to turn-over to the provincial jail.

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2 NPA leaders surrender in Candon

By Mar T. Supnad

Candon City – Two leaders of the New People’s Army operating in the Ilocos and Cordillera Regions surrendered to policemen and Philippine Navy soldiers after a negotiation in Barangay San Juan, Candon City Monday.

Chief Insp. Julius Suriben, chief of the Police Regional Special Operations Group, identified the surrenderees as Samuel Compalas, 53, alias “Dawing,” leader of Party Group (PG) Polaris Team 2 of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya De Lara; and Dominador Angdos, 47, assistant team Leader of NPA’s PG Venus.

The two units belonged to the NPA Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

The two NPA leaders surrendered to elements of RSOG, Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Northern Luzon, Candon City police station, and Regional Mobile Group 1 at about 4 p.m. last Monday in Barangay San Juan, Candon City.

Chief Supt. Ramon V. Gatan, Region police director, said that Compalas and Angdos were subjects of warrants of arrest for murder issued by Judge Gabino Balbin Jr. of the Regional Trial Court’s Branch 23 in Candon City.

“Compalas is also wanted for another case of murder (CC No. 1978-C) and for robbery (CC No. 2191) filed pending before the same court,” Gatan said.

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Ilocos election case now with Comelec

LAOAG CITY -- The Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, based here, has forwarded to the Commission on Elections records of an election protest filed by Augustus A. Salazar against Generos D. Aquino Jr. over the mayoral post of Piddig, Ilocos Norte.

The protest was raffled to the Comelec’s First Division headed by Commisioner Rene V. Sarmiento and was docketed as EAC No. A-44-2007. Aquino was given a non-extendible period of 30 days to file his brief. Salazar was given similar length of time to file his answer.

Aquino, assisted by his legal counsel Sixto S. Brillantes Sr., said he has already filed his brief and he and his lawyer is awaiting Salazar’s answer. In his 57-page brief, Aquino asked the Comelec to set aside the RTC decision declaring Salazar the winner in his election protest and proclaiming him the duly elected mayor of Piddig.

He said that as unequivocally designated and categorized by Salazar himself, his protest was ex abundante ad cautelam, meaning there was a pending petition to annul proclamation filed earlier.

Brillantes, Aquino’s lawyer, contended that the RTC did not acquire jurisdiction over Salazar’s protest because his protest ad cautelam was never converted into a regular protest.

“It was also filed out of time, and the required filing fees were not paid rendering all subsequent proceedings before the trial court a sham and null and void,” Brillantes said.

Even if the merits of the protest are considered, the misappreciation by the trial court of the ballots for Aquino calls for rectification, and his victory as the duly elected mayor of Piddig to be confirmed and affirmed.

Aquino was proclaimed by the municipal board of canvassers on May 16, 2007 as the duly elected mayor of Piddig with a margin of 71 votes over Salazar. -- ETS

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Cop shoots lawman in Agno car accident

AGNO, Pangasinan– A policeman was accidentally shot by his colleague with an M14 rifle July 21 around 4 p.m. after refueling at a gasoline station in Poblacion East here.

Town police chief Insp. Wilfredo Cabanayan told Senior Supt. Percival Barba, police provincial director, in a report while their vehicle moved about five meters away from the gas station, a gunshot rang out inside their patrol car.

This shocked Cabanayan and it was then that he found out the victim, PO3 Joseph Abongan, the driver, partially raised his right hand and said “Sir, adda tamak (I was shot).”

Abongan, 34, married and resident of San Vicente, Alaminos City was injured at the lower back portion of his right armpit.

Cabanayan’s companions, SPO2 Lucito Regaspi, PO1 Jose Mandi III and PO1 Gonzales Cortez rushed the victim to a clinic here and later transferred him to Bolaney Doctors Hospital in Alaminos City.

However, Abongan died while undergoing treatment.

Prior to rushing the victim to the clinic, the police chief asked Cortez who was at the trunk of the vehicle and what had happened.

Cortez replied the car jolted when it moved ahead on the elevated shoulder of the concrete main road which has about two to three-inch raised gap from the shoulder.

When an ocular examination was made by the police, they found out that the PNP patrol car incurred shattered portion on the top edge of the plastic seat cover where Cortez was seated, bullet hole on the two flat sheet division of the trunk and cab and a wide bullet hole on the right back portion of the driver’s seat.

A case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide has been filed against Cortez.
The suspect remains in the custody of the local police station.

Paraffin test on Cortez and the ballistics examination of the involved firearm were already requested from the PNP Crime Laboratory Service in Lingayen, Cabanayan said in his report. – Jennelyn Mondejar

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4 Koreans nabbed for human trafficking

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Joint operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Clark Freeport in this province and Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment composed of CIDG operatives nabbed four Korean nationals for illegal recruitment and human trafficking July 20.

In his report to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, regional director Heranio Manalo identified the four Korean nationals only through their aliases as Ricky Jung, Rich Shin, Ivan and Elvin.

The four Koreans were also working in the country without permits, according to Manalo.

He said 15 Filipino women who were recruited by the group to work as singers and dancers in Korea were rescued.

The Koreans and the 15 Filipino women were taken to the office of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment under the Office of the Vice President at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Charges of large-scale illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons are being readied against the Koreans based on the complaint-affidavits of the rescued victims.
The immigration bureau is also set to file charges against the Koreans for violation of immigration laws.

Manalo said the Koreans were apprehended in various locations in Angeles City: two of them at the Yoojin Travel and Tours Office along the Friendship Highway, and the two others at Sunset Estate, Palace Hotel in Barangay Anunas and at a “safehouse” at Timog Park.

“This is a major accomplishment of Immigration Area 2 under the regionalization program’ implemented by Commissioner Libanan,” Manalo said.

Libanan has effected the arrest of the Koreans for their continued violations of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended.

The bureau’s Area 2 office acted on information on the illegal operations of the group which processed applicants at the Yoojin Travel and Tours and then brought them to a training center in Aduas Norte, Cabanatuan City while waiting for their tourist visas before being deployed to Korea.

The arresting officers were identified as SPO1 Henry Bertillo and PO1 Junvy Camero of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment, and Eric Anthony Gan and Lucito Mercado of BI-Clark.

Last month, human trafficking charges were also filed against two Malaysian nationals who were apprehended while escorting three Filipino women out of the country.

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ATM in store on NLEx carted away

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the Philippine Savings Bank (PSB) installed at a convenience store on North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Apalit town was carted away last week by still unidentified men.

A report submitted by the Pampanga Provincial Police Office to Central Luzon Police Director Leon Nilo Dela Cruz stated 15 armed men dismantled the ATM of the bank and took it away. The robbery took place at about 2 a.m. near the Total gas station on NLEx.

The report also stated robbers wore black and fatigue uniforms with some of them carrying “SAGSDI” and “Bitag” identification cards.

The suspects were on board a white L300 FB van with license plate number ZKR 227, a silver Toyota Revo vehicle with license number XPU 338, a white Toyota Corolla car, a white Toyota Revo vehicle, and a red Nissan Urban van, it was also reported.

Dela Cruz said that his investigators are coordinating with the management of NLEx in an effort to solve the robbery incident, which is said to be the first of its kind in Region 3.

“We have asked the NLEx management to provide us with the video feeds of its CCTV (closed circuit television) to help us identify the group that pulled the robbery,” Dela Cruz said.

Artist’s sketches of the robbers based on the testimonies and descriptions provided by witnesses were completed by the Apalit town policemen.

The sketches are expected to help police investigators identify the robbers.
Police have yet to determine how much money was in the ATM when it was taken away.

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Hot lumber escorted by gov’t vehicle seized

By Luis Jose

DINGALAN, Aurora– Operatives of “Task Force Sagip Kalikasan” seized two truckloads of illegally sawn lumber at a checkpoint here last week.

The operation, however, was half-successful after the truck drivers, whose vehicles were allegedly escorted by a red-plated government vehicle, were able to escape midnight Friday.

Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has ordered an investigation into reports that not a single personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was around during the operation.

The DENR, through its community environment and natural resources office, is part of the seven-man task force that mans the Dingalan checkpoint in Barangay Caragsacan that Angara-Castillo put up last month.

Angara-Castillo said the operation showed the provincial government’s resolve in putting a stop to illegal logging in this town at all cost, no matter who gets hurt.
“We will stop at nothing to put an end to illegal logging in Dingalan and as I have always said, there will be no sacred cows,” she said.

Joseph Usita, national chairman of the Noble Blue Falcons International, a non-government organization tapped as a member of the task force, said the operation led to the seizure of 1,075 pieces of assorted lumber, with a total volume of 10,367 board feet.

Angara-Castillo said the fact that the trucks were being escorted by a government vehicle indicated that some government men might have been in cahoots with illegal loggers.

“Our all-out campaign against illegal logging will unmask rogues in uniform and we will not waver in our commitment to preserve the remaining largest forest cover in the country today,” she said.

She ordered Senior Supt. Romulo Esteban, provincial police director to intensify police involvement in the anti-illegal logging campaign.

Last week’s haul was the second in 10 days by the task force, which also seized 29 pieces of tangile with a volume of 424 board feet at a checkpoint in Barangay Villa, Ma. Aurora town last July 8.

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Manila-Laoag road finished by year end, says DPWH exec

By Jun Velasco and Orly Guirao

SAN FERNADO CITY, La Union – The tiring 12-hour travel from Manila to Laoag City will be over before yearend.

Mariano Alquiza, Region 1 director of the Department of Public Works and Highways, reported construction work on the more-than-100-kilometer stretch of the Manila North Road from Pangasinan to Ilocos Norte is being rushed to completion in time for the Yuletide season.

The project, part of a nationwide pump-priming infrastructure program of the Arroyo administration, calls for the upgrading of the Pangasinan-Ilocos portion of MNR to ensure better road safety, and faster and more convenient travel for motorists, Alquiza said.

Funded with P1.5 billion earmarked in the DPWH’s 2009 budget, the project also involves the repair, widening, and construction of bridges and immediate lateral roads.

Engineer Yolanda Tanco, construction division chief of the DPWH Region 1 office, said all the project components are being undertaken by construction firms noted for their reliability of finishing their contracts on schedule.

“We are on schedule, and we hope to complete all the projects before the last week of December, this year,” Tanco said, adding that the concrete-paving of the major road sections in Ilocos Sur is now 60 percent complete.

In the past,motorists used to negotiate the Manila-Laoag distance in eight hours, but with the on going construction, travel time slows down to 12 hours as the vehicular traffic crawls in Ilocos Sur where most of the works are being done.

The Regional Development Council (RDC), headed by Ilocos Sur. Gov. Deogracias Savellano, expects the tourism industry in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte to experience growth as soon as the road network is upgraded.

The Ilocos Region boasts of fine-sand beaches and magnificent historical landmarks, attracting tourists, mostly Taiwanese and Europeans.

Meanwhile, Alquiza appealed to the motoring public to bear with the temporary inconvenience.

“This is part of the growth pains,” said Alquiza who is president of the National Association of Career Executive Service Officers.

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DENR sets deadline on Bulacan river cleanup

By George Trillo

MEYCAUAYAN, Bulacan -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza has given local officials in Bulacan a 30-day deadline to start cleaning up the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river system.

Atienza warned they face administrative charges before the environmental courts should they fail to comply with his directive to put a stop to the continued pollution of the river system by clearing it of garbage.

During a stakeholders meeting at the DENR Social Hall in Quezon City last week, Atienza cited need for collective effort among seven local government units surrounding the river system – the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela in Metro Manila, and San Jose del Monte City and the towns of Meycauayan, Marilao, Obando and Sta. Maria, all in Bulacan.

The Blacksmith Institute has identified the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river system as one of the dirtiest or worst polluted places in the world.

“The continuing mandamus imposed by the Supreme Court last December for Manila Bay’s rehabilitation obligates us at the DENR to take the necessary legal recourse to compel the concerned local government units to do their part in cleaning up their rivers whose polluted state directly impacts on the condition of Manila Bay,” Atienza said.

“Enough has been done to analyze why the river is dirty, and putting a stop to wanton throwing of garbage into it is the first step,” he added.

Last March, Atienza ordered a thorough investigation into the continued dumping of waste into the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river system, as well as the filing of charges against local officials who have been negligent in their duties to protect the water body.

At that time, Atienza already noted the “enormous garbage” that practically covered the Prenza Dam in Marilao, saying, “The dam looks like an open dump.”
He declared that the pollution of the Marilao River has worsened since he last visited the Prenza Dam several months ago.

The Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river system, which stretches up to 55 kilometers, has been identified as one of the country’s 50 endangered rivers due to heavy pollution.
DENR records show it has consistently shown excessive levels of heavy metals like chromium, cadmium and lead. It has also registered zero level of dissolved oxygen and high levels of organic pollution.

The river’s pollution was blamed primarily on heavy industries along its banks such as tanneries, textile factories, gold refineries, and jewelry-making, electroplating, livestock and poultry and other manufacturing establishments.

In May last year, the DENR declared the river system a Water Quality Management Area consistent with the Philippine Clean Water Act (Republic Act 9275).

The DENR declaration provides the setting up of a governing board, which shall be responsible for formulating strategies in managing the river’s water quality.

The board is composed of officials from the DENR and other concerned national government agencies in the region, local officials and representatives of the private sector, people’s and non-government organizations and civil society.

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P2.8M Baguio barangay projects inaugurated

BAGUIO CITY – At least P2.8 million worth of barangay infrastructure projects in this mountain resort city were recently inaugurated.

Rep Mauricio G. Domogan and Ireneo Gallato, district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office, were joined by barangay officials and residents of San Antonio Village, Ambiong and East Bayan Park during the recent inauguration of the completed projects in their respective barangays.

In San Antonio Village, the DPWH-BCDEO implemented the repair of main alley from boundary down to barangay hall with railings and drainage amounting to P500,000. The project site is the main alley connecting San Antonio and Lopez Jaena barangay. The project involves the improvement of the drainage system and improvement of stairway and railings along the area for the convenience of the residents and visitors.

Gallato added the construction of road concrete canal, slope protection and pathways in Ambiong barangay amounting to P800,000 will greatly improve the convenience and lessen the travel time of the thousands of residents along the area to and from the central business district.

At the same time, the district engineer disclosed the project implementers were also able to complete the P1.5 million continuation of sewer line going to Purok 1 and 2 East Bayan Park barangay which will contribute in the improvement of the sewer system in the barangay.

The newly-constructed sewer line has been connected to the main sewer line of the city government which was constructed by the city environment management office (CEMO) to improve the sewerage disposal in some unserviced parts of the city.

Domogan said more barangay projects are yet to be implemented in the different barangays while some important projects are also set to be funded so that various concerns of the people which range from better infrastructure, more sources of livelihood, improved health services, more classrooms among others will be satisfactorily addressed. -- Dexter A. See

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150 houses set for award to poor Ifugao families

By Juan B. Dait, Jr.

LAMUT, Ifugao—A Gawad Kalinga housing project will soon rise on a five-hectare lot in Barangay Payawan, this town.

The Gawad Kalinga village will be a joint project of the Gawad Kalinga Foundation, the Couples for Christ Movement and the Knights of Columbus, according to Engr. Jaime Malingan, Provincial Coordinator of the Couples for Christ Movement of Ifugao.

According to Malingan who is coordinating the project, the village will consist of 150 housing units to be awarded to indigent Ifugao families.

Each of the houses will be constructed with P75,000 worth of materials, Malingan revealed. He added that labor for the construction of the houses will be provided free by voluntary workers from peoples’ organizations.

The five-hectare lot on which the Gawad Kalinga village will rise was donated to the Gawad Kalinga Foundation by Rosito malingan, a local civic leader who is the son of a former director of the Mountain Province Development Authority (MPDA).

In an interview, Rosito Malingan said that he donated the five-hectare lot to the provincial government of Ifugao two years ago through the Ifugao Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) but the legislative body refused to accept the donation on the ground that the area was not a titled property.

Claiming that the lot was part of an ancestral land which he inherited from his late father, Eladio Malingan, Rosito withdrew his donation to the provincial government and turned it over directly to the Gawad Kalinga Foundation.

The two-year delay in the construction of the Gawad Kalinga housing project in this province resulted in the diversion of 60 units of donated Gawad Kalinga housing units to the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga, according to Engr. Jaime Malingan, provincial coordinator of the Couples for Christ movement in this province and Coordinator of the Gawad Kalinga project.

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P30 flag-down for city cabs sought

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY -- Despite rollback in the prices of oil, taxicab operators and drivers in this mountain resort city are demanding a P30 flag-down rate to be at par with their counterparts in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

The new flag-down rate being demanded for taxicabs operating in the city and its environs is P5 higher than the prevailing P25 rate.

Perfecto Itliong Jr., regional coordinator of the Public Transport Affairs Office in the Cordillera, said taxicab operators and drivers defended the increase by saying it is unfair for them to be charging rates less compared to those charged by their counterparts in Manila.

Except for the P10 add-on authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board several years ago, taxicab operators and drivers in the city have not been granted substantial increase in fare rates that would have provided them a decent income for their families.

Itliong said the petition for a P30 flag-down rate for taxicabs in the city will be filed with the LTFRB in the next few days so that the taxicab fare in Manila and Baguio City will be at par with each other even if there is a big difference in the prices of oil products and spare parts of vehicles.

Oil prices in Manila are lower by as much as P5 liter compared to the prices in this city, while spare parts are cheaper in Manila than in Baguio.

Aside from the big difference in the prices of oil and spare parts, Itliong said, driving in mountainous terrain such as that of this city entails consumption of more fuel compared to driving in flat areas like Metro Manila.

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Solving Baguio City trash the Payatas way

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The successful conversion of the 12-hectare Payatas open dumpsite into the so-called Quezon City controlled dump facility is a worthy project which the Baguio City government should emulate relative to the closure of its 5.2-hectare Irisan dumpsite.

This was the assessment of a 12-man media group, which included this writer, after the conduct of an exposure trip to the alternative energy projects of the United States Agency for International Development – Sustainable Energy Development Project (USAID-SEDP) in Laguna and Quezon City.

Unlike the weak stand of city officials in handling the city’s garbage problem, the media group found out Quezon City officials had the political will in closing the operation of the dumpsite after the tragic garbage collapse on July 10, 2000 and again re-opened the open dumpsite for its conversion into a controlled dump facility which is now being used by the local government as its dumpsite.

Engr. Luis Sabater, maintenance official of the Payatas controlled dumpsite, informed Baguio-based mediamen over 2,000 scavengers are benefitting from the operation of the controlled dumpsite plus the fact that it is able to produce at least 200 kilowatts of power from the methane gas produced by the garbage which is used to light up streetlights around the dumpsite.

According to him, Quezon City officials first organized the residents around the facility into 12 associations who are now enjoying the benefits of added income as a result of the conversion of the dumpsite into a controlled dump facility before they incorporated the plan of the local government to re-open the dumpsite with the people as their active partners.

In contrast, the Baguio City government’s plan to temporarily use the Irisan dumpsite while awaiting the establishment of its own engineered sanitary landfill facility was strongly opposed by the affected residents who even barricaded the entrance of the dumpsite preventing garbage trucks from dumping the city’s waste there.

If intelligently handled by concerned local officials and department heads, Baguio should have been able to handle the current garbage crisis coupled with the fact that it could also be generating minimal power from the waste being dumped in the dumpsite for the benefit of the people around the facility.

Quezon City generates at least 1,700 tons of garbage daily with 1,200 tons being dumped at its Payatas controlled dump facility while Baguio City generates at least 280 tons of garbage daily with 90 percent of which is being hauled to the Capas, Tarlac sanitary landfill.

Various city officials have reportedly visited the successful Quezon City controlled disposal facility over the past several years but it seems they are not able to come out with an idea on how to emulate the same at the Irisan dumpsite to end the garbage woes of the people who are already sick and tired of the worsening problem.

The city government has already spent at least P100 million to temporarily solve the garbage problem in Baguio but the problem on where to permanently dump the waste continues to be a major headache of local officials.

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Cops burn P186-M marijuana plants

TUGUEGARAO CITY– More than 600,000 fully grown marijuana plants and 200,000 seedlings worth at least P186 million that were uprooted at the remote Isabela-Kalinga boundary were burned July 23.

In a report to Chief Supt. Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Cuntapay, regional police community relations chief, said the illegal plants were discovered by a joint police-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency team in Sitio Bangabang, which lies at the boundary of Quezon, Isabela; Tabuk, Kalinga; and Enrile, Cagayan. – CL

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250-pound bomb dug in Kalinga

KALINGA– Civilians in a remote Kalinga village turned over explosives including a 250-pound bomb to government troops belonging to the Isabela-based Army’s 5th Infantry Division last week.

The bombs, which residents of Barangay Magnao in Pinukpuk, Kalinga have yielded to the Army after their discovery in the area are believed to be owned by the New People’s Army operating in the Kalinga-Cagayan border.

Major Gen. Nestor Ochoa, 5th ID chief, said that aside from the deadly 250-pound general purpose bomb, the villagers also turned over four live 60-mm mortar shells, as well as two hand-held radios. – CL

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Dengue outbreak downs Isabela folk

ILAGAN, Isabela– A dengue outbreak has been declared in Ramon town, amid increasing dengue cases there and across the region as well.

The Ramon municipal council made the declaration following last week’s death of two young dengue patients, aged three and eight, bringing to six the number of fatalities of the mosquito-borne disease in the town, and to 21 regionwide.

Since Jan. 52 dengue cases have been recorded in Ramon town, at least 30 of them since last month alone, and 546 across Cagayan Valley.

Earlier, neighboring Santiago City had also declared a dengue epidemic. – CL

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Coed takes couple hostage for firing father as driver

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – A 24-year-old female college dropout here reportedly held hostage on Tuesday a couple who had terminated her father as their family driver.

Chief Insp. Pilarito Mallilin of Santiago City police said the suspect, Joy Licayan, is now facing charges of grave threat and arson as well for threatening to burn down the house of the Co couple in Barangay Victory Norte.

Reports said Licayan, brandishing a knife, barged into the Co residence and held the couple and their son hostage Tuesday morning.

It took authorities an hour before they were able to convince Licayan to surrender.
Licayan reportedly feared that she could no longer pursue her college degree after the couple fired her father as driver.

Besides the knife, a cord was also found in Licayan’s bag, “indicating that (she) was also seemed bent on committing suicide,” police said.

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15 Ilocos Region towns under state of calamity

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte – Fifteen towns in this province were placed under state of calamity by the provincial government after floods triggered by tropical storm “Isang” displaced more than 100,000 families in 143 villages, damaged houses and inundated farmlands last week.

The 15 towns are Dingras, Nueva Era, Paoay, Batac, Adams, Pinili, Piddig, San Nicolas, Banna, Marcos, Solsona, Sarrat, Pasuquin, Pagudpud, and Currimao.

The declaration will allow the provincial government to use emergency funds to help the typhoon-hit farmers.

Isang hit hard the towns forcing residents to evacuate to higher areas. Farmers said they are in for hard times as their fields were washed out of their plants.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council earlier said they did everything to ese the plight of victims but nature was more powerful.

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2 Cagayan school buildings torched

BAGGAO, Cagayan – Two public school buildings in the remote town of Baggao in northernmost Cagayan were torched by still unidentified men morning of July 21, police said.

Senior Insp. Charles Bueno, Baggao police chief, said the involvement of communist rebels in the arson attack on the San Jose Elementary School was “farfetched and very remote.”
“We still have no definite lead yet, but we believe that it is more the handiwork of pranksters rather than the NPA,” Bueno said.

Fire damage was placed at P2.5 million. The NPA didn’t make a statement on the matter even as residents were tightlipped. – CL

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POLICE ROUNDUP

Cop shoots lawman in Agno car accident

AGNO, Pangasinan– A policeman was accidentally shot by his colleague with an M14 rifle July 21 around 4 p.m. after refueling at a gasoline station in Poblacion East here.

Town police chief Insp. Wilfredo Cabanayan told Senior Supt. Percival Barba, police provincial director, in a report while their vehicle moved about five meters away from the gas station, a gunshot rang out inside their patrol car.

This shocked Cabanayan and it was then that he found out the victim, PO3 Joseph Abongan, the driver, partially raised his right hand and said “Sir, adda tamak (I was shot).”

Abongan, 34, married and resident of San Vicente, Alaminos City was injured at the lower back portion of his right armpit.

Cabanayan’s companions, SPO2 Lucito Regaspi, PO1 Jose Mandi III and PO1 Gonzales Cortez rushed the victim to a clinic here and later transferred him to Bolaney Doctors Hospital in Alaminos City.

However, Abongan died while undergoing treatment.

Prior to rushing the victim to the clinic, the police chief asked Cortez who was at the trunk of the vehicle and what had happened.

Cortez replied the car jolted when it moved ahead on the elevated shoulder of the concrete main road which has about two to three-inch raised gap from the shoulder.

When an ocular examination was made by the police, they found out that the PNP patrol car incurred shattered portion on the top edge of the plastic seat cover where Cortez was seated, bullet hole on the two flat sheet division of the trunk and cab and a wide bullet hole on the right back portion of the driver’s seat.

A case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide has been filed against Cortez.

The suspect remains in the custody of the local police station.

Paraffin test on Cortez and the ballistics examination of the involved firearm were already requested from the PNP Crime Laboratory Service in Lingayen, Cabanayan said in his report. – Jennelyn Mondejar


250-pound bomb dug in Kalinga

KALINGA– Civilians in a remote Kalinga village turned over explosives including a 250-pound bomb to government troops belonging to the Isabela-based Army’s 5th Infantry Division last week.

The bombs, which residents of Barangay Magnao in Pinukpuk, Kalinga have yielded to the Army after their discovery in the area are believed to be owned by the New People’s Army operating in the Kalinga-Cagayan border.

Major Gen. Nestor Ochoa, 5th ID chief, said that aside from the deadly 250-pound general purpose bomb, the villagers also turned over four live 60-mm mortar shells, as well as two hand-held radios. – CL


ATM in store on NLEx carted away

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the Philippine Savings Bank (PSB) installed at a convenience store on North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Apalit town was carted away last week by still unidentified men,.

A report submitted by the Pampanga Provincial Police Office to Central Luzon Police Director Leon Nilo Dela Cruz stated 15 armed men dismantled the ATM of the bank and took it away. The robbery took place at about 2 a.m. near the Total gas station on NLEx.

The report also stated robbers wore black and fatigue uniforms with some of them carrying “SAGSDI” and “Bitag” identification cards.

The suspects were on board a white L300 FB van with license plate number ZKR 227, a silver Toyota Revo vehicle with license number XPU 338, a white Toyota Corolla car, a white Toyota Revo vehicle, and a red Nissan Urban van, it was also reported.

Dela Cruz said that his investigators are coordinating with the management of NLEx in an effort to solve the robbery incident, which is said to be the first of its kind in Region 3.

“We have asked the NLEx management to provide us with the video feeds of its CCTV (closed circuit television) to help us identify the group that pulled the robbery,” Dela Cruz said.

Artist’s sketches of the robbers based on the testimonies and descriptions provided by witnesses were completed by the Apalit town policemen.

The sketches are expected to help police investigators identify the robbers.

Police have yet to determine how much money was in the ATM when it was taken away.


4 Koreans nabbed for human trafficking

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Joint operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Clark Freeport in this province and Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment composed of CIDG operatives nabbed four Korean nationals for illegal recruitment and human trafficking July 20.

In his report to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, regional director Heranio Manalo identified the four Korean nationals only through their aliases as Ricky Jung, Rich Shin, Ivan and Elvin.

The four Koreans were also working in the country without permits, according to Manalo.

He said 15 Filipino women who were recruited by the group to work as singers and dancers in Korea were rescued.

The Koreans and the 15 Filipino women were taken to the office of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment under the Office of the Vice President at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Charges of large-scale illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons are being readied against the Koreans based on the complaint-affidavits of the rescued victims.

The immigration bureau is also set to file charges against the Koreans for violation of immigration laws.

Manalo said the Koreans were apprehended in various locations in Angeles City: two of them at the Yoojin Travel and Tours Office along the Friendship Highway, and the two others at Sunset Estate, Palace Hotel in Barangay Anunas and at a “safehouse” at Timog Park.

“This is a major accomplishment of Immigration Area 2 under the regionalization program’ implemented by Commissioner Libanan,” Manalo said.

Libanan has effected the arrest of the Koreans for their continued violations of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended.

The bureau’s Area 2 office acted on information on the illegal operations of the group which processed applicants at the Yoojin Travel and Tours and then brought them to a training center in Aduas Norte, Cabanatuan City while waiting for their tourist visas before being deployed to Korea.

The arresting officers were identified as SPO1 Henry Bertillo and PO1 Junvy Camero of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment, and Eric Anthony Gan and Lucito Mercado of BI-Clark.
Last month, human trafficking charges were also filed against two Malaysian nationals who were apprehended while escorting three Filipino women out of the country.

Student robbed of cell phone
BAGUIO CITY – A student of the University of the Cordillera was forcibly divested of her cell phone by still unidentified men here near Bonifacio Road last week.

Police identified the victims as Dette Heizel T. Granda, native of Dolores, Abra. She told police at Station 7 SM Branch the incident happened around 9:40 pm at a store along Laurel St. by the culprits.

They approached and one grabbed her cell phone N80 worth P 6,500 while the other hacked her with a bladed weapon then left her.

She said the suspects were about 5'2 to 5'3 in height, 25 to 30 years old medium built with semi-bald haircut. -- Allison Nika Gundran

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Addressing Cordillera Region’s economic ‘growth’ or ‘slowdown’

EDITORIAL

The economy of Cordillera “decelerated” from a 7.1 percent growth in 2007 to 1.8 percent in 2008, the slowest growth among the country’s 17 regions, the National Statistical Coordination Board bared last week. The slowdown was reportedly brought about by the weak performance of the industry sector.

What about the “underground economy?” From illegal logging and gambling like jueteng, prostitution, small scale mining and yes, illegal drugs. According to NSCB regional director Benjamin Navarro, they don’t include these in their data. The Cordillera abounds with these illegal activities and if we were to include these in terms of “growth,” maybe, the Cordillera would actually be “performing well.”

More statistics from the NSCB: The industry sector, which comprised 60.7 percent of the region’s total output, slowed down from 5.0 percent in 2007 to 0.2 percent in 2008. Construction managed to grow at a pace of 7.1 percent in 2008 due to the continuous but slower growth in public infrastructure. Mining and quarrying shrank by 5.3 percent due to the decline in gold production. The electricity and water subsector slowed down by 6.7 percent in 2008 due to the decrease in power sales. Manufacturing, the major contributor to the industry sector, contracted by 1.0 percent in 2008 due to the decline in semi-conductor exports.

The service sector, which accounted for 25.0 percent of the GRDP of Cordillera, continued to grow but at a slower rate of 5.6 percent in 2008 from 5.8 percent in 2007. Due to the robust growth of business process outsourcing, private services maintained its lead to grow fastest among the sevice subsectors at 10.5 percent in 2008. Government services more than doubled its previous growth to 5.5 percent. Ownership of dwelling and real estate (ODRE) and transportation, communication and storage (TCS) posted growth rates of 2.7 and 2.8 percent, respectively, while trade and finance only grew by 1.8 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, which contributed 14.4 percent to Cordillera economy, didn’t sustain its previous double-digit growth to increase by only 2.5 percent in 2008. The positive growth of the sector was largely due to gains in other crops, corn and palay.

The GRPD measures the goods and services produced in each of the geo-political regions to the country. It provides for an analysis of the regional distribution of the country’s GDP, the industries and factors that contribute to the regional economies, and the pace at which these economies are moving on an annual basis. It is compiled by the NSCB.

So what happens after this NSCB study? Would government in the national level take stock, address “weaknesses” and strengthen “advantages?” Studies would just go to naught and a waste of taxpayers’ money if the government doesn’t address these in concrete terms to uplift the lives of people.

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Tree ‘slaughter’ along MacArthur Highway

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Pity, but the coming days, at least 1,211 trees of century-old trees of different variety along MacArthur highway from the municipality of Apalit to this city will be cut for widening of McArthur Highway.

I recently passed this road on my way to Manila and saw crewmen starting work for massive, “slaughter” of the trees. Over the years, I always looked forward to the trees as a welcome respite from ugly shanties and bare fields along the way when I went to the city that never sleeps.

It was always a heady feeling when one passed underneath the giant trees dwarfing vehicles and spreading their comforting branches along the road giving respite from the torturing sun.

But then, in the next few days, that would be gone, courtesy of a government which doesn’t consider environment degradation before embarking on a project which would affect generations to come if it involves millions if not billions of money.

The cutting of trees was part of the road widening scheme by the Regional Department of Public Works and Highways that started last week of June. Aside from trees in the Pampanga portion of the MacArthur Highway, about 1,001 trees will be cut from Bamban to Capas in Tarlac and some 2,192 other trees from Tarlac City to San Manuel town, also in Tarlac.

Somehow, a group of Kapampangan artists painted several acacia trees from Barangays Balite to Telebastagan this city, showing they opposed the cutting of trees. They said the road widening was untimely and impractical. Thousands of various trees have already been cut in Bulacan, particularly along the stretch cutting through Malolos City, they said.

Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr., recently, through regional director Antonio Principe, granted the DPWH regional office headed by director Alfredo Tolentino a clearance to cut the trees affected by ongoing road widening and rehabilitation of the public works agency as reportedly embodied in the approved plans of the Regional Development Council last year.

Didn’t Gov. Eddie Panlilio know about the RDC plans? The trees could still be saved maybe by divine providence. But then, concerned residents and environmentalists have to act fast even if they have to bring their cause to Malacanang and imperial Manila media as the undertakers are faster than lightning in implementing the controversial project.

Atienza earlier issued the clearance through an earlier memorandum directing the DENR regional office here to issue a “special tree cutting and earth-balling permit” over the trees in favor of the DPWH.

Come to think of it, the DENR which is supposed to safeguard nature is the one issuing the permits to destroy it. Atienza should be given the job of cleaning the dirty Pasig River while riding a banca. His trademark colorful Hawain shirt could still attract voters from the riversides.

Billboards notifying the public that the project was authorized by the DENR have been put up in affected towns of Apalit, San Simon, Minalin and this city, whose “Acacia Stretch” from Barangay San Agustin to Telabastagan will be hit by the move.

Tolentino was quoted as saying identified and inventoried trees with diameters at breast heights from 26 centimeters and larger will be cut and the logs, timber and derivable wood materials from the tree cutting will be “stockpiled and turned over to the local environment office” for proper disposition.

Trees to be cut by the DPWH for road widening include 779 fully grown Acacia, 36 balete, 175 camachile, 59 mango, and 60 narra trees. Scores of trees with commercial value include molave, tamarind, gmelina and rubber trees.

Another 370 small sized trees or saplings with diameters at breast height of 25 centimeters and smaller shall be “earth-balled” and transplanted in areas jointly identified by the DPWH and the local environment office concerned. Where is that much ballyhooed government program for the environment? As my favorite bubwit always tells me: “Tell that to the marines!

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Gloria’s wish comes true

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

After chasing President Barack Obama all over the United States for more than a year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s wish has finally come true. She will be meeting the man on July 30, 2009, in the most sacred nook in the White House -- the Oval Office.

It would seem that Gloria’s visit would be nothing more than a customary courtesy call to the newly “crowned” leader of the Free World. “The visit to Washington DC is an affirmation of the strong partnership between the two countries that share historical and cultural ties and common democratic values,” the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs announced.

However, considering all the unusual events that had happened recently in the Philippines, Obama’s invitation seemed more of a summon. And, as if to emphasize the urgency, Obama’s spy master, CIA Director Leon Panetta paid Gloria a lightning visit on Sunday, July 12, when all government offices were closed and most of the citizens were enjoying their siesta.

Indeed, Gloria must have been tickled pink that, finally, she is going to have that “photo op” with the elusive Obama. Her spin doctors would have a heyday heralding her visit to the Oval Office as a recognition of La Gloria as America’s unwavering and indispensable partner in the fight against global terrorism.

Forget that Gloria withdrew the Philippine troops from Iraq when Iraqi insurgents threatened to behead a captured Filipino worker. Forget that Gloria tried to sell the Spratly islands to China.

Forget that Gloria failed to create a Bangsa Moro state. Forget that Gloria has been labeled as the most corrupt President in the history of the Philippines. Forget that Gloria did nothing to stop human rights violations in the country.

But what Uncle Sam did not forget was that Gloria extended the controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which would have provided the US with key logistical bases to maintain an effective military -- and political -- presence in Southeast Asia.

Given all that, what would be on the agenda when the brand-new American President meets the lame-duck Philippine President? With less than a year left in Gloria’s term, what could she do that would enhance US-Philippine relations? Or would it be possible that they are both pursuing their own agenda or “wish list”? If so, what would each of them bring to the table?

Here’s a possible scenario: Gloria tells Obama, “Mr. President, thank you for your support and recognition of my government as your partner in fighting international terrorism. As you well know, I’ve done everything possible to maintain peace and order in Mindanao. I am doing my best to stop the Abu Sayaff bandits, Muslim separatists, Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists, communist insurgents, drug dealers, and everybody else who opposed my grand design to transform the Philippines into an enchanted kingdom in 20 years.”

Obama’s response is: “Wow! You are a visionary, Madame President, err… shall we address each other on a first-name basis from now on… Gloria?” “Absolutely! Shall I call you Barack or Barry?” she asks. “Barack would just be fine, Glory,” Obama replies.

At that time, Obama’s top aide at the back of the room is pointing to his watch which means that 10 minutes have transpired and there’s only five minutes left to wrap up the meeting and photo op.

“Well, Gloria,” Obama says. “This is indeed a very productive meeting and I’m glad that we finally met considering that, from what my CIA Director told me, you’ve been chasing me around for more than a year. He he he… This just proved that you really have a high regard for me and that you would love to hear my advice and guidance. After all, you and I are partners in not just fighting international terrorism but global recession as well.

One of these days, perhaps at the end of your term in June 2010, we can meet again in a less official setting so you can share with me your secret on how you dealt with your economic problems. It would certainly help me a lot because by then I’d be half-way through my first term and I would have to show the American people that I have what it takes to deal with the worst recession since the Great Depression. What do you think, Gloria?”

“Mr. Pre… I mean, Barack, hopefully, with your support I’d still be the President or, perhaps, umm… Prime Minister after June 2010. By staying in power beyond 2010, I would be in a position to advice you on economic issues. You see, I graduated from Princeton with a degree in economics…”

“Fantastic!” Obama interrupts her. “I knew you really are an expert on economics. I never for a moment believed what that Filipino-American columnist in Sacramento was saying about your ‘boo-boo economics.’ Nah!”

Then in a serious tone, Obama says, “Madame President, it’s been a pleasure to finally meet you. I hope that as you finish your term in June, you’ll be remembered for all the things you have done for your beloved country. I hope that you and I would continue our communication, even after you’ve stepped down from power. CIA Director Leon Panetta, whom you have met earlier this month, would serve as our liaison. By the way, lest I forget, I’ll give you a copy of my speech before Ghana’s parliament last July 11, 2009. I highlighted a paragraph near the end of my speech which I hope you’d take it to heart. It would really mean a lot to me and would certainly benefit your people as well.”

After leaving the Oval Office, Gloria reads the highlighted paragraph which says, “As I said in Cairo, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable, and more successful than governments that do not.

This is about more than holding elections - it's also about what happens between them. Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the Port Authority is corrupt.

No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end.”

When Gloria arrives in Manila after an unannounced side trip to the Cayman Island, a photo is waiting on her desk. It’s her photo op with Obama. Obama is grinning from ear to ear. But she is not smiling. I wonder why? (PerryDiaz@gmail. com)

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On writing and being read

BENCHWARMER
Ramon S. Dacawi

What do you write? A journalism student asked me this when he dropped by Wednesday afternoon .Why ask me, I asked. He said he saw this corner of this paper and decided to visit. He said it was for a class assignment.

The young man’s question somehow affirmed the sneaky suspicion that crept up my brain way back in college - about some columns being read by no one except those whose by-lines are attached to them. And a more recent one – about newspapers not being read, much less studied, even by those who study to become journalists.

If he did before coming to interview, he would have deleted the “what” and focused on the “how” and “why”. He did ask those questions and drew answers which were partly cautious so as not to give the impression of ego-boosting, mental dishonesty and false humility.

We write, or talk, because we want to be read, or heard. To be read or listened to without our imposition is definitely the only measure of our work’s effectiveness. That’s why we, provincial journalists, try to rein in our urge to talk about our own work. Except, of course, when triggered by a colleague’s own display of his story or photo on the front page of a national daily he is trying to attach himself to.

The outbursts happen during those nights of loosening up with alcohol, to bring to stable levels the surge of adrenalin common to practitioners of one the most stressful and lowest-paying jobs around.. Alcohol works wonders. It sharpens the tongue and loosens the brain. Or loosens the tongue and sharpens the brain. Or both.

Gin, pressure of work and our week-end arguments exhausted me and my editor, Steve Hamada, to sleep while bedding The Baguio Midland Courier. It was one Saturday night, way back in the ‘80s, when the opinion pages had to be set in linotype, that giant typewriter that embosses on sheets of lead the words, phrases and lines.

Unable to stir us back to life, the letterpress machine operator ran the editorial page without the usual proofreading. He was worried then Benguet Gov. Ben Palispis would find his Sunday morning incomplete, without his copy on his usual breakfast table at Session CafĂ©, then the hang-out of politicians and newsmen that is now Jollibee’s.

I woke up too late to wake up Steve. He rushed to the operator, snatched a copy of the editorial page. I saw terror in his eyes when he realized the lines of the editorial he labored on were mangled, garbled, beyond coherence. When the operator told him he was almost through printing all the copies, Steve pulled the sheet towards his glasses, covering his face.

“Saan ka kadi nga madanagan no han nga maawatan dayta insurat mo, anak (Just don’t worry if what you wrote can’t be understood, son),” the operator said. “Ammom met nga awan ti agbasbasa ti editoryal (You know pretty well no one reads the editorial).”

I couldn’t look at Steve, whose editorials and column (Fore and Aft) I always read - partly because I had to proof-read them on Saturday nights. To help fulfill his class assignment (and my own need for “psychic income”), I told the journalism student what I write – and read.

I write about ordinary people with extraordinary deeds, people whose names may never hit the papers. The latest was about Tessie Panis-Romero, a volunteer day-care worker at Gibraltar Barangay. She passed on recently, after spending the last 20 years of her life quietly taking care of toddlers. So their parents could be free to work and earn for their own families.

Why them? Because I’m inspired by stories of lesser mortals that are the stuff the great writings of Frank McCourt, Jimmy Breslin, Dennis Brady and Lane DeGregory are made of.

When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, media sought the expressions of grief and loss of heads of states and political news makers. Breslin interviewed and wrote about the grave-digger assigned to prepare the president’s resting place at Arlington .

Breslin wrote that 42-year old Clifton Pollard had bacon and egg prepared by his wife Hettie, before he was pulled out to dig the grave on a Sunday morning “He was a good man,” Pollard was quoted by Breslin. “Now they’re going to come and put him right here in this grave I’m making up. You know, it’s an honor just for me to do this.”

Critics agreed Breslin’s story is a mini-classic in journalism. They said Pollard’s words somehow summed up America ’s - the world’s – deep sense of loss. The journalism student asked me if my daughter Beng and son Boogie also write.

Beng was exposed to writing as managing editor of The Beacon, the college student publication of the University of Baguio . Boogie began to write later with his wife Lovelyn (nee Pontino), to forget their missing home while trying to work and raise their two boys in Italy . The couple’s blogs are for my grandsons – Lukie and Dylan – to read when they grow up.

I was irretrievably magnetized by Lovelyn’s narratives about her family roots. Now and then, I would fill this page with Boogie’s own. After reading a couple of Boogie’s articles, lawyer Bangsoy, the husband of Annabelle (nee Codiase, one of the best Baguio feature writers before she quit to raise their kids), texted: “Boogie should take over your column.”

My boyhood buddy Camilo Candelario also e-mailed: “Your son sees and feels better than you do.” My daughter Beng e-mailed about her meeting another girl: “She admitted she had no childhood; I’m luckier because I had one.”

Juxtapose that to Michael Jackson’s childhood denied by early celebrity status. Their notes make me proud of my children’s sensitivity. They make me feel better, not as a journalist, but as a father and grandfather on the other side of the globe.

The icing is that from their feedbacks, these people close to me read what I write. Even when, deadline-pressed to fill this week-end corner, I turn redundant. (e-mail: rdacawi@yahoo.com)

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Beneco report card ‘in the pink’

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

Despite the odds encountered in its day to day operations, the Benguet Electric Cooperative appears healthy and in the pink of health as bared by a report card submitted to the media Wednesday by General Manager Gerardo Verzosa.

The signs are good. From being indebted more than a decade ago, the public utility now boasts of assets worth more than a billion. The latest indication is that Beneco inaugurated on July 18, 2009 a six-storey building at Abatan, Buguias.

But before that, there had been plenty of positive growth amid corporate woes. Aside from trimming down the outfit’s indebtedness, Beneco slimmed down by shifting manpower to automation – an unavoidable requirement for public utilities in these days.

Of course, this move got the ire of employees but most of the time, “all is well that ends well” so to speak, after the courts patched up problems involving common company-employee wrangling over separation fees.

Also, electric power consumers can not help but notice that Beneco has modernized and continues to upgrade its fleet of moving equipment and motor vehicles, thus improving competence in the delivery of its mandate in rural electrification.

In the past, power subscribers complained that Beneco was incompetent as it could not immediately respond to calls for repair of broken lines or burned transformers. Such situations resulted to blackouts that extended for as long as three days – despite the good weather.

I am sure that members of the Beneco board of old, a few of whom are now critical of the one and only electric coop in Baguio and Benguet for their own reasons, know these facts.

But how did such unwanted events arose? The reason is that the repairmen dispatched to fix the lines fail to reach the problematic sections most often than not, due to the simple fact that they become immobilized like rocks on the road when their old and beaten-up service trucks get stuck. This is what member-consumers expect with old and dilapidated service vehicles.

I know that some would say “look who’s talking” because they know that I drive around an old Volkswagen Beetle but then I do love my ‘old reliable’ and that is another story. Here, what we are plainly saying is that “conditioned and useful mobile equipment is justified in the end by first-class electric service,” at least.

Today, brown-outs are scheduled and even announced via multi-media, and do not last as long as a day. Electric pilferage has gone down and complaints are responded to faster than fast.

In terms of power connections, Beneco can now boast about lighting rural houses in the darkest nooks of Benguet, including those who, for the longest time, never benefited from the dams that flooded their backyards just to provide power for industries that made parts of this country wealthy.

In terms of social services, although GM Verzosa forgot to mention this in his report to the press, the Beneco board of directors had extended special assistance to indigent health patients provided that it had the means – and for as long as they had big hearts, which many of them always had. But not all of them.

Going back to the recently blessed Abatan building, Engr. Art Bacoco, the area manager said the new facility will now be the center for Beneco’s operation in northern Benguet which covers the towns of Mankayan, Bakun, part of Madaymen, Kibungan, part Atok, Kabayan and Buguias,

With its new and wider facility, Beneco is expected to improve its services in the area. It takes care of meter connections, line maintenance, meter reading and billing, collection of payments and offers pre-membership seminars.

Engr. Bacoco described the modern edifice as a multi-purpose building with a function hall and staff room on the two uppermost floors. The first and second levels are for maintenance offices, utility rooms and employees’ quarters.

The third and fourth floors are for a vocational school that could be replicated in other towns, one way by which Beneco may be able to plow back to its clients their ‘dividends’ from the cooperative, even if no actual shares of stocks were bought by them in the first place.

Engr. Bacoco said the building took more than a year to be finished as it was started to be built in January 2008. It is worth around P15 million. To date Beneco owns five buildings, including the one in Abatan. The others are located at the DPS area and Happy Glen Loop in Baguio, a building at Km.4, La Trinidad, and the main building side by side a warehouse cum supply depot and mechanical shop at Brgy. Alapang.

In the exchange following Beneco’s report, GM Verzosa threw back to the media an answer by way of a question when the topic was about Baguio ’s inconsistencies in allowing electrical connections to applicants who do not have building permits.

He asked: “Why is a department head over and above a city ordinance? In the first place why did the city council pass the ordinance kung hindi naman pala maipapatupad?”

Maybe the question should have been: “Manu ti bayadan ijay city hall tapnu maka kabit ka? Of course, those who have the experience know the answer.

Btw, to do away with foolish thoughts that this space has become the mouthpiece of the cooperative, I say that this is merely my honest and truthful observation as an independent columnist-reporter and at the same time a member-consumer just like anybody else.

Anyway, hooray to all electric consumers in Baguio and Benguet for making Beneco what it is today, to the few selfless politicians who unselfishly shared part of their congressional initiatives that benefited far-flung consumers even if this was unprofitable for the cooperative, and to those who successfully managed Beneco by steering it from rough roads to stable grounds. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

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Eclipse ‘unrest and beginnings’

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

Asia watched in awe as the longest solar eclipse crossed the moon last July 22 first in eastern India then paced on to Bangladesh, Nepal, China and southern Japan.

A total solar eclipse usually occurs every 18 months or so, but July 22’s spectacle
was special for its maximum period when the sun was wholly covered by the moon
-- of six minutes and 39 seconds.

Experts and enthusiasts boarded on expensive seats on planes chartered by specialist travel agencies that afforded extended views of the eclipse as they chased the shadow eastwards.

Sanjoy Majumder on BBC Newswho was on the flights says, “The shadow of the moon traveled slowly across the face of the sun until was completely obscure - a darkened orb with the sun's white crown visible in a perfect circle. Around us the sky was pitch dark and the galaxy glittered in all its glory. It was, as one passenger put it later, an emotional and breathtaking moment.”

The eclipse which was shrouded in mystery, superstition and spirituality was also an occasion for people to dip their feet at the Ganges River for renewed spiritual energy.
“The extreme pull exerted by the combined energies of the sun, moon and the planets during solar eclipse makes it a good time for devotees to make use of the energy, “spiritual guru Jaggy Valued, head of the spiritual organization, Isha Foundation says.
Other astrologers see the eclipse as doom.

Reports say, superstition has always haunted the moment when Earth, moon and sun are perfectly aligned. The daytime extinction of the sun, the source of all life, is associated with war, famine, flood and the death or birth of rulers.

“The ancient Chinese blamed a sun-eating dragon. In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.”

The foreboding doom that the eclipse brings made many expectant mothers scheduled for July 22 caesarian deliveries at New Delhi Hospital to have their schedules changed. The famous Sri Kanakdurga temple at Indrakeeladri hill in Vijaywada, and almost all almost all temples in Kerala were closed.

Temple idols and sanctums were “covered by organic material like 'grass, leaves of the neem or vila trees or raw silk shroud to prevent the natural aura from being destroyed” a Hindu seer said over online reports. It is believed that “deities which have been consecrated by mantras and rituals have an external energy field around the form which when combined by the pull of the sun and moon during an eclipse can weaken.”

In the next few months preceding the eclipse, Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted “some sort of attack by (Kashmiri separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil and a devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia,” Phil Hazlewood of AFP reports.

Southeast Asia has always been under intense political unrest within its internal affairs and neighbor-countries like the years-long conflict between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Issues of terrorism and insurgency are almost found in almost every country of South Pacific and South East Asia to include the Philippines, Indonesia, and Burma.

Also in ancient China, eclipses were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist. “The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse happens is 95 percent,” announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on a popular Chinese website.
Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website says, “During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship.”

Yet, the eclipse is also a sign of going back ‘home’ and a start of new beginnings.
In astrology as Domestic Cancer leaves and ushers in fiery Leon, the eclipse gets one reminded on the domestic Cancer sign.

CafĂ© Astrology.com says, “Occurring in the symbolic last degree of Cancer, we are called upon to feed our foundation–all of that which we call ‘home’, including the foundation we have built inside of ourselves, needs to be tended to and honored. We need to pay attention to our instincts, our deepest needs, and our feelings.

We need to recognize the importance of our family and our personal circle of friends and the security, sense of belonging, and safety we derive from them. Although we might stay in situations that are making us miserable for longer than we should, deep down inside we know that change is necessary for growth”. (Sources from BBC News, Yahoo News, AFP News, and astrology blogs.)

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Religious leaders in politics

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G. Bonilla

LAOAG CITY – The inter-faith rally in this sunshine city led by the powerful Roman Catholic Church on the occasion of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno’s visit, another rumored vice-presidential bet, directly conveyed a message that Church leaders are up against charter change (Cha-cha.)

We must respect the constitution if we are truly law-abiding citizens. We can’t expect ordinary citizens to follow the laws of the land if the people in government show disrespect to the Constitution.
***
Why is it that some religious leaders are very much eager to run in the next national elections even though the 1987 Constitution explicitly defined the boundary between the Church and the State?

The reason behind is obviously not for their own personal ambition or political grandeur but the miserable condition of our country that only a devoted man of God can help change like Moses, Noah, or even Jonas whose mission on earth was peaceful deliverance of the oppressed people from the hands of the devil.

I cannot blame priest-turned Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio for running in the 2010 presidential derby for he must be thinking of alternatives to alleviate the pain and agony of the poor. This is a divine right I suppose.

If Panlilio will run to the extent of abandoning completely his vocation or calling as a priest, here comes a precedent on the part of other sects and denominations that they are also capable of leading the country into a brighter future just like the Roman Catholic priest. Our nation is divided. Our politicians should concentrate in public service than disservice to their constituents. Public service is a public trust.

The idol of the masses, the late President Ramon Magsaysay, was a leader with impeccable honesty and integrity. Even his own family and relatives were not given political accommodations not recipients of lucrative positions being dispensed with by the Office of the President.

They did not meddle in political affairs for Magsaysay possessed "delicadeza" that requires ethical assimilation of noble philosophy in public service by prohibiting family members and close relatives from enriching themselves while Magsaysay was the top man in Malacanang. Magsaysay is the rare breed of politician just like the late US President Abraham Lincoln who had sterling principles.
***
Prayer can move mountains. It is true that no one is destined to live forever in the world but we are praying for someone because the future of our country depends on her leadership.

At this crucial moment of our history, the presence of former President Aquino in anti-Cha-cha rallies can give much inspiration to those who still believe in her wisdom to defend and protect the 1987 Constitution of whom she spearheaded to give legitimacy and stability to a government which is a by-product of the so called, people uprising.
The cancer-stricken former President needs prayers and petitions for immediate recovery.
***
May the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo provide us with courage and determination to persevere and help the government machinery extend assistance to marginalized sectors to cope with the economic crisis.

We recognize the caliber of GMA as an economist and top public official of the land. The greatest achievement perhaps of the president is when she would able to lay down a strong foundation for a peaceful and honest election in 2010 wherein her successor to the presidency would be chosen by majority of the electorate.

This can be the best gift to the cancer-stricken former President Corazon Aquino whose legacy of love and devotion to democratic governance inspired other leaders to follow the noble examples of the well-acclaimed widow of the freedom fighter lawmaker, the late Sen. Benigno Aquino.

A leader is answerable to his own people, to his Creator, and to his own conscience. No one is indispensable in this world. The time of reckoning has come for the administration and it better act well and fast or go down the dustbin of history.
***
I would like to greet Jovelyn Caraang Galapia, a relative of mine, Happy Birthday. May the Lord God continue to give abundant blessings to her family. Jovelyn is an epitome of an Ilocana. She still treasures values and traditions of our forebears despite the fact that she is now residing with her parents in Hawaii.

Another charming Ilocana from Barangay Calayab,Laoag who is also on vacation after a long sojourn in Hawaii is Fredalyn Buyat,the owner of Frexon's Restaurant. I had a chance to exchange pleasantries with them inside the law office of one of the best
legal minds in the province, the humble yet brilliant lawyer Gemmo Guillermo.

Fradalyn's companion at that time was the owner of Sun Valley Beach Resort, Georgina Mohammed. Both of are members of the D'sierto Beach Owners Association. I met several people in different occasions but truly, there are individuals who can
Make one feel the essence of friendship even on first interaction. Kindness and respectable attitude are truly uplifting.

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Corrupt officials

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

Baguio officials are now standing pat to reclaim the questionable 25 hectares land title issued to the Caranteses. Based on their letter reply, the congressman, mayor, vice mayor and some city councilors admitted having no knowledge of this “done deal” by some nincompoops at the national level right under their noses.

Understood though is that local government offices could only do “ministerial jobs” during such occasions. But they should have been keener in doing right or wrong or at least made some noises so those in higher levels would have quashed the deal. Unless there were some cash-sunduans or maybe lupang regaluhan to paralyze their senses of watching and smelling.

I hope that the city officials would move heaven and earth to protect the patrimony of this summer capital. This way, we could be relieved at least from their being caught flatfooted. Just hoping it’s not too late for them to catch up with this “done deal”

***
If the Illegal Pocket mining that is reportedly back in operation at Camp 6 and 4 along the mountains of Kennon Road, Tuba Benguet would not be stopped by officials of the barangay, municipal and even the Mines and Geology Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, then it is not farfetched that the whole area along Kennon would likely follow the sad fate of Mankayan town also in Benguet.

Could you just imagine Kennon Road vanishing and waking up someday that Baguio City is now somewhere in Pangasinan? Whew, those officials who seem to be bulag, pipi at bingi should be tied up down there in an abandoned structure at the junction in Saitan, Camp 1 and be buried alive with those people responsible for resurrecting this illegal activity. You could ask the residents there at camp 6 who these people are.
***
It’s simple mathematics to know why there are still lots of vehicles emitting killer-usok plying public roads. The campaign against these vehicles is a failure. Why? Blame it to the accredited emission testing centers that are doing wonders of magic on these smoke belchers who passed the test with flying colors.

And of course they could not have done this good and clean deal without the tie up arrangement from some crooks at responsible agencies. How much? That I don’t know.

On the other hand, fixers at the Land Transportation Office in Baguio are reportedly again making a heyday by bringing clients at the LTO in San Fernando City, La Union for deals. My bubuwit told me they do this Tuesday every week, meaning those corrupt people at LTO, San Fernando City are again back with their monkey business after laying low for quite sometime.

But, do the top honchos know about this or they have the blessing? Or they simply pretend not to see or hear nothing? Well, money changes everything. It could even make you deaf, mute and blind, worst inutile!

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Autonomy fear factors

TRAILS UP NORTH
Glo Abaeo Tuazon

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Former Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas recently expressed his thoughts on the reignited quest for Cordillera autonomy. In his opinion, it is fear more than ignorance that causes the repulsion of the proposal.

"It is not the lack of understanding of the people because even the intelligent and the well schooled who have read the proposals rejected it," he said citing salient grounds for autonomy and questions on development, sustainability and control.

"When we say autonomy" he said, "it pertains to control of the autonomous region of its natural resources and that it should be freed from the national government and the responsibility handed down to the region."

Here now enters the fear factor. If approved and accepted would the region be able to grow and develop on its own? Would it be able to sustain itself in the autonomous agreement in the long run?

To be able to go about it, an acceptable law should be crafted with some of the following considerations to be able to be effective. One is desolution of power of the national government over our natural resources. Two, the reclassification of lands (for example of the unused mining lands being reclassified into A and D lands that it may fully be utilized) and three that a subsidy from the national government be given to protect the important lands such as water cradles and reservations including conversion of lands for sustainable livelihoods for the affected indigenous groups in the area.

"Why not hire a person to protect a certain land for livelihood reasons the same way the national government could give subsidy and support to farmers of tobacco plantations?"

Another fear factor to consider is the fact that the Cordillera Region is composed of different tribal groups. Can we co-exist as a regional autonomy area with different beliefs? In such a case, the tribal people have the tendency to follow and listen to their leaders.

With this, the primer is not enough to make them understand the idea of autonomy. The organizing body should first identify the problems and offer solutions to them. They have to go to the grassroots to explain. Credible people familiar with the tribal group and their cultures should be tapped for help in the proper dissemination and explanation of issues.

Most importantly people without personal interests could be good examples in pushing for autonomy. -- email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com

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Five pillars of area development

NO HOLDS BARRED
Ike Seneres

The major investors in integrated area development (IAD) know what they are looking for, and so it is really a plus to integrate planning at the area level, to make it more attractive to the fund sources. The question now is how to define the scope of the planning area, and how big it should be.

A new trend in IAD planning follows the mindset that the universe of the plan should be the natural biosphere that encompasses the area being planned; including of course all the lands, mountains, waterways, air space and watersheds around it. This approach departs from the old practice of planning along artificial political boundaries that were created by national laws.

It is my good fortune to have known top officials in local and international development organizations, and I am getting to meet more contacts now because of my TV show. Putting two and two together, it is now very logical and practical for me to bring these officials and contacts together, so that they could all support IAD planning, using of course the biosphere approach.

It seems that we often take IAD planning for granted. We often presume that local government units (LGUs) would have IAD plans and that they are probably implementing these whether we know it or not. The truth is, if we do not know or hear about it, there are probably no such plans at all.

After interviewing hundreds of local mayors, I arrived at the conclusion that they are not able to plan for the development of their local jurisdictions, because they have no money to begin with. They would often gripe about the fact that their internal revenue allocation (IRA) is too small, that is if they have not heavily borrowed against it yet.

Almost traumatized by what I heard, I have always kept my eyes and ears open for a possible solution to their problem. Perhaps due to good fortune again, I actually found not just one, but five solutions to their problems. The only challenge now is how to convey this good news to them.

The Local Government Code (LGC) allows LGUs to enter into Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) infrastructure projects under the BOT Law (R.A. 7718). The BOT scheme does not require any money on the part of the LGUs, but they have to develop a project concept that would attract investors.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a system that was born out of the first Kyoto Protocol allows LGUs to develop and build their own projects that would produce carbon credits, enabling them to make money as they sell these credits. There are many investors for this kind of projects too.

Debt for Nature (DFN) swap, a system developed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), allows LGUs to earn money from the recovery of lost natural environments, in cooperation with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). National debts are “pardoned” in exchange for natural recovery. The national government then pays the LGUs for the value they created.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) objectively targets local projects, but the LGUs have to develop good project concepts that would attract international funding agencies. As always, projects that increase access to public services are prime attractions.

The legal basis for Municipal Bond Offerings (MBO) already exists, but the LGUs have to show good reason that they could create future value added that would justify and attract foreign and local investors, including their own town mates here and abroad.

Taken as a whole, these five sources of funding namely BOT, CDM, DFN, ODA and MBO would actually become more attractive to investors if LGUs within a broader biosphere could integrate and coordinate their plans to support common objectives that would improved their economies of scale.

This is now the top priority project of the United National Integrated Development Alliance (UNIDA), to organize economic cooperation forums at the local biosphere level, based on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) model. Who knows we might even get funding from APEC?

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

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