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The BOHOL TRIBUNE INSIDE NEWS

RAM Region 7 holds
free anti-terrorism,
substance abuse gab

The ideological threat of violent extremism has become a global problem with domestic implications. Extremist groups regularly conduct indoctrination campaigns aimed at vulnerable and receptive individuals in the hopes of recruiting them to self-radicalize and commit violent acts in the name of extremist ideologies.

Some examples of this include Filipinos who have joined terrorist organizations (Al Qaeda or ISIS) and conducted mass casualty attacks such as the siege of Marawi City by the Maute Group and the incursion of the Abu Sayyaf in Inabanga, Bohol.

The implications of violent extremist propaganda campaigns are becoming deadlier, more complex and widespread. Considering the alarming risks and destruction posed by such incidents, it has become imperative that communities become more vigilant to avert similar threats before they happen rather than dealing with the consequences afterward.

Along this line, the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) Central Visayas, Region 7 in collaboration with the Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), will be conducting a two-day free anti-terrorism and substance abuse education seminar from January 19-20, 2019 at Casa Rey Francis of this city.

Nelson D. Vargas, Chairman of RAM Central Visayas, disclosed that the seminar aims to educate participants against the dangers posed by both terrorism and substance abuse in support of the Philippine government’s current campaigns on both fronts. The said seminar is eyed to be the first of a series of seminars as the organizers are likewise planning to hold it in Metro Manila, Luzon, and the Visayas.

Expected speakers include Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University and Liberty Belo Angeles. Also expected to grace the proceedings is Col. Nestor Flordeliza, RAM National Deputy Chairman, who will be representing MMDA Chairman Danilo D. Lim, the RAM National Chairman.

The organizers strongly urge interested individuals to take part in this free and highly informative event. Interested individuals may contact the event secretariat Bros. Hedwig B Antasuda and Rodulfo D. Sandulan at 09360872339 for further inquiries. They can also get in touch with the following for particulars: RAM Secretary General Ceasar P. Pelaez, RAM President Nikki Besas, PGBI Bohol Island Guardians President Alan Cahiles and Vice President Louie E. Digal. (Elijah L. Sales)

Two more cruise ships
expected to visit Bohol

Two other cruise ships are expected to visit Bohol in the coming weeks.

The expected visit of two cruise ships comes after a cruise ship visited Tagbilaran on Monday.

According to Epelito Arao-arao II, executive assistant at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Tagbilaran, two more cruise ships will be docking at the Tagbilaran city seaport.

He said M/S Pacific Venus will be arriving on January 25 and M/S Europa will visit on March 20.

Last Monday, M/S Europa 2 arrived in Bohol as part of the cruise ship's tour of the country and left the province Monday evening.

This is not the first time M/S Europa 2 visited Bohol. Back in 2017, Bohol was one of the stops of the cruise ship.

A larger and more fitting cruise ship port is being built in Barangay Catagbacan in Loon town.

The current Tagbilaran city seaport is not designed to accommodate large ships such as M/S Europa 2.

Once completed, the Catagbacan port will definitely lure more cruise ships to make a stop in Bohol. (Dave Albarado)

Bohol shares
educational
programs, links

Gov. Edgar Chatto was interviewed on Friday by a group from the Philippine Business for Education on Government-Industry-Academe linkages.

The governor shared the Bohol vision, our development pillars, and strategies in the education sector like the Turo-Turismo, Eskwela Agrikultura, and the upcoming Information Technology Hub.

Chatto said the initiatives in education support our vision for the province as a prime eco cultural tourism destination and an agro-industrial province with well educated citizenry.

He added the programs are integrated with our development pillars so that our students are provided the right capacity in a manner that matches the needs of our businesses. The governor said such programs ensure business growth and employment.

Governor said that the programs are anchored on the needs of the people and always in partnership and collaboration with stakeholders. (Edcom)

Yap files bill to
legalize habal-habal

In a bid to avert a huge transport crisis among commuters who live in far-flung areas, House Deputy Speaker and Bohol's third district congressman Arthur Yap filed a bill aiming to regulate the operation of the motorcycle for hire or the habal-habal.

Yap's bill seeks to amend the land transportation laws to allow the operation of the habal-habal or the motorcycle for hire. Motorcycle for hire is a low-cost transportation option in far-flung areas in the country, and at times, the only means of transportation in hard-to-reach areas such as in Bohol and other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

In House Bill 8819, Yap filed on January 8 the bill seeking to allow the local government units the ability to receive, process, and evaluate applications for the operation of habal-habal and to grant a franchise. The franchise is effective within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit, the bill said.

While the motorcycle is not originally intended for public transport, the terrain and the situation in most remote areas necessitated the need for the motorcycle for hire especially among commuters in the lower income class.

At the same time, the shortage of a public transport system in most local government units made the tricycles and the habal-habal more feasible and cost-effective to the riding public.

The congressman said while habal-habal provides convenience to commuters, there is a need to consider the safety of the riding public. The lack of safety and accountability is what driving Yap to file the bill in the Lower House.

A similar bill was filed by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto when the governor was still a member of the House of Representatives. (Dave Albarado)

Jagna mayor dies

Jagna town mayor Fortunato Abrenilla died of cardiac arrest days after getting admitted to a local hospital. He was 69.

According to Jagna councilor Anthony Aniscal, the mayor succumbed to his ailment and expired early Monday morning.

The councilor said the late mayor was admitted at the Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital located in Jagna town.

He was brought to the hospital last Friday after complaining of chest pains.

Aniscal added that the town vice mayor Bonifacio Virtudes Jr. was sworn into the post of mayor.

Moreover, the number one councilor Rodrigo Lloren took his oath also Monday morning as the town's new vice mayor, Aniscal bared.

The national flag is now flown at half-mast in Jagna town in mourning of the passing of its mayor.

Abrenilla was running for vice mayor in the mid-term elections. (Dave Albarado)

Sino investors form
strong business group

Chinese investors in Bohol have formed a strong cooperation group described by Gov. Edgar Chatto as another milestone of partnership for socio-economic development in this fast growing province.
The officers of the Bohol Chinese Chamber Association Corporation (BCCAC) on Sunday took their oath before Chatto, who assured them of a Bohol that is “enjoyable to stay, safe to engage in business.”
Their chairman is Liang Yanhu, who owns the Freshsunny Property and Development Corp. which develops a housing project in Alburquerque.
Liang thanked for the support of the Bohol leadership, including OIC Provincial Agriculturist Larry Pamugas who, Chatto said, has acted as an investment promoter notably in farm industry.
The BCCAC head also thanked Chinese Consul General Li Jia for encouraging them to explore more fields of mutual cooperation and prosperity in Bohol.
The Cebu-based representative of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines graced the BCCAC induction that also gathered some Boholano traders of Chinese descent. 
Tagbilaran City Administrator Leonides Borja represented Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, whose great grandfather, according to Borja, came from Beijing, the very capital of China.
Local retail giant Marlito Uy of the Alturas Group of Companies was announced during the event as a BCCAC honorary member.
Chatto said through time, Bohol has established exchanges and ties with China in culture, tourism, education and trade, among others.
He cited the Chinese schools and Filipino-Chinese business establishments in the city and towns in Bohol.
Some of the invited municipal mayors came like Benecio Uy of Baclayon, Elpren Charles Tungol of Alburquerque and Conrada Amparo of Duero, as well as Vice Mayor Maria Fe Piezas of Guindulman.
Reps. Rene Relampagos, Aris Aumentado and Art Yap were also invited, but only the First District solon turned up.
Yap is of Chinese descent but a genuine Boholano by affinity having married a Lobocanon, since stayed in Bohol and served the Boholanos in the Third District for full three terms, straight nine years.
Bohol has an existing sisterhood with Jiangxi, a huge progressive province in mainland China, and potentially with another important big province which is Sichuan.
Both Chatto and Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II last year visited the two Chinese provinces on official invitation by the Chinese government. 
The operation of the Bohol Panglao International Airport (BPIA) augurs well for the province’s investment promotions to other countries like China, Chatto said.
Chatto said the next step is expanding the potentials of Bohol for many Chinese today are investing in tourism.
The BCCAC chairman himself is also the president of the UU World Tourist and Consultancy Corp.
The other BCCAC officers are Director-General Zhou Jun, Secretary-General Hu Yang, and Directors Wang Zhenqin, Liu Lin, Chen Xian, Zhang Pin, Weng Lantian, Pan Junfeng, Ren Jiancheng, Guan, Huawei, Zhang Deli and Huang Zhangjian.
The Chinese investors have also ventured into agriculture, like the vast vegetable farm in Cantaub, Sierra-Bullones by one of the BCCAC directors, Weng.
Programmed among the province’s agricultural productivity innovations, the sprawling cool upland farm taps the industrious indigenous people of Bohol, the Eskayas.
Completely related to agriculture, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Provincial Manager Emil Romero also attended the BCCAC affair.
Tourism and agriculture are considered two of the three pillars of Bohol’s economic development and inclusive growth, the third one being information communications technology.
More capitals mean new jobs and more economic opportunities, Chatto said.
VERY WELCOMED
The governor told the “Chinese friends” they are “very welcomed” to Bohol not only because many Boholanos have Chinese blood.
They are welcomed because Chinese investments and technologies have found ways compatible with Bohol’s overarching agenda for sustainable development and inclusive growth, he said.
Also, Bohol and Tagbilaran City have been declared by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) as the “most business-friendly” province and city in the country.
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte presented the PCCI award for the province to Gov. Edgar Chatto in Manila in 2017. (Ven rebo Arigo)

PD, fire marshal
pay courtesy call

The new police provincial director and the provincial fire marshal paid courtesy calls in separate instances last week.

Gov. Edgar Chatto received last week a Sto. Niño from new Bureau of Fire Protection Bohol Chief Inspector Randy M. Mendarus.

The Sto. Niño who is also patron saint of the Governor’s Office will have a special place at the new Provincial Capitol.

Mendarus is joined by Tagbilaran City Fire Chief Senior Inspector Marlyn R. Macatangay as well as other officials of the BFP.

During the courtesy call, the governor and the BFP discussed capacity and needs of the BFP team in Bohol.

Furthermore, new Bohol Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Julius Cesar Gornez calls on Gov. Edgar Chatto and Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” Damalerio II at the People’s Mansion last week.

Gornez recalled a number of instances where he met with the governor in peace and order functions such as the Regional Peace and Order Council meetings.

Chatto took the time to speak to Gornez about the current peace and security setup in Bohol and how peace and security in Bohol can be strengthened under their leadership.

Gornez expressed his appreciation for sustained peace and security programs of the province, mentioning collaborations as a strength of Bohol especially when compared to neighboring provinces.

The Special Action Committee is set to orient the new PNP Chief about the peace and order programs being implemented in Bohol. (Edcom)

LYEA gets new
musical instruments

Stefan Balbin, a scholar of the  Loboc School of Music who graduated in 2010 at the Holy Name University School of Nursing has donated four musical instruments to the Loboc Youth Education Association  (LYEA) which was distributed to the students last January 13, 2019.
Stefan Balbin, now working as a Neonatal ICU Nurse at the St. George”s University Hospital Foundation NHS Trust at Blackshaw Road, London, England, used to play the French Horn at the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band.
Other graduates from the School of Music have also donated musical instruments in the past as a way of helping the school who have helped them graduate in college and be gainfully employed both in the country and abroad.
The musical instruments were received by Ms. Mary Rose Arbuyes, current president of the Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band in behalf of the School of Music and witnessed by some of the band members and the trainors and Musical Director Rene Balbin
LYEA has established the Loboc School of Music situated at Jimilian, Loboc, Bohol  as a vehicle to form  The Loboc Youth Ambassador Band as a poverty reduction project of the Loboc Youth Education Association Inc., led by Argee Melisimo  and then Mayor Leon Calipusan and supported by the LGU Loboc, led by Mayor Helen Alaba Calipusan ,  Province of Bohol led by Governor Edgar M Chatto  ,  Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) and the First Consolidated Bank. This project started in May, 2007.
Starting last July 1, 2014, these college scholars are also provided with FREE Dormitory in an exclusive 2 storey LYAB STUDENT CENTER  located at Corner Remolador and Palma Streets, Tagbilaran City.

All interested kids, both boys and girls, from grades 3 to 4th year high school and residents of Loboc, are trained in notes reading and instrumentation for FREE, and are provided with free musical instruments, solicited from patrons and donors. The objective is to support these kids to avail of free college education by becoming members in school bands in the province and elsewhere. Hopefully this will help in poverty reduction considering that education is the greatest EQUALIZER. To date, the project has over 500 students and  355 students  are individually provided with musical instruments.
The members of the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band has availed of  86  college scholarships from leading colleges and universities in the province of Bohol for the school year 2018-2019.    The LYEA is very thankful for the support of the BIT International College, Bohol Island State University, Cristal-E College and  Holy Name University.  These colleges/universities supported the project of LYEA by accepting band members of the project to avail of college/university education through their schools.  With their support of this  project,   130 students  have already obtained college/university degrees and are now gainfully employed.
The band is performing by invitation in  shows and concerts in the towns and cities in the Province of Bohol, other Provinces in the Philippines and abroad.
LYEA is a non-profit organization composed of the following: Argeo J Melisimo, President; Leon A Calipusan, Vice President; Primitivo Sarigumba, Treasurer; Engr. Manuelito Varquez, Secretary;  Trustees are the following:  Atty. Eladio M. Jala, Antonio Acuna, Jr., Rene Baquial. The Executive and Training Director is Rene V. Balbin.

Chatto welcomes
Taiwanese biz people

Gov. Edgar Chatto welcomed top officials of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (TCCIPH). He is seen here giving a token key to Bohol to Chamber President Michael Lin.

The delegation also includes Philip Chien, founder and honorary president of the TCCIPH, chairman Benny Chen, Vice Presidents David Huang and Emily Huang, and Secretary General Matthew Wang.

The Chamber is also welcomed by other Provincial officials Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio, Planning Officer Atty. John Titus Vistal, Investment head Ma. Fe Dominise, employment officer Vilma Yorong, Foreign Relations and Culture and Arts head Romulo Tagaan, Tourism Officer, Josephine Cabarrus, Enterprise Development head Loinda Saluan, and Special Projects head Liza Flores.

The Taiwan Chamber is into businesses such as satellite transmission, telecommunication, media, realty development, tourism, education, restaurant construction, manpower, as well as consultancy management service.

Provincial officials presented development plans as well as investment opportunities in Bohol. (Edcom)

Volunteer program now
institutionalized in Bohol

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRMMC) chair Gov. Edgar Chatto signed last week Executive Order institutionalizing the Community Response Volunteers Program.

Provincial Administrator Alfonso "Ae" Damalerio II explained the launch of the program.

It is based on law that provides for promotion of health and safety, maintenance of peace and order, and preservation of comfort and convenience of people.

It builds on peace and security as foundations for sustainable economic and human development.

As part of Security Always For Everyone (SAFE) Bohol, the Community Response Volunteers Program establishes a network of volunteers form various sectors for emergency response.

The concept is not new as this has been the setup with many emergency response units both from government and private sector. The program is simply being institutionalized.

The volunteers will undergo training and capacity building in partnership with PDRRMC.

Meantime, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management (PDRRM) Officer Anthony Damalerio assures his office as well as the Telephone and Radio Systems Integrated Emergency Response (TaRSIER117) are working and doing their best for a disaster resilient Bohol.

Damalerio reports latest developments in disaster preparedness including the national expansion of TaRSIER117 with substations in Ubay, Jagna, and Carmen and three more substations to be opened this year in Balilihan, Dauis, and Loon.

He also expressed gratitude for partnerships which have helped increase the capacity of the PDRRMC and TaRSIER117. He named among these partnerships the following: police, health, fire authorities, MDRRMOs as well as international partnerships such as Stefan Bauer, Home Reach Foundation, TBTK, Office of the Civil Defense, New York Police Department (NYPD), Taiwan - Workshop on National Disaster Prevention, Pacific Angels with US marine Corps and Navy JICA - training in Turkey, Regional Workshop on Disaster Preparedness for Asia Pacific countries, San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, British Government Training on Protective Security, Bohorizon of JICA and Nagoya Institute of Technology, Disaster Awareness and Resilience workshops in Japan, establishment of the Bohol Association of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers.

Major developments in disaster resilience include the completion of additional PHIVOLCS DOST seismic stations in Talibon and Garcia Hernandez and the recent completion of PAG-ASA Doppler Radar in Albur.

Bohol has also gained recognition for outstanding performance in disaster resilience programs with the PAG-ASA Wind Vane Award and the Business Initiative Directions Quality Award.(Edcom)

Wastewater project soon in Panglao

A wastewater management system will soon be implemented in Panglao town to address the problem of wastewater quality that ultimately finds its way to the sea.

The project's plans were bared during a workshop by Provincial Administrator Alfonso "Ae" Damalerio II on Thursday in a local restaurant in the city.

He revealed the plan during the year-end review and sustainability planning for the towns of Panglao and Dauis and the city of Tagbilaran. The three local government units (LGUs) comprise the Panglao, Dauis, Tagbilaran Executive Council (PADTEC).

Damalerio said that the planning for the development of Panglao, Dauis, and Tagbilaran is critical for the tourism industry, as well as, cultural, environmental protection and preservation. The development efforts will also look into connectivity and urban planning, the provincial administrator added.

A statement from the Effective Development Communications Unit of the Capitol said the workshop was facilitated by USAID SURGE with Tagbilaran City USAID/SURGE program coordinator Rosalinda Paredes at the helm. Together with Paredes were SURGE Component 3 lead Celso Enriquez, SURGE for PADTEC facilitator Ronald Sison, and Heritage Culture and Arts and Tourism Development consultant Dr. Randi Alampay.

The workshop looks into the implementation of PADTEC plans, assessment of the PADTEC as an organization, organizational benchmarking to be able to come up with strategic action plans. (Dave Albarado)

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