MikeLigalig.com

Quote from: Bohol on October 02, 2007, 09:38:40 PM
What is the latest political scandal in Valencia, Cap?
It seems the political waters are quite these days...

The political "waters" in Valencia has been SCANDALOUS for decades, Mike ...

Its analogous to empires of olden times where governance has been misappropriated by one controlling family.
Decadence is its natural tendency and thus the emergence of subsequent scandals e.g.; sex and pollution
that now breeds the flies.

Where art thou .... Oh Noble Valencianhons !!!

Quote from: asianfairy on October 02, 2007, 06:53:47 PM
Looy pod taga Valencia..permi dunay scandal. Sikat

Sa una sex scandal, karon langaw scandal..diha pod ay medicare scandal...

na unsa na kahay sunod nga scandal...

My ....fairy,

Naa pa jud dugay na nahitabo ug nagpadajon scandal sa Valencia . . .

POLITICAL SCANDAL!!!

Quote from: Bohol on September 03, 2007, 01:43:01 PM
Dear Friends,

We have Boholanos whose money is ready to be donated to the family of the slain security guard. I have received many e-mails asking the same question on how to send the money to Bohol.

Our problem is that none in Bohol is willing enough to stand as volunteer caretaker of the donated funds.

What shall we do now?

Mike

Mike,

May I suggest that you course the TB donations for the education of the late SG Canizares' children thru DYRD
c/o Inyong Alagad public affairs program.

With this, the TB community will be spared of the complexities of administering the fund donation plus we get
assurance that it goes as intended as well as acknowledgment from the program hosts.

For that matter they were able to raise about P50T in just a few days of raising the call for help from the
local listeners in Bohol.

Quote from: Bohol on August 29, 2007, 08:36:28 AM
Ate Belle,

Thank you for your kind heart. We'll devise a plan how to deliver our donation.
I have Paypal but I haven't tried using it. Besides, I'm in Thailand. I will consult with
other members of Tubag Bohol on how we can send our donation as one group.

Mike,

May I suggest that for all the kindhearted who desires to help the family of the late
SG Remegio Canizar and intends to make a financial donation shall opt either the ff:

a) RP based TB...Members to remit it direct to an account established in Bohol
c/o Ms. Gabin (as suggested).

b) Outside RP based TB...Members to course their donations thru the Tubag Bohol
administrator and for him to forward the pot to the (to be established) fund
incharge based here in Tagbilaran.

Any amendments to the proposal?

Quote from: proud2B-a-BOJOLANA on August 29, 2007, 07:16:15 AM
Nan, karon Mga Sano Ug Sana ... naa ba intawon tay matabang sa namatay nga guard?  Intawon pod ug gagmay pa ang anak sa namatay?  Will it be possible to maybe raise money gikan dinhe sa Tubag Bohol for the family of the late guard? 

Pananglitan may mohatag ug gamay nga amount, kinsa bay maka facilitate nga makaabot intawon ang kuarta sa pamilya ng pobreng guardia nga namatay?

Come on!  Let's do something ... BESIDES always moaning about how our beloved BOHOL's peaceful situation had drastically deteriorated of late!!!

Some kind of Trust fund or Scholarship fund for the late guard's kids kon duna man galing to siya mga anak? ... ...

OK from home base, we humbly start the ball rolling.

I commit to donate P500 of my barangay allowance for the proposed scholarship fund for the kids
of the late SG Remegio Canizar from Cabantian, Guindulman.

In the meantime, I will have my donation coursed thru Mrs. Gabin (as suggested) until such time the
mechanics of the fund is finalized.

Quote from: Bohol on August 20, 2007, 08:15:20 AM
An Editorial of the Bohol Standard

It’s about time the Panglao airport get off the ground.
x - - - - x
In the meantime, people are complaining about the higher rates charged by the airlines servicing the Manila-Tagbilaran route. They simply
cannot understand why the same airplane companies come up with a higher assessment for their Tagbilaran flights.

They can curse the airline companies to high heavens but the fact remains that for as long as the airport is not relocated to Panglao, there is no way the air fares for Bohol will go down.
x - - - - x

By all means, let the Panglao airport project fly.

Of course, if ever the Panglao airport ever "flies", the local airlines would be charging much higher fares for
the route since they will be charged more by the BOT operator since its only via Build Operate Transfer mode
(if ever there is a taker) can the facility ever be realized and thus has to recover their investment from the
facility users.

Why is it posited that the airport can only be made to "fly" via BOT? Did not the MIAA General Manager and
his Board assured our local politicos and the Bol-anons during last Firday's meeting (8/17/07) at the Bohol
Beach Club of the airport's completion by April 2010, as reported in the press?

================================================

MIAA General Manager Art Cusi arrived here Friday with the entire board of MIAA to assure the Boholanos that this is "no longer a dream, but a reality soon to commence with the fast tracking of the lot acquisition which totals to 195 hectares, including the expanded 2.5 km. runway.

He bared the P3 billion outlay is a "sure deal" after business tycoon Lucio Tan paid P3 billion as part of Philippine Airlines' payables to the MIAA as rental fees of the Centennial Airport which is being used by PAL as terminal building of all its domestic and international flights. The amount is now placed under escrow intended as the budgetary outlay for the airport project here.

The total project cost has escalated to P3.8 billion due to the delay of its implementation.

DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza who also flew into town to attend the meeting of the Panglao Island Tourism Estate Task Force at the Bohol Beach Club likewise confirmed that aside from the MIAA fund, DOTC has earmarked P145 million for the Bohol Airport project

The PITE task force meeting was presided by Gov. Erico Aumentado, PITE chairman together with Rep. Edgar Chatto, who is the task force vice chairman.

GM Cusi bared that he received marching orders from Pres. Arroyo to expedite the release of funds for the Panglao Airport considering that it has been delayed for several years already.

The President wants to personally inaugurate the airport on April 5, 2010, which is her birthday, according to Gov. Aumentado.
===================================


This propensity of some tradpols and bootlicking bureaucrats to tell tales to unsuspecting public glossed
over some stark realities, as also reported in the Manila press.

=========================================

PAL to pay MIAA P2.9 B in aero fees
MB 11/28/06

By ANJO PEREZ and LOUIE PEREZ

NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT â€" The Manila International Airport Authority is set to receive 84 monthly payments of P34,914,277 from Philippine Airlines (PAL) as backpayment for aeronautical fees incurred by the flag carrier since 1995.

The announcement was made yesterday by the MIAA which said that PAL has amicably settled the civil case filed by the MIAA which is now pending before the Court of Appeals.

Airport General Manager Alfonso Cusi disclosed that PAL’s arrears, which amount to P2.93 billion, represent the aeronautical fees incurred with the Airport Authority for the period December 1, 1995, to March 31, 2006.

Cusi explained that the P2.93 billion is the audited amount that PAL owes the MIAA and excludes interests and penalties.

Cusi explained that under the agreement, which will become effective once approved by the Court of Appeals, PAL will pay P34,914,277 a month for seven years.

"There’s a lot of work to be done and this development will help us accomplish our goals," said Cusi. "This agreement is an affirmation of the private sector’s confidence in the leadership and programs of this government."
================================

Audiatur et altera pars !!!

Akong pangaliyupo kaninjong tanan nga hinaut unta ...
And as a gentle reminder to the TB... community!

Instead of indulging in inanities and converting TB... into a sort of Bol-anon "friendster" version
of a social networking medium, may I inter a plea in this community that we keep the course (tack)
as conceptualized by MikeL when he set up TB..., to get our concerned "paisanos/as" get something
going developmental for our beloved province.

If I may suggest, for instance, in the thread about "Costly Congressmen" to contribute something
meritorious for the sake of Bohol. I urge everyone to send email messsages of your sentiments on
whatever issue of concern to our Congressmen and Senators (all senators are elected at large so
we all are part of their constituency). Have your opinions on things of concern to get heard at least
by their staff, if they themselves are not technically competent to make use of a computer or avail
to the benefits of emails.

Let's get our email messages sent to their offices, rather than just having our rantings shelved here in TB...!

For the "honorable" congresspeople here are their email addresses:

CHATTO, Edgardo Migriño    
Rm. N-102
Phone: 931-5001 local 7321, 9315258
edchatto@skyinet.net

CAJES, Roberto Castaño
Rm. S-301
Phone: 931-5001 local 7222, 9316342
ondoy_cajes@pacific.net.ph

JALA, Eladio Manliguez / Adam Relson
Rm. N-310
Phone: 931-5001 local 7349, 9315426
boy_jala@yahoo.com
congjala@netasia.net

Daghang salamat!
Shalom!
Inshallah!

Mga 'Sano/a ...

Congressman Chatto is hellbent in giving advantage to his family's hometown of Balilihan
by resurrecting his unacted proposed legislation during the 13th Congress by refiling
the proposed HB00206 under the 14th Congress.

From official records of the HOR:

NO. HB00206

FULL TITLE : AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 29 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BALILIHAN, PROVINCE OF BOHOL

BY CONGRESSMAN CHATTO, EDGARDO M.
DATE FILED ON 2007-07-02
REFERRAL ON 2007-07-24 TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS
SIGNIFICANCE: LOCAL
SUBJECT: HOLIDAYS

DATE READ: 2007-07-24

Source: Bills and Index Service

Quote from: Ginger on August 15, 2007, 10:51:17 PM
senators usa!

I have not accessed COA records, but from an article bylined by Mr. Jarius Bondoc,
here is a view of what is the take over at the Senate.

One valid justification to go for a Parliamentary form of gov't, meaning without a Senate !!!

============================================

Expect no new senator to deplore secret pay
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc
Wednesday, June 6, 2007

*  *  *

Ten of 12 new and returning senators will be affirmed today: Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Ping Lacson, Manny Villar, Kiko Pangilinan, Noynoy Aquino, Ed Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joker Arroyo, Gringo Honasan.

Given their media advertising exposure, it is safe to say they each spent at least P9 million for the 90-day campaign. Same with any of the four stragglers for the last two seats: Antonio Trillanes, Koko Pimentel, Migs Zubiri and Butch Pichay.

An audit of all ad contracts by candidates and parties would prove the amount. Any filing of official expenses less than P9 million would be unbelievable.

And given that figure, the question arises â€" again: how will they recover their capital outlay on the campaign from a salary of only P35,000 a month, or P2,520,000 for their six-year term?

No one has dared answer this question before. Silent have been the 12 remaining senators: Mar Roxas, Bong Revilla, Nene Pimentel, Jamby Madrigal, Dick Gordon, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Santiago, Fred Lim, Johnny Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Rodolfo Biazon.

To Santiago’s credit, she has revealed the secret incomes of senators. These are:

• P2 million a month, no audit, for staff salaries, office rent, utilities, domestic travel, and sundries;

• P760,000 a month for foreign travel, whether or not the senator travels; and

• P1.5 million a month, still no audit, for expenses in each committee chairmanship, and they usually have two each, to make P3 million.

As exposed by a STAR reader who had worked as “project manager” for eight senators, that first item is subject to abuse. The senator may not fill up a full staff, but still draw the entire amount. Or s/he may put her/his entire household staff on the Senate (read taxpayers’) payroll. Local travel and sundry expenses easily can be padded. The senator simply fabricates receipts but then uses Air Force helicopters to commute, and also inserts home needs for laundry bars and bath soap as official expenses. Worse, the senator may acquire condos as “extension offices”, and have the Senate, er taxpayers, pay the monthly rent-to-own amortization.

Equally abused is the foreign travel allowance, because also exempt from audit. Through the years since Congress’ restoration in 1987, the senators â€" and congressmen â€" have managed to cow the audit commission from performing its constitutional duty.

The last item too is abused. Senators simply pocket the chairmanship allowances and have their staffs do the committee work. In the case of some standing committees, the Senate maintains separate staffs.

So that’s how senators are able to recover their campaign expenses. They get a total of P5,760,000 a month, or P414.72 million in six years.

And that’s not all. There’s the P200-million annual pork barrel, from which the STAR reader says a senator can draw 50-percent kickback. That’s P1.2-billion pork barrel in six years, from which P600 million can be filched to make a P9-million senatorial run well worth it.

On top of equal pork barrel allocations are congressional insertions for favored one, that is, Senate officers and heads of powerful committees. These may range from P5 million to P500 million, from which 50-percent kickbacks may again be derived.

And on top of the congressional insertions are funds doled out by, or extorted from, lobbyists. These come in various amounts and disguises, from a new luxury SUV to all-expense-paid foreign travel to fat monthly consultancy retainers for the senator’s spouse. It all depends on the value of the franchise or favorable legislation being sought.

Some senators do not take bribes or congressional insertions or pork barrels. That’s small consolation if they also do not denounce the enormous allowances they all partake of. In fact, the 12 new and returning senators who campaigned on platforms against graft and abuse expectedly will not talk of the secret incomes they will soon enjoy. That’s what happened to the remaining 12, remember?

*  *  *

E-mail: jariusbondoc@workmail.com

Just a simple case of
      the Peter Principle catching up
            on the poor guy !!!

Quote from: galen on August 14, 2007, 11:43:34 PM
prank calls can be solved using new technology... daghan naman kaayo call centers diha sa atoa, they're using IP telephony system, all calls will be logged to a centralize server so makita tanan details sa tawag.

gawas pa, anad naman ang government sa pag-tap sa mga telepono dba? ngano d man sila maka-trace ug simple nga tawag.

'Bay galen ug sa ubang pang tech savvy members of TB ...

A poser for you to figure out.

More than 75% of mobile phones in the RP are prepaid subscribers and the SIMS costing less than
P100 with free SMS credits are obtained and are readily available from corner stands with no way
of knowing who the devil is using the assigned number. Likewise, the mobile units themselves are
acquired without registrations since units are all around everywhere for anyone to acquire for as
low as P500 per for used Nokia 3210s.

The NTC is even befuddled on how to address this chaotic situation!!!

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on August 14, 2007, 10:28:12 PM
- - - - -
But I still insist of forming a 911 squad with police coordination working 24 hours, like in developed countries instead of a death squad. It must be a multi-purpose 911, crime solving as well as life saving squad to respond on distress calls, 24 hour.

Macky,

I can understand your reaction considering your long absence from home...

911-like setup does not work in an undisciplined society as the experience in Metro Manila showed.
We had a similar undertaking established sometime back but you know what happened?

The emergency number got clogged up with prank calls so the police got tired of picking up the phone
and have to eventually gave up! So now, no more pranksters call as no one bothers to answer the phone.

   

Learn how expensive it is to maintain a Congressman!

From data culled from the Commission on Audit records for CY2005, the ff shows how much
we spend to keep a congressman in the House of Representatives. During the succeeding
years (2006-2007), the amount has also escalated in step with inflationary and greed
appreciation.

=================================


What the Public Spent for the Upkeep of Each Members of the House of
Representatives in CY 2005

EXPENSE ITEM/AMOUNT (Source: Commission on Audit)

Basic Salary, P420,000.00

Foreign Travel, P220,867.70

District Staff Allocation, P650,000.04

Contractual Consultants P,120,000.00

Research, P396,000.00

Consultative Local Travel, P788,763.71

Communication, P129,600.00

Supplies, P120,000.00

Public Affairs Fund, P308,400.00

Central Office Staff, P1,982,033.58

Equipment/Furniture and Fixtures, P21,537.84

Other MOE, P600,000.00

(Note: Figures for Foreign Travel, Consultative Local Travel, Central
Office Staff and Equipment/Furniture and Fixtures are average amounts.
The rest are uniform for all congressmen. )

The COA lists are not at all comprehensive and do not even include
expenses of legislators as committee members and officers which, in
2005, amounted to over P92 million. In 2004, the House spent about P77
million on these expenses.

Congressmen also receives allowances and bonuses from the Speaker of
the House charged to the Account of the Speaker's Office. Christmas
bonus could be up to P200,000 per.

I gathered that both in Davao City and in Cebu City where vigilantes have exacted their brand of public redress, the known criminals and other dregs of society have either gone on the lam or opted to stay put in pokey, however corrupt politicians and crooks in gov't bureaucracy at those places have yet to be dealt with!

Mike, can we have a poll on how TB . . . members feel about the issue of people forming a vigilante group (not necessarily imposing death sentences but inflicting disciplinary sanctions on persons committing heinous crimes to society).

Quote from: Barbaro on August 13, 2007, 06:51:23 PM
. . . . About sa Gov. wala nako na masubaybayi kay murag dugay nako wala makapuyo ug bohol pina ka dugay na nako ang 2 weeks. tnx sa Tubag Bohol diri rako naka update unsa kahugaw diay pod ang POLITICA diha ato.

'Bay,

Akong pangagpas, sa pagka "consummate tradpol" ni Erico, dili niya angkonon ang namantala nga mga comments being attributed to him.... considering the generally adverse reactions to his statements . . . watch for it !!!

Quote from: Bohol on August 11, 2007, 11:32:17 AM
Cap, I can volunteer as the webmaster and site administrator.

Let them get in touch with me.

To Snowhite,

Vida, the ball is now in our court and it's within your reach . . . .

To Macky & Jun Ayag,

As Macky has indicated in one of his postings here re BOWACC, would it be possible for your coop to get involved with the Provincial Veterinarian's Office thru its Department Head, Dr. Bing Lapiz.

She is such a level-headed, responsible and results oriented lady administrator that we can trust her to implement community projects.

I am proposing that BOWACC establish a financial portfolio to be administered by the PVO to finance farmers in small scale livestock raising. I am certain that commercial returns are much better than your current loan portfolios. Details can come later should this concept get a first base setting in your coop management.

For your consideration . . .

Quote from: GEC348 on August 08, 2007, 05:46:07 PM

Can I donate my virtual money for this virtual coop? he he

Congratulations, Cap. This concept is trailblazing as it is mind blowing!
Okay, I'll stand-by on your marching orders what you want me to do on the creative side.

Cheers!

Hi GEC and Everyone . . .

Heard over DYRD Int'l (recorded broadcast of Aug 10, '07) on the Guv's Report time (morning slot after Fred Araneta's news portion) Miss Snowhite reporting about an activity being undertaken by the Bohol CCAD (under Ms. Ekit Butalid). Their object is to establish Municipal Arts & Cultural Heritage Councils starting with pilot towns of Anda, Loboc, Sevilla, Batuan, Albur, Bilar, Sierra Bullones & Loon.

Maybe the TBVCC (?) can make an initial effort at helping this initiative of the prov'l gov't. How?

At the outset, I can suggest TB... community can offer to setup, host, moderate, maintain, etc. a website for Bohol CCAD to be linked to the Pov'l gov't webiste. How can a community effort like this be successfully done, have the widest participation by its stakeholders, properly documented, etc. without having to avail of the benefits of ICT and the Internet? If we can do such "out of this world" beauty contests, why not this?

Snowhite can make the necessary "connect" with her colleagues over at the provincial bureaucracy.

Next move guys !!!

For the prospective IT Guild in TBVCC to address . . .

I have this scenario on how we can assist our fellow Bol-anons.

We all know that throughout the breadth of our island province, smallholder livestock farming prevails. Backyard poultry, piggery, small (kanding) and large (kabaw ug baka) ruminant raising is a common practice. Time comes the need to sell these livestock and yet the market place is way far off and market day is way off. Itinerant livestock buyers take advantage of the opportunity by shortchanging the farmer of the correct weight of the animal.

A scheme is needed to determine the approximate weight of a livestock via currently available technology in the absence of a weighing scale or to validate an indicated animal weight. Right now, human body weight is casually associated with body mass index (BMI) or measured using Body Mass Measurement Device (BMMD) by astronauts in weightless (no gravity) environment.

What we are after is determining a non-gravimetric measurement of body mass, e.g.; associating weight with volume, of livestock to assist farmers deal with prospective buyers in determining an equitable compensation of their produce (livestock).

I propose for a collaborative undertaking to device a methodology by which an equivalent weight of a livestock can be determined thru the use of a cellular phone camera in conjunction with a remote computer with an appropriate application.

Hi Everyone,

This proposed virtual coop (TBVCC, the proposed nomen for the meantime) shall adopt an unconventional method. It will dwell on functionality first and then form consequently shall conform to the circumstances.

Since this will be precedent setting, as it has never been done before, present applicable legislations (Republic Acts No. 6938 & 6939 Cooperatives Code of the Philippines and CDA Law) and standard international practices for cooperative institutions will not be fully applicable in this case.

It may assume as a guild of technical experts in several distinct specializations, e.g.; of IT specialists (Mike, Ghost/Ban-alam, Galen, etc.), of bankers/financial gurus (junayag, Macky, etc.), of legal counsellors (delaguna, etc.), of the creative arts (prinsipe and si, vader, riva, udtohan, GEC, sigbins, snowywhite and many others) and so on and so forth. There are other specializations I can not as yet categorize among the distinguished members of Tubag Bohol ....

We can see that these guilds composed of experts in specific fields can make things happen in the Bohol microcosm.

More later . . . .

4. Sa Loay, diha sa barangay Las Salinas, anaay hospital kuno nga building ra ang nahuman valor na ug pipila ka milyones ang dagway pero way gamit, nahimong kalibunan na lang ang palibut. Gipahimo kana sa panahon nga si Zarraga pa ang Congressman, mga kapin sa napulo na ka tuig ming-agi.

5. Sa Tagbilaran City mismo, sa tumoy sa usa ka bungtod, adunay gipahimo si kanhi Congresswoman Agana nga water reservoir, valor siguro na kapin sa 20 milyones apan walay gamit ug dili sab na gamiton sa BWUI.

'Bay Galen,

Ang imong nahibal-an nga plano nga fiber optic backbone sa ato karon dunay problema tungod kay ang main sponsor sa proponent politico man. Iya hunahuna nga maka commission sa proposal nga gisugyot sa usa ka Koree nga IT company. Ang proposal magsalig man sa gobyerno ug pondo, unya tungod kay dili man viable as a commercial proposition dili sab sila mopadayon kung isulod sa BOT scheme, busa kutob ra sa plano ug hulat na lang 'tang mga Bol-anon sa panahon nga commercially viable na ang fiber optic based IT enterprise dinhi sa ato.

Ambot ngano nga wala man sila magpropose ug alternative scheme nga mas barato, pananglitan WiMax technology ug uban pa nga communication methodology para sa Bohol, meanwhile nga pipila pa lamang ang heavy volume voice/data prospective customers.

Ang una unta nga atubangon sa mga IT businessmen o sa gobyerno mao ang pagbutang ug wider bandwidth connectivity between Bohol and Cebu where there is already available sufficient bandwidth to support BPO enterprises.

Quote from: galen on August 04, 2007, 05:23:30 PM
china... so how about the philippines? im not really sure if na-push ni sya nga project pero kadungog ko sa akoa friend sa NEDA cebu nga tagaBohol sad nga naa daw fiber optic cable project for bohol. this will serve as the backbone daw sa bohol IT infrastructure.

not sure ha if plano ra ba ni sya or nagsugod na or unsa pa.

How to plug the collection leakage at Choco Hills entrance fees . . .

Sometime way back, a member of the Carmen Municipal Tourism Council confided that a proposal was submitted to the Executive & Legislative bodies of the town to address some issues in the management of the complex. Among them was the proposal to systematize the collection methodology of the entrance fees to the facility, considering that it is the main and only sustainable (during the period) revenue stream of the institution. Among the things perceived that need to be acted upon with dispatch is plugging the collection leakage of the entrance fees.

One recommendation was to computerize the entrance fee collection process.

Sad to say, the recommendation may have fallen into deaf ears, since even up to now nothing has been improved in the process except that the leakage path has been "institutionalized".

As the cliche goes, "evil things happen if people does nothing about it" or something to that effect!

So, now, this is a challenge to Tubag Bohol ... universe (specially to the IT savvy) to respond to the Call to Action. Please recommend what is the appropriate methodology you may have in mind to address this predicament. Once a consensus is arrived, the output can be passed on to Snowhite for her group and the PPDO of Bohol to make the necessary post recommendatory actions. This, I hope is a test of how an egroup can make some productive contribution to the community.

As a backgrounder, here is a typical train of events when a group in a vehicle (tourist van) goes up to the Choco Hills Complex:

Upon arrival at the entrance gate prior to ascending the hillside road, the vehicle is flagged down and a collector asks how many people are in the group or the tour guide comes down and deals with the gatekeepers (different rates are collected for adults and children). A collector issues the tickets, receives the payment and signals that the barrier bar lifted for the vehicle to proceed. When the vehicle and the group arrives at the main complex plaza at the hilltop, somebody asks for the ticket stubs as a sort of verification if entrance fees have been collected. This step is undertaken with wide discretion or none at all.

Hi to All,

A proposal for everyone's consideration.

Features:
1. First ever virtual cooperative initiated by Bol-anons.
2. A pooling of Tubag Bohol human and financial resources to advance socio-economic & cultural development for Bohol.
3. As a huge potential human resource pool, TBVCCoop shall tap its various latent (local & diaspora) expertise in all aspects of human endeavor to assist Bohol based socio-economic & cultural activities and as an incubator for starting Bohol's own version of a creative economy.
4. Mobilize a common fund to invest in any qualified Bohol based socio-economic enterprise that will bring about job creation, social amelioration and poverty reduction.

What sayeth thou, mga 'Sanos/as ....

My two cents .....

This guy Granert, appears to have acquired the "ugly American" syndrome!

After having exploited the Boholanos for sometime, their natural resources, their social deprivations and the DENR's hospitality and accomodations thru his supposed developmental NGO (which actually is his private enterprise), he has NOW the gall to tell our paisanos (Inting, Elle, etc.) that they are the obstructionists in that New Zealand funded project at Bilar.

It wouldn't be a surprise that it is a case where a gov't agency (DENR) has not surrendered its prerogative over the implementation of a bilateral aid arrangement that displeased the guy. Quite unfortunate that the New Zealand contracted team that oversees local projects sided with this overbearing NGO.

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on August 01, 2007, 06:26:25 PM
My opinion:

This issue in my opinion is purely politics.

For gods sake, this is an aid and a blessing to us Boholanos; hence we should not mis-handle this case.

All I can suggest to Mr. Eduardo Inting / Leonardo Elle is to concede and give the floor to Mr. William Granert. We have read your rebuttal on this issue. You have your reasons, we understood your point and that is the only thing you can do for now. Being in control could not bring the aid back and your presence is hindering the flow.

x - - - - - - x

Mike,

I have a copy of a study made in mid 2004 by the Dept of Tourism in collaboration with the Prov'l Gov't of Bohol.

I will try to upload it here for every 'Sano/a, who cares, to read about regarding the state of the tourism industry in our province and how it can be raised to a level comparable to other developed and mature tour destinations. This seems to be the first seriously prepared study from which subsequent ones took off. Though this one is done way back in '04, it seems it still sets the tone of how the current plans are to be pursued, so this is still relevant for discussion purposes. This also contains the conceptual plan which Snowhite referred to in her post.

Can you please allow me to upload the word and pdf files.

Quote from: your servant on July 30, 2007, 03:30:13 PM
Hello Cap,

x - - - - - x

Dili naman gud ta mangutana Cap nga sige nalang mamakak ning atong gobyerno.

Sama pananglit sa gikabalita sa atong Bol-anong higala sa Singapore dinhi sa Tubag Bohol nga miingon ang usa ka dako-dako sa Comelec nga na-meet daw niya ang 6,000 ka IT professionals sa Singapore. Ang tinuod maayo lang ug maabot ug 1,600 ang mga Filipino IT professionals sa Singapore.

Salamat, Cap, sa pagpadayag sa imong huna-huna mahitungod aning mga butanga.

Mike

Mike,

Na misquote lang tingali sa imong higalang tua sa Singapore ang balita nga imong gipadajag.

Please refer to this news item below.

======================================

6,000 computer experts to hack COMELEC Internet voting

By SHEILA CRISOSTOMO
The Philippine Star, 7/31/07

More than 6,000 Filipino computer experts based in Singapore will attempt to hack the system to be used by the Commission on Elections to pilot test Internet voting there from July 20 to Aug. 8.

“Filipino IT experts in Singapore have signified they will try to hack the system professionally, not for personal gain or personal upliftment,” COMELEC Commissioner and Overseas Absentee Voting Committee head Florentino Tuazon said.

The COMELEC is holding the mock election to test the technology of Scytl Consortium, a Spain-based company contracted to implement the P23.5-million project. The agency will be using national heroes as senatorial bets and fictitious groups as candidates for the party-list elections.

Tuazon said hackers would be submitting a written report to the COMELEC whether or not they penetrated the Scytl system.

“If, indeed, they are able to do that, they have to show proof. I think even our embassy there, without our knowledge, will allow non-registered voters to try to vote through the Internet,” he added.

Tuazon said Beverly Tacur, who heads the International Foundation for Election System (IFES) in the Philippines, has agreed to send “auditors” that will attempt to hack the system before, during and after the pilot test of Internet voting.

IFES is a non-profit organization funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is based in Washington.

“The important phase of the pilot testing would be to check the penetration aspect of the system. In other words, to find out if there are hackers that can get into the system,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the Scytl system is secure.

“I am very confident. When I talked to them (Scytl), they were very confident. In fact they have already secured two contracts for the 2008 presidential elections in the US. They will participate in the 2008 presidential elections in certain states involving particular groups of voters,” he added.

After the pilot testing, it will be determined if Internet voting can be implemented for overseas absentee voters in the 2010 presidential elections.

===============================


'Nya, matud sa usang Pinoy blogger <http://technobiography.edongskey.com/>
sa ilang "virtual" kulokabildo, sa usa lang ka kompanyang BPO sa Singapore, quote ko:

""When I found out that there were many Pinoy IT professionals in their company I asked, “Ilan kayong Pinoys sa company niyo?”
Orgmate replied, “Sa floor pa lang namin, 800!”

Whoa! 800! "

Kung mao ni kadaghan sa usa lang ka BPO company, consider how many BPOs are there in Singapore. The thing worrying the local
RP based BPOs is that the Singaporeans are now pirating their expert manpower.

Hi Mike,

Per Manila media, there's no visible direct relation with Neri's movement in the Cabinet with his tiff with Erico over the cost overrun at the BHIP-2. 

Gani, husto si Bingo sa iyang artikulo sa Bohol Chornicle nga walay koneksyon ang pagbalhin ni Neri didto sa Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) ug sa imong gipasabut dinhi. Ngani, dakong dimalas ani sa NIA, kay posible maun-unan man ang ilang hangyo nga aprobahan ang gipangayo nga labaw sa P1 Billion aron ibayad sa Hanjin para ihuman sa BHIP-2. Ang mahibilin sa NEDA, si Mr. Santos, di man motandug anang isyuha kay OIC ra man siya. Busa, hulat ang NIA ug unom (6) ka bulan ug ayha pa balik si Neri sa NEDA ug unya mahatagan na ug pagtagad ang BHIP-2 dugang pondo.

Ug kabahin sa giingon nga pagkasuod ni Erico sa iyang maninay (GMA), daghan nagsubo sa mga dumadapig kay wa man matimbaya si Guv niadtong miaging SONA (sa litanya nga gisangpit ang mga 32 ka mga "santo" politiko, wala si Aumentado).

Ug wala na sab matukbil ang Panglao Airport. OK, naay mga P70 million nga gi-release sa pagpamalit ug yuta para sa airport runway. Pero  hain ra man ang gisaligan sa pag trabaho anang maong pasilidad. Ang gisaligan nga pondo gikan sa MIAA, kadtong matingil gikan sa PAL wa man mahitabo ang handum ni Cusi, Manager sa MIAA. Imbis matingil ang utang sa PAL nga bug-os (lump sum), hulugan man sulod sa napulo ka tuig. Busa, kung way lain nga tinubdan sa pondo ang Panglao Airport Dev't Project ug maghulat lang sa MIAA, moabut ug napulo sab ka tuig una mahuman ang Panglao Airport.

Unsay imong ikatubag ini Atty Handel .....

Quote from: your servant on July 30, 2007, 09:56:24 AM
By Bingo P. Dejaresco III
The Bohol Chronicle

MANILA- In a move that had apparently nothing to do with the BHIP-2 (Bohol Irrigation Project), Socio Economiic Secretary and NEDA boss Romulo Neri has been temporarily re-assigned from NEDA to head either of the two troubled government agencies like the Treasury Department or the CHED (Commission on Higher Education).

National Treasurer Omar Cruz (formerly from Citibank) resigned last March, two months before the May 2007 elections which was marred by massive vote-buying. On the other hand, GMA had reportedly been disappointed with the slow implementation of the ladderized education at TESDA (under Carlito Puno) that would have created educational and employment opportunities.

Boholano Romy Neri, a masters in Business Administration graduate of University of California and magna cum laude UP Business Administration college graduate, has been a known "trouble shooter" for the administration. Neri said GMA told him he had more "hard work" to do ahead last week - leading to speculations that he is headed more for Treasury than the Education department.

The Government is now in a tight situation considering the unexpected large deficit of P 47-Billion which could put many of the administration's projects on a standstill -without the necessary funding. Full story here

Mga Sano/a .....

More articles !!!


   

===========================


Vol. LLI No. 006: Sunday, June 4, 2006

Province to take over Choco Hills

The provincial government will soon take over the management of the much-criticized Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen town

The move was adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) through a resolution which was approved during last Monday’s regular session of the provincial law-making body chaired by Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera.

The SP adopted the recommendation of the tourism committee that the terms and conditions of the takeover shall be drafted by the Provincial Legal Office.

Provincial Board Member Corazon Galbreath, chair of the SP tourism committee said that the move was arrived at after a series of consultations which indicated the need to privatize the management of the complex, considering mounting complaints on poor management, including the lousy service at the complex restaurant.

The latest complaint was on the defective traffic management which put to risk the safety of tourists on board vans and tourist buses. However, the quick intervention of PNP Provincial Director Arturo Evangelista addressed the matter after he deployed strict traffic cops.

The provincial board also approved the committee’s recommendation that the Provincial Planning and Development Office finalizes the conceptual development plan for the complex.

Galbreath said that the twin moves of the provincial lawmakers were designed in order to improve the services at the complex which the Carmen LGU has failed to deliver based on comments and reports gathered by tourism authorities here.

She said that it is about time that the province will take over the complex to thresh out matters affecting the complex’s operation and management.

The call to privatize the complex was contained in Resolution No. 06-2006 of the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) which has received various complaints on poor management.

Kag. Galbreath said that the results of the various consultations and meetings conducted by the committee were indorsed to the provincial SP and to the complex Technical Working Group for action.

It was learned from the lawmaker that the Carmen LGU has been managing the complex after an interim MOA was signed with the provincial government during the term of then Gov. David Tirol. The said MOA allowed the Carmen LGU to operate the complex for a year. However, this MOA has been overlooked after the one-year management expired, she concluded.

=============================

Vol. LLI No. 006: Sunday, June 4, 2006

SAVE THE CHOCOLATE HILLS


Let’s face it, we have not treated the Chocolate Hills royally.

We mean, let’s be frank and state that such a nature “jewel” that is often foisted among the world’s natural wide-eyed wonders has not been given its due. We mean the Carmen Beauty is flanked by a restaurant whose cuisine can be beaten by most metropolitan building canteens and a hostel that is worse than some pension houses in the DOT list. We mean smelling urinals and narrow, dangerous roads. It’s been a crying shame.

At least, the first step in addressing these eyebrow-raising ironies has been taken by the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan chaired by the incumbent Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera. That step is for the Provincial Government to take over the management and operations of the Chocolate Hills Complex before going privatization, as a final journey.

The Carmen municipal government is not in the league of running world-class entities as the Chocolate Complex. Some town officials there will rage against the move but step aside sirs, you have been given enough time to prove your managerial acumen. You have been weighed and found wanting. Every tourist and his uncle has a gripe to say about the Hotel Complex while we spend millions in our foreign reserves to tell the world: Come visit the Hills.

Insiders claim there is lack of transparency in financial matters on the complex to the detriment of tourists’ interest and the chagrin of our tour industry players and the Department of Tourism as well. Enough is enough.

We credit the political will of the SP and some Capitol officials who have ignored the political consequences of such a move in favor of the higher interest of the province and Boholanos in general.

But we postulate that “less government” is still better. And the Provincial Capitol will be better off handing over the eventual control of the Chocolate Hills Complex to the private sector. Government always has the natural handicap of budgetary constraints, civil service rules and lack of continuity.

Indeed how can a forward planning of the Complex be realistically pursued when the government is always hounded by cash deficits? How can it hire the best minds with its tight “salary limits?” How can it execute long-term plans with local elections held every three years which could lead to changes in the officialdom manning the complex?

The Capitol in cooperation with the Provincial Tourism Council should now map up a strategy and timetable for the eventual privatization. A governmentâ€"run tourist unit (even under the Philippine Tourism Authority) can not match the exemplary management style and capitalist fervor of for instance a Shnarila Hotel or Plantacion Bay or the property skills of the owners of the Panglao Nature Island Resort and the Bohol Beach Club.

The Provincial Government, in statesman like humility, must realize the limits of its capability in running diverse affairs. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Take over the Choco Complex and the privatize.

==================================

Vol. LI No. 102: Sunday, May 14, 2006

PNP takes action on Choco traffic

SAFETY FIRST. PNP Prov'l Director Arturo Evangelista (inset) personally took the cudgels to ensure safety of tourists by checking the reported congestion at the winding road leading to the Chocolate Hills Complex.

PNP Prov'l Director Arturo Evangelista took the cudgels to finally solve the traffic mess at the Chocolate Hills complex which put to risk the lives of tourists visiting the world famous destination in Buenos Aires, Carmen town.

Reacting to reports, Col. Evangelista ordered last Friday Carmen PNP station commander Insp. Milanio Artiaga to deploy cops mainly tasked to enforce the ban on parking along the narrow winding road leading to the complex.

The action of the PNP official came after management of the complex failed to strictly enforce the order made by Acting Mayor Josil Trabajo banning parking along the road.

Last Thursday, only one lane of the winding road was left to moving traffics as vans and buses were again allowed to park on the roadside, putting at risk guests onboard outgoing and incoming vehicles.

Trabajo, who was first informed about the traffic mess, assured the Provincial Tourism Council that he will deploy personnel to man the traffic. In fact, the acting mayor worked out for the establishment of a parking area at the foot of the hill as he admitted that there is risk.

He assured that only 20 vehicles (vans/cars) will be allowed to park at the complex, in excess of which will force management to implement a "drop-off" policy wherein tourists will be asked to disembark while the vehicles will park at the foot of the hill. The drivers will be advised to go back to the complex once the tourists are ready to depart. A paging system will soon be installed by the Carmen LGU which is managing the complex.

But, Trabajo said pending the setting up of a paging system, he will equip his tanods with handheld radio for communication in manning the traffic at the parking area.

However, the ban on parking was again violated last Thursday.

===============================

Vol. LI No. 102: Sunday, May 14, 2006

Choco hotel still not being used

WASTE OF MONEY? Will this P30 million two-storey Chocolate Hills Hotel and Restaurant be functional within the next few weeks? The local officials should make strong request to the Commission on Audit to inspect edifice so it can be turned over to the provincial government.

The two-storey hotel at the Chocolate Hills complex remains padlocked. The facility has not been turned over to the provincial government.

The hotel which was inaugurated last year awaits turnover after the Commission on Audit (COA) central offices in Manila has failed to inspect the building.

The hotel has 8 rooms and a function hall at the ground floor which can accommodate 200 persons. The project was completed after former DOT Secretary Dick Gordon released P20 million since the construction was left unfinished by then Rep. Isidro Zarraga until he finished his third term as congressman of the third district.

Commissioner Guillermo Carague, chair of the Commission on Audit was requested to send an inspection team in order for the project to be turned over to the provincial government.

In his letter dated May 12, 2006, Provincial Tourism Council Chair Peter Dejaresco told the COA commissioner: "Considering that a substantial length of time has passed since its completion and the same has not been used or made serviceable but merely padlocked and seemingly left to the elements without regular keep-up, might lead to the deterioration of the building without having served its purpose.

Carague was requested to deploy an inspection team the "soonest possible time" as the PTC is mandated to oversee the tourism industry in the province citing that the hotel can easily be accommodated with guests who wish to stay at the Chocolate Hills in Carmen town.

================================

Vol. LI No. 102: Sunday, May 14, 2006

LET'S TAKE TOURISM SERIOUSLY


"Do not put the cart before the horse" is an old adage that dates back to ancient history. If one does that, the cart ain't moving ââ,¬â€œ much ado about nothing ââ,¬â€œ and certainly, one will not go towards any direction.

Meantime, the horse is puzzled by the imbecility of the act. Sometimes, the animal thinks that he has got more horse sense than some men.

Sadly, that's what's happening to Bohol tourism. For the province does not suffer from lack of pretty tourism jewels or glib-tongued sales persons from the public and the private sectors who can twist the neck of any jaded tourist to look towards the direction of Bohol.

The problem lies in the fact that the two phenomena have recently lured a summer record-breaking number of tourists to Bohol that has alarmed the Bohol Tourism Council. Biting off more than it can chew ââ,¬â€œ is one way of graphically showing it ââ,¬â€œ since it seems we are not ready to accommodate the Great Leap Forward of tourism.

For instance, the Chocolate Hills' narrow winding road is often littered with parked cars, making it a virtually one-way street. The Carmen LGU must police the place better before any accident happens that will make the Choco Hills tour a risky proposition, Goodbye tourists, then?

What is worse, despite palliatives of the provincial government, the rest rooms at the Choco Hills complex is an abomination. The hostel building is an eyesore and virtually no one will recommend the food and service at the food restaurant of the complex. These infirmities do not do justice to the top billing of the Chocolate Hills as one of the world's greatest wonders. The Eighth Wonder of the World ââ,¬â€œ we wonder seriously.

Why we suffer these shameful amenities while the government spends millions of dollars to advertise and promote Bohol abroad is a "puzzlement" as the King of Siam says. Even the venerable horse is now shaking its head.

The Chronicle has always argued that "less government" is always better in most things. Government is a poor businessman and the operations of the Choco Hills complex should be given to the private sector. Governor Rico Aumentado had always wished to privatize the complex ââ,¬â€œ but wishes will not come true if one does not have the political will to implement. Oftentimes the major decisions are made in consideration to their impact on the interests of the town mayors who are the best point men during elections (2007, if it happens).

This is truly unfortunate since political consideration is taking precedence over economic decisions that would have benefited the larger community.

Likewise, the Loboc River cruise is getting too congested due to the immense popularity and the paucity of riverboats. Now lunch is delayed for two hours which is not the best way to go when one is in a Rest and Recreation mood. No less than PTA General Manager Dean Barbers and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza were the latest victims of this inconvenience although hundreds had earlier suffered the same fate.

Better management at the Loboc River is being sought. However, the long-term correction will still come from the supply side if this was looked at as an economic problem. The Abatan River Tour and the soon-to-start Inabanga Fisherman's Wharf are two alternatives that have been long time in coming ââ,¬â€œ that will improve the supply side.

There are three equally important items that the Tourism Council noted in its meeting last Thursday. One is the lack of standardized rates for tourist vans ââ,¬â€œ causing confusion and disgust of the public. During the Holy Week, unscrupulous van operators reportedly asked for an exorbitant P4,000 trip to the Chocolate Hills ââ,¬â€œ double that of the usual P2,000.

Two, are complaints against unsanitary hotels, resorts and pension homes that have poor rest room facilities, unclean towels and lousy service. Boy, that's a sure thing to drive tourists away from Bohol. Aside from that, resorts in Panglao are starting to increase its tag rates for room rates, which if unchecked will one day make Bohol not competitive. There ought to be a common standard for this for the industry's own sake.

Third, there is a lack of fine dining facilities even in the city. We should aggressively invite the entry of known restaurateurs in the city to follow the famous Gerry's Grill and the plans of Max Fried Chicken and Café Laguna.

Progress, they say, sows its own seeds of destruction. And success always invites competition and weed out the lesser outfits. That's given.

These are fine thoughts but the Tourism Industry is too precious and crucial for Bohol's development to be subjected to mere philosophizing.

Let's get our acts together ââ,¬â€œ in cooperation and goodwill ââ,¬â€œ before the next provincial pretender to our crown as most preferred destination catches us with our pants down.

Now, that's not very photogenic.

====================================

Vol. LI No. 100: Sunday, May 7, 2006

Strict limit on parking at Choco starting today


Only a maximum of 18 vans or cars will be allowed to park at the Chocolate Hills complex starting today in order to avoid road accident especially at its narrow winding road leading to the complex.

Acting Carmen Mayor Josil Trabajo told the Chronicle yesterday that he will assign traffic aides to control the traffic in the area amid complaints on the risk when vans park alongside the narrow winding road leaving only one lane for both upcoming and exiting vehicles.

Trabajo, who took immediate action on the complaint said that handheld radio will be used by the traffic aides while there is no paging system. He said that tourist buses are strictly not allowed to park at the complex.

Once the parking area is full, drivers will be advised to just drop-off their passengers and park their vehicles at the foot of the hill where an improvised parking area will be set up by the Carmen LGU.

"We can't afford accidents to happen here," Trabajo said as he immediately formed a task force yesterday afternoon which will start to operate today. He personally witnessed yesterday the congestion of vehicles alongside the narrow winding road which he admitted makes it very risky for tourists.

Trabajo is serving as acting mayor while Mayor Pedro Budiongan is serving a three-month suspension order issued against him.

The action came after the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators (BOFETTO) led by Nonette Bolo was alarmed on a near road accident involving a tourist bus and vans lining up the narrow winding road as half of the road was filled with parked vehicles.

Prov'l Tourism officer Baby Balio personally visited the complex last Tuesday to request the Carmen LGU to immediately attend to this urgent concern.

Expressing concern on this development, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through the initiative of PB Corazon Galbreath, chair of the tourism committee, passed last Tuesday a resolution requesting the Carmen LGU to immediately implement a "drop-off" policy on vehicles bringing in tourists.

Acting Mayor Trabajo said that the LGU will negotiate today with a lot owner whose lot is situated at the foot of the hill to be used as a parking area especially this peak season.

===================================

Vol. LI No. 099: Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Risk up due to congestion at Choco Hills Complex


Motorists are highly prone to accidents if management of the Chocolate Hills Complex will not regulate the parking of vehicles at the said complex atop the developed hills in Carmen town.

Reports reaching the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) bared two near-accident situations as vans and coasters were parked at the side of the road leading to the complex.

A head-on approach of outgoing and incoming vehicles is most likely to happen as the risky one-lane parking is allowed along the road.

An incident wherein a tourist bus maneuvering up the single lane tailed by four vans was quite risky and would eventually cause an accident.

The PTC made urgent representations with Gov. Erico Aumentado and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to prohibit parking of vehicles at the complex and instead instruct drivers to drop off guests while all vehicles should park at the foot of the hills and wait for calls to pickup their passengers at the complex.

Gov. Aumentado dispatched Prov'l Tourism Officer Baby Balio yesterday to inspect the site.

At the provincial SP, Prov'l Kag. Corazon Galbreath, chair of the tourism committee got the support of her colleagues ordering the LGU-Carmen to prohibit parking at the complex and regulate the traffic by allowing vans, buses and coasters to drop off their passengers and park at the foot of the hills.

===============================


Vol. LI No. 069: Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Choco catering services probed


"Unauthorized" catering at Chocolate Hills complex restaurant is now under probe by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

This came after Board Member Ester Corazon Galbreath brought up the matter during sessions Monday saying that the management of the complex accommodated wedding receptions that practically deprived tourists restaurant services.

"This poses a big problem because the restaurant is supposed to serve tourists. There are times that LGU Carmen is accepting reception during lunch time," SP tourism committee chairperson Galbreath lamented.

The SP has approved Galbreath's move to also refer the matter to the committees on ways and means and government properties chaired by Dionisio Balite and Amalia Tirol, respectively.

The scenario has greatly contributed to the burgeoning tug-of-war between the provincial government and Carmen town officials over the management and ownership of the complex.

Recently, the provincial government opposed Carmen's plan to enforce the new entrance fees based on its approved Revenue Code No. 8, series of 2005.

Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan yesterday said the town is set to implement P25 per adult and P10 per child as entrance fees to the complex on February 2006.

He said that the old rates of P10 and P5 per adult and child, respectively, were already impractical considering that the said rates were imposed in the early 90s yet.

Budiongan explained that what they are about to impose is anchored on the said code. He said that the code was submitted in August 2005 for review by the SP but no statement has been issued on the matter.

He said that based on the "reglamentary" period prescribed by the Local Government Code (LGC), it is deemed approved.

WHO OWNS THE

COMPLEX LOT?

The mayor said that the lot where the complex is located is claimed by the provincial government based on a Provincial Resolution.

But it is still questionable because there were no other documents such as Deed of Donations executed by the donors to prove that it is owned wholly by the province. He said that few individuals own the complex's lots.

He said that a portion of the said lots were once owned by the Malaran family but the family donated it to the fiber industry agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) since the area was intended for the plantation of "maguey." The said lot is now donated to the Municipality of Carmen, he said.

The officials were informed that the said area, including the hill where the complex stands, was eyed years back by the DA, that reportedly owned the area. The project, however, was not realized. The said site used to be abundant with maguey, he said.

Only recently, Carmen town was able to secure the document through the auspices of then Agriculture Secretary Arthur Tan. And the latter (Yap) handed to Carmen the said document prior to his resignation from Arroyo's cabinet. (RVO)

==============================

Vol. LI No. 068: Sunday, January 15, 2006

Pre-feasibility study on Bohol Tourism Plan bared
MICHAEL ORTEGA LIGALIG

The Pacific Consultants International Philippines, Inc. has outlined its pre-feasibility study on the planned six tourism clusters of the province.

In a project presentation at the Bohol Tropics Resort Thursday, PCIPI has identified strategies for the province's tourism development plan.

PCIPI says the pre-feasibility study is aimed at "enhancing existing tourism assets (of the province) and developing new infrastructure and (building) a world-class tourism facility that is environmentally and socially sensitive and sustainable."

Following are the six circuits and their corresponding tourism strategies.

Circuit 1 is composed of Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands, Sevilla, Bilar, Loboc, Loay, Albur, Baclayon and Tagbilaran. These areas should develop their beach resorts and enhance marine tourism.

For Circuit 2, which is composed of the Abatan River Watershed Area, Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan, Catigbi-an, San Isidro, Corella, and Sikatuna, the strategy is to put up nature and heritage tours and provide accommodation for tourists.

The towns of Bien Unido, Trinidad, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Sierra Bullones, Pillar, Alicia, and Calos P. Garcia, classified as Circuit 2, are deemed best for eco-tourism and agri-based tourism activities.

Northern Bohol towns ââ,¬â€œ Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Clarin, Danao, Inabanga, Buenavista, Jetafe and Talibon ââ,¬â€œ are grouped as Circuit 4. These places are advised to concentrate on their beaches.

Identified as Circuit 5 are Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan, which should bank on the presence of the Chocolate Hills through nature tours and outdoor recreations.

For Circuit 6, composed of the towns of Anda, Mabini, Candijay and Guindulman, eco-tourism and marine recreation have to be the center of their tourism development plans.

PCIPI intends to, among others, "organize a technical working group and tourism councils in the towns; review of relevant information materials; classify tourism development attributes; and conduct consultations and workshops to define key concerns and local capabilities for tourism activities, livelihood opportunities and local business."

The company will also "develop financial and economic factors of the identified priority site, projects and programs; develop a marketing and promotions program for specific sites and clusters; recommend solutions for the resolution of land disputes, community concerns and human factors conflict; and provide a proposed program for community capability building for business, trade and livelihood involvement."

==================================

Vol. LI No. 068: Sunday, January 15, 2006

Choco entrance fee hike blocked


The mulled increase of entrance fee to the Chocolate Hills Complex is not likely to get the approval of the provincial government.

Gov. Erico Aumentado said he was surprised of the "un-announced" decision of Carmen officials to increase the entrance fee from P10 to P25

"The provincial government is not notified about this proposal," he said.

"The province has to know about any fee adjustment," the governor said.

He said Carmen should not impose any increase without coordination with the Capitol since the provincial government has a stake in the Chocolate Hills Complex.

Under existing agreement, the province has a 30% share and Carmen town, 70%, in the income from and expenses for the complex.

The complex has been under fire by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for huge financial looses but Carmen had denied the allegation.

Board member Corazon Galbreath, chair of the SP tourism committee, yesterday told the Chronicle that she would oppose to the entrance fee increase because there was no prior consultation with the provincial legislators.

She said it is a basic requirement that any adjustment in government collection should first be approved by the provincial board.

"Besides, the increase is too much," Galbreath said.

Local tour operators have also raised their eyebrows on the proposed increase, saying it is not healthy to Bohol's tourism industry.

=============================

Vol. LI No. 049: Sunday, November 6, 2005

Durano inaugurates Choco Hotel


Tourism Sec. Joseph Ace Durano Friday said where projects are concerned, the Department of Tourism (DOT) "still owes" Bohol.

Speaking as guest at the blessing and inauguration of the P10-million Chocolate Hills Hotel and Restaurant in Carmen town Friday afternoon, Durano said the completion of the project is a dream come true.

"Progress is about building on past successes," Durano said. He released the second P5 million for the project started during the time of his immediate predecessor, now Sen. Richard Gordon, who released the initial P5 million.

Despite the completion of the eight-room hotel of international standard, the tourism secretary said his department still "has debts" to Bohol.

He has committed but has not forwarded DOT's share for the Bohol Tourism Master Plan (BTMP) for which the Pacific Consultants International (PCI) won the bid at P9.5 million ââ,¬â€œ half a million less than the P10-million cap.

Gov. Erico Aumentado said with the adjustment, DOT's share is down to P2.9 million instead of P3 million. Bohol's three congressmen ââ,¬â€œ Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala stand to share P1.4 million each instead of P1.5 million from their respective Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDIF).

On the other hand, the provincial government takes up the slack of P2.4 million instead of P2.5 million.

"Then there is still the Panglao International Airport. I need to ensure its implementation because it is the commitment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make it operational before the end of her term," Durano said.

The secretary also gave Rep. Edgar Chatto, chair of the House Committee on Tourism, an idea to market the hotel.

"One big market is the wedding market," he said.

Entice the Japanese and Koreans to wed or renew their wedding vows at one of the hills.

"Such wedding ââ,¬â€œ or renewal of vows on one of the hills would be one romantic, exotic and unforgettable experience," he said.

The Japanese and Koreans are known for their being adventurous. Scuba divers among them have exchanged vows underwater, he observed.

Aumentado thanked Durano for building on the accomplishment of Gordon. Work was done by administration for which the governor congratulated Engr. Edwin Vallejos, head of the General Services Office (GSO).

"All this became possible because of the support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Aumentado added.

The governor will shortly issue an order assigning the Municipality of Carmen as administrator of the new hotel.

Room rates stand at P1,200 a day but it will not receive guests yet until the staff shall have undergone training. He tasked the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO) under Oroncia Balio to conduct the training.

Aside from Chatto, Jala, DOT Undersecretary for the Visayas and Mindanao Phineas Alburo and Bohol's Provincial Board members among others, also attended the occasion.

PB member Ester Corazon Galbreath, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee on tourism, introduced Durano.

For his part, Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan Jr. expressed gratitude that the hotel has been finished at last. The restaurant on the ground floor has wide glass windows to ensure unimpeded view of the surrounding hills. The rooms have hot and cold water on both shower and bath.

Meanwhile, the Chocolate Hills Complex has 11 other rooms. Airconditioned rooms good for three persons cost P800 a day each. Clients have a choice between P800 and P600 a day for other aircon rooms good for two. Extra beds cost P200 each.

It also has two non-aircon rooms at P350 a day with extra bed at P100 each.

Hotel guests get to use the resort swimming pool free of charge. For details, prospective guests may call 0919-680-0492.

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Vol. LI No. 045: Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Tourism master plan down to P9.5 million


The cost of the tourism master planning for Bohol is down to P9.5 million.

This after Pacific Consultants International (PCI) submitted its bid vis-Ã -vis the agency contract price of P10 million.

With the half-million-peso cut, Gov. Erico Aumentado im-mediately informed Tourism Sec. Joseph Ace Durano that the Department of Tourism's (DOT) counterpart funding can now be reduced from P3 million to P2.9 million.

At the same time, the counterpart funds of Reps. Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala of Bohol's first, second and third districts respectively will now be set at only P1.4 million each instead of P1.5 million.

Aumentado informed Durano and the three congressmen that the provincial government will pick the tab for the remaining amount ââ,¬â€œ P2.4 million instead of the P2.5 million.

The governor also requested Durano to turn over the DOT counterpart to the province "so that we can finally award the contract."

"The release of the Saro [special allotment and release order] will already suffice to award the contract," Aumentado wrote Durano.

To note, the Provincial Bids and Awards Committee headed by lawyer Handel Lagunay has recommended the awarding of the contract to PCI that will be assisted by Pacific Consultants Philippines.

Under the terms of reference of the master plan, Bohol's 47 towns and one city will be clustered into six tourism circuits.

This means from the current "focus" on Panglao Island's beaches, the Baclayon church and museum, the Loboc River cruise and "domesticated" tarsiers, the man-made forest in Bilar and the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the rest of the clusters will also be developed, making the whole province the tourism destination.

Aumentado said he reposes deep trust in the winning bidder. PCI, he said, developed the tourism master plans of Bali in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand and Camcun in Mexico.

Durano is expected to be in Bohol on Nov. 4 as guest of honor and speaker during the celebration of the birthday of the late President Carlos P. Garcia, the greatest Boholano statesman and patriot.

==============================

Vol. LI No. 040: Sunday, October 2, 2005

World-class restrooms urged


The growing tourism clientele of Bohol, particularly the Japanese market, has strongly criticized the poor restroom facilities in the province's prime tourist stops, and this has alarmed Gov. Erico Aumentado who came from a successful sales blitz in Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan last week.

Together with the tourism private stakeholders, Aumentado called an emergency meeting with six municipal mayors where the prime tourist destinations are situated to discuss how to expedite the construction of world-class restrooms.

The Bohol sales team received several criticisms from the Japan tour operators regarding tourists' complaints on unsanitary restrooms particularly at the world famous Chocolate Hills and the Loboc River cruise.

He told the mayors that while getting an approval rating as a good destination, Bohol failed in providing the much-required world- class restrooms which tourists would always look for in any destination.

Present during the meeting were Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan, Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, Baclayon Mayor Benny Uy, Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan, Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos and Sagbayan Mayor Jimmy Torrefranca.

The governor told the mayors that the province is ready to put up with a counterpart funding for these restrooms which he wants to be realized by next year since Japan has picked Bohol as its prime destination in 2006.

The governor has formed a task force to inspect these three top destinations, namely, the Chocolate Hills, and Loboc River Cruise and the Baclayon Church/Musuem. Industry player likewise included the Blood Compact as a site in need of a modern rest room since this is the first stop-over in the famous "Bohol Countryside Tour."

Designated to head the task force to inspect the sites is Hermes Caseñas, representing the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators (BOFFETO). A representative from the engineering and health departments of the provincial government will be included in the task force.

A standard design for these world-class restrooms will be used in the three designated areas.

Meanwhile, the Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis, which is no longer included in the itinerary of tourists, will be surveyed.

Bongalos was asked to make representations with proper government agency for the famous cave with underground water to be inspected whether it is still an "active cave."

Several complaints have been received regarding the sanitation at the area.

The mayor was also asked to look into the request of expanding a portion of the existing Dauis causeway which poses hazard and sanitation problem as well.

The area is the alternative entry to Panglao Island for guests going to Panglao Island Nature Resort in Bingag, Dauis.

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Vol. LI No. 008: Sunday, June 12, 2005

More discrepancies found in Choco Hills management
MIKE ORTEGA LIGALIG

Fresh suspicions of corruption in the non-earning Chocolate Hills Complex (CHC) crept in Monday after the Sangguniang Panla-lawigan committee on tourism uncovered discrepancies in the CHC's operations.

This comes even as the province's supposed cynosure for tourism attraction continues to be a target of criticisms for the complex's lousy appearance.

In a six-page report by the SP committee on tourism chaired by board member Ester Corazon Galbreath, the committee un-covered "discrepancies" in the 2004 CHC financial report, based on the findings by assistant provincial accountant May Limbaga.

"The remittance did not conform with the computation prepared by the auditors," the SP report, presented during last Monday's session, said.

The SP body had found that some P46,000 of collection of entrance fees remains unaccounted for.

On the CHC's operations in March 2005, the committee questioned its high fuel cost amounting P8,000, which "(had) no proper procurement plan."

The SP body was surprised to have found what it called a "skyrocketed" total operating expenses of the restaurant and hotel amounting P266,164, out of CHC's income of P405,537 in March 2005 of which PP95,869 was allegedly paid for taxes, duties and licenses.

But, "the bulk of merchandize sold in the restaurant were purchased in non-vat registered stores," the committee pointed out.

It says the CHC management, in its monthly report, did not comply with certain provisions stipulated in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the local government of Carmen and the Capitol, who is partly owner of the complex but has no idea how much its shares of income over the years.

Galbreath's committee further found that the CHC management "lacks control and supervision over its employees."

In its scathing recommen-dations, the SP asked Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan, who, along with other Carmen officials, has been facing corruption charges, and were ordered arrested twice by the Sandiganbayan in Manila, "to investigate and (find) solutions to the mismanagement in the CHC."

The Provincial Legal Office, for its part, citing the gaping miscarriage in the CHC, said there is a need "for an immediate takeover" of the complex.

Early of this year, there have been calls for privatizing the complex but have since been shelved or were clouded by other efforts for tourism promotions.

Meanwhile, those who attended the committee meeting on May 30 included Galbreath, board member Amalia Tirol, Bohol Tourism Office head Baby Balio, Limbaga, Mae Mosqueda of the Office of the Governor, Budiongan, CHC in-charge Fulgencio Paña, Carmen municipal accountant Hermosila Logroño, municpal budge officer Taciana Espejo, CHC bookkeeper Ester Villasquina, and CHC operations manager Narciso Toribio Jr.

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Vol. L No. 100: Wednesday, May 4, 2005

P6.5M for Choco proj, master plan


MANILA.- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has approved the release of P3 million for the completion of the Chocolate Hills Hostel.

Gov. Erico B. Aumentado announced Wednesday that Tourism Sec. Joseph Ace Durano has approved the release of the funds in June.

At the same time, the governor revealed that the DOT has likewise committed to contribute P3 million for the preparation of the Bohol Tourism Development Masterplan intended to accelerate the province's tourism development.

During the meeting between Aumentado, Durano and first district Rep. Edgar Chatto, the governor explained that the provincial government will be contributing P2.5 million as its share for the tourism masterplan, while the three congressmen, Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala will be putting in P1.5 million each for the project, estimated to cost P10 million.

He said that Pacific Consultants Inc. has already prepared the terms of reference of the project. PCI earlier did the tourism master planning of Bali in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand, Cancun in Mexico and Peru, among others.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Tourism Authority has approved Resolution No. 04-13-05-4.1.d authorizing it to appropriate funds for the construction and development of the Panglao Island Airport.

The funds will be taken from the P3.6 billion Boracay Multi-Modal project.

Aumentado said that out of the said amount, P3.2 billion will be allocated for the Panglao Island Airport Development project, while the remaining P4 billion has been earmarked for Siargao Island.

Relative to this, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to sign an executive order (EO) directing the development of the Panglao Island Airport in Bohol and for the PTA to provide funds.

In the draft EO, the president pointed out that the DOT and other government agencies have deemed it appropriate to prioritize the development of the Panglao Island airport "in order for the said facility to accommodate aircrafts that will bring in tourists to Panglao Island as an alternative island beach destination to Boracay."

On the other hand, Aumentado met with PPA general manager Oscar Sevilla to discuss the P196.5 million Tagbilaran City Tourist Port expansion and construction of the boardwalk and marina, which the latter has committed to fund.

During the same meeting, they also discussed on the additional reclamation of the Tubigon port and the construction of the port by-pass route. (Angelica J. Sanchez/League Of Provinces Of The Philippines)

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Vol. L No. 076: Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Carmen holds over Choco management


The Carmen municipal government is on a holdover capacity in managing the Chocolate Hills Complex which will soon be taken over by the provincial government.

This was the decision reached during a committee hearing where Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan and other Carmen officials were in attendance last Monday.

Prov'l Kagawad Amalia Tirol, chair of the committee on government properties said that the holdover management of the Carmen LGU is pending the formulation of the take-over proceedings including the putting up of works on what the province will do once the management will be under the provincial government.

Together with Tirol were Prov'l Kagawad Corazon Galbreath, chair of tourism committee, Prov'l Kagawad Dionisio Balite, committee on ways and means together with Prov'l Kagawads Concepcion Lim, Godofreda Tirol, Imboy as members.

Galbreath, for her part, said that several discrepancies on the Choco Hills management caused the proposed take-over as the complex has generated several criticisms from the public.

The financial condition as well as its physical condition are highly questionable, according to Galbreath who insisted that the Carmen LGU should respect the points stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by the Carmen LGU and the provincial government.

The province gets 30 percent of the gross while the bigger portion of 70 percent goes to the Carmen LGU. However, the Carmen government has violated the policy that it should shoulder the payment of wages for employees. Instead, the Carmen LGU has taken the wages from the gross before giving the province the 30 percent share.

The conditions of the complex deserve a "world class" developer and management, stressed Kagawad Lim.

An audit ordered by Gov. Erico Aumentado is being awaited by the three committees before the final takeover will take effect.

=================================

Mga 'Sano/a .....

I have here a collection of local (Bohol based) news articles regarding Bohol tourism and the Choco Hills Complex.

Please peruse said file which I will upload ..... sorry will just include in this post (and for Mike to place it somehow in any appropriate topic since the option to upload files has been turned off) for you to have some sort of briefing/backgrounder on the status of Bohol tourism and the Choco Hills Complex.

Ciao . . .

============================

Prov’l SP questions Choco Hills accounting
RIC V. OBEDENCIO

Now it can be told. The accounting system applied by the management of the Chocolate Hills complex (CHC) located in Buenos Aires, Carmen town, in its monthly Detailed Statement of Operations (DSO) is found to be defective. Aside from this, it has no separate budget, which could be the basis of its disbursements and expenditures.

These were some of the findings of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan tourism committee led by Board Member Ester Corazon J. Galbreath during its meeting Tuesday attended by committee member Amalia Tirol, Carmen Vice-Mayor Josil Trabajo and complex manager Nonita Torrefranca, Provincial Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin and other representatives Trabajo, who chairs the tourism committee of Carmen Sangguniang Bayan, and Torrefranca admitted the flaws in accounting systems which resulted to a monthly loss in its hostel and restaurant operation.

Aside from these lapses, the Carmen municipal accountant, who seldom attend the meeting, fail to submit regularly the complex's financial statement.

The DSO showed that the hostel and restaurant yielded a total net loss of PhP65,410.70 and PhP158,040.74 for the months of August and September 2006, respectively. The statement for October has not been submitted yet by municipal accountant Hermosila E. Logroño, while no explanation has been given to the committee.

Provincial Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin told the committee that capital outlay, such as purchase of equipment for the complex should not be treated under the operating expenses of the said DSO.

The committee noted that salaries and wages charged under the operating expenses got the lion's share (hostel and restaurant) during the same period. Salaries and wages amounting to P111,721.90 for September do not tally with P98,869.75 in August 2006.

Some officials believed that these lapses are wittingly or unwittingly pursued by Carmen because of its obsession to become a first class municipality. There was no immediate information or data that 70% of net income as share of Carmen contributes largely to the town's revenues.

The provincial government gets 30% of the total net income based on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed sometime in August 1993 but it's already expired after one year of interim operation under the Carmen stewardship. The province still fail to takeover the complex's management.

Overall operations netted a total income of P250,972.72 in August and P185,968.68 in September with toll fees contributing the bulk of the total net income. Toll fee generated a net of P110,127.42 and P183,244.70 for the same period.

Toll fee income reflects more arrivals in the complex but it seems visitors do not frequent the restaurant.

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Vol. LII No. 051: Sunday, November 12, 2006

“REFINING THE CROWN JEWEL”


Doubtless, Bohol is the new darling of the discriminating tourist. But uneasy herein lays the head that wears the crown â€" for it needs refining to stay Top Gun.

The beauty of Bohol is that in one effortless day, a tourist can be shown paradise in its varied resplendent glory. But much needs to be done.

Let’s be frank that there are resorts and restaurants that do not make the grade for world-class facilities. The service is not at par with a jaded tourist’s discriminating taste. We are not saying there should be no less expensive places to go for indeed they serve a distinct market which also deserves to see Nature’s wonders.

We enjoin the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) to set the guidelines in classifying the grades of tourist establishments with the view of ranking them according to excellence. The classification serves two purposes. One, it becomes an official guide for tourists to make their call and choose their wild. Two, it encourages the lower ranked facilities to upgrade to a higher category if that is their corporate plan.

On the other hand, our signature destination, the fabulous Chocolate Hills has remained what they looked like 30 years ago when the hills’ complex was completed under the chairmanship of our departed Editor-Publisher Jun Dejaresco. After completion during the term of Tourism Secretary Jose Aspiras, the complex seemed to have frozen in time â€" except for the addition of the newly finished eight rooms and function room edifice. Whoa, not even a telescope for tourists to view the 1,000 perfectly shaped chocolate hills? Let’s not flagellate ourselves even further by discussing the food and comfort room quality.

The Provincial Government and the Carmen town LGU are locked in mortal legal combat as to the ownership of the area even as they commercially manage the place on a 70-30 sharing arrangement. Time and again, the Chronicle had postulated that the development of the Carmen area is best left at the hands of the private sector which has the financial clout and the managerial acumen to make “mountains of the (mole) hills,” not in the metaphorical sense.

The PTC is only too eager to hear proposals how the privatization (sale or build operate and transfer) and the innovative re-engineering of the towering tourism jewel can be done â€" to elevate the hills to a level that deserves their stature. No glossy brochure nor flashy film clip can sell what we don’t have, believe you us.

Meantime, the well-received Loboc river cruise needs masterful handling led by the good mayor Leon Calipusan. That handsome P14-million new docking area is ideal for the kind of traffic the Loboc cruise rides generate. However, the old, weak bailey bridge, has no clear imprimatur for good use of the DPWH to support the tourist buses going to the new port across the Loboc church. There are also kinks intervening between the floating restaurant operators and the Loboc-LGU for the operation of the multi-million peso port.

Both issues must be addressed by Calipusan in a balancing act that should consider the interest of all parties justly and equitably.

Finally, the environmental hazard posed by the salvage zones within the Alona beach area continues to bear watching because the rule has been observed more on the breach by the resorts that were meant to be protected by such rule, in the first place. It is a horrible irony that is not lost on us â€" and the regulators.

It may seem enigmatic to state that to stay where they are, the Bohol tourist spots must all change â€" it is the only permanent thing in this world. Ponder on that.

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Vol. LII No. 046: Sunday, October 22, 2006

GMA China trip highlights Bohol
Angelica Sanchez

Charming Bohol, dubbed as the land of history and natural beauty, will be highlighted in the working visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to China on October 27 to November 2 this year.

This developed when the President decided to make Bohol as the centerpiece of the Philippines Tourism Pavilion at the 3rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning City during the briefing for the Philippine delegation to China in Malacañang last Tuesday.

Originally, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recommended Manila as the charming city and centerpiece in the Expo of the Bohol Pavilion being the international gateway to the Philippines. Under the plan, Bohol, Boracay and Laoag would have been in the shadows only of Manila.

President Arroyo however overruled the recommendation because of her desire to highlight Bohol in the exposition to jibe with the Oishi ads in China’s major televisions mounted by Special Envoy to China Carlos Chan, and Bohol’s Sisterhood Agreement with Jiangxi Province.

The images of the world famous Chocolate Hills, the tarsier, the Panglao beaches, the Blood Compact, the Loboc River Cruise, and the Pamilacan dolphins will be splashed in the Philippines Tourism Pavilion as tourism is now considered as the competitive edge of the country in the ASEAN region.

BOHOL AND JIANGXI:
TIES THAT BIND

On October 28, Gov. Erico Aumentado and Jiangxi Province Gov. Huang Zhiquan, in the presence of Jiangxi Standing Committee Chairman and Party Secretary Meng Jianzhu will sign six protocols of cooperation:

The Agreement on Further Enhancing Friendly Exchanges Between Bohol and Jiangxi â€" an umbrella arrangement under which implementing rules on trade and investment are to be crafted. This will also reaffirm the partnership and camaraderie between Bohol and Jiangxi;

The Memorandum of Cooperation in Agriculture between the Province of Bohol, Republic of the Philippines, and the Province of Jiangxi, Republic of China where the Philippines and China promise to conduct technical exchanges and cooperation in research, production and breeding of main crops, including rice, vegetables, livestock and fisheries, and product processing.

Memorandum of Cooperation in Mining Industry between the Provinces of Bohol and Jiangxi, a detailed cooperation in the exploration and development of mineral resources in coordination with the respective mining and environment agencies of the Philippines and China.

Memorandum of Cooperation on Tourism between the Provinces of Bohol and Jiangxi to encourage cooperation between tourism administrative departments, travel agencies, and relevant tourism service trade of the two provinces;

Memorandum of Cooperation on Establishing the Sister-Mountain Relationship between the Chocolate Hills of the Philippines and Mt. Lushan of China where Bohol will actively promote Mount Lushan, and Jiangxi will likewise advocate the Chocolate Hills of Bohol; and the

Bohol-Jiangxi Memorandum of Cooperation on Education, Culture and Sports, an exchange of faculty, students, scholars, cultural activities and language training between the two provinces.

President Arroyo will witness the historic signing of the six protocols to implement the Bohol-Jiangxi Sisterhood Agreement which, Malacañang sources said, is the first of such event to be participated by the President.

THE BOHOL DELEGATION

The Bohol delegation to China will be composed of Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, Sagbayan Mayor Jimmy Torrefranca, representing the towns where the Chocolate Hills are located, German businessman Hans Schoof and Norris Oculam, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) president.

Chito Vaño of the Bohol Tourism Office will join the DOT team to man the Philippine Tourism Pavilion at the 3rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning City.

President Arroyo with high-ranking government officials and the Bohol delegation will visit the cities of Xiamen, Jin Jiang, Nanchang, Guilin, Nanning, and Hong Kong.

The President will meet with Premier Wen Jiabao and the heads of state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

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Vol. LII No. 045: Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Choco complex needs Capitol clearance


The provincial government is asking the Carmen local governance to clear matters before undertaking any major expenditures on the operation and development of the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen town.

Provincial Kagawad Corazon Galbreath, chair of the tourism committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said that it is lawful for the province to demand such policy since the complex is under the joint operation of the provincial and Carmen governments.

She stressed that even the usage of the 10% service charge was given a new proposal by the new management of the Chocolate Hills complex that was not yet approved by the provincial government, but got implemented by the Carmen LGU.

The provincial lawmaker presided yesterday a meeting with Carmen and Chocolate Hills complex officials together with Prov’l Kagawad Amalia Tirol, Prov’l Kagawad Concepcion Lim and other accounting authorities to thresh out matters regarding the financial condition of the complex.

Galbreath stressed that several matters are under review and discussion by the provincial lawmakers, thus, the Choco complex can not act on matters without the nod of the provincial government.

Vice Mayor Josil Trabajo and Nonita Torrefranca, Choco complex manager attended the meeting Monday.

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Vol. LII No. 043: Wednesday, October 11, 2006

TOURISM LESSONS FROM A.I.M. PROFESSOR


Eduardo A. Morato Jr., an AIM (Asian Institute of Management) professor offers a crash course in tourism â€" an objective account from one, since he is not a practitioner of the trade and not borne with sentimentalism for either islands of Mactan and Bohol.

And we can certainly learn a lesson or two especially on the “confusion” of Mactan which has developed a “schizophrenic personality” in being torn between being industrialized or to be a tourist haven. Many times, you cannot be both.

He starts out by saying that the former American airbase island of Mactan now has 18 major resorts with room capacity of 1,700 but with 100 establishments for industrialization creating job seekers who “establish shanties, creating the Third World of Mactan.”

From the Mactan experience, Bohol can learn:

1. Never create zoning problems by being industrial and tourist-friendly at same time.

2. Presence of low-end job seekers scare tourists and may create peace and order problems.

3. The road network does not connect the resorts, indicating lack of forward planning. Clean, potable water is inadequate.

4. Lacks character as the island does not showcase the indigenous culture and native handicrafts for the world to see.

5. Airfares too expensive with roundtrip tickets from Europe to Bali costing US$500 while Europe to Cebu â€" ONE WAY â€" is already US$1,200.

The red flags on the road signs above are also relevant to Bohol considering that Bohol has road-mapped selling water to Cebu (to our mind) done without proper extrapolation of future demand for water here.

The policy direction for Bohol to be “all things to all people” when environmentally, to cite an example, mining can never sit beside golf projects etc. etc., is another case in point.

That same high cost of airfare that Mactan faces will eventually take its toll also on Bohol â€" even when the much ballyhooed Panglao Airport (with international standards) do open. Is Bohol really ready for the Great Leap Forward for Tourism?

Meantime, Morato describes Bohol as a roundish island made famous for the pristine beaches of Panglao, the legendary chocolate hills, the small and unique tarsier, riverboat rides and the centuries-old churches. He praised Bohol for its “exotic appeal” and “quaint character” whose tourism charisma was magnified four-fold with the construction of first-class accommodations and good roads in the recent past.

The AIM business professor did not fail to notice the “provincial branding” of the reunions and fiestas â€" likening Boholanos to swallows (birds) which migrate but return to their nests especially during fiestas where they are all congregate.

Since each town has a story to tell about its centuries-old churches, romantic flavor can be added if each town specializes in, say, “a butterly farm in one town, a fish sanctuary in another, an aviary here, organic vegetables there, fruit tree orchards of various types somewhere and flowers of every hue everywhere,” Morato declared.

Instead of industrial enclaves, the AIM professor called for more value-crop plants and people-pampering services like spas and wellness centers. Bed and breakfast can be had in ancestral homes, he concluded. The three operative words are character, character and character.

We may add the development of specialized tours like: Religious Pilgrimage to all the churches and religious sites line the famous cross on the hills of Loboc, among others; a historical tour that does not end with Sikatuna but exposes the mighty deeds in the life and times of the revolts of Dagohoy, Tamblot, the anti-Japanese resistance movement (as in Bataan and Corregidor) and that of former Philippine president Carlos Polestico Garcia or an environmental trip that ends in viewing the largest mangrove plantation in Asia in Getafe.

These are the exciting side-trips to be made in Bohol that will create further dimensions to differentiate Bohol from its one-tracked Boracay and laid-back Palawan competitors. Morato would call that “brand differentiation,” in everyday business parlance.

Morato concluded that Mactan and Bohol have different tales to tell of its past â€" and therefore divergent strategies to reach their goals. Says he: “Mactan must get its confused cat together while Bohol should play its part - surely and smartly - less it falls into the haphazard development trap.”

Many nations strengthen their international reserves by the amount of R and R money they generate from tourism activities patronized by other nations.

Bohol can yet be that kind of a unique island, its tourism state not yet commecialized to the point of being ordinary and its people still affected by values of romanticism, nationalism and clean fun (with apologies to Thailand whose sex tours they are not ashamed to propagate as its virtual “come on” â€" figuratively and literally).

Bohol must develop a long-term Tourism Strategic Plan, so that its tactical decisions on the industry do not become subject to short-term expediency and irrelevant political considerations.

The AIM professor has made many valid points â€" let’s heed them.

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Vol. LII No. 036: Sunday, September 17, 2006

Capitol wants Choco land title revoked
RIC OBEDENCIO

The tug-of-war between the provincial government and municipal government of Carmen town on the questioned ownership of lots at Barangay Buenos Aires, Carmen where the Chocolate Hills complex stands is far from over.

The Provincial Legal Office (PLO) headed by lawyer Handel Lagunay will propose to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a Resolution requesting Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to cancel the Deed of Donation of said lot which is in favor of Carmen.

The PLO's proposed Resolution, which is now referred to the SP Committee of a Whole chaired by Vice-Gov Julius Caesar Herrera, also asked Agriculture Sec. Domingo Panganiban and administrator Cecilia Gloria Soriano of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) to cause the revocation of the Deed of Donation.

The proposed Resolution cited the provincial government interposing “strong opposition to the donation of Lot 1291” to Carmen because the province “was not even consulted or at least informed of the donation.” It also added that the deed of donation by the Department of Agriculture to Carmen is “unfair and inequitable to the province.”

Former Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap and Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan have executed a Deed of Donation sometime in June last year (2005), wherein some 53,510 square meters of lot located at said barangay under Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) Nos. 9781 and 9782 of the Registry of Deeds were transferred to Carmen. The lots being donated are now registered as Lot Nos. 1291 and Lot 1136 on June 2, 2005, as notarized by lawyer M.A, Fernandez.

The Deed of Donation said, “the Donor (DA) has committed to support the Donee (Carmen) plans and projects for the development of the Chocolate Hills Complex to be a world competitive tourist destinations as embodied in its Resolution No. 21, series 2005, for the benefit of the general public.”

The province, which constructed the complex was not a party of the donation.

The Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) is pushing for privatization of the complex as it passed Resolution No. 10 s. 2006, for SP of Bohol “to rent out to the private sector the facilities' of the complex. Resolution No. 10 complemented an earlier resolution passed, to privatize the complex to improve the services.

The complex is owned by the province after it built in 1970s what is now the Chocolate Hills Complex during the reign of then Gov. Lino Chatto while the province has poured funds for the improvement of the complex. The complex is nestled on lot No. 1291, covered under TCT No. 9781 at said barangay, PLO pointed out.

“The Province of Bohol would not have built the complex without any understanding and agreement with Abaca and Other Fibers Development Bureau-Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the predecessor of the Fiber Industry Development Authority,” the resolution said.

Carmen accepted the MOA on August 30, 1993 signed by then Mayor Alfredo Galang and then Gov. David Tirol, provided an “interim management” of the complex, hence, Carmen “acknowledged” that the province owned the complex. The province's “superiority of right over the land and the municipality is estopped from challenging the right of the Province.”

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Vol. LII No. 028: Sunday, August 20, 2006

Choco takeover tackled


The move of the provincial government to take over the management of the Chocolate Hills complex gained grounds even as lawmakers of the province and the Carmen municipal government discussed on the 1993 memorandum of agreement (MOA) with some proposed amendments.

Meanwhile, lawyer Alexander Lim, counsel of the Carmen municipal government informed Gov. Erico Aumentado that the Carmen-LGU is amenable to the takeover move of the provincial government as long as the same revenues will be received by the LGU.

Provincial Senior Board Member Dionisio Balite who is the acting vice governor presided over the joint meeting last week of the provincial and Carmen officials at the Capitol pre-session conference room.

The meeting attempted to deliberate the merits and demerits of a new proposed MOA submitted by the Carmen â€" LGU which includes the proposed 50-50 revenue sharing, instead of the 70-30 sharing in favor of the Carmen LGU.

However, the discussion on MOA was overshadowed by the discussion on ownership of the complex which was constructed during the term of the late Gov. Lino I. Chatto and then Prov’l Archt. Venerando Dumadag with the late Chronicle editor-publisher as the project chairman.

The MOA signed by then Carmen Mayor Alfredo Galang and then Gov. David Tirol on August 30, 1993 provided an interim management of the complex by Carmen-LGU mandated to operate only for a year. However, the provincial government failed to enact legislation to sustain and legally support the Carmen-LGU’s status to manage the complex.

The complex has two hostels, a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court, and viewing deck.

Prov’l Kagawad Felix Uy and Prov’l Kagawad Brigido Imboy both opined that the issue on the ownership has to be resolved first while scheduling another meeting of both lawmaking bodies.

Carmen Vice Mayor Josil Trabajo, who represented Mayor Pedro Budiongan, claimed during the meeting that Carmen-LGU is in possession of documents to prove its ownership of a part of the complex.

Provincial Board Member Corazon Galbreath, chair of the SP committee on tourism, said the issue on ownership can be discussed in another meeting as the main concern is the urgency to find concrete solution to improve the services at the Chocolate Hills complex which is entirely under the management of Carmen-LGU.

The proposed takeover of the complex by the provincial government is scheduled for further discussion by the provincial SP due to the clamored improvement of management of the complex which is far below of what is expected from a world renowned destination.

Being the “signature destination” of Bohol, the complex deserves a world-class service especially that 95 percent of the tourists coming to the province would visit the Chocolate Hills.

“The various complaints regarding the condition at the Choco complex would easily damage the image of Bohol as a prime tourist destination,“ stressed Peter Dejaresco, chair of the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC).

The mounting complaints on poor management at the complex triggered the PTC to pass a resolution asking the provincial government to venture on the possibilities of privatizing the complex and its management.

However, with the recent move of the provincial government to take over its management, the PTC is supporting such stand of the provincial governance with the concern of improving services.

Complaints vary from foul odor from the rest rooms to lack of quality foods at the restaurant and poor sanitation in the area, including damaged roads and railing.

Recently, the vehicular congestion at the roadway along the hillside has caused several near- traffic accidents due to lack of traffic management.

CARMEN OKs TAKOVER

The Carmen LGU will agree to the proposed takeover of the provincial government on condition that the municipal government will be assured of the same revenues from the complex operation.

Gov. Aumentado issued the statement quoting Carmen-LGU counsel Lim when they met at the chapel of Camp Dagohoy after attending a Sunday mass a week ago.

The governor said Lim verbally relayed to him the stand of the Carmen-LGU amid the move for the provincial government to take over the complex management in order to address the complaints from visiting tourists.

==================================

Vol. LII No. 022: Sunday, July 30, 2006

“Brand Bohol” expands horizon
BINGO P. DEJARESCO III

The “Bohol Brand” seems to be the hottest stuff in town.

If this was a product, the name recall has been short of phenomenal. First, it was just the likes of President Carlos Garcia and a sprinkling of lawmakers and cabinet men that placed Bohol on the lips of many. Then the majestic Chocolate Hills, the sparkling Panglao beaches and other tourist spots were followed by successes in the fields of beauty, arts, sports and governance that even made Bohol a fixture in the consciousness of most Filipinos.

Whereas 30 years ago hardly anyone knew where Bohol was, today almost everyone does â€" for various reasons.

If Bohol was a “product,” it is made precious by tremendous opportunities in tourism and agri-business; its “price” of doing business would have been competitive; its “promotional” image locked in sterling superlatives and the “place” itself exuding excellent resort quality of life.

Today, it would have passed the four Ps of marketing â€" in a grand fashion. Today Bohol seems set to embark into a new era of investment boom. Tagbilaran City, the capital, for one has been adjudged among the top ten cities in a list of 27 by a major business teaching institute called the Asian Institute of Management.

BOHOL BUSINESS AND LEISURE PARK

Situated in a 3 hectare property near the new city hall, this will house PEZA registered buildings to be leased 25 years to e-services and other locators. This will be complemented by a greenbelt park for leisure and amenities for food and etertainment.

DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT STRIP

The Waterfront Strip to include the Tagbilaran Wharf, the K of C promenade and the Dauis Land Bridge will be an exquisite dining and entertainment venue while watching the fabulous sunset, the Tagbilaran Bay, nearby Panglao Island and the plying boats. Restaurants and deli shops, barbecue joints and music bars, mini gardens and sidewalk cafes would rise here.

RETIREMENT ESTATES

Foreign retirees and even balikbayans can now dream of retiring in bliss in a resort quality and world-class lifestyle targeted in the towns of Panglao, Dauis, Sagbayan and Anda. They will have the benefit of an eco-tourist environment, low cost of living and availability of caregiving support plus the proximity of able medical facilities in Cebu and Manila.

ELECTRONIC â€" SERVICES

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is an US$800-million business worldwide growing at an exponential rate. Some 200,000 Filipinos are now employed in the so-called call centers where the medical transcription demand could be filled up by Filipinos half of the way. Presence of 5,000 college graduates every year, low cost of business, cosmopolitan amenities and existing communication infrastructure conspire to make Bohol an attractive e-service site. The government scholarship programs for IT training will be tapped in partnership with the private sector.

TOURISM CRAFT VILLAGE AND SPECIALTY SHOP

Sites in Tawala Panglao near the resorts and a vantage point in Batuan are possible sites to erect the Tourism Village Craft to be the one-stop complex for local crafts and processed food. Handcrafted items and novelty complex for local crafts and processed food. Handcrafted items and novelty items and delectable unique Boholano delicacies will be made available to compatriots in the State of California. This is also one way of promoting the “One Town One Product” program of the Bohol municipalities. Also vantage points along the coastal highways and areas of high altitude will be converted to “viewing points” to provide traveling guests a restful view of a unique panorama, landscape or vista.

Carageenan Processing Bohol currently supplies 60% of the region’s carageenan production coming from the towns of Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Bien Unido, Ubay, President Garcia and Panglao. Total estimated carageenan area at 600 hectares at present is set to be expanded by another 527 hectares for an additional volume of 5,000 mt of dried seaweeds.

Tourism and Agriculture The oncoming tourism boom will certainly require more eateries, entertainment hubs, health and massage facilities, golf courses, transport and souvenir shops. In agri business, the promising high yield items would be aquaculture, high-crop value plantation, coconut, mango and ube plantation, post harvest facilities and commercialized tree planting. Light manufacturing activities in garments, furniture, semi-cons and farm implements are good candidates for investor attention.

Panglao will see the fruition of a presidential mandate to create a 2,203 hectare Panglao Island Tourism Estate in the island to house resort complexes, sports and recreation, shopping centers, a golf course and retirement village. By 2009, the anticipated Panglao airport with international standards will be finished as funded by a P3.2-Billion loan package of DBP-Landbank versus PAL receivables as collateral.

A new tourism growth area has been identified as the Southeastern Tourism Circuit covering the diver’s haven Anda to Cogtong Bay in Candijay to the rich mangrove system in Mabini, a perfect eco-tourist combination. In the north will be erected the Northeastern Industrial Corridor across Cebu comprising the seven coastal towns from Clarin to Ubay including the interior town of Trinidad. Ship repair and breaking will be ideal businesses in this area.

The recent Investment Forum during the TBTK produced many wide-eyed potential investors enamored not just by the beauty of Bohol’s environs but by the crisp smell of money that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett know so well.

“Brand Bohol” â€" its time has come.

business worldwide growing at an exponential rate. Some 200,000 Filipinos are now employed in the so-called call centers where the medical transciption demand could be filled up by Filipinos half of the way. Presence of 5,000 college

===================================


Vol. LII No. 016: Sunday, July 9, 2006

Choco collects service charge
RIC V. OBEDENCIO

The imposition of 10% service charge to guests at the Chocolate Hills complex has surfaced even amid issues on the disputed operation and management of the complex.

Carmen town, which is running the affairs of the facility through an expired Memorandum of Agreement, enacted and approved Ordinance No. 7, series of 2006, giving teeth to the imposition and collection of 10% service charge.

The new tax imposition, if realized, will benefit the complex employees based on the number of hours worked and the drivers/operators of motor vehicles ferrying tourists to the complex.

Seven percent of the 10% service charge goes to the facility’s workers and the three percent to the drivers, The 10% will be charged “on foods, drinks and catering services rendered by the Chocolate Hills Complex to customers.”

Collection derived from service charge shall be kept and treated special trust, said the Ordinance approved by acting Mayor Josil Trabajo and attested by acting vice-mayor/presiding officer Ramonito Torrefranca.

Just recently, Carmen increased the rate of toll or entrance fee for every individual entering the facility. Various sectors reacted. However, the increase on toll fee was not fully implemented due to mounting complaints.

The measure is referred to the review committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for further study prior to approval in session.

===============================

Vol. LII No. 011: Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Carmen opposes Choco Hills privatization move
RIC V. OBEDENCIO
CHOCO MANAGEMENT. Prov’l BM Corazon Galbreath (l) presides the meeting of the Technical Working Group studying the conceptualization of the proposed shift of management of the Chocolate Hills Complex. Right photo shows Carmen Acting Mayor Josil Trabajo pointing out the town’s objection during the meeting last Monday at the Capitol attended by committee members led by Provincial Planning and Development Officer Juanito Cambangay.

The municipality of Carmen is objecting on the proposed privatization of Chocolate Hills Complex management after the provincial government decided for make over amidst mounting complaints on facilities and demand for quality service to guests.

The Carmen Municipal Tourism Council (MTC) passed Resolution No. 01, series of 2006, “interposing objection on the move for privatization of the management and operation of the Chocolate Hills complex, Buenos Aires, Carmen, Bohol.” The Resolution was an offshoot of the Capitol’s attempt to take over first then privatize the complex provided that the conceptual development plan (CDP) for takeover should be in place.

Carmen Acting Mayor Josil Trabajo, in a meeting presided over by chairperson, provincial Board Member Ester Corazon Galbreath at the Capitol last Monday, told the technical working group (TWG) for the complex that the people of Carmen do not want the complex to be run by the private sector.

A government managing a facility is not best suited, said Atty. Juanito Cambangay, who co-chair the TWG.

Carmen was able to run the complex at the top of the highest hill after it signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the provincial government. The MOA signed by then Carmen Mayor Alfredo Galang and Governor David Tirol on August 30, 1993 provided an interim management of the complex by Carmen for only a year.

Under the same agreement, CDP should be formulated by both parties (province and Carmen) prior to takeover. TWG has done the CDP and some of the action plan have already been implemented, Galbreath said.

Previous provincial administrations including the present failed to take over the complex after a year of Carmen interim management in 1994.

When Trabajo presented the sentiment of Carmen through the MTC Resolution including the issue of ownership of the complex, Galbreath said that the meeting was not the proper forum to tackle the said issue of (ownership). The meeting was called for the TWG to finalize the CDP for the takeover by the provincial government.

Trabajo, who was accompanied by Municipal councilor Guillermo Espejo, chair of tourism committee, presented to the body the MTC Resolution, saying Carmen do not want to obstruct development of the complex. But he said any move to privatizations, Carmen will oppose.

The Resolution stressed that “the Chocolate Hills complex is God-given gift to man and it is located in the town of Carmen and found in the heart of the province and the one of the best possession(s) of the municipality of Carmen.”

It claimed that Carmen folk should hold on and continue the complex operation because it is the thrust of the national government to empower local government units such as Carmen for sustainable development.

Trabajo pointed out that Carmen also poured hefty funding for the improvement of the complex not just the provincial and national government.

Carmen has spent some P1.3 million from 1999 to the present to improve the facility, he said. The national government through DPWH also earmarked P4 million for the facility from 1997 to 2002.

Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chair Peter Dejaresco pointed out that the resolution was passed by the council after the standard of service at the complex and the quality of its facilities, most especially the rest rooms as well as the restaurant, have always been criticized by visiting tourists.

================================

Hi Mike . . .

Hingbalik na 'ko kay murag duna na may sarang ug angayang tukion karon, kining isyu sa Choco Hills Complex.

Ug Hi to Miss SnowWhite, ang maanyag nga kaliwat sa Dagon sa Hoyohoy!

Tuguti nga kanimo nako ipaabut ang akong panahom niining imong gibalita nga "business plan" sa Choco Hills Complex. Mahimo ba nga inyong ipaambit ang maong pagtuki niini aron nga makahatag ang kinabag-an sa mga Bol-anon, ilabi na kadtong atua sa langyang dapit sa ilang mga tampo kung unsaon ang pagdumala ug pagpalambo sa maong pasilidad. Sa akong opinyon, daghan ang ikatambag ang atong mga igsoon sa halayong dapit tungod sa ilang mga nakita ug namatikdan nga susamang pasilidad samtang sila nagbagdoybagdoy sa nagkalainlaing dapit sa kalibutan.

Akong pasidaan nga dili nato basta-basta dawaton ang mga pulong sa mga langyaw, ilabi na tungod kay sila mga consultant lamang ug aduna silay "vested interest" nga moingon nga maayo na ang inyong nahimo nga "business plan". 

Among paabuton ang imong gikahinam nga tubag !!!

Quote from: mfrandsen on June 08, 2007, 12:47:45 AM
Na, mao ba?

Nya Cap kay kung wala na diay nag-expect si Ylmas nga birhen pa ang iyang mamahimong sa asawa.

      

Kuan Cel,

Di ko masabtan kinaiya ining tawhana, si Yilmaz ba....   Nganong matud niya surprised kuno siyang nahibalo pinaagi iyang abogado sa USA nga naminyo na diay ni si Ruffa sa una didto sa Nevada busa it follows normally nga "deflowered" na.

Sa ila gud sa Turkey, kung dili birhen ang dalaga lisud na maminyo. Busa daghan didtong mga adunahan magpa repair ilang mga pukingking sa Thailand aron lamang moqualify sa ilang tinuhoan nga birhen. Tungod kay importante sa ilang batasan ang pagka birhen sa usa ka pangasaw-onon!

'Nya, didto man sila magkita una ni Ruffa sa Cannes,  wala ba mosud sa iyang hunahuna ang pagka "playgirl" sa iyang asawa. Ngani kung nagdukiduki si lalaki, mahibaloan gyud niya nga nag Bunieyuki sab si Ruffa.

'But unsa diay ang panglantaw ni Yilmaz sa katilingban. Kung tua siya sa ila sa Turkey, sunod siya sa ilang batasan nga conservative society. Kung tua siya sa gawas ok ra pud ang pagka liberal minded....

Hi Chin !!

I really miss your avatar ...... Com'n, being shy is not in your vocs !

    

28. Kung magmahal kanimo, hangtud sa kahangturan ..........

Now it can be told .....

Sa wala pa diay maminyo si Ruffa ni Yilmaz Bektas, ang milyonaryong Turko, migawas karon ang balita nga base sa mga opisyal nga dokumento didto sa Estado sa Nevada, US of Amerika natala nga dunay usa ka nagngalan ug Sharmaine Gutuierrez (Ruffa's full name is Sharmaine Ruffa R. Gutierrez) nga nagpakasal ni Richard Daloia niadtong Enero 18, 1999 . Kung tinuod kini, second hand na diay si Ruffa sa iyang pagminyo ni Yilmaz.

Nahingangha kuno si Yilmaz sa pagkahibalo niya sa maong balita.  Siyarooooo.... wa gyud makamatikud si Yilmaz sa ilang honeymoon!!!!

Tabi, dili ba diay mahibal-an kung ang imo napangasawa dili na birhen ? ? ?

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on June 05, 2007, 05:21:28 PM

Footnote: Delos Reyes is from Alicia, Bohol while Montano grew up in Baclayon, Bohol.

================================

Buboy Montano Manghilot (son of a a lawyer from Baclayon) grew up in Sta. Ana, Manila in the vicinity of the old race track. Though he speaks fluent Tagalog, he still know how to speak Bisaya as it was the lengua at their residence. His exposure to showbiz started as a tv show dancer .

BTW Mike, it might be worth considering having a topic about showbiz (national and local) which can carry gossip like; Regine and Ogie cohabiting,  Ruffa ending her "marriage" to Yilmaz or what has transpired at  the Milyonaryong Mini teledrama series.  I suppose our fair members and "lurkers" may welcome such.

Tubag mo mga Inday ?? ??

       

Mga 'Sana ug 'Sano, mga Ondoy ug Inday,

Sa pangutana kung hain dapit nang gihulagwayng busay, tu-a na sa lungsod sa Antequera ug ginganlag Mag-aso Falls ('but nganong ila mang gisaksak sinagul ang pagngalan, di na lang "Smoking Falls" o hinuon "Nag-asong Busay") tungod kay mao lagi mag-aso.

Kanang hulagway nga kuha ni carambs! medio taod-taod na ug gi-siyot nga ting-ulan. Aniay laing litrato ana nga kuha sa magtiayong Richter (mga langyang bisita) nga gi-siyot ug ting-init.  Adtoa ning dapita: http://www.gotouring.com/razzledazzle/articles/boholphoto009.html

Tan-awa ninyo ang kala-inan.

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on June 05, 2007, 11:03:53 AM

To Capitan Berong: Sukol ka nila?

photos courtesy of chesspics.com

Mo lang ....... basta GOLF, bisan ug dungan sila.
Pareha ba sa  "specialty" sa Pat Pong !! !! !!

       

Here, read his speech .......


========================================

Like Wine in the River, Like Citizens of the World
Harvard Law School 2007 Student Commencement Address
Oscar Franklin Barcelona Tan (Philippines)

     Dean Kagan, Vice-Dean Alford, professors, classmates, families, and
friends. Let me first thank our tireless graduate program staff. They
were the first friendly faces who greeted me, told me which functions
offered free food, and what to do if you faint during your final
exams. Assistant Dean Jeanne Tai, Nancy Pinn, Heather Wallick, Curtis
Morrow, Jane Bestor, Chris Nepple, April Stockfleet: This year would
not have been possible without you.

     But this goes to everyone: Thank you all for truly making us feel part
of this community. We LLMs became your fellow students after your
Salsa Party, Chinese and Korean New Year, African Night, and our
International Party. To honor you, we took Europe by storm, winning in
the inaurgural Negotiation Challenge, in the European Law Moot Court,
and in the Willem Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court.
Of course, you truly become part of Harvard Law School when you're
featured in the Parody.

     Not so long ago, Cambridge seemed a strange, unfriendly place ­
especially when I first saw Gropius. I went to John Harvard's with the
British, who began chittering in an alien language. I later discovered
it was actually English ­ the real English. I complained I was not
used to cold, but a Saudi Arabian reminded me that you can fry eggs on
a sidewalk in Riyadh. An Italian gave me tips on women because Italian
men are the world's greatest lovers, with the disclaimer that their
style does not work on American women. A Malaysian was asked to
explain the religious significance of the color of her hijab, or
headscarf. She would answer: It had to match her blouse.

     Soon, we found that great substance that keeps any law school
together: alcohol. On New Year's Eve, a Belarusian handed me a glass
of vodka, but scolded me when I began to sip it. Sipping, he
emphasized, was not the Slavic way. I shared a Frenchman's champagne,
a Peruvian's pisco sour, a Costa Rican's pina colada, a Brazilian's
caipirinha, a Mexican's tequila, and a Japanese's sake. And apologies
to the Germans, but I learned how even weak American beer enlivens an
evening when you drink it with the Irish.

     We found greater common ground: The Swiss complained about American
chocolate, the New Zealanders complained about American cheese, the
Sri Lankans complained about American tea, the Indians complained about
the lack of vegetarian food, and everyone complained that American food
makes you fat. An Austrian made homemade apfelstrudel. A Nigerian made
homemade fried plantains. The Pakistanis made a non-spicy version of keema,
and I only needed eight glasses of water during the meal. All the Americans
had was Three Aces pizza.

     As for me, I come from the Philippines, a former American colony best
known for Imelda Marcos's shoe collection. I remember being a six-year
old watching my parents walk out of our house to join the crowds
gathering to depose the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and form human walls
against tanks. I remember being a twenty-year old in a different crowd
deposing a different but equally corrupt president.

     It was liberating to hear how a Chilean danced with crowds in the
streets when Pinochet was arrested. How the Chinese come to grips with
Tiananmen Square, while convinced that one cannot transplant
American-style government wholesale to Beijing. How life changed in
the former Soviet Union; how it was like growing up in a fledgling
Eastern European country. How a Pakistani discussed Musharraf's
assault on judicial independence with a South African worried about
Mugabe's own acts in Zimbabwe.

     It was even more liberating to hear from a Korean prosecutor how his
country sent two former presidents to jail. How the Swiss have
preserved their tradition of independence and referendum. How Ghana
threw off its colonial fetters and inspired a conscious African
solidarity. How a Bhutanese wants to help shape her constitution after
her king voluntarily gave up absolute power.

     I cannot deny that our generation's issues will be complex, but I can
guarantee that they will never be abstract, not after having a
classmate who was an Israeli army drill sergeant, not after having a
Chinese classmate with a Taiwanese girlfriend, nor after having a
classmate chased by gunmen out of Afghanistan. In fact, when George W.
Bush's speechwriter visited, my Iranian classmate introduced himself,
"Hi, I'm from an Axis of Evil country."

     Friends, my most uplifting thought this year has been that the more we
learn about each other, the more we realize that we are all alike, and
the more we inspire each other to realize our most heartfelt
yearnings. My single most memorable moment here came when I met South
African Justice Albie Sachs, left with only one arm after an
assassination attempt during apartheid. My classmate stood up and
said: "South Africa is the world's second most unequal country. I come
from Brazil, the world's most unequal country, and I admire how the
South African Constitutional Court has inspired the progress of human
rights throughout the world."

     And this is how Harvard has changed us. We recall struggling with
English to keep pace with the world's most brilliant professors,
especially with Elizabeth Warren's Socratic blitzkriegs, and we thank
Harvard for raising our thinking to a higher, broader level. But even
the most powerful ideas demand passion to set them aflame. The passion
we ignite today is fueled by a collage of vignettes that will remind us in this
crucible of life that our peers in faraway lands face the same frustrations,
the same nation building ordeals, the same sorrows, and ultimately, the
same shared joys and triumphs.

     How do a mere 700 change the world, even with overpriced Harvard
diplomas? Before a great battle in China's Spring and Autumn Period,
the legendary King Gou Jian of Yue was presented with fine wine. He
ordered his troops to stand beside a river, and poured the wine into
it. He ordered them to drink from the river and share his gift. A
bottle of wine cannot flavor a river, but the gesture so emboldened
his army that they won a great victory. We of the Class of 2007 shall
flavor this earth, whether we be vodka, wine, champagne, pisco sour,
pina colada, caipirinha, tequila, sake, jagermeister, raki, Irish
stout, Ugandan Warabi, or Philippine lambanog.

     Thus, my friends ­ and this includes our American classmates who will
soon lead the world's lone superpower ­ let us transcend our individual
nationalities and affirm that we are citizens of the world.

Maraming salamat po, at mabuhay kayong lahat.
Thank you and long live you all.

       

Mike,

Unparalleled appointment for Tubag Bohol ....

How do we chance to have an "eye to eye" with this feisty, candid and charmful girl in Lady Chin!

Scrutinise her Avatar, you'll get floored !! Bet she's got mutiple Grafenberg spots.....

Newcomers, relish the encounter !! !! !!

       
Script to impending drama in Congress.....

June 4, 2007 brought back the members of the 13th Congress to their lairs at the Batasan Hills in Quezon City.

At the same time, reelected members and newbies to the next Congress hovered all over to back slap and congratulate each other as well as jockey for choice office space assignments. The air is filled with anticipation on who will be catapulted to the post of the Speaker of the House and who will comprise and head each of the different committees.

But behind the scenes, is the unfolding of a script to be followed at the opening of the 14th Congress. The major parties have already laid out the plans. Compromises and agreements have been sealed.

Cong. Jose de Venecia, from Lakas- CMD would still assume the post as Speaker. This after a facade of a simulated fight to wrest control of the House leadership by the flourishing Kabalikat ng Mamayang Pilipino (Kampi) party. In its aftermath, the House lays down its verdict. Lakas-CMD is the majority party, owing to its sheer number of elected members and Kampi settles in as the minority. Now, what will this bring about? Neat! There is no anti-administration block in the House leadership.

So there .........

    
If "IT" does not work......use your head !! !! !!

    

My own formula for a successful quarrel.....

Don't interrupt while one party is delivering her/his piece. As they say "don't fight fire with something combustible"

       

True, Metro Manila is not the Philippines ! This has been recognized by many for so many years, for that matter proposals have been proffered to change the form of gov't among others to address the problem. So far, to the credit of the present administration, with the dumping of the cha-cha option, the super region concept is now being implemented as precursor to a possible federal form of gov't.....

On the aspect of Jes Tirol's contention in his article as quoted here, we Boholanos are ahead of the rest of the Pilipinos. Consider the taxes to be borne by all Filipinos to underwrite the expensive nationally funded projects in Bohol. Consider the mega-projects always touted by our "good" governor, like the Bohol Circumferential Roads, Irrigation Projects, Panglao Airport, Leyte-Bohol Power Transmission Line, etc.

Would anyone care to ask how much we benefit from all these to the disadvantage of the much less endowed provinces?

Please ponder !!!

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on June 03, 2007, 09:30:41 AM
By Jes Tirol

Proem

Since the time of the Spaniards until the present the central government in Manila has a tendency to equate the whole country with the conditions or situation in Metro Manila.
..........................................

The Prodigal Son Concept

The government, through the MWSS has already given the rights to operate the water services to two groups. One is doing well but the other is not. President GMA is acting like the good father in the Biblical story of the prodigal son. The prodigal son wasted his money but was still taken back by his good father. There is no problem in the Biblical story because the good father owned all the money and property that he gave away to his son. In the case of President GMA, she is giving away money that she does not own.

Even if in theory the bailout can be economically justified, the morality of the situation still sinks. Why would the 75 million Filipinos living outside the concession area suffer for the 5 million Filipinos within the concession area? Is it not that the concern of the President is for the greatest good for the greatest number? Why sacrifice the 75 million Filipinos who are also suffering from want for the sake of 5 million Filipinos?

The case of Maynilad is a good example of the mentality of "imperial Manila." The central government always thinks that a problem in Manila has the priority to the rest of the country. This is another issue that the insurgents from the left, center or right, can exploit to further destabilize our country. When can our national leaders learn to take a perspective considering the welfare of the whole country? (published by the Bohol Chronicle in March 2004)

    

In the case of Guindulmanons, they were caught in a situation of choosing the lesser evil. Opting either tor a father and son tandem or of a siblings partnership.

As the sultry Mae West quipped, "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before."

Hope the new Mayor in Dr. Anana-Piezas and the reelected Vice Mayor Marivic Anana-Golosino comes out as the "lesser evil"

Good luck Guindulmanons!

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on April 24, 2007, 07:18:29 AM
I visited Bohol last week. It shocked me that political dynasty is so widespread. For example, in Guindulman, it's a son-father tandem for mayor and vice-mayor (who is the incumbent mayor). In the third district, Cong. Jala pushed his son to run for congressman. The father Jala will end his term this year. He has been a congressman for three terms. But he cannot let go of the temptation and the power. He put up his son, a 27-year-old new bar passer, for the congressional race. Pabagaay nalang gyud ug nawong ang politiko tungod sa kahakog sa gahom. More than half of all towns in Bohol have political bets under one family/clan.

Mike,

Is it possible that the board compose page carry a provision to INSERT Files? Right now, its got INSERT Flash, INSERT Image, INSERT Hyperlink, INSERT Email & INSERT FTP Link. I would prefer to have an INSERT File utility so one can conveniently include in the composition page, files in various formats (Word, spreadsheet, PDF, etc.) with their formatting carried over.

Many thanks!

Quote from: mfrandsen on May 30, 2007, 11:15:12 PM
It is truly heartwarming if whever we heard nice comments about our hometown...

=======================
Here's another one as published in a national newspaper.....

Manila Standard
May 31, 2007

Sweet relief of Panglao Island
By Kamilla Hemandas

Boholanos rule! I came to this realization after my recent foray to the shimmering white sand beaches of Panglao Island, Bohol’s much-touted tourist destination. One of the distinct pleasures of living in the Philippines, and this I often brag about to my foreign friends, is the thrill of discovering a new cove, sun-kissed coast and sometimes a world-class resort tucked away in some serene hideaway. With over 7,000 islands to choose from, summer in the Philippines can be quite an adventure.

Upon the invitation of my newfound friend, Vicky Panlilio, who shares my passion for travel and spontaneity, we ventured out to Alona Palm Beach Resort, a 25-minute bus ride off Tagbilaran City in Bohol. To hie away to a sanctuary by the sea far from the madding crowd of Manila was both our idea of an ideal holiday and were pleasantly surprised by how tourist-savvy the Boholanos were.

Nona Lobregat, Teresa Olbes, Vicky Panlilio with son Andress, myself and my son Avinash set out to explore Alona Beach. Named after the beauteous actress Alona Alegre from the ’60s, it is after her unforgettable provocative scene on the coast that the Boholanos named the kilometer stretch of pristine white sand after her. The Alona Palm Beach Resort, a rustic intimate escape comprising of 12 luxury villas overlooking the Bohol Sea was to be our home for the next five days. Set amid attractively landscaped sprawling gardens, the resort has its own private beachfront and boasts having the largest swimming pool in the area. Replete with a sunken pool bar that served a wide variety of drinks and an extensive wine list, were we really in Bohol? Most impressive was their German Chef Uli Ostermayer’s culinary expertise. Succulent grilled prawns, rib-eye steaks, complimented by delightful starters like salmon wrapped in crepes, Greek salad and carvelat Swiss sausage salad, were a few of the dishes we savored while our young sons devoured their all lean beefy burgers and cheesy pizzas.

Sybaritic adventures abound in Panglao but perhaps the most memorable was setting out to the open sea at the break of dawn to watch spinner dolphins put on a show for the twenty something bancas filled with enthusiastic tourists, eagerly awaiting to get a glimpse of their playful ways in their natural habitat. To watch genteel fishermen display a great respect for the marine environment and the delightful sea mammals as they maneuvered their boats was most heartwarming. Snorkling off Balicasag Island, a 30-minute boat ride from Panglao Island coast, was one of the highlights of the trip. Armed with day old bread, we dove off the side of the banca and discovered the most colorful friendly fish who seemed to welcome our quiet intrusion.

A road trip to see the famed Chocolate Hills, a close encounter with the docile nocturnal tarsier and cruising along the Loboc River on a floating restaurant were among the charming diversions Bohol has to offer. Country roads punctuated with ancestral homes, ancient watch-towers, and old stone churches reminiscent of colonial Hispanic days provide each visitor a glimpse of their rich cultural heritage. Most outstanding was the Baclayon church, the second oldest stone church in the Philippines. Originally built by Jesuit priests in the 16th century, it’s ornate altar, which displays various gilded images of the Immaculate Conception, Blessed Virgin and the Child Jesus still stands to this day. As we walked in, Vicky and Nona remarked, that their mother, the late renowned jeweler Fe Panlilio, often reminded them whenever they walked into a church for the first time that they were to make three wishes and the Lord would surely hear them. A quiet moment and three wishes later, we made our way to the nearby museum, which displayed numerous priceless religious artifacts.

Our trip to Bohol’s Panglao Island and Alona Beach stay delivered more than just the usual idyllic escape we had initially set out for. It was a journey that provided a peek to the heart and soul of the Boholanos. Their rich cultural past we witnessed as we watched parishioners in fervent prayer inside the famed Baclayon church, their generous spirit as we were serenaded while we cruised down Loboc River and most of all their compassion and sensitive respect for nature as we admired the lush Chocolate Hills, playful dolphins and the cuddly tarsiers. Boholanos rule!

For comments; e-mail kamillahemandas@yahoo.com

       


Sa Congressional Office pud ni Boy Jala, ang Chief of Staff niya iyang asawa si Remy Jala. Ambot kaha kung ibutang ba pud ni Congressman Elect Adam Jala iyang girl friend puli sa iyang Nanay. Usik man sa ilang panan-aw nga kining 15-30 nga posisyon sa Congress ihatag ug lain pa. Galing dili buhian ni Remy Jala ang iyang pwesto karon arong way "usik", ang tanan sa ilang pamilya ra !! !! !!

Ilang balay sa Tagbilaran gihimo man pud District Office, unya claim si Boy Jala ug rental expense charged sa Congress. Mao sab tingali buhaton iyang anak. Di ba, like father like son....

Way sapayan Mike ug kaninyong mga 'Sana/o nga nagpakabana alang sa Bohol .....

Kung unsa man ang akong ikatampo dinhi alang sa kalampusan sa mga katuyoan natong tanan ug ni Mike L, akong ikalipay ang pagtabang!

Mabuhi ka Bol-anong maisog ......

======================================

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on June 01, 2007, 11:57:10 AM
Whoever you are, Congratulations Capitan Berong. You are now a Junior Member of our Tubag Bohol site.

To all our members and guests: Capitan Berong has been instrumental in the posting of many open secrets about Bohol and the Boholanos.

Without Capitan Berong, we would have not known the things that really matter to us Boholanos and Filipinos.

Cap, salamat sa imong pagpakabana! You're an endangered species!

Padayon ta sa atong gugma alang sa Bohol!


Sincerely,

www.mikeligalig.com

 

Dili pa Cel.... maayo na lamang kay tapulan ang atong mga Senador, wa matuki iya balaoron. Tingali na "archive" na apan balik man si Padre sa 14th Congress, so pwede pa gihapon iya usbon pag file.....

    

Who should admonish the LGUs (Local Gov't Units) to follow rules or implement laws?

In "Tubag Bohol....", our advocay is to advance social order at least in our beloved province. To accompish this noble vision, the LGUs should be at the forefront in realizing this noble objective. However, in most instances, these institutions are the culprits in undermining the efforts to accomplish it.

I can cite this one case.

There's a law (RA 9184) as cited by the Chairperson, Government Procurement Policy Board in a circular ordering all gov't intrumentalities to post all Notices of Award in the Government Electronic Procurement System websites which includes in our particular case the Bohol Province website (http://www.bohol.gov.ph/bids/) for all items procured (good & services). The object is to ascertain transparency and minimize opportunities to commit illegal transactions.

Yet, it appears that our own provincial gov't unit is remiss in this account. How can it enjoin the municipalities to implement the law when it can NOT even show by example ?

Below is the subject GPPB circular.......

=========================

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT POLICY BOARD
CIRCULAR NO. 01-2005
January 24, 2005

TO: Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Offices and Agencies of the National Government; Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); and Local Government Units (LGUs)

SUBJECT: Mandating All Government Agencies, including LGUs to post all Notices of Award in the Government Electronic Procurement System Website in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations Part A
      1.0 Purpose
This circular is issued to reinforce the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 (R.A. No. 9184) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations Part A (IRR-A) mandating all procuring entities to post results of bidding, in particular notice of award, and other related information in the Government Electronic Procurement System (G-EPS) website.
      2.0 Coverage
All Departments, Bureaus, Offices and Agencies of the National Government; Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); and Local Government Units (LGUs).
      3.0 Rules and Regulations
To fully comply with the requirement under Section 8.2.1 (a) of the IRR-A, and to promote transparency and efficiency in government procurement, all notices of awards of contract, and other related information must be posted in the bulletin board of the G-EPS website, being the single portal of information on all government procurement activities, in addition to the posting in the website of the procuring entity concerned, if available.
      4.0 For compliance.

     EMILIA T. BONCODIN
     Chairperson, Government Procurement Policy Board
     Secretary, Department of Budget and Management

    

"The Philippines is on a roll" President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told reporters in Canberra, where she is on a state visit.

This is how PGMA almost boasted to the Ooozes down under upon learning that the country posted a hefty economic performance during the first quarter of 2007.

As a lesson for us in Economics 000, GDP means "Gawa dito Pinas" while GNP is "Gawa Ng Pinoy". To elucidate further, GNP is sum total of measurable economic activities within the country while GNP is the worth of all efforts of all Pinoys all over the world.

Here is how the euphoria is being reported by media;

========================================

Economy posts strongest growth in 17 years
By Rosemarie Francisco
Reuters
Last updated 04:26pm (Mla time) 05/31/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The economy enjoyed its highest annual growth in 17 years in the first quarter, thanks to healthy consumption and an expansion in back-office services.

First-quarter gross domestic product grew 6.9 percent on an annual basis, way above expectations. It expanded a seasonally adjusted 2.5 percent from the previous quarter, the highest rate in 11 quarters, the government said on Thursday.

"The Philippines is on a roll," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told reporters in Canberra, where she is on a state visit.

"This is the fastest pace in almost two decades -- 9.1 percent growth in services, 5.3 percent in industry, 4.2 percent in agriculture."

Government officials said the 2007 target of 6.1 to 6.7 percent growth was well within reach and could be revised up, with the country now closer to hitting a hitherto elusive 7 percent.

More here . . . . http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view_article.php?article_id=68802

 

Di ba na-involved sad ni siya ug attempted rape kuno, nahilot lang tingali kay wa man ipadayon ug kiha sa biktima.

Nabasahan man nako ning istoryaha sa mga lokal nga pamantalaan sa Bohol!!!

May pagka PILYO jud diay ........

 

And the good thing is that Firefox is an open source browser .... Am not against Microsoft per se as an epitome of innovation in software. But am vehemently objecting to their monopolisic vent in their business model that curtails competition.

Its good that the Philippines is keen to adopt FOSS. Well, for economic reasons!

 

Niadtong bata-bata pa ko, kuyog ko ni Padre Jaime Neri, usa ka Jesuitang "anthropologist" nga nag estudyo sa mga karaang Pinoy (aborigine) nga namuyo didto sa Anda. Sa among kulokabildo, akong gipangutana siya, "Padre, unsa may sinugdanan ining ujat-ujat sa mga Bol-anon nga "ija-ija aho-aho" kuno ang ilang kinaija". Matud niya, "Dunay tubag ana. Kadtong unang grupo sa mga Malayo (Shri Visayans) nga nanganhi sa Pinas duna silay kinaiya, mga kuripot. Kining grupoha nanimuyo kadaghanan dinhi sa Bohol ug adunay tipik kanila mipadayon paglawig ug nanimuyo sa Amihanang Luzon, Ilocos Region karon. Kining kinaiyaha nadala hangtud karon. Ang mga Bol-anon kuno kung magpainadlaw unya sa panahon sa tingkaon na mobiya sa mga kauban ug maglain sa iyang kaugalingon. Ngano, tungod kay iya isuwa ginamos ra pares sa kamote tungod sa iyang kakuripot. Busa, ujat-ujaton siya nga "ija-ija aho-aho".

Mao sab tingali ning kantiyaw nga "pakisabaw ug pakibahog" tungod sa atong pagkakuripot. Magsuwa lamang kasagaran ug law-oy nga utan. Lami na nga bahog-bahog.

Ang "lamesa ray patag" tungod na atong Chocolate Hills.

Pero di ba kining tanang pulos "positive attributes" sa mga Bol-anon. Sa atong pagka kuripot eh di ba pulos ta dunay tinago-an?

    

Quote from: mfrandsen on May 30, 2007, 11:17:09 PM
Its nice to read and learn again about our hometown as I forgot the history(shame on me) 

Hi Cel,

Worry no more .... Bohol Philippines (Mike L) will come up with a category in "Tubag Bohol ..."  or a site that will be a repository of facts about our province, even your own Getafe, like how it got its name.

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on May 29, 2007, 03:42:19 PM
Cap, do you own the compilation? I have an idea how to make a special site that is interactive and manageable so that others can add content/photos in real-time.

   

No, Mike .... but your idea of a special site akin to a mini-wiki would be laudable. We might be able to come up with a unified version of all writings about Bohol; its physical attributes, people, everything.

For instance, among the first web presence with topics about Bohol is from this site, http://members.tripod.com/nitmart/HStory00.htm

Its from a dormant site Webline Bohol bylined by JHAD Computer Services & Sales. Apparently the last indicated activity is in March 1999. I recall this maybe the outfit run by the Tajale siblings located in the buiding across UB at Maria Clara.

Its got snippets of Bohol history which they may have compiled themselves from various sources. This file could become a source of the evolving interactive archives of Bohol.....

    

Hi Cel,

Husto baya ka diha anang imong punto, kung sa panultihon lamang.....

Apan ang ako lang, kung bahin sa sa kinaiya sa iyang pagkatawo (manners or idiosyncrasy), kana bang way pagpangilabot mao na ang akong gipunting nga kahulogan sa pagya nga "ija-ija aho-aho". Hinaut unta nga dili ni tinuod natong mga Bol-anon .....

========================

In response to mfrandsen's post;

Quoteija-ija-aho-aho is not about the character of the person but it defines on how boholanos speaks, sakto ba ko? Because dili man na kinaiya sa mga bol-anon... Sa sinultian man nga naay ija instead of iya, then aho instead of ako

        

The current position of Chief Legislative Officer at the office of Congressman Padre Ondoy Cajes is vacant .... If you're interested, the position carries a lucrative emolument of about P18,000  per month (my last recall) with minimum effort and qualifications. This is brought about by the resignation of the current occupant Mrs Judith Cajes who has now to assume as the new municipal mayor of Trinidad, Bohol. Congrats Judith !!!

Send in your application and we will gladly forward it to the Congressman as he seems not to maintain an office in the province as supposed to be and provided with appropriate public funds

       

Mga 'Sano/a,

Found out that Congressman Padre Ondoy Cajes is also into this racket of trying to legislate as non-working public holiday to certain lucky favorite municipalities. In Cajes' case he wants Jetafe to celebrate his town's founding anniversary every October 12th as a holiday. House Bill No 0748 he authored has been transmittted to the Senate on August 2, 2005. Fortunately, it seems it could be archived already considering the elapsed time without Senate action.

    

It seems like even historical lit re our greatest paisano hero in Dagohoy is not fully documented. I have here a file which I am sharing with you all. Lets have some more bits and pieces to complete the real life picture of the man ....

Please go to this link below and comment.

======================

http://www.geocities.com/sinupan/pinoy.htm

    

Mga Sana/o .....

Praise the Lord !!!!

Look at this news item, seems too good to be true. Read ....

=======================

Free at last from IMF

THE PHILIPPINES FACES A ‘PROBLEM OF PLENTY,’ SAYS BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS GOVERNOR AMANDO M. TETANGCO JR.
By Ernesto Y. Tolentino
Special to BusinessMirror

FOR the first time in almost half a century, the Philippines has freed itself from the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by prepaying its debt owed to the multilateral financial institution.

This was made possible by the robust growth in the nation’s dollar reservesâ€"which as of last April hit $25.1 billionâ€"due mainly to a combination of increased foreign exchange revenues and foreign capital inflows, coupled with prudent management of the country’s financial affairs and structural reforms introduced by the Arroyo government.

More ..... at  http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/05292007/perspective01.html

    

Paulino eyeing for the presidency of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Bohol Chapter?

For Andahanons, please restrain him and his mate in your town.

Makes me cry for Bohol .....

    

Mga 'Sano,

Tabi .... ari ra ta maglantugi sa isyu nga "substantive electoral exercise" nga adunay katipik (bearing) sa atong situasyong Bol-anon.

Kung maka-umol ta unya ug ideya nga atong makamtan ug haum dinhi sa atong probinsya, akong pagtoo makatampo tag dako alang sa pagliluk ug "agenda for political change".

Ang pangutana ngano nga daghan nagtuo nga dako kaayo ang kakulangan sa pamaagi sa atong piniliay? How can we rectify the present situation such that we can attain an environment where a substantive electoral exercise can be achieved? Is the current electoral  process employed conducive to the democratic process of electing public administrators?

Dinhi sa ato, unsaon man pagpili ug angayan nga mga opisyales nga halos idiktar man lamang kung kinsa ang pilion. Pananglitan ang "unity ticket" strategy sa administrasyon.

Money and power politics is also prevalent. Only those imbued with these resources have the privilege to get elected "kuno".

Unfortunately, in a democracy, these parameters are given variables and in its spirit sanctioned. But it should not put us into hysterics that democracy is a bane to human development. As they say, democracy with all its faults is still the best political process so far invented by human civilization.

Karon, atong tan-awon ang tagsa-tagsa ka elemento sa demokrasya hain atong tul-iron ipahaum sa atong katilingbang Bol-anon.

Just to recall a notable case, in a conversation with a former governor of Zamboanga del Norte, he noted that vote buying in his province is not effective when price of copra is high !!!!

Please contemplate and let's try to focus ourselves to matters we can catalyze. Let's take a cue from the flick "The Butterfly Effect".

==================

    

Here's another account of a foreigner's (American GI in the 1900s) sojourn in our island back then ....

Please follow the link below;

http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/scriven/

Enjoy !!!

      

Mga 'Sana/o .....

Hinaut dili unta mahimangud ang atong bangiitang arkitektong Lobocanon, si Bobby Cericos niining akong ubos nga komentaryo.

Hangtud sa panganod ang akong pagdayeg ni Angelo "Geloy" Balili (laing Lobocanon) sa iyang pagdumili mo-apil sa bugnong lugaynon dinhi sa ato bisan pa nga halos isupa kaniya ang pagka congressman sa terciro distrito. Ang iyang gipakita usa ka buhat nga matawag ug "highest degree of statesmanship" (however extremely wanting in another Lobocanon).

Ngano nga si Geloy wala motuman sa mga nagtsutsuwa kaniya? Matud niya sa iyang balibad nga namantala, dili niya matulon ang pamaagi sa pamulitika sa Bohol !!!!! 

Unta, wala na lang mag-usik ug panahon si Bobby sa iyang paglangsar pagka gobernador sa Bohol. Hinu-on, tingali hibalo na si Bobby ug unsay iyang dangatan. He might just be trying to prove a point! Pero, sa laing bahin iya lamang gihatagan ug bili ang kuno demokratikong pamaagi sa pagpili ug gobernador sa Bohol. Unfortunately, Bobby only lent an air of legitimacy to the democratic processs of elections in Bohol for governor when in fact it was already down the drain, considering that the Boholanos had been deprived of the right of choice after our political elite made their so-called "unity ticket" supposedly for Bohol's dev't and progress!

Ani-ay artikulo akong gisukip sa ubos. Palihug basaha ug pamaladongi .......


==============================

A difficult process
Adrian E. Cristobal

Democracy makes possible the reform of institutions without using violence. â€" Karl K. Popper

Mr. Christopher Hill, the US Assistant Secretary for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, gave us something to think about when he said that democracy (is) a difficult process.

"Process" means a series of actions towards a particular aim. So if democracy is a process, its particular aim is a political society which promotes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Other desirable things follow: justice, equality, freedom, all of which are summed up in the Rule of Law.

Note, however, that despotism, the considered opposite of democracy, also have laws, but they are regarded by democracies as arbitrary or dependent on the whim and will of one man or group of men.

The immediate question, then, is what makes democracy a difficult process? Perhaps, that is not the correct question? Perhaps, the correct question is who finds democracy a difficult process?

Is it the people? I have heard ordinary citizens complain that what’s wrong with our country is "too much democracy," by which they mean their fellow citizens argue too much that they can’t unite for a common purpose. And what’s the common purpose? To move the nation forward.

If it’s the people who find the process difficult, is it because they don’t know what democracy should be?

How is that when it’s all there in our constitutions?

What makes the process so difficult when in fact we know or believe we know what democracy is all about? Are the people putting roadblocks to the process? Is it a case of the governed defying those to whom they gave their consent to govern â€" or the reverse?

    

Mga 'Sano/a,

Even if the newly elected councilors or "kagawads" throughout the province has not assumed office, one Tagbilaran City councilor in the person of reelected Kagawad Dandan Bantugan has already expressed interest for the coveted position. Why do people are so desirous of the presidency of the Philippine Councilors League, Bohol Provincial Chapter? Here are some of the more obvious reasons:

a) Being the president, by law he takes a slot reserved for it at the Provincial Sangguniang Panlalawigan. When you get to be a member of the Provincial Legislature, you also obtain lots of perks; like allowances, salary, service vehicle, staff, free equipment, free travel and a semblance of congress peoples' "pork barrel", etc.
b) Prestige, which you can parlay into a higher political position like Atty. Boy Jala, Padre Ondoy Cajes and even Gov. Aumentado are of the more prominent examples.
c) Political power play.

So, Kag. Bantugan will pit himself versus the incumbent in the person of also just reelected Loay Kagawad Brigido "Boy" Imboy and others who will come out of the woodworks soon. Dandan B's early declaration is indicative that someone is sponsoring him and the most likely patron is a top official of the city. How about Boy Imboy? Well, he can stand on his own as he was able to in the last occasion by vanquishing the combined clouts of the Valencia Lims and the governor. So, this time there again will be a candidate from the Lim's group singly or in combination with Gov. Aumentado's.

Abangan !!!!!

Quote from: classic_lil_chix on May 24, 2007, 07:15:23 PM
hehe, yeah.. ahuh.. i came there.. and i l0ve mah place.. i miss it na..;(
tnx guys!!!

Quote from: Capitan Berong on May 23, 2007, 10:51:41 AM
Yes Mike .... "PRETTY prestigious girl" is Jasmin from barangay Magsaysay, Sierra Bullones, Bohol

Hi Jas,

Inggit kami sa iyo dahil nasa Paris ka nakatira ..... Pa post naman ng iyong pics na ang background ay ang Eiffel Tower at bago ko makalimutan dagdagan mo din ng ilan ng "Follies ..."

TY jamooooo .....

    

Here's another outstanding Boholano achiever .......

=======================================

RICO OBLIGADO CRUZ

THE SCIENTIST AS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

The number one predator in planet Earth is man. He is on top of the food chain, and he reigns supreme in his realm. If self-interest and greed continue to influence his vital moves, this planet is doomed. And he himself is doomed. Nevertheless, this is only a generalization. If he is truly a rational human being, for which reason he is above all other animals, his ability to evaluate, comprehend, evaluate and draw logical conclusions is a Godly blessing. Thus, he still has hope.

Among those who have aspired to give hope to mankind are the devoted environmentalists who have drawn for the quizzical a landscape conducive to the preservation of man and his habitat. Dr. Rico O. Cruz, Ph. D. is one scientist, engineer, and environmentalist who fits the role of savior in the global desire to preserve Mother Earth.

He was born in Aguining, President Garcia, Bohol on January 29, 1958 to parents, Jose E. Cruz, Sr., a native of Aguining, and Demetria Obligado-Cruz of Combado, Maasin, Southern Leyte. After his elementary and high school education in his island municipality, he embarked on a developmental venture to enhance his potentials by enrolling at VISCA (Visayas State College of Agriculture), pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. He finished the course in 1980 as a Southern Leyte State Scholar, a distinction that was bestowed to him after a series of examinations and interviews, and the fact that his previous scholastic records showed his excellence. He graduated Cum Laude in the five-year course. He also took four years of ARMY ROTC and topped the officers’ training school (advance summer camp training) at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

Right after graduation he was presented with two options for a lifetime career: be an Agricultural Engineer or be a military man. He chose the former. From 1980 to 1984 he was hired as Science Specialist and Instructor by his alma mater. It was also at this time when VISCA became Leyte State University (LSU).
This further linkage with LSU opened another door for advancement. A scholarship grant took him to Silsoe College, Bedford, England where he took and finished Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering in 1983. Because of his qualifications, and his perseverance to enhance his chosen profession, he was admitted as Intern at the Postharvest Institute for Perishables, University of Idaho, USA. For his upkeep he worked as International Graduate Assistant. From 1984 to 1987 he was employed as International Graduate Assistant in the same University.

In 1997 he accepted the job of Assistant in Research at the University of Idaho Agricultural Engineering Department. Simultaneously he enrolled for his Doctorate degree in the said school and finished Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering in 1990. He stayed for two years more in Moscow, Idaho before he became Volunteer Specialist and Bioprocess Engineer at ACDI/VOCA (Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance) based in Washington, DC, a position he retains until today.

Through the auspices of ACDI/VOCA he became involved in international humanitarian work and services. From April 1993 to June 1996 he was assigned in Uganda. In February 1999 he worked in Azerbaijan. From October to November of the same year he was based in Russia. From April 2001 to July 2002 he was working in Bulgaria, and from June to July 2003 he was assigned in Paraguay.

From 1994 to 1999 he worked as a Senior Environmental Specialist at Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources, Lapwai, Idaho. It was during this stint that he was tapped for the United Nations Development Programme for TOKEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) from November to December of 1995. In 1999 he became a Senior Science and Technology Associate of the International Institute for Indigenous Resources Management of Denver, Colorado. A year later he went back to Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources of Idaho, as Hanford Cultural Resource Coordinator, a job he held until 2003. After a couple of years he was taken in as Vice President for Operation at S.I.I. LLC in Pendleton, Oregon. Since 2002 he has been President and CEO of Ecoenergy International, LLC of Craigmont, Idaho. In 2004 he was offered the position of Program Manager and Terrestrial Ecologist of Laboratory and Biological Services, CTUIR, Oregon. Dr. Cruz still holds simultaneously the last three positions until today.

Dr. Rico Cruz is an active member of various organizations, among them: American Society of Agricultural Engineers, American Nuclear Society, Institute of Biological Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, International Who’s Who of Professionals, International Solar Energy Society, Indian Nursery Council and Lions Club International.

Among the awards and recognition he received are the following: First Place, Advance Summer Camp. Philippine Army Reserve, 31D, 1979; Cum Laude, VISCA, 1980; 5-year state Scholarship, Southern Leyte, 1975; Columbo Plan, British Council Study Fellowship, 1981;; Outstanding Alumnus in Science, The College of Maasin, 2000; 1000 W0orld Leaders of Scientific Influence, American Biographical Institute, 2001.

Through the TOKEN program, he piloted the production of coconut in the Philippines. His work has been recognized worldwide, and he is listed in the 1999 International Who’s Who of Professionals, Gibraltar Publishing Corporation, 1999; and the 1000 World Leaders of Scientific Influence in 2001 by the American Biographic Institute. In 2000 he was chosen by the College of Maasin as Outstanding Alumnus in Science. A Registered Professional Engineer, he has written, published, and presented over 30 technical papers on bioprocessing, biofuels, and environmental management.

Dr. Cruz is married to Consuelo M. Cruz, a Medical Technologist. He is a much sought-after lecturer and has traveled all over the world as seminar, workshop, and convention speaker. A fisherman and hunter during his free time, it is in environmental concerns that he has excelled globally. He has helped NGOs in the Philippines in protecting, conserving, and sustaining the dwindling natural resources. His goal for the nation is to minimize environmental degradation, sustain the resources, and be independent in producing its own energy. Perhaps, far-fetched, but he has dedicated himself to this dream.

From Loy Palapos' Boholano Today series.

    

Excerpt from Business Mirror, a national daily not usually available in Bohol .....

===============================

Bohol irrigation project delayed on seen overprice

By Rommer M. Balaba
Reporter


A CABINET-level committee which evaluates major Philippine projects said early this week it has held back any decision regarding a Bohol irrigation project, whose costs have gone up by more than half.

Even after the contentious P2.384-billion Bohol Irrigation Project, Stage 2 (BHIP2) is deemed viable, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri sought accountability for the P1.246-billion cost increase of the Japan-funded project, which intends to construct a network of irrigation facilities in a 5,300-hectare area.

“Definitely some heads must roll. Somebody must be held accountable,” an obviously piqued Neri, who also co-chairs the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), said in a telephone interview with BusinessMirror.

The ICC’s evaluation of the irrigation project, which is nearly complete, showed that development costs had gone up to P613,383.40 per hectare from the previous P449,889.62, making it “the most expensive irrigation project ever implemented by the National Irrigation Administration.”

Besides improving areas in the municipalities of San Miguel, Trinidad, and Ubay in Bohol, the program will also establish a water reservoir and farm-to-market roads.

President Arroyo is scheduled to inaugurate Bayongan Dam on April 21 (this has been deferred/cancelled as GMA was advised not to impart credence to the project pending unresolved issues over its cost), a major cost component of BHIP2, before the whole irrigation project partially operates by June to initially serve 500 hectares.

Despite the many times the project has been up for ICC (Investment Coordinating Council is composed of top gov't bureaucrats that approves and monitors large public projects) discussions, various data which would help justify the project’s cost increases remain unavailable, according to Neri.

“We want a proper breakdown of the cost increases and proper analysis of the variance,” Neri said. “The problem with them [irrigation officials] is that they were supposed to go back to the Neda [to seek clearance] but they waited for two years to do that. By that time, the project was almost fully implemented, but at a very high cost.”

Earlier, Neri proposed three options for the project: to see its completion, to halt its construction, or to continue it while penalizing those involved, especially the contractors.

“The analysis [of the project’s viability] is very wanting. I want this resolved in the next ICC meeting. Since we know the cause [of the overrun], I want to know how they would justify it,” he said.

        

By Golly ..... we have earned national prominence !!!

Read this item from Philippine Daily Enquirer ......

============================

Money, fake and real, talk of (some) towns in Bohol

By Kit Bagaipo ('Sano Kit, we don't need to brag these "accomplishments" !!!)
Inquirer
Last updated 01:46am (Mla time) 05/27/2007

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippinesâ€"Money is the talk of the town in some towns in Bohol, after at least P19,000 in fake bills was found deposited in four banksâ€"and five municipalities that voted 12-0 for Team Unity were each promised a P2-million reward.

The five towns will receive funding for projects, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado told 47 town mayors yesterday, during an assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Bohol chapter.

He also said five other towns that voted 11-1 for TU will each receive P100,000 worth of projects.

Aumentado, president of the LMP and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said he was only waiting for the release of project funds from Malacañang after sending a Commission on Elections-certified copy of final tabulations in the senatorial race from the 10 municipalities.

In the capital city, however, talk was about a different sort of money.

Counterfeit P1,000 and P500 bills were discovered to have been deposited in at least four banks: Allied Bank, City Savings Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Cooperative Bank of Bohol.

In time for election?

DBP alone had nine fake P1,000 bills and four fake P500 bills.

The counterfeit money has been presented to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas investigator Andres Catanjal. The fake bills will be brought to the BSP for examination, Catanjal said.

The discovery of the fake money, which turned up right after the May 14 elections, spurred speculation here that it was used to buy votes.

Before the elections, the police in Central Visayas had asked the public to scrutinize their P500 bills, amid reports that counterfeit versions were being distributed in the region in time for the elections, purportedly for vote-buying activities.

Massive vote buying in Bohol, where some candidates reportedly shelled out P200 to P3,000 for each voter, alarmed even the Catholic Church.

The Bohol Bankers Association also issued a public advisory on the proliferation of the fake bills.

Vote buying was observed in the hotly contested mayoral contests in Tagbilaran City and the towns of Panglao, Trinidad, Loay, Albur, Guindulman and Candijay.

Team Unity swept all 12 Senate seats in elections in Buenavista, Valencia, Danao, Dagohoy and Getafe. The towns of Balilihan, Antequera, Sagbayan, Lila and Sierra Bullones all gave TU an 11-1 result.

Cesar Montano takes Bohol

In the province-wide Comelec count (one city and 47 towns), Boholano movie actor Cesar Montano (369,807 votes) received the most votes, ahead of six other candidates from TU, four from the Genuine Opposition and one independent.

The other winning senatorial candidates in Bohol include Rep. Prospero Pichay (254,764 votes), Sen. Edgardo Angara (238, 401), Rep. Miguel Zubiri (214,146), Sen. Joker Arroyo (203,233), Loren Legarda (201,214), Sen. Ralph Recto (198,815), Sen. Manuel Villar (196,355), Michael Defensor (190,919), Francis Pangilinan (184,261), Francis Escudero (170,869) and Benigno Aquino III (163,648).

    

When foreigners say something nice about Bohol (sights, nice people & other good things) it is heart warming, despite the ills plaguing our Island Paradise.

So ... here are initial commentaries about our beloved province .... please visit the links below:

http://www.chassels.net/marla/journal3.htm 

http://www.aenet.org/bohol/bohvist2.htm

 

Only in Bohol ....

I am informed that we have in Bohol the most expensive infrastucture project in the whole Philippines !!!!

This notoriety goes to the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP-2) now being implemented in northeastern Bohol covering some areas in San Miguel, Ubay and Pilar. Various sources from the media has referred to this particular project. It looks like the larger irrigation projects implemented in the province have always been tainted, like the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage I (Malinao Dam in Pilar) and the one that has grabbed attention lately, that one in Trinidad. Makes one wonder we may have overlooked the smaller ones which media has not taken fancy.

Hulat dinhi .... details will follow !!!! l

Mike,

Can the forum possibly feature Bol-anon vernacular writers in short stories, poems and other published literary works. If not permitted to feature their works here, can we have the links where their "obras" are reposed.

Many thanks ..... as always !!!

Quote from: Bohol Philippines on May 23, 2007, 04:42:41 PM
So, Capitan, what form of government do you suggest?

Delaguna has said it right.

But it seems we are facing a dead-end road.

Mike and all the rest of our Paisanos/Paisanas who care .....

It is DIFFICULT to say moto propio what would be the form of gov't we need to adopt considering all our known and identified ills. So many learned and wise statesmen already ventured to offer a panacea, yet it seems none so far has been considered as the most likely to succeed, considering our country's geographical, religious, human dev't levels, language, idiosyncracies, etc. considerations.

So, I prefer to defer my opinion you sought, until we have discussed the issues in depth and hopefully arrive at a consensus as is proper in a democratic society.

However, there are items that need to be considered like;
- gov't (this admin) has implemented the super regions concept which is a precursor the the idea of a federal form of gov't
- our brother muslims want to separate from the rest of our christian society
- the selection process of public administrators has to be entirely overhauled
- our highly clannish tribes' differing character has to be looked into
- many others

So....lets hear your opinions too !!!!

 

RP lagging behind
other Asian countries in e-commerce
By Jennifer A. Ng

THE Philippines has already been left behind by its Asian neighbors in electronic commerce (e-commerce) activity, mainly due to the high cost of putting up an e-commerce web site, according to a study conducted by government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the think tank office of NEDA.

The PIDS study conducted by Dr. Gloria Pasadilla and April Lacson said this lack of local online retailers is compounded by the apparent aversion among Filipino consumers to use e-commerce.

“Ever since the dot-com boom, the Internet has been said to be a great equalizer as it provides more access to information and income generation opportunities. Unfortunately, it has failed. Still many Filipinos, with only 25 percent of an Internet population of 11 million being able to buy products and services online, and most of these from e-retailers based in the United States,” the study noted.

The rest, according to the authors, are wallowing in not being able to do e-commerce as they do not have credit cards or do not trust credit cards, and are limited to bank-to-bank transfers, cash on deliveries, mobile cash, or just plain hand-over-the-cash-to-the-cashier.

“Most Filipinos cannot make payments online when they want to buy a product from any web site here and abroad. Many would also like to tap the opportunities to be able to sell products and accept payments online, but are unable to do so because of the high cost of putting up an e-commerce web site,” said the PIDS study.

For the Philippines to achieve its vision of becoming Asia’s knowledge center and e-services hub, Pasadilla and Lacson said it should improve the access to telecommunications infrastructure of the large majority of the population and, at the same time, fill the gaps in legal and regulatory framework.

The PIDS study pointed out that the capacity and knowledge of domestic small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to effectively use e-commerce is still underdeveloped.

 


Bohol on a Tight Budget
May 24, 2007
By Lito Cinco
Business Mirror

BOHOL is known for its 1,268 Chocolate Hills, its world-famous tarsiers and, lately, for the white-sand beach of Panglao Island.

The island province has been catching up fast with other regular tourist destinations like Boracay, Cebu and Palawan. And perhaps this is the reason why the price for enjoying Bohol’s attractions has been going up.

Still, for visitors on a tight budget, there is no reason why they cannot enjoy this beautiful place as long as they are willing to trade luxury and convenience for money, which is what this writer, his wife and teenage daughter did when they went on a three-day jaunt to the place.

Lodging places

ONE of the basic costs of traveling is lodging. Bohol does offer a lot of choices, depending on your budget. It is very practical to stay in the capital city of Tagbilaran, where there are also good hotels and pension houses. In our case, we stayed at Vest Pension House, a small but comfortable and clean place in Tamblot, just 10 minutes away by tricycle from the airport, the Island City Mall and the downtown area.

For the three of us, the room costs P1,300 per day, though you can make do with smaller pension houses below a thousand bucks. Tricycle drivers or taxi drivers can help you canvas for a place. My daughter and I extended for a day and stayed at a pension house which was walking distance from the airport for only P900.

Food

FOOD prices are cheaper in the provinces than Manila, provided you will not go to the pricey restaurants. It is even more economical just to buy food from a fast-food chain like Chow King or KFC and bring it to your room.

Transportation

FROM the airport, instead of hiring a car or a taxi, it is cheaper to ride a tricycle, which costs only P100 going to Tagbilaran. The flagdown rate for a cab is P35 and double the rate if you are going to Panglao or other out-of-town destinations. We also asked the rate for car rentals for out-of-town destinations. They charge P500 going to Panglao, at least P1,500 to Loboc, and between P2,500 and P4,000 to Chocolate Hills.

If these are a bit steep, try the buses and jeepneys, which is what we did. We took the jeep going to Loboc for the river cruise. The fare was P25 per person. The bus fare to Chocolate Hills in Carmen was P55 per person. A public van to Carmen, which would pass by the Chocolate Hills, costs P70 per person.

Where to go

FOR the Loboc River cruise, we paid P600 per boat for about an hour. There are floating restaurants that charge P250 per person, including lunch, but no one will stop you from packing your own lunch to save a little money.

This cruise is for those who just want to relax and look at the beauty of nature, the river’s crystal blue water, the forests, the green mountains and the twin waterfalls that feed the river. Loboc also has tame tarsiers that are already familiar with people and can even be touched, fed, even perch on your shoulders for photo sessions.           

Just a few kilometers away from the river boat stations, one can also stop by the Loboc Tour Park in Candabong featuring a native restaurant, caged tarsiers and a 300-meter-long carabao ride that goes into the forested area at the back of the park.           

Taking a habal-habal ride, an ordinary motor bike that usually accommodates three passengers, we went a bit further to visit a cave in Kaenok, Upper Bonbon, that is newly opened to the public. Habal-habal is a native word for mating animals, and that is how this ride got its name.

This is a three-chambered cave that is easily reached from the highway because there is a hundred meter-plus-long man-made trail going there. There is an entrance fee of P25 per person. What we missed, though, was the opportunity to visit the newly opened Extreme Adventure in Danao, about three hours away from Tagbilaran. From what the provincial tourism people told us, the outdoor adventure includes river tubing and river kayaking over the clear and calm waters of Wahig River; rappelling, caving and mountain trekking.

Of course, you have to pay for it. A one-night, two-day package costing P2,700 a person will already include transportation, accommodation, meals, guides, cave entrance fees and other incidentals. A minimum of six persons is required per package.

Another alternative place for nature-trekking that is nearer to Chocolate Hills would be the Sierra Bullones, an ecotourism nature adventure.

We also asked how much was a package for whale and dolphin watching on Pamilacan Island off Panglao, and were shocked by the P1,900-per-person price quoted by a tour operator. Local people, however, told us we can rent a boat in Alona Beach and spend maybe a thousand bucks for the boat rental. But for lack of time and money, too, we passed this one up.

You don’t have to break your piggy bank to enjoy Bohol as long as you know how to get by and around using public transportation, staying in pension houses, and eating in local eateries. Enjoy your stay.

    

Mga 'Sano/a,

If Edgar Chatto has his way, he has authored and filed House Bill No.5618, proposing to legislate that every September 29th of each year, his family's town of Balilihan will observe a special non-working public holiday.....This is plain abuse of his mandate. He is a representative for all of the first district, yet he did not make his proposed law applicable and even to the rest of the municipalities of his district. What is so special with Sept 29th in Balilihan? In his clarificatory note to the bill it stated that it is "sumad" to the founding of his town (he was not born in Balilihan but in Manila). Every town of the first district has also their respective founding anniversaries but he did not care to include them in his proposal. This a classic case of  "class legislation". HB 5618 has been approved on third reading on September 29, 2006 with 151 voting yes (out of courtesy as in "quid pro quo" to a majority floor leader) without anyone objecting and subsequently transmitted to the Senate on Oct. 5, 2006.

Mga 'Sano/a,

For that reason, lets now suppport the advocacy for a change in our form gov't.... The current one is not anymore the form intended for the proletariat as envisioned by our early statesmen. It has degenerated to a bastardized democracy manipulated by the moneyed politicians and the social elite solely for their selfish ends !!!

Mike,

Can you please put the currency converter on a separate link under "General Categoy", maybe just next to "Our Daily Bread" tagged as "US Dollars to Pesos" and not buried deep in "General Discussion". It would be a distinctive juxtapositioning of our OFWs primal concerns .... Many thanks for accommodating!!!

Yes Mike .... "PRETTY prestigious girl" is Jasmin from barangay Magsaysay, Sierra Bullones, Bohol

Mike,

I suggest you provide a link to the current Peso to Dollar rate so that our 'Sanos/'Sanas overseas can have a ready reference to how much dollar they will have to remit their families back home for a given amount of pesos needed.

It might have its own category list ...

Thanks and congratulatons for the exemplary effort in Tubag Bohol !!!

Mga 'Sano/'Sana,

Thought you might be interested to know that Small & Medium Enterprises in Bohol and the rest of the country have now access to funding .....

Please read on .....
===================

Land Bank launches P1-B fund for farm-based SMEs

Another P1B set for equity in microfinance firms
By Doris Dumlao
Inquirer
Last updated 05:05am (Mla time) 05/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has unveiled two new funding facilities totaling P2 billion for microfinance banks and agriculture-based small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Its president, Gilda Pico, said Land Bank recently got central bank approval to allot P1 billion in equity infusion for countryside financial institutions engaged in microfinance -- the provision of small, uncollateralized loans to the poor to help them start their own businesses.

The second initiative, the P1-billion Development Advocacy Program, offers alternative and more flexible credit schemes to better suit the characteristics, requirements and paying capabilities of small farmers and fisherfolk as well as SME borrowers.

The equity investment program is open to startup cooperatives, rural and thrift banks established by microfinance nongovernmental organizations or cooperatives as well as those that have been in existence for more than a year and are affiliated with NGOs or cooperatives.

To be eligible for the program, which provides capital instead of loans, these banks must have a microfinance portfolio of at least P20 million or active microfinance borrowers numbering at least 3,000 at the time of application.

“Through this equity investment program we have set up, Land Bank is helping establish new and viable conduits that will cater to the microfinance sector,” Pico said.

With this program, she said Land Bank hoped to encourage microfinance NGOs or cooperatives to convert themselves into thrift, rural or cooperative banks so they could increase credit delivery and expand their reach to include the marginalized sectors, specifically small farmers and fisherfolk.

But as a condition for the equity infusion, the countryside banks must triple their relending to serve farming and other livelihood requirements of individual farmers or fisherfolk households within three years from the date of release of the equity infusion.

These banks must also be able to maintain or build a loan portfolio, majority of which belongs to family of small farmers/fisherfolk or their household members.

The Development Advocacy Program (DAP) is a nontraditional lending program that veers away from the rigid requirements of collateral-based lending. Instead, it adopts an enterprise-based approach in extending credit and other assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk.

“Through this innovative program, Land Bank is providing our priority sectors with more avenues and windows to encourage them to engage in productive activities to help augment their income,” Pico said. “In essence, we are also given the opportunity to assist more poor households.”

The DAP will provide funds for working capital or fixed asset acquisition requirements of cooperatives, federations, associations, NGOs as well as SMEs. The lending facility may be gradually increased based on repayment record and project success.

The program intends to support viable projects with established markets that make use of nontraditional lending modes such as receivables financing, purchase order financing and household cashflow-based financing as well as those that make use of credit enhancement instruments like market contracts or guarantee covers.

Land Bank has reported a first-quarter net income of P1.05 billion, up 16 percent from P908 million in the same period last year.

Pico attributed the growth to an increase in fee-based income, reduction in operating expenses by P93 million as well as lower interest expense on deposits.

For the full year, Pico said the bank set an internal target of P4.0 billion in profit. She said this year’s earnings were expected to be supported by increases in loans and investments.

In the first quarter, the bank’s revenues inched up one percent to P6.15 billion from a year earlier. Prevailing low interest rates reduced interest expense on deposits and borrowings by 16 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Deposits reached P280.8 billion, up 19 percent from the first quarter of last year.

Capital rose 25 percent to P34 billion from P27 billion.

Total assets as of end-March were up 20 percent at P371 billion.
=============================================

Yeah ...... Jono is a mean SHARPSHOOTER, like her sis Jaja !!!

On other things, despite his so ... so US college education, he has still to prove himself.....

Administering an LGU takes more than just pedigree .....

Quote from: classic_lil_chix on May 22, 2007, 06:13:53 AM
+++heLL0 gUyS!! b0nj0uR! i'M s0mE kiNdDa nEwBiE hErE.. iM jAsmiN, 18 yRs 0f aGe & fr0m pAriS bUt pR0uD t0 bE a piNay aND aLS0 a B0h0laNa gUrL... i'M gLad i f0uNd thiS siTe whiCh iS c00l aNd niCe 0nE... i l0vE b0h0L x0 mUcH, anD i rEaLLy miSsiNg iT, eVeN i'M t00 fAr anD leAviN hErE iN pAriS nA, b0h0L wiLL aLwaYs rEmAiN a w0nDeRfuL pLacE iN mAh hEaRt... s0 guYs, niCe j0b! kEeP uP thE g00d w0rKs! anD y0u guYs anD thiS siTe r0ckS mAh w0rLd!!! l0vE u aLL guYs! G0DzPeD!!!+++

Hi prestigious girl!

'Sana, may I know from what town you originally are from?

Ciao !!!

Mike, actually Mayor Pepito is just reclaiming his rightful position as the previously elected mayor of Batuan, not "succeeding on her second attempt" as you tagged her in your post.

Mayor Pepito in the elections of 2004 won over Brady Dano but was unseated by the COMELEC by virtue of a disqualification complaint by Mr. Dano. It was found out that Ms. Pepito did not qualify as a qualified resident of Batuan by a few days short of the legal requirements.

So .... the political landscape of Baclayon has come to a new era.

This may bode well for the economy and development of the municipality. The Uy epoch (since the time Atty Felix Uy was the mayor and thru the reign of his brod Engr. Benny Uy, business prospects in the locality have been monopolized by them or their confederates.

With the loss of Atty. Felix Uy from the provincial kagawad race for the 1st district (was he junked by his partymates and by Cong. Chatto in favor of Ae Damalerio, Chatto's congressional office chief of staff?), he now have more time for his favorite vice (casino) and mend the family affairs. His wife, Marilyn "Boobsie" Uy ran as vice mayoral candidate with Alvin Uy (this Uy is not blood related to the Uys of which Boobsie is married to) and they won over the line up of incumbent Mayor Benny Uy who fielded his wife Elena as the Lakas-CMD candidate for mayor, ostensibly to prolong the current Uy political dynasty.

Hurrah for enlightenment !!!

Quote from: Capitan Berong on May 19, 2007, 03:13:12 PM
?

Makapanghinayang nga si Fred Amora wala maka-lusot sa iyang paninguha nga mosilbi sa iyang lungsod !!!

Ania ang resulta sa Guindulman:

Mayor:
Maria Fe Piezas

Bise Mayor:
Marivic Golosino

Mga Konsehal:
Ephraim Licayan
Elino Laga
Catherine Bonita
Felix Tan
Rolando Olaer
Alex Salada
Miguel Besas
Vitaliano Elrode

Hinuon, angayan dayegon ang mga Guidulmanon nga ilang giputol dayon ang katuyoan sa usa ka pamilya nga magpahimutang ug dinastiya......

Mga 'Sano,

Aniay kasamtangang resulta sa miaging eleksyon diha sa kalungsuran; kopyaha ang url dia sa ubos ug i-pasta sa puwang sa search engine ug i-klik ..... o pwede diay nga ideretso pag tudlo ug i-klik, salamat Mike kay imo gi-pahimutang !!!

-------------------
from the moderator: hello Capitan, the results are now posted in every town here. gikugihan nako ug type tanan.

Hi Mike,

Kung sa edad lamang ang atong basehan, mingdaug pud karon eleksyona ang anak ni Roygie Jumamoy pagka mayor sa Inabanga ug ang anak ni anhing Landring Tirol pagka bise mayor sa Buenavista. Ambot kung kining mga tawhana pwede na makakuha ug lisensya pag maneho ug sakyanan. Sigurado nalupigan na tong rekord ni Erico pagka batan-ong provincial board member....

Ako unyang ipatan-aw ang mga edad ning mga totoya !!!!

Mike,

Could it be that Bol-anons or for that matter most Filipino tribes have built-in codes in their DNA that defines this idiosyncracy as in "ija-ija aho-aho" norm in their social character?

Hi Everyone (Specially those from the third district) .......

It looks like we just have to contend with our new congressman. Atty. Adam Jala prevailed over his closest contender Former Gov. Rene Relampagos.

Let's give the boy a chance but we should not let our hands down this time, as the father would be running the affairs in Congress. You know what I mean !!!!! 

?

Sa ngalan sa prinsipyo sa "pagka sihag" (transparency, Mike unsay hustong Binisaya ini?) atong sugdan ug ulinaw ang mga naa sa serbisyo publiko, ug sugdan nato ni Cong Edgar M. Chatto. Hinumdumi nga ika-tulong termino na niya karon sa Kongreso ug sa sunod eleksyon (2010), siguro pa sa adlaw mosawup sa hapon nga modagan siya pagka gobernador sa Bohol.

Aniay iyang mga datos nga gihatag sa Kongreso (official records) sa panahon sa 13th Congress. Kung duna moy ika-sulti niini, atong estoryahan ug hinay-hinay !!!

CHATTO, Edgardo Migriño
Date of Birth: February 21, 1960
Place of Birth: Malate, Manila

ADDRESS
Provincial: Del Carmen Weste, Balilihan, Bohol
Metro Manila: 129 Anonas Ext., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
Civil Status: married
Spouse: Maria Pureza Veloso
Position: Nurse
Office: Divine Word College, Tagbilaran City

Educational Attainment
ELEMENTARY                                                           School                                                                Year Graduated
Elementary education,  graduated salutatorian        Divine Word College of Tagbilaran City, Bohol                         1973
HIGH SCHOOL                                                                                                           
Secondary education                                        Divine Word College of Tagbilaran City, Bohol                          1977
COLLEGE
Degree                                                                                                                               
Bachelor of Arts in Economics                                University of the Philippines                                                1981
Bachelor of Laws, graduated cum laude                  Divine Word College of Tagbilaran City, Bohol                          1988
HIGHER STUDIES
Degree                                                                       School                                                          
Masters in Government Management                Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila                                         1998
Local Administration and Development Course       University of the Philippines                                                1991
Public Sector Mgt for Senior Managers in the          John F. Kennedy School of Government,
Government                                                   Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA                                     1999

Career History
Position                                                                Office                                                                      Years
Provincial vice governor                                           Bohol                                                                    1995-2001
Mayor                                                                  Balilihan, Bohol                                                                1988-1995
Provincial board member                                                Bohol                                                                  1980-1986
Teacher   College of Commerce, Divine Word College, Tagbilaran   1981-1982

Affiliations
Organization                                                                                Position
Feed the Children Philippines                                                           Chairman
Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Bohol                                        Member
Philippine Economic Society                                                          Member
Life Philippines Foundation                                                           Trustee
Tagbilaran City Habitat for Humanity Foundation Inc.                         Officer
Leo Club of Tagbilaran                                                                    Former president
Bohol Jaycees                                                                              Former president
University of the Philippines Kadugong Bol-anon                                  Former president
University of the Philippines Alumni Association - Bohol                  President
Local Administration and Development Program Alumni Association      Regional president
Student Catholic Action                                                                  Former diocesan consultant
Philippine National Red Cross - Bohol                                               Secretary
HAMIS Winners Federation                                                       Member
Rotary Club of Tagbilaran                                                          Member
Tagbilaran Toastmasters’ Club                                                       Member
Chocolate Hills Amateur Radio League                                           Member

Relatives in Gov’t
Current (includes relatives both declared and undeclared in June 2004 SAL)
Name                                             Position                        Office                    Year(s) in Office        Relationship
Teodulo Chatto                                 Employee              Post Office, Tagbilaran City        up to present          Cousin
Victoria M. Chatto                          Vice mayor            Balilihan, Bohol                 2004-2007                Parent
Salud Migriño                                    Judge                  Municipal Circuit Trial Court,
                                                                                 Corella, Balilihan, Sikatuna         up to present         Aunt
Note: 
How about the mayor of Balilihan
 
Previous
(includes relatives both declared and undeclared in previous SALs)
Name                                              Position                         Office                        Year(s) in Office          Relationship
Eladio Chatto                    Representative, 1st district, Bohol   Batasang Pambansa          1984-1986       Parent

Declared Businesses (as of June 2004)
none declared   
      
Undeclared Businesses (from resumé/previous SALs, unless otherwise indicated)
Business Name                                                    Address                                 Nature of Involvement            Date
EVMC Development Corp.                                   * not given                                          Incorporator               no data
LEGEND  : * information from SEC

Assets & Liabilities (declared for 13th Congress)
Total Assets (in pesos): 3,811,000.00
Total Liabilities (in pesos): 79,122.57
Net Worth (in pesos): 3,731,877.43

Real Properties
Type                                   Address   Year                  Acquired            Mode of Acquisition   Assessed Value     Fair Market Value   Acquisition Cost
Unclassified lot            Del Carmen Balilihan                  2000                 donated                 21,870.00             1,550,000.00           not given
Unclassified lot           Buenos Aires, Tubigon               2000              donated              94,950.00          1,400,000.00        not given

Personal Assets
Type                                                                    Year Acquired          Acquisition Cost
Shares of stock - EVMC Dev. Corp.                               2000             1,000.00
Cash                                                                          not given      90,000.00
Cash in bank                                                               not given          350,000.00
Jewelry                                                                        1980-2000            65,000.00
Law books                                                              1985-1990          45,000.00
Appliances and office equipment                                      1988-2002        310,000.00

Liabilities
Nature                                                    Amount
Salary loan - GSIS                                 28,109.52
Policy loan - GSIS                                 51,013.05

Sigun sa nasagap nga ulahing balita, milangpus ang tinguha ni Mrs. May Lim-Imboy nga mag-mayor sa lungsod sa Loay. Lusot pud iya kurambos si Tejano pagka bise mayor. Apil sa mga midaug pagka-konsehal mao iya bana si Engr. Boy Imboy, nga tingali gusto pa nga magpadayon pagka provincial board member, representing the League of Municipal Councilors.

Looy, morag pisong mga basa sila Bong Bullecer, Ondoy Clarin ug ang grupo sa Lakas - CMD. Wa nila mabangbang ang sama sa balod nga mihagsa nga "inangayan" sa grupo ni May Imboy.

Karon, tan-awon sa mga taga Loay kung unsaon pagsilbi ni Mayor May nila tungod kay bisan pa sa panahon sa kampanya, misulti man si May nga iya bahinon ang iyang horas pagka mayor ug pagka VP for Finance & Administration sa Lite Shipping nga tua sa Cebu City ang opisina.

Abangan !!!!!!!

As published in a local paper under its regular feature "Boholano Today" by Mr. Loy Palapos, here's a short bio of the new LGU Chief Executive of the municipality of Carmen;

MANUEL DEL ROSARIO MOLINA

IT’S PAY-BACK TIME


Teaching is one of the world’s noblest professions. In the Philippines setting, the teachers goes beyond his classroom and the school premises. He becomes a Jack-of-the-trades in community affairs, whether it be for livelihood, religious activities, or manning election precincts that, more often than not, put into office a number of power-hungry misfits. It is widely accepted that here the right of suffrage cannot be practiced without the teachers. Which makes them vital components of progress, being looked up to as precursors of goodness in local society.

Manuel del Rosario Molina is a product of a teaching couple. His father, Eustaquio Molina, hailed from Loay, and was a public school teacher in Carmen before he retired. His mother, Carmen del Rosario, was born and grew up in Lapu-Lapu City, until she left her birthplace and, because she was also teaching, joined her husband as a public school teacher in Bohol. Until both decided that she concentrate her time raising their ten children. A wise decision, for the couple knew their primordial responsibility is the family.
Manuel, nicknamed Boy since his youth, is the eldest in the family. The sister next to him, Fe M. Go, is in shell-craft business in Cebu. Esperanza M. Jumamoy, Caridad M. Reambonanza, and Nenita M. Macalolot are based in Calatrava, Carmen. Rosario M. Andoy is the incumbent Punong Barangay of Calatrava. Oscar, the seventh among the children, is now settled as a farmer in Clarin. Wilfredo works in Cebu. Belen M. Cempron and Teresita M. Lapez inherited the inclination of their parents. The former is a public school teacher in Carmen, and the latter teaches in the Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr. Advanced Learning Center Boy was born in Carmen on February 8, 1944. He finished his first six years of education at the Carmen Central Elementary School. He enrolled at St. Anthony Academy, but finished the four-year secondary course at the Holy Cross Academy in Tubigon. Right after, he went to Cebu City and studied at the University of the Visayas, where he finished a degree in Bachelor of Arts, Major in Pilipino.

It was while engrossed with his work at the Mactan International Airport that the dashing Boholano met a beautiful student at the University of San Carlos. The persistent suitor pursued the lady from Banilad, who was then taking up Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. His persistence paid off. They got married; and even if she obtained a diploma for her course, she was persuaded by her husband to be a full-time housewife, to care for their children and their home. It was a decision both did not regret making. While Grace had all her time attending to the needs of their children and her husband, Boy was able to concentrate on his career. His business grew, primarily because of his hands-on policy.

Right after graduation from college, he seek employment in the private sector. The management of Pilipinas Orient Airways saw in him a bright prospect. He was taken in, and from 1967 to 1972 became a Station Supervisor. In 1973 he transferred to Philippine Air Lines as a Station Agent. In 1974, another more lucrative offer came. He worked with Bahaghari Forwarder as a Delivery Agent manning the Cebu Branch until 1977.

By this time, his mettle in the forwarding business began to be widely acknowledged. American Express Forwarders offered him its Manila Branch. He became its Manager from 1977 to 1979. Still more lucrative job openings came his way. He accepted the job as OIC Sales Supervisor of the San Fernando Plant of Cosmos Bottling Company, a position he held from 1979 to 1984.

Asia Brewery Bottling Corporation beckoned him for his managerial style. The offer was too tempting to refuse. He became its Sales District Manager of its Pasig-Manila Plant from 1984 to 1986. Boy Molina was at his prime in productivity. Even his circle of friends and associates increased considerably, while his responsibilities peaked.

It was during this time when he looked back to his years of employment and accomplishments. He became aware of some limits to his professional growth. While the pay and benefits were sky-high, there was no complete freedom especially in the aspect of decision-making. After consulting with his family, relatives, and friends he opted to free himself from the encumbrance of heeding to the decision of his superiors. He formed his own company.

He conceptualized and registered Gram’s Freight Services, Inc., a VISMIN Commission Agent, of Em’s Freight Services and Various Forwarders. That was in the year 1986. His acumen as a forwarder paid off. The company grew tremendously, and it is still doing brisk business until today. He is presently the CEO, President, and General Manager of Gram’s Freight Services, Inc.
Boy and Grace are blessed with 5 children. May Gracel M. Sawyer, the eldest, finished MIS (Management Information System) at Assumption College. She helps manage the Gram’s Freight Services, Inc. August Manuel, Jr. graduated from San Beda College-Alabang with a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. He also works at Gram’s. Grace Ann also graduated from SBC with a degree of Business Administration and Marketing. She handled Gram’s marketing. Angela Grace has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, major in Media Productions, from Assumption College-Makati. Her line of specialization is put to good use at the family-owned enterprise. The youngest, Julthis Manuel, finished Computer Animation at Asia Pacific College, and is also a second courser in Nursing, while working at Gram’s.

With all of their five children directly involved on a hands-on policy at Gram’s, Boy and Grace have now all the time in their own hands. They would have lived comfortable lives, sans worries; but Boy sensed that he could still be more productive. Not for the sake of his family, but for the sake of his hometown, Carmen.

He realized the vast potentials of Carmen, especially in agriculture and eco-tourism. His visits to his hometown convinced him that his birthplace has been bypassed by progress. He would be happiest serving Carmen as it grows. He possesses all that a real leader needs: his management skill, administrative expertise, his guts, and his compassion for his townfolks. Now, he knows… it’s payback time and he is ready for the challenge.

Mike,

Please refer to Leah Magno's blogsite at bohol-island.com. She has posted the latest available tally.

Capitan Berong

Mike,

Election results for the towns would be better lodged at the "Towns Category" to entice surfers to go to the page......

Regards!

My early comments ........

1) With the loss of Atty. Nuevas Tirol Montes and the failure to make it to the City Council of aspiring politician in Leah Tirol Magno coupled with the apparent inability to dislodge V-Gov. Julius Herrera by Mrs. Freda Tirol, do these developments signal the dimming of the Tirol influence in the Bohol political firmament?

2) We, from the third congressional district, has proven our collective worth as a politically mature electorate by not having succumbed to money politics and gave someone with a "less evil" perception to represent us in Congress! No thanks for the help of another dynastic political clan some forty kilometers east from Tagbilaran!

3) With the election of a mayor perceived to be a Capitol lackey in Carmen, will the Choco Hills complex be offered on a silver platter to the vested interests now sitting at the Provincial Tourism Council that has been for a long time salivating on having the op to run the facility.

More to come!!!

Here's his blogsite http://www.jimmyborja.com and enjoy the music!