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An eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between two powerful entities-media and two Sangguniang Panglungsud committees, resulted in the law-making body buckling to media pressure.

The two committees of the SP, in a sharp turnabout, caved in last week under the sheer weight of a media juggernaut. The bone of contention of the two warring groups was the investigation of the so-called Blue Card anomaly.

Looking like a throwback of the recent Senate investigation where a hearing was held behind closed doors, the two SP committees -public accountability and investigation and health and sanitation backtracked from their previous position not to allow media coverage of the proceedings.

When Kagawad Leonides Borja, chair of the committee on health and sanitation was asked to confirm if indeed there was a "gag order" for media not to cover the investigations, he said there was a previous agreement among committee members to hold the sessions behind closed doors.

Earlier, Kagawad Anne Mariquit Oppus, chair of the lead committee-public accountability and investigation, argued that the closed door proceedings were intended to protect witnesses from being exposed to the glare of publicity. The committee members agreed that if media were allowed to cover the proceedings, witnesses might clam up thereby preventing them from giving substantial information needed by the probe body.

At the first sign that the investigations would not be open to the public, radio programs of the city's two stations went to town to denounce the media discrimination.

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

So, Jagna has launched the Techno Pinoy. Well and good. They have their work cut out for them. The thrust in the information is mostly on agriculture. They have to start from the scratch. The majority of the Jagna population is fishing oriented since the bulk of the population occupies the shorelines. Of the thirty-three barangays only four upland barangays, Mayana, Calabasita, Boctol and Lonoy may have residents equivalent to an average shoreline barangay like Pagina and Canupao.

The shoreline folks are yet on the fishing stage. They do not farm, which involves tilling, sowing and reaping. They only wait when fish are coming, the pelagic ones. They establish fish sanctuaries but those had caused a lot of howls from other fishermen. A few coral strands cannot support enough dimersal fishes to afford a decent living so most of the fisherfolk live in poverty. Sad to sad, they admit that they are poor but would not show it.

They would like to embark on certain livelihood projects but they do not have the resources much less technology to make their plans come true. Besides, they do not have any entrepreneurial skills. Give them capital in form of loans and they will immediately put up a sarisari store. Their idea of livelihood is buying and selling never production. How to introduce them into the industrialized era would be a boon.

Dole outs from the Emergency Employment Administration of Pres Diosdado Macapagal to the Biyayang Dagat of President Ferdinand Marcos went down the drain. There are fisherfolk whose names still linger in the bad debt list of the Development bank of the Philippines it they have not yet been written off. Now the government, in the municipal level is putting up an information center to help the farmers.

Perhaps one of the information that the locals would want is market research. People had been producing goods but the steady market had not been located. In our article in the Jagna fiesta edition, we stated that Jagna starts to produce vegetables for southern Bohol. However, if we expand production, there are no post harvest facilities, which would prolong the shelf life of leafy vegetables.

High valued corps would enjoy a steady market but no one has yet identified what high valued vegetables can be grown in our upland barangays. Cabbages and carrots are found in our market but they come from other places. The mushroom industry is barely surviving. We have an indication that a type of edible Japanese mushrooms, in demand abroad could be grown here but we do not have the technology.

Another thing. Jagna may thrive if there are contract growing facilities. What we mean is; some companies might be persuaded to interest contract growing among Jagna backyard farmers. Livestock like hogs and forty-day chickens may be grown in quantity if the arrangement is right. In some places like Nueva Ecija, suppliers provide the livestock, feed and medicine to the farmers and buy their product when the stock grows to the marketing stage. All the farmers provide is the buildings and labor. Some rice farmers consider this as alternative income. This could be made available to truck gardeners and marginal fishermen here.

We repeat, what we need is market research. People would hardly grow anything if it could not be sold. There should also be a steady market not the one, which would wait until the greens start to lose their salability to force the producer to lower their price. Only when a steady market is established when the production should start. Then technology would come in even in simple projects to enhance production.

Written By Loy Palapos
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

The Municipality of Tubigon is lucky (and privileged) to have as Chief Executives, for the past 20 years, achievers whose mission-vision focus is a reflection of the town's needs, potentials, and resources. Starting off with Engr. Eufracio Mascariñas, who devoted almost four terms as Mayor, and three terms as Provincial Board Member, to make his hometown at-par with the best in the country; and followed by nine years by Mr. Paul Lasco; the reins of governance is now on the shoulders of Atty. Luna Piezas.

This neophyte Mayor is never a beginner in governance, considering his more than 40 years in government service, concluded by his being at the helm of the Department of Labor and Employment at the National Capital Region (NCR), where competence is a must and mediocrity is a curse, neither could he be accused of alienation from the pulse of his compatriots for, even while he was a dominant figure in Metro Manila, he was always abreast with the local beat. He left a lucrative private practice after retirement, which included among his clients several gigantic companies and corporations, to come to Bohol and be a part of the mainstream for development. Highly successful personally and family-wise, he can now fulfill a dream of fast-tracking the progress of Tubigon.

We rushed to Tubigon for an ambush interview, only to find out upon arrival in at ten-thirty in the morning, that Mayor Piezas was presiding over a congregation at the town's Cultural Center, and could not be disturbed. At one in the afternoon, my two companions and I went to his office. It was proper timing; he just finished his lunch, and he does not succumb to the habit of a siesta-break. Over a cup of coffee, this interview progressed with no interruption.

LMP: What motivated you to seek an elective position, like becoming a Mayor of Tubigon?
LP: My aim is to serve the people of Tubigon after having a stint in Manila as a successful law practitioner.

LMP: So your family is in Manila?
LP: All my children are working there, right after their college graduation.

LMP: Is your mission accomplished?
LP: Mission accomplished, as far as my family is concerned. My mission is more on community involvement now.

LMP: There were some instances naglisod ang nakadaug nga mga Mayor tungod kay ang legislative body gikan sa laing partido. Do you have the same problem?
LP: No, I don't have. Half of the councilors are in my party, and I am convinced the other half is development-oriented.

LMP: So you have Councilors who belong to the other party? How did you handle them?
LP: Maybe they look up to me as somebody whom they could share and get some ideas, so that's why we have a teamwork.

LMP: Wala na gyoy matawag nato nga ilang pagduda sa imong intensiyon?
LP: No, they don't have any doubt about my intention. We are one because I always tell them that we have the same objectives.

LMP: Pila na ka months ang imong pagka-Mayor?
LP: I am entering the fourth month.

LMP: Within these four months, what are your accomplishments?
LP: There are not big-time accomplishments, but we are on the right direction.

LMP: That is very important.
LP: I report to office very early and the employees do the same. I always lead by example, just like what I did when I was in Manila. I made some follow-ups on some important projects which I would like to implement because of some budgetary constraints that come from taxation.

LMP: Talking about projects from the previous administration, which will you also push through?
LP: The previous administration built a tourism office, which is halfway. Because of the trust of the government towards promoting eco-cultural tourism, I have to make a follow-up of the budget for the release of the balance of P1.2 M. Rest assured that money will be coming and I am hopeful that this will be completed for the good of Tubigon tourism.

LMP: You have already designated a staff for this tourism office?
LP: I haven't but we have already created a Municipal Tourism Council.

LMP: What is the composition?
LP: It is the Vice-Mayor as the Chairman and members come from the different sectors of the community.

LMP: What are the tourism spots in your municipality? How do you plan to address some needs?
LP: I receive recently a directive from the Governor where he cited that we should create a Municipal Tourism Council, and we should come up with the town's Municipal Master Plan. We are now on the process of formulating this Master Plan.

We are also directed to identify the tourism spots in Tubigon so that this will be included in the entire package to attract visitors. As far as the figure is concerned, I am proud to tell you that we have already identified at least ten tourist spots. One of these is the port of Tubigon.

LMP: That has been renovated?
LP: Yes. The port of Tubigon is a tourist spot itself because no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on her State of the Nation Address last July 2nd made mention of Tubigon as part of the RORO (Roll On Roll Off) nautical highway to provide transportation for goods and people. People coming from Central Visayas can make their entry point in Tubigon in going around Bohol. No less than the President advocated that; not to mention that Tubigon has the longest port in Bohol.

LMP: What else?
LP: Number two. Tourists from Europe and America, when they come here to Tubigon, would always like to go island-hopping. Nowhere in Bohol can you find a cluster of nine islands. Of these nine islands, six are inhabited while the three are being resided by different people. Inanuran and Hayaan Islands, for example. The Inanuran by a French national, and Mocaboc by the Sagrados. There are two which are not gifted with vast vegetation, and apart from what I said, these islands are by themselves called tourist spots for purposes of island-hopping. Of these nine islands, there are those which are considered tourist spots by themselves, and a fish sanctuary at the same time, for the reason that during summer, wild ducks from Siberia migrate to Luzon, Ilocos Sur, Candaba, and Cabilao and they are also coming to these two islands. Some hunters have found that what they hunted were wild birds from Siberia. These islands, namely Kagan and Budlan are uninhabited. They have fish sanctuaries.

LMP: Maghisgot ta about fish sanctuaries, how do you manage them?
LP: We have a Coastal Road Resource Management group.

LMP: Wala nay dynamite fishing?
LP: Of course there is, but have tried our best to stop it. Another tourist spot is the Ilihan Norte.

LMP: What is that?
LP: What is something unique about this is, unlike the Chocolate Hills and Sagbayan Peak, it is a solid rock, not made of clay. It is called 'plug' in geological term which is composed of magnesium. In fact it is a molten lava thrown out of the crater of a volcano that existed 30 million years ago.

LMP: So there was a volcano here?
LP: Oo, sa una, according to the lady geologist who came here; she will come here next month. The plan is to construct a huge image of Jesus Christ above the rock.

LMP: The next project?
LP: The fourth one is a building that is ongoing now, which is funded by Bea Zobel Ayala, to house all the indigenous products for tourism purposes.

LMP: Dili pod na matawag ug museum?
LP: Dili museum, gi-house tanan indigenous products such as loom weaving. Diba kasagarang mga tourist mao man na ganahan tan-awon nila? Unya ang uniqueness of that building is that it also provides enough space for workers to demonstrate to the foreigners. They do not only like to buy but they also request for a demonstration on how to make such products.

LMP: So unsa may tawag ana?
LP: Ang tawag namo ana is One Stop Shop Center. Di ba tourist attraction na?

LMP: The fifth tourism project?
LP: Ang ikalima, nowhere in the Philippines nga dunay project which is jointly undertaken by a French national and an American National. Sa French, ang ngan sa ilang kompanya is "Echo Ocean" ug sa America is "Coral Reef Check". We avail of their technical know-how. Ganahan sila ug ornamental fish kay daghan man ana diri. Kanang makita sa aquarium like goldfish. Ang mga ornamental fishes sa salt water, mao nay ibayad para sa ilang idea, their technology. Ang isda mabuhi pinaagi sa bihod.

LMP: Bihod, meaning itlog?
LP: Oo. According to the scientists, they want their technology to preserve another 5% or 10% aron daghan tang madakpang isda. Ilang higupon na sa ilahang instrumento. Dad-on ni nila sa coastal barangays, ibutang sa tangke. They will undergo segregation process. After three weeks, muguwa na tong klase-klaseng ornamental fishes. Then inig dako nila, which takes another three weeks, buhian ni sila sa dagat. Gamiton to nila inig export. Unya kadtong giingon nako in the process naa to sa Batasan. All over the world, it's only in Batasan where we can find the blooper fish and green mandarin. We are proud of the tarsier nga naa man gani tarsier sa Leyte, naa man gani pod sa Panay, naa pod sa Indonesia, Malaysia ug Thailand.

LMP: Pero this is a project nga nanginahanglan ug dakong kwarta? Ang sunod?
LP: Ang amo ang yuta, ang building. So, daku gyud. Ang ikaunom is ang Ilihan Sur Dam.

LMP: Ang akong huna-huna ug dam kay kana mang reservoir ug tubig.
LP: Mao ng gi-improve namo na aron di mamad-an ug tubig.

LMP: So i-impound ang tubig?
LP: Oo. Ikapito mao ang Magsaysay Drive.

LMP: Unsa man na?
LP: Ang Magsaysay Drive is the only place here where you can have a view of the entire town.

LMP: So elevated na siya?
LP: Oo. Makita nimo ang entire town, ang nine islands, ug ang Cebu.

LMP: Unya ang approach ana pagkakaron?
LP: Nangayo lage ko ug ayuda sa National Government. Ang ikawalo, kining banakon.

LMP: Di ba cobra man na?
LP: O, cobra. Manggukod ug tawo. Daghan na ang nangamatay tungod niini.

LMP: Unsa may color ana?
LP: Brownish or blackish. Kani ra ba kay pwerteng dakoa, muabot ug 2-3 meters. Summer ni sila tinggawas. Daghan gud mga bata ang mamatay basta summer. Ang ikasiyam, sa National Shrine nga mao ang opisina nga mudeklarar ug cultural heritage, ang among simbahan usa sa lima ka mga simbahan sa Bohol nga gihimong cultural heritage because of its mural painting.

LMP: Katsila maoy gahimo niana?
LP: Oo. Ang ikanapo, wa pa nako maadto, mao kining longest strip of sand. Tulo ra ni sila sa Bohol. Naa ni sa Balicasag, Cabilao ug kining Dumog sa Tubigon. Inig low tide, makita nimo ni siya, kinanindotan gyud ning lugara. Mao lage kay inig-hubas or low tide, moguwa kining strip of sands nga kon tan-awon muabot ug 11 kilometers. Unya inig taob, knee-deep. Kining akong gihisgotan projects sa tourism. Daghan pa kaming mga plano alang sa kalamboan sa Tubigon.

With his animated way of answering the questions I raised, interviewing the new Mayor of Tubigon was a pleasant experience. His gesticulations made more emphatic his desire to realize his eco-tourism and agricultural projects. He is firmly convinced both should develop side-by-side. Like other heads of local governments, he had to confront the reality of the problem on fund-sourcing. But he is optimistic the plans formulated by the Committee on Tourism he has created would materialize.

His optimism is planted on solid grounds. Tubigon is the nearest Bohol town to Cebu. There are more vessels plying the Tubigon-Cebu route than Tagbilaran City and any place else. Mayor Piezas sees the logic of President Arroyo's plan to increase sea traffic through the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Roro System.

The President herself was in Tubigon once and saw for herself that the town is the most convenient entry-point from Cebu. It was also in this interview when I learned that Tubigon presently has the longest wharf in Bohol.

Bright ideas come from minds exposed to life's varied nuances. In his new job, Mayor Luna Piezas has brought with him experiences of a lifetime that comes in handy in a new environment. He knows the challenges of his position, and he is more than prepared to welcome them, with the cooperation of an entire municipality which, in the near future, may become the second city of Bohol.

By Romy Teruel
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

Bali, Indonesia is a place almost everyone dreams to see. Mine was fulfilled recently and it would be selfish on my part not to share some insights on its tourism development that Bohol can learn from. Not that there is no comparison between Bohol and Bali. On the contrary there is a lot of comparison between the two with regard to natural beauty and culture that both are endowed with.

That a place has beautiful spots or attractions to offer does not mean it will be successful as a tourism destination. There is more to developing tourism destination than just beautiful things. Bali cannot fair with Bohol when it comes to beautiful beaches. But foreign tourists who come to Bali's beaches are more than thrice the domestic and foreign tourist arrival in Bohol. And the number is increasing as we write this.

Tourism development starts with good planning and a lot of support and cooperation from the key players. The people themselves must accept and understand that it is tourism that they want to embark on to improve their economy. Without the cooperation of all, no plans and policies can convert a place into a haven for tourist and visitors. Everybody's effort must contribute to making the right environment for tourism to take roots, grow and bear fruit.

That is what they did in Bali. And they are now reaping the fruits of their hard labor.

By Bohol's standards, Bali's beaches are just so-so. The beaches of Panglao Island and Anda Peninsula are powdery white while that of Nusa Dua, the most talked and widely written about place of Bali are just brown, like the sugar central.

Yet Bali has more than one million foreign tourist arrival every year, while we are already contented with our 400,000 for both domestic and foreign tourists combined.

In 2002, the terrorists bombed a place called Legian in downtown Kuta in Bali killing 200 people. Today a monument stands over the place with the list of names of those who perished in it. Then again in 2005, a second bomb was exploded by terrorists near the Starbuck and KFC at Jimbaran Bay. Twenty-three (23) died and three cafes were blown to pieces.

But Bali recovered from these terrorist attacks and the tourists have come again in droves.

One factor of this success, we learned from our guide Nym Summerta Aritenaya, a.k.a. Eric, is that the Balinese government has realized their tourism potential long before and had planned ahead. Not only that. They also executed their plans correctly and implemented their policies fairly.

If Bohol can follow the Bali model of planning and implementation, there should be very little difference in the success they now enjoy.

In size and population, Bali is a little bigger with an area of 5,000 sq. kms and a population of 3.5 million compared to Bohol's land area of 4,117 sq. kms. and a population of 1.2 million.

Bali is deep in history dating back to the Stone Age when the first settlers came from China. At around 300 B.C. a fairly evolved culture already existed. Irrigation and rice production were the pre-occupation of the people. At around 500 A.D. the Balinese became predominantly Buddhist according to Yi-Tsing, a Chinese scholar. It wasn't until the 11th century that Hindu and Javanese culture flourished in Bali.

To this day the Balinese people are 85% Hindu believers. Eric swears, despite the influx of tourist over the years, the Balinese people have kept their culture very much alive.

Eric did not have to insist. We saw the Balinese culture present everywhere one goes - in buildings, in hotel rooms, in plazas, in road intersections - practically everywhere. People make offerings in their temple every day. No car leaves the garage without an offering on its panel board. That is how they have taken care of their belief and their culture.

The history of Bohol is not very different. Before the Spaniards came to introduce Christianity, Boholanos were already trading with the Chinese. With the coming of the Spaniards, Boholanos embraced Christianity to the point of occultism. Their religiosity is beyond question. There is no Boholano house without a statue of a favorite Saint. There is no barangays or town without a church building. There is no office without an altar and a statue of its patron Saint. There is no brisk business that will not stop at the sound of the Angelus.

So where lies the difference or gap between tourism development in Bali and Bohol? This will be answered in Part II next issue.

By Joe Espiritu
Columnist
Bohol Sunday Post

The bribery attempt of Atty Francis Ver, a ranking member of Kmapi, Pres Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's political party cannot be accepted as totally logical. It raises plenty of questions. The operator could be either an oxymoron or a brilliant strategist. The plot is Byzantine, so devious that it could not be clearly discerned at ordinary levels. Such scenario foisted upon a gullible public but there may be analytical minds, which would question such actions.

The move is to impeach the President. Impeachment proceedings, according to the constitution must start in the Lower House. Charges may be filed by government - read opposition politicians - or private practitioners. When filed, the Speaker of the House refers the case to the Committee on Justice. The Committee decides is the case is sufficient in form, filed in the required procedure, and sufficient in substance, that there is cause for the case to be filed.

If it has both, the case is referred back to the House if it has sufficient numbers required to approve the filing so it could be tried in the Senate, which acts as the judge and jury of the case. Should the President be found guilty, the President is asked to step down. If along the line, the case will not prosper, she cannot be made to face another impeachment proceeding until the next year.

This year and impeachment complaint is file against the President. The charge is about the so-called anomalous National Broadband Network deal with the ZTE Corporation of Chine. The complaint was filed by lawyer Roel Pulido, an attotney for the Magdalo group, which staged the Oakwood mutiny. However, opposition lawyers contend that the complaint is a weak one and should not be entertained.

Then comes Atty Francis Ver attempting to bribe partylist Anakbayan Representative Crispin Beltran a whopping two million pesos to help the impeachment filing. Rep. Beltran naturally refused and caused the Lower House to pause from their 2008 national budget deliberations to listen to his privilege speech denouncing the bribe.

The questions that are starting to rise are many. Why in the first place would Atty Roel Pulido, a lawyer for the Magdalo, an outright opposition group be involved in filing a weak complaint design to bail out the President? Does it mean that he had sold out? In either case, he is in a no win situation. He could be considered a bad lawyer in the former or a mercenary one in the latter. No self-respecting lawyer would want that.

As for Atty Francis Ver, he is not a sacrificial lamb but a judas goat. The former is offered to appease a mob out for blood while the latter leads a group of sheep to slaughter. The Beltran vote is only one, why not approach another Congressman who would be more receptive to money? Rep Beltran represents a left oriented group Anakpawis. Some picture him as a principled ideologue while others see him as a Machiavellian operator.

If his group and other allied organizations would like to see the President shot down figuratively, why help her acquire immunity albeit temporarily, from impeachment? As Ver knows that Ka Bel is a member of an organization committed to, changing the present system to their own why then would Francis Ver approach Crispin Beltran of all persons, with the bribe. As Sec Rinaldo Puno said, it would be like bribing the Pope. As if the Pope could be bribed.

It seems that Malacañan Palace is orchestrating the moves to protect the President from impeachment for the year, but the methods are so complicated.

The scenario is thus; the Palace caused a lawyer commissioned by rebel soldiers to defend them in court because of his capability to file a weak impeachment complaint. Bribery is ordinarily carried out by intermediaries so the source cannot be traced yet Francis Ver a high official of a political organization did not bother to cover his tracks. Bribes are offered to most the receptive yet why was the bribe offered to Beltran, a known opposition member and an ideologue. Was it offered so Beltran could denounce it?

Would the brains in the Palace manipulate public opinion so they in the Palace will be embarrassed? Hardly likely. Alternatively, is it the opposition making those moves hoping for a groundswell that would drive the occupant from the Palace?

Logical. Alternatively, is it the Palace making those moves to make the public believe that all these were handiwork of the opposition? Now that is a complicated story.

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

The military's Central Command (Centcom) said rebels are supporting the bids of certain candidates in the Oct. 29 elections.

Lt. Col. Oscar Lasangue, commander of the Army's 3rd Civil Relations Group based in Centcom in Cebu said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) are supporting candidates in no less than 20 barangays in Cebu and Bohol.

In a statement sent to Sun*Star Cebu, Lasangue said the rebels are backing bets in 17 Bohol barangays and three barangays in Cebu .

Lasangue's statement, which was published by Sun*Star, however did not identify the 17 Bohol barangays.

The Army officer declined to identify the candidates enjoying the support of the underground saying they are "still validating the reports from the ground".

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

Governor Erico Aumentado last week directed the office of the provincial environmental office (PENRO) to reopen a barangay road allegedly closed by former mayor Doloriech Dumaluan of this town.

The recipient of the order was PENRO Eduardo Inting.

The governor's order to Ingking was in response to the request of Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala after his office received several complaints from residents in the Bolod area who were affected by the road closure.

The residents mostly fishermen complained to Mayor Alcala that their ingress and egress to the beach were greatly hampered with the closure of the barangay road.

The mayor said with the closure, residents in the area were forced to look for other ways in going to the beach.

The former mayor reportedly closed the barangay road claiming that this portion of the road is his property. The road leads to the former mayor's Dumaluan Beach Resort.

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

This monkey's favorite is actually a potassium rich fruit and therefore a quick- energy food highly recommended for humans, too.

But just like any other item in the market today, this variety of banana is also getting pricier. To get the most out of the demand, Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy rallied his constituents, initially of Barangay Ilihan, to plant lakatan for commercial purposes.

Jumamoy, Vice Mayor Wenceslao Lao, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Nena Melecio, Municipal Agriculturist Leocadio Torregosa, Planning Officer Nick Taño and Ilihan Barangay Captain Patricio Requierme led other officials during the project launching where they planted suckers at the 20-hectare site.

To note, top in Jumamoy's agenda for his town is poverty reduction through livelihood for the people, lakatan production among them.

"If Mindanao can, there is no reason why the Boholanos cannot," said the mayor whose mother, former mayor and now Provincial Board member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy grew up and studied in Bukidnon.

--published by the Bohol Sunday Post

It's been a talk of the town.

Yes, ice rained on Corella, Bohol. Was it Cortes, Bohol? I don't have all the details but I will get more information about this incident as soon as I get back to Bohol right after my stay in Velez Hospital, Cebu.

Written By Loy M. Palapos

Nominated for the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2006, he was an accomplished Boholano backed by a distinctive professional career and years of community service.  His passion for human resource development is equaled by his concern for organizational management, a skill he nurtured in the Philippines and mastered in the Middle East.  Dioscoro Orias Ayag, Jr. is Bohol’s contribution to an ever-increasing management pool of experts in the international corporate world.

Jun to his clan and friends, he was born in Mabini, Bohol on December 20, 1959.  His father, Dioscoro Uy Ayag Sr. was a well-respected Barangay Captain.  His mother, Vicentita Gerodias Orias Ayag is now based in California. Jun has two younger sisters.  Daisy A. Agunod finished Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting at Divine Word College.  Maria Divina A. Felicitas finished Bachelor of Arts major in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Nursing also at Divine Word College ( Holy Name University), and is now based in Union City, California.

He graduated First Honorable Mention at the Mabini Central Elementary School in 1972, and Valedictorian at the Holy Infant Academy in Anda in 1976.  At 45  years of age, Jun indeed came a long way from his modest beginnings in Mabini and where he learned that a scholarly performance definitely ensure a sure path to academic fulfillment. From the secondary to the collegiate level, he was a consistent honor student and finished his studies solely supported by a string of government scholarships including the prestigious Cocofed Scholarship grant.  At the University of San Carlos, Cebu City where he took his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management Accounting, while at the same time with the Sacred Heart Formation House, a preparatory center for priesthood, he earned the nomination for the university’s outstanding graduates.

After rendering service as a Peer Counselor with the University’s Guidance and Counseling Center and at the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Scholarships, Jun’s first foray into the professional business world was with the Cebu-based Norkis Group of Companies where he was assigned as a Research Analyst in the advertising department.

Fresh from college and having undergone short significant on-the-job training with Norkis-Yamaha, Jun moved to the bigger city, Manila, for greener pasture that landed him to avail the Ministry of Human Settlements National Scholarship for Shelter Systems Management and Development Course, a non-thesis masteral course at the University of Life, in cooperation with the Development Academy of the Philippines.

A year later, Jun was hired as a Junior Management and Development Officer at the Human Settlements Development Corporation’s Project Development and Evaluation Group which paved him a bigger role as Assistant Department Manager for Project Planning  and Impact Assessment under the Human Settlement’s Office of the Assistant Minister for Special Projects and Services in 1983.  Within the same year, Jun’s managerial ability was further harnessed when he was taken as a Manager, Management Staff and as Senior Executive Assistant to the Secretary General of the Philippine Human Resources Development Center (PHRDC).  During his employment with the Ministry, Jun’s editing and writing abilities also proved valuable in several inaugural speeches and reports by ministry officials including the top echelon.

The allure of foreign scholarships under Japan’s JICA Technical Cooperation package first beckoned to Jun in 1985 when he was short listed for the year’s batch of business scholars to be sent to Tokyo, Japan.  But fortunes have it that Jun joined his compatriots in the exodus to the Middle East during the mid-1980s.

From 1986 to 1990, Jun provided a vital supportive role as Executive Secretary to the Office of the Vice President, Marketing ( Plastics Sales), at the Riyadh-based Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the key government petrochemical institutions in Saudi Arabia’s quest for a mature export-oriented economy.  SABIC’s high profile proved to be of advantage to Jun since it provided him the training of handling multi-national transactions.

Better opportunity prompted Jun to join the reputable Saudi American Bank (SAMBA â€" formerly of Citibank / Citigroup ) as a Customer Service Assistant in 1991 to a Senior Product and Services Representative.  It was his desire to shift its gear back in banking inclinations that induced him to take the post at the bank.  Upon entry, the bank had introduced its remittance facility (the Speedcash) where the Filipino expatriates were its launching recipients; and as a pioneering staff, he was able to render services to hundreds of thousands of OFWs and expatriates in the 3 regions ( Central, Western and Eastern ) of Saudi Arabia.   With patience, hardwork and dedication towards his job, Jun was accorded with the Service Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the bank’s (SAMBA) Annual Awards (1992) for deserving employees.

With the bank’s advocacy on Saudi’s Nationalization Program, Jun ended his stint in 2002, which opted him to move to Astra Polymers Compounding Company Limited, a manufacturing firm on color additives, as Head of the Human Resources Department for almost 2 years.  During the course of his employment, he introduced quality initiatives on organizational development, corporate image building, strategic corporate planning and training that made marks among the company’s employees.

Jun’s continuing quest for making a difference in the life of an individual and organization has presently prompted him to take a post at JAL International, a contracting / consulting firm, management solution provider that supplies technical manpower to two of the world’s oil and petrochemical giants, Saudi Aramco and SABIC.  Being the Executive  Assistant to the General Manager / CEO and Management Representative have given him the opportunity to reach the employees and officers alike with his touch of quality, an embodiment of an ISO Quality Coordinator where he also holds.

His working years in Saudi Arabia has brought him to seventeen ( 17 ) countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia through personal travels and business trips.  These opportunities have helped Jun mold his understanding on the plight of OFWs and the Filipino identity as a whole in the league of nations.  Through his professionalism, he has represented the Filipino’s competence and service excellence to his counterparts in the global market which without doubt has indirectly promoted goodwill  to the Republic.

Among the early clinchers of Jun was his election as a Kabataang Barangay (KB) Federated President and inclusion in the Sangguniang Bayan thus instrumental in honing his leadership abilities.  Armed with talents and networks / contacts in the community, he paved the organization of community-based associations like Bisayang Igsoon Sa Saudi Arabya (BISAYA), a civic oriented Bisayan speaking group of overseas workers, the BOWACCC, Boholano Overseas Workers And Community Credit Cooperative, including the participation in various organizations like Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Congress, and the Cebuano Integrated Society and Tribal Allies (CISTA).

Jun also took an active role in assisting various organizations either as a member, an adviser, or as avid supporter, like the Filipino All Sports Promotions (FASPROM) in Riyadh, and the United Filipino Basketball Federation (UFBF) in the Eastern Province.  In arts and culture, he helps spearhead the Entablado Filipino, a theater group that showcases Filipino talents and promotes Filipino literary works.  Despite his hectic schedule, he still finds time as an Adviser to the Association of Filipino Fashion Designers in AlKhobar.

With his exemplary talents and professionalism, Dioscoro O. Ayag, Jr. has gained the respect among his peers, superiors, employers and co-workers which ultimately built his distinction as an epitome of a Filipino deserving praise and adulation, and whose achievements are examples to be replicated.  Still at the prime of his life, this multi-talented Boholano has long proven that success waits for anybody who labors hard to make his dreams come true.

--published in all Bohol newspapers.

Quote from: Macky Ferniz on October 23, 2007, 11:20:21 PM
Mike, in all Western Union transaction, there is a transaction code number. That number if shown would be enough to claim the money. ID is just for double checking. Infact, that code will only be devulged to the sender by the teller of the source bank.

Hence, those who wish to help Mike should also include the Transaction number when they notify Mike on his PM or Email.

Macky, I gave all the needed information at their exact details. control number, sender, etc, everything...

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
Bohol Correspondent

On the same day millions of people responded to the United Nation’s call for people to “stand up against extreme poverty,” Boholanos spread another campaign through a catchy slogan during the World Food Day activities here, October 17.

Organized by Bohol Initiators of Sustainable Agriculture Development [BISAD], World Food Day here came in a form of an Evening of Boholano Cultural expressions as organizers put a slogan that may have hit a funny bone. But that is nothing funny for local farmers here who are alarmed over the entry in the country of yet another genetically modified organism [GMO] in the LLRice 62.

In Bohol, where the country’s pioneering anti-GMO ordinance is crafted, farmers have been traditionally growing at least 3000 local rice varieties to produce a competitive rice that is organically grown yet disease and pest resistant and one that pose no environmental and health hazards.

Threatened because of the GMO LLRice 62, or commonly known as Liberty Rice developed by BayerCrop Science underwent genetic modification, farmers raise the human and environmental hazards of a herbicide called glufosinate ammonium.

The herbicide actually kills the red rice, which at one time in the US, grows with the white Bengal Rice.

So, “the LLRice 62 [white rice] was made to make it resistant to the herbicide as it kills the red rice, which is America’s commercial variety,” states a brochure distributed during a farmers’ gathering at the Plaza Rizal Wednesday.
   
Having been banned when stringent organic measures were imposed in Europe, the GMO rice were found contaminating the Philippine rice supplies bought from the US, as with the entry of the Uncle Sam Texas long grain rice which has been displayed in Philippine supermarkets, Searice leaked.

Boholano farmers have been growing the red rice as traditional food here and the un-announced entry of LLRice 6 could actually exterminate the red rice varieties, pressed Paul Borja of the Searice, an NGO assisting local farmers keep Bohol’s rice heritage.

Moreover, local farmer organizers have posed the risk of human and environmental hazards of the herbicide and its effects to animal nervous system and the human deaths in Japan, as they alleged. 

“We hope to be able to organize the farmers to pressure the government and the Agriculture Department to come up with a definitive stand against GMO,” shared Engr. Vicente Loquellano, executive director of another NGO under the BISAD during an interview.

According to a technical officer of the Searice, Prosperidad Abonite, their advocacy is now into information dissemination on the Anti-GMO Ordinance campaign and the truth about GMO to students in schools and formal institutions.

This way, we hope to pressure local legislators to stir up reaction against GMO, she bared.

This is despite the fact that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is standing by the national policy on modern biotechnology and rejected the call for support to a total GMO ban.

Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie G. Fondevilla has politely rejected Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon thru a letter, saying it runs counter to the national policy of promoting the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology.

Maranon earlier asked the DA to support the province's campaign to promote the province as an organic-food island.

Fondevilla cited the national policy issued by President Arroyo on July 16, 2001, which "promotes the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology as one of several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services, sustainable and safe environment, and industry development."

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
Bohol Correspondent

Making sure that what they started could sustain and be nourished by the peace here, local officials led by Mayor Roberto Salinas bonded with key government forces to be pro-active about crimes and instill local security awareness. 

And for newly installed 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Cesar Yano who came in with a tough act to follow, he did what most soldiers his stature would’nt do.

At the Joint Local Government Unit (LGU) of Catigbian, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) Security Awareness Symposium Friday, October 19, 2007, Col. Yano, Mayor Salinas and key Camp Dagohoy officials briefed the residents here of the threat local insurgency could bring.

The symposium also came at a time when Bohol has made the insurgents insignificant and when Catigbian has germinated progress and development with the peace and local insurgency situation stabilized.

“We have reduced the enemy forces from four fronts to just one, and they are now pretty concentrated in the interior parts of Bohol,” Col. Yano said.

Residents however were visibly troubled when they saw in a power-point presentation that “the enemy” which the brigade commander was referring to, has established its sole base in a contiguous area in central Bohol and includes Catigbian as its peripheral guerilla zones.

According to Army’s Civil Relations Service, “while it would appear that the local rebels have disbanded, they are engaged in regaining the mass base and strengthening the local organizations to rise up again in major offensives.

“As the war now shifts in the white areas where the rebels engage in non-armed warfare,” Col. Yano said, “the army and local authorities have to step up its information education campaign so as to deprive the insurgents of their targets.”

Mayor Salinas earlier admitted that the even with the internal security operation which the army and the police could give, “nobody could take care of us but us alone.”

Salinas, who has been primarily instrumental in transforming the town from an insurgency hotbed to one of the most progressive towns in Bohol also admitted the town can only sustain development only if there is peace, one which could not cohabit with insurgency threat.

Both leaders also stressed concerted community effort to deny the rebels of sowing back fear and terror.

At the symposium, hotline numbers of both the key military leaders operating in the area, police hotlines and the municipal peace and order council members contact numbers were flashed on the wide-screen. Such is to give concerned people access to contact the military of any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, for the PNP, Camp Dagohoy’s PSInsp. Uldarico Palgan representing Col. Edgardo Ingking impressed upon the residents the key crime deterrents, especially when he claimed a trend where criminals attack if the opportunity presents itself.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
Bohol Correspondent

Leading the way and perhaps risking to be called deviants, Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. and community leaders succeeded in convincing barangay and youth candidates for the October 29 synchronized elections to sign a covenant to finally seal money politics in the drawers.

The covenant, which was signed by majority of the candidates and witnessed by town leaders, representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the church, averred that being elected as barangay official is not to make money, but is rooted on the intent to serve.

As the covenant expressly states the intent to stop vote-buying, it also binds the candidates to coordinate with local authorities so the aim could be realized and so that appropriate punishment can be meted for those who still bribe their way in.

“We want to make this small step to regain the true essence of elections,” Mayor Evasco said stressing that according to the Omnibus Election Code, the conduct [of the elections] should be guided by fair, honest and orderly [elections].

“We have gone too far from the essence of the law,” he explained to the majority of the town’s candidates who came in response to the call for a change in the electoral system, which the town leaders proposed.

Gathered at the Maribojoc Cultural Center for the ceremony were about 90% of the local candidates eyeing posts this October 29 elections. Local leaders from both the government, civic organizations and the church also pitched in unconditional support to the move.

Municipal election Officer Bibiana Anquilero reported that Maribojoc has 561 candidates, 45 contending for the 22 barangay chairmanships while 346 are running as barangay councilors.

Meanwhile, she said 41 youth are running for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairmanships while 129 have shown intent on the youth council seats.

Church leader and Maribojoc’s Sta Cruz parish priest Rev Fr Efren Dolauta said that the initiative, perhaps the first in Bohol is simply saying no to money politics, one thing which has pushed out better and more qualified candidates for the moneyed.

Evasco asked, when one spends to buy votes, how he regain his hard-earned money if he does not steal?   

The move has so far met skepticism from traditional politicians who have made elections synonymous to vote-buying.

“What we are doing is something next to impossible, but we are not leaving any stone unturned to make success despite a slim chance,” Councilor Fructuoso Redulla admitted during the program introduction.

Municipal Local Government Operations Officer of the Department of Interior and Local Government Victor Lapiz said they have met with the mayor for the proposal and have been working on the implementation so they could have it running for the coming polls.

When they agreed to sign the covenant, then our next job is to talk to the voters at the barangay assemblies about the agreement so they would not anymore pressure the candidates to give, Evasco said.

The mayor and key town officials, the MLGOO and church leaders have agreed to make the rounds during the assemblies to disseminate the information, they said.

memories. i attended the 8th Iligan national writers workshop.

I'm so angry right now. I wish to unleash it here. Here comes Western Union again, the troublemaker.
First, they gave me trouble by not accepting my name Mike because they want Michael. So I asked one of our friends here to restructure my name so I could received the needed amount for my father in the hospital here in Velez Cebu.

Today I run out of funds for my father's medicine and another friend in the U.S. sent funds through Western Union. So it's a big relief when you run out of provision and help from the Lord arrives just in time.

This Western Union outlet at M. Lhuiller in front of Velez Hospital has accepted my student ID in Thailand for two times already. Those two other staffs had honored my I.D.

Now I'm claiming another fund using the same I.D. but another woman, another staff told me that she would not accept my student I.D. in Thailand.

"But Miss, I have been using this I.D. here for two times already. This is my third time that I claimed money in this outlet using that I.D. Why won't you honor it?" I said in English. I don't speak Bisaya when I'm already angry.

Without valid reasons she just thrashed my I.D., pointing the color and any markings in the I.D. as reasons for invalidation.

I told her that I even signed up a customer information sheet with their pawnshop/Western Union outlet, had my left and right thumb marks archived, my I.D. details and everything, including three specimens of my signature.

"Miss, my father is in the hospital and I need this money to buy for his medicine," I was already pleading. "I have been using this I.D. here for two times," I said again. "My Philippine I.D. (an SSS I.D.) is in the blood bank." RBCC here in Cebu won't release my SSS I.D. for 22 days after I replaced the blood I bought from them.

"Dili ni madawat imong ID," she told me point blank.

I am no saint. My blood finally shoots up. I have been sleepless, stressed out, drained out, troubled, tired, with all the discomfort mentally, emotionally, and physically.

"P-u-t-a-ng i-n-a!" I exclaimed. "Ambi na akong I.D. beh," I said and I punched the M. Lhuiller pawnshop window. Yes, I did it with moderate force. I already lost my composure. And I left the place and went to an Internet Cafe and logged in to Tubag Bohol.

Another 'bacon' was brought home when two fourth year students of Bohol Wisdom School won the DTI-Consumer Quiz Bowl held last Thursday at Island City Mall, this city.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) celebrated the Consumer Week dated October 15-19, 2007 at the Island City Mall through consumer welfare programs and activities. One of the events was the Consumer Quiz.

Ten schools - Manga National High School, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, University of Bohol, Bohol Institute of Technology-International College, Holy Name University, Mansasa High School, Tagbilaran City Science High School, Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology, San Isidro National High School and Bohol Wisdom School - participated in the contest, each having one team with two members.

Dianne Radaza and Thara Jill Añasco, IV-Emerald students, composed the team from Bohol Wisdom School. The quiz was divided into three parts: easy, average and difficult rounds.

The easy and average rounds served as the elimination round. During these rounds, the contestants used tag boards for their answers.

Five schools qualified for the difficult round: Manga National High School, Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School, Mansasa High School, Tagbilaran City Science High School and Bohol Wisdom School.

At the difficult round, finalists used the buzzer system in answering. A tie for 1st place between BWS and TCSHS was broken with BWS emerging as champion.

BWS ranked first place with the score of 14, followed by TCSHS at 2nd place (13) and DCPNHS at 3rd place (12).

-- press release for Bohol Newspapers

Written By Engineer Jes Tirol
Columnist
The Bohol Chronicle

EDUCATIONAL THEORY BASED ON CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Part 4. Last of series

Proem

The book "Endangered Minds" by Jane M. Healy provides many discussions and explanations regarding the perceived learning deficiencies of schoolchildren today.  What I like about the book is that it jibes with my ideas on educational theory.

In page 124 she says, "once a child has one type of grammatical speech under her scalp, the brain is primed to master others more easily at any time during the life span.  Teachers of foreign languages should look warily at children with inadequate mastery of their mother language, whatever they may be."

The above statement fits our situation.  Our mother language is Sugboanon Bisaya and we study English as a second language and Filipino as a third language.  If the child did not master her grammar in Bisaya, then she would have difficulty in English and Filipino.  What our elitist schools are doing is to alter the situation.  They try to make English as the first language and make Bisaya and Filipino as the second and third languages.

The result would be an emotionally unstable person because the emotional aspect of a person is closely related to the concepts of the mother language.

Role of Language to Convince

There are two approaches in the role of language to convince others â€" appeal to the intellect and appeal to the emotion.  Since Filipinos are educated using the English language, it is the language fitted to appeal to the intellect.

Since the mother language is closely related to the emotional aspect of man, it is the language fitted for use in the appeal to the emotion.  This is the reason why our politicians use the mother language in their political campaigns.  They always appeal to the emotion for the coveted vote.

Why is Sugboanon Bisaya not taught in our school system?  The answer is that the Americans knew that the appeal to the emotion could easily bring out a revolt.  They even prohibited the public display of the Filipino flag until 1917.  When it was allowed it was to be displayed with the American flag and a little bit lower than the American flag.

The practice of not allowing native languages to be taught was an American colonial policy.  The Americans were afraid of the emotional appeal of one's native language.

The question is, why do we still continue the colonial policy of not teaching our native languages?  The answer is, we are still in the grip of our colonial mentality.  The Philippines is supposed to be independent but still we could not imagine ourselves to be independent because we are in the grip of a colonial language policy.  To develop nationalism and love of country, we should teach in school the mother language of the student.

Wrong use of pictures

When I read the book "Endangered Minds" I was particularly struck by its statement regarding the use of pictures when teaching.  The book says that the picture should be used to assist or augment learning and not as a tool for learning.

The mental pattern conveyed by the spoken and written word is different from the mental pattern conveyed by the picture or visual image.  The spoken and written word should be first presented and its meaning analyzed.  To reinforce the mental process of the pupil, the picture is then presented.  This way, the pupil will learn how to grasp the concept of abstract words that could not be put into pictures such as love, friendship, conscience, etc.

It is wrong to present first the picture or cartoons and later on explain what they mean.  The picture can elicit different meanings to the mind of the pupil and mostly it is of the peripheral kind.  It will tend to make the pupil inattentive because he will insist on his interpretation if it would not jibe with the interpretation intended by the teacher.  Do you still wonder why most our student does not seem to pay attention in class?  If so, then try to find out if there is an overuse of pictures in the lessons.

This is the reason why in the demonstration class I conducted at Cordova, Cebu, I first discuss the concept and later on made the pupils verify by the use of the visual aid.  All the observers were surprised why the pupils could understand "pure" Bisayan words that the teachers themselves did not understand.  The procedure was well adapted to the mental pattern of the mother language of the pupils.

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. -Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

There was a definite process by which one made people into friends, and it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time. -Rebecca West (1892 - 1983)

You can forget a lot of things, but you cannot forget a woman’s name and claim to love her. -reallivepreacher.com

When someone allows you to bear his burdens, you have found deep friendship. - reallivepreacher.com

There isn’t much better in this life than finding a way to spend a few hours in conversation with people you respect and love. You have to carve this time out of your life because you aren’t really living without it. - realivepreacher.com

Sometimes the measure of friendship isn't your ability to not harm but your capacity to forgive the things done to you and ask forgiveness for your own mistakes. -Randy K. Milholland, Something Positive Comic, 11-07-05

In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends. -John Churton Collins

Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren't bad people; they're just acquaintances. -Jay Leno (1950 -  )

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends. -Japanese Proverb

Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. -Jane Austen (1775 - 1817), Northanger Abbey

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. -George Washington (1732 - 1799)

My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet. She's now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia. -Dame Edna Everage (1934 - )

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. -Dale Carnegie

Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends. -Czech Proverb

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. - Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)

Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods. -Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC), Nichomachean Ethics

      A learning handicapped student of the Special Education (SPED) Center at Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School brought honors not only for the Province of Bohol, but the whole country; when he represented the Philippines in the Track & Field Event of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

      Jesus Verano Pacaldo of Junction, Bool this city together with his coach and trainer Mr. Frank P. Echalico, a teacher of Manga National High School, were in Shanghai, China on October 2 to 11, this year. There Jess showed his mettle by besting participants coming from one hundred and sixty (160) other countries.

      According to his (SPED) teacher Ms. Consuelo L. Arreza and (SPED) principal Ms Rhodora I Tadena, Jess has the body of a man of 20, with a mental level of a 7 year old boy. Nowadays, this mental handicap is not referred to as a disability or retardation as these terms create a negative impression and which may affect the performance of these special children. They are instead given mental level grades designated as gemstones, Jess is an Emerald level student.

      Sports has been an anchor in the education of special children such as Jess. This has given them pride and a sense of achievements. SPED students who have progressed are given a chance at a normal life, Jess has started his mainstream studies now as a Grade II pupil, this is a part of the integration process with the hope that, special children like Jess might finally be able to function effectively as an ordinary person in mainstream society.

      Jess and his Coach’s trip to China was made possible by the assistance of the Vice Governor Julius Caesar F. Herrera through the intercession of BM Ae Damalerio.

--press release

By June Blanco

Bohol’s development efforts again came into the fore when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued an administrative order (AO) calling for relevant agencies to accelerate or expand development programs in support of local peace efforts.

AO 201 urges relevant agencies to accelerate or expand such development efforts, “especially the Bohol local peace efforts.”

“The message should be clear: When peace is forged, development follows,” the AO read.

To note, President Arroyo had addressed the Central Visayas Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) at the Bohol Tropics Resort during her previous visit here. Her message responded to the outputs of the assembly’s workshops that tackled, among others, the inputs Gov. Erico Aumentado gave.

During Day 1 of the assembly, the governor discussed Bohol ’s efforts towards peace and development that dissolved three out of four guerilla fronts in the province.

Bohol through the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) that the governor chairs, and the Local Peace Forum (LPF) that he co-chairs with Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, is also pushing for the concurrence by both Congress and the Senate of President Arroyo’s Amnesty proclamation.

He said the proclamation will invite more rebels to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law. The province has also been giving attractive packages to returnees like housing, ricelands and farm lots, the opportunity to plant oil palm â€" Bohol ’s “sunshine industry” and skills trainings preparatory to their reintegration into mainstream society.

President Arroyo called such development program in support of local peace efforts, especially the Bohol local peace efforts as a “template.”

This template should be demonstrated in several key provinces, ideally in Butuan in Mindanao, Bohol in the Visayas and Laguna or Quezon in Luzon , her order read.

The Aumentado projects under AO 201 include the Panglao Bohol International Airport Development Project; the expansion and improvement of the two causeways and bridges linking Panglao Island to the Bohol mainland and road improvement in Panglao Island;

Concreting or asphalting of the Sagbayan-Carmen-Sierra Bullones-Jagna Road to link the port of Tubigon to the Port of Jagna; Sierra Bullones-Pilar-Alicia Highway; Macaas (Tubigon)-Catigbian-Balilihan Road; Tagbilaran-Corella-Sikatuna-Loboc Road; Batuan-Macapico-Hanopol, Balilihan Road;

Poverty reduction programs, education and health services programs for counterparting with the Provincial Government of Bohol under the convergence strategy; Gawad Kalinga Housing Project with the provincial government and the Couples for Christ-GK Foundation;

Ground leveling of about 2,000 hectares more for conversion into rice paddies by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) costing P113 million which amount is already included in the P1.2 billion outlay under the 2007 General Appropriations Act for the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2) that the President inaugurated Friday;

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) funded development of the Catagbacan Cruise Port in Loon, the Tubigon Port , the Ubay Port and the Jagna Port which are gateways to Cebu, Metro Manila via the Leyte-Samar Matnog route, and northeast Mindanao , respectfully.

Others for Bohol ’s socio-economic development which are still in the pipeline and planning stage.
Aumentado emphasized that the poverty reduction programs include the Skills Trainings Advocating Reliance and Self-employment (STARS).

The project leverages P13 million from the President's Social Fund or other national government agency she may wish to tap as counterpart for the province's P13 million, for a total of P26 million.

STARS aims to train 12 unemployed individuals indlucing rebel returnees from each of the province's 1,109 barangays. The barangays and municipalities will mobilize the participants and provide the venue.

The trainings include, among others, manicure/pedicure, harstyling/cutting, plumbing, general electricity, small engine mechanic, TV/radio servicing, household worker training, tour guiding and welding, among others.

An Editorial of the Bohol Standard newspaper

Bohol Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera is right: the Nobel prize awarded to former US Vice Pres. Al Gore for his advocacy in calling attention to global warming should help us realize how real is the threat to our shoreline communities.

Herrera, who studied the global warming phenomenon during a study trip to the US, immediately saw the connection and took the occasion to hammer home one of his pet concerns â€" coastal environmental attention.

“One of the consequences of global warming is the rising of the seawaters,” Herrera pointed out.
That is where the problem lies as far as Bohol ’s fishing villages are concerned. It is not so much a problem about failure (on the part of homeowners and developers to abide by the 20-meter easement zone) and refusal (on the part of the government) to impose the restrictions.

Rather, it is the all too real concern of homes not just slowly but increasingly sinking in rising seawaters but even of people getting swamped and drowning in the rising tide.

Unfortunately, getting these people out of there and moving them to safer places is easier said than done. Even in instances when tidal waves wiped out entire villages as the Indian Ocean tsunami did in 2004, the survivors continued to entertain hopes of returning to their homes.

The problem is more complicated than it appears. To most people living in coastal villages, it is not just a matter of choice but rather of necessity. Living off the ocean being fisherfolks all their lives, they know of no other form of livelihood.

To them, relocation can only mean extinction of a way of life that they are not about to do. It is, pardon the pun, virtually like scooting the fish out of the water. As far as these people are concerned, it is sounding the death knell for them.

And yet, there is no denying that it is a damn-if-do, damn-if-you-don’t situation. These villagers would be gasping for breath if you take them out of their present environment, but to allow them to continue doing so is virtually subjecting them to a clear and present danger from which they might not survive.

Herrera said the issue must be confronted by all stakeholders. That is the best way to do it. It is easier to shepherd a herd of carabaos than to lead one person against his will.

Just because the problem is big doesn’t mean there is no way out of it. The difficult part is how to get all those who have a stake to sit down and think it over.

It’s not too late, but the clock is ticking and time is running out â€" fast.     

Written By Ven Arigo

City barangay health workers (BHWs) who have no blue cards given in the last election period have been deprived of their P1,000 monthly honorarium since April.

This, even as the meager compensation for their occasionally hazardous jobs is mandated in an ordinance, according to city hall sources.

These frontline deliverers of basic health services to the grassroots have been perceived to be not inclined to the city administration in the last polls.

But Councilor Danilo Bantugan was blunt in telling his Sangguniang Panlungsod colleagues on Wednesday that the granting of the honorarium is a “discretion of the mayor”.

He said the city government and BHWs have no employer-employee relationship.

Notwithstanding Bantugan’s thinking, Councilor Alberta Torralba wished that the council can help the BHWs in this plight.

The lady lawmaker, who is the city president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), murmured on her seat inside the session hall: “Mao na na modayon og panghunaw. Pero kon ilang gusto, dali-dali-on.” She named no names in alluding.

The non-granting of the city hall honoraria to the BHWs who could not present blue cards was raised when Bantugan sought for an SP authority for the mayor to contract the services of three consultants for arts and culture, environment and Early Childhood Development or Day Care, the latter now implementing the so-called multiple intelligence (MI) approach.

Each consultant is paid P20,000 monthly.

Councilor moved to defer action on the Bantugan move until the concerned contractual workers can appear and present their credentials to the council.

Besides, Kapirig said the performance report of the consultant on the MI system in Day care during the closing session of the last SP was “not satisfactory.” He said “it failed.”

Meanwhile, some SP members fumed mad over a wrong media report that they blocked the proposed supplemental budget of more than P11 million.

As desired by Mayor Dan Lim, the appropriation will be allocated for the following: P4.6 million, asphalt overlay on Gallares St.; P4.5 million, road repair and maintenance; P4 million, early retirement package; and P2.4 million, for the mayor’s office.

Although Councilor Edgar Bompat acted as the presiding officer in the last session, Acting Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso defended his SP colleagues, saying that the proposed fund was not blocked.

The mayor endorsed the supplemental budget to the council only on October 8, and the SP quickly referred it to the appropriations committee in its session last Wednesday, Veloso clarified.

Councilor Lucio Balbin expressed dismay over suspected attempts pushing the co-equal executive and legislative chambers to the heat.

Before referring the supplemental budget for study, the council granted, in the same session, the mayor an authority to engage in a P4 million loan with any bank or financial institution “for the purchase of six motor vehicles.”

Quote from: asianfairy on October 21, 2007, 06:39:07 PM
Abi ninyo nagdamgo ko gabii nga diha na daw gipost ang ilang mga pictures ug gwapo daw kaayo nga bata pa si Sigbin..
ambot ngano nagdamgo ko nga wa man unta ko maghunahuna nila. he..he..

Asianfairy,

unta diha sa imong mga damgo makakaplag kami ug pahiyom samtang nagpaabot kitang tanan diri sa atong panagkita ugma damlag.

Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is aching to bounce back from his humiliating first round knockout loss to WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon but it won’t be easy making mincemeat of his next opponent.

ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer’s chief lieutenant Sammy Gello-ani told The STAR recently Bautista will face WBC Federation of Boxing Commissions of the Mexican Republic (Fecombox) champion Antonio (Barrio) Meza in his comeback fight on Dec. 8 at the Araneta Coliseum and predicted a war that could go either way.

Gello-ani said Aldeguer himself rejected Bautista’s original opponent Jesus (Chito) Rios, another Mexican, because he wanted a real tough test for the Candijay, Bohol, prospect.

Rios was scratched because five years ago, he was knocked out by Esau Gaona who was recently blasted into submission by Aldeguer protégé A. J. Banal in a single round. The blemish was a sore spot in Rios’ otherwise impressive 24-3 record.

“Mr. Aldeguer felt the Filipino public wouldn’t accept Rios as a legitimate opponent for Boom Boom because of that loss to Gaona,” said Gello-ani. “So we looked for somebody else. Meza was suggested by Golden Boy and we think he’ll be more than a match for Boom Boom.”

Meza, 24, has a 25-2 record, with 23 KOs. His only losses were a second round knockout to Ricardo Castillo in 2005 and a decision to Julio Zarate last year. He has won his last five outings.

Gello-ani said a consortium of businessmen, including Viva president Vic del Rosario, is being organized to bankroll the Big Dome card which will also feature Banal against Mexican Jovanny Soto and Philippine bantamweight titlist Michael Domingo against a still unnamed Mexican opponent.

Gello-ani said superflyweight Z Gorres would’ve been added to the card if only he had no commitment to take on Colombian Jonathan (El Explosivo) Perez in a title eliminator during the WBO convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 31.

--published by the Bohol Standard

The National Police Commission has not yet issued official statement if they are still to endorse to the Office of the President the case filed by Bohol Police Provincial Director Edgardo Ingking against a colleague, the former provincial director here and now chief of the Regional Investigation, Detective Management Division Arturo Evangelista.

The conflict between the two high-ranking police officials of the police regional office-7 was reported finally settled when a colleague mediated for their reconciliation.

Deputy regional director for administration Sr. Supt Federico Terte reportedly called the two in his office and they have patched things up.

The conflict against the two police officials started after Inking filed grave misconduct and dishonesty complaints against Evangelista before the Napolcom.

Evangelista allegedly submitted to former PRO-7 director Silverio Alarcio Jr. a report that damaged the good image of the BPPO and has demoralized its members.

Ingking claimed that Evangelista pointed out six lapses concerning the operation leading to the arrest of the notorious Casimero Garcia robbery group based only on newspaper reports.

Evangelista also allegedly lied when he claimed that he created the Bohol Tourist Police when, actually it was launched in 2001 during the term of former BBPO director Sr. Supt. Sancho Bernales.

--published by the Bohol Standard

Statistics on the growth rate of tourists' arrivals in the Central Visayas' four provinces generated alarm from local stakeholders after the province was rated with the lowest growth during the second quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, the much-awaited standardization program of resorts, hotels, pension houses, restaurants, travel agencies and other tourism- related firms will soon kick off after the provincial government released its fund support of P500,000 to the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) last Thursday.

Figures released from the Department of Tourism showed Bohol with the lowest growth at only 0.8 percent (64,476 arrivals this year from last year's 63,986).

The statistics, however, showed that Bohol remains as the second most visited province in the region, next to Cebu. Nevertheless, the low growth rate during the second quarter of the year triggered industry players to look on the possible factors behind the decline in the growth rate.

--published by the Bohol Chronicle

By Ven Arigo
The Bohol Standard

Acting Mayor Jose Antonio “Toto” Veloso and two councilors saved Tagbilaran City from exclusion from the P50 million windfall that Sen. Miguel “Migz” Zubiri announced last Saturday to be distributed to the provincial government and 47 towns in Bohol.

Their representation secured for city hall P2 million from the Mindanao senator who announced in the Grand Cooperative Gathering at the Bohol Cultural Center to give P3 million to the provincial government and P1 million to each of the 47 towns.

For unknown reason, Zubiri did not mention Tagbilaran City in his speech there.

Vice Mayor Veloso, who has acted as mayor since the other Friday on account of Mayor Dan Lim’s travel abroad, and Councilors Edgar Kapirig and Bebiano Inting thus dashed to the Metro Centre where the senator met with the local press after his applauded appearance at the cultural center.

There, Kapirig and Inting of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) cooperative committee joined Zubiri, Cooperative Development Authority Chairperson Lecira Juarez and the cooperative leaders in Bohol in discussing the proposed amendments to Republic Act 6938, otherwise known as the Cooperative Code of the Philippines. Zubiri chairs the Senate cooperative committee

The acting mayor, members of the SP and other city officials already scheduled in the morning of the same day a clean-up at the Mabaw Reef, which is declared a marine sanctuary and eco-tourism seawater, off Ubujan and Taloto.

From Metro Centre, Veloso joined Zubiri, his lovely wife Aubrey, Gov. Erico Aumentado and other local officials in a dinner at the governor’s residence.

City hall has yet to identify the projects to be funded out of Zubiri’s P2 million, which now forms part of the senator’s P52 million total reward (including the P1 million for each of 47 towns and P3 million for capitol) for placing fourth in Bohol in the May 14 election for senators.

While many attributed the “sudden inclusion” of P2 million for the city in the senator’s “payback package” for Bohol to the representation of Veloso bolstered by the presence of the two councilors, sources revealed, however, that Zubiri is also a close friend of the vice mayor’s brother named Dominic.

After the resounding success of the 2006 Tigum Bolanon in Bohol, everybody now looks forward to the TBTK 2009, where Boholanos from all over the world  can once again be part of  the global homecoming.  According to an IKEA Ad statement “ the home is the most important place in the world”.  True indeed, holding a festivity of such magnitude as the TBTK at home deserves our best shot.

This precisely is the reason why its  Chairperson, Mrs. Betty Veloso-Garcia is back in harness to start its campaign promotion, done in earnest at that, for the 4th staging of the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan(TBTK) scheduled on July 16-26, 2009.

With enough lead time of about two years to get things done, Betty and the TBTK prime movers plan to travel the world to bring the message across to all Boholanos - wherever they are situated, at home in the Philippines, and in their overseas assignment.

For a start, Mrs. Garcia will fly to Germany this Wednesday, October 10, accompanied by two Boholana beauties, 2006 Miss Philippines-World, Anna Maris Igpit and the first Mrs. Bohol International, Socorro Sarabosing-Parras,  where they are invited to grace the Search for Mrs. Bohol â€" Europe Pageant, to be contested by fourteen (14) lovely Boholanas, who came from different workplaces in various countries of the European Union, scheduled on Saturday, the 13th of October.

Mrs. Garcia will deliver the Inspirational Message, whereas Mrs. Parras will crown the winner in the beauty pageant. Heading the Boholano community in Germany is Mrs. Rosemarie Marapao-Bruening, a Nurse connected with a German Medical Institution.  Mrs. Bruening is also actively involved in Filipino-European Organizations.

It can be recalled that the Boholano expatriates in Europe comprised one big delegation  during the 2006 TBTK Global Homecoming.  All of them have fond recollections of meeting long lost friends, of seeing first hand the progress and development taking place in our home-province, of being accorded the VIP treatment and warm reception by the Boholano folks.

Indeed, it was a one moment in time affair and they look forward to its next staging in 2009.

Mrs. Garcia is receiving similar invitations to grace formal affairs of  the Boholano communities in Australia and New Zealand, Hongkong and  in  Middle East countries,  in the United States and Canada, and even in far away Africa .  Where before, the TBTK campaign promotion was limited within the Philippine archipelago and North America, as conceptualized by  the  Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada(CONBUSAC), but starting its 3rd staging in 2006, it has become truly an activity of global  proportion...

--Douglas Hontanosas, published by the Bohol Standard

The network of government and non-government organizations working on Population Health and Environment (PHE) highlighted the significance of population control in coastal conservation during the National Dissemination Forum of the Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management or IPOPCORM on Wednesday at the MetroCentre Hotel.

The PATH Foundation Philippines , Incorporated initiated the activity carrying the theme, “Integration Makes the Difference”, in cooperation with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, USAID, the UNFPA, and the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Erico B. Aumentado.

Through the forum, PATH Foundation aimed to disseminate best practices in community-based and integrated population-environment (PE) models, to discuss the sustainability and scale up of integrated approaches, and recognize partner LGUs and NGOs that contributed to the success of the IPOPCORM initiative.

Based on the evaluation of IPOPCORM Initiative, integrated approaches generated higher impacts on human and ecosystem health outcomes compared to single strategies.

PATH Foundation Philippines , Incorporated serves as the proponent of PHE programs in Bohol, implementing the IPOPCORM Initiative and the Alternative Advocacy Project.

In his lecture, former environment secretary Angel Alcala, who now chairs the PATH Foundation Philippines, Incorporated, pushed for the implementation of population control programs to attain sustainable coastal conservation measures.

PHE programs promote equity, health and environmental stewardship which have proven to be more efficient and have greater impact when addressed as an integrated issue than being addressed separately.

--published by the Bohol Standard

Vital contracts that involve prime assets of the provincial government are nowhere to be found, causing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to stall action on proposed legislations deemed to be necessarily guided by the otherwise missing official records.

Provincial Board Members Alfonso Damalerio II and Amalia Tirol prayed the subject documents may have merely been misplaced by their custodians and not totally lost to sheer neglect.

At least two disappeared contracts were mentioned in the SP session on Tuesday---those respectively on the private use of the government lots presently occupied by the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications (PLDT) beside the Red Cross building and the Lions Club Children’s Playground within the compound of the St. Joseph Cathedral.

The public utilities committee chaired by Damalerio has wanted to see the memorandum of agreement or any contract between the capitol and telephone giant owing to the latter’s application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) now pending at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Manila.

In like manner, the committee on government properties headed by Tirol has been eager to scan the agreement between the province and Lions on heels of the request of the Diocese of Tagbilaran to take over the management and maintenance of the playground beside the church.

Damalerio’s committee needs to know the crucial terms and conditions in the contract with PLDT because the firm has reportedly unpaid rentals to the government amounting to some P8 million.

In a separate interview, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, Jr. recalled that there was a proposal then to charge the capitol telephone accounts against the province’s collectibles from PLDT.

PLDT wants to operate and maintain telecommunication services, including information and communication technology (ICT), in areas nationwide not yet covered by its CPCN and to charge rates, according to the NTC notice to the SP on the firm’s application.

--published by the Bohol Standard

Construction or maintenance of roads or bridges funded by the province, city, municipality and barangay is prohibited starting October 19 in relation to the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

However, under Commission on Elections resolution No. 8309, the prohibition will not apply to ongoing projects that started before the campaign period.

The resolution also mandates all provincial, cities, municipal and barangays to submit to the Comelec the lists of ongoing projects on or before October 11 for certification.

From October 19 to October 29, no construction of provincial, city, municipal and barangay-funded roads and bridges is allowed. This prohibition stemmed from the provision of the omnibus election code.

In the same resolution, the local government units are mandated to immediately pay all workers who may have worked on the construction and maintenance of the projects that are be suspended pursuant to the 10 day ban.

--published by the Bohol Standard

Quote from: Angie Gulle on October 21, 2007, 05:22:47 AM
I do agree of all what you had said above.....God's answer might be negative but His purpose is positive......when it comes to family..for me, that is the most delicate and sensitive topic to talk about....It was June 29, 2006....na nanghid ko sa akong parents na molargahay na ko for Canada...prior that date..kabalo na sila nga mo larga na ko Canada mga July 5 or 8....at around 10:00 am of June 29, ni amen na ko sa akong parents og ni hug....kay mo adto na ko sa Tagbilaran....ingon akong Nanay ko kuyog sya kay magpa check up og magpa ultra sound kay sakit iyang likod og tiyan...Nanghipos pa tawon akong Nanay sa iyang mga gamit, unya kalit lng ni singgit akong tatay kay natumba akong Nanay. Pero na sapwang pa jud nako akong Nanay nga gapiyong na.....My brothers were there trying to gave her CPR...nadala pa gani namo sa nearest hospital sa Guindulman..pero ang mga doctor ni ingon..dead on arrival....mura jud nitabom ang nako ang kalibutan that time...ambot dli jud nako ma describe ang kasakit nga gibati....nawad-an ko og gana sa kinabuhi....(Nay, I love you and I miss you so much)

Angie, I can't imagine how painful it was for you that you were leaving for Canada on the day you lost your mother.

Feel free to share your pain with us. If you have more stories to tell, then we are here ready to listen to your stories.

Time is fast running out for beleaguered Albur sitting-mayor Jose Ugdoracion, Jr. as his counsels failed to file last week their motions to the Supreme Court for review and issuance of a temporary restraining order that will prevent his unseating as town mayor.

It was confirmed Friday that the camp of Ugdoracion is yet to file their motions tomorrow Monday, and this practically is “in the nick of time” since it is the fifth day, from receipt of the resolution, actually the last day of the prescribed period for such legal options.

The Comelec en banc earlier said it found no reason to reverse or alter the findings of the First Division disqualifying Ugdoracion to run as Mayor of Alburqureque, Bohol in connection of the May 14, 2007 Elections, for “lack of one year residency requirement.”

The Comelec en banc upheld the findings of the First Division, that cited the case of Caasi vs. Court of Appeals, 191 SCRA 229, wherein the Supreme Court ruled, “immigration to the United States by virtue of a green card, which entitles one to reside permanently in that country, constitute abandonment of domicile in the Philippines.”

Consequently, prior to October 18, 2006, the date of the (supposed) abandonment of his status as permanent resident of the United States, respondent is not for all intents and purposes be considered as a resident of Alburquerque, Bohol, This, respondent did not only make a material misrepresentation in his COC but also lacks the necessary residency requirement to run and be elected as mayor of Alburquerque, Bohol,” the Comelec en banc resolution said.

Ugdoracion in his defense, presented photocopy of a document entitled “Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status” dated Oct. 18, 2006. The document however discloses that it is a mere application for abandonment of his status as lawful permanent resident of the USA. It did not bear any note of approval by the concerned US official, unauthenticated and uncertified by the legal custodian of the document.

The Comelec en banc, pointed out that assuming arguendo that said application was duly approved, respondent is still disqualified for he failed to meet the one-year residency, since the date is just about seven (7) months prior to the May 14, 2007 elections.

--published by the Bohol Standard

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded farm inputs to some 3,500 farmer beneficiaries of Bayongan Dam during her Friday, October 12.

The President’s visit coincided with the commissioning of the P2.3B Bohol Irrigation Project Stage Two (BHIP 2) in Bayongan, San Miguel.

During the program, President Arroyo turned over 5 farm inputs to the farmers to include: 700,000 tilapia fingerlings for dispersal from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Engr. Modesto Membreve, BHIP 2 Project Engineer received the Certificate of Tilapia Dispersal from the President.

The Department of Agriculture also commits to conduct Trainings on Rice Techno-Demo and Rice Production, and other inputs like; Rice Seed Subsidy for Hybrid and Certified Seeds, and Flat-Bed Dryers.

Janiel Golosino, President of the Federated Irrigator’s Association of BHIP 2 eceived the certificates of commitment. He represented the 16 Irrigators’ Associations covering the towns of Trinidad, San Miguel and Ubay.

--published by the Bohol Standard

published by the Bohol Standard

The Philippine Ro-ro Shipping Association, Inc. has demanded that the municipalities of Loon and Tubigon in Bohol immediately stop collection of service fees on goods and vehicles carried by ro-ro vessels for being patently illegal.

PRSAI president Leonardo Odoño in behalf of the ro-ro operators in his letters addressed to the mayors of Loon and Tubigon, whose vessels call at the said municipal ports stated that they have been receiving complaints from shippers and passengers on the imposition of service fees.

Such imposition was approved by the respective local government units in a municipal ordinance, wherein the PRSAI believes it is beyond the taxing power of LGUs under the Local Government Code.

Section 133 (e) of the LGC does not authorize and LGU to impose taxes, fees or charges on goods carried into or out or passing through, their territorial; jurisdictions in the guise of charges for wharfage, tolls for bridges or other taxes, or fees or charges in any form whatsoever on such goods or merchandise.

“Although the ordinance characterized the imposition as fee on the municipal wharf, it is actually a form of tax which the local government code does not empower an LGU to impose,” the letter reads.

The ro-ro operators added that when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the Strong Republic Nautical Highway-Ro-ro Transport System Project, which not only link the smaller islands of the country to centers of commerce and trade, she aimed to primarily reduced the cost of transporting goods and passengers by sea to spur economic development in the regions traverse by the nautical highways.

By Fred Amora
Associate Editor
The Bohol Standard

The moment of truth has come. Water is finally released into distribution canals of the controversial P3.6-B Bayongan Dam. But will water reach its targeted areas of 5,300 hectares rice lands in the towns of San Miguel, Trinidad and Ubay?

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself led the commissioning of the Bayongan Dam, Friday, October 12, activating an irrigation facility eyed to boost Bohol’s dream of emerging as the rice basket in Central Visayas.

The Bohol Irrigation Project Phase II, known as the Bayongan Dam in San Miguel town, is about 88 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Its water supply partly depends from spill over of an earlier dam project in Malinao, Pilar (BHIP-1). Unlike other dams, the two facilities wholly impound rainwater and are not connected to any major water source or river.

Arriving at 10:00 am by presidential chopper from Benito Ebuen Airport in Mactan, Cebu, the President and her party landed directly in San Miguel where she led the opening of the main valves from the facility’s main dam to the canal distribution network. The President’s coming was her fourth time in Bohol this year.

Then she led the unveiling of the marker of this P3.684B project funded by both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and loan from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC).

Irrigation officials stressed that the P3.6B project could be irrigating some 5,300 hectares of farmlands summing up to P574.7M annual net incremental increase in rice and other crop production as direct irrigation benefits.

"They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls." - Charles Spurgeon

When anyone of us here in Tubag Bohol may face troubles and tough times in the future, may we all be reminded of what preacher Charles Spurgeon had said about life's afflictions.

Today I nearly run out of financial provision to buy medicine for papa but a help arrives through Western Union. God will never abandon us. Let us continue to call on His name at all times.

Our affliction is not intended to hurt us but to strengthen us. We can only understand this through our spiritual eyes.

I got this text from Carlo Cusi, a friend living in Cebu and brother in Christ:

"The joy we experience from our trials can be some of the greatest joy we know. Since one of the major reasons God sends trials into our lives is to test the genuineness of our faith, experiencing suffering is proved that our salvation is real. In this we experience that God is real and that He cares for us."

Hello Leo,

My father is recuperating. He is not yet allowed to eat and drink.

Hello Asianfairy,

Tubag Bohol is an accidental website. I was just collecting information about Bohol and Boholanos until one day I thought of inviting others to visit the site. Its fast growth with such a short period of time tells many things about us, the Boholano people.

My friends,

I praise our God through our Lord Jesus Christ for you've been giving me light in the dark hallways of my soul. No one is really prepared when difficult times come and I wish I was prepared for these turbulent days. However, God pours out His grace through many ways, one of which is on how you reach out to my grieving soul.

What you've done for my family has strengthened my faith that God is indeed merciful and compassionate.

I don't know how to thank all of you here in Tubag Bohol...

My dear friends,

I pin my hope in the Lord who supplies all our needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. I am surprised at how you stand by me in my deepest hour of grief. As you all know, I was once a stranger to you. It was only lately that we become friends through our sharing of knowledge and information in our website.

My expectation is from the Lord; it is hard to expect help from people for we all have our own share of troubles and pains. But the outpouring of your encouragement and financial support has brought tears to my eyes and I keep telling others that most of those who are helping me carry this sudden family tragedy are friends I have not personally met in my whole life. Not only friends, but even strangers have stepped forward to comfort my distressed soul.

I am just a student in Thailand and I come home with nothing but love, care, and support of friends I haven't seen. I don't know how to thank you all. And I pray that when one of us may experience sorrow and grief in the future, I'd be there to stand by and support any of you, my dear friends.

In the nothingness of my life, I see the richness of God's mercy and compassion and His love through our Christ Jesus, our Lord.

To God be the glory. A korean, a stranger, has stepped forward and donated his blood for my father. Our Lord Jesus is amazing. He hears prayers and honors our faith. Thank you for praying akong mga higala dinhi sa Tubag Bohol.

below is the message i posted in friendster.com bulletin. i am reposting it here. balik sa ko hospital. miss you all...

----

I am in need of Type A+ blood donor here in Cebu Velez Hospital. The room number is 305. My mobile phone number is 0905-415-6816.

This is for my father who is fighting for his life. Please help me relay/forward this notice.

Thank you,
Mike Ligalig

Quote from: asianfairy on October 14, 2007, 12:14:35 AM
oh? Mike naa ka ron online? chat tas yahoo?
naa sab Ginger naghulat. conference ta?

okay, asianfairy. can you give me 30 minutes? naa ko gitapos na article for bohol standard.

Quote from: asianfairy on October 14, 2007, 12:10:37 AM
Edelweiss,

You are Godgiven gift to Mike in his most difficult times now.
I salute you whoever you are.

God bless you more!

Asianfairy, Edelweiss is not from Bohol but from Zamboanga. She has revealed herself to me through PM.

Quote from: lumine on October 13, 2007, 11:24:56 PM
we won't stop praying for your father,mike.

thanks lumine. i learn so many lessons in life within 48 hours which i would have not learned without this great pain and sorrow in my soul.

zel, our wounds of today will be used by the Lord as touch of healing for someone's heart someday. i will be strong in God's presence.

Quote from: Edelweiss on October 13, 2007, 04:45:46 AM
Dear Mike, although you dont know me i know i can trust you. i am touch with your  story and i would like to help raise the needed amount. i have saved for my trip to PI next year in March and since i still dont need the money now i can lend it to you and you can pay me back at your convenient time . PM me your Bank account number (IBAN OR SWIFT) and will send it emmediately. I pray for your father fast recovery God bless us all.

edelweiss, i am speechless by your kindness. i can only look up to heaven and thank God for His mercy.
i will send u a PM (personal message).

when you got a news of the death of another loved one
while you are fighting for the survival of a father.

when a hospital becomes insensitive and uncaring...

when nurses make expensive mistakes at ur expense...

when loved ones have forgotten your pain...

all in 48 hours...

at times you want to scream and stop breathing... but

all you can do now is to close your eyes and cling on
God's promises and allow silence to reign in your heart...

I am surprised. We have 858 guests today. this is the highest figure so far.

i was testing certain phrases in google search terms. tubag bohol has achieved full search engine optimization. Google has given Tubag Bohol no. 1 ranking in many search term keywords.

hi thyl, il pm u in a while. naa lang ko gi-fix sa atong site ha. maayo nalang dili hulog-hulog sinsilyo diri atbang sa velez hospital.

my dear friends,

this is just quick. im using an internet cafe right across velez hospital here in cebu.

just to let u know that we are reinstating the registration of our website. but all registration will undergo a manual approval from the admin.

last night before i slept we approved 14 new Tubag Bohol members.

our site continues to enamor the hearts of boholanos all over the world, so the registration is reinstated after we disabled it.

this public message also goes to ginger: she personally asked me about it.

ill write more... i miss you all...

my dear tubag bohol friends,

this is just quick. im using an Internet cafe right across Velez Hospital where my father is scheduled for an operation.

i am now fixing the messages of our site.

we were hijacked the other time, prompting me to limit the number of messages sent and received. by the way, kindly clean up your inbox from any unused messages.

for now, you can send 20 messages per hour.

i'll write more...

dear tubag bohol family,

this is just a quick update. i am still going back to the hospital.

i arrived today safely. at the plane silent tears were running down my face.

i came home. my father was tearful seeing me. according to my mother, he was always asking when i would arrive. i broke into so much tears upon seeing my father. in the evening i brought him to ramero hospital here in tagbilaran. tomorrow we'll proceed to cebu for further medication.

my father is a policeman who's been in government service for 23 years. whatever will happen to him, he is entitled to certain financial benefits from the government.

it doesn't really matter to us if we'd spend his retirement benefits for his hospital. money can still be found, but not a father's life.

now i am raising P150,000. so far i have raised P30,000, 1/3 of which (excluding fare) i borrowed from a friend in eastern samar. the other third is from a schoolmate in germany.

friends, i need ur help in whatever ways. if u let me borrow certain amount, our family can pay through my father's retirement benefits, though this may come late. i just dont know where to go but to post my lamentations here in tubag bohol.

my philippine mobile number is +63905-415-6816

im going back to the hospital now. i will write again...

thank you for the prayers.

if it's not really a secret, gamit lang ta sa chat. i dont know but our web hosting company has disabled email kay over 800 per hour na daw atong email.

i complained nga impossible. but they said nga basin naay nag hijack sa domain nato and use it to send bulk emails.

yes, manilhig sa ta sa inbox.

akong mga igsuon ug higalang bol-anon,

tonight im reminded of balong.nagtype ko sa internet nagtindog. lisud kaajo kay ang keyboard puthaw. hulog-hulog ug sinsilyo pareha ni balong. ug hapit na mahurot akong time, kuot napud sa sinsilyo.
mao ni ang public internet sa bangkok airport. nakacheck in nako. naghuwat lang ko sa approval sa re-entry visa nako. like ginger, student visa holder ko sa thailand.

hapit lang ko diri kay gimingaw ko ninjo tanan. di maantos. nahimo namo kabahin sa akong dugo nga naglatay sa akong kaugatan.

bisan dili na kaau ko makainternet sa bohol, but my fondest thoughts are with u.

i am really amazed at how we become so close to each other though we haven't seen each other's face.

i am amazed at how we comfort each other in moments of grief.

na-shock jud ko nga si asianfairy mi-offer sa ijang pajero nga akong gamiton while im in bohol. but driving is my greatest fear.

sakit kaajo akong tudlo etype kay iduot nimo ug maajo ang puthaw nga keyboard.

hapit napud mahurot ang time. kuot sa ko sinsilyo.

Quote from: ms da binsi on October 10, 2007, 09:04:51 AM
you didnt sleep at all???

i think you should sleep so you look good when your father sees you...

maguol sha mike ug na haggard ka.

so get some rest...

are you leaving today?

sleepless, da binsi.
yes, im leaving at 1 a.m.

Quote from: ms da binsi on October 10, 2007, 08:59:35 AM
your poem shows your beautiful soul Mike....

Ble, I wish I did not write this poem at 3 a.m. today, but I am alone in Thailand and poetry is my companion.

my tears would wet my face every time i reread this poem.

and i will be writing more because poetry can comfort me (aside from prayer).

I will get in touch to all of u as soon as I can.

Strangers and friends have comforted my grieving soul.

I will be forever grateful to all of u. I am amazed that many friends
I haven't seen are helping me in various ways on my hour of grief.

I hope I could still get a Bangkok-Manila ticket tonight. This trip is unplanned.

Two days later, I can be reached through these numbers: cousin (Marnie Ligalig):  0928-737-8506. My sister: Florabelle Ligalig - 0915-744-7228 or 0910-8111-796.

Reported by By Syril G. Repe
Sun Star Dumaguete

The Dumaguete City police are investigating the recent killing of lending company manager and are looking at two possible angles in the case.

Police investigators are looking at "bad creditors" and the link of the case to the robbery and murder of one of the collectors in Cadawinonan a couple of months ago.

Police Senior Inspector Errol Garchitorena said the victim is Rosalie Galleto, 30, single, a native of Dimiao, Bohol, residing at Barangay Bagacay, Dumaguete City.

Galleto was at the roadside along Real Street around 11:27 p.m. Saturday, waiting for the tires of a companion's motorcycle to be vulcanized at the nearby shop, when two men on a motorcycle passed by and came back after a few minutes and started shooting.

One of the men fired at Galletor manager several times.

Galleto's body bore a gunshot wound on her left side from a .45 caliber pistol.

The gunmen, according to witness Roger Bonghanoy, covered their faces with cloth. They fled after seeing that Galleto had fallen down.

Policemen rushed Galleto to the Holy Child Hospital but the victim died a few minutes later.

Pa, nagsulat ko ug balak karon kay gihandum ko ikaw
Mi-text si Marnie nako nga nalipay ka pag-ayo
nga mopauli ko sa dili madugay ug magkita ta pag-usab.
Ug isulat ko unta sa balak ang imong kalipay
apan mga luha ang miagas ning mga mata.

Kaganiha ra ko naghilak, Pa, naghandum nimo.
Matud ni Abing nga nagsige ka paabot sa akong pagpauli
ug buot kong isulat sa balak ang imong pagpaabot kanako
apan ania, Pa, mga luha ang migawas ning mga mata.

Ug miluhod ko, Pa, nag-ampo sa Ginoo nga makalingkawas
ka sa imong balatian ug lugwayan sa Ginoo imong kinabuhi
apan ang akong mga pag-ampo nahimong mga luha ug sip-on
kay wa ko kahibalo unsay ilitok nga pulong atubangan sa Ginoo -
ug sa akong pagdangoyngoy niining mamingawng kadlawon sa Thailand,
nangita ang akong dughan sa kapahulayan sa kaguol -
ug gisuwat ko sa balak ang akong mga kahangawa kanimo, Pa,
apan mga luha ang migawas sa akong mga mata.

Giihap ko ang mga gutlo nga magkita ta pag-usab, Pa,
aron gakson ko ikaw ug ipabati ko kanimo ang gugma sa anak
ngadto sa amahan, ang amahan nga nagmatuto kanako sukad kaniadto -
ug buot ko isuwat ang akong gugma alang kanimo diha sa mga balak,
apan ania, Pa, mga luha ang miagas sa akong mga mata.

Unsay imong bation, Pa, nga makita mo ako nagsulat
ning maong balak nga nagtulo ang akong mga luha?
Dili ba ikaw man ang nagtudlo nako nga higugmaon ko ang balak?
Ug karon ania, Pa, ang balak nahimong tuboran sa akong kasakit.

Pa, nagsulat ko ug balak karon apan unsay akong masulat?
Unsay tukmang pulong nga akong gamiton aron ihulagway
ang akong gugma ug kamingaw kanimo ug kang Mama?

Walay pulong, Pa, nga makapintal sa akong kasub-anan
apan bisan pa man niining tanan sulatan ko gihapon ang balak, Pa
alang kanimo -
ug bisan dili na nimo kini mabasa
akong sultihan si Mama
nga nagsulat ako ug balak alang kanimo, Pa.

Dear Friends of Tubag Bohol Family,

The day after tomorrow you may not see me online for some time and my absence could last for a month or more. This means I won't be posting and commenting. My father is in a critical condition and fighting for his life right now. I am flying back to our province tomorrow to be with my father perhaps for the last time on earth.

May I request all International Moderators to update our site whatever is the latest news and stories.

I will let u know my Philippine mobile number when I reach our country.

I have so much tears while I'm typing this notice. May I request everyone to pray for my father. His name is Reynaldo Ligalig.

Thank you for your great friendship. I have come to know many beautiful souls in Tubag Bohol.

May God bless us all,
Mike

Quote from: ms da binsi on October 09, 2007, 08:15:51 PM


Despite of all Bambi my dear, friendship here in TB got stronger and deeper...

remember the qoute "you will never experience peace without a war"

Yes, Bel, it's getting deeper. Nakadungog nako sa imong tingog, Asianfairy's, Ginger's, ug C2H4's. Lovely voices of friendly people with sincere and caring hearts.

Quote from: EL MUNDO on October 09, 2007, 07:51:33 PM
mao diay to giingon ni hajji nga magbantay kuno ko kay maban sa tubagbohol sa among chat sa YM ganiha...! just learned the news he's banned karun pa.. hehehe

i should behave now hehehe

Leo, in many other websites, people just do and say whatever they want even if it injures other people. We cannot afford the same thing to happen in Tubag Bohol. And true, you can be banned if you misbehave.

Our government is already corrupt. Our political system is already rotten. Do we want a website such as Tubag Bohol to hold the same fate?

Quote from: swakee on October 09, 2007, 04:51:26 PM
Thank You Admin for a job well done... I don't know Hajji personally but based sa iyang gipanulti sa laing topic... it is very unacceptable... This will serve us a reminder nga we can get our ass kick here in TB any minute nga mag-binuang ka... REGARDLESS!

Our disciplinary action is nothing personal. It is for the best interest of the Boholano people. No one is exempted. Even me, kung naa moy makita nga sayop nako, feel free to reprimand me. I am not exempted from the rules.

Thank you Willmerit for sharing your life with us.

Continue to shine.

Join the ranks of heroes in Bohol.

Quote from: Ginger on October 09, 2007, 02:39:16 PM
Wala pa man mi gabii, Mike. Paabuton pa.

Sigbin should take note of this.

Quote from: bulak on October 09, 2007, 05:33:33 PM
Go Ginger! ...Ayaw pakatulga ang kagahapon kay  nagpabilin gihapon kine og mga lama! sa mga handumanan nga maoy mapakli nato sa pag abot sa panahon...Tinood sakit man tuod nga atong balik- balikan ang mga sakit nga kagahapon apan hinaot nga magmalig-on gihapon kita og himoon kine natong sumdanan aron mudus -og pa kita sa unahan....weeeeeeeeeeeee

Di matabang ni si Bulak. Mga hagkot nga pulong nga gihukad gikan sa kinauyokan sa alimpatakan ug balatian.

a Personal Message sent to the admin. Name withheld. The comment below was a reaction to the Bohol Light robbery...

Hala hadloka naman pod ang Bohol. Galing naa na sila mga inside job contact. (who knows) Are the police working on this case now? I am hoping so. My house in Tagbilaran got robbed too. When we reported it to the Police nothing was done. All they said was SORRY. Sorry doesn't satisfy you when the robbers empty your house and I end up replacing my door which was made in Italy. Because of these I have had to add barbwire to the top of my fence and a security system. Hopefully the police will take action soon and bring justice to us.

kumpare nako ni si bisayantek, thyl.

Quote from: ms da binsi on October 09, 2007, 10:24:06 AM

we'll be out of town this weekend to Iowa..

we have to leave by Wednesday morning..

ill bring my laptop with me so hopefully i can log in...

bye for now...

Bambi, C2, Ginger, Asian, happy,  ill check with you whenever and whatever time i can have...

Ginger ill call you soon...

take care, Ms Da Binsi. and enjoy your stay in Iowa.

Quote from: Ginger on October 05, 2007, 10:22:41 PM
ug niadtong luhaang panamilit
imo gihapong nahunghong kanako -

ug akong gigakos â€"
ang himalatyon mong pulong sa gugma...

********

maka hinumdum man lang ta ani's nangagi oi..

Isaysay ang imong nangagi dinhi, Ginger.

Quote from: Ginger on October 05, 2007, 10:26:46 PM
Ug pwede lang papha-on sa alimtakan.

Di na pud ko gusto ma hinumdum adtong gabhi-una.

Ginger, ang gabii ninyo ni Sigbin? Unsa nga gabii ang imong buot ipaibot, Ginger?

It's okay, Dennis. Your posting is excellent.

Quote from: GEC348 on October 08, 2007, 08:25:19 PM
Mike, you are already a Bohol Citizen.

Why not call it a Boholano International Superstar?

GEC, remember Bohol Republic?

Dear Friends and Comrades of Tubag Bohol,

In behalf of Hajjii (a.k.a. Ghost, Wolf, Lycan), I'd like to apologize for what had happened in the Balut poem written by Sigbin II. I have asked Sigbin's permission that I will delete the entire Balut thread and comments.

I have read and reviewed all the posts and comments and I felt that Hajji's comments were inappropriate and uncalled for. I have consulted this issue with the International Moderators and the feeling is the same.

Personally I am grateful for Hajji's contributions to our website, however, this does not mean that we will be tolerating hurting and offensive comments personally directed to any of our compatriots in Bohol.

Accompanying my public apology is an announcement that Hajji is now banned in Tubag Bohol. His account remains. However, he could no longer post or reply to any topics. The ban is good for 120 days starting today. The duration of the ban may be extended until he issues a public apology to Asianfairy.

Hajji's ban is partial. The previous ban that I implemented was lifetime and it was a total ban in which I removed the account of one of our members. We all know the reasons and the events behind that ban.

I am posting this message in public so that all may know that Tubag Bohol is not just a website where people can write whatever they want, but a website, a real community that considers everyone as an integral part of one big happy family, a loving and caring family where respect, responsibility, honor, dignity, and decency abound.

This disciplinary action, like a father or a mother imposing it on her son or daughter, must be construed as a corrective measure so all may enjoy a peaceful and harmonious relationships in Tubag Bohol.


With sadness in my heart and mind,
Mike Ligalig

<a href="http://www.boholsundaypost.net">Published by the Bohol Sunday Post, a weekly newspaper in Bohol</a>

Just as you thought that the series of robberies in Bohol was brought to an abrupt end after the Talibon hold up gang was neutralized when another one jolted the Tagbilaran populace only last Friday.

At least five members of the notorious Meloy Garcia Robbery Gang were all captured in separate operations after they held up at gunpoint the Bank of Commerce, Tagbilaran branch last August 28.The hold-up resulted in the killing of one security guard and the wounding of three others including one of the robbery suspects.

The end of robbery incidents in Bohol and capital city was shattered Friday afternoon when a collector of the Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) lost P165,000 in cash and checks. He was held up at knifepoint.

The victim was identified as one Gerard Taoho, 29, married, a native of Asturias, Cebu and a BLCI collector-messenger.    

According to PO3 Menelio Sevilla, Tagbilaran PNP investigator, the victim, who is temporarily residing at Capitol Valley in Dao district, was riding his motorcycle carrying the bag containing the cash and P59,000 in checks.

Taoho was on his way to the BLCI main office in Dampas from the firm's Capitol branch about 1:30 pm when the suspects struck.

Upon reaching the corner of J.A. Clarin and Enerio streets, two men wearing safety helmets riding a motorcycle blocked the path of the messenger.

One suspect disembarked from the motorcycle and aimed a bladed weapon at the neck of the victim.

Out of fear, the victim immediately turned over the bag containing the cash to the suspect.

The suspects took out the cash and left the bag before fleeing the scene of the hold-up.

Taoho reported the incident to the BLCI main office before he was accompanied to the Tagbilaran PNP station to report the incident.

The incident was reflected in the police blotter past 4 pm since the victim was first brought to the hospital for treatment after he went pale and tripped at the police station.

Police operatives are still investigating the incident to determine the identities of the suspect.

Two days earlier, a fish vendor from Jagna identified as Felix Lata was also held up in Garcia-Hernandez.

The incident took place about 8:30 am last Oct. 3 while the victim was peddling fish in Barangay Tabuan.

Two men, armed with a caliber .38 and caliber .45 revolver respectively, accosted him and declared a hold-up.

Lata, 29, married, said the suspects took off with about P5,000 cash from his possession.

Written by June S. Blanco

Bohol is P52 million richer, courtesy of Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives yesterday said the first tranche of his commitment will be released by November or December.

Zubiri keynoted the Grand Cooperative Gathering organized by Provincial Board member Josephine Socorro Jumamoy at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City attended by at least 1,292 members of different cooperatives across the province.

Jumamoy chairs the Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC) as well as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Cooperatives.

The senator said the amount will cover projects at P1 million each for the 47 towns. He is giving another P5 million for the cooperatives that he will course through Gov. Erico Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera and Jumamoy.

The towns can use the amount for school- or multi-purpose buildings while the PCDC will screen which projects will be funded out of the P5 million.

<a href="http://www.boholsundaypost.net">Published by the Bohol Sunday Post, a weekly newspaper in Bohol</a>

<a href="http://www.theboholstandard.com">Published by the Bohol Standard, a weekly newspaper in Bohol</a>

Checks issued for official Capitol travels that were later cancelled could no longer be traced.

These checks for official trips that did not push through or were terminated have not been returned or reimbursed by the employees for whose travels they were issued.

In a memorandum order, Gov. Erico B. Aumentado directed all provincial government department heads to monitor the cash advances, particularly those intended for travels, of their respective employees.

The memorandum reveals that the Provincial Accountant’s Office (PACCO) has “admitted no way of knowing” the instances of unreturned or not reimbursed checks for cancelled or terminated official trips.

The accounting office however failed to name the particular employees, the total number of checks and amounts involved.

Quote from: ms da binsi on October 08, 2007, 08:37:29 PM
Mike i still dont have it...

Are you using Windows XP, Byle?

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines' low fare leader and leading domestic airline, offers P1 one-way seats for its new flights to China. 

The China seat sale will run from October 9 to 15, 2007, or until seats are sold out, and is good for travel from November 1, 2007 to January 31, 2008.   The P1 seats are available for CEB's services to Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Macau.  There are 15,000 seats available for this promotional sale.

"We want to really encourage the Filipino public to take advantage of this seat sale because fares to China can't get any lower than this.  We are doing this to raise the awareness for our China routes and more importantly to stimulate tourist arrivals to and from China because we are offering the seat sale on both sides of the market."  said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and product.

CEB has always been a trailblazer in creative pricing strategies, as it manages to give the lowest year-round fares on every route it serves. The lowest year-round 'Go' fares to Xiamen and Guangzhou start at P999, Macau at P1,499, and Shanghai at P1,999. Fares are exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.

Iyog added, "We are extremely excited to be operating these new routes because we know that this will positively impact travel between these two rapidly rising nations.  We are doing this to further support our country's tourism agenda."

Iyog also explained that the best way to avail of the P1 fare is to book and purchase through cebupacificair.com, or call CEB reservations at (02) 70-20-888, CEB ticket offices and accredited travel agents.  The P1 fare is for immediate payment upon booking.

"We encourage everyone to book their flights now for the best availability of the P1 fares before the seats are sold out," emphasized Iyog.

Now in its 12th year, CEB has the youngest fleet of aircraft in the Philippines. CEB operates 14 Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and 12 international destinations with the recent addition of Guangzhou and Macau  later this week.

You will be granted a Bohol Citizenship when your posts reach at 10,000.

As of this writing, no one has achieved this status.

Maybe I will get my Bohol Citizenship Passport before this year ends. Hopefully...