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Lightning kills hospital assistant administrator
Published January 31, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
      CALAPE, Bohol - A young administrator of a privately-owned hospital was killed by a lightning bolt off Calape Bay early Thursday afternoon.
       Pronounced dead on arrival at their own hospital was Ferdinand Nazareno Relampagos, asst. administrator of the Nazareno Community Hospital here.
The 34-year old hospital asst. Administrator was with two other companions when a lightning struck their pump boat while on their way to Mantatao islet.
        Ferdinand was to buy fresh seafoods at the island which he wanted to prepare for his elder brother’s birthday the following day.
         Police said the pumpboat capsized. Relampagos who was sitting, beside the pumpboat’s engine was thrown far from the pumpboat due to the impact when the engine exploded after stricken by the bolt.
        The two companions of Nazareno survived the ordeal when they were rescued by the responding fishermen in the area.
          Interment will be on Saturday at the Calape Catholic Cemetery after a requiem mass  in Calape Parish Church at 2 p.m.

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Abadia recalled as security boss
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       MANILA - The appointment of Gen. Lisandro Abadia as national security adviser was recalled yesterday afternoon by Pres. Arroyo.
        The President said she has decided to recall the appointment of Lisandro Abadia as a national security adviser. Abadia’s appointment has been under heavy criticism due to alleged misused of soldier’s retirement funds. He also ordered the interior department to investigate allegations of corruptions against PNP Chief Leandro Mendoza and will submit a report within seven days.
        The President was supposed to announced yesterday the vice president. However, she did not mention it in her first nationwide television address last night.
       Abadia, in the meantime, went to the Senate to inform senators that the office of the Ombudsman has cleared him of the charges regarding the fund controversy.
      The Senate blue ribbon committee, chaired by Senate Pres. Aquilino Pimentel Jr, had implicated Abadia in the anomaly. Abadia said that his name is being smeared by people with political motivation.

GMA needs a Vice President
Published January 31, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       It is unfair to judge the capabilities of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at this point in time after her ten-day old incumbency in Malacanang. But considering in time the magnitude of the President’s task, the truth of the matter is that President Arroyo is now carrying a heavy load on her shoulders and needs as many available hands which are willing to extend assistance and compassion.
        This is the proper time when President Arroyo needs a vice president. While no deadline has been set by any mandate for the president to appoint her vice president, it cannot be denied that the problems of the nation are mounting everyday. She direly needs a vice president very urgently to lend a helping hand.
        She is a competent public official in her own right having been a senator for one term and a member of Estrada’s cabinet for 30 months and as a daughter of President, she has acclimatize herself with the environment of the presidency. The problems of the presidency are indeed gargantuan and the solutions of which are very demanding especially at this time when multifarious problems are emerging daily.
        She was suddenly thrust into the presidency almost without any warning but she has to face the music courageously.
       She has acquired some knowledge and experience to run the affairs of government but a vice president is very necessary to share the heavy load of the presidency heaped on a lady’s shoulders almost suddenly.
There are several willing hands ready to extend assistance to the presidency. There are qualified men around her like Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Senators Raul Roco, Teofisto Guingona and others who are ready and very eager to assume the vice presidency when called upon.
         President Macapagal Arroyo is biding her time but even in the absence of a deadline, she must now appoint a vice president and help her carry the burdens of the new government which has just emerged from the throes of political struggle.
       Of course, the President should not make a wrong choice from one wo can render assistance to lighten the heavy burden. 
      The country is indeed faced with the tremendous task of healing the wounds of the nation and building the damaged ramparts of a new government.
       President Arroyo should now choose a vice president who will be able to share the responsibilities of a big challenge and a heavy burden on her shoulders.

Rene, Rico gubernatorial battle may be aborted
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       The much talked about gubernatorial battle royale between reelectionist Gov. Rene Relampagos and Rep. Erico Aumentado might be aborted.
       This possibility surfaced with the assumption yesterday noon of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, under whose political party the two gubernatorial timbers belong.
       Both were in Manila last Friday to personally witness the dramatic People Power II at EDSA which toppled Pres. Estrada from power. 
        Aumentado is an original Lakas stalwart having been elected thrice as congressman of the second district, while Relampagos was former provincial chair of the Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP), the political coalition of ousted Pres. Joseph Estrada. However, Relampagos bolted from LAMP at the height of the jueteng scandal exposed against the former President.
        Rep. Ernesto Herrera who is one of the pillars of the then United Opposition under Arroyo brokered the entry of Relampagos together with his strong 34 town mayors.
        A highly placed source told the CHRONICLE that with Pres. Arroyo now at the helm, she could easily settle this political battle by offering any of the two timbers to a high position in the government.
       Reports disclosed that Relampagos might be offered as undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) while the other possible option would be Aumentado being offered as Comelec commissioner.

Lady Luck smiles EDSA 1 and 2
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      MANILA.- It is said that a women is behind in every throne.
       By twist of fate, the two EDSA people power historic events that occurred in the country the past 15 years, two mothers in the persons of Corazon C.Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo need to become the President of the Philippines through people power revolt. 
       Mrs. Aquino, wife of slain opposition Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. was catapulted  to the highest position of the land during a four-day civilian-backed military uprising from Feb. 22-25, 1986 that toppled one 20-year regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.
       Last Tuesday, history repeated itself when the Filipino people surged in unison to EDSA Shrine demanding the resignation of Pres. Joseph Estrada after the Senate voted 11-10, rejecting the opening of an envelope reportedly containing P3.3 billion of money owned by Mr. Estrada during the impeachment trial.
       The parallelism between EDSA 1 and 2 was present practically in all aspects.

Gloria: 14th RP president
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
* Estrada ousted by  People Power II
By BEN CAL
       MANILA.- Jan. 20 (PNA) - Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in at noon today as the 14th President of the Philippines after former President Joseph E. Estrada was forced to step down from office during a dramatic people-power revolt at EDSA.
        The historic EDSA people power was the second to happen in the country to drive out a corrupt regime. The first was in February 1986 when more than two million people trooped to E. Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) to topple the 20-year-old Marcos regime.
        Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr. Administered the oath of office at the historic EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City where a million people from all walks of life staged a triumphant second people power since 1986 to oust a sitting president.
        The entire oath taking ceremony was finished in just 56 seconds amidst chanting of “GMA, GMA, the initials of the new President.
       The swearing in started at 12:28-31 p.m. and was completed at 12:29:35 p.m.
        With her right hand  raised up and her left hand touching the Holy Bible, President Arroyo vowed to preserve the Constitution and execute all laws.
        Shouting of GMA reverberated the EDSA Shrine complex as soon as Ms. Arroyo finished uttering the words “so help me God!” 
        Then the people chanted the name of Davide as soon as the swearing in ceremony was completed.
        The new President arrived on board a blue and gray helicopter emblazoned with “Mabuhay GMA.”
        In her first speech as President, Ms. Arroyo said she was ready to accept the responsibilities of the presidency and will immediately start the long process of healing the wounds the nation has sustained as a result of the political crisis during the past two months.
“It is a time to heal and time to build, she said.
        President Arroyo spelled out a four-point program of the new government.
She said her first priority is to launch a bold national ambition to eradicate poverty in the country.
        Her second priority is to improve the moral standard in government and society as she announced the need to change the brand of politics through true and genuine reforms.
President Arroyo also pledged to live a leadership by example.
       She said there is also a need to embark a new brand of politics that will root out inequities prevailing in society today.
       Under her administration, she said genuine reforms will be pursued to “level the playing field” so the Philippines be globally competitive  during the 21st century.
       The President stressed the need for good governance to restore the dignity of the Filipino people.
       She said regaining economic stability for the country is top priority of her administration.
Her speech lasted for about 15 minutes.
       The new President took her oath amidst stone-throwing incidents between anti-Erap and pro-Erap supporters along Claro M. Recto Avenue and Legarda Street in Mendiola near Malacanang.
       But this did not disrupt the ceremonies at EDSA Shrine some 15 kms. Away.
In Malacanang, former Pres. Estrada and members of his family left the Palace at about two o’clock this afternoon.
        The ex-President boarded a barge for a two-minute ride crossing the Pasig River to the Malacanang Golf Course on his way to his residence at Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.
       Mr. Estrada and First Lady Loi graciously waved their hands as they boarded the barge.
It was an emotionally charged departure ceremonies where the former President bade farewell to members of his Cabinet and tear-eyed friends who saw him off.
       There was a negotiation Friday night in Malacanang on Mr. Estrada’s graceful exit from Malacanang.
       Initially, he asked that he be given five days more to stay in Malacanang before he turns over the presidency to President Arroyo.
       However, the former President changed his mind after the Supreme Court proclaimed that Vice President Arroyo is the new President.
       There were also talks that Mr. Estrada would fly to Australia but Malacanang said the former Chief Executive is staying in the country ready to face whatever charges be filed against him.
       Ms. Arroyo said everyday there will be something new, referring to the naming of incoming cabinet secretaries.
       During her first press conference as President, she said she will name a new vice president in the days to come.

P12M Ubay parish church consecrated
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
       UBAY, Bohol.- Two top church  leaders led the guests during the inauguration and consecration of the Senor Santo Nino Church in this bustling town of Bohol last Wednesday.
       Bishop Christian Vincent Noel of the Diocese of Talibon and Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak joined in the consecration rites which was conceded as the biggest event in the religious history of Ubay.
       The Church worth P12 million was built in honor of the Miraculous Holy Child Jesus, Senor Santo Nino whose patron saint of the municipality and his feast is to be celebrated on Friday.

Armed men rob basket trader
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
       ANTEQUERA, Bohol - Eight unidentified men armed with a Carbine rifle and .45 caliber pistol robbed a couple of this town some P40,000 in cash last Friday afternoon.
       Police said one Carlito Barafon and his wife who are engaged in basket canvassing and buying were held at gun point inside their house in Barangay Canlaas shortly after they opened the door of their house.

Police nab two Tubigon fishers
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      TUBIGON, Bohol - A joint police-fish warden seaborn patrol arrested two islanders for fishing with the use of high explosive in the seawaters of Katangtangan island of this town late Monday morning.
       Police identified the suspects as Vicente Mingueto, Jr., 28, and one Severino Rallos, 60, both of Pangapasan islet of this town.
       The apprehending team led by P02 Vincent Mascarinas confiscated a bottle of dynamite and other fishing paraphernalia from the two paddle-boat-riding suspects. The were brought to the police station for investigation. The seized items which included some kilos of assorted fish were also deposited at the police station.

Brownout  set tomorrow
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
         There will be power service interruption tomorrow starting at 8 o’clock in the morning.
         This is due to the tapping of the Ubay-Alicia 69KVA line, according to Jiuseppe Lomaad, principal engineer of the Loboc power plant. Affected areas are towns served by Boheco II Alicia sub-station.

Arson probers point Carmen fire origin
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
        CARMEN, Bohol -  The Office of the Fire Marshall of this town has released its initial findingsof the early dawn fire which hit the municipal building last Sunday.
        Investigators said that the blaze originated from the ceiling of the municipal conference room located at the 3rd floor of the town hall. Probers could not pinpoint the cause of fire. Damage to property was placed at P1.5M. No one was reported hurt.

3 Ubay rob suspects fall
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
        UBAY, Bohol .- Three suspects, including a minor will be charged by the police for robbery with the use of force upon things in connection with the heist perpetuated early dawn last Tuesday at a store reportedly owned by a Vietnamese national.
        The 12-year-old suspect from Barangay Tapon was turned over to the local DSWD, while a certain Rosito Celocia alias Tata, 20, single of Barangay Fatima and one Gertuldo Abujar alias Bagablot, 23, single, of Taponare under police custody. The trio were tagged by the police as the suspects who the Thuy and Vanba store at Poblacion of thistown, carting away several pieces of jewelry worth more than P80,000.00 and P3,000 in cash.

Coast Guard probes Buenavista sea mishap
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
      BUENAVISTA.-The Philippine Coast Guard station in Talibon will release shortly the results of its investigation into the sinking of a fishing boat  resulting to the death of a 65-year-old fisherman in the seawaters between the islets of Cabul-an and Pandanon of this town at 11 p.m. last Monday.
        Initial police investigations showed that a ferry boat plying the Talibon-Cebu channel was involved in the mishap. The boat captain and crewmen of the Talibon Cruiser have been summoned by the coast guard to shed light into the incident.

Inabanga Bridge closure hampers riding public
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
       INABANGA, Bohol - Sudden closures of the detour bridge across Inabanga River brings a lot of inconvenience to the riding public.
       The public expressed disgust on these sudden closures done even without notice issued to the computers prior said closures.
       This happened last Wednesday when the contractor of this bridge closed the detour bridge to traffic.

Boxing extravaganza in Talibon next month
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       TALIBON, Bohol - Pursuant to Resolution No. 2000-01 the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) - Talibon Chapter will sponsor boxing showdown extravaganza on Feb. 10 at 7 o’clock in the evening at CPG Multi-Purpose Cultural Center, this municipality.
       The association budgeted P20,000 excluding donations from prospective donors, for the honorarium of the boxer and other related expenditures for this showdown. Boxers from Guindulman, Alicia, Dagohoy, Candijay, and Talibon will meet on the scheduled  bouts.

Seedlings given to Balilihanons
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
        The farmers in Balilihan received 900 mango seedlings and other vegetable seedlings coming from the benevolent provincial agriculturist.
         The Province of Bohol through the Prov’l Agriculture Office  headed by Liza M. Quirog under the program of Gov. Rene L. Relampagos Food Always in the Home and Peoples Enchancement Program distributed seedlings in Bauca Norte and Sur Balilihan.
        The purpose of the distribution of seedlings is to improve and help the farmers mainly in the economic situation/crisis that they are experiencing.

Search for Miss DWCT highlights festivity
Search for Miss DWCT-2001 Highlights Festivity

       The Divine Word College Community will have its College Days Celebration on February 14-17, 2001.
      As its contribution to the weeklong celebration, the Central Student Government will present the return of the Miss Divine Word College for the year 2001, a celebration in search for the best in feminine beauty and brain. It has been noted that the prestigious search stopped its run in 1995. However, it has also been noted that prominent title holders of pageants in the province or  in the city in particular are usually come from DWCT. With this, the pageant is reborn after six years of hiatus.
        The event will take place on Feb. 15 at 7:30 pm at the DWCT College gymnasium. It is presented through the efforts of the Central Student Government.

Chinese martial  arts, philosophy

A Chinese martial arts and philosophy teacher offered to come to Bohol twice a month to teach the art and philosophy of Thai Chi Chuan I-Kuan Tao for free if there are at least ten or more Boholanos who are committed to attend classes regularly and diligently.

APO picks Kiss-FM official concert radio
January 21, 2001

The much awaited “sa Bohol nAPO Sila” concert of the famous APO Hiking Society has picked Kiss 102.3 FM as the official concert station.

Triple S. Hairshoppe, producer of the show, picked Kiss 102.3 FM to maximize the promotion of the concert which is the first in Bohol.

The concert station starts to feature hourly a hit song of the APO Hiking Society which has a truckload of hits since the time they released their first song in the music industry.

Erap vows for reconciliation
2001 News

       MANILA.- Former Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada at noontime yesterday called on his supporters to join him in the promotion of constructive national spirit of reconciliation and solidarity.
        He issued the call in a statement he issued from Malacanang few minutes before he and his family left the Presidential Residence.
       Mr. Estrada, however, said he and other legal minds, has strong and serious doubts about the legality and constitutionality of Mrs. Arroyo’s proclamation as president. Mr. Estrada said he does not wish to be a factor that will prevent the restoration of unity and order in the civil society.
       He said that was the reason he left the Palace, in his words, “for the sake of peace.”

Baby fights for life in a double open heart surgery
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       Probably the first such case ever handled by the humanitarian Gift of Life, a Boholano baby boy will undergo a risky double open heart operation in the United States.
       Infant Victor Galab III will be first operated this week while his second necessary surgery can follow later.
       Red Cross Administrator Francisca Baluyot has the fragile young patient  flown tomorrow to the US via Hongkong with his father or mother and  an escort doctor.
      Pat Coulaz, Gift of Life project coordinator, said time is absolutely essential because the child "may not live longer without an immediate surgery."
      This assessment was relayed to Coulaz by Dr. Ramiro Cadag, Filipino coordinator in the US of the Gift of Life, and Sister Dorothy, manager of the heart program of a hospital there.
      Dr. Rudy Amatong, a diplomate of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology, has diagnosed the infant for a "congenital heart disease---double inlet left ventricle (hypoplastic RV), transposition of great arteries (dilated main pulmonary artery), severe coarctation of aorta vs interrupted aortic arch."
       Because the case of Galab, whose parents are Tagbilaranons, is a "high-risk"  one, the boy has to undergo a second surgery after the first operation,    said Coulaz.
       Earlier, the Gift of Life prioritized the case of another young heart patient, John Wilber Diola, 5, of Cebu City for operation in the US this February.
      But Galab's case is suddenly rushed because of the infant's more critical condition.
      Galab will be the sixth Filipino child to benefit from the humanitarian mission of the Gift of Life and Diola the seventh.
      Two more kids, a baby girl named Marie Ellaine Echalas, also of Tagbilaran City, and 11-year-old Rhon Vincent Zapatos of Talisay in Misamis Oriental, will be operated after Galab and Diola.
      Each critical open heart surgery costs $100,000 or P5 million, including the expenses for medicines and recuperation stay for about three months in the US, among others.
     Thus, the four cases mentioned involve a total of P20 million without a single cent to be spent by the kids' parents.
     Principally raising funds for the beneficiaries is the Rotary Club - District 7250 of New York. The Gift of Life is actually a noble project of the organization.
      Gift of Life president Carmello Cervino said Galab will be operated at the North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset in Baltimore.
      Dr. Pepe Recitas, who, with Cadag, heads the US-based Home Reach Foundation, is equally instrumental to the humanitarian work.
      Among the other workers for the Gift of Life are Dr. Gina Medina, Wenda Cadag, Richard Uy and Bong Lerias.
      Baluyot, Gift of Life coordinator in the Philippines and former Rotary Club of Tagbilaran president, worked out for the successful operations in the US of five previous young heart patients from Bohol and other parts of the country.
      These early beneficiaries are baby boy Marlou Baguio of Loboc; Allesandra Barion, 3, Lemery, Batangas; Joseph Vincent Borja, 5, Tagbilaran City; Ron Michael Subang, 7, Silay City, Negros Occidental; Mike Wilhinchi, 11, Cebu City; and Anna Marie Ramos, 18, Quezon City.
      Also behind the life-saving mission are Rotary District Gov. Toto Cupin, outgoing Rotary Club of Tagbilaran president Dionisio Salas and the incoming club head, Wilfelda Collins. 

A church is consecrated
Published January 10, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
       
A new temple of God rises today in the progressive town of Ubay which will be consecrated by three prelates, namely, Bishop Christian Vincent Noel of the diocese of Talibon, Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the diocese of Tagbilaran and Bishop Emeritus Felix Zafra assisted by Rev. Fr. Felix D. Tabigue, parish priest of Ubay.
       The imposing edifice costing P12 million did not rise overnight.  It was conceived at first a handful few of this predominantly Catholic town of Ubay years ago who gave birth to a project which will become the cradle of faith determined to inspire the faithful in the realization of their dreams in the service of God and country.
       The newly constructed church which is believed to be the most modern hereabouts has been established to honor the venerable Senyor Santo Nino who has guided the faithful throughout the years.
       The financiers and supporters down to the last contributor spent time and treasure to realize their goals.  They did not spare any time and effort what appeared at first to be an impossible dream.  But all sectors in the community polled their resources together and burned the midnight candle so that the modest plans of a humble beginning grew to become  a project of magnitude worthy of the religiosity of the Boholano people befitting the veneration of the Child Jesus who has inspired millions of people in our generation.
      Since time immemorial, the venerable Child Jesus has inspired the lives of God fearing people through the years.  This has kept faith with the respected patron saint whose image has miraculously found in a modest village home found by a sailor in Legaspi's fleet which image came all the way from Europe.
      During the last World War, a bomb fell inside the house but the image was unscathed.  It was only one of numberless miracles attributed to the Holy Image.
       Since then we have faithfully adored and respected the Holy Image all this generation we have preserved our religious and cultural heritage.
       Today is indeed a red-letter day as we consecrate this new temple of God which is being honored and venerated by all God-fearing people of this land till the end of time.

Poverty eradication programs not enough
Published January 10, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

         The interventions for poverty eradication now is never enough, says Gov. Rene Relampagos in a message during the Lingap Para sa Mahirap Program review, held at the JJ’s Foodstream, January 4-5, 2001.
      The governor asked for more unified coordination of efforts and strengthened relationships between national agencies and local government units to successfully make a dent in the problem and eventually come out with a winning plan.
       However, the governor admitted, it makes a different to the individual Filipinos who are recipients of the program.
       Strongly relating the Provincial Government’s commitment in the goals set nationwide and provincewide for the poverty alleviation program, Relampagos laid bare his administration’s program that are now eagerly accepted at the barangay and even at the purok levels.

Two mistresses also given cash - Singson
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
      MANILA.- Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson claimed that he has personally delivered P5 million to the house of Gula Gomez, mother of the Presidential son JV Ejercito.
      He also claimed to have been invited by the President on another occasion to the home of Gomez in San Juan. He said JV was present at that time.
      However, JV denied that Singson has visited their home.
       The presidential son said that his mother is not even at ease with Singson and it is impossible that Singson was able to visit their home.
      He also denied that his mom benefited from the said scandal claiming that his mom is a legitimate businesswoman, who does not engage in any anomalous transaction.
      Singson also alleged that he issued  a check to the President’s other mistress Laarni Enriquez.
      Meanwhile, he said yesterday that the President’s friend, Atong Ang, had approached him and expressed willingness to testify against the President.
However, this was denied by Ang who said that he will never turn his back on the President. He said the prosecution must have assumed this after seeing him at the birthday of  Rep. Ace Barbers.

Stock market scam points to Estrada
Published January 10, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       A former chief of  the Presidential Security Commission testified yesterday during the on-going impeachment trial.
       In his testimony, Ruben Almandro, former chief of  the compliance and surveillance group of the PSC , said the President knew of an attempted bribery to end the probe of alleged  scam at the stock market.
      Almandro said Pres. Estrada summoned him to a meeting in Malacanang in February last year.
       The President said that Tan could not have been involved in the scam. He said money had already been offered to the former PSC chair Perfecto Yasay, to settle the issue.

Sec. Mercado, AFP Chief Reyes out soon
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       MANILA. - A major reorganization in the military is expected momentarily with the scheduled retirement of AFP Chief Angelo Reyes in March this year.
Defense Sec. Orlando Mercado will likewise resign if he pushes through his plan to run for senator.
       The reorganization is expected two months from now.
       Reyes will turn 56 in March. Even before he retires, several names have surfaced for his successor, namely: Vice Chief of Staff Jose Calimlim, Army Chief Leomeldo Villanueva, and Air Force Chief Benjamin Defensor, younger brother of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Tagbilaran City heads  to iron 2001 plans, projects
Published January 10, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       City Mayor Jose V. Torralba will lead the city government department heads who will attend the one-day Project Planning and Assessment Workshop scheduled on Friday, January 12 to be held at the Metro Centre Hotel.
       This activity, first proposed in the January 8 City Executive Advisory Committee (CEAC) meeting by City Market Supervisor Jose Evardo, hopes to review the approved budget, determine the direction of the city government and to prioritize and iron out plans and projects for the year 2001.

PNA-Bohol officers sworn
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       City Mayor Jose V. Torralba was the inducting officer during the oath taking of the Philippine Nurses’ Association - Bohol Chapter held recently at the Office of the City Mayor.
      Emma Auza is the chapter president. The other officers are: Ma. Asuncion Bersabal, vice president for continuing education; Magdalena Culajara, vice president for operations; Adolfa Pilayre, secretary; Helen Camacho, assistant secretary; Cora Araneta, treasurer; Virginia Espeleta, assistant treasurer; Anecita Bongcas, auditor; Adelia dela Serna, assistant auditor; Lourdes Pinlac, press relations officer.
      The House of Delegates include Alice del Valle and Davelina Chatto, while Comelec members are Aurora Froilan, Lyn Uy and Silvino Lugod Jr., Felisa Saniel, Brigidita Pueblos, Francisca Baluyot, Arsenia Galido are the board of directors.

Start small, hit big, Relampagos calls
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Gov. Rene Relampagos is backing the small efforts that will set the momentum of a better Bohol in the future.
       The pioneering move in this kind of intervention seen to effect significant changes in the conditions of Boholano constituents, the Relampagos administration is looking into the basic moves to empower the small organization of people and the livelihood efforts that are giving impact and right away benefiting the poor.
         In an inauguration of the farmers association bodega and nursery last January 5 in Poblacion, Panglao, the governor with Vice Gov. Edgar Chatto, Board members Mascarinas and Lungay and municipal officials, bared his elation on the organization of Panglao farmers. In fact, the governor dared the officials present to follow as he promised P20T for the improvement of the new facility.

Vice-Gov Edgar Chatto lauds barangays for Project FAITH
By MICHAEL G. MASLOG - Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Vice Gov. Edgar M. Chatto commended two barangays of Balilihan for 
venturing another successful initiative being at the forefront in bringing about food security to every Boholano family here. Implemented through Project FAITH or Food Always in the Home, the project was conceived under the concept of the People  Enhancement Program (PEP) with the ultimate aim of giving genuine peace and social development to the Boholano communities.
       PEP was first initiated during the holding of the Bohol Peace Forum 
implemented by the Provincial Government of Bohol through the close 
coordination of the different municipal government units across the province.
     Pleased on the deep concern manifested by the concern barangay officials 
of Baucan Norte and Baucan Sur with the support of LGU of Balilihan 
through Mayor Dominicio Chatto, Vice Gov. Chatto vowed strong support 
of the provincial government for the effective implementation of the 
project inasmuch as the newly launched project has coincided with 
the province's food security agenda.
      The ceremonial launching held on Dec. 29, 2000 held at the project site was attended by group of people who outwardly manifested their deep appreciation for the present leadership for hearing the call of food security among Boholanos. "Pagkaon para sa Lamisa", the " Bol-anong Binhi Project", a rice and vegetables seeds distribution project of the Provincial Government through the stewardship of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist were among those who have brought forth greater impact on the lives of the Boholano small farmers here.

Erap acquittal seen

     * Sen. Pres. Pimentel resigns*
      Rallies at Ayala and Senate today
       The acquittal of President Estrada in the on-going impeachment trial became imminent last night amidst a tensely charged atmosphere when the members of the impeachment court took a vote on whether to open the second envelope containing highly guarded secret on Pres. Estrada’s bank deposit with the Equitable PCI Bank.
      The senator-judges voted 11 to 10 opposing the opening of the envelope. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel was last to explain his vote favoring the opening of the envelope. He immediately announced his resignation as senate president.
      The numbers of the impeachment court voted along partisan line as expected by observers who have been watching the daily television coverage.
      The tear-eyed Senate president in explaining his vote said: “I vote to open the second envelope. I vote to do so because that is the only way to determine whether or not the contents of the envelope are relevant or material to the case at bar.
      “Because of this development, Mr. Chief Justice, I realize that the no’s have it and therefore I resign in my presidency of the Senate as soon as my successor is elected.”
      Bedlam instantly ensued in the impeachment court. Thereupon Majority Leader Francisco Tatad moved for the adjournment of the session until 2 o’clock today.
      Those who voted against the opening of the envelope were senator-judges Francisco Tatad, Juan Ponce Enrile, Tessie Aquino Oreta, Miriam Defensor Santiago, and Vicente Sotto, John Osmena, Nikki Coseteng, Gringo Honasan, Robert Jaworski, Blas Ople, and Ramon Revilla.
      The senators who voted for the opening of the envelope were senator-judges Loren Legarda, Franklin Drilon, Raul Roco, Teofisto Guingona, Rodulfo Biazon, Renato Cayetano, Serge Osmena, Ramon Magsaysay,Juan Flavier, and Senate President Pimentel.
      Observers believed that the trend of the voting last night will follow the same trend when the final voting of the impeachment proceedings. It was conceded the acquittal of President Estrada in the impeachment case is a foregone conclusion.
      Since 15 votes are required to convict the President, it would be more difficult to convict him.
      The voting was triggered by a heated argument whether the body will vote for the opening of the envelope which was subpoenaed by the impeachment court from the Equitable PCI Bank. The contents were believed to contain proofs about the President’s other bank deposits with the Equitable PICB.
      It may be recalled that the first envelope was opened also after heated argument but Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. had directed to allow the opening subject to the condition that the prosecution will establish, the relevance and materiality of the documents to the case at bar.
      While the impeachment rules authorized the chief justice the option to decide on the matter in the case of the second envelope, Floor Leader Tatad filed an insant motion asking the body to decide on the opening of the envelope. Chief Justice Davide was preempted from exercising his option since a motion has already been filed and duly seconded.
      Every senator was asked to explain his vote.
     The no votes won by slim one vote majority. Only 21 senators voted due to the absence of Senator James Barber who is in the United States for treatment.
The private prosecutors group immediately walked out from the hall in protest of the result of the voting.
       Senate President Pimentel and Drilon who just fought for the senate presidency realized that they are for the same cause. The two erstwhile rivals were tear-eyed and embraced each other in an emotion filled scene. Several senators also shed tears including Senator Loren Legarda Leviste.

MASS PROTEST
      Metro Manila went out to the streets at 11 o’clock last night to hold noise barrage as their first sign of protest on the outcome of the impeachment trial.
Bingo Dejaresco, CHRONICLE Manila correspondent reported that the noise barrage virtually rocked the entire Metropolitan Manila area for more than 15 minutes with blowing of horns and banging of gates and chantings.
      Two huge rallies will start at 11 o’clock  this morning along Ayala Avenue in Makati and another at the World Trade Centre along Roxas Boulevard near the Senate.
      Thousands of Metro Manilas will be wearing black shirts or black arm bands as they go to their offices and schools today to dramatize their disgust on the impeachment trial of Pres. Estrada.
       There were reports that the biggest rally is being organized to repeat the happening during the 1983 EDSA Revolution.

Modern Ubay, Bohol Church Consecrated Today
Published January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Conceded as the most modern church in the province, the P12-million edifice will be consecrated and blessed at three o’clock this afternoon. Officiating at the pontifical mass and blessing are Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the diocese of Tagbilaran and Bishop Emeritus Noel will be the principal speaker. The other speakers are Aumentado, Fr. Tabigue; and Mayor Manuel Alesna, project executive director.
      Atty. Jacinto V. Mendez, Ubay’s leading philanthropist who donated P1.6 million for the project, will deliver the response on behalf of the donors composed of leading foreign and local contractors, businessmen, government officials and employees, Ubayanons in abroad especially in the United States and Canada, Cebu, Manila and Mindanao, devotees of Senor Santo Nino and the masa in Ubay.
        The modern church can accommodate about 2,000 persons seated in striking benches of steel and lumber components without the donors' names.
      The parishioners of Ubay headed by Aumentado decided to build the new Santo Niño Parish Church, one of the biggest and modern in Bohol, after they found that the former church was too small and dilapidated already for the most progressive municipality in the province.  the former church was inaugurated sometime in 1975 with Aumentado as the EXECOM chairman also.

Hope beams for Boholano peasants
January 21, 2001 Bohol Chronicle

       There  may finally be an end to the misery of the Trinidad and Talibon peasants whose unconsoled agrarian woes over the vast Bohol Cattle Corporation landholding are gradually pushing tenancy to the brink of altering their human persons.
      The dawn of freedom for the hundreds of landless farmers from the bondage of soil was seen after the Localized Peace Forum got the strongest commitment on Monday from two important government agencies to resolve the lingering impasse.
      LPF chair Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, co-chair Gov. Rene Relampagos and Vice Gov. Edgar Chatto also had the DENR and DAR convinced about the immediate necessity to amend the national issuances that have prejudiced the peasants in other parts of the province.
       On Friday, the LPF will submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a statement which is intended to help articulate whatever legislative endorsements are needed by what the farmers call “inutile” DENR and DAR.
       Usec. Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources assured no peasant will be evicted from the BCC  land pending the approval of tenurial instruments.
       One workable solution identified is the formulation of  a bill to be submitted in Congress reclassifying or delineating the vast lands within the coverage of the most despised Presidential Proclamation 468 and 1037.
      PP 468, which protects the Wahig-Inabanga River-Watershed Forest Reserve, reportedly also fences out the landless tillers who have long been fighting for the 1,300-hectare BCC landholding, which spans within the boundary barangays of Trinidad and Talibon.
       PP 1037 proclaims the lands within the rolling span of the Chocolate Hills as protected area, too.
       Another “land grabber” is PP 129 which declares the interior Bohol a protected area in the guise of Rajah Sikatuna National Park.
       Lately, the DENR submitted an inventory of the natural bounties within the RSNP but which data forced capitol to suspect if the agency indeed did its homework.
       Before, a DENR secretary can reclassify lands but this power has since been entrusted to Congress, the LPF was told.
       Despite the knowledge of the DENR and DAR about it, no concrete action has been done until the LPF, a major peace key player in Bohol, demanded an influence-defying political will from the said agencies.
      Earlier, both the LPF and the Provincial Peace and Order Council were told that the Department of Agrarian Reform could hardly process papers because the DENR has been insisting the BCC  area to a timberland.
      DAR Regional Director Rogelio Tamin also appeared in the LPF meeting on Monday which was held at the Capitol SP Session Hall.
      The mediamen, meanwhile, couldn’t have a total grasp of the situations in the areas of conflict being barred from covering the meeting. 
      A casual employee, said to be a driver of capitol functionary Romeo Teruel and younger brother of presidential appointee Rodolfo Caneda of the Cooperative Development Authority, blocked the newsmen “by order of Teruel.”
      After the meeting, the governor, apparently surprised why the press people simply idly stood outside, asking them why they did not cover the forum when there were “important topics inside which the media can greatly help purvey to the people.”

TMO head disowns traffic operation
January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       P/SInsp. Rodolfo Burgos, chief of the Bohol Provincial Traffic Management 
Office (BPTMO) has denied any link to the reported issuance of temporary 
operators permit (TOP) to traffic violators by a deputized traffic enforcer from LTO-Jagna.
      Although he admitted having secured the TOP from LTO-Jagna, Bohol to go after 
traffic violators, the Camp Dagohoy-based officer made it clear that the
operation of a certain Fred Añora was the subject of numerous complaints for allegedly apprehending and issuing receipts to erring motorists at the Tagbila-
ran-Dauis junction last weekend. The LTO-Jagna traffic man was also charged for operating even outside the area of responsibility. An apprehended driver has to present his/her TOP to the issuing agency.
       Insp. Burgos explained that since the BPTMO has secured its TOP  from 
LTO-Jagna, any traffic violator apprehended by his men has to transact busi-
ness with the issuing agency at LTO-Jagna. For unknown reasons, the Tagbilaran branch of the LTO for a quite time now has not issued TOP for use by the BPTMO, making it hard for apprehended drivers to get back their seized licenses, Burgos stressed.
     Reacting to complaints that motorists are being flagged down without any violation, Burgos emphasized that this is in consonance with the Anti-Carnapping Law. This is one way of determining whether the engine and chassis numbers of a motor vehicle are in order as reflected in the certificate of registration, he added. Insp. Burgos along with Tagbilaran LTO registrar Ben Paden, Leonardo Olaivar (LTO-Jagna), and Henry Ancog (LTO-Talibon-Bohol) have been summoned by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan this coming Friday to iron out their respective areas of jurisdiction and other matters concerning in the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.

LTO, traffic cops admit error, deny making money
January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       Land Transportation Office and Bohol Provincial Traffic Management Office heads admitted on Friday certain administrative and operational lapses, but denied the racket charges.
       LTO-Jagna registrar Leonardo Olaivar, however, said he has not authorized any of his men to operate in localities outside their geographical areas of responsibility.
       Olaivar, a former seminarian, apologized before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for whatever inconvenience his office or men have caused to the public.
       Senior Insp.Rodolfo Burgos, BPTMO chief, explained his traffic cops have been engaged in operations with Olaivar’s agents simply because the temporary operators’ permit they issued were provided by LTO-Jagna.

Displeased superiors behind demotion
January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

        Dissatisfied superiors caused the relief and transfer of former First Highways District Engr. Yolanda Requierme to the planning and design section of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office, capitol officials here have been told.
       This information, relayed by sources from DPWH itself, virtually cleared Gov. Rene Relampagos of an allegation that he masterminded Requierme’s reassignment.
       The reports about the slow implementation of major projects here displeased the higher-ups of the infrastructure cabinet, the sources , who asked anonymity told.

Ex-sparrow hunts ‘father who rapes kids
January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Armed not with a gun but court arrest warrant, a former sparrow unit hitman who is now a barangay captain has begun a self-imposed mission to nab an ex-convict father who allegedly raped four children, one of whom recently bore a child.
      Candulao, Garcia-Hernandez barangay captain Gordiano Vitor vowed to arrest the suspect, a certain Valeriano Nalitan, who is reportedly hiding at present somewhere in Cagayan de Oro.
Nalitan, 61, has been charged with allegedly raping four minors in Candulao of the same town, until one of his victims got pregnant and bore a child last October.
       The young victims were reportedly first abused when they were either seven or nine years old. The oldest of them is about 14 years old now.

NPA owns killing “arsonist” army asset
January 21, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       The New People’s Army yesterday owned the killing of a military asset in Buenavista, Bohol who, with six other suspects, allegedly burned and strafed a house in Danao last year.
         Silvino Ka “Vino” Clamucha said Anacleto Bautista, a military informer, was punished and executed by the Sparrow Unit last January 11 after the revolutionary court found him guilty.
       The spokesman of the NPA Regional Operational Command tagged Bautista as one of the seven masked armed men who burned and strafed a house at Tabok in Danao owned by a certain Encanacion.

P.4M shabu pusher nabbed
January 21, 2001

       Shabu worth P.4 million was seized following the fall of another drug lord in Cebu who used to supply Bohol with prohibitive drugs via the islets, the biggest haul so far in Central Visayas this year.
       Proper charges were immediately filed against a certain Ariel Rosales Flores, whose house is located at Bato in Ermita, Pasil, Cebu City. The raiders confiscated some 203 grams of the prohibited substance.
       The Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Philippine National Police listed Flores as one of the big-time drug peddlers operating in Cebu and Bohol.
       He used to supply shabu to his province through his tentacles based in different islets, particularly those in Bohol’s northwest seas.
       PNP Bohol Director Lane-o Nerez said in a recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting that three more Bohol barangays have been affected by the drug menace.
       The suspect was about to sleep in his bedroom one night last week when an RIID-7 team led by Insp. Glenn Mayam raided his house.
       The 203 grams of shabu were divided and placed inside five plastic packs when seized by the operatives.
       Once convicted, Flores will face the worst criminal fate - death by lethal injection.

Raining Righteousness

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD,Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12

The people of Hosea’s day had become hardened to God’s Word. They had heard it many times before and had grown apathetic to what God required of them. God’s solution was for them to break up the fallow ground of their hearts. They were to allow Him to soften their hardened hearts. When the earth was dry and crusty, the farmer would plow to loosen the soil so it was receptive to the seeds and the rains that would give life to the crop. Likewise, God’s people were to break up the sinful barriers in their lives that prevented God’s Word from penetrating their hearts. Then, said Hosea, God would give life and refresh them by raining down on them in righteousness.

As Christians, we must continually cultivate our hearts and minds so that they are receptive to whatever God tells us. John the Baptist exhorted those around him to prepare for Jesus’ coming. We, too, can remind others to prepare their lives so that God’s righteousness will penetrate and fill their lives. We can urge them to repent when we see sin sinking into their lives. We can share the joy that God’s Word brings us and encourage our friends to seek God’s will also. We can model obedience for our children. We can tell of the blessings that have come to us as a result of our obedience. We can help to break up the fallow ground in the hearts of those around us.

Hosea admonished God’s people to seek the Lord until His righteousness rained down upon them. We should immediately cultivate our heart whenever it starts to become hardened toward God. If we keep our hearts prepared, we will be ready when God’s Word comes to us.  Henry and Richard Blackaby

Inaugurate Ubay Senor Santo Nino Parish Church Wednesday
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       The Ubay Senior Santo Nino Parish Church costing about P12 million will be blessed and consecrated to the Holy Infant Jesus at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
       This was announced by Rep. Erico B. Aumentado, chairman of the Ubay Senior Santo Nino Parish Church Development Executive Committee, yesterday.
       The pontifical mass and blessing will be officiated by Msgr. Christian Vincent Noel, bishop of  the Talibon Diocese, and Msgr. Felix Zafra, bishop emeritus, as co-celebrants.
       The will be assisted by several priests headed by Fr. Felix Tabigue, the Ubay Senior Santo Nino Parish priest.

Politics demotes district engineer
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      “Petty politics, not the rule of merit, pushed me down as a plain division chief,” thus claimed DPWH-1 District Engr. Yolanda Requierme.
      Requierme will now be reporting to her new assignment as regional planning and design section chief of  DPWH regional offices, the post vacated by her successor here, OIC District Engr. Adelaida Paylado.
      Paylado, who once served as Tagbilaran City engineer assumed to head the DPWH-1 last Tuesday.
      “I am actually demoted because by rank, a regional section head is lower than a district engineer,” Requierme said.

Power from Leyte available February
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       More installation works will be needed before the electric power from Leyte could be fully utilized in the Bohol Grid, possibly in February this year.
      This was the explanation of the National Power Power Corporation to queries regarding the utilization of the Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project power generation to solve the recurring brownouts in the province.
       Bohol’s 2nd district Rep. Erico B. Aumentado wrote the firm in late December demanding NPC to tap the LBIP power generation to solve the power crisis in the province.
      Aumentado said the recurring brownouts “has thrown back Bohol to the dark ages and stunted its economic growth.”
        NPC president chief executive officer Federico Puno, however, clarified that while the firm has already completed the interconnection facilities between Leyte and Bohol and all the submarine power cables and equipment have been laid down, the NPC would still have to do installation works within the island before electric power from Leyte could be fully utilized.

NBI exhumes Bol-anon OFW corpse
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      The  National Bureau of Investigation exhumed and autopsied on Friday the buried body of a young Boholano mariner whose sudden death abroad reportedly by drowning has aroused suspicion of foul play.
       The NBI forensic team, led by medico-legal officer II Rene Cam, examined the cadaver right on the tomb of ill-fated overseas Filipino worker Alberto Cajes Jr. at the Victoria Memorial Park in Taloto district here.
       Dioville Dave Mar, staff of the Overseas Workers Welfare Assistance Desk which coordinated with the investigators from the NBI Regional Office, said the team initially ruled out any foul play behind the death.

Triple “S”, Kiss 102FM present APO Hiking Society
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Triple “S” Hairshoppe and Kiss 102-3FM lead the presentors and sponsors of the country’s premier trio, Boboy Garovillo, Danny Javier and  Jim Paredes, popularly known as The Apo Hiking Society in a dinner concert for the benefit of The Bohol Association of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
      This dinner with the APO will be held at the Metro Centre Hotel on February 3, 2001 is also presented by Nescafe Frothe and Cebu Pacific. Other sponsors are San Miguel Beer, Cali, Bohol Community Cable TV and Hamilton Merchandising.
      Dinner tickets are pegged at P800.00 and P550.00. They are available only at the official ticket outlets: all shops of Triple “S” Hairshoppe, BACS-Office and at the front desk of Metro Centre Hotel.

Bohol is “superstar” in Brunei tourism gab
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      Bohol, with its vast tourism potentials, takes center stage at the Asian Tourism Forum slated in Brunei last week of this month.
      This tourism province was picked as the cover story of “Go!,” a Manila based tourism magazine which will be one of the main materials to be distributed during regional tourism conference to be attended by the top travel executives in the ASEAN region.
      “Go!” which recently received the ASEAN TA Travel Award “Excellence in Tourism” is published by Go! Philippines Trade Publishers, Inc. and marketed by Go! Philippines Media Services, Inc. based in Manila.

Dimiao, Bohol prepares for 232nd Foundation Day
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle
       
DIMIAO, Bohol .- The Municipality will celebrate its 232nd Foundation Day on Jan. 22, 2001.
The celebration will start with a dawn diana announcing to the advent of a celebration. This will be followed with a Holy Mass which will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ding Zamora, parish priest.
        The mass will be attended by municipal officials and employees headed by Mayor Sylvia V. Adame, together with the barangay captains and officials headed by ABC president Kagawad Eduardo Taghap, DECS teachers headed by the new Schools District Supervisor Dr. Fely Lagonoy, with pupils and teachers from the Dimiao CentralElementary School headed by Abundio Galorport, including the participation of the high school students and teachers fro St. Nicholas Academy (SNA) headed by Remedios Lague.

Court declares Rosell 8th SB councilor of Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       GARCIA HERNANDEZ.- RTC Judge Dionisio Calibo Jr., executive presiding judge of Branch 50, 7th Judicial Region in Loay recently declared Valeriana Rosell as the winner of the eighth seat of the Garcia Hernandez municipal council in the May 11, 1998 elections. She won by a majority of 19 votes over Noel Galido who was earlier proclaimed winner by the local board of canvassers of the Commission on Elections with  a majority of 21 votes. 
        According to Judge Calibo, Rosell polled a total of 3,182 votes over Galido who was credited with 3,163 votes. Rosell was a third term councilor of Garcia-Hernandez.
The decision was penned by Judge Calibo on November 29.
        Atty Dionisio Galido who represented the protestee-appellant filed an appeal while Rosell was represented by Atty. Jesus Bautista Jr., who filed  a motion for execution pending appeal.

Three kids undergo P45M heart surgery in February
Published January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

Valentine's Month, February, will not just be heart and love but value of human life for three children---one of them a baby girl---who must undergo open heart operations in the United States.
      Their hospitalization and recovery could cost a whooping sum of over P15 million principally at a combined expense of the philanthropic Rotary Club of New York - District 7250 and the Gift of Life Foundation.
      Red Cross Administrator Francisca Baluyot, past president and director for international services of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran, identified the youngest patient as Marie Ellaine, one-year old, of this city.
      The two other beneficiaries of the humanitarian mission are John Wilber Diola, 5, of Cebu City and Rhon Vincent Zapatos, 11, of Talisay in Misamis Oriental.
     They are suffering from tetra log fallout, which refers to a hole on the lobe of the heart, said Baluyot, who is also the Philippine coordinator of the Gift of Life - New York.
      US-based Dr. Ramiro Cadag coordinates for the Gift of Life - Philippines in the United States while co-leading there with Dr. Pepe Recitas the Home Reach Foundation, a civic group also saving critical patients
    The boy Diola is set for operation in February at the Montifiore Hospital in Bronx, New York. He will be accompanied by his mother, Marilyn.
      The baby girl Echalas and kid Zapatos will follow soon for operations at the Bellevue Hospital, also in New York.
       Zapatos' case was recommended to Baluyot by Misamis Rep. Oscar Moreno, now one of the solons prosecuting the impeachment of Pres. Estrada.

SP bats for Cabilao power
January 4, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       Cabilao, which maintains her world class reputation as a diving site, will soon be energized.
       In a resolution he authored, Vice Gov. Edgar Chatto asked the Philippine Coast Guard to allow the installation of a power line across the channel to the island.
       Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kagawad Tomas Abapo, Jr., who sponsored the measure, said the electrical connection from mainland Loon to Cabilao has a maximum vertical clearance of 50 feet.
        The request of the provincial board corresponds to the intent of the Bohol Electric Cooperative I of totally energizing the island.
       Cabilao is a part of Loon, which is the hometown of Gov. Rene Relampagos.
Boheco I presently provides the island a generator set that can only operate six hours daily from six in the evening until midnight.
       The system cannot technically generate power continuously for 24 hours everyday, since it is simply a standby unit, aside from its being costly to operate because of the escalating diesel fuel price.
       Stringing a power line up high and across the Cabilao channel has been regarded as safe from any navigational hazard.
       The Cabilao channel is regularly navigated by fastcraft and ferry boats.
        Cabilao, which has five barangays, is dominantly a fishing community which livelihood can prosper once there is a total electrification in the area.

Toledo to merge with Relampagos
January 14, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

New LAMP tries to shape up
       The administration group of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) starts to explore a merger with the group of Gov. Rene Relampagos, which has bolted from the administration LAMP to join the united opposition.
      The proposal was known when former Customs Collector Doroteo "Boy" Toledo, Jr., presided the first meeting of town mayors last Thursday at the Bohol Plaza Resort in Dauis.
      Toledo who is the father of Press Secretary Mike Toledo, convened the political meeting after his elder brother, former BIR Commissioner Tommy Toledo was appointed as the provincial head of the Estrada-backed PMP here in Bohol.

Published: January 14, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

The province weathered the crisis which hit the country last year after she bagged, three major national awards that made Bohol the country's most bemedalled province at the start of the new millennium.
       Gov. Rene Relampagos, during his State-of-the Province Address, cited the year past a great accomplishment year for the Boholanos despite the low tide for development in most places in the country.
       For the record, only Bohol got three national awards in one in the Galing Pook Awards, namely the Investment Promotion Program, the BALA Project and the Cultural Renaissance and Eco-Tourism. The province likewise grabbed several citations and awards with national prominence, the governor cited.
       Another fete for the Boholanos was the unanimous choice of foreign funding agencies for Bohol to become a “pet for new initiatives and programs.” He cited the Gold Project and the USAID which picked Bohol as the pilot area for the localization of the peace process in the Local Peace Forum program of the office of the President.
        Gov. Relampagos likewise cited the recent privatization of water and electric utilities which have started to reduce the corresponding rates as assured under the joint venture agreement with SALCON Group of Companies.

Traffic racket exposed: LTO, TMG cops named
Published: January 14, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

      What looked like legitimate traffic operations by a man who claims connection with LTO-Jagna and the members of Camp Dagohoy’s Traffic Management or Highway Patrol Group could be a racket altogether.
       The  Sangguniang Panlalawigan will investigate this by inviting LTO-Jagna head Leonardo Olayvar and the highway patrol officers to appear.
       The LTO-Jagna man, identified by complainants as a certain Fred Anora, allegedly asked payment for violation fees without any official receipts.
       In some cases, Anora would receive “compromise” money but still allegedly without any receipt. 
        Kagawad Tomas Abapo said the alleged perpetrator must be made to answer for his operation.

Earthquake hits 4 Bohol towns
Published: January 14, 2001 - Bohol Chronicle

       A mild earthquake of Intensity 3 shook four towns at 4:52 p.m. yesterday, in what was the first to be felt here since 1990.
       The tremor was recorded for three seconds in the towns of Anda, Duero, Mabini, Danao, and Guindulman.
        A check with the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council of the four municipalities confirmed that the tremor did not register any damage on government or private properties as well as to farmlands.
       The quake was of tectonic origin spotted between Maasin, Southern Leyte and Anda town, where the eye of the quake was recorded.
        Gov. Rene Relampagos, chair of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council likewise confirmed that there was no single damage of the quake.
       Bohol was last hit by a strong Intensity 7 quake on Feb. 8, 1990 damage to properties reached P11.6 million, killing an unidentified child in a barangay in Valencia town. Badly hit were the towns of Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Candijay, and Anda. The Jagna Catholic Church was severely managed. The quake prior this was on Sept. 6, 1936 at Intensity 8.

Talibon farmers get rice seeds from LGU
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

TALIBON - The Municipal Agriculture Office recently distributed a total of 1467 bags of rice seeds to marginal farmers here in behalf of the local government unit.

The move was in accordance with the national government's GMA 50:50 program.

Under this scheme, farmers will pay only 50 percent of the total cost of the rice seeds while the national government will take care of the other half as its counterpart.

The program aims to provide a variety of high-quality seeds which marginal farmers can use during the second cropping season.

It will also assist local rice-producers increase their harvest from the certified rice seeds.

To benefit from the project are farmers from barangays Sikatuna, Suba, San Agustin, Santo Niño, San Carlos and San Roque.

The seeds distributed are of the RC 74 and 82 varieties.

Meanwhile, the LGU recently received P150,000 representing the first release of the P1 million allocation of the town from the GMA Cares fund of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This amount will be used for the improvement and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads. (ONAD MUNALEM)

Loon holds TESDA-assisted computer learning course
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

LOON - The municipal government of Loon - under the dynamic stewardship of Mayor Cesar Tomas Lopez and Vice Mayor Raul Barbarona, is presently embarking on an ambitious program to educate and provide technological skills for its employees, particularly on the use of the computer.

Mayor Lopez disclosed that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - Tubigon, in coordination with the LGU, is conducting the Skills Training on Basic Computer Learning Course. The sessions are held at the air-conditioned Sangguniang Bayan session hall.

The course is coordinated by Conrado Montuya, community training and employment coordinator of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

Programmed to have a duration of 160 hours, the course begun on Nov. 8 and will tentatively culminate on Dec. 15.

Classes are held on weekdays, Monday to Friday, after office hours from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

Saturday classes are held the whole day from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Sundays classes are held half-day either from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon or 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Montuya revealed 44 municipal employees enrolled in the course - 20 regulars, 18 casuals, and six Department of Education (DeptEd) teachers from the Loon South and North districts.

The municipal government tapped the services of Jerome Orcullo, a former computer instructor of the Sacred Heart Academy, now a regular municipal employee to handle the course.

Course activities include orientation, lecture and hands-on training on the basic parts of the computer, windows application, and lecture and hands-on training on the Microsoft Word and Excel programs.

Mayor Yul Lopez, Vice Mayor Raul Barbarona, TESDA-Tubigon Center Chief Floro Rinca, and Florencio Bitang, TESDA-Tubigon coordinator graced the course's opening program on Nov. 9.

In a related development, the local government unit of Loon recently sponsored a seminar-workshop on Cooperative Development on Dec. 5 and 6.

Participants included Mayor Lopez, Vice Mayor Barbarona, SB Kagawads Clovis Nazareno, Indong California, SB secretary Fidel Coritico, and department heads of offices including MPDC Boy Ganados, municipal treasurer Perfecto Mante, MSWDO Alicia Razalo, municipal assessor Jesse Sevilla and MAO Nita Suello,
The CDA-Tagbilaran facilitated the Pre-Membership Education Seminar on Cooperative Development. (ADAM L. SALIGUMBA)

Boholana wins Outstanding Mother Award
By Leonor S. Albino - Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

WHAT some parents find almost impossible to accomplish, Blesilda Bollozos did single-handedly - raise six intelligent, God-fearing, responsible offspring, while being a successful career woman in her own right.

Bollozos, who hails from Calape, is one of this year's five awardees for Outstanding Mothers.

The National Federation of Women's Clubs of the Philippines honored Benilda Mayuga of Rizal; Thelma Superable of Jaro, Leyte; Teresita Medinaceli of Cagayan; Maria Consuelo Santos and Bollozos last Monday in Manila.

Gov. Erico B. Aumentado's wife, Peregrina, accompanied Bollozos to the capital to receive her medal.

Nominated by the Bohol Federation of Women's Clubs, Bollozos is the third Boholana to get the recognition since the search for the Oustanding Mother Award was proclaimed a national event in 1921.

Gertudes Torralba-Derikito was chosen as one of the Oustanding Mothers in 1972, while her sister Filomena Torralba-Maceda received the same award in 1985.

The recognition is given to widowed mothers who had assumed the greater part of responsibility in rearing their children, and to those who have succeeded in their chosen professions and have contributed their time to community service.

Bollozos, whose husband Rafael was a former city fiscal, raised hogs and cattle using her late spouse's retirement money to augment her income as school principal.

The five daughters and a son were taught the value of money at a very young age and "to save every centavo". She also taught them how to cook and look after each other.

Bollozos also strictly imposed a "family policy" to ensure that her children do not get side tracked from their studies.

"While studying they were not allowed to have boyfriends and girlfriends. After college it was okay but strictly no marriage yet. Marriage had to be between 25 to 30 years old," she said.

Her discipline paid off. All her children excelled in school and were also active in civic and religious activities like their mother.

All her five daughters are now working in the U.S. Twin daughters Mary Joy and Mary Jane both work as nurses in Connecticut. Another daughter, Ma. Richelle, is also a nurse in Dallas.

Engr. Ma. Bevengie works as computer analyst for a prestigious firm in Maryland, while Ma. Buenalyn, the only child who's still single, works as a floral designer and landscaper.

Only son Roderick is an internist at the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital.

Through the years, Bollozos had to juggle her time between children and various interests. She became active in civic and religious organizations in her community.

She did not stop there, however. She also dipped her fingers into politics and served as municipal councilor of Calape from 1995 to 1998.

She was awarded as Outstanding District Supervisor and Outstanding Division Supervisor. In 1998, the Media Labor of the Philippines also awarded her as an Outstanding Public Servant as a municipal councilor.

During her three-year term as municipal councilor, Bollozos was able to solicit P300,000 from then Senator and now Education Sec. Raul Roco to put up the Calape Women's Crisis Center.

She also garnered awards as Oustanding Catholic Women's League President and Outstanding Parish Pastoral Council President. She was also a nominee for Huwarang Pamilyang Pilipino Award in 1997.

With her children, they put up the Bollozos Farms where she is presently the manager. She also manages the family-owned Treasure Island Beach Resort in Calape.

15 barangays in second district for illumination
By Cris Gabuya - Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

PLANS to spur development all over the second district of Bohol are expected to reach 15 rural barangays identified as beneficiaries of the rural electrification efforts of Rep. Roberto Cajes.

Cajes, Bohol's congressional representative for the second district, has identified different barangays in Dagohoy, Pres. C.P. Garcia, San Miguel, Buenavista, Trinidad and Getafe as beneficiaries of the project to be undertaken through the National Electrification Administration.

A German private company - Mirant, signed a memorandum of agreement with the NEA on November 29 to undertake the rural electrification project.

Cajes, who was present during the signing of the agreement, expressed confidence that the project would mean a bright future for the beneficiary villages - literally and figuratively.

He explained, "rural electrification translates to the enhancement of industrial activities in the villages. No doubt, this would mean faster and more enhanced agricultural production and other socio-economic activities. It also means added safety for the residents as their home and other premises would be illuminated, which, in effect, could help drive away undesirable elements from the community."

The barangays to benefit from this project are: Can-oling, Villa Aurora and Estaca in Dagohoy; Human-humay in Ubay; San Carlos and Magsaysay in Talibon; Campamanog in Pres. C.P. Garcial Garcia in San Miguel; Luubang, Overland, Lusong, Bago and Catigbian in Buenavista; Guinobatan in Trinidad; and Cabasakan in Getafe.

Meanwhile, through Cajes' efforts, 26 elementary schools will benefit from the School Building Program of the Dept. of Education.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, under the supervision of the DE, will construct new classrooms for 26 elementary schools in the 2nd district.

"It is our responsibility to make the learning environment of our students and pupils as conducive as possible. There are still many other schools whose facilities need our utmost attention," Cajes said.

Nevertheless, he assured that other schools in the 2nd district would benefit from the same project as soon as funds are available.

The initial beneficiaries are the following elementary schools: Danao Central and San Carlos in Danao; San Isidro in Sagbayan; Corazon, San Miguel and Bayongan in San Miguel; Balintawak, Rizal and San Isidro in Talibon; Bago in Pres. CPG; Mahanay, Saguise and Jao in Talibon.

The other beneficiaries are the elementary schools of Lubang, Overland and P. Tirol in Buenavistal Handumon and Alumar in Getafe; Catarungan, Sinandigan, Cagting and Bulilis in Ubay; Tagum Sur and Trinidad Central in Trinida; Caluasan in Dagohoy; and San Isidro Central in San Isidro.

Cajes has also identified the Clarin School of Fisheries, Danao, Canmano, Bigang and Lubang High Schools as those that will likewise benefit from the project.

Inabanga takes part in records training
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

INABANGA - As this town prepares to move toward systematically preserving its records and secure its archives, Mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy authorized personnel handling vital office and municipal records to take part in the 3-day "Basic Course on Archival and Record Management."

Municipal public librarian Socorro Mesias, Sangguniang Bayan secretary and Angelo Mahinay represented the local government in the training organized by the Bohol Librarians Association Inc.
Resource speakers were Salvacion Arlante and Antonio Santos, university librarian and librarian of the College of Law, respectively, from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Representatives from the different LGUs, colleges, universities and national government agencies in the region took part in the seminar. (ANGELO MAHINAY)

Alesna inaugurates new school building
November 4, 2001 Bohol Sunday Post

UBAY - IT IS the only of its kind in Ubay, particularly in the depressed barangay of Hambabaruan.
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Mayor Manuel Alesna inaugurated the Hambabauran Elementary School-a P1.7 million 3-classroom building donated by Coca Cola Foundation Philippines Inc.

The mayor congratulated the barangay officials and residents of Hambabauran for having been chosen as recipient of a modern school building equipped with toilets for each classroom, plastic armchairs, teacher's and pupil's tables, flagpole, blackboard for multi-grade teaching, water facilities and electrical lighting for each room.

Alesna urged the residents to be grateful to the Coca-Cola Foundations Philippines Inc. and the Philippine Business for Social Progress for the "Little Red School House," the first and only in Bohol and the 31st in the whole country, so far.

Also present during the turn-over and inauguration were education officials from the District of Bohol led by schools division superintendent Cerina Bolos, schools district supervisor of Ubay Clarita Alesna, and members of the district administrative staff.

Servando Abaya Jr., Ramon Dumadag and personnel of the Coca-Cola plant in Tagbilaran City represented the foundation, the donor of the "Little Red School House." (NOL CUTAMORA)

CA clears Ubay, Bohol treasurer of administrative liability
November 4, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post

UBAY - RETIRED municipal treasurer Brigido Paredes will leave his post with a clean slate, and receive all the benefits due him.

This after the Court of Appeals reversed an earlier ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman finding Paredes guilty of misconduct and ordering the latter dismissed from government service with all benefits due him forfeited.

Lawyer Lord Marapao represented Paredes in both the administrative case before the anti-graft office and the petition for review before the appellate court.

A decision promulgated by the Court of Appeals on October 22, 2001, found no evidence to support the earlier complaint of Bernardino Teloron that Paredes, unlawfully encashed seven checks and deposited these to his own account.

Teloron, through Lava Marketing and Construction Supply, is a regular supplier of construction materials to the Ubay municipal government.

In a complaint filed before the anti-graft office, Teloren alleged that although the local government paid out seven checks, all amounting to P146,577.16, to Lava Marketing, he never received such.

Teloren received the checks in question, as proven by his signatures on the disbursement vouchers, Paredes claimed during the investigation.

He also said that in several instances, Teloren's representatives would ask him to encash the checks paid out by the local government.

In the case of the seven checks that Paredes purportedly endorsed and deposited to his account, Teloren's late brother, Constantino, signed the first endorsement.

After reviewing the case, the appellate court, found that the anti-graft office conveniently overlooked or ignored matters of substance in the course of finding Paredes guilty of the allegations made by Teloren.

The court ruled that the disbursement voucher, which he himself signed, proved that Teloren received the payment checks.

This bolsters Paredes' argument that Teloren's had constructive possession and control over the checks when the former encashed it.

At the same time, Teloren failed to show how the checks could have been taken from his possession and control after he signed the disbursement vouchers for its release.

Paredes retired on October 8, 2001 when he turned 61 years old. Former municipal accountant Diocesito Butalon is the acting municipal treasurer.

Bohol Chocolate Hills Complex contract revised in 2002
By ANGELICA J. SANCHEZ
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

CHANGES in the management of the Chocolate Hills Complex are expected in 2002, with the provincial government taking a more active part in it.

The Provincial Planning and Development Office has come up with a ten-point recommendation toward exercising the rights and protecting the interest of the provincial government in the operation of the Chocolate Hills Complex.

Gov. Erico Aumentado earlier ordered provincial planning and development coordinator Juanito Cambangay to review the memorandum of agreement between the Capitol and the Municipality of Carmen for the operation of the complex.

The PPDO recommended that the Office of the Provincial Accountant formulate and install internal control measures for receipts, disbursements, uses of funds and properties, inventories, receivables and payables.

Among the other recommendations of the PPDO was for the province to look into a possible revision of the 70-30 profit sharing scheme between the municipality of Carmen and the provincial government.

"The Municipality of Carmen may provide monthly remittance to the province based on a certain percentage of the total revenues/collection, not on profit," the report stated. Moreover, the Municipality of Carmen may give a fixed monthly payment, to be determined by a committee represented by both interested parties, to the province.

At the same time, the PPDO saw the need for the provincial government to formulate and adopt a development plan for the complex in support of the Capitol's eco-tourism thrust.

In line with the conditions set in the original agreement, the Commission on Audit should periodically audit the operations and facilities of the complex and furnish a report to the governor, the mayor of Carmen and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's Committee on Tourism.

Likewise, the municipal government of Carmen should also render a monthly report on the financial and physical condition of the complex.

Aside from that of the COA's the PAO should also conduct its separate audit to verify and validate reports.

Moreover, the province should detail an employee to the complex who shall take charge in the recording and records management of its operations.

The PPDO likewise cited the need to hold a coordination meeting between the management of the complex, the provincial and municipal governments of Bohol and Carmen, respectively, to discuss accomplishments, issues and concerns.

Relative to the PPDO's report, the governor ordered provincial administrator Antonio Amora Jr. and Provincial Board member Ester Corazon Galbreath, chairman of the Committee on Tourism, to form a joint committee to study and recommend action so that a new contract can be drawn before the year ends.

Development plan to carve tourism niche for Bohol
By ANGELICA J. SANCHEZ
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post

IN THE year 2002, development efforts will be directed at carving an eco-cultural tourism niche for Bohol.

The province's development strategy for the coming year would be to establish it "as a major destination for eco-cultural tourism with a strong agro-industrial support through an effective government-private sector collaboration and partnership."

Toward this end, the province has set itself five goals it wants to attain through its development plan. These are: to establish the province's importance and contribution to the nation's socio-cultural and political growth; to establish sustainable eco-cultural tourism and agro-industrial sites in the province to encourage investments and employment opportunities.

To ensure sustainable growth in revenues from major industries; to enrich and continuously develo the dynamic and creative Boholano culture in all municipalities and Tagbilaran City; and to develop a well-informed citizenry in healthy communities are the three other goals.

In coming up with the Annual Development Plan, the Provincial Planning and Development Office has identified six issues and concerns besetting the province, which have become the focus of its framework for development.

Inadequate Support Facilities

Leading the list of development issues is the province's inadequate support facilities - particularly in land transportation facilities and inadequate water for domestic and industrial use.

It has been noted that the rapid increase in population and the number of vehicles has resulted to poor transportation service. Some road sections also experience heavy traffic, especially during peak hours.

Also, some private properties have encroached on the road-right-of-way as a result of the failure of some deputized agents to conduct site inspections before issuing building permits to applicants.

In order the address this concern, the provincial government will implement the infrastructure development and other programs to improve and upgrade roads leading to ecological, cultural and agricultural areas.

Although half of the arterial roads around the province have already been upgraded under the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project, the other half - the Tagbilaran North Road, from Tagbilaran City to Getafe; and the Tagbilaran East Road, from Tagbilaran to Candijay, are mostly paved with old concrete or deteriorated asphalt.

The implementation of the 2nd phase of the BCRIP, beginning this year, is expected to improve these two road stretches and will boost the province's infrastructure support system.

Bohol's nearness to Cebu, Negros, Mindanao and the island of Leyte makes it a potential location for business, thus the urgent need to develop major ports in Tagbilaran, Jagna, Tubigon and Tapal in Ubay.

Toward this end, the province has prepared projects to construct and improve port facilities and terminals to provide comfort to the public and ensure the smooth flow of goods coming in and out of Bohol.

In 2000, the province reported a volume of 613,360.3 metric tons of outgoing cargo compared to the incoming volume of 370,703.58 M.T.
The top five outgoing commodities included limestone, rice, G.I. sheets, salted fish and native products. The top import commodities, on the other hand, were cement, appliances, feeds, manufactured goods and fertilizers.

Although Tagbilaran City has 35 water pumping units operating, its combined water discharge is not enough to meet the standards for domestic and industrial use.

Having no natural bodies of water, the city relies on underground water for its supply, and over pumping has caused water levels to go down, and sea water to seep in.

In order to address this situation, the Capitol is working on strategies toward government-private Entrepreneurship in the water utility, regulating extraction of ground water by the private sector and strengthen the province and city's water supply distribution.

Poor Management of Land Resources

Bohol is facing a serious problem on resource depletion. It is losing about 253 hectares of upland forests and 470 hectares of mangrove area every year.

At the same time, the land area is eroded by 11 percent every year, or an estimated 10 cubic meters per hectare. Erosion has affected eight of the ten watershed areas, with the Inabanga and Pamacsalan already in the critical list.

In order to address this problem, the province is implementing the watershed management/ forestry program. It is an inter/intra LGU partnership to adopt the watershed management concept in development planning.

The Capitol is likewise strictly enforcing the Bohol Environment Code and encouraging the formation of the Bohol Environmental Management Plan.

Likewise, the integrated waste management, a program responding to the waste problem besetting both urban and rural areas, will be set into motion.

The Coastal Resource Management Program, on the other hand, will concentrate on protecting and preserving the province's marine resources, while the Mineral Resources Program seeks to promote the sustainable use of mineral resources.

The province will likewise put up a natural resource center - a one-stop shop information center for the environment.

Prevailing Poverty

The province's population is growing by 2.92 percent yearly, and it will only take 24 years to double it, thus the need to think of ways to accommodate and fulfill the basic needs of a larger population.

A survey among 162,984 families conducted by the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development showed that 22,611 of them are classified as poor, while 110,145 are ultra-poor.

Seventy-five percent of the population reside in the rural areas and derive their income from fishing and farming and are very marginal.
The literacy rate is low, with professionals accounting for only 7.32 percent of the population.

With the prevailing poverty among the population, insurgency remained to be a problem for the government.

To stop the spread of the rebel movement, the Capitol is introducing poverty alleviation programs that could hasten the development in remote barangays.

Livelihood and skills development training programs are also conducted to empower the residents and improve their economic conditions.

Low level of investment

Despite the promise shown by the tourism sector, very little effort has been made toward increasing the attractiveness and appeal of Bohol - such as upgrading tourist services, enhancing promotional activities, or improving support facilities.

Bohol has much to offer in terms of ecological and cultural points of interest. Beyond the white-sand beaches, the Chocolate Hills, unique centuries-old churches, watchtowers, historical landmarks, waterfalls and caves, majority of its natural settings still lay untapped or unexplored.

With the existing major tourist attractions, Bohol has become a magnet for investors in the tourism industry.

The recently completed Bohol Provincial Tourism Sketch Plan, presents and overview of the tourism industry and would serve as basis for the development of a number of thematic and non-thematic itineraries for visitors and excursionists.

Likewise, with its nearness to Cebu City, the provincial government has identified the towns of Loon, Calape and Tubigon as the zone for industrial development.

Nine priority sub-sectors for commercial production have been identified through an agro-industrial planning workshop. These are: cereal, mango tree enterprise, cutflower, livestock, agriculture, rootcrops and vegetables.

LGU's Poor Revenue Generation

The Internal Revenue Allotment remains to be the main source of income - accounting for 80 to 90 percent - among most local government units in the province.

The national government's decision to withhold a certain percentage from the IRA has greatly affected the LGUs' operations, particularly in the delivery of basic services.

Despite the renewed efforts of the Capitol to boost the LGUs' realty tax collections, it has not contributed much because the base on realty taxes is outdated and the last general revision conducted in 1997 yet.

At the Capitol, the provincial government has proposed a P564,692,811 budget for 2002, which is 24.51 percent lower than this year's budget of P748.063 million.

Since the start of the year, the province's maintenance, operating and other expenses has gone down compared to previous years because of the transfer of both the Provincial Electric and Waterworks Systems to the Joint Venture Companies.

It's revenues, however, has consequently gone down too.
For 2002, the provincial government hopes to attain a revenue growth in all its revenue generating activities.

Likewise, it has targeted to provide both management and clientele with fast, timely, accurate and reliable financial information through the Financial Management Information System.

Crime and Insurgency

Although categorized as generally peaceful, the crime volume in Bohol during the first semester of this year has reached 480 cases, bringing the monthly crime rate to an average of 7.2, compared to 7.0 in the same period last year. At the same time, the problem of insurgency has remained an unresolved issue.

The latter situation has affected the tourism industry and the level of investment in the province.

The increase in crime volume, however, has been attributed to the PNP's intensified campaign against illegal drugs, illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms, wanted persons, illegal fishing and other non-index crimes.

In order to address the issues on peace and order, the provincial government has developed programs for the creation of Citizen's Crime Watch/Street Watch groups in localities and the modernization of the PNP through the use of computers to establish a database linking all municipal police stations.

Building on the gains of the past

Gov. Erico Aumentado, in his message, said the province's thrust contained in the ADP "is in consonance with the policy of the present administration to build on the notable accomplishments of all predecessors and bridge the experience of the past and present to establish a good and honest governance."

He also hopes to balance the requirements of sustainable environment with the province's total development.

Through the ADP, he said, "we will continue to strengthen and concretize our plans in securing the stability of Bohol's economy and sustainability of its multi-sectoral projects that will entice more investments and business activities, increase production and generate employment opportunities and promote livelihood and the general welfare and comfort to our constituents."

In Bohol, Loboc 400 songfest on
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post -

TO MAKE the Loboc 400 celebration more meaningful and memorable, the steering committee embarked on a song writing competition wherein the melody and lyrics are originally created or composed.

The competition is open all Lobocanons by birth, by blood or affinity, residing in and outside Loboc, except members of the Loboc 400 Song Committee.

Lyrics should be in Cebuano-Visayan which may be derived from the Prayer for Loboc 400, which is carried in "Ang Bato." It should reflect the evangelization process of Loboc. It may be a song of praise, petition, devotion or thanksgiving.

The composition should be sung within a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of three minutes, to be recorded in a cassette tape. Only the title of the song should be written on the cover of the cassette tape. Other identifying mark/s can disqualify the entry.

Each entry should be packed and sealed in an envelope, accompanied with a printed or typewritten copy of the lyrics. No name should be written on the lyrics sheet and on the tape. A duly accomplished application or entry form, which would be coded by the Loboc 400 Secretariat, shall serve as sole identification.

The song should be sung simply in one voice, without any other voice parts, a capella, that is, without any accompaniment or if with any, should be limited to guitar or simple piano or keyboard.

Percussion and orchestral arrangements are be allowed.

The musical score or notation is optional.

A participant may submit a maximum of three entries.

A screening committee will short list the entries into only ten from which the Board of judges will select the best.

Only the first place winner will receive the grand prize of 10,000 pesos. All other finalists will receive a consolation prize of 1,000 pesos each.

The decision of the board of judges is final.

Deadline for the submission of entries is Feb. 20, 2002. If mailed, it should be postmarked not later than February 20, 2002.

Entries should be submitted or mailed to: The Secretariat - Loboc 400.

Application/entry forms are available at the Parish Office c/o Tony Budiongan; Loboc 400 Secretariat c/o Gay Fernando; and Loboc Music Foundation - 3rd Floor, Parish Rectory. MA. LILIBETH L. DIGAL

Dimiao, Bohol Marikina ink sisterhood pact
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post -

DIMIAO is now a sister-municipality of the City of Marikina.

This after Mayor Sylvia Adame and Marikina City Mayor Lourdes Fernando the other day signed a covenant of sisterhood, friendship and cooperation at the Lakeview Park in Marikina.

Fernando and the Marikina officials and employees hosted a banquet for the Dimiao delegation headed by Adame and Estong Oberes, president of the Dimiao Association of Metro Manila.

A highlight before the signing ceremony was the singing of the Dimiao hymn with the accompaniment played on a cassette as Adame and Oberes raised the Dimiao flag.

The effort to establish its identity earned praise from their Marikina counterparts.

The bond of sisterhood between the two local government units (LGUs) was emphasized during the presentation of the rationale. Applause met the mayors as they signed the covenant, sealing it with an exchange of tokens. Adame gave Marikina a ceramic tile with the official seal of Dimiao embossed on it.

As the city officials shook Adame's hand, she invited them to return her visit. She is now drawing up plans for activities that they can jointly undertake, designed to benefit their respective constituents.

Capitol loses millions over Relampagos lapses in 20% development fund expense
By Leonor S. Albino
Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post -

The province lost, and continues to lose, millions of pesos in expenses and unrealized income because of the previous administration's failure to properly utilize the funds allotted for development programs.

The provincial government earmarked P92.57 million, representing the 20 percent Development Fund to finance its projects and programs for year 2000. In addition to this was the continuing and legislative appropriations amounting to P10.85 million unalloted at the end of the previous year.

Sec. 287 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code requires all local government units to appropriate not less than 20 percent of its annual Internal Revenue Allotment for development projects.

The Commission on Audit, however, reported that the Capitol, under the administration of former governor Rene Relampagos, failed to comply with this requirement.

The province only spent P55.9 million or 54 percent of the P103.4 million available for the Capitol's different development programs in 2000.

The previous administration also realigned some of the allotments under the DF to other projects beyond its priority concerns, causing delays to its intended programs.

P42 thousand a month down the drain

The COA's Value for Money Audit report showed that the province spent P840,000 from May 2000 to December of this year for the rentals of the Provincial Auditor's Office alone, pending thecompletion of the Capitol annex building in Dao District.

Every month, the province spends P42,000 for rentals of the said office, or more than half a million pesos a year.

The project costs P15 million and COA said the province stands to suffer additional expenses due to the escalation of prices of construction materials and labor as well as the rental cost of the Auditor's office for this year.

The Office of the Provincial General Services, which took charge in the construction of the new Capitol annex building, had assured that the project would be completed in September 2000 yet.

The PGSO justified the delay as due to some changes in the original plan and hitches in the procurement of materials, the COA said.
This problem, however, is just the proverbial icing on the cake.

The COA report also revealed that the province realigned the P7.5 million intended for the construction of the new Capitol annex building and the rehabilitation of the old building to social development programs.

Provincial accountant Joseth Celocia explained that since the P7.5 million could not be utilized during the calendar year 2000, Relampagos decided to revert the amount to fund other social services programs inasmuch as the same amount will be appropriated for the intended projects in the year 2001.

COA, however, said the "indiscriminate" reversion of the amount to social services, which could also have been appropriately funded by the 20 percent DF, delayed the completion of the said projects.

Moreover, the move also caused the provincial government additional expenses from the escalating prices of materials, labor and rental expenses.

Sloppy work

The province has also spent an estimated P1.3 million for the corrective work on the Bato Bridge in Maribojoc.

COA said, however, that had the project engineer strictly supervised the construction of the said bridge, which is a grant from the national government, the province would not have wasted money on repairs.

Moreover, COA said the P3 million, which the national government committed to reimburse the province upon the completion of the project, could have been received and used to finance important projects of the present administration.

COA recommended that project engineers should strictly supervise projects to prevent loss of government resources. Moreover, the provincial government should also identify possible sanctions that may be imposed against erring officials and employees of the Provincial Engineer's Office.

Right money, wrong project

COA also revealed that a P3-million appropriation under the 20 percent DF was diverted to programs beyond the priority concerns of the said fund.

These expenditures were either released to the different local government units or purchased medicines and medical equipment, and textbooks and encyclopedia for pre-school and high school students, the audit report said.

According to COA, however, the said these expenses could not be sourced from the Development Fund. Using development funds to purchase medicines and other medical supplies and equipment may only be allowed for the displaced and needy in times of disasters and calamities.

Moreover, the provincial government had already purchased P1-million worth of textbooks and encyclopedia during the year.

The report stated that provincial budget officer Valeria Orig had explained that the realignment was made due to the alleged reversion of the plan for the new Capitol annex building and the objections raised by the National Historical Institute (NHI) in the way the old Capitol building had to be rehabilitated.

She added that since there was a perceived need to fund other social services, the P7.5 million was reverted and reappropriated to it.

Where the money should be

The report also revealed that the unused balance of P4.6 million in the 20 percent DF at the end of calendar year 1999 was not re-appropriated to finance projects and programs qualified for funding under the same fund.

Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 90-66 requires that any reverted or unexpended balance of the Development Fund during the year shall be re-appropriated to finance only those to be funded under the said fund for the following year.

COA said this deprived the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders the benefits they could have enjoyed from the said projects.

No earnings

According to the COA report, the provincial government could have earned additional revenues from its Provincial Livestock and Poultry Farm (PLPF) project in Bilar had it been carried out as an economic enterprise than merely a purely dispersal project.

The province appropriated P2.5 million from the Development Fund for the livestock dispersal program for the calendar year 2000.

COA said if the project had been converted into a business venture, it could have generated revenues for the province or at least made the project self-sustaining so that the amount appropriated each year for maintenance can be recovered.

Half-baked development programs

The province appropriated P92.57 million for the 20 percent DF for the calendar year 2000. In addition to this is the P10.85 million continuing appropriation and legislative appropriation unalloted at the end of the previous year.

The COA reported, however, that of the total amount of P103.4 million available for expenditure for different programs under the Development Fund, only P55.9 million or 54 percent was spent during the year.

This means that the planned programs and projects were not fully accomplished during the year. These include the construction of the new provincial hospital in Talibon and the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Tagbilaran City.

COA recommended that the province must adopt measures and strategies to ensure swift implementation of programs and projects identified in a given year.

Through this, the intended beneficiaries can immediately avail of the benefits from the said projects.

Book on Bohol churches launched in Travel Mart

Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post - A major event that highlighted the Bohol Pavilion in the 12th Philippine Travel Mart was the launching of a book on Bohol Churches, entitled: VISITA IGLESIA-Bohol: A Guide to Bohol Churches.

Published under the auspices of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, this scholarly and comprehensive guidebook is written by distinguished art historian Regalado "Ricky" Trota Jose.

The presence of major cultural afficionados from Manila and Bohol, who came to view the Bohol Pavilion and to avail themselves of the first copies of the book marked the launching on November 23.

NCCA Chairman Jaime Laya delivered a welcome address underscoring NCCA's commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage in the country and to the continuance of support for Bohol's cultural development plans.

Congressman Edgar Chatto, welcomed the audience in behalf of Gov. Erico Aumentado.

Bishop Leo Tumulak of the Diocese of Tagbilaran capped the welcome series by focusing on the remarkable gifts of Ricky Jose as a Church art historian and on the general content of the book. He also thanked all those who collaborated in its production - most especially the Dioceses of Tagbilaran, through the Diocesan Commission of the Cultural Patrimony of the Church, headed by Fr. Milan Ted Torralba; the Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Center for Culture and Arts Development or CCAD; and the NCCA.

After these speeches, Ricky Jose and the NCCA officially presented initial copies to the Diocese of Tagbilaran through Bishop Tumulak and to the provincial government through Vice-Governor Julius Herrera and Congressman Edgar Chatto.

About the book

VISITA IGLESIA: Bohol- A Guide to Bohol Churches takes the reader to more than forty churches in the island.

The visit to each church begins with a short historical introduction and continues with a guided tour around the church complex, from the façade to the retablo mayor and then to the convento and other related sites.

The richly illustrated text is complemented by an essay on historic church architecture in Bohol, a glossary of terms, and a full bibliography for die-hard culture buffs.

The author

Regalado Trota Jose specializes in research and writing on historic Philippine church art.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines named him one of the 100 Centennial Artists in 1999.

He is affiliated with the Permanent Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. He has also just been elected as the head of the NCCA National Committee on Monuments and Sites.

Chatto keynotes C.U.P. assembly

Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post - FIRST District Congressman Edgar Chatto was the Keynote Speaker of the recently concluded 22nd Annual General Assembly of the Cooperative Union of the Philippines (CUP) .

In his keynote speech, Chatto stressed on the vital role of cooperativism, in its many facets, in curbing mass poverty and deprivation and its role in improving the quality of life of all. Chatto also pointed out the many challenges that we are facing today-locally and globally, and hinted at how the cooperatives, thru a further consolidation of forces could help address such challenges.

The first district solon, a lawyer and economist by profession, moreso tackled on the possibility of revolutionizing our nation's economy thru the cooperative sector.

Chatto said, "if our cooperatives are given priority even just in the bidding of government office supplies, that would mean more income for many, most of whom are truly needy."

"Imagine the profits, or in cooperative parlance, the surplus or patronage refund, that can be shared among members, if such a practice is institutionalized in our nation's system." Chatto added.
The CUP's annual congress bannered the theme, "Improving the quality of Life thru Unionism." Other speakers during the two-day affair were: Tagbilaran City Mayor Jose Torralba, Hon. Carlito Fernandez, the regional Director of the Cooperative Development Authority, Felix Borja, CUP Secretary-General, and Dr. Teresita Coloma, Chairperson of the KOOPNET Philippines who was the Workshop Director.

Part of the output of the workshop is the three-year Strategic Plan to which Chatto gave his strong support.

Bohol Capitol employees get P10K Christmas bonus
By Leonor S. Albino

Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post - Provincial government employees have a reason to be merry this Christmas.

Despite the meager finances of the province, regular personnel are assured of P10,000 as extra Christmas bonus. Consultants and contractuals who have served the provincial government since July this year are likewise entitled to receive the same amount as Christmas incentives.

The P10,000 extra bonus for regular employees is on top of the 13th month pay and P5,000 cash gift.

The move makes the present administration the first to give its regular employees, consultants and contractual personnel extra Christmas bonus and incentives.

In a letter to Vice Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan presiding officer Julius Caesar Herrera, Gov. Erico B. Aumentado ordered the august body to appropriate P15.31 million for the Christmas bonus for qualified personnel pursuant to Budget Circular No. 2001-02.

The Governor also requested the appropriation of P600,000 as Christmas incentives for consultants and contractual employees who have served the provincial government since July. This would put the total appropriations requested at P15.91 million.

In a meeting with SP members and the local budget committee last Tuesday, the Governor said they have agreed to source the funding needed for the bonus from savings generated by the province amounting to P39.86 million, as well as from the unappropriated Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) received amounting to P20.58 million.

The unappropriated IRA represents the unreleased allotment for 1998 and 2000.

Cost-saving measures implemented by the province from July to December this year from unfilled positions and other personnel services; and maintenance, operating and other expenses (MOOE), yielded savings of P20.9 million and P18.9 million, respectively.

The province faces a budgetary deficit of P78.35 million for the fiscal year. It has also incurred P65.52 million as unpaid obligations, and accounts payable amounting to P42.67 million, or a total of P108.19 million.

Unpaid obligations include, among others, the P28 million loan for the rehabilitation of the old Capitol building.

The Governor, however, insisted that qualified government personnel should be granted benefits "to cushion the impact of the present economic recession and difficulties."

"The extra Christmas bonus for qualified personnel and the Christmas incentives for consultants and contractuals are palliative measures to assist our personnel force to meet their family requirements during the Yuletide Season and tide them over the present economic hardships," the Governor told Herrera.

Tagbilaran Port Yuletide tree contest launched

Published December 9, 2001 by Bohol Sunday Post - A Christmas Tree Contest was launched yesterday at the City's premier port with Governor Erico Aumentado, Vice Mayor Jorge Cabalit and Tagbilaran Port Manager Josephus Villamor switching the button that simultaneously lit 16 Christmas trees put up by various barangays and NGOs in the city.

The participants in the contest were barangays Bool, Booy, Cabawan, Cogon, Dampas, Dao, Manga, Poblacion 1 and 2, Taloto, Tiptip, and Ubujan.

Those from the private sector were Bohol Tourist Transport Association, Panglao Golden Coco Resort, Tagbilaran Federated Market Vendors Association and Tagbilaran Port Vendors Association.

The Association of Ilonggos in Bohol, a civic organization, sponsored the contest as its humble contribution to the tourism programs of the City of Tagbilaran and the Province of Bohol.

The glittering ornamented Christmas trees will surely be a delightful sight to welcome arriving travelers. To departing visitors, the Association hopes that the glimmer of lights from all the Christmas trees will also be a reminiscence of the charms of the island province of Bohol and the graciousness of the people of Tagbilaran.

Winners will receive P5,000 for first prize; P3,000 and P2,000 for second and third prize, respectively. Non-winners will get P1,000 each as consolation prize.

City Development Council bares priority projects

December 9, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post - THE City Development Council meeting has identified the priority projects it will implement during the last quarter of this year and for the year 2002.

The 20 percent Development Fund as of August 2001 has been earmarked for the construction of drainage and septic tanks, curbs and gutters, asphalt overlay and macadam.

The funds totalling to P4.9 million will also be used to construct the Tagbilaran City Youth Detention Home in Barangay Cabawan and the conversion of an artesian well at pumping Station 16.

Funds for the fencing of a city government lot at Barangay Dampas, the asphalt overlaying of the Agora parking space and G.Vissara Street, proposed Anaco at the Agora, painting of curb and gutter, septic tank at the Tagbilaran City Central Public Market and asphalt macadam, Mansasa Barangay Road (Bioco Street) will be taken from the P2.7 million Local Government Service Equalization Fund.

Six hundred thousand pesos has been appropriated for the renovation of the offices of the City Administrator, City Auditor and City Accountant and the conversion of city-owned vehicles from right to left hand drive.

Programmed projects sourced from the savings generated and balances from the Tagbilaran City Waterworks are the conversion of artesian well to Pumping Station No.16, and the installation of transmission lines and the purchase of the TCWS billing and collection system software.

Also scheduled for implementation out of the P25 million Development Fund for 2002 are the construction of the new city hall and government center, the Early Childhood Development Project, infrastructure projects, house numbering, cooperative development, traffic transport study, computers for the geographic information system (GIS) and the Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection System (TRACS), IEC equipment, and environmental studies and projects. (FIEL ANGELI ARAOARAO-GABIN/City Information Office)

Poblacion's bet is
Ms. Baclayon 2001

December 9, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post - POBLACION'S bet Stephanie Perez went home 8,000 pesos richer-after winning the Miss Baclayon 2001 crown in a pageant Wednesday night that lasted into the wee hours of Thursday.

Thirteen proved to be lucky for Perez. From a field of 13 contestants, she went on to win the title, the trophy and the cash that went with it, plus the right to represent the town in next year's Miss Bohol Sandugo search.

Perez also romped away with the coveted minor awards Best in Swimwear, Best in Interview and Best in Gown.

First runner-up, now Baclayon's entry to the search for next year's Miss Bohol Tourism is San Vicente's bet Marfe Balintag while second runner-up is May Catubig of Taguihon. Balintag won 5,000 pesos and a trophy, and the Miss Diet Cole award. For her part, Catubig won 3,000 pesos, a trophy and the prizes for being Miss Telegenic and Best in Production Number.

Guiwanon's Flordelyn Verano bagged the Most Photogenic and Miss Pons Body Fitness awards while Dasitam's Jean Cantoria won the Miss Avon title.

Helen Valeroso of the island barangay of Pamilacan was Miss Lux while Jolie Ann Paduelan of Tanday was Miss Congeniality.

Montaña's Joan Nistal was the Special Designer's Choice while Cyrea Tima of Santa Cruz was Miss Talent.

Each minor award came with a trophy and cash.

Gov. Erico Aumentado and Miss Baclayon 1999 Rosela Pateña crowned this year's queen. Pureza Chatto, wife of Rep. Edgar Chatto of Bohol's 1st District and Fr. Justino Estoque, chair and member of the panel of judges respectively, donned the cape on and presented the scepter to Perez.

Barangay captain Roberto Talip of Poblacion and Perez' parents presented the bouquet to the winner while Mayor Benecio Uy and his wife Elena handed to the winner the trophy and cash prize.

On the other hand, Vice Gov. Julius Herrera and beauty titlist herself Melanie Wallace, member of the panel of judges, crowned Balintag. Barangay captain Lydia Lamdagan of San Vicente and her parents presented her with a bouquet.

Former 1st district Provincial Board (PB) member Isabelito Tongco representing Cong. Chatto and Agnetha Manhilot, Miss Baclayon 1999 first runner-up, handed to Balintag the trophy.

Incumbent 1st district PB member Felix Uy and his wife, Baclayon municipal councilor Marilyn Uy were the presentors for the Best in Interview.

Completing the panel of judges were Jocelyn Ferniz and Wilfilda "Baby" Collins.

Meanwhile, all barangay captains who fielded candidates received plaques of appreciation from the contest organizers-the Local Government Unit of Baclayon and the Baclayon United Lady Achievers Club led by its president, Elena K. Uy.

New City H all: Soon a Reality
By: Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao-Gabin

December 9, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post - A NEW P86 million city government building which shall house the city offices and some national agencies may not be far behind, as the City Development Council (CDC) has strongly recommended its construction beginning year 2002.

During a recent meeting, the council appropriated P15 million for the project. This amount will be taken from the city's 20 percent Development Fund.

This is in addition to the P6 million building trust fund already available.

It may be recalled that when City Mayor Jose Torralba took his oath with a renewed commitment to continue the remarkable pace of the city's development during the 35th Tagbilaran City Charter Day Program last July 1 - in the presence of Senator Loren Legarda-Leviste and Gov. Erico Aumentado, he has included the implementation of the said project among his policy directions for the next three years.

He saw the need to relocate the present seat of government to a much secure, safer and spacious area. He has also requested for P5 million from Sen. Legarda-Leviste for the construction of the City Hall.

Recently, Mayor Torralba received letter from Oscar Mabilog, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (PhilOSAP) informing him that the office of Senate President Franklin Drilon has put in P2 million for the project.

Also, Director Normando Toledo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Office of the Project Development

Services has furnished the Office of City Mayor a copy of the letter to Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo regarding the possible funding allocation under the Local Government Service Equalization Fund (LGSEF).

Director Elizabeth Gonzales, head of the Office for Special Projects, Presidential Management Staff earlier requested the mayor for a detailed project proposal to include the objectives, technical data, critical activities and project after the city sought for a P50 million financial assistance from the Office of the President.

The city government is also considering contracting a P30 million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to complete the P86 million needed to complete the building.

During the meeting of the City Executive Advisory Council (CEAC), city engineer Pianicita Castolo set up the perspective and features of the proposed City Hall and government center. It will include carpark, basement, mezzanine, and a shopping mall at the rooftop, totaling four storeys.

The recommended site is a vast expanse of over five hectare government-owned lot located near the City Engineering Office compound and the Bohol Agricultural Promotions Center (APC) in the city's Cogon and Dao Districts.

The building will occupy a floor area of more than 5,000 square meters.

In the same meeting, it was agreed in mass motion to authorize solicitation schemes to put up common fund for the city hall. (FIEL ANGELI E. ARAOARAO-GABIN/City Information Office)

Plane flights commercial, not tests by student pilot

December 9, 2001 - Bohol Sunday Post - THE early morning flights of small planes these past few weeks are commercial flights, not test flights made by student pilots.

Airport manager Justo Cabahug of the Air Transportation Office (ATO Tagbilaran) here issued the clarification to allay fears expressed by some residents that a repeat of the freak accident a few months back might happen.

Manned by a budding pilot, that plane cartwheeled upon landing, earning the fellow some broken ribs, a broken arm and a broken leg.

The city airport was busy lately however because this plane manned by a commercial pilot went to and fro filling orders for milkfish or bangus fry from Bohol to Dumaguete and Butuan cities.

Fry are best transported by plane. Outside of their habitat, these are delicate. To ensure a high survival rate, they are best transported as quickly as possible to their new "home." This plane, Cabahug explained, puts in flights only during fry harvest season.

As a secondary airport, Tagbilaran has complete facilities and meets all requirements of pilot training schools.

As early as August 1984, retired Brig. Gen. Jesus Singson of the Philippine Air Force and director for air transportation of ATO issued a memorandum circular to all pilot training schools.

The memorandum states that in the interest of safety and in accordance with requirements prescribed in an earlier administrative order, pilot schools must have aircraft with functioning VHF two-way radio contact with the control tower.

The pilot, it continued, must make his first solo flight in an aerodrome with control tower and firefighting facilities except at the Manila and Mactan airports, and the budding pilots must not land on or take off from an airport's operational traffic circuit.

Along this line, when the Lahug airport closed down, the chief of the air traffic service in Mactan wrote to the DOTC assistant secretary, ATO and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, recommending the Tagbilaran airport for training flights because it is less affected by other air traffic.

However, Cabahug advises aspiring pilots not to fly out in the mornings because of relatively heavy traffic compared to the afternoons.

Lolo patay sa naghaguros nga sakyanan
Brigada News 6th December 2016 at 5:48pm   | | CHRIS DOMINGO

Patay ang usa ka lolo nga sakay sa usa ka bisikleta human naligsan sa naghaguros nga sakyanan sa General Santos-Digos City national highway sa Purok 1, Barangay Talas, Sulop, Davao del Sur pasado alas singko kagahapon sa buntag.

Nailhan ang biktima nga si Emanuel Morales Rofuli, 62 anyos ug residente sa maong lugar.

Base sa imbestigasyon sa Sulop Municipal Police Station wala kabantay ang driver sa Toyota Hilux nga si Melvin Caliwang sanagbike nga biktima hinungdan nga iya kining nabanggaan.

Tanggong karon sa prisohan ang driver nga nakatakdang pasakaan og kaso.
Nasayran nga sakay usab sa maong Hilux ang mayor sa Don marcelino Davao Occidental.

If someone had pulled aside the signers of the Declaration of Independence 240 years ago and told them that, one day, the country they founded would be home to the largest number of imprisoned people in the world, they might have been more than a little disappointed.

Yet this is where we find our country today: The United States, founded on the basis of liberty and justice for all, suffers from that distinction. Twenty five percent of all imprisoned people on our planet are imprisoned right here in America. And the fact of the matter is that, at the federal level, the majority of those imprisoned aren’t hardened, violent prisoners. Far too many are nonviolent, low-level drug offenders.

Thanks to policies enacted by Congress, our federal prison population has exploded by nearly 800 percent over the past the 30 years. And to pay for it, we’ve had to increase our prison spending by almost 400 percent. But the fact that these polices were enacted by our government in the first place should serve as a reminder that we have the agency to change them.

Momentum is building across America -- in states, in the federal government, in both political parties -- to change this misapplication of justice that so grossly misrepresents our priorities as a nation.

A diverse coalition of individuals, groups, and organizations -- ranging from Democrats to Republicans to law enforcement officials and clergy -- have come together to call for a comprehensive change in the trajectory of our justice system. And under President Obama’s leadership, the collective vision of these groups has found a home and a voice in the White House.

I have been proud to stand by President Obama as he has taken courageous steps in recent years to make our justice system more just.

Today, the White House is announcing that over 300 companies and organizations have signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge, a commitment to eliminate unnecessary hiring barriers facing people with a criminal record. Along with this step and a series of Administrative actions to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system, he’s shown that the federal government can lead the way to progress.

President Obama has created a legacy of bold action that we must carry on to elevate the cause of criminal justice reform, from Congress to statehouses across the country.

Learn more about what’s at stake in the effort to reform our broken criminal justice system: Make sure to check out the White House discussion today, where a coalition of leaders and activists will join together to discuss what’s next for criminal justice reform.

But the conversation can’t stop there, and neither can the work. We must once again declare that we are a nation of independence, rooted in the spirit of interdependence. What happens to any of us, happens to all of us -- and we won’t get where we want to go faster by leaving anyone behind.

I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with you in this fight to reclaim our criminal justice system in the years to come.

Thank you,

Cory Booker

U.S. Senator

Wishing to Be Healed

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" John 5:6

Jesus asked a man a question that appears to have had an obvious answer! He came upon a man who had been lame for thirty-eight years and who was sitting beside a pool of healing. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed. Why would Jesus ask such an obvious question? Perhaps the answer was not so clear. Bartimaeus was blind, yet when he cried out for Jesus to have mercy on him, Jesus asked what he wanted Him to do (Mark 10:51). It would have seemed apparent that the foremost concern of a blind person would be to receive sight. There were times, however, when Jesus considered it important for people to verbalize their need and specifically ask Him to heal them.

Just because we are spiritually sick, or just because we are near a place of healing, does not necessarily mean we want to be made well. We may attend church regularly, but choose to remain sinful. Our generation has taken many of the activities that the Bible identifies as sin and has labeled them as addictions or character flaws or the result of an abusive upbringing. We act as if having an addiction is sufficient excuse for disobeying God’s commands. As Christians, we are no longer helpless victims of our sin. There is no sinful habit or past hurt that is beyond the healing touch of our Lord.

Have you gone year after year without receiving spiritual healing? God is capable of freeing you, but you may have become comfortable in your sin. You may not want to be healed. If you really want to receive spiritual health, God can give it today. He wants you to ask Him.              Henry and Richard Blackaby

Cayetano: PH's AIIB membership crucial to sustaining economic growth'

Senate foreign relations committee chair Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano thanked his colleagues in the Senate for supporting the treaty that would make the Philippines a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).   

The Senate on Monday (December 5) passed on third and final reading Senate Resolution No. 241, or the Articles of Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which formally ratifies the country’s AIIB entry documents. The measure got 20 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and no abstention.

Cayetano’s Foreign Relations Committee submitted last November 22 Committee Report No. 11 recommending the approval of the resolution of concurrence.

Cayetano said the Senate’s concurrence with the treaty formalizing the country’s membership into the China-led multilateral institution will allow the Philippines access to funds for major infrastructure projects to sustain the momentum of economic growth that was started by the Duterte government.

“Any institution that will promote human development, accelerate economic and social progress, and further good relations with neighboring nations should be embraced and supported,” said Cayetano.

He expressed his gratitude to the Department of Finance led by Sec. Carlos Dominguez III and their counterparts in the Chinese government for their assistance, stressing how the treaty could foster a stronger relationship between the two countries. He also thanked Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of the resolution, for making possible the passage of the measure.

Cayetano explained that, like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB), the AIIB is a multilateral funding agency owned by sovereign member-countries, which specifically aims to promote economic development and strengthen regional cooperation and partnership in the Asian region.

“Our economy has been cited recently as the fastest growing in the Asian region. We posted a robust 7.1% growth in the third quarter are on target to achieving a 7-percent full-year GDP growth this year,” he said.

The administration earlier expressed its plan to raise the government’s share in infrastructure spending to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 7 percent before President Rodrigo Duterte's term ends.

Following the Senate’s concurrence, the executive branch now has the chance to access US$500 million annually from the Bank to finance infrastructure projects in the country. This, he said, is apart from over $20 billion that China is prepared to extend to the Philippines after the President's historic visit to China.

“AIIB’s role as a major player in infrastructure development in Asia in the future is inevitable, and the timing of our membership in AIIB cannot be more perfect as the Philippines is at the point of development where increasing our infrastructure capacity can no longer be set aside,” Cayetano said.

“As Asia’s fastest growing economy, we surely cannot afford to pass up on this opportunity to be able to tap an additional fund source to help sustain the economic progress we have started to gain under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.

A Heart That Loves God

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart that is right with Him. Through the ages God’s people have been persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their offerings, regardless of their heart condition. King Saul offered generous sacrifices, hoping God would overlook his disobedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23). David may have assumed that after all he had done on God’s behalf, God would overlook his sin (2 Sam. 12:7-15). Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the church would compensate for their deceitfulness (Acts 5:1-11). Paul was certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God. After his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not right, it would all be for nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3). We are susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were. We can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity for Him than He is in the condition of our heart. God has consistently made it clear that He will not be pacified by even the most generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with Him (Mic. 6:6-8). No matter how much we do in God’s service, regardless of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our reputation in the Christian community, He will not overlook a sinful heart. His desire is that we devote ourselves to knowing Him and loving Him with all of our hearts.   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Hold Fast

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Hold fast to what is good, or the world will take it away. Satan is the relentless enemy of good. When he saw that what God gave Adam and Eve was good, he set about to take it away from them. When he saw that King David was pleasing to God, he attempted to destroy David’s relationship with God. Never take the good in your life for granted. If you do not hold on to it firmly, it may be lost. People will challenge the good that you are practicing. They may criticize you for your moral stand, your child rearing, your use of money, or your involvement in church. Time pressures will attack the good in your life. Your time to pray, study Scripture, be with your family, and serve in your church will all be pressured by the many other time demands you face. You may give generously to your church and other Christian causes, but you will be tempted to spend your money selfishly and minimize the good you are doing with your finances. Scripture reveals the solution for holding on to what is goodâ€"abstain from every form of evil. Evil robs you of what God intends for you. A spouse and family are great blessings, but the evil of adultery can rob you of the good that God has given. Prayer is a wonderful gift from God. Yet sin robs the power of prayer (Isa. 1:15). If you will not abstain from evil, it will rob you of the good things God has given. God’s commandments do not restrict you: they free you to experience God’s best. Diligently abstain from every form of evil, and you will be free to enjoy every good thing God has for you.      Henry and Richard Blackaby.

Core shelter turn over highlights commemoration of 7.2-magnitude earthquake
Sunday Post, October 12, 2014

The shelter cluster of the provincial government is set to turn over more than 2,000 replacement houses to beneficiaries on October 15, as highlight of the commemoration of last year's 7.2-magnitude tremor that hit the province. Liza Quirog, shelter cluster coordinator of the provincial government, indicated in her partial accomplishment report over 2,114 core houses will be turned over to qualified earthquake survivors in 17 affected towns on October 15, the first year anniversary of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the province. At least 1,009 had been completed and 1,105 more houses are expected to be completed before October 15 by the Habitat for Humanity Foundation (HHF)

Of the batch of 1,105 ongoing construction, HHF completed 68 of the 316 in Clarin, 67 of 458 in Calape, 107 of 667 in Loon, 157 of 676 in Sagbayan, 107 of 111 in Balilihan, 11 of 13 in Corella, all of the 113 in Danao, all of the 188 in San Isidro, and all of the 226 in Cortes. The provincial government has been undertaking the core shelter program with the DSWD, the mayors of the 17 towns, the HHF and non-government organizations. Among the NGOs that had raised funds for the earthquake survivors and supported the project include the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol Livelihood Development Foundation, IDEA Philippines, United Nations International Organization for Migration, Latter Day Saints Charities, Montana on Mission, International Federation of Red Cross and PROCESS Bohol.

The NGOs had completed the first 1,009 houses while the provincial government and DSWD through HHF, are expected to complete the 1,105 of the original target of 8,083 houses before October 15, in time for the turn-over ceremony. Quirog explained that out of the 8,083 listed as prospective beneficiaries, at least 5,609 qualified to receive the assistance. This is based on validation in the field. As of this posting, those undergoing the construction phase are for the 5,609 validated beneficiaries although the number is expected to increase to over 5,220 in a few days. As to the status of the ongoing construction of these units, they are now preparing the septic tanks while delivery of construction materials is ongoing--hollow blocks, cement, tie wires, steel bars, steel frames of the windows and accessories that are pre-cut from the source. According to Quirog, every LGU was asked to establish a grievance committee to assess those delisted.

As of now, the grievance committees had already pass over 2,438 beneficiaries in the 17 towns. Moreover, it had been found out that 2,716 had the capacity to build replacement houses on their own. In the Rebuild Better Bohol core shelter program, qualified beneficiaries are indigents classified as those earning P 10,000 or less per month. It will then be up to the beneficiaries to expand their core shelters gradually on their own. There are two other types of assistance under emergency shelter assistance, Quirog added. One is from the National Housing Authority and the DSWD and the other comprises of repair kits provided by the NGOs. The assistance from NHA was the one released immediately in November last year or at least a month after the earthquake. Of the 17 towns, it is only in Carmen and Calape that the implementation is still ongoing. In the emergency shelter assistance of DSWD, there are still towns where the distribution of emergency shelter assistance of P 10,000 for each beneficiary is still ongoing like in Clarin, Corella, Sevilla, Danao, Balilihan and Inabanga wherein the funds had just been released this year.(PNA/FPV/Angeline Valencia/jsd)

THE CREEPY GLOBALIZATION: ITS IMPACT ON MIGRATION IN THE PHILIPPINE CONTEXT
(Part II)
By Yes Tirol Dumagan
October 29, 2006 The Bohol Standard

There have been tons of reading materials on globalization from all sorts of perspective but all of these perspectives boil down to its grass root level of definition, that is, globalization is a politico-economic strategy. Of who will benefit globalization, the perspectives have different stands on this. What my stand therefore will be based from Alice G. Guillermo’s definition on globalization:

“…globalization is not a diffuse universal trend, but is constructed from within the hub of American imperialist power from which it expands to cover the rest of the globe, particularly the developing, countries of Asia and Latin America..”

What is so bad about globalization is its implied way of how we are molded to live like Americans: that in the long run, despite the leading technologies they have, we will, like them, become totally strangers to one another. I always hate the idea of how, for instance, they “slowly kill” their olds. I mean sending them to home-for-the-aged makes me so sick.

Moreover, considering Dr. Jane Kelsey’s definition as cited by Guillermo, globalization for her is “the community of economies:” “it excludes from consideration any ‘non-economic’, social and political issues like human rights, poverty, employment, unless they are redefined in trade-related terms…States, governments, indigenous peoples, paid and unpaid workers, women, children, communities, and ecosystems are all irrelevant, except as vehicles to promote the interests of capital or resources to fuel production and profits.”

Personally, I don’t think globalization will bring any good to us, especially here in our country, a still-developing country, to put it in a beautiful term. Globalization is as if everything is run by trades, nothing more, nothing less. How about other aspects in our society? How about our interpersonal, political, social, moral development? We cannot risk these dimensions and say, “Hey, let’s unite and think in an economical sense. With this, everything good will follow.” This is impossible.

Though I concede that globalization, one way or another, has brought good to the lives of some of the migrants and their families in terms of uplifting their families’ economic capacity (including my family’s), and in the broader sense has actually helped the country’s economy in the form of remittances, it actually is in fact not a strong excuse for us to undermine other institutions in our society that basically weighs as important as improving the economy of one’s country and of the world as a whole.

If globalization has brought good to our country then why are we experiencing the dilemmas it has brought as an effect of its presence? On the next issue, I will be considering more issues on migrationâ€" on why Filipinos escape our country and move abroad.

THE TRIUMPH OF THE RULE OF LAW
By Atty. Cristifil Baluma
October 29, 2006 The Bohol Standard

The Supreme Court has spoken. October 25, 2006 marked one of the memorable days this year in national history when the Supreme Court, by a close vote of 8-7, voted to deny the petition for a people’s initiative proposed by Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines. The head of the latter group is no less than our hardworking Bohol Governor, Erico Aumentado. Even before the arrival of that day, it was already predicted by many respected analysts that the outcome of the voting would really be too close to call.

In a 52 - page decision penned by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Court said that to allow the latest initiative effort to alter basic principles in the Charter is to allow a desecration of the Constitution. It was also stressed that the petition for a people’s initiative should contain the full text of the proposed amendments.

The main arguments and issues in Miriam D. Santiago v. Commission on Election case were different. In that earlier case, the Supreme Court held that Section 2 of Article XVII of the Constitution providing for such a system ( on initiative) was not self- executory and that RA 6735, which was supposedly the enabling law implementing said constitutional provision, was “incomplete, inadequate or wanting in essential terms and conditions insofar as initiative or amendments to the Constitution are concerned.

The Supreme Court in the more recent case involving a petition for a people’s initiative said that there is no need to revisit its 1997 ruling which had declared RA 6735 as incomplete and inadequate to cover the system of people’s initiative to amend the constitution.

The recent decision to my mind demonstrates the continued independence of the Supreme Court from the other branches of government. It was only recently when the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban recognized the pressures caused by the then pending petition filed seeking the amendment of the Constitution. Before that eventful day, we often heard in the radio and saw in the television the calls and pleas made by many high ranking government officials for support to the people’s initiative to amend the Constitution.

The decision of the High Court renewed the people’s confidence in the judicial system in our country, that justice applies equally to all, irrespective of gender, race, status or creed.

The diverse opinion of the justices stress these jurisprudence:

“ The function of the appointing authority with the mandate of the people, under our system of government, is to fill the public posts. While the appointee may acknowledge with gratitude the opportunity thus given of rendering public service, the appointing authority becomes functus officio and the primary loyalty of the appointed must be rendered the Constitution and the sovereign people in accordance with the sacred oath of office. To paraphrase the late Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court, the Justices and judges must ever realize that they have no constituency, serve no majority nor minority but serve only the public interest as they see it in accordance with their oath of office, guided only by the Constitution and their own conscience and honor.” ( Galman, et al. vs. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 72670, September 12, 1986).

While we respect the opinion of those who opposed the verdict of the Supreme Court in denying the people’s initiative, we could not help but emphasize that since we are in a democratic society, the rule of law must be upheld. The Supreme Court had spoken.

The recent ruling of the Supreme Court was a proof of the highest quality that the Supreme Court is truly the last bastion of democracy. The pros constituted both the appointee and non-appointees of President Gloria Macapagal â€" Arroyo. It was also the same situation for the antis. While Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban was an appointee of President Fidel V. Ramos as a Justice of the Supreme Court and was appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on December 20, 2005 by Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo. He retires as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by December 7, this year.

xxxxxxx
For Boholanos who have cases pending in the Sandiganbayan, Second Division, here’s a relief advance information.

Justice Edilberto G. Sandoval and former Judge Ed Vincent S. Albano, favorite bar reviewers/ authors in Criminal law and Civil law, respectively of Checkpoints were his house visitors last week.

The Second Division of the Sandiganbayan will hold a one-week session in Tagbilaran City soon and had personally chosen for the venue of the hearing the court room of the Regional Trial Court of Bohol, Branch 1, Family Court.

An innovation to bring the judicial services closer to the people, like the Justice on Wheels project of the Supreme Court, the conduct of the Sessions of the Sandiganbayan at the Regional Trial Court of Bohol, Branch 1 means a tremendous savings of money and time for litigants at the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan chaired by Justice Edilberto G. Sandoval.

SHANGHAI’S ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT BILL VERSUS RA 7877
By Atty. Esther Gertrude Dompor Biliran
October 29, 2006 The Bohol Standard

In our elementary years, China was dubbed a “Sleeping Giant.”

Now, it is sleeping no more, as the country has progressed at a kilometric pace.

The country has developed not only in terms of business and infrastructure. It is also starting to mature in terms of recognition of human rights, including the rights of women, through legislation.

One such soon-to-be law is the anti-sexual harassment bill which is presently being deliberated upon in Shanghai, the country’s premier financial center.

While “sexual harassment” is mentioned in China's national laws, they fail to specify what constitutes such behavior.

The proposed Shanghai bill could set a legal precedent as it would be China's first legal statute that defines “sexual harassment” towards women.

In the Shanghai bill, “sexual harassment” includes sexually suggestive language even if used in jest, e-mailing or text-messaging of sexual pictures, unwanted advances and public groping or inappropriate touching of a woman on a bus or in the street, deliberate steering of a conversation towards sex, or prying into others' sex lives.

Using obscene words and displaying pictures or videos that make a woman feel physically or mentally uncomfortable is also considered sexual harassment.

The bill is so comprehensive that it likewise addresses the issue of domestic violence.

Last year, the Shanghai Women's Federation reportedly received 1,279 reports of domestic violence but only a small percentage of victims had the courage to speak out.

The new law is aimed to encourage women to protect themselves by legal means.

The Shanghai bill is a lot more far-reaching than our country’s Republic Act 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act enacted in 1995.

While the Shanghai bill includes acts committed in the streets and public utilities, or even through text messages or e-mail, RA 7877 is limited to acts committed in the workplace, in an education environment, or a training environment.

While the Shanghai bill includes unwanted sexual acts committed by any person, RA 7877 limits perpetrators to employers, employees, managers, supervisors and their agents, teachers, instructors, professors, coaches, trainors, or persons who have authority, influence or moral ascendancy over the victim.

While advocates argue otherwise, the law appears to be likewise limited in terms of the acts comprising “sexual harassment.”

Under RA 7877, there must be a demand, request, or requirement for a sexual favor. Such demand, request or requirement must be made as a condition in the hiring or employment/re-employment of the victim, or in the case of the education or training environment, in the giving of a passing grade or granting of honors or scholarships to the student or trainee; or, must impair the employee’s rights or privileges under the labor law; or, must result in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the employee, student or trainee.

On the other hand, the Shanghai bill makes no such requirements. It is enough that the perpetrator makes an unwanted sexual advance against the victim.

The stringent requirements in our law have enabled many sexual harassers to get off the hook.

A case in point is that recently filed by several female dentists against a military officer. According to the military officer’s lawyer, the case of the dentists is weak because there is no showing that there was a demand, request or requirement for a sexual favor which is made as a condition to the hiring/re-employment of the dentists.

Of course, we could always argue that the sexual act itself is more eloquent than a demand, request or requirement for a sexual favor. If a mere demand, request or requirement for a sexual favor is punishable by RA 7877, with more reason should the unwanted sexual act itself be punishable, even if not demanded, requested, or required of.

Moreover, the military officer’s lawyer should take note that it is not necessary that such demand, request or requirement for a sexual favor is made as a condition to the employment of the dentists if such demand, request or requirement (or sexual act, as may be argued by advocates) results in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the dentists.

It is a matter of argument, though. If the investigating prosecutor is a stickler for the letter of the law, the complaint against the military officer is doomed. However, if the investigating prosecutor appreciates the spirit of the law, there may be hope for the female dentists.

Either way, our national law is so restrictive that it has become less helpful to women than intended. We should learn from the Shanghai bill (which is soon to be law) and come up with a more exhaustive anti-sexual harassment law.

For the meantime, I suggest that victims instead file a complaint for Acts of Lasciviousness against sexual predators, as this law does not set the same constraints as RA 7877.

(Congrats to Carlo Arenas and Dale Rose Abapo, the baby of Ma’am Yeye and Sir Tommy, who tied the knot yesterday..)

To Hell with you!
By Fred C. Amora
October 29, 2006 The Bohol Standard

Hell in our understanding is Infierno. A lake of fire where the wicked are dumped forever.

But is Hell real? Where is it?

Here’s some research I did. Browse it over while pondering on life on All Souls Day.

* * * * * * * * * *
In modern times the belief in physical punishment after death and the endless duration of this punishment has been rejected by many. The question about the nature of the punishment of hell is equally controversial. Opinions range from holding the pains of hell to be no more than the remorse of conscience to the traditional belief that the “pain of loss” (the consciousness of having forfeited the vision of God and the happiness of heaven) is combined with the “pain of sense” (actual physical torment).

Hell, in religion, is any place or state of punishment and privation for human souls after death. More strictly, the term is applied to the place or state of eternal punishment of the damned, whether angels or human beings. The doctrine of the existence of hell is derived from the principle of the necessity for vindication of divine justice, combined with the human experience that evildoers do not always appear to be punished adequately in their lifetime. Belief in a hell was widespread in antiquity and is found in most religions of the world today.

Among the early Teutons the term hell signified a place under the Earth to which the souls of all mortals, good or bad, were consigned after death; it thus denoted a conception similar to that of the Hebrew Sheol. Among the early Jews, as in other Semitic nations, existence in Sheol was regarded as a shadowy continuation of earthly life where all of the problems of earthly life came to an end. Later the dictum of the prophet Isaiah that the king of Babylon shall be “brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit” (14:15) gave rise to the concept of various depths of Sheol, with corresponding degrees of reward and punishment.

Early Christian writers used the term hell to designate (1) the limbo of infants, where the unbaptized enjoy a natural bliss but are denied the supernatural bliss of the vision of God; (2) the limbo of the fathers, in which the souls of the just who died before the advent of Christ await their redemption, and which is mentioned in the Apostles' Creed, “He [Christ] descended into hell”; (3) purgatory, a place of purgation from minor offences leading inevitably to heaven and (4) the place of punishment of Satan and the other fallen angels and of all mortals who die unrepentant of serious sin. The last of these interpretations has the greatest acceptance today.

The duration of the punishments of hell has been a subject of controversy since early Christian times. The 3rd century Christian writer and theologian Origen and his school taught that the purpose of these punishments was purgatorial, and that they were proportionate to the guilt of the individual. Origen held that, in time, the purifying effect would be accomplished in all, even devils; that punishment would ultimately cease; and that everyone in hell eventually would be restored to happiness.

Islam derived its concept of hell from Judaeo-Christian and Zoraostrian sources. Hell was visualized as a pit of fire spanned by a narrow bridge leading to heaven. All dead souls must cross the bridge, and unless redeemed by Allah's mercy, the damned fall from it to suffer in the pit.

Buddhism adopted and modified the Hindu concepts of both reincarnation and hell. According to orthodox Buddhist cosmology, the six “destinies” of mortal existence include three spheres in which those burdened by particularly detrimental karma may be reincarnated: The “destiny” of hell, the “destiny” of the hungry ghosts, and the “destiny” of warring demons. As in Hinduism, the tortures suffered in these “destinies” serves to purge the soul's evil karma and free it for reincarnation on a higher plane.

Hinduism envisioned 21 hells which form part of the endless cycle of transmigration of souls. The consequences of mortal actions will lead sinners to be reincarnated in hell, where demons will torment them until their sins have been purged and they are free to be reincarnated on a higher level.

When Resignation Is The Most Honorable Thing To Do
By Atty. Aleck Francis Lim
October 29, 2006 The Bohol Standard

Resignation is the most honorable move a public official can do when his office and his person are mired in public scandal. That’s how officials in other side of the world see things.

A popular opinion that indicates that the people have lost confidence in an elected or appointed official can catapult him to give up his position.

The way a public official in other countries and the politicians in our country react to an issue or allegation draws a gaping distinction between politics here and politics abroad.

The Japanese people put premium value on reputation and personal honor to the extreme. An official or even a private citizen would commit suicide in the face of defeat or public scandal.

In our society, an official would forever cling to his position even if all roads would lead to his conviction. Not in other democratic societies. Their officials would immediately resign even if an allegation cannot yet be proven with compelling evidence.

Take for instance the case in Peru a couple of years ago in which its Prime Minister Alberto Fujimuri tendered resignation in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his former spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos.

On March 7 last year Bolivia’s president, Carlos Mesa, had to resign from his office when the Bolivians staged protests demanding lower fuel prices and calling for increases in taxes levied on foreign oil companies.

Mesa took office in October 2003, succeeding President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who was also forced to resign in the wake of street protests.

Early this month in the United States, Republican congressman Mark Foley left his office in the wake of allegations that he sent “inappropriate” emails to his underage interns.

Foley did not wait to be convicted in a court, that is if he would be tried for sending those salacious emails.

This brings us to mind the case of congressman Jalosjos, who did not resign in the wake of a rape charge involving a minor. He fought to the end even if the evidence of his guiltiness was too strong to be dismissed.

Next year we will be holding elections, and the scandal involving dubious purchase of computers and equipment to transform the electoral exercise in this country a bit “hi-tech” remains blurry. We all know that the deal was nothing but a rip-off, but no Comelec official is willing to stand responsible for the issue as if it were ghosts who bought those computers.

It seems that it is next to impossible that a Filipino official would tender resignation in the wake of a public scandal.

While we can cite a lot of examples in other countries in which officials end their public service in shame and resignation, it is not so in this corruption-soaked Philippine soil.

We hear of ghost projects in this province that involved not a single peso but millions of pesos of public funds but no official is courageous and honorable enough (like the Japanese?) to resign and face the music.

We hear of local projects and programs in which the public is being shortchanged, but the culprits remain protected and are living in a fairy tale of so-called public service.

As elections come next year, will there be politicians here and in Manila who are honest enough and brave enough to resign if they are confronted with issues that would test their sincerity and integrity?

Lessons from the dead
By Atty. Alexander "Aleckoy" Lim
October 29, 2006

Next week, Filipinos will be making the pilgrimage to the tombs of their loved ones with the annual ritual observed as All Saints Day and All Souls Day. It is one of the most important holidays for Filipinos who welcome the break to visit the graves of their loved ones.

It does not always follow that the observance is given exclusively to the dead. After the traditional masses to remember them, the living most often get preoccupied with other concerns than the memory of the departed.

To the living, the reunion provided by the free time off from work and school becomes a time given more to talk of present concerns and future plans than talk at length of the dead. And so, except for the names, dates and some anecdotes, there is little that is passed on to the younger generations from their elders.

It is a pity because the dead especially those who accomplished so much in their lifetime have a lot of lessons that we can learn from. While the younger generations may dismiss their accomplishments as no longer applicable, the opposite is true.

While so much has changed around us, the technology, the advances of science, the physical structure, they are not important to man in the final analysis. They are only gadgets that make life more comfortable if you can afford to have them.

There is little that has changed inside of man.

While man has conquered the moon, man has not been able to solve the problems of human greed, selfishness and inhumanity to man. They have been unconsciously passed down through the generations.

The dead have enough lessons to teach us. The most powerful people in their time are as meaningless to us now as the servants and ordinary people in their time. Except for a few, most of them are now forgotten.

Unfortunately, we also forget their mistakes and repeat their errors. The powerful continue to take advantage of their power and abuse those who are powerless. The rich do not share even a portion of their wealth with the poor.

Even those who claim to believe in God do not do much to ease the sufferings of the poor and powerless. In fact, there are many who have not learned from the lessons of the hypocrites whom Jesus denounced in the Bible.

The lessons from the dead should not be wasted. They should be shared with our children and the younger generations so they will learn from them. The good lessons can help the children become better people while the bad lessons will be a warning to them,

Let us not waste our time when we visit our departed loved ones. Let us share the lessons that they want our children to know.

Birth Pangs

But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Matthew 24:8 (NASB)

When will Christ return? This question has been pondered much through the generations. The imminence of His coming provides the backdrop for everything the Christian does. Christ has not revealed exactly when He will come, but He has told us signs to watch for. The time of His coming is unclear; the fact of His coming is certain.

Jesus said that certain events would signal the nearness of His coming: There will be wars and rumors of wars; there will be famines and earthquakes; Christians will suffer persecution for the sake of Christ; false prophets will come and teach heresy, leading many astray; lawlessness will abound as people do what is right in their own eyes; the authorities will be unable to control crime. Because of lawlessness, people will become cynical and fearful, and their love for others will grow cold (Matt. 24:6-12).

Jesus said that the signs of the end times will be like birth pangs. The pain of childbirth increases in frequency, and it increases in intensity. Jesus said that the presence of war or famine or false teachers does not mean that His coming is upon us. These things, He said, are merely the beginning. He said that the frequency of wars, earthquakes, and crime will increase until finally Christ’s return brings everything to a finish. The intensity of wars and famines and other human crises will also escalate.

Our day has seen everything Jesus spoke of reach unprecedented proportions. If there were ever a time Christians should be alert to Jesus’ coming, it is today.   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Sharp drops in smartphone sales for China's Xiaomi Inc [XTC.UL] will not have a major impact on the company as profit growth will be driven by sales from smart home devices as well as revenue from its software eco-system, a senior executive said.

Xiaomi was valued at $46 billion in its last fund-raising in 2014 - making it briefly the world's most valuable start-up at a time when it was China's best-selling smartphone maker and looked set to make a splash worldwide.

But last year it missed its global smartphone targets by 12 percent, while its third-quarter China smartphone sales have tumbled 45 percent, according to research firm IDC - raising doubts that the valuation is still warranted.

Xiaomi's global vice-president Hugo Barra said the company's business model was not based on money made from handset sales per se and that it did not need to raise more funds or see any point in doing so at a valuation of less than $46 billion.

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed on mobile phones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Not in Word but in Prayer

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20

Christianity is not moral platitudes, lofty intentions, and noble thoughts. The fundamental characteristic of God’s kingdom is power. Paul faced constant criticism about his work among the early churches. Some of his detractors would travel to cities such as Corinth and speak extensively about all that Paul was doing incorrectly. At times, people in the churches were enticed to believe the slanderous criticisms against the apostle.

Paul responded with a reminder that the test of a kingdom citizen’s authenticity was not the persuasiveness of his words, but the spiritual power of his life. Paul candidly acknowledged that some did not find him eloquent in speech (2 Cor. 10:10). Yet they could not question God’s power in his life. He had seen many people converted, and many churches were started through his ministry. He had been used to heal the sick and raise the dead through God’s power. Regardless of whether his words were eloquent, they carried spiritual power and authority that came from God.

You will encounter many people who seek to convince you of their opinions concerning the kingdom of God. They may speak passionately. They may even bring charts and graphs to prove their points! But the test of the validity of their words is the spiritual power of their lives. If a person speaks forcefully about a point of doctrine but is habitually sinning, his words are discredited by his life. If a person talks of the power of God but gives no evidence of victory in her life, her words are empty. It is much easier to talk about the victorious Christian life than it is to live it.

If you only have the appearance of godliness without any corresponding spiritual power (2 Tim. 3:5), ask God to cleanse you of your sin and to fill you with His Spirit so that your life is characterized by power.    Henry and Richard Blackaby

BBM LEGAL TEAM WANTS TO KNOW CONTENTS OF ‘UNUSED’ SD CARDS

The legal team of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. today asked the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to furnish them with the results of the decryption of the supposedly “unused” SD cards found to have data during the stripping process.

In a six-page Manifestation, George Erwin Garcia, counsel of Marcos, said the fact that many of the supposedly “unused” SD cards were found to have data during the stripping activities for 1,356 units of contingency Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) bolstered their position that mere physical examination is not enough to prove that they were not used in the last elections.

“With all due respect, the presence of data stored in the SD cards, which were retrieved from the 1,356 units of contingency VCMs, bolsters the position of protestant Marcos that the mere physical examination of the subject VCMs, boxes, seals, stickers and SD cards is indeed inadequate to prove that the same were not used in the 9 May 2016 Elections,” Garcia said.

COMELEC had conducted the stripping activities after it unilaterally decided to release 1,356 VCMs to Smartmatic claiming they were not covered by the PPO since they were not used and/or not deployed in the May elections. However, it was later discovered that many of SD cards in the supposedly “unused” VCMs were found to contain data during the stripping activities conducted by the poll body and Smartmatic.

Because of this, Garcia asked for a copy of the results of decryption of the SD cards found to contain data.

“It is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Tribunal to direct the COMELEC to furnish the protestant and the other interested parties in this case with …… the results of the decryption of the SD cards from (1,356) units of contingency VCMS, which were found to contain data during the said closure/stripping activities, xxxx,” Garcia stated.

Garcia informed the Tribunal that they did not take part in the stripping activities conducted on 26 October 2016 and 02 November 2016 because it is their position that the COMELEC should have first secured authority from the PET before carrying out the stripping activities. He said the existence of a Precautionary Protective Order (PPO) which enjoins COMELEC to preserve all election materials used in the last elections precluded the poll body from conducting the said activity without court approval.

“The objection of protestant Marcos was based on his position that the one thousand three hundred fifty-six (1,356) units of contingency VCMs were covered by the PPO dated 12 July 2016, and that this Honorable Tribunal has not issued any explicit approval to the closure/stripping activities.  Moreover, the conduct of mere physical examination of the subject VCMs, boxes, seals, stickers and SD cards is inadequate to prove that the same were not used in the 09 May 2016 Elections,” Garcia said.

With the subsequent approval of the PET to conduct the stripping activities, Garcia said they still reserve their right to question the propriety and legitimacy of the said undertaking.

With their non-participation in the stripping activities so as not to render their objection moot, Garcia said they do not have copies of the Minutes of the Proceedings and other documents in relation to the activities which would guide them in their next course of action.

“On this score, and in order to guide protestant Marcos on the appropriate course of action to remedy his precarious situation, he would like to request this Honorable Tribunal to direct the COMELEC to furnish him and the other interested parties in this case with copies of the Minutes of the Proceedings and/or Transcript of Stenographic Notes taken during the closure/stripping activities conducted on 26 October 2016 and 02 November 2016,” he said.

STATEMENT OF ATTY. VIC RODRIGUEZ, LEGAL SPOKESPERSON OF FORMER SEN. BONGBONG MARCOS, ON THE VOTE RECOUNT PRONOUNCEMENT OF THE CAMP OF FORMER CAMARINES SUR 3rd DISTRICT REP. LENI ROBREDO

BBM CAMP TO ROBREDO ON VOTE RECOUNT â€" ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE TRUTH?

It is very disappointing and disconcerting that former Rep. Leni Robredo is trying to connect the issue of BBM's Election Protest to the burial of his father at the Libingan ng mga Bayani insinuating that the latter is a way of supposedly “stealing” the vice presidency away from her.

To begin with, we have no plans of stealing something that we obviously won to begin with. It is our position that BBM won the vice presidential race and had it not been for the systematic fraud and unprecedented maneuverings committed on the day of the elections, he should have been the one proclaimed.

The entire Filipino electorate witnessed how â€"  after commanding a 1M+ lead in the votes at 7 pm on May 11, 2016 with 75% of the votes counted â€" the numbers suddenly dwindled in favor of Robredo at a uniform ratio of 40 - 1. This was countenanced by the "thieves in the night".

This is the reason why we have filed the Election Protest, which the Presidential Electoral Tribunal had found sufficient in form and substance. It is our position that the evidence we will be presenting would clearly and convincingly show that BBM won the vice presidential race.

The camp of Robredo apparently wants to undermine the proceedings at the PET by openly accusing us of moving for the recounting of votes without the direction of the PET. Such is a blatant and malicious lie, a figment of one's imagination meant to deceive the public. Robredo, who is a lawyer, should know that there is no way a recount can be done without the approval of the PET or even the Commission on Elections.

May we remind Mrs. Robredo and her lawyers that a recount is still a long way to go in BBM’s Election Protest. A preliminary conference and the order of retrieval have yet to be issued. Clearly, they are getting ahead of themselves.

Also, a recount is not indispensable for BBM to win his case. A recount may or may not be conducted in the course of his Election Protest depending on the weight of the evidence presented. And even granting a recount will be conducted, we would expect Robredo and her lawyers to welcome the same if they are really confident on the results of the election.

Having repeatedly asserted that they won the election fair and square, they should be the first to welcome a recount to prove once and for all the truth to their claims. Discrediting the process this early on, are they afraid of a vote recount? Are they afraid to know the truth?

Yes indeed there was a thief in the night, and it happened on the night of the elections - shortly after the script in the Transparency Server was changed.

More interestingly, with all these unfounded and uncalled for accusations on the Election Protest and trying to connect it to the burial issue and President Rodrigo Duterte, are they gearing up for the so-called Plan B?

Standing with Others

Two are better than one,Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

From the beginning of time, God made it clear that it is not good for His people to be alone (Gen. 2:18). God designed us to cooperate. Throughout the Scriptures He speaks of His people as a community that accomplishes more together than separately. God did not create us as isolated individuals, each seeking to achieve our own goals. Rather, the success of our endeavors depends upon our interdependence. This is why He established the Church and released His Holy Spirit to empower the community of believers to spread the gospel. We are to be a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:9). During difficult times it is critical that we are walking in fellowship with other Christians. When a crisis hits, it is overwhelming to face it alone. But if we have cultivated supportive friendships, we will find strength in the comfort and encouragement of those who care about us. Interdependence is also a safeguard for us when we are lured by temptation. The consistent testimony of those who have fallen to temptation is that they isolated themselves from other believers and were not held accountable by Christian friends. If you are not a part of a caring community of believers, you are missing out on what God designed you for. You are also in danger of falling into sin. You must link your life with others who are seeking God’s will. Seek to be a person who willingly joins others in carrying out God’s assignments. Strive to be the source of support and encouragement that those around you need.   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Crouching at the Door

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. Genesis 4:7

When temptation enters our hearts and minds, we either deal with it and gain mastery over it, or it eventually leads us to sinful actions. The time between the initial temptation and the chosen response is critical. Much hangs in the balance. Cain knew that God was displeased with him but pleased with Abel. Feelings of jealous anger crept into Cain’s heart, and thoughts of murder pervaded his mind. As Cain considered what to do, God’s word came to him. God warned him that sin was waiting at the door of his life, looking for an opportunity to enter. Now was not the time to treat temptation lightly, not the time to assume sin would never cause any harm. Now was the time to master the sin and renounce it before it overcame him. Tragically, Cain did not master his sin; instead, sin overtook him and destroyed his life. Temptations come at unexpected moments. Sinful thoughts may cross your mind. Selfish feelings may begin to invade your heart. The promptings of the Holy Spirit will warn you that God is not pleased with the direction your thoughts and feelings are taking you. At that moment of conviction, you must master the sin that crouches at the door of your life. Sin destroys. Sin brings death. Sin is not something to toy with or take lightly. God’s word to you is the same warning He gave to Cain: Master the sin at the door of your life before it brings its inevitable and disastrous consequences. Heed His caution, and you will avoid unnecessary hardship for yourself and others.  Henry and Richard Blackaby

STATEMENT: Cayetano: Maguindanao massacre victims deserve swift justice

Expresses confidence in govt’s commitment to end culture of impunity

“To delay prosecution is to deny justice for the Filipino people.”

Seven years ago today, the entire country was shaken by the gruesome murder of 58 people, including 32 media workers, in Maguindanao. It saddens me to think that seven years had passed, but justice remains elusive for the victims and their families, and their call for the resolution of the case had not been heard.

Our previous leaders’ failure to resolve this case has perpetuated a culture of acceptance, or at least a misguided tolerance of a criminal justice system that moves at a glacial pace. The wheels of justice were moving, but they have turned slow.

Fortunately, with the dawn of a new leadership, real changes are bound to happen. I trust that while the past administration had failed in bringing justice to the tragic mass killing of journalists in Maguindanao, the Duterte government is set to go after those who violated our people's freedom and continue to evade the law, as well as to end the culture of impunity in the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier signed an Administrative Order (AO) creating the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, commissioned to investigate unsolved cases of media killings in the country. Moreover, to uphold transparency and accountability in government, the President also signed Executive Order (EO) No. 2, implementing the freedom of information (FOI) in the executive branch.

Filipino families deserve this kind of swift action from their government. The administration’s ongoing efforts for the promotion of transparency, coupled with its sincere commitment to protecting the safety of its citizens, give us hope that more genuine reforms are underway. Moreover, they boost our people’s confidence that cases such as the Maguindanao massacre will finally be resolved, and that the victims and their families will no longer be denied the long-deserved justice promised them.

When God Blesses Others

Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:15

Jealousy is a destructive attitude that poisons the way you view life. It is so harmful that God condemned coveting in two of the Ten Commandments. King Saul was a jealous and insecure man. He had been elevated to the highest position in Israel. He had been blessed in numerous ways. But Saul saw that David was gaining the attention and praise of the Israelites. The Israelites recognized Saul’s accomplishments, but they also praised David, whom God was using to accomplish even more (1 Sam. 18:7). Rather than rejoicing that God had empowered another to defeat their enemies, Saul became murderously jealous and sought to destroy David. Jealousy is an abomination in the life of a Christian. God has made us His children. None of us deserves to be God’s child, so there is no need to compare our blessings with those of other children of God. Jealousy is self-centeredness at its worst. Jealousy robs us of joy and chokes out contentment. Jealousy hardens the heart and stifles gratitude. Jealousy assumes that God’s resources are too limited for Him to bless another and still bless us. Saul grew so preoccupied with his jealousy toward David that he neglected important things, bringing suffering and pain upon his people. Because of his jealousy, Saul’s family was destroyed. Watch over your heart! If you find yourself unable to rejoice in the success of others, beware! Do not let jealousy taint your heart. Repent before it robs you of any more of the joy and contentment God desires for you. When you are tempted to compare your success in life to that of another, ask God to remind you of all the ways He has blessed you undeservedly.   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Overtaken by Blessings

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2

When you walk in fellowship with God, you do not have to ask Him to bless you. He wants to bless you! Just as you enjoy surprising someone you love with unexpected gifts, God delights in giving you His gifts in times and ways that you might never expect. God’s blessings often come in the midst of your everyday lifeâ€"an encouraging telephone call in the middle of a busy morning or a letter you receive at the end of a hard day. A friend may drop by to help when you are overwhelmed, or you may receive unexpected financial help at a time of need. Often, God’s blessings do not come in spectacular ways but in the ordinary busyness of your life. They come just when you most need an expression of God’s love.

Blessings come as a result of obedience. When you walk closely with the Lord, blessings will come, regardless of whether you seek them. Blessings from your obedience will also come to those around youâ€"to your children and to your grandchildren. Solomon enjoyed vast wealth during his reign, but God’s blessing upon him came largely as a result of his father David’s obedience in the previous generation. God promised Abraham that his obedience would bring blessing to all the families of the earth (Gen. 12:2-3).

Do not take God’s gifts for granted. When you receive an unexpected blessing, thank God for His continuing love and be alert to recognize the next time His blessing overtakes you      Henry  and Richard Blackaby