MikeLigalig.com

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here has snubbed anew the request of the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT) for an endorsement from the provincial lawmakers in support of its application for a state university.

This came following a Resolution was proposed during the others matters of the SP's regular session yesterday by neophyte lawmaker board member Alfonso Damalerio II, which expresses support for CVSCAFT bid.

But the tug-of-war between the provincial government and the CVSCAFT over just compensation of the provincial-owned lot now being occupied by the latter, including those (lots) in Bilar town, refused to die down.

Damalerio's attempt to resurrect SP's needed support prior to CVSCAFT approval as state universities may be considered, however, by the lawmakers.

The proposed Resolution was referred back to the joint committees on government properties and tourism and education chaired by BM Amalia Tirol and BM Ester Corazon Galbreath, respectively.

Tirol said that the matter was already thrown out by her committee because of lack of assurance that the provincial government be paid for its properties in this city particularly.

It was learned that even the transfer of the title of the property to CVSCAFT from the province allegedly has not been completed yet as mandated by the law creating the CVSCAFT because of the claims of the province for compensation.

If prevailing fair market value of lot along CGP avenue in this city in the amount of P25,000/sq.m. would be the basis, the price of the said lot where CVSCAFT now stands would probably fetch between P300 million to half a billion pesos.

"CVSCAFT has been providing quality college education reaching out to the masses by establishing extension campuses all over the province," said Damalerio in his Resolution.

If approved, Damalerio's Resolution said that the approval of its application for a state university "would open up doors to funding agencies that could provide research grants in relevant fields of study which would eventually redound to the benefit of the province."

--The Bohol Chronicle--

Written By KIT BAGAIPO
The Bohol Chronicle

Deputy Mayor Mario Uy has revealed that his dream to serve the people of Tagbilaran City through the distribution of free medicines through the Botika sa Katawhan has three stages.

Uy made the revelation when he pinched hit for Mayor Dan Lim yesterday at the latter's weekly radio program over Station DyRD.

"The first stage has been realized. The second is in the process of being realized while the third is on the drawing board," Uy explained.

He said that the first stage involved his dream to distribute free medicines to 2,500 beneficiaries in the city.

"We were able to realize that dream within nine months," he beamed.

Uy said that after reaching this goal, the next dream he set for the Botika was to serve as much as 13,000 to 14,000 beneficiaries.

He explained that this goal became realistic in just a year of the operation of the people's pharmacy considering that it is now serving approximately 6,500 beneficiaries.

This gave rise to the third stage of Uy's dream which is to expand the program coverage to include the entire city.

"At the rate that generous donors are responding to the program, that dream is no longer impossible to achieve," Uy said.

The philantrophist admitted that at the start, he merely intended to support Lim through the free clinics initiated by Dr. Sharleen Lim, the mayor's wife.

In the course of the holding of those free clinics, Uy realized that there were three factors that got in the way.

First, he said that the free clinics were held on scheduled dates while sickness struck victims "without schedule".

Secondly, he said the medicines distributed during the free clinics were not sufficient to sustain the medical requirements of the patients to guarantee their full recovery.

Thirdly, Uy noted that there was no means to differentiate the indigents from those who could afford to buy their medicines in the free clinics.

Uy, who is known for his active involvements in civic organizations and social institutions, is also a veteran of numerous highly successful philantrophic activities.

Drawing on the support of people whom he befriended during his lengthy stay in the United States, Uy felt it was time to initiate the Botika to meet this need.

"It was the right time to do that since Mayor Lim gave his full support to the program," he added.

'BOTIKA' DONORS CITED

For the first time since it was established, Uy named the main benefactors of the highly successful Botika sa Katawhan yesterday, aside for his initiative and the mayor's full support.

According to Uy, the biggest and first contributor of the Botika was in fact not a Boholano. He is Dr. Eduardo Osea, a native of Masbate and owner of Holy Trinity Clinic in New Harbor City, California.

All sample medicines Osea gets from fellow doctors and pharmaceutical firms in the US are donated to the Botika, Uy bared.

Osea is able to get medicines from physicians and specialists due to his referrals of patients to them.

Since most of Americans have health insurance and could afford medicines, Uy was able to convince Osea to donate the medicines here.

Another big donor named by Uy is Dr. Anita Cal Jackson. Now based in the US, the Boholana physician also sends samples and extra medicines from the hospitals she is connected with in the US.

The donations of Osea and Jackson are worth millions, said Uy.

German philanthropist Hans Schoof also helped raise funds for the Botika during his 60 birthday, according to Uy. Instead of accepting gifts from friends and guests, Schoof requested for donations to be given to the Botika sa Katawhan.

Another sustaining donor named by Uy is Dr. Abraham Lim, brother of the city mayor, who gives funds for the purchase of Botika medicines every year.

Recently Unitop Department Store and Aldea Photo also donated for the people's pharmacy.

Other benefactors cited by Uy are Jaime and Yen Morris, Junior and Nelly Torralba, Junior Yap, and the Boholano Cultural Association based in Edmonton, Canada, also donated cash from their association.

There are several other Boholanos now based in the United States who are donating for the Botika sa Katawhan, according to Uy.

Aside from the benefactors, Uy likewise thanked the doctors who rendered their services for the Botika.

Although the city government donated a counterpart fund of P100,000 during its inception, the Botika could now stand on its own due to its many benefactors, Uy concluded.

By KIT BAGAIPO
The Bohol Chronicle

Two department heads of the city government snubbed a committee hearing called by a city councilor to shed light on the implementation of the Blue Card hospitalization program.

Kag. Anne Mariquit Derikito-Oppus, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on social welfare, called the committee hearing Thursday to conduct a query into the Blue Card program.

City Health Officer Dr. Antonio Porticos and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Teresita Villafuerte were both invited to the hearing as the key officials involved in the implementation of the program.

However, it was known that City Mayor Dan Lim disallowed the two department heads from attending the hearing.

In a letter to Kag. Oppus, the mayor said he does "not see the necessity for [the] personal appearance and to be away from their (Porticos and Villafuerte) posts" to attend the committee hearing.

"If the intention is only to solicit our opinions and views on the matter, that can be accomplished in writing," Mayor Lim said.

The mayor called the committee hearing as a "fishing expedition" on the part of Oppus which would only take away time from "doctors and social workers [who] have a lot of concerns to attend to…"

Lim told Oppus that the Blue Card program is "being implemented efficiently."

"Although there is always room for improvement, there have been no formal complaints against the implementation of the project neither has been any serious problem that needed immediate action," Lim added.

For her part, in a separate interview over dyRD, Oppus as social welfare committee chair, pointed out that her intention in calling for the hearing was to determine the extent of the coverage of beneficiaries of the Blue Card, the use and the availability of its funds.

Opus likewise cited the need for a regular reporting of its operations to monitor the project.

The lady-lawmaker said the city ordinance creating the Blue Card is self-limiting as to the illnesses being covered. She intends to recommend for an expanded coverage of the program.

According to Lim, the proposal for a regular quarterly reporting of the program to the SP is "inappropriate" seeing "no urgency to do so."

"The SP is not an internal audit department," the mayor stated in his letter, "The SP is a general overseer of the city government. The annual report therefore should be one that will be applicable to the requirements of the SP as a general overseer."

According to the mayor, "for a long time, nobody was concerned for the poor who were being refused admission to the hospitals."

"Just two years after I implemented the Blue Card program, suddenly many people know more about how to solve the problem," he said.

Lim told Oppus that he finds it "very suspicious that just a few months after the program was called a fake during the election campaign, your committee starts evaluating the program even though the complaints against it are mostly unverified and obviously politically motivated."

I feel sorry for Bohol: we have a shallow-minded governor.

For the earth's sake, why would a boxer's loss be made an excuse for canceling a road project? This is outrageous.

Let the governor return to the people the millions of pesos from Talibon Dam and let this money be used for road projects.

This news only shows the true color of Aumentado.

Written By MAURICIO ESTILLORE

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - The recently concluded 2007 Biennial Convention of the Confederation of Boholanos in USA and Canada (CONBUSAC) held at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, San Francisco, California last July 26 to 29 proved once again that Boholanos, wherever they are, can stand as one to achieve their common goal. With Ted Apalisok, CONBUSAC president at the helm, the convention proceeded to its successful conclusion as scripted.

The turnout was impressive. It brought together the confederation top honchos and leaders from the different Boholano organizations nationwide and Canada, raring to contribute to the common cause. The presence of Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran who came all the way from Bohol along with Rev. Ronaldo Amora, his Personal Assistant, as the Guest Speaker, gave added prestige and honor to the event.

Highlighting the assembly were the already established convention activities that give identity to CONBUSAC. Social and special events between meetings and tours provided color, life, and drama of the gathering.

The Lunch Meeting of the Council of Leaders hosted by the BCI officers and members at the Bohol Circle, Inc. Center, Alameda County, CA on Friday, July 27, officially opened the convention. It gave a historic symbolism to the event for, to recall, it was in Bohol Circle that the idea of having a unified organizational convention was conceived.

A sensational moment of the convention was the election of Carlos Caga-anan of the Bohol Association of Washington State as the new CONBUSAC president for 2007-2009. Caga-anan bested Dr. Anita Cal Jackson of Tagbilaran Association of California in a one-in-one electoral contest conducted in the afternoon of July 28. Caga-anan will succeed Ted Apalisok who served for two years.

Social event of note were the Talent Competition for Miss CONBUSAC 2007, Family Night, Gala Night, Induction of New Officers and Coronation of the new 2007 Miss CONBUSAC.

The Talent Competition for Miss CONBUSAC 2007 staged on July 27 PM gave the audience an early glimpse of the five contending beauties as they posed and strolled vivaciously before the judges. The production number was choreographed by Jordan Sumodobila with herself and Albert Balbutin as the Emcees.

Welcome-Family Night on Friday, July 27 was a time for socialization and family showtime as delegates and their families in International Costumes came together to share fond memories and fun during dinner and dance. It opened with the Invocation by Fr. Fernando Po. Eve Calceta, overall chair of the Convention Committees gave the Welcome Address. The FilAm Voices sang the Anthems. Ted Apalisok, CONBUSAC president, gave the Opening Remarks. Presentations by organization with performers in costumes dazzled the crowd with their sprightly numbers. Representing TANOCAL as the host were the dancing pair of Ricky Inting and Nimfa Estillore Tintiangco in their Modern Kuracha.

Miss CONBUSAC Beauty Pageant Part 1 was the special menu of the Night. It featured dances from the Barangay Dance Troupe, introduction of Miss CONBUSAC candidates, Cocktail Dress and Swimsuit Competitions, and presentation of Awards for Community Outreach. Message from Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and Sponsors' Slideshows were beamed and shown during dinner. The talented couple, Lynnette and Julius Sumodobila, were the Night's Emcees. Dancing up to 1:00 AM ended the Night's revelry.

The worldwide broadcast of dyRD-AM, www.dyrdam-com was likewise officially launched during the Family Night where Gov. Erico Aumentado beamed his message to the CONBUSAC convention attendees.  Deane Jeffrey Dejaresco did the honors to launch the radio website.

Spirit was at its highest during the Gala Night on Saturday, July 28 when the conventioneers, their families and guests in formal attire got together again to be a part of and witness to a wondrous show of the event. It was a night of elegance, glitz and glamour. It began with the Greetings from Sulpicio (Jun) Silva, Regional Vice President of Northern California, followed with the Roll Call of outgoing CONBUSAC officers. Ted Apalisok, outgoing CONBUSAC president, delivered his Valedictory Speech.

The Induction Ceremony followed Prayer and Dinner. Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Guest Speaker, installed into office Carlos Caga-anan as the new CONBUSAC president for 2007-2009. Other officers inducted were: Phil Gucor, Jr., Sr. Vice President; Elpidio Baluca, auditor; and nine Regional Vice Presidents, namely: Remegio Inting for Northern California; Lino Chatto, Jr., Southern California; Fr. Fernando Po, Eastern USA; Easter Gianan, Southern USA; Nemie Udtohan, Midwest USA; Marino Aguhar, Southwest USA; Alan Garcia, Northwest USA; Socorro Doverte, Greater Washington, D.C.; and Arnold Maceren, Eastern Canada. To be appointed later is the VP for Western Canada.

In his Keynote Address, Bishop Medroso dwelt on lengthily on the environmental issues confronting Bohol. In his Pastoral Letter read before the body, he raised the environmental concerns regarding the oil seismic exploration at the Bohol Strait and the negative impact on the environment and lives of the poor and marginalized fisherfolks of the area. The good Bishop effectively brought to the Boholano gathering a very timely issue of general concern.

Another very special highlight of the Night was the final judging, proclamation and coronation of the new 2007 Miss CONBUSAC. After a series of tough and rigid competitions in beauty and brain, the panel of judges adjudged Miss TANOCAL Miyoshi Nanca, an 18 year old daughter of Eduardo and Mercedes Nanca as the winner, and new 2007 Miss CONBUSAC. Miyoshi won also the title as "Best in Interview" and "Photogenic Award." The new queen was crowned by Miss Jordan Sumodobila, the reigning 2005 Miss CONBUSAC also a former Miss TANOCAL herself.

Other Pageant winners were; Josi Salinas of the Boholanos of Canada as First Princess and Best in Evening Gown; Jade Gutierrez, Tagbilaran Association of California, Best in Talent; Judith Chatto, Curculo Boholanos of Illinois, Best in Cocktail Dress, Congeniality Award and Community Outreach Award; and Marissa Gallardo, Boholanos of Southern California, Best in Swimsuit.

A Farewell Walk by the 2005 Miss CONBUSAC and presentation of Special Awards closed the Pageant. Public dancing that immediately followed to the tune of a live band held together the crowd until midnight. The eloquent husband and wife team of Julius and Lynnette Sumodobila was again the Night's MC.

The Concelebrated Mass in the morning of Sunday, July 29 at the Convention Hall put to a fitting close the joyful and memorable the 4-day Confederation assembly. Msgr. Medroso was the main celebrant. Co-celebrants were: Msgr. Margarito Gonzaga of San Isidro Church, Tagbilaran, City; Rev. Domingo Orimaco, Pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar Church, Half-Moon Bay, CA; Rev. Fernando Po, Pastor, St. Elizabeth Church, Wycoff, New Jersey; and Rev. Ronaldo Amora, Personal Assistant of Bishop Medroso. Religious songs were provided by the TANOCAL Choir with Betty Balatero on the keyboard. More than one hundred Boholanos attended the Mass.

All's well that ends well. The success of the Convention can be attributed to the long preparation and meticulous planning by the host organization, the Tagbilaran Association of Northern CA (TANOCAL) spearheaded by Eve Calceta, the spark plug and Chair of the Steering Committee and orchestrated by Ted Apalisok, TANOCAL and CONBUSAC president, with the full support of the officers and members of the group.

To be specially cited and recognized too are the chairs and members of the different working committees who worked hard behind the scenes long and even after the convention. Through the chairs, grateful acknowledgment are extended to: Lynnette Sumodobila and Carl Vengco, chair and co-chair of Beauty Pageant; Remegio Inting, chair, Souvenir Program, Ricky Inting, chair, Facilities, Décor & Arrangement; Jun Silva, chair, Transportation/Tour; Justin Gonzaga, chair, Finance; Jess Go, chair, Print & Media Coverage; Sarah Gucor, Programs; Necita Nitollama, chair, Invitation, Reception & Registration; Julius Sumodobila, chair, Security & First Aid; and Romy Sarmiento, chair, Youth & Sports. Mauricio Estillore should also be recognized for his role in publicity and media coverage.

To be recognized too are the volunteers of the TANOCAL Youth Sector who gave their time and effort to make the event successful.

Meanwhile, a Victory Dinner was tendered by Mr.& Mrs. Tex & Tining Caga-anan at their Union City residence on Sunday, July 29 in honor of Carlos Caga-anan, the newly elected CONBUSAC president. On hand to greet the honoree were the delegates from Seattle & Washington State and some Lilanhons.

--The Bohol Chronicle--

By Atoy Cosap

The new officers of the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC), aimed at developing the Abatan River, were inducted into office before Congressman Edgar Chatto, chairman of the House committee on tourism, in a ceremony held at Catigbian Conference Hall, Catigbian town last Friday afternoon.

ARDMC is now headed by its president, Catigbian Mayor Roberto "Bert" Salinas, who is also the vice-president of LMP Bohol Chapter.

Other officers inducted into office were Maribojoc Vice Mayor Ben Redulla, vice president; Balilihan Mayor Victoria Chatto, chairperson, tourism destination and attraction; Cortes Mayor Jasmin Balistoy, tourism promotion program; Antequera Mayor Cecilia Rebosura, tourism-related enterprise; Maribojoc Mayor Boy Evasco, enforcement of laws; Cortes Vice Mayor Rudy Uy, wildlife protection; Antequera Vice Mayor Jose Mario Pahang, formulation of policies; and Balilihan Vice Mayor Dominisio Chatto, treasurer.

The inaugural program was attended by Dir. Allan Cañizar, chief, Bureau of Planning of the DOT; Archt. Renato Bacungan, Engr. Arthur Cruz and Chit Lacson of the Philippine Tourism Authority; PENRO Eduardo Inting, DTI Provincial Dir. Nanette Arbon, Prov'l. Tourism Officer Oroncia Balio and the local officials of Catigbian.

Activities started at 9 a.m. through a conference-briefing with Cong. Chatto and Prov'l. Tourism Council chair Peter Dejaresco on board on a floating restaurant at the Abatan River in Maribojoc town. After a short conference, Vice Mayor Redulla and Maribojoc Kagawad Liling Villas guided the visitors from Manila for a tour traversing the river from Abatan to barangay Cabad, Balilihan town.

Mayor Salinas and other local officials of Catigbian welcomed the visitors for a sumptuous lunch.

Cong. Chatto and provincial officials are optimistic that Abatan River will be fully developed and become one of the best tourist attractions in the province. (with reports from Fred Fuertes)

Kung mopalit lang ta ug IT equipment apan walay mo-maintain ug walay motudlo kon unsaon kini paggamit, then useless ang tanan.

I remember the earlier philanthropic efforts of Bill Gates. He donated many computers to Africa. But he personally visited the villages he found out that these villages don't have electricity.

press release

The Provincial Capitol Complex will soon have its own medical clinic if the request for the establishment of the facility will be given due consideration by the provincial chief executive.

This development came after the 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved Resolution Number 2007-380, a Resolution Requesting the Governor of the Province of Bohol, Hon. Erico B. Aumentado, to establish a Medical Clinic within the Provincial Capitol Complex.

Third District Board Member Aster Apalisok-Piollo, author of said measure, articulated in her resolution that the provincial capitol complex, being the center of the provincial government, badly needs a medical clinic for emergency and regular check-up purposes that the officials and employees can easily avail of.  She said that the inhabitants in the capitol complex has reached to more than five hundred fifty workers not counting the visiting employees from other departments and agencies.  She further articulated that a medical clinic in capitol complex will drive the officials and employees to become more aware of their health and lifestyle.

The said resolution which was strongly endorsed by the Committee on Health was reported to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan by Board Member Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos in behalf of the Committee Chairman, Board Member Yul Lopez who presided over the session.

The resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan came at a time when there were already two board members who died successively.  Board Member Renato Lim of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) went ahead of others in November 4, 2000.  ABC Vice President Cariso Camacho who succeeded Lim as Board Member, died of cardiac arrest fourteen months after the death of his president.

Some survey say that deaths of government officials and employees maybe caused by their lifestyle and the nature of their work.  This scenario demands a regular check-up in order to monitor the health condition of the affected sector of our society.

Maybe due to the successive deaths of ABC presidents in the province of Bohol, the sitting president of the said association, Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, opted to use other room in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.  Presently, the ABC occupies the office of former Governor Rene Relampagos while first district Board Member Lopez occupies the vacated ABC office.

The envisioned medical clinic in the capitol complex is highly welcomed by the capitol occupants.  However, its realization depends on the approval of the governor.

press release

The First Consolidated Bank donated this week 10 IBM personal computers to Tagbilaran City Science High School (TCSHS) to boost the school's computer facilities for instructional purposes.

The formal turnover of the donation was made on Tuesday by FCB Vice President N. Tolentino Gallares in a simple turnover ceremony held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Tagbilaran City Science High School.

John Ariel Lagura, head teacher of the Tagbilaran City Science High School, accepted the donation in behalf of the school.

Speaking in behalf of Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim and the City of Tagbilaran, Dr. Nuevas T. Montes, senior adviser on strategic planning of the City of Tagbilaran, commended FCB for its generous donation.

So far, FCB has donated 62 IBM personal computers to 21 public elementary and high schools in Tagbilaran City.

Since the program started in school year 2006-2007, FCB has already donated 367 IBM personal computers to 170 public schools in the Province of Bohol.

FCB has set aside 600 units of personal computers for donation to public schools under the program.

Gallares said the donation is part of the computer Capability Program of the bank for public elementary and high schools in the Province of Bohol.

"The bank wants to contribute to the education of the students in Bohol through its computer capability program and its college scholarship program," Gallares said.

The FCB Computer Capability Program for Public Schools is part of the corporate social responsibility of the bank, which is focused on the field of education, health, and livelihood.

FCB also grants college scholarship through the Alfonso Uy Scholarship Program to students in Bohol since 1989.  In June this year, the FCB extended college scholarship to 10 students of the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT), in addition to its recipients who are studying in various colleges and universities in the country.

The FCB CVSCAFT scholarship provide full tuition and school fees and allowance for books and uniforms, and are good for four and five school years, as long as the recipients can meet the grade and other requirements for continuing their scholarship.

TEACHING THE TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH SUGBOANON BISAYA

Written By Jes Tirol

Proem

The present Constitution in Article XIV, Section 7 says, "The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein."

In Region 7 where we belong, the regional language is the Sugboanon Bisayan. It ought to be an auxiliary medium of instruction in our schools. We ought to study our first language, which is Sugboanon Bisayan.

The paradox of the situation is, we study English as a second language in school and Filipino as a third language but we do not study our first language, which is Sugboanon Bisayan.
Correcting the Anomaly

As an educator and an advocate of Sugboanon Bisayan, I have tried to correct this anomalous situation. After searching for a solution, I was able to salvage one subject in college that could be taught using the Sugboanon Bisayan language. A CHED Memorandum allowed the teaching of the subject in local literature using the local language. So, since the year 1998 I have been teaching this subject in the Department of Engineering in the University of Bohol using the standardized Sugboanon Bisayan.

In our desire to increase the capability of teaching the Sugboanon Bisayan, the CHED Region 7 allowed the offering of one subject in the Graduate School devoted to the study of the Sugboanon Bisayan language. However, it is sad to note that nobody would enroll in the subject.
Cordova, Cebu

Last May 8, 2007 local election, Atty. Adelino Sitoy was elected Mayor of the town of Cordova, Cebu. He is the same Adelino Sitoy who is the prime mover of Lubas Sa Dagang Bisaya (LUDABI). His first project as a Mayor was to ask permission from the Department of Education to allow the teaching of Sugboanon Bisayan in the Elementary Grades. The permission was granted.

The Teachers

The basic principle is â€" you could not teach what you do not know. In order to properly teach the Sugboanon Bisayan language, the teachers must be taught the correct grammatical use of the language.

The University of Bohol Graduate School has already the subject in its Master in Education program. So what we are doing now is that the teachers in Cordova, Cebu are enrolled at the University of Bohol and I, as the teacher will be the one to go to Cordova, Cebu every Sunday in order to teach the subject in Sugboanon Bisayan. In this manner, the teachers in Cordova have the incentive to study because they earn units in the Master's degree. As a further incentive, Mayor Sitoy agreed to subsidize the tuition fees of the teachers.

Teacher's Reaction

I have already tried to gather some teachers in the University of Bohol to teach them the grammatical Sugboanon Bisayan. I started from the easy topics going to the difficult. However, the teaching strategy failed. Along the way the teachers would always compare the Sugboanon Bisayan to the English language. No amount of information that Sugboanon Bisayan is a different language with a different grammar can make the teachers let go of their mind set in the English grammar.

In Cordova, Cebu, I tried a different strategy. I started from the higher intricacies of the Sugboanon language. I discussed the philosophy, psychology, paradigm, syntax, etc. of the Sugboanon language. I started from a level not usually encountered by Elementary School teachers in their study of the English language, and tend to go down to the easier level.

The strategy was successful. The school teachers of Cordova, Cebu are convinced that Sugboanon is a language worth studying because its complexities, even though different from English, is comparable to the English language.

The Request

The teachers in Cordova, Cebu are now convinced that there are many aspects of Sugboanon that they must learn. They now request that a regular Master's Degree program be offered so that they can have a Master's Degreein Sugboanon Bisayan. I am now trying to develop that program, which I temporarily call Master of Arts in Teaching Sugboanon Bisayan.

In the province of Cebu, this project of Mayor Sitoy has caught the attention of almost anybody of consequence in the province including the Provincial Governor. It is envisioned that this project would cause the revival of the Sugboanon language.

Tulukibon nga balak.

source: news.bbc.co.uk

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced what he called a vast programme to upgrade the country's missile defence system.

Visiting a new radar early-warning station near St Petersburg, Mr Putin said it was the first step in a major construction project lasting till 2015.

Russia has grave concerns about plans to deploy parts of a new US missile defence system in Eastern Europe.

Mr Putin has warned that Russia will take measures to counter the plan.

The US insists its programme is aimed to deal with threats from countries such as Iran and North Korea, and says Russia should have nothing to fear.

Russia has offered a compromise solution, which would allow the US to share use of a radar installation in Azerbaijan.

Mr Putin described the new early-warning station - at Lekhtusi, 50km north of St Petersburg - as "the first step in the implementation of a major early-warning programme up to the year 2015".

The station was built in just 18 months and opened in December last year.

It replaces the Soviet Union's Skrunda radar station in Latvia, which was dismantled in 1998.

A similar installation is under construction at Armavir in southern Russia.

Prostitution is as old as history.

By Salven Lagumbay
philboxing.com

Philippine, Mexican and US national anthems are done with. Mexican promoter Jaime Quintana and legendary trainer Ignacio Beristain have this very worried look on their faces after the 4-0 win so far by the Filipinos. Ringside mediamen also say the Philippines has won the battle of national anthems. The Banares brothers sang their rendition of the 'Lupang Hinirang.'

PRESS RELEASE
Provincial Government Media Affairs Office

The number of people living in a particular area, where they live and how they live all affect the condition of its environment. People can alter the environment through their use, or misuse of natural resources and the production of wastes. Changes in environmental conditions, in turn, affects human health and well being. Human demographic dynamics such as the size, growth, distribution, age composition, and migration of populations, are among the many factors that can lead to environmental change.

The province of Bohol boasts of its eco-tourism and yet are manifestations of a healthy imbalance of this relationship between population, health and environment like for example the loss of life of some residents due to dengue fever an effect consequently effected by the depletion of mosquito predators brought about by the loss or diminishing of their habitats to give way for construction of additional shelter for the increasing human population.

Thus the City government of Tagbilaran thru its City Health Office organized a “Workshop on Communicating Population-Health-Environment Messages on August 9-10, 2007 at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center here in the city to more than 75 participants composed mainly of barangay officials, health workers and even doctors of the City Health Office to capacitate them in creation of IECs (Information, Education, Communication) materials of their preference to be able to effectively advocate, educate and urge the general populace, in this case, the Tagbilaranons in realizing the relevance and the significance of making efforts whether big or small in maintaining and promoting the balance of the relationship of the Population-Health-Environment linkage.

The activity was accomplished through the partnership/collaboration of the Tagbilaran City government thru the City Health Office, the Provincial Health Office, the Social Development arm of the FCB Foundation, PopCom regional and local office, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the local media thru the Provincial Government Media Affairs (Bruce Zabala - PGMA).

press release
By Bruze Zabala

Bohol has become one of the prime tourist destinations of not foreigners but also among local tourists and as Gov. Aumentado has mentioned in his many speeches both here and in other special functions in other regions, this industry has also become one of the province’s economic drivers. But with the rise in the tourism industry it cannot be denied that another type of “industry” also goes with it. The other kind of entertainment industry. The other kind entertainment which is discretely practiced and definitely disdained by society due to its moral implications. To put it bluntly, the sex industry.

Poverty brought about by an unchecked population explosion has driven especially young girls and other women to venture into the sex industry. And a large number of them are exposed to great risks. Risks of having unwanted pregnancies and the most dreadful risk, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) particularly the incurable HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus).

The government is doing all it can to address these issues despite the resistance in some sectors in society particularly the religious groups specifically on the artificial methods. Fortunately, the government is not alone in its efforts. The Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. or PAFPI an organization founded in 1998 by committed and concerned Filipinos, most of whom are HIV positive which provides education, care, support and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers.

PAFPI is focusing their efforts mainly in the prevention and control of STI/HIV/AIDS and as part of their contribution to the province’s advocacy initiatives and in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and contraceptive commodity producer, DKT in dealing with the problem, PAFPI distributed to the City Health Office and to some “entertainment industry” establishments and organizations dealing in this sector not only IEC (Information, Education, Communication) materials on STI/HIV/AIDS but more importantly seed capitalization in the form of a contraceptive commodity investment franchise or a “PopShop” initially composed of prophylactics (condoms) during a simple launching program at the New Tagbilaran City Health Office (TCHO) in the morning of August 7, 2007. These PopShop will not only add additional profit to adaptors, but is so far the suitable outlets for low-priced quality prophylactics to prevent STI/HIV/AIDS infestation and spreading. It is up to the beneficiary establishments/organizations to develop their system to roll sales and further expand the Popshops. The donated PopShop packages investments were valued at P2,193 each and have been distribute to Berama, Solid Gold, ULEA (Ubay Lady Entertainers Association), CYC (Calituban Youngsters Club of Talibon) and the TCHO. Further replenishments of contraceptive commodities by these establishments/associations will then be coursed through the TCHO.

The PopShops comprise mainly of condoms, pills, injectibles and other contraceptive commodities. These PopShops can be placed just about anywhere, even alongside OTC (over the counter) products or as part on the regular product displays in department stores. In fact there are LGUs particularly among the 3 UNFPA program areas (Carmen, Talibon and Ubay) that have adopted to the scheme. These Popshops are normally placed inside the RHUs (Rural Health Units).

As of this year contraceptive commodity donations coming from the USAID have already stopped and all recipient countries are expected to procure these thru their own initiatives.

By John B. Lupot
Jacky Chan’s “Rush Hour 3” at SCREENVILLE

      Martial arts superstar Jacky Chan and Chris Tucker return to the big screen as the unlikely cop duo with unique brand of crime-fighting and high-kicking comedy in “Rush Hour 3,” now showing on Dolby Digital Surround EX at Screenville Cinema 4 of the Island City Mall.

      Hong Kong Police Chief Inspector Lee (Jacky Chan) is assigned to escort and protect Chinese Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma) as he delivers a major address before the World Criminal Court Summit in LA. The Ambassador has discovered the identity of shy shen, the very core of the most powerful and notorious crime syndicate in the world, the Chinese Triads, who will go to any lengths to make sure their closely guarded secret stay buried. When the ambassador is about to reveal it to the World Criminal Court, he is shot by an asaassin during his speech.

      Meanwhile, former LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker), who has recently been demoted as a traffic cop, just happens to be listening in on the radio when the tragedy occurs. He rushes to the scene of the crime to help, but instead interferes with Lee’s pursuit of the culprits. Determined to reclaim his Detective status, he teams up with Lee once again to help track down the assassins.

      With the trail leading the duo on a chase to Paris, both will find themselves in unfamiliar territory. From dazzling Parisian nightclubs to the city’s high-fashion runways and the breathtaking heights of the Eiffel Tower, the two will be forced to battle the French police, the Triads, and the foreign culture if they are going to solve the mystery of shy shen in time.

SCREENVILLE Cinema 1 â€" “White Noise: The Light”

      In lieu of continuing the events of Geoffrey Sax's 2005 thriller “White Noise,” the supernatural thriller, “White Noise: The Light,” explores a thematically similar set of events. Abe Dale (Nathan Fillion-TV’s “Firefly”) is a contented husband and father whose wife, Rebecca (Kendall Cross) and young son, Danny (Josh Ballard) are butchered by a seemingly crazed gunman. Henry Caine (Craig Fairbrass) bursts into a diner and shoots both of them, then turns the gun on himself. Devastated, Abe makes an unsuccessful suicide bid, then awakens in a hospital, where he finds himself in a near death experience, pulled inexorably toward a bright light. Regaining consciousness, Abe discovers his sudden, newfound ability to spot "auras" around the living that signal death in advance. He uses the precognition to save several lives from potential disaster, as a kind of 'avenging angel,' but soon discovers that these interventions against death wreak exceedingly dire and ugly consequences on Earth.

SCREENVILLE Cinema 2 â€" “In the Land of Women”

      Carter Webb (Adam Brody-“Mr. & Mrs. Smith”) is devastated after a break-up with his true love, Sophia (Elena Anaya-“Van Helsing”). Heartbroken and depressed, Carter escapes Los Angeles, heading across the country to suburban Michigan to visit and care for his ailing grandmother (Olympia Dukakis-“Moonstruck”), who offers him a uniquely different perspective on life and especially death.

      Soon after his arrival, Carter stumbles into the lives of the family living directly across the street. Sarah Hardwicke (Meg Ryan-“Against the Topes”) is the mother of two daughters -- Paige (Makenzie Vega), a precocious, effervescent eleven-year-old and her older sister Lucy (Kristen Stewart-“The Messengers”), an angst-ridden teenager. Through his relationships with these women, as well as his grandmother, Carter begins to discover that what felt like the end was really only just the beginning of his adventure.

SCREENVILLE Cinema 3 â€" “Ratatouille”

      A lovable rat named Remy (voice of Patton Oswalt â€" “Failure to Launch”) dreams of becoming a great chef despite his family's wishes and the apparent dangers of being an unlikely - and certainly unwanted - visitor in the kitchen. But when fate takes Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau (voice of Brad Garret â€" “Music & Lyrics”). Remy's passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.

      Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in life or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. He learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is, a rat who wants to be a chef.

Star Cinema’s “A love Story” premiere showing this Wednesday at Screenville

By Ariel E. Fullido

      The big sale at Alturas Supermarket, Plaza Marcela, and Alturas-Talibon is still going on today where discounts of up to 50% will be given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Departments.

      Meanwhile, at the Home & Fashion Department of the Island City Mall, thousands worth of instant fabulous prizes are given away in the on-going “Press & Win” Computer Game promo. A customer is entitled to play the computer game for every P500 purchase, single receipt; however, when the purchase is above P5,000 there is one game only for every P1,000. The customer must present proof of purchase to the computer game incharge to determine how many games the customer can play. Receipts are valid only on the date of purchase.

      The customer enters three digit-number combinations to determine the prize, which can be claimed at the computer booth located at the upper ground level of the mall near the National Bookstore, after the game is played. Receipts already presented shall be marked “redeemed” by the computer game incharge.

      Alturas Group of Companies Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Loy M. Palapos, said all players in the “Press & Win” Computer Game promo at the Home & Fashion Department of the Island City Mall are winners. No one loses in the computer game.

      The “Press & Win” Computer Game promo at the Home & Fashion Department of Island City Mall will go on until August 15, this year.

By Salven Lagumbay
philboxing.com

A multitude of fans were waiting for Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao to show up at yesterday's World Cup official weigh-in here, but were disappointed when the Filipino icon did not show up with not even a hint of his whereabouts.

However, sources have revealed that the Filipino boxing hero had returned to the Philippines last night.

Yesterday, Pacquiao joined Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera at a Beverly Hills press conference to formally announce their Oct. 6 rematch at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Also present were promoters Oscar De la Hoya and Bob Arum.

Pacquiao was slated to fly to Sacramento yesterday immediately after the press conference in his capacity as team captain to the Filipino boxers seeing action against Mexican warriors today at the Arco Arena. Pacman, however, did not show up at the weigh-in, while the ever professional De la Hoya flew from LA to Sacramento just to grace the event.

Mexican team captain Juan Manuel Marquez showed up to cheer for his fighters, giving his boys the much-needed boost for today's fight.

Meanwhile, reliable sources from Los Angeles informed yesterday that Pacquiao decided to fly back to the Philippines for unknown reasons, thereby prompting organizers to ask if indeed he was interested in fighting Barrera.

An executive of one of the co-promoters informed yesterday that Pacquiao had indeed left Los Angeles to fly to Manila, and wondered if he was serious in his next fight. This was confirmed by Pacquiao's close associate Rex 'Wakee' Salud.

Pacquiao reportedly flew with trainer Buboy Fernandez, raising suspicions that the latter would be training Pacquiao the entire duration of his training for Barrera.

Last month, Pacquiao had indicated that he wanted to train at Rex 'Wakee' Salud's new gym in Cebu City.

By Ariel E. Fullido

      The much-awaited 2007 World Cup of Boxing, between the Philippines and Mexico at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, will be seen live today on the widescreens, with no commercial break, at Screenville Cinemas 1, 2, and 3 of the Island City Mall, starting at 8:00 o’ clock this morning.

      The bouts can also be seen on a slightly delayed telecast at the Activity Center of the Island City Mall, starting at 9:00 o’ clock this morning.

      In the main event, junior featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (31-1, 28 KOs) puts his title on the line against undefeated contender Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (23-0, 17 KOs), of Candijay, Bohol, in a scheduled 12-round WBO Junior Featherweight Championship. Ponce De Leon, a 26-year-old southpaw, has defended his crown three times.

      Bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzalez (34-5, 29 KOs) takes on former world champion Gerry Peñalosa (51-6-2, 34 KOs) in a title fight scheduled for 12 rounds, while former super flyweight champion Z “The Dream” Gorres will battle former WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz in the 12-round Intercontinental Super Flyweight Championship.

Unbeaten southpaw AJ “Bazooka” Banal of Corella, Bohol will face a new opponent in Jorge Cardenas in a six-round bout. The Mexican has a record of 9 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws with 6 KO's, and should give the Boholano ring warrior a tough bout.

Other fights include Diosdado Gabi against Jose Angel Beranza in 8-round Junior Bantamweights, and Michael Domingo against Miguel Roman in 6-round Junior Featherweights.

The World Cup will only have six fights as the scheduled bout of Bert Batawang and Gerardo Verde has been cancelled, after the Mexican did not pass the medical test due to detached retinas.

      The country with the most victories at the second Boxing World Cup, which was created by Golden Boy Promotions in 2005, will be awarded a specially designed trophy made by IceLink - one of the leading jewelry manufacturers and designers in the world.

By Junessa O. Requeron

      Chowking, the popular Chinese cuisine fastfood restaurant chain in the country, lives up to its tagline, “Masarap. Daming Choices. Affordable,” as it offers an array of menus at very affordable prices in their newest promo Merienda and Lunch Express Set.

      Great menus to choose from include Merienda Pancit Canton with Mantao and reg. softdrinks for P35.00; Merienda Pancit Bihon with reg. softdrinks for P47.00; Merienda Crispy Noodles with reg. softdrinks for P49.00; Merienda Lomi with reg. softdrinks for P59.00.

      Other choices are Lumpiang Shanghai with Garlic Rice and reg. softdrinks for P47.00; Pork Chao Fan with reg. softdrinks for 47.00; Beef Chao Fan and softdrinks for P49.00; Sweet and Sour Pork with softdrinks for P49.00; Spareribs with softdrinks for P55.00 and 1 pc Chicken Joy and softdrinks for P69.00.

      Chowking is the only oriental quick service restaurant which fuses the best aspects of two distinct restaurant personalities- first is the traditional Chinatown restaurant with its menu of delicious, easy-to-prepare but reasonably-priced dishes and second is the modern, western-style fast food restaurant, with its eye-catching façade, bright interiors and young staff dispensing friendly and snappy services.

      Chowking is located at the upper ground level of the Island City Mall, and is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-9:00 in the evening. For deliveries, contact 501-7802; 501-7803; or 411 3935.

I can still perfectly recall that I wrote an expose on that study. One of my spies gave me all the documents.

Let me think.

Now I remember. The Bohol Chronicle management did not publish my expose. 

By Junessa O. Requeron

      As the highly anticipated 2007 Boxing World Cup will climaxed this morning, the much awaited grand finals of “Star Dance” is set to take centerstage also this afternoon at 4:00 o’ clock at the Activity Center of the Island City Mall.

      The eight grand finalists of “Star Dance” are Joy Jabonite of the UB Dance Troupe; Iris Bibat of Lazer Gigsters; Jim Cyril Amen, a native of Guindulman; Joseph Libaton, former member of the Freestyler; Earl Bryan of the Soul Jammer; Marga Cempron of Sway Vipers; Juvie Tongco of T-Mates and Jee Aparre of G on Mix. Fifty percent of the grade the contestants received last August 5 during the semi finals will be added to the points they will accumulate today.

      This time, the finalists will prepare their own productions depending on their choice. Out of the eight, only three will be chosen to proceed to the next stage which will be called the Derby. The three remaining finalists will try to outshine each other as they create their own moves and steps to dances like Cha-cha, RnB, modern ethnic and sexy dance.

      The grand winner for this event will receive P5, 000, certificate and a trophy. Second and third place will be receiving P 3,000.00 and P 2,000.00 in cash, trophies and certificates respectively.

      The judges will be composed of City Government Officer Fiel Angeli Arao-arao Gabin, Sales and Marketing Supervisor of Bohol Tropics and Lazer Productions Jack Lloren Arat, and the Champion of all Dances Jonathan Cajes Reyson who will likewise do the opening number with the Technotronics Dancer. 

By Ariel Fullido

      It will be a night of beauties and wares as the premiere and most popular model group in Bohol, the Models Unlimited, will ramp in a fashion show tonight in Poblacion, Dauis, Bohol, sponsored by the Department of Education (DepEd), as part of the fiesta nightly entertainments of the town.

      The models will also showcase their stuffs in another fashion show on August 25 at Lazer Party Club of the Bohol Tropics Resort during the Lazer Fashion Week, which also feature the Lazer Gigsters, DJ Macky Magic, and pop/RnB band, Centerstage.

      The Models Unlimited of Lazer Productions thanks thew following sponsors: Dragon Fireworks, Dunkin Donuts, Exquisite Photography, Rene’s Videography, Kim’s Bridal & Fashion, Cali Boutique, Princess’s Collections, Jan del Valle’s Collections, Rod Rent-A-Van, and Lazer Party Club of Bohol Tropics.

      The Models Unlimited is managed by its director Jack Lloren Arat of Lazer Productions. The fashion show in Dauis tonight is free to the public.

By Ariel E. Fullido

      All is set for the fiesta celebration of Tiptip District with a big concert party on August 16 in Tiptip Barangay Complex, sponsored by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the Barangay Council of Tiptip, through Hon. Brgy. Capt. Antonio D. Restauro, and Bebies Lechon.

      The band known for its intense RnB dance tracks will perform in a non-stop disco concert, powered by V2Y Kinetics. Concert organizers said that fiesta revelers will enjoy a hot party with best of today’s hottest dance hits and melodic pops.

      Brgy. Capt. Restauro said that other fiesta events in Tiptip include: Gov. Aumentado Cup (August 7-9), J Hashi Night featuring Global Hotbabes (August 10), PPC & PFC Night with Search for Star in a Million (August 11), Tavers Pension House Night featuring Dance Party sa Barangay Contest (August 12), Bohol Process, Inc. and Bohol Beach Club Night with Dos Machos and Kosme of “Milyonaryong Mini” (August 13), DepEd, PTCA, Alumni Night featuring Ballroom and Disco (August 14), and Tiptip SB Night with Grand Ballroom Disco (August 15).The Gov. Aumentado Cup will resume on August 17.

      The different nightly entertainments are part of the many fiesta activities of Tiptip which will celebrate its feast day on August 16, in honor of its patron saint, San Roque.

By Ariel E. Fullido

      Entries are now accepted for the participation in the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown 2007, an annual competition that pits the best drum and bugle corps not only in the province of Bohol but also those of other provinces as well.

      School heads and principals in secondary and tertiary schools provincewide are being sent letters inviting their drum corps to participate yearly in the drum and bugle corps spectacular.

      Dubbed as the “greatest show in town”, the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown, now on its 20th, is the main highlight of the 22nd Anniversary Celebration of Alturas Supermarket scheduled on November 24, 2007.

      Along with several other activities in the Alturas 22nd Anniversary Celebration, the showdown aims to promote goodwill and encourage the development of the youth worthwhile endeavors as well as hone their potentials in music-related fields.

      Fabulous cash prizes and awards await the would-be winners of this year’s showdown. Special awards are also given: Best in Production Design, Best in Instrumentation, Best in Choreography, Best in Rhythm and Dynamics, Best in Uniform, Best in Discipline, Best in Parade Impact, Best Corps Major, Best Corps Majorette, Darling of the Crowd, Best in Entertainment, Most Colorful Corps, Best in Boholano Ambience, Best in Synchronization, and Best in Jingle.

      Trophies are also awardd for the Liveliest Corps, Most Elegant, Best in Projection, Most Promising Neophyte, Neophyte of the Year, Most Impressive Neophyte, and Most Inspiring Corps.

      Presented in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Coca-Cola, the Alturas Drum and Bugle Showdown 2007 is set on November 24, Saturday, at the CPG Sports Complex.

By June Blanco
Office of the Governor

Two fishermen from Mabini, Bohol got the surprise of their lives Monday when one of the hooks of their palangre fishing line caught a green turtle by the nape.

  Victoriano Maca, 60, and Ramon Ayag, 46, both of Barangay Tangkigan, Mabini were resigned to just let the turtle let off its steam and lift it into their paddle boat when it became weak. The chance came soon enough when the turtle swam belly up.

  “We caught it by its flippers and immediately paddled to shore,” Maca said in Visayan.

  Their “catch” brought curious onlookers many of whom suggested to butcher and cook it. Turtle meat can be a delicacy to some. Maca’s reply was a vehement “No!”

  Instead, through the barangay officials, he informed Mayor Stephen Rances and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about the catch.

  As Gov. Erico Aumentado was scheduled to visit Mabini the following day to inaugurate a barangay waterworks system, Rances asked him to also release the turtle to the sea afterwards.

  After lunch, Aumentado, Rances, Col. Jesse Dellosa and Lt. Col. Nestor Porlucas, commanding officers of the 302nd Infantry Brigade and 79th Infantry Battalion respectively, along with Vice Mayor Esther Tabigue, town councilors and other local officials boarded the Coastal Law Enforcement Council (CLEC) patrol boat at the Baybayon fishermen’s wharf.

  On the patrol boat, Forester Rey Besinga, chief of the Protected Area Wildlife Services (PAWS) and Jesus Lagura, chief of the Coastal Marine Management Services (CMMS) both of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office here took turns apprising the Aumentado-led group that the green turtle was female. The two rows of plastron on its underside were depressed, and it had a short tail, they explained.

  Maca also said the turtle could have been going to shore to lay eggs. To note, turtles dig in the sand to lay eggs by the hundreds, and cover them afterwards. If not found by predators including man, the eggs hatch.

  The hatchlings then crawl down the shore to the sea where, unless eaten by more predators, they grow to adults to repeat the cycle.

  Its carapace measured 30 inches by 27 inches and weighed around 70 kilos. A dent on its lower right carapace indicated that the turtle was already captured and released before.

  After 20 minutes of going out towards the Mindanao Sea and off the Naasog Cliffs of Baybayon, Aumentado and the fishermen released it. They chose Naasog Cliffs where the sea was deep to ensure that the turtle could not entangle itself on a fish corral.

By June Blanco
Office of the Governor
 
  The Bohol Provincial Development Council Executive Committee (PDC Excom) has approved a resolution endorsing 11 provincial roads for declaration by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into tourism highways.

  Gov. Erico Aumentado, PDC chair, said the declaration will qualify them for funding by the national government that has more funds than the local government.

  Copies of the resolution will be furnished the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

  The roads include the Guindulman-Anda-Cogtong-Candijay-Mabini-Ubay Road traversing the Anda Peninsula that Aumentado has prioritized as next to Panglao for tourism development; the Sagbayan-Carmen-Sierra Bullones-Jagna Road that runs across from the northwest to the southeast coasts of fist-shaped Bohol; the Sierra Bullones-Pilar-Alicia Road which is an agri-tourism highway; the Macaas (Tubigon)-Balilihan-Cortes Road; the Catigbian-Sagbayan Road; the Batuan-Hanopol-Balilihan Road; the Sagbayan-Danao-Magtangtang-Buenavista Road; the Tinago-Dao (Dauis) Road; the Pangangan, Calape Circumferential Road; the Tagbilaran-Corella-Sikatuna-Sevilla-Bilar Road; and the Antequera-San Isidro-Catigbian Road.

  The roads give passers-through good views of Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, mini rice terraces, lush forests, jade-green rivers and the Dagohoy Shrine in Barangay Magtangtang in Danao town â€" the headquarters of Dagohoy who led an 85-year revoilt against the oppressive Spaniards.

  Earlier, the council also endorsed to the RDC the P10-million concrete paving of the 2.5-kilometer Calayugan-Ubojan section of the Sandingan Island Circumferential Road in Loon town.

  Sandingan where the Mocpoc fish port is located is the jump-off point for Cabilao Island â€" a favorite of scuba divers for its biodiversity that boasts of hammerhead sharks, among others.

  The council also adopted Aumentado’s Ten-Point Legacy Agenda for parallel adoption by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

      Ladies and gentlemen:

      I subscribe to the proposition of Secretary Norberto Gonzales and the National Security Council for the involvement of local government units in the drive against insurgency in the country.

      However, I wish the National Security Council would work harder for an effective poverty reduction program, the economic component of the campaign by the national government and the LGUs in conflict areas. Candidly, the military operation alone cannot solve this problem.

      It is on this context, allow me to present the Bohol Response to the Insurgency Challenge through our Poverty Reduction Program for Peace and Development.



      The island province of Bohol is the 10th largest land mass in the country located in Central Visayas lying between Cebu to the northwest and Leyte to the northeast. To its south is the big island of Mindanao that is separated from Bohol by the wide Mindanao sea. Aside from the mainland, Bohol has 61 smaller offshore islands and islets. It is about 700 kilometers directly south of Manila.

      This island province â€" comprising of one city, 47 municipalities and 1,109 barangays, with three congressional districts â€" has a land area of 4,117 square kilometers and an estimated population of 1.2 million.

      It is categorized as a first class province with a budget of P793.6 million this year, P728.8 million of which comes from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) with P145.64 million 20% Development Fund which we are using to leverage for Official Development Assistance (ODA), national government agencies, non-government organizations and other sources of outside funding for poverty reduction under the convergence strategy.

      What brought about the program was the gnawing widespread poverty that was further complicated by a growing local communist insurgency problem. Neither one was necessarily the cause or effect of the other, but together they complemented and fed on each other to give local governance a headache.

      The poverty incidence of Bohol rose from 37.3% in 1997 to 47.3% in 2000 in terms of families and from 43.1% in 1997 to 53.6% in 2000 in terms of population. This made Bohol the 16th among the country’s top 20 poorest provinces, popularly known as Club 20, in 2000. And, using the issue of poverty, 305 out of the 1,109 barangays (or 30% of the total) were in various stages of insurgency: threatened, infiltrated or influenced.

      The alarming poverty situation and the disturbing threats of ideology-based conflicts to the economic potentials of the province prompted the local leaders and the stakeholders to draft a peace and development framework that is centered on poverty reduction with the goals of not only removing Bohol from Club 20 but reducing poverty incidence by 50% in 2015 under our Millennium Development Goals (MDG) commitment, and pushing the province to one of the Top 10 in 2010.

      Peace and security, along with other development thrusts, is focused on the all-encompassing poverty reduction program.

      Hence, the Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 10, Series of 2001 and was duly institutionalized by SP Ordinance No. 2003-004. Similarly, we created the Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) which, as of 30 June 2007, has deployed about 2,474 Boholano overseas workers and 1,859 domestic workers, employed 1,494 students in summer jobs, facilitated the processing of 4,709 passports by the Department of Foreign Affairs, 2,305 licenses by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC), 965 franchises by the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), 34,617 clearances by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and authentication of 1,880 birth and marriage certificates by the National Statistics Office (NSO);

      The Bohol Tourism Office for Bohol’s tourism development, which with agriculture, is one of our two main economic drivers, and the Center for Culture and the Arts Development for poverty reduction through the arts and cultural heritage.

      While our poverty reduction program covered the whole province, it had special focus on 41 insurgency influenced barangays in 20 municipalities within the four fronts of the CPP-NPA in 2001 at the beginning. This year the program has expanded to include 284 barangays.

      Parenthetically, it was clear to us from the start that military intervention alone would not solve the insurgency problem. The economic component must be addressed in accordance with Karl Marx’ exhortation: “Workers of the world, unite. We have nothing to lose but our poverty chain.”

      Conflicts borne from poverty, deprivation of basic goods and services, lack of employment and livelihood opportunities, non-participation, injustice and human rights violations have to be addressed by the local government unit and civil society.

      Employing the strategies of alliance building, convergence, community organizing, capability building and reinvigorating the bayanihan spirit, the poverty reduction program for peace and development of Bohol has resulted in something beyond our expectations.

      The collaborative approach in waging a “war” versus the evils of communism gave birth to Team Bohol… where all government units and agencies shared and took part by integrating in their respective plans, peace-promoting and conflict-sensitive programs and projects.

      Team Bohol with then Tagbilaran Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, now military vicar-general, and then Col. Juanito Gomez, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander and now commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija ultimately became the vehicle for peace and eventual progress in the province with the implementation of effective innovations that any other peace and order council can initiate if the collective passion to achieve a culture of peace is present. Today, Team Bohol is our key player in sustaining Bohol’s peace and development.

      For instance, community workers were assigned in conflict affected areas and funds were channeled for development to make people in the far-flung barangays feel the presence of the government in their communities. For this poverty reduction program, we have sourced out foreign-funded programs and projects, all with the end in view of poverty reduction, augmented by our local funding of about P100 million, mostly from our 20% Development Fund from 2002 up to the present

      The special operations team (SOT) approach of the military in its counter-insurgency campaign was modified in Bohol and is dubbed as “SOT: Bohol Approach”. In tandem with the SOT operators, civilian community organizers were deployed in target areas to organize residents into cooperatives. Together with the soldiers, they immersed in the communities to facilitate the needs of the barangay folks in their livelihood projects, support the information campaigns and medical-civic action program of the SOTs operators. This way, trust and confidence was easily established among the people.

      Other noteworthy innovative undertakings of the PPOC that enhanced and sustained the efforts for peace-building and peace-keeping are:

    * One, the monthly Civic Action (CIVAC) activity. These regular CIVACs were supported by host municipalities and barangays and participated in by national government agencies and civic organizations thru the provision of basic health services, distribution of farm inputs, clothing and tree seedlings, and supplemental feeding of indigent residents of communist-affected areas

    * Moreover, a Quick Response Team was organized and is now regularly dispatched immediately to conflict-affected and disaster-stricken areas to assess the extent of damage and provide the necessary emergency assistance to the families of victims ranging from food, medicines, temporary shelter, clothing and even coffins when there are casualties.

    * Another effective strategy is the deployment of Fact-finding Missions immediately after receipt of reports of insurgency-related incidents that involve government troops, the CPP-NPA-NDF, their supporters or neutral groups. Composed of PPOC members coming from both government and non-government institutions, the fact-finding team gathers first-hand information on incidents related to internal security operations (ISO) such as encounters, the so-called “extra-judicial killings”, alleged abusive acts of government troopers and all forms of human rights violations. The factual information the team report to me are substantives for the proper actions to be taken, be they for socio-economic interventions or policy-direction. The conduct of such activity would set the facts straight to prevent the enemy from exploiting the event for any propaganda purposes.

      Bohol has a Local Peace Forum (LPF) implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Up to now, we continue to convene the LPF as a venue for dialogs to thresh out local issues and concerns raised by leftist groups and the government side. The Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and the governor co-chair the LPF with the Provincial Government of Bohol funding its administrative and operational requirements.

      Bohol is presently one of the few provinces where a Local Monitoring Board (LMB) on the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHIHL) has been installed. Aside from monitoring, intensive information dissemination is being conducted regularly in coordination with the Public Information Patrol (PIP) of the military. Target audiences are students, out-of-school youths and other barangay folks. The continuous info campaigns are also aimed at educating and informing communities on updates on the stalled peace talks.

      The provincial government also actively attends to the rehabilitation and streamlining of former rebels who we call “kauban sa reporma” or KRs (English translation: partners for reforms). To date, there are 185 accounted KRs. Sixty (60) of them surrendered even in the absence of an amnesty proclamation. They have been organized into cooperatives, namely:

   1. The Tuburan Settlers Cooperative based in Ubay which is into farming;
   2. The Bohol Composite Farmers Association that will soon venture into an oil palm plantation; and,
   3. The Rajah Sikatuna Multi-Purpose Cooperative, also into farming and based in the military reservation in Katipunan, Carmen just beside the 302nd Brigade headquarters.

      On this objective, the KRs themselves are active members in the Speakers’ Bureau and share their experiences during pulong-pulongs to make people aware of the hardships and difficulties of the life of a red fighter and the deceptive motives of the local communist group.

      The Provincial Government of Bohol also provides regularly rice and other foodstuff to the members of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) who comprise the integrated territorial defense system in communities.

      The Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP) was established by the provincial government to create an inter-agency coordinating body and provide legal assistance in ISO related cases. It was established years before the IALAG was created.

      Now, allow me to present to you a glimpse of what Bohol is today.

      The number of CPP-NPA influenced barangays was reduced from 305 to 46 in 2005. Armed NPA members went down from 283 in 2001 to 64 in 2004, and to 42 in 2005. The Central Visayas headquarters of the CPP-NPA has moved also to Leyte. The four CPP-NPA front committees in 2001 have been reduced to only one today.

      Our people woke up from their “sleep” with insurgents after realizing that the government is indeed sincere in helping them out of poverty and that the military has a humane face in the campaign. The barangay folks in the affected areas now refuse to give sanctuary to the insurgents who used their barangays as base of operations in the past.

      With the established peaceful environment, Bohol’s economy today has greatly improved.

      The province has consistently ranked as a major tourist destination in the country and No. 1 agricultural producer in Central Visayas for the last three years. Most importantly, we have not only pulled Bohol out from the “Club 20” of the poorest provinces in the country, but is now comfortably ranked 52nd among the 81 provinces. Bohol was also the 2nd most improved province in terms of poverty reduction.

      It has embarked on multi-billion peso mega projects for the development of its roads and bridges, energy and irrigation facilities with the support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

      This improved peace and development situation has been validated by the following awards and recognition we have received:

    * ISO 14001 from TUV of Germany
    * The Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Local Government Development Foundation for the most highly performing provincial government.
    * The Local Governance Leadership Award (LGLA) as outstanding governor for Bohol’s stewardship into a highly performing province from the Philippine Senate, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Development Academy of the Philippines, Asian Institute of Management, University of the Philippines and the De La Salle University.
    * Award for Continuing Excellence (ACE), the highest award and a rare distinction that the Gawad Galing Pook Foundation confers only to a select and honored few â€" for Bohol’s sustainable program in eco-tourism, enforcement of coastal and marine laws and the barangay livestock program, as well as the Trailblazing Program Award and the Special Citation on Local Peace Initiatives by the same award-giving body for its Poverty Reduction Program for Peace and Development. Today, Bohol is in the Gawad Galing Pook Hall of Fame.
    * Kalakbay Awards from the Department of Tourism for being the No. 1 Tourism Destination and the outstanding Provincial Tourism Council in 2003.
    * 22 other awards we have received recently; and
    * One of our most valued awards, the Most Outstanding Provincial Peace and Order Council of 2004 as determined by the National Peace and Order Council.

      Likewise, it has attracted the convergence of global funders including various churches to support our development activities.

      All this could be summed up in more economic benefits for the people of Bohol in terms of income, job opportunities, good services, better infrastructures and an improved quality of life.

      The present peaceful environment of Bohol has contributed immensely in the progress and development of the province. And we attribute this, especially our gains in the counter insurgency campaign in Bohol to the convergent efforts of its stakeholders which paved the way to the clearing of four guerilla fronts in 2001 to only one this time.

      Today, Bohol has become the delight of tourists and visitors alike. Most of all, we have given our constituents, the Boholanos, what they have always longed for: a peaceful environment, ripe for economic growth and development.

      Thank you very much!

      Indeed, uncontrolled population rules the way to poverty while affecting health and environment, leading to unstable socio-economic profile.

      This was according to Bohol Poverty Reduction Management Office (BPRMO) Head Antonieto “Boy” Pernia as he traced the link between population and poverty in the time that the government falls short of livelihood programs.

      It is on this juncture that the BPRMO blends its poverty reduction programs with the principle of social development for the beneficiaries to be capable of sustaining progress.

      Pernia explained that population significantly affects health and environment, since population literally represents the number of mouths to feed, sources of pollutants, and exploiters of the natural resources.

      This was based on the inputs that Pernia gathered from the seminar on population, health and environment he attended late last week in Manila together with other media practitioners.

      To echo the lessons from the seminar, Pernia announced that a similar seminar will be conducted on Tuesday for the local media practitioners, considering the necessity for massive information campaign on population control as a big factor in poverty reduction.

      In the Philippines, youth aging below 25 comprise 45 percent of the population and 55 percent represent the middle-aged and young professionals, he said.

      Out of 100 people in the Philippines, 46 are living in poverty line wherein poverty line means households earning US$2 dollars a month. In Thailand, the poverty level is only 36 percent.

      If people in the poverty line will have to follow the standard dietary requirement, they need an additional income of P2,000 a month and having 45 percent of the population in the poverty line means more effort to meet the requirement.

      “Those who are in the top level spend an average of P5,000 per children per month for those who have two kids. But 45 percent of the population who are in the poverty line can only afford P600. This disparity has worsened because of uncontrolled population,” Pernia explained.

      The BPRMO head, who also heads the Provincial Government Media Affairs (PGMA) Office, also quoted Provincial Planning and Development Officer Juanito Cambangay saying that if the people won’t make any intervention to the growth rate of 2.9 percent, the population in Bohol estimated to be 1.3 million at present will double in 2024.

      “If majority are living in poverty line now that we have a population of 1.3 million, how would Bohol look like in 2024? What will happen if our population reaches 2.6 million?” Pernia pointed out.

      Experiences also tell that in the past, when population was not as dense as the present, abundance in marine resources was evident.

      With population explosion, people from depressed rural areas have migrated to urban areas to find better living, but ending up crowding the city with less affordability to support their personal needs, ending up in “squalor”, Pernia explained.

      With many mouths to feed, the heads of the family can hardly provide the basic needs of each member, to the extent of sacrificing health, often resulting to malnutrition, ailments and outbreak of diseases. And, with poverty, most of the Filipinos cannot even afford to buy medicine, Pernia explained.

source: Provincial Government Media Affairs Office

Thank you, Sigbin, for this research material. I haven't read of these facts before.

By John Ruiz III

Bayan had been opposed to big dam projects in the province. They are expensive and cause dislocation to poor people, destruction to the environment and burden to the farmers. Other irrigation system technology like series of small water impounding, solar-powered water pumps and other existing cost efficient and environmentally friendly technology of irrigation systems should be studied as alternatives. Unless otherwise it is not service that our bureaucrats and technocrats are after, but personal benefits from “SOPs”. The bigger the cost of the projects, the happier they are. Huge debts were being accumulated by the government because of these projects and they passed it on to the poor people through taxes and high irrigation water fees.

In the case of Malinao dam (Bohol Irrigation Project Phase I), a land-leveling project through the National Irrigation Farmers was conducted with assurance that water would flow to the new rice fields. More than a thousand hectares of land were bulldozed and hundreds of farmers acquire huge debt in the forms of loans as payment to the bulldozer service. After completion of the projects, most of these lands became unproductive, no water reached the supposed rice fields and other secondary crops hardly grow in the bulldozed land. What is ironic, 10 years after and that is now, farmers are now being asked to pay their debts as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement of which the farmers had no copy at all as supposed other party to the agreement.

Those who were able to benefit from Malinao dam water were being charged with high irrigation service fees. 300 kilos of palay or P3000 were being asked for every hectare of land per year. Water is a right and therefore should be free, if P3000 is being charge for the services of the dam and NIA office to the rice-farmers; it is indeed an expensive fee for a very minimal service. Farmer-beneficiaries get water from the dam only when it is rainy season, some farmers even said “before the dam the rains is free, after the dam we pay when it rains”, because if they don’t pay, next planting season the water trapped in the dam would not be released to their rice fields.

Malinao failed to water its target service area by more than a thousand hectares because of insufficient water stored. But just the same, NIA planners and some local bureaucrats pushed for the construction of a reservoir dam that would supposedly catch the extra water from the Malinao dam for more than 5,000 hectares of rice lands. This is now the unfinished yet already famous Bayongan dam (Bohol Irrigation Project Phase II). The most expensive dam as to per hectare cost.

The P165 million Talibon small reservoir impounding project remained to be unfinished and unused even though it already had exhausted its budget and what is worse, someone is yet to answer to the anomaly. With Malinao and Capayas, NIA are being besieged by the demand of the farmer-beneficiaries to lower its irrigation service fee and improved its water services.

In the name of the farmers, BAYAN demands that with the failure of the land leveling project, concerned farmers should be given due compensation as to the damage done to their land because of overestimation of the capacity of the Malinao dam. Their memorandum of agreement should be voided since in the first place the other party, NIA, failed to deliver their responsibility. NIA and other involved officials should be investigated and be made answerable to their culpability to the failure and anomalies of the project. Dam projects should be reviewed as to its practicality, effectiveness and cost-efficiency. These projects are damned too expensive economically and socially.

         Impressed on the poverty alleviation factor of the Let’s Help Bohol program of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Governor Erico B. Aumentado has pushed for its inclusion in the province’s list of entries to the Gawad Pook Foundation Award selection.
         Governor Aumentado expressed his appreciation to the success of the animal dispersal, livestock management and sustainable farming programs of the OPV before the crowd of over 2,000 members of 52 different Peoples Organizations (POs) during the awarding ceremony of outstanding farmers and farmers groups on August 8 at the Bohol Cultural Center, in time for the fourth Let’s Help Bohol Day celebration.
         This is to encourage beneficiaries of the Let’s Help Bohol (LHB) and Livelihood Integrated for Food and Family Enhancement (LIFFE) to sustain the programs which had been here since 1999.
         For this year, the LHB will be Bohol ’s third entry in the Gawad Pook Foundation Award, in addition to the Bohol Crisis Intervention Center (BCIC) and the Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP).
         The OPV has until August 31 to catch the Gawad Pook deadline.
         The OPV implements the LHB and LIFFE programs, in partnership with Heifer Project International (HPI) and 22 municipalities.
         The program is benefiting 213 POs in 22 of the 47 towns in Bohol- -President Garcia, Inabanga, Talibon, Buenavista, Batuan, Trinidad, Antequera, Dagohoy, San Isidro, Bien Unido, Balilihan, Ubay, Getafe, Catigbian, Balilihan, Danao, Sierra-Bullones, San Miguel, Sevilla, Valencia, Corella, and Clarin.
         The implementation of the LHB and LIFFE programs is based on 12 Pillars which are Passing-on the Gift, Full participation, Spirituality, Accountability, Sharing and Caring, Sustainability and Self-Reliance, Improved Animal Management, Nutrition and Income, Gender and Family Focus, Genuine need and justice, Improving the Environment, and Training and Education.
         Based on the 12 pillars, the provincial government, through the OPV, awarded plaques of achievement and cash prizes to 16 farmers associations and 21 individual farmers from 17 of the 22 partner municipalities of the LHB and LIFFE programs.
         This year, the municipalities of Sevilla , Valencia , Corella and Clarin have not yet come up with nominees yet being new in the program, while the community facilitators in Sikatuna simply did not come up with nominees.
         The OPV started the program in 1999 in partnership with HPI and the partner-municipalities. But it was only four years ago that they started giving awards based on the program’s 12 pillars.
         Aside from the OPV and HPI, some members of Conbusac and Bohol Association in Washington State (Boawas) also sent donations for the prizes.
         The outstanding farmers associations under LHB phase 2 (LHB II) were Hiniusang Kusog sa Mag-uuma o Mananagat sa Popoo (HIKUMASAP) in Popoo, President Garcia and Small Farmers Group (SFAG) in Cambitoon, Inabanga for the passing-on-the-gift category; the Kapunongan sa mga Inahan nga Nagpakabana sa Kabataan (KINK) in San Isidro, Talibon and the Rufo Hill United Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RUFAMCO) in Rufo Hill, Buenavista for the Acounntability category; and San Jose Peoples Organization (SJPO) in San Jose, Inabanga for the Sharing and Caring category;
         Also under LHB II, the Nagkahiusang Pundok sa mga Kababayen-an (NAGPUMAKA) in Poblacion, Bien Unido was awarded for the Sustainability and Self-Reliance category; the Bical Farmers Association (BICFA) in Mandawa, Bien Unido, Tipolo Fisherfolks and Farmers Multi-Sectoral Association (TFFMA) in Tipolo, Ubay, and Cagawasan CARP Farmer-Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCFBMPC) in Cagawasan, Dagohoy for the Improving Animal Management category; and the Cogon Small Coconut Farmers Organization in Balilihan for the full participation and accountability categories.
         Under LHB phase I, the outstanding farmers groups were Hanopol Norte Small Farmers Association (HANSFA) in Hanopol, Balilihan for the Improving Animal Management category; and the Tabuan Farmers/Women’s Association in Tabuan, Antequera, and Datag Sur Farmers Association (DASFA) in Datag Sur, Balilihan for the sustainability and self-reliance category.
         Under LIFFE, the Bahan Small Farmers Organization (BSFO) in barangay Bahan, Inabanga was awarded for the Improving Animal Management category; the Carbon Farmers Association (CARFA) in Carbon, Danao was cited for the category on Improving the Environment, while the Lomboy Small Farmers Association (LOSFA) in Lomboy, Inabanga was cited for the full participation category.
         The individual farmer-awardees were Jose Polinar (under LHB I) of Camanayon Farmers Field School in Batuan for the Accountability category, Bernardo Jumo (under LIFFE) of Catoogan Farmers/Workers Association (CAFAWA) in Trinidad for the sharing and caring category, Geronimo Husain (under LHB II) of the CCFBMPC, Artemio Nabarete (under LHB I) of Masonoy Vegetable Growers Association and Virginia Tinija (under LHB I) of Poblacion H Women’s Association in San Isidro for the Sustainability and Self-Reliance category; then Purita Sumalinog (under LIFFE) of NAGMATA and Orencia Agad (LHB I) of Bagtic Masagana Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Catigbian for the Improving Animal Management.
         For the Improving the Environment category, the awardees were Roberto Laput of Kaliwat ni Dagohoy Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KDMPC) in Magtangtang, Danao; Guilberto Ente and Amadeo Perocho of San Agustin Farmers Association (SAGUFA) in Sierra-Bullones, Teodora Huyno of Nagkahiusang Inahan sa Hinlayagan Ilaya (NIHI) in Trinidad, and Victor Hinlayagan of Panaghiusang Mag-uuma sa Cabangahan (PMC) in San Miguel under LHB II; and Claudio Manatad of the Haguilanan Grande Farmers Association (HAGFA) under LHB I, Maria Bayud of Boctol Rural Improvement Club in Balilihan, and Apollo Sarong of the Poblacion United Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. (PUFAMCI) under LHB I.
         Other LIFFE beneficiaries who received citations were Adelia Coca of the Nueva Estrella Farmers and Fishermen Association for Development (NEFFAD) in Bien Unido, Froilan Bersano of the Villa Teresita Small Coconut Farmers Organization in Ubay, and Corsino Gulle of Camanaga Farmers Association in San Miguel for the Nutrition and Income category; and Marcelo Rosales of the Purok 5 Farmers Association in Talibon for the Training and Education category.
         For the Gender and Family Focus category, the awardees were Anatolio and Ricarda Gementiza (LHB I)of the Bungahan Farmers Association in Antequera and Nilda Conge (LHB II) of the Malitbog Agrarian Farmer-Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAFBMPC) in Dagohoy.

source: Provincial Government Media Affairs Office

        The provincial government of Bohol has now sped up the purchasing of lots for the development of the Panglao international airport, as the project’s social preparation component aims for zero expropriation by December 31 deadline.
         From the second tranche of P73 million released in the last week of July, only P2.375 million was disbursed.
         It was part of the P4.87 million that the provincial government released last week for the purchase of 13 more lots, making it 85 hectares in all, the lots purchased for the airport project.
         The province needs to acquire at least 215 hectares for the project.
         On the other hand, Jose Torralba, consultant for the Panglao airport project, suggested that the provincial government must identify a two-hectare public land to be developed into a relocation site for the affected landowners.
         Torralba cited that of the 65-hectare property of the provincial government, only 25 hectares was included in the final design of the airport project.
         Torralba issued the statement during the regular weekly meeting of the local task force of the Panglao-Bohol International Airport Development Project on Wednesday last week at Chatto Hall of the Capitol Building .
         Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, for his part, presented a draft of the proposed guidelines for landowners who prefer exchange or barter for their properties.
         In the proposed guidelines, it is stated that available government lots shall first set aside an area for the relocation of qualified dislocated families and that the remaining area shall be equitably distributed to qualified landowners.
         Priority qualified landowners are those who signify intention to barter on a first-come-first-served basis, those who can’t afford to to purchase another suitable lot or construct a home in Panglao because of the limited proceeds from the sale of their properties based on the size of their land.
         The remaining government lots for barter shall be shared by the remaining landowners on the principle of value for value, and that priority qualified landowners are also those who are willing to shoulder the cost of subdivision.
         The proposed guidelines is subject for approval of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), though.
         Lagunay also reported that there are 21 lots totaling to 77,036 square meters which owners are interested on barter and exchange arrangement.
         On the other hand, CIDS Community Organizer Carmelita Limbarong of the social preparation component, reported that her group has intensified the information dissemination on the benefit of the project amid the black propaganda launched by popular social critic, former governor and defeated congressional candidate, Victor dela Serna.
         Limbarong stressed that it is very necessary for the lot owners to really sit down with the proponents of the project to come up with an agreement and prevent the government from opting for expropriation by December 31. She said they aim for zero expropriation.
         At present, after having organized the PBIADP cooperative in June, they proceeded to organize in barangays Bulod, Tawala and Danao.
         Then to prepare the people for the sustainability of the program, Limbarong said they have conducted leadership trainings and will be conducting livelihood trainings when they would finish the survey of houses affected by the airport project.
         â€œThe priority livelihood project will be identified based on the preference of the affected lot owners which details will be based on the data that they would indicate in the survey forms,” Limbarong explained.
         Meanwhile, Lagunay announced during the weekly radio program, Governor’s Report, that at 10 a.m. of August 17, the Panglao Island Tourism Estate (PITE) inter-agency task force will hold a meeting at the Bohol Beach Club which Governor Erico B. Aumentado, task force chairman, will preside.
         Lagunay said that during the meeting, he will report on the status of land acquisition, while representatives of the PCJI Engineers, the project consultant, will present the feasibility study on the project.
         Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza and other members of the inter-agency task force will also attended the meeting.

from the Provincial Government Media Affairs Office

May the Lord Jesus keep you and your family safe, Lumine.

Quote from: GEC348 on August 12, 2007, 06:43:28 AM
Without the vow of celibacy,
Many will join the priesthood!

Pari na unta ka GEC.

Sa Tubag Bohol ta mangamigo ug mangamiga. 

Kinsay CPA, Mr. Varga?

Hi Leo,

I doubt kung kanang mga datu sa Bohol nagbayad ug tax sa BIR.

I know a lot of them nga way bayad-bayad. Dili nalang ta maghingalan diri sa Tubag Bohol.

from Leo Udtohan

Excuse me; I don't have intention to spoil your appetite watching the bout of Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico. While, fighting for glory and honor, Boom Boom is no excuse of a controversy (the same news we heard on a local radio) he's facing now. 

Could it be true that boxing idol Rey “Boom Bom” Bautista will face a million tax evasion charges to be filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue with the Court of Tax Appeals? 

According to True Very Reliable Source (VRS) the “hot” item came into public when BIR men are “discussing” tax payers.

The same VRS said that the BIR has collected evidences to be presented and is sufficient to prove that the Boom Boom has violated several provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code.

A source from the BIR said that Bautista is required to file a declaration of his estimated income for each taxable year.  As an individual earning income within the Philippines, and irrespective of his citizenship, Bautista must file a tax return, a BIR official said.

Baustita will be charged by BIR for failure to pay the proper taxes. Boom Boom must have misdeclared his income for the past years and the BIR intends to collect what the boxer failed to pay. 

The BIR has been going after high-profile tax evaders the past years, including movie celebrities like Judy Ann Santos, Regine Velasquez and Richard Gomez. 

my Tumoy Sa Bangaw column
The Bohol Standard

Sa duha ka hugna atong nahisgutan dinhi sa lindog sa Tumoy Sa Bangaw ang sulat sa usa ka Boholana nga nagbahad nga dili paadtuon ang mga Bol-anon sa Amerika kay mag-TNT ug matod pa niya makadaot sa dungog sa mga Filipino didto. Ang iyang gitumbok sa maong akosasyon sila si Nila Montero ug Dr. Doloreich Dumaluan.

Ang panapos ko sa maong isyu mao nga ang atong kahimtang nagtug-an nga mga Filipino ra ang moduot sa mga Filipino.
Hapit na maughi ang akong paglaum nga duna pay kalamboan ning atong nasud tungod lagi sa atong mga kinaiya â€" ang kinaiya nga ang Filipino ra ang moduot sa mga Filipino.

Pamalandongi ang nahitabo sa mga biktima sa illegal recruitment. Pila ka mga kabtangan ug kaugmaon ang naimpatso tungod aning illegal recruitment. Pila ka mga tawo ang nagdangoy-ngoy ug minatay ug hilak human mailad sa mga Filipino recruiters kono.

Dili seguro kaayo mouylap ang atong kasuko kung ang nangilad mga foreign nationals â€" apan mga Filipino mismo ang nangilad sa iyang mga igsuong Filipino.

Ambot nalang! Asa na kaha ang konsensya sa mga Filipino?

Diha lang sa mga trabahoan, wala poy mga konsensya ang kadaghanang mga employer. Dili gani makapalit ug tarong lingkoranan alang sa mga workers nila nga mao ang nagpatubo sa ilang negosyo. Dili gani makahatag bisan baynte pesos nga pangsekwate alang sa mga tawong nagpatulo ug singot aron sila makwartahan. Dili gani makahatag ug bonus panahon sa Pasko isip pasalamat sa mga tawong nagsakripisyo aron ilang pitaka kanunay puno sa kwarta.

Mga adunahan nga dili mohatag ug tarong nga sweldo alang sa ilang mga trabahante. Mga tag-iya ug yuta nga gihimong ulipon ang ila ra usab nga mga kadugong Filipino.

Sa laktod nga pagkaestorya, daghan sa mga Filipino nga walay kasing-kasing para sa iyang kadugong Filipino.

Pipila sa akong mga higala sa gawas sa nasud mipaambit kanako ug taho nga sila didto sa mao ni, mao nang nasud nga diin mga Filipino ra pud ang modaut sa isig ka Filipino. Gani pa man bisan ang uban pareha ra ug lungsod o probinsya ang gigikanan, apan dili magkasinabot. Bisan duha ra sila, maglain gyud ug grupo o kapunungan para mahimo lang “presidente.”

Lahi ang kasinatian nako diri sa Thailand. Wa man unta makaila ug Ginoo ug Kristiyanismo ning mga Thai, apan ang ilang mga kinaiya tugob sa kaaghop ug kamadanihon.

Daghan sa akong mga higalang Thai ang madali-dali nako ug sangpit sa panahon sa akong kapit-os. Kapin nako sa usa ka tuig sa Thailand, wala gyuy nagbinuang nga Thai nako. Apan. Apan.

Na-break ang record. Diha ra gyuy nagbinuang nako. Taga-Mindanao. Obedencio ang apilyedo. Unta dili sila paryente ni Ric Obedencio, akong suod nga higala sa media sa Bohol.

Tiaw mo bay gipapuyo nako sa giabangan kong apartment kay lagi bag-o siyang abot sa Thailand. Wala na gud siya magbayad ug advanced two months nga bayad ug security deposit kay ako naman ang nagbayad ani.

Kabalo mo unsa iyang gibuhat?

Sa adlaw nga kuhaon ko na unta ang akong security deposit gikan sa tag-iya sa apartment, ang akong gipapuyo maoy mikuha na diay ug una-una sa maong security deposit nga way pananghid nako. Ang nakaparat kay sa dihang gisukmatan nako ngano nga gikuha niya, giingnan lang ko nga ang kwarta tua iyang gipahawiran ni Talpolana ug kinsa pa nang mga ngalan nga hinganlan.

Hangtud nga nakadawat nalang ko ug balita, human sa daghang limud ug bakak, nga nagasto kono ang kwarta ni Talpolana. Pagkabinuang. Dili iyang kwarta apan iyang gihatag ni Talpolana. Ako siyang gisukmatan: “Bisan ang labing bulok sa kalibutan, way motuo anang imong bot-bot.”

Akong gisultihan akong mga higala. Pareha sila ug reaksyon tanan: “Baga-a gud niya ug nawong!”

To add insult to the injury, hangtud karon wa niya iuli ang akong mga gamit sa kwarto hangtud ang kataposan kong karsones ug unlan. Daghan kaayo ko ug mga gamit nga nahanaw. Kapila nako mo-e-mail niya ug naghangyo nga iuli ang akong mga butang, apan hangtud karon, wa gyud motubag sa akong mga e-mails.

Filipino lagi unta pero diri sa Thailand Filipino ra usab ang mitamak nako.

Kung daghan sa mga Filipino ang pareha ug kinaiya sa maong Obedencio nga taga-Bukidnon, I doubt kung naay kaugmaon ang atong nasud.

Quote from: Varga on August 11, 2007, 08:59:41 PM


Ania pay lain . . . bag-o ni nga posibleng mahimong kandidato pagka way gamit!

6. According to someone from the COA, an audit team has been sent to Bohol to verify the veracity of reports received that computers and the accompanying programs/applications distributed to public schools in Bohol are overpriced and non-operational. These computers and the bundled educational application packages are funded by the PDAF of the three "honorable" congressmen of Bohol, all three of them, whom Atty. Victor de la Serna has publicly accused of being "less than honest". Initial reports indicate that the supplier of the equipment and software is the same outfit for all of the three "gentlemen" and that the hardware carried a name brand on its casing but with generic parts inside. But what is damning is that the bundled applications appear to be "pirated" and has gone non-functional.

The auditors can only pity the DepEd provincial superintendent as she is the one who accepted the deliveries and certified that the equipment and their bundled applications were compliant to the terms and conditions of the contract.

This is outrageous! May God have mercy on them!

I just wonder why the local media in Bohol did not cover this story. The people should know.

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That’s okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you’re welcome.

8. Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying *&^% YOU!

9. Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking “What’s wrong?” For the woman’s response, refer to #3.

source: zoliad.com

Written By Abigail Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Like many of their counterparts in other parts of the world, companies from the Netherlands are finding the Philippines an attractive outsourcing site, still due mainly to the country’s pool of highly skilled English-speaking workers, a Dutch executive said.

Brian Altman, managing director of Dutch information technology firm IAMD Software Solutions, said the Philippines was generally a good offshore alternative for European companies.

“Services of even the more common business processes will be hard -- and expensive -- to come by in Europe, and the Philippines is a very good alternative low-cost center for (business process outsourcing),” he said in a statement.

He said the Philippines’ telecommunications infrastructure, skilled workers and largely English-speaking population continued to give it a competitive edge over many other potential BPO sites the world over.

Other plus factors included relatively low labor costs as well as cultural similarities with Western countries, he added.

What the government and local stakeholders should do to make the country more attractive to potential outsourcers, he said, was package it properly by highlighting its competitive advantages.

“The Philippines should be marketed properly to the West. There should be more focus on the business side of the country: language advantage, modern infrastructure, high-tech cities like Makati, Eastwood City and Ortigas Center,” he said.

He said one good way of showcasing the country’s merits was through government-spearheaded trade missions, usually organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.

“With more foreign nationals in the Philippines, a larger network of westerners is created, thus improving the promotion of the Philippines to the West,” he said.

There are currently around 30 Dutch companies in the country, including big-name firms such as Shell, Philips, Unilever and ABN Amro.

“The Dutch are very careful when it comes to outsourcing. This goes for most of the European market. Trade missions to Europe bridge that and, in important ways, project the Philippines as an attractive offshore location,” Altman said.

Cap, I can volunteer as the webmaster and site administrator.

Let them get in touch with me.

Quote from: Beth on August 11, 2007, 10:31:59 AM
Sus pagkakita nako ani nga topic, ang akong neurons sa brain ming katay sa akong childhood days sa J.A. Clarin pako sauna. Namayabas este namajabas mi sa akong mga kaduwa moabot mi sa dao. Kanang gihimong ICM, kabajanan pa na sauna, anha mi daghang mapupo kada summer nga walay klase. Wala man mi silupin para sudlan, so ang among t-shirt i-tak-in unya adto namo isulod ang mga bajabas . hay, those were the days. Basta lagi perting kinaunay inig uli sa balay, inig ka gabii ang resulta? well you know  Karon, almost 0 na ala nakoy makaon, I miss it a lot.

Mo-absent gud sa klase kay mamiyabas.

There are many things in Thailand you won't see in most countries displayed in public.

you're welcome, Onic. God bless you.

Quote from: Onicul85 on August 11, 2007, 05:48:30 AM
Anyone have a picture of this lady?

Onic, proceed to www.theboholstandard.com She has a column there entitled "Precious Thoughts"

Quote from: Varga on August 09, 2007, 10:23:24 PM



Worthy to note is that the Bohol Tourism Master Plan (BTMP) for which the Pacific Consultants International (PCI) won the bid at P9.5 million, half a million less than the P10-million cap. Gov. Erico Aumentado said with the adjustment, DOT's share is down to P2.9 million instead of P3 million. Bohol's three congressmen; Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Eladio Jala stand to share P1.4 million each instead of P1.5 million from their respective Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). And the provincial government takes up the slack of P2.4 million instead of P2.5 million.

So, Varga, nabayran na ang Pacific Consultants? If nabayran na, nagamit ba karon ang study sa Pacific Consultants?

Diha man koy expose kabahin sa Pacific Consultants. Murag kabahin to sa cost sa study.

Russia's strategic bombers have resumed their Cold War practice of flying long-haul missions to areas patrolled by NATO and the United States, a Russian general says.

On Wednesday a Russian bomber flew over a US military base on the Pacific island of Guam and "exchanged smiles" with US pilots scrambled to track it, said Major-General Pavel Androsov, head of long-range aviation in the Russian air force.

"It has always been the tradition of our long-range aviation to fly far into the ocean, to meet (US) aircraft carriers and greet (US pilots) visually," Androsov told a news conference.

"Yesterday we revived this tradition, and two of our young crews paid a visit to the area of the (US Pacific Naval Activities) base of Guam.

"I think the result was good. We met our colleagues - fighter jet pilots from (US) aircraft carriers. We exchanged smiles and returned home," Androsov said.

Russia is growing more assertive on the international stage and has been trying to project its military power far beyond its borders.

Its navy said this week it wanted to revive its Soviet-era presence in the Mediterranean Sea.

Last month, Britain's Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers heading towards British airspace.

Russia's military said that was a routine flight.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

In its sustaining program of going pro-active against crime and prevention of it, Army’s Civil Relations Service [CRS] conducted series of symposia on drugs in crime prevention and campus gangsterism, and last Thursday, the team was at the Loon Institute [LI] to appraise students of the threat of the stalking danger.

Air Force Msgt. Narciso Tabaniag Jr. said the CRS has gone into the measure knowing that crimes and drug-related problems usually happen due to lack of education and improper guidance of students.

In Loon, close to 130 senior students listened and actively participated at the discussions on drug addiction and its effects given by Msgt Tabaniag and Ssgt. Cris Barcinas, as well as the on new threat of campus gangsterism and an orientation on the anti-hazing law by a staff from the Philippine Information Agency.

School Principal Engr. Ma. Antonoitte Recamadas said she appreciated the effort because she has seen the threat of drugs and illegal organizations in several schools and realized any help they can get would be appreciated.

Giving the students the pep talk, Msgt. Tabaniag, who came in full military uniform said there is only one way that the students can get to realize their dreams and their parent’s aspiration and that is to stay away from the lure of drugs. Instilling his point, he said drugs can only mean jail, hospital or cemetery.

On the other hand, a PIA staff told students that any school organization that insists in putting the applicant in some embarrassing or humiliating situation such as forcing him to do menial, silly, foolish and similar tasks or subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury as an initiation rite to a group is already tantamount to hazing.

While belonging to a group could help a student develop his talents and capabilities, getting into suspicious groups that demand subservience may be a dip into a pool that could be too hard for them to get off, the PIA staff said.

The threat of hazing, aside from being banned by a specific law is also against the national policy on the protection of children and minors who get to be inflicted with embarrassing tasks or sometimes inflicted physical harm without the school authorities getting informed, the resource person shared.

During the open forum, the CRS men also responded to questions on the state of insurgency in the area, the truth on the legal front organizations, the guile of unscrupulous groups roaming the barangays and the salient points on the military’s recruitment program.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) authorities here in Bohol insisted that the recent verbal spat between the government agency and William Granert is nothing but about money.

The Soils and Water Conservation Foundation’s (SWCF) Executive Director Granert however denied the claim in a letter to a local paper in Bohol.

Granert said the idea of the SWCF-and Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL) Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) handling the funds came from New Zealand eco-tourism consultant Ross Corbett.

RSPL is Bohol’s part of the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems and covers some 29 barangays which is said to be the last frontier of the molave, and showcases local biodiversity in the forest’s flora and fauna. It has also been cited as one of the best bird-watching sites and environment educational venues.

PENRO Eduardo Inting however insisted that the Granert has explicitly recommended in a report which Inting did not elaborate, that funds be coursed directly to SWCF.

Maintaining that SCWF was questioning funds mismanagement by the agency, Granert said NZAid was supposed to fund a P10M grant for the RSPL biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction projects.

At the Kapihan sa PIA, Protected Area Superintendent Leonardo Elle said the NZAid is not just funding RSPL but Mayon, Hundred Islands, Lake Sebu and Pamilacan as well.

Granert, according to newspaper reports was asking for the P10M New Zealand grant for RSPL.

Putting the heat on Granert, former PENRO Arius Ilano explained that the grant, which was coursed through government has to be disbursed following government regulations and accounting procedures.

So that we can assess how much has the project gone, we even asked from the SWCF, one of the program implementers to give us the status of the projects so we will know how much of the NZAid has gone, but they could also not provide us with the records, Ilano stressed.

SWCF is just one of the project implementers of the project, together with the DENR-PAMB, headed by the DENR regional executive director.

Granert claimed in a report to the NZAid evaluation team that there was little done on the P1.3M first year of the project fund release.

The next year, NZAid again released P1.7M, while more funds could have been released until the grant was stopped for “questionable use of funds and implementation methods.”

“How come, they would be alleging mismanagement of funds when the project is under a project management team to which they also belong?” DENR asks.

The RSPL-PMT includes the DENR, the provincial government, municipal government and SWCF, the DENR at the Kapihan claimed.

Instead of saying bad things about the project, we are calling on Bill Granert and SWCF to sit down with us and iron out the issues, the DENR authorities urged.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Local police officers are now optimistic that the new directive from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the hiring of more cops could boost their crime prevention and fighting capabilities with the additional manpower coming.

Camp Dagohoy police operations head P/Inspector Vener Santos said at the going ratio of a cop for every 1,100 residents here, crime prevention and police visibility is almost impossible. To him, the new directive could lessen the ration and could mean improved police visibility in the streets to discourage criminal elements.

President Arroyo announced recently that 3,500 new policemen would be hired next year as part of a sustained program to beef up the government’s capability to combat lawlessness, terrorism and maintain peace and order.

The President's new directive effectively increases the hiring rate of new policemen to 3,500 from the annual rate of 3,000 every year and then to go 4,000 annually from 2009 to 2010.

Over this, Pinsp Santo believed that at any rate, Bohol would still get some trickle of the newly recruited force be they going through the attrition program or from the President’s special order.

In Bohol, PSSupt. Edgardo Ingking has urged for more cooperation from police crime-fighting capability status, than sour-graping over the apparent lack of police personnel.

In Bohol, where there is an alarming manpower lack when put in a backdrop of burgeoning population, increasing criminality and decreasing number of foot policemen, discouraging bad elements from hitting the innocent could be complemented by the community, PSSupt Ingking said.

Pisnp. Santos said the regional statistics is even undermanned when the ideal ratio should have been 1 cop for every 500 citizens.

He added that Bohol still has to get at least 250 new police officers to immediately improve its presence.

At present, Bohol only has 1,011 police officers some of them assigned desk jobs that only very few get the chance of pounding the streets and running after criminals.

This is the reason why curbing the recent spate of high profile robberies, hold-ups and the proliferation of drugs and illegal gambling is seemingly impossible, observers have said.

Dipped in this situation, Pssupt. Inking has rallied support from newly elected mayors who may still not know that the cops could not work on barely police funds.

In this situation which has been pervading the country’s police stations, the President also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to deploy its desk-bound personnel to “pound the streets” to increase police visibility as a deterrent to security threats and lawlessness all over the country.

To get the ball rolling, the President called on all college graduates who are still looking for jobs to try their luck and apply as policemen.

She said that with the number of recruits needed, landing a job in the police force would be cinch.

The President pointed out that the budget needed to hire the additional policemen would be taken from the revenues raised as a result of the strict enforcement of fiscal reforms implemented by the government, notably the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law.

Sinulat ni Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Buot sa Pilipinas nga lumsan ang record nga natala sa Amerika sa dungan nga pagpatotoy sa mga inahan, ug niini, karong umaabot nga Agosto 8, gilaraw sa mga tigpasiugda nga mahitabo ang dungan nga pagpatotoy sa 16 mil ka mga inahan sa nagkadaiyang lugar sa nasud.

Kini nga lakang subay usab sa adbokasya nga ang pagpamalit sa mga gatas alang sa mga masuso (infant formula milk) mas gastoso pa kas sa libre nga pagpatotoy sa mga inahan sa ilang mga bata.

Gihingusgan karon sa Philippine Lactation Resource and Training Center (PLRTC) nga ipakatap ang kasayutran ngadto sa mga hepe ehekutibo sa mga local government units aron yam-iran na unta ang haylo nga sponsorships sa mga kompanya sa artipisyal nga gatas.

Matud sa PLRTC, ang pagpatotoy sa natural nga gatas sa inahan makaayo sa kasanihan sa inahan ug sa bata, makaayo sa ekonomiya ug magpalig-on sa relasyon sa mga banay.

Sa pagpalig-on ning adbokasya, samtang saulogon sa kalibutan ang World Breastfeeding Week sa Agosto 1-7, giawhag sa PLRTC nga mahatagan usab og gibug-aton dinhi sa nasud ang kasaulogan.

Sumpay sa PLRTC, migasto ang mga Pilipino og P25 bilyones matag tuig sa wala kaayo kinahanglana nga gatas nga gani, delikado sa kahimsog sa bata.

Kini nga gasto, mahimo na unta nga igasto alang sa mas gikinahanglan nga serbisyo sosyal," si Dr. Elvira L. Henares-Esguerra, ang Director sa Children for Breastfeeding, Inc mipadayag.

Sumpay niya, sa Pilipinas, ang mga kompanyang nagbaligya sa gatas, mag-import og formula milk nga mibalor og P3.1 bilyones unya mobaligya niini sa presyo nga pito ka pilo o P21.5 bilyones.

Ang mga ginikanan usab mogasto sa P536 milyones alang sa pagpalubong sa mga mabiktima nga 16 mil ka mga batang mangamatay sa ingon ani nga pagpatotoy.

P3.5 bilyones ang gigasto sa nasud sa pagpatambal ug uban pang galastohan sa mga bata nga masakit dala sa artipisyal nga gatas.

Gitumbok nga ang sakit nga hubak, kalibanga, pneumonia ug malnutrition, nakapawala sa kapin sa usa ka bilyong nga uholang nausik tungod sa pagpalta sa trabaho sa mga ginikanan.

Kapin sa 30% nga kita sa mga banay ang magamit aron ipalit og infant formula milk kon itandi sa libre nga pagpatotoy sa inahan, butyag ng Esguerra.

Ang gatas sa inahan ang bugtong sulit nga pagkaon alang sa puya ug mga bata kay kini nagpalig-on sa panalipod sa lawas sa bata batok sa sakit.

Ang pagpatotoy usab mapganalipod sa mga inahan batok sa hemorrhage, mga matang sa kanser, diabetes ug sakit sa bukog samtang nagtabang sa mga inahan nga makapahiuli sa iyang lawas gikan sa pagbuntis ug pagpanganak.

I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. â€"Jonah 2:2

The story of Jonah is one of the most discussed and fascinating accounts in the Bible. But for all the debate, one thing is sure: Jonah did a lot of soul-searching in that smelly underwater hotel.

All of us can identify. Sometimes life just goes badly. When it does, like Jonah we need to ask ourselves some hard questions.

Is there sin in my life? In light of Jonah’s blatant disobedience, God had to do something drastic to catch his attention and lead him to repentance.

What can I learn from this situation? The wicked people of Nineveh were enemies of God’s people. Jonah thought they should be judged and not given a second chance. He obviously needed a lesson in sharing God’s compassion for the lost. “God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster” (Jonah 3:10).

Can I display God’s glory in this? Often our suffering is not about us but about people seeing the power of God working through our weakness. Jonah found himself in a helpless situation, yet God used him to lead a pagan nation to repentance.

Next time you find yourself in a “belly-of-a-whale” problem, don’t forget to ask the hard questions. It could mean the difference between despair and deliverance. â€"Joe Stowell

We learn lessons in the school of suffering that we can learn in no other way.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? â€"Romans 10:14

Recently, I met the man who introduced me to Jesus 35 years ago. Warren Wiersbe, former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago and Bible teacher for the Back to the Bible ministry, had preached the gospel at a Bible conference in 1972. It was the first time I heard the good news of God’s love for me as shown in Jesus’ death on the cross. The Spirit opened my eyes and heart that night, and I received Jesus Christ as my Savior (John 1:12).

We praise the Lord for people like Warren Wiersbe who faithfully preach the gospel and introduce others to Christ. According to the apostle Paul, they have beautiful feet: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:15).

But spreading the gospel isn’t just the responsibility of Bible teachers and pastors. All who know Jesus can share on a personal level with friends, co-workers, family members, and strangers. It’s our privilege and duty. Otherwise, how will people “believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (v.14).

Let’s make our feet beautiful by bringing the good news of Jesus to others. â€"Anne Cetas

Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today;
He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way;
He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how He died;
He has no help but our help to bring them to His side. â€"Flint

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news! â€"Isaiah 52:7

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” â€"Revelation 21:5

I was enjoying my son’s high school soccer game when the relative calm and normalcy of that warm September afternoon was shattered by a sound both distinctive and alarmingâ€"the sound of sirens. The shrill whine seemed out of place at such a pleasant moment, and it demanded my attention. According to singer Don Henley, a siren usually means that “somebody’s going to emergency” or “somebody’s going to jail.” He’s right. In either case, someone’s day, perhaps including the law enforcement or rescue personnel, just took a turn for the worse.

As I lost my attention on the game and thought about the siren fading into the distance, it occurred to me that sirens are a reminder of a powerful reality: Our world is sadly broken. Whether the siren tells us of criminal activity or personal tragedy, it reminds us that something is desperately wrong and needs to be made right.

At such times, it helps to remember that God sees our world in its brokenness and has pledged that one day He will wipe away the old and “make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). That promise encourages us in the hardships of life, and it provides the whisper of His comfortâ€"a whisper that can drown out even the sound of sirens. â€"Bill Crowder

He is coming! “Star of Morning,”
All the faithful caught away,
When the trumpet, in a moment,
Ushers in the glad new day. â€"Dimmock

God’s whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. â€"Psalm 119:11

Madame Marie Curie holds her place in history as a pioneer in the study of radioactivity. In 1903, she was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, capturing the honor in physics. Then, in 1911, she received a second Nobel Prize, this one in chemistry.

Such a wonderful contribution did not come without tremendous sacrifice. Madame Curie died of leukemia caused by prolonged exposure to radioactive materials. Even today, scholars who wish to read her handwritten journals and lab papers must wear protective clothing because these archives are still radioactive.

No one today would approach radioactive material without protection. But many seem unconcerned about exposure to the dangers of sin. Psalm 1 warns us against sinful attitudes, speech, and behavior (vv.1,4-6).

Obedience to God’s law is a spiritual safeguard from sin and its deadly consequences. The psalmist also wrote, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (119:11).

Madame Curie didn’t know about the serious health dangers of exposure to radioactivity. But God has given us ample warning about the dangers of sin. Let’s apply daily what we read in His life-giving Book. â€"Dennis Fisher

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin
And show me the heavenly way. â€"Sellers
© Renewal 1936 Broadman Press

The Bible will tell you what is wrong before you have done it! â€"D. L. Moody

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

My strength is made perfect in weakness. â€"2 Corinthians 12:9

Physical therapy is a painful necessity after knee-replacement surgery. Part of my routine involved my therapist pulling my knee back into a bent position and holding it taut. “Good stretch?” Mason would ask encouragingly. “No,” I winced, “not that good!”

I soon learned, however, how important it is to stretch one’s muscles and jointsâ€"sometimes causing discomfortâ€"to gain full range of motion.

That wasn’t the first time I’ve been “stretched” outside my comfort zone. God has sometimes urged me to share my faith with someone I didn’t know very well, or to give an offering that was far beyond what I usually give, or to confront someone about a situation.

Abraham’s life illustrates the importance of faith when God asks us to move beyond our comfort zone. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . . He went out, not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:.

While we stretch our spiritual muscles, we may feel discomfort. But God assures us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Our adequacyâ€"our sufficiencyâ€"is found in Him (3:5).

When you boldly step out in faith and obedience to God, you may be surprised at how a “good stretch” can strengthen your spiritual life! â€"Cindy Hess Kasper

To stretch our faith, to take the risk,
God says we will succeed
If we but ask Him for the strength
And grace that we will need. â€"D. De Haan

Our faith is stretched by exchanging our weakness for God’s strength.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. â€"Colossians 1:3

In 1947, Nadia from Bulgaria and Millicent from the United States became pen pals. For years they swapped photos, school experiences, and dreams. Then their letters stopped when government policy banned personal contact with the West.

After many years of political upheaval and change, Millicent, on a whim, sent a letter to the last address she had for Nadia. To their delight, the letter got through. Before long, they discovered that both had married doctors and both collected seashells. Forty-eight years after their first letter, the two friends finally met at Miami International Airport, where Millicent exclaimed, “Nadia! I would know you anywhere!’’

The letters of the apostle Paul overflow with affection and gratitude for his friends. In his letter to the Colossians, he wrote: “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (1:3). His letters also encouraged their walk with Christ (v.10).

Any friendship can be a gift from God. But nothing runs deeper than the relationships of those who share a bond in Christ. In fact, Jesus commanded His disciples: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). In Him, friendships are treasures that will last forever. â€"Mart De Haan

Of all the many blessings
That our gracious Father sends,
I thank Him most of all today
For loyal-hearted friends. â€"Halse

A true friend is a gift from God.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. â€"Isaiah 50:4

Francis Collins earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Yale University and then entered medical school. During his training at a North Carolina hospital, a dying woman often talked to him about her faith in Christ. He rejected the existence of God, but he couldn’t ignore the woman’s serenity. One day she asked, “What do you believe?” Caught off guard, Collins’ face turned red as he stammered, “I’m not really sure.” A few days later the woman died.

Curious and uneasy, the young doctor realized that he had rejected God without adequately examining the evidence. He began to read the Bible and the writings of C. S. Lewis. A year later he fell to his knees and gave his life to Jesus Christ. The catalyst? A sincere question from an elderly woman whose physical heart was failing but whose concern for others was strong.

In a prophetic picture of the Messiah, Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.”

May we be ready with a timely word or a caring question to point others toward our Savior who offers life and peace to all. â€"David C. McCasland

Lord, let me be a shining light
In all I say and do,
That Your great love displayed in me
May lead someone to You. â€"Sper

The next person you meet may need to meet Christ.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. â€"1 Timothy 6:18

Cindy Kienow, who works at a popular restaurant in Hutchinson, Kansas, had been waiting on one of her steady customers for 3 years. He always tipped her well, sometimes leaving as much as half the tab. Then he outdid himselfâ€"he gave her a $10,000 tip for a $26 meal. He told her, “I want you to know this is not a joke.” What an amazing display of radical generosity!

Paul advised Timothy to encourage the wealthy in his congregation to display radical generosity (1 Tim. 6:18). Timothy ministered in the prosperous city of Ephesus, where certain members of the church were wealthy. Some of these people didn’t understand their responsibility to the kingdom of God. So Paul challenged Timothy to remind them that having great wealth carried great responsibility. That included being humble, finding their security in God, not in riches, and using their money to do good. How they handled their money revealed the condition of their heart.

Even if we’re not wealthy, God has called us to radical generosity. We can share what we do have and be rich in good deeds. If we have a generous attitude about money, we are much more likely to be generous in other matters concerning the Lord’s people and His work. â€"Marvin Williams

When we give ourselves to the Lord, all other giving becomes easier.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. â€"Psalm 65:11

Some years ago I placed a squirrel feeder on a fir tree a few yards from our home. It’s a simple deviceâ€"two boards and a nail on which to impale a corncob. Each morning a squirrel comes to enjoy that day’s meal. She’s a pretty thingâ€"black with a round, gray tummy.

I sit on our back porch in the morning and watch her eat. She plucks each kernel from the cob, holds it in her paws, turns it around and eats the heart out of the kernel. At the end of the day no kernels remain, only a neat little pile of leftovers under the tree.

Despite my care for her, the creature is afraid of me. When I approach, she runs away, taking refuge in her tree and chattering at me when I get too close. She doesn’t know that I provide for her.

Some people are like that with God. They run from Him in fear. They don’t know that He loves them and richly provides them with everything for their enjoyment (Ps. 65:11).

Henry Scougal, a 17th-century Scottish minister, wrote, “Nothing is more powerful to engage our affection than to find that we are [loved by] One who is altogether lovely . . . . How must this astonish and delight us; how must it overcome our [fear] and melt our hearts.” God’s love is the perfect love that “casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). â€"David H. Roper

O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be. â€"Matheson

Your loving heavenly Father never takes His eyes off you.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. â€"James 1:2

I’ll never forget the time during college when, after I had finished writing a big paper that was due the next day, I heard a loud commotion in the room across the hall. My neighbor was in a state of panic, throwing stuff around his room looking for his paper. Frustrated, he banged his fist against the closet and shouted, “Thanks a lot, God. You make life one big laugh!”

I might have given him an A+ for theologyâ€"at least he knew that God was ultimately in chargeâ€"but an F for his response to the problem.

For those of us who get mad at God when life takes a wrong turn, we need a good dose of biblical therapy. So, welcome to “Wall-Bangers Anonymous”â€"a two-step program toward a positive, God-honoring response to pain.

Step One: Think straight about trouble. It’s not only inevitable, it’s indiscriminate. Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes. “Various trials” (James 1:2) affect our health, our careers, our relationships. Once we understand the facts, we can begin appreciating their significant value in our lives.

Step Two: Trade resistance and resentment for receptivity and rejoicing. “Count it all joy” (v.2). The joy is not in the presence of pain but in the knowledge that God is using our pain to refine us and make us better, not bitter. â€"Joe Stowell

If we embrace adversity,
Accepting every pain,
Then we will learn what we should know;
Our grief will turn to gain. â€"Sper

God chooses what we go through; we choose how we go through it.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

God is my helper. â€"Psalm 54:4

I hadn’t been water-skiing in 15 years, but when friends offered to take my son-in-law Todd and me out on the lake last summer, how could I say no? It seemed like a good idea until I watched Todd have trouble getting upright on his skis. He had done a lot of skiing, but as he tried to get up on one ski, he kept falling. So when it came to my turn, I didn’t have a lot of confidence.

Fortunately, my friend who is a competitive skier stayed with me in the water and coached me about what to do. She said, “Let the boat pull you up,” and “Be strong!” These seemingly contradictory statements made all the difference. I did bothâ€"I trusted the boat to do its job, and I hung on with all my strength. The first time the boat took off, I got up and enjoyed a great ride around the lake.

When life has you downâ€"whether through sorrow that seems too hard to bear or circumstances that make each day a morning-to-night grindâ€"my friend’s advice can help. First, let God pull you up by His power (Ps. 54:1-4). Then, hold on to His hand. Cling to Him and “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph. 6:10).

Trust His power and hold on. He will give you the strength to keep from falling (Isa. 40:31). â€"Dave Branon

Savior, let me walk beside Thee,
Let me feel my hand in Thine;
Let me know the joy of walking
In Thy strength and not in mine. â€"Sidebotham

Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. â€"Isaiah 40:31

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. â€"James 1:17

At a wedding I attended, the bride’s grandfather quoted from memory a moving selection of Scripture about the relationship of husband and wife. Then a friend of the couple read “Sonnet 116” by William Shakespeare. The minister conducting the ceremony used a phrase from that sonnet to illustrate the kind of love that should characterize a Christian marriage: “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.” The poet is saying that true love does not change with circumstances.

The minister noted the many changes this couple would experience during their life together, including health and the inevitable effects of age. Then he challenged them to cultivate the true biblical love that neither falters nor fails in spite of the alterations that would surely come their way.

As I witnessed the joy and excitement of this young couple, a verse came to mind from James: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (1:17). God never changes, and neither does His love for us. We are recipients of a perfect love from our heavenly Father, who has loved us “with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3).

We are called to accept His unfailing love, to allow it to shape our lives, and to extend it to others. â€"David C. McCasland

Unfailing is God’s matchless love,
So kind, so pure, so true;
And those who draw upon that love
Show love in all they do. â€"D. De Haan

God’s love still stands when all else has fallen.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me. â€"Habakkuk 2:1

Waiting is hard for me. I want answers now. Postponements perplex me; deferrals daunt me. I’m baffled by God’s delays, wondering why and when. “How long, O Lord?”

The prophet Habakkuk wanted answers as well, but God chose to take His time. “I will stand my watch . . . to see what [God] will say to me,” Habakkuk wrote (2:1). “The vision is yet for an appointed time,” God replied. “Wait for it; because it will surely come” (v.3).

Faith never gives up. It knows that despite appearances, all is well. It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work, because it is sure of Him. “Each delay is perfectly fine, for we are within the safe hands of God,” said Madame Guyon (1648â€"1717).

We too must learn to view each delay as if it were “perfectly fine.” Postponements are reasons to pray rather than grow anxious, impatient, and annoyed. They’re opportunities for God to build those imperishable but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength. God never says, “Wait awhile,” unless He is planning to do something in our situationâ€"or in us. He waits to be gracious.

So take heart! If God’s answer tarries, “Wait for it; because it will surely come.” â€"David H. Roper

Soon shall the morning gild
The dark horizon rim,
Thy heart’s desire shall be fulfilledâ€"
“Wait patiently for Him.” â€"Havergal

God stretches our patience to enlarge our soul.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

The Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. â€"Psalm 47:2

Pachyderm pedicures are not a luxury, they’re a necessity. According to an article in The Kansas City Star, if elephants in captivity don’t get regular foot care, they are prone to infections that can be fatal. But clipping the toenails of an animal that can weigh as much as 6 tons can be risky business. So one man had an idea. He developed an “elephant flipper” that allows keepers to restrain an elephant and safely turn it on its side. The device stands 12 feet high, weighs more than 15 tons, and costs $100,000. Several zoos have purchased this helpful contraption.

Caring for people can also be risky. Paul described what it takes to help those who, in perilous times, have wandered from the path of truth. He offers no ingenious device for helping those who are a danger to themselves and others (2 Tim. 2:23,25). Instead, he reminds us that when it comes to caring for the minds and hearts of others, we can’t rely on human ingenuity and muscle. What we really need is the wisdom of God. Without being quarrelsome or arrogant, the Lord’s servant must use gentleness and patience (v.24).

A blend of truth and grace in the presence of danger is more than self-protection. It illustrates for others the heart of the One we are urging them to embrace. â€"Mart De Haan

Speak truly and each word of thine
Shall be a fruitful seed;
Live truly, and thy life shall be
A great and noble creed. â€"Bonar

Use caution and grace when straightening out someone who has strayed.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

In humility [correct] those who are in opposition. â€"2 Timothy 2:25

It’s an often-used word, and we hear it in the most unusual contexts. It’s the word awesome.

My 9-year-old grandson Josh and I were playing with a radio-controlled racecar set on the living room floor. Several times he would say, “Awesome!”

On another occasion, as my wife and I were leaving a restaurant, the manager, who was standing by the door, asked, “How was everything, folks?” “Fine,” I replied. “Awesome!” he said.

These two occasions set me to thinking: While it’s fun to play with my grandson and to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, are these experiences really awesome? So I consulted Mr. Webster’s unabridged dictionary. The primary definition lists awesome as “deeply reverent,” “dreadful,” “awful.” I remembered the time that I stood on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. That was truly an awesome experience.

Then I thought of a more awe-inspiring reality still. It’s knowing the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. No wonder the psalmist wrote, “The LORD Most High is awesome” (Ps. 47:2).

The next time we hear the word awesome, may it remind us of our great God, who truly is awesome! â€"Dennis J. De Haan

God of everlasting glory,
Filling earth and sky,
Everywhere Thy wonders open
To our searching eye. â€"Peterson
© 1965 John W. Peterson Music Co.

Nothing is more awesome than to know God.

source: Our Daily Bread devotional book

source: BBC News

More than 50 people have been killed in clashes between troops and Islamist militants in the southern Philippines, military officials say.

The fighting, on Jolo island, began on Thursday when militants ambushed a military convoy, killing 10 soldiers.

Fifteen more soldiers died in later gun battles, and at least 27 militants were killed, the military said.

It blamed Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf and rogue elements in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

source: www.reuters.com

Women who get cosmetic breast implants are nearly three times as likely to commit suicide as other women, U.S. researchers have reported.

The study, published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, reinforces several others that have shown women who have breast enlargements have higher suicide risks.

Loren Lipworth of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee and colleagues followed up on 3,527 Swedish women who had cosmetic breast implant surgery between 1965 and 1993. They looked at death certificates to analyze causes of death among women with breast implants.

Only 24 of the women had committed suicide after an average of 19 years, but this worked out to triple the risk compared to the average population, they reported. Doctors who perform cosmetic breast surgery may want to monitor patients closely or screen them for suicide risk, Lipworth said.

"The increased risk of suicide was not apparent until 10 years after implantation," the researchers wrote.

Lipworth said she believes that some women who get implants may have psychiatric problems to start with, perhaps linked with lower self-esteem or body image disorders.

"I think we don't even know how big of a problem it is because we cannot even pinpoint what proportion of women have psychiatric disorders," Lipworth said in a telephone interview.

"There could be a whole lot of different disorders."

source: news.bbc.co.uk

A Catholic priest in Mexico who killed his son so the Church would not know he had broken vows of celibacy has been jailed for 55 years in Mexico City.

Dagoberto Valle Arriaga had confessed in 2005 to killing his son, Oscar.

State prosecutors have not released the boy's age nor any details about his murder, but local media are reporting that he was 16 when he was killed.

Mr Valle, who was a priest in the city of Texcoco, on the outskirts of the capital, was arrested ion 2006.

He was accused of kidnapping his son in September 2005 and bringing him to the central state of Guanajuato before murdering him.

The authorities released no details of how the boy was killed, but it appears that his father dumped his body in the outskirts of a city called Acambaro.

Officials said he was afraid the Church would find out about the boy's existence and remove him from the priesthood for breaking his vows of celibacy.

Celibacy is considered obligatory for Roman Catholic priests, although some Church officials have said it is not prescribed doctrine.

Roughly 150,000 men worldwide have left the priesthood to marry. The Church considers them outcasts.

There are more than 9,000 bills pending in the Senate.

The Philippines has more laws than its population (exaggeration intentional).

Watch this video.

http://www.moviesfoundonline.com/worlds_most_dangerous_gang.htm

I heard sa dyrd nga naay hospital gitulis.

Dili na bangko karon ang tulis sa Tagbilaran,
apil na ang hospital.

Kinsay maka-provide ug details about this, please post.

Female mice apparently become as randy as males after their sense of smell gets tampered with, aggressively trying to mount any mouse that moves, research now reveals.

These findings open the question as to whether circuits for male behavior exist dormant in females and vice versa elsewhereâ€"including humans.

In many animals, the vomeronasal organ often helps detect scents. In mice, it especially helps detect [OU1]pheromones, molecules used to attract the opposite sex and to communicate other signals linked with social behavior, such as parenting or aggression. The organ is found in the noses of practically all land animals with a backbone, except humans and other higher primates.

Key to helping signals from this organ travel up neurons to reach the brain is a gene called Trpc2. After they knocked out this gene in mice, Harvard molecular neuroscientist Catherine Dulac and her colleagues found that females displayed uniquely masculine sexual behaviors, such as chasing, mounting and thrusting pelvises against mice, both male and female, as well as giving out ultrasonic mating calls and sniffing derrieres.

"These results are flabbergasting," Dulac said. "Nobody had imagined that a simple mutation like this could induce females to behave so thoroughly like males."

As to whether or not this applies to humans, especially since humans lack vomeronasal organs, "my guess is as good as yours," Dulac told LiveScience. Rodents are driven by smell, while "humans and higher primates are mostly visualâ€"hence pornography!"

The effect if female mutants was also seen when the researchers surgically removed the vomeronasal organs of normal mice. The female rodents who had their sense of smell genetically or surgically short-circuited also abandoned typically maternal behaviors.

For instance, after giving birth, normal female mice spend about 80 percent of their time in their nest nursing their newborns, but the altered females readily wandered away after some two days of motherhood, eventually leaving the nest altogether. While nursing mice ordinarily attack male intruders and reject their sexual advances, the mutant females were docile toward males and seemed highly receptive to their overtures.

Often the differences in behavior seen between the sexes in mammals are attributed to chemicals such as hormones. These new findings suggest otherwiseâ€"the researchers found that female mice that had their sense of smell genetically or surgically hampered showed normal estrogen levels, testosterone levels and fertility cycles. Dulac and her colleagues described their findings online August 5 in the journal Nature.

"Our work suggests that neuronal circuits underlying male-specific behaviors develop and persist in the female mouse brain, but are repressed by the normal activity of the vomeronasal organ," Dulac said.

"In fact, our research suggests a new model where exactly the same neural circuitry exists in
males and females ," she added. "You only have to build one brain in a species and that the one brain is built, more or less, the same in the male and the female."

The only thing that differs between the sexes in mice when it comes to sexual behavior is due to how the vomeronasal organ works, Dulac suggested. "While male and female bodies are strikingly different physiologically, it appears the same cannot be said for the brain," she said.

These findings might open up new avenues for investigation into the brain origins of sex-specific human behavior.

Dulac and her colleagues are now studying male mice with genetically disabled vomeronasal organs to see if they display feminine traits.

source: livescience.com

Alexander was a great military commander, leading his troops into every encounter. A bit of an over-achiever, the historian Plutarch wrote that Alexander wept upon learning that the universe was infinite. When asked what was wrong, he replied: "There are so many worlds, and I have not yet conquered even one."

Hello Ruhland,

Read our Real Estate section of this site. We have posted some ads on house for rent.

Nine Philippine soldiers were killed when militants ambushed a convoy of troops on the volatile southern island of Jolo, the military said.

The ambush happened in the early morning as the troops went to a market near the town of Maimburg.

Military officials blamed the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf for the attack.

Abu Sayyaf is thought to have links with both al-Qaeda and the regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah.

Two other soldiers were injured in the ambush, military officials said.

Helicopters were being used to ferry in reinforcements and evacuate the casualties, a military spokesman told Reuters news agency.

Thousands of Philippine troops are based in Jolo, some 950km (600 miles) south of the Philippine capital, Manila.

They have been fighting Islamic militants holed up in the island's mountainous terrain for several months.

Abu Sayyaf is the smallest of four Muslim rebel groups in the Philippines, and is only thought to have about 400 members.

It has been blamed for various kidnappings and bombings, including an attack on a ferry in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.

source: BBC News

Quote from: udtohan on August 09, 2007, 01:56:18 PM
i have a different forecast for 2010. surprise, surprise!

Please disclose your forecast, Leo.

Varga,

I can design a website for Bohol tourism but I will just wait nga sila ang mangusog, otherwise they won't value the effort of a volunteer kung wala silay contribution.

Leo,

I have a strong feeling nga gi-sabotage ang Bohol. Ang pag-exclude sa Bohol has an evil, business consideration. Kabalo man ang mga resort owners sa Luzon and other parts of the country nga wala silay dag-anan sa Bohol, so they have to do something to bring down Bohol.

Ayaw pagbinuang GEC.

Written By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

The provincial government is creating a task force that will look into reported financial mismanagement at the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (RSPL).

Allegations made by the Soil and Water Conservation Foundation (SCWF) that some P7-million worth of funding assistance from the New Zealand Aid were cut-off due to anomalous use of funds.

During their regular session yesterday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) created a task force composed of the Provincial Legal Office, the SP committee on environment and natural resources headed by Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II and the committee on government properties.

In a privilege speech, Damalerio asked his fellow lawmakers to initiate a full-scale investigation on the RSPL management board which is composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), SCWF and the local government units of the protected area composed of 29 barangay captains in seven towns.

Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera and the other members of the SP supported Damalerio's proposal to create an investigating team.

The Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape is jointly administered by virtue of a tripartite agreement to manage the improvement, protection, conservation and development of the park as an eco-tourism destination.

Different stakeholders of the project were among the signatories of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to constitute the park's management board.
          
According to Damalerio, allegations of questionable use of funds and implementation methods by the SWCF against the DENR "adversely affects the credibility of the project implementers and the province of Bohol itself."

"It would be a shame if [the] trust and confidence of the New Zealand government would be eroded because of the dispute," Damalerio stressed, referring to the strengthened bilateral ties between New Zealand and the Philippines.

It maybe recalled that the visit Prime Minister Helen Clark visited the project March last year.

Damalerio said, "to accuse the DENR of fund mismanagement strongly reflects on the credibility of the government."

"Inaction on our part may spell more stringent measures or outright denial of future grants," Damalerio added.

The SP assured that the investigation will be fair and to be conducted immediately.

   
   

   

By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Two members of the Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) board of trustees denied having received notice on the looming power rate increase.

This was learned yesterday during a dyRD interview with former Gov. David Tirol and former OIC Gov. Victor dela Serna.

Both Tirol and Dela Serna represent the provincial government's 30-percent stake in Bohol Light.

The two former governors urged concerned consumers to attend the public hearing slated tomorrow and Friday at the Governor's Mansion that will be presided by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
          
According to Tirol, he only knew of the public hearing for the unbundling of power rates and the corresponding hike recently.

Dela Serna, disclosed in a separate dyRD interview yesterday, there is a requirement under the joint venture agreement (JVA) between the provincial government and the Salcon Group that any proposed rate adjustment must be done with the consensus of the board of trustees.

He was not advised of the impending increase being applied by Bohol Light, Dela Serna claimed.

According to Tirol, he was asked by Gov. Erico Aumentado to present Capitol's interest in buying back the Salcon shares during Bohol Light's last board meeting in Cebu.

The former governor said, he is consistently supporting the buy-back plan of the province.

Dela Serna for his part, said there is no other way to protect electric consumers from undue rate increases than to reacquire the power and water utility companies.

I mourned/lamented that I enrolled in HNU's College of Law.

Basa-basahan lang ka ug libro sa atubangan. I thought it was a reading class for pre-schoolers.

Tomas Abapo is an exception, though.

Mao nga midterm ug finals lang ko mosulod sa klase. I was happier reading Time Magazine in Brewpoint than being in the law class.

When I was a young boy I often wondered about that ghostly structure in Loay. Makalabay man gud ko ani kung moadto mi sa akong Papa sa Tagbilaran.

Sa dihang nagsulat na ko sa Chronicle, didto pa ko nakabalo nga hospital diay na siya nga gikalimtan nalang.

Written by Rey Anthony Chiu
Bohol Correspondent
Philippine Information Agency

Even with only 30% of the towns ready or 16 towns of the island's 48, the provincial rabies prevention and eradication program starts in a ceremonial launching August 14.

The province-wide program is supposed to be simultaneous so that control could be effective and that unvaccinated dogs could not contaminate the vaccinated pets from sanitized towns.

But even then, the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC) with the Provincial Veterinarian's Office gives the go signal to launch in two venues: Talibon and Tubigon.

In the launch set in Talibon at 8 am and in Tubigon at 1 pm, the program includes unveiling ceremonies of the Boholano dog in 2010, vaccine turn-over, ceremonial module turn over, free clinics and Alis itlog for dogs.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz said despite the glitches and the apparent lack of vaccines for bite victims, the program that is set to declare Bohol rabies free by 2010 starts.

Talibon and Tubigon launch is based on the degree of the preparation that both towns and its leaders did to get the program running, a preparation that demands a tough test of political will.

Alarmed local officials and concerned citizens immediately adopted the BRPEP upon learning that Bohol rabies cases topped Central Visayas. Moreover, tourism stakeholders fear that the spread of the virus here has the potential to destroy the image Bohol projects as tourism destination in the country.

In Bohol, the program could be a burden in as much as the island owns a big stray dog population and registering and vaccinating pet dogs may solve only a small portion of the problem, authorities at the BPRE Council said.

The program to run simultaneous all over the province includes crafting of a local ordinance, designing a program implementation handbook, adopting massive localization approach in dog population control measures and giving massive vaccinations.

Moreover, the program also includes drastic reduction of dog-to-dog and dog to man contact to lessen chances of rabies spread, strict surveillance and quarantine at ports of entry as well as institutionalization of responsible pet ownership. It also incorporates policy support and advocacy as well as research.

Now armed with the Anti-Rabies Provincial Ordinance, authorities out to implement the program pass on the burden to local governments who should have by this time organized the mechanism, disseminated and initiated the starting steps, Dr, Lapiz said.

It was however reported that in Bohol's 47 towns and a city, only 16 towns have set up the proper mechanism to locally implement the law.

In District 1, only Alburquerque, Antequera, Cortes, Maribojoc and Tubigon have set up the preparations needed to get the program running in the local levels.

The towns of Clarin, Dagohoy, Sagbayan, San Isidro and Talibon in Bohol's second District complements the efforts while of the third district, only the towns of Batuan, Dimiao, Mabini, Sierra Bullones and Valencia have also put up their preparations.

Local preparations include organizing the municipal rabies councils, orientation on the program, setting up of the bantay rabies sa barangay teams, municipal council meetings as well as localized information dissemination and municipal anti-rabies operations plan.

Written By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle

Drilling of oil deposits at the Bohol Strait is scheduled to start within the next two years.
The presence of commercially and economically viable petroleum resources between Bohol and Cebu was finally confirmed by the DoE and Otto Energy Ltd., the Australia-based company contracted by the Philippine government to explore oil and natural gas deposits in the Visayan basin and offshore Palawan.

In an advisory given to the DoE by Otto Energy, the latter reported that it is raising $11.02 million to fund the oil drilling off Cabilao Island in Loon town including the Argao, Cebu side.

Otto Energy owns and controls NorAsian Energy Ltd., which conducted the controversial seismic survey at the Bohol-Cebu seas last June.

Although the drilling was set to start earlier, Otto Energy revised its drilling program after completing the seismic exploration here.

The DoE has likewise approved the revised exploration work programs giving the Australian energy firm until March 2009 to drill the first wells at the Bohol-Cebu seas.

By August 2009, Otto Energy will commence drilling for the Marantao prospect in offshore Palawan.

These deadlines, Otto Energy's advisory stated, are in line with recent developments in the company's overall exploration program, particularly the completion of its seismic surveys over Service Contract (SC) 50 at Calauit oil field, SC 51 Argao-Cabilao and SC 55.

To fund the oil drilling on these three Philippine service contracts, Otto Energy will be issuing an additional 36.73 million shares of stocks.

Deposits in the Argao and Cabilao area are confirmed to contain up to 270 million barrels (MMbbls) of recoverable oil in conventional sandstone reservoirs, Otto Energy's report stated.

Can you tell us why the composer (probably from Manila) of Halika Byahe Tayo did not mention the Number 1 Tourist destination in the Philippines?

For the past two or three years Bohol has been judged as the number 1 tourist spot in our country, but why there was no mention of Bohol in this tourism-promoting song?

Boholanos, is this acceptable to you?

Here are the active ingredients in Redbull that are resonsible for the increased energy.

Glucose - Obviously glucose is Sugar. Cells use sugar and can rapidly convert it into energy. This gives a short term energy boost as glucose is turned into sugar.
Taurine - Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally made in the human body. Each can of Red Bull contains 1000mg of Taurine. Taurine help to move minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium throughout the cells. This helps to generate nerve impulses.
There has been some controversy over the effects of high levels of taurine on the body. It is believed to be unfounded but there are certain countries that prohibit the sale of redbull.
Its sale is acutally prohibited in Denmark, France, Uruguay, and Norway. In France, Only energy drink without Taurine are sold.

Glucuronolactone - Glucuronolactone is a precursor of taurine. It has be known to improve memory and concentration. It also can have stimulant and anti-depressant like effects.

Inositol - Inositol has mood boosting effects and improves how the brain uses serotonin. A chemical that is the same that is boosted by anti-depressant drugs like prozac and zoloft.
Some studies have recently shown that inositol may acually help treat certain problems like bipolar disorder, depression, and panic disorder.

Niacin - Niacin is a B vitamin that helps in energy formation. It metabolizes energy from fat and carbohydrates. Niacin can help the body use energy by releasing it from food.
D-Pantothenol - D-Pantothenol is also known as vitamin B5, or Pantothenic acid. It is known to improve mood and boost energy. D-Pantothenol help turn fat into energy and increases metabolism.

Pyridoxine HCL - Also known as Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine HCL helps red blood cells to form and provides better oxygen utilization. It also help to break down sugar that you have stored in your body to use for energy.
Vitamin B12 - B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells, for better oxygen utilization. It also help with energy production by breaking down fat and protein.
Caffeine - Red Bull contains 80.0 milligrams of caffeine which is almost double the amount of all other soft drinks. The caffeine in Red Bull gives you energy by blocking a chemical in you brain called adenosine. Adenosine promotes seepiness and without it you would not be able to fall asleep. When adenosine is blocked you body releases a boost of adrenaline which wakes you up.

source: chronicfatiguetreatments.com

I have been dreaming of visiting Israel.

I love Jerusalem!

Where can I find information about Granert? Does he own a website?

Another money-making racket of HNU. This can all be done through the Internet. A lot of open-source softwares are available for use.

Every time a students sends a request through Globe network and the charge is P2.50, for instance, Globe gets P1.50 and HNU gets P1.00. I don't know the exact scheme but this is how it works.

By the way, Internet structure in the Philippines is a disappointment and Smart and Globe are so happy about it.

Improve access to the Internet for the millions of Filipinos and many billions of pre-paid Globe and Smart cellcards will be thrown to the trash.

Quote from: udtohan on August 04, 2007, 01:55:54 AM
i heard about it...

a friend of mine ming-adto sa Moscow for a tour. while nagsuroy sila with a Russian guide, naay batan-on nagsige og sunud-sunod niya. giingnan niya ilang guide to ask the young man ngano nagsunod-sunod. so the guide asked the young man. miingon man kaha nang guide nga nakagusto ang young man sa iyang pants nga Levis. ang worth sa levis is equivalent to a 3-month salaray sa Moscow..perting mahala.  unya ang palit sa akong friend ukay-ukay ra intawon.

naluoy akong friend so he told the guide to tell the young man paadtuon sa hotel ikagabii.

wala pa mahuman akong friend akong kaligo naay mingtoktok...nagda ang Russian young man og carpet. minsinyas nga barter lang sila. iyang gihatag ang Levi's niya..gidugangan og usa isip baylo sa carpet. ang carpet mahal sa pilipinas pero sa russia barato sab.

high-in kaayo sa russia ang branded nga sinina, sapatos ug watch didto.

Sa Russia man gud ang business is oligopoly. Kining dili ka member sa oligopolistic ring, you can't do business in Russia. Dili pud nila ginapasulod ang mga products from other countries kay gusto sa mga Russian business mafia nga sa ila gam-on ang brand ang mga Russians ra sab ang mo-consume.

Congratulations, Hazel...

Keep Bohol awake with your stumbled research articles.

All for the love of Bohol!

Congratulations Barbaro!

Keep sharing what you know. All for the love of Bohol!

Macky,

Nindot kaayo imong balak. May kalawom nga magpusnga ka sa pagtugkad niini.

Nalipay ko nga daghan na ta mga mamalak dinhi sa Tubag Bohol.

Kining imong balak tugob sa tim-os nga gugma sa kinaiyahan.

Kung madaghan na ang mga balak dinhi sa Tubag Bohol, pwede himuon natong book of poetry (anthology) ug sa ingon nga paagi mapalambo nato dugang ang atong pinulungan.

BELLINGHAM, Washington - Asia Properties, Inc. or "API" (Pink Sheets:ASPZ) today confirmed its investment strategy targeting Philippine island acquisitions for the next 24 months.

CEO Daniel Mckinney, who recently attended the 2nd Philippine Investment Conference in Cebu, Philippines in June this year, echoed the words of the Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by saying, "There has never been a better time to invest in the Philippines, as the country offers one of the best values for the money in Asia for investors." Arroyo went on to say at the conference, "The government is investing billions, often in partnership with the private sector in new bridges, roads, ports and other modern infrastructure (which will) in turn attract more foreign investments."

As a result, Mckinney added: "Asia Properties is rolling out an aggressive acquisition program in Philippines resort sites over the next 6-12 months. API is delighted to be participating in the Philippine version of the Asian property investment boom that is currently underway."

Mr. Mckinney went on to say, "Asia Properties has now secured one of the most beautiful beach fronts I have ever seen. The beaches are fine white sand, the water is clear blue and this site is perfect to build the most exotic resort destination in the south pacific. We have been speaking with some of the world's most exclusive hotel operators to manage the various resorts."

The Company announced on July 30th that it has signed an exclusive option agreement to buy the majority of beach front property on an island 20 kilometers offshore from Southern Luzon, Philippines.

source: primenewswire.com