MikeLigalig.com

Ug ingon niini, pwede pa ni masagang:

Mga bana, ayaw lang pud mo padunggab ug ingon niini nga espada:

Mas labing kulba ug kuyaw kung black belter imong asawa, sama niini:

Labina na gyud ug naay tinotokan nga ingon niini:

Quote from: hubag bohol on February 19, 2011, 11:52:04 PM
Labi na kadtong laing baje ang gustong i-date sa Valentine's Day... 

Kitang mga laki, maguol seguro ta ug ingon niini atong asawa

Ang mga bana karong panahona kinahanglan na makakat-on ug self-defense.

Philippine top 10 nursing board examinees:

1. Weanne Myrrh Razon Estrada, Adventist University Of The Philippines: 88.40%

2. Mary Grace Bermudez Rallo, Central Luzon Doctor's Hospital Educational Institution: 86.80%

3. Maria Kristina Pamintuan Bicas, Saint Louis University: 86.60%

4. Vanessa Garma Elumbaring, Saint Mary's College-Tagum: 86.40%
Kimberly Medina Malubago Southern Luzon State University-Lucban (SLPC): 86.40%

5. Jessa Lorraine Dejan Andalan, Xavier University: 86.20%

6. Yugie Caroline Murillo Demegillo, Iloilo Doctors' College: 86.00%

7. Hanako Sasaki Aranilla, First Asia Institute Of Technology & Humanities: 85.80%
Teena Marie Junio Pascua Saint Mary's University: 85.80%
Nonah Vee Cornelio Sareno Davao Doctors College, Inc.: 85.80%
Elnathan Samson Subardiaga Universidad De Zamboanga (For.Zaec) 85.80%
Karl Marie Sta Ana Tuvilla University Of Negros Occidental-Recoletos 85.80%

8. Karl Gabriel Alferi Bonifacio, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.60%
Dennis Gonzales Duran Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila: 85.60%
Bernadette Lumibao Guevarra Cotabato Medical Foundation College: 85.60%
Criselle Lyn Guerrero Li Father Saturnino Urios University (Urios Coll): 85.60%
Vincent Jubelag Sumergido West Visayas State University-La Paz: 85.60%

9. Jacquiline Jane Banzuela De Jesus, Arellano University-Pasig: 85.40%
Rizyl Jem Franco Japitana, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.40%
Christine Jannie Paez Rivera, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila: 85.40%
Nicole Anne Albaladejo Sales Diaz, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.40%

10. Jaime Dela Roca Bonifacio Jr., Adventist University Of The Philippines: 85.20%
Micaela Orevillo De Guzman, Xavier University: 85.20%
Rose Angela Reyes Mahipus, Davao Medical School Foundation: 85.20%
Irene Kate Faustino Nicolas, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Marikina: 85.20%
Cesar Ryan Espera Ortiz, Aquinas University: 85.20%
Roby Ann Gutierrez Prado, Colegio De Dagupan (For.Computronix Coll): 85.20%

By Agence France Presse

A powerful solar eruption that has already disturbed radio communications in China could disrupt electrical power grids and satellites used on Earth in the next days, NASA said.

The massive sunspot, which astronomers say is the size of Jupiter, is the strongest solar flare in four years, NASA said Wednesday.

The Class X flash â€" the largest such category â€" erupted at 0156 GMT Tuesday, according to the US space agency.

"X-class flares are the most powerful of all solar events that can trigger radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms," disturbing telecommunications and electric grids, NASA said.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory saw a large coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with the flash that is blasting toward Earth at about 560 miles per second (900 kilometers per second), it said.

The charged plasma particles were expected to reach the planet's orbit at 0300 GMT Thursday.

The flare spread from Active Region 1158 in the sun's southern hemisphere, which had so far lagged behind the northern hemisphere in flash activity. It followed several smaller flares in recent days.

By DJ Yap
PDI

The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday it has designated a temporary replacement for outgoing Secretary Alberto Romulo, who has filed an indefinite leave of absence until the appointment of a new secretary.

DFA spokesperson Eduardo Malaya said Romulo picked his undersecretary for policy, Erlinda F. Basilio, to serve in an acting capacity for the duration of his leave of absence, effective February 18.

Malaya would not confirm reports that former Ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario has been chosen to replace Romulo as foreign affairs secretary. “You have to ask Malacañang,” he said.

A senior DFA official questioned the timing of the change of leadership at the DFA, considering the major issues facing the agency at present.

“Now is not the best time to have a change of leadership at the department, given the three Filipinos who may be executed in a few days, the Taiwanese deportation protest and many countries in the Middle East in turmoil,” he said.

“There is need for an experienced leadership at DFA in these critical times. Since Congress adjourns only on March 25, the nomination of his successor will require confirmation by the Commission on Appointments,” the diplomat said.

Basilio rose from the ranks of the DFA, starting as Foreign Service Officer IV in 1970.

She served as Ambassador to Sweden from 1997 to 2003 and Permanent Representative to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from 2007 to 2010.

At the DFA, she served as Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific affairs from1995 to 1997 and Undersecretary for policy from 2006 to 2007.

Naa bay buy-one-take-one ani? 

Manobila nalay kulang ani, plus driver.

By Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) called an emergency press conference on Friday to announce a voluntary safety recall of its subcompact vehicle models Jazz and City, explaining that small engine components in the models could create problems and potentially stall their engine.

Voltaire T. Gonzales, vehicle sales and corporate communication head, disclosed that four pieces of the lost-motion-spring retainers in the cylinder head of the 1.5-liter Honda Jazz (distributed from September 2008 to April 2010) and the 1.5-liter Honda City (distributed from January 2009 to April 2010) had to be replaced right away.

The recall targets 5,468 units of both models distributed at the time.

Measuring less than an inch and looking like the head of a nail with a spring body, two samples of the lost-motion-spring retainersâ€"one with a shiny head and another with a rough surfaceâ€"were shown at the press conference.

HCPI explained that the one with the rough surface had to be replaced by the one with the shiny head.

It said that high surface pressure between the wrong lost-motion-spring retainers and rocker arm slippers could result in increased retainer movement, which would then lead to spring breakage. The broken spring could then come into contact with other moving parts within the cylinder head, initially produce noise, and at the worst, cause the engine to stall.

The Honda Jazz subject of recall was imported from Thailand, while the City is a complete knock-down unit assembled in the Philippines.

Owners were advised to call their respective dealers or the Honda hotline at 1-800-1000-Honda (46632) or (02) 857-7240 for scheduling replacement work. Owners can also visit www.hondaphil.com for more details.

Cases of unaccounted funds and the lack of grassroots program have allegedly put Philippine swimming into a mess, a former senator said.

Nikki Coseteng, who is now president of Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City, told the House of Representatives recently about the supposed irregularities under PASA (Philippine Amateur Swimming Association) president Mark Joseph.

The ex-legislator noted that funds from 2004 to present have not been settled with concerned authorities such as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Commission on Audit (COA), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Coseteng also revealed that the PASA received P30 million directly from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) without passing through the PSC.

“Philippine swimming is in turmoil. Unresolved issues have hounded the leadership of PASA. These issues, on which the honor and credibility of our country rests definitely have to be investigated and resolved,” she said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

By Christian V. Esguerra, Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The houses that two former generals allegedly bought or rented using taxpayer money allotted to the Armed Forces took up much of Friday’s hearing at the Senate.

The blue-ribbon committee resumed its inquiry into the controversial plea bargain between state prosecutors and former military comptroller Carlos Garcia with the suicide of former AFP chief Angelo Reyes casting a cloud over the proceedings.

But nothing was said of Reyes’ alleged receipt of money from a purported military slush fund. Instead, the senators zeroed in on the houses, including a mansion at the posh Acropolis subdivision in Quezon City that then AFP chief Diomedio Villanueva allegedly used as a second home.

Whistle-blower George Rabusa, the military budget officer at that time, testified that the mansion was rented at P120,000 a month and that he paid the full P1.4-million rental for a year.

Also discussed were a total of 10 houses in the United States, all registered under the name of Erlinda Yambao Ligot, the wife of Villanueva’s then comptroller, Jacinto Ligot.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada showed Jacinto Ligot a picture of one of the houses, a two-story care home in California, but he denied any knowledge of the property.

Apart from the houses, the Ligots amassed around P740 million in peso and dollar deposits from 2001 to 2004, according to Sen. Franklin Drilon, who cited bank records submitted to a Makati regional trial court.

Incredible sums

The committee chair, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, was incredulous over why Ligot was never charged with plunder despite the amount of his alleged loot.

“How did you accumulate all these sums?” Drilon asked Ligot.

In response, Ligot invoked his right against self-incrimination.

Drilon distributed copies of a summary of deposits, withdrawals and balances frozen by Ligot, his wife Erlinda and their children Paulo, Riza and Miguel.

The transactions also included brother-in-law Edgardo Yambao, one Gilda Velasquez and Antonio and Ma. Cristina Laurel.

Citing the document, Drilon said Ligot first deposited $351,841.60 at Citibank (account number 8-143020917) in 2001. The total deposit of the Ligots amounted to $554,558.41 by the end of the year.

In 2005, Ligot and company’s deposit totaled $8.7 million. But following withdrawals, authorities were able to freeze only $1.3 million.

Erlinda Ligot had been invited to attend the hearing but did not show up. She sent the committee a letter saying the matter was “covered by the principle of sub judice, meaning it was under judicial consideration.

Estrada warned that Ligot’s wife could be subpoenaed to shed light on the two houses she had allegedly bought. The senator showed pictures of these pieces of propertyâ€"one in Anaheim and another one in Buena Park, both in Californiaâ€"at the hearing last week.

“It’s recorded in the US that there are 10 properties under the name of Erlinda Yambao or Erlinda Ligot,” Estrada said.

Cell Phones Can Cause Brain Tumor, says WHO Study

A report by two leaders of the World Health Organization’s Interphone study, the largest research study to date on cell phone risks, was published online in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine on January 27. The authors warn that people should be careful in how they use cell phones now while additional research is carried out by WHO and others, according to Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, founder of Environmental Health Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating individuals, health professionals and communities about controllable environmental health risks and policy changes needed to reduce those risks.

The study’s authors, who are not representing official WHO policyâ€"Elisabeth Cardis, PhD of Barcelona’s Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, and Siegal Sadetzki, MD, MPH of Tel-Aviv’s Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policyâ€"make a number of key observations.

For example, write Cardis and Sadetzki, most research on cell phone radiation studied people who used their phones for a few hours a month for less than five years. In the WHO Interphone study, which started in 2000 and ended in 2004, the average user had about 100 hours of cell phone use in their lifetime, with between 2 and 2.5 hours per month. Those who were at the top 10 percent of cumulative call time (1,640 hours or more), if spread over 10 years, corresponded to only about 27 minutes of phone use per day, and had a 50 percent or greater risk of developing malignant brain tumors on the same side of the head where they held their phones.

The authors claim that it is not possible to evaluate the magnitude and direction of the different possible biases on the Interphone study results and to estimate the net effect of cell phones on the risk of brain tumors. In fact, they agree with othersâ€"such as the authors of the report Cell Phones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone, issued in 2009 by the International EMF Collaborativeâ€"that the overall direction of research to date is worrisome.

Update from Sun Star Cebu

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas submitted Friday a report that supports a Norwegian national and his Cebuana fiancee's alibi that they were elsewhere at the time a six-year-old girl was kidnapped in Minglanilla.

At least 14 photographs, captured from the footage of the Waterfront Hotel's security cameras, were submitted to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. She will submit the full report on Monday to the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's office.

The first two photos show the couple, Sven Erik Berger and Karen Esdrelon, entering the hotel at 4:44 p.m. last February 8, bringing their bags. At 4:45 p.m., they were registering at the front desk. Each photo bears a date and time stamp.

According to witnesses, Ellah Joy Pique, 6, was abducted from outside a public school in Minglanilla past 4 p.m. on February 8.

The town lies more than 15 kilometers south of Cebu City.

Asked if she was convinced Berger and Esdrelon are not the suspects, Garcia replied: "You can make your own conclusion." She also declined to say whether she will seek the relief of Cebu Provincial Police Chief Erson Digal.

"As I said, expect action. Abangan ang susunod na kabanata," the governor said during a press conference where she presented the NBI Central Visayas's report to the press.

NBI-Central Visayas Director Edward Villarta declined to comment.

"There is a need to strengthen the case further," Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador said in a separate interview. He suggested looking into other accounts that three other suspects were involved in the child's death.

The chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Branch said their conference last Thursday afternoon was meant to guide the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) on what to do.

Comendador said the evidence, for now, is limited to the identification by three child-witnesses.

CPPO Director Erson Digal, in a phone interview, agreed they need to gather more evidence, but refused to comment on the NBI's findings.

"Bahala na ang piskalya ana (It's up to the prosecutor's office)," he said.

Director Villarta of the NBI pointed out the police were under pressure to file a complaint because they could not hold the suspects beyond 36 hours without doing so.

"Medyo pressured din sa time. May fiscal naman (There's a prosecutor) to weigh the evidence," he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Garcia said she was satisfied with the NBI's report, which was done in "a very careful, circumspect, thorough and quiet manner, without trumpets blaring or cameras rolling."

"They did their job in a most professional and unheralded manner, which befits persons of their credibility. They did not come out with press releases in spite of your (media's) badgering. They chose to remain quiet but worked thoroughly and now I have been presented with a report that has zeroed in to the verification of the story that was presented by this couple," she said.

She said she asked the NBI to verify the alibi of Berger and Esdrelon, after she talked with the couple last Sunday. The NBI did not interfere with the police, she pointed out, but acted based on her instruction as chairperson of the Provincial Task Force Against Criminality. That task force includes the NBI.

Garcia also said that what happened to Berger should not be considered a diplomatic faux pas, as there is a need to balance peace and order with the initiative of attracting tourists to visit Cebu.

"However, the bottom line is, fairness and justice to all concerned, and that is the reason why, as I have said, as the chair of the anti-criminality task force, we should get to the bottom of it and get the truth," she said.

Comendador, in a separate interview, said the police should find the black sports utility vehicle the child's captors used and trace the origins of the cloth wrapped around her body.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Cebu has deferred the release of their report on the black SUV that a Caucasian man and a Filipina used to abduct Ellah Joy. Witnesses caught only the tail end of the license plate (679) and not the three-letter prefix.

LTO-Central Visayas Director Raul Aguilos said the agency's IT provider, Stradcom, has not finished retrieving its data yet.

Ellah Joy's family has scheduled her burial for this Sunday.

Mary Jane Pique, the child's grandmother, said that despite doubts raised in recent days, she remains convinced the police arrested the right couple.

Exactly a week ago, Berger and Esdrelon were kept from boarding a 10:15 p.m. flight to Hong Kong, after an immigration officer said he saw their resemblance to police-made sketches of the suspects in Ellah Joy's case. (RSA/KAL/JKV/Sun.Star Cebu)

Romulo goes on indefinite leave
By Pia Lee-Brago, Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has gone on an indefinite leave of absence to pave the way for the assumption of his successor, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

The sources told The STAR that Romulo has been on leave since Wednesday but invited undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to a lunch yesterday at Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

Malacañang sources said former ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario would likely replace Romulo who is expected to be appointed as Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations.

“Secretary Romulo filed for a leave of absence in the morning of Feb. 16 and even packed his things in his room at the Office of the Secretary,” one of the sources said.

Career diplomats at the DFA may have clashed with Romulo over different issues but they do not agree with the “timing” of replacing him at the height of the crisis involving three Filipinos to be executed in China.

The diplomats said the DFA should be fully focused, acting strongly and being led by the secretary but he knew he is being replaced.

They believe Romulo should stay a little longer also in time for a special meeting next week called by Indonesia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to discuss the Cambodia-Thailand dispute. The ASEAN meeting could be Romulo’s farewell to his counterparts, they said.

By Reinir Padua
Philippine Star

Two trains of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 collided yesterday morning and damaged a portion of the emergency walkway on the side of the elevated tracks.

Falling debris hit a taxicab that was passing below the tracks along EDSA in Quezon City.

No one was hurt in the incident that occurred at around 10 a.m., but the Roosevelt station of the LRT in front of Waltermart shopping mall along EDSA was closed to allow crews to repair the damage.

LRT spokesman Hernando Cabrera said they could not immediately say how long the repairs would take before the Roosevelt station becomes operational.

Cabrera said an automatic switch failed to prevent a train from the southbound lane from going into the reverse track.

At that time, another train was already on the reverse track.

The collision happened at the portion of the reverse track in front of SM North, which is about 100 meters from the Roosevelt station.

Cabrera said LRT officials are still trying to find out what caused the failure of the switch.

He explained that there was supposed to be a sensor that would prevent the other train from proceeding into the reverse track.

Basin gikan lang namalbas. 

Syma S107 R/C Helicopter with Built-in Gyroscope Remote
Real Flying Helicopter Toy

Nowadays such companies are appearing at a cracking pace â€" new organizations emerge and try to lure people with stunning slogans that sound like “Our husband for rent will substitute for your real husband when you ask!”

continuation: http://rt.com/news/features/rent-spouse-love-service/?utm_source=2leep&utm_medium=2leep&utm_campaign=2leep

By Jhunnex Napallacan
Inquirer Visayas

A doctor died while two other sustained minor injuries in a vehicular accident early Wednesday morning at the Archbishop Reyes flyover in Barangay (village) Luz, Cebu City.

Dr. Alan Yu, 60 of #3 Yucca Road, Rosario Heights, Bacolod City, was declared dead on arrival at the Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City, traffic investigator Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Caperida said.

Caperida, who was driving his maroon Mitsubishi Adventure with plate number FFH 464, was coming from Barangay (village) Talamban area and was going towards uptown Cebu City when he was hit by a taxicab coming from the opposite direction at past 6 a.m.

Driver Polares Gonimil, 44, of Buhisan, with passenger Reshyl Timtim, 23, both sustained minor injuries.

Caperida confirmed that Gonimil, who was driving a taxi with the marking "RD-SAMC," was at fault since the vehicle he was driving had encroached on the opposite lane and had bumped the side of the front portion of Yu’s vehicle.

Caperida said Gonimil claimed that he accidentally swerved towards the opposite lane. However, Caperida believed that the taxi driver was running at high speed.

Perfect Timing in a Photograph

Chopsuey Bipolar

Best Coffee Time Design

Best Bottled Drink Design

My Cup of Tea

Best Product Design

Best Design of Paper Bag

Diabetes ang labas ani.

World's Biggest Coffee Cup

Reserved For Drunk Drivers

Mao nay giingon: "Too much love will kill you."

By Karen Boncocan
INQUIRER.net

Four minors were killed and 19 others were hurt after the mini bus they were riding overturned Wednesday in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, a police chief said Thursday.

In a text message, Chief Inspector Santiago Rapiz of Escalante City police said that Seikar Manlanat, 16; Joven Gaudia, 16; Noe Cañete, 15; Analyn Catubig, 16 died after the Sagay City-bound mini bus driven by Walter Yap, 35, turned turtle after trying to avoid another vehicle on his lane Wednesday afternoon.

The police chief identified those injured as Arnold Catubig, Eduardo Golez Jr, Orlyn Andales, Angelo Andales, Jay-r Zarsuelo, Susana Sibulan, Ana Jomocan, Enriqueta Fajardo, Ramon Dada Jr, Julie Pabalate, Neil Bryan Jizon, Eizel Cañete, Stephen Strada, Ma. Mae Gregorio, Roland Catubig, Jaymar Marinde, Ailyn Lovero, Sacarias Abella, and Paul John Martinez.

Mura man ug photo-ops. 

Vladimir Lisin

Russia's richest is a proletarian success story. First job was as a mechanic in a coal mine. After college in Siberia worked as steelworker. In 1991, when his boss was appointed minister of metallurgy, Lisin came with him to Moscow. In 1992 he joined up with tough group of traders called Trans-World Group; they came to dominate Russia's aluminum and steel exports. He managed the factories, and when the partners went their separate ways in 2000, Lisin got majority stake in Russia's giant Novolipetsk steel mill as his share. Constructed one of the largest shooting-range complexes in Europeâ€"Lisya Nora, which is close to Moscow. Publishes the loss-making newspaper Gazeta; last summer bought the business-news radio station Business FM
source: Forbes.com

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Ricardo David said Wednesday the military is willing to release ranking Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People's Army (CPP-NPA-NDF) leader Allan Jazmines if such is the wish of the government's negotiating panel.

David said after a command conference with President Benigno S. Aquino III that the AFP is "interested in winning the peace” and would be most happy if the armed conflict between it and the NPA would be resolved through the peace talks.

Jazmines, a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ central committee, was arrested by joint police and military teams from his safe house in Baliuag, Bulacan on Monday night.

The military said Jazmines was arrested for murder and rebellion based on arrest warrants issued by courts in Calauag, Quezon province and Lucena City.

Jazmines, who allegedly uses the aliases “Dex,” “Tomas,” and “Arthur,” is a member of the CPP's executive committee and political bureau, the military said. (PNA)

In terms of number of visitors, it's actually increasing day by day courtesy of Google search results. 70 to 80 percent of TubagBohol visitors come from Google search results.

One time I was approached in an informal party and the person informed me that she is visiting TubagBohol every day. She said she is not a member of TubagBohol yet as she is too busy reading new topics here but she always runs out of "office time" to make a reply/comment.

This topic was once brought up in a webmasters' forum site in which I am also a member. Forum caretakers are in a consensus that a forum site exists for a relatively different purpose. Forum sites are made to inform people (sustained information-sharing) while social networking sites are made as the term suggests. If we may notice, it's really hard to sustain a topic in a social networking site. I wonder whether one can still follow his/her FB status posted two years ago.

To compare the two (forum site and social networking sites), it really depends what an individual is looking for: some people may find it important to visit social networking sites to get updates on whether others are drinking hot or cold coffee (perhaps at starbucks?), or others have just bought a new dress/underwear, or friends are eating a hot cake, or others have just fed the hungry courtesy of farmville, and all sorts of ego bragging and narcissism, while some people may find it a delight to know what's happening to their communities and the very world they live in.  

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended a Bureau of Customs (BoC) security guard for amassing unexplained wealth amid a meager salary.

A copy of the decision was received by the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) on February 15, 2010.

The DOF identified the security guard as Raul Enriquez, who is assigned at the NAIA Customs House in Pasay City and holds a Security Guard II position with an annual salary of P100,500.00.

Enriquez was employed with BoC in 1986 as a Customs Guard I and had an annual salary P13,524.00.

Citing Enriquez’ sworn Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994 to 2004, the Ombudsman said the security guard declared his and/or his wife’s real property assets amounting to a total of P5.4 million.

However, an investigation by RIPS proved that Enriquez failed to declare that he and his wife also owned a 216-square meter and another 379 square meter parcel of land and a two-storey mansion all at Parkwood Greens Executive Village in Pasig City.

He was also found out to own a residential house in San Nicolas, Pasig City while his wife owns a 2005 Ford Escape SUV and a 2000 Toyota Corolla model.

DOF said Enriquez’ salary is not proportionate to all his assets.

“Based on confidential information gathered by RIPS and the OMB’s investigations on Enriquez’s lifestyle, there is sufficient evidence that Enriquez committed acts and omissions that are illegal, unjust improper and in violation of foregoing laws,” it said.

Finance Undersecretary for Revenue Operations and Legal Affairs Carlo Carag said “Enriquez, while having four children to support, managed to acquire unexplainable wealth while classified as having one of the lowest ranking positions within the plantilla of the Bureau of Customs.” - PNA

By PNA

Senator Panfilo Lacson has claimed that he heard about slush fund amounting to P40 million which has been reserved “at the exclusive disposal” of the chief of the Philippine National Police when he assumed the PNP top post in 1999.

In his press statement emailed to the Senate media, Lacson said he was informed that, aside from P40 million per year “commander’s reserve”, monthly gas allowance equivalent to the consumption of 50 vehicles and high limit credit card were also being given to the PNP chief.

Lacson, however, clarified that he never availed of the alleged privileges and, instead, instructed his director for comptrollership, then Police Director, now Congressman Romeo Acop of Antipolo City to “treat that reserved fund as part and parcel of the general fund for personnel welfare and other operational activities of the command.”

”I was never interested,” said Lacson, who remains in hiding in connection with the double murder of former publicist Salvador ‘Bubby’ Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.

”Mindful of complaints that police cars often ran out of gas, I ordered the excess allowance downloaded to front line units,” he added.

Lacson said he also asked his administrative officer, then Chief Insp. Asper Cabula to return the credit card “with clear instructions not to activate it.”

”Instead of enjoying these 'perks', I focused on getting rid of the police ranks of the ICU's - the Inept, Corrupt and Undiscilined police officers and providing a no-nonsense law enforcement service to our people. Eliminating the 'kotong' culture prevalent among street cops at that time and allocating the bulk of PNP resources topped my agenda,” he said.

Lacson said he is supporting the congressional inquiries into the alleged corruption in the military and the proposal to expand the investigation to the PNP.

”Having first hand knowledge of these facts, I strongly support the proposal to expand the investigation of the "welcome and send off gifts tradition" to include the AFP's across-the-street neighbor, the PNP,” he said.

Lacson also called on President Benigno Aquino III to seize this unusual opportunity of his time, highlighted by Heidi Mendoza and the supreme sacrifice inflicted by Gen Angelo Reyes upon himself, by including all other agencies of the national government in an extensive accounting of how the taxpayers' money are being spent.

”I am afraid, this opportunity will not present itself again even in the next one hundred years. Knowing and observing the president as a former colleague and and co-worker in the Senate, I have no reason to doubt his seriousness and sincerity to accomplish his "Daang Matuwid" advocacy,” Lacson said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday another suspect in the 2009 Ampatuan massacre was arrested by PNP operatives in Maguindano.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz identified the suspect as Nasser Esmael, alias Nasrudin Guiapal Esmael.

Cruz said Esmael, 33, was the driver of former Mayor Datu Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan Jr.

Esmael, of Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay town in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, was in the police's list of "most wanted persons" for his alleged involvement in the massacre of 57 people on November 23, 2009.

Cruz said Esmael was arrested inside his home by virtue of a warrant of arrest for multiple murder (56 counts), docketed in criminal case numbers Q-09162148-72; Q-09162216-31, and Q-10162652-66.

The arrest warrant was issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes.

Esmael was one of the suspects in the Ampatuan massacre where 57 people were killed, 32 of them journalists. A 58th victim, a photojournalist, is still missing.

On November 23, 2009, the family of now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu led a convoy to register the then Buluan town mayor's candidacy for governorship.

However, on their way to the provincial capital of Shariff Aguak, they were waylaid in Ampatuan town by heavily-armed men, widely presumed to be members of the Ampatuan's private army.

The Ampatuans have repeatedly denied they were behind the 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. (PNA)

By Bohol Chronicle

The Philippines has dominated the Southeast Asian Games' men's basketball competition, where it has won 14 of the 15 times the event was played in the biennial sporting conclave. he Philippines only lost the gold medal once, back in 1989 when host Malaysia topped the competitions.

That is why multi-titled coach Norman Black doesn't want to become the second Philippine team mentor that failed to win the gold.

There were also two other times (off court) that the Philippines didn't win a gold medal in men's basketball, but that was because basketball wasn't in the calendar of events.
         
The country was suspended by FIBA when it hosted the SEA Games in 2005, while the absence of a suitable basketball venue prompted Laos to drop the event in 2009.

The national men's basketball team to the 2011 SEA Games will be composed mostly of collegiate standouts. Black, who has won in all fronts of local basketball from the collegiate to the professional ranks, will handle the national team for the first time since an all-pro squad competed in Hiroshima for the 1994 Asian Games.

Black wants to form a running team and said that he wants to inject his system as early as possible since some of the players are still playing for their schools.

A total of 16 players participated in the first of a series of tryouts for the national team. The notables include Smart Gilas players Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and Aldrech Ramos, and collegiate standouts UAAP Most Valuable Player RR Garcia of Far Eastern University, and San Sebastian's Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang.

Black said that he expects a good turnout in the next few days that might include Chris Tiu, who has already expressed interest to join the SEAG-bound team.

Also expected to participate in the SEA Games tryouts is Fil-Am Chris Newsome, a 6-foot-2 guard from New Mexico.Newsome, born to an American father and a Filipina mother, is expected to suit up for Ateneo when he finishes his residency in two years.

By Bohol Chronicle

What could have been a stronger Central Visayas contingent to the Palarong Pambansa on May 8 in Dapitan City might and up a weak team.

This after the Cebu City government through Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young threatened to pull out its support for Central Visayas delegation to the national games. The City is the biggest donor for Central Visayas having given P1 million last year.
         
"We (the City) are very disappointed with how the Department of Education (DepEd)-7 is managing things and is inclined to withdraw our support," said Young.

Young blew his top after he learned that the Cebu City archers went to Dumaguete for the athletes performance evaluation, which is being conducted by DepEd-7 late January and spent about P11,000.

The evaluation, however, was cancelled due to bad weather. Young was very upset that the student-athletes had to miss their classes for a Palaro activity.

Young also said that he is not agreeable with the evaluation because the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet is already an extensive selection process for the region's representatives for the Palaro.

"DepEd's intension is good. Dir. Recaredo Borgonia has a point but there is a better way of doing it," Young added.

The evaluation also draw flak from coaches, parents and athletes who have won medals in the CVIRAA for fear that they may be replaced in the Palaro lineup.

WBO welterweight (147 pounds) king Manny Pacquiao will vacate the WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belt that he won with November's unanimous decision over ex-champion Antonio Margarito, this, on the eve of a potential lawsuit by WBC president Jose Sulaiman for past, overdue sanctioning fees.

The 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) will pursue his 14th straight victory and his ninth stoppage win during that time when he puts his WBO belt on the line against three-division, five-time champion, Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) in a May 7, Top Rank Promotions, Showtime televised bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao was out-weighed, 168-to-145, by Margarito, and was hospitalized with rib damage following the bout.
         
"We learned from experience in the Margarito fight that giving away 10 to 15 pounds during fight night is very detrimental to the safety of Manny," Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, told Ronnie Nathanielz of BoxingScene.com.

"Because of those basic concerns we have no intention for Manny to fight at 154. From this day forward, the maximum weight would be 147 pounds," said Koncz, who will send "a thank you letter" stating how much they "appreciate what the WBC has done and that Manny wants to free the belt so that others have the opportunity to proudly wear the WBC belt."

In response to sanctioning fees owed to the WBC,BoxingScene.com's Michael Marley also reported that Sulaiman has sent a letter threatening legal action.

Pacquiao apparently owes $30,000 for his disputed split-decision victory over current WBA and WBO king Juan Manuel Marquez in March of 2008, and another $50,000 for his eigth-round stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya in December of 2008.

By Rhenzkie Ligan

National chess campaigner and top seed Ricardo Ocoy of Booy District lived up to his top billing when he outclassed OFW Tito Murcia of Cabilao, Loon in 29 moves of Petroff Defense in the final round to secure 71/2 points in nine games and came out solo champion in the 2000 and Under Chess Tournament held at the Blatz N' Bolitz Chess Clubhouse located inside Mcjac Foodcenter, J.S. Torralba corner C. Gallares Sts., this city.

Murcia was so outclassed right from the opening stage as he could barely mustered enough counterplay against the queen, rook and knight attack unleashed by Ocoy at the black's kingside in the middle game.

Unheralded Daniel Martinez of Habitat Village, Bool District this city gained a pawn up in the endgame and offered veteran Jose Macute of Poblacion Dos a truce after 42 moves which the latter accepted. Macute placed solo second with seven points.
     
Maribojoc's pride George Vencilao escaped from a sure defeat in a very complicated middle game against junior standout Wilfredo Besinga of Poblacion Uno this city after finding the right combination to counter Besinga's march of two connected b-c passed pawns by exchanging his rook to the latter's white bishop and knight. Vencilao placed third overall with 61/2 points.

Comelec's top player Siegfried 'Jing' Saniel demolished Dauis' Pat Cabillada's pet defense, the Sicilian's Najdorf variation and surrendered after 31 moves. Saniel, Dauis' Agustin Penales and Murcia scored 51/2 points each.

Ocoy received one thousand five hundred pesos cash while Macute got seven hundred pesos. Vencilao went home with P400.00 while Saniel, Penales and Murcia received P300.00, P200.00 and P100.00 respectively.

The cash prizes were donated by chess patrons, Brig General Alejandro H. Estomo, Deputy Commander, CENTCOM, Camp Lapu-Lapu, Lahug, Cebu City and Engr. Oliver Samonte, COA, Region 12, Cotabato City.

Meanwhile, BNBCC's next chess activity will be the Open Category tournament slated on February 19-26 this year. A total guaranteed cash prize of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) will be at stake for the top ten winners. For more details please visit the chess venue and look for Brgy Kagawad Robin B. Torralba, Club Manager.

Minnesota Timber wolves forward Kevin Love has replaced injured center Yao Ming on the Western Conference team for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the league said yesterday.
         
Love was chosen by Commissioner David Stern to fill in for China's Yao, who was voted on despite being unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery which threatens his career.

The Western Conference team will be led by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who will be joined in the starting lineup by Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony.

Love earns his first All-Star Game selection but is not assured of being the fifth starters, which will be decided by West coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Thirsty Cup Football festival lived up to its reputation as the event with the most number of out-of-town entries after attracting 10 other places in the country to join its eight edition starting Friday last week at the Cebu City Sports Center.
         
The out-of-town squad include the tourism island of Bohol, Manila Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Siaton and Bayawan in Oriental Negros, Baybay, Leyte and San Carlos City.

Several teams in different divisions are being fielded in the three-day tilt which ends today. A total of 242 teams signed up for the event. No other details were available from Cebu.

The categories being contested are the players 6, 8 and 10 for the mixed categories along the boys and girls 12, 14 and 19 boys 17, ladies and men's open men's 36 and 42 above. - the bohol chronicle

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer has divulged plans for Boholano prospect Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista and another promising fighter.

The 24-year-old Adopted Son of Tagbilaran City closed the chapter on his rivalry with Mexican Alejandro Barrera last weekend with a third round knockout in the main event of "Pinoy Pride - The Rematch at the Waterfront with the Candijay, Bohol native winning via a fourth round TKO after Barrera suffered a nasty cut.
         

Aldeguer said Bautista will be gunning for a regional title in one of the upcoming episodes of the "Pinoy Pride" boxing series.

"We will bring him back slowly. He proved that he has overcome his biggest test. We will let him fight for the vacant IBF (International Boxing Federation) International title,' said Aldeguer.

Meanwhile, because of Jason Pagara's impressive performance in his bout against Indonesian Billy in the undercard, ALA Promotions will be taking their ward's career a notch higher.

Aldeguer decide to give Pagara a chance to hone his skills in the US.

"We want him to be exposed to training in the States. Pagara won by a devastating KO win.

However, Aldeguer said that Pagara won't be fighting in the US just yet because they believe he isn't ready for that yet.

"He is still 19 years old. We want to ease him slowly," added Aldeguer.

Visayas State Deputy Dionisio R. Esteban Jr. and Visayas State Secretary Allan Nicolas C. Quano will grace the 6th Joint Provincial Conference of the Knight of Columbus (K of C). Bohol East and Bohol South on Feb. 13 at the Main Function Hall, JJ's Seafood Village. K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City.

Close to 27 active K of C councils of the Bohol East and Bohol South will send representatives during the joint provincial gathering.
         

Host Provincial Deputy Jorge D. Cabalit of the K of C Bohol South will welcome the guests and participants.

Visayas State Secretary Ouano will give the rationale of the Provincial Conference with the theme: "In the Service of God, People and Country."

Provincial Deputy Florencio Talan of the Bohol East and Provincial Deputy Cabalit will render their respective reports which will focus on the service programs and activities of the different councils of the K of C.

The following district deputies and acting district deputies will render their respective accomplishment reports: Senecio Raya - District V-51; Cipriano Mapalo-District V-52; Talan-District V-53, Gene Inte-District V-54; Ernesto Calamba-District V-55; Galicano Alqueza-District V-56, Augusto B. Pascual-District V-58, Teodorico E. Daganato-District V-59, and Cabalit-District V-57.

Visayas State Deputy Esteban will give his reaction.

Grand Knight Bernabe Patos of Bohol Council No. 3290 will lead the closing prayer while Past District Deputy Glicerio Jubac will lead the singing of the closing ode. (Charles T. Cabalit)

Press Release

Lite Shipping Corporation launches its newest vessel M/V Lite Ferry 15, the second biggest addition to its present fleet of fully roll-on/roll-off passenger/cargo ferries. The 60.34-meter long and 827.83 gross registered tons vessel will soon augment the Cebu City-Ormoc City route as a daily ferry service.

M/V Lite Ferry 15 has a fully air-conditioned suite room, two cabins and well appointed air-conditioned tourist class facilities. It has also spacious non-aircon standard class and economy accommodations which can hold 552 passengers for the ever increasing passenger traffic of the said route.

Classified by MARINA as a rebuilt vessel, the recently rehabilitated/renovated ship from Japan is powered by two Akasaka engines (a total of 2,600 horsepower) and has a service speed of 12-13 knots and could carry 15 buses or trucks in her wide wagon deck.

M/V Lite Ferry 15 was formally inaugurated yesterday at the Pier 2 Port of Cebu City attended by top officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority and prominent local government officials and personalities.
         

Aside from Ormoc City, Lite Shipping Corporation is serving the ports of, Tagbilaran City, Tubigon, Getafe, Loon, Bohol via Argao, Cebu City to Ormoc City, San Carlos City via Toledo City, Larena, Siquijor, Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, and the Samboan, Cebu to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Lucio E. Lim, Jr., president and CEO of Lite Shipping Corporation believes that M/V Lite Ferry 15 will be another vital contribution of the company in the promotion of the roll-on/roll-off ferry services and operations for the Strong Republic Nautical Highway program of the government and would also enhance the economic activities in the progressive island of Leyte.

With a more contemporary and dynamic company logo introduced last year, Lite Shipping Corporation launched a new corporate brand name for all its vessels, the "Lite Ferries." The company's goal is to establish the "Lite Ferries" brand to be synonymous with excellent service and safe, clean, comfortable sea travel.

To date, Lite Shipping Corporation has achieved the following: it has established a Safety and Environmental Policy that actively promotes employee participation in measures aimed at improving passenger and crew safety as well as the protection of the environment, and it has been certified by MARINA with an International Safety and Management (ISM) code. Further, it is a consistent winner and Hall of Fame awardee for the Cleanest Ship of the Year in different vessel categories by the MARINA and the Bureau of Quarantine. Its reputation of having comfortable, clean and spacious passenger accommodations is therefore officially recognized by these government regulatory offices. In fact, through the years the company has earned a well deserved reputation among passengers for very clean toilets and comfortable passenger accommodation. The trademark of any Lite vessel is the above MARINA standards for passageways and distances between passenger bed bunks and seats.

In line with its vision of being the best RO-RO service provider in passenger and cargo transport at the least cost in the routes that it traverses, the company continues to expand its fleet nationwide putting it at the forefront of Philippine domestic shipping. A Boholano owned company by origin, the Barkong Bol-anon has stayed true to the friendly nature that Boholanos are best known for. Its friendly crew happily adheres to Lite Shipping Corporation's slogan - "Sailing with a Smile."

By Bohol Chronicle

A one-peso fare increase for all Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJ) in Visayas and Mindanao was approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) which took effect last Wednesday.

This was disclosed to the Chronicle by LTFRB-7 administrative staff Rey Elnar in an exclusive interview.

The increase brought the minimum fare from P6.50 to P7.50 in the first five kilometers.

An additional of 90 centavos will be charged from passengers in every succeeding kilometer. However, students are only allowed to pay P6 for the first-five kilometers while an additional charge of 72 centavos for each succeeding kilometer will be added.

On the part of the jeepney operators, Elnar earlier said that there is no more need for the operators to pay the usual amount of P520 for the matrix fee because the recent increase was provisional.

It can be recalled that the P8 fair increase was issued last 2008 by the LTFRB in the middle of an international oil price surge. However, the continued roll back of oil prices back then prompted the operators to voluntarily decrease the minimum fare to P6.50, thereafter.
       
Now that the oil price is again surging, the LTFRB implemented the provisional fair hike, Elnar added.

Elnar further explained that the recent increase was due to a petition from the transport group requesting the LTFRB to approve an amount of P8 minimum increase of fare for PUJ. However, the transport groups' original petition was not granted as the LTFRB lowered it to P7.50 minimum fare increase.

LTFRB regional officers personally came in Tagbilaran City last Friday to conduct the certification to all operators of PUJ in Bohol. The certification was able to register more than 300 jeepneys that are operating in the province.

Elnar added that no jeepney operator can legitimately increase fare if it can't provide and secure the certification from the LTFRB which must be posted inside the jeepney or multicab.

"This recent increase is only applicable to Public Utility Jeepneys. It does not apply to tricycles in the city because it's up to the city legislators to act on that matter", Elnar concluded.

NO HIKE FOR TRICYCLE

Meanwhile, during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran last Friday, Councilor Anne Mariquit Oppus brought up to her colleagues the possibility of implementing the same increase to the tricycle operators in the city, considering that these tricycle operators too, are affected with the recent oil price increase.

However, City Councilor Edgar Bompat, chairman of the committee on public utilities, said that the legislators can only entertain possible increase if there is a petition from the tricycle groups. None has been filed momentarily.

In an interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Oppus said that the minimum fare for tricycle operators will remain as it is. (Anthony Rañoa Aniscal)

By Bohol Chronicle

Four investors with the Provident Lending Investors, a single-proprietorship lending establishment based in Tagbilaran City, filed a joint complaint affidavit against it with the Securities and Exchange Commission for their financial losses, alleging violation of securities and investment laws.

Estanislao Galano, Disederio Ruloma, Junie Villadores and Romulo Oppus, all of Tagbilaran City, submitted their complaint through the SEC region office in Cebu City, invoking the said office to exercise its prosecutory authority to investigate violations of RA 8799 and RA 9474, which are laws providing securities regulations and requiring their corporate management.

Alleged in the same affidavit was the four invested by depositing with the Provident Lending Investors, managed by Ruben Donaire as manager-owner, assisted by his wife Lena Donaire as treasurer, some amounts of money, duly acknowledged through a certificate of trust investment and issued with a promissory note that the same would earn an interest of 2 percent monthly.

The financial arrangement set a condition that investors may take back their deposits one month after an advance notice and staggered at no more than 10 percent of the total deposit for each withdrawal.
         

Not only were these conditions violated they claimed. After the interest income was unilaterally reduced to 1.5 percent, then 1.0 percent, then altogether to nothing, the principal deposit could not be withdrawn while not shown as pending collection from delinquent borrowers.

It can be recalled that the Bohol Chronicle was first to feature as a news item in its October 10, 2010, issue the investors' problem with the lending firm, to attract public attention and preempt any further damage it may cause anybody. It revealed that some P100 million in deposited investment was already accumulated, that Lena Donaire had left the country and that its business was slowing down.

The revelation could have caused sudden apprehension among the investors that presumably prompted Ruben Donaire to invite them on October 31, 2010, to his office for a dialogue/meeting, but only a few of the roughly 180 investors attended.

As sourced by the Chronicle from Galano in an interview, it was learned that the meeting focused on rehabilitating Provident Lending Investors' lending vigor to meet its obligation to investors, but Galano noted that the effort might run afoul of existing laws in light of its failure to register first as a corporation, and observed further that in the meeting Donaire was evasive about and could not satisfactorily explain the whereabouts of the more than P100 million invested.

Aware that Donaire had either mortgaged or disposed most of his properties, the four complainants filed their affidavit after consulting with some of the investors about their intention in a meeting with them last January 16. It was the initial step to unravel a mystery difficult to believe as having been orchestrated by only one man.

Hopefully, Galano added, it will snow-ball to wake up all the investors about their worsening predicament to come out of anonymity and initiate a court action, outside of what the SEC might take, for a criminal case to prosper for possible breach of contract, estafa, or syndicated estafa, or even plunder and, ultimately, locate where the money went.

The Regional Forum on Climate Change hosted by the Bohol Island State University (BISU) came at the most opportune time for the Boholano academe.

The forum featured presentations on Satellite Monitoring Climate Change; Biofuel, Stocks and Opinions; Managing the Forest to Increase Productivity; and Bionergy and Biochar Production by renowned scientists. The Balik Scientist Program brought back to Bohol Dr. Terry I. Sarigumba, a retired forest soils scientist and a Boholano, who brought along with him Dr. Josefino E. Comiso, Senior Research Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
   
Governor Edgar Chatto (1st from right) joins the scientists in the cause to mitigate climate change the Balik Scientist Program brought back to Bohol Dr. Terry Sarigumba, a Boholano retired forest soils scientist, who brought along with him Dr. Josefino Comiso - a senior research scientist at the national Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center, and Dr. Lino Blanche - a national program leader with the US Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Comiso, an expert on Hydrospheric and Biospheric Science, explains that the doubling of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing unusual weather patterns and that by suppressing the increase of carbon dioxide, surface temperature can be stabilized. He adds that this can be achieved through reduction or termination of use of fossil fuels, use of clean alternative energy source, conservation, development of new designs for green buildings and houses, reforestation, and even geo-engineering or international large scale manipulation of the global environment.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations declared that the developing world already contends with chronic food problems. Changes in climactic patterns pose significant impacts on agriculture and food production. Climate change presents yet more challenges in cereal production, and decrease of agricultural Gross Domestic Product.
       
The Asian Development Bank also emphasized that decrease in soil moisture in dry areas may accelerate forest loss while increase in rainfall also increases threats of soil erosion and flood occurrences.

According to Department of Agriculture senior technical adviser Dr. Esteban C. Godilano, the Philippines is one of the world's most vulnerable countries when it comes to climate change. About 43 percent or 13 million hectares of the country's agricultural land are likely to be affected by climate change-induced drought. Meanwhile, 20 percent or 5.53 million hectares will be affected by floods and 11 percent or 3.4 million hectares will be affected by landslides.

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, who was recently on a lecture with other local executives on the Bohol experience in leading local economic development amidst climate change at an event sponsored by the Local Government Academy, described the forum as relevant and timely in light of recent continuous rains and flooding that hit the province.

In addition, its focus on the impacts of climate change on forestry and agriculture proves useful as these are two assets the province is richly endowed with, the governor stated.

With Bohol most affected by sea level rise due to changes in ocean circulation patterns brought about by climate change, the governor feels it is of utmost importance that Bohol has its own strong advocacy on climate change mitigation. It is imperative to understand climate change and adapt small measures to prepare for and to mitigate its ill effects. The governor, whose banner programs include strategies on food sufficiency and environment, stressed that planning and development strategies must then include the aspect of climate change.

Gov. Chatto's teamwork with BISU President Dr. Elpidio T. Magante is further strengthened with the establishment of the Regional Center for Information and Research on Climate Change at the Biodiversity Complex in BISU Bilar, under the directorate of Prof. Jose Travero. The university-based Research Center is co-managed by the Provincial Government of Bohol.

The governor believes that the academic sector is in the best position to understand, communicate, and relate to the people to understand the repercussions of climate change. He has even sent communication to the Climate Change Academy of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) regarding the research center.

Early on, the governor issued an Executive Order on Disaster and Risk Management and also directed the review of the Bohol Environment Code, of which he was author. The review, which is ongoing, shall include a sector on disaster management and climate change.

Mitigation of climate change requires multi-lateral, multi-sectoral cooperation to succeed in measures such as holding of climate change summits, social mobilization and advocacy, information education campaigns, development of disaster-risk management strategies and enhancement of disaster-preparedness, as well as legislation and policy support, as counterparts to global and national policies. No amount of measures against climate change will be successful in the absence of genuine cooperation between the government, the business sector, and the civil society, the governor reminds.

The output of the three-day regional forum on climate change is a concept paper and project proposal on measures to mitigate climate change especially in the areas of forestry and agricultural resources. (Leah/EDCom)

By Bohol Chronicle

Latest round of monitoring on fish prices showed increase in the mark-up from the landing sites to the wet markets.

From the previous P20 per kilo, it now ranges from P30 to P60 per kilo.

Wholesale of anduhaw, for example, was only at P120 at the landing site of Getafe and P100 in Talibon. In Tubigon landing site, it's P100 per kilo in the early morning but already reached P130 per kilo by noontime.

In the afternoon, landing sites in Garcia-Hernandez and Ubay port sold it at P120.
It's wet market prices already reached P160 per kilo in Alburquerque, P150 in Garcia- Hernandez, Ubay and Pasil in Cebu.

The small anduhaw was sold at P100 per kilo in Ubay.

Bariles or panit was sold at P120 per kilo at landing sites in Ubay port.
         

It already reached P200 per kilo in the wet market of Tubigon, and P160 in Ubay.

Anchovies or bolinao was monitored to have been sold at P90 per kilo for wholesale at the landing site of Garcia-Hernandez, P160 per kilo in Talibon and P40 in Ubay.

However, it's retail prices in already reached P100 in all wet market of Candijay, P110 per kilo in Garcia-Hernandez, P70 in Talibon and, P60 in Ubay.

In the week's closing, the fish prices monitoring team recorded a price of mangsi sold in Ubay at triple the price in Dumaguete.

On Thursday, it reached P90 per kilo in Ubay, while it was only at P30 per kilo in Dumaguete.

Bangsi was sold at P65 per kilo in Dumaguete City that day, while it was just P40 per kilo in Cebu. But it reached P120 per kilo in Candijay, and Garcia-Hernandez and P100 per kilo in Tubigon.

Tamarong was sold at P80 in Carbon market, P150 per kilo in Pasil, P160 in all the wet markets of Tagbilaran City and Albur, P120 in Dumaguete City, P130 in Garcia-Hernandez and P140 in Talibon.

Bariles or panit that day was sold at P110 per kilo in Pasil and P100 per kilo in Carbon, but reached P200 per kilo in Tubigon and Dumaguete City, while it was only P160 per kilo in Ubay.

Katambak then was sold at P140 per kilo in Candijay, but it reached P200 per kilo in the wet markets of Manga, Cogon and Dao in Tagbilaran City.

A violation against Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 is set to be filed tomorrow against four drug personalities.

The arrest of the four suspects came during a series of raids conducted by the Provincial Public Safety Company last Thursday in the towns of Ubay and Inabanga.

PO2 Rolex Tamara, case investigator, said three of the four personalities who were arrested during the raid led by Police Superintendent Clarito Baja, were identified as Rey Braman Reyes from brgy Poblacion Ubay town, Pia Tacatani, 63 years old, widow, from brgy Badiang Inabanga, and Mary Anne Añasco, from brgy Cogon Inabanga town.

The fourth suspect, Expidito Lofranco, the live-in partner of Añasco, was able to elude the raiding team. However, he was included in the charge sheet.

The successful raid was armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Ermasita Masamayor of RTC Branch 52 in Talibon while the raid at the houses of Tacatani and Añasco were protected under a search warrant issued by Judge Fernando Fuentes III from RTC Branch 49.

Tamara disclosed to the Chronicle that the raiding team recovered from Reyes three sachets of positively confirmed shabu that weighed 0.05 grams. Also recovered from Tacatani were 12 sachets of positively confirmed shabu that weighed 0.28 grams.

Meanwhile, they also recovered from Añasco 6 sachets of positively confirmed shabu that weighed 0.12 grams.
         

"All of the sachets we recovered from them passed laboratory examination and positively confirmed as shabu", Tamara stressed.

In an exclusive interview by the Chronicle, Tacatani admitted that indeed she regularly pushes drugs in her brgy. She further said that she only got those sachets of Shabu from another big time pusher in the said place. However, she denied that she ever used shabu, considering that she is already 63 years old. Tacatani further said that she was forced to push drugs out of poverty since the illgal activity netted her monetary commission for every sale of shabu.

Meanwhile, PNP Provincial Director PS/Supt. Constantino Paul Barot Jr., disclosed to the Chronicle that the recent successful raid just proved that the arms of the law are much longer than anyone suspects.. He added that the campaign of the PNP against illegal drugs does not favor anyone.

The PNP boss, during a radio interview over dyRD vowed to attend to other information on drug trade operation in the province. During the interview over dyRD's Inyong Alagad program, Barot assured to attend to information in Loay and Valencia towns where drug pushers are doing brisk selling of shabu.

He will; verify reports that some of these drug pushers are allegedly getting the protection of some police and local officials in the areas.

Barot renewed his call to drug personalities to stop engaging in such activities because sooner or later, the long arms of the law will definitely catch them. He asked the public to text information to 0912-8089279 or 0917-3051833, PNP,s Hotlines.

"I hope that our people will continue to support the PNP in our campaign against illegal drugs because this problem can't be solved by the PNP alone," Barot concluded. (Anthony R. Aniscal)

By Bohol Chronicle

The controversial proposed Reproductive Health bill will be one of the issues which will not miss the interest of Pope Benedict XVI when some 28 bishops from the Visayas will personally visit the Vatican this week.

Meanwhile, a strongly worded pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will echo during today's Holy Masses in all Catholic churches of the Diocese of Tagbilran.

Bishop Leonardo Medroso together with 28 other bishops in the Visayas flew to Manila yesterday en route to Rome for a personal audience with the Pope at the Vatican.
       

MEDROSO

During an interview over dyRD shortly before his departure yesterday, Medroso said that the stand of the Catholic Church against the bill could be among the issues to be raised during their group and individual talk with the Pope.

Each of the bishops will be given at least 15 minutes for a one-on-one talk with the Pope during their ad limina visit.

Medroso said the visit is a chance for the prelates to report developments and concerns of their respec-tive dioceses and individually speak with Pope Benedict XVI.

Medroso will have the opportunity to report the pastoral, evangelization, administrative as well as the liturgical programs of the diocese under his stewardship.
         

Highlighting the bishop's "report" to the Pope will be the five-year pastoral program of the Diocese of Tagbilaran as the local church will mark its 75th year in 2016. This program now becomes a part of the 10-year preparation for the 500th year celebration of the Catholic church in the Philippines.

It maybe recalled that Christianity was planted in the country in 1521, that same year when Spaniard Magellan discovered the Philippines, significantly highlighted with the planting of the Magellan cross in Cebu City.

The bishops will stay at the Colegio Pilipino, a place where Filipino scholars stay when they will do further studies at the Vatican. Presently, Boholano priests, Fr. Harold Parilla and Fr. Cecil Lobregas are staying there.

Medroso and the other bishops will know the exact day of their scheduled one-on-one appointment with the Pope once they will arrive in Rome this week.

Aside from meeting with the Pope, the bishops are also scheduled to visit various offices of the Roman Curia, the Sacred Congregations and the Pontifical Councils in Rome, he added.

The Pope is also expected to give his address to the visiting bishops.

The Catholic Encyclopedia says the visit ad limina means, technically, the obligation incumbent on certain members of the hierarchy of visiting, at stated times, the "thresholds of the Apostles", Saints Peter and Paul.

Bishops have to present themselves "before the Pope to give an account of the state of their dioceses," the encyclopedia says.

"The object of the visit is not merely to make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles, but, above all, to show the proper reverence for the Successor of St. Peter (the Pope)." This meeting with the Pope is required of the bishops once every five years.

PASTORAL LETTER

The pastoral letter to be read today boldly informed the parishioners that the proposed bill which is now given the new name as "Responsible Parenthood" bill calls for a moral choice and that is to choose life or to choose death.

This pastoral letter came as an offshoot of a supposedly friendly discussion between the government and the Church where CBCP discovered that the respective positions are "far apart" thus it called a categorical stand in objecting the proposed bill.

The CBCP branded the RH bill as a "major attack on authentic human values and on Filipino values regarding human life that all of us have cherished since time immemorial."

The CBCP stated that the RH Bill "does not respect moral sense that is central to Filipino cultures while it branded the bill as a "product of the spirit of this world, materialistic spirit that considers morality as a set of teachings from which one can choose, according to the spirit of the age,"

The bill does not promote reproductive health as it does not protect the health of the sacred human life being formed. The very use of contraceptives already reveals the "anti-life nature"

The church refutes the claim that it reduces cases of abortion since the contraceptives provide false sense of security that takes away the inhibition to sexual activity. With many failures on the use of contraceptives, abortion is resorted to.

On prevention of AIDS, the bishops said this is a false propaganda since the use of condoms instead increased sexual activities, thereby increasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS.

The stand of advocates that RH bill empowers women with ownership of their own bodies is in line with the post-modern spirit misguided by the so-called "new truth".

On the issue of population and poverty, the bishops hit back at government stating that the real causes of poverty are misguided economic policies, corruption and greed.

They also hit government for social inequities like lack of access to education, poor economic/social services and poor infrastructures.

The estimate of world organizations that P400 billion is lost yearly to corruption is what is causing poverty and nothing much to do on population as government statistics office would conclude that there is no overpopulation in the country but only over-concentration of population in the urban centers.

By Bohol Chronicle

The president of a multi-million corporation demanding P4.1 million from the provincial government of Bohol (PGB) categorically stated that he was not aware of a demand letter bearing his signature.

Ernst Stengg, President of Petrogreen Oil Commodity Holdings Inc. told the Chronicle yesterday that he only knew about the letter when Gov. Edgar Chatto wrote them to clarify certain issues concerning their demand payment for the supply of jatropha planting materials.

Petrogreen Oil Commodity Holdings, Inc. presented to the Chatto administration sales and/or delivery invoices worth P4,134,312.80 shortly after it took office last July 2010.

The demand letter was reportedly signed by Ernst Stengg, president of Petrogreen.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Leonora Stengg, Petrogreen Board of Director and wife of Ernst Stengg, speaking in behalf of her husband appealed to Gov. Chatto to meet with Petrogreen board of directors to clarify certain issues arising from the assailed supply contract agreement.

When asked about their reaction if the SP decides not to pay the claims of Petrogreen, Mrs. Stengg replied "We will stand by the truth". However, she did not elaborate.

To pay or not to pay. This is the question confronting the Sangguniang Panglalawigan after Gov. Chatto referred the matter to the SP for further study.

Since the jatropha planting materials were delivered during the Aumentado administration the newly installed governor referred the matter to the SP to thresh out several issues concerning the legal and financial obligations of the Provincial government.
         

Initial findings of the SP showed that the much ballyhooed Jatropha program of the previous administration has been non existent for more than a year after the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into between the Philippine National Oil Corporation-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) represented by its President and CEO Gen. Romeo P. Tolentino and the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGB) represented by then Governor Erico Aumentado was rescinded last September 30, 2009, two months after the MOA was signed.

The MOA was signed on July 22, 2009.

Petrogreen's participation in the project came in after the company's proposal contained in a letter dated June 22, 2009 signed by Poch V. Lamug, Managing Director and COO to supply certified planting materials for the Jatropha Plantation Project (JPP) was affirmed by Antonieto Pernia, former chief of staff and designated project director of JPP, also Head of the Provincial Government Media Affairs (PGMA) and Atty. Handel Lagunay, Head of the Provincial Legal Office signing in behalf of the PGB.

However, initial findings of the SP revealed that Lagunay and Pernia signed the agreement with Petrogreen one month before the previous SP granted the authority to former Governor Aumentado to enter into a contract with PNOC-AFC.

The Petrogreen agreement was signed June 22, 2009.

The SP Resolution dated July 14, 2009 did not authorize the Governor nor any other official of the PGB to enter into a contract with Petrogreen.

Sources from the SP told the Chronicle that this arrangement were highly irregular since Petrogreen together with Lagunay and Pernia agreed to a supply contract a month before the PGB and PNOC-AFC signed the MOA for the development of 3,000 hectares of Jatropha Curcas Plantations.

Moreover, SP sources said that there was no bidding conducted for the supply of jatropha planting materials.

Documents obtained by the Chronicle showed that planting of jatropha seedlings started even before the signing of the MOA.

Documents also showed that Petrogreen thru Lamug, Pernia and Lagunay agreed that the pick-up price of the Jatropha planting materials will be Php3.80/piece plus 80 centavos if delivered to any point in Bohol.

But the program implementation was hampered by the bickerings between the PGB and the PNO-AFC who were at loggerheads over the type of planting materials to be used in the plantations.

The PGB favored Jatropha cuttings over seedlings based on positive results in young plants growing in the fields.

But PNOC-AFC refuted the PGB with pictures allegedly showing cuttings used as planting materials were rotting and dying.

Asked to comment on the issue, Pernia, short of admitting that the agreement with Petrogreen Managing Director and COO Poch Lamug for the supply of jatropha planting materials was flawed, explained that the contract was done in haste since the JPP would be highlighted in the SONA as one of the achievements in the alternative fuel program of the GMA administration.

Pernia also bared that the previous administration was practically caught unaware of the change of variety for jatropha planting materials from cuttings to seedlings under Gen. Tolentino since it was already agreed during the term of former PNOC-AFC President and CEO Peter Anthony Abaya that jatropha cuttings would be utilized.

Pernia also said that the PGB could not accept the planting materials offered by the PNOC-AFC sourced from Los Banos since this would entail additional delivery expenses and would also affect the quality of the planting materials while in transit because of the distance.

Petrogreen was chosen as the preferred supplier because of the proximity of their nursery located in Guindulman.

To save the project Petrogreen thru Lamug reportedly offered to shoulder the labor and planting expenses of the farmers thru a P300,000.00 fund coursed thru Pernia.

Pernia confirmed this arrangement and told the Chronicle that growers beneficiaries submitted receipts for labor and planting reimbursements to Glen Doloritos, Executive Asst. of the Chatto administration.

The establishment of Jatropha Curcas plantations was conceived in support of the GMA administration's agenda to develop the Biofuels Industry as part of the country's energy self sufficiency program.

The PNOC-AFC will provide funding for an initial 1,000 has. to cover cost of planting materials, farm inputs, labor cost for land preparation and planting, administration, supervision and maintenance for 16.5 months.

Estimated cost was P25,000/has. with 1,250 seedlings/has. of jatropha curcas variety.
The MOA was valid for ten years or until PNOC-AFC has recovered its investments whichever is later.

However, on September 22, 2009 or two months after the signing of the MOA, Aumentado decided to cancel the agreement due to the non-release of an agreed .6M from PNOC-AFC intended for documentation of partner-growers/cooperatives and labor expenses.

So who's holding the proverbial empty bag - Petrogreen or the jatropha grower?

Agricultural experts have been warning farmers not to rush into this jatropha project even as government agencies have been trumpeting the financial gains that would benefit growers of tuba-tuba. - CMV

Last week's rounds of raids exposed the method of consignment deal in illegal drug retail as confessed by a 63-year-old mother caught red-handed in barangay Badiang, Inabanga.

One Pia Tacatani, 63, claimed to be just a passive retailer wherein a supplier delivers the packs of shabu to her house and only pays them when already sold.

She said young users in the neighborhood just go to her house to buy shabu and she only earned from the mark-up and disclosed that the supplier just hangs around the barangay to corner the business.

The police team even found some packs of shabu placed on a saucer with strips of tinfoil that are known paraphernalia in shabu pot session.

Some of the sachets of shabu were found beneath a Sto. Niño statue on her makeshift praying table.

She even almost spilled the beans when interviewed live over dyRD while the raid was going on.

Tacatani was among those caught in the second round of raid Thursday morning launched by the composite team of Inabanga and the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC), under Col. Clarito Baja and PO2 Rolex Tamara.

Results of the test at the crime laboratory released Friday afternoon found all the crystalline materials seized from her house, and those from two other suspects to be shabu.

The PPSC is yet to file on Monday the charges of possession of illegal drugs, a violation of Article II Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 against Tacatani, and three other subjects of search warrant served last Thursday-Mary Ann Gudito Añasco, Expedito Lofranco, and Rey Braman Reyes.

However, it was learned on Saturday that Añasco and Reyes had already posted bail.
         

The raiding team swooped down Tacatani's house and two others in Inabanga at around 7 a.m. Thursday by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Fernando Fuentes III of the RTC Branch 49.

Tacatani yielded 12 small transparent cellophane packs of shabu placed inside the three boxes as small as those used in vapor rub packaging, a cellophane strip used in repacking shabu, one empty plastic vial of Betet ointment containing 25 strips of tinfoil, two improvised tooter and a forcep.

The shabu seized from Tacatani weighed 0.28 grams.

From her house, the raiding team proceeded to the house of his son, Rizalde, about 100 meters away but found nothing.

They then proceeded to barangay Cogon of the same town where they chanced on 33-year-old Mary Ann Gudito Añasco. But her live-in partner, Expedito Lofranco, outsmarted them in the chase.

Both were subjects of another search warrant.

The raiding team seized six small cellophane packs containing shabu found to have weighed 0.12 grams and P2,500 cash from the house where they both lived.

Lofranco is now a subject of manhunt.

Baja's team then brought Tacatani and Gudito to the PPSC headquarter at Camp Dagohoy, along with another suspect caught earlier that day.

Prior to the Inabanga raid, the team first swooped down the house of another suspect, Rey Braman Reyes in Poblacion, Ubay at dawn.

Reyes yielded three sachets of shabu found to have weighed 0.05 grams.

Judge Ermasita Masamayor of the RTC Branch 52 in Talibon issued the search warrant on Reyes.

Police excluded Tacatani's son, Rizalde in the charges, though he was also a subject of a search warrant, since they seized no evidence from him.

Radio reporter Weli Maestrado, who joined the raiding team as witness, narrated that they almost had an accident on their way to Inabanga from Ubay.

Maestrado said that upon reaching Trinidad town, the blinker of one of the police car in the convoy was accidentally detached prompting its driver to step on the brakes.

The next police car following it, running at a speed of approximately 120 kilometers per hour, slightly rammed its rear and both cars had to spin twice to avoid full collision, but sending one of them to the canal by the roadside.

It delayed the operation a bit, but nonetheless they still caught up with all the subjects in the search warrants on location, except that Lofranco managed to elude arrest. - Bohol Chronicle

by PNA

Senator Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday that there is no legal basis for Commission on Audit (CoA) chairman Reynaldo Villar to stay because his term already expired last February 2 as confirmed by the Commission on Appointments in 2008.

Drilon said that the certificate of confirmation from the powerful CA dated June 11, 2008 clearly indicates that Villar shall serve as CoA chief until February 2, 2011 only.

Villar was originally appointed by Arroyo as CoA commissioner last February 2, 2004, and he was later named chairman of the agency in April 2008, replacing Guillermo Carague whose term had expired. His appointment was until February 2, 2011.

The debates on the 1987 Constitutional Convention clearly indicate that the appointee to any constitutional body shall in no case serve in an aggregate period of more than seven years. Article IX-D of the 1987 Constitution also prohibits reappointment, Drilon, a former Justice and Executive secretary, pointed out.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court in Nacionalista Party v. Vera in 1949 and in Matibag v. Benipayo in 2002, ruled that the aggregate tenure of an appointee to a constitutional body, such as the Commission on Elections and CoA, cannot exceed the full term of seven years, whether or not such person completes his term of office.

As such, Villar’s term of office as CoA chairman expired last February 2, he cannot serve beyond his term of office even if he had served as chairman for less than three years and he cannot be reappointed to the agency because of the constitutional prohibition, said Drilon, following Villar’s claim that he would serve until 2015.

“Villar served the CoA well. He should not tarnish his record in the agency by unlawfully clinging to his post,” Drilon said.

Contrary to Villar’s claim, Malacanang also said Villar’s term has already expired last February 2. (PNA)

Opinion by Boxing Insider

Floyd Mayweather told the world he is the greatest fighter ever, his undefeated record proves it.

But when it comes time to fight Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather is quiet as a mouse. Until, Pacquiao signs to fight someone else, then Floyd comes out and talks some of his worthless bulljive and nonsense.

Shane Mosley, like everyone else in-the-know, put it best. If Floyd wanted to fight Pacquiao, he’d be fighting him.

Clearly Floyd, underneath the cocky front he masquerades, must be freaked out and spooked by what Manny Pacquiao is accomplishing and how he is doing it.

Despite his own outstanding, though perhaps overrated achievements, Floyd is lacking confidence to match his skillset against Pacquiao’s.

Which is strange because so many highly respected boxing world figures actually believe Mayweather can defeat Pacquiao. Tomasz Adamek, Don King, Mike Tyson, Emanuel Steward, Wladimir Klitschko, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya, Juanma Lopez, Zab Judah, Sergio Martinez all believe Mayweather has the essential attributes to defeat Pacquiao.

You would think that the boxing IQ of that collective field of pugilstic genius would be enough alone to pump Floyd up and spark him into action, aside from the the enormous payday that is there waiting to be earned.
Yet for almost two years now we have seen no action, just empty, fake words from Floyd Mayweather about fighting Manny Pacquiao

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao met with American President Barack Obama and US Senator Harry Reid during a White House visit Tuesday.
Pacquiao, who won an election in his native Philippines and now represents Sarangani province, posed for pictures and exchanged gifts with Obama. Pacquiao was accompanied by his wife Jinkee.
Nine months ago Pacquiao entered and won his riding in the Philippines national elections and is working on improving the infrastructure in the province by building hospitals and upgrading schools.
The eight-division world champion invited Obama to his next fight, in Las Vegas on May 7, when Pacquiao will take on American Shane Mosley. Obama gave Pacquiao a watch with the presidential seal on it.
Last year, Pacquiao helped campaign for Reid, who did some boxing in his youth. - AFP

Cebu Daily News

A sugar industry leader has warned that some food and beverage manufacturers might be using artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes, which are harmful to the health.

Enrique Rojas, president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters Inc. (NFSP), on Wednesday noted the drop in the sugar withdrawals in the Philippines, which could indicate that food and beverage manufacturers might be using sugar substitutes, sugar premixes or even synthetic artificial sweeteners such as magic sugar.

Rojas noted that sugar withdrawals from September 2010 to December 12, 2010, have dropped by 50 percent, compared to the previous period.

Based on the Sugar Regulatory Administration sugar production bulletin, sugar withdrawals as of December 12, 2010, reached only 259,835 metric tons, way below the 604,001 metric tons registered on Dec. 12, 2009.

For refined sugar, withdrawals as of December 12, 2010, were pegged at 156,329 metric tons, compared to 330,555 metric tons for the same period in crop year 2009-2010. The volume of refined sugar withdrawn from the refineries also dropped by more than 50 percent, Rojas added.

“To save on their production cost, some unscrupulous companies may have resorted to using cheaper sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners in their food and beverage products, at the expense of the health of the public,” Rojas said.

One of the artificial sweeteners is magic sugar which is actually sodium cyclamate, a cheap sweetener which was found to be carcinogenic by health experts worldwide. As such, its use has been banned in many countries, including the Philippines and the US, an NFSP press statement said.

A small pack of magic sugar, which sells for about P30, can reportedly sweeten a gallon of cold drinks. It is reportedly sold under the Gold Bell brand, manufactured in Indonesia and smuggled into the Philippines, the NFSP disclosed.

Recently, a cargo of magic sugar was apprehended by the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga.

A few years ago, the National Bureau of Investigation Bacolod under Mamerto Cortez had confiscated packets of magic sugar, which were openly sold in one of the local grocery stores in the city, it added.

Hence, it is not inconceivable that magic sugar may have made a comeback in the food and beverage market, Rojas said.

Aside from having adverse health effects, the use of magic sugar would also displace the use of domestically and naturally produced sugar and would deprive sugar producers of the rightful return on their investments, Rojas pointed out.

Agence France-Presse

An edgy public radio show has revealed what it purports to be the secret recipe for Coca Cola â€" a formula which has become the stuff of legend after decades of careful marketing by one of the world's most recognizable brands.

The recipe is supposedly kept in a locked vault, and Coke at one point had an advertising campaign about the two top executives who knew the secret and couldn't fly on the same plane or the formula could be lost forever.

"We think we may have found the original recipe for Coca Cola," said the host of "This American Life" Ira Glass in opening the hour-long program that aired over the weekend.

"One of the most famously guarded trade secrets on the planet â€" I have it right here and I am going to read it to you and read it to the world and make my case for why it is real, despite what Coca Cola may say."

The handwritten formula was discovered in a pharmacist's old book of recipes and published in the company's hometown paper â€" the Atlanta Journal Constitution â€" in 1979, Glass said.

"If that seems a strange and random place to find this kind of thing, well, Coke was invented by a pharmacist and was originally sold at pharmacy soda fountains," he said.

The book apparently originally belonged to an acquaintance of Coke's inventor, John Pemberton, and was then passed from one pharmacist to another before it was eventually discovered by the newspaper columnist.

The newspaper even published a picture of the recipe, which was clear enough to read each ingredient.

What convinced Glass is that the formula matched â€" and filled out â€" a partial recipe found in Coke's archives that also became public.

The secret "Merchandise Seven X" formula is allegedly made from:

20 drops of orange oil, 30 drops of lemon oil, 10 drops of nutmeg oil, five drops of coriander oil, 10 drops of neroli oil, 10 drops of cinnamon and eight ounces of alcohol.

Either two or 2.5 ounces of that flavoring is then mixed with:

Two pints of lime juice, an ounce of vanilla, 1.5 ounces of caramel color, 30 pounds of sugar and fluid extract of coca leaf â€" "which includes a small amount of cocaine," Glass said.

Unfortunately, the recipe tastes nothing like today's Coke, with modern labs much better at simulating flavors, and the original recipe being known for tasting like fruity medicine.

But that doesn't mean it's not the original recipe, Glass said.

By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is now a distinct possibility.

Voting 7-5, with two justices partially concurring with the majority and one abstaining, the Supreme Court Tuesday threw out Gutierrez’s petition seeking to declare unconstitutional the impeachment proceedings against her in the House of Representatives.

“The court en banc … has dismissed the petition of the Ombudsman, thereby effectively allowing the [House] justice committee to proceed with the impeachment proceedings,” Midas Marquez, the high court’s spokesperson and administrator, said at a news briefing.

Marquez also told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the ruling was proof of the justices’ independence from any individual or political group.

“In many actions of the court, it has already shown that it is not, as what many say, an Arroyo court,” he said.

Written by Senior Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the ruling was issued exactly five months after the tribunal barred the justice committee from hearing two impeachment complaints against Gutierrez.

Marquez said the ruling “effectively lifted” the status quo ante order issued by the high court on Sept. 14, 2010, to stop Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. and the justice committee that he chairs from discussing the impeachment complaints.

But Marquez said that Gutierrez still had 15 days to file an appeal, and that it would be “more prudent” for the lawmakers to wait for the high court’s final decision before starting the impeachment proceedings.

In fairness, sakto si hubag bohol. buotan ug dagway ang babaye. piskay pud iyang pahiyom. kay lagi tawo lang ta, ug seguro wala lang siya makabalibad sa kataposang hangyo sa himatyon.

This is her

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee will meet U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on February 15 at the White House, reports PhilStar.com. Pacquiao will be the first Filipino boxer to enter the White House in Washington, D.C., according to PEP.ph.

The Sarangani congressman will ask Obama for help for his constituents in the province, according to PhilStar.com. Pacquaio told PEP.ph, "Siyempre, excited tayo dahil matagal ko ng pangarap na makaharap at makausap si US President Obama. Isa ito sa hindi ko malilimutan na parte ng buhay ko dahil malaki ang paghanga ko sa kanya." ("Of course we're excited. I've long dreamed of meeting U.S. President Obama. I will never forget this because I admire him very much.")

Meanwhile, his wife Jinkee told PEP.ph, "Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko or masasabi ko kapag nandoon na kami. Baka matulala na lang ako kapag nasa harapan namin sila (laughs)." ("I don't know what to say or do once we meet them. I might get star struck.")

Manny Pacquiao Wasting Money in High-stake Gambling

Latin American countries Monday urged Japan to stop hunting whales for scientific reasons in the so called "austral sanctuary" in the Antarctic.

Members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the Buenos Aires Group made public "their strongest rejection to the hunting of about 1,000 whales, including spices considered as endangered, in the whales sanctuary of the Austral Ocean," the Argentine Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Buenos Aires Group is formed by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

"The Buenos Aires Group reaffirms its commitment to preserve the whales, to keep the trade moratorium valid since 1986, to promote the non lethal use of the resources and to respect the integrity of the whale sanctuaries recognized by the IWC," the statement said.

The group also urged Japan to end "scientific hunting" in the sanctuary set by the IWC in order to protect the whales. (PNA/Xinhua)

Is Bohol Wisdom Still A Good School?
or is it deteriorating?

By Bohol Chronicle

A contingent of six performers and 2 artistic staff from the Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) of the northern city of Battambang in Cambodia will regale the country's celebration of National Arts Month with an international tour performance of the Philippines in Bacolod, Bohol, and Dapitan as part of the NCCA Philippine International Arts Festival and Tanghal 5, the National University Theater Festival, a flagship project of the NCCA Dramatic Arts Committee.

They will be performing in Tagbilaran on Friday, February 18, at 7:00 pm at the UB Gym. The University of Bohol, through the Office of President Victoriano Tirol Jr., will host the show's venue. Cooperating partners for this unique performance are the Provincial Government of Bohol under Governor Edgar Chatto through the Center for Culture and Arts Development, the City Government of Tagbilaran, and Process-Bohol Inc. whose training program for its Abatan River Cultural Collectives will be the beneficiary of part of the proceeds of the show.

The Cambodian Circus Theater is a section of the mother organization officially named as Phare Ponleu Selpak or PPS, meaning "the brightness of art." Based in the northern city of Battambang, the PPS is a non-governmental organization providing education to children and youth in Battambang by furthering their artistic abilities and alternative source of livelihood as a means of alleviating poverty.

The production for their Philippine tour is called Wanderlife, a blend of circus routines (juggling, gymnastics, contortion), dance, and theater. This is an almost one-hour modern circus show featuring 6 Cambodian youth artists from 18 to 21 years old, all circus students from Phare Ponleu Selpak. The show is a modern tale taking place in Cambodia nowadays, a metaphorical show about relationships between teenagers, love, tenderness, jealousy and violence.
       
Tickets are at P70 (for students with ID), P100, P300, P500, and P1000 (front row seats). For sales and reservations, interested parties may call Tel. 5019287 or text Evelyn at Mobile Number 0916-643-0848 or 0916-361-1786.

Phare Ponleu Selpak. meaning "the brightness of art", originated in 1986 in Site 2 Refugee Camp on the Thai border. The idea of a creative association, which would use art and expression to help young refugees overcome the trauma of war, emerged from drawing workshops held for children in the camps. This original idea continued after the refugees returned to their homeland, and PPS was formally founded in 1994 by a group of former Site 2 children.

Phare Ponleu Selpak is a Cambodian non governmental organization. It aims to support community development through providing social, educative and cultural services to children and their families. Phare Ponleu Selpak implements a global approach aiming to answer children's individual needs to ensure each child's is able access their rights.

Each child is unique and requires specific action tailored to their needs.

Phare Ponleu Selpak's action is centered around artistic practice. Arts are used not only as a tool to foster expression, but also as a complete set of tools aimed at answering children's psycho-social needs. This includes education, life skills, social skills and personal development. Following the years of war and the destructive Khmer Rouge Regime, Cambodian culture was seriously damaged. Artistic practice is then a means to allow the population to rediscover and reclaim their cultural practices and knowledge, allowing them to rebuild their identity.

PPS' social action involves 30 children who are hosted within the compound in the Child Care Centre and 46 more supported while staying with their families in their communities. These children face some deep social issues; they are victims of child trafficking, domestic violence, abandonment, disease, extreme poverty, and street begging. All the children benefit from a nutrition program (three meals a day), medical support (medical primary care, medical referral, medical charges), education support (schooling support, school material, school follow-up, non formal education), as well as from cultural and artistic activities (three art schools and a leisure centre).

Furthermore, 150 children daily are welcomed in the leisure centre to enjoy educative, cultural, artistic and leisure activities. 75 children a day also have free access to books and games in the library.

Regarding formal education, PPS supports the public school built within its compound through teacher training and through additional salaries in order to ensure free quality education for all. 1250 children attend the public school, which enjoys a partnership with the leisure centre. This allows the development of classes, which have a more participative approach. The school is also supported by the library which ensures the availability of adapted material to complement the children's learning.

The three artistic schools form the core of PPS' work in the community. The Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has acknowledged PPS artistic schools' to be "Western Cambodia's Cultural Pole". These three schools, open to all and free of charge, are used by 450 children either for leisure activities or as vocational training.

These three schools are: Visual Arts school: drawing, painting and sculpture but also animation cartoon, design, illustration and editing; Performing Arts school: divided into a Circus Arts section and a Theatre programme; and a Music school: producing both traditional and modern music.

These three schools come together to form a valuable asset to the surrounding communities, providing education, support and entertainment.

Boholanos in the United States and Canada who have longed for home may one day next year see familiar scenes of home, all of it with a premium.

At the upcoming gathering of the Confederation of Boholanos in the USA and Canada (CONBUSAC), participant's memories would surely be stirred to wakefulness by visions of home, that time through an American independent film.

And instead of a slideshow, the CONBUSAC gathering would be feted with full length film shot entirely in Bohol.

Governor Edgar Chatto revealed Friday that he would ask the film producer to allow for a special screening of "Amigo" a historic depiction of the Philippine-American War in the 1940's, all shot entirely in Bohol.

For starters, Boholanos from Maribojoc, Loay, Corella, Loon, Antequera and Panglao towns would surely see visions of home as a film "Amigo" greets them during the convention.
         
Snippets of home could be seen in the film's sets, locations shoots and perhaps the familiar face of a neighbor who may well be used to enliven the set or stand in for a major actor.

The main set is shot in Toril, Maribojoc, where an old Spanish era stone church forms a stunning backdrop of most of the movie's scenes.

An oxcart dragging a man follows a trail in the same Maribojoc barangay where an ambush by Katipuneros, also happen in rice fields nearby.

Clarin Ancestral Home in Loay transforms itself as the office of an American colonel commanding a band of troops invading the rural village.

American soldiers marched in formation at a scenic field of Canangcaan, Corella, writes Procopio Bersabal in his film review.

Katipuneros discuss their war tactics in a cave, complete with bats and simulated rain in Basdacu, Loon.

The sacristy of the san Agustin Church in Panglao transforms into the interior of a Spanish era church.

Boholanos there may also find other familiar places in the film: a jungle camp in Boho-boho in Sto Rosario Antequera, a ricefield or one's abandoned nipa kamalig.

That is if plans push through. (racPIABohol)

By Bohol Chronicle

"Time flies, as moments go by…" It is by this adage that the DWC (now HNU) High School (HS) Class '72 has started to work on its 40th year Grand Reunion set on May 10, 11, 12, 13, 2012. It may yet be more than a year, but the core committees are already in place, and feelers have been sent to all possible batchmates.

Who are considered DWC HS Class'72? Everyone who had enrolled in the following years are considered a part of Class'72; First Year HS in school year (SY) 1968-69, Second Year HS in SY 1969-70, Third Year HS in SY 1970-71, HS graduating class of SY 1971-72.
         
In the meantime, the core group or those who are in Bohol are holding a quarterly celebration sponsored by members whose birthdays fall during a particular quarter. On the 5th of February, 2011, birthday celebrants led by Giby Lumayag, Dickoy Omictin, Randy Rocha, Chona Oppus, Boyet Oceña, Necie Borja and Fe Abejaron hosted the first gathering.

There is a need to touch base with everyone in DWC HS Class'72, and each member is requested to help by identifying and or contacting everyone they know, and to forward to the Secretariat the name, and current family name for girls, address and possible contact numbers of all who are a part of Class '72.

It is projected that the reunion would require no registration fees, as everything would be shouldered by benevolent members who have financially succeeded in life. Those who could afford may donate towards a common fund for projects which may be agreed upon by the group during the Grand Reunion.

For inquiries please contact the Secretariat: Liza Borja 09173044915, Giby Lumayag 09209228169 or Boyet Oceña 09189258713

By Bohol Chronicle

There is a move to develop the man-made forest which attraction remains remarkable among tourists and motorists who pass by enjoying the natural cool breeze under the shade of mahogany trees planted in the 60s in both sides of the highway.

The provincial government plans to develop the man-made forest in Bilar into a more "functional" spot where tourists can do brief stop for photo sessions or coffee break under the trees.

The Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) under Chairman Lucas Nunag expressed support to the move to enhance the man-made forest while there are also suggestions to put up soft lighting effects at night.
   

The proposal was also voiced out by Prov'l Board Member Brigido Imboy which triggered discussions on the floor.

Prov'l Board Member Godofreda Tirol, chair of the committee on tourism will also look into the proposal together with the committee on environment of Prov'l BM Abelon Damalerio.

The discussion of said proposal carried some biodiversity concern which needs to be carefully studied coupled with the need of logistical support to realize the plan.

PTC gathered information that both Bilar and Loboc towns are interested to develop the area.

"Both towns and the provincial government would need to compare notes on how this area will be developed," according to the PTC chairman.

There is a call to submit whatever is conceptualized to a public hearing while there might be collection of fees to be involved once the project is realized.

By Bohol Chronicle

A technical group will be immediately formed to conduct province-wide meat inspection after the Provincial Veterinary's Office found out that imported meat is likewise penetrating the local market.

This was disclosed to the Chronicle by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto after he received the comprehensive report from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian confirming the presence of imported meat in the province. Chatto added that constant and long term monitoring will also be implemented as the governor will also relay the same directive to all town mayors in the province. It can be recalled that Boholanos were alarmed earlier last week over the expose of Rolando Tambago, president of the Central Visayas Pork Producers' Cooperative (CVPPC) that imported meat which somehow dominated in the wet markets of Cebu poses danger to the consuming public. Tambago added that these meat are into shipment for 18 months before arriving in the ports of Cebu City.

Tambago further said that when they are sold to the wet market wherein freezing machines are not available, bacteria multiply rapidly.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz confirmed the presence of imported meat in the local market.

"We could not anymore trace when did the entry of these imported meat began, but our data is certain that these meat are here in the province for the whole year 2010", Lapiz stressed.

"Dr. Pablo Balite, the regional quarantine officer, disclosed that indeed there were records which shows that imported meat from U.S., Brazil, Canada and Australia were able to arrive in Bohol via Cebu at an outstanding 700 kilos per week for the whole year 2010", Lapiz explained as she added that "no records can show in which part of Bohol are these meats being delivered".
         
Lapiz added that for the meantime, they can't trace who are the shippers because there had been no consignee in every delivery.

Initial investigations of the provincial veterinary revealed that most of these imported meat are back fat pork and pork skin which is usually dropped in processing machines to be processed as "chicharon", "chorizo" and "longaniza".

Lapiz was certain that what happened in Cebu wet markets are not happening here in Bohol.

These imported meat are not found in the wet "market here as well as in the local supermarkets as they have more supply of local meat".

She added that all these imported meat bear Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI) before reaching our province. Thus, the meat in itself is safe and fit for consumption.

However, the problem of improper handling is the main detractor which can lead to contamination.

"Any kind of meat whether local or imported has its temperature limits. When the temperature of the meat reaches 37 degree Celsius, contamination with Escherichia Coli (E-Coli) bacteria starts to rapidly multiply", Lapiz pointed out.

Lapiz said that E-Coli bacteria are present in our body and normally found in the micro flora of our stomach. Severe contamination can cause food poisoning.

However, Lapiz quickly stressed that there have been no records of patients here who experienced food poisoning due to processed meats.

Though it's certain that these imported meat are dropped in the processing, there have been no investigations yet to prove that there is improper handling that can contaminate these meat.

REAL SCENARIO

Lapiz said that these imported meat arrived in the country because we cannot supply the demands of pork to our processed meat producers that processed them into "chorizo", "longaniza" and "chicharon", of which Americans don't usually eat.

"Here in the country, we sell pork together with the fats and flesh, while in America, they don't' sell fats because they don't eat them. Thus, what they don't consume are shipped here for our consumption because we Filipinos eat these parts", Lapiz said.

"In fairness to the processing operators, the meats they processed are not smuggled because of the COMI, thus, it is safe for consumption", Lapiz clarified as she continued that "the issue here is whether there is mishandling of these meats of which we have not proved yet".

The provincial veterinary office is now on the process of determining the consignee of every delivery of imported meat here in the province.

They are also investigating what ferry is used to transport these imported meats. Lapiz said that it might also happen that these meats are having entry in the province by not passing to our regular ports of entry.

They are also investigating if regular passengers were able to bring these meats here while purchasing them in Cebu at a low price.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian is urging the people to be vigilant in reporting the presence of pork that are sold in a very low price. Concerned citizens may call the following numbers for any suspicious selling of pork; 038-411-2378 (PLDT) , 038-501-8801 (Globelines), or TEXT at 09088888803 (Smart). (Anthony Rañoa Aniscal)

By Bohol Chronicle

Arthur Cua Yap - "adopted son of Loboc" is a bona fide resident of barangay Buenavista, Loboc, Bohol - thus declared the Comelec 2nd Division in a unanimous resolution dated January 31, 2011.

The resolution dumped the Motion for Reconsideration (MR) filed by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on a previous decision dated May 13, 2010 scraping the disqualification case filed by the militant fisherfolk group.

Yap , running for a congressional seat in the 3rd district under Lakas CMD was elected unopposed in the 2010 National and Local Elections but was hit by a disqualification case for lack of residency.

Pamalakaya alleged that Yap never complied with the Constitutional residency requirement of one year for candidates of the House of Representatives.

But the poll body said that Yap met the requirements for the one year residency as mandated by Article V, section 6 of the Constitution and was eligible to run for congressman.
         
Citing Yap's countless visits to LGUs in Bohol and the 3rd district, meetings with local government officials and consistent attendance in barangay assemblies prior to the 2010 elections - demonstrated a strong desire to "integrate himself in the community".

The Comelec noted that as early as 2007 Yap was readying himself for his eventual transfer to Loboc.

But even earlier, 2005 Yap, in recognition to his contributions to the community was accorded the honorary title of "adopted son of Loboc. Bohol thru Resolution 131 adopted October 24, 2005.

The Comelec also pointed out that the purchase by Yap of the house of his mother in law located in Buenavista, Loboc was further proof that he was bent on residing in Bohol.

Yap is married to the daughter of Annie Gow of Buenavista, Loboc.

Admitting that owning a property in a community is not proof of domicile, the Poll body stressed that the purchase of the house in Buenavista strengthened his "foothold" in the community.

Pamalakaya also claimed that Yap could not present proof that he effectively abandoned his "domicile of origin" in Pasig and transferred his residence in Loboc for at least a year.

But the Comelec said that according to the law, a candidate is not required to divest all of his properties and interest attached to his previous domicile.

The Poll Body further said that Yap's staying in his residence in Pasig during his stint as Agriculture secretary must not be construed as "indication of non abandonment of his previous domicile".

Reached for comment, Yap thanked the Comelec for the resolution. "This victory is for the people of the 3rd district of Bohol whom I have faithfully continue to serve from day one of my term".

Yap also extended his hand to Pamamalakaya to partner and constructively engage the fisherfolks in Bohol for the development of the fishing sector.

Yap won by an overwhelming majority of 72.8% of the total votes cast in the nineteen towns of the 3rd district of Bohol.

The Comelec 2nd Division is composed of Nicomedes Ferrer as head, Elios Yusoph and Lucenito Tagle as members. (CMV)

By Angeline Valencia
Bohol Chronicle

Second district municipalities yesterday launched the North Eastern Alliance for Tourism (NEAT) during a gathering of mayors and vice mayors at the Dive Camp in Puerto San Pedro of Bien Unido with the presence of Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo.

Rep. Erico Aumentado introduced the NEAT project based on a one town-one-tourism product concept with the support of the Department of Tourism, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members Josephine Socorro Jumamoy, Gerry Garcia and Romulo Cepedoza, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Rustica Mascariñas, Provincial Tourism Council chair-Lawyer Lucas Nunag, and Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators (BOFETTO) president Antonette Madrinan-Bolo.

All the second district mayors and vice mayors, except Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes and Getafe Mayor Cary Boy Camacho who could not make it to the activity, unanimously approved the NEAT project upon the motion of Bien Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel. Vice Mayor Francisco Gonzales represented the town of Trinidad.

Under the NEAT project, the mayors and vice mayors formulated a district tourism masterplan wherein the towns complement each other's products in a common tourist destination package for the second district.

This is to avoid duplicating tourism packages of towns that would only disintegrate Bohol's northeastern common potentials.

Board Member Jumamoy, for her part, expressed lament that as she had observed being the chair of the Committee on Tourism in the previous Sangguniang Panlalawigan, no measures had prevented the duplication of zipline attraction in Danao and Loboc, and another one recently added, aside from one more town that planned to come up their own which might result to competition among towns.
         

The northeastern potentials have been evident in the adventure tour of Danao which raised P32 million for the local government last year, an amount much higher than the town's share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA); and the Bien Unido Dive Camp at Puerto San Pedro which already raised around P300,000 in just few months.

Boniel also said they had also maximized their island barangays for island hopping package where tourists can go fish feeding, snorkelling, water sports-kayaking, banana boating, jetski, and plans to offer scuba diving in the future as they had identified 10 dive sites as the home of the world renowned double-barrier reef.

The mayor said that van-for-hire operators had already expressed interest in complementing the NEAT concept, based on their initial talks recently.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala had also suggested to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that Bien Unido be made Lakbay-Aral destination on seaweeds, considering that the town is the seaweeds capital of the Visayas having 3,500 hectares of seaweeds area.

Tony Pet Ouano, whose family operates the Starcraft plying Tubigon-Cebu route, proposed the first boost on logistics as he announced that they will open the 40-minute Getafe-Cebu trip by end of March or early April to bring in tourists through the Getafe port at Bohol side and Pier 1 of Cebu side.

Ouano said that his friends in Cebu who run travel agencies had already started asking about other tourist destinations in Bohol, aside from the usual Panglao-Chocolate Hills-Loboc-tarsiers package.

Free of charge, Starcraft has already started showing the promotional video on the underground grotto, dive sites and other tourist destinations of Bien Unido and the adventure tourism of Danao.

Ouano said they are also willing to show the promotional video on their tourist destinations of other towns for free.

Ouano also suggested one-week mall tours at Park Mall and Ayala where mayors can promote NEAT

In the second part of the activity, Aumentado presided the consultation on projects to be implemented in 2012.

He also reiterated the assurance that second district will only pursue environment-friendly tourism and agricultural development and that Bohol must be spared from environment-threatening projects such as coal-fired power plant.

Bohol can just access to additional power supply from Cebu's coal-fired power plant, and even advanced telecommunications technology to reach here through fiber optics passing through the proposed Bohol-Cebu Friendship Bridge.

Under the NEAT concept, some towns which have no much tourist spots can supply food or other products neighboring towns with high-potential tourist destinations.

Some can also attract tourists by offering services and souvenir products.

Montecillo assured the local government units of second district of DOT's 101-percent support and intends to bring in technical staff to assist in assessing the potentials of the north eastern destination to develop attractive products.

Since only very few of the 14 towns have hotels or pension houses at where tourists can stay, Montecillo proposed the homestay program wherein DOT, the provincial government and the concerned municipal government will finance the spruce-up of host residences through counterparting.

DOT-7 will also tap their technical staff to train the households in hosting the tourists.

She said "everybody gets a share of the pie" under the NEAT project and congratulated the 14 towns of second district for getting into the right track.

Moreover, Montecillo finds it an advantage to have Nunag at the Board of Directors of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), formerly known as Philippine Tourism Authority, which assures that Bohol keeps abreast of the development.

Montecillo also cited Aumentado's contribution for "always the first to introduce ideas for development" and also for pushing an even higher allocation for DOT instead of reducing it during the budget hearing which she had attended.

Aumentado also cited the major role of PTC which he first chaired when still governor after creating it, which he later passed on to Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation president Peter Dejaresco who turned over the chairmanship to Nunag in an election last year.

Nunag, for his part, said the launching of NEAT project came in good timing just as the DOT is now redoing its national tourism plan and that a meeting has been set in Cebu next week as part of the process.

He said lobbying NEAT project can catch up and it would be advantageous, saying it would be easy to get funding for a project when it is included in the tourism plan.

Nunag also reminded the mayors that tourism as a business, its stakeholders must ensure the sustainability of the capital or the product which is nature in the case of Bohol.

Culture tourism, which is about satisfying visitors, can be easy for Boholanos who are already exposed to hosting visitors since childhood considering the fiesta tradition here as the early training, according to Nunag.

By Bohol Chronicle

Tagbilaran City residents welcomed the promised projects and projects which Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim enumerated to be done in 872 days.

He issued the commitment during his State-of-the-City address (SOCA) before the city council on Tuesday.

Well meaning citizens said they will keep a close watch on these programs envisioned to be done by the mayor during his last term as city chief executive.

Widely criticized for his lack of transparency and consultative governance, the city mayor who is serving his last term, stressed his administration is on the right track - by giving precedence to people-oriented programs over infrastructure projects.

With a little over two years left in office, the city mayor declared that after addressing the primary concerns of the people, the city government will train its sights on the infrastructure needed to jumpstart the economy.

"Your government will help you address your basic needs and even provide opportunities for progress and development, but people also have to do their share from their end," said Lim as he appealed for grassroots involvement with the various government offices to accomplish his plans towards the remaining 872 days of his term.

The mayor's Soca encapsulates what is left to be done of the city's Comprehensive Development Program.

Mayor Lim declared to undertake a city-wide road and drainage improvement project as he again put the blame on past administrations for its neglect of city roads and sewer systems in the last 20 years.
         
In his report, Lim claimed the city government has already covered some 52.6 kilometers, 28.312 kilometers of which are rough roads.

"It is still a long way to go. It won't be over in a short while, it won't be cheap and it won't be easy, but we are getting there," the city mayor said.

He likewise assured that a new Cogon Public Market will rise before his term expires.

"Just as we honored our promise to finish the City Square (former Agora Public Market), we will also honor our commitment to build a modern public market in Cogon," he added.

Along with the road repairs and maintenance, the mayor also promised to undertake "the widest street-lighting project in the history of the city" using the lighting facility installed in barangay Bool as "the model for the rest of the city".

The mayor also declared his intent on implementing a new no-smoking ordinance, the no-parking measure in traffic chokepoints and the restriction of 10-wheeler trucks in congested streets, saying these measures are urgent and "socially helpful" despite being "politically harmful".

"Public hearings are being conducted on some of these laws, preparatory to their actual implementation. As I said earlier, they are potential political risks but we have to put premium on health, order and the interest of the majority," he stressed.

The city chief executive also said he is pushing for the development and beautification of the beaches in barangay Mansasa, Poblacion 1, Cainggit and Ubujan to recover "the lost beauty of our shorelines".

Lim also vowed to address the management and development of Mabaw Reef as he envisions the undertaking to be the city's showcase in coastal resource management.

Even with perennial complaints against his administration's health and social programs, the mayor claims these are "far better than most local government units and anywhere else in Bohol".

Mayor Lim reported that the "Blue Card" program which provides for free hospitalization to indigent patients has already served 1,176 beneficiaries alongside the free medical services that the City Health Office also provides.

Criticized for exploiting the dispensation of free health services exclusively benefitting political supporters, the mayor maintains the present health program has never been as extensive in the history of Tagbilaran.

Despite terminating the services of hundreds of barangay and purok health workers early this year, the mayor still claims in his Soca that basic health care requirements of the community are being met.

Lim cited the ongoing services of the Botika sa Katawhan which continues to distribute free medicines to qualified senior citizens and indigents which the only one of its kind in the entire country.

He assured that the city can cope with the increasing cost of its operation as it now covers 3,841 card holders or families.

The mayor likewise guaranteed that the distribution of free school uniforms and school supplies to children studying in public elementary schools in the city, which benefited a total of 9,857 this year, will be a continuing program of his administration.

"We continue to provide subsidy for qualified college students who have shown their desire to finish college. Of course, while we want as many graduates as possible, there is a limit to what we can do. They have to deserve their privilege. At every opportunity, we hammer home the message that people should come first. All the other claims to progress do not mean anything if our people are neglected and unserved," Lim added.

Moreover, the mayor reported that the city government is already "studying appropriate measures to reduce the risks of disasters" and brace against the impact of climate change.

Other plans include equipping barangay and purok tanods and health workers along with the members of the task force for the challenges to come, with assurance that their positions will never be made a political accommodation.

"Our city workers can expect more wage hikes as the need arises," Lim said.

Recalling his campaign promise back in 2004 when he won his first term, the mayor said he will tie up with appropriate agencies to put up a socialized housing for city workers and to pursue the project on the construction of tenements for the city's informal settlers.

Published by Bohol Chronicle

His Excellency Christopher Thornley, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines was in the province on Thursday and Friday to monitor progress of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) assisted projects in Bohol. Thornley expressed that Bohol has succeeded in making a tremendous impression. It is rewarding to know that funds through CIDA helped the province achieve successes in Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) projects as well as the GREAT Women (Gender-Responsive Economic Action for the Transformation of Women) project, he said.

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion O. Lim and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan sat with the ambassador along with the CIDA team on Friday at the Governor's Mansion for the signing of two memoranda of agreement and understanding on academic partnerships with Holy Name University (HNU) and Bohol Island State University (BISU).

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Provincial Government of Bohol and HNU provides for the university's role as resource institution for the Bohol Integrated Development Area (BIAD 5) Alliance on training and capability building.

BIAD 5 is made up of municipalities of Batuan, Bilar, Carmen, Dagohoy, Danao, Pilar, Sagbayan, and Sierra Bullones, supported by the LGSP-LED program. It is implementing alliance building and strengthening activities as one of the components of LGSP-LED.

HNU, through its Center for Local Governance shall establish a LED Resource center to become the arm of the BIAD 5 executive committee in the generation and dissemination of knowledge products and in providing capacity development processes on local economic development.

Gov. Chatto, HNU President Fr. Francisco T. Estepa, SVD, LGSP-LED Field Director Marion M. Villanueva, BIad 5 TWG member, Joseph Anania, DILG Bohol Provincial Director Rustica Mascariñas, Center for Local Governance Coordinator Josefina T. Cemine and SEEM Cluster Head Liza M. Quirog signed the MOU.
         
The Provincial Government of Bohol and BISU Bilar Campus also signed a Memorandum of Agreement for Center for Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture (CASA) to be based at the Department of Extension and Research.

With the Research and Extension Center's capacity to conduct joint research and training venture, the CASA under LGSP-LED by BIAD 5 will serve as training ground for organic food production and marketing, climate change education and Internal Guarantee System (IGS) certification for organic food products.

The MOA was signed by Gov. Chatto and BISU President Dr. Elpidio T. Magante in the presence of BISU Bilar Director for External Affairs and International Linkages Prof. Jose Travero, LGSP-LED Field Director Marion M. Villanueva, LED Program Manager Ramon A. Alampay, SEEM Cluster Head Liza M. Quirog, LGSP-LED Program Manager and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC Larry M. Pamugas, and Bohol Initiators for Sustainable Agriculture Development (BISAD) Chairperson Eulalie C. Albuladora.

LED initiatives include CASA for growing rice, Carmen Samahang Nayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative for processing organic rice and Balay sa Humay for promoting organic rice.

It also includes vermicast production, the production and distribution of high quality organic fertilizer with Pilar as consolidator in the consortium of the 8 LGUs in BIAD 5.
Another signature project of CIDA is the GREAT Women Project, intended for the creation of a gender-responsive local enabling environment for women's economic empowerment. The Bohol Local Development Foundation, Inc, (BLDF) a Non-Government Organization conducted a baseline study, which was presented to Ambassador Thornley, Director for Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia Regional Program Michael Brownell, Sr., CIDA Head of Cooperation for the Philippines Laurenne Garneau, CIDA Secretary May Wong, LGSP-LED Field Director Marion M. Villanueva and LGSP-LED Associate Field Director Francis Gentoral.

The baseline study assessed the situation of women, current practices related to women's economic empowerment, and gender responsiveness of local enabling environment in the pilot areas of Balilihan, Buenavista, and Jagna.

BLDF conducted a review of ordinances and resolutions, an inventory of micro entrepreneurs, and came up with a profile of socio-economic situations of micro-entrepreneurs.

The GREAT Women Project intends to strengthen the capacity of LGUs to enhance, implement, and monitor gender-responsive policies, programs, and services; and to strengthen partnerships at the local level for women's economic empowerment.

Through Bohol's partnership with Canada, one of the strong pillars in global development, both Gov. Chatto and H.E. Christopher Thornley look forward with great anticipation to higher levels of development for Bohol. (Leah/EDCom)

The militant fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Friday urged Governor Edgar Chatto to dismantle the 23 bio-ethanol farms previously cultivated in 23 coastal towns of the province.

While the project is currently put on hold due to the resistance of small fisherfolk and other environmental groups, Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said Governor Chatto should start removing seaweed farms already established in 23 towns and currently hosting seedlings for seaweed in connection with the proposed bio-ethanol project all over the province between the provincial government and the Seoul-based Korean firm Biolsystems Co, Ltd.

According to the Pamalakaya chapter in Bohol - the Bol-Anong Kahugpongan sa mga Kabus nga Nangisda ug Nanagat (Bokkana), prior to the shelving of the $2.9 million bioethanol project, the Korean bio ethanol company already cultivated not less than 3,700 hectares for seaweed farming in 23 coastal towns of the island province, and 2,000 hectares of the bioethanol farms are found in the coastal area of Bien Unido and 739 hectares off the waters of Talibon.

Hicap said Gov. Chatto and the 23 mayors of Bohol who signed the bioethanol pact with Korea should rescind the contract and order the urgent and unconditional dismantling of seaweed farms.

"The governor and the 23 mayors should now proceed with the scrapping of the project," said Hicap.
         
"Bohol Island [transformed] into a Republic of Seaweeds and Bio Ethanol is not in the interest of the Boholano people," Hicap added.

Bokkana-Bohol secretary general Paula Destor said aside from Bien Unido and Talibon, seaweed farms for the bioethanol project were also put up in the towns of Inabanga (90 hectares), Getafe (513 hectares), CP Garcia (65 hectares), Ubay (30 hectares), Mabini (67 hectares), Buenavista (38 hectares), Panglao (40 hectares), Anda (15 hectares), Valencia (22 hectares), Guindulman (20 hectares) Baclayon (10 hectares) and Calape (10 hectares).

"Seaweed farms are all over Bohol and the small fisherfolk are prevented from fishing near [these] bioethanol farms. [Whenever] they get near these seaweed plantations, they [are being] harassed by security personnel of bioethanol farm owners," she said.

Destor said seaweed farms for bioethanol extraction are also eyed in the coastal municipalities of Tubigon, Clarin, Dauis, Candijay, Jagna, Dimiao, Duero, G. Hernandez, Loon, Maribojoc, Loay, Tagbilaran City, Alburquerque and Cortes.

The Bokkana leader said bio ethanol project also targets 6,000 hectares off waters of DanajonBank areas, a rare marine resource system in Asia which provides livelihood to small fisherfolk.

Destor said the Korean bio ethanol firm initially wants to put seaweed farms in 3,817 hectares off the waters of Bien Unido, 3,470 hectares in Talibon, 2,491 hectares in Inabanga, 2,037 hectares in Getafe, 1,145 hectares in CP Garcia, 903 hectares in Ubay, 855 hectares in Tubigon, 585 hectares in Mabini, 535 hectares in Buenavista, 290 hectares in Panglao, 288 hectares in Candijay, 247 hectares in Anda, 210 hectares in Jagna, 302 hectares in Valencia, 300 hectares in Guindulman, 224 hectares in Loay, 190 hectares in G Hernandez and 260 hectares in Calape.

Bokkana said the complaints of fisherfolks regarding the bioethanol project in the province was already referred to Anakpawis party list Rep. Rafael Mariano for congressional investigation. The group said it will also seek the support of other congressmen on the demand of affected fisherfolk and concerned sectors to look into the proliferation of seaweed farms for bioethanol purposes here in Bohol.

By Bohol Chronicle

The morale of military troops stationed here in the province remains high despite the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the armed forces which apparently led to the suicide of a former chief-of-staff and ranking government official.

This was bared by Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, former spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), who admitted there is indeed corruption but only to a certain extent in the military.

Brawner, who is now commanding the 2nd Special Forces Battalion based in the province, was quick to add that irregularities within the military organization were perpetuated by a closely-knit group within the now defunct Comptroller's Office.

According to Brawner, who had the chance to hear sentiments of fellow officers manning various military camps throughout the province, while their rank and file are closely monitoring the much-publicized investigations in the Senate and House of Representatives, troop morale remains high.

He added that officers and men of the armed forces here want to maintain their commitment to serve the nation despite the issues of graft and corruption hounding the military.
         
"We support the ongoing investigation to seek the truth regarding the allegations which we believe would ultimately cleanse and strengthen our organization. Our men in the field deserve to know [the truth], said Brawner while assuring of his men's professionalism and that they remain focused to their mission in Bohol.

Meanwhile, the Philippine flag was flown at half mast in all military camps in Bohol since Wednesday to give due respect to the death of the late General Angelo Reyes, a former chief of the AFP and who was also married to a Boholana.

Military camp officials here said honors are due to the late general despite the current scandal that has rocked the armed forces.

Interviewed over "Inyong Alagad" of Station dyRD, Brawner explained that the supposed corruption happened years back and the AFP already instituted reforms, specifically in the former Comptroller's Office and the J-4 (Logistics and Supply office of the AFP).

According to Brawner, following the disclosures of anomalies during the time of Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, the AFP abolished the powerful Comptroller's office where checks and balances have been set up to safeguard military resources and funds.

Gen. Garcia, who used to head the Office of the Comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was charged with plunder at the office of the Ombudsman for allegations of dipping his fingers into the army funds, amounting to more than P50-Million, the cut-off limit to qualify for the case of plunder.

"In lieu of the abolished office which has lumped all fiscal functions under its tasks," the outspoken and glib army officer said the "Resource Management, Fiscal Management, Accounting and Internal Audit Offices are formed".

"We and our men in the fields have felt the benefits of the reform," Lt. Col. Brawner, who pointed out "new uniforms and equipment as well as logistics now come on schedule to the men in the fields."

"We condole and sympathize with the friends and family members of General Angelo Reyes and we are saddened by his death," Brawner aired.

General Reyes, retired AFP Chief and Barwner's boss shot himself to death early morning Tuesday, February 8 at the grave of his mother Purificacion at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

Earlier, while being investigated on allegations of corruption as former AFP Chief, Reyes said he would never do anything to tarnish the good name of his mother, who was a retired public school teacher.

We hope this is the last of this kind of incident in the country for the nation and for our soldiers, the special forces commanding officer said.

Despite all these, the junior officer assigned at Riverside Bilar camp said the army supports the investigation for the reason of ferreting out the truth.

By Bohol Chronicle

A team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses from the Association of Filipino Physicians of Southern Illinois (AFPSI) together with other physicians from different states of America, a humanitarian-oriented organization of Fil-Am medical professionals in the United States (US), arrived at the Tagbilaran City Airport via a Philippine Airlines flight at 10:15 a.m. yesterday.

The delegation planed in yesterday in time for the surgical mission at the Borja Family Hospital along Gallares Street this city.

The visiting US surgical team their 5th time mission composed of 24 highly experienced surgical specialists, led by team leader Dr. Renato Rivera, was welcomed at the airport yesterday morning by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, Philippine Gift of Life (PGL) president/CEO Fancy Baluyot, who is also the Consultant of Gov. Chatto's Medical-Surgical Missions Office.
         
The AFPSI group was then fetched and treated to a welcome lunch buffet yesterday noon at the Bohol Tropics Resort, courtesy of the provincial government of Bohol led by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Vice-Gov. Concepcion O. Lim, Member of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Provincial Administrator Alfonso "Ae" Damalerio.

The great humanitarian mission is being supported by the Provincial Government of Bohol thru Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Vice-Gov. Concepcion O. Lim, the Philippine Gift of Life thru Chairman, Dr. Ramie A. Cadag, President/CEO, Fancy S. Baluyot and Department of Health thru Secretary Enrique T. Ona and Assistant Secretary Dr. Elmer G. Punzalan.

The medical screening of patients is ongoing early today and at 3 p.m. a series of major surgical operations at the Borja Family Hospital will start, which included corrective surgeries for breast cyst, goiter, myoma, cleft lip/palate, gallbladder, hernia, and thyroid problems among indigent beneficiaries.

In just five days this April, Bohol will host three high-profile meetings on transportation to be attended by delegates from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

These will be the 21st ASEAN Transport Facilitation Working Group (ATFWG) Meeting, 9th Forum on the Operationalization of ASEAN Transport Facilitation Agreements and 3rd Meeting of the Transit Transport Coordinating Board (TTCB).

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Asec. George Esguerra formally informed Gov. Edgar Chatto of the important ASEAN assemblies in one Philippine venue. He quickly sent an operating working team for close coordination.

To a certain degree, the three-in-one event, which opens on April 25 until 29, can hint on how to professionalize and capacitate the local transport sector, a vital frontline service provider to the ever-growing tourism industry in which Bohol strives to be most competitive.

The event will be attended by at least 100 delegates from the ASEAN states which include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
         
Chatto sees the significance of the ASEAN transport meetings as Bohol braces for what now tends to be the apparent realization of the new Bohol airport project on the prime tourism island of Panglao.

Esguerra said Bohol has been chosen to be the Philippine venue of the three ASEAN meetings because of the island-province's "leading tourist destinations that boast of natural wonders, from beautiful beaches to world famous sites---the Chocolate Hills, Loboc river cruise, tarsier sanctuary, the myriad of falls, springs and caves."

As soon as he assumed the governorship in July last year, Bohol was declared the ASEAN Cultural Capital for the month.

Bohol recorded a total arrival of over 532,000 tourists, visitors and guests last year as against the more than 461,000 in 2009, marking an increase of close to 71,000 or 15%, according to the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office.

The DOTC official broke to the Bohol leader the news of the province being picked for the three ASEAN meetings while Chatto last week hosted the visit here of Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley.

The North American dignitary and the governor discussed, together with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Director for the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Southeast Asia Regional Program Michael Brownell and Chief of Cooperation for the Philippines Laurenne Garneau, the Bohol projects assisted by CIDA.

They were joined by Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) Field Director Marion Villanueva, Associate Field Director Francis Gentoral and LED and Local Governance Program Manager Ramon Alampay.

In July or three months after the ASEAN meetings, Bohol will host the world conference of rabies experts. (Ven rebo Arigo)

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

Former Bukidnon Congressman Nerius "Neric" Acosta, rumored to be groomed as the next DENR Secretary, expressed disbelief and disgust over the grandiose plan for a reclamation project spanning more than 450 hectares off the shores of Panglao.

Appalled by the brazenness of such proposal, Acosta wondered why the beautiful island of Panglao deserves such a destructive fate.

"I have to be frank. Even the thought or concept of reclamation of a rich and beautiful jewel of Panglao is beyond my imagination".
       
Almost speechless, Acosta bared that the reefs of Panglao and the Visayan Sea in general is the epicenter of marine biodiversity of the world.

"The Visayan sea up to the Verde Islands Passage between Mindoro and Batangas is the navel of the richest marine biodiversity in the whole world. We have the bragging rights to this", Acosta proudly said.

Acosta in an interview with DYRD's "Inyong Alagad" painstakingly described the seas off Panglao as rich in corals and marine life, swarming with dolphins and teeming with fishes.
        
"I cannot even imagine why such a concept exists. That is the craziest and most damaging you can do to Bohol's crown jewel".

Admitting that balancing development and the preservation of a fragile environment is a tough act, defining development in terms of money betrays the sinister motives of those behind the proposed reclamation projects.

"Why of all places where we are gifted with the richest marine resources such reclamation projects are being peddled. Are we going to define development solely for money?"

Fisherfolks of the affected barangays dazzled by the glittering dreams of economic upliftment and beguiled by promises of a better life for their children have succumbed to the blandishments of the reclamation proponents that has led to the polarization of their communities.

A war of words has erupted between those favoring the reclamation and a sizable number of residents fearing the possible destruction of their sources of livelihood.

Acosta stressed that it should be "kapanginabuhi-an not kapang-kwartahan, hanap-buhay not hanap-pera.

"Money is just a currency. It is meant to help us so that we can have life and have life abundantly".

Acosta pointed out that God has given us everything we could ever need. He rued the day when we would destroy Panglao for the sake of making it the prime tourist destination.

"What is development? For money? Kan-a ang kwarta ug mabuhi ba ka!" warned Acosta.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) "coastal zone development in the Philippines has been damaging to the marine environment".

Frightening trends of destruction to coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses has been documented together with an alarming increase of reported pitiful catches of fish by fishermen.

But Acosta cautioned fisherfolks not to lose hope but strive to improve the quality of their sources of livelihood which is the sea.

Excavation, dredging and coastal conversion to accommodate coastal development have resulted in corals being extracted for reclamation and construction while mangroves have been reduced to 36% of 1900 level due to the aquaculture industry.

"If tourism is going to be our source of income then it should be based on sustainable development and ecological preservation" said Acosta.

Acosta stressed that 80% of our protein needs come from the sea. To protect, preserve and develop the richness of the environment will spawn more benefits for the community.

"Reclamation projects will destroy the habitat for fish and the only source of protein. Is Bohol ready to exchange the sea for money?" Acosta asked.

Acosta, a Boholano by affinity reminded his fellow Boholanos that "only when the last river has dried, only when the last tree is felled, only when the last fish is poisoned will we realize that we cannot eat money".

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

General Angelo Tomas-Reyes is considered a Boholano by affinity for having married Teresita Macapinlac-Pernia, eldest daughter of Pantaleon Pernia of this city and Inda Macapinlac of Pampanga.

Tess or Nik-Nik was then a bored HNC student in Tagbilaran City helping her parents tend the popular "La Pampanguena Cafe", near the Bohol Provincial Hospital (now Gallares Hospital) - when a group of visiting PMAers passed by for snacks.
       
Love struck was Angelo or Angie Reyes who courted via letters to Tess in Cebu later on. Challenged to come over Cebu and prove his professed love, the young Reyes flew to the southern prime city and won the heart of the Pernia lass. They married.

Tess was a statuesque looker who won Miss Lions and became finalist of the Bb. Pilipinas in a year she would rather be kept between relatives.

Reyes, last Tuesday, killed himself in an apparent suicide at a memorial park in Marikina, Manila, amid allegations of graft raised by his critics in the senate with the help of a former military officer. (See editorial)

Many have varying accounts of their evaluation of Reyes.

But up close and personal have I known Angelo T Reyes and this I know of him:
The Angie I know is a devoted family man who was not afraid to show (PDA) public display of affection to his wife, sons and especially grandchildren. There is nothing he will not do for them.

The Angie I know loved his mother Purificacion so much - he would visit her almost everyday in her ancestral home in San Juan (till her death at over 90 years old) and sometimes speak to her on the phone at night until she fell asleep. His death (an apparent suicide) over the tomb of his "Mama Mia" speaks volume about where his most comfortable zone in life (and death) was.
         
The Angie I know was so bright, he had to force himself to be assigned to the combat battlefield rather than the office (where his cerebral self was most useful). A 7th placer PMAer, Asian Institute of Management and Harvard University masteral graduate, he had to asked to fight the NPAs in Isabela and the Muslims in the Southern Command in Mindanao in order to hasten his promotion.

The Angie I know, though stern on the outside, was a man of sense of humor who can throw even a dour senator like a Miriam Santiago laughing into stitches with his funny spiels during programs.

The Angie I know wanted to perfect his singing and had a trio with former senator Joey Lina and former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando called the Three Tenors. He is really from AIM when it comes to singing (Ayaw Ibigay and Microphone) once he starts.

The Angie I know can do ballroom dancing and wife Tess is a mean "Argentine Tango" dancer like Mary Rosebud (Lacson's arch enemy) so the former secretary had to bring Tess to meetings abroad as they always had socials that required dancing.

The Angie I know demands perfection from his staff and often speaks in a staccato military-like fashion, often mistaken for arrogance. Through the years he developed an engaging smile reserved for the watchful public.

The Angie I know wanted physicality and kept in shape by jogging, swimming, playing tennis and walking the flight of two stairs at a time. He was a health freak who ate simple food and can strike an interesting conversation with the mighty and the lowly.

The Angie I know trained his five sons: Boogie, Jett, Mark, Carlos and Judd to be courteous and respectful of older people who "sirs" and "mams" most elders and bless the hands of relatives. Most of them are gainfully employed or running successful mid-sized businesses.

The Angie I knew encouraged his wife Tess early on to be an independent businesswoman starting with a small garment outfit while still staying in their ancestral home in San Juan to real estate brokering and buy-and-sell.

The Angie I know always yearly celebrated his and Tess birthdays and wedding anniversaries with parties of food, dancing, singing and program with kids and grandchildren around.

The Angie I know only started building his own home with a P10-million loan from a commercial bank when he was already a general nine years ago. He is adaptive to both Spartan and classy living. Afterall he comes from a middle-class family of school teachers-parents. He was valedictorian at the Ramon Magsaysay High School in Cubao in 1960.

The Angie I know helped lowly soldiers with his own funds or follow up their benefits while in power.

The Angie I know was told once of a DENR official asking for grease money somewhere in the western Visayas in exchange for a legitimate payment and had the culprit transferred after less than a week.

The Angie I know was almost a partner in trading business where I was to assemble exporters and he tried to lock in a German multinational buyer. That never got off the ground somehow.

The Angie I know readily accepted to be the Keynote Speaker in the 50th anniversary of the Bohol Chronicle in 2004 at the Metro Center where I introduced him as Guest of Honor. He praised the Chronicle for its commitment to freedom, justice and the rule of law for 50 years.

The Angie I know wanted to serve his country more and confessed to me that that is why he wanted to run for Congress as party list representative when his chances for a senate seat was made dim by the unpopularity of the GMA administration of which he was largely identified.

The Angie I know was the professional manager of the then healthy AFP-RSBS or the retirement arm of the soldiers and he always dealt arms length with financial borrowers and placers alike.

The Angie I know was just a young AFP officer who guaranteed my good behavior while being sent by Citibank Manila for training abroad since I was tagged by the military in the mid-70s as a rebel activist form school. The DFA approved my papers one day before departure date.

The Angie that I know before EDSA 2 asked me what people thought of him. And I said that people believed that at the end of the day you will side with the people. Angie just smiled and he did EDSA 2.

Angelo T Reyes will be laid to rest today. An officer and gentleman to the end - that is how I know him to be.

Gov. Edgar Chatto assured the police of his full support in keeping peace and order while citing intelligence networking as crucial to effective law enforcement and curbing criminalities.

The top provincial capitol met with the key police officers from across the province during the opening the Bohol Police Intelligence Seminar at Camp Francisco Dagohoy here on Wednesday.

The five-day activity was conducted by the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO 7) â€" Intelligence Division together with the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) - Intelligence Section.

It was the first of its kind here considering that in many years past intelligence seminars had been held in the regional command.

The seminar was intended for all intelligence police non-commissioned officers (PNOCs) in Bohol to refresh and enhance the basic knowledge, skills, attitude and capability of PNP personnel within the intelligence community.

By this way, they can perform their tasks more effectively.

“The government is not sleeping. It is always awake to relate to the people its each responsibility,” the governor pointed out, adding that intelligence gathering is a crucial work of the police in the community.

“With a highly reliable intelligence network, we’ll find easy solutions to criminalities and hopefully decrease crime rates,” Chatto said.

The governor wary over the lack of PNP personnel in Bohol, “but we have many assets who are always ready to extend their support in keeping the province more peaceful.”

Meanwhile, the governor suggested to the police non-commissioned officers to coordinate with the top officials of their respective towns of assignment for the reconstitution or reactivation of the Municipal Peace and Order Councils (MPOCs).

The MPOCs can contribute a lot to sustaining peace and progress. Some towns already organized their new sets of MPOCs. Others have yet to form or reactivate theirs.

Chatto said the best police intelligence officer is one who can relate and respond well, particularly to generating and segregating information.

Bohol province has significantly sustained its peace and order condition as shown by the lowering crime rates over the years, although crimes in the provincial capital Tagbilaran City had gone high in 2010 compared to the total in 2009.

‘’If we continue working hand in hand with a quick delivery of information, we can attain what we dream for Bohol,” the governor said clearly to motivate the police intelligence retraining participants. (Jeff/EDCom)

The COMELEC Law Director ATTY. FERDINAND T. RAFANAN will breeze into town to induct into officer, the newly elected Bohol Association of Comelec Employees (BACE) officers on 11 February 2011 at Dao Diamond Hotel and Resort during luncheon time attended by all Comelec officials and employees in Bohol including their casual employees.

The inducting officer and guest speaker Atty. Rafanan, is the former Director of the Education and Information Department of Comelec before he assumed post vacated by late Atty. Wynne Asdala of the Comelec Law Department. He is an Ilocano by descent.

The adviser of the group id ATTY. ELISEO R.Z. B. LABARIA, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Bohol.

The newly elected officers for calendar year 2011-2012 are as follows:

President Oliver C. Glovasa; Vice President Atty. Rey Rafael Montuya; Secretary Ma. Shirley Roloma; Treasurer Lourdes Balbin; Auditor Magdalena Gamutin; Press Relations Officer Juvenal Beniga; Board of Directors: 1st District, Atty Ariel S. Selma; Atty. Ricardo L. Villares; Michille allan Mijares; 2nd District, Ruben Logroño, Diomedes Meredores, Dennis Tenio; 3rd District, Rolan Domionic Amora; Atty. Jonas Biliran; Antonio Danigoy; Ma. Divina Gamutin.

Election Committee who conducted the said election last January 25, 2011, were composed of the following: Maribella T. Decasa, Chairman; Maria Emily Malig-on, Member; and Christopher S. peralta, member. (pro juve beniga)

Press Release

The Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal headed by SUPT. PEPE G. REBUSA ha stepped up its investigation of the fire incident that transpired in Ubay town last February 1 after the Municipal Chief of Police issued a conflicting statement estimating the damage to have reached around P8 million in a local newspaper, becoming an issue to some radio programs in the city.

Provincial Fire Marshal Rebusa who conducted supervisory scene inspection and investigation clarified that as per the spot investigation report of the investigator-on-case of Ubay Fire Station, the said fire have an estimated damage of only P800 Thousand more or less razing down 1 residential and 3 mixed occupancies. The fire started at the second floor of the 3-storey building owned by Mrs. Tita Acedo alleged due to electrical short circuit.

Fire investigator, FO1 Jesus Ananias Salinas Jr. told the Provincial Fire Marshal that one SPO2 Rotol of Ubay PNP came to the local fire station asking for some data to include the estimated damage incurred which he gave the same details of the said fire alarm.

In this conflicting estimates, PFM Rebusa talked to the 4 owners of the burned buildings and to other fire victims and asked to submit to BFP authorities their respective affidavits of fire loss to ascertain the total damage brought by the fire incident and urged to cooperate with the BFP on the investigation of the case.

It has been found out that the building where the fire started and originated was insured by P1 Million of which this fact would become part of the angles to be investigated as to the cause of the said fire although all the fires are accidental by nature unless proven with intentional motives, SUPT Rebusa added.

The Provincial Fire Marshal have expressed his elation for the job well done through the collective efforts of the firefighters from the fire stations of Ubay, Talibon, Trinidad, Carmen, Candijay, Jagna, Inabanga, Tubigon, Valencia, Clarin and the water tankers of Alturas Corp. and Mrs. Enriqueta Reyes that have put out and controlled the fire from extending to other buildings which could have gained more damage to property and endanger lives.

The prohibition of harvesting or cutting of mangroves in the country, including Bohol, is still in full force, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here.

The national government has also frozen the issuance and renewal of any logging and tree cutting by virtue of Executive Order No. 23 by President Benigni Aquino III on Wednesday of last week. Executive Order No. 23 declares a “moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests nationwide,” reports said.

President Aquino’s issuance of the executive order is in response to calls from different NGOs and religious groups because of latest spate of floodings that have raised alarm on the population, properties and farmlands allegedly due to llegal logging activities.

The ban on mangrove harvest has raised the howl of some stakeholders in some mangrove areas, including those man-made, DENR said. It added that the man-made mangrove forest in Banacon island, the said to be the largest in Asia is included in the prohibition.

DENR said that it is under fire for some stakeholders because of the ban. Some holders of the community-based forest management agreement and license have criticized the move (ban) since it is their livelihood they largely depend on.

DENR said that the angry license holders question the ban because it was the government thru the DENR who encouraged them to plant and grow these mangroves and then allowed them to harvest for livelihood. Bakhaw cuts trade is said to be lucrative because they command high prices and selling like hot cakes in nearby island like Cebu for firewood and other uses.

Since the enforcement of the ban on mangrove cutting, including the harvesting of nipa, DENR said, illegal activities related to it have been observed. These illegal activities have found their way on the youtube.

On the moratorium of logging nationwide, DENR said that Bohol is not likely affected since it has no logging industry. But still rampant cutting of endemic trees and other species used for firewoods in the province still persists.

DENR is tasked to be the lead agency in the newly-created Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force, said the report. It also is tasked to review all existing logging agreements and immediately cancel those that have violated forest laws; strictly implement forest certification system in keeping with UN standards; close and disallow sawmills and other wood processing plants that are unable to present proof of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for a period of at least 5 years.

GOVERNOR Edgar Chatto blows the whistle at politicians using commemorative plates in vehicles and asks the media to expose those who abuse the authority of the plates.

That way, it would be easier for law enforcement to carry out their mandates, Chatto stressed amid LTO agents and the provincial peace and order council.

The call may also be cast upon persons who use unauthorized vehicle plate numbers to easily slip through checkpoints.

Land Transportation Office Tagbilaran City Registrar Joel Maloloy-on said these commemorative plates are illegal and are not sanctioned by the agency.

Vehicles marked Mayor, Councilor, Lawyer, or any other fancy plates still ply Bohol streets that many traffic enforcement agents and deputies are placed in a tough position on how to deal with them, admits Maloloy-on.

We do not want these situations happening in the streets, implied Governor Chatto who hinted that traffic deputies may simply turn their faces away when they see these plates on vehicles rather than messing with the people who use them, even if these are illegal.

The easiest way to address the problem of officials not keeping up with the standards of good behavior, is to ask the media to help us expose who they are, Chatto said.

The governor also assured he will not lift a finger to protect anybody who is named abusing the authority of using illegal plate numbers.

Leadership by example, Chatto beamed as he admitted that used an LTO issued number 8 plate when he was still in Congress but also uses the vehicle’s real plate number at the back.

He said such is to get away from traffic then.

Chatto also said he has been issued a commemorative plate by the League of Provinces now but he doesn’t display the plate in his car.

I wonder what are the agreements forged by the leagues and the LTO regarding these, he said meaning the issued commemorative plates.

Maloloy-on on the other hand explained that the commemorative plates can still be used when displayed beside the LTO issued plates; not without the real plate visibly placed.

Deputies and traffic agents allege that some people using these vehicle plates scold and threaten them if they flag down their vehicles. (racPIABOhol)

THE Provincial Government of Bohol opens up a fund window for assistance for culture and arts development for its towns, one that may go for the records as innovation in local funding prioritization programming.

Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Chairman and academician-historian Marianito Luspo revealed this during the opening of the arts month celebration, February 1, in Tubigon town, some 53 kilometers north of Tagbilaran, said town information officer Raymond Delgado.

Bohol dreamed of becoming a strong eco-cultural tourism destination and has embarked on an arts and culture program making it as a tool for poverty alleviation, one that reaped for the province its cultural Galing Pook award.

This has also pushed for the prioritization of appropriating funds for local arts and culture development programs, Bohol cultural consultant Lutgardo Labad said.

To fan out the flames of enthusiasm sparked the interest in culture and arts, Bohol also hammered the innovation in cultural empowerment through the BACH, a consultative and advisory council, which maps out the province’s culture and arts development and policy directions through the years, arts and culture workers recall.

The council has also recommended for the looking back and reaching deep into the local culture to provide the people the wells of their artistic creativity, one that would also put in a common source of national pride, they shared.

The rationale is that people who own a common sense of pride would be more predisposed to creativity, one that would push them to work for their own empowerment. A whole lot of good things can happen with this, explains Labad.

On this, local communities start to organize and streamline their arts, culture and heritage development, conservation and preservation programs funded by their town’s sources. The available local funds however prove to be too meager to start off the aimed cultural revolutions, culture workers shared.

The opening up of the financial assistance window is a new development that puts up more hope to ease up the momentum for development, Labad added.

During the opening of the celebration in Tubigon, Mayor William Jao reiterated his position on the critical role of arts and culture in development and nation building.

He also hinted the town’s direction of continued efforts in preserving and promoting our unique culture and arts.

Speaking to over five hundred pupils and students from the town’s different academic institutions who gathered for the first time to mark February as the Arts Month.

Town tourism officer Dennis Balbero conceptualized this year’s activity while the local government funded the gathering through the Sangguniang Kabataan Federated President Carmel Claros, Delgado said in a press statement.

The event formally kicked off with a grand parade around the town center in which 13 schools in the town marched with the drum and bugle corps accompanying the event, Delgado bared. (racPIABohol with Tubigon MPIO)

The provincial government and authorities concerned are not taking chances with regards to the imported meat for processing in the province like turning them into gastronomic chicharon, said a reliable source of the government.

This came even as words of contaminated imported meat that, not only threatens the industry, but also the very health of the populace-eating meat in the province, are fast spreading around.

Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones, who was the guest and administrator of the induction of officers of Bohol Tri-media Association headed by Mr. Fred Araneta, has alerted Bohol officials regarding this report on meat contamination that reportedly in Cebu.

He told the BTMA that “pork importation will lead to (all) kinds of ailments.” But “pre-empted action is always a better solution rather than waiting for a problem to persist,” he cautioned the officials here.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) is not downplaying on the report (on imported meat contamination). Provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapez said in an interview that measures are always in place and in order, including the regular quarantine measures.

She said that they see to it that meat entering here must have certificate of meat inspection (COMI) prior to their processing and trading in the province.

Most meat that arrived here are ‘frozen’ in form for processing yet before it can be sold, like chicharon, Lapez said.

Her office is monitoring these products to be able to know the details of the importation like, who is the responsible in the importation and how the meat is being prepared.

She said that no Boholano importer yet has been involved in the importation trade. OPV learned that the importers are mostly from Cebu, she said.

The province is still a FMD-free place for several years now. The provincial government has been and still is vigorous in protecting the meat industry but institutionalizing measures in ports of entry to prevent the entry of the disease.

Foot-and-mouth disease is said to be infectious and a sever plague in animal (cloven-footed) raising, including cattle, sheep, goats, deer and swine.

Press Release

Congressman Arthur Yap of the Third District of Bohol filed a bill prescribing the honoraria or allowances of Barangay officials at minimum wage levels.

House Bill No. 3977 seeks to amend the Local Government Code, which was enacted 20 years ago and prescribes only a minimum monthly honoraria of P1,000 for Punong Barangay and P600 for other Barangay officials. The bill noted that by any regional standard, such amounts are way below the minimum wage levels.

“Unlike most public officials, Barangay officials perform not just full time, but “24-7” work. Work is not only 8 hours. There is no overtime pay, no nightshift differential, no holiday, and no rest day. Actually, work is not really full time, it is all the time.”, noted Yap, a former Agriculture Secretary.

The House Bill noted that the Barangay officials, headed by the Punong Barangay or Capitan are swamped with the work of 3 branches of government. The Capitan is the little president in charge maintaining order. The Sanggunian is the little Congress tasked with enacting ordinances to promote general welfare. The Katarungang Pambarangay members are the little judges and justices administering Barangay justice.

“The reason why the law provides only for honoraria and not salaries is that Barangay governance is not meant to be full time work. However, this is not the reality. With very heavy work load, almost all Barangay officials can no longer afford to take any other job or even have small enterprise. Thus, their source of income or livelihood is the measly honoraria or allowances they receive as Barangay officials.”, lamented the first term Congressman.

Yap earnestly asked for the early approval of this bill. He hopes that its approval would be a means of ameliorating the economic condition of Barangay officials. And, he concluded that it would only be then that these officials be properly compensated for their services to their constituencies.

Press Release

The provincial government and private sectors are doing all they can to battle the perils that climate change may bring.

Congressman Angelo Palmones of Agham party-list has quoted the study of Southeast Asia Greenpeace that Bohol is one of the provinces that will be adversely affected by seawater rise to as high as one meter as a result of the climate change.

Palmones, the guest of honor during oath-taking ceremonies of newly-installed officer of the Bohol Tri-media Association held last week at Bohol Tropics Resort, said that along with Bohol in vulnerability to climate change are DAvao, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Zamoboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Northern Samar, Basilan, Sulu and Palawan.

In his first state of the province address before the session of the provincial board last Friday, Gov. Edgar Chatto recognizes the urgency of addressing the effects in climate change.

“We in Bohol are doing our part. We have organized the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), whose responsibilities go far beyond the old concept of disaster readiness.”

He also urged the municipal mayors for activation of the same body in their respective turfs following the rash of flooding of some towns a week ago that caused two deaths in Danao town following the continuous heavy downpour.

Along this line, Chatto, who stressed his administration puts premium on participatory and shared leadership, took the initiative of launching last year the First Bohol Climate Change Summit, and hopefully this year, he’ll unveil another Bohol Environment Summit.

He also concreted his pronouncements by giving the go-signal for the no-nonsense review and amendments to the 1998 Bohol Environment Code, the first of its kind that become the model in the country.

Several participant-sectors, particularly the non-government organizations who are actively tackling various concerns, such as biodiversity, forestry, coastal resource, pollution, wastes, infrastructure and others in reviewing the BEC, had been holding meetings and discussions on these to complete the overhaul of the BEC. After the review, the BEC, as amended, shall be forwarded to the provincial board by the governor for approval and becomes a provincial ordinance or the bible on environment.

The governor also issued Executive Order No. 30, series of 2010 on Dec. 30, 2010, creating the Bohol Bio-diversity Complex in BIlar town that will house the Bohol Climate Change Center.

Earlier, then Gov. Erico Aumentado issued an Executive Order 02, series of 2010, creating the technical working group for Climate Change summit and defining its functions and its composition. “There is a need to have a strategy to sustain and preserve the resources and to cushion the negative effects brought about by the said climate change on environment and resources,” said Aumentado.

The group of well-meaning prime movers of the Bohol Initiative for Sustainable Agrciulture and Development or BISAD led by Ms. Zen Darunday, Paul Borja, Eulale Albuladora and Salvio Makinano pointed out that there’s no way to combat climate change but to go green and organic farming during the Kapihan sa PIA last Thursday.

By: Ven rebo Arigo
A Singapore-based foundation has responded to the stinking concern of lack of toilets in several localities in the Second District, Bohol’s human waste capital based on Provincial Health Office (PHO) record.

The Mercy Relief is willing to assist in addressing the problem, partnering with the province thru the Participatory Research, Organization of Communities and Education towards Struggle for Self-reliance (PROCESS-Bohol).

The PROCESS is one of the active major non-government organizations (NGOs) in Bohol that cements support to the thrusts, including health and sanitation, of the just seven-month-old administration of Gov. Edgar Chatto.

This is one working of a public-private partnership and a model of a participatory and shared governance that both intrude into the anus of poverty.

Blamed to poverty, the high percentage of households without toilets in the Second District and some towns in Bohol’s two other districts just passed through the noses of the authorities for years.

PROCESS Exec. Dir. Emilia Roslinda described to the governor the Mercy Relief as “our potential partner donor for health-related projects hopefully to be implemented in northeastern Bohol where poverty incidence is very high.”

The Singapore-based foundation sent here two weeks ago a team who visited two Mercy Relief project sites for “ecosan” latrines in San Pedro, Talibon and Villa Teresita, Ubay.

Ubay and Talibon are among the eight towns in the Second District and 14 provincewide where the PHO recorded high percentage of households without sanitary toilets.

The six other “foul-smelling” towns in the said district of returned Rep. Erico Aumentado, who served as governor before Chatto, are Getafe, Pres. Garcia, Bien Unido, Buenavista, Trinidad and San Miguel.

Aumentado had earlier served also as congressman there from 1992 to 2001 and then became governor also for nine years from 2001 to 2010 until his congressional comeback.

Completing the ‘stinking 14’ are Anda, Alicia and Guindulman in the Third District of first termer Rep. Arthur Yap, who is the former agriculture secretary, and Catigbian and Tubigon in the First District of first-termer Rep. Rene Relampagos, who had then served as governor, too.

The 14 municipalities account for 30,742 households without sanitary toilets or roundly 15% of the total estimated number of households provincewide, the provincial health record says.

The Singaporean group’s preliminary visit to Bohol was to familiarize with the areas in preparation for a Mercy Relief Overseas Expedition (MOVE) aimed at assisting the concerned communities build ecosan latrines.

A latrine is a communal space with multiple toilets, or a single apparatus that is designed for defecation and urination.

Latrines allow for safer and more hygienic disposal of human waste than open defecation. They are used in rural areas and low-income urban communities, with significant use in the developing world.

A communal toilet of a type often used in a camp or barracks, latrine exists in many variations. But at its simplest, the reason for using it is that waste is controlled and decomposed into safer by-products.

The PROCESS had the Mercy Relief group paying courtesy call on the governor before proceeding to Talibon and Ubay.

Singaporean Sahari Ani, Mercy Relief â€" International Programmes director, led the group along with senior manager Derrick Tan, MOVE executive Siti Saleha Binte Mohamed Ali and two volunteers, who are also foreigners, and Philippine counterpart Laarni Salanga.

The eight toilet-less Second District towns happen to also benefit this year from the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan â€" Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

WATCH OUT for that package.

Narcotics and travel authorities now issue a warning for Filipinos who may be unwittingly becoming drug mules by innocently bringing packages containing drugs and illegal substances through international airports and border crossings.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General and undersecretary General Jose Gutierrez bared this during a recent launching of the government’s Anti-Drug Courier Program in Ilo-ilo City February 3, 2011.

The modus operandi is simple, explains Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Gladys Rosales during a briefing at Sarabia Manor and Convention Center February 3, 2011.

Because we are friendly and can easily be talked into helping others, many people use this nature to conveniently slip a package through borders by asking people to get bring “packages” which contain illegal substances.

According to Rosales, there are about 79 persons currently facing death penalty in China as a result of having been found to carry drugs and illegal substances.

Of the 79 facing death penalty cases, 6 are facing death without reprieve, the remaining 73 have two years reprieve, she added.

It would be unfair for innocent Filipinos to get the death penalty or life sentence in other countries if found to trafficked drugs; willingly or unwittingly, implied Philippine Information Agency Director General Atty. Jose Fabia.

Gutierrez also admitted that apart from unwitting couriers, there are recruitments ongoing, which offer very tempting packages including plane fares, accommodation, 1000 to $2000 per successful delivery.

Drugs, including heroin, shabu or meth-ampithamine hydrochloride, cocaine and marijuana have been trafficked, PDEA said based on their records.

The methods of concealment can come in many forms: hidden in a luggage, inserted in books and parcels, shoe boxes or any other item that can be carried across, Rosales bared.

On the problem, the government has created the Task Force Drug Couriers by virtue of administrative order 279, which puts PDEA as chair and is composed of 13 member agencies.

The task force has also identified prevention, law enforcement and prosecution as well as coordination and enhancement, Rosales revealed.

At the anti-Drug Courier launching, Favia said “this is a very important program, and we have committed because we understand the gravity and magnitude of the problem. (racPIABohol)

Social responsibility of the public transport utility operators and drivers nationwide, including Bohol, may be gauged if they truly respond to the calls for discounted fares to the students and the elderly folk.

The Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional office has warned drivers and operators of public utilities plying their trade here to give discounts to students and senior citizens. Failure to do so will mean drivers and operators will be slapped with severe penalties, said regional director Ahmed Cuizon in an exclusive interview with DyTR news corps.

Cuizon urged those who are not given this privilege to report to the authorities concerned erring drivers for failure to honor the law providing for discounted fares.

LTFRB officials led by Cuizon has responded to the request of the city officials to do the consultation and attending to the concerns of the public utilities operators in the province. It has also undertaken the issuance of the verification processes and certification of the applications for public transport vehicles.

The transport group in the city were grateful for LTFRB, in the same way that LTFRB to the city government for providing and allowing the agency to do its job under the city hall roof.

The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 also known as Republic Act No. 9994, as amended, provides tax privileges. A senior citizen or elderly under the law refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty yearsold. - pna

Press Release

Recognizing the ever-increasing importance of technology and technological training in the 21st century, Bohol First District Congressman Rene Lopez Relampagos filed a bill for the improvement of information technology (IT) education in public schools all over the country.

House Bill 3999, which the First District solon filed in the session of the Fifteenth Congress last January 24, proposes to strengthen computer science education in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, through the Department of Education (DepEd).

Citing research indicating the general lack of availability of computer education in public schools and that even in state colleges and universities the ratio in a computer class is often ten or even twenty students for every computer unit, the neophyte congressman stressed the urgency for the Filipino youth to be globally competitive.

“With almost every profession and trade becoming digital and with business process outsourcing being the fastest-growing industry in our country, it would be a grave disservice to our children if we do not equip them with the skills and knowledge that they will need to live and to make a living in this age of information technology,” Relampagos reasoned.

Substantially adopting the Computer Science Education Act of 2010 which is pending the United States Congress, the bill pushes for the development of a comprehensive plan for public computer science education, subject for review every two years, which will, among others: assess public elementary and secondary school needs for IT education, especially in rural areas; ensure access to computer science courses even among under-represented sectors; ensure grade-appropriate IT concepts from Grade 1 through Grade 6; include IT education in the core curriculum for high school students; provide for computer science distance learning programs; and develop and improve certification programs for computer science teachers.

The First District solon stressed that the focus in computer science education should not only be on applied IT skills but, more importantly, on developing core computer science knowledge.

The bill also proposes the creation of the Commission on Computer Science Education, which will provide recommendations to the Secretary of Education for the expansion and improvement of public IT education nationwide, review the state of IT education in public elementary and secondary schools, and review computer science teacher certification requirements and processes.

The commission would be composed of a senior official from the DepEd, an IT expert from the Department of Science and Technology, a representative of an elementary or secondary computer education practitioner organization, a public elementary or secondary computer science teacher, a social scientist with expertise on equity issues of IT education, and a representative of the computing industry or of an industry that depends on computing services.

Relampagos comments that the bill would be complementary to the also-pending House Bill No. 0976 filed in Congress by Representatives Augusto Syjuco and Rosenda Ann Ocampo, who propose that proceeds from gross receipts tax imposed on cellular phone companies be used to finance the computer literacy programs of public schools.

The Boholano solon, who was also a college professor prior to his political career, also sits as the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology and as a member of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

Will You Bring Your GF to Jollibee On a Valentine?