MikeLigalig.com

By JUNE S. BLANCO


  Maynilad Water Services, Inc., the company that supplies potable water to half of Metro Manila, is eyeing to similarly fill the drinking water needs of Metro Tagbilaran including Panglao Island in Bohol.

  Rogelio Singson, president of the Balara , Quezon City-based company, said barring hitches the Bohol Bulk Water Supply Project will be Maynilad’s first project outside of its franchise area.

  Singson and Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City wherein Maynilad will conduct a feasibility study to supply water to the service area and submit a proposal 180 days after the signing.

  The MOU specified that the water should comply with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) and will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  The document also enjoins the provincial government not to entertain or accept any offer from any third party for a similar proposal relating to the project until after Maynilad has submitted its project proposal and the province has evaluated the same.

  The province shall thereafter inform Maynilad if the proposal is acceptable, and if so, recognize the same as the original project proponent. Only then can the province use the terms and conditions of the proposal as bases for soliciting comparative bids from other interested parties.

  The parties further agreed that should the province receive offers with better terms and conditions, it shall provide the original project proponent with the opportunity to match the competitive bid.

  The signing capped a series of meetings between Aumentado and Singson in Manila wherein the former expressed the province’s urgent need for an additional source of drinking water and that it wished to enter into a partnership with a qualified party that could design, build, operated and manage the Bohol bulk water supply system.

  On the other hand, Singson expressed Maynilad’s desire to partner with the province to provide the need for bulk water, construct an appropriate water treatment plant and install transmission and distribution facilities, hence the MOU.

  Aumentado clarified that the project will include a watershed rehabilitation component just like what Maynilad did in La Mesa â€" in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation’s environment arm, Bantay Kalikasan.

  The governor also said Maynilad initially proposed a six-month period to prepare its proposal. However, Aumentado prevailed over Singson when he explained that the need was urgent in the light of the expected operationalization of the Panglao Bohol International Airport.

  “We are racing against time,” he said.

  Besides, he added, the province has ready data in its Provincial Development Management System (PDMS) formerly known as the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP), and the Bohol Integrated Water Supply System Master Plan prepared by Coffey International, Ltd. and Woodfields Consultants, Inc. under the Local Governance Development Project (LGDP) funded by the Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

  Maynilad intends to develop the surface water of both the Abatan and Loboc rivers to supply the needs of Antequera, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Balilihan, Catigbian, Dauis, Loboc, Loay, Panglao, San Isidro and Catigbian towns and Tagbilaran City,

  The company will not compete with government or private water distributors but just provide bulk water to address the lack and relieve the pressure on the aquifer. 

By Sunday Post

    Water is Bohol’s biggest asset according to Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera.
    “Bohol has many assets but the biggest is water,” Herrera declared.
    The vice-governor said Bohol’s water supply can become its biggest export in the coming years.
    “The value of our water will increase as the water sources in neighboring islands particularly Cebu is drying up,” he added.
    Herrera attributed Bohol’s abundant water supply to its forest cover in certain parts of the province.
    He however warned that there is a need to protect the trees from illegal logging activities.
    “There are people who do not care about the future for as long as they make money,” he complained.
    The vice-governor said local governments should help in protecting the forest areas within their jurisdiction because the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) do not have enough people to guard them.
    At the same time, he urged citizens to do their share because there are unconfirmed reports that some local officials are involved in the illegal logging activities themselves.
    In addition to the protection of the trees, Herrera said Boholanos should actively take part in the reforestation efforts.
    “We should plant more trees to replace those that are being cut and to maintain the ecological balance,” he added.
    Herrera said the first goal is to assure sufficient water supply for future generations.
    Noting that trees do not grow overnight, he said the planting of trees has to start now.
    “This is the reason why I always urge our people to plant,” he added.
    Herrera said that his vegetable seed distribution project is an important part because it teaches people to plant.
    “You cannot expect people to plant trees if they do not have the love to plant even cash crops that do not take long to harvest,” he added.
    Herrera said pointed out that beneficiaries who have enjoyed the harvest from the vegetable seeds that he distributed are now eager to plant more.
    The vice-governor pointed out that with the water sources in other places drying up at an alarming level, Bohol’s water will be a very attractive commodity.
    He recalled that there were offers to buy water from Bohol many years ago so it will not be a surprise if those offers will be revived.
    However, Herrera said local supply should be assured first before any export is considered.
    He also noted that environmental experts will have to be called in when that time comes to determine how much is the allowable volume of water that Bohol can share with other places.

By JUNE S. BLANCO

  BOHOL Gov. Erico Aumentado and his wife, the former Peregrina Adlaon-Cabagnot Thursday left for the United States of America as guests of the 13th biennial convention of the Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada, Inc. (Conbusac) slated July 2-6 in Seattle, Washington State, and to campaign for attendance to the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) on July 14 to 26 in Tagbilaran City.

  The governor will be the speaker where he will update the leaders and members of Boholano organizations who will troop to the Bellevue Hyatt Regency for the “Sleepless in Seattle 2009” convention hosted by the Bohol Association of Washington State, Inc. (Boawas) â€" on projects Conbusac and the provincial government are jointly undertaking.

  Aumentado, among others, will report on the establishment and equipage of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bohol Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team and the Let’s Help Bohol carabao and cattle dispersal cum artificial insemination projects.

  To note, Conbusac has sent $15,000 or over half of its commitment of P1 million for the special uniforms, firearms and accessories of the Swat team

  Sr. Supt. Edgardo Ingking, Bohol police provincial director, said he has ordered 22 sets of special uniforms with multiple pockets for their gears and accessories plus combat boots and cap, eight Ferfrance special operations assault rifles and two M-14 conversion kits with sniper scope â€" to better equip the team to immediately and properly respond to emergencies like bank robberies and even hostage-taking and other forms of terrorism that might occur in the province.

  He will also give a video presentation prepared by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) under Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.

  Among others, the video will show “the tears of joy a farmer and his wife shed upon receiving their very own carabao â€" needless to say, a very important farm input that can spell the difference between remaining dirt poor and empowerment â€" more than compensates for our efforts to implement the Let’s Help Bohol program of artificial insemination (AI) and upgrading carabao and cattle stocks.”

  Under this convergence strategy, AI, made easier and faster with the Conbusac donation of nitrogen tanks for the semen, and motorcycles to bring them to the remotest areas, has made Bohol the top carabao producer in Central Visayas and third nationwide since 2007 â€" and improving.

  Lapiz had reported that Conbusac is now ready with at least another 14 carabaos to give to as many families to start another dispersal packet.

  “Your going out of your way in your desire to help those you may not even personally know truly inspires one into doing even more,” Aumentado emphasized in his message in the convention souvenir program.

  Kudos to Conbusac President Carlos Cagaanan, and to the Bohol Association of Washington State (Boawas) â€" this year’s convention host â€" whose pet project AI has made possible the expansion of carabao and cattle dispersal to four more towns on top of the 19 where the project is ongoing, he added.

  He said it is most heartwarming to know that despite the global financial crunch and the Conbusac members’ hectic individual schedules, the Boholanos in USA and Canada still find time to meet each other, rekindle friendships, strengthen bonds and participate in different activities all designed to raise resources for laudable projects for the less fortunate brethren left back home.

  Cagaanan, and Boawas President Nat Calacat and Vice President Mely Forones-Cagaanan have been heading a core group of organizers burning the midnight candle to ensure good attendance, active involvement and participation, and publicity of the event â€" and above all, raise funds for ongoing and future projects in Bohol.

  In his reminders to the presidents, key officers and members of the umbrella organization, the confederation president urged the Boholanos to register and join the convention, support a candidate in the Miss Conbusac Pageant thru cash donations, buying and/or selling raffle tickets, placing and/or soliciting donations for the Walk for Bohol event and buying and/or selling dinner and dance tickets for the Family and Gala Nights.

  Cagaanan who is coming home for the TBTK committed to bring home Boholanos, their families and friends to the triennial gathering in Tagbilaran also.

  The Aumentado couple will be back in Bohol on the 13th to prepare to host the TBTK Recognition Night at the Bohol Cultural Center on July 26.

    The Department of Trade and Industry Bohol provincial office, in cooperation with the Bohol Investment Promotions Center (BIPC) and the Bohol Bankers Association, held a two-day Entrepreneurship Development Training for Business Development Service (BDS) providers on June 23-24 at Wregent Plaza Hotel, Tagbilaran City based on the theme, “Business Plan Proposal: Banking Industry Perspective”.

      A total of 30 pre-screened BDS providers attended the two-day seminar.

      It was the first in two parts of capability-building programs designed for qualified BDS providers under the Bohol Business Advisory Services and Information Center (Bohol BASIC).

      The training focused primarily on the preparation of business plans, feasibility studies based on the standard format of the banking industry.

It was also aimed at assisting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing credit with participating local banks.

      Among the speakers during the two-day training were BPI Manager Deodato Butawan, LBP Lending Center Head Allan Bisnar, FCB vice president Tolentino Gallares and DBP Branch Manager Ma. Ofelia Tesorio.

      Before the activity closed, Resti Tejido of the travel and tours sector facilitated the project screening and business matching among participants on the identified projects of identified MSMEs.

      The activity also led to one-on-one consultations between the participants and identified MSMEs where they primarily assessed their projects and eventually assisted them in preparing their business plans.

      Bohol BASIC has the support of DTI Bohol Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon, Bohol Bankers Association president Rodney Lumuthang, and BIPC Head Maria Fe Dominise.   

The lowly raffia endemic in this land of Francisco Dagohoy is getting the international exposure it deserves. The target: barging into the Guinnes Book of Records for the world’s longest continuous hand-woven raffia fabric.

In Bohol history, this municipality was the seat of the longest revolt of Dagohoy against Spanish tyranny that lasted more than 80 years.

Combining history, heritage and livelihood, Inabanga is trying to build around the raffia industry a calling card in achieving this world record.

All this, will catapult into a big slambang event, never been seen in the history of the town, as it unveiled today the longest woven raffia fabric.

Today’s activity coincides with the town fiesta in honor of St. Paul, the Apostle. The unveiling ceremony marks the launching of the Raffia Festival to be held every year thereafter.

At the helm to push this big marketing shebang is Team Inabanga, the power behind all the progress and development now obtaining in the town under the tutelage of Mayor Jono Jumamoy. And that includes promoting raffia fiber as a cottage industry and therefore one of the sources of livelihood of the townsfolk.  

Today’s rolling out rites see Team Inabanga reaps the fruits of its labor by making public how local loom weavers succeeded in churning out 1.7-kilometer of continuous hand-woven raffia or hinabol nga saguran.

Hinabol nga saguran, or raffia are Inabanga’s hippest products from the buri palm and are traditionally hand-woven from looms here.

Not that saguran is stunning for Inabangnons who have used the woven fabric to dry palay. But with a new product elevated into hinabol, it should generate world attention during its unrolling June 29, this according to Mayor  Jumamoy.

For the momentuous event, he talks about costumed street dancing contingents performing to the pulsating calypso drum beats over oversized festival drums which accompany the unrolling of the gigantic hand-woven table runner announcing the town fiesta from Barangay Lutao to Poblacion.

The youthful mayor also talks about their streets lined with revelers and supporters holding the unrolled fiber. Later that night, attention shifts to the lime-lit catwalks teeming with models clad in raffia inspired garments in an exciting gala fashion show. And yes, food too.  

The craftsmen and creative weavers here spread on that day its masterpiece: possibly the world’s longest continuous hand-woven raffia and to be recognized as the home of the best hand-weavers in the whole world and the raffia capital in the country.  

On that day, the local government team wants no slips.

The objective is to grab enough momentum to mainstream their saguran into a world-class hinabol, now slowly dominating modern lifestyle accents, Mayor Jumamoy said.

And when they do, expect to see a product far from that drab and coarse saguran that immediately comes to mind upon the mention of the fiber mainly for drying palay here.

Inabanga, home to 1910 raffia weavers in 80% of its barangays would be presenting the green and bleached hand-woven hinabol, beating its own target of unrolling a mile-long fiber weave.

But not known to many, for Team Inabanga’s top man said the bid is to spruce up more employment opportunities for Inabanganons whose lives have been intricately woven in the industry.

“One of our biggest challenges to get our people working back in handlooms for the new hinabol, which is now getting high market demand and catch up with the purchase orders,” he shared during a recent interview.

Last years’ most promising Bohol product at the sandugo Showcase, the Inabanga handwoven raffia racked in P40M in gross sales and orders making it the fair’s top-seller.

But with majority of its weavers still learning how to transform the saguran into high-end fine-woven hinabol bearing interesting optical art designs and patterns, Jumamoy said winning the world record boosts 5370 of industry’s support workers into going mainstream.

Too cash-trapped to invite international adjudicators, Inabanga’s bid is now focused by lenses of local and regional media as documentors to validate the product and hopefully generated enough attention for world judges to come and see for the record, the youthful mayor said. (PIA)

At first glance, one is tempted, to describe him as fresh from the hip hop academy. That is, if there’s any such institution. But looks can be deceptive. Just probe deeply into his being and you will find out that at 23, he is already his own man.

Two years into Inabanga’s highest elective office, Mayor Jono Jumamoy has morphed from his boy-next- door image to a serious contender to any political position up for grabs. But that is going ahead of his political plans. Since  he just merely scrapped the bottom  of the mayoralty barrel, he is training his eyes for another crack of the same post that catapulted him as the youngest mayor the Philippines ever had.

Yes, Kith, Mayor jumamoy earned the bragging right as the youngest mayor of the country way back in 2007.

With nothing but a bachelor’s degree in  International Business Management earned at Palm Beach, Florida, USA, he was dismissed as “wet between the earns” when he assumed office as Inabanga mayor.

Of course, it helped that he filled in the shoes of her mother, Josephine Socorro Jumamoy. But it was  too big a size for him, literally and figuratively.

Indeed, the shoe size left by his mother was, by all accounts, ill fit for a greenhorn like him. But like any first timer, the jitters were all part of the territory.

Two years after, it’s a different ballgame altogether.

This means, he has adjusted to the job of being looked up to as “father of the town”, young he may be.

As he buckled down to work, he found out that it’s all common sense and a lot of patience in dealing with all kinds of characters on a daily basis. Like a chameleon, it was a  matter of blending to the kind of environment one was in.

Now that he is on top of the situation, he recalls with fond memories his first days in office.
His US education must have  taken a toll on him that in his first days in office, he was observed to have been barking orders “ I want this, I want that”.

Pity the young boy who was not used to the way of politics. In retrospect, it dawned upon him, that  not even a stateside education is a surefire guarantee that one knows the ways of the world let alone that of politics. They called it culture shock of the political kind.

Consider himself, now, as a learning disciple of party politics.

With 50 barangay captains to contend with, Mayor Jumamoy is  just a small fish in the big pond. But as he goes along with local governance, he realizes that every step of the way,  all he needs is knowing how to swim with the tide.

Swim he did and  win the hearts and minds of 47 village heads.

With the majority of the barangay heads at his side, he formed Team Inabanga with the entire elected officialdom of the municipality part of the nucleus of the organization.
In effect, no major undertaking of the town is implemented without the blessing of Team Inabanga. Built around the team effort of town and barangay officials, Team Inabanga is the epitome of unity and cooperation to any endeavor the town is laying its hands on.

For example, at his young age, he can now rattle off with effortless ease  the benefits of responsible parenthood like most of his adult counterparts are preaching.

According to the mayor’s blueprint, responsible parenthood should work hand in hand with the town’s livelihood program.

Putting up a face of this two-pronged program, he was reminded of an island sortie where he met a young boy. Still unschooled even if he were of school age  already, he was touched of what awaits of the boy’s future if he won’t do something to help his lot.

Actually, he was referring to what he can do as mayor to improve the lot of fisherfolks in the island who in most cases thrive in illegal fishing. The mayor was thinking that if the young boy grows up to be a man, does he has any choice except to follow the footsteps of his father who happens to be a dynamite fisher?

This question bugs him no end that looking back to the grim scenario of the unschooled boy, he cannot help but be carried away  by what he encountered in that island. Touched and absorbed, another question keeps cropping up? What will happen, say, 10 years from now? Will his livelihood program makes any difference to better off the life of the young boy and his family?
Against this backdrop, Mayor Jumamoy swung into action to  make livelihood as a major component of his development program.

With improving the quality of life as the earmark of the program, Mayor jumamoy started with the drive against illegal fishing. Considering the length of its coastline including those in the islands, he announced to all and sundry that he will not tolerate illegal fishing.

His mantra was that with illegal fishing under control, marginal fishermen will be able to practice their calling amidst the backdrop of abundant catch.

May be to test his political will if he meant business, illegal fishers aboard a fishing vessel from a neighboring town intruded into Inabanga waters.
Bringing a small compliment of his sea borne patrol, Mayor Jumamoy led the apprehension of notorious fishermen.

With the message that he was out to implement the law no matter who they are, Mayor Jumamoy made no qualms if the fishing boat owner haggled for a lighter penalty, say, being allowed to pay the fine as mandated by law and then go scot free. Only to strike again when the situation calls for it?

No way, the mayor balked. With his determined drive against illegal fishing in mind, he caused the filing of cases against the perpetrators and see to it that the book is thrown at them.

In rationalizing his move, the young mayor said allowing those illegal fishers to buy their way out would result in the town generating much needed revenues. Under the law, fishing in illegalwaters will entail a fine of P2,500 per crewmember.

But what of it?

For a town longing for revenues, penalizing the illegal fishers was a fortune. But not, Mayor Jumamoy. True, it means additional money for the town coffers but he was looking at the long term effect.

Mayor Jumamoy said ridding his town of illegal fishers is like teaching his people how to fish in a seawaters that will be teeming with fish supply as soon as the agents of marine destruction are consigned to their proper placeâ€"the town jail.

With this kind of intestinal fortitude as displayed by Mayor Jumamoy, who can say that he has not been his own man.

source: Sunday Post

Killing two birds with one stone?

Any which way one  looks at it, there is no denying  that this is exactly what Team Inabanga is aiming at.

The jackpot is making raffia as another viable alternative to lick  poverty out of the books of Inabanga’s hunger problem. Attracting tourists is one option thereby  opening  the old town’s rare cache of cultural heritage and traditions.

Also, going back to weaving saguran presents the people a chance to get rooted to their identity and then work from there.

This centuries old raffia loom-weaving industry utilizes fibers extracted from young unopened buri leaf sheaths. Most people believe raffia loom-weaving in fact started in Inabanga.

Although predominantly a home based endeavor, the industry has been revolutionized recently into a firm level production.

This is how the local leaders see the promise of raffia as major local provider of income opportunity.

In this town,  weaving is so famous that it is done in 40 of the town’s 50 barangays, a proof that when Inabanganons want the town branded as synonymous to world-class raffia products, it could not be far from truth.

The lowly saguran (old raffia weave) was revolutionized to sell  that there are available technologies that could enhance the coarse, rough and drab weave into the world class hinabol.

To emphasize that, four of the best weavers in town embark on a big project, weaving the world’s longest continuous raffia to highlight their claim.

Now introduced with hip op-art designs and color patterns, the raffia is making waves as interior design accents and prime raw material for items of modern lifestyle.

Raffia, a woven fiber is a popular material for placemats, table runners, throw pillows, pillowcases, wall decors, window blinds and screens, bags and pouches, coasters, frames and is now being used as garment accents.

For an age-long industry that has suited revolutionaries under Dagohoy and has ever since supplied the mats for drying palay in this basically agricultural town, it may be safe to say that the raffia has been so intricately woven into the people’s life and identity.

Inabanga, one of the few Bohol towns that has kept alive its raffia weaving through the traditional handlooms. The town now wants to grab world attention and possibly corner a big market of raffia raw materials and finished products in a bid to drastically redo the town’s economic landscape.

For placemats alone, Inabanga can produce 26,000 in a month and the Department of Trade and Industry admitted they have taken a serious look at the product development to help.

With this bright prospect, DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte admitted the immediate problem now is how to get the volume hit the right market, but the local officialdom looked at exactly the same angle. 

Now taking a second hard look at raffia weaving not just to own the recognition as the home of the best weavers in the world, the municipality is rummaging for opportunities that the industry would bring to its people.

First, it’s the pride keeping the best weavers but most of all, raffia is a potent industry that is capable of lifting people out of poverty.

Seen already as the next best tourism circuit in northwestern Bohol, packaging Inabanga raffia as indispensable tourism take-home gift item has elated Team Inabanga. (PIA)

Was it because the spirits of the river, or the dreaded kills by crocodiles that gave the town its name, no one can authoritatively tell.

But according to the folklores, way before the coming of the Spaniards, the place where the present municipality of Inabanga was a center populated by immortals and men. Fairy tale or not, the myth behind Inabanga and its fabled river continue to haunt local folks, to this day.

Many people who were born in the place could roughly piece a story handed down, tales that tell about a place which their elders pronounce with awe: a mystical or mythical golden city within the town: a place called the city of Makaban.

Oral traditions here also narrate how ships could mystically stray into the Inabanga River and hit the bridge, the captain allegedly lured to the gleaming city of gold.

Makaban, the city made hypothetical by the strong oral traditions here is said to be having streets lined with gold, peopled by rare breed of tall albinos and mestizos; engkantos who lived life like there was no tomorrow.

They accordingly dined in the finest sparkling glass and silvers and the best chinese porcelain, food a-bounty and music so joyous an ordinary man who would partake with them would never be like any normal being again.

So the people of the town would just sit and gaze at the perpetual parties, their only chance to get hold of the silver and porcelain pieces is when they borrow it from the supernatural beings.

Oral traditions also relate that when the poor people of the town needs silvers and plates for large social gatherings, they would just list them down and leave it at the doorway of the mythical city.

When they return the following day, what awaits them are piles of sparkling silver, china and glasses, ready for the taking.

The catch, they must return it in the same condition.

The friendly co-existence of the town’s people and the spirits stopped only when some people allegedly failed to return the borrowed items.

Now the city of Makaban has remained shrouded in mystery.

But the ships’ foghorns still come early dawn, ask employees at the town hall.

And the aroma of roasted cocoa or burnt and brewed coffee still accompany the whiff of air here, when no one’s cooking.

This eventual wrath of the engkantos resulted in their wreaking havoc upon the people who abuse their goodness.

Why kill along the river?

Common superstitious belief said that the river is the conduit between the world of the immortals and men.

On the other and, another story also delve on the ferocious crocodiles that teem in the river.

The Inabanga River was once accordingly infested with crocodiles.

Every year, a human life was lost through attack by a crocodile.

Local folks also thought that the deaths were yearly rental or “abang” for the use of the river and thus the river was called “Inabangan”or “Rented River”, which is also the most prominent mark in the town, thus the town was called Inabangan.

However during the Spanish times, Spaniards find “Inabangan” too hard for them to pronounce.

Inabanga was how they would call it, and the name stuck to this day. - source: Sunday Post

  A fashion show featuring gowns and garments using raffia fiber and a hip jingle that may soon hit the air-lanes are just two of the ways Team Inabanga  employs to re-introduce the traditional and yet re-packaged saguran weave to the Generation x.

  Both would be debuting to the public on June 29, the night when the town would have proven to the world that Inabanga has become synonymous to raffia, creativity and craftsmanship.

  “Party jockeys would soon work on party remixes for the raffia jingle, says Mayor Jono Jumamoy who masterminds a drive to re-instill the value of keeping raffia traditions alive in the minds of young Inabanganons.

  The jingle, written and composed by native Inabangnons tell a story about a college student who has forgotten an industry that has sustained him in his childhood, the mayor said.

  “Raffia, Inabanga: name recall,” says Jumamoy during an interview as he stressed that the team has decided to venture into the new brands to keep an identity that their people can call as uniquely their own.

  According to him, Inabanga raffia is not the same as the old saguran. “It is a revolutionized hinabol that feature interestingly modern and optical art designs that may be hip for the young and old.”

  As Mayor Jumamoy is seeing it, the game plan is to associate raffia as a brand.
  “From an old saguran that many would scoff at, we have a material that has successfully shown promise as modern day garment material as was seen during last years’ raffia fashion show at Bohol’s Island City Mall,” he added.

  For Team Inabanga, it is finding creative ways to get younger generation re-appreciate the beauty of the old traditional hand weaving that has motivated them to go for the new promotional channels.

  Hopefully, people look back at the promise of the Inabangnon creativity and craftsmanship, get them back to the handlooms and produce the bulk demanded by international buyers, the mayor stressed.

  Recently too, the town has adopted a seal that many have praised as uniquely simple but carries a historic pride for the people. The seal feature half a cross and a bolo: symbols of the Christian faith and the famed Dagohoy rebellion. 

  Its not the hype or the pride, above all, it is providing the people the opportunity to alleviate themselves from poverty and we can work from there, he stressed.  (PIA) 

    As this developed, another collector of the Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc. (TSKI) was held up along the national highway in Trinidad town 7 pm last June 23.
    The suspect identified as Darwin Valero, 32, single and a resident of the same town was divested of his collection amounting to P32,000 by three armed men who waited for him along the road.
    Valero was riding on a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) driven by one Joemar Polinar when the suspects struck.
    The victim was on his way to remit his collections to the TSKI office in Talibon when the motorcycle was blocked by the suspects in a motorcycle who wore bonnets to hide their faces.
    Aside from his collections, Valero was also divested of his Nokie 6600 cellphone.
    The unabated hold-ups in the towns have alarmed residents who wonder why the Bohol police are helpless against them. - source: Sunday Post

    A young suspect in the rape of two sisters aged 6 and 7 were arrested by elements of the Calape police.
    The suspect was identified as one Angel Ballon, 20, single and a resident of Barangay Labuon, Calape.
    PO2 Siegfred Veloso told Station DyTR that the girls are daughters of the suspect’s grandfather.
    Veloso said the girls are children of the man in his second marriage while the suspect lives in the same house.
    The man chanced upon the suspect raping the 6-year-old girl in an abandoned house nearby about 5:30 pm last June 26.
    The girl’s father immediately reported the incident to the Calape PNP station.
    Ballon was arrested at 9:30 am the following day in Barangay Tultogan.
    After the suspect’s arrest, the 7-year-old sister of the victim reported that she was also abused by the same man but did not give the date.
    The suspect was detained at the Calape PNP lock-up jail while the charges were being prepared against him.
    Veloso said the suspect is slated to undergo inquest proceedings on Monday. - source: Sunday Post

    In Dauis, a joint team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bohol and the 703rd PNP Maritime arrested a resident of Barangay Mariveles. 
    The suspect was identified as one Conrado Aranzado, 29, a resident of Purok 7.
    Aranzado was apprehended during a raid about 5:40 am last June 24. The raiding team recovered seven packs of suspected shabu.
    The raid was conducted by virtue of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Fernando Fuentes III of the Regional Trial Court Branch 49 based in Tagbilaran.
    Aranzado was temporarily placed under the custody of PDEA-Bohol while appropriate charges were being readied for filing against him.
    The seized substance were submitted to the Bohol PNP crime laboratory for chemical analysis. - source: Sunday Post

     The “Tabo Congress” held last May 27 in the public market of Bien Unido sent off the revival of traditional market day or “tabo” after a hiatus.

      Bien Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel led local officials and municipal employees in holding the event that gathered village heads, stakeholders and visiting entrepreneurs from neighboring towns together.

      Governor Erico Aumentado, Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera and the three Provincial Board members from the second district also graced the event.

  Highlights included Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren’s inspirational message and insights on market operation based on experience.

  The local government of Bien Unido has envisioned the revival of “tabo” to showcase the abundant marine products of the coastal and island barangays of the municipality like the rare species of sea shells, clams and various species of fish and other fish products.

  On the other hand, vendors of various cash crops, vegetables and spices from neighboring towns committed to display their products during the market day every Wednesday as set in a municipal ordinance.

  The launching activity started with a community prayer led by Rev. Fr. Tommy Ugpo, who was instrumental and supportive in the preparation phase prior to the formal launching, and was capped with the covenant signing by all stakeholders led by Boniel himself.

  The covenant aimed at building commitment to make the Tabo sustainable and enduring.

  Mayor Boniel invites everyone to experience the “Tabo sa Bien Unido” where fresh seafoods matched with varieties of cash crops quantifies a sumptuous meal treat that’s hard to resist. (Diosdado Bazar-HRMO-MPIO)

      Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Center Director Dr. Carlolyn May Daquio of Region Vll other advocates in pushing Maribijoc and San Isidro to be the show windows and pace-setters in agricultural advancement in Bohol.

      The move came during a meeting at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) last June 16 where 45 represented 165 non-government organizations, non-government agencies, peoples organizations and private advocates of organic farming.

      They wanted to call on the Provincial Board to consider the experiences of the municipalities of Maribojoc and San Isidro when acting for agricultural development.

      BOCAP Coordinator Bominda Flores presented their shredder machine and design opened an invitation to local officials to facilitate donation for the power supply to run the shedder machine that will grind the rice straw and other plant leaves that they will feed the African night crawlers for fast production of vermicast, and an area of about 400 square meters that they can utilize for solar drying which can be an open basketball court.

      This way, farmers can spare the roads as their drying area and keep from contamination of the carbon monoxide emited by vehicles passing by.

      The group agreed to focus first on serving the 21 municipalities where POs hold base and deal, later, with the 33 Bohol Internal Guarantee System (BIGS) having the refinement area in place and the certification on their products as full organic.

      The points were contained in the 53-page proposed Provincial Organic Agriculture Program (POAP), which

Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, who presided the meeting, wanted to be as comprehensive as possible as they aim to get the attention of the PB on this by this week. (DIOSDADO MAQUILING)

     The spirit of unity and cooperation prevailed among Catigbianons during the 5th Katigbawan Festival that commemorated the 60th founding anniversary of the town on June 15-17.

      “We had gathered the biggest crowd Catigbian ever had through this celebration, and shown to the whole world that Catigbian has many things to offer,” according to second-termer Mayor Roberto Salinas.

      Katigbawan Festival was conceived during the mayor’s first term of office.

      Salinas designed it to promote the best of the town and to change its image from being the rebels’ haven into a haven of peace and development.

      Based on the theme, “Tapok-tapok Catigbianon ngadto sa Kalambuan”, this year’s celebration officially kicked off on June 14 with a thanksgiving mass officiated by the newly-installed parish priest of the Immaculate Conception, Rev. Fr. Danilo Maniwan.

      On June 15, the best agricultural products were displayed in 22 well-decorated booths at the Catigbian Livestock Auction Center.

      Barangay Poblacion won the Most Artistic Booth, while barangay Baang won the Best Booth award.

      Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, First District Representative Edgar Chatto and Department Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Ricardo Oblena and town officials graced the opening program and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

      The carabao pageant amazed the audience with an extraordinary show at the school oval with colorful carts and the escort cowboys, representing different nations.

      Among the stunts that amazed the crowd that jam-packed the school oval were the carabao’s prowess in walking while kneeling, rolling from one side to the other and backward walking.

      The Carabao of the Year award and the Best Cowboy award went to Barangay Mantacida, while the Best in Costume went to Barangay Rizal, and the Best in Parade award went to Barangay Causwagan Norte.

      Four local teams, competing in the first-ever Katigbawan Rodeo, braved through the heavy rain.

      It was sponsored by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Ubay Stock Farm, DA, Bureau of Animal Industry and CVSCAFT-Bilar campus.

      Weste team composed of Barangay Poblacion Weste, Sinakayanan, Haguilanan and Bongbong emerged champion in four categories.

      Later in the afternoon, the traditional karambola of fighting cocks brought entertainment to the revelers at the Catigbian Cockpit Arena.

      Meanwhile, boxing aficionados and enthusiasts assembled at the Catigbian Gymnasium to witness the championship fight among amateur boxers from different parts of Bohol in the 1st Congressman Edgar Chatto Boxing Cup where the Catigbian team grabbed the highest award with four golds, five silvers and three bronze medals.

      Of the 100 Catigbianons now based in other parts of the country and abroad, contacted through email and letters, only 38 made it.

      “Though only few Catigbianons made it, the impact was gigantic because it moved emotions,” according to Salinas, a retired navy captain.

      Charito Lurot-Magno, a native of barangay Hagbuaya, left the town in 1990 to try her luck in Manila where she studied her college as working student, and later landed a job and now managing her own business.

      “I’m so happy that Catigbianons still remember me, I feel so honored that I am invited here. I am so proud to be a Catigbianon. Wherever I go, I’m not ashamed of my roots, especially today that Catigbian is soaring so high,” she said.

      After the welcome program at the conference hall, the group and the beneficiaries of the municipal scholarship program proceeded to Dagook Falls where they shared a sumptuous lunch.

      At the entrance of the falls, the newly organized Tribu Katigbi Dance Troupe of the Abatan River Upstream Eco-Tour presented a welcome dance that allured the Kaliwat Catigbianons.

      They trekked the one-kilometer hilly place, explored caves with virgin stalactites and stalagmites in barangay Bongbong, then managed to roam around the now spruced-up municipal hall and the biggest livestock center.

      Later, the dinner-for-a-cause followed with 108 Catigbianons and stretched the evening to the welcome dinner for the Tanda Kaliwat Catigbianon at the Catigbian Business Activity Center.

      History had it that Balilihan, which branched from the then larger Baclayon, produced Catigbian. Catigbian, later, produced San Isidro. This made the municipal officials of Baclayon, Balilihan and San Isidro recognize the significance of joining Catigbianons in the celebration.

      Later in the evening, Mayor Salinas and wife, Nerissa Yap-Salinas Coronation of the Diamond Jubilee King and Queen took the center stage at 8:30 o’clock in the evening. Mayor BertSal and Mrs. Nerissa Yap-Salinas bequeathed their crown, cape and scepter as Golden Jubilee King and Queen 1999 to Captain and Mrs. Nicasio Ladroma, in the presence of award-winning actor/director Cesar Montano and his actress wife, Sunshine Cruz.

      Fr. Maniwan and Fr. Angcla of Immaculate Conception Parish and Sto.Niño Parish expressed gratitude to the local government for the donation of P40,000 to each parish, taken from the proceeds of the Diamond Jubilee King and Queen 2009 pageant.

      On June 17, the 60th founding anniversary kicked off with the turn-over of farm-to-market road projects of the Agrarian Reform Community Development Project (ARCDP-2) and the launching of additional Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) called as CHABBMANS.

      Chatto, Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Head Johnson Sinco, Provincial Board Member Yul Lopez and PB Member Alfonso Damalerio II graced the activity where the congressman distributed to 136 BHWs, some BHW kits bearing the slogan “First Wealth is Health”.

      The annual street-dancing and showdown competition followed after lunch at the Catigbian Sports Oval where 17 elementary schools, four public and private secondary schools in Catigbian,  Immaculata High School of Baclayon, CVSCAFT-Balilihan Campus and San Isidro DepEd high school teachers competed.

      This year, nine elementary schools participated in the showdown in the elementary category, while five high schools- -including Immaculata High School of Baclayon- -participated in the showdown.

      Tribu Dagook of Central West Elementary School emerged champion in the elementary category taking home cash price of P10,000 and a trophy. The group also won the best in costume, best in street dancing and best in choreography.

      In high school category, Immaculate Mary Academy defeated the defending champion, Catigbian National High School. The group received P25,000 and trophy, sweeping along the Best in Street Dancing and Best in Choreography awards and left the Best in Costume award to Catigbian National High School.

      The festivity clinched with a ten-minute fireworks display courtesy of the generous benefactors-Mayor and Mrs. Roberto Salinas, Chief Engr. Themistocles and Vice Necie Digaum, Engr. and Mrs. Vicente Salinas, Mr. Al and Dr. Virgilia Redulla, Engr. and Mrs. Nestor Lurot and Councilor and Mrs. Teofredo Tongco. - the bohol chronicle, source

     The Land Administration and Management Project phase 2 (LAMP-2) conducted a workshop on Rapid Land Tenure Appraisal (RLTA) last June 17 in Loon.

      RLTA is the process of information gathering undertaken by the barangay local government unit (BLGU), purok officials and leaders with the guidance of LAMP-2 social development (SD) staff.

      Rapid as it is, the activity’s time frame only runs from one to three weeks.

      RLTA is the first activity that follows survey validation in the barangays of a municipality concerned, considering that it will show how cooperative and active are the barangay officials in helping determine  priority barangays (first five barangays of entry).

      RLTA determines potential lots, referring to the untitled lots as projected in the Cadastral Index Maps (CIM) and based on CENRO’s validated record on its status.

      On the other hand, workable lots refer to agricultural untitled lands that exclude lots with disputes that have been registered in court, lots that still require segregation and/or subdivision surveys, and lots with absentee claimants for whom there are no known addresses.

      RLTA serves as basis to pre-determine the approximate workable lots in a particular barangay necessary for Systematic Adjudication (SA) planning, thus, giving an opportunity for LAMP staff to have an initial assessment on the level of interest and participation of the concerned BLGU to support the project as input to management decision and the SAT in prioritizing barangays.

      It also serves as vital input in the conduct of initial validation of the list of land claimants by the Community Development Assistant (CDA) in order to facilitate initial information campaign about the project in the barangays as it gives sufficient time for beneficiaries to prepare and decide on how to participate meaningfully in the project.

      This also allows LAMP and the Systematic Adjudication Team (SAT) to see the distribution of residences, subdivisions and improve decision-making.

      It also provides more focused social development interventions and allows SAT to plan for the best timing in entering and commencing with SA activities.

      RLTA activities include initial meeting with municipal officers, confirmation with the municipal mayor on the arrangements for the orientation of barangay representatives, preparation of the maps, and preparation of materials for RLTA orientation. (Dondon I. Gutierrez/LAMP-2)

By Fred Fuertes

  Four young boxers from Maribojoc, under the tutelage of Municipal Boxing Coordinator Jeremias Gentallan, recently bagged two gold medals and two silver medals during the fiesta boxing tournament on June 13-15 here.

  The exchange of punches was one of the highlights in the 60th foundation day celebration of this “once sleepy town” that has now become a bustling niche of developmental activities.

  June 13 saw Kenneth Paul Gentallan as he shrunk a Candijay boxer in three rounds.

  It was followed by the victory of Rommel Hibaya who outsmarted a rival from Ubay.

  Sith Gentallan sent his opponent from Panglao to the canvas in the second round, prompting the referee to stop the game.

  Shane Gentallan followed suit by defeating his foe in a game which was decided in his favor.

  On championship night last June 15, the young pugilists from San Roque, Maribojoc met their townmates in the search for gold and silver medals.

  Rommel Hibaya defeated Kenneth Paul Gentallan to snatch the gold, while Shane Gentallan defeated Sith Gentallan to earn another gold medal.

  Kenneth Paul Gentallan and Sith Gentallan went home with a silver medal each.   

      In commemoration of the town’s 40th Foundation Day celebration, local officials here launched the 1st Agbunan Festival.

      Agbunan is the town’s old name prior to the coming of the image of Saint Isidore, the town’s patron saint.

      The municipality of San Isidro was created on June 21, 1969 by virtue of Republic Act 5662 which the late president Ferdinand Marcos signed into law.

      The town was formed with most of its barangays from Catigbian, while the rest of them were from the municipalities of Antequera, Calape and Tubigon.

      Pedro Samuya, a teacher by profession, was the town’s founder and the 1st elected mayor. At the age of 101, he was still able to participate in the foundation day events anchored on the theme “Agbunan-Tinubdan sa Lungsoranong kahiusahan ug kalambuan.”

      The activities included a street-dancing and showdown where the contingent from barangay Cabanugan emerged winner in category B and the San Isidro Central Elementary School did it in category A.

      Hundreds of San Isidrohanon and visitors flocked the streets and in the Central Elementary School grounds to watch the competition.

      There were also showcases of organic farm products from the different barangays of the town.

      The municipal government, headed by Mayor Apolinar Gumanid Jr., joined hand with barangay officials, DepEd-San Isidro officials to initiate the big event and made it with the assistance of the provincial government, Second District Rep. Roberto Cajes and First District Rep. Edgar Chatto. - the bohol chronicle

  Prevalence of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) among Boholanos seafarers is low, but their continued exposure to with high-risk behaviors has alarmed a survey group from the University of the Philippines College of Public Health.

  Dr. Ofelia Saniel, principal investigator for the Joint Program on HIV and migration Baseline Research among Boholano Overseas Foreign Workers explained that at below 1% HIV prevalence in 250 seafarer respondents, monitoring of high risk behaviors may be enough at this point in Bohol.

  She however said that their study revealed sea-based and land based OFWs practice high risk behaviors such as having multiple sex partners, unprotected sex and engaging in commercial sex.

  Their research key findings also reasoned out that the OFWS vulnerability may be caused by feelings homesickness and with extra money, this allows binge drinking, night clubbing, drugs use and commercial sex activities.

  The condition is even more complicated by misconceptions on their personal risk of HIV, the emerging double standards in sexual behaviors and minimal risk awareness campaigns, the study bared.

  In a presentation to Bohol key authorities June 26 at the Bohjol Tropics, especially to the Provincial HIV AIDS Multi-Sectoral Council, members support the key recommendations by the study group.   

  The council agrees that HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) should be integrated in the curriculum of maritime schools to dispel the problem of lack of awareness on the risks.

  Moreover, the council also believes that a separate program should address the need to improve the knowledge of OFWs about the risks, correct the misconceptions and putting up of support programs for OFWs and their families.

  For Batuan, Vice Mayor Leo Leyson suggested institutionalizing HIV awareness for pre-departing and post arriving OFWs at the level of the towns, preferably at the Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) (PIA)

FESTIVE, promises Team Inabanga’s man of the hour as the town unrolls the 1.7-kilometer continuous hand-woven raffia hinabol nga saguran.

Hinabol nga saguran, or raffia are Inabanga’s hippest products from the buri palm and are traditionally hand-woven from looms here.

Not that saguran is stunning for Inabangnons who have used the woven fabric to dry palay. But with a new product elevated into hinabol, it should generate world attention during its unrolling June 29, Inabanga Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy said.

For the momentuous event, he talks about costumed street dancing contingents performing to the pulsating calypso drum beats over oversized festival drums which accompany the unrolling of the gigantic hand-woven table runner announcing the town fiesta from Barangay Lutao to Poblacion.

The youthful mayor also talks about their streets lined with revelers and supporters holding the unrolled fiber. Later that night, attention shifts to the lime-lit catwalks teeming with models clad in raffia inspired garments in an exciting gala fashion show. And yes, food too. 

The craftsmen and creative weavers here spread on that day its masterpiece: possibly the world’s longest continuous hand-woven raffia and to be recognized as the home of the best hand-weavers in the whole world and the raffia capital in the country. 

On that day, the local government team wants no slips.

The objective is to grab enough momentum to mainstream their saguran into a world-class hinabol, now slowly dominating modern lifestyle accents, Mayor Jumamoy said.

And when they do, expect to see a product far from that drab and coarse saguran that immediately comes to mind upon the mention of the fiber mainly for drying palay here.

Inabanga, home to 1910 raffia weavers in 80% of its barangays would be presenting the green and bleached hand-woven hinabol, beating its own target of unrolling a mile-long fiber weave.

But not known to many, for Team Inabanga’s top man said the bid is to spruce up more employment opportunities for Inabanganons whose lives have been intricately woven in the industry.

“One of our biggest challenges to get our people working back in handlooms for the new hinabol, which is now getting high market demand and catch up with the purchase orders,” he shared during a recent interview.

Last years’ most promising Bohol product at the sandugo Showcase, the Inabanga handwoven raffia racked in P40M in gross sales and orders making it the fair’s top-seller.

But with majority of its weavers still learning how to transform the saguran into high-end fine-woven hinabol bearing interesting optical art designs and patterns, Jumamoy said winning the world record boosts 5370 of industry’s support workers into going mainstream.

Too cash-trapped to invite international adjudicators, Inabanga’s bid is now focused by lenses of local and regional media as documentors to validate the product and hopefully generated enough attention for world judges to come and see for the record, the youthful mayor said. (PIA)

Two local holidays, one effective for Tagbilaran City and the other for the whole Bohol are upcoming as July rolls this year.

By virtue of Republic Act 8267, this Wednesday July 1 is a non-working special public holiday for the city of Tagbilaran.

The day, familiarly commemorated as the Tagbilaran City Charter Day would the city’s 43rd anniversary since it obtained its charter since July 1, 1966.

Formerly a town called San Jose de Tagbilaran since February 9, 1742 by virtue of a decree by Spanish Governor General Gaspar dela Torre, Tagbilaran was also formally established as separate from Baclayon.

Historically too, the old settlement of a 15th Century Bohol, the place forms part of the "Bool Kingdom", states the city website.

Sometimes touted as a place called “tinabilan”, which means "screened", the city is also shielded on the southwest by Panglao Island and north by Maribojoc mountain ranges.

Tradition also tells that the word "Tagbilaran" was derived from “tago-bilaan”, a contraction from two local words tago (to hide) and Bilaan (a Muslim marauder tribe). Literally, it means a place hidden from the pillaging Muslims.

On July 1, 1966 by virtue of R.A. 4660, Tagbilaran became a chartered City.

As a chartered city, Tagbilaran was established by a Congressional act and is then governed by its own charter from where its leaders exact powers rather than look up to the provincial, regional or national laws. It also enjoys a higher Internal Revenue Allotment compared to towns.

“This is the main reason why by its own charter, the city has achieved a significant level of development in view of the increase in its share of internal revenues, an analyst who asked not to be named said.

Meanwhile, another holiday for Bohol is on the offing.

July 22, Wednesday is Bohol Day, and is another special non-working holiday by virtue of Republic Act 7683.

source: PIA

A forwarded email. Read on...

A TRAITOR INDEED!!!!

"The Philippines is a nation of starstruck ignoramuses" - LIVING ALIVE
10/29/00 by Dero Pedero

Last July 23, I wrote about Nasty (short for Anastacio), a balikbayan from Los Angeles, who, while vacationing in Manila, had nothing to say but negative comments about the Philippines and the Filipinos. The article elicited a deluge of comments from our readers. Though some agreed with his curt observations, most were enraged at the repulsive way he acted and whined.

For me, he was the classic epitome of the "crow perched on a carabao," thinking and acting nauseatingly superior just because he has become an American citizen, inequitably comparing everything here to how they are in the first world. I was particularly irked by his repulsive "know it all" attitude and peeved no end by his irritating Waray-American twang.

Those who have not read that article may access philstar.com and click archives, then select July 23 and click Lifestyle. The article is entitled "Little Brown Americans." As a backgrounder, here is an excerpt:
The next day, I took them on a little city tour and accompanied them to do extra shopping at the duty-free shop. They were to leave two days later for their respective provinces (Randy is from Pampanga, Nasty, from Samar).

"God, ang dilem-dilem naman ditow (it is so dark here)!" screamed Nasty in his characteristic Taglish slang, "At ang inet-inet pa (and so warm)!"

All throughout the day, Nasty complained about everything. He griped that all Filipinos he encountered were dense and inefficient (I hope that didn't include me!); that the traffic was horrendous and drivers "drove like they were late for their funerals"; that the pollution from the smoke-belching vehicles was irritating his dainty, surgically-pinched nose. He was disgusted that water closets didn't work; horrified that there was no toilet paper in public toilets ("God, how do you people do it?" he wailed); petrified by street children begging while soaking wet in the rain ("Where are the parents of these kids?" he nagged). He moaned about the proliferation of slums, people crossing the superhighways ("There should be underground or overhead walkways for pedestrians!" he demanded), the potholes on the streets, the disgusting garbage and filth all over the city, and the annoying floods! And all these he observed in just one day!

Weeks after the publication of the article, I took Nasty's silence to mean that of contempt and anger. I must admit that I didn't care because I was really turned off by his arrogance. The good news is, Nasty has finally decided to break his silence and give us his side, loaded with a big piece of his mind. The bad news is, he hits more sensitive chords and it stings.

Nasty's E-Mail
Dear Dero,

My Zen master says, "Never fight fire with fire." So, I sat in a lotus position, imbibed the ethereal qualities of cool mountain water and stoically resisted the temptation of answering back to defend myself in rebuttal of your article. I kept quiet while you and your readers had a charlatan holiday, dissecting and fanning sarcasm on my every comment about your country and your people.

I am not mad at you for writing that piece. I was never upset at any point, even after your readers from all over the world e-mailed in their two-cents' worth. In fact, I found it rather amusing and carnival-like. I even felt happy that people still came to the defense of your Philippines!

If you noticed, I now refer to the Philippines and Filipinos as your country and your people. Every time I went back there for  vacation, my Filipino-ness always took the better of me (blame those damn green mangoes smothered  with bagoong!) and made me forget that I am, in all reality, what you aptly  called a "Little Brown American." I have come to terms with my own identity. I am, after all, an American citizen carrying an American passport!

What precipitated my quick decision to sever my ties with your country (aside from your bitch of an article) were the Abu Sayyaf abductions (que barbaridad!), the Payatas-like downslide of the peso (eat your hearts out, I earn sweet American dollars!), the "devoid of conscience" graft and corruption in your government (this has gone on for the longest time,  how shameful!), and lately, the stupid "Juetengate" and juicy but enraging "Boracay" mansion gossips. With all these, who would be proud to be a Filipino? Besides, to tell you frankly, those Erap jokes are no longer funny. They are passe and leave a bad taste in the mouth and heart.

No Apology

If I sounded brash and insensitive with the way I threw my comments,  well, I cannot do anything about that because that is the way I am, and I offer no apology. Here, in America, you have to tell it like it is or you'll never be taken seriously. I have learned to drop my "Pinoy sugarcoating" because out here, you get nothing done if you are meek and sweet and pa-api. Hindi puwede mag-Anita Linda dito!

When I commented about your pollution, street children  mendicants, slums, potholes, toilets that don't work, garbage, floods, and most of all, the  Pinoys' chronic lack of discipline, I was merely putting into words what I saw. I can't blame your being blind about your country's situation. My Zen master says, "One cannot easily see the dirt in one's eye." I am sure  though that you are aware of those sordid details, but have grown accustomed to them (like most Manilenos have). All the complaints I aired may have hurt your pride but what I wanted you to realize is this: The things I pointed out are all symptoms of a failing, falling nation!

Suffering A National Karma?

Could yours be a country cursed with a huge national karmic debt? It could be payback time, you know. Look back into your history, look deep inside your hearts. What could you have done as a nation to deserve this fiasco you are in today?  What you are faced with didn't just happen overnight. It  developed and grew into a monster in the course of time. Deeply imbedded in the psyche of the Filipino is the amalgamation of the characters and events that have impacted your lives?  Dona Victorina, Dona Concepcion, poor Sisa as well as the other hilarious and tragic characters of Dr. Jose Rizal... Stonehill...the notorious gangsters immortalized by your Filipino movies like Asiong Salonga (hmmm!), et al...the killers in your (I thought they'd never end!) massacre movies...those cheap, appalling titles of your movies...those staged "religious miracles" that your naive masses believed...family men with pushy queridas (mistresses)...your crooked politicians, undependable police officers and greedy customs collectors...your bribe-hungry court judges...Imeldific, gloriously smiling and crying at the same time, bejeweled. (How very Fellini!)

What you are is the sum total of your history, your heritage and culture, your education, the crap that your press sensationalizes, the  bad icons that your movies glorify, the artificial values your advertising extols, the  bad examples your leaders and role models project. What you feed your country's mind is what it becomes. You have become the ugly monster that you've  created. You are now crying all the tears your sickeningly sentimental movies wailed out for years and years!

Your Biggest Fault

If there is one thing that comes to mind, I think your biggest fault would be your individual greed. "Ako muna (Me first)!" seems to be the national mantra.  The trouble is, very few people think for the common good in a  deplorable "to each his own kurakot(corrupt)" festival. Coupled by your crab mentality of pushing down others, this can be fatal. You think barangay, not  national. Hello, everybody else around the world is thinking global! Europe is unshackling her national boundaries while you are building fences around  your nipa huts.

Do yourselves a favor and look at your nation as a ship. All of you are in it and it is sinking! Realize your oneness. What hurts your brother hurts you, too. Think about the future of your children and the succeeding generations, and do something about it quick before your poor little banca plunges forever into the irretrievable depths of despair.

Star-Struck Nation

You are a nation of star-struck ignoramuses. You are easily awed by your movie stars who are usually nothing but uneducated, aquiline-nosed and light-skinned bastards picked up from some gutter somewhere. I have seen what these artistas illusionadas can get away with. They just flash their capped-tooth smiles and policemen let them get away with traffic violations; they bat their false eyelashes and customs officers impose no duty on their suspicious balikbayan boxes.

Worst of all, with the Filipino movie industry taking a nosedive, hordes of actors and show personalities went into politics. It is, as they say, the next best "racket"? there is more money to be made in the politicking business than in show business! (And what is this I hear that in the coming elections, more are jumping into the arena? Mag-hara-kiri na kayo!)

How can you expect these comedians and actors, who only know how to take directions from their directors, to direct your nation? For them, politics will just be an "act". No big surprise here, for they are mere actors with no original scripts to speak, no original visions to share. So what can you expect but a government that is a comedy of errors. Serves you and your star-struck nation right!

My Zen master says, "Give unto Caesar what is due to Caesar, but keep Charlie Chaplin on the silver screen to make us laugh." To survive, you must teach your citizenry to say no to three things: no to drugs, no to stealing and graft and corruption, and no to artistas in politics. I hope you've learned your lesson by now. (Yours is the only country where Mexican soap stars are received like royalty in the presidential palace. How shoddy! God forbid. Fernando Carrillo might end up being your next president. At least he has great abs and doesn't wobble like a penguin when he walks!)

For those artistas who honestly believe that they can make a positive difference in the Filipino masses' life, they must first study law, business and public administration, and immerse themselves in the life and passion of Mother Teresa. Politics is not an art for dilettante artistas to dabble in.  It is called "Political Science," hello?!

Educate Your Masses

Educate the masses, especially your electorate. What you need is an intelligent vote aside from, of course, intelligent candidates. The University of San Carlos in Cebu City, founded in 1595, and the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, established in 1611, are the oldest universities in Asia, and are even older than Harvard. But the standard of Pinoy education has deteriorated so much that the Philippines ranks among the poorest in the educational hierarchy of Asia. Education, education, education - that's what you need in this age of information, information, information.

If all your social, religious and political sectors don't sit down now  and decide to take the Right Way, the Philippines and your children's children will be grand losers in the worldwide rush to the future.  Education is one sure way to salvation. Teach what is right, good, beautiful and beneficial. Downplay all negativity if you cannot eliminate it altogether.

The Ideal President

I've got news for you. (As if you didn't already know.) No matter whom you put up there as your leader or president, it will be the same banana. Even a holy man can turn into another J. E. (Judas Escariot) for a few pieces of silver. Kumpares, alalays, relatives and cronies will encrust like flies and maggots on his cordon sanitaire. And it will be the same despicable "Sa amin na 'to!" hullabaloo all over again.

Take an advice from Aling Epang: "Pumili ng matanda,  mayaman, mabait, at madaling mamatay." Get a president who is old so that he is full of wisdom, rich so he won't need to steal more money, goodhearted so he will render heartfelt service to his people, and is in the sunset of his life so that he will think of nothing but gaining good points to present when he meets his Creator. And may I add: At iisa lang ang pamilya! This is, of course, asking for the moon. Just pray fervently for an intelligent leader with a pure heart who genuinely loves the common tao!

Magpakatotoo Kayo!

Wake up and look at the real you. Enough with looking at your reflection in glorious, self-embellishing mirrors. The tropical sun can play tricks, you know. Do not wait for darkness to fall before you take that much-needed long, hard look at your real situation. Magpakatotoo kayo, ano? This isn't a wake-up call? it is the final alarm!

Save the ship while you still can. Don't wait till your people have no more dreams left to hang on to, no more hope to sustain their broken spirits.  I came home, spent my penny-pinched savings so that even in the minutest way I could help your bruised economy. Your politicians sit on their fat, farting butts and get balatos (kuno!) in the millions. Receivers are as guilty as the givers. Now, tell me, who is really nasty?

I Have Made My Decision; So Should You.

My Zen master says, "Life is all about decisions, not choices." I have made a decision which I know will be very hard for me to keep. You will never hear from me again (not in this vein) and I will not even think of visiting or buwisiting your Manila ever. This is my way of letting you know that I have given up on you. Bahala na kayo! Only you can help yourselves because at the stage you are in, nobody would want to help you. My Zen master says, "You have to fall to learn to rise again." How much lower do you want to go?

Anyway, regarding the Philippines as a tourist destination, you have a lot of cleaning up and face-lifting to do before foreigners would dare go to your islands again. The Abu Sayyaf episode has done your tourism industry more damage than you could ever imagine, and it will take a long time before the world forgets. (By the way, your tourism projects are lusterless and have no global impact. If you want real business, spruce up your infrastructure and do aggressive marketing on the World Wide Web!)

Of course, I would gladly reverse my decision if someone offered me exclusive lordship over lotto, bingo, jueteng, pintakasi and the jai alai. Think about it: this will be to your advantage because I never give tong or blood commission to anyone! (If only your president used the millions he received from those gambling lords to build homes for the masses, you wouldn't have any more squatters. Huling hirit: defrost those Marcos billions, pay off some debt, place the rest in high-yield investments, feed your hungry, and spread bounty and joy to every Filipino! Are you stupid or what? That's your money sucked from the blood of your people!)

I have made my decision, now make yours. I would hate for the day to come when I'd have to say, "I told you so!" Good luck! (You need it.)

An ex-Filipino,
J. Anastasio "Nasty"

Blame should not enter the picture.

Read more at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/Tell-Your-Kids-The-Truth-About-Your-Ex-But-Drop-Off-The-Blame/135864

Four fishermen died while two others were injured when their boat was pulled up and trashed by a tornado  in Sitio Pinagbayanan, Barangay Sanguirin here past midnight yesterday.

Dr. Henry Buzar, Civil Defense coordinator, identified the fatalities as Roberto Longaza, the boat captain,  Joven Rajas, Boyet Prias, and Ryan Brogada. Injured were Paquito Pedrigal and his son Raniel.

“Bigla pong iniangat ng tornado ang aming bangka sa dagat at nang maitaas kami sa ere ay saka ibinatikal ng pabaligtad sa tubig,  Paglubog namin sa dagat ay nakalabas kaming mag-ama sa bangka pero naiwan ang mga kasama namin doon,”  Buzar quoted the Pedrigals.

In his report to Quezon Gov. Rafael Nantes, Buzar said the F/B Annabel was docked with its crewmen resting inside while waiting for the weather to improve. But shortly after 12 midnight, a tornado suddenly struck the boat. - Journal Online

TWO children of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada were among those who got afflicted with influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Estrada confirmed that his 19-year-old daughter, who is studying at the De La Salle University on Taft Ave. and his 15-year-old son studying at Xavier School were diagnosed with A(H1N1) last week.

“Good thing dito one day lang sila nag-ka-fever,” Precy Ejercito, the senator’s wife, told a radio interview. She said that her children have recovered.

Asked about her husband, Ejercito said:”Naka-quarantine siya ngayon. Hindi siya pwedeng lumapit sa amin.”

The senator, who had just returned from Europe, is observing self-quarantine. - Bernadette E. Tamayo, Journal Online

A government campaign to stop the smuggling of cars has shifted to Mindanao following the seizure last week of at least P1 billion worth of used vehicles that authorities said were brought into the country without taxes.

Mohammad Aquia, special operations chief of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in Mindanao, said the agency was stepping up its campaign against the entry of smuggled cars into Mindanao that went on possibly with the help of used car dealers, mostly Koreans.

Aquia said PASG has been receiving reports about rampant smuggling of cars and other vehicles into Mindanao.

The intensified campaign against car smuggling, he said, was launched after PASG agents seized at least P1 billion worth of vehicles from an imported car dealer in Davao City. The vehicles were suspected to be smuggled.

Aquia identified the car dealer as P.K. Industries and Trading Inc., based in the village of Lanang in Davao City. It was Aquia who said the firm was suspected of involvement in the smuggling of cars. - Inquirer.net

By Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The air at the stretch of Edsa (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) is the dirtiest while that of Valenzuela comes second, according to a recent study commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to monitor the air quality in Metro Manila and urban centers nationwide.

Overall, the quality of air in the metropolis is improving but is still below the standards set by the DENR, the study showed.

According to the Total Suspended Air Particulates (TSP) Air Quality survey, the air quality in the metropolis in 2008 was at an average of 138 micrograms of pollutants per normal cubic meter, way above the limit of 90 micrograms per normal cubic meter set by the DENR.

The stretch of Edsa recorded an average 282 micrograms while Valenzuela City had an average of 156 micrograms The National Printing Office area in Quezon City had the third dirtiest air with an average of 144 micrograms.

Pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).

The air quality of the metropolis was improving from 2004 to 2007. In 2004, the average was at 160 micrograms, 154 micrograms in 2005, 142 micrograms in 2006, and 132 micrograms in 2007. But it rose again in 2008.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) finally approved yesterday on third and final reading Provincial Ordinance C-003-2008, known as the Tourism Code of Bohol.

The ordinance, when signed by Gov. Erico Aumentado, will govern and regulate tourism development and promotion programs including the accreditation and supervision of the operations of tourism-related establishments and services in the province.         

The approval of the code came after a yearlong series of consultations with stakeholders in the tourism industry, according to Prov'l BM Corazon Galbreath, chairperson of the SP committee on tourism.

Under the ordinance, tourism is acknowledged as "the main economic driver" in the province that can provide more jobs and increase the financial resources of the provincial government.

The ordinance seeks to fully develop the tourism industry to ensure the security, enjoyment and well-being of tourists and the quality of services being offered by tourism-related establishments.

Sponsored and authored by Board Member Galbreath, the Tourism Code sets penalties for tourism-related establishments that do not comply with standards for accreditation of the Department of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization.

The measure also provides tax incentives to investors and the ease to secure permits and licenses to operate.

By the Bohol Chronicle

Former Alburquerque Mayor Jose Ugdoracion, Jr. is facing charges for falsification of public documents and perjury.

These new charges filed against the former mayor came after fighting a lengthy but losing legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court to keep his seat as mayor of Alburquerque and barely a few months after a controversial swearing in as town kagawad of his hometown.

The two cases were filed by Ugdoracion's erstwhile political nemesis, former mayor Efren Tungol.
       
The first case docketed as Criminal case no. 1595 for perjury will be up for arraignment at 9 o'clock this morning at the sala of Judge Alejandro T. Canda, presiding judge of MCTC Branch 13.

On second case for Falsification of Public Document, City Prosecutor II Romeo M. Chatto found probable cause to indict Ugdoracion and the corresponding information to be filed with the proper court. The filing of the case was approved by City Prosecutor Adriano P. Montes.

The perjury and falsification of public document cases stemmed from Ugdoracion's inconsistent narration of facts in two public documents filed in connection with his mayoral candidacy in the May 2007 elections.
         

In the first document filed on Oct. 12, 2006, respondent stated in his Personal Information that his period of residence in Alburquerque is 61 years, while the second document executed March 26, 2007 indicated his period of residence in Alburquerque is 41 years.

Complainant, also a former mayor of Alburquerque alleged that Ugdoracion "was not a resident of the municipality for a period of 61 years nor for 41 years as he became a Permanent Resident of the US on September 26, 2001". He further alleged that "these inconsistent narration of facts made by Jose Ugdoracion, Jr. in the two aforementioned public documents are absolutely false causing damage and prejudice to the electorate of Alburquerque".

Asked to comment on the said charges, former mayor Ugdoracion, presently sitting as kagawad of Alburquerque described the filing of these cases as "personal vendetta" for reasons which he himself could not fathom.

During the same interview with the Chronicle yesterday, Ugdoracion further explained that his only motive to come back to his hometown was to fulfill a "burning desire" to be of service to his constituents.

In the May 2007 elections, Ugdoracion won over three candidates including the son of then incumbent mayor Efren Tungol but was unseated by the Supreme Court due to deficiency in his residency requirements. Dr. Cirilo Jalad, Ugdoracion's vice mayor assumed the office of mayor after the COMELEC failed to decide who would take over the vacated seat of Mayor of Alburquerque.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The Aviation Security Group stationed at the City Airport has warned women in the towns to be extra careful in accepting offers for job opportunities to avoid becoming victims of human trafficking.

After allegedly intercepting a job recruiter who took nine women, all 18 years old, at the city airport Wednesday last week, Police Senior Inspector Donatila Sotto suspects young female Boholanas could be the target of human trafficking syndicates operating from Manila.

In a spot report submitted to Bohol Police Provincial Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking, Aviation Security Station Chief Sotto said nine women, all residents of Getafe town, were intercepted with their recruiter last Wednesday when they were about to board a Cebu Pacific flight for Manila.

The nine female passengers were already on their way to the pre-departure area at the City Airport when they were spotted by S/Insp. Sotto.

"The women were last to board the plane and I called them all for an interview," Sotto said.

However, when the aviation police chief asked the women to show her their identification cards and birth certificates, they could not present any.
         

Sotto then asked their recruiter to present the documents she was requesting but also could not show any of the documents.

According to Sotto, she immediately called up the office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here to inform them about the nine female passengers, who later bared they were all aged 18 and were from the town of Getafe.

Sotto said her calls to the local DSWD offices resulted to nothing as she was "referred" to several personnel and offices.

"I did call all the numbers referred to me by the DSWD but still the same procedure of turning over to several different persons," Sotto said.

It came to a point when the aviation police chief was instructed by DSWD personnel to check with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding the legitimacy of the recruiter and the recruitment agency.

Sotto temporarily held the nine women as she also called up the Getafe Police Station to check on the recruiter who identified himself as one Dionisio Anzano, 60, a resident of Campao Oriental, Getafe and an agent of Bernardino Employment Agency.

Since the Getafe PNP could not immediately check on the identities of the recruiter and the nine women, she "had no choice" but to allow the nine women and their alleged recruiter to board the plane.

However, the aviation police chief was able to take photos of the women and Anzano.

According to Sotto, based on information she gathered after the incident, there were other similar occasions that a group of young female passengers were accompanied by a recruiter bound for Manila.

Sotto requested that a Women's Desk be set up at the city airport with additional personnel to monitor human trafficking and other related crimes.

The Philippine Senate created a technical working group (TWG) that will discuss and draft a bill requiring phone companies to charge voice calls per second, instead of per minute.

The TWG, to be headed by the National Telecommunications Commission chief, will try to determine “the necessary steps in implementing a metering of phone calls," said Senator Manuel A. Roxas, who ordered the TWG’s creation.

The practice of phone companies of “charging a 30-minute call service with the price of a P1-minute call should not be allowed to continue," Roxas said, during the joint hearing of the Senate committees on trade and commerce and public services.

Smart Communications Inc., the country’s leading mobile phone firm, will change its billing system if required to do so, Ramon Isberto, the company’s public affairs head, said.

But in an interview after the hearing, Isberto said the company will have to study the proposal thoroughly since it will be a major business decision.

Globe Telecoms Inc. said it will take their operations into consideration, if required to charge voice calls per second from per minute, Rodolfo Salalima, the company’s chief legal counsel, said.

Sun Cellular said the company has already been implementing per second charging under its unlimited calls scheme, William Pamintuan, the company’s senior vice president for legal services, said.

NTC Commissioner Ruel V. Canobas will set the date and time of the TWG meeting which should be held before the next Senate hearing. - GMANews.TV

Despite her sex video scandal with Dr. Hayden Kho, there's no stopping actress-model Maricar Reyes' acting career as she appears in ABS-CBN's top rating show "May Bukas Pa." The sex scandal appears to have made Reyes stronger as she dared go on with her life through a special acting project with Zaijan Jaranilla or Santino in "May Bukas Pa."

In the series, Reyes plays the role of Ina, a homeless, greasy vagrant with a dark past. People despise her because of her smell and physical appearance, not knowing that she was really a beautiful woman whose heart was broken before she lost her sanity. 

Aside from "May Bukas Pa," Reyes is also busy taping for her first starring role in a TV series, "Your Song Presents: Gaano Kita Kamahal."   Reyes made her first public appearance following the sex video scandal on the musical variety show “ASAP ‘09” Sunday, June 20 during Star Magic’s 17th anniversary celebration. Star Magic, formerly ABS-CBN Talent Center, is ABS-CBN's talent training and management program.   

Reyes, a practicing doctor, and Kho, a cosmetic surgeon, dated for a year when they were still in medical school. Kho is the central figure in the scandal involving his videos with different women, which have been spread through the Internet. Watch "May Bukas Pa,"  Mondays to Fridays after TV Patrol on ABS-CBN.

source: ABS-CBN

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has admitted having an affair with a woman in Argentina, but refused to answer questions about whether he would resign from office.

The conservative Republican governor from the southeastern US state made the admission at a press conference he had called to explain his mysterious disappearance over several days last week.

After detailing his previous adventure trips, "profound frustrations" and "emotional" exhaustion following the recent legislative session, he eventually acknowledged having an extramarital affair.

"So, the bottom line is this: I have been unfaithful to my wife," Sanford, 49, told a crush of reporters.

Sanford's admission comes in the wake of a similar revelation from another rising Republican star, Senator John Ensign of Nevada, who last Tuesday admitted cheating on his wife but did not resign his US seat. - AFP

Thirty-two flights to Caticlan Airport were cancelled after a Zest Air (formerly Asian Spirit) flight overshot a runway Thursday morning.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) suspended flights to Caticlan until 6 p.m. Thursday.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said its 10 flights (Manila-Caticlan-Manila) were cancelled due to the airport's closure.

Cebu Pacific said it has dispatched an Airbus A319 to accommodate the affected passengers.

The Zest Air flight Z2-863 with tail number RPC 8992 exceeded the airport's Runway 6 at 7:43 a.m.

The CAAP said one of the plane's tires blew up and its noose gear got stuck on the runway, but no one was injured.

The plane had 54 passengers, one flight mechanic, and four crew.

The CAAP was forced to cancel flights to Caticlan as it ordered an investigation into the incident.

source: ABS-CBN

A Tagbilaranon who is based in Cebu and officer in charge of the Philippine sports Commission (PSC) says the PSC plans to put up secondary school for promising athletes.

After the Philippine Sports Institute program was shoved deep into the shelves of the Commission of Higher Education (Ched), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is once more attempting to incorporate the academe and sports with a new plan to create a Sports High School.

PSC officer in charge Fr. Vic Uy said chairman Harry Angping, who is currently on a trip to China with the other commissioners, came up with idea after observing how helpful a sports school is to the grassroots development program for countries like China and Indonesia.

The PSC, during Angping’s predecessor William “Butch” Ramirez, came up with an ambitious program-the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI).  It was aimed at professionalizing everything in the sports industry.

It kicked off to a promising start but had to be shelved when Ramirez was replaced by Angping.  To make matters worse, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also had the PSI turned over to Ched, which has not acted on it until now.

Now, Fr. Uy said they are embarking again on the project that will beef up the grassroots program of the PSC.  They will be working closely with the Department of Education for this endeavor.

“There is a school for the arts, so it will also be a good thing to have a school catering to our young athletes.  This has been proven effective in countries like China and even Indonesia, whose young athletes have shown great improvements in the past years,” said Fr. Uy.

Fr. Uy, who is also a commissioner and the executive director of the PSC, said that as early as now, there are already provinces offering to be the pilot venues for the project.

“Naga, Northern Leyte, Ilocos and Dagupan offered their facilities.  We can’t have a sports school without a sports facility,” said Fr. Uy.

He added that the program in the school will be designed to allow students to study while setting aside time for training.

“Athletes will no longer have a problem inserting their training during their vacant hours as this will be taken care of by the school.  Not only will this allow the teachers an trainers to monitor the athletes’ performance both academically and in their chosen sport, but will also help us in talent identification for future competitions,” he added.

source: Bohol Chronicle

Proving his mastery of the game, top seed Johnny Arcilla of Butuan City blasted number two seed Ronard Joven of General Santos City 6-1, 6-3 to add the Panglao Island Green Clay Men’s Open Tennis Championship to his strings of victories. Keeping his opponent at bay with consistent shots, Arcilla was never threatened during the entire game. PHILTA Representative and Tournament Director Tom Falcis declared Arcilla the champion while Atty. Gonzaga handed the trophy and P20,000 cash. For his losing effort, Ronard Joven got the runner-up P12,000 prize.

Panglao Island Green Clay Men’s Open Tennis Championship attracted 28 tennis players from all over the country. Not to be outshone, 10 Boholano potentials also participated in the tournament.
The venue of the first Panglao Island Green Clay Men’s Open Tennis Championship was the PINR Green Clay Court. The one-of-its kind in the entire country, PINR Green Clay Court was installed to conform to international standards. (BQ Mall press release)

By FRED C. FUERTES

Four youthful boxers of Maribojoc under the tutelage of Municipal Boxing Coordinator Jeremias “Loloy” Gentallan, recently bagged two gold medals and two silvers medals during the June 13-15 boxing tournament in Catigbian town.

The exchange of boxing blows was one of the highlights of the 60th foundation day of this “once sleepy town” which is bustling now with developmental activities.

June 13 saw Kenneth Paul Gentallan outboxed a Candijay boxer in three rounds.  It was followed by the victory of Rommel Hibaya who outsmarted a rival from Ubay.
Sith Gentallan floored his opponent from Panglao in the second round which prompted the referee to stop the game.

Shane Gentallan followed suit by defeating his foe in a game which was decided in his favor.
On the championship night last June 15, the young pugilists from San Roque, Maribojoc town met their townmets in the  search for gold and silver medals.

Rommel Hibaya defeated Kenneth Paul Gentallan to snatch the gold.  While Shane Gentallan outboxed Sith Gentallan to earn another gold medal.

Kenneth Paul Gentallan and Sith Gentallan went home with a silver medal each.

By Fred Fuertes

The Clarin Tennis Club, (CTC) enjoying power and precision Tennis, humbled anew Sunday the victory conscious Maribojoc Tennis Club (MTC) at the Clarin Tennis Court and Clarin Sports and Cultural Center, Clarin town.

The return match of the two racquet-weilding team resulted in a 6-4 finish for the host club.  One game resulted to a tie ending.

The Clarinians headed by CTC President Bobit Lungay and clarin sports patron, Sr. Municipal Councilor Fel Alison, welcomed their guests at 9:30 a.m. with a simple opening rites.
MTC President Deddie Chiu responded in behalf of the Maribojocanons and introduced his players to the host club members.

The Presidential Match featuring Maribojoc’s Maj. Sustines Corre â€" Engr. Romy Manuta versus Clarin’s Junbits and Jerome tandem, was a one sided affair.  Clarin led all the way until the 8-6 ending.

The other Clarin victories follow: Narding Amihan â€" Felix Estillore defeated Abraw Arocha â€" Melvin Briones, 8-5, Jerson Emperio â€" Dondon Mejares d.  Provincial Board Member Jovel Veloso â€" Loloy Dumandan, 8-5; Engr. Gregorio â€" Samuel Carcallas d. Janjan Cornito â€" Onoy Cantoneros, 8-5; Jinky Dultra â€" Kokoy Cantero D. Dodong Chiu â€" Jerry Putian, 8-3; and Dr. Alfredo Niones â€" Alcor Orillon D. Ranyl Jabines â€" Janjan Cornito, 8-1.

The Maribojoc wins were: Ranyl Jabines â€" Ryan Tinajora D. Rene Mar â€" Otek Hangadlangit, 8-1; Joseph Logroño â€" Ranyl Jabines D. Bobit Lungay â€" Dondon Mejares, 8-4.  Paul Gelig â€" Loloy Dumandan D. Nestor Mejares â€" Norman Mejares, 8-5; and Mayong Redillas â€" Ryan Tinajora D. Al Bagolor â€" Fel Alison, 8-5.

The thrill-packed game played by Maribojoc’s Mike Turco and Graz Echavez versus Clarin’s Hora and Enterido ended in a draw 7-all.

The MTC tennisters thru Prexy Deddie Chiu thanked the CTC racquet weilders for their hospitality and sumptuous meal.  (Fred Fuertes)

Filipino ring star Nonito Donaire Jr., will abdicate his throne as IBF flyweight champion to gun for the interim WBA super flyweight title against Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion, the man responsible for dealing the resurgent ALA Stable standout AJ “Bazooka” Banal his first and only career defeat, so far.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told fightnews.com that the championship bout is likely to take place on August 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Donaire (21-1, 14KOs) last fought on April 19 at the Araneta Coliseum where he scored a smashing fourth round knockout of Raul Martinez to retain his twin IBF/IBO 112-pound belts.

Arum said in the same internet report that another Filipino is Bernabe Concepcion will see action in the supporting main event against Steven Luevano for the world featherweight plum.

The match was actually scheduled in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown last May 3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but Arum called if off after Luevano suffered an injury during training.

Arum, on the other hand, divuldged that Fil-Am Brian Viloria will defend his IBF light flyweight crown this September in Cebu City.

The card will also possibly feature the much-sought immediate rematch between Cebuano Rodel Mayol and Ivan Calderon for the WBO light flyweight diadem.

Mayol and Calderon slugged it out over the weekend at the Madison Square Garden in New York, but the bout was declared a technical draw after Calderon sustained a gaping gash on his face that rendered him unfit to continue the fight.

In a post-fight interview, Calderon said he is keen on giving either Viloria or Mayol a return bout.
“I want Brian Viloria next. If I don’t get Viloria, we have no problem giving Mayol a rematch. He fought a good fight against me. He’s a worthy challenger and I have no problem getting it on again with him. I need about thirty days of down time for this cut to heal and then I’m looking for Viloria or a Mayol rematch!” said Calderon in a report by fightfan.com.

source: Bohol Chronicle

A new Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Bohol was launched in Catigbian and programmed to benefit six barangays pursuant to a three-year investment plan worth over P.2 billion, specifically P265.892 million.

The project which was launched by Rep. Edgar Chatto, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officials and municipal leaders on Wednesday provided a high-impact culmination to the Diamond Founding Anniversary and 5th Katigbawan Festival of the interior town.

The new ARC is dubbed the CHABBMANS, which is the acronym for the recipient barangays of Cambailan, Hagbuaya, Bagtic, Bongbong, Mahayag Norte and Mahayag Sur, an entire settlement of 841 households.

The three-year investment plan for CHABBMANS ARC involves on-farm projects  like crop and livestock production, inland fish culture and agro-forestry worth P7.6 million; non-farm livelihood or income-generating projects costing P2.575 million; and social services, including a Botica ng Barangay and standard health center, P10.7 million.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Johnson Cinco led the DAR party to the launching while mayor Roberto Salinas and Vice Mayor Necitas Digaum headed the municipal government.

Liga ng mga Barangay Municipal Federation president Kag. Fredo Tongco headed the leaders of
the barangays witnessing the grand ocassion.hoped to alleviate the rural economy and human living condition.

Cinco cited the intense lobbying by Chatto and Bohol officials led by Gov. Erico Aumentado in integrating more areas in the province for ARC support.  The other solons, Reps. Roberto Cajes and Adam Relson Jala, worked for the ARCs in their respective districts.

Another ARC component involves the promotion of education with the construction of additional classrooms, Day Care Centers and other facilities worth P21.350 million.

The potable water system will be improved at a cost of P16.250 million while support infrastructures such as bridges, new roads, and repair of existing roads have been allocated P127 million.

Irrigation and pre- and post-harvest facilities will be provided at PP35.650 million while barangay center development, multi-purpose building and barangay market construction, among other infrastructures, will cost P27.5 million.

The ARC program also allocates P14.5 million for environment resource and development, which some approaches can tap eco-tourism potentials.

The CHABBMANS ARC will materialize the long-yearned barangay capability-building and -strengthening to improve grassroot government administration with an allocation of P2.2 million.  Another P2.9 million will go to the strengthening of cooperatives in the area.   

The ARC launching coincided with the turn-over of  the 6.2-kilometer ARCDP-2 farm-to-market road project from Poblacion to Candumayao, Alegria and Causwagan Norte and the CARP-funded farm-to-market road project.

Other guests included Board Members Cesar Tomas Lopez and Alfonso Damalerio II, both of the First District.

Chatto said Bohol’s interior area will soon get full benefit from the on-going major road concreting from Tubigon to Catigbian passing Macaas.  The congressman secured additional fund for the vital project.

Also, Barangay health worker kits were distributed as Chatto acknowledged the role of the BHWs in the delivery of basic health services amid the rising cost of hospitalization. (Ven rebo Arigo)

The Sir Knight (SK) Pedro Caunan Council No. 9329 of Lindaville Subdivision Phase I and II, Tagbilaran City elected its new set of Council officers for Columbian year 2009-2010 last Sunday at its K of C Chamber. 

Knights elected to office were SK Augusto Pascual - Grand Knight; SK Nilo Sendrijas - Deputy Grand Knight; SK Juvenal D. Beniga - Chancellor; Isidro Lagumbay - Treasurer; SK Benjamin Dumagan - Recorder; Aniceto Baguio - Financial Secretary; Servando Jumawid - Warden;

Julio Baldoza - Inside Guard; Ignacio Romero - Outside Guard; Pelagio Merilos - trustee for 1 year; SK Gregorio Loayon - Trustee for 2 years; SK Felix Garan - Trustee for 3 years; Godofredo Fuertes â€" Lecturer.

The new Parish Priest of Virgen sa Barangay Lindaville Subdivision Parish Mons. Oscar Pajo is their new Council Chaplain and Rev. Fr. Severo Pajo, Jr. as Assistant Chaplain and Parish Vicar.  Installation rites of new Council officers will be announced later.

District Deputy Sir Knight Glicerio Jubac acted as Election Committee Chairman. (Juvenal Beniga)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) recently released the results of the Real Estate Brokers Licensure Examination conducted in National Capital Region, Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City and Cebu City on May 31, 2009.

Of the examinees who passed the examination, five Boholanos made it to the top ten.  They are Kathy Blanche J. Borja, first placer with a rating of 90%, Cristifil D. Baluma, Ma. Karina Carla A. Lumayag and Amabelle S. Biliran, seventh placers with a rating of 84%, and Menedio Thadeus P. Bernido, ninth placer with a rating of 82%.

The 13 Boholano successful examinees include Baluma, Cristifil D; Bantugan, Alma Lilibeth T.; Bernido, Menedio Thadeus P.; Biliran, Amabelle S.; Borja, Kathy Blanche J.; Lagang, Teodoro M.; Lim, Prince Joses Y.; Lumayag, Ma. Karina Carla A.; Magdales, Delia A.; Manila, Gorgonia B.; Samonte, Erlinda J.; Samonte, Ian E.; and Zamora, Licelle D.

The new Real Estate Brokers may now proceed with their application for a Real Estate Broker’s License with the local DTI office so that they can officially practice their profession. 

Requirements for new application are as follows: 3 pcs. 1”x1” ID picture; License Fee of P1,050 (for 3 years coverage); Registration Fee with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board of P510 per year (thru a postal money order payable to HLURB, Cebu City); Clearance either from NBI, RTC or City Municipal Clerk of Court where applicant resided or held office within one year prior to date of application; Proof of educational attainment (Photocopy); Report of Rating â€" REB Examination; Surely Bond of P5,000 payable to the Republic of the Philippines (validity-3 years);
For further details, please call DTI Provincial Office at telephone nos. 411-3302, 411-3533, 501-8828 or 501-8260 and look for Malou.

source: Bohol Chronicle

The Provincial Government announced the incoming Surgical Medical Dental Mission as one of the main highlights during the celebration of the 2009 TBTK.  The Foundation is chaired by Betty Garcia and the TBTK Medical Surgical Mission is headed by Dr. Anita Cal Jackson.

Fancy S. Baluyot, Consultant for Health and Social Services and President/CEO of the Philippine Gift of Life bared that the humanitarian mission is sponsored by the Provincial Government of Bohol headed by Erico B. Aumentado and Vice Gov. Julius Caesar F. Herrera and the TBTK Foundation thru chairman, Garcia and Dr. Anita Cal Jackson assisted and supported by the Philippine Gift of Life headed by Baluyot and vice president, Rev. Fr. Victor Bompat; Home Reach Foundation thru chairman, Dr. Pepe Recitas, co-chairman, Dr. Ramie Cadag and Director Richard Uy; Department of Health thru DOH Secretary, Dr. Francisco Doque III and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Elmer Punzalan; City Government of Tagbilaran thru Mayor Dan Neri Lim, Vice Mayor Antonio Veloso and Deputy Mayor Marlito Uy; Congressman Edgar M. Chatto; Congressman Roberto Cajes; Congressman Adam Relson L. Jala and Holy Spirit School Elementary Class 1977 thru Joseph S. Alagon.
Provincial Board Member Tomas Cesar Lopez M.D., SP health committee chair and Provincial Health Officer, Reymoses Cabagnot, M.D. bared that on July 20 to 24, surgical mission will be at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. 

The surgical team is headed by Dr. Zaldy Buac and Dr. Edgar Pizzaras with Dr. Ted Nicholoff, Dr. Melba Arribas, Dr. Nestor Guerrero, Dr. Benny Buslon, Dr. Ida Tiongco, Dr. Pepe Recitas, and other diplomate and fellow surgeons of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital. 
Cases to be attended are goiter/thyroid, gall bladder, breast cancer, ovarian/myoma, anorectal and hernia among others.

Likewise, Provincial Administrator Tomas D. Abapo, Jr., co chair Provincial Medical Surgical Mission Committee, likewise added that cataract operation will be conducted on July 20-21, 2009 at the Medical Mission Group of Hospital and Health Social Cooperative thru Medical Director Dr. Benjamin Galia.  Said mission is headed by Dr. Federico Malubay of Philippine Association of Medical Specialist (PAMS).  This is also one of the highlights of 155th Bohol Day Celebration.

Baluyot and Dr. Jackson likewise advised that the Medical/Dental consultation with distribution of medicines will be done at the Bohol Cultural Center with estimated 4,000 beneficiaries from different towns of Bohol and City of Tagbilaran. 

It will be assisted by Bohol Medical Society (BMS) thru President and Doctor Teomaria Jesim, Dr. Mary Ann A. Ruiz, Chairman Committee on Medical Mission, Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP) thru Dr. Jude Doblas, private practitioners and Philippine Nurses Association among others and from other volunteers abroad and other Provinces, Philippine Health Office and devolved Hospitals.

Baluyot added that Surgical Medical Mission volunteers must be registered officially for proper credentials at the office of the Health Consultant and at the Office of the Philippine National Red Cross Bohol Chapter thru Administrator Nenita Briones who is a member of the Provincial Surgical Medical Mission Committee.

source: Bohol Chronicle

The Acting Chief of BFP, CSupt Rolando M. Bandilla Jr. has designated FCINSP Pepe G. Rebusa as the new Provincial Fire Marshal of Bohol, pursuant to Bureau Order No. REA-2009-170-Vice Supt. Nonilo Pacero who is retiring from the service.

This develops after Gov. Erico Aumentado made a strong endorsement to the DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno through the BFP Authorities.  The move was supported by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, League of Municipalities and the three solons of Bohol.

The local leaders are confident with the knowledge, trainings and experience of Rebusa besides having been a three-time national awardee due to his honest commitment and remarkable achievements in the field of fire service.

It may be recalled that FCINSP Rebusa was the provincial fire marshal here in 2003.  In his short stint much have been accomplished under the strong alliance with the provincial government who supported and have extended assistance to some projects and programs he initiated.

The creation of the Tagbilaran City Emergency Medical and Rescue Operation Team (TCEMROT) and the adoptions of the Provincial Integrated Fire alarm responding system are his brainchild. These are now in place to ensure public safety and protection of the Boholanos. (Connie Babudbod)

source: Bohol Chronicle

Chosen from among the 800 participants (qualifiers and alternates) in the  Iloilo gathering in April, five of Bohol’s young mathematicians  survived the intensive month-long Mathematics Trainers Guild (MTG) â€" Philippines training at the DEECO Technological Institute in Pasig City which ended recently.

They are Josh Jozef Caberte, James Okusa, Timothy Racho, AJ Wincielou Johanna Araoarao Gabin and Eloisa Remoreras. The MTG â€" Bohol Center produced 27 elementary and 14 high school trainees under Dr. Jose Ceberte and Omar Remendado. Caberte is now a fourth year high school student of the Bohol International Learning Center (BILC).

Okusa, a veteran in the MTG regional and national levels, is a second year HS student of the Victoriano D. Tirol Advanced Learning Center (VDT-ALC), while Racho is a third year high school student of the BILC.

Gabin, the only neophyte of Bohol’s trainees, a Grade 6 pupil of Holy Spirit School when she joined MTG last year, is now a first year HS student at the Tagbilaran City Science High School (TCSHS).
Remoreras is presently a Grade 5 pupil of VDT-ALC. All five are “Best in Math” awardees in their respective schools.

MTG trainings allow students to enhance their experiences and explore opportunities, while it help achieve desired learning competencies in mathematics.

For many years, MTG has been responsible in training Filipino mathematicians for international Math competitions in the United States of America, Canada, South Africa, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and India where Boholano Cyrus Ebojo, then an HSS student, was bronze medalist in February 2006.

MTG-Bohol is one of the 37 centers in the entire country. (jefilorewinanclacoe)

By Ariel Fullido

       Island City Mall gears up for another winning year as the ultimate shopping, dining, and entertainment center in Bohol turns five on Friday, June 26.

   Anniversary activities had been lined up to mark the occasion, like the 3-Day Sale on June 26, 27 and 28, where up to 50% discount are given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Department and participating tenant shops. 

   The mall is also open until 12 midnight on Saturday, June 27, with Ely Buendia and Pupil performing live at the Carpark at 7 PM, highlighted by a fireworks display. The concert event is presented by Unilever and Monde Nissin.

   The Food Fest 2009, featuring the best of native Boholano delicacies, will open tomorrow, June 22, at the Lower Ground Level, with Search for Festival Queen at 3 PM, and “U Cn Ul Danz” Dance Showdown at 4 PM at the Activity Center.

   On Tuesday, June 23, is the Island Singing Idol at 2 PM at the Activity Center; while on the following day, June 24, Wednesday, is the Grand Finals of Hunk & Babe 2009, 4 PM at the Activity Center. The search is sponsored by Block & White and Master Eskinol. 

   The EZ Dancing will take place on Thursday, June 25, 1 PM at the Activity Center; and followed by Sanofi-Lactacyd Cutest Baby Search, 3 PM at the Activity Center; and Kiddie Party (Puppet/Mascot Show & Games) of Sparkles, World of Fun and Jollibee, 4 PM at the Activity Center.

   Local stand-up comedian/disc jock Inday Rufing of Kiss 102.3 FM will host the “Kwarta o Kaban” Game Show on Friday, June 26, 5 PM at the Activity Center, which is brought to you by Unilever and Monde Nissin. 

   This Saturday, June 27, is the motorcade which will start from the Carpark at 8 AM, going through the main streets of Dao, Tiptip, Manga, Ubujan, winding its way through CPG North Ave., passing Agora Square, Rizal Plaza, St. Joseph Cathedral, and J.A. Clarin St., before going back to the mall. The Grand Finals of Sexy Babes Dance Showdown 2009 will take centerstage at the Activity Center at 5 PM.         

   A week from now on Sunday, June 28, is the Outreach Program with Panaghoy Foundation, co-presented by Unilever, Dunkin Donuts, Grand Luis Lodge, and Mrs. Beth Florlian; while at 5 PM is the Calendar Girl Search for June at the Activity Center, sponsored by Melita’s Floral Expression, Tracy Remolador Torres, and Placenta.       

   The 5th Anniversary Celebration of Island City Mall carries the theme, “Fab @ Five.”

Two members of the City Monitoring Team otherwise known as "city hall's task force" will be facing formal charges in court in connection with the shooting of a city resident in barangay Mansasa, this city last April 4.

The dawn shooting incident victimized a certain Warren Araneta who was hit near his chest while Ericson Estomo suffered physical injuries.

City Prosecutor Cristobal found probable cause on the attempted homicide charges filed against Dennis Antasuda, the alleged triggerman, and less serious physical injury against Roger Laway.
Cleared from charges were PO1 Dino Namoc and task force members Esmeraldo Laway, Cerilo Garcia and Jessel Guitones.

Meanwhile, NAPOLCOM Regional Director Bernie Calibo earlier ordered an investigation on the existence of the city task force and how it is functioning in relation to police matters. The probe resulted to the transfer of some key officers of the city PNP.  He warned the PNP on allowing the existence of armed civilians working on the guise as task force members.

source: Bohol Chronicle

Actor-director Cesar Montano announced on Tuesday that he declined President Arroyo’s appointment for him to become film czar so he could focus on his bid to run for governor in the 2010 elections.

Montano has long been rumored to be eyeing Bohol’s top position but has not confirmed his political plans until Tuesday, during an interview over Station dyRD.

Montano, whose real name is Cesar Manhilot and a registered voter in the town of Baclayon, said he and his family felt honored by President Arroyo’s appointment of him as Presidential Special Envoy for Film and Digital Cinema.

“I am grateful … but I regret to say I could not accept it since this will sidetrack my preparations for a gubernatorial bid in May 2010,” Montano said over the top-rated radio program “Inyong Alagad”.

Montano, who initiated the interview, said he wanted to bring in “change in Bohol politics,” which he said was being “used by politicians for business interests.”

The actor-director disclosed that he has the support of his family. Wife and actress Sunshine Cruz is actively involved in promoting tourism here.

Cruz, who talked briefly during the interview, said she fully supported her husband’s political plans.

Montano’s appointment, which was signed by Ms. Arroyo on May 19, would have accorded Montano diplomatic status.

When asked if he would seek the support of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Montano only said that he did not “need the blessings” of the governor.

CHATTO, HERRERA REACT

Rep. Edgar Chatto, when asked for comments on Montano's bid said that "if Montano's pronouncement was indeed official (as he did not hear it personally), his decision is well within his prerogative."

"Every qualified citizen has the right to seek public office," the last termer solon said.

For his part, Vice Gov. Herrera, who is on his last term as vice governor, said he understands it if potential gubernatorial aspirants would already be making their move at this time.

“They need to know more about the problems so they have to start now,” he remarked. Herrera added that as far as he is concerned, his priority for the moment to sustain the increase in rice production and address agricultural concerns.

source: Bohol Chronicle

The lawyers of Mansasa Barangay Captain Manolo Blanco requested  the court to release to the city prosecutors office the evidences seized during the raid conducted at his residence last May 15.

City Prosecutor II Alberto Santos Rara received last Friday the letter-reply from RTC Judge Sylva Aguirre-Paderanga denying said request. The lady judge who issued the search warrant has the actual inventory of the seized items including the P586,750 cash believed to be the bet money as proceeds of the day's operation of the illegal numbers game of swertres.

For his part, Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the regional intelligence division of PRO-7 wrote Fiscal Rara that the evidences were turned over to RTC Judge Paderanga during the return of the Search Warrant issued by the said Cebu-based court.  The PNP official said it is "upon the discretion of the honorable court to release the said evidence from their custody."

PO2 Vincent Letigio and PO1 Layman Arsua who attended the preliminary hearing last Friday hand carried the letters of Judge Paderanga and Col. Buenafe.

The barangay captain was tagged as the alleged big-time financier of the illegal numbers game of swertres in the province. He posted bail few hours after his arrest which prevented the Cebu operatives to bring him to the regional PNP command.

The arrest of Blanco captured media limelight after he was assured by the Tagbilaran city mayor of the "best lawyer" to defend him saying that he (mayor) "will not abandon a friend."

Appearing for Blanco during last Friday's hearing were lawyers Amante and Roland Inting.

source: Bohol Chronicle

Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao is now a certified Boholano.

This after the Bohol Provincial Development Council (PDC), Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), and the Bohol chapters of the League of Municipalities (LMP), Vice Mayors (VMLP) and Barangays (LnB) in a joint meeting Friday at the Bohol Tropics Resort presided over by Gov. Erico Aumentado passed a joint resolution declaring the pugilist from General Santos City an adopted son of the province.

Pacquiao, his wife Jinky and their children Emmanuel Jr., 8, Michael Stephen, 7 and Mary Divine Grace, 2, â€" with staff and security escorts â€" were in Bohol for a vacation although the Pound for Pound King of Boxing’s stay was interrupted twice. Staying only for lunch when he first arrived, Pacquiao left en route to New York to receive the 2008 ‘Fighter of the Year' award from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). The family stayed on. It turned out that he and Aumentado were on the same boat from Cebu City.

The boxer had to leave anew last Friday however to be with his brother who was to celebrate his birthday.

Barring changes, and if his hectic schedule will still allow it, a source close to Pacquiao said he may be back on Tuesday for one week more of vacation to experience Bohol’s powdery fine white sand beaches and other sites. He will be presented with the joint resolution then.

Aumentado said the People’s Champion and the Ring Magazine’s Champion after winning his fights against Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales, Oscar Larios, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton who he demolished in a spectacular and unprecedented fashion definitely makes him the ultimate crowd-drawer.   

Unlawful elements temporarily stop their nefarious trade â€" and even rebels whether in the Philippines or Iraq and elsewhere â€" lay down their arms and sometimes watch side by side the ring exploits of “Greatest Living Fighter in the History of the Boxing World” as nicknamed by Top Rank Chief Bob Arum.

Forbes Magazine has since placed Pacquiao in the 6th position among the world’s 10 highest paid athletes and berthed him also among the 100 Most Powerful Celebrities in the World for his spectator-drawing capacity and his legendary influence on the people of the world, especially the Philippines where during all his fights, complete peace and order reigned in the land even in areas infested by rebels and Abu Sayyaf members  because all eyes are glued to his fights via TV and the other high-tech media used for the purpose, Aumentado observed.

Time Magazine also lists him among the most influential people of the world.

His humility, religiosity and good character have also endeared him much to the public and his virtues are admired and appreciated by the Boholano people so that for his sterling deeds and admirable virtues, Pacquiao “deserves to be acknowledged as adopted son of Bohol ,” the resolution stated.

source: Bohol Chronicle

Public assailed the blatant negligence of Tagbilaran city hall in the proper management of the growing garbage spilling on the road fronting the unsanitary open dumpsite in Dampas, this city.

Regularly passing haulers and other vehicles have to maneuver away from the blocking wastes that literally covered the road, in the process opening a “new” road passing over a stretch of the main water pipeline of the Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. (BWUI).  The pipeline is meters away from the original road.

The haulers that run over the pipeline can cause cracks and eventual leaks. There is imminent fear of water contamination because the garbage fluids can drain into pipe cracks, according to settlers in the area.

Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, Councilor Leonides Borja who is the Sangguniang Panlungsod health committee chairman, Councilor Beben Inting and Dampas captain Fredison Ingles inspected the area last Wednesday.

Veloso immediately had a BWUI unit rushed to the site, although the affected water line was already buried in mud and stinking rotten wastes.

The condition had gone through months until it was exposed and serialized over top-rated DYRD program Pulso, hosted by crusading journalists Batchoy Alba and Ven Arigo, generating calls and text messages from concerned city residents against the government inaction.

The failing solid waste disposal management exposes the people to serious health hazard.
The city’s small, rusty bulldozer used to push the garbage into the dumpsite hole, bogged down. Now the garbage has mounted past a basketball goal by the road.

Engr. Edmund Jimenez of the city’s solid waste management unit said in Pulso they rented a private bulldozer to clear the road from garbage.

The Chronicle saw on the contrary that even the rented equipment has long ceased to function for about two months now because it also bogged down, and got stuck on the muddy access to the dump hole.

Veloso also quickly contacted the owner of the private bulldozer to find a replacement.  Only a small city payloader was seen scraping the garbage mount during the dumpsite visit.

Kag. Inting asked for an inventory of the city’s heavy equipment as he recalled of some P90 million for economic enterprises intended to include heavy equipment.

Concerned city residents expressed frustration over the failure of city hall to rent another bulldozer when its officials could even get cash advances by several millions of pesos.

“Frustrated” Dampas kagawad Aida Barafon revealed they had long raised during a mayor’s morning radio program the worsening dumpsite condition but no concrete action has been taken.
Jimenez was invited to the barangay assembly and council session but failed to attend, the lady barangay councilor said.

Barafon said they even took video footages of the dumpsite condition but still there was no positive response from concerned city officials, including the city health officer.

EMPTY TALK

In his usual style, the mayor declared in the City Charter Day celebration in July last year that his administration would embark on major infrastructure projects in the next 12 months.

The mayor then also said the city would act on the garbage problem because it was, at that time, already an urgent matter to be addressed since the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would aggressively pursue the closure of the dumpsite.

CITIZEN SUITS

Based on Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, any citizen may file an appropriate civil, criminal or administrative action in a proper court or body against any public officer who willfully or grossly neglects the performance of an act specifically enjoined as a duty by the law.

source: Bohol Chronicle

The conflicts within the ranks of Lakas-Kampi-CMD in the province could deepen if not resolved soon enough.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno admitted Friday that the newly merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD must start holding conventions within two months to choose its presidential and vice presidential candidates as well as its local bets for the May 2010 polls.

Puno, the interim vice chair of the administration party, cited the need to resolve “expeditiously” conflicts arising over who would comprise the coalition’s local bets before they cause “deeper rifts” within the ranks.

Puno told the Chronicle that choosing the party’s standard bearer soon would not only unify local candidates, but would also make the coalition invulnerable to raids by the other political groups.
Sen. Manuel Villar recently recruited some 25 Bohol municipal mayors, mostly belonging to the administration party, into the Nacionalista Party. However, 24 returned to the folds of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD after Gov. Erico Aumentado called out for a status quo to field a unification ticket in next year’s elections.

Puno, who plans to seek the party’s nomination as its candidate for vice president, said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD should be able to elect its officials and hold the party convention as soon as possible.

He said, as of now, the merger has no elected officers but only appointed interim party leaders.
At least three aspirants for the gubernatorial post belong to the administration group â€" Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, First District Rep. Edgar Chatto and movie actor/director Cesar Montano.

POLLS TO PUSH THROUGH

Puno also said it had become virtually impossible to amend the Constitution before the 2010 elections and also dismissed claims of the opposition of a no-elections scenario.

The DILG secretary pointed out in a press conference at the Bohol Tropics Resort on Friday that his decision to vigorously seek the nomination of the administration party as its vice presidential bet is proof that the nation’s next elections will push through as scheduled next year.

He said that the House of Representatives’ approval of a measure to convene a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) is merely being pursued to seek a clarification on how such a method could be legally and properly carried out, given that the Constitution is ambiguous when it comes to implementing this mode of amending the Charter.

“Mark my words and trust me, there will be elections in 2010 in accordance with the Constitution and our existing laws,” Puno said during a press conference held last Friday.

source: Bohol Chronicle

By the Bohol Chronicle

The Ombudsman has released another decision on the charges of alleged anomalies in the construction of a multi-million irrigation project in Talibon town.

The decision, a copy of which was obtained by one of the main complainants of the case, Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, still cleared five officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) but meted a one-month suspension against Provincial Irrigation Officer Engr. Calixto Seroje.

What came as a surprise to Sarigumba however is the similar content of the decision released in November last year with the same date and signatories â€" that of Graft Investigator Sarah Jo Vergara, Director Edgardo Canton and Visayas Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago.

The 25-page resolution, signed by Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro on November 11, 2008 but released only recently, dismissed the charges “for lack of substantial legal basis.”

What was changed from the first resolution is that Seroje, one of the five charged in the complaint, is “found administratively guilty of simple misconduct and meted the penalty of suspension for a period of one month and one day without pay and benefits…”

Seroje is likewise warned by the Ombudsman that a repetition of a similar infraction in the future “shall be dealt with more severely”.

Efforts to contact Seroje proved futile until press time.

Also cleared were NIA regional manager Alexander Reuyan, NIA regional finance manager Jesusa Sibonga, small reservoir irrigation project officer Eduardo Daniel and senior accountant Victor Echavez.

Reuyan, now NIA director of Region 5, was given a reprimand by the Ombudsman for violation of reasonable office rules and regulations. Daniel and Echavez have been retired from service.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed on October 27, 2004, at the Ombudsman by the Boholanos Against Corruption, Oppression and Social Harassment (Bacos), which said P165 million had been released for the Talibon Small Reservoir Impounding Project (SRIP) although only half of it was completed.

The approved total cost of the project was P243 million based on a revised program of works approved by the NIA in April 2000.

The dismissal of the case came more than two years after a NIA fact-finding team found prima facie evidence against the respondents for irregularities in the implementation of the project.

They had maintained that varying amounts of expenditures were reported by the project field office, the provincial management office and the regional office of NIA.

But the Ombudsman, in its resolution, said it “sees that the variance does not actually prove that there were unaccounted funds.”

“The figures submitted by the three offices actually cover expenditures incurred by different offices over different periods of time,” it pointed out.

It noted that the fact-finding team failed to show circumstances that could single out suspicious dealings.

In the absence of “substantial difference” in the valuation of work accomplishment as assessed by different officials or offices, the varying costs of certain component works are “nothing more than explainable or traceable discrepancies,” the ruling cited.

“This [deviation] cannot possibly imply outright that an offense has been committed,” the Ombudsman pointed out.

It maintained that the actual impact of the deviations ascertained by the NIA fact-finding team could not be assessed yet since the Talibon SRIP had not yet been completed and the Commission on Audit had yet to conduct a post audit on the project’s finances.

BACOSH REACTION

Sarigumba who initiated the filing of the cases against Seroje et al at the Ombudsman decried the decision as "mercenary on the part of the Ombudsman. If there was the merit in the case, why was Seroje meted the penalty. But the lightness of the penalty is what we find unbelievable, to say the least."

The group will elevate the case to Manila-based Anti-Corruption Alliance made up of different anti-corruption bodies to find solidarity and advice as to where to seek justice on the Talibon-SRIP.

By June Blanco

  A MEMBER of the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is suspended anew.

  The Sandigan Bayan Fourth Division issued a fresh 90-day suspension pendente lite on SP member Josil Trabajo for a criminal case he has been facing while still the vice mayor of Carmen town.

  On receiving a copy on June 16 of the Sandiganbayan resolution promulgated on June 1, Gov. Erico Aumentado immediately issued a memorandum order to Trabajo ordering him to cease and desist from further performing and/or exercising the functions, duties and privileges of his present government position â€" or of any other public office he may now or hereafter be holding.

  The governor, a lawyer by profession, emphasized that it is his duty to implement the Sandiganbayan resolution immediately otherwise he will be violating the law. He said it pained him to implement Trabajo’s suspension because he is a party-mate.

  However, he has no choice. He does not intend to break the law and face the consequences, hence his order dated June 18.

  The Aumentado order was to take effect immediately â€" on the day following his receipt of the same.

  The case stemmed from the act Trabajo and his co-accused, former Mayor Pedro Budiongan Jr., allegedly committed in February to March, 2003. While in the performance of their official duties, the two allegedly connived, confederated and mutually helped each other in a contract or transaction of supplying, by way of sale, 501 loads of limestone or anapog to the town for the road improvement projects of the Vallehermoso-Montehermoso and Luan-La Salvacion roads.

  In its motion, the plaintiff maintained that the information is valid and that both accused were already arraigned and the prosecution had presented several witnesses, hence, invoking Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the plaintiff contended that the suspension was mandatory.

  The accused contended in his opposition that there is no ground or basis to place him under suspension considering that he is no longer the vice mayor and as such, there is no dander that he would influence the witnesses or tamper with the evidence.

  He also argued that he can no longer be suspended because he had in fact already been previously suspended pendente lite in two other cases which arose from the same charge or facts as the instant case and are substantially related to the instant case.

  He said to place him under another suspension wpould be tantamount to an indefinite suspension which is prohibited under the law as well as jurisprudence.

  But the Fourth Division ruled to grant the motion.

  Associate Justice Alex Quiroz wrote, concurred in by Associate Justices Gregory Ong, chair and Jose Hernandez, that Section 13 of R.A. 3019 on suspension and loss of benefits had used the word “shall,” making mandatory the suspension of any incumbent public officer already facing a valid information under the act or for any offense involving fraud upon the government or public funds or property.

  Further, Quiroz wrote that Section 13 of R.A 3019 does not state that the public officer concerned must be suspended only in the office where he is alleged to have committed the acts with which he has been charged, hence the word “office” would indicate that it applies to any office which the officer charged may be holding.

  The associate justice did not agree with Trabajo’s second argument either. The ponente said Trabajo is not an accused in the first case he named, but in the second which was filed against several accused, among them Trabajo, for violation of Section 3(c) of R.A. 3019.

  The former vice mayor had allegedly conspired on or about February 21, 2002, in the bidding, award and implementation of the Tan Modesto Bernaldez Municipal St. in Carmen in the amount of P349,808 despite the absence of funds specifically appropriated for such purpose. But the present case is for violation of Section 3(h) of the said Act â€" or the sale of anapog and not the bidding.

  This belies the argument of the accused that the previous cases arose out of the same facts as in the instant case.

  Quiroz did not subscribe to the assertion of the accused either, that to place him under another suspension pendente lite would be tantamount to an indefinite suspension.

  It has been more than a year since the Court ordered the first indefinite suspension. Besides, the second suspension is only for 90 days and not for the entire duration of the criminal case â€" negating the accused’s “indefinite suspension” claim. 

A 24-million dormitory for marine scholars courtesy of a Japanese manning company will rise at the sprawling campus of Cristal-e College in barangay Tawala, Panglao island.

The Japanese investment was announced during ceremonies Wednesday marking the ground-breaking of the multi-million building.

Considered as another milestone by the new college, the groundbreaking ceremony will usher the construction of the K - Line Marine Ventures Ltd. dormitory at the Cristal-e College campus.  The two level dormitory building will be built exclusively for the K - Line sponsored Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering scholars of Cristal e- College.

A  K - Line Marine Ventures Phils., Ltd. delegation from Japan and Manila came to town Wednesday to grace the occasion. The group was headed by its president Shoichi Maeda, Masami Mitsunaga, supt. KLMA Manila, Capt. Makoto Kono, owner’s representative Veritas Maritime Corp., Capt. Michinari Shimizu, supervisor, Veritas Maritime Corporation, among others.

The whole Cristal e- College family headed by its founders lawyer Victoriano B. Tirol, Jr., Dr. Cristeta B. Tirol, Victoriano B. Tirol, III, chairman of the Board and Will Tyron B. Tirol, president welcomed the guests.

According to the Japanese guests, the event was ‘akin to a wedding” because of its importance to the solidification of the already close relationship between CeC and the Japanese company.  The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Rey Rodriguez, pastor of  GLBT Memorial Church.

In his speech, Mr.  Maeda, told the audience that K â€"Line has slowed down their investments in the Philippines and other countries but put their money where their mouths are in Cristal e- College of Panglao.  Mr. Maeda expressed his confidence that Cristal e- College can produce world-class maritime officials and engineers.

The partnership which started last year has already produced around 70 marine transportation and marine engineering scholars from all over the Philippines.  It should also be noted that regular maritime students of CeC have been absorbed by K â€" Line vessels as apprentices.

By the School Year 2010 â€" 2011, it is expected that there will be 144 resident scholars at Cristal e- College campus aside from those who will be onboard K â€" Line vessels as apprentices.
First district Congressman Edgar M. Chatto with former board member Isabelito B. Tongco and representatives of Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala and Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos, attended the affair.

Cristal e â€" College also offers courses in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism Management, Criminology, Education, Liberal Arts and Nursing.  Cristal e- College is the franchisee of Informatics Computer Institute, which offers the best IT training in Bohol.  The college is also the recipient of numerous PGMA scholarships from Tesda.

Cristal e- College is certified and accredited by the Anglo Japanese American Registrars, Ltd. (AJA) of the United Kingdom Assurance System. - Sunday Post

By Sunday Post

The majority block of the Panglao Sangguniang Bayan, long at loggerheads with Mayor Benedicto Alcala, brought their animosity into a public spectacle, triggered by the demolition of illegal structures along the beach line of Alona , in barangay Tawala.

Breaking its silence as a result of Mayor’s Alcala’s implementation of the 20-meter salvage zone in the beach area of Tawala, the majority members of the town SB said they saw  differently the demolition order as carried out by the town executive.

In a press statement sent last night, the SB through V-Mayor Pedro Fuertes lamented the selective nature of the demolition.

In implementing the order of Gov. Erico Aumentado, the  SB majority asked why Mayor Alcala singled out the structures owned by his political enemiesâ€"Kagawads Dennis Hora and Telesfore Mejos, all members of the municipal law making body.

Mayor Alcala used to control the majority  block of the local SB until they broke their friendly ties in the process making them mortal enemiesâ€"until this time. Mayor Alcala was left with only one ally while the rest were allied with V-Mayor Fuertes.

In the same statement, the group wondered why only the cottages of Mejos and the family of Hora were demolished while the rest of those who are alleged  to be in the same situation were left untouched.

Contacted for his reaction, Mayor Alcala brushed aside insinuation of selective implementation of the law.

He said as of last report, six illegal structures were already torn down and the rest will be in the next batch up for demolition.

The town mayor also told the Post last night that the Mejos structure was spared from the demolition because the municipal  councilor   begged off to  do the job of demolishing his own establishment.

It turned out that Mejos was only suing for time in order to obtain a temporary restraining order from the regional trial court in the process tying up  the hands of the mayor in implementing the setback requirement for beach front establishments. He did get a TRO.

The mayor also failed to demolish the structure of Paz Trotin of Alona Diver’s Lodge after she also succeeded in getting a TRO.

Justifying the demolition order, Mayor Alcala said he only enforced a previous agreement he had with the municipal council when they were still in good terms.
Mayor Alcala said when they were still in friendly relation with the SB,  the two parties agreed to implement an ordinance enacted by the same SB calling for a 25-meter salvage zone in the Panglao beachfront areas. The governor’s executive order was only for  20 meters from the beach lineâ€"meaning, no structures were allowed in this restricted zone. 
The wind blew in a different direction when Mayor Alcala and majority of the SB members had a falling out.

In criticising the mayor of alleged unilateral demolition of violators, the majority councilors also asked why only in Alona.

Citing that many are similarly situated in the same area, the majority  lawmakers asked why in other barangays the same was not implemented.
They cited a case in point the restaurant of former mayor Doloriech Dumaluan which allegedly falls within the 20-meter salvage zone.

The councilors said not only that the former mayor closed a barangay  road by erecting a gate thereon allowing only his guests, family and workers access to the detriment of the nearby fisher folks.

When asked on this question affecting  the Dumaluan property, Mayor Alcala said the Bolod area where the alleged violation located is next in line of the demolition spree.

Another thing that concerned the majority legislators was the act of Mayor Alcala holding office in his residence.

Appraised of this question, Mayor Alcala balked “ so what if I am holding office at home”.
The town mayor said he found no question in holding office in his residence saying that his house is located just a stone throw from the municipal building.

Saying it would be burdensome to their constituents, the lawmakers  said it would be better for the mayor to take a sick leave or he better resign for the good of everybody including himself.   

By ANGELINE VALENCIA
Sunday Post

      The Provincial Development Council Executive Committee recently passed 10 resolutions endorsing sets of infrastructure projects mainly supporting tourism and agriculture in Bohol.

      During the Executive Committee meeting of the PDC on June 11 in Bohol Tropics Resort, Governor Erico Aumentado cited the necessity to get an immediate attention from the Senate and the House on the conversion of provincial roads in the coverage of the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project phase III (BCRIP-3) into national roads.

      Certain sections within the coverage of BCRIP-3 remain categorized as provincial roads, like the Tagbilaran and Baclayon diversion or bypass roads and those passing through the Anda Peninsula.

      Aumentado said the conversion of these provincial roads to national roads may qualify them for funding under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Republic of South Korea.

      The three congressmen from Bohol had already filed the bills for such conversion, and it needs the intercession of the Senate president, chairman of the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works to facilitate the approval of these bills and the PDC ExeCom has previously passed Resolution 57-2008 containing the same request.

      This time, the PDC approved a resolution reiterating the request to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, as Senate president and Ramon “Bong” Revilla as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, and Representative Prospero Nograles as speaker of the House to facilitate approval of necessary House bills for the conversion of these provincial roads 3 into national roads for BCRIP-3 to possibly qualify for funding under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Republic of South Korea.

      In another resolution, the PDC endorsed the proposed infrastructure programs for 2010 of the three engineering districts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bohol to their regional office in Cebu City.

      The proposed infrastructure programs cover construction, rehabilitation, repair, widening and maintenance of major national highways and national arterial or secondary roads and bridges in the province that support the Bohol Tourism Road Improvement Project (Bohol TRIP).

      They also include construction of essential farm-to-market roads that will support national and local development thrusts of poverty reduction and economic growth, and provide flood control and drainage structures which are vital to the disaster risk management strategies of the province, the resolution cited.

      These infrastructure programs also include the highly urgent improvement and widening of the Panglao Island Circumferential road to avoid traffic problems in the light of the scheduled construction of the Panglao-Bohol International Airport.

      The PDC also approved a resolution endorsing the proposal for the provincial government to implement the concreting of the Sagbayan-Danao Road and urging DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to sign the memorandum of agreement for the immediate implementation of the project.

      The project involves concreting of the five-kilometer Sagbayan-Danao Road on a 50-50 counterparting arrangement where the provincial government and the national government, through DPWH, will each contribute P20 million to raise P40 million to meet the estimated fund requirement of P8 million per kilometer.

      Since the provincial government had already prepared the ground for the project including soil stabilization, all that is left to implement is the concreting component for which the DPWH funding goes.

      In the proposal, the provincial government shall undertake the project, in accordance with national standards of 6.1-meter wide roadway, thickness of eight inches and 1.5-meter road shoulders on both sides.

      What is needed now is the signing of the MOA for the implementation of the project, according to Aumentado.

      PDC pointed out in the resolution, that the roadway would improve transport facility and access to the municipality of Danao which has now become “the center of adventure tourism, in Bohol and in the whole Central Visayas”.

      In another resolution, the PDC also requested DPWH, through Secretary Ebdane, to utilize the P10-million allocation originally intended for the construction of a detour bridge for the improvement of the Cambuac(Sikatuna)-Tigbao (Loboc)-Lobgob (Sevilla) detour road.

      Aumentado said the provincial government has agreed with DPWH and the municipal government of Loboc to start the construction of the urgent bridge project transforming the Loboc Bailey Bridge into an Austrian-assisted Steel Bridge.

      Since the construction will cause the bridge to be closed to traffic for a period of approximately one year, DPWH needs to create an alternate access road or detour.

      Moreover, DPWH Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan said that the P10-million allocation could hardly be enough for a detour bridge and would only be wasted.

      So, the provincial government presented a counter-proposal to utilize the amount for the improvement of a detour road.

      PDC agreed that the move proves to be the most practical and beneficial for the people of Bohol.

      PDC had also endorsed to the Regional Development Council, in another resolution, the proposal of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Head Johnson Sinco to include 19 bridges amounting to P738.5 million in the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-agraryo- -a bridging project for agrarian reform communities (ARCs).

      The project involves construction and installation of pre-fabricated modular bridges and rehabilitation of existing ones in priority ARCs nationwide.

      Sinco’s proposal covers three bridges in ARC Magtacaca in Danao, two in ARBS LHAMP KPT in Catigbian, seven in ARC Bicao in Carmen, one in ARC Bulilis in Ubay and seven in non-ARCs- -one in Tubigon, four in Danao and one in Duero.

      PDC also passed a resolution endorsing the 2010 budget proposal for locally-funded projects of the National Irrigation Administration in Bohol that include restoration and rehabilitation, comprising primarily of the rehabilitation and improvement of communal irrigation system projects where a total of 918 hectares are to be restored and 449 hectares are to be rehabilitated at a total estimated cost of P128 million.

      The proposal covers priority projects like the small water impounding project (SWIP) of Bonotbonot Dam in Buenavista, SWIP of Hibale Dam in Danao and small reservoir impounding project (SRIP) of Cayacay in Mabini.

PDC passed another resolution endorsing the proposed P4.335-million municipal waterworks project of President Carlos P. Garcia to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for inclusion in the Kilos Asenso Support Fund that would benefit 1,475 households in barangays Pitogo, San Jose, Tugnao, and Aguining.

      PDC also approved a resolution endorsing to the Philippine Ports Authority, the proposal to continue the arrastre services of Tagbilaran Maritime Services, Inc. at the tourism port of Tagbilaran City which proved a level of quality and satisfactory service to shippers and passengers over the years.

      Another resolution that PDC approved during the ExeCom meeting requested Lite Shipping Corporation and other shipping companies to lower their roro tariff rates on motorcycles above 250 cc and vehicles from P1,700 to P800.

      PDC has also recommended, in a resolution, that the provincial government shall acquire the 24-hectare property of the National Steel Corporation in the barangays of Malayo Norte and Malayo Sur along the national highway traversing the municipalities of Cortes and Balilihan.

      The area, eight kilometers from Tagbilaran City, could be more ideal for the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex than its present location.

      The provincial government, however, is still negotiating the selling price of the property.

      In an effort to eradicate graft and corruption among government employees and minimize the disadvantages of government bureaucracy, the municipal administration has scheduled a string of seminar-workshops on Republic Act (RA) 9485 or the Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 starting with the first batch of barangay officials on June 17 in Capt. Goyo Casenas Hall.

      The rest of the barangays in the 33 barangays of Jagna will have their turn on June 22, June 23 and July 1 in the same venue.

      The first group of participants comprised of barangay officials of Looc, Poblacion, Tejero, Canjulao, Can-upao, Pagina and Pangdan- -those in the metro area of the town. They tackled the five-wave enhancement sessions.

      Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) Reina Quilas and Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) president Andrew Tadena facilitated the moral-formation activity.

      In the meantime that Mayor Exuperio Lloren is in Canada for the signing of a sisterhood agreement along with Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Myrna Scheurs and another mayor form Bohol, Vice-Mayor Teofisto Pagar Sr. represents the local government unit of Jagna in extending full support to the capability-building workshop aimed at strengthening barangay governance.

      The second batch of participants, who will have their turn on June 22, comprises of barangay officials of Alejawan, Naatang, Tubod Mar, Larapan, Nausok, Bunga Mar and Bunga Ilaya- -most of them are in coastal areas in the western side of the town.

      The schedule for the third batch follows on June 23, to be participated in by barangay officials of Cantagay, Ipil, Can-uba, Faraon, Kinagbaan, Cabungaan.

      The fourth batch comprises officials from barangays Laca, Balili, Buyog, Tubod Monte, Cantuyoc and Malbog will have their turn on June 30.

      The schedule for the last batch will be on July 1, involving the uppermost barangays of Calabacita, Mayana, Lonoy, Odiong, Boctol and Can-ipil.

      The good governance workshop focuses on RA 9485 which was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 2, 2007 aimed at fortifying the government from the evils of fraudulence by unscrupulous people.

      The activity serves as prelude to the creation of the barangay Citizen’s Charter (C.C.) as mandated in RA 9485.

      In fact, at the end of each seminar, the participants have to come up with the respective citizen’s charters of their barangays. (Gregorio A. Tavera) - Sunday Post

      As banner event to commemorate this year’s Independence Day, the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) of Mabini town, headed by Vice Mayor Tabigue, recently launched another phase of civic work for the indigent residents of sitio Pasto, barangay San Isidro.

      For free, MPOC’s medical and dental clinic fed the undernourished children, offered vaccination of all domesticated animals- -including anti-rabies vaccines for dogs, and distributed relief goods to the townfolk during the whole-day activity swarmed by locals, especially the children.

       â€œWe emphasize through this activity that the real battle to fight today is on how to free our people from the bondage of poverty. And the best service that we can offer to our people is to stand by them in times of need,” according to Tabigue.

      He also said it was just a way of sustaining the effort of the Rances administration to bring the government closer to the people.

      The activity was participated in by the Municipal Health Office headed by Dr. Rhoda Bautista; Municipal Agriculturist’s Office headed by Roman Miano; Philippine National Police-Mabini led by Police Assistant chief, SP04 Eugenio Tutor; the Liga ng mga Barangay led its president Crispy Vergara; and the barangay council of San Isidro headed by Barangay Captain Rodrigo Vallespin with all the barangay tanods, BNCs and BHWs.

- Sunday Post

     Caught red-handed, five fishermen based in Ubay recently fell on the hands of authorities while into deep-sea fishing in Mabini using an improvised compressor.

      Bantay-Dagat Operatives of Mabini composed of PNP personnel and trained fish wardens apprehended the five fishermen for violation of the DILG Memorandum Circular 129 of 2002 that bans the use of an improvised breathing apparatus, popularly known as “boso compressor” in any fishing activity.

      Abueva identified them as Junjun Boyore, Renato Hontiveros, Rennel Tutor, Bimbo Jumao-as, Oligario Bayo- -all based in sitio Cuya, Ubay.

      Police had already filed appropriate charges against them for violation. - Sunday Post

Municipio Inabanga personnel recently completed the Training on the Guidelines for implementing Tuberculosis Control Program in Children at the Monina Midtown Pension in Poblacion, Tubigon on June 15-19.

Doctors and personalities from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Department of Health-Infectious Disease Central Office in Manila, the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH), the Tagbilaran City Health Office and the Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis (TBLINC) facilitated the activity.

The five-day training course focused on case finding, identification and the management of TB in children employing the Directly Observed Treatment Short Term (DOTS) strategy.

The National Tuberculosis Program in Children targets to detect and cure tuberculosis cases among the 0-14years old.

Having the highest referrals to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Inabanga was chosen to be the pilot area for testing the Protein Purified Derivative (PPD) â€" a skin test to screen tuberculosis among the 10 priority towns in the first batch of training. Some 300 pupils of the Inabanga Central Elementary School were tested with PPD.

The reagent costs P250 per injection but was given by the Department of Health (DOH) for free. DOH will also give TB antibiotics for six months in case the child develops TB symptoms.

Meanwhile, USAID sponsored the snacks of the children during the testing and reading of the test.

Bohol is the pilot area chosen for the TB in children training program, with the support of the Department of Health (DOH) and USAid. After the trainings shall have been done in the whole province, Bohol will be the model area for the TB in children program.

USAid shouldered the training cost while the medicines including PPD were from DOH.

Municipal Health Officers Mae Lilibeth Melicor and Madonna Andaya, Public Health Nurses Ma. Rolinda Melecio and Judith Esto and midwives Paz Lofranco and Flordeliza Betalmos participated in the training. The participants’ list also include MHO’s, PHN’s and midwives from Balilihan, Calape, Dauis, Loon, Mabini, Panglao, Sierra Bullones and Trinidad. Others were medical technologists and pharmacists from the PHO, PHNs from Negros Oriental, nurse and other personnel from Aklan and from TB-LINC.   

Not just putting out fires, but personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of Municipio Inabanga, in coordination with Rescue 616 Bohol Chapter, joined the effort in ensuring a cleaner mangrove environment.

With the theme Tugon sa Isang Araw Lang, the cleanup kicked off with a motorcade from the municipal grounds to the mangrove area of Barangay Tungod, a coastal barangay only three kilometers from the town proper.

An estimated 150 cleanup volunteers participated in the event.

Municipal Fire Marshal Vicente Jumamoy said that the BFP decided to extend full support to the activity not only as a response to the campaign of Mr. Public Service Daniel Razon in his television program on UNTV Channel 47 to do something good in the community even in for a day only but also because social and civic action services are included in the fundamental duties and functions of firefighters.

Jumamoy also said the activity aimed to increase awareness on marine debris’ impact on people’s health so that everybody will give importance to a clean and sustainable marine environment. - Sunday Post

Over 2O households in Sitio Kan Sadug in Barangay Sto. Rosario of Inabanga town now enjoy more potable water from a reservoir, courtesy of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) implemented by Municipio Inabanga and the Feed the Children Philippines (FTCP).

Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy and Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera led the inaugural and turnover rites of the 3,793-gallon capacity reservoir and the pipes.

PACAP of the Australian Agency for Development (AusAID) provided P200,000 for the convergence project while the municipal government shelled out P50,000 as well as technical assistance. The barangay government contributed P30,000 while the people’s organization provided the labor in the laying out of pipes system. The sitio folk also maintain the waterworks system for its maintenance.

Sto. Rosario is the 3rd project of PRO Water and Sanitation (PROWatSan) in Inabanga. The first two are the two island barangays of Cuaming and Hambungan. 

Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy reminded the beneficiaries to take care of the project for its sustainability. 

“Craft policies to properly maintain and sustain the project. In this way the next generations can still enjoy the abundance of potable water.” he said.

Meanwhile, Herrera said, “Problems start at home in every barangay”. People should be aware of and take part in what is happening around them.

He then encouraged the barangay folk to plant more trees. This will to maintain the good water source.

Cristie Leonor represented the Feed the Children, Engr. Rosavilla Villamor of the Municipal Planning Development Center and Engr. Nila Gatab of Minicipal Engineering Office attended the event. - Sunday Post

      Struggling as just a slim group of six barangays pursuing the cause on organic farming, the farmers’ group known as Casabut-OFS even expanded to the entire town of Maribojoc.

      Under the leadership of Pancrasio Villorejo as president and Jose Cyril Lobregas as vice president, Casabut-OFS has intensified its campaign and promotion of organic agriculture.

      As chair of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Lobregas catered an edge for the group to intensify its campaign on sustainable agriculture.

      Casabut-OFS is an organization of farmers practicing organic agriculture in barangays Cabawan, Aligway, San Roque, Agahay, Busao and Toril- - the major rice-producing barangays in the municipality of Maribojoc.

      Casabut stands for the combination of the names of these barangays and OFS stands for Organic Farming System which the farmer-members of the organization had adopted for more than two decades already.

      In fact, Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. has earlier expressed pride on the organization’s exemplary performance in promoting organic agriculture and encouraged them to advance their cause to “Go organic”.

      During the organization’s year-end assembly and presentation of annual accomplishment in December last year, Evasco had assured the group of the municipal government’s commitment to support the organic agriculture initiative in the town and vowed to get rid of inorganic farm inputs.

      Recently, Lobregas was elected president of the Bohol Organic Farmers’ Alliance that was organized in April 2009.     

      San Roque Barangay Captain Florencio Gentallan started the organic farming system way back in the 1980s.

      Gentallan also chairs the San Roque Multi-Purpose Cooperative which was later renamed as San Roque Small Coconut Farmers Cooperative.

      Even then, Getallan already pondered on the negative and destructive effects of using synthetic farm inputs that he thought could cause soil degradation that might leave his children with nothing of good land to till, and he wouldn’t want to be blamed.

      That became the turning point of Getallan’s point of view, urging him to start cultivating his farm without using inorganic inputs.

      He gathered bio-degradable materials in his farm and made them into a compost pit. He scattered rice straw on the rice field as fertilizer, instead of burning them.

      For the next farming seasons, he used organic materials from decaying plants or from compost pit.

      Gradually, with Getallan serving as example, the other barangay folks followed suit, convinced of the evident beneficial effects of his farming method coupled with personal and meticulous recording of farm inputs and processes.

      He became the father of a rice variety, “kasedob”, which can no longer be traced from its parent-stock.

      The year 2003 had put the organic farming initiatives of the six barangays into the limelight when the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute of Region 7 based in Tagbilaran City came in and started a pilot project on “Total Quality Production Management”.

      It was a collaborative effort between DA-ATI Region VII, MLGU-Maribojoc and the people’s organization which focused on enhancement of rice-based farm production.

      As an off-shoot to this program, Casabut-OFS was finally organized with its option to “Go organic”.

      The newly-formed organization started with 11 members who were both advocates and practitioners of organic agriculture. - Sunday Post

By Fred C. Fuertes

      “Water for all” was how Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. described the eyed P42-million waterworks system here.

      Dr. Rafael Apostol, consultant for the municipality’s waterworks improvement project, presented on June 17 the details of the eyed bacteria-free potable water for the whole municipality.

      Apostol, who was the administrator of Luwa during Cory Aquino’s presidency, was the main speaker during a consultative meeting at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall last week.

      In attendance were SB Member Fructuoso Redulla Jr. and other municipal councilors, the 22 barangay captains in the municipality and the chairpersons of different people organizations.

      Earlier. Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. explained the need to improve the town’s waterworks system into a sustainable project which will cater to the water needs of the entire municipality.

      Dr. Apostol also presented the price scheme once the project will be fully operational. Gray areas were settled after some participants raised concerns on the feasibility of the program which Mayor Evasco dubbed as “Water for All.”

      Found to be a losing venture during previous municipal administrations, it took Evasco’s political will to turn a dismal project into an income-generating one.

      The effective collection of water revenues propelled the coastal municipality into a fourth class town after the dynamic mayor directed the personnel of the  waterworks a department  to cause the disconnection of water sources after a clientele fail to fulfill the  contents of their  promissory notes.

      One of Evasco’s official acts when he took over the mayoralty seat was to create the Municipal Waterworks Management Office and installed Ricardo Nacorda- -an experienced self-made plumber- - as manager.

      With the project’s full operation in December this year, the perennial water problem of the town populace will be a thing of the past. - Sunday Post

     Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy sustained the aggressive campaign against illegal fishing in the municipality.

      As support, the municipal government provide the police team and the fish warden with patrol boat.

      In fact, Uy commended the police team and the fish warden for the recent arrest of illegal fishers caught in the act of violating a  municipal ordinance.

      The Baclayon police force recently caught a commercial fishing boat operating within the municipal waters.

      The commercial fishing boat was reportedly owned by one Elmer Chavez, a resident of Poblacion I, Tagbilaran City.

      SPO2 Jay Paredes narrated that while they were patrolling along the seawaters of Baclayon, the municipal police team and the the fish warden spotted the F/B Elzon 7 that was catching fish in the area.

      The police team found the fihermen to have violated Municipal Ordinance 3 series of 2007.

      Caught in the act were the boat captain as Teodoro Maurillo, the boat engineer as Cercio Casiro, and 34 other crew.

      They were brought to the police station for interrogation.

      Paredes said it was agreed that the banca operator has to pay the penalty of P2,500 for each of the crew.

      After paying the total penalty reached about P90,000, the fishermen were set free. - Sunday Post

      Setting the direction, the Municipal Sangguniang Kabataan Federation in Tubigon conducted a two-day strategic planning workshop on June 6-7 at Bohol Plaza in Dauis.

      With LGOOs Ma. Sharon Marimon-Halasan, Regina Gina Gatal, Josie Montes, Florencio Halasan Jr. and Engr. Lisa Layoma as resource persons and facilitators, the SK chairpersons of the different barangays of Tubigon defined some development programs based on the group’s assessment and plans.

      Tubigon Municipal SK Federation president Erica Javate explained the significance and purpose of the activity.

      Javate briefed the barangay chairpersons in the town on SK functions, IRP implementation assessment, leadership, teambuilding, ordinance and resolution-making, SK assessment and planning.

      She said SK chairpersons, as leaders, have to continuously improve their capacity and skills.

      She also cited the importance of assessment and planning in bench-marking, setting of mission and vision goals, and achieving the goals.

      The Provincial SK Federation of Bohol required municipal SK federations to conduct strategic planning workshops to set the direction of the entire youth organization and appreciate their role in nation-building.

By Adam L. Saligumba
Sunday Post

The Local Government Unit of Loon came up with another first in its long list of achievements when it launched on Friday afternoon the town's Citizen's Charter with no less than Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno as guest of honor.

Loon Citizen's Charter, created and established in compliance of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, is the first to be launched in the entire province of Bohol.

Puno and party swooped down Bohol from Manila on June 19 to witness the MOA signing of the Local Governance Support Program-Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) at Bohol Tropics Resort.

Puno's entourage included DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero, DILG Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr., and DILG Provincial Director Rustica Mascariñas.

Also present were P/SSupt Louie Oppus, head of the Operations and Planning Division of PNP-7, Bohol PNP Provincial Director P/SSupt Edgardo C. Ingking, BJMP J/Supt Felixberto Jagurin and BFP F/Supt Nonilo Acero.

In the afternoon, the national, regional and provincial officials motored to Loon where the launching of the Loon Citizen Charter was held at the Loon Sports and Cultural Center. 

Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez, Vice-Mayor Edwin Ladeza, and Loon MLGOO Josie Montes led local municipal officials, heads of departments and offices, barangay officials of the 67 barangays in the municipality, people's organization representatives, business sector representatives, and students in welcoming Puno and his entourage.

High school students from the Sacred Heart Academy and University of Bohol-Loon, waving flaglets, lined the street leading to the Loon Sports and Cultural Center and gave the Secretary a rousing welcome.

Bannering the theme, "A Medium for Transparent Governance", the launching officially started with Ladeza's welcome message, followed by a brief presentation of frontline services of the LGU by the concerned department heads.

Lopez then gave his message of commitment after which Montes presented Loon Citizen's Charter.

Lopez also unveiled the symbolic Citizen's Charter printed in a huge tarpaulin, assisted by Secretary Puno, Noval, Mascariñas, Ladeza, SB members and heads of departments and offices.

Copies of the Citizen's Charter were then given to the DILG secretary, regional director and provincial director.

Noval introduced Puno who delivered his keynote speech.

Loon Human Resource and Management Officer Sonette Ladeza then recited the Pledge of Commitment which was dramatized by the signing of the performance pledge by the municipal officials and department heads.

DILG top brass led by Secretary Puno also signed the Pledge.

Loon's 67 barangay captains received their copies of the Citizen's Charter from Mayor Lopez, Vice Mayor Ladeza and Secretary Puno. A cultural presentation was then given by the Kadugong Loonanon Dance Troupe.

The afternoon activity was capped by the closing remarks of SB Member Jesephat Palma, chairperson of the SB Committee on Good Governance.

Executive Secretary and Tourism Action Officer Reigh Monreal was the master of ceremony.

The Citizen's Charter, as mandated by Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, was enacted and signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal  Arroyo on June 2, 2007,  in response to the urgent need to establish an effective system that will eliminate bureaucratic red tape, avert  graft and corruption practices and improve the efficiency of delivery of government frontline services.

RA 9485 or Anti-Red Tape Act took effect on September 5, 2008 following the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) by the Civil Service Commission under CSC Resolution 081471 dated July 24, 2008.

The DILG, in its Memorandum Circular 2008-164 dated Nov. 4, 2008, instructed all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, punong barangays, regional directors and others concerned for the strict implementation of RA 9485, otherwise known as Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and its implementing rules and regulations.

The Circular states that in conformance to the "policy of the State to promote integrity, accountability, and proper management of public affairs and public property and to establish effective practices aimed at the prevention of graft and corruption in government, all Local Chief Executives are enjoined to strictly implement the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and its Implementing Rulers and Regulations to eliminate bureaucratic red tape, avert graft and corruption practices and improve the efficiency of delivery of government frontline services."

Citing Section 6 of RA 9485; Rule IV, IRR, the DILG Memo asserts that "each local government unit shall have an official document, a service standard, or a pledge, that communicates, in simple terms, information on the services provided by the government to its citizens, known as the Citizen's Charter. It describes the step-by-step procedure for availing a particular service, and the guaranteed performance level that they may expect from that service."

The Citizen's Charter may come in the form of information billboards which should be posted at the main entrance of offices or at the most conspicuous place, in the form of published materials written either in English, Filipino, or in the local dialect.

The Citizen's Charter includes the vision and mission of the government unit or agency, identification of the frontline service(s) offered and the clientele, step-by-step procedure to obtain a particular service, officer or employee responsible for each step, maximum time to conclude the process, document(s) to be presented by the client with a clear indication of the relevancy of said document(s), amount of fees (if necessary), procedure for filing complaints in relation to requests and applications- -including the names and contact details of the officials or channels to approach for redress, allowable period of extension due to unusual circumstances- -unforeseen events beyond the control of the concerned government office, and Feedback mechanism, contact numbers to call/or persons to approach for recommendations, inquiries, suggestions, and complaints.

The DILG memo also established the rules on frontline services such as acceptance and denial of an application or request, limitation of signatories, adoption of working schedule, identification card, and automatic extension of licenses, permits and authorities.

The formulation of Loon Citizen's Charter officially started on March 23 this year when Mayor Lopez issued Executive Order 04 of 2009, mandating the establishment of a Citizen's Charter in the municipality, and creation of a steering committee and task force that will take the lead in the formulation, writing and packaging of the Charter.

The task force was composed of Monreal as task force head, Engr. Marina Loquinte as deputy task force head, and SB Secretary Fidelino Coritico as task force secretary.

Heads of departments providing frontline services, include MSWDO OIC Maria Vilma Palacio, Aristona Ladeza of the HRMO, Municipal Engineer Noel Castrojo, MPDC Rogelio Ganados , Municipal Treasurer Teopista Marilla, Assessor Jessie G. Sevilla, MHO Dr. Tito Miranda, Dr. Dewey Demandante (In-Charge, RHU II), Mariano L. Cornito (LCR), Trinita Suello (MAO),  Engr. Nonito Gucor (Waterworks Superintendent), Adam Saligumba (MPIO) and the senior staff from each department providing.

On March 24-25 this year, Montes coordinated with the municipal department heads and Monreal in conducting an orientation workshop on RA 9485 in which they were given one month to prepare the Citizen's Charter.

In the succeeding weeks prior to the launching, the department heads, assisted by their senior staffs, reviewed the frontline services in terms of procedures, requirements, charges and fees, in the setting of new service standards, and conducted consultative meetings with the consumers and beneficiaries of the services provided by their respective departments.

They then consolidated the output of the reviews and consultative meetings and submitted it to the task force head who assumed responsibility for the final review, consolidation and finalization of the published form of the Loon Citizen's Charter. 

tell us, ikaw ba si Katrina Halili?

It was a story buried in the middle of the Indian newspapers.

Two star-crossed lovers committed suicide after the local village council, or panchayat, ordered them to annul their marriage or face death.

Amreen was Muslim and her husband, Lokesh, a Hindu. Their match was simply unacceptable to their communities. The couple poisoned themselves.

Now police have charged the entire panchayat with abetting suicide. - bbc news

Police in the Netherlands have arrested two men after a boy they are alleged to have mugged saw a picture of them on Google's internet map service.

The police believe it is the first time the Google Street View application has been used in a Dutch criminal case.

It began last year when the boy, 14, claimed he had been attacked and robbed of 165 euros ($230,£140).

Months later he contacted police again, saying he had seen himself and the alleged assailants in a Google image.

"For us, it is unique," said a police spokesman in Groningen, in the north of the country.

"The picture was taken just a moment before the crime."

Because the faces of the people in the Street View photo were blurred, the police contacted Google, seeking the original image.

The company complied, and the alleged attackers - twin brothers - were arrested.

The Street View function has expanded to cover many towns worldwide, since its launch in 2007.

But it has attracted complaints from a number of individuals and institutions photographed.

The Pentagon in the US, for example, has banned Google from including American military bases. - BBC News

A chemical found in green tea appears to slow the progression of prostate cancer, a study has suggested.

Green tea has been linked to a positive effect on a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

The research, in the US journal Cancer Prevention Research, found a significant fall in certain markers which indicate cancer development.

A UK charity said the tea might help men manage low-risk tumours.

   
This could mean completely avoiding, in some cases, any of the more usual medical interventions and their associated side effects
John Neate, The Prostate Cancer Charity

Although previous studies have shown benefits from drinking green tea - including some positive findings in relation to prostate cancer, there have been mixed results.

In this study, Philadelphia-based researchers tested a compound called Polyphenon E.

They were looking for a number of biomarkers - molecules - including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which are indicators of developing cancer.

They also looked for prostate specific antigen (PSA) - a protein only found in the prostate. Levels can rise if cancer is present.

'12 cups'

The study included 26 men, aged 41 to 72 years, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and who were scheduled for radical prostate surgery.

Patients took four capsules containing Polyphenon E for an average of 34 days, up until the day before surgery - the equivalent of around 12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea.

The study found a significant reduction in levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA, with some patients demonstrating reductions of more than 30%.

Dr James Cardelli, from the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, who led the study, said the compound, which was provided by the company Polyphenon Pharma, "may have the potential to lower the incidence and slow the progression of prostate cancer."

There were only a few reported side effects associated with this study, and liver function remained normal.

Dr Cardelli said: "We think that the use of tea polyphenols alone or in combination with other compounds currently used for cancer therapy should be explored as an approach to prevent cancer progression and recurrence."

"There is reasonably good evidence that many cancers are preventable, and our studies using plant-derived substances support the idea that plant compounds found in a healthy diet can play a role in preventing cancer development and progression."

'Keep progression at bay'

John Neate, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "There have been several studies into green tea and its potential benefits, but there is, as yet, no conclusive evidence.

"The results of this study do suggest that there is merit in further research into the effects of extracts of green tea, both in relation to its impact on the prevention of prostate cancer and in controlling progression in men already diagnosed with the disease, as was investigated in this instance."

"These initial positive findings could indicate that green tea could have a place in 'active surveillance', where a slow-growing, low risk tumour is monitored for changes and men want to take something which could help keep progression at bay.

"Potentially, this could mean completely avoiding, in some cases, any of the more usual medical interventions and their associated side effects." - BBC News

The US military beefed up defenses in Hawaii on Friday over fears that North Korea could launch a missile toward the Pacific island chain.

The US military also tracked a North Korean ship possibly carrying banned cargo -- the first vessel to be monitored under UN sanctions imposed last week after the Stalinist state carried out an underground nuclear test on May 25.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that there were concerns that North Korea might "launch a missile... in the direction of Hawaii."

He said he had approved the deployment of THAAD missile defense weapons to Hawaii and a radar system nearby "to provide support" in case of a North Korean launch. Ground-based defenses in Alaska were also at the ready, Gates added.

"I would just say I think we are in a good position should it become necessary to protect American territory," he said.

The Theatre High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapons, coupled with the radar system, are designed to shoot down ballistic missiles.

US and South Korean officials have said North Korea might be readying another ballistic missile test after three launches in 1998, 2006 and this year.

Pyongyang said its latest April 5 launch put a satellite into orbit. The United States and its allies labeled it a disguised test of a Taepodong-2 missile theoretically capable of reaching Alaska.

Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper this week quoted Japanese defense ministry sources as saying any new test of North Korea's two or three stage Taepodong-2 missile would probably be fired toward Hawaii even if it could not hit the island chain.

It quoted the ministry as saying the Taepodong-2 has a range of 4,000-6,500 kilometres (2,500-4,000 miles), but that Hawaii is more than 7,000 kilometers from the Korean peninsula.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been running high since Pyongyang carried out its second nuclear test last month.

A US defense official confirmed that the military has been monitoring a North Korean ship, the Kang Nam, that might be carrying nuclear or missile-related cargo in violation of new UN sanctions. - AFP, Agence France Presse

A broken heart led a 19-year-old janitor to kill himself after his girlfriend of one week broke up with him to be with his supervisor, according to a police investigator.

PO1 Hermogenes Capili of the Quezon City Police District said Gerald Taron hanged himself in a toilet undergoing renovation on the fifth floor of the Manhattan residential apartments building on Del Monte Avenue, Barangay Talayan, at around 7:10 a.m. on Tuesday.

“The victim committed suicide after he found out his girlfriend broke up with him after only one week and chose his boss over him,” Capili said.

He added that the victim’s girlfriend worked as a housemaid in the building.

Police said the victim’s body was found by building security guard Wilmar Abarro during a routine check. Nancy C. Carvajal, Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued today Executive Order (EO) 811 allocating P18.4 billion for the salary increase of some 1.2 million state workers starting July 1.

The allocation will be taken from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund of the General Appropriations Act of 2009.

The President signed the EO before she left for a nine-day trip that will take her to Tokyo in Japan, and Brasilia, Suape and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The P18.4 billion appropriation will cover the compensation adjustments of the first tranche of the Modified Salary Schedule for civilian personnel, and base pay for military and uniformed personnel in the national government.

The EO “adopts the first tranche of the modified salary schedule of civilian personnel and base pay schedule of military and uniformed personnel in the government, as well as the modified position classification system pursuant to Joint Resolution No.4 (s.2009).”

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in a statement, said the President expressed her gratitude to both Houses of Congress for giving her the authority, through a joint resolution (Joint Resolution 4), to implement a new compensation program for government employees that will increase salaries by an average of 50 percent spread over four years, while setting the minimum wage of civil servants higher than those of their private sector counterparts starting July 1 this year.”

Ermita said the measure is aimed at “attracting skilled and competent personnel to work in government and retaining them on the long term, as well as assuaging the economic conditions of the government’s workers.”

He pointed out that the impact of the program will be such that by July 1, 2009, the daily minimum wage of government workers of P402 will be higher than that of their private sector counterparts which remains at P382.

All government personnel of the executive, legislative, judicial branches, constitutional commissions, state colleges and universities, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and local government units will be covered by the program.

However, local government workers will have to wait for Jan. 1, 2010 to enjoy the initial benefits under EO 811. - Philippine News Agency

The Mexican Navy says it has seized more than a tonne of cocaine hidden inside the carcasses of frozen sharks.

Armed officers found slabs of cocaine inside more than 20 sharks aboard a freight ship in the Gulf coast port of Progreso in Yucatan state.

Correspondents say cartels are coming up with increasingly creative ways of smuggling drugs into the US.

Shipments of cocaine have also been discovered hidden inside sealed beer cans, religious statues and furniture.

"We are talking about more than a tonne of cocaine that was inside the ship," said Mexican Navy Commander Eduardo Villa.

He said X-ray machines and sniffer dogs had helped to uncover the haul.

"Those in charge of the shipment said it was a conserving agent but after checks we confirmed it was cocaine," he said.  - BBC

By Sharon Barbour
BBC News

Carrots
Chef's tip: Chop after cooking

The anti-cancer properties of carrots are more potent if the vegetable is not cut up before cooking, research shows.

Scientists found "boiled before cut" carrots contained 25% more of the anti-cancer compound falcarinol than those chopped up first.

Experiments on rats fed falcarinol have shown they develop fewer tumours.

The Newcastle University study will be presented at NutrEvent, a conference on nutrition and health, to be held in France.

Lead researcher Dr Kirsten Brandt, from Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, said: "Chopping up your carrots increases the surface area so more of the nutrients leach out into the water while they are cooked.

"By keeping them whole and chopping them up afterwards you are locking in nutrients and the taste, so the carrot is better for you all round."

The Newcastle scientist, along with colleagues at the University of Denmark, discovered the health benefits of falcarinol in carrots four years ago.

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net

The country’s business process outsourcing industry should maintain its high standards in spoken English training if it wants to stay ahead in the cutthroat global outsourced call center industry, a report said.

Quoting an Australian English language academic Paul Robertson, the report published in CallCentres.Net said poor English teaching methods could also lead to fewer Filipinos who could speak English fluently.

Speaking to Radio Australia News, Robertson was also quoted as saying that there are fewer English speakers outside of Metro Manila and Cebu.

“And if you do (find someone), local dialects impact on their English speaking. The Filipinos are just not equipped for this,” Roberston said in an interview with the Radio Australia News.

In the same interview, Robertson further described the Philippines’ spoken English teaching as “substandard”

“They want to be the world’s leader in call centers, sparking off India. But they are grabbing people ‘of the street’ who you and I couldn’t understand and giving them a few days training. It’s just not good enough,” Robertson said.

But Robertson, who has offices in Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines, acknowledged that the Philippines has become “the Mecca of English language learning” in the Southeast Asian region in the last two years.

The Philippines’ BPO business is the fastest growing IT sector hiring nearly 500,000 people with over half of these in the call center business.

The Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) expects the industry to grow between US$12 billion and US$13 billion by 2010.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Cooler heads finally prevailed after two town dads diplomatically banged the hammer to seal an age-long irritant dispute between Inabanga and Clarin towns.

After bearing with problems of alleged boundary incursions and unprotected white sand poaching in disputed Macalingao islet, Mayors Jose Jono Jumamoy and Hermogenes Diezon of nearby Clarin have finally come to the table to talk likereal gentlemen about the issue.

Finally coming up with a win-win solution, both towns agree co-ownership, some parts belonging to Inabanga and the part, to Clarin.

Mayor Jumamoy, in a recent interview bared that Macalinao, an islet off Clarin and Inabanga has been a venue for white sand poaching by enterprising people who see the business of supplying Cebu resorts with white sand for their beaches very lucrative.

The islet, technically an uninhabited sand bar disappears during high tides, but has a teeming sea grass environment and would rather be very helpful in sustaining local fisheries, Jumamoy stressed.

Besides, he added, making it known that the island is co-owned by two towns doubles up its chances of protection, especially in the implementation of the resource and coastal law enforcement measures.

“Protecting Macalingao from poachers now is ascertained, unlike before when towns implementing coastal and island resource protection is uncertain over disputed claims,” Mayor Jumamoy said.

Sources close to both towns agree that the islet, like Puntod and Bugatoson also fall as victims.

Earlier Clarin Mayor Diezon also said his town is happy that they have finally sealed the co-ownership of the islet.

He said his town council has allowed him to initiate settlement proceedings with Inabanga over the disputed islet.

Both mayors reportedly met at Macalinago islet Thursday to finally sign the agreement papers and start co-ownership proceedings. (rachiu/PIA)

By Loy Palapos

Fab @ Five is the current theme of Island City mall as it celebrates the fifth year of consummate consumer service. Fabulous at five years.

Spearheading the celebration is Mr. Mario Florig Cirujales (MFC), the Operations Manager of ICM. Younger and more boyish looking than his 49 years, he exudes a kind of affable innocence encapsulating a humility seldom observed among men who tried and succeeded in making themselves productive members of the society.

He does not have any negative feeling, telling anybody who asks, that he worked his way through college. After his arduous quest for a college diploma, he applied at Alturas Supermarket Corporation (at that time in its fledging phase) and was accepted. A few years later, the travel bug took a bite and, desirous to earn fast dollar he flew to Saudi Arabia as an OFW.

The homing instinct took control again, and he was back to Bohol after nine years.

Trying government service as a casual, he realized it was futile to even dream of a permanent status of employment sans the ubiquitous political backer. Back to the private world, he tried other employments, like managing the local office of Laoag International, which folded up after the airline suffered its first crash. Bohol Tropics and Resort Club took him in to supervise its crew, especially the waiters.

It was during this employment that he realized his future was with Alturas, his first company.

Months of exposures and trainings followed: Plaza Marcela, Colonade (Cebu), Alturas-Talibon, and Alturas-Tagbilaran. And he was ripe for the big job: as Store manager of Island City Mall, which opened five years ago. Now, in full control of any situation that may arise during his watch, he has gained more confidence.

Married to Mayfleur Usaraga-Cirujales, and having two sons: Mhar Amiel (7), and Mhar Benedict (3), this late bloomer has found his rightful place in the sun.

LMP: How long have you been with ICM?
MFC: Since it opened its doors to the public on June 26, 2004.

LMP: Your first employment after production was at Alturas Supermarket Corporati0on. Why did you leave?
MFC: The promise of petro-dollars in the Middle East was very tempting. At that time, I was also ready to embark on an adventure, because I was still single. Like a typical Boholano, I also wanted to travel while seeking for my good fortune, if there was any.

LMP: Did you find what you were seeking for?
MFC: In terms of financial reward, it was fulfilling. But there are intangible things money can't buy. For instance, I felt homesick. Saudi Arabia was a completely strange land, with alien culture and value systems. I yearned for home, so after nine years I came back. It was a relief to be home again.

LMP: Was finding a job back in Bohol easy for you, after your Saudi Arabia sojourn?
MFC: Definitely, not. I tried government service for 3 years. Always as a casual. I then learned a strong backer was needed to be a part of the mainstream public bureaucracy. Some strings needed to be pulled before I can be a regular employee, but I did not have the access to them, nor any "godfathers" who could help me.

LMP: So, what did you do?
MFC: I decided to go private again, and had a series of jobs. Partly fulfilling…but something was still missing.

LMP: And you found that missing link at Alturas?
MFC: But I had to spend laborious months to prepare myself. It was not handed on a silver platter. I worked hard to earn the merits I'm now enjoying.

LMP: So, there's no turning back? You are and Alturas getting through and through?
MFC: The Alturas Group of Companies made me what I am now, and I am forever grateful. I will be with AGC, as long as the management needs me.

LMP: So, this is your 5th year at ICM. Have there been any noticeable changes in you?
MFC: A lot. I have learned a lot in my job. I am more knowledgeable with my tasks, more tolerant about other people's idiosyncries and I am more confident in dealing with all kinds of people. I have also acquired an awareness I did not have before. Awareness of my responsibilities to my job, to my superiors, and the customers I serve.

LMP: What are in store for the 5th anniversary celebration of ICM?
MFC: The celebration is for one whole week, with varied activities daily. During the whole duration, from June 22 to 28, we are giving to the public the usual Food Fare; and this time we have more variations of native foods and delicacies. Also on the first day, on Monday, we have our Festival Queen Search, plus "U Cn Ul Danz" Dance Slowdown. This following day is a Song Fest; on the 24th is the Hunk and Babe Grand Finals.

LMP: Is this an on-going project?
MFC: Yes, we started it months ago on weekends. This time we have the finals. EZ Dancing is next; the search for the Cutest baby 2009, and Kiddy Party (complete with puppets and mascots) are scheduled on June 25, Thursday.

LMP: Are these for ICM employees only?
MFC: No. They are for the general public. You will take note that we have balanced our programming, so all ages can participate. We are requesting the parents that for the baby Contests, they will register earlier to avoid the hassles of the rush.

LMP: Usually, a sale is made in a celebration like this. Do you have any?
MFC: Of course! We have a 3-Day Sale from June 26 to 28. Discounts reach 70% on selected items. In our Sale last year some of the most coveted were household furniture and facilities. We expect the same thing to happen.

LMP: I understand, people will know about these through the local newspapers and radio stations. How about those who don't listen neither to the radio nor read newspaper? How are they informed about this celebration?
MFC: We have very long motorcade on June 27, Saturday. We plan to include the whole City in the motorcade. Like in the previous years, Tagbilaran will witness the longest and most number of decorated tricycles along the main thoroughfares as far as Taloto. ICM always has the largest motorcade annually. And the most vibrant!

LMP: What is planned for the anniversary date itself?
MFC: The most lively and interesting "Kwarta o Kaban". This is a big-budgeted Game Show with audience participation. Last year, the Game Show was a highlight which people enjoyed the most.

LMP: You invited a few in-demand national Bands in the previous years. Are you doing it now?
MFC: That would be after the motorcade, at the car park. Ely Buendia of Pupil will perform.

LMP: Is this Buendia the same popular singer whose concert at the Fort in Taguig was halted because of a heart attack?
MFC: Yes. The same talent and his group. He is so in-demand, we had a hard time booking him. All will be delighted seeing him perform again. And in Bohol at that! We are that lucky to win his nod.

LMP: How do you end the celebration on the final day?
MFC: June 28 is a Sunday, the time when ICM is overflowing with humanity. We are having the "Go Green" Event in cooperation with Panaghoy Foundation of Cesar Montano. The Boholano actor himself will be around for the event. So we are expecting a really big crowd.

LMP: I noticed that people have learned to love ICM. The weekend crowd are so massive. Is this an indication that they have learned to patronize ICM?
MFC: How else?! In Tagbilaran City, there's no place like ICM, especially on weekends. I even notice whole families coming and staying the whole day. Varieties of foods are available, catering to all kinds of pockets. There is total entertainment and comfort as they shop at very affordable prizes.

LMP: Do you expect the celebration to be a big success?
MFC: Remember the thousands of people of all ages during the Pinoy Big Brother audition? Remember last month's Tanduay band Concert? All people, not just Boholanos, have made Island City Mall a part of their lives. In fact this year…because everybody, especially the general public, feels fabulous in five years of total customer service, we have as our theme, "Fab @ 5".

It was obvious that during this interview Mario F. Cirujales was, at times, carried along with passion. Animated extremities, vibrant eyes, contagious smiles…they spelled out the optimism that totally engulfed him. Nobody could blame the guy. He was only expressing his great expectations that what he felt in also experienced by all Boholanos… that feeling of euphoria resulting from success.

The Confederation of Boholanos, USA and Canada Incorporated or Conbusac expects to gather hundreds of Boholanos from all over the United States and Canada during the 12th Biennial Convention dubbed as Sleepless in Seattle 2009 on July 2 to 6 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue, Washington- -a suburb of Seattle. 
       
The Bohol Association of Washington State, Incorporated or BOAWAS, under Nat Calacat as president and Mely Cagaanan as vice-president, will host the convention.

The gathering is aimed at providing an opportunity for US-based Boholanos to meet and know each other.

Conbusac president Carlos Cagaanan has invited Governor Erico Aumentado and wife, Grenie, to be the guests of honor during the occasion.

Cagaanan asked the governor to be the keynote speaker during the gala night on July 4.

Cagaanan has also requested Aumentado to extend the invitation to key officials in the provincial government and the local government units whom the governor believe can assist Conbusac in formulating strategies that would benefit the less-privileged Boholanos back home.

He expects the governor and the dignitaries that he would recommend to participate in the Council of Leaders meeting on July 3 and during the general convention called Tigum Bol-anon on July 4.

Conbusac and BOAWAS have been supportive to the programs of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian.(AV)

By Sunday Post

Like the "Charge of the Light Brigade", two former delegates of the 1971 Constitutional Convention led disgruntled Boholanos, in their opposition to a House initiative, calling for a constituent assembly or con ass.

House Resolution 1109 authored by Speaker Prospero Nograles called for a constituent assembly even without Senate participation after it managed to obtain a simple majority in its session midnight of Monday.

Known as the con ass initiative, it was done in haste provoking outrage from practically all sectors of society.

In Bohol, ex-Concon delegates Victor de la Serna and Natalio "Chito" Castillo, Jr. rallied Boholanos to thrash the Congress resolution saying it was the height of shamelessness and arrogance.

It was a case of an odd combination for the two combative personalities when a supposed administration stalwart joined them in their spirited effort to come up with a common stand against con ass irregardless of political color.

Throwing political caution to the wind, acting Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera joined the de la Serna-Castillo duet in castigating the congressmen who voted affirmatively to the controversial resolution.

Even Mayor Dan Neri Lim also painted his own grim scenario should the people failed to derail the con ass express in its tracks. The city mayor warned of a major political upheaval should the people decide to take the law into their own hands.

There was no question that it was railroaded in the House when it was voted viva voce in the plenary. An overwhelming majority carried the resolution to its final approval about midnight Monday despite the legislative heroics of opposition congressmen to place it in the back burner.

In the aftermath of the indecent proposal to mangle the Constitution by all means--say like the dreaded con ass, the three Bohol congressmen were men enough to own up responsibility as signatories of the measure.

The first to make a sound byte about his con ass vote was Cong. Adam Relson Jala of the third district.

Jala's stand was already anti-climatic after he provided the trigger mechanism that led to the passage of House Resolution 1109. The young Jala was the congressman who filed a petition before the Supreme Court asking the high tribunal to make a definitive ruling on a vague constitutional provision whether Congress as one will vote jointly or separately on issues like dismantling the fundamental law of the land. 
       
Without missing a beat, the High Court dismissed the Jala petition as still premature but just the same the political maneuver succeeded in stirring a hornet's nest in the House. In its ruling, the high tribunal ruled as premature Jala's petition for lack of justiciable reason.

Jala filed the petition after delivering a privilege speech in the House floor on the same issue whether Congress can act as one body to constitute a constituent assembly, one of the modes allowed by law in tinkering the charter.

As for the two other congressmen-Edgar Chatto and Roberto Cajes, they confirmed that they were part of the 171 congressmen who did sign the controversial resolution.

CHATTO'S POSITION

In affirming his signature to the resolution, Chatto said his position has always been consistent every time constitutional change is discussed in the floor.

As in his previous pronouncements, he was for constitutional convention, citing it as the most democratic and participatory mode of introducing charter change.

However, he said, it was his belief that on the con ass issue repeatedly brought before the plenary, the same must find its way to the Supreme Court to resolve the ambiguity of the constitutional provision regarding joint or separate voting of the Senate and the House. He added that the two chambers must be part of the process although other would claim otherwise.

He argued that a definite SC ruling on the issue will form part of the law of the land, hence, a clear guide in future moves of amending the charter.

With that in mind, Chatto said, and with the adoption of provisions on no postponement of the 2010 elections, no term limits for all elected national and local officials and other conditions, "I voted in the affirmative with the strong reservations consistent with my earlier position in the 13th Congress".

CAJES' STAND

As for Cong. Cajes, he urged the Post to read House Resolution 1109 en toto for a better understanding of its provisions.

The second district lawmaker said the primary purpose of the resolution is to have an actual justiciable controversy so that the SC will judicially and finally determine the correct interpretation on the constitutional issues as mandated in Section 1 Article 17 of the Constitution which states that : Any amendment to or revision of the constitution may be proposed by Congress, upon a vote of ¾ of all its members or by a constitutional convention.

In justifying his yes vote, he took shelter to at least two caveats of the resolution. One, that there shall be elections in 2010. Two, that the term of the President, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, whose term will expire in 2010 shall not be extended.

But con ass oppositors led by the two ex-Concon delegates refused to be swayed into agreeing with the arguments espoused by the three solons.

As for Herrera, at the risk of running afoul with the stand of administration allies rooting for the resolution, he said it was the height of insensitivity for Congress to ram through the people an unpopular move like con ass.

Lim, for his part, was also categorical in his opposition to the Congress resolution calling for a con ass.

To show his dismay to the Congress resolution, he offered to lead a protest-rally if only to dramatize his position that he was against this manner of changing the constitution.

DE LA SERNA TIRADES

De la Serna's tirades were typical de la Serna.

In his press statement, he said the House resolution convening itself into a constituent assembly was perhaps the most blatant display of arrogance and shamelessness in the face of overwhelming sentiment of the people against charter change.
He said it was arrogance because they themselves know that what they are doing was violative of the Constitution.

It was also shameless, according to de la Serna, because 80% of the people were strongly against charter change.

He added that instead of devoting their time to alleviate the suffering of the people due to poverty, massive unemployment, hunger, the broken educational system and utter lack of basic services, they have instead chosen to indulge Gloria Arroyo and betrayed their people and enrich themselves in the process.

CASTILLO's OWN CON ASS BARBS

Scheming, deceitful, shameful was how Castillo described his disgust on the act of Congress whose members are loyal to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.The majority bloc in the House approved last week in record time a resolution pushing for a constituent assembly that will amend the 1987 constitution.

Castillo's press statement read further: "the move to change the fundamental law of the land was included in Arroyo's campaign platform during the 2004 elections and was considered as a high priority. Immediately after her victory the president issued Executive Order No. 453 creating a consultative commission whose task was to propose the "necessary" revisions on the charter.

After about a year of consultations, the commission came up with proposals that included, among others, a shift to a unicameral parliamentary form of government.

This has been met with storms of protest from various sectors. As a matter of record, then Speaker Jose de Venecia, alarmed by the enormity of such public outrage, announced in Malacañang that the House of Representatives will no longer pursue cha cha.

Subsequent turn of events, however, proved that the much abhorred ChaCha is not dead. It has been resurrected by scheming members of Congress whose terms of office will end in 2010. Majority of the Filipinos, however, are opposed to any amendment of the constitution claiming that these cunning legislators connived for the passing of the Con ass resolution".

Having similar sentiment as that of countless Arroyo critics, Castillo warned that in countries where a unicameral parliamentary system is adopted there are no term limits of elected officials. Thus, what he describes as the indecent haste by which the president's minions passed House Resolution 1109 last Monday will pave the way for cha cha the primary aim of which is to lift the term limits of incumbent officials, specifically that of the president.

The feisty defender of the constitution condemned the insistence of the officials of the Arroyo administration to push for cha cha. "They do everything in their power to maliciously and immorally extend their positions in government," he stated.

"Why force the issue?" Castillo remarked, citing that past and current surveys reveal that a good three-fourths of the Filipinos are against changing the constitution.

As regards economic development, the former ConCon delegate asserts that ChaCha will not immediately nor for the next ten to 15 years eradicate poverty and hunger which most of our brother Filipinos are mired in today. According to him, amending the constitution will not build 40,000 school buildings nor generate enough jobs for the burgeoning number of unemployed college graduates. Above all, it will not give dignity back to the long-abandoned farmers and fisherfolks.

Castillo then appeals to the three congressmen of Bohol to convince Arroyo, just this once and for the higher interest of the majority of the Filipino people, to reconsider the very unpopular move that is ChaCha.

"Our representatives in Congress should persuade their president to leave ChaCha to the next administration and abandon this road to perdition or they themselves will face the wrath of an angry constituency," he stresses.

A son of a former congressman and executive secretary of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Castillo also appeals to all Boholanos to stand up and be counted at this point in time more than ever in the past to stop the president and her political allies from "gang-raping" the constitution after having filched the national coffers through their reported scams and shady deals.

"We should not forever be deceived and muted like clowns seemingly enjoying the mockery done to our revered constitution," Castillo advises his "paisanos".

Lastly, the former ConCon delegate calls on every Boholano to pray for his country that it be spared from a dreadful catastrophe should the present leadership insists on the folly to extend the terms in office of elected government officials.

By Sunday Post

Acting Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera has categorically declared his opposition to the move to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly.

The vice-governor reiterated his stand when interviewed on "Kwentas Klaras" hosted by Post publisher BG Guingguing, lawyer Salvador Diputado and Ted Ayeng over Station DyTR.

"First of all, I have been consistent in my stand that if there is going to be a constitutional amendment, it will be through a Constitutional Convention," declared the vice-governor.

Herrera revealed that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan where he presiding officer already came out with a stand through a resolution that any constitutional amendment will have to take place after 2010.

"This is to ensure that no one from among those holding public office will benefit from such an amendment," said the vice-governor who is also national president of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines.

Herrera also lamented the voting which was done by viva voce.
   
He said it was obscene for Bohol's three congressmen to defend the controversial resolution but they did not elaborate on their position.

In fairness to the three, Herrera said he had high respect for Rep. Adam Relson Jala of the third district who, although the only neophyte among the three, explained his position during the plenary.

The vice-governor said what made the vote obscene was the fact that there is a process that was needed to be complied with first.

"The fact that they voted for this reveals their bad intention," he added.

The vice-governor said that if there were two pieces of cake, the three solons ate one when they voted for the con-ass resolution and still wanted to have a part in the second which is the 2010 elections.

Asked whether he would be willing to try to convince the three congressmen to change their votes, Herrera declined saying that they are supposed to be honorable men and they know what they are doing.

The vice-governor also decried the position taken by the three solons which they made without consulting their constituents.

"They presume that as representatives of their district, everything they do is right," he added.

The vice-governor also noted that while the issue should be discussed thoroughly by constituents down to the barangay level, this is not the case.

"They are more concerned with the business of survival and making a living," he added.

During the same interview, Herrera also reiterated that he remains with Lakas despite reports that Sen. Manny Villar's Nacionalista Party has gained headway in Bohol with the recruitment of virtually half of its mayors.

He said he is waiting for Gov. Erico Aumentado to discuss the matter about the mass defection.

Aumentado is with the party of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which visited South Korea and Russia.

By Sunday Post

The Alliance for Health Aid Program, Inc. (Ahapi) a non-government organization, in coordination with the Philippine Gift of Life Foundation, Super Natural Bio Oil (SNO), the Province of Bohol through Gov. Erico Aumentado and Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr., the Local Government of Inabanga under Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy and Lawis Barangay Captain Wenefreda Tan and her council recently conducted a medical mission in Rowena Village.

Lawis is one of this town's coastal barangays.
       
Ahapi Operations Manager Russ Bayno said their community outreach program aims to attend to the needs of some 68,000 senior citizens all over Bohol through a series of medical missions. Inabanga is the ninth town that the organization has so far visited, he said,

Aside from Bayno, Ahapi staff assisting in the medical mission were Community Outreach Program Coordinator Fabio Ontong, Jr., adviser Primitiva Ontong, volunteer physician Estrella Lim, Paul Cardona, pharmacists, nurses, a technician and other volunteers.

Dr. Mae Lilibeth Melicor and Dr. Madonna Andaya, municipal health officers, and Rural Health Unit II staff assisted in the mission co-sponsored by the congressmen and Provincial Board members of the three districts of Bohol and Byro Pharma, Inc.

By Sunday Post

Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol - This eastern town does not only have rich limestone deposits that would last for generations but also enjoys rich agricultural assets.

It showcased its harvest of fruits, vegetables and other crops during the 155th foundation day celebration on May 27, 2009.

Officials here led by Mayor Myrna Naldoza Schreurs consider themselves proud of the harvests and of the farmer's labor after Vice-Gov. Julius Herrera distributed free vegetable seeds here months back.

Farmer Ireneo Cadenas of barangay Catmon here put on show his harvests, ampalaya and beans (sitao) from the seed subsidy, in a booth lined up at the fair site, just beside the centuries-old church. Cadenas showed to Herrera his harvests for sale with the presence of barangay and municipal officials, including Vice-Mayor Miguelito Galindez and municipal councilors minutes after the fair opening rites.
       
Herrera, who ceremoniously presided over the agri-fair ribbon-cutting ceremonies, expressed elation and commended the towns' effort through Schreurs in making agriculture a priority. He told the audience to emulate Cadenas for his feat.

He said he would continue to provide vegetable and coconut seeds just to prove his commitment to improving farming for food security.

He said nurturing agriculture is the best venture the people can do in these trying times, saying, "no one is a loser if he invests in agriculture."

On the same development, Herrera also expressed appreciation to barangay officials led by punong barangay Rufina Frajelle of Sta. Cruz, Dagohoy town.

Barangayfolk celebrated the 51st foundation anniversary of their barangay on May 28, 2009 with elaborate farm produce showcase.

The vice-governor commended the leadership of Sta. Cruz for the efforts in agricultural development and ensuring food security when several booths exhibited their harvests.

Herrera was represented by Atty. Lahar Ayuban, chief of office at vice-governor's office, during Sta. Cruz foundation day celebration. Board Members Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos and Amalia R. Tirol also attended the said event and did not leave without buying the affordable vegetables and crops.

The vice-governor said that such undertakings (agri-fairs) are proof of Boholanos diligence to farming. It is encouraging and it shows the people are starting to respond to his call for green revolution in the barangay level, he said.

Frajelle was assisted by barangay councilors Arnold Jeminos and Nilo Jeminos, municipal agricultural officer Peter Calamba and Dr. Hermogenes Ricafort. (RVO)
Team Inabanga is tennis champ

TEAM Inabanga brought home the biggest haul after four days of court hostilities last week in the Sports World Age Group Tennis Tournament at the Green Clay Tennis Court of the Panglao Island Nature Resort in Dauis town.

The Inabangnon boys and girls in the 18-under, 16-under, 14-under and 12-under categories lorded it over their counterparts in the event sponsored by Prince in coordination with Bohol Quality Mall.

Of the six out of seven categories that Inabanga fielded entries, four romped away as champions. A fifth settled for runner-up.

They are Geneveve Petecio, 18-under; Ma.Goldie Uy, 16-under, Denice Kaye Jumamoy Alota, 12-under and Christian Dave Melencion, 16-under.

Brent Jumamoy was runner-up in the 12-under, boys.

Earlier, Joanne Ashley Jumamoy, 12-under; Dave Keith Alota, 14-under and Bryle Jumamoy, 12-under made it to the semi-finals list while Mark Gil Niño and Rico Boy Regis in the 16-under category managed the quarter finals only.

Sports is a major thrust of the local government unit (LGU) of Inabanga under Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy.

He said Inabanga has proven its supremacy not just in basketball but also in tennis after these racket wielders dominated the court.

The feat is an affirmation of the saying that you reap what you sow.

Municipio Inabanga had constructed the Francisco Dagohoy Tennis Court in Barangay Poblacion and assisted the Francisco Dagohoy Tennis Club as part of its Sports Development Program, and listed the young tennisters as associate members. Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Rodrigo Jumamoy is the club president.

"Potential talents have been discovered, skills have been developed and the atmosphere of tennis excellence has been built in a strong foundation," the mayor said.

He also urged the youngsters to join the club to foster camaraderie in a group with the same interests.

To sustain interest in the activity and to hone the players' skills, tournaments, tennis clinics and trainings that provide quality coaching to junior and senior players are conducted on a regular basis.

By Sunday Post

If the streamers can speak for it, that confirms the tandem of Representatives Edgar Chatto of the first district and Roberto Cajes of the second district in the 2010 gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial race.

The streamers along the highway and those displayed in the barrios during fiesta celebrations indicate the tandem of the two congressmen.

In Montaña, streamers hanged on posts indicate Chatto for governor and Cajes for vice-governor.
   
The streamers were believed placed for exposure during the foundation day of Montaña on June 10 and its fiesta on June 13.

Chatto's men were seen putting up the Cajes' streamers in the first district barangays, while Cajes' men were seen doing it for Chatto, in return, in the second district barangays.

Chatto's choice of Cajes is aimed at neutralizing the vote-making capacity of Governor Erico Aumentado who is running for congressman in the second district and is expected to back the Herrera-Abapo tandem.

Meanwhile, Vice-Governor Julius Caesar Herrera and Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. has intensified the distribution of seedlings as provincial aid to the barrios.

Last Wednesday, the team of Herrera and Abapo were in Sevilla, Albur and Baclayon to hand over the cash assistance of P10,000 to each of the barangays in the towns.

By Sunday Post

Refusing to call it a junket, councilors from Bohol reportedly spent over P2 million in the 7th Philippine Councilors League Visayas Island Congress held on June 4-6 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

Reports had it that over 300 councilors from the 47 towns of Bohol and Tagbilaran City trooped to Cebu for the event.
       
Each of the participant paid a registration fee of P8,000 which excludes the transportation expenses and allowance.

The expenses were charged to their annual travelling allowance which is now almost consumed.

Only two members of the City Council of Tagbilaran stayed- -Councilor Edgar Bompat and Sangguniang Kabataan president Ramy Alturas.

Moreover, Vice-Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso was in Dumaguete City then, to attend the Vice Mayors League sportsfest.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Baclayon recently passed a resolution a resolution recommending Joel Uichico of Bezo Recreational and Aquatiic Activities of Bohol (Braabo) to be considered by the Office of the Governor as one of the nominees for the Sikatuna Award.

Initiated by Municipal Councilor Erico Joseph Cañete, the SB unanimously approved the resolution during its regular session on May 18.

The local officials of Baclayon described Uichico in the resolution as "a benevolent and respected person who is very famous for his numerous activities to preserve the marine and terrestrial environment".

Montaña Barangay Kagawad Neria Guingguing last week sponsored a resolution supporting the SB resolution.

The SB resolution cited Uichico's contribution to the progress of Baclayon by initiating various community development programs.

Uichico had organized cooperatives and extended financial assistance to the coop members to facilitate livelihood and economic upliftment.

As manager of Braabo, he introduced and discovered new dive sites, adventure trails, and heritage tour projects for the municipality of Baclayon and helped in the development of the tourism industry in the town, the SB resolution cited.

The local officials also expressed appreciation to Braabo through Uichico and Beatriz Susana Zobel de Ayala for the donation of a tourism activity center to the municipality which has been eyed to boost the tourism industry in the town.

By Sunday Post

Independence Day brings in better chances of a good live to members of three Boholano women organizations when the government hands in a sum of P137,000, for their identified livelihood projects in time for the Kalayaan Day, June 12.

The three groups, all of Guindulman town would be awarded funds for meat processing and goat and chicken raising on that day, says Labor Regional Director Elias Cayanong in a communication to concerned government agencies. 
       
This too as the country commemorates the 111th anniversary of the Philippine Independence which is highlighted by livelihood fairs, awarding of employment contracts, training vouchers, scholarships and grants for livelihood assistance, opening of public assistance centers, entertainment, fireworks display and the usual flag raising and wreathe laying activities, bares the labor department.

It may be recalled that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as the lead agency in the organization and implementation of programs and activities in commemoration of the 111th Philippine Independence.

Pursuant to the presidential Administrative Order, DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque crafted the inter-agency task force to oversee and manage the nationwide Kalayaan '09 celebration.

Twenty four members of the Asosasyon sa Nagkahiusang Kababayen-an sa Bayong of Guindulman town would be awarded P33,187 for training cum production (TCP) funds on meat processing.

On the other hand, 33 members of the Bunhayag Kababayen-ang Nagpakabana ug Matinud-anon of Canhaway gets P66,000 for TCP on goat raising funds from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7.

Another women's group, Lantay Women's Association of barangay Lombog gets P37,940 for TCP on native chicken raising for its 29 members.

Representatives from these Guindulman women organizations would be off to Cebu to get the awards in time for the June 12 activities at the SM Cebu Entertainment Plaza, where all major regional independence day activities open.

This year's organizing committee bared that the commemoration centers on "Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan. (rachiu/PIA)

By Sunday Post

For the first time since 2007, some Loaynons going home for today's fiesta, would be in surprise mode , if they notice how the town is progressing under the direction of Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy.

For one, it was history in the making for the young lady mayor.

It was in 2007 when Mayor Lim-Imboy, scion of the wealthy Enerio-Lim clan of Loay, that she was catapulted as chief executive. Her reign ended the storied Inting-Clarin rivalry in Loay politics that spanned several decades.

Enter Mayor Lim-Imboy and Loay politics was never the same again.

Buoyed up by unsolicited accolades that Loay is now in good hands, Mayor Lim-Imboy appeared living up to the compliment as if walking in a tightrope for fear that she would go the way of her predecessors who to her own words were only good at satisfying their personal interests.

Brave words in a place populated by illustrious sons and daughters who made their marks in the annals of Philippine politics.

But the lady mayor is undaunted of cultivating a persona where a daily routine is dramatized by meeting all sorts of characters-friend or foe.

Thus, when she buckled down to work the first days in office, she made it clear to her constituents that she was there for good; that honesty and transparency were the hallmarks of her administration.

Such bold pronouncement may sound preposterous to some people sensing that what they saw in their town mayor was a pretty face between her ears. That they thought was her only asset in claiming the Loay mayoralty seat plus of course oodles upon oodles of money.

Yes, money did play in Lim-Imboy's political victory but that is another story. After all, why would she be faulted if she was born with a silver spoon.

NOT ALL PRETTY FACE

Two years in office proved that the mayor was not all pretty face. Using her beauty and charm to the hilt, she succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of his political enemies. What remains in his charm diplomacy to increase his political capital are the hardcore enemies who doesn't see anything right in what he does.

She said, for lack of anything to do, her enemies did nothing except sabotage every move she makes so that she fail in her administration.

INCREASE IN REVENUES

With his political game plan in place, she surprised Loaynons by increasing the local income. From a paltry P900,000 in 2006, the revenue ballooned to a whooping P3.5 million a year after. Her target this year was that the income will hit the P6 million mark.
       
This is where transparency and honesty play their role.

According to the lady mayor, because she was transparent in her disposition, she struck a resonant chord in the hearts of Loaynons in settling their tax dues.

The bulk of the increase in taxes was the honest collection of market and wharf fees. Loay port is a good source of revenue if the collection agency is efficient in collecting tax dues from fishing vessels using the local wharf as their docking port.

Where does honesty come in?

To Mayor Lim-Imboy, honesty became her trademark every afternoon because tax collections during the day are always deposited to a local bank when the time strikes at 3:00 pm.

Being emphatic with honesty drove home the point that during the time of her predecessors, daily collections were withheld by their revenue collectors in their office vaults.

Payments of mayor's and business permits are also a lucrative source of income. Because she deals with fairness to everybody making transactions in the municipal hall, the end result was increased tax collection.

According to Mayor Lim-Imboy, for as long as the taxpayers know that their mayor was honest and transparent in her dealings they would not hesitate to pay their dues.

Infrastructure is another concern Mayor Lim-Imboy has given top priority.

Cultivating a trait with that of one who can not take no for an answer, again, the lady mayor used her charm to wiggle her way out in the soft spot of the hearts of Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap, DOTC Sec. Leandro Mendoza, and Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla.

Sec. Yap, whose DA enclave is oozing with cash, gave P15 million for the expansion of the local fish port. Once completed, the fish port will become the home port of inter-island vessels plying key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. Yap added P5 million for a farm-to-market road.

As for Sec. Mendoza who is a family friend of his elder brother Jun Lim of Lite Shipping fame, his DOTC released P5 million for a reclamation project while the second tranche of P18 million is pending in the pipeline.

Both Senators Estrada and Revilla have poured in P1 million a piece for the Loay Public Market.

WATERWORKS SYSTEM

Loay's waterworks system is a perennial headache since time immemorial.

But a lady mayor at that is taking "the bull by the horn".

With Loay coffers bulging with funds due to collection efficiency, she estimated that by year end the town's water problem will be solved.

The town is saddled with the absence of potable water generated by its waterworks system. The lady mayor said Loay's water from its water supplier sourced in nearby Loboc becomes potable when the town is able to buy a flirtation equipment amounting to P8.5 million.

DISCOVERING TALENTS

Another Lim-Imboy priority is the discovery of hidden talents which are endemic to Loay's youth.

The lady mayor was proud that in the recent Miss Teen competition sponsored by the Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation a homegrown talent went home with the title. She is Ma. Glaiza Lepiten.

In sports, the young mayor also discovered that Loay athletes can excel if given the proper break and training.

This explained why in the recent congressional athletic meet, Loay which used to be a tail ender in previous sports events became the overall champion for the first time.

Another transformation the mayor was proud of was how she utilized a white elephant into a useable edifice.

For years, what was built to be a hospital during the time of ex cong. Isidro laid idle in the highway of Las Salinas.

It took the political will of a lady mayor to make into productive use the idle building. Now, it proudly stands as a mute testimonial of the lady's tenacity to make things happen. The building that was designed to be a hospital was converted into the offices of several local government agencies.

Like any forward looking executive, Mayor Lim-Imboy also included in her platform of governance concerns on health, peace and order, economic enterprises, social services, agriculture development, environmental protection, among others.

Now, in the threshold of her first term in office, the energetic mayor is hoping that at the end of the term, she will be remembered as the best mayor Loay ever had. For true-blue Loaynons, it was never contemplated before even during the heydays of the heated Clarin-Inting fight for political supremacy in the town.

But who knows, the first lady mayor, might do the trick and woe unto her enemies who are plotting ill-will every step of her way as Loay mayor. It may be a tall order but with the resourcefulness of May Lim-Imboy that is not difficult to hurdle given her penchant for results.

By Adam L. Saligumba

Loon's corn production program received a tremendous boost with the graduation of 96 farmer-scientists who completed levels I, II and III of the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) of the Department of Agriculture on June 2 at the Loon Sports and Cultural Center with the theme "Empowering Farmers for Socio-Economic Progress."

Dr. Romulo Davide, professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños and a well-known figure in DA who founded FSTP and currently serves as its program leader, graced the occasion and confirmed the graduation of the 96 farmer-scientists.

Davide was accompanied by Dr. Caroline May Daquio, center director of DA-ATI-RTC 7; Melecio Maghanoy, FSTP study leader of UPLB-CA ASC; and Roman Dabalos, provincial corn coordinator, who represented Engr. Eugene Cahiles, manager of the Agricultural Promotion Center (APC)-DA RFU 7.

Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez, Vice-Mayor Edwin Ladeza and Municipal Agriculture Officer Trinita Suello welcomed the guests who also marked the launching of the FSTP Phase II Programme barangay level.

Lopez, assisted by Ladeza and MAO Suello, distributed certificates of completion to 82 Phase I graduates, certificates of achievement to 13 Phase II graduates and certificates of recognition to seven Phase III farmer-scientist graduates.

Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition were also given to Mayor Lopez for providing the funds for the FSTP Barangay Operation; SB Kag. Ignacio Castil Jr., Agriculture Committee chairman, for the passage of resolutions for funds to support the FSTP; MAO Trinita Suello for coordinating and supervising the FSTP operation throughout Loon; agricultural technologist Fe Cartagenas for coordinating and supervising the FSTP field work at the barangay level; Dr. Reynaldo Comia, professor, UPLB-CA ASC as lecturer on soil fertility and nutrition of corn plants; Antonio Cornejo, FSTP Study Leader, UPLB-CA ASC as lecturer on FSTP orientation, management, operation and related topics; Melecio Maghanoy, FSTP Study Leader as lecturer on some aspects of FSTP orientation, photo documentation and program assistance.

The main objective of the Farmer-Scientists Research Development and Extension (RDE) Training Program is to give small farmers in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Leyte, and Compostela Valley in Mindanao direct training contact with agricultural experts and scientists to develop their technical and scientific capabilities to grow corn and other crops utilizing appropriate farming technologies.

The Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program specifically aims to cultivate the minds of the farmers through lectures on value formation changing attitudes toward teamwork, cooperation and sharing of technical information; equip farmers with scientific knowledge and technologies in corn-based cropping system; apply integrated pest management (IPM) using biological control agents and natural enemies of pests and disease-causing organisms and the safe use of less toxic pesticides when necessary; make farming as a business enterprise through formation of farmer organizations, cooperatives and marketing networks; develop self-reliant and self-sustaining farmers and communities through maximum production of rice, corn, vegetables, and other economic crops to supply the market demand; and strengthen the leadership capability of farmers in their respective communities.  
       
The corn-based Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program is based on the assumption that there is no barren soil; only barren mind, and that farming is business. It is designed to liberate poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and hunger.

The Phase I of FSTP involved Value Formation, Research Exposure and Technical Empowerment. Farmers and scientists set up experiment plots of corn to compare the effects of organic fertilizers versus inorganic fertilizers, integrated pest management, varietal trials, intercropping system and others. Cultivation of the farmer's mind for love of God, country and people is also emphasized.

Phase II involves On-Farm Experimentation and Technology Adoption. The farmers replicate their research experiences from Phase I in their own farms for technology verification and adoption. They set up experiments with the assistance of scientists/experts and agricultural technicians to determine which production technologies are adoptable in their farms.

In Phase III, farmers are taught Farmer-to-Farmer Technology, Transfer and Adoption. Graduates of Phase III now become lecturers and share their expertise by teaching untrained fellow farmers how to generate and develop farming technologies based on their Phase I and Phase II experiences. They use either the Adopt-A-Farmer Model or Adopt-A-Barangay Model with the LGU's support. They are assisted by the municipal agriculture officer, agricultural technologists and experts/scientists from toher agencies when needed. This program emphasizes the intercropping system, together with livestock production, to increase the farmers' income.

Established by Davide in his hometown of Argao, Cebu in 1994, the Farmer-Scientists Training Program was launched in Loon on November 14, 2006 during the term of former Mayor now Sangguniang Panlalawigan Senior Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez. Since then, the program's technology has enabled farmers in the municipality to produce and harvest corn to as much 5.35 tons per hectare (Phase II farmer-scientists) using the Pioneer and IPB Var 4 variety/hybrid.

Highlights of the accomplishments of the 82 Phase I graduates, who are farmers of Catagbacan, Handig, Lintuan and four barangays in Cabilao Island, namely: Talisay, Pantudlan, Looc and Cabacungan yielded significant results.

In the Varietal/Hybrid Trial the OPV IPB Var 4 (white) gave a yield of 3.19 to 4.35 tons/ha in Cabilao and Lintuan; and 2.0 tons/ha in Catagbacan Handig. The hybrid Yellow Tupi gave 4.8 tons'ha in Cabilao, IPB sweet corn 3.77 tons/ha in Lintuan, and the USM Var 10 yielded 2.94 tons/ha in Catagbacan compared to 1.04 to 2.90 tons/ha of the local Tinigib variety.

In the fertilizer trial, the combination of Bio-N plus Urea and Complete gave the highest yield of 4.35 tons/ha in Lintuan; while in Cabilao the Chicken Manure plus Bio-N plus Urea and Complete gave the highest yield of 3.86 tons/ha. In Catagbacan Handig the recommended rate gave the highest yield of 4.34 tons/ha followed by Bio-N plus one-half of the recommended rate yielded 3.57 tons/ha. The No Fertilizer treatment trial produced only 0.38 ton/ha in Cabilao and 2.06 tons/ha in Catagbacan Handig.

Results of the population density trial showed that 1 to 2 plants per hill gave a much higher yield of 3.0 to 4.35 tons/ha compared to the 4 to 5 plants per hill which produced only 1.0 to 2.08 tons/ha.

In the detasseling trial, the removal of tassels (flowers) at 40 to 45 days after planting to control the borer pests showed that detasseling every 3 rows and leaving the 4th row undetasseled produced a higher yield of 3.28 to 3.77 tons/ha compared to 2.90 to 3.5 tons/ha of the No Detasseling treatment.

Results of the intercropping trial showed that sweet potato (camote), mongo, and peanuts are excellent intercrops for corn leading to increased farm production and income of farmers.

In his message, youthful and dynamic Mayor Lloyd Lopez encouraged the farmer-scientists graduates to apply in their respective farms what they have learned during their training, pointing out that all the resources in corn production have all been placed at their disposal. What remains now is their industry and dedication to till their lands which heretofore have been idle or not utilized fully and make them productive. He also requested them to share their acquired knowledge to other farmers in their respective barangays who have not been afforded this opportunity.

The mayor gladdened the hearts of the Phase II and Phase III farmer-scientist graduates when he announced that one sack of Dura Bloom Organic Fertilizer will be awarded to them as incentive. He also informed the audience that the Municipal Agriculture Department has an annual budget of P1 Million from the municipality's IRA fund and, that the Farmer-Scientists Training Program has been institutionalized through a municipal ordinance with an annual allocation of P100,000.

The FSTP-FITS (Farmers' Information Technology Service) management team in Bohol is composed of Dr. Romulo Davide, Program Leader; Dr. Lutgarda Tolentino, Asst. Program Leader, ASC, UPLB-CA; Dr. Daquio, Coordinator for ATI-RTC, DA 7; Liza Quriog, Provincial Agriculturist and Coordinator for Bohol LGUs; Engr. Cahiles, APC Manager-DA RFU 7 and Coordinator for DA Bohol; Dr. Elpidio Magante, president of CVSCAFT, and coordinator for the academe; Dr. Luis Palapar, vice president for academic affairs of CVSCAFT and FSTP deputy coordinator, and Dr. Teresita Abella, PCARRD-FITS coordinator.

By Sunday Post

"Surrender is their safest passage and most viable means to renew their lives."

This is how LTC Oscar Lasangue, group commander of the 3rd Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) based at Camp Lapu lapu in Cebu City, interpreted the voluntary surrender of a Boholano ranking red fighter along with his wife and an NPA member to the 78th Infantry Battalion last month.

"The deteriorating morality of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing New People's Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF) demoralizes the remaining cadres as the unremitting exposure of its above ground alliances weakens their network," according to Lasangue.

The three former rebels were identified as Paulino Lingues alias Gido or Verge, also known as 3 37, a native of barangay Dagohoy, Bilar, Bohol and is now presently residing in Sitio Libo, Tayud, municipality of Consolacion, Cebu and a cadre officer (CO), Platoon 2, Southeast Front (SEF), Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral Bisayas (KRSB) based in Negros Oriental; his wife, Flordelis Manulat alias Pamela, 27, of Lawaan, Danao City.
       
Pamela used to be a regular NPA fighter as squad member of the defunct Front Committee 2, KRSB based in midnorth Cebu but laid low from the movement in 2006 after she delivered her second child.

The third surrenderee was Rey Getio alias Enick or Romnick, 25, a resident of barangay Kagbao, Tuburan, Cebu, also a squad member of KRSB.

In an interview with the local media, Lingues confessed that he was convinced by his wife to surrender on May 12, after she sought advice from Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano, in consideration of a better future for their two children.

It was learned that the couple used to operate in Cebu and Bohol provinces and indulged in combat operations within the movement and engaged various encounters with the military elements.

From 1992 to 2000, Lingues- -based in different areas of Bohol and as vice squad leader- -successfully disarmed a member of the Provincial Mobile Group in Carmen, Bohol while conducting checkpoint on October 1997 and the implementation of no permit-no campaign policy and even disarming then electoral candidate Mayor Robert Torrefranca with one armalite rifle and caliber 45 pistol and burned the Paj cro.

He joined the revolutionary movement in 1982 at the age of 10 as and joined vice team leader of the group called "Grupong Tig organisa Baby" organized by the NPA to integrate the youth sector and later on the creation of "Hukbo" in Bohol province.

Lingues admitted that life had been harsh in the revolutionary movement, especially when he was subjected to a disciplinary action for committing sexual opportunism with alias Jed, a student undergoing NPA exposure in Bohol.

"The futility of fighting is spread throughout the CPP NPA NDF organizations like an endemic and communicable disease. Now, those clearly disillusioned with their artificial ideology and posturing as fighters of the people, are their worst adversaries. For the ultimate evidence of their absurdity are the rebel returnees, who have grasp of how a person is diminished when he/she enters the underground movement," Lasangue said.

After they were presented before Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia last May 22, attended by Lasangue; Col. Allan Luga, commanding officer of the 802nd Brigade; and LTC Raymundo Banares, commanding officer of the 78th 113, PA.

The three former rebels will receive financial assistance amounting to P30,000 from the provincial government of Cebu and P20,000 to P50,000 worth of livelihood package from the Social Integration Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), to enable them to live peaceful and productive lives with their respective families and within their chosen community.

The municipal government of Catigbian, Bohol, through the Municipal Health Office, had worked together with Provincial Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, and the Bohol Eye and Ear Clinic Associates led by Dr. Jose Oliver Yu in conducting a cataract surgical mission last May 29-30 at the Catigbian Municipal Health Center.

The medical mission offered free cataract surgery as a civic undertaking done regularly by Dr. Yu's team in different towns of Bohol.

Aside from cataract surgery, the medical team also offered removal of pterygium- -a benign growth on the conjunctiva.

The mission reached out to indigent patients who could hardly afford the high cost of eye surgery, as they faced the possibility of going blind.
       
A cataract operation costs P15,000 to P50,000 per eye in private hospitals.

Aside from the free eye surgery, pre-operation and post-operation medications were also provided for the patients.

The volunteer physicians advised them to have their follow-up check-up at the Bohol Eye and Ear Clinic in Tagbilaran City.

Meanwhile, as a blow-out on Mayor Roberto Salinas' birthday that coincided with the first day of the surgical mission, the patients had free lunch at the venue.

Aside from serving Catigbianons, the medical mission also served beneficiaries from the neighboring towns of Balilihan and Antequera.

Five pre-screened patients from Balilihan and six from Antequera were operated on the first day, while 43 patients from Catigbian were screened but only 13 got clearance for surgery.

The team of Dr. Uy and Dr. Ruel Cabigting, an ophthalmologist from Manila, operated a total of 24 patients.

The staff of the Municipal Health Center had extended service even up to the night and the weekend.

The local government unit of Catigbian and the Catigbian chapter of the Liga Ng Mga Barangay, in coordination with the Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, recently initiated on strengthening barangay governance through empowering and enhancing the strategic administration of the barangay justice system of the locality.

In fact, they conducted a training on Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) on May 26, 28, and 29, at the fully-air conditioned Catigbian Conference Hall participated in by 22 barangay captains, 22 barangay secretaries and 189 lupon members.

In his inspirational message during the opening of the activity, Mayor Roberto Salinas stressed that barangay justice system should be effectively delivered at the grassroots level to promote peace and harmony among constituents and to provide an accessible mechanism for resolving the justice issues of the community members.
       
Speakers during the training included members of the DILG-Bohol TACT Cluster 1B, DILG-Bohol Administrative Officer Regina Gina Gatal and the 20th MCTC Presiding Judge Jorge Cabalit.

Republic Act 7160 gives barangays the mandate to enforce peace and order to provide support for the effective enforcement of human rights and justice.

Barangay Justice System provides a friendly, inexpensive, and speedy forum for the settlement of disputes where the parties can freely explore options for amicably resolving their disputes without resorting to the courts. - Sunday Post

Bohol's hosting of the 21st National Council Convention of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) on May 25-27 at Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City catered to the election of GSP-Bohol council president Maria Pureza Veloso-Chatto to the prestigious central board of the GSP National Council.

Chatto will now serve as immediate past president and first vice president.

Bohol Girl Scouts considered this a great achievement of the triennium, considering that Chatto was the only council president from the Visayas region to be elected to the national board that is dominated by personalities from the National Capital Region and Luzon Areas.

In scouting boundaries, Visayas Region comprise of the geographical Regions VI, VII and VIII.

The central board is the highest policy-making and governing body of the GSP.
Chatto, who was unanimously nominated and elected, won the confidence of the convention delegates with her gracious, charming ways and persuasive, eloquent speeches during the three-day national GSP gatherings.

She has been Bohol's council president for the maximum terms of two trienniums, from July 2003 until July 2009.
       
She is the wife of First District Representative Edgar Chatto.

On the other hand, Ubay municipal councilor, Lawyer Roselima Abapo- -wife of Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr., was earlier elected council president for the Triennium 2009-2011 during the Convention and Election held last January 24 at the La Roca Hotel, Tagbilaran City.

She will lead the 37 council board members, which shall act as the governing body of the council and the council executive Committee- -the implementing body of the provincial council.

Other newly-elected officers are Felicidad Tabel as second vice president, Anne Mariquit Oppus as third vice president, Esperanza Brunidor as secretary, Cecilia Autentico as assistant secretary, Cerina Bolos as teasurer, Amalia Tirol assistant treasurer, Greta Mende as auditor, Norma Varquez as commissioner on administration, Prisciliana Montañez as commissioner on training, and Emma Castillo as commissioner on program.

The newly-elected officers and members took their oath before Judge Irma Zita Masamayor of RTC Branch 52. (Prisciliana Montañez, council secretary)

A team of evaluators from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) came on June 3-5 to assess Jagna's 28 Day Care Centers (DCCs) and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers for accreditation.

This was in compliance to DSWD Memorandum Circular 12, Series of 2006 mandating the implementation of the Revised Assessment Tool and User's Manual for the Accreditation of Day Care, other ECCD Centers and Service Providers.

It primarily aims to evaluate the extent to which a holistic view of a child development has been translated into learner-centered curriculum that includes health and nutritional needs of the day care pupils aged three years old to four years and 11 months.
       
The accreditation further assessed the parents' participation and barangay officials' support to the DCC and ECCD programs.

Heading the team of evaluators was Social Welfare Officer IV of DSWD-7 Lourdes Panerio.

Assisting her were Josephine Belotindos and Perla Dy.

Jagna SWO-in charge Marcionila Reyes and her staff facilitated the three-day activity.

The 28 DCCs which went through the evaluation included those in barangays Pagina, Poblacion, Can-upao, Malbog, Larapan, Pangdan, Alejawan, Ipil Tubod Mar, Can-uba, Canjulao, Balili, Odiong, Faraon, Cantagay, Buyog, Cantuyoc, Kinagbaan, Bunga Ilaya, Can-ipol, Boctol, Mayana and Calabacita. - Sunday Post

By Fred C. Fuertes

Maintaining rapport with the church, Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. led local officials in a ceremonial welcome for newly-installed parish priest and parish vicar-fathers Warren Abarquez and Faustino Bisol last Tuesday at the Maribojoc Sports and Cultural Center.

In his speech, Mayor Evasco, once a priest himself, said he understands the routine of reassigning clergymen as a protocol.

He said he recalled his priestly days when he was reassigned to Baclayon where the then Fr. Juan De Dios Pueblos (now bishop of the Diocese of Butuan) delivered him to the Immaculate Concepcion Parish on board a motorcycle.

"That's the same transportation I took when I was reassigned to Dauis. This time, it was Fr. Boboy Cuorso who gave me the tilt," Evasco said.

The mayor was serving as priest in Davao when he went underground during the Marcos regime.

There was a controversy surrounding every assignment. Being assistant Diocesan Social Action the late Bishop Manuel Mascariñas to troubleshoot, together with Fr. Neri, the feud that existed between the parishioners and their parish vicar whom the accused of selling antique church properties, according to Evasco.
       
He was also sent to Dauis to help solve, together with the then Fr. Cirilo Darunday Jr., the animosity that existed between Mayor Carmelo Cimafranca and Fr. Romeo Dompor.

Later, since nobody wanted to be assigned to Ba-ang, Evasco volunteered to be reassigned to that rural area.

On the same occasion, Mayor Evasco presented to Fr. Abarquez, the salient features of the LGU economic profile and introduced his vice mayor, the Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay captains and kagawads, department heads and chiefs of offices who attended the welcome ceremony.

"I welcome you here because starting today, you are my constituents just as I am also your parishioner as far as church-related functions are concerned," he stressed.

Though the Constitution mandates the separation of the church and state, Evasco explained the importance of teamwork between the two for the attainment of progress of the community.

"We serve the same people- -the Maribojocanons," the former Davao City executive chief of staff pointed out.

In his response, Fr. Abarquez expressed elation over the municipal government's hospitality and vowed to support the endeavors of the town chief executive in attaining progress.

"I can learn to love you," Abar quez clinched his message.

For his part, Fr. Bisol- -his assistant parish priest- -quipped that "while I was called Nonoy in the seminary, you can call me here Fr. Tino, short for "Santino", the top-rated TV teleserye.

Former municipal councilor Isidro Mirontos, PPC chair, delivered the welcome message in behalf of the local church functionaries, while BEC coordinator Gilda Veloso-Bersalona introduced the PPC and PFC officers, chapel presidents and officers of mandated religious organizations in attendance.

Vice-Mayor Gabino Redulla welcomed the guests and general public, while Senior Municipal Councilor Fructuoso Redulla delivered the closing statements.

The famous Punta Cruz cultural collective opened the program with their doxology, while the LGU ladies and the LGU choir rendered dance and choral numbers.
The Lone lady municipal councilor, Cecilia Pantollana-Auntentico, hosted the program.

By Ramil S. Bulilan

In the coastal barangays of Clarin, Bohol particularly Poblacion Norte and Tangaran, there stood the 7.5 hectares of man-made mangrove forest through the great and concerted efforts of the townfolks headed by the LGU of Clarin long time ago. To date, it claims to have some century-old mangrove trees untouched by human hands and preserved by the loving nature.

Now the advent of the "Training Entrepreneurs for Eco-Tourism Advancement and Coastal Habitat (TEACH) Protection Project of CVSCAFT Clarin Campus which received fund assistance from the Australian government (AusAID) through the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) with counterpart assistance from the LGU of Clarin, DENR, DA-BFAR, DTI, and BTO, is indeed a blessing to the PO-beneficiaries and the community folks. The TEACH Protection Project's (TPP) main facilities include the 200 m. boardwalk, quay café shop, and bird watch station. The 200-meter boardwalk trail traverses the dense mangrove forest which surely attracts local and foreign tourists in its natural ambience and captivating exceptional panoramas of the different species of mangroves.

Since its launching two years ago, the TEACH Protection project has stayed up about protecting such environmental endowment. In its efforts of protecting mangrove forest, the TEACH Protection project extends their replanting to enhance the existing mangrove stand.
       
A series of consultative and collaborative meetings with Bantay-dagat personnel from Tubigon LGU and Clarin-LGU have been conducted. The Bantay Katunggan of Clarin has been reinforced. The Clarin Mangrove Planters Association (ClamPA), a PO-beneficiary of TEACH Protection project, with twenty-three members headed by its new president Mr. Efren Mejares Primacio, led in the continued replanting of mangrove. He said that last week of April 2009 they again replanted 25 propagules each of them alongside with its eco-tour site, the boardwalk, and promised to replant more before the end of June, this year.

Hon. Felimon C. Alison, SB member of Clarin, Bohol and chairperson of the committee on CRM and Fisheries and Environmental Protection has authored and passed an ordinance which was approved by the SB level. It is "an ordinance declaring the TEACH Project (Boardwalk and mangrove eco-tour) as a restricted area for any fishing activity, gathering of seashells, crustaceans, cutting of mangroves, dumping of garbage, and bird hunting and providing penalties thereof" (Municipal Ordinance No. 03, s. 2009).

Moreover, the TEACH Protection project continues its monitoring program to safeguard such mangrove forest as the main feature of its boardwalk.

The four PO's- -Tangaran Fishermen Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFIMULPUCO); Tangaran Aquarium Fish Gatherers Association (TAFGA); Seaweed Farmers (SeaFar) of Clarin; and, Clarin Mangrove Planters Association (ClamPA) as TEACH project beneficiaries vowed an all-out support in safeguarding and protecting the mangrove forest. Some members have been deputized as Bantay-Katunggan volunteers.

A group of women led by this town's first lady, Arsenia Piezas, has organized a non-government organization called Pagtinabangay sa Kauswagan sa Tubigon (PKT), in an effort to help the local government unit solve its malnutrition problems.

PKT mainly aims to help eliminate malnutrition incidence among schoolchildren for them to become competitive, physically and mentally, as they brace themselves for challenges in school- -from pre-school to the elementary level.
       
Among the monthly and weekly activities that PKT has initiated include feeding of pre-school and elementary pupils.

The feeding activity is done in coordination with village heads.

The organization hopes to sustain the feeding program until yearend, and in addition to the voluntary contribution from its members, PKT plans to come up with fund-raising activities to sustain the program and achieve its objective of raising physically and mentally strong and competitive children at the elementary level.

This is to make them competitive when they enter the secondary level of education. (Ghaya Astronomo-Castillo-MPIO designate)

The Philippines has said jewellery worth 310 million dollars confiscated from former first lady Imelda Marcos would remain under lock and key in the government's control.

Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera met Tuesday with officials from the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and reviewed the case after her predecessor suggested that Marcos was the rightful owner of the jewels.

Devanadera, speaking after the talks, told reporters that the collection was considered part of the Marcos family's stolen wealth and remained the subject of a civil forfeiture case pending in an anti-graft court ruling.

"The Supreme Court has said that any property that is well and beyond the legitimate income of president Marcos are considered ill-gotten wealth," she said.

The PCGG was set up shortly after late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his family and cronies were forced to flee the country in 1986 in the wake of massive street protests and a military revolt.

Devanadera said the collection was covered under one of many unresolved civil cases filed against Imelda Marcos and her family, and therefore would not be turned over to the former first lady without a court ruling.

Asked whether the government intended to return the jewels, she said: "No."

Imelda Marcos, known worldwide for her vast collection of shoes that symbolized her wasteful and flamboyant lifestyle, said Monday that the collection included personal pieces and religious images.

She said she was hopeful of having the collection returned after 23 years.

She was speaking shortly after Devanadera's predecessor, Raul Gonzalez, issued a legal opinion in which he said that Imelda evidently "remains to be the legitimate owner of the prized jewelleries."

It was not clear why Gonzalez, who was earlier removed from the justice department after a five year stint, issued the legal opinion and he was not available for comment Tuesday.

Two sets of jewellery were abandoned by the Marcos family when they fled.

The Marcos children are back in power in the family's northern heartland, but Imelda Marcos failed in a 1992 presidential bid.

She has challenged government plans to auction off the collection and has demanded their return but in May the PCGG said the jewellery would be auctioned. - AFP