MikeLigalig.com

Interested to find out the latest innovation trends for enterprise-level database and how the integration of Big Data and AI technology with database can benefit your business? Join our industry experts at our latest episode of Alibaba Cloud Digital Beats to find out more.

Digital Beats is a series of interviews with industry leaders to unlock the key to digital transformation. This episode features Feifei Li, Vice President of Alibaba Group and Charlie Dai, Principal Analyst at Forrester, who will cover the latest four trends below
Trend 1: Database and Big Data Integration, HTAP, Online and Batch Workload Integration
Trend 2: Cloud-Native and Distributed Database Integration
Trend 3: Intelligence: Integration of Machine Learning and AI Technology with Database
Trend 4: Multi-Model Technology

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence are fields that no longer concern solely data scientists and computer programmers. In the midst of the digital revolution, extracting results from Big Data has become a necessity for all companies and business leaders. And with AI emerging as the most disruptive type of technology, managers also need to prepare for the application of AI in their organizations and business processes.

Thanks to Big Data and AI, managers can know much more about their businesses, solve specific problems, drive efficiency and improve performance and decision-making.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

After the success of our last virtual event - 1,000+ registrants! - we couldn't wait to host another. So, we're getting straight to it.

And this time, we're teaching everything you want to know about this year with the app at the Instagram Marketing Conference on April 15.

This is the market-leading Instagram event you've been waiting for, your secret growth weapon in an increasingly competitive market, streaming directly to your favorite desktop or mobile device - right from the comfort of your own home (and potentially in-person).

You'll learn bottom-line-revolutionizing best practices in keynotes, interactive sessions, and hands-on workshops covering themes and topics like:
- Instagram and coworking brands - finding the right visual fit by Katherine Busby, Global Social Media Lead, IWG
- Content Mapping Matters by Her Fabros, ABM, Sunnies Face
- How to Run Instagram Ads to Grow your Personal Brand by Precy Tripoli, Agency Owner and Course Creator, Precy Tripoli
- Creating Meaningful Connections in a Socially Distant Era by Sofia Quiogue, Social Media Manager, Writer, and Coach, Sofia Quiogue
- Young Entrepreneurs SMEs Strategy to Overcome COVID-19 with Instagram by Anggie Mokoginta, CEO, Amarta Nawa

Just don't wait much longer to register. We only have a limited number of free tickets available, after all.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Mayor Richard "GOMA" Gomez of Ormoc City expresses his support for the #ReadyToRebuild program!

The Ready to Rebuild: Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program aims to build the capacity of government to recover better and faster from disasters even before it happens. 

The Training Program is open for local chief executives, planning officers, DRRM officers, budget officers and other technical staff from the provinces, cities, and municipalities.

Fill up the registration form at bit.ly/ReadyToRebuildSignUp. 
For more information, visit bit.ly/ReadyToRebuildProgram. 
For inquiries, please send an email to ready2rebuild@gmail.com.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

STATEMENT OF SPEAKER LORD ALLAN VELASCO ON IVERMECTIN AND OTHER POTENTIAL COVID-19 DRUGS

Press Release: As the numbers of COVID-19 infections continue to rise, we urge the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to promptly inform the public of their options in terms of prevention and treatment against this deadly virus.

With coronavirus cases surging and more people dying, regulators should find it necessary to look into the safety and efficacy of Ivermectin and other repurposed drugs for COVID-19.

People have become desperate for a cure. Fast-tracking clinical trials and processes to either grant Ivermectin an emergency use authority or conclusively declaring it unsafe will put the matter to rest.

These are desperate times that call for a more proactive regulatory approach. People need alternative remedies to prevent or treat COVID-19. #18thCongress #PartnersForChange


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

If you run your database instances in a virtual machine (VM), you may have a fuzzy picture when it comes to performance. The benefits of virtualized databases are many but getting to the bottom of performance issues is more complex. No matter what database you're running in a VM; be it SQL Server, Oracle, or MySQL, you may not see everything affecting database performance.

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer with the VM Option may be the answer to your virtualized database performance problems.

If you're looking for clarity for virtualized database performance, ranging from what to look for to real-world examples, use the DPA VM Option to find your virtualized database performance issues. - solarwinds newsletter

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: AMID THE PANDEMIC, PPA REMITS BILLIONS IN DIVIDENDS TO THE NATIONAL TREASURY; SETS EXAMPLE FOR OTHER GOCCs

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III expressed his commendation to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), under the leadership of General Manager Jay Santiago, for setting a good example among government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) on providing utmost support for the country's COVID-19 response.

Amid the unprecedented challenges of the current pandemic, the PPA was able to remit P3.541 billion in dividends to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) for 2020.

The PPA's dividend contribution represents 56 percent of its 2020 net income after tax of P6.138 billion.

Secretary Dominguez likewise conveyed his utmost gratitude to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, in making sure that the GOCCs under his supervision, such as the PPA, are strictly conforming with the Dividend Law, and that they play their role in contributing to the national government's coffers to fund initiatives that will alleviate the impact of the pandemic, as well as provide for other government development programs for the people.

Since the start of the Duterte administration, the PPA has been a consistent top-performing agency of the DOTr, remitting a total of P17.17 billion in dividends to assist the government in the implementation of its priority programs.

#DOTrPH #PPAWorks

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

IT'S STILL MACTAN CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, PJ CLARIFIES

It will still be named Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd District) clarified this after news items in some local dailies claimed that House Bill 8986, approved on third reading before Congress went on recess on March 18, seeks to rename the airport to Lapulapu International Airport.

Garcia explained that the bill merely seeks to name the domestic and international terminals of the airport to Lapulapu Domestic Terminal and Lapulapu International Terminal, while retaining the name Mactan Cebu International Aiport for the entire facility itself.

He further explained that this is a substitute bill following a compromise brokered by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Committee on Transportation Chairman Rep. Edgar Sarmiento (Samar, 1st District) between the proponents, led by Rep. Paz Radaza of Lapulapu City, and the opponents of the bill, led by Garcia.

"The bill follows the LAX model where the airport is named Los Angeles International Airport while its major terminal is named Tom Bradley International Terminal," Garcia said.

The airport itself, which includes the land area, runway, towers and other facilities will remain to be known as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The terminal building, which is part of the airport, will be renamed the Lapulapu Domestic and International Terminals.

Garcia had earlier opposed the original bill, authored by Radaza, which sought to rename the airport to Lapulapu International Airport. It disregarded, he said, not only decades of history, but also millions of pesos in marketing expenses to sell the airport as Mactan Cebu International Airport.

"This substitute bill accommodates our objections to the bill while fulfilling the more important objective of honoring Lapulapu on the 500th year of the Battle of Mactan," Garcia reasoned.

He thanked Velasco and Sarmiento for initiating, and Radaza for accepting, a "win-win solution that satisfies all parties."

Pablo John Garcia

#LakawTersero
#PadayonJud

: projectlupad (dot) com [visit for amazing aerial photos ]


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

April 1 2021: On this day, 500 years ago, siblings Rajah Colambu of Limasawa and Rajah Siaui of Butuan-Calaghan received from Magellan Christian symbols like a large wooden cross, nails, and a crown. This after an Easter Sunday Mass was held in the morning at Limasawa. Enrique, the Asian interpreter of Magellan, told the rulers that these were given to Magellan by Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire (concurrently King of Spain) with an instruction "he (Magellan) might set up those his (Charles) tokens... wherever he might." The rajahs approved the request of Magellan to allow the latter to set up the said cross on the summit of the highest point in Limasawa to serve as a landmark for the Spaniards and to spare the place from thunder, lightning, and storms. They joined Magellan to the summit. Upon asking their religion, they told Magellan that they were not Muslims but believers of this supreme being they called Abba. They also told the captain-general that they could load provisions at the ports of Leyte, Caraga, and Cebu, and recommended the latter because of vibrant trade.

This was the third time the first circumnavigators planted a cross. The first ones were in South America to serve as markers.

'Plating of the First Cross' by Vicente Silva Manansala (1965), courtesy of the National Museum of the Philippines.

. . . . .

Seeing this post? Curious what this is about? This 2021, we will commemorate the Philippine part in the achievement of science and humankind in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. Central in this commemoration is the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on 27 April 2021. These and more are collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order No. 103 (2020). Know more about the event here:

About us [https://nqc.gov.ph/en/about]
Watch our promotional video [https://youtu.be/ptgU1ZUgFZc]
Listen to Quincentennial Soundtrack [https://spoti.fi/3nxWXPa]
Watch our lectures [https://portal.nqc.gov.ph/]
Quincentennial activities and materials here [https://bit.ly/3dHrnKF]

#VictoryAndHumanity
#Ph500


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

GOVT SECURITY FORCES FOIL COMMUNIST BOMBING PLAN IN CARAGA; EXPLOSIVES CACHE SEIZED

Press Release: A joint police and army checkpoint intercepted two motorcycles loaded with explosives and food supplies for the New People's Army (NPA) on Wednesday, March 31, in Brgy. Poblacion 2, Santiago town, Agusan del Norte.

PNP Chief, Police General Debold M Sinas, citing reports from Caraga PNP Director Police Brigadier General Romeo M Caramat, Jr.said the contrabands were loaded in two single motorcycles driven by Darnel B. Jaudian, 24 years old, male and Raymund M. Tanghal, 24 years old, male both residents of Brgy. Telesfora, Tubay, Agusan del Norte

Confiscated from the suspects were 15 meters of detonating cord, one pipe bomb-type Improvised Explosive Device, two magazines for 5.56mm loaded with live ammunition, 33 rounds of caliber 5.56 live ammunition, and several assorted goods and food supplies.

Based on investigation, the items were supposed to be delivered by the suspects to the members of the NPA's Guerrilla Front (GF)16, Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee under the command of Rolando Leyson, Jr. aka Ka Edroy.

"The confiscated items are supplies for the 52nd NPA anniversary celebration on March 29 but were delayed due to tightened security measures and law enforcement operations regionwide," Caramat told Sinas in his report.

He also thanked the community for providing Information to authorities on the transport of explosives and supplies to the hinterlands of Brgy Poblacion 2 in the municipality of Santiago that led to the successful interception.

Arrested persons together with the pieces of evidence were brought to Santiago Municipal Police Station as appropriate charges have been prepared for filing in court.

#TeamPNP
#WeServeAndProtect
#PNPKakampiMo

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

PNP WELCOMES 13 MORE CPP-NPA SURRENDEREES

Press Release: On the very day of the 52nd anniversary the communist New People's Army, 13 active red fighters surrendered to government security forces in South Cotabato.

Police General Debold M Sinas, Chief PNP said that 13 CPP-NPA red fighters surrendered with their firearms to the team of 1st & 2nd South Cotabato Provincial Mobile Force Company during the conduct of Internal Security Operations and outreach program at the boundaries of Tampakan and Banga municipalities and rural area of Koronadal City in South Cotabato province this morning.

A certain alias Jeff approached the team and expressed desire to surrender to the authorities together with 12 others who are members of Guerilla Fronts 72 and 73 operating in the area of South Cotabato.

Immediately, the police conduct initial evaluation, validation and facilitated the surrender of the CPP-NPA rebels identified as alias JEFF, Team  Leader Guerilla Front 73-MUSA;  his members alias GANI/NOEL; alias KATHY, Squad 1, Team Leader;  alias WAWAY; alias BULDOG; alias ROMANO; alias WARREN; alias ALEX; alias MARJUN; alias FANOK; alias ATAM; and members of Guerilla Front 7, alias WAWA; and alias TATAY BEN.

The group turned-in the following firearms to the police during their surrender:
One (1) unit M16A1 Elisco cal.5.56 armalite rifle without Serial Nr;
One (1) unit M1 Springfield Armory Garand rifle SN 1519949;
One(1) unit Carbine Rock Ola Rifle SN 1712390;
One (1) Unit UZI Sub-machinegun
One unit Command Detonated Explosive (CDEX) IED;
Five IEDs and components;
One magazine for carbine rifle.
30 rounds of ammunition for  cal. 5.56
Two  magazines for M16 rifle; and
CPP-NPA flags.

PRO 12 under the leadership of Police Brigadier General Michael John F Dubria together with the law enforcement counterparts had been gaining from the series of both law enforcement and combat operations by advocating peaceful means to end the terroristic acts of the CNTs. Equipped with Executive Order No. 70, Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

"The counter-white area operations as one of the activities under ELCAC, aims to persuade individuals who are affiliated with Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) to surrender and avail of the government's program under E-CLIP, or the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, to give them another chance, and to re-integrate them into the mainstream society" Sinas said.

Sinas also added that CTG units in the area were continuously weakening as some of their leaders are returning to the fold of the law.

#TeamPNP
#WeServeAndProtect
#PNPKakampiMo

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

US lagging Australia on West Philippine Sea stance, Japan warns Beijing will pay 'high cost'

"US congressman Joe Courtney to praise Australia's actions against the Chinese Communist Party. In glowing praise from the congressman, who is also a member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee in Washington, Mr Courtney claimed the US must now follow in Australia's footsteps."

"Japan now follows the US to condemn Beijing's moves to claim sovereignty over large sections of international waters.

Usually, Japan is not as vocal as other nations about China's interests in the South China Sea, but the latest outburst from Tokyo as ignited fury from Beijing. Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono said: "Anyone who is trying to change the status quo by force needs to be forced to pay a high cost." Mr Kono said China's building of fortified installations across the South China Sea is "destabilizing".

He added: "A free and open maritime order in the South China Sea is as important as any other place and what happens there will concern the international community"."

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Executive Order No. 12, Series of 2021 from the Office of the Provincial Governor: AN ORDER EXTENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MODIFIED GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (MGCQ) IN THE WHOLE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE FROM APRIL 01, 2021 UNTIL APRIL 30, 2021

The following are the salient points:

SECTION 1. MOVEMENT OF PERSONS. The same policy for movement of persons, ages 15-65 years old and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity or other health risks, and pregnant women shall be applied, consistent with that of the NIATF.

SECTION 2. STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF MINIMUM PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS. Minimum public health standards, including but not limited to: physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and wearing of face masks and face shields shall be strictly implemented.

SECTION 4. GUIDELINES FOR NON-APORS. All LGUs are directed to comply with the following guidelines on the testing, quarantine and documentary requirements which are imposed to travelers who are not classified as Authorized Persons Outside the Residence (NON-APOR):

4.1 CLINICAL AND EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT. It shall be implemented in all ports of entry and exit to ensure that only asymptomatic, non-close contact individuals are allowed to travel or enter the local government unit of destination. Health assessment of passengers supervised by medical doctors shall be mandatory upon the entry in the port/terminal and exit at point of destination.

4.2 TESTING IS NOT REQUIRED WHEN ENTERING THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Test is not required when entering in our province. Anyone entering in our province presenting a Negative Philippine Red Cross' Saliva Test will be honored but not a requirement. Only that we will honor the said saliva result should it be opted to be presented in our province.

4.3 TRAVELERS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO MANDATORY QUARANTINE OF 14 DAYS UNLESS they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination.

SECTION 5. POLICY ON ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE. Isolation is done when someone is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. Quarantine is done when there is potential exposure to COVID-19. Below are the specific guidelines, to wit:

5.1. Mandatory Home Quarantine of 14 days for close contacts.

5.2. For those tested positive, further isolation is required to ensure safety of all concerned most especially the households or the immediate members of the family.

5.3. If a person in a household tests POSITIVE for COVID-19 and has cough, colds and/or fever, that person needs to immediately ISOLATE. All his/their household and close contacts need to undergo home QUARANTINE. Quarantine for the household and close contacts is MANDATORY for 14 days.

If anyone develops symptoms, they should be tested and ISOLATED. For asymptomatic close contacts, TESTING is NOT mandatory but may opt to be swabbed AT LEAST 5 days from exposure. If it yields a negative test result, still no roaming around outside the house as it DOES NOT release the asymptomatic from quarantine if a known close contact. They are encouraged to continue and to stay quarantined for the remaining 14 days whether negative for precautionary and safety purposes of oneself and to others concerned.

At the end of the mandatory 14 days quarantine, testing is not necessary for as long as a close contact remains asymptomatic.

5.4 ISOLATION typically lasts 10 days from the start of symptoms if you only have mild or moderate COVID-19. If at the end of 10 days, the patient has NO MORE SYMPTOMS for AT LEAST 3 DAYS, then he/she can be released from isolation by a competent authority (usually a physician). If the patient still has symptoms, isolation should continue until the patient has no more symptoms for at least 3 days. Patients with SEVERE COVID-19 shall undergo 21 days of isolation and to undergo repeat testing upon assessment and at the discretion of the healthcare provider.

5.5 For completely asymptomatic individuals with a positive COVID-19 test result, to undergo ISOLATION for 10 days from the date of the first positive test result. If the person develops symptoms during the isolation period, the 10 day period restarts from the exhibition of the first day of symptoms.

5.6 For travelers from abroad with possible exposure, they are required to undertake the following upon their return to their final destination LGU:

A. If they are able to present a valid proof of compliance of certain days of quarantine completion and upon verification of its validity, shall undergo the remaining days of the mandatory 14 days quarantine in the designated quarantine facility of the LGU concerned.

B. In the absence of any valid proof of compliance, they shall complete the mandatory 14 days quarantine in the designated quarantine facility of the LGU concerned or opt for a swab test on the 5th day of their quarantine and shall undergo the following:

b.1 Negative Result – continue and complete 10 days quarantine

b.2 Positive Result – additional 10 days quarantine from the day he/she was tested.

C. If they are able to present valid proof of a DOH Certification of application of vaccine from the country of origin coupled with a Certificate of Negative Swab Test Result in the Philippines, they shall undergo home quarantine for 14 days and shall strictly refrain from going out in the LGU concerned.

However, on account of the deadlier variant of the COVID-19 virus (B117 B1351), for ROFs who obtained a negative swab test result, the advice of the Quarantine Doctors will prevail.

SECTION 6. INTENSIFYING THE QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODING SYSTEM. To ensure in every port areas and terminals the presentation of QR Code for the province or city concerned, whichever is applicable. Assigned personnel in port and terminals are required to religiously check the respective QR Codes of individuals upon entering in our ports and terminals and the record of those already vaccinated for registration in our QR Code system. With the use of the QR Code, this will show upon verification if they are vaccinated already.

SECTION 7. SALIVA TESTING. Saliva specimen on RT-PCR test is not required upon entry to the province. However, if required for employment or for any other purpose in the province, we will honor the saliva test result. If in cases that the LGU point of destination will require testing, we have the Philippine Red Cross for access on the conduct of saliva testing if other places will require negative result prior to entry.

SECTION 8. HOLY WEEK PROTOCOLS. In observance of the Holy Week, to ensure that in the religious place of worship or venue or where the religious activity is to be conducted, social distancing of 1 or 1.5 meters apart will be strictly practiced.

Tanods shall be deployed to ensure implementation of social distancing during the observance of the Holy Week.

For the conduct of religious procession, participation shall be limited to church officials/organizers and a maximum of 75 devotees only.

The percentage of churchgoers as pronounced by the National IATF guidelines will be followed. (Under Resolution No. 43, Series of 2020, Item No. 4 (d): "Mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services and work conferences shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50% of the seating or venue capacity.)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: On behalf of Ormoc Mayor Gomez, the ENRO graced and shared inspirational and appreciation message during the soft re-opening of Lake Danao for tourists. They are now ready to accept guests! Just ensure to follow the set rules and regulations pertaining to environment and health protocols.

They have floating cottages, pavilion, picnic ground and a hostel with for sale Ormoc City souvenirs. The said park is manned by the Protected Area supervisor of DENR Ms. Merlyn Barte. The LDNP eco-tourism site is providing the community an opportunity for livelihood. So let us support!!

FYI:
Entrance fee Php50.00
Ecolodge per person Php200.00
Operating hours 8am-5pm
Contact 0946 4801393
Ldnp entrance booth LUZ

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

By Ambassador Huang Xilian
Canton Fair to be held online from April 15 to 24

Happy to learn that the annual China Import and Export Fair will continue as planned between April 15 to 24 virtually. Holding the 129th session online will consolidate the gains in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic as well as ensure social and economic development. The Fair will further play its role as a platform for the overall opening-up of foreign trade and will help maintain the smooth operations of industrial supply chains.

Chinese and international companies are welcome to visit the 129th Canton Fair to share business opportunities and pursue common development. We welcome Filipino companies to participate and wish the Fair a great success!

For more details about the event and its services, please visit Canton Fair's official website:
https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/ or click E-Brochure of China Import and Export Fair: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/news/article/601cbd82e966f077f66efc15
or contact Canton Fair Call Centre, Tel:4000888999 (Chinese mainland), 86-20-28888999 (outside Chinese mainland); E-mail: info@cantonfair.org.cn.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

WANTED PERSON NABBED BY JOINT OPERATIVES IN CAIBIRAN

Biliran Police Provincial Office, Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran:  Wanted Person falls into the hands of authority through its relentless efforts to carry its mandated tasks to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars.

As a result thereof, joint elements of PIU Biliran PPO (Lead Unit), Caibiran MPS, 1st Biliran PMFP, CIDG Biiran PFU, PIT Biliran, RIU8 and Leyte Norte PHPT conducted an intel-driven manhunt operation at Sitio Guindulangan, Brgy. Binohangan, Caibiran, Biliran at around 8:40 AM of April 1, 2021 which resulted to the arrest of the said wanted person.

Said wanted person is a 42 years old, male, Filipino, single, fisherman a resident of the said aforementioned place was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest for the crime of Attempted Rape dated October 15, 2012 docketed under Criminal Case No. CB-12-429 issued by Hon. Constantino F Esber, Presiding Judge of 8th Judicial Region, Branch 37, (Caibiran) Naval, Biliran with recommended bail bond of Php120,000.00 for his temporary release.

Subsequently, arrested person was brought to Caibiran Police Station for documentation.

PCOL JOEL T SERRANO, Acting Provincial Director, BPPO commends the operating troops for the success of the operation and further stated that the arrest of the suspect will serve as a warning to all.

"Our Police Force will relentlessly keep on hunting wanted persons or violators of law and we will make it sure to bring them before the court of law" says PCOL JOEL T SERRANO, Acting Provincial Director.

#8PreciousGem


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Press Release: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Bureau's Action Team Against Smugglers (BATAS) filed on March 26, 2021 before the Department of Justice (DOJ) smuggling charges against SPI Semicon Asia Inc. due to alleged misdeclaration.

SPI Semicon Asia Inc. and its customs broker were charged for alleged misdeclaration and illegal importation of three 40-footer containers of various general merchandise amounting to P7,208,666.14, including duties and taxes.

The respondents purportedly violated pertinent provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Republic Act 9175 otherwise known as the Chain Saw Act of 2002 in relation to DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2003-24, and Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The violation was committed on 16 January 2021 in Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The BOC remains committed to protecting the interest of the general public by curbing all forms of smuggling and customs fraud through the consistent filing of both criminal and administrative cases against unscrupulous importers, customs brokers, and even corrupt customs officials and personnel.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Press Release: "LET'S BOOST LOCAL PRODUCTION. The massive and unimpeded importation of goods which could be produced locally, especially food, stunts our economic recovery.

First, it drains our scarce foreign reserves. Second, it takes away jobs and employment opportunities from Filipinos. Third, it deprives farmers and fishermen the opportunity to earn a living.

This is a glaring flaw in our economic policies which must be corrected or else it would take years before the country could recover."

- MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on boosting Mindanao's economic growth


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

POLICE SEARCH IN TARLAC YIELDS GUN, GRENADE;  SUSPECT ARRESTED 

Press Release: A police search ordered by the Court resulted in the confiscation of a handgun and a grenade from a 58-year old suspect in Bamban, Tarlac today.

At 10:00AM, a team from the CIDG Regional Field Unit-3 served a Search Warrant against FLORENTINO VIUYA JR in Bamban, Tarlac issued by Hon. Jeovannie C Ordoño, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 109 of Capas, Tarlac dated March 29, 2021.

Confiscated from the suspect were: One Cal 45 pistol; One piece live ammunition for cal 45; One piece magazine assembly for cal 45; Five pieces live ammunition for cal 45; Nine pieces live ammunition for 9mm; and One (1) fragmentation hand grenade.

CIDG investigators are closely looking into possible links of the suspect with criminal or threat groups in the region, Sinas said.

#TeamPNP
#WeServeAndProtect
#PNPKakampiMo


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

WANTED PERSON NABBED BY JOINT OPERATIVES IN NAVAL

Press Release: Biliran Police Provincial Office, Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran:  Wanted Person falls into the hands of authority through its relentless efforts to carry its mandated tasks to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars.

As a result thereof, joint elements of Naval MPS, Biliran PIU and CIDG PFU Biliran personnel conducted a manhunt operation at Brgy. Patag, Culaba, Biliran at around 2:00 PM of March 29, 2021 which resulted to the arrest of the said wanted person.

Said wanted person was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest for the Crime of Presidential Decree 449 dated March 11, 2021 docketed under Criminal Case No. 4232 issued by Hon. Phenalyn Brazil-Abellar, Presiding Judge, MCTC, Naval, Biliran with recommended bail bond of Php 30,000.00 for his temporary release.

Subsequently, arrested person was brought to Naval Police Station for documentation.

PCOL JOEL T SERRANO, Acting Provincial Director, BPPO commends the operating troops for the success of the operation and further stated that the arrest of the suspect will serve as a warning to all.

"Our Police Force will relentlessly keep on hunting wanted persons or violators of law and we will make it sure to bring them before the court of law" says PCOL JOEL T SERRANO, Acting Provincial Director.

#8PreciousGem


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Press Release
MAYOR AGDA ISSUES NEW PROTOCOLS AMID COVID-19 SPIKE IN NCR, OTHER CITIES

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 31, 2021 (BCIO) – In the light of the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) and as a proactive measure to guard the City from a possible spill over of the virus, Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda issued recently Executive Order No. 004-0321, "An Order Setting Forth the New Health Protocols And Guidelines In the City of Borongan".

In a radio interview today, Atty. Romeo Alexis Devora, who heads the Public Health and City Task Force(PHSTF) pointed out that in the recent past two weeks or so, the City government had been lenient in imposing quarantine and isolation orders.

"But with the recent spike of COVID19 positives in the NCR, the health risk to Boronganons is very eminent, and Mayor Agda will never allow that to happen without having to require minimum health protocols, thus  the EO 004-0321," Atty. Devora said.

"There are just two major provisions in the new EO," he added. "Travelers from outside Region8 who are coming to Borongan will no longer be classified as LSI, however, they have to present a negative RTPCR result upon arrival. The negative result must have been obtained two days prior to arrival to the City," he stressed.

On the other hand, travelers within the region and province, will just have to present a valid ID, a barangay certification of residency and QR Code, the EO reads.

For mass gatherings, the 50% of the venue's capacity is allowed, but organizers of the event have to write a letter request  to the PHSTF for holding the event.

Further, the EO provides, that as may be assessed by the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) an Antigen Test may be required for each participant of any public gathering.

"Tourism activities are allowed being one of the economic drivers and curfew hours are still the same, from 12MN to 5AM, but contact sports, basketball, "bublang", "turopada" are big "nos", the young lawyer quipped.

Finally, a strict compliance to minimum health protocols, such as Wearing of Face Mask and Face Shields, Physical Distancing and frequent hand washing remain imposed. #

#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

From the page of Cong. Edgar Chatto
Congratulations on the blessing and inauguration of
Bohol Provincial Plant Nursery at Sitio Campaque, Del Carmen Sur, Balilihan.

Cong. Edgar Chatto graced the occasion together with Gov. Art Yap and Balilihan Mayor Pureza Veloso-Chatto.

The nursery was established through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Local Government Unit of Balilihan and the Bohol Provincial Government during the time as Governor of now Congressman Chatto.

The Provincial Plant Nursery occupies an area of  more than one hectare in the 7 hectare property of the LGU.  This property, bought sometime in 2014 supposedly for a Coconut Hub of the Philippine Coconut Authority, now is the site likewise of the Municipal Plant Nursery, the Municipal Slaughterhouse, and hopefully soon the long- awaited Coconut Hub of the PCA which will be producing Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and the Coconut Integrated Processing Plant of the Bohol Provincial Government which will be producing Cooking oil, Vinegar and briquette (Charcoal) among others, Mayor Chatto said.

During the program, Gov. Yap also handed over aid to barangays as well as aid to Child Development Workers and seedlings for the Sikatuna Police Station.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Press Release
The Philippines is set to host South East Asia's first floating energy storage solution

Fun Fact:
After almost 10 years, Finland reopens embassy in Manila last December 2020

The Philippines is set to host South East Asia's first floating energy storage solution following the signing of a partnership deal between technology firm Wärtsilä and utility Therma Marine Inc.

An engineering, procurement, and construction deal signed by the two companies will enable Wärtsilä to provide the utility with a 54MW/32MWh energy storage system.

Wärtsilä will provide ten of its GridSolv Max energy storage systems and an advanced energy management platform.

The solution will provide flexibility for TMI in their ancillary service contract with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
The energy storage plant will be installed in the province of Davao de Oro, next to an existing 100MW thermal power plant in Maco municipality.

The project is set to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021.

This will be the first ever deployment of a floating energy storage solution in the South East Asia region.

The floating power barge will enable a fast supply of electricity to areas with limited infrastructure and is a mobile asset, enabling relocation or trade.

#Maco
#DavaoDeOro
#PhilippineConstructionBoom
#Finland

Power Engineering INT/Wikipedia (Maps)
https://www.powerengineeringint.com/smart-grid-td/energy-storage/philippines-to-host-south-east-asias-first-floating-energy-storage-solution/


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

News Release: The inter-agency collaboration meeting resumed this 2021 today March 30, 2021 for the implementation of actions relating to illegal activities such as kaingin, logging, and quarrying without permit.

Last year, a significant number of logs kaingined and cut were apprehended by DENR via this collaborative efforts at Brgy. Cabingtan. Also, the verified kaingined areas were taken over by LGU by planting trees at the area so that the illegal cultivators cannot utilize the cleared area.

City Director of Ormoc, PNP Ramil Ramirez, DENR Ormoc City, EDC and ENRO, brained stormed and gathered  relayed reports for basis of action.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Catarman, Northern Samar MIATF Resolution No. 23

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS PARA SA SEMANA SANTA

Press Release:Ginhahangyo an ngatanan nga tumanon ini nga mga tugon:
✓Sundon an public health protocols – physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, wearing of facemask/faceshield - sa ngatanan nga lugar.

✓Gintutuyangan an PAGTIRIROK (mass gathering) kundi 50 porsyento o katunga la sa kapasidad san lugar an ihap san maatendir.

✓Puyde an PROSESYON, kundi pinaagi la sa motorcade; diri magbaraktas.

✓Sa VISITA IGLESIA, istrikto nga tumanon an mga health protocols sugad san physical distancing, paglimpya san kamot, pagsul-ot sin facemask/faceshield, humarayo o tahuban an hiwa kun nag-uubo; ngan tubtob la sa 50 porsyento san kapasidad san lugar an pasudlon.

✓BAWAL mag-atendir sa mga aktibidad san Semana Santa gawas sa panimalay adton 15 anyos paubos ngan lahos sa 65 anyos an edad.

✓Magbutang sin QR Code Scanner dida sa mga lugar nga pagbubuhatan san mga aktibidad san Semana Santa. Aaruan sin QR Code tikang sa "safecatarman.today" an siyendo naapi sini nga mga aktibidad, para sa contact tracing.

PARA SA MGA RESORT NGAN IBA PA NGA  PASILIDAD PANGLIAWAN: 

✓Diri pasudlon an mga edad 15 anyos paubos, ngan lahos sa 65 anyos;
✓Iglimitar sa 50 porsyento sa kapasidad san lugar an pasudlon nga tawo;
✓Siguruhon an pagpasunod sa public health standards;
✓Gumamit sin QR Code scanner para sa contact tracing.

An diri magtuman sa mga ginpapasunod sini nga resolusyon in maatubang sin sirot subay sa mga aplikable nga balaud.

Salamat sa kooperasyon.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

The Bohol Trade Fair and Livelihood Exhibit participated in by women, women groups and cooperatives, farmers and entrepreneurs at the old Tagbilaran City Airport generated a total sales of  close to 1.2 million pesos from March 24-28, 2021.

The total sales is inclusive of sales from booth displays from women's associations from participating LGUs, food concessionaires and agri products. Gov. Art Yap supports Boholanas' causes and advocacies especially the critical role they play during this pandemic. - press release


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Breaking News: Governor Gwendolyn Garcia signed tonight Executive Order No. 17 that defines the protocols for repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and returning non-OFWs traveling to the Province of Cebu.

They shall no longer be required to undergo mandatory quarantine unless their RT-PCR test result turns out positive.

They shall only be required to:
1) accomplish the online Mactan-Cebu International Airport Passenger Registration Form via the MCIAA's website;
2) undergo an RT-PCR test upon their arrival at the airport, to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) - FREE OF CHARGE;
3) secure a pre-booked hotel room where they will be staying while waiting for the RT-PCR test results.

Upon release of a NEGATIVE RT-PCR test result, they shall be allowed to go home. No other requirement shall be imposed by their Local Government Unit of destination under the Cebu Province in this regard.

Should the RT- PCR test result turns out positive, the DOH health protocols for the treatment of COVID-19 positive individuals shall be followed.

The Governor, after consultations with the officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT), DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), MCIAA, GMR-Megawide Airport Corporation, airline companies and the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), issued the order to ease the heavy financial burden on the returning non-OFW and the finances of the (OWWA).

The order shall take effect starting 12:01 A.M. of March 31, 2021 (Wednesday). | #SugboNews2021


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Governor Chiz Escudero of Sorsogon expresses his support for the #ReadyToRebuild program! 
   
The Ready to Rebuild: Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program aims to build the capacity of government to recover better and faster from disasters even before it happens. 
   
The Training Program is open for local chief executives and technical staff—planners, DRRM officers, and budget officers—from the provinces, cities, and municipalities. 
   
Fill up the registration form at bit.ly/ReadyToRebuildSignUp. 
For more information, visit bit.ly/ReadyToRebuildProgram. 
For inquiries, please send an email to ready2rebuild@gmail.com

For more DRRM updates, like, follow and share Civil Defense PH!


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

DBM RELEASES P22.9-BILLION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LGUs IN NCR PLUS

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) the Special Allotment Release Order and corresponding Notices of Cash Allocation amounting to P22,915,422,000 representing the financial assistance that was approved by the President to be released to local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region, the Provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal (collectively known as "NCR Plus), that were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March 29 to April 04, 2021.

The financial assistance is intended to assist 80% of the population of NCR Plus who belong to low-income households. They are entitled to receive P1,000 per person but not to exceed P4,000 per family either in cash or in kind based on the most efficient and effective mechanism to be identified by their respective LGUs. Around 22.915-million individuals are expected to benefit from this financial assistance based on projections from the National Economic and Development Authority. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall assist the LGUs in the implementation of this financial assistance to the targeted beneficiaries.

Consistent with the President's directive, beneficiaries of earlier Social Amelioration Programs of the DSWD shall be prioritized as beneficiaries of this financial assistance and the complete list of beneficiaries shall be posted in conspicuous places in the LGU and submitted to the DBM, the Commission on Audit, and other agencies as required under existing laws, rules and regulations.

The financial assistance will be released by the BTr to the LGUs through their authorized government servicing bank accounts. Specific details and allocations of each city and municipality in the NCR Plus are provided under Local Budget Circular No. 136, which may be accessed from the DBM website: https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/280-latest-issuances/local-budget-circular/local-budget-circular-2021/1841-local-budget-circular-no-136

The DBM is committed to fulfill its mandate of promoting the efficient and effective management of the national budget to support its budget priorities while also ensuring that the needs of the Filipino people, especially during challenging times such as this, are met. - (30)


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Press Release
We are sad to report that we have a death in a COVID-19 Confirmed Case today, March 30.

ES-1255 (EV-16510) from Can-avid died earlier today, while admitted at ESPH in Borongan City.

The death is yet to be confirmed whether it is COVID-19 related.

This brings our Total Deaths to 33.

Our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

48 OSYs JOIN 3-DAY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Press Release: BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 30, 2021 (BCIO) – Some 48 out-of-school youths (OSYs) are currently undergoing a three-day Leadership Summit at the 78th Infantry (Warrior) Batallion, 8ID, Philippine Army, Barangay Lalawigan, Borongan City.

Dubbed 1st Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), it is participated in by young leaders coming from the nine conflict-affected barangays which are beneficiaries of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) that  mainly aims to deliver basic services, strengthen barangay-based institutions and engage in participative-issue resolution.

In his inspirational message, City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda encouraged the youths to actively participate in the development initiatives of their respective barangays by leading their sector in contributing efforts to defeat ignorance and poverty.

"After this summit we will craft policies that will answer the issues particularly the youth's interest. This is the purpose of EO 70 is to defeat poverty through good governance. I need to know your side, be radical in participating actively and know different policy directions," Mayor Agda told the 48 participants.

He also gave advice to the participants on how to become the best leaders that make a difference.

"To be a leader is to sacrifice, to be a leader, is not asked, it is earned; to be a leader you need to sacrifice," Mayor Agda stressed.

The City Chief Executive assured the OSY-participants of an employment as monitors of the "Dukwag Agrikultura" program, in order to ensure that government resources are properly utilized by DA beneficiaries.

The YLS is a collective effort made by the SK Federation Council, City Social Worker Development Office, 78th Infantry (Warrior) Batallion, 8ID, Philippine Army and LGU-Borongan.

"An una hat nga plano, Youth Camp la ha Barangay San Gabriel tapos suggestion ni LTCOL Oliver Alvior nga dudrunganon nala an siyam nga RCSP barangays kaya with full support, our office supplied the materials for the 3-day activity", Hon. Lanie Anacta, the SK Federation President revealed.

Clad in a t-shirt bearing message, "Youth of today leaders of Tomorrow", Hon. Anacta was grateful that the plan to hold the summit pushed through this year.

Morie Lacorte, the President of San Gabriel Ecotourism Association and member of San Gabriel Youth for Peace Organization said he is expecting that he will be able to know his role as youth leader in the  his community. 

Meanwhile, LTCOL Oliver C. Alvior, the Commanding Officer of the 78ID, 8ID expressed his deep appreciation on the City LGU's support in championing peace and development which serves as the building blocks of the city. He mentioned Mayor Agda's part in painting the whole picture.

"Napakabilis ng action dahil si Mayor Agda ay nandiyan sumusporta sa amin," the grateful commander said.

The YLS will empower and enhance the leadeship skills of the participants, tapping topnotch speakers who are also members of CPOC, including no less than  Mayor Agda himself, Milagrosa Fiel Inciso representing CSWDO who mentioned that their office is supporting the summit in the procurement process of office supplies.

"Sigaw ng kabataan tayo'y manindigan, tayo'y manindigan, sigaw ng kabataan!" echoed the youths at the opening program. #

#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines' (NHCP) Materials Research Conservation Division, together with the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CHAO), is almost done in sprucing up the 1980 Antonio Pigafetta Monument at the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City. The monument, which was donated by the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) to the Cebu City Government, was a work of National Artist Abdul Mari Asia Imao. The NHCP is scheduled to install a historical marker on its pedestal on April 13, a day after the 41st anniversary of the monument's inauguration. 500 years ago, Pigafetta recorded details of the way of life, belief system, language, and world view of our pre-colonial ancestors in the Visayas and Mindanao. A joint exhibit of NHCP, PIA and CHAO will be opened on the unveiling date, to be followed by the launching of food historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria's book, 'Pigafetta's Philippine Picnic.'

Rommel R. Aquino
#VictoryAndHumanity
#PH500


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

The Eastern Visayas Regional Office of the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that African Swine Fever has reached Lope de Vega, Northern Samar.

DA Region 8 Technical Director Elvira Torres said it was the first confirmed outbreak outside Leyte province, prompting the agency to send teams to investigate how ASF reached one of the town's backyard farms. "There are reports that the virus was carried by a person who visited the hog farm. Traveling from a place with ASF could lead to new outbreaks without proper biosecurity practices."

Authorities have identified over 200 pigs in Lope de Vega that will be subjected to depopulation to stop the spread of the virus. They are located within the 500-meter radius from the confirmed case.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1135192


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

DA-8 HAILS LGU-BORONGAN FOR MAKING AGRICULTURE A PRIORITY PROGRAM

Press Release: BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 30, 2021 (BCIO) – Department of Agriculture Regional Office-08 Director, Angel Enriquez, was all praises at the Borongan City Government for prioritizing agricultural development among its flagship programs.

This was during the recently held Turn-Over Rites of the Results and Outputs on Soil Assessment Survey of the city's agricultural lands and water source which was conducted by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) central office.

Director Enriquez lauded City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, for initiating first the soil suitability of every barangay in the area before starting the program.

"I feel proud to announce to other local government units of Region 8 that before any crop should be planted the activity on soil survey and suitability assessment of agricultural areas should be done first," Director Angel Enriquez said.

"You have courageously gone out of your way to make the farmers top priority," said Enriquez.

Enriquez reiterated that agriculture sector is the only sector which stood still during the pandemic.

"The seeds that will be provided, the fertilizers and the farm machineries should be interconnected and it is good thing that here in Region 8, in Eastern Samar mayroon tayong isang LGU na priority talaga ang agriculture," she added.

Enriquez saluted all men and women who are behind Mayor Agda's dream for every Boronganons.

"Mayor Agda will not be able to have this without the support of the Sangunniang Panlungsod, Department Heads, National Agencies, Punong Barangays (PBs), and Farmers Associations," she pointed out.

She also mentioned the important participation of the PBs in the DA's program in registering farmers thru Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture (RSBSA).

The Soil Assessment Survey includes the study of Borongan City's water sources, fertilizers suitability and local climate.

Mayor Agda's Dukwag Agrikultara is offering financial  assistance to farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, agricultural organizations/cooperatives and agricultural workers without collateral and interest.

With the ordinance and the recently signed IRR, some requirements however are said necessary to comply with,  for a famer to enjoy the institutionalized program. #

#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko #DukwagAgrikultura


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Halal Beef Program!

Press Release: MInDA Eyes Bangsamoro Region
For Mindanao Cattle Production

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, composed of five provinces, will soon become the country's top beef producer as the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has identified the region as the priority area for the implementation of the Cattle Industry Development Program.

A MinDA Technical Working Group which includes officials of the BARMM Agriculture Ministry and the Bangsamoro Development Authority (BDA) will craft this week a comprehensive road map for the Bangsamoro Halal Beef Production Program which is expected to turn the former conflict area into a source of high-value beef for local consumption and export to the BIMP-EAGA countries.

The organization of the Technical Working Group followed a Field Tour and Orientation in a Cattle Fattening Facility in Polomolok, South Cotabato conducted by MinDA for officials of the BDA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the BARMM on Saturday.

The comprehensive Road Map for Bangsamoro Halal Beef Production will be presented to BARMM Chief Minister Ahod "Murad" Ebrahim and MAFAR officials led by Minister Mohammad Yacob second week of April.

The Bangsamoro Halal Beef Production Road Map will propose the establishment of Cattle Breeding and Fattening Facilities in the five provinces of the BARMM, including the construction of Halal Abattoirs and processing facilities.

Initially, the program will start with just one Cattle Fattening Facility in a property owned by the BDA inside the main camp of the Moro Islamic LIberation Front (MILF) in Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The Fattening Facility will be complemented by the Double AA Halal Abattoir established by the Department of Agriculture in Cotabato City.

Later, other Cattle Fattening facilities, utilizing local cattle and imported culled cows and steers from Australia, will also be set up in the Provinces of Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi.

The Cattle Fattening Program will be supported by a region-wide community cattle breeding program which would involve an Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer Program to upgrade local cattle.

The importation of Heifers to increase the number of breederes will also be recommended which would expand the Cattle Breeding Program to all communities within the Bangsamoro Region.

During the initial discussions between MinDA, the BDA and MAFAR, it was agreed that what would come out of the BARMM would be Halal Beef ready for the market.

Other allied industries were also identified like Silage-Making, Meat Processing and Leather-Making which would create employment and income generating oppotunities for residents of the region.

The TWG will work through the Holy Week to finish the proposed Road Map to fasttrack the program to be able to catch up with the celebration of the animal sacrifice, Qurban, when about 1,000 heads cattle would be needed by the Muslim leaders.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#PeaceBringsAboutProgress!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!

(This video presentation was prepared by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

LGU BORONGAN GETS ANTI-DRUG ABUSE PERFORMANCE AWARD

Press Release: BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 25, 2021 (BCIO) - For providing full support to the country's  fight against illegal drugs, Borongan City received the distinguished recognition for an exemplary performance of a city goverment unit, from  DILG in a simple ceremony held recently at Stellar Hotel, this city.

Achieving a "HIGH" score, numerically equivalent to 90%, Borongan landed one spot in the country's list of 339 LGU awardees and the province's eight LGUs.

Dubbed "National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award", City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda gladly received the exceptional recognition for the LGU's unwavering support to curb if not eliminate the drug menace, with the untiring operation of the City's Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC.)

The citation that is concretely engraved in a large DILG Glass Marker was presented by the office's Provincial Director, Engr. Visitacion V. Giva to Mayor Agda.

PD Giva said the award was given to Borongan City for the 2018 performance audit with criteria including the holding of regular CADAC meetings, allocation of funds, support to CADAC programs and the implementation of the programs.

For his part, Mayor Agda pointed out that, sometimes, some people need to be recognized for a job well-done. But, he was quick to stress, that an award is just a bonus, because, as state workers, they are expected to execute their individual mandate, and sustaining the honor should even be taken as a greater challenge.

"Awards may just be a bonus point because we are expected to walk the extra miles, based on our respective functions and mandates of our offices," Mayor Agda stressed.

However, in all fairness that he has, Mayor Agda announced to the group, that the credit largely belongs to his predecessor, former city Mayor Maria Fe R. Abunda, being the sitting City Chief Executive, for period covering the perfomance audit.

Borongan has recorded a number of buy-bust operations and and the arrest of wanted persons. #

#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

POLICEMAN, MAILMAN ARRESTED FOR ENTERING COCKPIT IN PANGASINAN

An off-duty policeman and a mailman were arrested inside a cockpit arena in Barangay Laoag, Aguilar while a cockfight was ongoing at 2:50 pm on Friday.

The two violated President Rodrigo Duterte's order strictly prohibiting government officials or employees from entering cockpit arenas and gambling casinos.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File
Holy Name University scores big not just for sustainable energy, but also for the environment.

Officials of the University and key partners recently launched the P10-million solar panel project at Janssen Heights campus, touted as the biggest thin-film solar panel farm in the Philippines.

The new project touts the University as the first one installing the thin-film technology in the country, said HNU president Fr. Francisco Estepa.

This move by Bohol's premier Catholic university is an implicit heed to the call of Pope Francis to care for the environment. The Supreme Pontiff came up with an encyclical titled Laudato Si, which outlines the Catholic church's stands and teachings on the environment.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File: It seems there is a conscious effort to make Bohol one of the prime film production locations in the country. No less Gov. Edgar M. Chatto is optimistic more filming will be done here in the province as he met with the stars of an upcoming movie doing some production work.

What is interesting, the provincial government has set up a special mechanism to entice and make it easier for the film industry to do work–much more forming a film production haven, which can be affectionately called Boholywood.

A play of words from Hollywood, the world's film production capital, Bohol hopes to become a huge film production hub in the future by enticing film producers to do more location shoots here in the province.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File: The future is grim if nothing is done to slow down the effects of climate change today.

This was the stern warning aired by Sec. Emmanuel De Guzman, executive director of the Climate Change Commission, during his recent visit to Bohol on Wednesday.

The CCC came to Bohol to roll out its CORE project, the commission's flagship community capacity building program for communities against climate change and its adaptation measures.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News Brief: AS REPORTS OF a possible meningococcemia infection spreads, health officials on Friday readily downplayed the fears, saying they still await test results.

The move follows an alert raised by health authorities after a 7-year-old girl allegedly died of meningococcemia Wednesday afternoon at the Natalio P. Castillo Sr. Memorial Hospital in Loon, Bohol.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News Archive: All three congressmen never had a hand in the approval of the P1,000 budget for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) by the House of Representatives.

The Bohol Tribune reached out to the three congressmen to find out their stand on the most sensitive issue of the land following the measly budget given to the controversial constitutional commission.

Two of the three congressmen of the province said the budget hearings are far from over, adding that any discussions about the budget given to any government offices may be a bit premature at this time.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News Archive
Political battle lines have been drawn with the vice mayor of the interior town of Batuan came out with intriguing questions on her post.

The new saga between two of the town's political titans reached the social media sphere with the vice mayor aired her sentiments about issues regarding the designation of officers-in-charge (OIC) while the mayor was away and the mayor's signatures on the payroll of the Sangguniang Bayan.

For his part, Batuan town mayor Antonino Jumawid only wants the town to be united and tried his "best just to work."

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News Archive
A member of a local group tasked to guard the reforestation efforts in Ubay town cried foul following what seems to be an utter disregard of the effort to regenerate the trees.

As this developed, alarm has raised in various fora including the Office of the Governor during the weekly media forum on the sad plight of the trees which were planted some two decades ago as an attempt to reforest the area.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File
A new crime wave had struck the city anew after the discovery of thieves from Davao victimizing unsuspecting Tagbilaranons who lost their hard-earned valuables in at least two incidents this week.

The intrusion of the city outsiders committing pickpocket has caused alarm among city residents that another gang might have set up a foothold here. With the revelation, a Bohol Tribune source said it is possible the gang originating from outside of the province may have been operating for a long time, but no one may have the courage to file charges.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File
A new crime wave had struck the city anew after the discovery of thieves from Davao victimizing unsuspecting Tagbilaranons who lost their hard-earned valuables in at least two incidents this week.

The intrusion of the city outsiders committing pickpocket has caused alarm among city residents that another gang might have set up a foothold here. With the revelation, a Bohol Tribune source said it is possible the gang originating from outside of the province may have been operating for a long time, but no one may have the courage to file charges.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File
CELEBRITIES LEAD OPENING
OF NEW TRAVEL AGENCY HERE

Celebrities graced the opening of the newest travel agency with myriad of ancillary services on Saturday with actress Aubrey Miles leading the way

RAMS Travel Agency located along Ma. Clara St. opened its doors to travelers in the province.

Miles graced the occasion with two other celebrities appearing in the ABS-CBN soap opera La Luna Sangre namely Ced Torrecarion and Carla Pini.

Tagbilaran branch manager John Enerio said the travel agency is Davao-based and wants to expand in theVisayas.

Aside from Tagbilaran, RAMS Travel Agency has branches in Bacolod, General Santos City, Digos, Malita, Davao Occidental, and Manila on top of two branches in Davao City.

Miles invited the Boholano public to try out the services of RAMS Travel Agency especially in its ticketing services.

Known as an FHM cover model, Miles has been in Bohol,and she loved the place for being an ideal place for the family to have a nice getaway.

Miles said she agreed to share the moment with the people of the RAMS Travel Agency since she and her husband, actor Troy Montero, love to travel a lot.

EXPANDING TO BOHOL

RAMS Travel Agency's top honcho Mercy Lim explained the rationale for the Bohol expansion.

Being a tourist destination, it is only logical to expand into Bohol given there is a direct flight from Tagbilaran to Davao City.

Lim said she is keen on developing travel packages and promote Bohol to Davao residents, and vice versa.

She said Bohol is a tourism powerhouse withhuge potential in the travel agency industry.

She added she is planning a whole range of tourist and travel options for travelers mostly catering to corporate accounts.

She is also aiming to get government accounts as well.

OTHER SERVICES

Enerio said aside from tour packages, the travel agency will also offer several services.

Once the system is in place, RAMS Travel Agency will also offer several services such as insurance, bayad center,and other services.

The agency will handle payments for SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig and other government transactions.

The bayad center will also cater for people who want to pay their postpaid bills and other payables.

Enerio also unveiled an innovation with the so-called "Fly Now Pay Later" plan. He said it is one way to give an opportunity to travelers to fly without and pay later using banking instruments.

He said it is an innovation which the travel agency brings to the table and offers to the Boholano public.

THE DAVAO CONNECTION

The direct flights to Davao have been the main reason why RAMS Travel Agency ventured into Tagbilaran.

More than that, the travel agency also banks on the opening of the new airport in Panglao.

Direct international flights are expected to come into Bohol once the new airport commences commercial operations come August.

RAMS Travel Agency is part of a bigger conglomerate based in Davao including RDL Cosmetics which has been a serious player in the dermatological treatments industry in the country.

The group has interests in real estate, hotel and restaurants mostly based on Davao. (Dave S. Albarado)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Warden reiterates appeal for
LGUs' help on congested jails

2017 News File: Bohol's top jail official has reiterated his call for financial and logistic assistance from local government units (LGUs) in relation to prison cells which are flooded with drug suspect inmates, as a result of the government's relentless war on illegal drugs.

Bohol District Jail (BDJ) warden Jail Chief Inspector Jose Rusylvi Abueva, in an interview with The Bohol Tribune,  said that at the provincial jail located at Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City, which is managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), 70 percent of all the inmates are drug suspects.

"The war on illegal drugs does not end after the arrest of a drug user or pusher," noted Abueva. "When drug suspects are kept in jails, there is a huge responsibility for jail officials to take care of them, helping them to restore their lives before sending them back to mainstream society as reformed individuals."

"Ang pagdakop kausa lang pero ang pagpakaon, pagbantay, pag-atiman sa mga piniriso buhaton kada adlaw ug pila pa ka tuig samtang nakasang-at pa sa korte ang ilang mga kaso," Abueva said.

He said that "if you are shocked seeing 40 to 60 inmates in one cell, the more you'd be shocked if you visit Quezon City, for instance, where hundreds of inmates are lumped in one cell."

"We have to look at the war on drugs in all angles," Abueva said. "Wala mahuman ang responsibilidad sa gobyerno pagkahuman sa dakop. Anaa pay mas dako nga trabaho sa dihang naa na sila sa prisohan."

The jail warden noted that BJMP's annual budget for every district jail is already fixed a year before the actual year of operation. So if the population of the jail grows at the middle of the year, the fixed annual budget has to be reprogrammed in order to accommodate all the inmates' provision for food.

"Nagkinahanglan usab kita ug tabang sa mga congressman nga ma-address ni nga problema at the national level during budget hearings. Nga unta mausob ang ilang pagtan-aw sa mga piniriso pinaagi sa paghatag ug dugang budget alang sa restoration sa kinabuhi sa mga piniriso," Abueva said.

On the other hand, Abueva reported that the provincial government of Bohol, as approved by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, had allocated P10 million for a new jail building to be constructed near its current location in Cabawan District, this city.

"Nagpasalamat ta ni Gov. Chatto nga pinaagi sa suporta sa provincial government dili na kaayo maghuot ang mga piniriso sa usa ka selda," Abueva said, citing the upcoming jail building project. "Dako ug tabang ang Kapitolyo sa atong BJMP."

Abueva hopes that LGU officials in other towns, where other district jails are located, would come forward and help address the problem of congested jails.

"Manghinaot ta nga motabang ang mga lungsod sa pagsulbad sa problema," Abueva said.

PHILIPPINE JAIL SITUATION
Meanwhile, as several jails in the Philippines remain extremely overcrowded, Sen. Leila de Lima has sought for a Senate probe on a current situation of jails to address its current sorry state.

De Lima had sent Senate Justice Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Dick" Gordon a letter requesting him to give priority attention to her resolution P.S. Res. No. 97.

The resolution, filed last Aug. 15, seeks "instituting remedial measures that would ensure that the government accomplishes the goals of the penal and detention systems, including the protection of the rights and welfare of persons deprived of liberty."

Attached to the letter are a series of photographs published by the US's Time Magazine which captured the country jails' congestion problem.

De Lima, former Justice Secretary, said she hopes that the panel would make it a priority as inmates continue to add to the already-congested jails which she described as in "unspeakable, uncivilized and inhumane condition."

She further said that overcrowding encouraged the proliferation of illegal activities among the inmates among other problems.

"This extreme overcrowding of prisoners in jails breeds a number of severe problems in jail management, including illness and poor hygiene among inmates, substandard sleeping accommodation, lack of food provision, among others," De Lima added.

Moreover, she said that inmates also tend to develop "tension and hostility" against each other which eventually lead to gang wars.
The neophyte senator further said that even if inmates have disobeyed the law, they were "still human beings who deserve to enjoy the basic rights to live decently and with dignity."

In 2015, data showed that Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) accounts for 93,961 prisoners, which is 398 percent congestion rate in all the 461 jails in the country today. The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) accounts for 41,144 inmates in its seven prison and penal farms.

On the other hand, the Philippines has been ranked 12th in the world with a prison population of 142,168 in 2016, based on the World Prison Brief of the London-based International Centre for Prison Studies

As former Justice Secretary, De Lima pushed for passage of the modernization of BuCor in 2013 as part of the previous administration's thrust to decongest and improve the facilities of the country's jail system.

She meanwhile stressed that the state of the country's jails should be given more attention especially in view of the intensified drive against criminality under the administration under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

Photo courtesy of Rey Anthony Chiu

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File
PD reminds cops: Use guns
to serve, protect the public

Following the tragic gunfight at Sikatuna Police Station which resulted to the death of two police officers, Senior Supt. Dennis Palo Agustin, Bohol PNP command director, reminded men and women in uniform to use their guns to "serve and protect the public."

"Police officers also have the duty to serve and protect each other as fellow civil servants, as brothers and sisters who should unite in the fight against criminality and against hoodlums in society," Agustin said in aninterview, noting that though the Sikatuna shooting was an isolated case, it should serve as a wake-up call to the entire police command in Bohol that internal conflicts should be addressed as early as possible before these become uncontrollable.

Agustin said there is a need to establish strong mechanisms on how to resolve conflicts among police officers in Bohol.

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto has called for a deeper probe on the Sikatuna incident. The governor is expected to issue additional press statements on this matter next week, after the holidays.

"Syempre hindi naman natin maiwasan ang misunderstanding dahil tayo ay tao lamang, at dahil na rin sa stress sa trabaho at sa araw-araw na pamumuhay," Agustin said, underscoring the fact that police need to manage their personal problems wisely without affecting their ability to execute their duties and responsibilities.

The PNP director said he is open to suggestions from well-meaning citizens and from local government officials on how they can extend help to police personnel in dealing with stress and conflict at the workplace.
"The incident has awakened our need for moral recovery and spiritual renewal among police officers," Agustin said.

He also called on chiefs of police in all towns to conduct weekly dialogue among their personnel and try to resolve out any internal rift at its earliest stage.

BE CALM
Agustin, on the other hand, reminded his men to be calm, especially when they have their service firearms with them.

This developed following the gruesome murder of a cop by a fellow police officer, who in turn got shot by another cop inside the Sikatuna police station.
Agustin admitted that he cried upon learning two of his men figured in a bizarre shooting incident.

He reminded his men to remain calm and composed and never resort to use their service firearms when angry or furious.

He said he was sad the incident happened after Christmas and when the whole nation was about to celebrate the New Year.

Reports reaching Camp Dagohoy in Tagbilaran said PO2 Marlon Balberan, 31, married, went to the town hall in Sikatuna seeking SPO2 Fidel Malig-on, 41. Both cops were residents of Loboc town.

Witnesses said Balberan confronted Malig-on, asking why the latter shamed the former's family.

The personal grudge went awry and has been seen as the motive behind the murder. Balberan opened fire and hit Malig-on three times on the midsection.

Balberan was shot by other cops after he shot Malig-on. Balberan was brought to the hospital after he was hit in his jaw, but was declared dead upon arrival.

Malig-on was rushed to Tagbilran's Gallares provincial hospital but expired later in the day, reports said. (DAVE ALBARADO)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News File
Bohol Needs More Facilities, Longer Airport Runway To Entice More Flights Here

By Dave S. Albarado and Ven C. Arigo

It may be exciting, but offers to operate more international flights to Bohol have been coming and it is no secret that a lot of people from abroad want to come to this island paradise.

There is just this problem. The tourists want to see more resorts and to increase the number of rooms in the various accommodations in the province.

In another development, officials have hinted that the existing 2.5 km airport runway of the new Bohol Airport in Panglao may be extended to 3 km to accommodate direct flights from North America and Europe to the island province of Bohol.

At a press conference at Amorita Resort on Friday, PAL's Vice President for Sales Ryan Uy said that tourism infrastructure in the province needs more upgrading and improvement to suit up international standards.

Uy made a sweet statement probably caused some folks in attendance giddy at the possibility of having more direct international flights into Bohol aside from the current one servicing tourists from South Korea.

"Bohol is beautiful, but the tourism infrastructure is far from the ideal," said Uy.

Uy said he was informed about more resorts on the pipeline. He said it is also timely since next year the Panglao Airport will be online and operational.

The first flight of the Incheon-Tagbilaran PAL trip last Friday. (Photo courtesy of Tagbilaran Aviation Police Station)
He also expressed excitement about the new airport, if plans don't miscarry, will be operational by June of 2018.

Gov. Edgar Chatto expressed his deepest appreciation together with the top officials of the province for the effort of PAL to gamble on having direct flights from South Korea to Tagbilaran.

Chatto said having international flights going into Tagbilaran used to be a pipe dream. Now, with the flights becoming a reality, the dream has been realized.

The dream of having international flights is also a dream of Tourism Promotions Board chief executive officer Cesar Montano who was in attendance during the press conference in line with the maiden Incheon-Tagbilaran flight early Friday morning.

SCHEDULING

PAL leaves Incheon at 2:30 in the morning and arrives in Tagbilaran after four hours. Observers say it is pretty early, however, the management of the airline has a different take on it.

Uy said the schedule allows for early arrival and maximize the tour of Bohol. Upon arrival, Uy said, the visitors may opt to jump into the tour and perhaps get more time to sample other tourist destinations within the region like Cebu, Siquijor and Dumaguete.

The Tagbilaran to Incheon flight leaves Bohol at 5:20 in the afternoon.

OPPORTUNITY

Chatto said having the international flights coming to Bohol is an opportunity to showcase the vibrant hospitality and the culture of the Boholano.

Tourists will have a direct link on the number of interesting sights to visit in Bohol.

An audio-visual presentation was shown to delegates from the Korean media who were in attendance during the press conference.

The governor also recognized the effort of the airline to connect Tagbilaran to Bohol in order to afford the tourists the ability to move from one province to another and further experience the warmth and charm of the Philippines.

Having connecting flights to and from Clark also opens a gateway for folks up north to discover Bohol.

PEACE-LOVING

Chatto reiterated the status of Bohol as a peace-loving island province.

"This is an island to give you more reasons to be back," he told the Korean and Bohol media in attendance.

He also said having the Korean media enables the folks here to provide a geography lesson driving that Bohol is far from the areas of the country where there is conflict and the peace and order situation is far from ideal.

Chatto hopes the Korean visitors will enjoy the stay and will come back to Bohol someday.

"Once you are in Bohol you will learn to love Bohol," said the governor.

To allay the fears, the local government and the military assured the public about the peace and order situation.

Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Matinguihan of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Bohol said the public can count on the military to maintain the peace and to secure the tourists wherever they will go in the province.

Matanguihan cited the insurgency-free status of the province.

The general said there are enough security forces, including the tourist police, to help securing the visitors and tourists coming to Bohol.

Montano said challenges like the incursion of the Abu Sayyaf would only strengthen the resolve of the tourism sector and the local government to improve the peace and order in the province.

He even cited while clashes were ongoing in Inabanga and Clarin town, the delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who were in Panglao to attend the trade meetings were unharmed and indicated their plans to come back to Bohol in the future.

Calamities and challenges that happened in Bohol are also felt in other places globally, said Cesar Montano, head of Tourism Promotions Board. However, the resiliency of the Boholano will keep the tourism sector afloat for a long time, he added.

The launching of the Behold Bohol brand despite the challenges only shows the resiliency of the Boholano and the local tourism industry to sustain the momentum and be ready to accept guests and tourists that may come to the province, Montano said.

THE PLAN

The plan for Tagbilaran to be open for international flights have been in the pipeline for so long. It was the lack of infrastructure that caused the delay for the realization of having international flights coming and going from Tagbilaran, said Bonifacio Sam, president of PAL Express.

The efforts of the local government of Bohol to rehabilitate the airport have been instrumental in the fulfillment of the dream for Bohol to finally accommodate flights from an international destination such as the one that opened last week.

PAL has recognized South Korea as one of its top markets. It has established links in various parts of the Philippines to service the Koreans, among the top visitors in the country.

Aside from Tagbilaran, PAL operates other flights from South Korea to other domestic destinations in the country such as Manila, Kalibo and Clark. PAL also flies to Seoul (Incheon), Busan and Jeju Island.

Sam hopes to expand the current services as the new service from Korea to Tagbilaran allows the tourists to have a direct link to see the sights and wonders of the province and truly behold Bohol and the nearby islands.

PAL also launched its Cebu to Tagbilaran flights to compliment the new Tagbilaran to Incheon flights last week.

Full 3-km airport runway

for bigger direct int'l flights

Bohol leaders are mulling this early to extend the Panglao airport runway to full three kilometers to accommodate bigger direct flights from America, Europe and other major global sides outside Asia.

Meanwhile, Bohol is now the newest foreign gateway to the country with the maiden daily Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Incheon in South Korea to Tagbilaran City Friday morning.

Also, South Korea is, thus, now the first Asian neighbor and foreign country directly connected to Bohol by air.

Gov. Chatto and Bohol First District Rep. Rene Relampagos got the full assurance of support from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Sec. Ernesto Pernia for funding the "perfect" runway of the new Bohol airport in Panglao.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Project Director Edgar Mangalili said the runway extension can be worked even simultaneously with the operation of the airport starting June, 2018.

Mangalili updated Pernia, Chatto and Relampagos on the progress of the airport construction at their meeting in Panglao on Thursday.

Based on its present revised-upgraded design, the airport, which is of international standard, will have a 2.5-kilometer runway when finished and operationalized in the middle of next year.

The runway length can already accommodate connecting regional flights from neighboring Asian countries like South Korea, China, Japan and Thailand, among others.

The governor was told that the demand for direct Bohol flights from China and other Asian countries is growing.

But bullish industry and expert projections have indicated an unprecedented upsurge of Western tourist arrival, too, aboard bigger commercial aircrafts on direct flight in not a remote future.

The landing facility is, therefore, to be prepared this early for the "very likely" exciting happening by adding to the runway 500 meters more for a total of three kilometers.

It was assured at the meeting that the operation of the airport using the present design of 2.5-kilometer runway cannot be affected even if further extension of the landing pad is simultaneously done.

NEDA Usec. Jose Miguel dela Rosa and Reg'l. Dir. Efren Carrreon, and officials and technical people from the Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. (JAC) and contractors' consortium also attended the meeting.

TWIN MAIDEN FLIGHTS

From the meeting, Pernia, Chatto and Relampagos led the Boholanos in the ceremony at the Tagbilaran City airport welcoming the inaugural flight also of PAL from Cebu to Bohol Thursday afternoon.

It was, an hour later, the same aircraft of the national flag carrier that proceeded to the Incheon airport in South Korea for PAL's maiden daily flight, first international flight to Bohol the following day.

Full of Korean tourists, PAL officials and members of the media, the plane departed from Incheon at dawn Friday on its first Korea-Bohol flight that landed back on Tagbilaran airport at six in the morning.

It was the first international commercial flight by any airline ever to touch down in Bohol and Chatto described it as a tourism-economic breakthrough in the province.

PAL-Bohol Manager Emma Caseñas said this is the complete daily circuit of the new PAL route connecting Bohol, with estimated times of departure (etd): The plane leaves Tagbilaran for Cebu at etd 7am; Cebu to Tagbilaran, etd 3:30pm; Tagbilaran to Incheon, South Korea, etd 5:05pm; and Incheon to Tagbilaran, etd 2:30am, until arriving at Tagbilaran airport at 6am.

Caseñas said PAL will blaze another air trail—the Tagbilaran flight to Clark in Pampanga, vice versa—starting October 16 this year.

Chatto said Pal has now considered Bohol a hub destination, which means that the flights here can connect to more destinations like Palawan, which happens to have an eco-tourism sisterhood with Bohol.

The United Nations-World Tourism Organization declared 2017 as the International Sustainable Tourism Year and Bohol was the first Philippine province to echo the declaration.

NOT CANCELLED

Pernia clarified with the DOTr that the public-private partnership (PPP) modality of the operation and maintenance of the Panglao airport will push through.

This is unlike the other new airport projects in the country which may still need funds.

Also, there is no problem with the implementation of the Bohol airport as a major infrastructure project since its construction has been fully funded as supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

While the project has been progressing right on its site, volumes of other construction materials have at the same time been prefabricated in Batangas and are due for shipment here in July.

Chatto said the NEDA secretary, himself a Boholano, is happy with the rate the airport construction has been accomplished.

The construction is targeted for completion in March next year, immediately after which are the installation of the passenger elevators and boarding bridges en route to the start of the airport operation in June.

From June to December next year, the planes can land and depart only from sunrise to sunset because the runway lights and other safe night navigation facilities are yet to be completed within the period.

The airport's 24-hour, "all-weather" operation will begin in January of 2019.

P602M AIRPORT ACCESS ROADS

Road projects worth P602.93 million are to be implemented beginning next year for easier, fast access to and from the new airport, Chatto said based on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) program.

These include the widening into four lanes and concreting of barangay Tawala, Panglao road, with drainage improvement, leading to the airport at a cost of P237.33 million.

Also for concreting is the Biking, Dauis road from the junction of the Panglao island circumferential highway to Libaong-Bolod in Panglao, P231.25 milllion

Another road leading to the airport, the Lourdes-Bolod-Tawala road in Panglao, will be concreted at P134.35 million.

The projects complement the main access road, which has four lanes with center light, connecting to the Dauis-Panglao central highway funded by JICA as part of the airport complex project itself.

A rotunda has been proposed for construction in the intersection.

Already in the DPWH Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) for 2018, all these are to make the traffic routes more convenient for vehicles going to and from the airport.

In the last project coordination meeting led by the governor, Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero and the concerned barangay officials were asked to help secure the road right of way for the airport access roads.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File
Baba eyes option to lure people
away from 5-6 lending scheme

By DAVE S. ALBARADO

TAGBILARAN CITY - With the government's eye now focusing on 5-6 lending scheme, the city is joining the effort in providing an alternative micro-lending scheme.

City Mayor John Geesnell "Baba" Yap II reveals plans to put up a micro-financing facility for people in an effort to stop the 5-6 lending, which has been the new focus of the Duterte administration.
President Duterte expressed his opposition to the 5-6 lending that has been pushing people in the fringes to poverty.

Yap said in an interview with The Bohol Tribune he has been against usurious practices depending on the use of the funds.
He said the plans involve coming up with a livelihood program where loans can have low interest rates. However, he said the city has yet to finalize the plans.

He said it is best to give the people options as far as finding funds.
Providing the right options may be able to wean people away from going to 5-6 lending schemes as the city eyes to provide lending facilities with the lowest interest rates possible.

WAGING A NEW BATTLE
On Monday, in a meeting with his cabinet, President Duterte ordered the "arrest" of "foreigners involved" in the 5-6 money lending scheme according to a Facebook post of Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol.

Piñol quoted Mr. Duterte as saying: "Sobra na yan. Pautangin ng 5-6 (interest rate) tapos bentahan pa ng mahal na mga appliance. Patay talaga ang pobre dyan (That's too much. Lending money at 5-6 and then even selling to borrowers expensive appliance. That will really kill the poor)."

In the post, the agriculture secretary said, "There are about 50,000 motorcycle-riding Punjabis involved in a money-lending scheme where borrowers pay back a P5,000 peso loan with a P1,000 interest in one month collected on a daily basis."

As of press time, the post accompanied with a photo of an Indian man riding a motorcycle, already amassed more than 12,000 likes and other responses with shares.

HOW 5-6 LENDING WORKS
The "Bombay" financing has been the last bastion of people especially micro and small businessmen in the country. Severely resource challenged business people, most of which operating in local public markets survive with loans from informal financiers known as 5-6.

The "pautang" practice of 5-6 has been around since the early 70's. While limits to the interest rates have been repealed, the underground financial scheme has flourished and known to immediate neighbors. As the usury law was repealed, the 5-6 scheme boomed not just in the outskirts but to urban locations as well. It has become ubiquitous to the point that it has been accepted as part of Pinoy culture.

The 5-6 means you need to pay P1,000 as interest for P5,000 borrowed.

People should never resort to this kind of borrowing, said eCompareMo.com.

However, the convenience and the favorable terms may tempt people to borrow money from 5-6 lenders. White the terms are attractive, it can be a can of worms open to high interest rates and unreasonable fees.

The President is not happy with this lending scheme as it only pushes the poor people down into a quagmire and making things difficult for them to recover from the debt.

Government has set up P 1-B fund as a starter fund for micro-lending activities aiming to kill the 5-6 as early as November last year.

Trade secretary Ramon Lopez said the program, called "Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso," would offer lower interest rates than the 20 percent under the current 5-6 scheme.

Lopez said about five or six established microfinance institutions are being eyed to be part of the program.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File
INDEX CRIMES IN TAGBILARAN
YEAR-ON-YEAR DROP – DEGAY
By Dave S. Albarado

The local police chief said the index crimes, which is the general indicator whether a place is peaceful or not, dropped in February 2018 compared to the same period in February 2017.

However, there is an increase in the crime volume in February 2018 compared to February 2017, but the city police improved in the crime-solving efficiency.

This was bared by City Police Chief Supt. Patricio Degay Jr during the City Peace and Order Council meeting on Thursday at the JJ's Seafood Village.

Data showed there were 68 index crimes recorded in February 2018 compared to 94 index crimes recorded in 2017.

The police chief attributed the drop in the index crime to the increased police visibility and regular checkpoints during the daytime.

Degay said there was a total of 176 crimes reported in February 2018 compared to 167 crimes reported in February 2017.

However, he said, the city police managed to improve on the crime solution efficiency rate with 73.30 percent in February 2018 compared to 61.07 percent in February 2018.

Degay lamented the number of non-index crime committed in the city in February 2018 increased to 108 from 73 in February 2017.

Carnapping incidents, said the police chief, increased by three-fold with zero incident in 2017 to three incidents in 2018. Degay said despite the increase; all carnapping cases happened in the city were all solved. All stolen motorcycles were recovered, as caseswere filed against the suspects, the city police chief added.

JAN TO FEB 2018 STATS TELL A DIFFERENT STORY

It is an entirely different story when it comes to the statistics between the first two months of 2018, as the crime volume rose and the crime solution efficiency dropped.

The number of index crimes recorded in January 2018 compared to February 2018, though, dropped, based on the statistics presented by Degay.

There were 68 cases of index crimes recorded in February 2018 compared to 71 index crimes recorded in January 2018.

The crime volume increased to 176 incidents in February 2018 compared to 159 incidents in January 2018, said Degay.

The number of crimes solved, said Degay, was pegged at 129 incidents solved in February 2018 compared to 122 incidentssolved in January 2018.

The volume dragged down the crime solution efficiency in February 2018 pegged at 73.30 percent compared to 76.73 percent in January 2018. 

Degay said theft, physical injuries, and robbery remain the top three crimes that happen in the city. In February 2018, there were 40 cases of theft recorded in the city PNP compared to 44 incidents in February 2017, 17 cases of physical injuries recorded compared to 38 cases in the previous year, and six robbery cases logged in the police records compared to eight cases recordedin the previous year.

Among the barangays in the city, based on statistics collected in February 2018, most of the crimes, both index,andnon-index, happened in Barangay Poblacion 2 with 26 index crimes and 19 non-index crimes reported. Barangay Cogon comes in next with 15 index crimes reported and 14 non-index crimes logged. Barangay Dao is in third place with nine non-index crimes reported and three non-index crimes logged.

The city police chief said it is expected for the crime numbers to swell in barangays Poblacion 2 and Cogon since it is a convergence area with a dense concentration of business establishments.

Degay said most of the crimes in the city happened on a Thursday with 19 instances reported in February 2018. Sunday and Monday come in second and third respectively, when most criminal activitieshappened.

The city police chief said police are extra vigilant during 4 am to 6 am as this is the times of the day when crimes happen.

The police chief said more police officers are deployed during these times and attend to the police outpost in Plaza Rizal and near the Island City Mall (ICM).

DOUBLE BARREL ACCOMPLISHMENT

Degay reported 13 persons arrested in line with Oplan Double Barrel forJanuary to March 2018,  13 suspects were arrestedwith a total of 18 cases filed in court, covering a total of eight operations conducted.

The total weight of suspected drugs confiscated is pegged at 66.41 grams.

Degay said the city police seized a total of 130.49 grams of suspected shabu in 2017 with a total of 49 operations, leading to the arrest of 62 persons and 111 total cases filed in court.

WAY FORWARD

Degay informed the body the police started to implement the Helmet Law province-wide at the same time implemented Executive Order No 26, which bans the smoking in public places.

The police chief said they are preparing for the security needs for the upcoming Lenten Season, summer vacation and Lakbay Ligtas

He also said the police are in the thick of preparations for the security needs of the National Private Schools Athletic Association which will be held in Tagbilaran City starting April 21.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File
GMA files bill naming Bohol
circum road after Aumentado
By DAVE S. ALBARADO

With local officials locking horns on whose honor will the Bohol circumferential road be named, one of the lower House's most famous representatives went ahead and sponsored a bill to name the road that embraces the island province after one of Bohol's illustrious sons.

As this develops, Bohol First District Rep. Rene Lopez Relampagos has filed a bill in Congress to name the long stretch of highway circumnavigating the island province after Bohol's most illustrious son, President Carlos P. Garcia.

Bohol Tribune obtained a copy of the draft bill introduced by former President and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga seeking to name the "entire circumferential road in Bohol" in honor of Gov. Erico B. Aumentado.

Macapagal-Arroyo says in her bill the road has to be rightly named after the one who toiled for its completion.

Aside from being a seasoned politician, Aumentado was the epitome of a change maker while he was in the halls of Congress and in the Capitol. Mentioned in the explanatory note of the bill introduced by Macapagal-Arroyo, Aumentado has pushed a number of infrastructure projects that greatly benefited not only the people of second district of Bohol, but the entire province.

In a way, Aumentado was the brains and prime mover of the master plan that ushered Bohol into a prime eco-tourism destination. His vision led to the realization of the Bohol International Airport in Panglao and worked on constructing key seaports to support the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

He also was instrumental in building several dams in the province that has become the anchor for irrigation in Bohol aside from connecting Bohol to Leyte for power needs. For his efforts, Aumentado had earned the moniker "Mr. Performance" and "Mr. Achiever."

TUG-OF-WAR
There is this apparent tug-of-war among Bohol's officialdom about naming the circumferential road.

A faction wants to name it after the only Boholano president of the republic, Carlos Polistico Garcia. At the same time, sectors want to see the road to be named after Aumentado who had served his province well with this laudable performance both as provincial governor and representative of the second district.

More than a week ago, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) clashed on the naming of the road during the regular session. The faction favoring the road to be named after President Garcia out voted the opposite party who wanted to name the road after Aumentado.

Now the virtual tug-of-war shifts to the halls of Congress where two contending bills hang in the balance in an effort to name the highway. It seems it boils down on the Congress being the final arbiter on the question on who among Bohol's illustrious sons deserves to have the road named after.

During the last CPG Day, Relampagos revealed his plans to file a bill to name the road in honor of Garcia.

REACTION
Former Provincial and City Legal Officer Handel Lagunay in a Facebook post said the Boholano has "given more than enough honor to Pres. Carlos P. Garcia." He pointed out an entire island town has been named in honor of CPG and "even set aside one day as a holiday."

He said he "endorse" to name the road as Erico B. Aumentado National Highway since he was the one who "so assiduously shepherded to completion in its various phases--from the time he was Congressman until he became Governor."

A debate has been started among netizens on Facebook regarding this issue at the same time some radio programs did some impromptu phone albeit, unscientific, survey to feel the pulse of the public on the issue of naming the road.

An important highway in Metro Manila, the C5, is actually a road named after the late Boholano president of the republic.

Aumentado was the author of the bill that has become a law that named C5 to the author of the Filipino first policy.

Facebook user Howell Calamba gave his two thumbs on the idea of naming the road in honor of Aumentado. Chie Anhao said "he truly deserves it!" The same positive reaction was seen from Facebook user Lhiza Galorio-Pamz.

Reports said the members of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL - Bohol Chapter) headed by its president San Isidro councilor and provincial board ex-officio member Gloria Gementiza passed a resolution asking Congress to name the highway in honor of Aumentado.

Also, there are reports that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP-Bohol), led by Clarin Mayor Allen Ray Piezas, according to Board Member Tomas Abapo, during his privilege speech, will also come out with a resolution to have said road named after Aumentado.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File
4-minute scandal video
devours Bohol netizens
by Dave S. Albarado

Boholano netizens have expressed shock and aghast over a new Bohol-made sex scandal video that has gone viral for days - and it has become a virtual "talk of the town," albeit in secret whispers.
According to sources, the video, now a hot topic on thousands of Facebook posts and comments, involved two grown-up students, who are allegedly enrolled in separate tertiary schools in Bohol.
Nonetheless, netizens are confounded on how the video spread online and some expressed anger about the video getting some attention as it went viral.

The latest viral video shows how people can get instant popularity or notoriety with the help of technology.

Even if this is not the first time social media helped in spreading a supposedly private affair, people still are interested in lurid stuff, which has created a stir enough to cause some conversations.
Interest generated by netizens over the video caused it to be a trending topic. Some folks have claimed to have seen the video.
However, despite repeated attempts, The Bohol Tribune reporters were unable to find a copy of the subject video.

Sources told The Bohol Tribune that the woman involved in the video scandal was reportedly "set up" by the guy with whom she shared intimate moments and his "hideous" friends, who appeared to be the ones taking the 4-minute visual fireworks using a smartphone.

The first few seconds of the video, according to highly-placed Bohol Tribune sources, were pitch dark, then the "main event" immediately emerged, first on a peephole-like frame, then on full screen mode.

Almost a decade ago, Boholanos here and abroad were also gripped by a sex video involving a former Bohol radio personality and his young girlfriend.

The video eventually put an end to the "storied broadcast career" of the once famous radio commentator.

ILLEGAL STUFF
Exhibiting and spreading videos obtained via voyeurism is illegal in the Philippines.

The Anti-Video and Video Voyeurism Act or Republic Act 9995 was passed by Congress specifically to prevent the publication and distribution of recorded videos of people doing sexual act or depicting the male or female genitalia or the female breast among others without the consent of the persons in the material.

Elegal.ph, a Filipino legal blog site, listed the acts illegal under RA 9995 to include: "unconsented taking of photo or video of a person or group of persons engaged in a sexual act or similar activity or capturing an image of the private area of a person, under circumstances in which the said person has a reasonable expectation of privacy."

The blog said it is also illegal to copy or to reproduce such photo or video recording. It is also illegal to sell the same. The publication or broadcast of the material in print or broadcast media, or the showing of the same through VCD/DVD, the Internet, cellular phones, and other similar means without the written consent of the persons featured.

Mere showing of the video in question using one's mobile phone constitutes violation of the law, elegal.ph said.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

CITY BUS SA DAVAO NANAGAN NA!

Press Release: The Davao City government has rolled out the Interim Bus System (IBS) project in Catalunan Grande, Tuesday, giving the barangay and the surrounding areas a boost to its much-needed transportation needs.

In her speech, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, who led Tuesday's launch, urged the public to patronize the project, especially the residents of Catalunan Grande and all who work and do business in this area, to support our IBS buses.

Mayor Sara was also joined by Debin Uraya of the Uraya Land Development Inc., De Carlo "Oyo" Uy, CEO of Metro Shuttle Corporation, Department of Transportation (DoTr) Assistant Secretary Eymard D. Eje, and Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Director Nonito A. Llanos III.

In its launch, six (6) buses will run on their initial stage of operation out of the 21 units to serve the routes from Elenita Heights Subdivisions passing through Catalunan Grande to Roxas Avenue.

The first trip is at 5:00 A.M and the last trip is at 6:00 P.M with 15 to 20 minutes interval.

The mode of payment will be through cash or beep card for cashless transactions. Purchase and top-up of beep cards will soon be available at Bankerohan Terminal, Ecoland Terminal, and 7-Eleven outlets.

via | City Government Of Davao FB page

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

By Rep. Loren Legarda

As the Asia-Pacific region pursues #sustainablerecovery amid #COVID-19, I called on my fellow #parliamentarians to ensure environmental and #climate laws are being implemented and funded during yesterday's virtual opening panel discussion of the "Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue: Turning Climate Promise into Action."

Organized by the @undp , the 3-day reg'l dialogue which just ended aimed to tackle #climateaction, #genderequality, and #COVID-19recovery.

With pride, I shared that the is one the #pioneers in terms of legislating landmark envt'l laws since 1998 such as the Climate Change Act, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act,  the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,  the Renewable Energy Law, the People's Survival Fund Act, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, and the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act,  among others, but the challenge is actually resource allocation and effective implementation.

I further stressed that the only way for a sustainable recovery is the #climatepathway. That we should not train our sights merely on enhancing our capacities to rebuild after each disaster; but rather on reducing risks.

We can do this foremost at the #LocalLevel where simple local #AdaptationMeasures can reduce #DisasterRisks. We must be able to translate our policies, speeches and laws into simple language and technology that people can easily understand. @cccphl @climaterealityph

Read full PR at www.lorenlegarda.com.ph

#climatechange #climatejustice

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: Ormoc City Mayor Richard I. Gomez attended the Barangay Gender and Development (GAD) Planning Workshop at the Ormoc City Superdome earlier today, March 24.

It is a training-workshop attended by punong barangays, barangay secretaries, and SB Members assigned in GAD Planning in their respective barangays.

This is the Ormoc City government's initiative to reach out to every barangay to teach / enhance / give knowledge to barangay PBs and secretaries to let them understand deeper what is the Gender and Development program of the city.

The aforementioned activity is for the barangay's GAD planning and budget preparations for the year 2022, which is mandated/required by DILG for each barangay to submit through City Planning and Development Office for program alignment with the city's priorities.

The workshop is facilitated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Liga nga mga Barangay, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and the Integrated Population Gender and Development Office (IPGDO).

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

June 2017 News Archive
Still No Mayor's Body Found, But BM Boniel Back In Bohol

Entering the third week, still divers have yet to find the remains of the slain Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel.

With no body found, provincial board member Niño Rey Boniel,accused of killing his wife, Gisela, has arrived in Bohol after the police were ordered by a court to bring the government official here.

The board member, facing parricide and kidnapping charges, yesterday arrived in Bohol within the cover of tight security and with relatives and his lawyer.

As this developed, Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office recommended the halt in the search and retrieval operation.

"It is time to stop," said Cabagnot after being interviewed by station dyLA on Friday.

Cabagnot said the divers are also tired after 14 days of diving in the waters between Caubian and Olango Islands.

Reports said the divers have been able to cover about 1.5 nautical miles radius with an average of 12 divers with help from the Philippine Navy joining the search operation.

It may be possible that the body may not be thrown at the supposed area, Cabagnot said.

However, the final decision to stop the retrieval operations will be made by PRO 7 regional director Chief Supt NoliTaliño.

BOHOL ARRIVAL

Early Saturday morning, Niñoarrived in Bohol via Ubay and was committed to Talibon District Jail.

Boniel was with two other suspects linked to the allegations of killing slain Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel early June.

The other suspects with the board member were RestitutoMagoncia and Wilfredo Hoylar.

MAYOR GISELA BENDONG-BONIEL
Magoncia and Hoylar were released from the Cebu detention and were transferred to Bohol by virtue of an order from Judge Sylva Aguirre-Paderanga of the RTC branch 16 in Cebu.

Paderanga granted the petition of writ of habeas corpus for Magoncia and Hoylar last Wednesday.

The judge ordered the temporary transfer of the two on Friday from the Fuente Police Station to Talibon.

The counsel for the two, Renato Galleon, asked the judge to detain the duo in a place closer to their families.

IS THE DEAD MAYOR IN DUBAI?

However, there have been some alleged reports that could fit as nice a storyline for a potential Jessica Fletcher novel.

The twists and turns of the story about a political tandem that has turned for the worst has become more intriguing as frustration mounts on the search, which could be called off anytime soon if the activity remains an exercise in futility.

The prevailing belief: the lady mayor is dead.

Or is it the mayor may be just hiding elsewhere, which is why nobody has been found so far, making sense of the situation?

Counsel for Niño,lawyer Gerardo Carillo, said one of the things mentioned in the counter-affidavit for the parricide case is that the lady mayor is alive and in Dubai allegedly with her Italian boyfriend.

"Duna mi report ngatuasa Dubai, but we need to validate that," said Carillo in a radio interview. "We will be confirming... these are raw reports, these can be best elevated during trial," the lawyer added.

It is possible, the lawyer said, the lady mayor may have reportedly left the country via the backdoor, which could explain why there is no record of her leaving the country through normal ports of entry and exit.

When asked where the reports came, the lawyer said the media were the ones floated the reports.

The lawyer said there is a plan to get the affidavit of two persons, including some media members in Bohol allegedly able to call the lady mayor's phone and converse with her, hours after the supposed slay.

Boniel's counsel will file a motion to ask a consolidation of all cases in one sala so it would not be much of a hassle since there is no need to travel to and fro.

US NAVY HELP

On Wednesday, the United States Navy has been reported to join in the search and retrieval operations, to look for the remains of the slain lady mayor.

However, the Philippine Navy said the arrival of the US Navy personnel near the area of operation is just part of the exercise being conducted by the two navies, said a report from ABS-CBN news.

Reports said the US Navy was using equipment that may help find the body.

Meanwhile, one of the divers from Bien Unido was rescued after the oxygen tank got depleted on Wednesday.  He dived to a depth of 250 feet. He was brought to a nearby hospital.

Reports said the diver from Bien Unido found a possible piece of evidence. The diver was reported to be out of danger.

A piece of blanket was found by the divers as laboratory tests have been done to find out whether a stain is from human blood.

CASES FILED

Cases have been filed in court against the driver and the cousin of the board member for parricide last Wednesday.

Parricide charges were filed against the driver Randel Lupas and the board member's cousin RiolitoBoniel. They are being charged for the alleged conspiracy to kill the lady mayor.

Regional Intelligence Division chief Sr. Supt. Jonathan Cabal said nothing was done to coax the witnesses to tell something, as he said the witnesses were plainly telling the truth.

Cabal said he is throwing support to the witnesses all the way.

However, a counsel for Riolito and Lupas, Inocenciodela Serna, said the two were not informed about their rights. They were not allowed to file any counter affidavit to clear their names. Affidavit were taken from the two implicating anybody, nevertheless charges filed against the two.

Riolito and Lupas told ABS-CBN news that they were not forced to tell what they know.

Charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention have been filed against BM Boniel  in connection with the allegations made by Angela Leyson, the best friend of the slain lady mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File
The long wait is over as hope moved towards the lives of 128 Boholano farmers who received their individual certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) in a turn-over ceremony held at Dao Diamond Hotel in this city on Thursday, January 18.

"Wala ko nagdahom nga matinuod ni. Kaniadto mga pasalig lang nga mahatagan mig titulo. Ning bag-o lang nakadungod ko nga gipapaspasan ni Presidente Duterte ang proseso aron marelease ang mga CLOA. Abi kog parehas ra sa mga saad niadto. Tinuod gyud diay (I did not expect this will come true. There were promises before that land titles will be released to us. Recently, I heard that President Duterte ordered to fast-track the processing of CLOAs. I thought it was just another promise. It came out to be true)" said Crispiniano Fuerzas, 54, married with two children from Barangay Maitum, Catigbian, Bohol.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Presscon at Dao Diamond Hotel in Tagbilaran City, Bohol

2018 News File: Bisan pa og mahimo na sa Bohol nga si-akon ngadto na sa upat ngadto sa lima ka distrito gikan sa kasamtangan nga tulo, kinahanglan pa gihapon kining ikonsulta sa katawhan.

Kini maoy piho nga tubag ni kanhi tsirman sa komitiba sa senado sa Local Government, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, isip tubag dihang gigkuha ang iyang hunahuna sa posible nga pagdugang sa Congressional Districts sa Bohol.

Sa usa ka Press Conference didto sa Dao Diamond Hotel Mayo 1, gibutyag ni Marcos, kinsa bag-o lang mipahural sa mga nagpasakop sa Nacionalista Party, nga 250,000 ra ang gikinahanglan aron makamugna og usa ka distrito.

Kasamtangan nga naa na sa dul-an sa usa ka milyon ug 300,000 ka Bol-anon, sumala sa labing bag-ong opisyal nga census sa Philippine Statistics Authority.

Sa kasamtangan, aduna lamay tulo ka Congressional Districts and Bohol, bisan pa nga mahimo na dayon kini sa upat ka distrito.

Apan, gipahinumdom ni Marcos, segun sa ilang sumbanan alang niini, simple lamang.

Kadtong mga Distrito nga maapektohan sa pagsi-ak, lakip na kadtong kasamtangang Kongresista nga apektado, kinahangalang makonsulta.

Ikonsulta usab kini sa kinatibuk-ang Local Government Unit nga inahan sa gisi-akan nga distrito og kon mosugot ang katawhan, ang Kongresista, ug ang lokal nga mga opisyales sa lalawigan, sayon ra kini himoon.

Apan, kinahanglang maapil gayud ang katawhan nga apektado sa pakighinabi-an sa gitawag og redistricting consultation, dayag ni Marcos.   

Gidugang sa kanhi senador kinsa midagan pagka bise Presidente ug kasamtangang miprotesta sa iyang gituohang panikas nga maoy kina-ingnan sa iyang kapildehan, nga maapektohan ang kinatibuk-ang lalawigan sa pagsi-ak.

Sa kabahin sa pagsi-ak aron pun-an ang distrito sa Bohol, matud ni Marcos nga mahimong apektado ang LGUs dala sa mas daghan na nga Priority Development Assistance Funds.

Gawas pa, mahimo nga apektado usab ang bahinan sa Internal Revenue Allotment, ang pagkatibulaag unya sa mga lungsod, segun pas mga tigpaniid.

Ang Senate Committee on Local Governments, wala pa usab mag estrikto sa 250,00 nga populasyon alang sa usa ka distrito, padayong gipamulong ni Marcos.

Sa kanunay, naa lang gihapon ang desisyon sa lokal nga mga opisyales, sa mga katawhan kon ila ba nga subayon ang minimum nga 250 mil o magsugod  na bag lain pa nga distrito.

Gilikayan usab sa pagsiak sa mga distrito, ang gikahadlokan nga gerrymandering: usa ka lakang sa pag-usab sa mga politikanhong utlanan sa mga distrito aron paghatag og bentaha sa usa ka partido, o paghatag og disbentaha nga moresulta sa pagka-alkanse sa usa ka bahan. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News
For the first time, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio "Toloy" Evasco Jr. yesterday met with many mayors of Bohol in what appeared to be an advanced political positioning strategy intended for the 2019 local elections, sources said.

Already more visible at many local events in Bohol than at activities in the national scene, Evasco yesterday made his presence more imposing in the province's political landscape at the Dao Diamond Hotel as he held dialogues with mayors about possible funding of local projects.

The mayors were expecting something bigger than a political confession from Evasco, but their attendance was more of a form of courtesy accorded to a Cabinet official, who is known for his unbreakable relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte, sources said.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2018 News File: ICYMI

CITY COUNCIL TO PROBE
CITY SQUARE LOCKDOWN

TAGBILARAN CITY - The Sangguniang Panlungsod will start its probe on the allegations that mall shoppers were prevented from exiting a local mall during a power interruption.

The city council invited the administration of the City Square Mall during the regular session tomorrow, Monday, March 26, 2018, to shed light on the controversy.

Kag. Augustinus Gonzaga said it is highly irregular for mall guards to prevent people from leaving the premises without legal reason.

He said it might be something akin to violation of the freedom of movement.

Gonzaga manifested on Friday to invite the administration of the mall to shed light on the matter.

The controversy came about when some of the mall goers brought the issue in a radio program more than a week ago.

The radio reporter and other witnesses were invited to tomorrow's session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

It was learned the shoppers were held inside the mall for nearly an hour.

The city council has a particular interest since the City Square Mall is the city's property and the merchants are merely leasing the property.

The mall used to be a public market was left for dead for several years.

Gonzaga said the councilors are unaware of the policies of the mall regarding the ingress and egress of mall-goers during power interruptions.

A source said such policy could be a dangerous thing since it might cause undue injury to people especially to the elderly and those with chronic ailments.

ILLEGAL DETENTION

Gonzaga, a lawyer, pointed out the policy of the mall is highly unusual and could spark legal questions.

He said only the courts have the power to incarcerate people.

For this reason, the council wants to probe the reason why the people were disallowed to exit the mall during the power interruption that happened right after lunchtime.

The councilor said he wanted to know what the basis for the curtailment of the movement of the shoppers is.

He said there could be problems when emergencies arise and the mall shoppers are unable to move out of the mall.

Gonzaga was told that the incident hadbeen reported to City Administrator Leonides "Edi" Borja, but apparently, there was no reaction.

He wants to know whether the reasons have a legal basis.

The councilor wants to know whether the rights of the mall shoppers were violated or not during the alleged mall lockdown.

Gonzaga is also looking at the possible criminal liability of the mall administrators for having such policies that restrict the constitutional right of people to move freely.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File: The Sangguniang Panglungsod approved on Friday an ordinance adopting the Tuberculosis Control Program to effectively curb and further halt the disease.

The measure is aimed to strengthen and support all activities of the program to attain a tuberculosis-free community was approved unanimously during the regular session, presided by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso.

Committee on Health Chair Eliezer L. Borja, sponsor of the ordinance, recognizes that tuberculosis remains a major public health concern in the City and that it has an annual mortality rate of 0.8 percent. 

The passage of the ordinance shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the City TB Control Program through allocation of sufficient funds for the City TB program.

The ordinance also assures a proper implementation of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) and Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Chemotherapy (DOTS.

The implementation of the policies aim for the detection rate of at least 75 percent and a treatment success rate of at least 80 percent is also the aim of the ordinance.

Funds will be allocated towards the investment for quality improvement and certification and accreditation of the LGU health facilities as DOTS centers, ensuring that the LGU supports the monitoring, supervision, evaluation, training requirements, and NTP drug supplies. 

The ordinance also seeks networks, inter-agency links and partnerships with key stakeholders for a more comprehensive NTP implementation.

WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often impacting the lungs. The good thing is that TB is curable and reversible.

TB is a disease that can spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.

To get TB, a person, says the World Health Organization (WHO), needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.

WHO said, "about one-third of the world's population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with disease and cannot transmit the disease".

The health organization said: "people infected with TB bacteria have a lifetime risk of falling ill with TB of 10 percent".

People who smoke and those with compromised immune system such as HIV, diabetes, or malnutrition may have high risk of getting TB.

Symptoms of the disease may start with cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss among others, which may be mild for many months.

Infected with TB can infect up to 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of a year.

Fatality may come if there is no proper treatment. It is said up to 66 percent of people ill with TB may perish.

The WHO said since 2000, 53 million lives have been saved through effective diagnosis and treatment.

The health organization said active, drug-sensitive TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.

"The vast majority of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly," said the WHO. (Dave Albarado with reports from City Council PR)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News File: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology for the Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) revealed due to the 2013 earthquake, Bohol is closer to Cebu by 55 cms. Although not much, but it says a lot about the magnitude of the quake that hit the province causing massive damage to property and infrastructure.

PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum, Jr. said the beauty of Bohol is a product of disastrous events. Formation of the island itself is a product of millions of years of transformation and the changes still happen. Nonetheless, the agency has been working to map out hazard areas to make sure people are prepared in any eventuality such as earthquakes.

The agency was here last week for a three-day teachers' training in communicating disasters for selected Tagbilaran City high school teachers.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

"Shocked and rattled to the core."

2016 News in Bohol: These are the words of lawyer Salvador Diputado reacting to the move of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to declare him as a persona non grata.

On Friday the SP declared Diputado, a veteran news person and a radio anchor, persona non grata for alleged "malicious journalistic caprices." (see related story)

But Diputado in an emailed statement to The Bohol Tribune said, "How could the Bohol SP thru board member Benjie Arcamo pass a resolution that has no basis in the Local Government Code or in the 1987 Philippine Constitution?"

The lawyer said the declaration of persona non grata applies only in diplomacy, "when a receiving state considers any member of a diplomatic mission of a sending state as not acceptable."

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Bohol joins int'l disaster confab

2017 News File: Bohol is slated to join an international disaster symposium to improve the province's capacity to effectively respond to disasters and other kinds of emergency.

This, as most of the time local government units wait for actual emergence of disaster, instead of practicing disaster preparedness.

Representing Bohol is Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office head Anthony Damalerio to the  International Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Symposium organized by the Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD).

The goal is to strengthen the cooperation between the communities to help one another in the face of calamities or disasters and prioritize help to vulnerable sectors.

Reports said Damalerio exchange ideas with the new regional director of the Office of Civil Defense Concepcion Omopia in the field of disaster readiness.

Omopia is expected to visit Bohol and make a courtesy call with the governor next month. (Ven Rebo Arigo)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News File: Tour guides gear up
to receive 4.3 M tourists

Boholano tour guides are gearing up to guide the expected surge of tourists in the province.

The province is aiming to get 4.3 million tourists this year with the impending completion of the airport as the reason for the tourist arrival surge.

With Bohol moving closer to achieve sustainable tourism, tour guides are relied to make the visiting experience of tourists memorable and make Bohol more enamored to the visitors.

The challenge was given to tour guides during the recent oath taking of the Boholano tour guides association last Monday at the Governor's Mansion.

Tourism has become the leading industry that has powered the Boholano economy in tandem with agriculture. Tour guides serve as front liners that will attract more tourists to visit Bohol and help in the economic activity.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Chatto shores up Bohol;
pow-wows with business

2017 News: Gov. Edgar Chatto has been busy connecting with the business sector to shore up the investment potentials and to network with business on how to make the province worthy of an investment hub with a couple of meetings this week, reports out of the People's Mansion said on Thursday.

The governor has been bullish on the investment potentials of the province and plays a key part of his executive agenda.

On Wednesday, the governor spearheaded the Bohol Investment Forum in an informal dialogue with stakeholders where the Bohol Spatial Development Framework is being presented by Peter Retutal of the Provincial Planning and Development Office in order to get significant feedback from all sectors involved.

The governor believes, Bohol is a "hot" province for investments. Leading investors in Bohol are present: Mar Uy of Alturas Group of Companies, Richard Uy of First Consolidated Bank, RJ Ong of BQ Corp., Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Al Uy, Argeo Melisimo & Norris Oculam, Bohol Contractors led by Engr. De Vera and Engr. Labunog , BAHHR led by Rommel Gonzales, Bohol Bankers Association represented by EVP Doris Bargayo of PNB and some private investment groups represented by lawyer Bern Calibo.

The governor also received at the Mansion, lawyer Cathy Alvarez, CR+ID Advocacy Specialist, and Cebu and Bohol Chamber members, with FCB's Argeo Melisimo, Bohol Chamber's EVP, and touched on issues as regards to the roads network in Bohol.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Albur landfill aims for February opening

2017 News Archive: After several delays, the landfill in Albur is slated to open next month. The opening ends more than a decade of delays of the P 300 million landfill.

On Tuesday, a ceremonial turnover of the lots of the landfill from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprize Zone Authority to the officials and operator of the landfill.

The turnover was attended by local government officials of Albur and TIEZA namely Engr. Nestor Dumalanta and Engr. Gregory Oller with Gov. Edgar Chatto.

The clustered landfill is the only one of its kind in the country and funded by the TIEZA.

The governor said that the mere act of transporting each member LGU's wastes to Albur is already a big challenge for the rule of segregation at source is one which must be complied with.

Former Mayor Efren Tungol, who was the one who started the project a decade ago is thankful of its realization and calls for full support and cooperation from all member LGUs.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Prov agri: Initial damage reach P330 K due to floods

2017 News: Initial assessement of damage to crops in Bohol due to incessant rains last week reached, reportedly, to around P330,000.

Data from the Office of Provincial Administrator quoted by a radio report of dyTR radio on Wednesday said the initial assessment of damage reached P330,285.

The damage cost covered only five towns that were hit by the incessant rains since Monday last week.

Data came from the towns of Clarin, Balilihan, Batuan, Maribojoc and Danao. Additional data is being awaited especially Alicia town. Alicia declared a state of calamity as forced evacuations were enforced in affected barangay last Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Leah Marchil Sumampong

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Prov agri: Initial damage reach P330 K due to floods

2017 News: Initial assessement of damage to crops in Bohol due to incessant rains last week reached, reportedly, to around P330,000.

Data from the Office of Provincial Administrator quoted by a radio report of dyTR radio on Wednesday said the initial assessment of damage reached P330,285.

The damage cost covered only five towns that were hit by the incessant rains since Monday last week.

Data came from the towns of Clarin, Balilihan, Batuan, Maribojoc and Danao. Additional data is being awaited especially Alicia town. Alicia declared a state of calamity as forced evacuations were enforced in affected barangay last Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Leah Marchil Sumampong

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News Archive: Bohol PD wants probe on twin robberies

Bohol provincial director Sr. Supt. Felipe Natividad has ordered a full-blown investigation on the twin robberies on the town hall of Anda and Balilihan.

The scene of the crime operatives have gathered the fingerprints of the employees as part of the investigation.

On Monday, the town halls of Anda and Balilihan were robbed. Anda lost about P300,000. Two employees of the town hall discovered the main door of the town hall was already open at about 4:30 a.m.

The employees also saw the door of the treasurer's office was already open and the money case reportedly forcibly opened. The main door of the town hall there were no signed of being forcibly opened.

In Balilihan, reports said suspect carted around P97,000 from the safety valuts reportedly using a saw. The crime was discovered at around 6 a.m. when the first employee of the town hall reported for work.

Meanwhile, netizens expressed fury over the incidents on social media. The members of a Facebook group associated with the town of Anda showed their fury due to the incidents.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

PCG INTERCEPTS P460-K DRIED SEAHORSE SHIPMENT IN BACOLOD

PCG Press Released: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in a joint law enforcement operation that led to the interception of approximately 460,000 PESOS WORTH OF DRIED SEAHORSE SHIPMENT at the BANAGO PORT in BACOLOD CITY at around 11:00 a.m. yesterday, 26 March 2021.

The illegal parcel BOUND FOR ILOILO CITY was discovered during the PRE-DEPARTURE INSPECTION on board passenger / RoRo vessel, MV FastCat M3.

The joint law enforcement team, composed of the PCG and the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group, found out that the shipment was declared as 'DRIED FISH' in the bill of lading by a certain Renante Panaguiton, who sent it at around 10:00 a.m. to an unknown consignee in Iloilo City.

Inventory of the intercepted shipment was conducted upon arrival of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

It yielded FIVE KILOS of dried small-sized seahorse valued at 100,000 pesos; 10 KILOS of dried medium-sized seahorse worth 200,000 pesos; and 250 GRAMS of dried large-sized seahorse with an approximate market value of 160,000 pesos — bringing the TOTAL MONETARY VALUE of the illegal parcel to 460,000 PESOS.

Afterwards, it was turned over to the BFAR for proper disposition and further investigation.

COLLECTING AND SELLING SEAHORSES ARE PROHIBITED under Republic Act No. 8550 or the "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998".

#DOTrPH
#CoastGuardPH
#MaritimeSectorWorks

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Legarda urges Filipinos to support Earth Hour, calls for strengthened efforts on climate action

Press Release: Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker, Loren Legarda today called on Filipinos to participate in this year's Earth Hour, the global movement to simultaneously switch off lights for one hour to support efforts on environmental protection and climate change, on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 in the evening.

"I encourage every Filipino to participate in this year's Earth Hour, convened by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), as a declaration of our commitment to promote a cleaner, greener, safer and resilient world. Turning off lights and other electrical appliances for an hour may seem insignificant to change the current state of the planet in a snap, but if all of us, the billions of citizens all over the world, will imbibe the message of "Earth Hour", the impact would be immense. Small acts cannot be underestimated because these small acts, when put together, create big positive changes," Legarda said.

Legarda, an environmental and climate champion, cited the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees Celsius that unprecedented hazards to the world, especially for vulnerable developing countries like the Philippines is inevitable if we exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming.

"The half a degree difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius and beyond matters. There is no more time to be complacent. We have to understand the risks of climate change and the urgency to take action. We only have until 2030 for global emissions to be reduced to 45%, and to be at net zero by 2050, otherwise we are on the path to destruction,"Legarda said.

"The Philippines, a minor emitter of greenhouse gas, is unfortunately among the nations most vulnerable to climate change. The Global Climate Risk Index released by the Germanwatch organization, even ranked us 2nd in 2018 and 4th in the recent study of the most affected countries in the world by impacts of weather-related events, such as storms, floods, and heatwaves and the presence of climate change has further intensified the magnitude and frequency of extreme weather and climate events in the country," Legarda added.

Climate change is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from human activities causing global temperature to rise and leading to the rapidly changing climate all over the globe. Legarda acknowledged that many of the human activities that emit greenhouse gases are now crucial parts of the global economy, but the three-term Senator stressed that everyone is capable to create change and promote environment-friendly practices as a way of life for more sustainable and resilient communities.

"We are all capable of doing something to contribute in environmental protection and climate change adaptation programs. Let us strengthen our efforts to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness on sustainability and environmental challenges. Saving on electricity, using low carbon technologies, promoting renewable energy, conserving water, growing what you eat, planting more trees, and properly segregating waste, among others, are just some of the simple ways by which we can significantly reduce the causes and also adjust to the impacts of climate change," Legarda said.

"Climate change has become the greatest humanitarian challenge of our time as it threatens our basic human rights—food, health, potable water, decent shelter, and even life itself, taking part in this year's Earth Hour is the least that we can do in protecting our ailing planet. As members of our respective communities, we shape the state of our environment and every action we take translates into a huge responsibility that would determine our present and the future for the coming generations," Legarda concluded.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

On this day, exactly 500 years ago, in the evening, the Magellan-Elcano expedition noticed a "fire in an island"--Limasawa, now an island-municipality of Southern Leyte--and proceeded to the area.

The National Quincentennial Committee made this digest of the Mojares Panel report on the issue of the 1521 Easter Sunday Mass. But we highly encourage everyone to access the full report and related documents from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) here https://bit.ly/3m3RfEU. Kindly click the images for more details (or access the entire article here https://bit.ly/3suSL5b).

The NHCP received multiple claims as to where the site of the 1521 Easter Sunday Mass was: some say it was in Masao or in Pinamanculan, both are neighboring barangays in the highly historic Butuan City; others claim it was in Baug, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte (which was the former town proper of Butuan; actually, the Spaniards erected a monument here in 1872 commemorating the "First Mass").

Since 1921, the Philippine government recognizes Limasawa, an island municipality of the Province of Southern Leyte, as the site of the event, based on the stand of the Committee for the IV Centenary of the Discovery of the Philippines created by the U.S. Insular Government of the Philippine Islands. It was further recognized through a historical marker by the Philippines Historical Committee (forerunner of the NHCP) installed in Limasawa in 1950 and a new one on 31 March 2021 in Barangay Triana, at the west side of the island. The National Historical Institute and its successor NHCP constituted four panels to settle the historical issue (i.e., 1980 Samuel Tan Workshop, 1995 Justice Emilio Gancayco Panel, 2008 Benito Legarda Panel, 2019 Resil Mojares Panel)—all reaffirmed the historicity of Limasawa. Section 5(e) of the Republic Act No. 10086 or the NHCP Charter mandates the agency to "actively engage in the settlement or resolution of controversies or issues relative to historical personages, places, dates and events." The recent decision of the NHCP, formalized through NHCP Board Resolution No. 2 signed on 15 July 2020, was further supported by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through a statement of CBCP Church History Team to the Mojares Panel issued on 26 February 2021.

Before it constituted the Mojares Panel in November 2019, the NHCP and CBCP agreed to adopt the term "Easter Sunday Mass" to refer to the Christian mass celebrated on 31 March 1521 in the highly contentious place called Mazaua. This is to not preempt other possible Christian masses prior to 31 March 1521. This was adopted by the National Quincentennial Committee in its promotions and publications, in print and online.

Derrick Macutay's Blood Compact in Limasawa (2021).

. . . . .

Seeing this post? Curious what this is about? This 2021, we will commemorate the Philippine part in the achievement of science and humankind in circumnavigating the planet for the first time. Central in this commemoration is the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan on 27 April 2021. These and more are collectively known as the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines by virtue of Executive Order No. 103 (2020). Know more about the event here:

About us [https://nqc.gov.ph/en/about]
Watch our promotional video [https://youtu.be/ptgU1ZUgFZc]
Listen to Quincentennial Soundtrack [https://spoti.fi/3nxWXPa]
Watch our lectures [https://portal.nqc.gov.ph/]
Quincentennial activities and materials here [https://bit.ly/3dHrnKF]

#VictoryAndHumanity
#Ph500

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Practical interventions!

Lake Mainit Dried Fish Makers
Get Steam-Solar 'Pijanga" Dryer

MINDA Press Release: The tasty "Pijanga" dried fish, a delicacy produced by fisherfolk of Lake Mainit, the country's deepest, will soon be available in the supermarkets in sanitary and neat vacuum packs.

This week, the women dried fish makers of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, received from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) a Steam-Powered Fish Dryer designed and fabricated by an inventor from Butuan City.

"Pijanga," which belongs to the Goby family, thrives in the deep waters of Lake Mainit which has a depth of 223-meters.

It is a sought after delicacy for dried fish lovers.

The marketing of the Dried "Pijanga," however, is constrained by poor drying process which relies mainly on sunlight leaving the fish open to flies and dirt.

The Steam-Solar Fish Dryer was promised to the women of Lake Mainit following a visit I made in September last year to the town of Jabonga, one of the towns of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte located in the shores of the 17,000-hectare lake.

Unlike the traditional fish drying method where the "Pijanga" was dried under the sun, the Steam-Solar Fish Dryer uses the heat of the steam and hot air blown into the plastic-roofed dryers.

The heat of the sun complements the drying process and since the dryers are covered, the dried fish is protected from dust or flies.

The Steam-Solar Fish Dryer, which includes a mini-boiler  powered by biomass that heats the water to produce steam, allows the fishermen to dry fish even during rainy days or at night.

The set-up was designed by multi-awarded Mindanao inventor Engr. Rudy Cane after he was briefed by MinDA on what poor fisherfolk families needed to add value to their produce.

The set-up also includes either a Retort Machine which would allow the fisherfolk to produce bottled Spanish Sardines or a Vacuum-Packing Equipment.

Jabonga is the second fishing village in Mindanao to receive the Steam-Powered Fish Dryer which is one of the equipment to be included in the Fish Centers which MinDA will establish in 26 fishing grounds all over the region under the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program (MINFAD).

The Fish Centers,which had been proposed to be funded by the European Union Grant for the MINPAD RISE Program, would also include ice-making facilities, blast freezers, cold storage and processing facilities.

While awaiting the release of the EU funds, MinDA is using its meager resources to immediately respond to the needs of fisherfolk families in the fishing villages of Mindanao.

The next towns to receive the Steam-Solar Fish Dryers would be Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, where fishermen produce dried Mudfish (Dalag) and Catfish, and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte where women produce bottled Spanish Sardines.

At least 10 other fishing villages, including island communities in Basilan, Sulu and Tawitawi, will also get the Steam-Solar Fish Drinh equipment.

#IntegratingMinDAnao

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: This PRO under the stewardship of PBGEN RONALDO F DE JESUS, Regional Director, joined in another RCSP Barangayan/Serbisyo Caravan held at Brgy. San Andres (Lower), Borongan City, Eastern Samar, last March 25, 2021.

The said activity is in line with the peace and development efforts of this PRO and other government agencies to uphold E.O. No. 70 or the National Task Force-Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-RTF-ELCAC).

In coordination with various national and local government agencies, 65 family recipients of the said remote community, categorized as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA), received food packs, other goods, and cash assistance from DSWD.

Also, mountain bikes, tablets, and rubber shoes were also distributed to the raffle winners. Meanwhile, children received Jollibee food packs and personalized toys while adults were given Shakey's lunch packs. Another 150 food packs were turned-over to the barangay officials for their subsequent distribution to the constituents.

Further, Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS); free check-up/consultations; dental mission; free vaccines/medicines and distribution of Seedlings (High Value Crop Development program) were also provided.

The activity was made possible thru the collective efforts of the Office of Sen. Bong Go, thru Ms. Marjorie Jaranilla; Regional Directors of other government agencies, namely; Lord Byron Torrecarion, OCD;  Joseph Garcio, NICA; Ms. Erlinda Olivia Tiu, PIA; and Dr. Antonio C. Waniwan, TESDA; including BGEN CAMILO Z LIGAYO, Commander, 80st Brigade, 8ID, PA.

Meanwhile, the following have also made significant contribution to the success of the RCSP Barangayan/ Serbisyo Caravan: Hon. Jose Ivan Dyan C. Agda, Borongan City Mayor;  Ms. Alice Biazon, DSWD8, Ms. Lea O. Torres, DENR/CENRO; Mr. Eugene Duran, DTI Provincial Officer; Ms. Romalisa Amago, Social Worker; Dr. Daisy Sacmar, City Health Officer;  Mr. Allan Tanjuakio of RCPB; Mr. Wilfredo Tuazon Jr, DA representative; PCOL CARLITO D ABRIZ, Provincial Director, ESPPO; Borongan CPS personnel, headed by PLTCOL DOUGHLAS ANTONIO B ELOJA, COP; troops from 78IB, 8ID, PA led COL LINART LELINA, 78IB, 8ID, PA; BFP personnel, LGU Department Heads and other stakeholders.

#8PreciousGem

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Bohol to host top-level ASEAN meeting in 2017

The Province of Bohol is flexing its muscle as it will act as host to some of the top-level meetings among nation members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the leadership of which in 2017 has been assumed by the Philippines.

The ASEAN consists of 10 member countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto on Friday welcomed a high-level group from the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC) who already selected the venues of the meetings and arranged security details, among others.

This was after Chatto joined in the launching of the Philippine Chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017 led by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City last Sunday.

The event carried the theme "Partnering for Change, Engaging the World," with all the member countries of the ASEAN sending participants to the launching.

Invited to the gathering, Chatto assured also the National Organizing Committee of the ASEAN 50 Philippines 2017 of a red carpet reception for the delegates to the Bohol-hosted ministerial and senior official meetings.

The ASEAN 50 has been so coined as the ASEAN coincidentally celebrates this year the golden or 50th anniversary of its founding in 1967.

Chatto met in Davao City with the ASEAN-NOC chairman himself, Exec. Sec. Salvador Medialdia.

Amb. Marciano Paynor, secretary-general of the ASEAN-NOC, is expected to visit Bohol for necessary coordination before Bohol will begin hosting some of the major ASEAN meetings in the third week of April.

Chatto was joined in Davao City by Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero and Liza Flores, the governor's executive assistant for special projects and designated ASEAN hosting focal person for Bohol.
All hosted by the Philippines, to include Bohol and few other select provincial hosts, there will be 118 ASEAN meetings this year, including 15 ministerial meetings, 30 senior officials' meetings and 70 technical working group meetings.

These are all integral to the two-part ASEAN Summit in April and November, during which will be the Leaders' Meeting.
The ASEAN-NOC team sent here on Friday was led by Usec. Anthony Alcantara, deputy director general for operations, and Usec. Araceli Villanueva, deputy director general for tourism and special events services.

Before they discussed with Chatto many important preparation details, the group briefly joined the governor at his regular weekly forum with the Bohol media at the Governor's Mansion on Friday.
The ASEAN hosting is expected to magnify Bohol tourism while chancing the province to showcase its resources and potentials which can increase the interest of the investors not just from the Asia-Pacific region.

Chatto acknowledged Villanueva, both happy to have been reconnected since their partnership when the governor, then a congressman, principally authored in the Lower House the National Tourism Act of 2009.

The law has been regarded as the "bible of Philippine tourism."
Also on Friday, Bohol distinguished itself as the first province in the country to have launched 2017 as the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development pursuant to the United Nations General Assembly declaration.

The launching highlighted the opening of the province's annual Ube Festival, which Department of Tourism Reg'l. Dir. Catalino Chan committed to mark red as one of the major events in the national tourism calendar.   

Chatto said Bohol's hosting participation augurs well for the province's localization of the ASEAN's impact on six thematic priorities.

These core themes include people-oriented and –centered ASEAN; peace and stability in the region, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive and innovation-driven growth; ASEAN resiliency; and ASEAN as a model of regionalism, a global player.

Chatto said Bohol is obsessed to contribute to the success of the Philippine hosting of the ASEAN Summit.

The ASEAN is committed to intensifying community building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration.

ASEAN TOURISM CAMPAIGN
The Philippine Department of Tourism is upbeat on continuous efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote the region as a single and unified travel destination.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo, during the recent 20th ASEAN Tourism Forum in Singapore held Jan. 19 to 21, 2017 requested for the ministers' assistance in promoting the mentioned events to their business and outbound travelers.

"Pursuant to the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP), we would like to emphasize the importance of ASEAN working assiduously to ensure that a sustainable and inclusive growth path for tourism will be achieved," Teo said.

"We don't have to look far to find what we are looking for," she added citing figures that show that 115 million projected international arrivals can be attributed to the ASEAN countries in 2016.

Teo also showed a brief video presentation of DOT's major projects and invited her fellow ministers to very important tourism-related events that are slated in the Philippines this year.

These events include the staging of the 65th miss Universe on 30 January, the 3rd Madrid Fusion Manila on 6-8 April, and the 6th UNWTO International Conference on Tourism Statistics.
The Philippines is also host of the ASEAN @50 celebration.

Latest data on visitor arrivals show that for November 2016, visitors from these nine countries combined, account for only 7.9 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the Philippines.

Based on the same data, among the ASEAN countries, Singapore delivered the most number of arrivals for the Philippines with 161,194 visitor arrivals followed by Malaysia (128, 077), Thailand (44, 372), Indonesia (40, 651), Vietnam (31, 555) , Brunei (7,378) Myanmar (6,832), Cambodia (3, 278) Laos (1, 112). (Ven C. Arigo and with a report from Azer N. Parrocha of PNA)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: In support of the Earth hour 2021, the Ormoc City Government led by Mayor Richard I. Gomez, together with Environmental and Natural Resources Office (ENRO)-SWM headed by Ingrid Macabare, and City Youth Development Office (CYDO), led by Rolando R. Gaspar, MPA, City Youth Development Officer II, collaborated to make this global environmental movement possible tonight, March 27.

The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

This city had an hour of rotational shutting off of non-essential lights for an hour.

Earth Hour is an annual global environmental movement to encourage individuals and organizations in taking tangible actions and commitments for the planet.

During the activity, Joseph B. Pilapil of City Planning and Development Office gave a talk on 'Climate Reality while the Chairperson of the Environment, Natural Resources and Energy Conservation Committee, SP Member Lalaine Marcos, and Macabare of ENRO gave brief inspiring messages.

The global activity was with the support of EDC and in participation of the PNP, BFP and Philippine Coast Guard.

The Vest Club, OATC and CO2 Band also participated the event.

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and became the largest collective environmental movement in the world.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Press Release: Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda visited recently, a certain detachment of Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA), situated in a far Borongan mountain.

Together with top ranking officials of 801BDE, of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Mayor Agda spoke in person to the civilian volunteers and vowed before them, for his all out support as the city's Chief Executive.

Sharing the same vision with the military officials and their men, for peaceful and secured communities, Mayor Agda braved the thick forest and uneven terrains just to reach the peacemakers and let them feel their relevance to all development initiatiaves of the city government.

He praised the CAA members and their leaders for defending democracy at all cost.

With Mayor Agda were BGen. Camilo Ligayo, Commanding Officer of 801 Inf. Div., 8ID, PA, LtCol. Oliver Alvior, Commanding Officer, 78thIB and Col. Lenart Lelina MNSA [INF] PA.

#BoronganonDisiplinadoAko

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Halal Beef Production:
MinDA Leads BARMM Team
In Cattle Feedlot Exposure
By Manny Piñol

Press Release - Early today, I will lead the team from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) which will guide officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government as they take the first step in starting the production of the Bangsamoro Halal Beef.

The MinDA team will also include Asst. Secretary Cherry Santos-Akbar and MinDA livestock consultant Arnel Corpuz, a former OFW who worked in a 50,000-head Wagyu Feedlot in Australia for 11 years.

Today's activity will include BARMM Agriculture Minister Mohammad Yacob and officials of the Bangsamoro Development Agency.

This will be mainly an orientation tour of a Cattle Feedlot Facility in Glamang, Polomolok, South Cotabato where the Adelaide River Farm fattens at least 500 Cattle at any given time for a period of 100 days.

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation between MinDA, BARMM-MAFAR and BDA last week, Minister Yacob and BDA Chairman Mangontawar Macacuna expressed interest in the Cattle Fattening and Breeding Program which MinDA is promoting for LGUs in Mindanao.

The program involves the establishment of Cattle Fattening Feedlots and the Upgrading of local cattle through Artificiial Insemination or Embryo Transfer.

Minister Yacob and Chairman Macacuna expressed the intent of BARMM to participate in the program supported by the Australian Government.

Their objective is to produce a banner commodity for the Bangsamoro Region, Halal Beef.

After the orientation tour today, MinDA will assist BARMM-MAFAR and BDA in laying the groundwork for the establishment of Cattle Feedlots in the five provinces of the region.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Pimentel Instititute for Leadership and Governance (PILG) and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Media Forum on Federalism, at Club Filipino, Manila Philippines , Feruary 6, 2018 .
PILG and HSF Media Forum on Federalism with guest speakers Former Senator Nene Pimentel , Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr. & Former Bohol OIC Governor, Bar Topnotcher Atty. Victor Dela Serna.

Text and photo by Ern Pahayahay


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

2017 News
Rule of law must prevail, says
guv of tragic event in B-Unido

As police probers and volunteer sea divers are still scrambling to search for the dead body of Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel, the father of the province of Bohol, still reeling from shock, has made it clear that no one is above the law.
Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto yesterday said the rule of law will prevail in the wake of the crisis that has rocked the leadership of Bien Unido and affected the province.
First term Provincial Board Member Rey Niño Boniel of the Second District has been accused as the mastermind of the abduction and brutal killing of his own wife, Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel.

As investigation continues, Chatto appealed to the officials and people of Bien Unido to "keep calm and be united in prayer."
The apparent domestic family problem should not at all affect the momentum of the governance of the municipality and the collaboration of the local government unit and the people, the governor said.

Chatto adviced Acting Mayor Rene Borinaga, who is the incumbent vice mayor, to assume the town leadership and "be strong" while enjoining the whole local officialdom and populace to offer prayers for the Boniels.

The governor invited Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to a meeting at the Governor's Mansion to show support to the provincial board.

With the capitol legislators, the provincial chief executive will have ensured that no services under the committee of Boniel are prejudiced while the case against him is in progress.
The composition of the SP, which is the province's highest policy-making body, will not be affected by the Boniel case, Chatto said.

This he stated in response to a media query during his weekly forum with the press on Friday if a vacancy has been created in the provincial legislature and how replacement is to be done.
There is still an SP quorumeven with the absence of Boniel, said Chatto who is himself a former SP presiding officer when he was vice governor.

He said that right now, the vacancy is only considered temporary by rule of law.

The rules are clear should, for any reason, the vacancy become permanent, Chatto said.

The governor said that will be the only time when the rules on replacement due to the permanent vacancy have to apply.
Under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the replacement of a permanent vacancy in the SP membership is only done thru the appointment by the president.
Meanwhile, Chatto led all Bohol mayors in prayer for the Boniel family during the fellowship night of the Local Government Leadership Training for Mayors at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao Thursday.

The training was jointly sponsored by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Bohol Chapter led by its president, Clarin Mayor Allen Rey Piezas, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and provincial government.
The lady mayor of Bien Unido had registered to attend the important activity until her violent death in a murder which, according to police investigation, was masterminded by her own husband.

The governor was shocked and at first in total disbelief when he heard the "bad, unwanted news."

He considered as "strong leaders" the Boniel couple, even described by their town constituents as a "power couple oftwo lovely, beautiful people."

With the DILG, the governor assured the people of Bien Unido of full support from the province as they themselves partner with the government for the good of their place, their own welfare.

MAYORS PRAYFOR 'THE PILOT'
Meanwhile, Chatto said the mayors' meeting was opened with a prayer for the "Boniel couple," one of them---the wife, a mayor---was herself an aviation professional.

Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel was to attend the meeting if not shot dead and dumped to the sea off Mactan island in Cebu in a cold-blooded murder implicating her own husband, Board Member Rey Niño Boniel, Wednesday dawn.

The lady mayor was a former Airasia pilot holding the rank of a captain.

On June 7, 2016, the wife Boniel, then already a proclaimed mayor, was commended by the AirAsia for piloting back to Cebu for safe landing a Manila-bound commercial plane in February of the same year.

"The aircraft necessitated a precautionary engine No. 2 shutdown due to oil leak and, through her outstanding airmanship, the flight safely landed back in Cebu," her commendation reads.

Exactly a year on June 7, 2017, the pilot-mayor was killed by her husband, the police said.

She did not see realized a plan to relocate a Cebu private aviation school to Bien Unido, where the proponent developer would also build an air park to serve tourism at the same time.
Under the seawater off Bien Unido is a grotto of the Virgin Mary which has been attracting tourists.

Below the sea, the search and retrieval operation for the mayor's dead body continued as of presstime. (Ven C. Arigo)


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

IRA for LGU cut off under federalism

2017 News TAGAYTAY CITY – While Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto and the rest of provincial governors in the country are batting for a higher Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), considered as the bread and butter for local government operations, an expert on federalism has made it clear that under the proposed new form of government, local government units (LGUs) would no longer be receiving IRA funds, but have to stand on their own resources.

Speaking at the 21st National Press Congress in Tagaytay City, an event covered by The Bohol Tribune, former three-term Quezon City Congressman Dr. Dante Liban, president of the Philippine National Movement for Federalism (Penamfed), told publishers and editors that one of the major changes under a federalist state is the removal of IRA intended for LGUs.

LGUs in a state will have to generate and spend their own revenues, a practice that would teach them how to be independent and resourceful, Liban, who is often consulted by Pres. Duterte on federalism matters, said in a lecture here.

Duterte has vowed to step down as president even before his term ends in 2022 once the proposed federal platform of government, a flagship initiative of the former mayor Davao City even before he was elected president, is in place in the country.

Dr. Liban, who was invited by the Philippine Association of Publishers, Inc. (PAPI) to speak on the topic "Inclusive Growth Prospects for Filipinos Under a Federal Government Set-up" at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in Tagaytay City, Cavite, revealed that LGUs will have to keep more or less 80 percent of their own income (from taxes and other revenue sources) and will remit 20 percent of such income to the national federal government.

Liban expressed confidence the federal form of government will be embraced in the country during the administration of Pres. Duterte.

As this develops, the Provincial Government of Bohol had prepared a budget of P2.39 billion for its operations and projects in 2017. The City Government of Tagbilaran, on the other hand, had also planned to spend more than P900 million for its operations next year.

Under the current set-up, the 1,109 barangays of Bohol are receiving more or less P1-M IRA every year from the national government.

Depending on the number of population, bigger barangays are getting larger chunks of IRA funds compared to what smaller barangays are entitled to receive every year.

Also, under the present form of government, the 47 municipalities in Bohol, like any towns in the country, are solely dependent on IRA funds for their annual operations.

A fifth-class municipality in Bohol has a 2017 budget of more or less P50 million to P70 million, the bulk of which comes from the IRA being dished out by the national government.

Big and populous towns like Panglao, Ubay, or Inabanga will be operating with a budget of more than P100 million each next year, according to their proposed budget ordinances submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

Because of IRA windfall, every barangay kagawad is receiving a monthly honorarium (or salary). All other barangay officers, appointed or elected, are paid with a monthly salary regardless of the scope of their work. The same scenario is true for all town LGUs, on top of 13th month pay, bonuses, per diems, and many other cash incentives.

But all provincial, town and barangay officials, employees and staff will kiss these privileges "goodbye" once the Duterte administration succeeds in implementing the federal form of government, which is expected to take effect before 2019.

In his talk, Dr. Liban admitted that while it is true that that proposed federal form is untried and untested in a Philippine setting, industrialized countries like USA, Canada, Australia, and European countries have become progressive due to their adoption of a federal form of government, with slight variations from state to state.

Liban said under the federal form of government, Central Visayas will be considered as "one state," independent of other states (regions) in terms of revenue generation and expenditure plan.

During the open forum, PAPI chairman emeritus Johnny Dayang expressed apprehensions that the proposed federal form of government might spark chaos, saying most Filipinos, even the educated ones, have no idea about federalism matters.

Dayang called on the Duterte administration to launch a massive information awareness campaign in the countryside, tapping the community press, on the pros and cons of federalism so as "to avoid regrets in the future."

RECOUNT IRA

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and his fellow leaders of provinces asked Malacañang for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recomputation of the 2017 internal revenue allotment (IRA).

Nationwide, many LGUs each stands to lose necessary millions based on the new formula of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in sharing the IRA next year amounting to P486.885 billion.

IRA allocation is the biggest single determinant of the local annual budget, Chatto said as the Bohol provincial government is eyeing a 2017 budget of P2.395 billion.

Next year's IRA has been computed based on DBM Local Budget Memorandum (LBM) No. 74-A resulting from the adoption of the 2015 Census of Population by province, city, municipality and barangay.

The DBM earlier computed the IRA based on LBM No. 74, which considered the 2010 population census, until the new memorandum on "adjusted" IRA was issued last September on account of the 2015 census.

While there are LGUs to gain more allocations under the new memorandum, the shares of many provinces and even majority of the LGUs will decrease.

There are essential local development programs and projects and socio-economic services feared to be affected or hampered if the new computation basis is not recalled.

Bohol province and its component lone city, 47 municipalities and 1,109 barangays stand to get next year a total IRA reduced by P113.327 million.

Chatto estimated the IRA of the provincial government alone to decrease by more than P41 million, which can otherwise help a lot of essential programs, projects and services.

The same situation can happen to all other affected LGUs in the country, according to the governors during the general assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).

The LPP, thus, requested Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to direct the DBM to recall LBM No. 74-A and officially use LBM No. 74 in the computation of next year's IRA.

The request was formalized in a unanimous resolution of the LPP, which national secretary-general is Chatto, as the league also considered the president's "heart for the LGUs."

Having come from the ranks of the local chief executives as a former long-time mayor of Davao City, the president knows by heart the concerns and gaps in running the LGU, Chatto said.

Also during its assembly, the LPP tackled with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) the details of the implementation of the conditional grant for local roads in provinces in 2017 at a total national budget of P18 billion.

Chatto said they requested to include the bridges in the said local road rehabilitation, repair and improvement grant scheme, formerly known as the KALSADA program.

LGUS URGED TO SUPPORT FEDERALISM MOVE
The Department of Interior and Local Government has urged all local government units (LGUs) in the country to embrace the thrust of federalism being fostered by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to a statement issued by DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno.

"We (people) in the DILG, we are for the shift to federalism," Sueno said.

He said the DILG would focus on strengthening of localities to continue their pursuit of performance excellence in local governance and development under a federal system of government.

"...we have achieved a lot in terms of empowering and making local government units (LGUs) more self-reliant, we need to set our sights on further strengthening local autonomy under a federal system of government," said Sueno.

"The response of the LGUs in the federal shift of the government is great. They are really supportive to the federal system of government because they gained more authority as they get autonomous." he said.

For his part, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno has encouraged the LGUs to implement efforts to exercise autonomy in crafting programs and projects to be funded by their respective budget allocations.

"Local officials' budget increased and next year, it is close to half a trillion pesos. Government devotes all means of services for the development of each local government units. Due to this growing budget, we expect the LGUs to be highly-autonomous, exercise local autonomy," said Diokno.

Sueno echoed Diokno's remarks, stressing that one way to practice autonomy in the LGUs is to challenge them in the management of budget development in their respective localities.

"You cannot have real autonomy kung wala kang budget. Every year lumalaki ang budget, kaya talagang it encourages them to really autonomous. (You cannot have real autonomoy if you don't have budget. Every year, the budget increases so it encourages them (LGUs to be autonomous)," he stressed.

The DILG Secretary also said the agency is continuously disseminating information on the proposed federal shift of government to the local chief executives as well as to the common citizens.

"What we do is educate our local government units and the people for them to know what federalism is, so that paglabas ng botohan if they accept or not, the bottom line is they understand what federal system is." He said.

He also added that DILG has formed four groups going around the country to educate the business sector, academe and the ordinary citizens. (with reports from Ven Arigo and Aira May Dizon of PNA)


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

2017 News: Knowing how huge the IT industry in creating employment opportunities, the city government has set its eyes to improve the standing of the city as a next wave city. This way, the city will become a solid information technology (IT) hub and able to compete with other Visayan cities in drawing potential investments and jobs to locals.

The idea of Tagbilaran becoming a solid IT hub comes as a coordinative meeting for the upcoming Digital Bohol Summit in MetroCentre Hotel and Panda Tea Garden Suites on October 14-15, 2016 was conducted with the Bohol ICT Council, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gov. Edgar Chatto thru the Bohol Investment Promotions Center and the City Government of Tagbilaran as frontrunners.

It will be a convergence among young Filipino global leaders and shapers recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) will be gearing up for the Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions (Ocean) 2016 Summit from November 24 to 26 at the Be Grand Hotel in Bohol. The summit will introduce and feed a roadmap for "Digital Bohol" — a plan for holistic digital inclusion in Bohol that aims to set the standard for how local leaders can collaborate to harness technology to empower business, government and civil society — the project will start in Tagbilaran City as the pilot and model city.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

2017
"There is a need to balance in the capacity of Bohol as a destination vis-a-vis the capabilities of its people and the use of social media in more productive endeavors for the tourism industry."

Governor Edgar Chatto said before tourism and hospitality students during the Netizen's Convention.

According to Chatto, part of current initiatives for tourism,  are three major directives on the regulatory role of the tourism office, events management, and the involvement of MICE in upcoming big events for Bohol. Among them is the launching of Digital Bohol in October, the holding of World Economic Forum – Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions 2016 in November and the ASEAN 2017 meetings in April of next year.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Forum set on streamlining
licensing systems set Dec 23 2017

Businesses enjoying better convenience in their licensing and business permitting can attract better investments here.
Knowing the importance of better convenience in streamlines business permitting and licensing system, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the City Government of Tagbilaran are inviting the Boholano  business community to attend a Business Forum on the New Streamlined Business Permitting and Licensing System (BPLS).
The forum will be held on Friday, December 23, 2016, 8:00AM – 11:00AM at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium.
The forum is in compliance to the Joint Memorandum Circular No 01, Series of 2016 (signed August 30, 2016) mandating the use of revised standards in processing business permits and licenses in all cities and municipalities, which was issued by Interior and Local Government Department (DILG), Trade and Industry Department (DTI), and the Information, Communication and Technology Department (DICT).
The aim of the streamlining is for efficiency by reducing the processing time, the City Government of Tagbilaran, through Executive Order No. 22, series of 2016, issued by City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap, has created an automated business permits and licensing systems (BPLS). 

This new BPLS is a "must-learn" by the business sector and the barangay and city officials as well.  In this forum, the business sector would be oriented to the filing of application, processing time, requirements and other related procedures.  This event would be the best opportunity for the businessmen, their bookkeepers and concerned office personnel to raise and clarify issues through an open forum, which is scheduled after the presentation of the new and streamlined business permit and licensing system during the said event.

Registration of Participants is free and will start at 8:00AM.  For more information, please call or text City Government of Tagbilaran at(smart) 0929-1875825or (globe) 0916-7833998.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

2017
DOE OPENS ASEAN+3 ENERGY FORUM, BARES PH LNG PLAN

The Philippines played host to the 3-day 6th ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, Korea) Oil Market and Natural Gas Forum and Business Dialogue on Tuesday at the Sofitel Hotel  as the country deals with increasing domestic demand for fuel amid the declining supply of indigenous natural gas.

Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas, who represented DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, opened the forum conducted under the platform of Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) +3 and ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM)+3. The forum aims to continue sharing knowledge and expertise, policy updates, best practices on oil and natural gas situation and developments among ASEAN+3 member countries.

Explaining the outlook of the Philippines in the oil and natural gas industries, Posadas told forum participants that the Philippines' natural gas supply from the Malampaya natural gas field is projected to last until 2024, making the country an emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in Asia.(PIA)


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

PNP fun rides for Bohol
bikers, pedal for peace

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 8, (PIA)--In the light of the province's sales pitches stressing how peaceful Bohol is, the Philippine National Police Regional Office and Camp Dagohoy officials invite bikers to a morning Ride for Peace May 9, from 5:00-8:00.

Set to pedal off from Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Headquarters in Camp Dagohoy, the ride would take riders to the 18 kilometer Panglao Central line before stopping at the Cultural Center for short program, said former police information officer and now close aide of Colonel Felipe Natividad.

Former police information Officer Jennifer Atanacio said the ride would be led by no less than PCSuperintendent Noli Taliño and PSSupt Felipe Natividad.

Signing in for the ride are police men and officers, bike club members and peace advocates, but is still open for individuals who support peace and development especially with the recent terror threats in Bohol, Atanacio said.

On Wednesday, Bohol police again organize another ride, this time 36.5 kilometers from Jagna town to Quinale Beach in Anda, Bohol.

For the Anda ride, the long ride would cap with a lecture forum on terrorism, criminality and other development threats, separate sources at the BPPO said.

Bikers, from as far as Talibon, over 50 kilometers from Jagna have shown interest in joining the event, said bike ride organizers.

This is our simple show of support in stressing tha Bohol is a safe place to visit, stay and have more fun, biker Grace Polestico posted in her facebook account.   

The two fun rides also act as tune up rides for the longer 6th Bohol Unity Ride 2017, set May 13-14.

The ride would take the 263 kilometers Bohol belt road from Tagbilaran to Talibon via the east road and then from Talibon to Tagbilaran via Tubigon on the north road.

The Unity ride also banners ride for peace, environment and camaraderie for all bike clubs and groups here, according to TriBohol, unity ride organizers.

Recently, an incursion by the bandit group from the south prompted foreign governments to issue travel warnings for their citizens to Bohol.

While tourism stakeholders could not yet feel the impacts of the planned terror attack, Boholanos have now sent out assurances that Bohol ius still safe. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

DOF TO CONDUCT TRAIN AWARENESS ON WEDNESDAY

The Department of Finance (DOF) will conduct a forum on Wednesday to heighten public awareness of, and support for, the Duterte administration's proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) that aims to benefit 99 percent of Filipino taxpayers and help sustain the government's accelerated spending on infrastructure, education, health and social protection programs.

Some 300 participants are expected to attend the event, titled "1 with the 99: A Forum on Tax Reform," that will be held at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel on July 5 starting at 9 AM.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is expected to deliver the opening remarks at the forum.

According to a report presented at the recent DOF Executive Committee Meeting, the July 5 forum will coincide with the online launching of a video clip showcasing the benefits of tax reform for call center employees. Video teasers on the proposed TRAIN wlll also be shown at MRT and LRT stations and MMDA LED info boards to broaden the information and support campaigns for tax reform.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Money TIPS:

■ Don't bring your money with you.
■ Cook at home.
■ Buy your groceries in Public Market not in Malls weekly, not daily, not monthly. (Market: Ampalaya 50/kl vs Mall 147/kl)
■ Remove unimportant expenses.
■ Lower down the cost of your important expences. (Ex. Ganador 55/kl while Sinandoming 42/kl)
■ Buy your own tumbler and bring your own water. Avoid buying outside. (Natures Spring 500ml 15.00 while if you bring its FREE)
■ If you're not in business don't buy CAR.
COMMUTE: plete ka 8.00 x 2 x 26days = 416.00/month
WHILE:
CAR Expenses: 15k/month car + 5k/mo gas + 2k/mo parking = 22k/month
■ Always set aside 20-30% of your income to your Mandatory/Disciplined SAVINGS.

What makes us POOR is our bad spending habits.


*Work from HOME and launch your own Wordpress blog, business or personal website, or online store at www.dreamhost.com Yes, FREE Wordpress migration from your existing web host.

START your OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.bluehost.com - FREE website transfer..

Latest Tubag Bohol Topics

Why I Am Against Martial Law
By Boni Quirog, PhD | Columnist, The Bohol Tribune

Whether the President is Duterte, Aquino or Marcos, I am against martial law in the absence of widespread rebellion or invasion. I strongly believe that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, together, can crush present threats without any martial law declaration.

The entry of 11 gunmen on a boat does not constitute an invasion. There are only less than 3,000 NPAs in the entire country. They are all rebels. But their presence cannot be described as widespread. All news sources say the Abu Sayyaf had been almost decimated; and the Maute Group is just a new name of old splintered Muslim rebel groups.

But make no mistake about it. I am in favor of tighter security. I am in favor of a holistic anti-terrorism approach. But I am not in favor of martial law in the hands of politicians.

Under Marcos' dictatorial martial law, Amnesty International estimated that 70,000 Filipinos  were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed. Today, there is yet no martial law in the entire country, but more than 7,000 Filipinos had allegedly been killed; more than twice the number of those killed during the almost ten years of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship. What more if martial law is declared?

Under martial law, if your father, mother, brother, sister, friend or relative disappears, you cannot go to court and ask the authorities to produce the body of your missing loved ones. That is what is meant by the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus under martial law. You support martial law, and you don't mind losing your rights? Fine with you, but not with me.

Yes to peace and order. No to martial law!

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

October 2016: The City Government of Tagbilaran, under the direction of City Mayor Baba Yap, has been very active in adhering to its commitment to put the name of TAGBILARAN in the travel industry as a tourist destination on its own and not just a "gateway" to Bohol. This was apparent in the latest travel shows that the city participated this year.

Last January, through the support of our stakeholders, Tagbilaran joined an international travel fair for the first time. City Tourism Officer Shobel L. Ligalig represented the City in the annual ASEAN TOURISM FORUM (ATF) which the Philippines hosted at SMX Convention Center. Travel agents from all over the world showed interest on what the city had to offer through the pre-booked appointments.

Recently, Tagbilaran also became a major partner of the Provincial Tourism Council and Bohol Tourism Office in the PHILIPPINE TRAVEL MART. Promotional materials from our collaterals were given out to the interested travel agents as a kit. A database of the all the accommodation establishments in the city which was completed by Ms. Ligalig turned out to be the most requested information.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2016 News
A male elected public official has filed a complaint for libel against several women from the town of Anda, Bohol over allegations that his reputation has been allegedly tarnished by Facebook comments.

The complainant, a retired police chief, is Anda town councilor Leonardo A. Deloso, who also hailed to court two other neighbors, who are not women.

Filed at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Deloso's complaint named the respondents as Hermenigilda Visaya Berongoy, mother of lawyer Ferdinand Visaya Berongoy, a town councilor of Anda, Bohol; Concordia Saranza Escobido (based in Hong Kong); Grace Curiba (based in Saudi Arabia); Roqueliza Ligalig (once an OFW working in Lebanon); Lydia Amora; Rosemarie Amora (based in Manila); Resurrecion Escobia Casiño; Ernieville E. Felisarta; Ma. Victoria Dela Peña; and Mona Lita (an OFW based in Singapore).

The other two respondents are Julito Madera Makinano (based in United Arab Emirates) and Nerio Dela Peña Felicitas (based in the Middle East).

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

June 2, 2016: The City Tourism Council has convened recently to discuss the strategic initiatives which the City Government has done and will be doing this year to improve the tourism industry here.city tourism 111

City Tourism Officer Shobel Ligalig outlined the accomplishments of the City Government in the area of tourism. One of which is the approval of the P1 million fund from the DILG for the Glass Bottom Boat for the Mabaw Reef Sanctuary.

The Mesias Cave in barangay Cabawan was also included in the list to be developed for this year.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Tagbilaran City sponsors tour guide training

City Mayor John Geesnell "BABA" Yap believes in the promise of the tourism industry in the City. Seeing this potential is not enough, investment in both the physical and human assets needs to be in place. Thus, the 1st Tour Guide Enhancement Training was conducted. Organized by City Tourism Officer, Shobel Ligalig, the training brought together the officers and members of both the BITGAP (Bohol Island Tour Guides Association Philippines) and KABOG (Kahugpongan sa Bol-anong Guides) under one venue. The City Mayor emphasized that tour-guiding is not just an occupation, but a passion and desire to showcase the best of Bohol, thus, as tourism front-liners, it is imperative to undertake an enhancement training to make them more effective.

From: Jeanette Laila Busano

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

THE MAGIC OF BOHOL CAVES: AN ARSENAL FOR EVIL OR GOOD(Published on April 23, 2017)
By Michael Ortega Ligalig

In a surprising turn of events, the remaining seven Abu Sayyaf bandits hunted down by government troops since the April 11 tragic, bloody firefight in Barangay Napo did not linger in Inabanga for long but found comfort in the caves of Clarin town.

Years and years ago, Boholano hero, Francisco Dagohoy, who led the Philippines' longest revolution against Spanish conquerors, was also a seeker of caves, where he established his command post in a war that made Boholanos forever proud of him.

Abu Sayyaf leader Joselito Melloria and his six comrades who survived the 21-hour Napo war 12 days ago were finally spotted by observant Boholanos, who relayed to the police unusual sightings in Barangay Bacani, Clarin.

Melloria and three Abu bandits were killed in a midday gun battle in Bacani, Clarin yesterday, but three of his comrades survived the military-initiated onslaught targetting a mystery-shrouded cave and managed to elude blocking forces of government troops.

But why go to Clarin town? Why not stay in the mountains of Inabanga? Or consider the rolling clouds of Danao, Bohol?

Police intelligence sources told the Bohol Tribune that Abu Sayyaf leader Joselito Melloria, who was born in Napo, Inabanga, studied high school in Nahawan, Clarin, which is nearer than downtown Inabanga, from Barangay Napo.

"He (Joselito) knows this place so well," a source said, referring to Barangay Bacani, which is endowed with at least three long-winding caves.

The cave in Bacani where Joselito and his men were spotted by combined forces of the military and the police yesterday reportedly has an exit hole leading to the seawaters of Dunggoan, Nahawan, Clarin.

Other caves in Bacani and neighboring barangays have, as residents would say, counterpart gateways in another barangays in Inabanga and Sagbayan.

But the cave in Bacani is a special place for fugitives as it is situated near the national highway and just a kilometer away from a quake-damaged seaport in Clarin where possible Abu Sayyaf rescue troops could pick up Joselito and his men.

According to residents in Bacani, one Abu bandit hired a habal-habal driver to buy P500 worth of bread in Clarin downtown.

That driver may earn one P1 million bounty offered earlier by Pres. Duterte which he announced when the President, who claimed of Boholano lineage, came to Bohol last Wednesday for a whirlwind security briefing, according to intel sources.

The Bohol Tribune Special Investigation Team yesterday talked to a store near the clash site in Clarin and learned that the Abu bandits were already buying canned goods and bread in Bacani as early as last Thursday and two dozens of noodles and several bottles of 1.5 liters of softdrinks on Friday evening.

"Di man sila moestorya. Molingiw tan-awon. Moyango yango lang," a sari-sari store attendant told The Bohol Tribune.

On Friday, in fact, two men bought over-the-counter anti-pain anti-bacterial capsules in a store in Bacani.

"They also bought 7 toothbrush and 7 sachets of toothpaste," the store owner, who asked not to be named, said in Bisaya.

Yesterday, Saturday, before the gun battle, two of the unfamiliar men again bought some bread and canned goods in a nearby store in Bacani, a 100 meters away from from the cave where Joselito and his men were hiding.

When these two men were accosted by patrolling police officers, they ran and fled to the direction of that famous but unnamed cave in Bacani.

When combat troops checked the area, Joselito and his men, who were about to leave the entrance of the cave, fired at soldiers and policemen, and an outburst of gunfire on midday Saturday sent shockwaves among Clarin residents.

Thousands fled their homes to avoid getting hit in the crossfire.

Two Abu bandits managed to grab the cellphone of Lilia Requierme, of Nahawan, Clarin, as they engaged the military in a gun-running battle.

Around 1:30 pm yesterday, after a series of heavy bombardment at the cave, news broke out that the Abu Sayyaf leader, a former NPA rebel and considered greater than the slain Abu Rami, was already dead.

But his death remains as mysterious as the cave in Bacani, Clarin, Bohol.

Somewhere in the digital universe, a new firefight ensued, albeit in the absence of snipers, this time envolving Facebook-based war analysts and experience-reliant online observers.

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

2017 News
Condoms in schools:
unwelcome in Bohol

As the Department of Health (DOH) plans to distribute free condoms in public schools next year, two top officials of the province of Bohol have initially rejected the idea and are likely to issue an official protest to the DOH move after the provincial school board would have convened next week.

Reports said the DOH will give away condoms in schools starting next year for their "business unusual" strategy due to the rising number of HIV-AIDS cases among the youth in the Philippines.
But such plan is expected to be opposed by the province's top decision-makers, including Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Department of Education (DepEd-Bohol) Division Superintendent Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos.

"We both personally share the same view that it will not be a wise move to distribute condoms in public schools," Chatto said in a text message to the Bohol Tribune yesterday, referring to Bongalos' mutual sentiment.

The governor said the distribution of birth control devices can send a wrong signal to the young minds of students and could be interpreted by them that society or government is "in fact tolerating or encouraging promiscuity."

"Strengthening of values education to curb premarital sex should instead be reinforced," Chatto pointed out.

Chatto's stand on the issue is literally the same that of Dr. Bongalos.

Speaking in her capacity as a private citizen, Bongalos said the plan of the DOH is "not wise."

"The act might send a wrong signal to our learners," Bohol's DepEd chief said in a text message.

Dr. Bongalos, when sought by the Bohol Tribune for comments, added: "And when I talked with Gov Chatto we have the same view. Then we will discuss this matter in our school board meeting (sir) as soon as makakuha ko og memo from DepEd (central office)."

As DepEd-Bohol still awaits orders from DepEd Central Office, Bongalos said she had not actually received any guidelines regarding DOH's plan to distribute condoms in public schools in order to combat the rise of HIV infection.

Gov. Chatto also said that he has not received any orders from DepEd or DOH, but reports from national media have indicated that the DOH is bent on implementing its plan next year.

In a press statement dated December 7, DepEd Central Office said it will conduct "thorough and careful discussions" with the Department of Health regarding the latter's plan to distribute condoms in schools next year, in a bid to control the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth.

In a statement, the education department said, "Through the series of discourse, the Department will want to identify and study whether this move to arrest the epidemic is appropriate to cover schools and learning institutions."

If not, the department said it will explore other measures "without compromising, first, the parents' right and responsibility to educate their children against the dangers of engaging in pre-marital sex, and second, the State's mandate to protect minors from any form of abuse."

It said it will also have to "look into how and why, despite progressive mindset in other countries, this approach is not implemented by all."

The department stressed it will enrich sex education within the frameworks of human rights, safety and well-being of learners through age-appropriate and developmental reproductive health education as early as Grade 1.

On the other hand, an education consultant has told The Bohol Tribune that she welcomed the plan of the DOH.

Vera Villocido Gesite, a consultant on education and Wikipedia contributor, said distributing condoms in public schools will also help curb the rise of teenage pregnancies.

Gesite said the project was done in California schools, where she taught from 2001 to 2007.

"I was shocked at first until I saw the rate of teenage pregnancies," Gesite said. "I am not sure of the rate of teenage pregnancies in the Philippines. I still have to check on the data available but considering the many problems associated with teenage pregnancies eventually, I would say why not?"

She added: "And not only teenage pregnancies...but prevention of sexually transmitted diseases as well, especially HIV AIDS."
Meanwhile, a parent of two kids who are currently enrolled in a government high school institution in Tagbilaran City, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Bohol Tribune last night that he would mobilize other parents in the school to stage a mass street protest should DOH pursue its plan of giving away condoms to minors and teenagers.

Another parent, in a chance interview, told this paper that she would transfer her kids to a private school when the DOH rolls out its plan next year.

"Bahala na ug makagasto mi sa private school basta dili lang ma-influence og maot among anak," the parent said. (LIGALIG MIKE ORTEGA)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com

Bulk water supply, power
dev't venture in full swing
2017 News

BOHOL, Philippines - The provincial government of Bohol will start deploying all its resources starting this year in order to achieve a stable power and water supply here, government sources have told The Bohol Tribune Saturday.
Bulk water supply and development of inland power source are two top priority projects of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, revealed Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio during the "Kita Ug Ang Gobernador" radio program Friday.

"The provincial government will soon embark on a sustainable, efficient and reliable water supply project which will upgrade our local waterworks system," Damalerio said during the press briefing.
Damalerio expressed appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project  with grants for a feasibility study of bulk water and sanitation project.

"Upon the request of the Provincial Government of Bohol, The Asia Foundation thru the "Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project" funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – is providing technical assistance in the procurement of Consulting Services for the Feasibility Study for the Bohol Water and Sanitation (BWS) Project," according to ppp.gov.ph.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC), in its full council meeting, approved and adopted the bulk water supply and its infrastructure requirement with the private sector and potential investors to partake in its development.

The provincial government is still in the process of reviewing the result of the study and will soon finalize the terms of reference for its procurement.

The bulk water supply Project -1 will include Cortes, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao and Baclayon, where water demand is expected to increase due to its fast growth and development.

Bulk water project 2 will cover the northern parts of Bohol, serving the towns of Trinidad, Talibon, Bien Unido, Ubay, CPG Island, Dagohoy, San Miguel, and other nearby municipalities.

This project, once completed, will provide adequate and efficient water supply to the entire province of Bohol.

Bohol's asset is its surface water and its watershed areas, Gov Chatto had said earlier.

Chatto assured the public that timelines for the completion of the water project have been slated in 2019.

Both  Bohol power development plan and bulk water and sanitation project got the massive support of USAID under the COMPETE Project.

Under the Bohol Island Power Development Plan (BIPDP), the project consists of three frameworks, namely, Power Supply Plan (Generation Plan); Transmission Development Plan (TDP); Distribution Development Plan/s (DDP); and Electrification Plan
The PDC, according to Damalerio, has identified potential power source sites in the towns of Ubay, Alicia, and Jagna.

Damalerio said that the formulation of a long-term Bohol Island Power Development Plan (BIPDP) will ensure "security of supply – available when needed; reliability and resiliency (climate-proof) of supply and affordability (least-cost)."

He noted that the Province would welcome private sector investments  for power facilities that are intended to install new capacity for meeting the baseload requirement of distribution localities starting in 2019.

The inland power source project will primarily gear for the purpose of selling it to the grid and will intend to serve the requirements of off-grid or other specific users in the island province of Bohol, according to Atty. John Titus Vistal, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).

So far, the PDC has identified several potential sites for Power Supply Development, including Danao (Cantakoy Hydro Power); Loboc (Loboc Hydro Power); Balilihan (Janopol Hydro); Antequera (Inambacan); Garcia Hernandez (Upper and Lower Manaba); Jagna (Balili and Odiong); San Isidro (Caimbang); Duero (Alijawan); and Ubay (Gabi and Asinan). (with a report from LIGALIG MIKE)

Best Website Host: www.bluehost.com