MikeLigalig.com

By Bohol Standard

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has sought help from law enforcers to protect the power lines and towers it constructed along the hinterland barangays of Catigbian and Sagbayan.

This came following law enforcers’ downplaying possibility that the New People’s Army (NPA) had something to do with the bombing of an electric power tower last week in barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan town owned by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

In its press release, NGCP said that “Tower #164 of the Bohol Backbone Transmission Line Project was bombed Saturday night, December 3, at around 10:00PM by still unidentified persons. The incident did not cause any interruption on power customers in the area. The concrete pedestal of the tower legs remained intact despite the blasts. The tower was erected just two weeks ago at Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagbayan, Bohol. It is said to be located 100 meters away from the highway and about 300 meters from nearby houses.”

It said that NGCP has condemned the said act of atrocity even as it also coordinated with local law enforcers to strengthen security measures to protect the company’s power project. It even tapped local residents to report to authorities any suspicious persons in their area. But the press release did not mention anything about the alleged failure of payment to the owners of the lot where the tower was erected.

Col. Constantino Paul Barot, provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Col. Brawner of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were one in ruling out the rebel’s possibility of doing the alleged atrocity.

But it appeared that both (Barot and Brawner) could not validate, for now, their contention that rebel’s responsibility is indeed out of the question in the blasting. This came during the weekly governor’s press conference held Friday at the Governor’s mansion with the presence of Gov. Edgar Chatto.

PNP and AFP now are instead focusing on the angle of alleged failure on the part company or contractor to pay the lot owners for erecting the said towers. And still this needs confirmation as they still are conducting investigation on the incident.

The perpetrators have used an improvised explosive device in attempt to topple a certain tower but failed. The said tower along with others is erected by the NGCP to connect the powerlines from Ubay to Corella town passing through the area where the blasting occurred.

Barot told the media that those responsible may have an ax to grind against the company.

For his part, Brawner said that if the “communist terrorist” did it they usually claim responsibility of every atrocity they do for propaganda mileage as its “signature” component of its cause. “They not only want to sow terror but to destroy,” he added.

The area nearby within the border of this town and Catigbian was considered as the hotbed and stronghold of the rebels in the 80s through the early 90s. But later on, the government was able to control and clear it.

It was not too far from here that armed ambush against the AFP by the rebels took place that resulted in the killing of several troopers and the separate burning incident of brand new vehicle of former mayor of Sagbayan days before the election in 1998.

The law enforcers have been trumpeting that Bohol is already an insurgency-free province following the “evacuation” of the rebels to nearby island provinces due to the intensive government military operations.

Recently, however, sightings of armed men are being reported but no confirmation yet if indeed the NPAs are back in town. One of such sightings is in one of the barangays of Carmen town.

Law enforcers also are monitoring over the report that some businessmen still “are paying” revolutionary taxes to the rebel movement so they can trade in remote areas the movement considers as its jurisdiction.

It was also a common knowledge on the part of the law enforcers that candidates paid sums of money as payment of “permit to campaign” in the rebels’ controlled areas during election campaign.

But no one from among the businessmen and politicos comes out in the open until now to confirm they indeed pay revolutionary tax imposed by the movement.

By Bohol Standard

The weeklong celebration of the National Government Employees’ Week of the local government of Maribojoc was graced by Argeo Jala Melisimo, president of the First Consolidated Bank and currently co-chairman of the Regional Development Council 7.

Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. and executive chief of staff Oscar Francisco E. Valles personally invited Melisimo, their long-time friend and fellow worker for the people, to be the guest speaker during last Monday’s affair held at the Dr. Abundio Echavez, Sr. Memorial Sports and Cultural Center.

Melisimo considered the celebration an opportunity to share to municipal officials and LGU employees his experiences of working in the private sector and his partnerships with government and institutions.

Melisimo, who started as a clerk/driver at FCB and rose from the ranks, shared that service to the people must emanate from within the worker. He recalled that ‘serve the people’ was their battle cry back then in the 70s and 80s and how they put their lives on the line with this advocacy.

According to Melisimo, “If the boss of our President is the People, more so, the boss of the workers in government is also the People.” He added, “People have high expectations from workers in government, rightly so, because your salaries are directly or indirectly paid by taxes from the people.”

He reminded the LGU Maribojoc family that there are similarities in both government and private sector in the standard of servicing customers, clients or constituents â€" which is the delivery of quality service.

“The most common sense benchmarked of quality service is how we want ourselves treated when we approach government or private business. Quality service includes the speed and efficiency in addressing the clients concern and problems. Workers in government need to walk an extra mile in the handling of your clients.”

Melisimo ended his talk with, “Let’s create a bandwagon of quality service such that it devours us and create a culture of service and empathy. Service to the People should be a battle for all.”

Melisimo, a native of Loboc, Bohol, also chairs the FCB Foundation and the president of the Loboc Youth Education Association, Inc. Moreover, he is the vice president of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, treasurer of the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, board of regent of the Bohol Island State University and board of trustees of the Chamber of Thrift Bank of the Philippines.

A consistent honor student in his college days, Melisimo is an alumna of Holy Name University, having taken his Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting courses in the said school.

By Bohol Standard

Second district board member Gerardo Garcia said he was “mis-quoted” in a news item that appeared in a local newspaper last Sunday, alleging that he did not sign the committee report scrapping the Panglao Reclamation project because of his political affiliation with former governor and now second district congressman Erico Aumentado.

“That is not true and no political affiliation whatsoever can bind me not to take into foremost consideration the welfare of the Boholano people,” BM Garcia said in a brief interview after last Friday’s session.

Availing the time on other matters in last Friday’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan session, BM Garcia took the floor lamenting on the inaccurate reporting that appeared on the assailed news item.

The news item (which was printed not in this paper) insinuated Garcia refused to sign the committee report considering he was supporting the group of Aumentado in the last election.

BM Garcia is the vice chairman on the committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the committee that jointly conducted the review of the JVA signed by Aumentado and Oasis Inc. on June 19, 2010, less than two weeks before the previous provincial administration’s term ended.

The reclamation Joint Venture Agreement was signed by then governor Aumentado and the Oasis Leisure Island Development, Inc. represented by businessman Norris Oculam. It proposed to construct a total of 450 hectares of reclaimed five islets off Panglao bay, for tourism, business and residential sites.

In clarifying the signature issue, board member Abeleon Damalerio, who rendered the committee report junking the reclamation project, said BM Garcia had his signature affixed in the final copy of the report.

“I have photo copied the final report with BM Garcia’s signature already affixed and had them readied in case any member of the media ask for it,” Damalerio said.

It was learned later that the copy which did not bear the signature of BM Garcia was earlier furnished to board members before the session and the same copy was photo copied, by request, of some members of the media.

“If they (media) had asked me for the final copy of the report, I could have given them, but after the session no one came for it,” Damalerio added.

In a text message sent yesterday, BM Garcia said: “being your elected provincial board member, the interest of the people of Bohol is always above my personal interest, much more to the interest of my friends and affiliation.” (VGO-EDCom)

By Bohol Standard

Chapters of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) led by Bokkana-Bohol and the fisherfolk led alliance Defend Panglao Movement claims a monumental victory after the Provincial Board of Bohol officially handed down its decision scrapping the controversial Panglao reclamation project.

In an interview, Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap described the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) decision as a giant kill against reclamation giants who want to make money from privatizing the coastal waters of Panglao.

“We are happy with the decision. It is long-running legal and political battle. Finally the fisherfolk of Panglao have won their battle against corporate interest and bureaucrat capitalists in relation to reclamation project,” said Hicap.

The Pamalakaya leader said the decisive battle and victory in Panglao should inspire other fishing communities with ongoing fight against reclamation. Hicap cited coastal communities along Manila Bay and Laguna Lake, Cordova in Cebu and Boracay in Aklan province which are currently embroiled in a class war against reclamation projects.

Hicap said credits should go to Bokkana-Bohol, the provincial chapter of Pamalakaya, Anakpawis party list and Defend Panglao Movement which organized the people to oppose the destructive project and rally other concerned groups to join the protest movement against the reclamation project.

Last Friday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan announced the scrapping of the proposed man-made island project within Panglao Bay. Vice governor Concepcion Lim said members of the provincial board views “the proposed project ‘presents a clear and present danger’ to the healthy biodiversity and sensitive marine environment within the offshore area of Panglao Bay”.

In a committee recommendation, the SP likewise urged Gov. Edgar Chatto to “withdraw the application for reclamation filed with the Philippines Reclamation Authority (PRA).

According to First District Board Member Abeleon Damalerio, who chairs the environment committee, the provincial board also approved another resolution “opposing the establishment of any form of reclamation within the shores of Panglao Island.”

Aside from Dalamerio, other provincial board members who signed the resolution include Godofreda Tirol, tourism vice-chairman Dr. Romulo Cepedoza and environment committee member Dr. Beinvenido Molina.

However, board member Engr. Gerardo Garcia who is closely identified with former Gov. Aumentado did not affix his signature in the said report as certified by stenographers Josefina Gulle, Diodora Acedo and attested by committee secretary Romeo Jaum.

Pamalakaya said SP's junking of the proposed reclamation project was based on narrative findings on legal, social/economic and environmental considerations as reported by Damalerio.

Contrary to claims describing the project as “a juicy proposal,” the SP found that it is a “grossly disadvantageous transaction" since the province has “totally surrendered its environmental and zoning responsibilities” to the project proponent, the eight page SP committee report said.

In addition, the SP said that the province “will be incurring costs” that are not being considered by the proponent. Oasis Leisure Islands Development Inc. (OLIDI), according to the lawmakers, is "not qualified to undertake” the project since it has no track record being just newly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a capitalization of only P12 million represented by a group under Norris Oculam.

THE PROJECT

The Panglao reclamation project is supposed to develop five clusters of islands for eco-tourism.

The first one of about 150 hectares is intended for commercial and recreation areas, convention centers, hotels and other facilities; the second island (150 has.) is for institutional and residential, spas and medical tourism facilities; and the third one (75 has.) would house for small commercial establishments such dive and souvenir shops and apartment for people who work here.

The fourth island (70 has.) would be reserved for nature's park or camping grounds or fishing for commercial use. Here, “private sector can be tapped for coral planting and other marine-based initiatives for the conservation and protection of the environment.” The fifth cluster of islets (5 has.) can be acquired privately, the paper said.

The SP admitted that the decision to scrap the proposed reclamation was anchored on the strongly worded recommendation done by a Manila based group of top-notch Boholanos composed of “physical, economic, political scientists and legal experts,” who expressed a strong objection to the project.

UNENFORCEABLE

The SP also argued that former governor Erico Aumentado has not given any authority to effect the project adding that was given to the ex-governor was only for negotiation and that no resolution was passed allowing the former governor to enter into and sign contract with the reclamation proponents.

“Hence, it concluded that the JVDA (Joint Venture Development Agreement) “is unenforceable against the provincial government” and OLIDI “cannot demand from the current administration confirmation of the reclamation phase.”

The SP's opposition to stop the project has reinforced the contention of Panglao lawmakers when the latter passed Municipal Resolution No. 140, 2011, series of 2010 on October 10, 2010, “strongly objecting the establishment of any form of reclamation projects within the municipal waters of Panglao, Bohol,” considering that the area where the project is to be undertaken is “haven of coral diversity and a sanctuary of diverse marine resources”, the SP decision added.

by PNA

On December 12, 1888, the so-called 20 Women of Malolos signed and presented to Spanish Governor-General Valeriano Weyler a letter requesting permission to open a night school where they could study the Spanish language.

The women from prominent Chinese-Filipino families or clans, such as Rufina Tanjosoy-Santos, appealed to Weyler, known to have liberal leaning and interest in education in the country, after their original petition was denied by the parish priest of Malolos, who argued that women should always stay at home and take care of the family.

Teaching of the Spanish language was not encouraged during that time, not just for women but Filipinos in general.

The friars feared that proficiency in the Spanish language would give the natives the ability to communicate directly with Spanish government officials and would expose them to liberal and progressive ideas then emerging in Europe.

Weyler, who initially denied the request of the women, eventually granted the petition which became the turning point of the status of women to have the right education.

Weyler permitted them to open the school the following year -- on February 20, 1889. They financed it themselves since the government had refused to do so.

Teodoro Sandico, who clandestinely gave them private Spanish lessons before the arrangement was legitimized, was the one who wrote the letter of petition and had it signed by the women.

In April 1889, Church officials accused Sandico of immoral teaching. Sandico went into hiding, then left the country under an assumed name on May 17, 1889, a week after authorities ordered his school to be closed down.

Meanwhile, many of the women of Malolos aided the Filipino revolutionaries during the Philippine Revolution and later on also got involved in socio-civic organizations.(PNA)

By PDI

Critics of the Catholic Church had a field day on Monday after one of the links on a religious website  redirected readers to a pornographic site for transvestites.

An advisory on the installation of new Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle  as the 32nd Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila was posted on the parish’s website, rcam.org, on Monday morning.

At the bottom of the web page, the link “www.tvmaria.com” was posted to direct readers to a live-streaming page for people who wanted to watch Bishop Tagle’s installation rites, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday.

However, readers were redirected to a pornographic site featuring a man dressed in women’s lingerie lying on a couch.

While it was suspected at first to be the work of Internet hackers, the confusion was likely a mistake since changing the link “www.tvmaria.com” to “www.tvmaria.net”  sent readers to the correct website.

The site link was finally corrected to “www.tvmaria.net” by 3 p.m. on Monday.

A Church communications officer immediately apologized for the mistake.

Peachy Yamsuan, head of the Archdiocese of Manila’s office of communications, admitted she committed an “honest mistake” when the link to the live-streaming of Tagle’s installation led to a porn site.

“Please be informed that I was the one who committed the mistake of putting in our website story the wrong TV Maria website for live streaming and I’m sorry for the confusion it has caused,” Yamsuan said.

She said she learned about her mistake after priests complained that the link led to a porn site.

Yamsuan expressed regret that the mistake may have clouded Tagle’s installation Monday morning.

Critics of the Catholic Church were also quick to take advantage of the mistake on social networking sites.

Tour guide Carlos Celdran, an outspoken critic of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, appeared to promote the erroneous link by posting its address on Twitter.com.

by ABS-CBN

The House of Representatives, meeting in plenary on Monday night, voted to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona, making him the first head of the Philippine judiciary to be impeached.

After a House caucus that started Monday afternoon, a total of 188 congressmen signed the impeachment complaint accusing Corona of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The plenary ordered the House secretary-general to endorse the impeachment complaint to the Senate, where a trial will be held next year.

As of posting time, the session had already been suspended after an exchange of views between members of the House majority and minority.

The articles of impeachment were then electronically transmitted to the Senate.

House Justice Committee Chairman Niel Tupas told ANC's Primetime on Monday night that the House had been working on impeaching Corona since last year.

Tupas said the draft impeachment complaint was finalized last week, and some members of the House justice committee helped him.

During the House majority caucus on Monday afternoon, Tupas said he presented the impeachment complaint against Corona for around 30 minutes. After the presentation, only 2 members of the coalition asked questions, but the overwhelming majority then asked to sign the complaint.

"We thought we'd [only] get 100, but we got 188 [signatures]," he said.

Tupas said they used 3 grounds to impeach Corona, with 8 articles.

Among the issues raised are Corona's failure to file his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth, and the appointment of his wife to a government corporation despite it being prohibited since he was already in the Supreme Court.

Tupas said the first 3 articles in the impeachment complaint specifically center on the way Corona "voted in cases."

One of the most attractive aspects of doing business in the Bahamas is the freedom from taxes on income, capital gains, profits, gifts, inheritance, and estates. There is no withholding tax on dividends, interest, or royalties, and there are no payroll taxes. In addition to the financial benefits, there is a wide selection of highly trained professionals available to assist you, such as lawyers and accountants.

continue at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/Business-Opportunities-in-the-Bahamas/95537

Hahaha, nice one. Maayo gyud moimbento ug estorya ning mga Bisaya.

Thanks for the reminder, Hubz. Very touching.

Sharon Cuneta When 14 Years Young

Is Going Abroad the Only Way?

by Louie T. Cueto

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, December 7 (PIA) â€" The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office has advised consumers to pruchase their ‘Noche buena’ products earlier to avoid hassles and price hike this season.

“Mag-umpisa nang mamili ng ‘noche buena’ products habang malayo pa ang pasko at bagong taon (Start buying ‘noche buena’ products while it is still weeks before Christmas and New Year),” said DTI Provincial Director Oscar M. Agbay in an interview.

He said that it would be better for consumers to buy products earlier to avoid possible price increases due to unstable pricing nowadays. The DTI also recommended consumers to buy “unpopular brands” but are of high quality for practical reasons.

Agbay gave some reminders for the consumers this holiday season. First, consumers must watch for the purchased goods while paying for them. Consumers must also see to it that the expiry dates and the price tags are accurate. Agbay added that consumers should check if the price tag of the purchased product is the same as the price reflected on the receipt. Also, he said that consumers must be alert on how the vendors use their weighing scales as well as the weight of each products they buy.

He said that the DTI-Oriental Mindoro provincial office is open during weekdays to entertain complaints or inquiries and may be reached through its hotline number 2867093 or e-mail address dtiorminro4@yahoo.com. (Louie T. Cueto/PIA-4B)

A new era for Filipinos dawned on December 10, 1898 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris through which Spain ceded the Philippines, its colony for over 300 years, to the United States for US$ 20 million.

The Peace Commission consisting of American and Spanish delegates met in Paris from October to December that year to discuss the terms of the treaty.

Much of their discussions focused on legal points and both sides maintained their respective hard-lined stand on the matter.

The Americans eventually prevailed, however, following Washington's order to ensure Spain's cession of the entire Philippines. Such cession placed the country under American control.

Still, the U.S. agreed on allowing for 10 years' entry of Spanish exports into the Philippines.

The Treaty of Paris did not go into effect immediately as several U.S. senators believed this accord was unfair to Filipinos.

However, the rise of Filipino-American hostilities on February 4, 1899 eventually led many of such legislators to vote in favor of the treaty.

This change happened as they believed the propaganda that Filipinos initiated the hostilities.

Aside from ceding the Philippines, the Treaty of Paris required Spain's surrender of Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S.

The same treaty also required Spain to relinquish its rights to Cuba.

On this same date in 1986, President Corazon C. Aquino announced that the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have signed a ceasefire agreement, thus paving the way for possible national reconciliation. (PNA)

source: Stratfor
By Scott Stewart | December 8, 2011

There has been a lot of talk in the press lately about a “cold war” being waged by the United States, Israel and other U.S. allies against Iran. Such a struggle is certainly taking place, but in order to place recent developments in perspective, it is important to recognize that the covert intelligence war against Iran (and the Iranian response to this war) is clearly not a new phenomenon.

Indeed, STRATFOR has been chronicling this struggle since early 2007. Our coverage has included analyses of events such as the defection to the West of Iranian officials with knowledge of Tehran’s nuclear program; the Iranian seizure of British servicemen in the Shatt al Arab Waterway; the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists; the use of the Stuxnet worm to cripple Iranian uranium enrichment efforts; and Iranian efforts to arm its proxies and use them as a threat to counteract Western pressure. These proxies are most visible in Iraq and Lebanon, but they also exist in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

While the covert intelligence war has been under way for many years, the tempo of events that can readily be identified as part of it has been increasing over the past few months. It is important to note that many of these events are the result of hidden processes begun months or even years previously, so while visible events may indeed be increasing, the efforts responsible for many of them began to increase much earlier. What the activities of recent months do tell us is that the covert war between Iran and its enemies will not be diminishing anytime soon. If anything, with the current withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and Iranian nuclear efforts continuing,we likely will see the results of additional covert operations â€" and evidence of the clandestine activity required to support those operations.

the answer is here: http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/ye_must_be_born_again.htm

That's life, A Layman. We have so many things to attend to. As long as we keep a balanced perspective, everything will be fine.

Congrats to your upcoming book. Feel free to promote it here in TubagBohol once it is out of the press. I learned that if you can provide 500 copies of one book title, National Bookstore would be willing to display it.

Anyhow, we are glad to see you again after a long absence and we hope to read more of your insights on the many issues that define our society today.

God bless you!

Contentment sometimes represents the easy way out
Sometimes people deliberately deceive themselves by feigning contentment in order to avoid working harder and taking more risks to go for what they really want. Dont try to fake being contented when youre not. If you want to dream, dream big.

more at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/Self-Improvement-Tips-for-Wealth-Creation--Getting-Rich-Starts-from-Within/58766

quoted: Hard work is required mentally, emotionally and physically. If I want to become right, I need to think of ways and means to learn and accumulate wealth. This is mental hard work. Each time I face a failure or setback, I need to deal my emotions so that I do not give up. This is emotional hard work. I need to spend time and effort to carry out the actual actions to learn and accumulate wealth. This is physical hard work.

more at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/Work-Hard-For-Your-Wealth-/59479

By Ben Cal

MANILA, Dec. 8 (PNA) â€" Retired Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Banez Jr., now 88 years old, vividly remembers when Japanese warplanes bombed Baguio City on that fateful day of December 8, 1941 that started World War II in the Philippines.

Banez was in school when he and his classmates heard the roaring engines of planes which they thought were American aircraft flying over the city almost daily.

Out of curiosity, they went outside to see the planes and waved their hands when they heard explosions and saw the planes dropping bombs.

Camp John Hay was bombed!

Banez said pandemonium followed as frightened city folks, particularly women and children, started crying while looking for family members who were somewhere else when the incident occurred.

From Baguio, Japanese planes also attacked Clark Air Field in Pampanga.

The air raids caught United States and Philippine military forces by surprise.

As a cadet of the Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC), Banez said he immediately thought of joining the guerrilla movement in Luzon.

The airstrikes by Japanese warplanes on the Philippines came just 10 hours after Japanese aircraft staged a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii that destroyed all American aircraft on the ground. This hastened the entry of the U.S. in the Second World War.

The Japanese attack in the country occurred as thousands of Filipinos were inside Catholic churches to hear Mass on December 8, 1941 to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Banez also said that on the same day, Japanese troops made a beach landing in the towns of Cervantes and Vigan in Ilocos Sur. A small contingent of the then Philippine Constabulary was easily overrun.

On December 22, 1941, Japanese troops also landed at the Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan and proceeded to Central Luzon and Manila.

As a tactical move, American and Filipino forces made Bataan and Corregidor their last line of defense.

The Japanese thought they would easily overrun the two enclaves in a month’s time but they erred.

The gallant Filipino and U.S. soldiers held their ground for over three months, delaying the Japanese offensive that allowed Gen. Douglas MacArthur to escape to Australia.

When Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, thousands of Filipino and American troops were held prisoners of war. They were forced to go to the province of Tarlac in the infamous “Death March” where thousands died along the way due to exhaustion, lack of food, water and medicine.

But many were able to escape and join guerrilla forces to continue their fight against the Japanese invaders.

The guerrillas proved to be a pain in the neck of the Japanese as they prolonged the war until Allied forces led by American troops commanded by MacArthur made a historic landing on the beach of Leyte following the crushing defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy during the battle at Leyte Gulf, considered as the biggest naval battle in history that eventually liberated the Philippines. (PNA)

Extensive studies have been done on the human mind to see why the human brain deteriorates faster in some then with others and what they found was that people who keep themselves busy have a tendency to retain their capabilities better then people who after retirement just spend their time around the house or fishing.

details at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/How-to-Keep-the-Mind-Strong-in-Your-Golden-Years/128297

In a world where so many people are unethical and dishonest, build your reputation on integrity and you will have an endless supply of customers, suppliers, investors and business partners.

details at http://www.inform.websiteuniversity.org/Article/Millionaire-Habit-6--Acting-With-Integrity/22444

By Sunday Post

By AMIELA T. SINGCO-BALABA

JAGNA â€" The Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality conducted a public hearing/consultation last week on the Revised Revenue Code of Jagna at the Capt. Gregorio “Goyo” Casenas Hall. Invited were players in the economic sector. SB committee chair on good governance Alberto Cabrestante, Jr. presented the rationale of the activity. The Revenue Code of Jagna was last revised in the year 2003. The mandate of the government states that there shall be conducted a revision of the revenue code every five years. The Revenue Code of Jagna was due for revision only last 2008. With time constraint along the years, the revision of the Revenue Code of the town was finally given preferential attention by the incumbent 7 th Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Exuperio Lloren.

The precepts of the 2003 Revenue Code of the town were seen as archaic as rapid changes in the economic sector are seen through the years. Taxes levied are already outdated and does not anymore support the needs of the community especially the provision of service to the populace. Majority of the players of the economic sector of the town of Jagna responded to the call of the Sangguniang Bayan. Presentations as to the sections revised in the Code were provided by the concerned office heads of the Local Government Unit as well as the honorable members of the 7 th Sangguniang Bayan. After all the presentations, an open forum was conducted with the attendees airing out their questions, clarifications and suggestions to the Code for resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan. The public hearing/consultation is a part of the process of the Revenue Code revision. It is in accordance to the mandate of transparency and good governance.

By Sunday Post

By: Reyna Omictin

A European Union delegation to the Philippines Program Manager made up of Eric Galvin and party visited Tubigon to discuss and review ecoBudget with Municipal Officials last November 29 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall. Dr. Nestor M. Pestelos, project manager of DReAMS project, rationalized the purpose of their visit as an evaluation of the ecoBudget projects of the municipality, saying that they want “to see actual projects on the ground.” Pestelos said that the project is in good hands due to the proper management of the Local Government Unit, giving credits to the Municipal Planning and Development Officer Engr. Noel C. Mendaña. Mendaña then discussed the projects and development of the municipality as far as ecoBudget is concerned. He enumerated various actions of the municipality to address environmental issues such as waste management, agricultural concerns, marine preservation, and reforestation.

Moreover, Mendaña added that several other ecoBudget related projects are being implemented in the LGU such as the rehabilitation and reconstruction of impounding and diversion dams, mangrove reforestation, plantation of fruit and timber trees, small independent water system for barangays, the improvement of solid waste management containment facility, Information, Education, Communication Campaign for climate change and degraded marine habitat. Galvin, who is a representative of the EU’s delegation to the Philippines, was gratified for the warm welcome by the officials of the municipality, especially the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, during his short visit. He further stated that it was rewarding for him to come and see the project firsthand and witness its development.

Galvin added that it is a great professional work of the LGU for using good tools in identifying the proper actions to be undertaken to address environmental issues. Furthermore, Galvin said that what is important is to see the money of the European taxpayers being used in a good ways, in delivering basic services to the community. He was also awed on how pilot projects can become a mainstream project. When asked on how these projects benefit them, Vice Mayor Virgilio C. Fortich explained that it is very beneficial for them as lawmakers to see the satisfaction of the people by the projects and the services provided to them by the LGU. Lastly, Fortich affirmed that as elected officials, their main objective is to set tools such as the DReAMS and ecoBudget project in reducing the level of poverty in the community, to deliver basic services to the people and lastly, to leave a wonderful legacy to the future generations of Tubigon.

published by Sunday Post

The immortal song Smile by the late Nat King Cole must have came into the senses of Mayor Roberto Salinas when he coined the word S.M.I.L .E. with a T.A., this time, to emphasize the policy direction he would like to push when he was thrust as Catigbian mayor in 2004. How would the second line of the famous song “though your heart is aching” fit into the picture if the song inspired Mayor Salinas to use it as his administration mantra? In a check with Mayor Salinas, all he did was give the Post the authority to paraphrase the line into “smile after your heart is aching”. The aching heart may be traced to the feeling of the people of Catigbian before he became mayor. As everybody knows even now, Catigbian was full of aching hearts before Bertsal, the mayor’s favorite nickname, became town executive.

Poverty was at its lowest ebb, peace and order was synonymous to being a hotbed of homegrown insurgency, literacy level is beyond recognition, health services were virtually unknown and anything that connoted a place as if ruled by children of lesser gods as a result of government neglect was what Catigbian in the 70’s,80s,90’s and early 2000. That Catigbian was best described as sleepy then was never an understatement. Then like a knight in shining armor out to save a lady in distress, Bertsal strode down the bumpy road of the obscure town and mapped out strategies how to make things happen to conquer above all the sleepy characteristic of the town. He succeeded in transforming the sleepy settlement into an emerging economy that in no time becoming the envy of its neighbors. There’s also another all-time favorite sang by the Bee Gees which Bertsal agrees that it also fits the scenario of Catigbian being a poor community after the transformation of its physical landscape by the innovation of Mayor Salinas.

Speaking of aching hearts the song How Can You Mend a Broken Heart is also a reminder that it needs the caliber of Salinas how to mend the broken hearts of the people when mired in poverty. With poverty, it can be said that everything emanates from itâ€"from health, education, livelihood, good governance, peace and order, the underlying problems that LGUs are trying to lick. And lick he did all these problems that engulfed the town then. With the song of the Bee Gees, Mayor Salinas wafted its melody the way he recalled how Catigbian fared when he was a young boy: The opening line of the song thus say: I can think of younger days when living for my life/Was everything a man could want to do/I could never see tomorrow/But I was never told about the sorrow. And how can you mend a broken heart… So much of songs that inspire Mayor Salinas to rule Catigbian. It ‘s enough that for the people of Catigbian, SMILE TA becomes a household entreaty that it speaks of volumes when visitors come avisiting to see for themselves how the town has progressed through the years as evidenced from landmarks that dot the town since Salinas became mayor in 2004.

SMILE TA, WHAT IT”S ALL ABOUT

The different programs and activities in line with the new platforms of governance of Catigbian is summarized under SMILE TA. Although it had been in existence since Mayor Salinas took office, the slogan is updated from to time to give the people a running summary of what the LGU is doing in pursuit of its policy direction. The following are the update of SMILE TA:

SPORTS & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Participation of the Tribu Dagook representing the Municipality of Catigbian that grabbed 2 nd Place during the Sandugo Streetdancing 2011 competition involving students from the six secondary schools of the town ( four public & two private high schools) and participation of the Miss Bohol Sandugo 2011 where Miss Catigbian got the 2 nd runners up. Actual training and procurement of different sports equipment that enhances the skills of every athletes in the sporting events like swimming, taekwondo, arnis, archery, soccer football, athletics, table tennis, lawn tennis, volleyball, badminton and vocal solo. Proper implementation of the Municipal Sports Program yielded positive results, over-all champion of the First Congressional Athletic Meet for two successive years that brought 101 athletes to the recent Provincial Meet. A big number of 31 athletes vied for the CVIRRA Meet which initially garnered one bronze award for lawn tennis double, one silver award for lawn tennis single A, two gold award for arnis and a gold for the vocal solo. LGU allocated more or less P 500,000.00 for strengthening the sports program and activities of the municipality.

MOBILITY

Acquisition of a 4x4 vehicle(Montero) as official vehicle of the Local Chief Executive as well as the purchase of 4- wheel drive tractor with barrow and plow as additional farm equipment for farmers. Purchase of additional motorcycles for the different offices of the LGU to ensure effective and efficient service to constituents. Continuous maintenance of the current mobility units.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Renovation of flagpole and Rizal monument in compliance with the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines otherwise known as RA 8491 that positions out the Philippine Flag in a permanent place with height that gives the flag the commanding position to the municipal buildings and other public buildings in the vicinity. Construction of the new SB Session Hall, conceded as one of a kind in Bohol-- fully spaced and carpeted with air-conditioned and audio sound system installed. Construction of billeting quarters for visitors with air-conditioned rooms funded under the 20% development fund amounting to P100,000.00 and the construction of a public toilet implemented by the DPWH that complied with the Handicapped Persons Safety and Health Program. Rehabilitation and concreting of 3.2 km Poblacion Weste â€" Sinakayanan â€" Ambuan Road under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project III involving 21M cost. This project aims to improve the passability of farm- to- market road that will encourage farmers to produce more crops, reduce damage of farm products and lesser transport cost to market. Poblacion â€" Poblacion Weste Farm to Market Road concreting with P4-M cost under the local funds and a counterpart project of ARISP III. Improvement of the Catigbian Sports and Cultural Complex amounting to P510,596.54 from the supplemental budget fund. A venue for socio-cultural and sports activities that will develop young generation and preserve cultural heritage. Construction of the Municipal Archive for preservation and safe keeping of vital documents with a project cost of P300,000.00 under the local funds.

LIVELIHOOD & Health

As one of the recipient municipalities of the Skills Training Advocating Reliance on Self-employment (STARS), skills training are initiated in partnership with Provincial Government and other non-government organizations, that aim to capacitate out-of-school youth and jobless individuals, the skills that are necessary for livelihood advancement. Training on manicure/pedicure, hair styling/cutting, therapeutic massage, household service, tour guiding and enhancement training on basket waving and raffia production were conducted with 167 participants completed the skills training. P10-M Waterworks System Project under DOH that will serve the seven far flung and waterless barangays of Mahayag Norte, Mahayag Sur, Hagbuaya, Bagtic, Liboron, Cambailan and Triple Union is presently implemented by the winning bidder. Implementation of Socialized User’s Fee imposing fees on health services based on Municipal Ordinance No. 6 CY 2010. Yellow Card Program where indigents are categorized into Category A ( 100% free health services including medicines) and Category B (50% free health services and medicines) ensures that health services are delivered effectively to the needy. As of this date, a total 1,296 yellow card holders are being serviced in which 429 belongs to Category A and 867 to Category B. Furthermore this program aims to sustain the quality delivery of health services and likewise help educate and aware everybody the responsibility to take care of one’s health. Recipient of the Department of Health â€" Rural Health Team Placement Program (DOH_RHTPP) deploying 1 Dentist and RN HILLS Program for the 2 nurses for Catigbian Health Center.

EDUCATION

The Municipal Scholarship Program that aims to help the poor but deserving students to pursue tertiary education providing financial assistance of P10,000.00 for bachelor’s degree and P 5,000.00 for 2-year course. Presently, there are 41 scholars enjoying the program. Consequently the program produced 1 CPA and 2 Engineers. Special Program for the Employment of Students(SPES) during summer vacation is also in place. Sixty eight (68) students availed the program, 14 students were fully funded by the LGU and the 54 students were both funded LGU and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with 60% and 40% sharing respectively. Hardbound books from Children International Philippines Inc. were distributed to all elementary, high schools and the tertiary school both in public and private institution amounting to P 700,000.00. Thirty three computers from DTI given to public secondary schools where LGU allocated funds for the improvement of computer rooms through electrical installation and provided 2 air- conditioning units for Haguilanan and Hagbuaya High Schools respectively.

TOURISM

Development of the Abatan River Upstream Eco-Adventure, a flagpole project of Bohol Convergence Support Initiative (BOCSI). Two carabao driven carts are acquired to transport enthusiast from embarking entrance area to the satellite pavilion and enjoy nature thru trekking on the way to Dagook Falls. On-going construction of Eco-Adventure Course and Tourist Infrastructure facilities within the area which can be launched hopefully by the end of December 2010 such as: Monkey Bridge, Canopy Walk and Mountian Slide. Another facilities that can be enjoyed by the tourist enthusiast soon will be the Via Pirata and many more. To add the attraction 5 horses are also acquired for horseback riding from the coffers of the Department of Tourism(DOT). Comfortable rest rooms amounting to P 440,000.00 is also available for public use within the vicinity.

AGRICULTURE

The establishment of the Municipal Demonstration Farm nestled in a 3.2 hectares of land owned by the LGU where it offers “pick and pay” of the variety of vegetables to visiting groups of Lakbay Aral as well as its constituents. The fruit bearing tree planting program that is supported by a municipal ordinance requiring all graduating elementary and secondary students to plant at least 5 fruit bearing trees as pre-requisite for graduation. To date, a total of 24,062 variety of fruit tree seedlings were distributed and planted in line for this program. Acquisition of the heavy duty tractor with a new dozer added that cost P260,000.00 which is maintained thru the Office of the Municipal Agriculture who implement the scheme “PLOW NOW PAY LATER “ program in which the Catigbianons can avail of the scheme to cultivate their farms thru the use of the tractor and pay the amount due for the service rendered after the harvest of the crops.

Continuous livestock upgrading and dispersal that cater artificial insemination services, animal health care services and vaccines to livestock raisers. Intensify the rice hybridization program and extends support in the procurement of rice seeds and the Farmers Information Technology System (FITS) that provides new farming technologies. The LAMP 2 project that gives access to easy land titling at a minimal cost and has distributed a total of 201 land titles as of this date. As an aside, SMILE TA is also taken literally in relation to how government officials and employees deal with any stranger , constituent, visitors and to all those who make transactions with the LGU. With the saying, you can’t please everybody, so there are instances when the official or employee will say no. Saying no may be offensive (especially to those who can’t take no for an answer) but it can be pleasing to the ears of those who fail to get their way. In the case of Catigbian the standard repartee when there’s no way to get what you want, it is: say no with a SMILE.

By Sunday Post

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization dedicated to the preservation of Bohol’s famous tarsiers, raised a howl of protest yesterday after it learned that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given an imprimatur to a commercial enterprise in Loboc town featuring the smallest primate as its main attraction.

According to a foundation source who declined to be identified, the commercialization of the tarsier has become widespread that in no time it will lost its intrinsic value as an endangered specie. The source said the tarsier was supposed to be preserved not be traded as a commodity of value. If need be, he continued, the primate should be declared not just as an endangered specie but as “beyond the commerce of man”. The howl of protest was raised after it was published yesterday in a Metro daily that the DENR has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Wings of Serenity, Inc. for the establishment of a tarsier center in Loboc town.

The foundation source said the alleged cover of the commercial venture is the so-called research center but the truth of the matter is that the center is establish to make money. In fact, it was confirmed that the so-called research center is imposing a fee of P50.00 per person starting January next year. In Bohol, there’s only one research center for the tarsier and it is being managed by the PTFI. No less than Gov. Edgar Chatto has made representation with DENR Sec. Ramon Paje to have the 167-hectare tarsier sanctuary under the control and supervision of the foundation in cooperation with the local government units of Corella and Sikatuna. The tarsier foundation also made loud noises about the opening of the so-called research center in Loboc after it received reports that the creature was being subjected to ill-treatment and abuses by some tourists while in captivity for public viewing. The foundation is batting for the return of the tarsier to its natural habitat which is the sanctuary in Canapnapan Corella town.

No offense. It's just the truth. I never like Manila. Not for a second.

by Sunday Post

DIMIAO.- The Local Government of Dimiao, through its Municipal Tourism Council together with the Saint Nicholas de Tolentino Parish, launched Sunday the Serenata sa Ermita. Held at the mysterious Ermita Ruins, tourist spot in this town, the launching was an occasion filled with beautiful music from the nationally-acclaimed Dimiao Children’s Rondalla, the lively Dimiao Band and the Saint Nicholas Academy Performing Arts and the PYM Band. The concept of Serenata sa Ermita was conceived when the two initiating entities saw the budding talents of this generation and the need to promote a rare gem so unique, not just in the province of Bohol but of the whole country, the Ermita Ruins. The activity was held on November 20, to commemorate the feasts of Christ the King and of Sta. Cecilia, the patron saint of the arts. With the launching, this town officially unveiled the series of musical shows as part of the tourism program of the locality. (Katherine M. Berondo-MPIO)

by Sunday Post

With the recent 415 th Foundation Day of Baclayon, it became clear that the town was on another journey to more glorious and fruitful years as it successfully celebrated its humble beginnings last Thursday, November 17. With the theme “Baclayon, Our Legacy and Glory,” the festivity prepared by Mayor Alvin J. Uy and the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Jodel Theodore Cabahug was a day of fun-filled activities such as grand parade, civil mass wedding ceremony, games and cultural night. The major highlight of the celebration was the awarding of outstanding and best performing barangay officials who made it through the evaluation of the Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO). Barangay Montaña was the biggest winner of the night as it bagged most of the major awards. Their barangay hall was adjudged as the best among the 17 barangays. The Post’s Rosendo B. Guingguing and Regina Mae Gatal were both awarded as Best Barangay Kagawad and Best SK Chairperson, respectively. Editha Revita came in second for the Best Barangay Treasurer Award.

Meanwhile, the Best Barangay Captain Award went to Laya chair Carlito Toong. Evelyn Maceren, also from Laya, claimed the Best Barangay Secretary Award. San Isidro’s Gliceria Beroy, on the other hand, won the Best Barangay Treasurer Award. No less than Gov. Edgar M. Chatto ang Cong. Rene L. Relampagos graced the d event together with First District Board Members Cesar Tomas Lopez and Venzencio Arcamo. Mayor Uy, in his message, thanked the Baclayanons for keeping the glory and legacy that his administration has started. Furthermore, Uy said that one of his projects is the continuation of the covered court in barangay San Roque that was started during former Mayor Benecio Uy’s administration. The mayor also announced that Cong. Relampagos would be giving five million pesos for the concreting of barangay roads from Landican to Tanday and another two million pesos for the expansion of the Baluarte. In addition to Mayor Uy’s earlier news, Cong. Relampagos, in his message, assured an additional one million pesos for the roofing of the municipal stage and PhP 150,000 for each barangay. Gov. Chatto and BMs Lopez and Arcamo pledged that they will also be allocating certain amounts for priority projects in Baclayon.

By Sunday Post

Alburquerque Mayor Efren Tungol acted swiftly last week to close the business of what appeared to be an “arrogant” pet snake owner even if it costs the symbol of the town’s popularity in terms of tourist attractions. But a certain Eugene Salibay, the purported owner of the pet snake, countered with vehement protestation that he complied all legal requirements to operate the business of having the reptile viewed by tourists for a fee. The Post found this Salibay “arrogant” during a phone interview as evidenced from his high handed answers to the questions of this paper’s reporter. For example, when Salibay was asked politely if he can show to media his so-called pertinent papers , with a raised voice he answered in Cebuano: Ngano, ug tagaan mo ug mga papeles, makatabang ang media sa akong problema? (Why, if we furnish you the papers, will it help my problem?)

The same hostility was showed by the owner when asked by the reporter who his lawyer is. He said he cannot be compelled to identify his lawyer. But the owner’s alleged high-handedness in the face of the mayor’s decision proved to be his own undoing when the chief executive insisted to close the Bohol Python, Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Park, the Alburquerque tourist attraction. The reason cited: the eco-park has no mayor’s permit for years. For Salibay, it was his word and the mayor’s and in an interview with Mayor Tungol in the program “Cuentas Claras”, he said, he would stand by his word that the pet owner has no mayor’s permit. For 15 years, Salibay made good business of the phyton in captivity by soliciting donations from onlookers cum tourists. Estimates of his daily income varies. One estimate said it is in the vicinity of P5,000 as its lowest and as high as P12,000 at its peak. According to callers of the radio program most likely tourists’ car drivers, the pet owner is not issuing any official receipts to patrons. The owner argued that no official receipt is needed because he was only soliciting donations from viewers.

Whatever that means, Mayor Tungol was not convinced.

Quoting a provision of the Local Government Code of 1991, he said an LGU like Alburquerque is empowered to regulate business of any kind in the locality. According to the mayor, he decided to close the establishment after several repeated demands from its owner for him to get a mayor’s permit, but all this, only fell on deaf ears. With the closure two barangaysâ€"East Poblacion and Santa Filomena, were also deprived of their income. The road leading to the snake center traverses through the two barangays prompting its officials to exercise their taxation powers to get a piece of the action. The two barangays charge at least P10 per van/car. For big buses, the charge is P20/. At least four policemen were stationed by Mayor Tungol at the entrance of the snake center to inform tourists going there about the closure order

welcome back, A Layman. Been a while. Hope is well with you.

Initial List of Congressmen Who Watched Manny Pacquiao Fight in Las Vegas
source: Sunday Post

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, who has been in the US since Nov. 6, said he was still not sure whether he could make it to Las Vegas. Other congressmen who are now in the US or about to go there are Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino (Oct. 27 to Nov. 19), Batangas Rep. Tomas Apacible (Nov. 13-15), Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas (Nov. 6-13), Manila Rep. Benjamin Asilo (Nov. 2-21), Association of Laborers and Employees (ALE) Rep. Catalina Bagasina  (Oct. 29-Nov.13); Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Nov. 8-15), Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas (Nov. 8-16), Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Aurora Ceriles (Nov. 3-25), Quezon City Rep. Vincent Crisologo (Oct. 25-Nov. 13), Cavite Rep. Antonio Ferrer (Nov. 11-18), Surigao del Sur Rep. Florencio Garay (Nov. 3-13), Ang Kasangga Rep. Teodorico Haresco (Nov. 5-15); Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Nov. 3-19), Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos (Nov. 8-15), Caloocan City Rep. Oscar Malapitan (Nov. 10-19), Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (Nov. 10-14), Misamis Occidental Rep. Loreto Leo Ocampo (Oct. 25-Nov. 17); Lanao del Surt Rep. Mohammed Hussein Pangandaman (Nov. 9-19), North Cotabato Rep. Jesus Sacdalan (Nov. 2-13), Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez (Nov. 7-21), Taguig City Rep. Sigfrido Tiñga (Nov. 5-16), Nueva Ecija Rep. Czarina Umali (Nov. 9-18), and Misamis Oriental Rep. Peter Unabia (Nov. 10-21). Based on the list, two congressmen would no longer be in the US on the day of the fight, namely Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos (Nov. 6-10) and Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong (Nov. 3-9) Efforts to contact Cong. Relampagos if he was already in town yesterday yielded negative results as there was no answer in the Post call to his cell phone.

By Ven Arigo

A former jailed Boholana migrant worker has appealed to the Kuwaiti government thru Philippine channels to release her baby boy and reunite him with mother in Bohol this Christmas. For the ex-OFW named Pipay (not her real name), there is no greater Christmas gift than having again her innocent child whom she left against her will and mother’s instinct in the far Arab land. She was forced to leave her Kuwait-born son to the care of OFW friends after she was arrested, detained and immediately repatriated last February for working on an expired visa.

The child is her son by a Kuwaiti police officer who falsely promised her a working visa should she yield to a relationship with him. Pipay, 35, single, of Talibon, was deported but not allowed to bring with her the baby boy because she lacked legal papers to prove that she is the mother of the child. She has longed to see again and finally reunite with her precious child right in barangay Bagacay, Talibon this Christmas with the assistance of Gov. Edgar Chatto. On Chatto’s intervention, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and other agencies have since moved to process all necessary papers for the repatriation of the child back to her mother, according to Reine Real of capitol’s OFW Desk.

Accompanied by her parents, Pipay approached Chatto for help when the governor held office in Talibon. Chatto attends to the constituents at the Governor’s Sub-office inside the Talibon municipal hall compound every first Tuesday of the month. The governor will once again report there on Tuesday, during which he will also lead in the same town the provincial government’s sixth HEAT Caravan. According to the OFW Desk, Pipay worked in Kuwait first as a domestic helper in 2005, a suite decorator of a restaurant-caterer from March 2007 to February 2008, and then a gift shop saleslady from May 2008 to August 2009. It was in her third job that she met and got romantically involved with her child’s father, a divorced Kuwaiti police officer who happened to be a brother of the gift shop owner.

By that time, the OFW’s working visa had already expired. Pipay had not secured any working visa as promised to him by the Kuwaiti until she got pregnant. Worst, he forced her to abort the child in return of a working visa or he would abandon her for his fear of being penalized in his own country for his illicit affair with an illegal migrant worker. But the Boholana chose life and had her child born on May 9, 2009 whatever her decision could cost her. The Kuwaiti abandoned her and their child. Jobless, Pipay had to seek shelter and daily need support from fellow migrant workers until she was allowed to work as a cashier in another restaurant in October 2010. On January 15, 2011, the Kuwaiti police raided the restaurant and arrested and detained her for illegally working. She was deported in the first week of February, leaving her child to the care of “Ate Laila,” an OFW friend but who is not a Boholana.

Meanwhile, before leaving Kuwait, Pipay managed to register her child, whom she calls “Jasven,” at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. Together with her parents, Pipay sought the help of the governor as soon as she learned that Chatto was at his Talibon sub-office one Tuesday. In turn, the governor formally linked with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other agencies. Just this October, the OFW Desk at capitol learned that Pipay’s child is now in the care in of another OFW friend named Norma de Torres, who herself went to the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to process the child’s papers. Latest information indicated a bright hope for the baby boy to be flown to Manila with escorting embassy personnel on time for Christmas here with her longing mother. Since getting home in February, Pipay could hardly sleep each night thinking of her tender child who will turn exactly two years and six months this Wednesday. (Ven rebo Arigo)

we talk of tourist arrivals and reclamation stuff, ignoring the fact that we have some of the world's ugliest roads/streets right here in tagbilaran city.

you're right, islander.

published by Sunday Post

Four Boholanos who have excelled in their different fields of endeavor and have manifested the traits and character of Bohol’s most illustrious son found recognition during the 115 th birth anniversary of President Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) last Friday. Recipients of the prestigious CPG Awards are Monsignor Margarito R. Gonzaga in the filed of public service, businessman Argeo J. Melissimo for music, poet and literary artist Marjorie Evasco in literature and cultural worker Reinaldo P. Monreal for culture. These awardees have also been adjudged as having successfully exemplified the notable character and traits of the late CPG, who, in his lifetime had shown a high degree of statesmanship, artistry and love of culture, which has catapulted his simple life to the country’s corridors of power.

According to awards organizers, CPG Awards is in recognition of the Boholanos who have manifested exemplary accomplishments that significantly contributed to culture and heritage in the fields of living traditions, cultural advocacy, arts and literature, poetry, music, dance, visual or culinary arts, statesmanship, sports or public service. Every Boholano who have manifested accomplishments, which redound to the well being of the community and the country in general are qualified.

The awards which is handed as one is nominated and screened goes to Boholanos within and outside the province, who have helped in the attainment of the well being of Boholanos and the world in general, provide positive role models for emulation by the youth and promote awareness and understanding on the life and principles guiding the life of the Boholano who made it to the country’s top seat, said organizers. The awards, is also set up as an institution to formally recognize the manifested accomplishments of Boholanos in their chosen endeavors.

FOUR AWARDEES PUBLIC SERVICE

Mons. Margarito R. Gonzaga, who just turned 90 last November 1 has ably shown to be just a perfect example of CPG’s commitment to government service and the church, said Governor Edgar Chatto. Born in Alburquerque and was raised to become an ordained priest, Gonzaga later realized his full mission as shepherd in his hometown which beckoned for a leader. But beset with the stereotype of church and state separation of powers, Gonzaga was however lit with the imperative to break the divides to emerge as the first celebrated case of a priest who served as a town mayor. His government service was capped with an ascent to the province’s highest legislative body, Chatto aired.

MUSIC

Argeo J. Melissimo is better known in Bohol as a banker, businessman and civil society empowerment advocate. His latest attempt to realize the Loboc Music Project which ha been a dream for most Lobocanan has bore fruit. Melissimo help organize the Loboc and its youth ambassador band, provide technical support and set up a network for funding mechanism to launch a mainstreamed musical group than is competitive and approximates global music standard earned him the recognition. In his acceptance speech, Melissimo admitted he is not a musician by heart but said he was humbled by his share of the responsibility in perpetuating an old music tradition in the town. From the trained members of the band, around 142 youth musicians are now enjoying full scholarships in the city’s major colleges and universities, an accomplishment huge enough to get him into the CPG act of being a public school teacher after graduation in college. Melissimo also sits as the Regional Development Council vice Chairman, Chatto revealed.

LITERATURE AND POETRY

Marjorie Evasco was born to conservative Christian parents in Maribojoc town and was raised under the guidance of strict German and Belgian nuns. Later in her life, she took a different path when she pursued a passion for creative writing enough to get her a seat at the De La Salle University faculty. An internationally acclaimed and award winning Filipino poet, Evasco soon focused more of her creative energies into writing for women’s rights and led her to be hailed as one of the country’s most respected feminist poets. Evasco still continues to perpetuate the advocacy for literature and poetry with her mentoring creative workshops all over the country and never denying communities with her unique skill to empower people to think for their own upliftment.

CULTURAL ADVOCACY

Reinaldo P. Monreal’s entry into cultural work signaled a beginning of good things for Bohol, shares a townmate of the awardee. Monreal, who has been an almost permanent fixture in the cultural advocacy of his hometown Loon and Bohol in general has also been an accomplished creative writer, poet and dramaturgist. Known for his exploratory theater work for PuntaCruz Cultural Collective, Monreal has since creatively pursued a personal and convincing lobbying for the pride of place as a potent empowerment tool to make communities feel good about their history, culture and tradition. His works promote awareness to Boholano traditional arts has earned recognition by local tourism workers which pushed the man to lead a relatively new but aggressive group of tourism officers bent on sustaining the gains of Bohol and planning for the best of Bohol’s tourism industry.

published by Sunday Post

A Boholana beauty in the world stage!

This was the news that greeted Boholanos Friday when they read in the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer that one of three women vying for the Miss World title in London has its roots in Bohol. Losing no time , the Post scoured possible sources online notably Facebook of the woman mentioned in the PDI caption story. The search was not in vain when the paper located the Facebook account of Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen which in all its splendor posted the lady’s pictures and biography. Miss Olesen won the Miss Denmark title giving her the right to represent the country of her father in the Miss World competition. Olesen, born to a Dutch father, is one of the three beauty titlists with Filipina ancestries. The other two who are also competing for the Miss World contest in London today are French Filipina Gwendoline Ruias and Riza Santos of Canada who was born to Filipino parents.

Although the caption only mentioned about Bohol as the place of Olesen’s mother, the Post tried to establish other possible contacts to verify the exact hometown of the mother, the former Elizabeth Padillo. In the ensuing verification, the Post was led to a first degree cousin of Ms. Olesen, Eja Grace Padillo, an instructress of STI Colleges, in this city, handling IT subjects. From Ms. Padillo, the Post learned that the family hails from Hingotanan Island, B-Unido, The Bohol contact, except for some sketchy details about Miss Olesen’s mother, said, what she knew of her auntie (Olesen’s mother) was that she went to England as a missionary . It was there that she met her future husband. Asked if she remembered having met the Dutch-Filipina head turner in their hometown, the cousin recalled that when she was three years old her parents went home to Hingotanan for a short visit.

In her biography, the Denmark-Boholana did admit that their parents met each other in England.

Her own account continued : “They slowly developed a sweet romance through their passion for music. My father taught my mother how to play the guitar. This was the beginning of a relationship that stretched across the world. My father is from Denmark and my mother is from the Philippines. After a year, they decided to get married: the start of an adventure as a couple. They travelled to many countries via their work as missionaries. It was their mission to spread the message of God’s love and to help people who were less fortunate. After 6 years of marriage, followed by the birth of their two girls, they got me as their third child.

The 24th of August 1991 was the day I was born. Conceived in Nepal, born in the Philippines and raised in Denmark, I’ve always presented myself with my awkward slogan; “Conceived in Himalaya, my name is Maya”. But there is a deeper meaning to my name. Maya means love in Nepali language and it means a songbird in the Philippines. My middle name, Celeste, comes from my grandfather, Celestino. He died long before I was born, like my grandfather, Andreas, whom my younger brother is named after. We are 4 children with 2 years gap between us all; all conceived and born abroad, and all raised in Denmark. I love my siblings and don’t know what to do without them. They are my best friends, my honest critics and my funniest companions. We always have each other for support and to learn from. I have never for a moment felt alone in my childhood.”

By Sunday Post

By Rey Anthony Chiu

On the issue of illegally taxing inter-provincial transiting vehicles and fearing they might find themselves trapped in legal battles, Local Government Units have sought Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarification on its recent memorandum which has effectively extinguished a local revenue resource. DILG memorandum circular No. 2015-151 has reiterated the prohibition on passing-through taxes and fees levied upon inter-provincial transport of goods and services, which has affected local pricing. The memorandum intends to prohibit double taxation and bans the collection of levies on regulatory fees from passengers in local ports and other taxes fees or charges when transporting goods and passengers, sources at the DILG explained.

In a gathering of LGU chief executives and the media with Secretary Jesse Robredo in time for the 115 th birth anniversary of Carlos P. Garcia, Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez aired his town’s concern over the loss of a good revenue source when DILG memorandum which the secretary signed last October 12. DILG memorandum circular deems these kind of levies illegal as these are beyond the scope of the taxing powers of the LGU. The memorandum however did not mention about LGUS collecting taxes and fees on the use of locally maintained roads by inter provincial transport of goods and passengers, Robredo hinted. Mayor Lopez, who stood as a self appointed representative of at least 6 towns operating municipal ports said they have been deprived of a revenue resource in exacting toll fees to repair and the gravel roads, which connect the port to the highway.

Lopez stresses that the town spends an annual budget of P50 thousand to make the road passable. For this, he hinted that the town would be at a loss if they could not generate the funds needed to maintain such a crucial access road to the port. The same memorandum also ordered the immediate repeal of existing ordinances which come in the form of double taxation and instructs DILG Regional Directors to monitor compliance and report to the secretary any breaches so that appropriate administrative charges can be filed. Hinting that toll fees for the use of roads could be a different case as to the intent of the memorandum, Robredo advised that the towns look at specific provisions in the Local Government Code, which would allow the collection of toll fees. As long as it is legislated and goes through the process, the DILG said it may not be a problem. Still feeling the existing apprehension of local chief executives on the matter, Robredo then advised that LGUs write the DILG so that the agency can suggest to them the steps to do to avoid legal snags in their collecting of fees.

published by Sunday Post

V-Gov. Concepcion Lim showed once more her “short fuse” Thursday after finding out that one board member was noticed for being a habitual absentee. The regular session was advanced a day earlier as its regular session day was a holiday. The board members used to hold their regular session every Friday.

The feisty lady vice governor said the act of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan member was a betrayal of the trust and confidence of the people who elected him into office. Although a press release from the office of the vice governor was mum as to the identity of the erring legislator, the Post went out of its way to find out who the vice governor was referring to.

Records in the vice governor’s office identified one habitual absentee in the august halls of the SP as Board Member Brigido “Boy” Imboy who is one of four SP members in the third district. If indeed Imboy was the target of Lim’s tirades, it came as no surprise as the power couple of Loay Mayor Rosemarie Lim-Imboy and her board member-husband has no love lost with the SP presiding officer. What apparently triggered the rift between Lim and the Imboys was the reported defeat of the vice governor in Loay when she sought the second top elective post of the province. Even Lim’s team mate, then gubernatorial candidate Edgar Chatto, lost in Loay. He, however, won provinciwide. It was gathered that the root of their conflict was the accommodation of the Chatto-Lim ticket of lawyer Aster Apalisok-Piollo as one of the candidates for board member in the third district. Piollo also lost in her own re-election bid as board member.

The reason why Piollo was dragged into the Lim-Imboy row was that the former lady board member is the mother-in-law of Tiburcio Bullecer, Jr., a mortal enemy of Mayor Imboy in Loay. In fact, the first time Imboy sought the Loay mayoralty, she was facing a tough challenge against Bullecer who at that time was the incumbent vice mayor. Imboy went on to win the 2007 mayoralty and earned another berth for the Loay top elective post in 2010. There were reports that after Lim won as Bohol vice governor, she lost no time in confronting Mayor Imboy why she was clobbered in Loay. In a check with Mayor Imboy, it was learned that the reason the tandem of Chatto and Lim lost in Loay was the fact that they refused to release funding requirements for the team’s victory in the town. Mayor Imboy, at that time, also denied having junked Lim in Loay in favour of lawyer Tomas Abapo. The lady mayor said if the ticket of Julius Herrera and Abapo in Loay won, it was because the former’s chief of staff, Larry Ayuban, is from Loay.

LIM’S BEEF

Lim’s beef on the absentee board member was made more pronounced last Friday when the object of her ire was absent again. Asked of Board Member Imboy’s absence in Thursday’s session, Mayor Imboy said her husband was suffering from hypertension and that explained everything why he was nowhere to be found that day. The vice governor told her legislative audience Thursday that “we have now more than one million Boholanos, and board members as representatives in their districts, must bring into the session our people’s issues and concerns.” The vice governor, who seldom avails the privilege hour or the other matters portion of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan regular session made the emphatic appeal as she noticed numerous committee reports held in abeyance when a board member-committee chairman fails to attend session. Last week’s session was made Thursday, held in lieu of the Friday schedule as the date falls on the Carlos P. Garcia Day, a holiday throughout the whole province of Bohol.

“It also our duty and obligation to see to it that we are able to visit our districts that we represented and that we can attend or respond to their needs,” the vice governor added. The remarks of the vice governor was reportedly an off-shoot of a particular board member’s absences for the past consecutive sessions for no valid reasons at all. The name of the board member was, however, not mentioned during the vice governor’s reminder to the board members. Four consecutive absences, in the case of members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, constitute as Grounds for Disciplinary Actions, under R.A. 7160, (Local Government Code), Rule XIX, Article 124. Paragraph (b) of the same article, provides that an elective official maybe removed from office on the grounds enumerated in paragraph (a), by order of the proper court or the disciplining authority whichever first acquires jurisdiction to the exclusion of the other. ( With reports from VGO-EDCom)

By Bohol Standard

ANDA, Bohol â€" The existence of Philippine Tarsiers are for years only known, flourished and said to be becoming extinct species in the hinterlands of Corella and Sikatuna towns. But unknown to many they also abound in this tourist town, said Vice-Mayor Paulino Amper.

In an exclusive interview, Amper disclosed this last week after keeping it from public knowledge to protect the smallest primate from further danger. He said it is about time to tell the people that his town has also this kind of attraction since it is about time also for the town to prepare for the break in tourism industry.

The municipality boasts of its nature-endowed beauty in the kilometric stretch of unspoiled white powdery sand that can equal other places with striking rock formations, tranquil place for vacation and swimming, turtle sanctuary, whale-and-dolphin visits, rich manganese material deposits and La Manok island of caves and cultural heritage such as the old houses and century stone church and people’s hospitality and values.

In a separate interview, Juho (pronounced as Yuho), a Finnish national but fluent in English who took several days of break here described the town as “quiet” and “peaceful” ideal for vacation. This was his first trip here and the province. When he arrived in Manila then to Cebu city and in Bohol he was told to set foot in Panglao but ended up here because Panglao is crowded.

Amper, who was then mayor for almost two decades, said that when three lady mayors, one of them he identified as lady mayor of Marikina, visited here, they’re impressed because this is good for vacationers.

When he brought and showed them some live Tarsiers, all the more they’re amazed. He quoted the lady mayors as saying that why go other places in the province when Anda can provide what they want to see, Amper said.

Amper said that after the visitors saw the Tarsiers, he ordered them back to wooded sactuary of barangay Almaria and neighboring barangays because he was afraid that they might not live longer if they’re in captivity as what he learned from experts.

Asked if he plans to set up a Tarsier sanctuary in the town proper, he answered in the negative but he may put up similar facility in Corella but no timeframe yet since this is just an idea.

Meanwhile, the vice-mayor said that he Mayor Angelina Simacio maintains the public beach space of white sand beach, a stone-throw distance from the municipal hall building, to provide the lowly beach goers space to picnic and have fun and enjoy the sand, sea and sun.

Amper together with Mayor Angelina Simacio has designated municipal tourism officer Arvin Deligero Rubillos and set up a tourist center offering souvenir items at the public market to provide information and related assistance to the visitors. (RVO)

By Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov 11, (PIA) â€" Since January to date, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bohol distributed some 900 hectares of lands to landless tenants and would increase its coverage until the end of 2011.

DAR, the agency mandated to spearhead the government’s premier social justice program delivery by assuring tenure by issuing instruments for landless farmers has been at a brisk pace in keeping up with targets the central office has pegged for Bohol, said sources at the local DAR office.

The 900 hectares however comprises only about 31% of the actual target the department has targeted for Bohol office to accomplish.

But, even then, DAR is positive that distributing the total 2884 targeted hectares until the end of December is still attainable.

At the recent Kapihan sa PIA, DAR information Officer Ma. Lydia Bantugan said that DAR central office is in fact so certain that DAR Bohol could deliver, it added 500 hectares more from its early target of 2384 hectares.

We are getting about 31% accomplishment but most of the patches for distribution to Bohol’s landless farmers are already on process and Bohol expects approvals within the next few weeks, she aired at the radio forum carried on by DyTR AM.

The data could be read as drastic, Bantugan pointed out that the office general accomplishment for the whole land reform project gets DAR Bohol an astonishing 87% accomplishment.

That means it has attained 35,477 hectares acquired and distributed as early as June 30 of this year.

And while DAR Bohol has acquired and distributed that much, it now aims to a photo finish with the distribution of the 5,175 hectare balance until the project ends in 2014, Bantugan shared.

DAR has been doing this in line with the government’s ten-year implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) as based on the law or Republic Act 6657, which was passed in 1988.

But since a decade of CARP seemingly was not enough, another ten years of extension was put in through Republic Act 9700.

Twenty years later, authorities succeeded in granting another extension with the passing of the CARP with extension and reforms to put in a more responsive land reform program in the succeeding five years since 2009.

According to sources at the DAR, their employees have reasons to believe that CARPER would have to end in 2014, with the government consuming its funds for the social justice program.

Also beating the same deadline, DAR in Bohol is feverishly empowering communities within their agrarian reform areas to ascertain sustainability after the CARP.

This late, DAR Bohol targets about 31,736 families and has succeeded in reaching 28,705 beneficiary families already.

These families are within the 49 Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) set up as consultative and participatory body of people generally tasked with planning of the development of their community.

As to working to sustain the program after DAR, the 49 ARCs in 327 barangays of 33 towns in Bohol have been assisted in organizing themselves to facilitate the flow of future government assistance, she said.

By: Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov 11, (PIA) â€" Saddled with very low convictions in crimes and at the risk of nasty backlash in its anti-crime campaign Bohol mulls on setting up a training program for police officers who may have to build up solid cases against suspects.

Governor Edgar Chatto bared this even as he invites the members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in similar undertakings to help whet the program into a workable solution to the deformity in prosecuting cases.

At the RPOC, which is now led by the Bohol governor, Chatto shared the plan in apparent response to the clamor of members of the local peace council to increase convictions and keep the criminals off the streets and behind bars.

Provincial Prosecutor Macario Delusa, at a PPOC meeting in Guindulman few months ago admitted that the low conviction rate often happens when built cases are basically shot down on technicalities or are just too flimsy to withstand legal shaking.

Chatto, who also chairs the PPOC has tasked Capitol Research Unit through Local Monitoring Board coordinator Romeo Teruel to find ways where Bohol’s innovative law enforcement assistance program can help.

Bohol has initially instituted Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP), one that legally aids police officers entangled in cases in the line of duty.

While LAELEP helps in the prosecution by defending police officers through ag agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the police investigator building a case is generally left on their own wits, a member of the PPOC said.

With barely enough tools to build a case, police officers into prosecuting cases build shaky arguments, if ever they get to first base and not clipped by technicalities, a prosecution lawyer once said.

Several drug cases for example, failed to dent on the anti drug operations as potential witnesses are think twice before sharing relevant information as to the uncertainty of conviction often allows the suspect to home in on the informant.

By Bohol Standard

The Regional Peace and Order Council explores at least two measures to strengthen inter provincial security especially at its entry points even to discourage entry of criminal elements through porous inter-provincial boundaries.

At the recent RPOC meeting held at Bohol Tropics Friday, the council has been on the defense over the potential re-entry of insurgents who have been driven off Cebu and Bohol and against terrorists out to draw international attention by dealing a major blow to the region’s tourism.

The RPOC looks at the porous boundaries of seas separating Central Visayan islands as an easy and inviting coastline entry point as well as critical entry points in the ports.

Over reports that insurgents have ease of access traversing the seas on small fishing boats, the RPOC is contemplating on adopting a color-coding scheme that would easily identify boats breaching inter-province boundaries.

This way, any passenger landing from inter-provincial boats can be easily tagged for focused security check, Bohol Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio said.

Over the motion, RPOC Chairman Edgar Chatto admitted the need for such measure and went on to task the secretariat to coordinate with its legal minds to draft a standard color-coding scheme to be adopted in the region.

It should identify the boats hopefully to discourage the operators from bringing in criminal elements.

While bigger passenger boats present no such major problem, its would be the smaller fishing boats under three gross tones which are registered by local government units by virtue of an execitive order, says Philippine Coast guard Aniceto Gabisan.

On the other hand, Police Deputy Regional Director for Operations Louie Oppus proposed the tightening up of security in the ports by capturing images of transients.

By Bohol Standard

Some 11,311 poor Boholano families gets a temporary relief as the government picks them up and brings them across hard life through an expansion of the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

The government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) implements in ten more towns in Bohol the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid) which would enroll the households into the assistance program.

The recent development increases the number of Boholanno recipients to 39,513 in 22 towns. (not 23 as earlier reported)

At the Kapihan sa PIA Thursday, Pantawid regional information officer Aileen Lariba revealed these Bohol towns Pantawid expansions as Balilihan, Calape, Catigbian, Loon, Sagbayan, Danao, San Miguel and Talibon Batuan and Anda.

These towns add up to 2010 Pantawid beneficiary towns Alicia, Bien Unido, Buenavista, Carmen, Carlos P. Garcia, Dagohoy, Getafe, Inabanga, Mabini, Pilar, Trinidad and Ubay.

At the development, DSWD asks local government units in mentioned expansion towns to help families comply with the requirements for easy enrolment into the program.

Pantawid started in Bohol in 2009 with Danao as its pilot site. This year, more of Danao barangays get covered, says Lariba.

The recent expansion adds 259 more barangays to Bohol’s list of barangay beneficiaries and presents a rare opportunity for the poor in the country sides to work it out of the muck of poverty using a little help.

Picked as beneficiary families are those with 14 years old schooling kid, does not have a regular income and are non government employees or officials, she adds.

A beneficiary family with a child gets P300 for educational grant and P500 for health. Each family is entitled to a maximum of three children availing of the educational grant.

The grant however is dependent on the family’s compliance with the conditions of the transfer: school attendance of the kid at 85%, regular visits at the rural health and parents’ attendance at the family development sessions or pre natal and post natal care.

So far, the government has infused to Bohol a total of P178 million, cash that stirs up local economies and seeping into the community who indirectly benefit from the cash flow.

The expansion also increases the prospect of more cash to perk up local economies not just for the 10 but to its neighboring towns as well.

Press Release

Municipal officials of the local government of Maribojoc, Bohol went on a one-day Benchmarking Tour last Wednesday to different municipalities and government agencies as well as private establishments who have programs on Agriculture, Fishery and Tourism. The objective of the activity was to be acquainted with and recognize the different policies and good practices on the programs that can be replicated in Maribojoc.

Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Fructuoso F. Redulla, Jr. led the team composed of all Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, SB secretary and staff, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Municipal Local Government Officer and Municipal Agriculture Officer.

From Maribojoc, the group proceeded to the towns of Corella, Sikatuna, Loboc, Bilar, Batuan, Carmen and Trinidad during the first half of the day. In Trinidad, the local government presented their policies and good practices in agriculture and tourism, particularly in the preservation of caves and establishment of fishponds.

In the afternoon, they visited the Agri Demo Farm in Ubay, as well as the National Dairy Authority and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC). In the PCC, the group were oriented on the management of dairy Carabao and the production of dairy products.

While in Candijay, the benchmarking team had a discussion with the local officials as to the establishment and management of fish cages. Their last stop was at the Pantollana Residence in Garcia Hernandez before they travelled back to Maribojoc later in the evening.

Since the town is a 2010 and 2011 winner of the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government to local governments for its good governance performance in internal housekeeping, its executive and legislative departments continue to learn from the lessons of other towns to serve its constituents better.

By Bohol Standard

PANGLAO, Bohol â€" Promoting healthy lifestyle and nature-produced food to stay physically and mentally fit are among the driving forces in the launching of fun run dubbed “Panglao Camp and Run 2011” slated on December 17-18, 2011, said the organizers.

Leading the organizers of event is the known mountain climber Mr. Dax R. Ang, who have scaled on May 13, 2006 Mt. Everest, the highest mountain on planet earth, with Mr. Erijin “Pastour” L. Emata, race director, both of the Everest Outdoors and Mr. Efren De Guzman, manager of Bohol Coco Farm of this town.

They are being assisted by Mr. Jun Lago, manager of Philippine Coconut Authority of the province, said De Guzman.

The five-km fun run trail is being lined up starting at Coco Farm to Dumaluan beach in barangay Libaong down to Amarella and back to Coco Farm, the organizers said.

Along the way there’ll be some sort of “lateral moves,” that would be expected during the run to be more exciting and enjoyable, they said during the press conference last week at a seaport restaurant.

Camping activity for the enthusiasts will also take place on the first day, said the organizers.

Prizes and consolation giveaways are up for grabs following the run. Interested parties may register now with only PhP250 fee to access participation in the event.

By: JUNE S. BLANCO

THE waterworks systems of Ubay and San Miguel towns will use the Korean high-tech filtration system which can produce potable drinking water of international standard for their residents.

This was bared yesterday by Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol), who helped the towns in securing their inclusion under President Aquino’s Water for Waterless Municipalities program where the Department of Health (DoH) will provide â,±9 million and the local government unit, â,±1 million as counterpart. The solon provides â,±500,000 support for the LGU counterpart.

Aumentado’s revelation came after the presentation by Dr. Kyu Yang Choi, president, and Young Whan Choi, director, of Tae Young Engineering Co., Ltd. and Yung Qu Park of the double stage PCF filter process before the joint meeting of the officials of LGU Ubay led by Mayor Eutiquio Bernales and Vice Mayor Constantino Reyes, on one hand, and the Ubay Waterworks System Cooperative (Uwasco) board of directors with the congressman last Thursday at the Ubay Mayor’s Conference Room.

LGU Ubay and Uwasco officials led by Vice Chair Quito del Valle and Manager Saturnino Pilayre have decided to engage the Tae Young Engineering Co. Ltd. and Park to install the double stage PCF filter process costing â,±14.6 million which could produce 2,250 cubic meters of water per day for the Ubay waterworks system.

Uwasco will provide the â,±4.6 million for the project through a loan from Land Bank of the Philippines in addition to the â,±10 million provided by DOH, LGU-Ubay and Aumentado together.

The plan of the parties after the Korean filtration process will be installed successfully is to extend the present pipelines to all barangays in Ubay without waterworks system yet.

Earlier on, Mayor Claudio Bonior with the support of the Sangguniang Bayan presided by Vice Mayor Jonathan “Dodo” Reyes entered into an agreement with Park for the installation of the Korean filtration process for the San Miguel Waterworks System source at the Bayongan Dam for the town’s waterworks system costing about â,±10 million including the civil works for the pipes to be installed for barangays Bayongan, San Vicente and Poblacion as initial beneficiaries.

By Bohol Standard

Wanting to once and for all confront the growing concern of human trafficking, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto expressed interest in having an anti-trafficking summit in Bohol.

Gov. Chatto made this challenge during last Friday’s Regional Peace and Order Council held at Bohol Tropics, this city.

The governor cited that advancement in technology and the upsurge of tourists in the country has led to the sad realization that human trafficking, as a consequence, has escalated.

The incident in Ubay last October 22 which led to the entrapment of human traffickers resulting in the rescue of 12 victims, seven of whom are minors, confirmed that the problem is serious and that it’s high time to face reality that immorality is a very high price to pay in exchange for development; that it cannot be permitted to persist.

“The human trafficking law (HTL) has not been fully explained to the community and we need to address this concern with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),” Chatto stressed.

In the meeting, Fernando Gubalane, Head of the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force created by Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima, presented to council members the updates on the human trafficking situation in Region 7 and the activities his office has conducted to address this mounting threat to human and moral values

Among these activities included the launching of the Movement of Anti-Trafficking Advocates (MATA) with the Sangguniang Kabataan, the songwriting competition spearheaded by the A.C.T. (Against Child Trafficking), and the MOA signing between the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force and the various stakeholders of the Task Force on Criminality.

Said activities caught Chatto’s attention that he wants similar activities done in the province.

“We must give highest priority to the enactment of measures and the development of programs that will promote human dignity, protect the people from any threat of violence and exploitation, and discourage servitude in any form,” said a determined Chatto.

Republic Act (RA) 9208, known as “The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” has instituted policies in the elimination of trafficking in persons especially women and children, thereby establishing the necessary institutional mechanisms for the support and protection of alleged victims.

By Bohol Standard

The controversy-ridden Small River Impounding Project (SRIP) in Talibon town will be finally commissioned next week to irrigate some 1,500 hectares of rice lands in said town.

In a press statement, Second District Rep. Erico Aumentado announced recently that Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has been invited to lead the dam’s inauguration in barangay Zamora, Talibon.

It may be recalled that graft charges were filed by the group Boholanos Against Corruption and Social Harassment (Bacosh) â€" led by Engr. Petronilo Sarigumba, a former NIA official, and lawyer Artemio Cabatos â€" against five National Irrigation Administration (NIA) officials in 2004 in connection with the Talibon irrigation project after its funding of P165-million have been depleted although its actual civil works was found to be “less than half-completed.”

But in 2008, after a long battle against NIA officials charged at the Ombudsman, the charges of alleged anomalies were dismissed for “lack of substantial basis”.

The Talibon irrigation project had been christened by anti-graft groups as NIA’s “ghost dam” which caught national prominence through various investigative exposes and reports.

Based on its revised approved budget for contract, the Talibon SRIP costs a total of P243 million.

Even though charges against the five NIA officials, which included Engr. Calixto Seroje, who was then the project’s manager, were dismissed, public opinion largely disagreed with the Ombudsman ruling.

The project’s inauguration has been temporarily set on November 25 depending on Secretary Alcala’s availability.

Completion of the Talibon SRIP was made under the administration of Engr. Modesto Membreve who served as the Talibon SRIP project manager, after he also completed the Bayongan Dam in San Miguel town, another controversial project which was questioned by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda).

Bayongan Dam now irrigates some 5,300 hectares of rice land in the second district.

“If Alcala can sleep over, I invited him to also lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bayongan Dam mini- hydroelectric power plant to be established in Barangay Buenavista in Ubay town by the SunWest Power Corp., in coordination with NIA and the Department of Energy under the public-private partnership concept and government convergence strategy that President Aquino espouses,” Aumentado’s press statement said.

He added that an extended stay will also allow the secretary to visit the proposed Bohol Northeast Basin Multi-Purpose Dam to irrigate about 19,000 hectares of rice land and generate some 10 kilowatts of power, considering its huge reservoir that will tap a natural depression in public land nestled in the common boundary of Carmen, Dagohoy, Danao and San Miguel towns.

“An access road is already under construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as support infrastructure for that project for which I have requested the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to provide a grant for its feasibility study and detailed engineering design,” Aumentado said.

The irrigation water stored in the Bayongan and Malinao reservoirs has been significant in the success of the ongoing rice ratooning program that allowed Boholano farmers in the service area to produce a third cropping in a year that Aumentado has been supporting with his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) through his Plant Hybrid Rice-Pay Later and Fertilize Now-Pay Later programs in the second district.

Aumentado said he also allocated funds from his PDAF to cover part of the local government unit (LGU) counterpart fund for a tractor pool that can be utilized in the hybrid corn production in the province. (With reports from Angeline Valencia)

By Bohol Standard
By: Ven rebo Arigo

The military has intensified its intelligence and counter-insurgency works as it reported the rebels to be attempting to regain grounds in 21 Bohol towns with 50 target barangays.

Government forces have monitored the leftist insurgents to have used semi-legal teams (SLTs) as fronts in recovering former mass bases.

While there are sightings yet to be verified and validated, enemy activities have been reduced which the military attributed to the government’s response to STL activities.

Col. John Bonafos of the Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade pressed to address the issues and concerns in the marked barangays to avoid their exploitation by the rebel fronts.

This even as the military assessed the province to have “remained insurgent-free” based on the “present peace and stability condition.”

In the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting during the province’s eighth HEAT Caravan in Talibon on Tuesday, Bonafos identified the 50 target barangays in identical seven towns per district.

In the First District, they are barangays Cansibuan, Canlaas and Quinapon-an in Antequera; Datag Norte and Sur, Boyog Norte and San Roque in Balilihan; Cabayugan, Cabudburan, Sampoangon and Sohoton in Calape; Maitum, Ambuan and Liboron in Catigbian; Canangcaan in Corella; Genomoan, Campatod, Bagacay Saang, Bagacay Katipunan and Bagacay Kawayan in Loon; and Badiang, Bahay-bahay, and Cambuac Sur and Norte in Sikatuna

The recovery targets in the Second District are barangays San Carlos, Tabuk, Cabatuan and Carbon in Danao; San Roque and Kabasakan in Sagbayan; Zamora in Talibon; Sto. Niño in San Miguel; San Vicente in Trinidad; and Pangpang in Ubay.

In the Third District are barangays Katipunan in Alicia; Rizal, Janlud and San Jose in Batuan; Dagohoy and Cambigsi in Bilar; Buenavista and Villaflor in Carmen; Lungsodaan, Canawa and Cogtong in Candijay; San Jose in Mabini; and Cansungay and Bagakay in Pilar.

The PPOC meeting in Talibon was followed three days later by the presentation of the peace and order situation in Central Visayas during the meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) at Bohol Tropics here on Friday. (See separate story.)

It was the second RPOC meeting and the first ever held in Bohol under its new chairman, Gov. Edgar Chatto.

Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim and Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II led the PPOC meeting in Talibon since the governor, after opening the HEAT Caravan there, had to fly to Manila and receive his Dangal ng Bayan Award at Malacañang.

By Bohol Standard

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto received his second Civil Service Commission Honor Award on Wednesday, November 9 in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the Malacanang Palace.

The CSC named Chatto among outstanding public officials and employees for 2011, bestowing him with the Dangal ng Bayan award, a top award given to employees in the government.

Chatto when he was Vice Governor in 2000 was named Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee, making him the only public official in the country bestowed with both prestigious awards.

Chatto was cited as governor of Bohol for exemplifying balanced and service-oriented leadership, implementing innovations in the area of legislation, human resource management, tourism, agriculture, health, education and economic development, championing public service which has transformed Bohol as one of the most developed provinces in the country.

CSC bestows the Dangal ng Bayan award to Outstanding Public Officials and Employees for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior.

The awardees are chosen based on the observance of the eight norms of behavior provided under Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” which include such standards as Commitment to Public Interest, Professionalism, Justness and Sincerity, Political Neutrality, Responsiveness to the Public, Nationalism and Patriotism, Commitment to Democracy, and Simple Living.

It is part of the Honor Awards Program (HAP) of the CSC in recognition of outstanding work performance displayed by government officials and employees. The conferment of honor awards aims to motivate or inspire government employees to improve the quality of their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service.

The Honorable Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. conferred the honor to Chatto and other honor awardees as President Noynoy Aquino was at the rites for the installation of the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Pnoy extended his message honoring the example of excellence and dedication of awardees as partners in public service who serve as role models and inspiration to fellow Filipinos.

The President singled out Dangal ng Bayan awardees giving tribute to their display of exemplary performance in public service while challenging all awardees to become instruments in molding fellow workers in the bureaucracy to become Dangal ng Bayan themselves.

For being an awardee, Chatto received a trophy sculpted by renowned Boholano national artist Napoleon Abueva, cash prize of â,±200,000, automatic one step promotion for permanent employees / increase in salary grade to the next level for elected public officials, and

5 year full scholarship transferrable to the next of kin.

Chatto received the award from Ochoa, assisted by CSC Commissioner Mary-Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza and Tanodbayan Conchita Carpio-Morales. (Leah/EDCom)

By Bohol Standard

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto set the tone for an open minded discussion during the realization of the much talked about Panglao tourism forum on Wednesday, November 16.

In his message, the governor underscored the significance of Panglao as key municipality in Bohol’s development agenda for tourism, commending Mayor Alcala for initiating the forum after issues particular to Panglao cropped up during the 1st Bohol Tourism Summit in June.

Chatto emphasized the importance of a good public-private working relationship as he explained individual roles of government, the private sector in the tourism industry, the host community, the civil society, academe, and media, and even the roles of tourists in the cycle of sustainable tourism implementation.

He further challenged concerned government, private and civil society stakeholders to take part in and reap the fruits of development that responsible tourism will bring to Panglao, citing the forum as the ideal venue to be able to focus on a particular direction for tourism in the island municipality.

Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala for his part put an end to speculation on whether or not he was attending the forum as he welcomed over 200 participants from the transportation, accommodations, food, souvenirs, environment, youth, academe, women, and heritage and culture sectors who gathered at the Alona Kew Resort.

Alcala himself recognized and gave a rundown of pressing issues plaguing the municipality such as roads improvement, authority over Balicasag Island, waste management, potable water supply, lack of terminal for water crafts, labor, the Local Government Unit’s (LGU) unfinished Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), and updates on the New Bohol Airport.

The very same concerns were brought up during the open forum which were however addressed during the sectoral dialogues, where sector representatives sat with corresponding provincial and national agencies to identify issues specific to their area, come up with plans to address these, assign person/agency in charge and to determine time frames for implementation.

Earlier, Department of Tourism (DOT) Director Maria Rica Bueno urged businesses to reach for the stars as DOT strives to make the Philippine tourism industry internationally competitive. She also stressed about the potential of Bohol to become a very big contributor to such goal.

Participants also listened to discussions on the Mandate of LGU to Enact and Enforce Ordinances focusing on Balicasag issues from Provincial Consultant Atty. Emeterio Moreno, Tourism Economic Zones and Investment Issues from the TIEZA Corporate Secretary and Legal Counsel Atty. Guiller Asido, Business Taxes from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Regional Director Rodita Galanto, and Prevention of Child Trafficking from the End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children (ECPAT) Philippines President Amihan Abueva.

By Bohol Standard

The sports fest held in celebration of the Philippine Councilor’s League Bohol Day last Thursday, November 17, 2011 was hailed as a huge success.

PCL-Bohol President Ramonito A. Torrefranca said the affair conducted at the CPG Sports Complex was attended by close to 200 participants from the three districts of the province and the whole event were a fun-filled day marked with fellowship and sportsmanship.

Among the distinguished guests include Gov. Edgar Chatto, Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio and Board Member Yul Lopez who each gave their inspiring messages.

Emerging as over-all winners were first district athletes who won first place in three events; basketball, volleyball and lawn tennis (double events).

Third district also swept the second place win lording in two events; chess and lawn tennis (single). Second district settled with one first place win in badminton.

The games started 11 o'clock in the morning with invocation by Loay councilor Steven Lim, followed by singing of the national anthem led by PCL VP (3rd District) Julita Tan and the reading of the PCL Creed by Board of Director Constancio Atuel.

PCL Pres Torrefranca led the welcoming of participants and then the games were opened by PCL Treasurer Ricky Masamayor followed by the Oath of Sportsmanship read by Board of Director Danilo Bandala.

By STRATFOR

By George Friedman | December 6, 2011

The first round of Egyptian parliamentary elections has taken place, and the winners were two Islamist parties. The Islamists themselves are split between more extreme and more moderate factions, but it is clear that the secularists who dominated the demonstrations and who were the focus of the Arab Spring narrative made a poor showing. Of the three broad power blocs in Egypt â€" the military, the Islamists and the secular democrats â€" the last proved the weakest.

It is far from clear what will happen in Egypt now. The military remains unified and powerful, and it is unclear how much actual power it is prepared to cede or whether it will be forced to cede it. What is clear is that the faction championed by Western governments and the media will now have to accept the Islamist agenda, back the military or fade into irrelevance.

By Bohol Standard

Bohol’s quick response unit, the Telephone and Radio Systems Integrated Emergency Response or more popularly known as TaRSIER117, got big boost as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) turned over financial aid to Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.

In a dinner on Monday, DOST Sec. Mario Montejo turned over a check worth half a million pesos to Chatto for TaRSIER117’s operations and facilities.

Part of DOST’s mandate is disaster prevention and mitigation through the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System under Republic Act 10121 also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The agency is also a member of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Bohol.

TaRSIER117 has been in operation since March 25, 2011 and has effectively responded to numerous emergencies, even receiving regional recognition from the Bureau of Fire Protection for the unit’s commitment to the agency’s fire-safe community campaign.

Chatto with Provincial Administrator and in charge of the PDRMMC Alfonso R. Damalerio II also welcomed to the province on his first official visit, University of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual.

Montejo and Pascual were here in the province to attend the 3rd National Conference on Harmful Algal Blooms/Red Tide and East Asia HAB 7 Workshop conducted by the Marine Science Institute of UP Diliman, a 6-day forum which opened on Tuesday at the Bohol Tropics Resort this city.

Montejo assured Chatto that DOST is willing to partner with Bohol not just in the area of disaster management but also through provision of water level sensors and rain gauges and even 3D mapping, a collaboration with the UP College of Engineering for land use planning as a solution to flood problems.

He also declared possible partnerships in other related endeavors such as education, talking about a possible mirroring of curriculum with Philippine Science High School, environmental protection such as coral restoration and went on to mention priority program of sustainable development in countryside through technologies for the creation of world class products and technical support for the ICT industry.

“You must be doing something good here,” said Montejo as he again committed DOST’s help, while commending Bohol’s leaders for environmental consciousness consistent with its development thrusts.

For his part, Pascual echoed UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma’s word of the UP system’s full support for Bohol’s pursuit of progress and development with policies grounded on scientific studies and proper consultations.

The UP President guaranteed the collaboration between Bohol and the entire UP system, citing as example a possible tie up with UP Manila in primary health care profiling for improved health service delivery.

The Provincial Government under Chatto’s leadership has had numerous partnerships with UP in terms of consultations with policies and programs in tourism, agriculture, environment and just recently a collaboration with UP Los Banos on native chicken production among others.

By Bohol Standard

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto is calling on those who are interested to work as call center agents to avail of the scholarship programs of TESDA and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines

There are 340 vacant slots in three TESDA - accredited schools in Bohol.

These are: ACLC college is offering 100 scholars for Finishing Course for Call Agents and another 150 from the Philippine Call Center Institute.

Twenty slots for Professional Assistant on 3D Animation and another 20 for Entry Course for Software Developer from the Crystal â€"E College.

Bohol Powerhouse Statistics is offering 50 slots for Medical Transcription.

The scholarship program is actually an expansion of the “Training-for-Work” of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as part of Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s stimulus package for pre-employment training and re-tooling of incoming workers in the IT-BPO sector.

The program is being coursed through the Bohol Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Council with Dalia Melda Tirol-Magno as President.

Chatto is now encouraging all those who are unemployed but having the basic skills and enthusiasm to work in the industry to avail of this free training. This way, we can increase the number and quality of our local talent pool and raise the attractiveness of the province as a BPO destination.

Application forms are now available at the Bohol Investment Promotion Center (BIPC) located at the Ground floor of the Provincial Capitol Commercial Building at Marapao Street; or can call telephone numbers 412-4559, 501-8063 and 235-6039.

The BIPC acts as Secretariat to the Council, providing documentary assessment and facilitation of applications.

In March last year, the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Bohol ICT Council conducted the 1st Bohol ICT Summit whereby Gov. Chatto has envisioned that the next wave industry for the province would be the ICT/BPO.

By Bohol Standard

Gov. Edgar M. Chatto declared an all-out war against malnutrition as he distributed weighing scales to 1, 109 barangay nutrition scholars present during the 9th Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Congress at the Lila Multi-Purpose Center on Wednesday, November 16.

Chatto also announced a new partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines Manila to pilot in Bohol a unified program strategy through a data profiling software system and food production technology specific to address child nutrition.

“While we outstanding nutrition programs already implemented in the province, we want to be able to achieve 0% malnutrition,” the governor, who also sits as Provincial Nutrition Council Chair said in his keynote address.

It can be recalled that Bohol was recognized as most outstanding province in the region at the 2011 Grand Nutrition Awards. Bohol also bagged all major awards such as the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN), Outstanding Municipality, Nutrition Honor Maintenance, Most Promising Municipality, and Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar awards.

Four committed barangay nutrition scholars were honored with service awards for having been in service for 25 years, thus exemplifying loyalty, dedication, and exemplary devotion to the craft. Given recognition were Librado Dellosa, Fe Manlupig, Judith Virtudazo, and Radigunda Sinajon.

BNS Federated President Nene Ordinario also reported on the BNS Provincial Association’s 2011 accomplishments.

During the congress, barangay nutrition scholars also listened to talks from Provincial Nutrition Action Officer and Office of the Agriculturist OIC Larry Pamugas on the Countryside Development Program or the Purok Power Movement, and Leo Plazos on Improved Public Relations for Service Delivery. (Leah/EDCom)

By Bohol Standard

The Bohol Water Utilities Inc. (BWUI) has remained silent as of today on the Court of Appeals ruling to refund the alleged illegal water rates it imposed to same consumers they serve in 1997-2002 when it took over in 2001 the former Provincial Water System (PWS) utility from the provincial government of Bohol as a result of the “sale” or “privatization of the utility.

“It cannot yet comment on the said refund (water payments from consumers it collected in 1997-2002) because the company has not received yet an official court decision,” said public relations officer Dice Arcenal of said firm in an interview.

Just recently, the water provider company announced it will retroactively collect the unbilled water rates increase it applied in 2006 from the city consumers they serve.

The Court of Appeals has promulgated the decision on October 13, 2011, upholding en toto the ruling of the Regional Trial Court branch 47 here. RTC’s ruling was that BWUI shall refund the consumers for the “unlawful charges collected” by then Provincial Water System covering the said period.

The RTC ruling was the result of the case filed on June 2, 1997 by Dan Neri Lim, now mayor of this city. He was legally assisted by Atty. Alexander H. Lim. The complainant (Lim) asked the court to invalidate Provincial Ordinance No. 14, series of 1996, concerning the water rates increase at that time because there was lack of public consultation and the measure appeared to be confiscatory.

RTC upheld the allegation of the petitioner (Lim) and declared said Ordinance No. 14, series of 1996, “unconstitutional” and ordered the BWUI to roll back water rates to its original rates, it was learned.

Executive Judge Suzeso Arcamo of RTC 47 confirmed in a report the said CA decision. He narrated how the case progressed from then presiding Judge Son, who rendered the ruling that Provincial Ordinance No 14, series fo 1996 was “unconstitutional.” Judge Son then ordered BWUI to roll back the PhP7.80/cubic meter from just a little over PhP3/cu.m.

Executive Judge Arcamo said he modified the decision of Judge Son and made BWUI to refund the consumers.

But BWUI fought back, arguing that it was not then included in the case against the Province and PWS case when the latter increased the water rates by way of said Provincial Ordinance No. 14.

Judge Arcamo said that BWUI is considered as transferee pendente lite of the PPUD since it assumed all the assets and liabilities when it took over it in 2001. As transferee they assumed all the assets and obligations of the former PPUD, he said.

BWUI argued that it should be the provincial government to make the refund. Judge Arcamo said it still alright for the province to refund since it is the part owner of the BWUI through its share of the income from the BWUI based on 30% ownership of BWUI.

The judge said that BWUI said that the decision of the court (Judge Son’s ruling) cannot anymore be modified since it is already “final and executory”, based on the doctrine of “immutability of judgment.”

But, he said, there is an exception on that law when “there is clerical error,” “there’s void in judgment” and there’s “supervening event” that was “unforeseen” during the making of the decision. The transfer of PWS’ ownership to BWUI from the province following the sale of the PPUD was the supervening event and was unforeseen, Arcamo argued.

Despite his order, BWUI filed motion for reconsideration before his court but he denied it. BWUI elevated the case to CA and the latter upheld his decision, Jaudge Arcamo added.

By Bohol Standard

An inmate is facing murder charges for stabbing to death last week of a fellow prisoner of the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) now being operated by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), said warden Renan Torreon in an interview.

Torreon said that strict security measures including constant ocular inspection of the inmates’ cells to get rid of deadly weapons which may be used inappropriately by the inmates have always been in place and enforced accordingly.

Only that they were outsmarted by Bautista of the hidden knife.

Convicted inmate Ian Bautista stabbed fellow Danny Navarro by using a kitchen knife which was hidden or buried underground. Both are charged with murder and other crimes, said Torreon.

He said that they could not determine what was really the motive of Bautista in killing Navarro. BDJ later on theorized that it was sort of personal ill will. Bautista was quoted as saying that what he’d done to Navarro was sort of revenge because the latter one time shot him, said Torreon.

The warden said that the police together with BDJ regional office has conducted an investigation right after the stabbing incident and found probable cause to indict Bautista thus the filing of murder case against him. (RVO)

By Bohol Standard

At least 746 indigent Boholanos benefited from the dental mission in the towns of Garcia-Hernandez and Carmen, and free infant oral vaccination in Anda that Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd District) facilitated on November 5-6 that actually served constituents from 10 towns who came to the three venues.

The activity was part of the series of health services that the congressman intends to extend to the people of 3rd district and even in the other areas of Bohol . Yap forged partnership with the Rotary International District 2820 of Japan and Rotary Club of Downtown Manila District 3810 to undertake the series of dental mission.

During the activities, 363 came to Garcia-Hernandez, 169 in Carmen and 214 in Anda. The crowd at the Garcia-Hernandez Municipal Gym also included beneficiaries from Dimiao , Valencia , and Jagna aside from residents of the host town; while those in Anda and Carmen included beneficiaries from neighboring towns.

The Anda activity catered to infants for the oral vaccination. For the hospitalization and medical services of indigent Boholanos, Yap had allocated a total of P1.9 million, of which P1 million was coursed through Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital; P200,000 in Congressman Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital; P200,000 in Teodoro B. Galagar District Hospital in Jagna; P200,000 in Candijay Community Hospital; and P300,000 in Bohol Medical Care Institute (BMCI).

Yap is pushing HEART (Health, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development and Tourism) program to summarize his slogan of public service.

By Bohol Standard

Under Section 43(f) of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and Rule 15, Section 5(a) of its implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR),authorized the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to adopt alternative forms of internationally accepted rate-setting methodology.

Now therefore emerge Performance Based Regulation (PBR) which serves as a rate setting methodology using a price cap to set the distribution wheeling rates to be charged by Distribution Utilities to its customers.

Due to such law, on December 13, 2006, ERC Approved Resolution No. 54 Series of 2006 “Adopting the Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR) for Privately Owned Distribution Utilities Entering Performance Based Regulation for the Second and Later Entry groups as MERALCO, CEPALCO and Dagupan Electric were the first.

Then ERC issued Resolution No. 10, Series of 2010, adopting the timeline for the Fourth Entry Group of Regulated Entities entering the PBR commencing on October 01, 2011 and terminating on September 30, 2015. The 4th Entrants are the following: Angeles Electric Corporation; Bohol Light Company Inc.; Clark Electric Distribution Corporation; Panay Electric Company; Subic Enerzone Corporation; San Fernando Electric Light & Power Company

Last September 28, 2010, BLCI filed an application for approval of Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) with ERC under PBR regime.

Then last November 23, 2010 a Jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearings regarding the ARR and PIS Application of BLCI was made here at the franchise area held in Governor’s Mansion, Tagbilaran City

On June 08, 2011 a Public consultation was made by the Energy Regulatory Commission on the Draft Determination of BLCI’s ARR and PIS Application

While on May 21, 2011 the Draft Determination of BLCI’s ARR and PIS Application was posted on the ERC Web Site for further comments.

Finally, last July 06, 2011 the ERC in its Decision and Final Determination approved BLCI’s ARR and PIS Application presenting its final decision on the price control arrangements that will apply to BLCI for the Regulatory Period with the smoothened Maximum Average Price (MAP) of P1.02 from 0.82¢ or an average increase of 0.20¢. The approved MAP will then be translated into rates for the different customer segment of BLCI such as Residential, Commercial, Public Buildings & Street Lights and Hospitals & Radio Stations. The translation of the approved MAP into rate by customer segment is still under application by BLCI with the ERC.

In comparison to other Private Distribution utilities in the Visayas who were now using the approved Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR), among PECO, PROSIELCO, VECO, MECO and BLCI, it appears that BLCI has the lowest rate for residential and commercial rate, like for example, on residential customer class, the following rates are as follows, P10.89/kWh, P10.78/kWh P 9.19/kWh, P 8.15/kWh and P 5.98/kWh respectively even after with the proposed increased on the approved ARR for BCLI. For the Commercial Customer Class the rates for PECO, PROSIELCO, VECO, MECO and BLCI are P10.34/kWh, P12.39/kWh P 8.89/kWh, P7.80/kWh and 5.68/kWh accordingly.

To simulate, estimated monthly billing comparison for residential using the old rate and the proposed new rate, if you have a consumption of 100kW your old bill is P644.49 while under the proposed new rate it would now be P671.03 with a difference of P 26.54 supposed increase per month which is still even lower than our average every day mobile load. While if you have an estimated consumption of 500kW, your old bill is P 3,127.13, and for the proposed new rate your bill would now be P 3,186.99 with difference of P 59.86/month which is still even affordable than your leisure drink session.

By Bohol Standard

Apparently beaming with pride for having no reported cases of red tide, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto personally hosted the welcoming activities and reception of delegates to the 3rd National Conference on Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and East HAB 7 Workshop at the Bohol Tropics early this week.

Spearheading the six-day global awareness on the ill effects of HAB was PhilHAB Chair, Prof. Rhodora V. Azanza, of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (MSI-UP).

HAB, locally known as red tide, refers to the marine and freshwater algal blooms phenomenon that, according to Prof. Azanza, may cause massive fishkill, contaminate seafood and alter the normal course of the environment.

“The Philippines, East Asia and the rest of the world have experienced HABs to levels that can be considered as disasters,” Azanza added.

If HABs are not well-managed, impacts on human health escalate, and functioning water and ecosystems are impaired, hence threatening sustainable resources of bodies of water.

Gov. Chatto informed delegates that Bohol wants to contribute to national development by becoming a major player, not only in the region, but in the country.

“We always believe that science and technology expands the production possibility curves of any community; hence, new science and technology mentioned and discovered can indeed enhance also positively the growth of our community,” the governor of the country’s best-governed province pointed out.

It has been confirmed that Bohol has no cases of red tide, and “we dread to see the day that we’ll have it, God forbid.”

This 3rd national confab, with delegates from the Philippines and other Asian countries like Japan, Korea and China, will serve to disseminate technologies proven effective in HAB management which the general public could benefit from.

Sec. Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Hon. Alfredo Pascual, Systems President of UP, have equally decisive stands to embark on new technology and solutions development, very important elements for research and outreach programs for HAB management.

Global and national concerns for the negative and economic effects of HABs are increasing. Currently, toxic algal blooms are being experienced in Bolinao, Pangasinan and in Masinloc, Zambales.

Prof. Azanza laid emphasis on the blooms of Pyrodinium bahamense var compressum, a Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) causative organism which are still occurring in previously affected areas in the Philippines.

Several fish killing red tides have been recorded in the country and further studies have shown that areas with mariculture are prone to HABs.

By Bohol Standard

As scheduled, Governor Edgar Chatto yesterday led members of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) in the on-site inspection of the proposed P7-billion Bohol Northeasthern Basin Multi-Purpose Dam (Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 3) in a public land in barangay Concepcion, Danao.

Chatto, as chair of PDC, will schedule a meeting solely intended to discuss the details of the project.

The site inspection was an offshoot of the presentation of former regional manager of the Tagbilaran-based National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-7, Engr. Modesto Membreve, in the last meeting of the PDC Executive Committee last month.

At the verge of his transfer to Region 13 (Caraga) in the middle of October, Membreve had been consistently pushing for the project with the support of Second District Rep. Erico Aumentado.

Aumentado and Membreve had already presented the project before the PDC-Execomto seek endorsement for the multi-purpose dam’s US$5-million feasibility study and detailed engineering design proposed for funding through Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the KOICA or any other funding agency.

The project’s implementation cost is estimated to reach US$ 177 million or a total cost of US$ 182 million or P7 billion including the feasibility study.

The project was actually initiated by Aumentado in an effort to maintain the rice self-sufficiency of Bohol and brace for increased demand of power supply in 10 years.

Aumentado said it is in consonance with the advocacy of President Benigno Aquino III on Public-Private Partnership projects, wherein NIA-7 will develop the irrigation component while Sun West Corporation takes charge of the hydro power facility.

Sun West Corporation is represented in the deal by its president, Silvestre Natividad, and technical consultant, Michael Cañete.

After the feasibility study and drafting of the detailed engineering design, it would take at least 15 years to construct the multi-purpose dam, Aumentado added.

It is designed to “provide dependable irrigation water supply in the Northeastern part of Bohol and consequently to generate cheaper and renewable source of energy to augment the local electric power needs”, he said.

Mayors Thomas Louis Gonzaga of Danao, Eutiquio Bernales of Ubay and Jacinto Narraga of San Isidro welcome the project as potential economic driver in their towns.

The project will provide irrigation services for about 21,000 farmers cultivating 19,017.28 hectares of rice landsâ€"1,353.95 hectares in Danao, 3,520.92 hectares in San Miguel, 5,945.59 hectares in Trinidad, 1,770.50 hectares in Dagohoy, 1,896.12 hectares in Bien Unido, and 4,530.20 hectares in Ubay.

Its main reservoir will be at Wahig River with four supplementary reservoirs and will be capable of storing 78.5 MCM backed up with a 52.5 square kilometers watershed, and 10-20 megawatts of hydroelectric power can be developed in the project.

“It will be a zoned earth-fill dam. The main dam will be 100 meters in height and 1,200 meters in width. The four supplementary dams will have 60 meters average height and 400-meter average width. Its conduit will be a reinforced concrete barrel, and will have an Ungated Side Channel type of spillway,” Membreve said.

By Bohol Standard

While progress in tourism is fast booming in its tourist-drawer dolphin-watching business here, this oval-shaped 120-ha. Pamilacan island, off this oldest town, faces new threat or gain in endangered giant clams.

This is a big challenge to all stakeholders concerned, said Mr. Loloy Lafuente, OIC, Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) and National Museum-Bohol curator Mr. Charlemeine Tantingco in separate interviews last week.

Tantingco expressed concern over these species (Tridacna gigas or largest living bivalve mollusk) for its rarity but spectacular that seldom can be found anywhere else because an unknown fisherman has caught this kind of species said to be from the depths off this island.

Information he received was sketchy as to who was the fisherman responsible for the taking of the clam, known in vernacular as “Taklobo.” He said he was told during the recent visit of the Manila-based National Museum officials to inspect the old ruins of Spanish-era stone tower, that the giant clam was gathered sometime early this year.

What the officials saw was the empty shell of the giant clam that stands about knee-high of a man and estimated to be more than the size of a rectangular table measuring 2 feet wide and 3 feet long and of several kilos in weight.

If this is true that indeed the giant bivalves thrive from the depths off the island, the species should be properly probed for conservation, said Lafuente. For his part, Tantingco said that if it is true, then it should be made to the tourism advantage rather than harvesting them indiscriminately.

In separate interview, island barangay chairman Tanie Gaas confirmed there is this giant clam empty shell left in corrosion at the beach, which was allegedly harvested sometime this year but he did not know who took it. He added it was common and strong belief among the islanders here that indeed giant clams abound here because of what they observed as “fossilized” prints of these mollusks in the rocky formations of the shorelines.

Tantingco said if he has his way he would take care of this mammoth empty shell that may not be carried by one person alone. And he would display this at the National Museum Bohol, the former provincial library, to showcase that Bohol is rich in marine biodiversity.

Lafuente, on the other hand, plans, together with authorities concerned like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), to initiate move in preserving the giant clams’ empty shell and further to indorse move for the conduct underwater probe to find out if they really are thriving. (RVO)

By Bohol Standard

Now finally, Capitol has decided to release documents relative to the Joint-Venture Agreement, as requested by Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim.

But not all of them, not this time.

In his committee report rendered Friday during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan regular session, chairman on public utilities and franchises Romulo G. Cepedoza recommended that copies of the Minutes of the Approval of the Joint-Venture Agreement (JVA) entered into by the Province of Bohol and the Salcon Group of Companies for the operation of the power and water utilities (PPUD) previously owned exclusively by the province, “be given” to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran City, as requested.

The request from the city council, through Resolution No. 11-95, was addressed to Vice Governor Concepcion O. Lim, in her capacity as the SP Presiding Officer.

Documents recommended for release are the minutes of the SP session dated August 25, 2000 which was presided by then vice governor, and now governor Edgar M, Chatto.

Also included is the SP Resolution No. 2000-472 which was passed and approved on that same session day, giving authority to then Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos (now 1st District Congressman) to enter into a Joint Venture Agreement with Salcon.

The Cepedoza Report also provided the information that the JVA pact was signed by then Governor Relampagos and representatives of Salcon, three days after the approval of the resolution, or to be exact on August 28, 2000.

The recommendation was approved and seconded by the provincial board in session, without any objection.

The SP secretary was then requested to furnish the copies of the SP session’ minutes and the resolution to the Tagbilaran City Council secretary.

By PNA

On December 7, 1830, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, lawyer and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s confidante, was born in Biñan, Laguna.

Bautista, who was arrested and jailed at the outbreak of the Revolution, was the one who authored and read the “Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence” during the June 12, 1898 Independence proclamation by Gen. Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

Accordingly, Gen. Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the independence of the Philippines to inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the Spaniards.

The declaration of independence would also lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country.

Bautista patterned the act on the American declaration of Independence, which was signed by 98 persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the proclamation.

The proclamation for Philippine Independence was, however, promulgated on August 1 when many towns had already been organized under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

Bautista, who also served as solicitor general of the revolutionary government, died on December 4, 1903 at the age of 72.

By Bohol Chronicle

Passengers bound for Camiguin expressed gripes over habitual delayed departures of Oceanjet fast ferry which is serving the route.

Passengers could not hold but expressed their gripes since these delayed departures are happening almost daily while citing an incident which hampered their observance of All Saint's Day since the vessel departed Jagna to BenoniPort at 4pm, instead of 2pm. Reaching Camiguin 2.5 hours late disrupted their going home to pay homage to their departed kins.

But nobody from the fast-craft crew, not even its captain, tried to explain why it was very late when, in fact, there was no weather disturbance, an irate passenger said.

It easily earned a moniker of "Ocean Late," said provincial tourism officer Jo R. Cabarrus, who herself had a sad experience when it ran "side-winding" at one time while at sea.

It always earns flak simply because of its alleged poor and unworthiness in sea travel. If it continues to ignore the demand for improvement of its dwindling services, the safety of the tourists and passengers could be at risk, according to the gist of a resolution passed by the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) executive committee.

PTC passed the said Resolution urgently requesting the vessel company to make improvement of their poor services amid mounting complaints against the fastcraft company.

It also appeals for the Martiime Industry Authority (MARINA) to look into the company's "inability" of providing satisfactory service to its clientele, said Cabarrus, head of the council's secretariat.

Poor service, unsanitary and dirty rest rooms, "unstable" state of its engines, repeated late and delay on schedules, over-booking and over-crowding, and no refund of "package" fare rates when one fails to return trip on schedule and many others are among the serious allegations hurled against the company.

By Bohol Chronicle

Mayor Efren Tungol issued a closure order on the Python Sanctuary in the town of Alburquerque after its proprietor failed to secure a mayor’s permit.

It had been several years already that Eugene Salibay operated the python sanctuary without business permit while benefiting from the basic services of the government that made the destination accessible to tourists.

Tungol said the leeway given to must Salibay must have been enough for him to complete the requisites for a mayor’s permit.

During the many years that Salibay run the python sanctuary, he only remitted taxes once and it was only in September this year, the mayor disclosed.

Tungol personally handed the closure order and Salibay accepted it but refused to affix his signature on the file copy which is equivalent as refusal to receive the notice.

Salibay reportedly told the mayor that he would still refer the matter to his lawyer.

Tungol said he would entertain Salibay’s application for a mayor’s permit if the latter would process it, but there is no assurance that it would be granted, considering the strict policy of DENR based on the Animal Welfare Act regarding the nature of such business.

For several times already, the mayor offered to assist Salibay in legalizing the operation of the python sanctuary but the latter snubbed him.

Tungol expressed confidence though that the closure of the python sanctuary will have no effect on the town’s tourism, saying there are destinations that Albur can be proud of other than the python sanctuary.

Personnel of the municipal police have been deployed in the area to advise the guests that it has been closed until its operator gets the permit.

By Bohol Chronicle

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns against David Ferrer of Spain at the end of their semi-final singles match on day seven of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London yesterday.

Roger Federer reached his 100th career final, beating David Ferrer 7-5, 6-3 yesterday in the semifinals of the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals and gaining the year-end No. 3 ranking.

In a tournament where his biggest rivals complained of fatigue after failing to make it out of the group stage, Federer showed no signs of slowing down. The 30-year-old Swiss extended his unbeaten streak to 16 matches after winning titles in Basel and Paris before coming to London.

Federer became just the fifth player to reach 100 finals in the open era. He will be looking for his 70th title Sunday when he faces the winner of the second semifinal between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych

The victory over Ferrer sent Federer past Andy Murray in the year-end rankings, trailing No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic and Nadal were eliminated after losing two of their round-robin matches this week, both saying their minds and bodies weren't up for top-level tennis following another grueling season. Murray pulled out injured following his opening loss to Ferrer on Monday.

By Bohol Chronicle

Holy Family of Nazareth Nazarethanians devastated the budding crew of the Bohol International Learning Center Phoenix, 81-30 to take the last slot of the semi final round of the high school competition of the ongoing 17th Bohol Schools Amateur Athletic Association (BSAAA) 2nd John Geesnell Baba Yap inter-School Hoop Cup at the Bohol Wisdom School gym.

The Nazarethanians led by Shun Homer Mula with 24 points, took turns in castigating the Phoenix as they fired authoritatively their ammunitions with no mercy from all angles of the court to make the breakaway, 41-15 in the early going of the game.

Mula continued to play like a fearies fighter firing with accurate marksmanship hi arsenals and employing a perfect conspiracy with Jefferson Almasa 16 points, and Tom Greson dela Cruz 12 points to overrun the Phoenix and erect a huge lead, 81-30, as the buzzer sounded ending the regulation time.

The Phoenix is still winless in 9 games to remain as cellar dwellers of the tournament. Their remaining assignment will be against one of the tournament titans, the Holy Spirit School (7-2).

Alfred Dejan exploded with 11 points in the 2nd period to give the Holy Spirit School mini Crusaders a comfortable lead, 36-12 at lemon time.

The high scoring Dejan was joined by Renato Baliar, Sisinando Hampac, and big boy Ronald Bungabong in their demolition effort to stay ahead consistently in the 1st half.

There was no one but Arnold Perenio who stood tall for the Merne Graham Memorial School Marions and fought singlehandedly the mini Crusaders but to no avail as the latter was too much aggressive in their game plan.

The wards of Coach Rice Reyes continued to play like a well oiled machine towards getting a historic sweep in the elimination round of the mini category of the tournament with 6 victories.

Holy Spirit School Crusaders dumped the Merne Graham Memorial School, 63-30.

Other results:

HSS-66 IHMS-46

IAE-52 BISU-43

NFNS mini-62 BAI mini-53

The 17th BSAAA 2nd John Geesnell Baba Yap inter-School Hoop Cup is ably supported by Bohol Tropics Resort club; First Consolidated Bank; Atty. Gamaliel Bonje, Mr. and Mrs. Gerardo Bas Madanguit; Douglas Hontanosas; Jocelyn Ortiz Chua; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bas Madanguit; Bennet Daquipil; Dr. Aurora Bas Madanguit; and Grandmas Purified Drinking Water.

By Bohol Chronicle

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and its players have reached a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement which paves the way for a 66-game season starting on Christmas Day.

Financial details of the plan were not released but NBA Commissioner David Stern said the settlement called for training camps and the league's free agency period to begin on Dec. 9.

"We've reached a tentative understanding that is subject to a variety of approvals and very complex machinations," Stern told a news conference early yesterday after a 15-hour negotiating session.

Compromise solution

Stern acknowledged the league had "literally thousands of people who are dependent upon the playing of our games at arenas, at parking lots, at restaurants around the stadium".

"The reason for the settlement is (that) we've got fans, we've got players who would like to play, we've got others who are dependent on us," he said.

"And it's always been our goal to reach a deal that was fair to both sides and would get us playing as soon as possible. But, that took a little time."

Players have been locked out of NBA facilities for 149 days and, should the plan proceed as scheduled, teams would play 16 games less than a normal season.

The league has said it lost $300 million last season and were demanding a reduction in the players' share of income, which was 57 percent under the prior deal.

NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said the tentative deal called for a more balanced league,

"It will largely prevent the high spending teams from competing in the free agency market in a way that they have been able to in the past," he said.

"It is a compromise and it is not the system we sought out to get in terms of a harder (salary) cap but the luxury tax is harsher than it was in the past deal and we hope it's effective.

"We feel ultimately it will give fans in every community hope that their team can compete for championships and that their basis for believing in their team will be a function of management of that team rather than how deep the owners pockets are or how large the market is."

Stern said he was optimistic both sides would approve the deal.

"We want to play basketball," he said.

By Bohol Chronicle

Arwind Santos knocked in the go-ahead shot then helped Denok Miranda stop Macmac Cardona in the ensuing play as Petron Blaze squeaked past Meralco, 76-75, in their PBA Philippine Cup out-of-town showdown at the Naga City Coliseum last night.

The Boosters squandered an 11-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter but hung tough in a battle at the finish as they stayed on a roll and closed in on the front-running Talk n Text Tropang Texters (8-1) with eight wins against three losses.

Santos churned out a double-double game with 23 points and 11 rebounds and was right there to put inbig plays at endgame as the Boosters notched a fifth straight win in the Phoenix Fuel-sponsored roadgame.

Petron avenged a 70-80 loss to Meralco in their previous meeting and, in the process, sent the Bolts down to fifth place at 7-5.

Santos sparkled on both ends of the court, having his hand as they stifled Cardona in Meralco's final possession.

The Meralco top gun took a forced shot that went way off the target in the closing seconds, allowing the Boosters to escape with the win.

Cardona, Chico Lanete and Sol Mercado earlier fueled Meralco's chase that set the stage for the helter-skelter finish. The Bolts engaged the Boosters in a nip-and-tuck battle in the crunch but hastened their downfall with two turnovers inside the last minute.

Lanete committed a passing error with 33 ticks left but Meralco got another lease on life when Santos missed a three-pointer.

The Bolts quickly sued for time, and coach Ryan Gregorio mapped a play for Cardona with Mercado and Lanete also there as options.

Alas, even when clogged, Cardona himself forced the situation. Cardona did get the inbound but found himself doubled up by Santos and Miranda. Instead of kicking the ball out to Mercado or Lanete, Cardona threw a prayer of a shot of his own.

By Bohol Chronicle

Manny Pacquiao told members of the Philippines press on Thursday that negotiations have begun for a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr..

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 knockouts) is coming off a controversial majority decision win on Nov. 12 in defense of his WBO welterweight belt against Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) on HBO Pay Per View from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It was the third meeting between the two, who had earlier battled to a draw and a split-decision win for Pacquiao in May of 2004 and March of 2008, respectively.

"Negotiations are ongoing for my fight with Mayweather, but nothing is final," Pacquiao was quoted in ABS-CBN News.com from a press conference after his homecoming in General Santos City, Philippines.

Marquez has lost by one-sided unanimous decision in September of 2009 to Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs), whose negotiations for a bout with Pacquiao have twice failed over the issue of drug testing.

"Mayweather may be thinking, 'I can fight Pacquiao now because he had trouble against Marquez, and I was able to beat up Marquez,'" said Pacquiao. "This is what boxing fans are waiting for."

Mayweather scored a fourth-round knockout in his last fight in September to dethrone No. 3-rated Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs) as WBC titleholder.

By Bohol Chronicle

The 1st TIMEX 226 Bohol Iron Distance Triathlon on December 3 to 4 will show off the alternative tourism factor of third district.

Third District Rep. Arthur Yap, who heads the local organizing committee, looks forward to the event as an opportunity to show off Bohol's rich culture and history in addition to the natural beauty of the province that includes the famed Chocolate Hills and the crystalline beaches of Panglao.

Fresh from the successful staging of the two-day Tour of Bohol last month, the province will again stir stamina and endurance in the lung-busting 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and 42-km marathon run.

But what's interesting aside from the actual competition is the fact that triathletes will be able to see the scenic beauty of Bohol with the swim leg taking place at the immaculate blue waters in Anda.

The bike leg will pass through the scenic coast of Jagna to the charming view of rice terraces and mangrove forest of Candijay while the run will start from Guindulman back to Anda.

By Bohol Chronicle

Richard Pep Ombrosa Agosto captured the bronze medal in the weight lifting 105 kilogram category during the Southeast Asian Games held in Palembang, Indonesia last November 11-22, 2011.

Agosoto who is an active Airman 1st class of the Philippine Air Force started joining athletic meets since he was only 13 years old while attending school in CVSCAFT (currently BISU) Tagbilaran Campus.

The 27 year old Agosto will next compete for in the London Olympic Qualifier on April in South Korea.

Richard is the second child of Pedro and Tessie Agosto of Mansion Side, this city.

By Bohol Chronicle

By Linda Uy

The 7th Family Congress of the Diocesan Commission on Family and Life was held last Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 at the air-conditioned Bohol Cultural Center in this city, which also coincided with the feast of Christ the King. This event also marked the launching of Year 2 of the 5-year Pastoral Program of our diocese, with the theme: “Bol-anong Banay: Sabakan sa Pagtuo ug Tuburan sa Bokasyon.” Spearheading the activity is the Diocesan Commission on Family and Life with its collaborators the “Commission on Vocation, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Renewal Movements (focusing on family and life), Ministry on Education and Formation, Commission on Mission, and the Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith.”

The activity opened with the enthronement of the Holy Family Icon wherein candles and flowers were offered by the eight vicariate couple coordinators of the Diocese. Rev. Fr. Ramon Jose Ongcog, JCL and the Diocesan director of the Commission on Family and Life, made his warm welcome and statement of purpose of the Congress to all the delegates and participants.

The ever young and energetic diocesan coordinator of the Commission on Family and Life, Sr. Pilar M. Go, recognized the presence of all FLA couples, its staff, enriched couples and delegates. The highlight of the celebration was the Eucharistic mass with Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso, D.D. officiating as the main celebrant. His homily touches on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 31-46, reminding all the participants that Christ, as the King of All Kings, must be the center of our lives in order to gain eternal happiness.

The lone speaker of the day, Rev. Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM, was introduced by the FL coordinator of the Parish of St. Dymphna Chapel, Dao District, Tagbilaran City. Fr. Pilario is from Oslob, Cebu and is the dean of St. Vincent School of Theology in Quezon City. Being a true Cebuano, he spoke in the Visayan dialect and was very much admired by the crowd. His first talk, “Celebrating the Richness of Communion Towards Family Transformation” was summarized by him in three simple themes: Gugma, Halad and Alagad. As a certified missionary, he knows very much his topics and ably related his personal experiences in life to the participants, from his tender age up to his priesthood. He talked about the apostolic letter of the Holy Father in 1981 in his “Familiaries Consortio.” The contents of said letter was ably explained by the speaker for the transformation of the family, as many of the problems facing contemporary families, especially in economically developed societies, result from their increasing difficulty in communicating. Families seldom manage to come together, and the rare occasion when they do, are often taken up with watching television, the internet and other distractions. The grave challenges confronting the world at the start of the new millennium lead us to think that only an intervention from on high, capable of guiding the hearts of those living in situations of conflict, and those governing the destinies of nations, can give reason to hope for a brighter future. He pointed out the lights and shadows of the family who are targets of destruction now and in the years to come. The closely knit family is now slowly adapting the western culture that is relegating families to the background. These realities have alienated the family members from each other. Parents have become very pre-occupied looking for money for survival or materialistic pursuits. Poverty, misunderstanding, disrespect and physical and emotional abuse have caused breakdown in marriages and communication in the family. He called for families to pause for a deep reflection and spiritual enhancement and rekindle our commitment and zeal for our mission and goals and gain proper perspective of the task ahead of us.

The afternoon session was opened by the pro-life updates of Dr. Rene Joseph Bullecer, director of the Philippines of Cebu City. His pro-life updates was very short, advising each and everyone to be vigilant for the passage of the reproductive health bill, which he presumed will be passed into law by the end of the year.

Father Danny or Bebot, as he is fondly called, won the hearts of the participants as he ably conducted an open forum on his last two topics. Everybody had a wonderful and interesting time during the lively open forum as the experiences shared by the participants were all true to life. The participants were awake, alive and kicking, as Fr. Danny made some side-comments on the sharing of the crowd. It was really an interesting and unforgettable experience for all of us.

As the time for Fr. Danny to end his talk and leave for Cebu, the Diocesan director and the diocesan coordinator of the Commission on Family and Life, handed Fr. Danny Pilario a Certificate of Appreciation, for sharing his valuable time and expertise, to speak before a crowd of more than 2,000 participants and delegates, as the lone speaker of the 7th Family Congress held in this city.

The event could not have been a success without the young, able and energetic efforts of the Diocesan coordinator of the Commission on Family and Life, Sr. Pilar M. Go, and all the Diocesan program coordinators, who were very busy and concerned about the comfort and safety of the participants during the one-day affair.

The 5-year pastoral program of the Diocese is aimed at attaining our goals for the Diocesan Diamond Jubilee celebration come 2016.

By Bohol Chronicle

The Office of the Governor thru the Bohol Employment and Placement Office, will be conducting a Christmas Jobs Fair (Local and Overseas) on Dec. 10 at La Vista, 4th Floor, Bohol Quality Mall, Tagbilaran City.

The Jobs Fair is Gov. Edgar M. Chatto's Christmas offering to our job-seeking constituents under the HEAT â€" LIFE HELPS strategy, according to BEPO head Romy Tagaan.

This is to be participated by 14 Recruitment Agencies and employers coming from Manila, Cebu and Bohol with their varying Job Orders. Job opportunities will be available in the following sectors: construction, engineering, medical/nursing/ healthcare, retailing, domestic housekeeping, sales and marketing, manufacturing, BPO-Call Center, banking & finance, and general administrative services.

All applicants are advised to pre-register at Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO) or to their respective municipal PESO Office and secure registration cards.

Jobs Fair will start at exactly 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Applicants must bring their passport, 2x2 ID photos, comprehensive resume/bio-data, diploma/TOR, employment/training certificates and NBI clearance.

By Bohol Chronicle

The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are, but on how happy others are because of you. For life to be meaningful add a little sacrifice, subtract anger and hatred, multiply friends, and divide love for everyone to share.

Yes, the members of Golden Seniors Club willingly do, meeting together once in a while to ease our minds and hearts from domestic headaches. On November 14, 2011 the birthday girl Mam Venie Cabalog, gathered us at Gerarda's, The newest addition to a line of restos in Tagbilaran City, owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lim, located at J.S. Torralba St. this city.

Gerarda's possesses a homely ambiance simply because it is originally the ancestral home of businessmen couple Felix and Gerarda Lim, which is transformed into a modern resto. The program committee planned to hold an impromptu program as a tribute to the honoree but to no avail because the venue was not exclusive for the group, there were other diners, so we opted to omit it. It was a unique celebration of Mrs. Veneranda Cabalog who turned 85 on that very day. She would have shared it with Fred Malaran who is U.S.A.

Kikay fashionista, Mam Eppie Raynaldo, dressed in black get-up with glittering accessories and matching bejeweled headband, turned into a sexy photographer hopping from one angle to another to take a snap shot of the partygoers. While taking shots, she informed this writer, that two great grandchildren of then Secretary of Education, Dr. Cecilio Putong are seated in the next table dining with Professor/Historian Marianito Luspo of Holy Name University. Me and hubby Vic, got near the trio, we had a great time chatting, reminescing, rewinding events, and retracing a family tree when the Putongs were still in Tagbilaran then our pleasantries were exciting and thrilling until it was time for photo ops, no less than the owner-manager took our picture, to allow all members to pose as a group.

Unlike October-born birthday bash of Lita Maniwang, Bebie Lim, and Dianne Ampong which was attended by 13 members only, the latest gathered twenty-one, not to mention the presence of Mesdames Lac Ocio and Leonor de la Torre. The next gathering will feature a joint birthday celeb of Mesdames Dading Mar and Gemma Millare cum Christmas party, to save time for the young-once upon a time. On the same occasion, a new member, Mrs. Bebie Calamba, a retired teacher of Eastern Cogon Elem. School, DepEd Tagbilaran City District, will be welcomed by the group.

By Bohol Chronicle

The province's premiere shopping center, Alturas Supermarket, marked another milestone last Thursday, November 24, celebrating 26 years of retail success.

As a means of expressing gratitude for the constant patronage through the years, several activities were being lined up for the occasion, such as the Search for Little Mr. & Ms. Alturas 2011, Inter-School Quiz Bowl, Search for Mr. and Ms. Alturas 2011, Dance Showdown 2011, “Spin 2 Win” and “Daug Putos” Promo, Anniversary Sale, Free Clinic, and the prestigious Alturas Drum & Bugle Corps Showdown 2011 held yesterday, November 26, at the CPG Sports Complex.

Seven-year old Naomi Gecel Tomiyama of Dao Dist., Tagb. City, was crowned Little Miss Alturas 2011 last Wednesday, November 23, at the Alturas Carpark, and was adjudged as Best in Gown and Best in Interview. Bianca Nicole Tasker of Bil-isan, Panglao, was chosen as 1st Runner-Up, while Francine Daphny Mandin of Camaya-an, Loboc was 2nd Runner-Up and Best in Talent. Ma. Angela Faith Fagerland of Loay was Best in Casual Wear.

The top three winners of Inter-School Quiz Bowl are: High School Category - Tagb. City Science High School, Champion; Bohol Island State University, 1st Runner-Up; and Valencia National Technical-Vocational High School; 2nd Runner-Up; and Elementary Category - Calape Central Elem. School, Champion; Bohol Wisdom School, 1st Runner-Up; and Tagb. City East Elem. School, 2nd Runner-Up

As of this writing, the Grand Finals of Dance Showdown 2011 and Search for Mr. and Miss Alturas 2011 are still going on at the Alturas Carpark.

Meanwhile, the Daug Putos, Kada 30 Minutos is going on until December 18, 2011. For every P200 single receipt purchase, a customer will have a chance to win P150 worth of gift packs every 30 minutes of the day at Alturas Supermarket, from 7:30 AM to 8 PM; or from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM at Kris-Lyn Shop n' Dine.

The different activities of the 26th Anniversary Celebration of Alturas Supermarket reflect only one paramount theme: a means of saying “thank you” to the Boholanos for its constant patronage through the years.

Sponsors of the said events are Coca-Cola, Monde Nissin, Tanduay, Nivea, Zest-O, World of Fun, and Splash Manufacturing.

By Anthony R. Aniscal

Three houses along Penaflor st., barangay Booy, this city were hit by an early evening fire last Tuesday, two totally destroyed while a third house was partially damaged.

FO3 Elmer Anquilero, city fire investigator, disclosed that the alarm that they received came late. This was due to the non-functioning of the hotline 160 for PLDT subscribers.

Anquilero believed that the blaze started around 6:40PM while their station got the fire alarm around 6:50PM.

The first house that was leveled to the ground was owned by certain Avelino Loquere, PMI instructor. The other neighboring house was owned by certain Cenon Tirol, former city fire fighter.

Per investigations conducted, it was learned that the blaze started in one of the five rooms of the Loquere couple located in the 2nd floor of their renovated house.

Another house identified to be owned by certain Corsino Fabre was also partially damaged.

Anquilero added that they are looking on the possibility that faulty wiring was the cause of the fire considering that an electric fan inside the room of the Loquere couple was left unplugged before the conflagration started.

A total of 11 fire trucks responded the fire alarm which included the city's engine 1 from Mansasa, engine 2 from Calceta, engine 3 from old city hall, engine 4 from Lindaville, engine 5 and water tanker from Calceta and command car from Ubujan. Other fire trucks which responded to the fire alarm were that of the Alturas Supermarket Corporation, Bohol Quality Mall and a water tanker of Geoorge Lim.

Although there were so many fire trucks which responded, Anquilero explained that only the first two fire trucks fought the blaze as the other fire trucks only served as feeder of water.

By Bohol Chronicle

A litmus test, often an indicator of success or failure is now being applied to two contending parties - the LGU of Panglao led by the feisty Mayor Dodong Alcala and a group of tourism stakeholders led by a motley group of local and foreign businessmen.

Branch 48 Presiding Judge Pablo R. Magdoza granted the manifestation of both parties for a self imposed one month mediation period to reconfigure a botched deal that would hopefully work towards a negotiated settlement.

But Magdoza warned both parties that the case will be deemed submitted for decision for failure to craft an agreement that would end more than eight months of acrimonious legal proceedings.

Lawyers for both parties assured the court that they would break out of the impasse after trading barbs on and off the court after accusations of bad faith marred a three hour "make or break" meeting brokered by no less than Governor Edgar Chatto several months back.

Bouyed by the success of the recently held Panglao Tourism Summit, the contending parties is slated to meet again with Chatto

But a heated argument ensued inside the court room seconds after Magdoza banged the gavel to end the hearing after Neil Weyh, diving operator together with some of the petitioners told Alcala to his face they have lost trust on his word after reneging on his promise during the meeting to amend certain provisions of the assailed municipal ordinance and the Executive Order (EO).

But the embattled Alcala brushed off the groups accusations saying that there is a limit to the demands of the petitioners and he is bound to protect the interest of the municipality and mot the narrow demands of the group especially the foreigners.

"Nganong sila may magbuot dinhi. Sila maoy nakaingon aning gubot," fumed Alcala.

David Bailley, a tourist inn operator although not one of the petitioners explained to the Mayor that all the stakeholders are annoyed by the mayor's pussyfooting on issues and reminded Alcala of the countless times that the Mayor backed off from his promises.

Alcala retorted that all his moves are based on the law and lamented the loss of potential earnings Panglao is experiencing due to the Injunction filed by the petitioners.

"Nawad-an mi ug kapin sa P700T kada buwan sukad niining TRO ug injunction. Kining kantidad mao na unta ni ang magamit sa pagpatuman sa Environmental User's Fee (EUF)".

Bailley also deplored Alcala for demonizing the foreign business community in the airlanes even as he pointed out to the Mayor that all their moves are for the good of the tourism business in Panglao.

But Alcala stood his ground reminding Bailley that by next year, as promised he will be a "new Alcala" implementing the law to the letter especially on the observance of the 20M salvage zone.

Alcala admitted that "tinuod, ako'y nakaingon ining problema nga gi-atubang sa Panglao tungod kay sobra ra ko ka mangiloy-on".

Having run Panglao for almost three decades as Mayor starting in 1986 as OIC Mayor, "Dodong" as he is fondly called by his constituents promised to put an end to his kindness and laxity and reinvent himself as a no nonsense Mayor.

Bailley welcomed the Mayor's promised make-over telling Alcala to just implement the law with fairness.

If the heated exchange of words between the petitioners and respondents are portends of things to come then perhaps the goose that lays so many golden eggs would be facing a bleak future.(CMV)

By Bohol Chronicle

What could be an unwitting trafficking of two minors from the town of Danao recruited for alleged employment in Cagayan de Oro City was aborted when one of the supposed victims became hysterical and refused to disembark- which caught the attention of the port police.

The minor girls identified as Maribel and Sheila, both aged 15 and neighbors in the adjacent barangays San Jose and Buenavista in the town of Danao, were reportedly recruited by one Jaime Buslon-driver of DepEd-Bohol.

Maribel claimed that Buslon forced them to board the boat bound for CDO, as they expected to be hired for an employment in Bohol only and they were, therefore,surprised that they have been brought to Tagbilaran por,instead..

They left Tagbilaran port Monday night last week, but were held at the port of CDO after authorities learned that they did not personally know the person who would meet them, though they already communicated through cellphone with someone named Marites, who was their supposed employer.

Since Marites was attending to some things in the city then, he sent her brother to meet the girls, but the port police also held her brother upon learning that the girls were minors, especially that Sheila refused to disembark that raised suspicions that they may have been victims of child trafficking.

So they were sent back to Tagbilaran and were back here on Wednesday.

Authorities in CDO coordinated with the port police in Tagbilaran and the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development here.

Upon arriving Tagbilaran, they were immediately brought to the OPSWD for a sort of debriefing that would be useful in the investigation on the incident.

Buslon, 30, who had been a driver of DepEd-Bohol for almost four years already, admitted he used the government vehicle in fetching the girls at Dao integrated bus terminal after bringing home the DepEd officials, including the assistant provincial schools division superintendent, who attended the turn-over ceremony for a school building in Loay.

He went straight to the bus terminal since it was already dark and he preferred not to use his motorcycle to avoid violating the helmet law.

Buslon sent off the girls at Tagbilaran port on Monday night and said it was only then that she learned that Sheila is pregnant when she mentioned about her monthly pre-natal.

Buslon, however, denied forcing the girls to board the boat, saying they had all agreed on the trip since Saturday yet..

He said he came to know Maribel when she used to work as babysitter in barangay Agape, Loboc which is near her place.

Maribel was receiving a monthly salary of P2,000 then, the same amount that they would be receiving as starting salary in Cagayan de Oro City for the same job-babysitting.

However, she thought the offer for the supposed new job was P2,500 a month, or just a difference of P500.

Buslon said Maribel, who is also his cousin's friend, used to tell him that she wanted to find another job.

That's why when she left her work in barangay Agape, they communicated through cellphone and she asked him if he knew of somebody who was looking for a helper because she does not want to be idle at home.

So on November 19, they finalized everything and arranged for her trip to CDO together with Sheila.

Buslon explained that he was merely trying to help and meant no bad intention.

He even said that the parents of the girls agreed to the arrangement.

For her part, the supposed employer-Marites Alpa-said Buslon, indeed, recommended the girls and arranged with her regarding their employment just like his cousins who are now working for her in CDO.

However, Alpa said she had no idea that the girls are minors and never expected it to put her brother in bad light when he supposedly met the girls at the port of CDO.

By Bohol Chronicle

The first division of the Commission on Elections denied the instant petition calling for the disqualification case filed against broadcaster Jeremias Pabe on question of residency.

In a four-page resolution penned by Commissioner Armando Velasco, as concurred by Presiding Commissioner Rene Sarmiento and Commisioner Christian Robert Lim, Comelec noted that Pabe even garnered one of the highest votes for barangay kagawad during the Barangay and SK elections on October 25, 2010.

Paraphrasing the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Mitra vs. Comelec and others, Velasco pointed out that it cannot be denied that "the people of Cogon district, Tagbilaran City have spoken in an election where [Pabe's] residency qualification has been squarely raised, and their voice has erased any doubt about their verdict Pabe's qualifications".

In his resolution dated November 11, 2011, Velasco also concluded that the petitioners-Noel Gonzales, Wilfredo Raya, Dionisio Balatero and Erwin Lomotos-failed to substantiate the merits of their petition to disqualify Pabe on the ground of non-residency.

Velasco said it was not enough for them to merely present Pabe's joint complaint-affidavit which indicated he is a resident of Dao District, affidavits of their witnesses and a certification that he is a homeowner of Capitol Valley phase II, Dao District.

"More than these are required to conclude that [Pabe] is not a resident of [Cogon District]," according to the Comelec commissioner.

Prior to the elections, the petitioners sought for the cancellation of Pabe's candidacy, alleging that the latter made a material misrepresentation in his certificate of candidacy.

This is based on a copy of the joint complaint-affidavit that Pabe executed against Mayor Dan Lim and some employees of Bohol Light Company, Inc. before the Ombudsman wherein Pabe declared that he was a resident of Capitol Valley Subdivision Phase II in Dao District.

With this, the petitioners assumed that Pabe could not be a resident of Cogon District where he sought to be elected for a period of one year.

However, Pabe denied having made a material misrepresentation in his COC since he has been a resident of 33 Graham Avenue , Cogon District since 1983 until the present where he has served as barangay kagawad for 13 years.

Pabe further explained that his residence in Dao District as stated in the joint complaint-affidavit was just temporary in nature being the administrator of his daughter's house in Capitol Valley Subdivision Phase II while his daughter is abroad.

Pabe filed the complaint against the mayor and company before the Ombudsman following the disconnection of power supply in his daughter's house.

He pointed out that he only sporadically stays in his daughter's house and has no intention of residing there permanently, because he always return to his residence in Cogon District.

On October 29 last year, the parties involved reiterated their arguments in their respective position paper.

Then his summary report, Atty. Ariel Selma--election officer III of Comelec-Tagbilaran City-recommended that the case be decided based on the merits of the pieces of evidence presented by the parties involved.

On this, the first division of Comelec in Intramuros, Manila found no merit in the instant petition.

Velasco explained that Pabe's temporary stay in his daughter's house in Dao District as an administrator and occupant of the said house does not in any way constitute loss of residence in Cogon District.

"In fact, his acts of his registration as a voter in Cogon District, Tagbilaran City, his election and service as barangay kagawad of said barangay for 13 years and his casting of his vote therein on the May 10 national and local election, all the more confirmed his intention and choice to reside in Cogon District," according to Velasco.

The commissioner also pointed out that the actual, physical and personal presence of a candidate in a barangay is substantial enough to show his intention to fulfil the duties of a barangay kagawad and for the voters to evaluate his qualifications for barangay kagawad.

Velasco also cited the Supreme Court ruling on the case of Romualdez-Marcos vs. Comelec where it was explained that the term "residence" for purposes of meeting the qualification for an election position is synonymous with domicile.

"Domicile as defined includes the twin element of the fact of residing or physical presence in a fiexed place and animus mandendi or intention of returning there permanently," Velasco explained.

He said the one year period is crucial regardless of whether or not the term "residence" is to be synonymous with "domicile".

"The candidate's intent and actual presence in one barangay must in all situations satisfy the length of time prescribed by the fundamental law. He must be familiar with the environment and problems of the municipality he intends to represent and the one-year residence in the said municipality would be the minimum period to acquire such familiarity, if not versatility," according to Velasco.

It is also important to note that an individual does not lose his domicile even if he has lived and maintained residences in different places.

By Bohol Chronicle
Written By Ven rebo Arigo

Mayor Dan Lim earned the brunt of fellow mayors for unceasingly capitalizing on a "ghost" resolution of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Bohol Chapter asking P1million for each town from the provincial government's 20-percent development fund as political issue against the governor.

The city mayor tried to create a scenario putting Governor Edgar Chatto to bad light despite the solid support of the town mayors to the provincial leadership.

It surprised LMP-Bohol president, Loay Mayor Rosemarie Imboy, why the city mayor exaggerated it and even used it to justify his intriguing demand to get hold of the funds.

The city mayor had long been threatening even his own barangay leaders who would turn to Chatto for assistance.

Imboy assailed the "malicious" use of the "spurious" copy of the resolution, which Lim got hold of, considering that LMP has not released any copy of the resolution to anybody, not even the governor to whom it was addressed.

Imboy said the league takes exception to any grand design to belittle the credibility and malign the good image of the present Capitol leadership.

For her, it is entirely wrong and misleading to even think that the LMP resolution is a manifestation of Bohol town mayors' discontent in Chatto's management of the province.

Imboy said she respects whatever the city mayor's opinion may be, but she asserted against putting malice into the LMP move.

The LMP president said she has not authorized anybody to release a copy of the resolution which was passed in the meeting of LMP in August as more of a "parayeg (request), and not a demand" to the governor.

The mayors understand, too, the impact of the reduction of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) for the province next year as what will similarly happen to the IRA of the LGUs.

It is natural for LGU officials to ask but they adhere to doing it "in appropriate ways" and Chatto always welcome them.

Capitol has instituted a consultative management system, including the process of project and fund identification and prioritization.

The LMP measure was passed supposedly on motion of Dimiao Mayor Sylvia Adame but who, in a phone call, could not recall having done so.

She could also not remember an instance that the LMP passed such resolution and a check on the records of the LMP might clarify things.

Adame disclosed that Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes, the LMP executive vice president, had earlier called and inquired from her because he could not remember, too, that the league made such move.

Notwithstanding, Adame cited Chatto's sustained laudable programs cascaded to the LGUs like the HEAT Bohol caravans and other projects pursuant to the province's overarching development agenda.

Being the LMP secretary, Mabini Mayor Ester Tabigue, could not remember any copy being released, not even to the governor.

Imboy herself confirmed that she has not submitted the resolution to the governor as they (mayors) realized, later after its passage, that Chatto has accommodated LGU proposals which are equivalent to even more than their request from the 20-percent development fund and other sources.

For one, the provincial government has extended huge funds as counterpart for essential projects in municipalities under the Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) program.

GOOD FAITH

Since it was never given any serious consideration, some mayors could no longer remember that such move was even made, but Imboy explained that it resolution was passed "ïn good faith" and never did they expected the city mayor to capitalize on it.

The town mayors expressed lament that the city mayor attempted to spoil or exploit their gesture of trust for the "kindness of the governor."

The measure could easily pass since no mayor would dislike development assistance, they said.

To recall, the city mayor "demanded" in his harshly-worded letter to the governor for a share in the 20-percent development fund, even "putting on record" that he was at the same time asking for the shares of the 47 towns.

According to a former DILG director, it is up to the mayor to ask the development council to include in the provincial development plan a project he wants for his city or town.

RICO: NO LEGAL BASIS

In a meeting at People's Mansion, Rep. Erico Aumentado recounted that he had stressed during his stint as governor that sharing equally the 20-percent development fund DF has no legal basis.

His statement supports Chatto's position made known last week in response to Lim's demand.

Thus, Aumentado said he had directed his development funds, in the case of Tagbilaran, to the barangays in the city during his governorship

On the other hand, the Tagbilaran Liga ng mga Barangay president Faro Cabalit and other barangay leaders could only hope that Lim would equally share the city's own 20-percent development fund to all the barangays.

By Bohol Chronicle

Schools in the province - both public and private, elementary and secondary are now under scrutiny after reports reaching the Department of Education (DepEd) about the practice of barring students from taking exams pending settlement of classroom fines and other incidental fees regardless of payment of tuition fees.

The alleged blatant violations committed by some schools in Bohol has brought back to the public eye this violations of a child's human right to basic education.

"Maglibog mi kay gibayran na ang tuition fees apan ug dili mabayran ang mga classroom fines ug uban pang mga balayronon sama sa insurance dili maka-test", griped a group of parents when interviewed by the Chronicle.

Parents saddled with financial difficulties have pointed an accusing finger at conniving school personnel and teachers who have caused undue stress and embarrassment to students not allowed to take the tests and are being required to stay out of the classroom.

DepEd Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Tonisito M.C.Umali upon receipt of the report immediately referred the information to the DepEd Communications Group which relayed without delay the complaint to the DepEd Bohol.

"I will immediately look into this upon receipt of more information from the concerned parents and students and will act immediately against this erring schools", DepEd Bohol Superintendent Lorna Rances told the Chronicle.

Reports reaching the Chronicle showed that some schools allegedly require their students to settle both their tuition fees and other classroom contributions at the same time before issuing clearance to take their exams.

Classroom fines are sanctions imposed on students for tardiness, excessive talking and other behaviours deemed violations of classroom decorum as agreed by the homeroom association or the classroom teachers and students

Homeroom associations are classroom organizations with parents/teachers and students as members.

But parents complained that "kasagaran dili mi mahibalo unsay gikasabutan sa mga magtutudlo ug tinun-an sa gidak-on sa mga silot".

According to parents, some teachers use their intimidating influence on the students to arbitrarily impose fines that are sometimes excessive.

"Worst, they use these fines as an excuse for the teachers laxity in imposing classroom discipline on the students".

The beleaguered parents lamented that these unconscionable practice has been tolerated by school authorities under the guise of student discipline.

Even donations for school facilities as agreed by the PTA are subjected to the "no exams policy" if parents could not comply with the agreed quotas.

The practice of imposing this condition has contributed to the mounting financial obligations parents are facing even as these fees violates existing policies and existing guidelines issued by the DepEd.

Only recently USEC Umali reminded teachers and school administrators from unauthorized collections warning them of administrative sanctions if found liable.

"Sa voluntary collection napakalinaw. Lahat na collection voluntary lang, hindi pwedeng sapilitan. Ang sinumang pilit mangolekta maaring patawan ng administrative complaint", Umali said in a radio interview.

Under DepEd policy there will be no collection, even if voluntary for Grades one to four. But for Grade V to fourth year high school voluntary contributions can be collected covering Boy/Girl Scouts fee up to P50, anti TB fund drive P5, reasonable PTA fee subject to consultation and school publication fee, P60 for elementary and P90 for high school students.

School principals and officials will be held liable for all unathorized collections.

DepEd Order No. 15 series of 2010 directs all schools, both private and public to allow students with unpaid fees to take their final exams.

But some schools has defied DepEd's order by including periodical exams in the "no exam" policy. A private school even denied students to take the periodical exams for non payment of insurance fee to cover possible injuries during the schools intramural games.

According to the DepEd order, private schools should be "more considerate of students with unpaid fees owing to family hardships" even if they have imposed a modest or no tuition fee increases due to current economic difficulties.

But DepEd also advised parents of students with unpaid school bills to recognize their financial obligations and arrange with school authorities the terms for the eventual settlement of their unpaid obligations.

The quick response of DepEd was made possible thru the efforts of AGHAM Partylist Representative Angelo B. Palmones who upon being informed about the matter immediately got in touch with USEC Umali.

Palmones was in Bohol to distribute weighing scales to a consumers group.(CMV)

By Bohol Chronicle

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has set tomorrow, the public hearing of the application of Bohol Light Company, Inc. (BLCI) for the approval of the proposed rate adjustment as translation of the ERC-approved Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) under the Performance Based Regulation (PBR) for the regulatory period 2012-2015.

BLCI General Manager Eulogio Signe explained that in their proposal, a consumption of 100kW based on the current rate costs P644.49, while under the proposed new rate it would be P671.03 with a difference of P26.54 as supposed increase per month which is still even lower than the average daily expenditure on cellphone load.

An estimated consumption of 500kW in the old bill is P3,127.13, and with the proposed new rate the bill would then be P3,186.99 or with a difference of P59.86/month which is still even affordable than a leisure drinking session, he added.

"In comparison to other private distribution utilities in the Visayas who are now using the approved Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR), among PECO, PROSIELCO, VECO, MECO and BLCI, it appears that BLCI has the lowest rate for residential and commercial rate, like for example, on residential customer class, the following rates are as follows, P10.89/kWh, P10.78/kWh P 9.19/kWh, P 8.15/kWh and P 5.98/kWh respectively even after with the proposed increased on the approved ARR for BCLI. For the Commercial Customer Class the rates for PECO, PROSIELCO, VECO, MECO and BLCI are P10.34/kWh, P12.39/kWh P 8.89/kWh, P7.80/kWh and 5.68/kWh accordingly," Signe explained.

This proposed rate increase is intended to improve BLCI services for the benefit of the entire valued customer in the franchise area, he said.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod had designated official representatives of the city government as intervenor in tomorrow’s hearing which will start at 2 p.m.

In the stalled hearing last September 20, BLCI Legal Counsel Michael Ancheta questioned the personalities of Councilors Nerio Zamora II, Doni Piquero, and Bebiano Inting who carried the stance of the city government but appeared on their personal capacities as consumers.

Ancheta pointed out then that the official intervenor is the "city government".

On this, the SP had adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Public Utilities to designate and authorize Councilors Zamora, Piquero, and Inting to represent and appear in behalf of the city government and the SP in the hearing.

This is in consonance to the committee's recommendation to authorize the city mayor to file a petition for intervention before the Energy Regulatory Commission regarding BLCI's application for approval of the proposed translation into distribution rates of different customer classes for the first regulatory year of the ERC-approved ARR under the PBR for the regulatory period 2012-2015.

Councilor Edgar Bompat, chair of the Committee on Public Utilities, passed separate resolutions for the two recommendations and the SP approved it last Friday.

The city government is also questioning how the joint venture agreement between the provincial government and BLCI was arrived at.

During the SP committee level hearing on October 5, the councilors pointed out that BLCI's application for rate adjustments has no basis, "considering that it would result to disparity of the rates for the residential consumers as against the commercial consumers who have greater energy consumption which in effect adds burden on the part of residential consumers".

In fact, Bompat pointed out in his committee report dated October 14, 2011 that "Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 was enacted to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power to ensure transparent and reasonable prices of electricity in a regime of free and fair competition,"

The Provincial Legal Office is also expected to represent the provincial government as oppositor during the hearing.

Signe also cited that Section 43(f) of the EPIRA law, and Rule 15, Section 5(a) of its implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), authorized ERC to adopt alternative forms of internationally accepted rate-setting methodology.

"Now, therefore, emerged the PBR which serves as a rate setting methodology using a price cap to set the distribution wheeling rates to be charged by Distribution Utilities to its customers," according to BLCI.

On December 13, 2006, based on Epira Law, ERC approved Resolution No. 54-series of 2006 "Adopting the Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR) for Privately Owned Distribution Utilities Entering Performance Based Regulation for the Second and Later Entry groups as MERALCO, CEPALCO and Dagupan Electric were the first.

Then ERC issued Resolution No. 10, Series of 2010, adopting the timeline for the Fourth Entry Group of Regulated Entities entering the PBR commencingon October 01, 2011 and terminating on September 30, 2015. The 4th Entrants are the following: Angeles Electric Corporation; Bohol Light Company Inc.; Clark Electric Distribution Corporation; Panay Electric Company; Subic Enerzone Corporation; San Fernando Electric Light & Power Company

On September 28 last year, BLCI filed an application for approval of ARR and Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) with ERC under PBR regime.

Then on November 23 of the same year, a jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearings regarding the ARR and PIS Application of BLCI was made here at the franchise area held at the Governor's Mansion, Tagbilaran City

On June 8, this year, a public consultation was made by the ERC on the Draft Determination of BLCI's ARR and PIS Application, while on May 21, the Draft Determination of BLCI's ARR and PIS Application was posted on the ERC Web Site for further comments.

Last July 6, the ERC, in its Decision and Final Determination, approved BLCI's ARR and PIS Application presenting its final decision on the price control arrangements that will apply to BLCI for the Regulatory Period with the smoothened Maximum Average Price (MAP) of P1.02 from 82 centavos or an average increase of 20centavos.

The approved MAP will then be translated into rates for the different customer segment of BLCI such as Residential, Commercial, Public Buildings & Street Lights and Hospitals & Radio Stations. The translation of the approved MAP into rate by customer segment is still under application by BLCI with the ERC.

By Bohol Chronicle

With fuel prices in Tagbilaran City higher by at least ?3 to ?5 than in the cities of Cebu and Davao, Governor Edgar Chatto has asked the Department of Energy to look into the matter and determine if there is overpricing in the city and other areas of the province.

In a letter dated October 13, the governor highlighted the price differentials on gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and LPG between Tagbilaran and the said metropolises and requested for DOE intervention on the matter to protect the Boholano constituency and the consuming public.

Director Zenaida Monsada of the DOE's Oil Industry Management Bureau said that they have already sent inquiries to Eric Recto, president of Petron; Edgar Chua, chairman and president of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum; and Jim Meynink, country chairman of Chevron Phils., asking them for comments on the issue.

In her reply, which was received by the Office of the Governor last November 17, Monsada clarified that, by virtue of RA 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, local dealers can determine their actual selling prices based on freight, storage, handling, transportation, and other operating costs and the behavior of market forces in their area.

However, Monsada added that her bureau will be conducting an investigation on the matter, in coordination with the DOE-Visayas Field Office, to determine the actual causes of the disparity in prices and to assess the reasonableness of prevailing fuel prices in the city.

Gov. Chatto urged the resolution of the issue noting that all sectors and industries not just in the province, but nationwide, are dependent on fuel prices.

By Bohol Chronicle

Upon his return from Silicon Valley, Rep. Rene L. Relampagos, from the first district of Bohol, pushed for the creation of a science and technology advocates group in Congress.

“It is very sad that our country is not investing in research and development in the field of science and technology. We fail to tap the most important and abundant source our country has â€" its people,” Cong. Relampagos lamented.

Rep. Relampagos, vice-chairperson of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) joined the official House delegation to the Silicon Valley on Nov. 13-16, 2011 upon the invitation of the Science and Technology Advisory Council of Silicon Valley Chapter and Cisco Systems, Inc. to discuss new technology and education infrastructure for our country's ICT development.

Aside from Rep. Relampagos, the six-member House delegation included ICT committee chairperson Rep. Sigfrido R. Tinga, and Reps. Vincent P. Crisologo, Maria Rachel J. Arenas, Ben P. Evardone, Joseph Augustus A. Abaya and Tom Apacible.

“It would be good if we can have something akin to “Silicon Valley” in Congress. We want to build a citizenry not just knowledgeable in ICT but also dept in it. We want a generation of Filipinos becoming more than consumers of technology and its products, but creators as well â€" building on and improving existing technology and producing digital content,” Rep. Relampagos stated.

Silicon Valley refers to a region in Northern California in the United States which serves as home to many of the world's largest technology corporations.

“So many of our kababayans are employed by big companies abroad where there talents are better appreciated and utilized. We had the privilege of meeting Dado Banatao, who made a name for himself in Silicon Valley, did, so can other Filipinos,” he said.

In the trip, they were welcomed by Philippine Consul General Marciano A. Paynar, and accompanied in all their meetings by trade representative Josephine Romero.

By Bohol Chronicle

By Anthony R. Aniscal

Is the government serious in its campaign against pirated DVDs sold in the market?

This remains to be a million dollar question as pirated DVDs which were seized last Thursday afternoon during a raid conducted by operatives of the Optical Media Board (OMB) found their way back to the shelves barely two days after the raid.

A Chronicle team which visited yesterday afternoon the raided stalls along CPG Ave.,in front of Metrobank noticed brisk selling of pirated DVDs resumed as if already been given clearance to resume peddling these supposedly hot items.

OMB agent Manny Mangubat, head of the raiding team, told the Chronicle that the raid along CPG Avenue , near Unitop, was by far the biggest operation conducted in the province. He added that their recent raids in malls only yielded few pirated DVD's and CD's.

According to Mangubat, the operation that they conducted was pursued due to the constant complaints from the residents and a request of the Local Government Unit. In fact, he added that the raid was in coordination with the LGU and the local police.

Mangubat explained that the selling of pirated DVD's is a violation to Republic Act 9239 otherwise known as the Optical Media Act of 2003.

“Lahat po ng discs maging CD, DVD, Software, Games, Play Stations, may mga original copyright yan at bawal po kopyahin at ipagbili sapagkat nakaw po ito sa original na kopya at sa may-ari na gumawa nito”, (all discs including CD, DVD, software, games and play stations have original copyright and it's prohibited to copy and sell them because it's thievery against the original copyright and owner) Mangubat stressed.

Mangubat said that violators of the RA 9239 could face an imprisonment from thirty (30) to ninety (90) days and could be penalized from twenty five thousand pesos (P25,000) up to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) if found guilty by the court.

However, the OMB officers cannot file even a single case against the owners and operators of the said pirated DVD's along CPG Avenue because the place was abandoned when the raiding team assaulted the area.

Mangubat pointed out that the vendors in the area were openly selling pornographic DVD's wherein children can easily observe it.

The team also confiscated voluminous items of pornographic DVD's.

According to Mangubat, the entire seized items will be presented to the office of the City Mayor.

The team was equipped with a Mission Order (MO) signed by Ronald N. Ricketts, chairman and chief executive of the OMB.

by Bob Carlisle

There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.

But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.

All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.

She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"

Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.

I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.

By Bohol Chronicle

The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BCCI) expressed alarm on the worsening garbage problem in the city while it fears of a possible pandemonium during the Christmas holidays as garbage is expected to escalate with more goods to be purchased by every consumer.

The businessman's group convened a special meeting last Thursday to assess the present worsening garbage collection problem after the closure of the open dump site in barangay Dampas, this city.

Operators of malls and major establishments, including resorts in Panglao and hotels, restaurants in the city are having the garbage disposal on top of their daily concerns.

Reports reaching the Chronicle bared that starting last week private clinics were already asked to dispose their own garbage in order for the hospital management to lighten up their daily load on garbage disposal.

Invited by by the businessmen to the special meeting were PENRO Nestor Canda of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Engr. Edmund Jimenez, chief of the city solid waste management office to shed light on what could be the nearer solution to the problem on garbage disposal.¬¬¬¬

Also in attendance during the businessmen's' meeting were City Kagawad Faro Cabalit and Sonieta Labasan of the office of Vice Mayor Nuevas Montes.

The DENR executive admitted the seriousness of the problem considering that the unattended open dump site of Tagbilaran has been the only area that used to accommodate the garbage in the entire city as well as from the neighboring towns, including the resort town of Panglao.

He said that the proposed sanitary landfill in Albur if completed could be a solution even as he stressed that the area would not be sufficient if the mandated segregation of garbage will not be implemented in the homes and business firms disposing of their daily garbage.

The garbage problem even worsened when only five, out of the 13 garbage trucks in the city were functioning since the last couple of months.

Engr. Jimenez, however, in his update issued during the meeting said there are now seven trucks operating even as he bared that the city government is earmarking a budget to purchase new garbage compactors to beef up the garbage collection capacity in the city.

During the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Friday, the lawmakers approved the supplemental budget of P18 million, the P8 million of which was budgeted for the purchase of a garbage compactor while the balance of P10 million was earmarked for the concreting of a road section in barangay Taloto, this city.

Jimenez blamed the failure of the residents to adopt the segregation of garbage in their respective homes as this could have resulted to a huge reduction in the volume of garbage brought to the Dampas open dumpsite.

SANITARY LANDFILL

ASSURED OF P140M

The delayed sanitary landfill in Albur town is expecting the resumption of its work after the Aquino administration earmarked P140 million which is up for bidding during the first quarter of next year,

The landfill project sprawling at a six-hectare property in barangay Dangay in the silica-rich town of Albur completed Phase I last year which included the 20 to 30 meter excavated portion where compacting with clay was completed. The site also has perforated pipeline as well as the benching and the needed access road from the highway to the site. A four-room administrative building which will house the future laboratories of the landfill was also competed. The funding of P93 million was released through the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) with Servantes Construction starting the project in 2007.

Chief Loloy Lafuente of the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) confirmed to the Chronicle last night the P140 million budget for Phase II of the project which will include the enhancement program of the site, four monitoring wells, the leachate chamber estimated at 200 sq. meter. The budget will likewise include the continuation of the access road as well as the purchase of dump trucks and a road roller.

The proposed landfill is getting the support of 13 towns namely, Baclayon, Albur, Loay, Loboc, Corella, Sikatuna, Balilihan, Maribojoc, Antequera, Cortes, Dauis, Panglao and Lila which will eventually utilize the site for their garbage site.

The town mayors of these municipalities were in unison endorsing the realization of the sanitary landfill. Surprisingly, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim did not support the move of establishing a sanitary land fill when in fact the city has the biggest garbage load estimated at 98 tons daily.

Experts on landfill who visited the area said the Albur landfill is "over-designed" considering the rich clay/silica at the site was still bolstered with gravel in order to ensure the stability of the site as dumping area notwithstanding the government's commitment that it will be pass international environmental standard.

Lafuente said the completed Phase I of the project was already ready for the second phase to follow which will include the rip rapping and landscaping of the earlier excavated area as grasses grew covering the portion where the work was done some two years ago.

If Phase II can commence by the second quarter of next year, work could be completed within a year, Lafuente concluded.

By Bohol Chronicle

With the aim to boost the tourism, agricultural and natural farming here, Erwin “Pastor” Emata, the third Filipino to reach the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, will personally participate on this month's Panglao Camp and Run 2011.

The event, which is open for male and female participants, is a two day activity to be held in Bohol Coco Farm along Brgy Libaong Panglao.

Efren de Guzman, the event organizer and proprietor of Bohol Coco Farm, disclosed that the activities will kick off on December 17 for the camp activity and December 18 for the trail run activity.

De Guzman added that the affair is an opportunity for the Boholanos to encounter the famous Filipino Mountain Climber who was able to reach the highest peak in the world.

De Guzman explained that on the first day, participants will be strategically placed in the different areas within the Bohol Coco Farm for the camping. Emata will be the main director of the said camp.

“Participants can ask to Emata some important points in life such as the value of discipline and patience as these are the basic tools in life's success”, De Guzman said.

De Guzman firmly believes that the virtues of discipline and patience of Emata took him to the peak of Mount Everest.

Emata reached the peak of Mount Everest last May 18, 2006 in about 24 hours after his companion, Leo Oracion, reached the same peak.

In a separate interview by the Chronicle, Dax Ang, technical coordinator of Emata, disclosed that the five kilometer run is not the usual fun run which passes through the concrete roads.

“We call this activity as trail run because most of the running will be done on trails”, Ang stressed out.

The trail run will start and finish at the Bohol Coco Farm with two designated areas along the way as water stations. The trail run will pass the tourist police station, Dumaluan Beach Resort, Barangays Bolod and Libaong shoreline, Libaong Public Beach, Amarela Resort and Libaong Brgy Hall.

Ang explained that the purpose of the trail run is to boost the agricultural and natural farming here which is the main goal of the Bohol Coco Farm. Ang added that the event has also side activities such as walking on the native bridge inside the farm that connect one coconut to the other.

Meanwhile, George Reeves, a native from New York, disclosed to the Chronicle that he himself is one of the million people who are proud of Emata. Reeves did not hesitate to endorse the activities. In fact, he will join the five kilometer trail run.

The Panglao Fun Run 2011 is also supported by the Provincial Government of Bohol, Philippine Coconut Authority and station DYRD.

By Bohol Chronicle

David Beckham and the stars of the Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles Galaxy put on a fine football show last night, defeating the Philippine national football team, 6-1, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium .

Beckham looked very comfortable at the Rizal pitch, blasting a halfcourt shot barely 15 minutes into the match to test Azkals goalkeeper Edward Sacapano. Five minutes later, the veteran English campaigner opened the scoring with a sweet lob from outside the box that hit the back of the net.

Also sharing the spotlight were Irish star Robbie Keane, who scored a goal, and American legend Landon Donovan, who assisted on two other points for the Los Angeles side, which dominated the match despite the inspired effort of the Azkals.

The Philippine team actually made a game of it at the start, with Filipino-German Manny Ott missing a couple of chances early in the match. The Azkals kept pouncing on the counterattack even after Beckham's goal, but were burned by a Mike Magee score in the 38th minute off a nifty pass from Landon Donovan.

Still, the Azkals kept on fighting, getting on board after an excellent finish by Phil Younghusband against AJ DeLaGarza in the 41st minute, cutting the Galaxy lead to just 2-1 at halftime. At the break, the Philippine side was able to get eight shots at goal, compared to just six for Los Angeles.

But Beckham and company snuffed out all the Azkals' hopes shortly after resumption of play. A corner kick by Beckham was headed back by Todd Dunivant, setting up Keane's goal at the 47th minute. The Galaxy then dominated possession of the ball, with Adam Cristman scoring twice â€" in the 62nd minute off another Donovan assist, and at the 87th minute off a defensive breakdown by the Azkals. Los Angeles veteran Gregg Berhalter also scored, on a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

But the evening clearly belonged to Beckham, who was cheered by the raucous crowd each time he was in possession of the ball. The global football icon treated Filipino fans to a display of superb technique and preternatural instincts, thrilling the audience with pinpoint passes and trademark curling kicks.

Beckham came out in the 75th minute to a wild ovation and paid respects to Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who came into the venue midway through the game.

“I saw him arrive, and I'm a huge fan of his, so it's a big thing,” said Beckham of Pacquiao.

The match, meanwhile, capped a remarkable year for the Philippine football team, which bolted to national consciousness after a Cinderella run in last year's AFF Suzuki Cup. The Azkals followed up that feat by qualifying for a berth in the AFC Challenge Cup slated next year.

Donovan, meanwhile, was impressed by the warm reception of the fans. He compared the burgeoning love for the sport with the experience of the United States a decade ago.

“Like us, ten or fifteen years ago, it's a country that's beginning to love football,” he said.

By Bohol Chronicle

Slumping Holy Spirit School Crusaders fortified their hold of the 3rd slot of the semi-final round when they dumped the cellar dwellers Bohol International Learning Center Phoenix, 74-32 in the main game of a twin bill in the ongoing high school competition of the 17th Bohol Schools Amateur Athletic Association (BSAAA) 2nd John Geesnell Baba Yap inter School Hoop Cup at the BILC hard court.

The Crusaders showed their superiority in the strength as they blasted the host team as early as in the opening period when Pahang exploded with 12 points to overrun the opponents at the end of the canto 30-10. The Phoenix main man EJ Lacea could not carry the loads for his team even though he got 7 points in the same period as Pahang got able support from team mates Lui Besa, Patrock Rocha and Sumobay.

The Phoenix were miserably missing their targets as they allowed their opponents to widen the gap as the diminutive point guard Besa continued to fight like a fearless fighter as he poured in points in conspiracy with the lanky Maboloc and their ace gunner Patrick Rocha for the Crusaders to erect a 36 point margin, 58-22, going into the fourth period.

Meanwhile most improved Bohol International Learning Center mini Phoenix triumphed against the unpredictable new comer Holy Family of Nazareth School mini Nazarethanians in the elementary division to become the toughest team to put up a challenge against the powerhouse Holy Spirit School mini Crusaders which swept the elimination round with 6 wins in the field of 7 teams.

But Rico eyes said in an interview, “the basketball is round. And no one is going to be sure to winning. But all I can guarantee is that we have a clean basketball in mind.”

The wards of coach Aquilino Felicitas played brilliant basketball all game long to demolish the phoenix as Buddy Caseñas, Cabagnot, Sumobay and Talia joined the prey. The final score was 74-32.

The semi finals scheme of the tournament will see No. 1 plays No. 4 and the No. 2 matches 3. The semi finals were played last Saturday at the BWS gym. The winner will dispute the championship. And the losers will fight for 3rd place.

The 17th Bohol Schools Amateur Athletic Association (BSAAA) 2nd John Geesnell Baba Yap is ably supported by Bohol Tropics; First Consolidated Bank; Atty. Gamaliel Bonje; Jocelyn Ortiz Chua; Mr. & Mrs. Gerardo Bas Madanguit; Douglas Hontanosas; Dr. Aurora Bas Madanguit; Bennet Daquipil; Mr. & Mrs. Leo Bas Madanguit; and Grandma's Purified Drinking Water.

Team standings: High School-W-L-GP â€" UB Baby Lemurs 9-1-10**; BWS Golden Dragons 9-1-10**; HSS Crusaders 8-2-10**; HFNS Nazarethanians 7-3-10**; BISU Maroons 6-4-10; TCSHS Virus 5-5-10; Bai Cristobal All Stars 4-6-10; IHMS Harbingers 4-6-10; IAE Tigers 2-8-10; Bai Cristobal Stars “B” 2-8-10; BILC Phoenix 0-10-10;

**enter semis â€" Elementary-W-L-GP: HSS mini Crusaders 6-0-6**; BILC mini Phoenix 5-1-6**; BWS Golden Dragons 4-2-6**; HFNS mini Nazareth 3-3-6**; MGMS Marions 1-5-6; TCCES Cowboys 1-5-6; Bai Cristobal mini Stars 1-5-6.

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

For the month of November 2011, Bohol Dolphins swimmers joined three different swimming competitions held in 3 different places such as Batang Pinoy Games Regional Qualifying at Teves Memorial Aqua Center in Dumaguete City, Milo Little Olympics National Championships held in Lingayen, Pangasinan and the recent Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet (CVIRAA) which was held here in Tagbilaran City hosted by the Bohol Provincial Government.

For the Batang Pinoy Games, November 12-13, 2011, Job Vincent Aseniero got the silver in 50 meter breast stroke and bronze for 100 meter breast stroke while Emma Alexandrite Duroy got the bronze medal for 50 meter fly.

In the Milo Little Olympics Championship, Nov. 19-20, 2011, representing Visayas Region, Job Vincent Aseniero got two silver medals in 4x50 IM Relay and 4x100 IM relay and 1 bronze medal in 100 meter breast stroke. Another qualifier was Kaye Lizlie Paredes, a 4th grader from Bohol Wisdom School and Emma Sapphire Duroy, still a 5th grader from the University of Bohol. Moreover, Visayas Region again grabbed as the over-all champion for three consecutive years.

And for the CVIRAA (swimming event), which was successfully conducted last Nov. 29 and 30, 2011, representing Tagbilaran City, Job Vincent Aseniero, elementary boys division again grabbed medals, he has 2 gold medals for 50 and 100 meter breast stroke, a silver medal in 4x50 medley relay, and a bronze medal for 200 meter IM. Another player in elementary boys, Caedmon Rodriguez got 3 silver medals for his 400 meter freestyle, 100 meter butterfly and 4x50 medley relay. Emma Sapphire Duroy, elementary girls division, also got a silver medal for their 4x50 freestyle relay and a bronze medal for her 200 meter freestyle. Gabrielle Manigque, elementary boys, a first time CVIRAA player also got a silver medal for their 4x50 medley relay. Representing Bohol province, swimmers Shane Pareja got a bronze medal for her 400 meter freestyle while Jo Lester Molina and Jay Clifford Fernandez for the secondary boys division both got 2 bronze medals for their 4x50 meters IM relay and 4x100 meters IM relay. Players Job Vincent Aseniero and Caedmon Rodriguez are now sure qualifiers for the Palarong Pambansa representing Central Visayas Region to be held in May 2012.

Published by the Bohol Chronicle

MIAMI, FLORIDA â€" known as one of the famous vacation destination in the world, this beautiful coastal city situated at the southernmost part of the USA is the class reunion and joint birthday celebration destination for HSS High School Batch '88. They flew in from different places to board the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where a myriad of indulgent pleasures await on a 5-day sail to islands of the Bahamas. The birthday celebrants made the huge 2,700 passenger ship their home for days as it was a literally floating city in itself. Pampered with the many great amenities onboard in 14 different decks of the ship, they all experienced a luxurious playground in the midst of sparkling deep waters leading to the North Atlantic Ocean.

NASSAU, a British Commonwealth was their first stop. This port is known for its colonial charm, easygoing atmosphere, warm smiles and balmy breezes. Also branded as the resort mecca of the Bahamas, the birthday cruisers left the busy harbour to embark on an exclusive and extensive group island tour to see historical sites such as the Fort Fincastle built in 1796 by Lord Denmore, then to the Queen's Staircase, which was named in honor of Queen Victoria with 65 steps carved out of solid limestone to symbolize the years of the Queen's reign. A visit in Nassau would not be complete without setting foot at the highly rated resort, the Atlantis, which many consider a paradise in itself. The vast well-kept grounds of this popular holiday destination will take more than a couple of days to completely savor. There were unlimited things to explore inside and outside this ultimate and impressive tropical oasis. To spice up the day, trying the flavorful Bahamian conch fritters prepared by a renowned local eatery was a must. Shopping time for souvenirs was never missed before heading to the northern side of Paradise Island to enjoy the lovely beach filled with fellow tourists trying on many exciting water sports and nature friendly outdoor activities.

COCOCAY, BAHAMAS, a secluded island surrounded by gentle, translucent waters of the Caribbean was the ship's mid-week exploration agenda. Beach lovers blissfully basked the white-sand shores which was exclusively reserved for the cruising guests only. A wholesome adventure filled the day as the energetic ladies tried some exhilarating sea excursions such as parasailing, kayaking and snorkeling while some explored the private isle's nature trail after which they made themselves content just laying back underneath the palm trees lining the beachfront while exchanging great stories, reminiscing sweet memories and admiring the breathtaking view of the vast blue ocean.

KEY WEST, FLORIDA, the next equally interesting port on the cruise itinerary is one city of character with its many striking landmarks. The ruby birthday celebrants agreed to take a comprehensive tour of the island covering countless points of interest where the mid-size town trolley conveniently made stops to the must-see local attractions. The group's seasoned marathoners didn't want to leave Key West without making a trail mark from their running shoes at the awesome coastal stretch of the island. The historic downtown of the Keys region had so much to offer in terms of sightseeing, shopping and dining. An appetizing lunch at a famous restaurant serving authentic Cuban cuisine was not to be missed. After all, they were in a U.S. territory closest to Cuban capital of Havana.

There was no dull moment on board the enormous Majesty of the Seas cruise ship. The ladies explored every corner of it and joined in almost every daytime and nighttime event. No one ever felt tired despite being up and on the go even past midnight in succession. There were nearly 10 restaurants and cafes that offered everyone's food cravings for both casual and fine dining alike. The gourmet dishes served daily by the courteous crew were an added bonus to the special birthday getaway. The spa and gym were always open to accommodate anyone's desire to stay fit and hitting the dance floor was never a bad idea to help burn the calories gained from the 24-hour sumptuous and lavishly extravagant food fest aboard the gigantic cruiseline.

If one ever feels like spending quality siesta time, the open decks were the best spot to get the fresh scent of the ocean and there were a few comfortable lounges with live music of anyone's taste….. be it blues, jazz, pop and classic serenades, they can surely satisfy the soul. Every evening ashore, the cruiseship's theater entertainment was filled with a variety of live show surprises including grand musical numbers, amazing magician and comedian acts combined with international singing talents, colorful productions and upbeat dance performances.

A nice and memorable birthday dinner was celebrated at a nationally distinguished steakhouse in Miami after which the birthday celebrants headed to glittering South Beach, the cosmopolitan city by the bay with unrivaled nightlife for another fun escapade.

The luxurious ambiance of a hotel masterpiece made the cruisers' Miami experience even more pleasurable. A carefree and casually informal birthday blast was also celebrated with the ladies favorite hors d'oeuvres coupled with fine champagne and light spirits in one of the superb oceanview guest suites of the Trump International Beach Resort, where they stayed to experience nothing but only the best that the stunning city has to offer. With the beach just a few meters away, it was perfectly located for an early sunrise group run and leisurely walk to feel the cool ocean breeze or to simply unwind while dipping at the many choices of pools within Trump's 5-star resort.

Prior to bidding farewell and parting ways, the birthday celebrants offered a thanksgiving mass at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in gratitude for being granted the best of health, lifelong enduring friendships, and for the safe and successful get-together. Born 40 summers ago, Batch '88 couldn't let the great year 2011 go by without a special celebration as they brace themselves in welcoming another chapter of their lives.

Everyone could only wish that the fun-filled week will never end as the group treasured every moment shared during their grand 40th birthday bash. Flying back together to Los Angeles, California were Peachy Concon-Dano, Gladys Seroje and Nathalie Varquez. The next batch bound for Illinois were Melissa Melicor-Saile and Edna Parmisano-Varquez. Charity Decasa-Tumanan took a solo flight back to Las Vegas, Nevada and the winning attendees from the big state of Texas namely Michelle Bomediano-Baticados, Jonah Graciosa, Anna Liza Pasok-Inocando, Olivia Pacana and Maria Luisa Salisid-Rufila deserve to be rewarded for a well represented region during this remarkable Batch '88 trip.

By Bohol Chronicle

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) - Bohol Chapter spearheads the local celebration of the 2011 National Architecture Week (NAW) on December 4-7, 2011.

With the theme "Architecture and the Allied Arts", this year's observance aims to help the architect be more aware and conscientious of the potentials of a multi-disciplinary collaboration to the profession, and be more understanding of the issues and demands surrounding the professional practice.”

UAP Bohol led by Chapter President Arch. Joseph Hector Balonda, UAP begins their weeklong celebration today with a Holy Mass at the Island City Mall.

Following a motorcade around the city, a 2011 NAW Architecture Exhibit, showcasing the works of member architects, as well as student works, will be unveiled on Monday, December 5, 2011, 10:00AM at the 4th Level of the BQ Mall. The exhibit will run until Friday, December 9, 6PM, after which a Benefit Reggae Rock Concert featuring bands of member architects, top billed by the popular reggae band Brownbuds, with Tinta and SERJ as opening acts.

Other National Architecture Week highlights include product presentations with partner institutions, an outreach program, sports fest, and a fellowship day. Contact: Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, Mobile: 0917.724.2502; Email: lizamacalandag@gmail.com

By Bohol Chronicle

The Alturas Group of Companies once again expresses its benevolence and concern for the less fortunate Boholanos by making monetary donations of P137,702 to the three beneficiaries, the top-rated radio program “Tagbilaran-By-Nite” of DYRD, Sunshine Home, and the Free Clinics.

Alturas top management, headed by Alturas PR Manager, Loy M. Palapos, turned-over the P100,000 check to anchorman Jerry Pabi of DYRD, while a P20,000 check was also given to Sunshine Home, an orphanage managed by Catholic Women's League (CWL) Foundation Inc., when the Alturas Group of Companies also renewed its commitment to help the street children.

A subsidized amount of P17,702 goes to the Free Clinics, an annual medical outreach project were thousands of patients availed themselves of free medication and consultation.

The P117,702 total donations were the bulk of the gross proceeds in the ticket sales of the highly successful Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown 2011, which was held last November 26, at the CPG Sports Complex.

The Alturas Group of Companies has to date donated hundreds of thousands of pesos to DYRD's “Tagbilaran-By-Night” and Sunshine Home. The donations are given annually and are used as monetary aid to helpless folks, especially those who turn to the radio station to seek assistance. Most pleas for help involve urgent or emergency cases like hospitalization and medicine purchases for indigent Boholanos.

By ARIEL E. FULLIDO

Gear up for the holiday season with savings galore as Island City Mall holds a 3-Day Holiday Sale on December 9, 10 and 11, with up to 50 percent discounts are given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Department and participating tenant shops.

On December 10, Saturday, more discount giveaways are in store for everyone as Island City Mall will extend its shopping hours until 11 PM. The children's favorite TV mighty heroes, Power Rangers, will visit the mall during the sale this Saturday and Sunday, 3 PM, at the Activity Center.

Another sale event, the first elimination round of a choral competition sponsored by Sun Cellular, will take place after the Power Ranger Mall Tour at 5 PM, at the Activity Center. Six competing choral groups will scramble for a place in the Grand Finals on December 23.

Alturas Supermarket and Alturas-Talibon will also hold a separate 3-Day Holiday Sale on December 15, 16, and 17, and at Plaza Marcela on December 19, 20 and 21, with the same big discounts of up to 50% are given away on great selections at the Home & Fashion Department.

By Bohol Chronicle

BOHOL's three congressmen are set to file tomorrow or Tuesday a bill seeking to rename the Bohol Circumfential Road into the Pres. Garcia Circumferential Road.

The move honors the memory of the lone Boholano who went on to become president of the Philippines.

Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd District), principal author of the bill, said the document is ready for the signatures of Reps. Rene Relampagos (1st District) and Arthur Yap (3rd District).

Garcia hails from Talibon town on Bohol's north coast, 148 kilometers from the capital, Tagbilaran City. The town is along the Tagbilaran North Road (TNR) that goes from Tagbilaran in the southwest tip of the fist-shaped island, to Ubay town on the northeast tip. The other "half" of the circumferential road that goes east from Tagbilaran to Candijay town, then north to Ubay is known as the Tagbilaran East Road (TER).

Both are "arterial roads" as identified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that also gave the names.

Aumentado had worked for upgrading into concrete roads from gravel or asphalt in the two-phase Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project (BCRIP) that he steered into realization during his previous uninterrupted three three-year terms as congressman. He was governor of Bohol for an unprecedented three terms or another nine years before bagging the congressional seat in the 2ndDistrict again in 2010.

In the bill's explanatory note, Aumentado said Pres. Garcia was an outstanding public servant during his time.

The former President started his political career as congressman of the 3rd District - now the 2nd District of Bohol. He went on to become governor, then senator and vice president before becoming president.

He died while in the service of the country as first president of the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

A statesman, diplomat, nationalist and father of the Filipino First Policy, poet laureate and exemplary public servant who had not enriched himself in office, Garcia deserves to be perpetuated in memory by renaming the circumferential road after him, Aumentado explained, hence the bill.

By Bohol Chronicle

A total of 2,845,376 seedlings of various tree species have been planted in the entire Central Visayas with corresponding total allotment of P13,830,000 in connection with the National Greening Program of President Benigno Aquino III, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office VII.

The DENR accomplishment report delivered as part of the agenda of the full council meeting of the Regional Development Council held last week at the Bohol Tropics Resort Club posted a whopping 97 percent of the total 5,443 hectares planted out of the targeted 5,632 hectares.

The report said that the ambitious greening project was a success and could be considered sustainable based on indicators, such as high participation rate of the people's organizations, private agencies aside from government agencies and local government units in planting and maintenance. It said that the planted seedlings survival rate was placed at 85 percent healthy within the 3-5 month period of cultivation.

Total number of seedlings production in CV was placed at 3,756,997 out of 2,816,000 seedlings targeted or 133 percent attainment. Estimated cost of cultivating each seedling is pegged at P11 while the planting and monitoring activities at P2,455/hectare and P150.90/hectare, respectively, the report said.

Negros Oriental province had the bulk of planting tree seedlings with a total of 1,155,587 or 99 percent in1,853 hectares; Cebu, 945,081 or 100 percent in 1,957 has.; Bohol, 644,708 or 92 percent in1,433 hectares; and Siquijor, 100,000 or 80 percent in 200 hectares.

Accomplishments of each province in the region varied in terms of seeds availability, kind of materials requirement, capabilities/attitudes of participating entities, climactic condition, distance of planting sites, release of funds, mobility hauling of seedling materials, manpower requirement, planting sites within the protected areas requires indigenous species and involvement of the local government units.