Questionable Tagbilaran Agora Market Building Contract?

The generated few weeks ago about the controversial Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer (ROT) contract to finish the Agora market building had died down but the mystery remains as the city council appears not touching the issue with a 10-foot pole.

Is it grossly disadvantageous to the city government, the multi-million question remained.

City Councilor Edgar Kapirig, who had carved a personality as another city hall critic said he is not interested on the issue and considers the contract above board and regular since he was among those city council members of the 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod who approved the contract in 2007.

"I was silent on the Agora ROT contract but I will not also oppose a plan to review the said contract if the city council decides to do so," Kapirig said.

Earlier, fellow councilor Zenaido "Jingo" Rama asked his colleagues in the council to "revisit" the contract entered into by the city government with private contractor JL Apostol Enterprises.

According to him, being a neophyte member of the city council, he cannot answer

questions regarding the contract raised by many constituents.

On March 7, 2007 the 9th SP adopted Resolution No. 07-39, S. 07 –Granting Authority to City Mayor Dan Lim to enter into a contract with JL Apostol Enterprises, Inc. winning bidder of the ROT Scheme.

The same city council reviewed the Summary of the Comments on the Proposed Contract on March 19, 2007. The ROT Contract was officially confirmed by the City Council through Resolution No. 07-44, Series of 2007 on March 21, 2007.

The contract was signed on the same day by the City Mayor and contractor JL Apostol, curiously 52 days before the May 14, 2007 synchronized national and local elections.

The agreed rental in the ROT contract of P5 million per year that will translate to only about P41 per square meter per month is considered too low noting that there are even vacant lots far from CPG Avenue (the main city commercial hub) which are currently renting P100 per square meter per month.

Such observations were joined by former governor Atty. Victor dela Serna who noted that the Agora lot is probably the most expensive piece of real estate in Bohol.

"At current valuation, it could be easily be worth P50,000 per square meter or P500 million because the lot is almost one hectare (8,000+ sq.m.). A rent of P41/month is too low in relation to the value of the property," he said.

Also pointed out is that there was already an existing structure (unfinished work funded by city and national sources) on the site which itself is worth P24 million. The present rehabilitation utilizes the existing edifice making the investment of the developer minimal compared to the huge expected earnings from renters.

Some estimates say the ROT investment of only P80-million to complete the building will be recovered in just 3 years and all throughout the next 22 years will become whooping profit to the investors.

Another alleged flaw is that there is no escalation clause in the supposed share of P5-million to the city government which has a lifetime of 25 years.

City mayor Dan Lim said he is willing to answer issues in any forum, including in radio programs hosted by his staunch critics.

Bol-anon Soldier Dies in MILF War

 A soldier of Boholano descent was one of the fatalities during an encounter between Muslim rebels and government troops last week in Tipo-tipo, Basilan.

 The clash took place two days before the ARMM elections.

 Reports reaching the Post yesterday said that Sgt. Carl Tavares, 34, of the Philippine Army was a native of Tubigon town. He was killed during an encounter with rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

 The wife of the late army sergeant is a native of Laya, Baclayon identified as Zyda Tavares. She flown to Basilan immediately after she learned that her husband was wounded in battle. Her husband died later from bullet wounds. The widow is a teacher of the Laya Elem. School.

 The fallen soldier was flown from Basilan to Cotabato City. The wife is now in Cotabato awaiting a C-130 plane that will bring her husband's remains to Bohol.

 Meanwhile, a Comelec official who was deputized during the ARMM elections last Monday  recounted how he heard bursts of gunfire near  the house he was living.

 Lawyer Eleseo Lavaria, provincial Comelec supervisor was assigned in Basilan during the ARMM polls.

 He suspected that the volley of gunfire could be the result of sporadic skirmishes between soldiers and MILF rebels. - Sunday Post, Bohol

NBI Mining Site Raid Angers Philippine Governor

By Bohol Sunday Post

The  two top elective officials of Bohol were reported to have been angered by a raid carried out recently by agents of the local National Bureau of Investigation on a mining site in barangay Katipunan,  Anda town.

 The mining site was contested by two claimants and according to a report submitted by Police Senior Supt. Edgardo Ingking, provincial director of the Bohol Police Command and co-chair of Task Force Kabukiran, a certain Sofronio Simaco possessed a legitimate permit of the area.

 Reports reaching the Post revealed that it was upon the behest of Domingo Chua that the raid was conducted.

 Chua was said to have owned  the mining claim of Simaco. He is the same Chua who was in the news last year after he was discovered to have possessed almost all of the mining claims in Bohol. In the Anda claim, Chua uses the name Hench Mining Service Development Corp. and this is just one of the mining companies he owns under different dummies.

 Subsequent investigation showed that Simaco was said to have fronted for Anda Mayor Paul Amper.  The mayor's live-in partner is known as Angelina Simaco and her relation with the mining claimant was not determined in the police report.

 As the news of the  raid  filtered in,  it was reported that Gov. Erico Aumentado and V-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera balked at the idea of NBI agents carrying out the raid without coordination with Task Force Kabukiran whose chairman is the governor himself.

 The two officials were irked after they learned that the local NBI was trying to put one  over them.

 Losing no time, Aumentado and Herrera separately called up the office of  NBI Regional Director Medardo de Lemos telling him to discipline his men or else they would work for the abolition of the NBI office in Bohol.

 It was also learned that following the NBI operations, Supt.Ingking called a technical conference among members of the task force. The meeting was called to look into circumstances that led to the NBI raid. Among those who attended the meeting were lawyer Ramilo Guinto and Teodoro Saavedra of the NBI, Renato Villaber of the Bohol Environment and Management Office and Rosalina Gaterin of the department of environment and natural resources.

 It was in that meeting also that Ingking learned of Simaco's legitimate claim of the Anda mine site.

 When asked to explain the raid, the NBI admitted that it was upon the instance of Chua that it was conducted. The NBI also reported during the same meeting that it noticed a discrepancy in the actual site as compared to the permitted extraction site to the permitee based on their ocular inspection. To resolve the issue, the NBI recommended that the extraction site for the permitee (Simacio) be clearly determined.

 With the legitimate claim of the permittee ascertained, Ingking recommended that the mining operation of Simacio be allowed to continue unhampered. The mining site is known to have vast deposit of manganese ore.

 When sought for his reaction regarding the raid, lawyer Alexander Lim, legal counsel of Chua,  said that his client is yet to issue a statement regarding the NBI operations on Chua's claim that he also owns the mining right of the Katipunan  mining area..

 HERRERA STATEMENT

 Meanwhile, in a statement, V-Gov. Herrera said that his reaction to the NBI raid  was dedicated to the proposition that he was for the protection of the interest of the province and that of the quarry permit-holder.

 The NBI raid resulted in the seizure of  extracted manganese ore in Anda without coordination with Task Force Kabukiran.  TFK was created to curb indiscriminate illegal logging and quarrying in the province so the environment may be preserved or protected.

 The vice-governor in a radio interview last week said that the  NBI's action was deplorable against a legitimate permit-holder, adding that the NBI should have coordinated with TFK prior to the raid considering that it is a member of the TFK.

 He lamented that NBIs inappropriate action has contributed to the growing public outcry and distrust to the government because of government abuses. In attaining a certain degree of success in whatever government project or activity being undertaken for the people, government agencies should put their acts together, he said.

 CROSSFIRE

 The provincial government appeared to have been caught in a business feud between two manganese businessmen.

 A reliable source said the quarrel began when  a Manila-based manganese buyer shifted its attention to buying the mineral deposit in Anda town from Hench Mining Service Development Corp. (HMSDC), which has quarry operations in Candijay.

 It was not known what made the buyer change his mind. But the source quoted unconfirmed reports that the shift was triggered after HMSDC was found to have "illegally" mined the manganese site in barangay Panas, Candijay town.

 In his letter to Gov.  Aumentado, Kagawad Elmer Hinautan of barangay Panas, Candijay town asked the governor to revoke the small scale mining permit issued to HMSDC for illegal extraction of manganese. Similarly, Liga ng mga Barangay federated president Arlene A. Caadlawon, an ex-officio member of the Candijay Sangguniang Bayan, also urged the governor to cancel and stop the  mining activity in the town because "no municipal resolution has ever been granted" to the alleged permitee.

 Bohol Environment Management Office head Engr.  Villaber said in a separate interview said that Aumentado has already halted HMSDC from extracting manganese in Candijay.

 It could not be ascertained whether HMSDC had "deputized" the NBI to raid the Anda manganese operations seemingly because of business competition. Herrere said that the NBI should not have been allowed  to be used by some vested interest if indeed it was allegedly being "tapped" to raid the mining operations owned by a certain Sofronio Simacio of Anda.

 Villaber said that the governor upheld Simacio's extraction because it has legitimate documents to support mine operations. He also said that following the NBI's raid, TFK has released the confiscated cargo trucks and restore  Simacio's mine operations.

 BLAME GAME

 "Blame" is the name of the game between the provincial government and the Cebu-based Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding the proliferation of the quarry operations in the province.

 It appeared that both were accusing each other regarding the way the issuance of the permit to quarry that led to the unabated illegal extraction activities in the province.

 The province and the DENR based here noted that a lot of pre-requisite documents have been processed and issued by the MGB without the knowledge of the former. One of these pre-requisites, DENR Tagbilaran said, is the needed consultation with and favorable endorsement of the locality just like what happened in Candijay.

 In its letter to the governor, the MGB asked the provincial government to stop issuing special permits because "it has somehow contributed to the difficulty in the management of mining or quarry activities in the province" unless standard procedures are being followed.

 The Sangguniang Panlalawigan did not take the issue sitting down and passed on June 2008 a Resolution urging the MGB to stop processing applications for mining operations prior to issuance to permit exclusively by the governor, said board member Alfonso Damalerio II, environment protection committee chairman.

 He said that the demand for the MGB to freeze the applications processing was prompted until such time that the Bohol Small-scale Mining Ordinance he proposed is approved by the SP.

 The demand is also an answer to the clamor of the local government units where there are quarry operations, Damalerio said.

 Meanwhile, the Bohol Small-Scale Mining Ordinance amending the Provincial Ordinance No. 61 of 1993, regulating quarry operations in the province is being deliberated last week during the second reading. (With reports from Ric Obedencio) 

Tyranny of Number at Sangguniang Panglungsud

 A last ditch heroic of a Sangguniang Panglungsud opposition  member was no match to the tyranny of numbers as the city law making body Friday  tackled the request of City Mayor Dan Neri Lim  for an authority to apply for a  loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

 Voting 8-4, the majority block used its superior force to shot down the proposal of opposition lawmaker Bibiano Inting to defer the request for any further deliberation considering the tricky complications surrounding the loan application. Inting rallied his colleagues to refer the proposal to the committee on appropriations but to no avail.

 A majority member Lucio Balbin crossed party lines to join the minority but his vote was compensated with that of Kagawad Edgar Kapirig who was earlier believed to keel over to the opposition.

 The three other opposition votes were that of Kagawads Zenaido Rama, Mariquit Anne Oppus and Inting.

 After a tumultuous debate of the issue, Councilor Oscar Glovasa, appropriations committee chair,  moved to divide the house. With the outcome becoming predictable, the minority already knew that the inevitable was going to happen-- defeat of monstrous proportion. It also  sounded the death knell of the opposition's chances of buying time to deliberate the loan application before the dreaded  division of the house was resorted to as  the aces up the sleeves of the SP majority.

 When the voting pattern was determined showing the lopsided results, the resolution authorizing the city mayor to negotiate a loan with DBP  was carried out.

 As the smoke of partisan skirmish subsided, Kagawad Edgar Bompat, majority floor leader, stood up to rationalize why the SP authority was needed to authorize Mayor Lim to apply for the DBP loan. He said with the authority, the mayor is now free to implement major infrastructure projects which had been languishing in the drawing board for quite a time.

 Among the flagship projects  lined up by the mayor are the Water Treatment Facility, Solid Waste Management all located in Taloto and the concreting of city roads.

 Earlier, Mayor Lim sought an SP approval of a DBP loan from P500,000.00 to P 1 billion, but when his request was deliberated Friday the final amount was P450,000.00. (With reports from Sen Guingguing) - Sunday Post

Barangay Justice System

By Jun Espiritu
Jagna, Bohol, Philippines

    Even after so many years of practice, barangay governance is still hazy. There are4 so many gray areas and it needs legal minds to wade through procedural mine fields. One of the areas barangay must blunder about is the Barangay Justice System. Without any legal background, officials concerned cannot distinguish between procedural and substantive law. They have to play it by the ear. Everything oido as the saying goes.

     Of course most of those officials know that capital crimes like arson, sedition, homicide, murder, rape, drug pushing and kidnapping among others are beyond barangay jurisdiction. If the barangay official knows, the constituent doers not know. He will insist that the barangay must first hear his charge of kidnapping, which, even the Municipal Circuit Trial Court may not be able to handle. If the barangay official refuses, he is accused of bias. Heck, man, where do we go from here?

     In case of theft, very few barangay justice officials know the distinction between qualified theft and simple theft. How much must be stolen when the case will no longer in the hands of the barangay? How can we classify physical injuries? What level of injury must the victim experience to make it slight, less serious and serious and how serious is an injury that it can be no longer in the barangay jurisdiction? Can a doctor's certificate be accepted as circumstantial evidence? Those are but a few instances in substantive law, which barangay justice officials have to know.

     In the procedural side, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. A complaint is filed. The barangay treasurer just accepts the fee even if he does not know if the barangay is competent to handle the case. At any rate since the official receipt is issued, the barangay is forced to handle the case.

     Of course, there is the confrontation. The basic rule is; the accuser must be the first to speak. He has to state his case. What follows is unpredictable. If the accused sees his error, he asks for pardon and if the accuser requires amends, a negotiation follows. Usually it is successful. They agree and shake hands.

     On the other hand if the accuser is unscrupulous and he knows that his statement is not under oath or since the minutes of the confrontation cannot be used in court, he may lie and cheat. Then the accused may not wait for his turn and rebut the accuser. An argument erupts and if the barangay official is intimidated, everything is thrown not only including the fabled kitchen sink but also the toilet bowl.

     Ok, war is declared. Litigants if we may call them that agree to raise to case higher authorities, in this case PNP first. A Lupon permit to file action is issued. Sometimes the PNP refuses to accept the case. The case has to be remanded to the barangay Pangkat Tagapagkasundo. But it is already moot and academic, both parties agreed to go to war. But the law is the law so to the Pangkat they all go. The litigants reaffirm the war declaration and this time the Pangkat issues the permit to file the case, which the police now accept.

     Some barangay official just go through the motions but some want to follow the dotted line. But there are no dotted lines drawn up for them. Perhaps it is about time to give seminars to all concerned, the barangay Lupon and Pangkat members. The PNP should be included so they can agree on the proper steps to be followed.
    

The Story of Diosdado C. Salvador Jr

When he retired from Johnson & Johnson four years ago, Diosdado C. Salvador Jr. was just  57 and he was more than ready to for another stint in business. So attractive was he, that Salvador immediately received offers right and left.  A guru of salesmanship cannot just simply have his talents go to waste because of retirement.

 Salvador had the luxury of choices. Being former president of Johnson & Johnson Asean, a position wherein it was his responsibility for the development, control, profitability, growth and efficient management of 10 markets.

 At one point, Salvador accepted an offer from a huge local beauty products company but then when he told Cecilio Pedro, the founder of Lamoiyan Corp., manufacturers of Hapee toothpaste, that he was scheduled to join  the beauty products firm. Pedro persuaded Salvador to join Lamoiyan.

 At that time, Salvador and Pedro had an informal arrangement where the former executive of a multi national company (MNC) would work as sales and marketing consultant for Lamoiyan three days a week.

 Although the offers of other firms were more tempting, Salvador's family decided for him.

 "My wife said that Pedro is a walking statement of my want to serve the country," Salvador said. "Since I worked for 35 years in a foreign company, it is only proper to help a Filipino company fight it out with foreign multinational companies."

 Lamoiyan ranks third in toothpaste market in the Philippines. The two other familiar brands are  Colgate-Palmolive, makers of Colgate, and Unilever, manufacturers of Close-up. These are the two popular brands in the country for toothpaste.

 Hapee toothpaste was not taken a serious competitor by these multinationals when it started out in 1988.

 The management handling Hapee toothpaste only managed to inch a dint in the toothpaste industry when they spent  for the Philippine teaming the 1988 Olympics.

 The multinationals srowded the market for many years, and it was a decided fact that it would take a lot of capital and efforts to compete with the market Colgate is like Kodak or Exerox as it is synonymous to toothpaste; and Close-up was decidedly second place.

  Salvador faced this challenge  when he joined Pedro to share a bigger share of the toothpaste market for Hapee.

 Initially, Pedro discovered that Hapee was not improving its share in the market and innovated to improve the market share. By improving marketing techniques and product development.

 To buttress product development, the company hired a retiring Colgate Palmolive executive Zeny Soriano who readily agreed to join Lamoiyan.

  Salvador then proceeded to form a new marketing team with a rather ambitious aims. Sales then improved four times when compared to the past five years.  New products, more advertising and improvements in the plant helped the firm's success.

 Among the major steps taken was advertising. In late 2004, Campaigns and Grey was tapped to handle Hapee.

 Salvador says Lamoiyan came up with new toothpaste variants, like Extreme Clean which targets the young.

 Also, the Night and Day variant, which claims to provide the user with fresher breath in the morning. Then there is Complete, Lamoiyan's answer to Colgate's Total.

 To make it more attractive, Salvador changed the packaging of the toothpaste.

 Salvador also pursued the lower-end market. Lamoiyan has gained tremendous strength in the toothpaste sachet market. He explains that the toothpaste market is divided between users of tubes and sachets. In the past, only 25 percent of the market used sachets. In 2006, this has grown to 35 percent and is expected to further grow as people downsize their purchases in view of rising commodity prices.

 The sachet market was initially dominated by the two MNCs. This, Salvador says, despite the fact that Lamoiyan was selling its 10 ml. sachets for only P2.50, while the two were selling their 10 ml. for P7.

 He realized that the Lamoiyan packaging was smaller than the others. But the truth was, the Hapee sachets contained more toothpaste than what Lamoiyan's competitors had in their respective packets.

 To address the issue, Salvador says they made twin packs which they then sold for P5. From 200 cases a month in 2004, he says sales increased to 60,000 cases a month last year and is expected to hit 100,000 this year.

 Salvador emphasized the sachet market is very crucial. "This is the way to reach the poor."

 He also cites a Department of Education study that showed  how half the time, children from kindergarten to Grade 3 tend to miss class due to dental caries or cavities.

 Studies showed that if the children were to brush their teeth once a day the incidence of cavities would drop to 27 percent but it could be still reduced by half if they were to brush their teeth twice a day. And obviously more sales for Hapee.  Salvador says the margins in sachets are very minimal, but "it is Cecilio Pedro's social marketing."

 "He told me, you make more money in tubes. For as long as we do not lose, we will continue with this."

 The struggle to slug it out with MNCs is not just difficult in terms of the brand power the bigger firms enjoy, nor the capital backing them up. There is also the efficiency in operations to consider. With an efficiently run operation, costs may be brought down. The MNCs set up production facilities where it is cheapest and most efficient for them.

 "We can easily bring manufacturing to Vietnam or China, as we did with J&J and save a lot, but Cecilio does not want this," Salvador points out. "We have to help provide employment."

 Lamoiyan is one of the few firms that employs disabled individuals. Lamoiyan mostly employs deaf and mute workers. Salvador, who is used to the rigid systems of MNCs, is the first to admit that lack of communication can be a major stumbling block.

 But he says Pedro's policy cannot be changed.

 Today, Salvador is proud that people are now talking of three toothpaste brands, unlike in the past where they used to only consider two.

 The goal is to achieve a 25-percent market share by 2010. But Salvador is confident that the firm will exceed its goal.

 One of the factors that helped the firm achieve growth so fast is that it is a small company, and decision making is quicker.

 "It takes 18 to 24 months for MNCs to move."

Election in ARMM Mindanao

     Election in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is over. For the first time in the Philippines, computers had been used in the exercise. The Commission on Elections pronounced the process a qualified success. There were claims of cheating but that could not be helped. The ARMM election could only be considered a site test. Kinks are still to be ironed out.

     As long as the automated part in the process is concerned, it is perfect. Once information, this means all the data items in the record, which is the vote in this case, us entered, it is stored in a file ready for tabulation and summarization, with proper safeguards it can no longer be tampered. There is no error in the entered data since there is automatic conversion into code of the entered data. The flaw lies in the control of the data entry.

     Two types of machines had been used. One is the Direct Recording Electronic, DRE, and the other is the OMR, Optical Mark Reader. The former uses the touch screen process while the latter uses the optical scanner. Both processes have been perfected in common practice. The DRE employs a simplified version of the mouse operation in the use of the Windows operating system. Instead of using the cursor to point at the desired icon and pressing the entry button, a finger is used to press the icons, which include the names and pictures of the candidates in the screen before the entry button is pressed. The program can reject the record entry if the voter presses more than the required number of candidates. The voter may cancel the entry if a mistake is made and start again until the record entry, which is his vote in this case, is perfected.

     The OMR uses the process that had been used in checking examinations. A spot before the name and picture of the candidate is fully shaded. Voters are warned not to shade more than the required number as excess shades may invalidate the record. While there may be no invalid votes in the DRE, there could be many in the OMR since only one ballot is given to a voter and the voting is confidential.

     The flaw lies in the voting process; this must be strictly controlled by precinct officials. Since identity check of voters are left to election personnel, flying voters may be made to vote with the connivance of manipulators and crooked precinct officials. Only a rigid finger print check can prevent this. A systems designer would recommend inclusion of a file of right thumb marks of voters of that particular precinct in the DRE or OMR program and installing a fingerprint reader used in timekeeping machines to check voters identities.

     Reporting in the ARMM elections is not yet fully real time, which is understandable. DREs and OMRs are hauled from each precinct to municipal counting centers to be tabulated and summarized. From there, results are beamed to provincial capitals and to Comelec. Manila. At least, this is a great improvement over the old system. With DREs ballot box snatching are things of the past. Records and files in the missing DREs and OMRs can be rejected.

     With instant communications, election results may be sent to municipal centers from remote precincts using dedicated communications lines in wireless communications. If all processes like totalisation, tabulation, summarization and transmission become strictly automated at a required deadline, no vote manipulation would be possible. Installation and perfection of an automated voting system may be costly but these are only first time costs and benefits are high and long lasting. Any administration would have full trust of the people and should they lose that trust, they can be easily replaced if the Constitution allows.

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Seminar for All Lawyers

This coming September 8 to 11, 2008, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Bohol chapter, in close coordination with the University of the Philippines (UP), Institute on Judicial Administration, will be holding a 36- units Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) seminar for all lawyers, prosecutors and judges at the Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel, this city. 

      Attendance in the full course legal education of 36- units is in compliance with the en-banc Supreme Court mandate addressed to all members of the IBP. While there are those who are exempted from attendance such as governors, congressmen and mayors while in office, the high court makes it compulsory for all other lawyers to attend the seminar under pain of being prohibited from the practice of law.

      The IBP has already dispatched letters of invitation to all those required to attend, and we do hope that as the incumbent president of the organization, our Boholano lawyers will be able to participate in this mandated course.

      Lawyers are known to be vanguards of justice and freedom. And true freedom is found in obedience to the mandates of the Supreme Court in the matter of the practice of law and attendance in the dynamic and continuing legal education program mandated by the highest court of the land.

Karma for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?

By Boy Guingguing

Gabaan lagi na?  This is one sigh of surrender when somebody calls it quits because he is overwhelmed by frustration for not getting his way.

Yes gaba, is there such a thing? If so, then what calls to mind was the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers to our fellow Filipinos during the last war.

Gaba or karma if there was such a thing during World War II, then how many Japanese men would have suffered in pain if they were inflicted with it. No historian has ever come forward to document the same although the victims may have suffered in silence.

Whatever, let us dissect karma under the modern setting. Lest you call me a hypocrite. But before you do it, let me put it on record that this Bglante is a believer of karma. To recall,  many times in past columns, did I admit without any equivocation or mental reservation that I was a victim of karma.

How else explain the fact when I was afflicted with a debilitating disease (renal failure) without considering the mortal sins I have committed. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, how do you size up a person who treat women like pieces of merchandise.

Now that I am a "good boy", I can say without fear of running afoul with my wife rigid warning that any  attempt the second time around will be dealt with more severely. 

Before we get lost with the real intent of this essay, let me make it clear that our main beef here is how karma threatens President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if she is bent on holding on to power after 2010.

Will she remain unscatch even if she is now suspected of tinkering the Constitution through the revolting Cha-cha? This is where the karma factor comes in.

As things stand now, and granting that GMA has the sinister motive to perpetuate in power, why is she not afraid of courting karma, in the first place?

Wasn't it fresh in her mind what happened to Marcos when he overstayed his welcome after losing the presidency in 1986? That the dictator was being chased out of Malacanang when a mob was closing in on him was lesson  enough for an overstaying President to ponder upon.

But not GMA? Because God put her there as she used to boast while wielding the power of the presidency.

Well, there's a limit to everything. Indeed, luck still holds on GMA and this explain why she is still lording it over even if she is the most unpopular president. And even if her government is saddled with monstrous corruption.

The present political environment given GMA's  reign is dedicated to the proposition that she still enjoys the best of both worlds. For now.

Take the case of the heated debate on the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Whether one likes it or not, the GRP-MILF deal on ancestral domain works in favor of GMA.  It's a win-win solution if one tries to analyze its implication given GMA's position.            

Alright, it was against the Constitution to recognize a state within a state as contemplated in the agreement. That's exactly what  the deal is all about, and if ever it is unconstitutional, why not amend the charter to make it legal? 

What a neat cover to expose the real intent of Cha-cha? Lifting term limits of present government officials is one of them and that's what GMA is longing for.

The operative word in the agreement is peace. By the way, who doesn't want peace in Mindanao. For one, GMA's best disguise is peace because she can fabricate war if she wants to,  just to suit her diabolical agenda. Meantime, with peace the hallmark of the agreement, contending parties is in a wait and see posture, although the present situation has all the lethal components of war breaking out if the incendiary situation goes out of hand. 

War or peace in Mindanao, both scenarios play into the hands of GMA, if  term limit is the name of the game. War? The more she likes it happening because who can stop her from declaring martial law under the pretext of quelling unrest in a volatile region. Karma? Tell it to GMA so that she will stop dreaming of becoming president for life.  - BGLante Colum, Sunday Post

Karma for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?

By Boy Guingguing

Gabaan lagi na?  This is one sigh of surrender when somebody calls it quits because he is overwhelmed by frustration for not getting his way.

Yes gaba, is there such a thing? If so, then what calls to mind was the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers to our fellow Filipinos during the last war.

Gaba or karma if there was such a thing during World War II, then how many Japanese men would have suffered in pain if they were inflicted with it. No historian has ever come forward to document the same although the victims may have suffered in silence.

Whatever, let us dissect karma under the modern setting. Lest you call me a hypocrite. But before you do it, let me put it on record that this Bglante is a believer of karma. To recall,  many times in past columns, did I admit without any equivocation or mental reservation that I was a victim of karma.

How else explain the fact when I was afflicted with a debilitating disease (renal failure) without considering the mortal sins I have committed. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, how do you size up a person who treat women like pieces of merchandise.

Now that I am a "good boy", I can say without fear of running afoul with my wife rigid warning that any  attempt the second time around will be dealt with more severely. 

Before we get lost with the real intent of this essay, let me make it clear that our main beef here is how karma threatens President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo if she is bent on holding on to power after 2010.

Will she remain unscatch even if she is now suspected of tinkering the Constitution through the revolting Cha-cha? This is where the karma factor comes in.

As things stand now, and granting that GMA has the sinister motive to perpetuate in power, why is she not afraid of courting karma, in the first place?

Wasn't it fresh in her mind what happened to Marcos when he overstayed his welcome after losing the presidency in 1986? That the dictator was being chased out of Malacanang when a mob was closing in on him was lesson  enough for an overstaying President to ponder upon.

But not GMA? Because God put her there as she used to boast while wielding the power of the presidency.

Well, there's a limit to everything. Indeed, luck still holds on GMA and this explain why she is still lording it over even if she is the most unpopular president. And even if her government is saddled with monstrous corruption.

The present political environment given GMA's  reign is dedicated to the proposition that she still enjoys the best of both worlds. For now.

Take the case of the heated debate on the so-called Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. Whether one likes it or not, the GRP-MILF deal on ancestral domain works in favor of GMA.  It's a win-win solution if one tries to analyze its implication given GMA's position.            

Alright, it was against the Constitution to recognize a state within a state as contemplated in the agreement. That's exactly what  the deal is all about, and if ever it is unconstitutional, why not amend the charter to make it legal? 

What a neat cover to expose the real intent of Cha-cha? Lifting term limits of present government officials is one of them and that's what GMA is longing for.

The operative word in the agreement is peace. By the way, who doesn't want peace in Mindanao. For one, GMA's best disguise is peace because she can fabricate war if she wants to,  just to suit her diabolical agenda. Meantime, with peace the hallmark of the agreement, contending parties is in a wait and see posture, although the present situation has all the lethal components of war breaking out if the incendiary situation goes out of hand. 

War or peace in Mindanao, both scenarios play into the hands of GMA, if  term limit is the name of the game. War? The more she likes it happening because who can stop her from declaring martial law under the pretext of quelling unrest in a volatile region. Karma? Tell it to GMA so that she will stop dreaming of becoming president for life.  - BGLante Colum, Sunday Post

Talk of Philippine Charter Change

This talk about Charter Change has become a habit in this administration.

            Every time a crisis hounds it, it resurrects the Cha-Cha because it almost always draws all the attention. In the process, it deflects the issue that prompted the crisis thereby giving the Arroyo administration enough breathing spell.

            This time, the uproar was over the memorandum of agreement over the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). Government officials and civilians in the affected provinces have been coming out in droves to denounce the BJE, causing the administration to press the panic button.

            The tension must have been such that no less than the President herself let the cat out of the bag.

            True to form, the Cha-Cha drew the flaming arrows away from the BJE even as the Malacañang bright boys try to stall for time for as long as they can. Practice makes perfect and it looks like they are holding the fort respectably.

            And yet, something tells us this could be the real McCoy.

            With time inching closer to 2010, the fears that the Cha-Cha is nothing more than a ruse to extend the President's term seems more tantalizingly real than ever.

            Like the standard denial script, the Palace dismisses the fears over the term extension trap as nothing more than a baseless fear. To prove this point, they point out that the President is not interested to hold on to power beyond 2010.

            Now, there lies the problem. Except for those who have self-serving reasons to do so, few people are willing to give the President's word the benefit of the doubt. On the contrary, they hammer even more strongly on the fears this move is stoking.

            Few people forget that the President had categorically declared, during the Rizal commemoration rites no less, that she would no longer be running for office in the 2004 elections.

            Well, everybody knows what happens next. She not only reneged on that sacred promise before the tomb of the national hero, she in fact went on to hold on to power after being proclaimed in the most controversial election.

            Since the countdown to 2010 is like a time bomb waiting to explode, time is running out on the President. While she may no longer be vulnerable to another impeachment notwithstanding the controversy on the BJE MOA, a bigger threat looms in the form of a new President taking over.

            With her popularity ratings plunging deeper than any other President in Philippine history, it does not take much to realize where she would end up. She's holding on, but it seems fewer people are taking her word seriously.

            That's what you get when you don't live up to your word. - Editorial, Sunday Post

Filipino Governor Tourism Awardee

Governor Erico Aumentado recently added another feather to his already heavily decorated hat – in the field of tourism anew, this time from the 888 News Forum of Cebu City.

  The 24-member 888 News Forum – eight members each from the print, radio and TV media – with the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) Cebu chapter organized the search and subsequent awarding held at the Waterfront's Del Sol room.

  The recognition of personalities and establishments that have exemplary achievements in the fields of tourism, transportation, business and good governance highlighted the Forum's second anniversary bash.

  Aumentado received a plaque "for his leadership, dedication and invaluable service which largely contributed to the success of the club's undertakings", signed by Roderic Rama Poca, co-founder and host, and Consul Robert Lim Joseph, co-founder and director.

  The governor however vowed not to rest on his laurels.

  While he expressed gratitude to Joseph, chair of the organizing committee that includes as members, among others, Tourism Region 7 Director Patria Aurora Roa, he is taking the award as a challenge to strive even harder to attract even more tourists to Bohol. After all, he said, tourism is one of the province's major economic drivers.

  The award will serve as a beacon to guide Bohol's leaders in the pursuit of development and progress he said.

  Under no circumstance must Bohol's pristine environment be compromised in the name of development, he vowed.

  As such, heavy industries are a no-no to Bohol, he said.

Sabotage of Rice Pricing

Governor Erico Aumentado has instructed the office of the provincial administrator to look into the widespread sabotage on the prices of rice by private rice buyers in the rural towns of Bohol.

      Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) must check if these private commercial buyers have license to buy rice directly from farmers as ultimate producers.

      Abapo also said his office will help investigate if these private buyers follow the standard pricing that the National Food Authority (NFA) recommend.

      In the sabotage, some individuals lend money to farmers on the condition that they (farmers) would sell their produce to them at P12 per kilo only.

      This set up has been practiced for decades in the rural areas of the country, locally termed as tihap, and has been blamed for the farmers continued bondage with debt.

      Abapo cited that rice farmers are forced to resort to such set up during months before the harvest season or during the schedule of land preparation and planting when they had no capital for the production cost or when they're short of funds for the household needs.

      Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales raised the concern during the Farmers Forum at the office of National Irrigation Administration here Thursday last week.

      The mayor said these commercial buyers are maybe middlemen who buy rice from farmers at P12 per kilo and resell them at a higher price.

      During the forum, officials of irrigators association in Pilar, Ubay, San Miguel and other nearby towns had a chance to raise concerns to NIA Administrator Carlos Salazar, Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Ricardo Oblena, the manager of Land Bank of the Philippines-Bohol, and a representative of Quedancor.

      Nilo Caberte of NFA clarified that the buying price for rice is P17.50 per kilo for clean and dry stock, and there must be irregularity in the 12-peso rate.

      He advised the rice producers to transact business with them as they are trying their best to make themselves accessible to farmers through their warehouses in Carmen and Ubay, and even a mobile procurement system.

      Through the mobile procurement station, NFA will go to the areas of the farmers to pick up their produce of at least 50 kilos. It's just up to the farmers to contact them when their stock is ready.

      NFA targets to buy 20,000 bags of rice this year, and they will never refuse to buy the farmers' produce.

      Caberte also informed the farmers that NFA has a dryer in Carmen, and they are planning to bring one to Ubay.

      He, however, explained that for the use of the dryer, they prioritize farmers who intend to sell their produce to NFA.

      Also during the forum, Salazar assured the irrigators and farmers of enough water supply even without rain for a year as he shared his observation that the Malinao dam in Pilar, Bayongan dam in Ubay-San Miguel and Capayas dam in Ubay. That is under normal circumstances. (Angeline Valencia/PGMA)

Panglao Island Water Supply

Written By Angeline Valencia, Capitol Media

In foresight of high-density development and mega-projects, the provincial government helps Panglao Island - -the site of future international airport- -dress up for urbanization with an efficient waterworks system as among the major components finally taking the front seat in trailblazing.

      Helping the local government unit (LGU) of Panglao address its increasing water supply needs, as the Bohol's tourism hub, the provincial government, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), has prepared a draft of the project called Improvement and Upgrading of the Panglao Water Distribution Network that includes a proposed water distribution plan.

      The water distribution improvement project is now "proposed for funding for its capital intensive components", soliciting the assistance of local and foreign funding institutions for its implementation, according to PPDO.

      This is in preparation for the expected increase in tourist influx to Panglao in time for the operation of the international airport in 2010.

      Provincial Planning and Development coordinator (PPDC), Lawyer John Titus Vistal, gave an update on the project during the weekly radio program, Governor Reports, Friday.

      Panglao, as one of the prime tourism destination in Bohol where resorts proliferate, the municipality direly needs an efficient water distribution network that the PPDO considers a capital-forming project, Vistal said.

      Its comprehensive project profile stated that the effective and functional water distribution system will support the municipality's tourism development and socio-economic growth; can complement and adopt with any bulk water source arrangement in the municipality; expand capacity and coverage of existing waterworks system; provide sustainable, safe and accessible water to residents and tourists to promote good health; enhance physical and infrastructure facilities in the municipality to attract investments and economic activities; and increase revenue of the municipality from its waterworks system operation.

      As support, the Municipal Engineer's Office or the Municipal Waterworks System, the Provincial Engineer's Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways have been proposed to closely coordinate with the Bohol Integrated Water Resource Management Team (BIWRMT), Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO), and the DENR for the planning, design, and public consultation and network analysis.

      Then, the MEO/MWS, PEO, and the DPWH takes charge of the construction and implementation; while the LGU-Panglao shall handle the operation and maintenance of the waterworks system and its water distribution system.

      He explained that the municipality has an existing water distribution network but it needs improvement to be efficient- -upgrading of pipes and expansion of coverage areas.

      This is to accommodate high-density development and future mega-projects in the municipality of Panglao, which on same ground Governor Erico Aumentado and First District Representative Edgar Chatto had earlier extended assistance for Dauis, Vistal added.

      LGU-Panglao had prepared a proposed piping network in the past, but it would traverse the airport lot, a violation of the Infrastructure and Building Code which prohibits any installation of piping or anything underground that would traverse any permanent infrastructure, Vistal explained.

      On this, Aumentado instructed the PPDO to extend technical assistance to the local government unit of (LGU) of Panglao in developing a water distribution plan that would modify the one previously prepared.

      In the proposed water distribution plan that PPDO prepared, the modification includes rerouting the piping network away from the entire airport lot.

      "This is not just about the 2.5-kilometer airport lot covered in phase 1 of the project. It's the entire 3.8-kilometer airport lot which includes the expansion of the airport into a complex international airport. Ang tumoy ini naa sa Lourdes ang pikas tumoy naa sa danao. Ang piping network nilikay aning area sa airport. Although naay murag gitawag og take off point or starting point nga gibutang duol sa area where the terminal building is expected to be located aron inig sugod og construct sa terminal building dili maglisod ang contractor pagkuha og tubig for construction purposes (One end is in barangay Lourdes and the other in the Danao. The piping network is veered away from these areas of the airport, though a sort of take off point or starting point is proposed to be in place where the terminal building is expected to be located so that when construction of the terminal building starts, the contractor won't have a hard time accessing to water supply for construction purposes)," Vistal explained.

      Though the proposed water distribution plan is still to be presented to the Provincial Development Council (PDC) for approval, during its executive meeting next week, there had already been a number of service providers who expressed interest on implementing it.

      So far, the LGU-Panglao has not decided yet whose offer to accept.

      Aumentado and Chatto set a meeting and public hearing on September 5, with the mayor, vice-mayor and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members of Panglao, and stakeholders, where they can present the proposed water distribution plan that PPDO drafted.

 Then, it will be up to the LGU-Panglao who among the interested service providers to choose and deal with for its implementation. The province, through the PPDO, only helps prepare or design the piping network based on the road map, that the chosen service provider can use as basis in drafting a more detailed technical plan.

      With the water distribution plan already prepared, as sub-project of the Improvement and Upgrading of the Panglao Water Distribution Network project, the service provider that LGU-Panglao would choose can proceed immediately to the preparation of a detailed technical plan.

      This way, the provincial government helps the municipal government "address, not just the domestic water needs of Panglao, but also the industrial water needs in the town, since eco-tourism- -of which Panglao is known of- -is also an industry to consider," Vistal explained.

      "The project would also directly support the improvement of road network of the municipality, improving the utility of road setbacks and accessibility to residential and commercial establishments. Likewise, this will definitely facilitate the development of housing facilities in the locality," he added.

      Sanitation (WatSan) Management, since "a good management of water supply in tandem with an appropriate sewerage and/or sanitation system will ultimately redound to the promotion of healthy environment for residents and visitors of the municipality" according to Vistal.

      He also said Engr. Nilo Arcaya, chair of the BIWRMT who is from Panglao, had helped a lot in data gathering during the preparation of the piping network draft.

      The upgrading of the waterworks system in Panglao also supports the implementation of the Bohol Integrated Water Supply Master Plan (BIWSMP) "formulated to set the overall development of the water supply in the entire province," according to Vistal.

WATER SUPPLY MASTER PLAN

      Vistal also announced that, as instructed by the governor, the province is now applying for water rights with the National Water Resources Bureau (NWRB) on the seven major watersheds in Bohol that the BIWSMP covers.

      The water rights will give the province or the municipality an edge in negotiating for better terms with private developers.

      The BIWSMP was "crafted through a multi-stakeholder process where non-government organizations (NGOs), LGUs, and the academe were represented", Vistal said.

      Technical experts designed the master plan under the Local Governance Development Program LGDP) funded by AusAid with the assistance of Woodfields Consultants Inc., he said.

      BIWSSMP involves the plan to develop the seven major rivers and watersheds here to address the province's water supply needs.

      "In Bohol, we have many sources of ground and surface water. The problem is its network. We fall short in terms of infrastructure. Generally, our municipal water systems have limited distribution network. Usually, the water supply only reaches the Poblacion areas. So the master plan has been developed for water supply to reach far-flung barangays," Vistal said.

      He said it is hard to implement the master plan all at once because it entails a huge budget to install a water distribution network in the entire province. But it will serve as a good guide in the development of the water distribution network for each major watershed.

      One is the Upper Abatan River which is being considered to be tapped for Tagbilaran, Dauis, Panglao and the nearby areas, he said.

      "But, again the source for the municipality of Panglao will have to be decided upon by the LGU itself. We keep our hands off in choosing the service provider, because that is entirely their prerogative. We only get involved in providing technical assistance in drafting the pipeline network that the service provider can use as reference for the detailed technical plan," Vistal said.

      As the governor had already mentioned some service providers who expressed interest on the project, Vistal said he hoped that in the future the government can tap some of them to develop water systems for the other areas in Bohol.

      The PPDO head also said that first district is already a bit advanced in terms of water distribution system, at least as far as the capital city is concerned, but in other districts, water system lag behind. It is on this aspect that the water supply system master plan will serve as guide.

Bohol Caregiver School

Caregiver graduates of the University of Bohol (UB) College of Allied and Medical Sciences recently posted a perfect passing rate in the Assessment Examination for Caregivers NC II given on August 5.

There were only nine examinees from UB, though.

Dr. Jeimylo de Castro, dean of the College of Allied and Medical Sciences announced the list of the new professional caregivers, namely: Ellen Basilad, Jovelen Bufe, Jacellou Blasco, Retha Sol Blasco, Ramona Lisa Estillore, Jesenette Jamora, Marissa Pacatang, Herberta Sebidan and Marie Shiela Sy.

At present in the province, only UB offers a caregiver program in a university level category.

Under this level, the students, aside from the usual classroom discussions, can also avail of medical/dental services, fully air-conditioned lecture rooms, complete library, student services wherein the students have their assigned guidance counselors, equipped Instructional Media Center, and efficient internet centers.

The school also has specialized training centers for the practicum to include UB Medical Rehabilitation Center, IMAP Lying-in Center for Obstetrics and Pediatric, Ramiro Community Hospital for in-patient exposure and Soledad Suites for hotel exposure, and home care.

UB accepts qualified scholars of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo–Training for Workshop Program (PGMA-TWSP) who are interested to enroll in the caregiver program. (Leo Armando B. Boncales)

New Lodge and Spa in Panglao Island

By BEBON GUINGGUING

The name Satish rings a bell to those who knows him. One trait that endures him to his Boholano associates and even to strangers is his penchant to make acquaintances with everybody as if they knew each other long time ago.  Summarizing him in one phrase, the guy is just  so easy to go along with.

An Indian word, Satish has no meaning in his country, this according to the man who answers by the name Satish Nair. He is  the top honcho of the Grand Luis Lodge & Spa, a mountain resort located in the deep recesses of barangay Mariveles in Dauis.

This writer is interested in knowing the Indian meaning of Satish to find out if it has something to do with the man's character.

That being none, what better way to use it as a root word to the noun satisfaction. And after discovering the good points the new lodge bring, it is safe to assume  that any patronage to the new resort simply means "satishfaction guaranteed". What a nice catchphrase!

That exactly is the bottom line when guests try to engage the services and savor the  amenities offered by Grand Luis Lodge & Spa.

Now in his five years in Bohol, Nair feels that he will be here for good.

Pouring millions of pesos to construct the four-storey lodge, Nair finds Bohol a nine place to sink in investments especially in resort development.

His Filipina wife from Panglao could be a factor too why he decided to make Bohol his second home.

His love affair with his wife started in South Africa when they both worked in a garments factory. That was in 1995. He as production manager and she

as factory worker.

The influence of his wife must be so strong that before long they decided to settle in Bohol.

Back in India, Nair finished a course in industrial and production engineer, but he did not practice his profession in his country. He migrated to South Africa and found work there. As fate would have it, he also met the girl of his dreams in South Africa who turned out to be a Boholana from Panglao.

First in the business agenda of Nair was to develop a beach front property in Panglao inherited by his wife from her parents.

But the plan was not meant to be successful. When the Indian national started to fence the lot to  pave way  for his resort project, a neighbor apparently balked at the idea that until now his Panglao establishment remains in limbo.

That prompted him to execute his Plan B: look for another friendly environment and he found it in a secluded mountain redoubt in Mariveles which he calls as King Luis Lodge & Spa. The name Luis is extracted from the name of the  father of his wife Jacinta.

Resort business? What background did he has, if any? Unknown to many. Nair, before he dipped his fingers in the resort trade is already the operator of two budget hotels in South Africa—in Butterworth and East London, two provinces in that African nation.

BLESSING & INAUGURATION

Nestled in a four hectare property, Nair built the four-storey structure without maximizing space. The all-four floors structure has only eight rooms and this explained why guests checking in are guaranteed  complete satisfaction and comfort  considering the size of its rooms. Each room has its own veranda to give guests ample view of both faces of the building. If one is facing east, what meets the eye is the panoramic view of Maribojoc Bay. When facing east, the scene is a lush greenery of the Mariveles mountains.

Although it has been opened a few weeks ago, the mountain resort will be formally introduced to the public tomorrow during the blessing and inauguration.

The principal guests are Mayors Lulu Bongalos of Dauis and Dodong Alcala of Panglao. The suppliers  of the building will also be on hand to witness the blessing rites.

A South African priest Fr. Sonwabiso Zilindile  and an Indian cleric named  Oliver Inchody will lead officiating ministers in the blessing ceremonies.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Adds More Money for Bayongan Dam

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will release shortly through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) an initial P14 million to subsidize the ground leveling of some 1,000 hectares more in the service area of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stage 2 (BHIP 2) for development into rice paddies.

  Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado said the amount is part of P57 million that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap estimates the leveling project will need to attain the maximum irrigable area of 5,300 hectares. He said Yap committed to include the balance in DA-NIA's 2009 budget.

  The governor announced Yap's commitment during the recent farmer's forum at the NIA-BHIP 2 conference hall in Barangay Calanggaman, Ubay town.

  Engr. Carlos Salazar, NIA administrator who attended the forum confirmed DA-NIA's commitment.

  He assured the farmers who organized themselves into irrigators associations that they can also enter into contracts for ground leveling and that the manual leveling method is acceptable.

  Aumentado sought assistance from DA and NIA after, except for three, the contractors one after the other backed out from the leveling project. He said Engr. Modesto Membreve, BHIP 2 project manager, reported that the contractors gave up, saying that they could no longer cope with the high cost of fuel and maintenance of their equipment. They want to raise the contract price from almost P70,000 per hectare only to P91,000.

  Membreve told the governor that the irrigators associations expressed interest in participating in the ground leveling but could absorb the cost of only up to P70,000, hence the effort to look for subsidy.

  The governor said it is ironic that with the Bayongan Dam now filled to its 34.5 million cubic meter-capacity – enough to irrigate its service area for two cropping seasons even with no more additional rain – it still cannot do so because the ground leveling component of the project has yet to be completed.

  The situation has turned back to rosy however, with Aumentado's announcement.

  He said God forbid the occurrence of calamities and other fortuitous events, the target of Task Force Rice Accelerated Enhancement Response (RACER) for Bohol to be self-sufficient in rice by next year can be achieved after all.

  Also present at the forum were local representatives of the National Food Authority (NFA) led by Nilo Caberte, Land Bank manager Oliver Tabigue and loans in-charge Alan Biznar; Kathleen Estillore of Quedancor, DA Region 7 Director Ricardo Oblena; Engr. Eugene Cahiles of the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center, Project Manager Yung Qu Park of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd that contracted BHIP the construction of the Bayongan Dam and appurtenances, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. and Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales.

  Caberte said NFA continues to buy palay at P17.50 a kilo. Their driers are also available to farmers, with those intending to sell their palay to NFA given priority in their use.

  SSIA

  Meanwhile, Salazar emphasized that the key to rice self-sufficiency lies in increased production. He advised the farmers at the forum against buying more land. Instead, he urged them to double their production first using agricultural methods that he himself has tried and tested using one hectare of his land in Salvacion, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur as demonstration farm.

  Salazar developed the Sustainable System of Irrigated Agriculture (SSIA) that can double the rice yield at half the water use and less production cost.

  He said SSIA supports the rice self-sufficiency thrust, cutting rice imports and dollar outflow and thus averting any further strain on the economy.

  Salient features of the technology that enabled him to harvest 178 bags per hectare include the incorporation of 40 bags of organic fertilizer per hectare during land preparation, transplanting eight to 10 day-old inbred or hybrid seedlings, using only one plant per hill spaced at 40 centimeters (cm.) by 40 cm. between straight rows and hills, adopting intermittent "three days on and 10 days off" irrigation, deweeding, spraying organic foliar fertilizer cum pesticide and harvesting when 1/3 of the grains in the panicles are still green with the rest already golden.

  Salazar emphasized that the seedlings must be treated tenderly otherwise they will be stressed. The one seedling per hill "policy" allows the plant to get all the nutrients it can get without competition from say, five other seedlings in the same hill – allowing it to develop more tillers, panicles, spikelets and grains.

  Rice is not an aquatic plant, hence the intermittent irrigation to allow the soil to crack, thereby providing it with optimal aeration. Deweeding also cultivates and aerates the soil.

Bohol Town Qualifies Child Friend Search

For the third time, Catigbian qualified to the annual Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities regional search for 4th and 5th class municipalities.

      According to Mayor Roberto Salinas, "this evaluation is an opportunity for our town to enhance our performance in the delivery of basic services, especially for the welfare of our children. Winning the search is not our primary purpose of joining, but on how we can improve our services, and of course, the experience after the tedious work we had in preparation of this search".

      The regional evaluation team of the 2008 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities - -composed of Josephine Belotindos of the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office, Lawyer Ma. Luisa Ong of the Department of Interior and Local Government regional office, and Julieta Tutor of the Department of Health regional office- -validated Catigbian's entry to the August 13 search.

      "Everytime I visit Catigbian, there are new developments and it surprised me much. If I am a mother, I will surely bring my child in front of your municipal hall. It's a beautiful place. I hope this time you can make it," Belotindos, the team leader, said.

      The team religiously scrutinized the local key implementers of children's programs and services together with barangays Baang, Causwagan Norte, Haguilanan and Sinakayanan that were identified through random sampling by the team, except for Baang which was picked out by the local government unit.

      Mayor Salinas, Vice-Mayor Nicetas Digaum, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members and members of the Municipal Council for the Protection of Children stayed inside the municipal conference hall until the end of the validation that lasted up to 8:00 pm.

      The mayor expressed gratitude to the team and hoped that the findings will also serve as basis in improving the services of the national agencies to the local governments. 

Bohol Tourist Police Unit Deployed

With the resolution from the National Police Commission (Napolcom) approving its activation, the Bohol Tourist Police Unit (BTPU) can now operate in full-swing.

      In Resolution 402, dated July 25, 2008, the Napolcom, chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, approved the activation of the BTPU as provided in the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Orders DPL 08-12 issued by PNP Director for Plans Romeo Ricardo upon instruction of Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr. who also serves as one of the three commissioners of the Napolcom.

      The two other commissioners are Celia Sanidad-Leones, and Miguel Coronel.

      Earlier, Governor Erico Aumentado, through PNP-Bohol Provincial Director Edgardo Ingking, had requested Razon for the operation of BTPU in the province's major tourism towns.

      On this, the Napolcom granted the govenor's request, through the PNP, which makes official, the operation of six Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPACs) composing the BTPU.

      The TPACs will be stationed in barangay Bolod, Panglao; Alona area, in Panglao; Chocolate Hills, Loboc River area; Sagbayan Peak; and the Tarsier Habitat.ß

      This is to "implement measures aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of both the foreign and domestic tourists/travelers in designated tourist areas.

      There will be six Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPACs) composing the BTPU.

      The Napolcom resolution provides that the Police Commissioned Officer shall head the BTPU with a rank of police chief inspector to take charge of enforcing the law, and prevent and control crimes in their assigned areas of jurisdiction.

      It shall also "conduct regular patrol and police visibility to ensure the safety and protection of the tourists/travelers and residents within the locality; facilitate and provide tourists with adequate assistance, service and security protection; monitor and investigate all cases involving tourists in coordination with concerned police stations, resolve conflicts, and take immediate action on security and public safety concerns of tourists brought to its attention".

      In times of crises, it shall also secure and contain critical areas and immediately call for the participation of emergency respondenders and the Crisis Management Council (CMC).

      It shall also "assist in the conduct of emergency/disaster response like Search and Rescue and CPR or first aid; and promote good understanding among people in the tourism business the importance of public safety, preservation and rehabilitation of natural resources, and help address the problems of environmental deterioration".

      The resolution also provides that the PNP regional director shall deploy personnel who would complement the BPTU, equipped with necessary training on tourist protection or security, investigation, human rights, firearms proficiency and other related courses.

      The PNP regional office shall also provide the logistics for the BTPU. - Angeline Valencia, Sunday Post

P272 Million Pesos Port to Port Road Budget for Bohol Province

Land trips to ports of Tubigon and Jagna will soon be as comfortable and smooth in shorter travel time when the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) finishes next year, the P272-million cementing and rehabilitation works on the Sierra-Bullones to Jagna portion of the port-to-port road.

      This, after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo instructed the DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to include in his department's 2009 budget, the appropriation for the project.

      Secretary Cerge Remonde of the Presidential Management Staff, in letter, recently informed Governor Erico Aumentado that the project has already been programmed for funding from the budget of DPWH, as Arroyo instructed.

      Remonde's letter was in response to Aumentado's earlier request for the completion of the road linking the port of Tubigon to the port of Jagna as part of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).

      The 70.87-kilometer road traverses Tubigon to Sagbayan, Sagbayan-Carmen, Carmen to Sierra-Bullones, and Sierra-Bullones down to Jagna.

      Of the 70.87 kilometers, 36.40 kilometers had already been cemented from which is from Tubigon to Sagbayan, Sagbayan-Carmen, Carmen to Sierra-Bullones, while DPWH still has to finish the concreting project at the remaining portion along the Sierra-Bullones to Jagna stretch with a length of 34.47 kilometers.

      It is on this portion of the port-to-port road that the P272-million allocation will be spent.

      In reporting the development through the weekly radio program, Governor Reports, Friday, Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. explained that at present, it would take an hour and a half to travel from Tubigon to Jagna by normal speed.

      But when the project is completed, the travel would only take less than an hour from Tubigon to Jagna port via Sagbayan-Carmen-Sierra Bullones route, Abapo explained.

      "So we thank the President for having given an attention to the rehabilitation or cementing of the road, in response to the request of Governor Aumentado. So, we hope the project will be done by 2009 so we can have a smooth and comfortable travel in these areas," Abapo said.

      The provincial administrator further explained that in the present situation, one who travels from Clarin to Ubay or to Duero, he has to go around some towns passing through Talibon first before reaching Ubay; and has to pass Guindulman before reaching Duero.

      If one takes off from Loon, he has to also go round through a number of towns through Tagbilaran to Jagna before reaching Duero.

      But, when the road concreting project is finished, one can directly travel from Loon to Tubigon, Sagbayan, Carmen, then to Sierra-Bullones to Jagna straight to Duero or when one takes off from Ubay, he can then pass through Alicia up to Pilar, Sierra-Bullones, then to Jagna, which is a shorter travel. - Angeline Valencia, Press Release