By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency - Bohol
Contrary to the belief that Bohol is rice sufficient, the province still needs P13.786M to attain full rice sufficiency in two years, a technical working group (TWG) tasked to make develop Bohol agriculture said.
For this, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera Tuesday passed the appropriations to satisfy a request from Governor Erico Aumentado for Bohol to put up key mobilization fund for Bohol's Rice Accelerated Enhancement Response (RacER).
RacER is recommended by the TWG.
The TWG, composed of former Department of Agriculture regional technical director Dr. Jose Quitazol, Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog, Agricultural Promotions Center Manager Eugene Cahiles, National Food Authority's Nestor Rey Alcoseba, Bohol Poverty Reduction and Management Officer Antonieto Pernia, Provincial Environment Officer Eduardo Inting, Irrigation Officer Modesto Membreve and still some unnamed technical men recommended the amount to be taken from the Provincial Government cash boxes to improve agriculture here.
Of the amount however, only the P1400 revolving fund subsidy for each bag of hybrid of rice seeds that go to irrigators associations and technical trainings, seminars would go directly to the farmers. The rest covers incentives to technologists, rice technicians, municipal agriculture officers and coordinators.
Many critics and farmers openly said "this is disheartening."
"While the technicians get salaries from the government, it is us who are asked to produce so the best farmers should be the one's getting the incentives, not them," a farmer who asked not to be named, complained.
The complaint also goes in line with Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) stand on subsidies which it said is perhaps politically opportune, [are] but hardly the answer to the current rice woes.
On subsidies, HSBA said "it would have perverse impacts, by prolonging the adjustment process that is required." The bank recommended instead, for farmers to be given more incentives for improved production.
About Racer
RAcER, as adopted by Bohol, sets to motion multi-component approaches to food sufficiency, reports said.
Racer attempts to address the remaining 17% gap in the province's rice sufficiency, which now only amounts to a little over 82%, data from form the Office of the Provincial Agriculture stated.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Bohol's Chocolate Hills Sabotaged in New 7 Wonders?
Written by Rey Anthony Chiu of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Bohol
Why Bohol's Chocolate Hills was deleted off the list of nominees in the current search for new seven wonders of the world, local officials and tourism stakeholders here want to know.
To compound the problem, not only is the Chocolate Hills off the list of nominees, it also could not be re-nominated either.
Several Boholanos presumed that it could be a nasty job of a computer hacker.
A hacker intentionally gains access to a secure internet website, navigates and controls any information therein as he taps into the system website.
But Boholanos, again united in campaigning for votes to finally put the wondrous hills into the top seat were all speculations about the de-listing, as of Tuesday.
The Chocolate Hills was just recently nominated and saw a dramatic climb from nowhere to number 6th last week.
But just how fast it rose, was how it got off the list Monday, when online voters and noted the sudden disappearance of the hills from the list.
"The thing is, we could probably understand if the nominee loses its place in the top seven in a day, but to be totally out of the list is unthinkable," claimed an web-surfer who was about to cast his vote.
He also confirmed that, attempts to re-nominate the Chocolate Hills also prove to be another problem as online nominations seemingly get bounced out.
Wanting answers, Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Tourism Committee Chair and Board Member Ester Corazon Galbreath prodded the provincial lawmakers to launch an appeal to the search organizers. She said the organizers should explain how Bohol's marvelous Chocolate Hills and Mayon Volcano were deleted from the list.
Why Bohol's Chocolate Hills was deleted off the list of nominees in the current search for new seven wonders of the world, local officials and tourism stakeholders here want to know.
To compound the problem, not only is the Chocolate Hills off the list of nominees, it also could not be re-nominated either.
Several Boholanos presumed that it could be a nasty job of a computer hacker.
A hacker intentionally gains access to a secure internet website, navigates and controls any information therein as he taps into the system website.
But Boholanos, again united in campaigning for votes to finally put the wondrous hills into the top seat were all speculations about the de-listing, as of Tuesday.
The Chocolate Hills was just recently nominated and saw a dramatic climb from nowhere to number 6th last week.
But just how fast it rose, was how it got off the list Monday, when online voters and noted the sudden disappearance of the hills from the list.
"The thing is, we could probably understand if the nominee loses its place in the top seven in a day, but to be totally out of the list is unthinkable," claimed an web-surfer who was about to cast his vote.
He also confirmed that, attempts to re-nominate the Chocolate Hills also prove to be another problem as online nominations seemingly get bounced out.
Wanting answers, Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Tourism Committee Chair and Board Member Ester Corazon Galbreath prodded the provincial lawmakers to launch an appeal to the search organizers. She said the organizers should explain how Bohol's marvelous Chocolate Hills and Mayon Volcano were deleted from the list.
The New Brand of Bohol Tourism
Reported by Rey Anthony Chiu of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Bohol
Stamping Bohol identity and character into its built heritage and infrastructure puts up an added value to Bohol tourism, hints heritage icon and architect Augusto Villalon, during the recent conference at the Metro Center Hotel.
The conference, which gathered Bohol's leading architects, engineers, builders, contractors and artists is billed "Architecture of Place, Putting Bohol in its Tourism Infrastructure and Facilities."
As such, "it tends to lend to the Bohol tour a new vigor as Bohol now could be seen at a new facet: in the light of how local history and milieu contributes to the robust and complex system which the people showcase in their built heritage," adds Arch. Rosario Encarnacion-Tan during a presentation.
"Beset with the recent sprouting of Swiss chalets, Spanish villas, American homes, Boholano vernacular architecture seem to cower in humble submission that a tourist or visitors fail to fully discern the local spirit," conference organizers said.
Now, acting promptly on the observation that the present Bohol architecture is hardly reflective of its culture, the conference moved Ayala Foundation, Filipinas Heritage Library, Bohol provincial government and Holy Name University to expose participants to the traditional and the vernacular architecture as a common fiber to which new designs can develop.
Encarnacion, along with Villalon took turns at the conference in detailing the need to instill the gist of Philippine if not Boholano Architecture in the built structures to showcase the Boholono soul.
According to Encarnacion, the Philippine concept of space surrounding a space is an interesting theme prevalent in almost all old heritage structures.
Encarnacion, who has had a long list of veritable Filipino architecture designs fitted into modern structures now off her drawing boards said "spacing means putting up balconies that gaze out to gardens, emphasizing visual layers and sectional walls that open to create more spaces."
Moreover, its is always a Boholano penchant to build their houses on stilts, one that allows more space and adds value to a unique ventilation, she said.
Stamping Bohol identity and character into its built heritage and infrastructure puts up an added value to Bohol tourism, hints heritage icon and architect Augusto Villalon, during the recent conference at the Metro Center Hotel.
The conference, which gathered Bohol's leading architects, engineers, builders, contractors and artists is billed "Architecture of Place, Putting Bohol in its Tourism Infrastructure and Facilities."
As such, "it tends to lend to the Bohol tour a new vigor as Bohol now could be seen at a new facet: in the light of how local history and milieu contributes to the robust and complex system which the people showcase in their built heritage," adds Arch. Rosario Encarnacion-Tan during a presentation.
"Beset with the recent sprouting of Swiss chalets, Spanish villas, American homes, Boholano vernacular architecture seem to cower in humble submission that a tourist or visitors fail to fully discern the local spirit," conference organizers said.
Now, acting promptly on the observation that the present Bohol architecture is hardly reflective of its culture, the conference moved Ayala Foundation, Filipinas Heritage Library, Bohol provincial government and Holy Name University to expose participants to the traditional and the vernacular architecture as a common fiber to which new designs can develop.
Encarnacion, along with Villalon took turns at the conference in detailing the need to instill the gist of Philippine if not Boholano Architecture in the built structures to showcase the Boholono soul.
According to Encarnacion, the Philippine concept of space surrounding a space is an interesting theme prevalent in almost all old heritage structures.
Encarnacion, who has had a long list of veritable Filipino architecture designs fitted into modern structures now off her drawing boards said "spacing means putting up balconies that gaze out to gardens, emphasizing visual layers and sectional walls that open to create more spaces."
Moreover, its is always a Boholano penchant to build their houses on stilts, one that allows more space and adds value to a unique ventilation, she said.
May Labor Day Issue in the Philippines
Regional Wage Boards (RWB) who are yet to go through deliberations for the new wage levels in their respective regions before May 1, Labor Day, may have to go overtime, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has instructed recently.
This as the rest of the country's labor force takes a breather Thursday, one of the country's few unmoved holidays.
While some of the country's holidays have been moved for reasons of "holiday economics," Proclamation 1463 has earlier noted that "May 1 has been a long and cherished tradition of workers.
It added that the "holiday has trade unions [fighting] very hard to institutionalize in the country and in international events, [so] that the workers want to celebrate on its exact date,"
Moreover, in the stalemate, the President has also enjoined private firms to extend to their employees non-wage benefits.
She pointed out that the non-wage benefits that include rice, canned goods and shuttle services would go a long way to augment workers' take-home pay in the face of rising prices of basic commodities.
Stressing the urgency of the situation for the RWBs to present new wage scales, the President personally instructed them to work overtime to reach a decision on the new wage levels in their respective regions, said Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye.
Bunye, who also sits as concurrent Press Secretary said the President issued her directive to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, in efforts to ensure that the RWBs get cracking on the wage issue "even if it means they have to work on May 1, a non-working day for the rest of the country."
Earlier, Roque said that officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will meet on Friday "to discuss the means on how we can fast-track the wage discussions and deliberations."
But the President, apparently worried that the RWBs won't be able to come up with agreements by Labor Day, said they must continue working on proposed new wage levels through May 1.
"The President reminded the Regional Wage Boards of the urgency of setting new wage levels, taking into account the rising cost of commodity prices," Bunye said.
This as the rest of the country's labor force takes a breather Thursday, one of the country's few unmoved holidays.
While some of the country's holidays have been moved for reasons of "holiday economics," Proclamation 1463 has earlier noted that "May 1 has been a long and cherished tradition of workers.
It added that the "holiday has trade unions [fighting] very hard to institutionalize in the country and in international events, [so] that the workers want to celebrate on its exact date,"
Moreover, in the stalemate, the President has also enjoined private firms to extend to their employees non-wage benefits.
She pointed out that the non-wage benefits that include rice, canned goods and shuttle services would go a long way to augment workers' take-home pay in the face of rising prices of basic commodities.
Stressing the urgency of the situation for the RWBs to present new wage scales, the President personally instructed them to work overtime to reach a decision on the new wage levels in their respective regions, said Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye.
Bunye, who also sits as concurrent Press Secretary said the President issued her directive to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, in efforts to ensure that the RWBs get cracking on the wage issue "even if it means they have to work on May 1, a non-working day for the rest of the country."
Earlier, Roque said that officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will meet on Friday "to discuss the means on how we can fast-track the wage discussions and deliberations."
But the President, apparently worried that the RWBs won't be able to come up with agreements by Labor Day, said they must continue working on proposed new wage levels through May 1.
"The President reminded the Regional Wage Boards of the urgency of setting new wage levels, taking into account the rising cost of commodity prices," Bunye said.
Philippine Troops Fighting Communist Rebels
Government forces backed by attack helicopters and armored vehicles pressed their offensive against a big group of communist rebels who fled to the forested area of Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur as fighting entered its third day Sunday, a military report said.
A report from the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) said four soldiers were killed and three others wounded. Their names were withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.
But the military said New People's Army (NPA) suffered heavy casualties during the air strikes by MG-500 helicopter gun ships of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The choppers unleashed air-to-ground rockets and .50 caliber machine gun fire at the fleeing rebels in Palina area, Barangay San Isidro Monkayo, Compostela Valley on Saturday.
Ground forces supported by armored vehicles also clashed with the fleeing rebels, killing or wounding several of the insurgents.
The rebels from the Guerilla Front Committee 3 who split into two fled to Mapason area, Barangay San Roue, New Bataan, but they were intercepted by elements of the 25th and the 28th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army.
Maj. Gen. Leo Joggy Fojas, commanding general of the Army's Southern Mindanao 10th Infantry Division odered Col. Florante Martinez, commanding officer of the Army's 1003rd Infantry Brigade, to press the offensive.
An additional unit, the 72nd Infantry Battalion was also dispatched to reinforce pursuing government forces against the big band of NPA rebels under Commander Jinggoy of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
A report from the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) said four soldiers were killed and three others wounded. Their names were withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.
But the military said New People's Army (NPA) suffered heavy casualties during the air strikes by MG-500 helicopter gun ships of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The choppers unleashed air-to-ground rockets and .50 caliber machine gun fire at the fleeing rebels in Palina area, Barangay San Isidro Monkayo, Compostela Valley on Saturday.
Ground forces supported by armored vehicles also clashed with the fleeing rebels, killing or wounding several of the insurgents.
The rebels from the Guerilla Front Committee 3 who split into two fled to Mapason area, Barangay San Roue, New Bataan, but they were intercepted by elements of the 25th and the 28th Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army.
Maj. Gen. Leo Joggy Fojas, commanding general of the Army's Southern Mindanao 10th Infantry Division odered Col. Florante Martinez, commanding officer of the Army's 1003rd Infantry Brigade, to press the offensive.
An additional unit, the 72nd Infantry Battalion was also dispatched to reinforce pursuing government forces against the big band of NPA rebels under Commander Jinggoy of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
Strong Republic Nautical Highway
Malacanang on Sunday said the mini-Cabinet/National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) meeting to be held on Tuesday on-board the roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) in Mambajao, Camiguin is expected to discuss the impact of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) project, the proposed one-stop shop for housing development, and assessment of "food-poor" areas in the country.
In his weekly View from the Palace, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be launching on Monday the Central Nautical Highway through a ro-ro caravan, that signifies the completion of the SRNH.
The project, which is part of her eight-point development agenda, was being implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
As a start of the caravan, Bunye said the President will light the route map of the Central Nautical Highway in Bulan, Sorsogon, which includes ports in Bulan, Sorsogon; Masbate City; Cauayan, Masbate; Bogo, Cebu; Tubigon, Bohol; Jagna, Bohol; Mambajao, Camiguin; Benomi, Camiguin; and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.
"Most of the members of the Cabinet will join the Jagna-Mambajao leg of the ro-ro on Tuesday," he said.
While on board, Bunye said the President will conduct a mini-Cabinet/National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) meeting "where important stakeholders will help conduct an impact assessment on the Nautical Highway project."
In his weekly View from the Palace, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be launching on Monday the Central Nautical Highway through a ro-ro caravan, that signifies the completion of the SRNH.
The project, which is part of her eight-point development agenda, was being implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
As a start of the caravan, Bunye said the President will light the route map of the Central Nautical Highway in Bulan, Sorsogon, which includes ports in Bulan, Sorsogon; Masbate City; Cauayan, Masbate; Bogo, Cebu; Tubigon, Bohol; Jagna, Bohol; Mambajao, Camiguin; Benomi, Camiguin; and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.
"Most of the members of the Cabinet will join the Jagna-Mambajao leg of the ro-ro on Tuesday," he said.
While on board, Bunye said the President will conduct a mini-Cabinet/National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) meeting "where important stakeholders will help conduct an impact assessment on the Nautical Highway project."
Combat Rice Shortage, Go for High-yielding Rice Variety
Written by Rey Anthony Chiu of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
Shifting to high yielding varieties of rice from the traditional varieties can spell so much difference for farm yield, assures a top agricultural technology promotion officer in Bohol.
"Once a farmer uses the high yielding varieties in his seeds, there would be an incremental increase in his production per unit area" Engr. Eugene Cahiles, of the the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center bared at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.
This as he underscored that the seed shift alone raises rice production dramatically so Bohol could quickly respond to the goal of rice sufficiency.
"Even without altering production factor other than a shift to either high yielding hybrid or at least certified rice seeds, a farmer can get more than half his usual yield, he claimed.
The difference, Bohol Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog pointed out is a matter of 72 bags of rice per hectare compared to his usual 48 bags yield per hectare for hybrid rice.
The two top agriculture officials in Bohol appeared at the weekly forum aired live over DYTR to elucidate on the government initiatives in responding to the rice shortage, which the country feels at present.
Both also agree that the problem is not that alarming in Bohol, which is able to produce almost 80 thousand metric tons and continuing to reap some 99 thousand metric tons by June of next year.
Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics bared that Bohol's rice sufficiency is still about 83%, meaning the province's farmers have been able to produce about 83% of its total rice consumption.
The data also pushed Governor Erico Aumentado to issue a rice shipment regulation so as not to deplete local rice stocks and therefore allow the province to keep a buffer for local consumption.
The regulation, Quirog explained is based on the data from the previous bulk of the province's regular trading, not more than that.
To quickly recoup the production setback, Cahiles added that "by expanding the production area using certified seeds and hybrid seeds, Bohol could be more rice sufficient.
From 1900 bags of hybrid rice planted by farmer adoptors last year, Cahiles said the APC is on to a 5,000 bags distribution target for irrigated as well as rain-fed lands this year.
Bohol has about 47, 376 hectares of ricelands, only about 21,000 hectares are irrigated while most at 26,000 are rainfed. Now we are also focusing on how to make rainfed areas productive as well, he said.
Quirog quickly followed on as she pointed that land development in areas covered by Bayongan Dam is ongoing.
She reported that 2,000 hectares would be operational this year, while the rest [of the areas would be operational] in the near future.
This as the national and the provincial government has poured in roughly P37M and P13.786M to sustain the goal of making Bohol 100% rice sufficient by 2010, Engr Cahiles added.
Shifting to high yielding varieties of rice from the traditional varieties can spell so much difference for farm yield, assures a top agricultural technology promotion officer in Bohol.
"Once a farmer uses the high yielding varieties in his seeds, there would be an incremental increase in his production per unit area" Engr. Eugene Cahiles, of the the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center bared at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.
This as he underscored that the seed shift alone raises rice production dramatically so Bohol could quickly respond to the goal of rice sufficiency.
"Even without altering production factor other than a shift to either high yielding hybrid or at least certified rice seeds, a farmer can get more than half his usual yield, he claimed.
The difference, Bohol Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog pointed out is a matter of 72 bags of rice per hectare compared to his usual 48 bags yield per hectare for hybrid rice.
The two top agriculture officials in Bohol appeared at the weekly forum aired live over DYTR to elucidate on the government initiatives in responding to the rice shortage, which the country feels at present.
Both also agree that the problem is not that alarming in Bohol, which is able to produce almost 80 thousand metric tons and continuing to reap some 99 thousand metric tons by June of next year.
Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics bared that Bohol's rice sufficiency is still about 83%, meaning the province's farmers have been able to produce about 83% of its total rice consumption.
The data also pushed Governor Erico Aumentado to issue a rice shipment regulation so as not to deplete local rice stocks and therefore allow the province to keep a buffer for local consumption.
The regulation, Quirog explained is based on the data from the previous bulk of the province's regular trading, not more than that.
To quickly recoup the production setback, Cahiles added that "by expanding the production area using certified seeds and hybrid seeds, Bohol could be more rice sufficient.
From 1900 bags of hybrid rice planted by farmer adoptors last year, Cahiles said the APC is on to a 5,000 bags distribution target for irrigated as well as rain-fed lands this year.
Bohol has about 47, 376 hectares of ricelands, only about 21,000 hectares are irrigated while most at 26,000 are rainfed. Now we are also focusing on how to make rainfed areas productive as well, he said.
Quirog quickly followed on as she pointed that land development in areas covered by Bayongan Dam is ongoing.
She reported that 2,000 hectares would be operational this year, while the rest [of the areas would be operational] in the near future.
This as the national and the provincial government has poured in roughly P37M and P13.786M to sustain the goal of making Bohol 100% rice sufficient by 2010, Engr Cahiles added.
Peace Offering for Philippine Rebels
By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency - Bohol
Just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pressed anew Congress to affirm the government's amnesty proclamation, communist rebel returnees in Bohol also urge the government to continue localized peace talks.
With Congressional concurrence, communist rebels who are still hopelessly clinging to their lost cause can rejoin mainstream society and live in peace soonest.
On the other hand, with localized peace talks, the government can isolate top communist leaders to reconsider the government peace offer.
Former Bohol red fighter Bernard Banal has formally asked Presidential Assistant Felix Guanzon to keep the government's offer for peace talks open to the rebels who are still fighting a lonely war.
Banal, now a government partner in reform is echoing the sentiments of his former comrades who have finally decided to walk the way of peace.
The Banal formula defies the Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) official stand of rejecting localized peace talks while only the top communist leaders are to negotiate with the government of the Republic of the Philippines on matters of peace agreements.
Guanzon, the President's assistant for the Visayas accompanied the Royal Norwegian Government Facilitation Team in a visit to Bohol recently to visit rebel returnees and assess the localized government's initiatives of peace for the communist rebels.
Banal, who has touted as key movement propagandist and indoctrinator said top communist leadership could be left without influence if disgruntled fighters leave them and start talking peace in their levels.
Isolating the top leaders would render them powerless and without the support of the local movement anymore, they would be forced to accept the government's terms, he explained to Guanzon in Cebuano.
This as the President continued to press for the Congressional nod to the government amnesty proclamation while visiting Negros recently.
"(Kaya) nanawagan tayo sa Kongreso na sana i-confirm na nila itong ating amnesty proclamation na magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makabalik muli sa lipunan itong ating mga kapatid na galing sa loob ng kilusan," the President said in her brief message.
Congressional confirmation of her amnesty proclamation would enable the communist rebels to rejoin society and live with their loved ones again, the President said.
She pointed out that aside from the rebel returnees she has met, many more rebels in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country have expressed their willingness to surrender their arms and end their rebellion but are waiting for Congress to affirm the amnesty proclamation.
In Bohol alone, some 185 rebel returnees have risked getting hailed in court for acts committed while in the movement. The decision to peaceably settle for good and avail of the informal offer for peace at the local levels ahs finally allowed them to rejoin society.
Philippine Information Agency - Bohol
Just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pressed anew Congress to affirm the government's amnesty proclamation, communist rebel returnees in Bohol also urge the government to continue localized peace talks.
With Congressional concurrence, communist rebels who are still hopelessly clinging to their lost cause can rejoin mainstream society and live in peace soonest.
On the other hand, with localized peace talks, the government can isolate top communist leaders to reconsider the government peace offer.
Former Bohol red fighter Bernard Banal has formally asked Presidential Assistant Felix Guanzon to keep the government's offer for peace talks open to the rebels who are still fighting a lonely war.
Banal, now a government partner in reform is echoing the sentiments of his former comrades who have finally decided to walk the way of peace.
The Banal formula defies the Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) official stand of rejecting localized peace talks while only the top communist leaders are to negotiate with the government of the Republic of the Philippines on matters of peace agreements.
Guanzon, the President's assistant for the Visayas accompanied the Royal Norwegian Government Facilitation Team in a visit to Bohol recently to visit rebel returnees and assess the localized government's initiatives of peace for the communist rebels.
Banal, who has touted as key movement propagandist and indoctrinator said top communist leadership could be left without influence if disgruntled fighters leave them and start talking peace in their levels.
Isolating the top leaders would render them powerless and without the support of the local movement anymore, they would be forced to accept the government's terms, he explained to Guanzon in Cebuano.
This as the President continued to press for the Congressional nod to the government amnesty proclamation while visiting Negros recently.
"(Kaya) nanawagan tayo sa Kongreso na sana i-confirm na nila itong ating amnesty proclamation na magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na makabalik muli sa lipunan itong ating mga kapatid na galing sa loob ng kilusan," the President said in her brief message.
Congressional confirmation of her amnesty proclamation would enable the communist rebels to rejoin society and live with their loved ones again, the President said.
She pointed out that aside from the rebel returnees she has met, many more rebels in Negros Oriental and other parts of the country have expressed their willingness to surrender their arms and end their rebellion but are waiting for Congress to affirm the amnesty proclamation.
In Bohol alone, some 185 rebel returnees have risked getting hailed in court for acts committed while in the movement. The decision to peaceably settle for good and avail of the informal offer for peace at the local levels ahs finally allowed them to rejoin society.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Philippine President's Time in Bohol Island
Reported by Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency - Bohol
After setting up P278M port links in the last seven years for Bohol alone, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) comes Thursday, April 29 to personally lead the caravan that would make history by uniting Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro in one nautical highway.
By opening the Central Seaboard (CS) of the country's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), inter-island travel and transport in the Visayas and Mindanao becomes one step away.
In Bohol, the two key ports, the one in Tubigon and another one in Jagna have been upgraded with roll-on roll off (RORO) ramps and corresponding back up areas and lighting systems to better serve vessels cruising to and from Cebu City and the different ports of Mindanao, says a report from the Tagbilaran Port Office of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
At the Tubigon Port, where PGMA inaugurates the improved facility, she would meet the RORO caravan with the rest of the country's top officials and accompanying media taking the run through the newly opened CS of the SRNH.
The country's top executive arrives however on a helicopter to meet the caravan she sent off in Cebu earlier as the RORO docks at the port facility which has seen P144M improvements since 2002.
PORT OF TUBIGON
According to reports by Engr. Rogelio Gambuta, Tagbilaran ports operations manager, the port of Tubigon has had P42.2M rehabilitation in its reinforced concrete pier in 2002, P69.8M causeway reclamation and widening in 2004, P10.76M causeway repairs and improvements in 2005 and improvement of the old reclamation site costing P10.94M completed last year.
The improvements also include 2 ramps that can together accommodate 2 RORO vessels at any given time. Moreover, the port also has a truck holding area of 1,300 square meters that can hold a maximum of 15 units of rolling cargoes, his reports stated.
He also added that since the implementation of the SRNH, his office noted an increasing trend in RORO shipcalls and a corresponding number of rolling cargoes passed through the port.
Gambuta too explained that recent statistics his office gathered could only mean that a wider business sector acceptance of the roro transport system as a mode of economic inter-island activity has come.
The PPA observation, Tubigon port laborers pointed out, is only as far as Cebu-Bohol is concerned.
Hopes however ignite with the President personally signaling the full operation of yet another RORO route, one that makes inter-island shipping to Camiguin in Mindanao a reality.
After the ceremonial port inauguration and briefing on the SRNH in Tubigon, the President leads the caravan's land trip segment to an exit port in Jagna, about 117 kilometers from Tubigon via Tagbilaran City.
PORT OF JAGNA
The port of Jagna has also received a total of P144M since 2003.
The port went through a total rehabilitation, got a terminal office, passenger terminal building, warehouse, guardhouse and deflector wall in 2003 via the government's P15.02M fund, Gambuta said.
In 2005, a P19.53M RORO ramp, back up area, lighting system and fences were installed, while phase I of the port improvement project was started with aP54.6M project in 2006.
Now, the port has an ongoing phase II of its improvement with P55.27M fund.
Its RORO port equipped with a truick holding area of 3,000 square meters can hold a total of 35 rolling cargo units, would be serving vessels from various ports in Mindanao, PPA said.
In Jagna, the country's cabinet secretaries meet the President's caravan and join her on board another RORO sailing to Mambajao, Camiguin, the seaboard's next port in the link to Mindanao.
Philippine Information Agency - Bohol
After setting up P278M port links in the last seven years for Bohol alone, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) comes Thursday, April 29 to personally lead the caravan that would make history by uniting Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro in one nautical highway.
By opening the Central Seaboard (CS) of the country's Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), inter-island travel and transport in the Visayas and Mindanao becomes one step away.
In Bohol, the two key ports, the one in Tubigon and another one in Jagna have been upgraded with roll-on roll off (RORO) ramps and corresponding back up areas and lighting systems to better serve vessels cruising to and from Cebu City and the different ports of Mindanao, says a report from the Tagbilaran Port Office of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
At the Tubigon Port, where PGMA inaugurates the improved facility, she would meet the RORO caravan with the rest of the country's top officials and accompanying media taking the run through the newly opened CS of the SRNH.
The country's top executive arrives however on a helicopter to meet the caravan she sent off in Cebu earlier as the RORO docks at the port facility which has seen P144M improvements since 2002.
PORT OF TUBIGON
According to reports by Engr. Rogelio Gambuta, Tagbilaran ports operations manager, the port of Tubigon has had P42.2M rehabilitation in its reinforced concrete pier in 2002, P69.8M causeway reclamation and widening in 2004, P10.76M causeway repairs and improvements in 2005 and improvement of the old reclamation site costing P10.94M completed last year.
The improvements also include 2 ramps that can together accommodate 2 RORO vessels at any given time. Moreover, the port also has a truck holding area of 1,300 square meters that can hold a maximum of 15 units of rolling cargoes, his reports stated.
He also added that since the implementation of the SRNH, his office noted an increasing trend in RORO shipcalls and a corresponding number of rolling cargoes passed through the port.
Gambuta too explained that recent statistics his office gathered could only mean that a wider business sector acceptance of the roro transport system as a mode of economic inter-island activity has come.
The PPA observation, Tubigon port laborers pointed out, is only as far as Cebu-Bohol is concerned.
Hopes however ignite with the President personally signaling the full operation of yet another RORO route, one that makes inter-island shipping to Camiguin in Mindanao a reality.
After the ceremonial port inauguration and briefing on the SRNH in Tubigon, the President leads the caravan's land trip segment to an exit port in Jagna, about 117 kilometers from Tubigon via Tagbilaran City.
PORT OF JAGNA
The port of Jagna has also received a total of P144M since 2003.
The port went through a total rehabilitation, got a terminal office, passenger terminal building, warehouse, guardhouse and deflector wall in 2003 via the government's P15.02M fund, Gambuta said.
In 2005, a P19.53M RORO ramp, back up area, lighting system and fences were installed, while phase I of the port improvement project was started with aP54.6M project in 2006.
Now, the port has an ongoing phase II of its improvement with P55.27M fund.
Its RORO port equipped with a truick holding area of 3,000 square meters can hold a total of 35 rolling cargo units, would be serving vessels from various ports in Mindanao, PPA said.
In Jagna, the country's cabinet secretaries meet the President's caravan and join her on board another RORO sailing to Mambajao, Camiguin, the seaboard's next port in the link to Mindanao.
President GMA visits Bohol Province
By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) breezes through Bohol on Tuesday, April 29 to fill a leg of journey that would finally connect key ports in the country's central seaboard.
This happens as she leads the inauguration rites of the Central Seaboard of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
The SRNH, the Administration's brain child involves funding the putting up of Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) ports system aimed at perking up inter-island farm trade.
The SRNH also hopes to improve flow and distribution of basic goods and services, reduce travel time and transportation costs as well as promote domestic tourism.
Set in the Central Philippines, thus Central Seaboard, the government funded key improvement projects on intricate network of roads and ports in various regions in Luzon and the Visayas to Mindanao to finally unite the country's three main islands groups.
While the country has a backbone Maharlika highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao, travel of unprocessed farm goods by land has put up huge losses, one that makes it not as economically viable option for farmers, shippers have complained.
With the SRNH opening up its Central seaboard, the delivery of basic goods and farm produce like vegetables and livestock is easier, more economical and efficient as travel time and costs to and from destinations are considerably reduced, government sources said.
With the Central Seaboard opened, travelers and farm produce from the north going to the south can now take the Bulan Sorsogon to Masbate City ferry, then motor to Cawayan, Masbate where a ferry is again available for Bogo, Cebu.
From Bogo, it would be a land trip to Cebu City where the port has a ferry to Tubigon, Bohol.
In Tubigon, Bohol, one can take the land trip to Jagna Bohol where one exits Bohol to Mambajao Camiguin, and then to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.
In Bohol, the Presidential convoy would be met by well wishers by the roadsides, banners, streamers with the famed presidential brands "Labanan ang Kahirapan" and "Ramdam ang Kaunlaran."
As early as Saturday, April 26, posters have been noted along Bohol's coastal roads where the caravan is slated to pass.
The president's party would be passing through Tubigon, Calape, Loon, Maribojoc, Cortes, Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez to Jagna, while going through about a little more than a hundred kilometers of highway also known as the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Projects.
The President in her previous speeches had pointed out that aside from the convenience of shorter travel times offered to travelers with the routes of the SRNH, spoilage of farm produce has been lessened which in turn has translated to larger income for farmers.
She also said that the increase of visitors to the various tourist spots around the country is also a by-product of the SRNH.
She noted that local and foreign tourist have been enticed to take the "scenic" route on their way to the country's numerous tourists destinations.
According to the President, the SRNH is a good example of where increased revenue collections from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) Law has gone to good use.
Meanwhile, just as the President takes the inaugural run, sectors especially in the transport industry have openly lobbied for support to the SRNH.
"There is great investment opportunity and potential in the Road RoRo Terminal System component of the SRNH," a President of a key government financial facility said.
"I would like to encourage our stakeholders; the shipbuilders, local government units, and private sector investors; to avail of financing opportunities, he pressed.
Moreover, the Development Bank of the Philippines is putting up its Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP) which is intended to modernize the processing, storage, delivery, and the distribution of grain harvest and perishable goods of traders and farmers from Mindanao and Luzon.
Philippine Information Agency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) breezes through Bohol on Tuesday, April 29 to fill a leg of journey that would finally connect key ports in the country's central seaboard.
This happens as she leads the inauguration rites of the Central Seaboard of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH).
The SRNH, the Administration's brain child involves funding the putting up of Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo) ports system aimed at perking up inter-island farm trade.
The SRNH also hopes to improve flow and distribution of basic goods and services, reduce travel time and transportation costs as well as promote domestic tourism.
Set in the Central Philippines, thus Central Seaboard, the government funded key improvement projects on intricate network of roads and ports in various regions in Luzon and the Visayas to Mindanao to finally unite the country's three main islands groups.
While the country has a backbone Maharlika highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao, travel of unprocessed farm goods by land has put up huge losses, one that makes it not as economically viable option for farmers, shippers have complained.
With the SRNH opening up its Central seaboard, the delivery of basic goods and farm produce like vegetables and livestock is easier, more economical and efficient as travel time and costs to and from destinations are considerably reduced, government sources said.
With the Central Seaboard opened, travelers and farm produce from the north going to the south can now take the Bulan Sorsogon to Masbate City ferry, then motor to Cawayan, Masbate where a ferry is again available for Bogo, Cebu.
From Bogo, it would be a land trip to Cebu City where the port has a ferry to Tubigon, Bohol.
In Tubigon, Bohol, one can take the land trip to Jagna Bohol where one exits Bohol to Mambajao Camiguin, and then to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.
In Bohol, the Presidential convoy would be met by well wishers by the roadsides, banners, streamers with the famed presidential brands "Labanan ang Kahirapan" and "Ramdam ang Kaunlaran."
As early as Saturday, April 26, posters have been noted along Bohol's coastal roads where the caravan is slated to pass.
The president's party would be passing through Tubigon, Calape, Loon, Maribojoc, Cortes, Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez to Jagna, while going through about a little more than a hundred kilometers of highway also known as the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Projects.
The President in her previous speeches had pointed out that aside from the convenience of shorter travel times offered to travelers with the routes of the SRNH, spoilage of farm produce has been lessened which in turn has translated to larger income for farmers.
She also said that the increase of visitors to the various tourist spots around the country is also a by-product of the SRNH.
She noted that local and foreign tourist have been enticed to take the "scenic" route on their way to the country's numerous tourists destinations.
According to the President, the SRNH is a good example of where increased revenue collections from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) Law has gone to good use.
Meanwhile, just as the President takes the inaugural run, sectors especially in the transport industry have openly lobbied for support to the SRNH.
"There is great investment opportunity and potential in the Road RoRo Terminal System component of the SRNH," a President of a key government financial facility said.
"I would like to encourage our stakeholders; the shipbuilders, local government units, and private sector investors; to avail of financing opportunities, he pressed.
Moreover, the Development Bank of the Philippines is putting up its Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP) which is intended to modernize the processing, storage, delivery, and the distribution of grain harvest and perishable goods of traders and farmers from Mindanao and Luzon.
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