Bol-anon Workers at the Capitol Get Increase of Salary

By Felix Cempron | Bohol Media - The provincial government of Bohol headed by Gov. Erico Aumentado slated to grant another 10% salary increase to all qualified government workers effective July 1, 2008.

The said increase was sounded after Her Excellency Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to implement across the board increase to government workers nationwide.

Assistant Provincial Treasurer Primitiva Ontong disclosed that the Local Finance Committee headed by provincial treasurer Eustaquio Socorin is now on the process of sourcing funds from provincial coffer the sum of P15-million pesos intended for that increase.

Meanwhile, Ontong said, the governor has given the green light for the release of mid-year bonus after the first quencina salary this month of May 2008. The payroll maker in different Capitol offices has been instructed to prepare payroll on said benefit.

However, almost all of the mid-year bonus of the Capitol employees have been "spirited away" and already gone the pocket of the loan sharks and other lending institutions doing business inside the provincial seat of government. The employees will be left empty-handed after collecting their salary.

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Controversy Over Metro Cluster Landfill in Alburquerque Bohol

Rey Anthony Chiu | Philippine Information Agency - Just as sanitary landfill projects across the country have considerable opposition, newly named Bohol environment officer believes operating the Metro Cluster Landfill in Alburquerque is still the most appropriate measure against our garbage woes.

Towns near the city have agreed to pool meager resources to put up a legal garbage disposal site in Alburquerque, thus the idea of the Metro Tagbilaran Cluster came.

Nestor Canda, the new Bohol head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aired his opinion during the recent Kapihan sa PIA which talked "Promoting Sustainable Tourism as a Strategy to Conserve the Coastal Environment.

The forum which was aired live over DyTR devoted precious airtime moments to discuss Bohol's direst need for a sanitary landfill just as the country has outlawed the operation of open garbage dump sites by virtue of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Law.

In the last few weeks, newspapers in Bohol exposed the desire of the Dampas local government to close the open dumpsite in their district for health, economic and social reasons.

Dampas barangay Chairman Fredison Englis has pointed out that his barangay has the most school drop outs, attracted unwanted scavengers and aired health concerns as raised by his constituents.

At the looming closure of the city dumpsite, garbage dumps sprouting in Bohol pose as the most logical thing for poorer local government units too cash strapped to operate a sanitary landfill as mandated by the ESWM Law.

The same law vows to hail to court any local government units found with violations against it.

A closure of the city dumpsite also means denying garbage from Panglao island, which unnecessarily makes Bohol beaches hit a garbage problem like Boracay.

During the weekly PIA forum, Canda, who has barely two days since getting his working papers as OIC PENRO said he could understand Albur contra-position on the landfill.

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Colurum Van for Hires Got Franchise Deal from LTFRB

Police Gen. Thompson Lantion, chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has ordered the issuance of franchise to colurum vans for-hire (V-hires) and like units that service tourists in Bohol.

His order sounded a stern warning, too, against any LTFRB personnel found extorting their clients or in cahoots with fixers on same intent of making money.

Parallel to the legalization of the colurum units, transport vans that cannot pass the tourist transport service standard will be converted into GT express units. GT means garage to terminal.

Easily over 70% of the V-hires, shuttle vans and other tourist transport units in Bohol are colurum or operating without franchise.

The LTFRB chairman personally met with the leaders of concerned transport groups here on Wednesday in a forum facilitated by Rep. Edgar Chatto in coordination with the provincial government thru Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II.

Chatto heads the committee on tourism of the House of Representatives.

Damalerio chairs the public utilities committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Lantion said the transport groups in Bohol have the full support of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He said the president wants the tourism support mobility sector to be in legal and legitimate business especially now that the so-called Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) has begun operational. - The Bohol Standard

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Supports SPES

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) strongly pushed for the enactment of House Bill No. 203 principally authored by Bohol Congressman Edgar M. Chatto. The Bill is entitled " An Act Strengthening further and Broadening the coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) amending for the purpose certain provisions of RA no. 7323" .

DOLE Asst Secretary Rey Conferido explained during the Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting of the House Committee on Labor last May 8, 2008 that the Chatto Bill is a direct response to a wide clamor for expansion of the program to cover more student beneficiaries who wish to get employment during vacation to help raise the needed funds for their tuition fees in the ensuing school year. Conferido said that this is a pro-poor and pro-people measure which deserve everybody's support.

Congressman Chatto in an interview said that this bill enables more poor but deserving students to acquire quality education by working during vacations for a period of not less than 20 days and not more than 52 days. He asserted that the Bill allows private enterprises employing not less than 10 workers to join the program effectively expanding the SPES coverage. It is also pegging the participating student's salary rate on the minimum wage for private employers and the applicable hiring rate for national and local government agencies.

Chatto added that the Bill likewise provides that the students employed in activities related to their course may earn equivalent academic credits as determined by the appropriate government agencies and academic institutions. He further said that their work experience may be credited by employers as part of their probationary period prescribed in the Labor Code. Cong Chatto further explained that another feature of the Bill is indexing the income qualifications for SPES to the annual regional poverty threshold line for a family of six, to insulate it from the rigors of legislative amendments every time there is as shift in poverty line.

Director Rafael Chico of the Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors also manifested their group's full support to the Bill. He was joined by Attyy Levy Edwin Ang of SALIGAN and Professor Cesario Azucena of the University of the Philippines SOLAIR and Ateneo de Manila University.- published by the Bohol Standard

Bohol LTO Deploys Deputized Road-Watchers

One hundred twenty (120) Land Transportation Office (LTO) newly deputized traffic enforcers officers will hit the road Tuesday for a no-nonsense campaign against violators.

LTO Tagbilaran district supervising officer Joel Maloloy-on said the regional office had already signed their deputization after undergoing a series of seminars regarding traffic laws and regulations.

All of them are government employees, traffic policemen and members of the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) with regards to the city using civilian personnel.

Deputized officers will all be provided LTO citations tickets (Temporary Operators' Permit-TOP) that they will issue to every violator they apprehend. Due courtesy will be applied in the conduct of their work and team leaders like chief of police in municipalities will be responsible for their actions, the LTO office assured.

Maloloy-on said, his office has coordinated with the PNP provincial command under Supt Edgardo Ingking for a direct supervision of the newly deputized traffic officers.

"To erase previous impressions of abusive and corrupt traffic officers, their performance will be evaluated and all verified, written complaints from motorists will be acted observing due process," Maloloy-on said.

"If there are scalawags in these new deputized traffic enforcers, we will deal with them accordingly. But until then, I'm sure there will be none, hopefully. We'll cross the bridge when we reach there," he added.

Aga Mulach Promotes Sun Cellular Phone in "Boses ng Barkada"

With Aga's new endorsement comes a new television commercial (TVC) titled "Sun Cellular, Boses ng Barkada."  It promotes Aga as the new face behind Sun Cellular and its most popular flagship permanent service,  the Sun Call and Text Unlimited (CTU) 25 that offers the most cost-efficient service in town -  unlimited calls  and texts for one day for only P25!  It can be availed through Sun's electronic loading service Sun Xpress Load and e-pins. Meanwhile, regular load can also be converted to CTU25.

"Sun Cellular is   the only operator that offers unlimited calls. For a flat daily rate, our subscribers can call and text other Sun numbers all they want for 24 hours. This is our distinct offer to consumers," says Joan Dueñas, AVP for Prepaid Business "People need to communicate everyday with family, friends, and business contacts.  Through this, Sun Cellular builds and nurtures relationships. That's why we did this recent campaign: our subscribers are not just limited to texting, they can call all they want."

"The TVC suits Aga best: not only is he a celebrated actor, he is also a noted sportsman, a businessman and a family man," enthuses Dueñas. "With the many reel and real life roles he plays, it is important that he communicates constantly  with his family and colleagues in the business.  Sun's Call & Text Unlimited service allows him to do that. They are all just a phone call away."

Aga couldn't agree more.  "I always want to be connected to those very important to me."  He also believes in Sun's value for money offering, saying that CTU 25 is good for everyone like people who work for him in his construction/real estate project.  "Lahat ng tao gusto maging praktikal.  Sa Sun, tumawag ka lang. Mag-usap na kayo.  That  is why I'm so excited to be with Sun.  I believe in the brand." - Press Release

Filipino Supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines/NPA Gave Up

Many supporters of the NPA Movement have called it "quit." They are back to the government fold.

Ninety-six mass base supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) have surrendered to elements of the Army's 14th Infantry Battalion in three separate incidents in Eastern Samar, a military spokesman reported Saturday.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the first incident was at 8 a.m. on May 13 where 49 New People's Army supporters from Cagtoong, Oras, Eastern Samar, headed by Brgy. Chairman Joel M. Mejica surrendered to the said troops.

Brawner said the second incident was at 9 a.m. the same day where 17 communist terrorist supporters from Brgy Capili, Oras headed by Brgy Chairman Rufo J. Madeja surrendered.

At 11 a.m., another 30 communist terrorist supporters from Brgy. Gamot of same municipality headed by Brgy. Chairman Arnulfo M. Oros surrendered to the same Army unit, said Brawner.

"The surrenderors are now executing their affidavits for the filing of appropriate charges against the NPA rebels operating in the area in coordination with the local PNP," said Brawner, quoting reports from the field.

"This surrender is a manifestation that the communist movement is losing support from its mass base. With the relentless surrender and neutralization of NPA members and their guerilla fronts coupled with continuous operations of government troops, it is not impossible to reduce the NPA rebels into an insignificant number come 2010," said Brawner.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Samar, Brawner said members of the 34th Infantry Battalion, while conducting combat operation, discovered an enemy abandoned camp in Sitio Bagte, Brgy. Manlilinab, Basey at 11 a.m. on May 20.

"The said camp is composed of 40 bunkers that can accommodate more or less 200 communist terrorists. The camp is said to be abandoned for almost two months. The troops recovered a BDA (battle dress attire) uniform, one M14 magazine, and CT personal belongings," said Brawner.

He said the troops are still in the area to monitor possible enemy presence.

Brawner also reported that another enemy abandoned camp was discovered by one platoon from 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company while conducting combat operations towards their designated objective in Brgy. Mabini Surigao City at 3:45 p.m. on May 18.

Philippine President Samples World-Famous Bohol's Diving Spot and Resort

Written by Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency 

  Tackling heated deliberations on power and mediating the controversial spat between Manila Electric Company and state-run insurance system deserve cooling moments and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo precisely did just that, few minutes after her Bohol Cabinet meeting May 20. 

  "She was excited, even with limited visibility due to the fast sunset. By the looks of it, she is coming back," a resort staff revealed as the president briefly came to the island after the dive.   

  Balicasag Resort resident manager Maria Elena Go said the president was excited when she narrated her experience even with limited visibility.

  After the Cabinet meeting, the president, accompanied by Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and navy divers immediately motored to Alona Beach in Panglao, about two hours later than scheduled to hop to Balicasag Island. 

  Squeezing into a black wet-suit and putting on a transparent plastic mask, on the diveboat before transferring to the flat boat in front of the resort, she momentarily left the world of politics for the underwater wonders of the famous dive-island in Panglao.

  Earlier, Representative Edgar Chatto, in a radio interview told listeners that the president wants to see for herself why Japanese divers rate Balicasag as the third most beautiful dive site in the world.

  Go, in an interview confessed she was worried about the delay for it was almost dark and visibility is reduced.

  For lack of time, the dive briefing, which was set at 2:00 pm in the resort happened 2 hours later, and on the boat instead.   

  An entourage of Navy divers and underwater photographers documenting the event accompanied the president and Secretary Yap as both descended into the famed Royal Garden.

  Immersing themselves first on the north side of the island, the dive point of interest are thick corals that form a kaleidoscopic multi-colored reef teeming with tropical fish. The site, simply named the Royal Garden, is also what most divers refer to the entire marine ecosystem of Balicasag.

  From there, the President and her party of divers proceeded to the thrill of swimming though the black coral forest or simply Black Forest, Balicasag resident dive master said. 

  The dive, he said offers a rare opportunity of swimming through black coral that teems at surpsingly shallow 30 meter depths. Black corals are seldom found above 50 meters. 

  Speculations bare that the island's shadow combined with the coolness and nutrients provided by currents and upwellings "deceive" the coral into thinking it's at greater depth. 

  Apart from the black corals, schools of tropical fish-such as moorfish idols, batfish and lionfish - along with assorted nudibranches, including Spanish dancers are there, Balicasag website states.

  Other Balicasag points of interest, which the President's party missed are the Cathedral Wall, Divers' Haven, Turtle Point and the Marine Sanctuary dives, all ringing the 25 hectare island off Panglao.

Multi-billion Panglao-Bohol International Airport Launched by Philippine President

By Rey Anthony Chiu - Philippine Information Agency

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the construction of the P4.17-billion Panglao-Bohol International Airport here to boost the tourism and trade potentials of this world-class destination province. 

The President led the capsule-laying ceremony in Barangay Tawala assisted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, and Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala. 

After the capsule-laying, the President was briefed by Cusi on the status of the project funded through MIAA's P3-billion income and P1 billion from the DOTC. 

Cusi informed the President that the international airport is targeted to be operational in the first quarter of 2010 and can accommodate one million passengers per year. 

The President said no foreign loans were sourced in the construction of the Panglao International Airport as government revenue agencies have consistently exceeded their targets these past few years. 

Upon completion of the project, the President said foreign tourists can now come directly and visit the famous destinations in Bohol that include the Chocolate Hills, a candidate in the Internet search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and Balicasag Island, a popular breathtaking dive site which she herself had a look. 

The President said Bohol, the tenth largest island of the Philippines, is one of the tourism centers of the country. Located in the heart of the Visayas, it is famous for the tarsier, the world's smallest primate; pristine beaches and dive spots, caves and crystal springs, ancestral homes, and centuries-old churches. 

In an earlier interview, Cusi and Mendoza said the Panglao International Airport would not only cater to tourists and cargo but is expected to boost trade, investments and economic activity in Bohol as it would be a magnet for industrial parks and economic zones.

The multi-billion key infrastructure project also merited a good number of critics, one which is led by University of the Philippines Professor of Economics Ernesto Pernia and long-time airport critic and former Panglao Municipal Tourism Committee Chairman Agustin Cloribel.

Working against time in efforts to at least stall or scrap the project, Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform (BOTAR) posted a paid ad in a local paper daring the provincial leaders to clarify issues involving the project.

Questions raised against the plan are its economic viability, serious environmental concerns, perceived corruption and dirty politics.

Philippine President Calls for Solution to High Oil Price and Food Shortage

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on all political leaders to support government efforts in tackling the twin global challenges of spiraling oil prices and food shortage.

  In her opening statement at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet group meeting at the Garden Square of the Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa in the world-famous Panglao Island, the President stressed that too much politicking would not help solve the problem on oil and food.

  ''We have much to do to bring affordable food, energy and power to our people. I call on all our leaders to help us in this urgent task, and leave the politicking for 2010,'' the President said.

  The President added that the people are now feeling the impact of rising oil and food prices and the government continues to implement mitigating measures to ease the burden.

  Thus, she called on those who take advantage of the situation to stop and instead help government in its efforts.

  ''Let us give priority to food, livelihood and the basic needs of our people,'' the President said adding that she remains focused in improving the lives of the people, unmindful of political bickerings.

  ''(Politicking) will not bring food on the table, affordable electricity and transport fare,'' she said. - Philippine Information Agency