Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa AFP

Armed Forces chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa formally
received his fourth star Wednesday, gaining the rank of full general,
less than four months after his assumption as AFP head.

Dellosa assumed the highest position in the AFP last Dec. 12.

He previously held the position of Commander, North Luzon Command
(NOLCOM) before being appointed as AFP chief- -of-staff by President
Benigno S. Aquino III.

Aside from Dellosa, Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General,
Major Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz was promoted to Lieutenant General
as well as The Inspector General, now Lt. Gen Irineo C. Espino.

Joining the ranks of the new major generals are Major Gen. Joel P.
Ibañez, the Commander of the Training and Doctrines Command,
Philippine Army (PA);

Major Gen. Romulo M. Cabantac, The Chief Engineer, AFP; and Major Gen.
Edgardo Rene C. Samonte, Commander of 15th Strike Wing, PAF.

The new brigadier generals are Brig. Gen. Oscar P. Lopez, Brig.Gen.
Noel B. Miano, Brig.Gen. Felecito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr.,

Brig. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad, Brig. Gen Rolando G. Jungco, Brig.Gen
Carlos F. Quita, Brig. Gen Julius M. Guillermo, Brig. Gen. Salvador
Melchor B. Mison, and Brig. Gen. Paulita B. Cruz, who is the second
active female General in the AFP after Brig.Gen. Ramona P. Go.

Cruz is the current Chief Nurse, AFP.

Dellosa said: "The additional stars on my shoulders come with greater
responsibility on my part.

"I am truly honored by this promotion, and I feel indebted to the
people whom I will continue to serve faithfully.

Tourist Destination in Western Visayas, Philippines

Department of Tourism OIC-Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that
the various tourist destinations in Western Visayas are now ready to
welcome those who would be taking time to visit them this Holy Week.

Catalbas said that, aside from Boracay Island, other favorite
destinations of tourists are the island of Guimaras, Mambukal and
Sipalay beaches in Negros Occidental, and the resorts in the provinces
of Iloilo, Antique and Capiz.

The DOT official said that the tourists also would like to visit the
churches and witness the religious observance of the different places
in the region.

Catalbas, however, reminded tourists also to observe personal safety
and take care of their belongings as they take vacation so that they
would not be victims of those who take advantage of them.

Bamboo Factory in the Philippines

The first of its kind factory for engineered bamboos in the country
will soon rise here this year following a groundbreaking rite for the
project last week in Barangay Tangcarang.

Launched was the Hundred Islands E-Kawayan Factory which will
complement the E-Kawayan Processing Center earlier established by the
Alaminos City government in Barangay Boliney that is already
manufacturing bamboo desks for use in the public schools.

The factory was realized with the help of the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation that extended financial assistance of P31 million
to the Alaminos City government through Mayor Hernani Braganza, using
the E-Kawayan technology developed by the Mariano Marcos State
University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

The first full-blown factory for bamboos will, among others, process
and transform bamboos into different and advance forms of products by
shaping these into slats, glued and formed together to uniform desired
sizes to produce log-like lumber that could be used as alternative for
wood products.

The financial assistance from Pagcor also covers acquisition of the
needed modern equipment in bamboo processing, human resources
development, establishment of bamboo nurseries and plantation, as well
as the establishment of a tissue culture laboratory.

Once fully operational, the factory is expected to induce massive
bamboo planting in Pangasinan, making it as another source of living
for farmers in the rural areas of Alaminos and western Pangasinan as
well as create additional business and job opportunities for the
people.

Mayor Hernani Braganza, who led in the groundbreaking ceremony for the
upcoming factory, said the project will enhance the establishment of
bamboo plantations that would supply the needed raw materials for the
project, thus in one way help solve the problem posed by climate
change.

Aside from promoting renewable and sustainable development, the
E-Kawayan factory could make Alaminos City the regional center of
bamboo industry.

The factory will produce construction and building materials for the
homes that can be sold in commercially.

Mayor Braganza thanked PAGCOR Chairman Cristino Naguiat and Atty.
Jorge Sarmiento, president and chief operating officer, for granting
the city's request for financial assistance as they fully believe the
project to succeed.

He also extended gratitude to Dr. Stanley Malab of MMSU who introduced
to him the E-Kawayan technology in one of his visits to the university
a few years ago.

Malab joined Mayor Braganza in the groundbreaking rites for the
project, along with Undersecretary Merly Cruz of the Department of
Trade and Industry, Maria Elisa Cruz and Danilo Pascual, both of
PAGCOR.

Others present were Arnold Santos of the Department of Science and
Technology, Dr. Bartolome Teneza of Department of Education Region 1,
DENR Regional Director Samuel Penafiel, Assistant Regional Director
Julie Daquioag of the Department of Interior and Local Government,
Department of Tourism Regional Director Martin Valera and Dr. Romulo
Angan-angan of the Forest Products Research and Development,
Institute, Cottage Industry and Technology Center (CITC) Director
Franklin Bonuan, and Ms. Vanie Chua and Jess Paras of the First
Pinnacle Trading Corp.

Believing that the E-Kawayan technology will benefit his people,
Braganza signed a memorandum of agreement with MMSU for the needed
transfer of technology in 2008.

The mayor said in 2010, the city started the conduct of inventory of
resources and the trainings on bamboo nursery establishment, bamboo
production and bamboo management.

Braganza revealed that the Hundred Islands E-Kawayan Processing Center
was established with the help of Alaminos City's project partners
--MMSU, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and CITC.

Pitbull Scandal in Laguna, Philippines Busted

At least 25 of the pitbulls rescued last week from an online
dog-fighting racket operated by South Korean nationals here were put
down Tuesday, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) on
Wednesday said.

Dr. Wilford Almoro of the PAWS, a charity that rescues and
rehabilitates abused animals, said the remaining dogs numbering 215
rescued by police from a farm in this city, about 86 kilometers south
of Manila, could end up being put down unless concerned individuals
volunteer to adopt them, and nursed them back to health.

Almoro said most of the dogs are weakened by dehydration and poor
nutrition, and many of those that were destroyed had serious injuries,
adding the condition of the remaining dogs could worsen in the coming
days if no one will extend the much needed assistance.

He said some of the dogs have unhealed wounds, and most of them have
scars inflicted by the other dogs during dog fights.

Almoro told reporters the physical rehabilitation for all the animals
would cost P3.34 million and would need immediate treatment to correct
their aggressive behavior.

Last May 31, joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and
Detection Unit and the local police here raided the four-hectare farm
here, and arrested 12 people, including eight South Koreans tagged as
operators of the illegal dog fights streamed live on the Internet to
both local and foreign spectators who placed bets.

In that raid, authorities discovered the dogs had been kept in
abominable conditions, tied up with chains, in an orchard hidden from
view by high walls of sheet metal, Almoro said.

He said the dogs were constantly exposed to pain, trauma, and deep
wounds. Due to their condition, many of them are exposed to infection
if they remain there. However, having them adopted is easier said than
done, because you might not be sure if you are handing them over to
people who could really take care of their health.

Results of PFF-Suzuki U23 Mindanao Qualifying

Defending champion Davao Football Association (DFA) made a good start
in its title-retention bid by winning its first game at the start of
the PFF-Suzuki U23 Mindanao Qualifying tournament held at the E-Park
field in Tagum City here.

Represented by the Medvil Football Club, the Big City booters routed
the host squad Davao del Norte FC via a convincing 6-1 victory to make
its presence felt in the three-team league.

DFA will next face Compostela Valley Province on April 8 at its home
turf at the Tionko grounds in Quimpo Boulevard and play host also to
DNFA on April 29. The tournament format is a home-and-away system with
the top team representing the region in the Mindanao Finals.

Michael Nehemiah Simms and Renz Rhey Napuran both converted two goals
for Medvil. Simms broke the ice in the 22nd minute before DNFA's John
Mark Ador tied it when DFA's goalkeeper Dominador Tato IV tapped the
ball from a corner kick direct to his feet in the 25th.

But Medvil never allowed the host to score again as they completely
dominated the remaining minutes of the game. Both teams were also
prevented from scoring more goals due to the water patches in the
field caused by the heavy downpour in the first 15 minutes of play.

Simms scored his second marker and the final marker of the game in the
83rd, while Napuran found the net twice in the 52nd and 72nd and the
other scorers were Jomar Acedo (43') and Marlon Demapanag (64').

DFA is also composed of Roeder Stephen Ignacio, Dean Mark Galleto,
Sean Clarke Labang, Renelle Pino, Mark Paul Dayanan, Imardino Polo,
Khadafi Biruar, Roland Manabit, Frances Jay Abrasaldo, Roelfred
Napuran, David Angelo Diamante, Patrick Asoque, Jay Francis Abalunan,
Jacinth Ibanez, Raymon Paredo, Yoshiharu Koizumi, Jestoni Felipe,
Malon Demapanag, Jerrard Bierneza, Michael Pantojan, Danilo Lacuesta
Jr. and Amani Aguinaldo.

Philippine Airlines Bought by San Miguel Corp

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and business taipan Lucio Tan on Tuesday night
signed an investment agreements that would result to a minority
ownership of the diversified conglomerate into Philippine Airlines
Inc. (PAL) and low-cost partner Air Philippines Corporation (Air
Phil).

Under the agreement, Trustmark Holdings Corporation (Trustmark) and
Zuma Holdings and Management Corporation (Zuma), the holding companies
of PAL and Air Phil, will issue new shares to San Miguel Equity
Investments Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMC.

Trustmark and Zuma are majority owned by Tan.

Tan and Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel president and chief operating
officer, said the new investment will allow the two airlines to
strengthen operations and stay competitive with the implementation of
PAL and Air Phil's fleet modernization program.

Ang said San Miguel welcomes the opportunity to participate in the
refleeting and modernization plans of the two airlines.

On April 3, Trustmark Holdings Corp., majority shareholder of PAL
Holdings Inc., entered into investment agreements with San Miguel
Equity Investments Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.
that will result in the issuance of shares to SMEII where the latter
will take a minority stake in the company, PAL Holdings said in a
separate statement.

E. coli bacteria Found in Davao City

Environmental impact study conducted last year by the regional offices
of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) revealed that the waters of
Matina Aplaya, this city may be good for bangus-raising but it is
threatened by land-based pollution.

Leonardo Avila III, officer-in-charge of the City Agriculture Office
(CAO) said the tributaries from Talomo and Matina Pangi contribute
much to the pollution in the area.

He said experts are alarmed of the high E. coli bacteria content of
the water that might be ingested by fishes which might eventually be
consumed by the residents.

Avila said the result of the study prompted Mayor Sara Duterte to
dismantle all fish cages in the area while the pollution is being
addressed.

He said there is a need for a concerted effort from the barangay
governments in the area up to the city line agencies like the City
Health Office (CHO) and City Environment and Natural Resources Office
(CENRO) to survey the number of households which do not have toilets
and septic tanks and piggeries along the riverbanks.

"They must be stopped because they are violating environmental laws,"
Avila said.

He said his office is conducting an inventory on the number of fish
cages which still have fishes to be harvested.

Avila said operators of fish cages will still be allowed to harvest
before the land-based pollution is addressed.

"We might recommend for the relocation of fish cages where they cannot
be affected by the pollution. For now, they are given three to four
months to harvest before they can be dismantled," he said.

The City Agriculture Office accounted for 36 fish cages in Matina
Aplaya since 2011, with 11 cages due to be dismantled this year, after
being found to be operating illegally because of the absence of
permit.

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio ordered the CAO to underscore the result of
the environmental impact study of the DOST and BFAR in imposing her
order to dismantle the cages.

"Permits must no longer be issued because two studies of BFAR and DOST
pointed out high concentration of coliform and all sorts of bacteria
and dirt that you can think about, are in the area," the mayor said.

Energy Problem of the Philippines

The government is working to address the power shortages in Mindanao
and will carry out plans to solve the problem in the long term,
President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Tuesday.

In an interview with members of the Philippine press at the Sofitel
Hotel here, the Chief Executive said that his administration inherited
severe power problems in Mindanao after years of neglect by the
previous administrations.

This time, however, the President said, he wants to remedy the problem
so that future administrations do not encounter similar concerns.

"I'm going there (Mindanao) Monday and then we'll thresh it all out,"
the President said when asked about government actions on Mindanao
power shortages.

Prior to his attendance at the 20th Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the President said two power barges are on
standby and awaiting arrangements to supply Mindanao's energy needs.
The government is also working to ensure that enough electricity is
available in Mindanao next year.

"What we're going to do is we're rehabilitating Agos 6, units one and
two; it will take 30 months to replace the necessary components,
turbine, more efficient turbine. "It will expand the lifespan of that
facility by 30 years. It will produce another 19 megawatts," he
explained.

Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR4) For Coal

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday said it received 69 bids
for 38 coal areas in its fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round
(PECR4) for coal last March 30.

Undersecretary Jay Layug, Chairman of the DOE Review and Evaluation
Committee (REC), said the department opened 69 bids from various
companies who have expressed interest in investing in coal exploration
in the Philippines.

The REC is tasked to examine, evaluate, and review the legal,
technical, and financial qualifications of the PECR 4 applicants. In
determining the winning bidder, the REC will be guided by the criteria
set out in DOE Circular No. DC 2011-012-0010 (Reiterating a
Transparent and Competitive System of Awarding Service and Operating
Contracts for Petroleum and Coal Prospective Areas…), consisting of
legal qualification (10%); technical capability (30%); financial
credentials (30%); and work program (30%).

The opening of new bids clearly showed increased private companies'
interest to invest in exploration and development of indigenous coal
resources in the Philippines from the previous years. This development
will, once commercial production occurs, further reduce the country's
dependence on imported coal and will consequently result in dollar
savings arising from decreased coal importation.

Certain coal areas garnered multiple bids, particularly Areas 18-A and
18-B in Bislig and Lingig, Surigao del Sur, which the DOE considered
as the most prospective in coal resources. Areas that did not receive
any bids in PECR 4 will be offered in the next contracting round.

Some old and new players have submitted applications, including PNOC
Exploration Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., Benguet Corp., Blackstone
Mineral Resources, Inc., Altura Mining Phils. Inc., South Peak Coal
Resources, Inc., Superfine Mines and Minerals, Inc., and Empire Asia
Mining Corp.

The DOE expects to award the winning bidders their coal operating
contracts within 150 days from the opening of the applications.

Bohol Hospital in Financial Trouble

With a working monthly budget of P1 million against an expenditure of P4 million, the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) will be at the risk of closure if it will not substantially improve income from its patients.

With this predicament, even indigent patients who would be occupying private rooms in government hospitals will be obliged to either pay cash or mortgage something of value before they be allowed to leave the hospitals with unpaid bills.

This was the statement issued by Dr. Edgar D. Pizarras, spokesman of the GCGMH following complaints from patients that the government hospital will not release them if they could not settle their accounts, either cash or leave a guarantee note, promissory note or mortgage.

He cited Republic Act 9439 otherwise known as the Anti-detention law of which the hospital adopts as its guiding policy in handling cases related to the releasing of indigent patients after their hospitalization.

The law, according to Dr, Pizarras, mandates that patients under the charity ward who have pending bills are released as long as they can produce a promissory note or get a guarantee note from acceptable individuals. However, he clarified that private patients who have pending bills are not released unless there is no guarantee or mortgage.

Despite this policy, the GCGMH continues to be filled with patients especially those coming from the towns.