Congressman should publish the projects funded by their pork barrel allocations

Congressman should publish the projects funded by their pork barrel allocations.

 This was the challenge aired by Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera to Boholano solons.

 "They should do this in the spirit of transparency," the vice-governor said.

 Every congressman is entitled to pork barrel allocation of P70 million annually.

 Herrera said that the people deserve to know how the solons distribute their allocations in their district.

 "There are many towns who felt left out in the sharing of allocations so they are now demanding to know how their congressmen spend their pork barrel," he added.

 The vice-governor said that congressmen have a responsibility to make a report even if the people do not ask for it.

 He added that this is important if they want to enjoy the trust and confidence of the people.

 "The best way to do this is to make public the projects that benefited from their pork barrel," he added.

 Herrera pointed out that a congressman who has served for three terms had a total of P630-M in his pork barrel allocation.

 If there are 14 towns in a district and the congressman decides to distribute his pork barrel equally, it will mean that every town will receive a share of P5-M.

 At the end of his three terms, a town should receive at least P45-M from its congressman.

 Herrera said that while there are towns which receive more than P5-M in one year, there are also others which received less than P1-M every year.

 The vice-governor pointed out that as taxpayers, the people deserve to know where and how the pork barrel funds are spent.

 "They have a right to know what are these projects, where they are located and how the people have benefited from them," he added.

 Herrera said that the people will surely appreciate it if they see that the projects serve the interest of the people.

 "Only those who have something to hide will not make a formal report to the people," he added.

 The vice-governor said that it is not the discretion of the congressman to release the list of projects but rather their responsibility and duty.

 He pointed out that many people are slowly losing faith in their public officials because of a lack of transparency.

 "If they refuse to heed the people's clamor to come out with an official list of their projects, they cannot prevent people from suspecting that there is something rotten going on," Herrera warned. - Sunday Post

Sustainable Markets for Philippine Farm

      In line with the government's long-term goal to ensure food security and raise farmers' income in the countryside, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is calling on food manufacturers to help build ready and sustainable markets for the country's farm and fishery produce.

      This will be through contract growing and other marketing arrangements with small producers.

       According to DA, this will make agriculture a more profitable investment for its small producers, as the department has been stepping up its efforts to bring farm produce directly to urban markets for better prices and identifying the appropriate hardware and infrastructure investments needed to modernize crop production.

      One key component of this initiative is the establishment of barangay bagsakan (village drop-off centers) and bagsakan centers around Metro Manila and in the regions.

      In Bohol, DA is set to put up bagsakan centers in the municipalities of Anda, Balilihan, Loboc, Corella and Sevilla. 

      Besides increasing production, small farmers and fisherfolk should also be provided assistance in opening markets for their produce and facilities to cut back their post-harvest losses.

      Under this concept, market-matching with buyers are being done for groups of crop growers or fisherfolk who are known for or are experts at producing specific commodities.

      The DA, through Secretary Arthur Yap, has always advocated the new thinking that agriculture is also a business endeavor. (DA/tots) 

 

Biggest Medical Mission in the World

TODAY, some two million patients get treated, and by any luck, one individual walks his way to the millionaires' row if he wins in the P75M richer tax-free lotto for this year's diamond anniversary draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). 

The PCSO offers the P75-million lotto, in time for the agency's 75th Anniversary today. 

"For the 75 years of continued support, we are giving away more than P100M pesos in our diamond anniversary traditional Sweepstakes Draw as our way of thanking Filipinos, says PCSO Visayas director William Medici during a press conference here.  

A huge part of the lotto proceeds get poured into the agency's social services programs.  

According to Dr. Larry Cedro, 30% of the PCSO lotto go to charity upon which some 163,940 individual patients across the country have benefited from the agency's medical assistance program.  

Health authorities revealed that an estimated 6,660 Boholano patients have benefited from the agency's charity funds and other services. 

From the proceeds, PCSO also maintains endowment accounts at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran and some municipal health facilities. 

Today, more than 100,000 doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, health workers, medical professionals and concerned citizens from government and private sector perform the record breaking biggest act of charity in the country. 

All of Bohol's 1109 barangays would be covered in the mission, says Capitol Health consultant Fancy Baluyot.  

The "100 Percent in One Day" project of the PCSO's entails nationwide medical, dental and information- gathering mission to cover all of the country's 41,995 barangays.  

The project is envisioned to be both the 75th Anniversary of PCSO and a window for marginalized Filipinos from all over the country to access medical care and organized charity assistance, says Rosario Uriarte, PCSO General Manager and Vice Chair.  

Four doctors, two dentists, four nurses and one pharmacist assisted by health professionals, army doctors and Barangay health workers and tanods set-up the mission areas and its security.  

Aside from general checkups, minor surgeries like the removal of cataracts and lumps, dental services, eye examinations, bone scan and ear check monitor will be available in selected medical mission sites located in government hospitals and rural clinics.

Feeding missions are also coordinated by church based groups to coincide with the missions, sources revealed. 

The mission also distributes free medicines to patients at the sites, mission coordinators in Bohol say. 

"PCSO has been doing monthly medical and dental missions for several years now," says Uriarte. "But this is the first time we'll hold it in large scale in one day, targeting more than two million patients." 

The feeding missions would be conducted in selected barangays, mostly in depressed areas, in coordination with church-based groups and civic organizations.  

The "One Hundred Percent in One Day" project, according to Uriarte, is envisioned to be an annual activity that will serve as a vehicle for spreading the "charity virus," and make organized and systematic sharing coupled with volunteerism as a way of life for Filipinos. (PIA)

Bohol Wants Tourism Spots Gun-free

BOHOL police officials do not just want gun-free tourism areas here. 

In a recent move presented to the Provincial Tourism Council, PSSupt. Edgardo Ingking bared the plan to transform tourism areas into "Discipline Zones" (DZ). 

"We want to help create an environment to sustain Bohol's tourism potential by strictly imposing order, maintain and sustain the law enforcement efforts by making sure basic laws are followed," he told council members. 

The police proposal also dovetails with the out-going tourism council chairman Peter Dejaresco who said Bohol's greatest challenge is to sustain its tourism momentum. 

"Unchecked incivility and disorder breeds crime," Ingking, who may have this as his last legacy to Bohol before he bows out as provincial commander here stressed. 

In designated pilot tourism areas, he explained, police would go for zero crime tolerance on basic laws in traffic, squatting, pollution, illegal vending, sanitation and applicable local ordinances. 

In these areas, anti-littering, smoking areas, traffic laws, environmental laws, discipline and some local ordinances like stakeholder uniforms may be strictly enforced to impose order. 

To be implemented in tandem with the business sector, police and the civil society, the "Discipline Zone" plan creates a formidable force against crimes, he assured. 

Set to be a three phased plan, the DZ would start its three month pilot implementation after the stakeholders shall have identified the areas. 

Stakeholders would be trained, craft strategies and formulate plans, propagate the communication plan to generate awareness, deploy personnel and asses the situation monthly. 

The overall aim is to have the Department of Tourism (DOT) accredit the place as Discipline Zone, the Camp Dagohoy based cop said. 

Ingking admitted that the plan was an offshoot of the Environmental Security on Tourism workshop hailed by DOT Undersecretary Salvador Sarabia a few months ago. 

Asked which tourism areas he want to pilot, the top cop said he mulled the [plan for Panglao Island or Loboc, well established tourism areas already. (PIA) 

HIV AIDS Hospital in Bohol Philippines

Health authorities in Bohol vow to activate nine more Hospital Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Core Team (HACT) after taking the cue from Bohol regional hospital. 

According to Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health, after the reactivation of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital HACT and Center, other government hospitals would follow suit. 

In fact, there is already a step to identify more government and private hospitals for possible HACT Centers, Lopez, who is also a doctor, added.

 

The move, one of the more proactive steps by local authorities against the threat HIV AIDS however dents less over the large misinformation about the disease. 

AIDS, a disease that could be fatal to people affected by it, stigmatizing to their families can be preventable provided people practice healthy and safe sex and blood transfusions. 

But operating on the context of largely migrating Boholanos, local authorities have drafted anti-HIV AIDS measures to map out a local response to the disease and other sexually transmitted infections. 

Lopez, who, along with the Provincial HIV AIDS Multi-Sectoral Council (PHAMSC) he chairs, has lobbied for the activation of the HACT in the rural health units of Ubay, Talibon and Carmen this time said next in line would be government hospitals. 

A HACT is a team of doctor, a nurse, medical technologist and a social worker basically equipped the respond to the proper management in the onset of a possible case of infection, says Provincial HIV AIDS coordinator Mila Israel.

These personnel based in hospitals undergo at least two weeks of intensive training in disease control and management and would be the patient's support team before they could be referred to the regional treatment hub at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in nearby Cebu, she explained. (PIA)

Philippine Abu Sayyaf Terrorist To Be Forgiven?

MALACANANG has shut down efforts to offer amnesty to the members of the Abu Sayyaf saying the group has been nothing but a bunch of criminal outlaws. 

But Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez also said the situation is different with accused political offenders who deserve a bit of "leniency" 

Golez said the decision to deny amnesty to the Abu Sayyaf came after careful study, and considering popular calls for justice and retribution as well as weighing the pressing imperatives of peace and development in Mindanao. 

"They are lawless. They are proven to be kidnappers, gun runners, extortionists and they have been doing illegal things. They don't deserve to be given an amnesty," Golez stressed as quoted in reports. 

"The decision also reflects our confidence that the peace process will not be affected by the denial of amnesty to a fringe gang of bandits and terrorists," Golez said. 

On the statement's effects to ongoing negotiations, he adds, "Our government believes that the peace process can and should continue on the basis of good faith discussions between government and mainstream political rebel groups, following the UN-sanctioned principles of DDR or disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration." 

The Abu Sayyaf – or Bearer of the Sword – wrote its early history in blood, staging kidnappings, bombings and beheadings to draw attention, recruits and funds from the al-Qaeda terror network of international fugitive Osama bin Laden. 

The homegrown terror group is now listed as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations. 

The international terrorist tag has also allowed US helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its campaign against the Abu Sayyaf. (PIA)

Arthur Yap: Political Celebrity and Favorite in Bohol, Philippines

By Joe Espiritu

A few days ago, Secretary of Agriculture Arthur C. Yap distributed checks to be spent for farm to market road projects. By local standards, the amount distributed is considerable, some two hundred thousand pesos per barangay. With Jagna having thirty three barangays, the total amount shelled out was some six million six hundred thousand pesos. The distribution is not limited to Jagna alone but to several towns within the Third District of Bohol. The timing of the distribution is significant. 

 Election is just nine months from now. It is no secret that Atty. Art Yap is eyeing for the lone congressional seat of the Third District. It is still a long way from the formal declaration like the filing of candidacy, but should this happen; the cozy arrangement of the Big Four, if there is any now, will be in turmoil. Or perhaps the arrangement is not so cozy.

 During happier days, Gov. Erico Aumentado, Cong. Edgar Chatto of the First District, Cong. Roberto Cajes of the Second District and Eladio Jala of the Third District were the power brokers. Few would run without their blessings and if they would run at all, they will have to join the opposition. Most did not. They simply wait for better times. Now, because the law had decreed that no one can run for the same post for the fourth time, those who had graduated will look for other positions.

 Informed sources say that Gov. Aumentado will run for his old seat, as Congressman, in the Second District. Edgar Chatto and Roberto Cajes will run for Governor and Vice Governor. This would be a logical assumption since Chatto would play second fiddle to no one so Cajes has to if he has to stay in the running.  They would be against a formidable team of Julius Herrera and Tomas Abapo or Conching Lim although most prefer Tommy because of his bigger clout.  The First District Congressional seat is up for grabs, the Second goes to Gov. Aumentado but the Third will be contested by Jala the elder this time.

 In the gubernatorial race the Herrera - Abapo or Lim tandem will be in the opposition. The Chatto – Cajes – if they agree to the arrangement will be in the administration party. However, there was that story by highly informed sources that the Big Four took their oaths as members of the Nacionalista Party in one of the visits of Sen. Manny Villar to Bohol. The same informed sources said that they promptly went back to their old party the next day.

 Then comes D A Secretary Art Yap. All signs point out that Yap is running for the Congressional seat in the Third District. Since Yap is in the administration and a Cabinet Secretary at that, he must have the blessings of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  In order to avoid inconvenience, PGMA must pack the Congress with her men so Yap must win whatever happens.

 Sec. Yap must be persuaded to run for a higher post. As an Agriculture Secretary, he had a wider coverage. He must be convinced that the Third Political District of Bohol is too small a pond for him. On the other hand, it seems as if Sec. Yap is following a political agenda. After the 2010 election, there would be a clamor for a Chacha to create a unicameral parliamentary form of government. Should this happen and PGMA wins a congressional; seat in Pampanga, she might vie for the Prime Minister position. With the majority of Congressmen hers, this would be a possibility. 

Republic Acts 6975 and 8551: Philippine Law

Morale booster for men in blue uniforms. 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) signed into law a measure that finally laid to rest what has been troubling well-meaning police officers who get entangled with cases in the performance of their duties. 

Moreover, the president's action on the law amending Republic Acts 6975 and 8551 also gives five years for undergraduate cops to finish the minimum requirement for police officers under the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

The new law which she signed last week is entitled "An act Extending to Five Years the Reglementary Period for Complying with the Minimum Educational Qualifications for the Appointment of the PNP and Adjusting the Promotion System, Amending for the Purpose the Pertinent Provisions of RA 6975 and RA 8551 and for other purposes. 

RA 6975 effectively bars promotion for any police officer facing service-related charges, until they are cleared. 

This is even if these charges are in furtherance of their duties as protectors of peace, says Camp Dagohoy Information Officer P/Insp. John Gano. 

Some police officers think this law (RA 6975) has been a convenient tool used by criminals who threaten officers by getting back at cops administrative or criminal charges, and not a few have chickened out from performing their duties diligently because of this provision of law. 

Under the new law however, if after two years, the case has not been resolved, sued cops can be considered for promotions. 

Furthermore, some absorbed police officers, especially those who came from the ranks of the now defunct Philippine Constabulary (PC) or the Integrated National Police (INP) still needs to complete the required college degree as a minimum requirement for PNP appointment.  

The new law allows them to breeze through the minimum college requirement in the next five years as a good provision of a continuing education for police personnel, Pinsp. Gano said. (PIA)

Anti-pollution Measure in the Philippines

The government is letting loose P500M to advance its anti-pollution measure, reveals Presidential Management Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. during a press conference in Panglao. 

The fund, which is from the collected national road safety tax, Esperon said, can be availed by transport groups to help fund the drivers switch from the pollution prone fossil fuels to the cleaner liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 

According to him, the money could be accessed by transport cooperatives through the Philippine Postal and Savings Bank and it would basically be used to fund for the conversion of engines. 

Through this, the government hopes to enhance its climate change activities, he said. 

Esperon also claimed that the government is now getting more and more serious about the care for the environment added that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has designated Fridays in her schedules as a day for the environment. 

Many also see the move as a way to slowly shake off from a heavy dependence on imported oil amidst the unpredictable price fluctuations in the global markets. 

Over this, Bohol transport groups who could probably avail of such fund may seek details of the credit window at the Philippine Postal Bank. 

While it was not yet certain if LPG works in a terrain which is more harsh than the flat lands of Manila, putting up LPG on taxi units may soon de-clog gas stations, noted several observers. 

Esperon, who was then the Armed Forces Chief said the programmed switch to LPG is also in line with the government's policy on cleaner energy use to mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Government sources also revealed recently that in the remaining days of President Arroyo would be focused on investing in education, economy and the environment. (PIA)  

Donation for Jagna, Bohol

July 3, 2009 was a day of another remarkable accomplishment of DU EK SAM.

In time for the SY 2009-2010 opening, a furnished one-classroom school building was turned over last July 3 to the school officials of Mayana Elementary School of barangay Mayana, Jagna town.  

This one is its third contribution for the development of Jagna town's educational facilities.

In June 2007 and June 2008, Du Ek Sam shared its blessings to Odiong Elementary School and Tubod Monte Elementary School both of Jagna town.

Jagna town holds a special part of Du Ek Sam's matriarch Melecia Uy Du, the reason why the town received the first downpour of the blessings.

Du Ek Sam, Inc. your trusted motorcycle and appliance dealer believes in upholding the importance of education for every child through generations.