Friday, January 26, 2007

EDITORIAL

Paroled Pinoy’s Past, Present Polish Parol Parade
Reimigio Is Guilty By Association Vows To Do Good Always

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO

USA—PAROLED convict Rico Reimigio’s hands grip different sets of bars symbolizing a freedom only he could taste: bamboo strips for his first parol, the Filipino Christmas lantern.
On his face is a genuine smile, also the first time this reporter sees on Reimigio, the former thug feared while stomping the streets of San Francisco, California.
He is back again on the streets, as the lantern he finished in 90 minutes was displayed proudly along this city’s South of Market (SoMa) area as the Filipino-American neighborhood in San Francisco holds its fourth parade of Filipino lanterns on December 9.
"I can’t describe the happiness I feel," the 45-year-old Reimigio said, his inch-thick thumb and forefinger deftly slipping the paper-thin bamboo slits to tie a knot holding the five-pointed lantern.
He holds it up against the light, silently proud of what his work reflects and giddy with excitement at his first Christmas outside prison.
Reimigio is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the sponsor of the parade and the materials for the lanterns, a nonprofit Filipino-American neighborhood group in San Francisco’s SoMa area.
Now out on a five-year parole program, Reimigio is also grateful to having rediscovered his being a Filipino in the United States, which has tided him over for 25 years at the San Quentin Detention Center in San Rafael, California.
Jail riots, he narrated, are common occurrences in the 150-year-old San Quentin where the US government initially imprisons most hardened and violent criminals.
After acknowledging his Filipino roots, which his mother reminded him of after his first three years in San Quentin, Reimigio said he took a different tack than slugging it out with fellow detainees during riots.
"Talking things over worked and inmates from other races respect Filipino inmates for that."
That respect is what Reimigio has been bringing since he stepped out of prison in January, 2005.

TOUGH

HE smelled the marijuana before he saw the pot smoker, a Filipino nurse.
Reimigio wasn’t surprised to have felt déjà vu walking the streets of SoMa. It was here when drugs and violence were parts of his everyday life since arriving from the Philippines in 1973.
He was only 12 then, he said, but SoMa became his little "Tondo", a gangster’s haven in the Philippines during the 1960s.
Gangsterism among high school students like him became his folly in 1980 when a fellow gang members killed two African-American males. Reimigio was 19 then and, together with the three other gang members, were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The courts said we were guilty "by association," Reimigio said.
Going to San Quentin, he confided, never liberated him from the environment of illegal drug abuse: prison itself was flooded with drugs and alcohol. How these substances flowed in and out of the penal system there, Reimigio couldn’t tell.
But his mother saved him from entering the bowels of hell.
"When she visited me in prison, I just felt sad within that was so deep I couldn’t shake it off. I then asked myself, ‘Why am I doing this to her?," Reimigio revealed.
"It was then, I realized it is never late to do something."
The smell of pot grew stronger and whacked Reimigio from the reverie.
"Stop taking drugs, man," he told the nurse.
He said he would walk this particular street and said the same thing over and over again until the nurse came to his senses.
"He won’t change overnight," Reimigio said.
This is what he did –gang and drug prevention work in SoMa– as a tribute to his mother, who had long hoped for the son’s exit from prison bars.

SOMA

SOMA is an area adjacent to Market Street in downtown San Francisco where most foreigners and first-time immigrants have been settling, Filipinos including, since the 1920s.
Mission Street is a prism of lives in paltry and plenty. The street with its chic buildings and parks links SoMa to the city’s financial district. People would come out of high-rise and medium-rise housing projects to buy something from dollops of grocery stores or shops selling sex toys and videos that splotch the street. Along the way, they would cast eyes on the homeless or consciously or unconsciously bump into drug addicts.
This is the street Reimigio returned to pounding with his soft-soled shoes and brain cells honed inside San Quentin.
"Now I am guarding SoMa from violence."
This self-appointed task is a trek that began in the late 1980s when Reimigio went back to books while inside prison.
So starting the late 1980s, Reimigio was in a mode of personal reform.
He finished some general education equivalency subjects leading to a high school diploma, and earned an Associate in Arts degree at Hartnell College; the prison bars just a physical barrier.
The toughest challenge was within himself, especially during jail riots: Reimigio wielded his tongue rather than his fist.
Held dialogues among inmates which helped him develop leadership qualities. Prison officials noticed the changes when they appointed Reimigio to lead incoming Filipino inmates serving life sentences –lifers, as they are called.
I’d tell them first "to be always conscious about their surrounding environment," Reimigio said.
He also incessantly reminded inmates to master their addiction to illegal substances that filter through the prison bars.
"If you want to get high, take drugs in your room. But I suggest you stop taking drugs," he continuously advised Filipino inmates.
Lifers would lose hope and regress towards accepting the fate of never again getting outside prison.
A lifer himself, Reimigio’s hopes always pointed to the opportunity that things could change "if I do good always."
I always told the Pinoy inmates; "doing good will boost chances to shorten time in prison when parole opportunities come our way," Reimigio said.
He proved that when that chance came in 2005: he applied for parole.

EPIPHANY

THE trek to walk again on SoMa was long in itself for Reimigio; longer than his 25-year prison stay.
He went through a battery of tests and interviews, mostly revisiting the days leading to the crime two decades ago and the night of the crime itself. Some questions, he said, were also about his future out of jail.
A passing grade on a psychiatric test led to a prison official’s recommendation for Reimigio’s release. A three-person panel evaluated the official’s report, grilled Reimigio about almost everything on himself, and pushed a recommendation that he be placed into the state-wide parole program.
A nine-person panel seconded that recommendation and Reimigio’s application landed on the desk of former on-screen tough guy-now-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reimigio waited for 60 days for Schwarzenegger.
After six months, Reimigio spent his last Christmas inside San Quentin in December 2005.
Stepping out on a new year, Reimigio said he began to take steps in his new-found freedom.
He lived in Daly City, got a full-time job, and now receiving strong community support from a SoMa-based nonprofit. These three conditions are part of California’s parole program.
He went back to SoMa, saw the Bayanihan House at the corner of 6th and Mission streets, and was then introduced to the Filipino-American Development Foundation.
He is also a volunteer for FADF’s sister group-Veterans Equity Center, that assists elderly Filipinos, especially Filipino World War II veterans.
"I find joy in helping our elderly," Reimigio said.
He cited that not everybody accompany its elderly people crossing the busy streets of San Francisco.
He doesn’t begrudge these people but take it upon himself to be the elderly’s escort when times call for such simple Boy Scout task.
Crossing the streets, however, also reminds him he’s, indeed, out of prison.
He’s also out on a mission.
LIGHTS

THIS Christmas 2006 was his sweetest, Reimigio said, not only because of his freedom but also because he showcased the resilience of the Filipino against odds stacked against him or her in a foreign land.
Reimigio is one of the key people who organized the "Fourth Parol (Lantern) Festival" of FADF.
Filipino lanterns of all sizes hand-made by Reimigio and other Filipinos paraded through downtown San Francisco to showcase the Filipino way of celebrating Christmas.
The San Francisco public, through the festival, was reminded that the parol is "Filipino," explained FADF community strategist MC Canlas.
What reminded parade onlookers was that the bamboo strips, art papers and Christmas lights are "Filipino," and will thus provide an opportunity to have these products, as well as the parol, mainstreamed into the US market.
"Is there any product that reminds people this is ‘Filipino’? There’s none, and whatever Filipino symbol or product we have should then blend with the [American] public’s search for Asian products, including Filipino products."
Such is Canlas’s long-term vision for Filipinos’ visibility in the US, not just in the Bay Area.
Reimigio, tasked to take care of materials used by volunteers in FADF’s weekly parol-making workshops, wants to be a part of the festival’s vision "to bring back the Pinoy Christmas tradition".
Reimigio also has a vision for SoMa: that people there, Filipinos included, will be less involved in gangs and avoid violence.
He has been doing just that since January last year as a gang prevention counselor for FADF among high school and college students.
He slowly lays down the parol, sat back and allowed silence to linger when asked about his plans in 2007.
"I am praying to the Lord that He makes me do these good things for others. For that, I will not leave my neighborhood." /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente


Dismissal Without Trial

Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. devoted his State of the Province Address (SOPA) to lambaste officials who carried out what he called "political terrorism" against his administration. Tupas delivered his SOPA in the jampacked Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Iloilo City on January 23.
Gov. Tupas, filled with emotion, in his speech demanded for the resignation of Sec. Raul Gonzales, Sr. – Department of Justice; Sec. Ronaldo Puno – Department of Interior and Local Government, and Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay, PNP Regional Director, Region 6.
"The immediate resignation of Sec. Gonzales, Sec. Puno and Chief Supt. Dulay and his men is the most honorable thing for them to do and allow the healing process to begin", stressed Tupas. Moreover, Gov. Tupas also requested PNP Director General Oscar Calderon to relieve Dulay and top officers of the Regional Mobile Group who were involved in the Iloilo Capitol take over on January 17.
Probably, those officials who Gov. Tupas demanded to resign were out of their normal minds. Experiences show, the police had been rationale in their treatment with hostage takers and those out of their minds, people who climbed roof tops and lamp posts and told people below "they will commit suicide". The police negotiated with them.
Why did the DILG and DOJ secretaries attempted to implement the dismissal order with perpetual disqualification from holding government offices on Governor Tupas? Gov. Tupas is accused of a flimsy cause involving P85,000 which was used for the training of some public officials. Tupas believed what happened to him was a punishment in the desire to punish political enemies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with the used of techniques perfected by the Japanese Kempetai, Gestapo and KGB.
On the other hand, the Provincial Governors of Region VI (Western Visayas) most strongly express and manifest support to Gov. Tupas. They expressed they were greatly disturbed and alarmed of the enforcement of the dismissal order that did not give him the opportunity and right to seek remedies and relief granted him by the Constitution and laws.
The manifesto was signed by Gov. Vicente B. Bermejo – Capiz, Joseph G. Marañon – Negros Occidental; Carlito S. Marquez – Aklan; Joaquin Carlos A. Nava – Guimaras and Salvacion Z. Perez – Antique.
But can the Ombudsman which is created to serve as the prosecuting office of those government officials and employees charged with grab dismiss that official or employee? The Ombudsman if it finds out there is high probable cause will file the case with the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman serves as prosecutor, the Sandiganbayan serves as the judge.
In the Tupas Case, Ombudsman acted as prosecutor and judge at the same time. If the Tupas case is political terrorism, then the lawyers at Ombudsman has allowed themselves to be used by people in the upper level to persecute political enemies and Gov. Tupas and two members of the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan were unwilling victims.
The Iloilo Capital incident happened because of the greed for power. Are you power hungry? Power like pretty woman fades. Why forcibly grab power? Secure power by honest means.
The recent incident in Iloilo City is a minus factor to the presidency of Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This will be felt soon. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Tres Marias To Challenge Tibyog Akean















By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Three of the biggest names in Aklan politics – Ramos, Mobo-Garcia and Calizo - joined forces for the upcoming May elections to give the ruling local party Tibyog Akean a ‘real fight’. Maria Bettina Mobo-Garcia confirmed that she has been meeting with Vicky Ramos of the Aklan Independent Movement (AIM) and Gabrielle ‘Billie’ Calizo of Kusog it Akean, the last of which was on January 23, 2007.
The trios – Tres Marias – were seen during the recent Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival along with former Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco) executive assistant Erico Bucoy, former Liga ng mga Barangay president Rudson Mayor and former Akelco general manager Leovigildo Mationg. Mobo-Garcia, who traces her roots from Makato and Batan, is the eldest daughter of former Aklan governor Ben Hur Mobo and granddaughter of former governor Virgilio Patricio. She is also the loving wife of Ibajay Mayor Roberto Garcia, Jr.
Ramos is the daughter of the Father of Aklan and former congressman Godofredo ‘Goding’ Ramos while Calizo, who hails from vote-rich town of Balete, is a former Aklan solon. "We are prepared to give Tibyog Akean a real fight. What’s the rush to proclaim and declare early? They stressed.
"What is important is we are fielding the municipal level candidates," Garcia stressed. It was learned that Malacañang surveyed which political combination could best gave the Tres Marias a fighting chance in the midterm elections in Aklan province.
With the entry of Tres Marias in the political scene, Tibyog Akean remained intact and solid and the affiliation of Kusog it Akean member and Makato town mayor Ramon ‘Jun’ Legaspi, Jr. to Tibyog Akean last week brought 16 out 17 town mayors in Aklan to its fold. Garcia remained firm in her decision to run for the gubernatorial post, however, recent political developments showed she might challenge the incumbent Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, uncle of his husband, Ibajay town mayor Roberto Garcia, Jr. "The unified ticket will be announced when the right time comes."
At least we can gauge through public opinion which is the best combination," Mobo-Garcia added. Ramos, for her part, is firm of her choice: Governor of Aklan if she ever participate as candidate in the May 2007 elections. Calizo is reportedly eyeing the vice-gubernatorial post now occupied by lawyer-journalist and incumbent Ronquillo Tolentino. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Moving Aklan Forward*

The State of the Province Address of Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez delivered on January 24 at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Kalibo will be published beginning in the next issue of Madyaas Pen - Panay's Reliable Newsweekly. mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

36 Tribes Join Kalibo Ati Fest

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Some 36 Ati tribes participated in the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival grand parade last week, according to the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB).
KAMB, headed by Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, said all participating groups should "adhere to the age-old tradition that made Kalibo Ati-Atihan famous - dance steps and drumbeat must be Kalibo’s original and not copied from other festivities."
In the Balik Ati/Aboriginal Tribal Group, the participants were Kinantu-ing, Bolingon Balik-Ati, Tribu Ilayanhon, Lilo-anong Ati nga Mananggiti, Mobonians, Pinaeabi, Tribu Isalacan and ManinikopThe participating groups for the Tribal Big Group were Tribu Tiis-Tiis, Dajan-on Tribe, Manhanip Tribe, Kabog, Black Beauty Boys and Maharlika Tribe.
"And like the Malay settlers, visitors, tourists and pilgrims have found a home in Aklan every 3rd week of January where the beating of the drums and bagtoes and the sound of the lire kept enticing them back to this Ati-Atihan town," Rebaldo added.
There were 7 tribes in the Tribal Small Group–Tribu Niñolitos, Tribu Dagatnon, Tribu Linabuanon, tribu it Panay, D’Kamanggahan Tribe, Morongga Tribe, and Tribu Tipon-Tipon.In the Modern Big Group, there were eight participants - Samurai Blue Japan, Mego, Kamaeos, Aeang-aeang, Tribu Magbaeata, Footslugger, Abernano and Scorpio 11-19.
The Modern Small Group had five participants – Bugs, D-Emagine, Enigma, Ngok-ngok and Butterfly Brigade.
Gorilla, Recycled V, The Tribe, The Modern, King of Carnival, Anipse Alagat, Mananggiti nga Ati, Absurongsong, Bamboo Girl, Mother of Festival-Kalibo Ati-Atihan and the Peacock the Manok-Manok Queen completed the Individual participant category. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Macavinta Is Caloocan City’s New Police Chief


Sr. Supt. William Macavinta was designated officer-in-charge last week as Caloocan City police chief. He relieved Sr. Supt. Geronimo Reside. Chief Supt. Pedro Tango, Northern Police District head, designated Macavinta, former provincial director of Aklan.
Reside was absent during the turnover rites at the police headquarters. He just came from the hospital due to hypertension after he almost collapsed upon learning from higher authorities of his relief. However, Tango said "the change of command was in due course. It is part of the normal police procedure in assigning police officials to other posts to give them an opportunity to perform in a higher post." He said without elaborating on Reside’s new assignment.
According to Tango, he was merely carrying out an order from the capital region hierarchy, stressing that the outgoing official had to follow the official directive.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy batch ’78, Reside served in Caloocan for nine months after replacing Senior Supt. Leo Garra, who was given a new post at Camp Crame.
To his credit, several cases were solved under his watch through the efforts of Supt. Nap Cuaton, who then headed the Station Investigation and Detective Management Bureau./BY GIGI DAVID /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

True Devotion To The Señor Sto. Niño

By Most Rev. Fr. TEODORO BACANI, JR. D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Novaliches


THE month of January is Sto. Niño month in the Philippines. Peculiar to our country in the liturgical calendar is the feast of the Sto. Niño on the third Sunday of January, I noticed that Pandacan in Manila already celebrated the feast of the Holy Child last Sunday, January 14.
Tondo, however, which has the bigger fiesta in Metro Manila, celebrated the feast on its proper day last Sunday, (January 21). Of course there was the massive celebrations in Cebu, and also the Ati-atihan in Aklan, featuring the Sto. Niño.
I noticed as I watched the gala night celebrations of the Asean last Sunday that there was a dance that featured the Sto. Niño.
The devotion to the Sto. Niño is here to stay, and there are truths and values in the Catholic religion which it highlights. First and most basic, the Sto. Niño feast reaffirms the truth we celebrated last Christmas season, that the Child born of Mary was true God from the moment of his human conception and birth.
It was the Son of God who was conceived as a human being by Mary and born from her. Jesus was true God and true man from the beginning of his human existence.
The Son of God did not start to dwell only later in the human Jesus, as was wrongly taught by people like Nestorius. The human nature formed in the womb of Mary was from the beginning the humanity of the Son of God. That is why the Christ Child is depicted in regal robes, and holds a scepter in one hand and the globe in the other. This Child was God, the king of the world.
The feast of the Sto. Niño also points to our Lord’s words that unless we are converted and became like little children we shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 18: 3). The feast of the Sto. Niño is an invitation for all of us, children and adults, to live as children of God, trusting him completely as our Father.
The feast of the Sto. Niño further highlights the Filipinos’ love for life and for children. We who love the Christ child must love also our children and take care of them. It would be incongruous to take care of the image of the Christ Child while neglecting the children in our midst with whom he identifies himself.
Finally, the feast of the Sto. Niño reminds us that the Son of God, in becoming little, identified himself with the little ones of this world.
We should not despise those whom the world considers of little account, but value them highly, remembering Christ’s words that whatever we do to one of the least of his brethren we do to him, and whatever we neglect to do to one of these least ones we neglect to do to him (Mt. 25).
As you can see, the feast of the Sto. Niño helps us remember and preserve fundamental truths and values of our Christian religion.
Having said that, however, we must again be aware of the possible pitfalls of this devotion. The concrete way in which the cult of the Sto. Niño is observed may lead to the domestication of God. A devotee of the Sto. Niño may fall into the mistake of thinking that if he/she took good care of the image of the Sto. Niño, dolling up the image of the Christ Child, then the Christ Child will just wink at his/her sins. In this way, the devotion to the Sto. Niño becomes an obstacle instead of a help to spiritual conversion.
The devotion to the Sto. Niño may also lead to the retardation of the spiritual maturity of the devotees if it became mixed with superstition. Already one hears it said that giving the statue of the Sto. Niño brings good luck to the recipient. Or, that the Sto. Niño with green clothes brings good luck. Such beliefs degrade the cult of the Sto. Niño.
Still another pitfall may be that devotees will be contented to be not child-like in the sense of the Gospel but infantile in their faith, no longer aspiring to grow in the maturity of their understanding and practice of the faith. When Pope John Paul II was leaving the Philippines after one of his visits here, he remarked, upon noticing the simple faith of our people, that our people’s faith should grow in maturity.For all these reasons, the devotion to the Sto. Niño must be accompanied and sustained by a sound and vigorous catechesis. Church authorities should not be contented to see people coming in droves to the churches or joining processions in honor of the Sto. Niño.
They should not be satisfied with the emotional fervor and the financial contributions of the devotees. They should rather instruct them in the fundamental doctrines and values which the devotion enshrines, and teach the people that the Sto. Niño did grow up and carry out his public ministry culminating in his death and resurrection.
The Christ whom we encounter today is no longer the Christ Child but the risen Christ who was once a child but has now metamorphosed into an adult, the crucified and risen Lord. Just as we are taught that if Christ had not risen, then we would still be in our sins, so it must also be said that if Christ had not grown, worked, suffered, died and risen again, we would still be unredeemed. /mPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Tita Linda Belayro

Magic Glab


Agahon pa si Sanny hay naga tueod eon ko anang kariton sa kahabaan kong Roxas Boulevard sa Manila. Sa isaeang ka eskinita may naka tambak nga mga basura nga nagahueat kana. May hakita imaw nga eaging glab nga naka putos it plastik. Anang guin bukad ag hakita nana nga may nakasueat "Para sa maisog" ro marka. Guin daea nana rong glab sa andang baeay ag guin samitan it suksok. Matsa may kabuhi rayang glab. Guina pilit imaw nga ibayo sa hangin. Indi nana mapunggan rong pagbinayo it glab hasta gina-oy imaw, nalipong ag hakatueogan. Nagdamgo imaw. Guin damgo nana kon sin-o rong tag-ana ko rayang glab. Guin dayaw rong pagiging maabtik ag maila ni Romano. Parang palos imaw sa ibabaw it ring ag naayawan kana it sunod ro anang kahampang.
Abo nga mga sugaroe rong nag manggaranon kay Sanny Romano ag abo man rong nagka pobre. Sa kada pagdaug ni Romano, nag – iba rong estado ko anang pangabuhi. Abo nga mga babaye rong nahumaling kana bukon eamang it mga daeaga kundi rong may mga asawa pa.
Abo man nga igdaeapat ro andang napundar. Ro anang asawa ag mga onga hay nagpasasa sa manggad nga umaeagi eamang. Hasta umabot ro owa nanda guina huna-huna-a.
Sa katapusan nga engkwentro ni Romano naigo ro anang oeo ag inapok imaw sa kilid it ring. Owa eon nana mabati-i rong huyap it referee. Natapos sa ika limang round eamang rong boxing. Nag hugyaw rong nagdaug, maskin si Romano hay sa ospital dinaea. Pagbugtaw nana, owa eon nana makilaea ro anang kaugalingon pati ro anang pamilya. Sige ro pag binoeong kana hasta naubos ro anang guin pundar nga mga igdaeapat.
Ro katapusan nga igdaeapat nga anda nga guin baligya hay ro andang baeay. Sa paghubo ko bag-ong tag ana kong baeay, guin panglimpyohan nanda ag guin pang pilak ro mga basura eakip eon rong glab nga nakakabit sa grahe. Owa nakasayod rong bag-ong tagbaeay kon nano rong historya nga nakaputos sa rayang glab. Busa andang guin pilak sa basurahan. Golpeng nagbugtaw si Sanny kat pukawon imaw ni Nanay na agod mag ilabas.
Lumipas ro mga dinag-on, hamtong eon nga soltero si Sanny. Nadumduman nana ratong glab nga guin limpyuhan na ag guin tago. Guin usoy ag hakita sa basurahan. Sa anang pag boyot kong glab, nagsiga ratong nakasueat nga "Para sa Maisog" guin suksok nana rong glab ag guindaea imaw sa eati agod magpraktes. Kada agahon, guina daea imaw sa eati agod magpraktis. Umabot rong pyesta sa andang baryo. May paboksing. Nagsamit imaw nga umentra. Suksok nana ratong glab, nagdaug si Sanny. Royon ro umpisa ko anang pagsikat eon man bilang isaeang ka boksingero. Nakaabot imaw sa iba – ibang lugar agod mag hampang.
Sa kada pagdaug nana, ana nga guina tau–kay Nanay na ro primyo ag dinag-an agod ipakaon sa mga onga nga naga warang sa kalye. Naeo-oy imaw sa mga onga nga natunuran it adlaw ag na agahan una sa kalye. Mabahoe man ro anang guin bulig sa pag patindog it eskwelahan una sa anang barangay.
Maskin sikat eon si Sanny, owa guid mag bag-o ro anang batasan. Indi nana malipatan ro bilin ko nagtaliwan nga ama nga rong manggad umaeagi eamang, ogaling rong mayad nga pamatasan ag paki bagay sa tawo hay owa it pagkaduea. Bilang pagpasaeamat sa anang guin bulig sa andang barangay, guin padunggan imaw. Isaeang ka monumento rong guinpatindog para kana. Sa idaeum ko nagaboksing nga estatwa, naka sueat rong tinaga nga indi ni Sanny malipatan, "Para Sa Maisog". /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

PANAWAGAN


Ginapahisayud it uman ni Gov. Carlito S. Marquez sa tanang mga igmanghud natong Akeanon nga ro daywang ka medical mission para sa mga onga o magueang man nga bungi o kun may ano man nga diferencia sa uyahon (facial deformities) hay maka akomodar pa it dugang nga pasyente.
February 3 – 7, 2007 – PAGES (Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons)
February 12 – 17, 2007 – Uplift Internationale
(Operation Taghoy)
Busa napangabay ni Gov. Marquez nga magpalista eon makaron sa Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital. Usuyon eang si Dr. Rogelio Rivera.
Tag mga nakapalista eon hay dapat magbalik kay Dr. Rivera halin makaron para ma-examine ag mataw-an it clearance para sa operasyon.
Aton nga kalitan ro libre ngarang operasyon ag bueong.
Ipaka–ayad naton ro uyahon ku mga onga para sa andang mayad nga futuro.
(Sgd.) Raquel D. Yerro
Administrative Officer

Insurgents Still A Potent Threat In Aklan - Philippine Army


The presence of communist terrorists (CTs) in the different areas in Aklan remains a potent threat to the peace and order situation of the province.
Capt. Arcadio Posada of the 47th IB, Philippine Army revealed when he reported on his battalion’s Internal Security Operations in the first Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting for 2007 of Aklan held at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center, Buswang Old, Kalibo.
Posada said this assessment is based on the Philippine Army’s (PA) monitored sightings of the CTs. However, he also reported that the insurgent’s activities are not alarming. In his report, Posada predicted the CTs might exploit legal and political issues in order to gain support for their cause.
"They are also expected to stage small scale attacks, harassments to government troops and terroristic activities to support their cause on armed struggle," Posadas reported.
The PA also reported that reprisals by the Revolutionary Proletariat Army against the communist terrorists are expected in the future. The CTs might continue their ideological and organizational works and will remain non-confrontational.
"Because of the Philippine Army’s continuous foot patrol operations, the Northern and the Central Front Committee of the CPP-NPA were not able to conduct tactical offensives in their area of operation," the PA report went on.
With these observations, the Philippine Army in Aklan is recommending to the PPOC in coordination with local government units, the conduct of intensified insurgency awareness seminars with the local populace while they (PA) will continue exerting effort to hold more operations to counter enemy mobilization, and develop and mobilize organizations in selected areas.
For its part, the Aklan Police Provincial Office reported on the implementation of the One Entry, One Exit policy in the island of Boracay, and its role in the enforcement of the provincial ordinance to protect the island, its visitors and residents against possible terror acts. The PNP Aklan also reported crime incidence in Aklan, their solution efficiency, and their actions on illegal activities committed.
Newly-designated Aklan Police Provincial Office Director Benigno Durana, after the report, said that the accomplishments of the APPO for the past year deserve commendation.He revealed that the APPO’s main thrust under his stewardship are Anti-Criminality, Anti Insurgency, Anti-Terrorism and Internal Reforms.
He also said his marching order from the national headquarters is to help in the public safety and security problems of Aklan so tourism will progress more in the province, which, as disclosed by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, is now an 8 billion peso industry. (By Venus G. Villanueva) /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Sun Life Financial Dances Hala Bira


Picture shows Mr. Raoul E. Littaua Senior Vice President Marketing discussing the "what, why’s and how" of Sun Life Financial. Others in the picture (l to r) are Mr. Pete Gonzales, Regional Sales Manager, Ms. Julie Duran, Sales Manager and Ms. Cora Macahilig, Unit Manager. /MP

Sun Life Financial Philippines participated in the recent Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati Atihan by sponsoring a dancing "Tribes" with its agents officials and staff. They were a sight to admire with their bright yellow trademark umbrellas in hand.
Sun Life Financial also set up a booth at Pastrana Park to answer product inquiries. Lucky booth visitors received prizes like umbrella, diaries and pens.
Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial provides a diverse range of wealth accumulation and protection products and services to individual and corporate customers.
In the evening of Saturday, January 20, it held a press conference and a lively discussion with the Aklan Media members who received some gifts and enjoyed sumptuous dinner.mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

NEWS PICTORIAL



By Ambrosio R. Villorente


Picture (left) Numancia paraded its emerging industry "Vermiculture" which renders the town clean and green and produces organic fertilizer for its organic products. The giant worm was awarded second. While picture (right) A Giant Lady from Nabas dressed in native mat. She walked away with first prize.
After the Christmas shopping, giving and receiving gifts and with all those holidays that promoted obesity, the season has not ended even after the New Year and Three Kings. Aklanons still enjoyed the one week merry making in both most antiquated and modern styles.
Dubbed the Mother of all Festivals in the Philippines, Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati Atihan passed away, celebrated with passion, food and drinks, street dancing, fireworks and commercials.
Of the 17 towns of Aklan, seven (7) participated in the Higante Parade on January 17 which are Nabas, Numancia, Tangalan, Madalag, Malinao, New Washington and Kalibo./MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

NEWS PICTORIAL



By Ambrosio R. Villorente


Picture (left) Numancia paraded its emerging industry "Vermiculture" which renders the town clean and green and produces organic fertilizer for its organic products. The giant worm was awarded second. While picture (right) A Giant Lady from Nabas dressed in native mat. She walked away with first prize.
After the Christmas shopping, giving and receiving gifts and with all those holidays that promoted obesity, the season has not ended even after the New Year and Three Kings. Aklanons still enjoyed the one week merry making in both most antiquated and modern styles.
Dubbed the Mother of all Festivals in the Philippines, Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati Atihan passed away, celebrated with passion, food and drinks, street dancing, fireworks and commercials.
Of the 17 towns of Aklan, seven (7) participated in the Higante Parade on January 17 which are Nabas, Numancia, Tangalan, Madalag, Malinao, New Washington and Kalibo./MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Poverty Alleviation Is Faster If Aklan Is Peaceful - Gov. Marquez


Poverty can be alleviated if peace and order are maintained in Aklan.This was emphasized by Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez when he presided over the first Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting of the year 2007 held recently at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center, Buswang Old, Kalibo.
The meeting was the first one attended by the newly designated Aklan Police Provincial Office Director Benigno Durana. He replaced erthswhile Aklan police director William S. Macavinta.Gov. Marquez stressed that a good civilian relationship with police officers will bring about an improved quality of life of Aklanons.
"With maintained peace and order, investors will be enticed to come to Aklan and invest. When they invest, job opportunities will be opened, and hence, the quality of life of Aklanons will improve more."
Gov. Marquez said that investors in Boracay, Kalibo and New Washington are pouring hundreds of millions of pesos in Aklan benefiting more than 5,000 Aklanon workers. More is still coming."Tourism in Aklan is now an P8 billion industry, and any problem on peace and order in Aklan will drive investors away," Marquez added. He also commended the men and women of the Aklan PNP, DILG, Philippine Army and the Department of Justice for their good performance in making Aklan very peaceful the past year.
He however, advised the PNP to prepare its security measures and review the performance of police officers to make sure that its rules of engagement will not violate human rights.
"All of us has one mission — to protect lives and property and fight poverty," the governor said.Provincial Director Durana, for his part, said he is happy that the priority of the provincial government is Anti-Poverty, as they have the same vision as public servants.
"Our role as a police institution is to improve the quality of life of our people. If there is stable peace and order and safe public environment, investments and development will easily flourish in the province of Aklan, thus helping our people to have jobs and engage in more productive activities," Durana said.
Durana, who has roots in Capiz, grew up and studied in Iloilo City said, he is happy to be assigned in Aklan. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Pagpahayag Nahanungod Sa Iron Fortified Rice


Ro IFR hay bugas nga may dugang nga sustansyang iron nga kinahangean it eawas agud magpabilin nga mayad, alisto, mabaskog, masinadyahon, maaeam ag maeayo sa inpeksyon. Kon gina eaha ro IFR, ro pagbaylo it kolor kara hay nagapamatuod nga raya hay may bastante nga iron. Ro sabor ag kalidad it IFR hay kaparehas man it ordinaryong klase nga bugas. Anaron nga magkaon it Iron Fortified Rice agud umasenso ro atong kinabuhi bangud sa mayad nga eawas ag kaaeam it mga unga ag tanan nga myembro it pamilya. mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Gas Leak Causes Explosion, Rocks Jollibee Store



by Boy Ryan Zabal

Jollibee Store located in the front, ground floor
of Gaisano City, Kalibo.

A gas explosion rocked the Jollibee Gaisano City Kalibo store which injured three kitchen crew last Friday morning.
Those injured and brought to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) for treatment were Joseph Recudo, 19, of Brgy. Bulabod, Malinao, Aklan; Cristine Beltran, 21, of Brgy. Kabayugan, Malinao, Aklan and Eril Tuma-ob, 19, of Brgy. Taba-ao, Banga, Aklan.
"The explosion was an isolated case and accidental," said SFO4 Darius Melgarejo of Kalibo Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the aftermath of the explosion that shook the Gaisano City, Kalibo.
"The BFP was on heightened alert from January 19 to 22 while the town of Kalibo was celebrating the 795th Ati-Atihan festival," he added.
Based on Kalibo Philippine National Police (PNP) report, the explosion started at the kitchen area while the employees were preparing for their daily routine at around 7:35 a.m.
The explosion triggered by a gas leak of the burner, razed an undetermined worth of property. The fire partially damaged the ceiling of the fast food restaurant.
The arrival of the Kalibo fire trucks, however, prevented the blaze from spreading inside the three-storey building, just across the Kalibo Public Market in Brgy. Andagao, Kalibo.
The explosion sounded as something like a sonic boom forcing the evacuation of Jollibee store crew. Thirty minutes later, Gaisano City building maintenance personnel and fire investigators went in to trace the leak.
Two Jollibee crews identified as Juliene Dalida of Brgy. Poblacion, Altavas, Aklan and Jean Libantino, 18, of Brgy. Kinalangay Viejo, Malinao, Aklan were suffocated due to smoke inhalation.Those taken to the hospital suffered burns in their face, body and hands. They were released the next day after confinement at the DRSTMH. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

EDITORIAL

OWWA: Religious Ties
Protects No Women

by PATRICIA MARCELO and ISAGANI DE LA PAZ

A LINE in the International Declaration of Human Rights wasn’t able to protect her from a rapist, nor could the teachings of the Qu’ran: Adela is as Muslim as the Arab employer who she said, "repeatedly raped her until she got pregnant."
"Religious affiliation, whether Muslim or Christian, does not guarantee one’s exemption," Amy B. Crisostomo of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration said of Adela’s fate at the hands of her Muslim Arab employer in Kuwait.
Such is the sad twist of reality at the 58th year of the commemoration of a document guaranteeing equal protection of rights of peoples, whether they are of the same or different faith or of gender.
Likewise, the case of Adela (not her real name) slings mud on the international commemoration of Migrant Workers’ Day, December 18: there are still many others –at least more than half of a million Filipinos leaving the country every year are women– needing state protection.
"No one is exempted from being raped or being maltreated [while working abroad]," added Crisostomo, officer-in-charge of OWWA in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (OWWA-ARMM).
It is from ARMM where Adela came from and gave birth to a weak premature baby whom Crisostomo said, "the employer who raped her tried to get aborted."
Her baby symbolically led her to freedom since the Arab employer was forced to repatriate Adela before his family discovers using the Filipino Muslim from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao as his own personal sex slave.
Adela bared the details of her horrifying experience to Crisostomo who, being a woman herself and a government employee, documented and gave the story to reporters to emphasize the danger Filipino women migrant workers face.
Data from OWWA-ARMM showed that last year, it received a total 181 welfare cases, nearly all of it (178) involved women, all working as domestic helpers.
The cases that the regional office handled involved maltreatment, unpaid salary, run-away, sexual molestation and abuse, rape, contract violation, death, overload of work, sickness, and no communication with the relatives abroad among others.
Of the five cases of sexual molestation/abuse/rape reported in OWWA-ARMM office, Adela’s case was so far the most serious since she bore a baby, Crisostomo said.
The baby, she added, is a testament to the cruelty of men, whether Catholic or Muslim.
The official expressed belief that violations and abused against Muslim overseas Filipino workers could be higher since there could be those who did not bother to file any complaint before the OWWA.

CRISOSTOMO talked to the media also out of Adela’s determination to exact justice. She said, "OWWA-ARMM has helped her file a complaint against the employer, referred and endorsed the case to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs."
There is no development on her case and no clear idea on what action has been taken by concerned agencies to whom we have endorsed her case," Crisostomo said with a sigh.
In Sultan Kudarat, Adela remains jobless and has no steady source of income to raise her child.
Crisostomo said, Adela’s case broke the myth that Filipino Muslims working in Islamic countries would have advantage compared to the non-Muslim migrant workers.
Apparently, violence against women disregard religious and political beliefs, Crisostomo added.
Rosalinda Baldoz, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, shared Crisostomo’s view but proferred that skills and "proper frame of mind" could have helped Adela and women like her.
"Whether one is a Muslim or Christian, she should possess the right skills and proper frame of mind if she wanted to work abroad. This could somehow protect her from any abuse," Baldoz stressed.
To avoid abuses against OFWs, especially against women, Crisostomo said those who wanted to work as domestic helper, especially in the Middle East, should be tough enough to face the realities of being away from their families and be aware of the risk and its social cost.
Kuwait remains among the top ten countries of destination for OFWs, according to the OWWA.
In its report to the United Nations, the State of Kuwait said it has achieved the third millennium goal of promoting gender equality and empowerment of women.
However, the 21-page report by State Minister for Administrative Development Affairs Massouma al-Mubarak contained no mention of violence against women migrant workers.
The Kuwait Ministry of Planning report was a far cry from the UN Development Programme’s Arab Human Development Report that cited "women living under foreign occupation, as well as migrant workers, both Arab and non-Arab are particularly subject to violence" in Arab states.
"They endure a double portion of suffering," the UNDP report added.
The report has said it is disturbed that while domestic violence against women remains prevalent in the region, "some Arab societies still deny its existence".
While the report didn’t particularly cited Kuwait, the UNDP noted that polygamy is unrestricted for men in Kuwait. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Kalibo Becomes A Huge
Commercial Complex


Viva kay Senior Santo Niño, Viva! The street of Kalibo has improved, minimally only. Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores has completed the asphalt overlay at C. Laserna Street just on time for the 795th Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati Atihan. The portion of Regalado Street starting at corner Martelino to corner L. Barrios St. was also asphalt overlaid. It was done rapidly despite of the inclement weather condition.
Congressman Miraflores has also effected a substantial improvement of Pastrana Park in Poblacion, Kalibo. The perimeter sidewalks and the fence stand elegant. The interior part of the park is rehabilitated. Bravo! and our resounding applause to your concern and effort.
Poblacion Kalibo is now transformed into a huge commercial complex. By the side of the Aklan Catholic College and at the back of the Cathedral are stalls of vendors making passage difficult. Martelino Street is also occupied by vendors. Over and both sides of the streets of Poblacion, Kalibo are filled up with commercial advertisement. Inside Magsaysay Park are buntings, billboards, and streamers selling liquor, soft drinks, cellphones and many others. Magsaysay Park is now converted into a commercial complex and entertainment center with live band on the center. The promotion of the Sto. Niño Festival with more marketing of products starts with the series of streamers overhanging the national road in Bulwang, Numancia.
Almost all the streamers advocate for the public to join the Sto. Niño Ati Atihan, drink liquor and soft drink, use cellphones. I have yet to see a streamer which enjoins the people to love, to adore or to pray to our dear Sto. Niño to make our community more peaceful, to stop graft and corruption in public office and weed out corrupt officials from public offices.

POISON IN THE 12TH ASEAN SUMMIT

The Arroyo Administration claimed the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu City last week was a great success. Inspite of the billions of pesos spent for the occasion, the returns expected will be much more than the investment spent. Among others, the administration claimed those 11 agreements signed by the ASEAN leaders will provide much social and economic benefits to the Filipinos and the Philippines.
However, will it really provide the Philippines the expected result? That remains watching. For one thing, what the ASEAN leaders signed are not legally binding which a member country can compel another signatory state to comply. These will only be complied with if that state or her leaders accepted that to implement the agreement is for the best interest of their country.
On the other hand, it should have been a disaster to the Filipinos if the poisoning of some 100 dancers happened to any of the ASEAN leaders or even to any of the foreign guests.
IS BASIC EDUCATION PURELY FREE?
Our political leaders at all levels often brag that basic education in the Philippines is purely free. Basic means from grade 0 to grade X, the school expenses of the students are shouldered by the state. The parents of the students do not pay.
But that is not really happening. The students pay assorted contributions beginning day one of the school year. Parents share with the monthly salary of security guard, school board teacher, water and electric bills. Some parents even share expenses for the repair and repainting of tables and chairs in the school room. Name it, they have that contribution to pay.
To the parents, to hear that basic education is free from officials concerned and actually asked to share the payment of school expenses is not only frustrating, it is also revolting.
It is much better accept that basic education is not purely free. School officials must frankly reveal to the parents their financial obligations rather than them, "all children" must be accepted in the public school without paying financial obligation.
If I may add, utilize all school days for instruction and minimize "no classes". Activities like athletic meet, teachers meeting are not valid reasons to "declare a no class day or days".

CONGRESSMAN’S LADY

Ms. Lourdes Miraflores, Lulu to friends, the first lady of Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores ably represented her congressman husband in the blessing and opening of the Kalibo Ati Atihan Product Showcase 2007. She read the message of the Congressman during the said affair.
For the last nine years that Congressman Miraflores was governor of Aklan and now Congressman, it was only last Tuesday, January 16 that I heard and watched Ms. Miraflores represented and talked in behalf of her husband. I found her sincere and articulate in her talk.
Hon. Mark Quimpo represented Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo in the said affair. He read Mayor Rebaldo’s speech which pointed out that the products being exhibited "reflect the way of life of the Kalibonhons".
In his message, Governor Carlito S. Marquez congratulated the exhibitors in the showcase who are now producing world class products. Marquez bared his program that will further assist and improve both quality and quantity of products be it food, furniture, loom and fabrics, gifts and house-wares and horticulture. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Durana Relieves Macavinta In Aklan PNP

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana replaced Supt. William S. Macavinta as Aklan provincial director. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Calderon,the relief of Macavinta is part of the massive revamp of provincial directors in 32 provinces and five cities to guarantee the impartiality in the midterm May 2007 elections.
Durana, a member of class 1988 Philippine Military Academy (PMA), is one of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS). He is a former chief of Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) in the National Capital Region (NCR). He is also the former head of the Central Police District.
The revamp was recommended by Deputy Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr., and noted by National Police Director for Personnel Nicolas Pasinos. The reassignments cover those provincial directors who had stayed for more than two years in a province and who are too familiar with the chief executive in a province.
Last week, during the turn over of command in Iloilo City, Calderon said the reshuffling of police officials is normal in the organization to ensure these officials could not be used for political advantage of any candidate in the May 2007 elections.
PNP regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay, Sr added the relief has ‘no political motives’, but a regular reshuffling of men.
The turn over of command last week at the Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO) was witnessed by PNP Director for Logistics Jose Antonio Salvacion and Chief Supt. Geary Barias, head of Directorial for Investigation and Detection Management (DIDM) in Camp Crame. Last Friday, Senior Supt. Co Yee Co also replaced Capiz provincial director Senior Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr.
Macavinta assumed the position as acting Aklan provincial director in January 2005.
Earlier in Iloilo City, Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay, newly designated police director, indicated the imminent relief of acting Aklan police director Supt. William Macavinta because his two-year of duty is already up. Dulay said, the relief order would take effect after the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.
"The relief is not due to any political motive. He (Macavinta) has to be relieved from his post after his two years of service. He had exceeded his allowable stay in the province," he stressed.
Macavinta is a Philippine National Police (PNP) Academy ’87 graduate. The relief is a normal PNP command reshuffling, though, Dulay believed PNP Director General Oscar Calderon decided to move Macavinta because he has been Aklan police director in an acting capacity for two years now.
"The designation of Macavinta in 2005 is only temporary, while we are awaiting the appointment of a permanent provincial director," said Dulay, adding, Macavinta had done his part to serve the people of Aklan.
Macavinta, a native of Numancia, is the third official to lead the Aklan police under the 30-month old administration of Governor Carlito Marquez.
Macavinta was formerly the chief of the Northern Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) prior to his assignment in Aklan. He was also a licensed criminologist and was the former chief of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) in Metro Manila police district.
Dulay, who replaced outgoing Chief Supt. Geary Barias last Friday, vowed to deploy more policemen, to secure the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival this week.
"The additional personnel and a strong security force are necessary to help maintain peace and order during the festival," he pointed out.
As to Asean delegates expected to flock to the resort island of Boracay after the summit in Cebu City, Dulay stressed the PNP is drawing up plans to guarantee the security of foreign dignitaries, despite travel warnings issued by United States, Britain and Australia.
Last December, Task Group Boracay was created to ensure the safety of the island in a Memorandum of Agreement between the AFP, PNP, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), PCG and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC).
Outgoing regional police director Barias now heads the Directorial for Investigation and Detection Management (DIDM) post in Camp Crame. He replaced Chief Supt. Ed Doromal who now heads the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Dulay, a native of Pangasinan, was assigned at the Police Regional Office 4. He was the former director of the Legal Service in Camp Crame and former Iloilo provincial director in 1995. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

‘Bomb Scare’ Grips Provincial Hospital


A package suspected to contain bomb was discovered in the parking area of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital caused panic and fear over the weekend.
But it turned out a hoax after the police belied it was an improvised bomb.
Security guard Romeo Sunico said they found the package inside a white plastic bag on January 14 near the concrete perimeter fence of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) facing Mabini Street, Kalibo.
The package was believed to have been intentionally left in the afternoon until a hospital sweeper saw it in the parking area, Sunico added.
Responding cops from the Kalibo PNP immediately cleared the parking area of the hospital while a team from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) led by PO3 Vengie Repedro tried to detonate the package using a water disruptor.
The ‘bomb’ scare caused undue alarm to hospital personnel and patients, which later turned out to be a flop.
Repedro, a bomb expert, said the package contained a 3A, 9 volts battery, parts of alarm clock, a rubber box, a motor oil container with sand and an electric wire.
"This is not a bomb because it had no explosive powder inside," he stressed to reporters.Repedro said the package had a cartoon tag printed, "To Gov. Marquez" believed planted by pranksters out to puzzle the local police.
The package was brought to the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) for investigation, Repedro said.
The bomb scare coincided with the visit of PNP Director for Logistics Jose Antonio Salvacion and Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr, newly-installed Police Regional Office 6 director for the blessing of APPO’s multi-purpose building and firing range.
The newly renovated DRSTMH is a major economic enterprise of the Marquez provincial administration aside from the Caticlan jetty port in the town of Malay, it was learned.
No one has claimed responsibility of the incident, the police said. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Rebaldo Brings Back Old Glory of Ati-Atihan Fest


Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, honorary chairman of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB) assured the guests, visitors and Kalibonhons to expect a grandiose and festive celebration of the renowned Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival this week.
"More than 30 participating tribes for balik-ati, tribal and modern categories would participate in street dancing in honor of Señor Sto. Niño," he added.
According to Rebaldo, KAMB’s task is ’80-90 percent’ completed with the Kalibo Tourism Council assisting in the over-all preparations of the weeklong activities.
"We have to bring back the old glory of the festivities including inside the Kalibo Magsaysay Park with nightly bands for snake dancing," the town mayor added.
The 795th festival also features Kalibo Ati-Atihan Product showcase at the Kalibo Pastrana Park on January 16 to 22 – a joint undertaking of the local government of Kalibo through KAMB, the provincial government of Aklan, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc.
DTI provincial director Ermelinda Pollentes said the product showcase includes the latest designs on woven fabrics and fashion accessories, souvenir and gift items, clay based products, furniture and furnishings, labeling designs on processed foods including bakery products.
Meanwhile, Chief Insp. Arnold Ardiente, chief of Kalibo PNP, pointed out the security preparations is in place with additional 150 policemen from the regional office deployed on January 19 to secure thousands of devotees and guests.
"The security is augmented by the Philippine Army (PA), reservists, from Philippine Air Force and PA, civil society organizations and criminology students," he said. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Teeners Comprise Majority Of New Aklan Voters

BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

Majority of those who registered with the 17 municipal offices of the Comelec, Aklan in time for the May 2007 elections were young people. They lined in various Comelec offices for registration of voters until December 31, 2006.
These young Aklanons, mostly students just turned 18 or would be turning 18 on or before the May 2007 elections, said COMELEC-Aklan OIC Provincial Election Supervisor Lorena Tumbagahan, They will be voting for the first time in their lives in the national and local elections.
As they had anticipated despite the continuing voters’ registration and their sustained advocacy to register early, most people waited for the last day to register, crowding the COMELEC provincial and municipal offices in Aklan, Tumbagahan said.
"COMELEC-Aklan is now in the process of scrutinizing these voter’s applications. We have received more than 29,000 applications throughout the province from October to December 2006, but this is not the final figure as some of the applicants are transferees from other towns of the province who might have moved to other areas in Aklan," Tumbagahan pointed out.
"We expect to come out with a definite number of voters after January 12, the end of deliberations by the
Election Registration Board (ERB)," she added. As of August 2006, Aklan has a total of 244,429 registered voters.
The ERB is composed of the Election Officer, the Local Civil Registrar of a municipality and representative from the Department of Education.
As the election period starts on January 14, Tumbagahan said COMELEC-Aklan has already held a command conference with the Philippine National Police Aklan to talk about memorandum circulars and resolutions for the conduct of the May 2007 elections and the role of the PNP in the conduct of the coming political exercise.
January 15 is set as the start of the filing of Certificates of Candidacies (COCs) of those intending to run in the May polls. The last day of filing of COCs for the senatorial candidates is on February 15 while the deadline for the local candidates like Congressman, Governor, Mayor, Vice Mayor and SP/SB members is set on March 29. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Enough Rice Supply For Aklan Assured Despite Typhoon Damage

BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

Aklan’s rice harvest was not affected despite the massive damage wrought by Typhoon Seniang to Aklan which totaled more than P400,000,000.
Provincial Agriculturist Delano Tefora said this is so because Aklan farmers have already harvested their palay produce before "Seniang" struck Aklan.
"If there are losses, these are minimal and incurred by farmers who have started planting for the next cropping season already. However, if their rice plants were newly planted, these could be rehabilitated or the farmers could replant. But if the rice plants are in flowering stage or undergoing panicle initiation, it will be hard for the rice plants to recover," Tefora explained.
On the other hand, National Food Authority Aklan revealed that Aklan has enough rice supply to last for a long period.
Judith Tindog, NFA-Aklan Information Officer said most of the stocks are now with commercial traders and in households.
Tindog also revealed that when "Seniang" hit Aklan, NFA-Aklan was quick to respond to local government units which were in great need of rice, and readily released the much-needed commodity during the period of calamity from the agency’s warehouse.
She said the NFA and local government units have a standing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to assure rice assistance from the government in times of disasters and calamities.
Meanwhile, the country’s agriculture sector was estimated to have grown by 4.7 to 5 percent in 2006 despite the damaging effects of the consecutive typhoons in the 3rd and 4th quarters, according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap.
Coincidentally, Yap’s view and that of Aklan Provincial Agriculturist Tefora jived, as Yap said that "early harvest done by farmers during the third quarter saved a lot for the sector". /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

1 Dead, Three Wounded Over Land Dispute

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A shooting incident outside a cockpit stadium left one dead and three others injured over the weekend in Kalibo, Aklan.
Killed while being treated at St. Gabriel Hospital was Melchor dela Cruz, 50, of Brgy. Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan at around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the police said.
Initial investigation of the Kalibo PNP revealed the shooting incident happened while the victim along with his son-in law Alvin Fernando, Ronaldo Perucho, PO3 Arnold Tumlos and Jennifer Tumlos were walking towards their parked vehicles at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday outside the Kalibo Sporstman Stadium at Brgy. Estancia, Kalibo.
They were about to go home when the suspect later identified as Francisco Fernando, 34, farmer and native of Brgy. Cabugao, Altavas, Aklan, without provocation, shot them four times, said Chief Insp. Arnold Ardiente, chief of Kalibo PNP.
The incident could have steemed from a land dispute between the suspect and the victim, the police said.
Dela Cruz succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in his body while Tumlos, his wife Jennifer and Perucho escaped unhurt.
The PNP member armed with his service firearm 38-caliber, retaliated with the suspects hitting Fernando Rico, 36, tanod of Brgy. Andagao and Francisco Fernando, who were about to escape riding in a motorcycle.
Alvin Fernando, 33, of Brgy. Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, was slightly wounded at the right side portion of his waist. The police recovered a deformed slug of unknown caliber in his leather belt while undergoing treatment at DRSTMH.
Fernando Rico was brought to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) by his brother for treatment for a gunshot wound at the right side back portion of his body.
"I denied my involvement in the shooting. It is normal for us to bring your wounded brother to the hospital," Lorenzo Rico told this writer while being detained at the Kalibo PNP for possible involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Francisco Fernando who suffered gunshot wound on his back was arrested by elements of Kalibo PNP in a hot pursuit at Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in Roxas City, Capiz.
Fernando initially underwent treatment at Altavas District Hospital, Altavas, Aklan, about 40 kms east of the capital town.
He is presently detained at the Kalibo PNP along with ex-Army Rogelio Fernandez alias ‘Nognog’, of Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan, who was arrested also in a hot pursuit operation.
The police also recovered the motorcycle used by the suspects, but, they failed to get the murder weapon from Fernando.
Fernandez, who faced murder charges in early 1990s and was released on parole, was implicated in the shooting after the police confiscated the cell phone of Fernando Rico at DRSTMH.
Investigators said Fernandez was texting the suspects of the activities of Miguel dela Cruz and Alvin Fernando during the 4-cock derby inside the cockpit arena. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

JICA to Improve Boracay’s Dumpsite

BY ALBERT DARIA

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) solid waste management experts are conducting a feasibility study to rehabilitate Boracay’s dumpsite in Brgy. Balabag, Malay, Aklan. The initial study and site visit were scheduled November 21 to December 11, 2006.
The Japanese consultants, headed by Kyoko Okubo, visited several sites in Malay and government agencies that are related to their study. According to Okubo, the team conducted a series of discussions with the Municipality of Malay officials and the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) to draft the Implementing Arrangement for the Master Plan on Solid Waste Management for Boracay Island and Malay Municipality.
"Aside from rehabilitating the old dumpsite in Boracay, we will prepare a 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan and we will also prepare engineering design and cost estimation for the proposed sanitary landfill in the mainland Malay," said Okubo. "In addition, the team will also formulate a plan for Boracay’s Centralized Materials Recovery Facility," added Okubo.
Atty. Zoilo Andin, Jr., Executive Director of the NSWMC, suggested to the JICA team to make a comprehensive study plan that will include both solid waste and wastewater. However, Japanese experts stressed that their study is limited only to solid waste management.
The project will be implemented by the Municipality of Malay and NSWMC and will be providing the JICA Team a counterpart personnel and office space with furniture, telephone lines and electricity among others.
The JICA team emphasized the importance of capacity development both for the Municipality of Malay and NSWMC. The team is expecting NSWMC to utilize their Master Plan to support other local government units.
JICA aims to advance international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge and experience and to build a more peaceful and prosperous world. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

KALIBO NEWS

Indiana Philippine Medical Association
Holds Medical and Dental Mission


A mission of mercy and of hope will be launched by the Indiana Philippine Medical Association with the Philippine Professionals Association of Indiana, Couples for Christ for Indiana, the Asian American Medical Society and the UST Medicine Class of 1979 and 1980 on January 22-24, 2007. This will be held in selected areas in the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo including 3 Hospitals where surgeries will be performed.
To avail of the medical and dental surgical services, interested patients may contact the following:
n Dr. Raymund Quimpo for patients with Cleft Lip, Goiter, Abdominal and Inguinal Hernia Repair, Dental Extractions, and other general and plastic surgery procedures at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital
n Ms. Karen Nadate or Ms. Apple Raval for lumps/bumps and circumcision patients at St. Jude Hospital
n Ms. Pearl Goboy for cataract surgery patients at St. Gabriel Hospital
"The free medical and dental checkup, treatment and surgery will benefit Kalibonhons who cannot afford to pay for hospital and medical bills," said Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.
Free consultation and treatment are also available in Makato town.

Tight Security On Ati-Atihan Festival

In addition to the non-stop preparation for the arrival of guests, visitors and tourists, the local government of Kalibo thru Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo’s leadership is focusing on the security of the festival. More than 150 policemen from the Regional Headquarters will be deployed to help in the preservation of peace and order during the Sto. Niño Ati Atihan Festival on January 15 – 21.
Mayor Rebaldo, as Chair of the Kalibo Ati Atihan Management Board assured that a workable security plan is already passed by the Chief of police of Kalibo.
The police will be augmented by soldiers and reservists from the Philippine Army, reservists from the Philippine Air Force, volunteers from the Civil Society organizations and criminology students from the Northwestern Visayan Colleges and Aklan Catholic College.
Kalibo Ati Atihan Nights Restore Snake Dancing
Balik-bayans, frequent visitors and returning tourists are amazed by the popularity of snake dancing during the Ati-Atihan Nights at the Magsaysay Park during the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival.
This January 15-21, 2007, the Ati Atihan Nights snake dancing will be strengthened as balik bayans, visitors and tourists, and even the younger generation requested it. This will restore the tradition of snake dancing to the tune of "Roll Out the Barrel" and "Happy Days Are Here Again". At the same time, it will retain the performances of live bands.
The Ati Atihan Nights are a popular destination for locals, balik-bayans, visitors and tourists at night where they dance till the early hours of the morning. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Tita Linda Belayro

Basoy

Mabuhay eon rong handum kong mag asawang Baste ag Sela nga magka-unga. Bukon pa guid man it magueang sanda nga daywa ngani kada gabi-i parabil sanda matueog, naga pangamuyo sanda sa Diyos nga mataw-an it onga maskin ano mat-a ro anang hitsura.
Isaeang adlaw, samtang naga ani it magueang nga kaeabasa si Baste, may nabati-an imaw nga limog nga naga halin sa sueod it kaeabasa. Guin daea nana ro kaeabasa sa andang baeay ag guinpihak.
"Madahan nga madahan basi maninahan" hambae kong limog. Guin dahan-dahanan man it pihak ni Baste rong kaeabasa. Pagka pihak tumambad sa anang printe ro isaeang ka eapsag nga maisot kapares it bahoe sa komaeagko it siki.
Abu rong kaila kong mag-asawa. Anda nga guin eambongan rong eapsag, ag guin obrahan it katre halin sa posporo. Tongod owa it gatas si Sela, guin gatasan nanda ro andang kanding ag baka agod ipasuso sa eapsag.
Amat-amat nga nagbahoe rong eapsag ogaling owa pa it pangaean. Sige nga paino ino ko mag-asawa. Pagkakita nanda sa kaeabasa, nakahuman sanda it pangaean.
"Basoy!" halin sa kaeabasa. Raya rong guin pangaean nanda sa onga. Halin kato, nangin kompleto ro anang pagkatawo ni Basoy.
Pag edad ni Basoy it pitong dag-on, guindaea imaw sa eskwelahan agud magtuon. Tongod sa kaisot ni Basoy, guinbutang imaw sa ibabaw it desk sa printe ko anang mga kaklase. Owa it adlaw nga owa nagatinangis si Basoy. Pirme abe imaw nga guina sinunlog ko anang mga kaklase. Ko ulihi, nabue-an imaw it gana nga mag adto sa eskwelahan. Ona eon lang imaw sa andang baeay nagabulig sa anang ina.
Nagtaliwan ro mga inadlaw ag kontento eon si Basoy sa anang pagtener sa baeay. Ogaling nagminasakit ro anang ama.
"Sin-o ro magatapos ko guin umpisahan nga pagligis sa eanas? Sin-o ro magihit ko andang anwang?"
Nabatian ni Basoy rong tanan nga hambae ko anang ama. Dali-dali man nga nag panaog si Basoy ag umadto sa eanas. Guin butang nana ro yugo it ligis sa li-og it anwang. Dayon sumaka imaw sa oeo it anwang ag sa kada liko it anwang anang guina pitik rong doeonggan agod magdasig. Natapos rong obra sa eanas. Guin gihit man nana rong anwang pagkatapos ag guin kompayan it mga dagami it paeay.
Hakibot it duro si Baste. Indi imaw makapati ko anang hakita. Maskin mawron rong kaisot ni Basoy hay abo ro anang naibulig sa anang guinikanan. Gusto guid nga makabulig si Basoy. Nagpanaw imaw sa may karsada ag pumungko sa isaeang ka "waiting shed". May nanaog nga magueang nga abo it dinaea. Sumueod imaw sa isaea sa mga karton samtang guina tus-on ko magueang rong karton.
"Ay, ay, guina tus-on, ay, ay, guina tus-on", hambae ni Basoy sa sueod it karton. Hinadlukan ratong magueang, pinilak ro anang guina tus-on, ag dumaeagan. Gumwa si Basoy ag hakita nana nga puro gatas ag mga de lata rong sueod. Umuli imaw ag patun-on si tatay na nga may hakita imaw nga mga dinaea nga karton ag puno it de lata.
Masunod nga adlaw, idto eon man imaw pumalastar sa "waiting shed". Pagkapanaog kong babaye nga may libon, idto eon man imaw sumueod.
"Ay, ay, matsa guina bitbit", hambae ni Basoy sa sueod. Hinadlukan ratong babaye. Matsa demonyo kuno rong sueod it libon, ngani pinilak nana ag dumaeagan sa kahadluk.
Pagguwa ni Basoy, kompleto rong sueod – may bugas, karne ag mga tinoean-on. Umuli eon man imaw sa anda agod hakuton ko anang ama ro dinaea.
Ko olihi matsa naga duda ro anang ama sa mga guina obra ni Basoy. Guin bawaean eon imaw nga magpanaw. Ogaling tongod sa kapilyuhan ni Basoy, owa nana pagsunda ro anang ama. Umadto eon man imaw idto sa karsada agod maadto man sa tindahan. Parabil imaw nakasakay, hakita imaw it ayam. Pag eaum it ayam hay isaea imaw ka kuring. Linagas imaw it ayam. Pagkakita ni Basoy sa naga lisik nga mata it ayam, dumaeagan imaw, nag paeagiw ag sumuhot sa idaeum it mga basura. Nalibre imaw ogaling nagbaho ro anang eawas tongod sa basura. Umuli imaw ag naligos. Halin kato owa eon imaw magpanaw-panaw. Una eon lang imaw nagtener sa andang baeay. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Makato Expands Maunlad Agrarian Reform Community


Officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from the Central Office led in the launching ceremonies of the Makato expanded Maunlad Agrarian Reform Community on January 12, 2007 at the Makato Municipal Hall, Makato, Aklan. Undersecretary Gerundio S. Madueno, Assistant Secretary Kashmir B. Leyretana, Dir. Hugo Yonzon III and party of the DAR Central Office graced the occasion.
Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, Aklan Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer announced that the active coordination of the local government of Makato through Mayor Ramon Legaspi, Jr. and the other stakeholders facilitated the holistic development of this ARC. The program started with the opening remarks of Vice Mayor Hon. Nelson Tapuz. The ARC profile was presented by Mrs. Elma I. Daguno – MARO Makato. The guests from DAR Central Office unveiled the marker. Mayor Legaspi, Jr. stated the ARC investment requirements to which Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito S. Marquez, and Director Alexis Arsenal of the DAR Region 6 presented their respective responses.
Development initiatives to the ARC came from the DAR-ADB-ARCP assistance through various infrastructure facilities, agri-development projects, institutional capabilities as well as environmental and GAD related interventions. The Phil.-Australia Technical Support on Agrarian Reform & Rural Development (PATSARRD) facilitated
the ARC Development Plan as a blueprint for the provision of necessary investments in the ARC where LGU Makato is integrating in their annual plan.
The Makato Maunlad ARC was originally launched in 1995. It initially covered the barangay of Agbalogo and later expanded to eight barangays. Today, Makato Maunlad ARC covers the entire municipality of Makato. At present, there are 14 agrarian reform communities in the entire province of Aklan covering 88 barangays. /mP

Thursday, January 11, 2007

EDITORIAL

Mainstreaming Natural Family Planning
Violates Human Rights Endangers Women and Children’s Lives


The Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) expresses its indignation and deep concern over the government’s "Policy and Program Directions on Responsible Parenthood and Natural Family Planning (NFP)," which was unveiled side-by-side with the launching of the Responsible Parenthood Movement during the National Population Congress in Malate, Manila recently.
PLCPD believes that this policy, which seeks to mainstream natural family planning, is unconstitutional, violates our people’s human right to reproductive health care and endangers our women and children’s lives. It is a perverse reversal of government commitments to ensure that the Filipino people are provided with universal access to a full range of safe and reliable family planning methods and related reproductive health services. This includes modern methods of contraception, which is the method preferred by majority of Filipino women, as well as natural family planning.
Universal access to a constellation of methods in family planning utilizing a principle of voluntary choice is founded on the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which guarantees for every human person full respect for human rights (Art. 2, Sec 11). It also commits the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and to instill health consciousness among them. (Art. 2, Sec 15). It further directs the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children (Art. 8, Sec 11). Moreover, the fundamental law of the land gives due cognizance to the particular needs of women for gender equality (Art 2, Sec 14); of the youth to enjoy protection of their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being (Art. 2 sec 13); and of spouses to build a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood (Art. 15, Sec. 14).
It is highly improper, if not downright coercive, of government to abrogate the choice of which family planning method to use from individuals and couples, to which a policy of NFP mainstreaming equates. The government, in effect, reneges on its duty to uphold the principle of voluntary choice in family planning, in violation of commitments it made with the international community through instrumentalities such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action (POA), the Fourth World Conference on Women Platform for Action, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
NFP mainstreaming is a divisive and deceptive strategy that will exacerbate inefficiencies in health service delivery. This in turn will only serve to widen gaps in people’s access to much needed family planning information and services.
The current emphasis in NFP by the government has resulted in competition and even conflict within the health bureaucracy that impacts adversely on local health service delivery. It has come to our attention that there are areas where improving public health capacities for modern family planning services such as IUD insertion and tubal ligation were deliberately denied because health practitioners invoked their "right to conscience." We also fear that current plans to mobilize barangay health workers for NFP mainstreaming will be used to propagate half-truths on the efficacy of natural family planning methods and spreading distorted and unscientific claims against modern methods, which had been the case with the Department of Health’s joint Family Planning/Fertility Awareness training projects with pro-life groups a few years ago.
The PLCPD calls on the Population Commission, the Department of Health and the Executive Department to do some serious rethinking and junk this biased and oppressive policy, and put in its stead a national policy on reproductive health that will ensure universal access of couples and individuals to a constellation of family planning methods and services under a principle of informed choice. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Last week, the use of Local Government Unit of Libacao equipment in the hauling of sand and gravel to the house in Janlud of Ms. Padalhin was the subject of criticism among the Libacaonons both in whispers and ordinary conversations. This matter reached the attention of the honorable members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Liabacao. As a consequence, the matter was discussed in their recent SB session.
There, it was disclosed that the sum of thirty thousand (P30,000) was paid to the operator, Mr. Arnold Zubiaga. According to Hon. Nap Navarosa, the P30,000.00 was used for the purchase of fuel. It was not recorded even in the office of the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. "It is a practice to haul one or two trucks of sand and gravel to the families of whose relatives passed away as a matter of sympathy, said Hon. Navarosa. "Libacao has municipal ordinance allowing the renting of the LGU equipment to private persons," said Navarosa.
The case of the hauling of sand and gravel to the lot of Ms. Padalhin is an invitation to corruption. It was even a corruption that just passed silently if no one questioned it. What the LGU Libacao needs is an implementing guidelines in the implementation of that ordinance about the rental of LGU equipment to private persons.
At least there must be a simple contract between the LGU and the person renting the equipment specifying the terms and conditions, the obligations of LGU Libacao and the obligations of the private person renting the equipment. The hauling of gravel and sand for free to improve the yard of the dead person must be included in the guideline. It must be recorded and made a matter of record.
Hon. Nap Navarosa should not stop after Mr. Zubiaga has reported the P30,000 was used in the purchase of fuel. Mr. Zubiaga must be asked to account the money by submitting financial report. If there is surplus, he must remit it to the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. This financial report must be disclosed to the public, maybe by posting it on the bulletin board! Madyaas Pen will readily publish it if given a copy of the report.
It is only after a financial report is made public that the doubts and suspicions will be erased in the minds of some Libacaonons.
CONTINUOUS RAINS
The cold, shower, and cloud since the second half of December 2006 until today, has expanded respiratory diseases in Aklan. It has also caused the cancellation of Cebu Pacific flight for Kalibo on January 2.
Not only these clouds, shower/rain and cold had affected the increase in prices of fish. The fisherfolks are afraid to go out at sea to fish, so that even the "Bilong Bilong" cost P120.00 per kilo in the market.
Fishpond operators are also losing money in their operation as milkfish does not grow big because of cold and low salinity. Those who grow plankton for feeds cannot grow because of the continuous absence of sunlight. Those who buy feeds, milkfish just eat it but remained stunted.
KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN
Next week will be Ati Atihan season. Just the same, we will be dancing on the streets of Kalibo with potholes. Just dance, never complain. That is what we have. Kalibo has no money to repair the roads in Poblacion streets and don’t be surprised. The sidewalks will be utilized as it is being utilized for the display of goods for sale. Even advertising stands are displayed as vendors are doing everyday of the year. LGU Kalibo cannot attend to these, so just be patient.
PERSONNEL ARE BUSY
Even the Municipal Engineer is busy that his office cannot enforce the ordinance. Some residents just mocked the law. Look, a person applied to construct a fence and got approval. She constructed a small house pretended to be a fence. Well, Mr. Benny Tirazona said, "This is the Philippines, expect that."
ROCK SOLID
According to Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Tibyog has no problem and the members are rock solid to the re election bid of Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, as an observer, I still see Tibyog is like a solid rock.
However, as the May 14, 2007 elections near, is Banga not a problem? Who will be the Tibyog candidates for Mayor and Vice Mayor? How about Batan? This may not be a problem in Batan as there are persons who will run but what is the chance of winning? Is Numancia a problem? The team of Mayor E.I. Templonuevo went on separate ways. Vice Mayor Adolfo lligan and Hon. Winston Carillo has declared their respective candidacy for Mayor and Vice Mayor with Hon. Boy Macahilas and Hon. Mansayon as SB Members. Hon. Domingo Ibabao will stick it out with his brother-in law Nonoy Fajardo for Vice Mayor.
What will Tibyog do in Malay where Hon. Joe Yap is interested to run for Mayor? Will he prevail over incumbent Mayor Ciceron Cawaling? How about in Buruanga?
How about the problem of Ms. Mabeth Mobo Garcia? Is her ambition to be governor of Aklan ended after the press conference of former Cong. Allen S. Quimpo on January 5? If she persisted as a candidate for Governor, how will the Ibajaynons react? This is an interesting event to watch. Ms Mabeth Mobo–Garcia has not announced she has given up her ambition to be Governor of Aklan like her grandfather, father and father-in law. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Last week, the use of Local Government Unit of Libacao equipment in the hauling of sand and gravel to the house in Janlud of Ms. Padalhin was the subject of criticism among the Libacaonons both in whispers and ordinary conversations. This matter reached the attention of the honorable members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Liabacao. As a consequence, the matter was discussed in their recent SB session.
There, it was disclosed that the sum of thirty thousand (P30,000) was paid to the operator, Mr. Arnold Zubiaga. According to Hon. Nap Navarosa, the P30,000.00 was used for the purchase of fuel. It was not recorded even in the office of the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. "It is a practice to haul one or two trucks of sand and gravel to the families of whose relatives passed away as a matter of sympathy, said Hon. Navarosa. "Libacao has municipal ordinance allowing the renting of the LGU equipment to private persons," said Navarosa.
The case of the hauling of sand and gravel to the lot of Ms. Padalhin is an invitation to corruption. It was even a corruption that just passed silently if no one questioned it. What the LGU Libacao needs is an implementing guidelines in the implementation of that ordinance about the rental of LGU equipment to private persons.
At least there must be a simple contract between the LGU and the person renting the equipment specifying the terms and conditions, the obligations of LGU Libacao and the obligations of the private person renting the equipment. The hauling of gravel and sand for free to improve the yard of the dead person must be included in the guideline. It must be recorded and made a matter of record.
Hon. Nap Navarosa should not stop after Mr. Zubiaga has reported the P30,000 was used in the purchase of fuel. Mr. Zubiaga must be asked to account the money by submitting financial report. If there is surplus, he must remit it to the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. This financial report must be disclosed to the public, maybe by posting it on the bulletin board! Madyaas Pen will readily publish it if given a copy of the report.
It is only after a financial report is made public that the doubts and suspicions will be erased in the minds of some Libacaonons.
CONTINUOUS RAINS
The cold, shower, and cloud since the second half of December 2006 until today, has expanded respiratory diseases in Aklan. It has also caused the cancellation of Cebu Pacific flight for Kalibo on January 2.
Not only these clouds, shower/rain and cold had affected the increase in prices of fish. The fisherfolks are afraid to go out at sea to fish, so that even the "Bilong Bilong" cost P120.00 per kilo in the market.
Fishpond operators are also losing money in their operation as milkfish does not grow big because of cold and low salinity. Those who grow plankton for feeds cannot grow because of the continuous absence of sunlight. Those who buy feeds, milkfish just eat it but remained stunted.
KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN
Next week will be Ati Atihan season. Just the same, we will be dancing on the streets of Kalibo with potholes. Just dance, never complain. That is what we have. Kalibo has no money to repair the roads in Poblacion streets and don’t be surprised. The sidewalks will be utilized as it is being utilized for the display of goods for sale. Even advertising stands are displayed as vendors are doing everyday of the year. LGU Kalibo cannot attend to these, so just be patient.
PERSONNEL ARE BUSY
Even the Municipal Engineer is busy that his office cannot enforce the ordinance. Some residents just mocked the law. Look, a person applied to construct a fence and got approval. She constructed a small house pretended to be a fence. Well, Mr. Benny Tirazona said, "This is the Philippines, expect that."
ROCK SOLID
According to Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Tibyog has no problem and the members are rock solid to the re election bid of Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, as an observer, I still see Tibyog is like a solid rock.
However, as the May 14, 2007 elections near, is Banga not a problem? Who will be the Tibyog candidates for Mayor and Vice Mayor? How about Batan? This may not be a problem in Batan as there are persons who will run but what is the chance of winning? Is Numancia a problem? The team of Mayor E.I. Templonuevo went on separate ways. Vice Mayor Adolfo lligan and Hon. Winston Carillo has declared their respective candidacy for Mayor and Vice Mayor with Hon. Boy Macahilas and Hon. Mansayon as SB Members. Hon. Domingo Ibabao will stick it out with his brother-in law Nonoy Fajardo for Vice Mayor.
What will Tibyog do in Malay where Hon. Joe Yap is interested to run for Mayor? Will he prevail over incumbent Mayor Ciceron Cawaling? How about in Buruanga?
How about the problem of Ms. Mabeth Mobo Garcia? Is her ambition to be governor of Aklan ended after the press conference of former Cong. Allen S. Quimpo on January 5? If she persisted as a candidate for Governor, how will the Ibajaynons react? This is an interesting event to watch. Ms Mabeth Mobo–Garcia has not announced she has given up her ambition to be Governor of Aklan like her grandfather, father and father-in law. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Will Mabeth Give Up Her Ambition To Be Governor?


Last week, the use of Local Government Unit of Libacao equipment in the hauling of sand and gravel to the house in Janlud of Ms. Padalhin was the subject of criticism among the Libacaonons both in whispers and ordinary conversations. This matter reached the attention of the honorable members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Liabacao. As a consequence, the matter was discussed in their recent SB session.
There, it was disclosed that the sum of thirty thousand (P30,000) was paid to the operator, Mr. Arnold Zubiaga. According to Hon. Nap Navarosa, the P30,000.00 was used for the purchase of fuel. It was not recorded even in the office of the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. "It is a practice to haul one or two trucks of sand and gravel to the families of whose relatives passed away as a matter of sympathy, said Hon. Navarosa. "Libacao has municipal ordinance allowing the renting of the LGU equipment to private persons," said Navarosa.
The case of the hauling of sand and gravel to the lot of Ms. Padalhin is an invitation to corruption. It was even a corruption that just passed silently if no one questioned it. What the LGU Libacao needs is an implementing guidelines in the implementation of that ordinance about the rental of LGU equipment to private persons.
At least there must be a simple contract between the LGU and the person renting the equipment specifying the terms and conditions, the obligations of LGU Libacao and the obligations of the private person renting the equipment. The hauling of gravel and sand for free to improve the yard of the dead person must be included in the guideline. It must be recorded and made a matter of record.
Hon. Nap Navarosa should not stop after Mr. Zubiaga has reported the P30,000 was used in the purchase of fuel. Mr. Zubiaga must be asked to account the money by submitting financial report. If there is surplus, he must remit it to the Municipal Treasurer of Libacao. This financial report must be disclosed to the public, maybe by posting it on the bulletin board! Madyaas Pen will readily publish it if given a copy of the report.
It is only after a financial report is made public that the doubts and suspicions will be erased in the minds of some Libacaonons.
CONTINUOUS RAINS
The cold, shower, and cloud since the second half of December 2006 until today, has expanded respiratory diseases in Aklan. It has also caused the cancellation of Cebu Pacific flight for Kalibo on January 2.
Not only these clouds, shower/rain and cold had affected the increase in prices of fish. The fisherfolks are afraid to go out at sea to fish, so that even the "Bilong Bilong" cost P120.00 per kilo in the market.
Fishpond operators are also losing money in their operation as milkfish does not grow big because of cold and low salinity. Those who grow plankton for feeds cannot grow because of the continuous absence of sunlight. Those who buy feeds, milkfish just eat it but remained stunted.
KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN
Next week will be Ati Atihan season. Just the same, we will be dancing on the streets of Kalibo with potholes. Just dance, never complain. That is what we have. Kalibo has no money to repair the roads in Poblacion streets and don’t be surprised. The sidewalks will be utilized as it is being utilized for the display of goods for sale. Even advertising stands are displayed as vendors are doing everyday of the year. LGU Kalibo cannot attend to these, so just be patient.
PERSONNEL ARE BUSY
Even the Municipal Engineer is busy that his office cannot enforce the ordinance. Some residents just mocked the law. Look, a person applied to construct a fence and got approval. She constructed a small house pretended to be a fence. Well, Mr. Benny Tirazona said, "This is the Philippines, expect that."
ROCK SOLID
According to Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Tibyog has no problem and the members are rock solid to the re election bid of Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, as an observer, I still see Tibyog is like a solid rock.
However, as the May 14, 2007 elections near, is Banga not a problem? Who will be the Tibyog candidates for Mayor and Vice Mayor? How about Batan? This may not be a problem in Batan as there are persons who will run but what is the chance of winning? Is Numancia a problem? The team of Mayor E.I. Templonuevo went on separate ways. Vice Mayor Adolfo lligan and Hon. Winston Carillo has declared their respective candidacy for Mayor and Vice Mayor with Hon. Boy Macahilas and Hon. Mansayon as SB Members. Hon. Domingo Ibabao will stick it out with his brother-in law Nonoy Fajardo for Vice Mayor.
What will Tibyog do in Malay where Hon. Joe Yap is interested to run for Mayor? Will he prevail over incumbent Mayor Ciceron Cawaling? How about in Buruanga?
How about the problem of Ms. Mabeth Mobo Garcia? Is her ambition to be governor of Aklan ended after the press conference of former Cong. Allen S. Quimpo on January 5? If she persisted as a candidate for Governor, how will the Ibajaynons react? This is an interesting event to watch. Ms Mabeth Mobo–Garcia has not announced she has given up her ambition to be Governor of Aklan like her grandfather, father and father-in law. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com