Entrepreneurial Farmer

ByAmbrosio R. Villorente

Corruption Causes Poverty

Madyaas Pen editorial on the March 12 issue was devoted to the discussion of "Wealthy and poverty". It was pointed out that a person, especially in the Philippines which is ranked No. 1 corrupt country in Asia, increases his resources by corruption or by stealing government resources. That this corruption and stealing make the Philippines and his people very poor.
The latest alleged corruption is the purchase of lamplights installed in Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City involving about P300 million. In the words of Juan L. Mercado of the Tacloban Star, the purchases "were overpriced by 14 times where 37 out of 100 students are ill fed, anemic and stunted?"
"In Mandaue, 34 out of every 100 pre-schoolers are scrawny listless underweights…poverty forces 33 out of every 100 who enroll in Grade I to drop out before reaching Grade VI. Three out of 10 are iodine deficient, 51 – percent are short of Vitamin A", Mercado added.
In Aklan, the MKWD paid P25 million for PVC pipes and other materials at the price of gauge 150 when what were actually delivered was gauge 100 PVC pipes. Notwithstanding the questionable P25 million transaction, the MKWD board and management continue their quest to increase water rates, water meter rental and maintenance. The MKWD water concessionaires are yet to hear the faith of the P25 million purchases in question MKWD gains more, concessionaires suffer.

FERTILIZER SCAM

In 2004, some P1 billion appropriated to purchase fertilizer to modernize agriculture and increase agricultural productivity was spent in the presidential election. The farmers were taken for a ride. Despite the pressure exerted to bring the culprit to justice, the government authorities remain deaf and blind. It sees no evil, hears no evil, smells no evil and touches nobody.

ROAD RAILING

The road railings along the Banga–Libacao road are gone. Who got it? Nobody knows. I happen to see those road railings gone while on my way to Libacao, Aklan on Tuesday, March 20. Nobody cares who got it. The steel railings installed to mitigate accidents along that road were gone. Installed in two strands and at 1.5 kilometers long, the thief may have raised a sizable amount of money after selling such junk. There are patches of railings left, those that are near residential houses.
To the motorists, be very careful in passing that portion of road for any mistake, one may fall by the bank of the Aklan river.

MARQUEZ’ BROKEN PROMISE

According to some Libacaonons, Governor Carlito S. Marquez has not made good his pledge to extend the cemented portion of the Banga-Libacao road. Some friends in Libacao just told me in whisper that Governor Marquez is sure to break his promise to cement a portion of the Banga – Libacao road as the May 14, 2007 election is fast approaching. I just told them to wait until after the election for the road cementing. Another pledge is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, just revive the promise during the campaign period. Just make the pledge as fresh as possible.

"SUPOT"

Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo of Kalibo removed his billboard erected at the corner of Regalado and Acevedo Streets, Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan. The billboard portrayed the message regarding the asphalt overlay done on Regalado Street.
But who is that vandal? He sprayed the word "Supot" on the billboard and connected it with an arrow to the face of Mayor Rebaldo. /MP