Editorial September 23 – 29, 2007

To Win A Project Is To Bid Highest

The bid most advantageous to LGU Libacao to implement a certain project is the one which offered the highest bid.
Sometime in February 2007, LGU Libacao bided the “construction of the River Control Revetment Wall, Resting on Cut-Off Wall” project. Those which participated in the bid were MG Salazar of Santo Tomas, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, PERCC, White Plains Subd., Katipunan Ave., Quezon City, PHESCO, Quezon Ave., Quezon City, and Chiara Construction, Tarlac City.
After opening the bids, the offers are as follows: Chiara Construction – P34,608,908.29; PHESCO – P38,032,381.12; PERCC – P40,370,066.15, and MG Salazar – P40,502,836.01.
Examining and ranking them from the highest to the lowest as to cost, MG Salazar is the highest, PERCC–second, PHESCO–third, and Chiara Construction – fourth.
Nevertheless, the construction job was awarded to MG Salazar even if it was the highest bidder.
As a result, Ms. Rizalina Lil R. Guevarra – Dianco filed a “complaint for Violation of Section 3 sub paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Guevarra – Dianco accused Hon. Charito I. Navarosa, Mayor of Libacao, Aklan; Alex E. Dionela, Local Civil Registrar and chairman – Bids and Awards Committee. She also accused the members of the Bids and Awards Committee who are Cynthia Villorente – Municipal Assessor; Peter Orbista – Municipal Engr.; Dante Zubiaga – Municipal Planning Officer; Shirley N. Panim – Statistics Aide; Raiel I. Zabala – Administrative Assistant; and Lennie O. Zambrona – Administrative officer, all of Libacao.
Also included in the complaint are Hon. Jose Jerome B. legaspi – SB member, Libacao; Reinnete D. Teodosio; Leartes T. Dala; Elmer Madayag, Roel Bernardo, and Emeliano Belisario, both of Logo Finance and Andrew Macabales and Rolando Reyes.
Among others, Rizalina Lil R. Guevarra – Dianco alleged that “Mayor Charito Navarosa summoned the herein complainant and demanded for a 50/50 profit sharing on the earnings of the project as part of the condition precedent for the awarding of the project” for which she “vigorously disagree...it is detrimental. The proposal of the Honorable Mayor is highly prejudicial and detrimental to the citizenry of...Libacao, Aklan. It is outright immoral and illegal.”
Guevara – Dianco alleged further that on February 13, 2007 at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon, she was invited by Engr. Gary Gaylan to a dinner. In that dinner, Mayor Charito Navarosa allegedly asked Engr. Gary Gaylan “to fix, arrange and negotiate in the preparation for the forthcoming February 20, 2007 bidding, so that Rolando Reyes will have the project smoothly”. Guevarra – Dianco related in her complaint affidavit she was offered P2 million to “back off” the project. But the P2 million “anomalous offer was refused...”
Rolando Reyes is the Attorney-In-Fact of MG Salazar.
According to the complainant Guevara–Dianco, Mayor Navarosa and 15 others had violated the Anti-Graft Law specifically Section 3 – corrupt practices of public officers; 3 (b) (c) directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefit; and 3 (e) causing any injury to any party...
In her prayer, Guevarra – Dianco requested the Ombudsman (Visayas) to 1. order the suspension of the respondents from their respective offices; 2. order the immediate suspension of the implementation of the project; 3. recommend re-bidding of the project; and 4. grant relief and remedies equitable.
In its Order on September 6, 2007, the Ombudsman (Visayas) found “enough basis to proceed with the administrative investigation of the case, respondents Charito I. Navarosa, Municipal Mayor; Jose Jerome B. Legaspi, SB member, Sub-Project Coordinator, Alex E. Dionela, Local Civil Registrar, Chairman, Cynthia Villorente, Municipal Assessor, Engr. Peter Orbista, Municipal Engineer, Dante Zubiaga, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Shirley N. Panim, Statistic Aide, Raiel I. Zabala, Administrative Assistant, Reinnete D. Teodosio, employee, Members, Bids & Awards Committee (BAC), Lennie O. Zambrona, Administrative Officer I, Leartes T. Dala, Administrative Assistant I, Secretariat, Bids & Awards Committee (BAC), Municipality of Libacao, Aklan. Engr. Elmer Madayag, Engr. Emiliano Belisario, Engr. Roel Bernardo, employees, Bureau of Logo Finance, Department of Finance, are hereby ordered to file their counter-affidavits and other controverting evidence to the said complaint within TEN (10) days from receipt. The order was signed by Dir. Edgardo G. Canton of the Ombudsman.
The respondents are not allowed to file motion to dismiss, motion for bill of particulars and similar dilatory motions. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

“Kahit Saan, Kahit Kailan, Maaasahan”?

GSIS or Government Service Insurance System brags of its creed: “Kahit saan, kahit kailan, maaasahan”.
I wished I could believe it, but the GSIS itself has proved, it cannot be relied upon. It is dangerous to believe it.
Have you ever transacted business with the GSIS? Did it remain faithful to its creed: “Kahit saan, kahit kailan, maaasahan”? For government employees and officials, whether you like it or not, you are forced to deal with the GSIS.
On Monday morning, July 9, 2007, the members of the Government Retirees of Libacao (GROL) held a protest rally against the use of e-Card plus in all the transactions with the GSIS including the GSIS pensioners. The protest rally was held in front of the Provincial Capitol, Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan. The GROL demanded four (4) things from the GSIS which are as follows: 1. the payment of monthly pensions to GSIS pensioners be paid by checks sent to their respective addresses by mail; 2. The GSIS pension funds must be deposited in government banks and not in Union Bank which has only one branch in Panay and Guimaras; 3. that Winston Garcia President/CEO of GSIS resigns, and 4. the GSIS field office located in the 3rd floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Kalibo, Aklan be relocated in the ground floor in any suitable building in Kalibo.
During that protest rally, three GSIS officials attended the rally. They were Atty. Jesusa Ruby A. Teruel, Mr. Ronie Abella, and Ms. Moreño. Atty. Teruel is the Branch Manager of GSIS Roxas City while Abella is the Information Officer. Ms. Moreño is the head of the Kalibo GSIS Field office.
In our short dialogue with them, they assured us that as soon as a suitable place is located, GSIS Kalibo will transfer its office in the ground floor of that building. Atty. Teruel assured that “money for office rental is now available.” She also told us the other three demands are subject to higher management approval in Metro Manila.
Until today, 76 days after GSIS gave its assurance of its transfer to ground floor in a suitable building is not complied with. Indeed, GSIS is an office of words. Kahit saan, kahit kailan, maasahan is yet a creed to fulfill.

Eat Less Rice

Ms. Judith Tindog of NFA advocates the less eating of rice to reduce rice shortage. She recommends for the eating of noodles in the morning instead of rice. According to Ms. Tindog, the Vietnamese do not eat rice in the morning, still eat lesser rice at lunch and dinner compared with Filipinos.
Vietnam has surplus rice production because of two reasons. Their per capita rice consumption is lesser than the Filipinos and their production per unit area is higher because of more efficient irrigation system than the Philippines. The Philippines may not need to import rice from abroad if she can harness water in the creeks and rivers for agriculture purpose.
It can also avoid rice importation by consuming less rice. However, the possible food to supplement rice is even more expensive. The artificial cheaper cost of rice is due to government control and rice annual importation. This is why instead of lesser rice intake, rice consumption is increasing yearly.
The suggestion of Mrs. Tindog to reduce rice intake the Vietnam way is noble, but we have to modify our eating habit and work on government policy on rice and the economics of it. /MP

Lying Under Oath

Lying under oath? Picture shows Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and Sec. Romulo Neri taking their oaths to tell the truth and nothing but the truth before the Senate Investigating Committee on NBN deal .

Who is lying under oath? In a Senate hearing on the National Broadband Network (NBN) project which involves US$330 million and surrounded with charges of corruption, Mr. Jose De Venecia III admitted under oath he was offered US$10 million by Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos, Sr. if he withdrew his bid for the NBN.
De Venecia is a principal stockholder of Ams-terdam Holdings, Inc.
On the same Senate investigation, former secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) admitted Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos, Sr. offered him also P200 million to facilitate approval of the NBN project of the Department of Transportation and Communication.
Neri testified, the offered was made by Abalos “while they were on a golf cart”. “Sec, may dalawang daan ka dito”, (Sec, you have 200 here) quoted Neri during his testimonies. He was shocked, as he felt the amount is too big. He is not used to being offered and it was quite big.
Chairman Abalos said he cannot recall giving them the offer and he has no reason to offer a bribe.
Abalos said, De Venecia and Neri are lying under oath. Who between the two told the truth/MP

PNRC Aklan To Celebrate RCY Month

By Ambrosio Villorente

October 2007 is Red Cross Youth (RCY) month. The month long celebration will be highlighted with the “1st Aklan Chapter Red Cross Youth Camp to be held at Kalibo Elementary School Compound I & II, Kalibo District II, Kalibo, Aklan on October 5 – 7, 2007, Mrs. Arcely P. Pelayo, PNRC, Aklan chapter administrator announced.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino said, RCY Month celebration will enable Red Cross Youth to experience out-door-life, develop leadership skills, and enjoy fellowship in the spirit of volunteerism.
Ms. Pelayo expects some 1000 young boys and girls with their advisers from all towns of Aklan to participate in the celebration. On October 5, there will be grand parade in Kalibo, opening program, drum-lyre corps presentation, camp orientation, development of skills in emergency rescue and transfer, soft tissue injury drill, and drug abuse prevention education.
The activities on October 6 are bandaging, relay exercises, and fundamental principles of the Red Cross, emergency rescue and transfer, HIV-AIDS and Dengue awareness and mass investiture. The Red Cross Youth Tuklas 2007 will be held in the evening with solo, chorus and declamation in English based on the theme: RCY: Think Big, Soar High; Involved”.
Francoise Lesley Nabor Relente of Libacao Elementary School, Libacao will be crowned Miss Red Cross Youth Camp 2007 with Elias John Luis P. Lorenzo of Aklan Inter Faith Academy, Kalibo as Master Red Cross Youth Camp 2007. Marbe Rose S. Ismael is the Princess of Humanity with Francis Jen D. Tejada as Prince of Humanity. Krysha Angelie B. Donguines and Rael Bryan C. Agcaoli are the Princess and Prince of Peace respectively.
On the final day, October 7, the activities consist of First Aid Meeting, Grand Brotherhood, Parade and Closing Ceremonies.
At 5–6 a.m. daily during the RCY Camp, there will be reveille, physical fitness, washing and cleaning of the camp and religious services. /mp

Malay Launches Rabies Prevention/Control Program

The “Rabies Prevention and Control Program for the Municipality of Malay including Boracay Island Resort” was launched during the celebration of the “World Rabies Day” on September 8, 2007, held in Malay, Aklan.
The project is a partnership among the Municipality of Malay; Aklan State University–School of Veterinary Medicine, Extension and Community Services; Aklan Provincial Government–Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and Provincial Health Office, Department of Education-District of Malay, Department of Agriculture–Regional Field Unit 6; and the Department of Health–Center for Health Development-Western Visayas.
The different activities done during the launching program were the massive anti-rabies vaccination, castration of dogs and film showing. The World Rabies Day was highlighted with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement among partner agencies.
According to Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, Director of ASU-ECS, the Memorandum of Agreement came out after a series of consultations with the local government units and partner-agencies.
Hon. Ceciron S. Cawaling, Mayor of Malay expressed in his message the support of the Municipal Government of Malay to the program extended by the partner-agencies. He stressed the importance in making Malay not only a tourist-friendly destination but also a rabies-free municipality.
Director Larry P. Nacionales, Regional Executive Director of DA-RFU 6 was represented by Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Operations. According to Engr. Recoter, “the DA-RFU 6 is committed to its responsibilities as stipulated in the agreement”.
Director Lydia S. Depra-Ramos, Regional Director of DOH-CHD Western Visayas was represented by Mrs. Zuela A. Calizo of DOH-CHDWV Aklan. The DOH is highly committed through the MOA in order to attain a rabies-free Malay and Boracay. Dir. Ramos has allocated 400 vials Rabisins exclusive for Malay, which can cover 4,000 dogs”, Calizo revealed.
Mr. Democrito Barrientos, Principal In-charge of the District of Malay, DepEd, pledged to integrate the program in its education curriculum, so that it could be internalized by the pupils.
Governor Carlito S. Marquez was represented by Dr. Maria J. Magpusao, Chief Technical Services Division, Provincial Health Office. According to Dr. Magpusao, “the Aklan Provincial Government is very much supportive to the rabies control program.” She emphasized that “the program is very timely because rabies death rate in Aklan in 2006 is 1.8 percent which is 0.8 higher than the standard death rate of less than 1 percent.
ASU President, Dr. Benny A. Palma informed the public that the University is waiting for the accreditation of its Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory. “The University will continue to improve its services for anti-rabies, likewise, the commitment of the University to the program.”
According to Dr. Molly L. Naigan, faculty member of ASU-SVM and project leader, the program is conceptualized for several reasons. First, rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system of all warm-blooded animals primarily dogs and is transmitted to human beings through a bite of an affected animal. Second, the records of DOH’s National Rabies Prevention and Control Program show that most of the 113,379 animal bites in 2005 came from Western Visayas (Region 6) where Boracay Island belongs. In the Province of Aklan, the Provincial Health Office reported three human deaths in 2006 and for the current year, three cases of human deaths were attributed to rabies as of May 2007.
Dr. Naigan said that “the project aims primarily to prevent the incidence of rabies in the area and when rabies case is recorded, it could be promptly controlled and eradicated.”
The project is a five-year plan designed to make the municipality of Malay and Boracay Island a rabies-free community. It is intended to protect the local populace and tourists from deadly rabies diseases resulting from rabid dog bites,” Naigan pointed out.
The components of the program are the enactment and implementation of local laws on dog control, organizing rabies control coordinating committee (municipal and barangay levels), campaign on responsible pet ownership, capability enhancement of animal and health workers, vaccination of all healthy dogs and cats, campaign on dog control measures and rabies surveillance system. It will be implemented in partnership with the local, provincial, regional, and national government agencies.
The collaborative effort is to integrate scarce financial and technical resources from different government agencies in order to achieve a common goal. To make the project efficient and effective as well as sustainable, it will be institutionalized in the municipal and barangay levels. (ASU-ECS) /MP

Four Pillars In Family Planning

By Cecille dela Rosa De Lemos

Family planning program managers and service providers, as well as policy-makers, family planning donors and the mass media have important roles to play in encouraging “Informed Choice”.
In the province of Aklan, four program managers namely: Teresa Robles and Grace Ureta, DOH – Aklan Representatives; Nuela Zaldivar and Celia R. de Lemos of PHO – Technical Services Division, attended the DOH Training in Informed Choice, Voluntarism (ICV) and Responsible Parenting on September 18 – 20, 2007 at Sugarland Hotel, Bacolod City. Mrs. Medalla P. Balandra, Nurse V, Regional NFP Coordinator/RPM Focal Person, DOH – CHDWV and Dr. Cesar Maglaya, Health GOV Director, and POPCOM facilitators conducted the 3-day orientation training.
Balandra discussed the National Family Planning Policies and Legal Mandates. She stressed that the management and implementation of the family planning program are guided by the following principles also termed as “Four Pillars of Family Planning”: Responsible Parenthood, Respect for Life, Birth Spacing, Informed and Voluntary Choice.
Informed Choice and Voluntarism allow people to choose voluntarily and freely the use of family planning method. It provides access to accurate information on a wide variety of family planning choices and services including the benefits and risks of using them. In conformity with the principles of informed choice and voluntary decision making on the provision of FP services, the government prohibits the setting of service quotas or targets, giving incentives to health service providers and clients and making rights or benefits contingent upon FP acceptance.
Dr. Maglaya facilitated the practice session on the administration of ICV compliance monitoring tool and workshop on the formulation of action plan in ensuring compliance to informed choice and voluntarism. Balandra and the POPCOM facilitators tackled topics on Responsible Parenthood and the Movement (RPM), Family Planning Methods, filling up of RPM Report Forms, Administrative Concerns and supervised the formulation of RPM action plan. /MP

Chinese Pug Wants To Be Professional

Feng Wa Song of Min Chuan E. Road, Taipei, Taiwan said, he wants to fight as a professional boxer. He is looking for a trainer who will bring him to either Japan or the United States because of lack of training facilities in Taiwan that will accommodate prospects like him.
“I have friends who are fighting as amateur boxers but I heard that a lot of opportunities await a professional boxer intending to fight in Japan and in the United States,” said the 25-year-old Song through an interpreter, Taiwanese sports journa-list Li Kwe Chi.
Song admitted that he regularly monitors boxing stories in the internet but his obsession is to fight as a pro as he was inspired by Chinese boxers who are late bloomers in the sport. He had logged some fights in amateur but was unsuccessful in his efforts to be recognized by his country, Chi said.
According to Song, Chi is a former student of martial arts, became fascinated in boxing starting when he saw some of his fellow Chinese amateur boxers win medals in international competitions such as the Asian Games. When the Olympics will be held in Beijing next year, Chinese boxers are expected to win some medals in the sport previously dominated by Koreans and Americans.
Meanwhile, Chi said the actual name of boxing in Chinese is “Chung-Kuo chuan”, which literally translates as “Chinese fist”. However, “fist” is typically translated as “boxing,” meaning hand-to-hand combat.
In some ways, Chi pointed out, this translation is misleading and unfortunate, since in the United States today, “boxing” is a specific sport. Chinese boxing is not a sport, but a means of survival in no-holds-barred, life-or-death situation. Western boxing uses only the hands, which the boxer is required to sheathe in gloves. Chinese boxing has no constraints. It uses the entire body as a weapon. It was never designed as a game, and so knows no rules.
A martial artist who has trained in Chinese boxing might participate in a sport karate or kickboxing tournament, but he would not employ true, unadulterated Chinese boxing in the ring. To do so would be unethical, Chi said, for his life would not be on the line. The stakes in a tournament are merely pride and money.
“Chung-Kuo chuan,” then, might be more accurately translated as “Chinese lethal combat method.” However, Chung-Kuo chuan is not just any Chinese lethal combat method. It is a very specific method. There are countless styles of Chinese martial art intended for use in lethal combat, he explained.
Chi said only a few of these subscribe to the particular school of thought that typifies Chinese boxing. Thus, he added that Chinese boxing refers to a Chinese method of lethal combat governed by a particular philosophy and set of principles. To know what Chinese boxing is, one must know the underlying theory.

Mandaluyong Gym Discriminates Ilonggo Pug

A boxing manager has slammed a little-known boxing trainer in a Mandaluyong gym and a veteran matchmaker for their “discriminatory and uncalled for actuations and remarks” against an Iloilo boxer who recently came to their gym to ask permission to train after obtaining his professional license from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).
Boxing manager Chad Colocado complained that when he and Iloilo boxer Remy Cuambot came to the gym of trainer Lando Espinosa and matchmaker Jimmy Narvaez last week, “they turned us away at sinabihan nila ako na matanda na raw ang boxer (Remy Cuambot) at nagsasayang lang daw ako ng pera.”
Colocado said, he was taken aback and did not expect to be treated shabbily “since we came in good faith. I thought they were my friends and were there to help us, not to discourage and insult us.”
“Hindi raw nila matanggap si Remy dahil overage na,” added Colocado, a bigtime cellular phone trader. “Nasaktan kami sa mga sinabi nila lalo na si Remy who is a former bemedalled amateur boxer.”
Unfazed, Colocado reported the matter to GAB administrative officer Estrella Igasan who also felt embarrassed by the incident.
Igasan, an Ilonggo like Cuambot, referred the boxer to promoter-manager Aljoe Jaro in Binangonan, Rizal.
“Aljoe Jaro welcomed us with open arms. Iba siya; may puso siya sa mga boksingerong takulad ni Remy Cuambot,” said Colocado. His undefeated ward, junior featherweight contender Van Bantilan, Cuambot’s former teammate in amateur boxing, will gun for WBO Asia-Pacific title on October 20 in Thailand.
Cuambot, 27, a mechanical engineering graduate, is a former national youth amateur boxing and Palarong Pambansa gold medalist. He and Sydney Olympian Danilo Lerio won a bronze medal apiece in the lightflyweight division in the 1997 LGUlympics held in Iloilo City.
“It’s okay with me if they don’t like me. I will try my best to prove them wrong,” said the soft-spoken Cuambot whose march to the professional rank was interrupted when he and his twin brother, Ronald, pursued their college education immediately after they “retired” from amateur boxing. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Si Mara Ag Ro Prinsipeng Maeaw-ay

Unga pa tag mailo si Mara sa anang ina. Nag asawa it uman ro anang ama. Mapintas ag mahikaw ro anang madrasta. Mabuot ra imaw kon una pa ro anang ama, ogaling kon hieongbus ag mag-panaw sa trabaho ro anang ama, guina sinugo si Mara. Maskin naga dinugo eon ro anang siki ag alima hay sige pa guihapon imaw nga guina sinugo.
Ko olihi, ka’t indi eon matakuran ni Mara ro kapintas ko anang ina-inahan, nag ea-as imaw ag idto nag-adto sa ka-gueangan. Gutom nga gutom imaw ag gaoy nga mayad, ogaling sige pa gihapon ro anang pag-pinanaw. May hakita imaw nga maisot nga baeay. Anang guin adtonan ag sumueod. Sa kaga-oy nana, naka tueogan imaw sa maisot nga siya. Nag-abot ro mga tag-ana it baeay, mga duwende. Naeo-oy sanda sa dalagita, ngani guin pabay-an sa pagkatoeog eon lang nanda. Pag bugtaw ni Mara, hakibot imaw nga mga duwende gali ro anang kaatubang. Guin patener imaw it mga duwende. Imaw ro naga eaha it pagkaon, naga eaba ag naga sag-ob it tubi para kanda. Nalipay guid it duro ro mga duwende kay Mara. Kada hapon kon mag-uli sanda hay may daeang mga regalo.
Isaeang adlaw, sam-tang naga dilig imaw ko anang mga tanum, may umagi nga isaeang ka maeaw-ay nga eaeaki. Nangayo imaw it tubi kay Mara. Nagpakilaea imaw nga onga it mangangahoy ag naga bulig sa anang ama sa pagpangahoy agod ibaligya sa banwa. Umpisa kato, perme kana nga naga bisita ro binata ag may daea nga mga prutas o tinoean-on. Guin sampit imaw nga mamasyar sa may busay. Abo nga mga kadaeagahan ag kabi-nataan ro naga paligos sa busay. Guin hibaygan imaw kon ham-an it maeaw-ay ro anang kaibahan ay ka gwapa ro anang hitsura. Guin sampit imaw ko mga gwapuhon nga binata agod magpaligos ogaling nagpamalibad imaw.
Pag uli nanda sa baeay, may bisita nga gwapuhon nga prinsipe si Mara. Kaibahan imaw ko mga duwende ag bu-ot ipaasawa kay Mara. Naglibog ro oeo ni Mara kon sin-o ro anang pili-on. Ro maeaw-ay nga binata nga mabuot, o ro gwapuhon nga prinsipe nga makaron eamang nana hakilaea?
Parabil nag-uli ro maeaw-ay nga binata, guin taw-an si Mara it maisot nga espeho. Guin bilinan imaw nga gamiton ra sa tungang gabi-i kon bu-ot nanang tukibon ro naga libog sa anang oeo.
Pag-abot it alas dose, bu-ot nanang masayran ro anang paeaabuton. Nag-pakilaea ro anang hitsura nga isaeang ka prinsesa ag may korona. Dayon, bu-ot nanang masayuran kon sin-o ro gwapohon nga prinsipe. Tumambad sa espiho ro isaeang ka maeaw-ay nga halimaw nga naga pakuno-kuno nga prinsipe bangud sa anang mahika. Guin pangutana man nana kon sin-o rayang maeaw-ay nga binata. Hakibot imaw kat makita nana sa espiho ro gwa-pohon nga prinsipe nga anang kakilaea. Guin maldesyon imaw it isaeang ka bruha bangud anang guin sunlog.
Ro saeaming hay naga pakita sa matuod-tuod nga pagkatawo kon sin-o ro imong bu-ot masayoran, kon ro naga pangutana hay sincero sa anang katuyu-an. Bangud, putli ro pag-higugma ni Mara sa maeaw-ay nga binata, nagpakita sa saeaming ro kamatuoran. Pagbisita ko maeaw-ay nga binata kay Mara, owa it duha-duha nga mamunot imaw sa binata. Nagbaylo ro dagway it prinsipe. Habawi ro sumpa it bruha sa prinsipe. Guin kasae sanda ag nagmatuod ro hakita ni Mara sa espiho nga imaw hay isaeang ka prinsesa. /MP

NEWS PICTORIALS

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

This river in the background is situated on the middle of Singapore and in thickly populated area. But look, it is so clear and clean, both sides of its bank are well protected; no erosion.

The Philippine Embassy office building in Singapore which, to many, portrays the sad state of economic condition of the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy exhibits poverty compared to the embassies of Thailand, Japan and Turkey situated nearby.

GROL held its 3rd quarterly meeting on September 23, 2007. Mr. Jesus A. Villorente and Mrs. Fortaleza Villorente who celebrated her diamond birthday hosted the meeting in their house, Poblacion, Libacao, Aklan. They are shown in the picture above with other GROL members who were birthday celebrants during the 3rd quarter.

To enjoy the remaining parts of their lives upon this earth, Libacaonons who have retired from the government services where they spent more time and efforts, they organized themselves into the Government Retirees Association of Libacao (GROL). Picture above shows the new members who joined GROL this year, most of whom are retired teachers.

The Rotary Club of Kalibo (RCK) participated in the 2007 Alay Lakad held on September 7, 2007, Kalibo, Aklan. The picture above shows president More Morier, PP Vady Marin, PP Vic Santamaria, IPP Gus Solmirano, Rtns. Efren Abayon, Mona Magayanes, Arnold Jayme, Sps. Georgyn Ruiz, Becky Morier, Glo Solmirano and Nilda Marin.

Group III, Alay Lakad which started at Camp Pastor Martelino was led by Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, Vice Mayor Nilda B. Tambong, PSSUPT. Benigno B. Durana, Jr. and More Morier. Picture shows the contingent with the band.

ASU Library Gears Towards Automation System

The Aklan State University (ASU) Library in Banga, Aklan is gearing towards automated library system in partnership with Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through its Korean Overseas Volunteer.
The Main Campus has already established an automated library system. The catalog module is a cataloging tool designed to make library work faster, easier and more efficient. The circulation module plays an important task. It assures rapid and accurate issuance, recording and checking on the return of several hundred books lent each day; administer the books reserved and others. Librarians are now considered as processors of information. Instead of looking for information about the books in stack, librarians and library clienteles can access bibliographic records of the library through Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) terminals.
This system will replace the manual registration procedure of writing down the clientele information every time they visit the library. The information of the clientele will automatically appear upon swiping their bar-coded library cards in the computer terminal when they come in or out of the library. This module also helps the librarian determine how many clienteles visited and left and who are still in the library. At present, the clientele barcodes are being disseminated to the students.
The Library automation will succeed through the work performed by hardware, software, and the people concerned. To date the total record of reference materials are 2,765 titles and 3,567 volumes. An estimated 80 percent of the students and faculty members’ data are now available at the ASU new library system.
The KOICA assisted project is projected to be operational on the 2nd half of 2007. /MP

ASU Leads Nearby Provinces in iSchool Implementation

The Commission on Information and Communications Technology – Human Capital Development Group (CICT-HCDG) chose the Aklan State University to lead in the implementation of iSchool in Aklan and nearby provinces. Dr. Roberto Saladar, ASU ICT Director, completed the onsite evaluation of the seven public high schools assigned to the ASU last month.
According to Dr. Saladar, the iSchool project aims to bring cyber learning to every high school in the island. Included in the project is providing the pilot schools with 20 sets of computer, two air conditioning units, and a one year free internet subscription.
The pilot beneficiaries are from Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental and Romblon provinces which are the Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School, Ibajay National High School, Capiz National High School, Manuel Onato National High School, Hima-maylan National High School-San Antonio National High School, Inapoy National High School and Romblon National High School.
As part of the implementation of the iSchool Project, a Project Management Consultative Conference with the Principals of these high school recipients was conducted on September 10, 2007, at the ASU Conference Hall.
The ASU will assign Computer Instructors as Trainers to roll-out the Teachers’ Training on Computer Internet Course (CILC). “It is like a “pay it forward” scheme, where the trained high school teachers, in time, will also train other high school teachers in their locality, said Dr. Saladar. The pilot school will be a training ground to ensure that by year 2010, majority of the high schools in the Philippines will have internet connectivity, increasing the Filipino students’ edge for global competency. (ASU-PME) /MP

Formosa Plastics Group Reveals Environment Protection Policy

F.I Hong, senior administrator of Formosa Heavy Industries Corporation based in Taipee, Taiwan, told a group of journalists from the Philippines that his firm is committed to promote environmental protection and ensure that pollution control measures are properly implemented. The Nan Ya Environmental Engineering Center is created to take charge of planning, promotion, and implementation of tasks relating to environmental protection.
“In addition, enormous investments are made in pollution control equipments. Our broad focus of environmental concerns include air and water quality, noise, solid waste, and safety,” Hong explained.

ENVIRONMENTAL GOAL

The most effective way to achieve their environmental goals, he said, is to reduce the creation of pollution at the source. As part of the No. 6 Naphtha Cracker Project, in addition to selecting the best manufacturing processes and equipment, some US$3.21 billion is earmarked for environmental protection equipment, accounting for about 20 percent of the total investment of US$15.6 billion. ”Over the years we have pursued improvement in pollution controls with good results. To accomplish the task of protecting the environment, we are insisting on using the most advanced processing technology, in conjunction with flawless control systems,” said Hong who also accompanied the group in the tour of the company’s facilities in Mailiao.

EMPHASIS

Hong emphasized that “it is their policy that equal emphasis be placed upon industrial development and environmental protection. We make it one of our top priorities that we not only conform to the national environmental standards, but also meet international standards.” (By Alex P. Vidal) /MP

WV Tourist Industry Collects P14.6-B

The tourism industry in Western Visayas continues to elicit interests of both foreign and domestic tourists earning for the industry some P14.6 billion in reported receipts as of August this year.
Data provided by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Iloilo City revealed that from January to August, 2007, some 796,602 tourists have visited Region VI showing a 15 percent increase compared with the 795,431 visitors in 2006.
Of the said number, 172,605 were foreigners with Korean nationals topping the list. Domestic tourists totaled 586,965 while about 37,032 were overseas Filipinos.
Visitors from the United States registered the second highest arrival in the region next to Koreans.
It must be of interest also that around 53.72 percent of the tourists availed themselves of first class accommodations; 49.84 percent–standard and 30.51 percent–economy.
Meantime, some 22.15 percent of the visitors stayed in pensions or inns; 24.66 percent in resorts and 21.36 percent in non-accredited places of accommodation.
Meanwhile, the expected opening of additional direct flights from Shanghai, China to Kalibo, Aklan in October and the proposed international flights once the Bacolod-Silay airport operates in November will further boost the booming tourist industry in Western Visayas. (By Boy Ryan Zabal/MP

Travel

PAL Backs IATA Call For Safety Audit

The Philippine Airlines has thrown its support behind the International Air transport Association’s (IATA) campaign to make safety a cornerstone of air travel, particularly in the wake of last Sunday’s fatal crash landing of a Thai budget carrier in Phuket, Thailand.
“As a pioneer member of IATA, having joined the organization in 1946, and the only Philippine carrier to pass the IATA Operational Safety Audit, PAL upholds the principle that safety is the bedrock of airline operations,” said PAL president Jaime J. Bautista.
“All airlines, especially the so-called low-cost or budget carriers, should submit themselves to the IATA safety audit. The safety of passengers and crew must never be compromised.”
Bautista backed the call of IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani for airlines and governments to constantly raise the bar on safety.
IATA, which counts over 240 of the world’s leading airlines as members, is the global trade organization for the air transport industry. It was founded in April 1945 and is the prime vehicle for inter-airline cooperation in promoting safe, reliable, secure and economical air services.
“Every accident reminds us that we must do better. We have had many reminders recently and it will take all of our efforts to keep the accident rate down,” Bisignani said in a major policy speech in Montreal, Canada last week.
The Phuket tragedy, where an MD-83 operated by Thai low-cost airline One-Two-Go skidded off the runway and burst into flames, killing 89 people, brought to the fore the poor safety record of Asia’s fast-growing budget airline sector.
Aviation experts warned that as air fares drop and more people travel, safety is often overlooked by low-cost carriers.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Tom Ballantyne, chief correspondent of Orient Aviation magazine, said, “travelers must be more discriminating in choosing carriers by scrutinizing their safety standards and not just for the cheapest fare.”
“Look for accidents or safety issues. Look at the sort of planes the airline is operating. Are they new or old? What is the background of the airline?”
IATA itself has called on all industry players, including budget carriers, to undergo the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is the internationally accepted benchmark for safety management in airlines.
“Our common target is zero accidents. Transparent global standards are the only way to get there,” said Bisignani.
Alone among Philippine carriers, PAL hurdled the IOSA tests in 2006 and received its certification in February 2007. The national flag carrier is now among 160 airlines worldwide listed on the IOSA registry.“We congratulate Philippine Airlines for achieving this global standard,” said then IATA vice president for Asia-Pacific Andrew Drysdale during the certification ceremony. /MP

DepEd Promotes Versatile Mungbean

By ATBaylon

Vegetable Mungbean - corn planting sequence enriches the soil as shown in the picture above.

One of the highlights in the celebration of World Food Day in October month is the distribution of mungbean seeds. DepEd Makato District Teacher II, Eriberto T. Castillo, supported by DepEd elementary teachers of Makato Integrated School headed by Lourdes V. Tesoro, Principal II will distribute mungbean seeds to Brgy. Nutrition scholars (BNS) and Child Development Workers of Makato, Aklan. They approved this activity during their staff meeting held recently.
Mr. Castillo recommends mungbean or mungo as priority crop/plant for food production in home and community project. “Due to its nutritional value, mungo is primarily consumed as food, use as feeds for livestocks, for green manuring and industrial raw material. It is important plant in intercropping, rotation cropping and relay cropping. It enriches the soil, conserves soil fertility due to its root nodules nitrogen-fixing bacteria.” Castillo pointed out.
“Mungo crop rotation is needed to our dessert–turning plains of lowland rice farms polluted with chemical inputs. This contributes to global warming and adversely threaten food security. Planting mungo the whole year round is necessary to maintain continuous supply of nitrogen–fixing bacteria as inoculants.” Castillo stressed.
In addition to DepEd’s reading materials and national, regional and local newspapers used as references that made Castillo environment–friendly are local weekly news like Madyaas Pen being published “to fight famine and poverty.”
Castillo said, “God created man to manage the Earth. This task includes the care of all life on this planet. But human race, for the basic reason of being human, has failed. Hence, the results are catastrophic and threatening to our existence. Global warming, acid rain, air and water pollution, flash floods, drying rivers and lakes, dessert–turning plains. famine, extinction.”These are Castillo’s reasons for promoting versatile mungbean. /MP

Editorial September 16 – 22 Issue

P25.5 MKWD Controversial Pipes

It is to the best interest of the water concessionaires of the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) to know what happened to the P25.5 million controversial pipes. The MKWD Board must inform the concessionaires and the Aklanons what have they done with the Fact Finding Team (FFT) report signed by Atty. Arnaldo M. Espinas – chairman, and Atty. Richard C. Lee and Almer A. Zerrudo – members.
In its investigation, the FFT found the following: a. The uPVC pipes received do not conform to the standard specification of class 150…the thickness is about 10.58% to 15.22% less than required, no proper markings…, b. the weight of the G.I. pipes are lighter by about 13% to 19 % than required. The wall thickness is about 10.34% to 23.53% less than required, c. the pipes fittings are fabricated steel instead of required cast iron, and e. the GM is a liable for signing the Certificate of Final Acceptance inspite of the adverse findings of the WD technical committee.
Having these findings, the FFT recommended that: 1. the supplier to refund the amount representing the differential cost between the price of class 150 vis a vis class 100 pipes, to ban the supplier from participating in any LWUA bidding and to pay P20,000 fine; and 2. for the MKWD Board of Directors to impose disciplinary sanctions to the General Manager.
Did the MKWD Board do something on these recommendations? The public has the right to know such as – how much did the supplier paid as price differential from uPVC class 150 to uPVC class 100? And what disciplinary action is given Mr. Renato Albar, the general manager?
To refresh the memory of our people on the MKWD controversial pipes, an article on the subject published in the Madyaas Pen, December 14–20, 2003 issue is being re-published.

MKWD’s Controversial Pipes

With the number of highly questionable transactions in the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD), its manager and the Board of Directors has no more reasons to continue serving as such. It appears there is enough preponderance of evidence in the alleged “anomalous transaction in the implementation of the P25 million water project.”
The components of the Board of Directors came from highly respected sectors of society in the province of Aklan that command high respect and prestige. In the BOD, five (5) sectors are represented which are the civic clubs, business, education, professional and women. They are constituted to serve the clients with utmost honesty, integrity and accountability to the people. There is even a Roman Catholic priest who is mandated as agent of morality in any given situation.
However, for the last few months, members of civil society, professional organizations, civic clubs, legislative bodies of Kalibo, New Washington, Banga and the Sang-guniang Panlalawigan of Aklan have been questioning the actions of the MKWD – BOD and the General Manager of their acts in the MKWD specially the P25 million controversial pipes, fittings and machineries.
And their doubts seem to be true for the latest Commission on Audit Report reveals the truth. This INSPECTION REPORT FOR SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT, dated November 24, 2003, was signed by Engineer Moises T. Padilla and Engineer Jaime R. Ong – Sotto. The report was reviewed by Inocencio V. Cabarus, Jr., Officer in-Charge, COA, Region VI.
The auditors gathered and reviewed 12 reference documents, conducted site visits at Ochando and Estancia MKWD stockyards, pumping stations, reservoir and property office of MKWD. They also visited and interviewed E.J. Tallado Construction and Marketing, Manila and inspected items. Here are their findings:
1. Various sizes of the uPVC pipes delivered were not in accordance with the specifications as quoted and billed for based on Bid Schedules with their corresponding unit cost…with and without proper markings which does not conformed with the approved specifications per contract in the total amount of Php.10,288,313.28;
2. Instead of Cast Iron (C.I.) Pipe Fittings of various sizes, the deliveries were fabricated steel and without markings as to its manufacturer origin; year produced and pressure ratings based on Contract Agreement;
3. Instead of C.I. Valve Box Cover (VBC) 150 mm per contract, the deliveries were fabricated steel in the total amount of Php.45,091.80;
4. Instead of the Pipe Wall Thickness for Schedule 40 G.I. Pipes of various sizes, the actual deliveries were undersized and/or below the required parameter wall thickness of Schedule 40 pipes specifications in the total amount of Php.815,188.56.
5. Documents for goods delivered to project site were not presented or submitted and/or compiled with in violation to Clause 9.4 of the Bid/Contract Documents;
6. The above mentioned goods which were already inspected/tested by the Technical Working Committee on September 26, 2002 failed to conform with the specifications as called for in the Contract Agreement including those Pipe Fittings and Valves as per their Materials Quality Inspection Reports dated April 23, 2003 and May 19, 2003 with the recommendations of non-acceptance of the subject items in question, are the subject for rejection;
7. There was no approval from the purchaser (LWUA) as presented or submitted to the owner, (MKWD) as required by the undersigned (auditors) at the time of inspection, if the subject materials, equipment or tools have undergone factory acceptance test before delivery to the project site;
8.The C.E. number or Notified Body Numbers for Lab. Equipment, re: Water Distilling Apparatus & Sterilizer – 400 were not visible in the subject units as compliance to the requirements imposed by the European Materials Testing/Directives on any unit produced/manufactured in Europe.
9. Some of the materials delivered have no unit markings as to its nominal Pressure and Seal of Approval from an accredited testing laboratory and type of materials for uPVC and HDPE-SDR II Pipes respectively as specified in the bid document; and
10. All the three (3) units Submersible Pumps delivered have no Brochure/Catalog, instruction/maintenance manual, parts book, circuit diagram, shop drawing, nameplates on control panel, hour operation counter and duplicate nameplate to be attached to the discharge elbow of the pump unit as required and must be brand new, of latest model, made in Denmark per contract documents submitted…
Based on the findings of the Commission on Audit inspectors, they strongly recommend the following:
1. Reject the uPVC pipes with sizes 50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm and 150 mm valued at P10,288,313.28 for not conforming with the approved specifications; reject the fabricated steel pipes fittings of various sizes valued at P547,050.90 and reject the fabricated steel Valve Box Cover worth P45,091.80.
2. Pumps which do not conform with specification must be rejected and or replaced;
3. Compel the supplier to comply with the required documents mentioned in the findings for verification; and
4. The sum of P1,285,569.00 spent for local handling of uPVC pipes, fittings and Valve Box Cover must be refunded. These materials are recommended for rejection for being below standard.
But how can Mr. Renato Albar reject those materials and return it to the supplier as a great portion of it are already buried? How can MKWD implement these COA recommendations?
The best recourse for them to do is to accept their blunders, apologize to the public and submit resignation papers.
This will enable competent persons to assume their work for the good of the people. The P25 million is a mess. What a shame! /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

PGMA Junket

Junket means a “feast or picnic”. It means “an excursion for pleasure. It is an excursion by a public official paid for out of public funds”, the dictionary says.
What is the difference between my ‘5-day Junket” to Singapore and Malaysia and the travels of Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and party to China, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia for the last three (3) months? There are some differences.
First, I paid my own travel expenses. The Filipino people paid for her and the members of her entourage travel expenses;
Second, my only travel companion was my beloved wife, Rencee. Ms. Arroyo brought with her several government functionaries including some members of the cabinet; and
Third, I did not sign any memorandum of agreement to increase the Philippines’ public debts, while she and some members of the cabinet did sign.
In China, her Secretary of Transportation and Communication signed a deal involving some US $335 million loan for the National Broadband Network (NBN) to link the 4th to 6th class provinces by way of information technology. This NBN deal is now a burning issue and the subject of Senate investigation because of alleged over pricing and bribery.
Mr. Joey De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia has bravely denounced chairman Benjamin Abalos, Comelec chairman for having offered him US $10 million for him to withdraw his bid in the NBN deal. Joey de Venecia is a businessman engaging in information technology. He represents Amsterdam Holdings in the Philippines.
Moreover, Mr. Joey De Venecia has now identified whom he called the “mystery man” who asked him to “back off” from the NBN deal. He identified him as the First Gentleman (FG) during the Senate hearing on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Of course the Arroyo family including Luli and her congressman brothers denied any participation of their father in the NBN deal.
Who shall we believed? The Arroyo family or De Venecia? What is the motive of Joey De Venecia why he did such action?
Who has the record of lying? Did Joey De Venecia lied before? Did PGMA lie before? How about the Garci controversy? Who did the lying?
The US $335 million is a lot of money to be spent. Are our 4th – 6th class LGUs ready for the NBN technology? Are the facilities available to support the use of that NBN technology? Probably a waste of scarce resource the Filipinos will pay dearly.
Moreover, DepEd has also that Cyber Education project that will cost P26.48 billion. This is geared to provide simultaneous instructions daily on a certain subject in the public schools. It is similar to distance education carried out through the internet. The project seems excellent but can it be done? On the first place, there is a mismatch between the technology and the conditions prevailing in the public schools.
Do we have appropriate space to store the equipment? Is there reliable electric power to operate the electronic gadgets? Is our room secured? These are some simple questions DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus must answer adequately before embarking on his Cyber Education Project.
At the moment, the schools have no security guards, roofs of some school rooms are leaking, money is not available to pay electricity and power bills. Who must pay the operation and maintenance of those electronics equipment? Will this be a burden to the parents?
We cannot underestimate the capabilities of the public school teachers. However, are we sure they can ably explain some information portrayed in the Cybernets which students may ask for clarification and understanding?
Other than the doubts on honesty on the deal, its application in the Philippines condition must be addressed.
DepEd may better use the P26.48 billion for teacher education, book publishing, construction of additional school rooms, procurement of tables and chairs and other instructional materials. /MP

Bacolod City Is No. 1 In Scouting

By Ambrosio Villorente

RFSE/CSE Loren Sayco is shown receiving Plaque of Appreciation from Mr. Mark G. Ortiz, BSP Chairman, Capiz Council. Others in the picture (l to r) are BM Edgar C. Jimena, Angel Gilvas - Div. Schools Supt. of Capiz and Dr. Jesse M. Gomez - Supt. Roxas City Division.

Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Bacolod City Council got the highest scout membership performance in Western Visayas region. It scored 183.08 percent to goal and 97.48 percent of its boy potential. Following Bacolod City is Iloilo Council with 89.24 percent to goal and 18.63 percent of its boy potential. Guimaras Council is third with 89.05 percent to goal and 84.27 percent of its boy potential.
The report was given during the Western Visayas Regional Scout Committee meeting held in Lakehouse, Baybay, Roxas City on September 11, 2007 in a meeting presided by Scouter Mark Ortiz, chairman, BSP Capiz Council.
The Western Visayas Regional Scout Committee is composed of Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Aklan placed number six (6) in membership performance. Aklan aims to register 24,583 scout members out of the 55,841 boy potential. However, as of August, only 14,933 registered or 19.67 percent of the boy potential and 44.77 percent of the goal.
Aklan is second in scout advancement as of August this year. Guimaras is in third position.
Of the total boy scouts membership in Western Visayas, Iloilo Council is number one in tenure, which 85.17 percent of its members are more than one year in scouting; second is Antique with 81.58 percent and Aklan third with 76.36 percent.
Dr. Reinalda I. Magdaluyo, Dr. Victorina Laroza, Ms. Leila L. Pamatian and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente represented Aklan in that meeting.
The meeting also discussed the regional performance, the Scouting Month and Search for the 10 Outstanding Boy Scouts, Revitalizing Boy Scouting In School, 2007 National Scout Jamboree and other matters.Meanwhile, the BSP Aklan Council is now busy preparing for the Provincial BSP Jamboree tentatively scheduled to be held in Aklan State University, Ibajay Campus, Aklan on November 14 – 18, 2007 as announced by Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, chairman BSP Aklan Council. /MP

Mayor Orders No Entry, No Exit of Ornamental Palms In Boracay

By Venus G. Villanueva

Ornamental palms coming from other parts of the country are now banned from entering Boracay Island. This move is done to prevent the further infestation by Brontispa, a flat and slender beetle that feeds on the soft tissues of coconut fronds and other species of palm plants which has already reached Boracay Island and has started destroying domesticated palms in beachfront resorts, as well as the coconuts growing in the island.
Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling issued the order. Boracay Island is found in the municipality of Malay. Mayor Cawaling also ordered the taking out of ornamental palms from the island, to prevent the infestation from reaching mainland Aklan.
According to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in Kalibo, Aklan is the 24th province in the Philippines to be infested by Brontispa. The ornamental palms, according to the PCA, came from other Asian countries which were brought to the Philippines through importation, and eventually found their way to Boracay Island for planting in the landscaped areas of resorts and other tourist establishments.
Presently, the PCA reported that palms and coconuts in Boracay island are on their different stages of infestation – Station 2’s palms and coconuts are 90 percent damaged; Station I, 20 percent and Station 3, 50 percent. According to estimate, some 3,000 coconut trees along the beach in Boracay Island are infested by Brontispa.
The PCA, the Department of Agriculture, the local government units and other stakeholders are now applying several measures to prevent further damage to palm and coconut trees in the island, like pruning and burning infested parts of the plants, using chemical control by injecting coconut trunks with chemicals to kill the larvae of the Brontispa, and spraying the affected parts.
The PCA and other concerned agencies are also in the process of propagating a biological predator of the Brontispa, called the earwig. The earwig, the PCA pointed out, is a friendly insect which is emerging as a “knight in shining black armor.” It is hoped to eradicate and totally wipe out the Brontispa. The earwig is usually found in bananas.
The PCA, with the help of the local government of Malay is doing its best to prevent the Brontispa from coming out of Boracay and finding its way to coconut trees in mainland Aklan.
Aklan is the only province in Western Visayas with the thickest coconut cover. Many Aklanons are dependent on the coconut industry for their livelihood. From the coconut, considered the tree of life, various industries had been spawned in Aklan like coconut cooking oil production, virgin coconut oil and its by-products, nata de coco making and many more.
PCA-Aklan further reported that even bukos (young coconuts) are now being brought to Manila direct from Aklan.
According to the PCA in Kalibo, the Brontispa is the most destructive pest of coconuts and other palms, and the current infestation is the biggest challenge the PCA has faced since its existence. However, the PCA acknowledged that despite the challenge, the national and local governments and local stakeholders are now joining hands with the PCA and the DA to eradicate the pest. /MP

P.5-M Vegetable Project

By Boy Ryan Zabal

The production enhancement of vegetables in the province of Aklan was given a boost as the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) recently gave its nod to the proposed P525,400 high-value vegetable crop production project of the Aklan State University.
The project dubbed “Sustained Supply of Quality Vegetables: Off-Season High Value Vegetable Crop (HVVC) Production in the Province of Aklan was included in the 12 projects amounting to a total of P12.6 million approved for funding and implementation by the NEDA.
NEDA press report said these 12 projects in 10 regions of the country are under the KR2 Grant-supported Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) of the Kennedy Round 2 (KR2) program.
The project on enhancing production of market-oriented organic food products in CALABRAZON by the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Laguna in Region IV-A got the biggest portion of the budget with P5 million or almost 40 percent of the total budget allocation.
According to NEDA, Region 1 got the second biggest fund of P1.85 million for the Ecotourism Development of Bangin Marine Protected Area in Bani, Pangasinan while Region V had the third largest allocation with P1.4 million for its Pineapple By-products Processing and Utilization Project that will be implemented by the Camarines Norte State College.
On the other hand, Region IV-B has the biggest share with three projects amounting to a total of P1.29 million that include the Cassava Processing Plant and Trading Capital in Aborlan, Palawan, Cage Culture of Grouper at Barangay Batuhan, Pola, Oriental Mindoro and Organic Fertilizer Production in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. Also, the region has the fourth largest budget allocation and the three projects will be implemented by their respective local government units.
To intensify domestic growth and investment, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, exports and agri-business, tourism and infrastructure, and addressing business concerns over power costs and red tape is just one of the initiatives by the present administration toward faster growth.

Capitol Mulls Buying Akelco

The Aklan provincial government is studying the possibility of acquiring the Aklan Electric Cooperative (Akelco), the sole power distributor in Aklan, as its answer to the complaints of Aklanons over the cooperative’s rising electricity rates.
“It would be for the best interest of the Aklanons if the provincial government directly supervises and manages Akelco,” said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Rodson Mayor.
Gov. Carlito Marquez should conduct a study and explore the possibility, Mayor added. The acquisition of Akelco, if pushed through, will be an addition to the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) of the provincial government.
Already under the EEDD are the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital and the Caticlan and Cagban jetty ports.
According to Mayor, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) should be consulted.Meanwhile, Marquez was also urged to intervene in Civil Case No. 7385 at the Regional Trial Court Branch 2, Kalibo, Aklan for the issuance of a preliminary injunction against the Energy Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) between Akelco and Mirant Global Business Corporation.
“The exclusive contract originally designed to ease the burden of Akeanons from frequent brownouts was amended by a lopsided contract in favor of Mirant,” Mayor added.
Marquez said a technical committee led by Atty. Edmund Peralta, Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo and former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member-lawyer Romeo Inocencio was created to study the position of the provincial government in the civil case.
The move was strongly supported by the 17 town mayors of Aklan, Marquez added.
The governor also stressed that the Energy Regulatory Commission should consider the capital town of Kalibo as venue of the next public hearing for the approval of P292-million Emergency Capital Project of Akelco.

Aklan PNP holds 1st Aklan PPO Invitational Shootfest

The Aklan Police Provincial Office will hold the 1st Aklan PPO Invitational Shootfest on 20-23 September 2007 at Aklan PPO Firing Range, Camp Pastor Martelno, Brgy. New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.
This competition is in line with the human resource development component of the PNP-Integrated Transformation Program.
Each of the competing PNP teams will be composed of their Chiefs of police and three (3) novice shooters comprising of two (2) males and one (1) female PNCO’s.
PDDG JESUS A VERSOZA, CSEE, Deputy Chief for Operations/Executive Director of Program Management Office will grace as guest of honor and speaker the opening of the shootfest at 11:00 a.m., 21 September 2007.
The presence of PDDG Versoza will definitely boost the morale and motivate the PNP personnel to continuously hone the basic skills required of every police officer. /MP

HE LEAVES TO JOIN CREATOR

(Text of the Eulogy for Roman Aguirre dela Cruz delivered by Atty. Ronquillo Conanan Tolentino September 14, 2007, Capt. Gil M. Mijares Building, 19 Martyrs St., Kalibo, Aklan)

So great a man has left this world to join his Creator.
The moment a man is born into this world, he begins to die. For the end is linked to the beginning. The cry of the baby at the crib leads to an inevitable path – the grave.
It is said that there is a curious paradox which no one can explain. Who can explain the secret of the reaping of the grain? Who can explain spring after winter’s laboring pain? Or why must we all die in order to grow again?
Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, a very outstanding Aklanon, a pillar of literature and journalism is gone – from earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
No Aklanon of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz’ time or even before and after Aklan became a separate province has so achieved what Roman Aguirre dela Cruz has as a literary genius and as a nationally famous journalist, a poet, book author, editor, fictionist, pamphleteer, short story writer and publisher.
World War II veteran, outstanding Aklanon awardee in journalism creative arts and literature, a teacher, historian, sculptor, an outstanding public servant when he served Kalibo as member of the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan from 1971 to 1987, civic and religious worker and leader, we can very well say that Roman Aguirre dela Cruz led a life more lives than one, more deaths than one must die.
Reading some literary works of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, I found this accolade of Jose Garcia Villa, the internationally celebrated Filipino short story, writer and literary critic when he wrote Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, thus: “Congratulations for your storettes in the Philippine Commonweal which I will include in my present “Roll of Honor for Filipino Short Stories, 1940-1941. But what is more important is that you have the real sensibilities of a fine person.”
The novelist and short story writer of international fame, editor and college English professor said that “Roman dela Cruz owes no literary debts of any kind. He ought to be accorded the prominent place that is due him for his realism and compassion.”
The writings of Roman Aguirre dela Cruz, have been included in some Philippine and American anthologies. And for which he received several awards, locally, nationally and abroad. He was included in “Who’s Who of Asian Pacific Rim”, as a writer, outstanding family man, publisher and community leader.
Rightly has the great American orator and statesman, Daniel Webster said: “One may live as a conqueror, a king or a magistrate but he must die a man. The bed of death brings every human being to his pure individuality to the intense contemplation of that deepest and most solemn of all relations - - the relation between the creature and his Creator.”
It was Rabindranath Tagore who said: “Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting away the lamp because the dawn has come.
Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity. So it is for Roman Aguirre dela Cruz who now rests in the loving bosom of his Creator.
To Roman Aguirre dela Cruz’ dearest ones, to his beloved Nay Juling, to Beli who shall be joined by Roman Aguirre dela Cruz in God’s kingdom, to Cortesa, Marlon, Didecas, Sumra, Hagbong, Mihan, his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, his siblings, nephews and nieces and friends, relatives, our manifestation of deepest sympathy and condolence, and this prayer:

“Now the laborer’s task is o’er;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore;
Lands the voyager at last;
Father, in thy gracious keeping;
Leave we now thy servant sleeping.”/MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Hari It Bueawan

Maeayo ka pa sa palasyo ni Haring Ramas, makita eon nimo nga nagabanaag ro palasyo nga nahuman sa puro bueawan. Hilig ni Haring Ramas ro pagtipon it bueawan. Maskin nano basta bueawan, guinatubos gid nana. Ro anang eambong, sapatos, tanan ro anang gamit sa eawas halin sa oeo hasta dapa-dapa hay puro bueawan. Tanan man ro anang igdaeapat hay mga bueawan.
Si Haring Ramas hay may onga nga prinsesa. Kabaliskaran mat-a imaw sa anang ama bangud owa imaw it hilig sa bueawan. Abo ro naga pangasawa sa prinsesa ogaling indi sanda maka saka sa palasyo kon owa it daeang bueawan nga bagay. Isaea si Ramir sa naga pangasawa sa prinsesa. Sa tanan nga naga pangasawa, si Ramir ro maeapit sa anang tagipusuon. Tongod owa it madaeang regalo nga bueawan, owa makasaka ro binata. Idto eang imaw naga deretso sa baybayon agod maduea ro kasubo ko anang dughan. Samtang naga pamasyar si Ramir, may hakita imaw nga isaeang ka botelya nga naga eotaw-eotaw sa tubi. Anang guin pueot ag pahiling-hilingon, may mapa sa sueod it botelya. Guin daea nana ro botelya idto sa andang baeay ag basagon agud mabo-oe ro mapa. Suno sa mapa, may nakatagong tadyaw nga puno it bueawan sa ikatlong bukid halin sa anda. Una man sa instruction nga kon maka-subeang imaw it kaaway, iwasiwas eamang ro mapa.
Pagka-aga, nagpanaw si Ramir agod osoyon ro tadyaw nga may bueawan. Pag-abot sa primerong bukid, naka sub-eang imaw it isaeang ka leon. Guin wasiwas nana ro mapa ag nag eohod kana ro leon. Nag padayon si Ramir sa pangaywang bukid, may naga bantay man nga mas mabahoe nga leon. Ana man nga guin wasiwas ro mapa, dungan ro pag eohod it leon. Sa ikatlong bukid, nagpakita ro pinaka mapintas ag pinaka-mabahoe nga leon, ogaling owa it mahimo sanda sa gahum it mapa. Sanda hay olipon ko mapa. May nagpakita kana nga isaeang ka magueang nga naga baston. Guin usoy kana ro mapa. Owa nana guin pakita ro mapa kon owa kana guin turo ko magueang ro tadyaw nga puno it bueawan. Guin ibhan imaw sa isaeang ka eungib ag idto tumambad kay Ramir rong bueawan nga anang guina osoy.
Guin daea nana ro bueawan. Pag abut sa guin hari-an, ana anay nga guin tago. Nagderetso anay imaw sa palasyo, ogaling indi imaw pagpasudlon it mga guardiya. Guin wasiwas nana ro mapa ag nag guwa ro tatlong ka leon. Hinadlukan ro tanan sa palasyo. Guin pasueod si Ramir. Guin tawag nana ro anang mga alagad ag sugu-on nga boe-on ag pas-anon ro tadyaw pa adto sa hari. Sobra ro kalipay it hari. Bu-ot nana nga angkunon ro mga bueawan ogaling indi nana igpakasae ro anang ongang prinsesa. Habasa ni Ramir ro paino-ino it hari busa, guin wasiwas eon man nana ro mapa. Gumuwa ro tatlong ka leon nga bu-ot hakmaeon ro hari. Kon indi nana igpakasae ro prinsesa, seguradong eapa-eapa-on imaw ko tatlong gutom nga leon.
Hinadlukan ro hari. Insigida, guin hiwat ro kasae ni Ramir ag ko prinsesa. Ogaling ro mga bueawan hay owa guin tao ni Ramir tanan sa hari. Idto ro iba sa eungib nga guina bantayan it tatlong ka leon.
Halin kato, si Ramir ro guin kilaea nga hari it bueawan pagkamatay ko hari. Sa kaeo-oy ni Ramir sa mga tawo, guintaw-an nana it mga bueawan ro mga tawo agod maka bulig sa andang pagpangabuhi. Ro kaharian ni Ramir hay bukang-bibig bangud owa it gutom sa andang kaharian. Tanan hay malipayon ag owa it panakawan. Kada isaea hay bugana. /MP

Entertainment

Meet Coca-Cola ¡-Ride to Fame: Yes to Your Dreams!¨ Hosts

Drew & Karel

Philippine TV’s biggest musical reality search for the next total performer has began! Meet the hosts behind Coca-Cola ¡-Ride to Fame: Yes to Your Dreams!¨ GMA Network and Coca Cola present two of the freshest faces on Philippine television today: TV host Drew Arellano and popular singer-actress Karel Marquez. They will be this reality TV’s hottest tandem!
Eloquent and fun-loving, Drew-a fixture in GMA’s morning show “Unang Hirit¨ and QTV’s “Balikbayan” is all prepped for his show. With his innate talent for hosting, Drew was the natural choice as Ride to Fame’s main man. Meeting the contestants whom he describes as a lively bunch¨ was an exciting experience for the young host. This active and on-the-go talent can’t wait to join the top twelve on their journey aboard the Coke Fame bus! And as someone who always seeks balance, there’s no doubt Drew will blend well with the show’s well-rounded contestants.
The pretty and bubbly Karel Marquez joins Drew on this musical adventure.
Being a musician and singer herself, Karel fits the Ride to Fame: Yes to Your Dreams role to a tee. Aside from being a favorite among youngsters for her roles in several teen series, Karel has also proven herself as a dynamic TV host and VJ. She is one of television’s most recognizable faces as a commercial model, endorsing several brands. Now, she is Coke’s girl for Ride to Fame.
Not to mention, both Karel and Drew slowly started as normal individuals seeking and following their own dream of becoming a star. Against all odds, they ran after their dreams and now the two are certified teen idols. Now, it’s their turn to share a thing or two to the contestants of the show and help them make it happen.
As TV’s newest tandem, Drew and Karel give life to Coca-Cola’s Ride to Fame: Yes to your Dreams! young and hip theme. Continue watching them usher in this hit new show that started on Sunday, August 5, after SOP!

Meet The Coke Ride to Fame Final Twelve

The ultimate Pinoy teen fantasy ride is here! GMA Network and Coke launch Ride to Fame, Philippine television’s musical reality journey to fame, fortune and yes. . . stardom!
For twelve weeks, the show’s top twelve finalists ride the Coke Fame Bus which will take them to a musical journey with surprises top overs that lead to tuneful turns and upbeat humps and bums. But before the challenges begin, let’s meet the top twelve.
Arron Cadawas is Ride to Fame’s pretty boy from Quezon City. Dreaming of becoming the next Jay-R, he already sings and moves like the Philippines’s RnB Prince. A total performer whose moves are swift and a singer whose voice is slick.
Speaking of slick. . . Next on our list is a cute version of Johnny Bravo but without the attitude.
This younger version of Michael Buble is into standard music and retro fashion. Giu Comia has that charisma of a star in the making. Bravo!
Alchris Galura was named best actor in the Cinemalaya 2006 movie Batad Sa Sapang palay. The final twelve’s funny guy bears a cheek-to-cheek smile. He loves the Beatles, the 1960’s music scene and kick-boxing. He’s an athlete, an actor and an aspiring total performer.
The Twelve’s rocker at heart with the boy-next-door looks is Daryl Lagos, often compared to Dennis Trillo. He sings and performs a la Bamboo Manalac of the band Bamboo. This CEU tourism student also writes his own songs and plays the drums.
Fifth on our male list is this Gary V. look-a-like. Carl Guevarra dreams of becoming the next Mr. Pure Energy. He sings, dances and plays the piano/keyboard like his idol, and even plays the drums on the side. This 19 year old Bulaceo is taking up Communication Arts in U.P. Baguio.
The male finalist who traveled farthest for the competition is the half-Filipino, half-Chinese Alexander “Lex¡¨ Uy, who was born and raised in Davao. Lex was born in a musically inclined family, having a music major for a Mom. He already sings and dances for a living and plays the guitar in his spare time.
Now let’s move on to the girls. . .
First is Avajane Jugueta. She is a real life mannequin who can sing, dance and play the guitar. She even has a string of compositions in her music suitcase. Ave Jane is the only girl in the bunch who loves to read FHM (or Men’s magazine) and can even be on its cover soon!
Rosan Reodica from Cavite, or Osan to her friends, is a Clothing Technology student from the University of the Philippines . Her flair for fashion design is just a step towards becoming a celebrity. She can absolutely sing and certainly has the moves like that of a Spice Girl.
The list takes us north with our next female finalist. Pamela Bondoc can definitely sing. She plays the guitar with passion. She loves Billy Joe Crawford and she moves like him too. This power dancer of the posse of twelve hails from Baguio City. She’s cool, calm and charming with the curves of a zigzag road.
Next on our female list is a girl with a pretty face and with attractive voice. A petite mestiza with the allure of a vixen, this Marilyn Monroe version of the final twelve is Qwyncy Rei Siclot. She is indeed a true manifestation that the Cebuanos have what it takes to be a star.
Davao would be proud to have another Juris Fernandez (of MYMP). They’ve got their chance with Francesca Lagura, who not only sings well but also plays the guitar. Could she be the next Barbie Almabis or Kitchie Nadal? This female guitarist also has a killer smile and delivers delightful dance moves.
The cutest gal in band of twelve is actually a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to playing musical instruments. She bangs the drum kit like a pro, strums the guitar like an expert, toys the keyboards with finesse, plays bass, sings and composes her own songs. Her name says it all. She is Musique Cabaltesa. A true-blue musician and performer rolled into one.As TV’s newest musical reality show kicks off the final twelve’s journey of a lifetime, the hip and young tandem of Drew Arellano and Karel Marquez take us to the front seat of a total musical experience. /MP

Health Care

Rejoinder To Playing Doctor

By Ben Hur P. Mobo, Jr., MD, MPH

I received interesting comments about my maiden column on the assault on Aklan public healthcare system. Some outrightly dismissed it as politically motivated as if by virtue of such slur it made the whole argument invalid. Others have correctly pointed out the ethical ramifications of individual and collective actions.
Let me conveniently ignore the former. It is my own way of not stooping down to utterly myopic, grossly naïve and outrightly laughable “rebuttal”. It is the punch Ali did not give Frazier on the latter’s way down. It would have been just inelegant.
Let me, then, focus on the ethical issue and its ramifications. First, doctors in the Philippines- - more so than doctors in the United States—are put on such high pedestal in the society. I would like to believe that we as a collective body of self-less intellectual professionals have rightfully earned such accolades. Many of us are the top of our classes in college and high school (hence the smart factor). We presumably worked hard and long, and—not exactly speaking from experience— may have lost budding relationships along the way (hence the self-less sacrifice factor). And many of us honestly want to change the world through good and decent deeds without becoming a lawyer or a traditional politician (hence the two factors combined).
We, doctors, hold an implicit sacred contract with our patients every time we engage in doctor-patient relationship. Intrinsic within it is the privileged information principle that allows our patients to open up freely without fearing that their medical information will be shared elsewhere. We share this privilege with only a handful of other professionals— father-confessors and lawyers for example. Indeed, being a doctor is a privilege. This is why, to me, a valid medical license is more than just a piece of paper you can purchase in any nook and corner in Recto.
Embedded also within the patient-doctor relationship are the patient’s rights (among others) to information disclosure, to choice of medical provider as well as to complaint and appeal processes. To borrow a popular comic book line: “With great powers come great responsibilities.” As much as we are put on high pedestal, we must also be held in higher standards. Patients should be able to question—in private and in public courts of opinion—what they perceive as medical malfeasance.
In the United Sates, the American Medical Association (AMA) has promulgated its Principles of Medical Ethics. Among the 9 principles are: 1) A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities. 2) A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interest of the patients.
My quick Google search did not yield similar information from the Philippine constitution, the Philippine Regulatory Commission policy, or the Philippine College of Physicians. I am not saying that they do not exist; it is just that they were not available to me as of this writing. I would, therefore, like to make the assumption that such principles apply to Filipino physicians. As such, doctors have actually the moral and legal obligations to report unlawful practice of medicine. This, then, is a call directed at the Aklan Medical Society to take appropriate actions.
The extent of cases of and penalties surrounding unlicensed practice of medicine are rather broad and extensive. Some reported cases in the United States include: 1. Under the title “Man Charged with Impersonating Hospital Doctor” that was published on November 1, 1984, the prestigious New York Times reported “a 29-year-old hospital accountant was arrested yesterday in the emergency room of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, (New York) on charges of impersonating a physician and treating patients. He was caught after nurses had noticed his patient charts were not medically correct.”
2. Another case that appears as “Gerald Barnes (criminal)” in the Wikipedia website reported that the perpetrator “stole the identity of a licensed medical doctor for years until his negligence and lack of medical knowledge contributed to a death in December 1979”. He was later found guilty of manslaughter and practicing without a medical license. “After his release (for good behavior) and numerous later arrests for practicing without a license at 70 years old, he was arrested again, but this time for federal fraud charges (impersonating a doctor but this time as part of his job he did physical checkups on FBI agents, hence why it was upgraded to a Federal crime) and is now serving a 20 year sentence in a federal penitentiary.” 3. A woman from New Jersey was found guilty of Medicaid fraud. “She provided counseling services, wrote and altered prescriptions, although she is unlicensed to practice medicine, and caused bills to be submitted to the Medicaid Program for the services rendered (pharmacologic management) as if they had been rendered by a licensed practitioner.”
4. Another case was described in the web pages of the New York Office of Attorney General: “the Attorney General’s office announced the arrest of a New Jersey man on charges of Unlicensed Practice of Medicine for allegedly performing cosmetic surgery and other services to the public without a license.”
5. From the web pages of the Assistant District Attorney of Santa Clara, California: “A joint investigation by the California State Medical Board, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Insurance, uncovered allegations that Nguyen Nhu Quang, who is not a licensed physician, performed breast implant surgery on a young female victim causing great bodily injury and disfigurement.”
To curb the unlicensed practice of medicine, various states have come up with varying degrees of penalty for such offense. The State of Florida statutes, for example, indicate the following sanctions and penalties for unlicensed practice of a health care profession: 1) May issue and deliver to such person and other individuals who aid and abet the unlicensed practice a notice to cease and desist from such violation; 2) May impose by citation and administrative penalty; 3) May seek the imposition of a civil penalty; and 4) In addition to the administrative and civil remedies, and in addition to the criminal violations and penalties listed in the individual health care practice acts, may file felony charges.
What specific Philippines laws were broken in this case? Which principles of medical ethics upheld by the Philippine College of Physicians were violated? I am not certain. The fact remains that with the triple appointments, the Aklan government has opened itself and its coffers to multitude of civil and criminal suits. To wit, a couple of weeks ago the (US) Veterans Affairs Secretary was forced to resign because of perceived inadequacies in healthcare provision among US veterans and because of the well-publicized molds at the Walter Reed Hospital. Such is the real ramification of chain of responsibility. (Ed’s Note: The author’s article, “Playing Doctor: Tonet Viray” was published in the editorial, Madyaas Pen, August 19 – 25, 2007 issue.) /MP

Photos by Ambrosio R. Villorente

5-day Junket

Thai Mangoes which size is as big as the head of a day old child cost 2.95 Singapore dollar (Php 88.50). Can the Philippine mango enter Singapore? A challenge! Processed mangoes from Cebu are found in the supermarkets in Singapore.

Philippine milkfish which cost Singapore $0.39 per 100 grams or Php120.00 per kilogram, the size of which is five pieces per kilo.

Forest growing on the hills by the roadsides. Nobody attempts to cut it.

Portion of palm oil trees plantation in Malaysia which made the people richer and prevent soil erosion.

Portion of the Singapore - Kuala Lumpur well constructed and graded highway. Note the trees growing both sides of the highway and the road divider planted with shrubs under which is drainage. Note the absence of billboard .