Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Enabling the Disable

"The difficulties of life are to make us better not bitter". And the persons with disabilities are looking for ways and means to make life enjoyable, meaningful, and fulfilled.

The officers and members of the "Katipunan Ng May Kapansanan Sa Pilipinas, Inc." are in Faith Village, Boracay Island this week on a two-day conference on "Capability Building For Persons With Disabilities".

Among others, they will talk about: 1. facts about persons with disabilities, 2. status of office of person with disability affairs, 3. transparent and accountable public servants, 4. Republic Act 9442 and, 5. United Nations Conventions on Rights of Persons With Disability.

Hon. Leicel Mondejar Seilla of New Lucena, Iloilo will talk on the "Best Practices of New Lucena" their persons with disability follow.

Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and Ms. Elma S. Malbas, PSWD office will give their messages.

Investments For China’s Yulin City

Chinese officials from Yulin City in China will be familiarized with Iloilo City’s investment potentials. This is part of their preliminary activities before the signing of an agreement to finalize their twinning with Iloilo City.

The Chinese delegation, composed of Vice Mayor Jiang Gui Cheng of Yulin City, Director Huang Ge of Yulin Foreign Affairs Office and Director Chen Zhong Qiu of Yuzhou Local Tax Bureau, arrived in Iloilo City on Wednesday, March 9.

They will tour the city’s economic projects and possible sites to include the Wheat Factory in Lapuz District, Iloilo Commercial Port Complex, Megaworld, Smallville and the site of the new city hall.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the city government is looking forward to establish an export processing zone in front of the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex.

"There is no commitment but it’s more on the familiarization of Iloilo City and its potentials for possible investments," he said.

According to Mabilog, Yulin may offer possible economic activities and employment opportunities to this city while the latter has its English speaking skills and manpower to offer as a result of their sister city agreement.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) is signed Thursday evening.

The inking of the accord was supposed to be held in Yulin City last year but the bad weather condition prevented the travel of Mabilog and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) head Allan Zaldivar to China.

This year, Yulin officials announced their intention to visit Iloilo to seal the agreement.
"We really see in them the sincerity and interest to have us for their sister city," Mabilog said.

Mabilog explained that one factor that could have boosted their interest is this city’s strong Chinese lineage. The Filipino-Chinese community associations here have been involved in the preparation process starting from the welcoming of the delegation.

Illegal Fishing

For giving protection to illegal fishing activities especially in the northern towns of Iloilo, including Carles and Estancia, three police officers are in "hot water".

Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has called the attention of Iloilo Provincial Police Office Director Gil Lebin to conduct investigation on the complaints against the police officers, Raul Banias–Iloilo Prov’l. Administrator reported.

Banias said, he could not yet divulge the identities of the police officers. They are still in the process of gathering more evidences and until such time that the investigation on them can be finished.

"These police officers belonging to different police stations are not actually assigned with the Bantay Dagat, but they receive protection money monthly ranging from P10,000 to as much as P50,000," Banias added.

According to Banias under Gov. Defensor, the provincial government is bent on launching a no-nonsense campaign against illegal fishing to drastically reduce illegal fishing activities within the end of 2011.

In morality, Police Regional Dir. Cipriano Querol, Jr. dismissed three policemen. They bared, took their own picture in Adam’s clothes uploading it in their own Facebook accounts. Are they excellent role models? /MP