Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Cabagnot Shows The Way

The youthful Hon. Phoebe Clarice L. Cabagnot, a neophyte member of the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan is showing the way to her colleagues the formulation of relevant, progressive, and quality legislations.

Among her proposals is a "Resolution Directing the Committee on Human Resources and Committee on Appropriations, Budget and Finance To Conduct An Investigation, In Aid of Legislation, The Non-Remittances of At Least 1,700,000.00 pesos In Contributions of Provincial Capitol Employees to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) As Supported By Republic Act No. 8291 (GSIS Act of 1997)".

This Cabagnot Resolution was referred to the Committee on Laws, Committee on Appropriations, and Committee on Oversight. These committees interacted with Ms. Ma. Victoria A. Salido, Provincial Accountant on March 8. On March 14, an investigation was held with the presence of the Aklan Provincial Accountant and Provincial Treasurer, the GSIS Regional Manager. Manager of GSIS Roxas City, Capiz, and Manager of GSIS Satellite office in Kalibo, Aklan.

The interaction with the SP members, the provincial accountant and provincial treasurer with the regional officials of the GSIS resulted to the agreement that all parties "are set to reconcile data as it was not necessarily non-remittance but foul-outs in recording.

During the 9th Regular Session of the Aklan SP on Wednesday, March 16, a Resolution was approved requesting Gov. Carlito S. Marquez to direct all the provincial department heads to allow their respective Authorized Agent Officers (AAOs) to gather data for reconciliation of remittances.

The Cabagnot resolution appears simple but highly useful in the promotion of employees’ morale and to enhance quality and quantity of services. Insurance is one of the security needs of employees, without it services will be adversely affected.

The presiding officer, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo officially expressed her appreciation to Cabagnot.

Cabagnot, when she opens her mouth, her words are substantive and sharp. For example, during the deliberation of a resolution on the request to Gov. Marquez to direct all department heads to allow their respective AAOs to constitute a committee, she asked: "Is it enough that my resolution just be noted even if there was an investigation made and it resulted to another resolution? Indeed, her resolution aided legislation.

The elders in the Aklan SP can’t help but changed from "noted" to "approved" the Cabagnot resolution.

TILO KORB

Tilo Korb submitted a report on the "Survey of the Channel Between Caticlan/Boracay" to Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo. Korb signed the transmittal letter as vice president – internal affairs, PCCI–Boracay.

The report is submitted by Dr. Cesar Villanoy and Dr. Fernando Siringan, Olivia Cabrera and Riovie Ramos. They are from the Marine Environmental Resources Foundation, Inc., Marine Science Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City. The survey as stated in the cover is funded by the Department of Tourism, office of the Secretary.

Going over the report and examining it, Dr. Cesar Villanoy et al did not sign it. Examining the report, I asked myself a few questions: why did the authors of the survey did not sign the report? Is it authentic? Did the Department of Tourism really fund the study? What is the official relation of the Marine Environmental Resources Foundation, Inc. with UP Diliman, Q.C.?

The report was in the agenda of the 9th Regular Session, March 16 of the Aklan SP. However, discussion was deferred. The SP members agreed to invite Mr. Tilo Korb and the alleged authors of the study for interaction. /MP