Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

River Illegal Structures
Out On April 1

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has strongly appealed to all owners of illegal structures around the Iloilo river to remove their structures before the March 31 deadline set by the multi agencies task force and the Iloilo River Development Council. If not, they will face forcible removal.

The structures DENR has identified to be demolished soon are: 1. Barbecue Park owned by City Councilor Edward Yee, 2. Ryan’s Seafood and Grill owned by Rogelio Fanuñal, 3. The Yacht Docking Site owned by contractor FF Cruz, and 4. Old Barangay Hall of Taal, Molo District.

Mabilog is also set to demolish the river fishpens and fish traps of the 75 river fish pen operators and provide financial livelihood assistance to them.

All those with illegal structures were properly served notices of removal including the 79 houses in south San Jose, Molo to "remove their riverbank dwellings".

Mayor Mabilog is amply supported by the Iloilo Sangguniang Panglunsod in his exercise of executive powers in implementing relevant laws in the preservation and conservation of Iloilo rivers. There is now a resolution supporting Mayor Mabilog in the demolition of illegal structures Councilor David Jamora sponsored and a letter from DENR supporting Mayor Mabilog to demolish the illegal structures.

CR On Sidewalk

Can Aklanons demolish illegal structures constructed in the rivers of Aklan as they do it in Iloilo City?

In Aklan rivers unscientific methods are used in fishing. Some fishermen construct fish traps that impede the flow of water. In Tambak, New Washington, the DPWH constructed a bridge that totally blocks the entrance and exit of water resulting to water pollution.

In Veterans Avenue, Poblacion, Kalibo, a comfort room is constructed blocking the pedestrian way, enhancing ugliness and will adversely affect occupants of a building that may be constructed on the lot behind the toilet.

In Aklan, some creeks are filled up, over which houses are constructed. This may promote more floods and extend the time for water to stagnate.

Viewing positively, the Aklanons had more freedom, anything seems possible. However, unlimited freedom and no restrain deprive others who are more obedient to laws, rules and orders from enjoying their freedom. Hence, there is injustice, inequity and deprivation to others.

Impeaching MercEditas Gutierrez

Monday evening, March 21, the House of Representatives discussed the Articles of Impeach-ment that will impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

After an animated discussion in a plenary session that lasted after 12 midnight, the congressmen approved the Articles of Impeachment via a viva voce votes, which resulted to 212 yes votes, 46 no, and 4 abstention.

Congressman Teddy Casiño voted yes to the impeachment. Cong. Joeben T. Miraflores and Party List Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco are said to have voted yes too.
The Articles of Impeachment was jointly sponsored by Rep. Niel Tupas, Jr. of Iloilo, and Rep. Rudolfo Farinas of Ilocos Norte, chairman and vice chairman respectively of the Justice Committee.

Congressmen Magsaysay, Edcel Lagman, Marcoleta and Carlos Padilla strongly debated with the sponsors of the resolution but their efforts were in vain. Cong. Augusto Syjuco of Iloilo whose interpellation to Cong. Tupas was too personal was not able to continue his debate with Tupas. Cong. Neptali Gonzales, Jr. Asst. Majority floor leader referred Syjuco’s case to the Ethics Committee.

The Articles of Impeachment will be forwarded to the Senate of the Philippines, the members of which will serve as judges. The investigation will be presided by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The investigation will center on the NBN ZTE broadband deal, P728 million fertilizer scam, Mega Pacific, Pestaño Case, very low conviction of cases, and delayed action on cases in the Ombudsman. /MP