Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

SK/Barangay Elections
Must Be Held

Atty. Diomedes Resurreccion asked me what is my view on the proposal to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. "If my decision is followed, the elections must be held." And he agreed with me.
However, the opinion of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores seems to tend to postpone the barangay elections from October 2007 to October 2009. I hope Cong. Miraflores will request the consensus of his constituents in Aklan before he votes on the bill of Cong. Teodoro Locsin, Jr.
Atty. Resurreccion asked why the Barangay election must be held as scheduled? Well, first: That is the law the government must implement and the people to comply; second: those occupying the positions both barangay chairmen, kagawad and SK chairmen have expired terms, therefore no mandate from the people; third SK officials have long past their "kabataan" stage and they must give chance to those who will follow them; fourth, money must not impede the holding of barangay elections as it can be held at the least expense; fifth, holding the elections in October 2009 will induce more and heavy political interference as the 2010 presidential election will follow in seven (7) months hence; and sixth, postponing the election to another date is another indication that the present administration cannot be trusted in law implementation.
"Hugod Numancia"
Hugod Numancia is asking the community people to cooperate toward the fulfillment of the people of Numancia’s vision and mission. LGU Numancia has issued a warning "for individuals, homes and establishments owners" to "be aware of citizen’s arrest and deputized eco-enforcers". For those, LGU Numancia asks the people to obey the following ordinances.
1. An ordinance prohibiting the throwing, littering and disposal of garbage or waste matter in public places and other areas not duly designated as disposal site. Penalty: first offense – P200; second – P300; Third – P500. Penalty for institutional, industrial and commercial entities ranges from P500 – P2,000.
2. An ordinance requiring all vendors, merchants, industrial, service and similar establishments, hospitals, medical clinics, schools, offices, parks and plazas and public utility vehicles to provide and maintain trash receptacles for convenient sanitary garbage disposal and strictly segregating from non-biodegradable garbage.
Penalties for individuals range from P200 to P500 and P500 – P2,000 for commercial and industrial entities.
3. Ordinance establishing curfew on minors within the municipality of Numancia. Penalty to minors and parents: first offense – reprimand and lecture; second – one hour community service for minor and P200 fine for parent.
Reprimand to P1,000 fine to operators and drivers of motor vehicles.
4. An Ordinance establishing a municipal pound, imposing penalty to owners of stray animals. Penalty ranges from P55 – P220.
Abandon Post
Akleco members of the Board of Directors including its chairman may have a wise decision if by their own volition refrain from attending any Akelco board meeting. They must abandon post.
The purposes for which the Akelco member – consumers have elected them to the Akelco Board are no longer tenable. Their actions for the last three years had been adverse to the interest of Akelco member–consumers.
Anyway, most of those who act as Akelco board members are just appointed, some have expired but extended terms. If they are sympathetic to the Aklanons, they must allow the present Akelco Board to disintegrate by refraining from attending any meetings of Akelco.
Let the Akelco management manage the cooperative. For any policy matters required, let the NEA decide and be accountable to the Aklanons.
What is the reason for these men for continuing their membership at Akelco Board? To decide against the interest of the member-consumers? Their honoraria and others? /MP