Entrepreneurial Farmer

The Missing Dollars Inside Check-in Baggage

by Ambrosio R. Villorente

A South Korea national from Inchun, South Korea, upon arrival in the Kalibo International Airport (KIA), Kalibo, Aklan complained to the Philippine Airlines Officials that the sum of US$ 2,400 was missing in his wallet. He was immediately referred to the security officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the KIA.

He immediately searched and saw the security officer. He revealed he lost a part of his money placed inside his wallet and placed inside his suit case, a check in baggage. He related he lost US$1,100, a portion of the total sum in his wallet.

He revealed further that his check-in baggage where he put his wallet with the sum of money was unlocked. Asked if he wish to file a complaint about his loss, he answered “NO”. I’m not interested to file a complaint but will request a copy of the Police Report about my lost amount of money.

I found the report of the South Korea national strange. He claimed that he lost his money as he arrived in KIA, Kalibo, Aklan. First, he reported his loss to the PAL official, he lost US$2,400. When he reported it to the CAAP security official, he lost US$1,100 only. 

Is that money too heavy to carry that it was placed inside an unlocked check-in baggage? Usually, a traveler is asked by the customs service officer before check in, thus “How much money do you carry during your trip abroad?” This is asked to prevent money laundering.

Why will that South Korea national ask the police authority to include his report in the Police Blotter and request a copy of that Police Blotter report? He did not intend to file his complain with proper authority anyway. Is his money insured that he can claim insurance payment?

If he got the police report, he might show it to his compatriots thereby staining the integrity and honesty of the Filipino, especially the Aklanons, that we are thieves?

The CAAP could have called for an investigation with that South Korea national as the principal witness with the presence of a South Korean Consul or his representative to know the truth. Is the South Korean complainant telling the truth? If not, he is destroying the good image of the Philippines.

With the presence of the representative from the South Korean Embassy, communication will be facilitated and the truth will be easily discovered.

Installing Propaganda Material

Last week, I went to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Office building to find out what is the name of that street where the PRC is located. There is no road name even at the corner of Veteran Street. So I went to the corner at A. Mabini where the Kalibo Elementary School is located. There, I found the road name “F. Quimpo”.

The road name is totally covered by the billboard of a politician at the A. Mabini corner F. Quimpo St. Road names are totally covered by the picture of a politician and her message on a billboard posted in the street corner.

Sometime last year, 2013, Vice Gov. Billie V. Calizo-Quimpo has proposed “Ordinance Regulating The Installation, Posting, Hanging, and Display of Streamers, Posters, Banners, and Other Similar Forms of Signage of Commercial Products/Goods including Billboards in the Province of Aklan  and Providing Penalties Therefore.” What happen to that proposal? Is that approved into an ordinance? Is it enacted? If approved, is that ordinance implemented?

There are 10 regulated acts in that proposed ordinance which the authorities in-charge of the implementation can enforce to improve our community as a wholesome and interesting place.

PH Internet Is World’s Free

Internet use in PH is most free in the world, a report said, amid Pinoys’ worry over a newly approved law that critics say threatens online rights.

“People in PH enjoy unrestricted access to the Internet and other ICTs,” independent watchdog Freedom House reported. 

The Philippines was rated “free,” scoring 23 points in the report where a score of zero means “most free” and 100 “least free”.

This placed the Philippines 6th out of 47 in the list, shared with Italy.

Performing better were Estonia, with a score of 10 points; U.S., 12 points; Germany, 15 points; Australia, 18 points;  and Hungary, 19 points.

In Asia, the Philippines is the only country deemed “free.”

South Korea is second with a score of 34 points. It was deemed “partly free” along with India, 39 points; Indonesia, 42 points; and Malaysia, 43 points.

“To date, the [Philippine] government has steered clear of blocking access to any type of online content,” said the report.

During the survey period, however, the report noted eight proposed measures on the “regulation of online content.”

Such proposals have raised concerns the government is seeking to institute a “filtering infrastructure” which “could be potentially used for political and social censorship,” Freedom House said. /MP