DAR-Aklan Files Illegal Land Conversion Versus MIRANT Corp.

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Aklan through the Provincial Task Force on Illegal Conversion indorsed its recommendation to the Hon. Lourdes Quimpo-Mayor, Chief Provincial Prosecutor and Co-Chair of the Provincial Task Force on Illegal Conversion the joint complaint-affidavit against Bautista, President of Toledo Holdings Corporation (subsidiary of Mirant Global Corporation) as landowner and Danilo Narceda, Vice President of Avon River Power Holdings Corporation.
The Task Force in Illegal Conversion found a clear violation of Section 65 of the RA 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law in the said case. The joint affidavit executed by the witnesses who are members of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PAGPCCOM) chaired by Rene D. Enriquez shows that they conducted an ocular inspection last February 15, 2005 and found that the land in question has an area of 2.8020 hectares, an orchard and is situated at barangay Mabilo, New Washington, Aklan. Another letter-complaint from Gilberto Mationg, Chairperson of the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee in Mabilo, New Washington, Aklan dated May 5, 2004 points to a construction of Power Generating Plant without the application of a Conversion Order.
On December 14, 2004, the DAR Legal Assistance Division submitted its investigation report to PARO Daniel Y. Martelino on the premature conversion activities conducted in said area. It also found out that the respondents developed the subject land from agricultural into industrial use as site of its 5 megawatt diesel-fired power plant. It recommended the issuance of a Cease and Desist order to the respondents to stop any and all development activities in the area. Despite the order, the respondents continued their development activities. To date, all structures appear to be completed.
With the joint-affidavit complaint filed by the Provincial task force on Illegal Conversion, Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, hopes to call the attention of would-be developers to observe the rules and laws pertaining to land conversion and to educate all concerned that there are processes and guidelines involved in all land transactions and conversion of agricultural lands. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Will Quality Statistics Modernize Agriculture?

It seems that the Sanitary Inspectors of Kalibo, Aklan had not visited Jollibee at Gaisano, Kalibo for a long time to check if sanitation is observed.
I happened to be there last Sunday, October 16. It was about 6:00 o’clock in the afternoon to have a simple snack. Due to the call of nature, I went to the toilet. It was closed with a sign at the door appearing to be for disabled person. What a deception!
I was at the same place one month ago and that place (toilet) was already closed. I asked the waiter where is the CR? He told me “it is closed for it is out of order for many weeks already.”
Last Sunday, October 16, the same CR was closed and worst, a sign to show it is for disabled person was attached with the door. I asked the waiter if that CR is opened. The reply? “Out of order.”
Maybe, the LGU Kalibo does not require restaurant or eatery like Jollibee to have its own toilet. If not, it is a grand defiance of a just requirement.
-o-
The Bolanteros of Kalibo will be better off if they can develop the Bagsakan Center at the vicinity of Oyo Torong into a profitable market. The development only requires some patience and dedication to encourage their customers to come to Bagsakan Center to buy their goods at reasonable prices. The customers will form the habit to go there if they realized to be at their advantage.
Let Toting Reyes be used principally by pedestrians and vehicles anytime and any day of the week.
-o-
The Philippines’ external debt as of 2005 is US $56 billion, according to MS. Loida D. Cruz, Acting Deputy Director, Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas. If there are now 85 million Filipinos, each Filipino, one day old and above, is indebted of US $658.83 or P36,894.48 at an exchange rate of US $1.00 to P56.00. This is foreign debt alone. Filipinos are still indebted locally of even more than the foreign debt. The local debt is P3 trillion plus.
Asked at how much and when will the Philippines government stop borrowing, Ms. Cruz has no categorical answer. She spoke of continually borrowing for viable investment. But does the government really put borrowed money into viable investment?
-o-
The Philippines is celebrating the month of October as National Statistics month with the Theme: “Modernizing Agriculture and Fishery With Quality Statistics.” It is hard to imagine how can high quality statistics modernize agriculture. What do we mean by quality statistics? It is said, figure does not lie and should our statisticians use figure to deceive, then this is not only poor quality statistics, but figures use to deceive people, like the use of numbers to defeat opponents in an election or the use of numbers to inflate a production figures like rice, corn, sugar and coconut annually.
There is only true statistics that will reflect or portray the real situation such as data on production expenses and income. There is no high quality statistics that can modernize agriculture and fishery.
What can modernize fishery and agriculture are high quality farmers and fisherfolks, well fit technology and production facility. Aklan for instance believes it has a modern agriculture. But it is not, even if we have the best agriculture university, the Aklan State University here.
Does Aklan have a soil laboratory where their soils are analyze for fertilizer application? None. So, farmers just apply fertilizer to their farms without any idea if their crops are underdosed or overdosed of plant nutrients.
A series of fish kills happened in Kalibo, New Washington and some other towns of Aklan. Nobody knew what caused those fish kills. There is no laboratory to use in the analysis. Problems in the fishpond are not identified. Fishpond operators only guest the probable cause, no certainty.
Water in Aklan are wasted while palay and other crops run dry. Irrigation system is by gravity, so antiquated to store water and release to the farms when needed. Millions of gallons of water drain to the sea everyday unused.
It is so lamentable that with this veritable state of agriculture in the Philippines, our top government officials has allotted huge amount of money to modernize agriculture. Where did it go? It went to the politicians to win the elections. Hello Garci? /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Editorial

(Ed’s Note: Privilege speech of the Honorable Franklin L. Quimpo, SP member, province of Aklan delivered during the 37th regular session of the SP Aklan, Kalibo, Aklan on October 12, 2005.

AKELCO, A+: Truth Or Myth

Much hype has been made of AKELCO’s awards and categorization as an “A” plus electric cooperative, but is it? Do the consumers have reason to be happy about this development, or, were they deceived into believing said claim? Let us look closely at AKELCO’s financial report.
Available data obtained from the cooperative of its financial condition from the year 2001 to 2004, showed that it incurred substantial losses during the said period. Its accumulated losses now stand at P253.5 million as of 2004 as revealed in its 2003-2004 statement of financial condition under the “unapropriated margin deficit” account. The most dramatic increase was made in the year 2003 when its losses jumped to P243 million from the P97 million, or, a 150 percent increase. As data of prior years are not available, it can be safely assumed that AKELCO has consistently suffered financial losses since its inception and will continue to suffer the same fate as in previous years.
Why then does AKELCO still exist despite the financial losses it has incurred over the years? Again, its statement of financial condition will reveal that it has survived by obtaining loans from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and other financial institutions to finance its day-to-day operations. Let us cite few examples as reflected in its financial statements:

1. Its current long – term debt (2004) now stands at Php277,564,152. By their own admission, these loans were obtained from NEA and were used for various expansion projects or maintenance of its assets.

2. Accounts Payables – in November and December of 2004, AKELCO had unpaid billings of Php32.784 million to NPC. The amount due to NPC was restructured through AKELCO’s loan application under NEA’s modified relending loan to “offset its overdue power accounts from NEA’s receivables from NPC. The amount will be paid in equal quarterly installments starting March 2005 until March 2008. Here, AKELCO had to borrow money from NEA to pay its power account with NPC to maintain its credit worthiness.

In another instance, the amount of PHP51,779,916.19 was reflected as “Accounts Payables-Others” in 2004. According to AKELCO, this amount was incurred due to its availment of credit terms from its different suppliers and for the “unremitted universal charge for the missionary electrification and environmental charge in the amount of Php 0.373 and Php 0.0025 per kilowatt hour sold charge to consumers to be remitted to the power sector assets and liabilities management corporation (Psalm) pursuant to Energy Regulatory Commission Order Case No. 2002-165.
In the aforementioned case, while the universal charge for the missionary electrification and environmental charge was collected from its consumer-members, yet it was not turned over or remitted to psalm. Why? Is it because AKELCO does not have enough funds generated from its operating revenues to pay its financial obligations? Again, AKELCO appropriated the money that was to be remitted to psalm and spent it for whatever purpose. Only they know. Just the same, this amount has to be paid to psalm and will remain in the books of the cooperative until fully paid. Are they going to apply this as loan from NEA? Again, only they know.
On the whole, AKELCO has a whooping Php129,464,767.37 notes and accounts payable as of 2004. Where and how to pay these (AKELCO) financial obligations? The most probable and logical answer would be to borrow some more adding to its already bloated interest charges/payments to NEA.

Thus, if we examine closely the statement of operations for the years 2003 and 2004, the amount of interest payment alone exceeds operating margin.

This means that AKELCO’s operating revenues are not even enough to pay interest for its loans. Quo vadis AKELCO?
Among other accounts that showed very significant figures are the administrative and general expenses and consumers accounts expenses amounting to Php52,776,552 million and Php25,375,254 million, respectively, for the year 2004. The former are lump sum amounts and should be unbundled to be able to analyze and understand it. The later account is very mysterious and needs to be unbundled too.
While AKELCO management team can always blame power sources and transmission facilities for the frequent power outages and power shedding in the AKELCO serviced area, the almost daily power failures only spells the inefficiency of the rural electric cooperative still under NEA’s management team.
Until now, AKELCO has failed to establish its genuine legal identity. While it continues to use the term “cooperative” it has not exerted serious efforts to be registered under the ambit of the Cooperative Code of the Philippines through the Cooperative Development Authority. Failing to register with the CDA, and remained as such until now, under the law, this power distribution firm is barred from attaching the word “cooperative” from its name because it has opted to remain under the full supervision of NEA.
Premises considered, may I move that this Provincial Legislative Body invites the presence of the competent representatives of the Board of Directors and the Management Team of AKELCO to appear before one of the sessions of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (of Aklan) to answer clarificatory questions about the state of the operations of the rural electric cooperative so that this august body maybe guided within its legislative jurisdiction in taking appropriate actions on matters relating to the power sector in this province. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Early Politics In Numancia

Suspected to be of Marijuana leaves turned out to be negative. After a thorough laboratory analysis, the chemical report said, the samples analyzed revealed it is of local herb and not marijuana.
The suspected marijuana was confiscated from a live-in partners in Barangay Buenafortuna, Nabas, Aklan during a police raid last week. The suspected drug pushers are presently detained in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology detention cell in Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan.
According to the police of Nabas, a search warrant was applied and granted after the suspects were verified to be selling marijuana. If this is true, then the suspects who are live-in partners have been fooling their customers. They might have been pretending selling marijuana but actually native herb.
-o-
AKELCO lost its Civil Case No. 6850 for “petition for Mandamus With Preliminary Mandatory Injunction and Damages”. A consumer–member, Ms. Helen D. Tilano filed the case after AKELCO cut off her electric power connection
After careful hearing of the case, the court concluded that AKELCO had “no legal right or authority whatsoever to cut off petitioner’s (Helen D. Tilano) supply of electricity the disconnection made by them is clearly illegal…it should be made to pay the damages sustained by the petitioner by reason of the wrongful act of the respondent”.
Judge Dean R. Telan of Branch 9, Regional Trial Court Kalibo, Aklan ordered the AKELCO to pay Helen D. Tilano the sum of P211,767.50 as actual, moral and exemplary damages, attorney’s fees and filing and docket fees.
Here is AKELCO which lost a simple case to consumer-member despite its management team which members are being paid P300,000 monthly and a daily meal allowance of P1,000.00 everyday.
In the first place, the case could not have been made if AKELCO management was careful. Second, AKELCO did not have a good record as far as the case of Ms. Tilano is concerned. Third, the management team did not have an air-tight statement of its “rule on 10 days”.
On the other hand, Ms. Tilano kept a good records. She has preserved and used her files to disprove AKELCO’s claim that Tilano has back accounts. It is highly possible several consumer-members could have been double charged. Only they could not dispute AKELCO’s claim of non-payment of previous bills because those consumer members have no files of their receipts of previous payment. It pays to keep receipts of payment.
-o-
Numancia has beaten 16 other towns of Aklan in the Gawad Ng Pangulo Sa Kapaligiran. Numancia is also the current champion in basketball. And the latest, Numancia also beat the other 16 towns in politics.
Last week, Vice Mayor Adolfo Iligan has declared his candidacy for Mayor of Numancia. Isn’t that early? If there is election today, perhaps Vice Mayor Iligan will win as Mayor of Numancia. But let us wait who will be his opponent in the 2007 local election in Numancia. By then, a choice can be made. He maybe Vice Mayor Iligan or his opponent. Mayor Ernesto I. Templonuevo is barred from running as Mayor having completed his three consecutive terms in June 30, 2007.
Vice Mayor Iligan however, is now carrying an unnecessary baggage. His quest to do good in Numancia will often be associated with his desire to become Numancia mayor in 2007.
Moreover, he declared political war versus his present ally, Mayor Ernesto I. Templonuevo /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Food Sector Tops In 3rd Aklan Product Showcase

Food Sector is the top grosser in this year’s Aklan Product Showcase held at SM City Iloilo Total sales (cash and booked orders) generated some P1,5096 M, up by more than 16 percent compared to last year’s P1.3024 M.
Top grosser was food sector with P0.5455 M sales, followed by furniture sector with P0.4976 M and loomweaving sector with P0.3131 M. Twenty-five (25) exhibitors participated as against twenty-four (24) exhibitors last year. Eleven (11) new buyers were generated and it is expected that at least ten (10) new jobs will be created by these SMEs.
Provincial Governor Carlito S. Marquez of Aklan was represented by Aklan Provincial Planning & Development Officer Engr. Roger Esto, six (6) Regional Directors (DTI, DOT, DOST, DA, DILG & BFAR), John Ray de la Cruz of Association of Fair Trade, Inc. (AFTI), heads of other different government and non-government agencies and other guests, graced the opening program.
The showcase was opened for public viewing from 26 September to 02 October 2005 at SM City-Iloilo, Mandurriao at the Lower ground, Activity Center.
This year’s showcase featured the latest designs on finely woven fabrics, modern wearables and fashion accessories, gifts and novelty items, lifestyle furniture & furnishings, ornamental plants, plus the best tasting processed foods.
The Department of Trade & Industry-Aklan headed by PD Ermilinda P. Pollentes, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. headed by Ms. Amelia S. Rentillo and the Provincial Government of Aklan headed by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, jointly sponsored this activity. /MPmailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Forum On Cultural Awareness Thru

Grassroots Media Set Oct. 21 In Mindanao


“Promoting Cultural Awareness Through Grassroots Media” will be the main thrust of a two-day Mindanao Cultural Forum for Media set on Oct. 21-22 in Butuan City.
Agusan del Norte Gov. John Erlpe M. Amante will speak on the “Role of LGUs in the Promotion of Culture and the Arts in the Countryside.”
A Malacanang official, Danilo A. Consumido, assistant secretary of the Office of External Affairs, Office of the President, is also slated to address the two-day event.
Alfredo G. Gabot, head of the National Commission For Culture and the Arts (NCCA), committee on communications and NCCA commissioner, will speak on the role of Media in Promoting Philippine Culture and the Arts, while Johnny P. Dayang, president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) and project director, will speak about the cultural forum for media.
Armando Manaloto, an executive of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), will talk on cultural promotion: Media’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
Adelina M. Suemith, chief NCCA project monitoring and evaluation division and Eury Zulueta of the NCCA cultural dissemination service, are among the resource persons during the media forum. Fernando Almeda Jr., president of the Surigaonon Heritage Center Foundation, is expected to highlight Mindanao’s rich cultural heritage.
Under the auspices of PAPI and the NCCA, the cultural forum for media is a strategic convergence of Mindanao communicators to promote countryside development and national unity, according to Felix P. Villacastin, project coordinator.
Mediamen and other communicators from Mindanao provinces desiring to participate in the Butuan City gathering may contact the PAPI Community Press Center, located at Unit 206 Cityland Condo 8 in Makati, with tel. no. 8929278, call mobile no. 0920-9094-4379, or call Felix Villacastin at 091-76134444. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

DAR Facilities Fish Processing and Packaging Training For Arc

Some thirty five (35) female and male members of the Bugna-Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) attended the Skills Training on Fish Processing and Packaging at Jawili Elementary School, Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan from October 3-5, 2005. The three days skills training was facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform through MARO Leah T. Oquendo, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center led by its Center Director, Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter and the Department of Education through Ms. Nerissa Repaz, the Principal I of the Jawili Elementary School.
The participants were taught how to prepare bottled sardines, fish deboning, fish tinapa, fish confectionary like crackers and pulvoron, fish balls as well as packaging of all these by-products of fishes. Through self-help, technical support and financial assistance of the aforesaid agencies, the training truly upgraded the skills of the beneficiaries.
Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II of DAR-Aklan, stressed during the closing ceremonies that essential support services are needed to make the fish processing and packaging activities sustainable. He committed to assist the group in procuring equipments such as pressure cooker, smoke house, sealer and other materials for the project.
Also present in the ceremonies and induction of officers of the Gawad Pangkabuhayan were Mr. Alan Alimodian, ATI-RTC VI Assistant Director, Charlie Tigson, planning officer of the Municipality of Tangalan representing Hon. Jed Tirol and Ms. Nerissa M. Repaz, Principal I of Jawili Elementary School. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

A Baleten–on Stars “Hugyaw Sa Kalipay”

“Hugyaw Sa Kalipay”, a classical concert will take place on Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church, Balete, Aklan. The proceeds will go to the construction of the St. Raphael the Archangel Parochial Prep School as announced by its Regent, former Congresswoman Billie V. Calizo.
According to Calizo, the concert is jointly sponsored by the Daughters of the Mary Immaculate, Mother of Perpetual Help Circle, and other religious organizations of Balete, LGU Balete and DepEd Balete.
Guest performances are Nolyn Cabahug, Tenor, popularly known as the “Pavarotti” of the Philippines and Benilda Cuales Rasco, Soprano, a Baleten-on living in San Francisco, California, USA.
Neneng Cuales Rasco, soprano, is a native of Balete, Aklan. She studied voice with Miss Jovita Fuentes. She was a former member of the Opera Chorus of the Philippines and appeared in their opera productions of Madame Butterfly by Puccini, Paliacci by Leoncavallo, Cavalleria Rusticana by Macagni and Noli Me Tangere by Filepe de Leon at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She has performed as soloist with different choirs in the Philippines and the United States, including Immaculate Conception choir, Corpus Christie, Saint Anthony Church, Allhollows Church, Saint Patrick’s Church and the Philippine Heritage Foundation, San Francisco Cultural Group, California. She performed with the Philippine Heritage Choir concert tours in London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; Oahu, Hawaii; and Monterey, Monterey California.
A former member of Government Choral Group in Manila, Ms. Rasco, has been appointed several times to entertain visiting dignitaries to the Philippines at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. A recipient of the Manuel L. Quezon University scholarship and First place award of the Songfest Singing Competition in Quezon City, Ms. Rasco has been seen performing in special events such as the opening of the National Artist Center at Los Baños, Laguna. Her significant teachers and mentors are Miss Jovita Fuentes, Mrs. Tessie Agana Santos, Miss Ina Chalis; Mrs. Mila Eduardo, and Mr. George Hernandez, who she coaches with currently. Last October 5, 2002, she held a Solo concert at Park Presidio United Methodist Church in San Francisco, California for the benefit of saint Rafael de Archangel. She likewise staged a Solo concert on October 24 of the same year at the Rodriguez Memorial Hall in Balete, Aklan.
Nolyn Cabahug is one of the country’s best tenors. His repertoire includes Broadway hits, classics, and enchanting Filipino Music that has made Cabahug the only opera singer ever given the “Classical Singer of the Year Award” by the National Press Club’s Tinig Awards. Cabahug’s musical training began at an early age with his mother, the former Lily Argamaso, involving him in choir music when he was only ten.
He started as member and soloist of the Manila Metropolitan Theater Chorus and the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus. He has sung lead roles in Filipino and Italian opera, Broadway Musicales, Zarzuellas, Oratorios, and Cantatas, and has given solo concerts in major cities here and abroad. His other professional involvements include product launches and providing talent for jingle productions. The “Filipino Victor” as art patron Jaime Zobel de Ayala calls him, presently directing the choir of Makati Gospel Church and other corporate choirs. He continues to be featured in the concert seasons of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic Society. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

VIOLENCE IN THE ‘ELDERLY WEEK’ CELEBRATION

Man, 74, beats up 77-year-old-sister
On her birthday

By Alex P. Vidal

Instead of professing his love for his sister in observance of the “Elderly Week” last October 1-7, a 74-year-old septuagenarian had a bizarre interpretation of the week-long celebration: he beat up his sister, who was celebrating her 77th birthday last October 5 in Brgy. Managuit, Dumangas, Iloilo.
The incident happened at around 6 a.m. inside the residence of Dr. Cecille D. Reade, 61, a British national and immigration consultant, who is the boss of victim Lourdes Dimzon-Lastimoso.
Dumangas police blotter report said the suspect, Dioscoro Dimzon, a resident of the same place, “mauled her (Lastimoso) by pulling her hair and tried to dislocate her fingers.”
Meanwhile, in his letter to the chief of the Dumangas District Hospital dated Oct. 7, Dumangas PNP officer-in-charge SP04 Godofredo D. Descaya, Jr. requested for a copy of the victim’s medico-legal certificate.
Journalist Edwin Alcozero, who saw Lastimoso, said the victim was “too frail to absorb any physical abuse.”
He also described Lastimoso’s attacker as “a bony and angry man who walks with the aid of a cane.”
“This is certainly a human interest story because the incident happened during the observance of the ‘Elderly Week’. To add insult, it happened in a municipality which was awarded several times for its peace and order. What more? The victim was celebrating her birthday,” Alcozero stressed.

‘SHE’S A LIAR’

The incident occurred after Dimzon reportedly suspected his sister, the eldest in their family, of rumor-mongering and for being a “liar.”
Dimzon reportedly did not deny he maltreated her sister.
“Ano abi kay ka butigon gid sa imo (You are a big liar),” Dimzon reportedly barked while pointing his finger at his sister while they were having a “conference” inside the office of Municipal Trial Court Judge Evelio Ylanga last October 7 also in Dumangas.
Dimzon was only restrained after Ylanga reportedly threatened to declare him in direct contempt.
Dimzon and his siblings reportedly resented the actuations of Lastimoso who is a stay-in helper in Reade’s household.

LAND DISPUTE

The altercation stemmed from a land dispute between Reade and Dimzon’s family which squats on the four-hectare lot owned by Reade’s parents.
Dimzon’s family is claiming ownership of the lot which they allegedly bought for only P10,000 from Reade’s father who is now deceased.
Reade has insisted that her family still owns the lot and that the original deed of sale is still in their possession.
Reade she said, does not wish to evict Dimzon’s family from the area but is in fact planning to develop the place and build a village for all of them “as a sign of goodwill.”
Dimzon’s family, however, is also planning to plant vegetables in a certain area covered by Reade’s proposed project.

SINCERE INTENTION

Reade lamented that her “good and sincere” intention appeared to have been misinterpreted by Dimzon’s family.
To resolve the tension that gripped the area, Judge Ylanga advised both parties to observe a status quo until Reade has produced the original copy of the lot’s deed of sale which will be sent to the judge for safekeeping.
Reade, chairman of the Manila-based White Cliff Carer Training Centre Corporation, originally wanted the mauling incident booked in the police blotter “in order to prevent a similar case to happen in the future.” /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

GEARING EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT

Traditionally, parents, relatives and friends influence career choices with scant regard for what the child actually wants. Left with no choice, children tend to follow, without consideration of the aptitude required and the demands of the career chosen.

Hoping to avoid this, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in cooperation with the Department of Education (DEPed) will administer nationwide the Assessment phase of the Youth Profiling for Starring Careers (YP4SC) in selected 299 Secondary Schools and 8 Science High Schools under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The activity aims to provide a unified and strengthened career guidance intervention to graduating high school students of SY 2005-2006, especially those about to enter post secondary studies.

The first phase of the YP4SC entails having the student assessed using some test instruments that will measure his aptitudes, interests and potential and other hidden talents and abilities.

With the results, a matching of the type of job that will best fit the student and where they would excel would be made. Thus students will now be able to invest wisely in the selection of career and avoid changing courses, resulting in savings of money, time and effort. Career selection will be an informed one, a decisive difference between failure and success in life.

A proactive matching process is important because the students will be able to seek the employment opportunities where they are, and when they are available. On the part of the employers, they would be able to find the right people for the right job or employment opportunity, the right people with the right education or training and for government to train or educate according to the requirements of the job market.

The assessment will be administered in the sample schools identified by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) from September 26 to October 7, 2005. The DepEd through its Division Offices will release results not later than December 31, 2005. (PIA6) mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

For Recklessly, Hastily and Illequally Disconnecting Power

Supply AKELCO Losses P211,767.50

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

“The court finds that the preponderance of evidence tilts in favor of the petitioner and judgment is hereby rendered ordering the respondent to pay petitioner: a) the sum of P5,000.00 as actual damages, b) the sum of P100,000.00 as moral damages, c) the sum of P30,000.00 as attorney’s fees, d) the sum of P75,000.00 as exemplary damages, and e) the sum of 1,767.50 for filing and docket fees, and cost of the suit.”
This is the decision of Hon. Dean R. Telan, presiding judge of Branch 9, Regional Trial Court, Kalibo, Aklan, on Civil Case No. 6850 with Ms. Helen Tilano, plaintiff versus AKELCO, represented by Mr. Erico O. Bucoy, defendant.
The case started after AKELCO cut off electric power connection to the house of Ms. Helen Tilano in Linabuan Sur, Banga, Aklan in the morning of May 20, 2003. At 9:00 o’clock in the morning. It was 9:00 o’clock in the morning that day, Tilano was at work in New Washington, Aklan when some employees of AKELCO arrived. They looked for Helen Tilano. Mona Gañaca, a niece and a neighbor of Tilano asked them why? The AKELCO employees then informed Gañaca that Tilano has not paid her electric bills for October to November 2002 and therefore they are there to cut off her supply of electricity. Gañaca told the AKELCO personnel to wait for Tilano but inspite of it, AKELCO personnel cut off the drop wire of Helen’s electricity. Before leaving, they told Gañaca to just tell Tilano to pay her bills in Banga AKELCO office.”
Tilano arrived in her house at 6:00 o’clock in the evening of that same day and found her electricity supply was cut-off. Gañaca informed her of what happened while she (Tilano) was out, that her electricity was cut off because she has not paid her October to November 2002 power bills.
Due to the disconnection, Tilano’s perishable goods and medicine stored inside her refrigerator valued at about P5,000.00 were damaged. She also felt embarrassed, shame and felt discomfort which if quantified in terms of money is valued about P125,000.00. She was also compelled to litigate and agreed to pay her legal counsel P50,000.00 as Attorney’s fees and spent P1,767.50 for filing and docket fees.
In the course of the hearing, AKELCO presented a “Disconnection Order“ dated May 20, 2003 issued by Alejandro Arceño, area supervisor of AKELCO, Banga, Aklan. The said order was given to Jesus Rivas on the same day who immediately implemented it as April 2003 bill of Ramon Tilano, father of the plaintiff Helen Tilano in whose name the house was registered, was not paid on its due date which was May 15 and so, they made the disconnection on May 20.
Moreover, defendant Bucoy pointed out that “the 10 days grace period granted to the consumer to pay as it appearing at the back side of the bill, starts from the receipt of the bill and not from its due date. Since the bill of Ramon Tilano must have been delivered to his house on April 29, 2003, the 10 day period would be until May 9 within which to pay the bill. Failing to pay it on or before May 9, respondent was well within its right to effect the disconnection on May 20, 2003. Petitioner paid the bill only on May 22, 2003.

In the testimonies of Mona Gañaca, she said the Akelco employees arrived in the morning of May 20 2003, looked for the electric meter of Helen Tilano and told her “they are going to cut off Tilano’s supply of electricity because she has not paid her electric bills for October to November 2002.”
While AKELCO admitted disconnection order was issued, it was not for the October to November 2002 power bills but for Helen Tilano’s failure to pay her April 2003 power bills.
It should be noted that Helen Tilano exhibited her receipt showing that she has fully paid her October to November 2002 power bills. But AKELCO showed the Disconnection Order dated May 17, 2003 showing that the two power bills of October to November 2002 and March 20 to April 21, 2003 were not yet paid and therefore the basis of disconnection.
Considering that the October to November 2002 was already paid, Bucoy maintained that the disconnection is for the failure to pay the March 20-April 21, 2003 bill. However, Tilano argued that even if she has not aid the March–April 2003 power bill, the disconnection was still illegal. She argued that the customer/member of respondent cooperative is granted a grace period of ten (10) days from the due date within which to settle their bills and the disconnection must be done with the presence of the petitioner. Hence, the disconnection done to her violated the cooperative policy.
Ttilano cited the notice to the “valued members” printed in Aklanon language at the back side of the power bill granting a period of ten (10) days to pay the bill. The notice does not say when will the 10 days start.
Bucoy interpreted the notice at the back of the power bill to start when the bill should have been delivered. Hence, the bill should have been paid on May 9 as it was delivered on April 29, 2003. AKELCO could have cut off electricity on May 10, 2003.
But Tilano found this AKELCO interpretation absurd. She believes that the 10 day grace period must start from the due day of the bill which is May 15, hence the 10 day grace period started on May 16 up to May 25. AKELCO could not cut off electricity before May 25. The disconnection done on May 20, 2003 was premature and illegal as the due date was May 15. May 16 to May 20 is not 10 days but five (5) days only.
Hon. Dean R. Telan, in his decision dated September 16, 2005 wrote: it appearing now…the respondent had no legal right or authority whatsoever to cut off petitioner’s supply of electricity, the disconnection made by them is already illegal.., it should be made to pay the damages sustained by the petitioner by reason of the wrongful act of the respondent.”
Hence, AKELCO through Mr. Erico O. Bucoy, “in order to deter others of similar ilk and bent in recklessly, hastily and illegally cutting off the supply of electricity to the public …must be made to pay exemplary damages in the amount prayed for.” /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

DAR-Aklan Sues Digitel Mobile Phils

For Illegal Land Conversion

By Recto I. Vidal

The members of the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) provincial task force on land Illegal Conversion filed a joint complaint affidavit before the Provincial Prosecutor's office against a telecommunications giant for the illegal construction of a 15 meter-high cellular tower within the premises of an irrigated ricefield at Barangay Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan without a land conversion order or an application for conversion with the DAR provincial office, Kalibo.
The said complaint dated September 30, 2005, was endorsed to the Provincial Prosecutor's office for its appropriate action by lawyer Daniel Y. Martelino, in his capacity as Provincial Agrarian Reform officer II. The complaint was prepared by lawyer Carol Morales, chief of the legal division of DAR-Aklan. According to her, the Digitel Mobile Philippines was found to have constructed a cellular tower within an agricultural land without securing an application and conversion order from the DAR office Kalibo in violation of Sec. 65 and 73 of RA 6657 on the illegal conversion of agricultural lands for industrial use which under the law is prohibited.
Named respondents on the five (5) page complaint are land developer Sarah Lobaton, Site Acquisition Permitting Officer of the LPT Site Acquisition Experts; landowner Emilia Rogar of Barangay Tigayon; and the officer in charge/manager of Digitel Mobile Philipinnes being the lessor.
This complaint developed after concerned citizens of Barangay Tigayon, through their lawyer Efren Santos, filed a letter complaint against the respondents for illegal lang conversion on October 22, 2004 before the DAR office after they noted "development activities" inside a 270 square meter ricefield situated near the irrigation canal of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
In said complaint, the residents raised concerns regarding health, environment and adverse effects arising from said land conversion. Said land has been classified by DAR-Aklan as "prime agricultural land being an irrigated riceland. Certification from the Office of the Municipal Agrarian Officer of Kalibo states that said land is an irrigated rice land. Furthermore, the National Irrigation Administration in Aklan also certified that the lot concerned was irrigated since 1979 but its "service was stopped when the building and the tower of Sun Cellular was erected on its property."
"Conversion of irrigated ricelands for industrial purposes is simply non-negotiable. Any application for conversion clearance that will be made in our office will only be denied. Only the President of the Philippines can approve such conversion," said lawyer Carol Morales, legal division chief of DAR-Aklan.
Morales told the MP that Digitel is renting the property from respondent Emilia Rogar according to a report and findings made by the legal officer dated Nov. 23, 2004. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Aklan Agriculture, Fishery Sectors Performance Improve

Things look good for the agriculture and fishery sectors in the province of Aklan.
For the first half of 2005, agriculture posted a 3.07 percent growth. The preliminary report submitted by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Kalibo, Aklan for exhibit at the Provincial Capitol lobby reveal. The exhibit is part of Aklan’s celebration of National Statistics Month this October.
According to the report, agriculture grossed P2.43 billion at current prices, up by 13.73 percent from the previous year’s level.
The crops subsector grew by 3.05 percent. The biggest performer for the period is abaca, followed by camote which posted a record of 77.02 percent and 33.78 percent respectively. Large production gains were attained from mango, cassava and banana. The subsector grossed P1.51 billion at current prices corresponding to an 8.92 percent growth.
Livestocks, on the other hand, increased by 8.46 percent. All livestocks types registered output increases. The gross value of production for the period was estimated at P364.4 million at current prices or 20.07 percent higher than last year’s record.
This year, the poultry subsector expanded by 39.54 percent. Chicken farm productions continued to grow while chicken eggs recorded a significant increase of 4.70 percent. Poultry grossed P204.4 million at current prices or 40.71 percent increment from last year’s level.
The fishery sector grew by 7.15 percent. The growth is contributed by output increases in all types of fishery like municipal, commercial and aquaculture. The subsector’s gross output is valued at P349.2 million at current prices representing a 16.51 percent improvement over that of last year.
Manuelito Delegencia, BAS-Aklan’s Officer-In-Charge, said the office will also be releasing before year-end the consolidated report of the total output performance of agriculture and fisheries sector of Aklan.
This year’s theme of the National Statistics Month celebration focuses on agriculture and fishery modernization. /PIA mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

23rd Asian Games Torch Passes Aklan November 23

National Torch Relay starting on November 14, 2005 in General Santos and ending on November 27, 2005 at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila will be held. This will signal the start of the hosting of the Philippines of the 23rd Asian Games.
According to Governor Carlito S. Marquez, the National Torch Relay (NTR) will pass by Aklan on November 23. Actually, the NTR will start in General Santos City passing Cagayan De Oro City, surigao City, Baybay, Leyte, Cebu City, San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, Iloilo City and then Roxas City.
From Roxas City, the NTR will start at 8:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 23 passing by Altavas, Balete, Banga and then Kalibo. It will arrive Caticlan passing by Numancia, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. The NTR will leave Caticlan for Roxas, Oriental Mindoro the following day, November 24. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Calizo Schedules KABUHIAN Opening

Sen. Manuel B. Villar and his wife Congresswoman Cynthia A. Vilalr of the Lone District of Las Piñas will be the principal guests of honor during the blessing and formal opening of the “KABUHI-AN” Livelihood, Skills Training and Exhibition Center located on the Hilltop Garden, Aranas, Balete, Aklan.
The affair will take place at 3:30 o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, October 21, 2005.
The Kabuhian is located on a plateau overlooking the national highway. The land is previously owned by the Calizo family of Balete. Indeed, the place is highly conducive to teaching-learning and exhibition. The construction of which is personally supervised by former Congresswoman Billie B. Calizo who even “spent my own personal funds just to put in place the buildings and training exhibit facilities.”
The buildings are typical Filipino constructed using both manufactured but more of local materials. One must visit and see the “KABUHIAN” to appreciate and enjoy its beauty and splendor. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

National Museum to Conduct More Chinese

Artifacts Diggings in Aklan

By Recto I. Vidal
The Philippine National Museum and LGU Kalibo are now preparing for a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed to jumpstart the official archaeological diggings of rare Chinese artifacts. They expected to start digging in January, 2006.
This developed after some construction workers in Kalibo recently discovered some Chinese ceramics believed to have originated during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th-16th century while working on a construction site at the Pastrana Park, Poblacion, Kalibo.
Wilfredo Ronquillo, chief of the Arhaeology Division of the Philippine National Museum, told Madyaas Pen in an interview that the discovery of said artifacts bolstered the belief that there is a need to conduct an intensive diggings to explore the sites which could be possibly be "a haven for some interesting discovery not known before."
"We are looking here for a possible ancestral grave or an ancestral economic activity as we are focusing to document the Chinese influence in the country," Ronquillo said.
The Archaeology chief said that while historical books enumerate mostly the activities of the Spaniards occupation in the Philippines, historians and archaeologists has only a handful of written document on the Chinese economic activity in the country.
It was learned that the National Museum upon completion of the MOA plans to make series of diggings in Pastrana Park and Tigayon Hill, Kalibo in January 2006 in time for the annual Ati-Atihan Festival which had already reached 400 years of yearly tradition.
"We will also include the study of the Ati-atihan Festival and its possible connection with the Chinese activities and barter trade. In the history books, the Chinese often traded cloth with agricultural products or timber but as time went by, it is apparent that people can be tired of this continuous activity. So we want to deepen the probe and document whatever findings we discover," Ronquillo said.
The first phase of the diggings will last from three weeks to a month and upon assessment, the National Museum is eyeing for a possible three-year study on the culture and traditions in Kalibo.
According to Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, they appreciated the processing of the Memorandum of Agreement to the National Museum as "contributions of the municipality to the country's prehistoric times."
In a copy of the preliminary report which was approved by Corazon Alvina, Director IV of the Museum, "the ceramics discovered is a proto-historic materials generally used by the ancestors."
"Both the ceramics discovered in Pastrana Park and the Tigayon Hill which are probably a burial site made of chambers which could contain significant evidences may open new knowledge and origins of the Filipinos particularly the Aklanons," Alvina said. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL

Even Death Could Defeat The Immortal Ivan

By Alex P. Vidal

Ivan Palma Suansing held the distinction of being the first editor-in-chief of two leading dailies in Western Visayas—Daily INFORMER (1993-94) and Sun.Star Iloilo (1994-1997).
I’ve known Ivan since 1987, the year when we both represented Western Visayas to the National Press Congress in Baguio City (Ricky Abaleña, now West Visayas State University Mass Communications professor was with us) where Ivan amassed a total of nine (9) gold medals in the on-the-spot writing competition, a feat that still stands until today.
When we both entered the community journalism a year later, I joined the fledgling News Express which opened in March 1988, Ivan joined the more “elite” Western Visayas Daily Times (now Sun.Star Iloilo)
I joined Ivan’s paper in 1992 upon invitation of publisher Marcos Villalon until 1993, the year when Ivan became editor-in-chief of the newly-born Daily INFORMER.
After two years, Ivan left to become the editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Iloilo. As in the previous merry-go-round, we were reunited once again when Sun.Star management offered me the post of associate editor.
While in Sun.Star, Ivan was also correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. When he again invited me to join the PDI (there was another slot available for Iloilo correspondent), I declined because of my commitments with the World Boxing Federation (WBF). The slot went to the more prolific and diligent Nereo C. Lujan.
In 1997, Ivan again invited me to join him, this time in Cebu City where PDI was to open a local daily, the Cebu Daily News.
Since the transfer would mean possible permanent residency, I opted to stay and took over as editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Iloilo. Before death snatched him away early on Thursday morning, September 29, Ivan Palma Suansing must have seen its silhouette coming.
From the last column he wrote for the Cebu Daily News entitled “Don’t Play God” dated September 26, 2005, Ivan must have prepared for his long journey in the afterlife.
“I spent practically the whole of December 2001 in the hospital, laboring through two operations, countless tests, needle pricks, hallucinogenic painkillers, excruciating pain I never felt or imagined before and extreme hunger. I wasn't allowed to eat anything -- my maxillary bone was broken and put back into place with a metal plate that is still there -- only to drink water and juices.
“I stared death in the face too. Its specter was there every night, lurking in one corner of the room, silently waiting, waiting, waiting. Finally, I broke down: "I'm not going with you," I exclaimed in a horrible, ghastly voice made unrecognizable by a brace that fixed my teeth and made opening my mouth as difficult as standing up. My perplexed wife, who never left my side throughout this unbearable ordeal, sat up and looked around. She sobbed, knowing what was going on.
“But death, they say, strikes like a thief in the night. In my case, it came back just a few days after my doctor had allowed me to go home. One early morning, just as I thought I was on the way to complete recovery, I woke up to the clammy feel of a pillow that had soaked up blood, a lot of blood. A small bone that my doctor was trying to save had just fallen off.
“For two hours, I hemorrhaged nonstop, and often had to pluck fistfuls of blood clots from my mouth so I could breathe. Had not Tonee, a colleague, friend and neighbor, arrived and driven me back to the hospital in the nick of time, I could have been history. When he saw me, he swore I was already looking like a ghost, shuddering like a chicken in the throes of death. I had lost more than two liters of blood.
”With the wound closed and blood transfused, I asked myself later on: Was I just hallucinating, or was it really Death that I saw?
“That life-changing experience has taught me the value and unpredictability of life, and to appreciate my own mortality. You're here today, but maybe gone tomorrow. You're on top of the world now, but maybe six feet underground the next moment.
“But that, ladies and gentlemen, is only for God, not for any self-righteous vigilante group or its patrons, to decide on.”
Ivan was no ordinary mortal. Memory is a form of immortality. Those you remember never die. They continue to walk and talk with you; their influence is with you always.
Memory is our link with the centuries. All that men have remembered and set down in print through the ages is a precious legacy we do. The miracle of memory gives continuity to life.
But death, in the end, could defeat even the immortal Ivan. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

By: Ambrosio R. Villorente

WV Has Longest Existing National Roads

Region 6 has the longest existing national roads by surface type at 2,875.35 kilometers according to the figures released by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Broken down as to class data shows that Western Visayas has 1,170 kms. concrete roads, 955.04 kms. asphalt roads, 748.13 kms. gravel roads and 1.92 kms. earth roads.
As to concrete roads, Region 6 is second to region 8 which has some 1,499.85 kms. roads, second also to Region 1V-A with 1.1018.05 asphalt roads and third to CAR with 1,150.07 gravel roads and Region 1V-B with 1,153.01.
Overall, total road network of all surface types totaled 28,494.98 kilometers. Compared to the previous year’s figures, 399 roads were newly constructed.
Classified by source type, the number of concrete roads in Western Visayas accounts for 44.8 percent, gravel at 28.4, asphalt at 26.2 percent, and earth type for the remaining percent.
In terms of national bridges, Region 6 is the third highest with 709 bridges of all types, compared to Region 3 with 1071 and Region 8 with 879. Total number of bridges accounted for 7,560 nationwide. It did not say the linear meters.
Region 3 has the most number of concrete bridges with 1013, Region 8 with 700 and Region 6 with 566. Region 1V-B has 130 bailey bridges compared to Region 8 with 100 and CAR with 88. Region 6 has the most number of steel bridges at 62, followed by Region 3 with 51 and Region 1V-B with 31. For timber bridges, Region 8 and Region 13 had both 61, followed by Region 5 with 51.
For the national bridges, concrete type accounts for 83.0 percent, bailey at 8.9 percent, steel at 5.1 percent and timber type for the remaining percent. These statistics came from PIA.
Increased infrastructure projects for road and bridges are part of the 10-point agenda of the national government.
These roads and bridges maybe rendered ineffective if the cost of fuel will continue escalating weekly. Today, gasoline costs P35.95 per liter.
How can a farmer afford to drive his motorcycle, tricycle or jeep? His one sack of palay is only worth P400.00. This one sack of palay if bartered with gasoline will be good for only 10 liters. For a rambutan farmer, he needs eight (8) kilograms of ripe rambutan fruits to exchange with one liter gasoline. A lanzones, maybe two (2) kilograms is enough for one liter gasoline. Worst to the calamansi producer because he needs to sell about 20 kilograms to enable him to buy one liter gas.
Our leaders may look back to see, feel and actualize in themselves the life of the farmer. They may like to empathize with him. Can society allow our farmer to live in both hardships and poverty? For decade, the selling price of his farm products had stood still while his basic needs continue increasing. Where will our farmer go? Something must be done for them to alleviate their situation. If not, if he will have the chance he will forsake the Philippines. His sons and daughters on the first chance will go abroad with that hope to improve the socio economic life of their parent as well as themselves.
-o-

The ambulant vendors are persistent in their aspiration to occupy Toting Reyes Street, Poblacion, Kalibo every Sunday of the week to sell their wares. They refused to use the place assigned to them at the vicinity of Oyo Torong Street.
That piece of land assigned to them can be a beautiful and profitable market place if developed. What they need is a leader to make that place more profitable. Buyers will go there once they can offer goods for sale of best quality and reasonable price. The thing is, these ambulant vendors want instant gain.
A place along the highway in Laguinbanua, near a rural bank started with one fish vendor last month. Today, a buyer can go there every 4-6 o’clock in the afternoon and buy all the food needs of the family. There are fish, beef, pork, marine products, vegetables, fruits and others for the decent meals of a family. The vendors had develop more “suki” to go there every afternoon to buy their food requirements.
The ambulant vendors of Kalibo can develop Oyo Torong as the most gainful market for them and their buyers if they are sincere in their field of service. They must not insist on Toting Reyes Street for that place is “beyond the commerce of man”. That street is for vehicles and pedestrians. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

FEATURE:

SUANSING’S ‘BRAVE’ DAUGHTER SPEAKS

‘I promised papa
that I will not cry’

“A long life deprives a man of his optimism”
--ERNEST HEMINGWAY

By Alex P. Vidal

In viewof the “promise” she gave her father in the bedside before he died, ten-year-old Samantha Suansing “did not cry” when Ivan, 43, succumbed to heart ailment at the Perpetual Succor Hospital’s heart center in Cebu City last September 29.
She too vowed not to cry when her father, the first and only Ilonggo editor-in-chief of the Cebu Daily News (CDN), will be laid to rest at the Christ the King Cemetery in Jaro, Iloilo City on October 8.
“I am stronger now and I promised my father that I would be brave starting today,” Samantha enthused hours after Ivan’s body arrived at the St. Joseph the Worker Chapel in Sambag, Jaro from Cebu last October 2 for a six-day wake.
His body, placed in a white casket, arrived at around 1:40 p.m. on board Air Philippines escorted by his father Horacio Suansing, Sr., 81, and mother Annabillia Palma-Suansing, 72; sisters Vivian and Evelyn Rojo and brother Horacio, Jr.
“I cried only four times and this was when my father was admitted in the (Cebu Doctors) hospital (last August 31 after Ivan felt a throbbing headache when he reported for work),” Samantha explained in straight English.
“I accepted his fate because my Auntie Inday (Evelyn Rojo, Ivan’s elder sister) already explained to me why Jesus had to take him away. God loves my father so much and my father would have suffered if He did not take him away,” said Samantha, Grade V pupil at the Mandaue Christian School in Mandaue City, Cebu.

‘TAKE CARE OF YOUR BROTHER’

Presenting an intrepid face, Samantha, born March 30, 1995 in Iloilo City, recalled that her father only asked her one thing: “Take good care of your brother, Sam.”
Ivan was referring to his second child, five-year-old Isaiah, who Samantha said, “was very closed to my father.”
Ivan had wanted to survive the six-hour operation to repair a damaged aorta because Samantha said, because “he promised to bring my brother to the Lapu-Lapu Side Bridge to watch the waves which never happened.”
According to Samantha, Isaiah had been badgering their father to bring him to that famous bridge named after the late Supreme Court Justice Marcelo Fernan, “because Isaiah loves to watch the waves.”
The greatest gift her father gave her? “A cat named Gary he bought a day before my 10th birthday.”
How about the most unforgettable experience with her father? “When he brought us all (mother Chandra and Isaiah) in Bohol (in June 2005) where he taught me how to swim and offered to become my personal coach when I participate in the Milo Olympics.”
Samantha said her father, a former chess champion in the UP Diliman, Quezon City where he studied law in the post EDSA Revolution, already had taught her how to play chess and even egged her to hone her skills more and join in big tournaments.
What else did her father teach her? “Most of all, he wanted me to just be always in the top five in our class which I did, but recently some of my subjects were affected when he started to be admitted in the hospital,” said Samantha who considered Ivan as her “best teacher.”

IN AND OUT

Ivan had been coming in and out of the hospital since figuring in a near-fatal road crash on the last day of November 2001.
“A long and ugly scar to the left of my chin reminds me of that near-fatal road crash on the last day of November 2001, and how somebody up there must have loved me. A little lower and my throat would have been slashed and that would have been it; a little higher and I could have been blinded, badly disfigured -- or dead,” Ivan wrote in his last column written two days before he died.He added: ”Goose bumps are what I get whenever I conjure up images of that bloody accident: A late night drive, rain, metallic wreckage, spurting blood, shredded flesh, good Samaritans I may never ever meet again and say ‘thank you’ to.”“For instance, I have never seen the taxi driver who, unlike several others ahead of him, didn't refuse when some strangers loaded me into his cab. As we sped off, I remember opening the door of the vehicle to spit blood and a few teeth outside so his white seat cover wouldn't get spoiled.At the hospital, I dismounted and walked on my power, staggering into the ER to the utter shock of those inside. I imagined that with half of my face reduced to shreds, I must have looked like a zombie that had risen from the grave to haunt the living. I forgot to pay my fare.Ivan stressed that his “life-changing experience” had taught him “the value and unpredictability of life and to appreciate my own mortality. You're here today, but maybe gone tomorrow. You're on top of the world now, but maybe six feet underground the next moment.”
Well-loved by both his peers in Cebu and Cebu public officials, CDN will name its news room as the “Ivan P. Suansing Room”. An organization of Cebu editors will also launch a fund-raising campaign for the scholarships of Samantha and Isaiah who will now permanently stay in Iloilo City.

THREE WISHES
He only had three wishes, according her sister Evelyn P. Rojo: “1. To see my children grow up; 2. To work at the CDN; 3. To love my family.”
Evelyn said Ivan was “so lucky” because he was “very prepared” when he died and was “at total with the Lord.”
When Ivan, born August 26, 1962, was rushed to the operating table, “everybody, including, perhaps, Ivan himself, knew that he had a slim chance to survive.”
Samantha was only three years old in 1998 when her father, then outgoing editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Iloilo and mother, Chandra, now 33, left La Paz, Iloilo City to stay in Cebu City where Ivan first acted as news editor of the newly opened CDN, sister publication of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Transport Groups Mull Malay Central Terminal

By: Boy Ryan B. Zabal

Transport groups serving tourists and residents of the resort island of Boracay, Malay plan to put up a central terminal in mainland Malay following the anticipated congestion of Caticlan jetty port next year. Jesus Jingco Jr., business and marketing manager of Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) Shuttle Van Group said the proposed Central Terminal at Tolosa compound in Brgy. Caticlan is classified as urgent so as to decongest the jetty port due to the entry of big transportation firms.
Caticlan jetty port is the main jump-off point to Boracay Island, the country’s top tourist destination. CBTMPC has 82 motorized pump boats plying the Boracay-Caticlan route. According to Jingco, the motorized pump boats of CBTMPC may unload and embark its passengers at the Tolosa compound, facing the resort island of Boracay to allow the operations of those transport business groups like Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC), AMPO Shipping Lines and ROVI Shipping in the Caticlan jetty port. “The entry of fast craft vessels in Caticlan jetty port is anticipated next year. It would then be necessary to designate a centralized terminal for tricycles, L300 vans and pump boats in Caticlan to decongest the jetty port and for safety considerations,” Jingco stressed.
Aside from the roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessels docking at the Caticlan jetty port, MMC will provide four steel-hulled fast craft, AMPO with two 220-seater sea craft, CBTMPC with its P2.3-million 70-seater fast craft and from ROVI Shipping Lines, a P2.5-million fast craft. Jingco said a consultative meeting will be conducted between the transport groups of Westmint Transport Association, Delmabel Tours and Paradise Travel and Tours on the proposed Central Terminal.
“The tricycles under the Malay Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (MATODA) had signified interest to join the Malay Central Terminal plans. This (central terminal) will also regulate the parking of transport vehicles in the national highway as embodied in the approved Municipal Ordinance No. 207,” he added. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

TESDA-Aklan Conducts Youth Profiling

For Starring Career As Job Promotion Support Service

TESDA-Aklan with the full support of the Dept. of Education School Division Officials is all set for the conduct of the “Youth Profiling for Starring Career or YP4SC” in the province.
YP4SC is a nationwide project initiated by Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco. It targets high school students and out-of-school youth by providing them with support services that will assist them in making occupational choices and career decisions. Youth Profiling will enable them get appropriate training or courses to meet the skills requirements in the employment market, either wage or self-employment.
The first phase will focus on the ability profiling and career assessment of high school students in selected schools in Aklan, like the Norhwestern Visayan Colleges, Nalook National High School, Malinao School for Philippine Craftsmen, DIBI High School, Libacao Forestry and Vocational High School and Aklan National High School for Arts and Trades.
The schedule of YP4SC assessment are as follows:

October 3 – NVVC High School (Education Bldg.)
October 4 – Nalook National High School
October 5 – Northwestern Visayan Colleges and Malinao School for Philippine Craftsmen.
October 10 – Libacao Forestry and Vocational High School.

The results of the assessment will be interpreted by Profiles Asia Pacific, Inc. Partner agencies for the nationwide project are: CHED, PIA, DOST, OWWA, LBP, STI and NSCB. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Proliferation of Deceptive Food Supplement Ads Alarms

Aklan SP

By Recto I. Vidal


KALIBO, AKLAN- The Aklan Medical Society has sounded the alarm regarding the "unwarranted proliferation of deceptive advertisement of certain dietary supplements without Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) approved therapeutic claims being aired in local radio stations here and advertised in local tabloids here.

In a letter addressed to the provincial board members of Aklan, the Aklan Medical Society headed by its president Dr. Cynthia dela Cruz, revealed it has requested the Advertising Board (ADBOARD) of the Philippines and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to act immediately on the specific misleading and deceptive advertisement content or false therapeutic claims of some product manufacturers.

"The AMS requested that these advertisements be corrected if not banned soonest from further media dissemination and to advice, correct and chastise the advertising agency concerned for their blatant violation of the pertinent BFAD regulations, dela Cruz said in a letter dated Sept. 12,2005.

In its resolution, the AMS expressed great alarm with the province-wide "deceptive testimonials of food supplements and herbal products namely "Pau de Arco" capsules and "Uno Dos Tres"
capsules.

"These products have no BFAD approved therapeutic claims and without the benefit of the usual standard
scientific research and development studies to support their fantastic and unfounded therapeutic claims,"
dela Cruz said in a recent news conference.

The AMS president bared that the officers and members of said medical group has expressed great concern of these unethical advertisement and the possible harmful effects of these "cure all" dietary supplements.

"There is no single drug that can cure three or more ailments at the same time in one person as some testimonials say over the airlanes. These testimonies may provide a false sense of security among our people while being falsely treated by these alleged cure all food supplements," Dr, Emmett L. Custodio. Governor of the Philippine Medical Association in Western Visayan, pointed out.

As stated in the AMS resolution, "it is the duty of every physician to warn the public against the dangers and false pretensions of charlatans and quacks, since their deceitful practice may cause injury to health and even loss of life of the patient. It may also add to their medical expenses unnecessarily."

During the said news conference, Maybel U. Concepcion, Aklan DOH-BFAD representative, confirmed "the blatant violations of specific provisions of Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) regulations, making violators subject and liable to penalties in the form of fines and possible imprisonment."

The AMS also appealed to the local media for their "professional and moral ascendancy, characteristic of
self-regulating, responsible journalism tenets and standards." mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

32 TVET Trainers Hone Skills In Curriculum Writing

Thirty-two TVET trainers, teachers, registrars and officials of 20 institutions in Aklan participated in the two-day Competency-Based Curriculum Writing Workshop at San Lorenzo College, Kalibo, Aklan on September 27-28, 2005. The workshop was jointly organized by the Assn. of TVET Schools in Aklan (ATSA) and (TESDA)-Aklan Provincial Office.

“The curriculum writing workshop was intended to assist public and private schools in Aklan which plan to offer short-term, 1-3 year courses in formulating curricula which adhere to the competency-based requirement for technical vocational education. With the skills gained from the two-day workshop, we hope we can fast track the submission of the requirements for course registration with TESDA.” Said Ms. Celia de la Cruz, president of ATSA.

“Private enterprises and industry are the customers of TVET schools because they are the ones who will employ or hire the graduates. In competency-based curricula, industry experts were consulted as to what skills and knowledge should the institutions develop in their students so that they may meet the industry standards. To facilitate the course development in the schools, they are given copies of promulgated Training Regulations in various courses (TR) and through the workshop, they are guided on how to use the TR for their curriculum writing,” explained PD Lorena Yunque of TESDA-Aklan.
“We would like also to emphasize that only graduates of short-term and 1-3 year TVET courses registered with TESDA can be granted CAVs or S.Os hence efforts are exerted to assist Aklan institutions to comply with the UTPRAS requirements.”
Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Chairperson of the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Committee emphasized that the Aklan institutions need to offer more short-term and modular courses to respond to the need of the booming tourism industry in Boracay, which targets one million arrivals in the next peak season. /MP

Trainers from NORTHWESTERN VISAYAN COLLEGE, ST. GABRIEL COLLEGE AND NIPPON ORIENT TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SKILLS discuss the competency standards for their proposed courses. mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

SC Holds Dialogue on ADR

By: Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines held a dialogue with the Business Sector of Aklan on the “Integration of Mediation in Business”.
The dialogue was held at CAP bldg., Kalibo, Aklan on September 30 and attended by provincial businessmen of Aklan and some media personalities.
The Chamber-to-Chamber II Dialogue is geared to clarify and explain the judicial role in business and economic cases. The dialogue endeavored also to explain what is the “Alternative Dispute Resolution” (ADR) all about as provided for in R.A. 9285 approved on April 2, 2004.
Hon. Niovady M. Marin, presiding judge of Branch 6, RTC, Kalibo, Aklan welcomed the guests, discussion leaders and participants to the dialogue. Atty. Gleoresty Guerra of the Public Information Office of the Supreme Court gave the opening remarks. Atty. Guerra also spoke on the “Modes of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Its Integration in Business.”
According to him, ADR means any process or procedure used to resolve a dispute or controversy, other than by adjudication of a presiding judge of a court or an office of a government agency in which a neutral third party participates to assist in the resolution of the issues.”
In general, all civil and commercial disputes are covered by ADR. It does not include however, 1. labor disputes, 2. civil status of the person, 3. validity of marriage, 4. any ground for legal separation, the jurisdiction of courts, 5. legitime, 6. criminal liability, and 7. those which by law should be compromised.
Under the Supreme Court approved guidelines, those referable for mediation are:
a. All civil cases settlement of estates and cases covered by the Rule on Summary Procedure, except those which by law may not be compromised;
b. Cases cognizable by the Lupong Tagapamayapa under the Katarungang Pambarangay Law;
c. The civil aspect of BP 22 (Bouncing checks law) Cases; and
d. The civil aspect of quasi offenses under Title 14 (criminal negligence) of the Revised Penal Code.
Information obtained through mediation shall be privileged and confidential. It shall not be subject to discovery and shall be inadmissible in any adversarial proceeding, whether judicial or quasi-judicial. A party may designate a lawyer or any other person to provide assistance in the mediation. A waiver of this right shall be made in writing by the party waiving. A waiver of participation or legal presentation may be restricted at any time.
Under R.A. 9285, it created the office of the ADR as an agency under the Dept. of Justice to promote ADR and accredit ADR practitioners like conciliators, arbitrators and mediators.
Atty. Guerra gave some tips to avoid litigation which are: 1. explore and exhaust efforts at conciliation, 2. look for a pipeline, 3. avoid lawyers who are merely mercenaries, 4. go to a dispute resolution center or an ADR practitioner, and 5. submit to an agreement.
“The Role of the Judiciary as the Third Branch of Government” was presented by ACA Reuben P. dela Cruzof the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court.






He told the participants of the two judicial powers which are: 1. Adjudication of civil, criminal and other cases, and 2. Judicial review to rule laws unconstitutional.
He stressed that “the restoration of our citizenry’s trust and confidence in the administration of justice forms the basis for peace, order and stability…that the maintenance of a peaceful and orderly society serves as incentive for economic growth and development”.
The judiciary’s Reform Agenda was discussed by Dir. Susana N. Gavino of the Program Management Office of the Supreme Court. According to Dir. Gavino, the program for judicial reform is anchored on: a. impartiality, access to and speed of judicial systems; b. judicial autonomy and self-governance; c. streamlined institutional structure and operations; d. decentralization; e. information systems-based operations, planning performance management and decision making; f. competitive and equitable remuneration; g. continuing capability improvement; h. transparency and accountability in appointments to the Bench, i. consensus-building and collaboration with civil society.
Gavino confessed, judicial reform is very slow to accomplish because of several challenges confronting the judiciary like case congestion and delay. She also cited reform issues like deficient institutional system and budget limitation.
According to Dir. Gavino, of the 2,258 total positions for justices/judges, only 1,562 are filled up. Some 696 or 30.82 percent are vacant. There is only judge per 53,000 persons in the Philippines or 18 judges per million Filipinos unlike, as she compared Australia with 41 judges per million population, United Kingdom with 51 per million, Canada with 75 per million and united States with 107 per million.
This high ratio of the number of judges to population explains why there is a very high pending cases in the Philippines Courts. As of December 31, 2003, there were 810,523 cases pending in courts. In 2004, some 472,740 were filled in courts. Of these cases, 348,764 were decided and 153,606 were archived. As of December 31, 2004, some 813,518 are still pending in various courts levels. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

BSP Aklan Council Plans Golden Anniversary Day

Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, chairman of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Aklan Council announced the preparation for the celebration of the 50th year of boy scouting in the province of Aklan. Actually, scouting in Aklan started simultaneously with other provinces and cities in the Philippines but it was done with the BSP Capiz Council.
When R.A. 1414 was approved into law, Aklan was declared a separate province on April 25, 1956. BSP Aklan Council organization in Aklan also followed after the Aklan separation from Capiz.
The BSP Aklan Council golden anniversary celebration will be held next year. According to Ms. Leila P. Leonida Pamatian, a “Year Book” in Aklan Scouting will be published. This will portray the important highlights in Aklan for the last 50 years like scouting leaders, former boy scouts members who excelled in their respective chosen fields as influenced by scouting principles and virtues learned.
Altavas National High School, Altavas, Aklan will host the Aklan Council Jamborette sometime in November 2006. Other highlights of the forthcoming anniversary celebration will be known as soon as they are ready. The center of the Golden Anniversary Celebration is in Altavas. Engr. Victor Fernandez chairs the venue preparation and development. He and his committee are now busy in the site preparation. In another scouting development, chairman Tolentino of the BSP Aklan Council announced the holding of the 46th Annual National Scout Executives Conference. This will be held on November 22-25 at Sampaguita Gardens, New Washington, Aklan with the theme: “Scouting: A Program of Today’s Youth for A Better Tomorrow”.
Some 150 participants will attend this conference from all provinces and cities of the Philippines representing the top officials of their respective BSP Councils. Governor Carlito S. Marquez of Aklan will welcome them with a dinner party in Kalibo.
The conference aims to assess the overall performance in scouting operations; discuss strategies and plans towards 2007; provide tools that would upgrade work capabilities of scouts executives; and maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of professional service in the management of scouting. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Editorial

Will Kalibo Be A City Soon?


Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores of the Lone District of Aklan has filed a bill in the House of Representatives “Converting the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan into a component city”.
This above stated bill deserves the supports of all Aklanons particularly the Kalibonhons.
However, the previous Congress of the Philippines has approved a law, R.A. 9009 regarding the elements that any municipality must possess before it is converted into a component city. This law R.A. 9009 came about because of the conversion of some municipalities into a city even if it were far away from the looks of a real and goodness of a true city.
Palayan City in Nueva Ecija was just a one road city in 1995. And that road is a highway from Cabanatuan City going to Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. Calbayog City in Samar which existed as a city since the 1960’s can be compared to Nabas, Aklan. Maybe, Nabas is more progressive than it. Calbayog has not progressed as it is very near Catbalogan, the capital town of Samar.
Marawi city in the 1990’s can be compared to Libacao, Aklan. It became a city because of its local leaders.
Going back to R.A. 9009, it prescribes the qualifications of a town before its approval by Congress to be a city. Kalibo possess all other requirements as prescribed by R.A. 9009 except three.
First is on land area. The actual land area of Kalibo is much less than the required. As to land area required, Kalibo can only become a city if part of either New Washington, or Banga or Numancia is annexed to Kalibo. Better still if Congress can waive the land area requirement;
Second is on population. Some 150,000 persons must inhabit the municipality so as to become a city.
Kalibo does not have this number of people today. Maybe, after several years, say 10 years, the inhabitant requirement maybe attained. Otherwise, annexation of any one of Banga, Numancia or new Washington be made to hasten immediate approval into a city; and
Third is the income requirement. A municipality, so as to be converted into a city must have an average annual income of P100 million for the last two years. Kalibo did not have that income for the last two years. However, that P100 million annual income is highly attainable. Kalibo will easily obtain that income because of the increasing volume of business in Kalibo. It may also accelerate collection of monthly rentals and taxes from Kalibo Public Market and The Shopping Center.
With the above stated requirements, it is doubtful if the bill of Congressman Miraflores converting Kalibo into a component city will be approved this year.
If Congress is really interest to pass approval of that conversion bill, then the Houses of Representatives and the Senate and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo must have waived some provisions of R.A. 9009 relative to the requirements to be fulfilled before a municipality is converted into a component city.
Will Kalibo be a city soon? This is a big job for Cong. Miraflores. Can he get a majority of the members in Congress so that his bill can be approved into law and Kalibo becomes a city soon? Can Numancia, Banga, or New Washington help Kalibo in its quest to become a city? /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Luz Exposes One Style of Government Corruption

“The supply of commodities…is sufficient and prices (of them) remain stable,” says the Quarterly Monitoring Report dated September 22, of DTI Provincial Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes of Aklan. However, the price of iodized salt Ram increased by 6 percent while evaporated filled milk; Carnation and Angel increased by 5.19 percent and 5.73 percent respectively. The increase in prices is attributed to the increased in the cost of skimmed milk powder and other inputs in the case of filled milk and the increase in the cost of packaging material in the case of iodized Ram salt.
-o-
There were fish kills found in the shallow water in Kalibo specifically in Barangay Buswang New. Some fish species like Danggit were found dead on September 26 and 27, 2005. People in the Barangay suspected the fishes died due to insecticide poisoning. They suspected some farmers after spraying chemicals to their rice crops or fruit trees washed their sprayers in the creek and throw excess chemicals thereby contaminating the water therein. Due to the rains last week, the water polluted with chemicals drained to the sea, hence poisoning the fishes.
The fish died and floated on the water. Its cause of death will never be confirmed because there is no fish laboratory in Aklan to analyze the flesh or samples of dead fishes. Nobody, either private or government functionary bothered to take laboratory samples for analysis in order to confirm what cause the fish kills.
If the cause was really due to pesticide poisoning, our farmers had not learned the proper pest management practices otherwise the agricultural technologists had not taught proper technologies in the farms and environmental protection measures to the farmers.
-o-
Undersecretary Miguel Luz of the DepEd, for honesty and loyalty to his job, got the ire of Malacañang Palace after he returned three post dated checks worth P15 million at P5 million per check.
According to Usec Luz, first he received a check valued at P5 million from Malacañang Palace. But he did not know the purpose for which the money will be spent. So he inquired in Malacañang. He was told that the money may be released to the DepEd Regional Office to finance the scholarship program of Congressman Antonio Diaz.
But what are the items to be paid as Grade I to high school educations are free? Luz asked. However, he finally consented to release the money to the Regional Office, DepEd provided a “Program of Work” will be submitted to his office for which the P5 million will be spent.
After one week, in the middle of September 2005, he again received three post dated checks which maybe encashed as follows: one in December 2005, one in March 2006 and the other in June 2006. USEC Luz returned the three (3) checks to Malacañang as “it violated government accounting and auditing rules and regulations,” Luz said.
After a few days, USEC Luz received a “thank you letter” from Malacañang Palace for his government services rendered. In simple terms, that thank you letter, is actually sent as a marching order for him to quit his job as USEC of DepEd.
But USEC Miguel Luz has vowed to continue with his job in the DepEd. Being a qualified member of the Career Executive Service Officer, USEC Luz cannot be dismissed in the government service because of politics being a career man in the government. He has the backing of the Civil service Commission on the matter.
USEC Luz deserves the admiration, respect and salute of the Filipinos for being loyal and honest on his job. He has exposed one of the styles of corruption in the PGMA administration. The P20 million, will just be lodged inside a few persons’ pocket and a lose to the Filipino people. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Hawaii Centennial Commemorative Stamp Design Competition

Gov. Carlito S. Marquez announces that the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) are sponsoring the Hawaii Centennial Commemoration Stamps Design Competition on the theme: “100 Years: The Filipino Legacy in Hawaii.”
The competition is part of the activities lined up in the celebration of the Centennial of Filipino Migration to Hawaii on 10 December 2005 to 17 December 2006.
The competition has two (2) categories: Student Category and Professional Category. The Student Category is open to all Filipino elementary, high school and college students from both public and private schools. The Professional Category is open to all Filipino artists, designers and other interested parties.
Those qualified are, therefore sincerely invited to join the contest.
Official entry forms are available at the Office of the Governor care of Mr. Jun Isagan Kalibo, Aklan. Deadline for submission of entries is on Friday, October 14, 2005 P.M. Entries may be mailed to Hawaii Centennial Commemorative Stamps Secretariat, Philippine Postal Corporation, Marketing and Business Development, 3rd Floor, Manila CPO Building, 1000 Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

Shuttle Van Group Opposes MMC Entry

By: Boy Ryan B. Zabal

The Shuttle Van Group allied with the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) wants to defer the business permit application of big firms like Magsaysay Maritime Corporation (MMC) and AMPO Shipping Lines.
In its position paper, the CBTMPC Shuttle Van Group pointed out that “it is proper for the local government of Malay to conduct a formal public hearing first” before approval of new application of any transport company to service the Kalibo – Caticlan – Kalibo route.
MMC and AMPO Shipping Lines plan to start operations in Boracay next year.
“We support the stand of the United Coops and Associations of Malay (UCAM) opposing the entry of multinational firms in the transport business in Aklan,” Jesus Jingco Jr., the group’s business manager said. The shuttle van group is composed of 33 members/operators of 36 public utility vans servicing the Kalibo-Caticlan – Kalibo route. The group is specifically catering to foreign and local tourists visiting the Boracay island.
“The wonders of Boracay reside and evolve not only in its natural beauty, but also its people. Neglecting those who directly contribute to the island’s development may bring sorrow and turmoil,” warned the shuttle van group.
Local drivers claimed that the entry of MMC and AMPO will have adverse effects on the socio-economic well-being of the people, particularly the existing public transport industry servicing Boracay, Caticlan and the town of Kalibo.
MMC and AMPO, the UCAM said, would deny the striving cooperatives and associations in Boracay of economic opportunities. “We are striving, even with limited resources, to improve our services. We are not sleeping on these concerns,” UCAM stressed. MMC is investing P150-million for all-weather sea crafts next year and some 51 units of 1,000 cc Suzuki vehicles for a reliable and efficient transport of goods and people on the island.
AMPO Shipping Lines also proposed to bring its 220-seater craft to support the United Mass Transport System (UMTS) of the government.
In a joint meeting of the Rotary Club of Kalibo and Metro Kalibo last week, Mr. Arturo Alejandrino and Mr. Christopher Ramos, Consultant and Vice President respectively of MMC revealed the transport business for the Kalibo – Caticlan – Kalibo route will be left to the present stakeholders. Ramos though suggested to improve the present vehicles and services.
Ramos also revealed that MMC is willing to allow sharing of the ferry service between Caticlan – Cagban – Caticlan with CBTMPC if the cooperative is willing to put up the requirement in terms of equipment and services. Ramos also disclosed MMC will also share the land transport service in Boracay with the present stakeholders. “Agreement can be arranged with both parties,” Ramos said.
As guest speaker of RC Kalibo, Alejandrino presented the present deplorable transport services followed in Boracay. In a power point presentation, Alejandrino pictured the inconvenience use of pump boats, flat boats, and “tibong”. He presented pictures of the improper storage of life vest, the dilapidated pump boats powered by aged engine that pollutes the environment and the motorcycles and tricycles with passengers packed like sardines. Pictures were projected of pollution brought about by motorcycles.
After analyzing the present antiquated transport system in Boracay, Alejandrino presented how MMC will transform the transport system into world class that will serve the needs of some one million tourists who will visit Boracay starting 2009. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

PCG Tightens Caticlan Port Security

By: Boy Ryan B. Zabal

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Caticlan Office vowed to heavily tighten said security at the Caticlan jetty port, the jump-off point to Boracay Island. PCG issued the call following the report of the Regional Maritime Group (RMG) 6 which identified the port as one of the entry and exit points of illegal drugs in Western Visayas.
Lt. Comdr. Edgar Ybanez, chief of PCG Caticlan Office, said the jetty port officials should beef up its security guards even at night to secure passengers of roll-on-roll-off vessels, and to arrest drug peddlers. Earlier, Supt. Cornelio Salinas, chief of RMG 6, confirmed that the Caticlan jetty port is one of the 17 transit ports for illegal fishing and drug trafficking in Region 6. “Ships docking on these ports from nearby islands of Panay, particularly Mindoro, Romblon and Negros Occidental use container vans to ship supplies to drug peddlers,” Salinas disclosed.
‘The government should consider deploying additional security guards,” Ybanez said. Caticlan jetty port administrator Nieven Maquirang is aware of the lack of security guards on the multi-million jetty port, one of Aklan’s major economic enterprises.
Apart from their regular duty at Caticlan jetty port, his men also man the Tabon jetty port, the Boracay detachment office, ad are on standby for rescue operations. “We thus have limited personnel to secure the Caticlan jetty port,” Ybanez said. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

New Novelty Store Opens In Kalibo

A Perfect InspirAsians, an exciting novelty store, an inspirational destination and a place where creativity, innovation and imagination thrive opened its doors to customers last Sunday.
The store opened “with endless possibilities” claimed its owners Mr. Roger Tupas and Ms. Josephine F. Tupas. It is located at the ground floor, Salvador Bldg., Roxas Avenue Corner Mabini Street, Poblacion, Kalibo.
On its first day after the blessing, the store made a brisk sale with so many people who took advantage of the opening sale. mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

OMBUDSMAN Dismisses Albar’s Complaints

By: Ambrosio R. Villorente



“The above – entitled cases are hereby dismissed”. This is a simple decision of the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) on the consolidated cases Mr. Renato T. Albar filed with Ombudsman (Visayas) against Engr, Avelino M. Domingo, Jr., Engr. Lydio I. Ureta, Mr. Noriel Resulta, Engr. Vicente D. Ong III, Mr. Napoleon De Tomas and Mr. Jess Resulta.
Mr. Albar brought the complaints by virtue of Resolution No. 066-B,S. 2003 of the Board of Directors, Metro Kalibo Water District. The resolution is dated October 17, 2003, granting Mr. Albar the authority to file the said complaints.
Albar in the complaint: OMB-V-C-04-0012-A charged Engr. Lydio I. Ureta, Division Manager, MKWD of violation of Sec. 3 (e) of R.A. No. 3019 or the Anti – graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for violation of Sec. 7 (b) (2) of R.A. no. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In another complaint: OMB-V-C-04-0032-A, Albar charged Engr. Avelino Domingo, Jr. Engr. Lydio I. Ureta, Noriel Resulta, Engr. Vicente Ong III, Mr. Vicente De Tomas and Mr. Jess Resulta of violating Sec. 31 (c) & (d) of PD 198.
Albar, as authorized by the Board of Directors of the MKWD “contended that Engr. Avelino Domingo, Jr. gravely abused his authority as then General Manager of MKWD and completely disregarded MKWD Resolution No. 33, S. of 1998…with vested interest as sanitary engineer, in having allowed SHJ Development Corporation to proceed with the construction of water system without a permit from MKWD and the payment of corresponding fees; that…Domingo conspired with Engr. Lydio I. Ureta, Napoleon de Tomas, Noriel Resulta and Jess Resulta, to make it appear that the said Napoleon de Tomas…were personnel of MKWD and to engage themselves as the private contractors in the pipe laying activities…, that Engr. Avelino Domingo Jr. and Engr. Lydio I. Ureta oversaw and supervised said pipe laying activities and made their billings and reports using the facilities of MKWD.”
Albar alleged that Domingo and Ureta “gravely” abused their office when they obtained tapping tools and materials of MKWD without any requisition slip from the supply department and used them to tap the water system of MKWD for the distribution lines” of a subdivision.
In his counter affidavit, Domingo contended that his only participation was to recommend to the Board of Directors, MKWD for approval and that necessary requirements and specifications therefore were properly complied with in the supply of water requirements of SHJ Development Corporation, developer of Villa Peraz Subdivision Kalibo, Aklan.
Domingo denied of having direct involvement or having conspired with Engr. Lydio I. Ureta and Napoleon de Tomas in the construction of the water system of SHJ Development Corporation. As to his practicing his profession as Sanitary Engineer without permission from the Civil Service Commission and the


Board Directors, MKWD, Domingo exhibited Resolution No. 13-5-1944 of the MKWD Board which granted him permission to practice.
Engr. Lydio I. Ureta, in his counter affidavit filed with the ombudsman, denied all of Albar’s allegations. Likewise, Noriel Resulta denied strongly all imputations Albar made against him. Engr. Vicente Ong III also denied the accusations against him…, pointed out that complaint does not impute any criminal liability or illegal acts against him.
Napoleon de Tomas denied any wrong “doing in the alleged illegal tapping and interconnection of Villa Peraz Subdivision water system with the pipeline of MKWD.
After critical consideration of the complaints, evaluation of the counter affidavits and other documents presented, the Ombudsman Visayas concluded that:
1. They are inclined to believe respondents’ (Avelino Domingo Jr., Lydio I. Ureta, Noriel Resulta, Vicente Ong III, Napoleon de Tomas and Jess Resulta) contentions that the alleged illegal tapping was but a temporary interconnection installed for flushing and hydro-testing as part of the standard procedure prior to the turn over of the subdivision’s water system to the MKWD;
2. P.D. No. 198 alleged to have been violated by the respondents does not provide for any penal sanction. At best, violation of the provisions of said law may only be the subject of administrative action; and
3. Respondent Avelino Domingo Jr. has sufficiently shown that he possessed the required authority to engage in the private practice of his profession as Sanitary Engineer.

In the case of Lydio Ureta, the Ombudsman concluded, “there is no sufficient showing he engaged in private practice of his profession…His participation in the construction of the subdivision’s water system is presumed done in connection with his official functions.”
Therefore “the above entitled cases are hereby dismissed for lack of probable cause” by the Ombudsman (Visayas).
The decision is signed by Samuel S. Malazarte, Edgardo G. Canton and Primo C. Micro, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas. The decision was resolved on August 31, 2005.
Asked how he feels of the decision, Engr. Avelino Domingo Jr. answered, “I am happy, relieved and vindicated.” His lawyer is now preparing a damage suit against Mr. Renato Albar, General Manager of MKWD and the officers and members of the Board of Directors, MKWD. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com