Editorial - April 6 -12

Another Deception

On March 24, 2008, Mr. Chito R. Peralta sent a letter to the Sang-guniang Bayan (SB) of Kalibo. The same letter was also sent to the Sangguniang Panlala-wigan (SP) of Aklan. The said letter requested to “kindly issue a certification in the official letterhead of this office (SB Kalibo or SP Aklan) and stamped with your official seal (sample certification is hereto attached) to show that this Honorable office has been duly furnished a copy of the aforesaid application”.
Attached with the letter is “Akelco’s application for approval of over-all tariff adjustment, with prayer for issuance of provisional authority and its attachments in hard copy.”
As I read the request, Akelco general manager simply needs acknowledgment that indeed the SB Kalibo and SP Aklan are duly informed, that they are furnished copy of the “application for approval of over-all tariff-adjustment.”
I asked Hon. Elverita Templonuevo if she has received similar letter and she replied, “NONE”. If the municipality of Numancia was not given a copy of such tariff adjustment request, is it possible that the 15 other towns are not requested to acknowledge receipt of such application?

Tariff Adjustment Application

Going over the tariff adjustment application, I was proven wrong. I thought some adjustments are to reduce electric power rate and some items maybe adjusted higher. However, all the adjustment is adjustment upward. This is another “Deception”. Why use the term adjustment and not rate increase for clarity?
The application “in the matter of the application for approval of the over-all tariff adjustment, with prayer for issuance of provisional authority” is of 10 pages signed by two lawyers in Pasig City, Metro Manila on March 17, 2008. It was verified and certified of “non forum shopping” by affiant Paterno Ibarreta on March 17, 2008 and subscribed and sworn to before Notary Public Saykeme Molino – Martelino on March 17, 2008 in Kalibo, Aklan, a very quick process. No signature is found among the other nine (9) pages.
Of the 10 pages, eight (8) revealed the electricity customer classes, the existing rates, proposed rates and the price differences. Sad to say, all those portrayed are increases and no decrease. For residential, small commercial, industrial, street lights and large commercial, the respective rates are increased.
While Akelco proposes the rate increase to respond to implement the salary standard of employees, cost of operation and maintenance, and debt servicing, it failed to present data to justify the rate increases. Data regarding the cost of Akelco operation and debt services are not presented. Consumer members who are accepted owners must be informed of Akelco cost of operation and distribution of electric power. Any rate increase must be mutually acceptable to both seller and buyers especially of public utility matter like electricity which Akelco monopolizes being the franchisee.
Is there any Akelco Board approval on the said rate adjustment application? If none, who authorized the general manager Chito R. Peralta and Mr. Paterno Ibarreta to file such application with the Energy Regulatory Commission?

Akelco Snubs Sanggunian

The SP Aklan invited Akelco to attend its session in the morning of April 10, 2008 just to respond to some clarificatory questions regarding the Tariff Adjustment application. Nobody attended from Akelco. Likewise, the SB Kalibo invited Akelco representatives to attend its session in the afternoon of Thursday, April 10. They were snubbed. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Rice Straw Burning Is Wasteful

On my way to Iloilo City last week, I noticed that all rice straws on the rice paddies along the Altavas and Balete highway are left decaying. I noticed no burning of farm waste.
Indeed, by allowing the farm waste to decay as what is noticed in Balete and Altavas the farmers will save plant nutrients that maybe destroyed by burning, preserve soil fertility and improve the water holding capacity of the soil. This means enrichment to the soil favorable for food production.
This means the people’s compliance to the provincial ordinance banning the burning of farm waste like rice straw. Congratulations to Mayor Noemi C. Cordero and her municipal agricultural officers of Balete and to Mayor Kathryne Refol and her municipal agricultural officers of Altavas.

Population Program Worker

On the other hand, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Libacao, Aklan abolished the position of Agricultural Technologist with salary grade 10 and it created the position of Population Program II with a salary grade of 07.
This abolition of the position of agricultural technologist seems to be untimely with the looming food crisis especially rice. The mayor, vice mayor and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Libacao appear with less appreciation of the value of the agricultural technologist in their town.
Perhaps, Libacao is encountering acute population problem that the town badly needs a population program officer.
However, among the 17 towns of Aklan, Libacao is the biggest municipality and the people is very much dependent on farming for livelihood. Libacao produces several agricultural products like rice, vegetables, abaca, coconut and root crops among others. Libacao also produces livestock like cattle, carabaos and hogs. Perhaps Libacao wish to provide more health services to its booming population. But who will assist the farmers in their food and commercial crops production program?

Sand and Gravel

Our local leaders especially in Ibajay and Banga are still allowing the quarrying of sand and gravel. The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Banga has approved three (3) resolutions endorsing favorable approval to the SP Aklan for the extraction of sand and gravel in barangay Polo, Banga; Barangay Taba-ao, Banga; and Barangay Ugsod, Banga. Banga LGU officials do not seem to care to stop the soil erosion by the bank of the river resulting to the destruction of properties and sometimes lives.
LGU Ibajay has also favorably endorsed two resolutions that will allow the sand and gravel quarrying along the Ibajay river, Barangay Unat. Another quarry application of Ms. Carla T. Candari in the same barangay is also endorsed for approval.
How much income the quarry permitees pay to the barangay, and municipality where these quarries are located? How much does the province share? Observation tells us the sand and gravel fee paid to the LGU’s is too minute compared to the damage the people are injuring annually.
Should sand and gravel mining not prevented, it must be done with care to protect the environment. The volume must be limited to the volume needed by the people of Aklan, and proper recording and accounting be done. Better still if a periodic report concerning volume extracted with corresponding fees collected is provided the people. This will empower the people to participate in environmental protection. /MP

PNP Chief Razon Visits Aklan

by POI Nida L Gregas

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr., will visit Aklan Police Provincial Office area of responsibility on April 18 – 20, 2008 for a Command Visit and talk to Aklan PPO personnel. PDG Razon will later convene the provincial police directors in Western Visayas under the leadership of PNP regional director Chief Supt. Isagani R Cuevas for a Provincial Peace and Order Meeting at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan to ensure an integrated and comprehensive framework of peace and order in the province of Aklan. Expected to attend the event will be Provincial Governor Carlito S. Marquez, municipal mayors of Aklan towns, national and local agency heads in Aklan.
The PNP chief will also proceed to Boracay Island to personally talk to the PNP personnel of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO) and attend the Lansang wedding.
The presence of PDG Razon will definitely boost the morale and motivate the PNP personnel, PSSupt. Benigno B. Durana, Jr. pointed out. /MP

Ifugao’s Visit Promotes Close Ties With Aklan

by Cecille dela Rosa de Lemos

The Aklan Department of Health (DOH) technical representatives and some members of the Aklan Provincial Health Board led by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez welcomed the arrival of the delegation from Ifugao Province recently at the Conference Room, Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.
Gov. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao Province together with five (5) local chief executives, provincial health officer, chief of hospital, municipal health officers, provincial health nurses, SBs on health, tourism officer, and administrative officers, paid a courtesy call on Gov. Marquez in connection with their Observation Study Tour (OST) to Aklan Province.
In an after lunch remark, Gov. Marquez expressed his appreciation for the visit and the attention given to Aklan. The high-spirited governor Marquez described the province of Aklan in terms of health, tourism, expanding industry, thriving agriculture, and infrastructure facilities. Coming from the business sector, Marquez’ managerial and entrepreneurial ability saved the Aklanons from too much crisis. His articulateness and innate sense of humor, smile and laughter, almost brought the house down.
The Provincial Health Officer I, Dr. Victor A. Santamaria presented Aklan’s success story in bagging the Most Outstanding Provincial Health Board in Western Visayas in 2006 and in 2007.
Dr. Joseph Bulayungan, Provincial Health Officer I and focal person of the Ifugao delegation, introduced the group members.
A guided tour to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, the legacy of Gov. Marquez and Cong. Miraflores was made. A guided exploration to Mangrove Reforestation site was also made. The area, comprising of several hectares, is converted into eco-tourism zone, known as Bakhawan Eco-Park located at New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. The visitors explored the area by taking the eco-walk into the heart of the mangrove forest.
An Inception workshop between the Ifugao Province and the Southwestern Aklan Inter-local Health Zone IB was conducted at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall of Numancia, Numancia, Aklan. Mayor Elverita Templonuevo of Numancia who is vice-chairperson of SWA-ILHZ and Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi of Makato and chairman of SWA-ILHZ welcomed the delegation.
Dr. Rane Tabañar, municipal health officer of RHU- Makato and chairman of the technical working group-planning committee, presented the best practices of SWA-ILHZ, the Outstanding Inter-local Health Zone in Western Visayas for 3 consecutive years. The Pharmacy System, which aims to supply affordable medicines in the health zone and the nearby towns were given emphasis.
BIG Thank You to Dr. Arthur R. Malapit, Dentist III and Ms. Nuelia P. Zaldivar, HEPO who gave time to the Ifugao delegation Provincial Health Office. As secretary, of the Provincial Health Board, I acted as coordinator for that visit together with DOH technical Representatives Filipina Mabasa and Grace Ureta. /MP

2008 Outstanding Aklanons Known

by Ambrosio R. Villorente

The committee for the search of Outstanding Aklanons has selected 12 nominees out of so many submitted for consideration. They selected 12 who are representing various disciplines necessary in the development and progress of Aklan.
According to Engr. Lorna Cawaling, secretariat of the search committee, those who made it this year are the following: 1. Most Rev. Father Raul Quimpo Martirez, DD, for religion; 2. Engr. Ernesto I. Templo-nuevo, former mayor of Numancia for technology; 3. Police Supt. William Solano Macavinta for public safety (PNP); 4. Ms. Ruth Tagala Palmani for journalism; 5. Judge Maria Carrilo Zaldivar for public service (posthumus); 6. Ms. Marlyn Refol Bagacay for government service (LGU); 7. Mr. John Guidon Macciri I. Dela Cruz for business and industry; 8. Mr. Raymundo Dela Cruz Cawaling for fishery;9.Judge Wenceslao Enero Ibabao for judiciary; 10. Dr. Peter M. Ureta, PhD for industrial engineering; 11. Atty. Daniel Yap Martelino for government service; and 12. Dr. Ma. Daphne Y. O. Villorente, PhD for education.

Awards

These 12 outstanding Aklanons of 2008 will be honored in a fitting awards ceremonies in the evening of April 25, 2008, the 52nd founding anniversary celebration of Aklan province. The awarding program is now being prepared by the secretariat headed by Engr. Roger M. Esto, chief of the Provincial Planning Office of Aklan.
The Search Committee is chaired by Dr. Reinalda I. Magdaluyo. The members are Rev. Father Joebert Villasis, Dr. Gabriel Delfin, Atty. Diego M. Luces, Engr. Roger M. Esto, Ms. Sumra Dela Cruz Rojo, and Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente.
Since Mr. John Guidon Macciri I. Dela Cruz is a close relative of Ms. Sumra Dela Cruz Rojo, she inhibited herself from the selection. Dr. Villorente was out of Aklan during the selection held on Saturday, April 5. He was unable to participate in the selection.
The award consists of plaque and trophy. It does not include any cash. However, it is a matter of recognition of outstanding achievement, prestige and honor. /MP

Chicago-Pride Diaz Attracts Enormous Attention

David Diaz is extremely popular in Chicago for two main reasons: 1. For being crownholder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight division, and 2. For being a member of the 1996 US Olympic Team (light welterweight division).
But Diaz’s popularity zoomed to heights recently after words spread in the Chicago area that the four-time Chicago Golden Gloves and three-time National Golden Gloves champion will soon risk his WBC jewels versus WBC superfeather-weight champion Manny Pacquiao tentatively on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Coming home for the first time to spend the Lenten week in Chicago since hosting an open workout at the fabulous JABB Boxing Gym (410 N. Oakley, Chicago, IL 60612) last month, Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs) attracted enormous attention from fight fans and sportswriters.
Fresh from a tortuous 10-round majority decision win over Pacquiao’s sparring parter Ramon Montano in the undercard of the “Unfinished Business” main event slugfest between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 in Las Vegas, Diaz said he will start revving up for his historic showdown versus the Ring Magazine superfeatherweight world champion from the Philippines after the Lenten week.
While Pacquiao was mobbed in Manila upon his arrival and whisked away to Malacañang to meet Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Diaz was enjoying his “precious” time with his family here.
Starting last March 24, pundits and fans started to form a beeline in the JABB Boxing Gym to take a glimpse of the 31-year-old southpaw who lost to Oktay Urkal of Germany (6-14) after a decisive RSC (referee stop the contest) win over Jacobo Garcia of Virgin Islands at 0:33 of the third round in the Atlanta Olympics.
Chicago fans simply like Diaz for being amiable and for being always available each time they approach him, observed local boxer Gerome Guadalupe.
“The Chicago fight fans and media have always been very supportive and I’m glad to open up my workout to them (before I flew to Las Vegas for the Montano duel),” said Diaz. “We had a big crowd at our last one before the Morales fight and it was great to see everyone.”
In his last bout before edging Montano, Diaz, who has an amateur record of 175 wins against 16 losses, defended his title in an epic battle against boxing legend and Pacquiao victim Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, before 10,000 Chicago fight fans.
The fistic debate about which fighter is the best finally was settled when Marquez yielded his crown to Pacquiao via split decision in a 12-round battle for pound-for-pound supremacy. (by ALEX VIDAL) /MP

Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

CBCP: Extend CARP

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) shall expire on June l0 this year unless Congress shall pass an urgent bill for its extension.
Land reform, or if you will, the struggle for land reform in the Philippines had its inception earlier than l963. In l963, Republic Act 3844 (Agricultural Land Reform Code created the Land Authority. The law also reorganized some government agencies tasked with land reform. On September l0, l97l, Republic Act 6389 (Code of Agrarian Reform of the Philippines ) which mandated the establishment of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and replaced the Land Authority. In 1978, DAR was renamed the Ministry of Agrarian Reform. Close to a year and a half after EDSA 1, the Department of Agrarian Reform was organized structurally and functionally through President Aquino’s Executive Order No. l29-A.
But it was not until l988 when the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) was passed through Republic Act No 6657 which became the legal basis for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The CARP aimed to promote social justice and industrialization. RA 6657 provided for the mechanism for land reform implementation.
Even Marcos had firmly believed on the need for agrarian reform in this country when he announced in his stentorian voice the emancipation of the tenants from the bondage of the soil. Albeit land reform during the Marcos years left much to be desired, Marcos’ second was to proclaim the entire country by presidential decree as land reform area when he emphasized on the need to accelerate the agrarian reform program of the government for the early attainment of the objectives set forth in Republic Act 3844, as amended. A paragraph of Presidential Decree No 2 states, thus: “… among such objectives is to achieve dignified existence for the small farmers free from the pernicious institutional restraints and practices which have not only retarded the agricultural development of the country but have also produced widespread discontent and unrest among our farmers…”
On September 27, 2004, in an effort to broaden the scope of the department stressing its responsibility for all land reform in the country, inclusive of placing the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor under its supervision and control as well as their responsibility on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples on the recognition of the ownership of ancestral domain by indigenous peoples, President Arroyo signed Executive Order No 364 renaming DAR to Department of Land Reform. On August 23,2005, through Executive Order No.456, Arroyo renamed the Department of Land Reform back to the Department of Agrarian Reform stating that the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law goes beyond just land reform but includes the totality of all factors and support services designed to lift the economic status of the beneficiaries.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, succinctly observed that the l.3 million hectares (1,077,598 hectares according to DAR estimate) that could be eligible for distribution to tenant-farmers were still beyond the coverage of CARP reckoned from the post-martial law years starting with the administration of President Corazon Aquino.
The CBCP wrote Congress for the extension of CARP beyond June l0, 2008 when it said : “ We are writing to manifest our appeal to the honorable members of Congress, the urgency of passing a bill to extend the (CARP) and institute progressive reforms that would truly benefit our poor farmers who remain landless”. (They are) barely able to eke out a decent living from one day to the next.”
“After 20 years, 1.3 million hectares of CARP-able lands remain undistributed, consisting mainly of large ‘haciendas of those who have been resisting CARP from its inception,” And poverty is still very much with us. Not because of CARP but because it has not been fully and properly implemented.”
In Aklan, through the progressive leadership of Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II, Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office has contributed P110-million worth of infrastructure and P165.70-million worth of farm-to-market roads for the province.
Another P49.97 million was allotted for irrigation projects. DAR-Aklan was able to distribute 20,441 hectares of land to 16, 294 farmers, built 25 farm-to-market roads spanning 68 kilometers and 11 irrigation projects serving 2,577 hectares of riceland. Very noteworthy is the construction of the Timbaban-Sipac Bridge in Madalag, Aklan, considered to be the biggest CARP infrastructure project in Western Visayas .
CARP should be here to stay. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Ham-an Sa Liwan Ro Bosoe It Kasoy?

Ro kasoy hay isaeang ka prutas nga korteng lingganay. Dueaw ro anang kolor kon eoto eon. Matam-is kon kan-on. Apang eain sa ibang prutas ro hamutangan ko anang bosoe. Idto’t a imaw sa liwan. Kon ham-an, hayra ro sugilanon hanungod kara.
Sa pagtuga it kalibutan, tanan nga kutob nagakabuhi hay naga kaeobot sa kada isaea. Naga tipon-tipon sanda kon may okasyon, pareho it kasae, bawtismo, piyesta, o torneo. Kon amat, guina imbita nanda ro Ada it kagueangan o kasubaan bilang dinapit nga bisita.
Isaeang adlaw, may paindis–indis sa pagkanta una sa kagueangan. Abo nga pispis ro nag entra, samtang ro ibang hayop ag mga insekto hay nag suporta man. Ro mga kahoy ag tanum nga maeapit sa guina hiwatan it kantahan hay masadya nga nagtinan-aw.
Sa maeapit sa guina hiwatan, una nagatubo ro punong kasoy. Ro anang mga bunga hay naga kabit-kabit, ag sa sueod ro anang busoe. Habatian ko mga bosoe ro hilinadya sa liwan, ogaling indi sanda makakita kon sin-o ro naga sininggit.
“Sin-o baeang pispis ro nagkanta ngato?” pangutana it sambilog nga bosoe. “Kon makalibre konta kita sa madueom naton nga lugar”. Kada isaea hay mansig panghay-hay sa kasubo. Samtang sige ro pinaeakpak sa liwan, sige man ro pinangamuyo ko mga bosoe nga makaguwa sanda agud makakita man.
Nagpahuway it madali ro paindis-indis. Nagpasyar–pasyar anay ro Ada agod maka sagap it preskong hangin. Habatian nana ro kasangag ko mga kasoy.
“Nano ro masangag ngara?”, pangutana it Ada. “Kami hay mga bosoe it kasoy. Bu-ot konta namon nga makaguwa. Bu-ot namon nga makit-an ro kasadya it kalibutan”. Sa kaeo-oy it Ada guin kumpas nana ro anang baston. Tanan ro mga bosoe hay nakaguwa ag naka pungko sa ibabaw it prutas”.
Nagsininggit ro mga bosoe. Nag hinyo sanda sa Ada nga indi eon lang sanda igbalik sa sueod kundi magpabilin iya sa liwan. Nag-pasugot ro Ada ogaling guin hun-an sanda nga owa it baeasuean.
Pagkatapos ko programa, mansig uli ro tanan sa andang baeay, sa pugad ro mga pispis, sa eongib ag kweba ro iba-ibang mga hayop ag sa idauem it dahon ro mga insekto.
Maangan – angan, dumueom ro palibot. Nagdaeogdog, nag-pangilat ag bumuhos ro madamoe nga uean. Hinadlukan ro mga bosoe. Nagkurog sanda sa kaeamig ag kabaskog ko hangin. Nagsininggit sanda sa Ada nga ibalik sanda sa sueod it prutas, apang nakauli eot-a ro Ada sa anang kaharian. Nahakatueogan sanda sa kaeamig, nagtiniis sa bilog nga gabi-i. Nahabugtaw sanda nga mata-as eon ro adlaw.
Nagbalik ro Ada agod tan-awon kon may nasamad nga tanum o hayop ko nag-aging bagyo. Pagkakita nanda sa Ada, naghinyo sanda nga ibalik sanda sa sueod. Ogaling, nag-pamalibad ro Ada nga indi nana maibalik ro tanan. Naeo-oy imaw sa sitwasyon it mga bosoe nga babad sa oean ro andang panit ag nagkulubot sa kaeamig. Nagtaliwan ro Ada nga owa it mahimo apang nag-pabilin it isaeang ka leksyon. “Mangin kontento ka sa guin ta-o it Diyos. Tanan may katuyuan para karon.
Makaron, makit-an ro bosoe it kasoy sa liwan, guina baton ro tanan nga klase it paniempo – silak, oean, hangin, bagyo ag eamig. Nagabalikutot sanda sa kaeamig, may kurinot ro andang panit dueot ko pagbag-o it klima. /MP

OFW Money Bridges No Income Inequality

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO

EXTREME reliance on money from Filipinos overseas hasn’t helped the country get out of the poverty rut and may even hobble the poor’s income capability, said an economist. Using govern-ment’s triennial Family Income and Expenditures Survey (FIES), University of the Philippines economist Ernesto Pernia said in a research that remittances from overseas Filipino workers may be contributing to the persistence of high inequality in the country.
The 2003 and 2006 datasets of the FIES saw the total Gini coefficient (or the measure of inequality of wealth) showed it hardly-changes: 0.4605 Gini coefficient in 2003 to 0.4580 in 2006.
As overseas employment and permanent settlement will continue to persist in the Philippines, Pernia said remittances “could result to a further worsening of income inequality”. “Such inequality tends to dampen the poverty reduction effect of remittances. FIES reveals that poverty incidence rose to 32.9 percent in 2006 from 30 percent in 2003.”
The poverty incidence figure reflects that percentage of the population which is considered poor. The recently-released 2006 FIES showed there were 27.6 million poor Filipinos, some 3.6 million more than the survey conducted in 2003. This means the number of Filipinos who said they were poor increased to 700,000 or a total of 4.7 million poor families in 2006.
Socio-economic planning secretary Augusto Santos declined to link remittances and income gap between the “haves” and have-nots” in a press conference last March. He said he wants the 2009 FIES done first before citing effects of remittances to poverty and inequality.
But Pernia, using data on the FIES covering the years 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003, noted that while remittances expanded household incomes, the gain is smaller for the lower quintile groups (21.5 percent) compared to the upper quintile group (46.3 percent).
“Despite their beneficial effects, remittances cannot be relied on as a principal instrument for reducing poverty or fostering the country’s long-run development,” Pernia wrote in his paper, titled “Migration, Remittances, Poverty, and Inequality”.

Benefits

Pernia however accepted, benefits of OFW remittances to purses of Filipinos couldn’t be discounted. Remittances have positive and significant effects on the well-being of poor households, particularly on the two lowest income quintiles of the poor, Pernia stressed.
If the first poorest income quintile group increases remittance receipts by P1,000 per capita, it leads to P1,789 additional annual family spending per person.
Meanwhile, for the second poorest income quintile group, the household expenditure per capita increased to P2,177 for every P1,000 additional per capita remittance. According to Pernia, the positive effect on remittances on all these households’ well-being rises to the point that remittances “become insignificant for the next higher quintiles,” and these “probably matter less to richer families”.
“The positive effect of remittances on household incomes rises monotonically from 1 percent for the lowest quintile, 4.8 percent for middle quintile, and 16 percent for the top quintile,” Pernia revealed.
Actually, without remittances, the Philippines would have more than 26.5 million poor. But thanks to remittances, the poverty headcount is lower at 24 million, Pernia’s data found.
Having remittances as share in household’s income “raises the likelihood (that a) household will get out of poverty,” Pernia said.
“Poverty incidence for the bottom quintile was slightly reduced by 0.1 percent, and by 13 percent for the second quintile, while that in all three upper quintiles were completely wiped out,” he added.
Aside from the FIES data, Pernia also processed information from the annual Survey on Overseas Filipinos, and the quarterly Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office.
He also used gross regional domestic product data from the national income accounts to see the regional development impact of remittances.

Gap

REGIONS that have more overseas workers benefit more from remittances compared to other regions that have less numbers of OFWs, Pernia said.
Remittances have brought positive and significant effects on poverty reduction in the regions –to the point that a 10 percent increase in the ratio of remittance per capita to gross regional domestic product (GRDP) per capita sees a 2.6-percent increase of households lifted out of poverty, Pernia pointed out. But ironically, these benefits of remittances to regional development “do not matter to the worst-off as much as the better-off”.
Pernia found that regional development does not benefit low-income household as much as higher income families. Six of the country’s ten poorest provinces are in the Mindanao island group, while provinces with the lowest poverty incidence rates are in Luzon, FIES data showed.
FIES data also showed that poverty rates in the regions increased, and that provincial poverty measures also highlighted regional income disparities.
Trying a conjecture, Pernia discovered that had Filipinos stayed to work within the country’s borders, domestic remittances appeared to be “more welfare-enhancing for the poor than are international remittances”.
Remittances are good for the poor, “but even better for the less poor and better-off,” Pernia reiterated. At least the 32.9-percent poverty incidence rate in 2006 is lower than 33 percent rate in the year 2000, Sec. Santos stressed.
The number of individual Filipinos who are poor may be lower in 2006 (26.9 million) compared to year 2000 figures (27.5 million).
Still, the number of Filipino families who are poor rose: 4.7 million in 2006 versus 4.2 million in 2000, FIES data showed.
The increase is glaring because the country posted consistent higher GDP rates, which is fueled by consumption that in turn is powered by remittances.
The country’s GDP growth and improved fiscal condition “provided us enough breathing space to spend more on social services in the years ahead”, Sec. Santos pointed out. The rise of poverty incidence is “an income distribution issue,” even while the Philippines continues to receive billion-dollar remittances from OFWs, he stressed. /MP

CARP Touches Our Lives

(An Open Letter by Cecile Maquirang,
a graduate of Agriculture)

Of late, I am surprised with what I read in the papers on the pending status of CARP, its imminent end and how people perceived its implementation.
I am a granddaughter of an agrarian reform beneficiary from Unat, Ibajay, Aklan, 23 years old, single. I graduated Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics from Aklan State University in 2007. I finished my degree through a scholarship of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program (PDMASP). Last year, through hard work, perseverance and God’s grace, I passed the Licensure Examination for Agriculture. Hence, I am a full-pledged agriculturist.
For the last six months, I worked as Enterprise Development Officer of an NGO in Aklan that enables me to enjoy the challenges related to the job. It also gave me more opportunities to see and directly work with the farmers in various communities of Aklan. I truly aspire to have a fulltime job as agriculturist and entrepreneur in the future. Hopefully, I can apply what I have learned especially as a direct beneficiary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in Aklan. What CARP bestowed upon us PDMASP scholars is like what our mentors kept saying that goes: “You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you.”
To anyone who reads this, I feel the need to share what CARP has brought to my family’s life. Coming from peasant roots, my father Felicito (62) and mother Nancita (59) are farmers. They are tilling the land (1,186 sq.m.) awarded to their mother for agricultural production specifically vegetables and rice. My hardworking parents also raise Mallard ducks for eggs production as additional farm income. My three siblings, John (18), Amie (28), and Norberto (13) learned from my parents the dignity of farming as farmers feed the people. The potentials of providing food for the people is the most inspiring and practical job one can find.
I believed what CARP has brought for me, as a direct beneficiary, and to my family who are tillers of the land they own can also be felt by my community as our municipality had been recipient of various infrastructure projects that aid in improving farm efficiency and increasing the productivity of our farms. The Ibajay Upland Agrarian Reform Community which is next to our barangay is now a new community having opened its “doors” to the entire world. A once remote upland village where insurgency bred is now traversed by paved six kms of roads being utilized by motorcycles and jeepneys.
Before, these remote barangays can only be reached by hiking. It was next to impossible to build roads as mountains and boulders abound. In one part of the ARC, a potable water system is provided. Today, households enjoy safe drinking water in the area. The residents are also trained to provide technical services in plumbing through the TESDA. I learned from DAR-Aklan that the total institutional and agricultural support to the ARC alone in the form of roads, irrigation, post harvest facilities and the Level II water supply including the trainings sum up to more than P48 million. Hence, with CARP, nothing is impossible.
Our community in Ibajay is not without sceptics. I laughed out loud when I recalled an incident where during a community consultation, and while people were raising their concerns on proposed projects, a man challenged the facilitator and swore to have his head cut off if the proposed irrigation project can be fully implemented. Today, one of the best irrigation projects in the province runs through our community, and we have yet to see the head of that cynic chop.
When we graduated from College last year, the 17 (PDMASP scholars) of us were so inspired, raring to do our share, to pass on the benefits to others we received from the DAR Aklan. We are the lucky ones from among the 18,000 beneficiaries of CARP in the province. Indeed, I agree we are among the privileged….we had the best scholarship program in the college in terms of benefits and support from the DAR personnel.
Today, I truly feel disheartened. Like the man who offered to be beheaded saying the project can never be realized, sceptics in our country are one in saying that CARP was no good, it’s “palpak” as one landlord Senator said.
What about us? Don’t we deserve to be heard? Are our families and communities not concrete manifestations that indeed, CARP touched our lives? For this one ordinary girl, CARP had changed her life and she is truly grateful for this opportunity. She might be a single voice in this call but for her family and the rest of the beneficiaries, she needs to extend CARP only to sustain and defend the gains which families and other beneficiaries enjoy. /MP

APPO Hold Its 1st Aklan Badminton Team Tournament

The Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO), in cooperation with the Amigo Badminton Center held the 1st Aklan Badminton Team Tournament 2008 on April 5, 2008 at the Amigo Badminton Center, Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan.
That was a benefit project to support the continuing wellness program of police officers as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle among the families and the youth in Aklan.
Teams composed of badminton enthusiasts from all over Panay and a team from Metro Manila competed in each of the nine categories which were exhilarating and exciting to hundreds of spectators, badminton sports fans, and players.
After that tournament, Aklan PPO will have the 2nd Aklan PPO Summer Olympics this coming May 2008 over the weekend. Senior Supt Benigno B Durana, Jr, Aklan Provincial Director, said the tournament aims to strengthen the camaraderie and unity of the policemen of Aklan. “The competition will again surely add more pomp and color to their summer,” he added.
Events lined-up are basketball, Volleyball and Fun Run to be participated in by Five (5) Teams of which, 2 teams from the Eastern side, 2 teams from the Western side composed of clustered 18 police stations of Aklan including Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO) and one (1) team from PHQ, 601st PMG and the Regional Mobile Group. (By P01 Nida Gregas)/MP

RC Kalibo Hauls 14 Awards

Text and photos by Ambrosio R. Villorente

The Rotary Club of Kalibo captured some 14 awards during the District Convention (DisCon) of Rotary International (RI) District 3850. Of the 14 awards, nine (9) are club awards and five (5) are individual awards.
RI District 3850 is composed of 52 Rotary Clubs from Panay, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The nine club awards are: 1. Most Outstanding Community Service; 2. Best Vocational Service; 3. Best Rotary Community Corps; 4. Best Community Project (Feeding program), 5. Best Public Image/PR (Tri-Media), 6. Outstanding Rotary Community Corps; Outstanding Rotary Club; 8. Outstanding Club Service; and 9. Second highest contribution to Rotary Foundation.
The individual awards went to: 1. PP Vic Santamaria – Outstanding Club Secretary; 2. Pres. More Morier – Outstanding Club President; 3. IP Megs S. Lunn – Distinguished Service as Fellowship Program chair; 4. AG Nolli Sodusta – 4th runner up in Golf Tournament; and 5. PP Raphy Tayco, Jr. – Distinguished Service as Rotary Community Corps chair.
The Discon was held at Planta Hotel, Bacolod City on April 3 – 5, 2008. It was graced by RI President representative Jackson Shieh and his lady Juliet. Other RI dignitaries also attended the Discon.
Discon is the most important affair of the Rotarians in the district. It is the culmination of activities during the Rotary Year which highlights the best accomplishments of Rotary clubs and its members. It renews old acquaintances, exchange notes and enjoy fellowship. See the RC Kalibo in pictures during its participation./MP

JOIN US at KAPEHAN SA AKLAN

KAPEHAN SA AKLAN
Every Saturday at
7:00 - 9:00 A.M.
Kusina Sa Kalibo
D. Maagma St.,
Kalibo, Aklan

EDITORIAL - March 27 – April 5, 2008

Our God Is God Who Saves*

*Testimonial Dinner speech of His Excellency, Bishop Romeo O. Lazo in honor of Roy Mabasa, President of the National Press Club of the Philippines, Isagani Yambot, Publisher of the Phil. Daily Inquirer, Juan P. Dayang, President, PAPI, members, Aklan Press Club, Inc., and Aklan Media Forum held on March 23, 2008.

Brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord, a Joyful EASTER!
It is good that we are gathered here this evening because I have something very important to announce to you. Since you are media practitioners, it is in your area of competence that this Good News is brought to you. The Good News is: the LORD IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! What does it mean to each of us gathered here tonight? What does it mean to our country?
During the Easter Vigil, last night the last verse of the Gospel tells us, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me”, Yes the Good News cannot be contained; it has to be spread without fear.
The Popes find the Communication Media very important in their statements:
1. The Church not only approves, but also nourishes a great hope for the Communications Media if they are used in conformity with the providential design of God and with proper respect for the dignity of man. The Church holds in highest esteem all those who contribute to radio, television, Films or Press; 2. The Church has a particular and vigilant care for the reader, listener and the spectator, to help him react in a Christian way to the Communications Media; 3. The Church, always prompt to serve the men in the concrete circumstance of their lives is convinced of the possibility of fulfilling her peaceful but efficacious role in the solution of the religious, moral and social problems that are daily being created by the Communications Media.
All of us accepts the importance of Communications Media in our country and in our day to day life. Gaps have been bridged by Media. News has been brought to our homes by the Media sometimes instantaneously. We know what’s happening in the world or in our country. We grieved when we listen and see the destruction and death caused by fire, flood, typhoon, and landslide. We open our hands and hearts to aid them, offer our prayers, and give our moral, material and financial support. We rejoiced when Pacquiao won the boxing match or others who brought medals from their feats victories. We become worried and at times, angry when our freedom of expression is curtailed, when our dignity as a human being is trampled, when we become a number rather than an individual person, when money is kept by a few and not flowing to the poor.
All men of goodwill, then, are impelled to work together to ensure that the media of communication do in fact contribute to the pursuit of truth and the speeding up of progress. Since it is man himself who decides how the available means of communication shall be used, the moral principles at issue here are those based on a true interpretation of the dignity of man.
Communications are all those who actively employ the media. They have a duty in conscience to make themselves competent in the art of social communication in order to be effective in their work.
Recipients are those who, for their own purpose, read, listen to or view the various media. Everything possible should be done to enable these to know about the media, so they will be able to interpret their message accurately, to reap their benefit in full and play their part in the life of society. The total output of the media in any given area should be judged by the contribution it makes to the common good.
Every communication must comply with certain essential requirements and these are sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. A communication must state the truth. It must accurately reflect the situation with all its implications. The moral worth and validity of any communication do not be solely in its theme or intellectual content. The way it is presented, the way in which it is spoken and treated and even the audience for which it is designed – all these factors must be taken into account.

Decline In Moral Standard

It is obvious that there has been a decline in moral standard in many areas of life today and this decline is the cause of profound concern to all honest men and women. The means of social communication are a public forum where every man and woman may exchange ideas. The public expression and the confrontation of different opinions that occur within this dialogue influence and enrich the development of society and further its progress.
Public opinion is an essential expression of human nature organized in a society. Hence, it is essential that there be freedom to express ideas and attitudes. Vat II says that it is necessary unequivocally to declare that freedom of speech for individuals and groups must be permitted so long as the common good and public morality be not endangered. Communications have a most important part to play in forming public opinion. They have to gather up different views, compare them and transmit them so that people can understand and make a proper decision.
If public opinion is to be formed in a proper manner, it is necessary that the public be given free access both the sources and channels of information and be allowed freely to express its own views. Freedom of opinion and the right to be informed go hand in hand.
Those whose job is to give news have a most difficult and responsible role to play. They face formidable obstacles which will sometimes include persons interested in concealing the truth. The Church condemns the use of violence against newsmen or against anyone in any way involved in the passing on of news.
Communicators must give news that is quick, complete and comprehensible. Media is in the service of Truth, the dignity of Man and public Interest.
the Resurrection of Jesus means that there is so much hope for us in this country. Looking back at the readings of Easter vigil, there is reason why we cannot lose hope. Abraham has his back on the wall when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Who will fulfill the promise that he will be the Father of Nations when his only son will be sacrificed? Abraham believed and obeyed. God intervened and saved Isaac. The Israelites had their backs on the wall, cannot cross the Red Sea and the soldiers of Pharaoh were closing in on them. God intervened, opened the sea and the Israelites walked on dry land and the soldiers drowned. Many other stories affirm and confirm God’s mighty hand in the economy of salvation.
Today, more than ever, we just have to believe that God is very much present in the situation of our country. The Communications media can do their share and other sectors of our society. It is not hopeless case. It is painful and sad, anger, disillusionment, cynicism are present. We continue our vigilance until such time. His time, we will know. We just have to believe that the Resurrection comes after Good Friday. In the end, goodness will triumph, truth will come out. We should not put limits to the possibilities of God. Our human ways are not God’s ways. For all we know, He might catch us by surprise. Let us not lose hope. Our God is God who saves. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

NEA Deprives BOD Members
Elect Perform Duties

Until today, the three members of the Board of Directors of Aklan Electric Cooperative better known as Akelco has not been allowed to assume the duties of their positions. Atty. Immanuel Nolli Sodusta representing the Kalibo – Numancia consumer members is not yet installed. He was elected more than three months ago; likewise the three others from New Washington, Ibajay and Malay. This is something strange Akelco and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) can explain.
On the other hand, Mr. Chito Peralta was immediately inducted and allowed to assume the position of general manager, Akelco after a selection committee have picked out and recommended Mr. Peralta for appointment to the position of Akelco general manager.
Just consider, Mr. Chito Peralta was selected by the selection committee, the composition of which the consumer members has no hand in its formation. This is not to degrade the skills, competence, and knowledge of Mr. Chito Peralta but here is a case where the supposed owners of Akelco are deprived even a small participation in the selection of its general manager.
Here is a case where the owner-clients have elected directly the members of the Board of Directors, the policy making body of their cooperative, are deprived in the performance of their duties by delaying their assumption of the position. This is happening only in the Philippines.
Mr. Chito Peralta is not new to Akelco. To recall, his performance as chair of the Board of directors, Akelco is distressing. It was during his time when Electric Power Purchase Agreement between Akelco and Mirant was approved. Mr. Peralta was credited for having gotten the consent of the Sangguniang Panla-lawigan of Aklan to approve that contract.
However, like the swiftness of a whirlwind, that contract was amended with some provisions added so disadvantageous to the consumer members.
The provision of exclusivity was added. Even if there is available electric power much cheaper than what Mirant supplies, Akelco is prevented from buying from it. There is the provision of minimum requirement which compels Akelco to pay it even electricy was not provided or consumed. For example, the minimum agreement is four million KWH per month, Akelco must pay this even if it only consumed two million for that month.
But, when Mirant decides to stop its operation and quit from the project, Akelco will be compelled to pay Mirant the cost of power plants constructed in Aklan in a price stipulated in the contract.
In the amended contract, the formula on the matter of computation of electricity generation cost was also changed to very much disadvantageous to the consumer members. Is Mr. Chito Peralta with the side of the consumer members?
If he is, why did he immediately petition the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to increase Akelco power rates?
The first action Mr. Chito Peralta as Akelco general manager is to petition to raise electric power cost. He only notified the presiding officer and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan that he has petitioned ERC to increase Akelco electric power rate. He did not request the SP to recommend the price increase, just to acknowledge that indeed a petition to increase power cost is made at Akelco.
Is Akelco really the people’s cooperation? Is Mr. Chito Peralta indeed an employee of other firm and not accountable to the Akelco consumer members? /MP

Kapehan Discusses Kalibo Airport

Kapehan Sa Aklan, one week after its launching on Saturday, March 29, discussed for the first time the situation of the Kalibo Airport. Engr. Percy Malonesio, manager of the Kalibo Airport discussed the present management system as being done in Kalibo Airport. He said, Kalibo Airport is open from 5:00 o’clock in the morning to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon daily. Last year, some 340,000 passengers passed by Kalibo Airport.
Malonesio explained to the members of the Aklan tri media the present capabilities of the Kalibo Airport. He also explained the forthcoming construction of the terminal building to decongest the plane passengers in the departure area. He also disclosed the request to provide facilities like immigration, customs, and quarantine personnel to service plane passengers of foreign airlines landing at Kalibo International Airport.
Dr. Benny A. Palma, president of Aklan State University explained the role of the academe in the development of tourism education curriculum. He urged the private sector to evolve tourists friendly and hospitable services to encourage more tourists to visit the Province of Aklan.
Mr. Fernando Bermejo, manager of Philippine Airlines bared the development plan of PAL to promote tourism in the Province of Aklan. He complained of the terrible congestion in the Kalibo Airport which is not good to the visitors.
Chief Inspector Limuel Casataya, of the Aviation Security Command explained to the tri media members the security measures being followed in the Kalibo Airport. He assured the plane riding public that Kalibo Airport is safe place for travelers.
Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores, disclosed the short and medium term plans for the development of the Kalibo Airport. According to him, the P80 million terminal building construction will start on April 1. He also revealed the plan to extend the runway of the airport, improve the strength of the runway to make the landing and take off of bigger planes safer that may use the Kalibo Airport to other destinations in Asia. /MP

No Dirty Money From OFWs, Gov’t Watchdog Reports

by JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO

DIRTY money flowing into the country as monitored by the Philippine anti-money laundering unit hasn’t involved overseas Filipino workers. Not yet, its executive director assured.
Of the 18,269 transactions the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) flagged for the past six years ending 2007, none of these are linked to formal and informal flows of earnings by OFWs, data from AMLC revealed.
“So far, Filipino remitters have been compliant” to money laundering regulations, AMLC executive director Vicente Aquino said.
Aquino spoke to the OFW Journalism Consortium before a US court sentenced a man who admitted transferring US$15 million to bank accounts owned by co-conspirators in the Philippines. The money was part of a $20-million scheme to defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The statement dated March 1 issued by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and US Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor of the District of Columbia didn’t expound on how that amount of money was transferred to Philippine bank accounts.
With remittances pumping Philippine consumption, monitoring its flow becomes highly important as a credible economic instrument.
Remittance flows to the Philippines is the world’s third largest, according to recent World Bank ranking.
If the AMLC found something irregular, it flags a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR).
However, none of those STRs covering overseas Filipinos’ remittances have been flagged, Aquino added.
“They have no derogatory record” with the AMLC, Aquino said.
STRs in banks and non-bank financial institutions number 15,469, AMLC data showed. Government-sourced STRs number to 2,679, insurance STRs number to 91, and STRs in securities number to 30. All these STRs cover a total of nearly 104 million transactions, AMLC data showed.
Aquino revealed, AMLC had frozen nearly P406 million in funds from banks and insurance proceeds. Some P272 million of which is in Philippine peso. Meanwhile, the peso equivalents of those for other currencies are P125.48 million for US dollar transactions, P1.6 million for Japanese Yen transactions, P7.8 million for Hong Kong dollar transactions, and P60,596 for Euro transactions.

Vigilance

Despite the spotless record of OFWs in these transactions, the AMLC remains monitoring remittances which is not an easy task since banks do not hold the monopoly of platform for money transfer. The information and communication technology boom has spawned fast cash flow via mobile phones and the Internet.
The World Bank’s Information for Development (infoDev) program believes such technology can combat dirty money. According to the InfoDev paper, the Philippines’ mobile phone remittance technologies “even help reduce fraud, money laundering and criminal acts…because the cash assets are no longer being carried around in person”.
“The reason for the spotless money laundering record of overseas Filipinos is due to a threshold which a migrant remits through formal and informal or non-banking channels. That threshold is for a one-time remittance activity. Aquino observes migrant remitters send amounts way below the US$10,000 threshold (say US$1,000 or US$2,000) monthly.
The know-your-customer (KYC) requirement is also strictly followed in remittance centers, in banks overseas, and in the Philippines. Money senders are required to reveal their identity and the identity of the recipients.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest international police organization, in a study of “ethnic banking systems” of 31 countries in Asia, cited it found neither direct nor indirect links between overseas workers’ remittances and money laundering.
This is despite the study having discovered direct links between these banking systems and money flows from unlawful activities.
In the East Asian region, there are “unregulated remittance centers” in Hong Kong-China, Japan, and Korea that serve nationals such as Filipinos, the Interpol report said.
Ethnic banking systems among countries in East Asia “report interconnectedness with the currencies and peoples of the Asian-oriental region,” Interpol reported.
In the study of Lisa M. Carroll done through a survey of Interpol’s per-country counterparts, also wrote that 13 countries’ alternative remittance systems, including the Philippines’, “function as a money laundering tool”.
But items on the Philippines in Interpol’s report show that the laundered money comes from the drug trade, profits from illegal gambling, proceeds from human trafficking, alien smuggling and ransom.

Baseball

THE Philippines, which was once part of a list of non-cooperating countries and territories, has been in an “anti-money laundering regime” Aquino claims.
He likens this regime to a “baseball field of dreams” where anti-money laundering enforcers and prosecutors are ready to spot laundered money flows and operators.
We have all the bases covered. On the first base are the AMLC’s special anti-money laundering investigators, while special prosecutors and state from the Department of Justice cover the second base through prosecuting money laundering cases and mutual legal assistance and extradition matters related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
The third base is also covered by AML solicitors under the Office of the Solicitor General who help the AMLC in forfeiture and other remedial proceedings. And the home base is manned by special AML courts. Aquino’s office is in the pitcher’s plate, “manning such (Philippine) money laundering structure”.
For received information on money laundering flows from overseas countries, Aquino says the Philippines is part of a worldwide network of 107 FIUs that have access to each others’ financial intelligence information.
In AMLC’s six-year report, while STRs commonly cover cases such as drug trafficking and illegal gambling, none was linked to human trafficking or human smuggling, of which Philippine victims involve transient women and children. /MP

Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Modern Times, Modern Social Sins?

Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, a member of the Vatican’s Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary discussed in the March l0,2008 edition of the L’ Osservatore Romano the “new forms of social sins. Girotti gave, among others, genetic manipulation and drug trafficking as examples .On genetic manipulation, Girotti said that the greatest danger zone for the modern soul is the uncharted world of bioethics.
There are areas in bioethics which are in violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments and genetic manipulation whose outcome is difficult to predict and control, he said. The Vatican, of course, had made its opposition to stem research that considers destruction of embryos and had admonished on the prospects of human cloning. He added “ecological” offences, social and economic injustices in his listing of modern sins.
A few months back, Pope Benedict XVI made strong appeals for the protection of the environment. Vatican is fully aware that climate change should be thoroughly addressed by world leaders as it has become gravely important for the human race.
In reality, Girotti did not make his pronouncement as an official decision on behalf of the Catholic Church. This notwithstanding and aware of Girotti’s lack of real authority coupled with the clear want and absence of an interview by L’Osservatore Romano with Pope Benedict XVI, the mainstream media sensationalized and hyped Girroti’s “new forms of social sins”. Certain foreign media even went to make their own interpretations and spins.
The Daily Telegraph’s website, for instance, claimed that the “new forms of social sins” replace the list originally drawn up by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century, which included envy, gluttony greed, lust, wrath and pride. Reuters reported that “ the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of “new” sins such as causing environmental blight. There are other foreign media who missed the point of Girroti’s statements.
Fair enough, the Phil Lawler of the Catholic World News immediately saw the exaggerations and blasted certain foreign media of their irresponsible reporting of the Girroti interview when he labeled the Daily Telegraph’s claim that the new social sins replaced the 6th century list as “preposterous” and then emphasized that “When a second-tier Vatican official gives a newspaper interview, he is not proclaiming new Church doctrines. Archbishop Girroti was obviously trying to offer new, provocative perspective on some enduring truths. The effort backfired – but in a very revealing way”.
The L’Osservatore interview with Archbishop Girroti should be read again, nay, revisited. Probably, they would find out the archbishop’s statement that modern world does not understand the nature of sin. The Catholic World News stated that the fundamental point of the L’Osservatore Romano interview was that Catholics need to recover a sense of sin, make use of the Sacrament of Confession, and receive absolution for their offenses. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Bueawan Nga Eowag

May isaeang ka bubon sa parte it Babaria, Alemanya. Tanan ro tawo hay naga sag-ob kara. Ona man sanda naga eaba, naga bo-oe it guina tug-on, guina hugas ag guina dilig sa mga tanum. Maeayo man o maeapit, naga adto guid sanda agod mag sag-ob. Busa, haeos ro kabuhi it mga tawo ag mga sapat hay naka tumoy rikara sa bubon.
Isaeang adlaw, samtang masako nga naga eaba ag naga paligos ro mga tawo, may isaeang ka magueang nga eaeaki ro nag pundo sa anang panan awon. Indi eon imaw maka bilhot. Guina uhaw guid imaw ogaling indi maka timba bangud sa anang kaeoya. Nangayo imaw it bulig sa mga naga eaba. Owa imaw pag andoha. May nag-abot nga eaeaki agud magtimba. Naghinyo ro magu-eang nga timba-an man imaw.
“Ayaw abi ako pag istorboha. Magtimba ka kon naila ka. Guina hueat ako sa baeay ag naga dali guid ako it duro”, singhan kana ko eaeaki. Nag-panaw eonlang ratong magueang. Pag-abot sa baeay ko ratong nag sag-ob nga eaeaki, hakita nana nga puro eomot ag eonang ro anang tubi. Akig imaw nga nagbalik agod usoyon ro magueang, ogaling owa guid it nakapan-o kon siin imaw mag-adto.
Nagbalik eon man ro magueang. Hapon eon, ogaling abu pa guihapon nga mga tawo nga naga sag-ob. Nangayo imaw sa isaeang ka babaye nga naga timba. Ogaling, nagpamalibad man imaw bangud guina dilig kuno nana sa anang tanum nga mabuhay eon nga owa madilig. May isaea man nga eaeaki nga nag sag-ob agud ipa-inum nana sa anang hayop. Owa imaw naila nga magniwang ro anang baka ag bu-ot nanang magtambok kon anang ibaligya.
Tongod sa owa guid imaw hitaw-i it tubi, nakahambae ro magu-eang nga owa eot-a it tawong mabinuligon. Ogaling owa guid imaw maduea-i it pag-eaum. Maangan angan may isaeang ka babaye nga naga pas-an it banga.
“Ineng, mahimo baea nga imo akong masaeokan it tubi? Nauhaw guid ako it duro.” Sa kaeo-oy it dalagita, guin sag-uban nana ro magueang ag guin painum sa anang tabo nga butong.
“Ineng, may bueawan ka guid nga tagipusu-on. Gamiton mo rayang tubi nga akon guin imnan ag ipainom mo sa mga naga masakit. Gamiton mo rayang eowag”, hambae it magueang. Dayon imaw nga naduea.
Halin kato, abo nga habuligan ro dalagita. Owa imaw nagsukot it bayad. Abo nga mga tawo nga naga dayo halin sa mga maeayo nga lugar agod magpabueong paagi sa tubi.
Ogaling, abo nga nagka interes sa ratong eowag. Ko gabi-i ngaron, naduea ro eowag. Pagtangda nanda sa eangit, idto eot-a ro eowag nga mahayag nga mayad. Naghinoe-soe ratong nagka interes. Nangayo sanda it patawad kay Hannah.
Si Hannah hay nagpabilin nga ulay. Nag sueod imaw sa monas-teryo. Sa gui-hapon, una imaw naga bulig sa mga masakit, mga biktima it giyera. Bukon it paagi sa tubi kundi sa mga sadyaan ag bala-an nga pueong it Diyos. Ro mga tawo nga makabati ko anang limog hay naduduea ro andang kaga-oy ag kauhaw. Nagabalik ro andang kabakud ag pagsalig sa Diyos. /MP

Welcome D’ BEST CA ILHZ, Inc.

by Cecille dela Rosa de Lemos

A dinner and fellowship was held in order to learn and exchange ideas of good practices, to express appreciation from each other, and to enhance mutual understanding between the two regional awardees.
The Southwestern Aklan- ILHZ welcomed the Most Outstanding D’ BEST CA ILHZ, Inc. of Negros Occidental during their Observation Study Tour (OST) to Aklan last month at Sampaguita Garden and Resort Hotel, New Washington, Aklan.
It was with sense of pride that we hold recognition and give much attention from different provinces the ILHZ and the Provincial Local Health Board being replicated.
Municipal Heath Officer, Dr. Rane L. Tabañar of RHU–Makato and chairman of TWG planning committee, expressed his optimism on the recognition of SWA-ILHZ under the leadership of Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi, Jr., the chairperson. The united leadership of his fellow local chief executives and municipal health officers in this particular health zone, is just amazing. Included in the list a “superwoman”, who else but, the Aklan DOH representative, Dr. Myrtle M. Pelayo.
Dr. Tabañar, Mayor Legaspi, and the municipal health officers in this health zone make a good team of health care providers, educators, community leaders and administrators. They are really serious in their endeavors just as DOH Technical Representative Filipina Mabasa and Grace Ureta are up to.
As secretary of the Provincial Local Health Board, I joined the meeting of the “best” of both worlds, ka-region, ka-awardee. D’ BEST CA stands for the names of cities and towns of Negros Occidental: the municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto headed by Mayor Lawrence dela Cruz, Escalante city headed by Dr. Edgar Vaflor , Jr. and Dr. Nelly Anonuevo, Municipality of Taboso headed by Ms. Hazel Magno, San Carlos City headed by Dr. Arnel Portuguez, municipality of Calatrava headed by Dr. Nicasio Boldero and Dr. Carmelo Arguelles of Calatrava District Hospital.
Dr. Edgar Vaflor, Jr., executive director of D’ BEST CA ILHZ, Inc. presented the best practices of the Most Outstanding Inter-Local Health Zone in Western Visayas. The counterpart in Aklan, Dr. Rane L. Tabanar, presented the good practices on ILHZ Pharmacy System. The presentation explained the scheme, which has the system of procuring and selling of drugs to end-users using the proceeds to producer and replenish the drugs which are sold again to new set of user for sustainability of functional ILHZ Pharmacy. The health zone established a pharmacy by virtue of a MOA executed between its chairman, Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi, Jr. and DOH Regional Director Lydia Depra-Ramos in 2006. This project ensures continuous supply of essential drugs and medicines in public hospital pharmacies and rural health units by mobilizing the resources of each of the member municipalities.
Dr. Floriphez L. Yerro, municipal health officer of RHU-Malinao facilitated the open forum. Exchange of tokens and plaques of appreciation followed. Mayor Rex G. Gubatina of Madalag closed the dinner program which was emceed by Dr. Athen C. Magdamit of RHU-Lezo. /MP