Saturday, November 15, 2008

SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SALE

Republic of the Philippines
Regional Trial Court
Sixth Judicial Region
Kalibo, Aklan

OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF
METRO ORMOC COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE (OCCCI) Extra Judicial Foreclosure
Mortgagee, of Real Estate Mortgage
under Act 3135 as amended
by Act 4118 No. 36 (2008)

-versus-

CLEOFE M. SABINO
Mortgagor,
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF EXTRA JUDICIAL SALE

Upon Extra-Judicial Petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended by Act 4118, file by the Mortgagee, METRO ORMOC COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE (OCCCI), with principal place of business at Arradaza Street, Ormoc City, Leyte, against the Mortgagor CLEOFE M. SABINO, with residence and postal address at 19 Martyrs Street, Kalibo, Aklan, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness to the Mortgagee, which as of May 12, 2008 amounts to FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO PESOS AND 80/100 (P420,772.80), Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges but exclusive attorneys fee, sheriffs fee and other expenses in connection with this sale, all secured by a Real Estate Mortgage, the Clerk of Court IV and Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff of Aklan, Regional Trial Court, Kalibo, Aklan, thru the undersigned Sheriff IV, will sell at public auction December 29, 2008 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the Office of the Provincial Sheriff of Aklan, Regional Trial Court, Igtanloc-Ruiz Building, Capitol Site, Kalibo, Aklan, to the highest bidder for CASH and in Philippine Currency, the herein below described real property together with all existing improvements thereon to wit:
Transfer certificate of title no. t-37684
"A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 3504-A-3, Psd-06-062332, being a portion of Lot 3504-A, Psd-06-052614), situated in the Brgy. Ugsod, Municipality of Banga, Province of Aklan, Island of Panay, Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by Lot 3504-A-1; on the NE, along lines 2-3-4 by Lot 3504-A-13; on the SE., along line by 4-5 by Lot 3504-A-13; on the SW., along line 5-1 by Lot 3504-A-2 all of this subd. survey. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) square meters more or less, including all the improvements that therein and the improvements that maybe introduced thereon declared in the name of Cleope M. Sabino."
Transfer certificate of title no. t-37682
"A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 3504-A-1, Psd-06-062332, being a portion of Lot 3504-A, Psd-06-052614), situated in the Brgy. Ugsod, Municipality of Banga, Province of Aklan, Island of Panay, Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by Lot 3506 along line 2-3 by Lot 3505 both of Cad. 786-D Banga Cadastre; on the NE., along lines by 3-4 by Lot 3504-A-13 Road Right of Way; on the SE., along line 4-5 by Lot 3504-A-3; along line 5-6 by Lot 3504-A-2 all of this subd. survey; on the SW., along line 6-1 by Lot 3503 Banga Cad. 786-D. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED SIXTY (162) square meters more or less, including all the improvements that therein and the improvements that maybe introduced thereon declared in the name of Cleope M. Sabino."
Prospective buyers or bidders my investigate for themselves the title to the property above-described and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.
All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above mentioned time and date of auction sale.
Kalibo, Aklan, October 27, 2008.
ARNALDO C. TEJADA, JR.
Clerk of Court VI

Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff By:
(Sgd.) RODERICK C. ROBILLO
Sheriff IV

Madyaas Pen: November 1, 8, and 15 2008

Warning: it is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice on or before the date of sale under penalty of law.

COURT ORDER PUBLICATIONS


Republic of the Philippines
Regional Trial Court
Sixth Judicial Region
Branch 2
Kalibo, Aklan

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE RECORD OF BIRTH OF BENJIE ESTIMOS PERLAS, WITH THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF ALTAVAS, AKLAN, ON HIS DATE OF BIRTH FROM SEPTEMBER 24, 1967 TO AUGUST 24, 1967
SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS NO. 8387
BENJIE ESTIMOS PERLAS,
Petitioner,

-versus-

THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF
ALTAVAS, AKLAN,
Respondent.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

O R D E R

BENJIE ESTIMOS PERLAS, of legal age, Filipino, married, a resident of Poblacion, Altavas, Aklan, filed a verified petition praying that the entry appearing in his Certificate of Live Birth, particularly the entry as to his date of birth be corrected, from September 24, 1967 to August 24, 1967, in order to avoid confusion and to correct all the entries therein.
It appearing that the petition is sufficient in form and substance, the Court hereby sets its hearing on December 16, 2008 at 8:30 in the morning at which time, all interested parties may appear and show cause why this petition should not be granted.
Let copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in Madyaas Pen, a newspaper of general circulation published in the Province of Aklan, and notice of this Order, together with the petition, be furnished the Honorable Solicitor General, the Provincial Prosecutor of Aklan, the Local Civil Registrar of Altavas, Aklan, the Civil Registrar General, the petitioner and his counsel, Atty. Dangal Z. Nadua.

SO ORDERED.
Kalibo, Aklan
October 6, 2008

(Sgd.) LEDELIA P. ARAGONA – BILIRAN
Presiding Judge
o0o

Republic of the Philippines
Regional Trial Court
Sixth Judicial Region
Branch 6
Kalibo, Aklan

IN RE: PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF GRACE RONASE SANTOS WITH REGISTRY NO. 11-7, WITH THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MAKATO, AKLAN,
MA. GRACE RONASE SANTOS – GALINDO,
Petitioner,
SPC. PROC. NO. 8272

-versus-

THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MAKATO, AKLAN AND THE CIVIL REGISTRAR-GENERAL,
Respondents.
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

O R D E R

A verified petition was filed by the above-named petitioner praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, respondents Municipal Civil Registrar of Makato, Aklan and the Civil Registrar-General be ordered to cancel petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 11-7 in order to avoid conflict in her birth registration.
Finding the Petition sufficient in form and substance, set the Initial Hearing thereof on November 26, 2008 at 9:00 in the morning at the Session Hall of this court, Kalibo, Aklan. Any interested person may appear and show cause why the instant petition should not be granted.
A copy of this Order shall be published in the Madyaas Pen, a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Aklan, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.
Send copies of this Order to the Honorable Solicitor General, 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City; the Municipal Civil Registrar of Makato, Aklan; the Civil Registrar-General, National Statistics Office, Manila; and the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Kalibo, Aklan. Copies of this Order shall also be sent to the petitioner and her counsel.
SO ORDERED.
Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines
October 3, 2008

(Sgd.) ELMO F. DEL ROSARIO
Acting Judge

MALAY MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES

Republic of the Philippines
Province of Aklan
Municipality of Malay
Office of the Sangguniang Bayan
Excerpt from the minutes of the 21st regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan (2007-2010) held at the SB session hall on December 12, 2007.

Present:
SB Member Esel L. Flores, Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore
SB Member Wilbec M. Gelito
SB Member Gideon T. Siñel
SB Member Rowen T. Aguirre
SB Member Cristina C. Prado
SB Member Charlie D. Villanueva
SB Member Dante C. Pagsuguiron
SB Member Mateo A. Tayco
SB Member Roldan M. Casidsid, Liga President
SB Member Niño Elpe D. De Sullan, SK Federation President
Absent:
Hon. John P. Yap, Municipal Vice Mayor (on leave)
x x x

Municipal Ordinance No. 250
Series of 2007

An ordinance fixing the annual presumptive income level of business not able to declare annual gross sales or misdeclare the same for municipal taxation purposes.
(Sponsor: Committee on Laws & Ordinances)
SECTION 1. – Rationale. By fixing the Annual Presumptive Income Level (PIL) of businesses not able to declare annual gross income or misdeclare the same, collection of proximated tax due the municipal government can be realized. Further tax avoidance can likewise be minimized if not eliminated, hence this piece of legislation.
SECTION 2. Business Categories. For purposes of this ordinance, business establishments within the municipal jurisdiction of Malay are classified into the following categories:
A) Cottages/Resorts/Hotels/Lodging Houses/Boarding Houses/ and other similar establishments;
B) Bars/Restaurants/Cafeterias/and other similar establishments;
C) Stores/Boutiques/Trading/Retailers/ and other similar establishments;
D) Wholesalers/Importers/Exporters/Distributors/Dealers/and other similar establishments;
E) Other establishments not covered by categories A, B, C and D.
Section 3. – Stratified Schedule of Presumptive Income Level. To approximate gross receipt of business categories classified by the preceding section, the following stratified schedule of Presumptive Income Level shall be observed:
1) Category A
Number of Rooms x Room Rate x 30 days x 8 months = Annual PIL
2) Category B
Sales per day x 30 days x 12 months = Annual PIL
3) Category C
a) Sales per day x 30 days x 12 months x 2% (30,000.00 but not over 400,000.00 sales) = Annual PIL
b) Sales per day x 30 days x 12 months x 1% (sales over 400,000.00) = Annual PIL
4) Category D
Sales per day x 30 days x 12 months = Annual PIL
5) Category E
PIL shall be based on the schedule of minimum gross sales/receipts as prescribed by the subsequent section.
SECTION 4. – Schedule of Minimum Gross Sales. In no case business establishments not having declared annual sales/receipts or misdeclare the same for purposes of municipal taxation, shall be allowed to claim annual gross sales/receipts lower than the minimum prescribed as follows:
NO. NATURE OF BUSINESS MINIMUM GROSS SALES
1 Sari-sari Stores P 72,000.00 P200.00/day
2 Sari-sari Stores w/ Beers & Cigarettes 108,000.00 300.00/day
3 Retailers 108,000.00 500.00/day
4 Restaurants 200,000.00 555.00/day
5 Restaurants w/ Bar 600,000.00 2,000.00/day
6 Manufacturers 1,000,000.00 3,000.00/day
7 Wholesalers 400,000.00 1,200.00/day
8 Dealers/Distributors 1,000,000.00 3,000.00/day
9 Contractors and other Independent 2,000,000.00
Contractors
10 Banks/Lending/Pawnshops/Insurance
Company/Forex 1,000,000.00
11 Barbers/Beauty Shops 50,000.00
12 Massage/Spa Centers 400,000.00
13 Commercial Livestock Farms/Fishponds 300,000.00
14 Cafeterias/Ice Cream & other Refreshments
Parlor & Cerenderia 200,000.00
15 Bakeries/Pizza Parlors 400,000.00
16 Tailoring/Dress Shops 75,000.00
17 Souvenirs Shops/Dry Goods/RTW’s 72,000.00
18 Small Scale Services (Tricycles, Motorboats,
Sailboats) 75,000.00
SECTION 5. Amendments. All ordinance, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, provisions of which are in conflict with, or contrary to, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 6. Effectivity. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval and proper publication.
ENACTED. JULY 12, 2007
APPROVED. December 12, 2007.

x x x
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I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the afore-quoted Municipal Ordinance.

(Sgd.) CONCORDIA S. ALCANTARA
Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan

ATTESTED:

(Sgd.) ESEL L. FLORES
SB Member
Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore

APPROVED:

(Sgd.) CECIRON S. CAWALING
0O0

Republic of the Philippines
Province of Aklan
Municipality of Malay
Office of the Sangguniang Bayan
Excerpt from the minutes of the 22nd regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan (2007-2010) held at the SB session hall on December 19, 2007.

Present:
SB Member Esel L. Flores, Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore
SB Member Wilbec M. Gelito
SB Member Gideon T. Siñel
SB Member Rowen T. Aguirre
SB Member Cristina C. Prado
SB Member Charlie D. Villanueva
SB Member Dante C. Pagsuguiron
SB Member Mateo A. Tayco
SB Member Roldan M. Casidsid, Liga President
SB Member Niño Elpe D. De Sullan, SK Federation President
Absent:
Hon. John P. Yap, Municipal Vice Mayor (on leave)

x x x

Municipal Ordinance No. 254
Series of 2007

An ordinance REQUIRING PROJECT PROPONENTS, CONTRACTORS, HOTEL OR RESORT OR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT PROPRIETORS AND/OR OPERATORS WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL JURISDICTION OF MALAY TO GIVE PREFERENCE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL APPLICANTS FOR LABOR, MANPOWER, RESORT AND/OR BUSINESS PERSONNEL AND/OR STAFF IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ESTABLISHMENTS FIXING THE REQUIRED QUOTA FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF.

SECTION 1. – Rationale. Observable is the fact that employment of local labor and professionals are greatly affected by the influx of job seekers coming from different parts of the country to Malay. Compounding this slim chance of employment for the local is the fact that compensation in Malay, particularly Boracay, becomes less attractive and competitive by reason of this big volume of transient job seekers, hence this piece of legislation.
SECTION 2. – Employment Preference. Local Applicants. It shall be required of any project proponents, contractors, hotels, resorts and business establishment proprietors and/or operators, within the municipal jurisdiction of Malay, to give preference in the employment of local applicants for labor, manpower, resort and/or business personnel and/or staff in their respective establishment. For purposes of this ordinance, local applicants refer to persons of age who are residents of Malay or married to a resident of Malay or those who have resided in Malay at lest six (6) months before filing their respective application for employment. Length of residency must be duly certified by the Punong Barangays of the place where the applicants reside.
SECTION 3. – Prescribed Employment Quotas. Local Applicants. The employment quotas prescribed below shall be strictly observed by the following:
A) Project proponents and/or Contractors of Civil and Structural Works shall employ at least sixty percent (60%) of unskilled labor and/or manpower and at least forty percent (40%) of the skilled labor and/or manpower locally.
B) Hotel, resort and business establishment proprietors and/or operators shall employ at least forty percent (40%) of their respective personnel and/or staff from the local applicants.
SECTION 4. – Certification. Municipal Public Employment Service Office. Inventory Inspection. It shall be required of all project proponents, contractors, hotel or resort or business establishment proprietors and/or operators to secure a certification from the Municipal Public Employment Service Office of LGU-Malay certifying to the effect that provisions of this ordinance has been complied. This certification shall form part of the requisites that must be complied and submitted before a building permit or a mayor’s permit to operate business, as the case may be, shall be issued.
In the event that the number of local applicants is not adequate to meet the employment needs of the project proponents, contractors, hotels, resorts, and/or business establishments, certification to this effect shall likewise be secured from the Municipal Public Employment Service Office of LGU-Malay.
The Municipal Public Employment Service Office shall conduct on the spot inventory inspection, as the need arises, to determine compliance to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. – Penalties. Project proponents, contractors, hotels, resorts and/or business establishments hiring labor, manpower, personnel and staff in contravention of any provisions of this ordinance shall be burdened by the following penalties:
First Offense – Stern warning and a fine of TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P2,500.00).
Continued defiance of notices of compliance to the provision of this ordinance, cancellation of business permit and/or building permit, as the case may be, shall be issued after the third notice has been officially served.
SECTION 5. - Amendment. Any ordinance, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, provisions of which are in conflict with or contrary to the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, amended and modified accordingly.
SECTION 6. – Effectivity. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval and proper publication.
ENACTED. SEPTEMBER 21, 2007.
APPROVED. DECEMBER 19, 2007.
x x x
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the afore-quoted Municipal Ordinance.

(Sgd.) CONCORDIA S. ALCANTARA
Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan
ATTESTED:
(Sgd.) ESEL L. FLORES
SB Member
Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore

APPROVED:
(Sgd.) CECIRON S. CAWALING
Municipal Mayor
0O0

Republic of the Philippines
Province of Aklan
Municipality of Malay
Office of the Sangguniang Bayan
Excerpt from the minutes of the 25th regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan (2007-2010) held at the SB session hall on July 9, 2008.

Present:
SB Member Esel L. Flores, Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore
SB Member Gideon T. Siñel
SB Member Rowen T. Aguirre
SB Member Cristina C. Prado
SB Member Dante C. Pagsuguiron
SB Member Mateo A. Tayco
SB Member Roldan M. Casidsid, Liga President
SB Member Niño Elpe D. De Sullan, SK Federation President
Absent:
Hon. John P. Yap, Municipal Vice Mayor (on leave)
SB Member Wilbec M. Gelito
SB Member Charlie D. Villanueva
x x x

Municipal Ordinance No. 256
Series of 2008

An ordinance REGULATING THE ESTABLISHMENT & OPERATION OF ALL BOARDING HOUSES AND DORMITORIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MALAY, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SECTION 1. – Rationale. Observable is the fact that boarding houses and dormitories in the Municipality of Malay, particularly in the Island of Boracay, is a thriving business. Such business interest however poses health, safety and environmental concerns which must be addressed squarely through appropriate regulations hence this legislation.
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. As used in this Ordinance, the following words or phrases shall mean:
Boarding House/Bed Space/Dormitory – any place of abode or any part of a residential house where an occupant stays for a fee for food and/or lodging purposes regardless of the length of stay;
Boarder or bed spacer – refers to the occupant of any place or space for rent for food and/or lodging purposes regardless of the length of stay.
SECTION 3. – Regulatory Policies. All boarding houses, bed spaces and dormitories shall strictly observe the following regulatory policies:
a) Boarding houses, bed spaces and dormitories, of whatever nature, shall be considered business establishments hence shall be required to secure respective annual business and sanitary permits to operate. Certification from the Municipal Engineering Office and the Municipal Zoning Office on the structural aspect of the building, as required by the nature of business applied, and the zonal requirements compliance of the same, respectively, are requisites for the procurement of the above-stated permits/licenses.
b) Applicants for business permits/licenses to operate boarding houses, bed spaces and/or dormitories must indicate the number of occupants such can accommodate and in no case shall be permitted to accommodate dwellers or boarders beyond the number stipulated therein;
c) A fire exit shall be provided, location of such must be accessible from the various points of occupancy by way of unhampered passage way/s with a width of no less than one (1) meter of space;
d) A separate comfort rooms for male and female, at a ratio of one (1) toilet bowl for every five occupants, shall be maintained and availability of water in the maintenance of the same must be in place at all times;
e) Garbage receptacles shall be provided every room and disposal garbage shall be made regularly as not to pose sanitary problems to the occupants and the surroundings, in general;
f) The owners shall set rules for the occupants pursuant to the relevant provisions of R.A. 9003 and other local legislations on environmental health and sanitation.
SECTION 4. – Penalty. In case of violation of any of the provision of this Ordinance, the license and permit to operate shall, after due hearing, be revoked and the grantee of such permit or license to operate shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined of not less than One Thousand Pesos nor more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos or imprisonment of not less than seven days or more than ninety days, or both, at the discretion of the court.
SECTION 5. – Repealing Clause. All existing ordinances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. – Effectivity. This Ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
ENACTED. JUNE 11, 2008.
APPROVED. JULY 9, 2008.
x x x
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I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the afore-quoted Municipal Ordinance.

(Sgd.) CONCORDIA S. ALCANTARA
Secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan

ATTESTED:
(Sgd.) ESEL L. FLORES
SB Member
Presiding Officer Pro-Tempore

APPROVED:
(Sgd.) CECIRON S. CAWALING
Municipal Mayor
Published in Madyaas Pen: November 1, 8, & 15, 2008

Aklan Presents Best Products


Abaca, the strongest natural fiber of the world is produced in the rolling lands of Aklan is used for the manufacture of several wooven products.

The Aklan Product Showcase (APS), which brings and presents Aklan’s best products to the public and our target markets, will come to fore this November 10-16 at The Event Center, SM City, Iloilo. This activity is now on its 6th year. These products reflect the Aklanon producers’ ingenuity and craftsmanship using indigenous materials available in the province such as: piña, abaca and raffia fibers of best quality; nito and agzam vines, tayok-tayok, sea grass and lampakanay, among others.
The APS is one avenue for Aklanon producers to display and sell their best products. Aklan takes pride particularly of its wovens – cloths, fashion apparels/accessories; and processed foods.
This year’s showcase will highlight products of twenty-eight (28) micro, small and medium entrepreneurs from the following sectors: Loom-weaving – 6; gifts and Houseware – 10; Food Processing/Bakery Sector – 7; Furniture and Furnishing Sector – 2; Cutflower Sector – 3.
The Department of Trade and Industry – Aklan organizes this annual activity in coordination with the Hugod Aklanon producers Association, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Aklan. /MP

Badjaos Are In Kalibo

This picture above is taken on Friday at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon along Roxas Ave. cor A. Mabini Street, Poblacion, Kalibo. It shows Badjao family from Basilan province enjoying eating their lunch. Something must be done by providing habitable place for them. If this situation will continue it is an eye sore to the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo. Roxas Ave. - A. Mabini Street are the main routes of tourists going to Boracay.

Friday, November 07, 2008

EDITORIAL - October 26-November 1, 2008


*Keynote Speech of Dr. Isagani R. Cruz, delivered during the Boracay Media Summit held at Boracay Regency Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan on October 29, 2008.

The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture,

the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment

I have come as a representative of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts or NCCA, particularly its program called the Philippine Cultural Education Program or PCEP. PCEP has a very ambitious objective, namely, to make every Filipino culturally literate. PCEP was conceptualized in 2002. It’s only now gathering steam, but NCCA hopes that it will be fully operational by at least 2014. The Program has many components, one of which touches directly on media. This is what I would like to speak about to you today.

PCEP plans to fund an Award on Cultural Education Practice for media. The award will be integrated into the current NCCA award called Gawad Alab ng Haraya. The award for media will honor outstanding achievement in cultural journalism and documentation. What exactly does this mean? It means that the awardee (which can be an individual or an organization) has consistently treated as front page news or as the first headline in a radio or television show an aspect of Philippine culture. Since we are now in the blogsphere era, blogs with wide readership, which would then qualify them as mass media, would also be eligible for the award.

Here we have to face the key question in PCEP, as well as in this Media Summit. What is Philippine culture?

Ano ba talaga yang Pinoy culture, ha, kuya o ate? Iyan ba ang tinatawag na Pitong Sining o Seven Arts? Oo at hindi. Oo, kasama ang literatura, teatro, musika, pintura, iskultura, arkitektura, sayaw, pelikula, radyo drama, teleserye, fantaserye, at lahat na ng tinatawag nating Creative Art o Imaginative Art. Hindi, dahil mas malawak ang kultura kaysa ang mga ito lamang. Kasama sa kultura ang hindi naman ginagawa ng iisang alagad ng sining, indibidwal man o grupo, kundi ng isang komunidad, tulad ng paghahabi, pagluluto, mga wikang ginagamit sa bahay o sa palengke o sa paaralan, mga paniniwala, mga ugali, iyun bang tinatawag ng mga sosyologist o anthropologist na kultura. Kasama rin iyan.

Sa PCEP, hindi lang iyan ang kultura. Kasama sa depinisyon namin ng kultura ang mga natural na bagay na hindi naman tao ang gumawa, tulad ng buhangin dito sa Boracay, ang bulkang Mayon, ang Pinatubo, ang bundok ng Apo o ng Banahaw, ang iba’t ibang uri ng isda na makikita lamang dito sa bayan natin, ang mga halaman at hayop na Pinoy na Pinoy. Kasama iyan sa kultura. Sa Media Summit na ito, ang tawag ninyo dyan ay Promotion of Tourism o Protection of the Environment. Okey lang na tawagin ninyo ito ng iba’t ibang pangalan. Para sa PCEP at para sa NCCA, ang lahat ng iyan ay kultura.

Baka itanong ninyo, ano ang hindi kasama sa kulturang Filipino? Ang sagot naman dyan ay lahat at hindi lahat. Ang lahat na makikita lamang sa atin ay kulturang Filipino. Everything that is uniquely Filipino or that makes us unique as a people or as a nation is Philippine culture. Kapag may tinuturo tayo, ginagamit natin ang ating nguso. Kultura iyan. Kapag ayaw nating dumalo sa isang party o meeting, ang sagot natin ay “baka” o “susubukin ko” o “maybe,” pero bihira nating sabihin, “hindi” o “no.” Kultura iyan. Kapag may hinihingi tayo sa Panginoon natin, pinapahiran natin ng panyo ang paa ng isang batong istatwa. Kultura iyan.

Pero kung nagkukuwento tayo tungkol sa mga buhay ng artista, tungkol sa kanilang pagbubuntis o pag-iisnaban o pagiging bading, hindi Philippine culture iyan, dahil sa America, ganyan din sila. Kung nagkukuwento tayo tungkol sa mga nangungurakot ng katakut-takot na pera sa gobyerno o sa militar o kung saan man, hindi Philippine culture iyan, dahil sa ibang bansa, kasama na ang America, ganyan din sila. Hindi naman tayo ang nag-iisang bansa sa buong mundo na pinagsasamantalahan ng mga pulitiko o mayayaman o makapangyarihan. Kung nagkukuwento tayo tungkol sa mga krimen, mga nanggagahasa, mga mamamatay-tao, mga magnanakaw, hindi Philippine culture iyan. Human nature iyan.

Hindi rin Philippine culture iyung surfing, dahil marami niyan sa ibang bansa. Hindi rin Philippine culture iyung maraming restoran, dahil marami ring kainan sa ibang bansa. Hindi rin Philippine culture ang mga call center, ang mga ineexport nating mga nars, ang wikang Ingles, dahil mayroon ding ganyan ang ibang bansa.

Pero walang puputi pa sa buhangin ng Boracay, kaya Philippine culture iyan. Walang gaganda pa sa mga resort natin sa Palawan, kaya Philippine culture iyan. Mayroong mga rice terraces sa ibang bansa, pero hindi kasing laki o kasing tanda noong rice terraces natin, kaya Philippine culture iyan. Tayo lang ang nagpapadala ng balikbayan box sa ating mga kamag-anak, kaya Philippine culture iyan. Tayo lang ang bansang nabubuhay dahil nagpapadala ng pera dito ang mga kamag-anak natin sa ibang bansa, kaya Philippine culture iyan.

Sa madaling salita, ang kulturang Filipino ay ang kahit anong makikita lamang dito sa atin o ginagawa lamang nating mga Pinoy.

Sa media natin, aminin na natin, ang nasa front page o ang inuuna sa mga programa sa radyo at telebisyon ay ang mga bagay na makikita rin naman sa ibang bansa, tulad ng krimen, politika, digmaan, sex, at tsismis. Kapag may maglalakas-loob na gawing headline ang kagandahan ng Boracay o Palawan o ang tulang tinatawag na ambahan ay pang-award iyan ng NCCA o PCEP.

Hindi lang kasi award ang pinag-uusapan dito. Ang media ang naghuhubog o bumubuo sa kamalayan o consciousness ng ating mga kababayan. Kapag ang nababasa lamang o naririnig lamang ng ating mga kababayan ay ang mga kawalanghiyaan ng mga heneral o opisyal ng gobyerno o mayayamang negosyante ay natural na sasama ang kanilang loob. Hindi ko sinasabi na dapat huwag sumama ang ating loob, dahil talaga namang grabe ang magkaroon ng limpak-limpak na salapi habang sa buong bansa, at sa buong mundo, ay bumabagsak na ang mga bangko, negosyo, at kabuhayan. Pero hindi naman totoo, hindi makatotohanan, not accurately reflecting reality, ang gawing 100% ang nakakasama ng loob na mga pangyayari sa bansa natin o sa mundo. Maputi pa rin ang buhangin ng Boracay, kahit na gaano kalaki ang tong-pats sa mga kontrata sa Tsina. Masarap pa rin ang lutong Kapampangan, kahit na hindi type ng nakararaming Filipino ang isang Kapampangang hanggang ngayon ay nag-aambisyon pa ring manatili sa poder. Marami pa rin ang uri ng mga isda natin, kahit na mas mahal pa ang galunggong kaysa tilapia. Tama pa rin ang mga linya ni Balagtas na “Sa loob at labas ng bayang ko sawi, kaliluha’y siyang nangyayaring hari” kahit na (sa katunayan ay dahil nga) dumarami ang mga nagugutom at naghihirap sa ating bayan. Maganda pa rin ang tula, kahit na pangit ang katotohanang inilalarawan nito.

It is true that Reporters Without Borders reports that, though we are not as bad as North Korea, Turkmenistan, and Eritrea, the worst of all countries when it comes to press freedom, we are as bad as Congo and just a little bit better than Singapore. Our press is not free, despite Malacañang’s being in denial mode, but we are in a much better position than Singapore to make ourselves free. You see, Singapore has very little culture, as the Singaporeans themselves will admit. We have plenty of culture. Our culture has enabled us to survive and even to prevail during four centuries of Spanish colonial rule, during half a century of American rule, during another half century of some kind of rule, whether neocolonial or late capitalist or multinational or WTO or whatever we want to call it. No matter what history hurls at us, we have survived. Manny Pacquiao may be shorter than Oscar De La Hoya, but he is Filipino, win or lose. Maybe, that is what Philippine culture is all about, not about winning or losing, not about being short in stature or infrastructure or morals or integrity or system or money or whatever, but being proud of ourselves no matter what.

Media must not only present to the public the truth, and it does this very well today, but must represent the truth, that is, must think seriously about the whole truth, not just the person that bites the dog, but also the dog that bites the person. Bad news is news, that is true, but so is good news, even if many things that are good are not new. But if something is really good, it will remain new, it will always be renewed, it will always renew.

Media must not only constitute reality, meaning that it creates a kind of reality that people share, a kind of imagined community in Benedict Anderson’s sense that is molded by the imaginative arts of writing and speaking. Media must also reconstitute reality, by deliberately painting the entire canvas of Philippine reality, not just its shadows, not just the colors it shares with other countries, but the light that emanates from natural and human-made wonders.

Media must not only react to events as they unfold, political, criminal, showbiz, athletic, environmental, or whatever, but must act on its own proactively to make Filipinos proud of what we really are.

You can say anything you want about us, even the negative things, of which there are legion, but you cannot deny and we should remind the public not to deny that we are Filipinos, whether we live here or elsewhere, whether we are for or against something or anything, whether we know it or not. What makes us Filipino? That is what PCEP is all about. That is what NCCA is all about. That is what Philippine culture is all about. That is what I hope this Boracay Media Summit will be all about.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Ambrosio R. Villorente
Recognizing Women Agriculturists
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recognized 24 Outstanding Women in 2008 for their achievements in "Advancing the Cause of Agriculture". Of the 24, some nine (9) women are national awardees while 15 are regional awardees.
However, in Region VI, comprising the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Gui-maras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, DA did not recognize any woman outstanding agriculture. What a neglect on the part of the DA!
In the words of Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap, the award is a recognition to the outstanding achievements of women farmer in agriculture production. But DA officials and personnel in Region VI did not see any woman whose contribution to the field of agriculture is outstanding. DA Region VI forgot that two current chairpersons in the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council are women, the provincial agriculturist of Capiz and two DA asst. directors are women.
If the DA Region VI officials and staff members visited the farms, they must have seen and recognized outstanding contributions of women farmers and fisherfolks to advance agriculture and fishery productivity. DA Region VI recognized no outstanding woman agriculturist./MP

WELCOME TO BORACAY MEDIA SUMMIT


(Welcome Speech delivered by Ms Loubelle B. Cann, the President fo the Boracay Foundation, Inc. during the PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT held October 29-31, 2008 at Boracay Regency Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines.)


I am pleased to be with you at this Media Summit. I appreciate the immense benefits that this conference can bring to our island and in particular, to the further developments of Philippine Tourism.


I would like to thank our hosts and co-sponsors of this conference, the Publisher’s Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI), the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA), and Aklan Press Club, Inc (APCI), for organizing the event here. This is an important gathering, a milestone in the history of our cooperation. This will be a unique opportunity for all of us to see -up close- the considerable potential of Philippine tourism.


Boracay is blessed with its natural beauty, pristine water, and powdery white sand and voted as one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. As such, it is an ideal place to discuss the relationship among economy, culture and the arts, the environment and tourism and good governance. This aptly captured by the theme: "The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture, the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment"


The media has a crucial role in the tourism industry and in its economic progress. Tourism is highly dependent on media. This is a fact. Why? It is in media’s reporting that travel decisions are made by people – even if these people have never seen the destination first hand for themselves. The media allows these travelers to see the place ahead of time through the write-up and broadcast. Once media presents the place in a very developmental manner, definitely tourists will be captivated to visit such places.


The relationship between tourism and the media is vital and complex. The survival and growth of our country’s tourism industry depends largely on the reporting of various issues related to the industry by members of the media community. The media has a responsible role to play, then, in covering events which can impact heavily on the livelihood of travel destinations and their local population. When there is bad news or crisis the impact on tourism can be devastating.


Hence, it is imperative that once one provides information, he must be knowledgeable about the situation from which that information came. I learned that this is what we call RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM.


Responsible journalism is what the Boracay business community hopes for. Yes, Boracay and the people hope that this kind of responsible journalism will be consistently sustained in the media industry. We can help one another in producing honest and balanced information on events and situations that could influence the development of tourism.


Allow me also to emphasize that the tourism industry does not belong to a specific place nor to a specific race. It belongs to the wider society… it is etched to become the industry that would evolve inevitably as the main force for economic growth not only in the future but NOW AND TODAY. With this I say that we all have a responsibility to understand the dynamics of the industry. Ladies and Gentlemen, is this not supposed to be one of the main challenges in this conference?


Tourism covers a whole spectrum of activities and involves a wide variety of stakeholders and policy-makers at various levels. Cooperation and synergy among people concerned is an absolute necessity, especially when the issue is how best to address the economic, social and environmental challenges of said industry.


And I say without fear of contradiction that Boracay, particularly, is a key player here because it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Philippines. Boracay is the destination. An understatement is: Boracay only contributes 12 billion pesos annually to the national economy. To enable the island to continue to exist and to develop, we need to ensure its environmental sustainability, particularly in response to the effects of global warming and climate change. This is achieved by raising awareness and promoting better understanding on the issue of sustainable environment.


Tourism in the island has a long history and has become a growth industry. This is primarily due to the island’s natural beauty, pristine water, powdery white sand and a desirable climate. How these potentials will be used depends mainly on how our government would address the need for institutional change and the appropriate role of the private sector in the process. The partnership between government and the private sector is very important. But I think a third party should come in to make it more important. And this third party is THE MEDIA. Dear Mediamen, WELCOME TO THE NEW PARTNERSHIP.


On behalf of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. and the Boracay business community, I WELCOME YOU ALL TO OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, BORACAY.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

MY FOND MEMORIES OF PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT




The author with

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza






Where to stay in Boracay? May I recommend to you RED COCONUT Beach Hotel at the center of the main white beach shoreline. We were billeted at Red Coconut Beach Hotel Gardenview, which provides a peaceful retreat area after a long day of work during our PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT. The summit with the theme: “The Expanding Frontiers of Media in the Preservation of Culture, the Promotion of Tourism, and the Protection of the Environment” was held last October 29-31, 2008 held at Regency Hotel and Casa Pilar Beach Resort, respectively.


We started to tie loose ends from October 26, 2008 and finally left the island last November 1, 2008. Well, at least for me, I had another two days extension for the reason that, we found Red Coconut an extension of our most awaited vacation because of the generosity of the owner, Mrs. Connie Nadal Helgens. (By the way, in the middle of the interview, we found out that we are relatives - from the family clan of NADAL, isn't it great!)


During our interview with Mrs. Helgens, who is married to Luc Helgens from France, when they got back from Thailand, they found this peace of land in the island that they wanted to be their vacation house. Little did they knew that this little place nestled among beautiful swaying palms and surrounded with luxuriant native foliage became the most sought and wonderful retreat place to stay in Boracay. The simple abode started to be in demand with both local and foreign guests alike and is always occupied, which was then would cost you the room about P15.00 to P20.00 for an overnight stay.


In the interview, Mrs. Helgens reminisced that it was during Martial Law that she became depressed of the situation in the island. The business went down because then late Pres. Marcos tbanned a brochure written by a popular writer who said something not good about the Philippines. One day, she has a very important guest in the resort she found out to be a famous international writer. A German named Jens Peter who wrote a book about the Philippines specifically promoting remote areas in the country. She befriended him, treated him well and served him with his favorite Paella and encouraged him to write about the island. They would seat and work together, collate pictures and stories and published in his book and helped it circulate around Europe. It was then that foreigners started to come again in the island and her business once again begun to perk up. Mrs. Helgens was one of those locals who has her heart in the island settled and wanted to help the people get on their business.


The two bedroom vacation house started to become a resort in 1983 with now18 garden view aircon, deluxe and family rooms equipped with cable TV, mini-bar, telephone, hot and cold shower and a beautiful view of the garden. It was in 1986 when they decided to rent the lot at front view and finally bought the place in 1990 and became the RED COCONUT BEACH HOTEL Front View complete with first class amenities, with superior,executive and suite rooms with a spectacular view of the beach, the sunset, and a refreshing swimming pool, too. The Red Coconut Beach Hotel frontview has 29 rooms, equipped with cable TV, mini-bar, hot & cold shower, and most of the rooms boast a private verandah or balcony.


Red Coconut Beach Hotel offers beach front swimming pool, restaurant, diving center, bar, pick-up/drop off transportation, room and wake up service. Oh! Please, don’t forget to try and savor their Sizzling Hot Plate seafoods delight, too. Their F & B Manager Albert and Residence Manager Mark Schnitzius will be very delighted to serve you with a welcome smile and a gracious unique hospitality to each and every guest.


Mrs. Helgens reiterated that the island is a peaceful place to have your grand vacation and fond memories, too. The locals are warm and friendly. I asked here why she and Mr. Luc Helgens chose Boracay Island as their home. She simply smiled and said, “this is where our hearts is.”


The PAPI Media Summit was an experience. It added more wonderful memories when you come and meet people like the couple Mr.and Mrs. Luc and Connie Helgens. They offered their resort as a home to our Secretariat Committee and together with the collective effort and partnership of the Boracay Foundation, Inc. led by Pres. Loubelle Cann and her able hard working Executive Director, Ms. Virgie Sarabia, the PAPI Media Summit was indeed a success. The summit is also in conduit partner with the Aklan Press Club, Inc. led by Pres. Ambrosio R. Villorente and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCAA).


Note: The full news on PAPI MEDIA SUMMIT on the next news issue of the MP from the Publisher himself. Thank you.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Boracay Media Summit


The 3-day Boracay Media Summit held on Oct. 29-31, 2008 success-fully ended with Press Sec. Jesus G. Dureza as guest of honor and speaker held on Thursday evening, Oct. 30. Dureza in his speech extolled the roles of the members of the 4th estate in the development and progress of the Philippines.
Dureza, before he joined the cabinet was also editor of provincial news-paper in Davao City. He was also a congressman.

DA, BFAR Carry Out Fish Conservation Measures


The Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing an array of conservation measures to ease the combined effects of climate change, overfishing and illegal fishing that have reduced fish catch and led to lower income of fisherfolks along with higher prices in the market.
"The DA carries out through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the distribution of panukat isda or "fish ruler" to educate and encourage consumers to buy only mature fish; and the launching of the Puno Ko, Sagip Buhay Mo or the nationwide mangrove and watershed reforestation program," said DA Secretary Arthur Yap.
According to Yap, "the BFAR is also implementing the Pangisdaan sa Bakuran or techno-demo livelihood program to encourage urban dwellers to raise fish in their backyard, the recently concluded FishTa sa QMC, which featured free seminars on raising catfish and pangasius, and consultations on DA-BFAR technical and marketing services."
"These initiatives are aimed at increasing the general public’s awareness and appreciation of efforts to sustain the development and conservation of the country’s fisheries sub-sector which provides employment and livelihood to over one million fishermen and their families, produces more than P180 billion worth of aquaculture and marine products, and about $390 million worth of fishery exports annually," Yap added.
With the distribution of panukat isda or fish ruler, the DA Secretary hopes to better educate the public on the ill effects of catching and consuming baby fishes that hasten the depletion of the country’s fish resources.
The water-resistant "fish ruler" shows the photos of five common fishes sold in the market with their corresponding "length at first maturity." Any fish whose length falls short of the prescribed length is considered a baby and must not be caught. If already caught, it must be returned back to the sea.
He said the Puno Ko, Sagip Buhay Mo, is a tree-planting program that the BFAR is undertaking with Pampano, a nationwide fisherfolk organization and some local government units, that aims to plant at least six million mangrove propagules and acacia seedlings to rehabilitate key coastal and watershed areas across the country.
Mangrove areas, aside from providing fish, shrimps, crabs, lobsters and shellfishes are man’s first line of defense against tsunamis, the occurrence of which has recently increased in frequency owing to climate change.
The Pangisdaan sa Bakuran is a joint project of BFAR, the Quezon City government, Vitarich Corp., Angel Cooperative Inc., and A & L Fish Hatcheries Inc. It aims to help families in various coastal municipalities in the country raise some species of fish in their own backyard for their own consumption, Yap said.
This program encourages the use of low-cost containers like plastic drums to grow food fish that do not require aeration and other expensive accessories.
The FishTa sa QMC info and trade expo was a week-long activity sponsored by the BFAR as part of this year’s celebration of the annual Fish Conservation Week last Oct. 19-25.
BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. stressed "that a strong partnership among the various stakeholders of the fisheries sector is the most vital aspect of the total government effort to manage our marine resources well for the benefit of our people."
"Aside from cooperative activities with the private business sector, fisherfolk organizations at the grassroots and the civil society, there must be similar linkages with LGUs that are actually in the forefront of protecting and developing our resources," said Sarmiento.
He pointed to the "continuing need to maintain a delicate balance between the requirement for increased production to contribute to food security against the need to conserve and protect the resources for long-term sustainability. In this regard, we still have much to do "
He explained that "the country’s coastal waters are so immense for a small government agency like the BFAR. Our country is an archipelago of some 7,100 islands, the Philippines has an extensive coastline of 17,460 kilometers long and about 26.6 million hectares of coastal waters and 193.4 million hectares of oceanic waters".
The BFAR chief said the Philippines exercises authority over 2.2 million square kilometers or 220 million hectares of territorial ocean waters, including its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). For inland resources, the country has a total of 338,000 hectares swamplands, about 253,000 hectares fresh and brackishwater fishponds, and 250,000 hectares other inland resources such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs," he added. (DA-PRESS OFFICE) /MP

DA Cites 9 Outstanding Rural Women

Women farmer sun drying palay along the national highway, Lal-lo, Cagayan. Like dancing to the tune of music, she spreads her newly harvested palay with her feet using the heat of the sun as the dryer in almost endless stretch of this commodity along the road. (PINOY GONZALES)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has given formal recognition to nine (9) outstanding rural women this year for their achievements in "advancing the cause of the agriculture sector" that have made a significant impact on the lives of people in their respective communities.
In recent ceremonies marking World Rural Women’s Day, the DA handed out plaques of commendation and cash prizes ranging from P75,000 to P5,000 each to these nine winners of the "Search for Outstanding Rural Women of 2008."
First prize winners were Victoria Motril, a widow who is a farmer and manager of the V Motril Food Products in Tupi, South Cotabato, and Olive Gamboa, who is the vice president of First Fruits Agro-Industrial Corp. in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
The second prize winner was Bernadette de los Santos, a vegetable grower who is the president of the Federation of Organized Vegetable Growers in Camarines Sur in Baao, Camarines Sur.
Each of the first prize winners received a plaque and a cash award of P75,000 while the second prize winner received a plaque and a cash award of P50,000.
The 3rd to 6th places, respectively, were Milagros Villarta, of Ramon, Isabela; Luisa Balagot of Makilala, North Cotabato; Eleanor Laquihon of Bansalan, Davao del Sur; and Julie Arboleda, of Camalig, Albay.
Each of them was given a certificate of commendation and a cash award of P10,000.
Two others received a special citation and a cash award of P5,000 each. They were the respective 7th and 8th placers Maura Ilagan of Calauan, Laguna; and Clemencia Padre of Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
"This is to give due recognition to their outstanding achievements in advancing the cause of the agriculture sector, for their exemplary character and qualities that are worthy of emulation, and for making significant impact in their respective rural communities," according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
The award ceremony was held at the convention hall of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), Quezon City.
Present during the ceremonies were Secretary Arthur C. Yap, Dr. Carmencita Africa, Vice Chair of the Gender and Development Focal System (GAD-FS).
Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat, chairperson of GAD-FS, said that 15 other contenders who have similarly excelled in their respective areas of specialization were also given certificates of appreciation during regional awarding ceremonies held in their respective regions prior to the Oct. 20 awarding ceremonies at the BWSM.
These 15 awardees are Evelyn Grace of Candelaria, Zambales; Jocelyn Velonza of Mabini, Pangasinan; Carmen Rivera of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Sarah Dabucon of Banga, Ilocos Norte; Bernadette Willie of Buguias, Benguet; Elvira Egay of Gigaguit, Surigao del Norte; Remedios Cruz of Malolos, Bulacan; Elisa Orjalisa of Lupon, Davao Oriental; Perla Malalang of Maramag, Bukidnon; Lydia Lomibao of Canaman, Camarines Sur; Wenita Espartero of Dulali, Davao del Norte; Carmelita Reyes of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque; Amelia Gresones of Aborlan, Palawan; Henrietta Hipolito of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan; and Wilma Moncado of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Puyat said the DA, through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal System, has been undertaking the search for outstanding women who have made outstanding accomplishment in the field of agriculture and fisheries. "This is in recognition of the valuable and vital contributions of rural women in the development of the economy and in improving the quality of life in the rural areas," she said.
She said the DA started handing out awards to rural women in 2000 with the "Katangi-tanging Kababaihan sa Kanayunan." This was followed, she said, by the "Search for Outstanding Woman Integrated Farmer," which was awarded in Bangkok, Thailand in 2003.
The "Search for Outstanding Rural Women" began in 2004 and was followed by a similar contest in 2006.
"As this activity has inspired a lot of women to continue pursuing excellence in their work, this year’s Search was opened not only to women who are directly engaged in farming and fishing, but also to women who serve as partners in developing the agriculture sector such as those in cooperatives, non-government organizations and others," Puyat said.
She pointed out that the DA’s Regional Field Units (RFU)s, through their GAD coordinators, reviewed all nominations that had been received by the Regional Executive Directors (RED), conducted table validations and field verification of the entries and came up with the validated scores and ranking of the nominees. The results served as basis for the nominated entries, she added.
After the submission of entries from the regions, Puyat said that a National Technical Committee (NTC) conducted a table evaluation of the nominees and came up with rankings.
Based on the results of table evaluation, a team composed of the NTC and a National Executive Committee (NEC) conducted ocular inspection of the nominees, she said. The team then came up with validated scores based on field visits as well as interviews of the nominees and other key informants. (DA-PRESS OFFICE) /MP