VP Binay Slams LP Hypocrisy, Intrigues Closes Door On GMA Alliance

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay this week slammed the “hypocrisy” of some officials of the Liberal Party (LP) for their “desperate attempt” to link him to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“Look who’re talking. Those who are saying those things now were rabid supporters of GMA before. Hindi ba dati lagi kayong ‘Yes mam, Yes GMA’?” The Vice President said.

Binay clarified that they have no plans of forming an alliance with Mrs. Arroyo or her party.

“UNA is about ending politics as usual, that after the election, jumping over the fence into the administration party,” he said.

“Elections are about choices. No party can claim monopoly of good intentions and good people willing to serve. This is the essence of democracy,” he added.

Binay said some of those sowing intrigues were once rabid supporters of Mrs. Arroyo.

Binay headed the United Opposition (UNO) during the Aquino administration while the LP was part of the adminis-tration coalition that voted against the first impeach-ment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo over the “Hello Garci” wiretapping scandal, which disclosed massive cheating during the 2004 presidential elections.

“Where were they when FPJ was being cheated? Where were they when we in the opposition were being harassed by the Arroyo administration?” he asked.

 The Vice President was persecuted during the Arroyo administration, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman attempting to suspend him in October 2006 and May 2007. Binay had defied both orders.

 He also chided the said LP officials for sowing intrigue between him and President Benigno Aquino III.

The Vice President is the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the concurrent Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns. He also chairs the government’s anti-illegal recruitment and anti-human trafficking task forces.

Binay said he owes a debt of gratitude to President Cory Aquino for naming him mayor of Makati after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

He also recalled having dinner with the President in Malacanang Tuesday night, April 10 and attending a meeting until 11 pm, and he never felt any unease between him and the President.

 Binay said the sudden “inquisition” from the LP was apparently prompted by the creation of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), which will field a senatorial ticket in the 2013 elections. He said that those who were forcing the issue were “insecure” of the names being included in the UNA line up.

Moreover, the Vice President reiterated that the text blast messages that were sent out on Good Friday and Black Saturday were not from him or his camp. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Annual Fiesta Celebration Is Embedded Culture

“Fiesta celebration highly affects the financial stability of the people because they spent unnecessary expenses” during the celebration.

This is one of the findings of five AB Mass Communication students of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges in a study they conducted specifically in Brgy. Joyao-Joyao, Numancia, Aklan in February 2012. Among their findings are as follows:

1. As to the economic level, 60 percent of the families receive annual income ranging P90,100 to P110,00. However, the monthly family expenses range from P5,100 to P10,000. These expenses are quite bigger than their income. These expenses are for food, electricity, education, transportation and medicine.

In the recent fiesta celebration in Joyao-Joyao, each average family expenses ranged from P6,100 to P9,000 per family mainly spent for food and drinks.

2. As to their reasons why do they celebrate fiesta, they do it to comply with their religious obligations, to promote closer family ties, to renew friendship, and to gain more friends.

3. However, they also realized some disadvantages. They incurred unnecessary expenses in celebrating fiesta, there were uncontrolled liquor drinking which led to misunderstanding among visitors.

The research study in Joyao-Joyao was con-ducted by Niño Miko L. Delfin – leader and Ma-an B. Lachica, Meljoy R. De Juan, Rachel C. Dela Torre, and Grechelle M. Morales – members.

Poblacion, New Washington

A similar study was also conducted in Poblacion, New Washing-ton in March 2012. The study team consisted of Gloria T. Villas – leader, Carla N. Suñer, Jay-Ar M. Arante, Jess T. Salonzo, and Reziah Aprilyn R. Del Romiro.

The study team grouped the families in Poblacion, New Washing-ton into three groups according to the family income levels which are: P20,100 – P30,000; b. P15,100 – P20,000; and c. below P15,000.

The study team found that houses in Poblacion, New Washington are well furnished with home appliances like radio, television, electric fan, rice cooker, tricycle, bicycle, refrigerator, computer, cars and vans. Their houses are connected with electricity and water supplies.

Their monthly family expenses on an average ranges from P5,000 to P20,000.

During the recent fiesta held in March 2012, their average number of guests per family reached 20, the highest. However, even if they have limited number of guests they still spent from P5,000 to P10,000 during fiesta.

The people of Pob., New Washington believe, celebrating fiesta promotes leisure, gains new friends and promotes local industries.

They likewise believed fiesta enhances uncontrolled drinking which leads to misunderstanding, incurs unnecessary expenses and interferes with regular work schedule.

Since the celebration of fiestas are done in several levels from the barangays, municipal, and provincial fiesta celebration is already strongly embedded in the culture and tradition of the Filipinos. The study humbly offers the following recommendations:

1. Each family may save a part of the monthly income budgeted for fiesta celebration. 2. The celebration maybe done in a most austere way with particular emphasis to save on liquor; and 3. Spend money for fiesta celebration according to the affordability of the family without contracting loans to be spent for the fiesta celebration. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Sinbad – Hari It Mga Pirata

Guinakilaea nga Hari it mga pirata si Sinbad. Kumpleto si Sinbad sa armas ag mga igdaeapat, eakip eon ro mga pagkaon.

Sa oras ngato, idto sanda sa dagat Samtang naga paeayag sanda sa Carribean, hasubeang nanda ro sambilog pa nga puno it pirata nga si Grako. Sa mga nakakita, mabahoe nga tawo si Grako ag kaping mapintas.

Pag eapit ko andang barko, guin manduan ni Grako paagi sa sinyas nga magsaludo kana si Sinbad. Ogaling owa magsunod si Sinbad. Nag away ro daywa. Nag kasugot nga kon sin-o ro mapirde kanda, mangin ulipon nana ag itao pa ro andang mga manggad sa andang pag away.

Napirde si Grako busa nangin ulipon si Grako eakip ro anang mga kabig. Nagpadueong sanda sa isaeang ka Isla nga naga eotaw kon amat ag naga kaduea man kon amat. Pag abot nanda maeapit sa Isla, guin haboy ro espada ni Sinbad ag tumunga ro Isla. Nagpanaog ro tanan. Nagpaayaw-ayaw sanda it pagkaon ag mansig hakot ro tanan.

Owa sanda nakasayod nga tasado ro pagtunga ko Isla. Nakabalik sanday Sinbad sa bapor ogaling haaywanan sanday Grako nga nagpinaayaw – ayaw pa sa pagkaon. Haabutan sanda it taob ag naduea dayon ro Isla.

Samtang sanday Sinbad hay naka paeayo eot-a. Pag abot sa isaeang ka banwa, naga hueat ag naga hugyaw ro mga tawo. Sayod sanda nga maga panupod eon man si Sinbad sa mga pobre ag maka eo-euoy it sari saring pagkaon ag kwarta. /MP

Youth Speaks…

To Dream or Not to Dream?

by Arielle Claudith S. Lunn

There are people who dream small due to fear. There are also people who dream big without fear. When a person thinks about it, fear and faith are similar. They are both beliefs and expectations but faith is better than fear.

When a person believes bad things will happen to him, then bad things will happen. Negativity attracts negativity. On the other hand a positive energy attracts more positive energy. The people who dream small, fears to dream big because they’re afraid to fail. They allow fear to dictate their limitations. The truth is happiness overcomes fear.

Dream big, dream vividly, and dream in Technicolor. One has to see himself in the future he dreams of. If he wants to be successful, imagines himself successful! The view from ones office window, the secretary one can rely upon and imagine the smell of the meal that his high salary can pay for. He wants to go to another country, imagines he is in a first class flight to Europe. He has his DSLR in his bag and his MAC book on his lap while he tweets that he just left New York after receiving a prestigious award. When one imagines he achieved his dreams, he’ll have an easier time working to get there. If one imagines it, he can achieve it. If one can dream it, he can become it.

Have faith in ourselves. Every morning face a mirror and tell ourselves, we love you! A UP Visayas student did this for a year. She now walks like she’s the best person in the world.

Believe we can plan our path to success, work hard and study hard. Let us work with what we have because we don’t need to be rich and handsome to succeed in life. When we fall, let us remember success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

People fear many things but people must focus on faith, spend time counting problems that they don’t see opportunities for joy and growth. Problems will come to end, blessings will not. There are always people who support and love other people. All our dreams can come true, just gather up enough courage to pursue them. /MP

Ms. Ana Andrada Most Outstanding School Paper Adviser

Picture from (l to r) DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, Ms. Ana Andrada, and Mr. Michael Rapiz. Andrada, School Head of Makato Integrated School was awarded as Most Outstanding School Paper Adviser, “The Viewfinder”. The awarding ceremony was held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan recently. (Megs Lunn photo)

EDITORIAL

PNoy Needs Standby Power To Deal

With Power Crisis

Sen. Chiz Escudero believes President Benigno Aquino III needs more than emergency powers to address the worsening power crisis in Mindanao. There is now four to eight hours of rotational brownout all over Mindanao.

The members of the House of Representatives are also considering the holding of a special session to grant the country’s chief executive emergency powers to immediately address the inadequate power supply that is crippling the southern Philippines.

“I am willing to give the President more than emergency powers given the gravity of the present situation. PNoy should be granted standby power in case of extraordinary situation that he can exercise at his own sound discretion without having to run to Congress every now and then and wait for its imprimatur,” Escudero stressed.

The senator, however, said that the standby power extended to the President must be defined within the framework of extreme circumstances and limitations. It should ensure not to replicate the same mistakes of the past where instead of finding solutions, people were made to suffer more, Escudero cautioned.

In 1992, the country was plunged into a severe power crisis which led then President Fidel Ramos to seek emergency powers from Congress to deal with the problem. Some 40 independent power producers signed contracts with the take or pay provisions with the government, which only spawned an oversupply of power plants and forced consumers to pay energy costs that they did not consume.

The standby power, Escudero explained, should only be temporary means to provide immediate remedies in cases of national emergencies.

“This power crisis in Mindanao is one of those extraordinary circumstances that calls for extraordinary power,” Escudero pointed out. “Its impact and its consequences are already felt by every single resident. If long-term solution is not yet readily available in the nearest time frame, then let an immediate remedy be readily provided,” added Escudero.

President Aquino believes the power problem in Mindanao is a long neglected one and solving it may take more than two years. PNoy refers to the rehabilitation of the Agus hydropower plant where bulk of Mindanao’s energy supply comes from.

The government is sending two crude-powered barges to Mindanao to temporarily ease the shortage, but this is costly and will make consumers pay more.

“The standby power of the President can very well address the valid issue on pricing. He can impose a price cap in case of market failure. Fears of monopoly and skyrocketing power prices grip our Mindanao residents aside from the already tenuous power supply issue, but the President can prevent this from happening with the said standby powers and calm the edgy residents,” Escudero explained.

Last week, Escudero filed Senate Resolution No. 753 which asks the Senate committee on energy to look into the real power situation in Mindanao and to determine the issues to be resolved and institute appropriate policy reform even if it would mean amending the EPIRA Law.

BUCKS QUIT CALLS FOR ALMENDRAS

Senator Chiz Escudero brushed aside calls for Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Rene Almendras to resign amid the worsening power woes gripping the southern part of the country.

Escudero, a member of the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), believes there is no basis to call for the DoE chief’s resignation even after some quarters were pushing to extend emergency powers to President Aquino to immediately address the energy shortage in Mindanao.

Mindanao has been experiencing daily rotational power interruptions due to power supply deficit of around 200 megawatts. The available power capacity in Mindanao is only about 1100 or 1200 megawatts but the demand, especially for the month of March, is 1300 megawatts, Escudero said.

“The deficit for March is about 178 megawatts, but come April it will become 345 megawatts, which is already very difficult to catch up given the current supply side. One of the main causes of this problem is a complicated and technical issue which is very expensive if addressed and executed. But it will be a long-term solution to end these woes” Escudero said. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Be Wary of Philippine Paper Bills

For the alleged violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code specifically for the possession of counterfeit of several pieces of P1,000 paper bills, eight persons were arrested by the members of the Boracay Tourists Police Protection group on March 19, 2012.

They were caught in the act of releasing fake paper money bills according to my trusted informant.

However, one was immediately released on that day for good reasons.

The six (6) were remitted to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and one (1) was remitted to the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC) both situated in Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan. They are awaiting for their case to be raffled and the Regional Trial Court Judge in Kalibo, Aklan who will preside on the trial of the case. They are still awaiting the schedule of their arraignment.

One suspect, Enrique Lastimoso is remitted to the ARC to avoid exchange of information on the case between him on one hand, and the six (6) on the other to prevent jeopardizing the truth of the case. According to JG2 George P. Romero of ARC, Enrique Lastimoso is from Lambunao, Iloilo.

Of the six (6) remitted to BJMP, only five (5) still remain in jail as one was able to pay his bail bond of P97,000 for two (2) counts. The bail bond of Joseph Bayhon Villaluna was paid by his daughter and brother in-law who came to Kalibo from Iloilo according to JO2 Bernardo Carillo of BJMP.

The five (5) are still inside the cells of the BJMP as they are not able to post their respective bail bonds.

All from Iloilo, they are: 1. Julian B. Rebalis, Sr., 2. Julian Rebolis, Jr. the son of Julian, Sr., 3. Gerry Billones Palirer, 4. Jose Marie Bayhon Laurel, and 5. Eddie Galecia Lubrea.

According to my informant, these above stated group of suspects had been operating their alleged illegal trade in Aklan for quite some time until they were apprehended on March 19.

The cellphone of one suspect, Enrique Lastimoso gave the Boracay police ample information that led to the apprehension of the eight.

The said cellphone is now in the custody of the police for safe keeping and evidence. /MP

Wales GSE Team Visits Aklan

The Rotary Foundation’s GSE team was in Aklan from March 28 to April 3 after visiting Negros Occidental and Antique. In Aklan, they stayed in Boracay for 5 days and 4 nights hosted by the Rotary Club of Boracay. They spent 2 nights and 2 days in Kalibo with the Rotary Club of Kalibo as host.

The team is composed of Gareth Cheesman - team leader. Gareth is a Rotarian for 12 years, was president of the Rotary Club of Llantwit in 2005 - 2006. He is the current District Chairman of Rotary Foundation.

A Paul Harris Fellow. He is a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force with the rank Lt. Col. He is now chief of administration of International High Schools.

Gemma Bright is a native of Southwest of England but she now leaves in Wales. She studied Sports Development in University in Cardiff. She used to work in events for National Assembly for Wales. Now she works in Welsh Government in the Cabinet Division. She is a sports enthusiast who loves running.

Sarah Page studied Fil, Media and Culture at the University of Glamorgan which she completed in 2005. She built a career in media and culture sector. While working for the Thomson Foundation, she met journalism students from across the world.

Sarah is now working for the Women Making a Difference program to promote women empower-ment. She is a volunteer mentor to young business entrepreneurs for the Princes Trust. She also likes to run.

Helen Joseph was brought up in Swansea Valley and was educated through the medium of Welsh. At age 18, she moved to Cardiff to study Business.

She spent a few years of her professional life in the field of Human Resource. She is now engaged in photography being a freelance photographer. She focuses on wedding, event and portrait photography. She also loves walking.

GSE program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional people between the ages of 25 to 40.

In Kalibo, the GSE team from Wales, England, visited some RC Kalibo sponsored projects. They visited ANHSAT for the literacy and education project, the feeding program for children in barangay Andagao, the La Herminia Piña House and the Dela Cruz House of Piña to observe the fiber craft industry in Aklan and the Bakhawan Eco Park, Buswang New, regarding environmental protection and development.

They were also briefed by Engr. Roger Esto, Provincial Development Planning Officer of the Provincial Development Projects and Ms. Carina Q. Ruiz on Provincial Tourism. They attended the Rotary Club of Kalibo weekly meeting on Monday evening, April 2.

Their respective host families were PP Vady Marin and family for Gareth Cheesman, PP Raphy Tayco and family for Helen Joseph, PP Vic Santamaria and family for Gemma Bright, and PP Botoy Villorente and family for Sarah Page

The GSE Team from Wales is now in Roxas City afterwhich they will go to Guimaras and finally in Iloilo City Rotary Clubs and to attend the District 3850 Convention on April 12 to 14, 2012. /MP

KALAHI CIDSS Assures Five Aklan Municipalities Assistance

by: Megs S. Lunn

Tangalan mayor Gene Fuentes, giving his reflection speech while Dir. Brigoli and Gov. Marquez listen.

Last March 21, 2012, the DSWD Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Province of Aklan and the five municipalities of Tangalan, Ibajay, Makato, New Washington, and Batan. The signing was held at the Gov. Roberto Q. Garcia Sr. Memorial Building, Capitol Site, Kalibo, Aklan.

The five municipal mayors present were Mayor Jun Legaspi – Makato, Mayor Lulu Miraflores – Ibajay, Mayor Delfina Ramos – Batan, and Mayor Gene Fuentes – Tangalan. New Washing-ton municipal administrator Ma. Reina Olangakaya represented the New Washington Mayor.

Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, in his welcome message, believes the programs of DSWD KALAHI – CIDSS is helping the government brings the community closer to the people by giving grants to the poor, not a dole out, but to give importance to the monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Mr. Leo L. Quintilla presented the one year of Kalahi CIDSS operation of KC Project in Aklan. Last year, the KC launched two guaranteed grants to the two municipalities of Libacao and Madalag. After six (6) months of implementation (with 24 priority sub projects), the two municipalities are now conducting their procurement to finally start the projects (roads, water system, bridges) to be done in the next six (6) months.

This project gives importance to the role of poor communities in local development and war against poverty. It emphasizes the role of the local government unit both provincial and the municipal levels to address poverty. “Effective local governance is a key to the development and progress of the area,” Quintilla pointed out.

KC is supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) amounting to $434 Philippine Compact. The project with the new five (5) guaranteed municipalities will cover 104 barangays with a total of P46,800,000 m. With this empowerment success, better roads, foot and hanging bridges will be put up to increase accessibility. School building, day care centers, health stations, water facilities and pre-and post service facilities will be provided.

Dr. Minda Brigoli, Regional VI DSWD Director led the MOA Signing. In her special message, she expressed happiness to share how KALAHI CIDSS strengthen the fight against poverty. She acknowledged the partnership of the Aklan Tri-media with Kalahi CIDSS and the successful partnership with the LGU’s where they showed enthusiasm to make the project faster and possible. “With KALAHI CIDSS, each one is important as we cooperate, communicate and collaborate,” she said.

Tangalan mayor Gene Fuentes in his reflection speech was very pleased for his municipality is finally included with KALAHI CIDSS program. He is now very excited to implement the project. He advised his fellow mayors to follow the process as it gives importance to bring the people closer to the government, to empower the people who are beneficiaries of the project. He challenged his fellow mayors to help uplift the life of the people in the Barangays through KALAHI CIDSS.

Tangalan is the 1st to comply with the conditionality of KC, Fuentes bragged, “KC is the best mechanism for internal control as the entire community is involved in making sure that the project is done according to plan, purpose and budget.”

After the MOA signing, pledge of commitment signing followed.

“With KC, the community will take control of the fund, the DSWD as the lead agency. The control of the resources is with the community, to empower them and not just give them to capacitate to decide, to analyze the situation and identify the solutions. The process of having control of the fund through the community and in enhancing the capacity of the local government – together, we will be able to address poverty,” Brigoli stressed.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a community driven development project where communities and their LGU’s are trained to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their most pressing needs.

KALAHI-CIDSS aims to improve the responsiveness of local government to community needs, encourage com-munities to engage in development activities, and deliver benefits to barangay residents through the individual sub-projects expected to benefit over five million beneficiaries over the next 20 years. /MP

Ombudsman Advises Public Servants: Use No Govt. Vehicles This Holy Week

Records show that the government is losing at least P9-million weekly on government vehicles being used for unofficial purposes nationwide.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio S. Apostol is reminding all government officials and employees not to use their service (government) vehicles in their out of town family vacations for the Holy Week and on April 9, 2012 which is also declared a public holiday.

Those found to have utilized the vehicles for personal purposes and/or have no duly issued trip tickets to record the trips may be considered liable under the following laws: R.A. 3019, R.A. 6713, Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines, Commission on Audit (COA) Circulars, sections of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual, and other executive issuances.

To intensify the campaign against improper uses of government vehicles, the Ombudsman-Visayas created an Inter-Agency Task Force on O-Plan Red Plate with partner agencies, the Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Several government officials using government vehicles for unofficial purposes have already been penalized. Other cases are still pending fact-finding investigation and administrative adjudication.

The convergence of efforts of the Inter-Agency Task Force have resulted to positive responses from the concerned agencies that now use Trip Tickets for their travels. Their vehicles also bear office name or logo and “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” signs.

The success of the Oplan Red Plate Program is attributed to the active support of the people of Western Visayas.

The Ombudsman-Regional Office is appealing to the public to be vigilant and report any incidence of violation of the aforesaid laws to the Inter-Agency Task-Force numbers 09178898662 (Ombudsman); 09155391957 (COA); 09215241312 (LTO); 09165412152 or 09087869948 (CSC); 09999955072 or 09173233809 (PNP); and 09209459384 (PIA). To report, please send the plate number; color and type of the vehicle; place and time where the vehicle is spotted and picture (if available). /MP

Gov’t. Earmarks P3.5-M For ASEAN Summit In Cambodia Participation

The government has set aside an estimated P3.5 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in the annual gathering of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the regional group in Cambodia from April 3 to 4, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said Monday.

President Aquino left Manila Monday night, April 2 via a chartered plane flight from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to Phnom Penh International Airport to join other heads of states and governments for the 20th ASEAN Summit.

The Chief Executive leads a 63-member delegation to the two-day conference, which includes Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas III, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Ochoa said the P3.5-million budget covers expenses for hotel accommodations, food, transportation, telecommunications and equipment requirements.

“The President will be participating in the plenary sessions and bilateral meetings, including the 8th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Summit, as well as meet our kababayans living and working in Cambodia,” Ochoa said.

Similarly during the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia in November last year, the Chief Executive is expected to discuss and underscore, among other issues, the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime safety and security in the West Philippine Sea.

The President is particularly pushing for the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation, which he presented in May 2011 during the 18th ASEAN meeting in Jakarta, to address territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea.

President Aquino, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, will also discuss with fellow leaders in the ASEAN during informal meetings the planned rocket launch by North Korea, which the Philippines has protested. /MP

Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Impediments To Poverty Reduction

A World Bank country economist for the Philippines, Karl Kendrick Chua, enumerates high power rates and lack of financing for small countries as leading impediments to poverty reduction. Others in Chua’s list are: “unpredictable regulations, uneven field for business in terms of taxation, high cost and tedious process in starting a business and limited access to education and skills training.”

While the World Bank quarterly report in the Philippines have positive achievements such as the country’s low inflation rate, praise worth economic growth, a noted decline on debt banker, a round and strong banking system as well as a stable level of foreign exchange revenues. The World Bank emphasizes that reducing poverty rate should occupy vital importance.

The World Bank lauded the Philippines for its macroeconomic stability resulting into prosperity spread to majority of the Filipinos.

Filipinos should brace themselves for another round of power rate spiral this month of May 2012.

It is elementary that in attracting investments , investors would go for scrutinizing rates of power, water and communications, inclusive of peace and order.

The Electric Power

Industry Act of 2001 or Republic Act No. 2001 has dismally failed the promise lower power rates. While the objective of the law was indeed noble to deregulate and privatize the country’s power and energy sector, rightly had it been criticized to be a law more honored in breach than observance. Add to this the onerous terms imposed by independent power producers which practically sprung out-of-nowhere during the Ramos administration with its onerous take-or-pay conditions making protests to its cumbersome conditions falling into the deaf ears of past administrations. A Happy Easter! /MP

Female OFW Arrives, Collapses In Canada Airport

by ALEX P. VIDAL

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — After being in coma for six days, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Josefina “Majo” Tumbaga finally opened her eyes at the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) of the St. Paul’s Hospital on Burrard St. on March 26, last week.

She undewent heart surgery supervised by Dr. Anson Cheung, surgical director of the Cardiac Transplant of British Columbia, according to hospital nurse Anabelle Mangaliman.

Tumbaga, 30, was rushed to the hospital after she collapsed upon arrival at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on March 20, an apparent victim of cardiac arrest.

She arrived without any companion via Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight from Manila. She was bound for Toronto where she was scheduled to work at Tim Hortons, hospital staff Judy Pagud said in an exclusive interview.

NO RELATIVES

“She has no relatives in Canada. Although she has regained consciousness after six days of being in coma, she could not speak,” Mangaliman said. “She was still in state of shock.”

Narima Dela Cruz, a community leader who responded to information about Tumbaga, talked to the patient and assured her she would be fine. “Magpalakas ka. Lakasan mo ang loob mo. Magkapamilya tayo at marami tayo rito (Be strong. We are all one big family here. We will help you),” said the teary eyed Dela Cruz.

Tumbaga had tube and dextrose attached on her neck and body and was being monitored by a machine. She tried to speak but could not say a word. Hysterical and crying, she finally was able to say “thank you” in a hoarse but inaudible voice.

‘KEEP ON PRAYING’

Another community leader, Nemecio Cepeda, Sr., cried while telling Tumbaga to “keep on praying.”

“You are in good hands,” assured Cepeda, who underwent heart surgery in the same hospital in 2008. “I was once in that bed (pointing to where Tumbaga was laying) and stayed here for three and a half months.”

“Nakakaawa. Hindi maaring hindi ka mapaiyak sa sitwasyon niya (No one can bear seeing her in that situation),” lamented caregiver Alejandro Sevillo, who visited Tumbaga together with Dela Cruz and Cepeda. They promised Tumbaga to visit her again.

MOTHER

Dela Cruz asked from Mangaliman the contact number of Tumbaga’s mother, Juliet Gutierrez, in Pasong Tamo, Makati, Philippines and called the mother by long distance.

“The mother was crying and was very worried. She was asking if Majo is already conscious. I assured her Majo has regained consciousness but could not yet speak,” said Dela Cruz, who was also able to get in touch with Tumbaga’s aunt, Divine Pimentel.

It was not immediately known if Tumbaga was married.

Tumbaga’s hospital bill reportedly costs $1,500 per day, excluding the medicines, among other expenses. Mangaliman said Tumbaga was supposed to be covered by insurance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) but un-confirmed reports said she had no insurance. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Ni Tita Linda Belayro

Eongib Nga Engkantada

Ro Isla Malapaton, isla nga masyadong maeayo sa kabihasnan. Bihira o paeangta eang ro mga naga adto sa isla ngato. Ogaling maskin maea-ka ro naga adto, may isaeang ka bangkero nga bu-ot mag sakay-sakay sa anang maisot nga baroto ag magtabok-tabok sa mga isla.

Isaeang adlaw, na paino-inohan ni Pitong nga mag adto sa isla agod magpanira it mga pispis. Nagbaroto ag nagdungka imaw sa kilid it isla. Owa mabuhayi, may baroto mang de motor ro umabot ag nagdungka. Puno it mga iba-ibang kargamento. Nagpaniid eang si Pitong. Nagkawas ag nag pa-adto ro pinaka puno it baroto sa kwebang sirado. Pumundo ag nagsinggit imaw, “abra kadabra, magbukas ka!” eagi-eagi nagbukas ro sara it kweba. Guin hakot ag guin pasueod ro tanan nga karga ko andang baroto.

Pagkatapos it hakot ag pagpasueod ko tanan nga karga sa eongib, nagsinggit eon man ro pinuno, “abra kadabra, magsara ka!” Madali mang nagsara ro kweba. Guin paandar ro motor, dayon nagpanaw eon sakay ro mga tripulante.

Gumuwa ag nanaog si Pitong. Guin samitan nana it pagsinggit, “abra kadabra, magbukas ka!” Nagbukas man ro eongib. Uwa magkatahap si Pitong. Nagsueod imaw ag hakita nana ro kaabu-abo nga mga alahas ag mga baril nga naka kamada. Naghakot imaw kutob sa anang madaea. Guin sarhan man dayon nana ro eongib sa paaging anang haniiran.

Pag uli nana, guin tago nana ro mga alahas. Amat-amat nga nag manggaranon si Pitong. Samtang, hapan-uhan nanda ko mga tag ana it alahas nga may buhin eot-a ro andang mga alahas, nag paniid sanda sa mga kaeapit nga lugar. Hakilaea nanda si Pitong nga golpeng nagmanggad. Nagduda sanda sa pagkatawo ko binata. Guin panid-an si Pitong, hapan-uhan nana nga may mga tawo nga naga paniid sa baeay ni Pitong kon gabi-i.

Tongod karun, nag bakae imaw it maeagko nga banga ag guin butangan it mga alahas. Ogaling ro anang habakae hay may mga sawa sa sueod. Ro tag-ana gali it mga alahas ag baril sa eongib hay mga pirata. Nag eaum ro mga pirata nga idto guin tago ro mga alahas. Dali-dali nanda it ku-ot ro banga. Ogaling, pagbukas nanda ko banga hay guin pang angkit sanda it mga sawa nga may kamandag. Nag kaeamatay ro mga pirating haangkit it sawa. Ro iba hay uwa eon magbalik.Guin halin ko mga pirata ro andang manggad sa ibang Isla. /MP

Inauguration Program Flashback of the City of Roxas

by Bienvenido P. Cortes

Roxas City – On May 3, l95l the Office of the President of the Philippines.throughTeodoro Evangelista, Executive Secretary, issued Executive Order No. 438, dated May 3, l95l,fixing the date of organizing the government of the City of Roxas to May 12, l951.

Here’s the program of activities during the inauguration of the government of the Ciity of Roxas.

May 11, l95l – Fireworks at the city public plaza at 6:30 p.m. and Popular Ball at the Capiz Public Market at 8:00 p.m.

May 12, 195l - Diana at 4:00 a.m. and meeting the President and party at the Loctugan Airport at 9:00 a.m.

Inaugural program

1. Reading of the Proclamation of His Excellency, the President by Mayor Arturo A. Jugo

2. Invocation by Msgr. Vicente Gonzales

3. National Anthem – (In front of the City Bandstand)

4. Oath Taking of His Honor, Lorenzo A. Arnaldo, City Mayor, Arturo A. Jugo, Vice Mayor, city councilors and other city officials

5. Inaugural Address of His Honor, Lorenzo A. Arnaldo, City Mayor

6. Introduction of His Excellency, the President of the Philippines by Hon. Eduardo Abalos, Provincial Governor

7. Speech by His Excellency, the President of the Philippines

8. Lunch in Mrs. Thomas Ford’s place in Baybay

9. Conference by His Excellency, the President of the Philippines, with National, Provincial, City and Municipal Officials

10. Dinner offered by the Provincial Govern-ment and the City Mayor (by invitation)

11. Ball at the Social Hall of the Provincial

Capitol.

Officials of the government of the City of Roxas who took their oaths of office before His Excellency, President Elpidio Quirino.

Hon. Lorenzo A. Arnaldo, City Mayor; Hon. Arturo A. Jugo, Vice Mayor; Members of the City Council: Hon. Arturo A. Jugo, president; Hon. Juan Fuentes; Hon. Antonio Viterbo; Hon. Mabini S. Altavas; Hon. Vicente La. Ferrer; Hon. Manuel A. Arbues; and Hon. Sofronio Cordovero.

Finance Department: Mr. Taala, city treasurer; Mr. Rafael B. Bolano, asst. city treasurer.

Engineering Department: Mr. Henry Abadesco; Law Department: Atty. Isidro Barrios, city attorney; Police Department: Lt. Angel Bereber; Judicial Department: Hon. Anaccleto I. Bellosillo, Judge, Municipal Court. /MP

Aklan SP Approves 5 Municipal Annual Budgets; Confirms PHO II Santamaria Appointment

by RICHIE D. OLOROSO

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has approved the annual general fund and economic enterprise budgets of the municipalities of Buruanga, Malinao, Tangalan, Kalibo, and Balete. The approval came after the recommendation of the Provincial Local Finance Committee (PLFC) and after the SP Committee on Finance, Budget, Appropriations and Ways and Means thorough review of it.

Buruanga, a 5th class town, has an annual budget of P42,450,257 under its annual general fund and P4,534,802.57 for the Municipal Economic Enterprise.

Malinao, a 4th class town, has an annual budget of P54,086,040 approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Resolution No.2012-084 that provides for the operation of the municipality.

Tangalan, a 5th class town, has an annual general fund budget of P42,932,835.41 provided for by Appropriation Ordinance No. 2011-030 and P3,458,412.72 Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Fund.

Kalibo, a 1st class town, has an annual budget of P141,905,428.92 to cover the various expenditures for the operation of the municipality embodied Ordinance No. 2011-019 and P45,790,573.88 for the Municipal Economic Enterprise appropriated under Ordinance No. 2011-020.

Balete, a 4th class town, has an annual budget of P56,049,645 under the general fund provided for in its Appropriation Ordinance No. 003, series of 2011.

The annual budgets of the municipalities of Buruanga, Malinao, Tangalan and Kalibo were approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its 11th Regular Session on March 21, 2012. The annual budget of Balete was approved during the 12th SP Regular Session on March 28, 2012.

The law mandates the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of a province to review and to approve all budgets of the component municipalities of the province with the help of the Provincial Budget Office and the Provincial Local Finance Committee.

SP member Selwyn C. Ibarreta chairs the SP Committee on Appropriations, Budget, Finance, and Ways and Means with SP members Rodson F. Mayor and Phoebe Clarice L. Cabagnot as members.

The Aklan SP also discussed and confirmed the appointment of Dr. Victor Santamaria as Provincial Health Officer II of the Provincial Health Office, Aklan pursuant to the provision of the Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A.7160) Art.119 Rule XVIII vice Dr. Emma Cortes who has resigned.

Dr. Santamaria’s appointment confirmation came during the 11th SP Regular Session on March 21, 2012 effective February, 21, 2012. /MP

No Fly Zone In RP

The government of the Republic of the Philippines will declare a “No Fly and No Seafaring Zone” over a wide area of Northern Luzon from April 12 to 16, 2012. These are the dates when North Korea is scheduled to launch a long range missile.

All kinds of sea crafts, sea vessels and small fishing boats will be prohibited from an area 190 nautical miles northeast of Sta. Ana, Cagayan. and 150 nautical miles east of Polilio Island, Quezon between 5:00 o’clock in the morning to 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon. This area mentioned falls under the flight path for North Korea missile launch. /MP

THE GOOD LIFE

by MEGS S. LUNN

Imagine And Dream

Astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere.”

He is right. Have you tried to imagine yourself to be someone or something you want to become? Many people said, when you dream it, you can become it. However, dreams and imaginations are two different worlds. A dream is synonymous to hallucination, delusion, nightmares and or a daydream or a vision, while imagination is a mind’s eye, a thought that is inside your eye or mind.

These months of March and April are months of graduation. Three young generations are graduating from elementary, high school and college, almost all of them are imagining the day they will go up on stage to receive their diplomas and medals. Others dream to be more than what is in the diploma and the medal, or it could be both an imagination and a dream to be able to graduate and be an achiever. I wonder if these graduates know where they are going. What do they think after graduation? When can they become beyond their diplomas and medals?

When I was a child, I vividly imagined myself speaking to a large audience and learning from my audience at the same time. I kept imagining myself talking to a huge crowd in different languages and inspiring them by what I do or I can do. It happened only after many times of practice and mentoring. It happened in God’s own beautiful time. Now, I am living with that imagination. I am enjoying every minute of it. I am happy to make other people happy because of what I say and have to say.

Did I ever dream? Yes, I dreamed to finish college, to become what I wanted when I reach 24 or 25 years old and to retire when I reach 35 years young. Alfred Lord Tennyson once said, “Dreams are true while they last and do we not live in dreams?” But there is the antonym of ‘dream’ – the reality. The reality is that sort of 80 percent of what I dreamt did happen. And the most beautiful thing is that – I am at peace with myself. All of these started only through my fertile imagination.

Once in my life, I imagined to be on top of the mountains and surrounded by mountains. I have traversed mountains and crossed rivers. Indeed, it happened. How many times did I say: once I will be up there, “God is mysterious for He created mountains and rivers. He is an amazing God for He made all things pleasant, wonderful and awesome.” Then I wonder why and how He made it all for us to appreciate, to enjoy or to destroy?!

When I was a small kid, I imagined everything around me to be like a fairy tale. I am doing that even up to now and even I am no longer a kid. I believe, I have a kid in me. Why not? They say, a person doesn’t pay to dream. A person is free to keep dreaming, keep imagining….But the person needs to make it happen. A person neither lives nor dies without making the things he imagined and dreamt to work to become a reality.

Today, I dream to become a princess, married to my prince. Silly or crazy? Feel free whatever you think about it, but do not hurt yourself too much, for I am only imagining things from where I am now.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. Yes, creating yourself through your imagination and dreams. Go ahead, feel free to imagine. Feel free to dream. Or go nowhere! /MP

POLICE OUTPOST

This police outpost appears to be misplaced. This is located at the Pastrana Park, corner C. Laserna and Archbishop Reyes Streets, Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan. This is in front of the Aklan Catholic College. This picture shows there is no policeman. Whoever advise for the location of this outpost made a diservice to Mayor William Lachica and to Kalibonhons as it is enhancing ugliness in the area.