Bikol Reporter October 4 - 10, 2015 Issue

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regional exponent for progressvol. xxiii, no. 1 Bicol, the philippines octoBer 4 - 10, 2015 p5.00

Leni is LP's VP bet

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Cooperation keyto AsPac growth-Paje

Sec. PAje

By Irene A. SolmIrAno

LEGAZPI CITY -- De-partment of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje on Sunday called for greater cooperation among 21 member-econ-omies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to unlock the full potential of the so-called "blue economy" and achieve inclusive growth in the region.

"We envision a regional cooperation to narrow the gap in economic develop-ment of our economies while sustaining growth with equity," Paje said in

an emailed press statement to the Philippines News Agency, quoting his opening remarks during the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Se-curity and Blue Economy at the Iloilo International Con-vention Center in Iloilo City.

The forum, scheduled Oct. 4-5, is co-hosted by the DENR and the Department of Agriculture.

Paje, a Bicolano from Guinobatan, Albay, under-scored the need to narrow the economic gap among APEC nations, noting that the region currently "com-prise economies at varying levels in the development spectrum."

"There is a need for us to cooperate and address this wide economic gap," the DENR head stressed.

Paje said the two-day fo-rum provides "an opportu-nity to discuss concrete and feasible actions to advance

(Turn to page 7)

LENI IS IT3rd District representative leni G. robredo, shown here in various visits to her constituents, officially accepted the offer to be the Liberal Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2016 polls.

By FrAnk PenoneS jr.

The wait is over. Camarines Sur Third District Representative Leni

G. Robredo finally accepted the offer of the Liberal Party (LP) to be the vice presidential candidate of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is the LP’s standard bearer in the next year’s election.

That Robredo would be the LP’s VP bet was first announced in August 18, during the death anniver-sary of her husband, the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo.

She had, however, ex-pressed reluctance, cit-ing the objections of her children and that “family comes first.”

The LP leadership, however gave her time to reconsider her deci-sion and set it initially on September 28, then later to September 30. In the meantime, Robredo also conducted consultations with Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona, the lo-cal Muslim community in Naga City and her rela-

tives.On October 5, during

the”Gathering of Friends” at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Robredo finally said yes, saying tersely, “Bayan muna bago sarili.” Her statement was clearly a reversal of her original familial reason and an en-largement of a political vision.

Before she reluctantly ran and won a Congres-sional seat in 2013 after her husband’s death a year before, she worked with the Sentrong Alternati-bong Lingap Panglegal or SALIGAN, an NGO where she defended for free, clients like farmers, women and urban poor.

In the 16th Congress,

she worked for the pas-sage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and the proposed Bang-samore Basic Law.

She earned her eco-nomics degree from the University of the Philip-pines and her law from the University of Nueva Caceres.

Asked for comment, Daet Mayor Tito S. Sa-rion, an LP member,and who attended the proc-lamation, said Robredo “has the edge because she symbolizes sincer-ity and freshness with her brand of leadership, plus the strength of the LP oganization, includ-ing P’noy’s strong en-dorsement of her.

Bikol reporter2 octoBer 4 - 10, 2015oPinion

With Rep. Leni G. Robredo’s acceptance as the running mate of mar roxas for the liberal Party slate, she completes a triad of Bicol vice presidential bets in the next year’s election.

United nationalist Alliance standard bearer Jejomar Binay had confirmed his choice of Sen. Gringo Honasan as his vice president; while Grace Poe had opted for Chiz escudero. All three have Sorsogon roots.

At no other time in Bicol’s history has the region been so near a high political office. There was of course the late Finance Secretary jaime Hernandez who was said to have nearly become the first Bikolnon president during World War II, and Sen. raul S. roco, who is oft lamented as the “best President the country never had.” Yet, the stories of the two are now just conjectural.

This time, however, the three Bikolnon vice presidential bets, give us a reason for optimism for certainly the odds that one of them will win is very clear. except of course if a wild card, like Bongbong marcos throws his hat as well in the ring.

At the same time, we also think with trepidation whether they will deliver the goods for Bicol. not that we are becoming too regionalistic but under the Aquino administration, the government’s developmental trajectory had been enriching the city and beggaring the countryside. As one political puts it, “the fortunate regions of the national Capital region, region 3 and 4A, continue to concentrate so much of the wealth and income of the nation. The 10% richest Filipinos owns 80% of the country’s total income and wealth.”

In such a development scenario, the rest of the country, including our own, have always been on the bottomline. Hence, our question.

escudero and Honasan had been in the Senate for long, and yet, had they made a difference for Bicol?

We will ask the same for leni, if she gets to be our country’s vice president next year.

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editorial

So near, Yet, So…

lee g. dullesco iiHead, Advertising Associates

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Tel. No. (054) 475-6262

ed g. yuEditor

0939-604-3144

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Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN

The average inflation in the first eight months of 2015 was recorded at 1.7% amid stable food prices and lower utility rates. The BSP has set an inflation target of 2%-4% for 2015 and up to next year. This will allow our monetary authorities to keep interest rates on loans and deposits at their present levels. The message therefore is – for moneyed people to invest their funds in business endeavors instead of just keeping them in bank deposits which will have minimal returns.

LUMP SUM: There are certain business and political sectors that are complaining against the allegedly lump sum provisions contained in the General Appropriation Act (GAA) or our national budget. The GAA was approved by both houses of Congress for approval by the President. If the opposing group brings the issue to the Supreme Court – we opine that the Judiciary will not be decide on it for the reason that it might violate the co-equal relations between and among the branches of our government

Lump sum appropriations are common in government budgeting. Overly detailed

(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International – is past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee).

TARGET MAINTAINED: The Government is sticking to its 7%-8% growth target for the current year. With only three months left, the economic growth target will no longer be changed even as the Aquino administration conceded that hitting just the low end of the goal would be difficult to achieve. When asked if there is a plan to revise this year’s growth target, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad told reporters recently that there is no such remedial plan on the table.

Phl economic growth – as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) – slowed to 5.3% in the first semester even after accelerating to 5.6 percent in the second quarter. Economic expansion during the first quarter was at 5% - meaning the first semester growth was indeed below the lower end of the target. The non-revision of the growth target could be in the hope that the Yuletide economic activities and preparatory expenditures for the May 2016 elections will prop up growth. Let us pray!

INFLATION: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation in September to settle between 0.2% or at most – 1%, on the back of cheaper rice and currently lower power rates. BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflation this month would remain low as downward adjustments in power rates and the modest decline in rice prices which could offset the adverse effects of a weaker peso. Inflation eased to a new record low of 0.6% in August (0.8% percent in July).

Growth Target 2015

dental, and ophthalmological services.Likewise, 15,478 Filipinos received

medical assistance extended by the OVP which include requests for assistance ranged from payment for dialysis, hospital bills, chemotherapy sessions, medicines, surgery and other procedures, implants, and hearing aids.

The report also showed that the OVP extended funeral/burial/transport assistance to 858 beneficiaries.

Moreover, the OVP’s scholarship grant-in-aid program now helps a total of 1,160 scholars in state colleges and universities.

Binay’s office also has 180 college scholars in private institutions after extending the scholarship program to selected private colleges and universities like AMA Computer University/ACLAC/ABE, St. Jude College & Medical Center, Manila Central University, Manila Business College and University of Batangas.

Similarly, the vice president helped in giving educational support to 22,575 elementary pupils who are mostly members of Indigenous Peoples groups. They received bags, notebooks, pencils and other school supplies through Binay’s office.

The OVP also recognized 13,980 students through the distribution of medals

and certificates of recognition.Further, the report showed that Binay

continues to advocate for the elderly people stating that from “2011 to 2012, the OVP funded the construction or repair of 500 senior citizens’ centers nationwide. Around 200 more are expected to be built through the Vice President’s PDAF this year.”

It is directed to support on 4th and 5th class municipalities in the country.

The OVP also led feeding programs that benefited 470 recipients and the giving of wheelchairs to 486 persons with disabilities.

These accomplishments have led the OVP to gain recognition from the Commission on Audit (COA).

In a report published this year, COA lauded OVP’s social services programs for the year 2012.

The OVP’s accounting office was also lauded for being considered as one of the most outstanding accounting offices in the country.

Meanwhile, the vice president is expected to continue providing the same good service to the Filipino people until the end of his term in 2016.

According to the report, for 2013, Binay plans to allocate the first tranche of his PDAF for the following services: P50 million for the construction or repair of senior citizens’ centers;

P10 million for the distribution of relief goods, school supplies, other social services;

P15 million for the purchase of medicines as well as medical supplies and equipment including wheelchairs, nebulizers, sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes; and P25 million for the scholarship grants for college students and teachers taking up masteral and doctoral degrees. -- PNA

This columnist had been suggesting that the frontrunners in surveys of candidates for president publish theirqualificiations, past and present track records for the electorate to study. It will show if they are competent, have executive capability, compassion for the poor and others.

The foilowing is a report published in the Manila Times dated July 27, 2013 of the Office of Vice President JejomarC. Binay entitled “Binay helped over 400,000 Filipinos in 3 years.”

Over 400,000 individuals were given assistance by Vice President JejomarBinay since he took office in 2010, his midterm accompl ishment repor t revea led Saturday.

According to the report, through Binay’s office budget, including his P200-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the Office of the Vice President (OVP) helped 459,543 indigent beneficiaries across the nation.

The report showed that most of the beneficiaries were calamity victims, hence a large number received medical assistance, burial/funeral assistance, medical missions, relief operations, and educational assistance.

“Early in January this year, Binay’s office led relief efforts after typhoon Quinta struck Capiz and Aklan. The OVP distributed 3,600 relief goods in eight municipalities in Capiz including Tapaz, 600 bags; Dumalag, 650; Dumarao, 600; Cuartero, 600; Ivisan, 500; Dao, 300; Sigma, 200; and Panay, 150,” the report stated.

This added to the 161,868 bags of food items distributed in 2012, and 143,397 bags delivered to calamity victims in 2011.

Binay himself was able to lead on many of these relief operations.

Also, through the Vice President’s PDAF, 62,483 Filipinos have benefited from medical missions providing free medical,

Binay helped over 400,000 Filipinos in3 years -- oVP report in Manila Times

NENITA FuENTEBELLA-PEÑONES

frommy

window

line budgets are difficult to implement – especially among local government units. So also, there are such items as calamity, intelligence and other general appropriations. The budgeting process may just be subjected to post-audits. To require government to do away with lump sum budgets may unduly tie the administrator’s hands and could result in under spending that will hinder economic activities.

ROBREDO: My unsolicited opinion is that Congw. Leni – the simple politician that she is – should just aspire for senator (12 will be elected) instead of fighting against other vice presidential candidates on one-on-one basis. The lady solon’s desire to protect her party’s Camarines Sur turf is laudable. It seems no one among the lieutenants of Sec. Jesse Robredo is ready to face veteran politician Luis Villafuerte. Indeed the offer to Leni to “go up” is a big leap forward for which there are no guarantees.

My respect for the congresswoman (her father is my brother in UNC’s Nu Kappa Phi Fraternity) was bolstered when she bravely commented on the questionable loyalty of the foundling who shifted citizenships for her own convenience and personal purposes (accepting Phl government appointment). To our mind, citizenship – like political affiliations – is a symbol of loyalty. Why would we elect politicians who shifted loyalties? So also, LP campaigners should focus on Pres. Manuel Roxas’s picture in our P100 bill.

WISDOM: Today is a gift of God. Tomorrow we will stand in the presence of God and account for this gift.

Bikol reporter 3octoBer 4 - 10, 2015

Bikol reporter4 octoBer 4 - 10, 2015

Horop-Horop mantang pasiring asin yaon sa Cebu

dis*Karte*Kusyon*Kurso

FRANk PEÑones jr.

sa nasyon. Dai magngalas na an insurhensya yaon man sa mga baryo.

***Nakaiba ako sa sarong national

conference manongod sa “literacy.” Ginibo ini sa Ecotech Center kan DepEd sa Cebu. May sarong poster duman an DepEd manongod sa mga ecoregions kan nasyon. Risahon nindo sa poster ninda kun ano an sarong problema ta sa literacy.” The ecoregions of the Philippines were defined by the sea levels during the last Ice Age 20,000 years ago when ocean levels were 120 meters lower that at present. This drop in sea level connected many presently separated islands which allowed for examples of flora and fauna.”

May rason kun ta’no ta an alibangbang namumundag sa sarong hardin. Pagpoon sa sarong ulod abot na magkapakpak, an alibangbang nagpapahiling nin paglaom na makalayog asin mangaturugan kan panganoron. Siring man kaiyan an sarong pisog, bago ini magtalubo na sarong masetas o kaya sarong kahoy. Kaya an pagtatanom sarong pagtubod talaga sa kinaagahan, sa pangaturugan na nudma igwang mapaparong na burak na tutugpaan nin alibangbang.

***Ibahon nang marhay an Cebu. Bako

na idtong “laid back” na syudad na nadumanan ko kadto. Mayo na ining pinagiba sa mga mayor na syudad kan nasyon. Sa hiling ko, ini an sala sa konsepto ta kan kauswagan: nakasentro ini sa mga syudad, kaya yaon digdi an

surusuan, trapik, polusyon, tambak na basura, pagdakul kan mga parainom, nin drug addict. Sa konseptong ini, an mga baryo asin hararayong banwaan, atrasado an kauswagan. Malinaw na kiling an baskula kan kauswagan

inner chessBY j. HenrY DAnICAn

hAlo-hAlo

jokee BoToR-ReYes

pell-mell

Value your eyesight,Visit Roland

I normally do not wear eyeglasses. I am very lucky at my age, ( I am over 70). I do not need reading glasses when many others younger than me could hardly read without the support of this particular eyeglasses which could easily be purchased along the sidewalk at a very minimal price. I am highly myopic, in plain lingo, nearsighted. I even read font 6, (people who see me read font5 are amazed really. I can see things and people when the distance is very near but if they are far, well, that is another story. I can not, however, recog-nize people and things, even if the distance from me is just 2 meters away and if more, that is even worst.

I have lived with this nearsightedness for as long as I can remember. I do not remember getting eyeglasses for my read-ing although I wear eyeglasses (pang forma lang, hehe)

Lately, I feel that my vision was waning very badly. That’s geriatrics, plain and simple. Read: it is time to see an eye doctor.

So, I consulted an eye doctor. Friends recommended sev-eral eye doctors in Naga but I loathe traveling. In my younger years and a practicing media in the big city, I had to travel endlessly and now I think I have to limit my travels to centro or poblacion to hear mass on Sunday, fetch my granddaughter in the grade school, pay electric and water bills (ugh) meet friends downtown and bond with them over cups of coffee.

The name of the doctor who made a wonder to my vision is Dr. Roland B. Bagnes II, ophthalmologist who examined my eyes and prescribed eye drops and the correct eyeglass-es which I now sport. (thanks to Nella Sarabia, a very dear friend, who provided me with the complete eyeglasses (the frame is very fashionale) based from Doc Bagnes prescrip-tion). Looks like, I just got a new pair of eyes. Perfect sight, I can see things at a distance with less difficulty. The far objects became closer to me and I very comfortable more than ever. It only needed Doc Bagnes to examine my eyes to make me see things and more importantly, people, better.

Visit Doc Bagnes, the ophthalmologist and the very friendly eye doctor. He runs a clinic in Iriga that is frequented by many patients. Come early and get your first numbers.

Bicol history, culture seminar set

GeronA

A local heritage group has slated a seminar-workshop on Bicol culture and history, an ex-hibit, and launching of the book of Magellan written by historian Danilo M. Gerona from October 13-17 this year at the Universi-dad de Sta. Isabel.

The 2015 Regional-Seminar Workshop on Bicol Culture and History is organized by the Nue-va Caceres Heritage Movement and is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Historical Commission to mark the Bicen-tennial of the End of the Galleon Trade. (1565 to 1815.)

The Galleon Trade, which is also called the Manila-Acapul-co Galleon Trade began in 1565 and ended in 1815. Its impact and Bicol’s participation in this

inchoate introduction of the region to globalization will be the topic of the first lecture by Gerona on October 13. He will be followed by Ian Christopher Alfonso of the National Histori-cal Institute who will talk on “A Glimpse of Bicol’s Colonial Past/The Vincentian Fathers and the Rise of Liberalism in Bicol-andia. The third lecture will be done by Pio Andrade Jr. of the Arellano University who will discuss “Useful Plants Brought to the Philippines by the Galle-on Trade.” Libon Mayor Agnes Dycoco, Pasacao Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Efren Sales, Dr. Ma. Teresa Nicolasora of San Pascual, and Fr. Cyben Laurence Vitug of Sorsogon will later share the memories of their respective localities with

regards to the galleon trade. The first day will be capped by the launching of Gerona’s book, Ferdinand Magellan: The Armada de Maluco and the Eu-ropean Discovery of the Philip-pines.

The second day will feature another lecture on the Span-ish Kabikolan by Gerona, and another lecture by Dr. Eusebio Dizon of the National Museum of the Philippines on the Build-ing of the Galleons: A Filipino Perspective.

Bikol Reporter’s Frank Pe-nones, who is the Southern Lu-zon Coordinator of the Commit-tee on Literature of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, will later deliver his lecture on Ringgaw as Bikol Poetics.

The last day will feature the lectures of Understanding the National Heitage Act of 2009, by Atty. Rose Beatrix Cruz-Angeles, and the Guidelines on the Naming and Renaming of Streets, Public Schools, Plazas, Buildings, Bridges and other Public Structures by Alonso. -fpj

In AlBAYC4rH holds interfaithdialogue on gender,

sexuality and spiritualityBy sALLY ATeNTo-

ALTeA

LEGAZPI CITY – The Catholics for Reproduc-tive Health (C4RH), a non-government organization, conducted an interfaith dialogue with representa-tives from religious organi-zations, government agen-cies, civic organizations and stakeholders in Albay on September 28-30 aimed at finding common grounds in upholding equality and life with dignity.

The interfaith dialogue held at the La Roca Veranda Suites here started with a fo-rum highlighting the teach-ings and traditions of vari-ous religions on equality and human dignity particularly on the perspective of Chris-tians, Muslim and national-ist church represented by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI).

Atty. Jihan Jacob from the Center for Reproductive Health Rights discussed the national gender and RH situa-tion together with Rev. Erah-villa Maga-Cabillas, a women priest from the IFI, and Prof. Macrina Morados of the Uni-versity of the Philippines In-stitute of Islamic Studies.

The two-day workshop

focused on inter-faith lead-ership development on gen-der, sexuality and spiritual-ity which aims to provide the participants with some tools of analysis and leadership to critically analyze and address the gender and sexuality con-cerns from faith-based per-spective.

“It is hoped that this work-shop would encourage the participants to join in the collaborative initiatives that would uplift the condition of and empower the members of respective communities and the entire society, “C4RH board member Anna P. Ebo said.

During the workshop, the participants leveled off on the understanding of gender and sexuality and the role of re-ligion in forming perceptions around these concepts.

Implications of gender-based biases and discrimi-nation on people’s health and lives were likewise dis-cussed.

Prof. Morados facilitated the activity in identifying common grounds for col-laboration among faith-based groups to move the dialogue into action and further advo-cacy related to gender, sexu-ality and reproductive health.

(Turn to page 6)


homar murillo

tip of aniceBergEmail: [email protected]

PluralityIn a representative democracy like the Philippines,

leaders are supposedly elected by the will of the greatest number of voters. In an ideal situation wherein there is no cheating or counting errors involved, authority of the elected leaders emanate from the sovereign will of the people.

Ideally, the highest elected official of the land -- i.e., the president of the republic -- should have at least a mandate of the simple majority of all those who casted their votes. This simple majority legitimizes the authority of the president as chief executive, head of state and the commander in chief of the armed forces.

However, this has not been the case since our political system became a multi-party system. The 1987 Philippine Constitution and other laws of the land do not specify or limit the number of political parties that could be created. The post-EDSA people power revolution that catapulted Cory Aquino to the presidency paved the way for a political atmosphere that is more conducive for multi-party system.

This works well at the local level, particularly for the candidates in legislative positions. To some great extent, it promoted the wider democratization of access to political power. The elitism in selecting candidates was somewhat minimized. The dominance of political dynasties was challenged to some degree. Instead of being limited to a few candidates from the privileged class, a new breed of politicians rose into prominence.

The constitution also enshrined people empowerment through the party list system. It gave opportunities for the representatives of various sectors of society to be formally represented in congress.

On one hand, the multi-party system gave the marginalized sectors of society such as the farmers, fisherfolk and the urban poor to have access to political power. On the other hand, the multi-party system has weakened the office of the president in terms of political mandate. The Philippines never had a president that was elected by the majority of voters since the post-EDSA people power revolution of 1986. Cory herself was not officially a president who was elected by the majority. She was a revolutionary president that initially had dictatorial powers.

Since the 1992 presidential election, the presidents were elected only with plurality of votes. The political mandate from the people has been too fragmented.

Fidel Ramos was elected by only 23.58% of the voters in 1992.

Joseph Estrada became president with only 39.86% of the total votes in 1998.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo received a marginally higher mandate at 39.99% of the total votes for president in 2004.

Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III had 42.08% of the political mandate in 2010 – the highest so far but still not a majority mandate.

The widely fragmented state of the political mandate for president is likely to continue as long as we have a multi-party system. The loyalty of politicians and voters will not be solidly based on ideology or principles but rather based on personal charisma of the candidates. The “balimbing” political culture, which is based on expediency and selfish gains, is likely to be perpetuated. The presidency will continue to be a weak institution.

One proposed solution is the runoff election but this is more time-consuming and expensive. This also will not provide sufficient ideological anchor for any president that will be elected.

NAGA & DAET SHARINGMayor John G. Bongat and Mayor Tito s. sarion were the featured speakers on political literacy during the national literacy Conference in Cebu City last week. Bongat shared the naga City experience in literacy. Both lGUs are nationally recognized for the literacy programs.

Albay braces for el niñoBy NANcY i. MediAViLLo

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Day One of the countdown in connection with the birth-day of Governor Joey Sarte Salceda on Oct. 26 formally started with the grand open-ing of the 9th Annual Gover-nor's Cup at the Albay Astro-dome on Wednesday.

The Day 2 of the countdown on Thursday rolled off with an El Niño Preparedness Caravan spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) at Camalig town for the whole day.

The caravan will cover other towns and cities of the province, based on the sched-ule prepared by the Task Force El Niño for the whole month of October.

The activity aims to cushion the negative impacts of the dry spell phenomenon on the ag-riculture sector, farmers' lives and the entire economy of the province.

The caravan will be a joint undertaking of the Depart-ment of Agriculture and other national government agen-cies, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Of-fice headed by Dr. Cedric Daep and PGA departments like the Provincial Agriculture Service Office led Cheryll Rebeta, Pro-vincial Health Office headed by Dr. Natz Rempillo, Provin-cial Veterinary Office, Provin-cial Engineering Office with its chief engineer Dante Baclao and others.

Rebeta said the caravan will highlight the strong advocacy and massive information drive of the departments and agen-cies participating in the cara-van to give the public sufficient knowledge on the bad effects of El Niño.

The caravan will also dis-tribute vegetable seeds and pa-lay variety with high resistance to heat or drought resilient va-riety.

Rempillo said his office is preparing for a worst-case sce-nario.

He laid down the plans of the PHO like IEC on common diseases when extreme heat comes like sore eyes, boils, skin diseases, colds, cough and fever.

The PHO chief said there might be a rise in dengue cases since many residents will store water.

He said the public should know what to do to avoid these diseases.

"Always make the sur-rounding and yourself clean," Rempillo said.

He also asked the public to protect water source in the vil-lage.

This should be about 25 me-ters from structures like septic tanks.

The PHO, Rempillo said, is ready with preemptive health care like medical services for those who have asthma, colds, lung disease and others.

The health office is also ready to give medicines for these illnesses, he said, adding that all hospitals in the province are prepared to render services, including the eight devolved medical facilities. -- PNA

Ticao-Burias Pass protectedarea plan gets nod

By DAnnY o. CAllejA

LEGAZPI CITY – The proposed declaration of the Ticao-Burias Pass as a pro-tected seascape has roused the enthusiasm of various sectors staking over the ecological and economic benefits that af-fected areas are going to reap from it.

“Indeed, this would be a milestone policy being pur-sued in Congress when these adjoining bodies of inland seas are declared as the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) along the Bicol Peninsula and fourth in the country,” Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD) executive director Manuel Rangasa on Friday here said.

Albay 3rd district congres-sional Rep. Fernando Gonza-lez has filed House Bill No. 5966 seeking the Ticao-Burias Pass declaration as a MPA —- a move supported in the Sen-ate by Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate’s commit-tee on environment and natu-ral resources.

Gonzalez, whose repre-sentation in Congress covers Albay west coast along Burias Pass, said that once officially declared as MPA under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), the Ticao-Burias Pass will be placed under the PAMB, a multi-sectoral body which will be created to be respon-

sible for its administration and management.

“There is indeed an urgent need for the Ticao-Burias Pass to be declared a MPA or a pro-tected seascape to save and preserve its great marine di-versity threatened by unabat-ed illegal activities and other abuses,” Gonzalez said.

These waters are home to whale sharks, manta rays, dugong and various species of sea turtles, exotic coral reefs and lately discovered to be a habitat of the globally rare megamouth shark (Mega-chasma pelagios), he said.

The three existing MPAs in the country are the waters surrounding Panglao Island in Bohol, established in 2003; the 216-hectare Sarangani Bay, declared in 1996; and the 450-hectare Tañon Strait along Cebu and Negros Ori-ental, which got its protected seascape classification in 1998.

Protected seascapes are sites of national significance characterized by the harmo-nious interaction of man and ocean while providing oppor-tunities for public enjoyment through recreation and tour-ism within the normal life-style and economic activities offered by these areas.

According to Greenpeace Southeast Asia Ocean Cam-paigner Vince Cinches, who expressed support to the pro-posed measure, both water

bodies are being overfished and devoid of more sustain-able coastal resource manage-ment initiatives.

Greenpeace is an inde-pendent global campaign-ing organization that, among other environmental activism, challenges wasteful and de-structive fishing activities and creating a global network of marine reserves.

A technical working group has also been organized to-wards the formation of the PAMB.

The Bicol Consortium for Development Initiative (BCDI), on the other hand, has set its coastal resource management program funded under the Philippines-Italy Debt for Development Swap Program to benefit at least 24 barangays along Ticao and Burias Passes.

The BCDI is a multi-agen-cy collaboration that addresses the need to establish a strong health research and develop-ment coordination system in-volving various institutions in Bicol with interest in health research towards the improve-ment of the health conditions of Bicolanos.

Bicol University Presi-dent and BCDI Chair Arnulfo Macariñas said the program aimed at improving the living conditions of coastal commu-nities along the Ticao-Burias Pass and increase the quality of its marine resources.

Bikol reporter6 octoBer 4 - 10, 2015

NAMe oF deceAsed dATe oF iNTeRMeNT

coNcePcioN d. odAVAR sePTeMBeR 5,2015chRisTiNe Rose T. BiLAsoN sePTeMBeR 7,2015MeRLiNdA G. RequiLLAs sePTeMBeR 12,2015JuLio B. sAN ANdRes sePTeMBeR 15,2015JoseFiNA M. sALVAdoR sePTeMBeR 21,2015eLeANoR TiMoTeA B. ePRes sePTeMBeR 27,2015eVA PhoeBe L. GAPiT sePTeMBeR 30,2015

FoR sePTeMBeR

eXTRAJudiciAL seTTLeMeNT oF esTATe WiTh sALeNotice is hereby given that the named parties are the surviving heirs of the late Sps. reYnAlDo r. BoNGALoNTA and doLoRes A. BoNGALoNTA who passed away on April 24, 2000 and August 22, 2015 respectively at Naga City, without any Will nor Debts, left parcels of land located at Sagnay, Camarines and residential houses located in Naga City; that after adjudicating the properties unto themselves, the Heirs do hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER, CONVEY and FOREVER QUITCLAIM by way of Absolute Sale the described properties unto CARMEN A. BONGALONTA, her heirs, assigns and successors in interest, as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Carlo C. Villanueva Jr., Doc. No. 170, Page No. 34, Book No. 151, Series of 2015.BiKoL RePoRTeRPublished: september 20, 27; october 4, 2015

AFFidAViT oF AdJudicATioN BY soLe heiR oF A MoToR VehicLe

Notice is hereby given that CECILLE IGNACIO-BENDIDO, is the surviving SPOUSE of the late JiMMY AusTeRo BenDIDo who died intestate on October 11. 2013 at Naga City, Camarines Sur, 0left a certain motor vehicle described as follows: MAKE-Honda, BODY TYPE-TC Hire, SERIES-TMX1559; CHASSIS No. KB509337031; ENGINE No. KB509E337048; PLATE No. 2049EW; CR No.162638825; OR No. 409701795 (9/10/2014); hereby adjudicate unto herself the described motor vehicle, including the Provisional Authority for Motorized Trimobile Operator’s Franchise MTOP under case No. TC-LIB-CS-2012-450 with the use of One (1) Unit by means of this affidavit with the request that said Adjudication be made effective without judicial proceedings; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Redentor M. Castañeda., Doc. No. 23, Page No. 6, Book No.LXIX, Series of 2015.BiKoL RePoRTeRPublished: september 20, 27; october 4, 2015

eXTRAJudiciAL seTTLeMeNT oF esTATe WiTh deed oF ABsoLuTe sALe ANd sPeciAL PoWeR oF ATToRNeY

Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the surviving heirs of the late rolAnDo CAnDelArIA who passed away on November 2, 2013 at Sipocot, CamSur died intestate without any Will no Debts, left a parcel of residential land located at San Bartolome, Sipocot, CamSur covered by TCT No. 15918; the parties all of legal ages adjudicate among themselves the described property; that For and in Consideration of the sum of EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND (P800,000.00) pesos, paid by Sps. CARLOMAGNO C. AMADO and PAMELA SALVACION O. AMADO, the Heirs do hereby SELL, CONVEY and TRANSFER by way of Absolute Sale the described property; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Arle Azela M. Guererro-Delos Santos, Doc. No. 106, Page No. 47, Book No.XXIV, Series of 2015.BiKoL RePoRTeRPublished: september 20, 27; october 4, 2015

Car manufacturer Chrysler-Daimler has cited the superb ecological balance of abaca combined with its excellent technical properties similar to those of glass fiber, the mate-rial previously used in the un-derbody protection of cars.

Likewise, with the stricter policies against dumping of synthetic fishnets and cordage materials in open sea as en-forced by most European na-tions, users are returning to the use of natural biodegradable materials like abaca fiber.

Abaca pulp, meanwhile, has been gaining more popu-larity owing to the expanding demand for specialty papers for tea bag, meat and sausage casings, currency papers, met-allized papers, cigarette papers, filters, hi-tech capacitor papers and other non-woven and dis-posable items.

As the environmental pro-tection movement heightens, many countries are becoming more protective of their ecol-ogy, particularly the timber forest, the source of wood pulp which is the traditional material for pulp and paper production.

Japan continues to import abaca pulp from the Philippines for the manufacture of its cur-rency notes and Japanese bills of Y10,000, Y500 and Y1,000 denominations have 60-percent abaca components. Other ap-plications of abaca pulp in Ja-pan include capacitor and insu-lation papers, tea bag, masking tape, paper cloth, stencil paper, filter oil absorbent paper, cas-ings and other specialty paper products. On the other hand, innovative and functional fiber crafts from abaca have contin-ued to evolve and introduced in both the local and interna-

catanduanes festival . . .tional markets with the Fili-pino intrinsic artistry, ingenuity and world-class craftsmanship coupled with the versatility of abaca fiber.

The construction industry is also making use of abaca for light structural walls, insulation materials, floor and wall cover-ings and roofing while apparel makers use it as raw material component for organic denims.

Called a smart crop owing to abaca plants’ resistance to ty-phoons and drought, it serves as the top agricultural commodity that keeps the local economy alive from the farm gate down to traders’ receipts, providing stable employment, livelihood and business opportunities that lead to the province’s lower poverty rate compared to other Bicol areas.

In its latest poverty inci-dence report, the Philippine Statistics Authority placed Catanduanes’ poverty rate at 27.1 percent, the second low-est next to Camarines Norte’s 24.7 percent among Bicols’ six provinces—topped by Masbate at 44.2 percent; followed by Albay, 36.1 percent; Camarines Sur, 33.5 percent; and Sorsog-on, 32.1 percent.

On the other hand, the Na-tional Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or Listahanan of the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and Development, in its first assess-ment done in 2009, listed Cat-anduanes as having the com-paratively lowest number of poor households at 51 percent or only 16,743 out of its 32,811 households assessed.

In the same assessment, Masbate’s 160,257 households have 103,478 or 64.6 per-cent identified as poor while

of Albay’s 141,617 house-holds, 88,242 or 62.3 percent were poor; Camarines Sur, with 226,714 households, had 136,208 or 60 percent listed as poor; Camarines Norte, 40,802 poor or 56.5 percent of its 72,227 households; and Sorsogon, 75,769 poor or 53.6 percent of 141,388 households.

It is high time now that the province pays tribute to the abaca industry in recognition of its significant contribution to the island’s economy and to the good life that its people enjoy, said provincial board member Edwin Tanael, who authored the newly-passed ordinance co-authored by board members Shirley Abundo and Sonny Francisco.

“We are going to do this by way of institutionalizing the annual holding of the Cat-anduanes Abaca Festival that would be a venue for express-ing our gratitude to God for this heavenly blessing, a grand af-fair to showcase the greatness of Catandunganons in nurtur-ing this industry and an event to promote the province’s tour-ism industry,” Tanael on Thurs-day here said.

The celebrations, which will run for one whole week, he said, are to be highlighted by activities featuring the ecotour-ism marvels of the island, the life and resilient spirit of Cat-andunganons and the unique-ness of its people and culture.

Catanduanes is a promising travel destination owing to its off-the-beaten path ecotour-ism wonders, dive sites and sea surfing venues like Puraran Beach where waters offer thrill and adventure reeling with surf, sand and sun and featured as the island’s tourism icon sitting amid the backdrop of scintillat-ing coves and rolling hills.

given full marketing assis-tance by the DTI through this trade fair.

It also features 162 new products, resulting from DTI’s product development activities prior to the event.

As in the past, this mar-keting event is a convergence activity.

The DTI partners with the Department of Tourism, OKB Association Inc., and the lo-cal government units.

By way of this trade fair, DTI enjoins domestic and foreign buyers to take a closer look and become more aware of what these MSMEs produce.

“As DTI commits to pro-vide its clients – the MSMEs – better avenues to promote their fine products, it also en-courages them to explore the global market,” Blanco said.

Opening ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 8 at the Megatrade Hall 2, 5thLevel, Bldg. B of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The fair is open during mall hours on October 8-11.

okB-gayon. . .

tion drive against these text scams, NTC Commis-sioner Gamaliel A. Cordo-ba issued a memorandum to various telecommuni-cations giants like Globe Telecoms, Inc., Smart Communications, Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philip-pines, Inc. (Sun Cellular) mandating them to pro-duce a 15 and 30 seconder audio and video clips to educate and properly warn subscribers or consumers against text scam.

These companies are also requested to have a text blast of messages warning or educating the public against scammers.

ntc Bicol . . .

Morados cited the Bang-samoro Basic Law (BBL) as one example of inter-faith dialogue aimed at promoting peace in Mindanao which will help in uplifting poverty and will mainstream the services and programs of the govern-ment to benefit the communi-ty especially the women and children.

She also noted that all re-ligion are good and advocates love and peace but it is the person adhering to these re-ligions that distorts its image citing the extremist Muslim groups that propagates fear and violence.

“All religions are good. It’s the persons adhering to these religions distorting the values imparted such as love

c4rh holds interfaith . . .and peace, which are univer-sal values common in all reli-gion. Don’t judge the religion by its believer,” she said.

Board member Ebo tack-led” leadership in an interfaith setting envisioning collabora-tion for the common good and committing to act for equality, dignity and development.

She cited the qualities of a good leader noting the need to be flexible and open minded in understanding differences in perspectives along with various leadership approach that can be adopted in their

organizations.Other topics discussed

during the workshop are ap-proaches in recreating just relationships, women and gender concerns in the church and updates on the status of the RH law implementation in the country.

C4RH is a non-govern-ment organization advocat-ing RH rights and supporting fellow Filipino Catholics in understanding, appreciating and promoting RH as a right. Moreover it is not sanctioned by the Catholic Church and is not among its affiliated orga-nizations.


LITERACY REUNIONdaet Mayor Tito s. sarion, who spoke on Political Literacy during the National Literacy Conference in Cebu City last week, had a reunion of sorts with former Deped Secretary Fe Del mundo, who now serves as consultant of the knowledge Power.

cNorte PNP firms upcurfew on minorsRosALiTA B. MANLANGiT

DAET, Camarines Norte – The Provincial Advi-sory Council (PAC) of the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CN-PPO) urged policemen to fully implement the curfew among minors in the prov-ince through a passage of a resolution during the meet-ing held here recently.

PAC chairperson Atty. Evillo C. Pormento said that the Sanguniang Panlalawigan has already passed recently Provincial Ordinance No. 13-2015 “An ordinance im-posing curfew hours among minors in the province of Ca-marines Norte”.

The ordinance states cur-few hours among minors is 9:00 o’clock in the evening to 4:00 o’clock in the morning.

He said that this is a pre-ventive law to protect the youth from becoming victims of rape, physical injury, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

The Chairperson inquired on the compliance of the municipal police stations in

enforcing the said provincial ordinance.

Atty. Pormento said that the ordinance was thoroughly studied and consulted through stakeholders. The COPs should ask help from the lo-cal government units (LGUs) and Municipal Social Wel-fare and Development Office (MSWDO).

The rescued minor should be brought to the barangay hall so that barangay person-nel can return said minor to their parents, he said.

He said that the ordinance was thoroughly studied and consulted with the stake-holders and the COPs should ask help from the local gov-ernment units through the MSWDO.

The council also agreed to send a letter to CNPPO Offi-cer-in-Charge PSSupt. Harris Fama requesting for the full implementation of the said ordinance.

Police Superintendent Rhoderick B. Campo, deputy provincial director for opera-tion on the other hand clarified that in their previous meeting with the chief of police of the different municipalities, a concern cropped up that as of present there is no facility to house rescued minors.

Meanwhile the PAC is also finalizing the guide-lines on the Search for Best Policeman and Policewom-an in the province as well as Best Municipal Police Station.

All unredeemed items/articles pawned at ASPe IGUAlDAD PAWnSHoP, Cor. Igualdad ext. & j. Hernandez Ave., Igualdad, naga City, pawned from MAY 1-31, 2015 whose terms have expired will be sold to public auction sale on NoVeMBeR 03, 2015 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 NooN.

redemption/renewals of all pledges covered by the above-mentioned date will be honored until ocToBeR 28, 2015 only. The MANAGeMeNTBiKoL RePoRTeRPublished: ocToBeR 4 and 11, 2015

NOTICE TO THE PUBLICAUCTION SALE/SUBASTA

All unredeemed items/articles pawned at ASPe eXPlor-er PAWnSHoP, Ground Floor, Bichara Complex, Abella St., Igualdad, naga City, pawned from MAY 1-31, 2015 whose terms have expired will be sold to public auction sale on NoVeMBeR 03, 2015 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 NooN.



All unredeemed items/articles pawned at roWenA ASPe PAWnSHoP, P. Burgos St., corner j. Hernandez Avenue, naga City, pawned from MAY 1-31, 2015 whose terms have expired will be sold to public auction sale on NoVeMBeR 03, 2015 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 NooN.



All unredeemed items/articles pawned at r. m. ASPe PAWnSHoP, Cor. Panganiban & elias Angeles Street, naga City, pawned from MAY 1-31, 2015 whose terms have expired will be sold to public auction sale on NoVeMBeR 03, 2015 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 NooN.



All unredeemed items/articles pawned at ASPe CroWn-JeWeL PAWNshoP & JeWeLRY sToRe, Bichara Mall corner j. Hernandez & Gen. luna Sts., naga City, pawned from mAY 1-31, 2015 whose terms have expired will be sold to public auction sale on NoVeMBeR 03, 2015 from 9:00 A.M.-12:00 noon.



sustainable management and conservation of our coastal and marine ecosystems and habitats, and improved biodi-versity to support higher fish-eries productivity and provide better ecological services."

He said the focus of the meeting is anchored on one of the four priority themes

cooperation key . . .of the Philippines, the host country of this year's APEC meetings, which is "Build-ing Sustainable and Resilient Communities."

This specific theme, the environment chief said, con-tributes toward the three other themes, namely: the en-hancing of regional economic agenda, fostering the partici-pation of small and medium enterprises in regional and global markets, and support-ing and investing in human resources.

"We firmly believe that these initiatives will expand our efforts in making the theme of the host economy APEC Philippines 2015 'Building inclusive econo-mies, building a better world’ a reality," Paje said.

He added that harnessing the blue economy is most important in the Asia-Pacific considering that the region's marine resources account for two-thirds of the world's capture fishery production and 80 percent of the world's aquaculture production, mak-ing them vital in achieving food security.

The Albayano cabinet member said an important way of sustaining and even improving the productivity of

the country's oceans is "im-proving the biodiversity of coastal and marine ecosys-tems" as healthy ecosystems "support higher fisheries pro-duction and provides better ecological services such as their important contribution to regulate climate and to di-saster risk reduction."

"If we have healthy ma-rine and coastal ecosystems, we can develop our brand of 'Blue Economy' defined as an approach to advance sustain-able management and conser-vation of ocean and coastal resources and ecosystems and sustainable development, in order to foster economic growth," Paje stressed.

The APEC dialogue aims to produce a plan of action that would keep the coastal

and marine ecosystems resil-iency and ensure sustainable food supply chains.

The action plan tackles three priority areas: resilient oceans and coastal resources; fish loss production; and agri-business development.

"The plan of action has undergone several revisions from the important and valu-

able comments and sugges-tions from different member economies," Paje said.

He expressed hope and confidence that the pro-posed Plan of Action of the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Blue Economy will be adopted at the end of this meeting.

Catanduanes Festivalshowcases Abaca

BIKOL REPORTER

REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss

outstanding local newspaperfor five consecutive years by the st. peter

Baptist catholic mass media awards

8 octoBer 4-10, 2015

By DAnnY o. CAllejA

VIRAC, Catanduanes – Bicol’s island-province of Catanduanes, the country’s abaca production leader, will glorify the industry in an annual festival set every month of May and expected to be rolled out next year.

Born through an ordinance passed recently by the pro-vincial legislative board and anticipated to be approved by provincial governor Araceli Wong, the festival will be in celebration of the important contribution of abaca in the local economy.

The province, occupying an island sitting off the north-eastern side of the Bicol Pen-insula and separated from the mainland by Maqueda Bay, has a total of over 35,500 hectares of abaca plantations cultivated by 15,454 farmers who produce an average of 19,000 metric tons of fiber yearly.

This represents 33.2 per-cent of the total national pro-duction.

This makes abaca its backbone industry that since time immemorial has made the island, known as the first landmass to be kissed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean -- making it highly exposed to tropical cyclones hitting the country’s eastern seaboard, a prized contributor to coun-try’s fiber export earnings.

In 2012 alone, the coun-try posted an amount of USD million in abaca export earn-ings or over Php5 billion on the back of increased demand for abaca pulp and cordage in the Philippines’ major mar-kets, according to records of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority.

The development of new end-use for abaca fiber in composite applications for the automotive industry in Ger-many contributed in boosting the demand for the fiber.

NTc Bicol goes after Txt scammersNAGA CITY --- Devi-

ously earning money from unsuspecting victims, text scammers are now the sub-ject of the National Telecom-munications Commission’s (NTC) all-out campaign, including strategies to raise the awareness of the popu-lace not to fall prey to their fraudulent acts.

By ANA-LizA s. MAcATANGAY

“Popular text scams like “Panalo sa Raffle” “Kamag anak/ kaibigan Paload” and “Pasa/Nakaw Load,” still re-mains as the most common way to lure unwary recipients in succumbing to these scams. We are advising everyone not to respond or txt back to these text messages,” NTC-Bicol Regional Director Engr. Ariel

H. Padilla recently told mem-bers of the media.

Padilla said that the most common form of scams hap-pens through text.

“Panalo sa Raffle” txt scam is characterized by a txt message announcing that the recipient has won a prize amounting to close to a mil-lion, even using phrases such as from President Aquino Foundation, complete with

a bogus DTI-NCR number along with a fictitious name.

Other strategies use the most vulnerable sector like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pili-pino beneficiaries. It uses phrases like: “Congrats. From President Noy-noy Aquino Foundation. 4-Ps Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Your SIM number won P950,000.00 2nd Prize winner, Handog Pangkabuhayan Raffle pro-

mo! DTI Permit #9513 series 13. Please call me now! I’m Lyka Ramirez. Thank you!”

Another widely used txt scam is the “Kamag anak/ kaibigan Paload” strategy. Somebody posing as a rela-tive would send a txt message to the recipient saying that he is using his new roaming number and that he has al-ready sent money to them, with a txt back note at the end of the message.

Those who will fall into this trap will now engage in an exchange of text messages which would lead to a certain point where the texter will ask for something, money most of the time using a very convincing reason.

The last but not the least is the “Pasa/Nakaw Load” text scam asking the recipient to send a load to a specific CP number citing that he is in a very compromising situation.

These scams are all meant to extract money from their recipients.

In line with their informa-

oKB-Gayon Bicol 2015 primesmSmes for global market

By coNNie B. desTuRA

LEGAZPI CITY -- Mi-cro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their role in the global trade will be the focus of this year’s OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade Fair, now on its its 19th year.

The trade fair has evolved from a purely marketing event into an annual socio-cultural event.

According to DTI-Bicol Regional Director Jocelyn L.B. Blanco, it has become the venue for budding MSMEs to find new markets and gradu-ate to better capacities; an op-portunity for them to develop new product designs attuned to and compliant with market demands.

“The OKB-Gayon Bicol, through the years, has pro-vided opportunities for our homegrown entrepreneurs to develop, find new markets and become more competi-

tive,” Blanco said.The annual marketing

event offers wearable and homestyle products, pro-cessed foods, ceramics, fur-niture, fine jewelry, and other products that will surely de-light the buyers, she added.

It displays Bicol’s best products made from fin-est handcrafted materials to prime food delicacies, bringing the Bicolano entre-preneurs distinctive skills in weaving, innovating and pro-ducing new products and de-signs for discerning markets, domestic and foreign.

At least 111 exhibitors from all over the region are joining this year’s fair.

Thirty-three come from Albay, 12 from Camarines Norte, 21 from Camarines Sur, 11 from Catanduanes, 9 from Masbate and 25 from Sorsogon.

The trade fair features 38 new entrepreneurs who are

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Documents

Bikol Reporter October 4 - 10, 2015 Issue