Vol. 20, No 20 -- May 18 - 24, 2015

May 18 - 24, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 20 | Php 12.00/copy  balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

Like us: Read archives at: www.facebook.com/Balikas issuu.com/balikasonline

Follow us: @Balikasonline

Mass training for PPI elects its new Board; Grade 10 teachers Balikas’ publisher is a trustee for Luzon 7 conducted

2

A time to mourn... >>>OPINION....P/4

SA pagkabalam ng isinasagawang rehabilitasyon ng Calumpang matapos ihayag ng Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) ang pagBridge bunsod ng pagkatuklas sa isang matigas na obstruction sa apruba nito sa P350-milyong loan package ng pamahalaang lunsod pinaglalagyan ng pilote nito, nakikitang maaari pang maunang ng Batangas para tustusan ang naturang ikatlong tulay. maitayo ang Ikatlong Tulay sa makasaysayang Ilog ng Calumpang >>>#BANGON....sundan sa P/3

>>>FULL STORY....on P/2

Local Tourism. Sa kabila ng malalakas na alon ay hindi napigil si Mayor Thony C. Halili kasama ang mga Staff sa Tourism Office na itinayo ni Mayor para sa pagpapaunlad ng eco-tourism sa Lunsod ng Tanauan na bisitahin at ikutin ang Isla Napayong.

Kasama si G. Ben Carandang, G. Arthur Lirio at ang mga Staff ng Tourism Office, G. Ed Jallores ang isa sa masigasig na isulong ang Turismo, at si G. Rene Angeles isa sa nagmamay-ari sa lupain sa Napayong na nagnanais din na mapaunlad ang turismo sa lugar.

Sa pag iikot sa Isla ay natuklasang may mga dayuhan na din na nagpupunta sa Napayong upang doon ay mag swimming.| TANAUAN CITY’S HOPE

70% ng Calamity Fund hiniling ng PDRRMC na magamit ng mas maaga HINIHILING ngayon ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) sa pamamagitan ni Provincial Administrator Joel Montealto sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan na magamit na ang hanggang 70% ng kabuuang 5% Calamity Fund ng probinsya na nagkakahalaga ng kabuuang P88,219,455.31 Sa komunikasyong natanggap ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan, hinihingi ng PDRRMC na maaprubahan

ang panukalang paggamit ng naturang 70% na bahagi ng Calamity Fund, batay sa pinagtibay na resolusyon sa joint meeting ng PDRRMC at Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) sa Bulwagang Batangan noong Pebrero 23, 2015.

Puna ni Bokal Carlos Bolilla, tagapangulo ng Committee on Appropriation, mukhang hindi tama na ibuhos na kara-karaka ang majority ng 70% ng Calamity

>>>PONDO...sundan sa P/2

MAY 18 - 24, 2015

2

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

Mass training for Grade 10 teachers conducted IN order to equip teachers with the necessary competencies to handle new challenges posted by the country’s changing educational landscape, the Department of Education – Region IVA CALABARZON conducted the two batches of Massive Training of 1,525 Grade 10 teachers on K-12 Basic Education Program at the University of Batangas, May 4-16.

The training aims to provide Grade 10 teachers with in-depth understanding of the curriculum framework, learning standards, assessments of the learning outcomes, identify the suitable pedagogies and understand how to localize and contextualize activities in areas of English, Science, Mathematics, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, MAPEH and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP) based on the needs of the learners.

Participants from different public high schools in Division of Batangas Province and Division of Lipa City arrived at exactly 7:30 am of May 4 for registration and distribution of training materials.

Opening program jumpstarted at 1:00 pm held at the UB Auditorium where the university president, Dr. Hernando B. Perez acknowledged and welcomed all the participants in the campus. Dr. Edward E. Babasa, Program Director explicated the house rules and program objectives that assist the participants during the entire training.

Key personalities from academic and training sectors in Region IV-A CALABARZON shared their expertise and perspective of the new structure of

the curriculum for Grade 10 subject areas. Dr. German Rosales, Ms. Arlene Mauhay, Ms. Aida De Chavez, Ms. Benita De Guzman, Ms. Julita Arboleda and Ms. Ellen Benter shared their expertise in teaching Filipino.

Synchronizing the task was the training held at the four (4) classrooms where Mathematics teachers increased their knowledge and compassion in teaching the subject. Ms. Agnes Banaag, Ms. Milette De Torres, Ms. Desiree Calaluan, Dr. Romell A. Ramos, Ms. Jacqueline Arias, Ms. Nenita Adame, Ms. Marites Bonifacio and Mrs. Theresa Exconde served as their facilitators.

Moreover, Ms. Marilyn Dimaano, Ms. Marites Ababao, Dr. Evelyn Rabino, Ms, Marivic Dimaculangan, Ms. Yorina Manalo and Ms. Marites Fabia gave emphasis on the localization and contextualization of learning activities in teaching Araling Panlipunan.

Completing the roster of trainers for the first batch of the activity, Ms. Mylene Holgado, Mr. Redentor Rodriguez, Mr. Jericho Alberto, Ms. Marilyn Peñaflor, Ms. Mary Jane Gonzales and Ms. Faith De Leon supported teachers in the area of Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP).

Continuing the objectives of the Department, the second batch of the training started May 11. Dr. Roel A. Asi, Dr. Augusto C. Africa, Ms. Concordia Dapat, Mrs. Yolanda Alejandre, Ms. Melanie V. De Torres, Ms. Mary Jane Baral, Ms. Wilma V. Pasia and Mrs. Mercedez G. Jumarang served as trainers in English.

Mr. Ariel L. Abel, an English teacher

from Bolbok National High School, Division of Lipa City said that the session defined the key role of teachers in the K to 12 Program.

“In the new educational scheme, we need to train our students how to learn, not what to learn,” he said. “The teacher main role is to become the facilitator of learning that encourages learners to become independent,” he added.

Simultaneously held was the training for Science Teachers in the assistance of Ms. Geraldine Guinihin, Ms. Liezel Hernandez, Ms. Baby Lileth Aguba, Dr. Ramil M. Marquez, Mr. Benito Hernandez, Ms. Rowena Cabanding, Ms. Maxima Javier and Mrs. Rhodora Capistrano.

Gearing MAPEH Teachers with the 21st century skills, Ms. Mylene A. Marco, Ms. Elsa Santos, Ms. Abigail Arellano, Mr. Eddie Chavez, Mr. Aprilito C. De Guzman, Ms. Dulce Amor Abante, Ms. Jocelyn Adarlo and Ms. Mary Jane Perez who attended the National Training of Trainers shared their field of expertise in the four areas of the subject.

Highlighting the event was the execution of the knowledge and skill acquired by teachers through demonstration teaching. It was followed by the closing ceremony held the UB Auditorium. Certificates of recognition, participation and attendance were distributed to the participant.

Truly, Department of Education takes a big leap of upgrading the quality of education in the country by mobilizing both teachers and students with 21 st century skills towards globalization.| LEO M. ATIENZA/SCNHS

...............................................................................................................................................................

Mga bagong propesyunal ng lunsod. Si Mayor Antonio C. Halili, habang nagbibigay ng kanyang inspirational message sa isinagawang recognition ceremonies para sa mahigit 200 scholars ng lunsod na nagsipagtapos ng kani-kaniyang kurso mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo at unibersidad sa bansa.| JUN MOJARES

...............................................................................................................................................................

Mga nagsipagtapos na Tanauan City scholars, pinarangalan TANAUAN CITY – Nagdaos ng isang recognition ceremony ang Pamahalaang Lunsod ng Tanauan upang parangalan ang mga iskolar nito na nagsipagtapos ng kani-kanilang mga kurso mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo at unibersidad sa bansa.

Sa isang simpleng seremonya na ginanap sa Gov. Modesto Castillo Cultural Center noong Mayo 13, kinilala at pinarangalan ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaang lungsod, sa pangunguna ni Mayor Antonio C. Halili, ang mahigit sa 200 iskolar, sampu ng kanilang mga kaanak at magulang, na nagsipagtapos ng kolehiyo ngayong 2015 sa pamamagitan ng ayuda sa ilalim ng Scholarship Program ng lunsod.

Kinabibilangan ito ng isang Magna Cum Laude, 16 na Cum Laude at 13 na nagkamit ng Academic Excellence Award.

Sa kanyang talumpati, nagbigay inspirasyon si Mayor Halili sa mga bagong graduates makaraang ibahagi ang sariling karanasan, bilang noon ay isang mahirap na estudyante, hanggang sa maabot ang kinalalagyan niya ngayon.

“Everyday is a day of learning, and we never stop learning,” paghihimok niya sa mga kabataan upang patuloy na magpunyagi at tumuklas ng mga bagong kaalaman upang maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap.

“Hanggang sa ngayon ako po’y nagaaral pa, sapagkat ako’y naniniwala na experience ang pinakamagandang teacher,” dagdag pa niya.

Samantala, ipinahayag ni Mayor Halili na hindi na palalawigin pa ng pamahalaang lunsod ang pagbibigay ng subsidiya o pagtanggap ng mga bagong

scholars sa ilalim ng dating programa.

Nilinaw niya na ang pondo para dito ay ilalaan na lamang para sa bagong katatatag na Tanauan City College, na kung saan ay libre ang pag-aaral ng mga mahihirap subalit karapat-dapat na mga kabataang Tanaueño.

Ginawaran ng mga kaukulang medalya at sertipiko ng pagkilala ang mga bagong graduates na sinaksihan din nina Vice Mayor Jhoanna C. Corona, mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlunsod na sina: Herman Trinidad, Gen. Ben Corona, Dr. Marissa Tabing, Atty. Gileen Canobas-Manaig, Atty.

Peming Magpantay, Jun Goguanco, Joseph Castillo, Eric Manglo, Sammy Platon at Angel Atienza, at ni Atty.

Junjun Trinidad, city administrator.| GERARD LARESMA

Inter-Island News

By JOMAR PARAN

Brooke’s Point invests in Php119M water projects PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – The local government unit (LGU) of Brooke’s Point is investing Ph119 million in three water projects that will significantly improve access to safe drinking water in nine barangays in this southern town.

The project is a partnership between the LGU and the provincial government which provided the technical & engineering assistance for the construction of the water facilities.

Of the three water projects, the Ph35M Saraza Level III Water System Project has been completed and inaugurated recently. This project is expected to benefit at least 18,000 residents located in Bgy. Saraza, Bgy. Malis, Bgy. Samariñana, Bgy. Salogon, Bgy. Oring-Oring, Bgy. Amas, and Brgy. Tubtub.

Every household consumer of the water project in the seven barangays will pay a minimum of Ph150 per month which will start after three years of grace period.

Two other water projects located in Bgy. Mainit and Bgy. Maasin are expected to be completed this year in June and July respectively.

Funding for these water projects came from a loan accessed from the Municipal Development Fund Office payable in 15 years.| VICTORIA ASUNCION S. MENDOZA .....................................................................................................

CSC Romblon, tumatanggap ng aplikasyon para sa Fire Officer Examination

ROMBLON, Romblon — Ang Civil Service Commission (CSC)-Romblon Field Office ay tumatanggap na ng mga aplikasyon para sa mga nais kumuha ng Fire Officer Examination (FOE) na gaganapin sa ika-16 ng Agosto sa lungsod ng Batangas.

Sinabi ni Allan Poe M. Carmona, Director II, CSC Romblon, na mabibigyan ng eligibility bilang fire officer ang mga makakapasa sa naturang pagsusulit, sila man ay kawani o hindi ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Ang mga kwalipikasyon para sa mga aplikante ay: Filipino; may kaaya-ayang personalidad; at may malusog na pangangatawan at maayos na pag-iisip; Hindi pa nahatulan ng anumang krimen, kabilang dito ang pagiging imoral; paglabag sa pamantayan ng katapatan, pandaraya sa pagsusulit, pagkalango sa alak o pagkalulong sa bawal na gamot. Hindi rin dapat itiniwalag sa serbisyong-militar o inalis sa katungkulan sa gobyerno bunga ng katiwalian ang mga aplikante.

Sila ay dapat na nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo sa isang respetadong paaralan at may edad na 21 hanggang 35 sa petsa ng pagsumite ng kanilang aplikasyon.

Para sa mga interesadong mag-apply, maaaring kumuha ng application form sa opisina ng CSCRomblon Field Office sa 4th Floor, Capitol Building, Bgy. Capaclan sa bayan ng Romblon, magdala ng apat (4) na passport size picture, photocopy ng valid ID at halagang P700 na pambayad sa pagpoproseso ng aplikasyon.

Ang pagtanggap ng aplikasyon sa opisina ng Civil Service Commission ay hanggang sa ika-17 ng Hunyo lamang.| DINNES MANZO

................................................................................... <<<PONDO.... mula sa P/1

70% ng Calamity Fund hiniling ng PDRRMC na magamit ng mas maaga Fund sa infrastructures gayong may mga kailangan ding mga makinarya at equipments na inaasahang magagamit sa rehabilitation at iba pang gampanin kaugnay ng paghahanda sa mga kalamidad o rehabilitasyon pagkatapos ng mga kalamidad.

Aniya pa, wala ring lagda ang gobernadora at walang specifics kaugnay ng mga nasabing proyekto na ipina-

panukala sa ilalim ng naturang kahilingan.

Sapagkat walang detalyadong paliwanag sa mga hinihinging pagkakagastusan ng naturang calamity fund, ipinasya ng komite na magpatawag muli ng isa pang pagdinig sa susunod na Lunes, Mayo 18, upang mabigyang-linaw ng mga proponent ang kanilang kahilingan.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

MAY 18 - 24, 2015

3

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

BPLS-BOSS ng Batangas City, bagong modelo ng Compostela Valley NAGLAKBAY-ARAL sa Batangas City ang delegasyon mula sa Compostela Valley (Comval) Province upang alamin ang Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) and Investment Promotion (IP) ng lunsod, Mayo 13.

Ang delegasyon ay mula sa 11 munisipalidad ng Compostela Valley na kinabibilangan ng kanilang BPL Officer, LEIPO at Tourism Officer. Kasama rin nila ang Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI) Comval.

Ayon kay DTI Batangas Provincial Caretaker Marissa Argente, ang lunsod ang madalas nilang irekomenda na bisitahin ng ibang LGUs sapagkat ito ang isa sa may pinakaepektibong BPLS practices.

Sinabi ni Compostela Mayor Lema Bolo, nais nilang tularan ang Batangas City sa mga proyekto at programang ipinatutupad

nito upang mas mahigit pa nilang mapaunlad ang kanilang syudad. Hangad nila na magkaroon ng karagdagang kaalaman hinggil sa investment promotion.

Ayon naman kay Gilda Aldaya, BPL Officer ng Nabunturan, Comval, target nila na mapataas ang income ng kanilang lugar at ito aniya ay magaganap kung matututunan nila ang mabilis na pagpoproseso ng

business permits sa pamamagitan ng computerization.

Ang Compostela Valley ay matatagpuan sa Region XI sa Mindanao.

Isang orientation program ang isinagawa sa Bahay Pag-asa kung saan tinalakay ni Business Permits and Licensing Officer Ditas Aguado Rivera ang mga repormang isinagawa sa kanilang opisina upang maging mas efficient at madali ang proseso ng issuance at renewal ng business permit.

Tinalakay naman ni Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer (LEIPO) Erick Anthony Sanohan ang ilan sa mga proyekto ng kanilang tanggapan habang ipinaliwanag ni Information Technology Officer Raymund Sadiwa ang proseso na kanilang isinagawa para sa full automation ng BPLS. Nauna rito, nagcourtesy call ang delegasyon kay Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha at saka inobeserbahan ang operasyon ng Business-OneStop-Shop (BOSS) at ng Building Permit One- StopShop.|

Lakbay-Aral. nagcourtesy call ang delegasyon kay Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha at saka inobeserbahan ang operasyon ng Business-One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) at ng Building Permit RONNA E. CONTRERAS One- Stop-Shop.| PALAKAT PHOTO ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

<<<#BANGON.... mula sa P/1

Ikatlong Tulay sa Ilog Calumpang, kasado na Kaugnay nito, inatasan na ni Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha ang Technical Working Group (TWG) para sa preliminary design ng Third Bridge bilang paghahanda sa Terms of Reference (TOR) ng mananalong kontratista.

Tumatayong Chairman ng TWG si City Engineer Adela B. Hernandez.

Sinabi ni Hernandez na ang pagtatayo ng Third Bridge ay isang flagship project ng lunsod. Ayon sa RA 9184 o Procurement Act, ang mga imprastraktura na tulad nito ay kinakailangan na may disenyo na pagbabatayan ang mananalong bidder ng proyekto.

Idinagdag pa ni Hernandez na ang Third Bridge ay isang hindi pangkaraniwang tulay kung kayat ito ay nangangailangan ng isang kumpanya na may expertise sa mga suspension bridges.

Gayunpaman, inihanda nila ang specifications ng naturang tulay upang pagbatayan sa pagdidisensyo at paggagawa ng kontratista Ayon kay Engr. Hernandez, ang tulay ay isang suspension o hanging bridge na walang poste na itatayo sa ilog.

Ito ay may habang 100 metro. Bukod ditto, ang approaches o abang sa bawat dulo ay tig-20 metro bawat isa. Ang unang approach ay babagtas mula sa

Ferry Road kanto ng P. Herrera St. katabi ng City Engineer’s Office patungong Calumpang River at dudugtong sa Gulod Labac na ang approach ay magsisimula sa may Top Steel kanto ng Lobo-Tabangao National Road. May kabuuang 140 metro ang haba ng tulay kasama ang approaches.

Ayon pa kay Hernandez, ang approach ay isang superstructure na magsisilbing poste ng tulay. Dahil aniya ito ay suspension o hanging bridge, kailangan ay napakatibay ng istraktura upang maitayo ang Third Bridge.

Samantala, magbubukas din ng bagong kalsada patungo sa approach ng tulay. Sa bahagi ng Sitio Ferry ay 440 metro o kalahating kilometro at sa bahagi ng Gulod Labac ay 978.6 metro o kabuuang 1,418.86 metro. Tinatayang 100 metros ang haba ng kalsada bawat approach o may kabuuang 200 metrong kalsada.

Ang Third Bridge ay walang bubong subalit inaasahan na ito ay state-of-theart ang disensyo at pagkakagawa. Ito ay may lawak na 15 metro tulad ng kalsada ng dudugtong dito. May sidewalk ito na may lawak na 1.5 metro at 1.5 metro para sa bisekleta at motorsiklo sa magkabilang gilid. Tinatayang

ang 2-lane traffic para sa mga sasakyan ay siyam (9) na metro ang lawak.

Nabatid pa na kapag naisagawa na ang bidding at nai-award sa winning contractor ang contract time ng proyekto ay tinatayang isang taon.

Committee on Right of Way and Social Preparation Nauna rito ay nagbuo na rin si Mayor Dimacuha ng komitiba na tutugon sa pagkakaroon ng right of way sa pagkonstrak ng tulay. Kabilang sa miyembro ng Lupon sina Atty. Teodulfo A. Deguito, City Legal Officer, Mrs. Mila Espanola, CSWDO; Mrs. Judy Tumambing, City Assessor; at Mrs. Elizabeth delos Reyes, City Budget Officer.

Ayon kay Tumambing, ang lupa na dadaaanan ng mga approaches at kalsada sa Sitio Ferry at Gulod Labac ay halos lahat ay pag-aari ng pamahalaang lunsod maliban sa isang lote na pag-aari ng isang rural bank. Ani Tumambing, ang lugal na ito ay pinakamagandang tayuan ng Third Bridge dahilan sa ito ay nasa sentro at halos lahat ng lote na gagamitin ay hindi na bibilhin dahilan sa pag-aari na ito ng pamahalaang lunsod.

Nakipag-ugnayan na rin si Atty.

Deguito sa mga kinauukulan upang

Call/txt us:

0912.902.7373 0926.774.7373 0927.320.2003

Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

Kontrabando. Kabilang ang mga motorsiklong ito sa may 70 yunit na narekober ng otoridad sa magka-ugnay na operasyon sa bayan ng Calaca kamakailan.| PNP PHOTO

70 motorsiklo, 1 kotse, narekober sa Calaca CALACA, Batangas – Halos umabot sa 100 yunit ng motorsiklo ang nakumpiska ng pinagsanib-sanib na pwersa ng Calaca Municipal Police Station, Batangas Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Highway Patrol Team (HPT) at SWAT ng Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) sa operasyon ng mga ito sa bayang ito kamakailan.

Nabatid na maghahain ng Search Warrants No. 2015-21 and 2015-22 na inisyu ni Kgg. Cristino E. Judit, Branch 10, RTC, Balayan, Batangas na may petsang May 13, 2015 ang mga operatiba sa tahanan nina John Brillant Bautista y Baldovino ng Brgy.

Putting Bato, at Roxy Maullon ng Brgy. 5 Poblacion, kapwa ng bayang ito.

Sa nalooban ng operasyon, 52 yunit ng iba’t ibang modelo ng motorsiklo at isang (1) Nissan Sentra ang narekober sa tahanan ni Bautista, samantalang 18 iba’t ibang modelo naman ng motoriklo ang narekor kay Maullon.

Kapwa lang naipakitang ebidensya ng pagmamayari ang mga suspek kaya kapwa rin silang nahaharap ngayon sa patung-patong na kaso ng paglabag sa Presidential Decree 1612 o kilala bilang Anti-Fencing Law.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

“

Intelligent discussions and exchange of views on issues are encouraged among our readers. Anyone can send comments or feedback about the news, features or stories published in our pages.

However, the editorial board reserves the right to edit comments for clarity and brevity. The use of foul language, personal attacks or hate campaign on a person or an institution is not tolerated, otherwise, they will not be published. Likewise, promoting one's own agenda or interests (such as those that are commercial or political) are not intertained here. The same policy is also applied to our social media pages.

walang sagabal at naaayon sa batas ang pagpapatupad ng proyekto.

Nakapagsagawa na rin ng social preparation ang grupo nina Espanola sa may mahigit na 100 informal settlers na inaasahang makakatanggap ng halagang P15,000.00 bawat isa. Ayon kay Española, kinakailangan lamang na mapatunayan na sila ay matagal nang nakatira doon sa lugal. Inaalam na rin ni Española kay Delos Reyes ang pondo para dito.

Inaasahan naman ni Mayor Dimacuha ang pagtutulungan ng lahat ng kinauukulang ahensya at mga mamamayan upang maitayo ang Third Bridge sa lalong madaling panahon.

“Ito aniya ay tugon sa lahat ng mga problema sa trapiko, pagnenegosyo at social mobility dulot ng pagbagsak ng Tulay ng Calumpang. Umaasa ako na itong Third Bridge ay magbubukas ng kaalwanan at lalo pang

”

kaunlaran sa ating lunsod”, pagtatapos pa ni Dimacuha.

Sa kaugnay pa ring balita, nagpalabas na ng Certificate of Availability of Funds ang Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) sa halagang P350M para sa Third Bridge pagkatapos na makumpleto ang mga requirements hinggil sa loan agreement ng pamahalaang lunsod at LBP, isa na rito ang ratification ng Ordinance No. 3, s. 2015 noong ika-20 Abril.

Approval ng P350M Loan, Ok na sa Landbank Ayon kay City Budget Officer ay naisumite na ni Mayor Dimacuha ang Supplemental Budget sa Committee on Appropriations na pinangungunahan ni Councilor Alyssa CruzAtienza. Inaasahan na ito ay tatalakayin sa susunod na sesyon dahilan sa ito ay isang urgent project ng pamahalaang lunsod.| MAY ULAT NI LETTY CHUA

4

Be a part in shaping public opinion.

Email your comments/reactions to: balikasonline@yahoo.com MAY 18 - 24, 2015

OPINION

US President Barack Obama came out of the closet sometime ago and announced that he is for same-sex marriage. He said that was the conclusion of his long period of “evolving.”

Many political observers, however, say that he originally was for it, then against it, then was reconsidering, and then finally is for it again.

They say this flip-flopping is a reaction of a political animal to changing political conditions.

Well, we know how this stance is called in our country. “Weatherweather lang ni, bai.” To a certain extent, this attitude is valid given the temporal nature and autonomous character of politics.

But when used indiscriminately, it can enter into forbidden territory as when it is applied on matters of faith and morals, and on the fixed nature of things. And I am afraid this is what is happening in this present issue.

Marriage is not a political issue that has to be defined, and its problems resolved, solely or mainly in a political way. Marriage has a universal, immutable nature, applicable to all of us regardless of race, gender and whatever condition we may be in. When nature of things is involved, we just accept it, we don’t redefine it.

Marriage simply has to be a stable relationship between a man and a woman, because it involves a love that entails the use of sex whose primary purpose is procreation before it provides pleasure and other benefits to the couples concerned.

That’s simply the nature of sex and marriage. It is not a religious imposition, but rather a result of a careful, comprehensive metaphysical study of the matter. If we pursue this study thoroughly, then we will arrive at the conclusion that marriage in itself has properties of exclusivity, unity and indissolubility.

Of course, people can have a varying understanding of the nature of sex and marriage, and so we just have to undertake a continuing discussion, clarification and formation. The government should also feel the duty to do this. This is everyone’s responsibility.

But we just cannot stop at the level of “that-is-your-stand-and-this-ismine,” since the issue at hand is not a matter of opinion or personal preferences. It binds everyone to conform to this nature of sex and marriage, in a way that should be more forceful than the binding quality of our tax and traffic laws.

Ironically, the latter laws on taxes and traffic are more strictly pursued than our marriage laws. It seems we are now having the wrong priorities, the wrong emphasis on our varied concerns.

I was shocked when I heard President Obama’s reasons for supporting same-sex marriage. They had the usual rationalizing taste of the tolerance bit. It’s a reasoning that has overreached its purpose, trying to go to a bridge too far.

This alibi about tolerance, while it has its merits, should not be the only, much less, the primary consideration to make, especially in issues like marriage. There are many other more fundamental and indispensable considerations that precede it.

Obama was quoted as saying: “No matter who you love or what God you worship, you can still pursue happiness—I will support you every step of the way.”

So, if one happens to love an animal in a sexual way, he is free to marry it, and bestiality can now be elevated to the level of marriage? Or if one happens to fall in love with his own sister, or his own brother, he can also marry her or him, and incest can be marriage?

Anything is always possible with man. That’s why we need laws based on some absolute truths to guide and educate us.

Or if one happens to believe in violence and terrorism as his own God, it would just be ok? The words of Obama did not include any qualifier as to who can be the object and God of one’s love and devotion.

I may be exaggerating and blowing out of proportion Obama’s words, but these words certainly give us a direction that, in their most lenient interpretation, can be considered potentially dangerous.

There are things that we cannot and should not tamper. Marriage is one of them. Everything has to be done to strengthen it. Those who violate them, while we always have to be charitable and fair, should be dealt with clearly, and even strongly.

I have no problem with gays. I know many of them and they are excellent persons, workers and friends. But let’s not call what is wrong, right, and bad, good, just because we are friends.|

A bilingual weekly newspaper of general circulation published by the PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS, INC., a corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Certificate No. CS201401804.

Member:

Like us: www.facebook .com/Balikas

CBCP online

Marriage redefined?

........................................................................................................................................................ of the Labor Code mandaSEVENTY-TWO persons are ting the necessary safety dead. Sadly, their cadavers standards that companies are hardly recognizable even ought to comply with. by closest kin. The fire that Workers everywhere gutted the slippers factory in suffer the same risk as these Valenzuela opened the portal fallen 72. Not only are they of hell and ate up 72 bodies in exploited economically or less than an hour. Sixty-nine of these 72 workers were psychologically. Also, they risk death and injuries every trapped in the second floor of the building. They met day because employers do not care for their safety. their death while trying to scamper away from the fire Treated as replaceable inputs to production, they are which made its entry on the door of the floor where regarded nothing but tools and equipment which might they were working. be disposed of anytime. The system of production No matter how the lawyer for the factory owners Local and national officials shared the blame for explains it, their responsibility for these deaths cannot this unfortunate disaster. The Constitution directs these be denied. Nothing could excuse them from liability to officials to afford full protection to labor. Yet, they the families of the 72 workers who perished from the remised in their duty. The incident would not have blaze. Death came shockingly to these workers, but not happened if DOLE and local government officials did totally unexpected—their their job. Had they working conditions and compelled compliance Company officials must be facilities have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. with the safety standards calculated to bright forth required by the Labor They must suffer imprisonment for disaster either slowly or, Code, the injuries could reckless imprudence resulting in unfortunately in this have been limited to few case, abruptly. multiple homicides. bruises only.

No amount of Because they grossly apology could repair the damage inflicted on the victims failed in their duty, these officials must be held liable and their families. Innocent lives were lost because of also. They should be deemed equally responsible to the greed for profit of an employer who encaged his compensate the victims and their families. They are workers to death. The P5, 0000.00 financial assistance bound to make reparation and to suffer imprisonment extended to the families of the victims would not erase for failing to perform a positive duty commanded by their pain and sorrow. Instead, it would only breed law. more hatred as it conveys the callousness of the people The death of 72 workers calls for national mourwho own and run the company. ning. The whole nation must take notice of this reckless Company officials must be prosecuted to the full disregard for human lives. The public must demand extent of the law. They must suffer imprisonment for justice for the fallen workers and hold the officials reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides. concerned accountable for their failure to prevent the Also, they must suffer imprisonment for failing to incident from happening. This should be the agenda of comply with the social security laws and the provisions the day. Nothing else should matter but this.|

Editorial & Business Office: ZENAIDA ARCADE, M.H. Del Pialr St., Brgy. Pob. 2, 4200 Batangas City, Philippines  0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com | www.facebook.com/pages/Balikas Lipa City Office: San Sebastian St.,Barangay 10, Lipa City, 4217, Philippines Batangas League for Alternative Development & Services (BLADES), Inc.

Follow us: @Balikasonline

A time to mourn

Read archives at: issuu.com/balikasonline

“

”

Joenald Medina Rayos

Nicetas E. Escalona

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Lifestyle Editor

Jerick M. Dorado Copy Editor Melinda R. Landicho |Minerva Padua Sarah Joy Hernandez News Reporters Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jesus Dureza Atty. Jose Sison | Atty. Ramel C. Muria Benjie Oliveros Columnists Janlei Benedict G. Rayos | Cartoonist

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant Jack L. Aquino | Jessie delos Reyes Jerome Jay C. Sapinoso Contributors Ronalina B. Lontoc Special Project Editor

Leo Magnaye Circulation In-Charge

Ang pangalang “BALIKAS” ay hango sa mga salitang ‘balik’ at ‘kalikasan’. Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|

MAY 18 - 24, 2015

5

OPINION balikasonline@yahoo.com

Is the Philippines prepared for another major disaster?

THE country has not yet fully recovered from the impact of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), which hit the country two and a half years ago, and yet disasters seem to be looming in the horizon.

Nepal was hit by another strong earthquake, May 12, with a magnitude of 7.3.

The earthquake this week is a mere two weeks after a 7.8 strong earthquake killed more than 8,000 people in Nepal.

Also another strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan today, May 13. More than four years ago, in March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coast of T?hoku, which triggered a tsunami. The most powerful recorded earthquake to hit Japan claimed the lives of 15,891 people, with 2,584 missing.

The question is: Is the Philippines prepared if a strong earthquake strikes the country?

Almost two years ago, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol Island in Central Visayas. It killed 222 people and damaged 73,000 structures, including the island’s old churches.

Before that, the last time an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit the country was in 1990. The epicenter then was in Nueva Ecija province in Central Luzon but the damage it caused stretched all the way to Baguio City in northern Luzon. Baguio City was the most damaged and it was isolated from the rest of the country for 48 hours. The quake killed 1,621 people.

This writer was in Baguio City at that time. People panicked after every aftershock. And there was a pervasive atmosphere of fear, loss, desperation, and death. It was like a nightmare the first two days after the quake struck.

What if the earthquake strikes in more populated areas such as Metro Manila? Bulatlat published an article in 2004 based on the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study, a Japan-funded study that was initiated in August 2002.

The report revealed that “active phases of the (West) Valley Faults (formerly the Marikina Valley Faults) are

Benjie Oliveros

approaching and that the estimated magnitude will be around 7 or more. But MMEIRS also raised the possibility that it could reach from intensity 7 to even 9, which could be ‘devas-

tating.’”

The devastation it would cause is enor-mous: “up to 35,000 residents of Metro Manila would die and up to three million others would need to be evacuated. In addition, some 175,000 buildings would be damaged.”

Dr. Norman Tungol, who was then with the Phivolcs’ Geology, Geophysics, Research and Development Division (GGRDD), estimated the Fault’s movement of recurrence at 200-400 years and is therefore, due to move anytime.

The study was done more than a decade ago. But this does not make the findings less likely. Dr. Tungol estimated then that based on the margin of error, the movement “could be within the next few years, (or) few tens of years.”

Worse, there has been no development in the country’s preparedness, especially in dealing with earthquakes.

The “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010? was passed with its lofty objectives and the former National Disaster Coordinating Council was changed to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council. And yet, the government has not fully embraced the whole concept of disaster risk reduction and management.

Its disaster preparedness and risk reduction program has been limited to the installation of early warning systems, purchase of lifeboats by local government units and a stricter implementation of evacuation orders. There are no disaster preparedness trainings, no mitigation and adaptation measures in place.

What has mitigated the impact of disasters is that, after Typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda, Filipinos have learned lessons the hard way. Most voluntarily evacuate during typhoons and some even before the storm hits.

>>>PERSPECTIVE... turn to P/7

........................................................................................................................................................

Media and Elections; Expanding the Discourse Part 1 of 3-Part Series [Keynote Address during the 19th National Press Forum of the Philippine Press Institute held at the Diamond Hotel, May 15, 2016.]

THANK you for inviting me on this special occasion. I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused on all of you. I had to accompany my family to secure visas for a trip we have been planning for 6 months and we were given a date and time to do it on short notice.

You asked that I talk about “expanding the discourse” of media and elections. . I take this to mean, what lens we should use in defining the issues in the elections in assessing the qualifications of candidates and their performance record in public office, for reelectionists, and in informing and educating the public. .

I believe that for the coming elections we should use the lens of social justice and human development which is the promise of our Constitution that remains unfulfilled to this day. The right to vote is based on social justice; it is the only right where everyone is totally equal. Accordingly, we should also address the hindrances to that fulfillment – the flawed policies and the corruption which are rooted in a feudalistic system that has been impervious to change for centuries.

I cannot think of a better way to start the conversation than to ask ourselves – how meaningful are the elections to our people, especially the poor? I believe that our people genuinely feel empowered on election day although they know that before election day in the choice of candidates and after election day on what the winners do, the power is somewhere else and not with them.

Thus, the promise of a better life by every new set of leaders remains a promise in elections after elections.

And the question begs to be asked: “What’s the point of all that money and attention for a speedy and accurate count of the ballot that is already devalued by the improper use of money, mostly government money by the corrupt and by dysfunctional political parties, warlords and political dynasties, who limit the choices of voters?”

Until we address these structural problems, those who are elected will continue to protect vested interests with policies and governance that have made us the laggard of development in our part of the world.

In East Asia, the NorthEast Asia, Japan, Korean, China and Taiwan are the successful countries, and the big four in SouthEast Asia – Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines are the underperforming countries with the Philippines at the bottom of the pile as the only country still with mass poverty, the lowest average growth rate of the economy for the 50 years 1960-2009, the lowest per capita income based on purchasing power parity, and second highest inequality (the first being Malaysia but its per capita income is more than three times ours).

Here are the basic data on poverty and inequality which are familiar to many of you: Country

GDP growth $ per cap income (ppp) Gini ave/yr 50 yrs 1960 — 2009 — 2012 coef. (2009) Philippines 1.58%/yr 1,314 — 2,838 –- 6,005 44.8 Malaysia 3.69%/yr 1,470 — 11,296 — 21,897 46.2 Thailand 4.38%/yr 961 — 7,794 – 13,458 40.2 Indonesia 4.25%/yr 693 — 4,075 — 8,856 38.1 Japan 3.40%/yr 5,850 — 30,008 — 35,006 37.6 So. Korea 5.54%/yr 1,782 — 25,084 — 29.496 31.5 China 6.18%/yr 403 — 7,634 — 10,771 43.8 Note: 2012 figures relative to 2009 may have a different base year which may account for the big increases. The figures are included more to show relative differences among countries in income per capita rather than their levels.

Source: World Bank and others

Surveys show that our people prefer democratic elections as the best way to choose their leaders as against a military takeover, a revolutionary government, a people power upheaval or a self-serving revision of the Constitution. But they continue to distrust politicians and say that they can only rely on themselves to improve their lives. And many of them do not succeed.

About 25 million are considered very poor with less than $1.25 of income a day, with 9-10 million of them

>>>MONSOD....turn to P/7

What to do with China?

I TALKED on the phone last Saturday with Zambales Gov. Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane who was a colleague in the Arroyo Cabinet. He has set up a high-tech coastal watch monitoring system in his province, in cooperation with a Canadian firm, to spot foreign vessels intruding into his provincial territorial limits. . This is clearly aimed at China which has started shooing away Zambales fishermen from the Panatag or Scarborough shoals, around only 230 kilometers from Masinloc town. What the Philippine government intends to do if China indeed intrudes into our claimed territorial waters, I have no idea as yet.

Over the weekend, a team of foreign journalists visited Masinloc as part of their study tour on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) issues. They belong to various international news organizations as Jefferson Fellows under the auspices of the East West Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii and skippered in their Philippine trip by EWC’s Ms. Ann Hartman.  WATER CANNONED -- I missed joining the team of journalists on their Zambales visit as they came right smack into the annual media forum of the Philippine Press Institute that I had to host, PPI also being the local partner of the Fellows’ visit. Fortunately, my long-time “girl Friday” Charmaine Olea joined in my behalf and she reported how Masinloc fishermen aired their anger at losing their livelihood. This was the group of fishermen who were driven away from their usual fishing grounds by the Chinese using water cannons. They were terribly missing the protective presence of the US bases, according to “Cha”, and they (including the local LGUs) seemed not in the loop on what Malacañang is doing. I suspect Gov. Jun being not with the Liberal Party is the reason why.  CHINA -- The way things are shaping up and if things are not properly handled, our country is on a collision course with China in our territorial dispute. I remember having a chat sometime ago with the previous Chinese lady Ambassador Ma. She was stressing a more effective way of settling issues among neighbors, the Asian way. Although we need to go to an international body like the United Nations to seek redress on a multilateral basis, we ought to have opened up also a parallel, backchannel route on a bilateral basis. President Ramos again called for “back-channel” direct contacts. Why this was not done up to now, I still cannot understand.

Fact is, we cannot go to war with other countries, much more with China.

Lest we all forget: we all have Chinese blood in our veins. And yes, sorry to say, we are no match to China militarily.  PAPAL MAGIC -- I read a report earlier this week that Cuban President Raul Castro, a communist and brother of famous Fidel Castro, after meeting with Pope Francis, said that that he was “returning” to the Catholic Church.

Cuba although a next door neighbor of the US has been an “enemy” of the US for half a century. It was through the recent facilitation and assistance of the Pope that both countries resumed diplomatic relations. As a result the 50-year economic blockade of Cuba that practically isolated it to the world, was lifted by the US. Papal magic at work.  “HAVING STOMACH” -- Elections is just 12 months away. The rigor and the heavy burden that a candidate and an elected official for public office must experience to win -- and then serve if elected -- are principally the reasons why only a few good men, who “have the stomach” venture into politics. Yes, there are blessings in many forms but, take it from me, there’s “life after politics”. When public officials refuse to dismount or they consider politics as a lifetime career or claim it as their own birthright or consider themselves (or their kin) as God’s gifts to mankind, that’s where the problem lies. I’ve been there before, folks. So I know!  BANGSAMORO --- The crucial vote on the BBL in Congress, both in the House and in the Senate and its final fate will be known in due time.

Congress is bent on removing some provisions that were subject, I am sure, to intense negotiations over the years. Mind you, during my time as peace negotiator, even a word or a comma, could be a serious bone of contention. I now worry that the milestones that both government and MILF achieved will be put to naught in one single sweep when the final version is passed. This is a repeat of Congress “writing its own peace agreement” as what Misuari's faction complained about before. In fact, up to now, MNLF still complains about the alleged non-implementation of the original Tripoli Agreement signed in 1976 during Marcos time.  NO MORE WAR ?-- Fast forward today. While Congress now talks of major revisions, MILF keeps saying that they will not accept a "watereddown" BBL. But at the same time, MILF hurriedly says they will not go back to war again. To me, this sounds more like an early warning that while MILF may not accept Congress' own version, they will still continue their struggle through peace negotiations to get their "non-negotiable" concessions at another time, perhaps beyond the Aquino administration.

Of course, the so-called "rogue elements", the BIFF and other armed groups that MILF disclaims links with, will do their own thing. Anyway, things will come to a head soon. Whatever is the final outcome of all this, the fact remains that the work for peace is a never-ending journey.  JOURNALISM AWARDS -- The Philippine Press Institute this week honored the winners of the annual 2014 Civic Community Journalism Press Awards during appropriate ceremonies at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. They are: They are: Bohol Chronicle, Baguio Midland Courier, Baguio Chronicle, Cebu Daily News, SunStar Davao, Edge Davao, SunStar Cebu, Mindanao Cross and Business Week Mindanao. Congratulations!|

6

Increase the potential of your business!

Advertise with us. Email us at: balikasonline@yahoo.com MAY 18 - 24, 2015

BUSINESS

Fashion fruits introduced as alternative to coconuts LUCBAN, Quezon - Fashion (Passion) fruit growers in this town expressed hope of increased production because of the growing demand in foreign market.

According to Kabatete Village Chairperson Jerry Villanueva and president of Fashion Fruit and Vegetable Dealer Marketing Association of Lucban Inc. (FFVDMALI), the association

generated higher revenues reaching millions during harvesting season of Fashion fruit because of the demand in foreign countries.

Villanueva recommended the planting of Fashion fruit in other villages of this town as an alternative to low income derived from decreasing coco harvest due to coconut scale insect (CSI) infestation .

He said that the association coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for the possibility of exporting Fashion fruit by products in addition to its raw form.

Villanueva hinted that finish products might include candies, bottled juices, wines and relaxing agents.

Meanwhile, Mayor Oliver Dator provided the association with a dehydrator so that the skin of the fruit can be processed into candies.

Villanueva added that a processing plant will be constructed in a 300 square meter lot at Kalyaat Village with funds coming from the local government and will need more fashion fruits and more workers by then.| PNA

LOCALLY gown fashion fruit|

BALIKAS PHOTO

JUDICIAL NOTICE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 84 BATANGAS CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE CANCELLATION OF THE RECORD OF BIRTH OF LOREDANA CARLA ROBLES CASTRO IN BATANGAS CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR’S OFFICE UNDER LCR NO. 92-2515 SP. PROC. NO. 15-9899 LOREDANA CARLA ROBLES-CASTRO, Petitioner, -versusJOSEPHINE P. MARANAN, in her capacity as the CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF BATANGAS CITY AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE, Respondents. x————————————————x ORDER

....................................................................................................................

A verified Petition was filed by petitioner, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an order be issued directing the City Civil Registrar of Batangas City and the Civil Registrar General to cancel petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth with LCR No. 92-2515.

Local and Fruit Wines. There are different kinds of local wines ( lambanog / basi ) to choose from. Now they even process local fruits like Marang, Lipote , Mango and mixed fruits. Some of the packaging are at par with the international standards and sometimes mistaken for imported wines .

Alcala says convergence gains must be sustained AGRICULTURE Secretary Proceso Alcala recently challenged rural development stakeholders to sustain the gains achieved through the government’s National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) to realize inclusive development in the countryside.

Alcala said that it was necessary for the stakeholders to determine the ways forward together, particularly on the implementation of remaining projects that would be instrumental in achieving the goals provided in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

The NCI-SRD, as defined in the 2011-2016 PDP, is a multisectoral and integrated planning approach by DA, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) towards more efficient use of resources.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been included in the NCI-SRD to strengthen partnerships with local governments as implementers of development interventions in the countryside.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Adviser for

Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (OPAFSAM) is tasked with the coordination and monitoring of NCI-SRD. Alcala said the NCI-SRD,

through maximized multistakeholder convergence, has accelerated rural economic growth and contributed to the country’s overall robust economic development.

WHEREFORE, finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, NOTICE is hereby given that this Petition will be heard on June 11, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 84, Hall of Justice, Batangas City, at which time, place and date, any person who has interest or opposing the instant Petition may appear or file an opposition.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Batangas, including the Cities of Lipa and Batangas, prior to the scheduled date of hearing.

The Branch Clerk of Court is hereby directed to furnish the Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC Batangas City a copy of this Order for raffle among the publishers of the publication.

SO ORDERED. Batangas City, April 16, 2015.

AFFIDAVIT OF SOLE ADJUDICATION NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late MARIO M. VEGA who died intestate on November 8, 2013 at batangas Medical Center, Batangas City consisting of a memorial/burial lot particularly described as “Court of Lorenzo Ruiz - P Sec. “C”, Block 20; Lots 1 of Eternal Gardens Memorial Park Corp., Batangas and covered by Certificate of Ownership with No. 95-2601 was extrajudicially setlf-adjudicated by his sole heir Mara M. Vega as per Doc. No. 432; Page No. 88; Book No. CXCVI; Series of 2014 of ATTY. CIPRIANO U. ASILO, Notary Public.

Pahayagang Balikas | May 4, 11 & 18, 2015

(Sgd.) DORCAS P. FERRIOLS-PEREZ Presiding Judge I hereby certify that copies of this Order were personally sent to the Office of the City prosecutor, OCC-RTC, Batangas City and by registered mail to the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Civil Registrar of Batangas City, Civil Registrar general, NSO, and the Petitioner, this 21st day of April 2015.

(Sgd.) CHARLENE CLARA G. MENDOZA Clerk of Court V Pahayagang Balikas | May 18, 25 & June 1, 2015

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas Telephone No. 0926.774.7373 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.

MAY 18 - 24, 2015

7

F.E.S.T.

balikasonline@yahoo.com

................................................................................. <<<PERSPECTIVE.... from P/5

PPI elects its 2015-2016 Board of Trustees; Is the Philippines prepared Balikas’ publisher is new trustee for Luzon for another major disaster?

THE publisher of Pahayagang BALIKAS, Joenald Medina Rayos, was elected new Trustee for Luzon of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) during the organization’s Annual Membership Meeting at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, May 14.

PPI, also known as the national association of newspapers founded in 1964, held its 19th National Press Forum from May 14 to 16 with the theme: “Media and Election: Expanding the Discourse.

As trustee, Mr. Rayos is tasked sideby-side with another trustee, Ms. May Anne Cacdac of Sunstar Baguio, to oversee PPI-related projects, trainings and other concerns of member-publications in Luzon area. The institute has 10 member publication in Luzon, namely Abante, Pilipino Star Ngayon, The Dip-

lomatic Post, PhilExport News & Features, Bandera, Bankwatch/NGO Forum on ADB, Cordillera News Agency, Ilocos Independent Media Circle, Baguio Chronicle, Baguio Midland Courier, Boletin Lucentino, Island Sentinel, Lucena Herald, Mabuhay, Pahayagang Balikas, Punto Central Luzon,Sunday Punch, SunStar Baguio, SunStar Pampanga, The Ilocos Times, and The Northern Forum Also elected officers of PPI include Maria Fajardo of Panay News, Atty. Salvador Diputado, publisher of Bohol Times, and Eileen Mangubat, publisher of Cebu Daily News as trustees for the Visayas; and Atty. Jesus Dureza, Adrian Amatong and Allan Mediante as trustees for Mindanao. Trustees for National

Capital Region include Raul Pangalangan, publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Al Pedroche of Pilipino Star Ngayon, Bernadette Tamayo of Journal Group of Publications, Roby Alampay of Business World; Rolando Estabillo of Manila Standard Today. Completing the 15-member board is Ariel Sebellino, executive director.

Meanwhile, the PPI Board of Trustees reelected Dureza as chairperson. Raul Pangalangan, publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was elected PPI Board vice chairperson; Al Pedroche, editor in chief of Pilipino Star Ngayon, treasurer; and Mangubat, secretary.

Malaya Business Insight’s publisher Jake Macasaet remains the ChairmanEmeritus of the institute.|PB

PPI 2015-2016 Board of Trustees (L-R): Ariel Sebellino (concurrent PPI executive director); Joenald Rayos (Pahayagang Balikas); May Anne S. Cacdac (Sun.Star Baguio); Maria Fajardo (Panay News); Eileen Mangubat (Cebu Daily News); Atty.

Jesus G. Dureza, (Mindanao Times; Allan Mediante (Businessweek Mindanao); and Salvador Diputado (Bohol Times); and Adrian Amatong (Mindanao Observer). Not in the photo are the other board members: Atty. Raul C. Pangalangan (Philippine Daily Inquirer), Alfonso G. Pedroche (Pilipino Star Ngayon/The Philippine Star); Bernadette Tamayo (Journal Group), Rolando Estabillo (Manila Standard Today), and a BusinessWorld trustee-representative.| PPI PHOTO

........................................................................................................................................................ <<<MONSOD... from P/5

Media and Elections... being food poor – or not having enough to eat of at least 2,000 calories a day...

What happened to the promise of EDSA? To the poor, EDSA was more than a shining moment of solidarity or the changing of the guard, it was the dawning of a new day. Then we folded up our flags and went our separate ways and lost something of the dream of a nation. And that new day is still a promise. Then it was liberation from the heavy hand of martial rule. Today, it is liberation from the yoke of poverty that would make democracy meaningful to the poor. It is not only guns that kill. Poverty kills. It is slow death from hunger, from diseases that we thought no longer existed, from the loneliness of a life with an empty future. It is also the dying of dignity.

After the Mamasapano incident, in a meeting of farmers’ groups with the leadership of the House of Representatives to ask to extend CARP, which faces a quiet death without Malacañang support and leave undistributed some 1,000,000 hectares of circumventions of CARP thereby rewarding landowners who defied the law, the farmers had this to say about the armed encounter that, with your indulgence, I will say in English

– we don’t use guns because we believe in democracy. But we have been knocking on the doors of Malacañang, the Congress and the Supreme Court for decades. And still no justice. Many of us die every day from poverty but there are no public tears, no special benefits. No media attention. Just the anonymity of another failed struggle for a better life.

There is something very wrong in our country today.

History has not been kind to the poor.

Twenty eight years after EDSA, we continue to be a failure of social justice and human development in the whole of our country and we know that this must change.

Bangsamoro, is the worst case of that failure. If a Bangsamoro Basic Bill is passed and war is ended, the far more difficult tasks of the peaceprocess have to be done - the transition from exclusive to inclusive governance and then the transition from poverty and inequality to human development. The Bangsamoro leadership and its people have to succeed where we have failed. In a way, Bangsamoro is a pilot case on more autonomy in local governance. A successful Bangsamoro may be a model for revisiting our unitary system. - To be continued -

PA L A IS IPA N 1

2

3

4

5

10 13

9

16 17

18

20

19

21

23

22

24

25

28

29

31 33

8

14

15

27

7

11

12

20

6

26 30

32 34

36 PAHALANG 1 US President 5 Addis __ ng Ethiopa 10 Kapuluan sa pinakadulong katimugang bahagi ng Pilipinas 11 Klase ng pasahod 12 Alingawngaw 14 Kung pupwede 15 Humawak ng malaking salapi 16 Sesame sa Tagalog 17 Inihaw sa init ng baga 19 Knowledge Network 20 Espasyong may bayad 21 Porma ng gamot 22 Pang-ukol 23 Tipo ng dugo 24 Nakaraang gabi 27 Kudlit sa balat 29 Magusap-usap: espanyol 31 Ka 32 Sandig 33 Dilag 35 Gawa 36 Awit pampatulog 37 Sara ang mata

35 37 PABABA 1 Lunan sa Japan 2 Espuma 3 Pusang gubat 4 Japanese disney cartoon 5 Simbolo ng Argon 6 Singer na Valdez 7 Wala (Ilokano) 8 Sasakyang pandagat 9 Uri ng punongkahoy 11 Anno Domino 13 Lamat sa bakal 16 Gamit sa pag-alis ng balbas 18 Laylay: Ingles 20 Lotrong puti 22 Hilakbot 23 Likidong nakakasunog 24 Senyas ng kamay sa pamamagitan ng pagkampay 25 Kapuri-puri 26 Muhi 28 Pasyal 30 Sandata ng manok 32 Saudi Arabia 34 Gibraltar: daglat

But while the installation of early warning systems and evacuation orders have somehow lessened the casualties, these are only useful for typhoons and volcanic eruptions.

These would not save lives when a powerful earthquake hits the country because it strikes without warning. The enforcement of building and construction regulations, the conduct of disaster preparedness trainings, formulation of plans and mitigation and adaptation measures down to the grassroots level would help the country prepare for a powerful earthquake.

The problem is building and construction regulations are negated by corruption

while the conduct of disaster preparedness trainings and formulation of plans have suffered substantial budget cuts. The institution of mitigation and adaptation measures are nowhere in the government’s priorities.

Sadly, it took the torrential rains of Ondoy and the massive destruction brought about by Typhoon Haiyan before the government made disaster risk reduction and management a part of its agenda.

Will it take a powerful earthquake to shake the government from its complacency? It is no secret that the country is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, aside from sitting astride the typhoon belt.|

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - May mga kaanak na handang tumulong at dumamay sa suliranin. Ang mga kaibigan ay handang tumulong kung kakailanganin.

Lucky numbers at color ay 6, 22, 32, 41 at pink.

Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Ang makipagsosyalan ay inaayunan ng panahon gayundin kung balak makipagugnayan sa mga kamag-anak o mga kaibigan. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 23, 33, 42 at violet.

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Matalinong hakbang kung pansamantalang lalayo muna sa mga kaibigang may masamang bisyo. Para hindi madamay sa gulo. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 9, 17, 39 at jade green.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Ang urongsulong na desisyon ay magbubunga ng kapalpakan at pagsisisi. Para hindi magsisi sa gagawin, tiyakin na ang kalalabasan ay tama. Lucky numbers at color ay 11, 13, 27, 43 at ivory white.

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Iwasan ang palaging nakasandal sa mga detalye.

Gawin ang sariling paraan sa pagresulba ng problema. Lucky numbers at color ay 12, 14, 33, 40 at royal blue.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Kung kaunlaran ang hangad, iwasan ang anumang uri ng pakikipagsapalaran sa sugal. Sa halip, tutukan ang trabaho. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 8, 16, 41 at gray.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Iwasan na dalhin ang problema sa pamilya hanggang sa pinapasukan dahil sarili ang masisira sa boss o mga kasamahan.

Lucky numbers at color ay 3, 13, 19, 39 at fuchsia.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Isang kaibigan o kamag-anak ang magbibigay ng problema. Pag-isipan ng mabuti ang dapat gawin bago pumalaot. Lucky numbers at color ay 1, 12, 23, 37 at white.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - May pagkasensitibo ka ngayon. Madaling magalit o maging emosyunal. Kung may ikinagagalit o kinaiinisan, makakabuting mamasyal o maglibang. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 10, 14, 23 at brown.

Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Iwasan ang mataranta sa umaga dahil magsusulputan nang sabay-sabay ang maraming gawain. Lucky numbers at color ay 14, 19, 26, 39 at blue.

Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Kung patuloy ang pagsisikap pero lilihis naman sa tamang landas, mababalewala lahat.

Magpakatino. Lucky numbers at color ay 3, 9, 19, 40 at yellow.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Iwasan ang maglakbay ng malayo. Ilagay ang mga gastusin sa budget. Kahit ano ang mangyari, magiging masaya kung tulungtulong ang buong pamilya sa problema o gawain. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 15, 29, 33 at beige.

8

Share with us Special Moments in your LifeTimes! Email your photos and details to balikasonline@yahoo.com MAY 18 - 24, 2015

F.E.S.T.

>>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..., EVENTS..., SHOWBIZ & SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<<

3-1-2 medalya sa Palarong Pambansa ATLONG ginto, isang pilak at dalawang tansong medalya ang iniuwi ng swimmer na si Arian Neil Puyo ng St. Bridget College at opisyal na kinatawan ng Batangas City para sa palarong pambansa ngayong taon na ginanap sa Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Mayo 3-9.

Tinanghal naman ang buong delegasyon ng Region IV-A CALABARZON na Rank 2 sa over-all na may 51 gold, 41 silver at 49 bronze medals. Nakakuha naman ng silver sa group relay si Jewel Mae Macatangay ng Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU).

Ang Palarong Pambansa ay isang multi sporting event na nilalahukan ng mga student athlethes ng pribado at pampublikong paaralan sa may 17 rehiyon sa Pilipinas na pinangungunahan ng Department of Education. Layunin nitong mapalakas ang holistic development ng isang bata, magkaroon ng disiplina, teamwork at kapayapaan. Ang mga magwawagi sa palarong ito ang kakatawan sa ating bansa para sa mga International competitions tulad ng Southeast East Asean Games.

Ang Batangas City ay may apat na atleta sa katauhan nina Marfred Marasigan ng Westmead International School para sa taekwondo at sina Arian Neil Puyo, Kier Lewis Landicho ng Saint Bridget College at Jewel Mae Macatangay ng Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas para sa swimming.

Kabilang din sa delegasyon ng lunsod sina Dr. Donato Bueno - Division of Schools Superintendent, Ms. Rina Silva – Asst. Superintendent, Mr. Nicolas Asi – Division Press Supervisor, Mr. Nestor Alon at Ms. Teofila Baja – Regional Working Committee.

Taus-puso ang pasasalamat naman ng delegasyon sa suporta ng pamahalaang lunsod.

Samantala, ang Palarong Pambansa 2015 ay may temang “Sports: Breaking Borders, Building Peace”.| ALVIN M. REMO

T

.......................................................................................................................................

Lay Bare opens shop in Lipa City El Gamma Penumbra is Asia Got Talent Grand Winner

EL GAMMA PENUMBRA, the Filipino shadow performing group that was the grand winner in the first season of “Asia’s Got Talent” was treated to a huge welcome by their fans and supporters when they return to Manila from Singapore.

A motorcade took them from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Malacañang Palace where they will be personally greeted by President NoyNoy Aquino. The motorcade passed through main thoroughfares in Makati where ticker tapes and confetti were showered from the city’s tall buiildings.

A grand welcome was also unfurled in Tanauan City where the group has a motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfares followed by a short program and a press conference.

Mayor Thony Halili welcomed the group and pledged his continued support to the causes espoused by El

Gamma Penumbra and other similarly talented Tanaueños.

Last Friday, the group was reportedly framed to be personally met at the airport’s VIP lounge by Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares who will have a tax receipt booklet in hand as she collects up to 30% of the group’s $100,000 (4.4 Million pesos) prize money.

Henares is known to be a tough tax woman, always ready to collect the government’s share of international prize winnings by Filipino celebrities, not the least of whom is Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s prize money from his May 2nd fight with Floyd Mayweather is estimated at $150 Million. That’s a whopping 6.6 BILLION pesos.

It is therefore not suprising that President Aquino is claiming that the Philippines is no longer the “sick man” of Asia, thanks to all that tax revenue.|