Vol. 20, No. 27 | July 6 - 12, 2015

July 6 - 12, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 27 | Php 12.00/copy  balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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Environmental Movie Yap accepts Series wraps up at SM the Lion’s Club City Batangas >>>NEWS....P/2 leadership >>>F.E.S.T....P/8

THREATENED LANDMARK. Even this centuries-old Faro de Malabrigo may be demolished if the mining in Lobo will push through.|

VOX POPULI, VOX DEI. Archdiocese of Lipa Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus Salvador Quizon and the rest of the Batangas clergy join the antimining rally in Lobo town, June 29.

BALIKAS PHOTO

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JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

LOBO, BATANGAS — Libu-libong Batangueño, kasama ang ilan pang environmental groups ang bumuhos sa Lobo covered court nitong nakaraang Lunes, Hunyo 29, upang iprotesta ang pagpasok ng Mindoro Resources Limited-Egerton Gold Philippines (MRL-Egerton) sa bayang ito at sa mayamang terrestrial and marine ecosystems dito. >>>PROTESTA.....sundan sa P/2

GO NEGOSYO. Pinangunahan ni Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino at Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha ang paglulunsad ng Negosyo Center sa Gusali ng Kapayapaan at Kalikasan (Green Building), Lunsod Batangas, Hunyo 29. [Basahin ang istorya sa pahina 6.]

JERSON SANCHEZ

My City, My SM, My Cuisine wins 2 Gourmand awards THE My City, My SM, My Cuisine cookbook recently won two Gourmand World Cookbook Awards during recent ceremonies in Yantai, China.

The book was honored with a Prestige Award by the International Jury, and placed third in the Local Cuisine category, qualifying it to be among Gourmand’s Best in the World.

Founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau, the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is sometimes described as the Oscars of Food Awards. It celebrates cookbook and wine publishing, and features many renowned chefs every year.

This year’s awards drew more than 12,000 entries from 205 countries. “It is a big success to be in the list,” says Gourmand Awards President Edouard Cointreau. “The quantity and quality of entries has reached a new high this year.”

“A total of 205 countries participated in the Gourmand Awards,” he adds. “All the books listed are truly excellent in very different ways.”

If Mr. Cointreau’s name sounds familiar, he was

>>>LIFETIMES....turn to P/7

Gourmand Awards President Edouard Cointreau with SM Senior V ice President for Marketing Millie Dizon during the awarding ceremonies. The book is a compilation of the My City, My SM, My Cuisine campaign, and was published by SM through People Asia.|

JULY 6 - 12, 2015

NEWS 2 US Embassy’s Ocean Month Environmental Movie Series wraps up at SM City Batangas balikasonline@yahoo.com

AS part of its #1Earth environmental campaign and in support of the U.S. State Department’s efforts to promote ocean conservation, the U.S. Embassy in Manila brought to Batangas its final leg of “Seeing Blue: an Oceans Month Movie Series” last June 26 at the SM Cinema 1 in SM City Batangas.

In partnership with National Geographic Channel Philippines, the “Seeing Blue” film series features the documentary “Alien Deep: Ocean’s Fury” by U.S. underwater explorer Dr. Robert Ballard. In the film, Dr. Ballard searches for answers as to why the ocean seems to be getting

bigger, angrier and more deadly.

After the screening, US Embassy encouraged the youth in the audience participated by students from St. Bridget College, University of Batangas, De La Salle Lipa and Lipa City Colleges to join the Embassy’s “Seeing Blue” campaign, to make their own pledge for what they can do in their own way to save the ocean, and to urge others to do the same.

Following the screening also, students also engaged in a discussion and question and answer with a noted environmental lawyer Atty. Ipat Luna from Pusod, Inc. as

the guest speaker.

The U.S. Embassy Manila’s “Seeing Blue” series seeks to stress to youth the importance of taking care of marine life and coastal environments in the Philippines and its #1Earth advocacy series aims to mobilize local communities to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and increase resilience to global climate change.

“Seeing Blue” was launched on World Oceans Day last June 8 at the Exploreum in SM Mall of Asia in Manila and a second screening was held at Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.|

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MAKIKITA sa loob ng bilog ang mga kritikal na bundok sa Lobo-San Juan Mountain Range apektado ng nakaambang pagmimina sa bayan ng Lobo.| <<<PROTESTA.... mula sa P/1

Sigaw ng Batangas,‘No to Mining in Lobo!’

“Kailangang mabawi at baliktarin ang pakapagendorso ng ilang opisyal ng pamahalaan sa MRLEgerton mining project upang protektahan ang buhay, kabuhayan at kapaligiran dito sa bayan ng Lobo.

Gayundin, kailangang magdeklara agad ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa ilalim ni Gob. Vilma Santos-Recto ng pag-ban sa large-scale mining sa buong lalawigan ng Batangas upang matiyak ang balanseng kapaligiran ng probinsya,” pahayag ni Peti Enriquez, kalihim ng Bukluran para sa Inang Kalikasan - Batangas or BUKAL-Batangas.

“Ang tunay na intension ng MRL-Egerton Gold ay wasakin ang ating kapaligiran at palayasin tayo sa ating mga lupain. Patuloy nating lalabanan ang masamang intensyong ito na maagaw sa atin ang kagandahan at kayaman ng Lobo,” dagdag pa ni Enriquez.

Nagkaroon din ng video presentation si Bb. Gina Lopez ng Sagip Kalikasan Foundation. Aniya, “Hindi nyo pwedeng sabihin na mahal ninyo ang Lobo samantalang pinapayagan ninyo ang pagmimina rito. You cannot promote Lobo as an ecotourism area if you allow the devastation of Mt. Lobo and pollute Verde Island Passage. It’s political suicide to go for mining because the people really don’t want it.”

Nitong nakaraang buwan, pinagtibay ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Lobo ang SB Resolution No. 2015-26 na nag-eendorso sa gold mining project ng MRLEgerton mula sa eksplorasyon hanggang sa commercial operation ng minahan, katugon ng mga naunang resolusyon ng ilang barangay bilang pagsang-ayon sa proyekto ng MRL-Egerton na magbibigay-daan upang makakuha ito ng Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Tinatayang masasakop ng naturang mining operation ang mga barangay ng Balibago, Biga, Mabilog na Bundok, Malabrigo, Nagtaluntong, Olo-olo, Sawang, Soloc at Tayuman.

Kaugnay nito, inihain ni Lopez at ng ilang causeoriented group representatives ang petisyon sa Sangguniang Bayan na humihiling na bawiin ang resolusyon

nitong nag-eendorso sa pagmimina.

Tinanggap naman ni Vice Mayor Renato Perez ang naturang petisyon at sinabing masusing pag-aaralan muli ng komiteng nakatalaga para rito bago makapagpasa muli ng isang resolusyon kung kailangang bawiin o ituloy ang naunang endorsement.

Noon pa mang taong 2003 kung kailan nagsimulang umugong ang panukalang ito ng MRL ay nagkaroon na ng mga pagpoprotesta. Noon namang taong 2006, isang resolusyon ang pinagtibay ng Sangguniang bayan ng San Juan nanagbabawal sa pagpasok ng MRL at iba pang mining operations sa naturang bayan. Ito rin ang pinag-ugatan ng paghahabla ng MRL kay San Juan mayor Rodolfo Manalo.

Ang bayan ng Lobo ay itinuturing na fifth top biodiversity center ng bansa at isa sa tahanan ng iilang natitirang kagubatann ng lalawigan ng Batangas.

Karugtong din ito ng Verde Island Passage na kinikilalang ‘center of the center’ of marine biodiversity in the country.

“Ang DENR na siyang tanging ahensya ng pamahalaan na dapat ay isang nangungunang magbigay proteksyon sa Verde Island Passage at sa Mt. Lobo bilang biodiversity critical areas, ay siya pang nagsusulong ng malawakang pagmimina sa Lobo. Samantalang idineklara ng DENR ang ilang watershed at protected area sa Lobo, pinayagan naman nito ang MRL-Egerton na magsagawa ng open pit mining at magtambak ng dumi sa Verde Island Passage,” pahayag ni Clemente Bautista, national coordinator ng Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE).

Ang natuarang malawakang pagkilos noong Lunes ay pinangunahan ng lokal na simbahan na aktibong nangangampanya na labanan ang pagmimina sa Lobo.

Ayon kay Reb. P. Dakila Ramos, direktor ng Archdiocesan Ministry on Environment (AMEn, “Ano pang matitira sa mga mangingisda at sa kanilang mga pamilya at sa kanilang kinabukasan kung lalasunin ng MRL-Egerton ang ating mga ilog at dagat? Anong mangyayari sa ating mga magsasaka kung ang kanilang

Inter-Island News Mga kabataan ng lunsod, lumahok sa One Calapan Grassroot Camp CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro – Lumahok ang mga kabataang Calapeño sa isinagawang 2015 One Calapan Grassroots Sports Development Camp sa lungsod kamakailan.

Sa pangunguna ni Melson B. Dilay, Sports Development Program Manager ng City Youth and Sports Development Department, naging matagumpay ang nasabing aktibidad na pinaniniwalaang magpapalakas sa pagpapakilala at paghuhubog ng mga future athletes ng lungsod.

Sa nasabing sports development camp, sinanay ang mga batang edad walo hanggang 12 pagdating sa ­basic moves and drills sa larong football at basketball.

Mainit ang naging suporta ng pamahalaang lokal sa nasabing gawain dahil isa sa prayoridad ng lungsod ng Calapan sa ilalim ng One Calapan Program of Governance ay ang pagtataguyod at pagsuporta sa mga programa para sa paghubog ng talento ng mga kabataang Calapeño bukod sa pang-akademikong usapin.

Samantala, patuloy ang panghihikayat ng pamahalaan sa mga naturang kabataan na pagbutihin at akapin ang mga ganitong oportunidad upang magtagumpay at maging globally competitive pagdating ng panahon.| ...........................................................................................................................

Provincial Science and Technology Center of Calapan CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro – Itinampok ng Calapan City Tourism ang Calapan Bangkarera 2015 o mas kilala bilang “Fiesta sa Aplaya” na ginanap sa Brgy. Lazareto, Calapan City, kamakailan.

Ang nasabing pagdiriwang ay dinayo ng mga lokal na turista mula sa mga karating na lugar at ibang bayan sa lalawigan ng Oriental Mindoro.

Ang nasabing Bangkarera ay nahati sa tatlong kategorya: ang non-motorized, motorized, at open category at ang lahat ng nairehistrong bangka ay modified para sa formula race.

Sinabi ni alkalde ng lungsod ng Calapan, Arnan C. Panaligan, isang tyansa ito na magpapakilala sa lungsod bilang isang summer get away na maaaring dayuhin ng mga turista. Dagdag pa niya, patok sa kasalukuyan ang mga ganitong aktibidad sa tuwing tag-araw. Tiyak aniyang ang mga ganitong programa ay malaki ang maitutulong sa pagpapasigla ng turismo ng Calapan kaya naman pinuri niya ang mga indibidwal, opisina, ibat-ibang grupo at kumpanya na nasa likod ng nasabing gawain.

Ilan pa sa mga pinaka-abangan at nagpasigla ng nasabing Fiesta sa Aplaya ay ang Buraduran Festival, Sand Castle Making, Beach Volley, at Beach Party na naging bukas para sa lahat ng mamamayan ng Calapan.

Sa naging matagumpay na pagdaraos ng nasabing gawain, tiyak na muli itong tatangkilikin ng mga taga-Calapan, at tauntaon nang paka-aabangan lalo na’t ang kikitain ng nasabing gawain ay malaki ang maitutulong sa maintenance at pagpapaunlad ng coastal barangays sa lungsod.| ...........................................................................................................................

DOH-MIMAROPA encourages pregnant women to have regular check up QUEZON CITY — The Department of Health – Mimaropa is encouraging pregnant women to visit the nearest health center to avail of free pre-natal or post-natal services and avoid complications.

“Most of the health facilities in the region, including rural health units have been improved to serve pregnant women in order to lower the risk of maternal and even infant death,”said DOHMimaropa Regional Director Eduardo Janairo during the recent regional Buntis (Pregnant) Congress in Culion, Palawan.

“Be mindful of your health and that of your baby,” Director Janairo said, “we are continuously working with various local government units in the region to ensure that all pregnant mothers will have access to the best care possible after giving birth particularly those residing in difficult to reach areas.”

During the Buntis Congress in Culion, DOH-Mimaropa provided free prenatal check-ups, vitamins and counseling to 400 reproductive age women and pregnant mothers.

The regional office also held blood testing, preventive dental health service, prenatal check-up, ultrasound testing, urine screening and distribution of “buntis kits” to 160 pregnant women and malaria nets to households.

The Buntis Congress aims to increase the knowledge, attitude and skills of pregnant mothers on the priority areas of maternal and child care interventions focusing on the reduction of maternal and child mortality.

mga taniman at palayan ay puno na ng burak at dumi mula sa minahan? Ang pagkaubos ng kabuhayan at patuloy na kahirapan ang magiging bunga ng dambuhalang minahang ito, kaya naman ang Simbahang Katoliko ay pautloy na mangunguna na isaboses ang paglaban sa pagsusumiksik dito ng MRL-Egerton at sa layunin nitong

wasakin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan.”

Kabilang din sa mga nagsidalo ang Lobo Resort Owners Association, Lobo Water District, mga propesyunal, mga samahang sibiko, mga guro at estudyante, kaparian, mga madre at mga karaniwang mamamayan sa lalawigan ng Batangas.|

MAY KASAMANG ULAT NI DHALENZ LANDICHO

JULY 6 - 12, 2015

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NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

Budol-budol, huli sa Barangay Dos TANAUAN City -- Nahuli sa Barangay Poblacion 2 ang apat na Miyembro ng mga Budol Budol ba namgbibiktima sa Lungsod ng Tanauan, Matapos mabiktima si RODORA LINCOLN Y SAGGE 54 na Taong Gulang at nakuhanan ng Halagang Siyam na Libong Piso (P9,000.00) ng mga miyembro ng Budol Budol Gang.

Nahuli sila ng mga Barangay Opisyal ng Barangay 2 at ng mga Miyembro ng Tanauan City Police Station na Pinangungunahan ni PSUPT Christopher Falculan Olazo matapos na mai-set up sa Susunod nilang Bibiktimahin sa Barangay 2 din.

Huli sina Marilou Soriano y Balingit ng 584 Aquarius St,Pangarap Caloocan City, Jhony Solis y ALvarez ng 29 Gold Billionairs Village, Novaliches QC; at sina Danilo Chan y Mira at Anthony Dizon y Marasigan, kapwa ng Novaliches, Quezon City.

Sa lahat na nabiktima ng mga miyembro ng Budol Budol Gang na ito sila po ay kasalukuyang nakakulong sa Tanauan City Police Station. Pwede nyo po sila puntahan doon upang sampahan nyo ng kaso.|

Sta. Teresita Blood Olympics. Naging matagumpay ang ginawang Blood Olympics sa bayan

DOST CALABARZON pushing for more innovation venues Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si spurs through IDD Laboratory heated fight vs. coal plants in PH ng Sta. Teresita, Hunyo 27. Bilang isa sa mga programa ng Batangas Blood Council, nakipagugnayan sila sa Pamahalaang Bayan ng Sta. Teresita sa pamumuno ni Mayor Ma. Aurea Segunial na todo-suporta sa nasabing pagdiriwang. May kabuuang 102 bag ng dugo ang naitala nila na mula sa mga residente ng iba’t ibang barangay na nakila-hok at nakipagtulungan para magbahagi ng dugo mula sa kanilang mga nasasakupan.| MILLICENT RAMOS ...............................................................................................................................................

INSPIRED by Pope Francis’ encyclical on climate change, Caritas Philippines and other environmental groups keep the momentum going by sending a strong message against camps backing coal-fired power projects in the country.

Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said they support the landmark document Laudato Si, even if it will not go down well with powerful interests that benefit from the status quo.

“We, the Church and the people of the Philippines, will stand alongside the Pope as strong allies in the struggle for a socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually rich world that Pope Francis and the broader climate movement are fighting for,” Gariguez said.

He said the Church now faces the task of spurring the faithful to take concrete steps in reducing the

country’s contribution to climate change.

Through the encyclical, he said the Church raises critical issues that need to be considered in the global response to this unprecedented threat.

According to him, global capitalism has lifted millions out of poverty by burning fuels. But on the flipside, he added, it has created “vast inequalities” and sacrificed the environment over “short-term” gain.

“Now is the time to break the stranglehold of fossil fuels over our lives and the planet. If it is wrong to wreck the planet then it is wrong to benefit from its wreckage; a growing global movement to divest from fossil fuels takes this ethos at heart,” Gariguez said.

26 new coal plants Last month, more than a thousand demonstrators, led by

church leaders, staged a rally against a proposed coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon.

Similarly, priests in Batangas are also at the forefront of the fight against the construction of a new coal power plant project.

“The Church cannot remain a passive bystander. It’s our moral imperative to give voice to the voiceless,” added Gariguez.

He also said the Church has been vocal in opposing coal mining “because it will make our country contribute to climate change, endanger ecosystems, as well as the health and lives of people”.

“Our churches have often led the struggles against dirty energy,” he said.

The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice said there are 26 new coal plant projects that will operate in the country by year 2020.| ROY LAGARDE/CBCPNEWS

AUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF RTC BATANGAS CITY SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE EJF NO. 08-662 Upon petition for extra-judicial foreclosure under Act 3135 by the BALIKATAN HOUSING FINANCE, INC. with the principal business address at 8th Floor Tower 2, Insular life Corporate Center, Insular Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, against SPS. DELFIN M. MAYO and FLOR S. MAYO as borrower/mortgagor with resident and postal address at Sta. Clara, Batangas City to satisfy the amount of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 500,000.00) exclusive of interest, penalties, attorney’s fee, other charges, plus the fees in connection with the sale also secured by the said mortgage/s, the undersigned Sheriff announces that on August 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. or soon thereafter in the CITY HALL, BATANGAS CITY he will sell the public auction for cash in Philippine Currency to the highest bidder, the property/ ties described in the said mortgage together with all improvements thereon to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TILE No. T-30648 “A parcel of land (Lot 41 Block 5 of the subdivision plan Psd-041005-065407 being a portion of Lot 6596, Cad-264, Batangas Cadastre, L.R.C. Record No. ____), situated in Barangay Gulod Itaas, City of Batangas. Bounded on the NW., along line 1-2 by Lot 42; on the NE., along line 2-3 by Lot 39 both Blk-5; on the SE., along line 3-4 by Road Lot 4; on the SW., along line 4-1

by Lot 43, Blk-5 all of the subdivision plan.

Beginning at point marked “1” on plan, being N., 31 deg. 49’W, 540.56 m. from BBM No. 72 Cad-

264, Batangas Cadastre. thence N. 3 deg. 58’E., 10.30 m. to point 2; thence S. 86 deg. 02’E., 9.75 m. to point 3; thence S. 3 deg. 58’W., 10.30 m. to point 4; thence N. 86 deg. 02’W., 9.75 m. to the point of beginning containing an area of ONE HUNRED SQ. M. & FORTY TWO SQ. DECIMETER (100.42) SQUARE MERTERS. All points referred to are indicated on the plan and are marked on the ground

by PS cyl. conc mons. 15x60 cm; bearings true: date of original survey, January 3, 1933 & that of the subdivision survey, May 12-30, 1933 & was approved on August 27, 1993.”

RESEARCH and Development (R&D) has always been equated to innovation and progress, which is expected to lead in economic growth and stability. The Department of Science and Technology Region IVA (DOST IV-A), has spearheaded the establishment of an Ideation, Design and Development Laboratory (IDD Lab) in the region.

The IDD Lab serves as a venue for need-driven R&D/Floor-shop R&D, a site for advance skills trainings and local designers and a “melting pot” for the potential techno-preneurs; to have a “Creative Hub” for innovation, design and development and prototyping activities.

As of now there is one existing IDD Lab located in Laguna State Polytechnic University in Sta.Cruz, Laguna. With DOST IV-A’s initiative to build IDD Labs in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), DOST IV-A had an IDD Lab workshop entitled, “TrainingWorkshop: Establishment, Operation, & Institutionalization of IDD Laboratory” for SUCs and HEIs in CALABARZON last June 2-3 at the University Hotel UP Diliman.

The following SUCs and HEIs participants were: Malayan Colleges Laguna, Batangas State Universities, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna State

Polytechnic University – Siniloan, Laguna State Polytechnic University - San Pablo, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Southern Luzon State University, University of Rizal System, and First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities.

On the first day, the speakers of the workshop were Dr. Roger D. Posadas, Professor of Technology Management Center in UPD on Innovation System: Snapshot of a Regional Roadmap, Dr. Antonio F. Mateo, Inventor and Engineering Consultant on Mining Ideas and Creativity: Future of Innovations, Dr. Giovanni A. Tapang, Professor of NIP UPD on Operation of Actual Innovation Laboratory, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of Batangas State University on AcademeIndustry Partnership in Innovation, Mr. Gamaliel F. Itao, PEE, M.Etr., President of Mechatronics Technologies Corporation on Benchmarking on Food Industry, Mr. Victor Gruet, Secretary of EIAPI on Benchmarking on Electronics Industry, Mr. Virgilio F. Lanzuela, Former President of MIAP and Mr. Martin P. Yabut Jr., President of MIAP on Benchmarking on Metals Industry and lastly, Engr. Edilberto L. Paradela, Regional Director of DOST VII on background on FabLab.

Copies of this Notice of Sale shall be posted at three (3) most conspicuous public places at Batangas City (CITY HALL, POST OFFICE, PUBLIC MARKET), at BARANGAY HALL OF Gulod Itaas, Batangas City) where the property is located, and at the Bulletin Board of Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pallocan West, Batangas City.

Prospective buyers or bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above described property/ties and the encumbrances thereon if any there be.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the above schedules date, it shall be held on August 18, 2015without further notice and publication.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated date, time and place.

Batangas City, June 17, 2015 (Sgd.) FERNANDO A. MAGCASI Sheriff IV PUBLISHED AT : PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS EDITED AT : Batangas City COPY FURNISHED : All parties concerned.

Pahayagang BALIKAS | June 22, 29 & July 6, 2015

ANG BATANGAS UNA SA PEACE & ORDER. Tinanggap ni Batangas Congressman Raneo Abu si PSupt. Danny Mendoza, ang bagong talagang Officer-in-Charge ng Batangas City PNP noong mag-courtesy call sa mambabatas ang huli kamakailan.

Pinag-usapan ng dalawa ang Peace & Order programs para sa Lunsod ng Batangas.| TMA

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Be a part in shaping public opinion.

Email your comments/reactions to: balikasonline@yahoo.com JULY 6 - 12, 2015

OPINION

Surprised by Francis 

ROBERT A. GAHL, JR Commentary

ONLY Pope Francis has the moral force to bring all together to make courageous commitments to preclude the devastation. Nevertheless, if the Pope were to take sides in a politicized debate between ideologies, he would lose his moral authority and his teaching would no longer enjoy the secure foundation in God’s revelation. Some Catholics, and even some nonbelievers, fear that if he proclaims global warming a matter of religious belief, then he will have damaged the oldest teaching office in history.

The unusual title of the encyclical encapsulates the debate and frames Francis’ entire response to the vexing issue. He begins the encyclical quoting St. Francis’ famous Canticle of the Creatures with the words “be praised” in the original, Umbrian version of medieval Italian “Laudato si`. The very title lends itself to misinterpretation for those who do not read the encyclical.

The history of environmentalism can help explain the contradictory interpretations.

The history of environmentalism The environmental movement began with anti-Christian roots in utopian, neopaganism. In the early 1970s, environmentalists joined forces with proponents of the sexual revolution and neo-Malthusians with their aims to eliminate population growth through contraception and abortion.

For these neo-Malthusians, our world is a zero-sum game. We are all locked into a Petri dish in competition with other animals for natural resources, especially limited food and water. Only so many humans can survive on this planet and with accelerating population growth, they claimed, the human race would kill itself out by using up all the resources. Doom and gloom was prophesied, but all of their predictions proved entirely false.

With more people on hand, more creativity was unleashed and more resources were discovered, extracted, and even created with the power of human entrepreneurship. The economist and Nobel Prize laureate Julian Simon eloquently analyzed the power of human creativity with his book The Ultimate Resource, by statistically demonstrating that the human being is the greatest treasure for economic development.

Despite the evidence, Malthusians of all stripes remain stuck in their materialistic misconceptions. They fail to appreciate the power of the human mind to transcend the limitations of stuff. So, they continue to ally with the more extreme utopian neo pagans who worship the earth, the plants, and the animals, while holding that humans are a blight that pose a danger for the extinction of other species. They claim a religious obligation to reduce the human population, even by exterminating the very young and the old and through demographic campaigns of forced sterilization in developing countries.

For radical environmentalists, Pope Francis’ quotation of St. Francis might seem like a song to mother earth and to her creatures. But the Pope promptly explains the point of his title. Who should “be praised”? The entire encyclical responds that God is to be praised through his creatures by the human person who is at the pinnacle of God’s material creation. Our role in nature is so crucial that God became man so that he could touch this world of ours with his hands, so that he could spend 30 years working as an artisan so as to teach us to raise material creation in praise to God, Our Father. Indeed, Francis writes: “Jesus worked with his hands, in daily contact with the matter created by God, to which he gave form by his craftsmanship. It is striking that most of his life was dedicated to this task in a simple life…. In this way he sanctified human labour and endowed it with a special significance for our development. As Saint John Paul II taught, ‘by enduring the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity’”(98).

Natural ecology and human ecology Following John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Francis teaches that natural ecology must go hand in hand with human ecology. With Benedict, Francis denounces the dictatorship of relativism and extends Benedict’s critique of post-modern nihilism by asserting that practical relativism is an even worse consequence of doctrinal relativism. Anthropocentrism and its progressive technocratic paradigm must be overcome with a conversion of heart by giving priority to human beings in our transcendent reach towards God. We must care for nature as we care for our own bodies, because we understand all of nature as God’s creative gift entrusted to our stewardship.

God counts on us so much that he wants us to rule as kings with him, not

>>>COMMENTARY.....turn to P/7

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Policy question, not policy interpretation THE US Supreme Court decision declaring that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry rings beyond the 50 states of the United States of America.

Five justices of the nine sitting magistrates of the court affirmed the freedom to marry of same sex partners. It was a very shallow majority as four justices dissented from the majority. The majority opinion held that the prohibition for same-sex marriage is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution or the equal protection clause. It declared the continuing violation of the states in maintaining the prohibition in spite of the claims of gay couples for the right to be wedded. In effect, the Supreme Court directed the US 50 states to adopt policies that will allow the marriage of same sex couples. The dissenting opinions are very persuasive but failed to win over the majority. They are unanimous in claiming that the Supreme Court violated the Constitution itself when it decreed that same-sex marriage is a legal right and must be allowed all over the USA. They pointed out that the issue calls for the enactment of laws by the Legislature and not a question to be adjudicated under the Equal Protection Clause.

Chief Justice John Roberts chided the majority in stating: “If you are among the many Americans — of whatever sexual orientation — who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today’s decision. Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal.

Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not Celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.” He stated categorically: Although the policy arguments for extending marriage to same-sex couples may be compelling, the legal arguments for requiring such an extension are not. The fundamental right to marry does not include a right to make a State change its definition of marriage. … In short, our Constitution does not enact any one theory of

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marriage. The people of a State are free to expand marriage to include same-sex couples, or to retain the historic definition.”Justice Antolin Scalia, who is known for his staunch Catholic positions in many cases brought before the US Supreme Court, considered the majority opinion as an insult to democracy. He claimed that the court’s decree implied that his Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court. He said that the court had ended the public debates about same-sex marriage in an opinion lacking even a thin veneer of law. What the court did, according to him is an exercise of naked power:”This is a naked judicial claim to legislative — indeed, super-legislative — power; a claim fundamentally at odds with our system of government. … A system of government that makes the People subordinate to a committee of nine unelected lawyers does not deserve to be called a democracy.”In his concluding paragraph, Justice Scalia pointed out that the court is in the road of impotence: “Hubris is sometimes defined as o’erweening pride; and pride, we know, goeth before a fall. The Judiciary is the ‘least dangerous’ of the federal branches because it has ‘neither Force nor Will, but merely judgment; and must ultimately depend upon the aid of the executive arm’ and the States, ‘even for the efficacy of its judgments.’ With each decision of ours that takes from the People a question properly left to them — with each decision that is unabashedly based not on law, but on the ‘reasoned judgment’ of a bare majority of this Court — we move one step closer to being reminded of our impotence.”Decisions of foreign courts have only persuasive effect in the disposition of cases in our courts.

They are considered only when there is no applicable local law and jurisprudence on the matter. The Equal Protection Clause under section 1 of the 1987

>>>MURAA....turn to P/7

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.|

JULY 6 - 12, 2015

5

OPINION balikasonline@yahoo.com

It’s all a matter of self-interest VICE President Jejomar Binay was right when he called the Aquino administration as callous and incompetent.

How would one call an administration that refuses to raise the salaries and wages of rank and file workers and employees while allowing the prices and rates of basic services, utilities and commodities to rise such as oil, electricity, water, MRT and LRT fares, among others? How would one call a government that privatizes and allows the rise in charges and fees of health care and education while unemployment and poverty continue to worsen? It even caused the closure of schools catering to Lumads, who, for the first time in their lives, have access to education for their children.

How could one describe a government that perpetuates impunity in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, killings of journalists, and other human rights violations? How could it remain deaf to the cries for justices of relatives of the disappeared?

How could one describe an administration that peddles the country’s remaining natural resources and its cheap labor to foreign big businesses whose only concern is to generate profits while majority of Filipinos are deeply enmeshed in poverty and future generations are in danger of not having any to live by?

How does one call a government that uses as cannon fodder its own elite police force just to satisfy the US government’s desire to catch one of its perceived enemies? How does one call a government that presided over the Luneta hostage crisis and the bungled Mamasapano operations, and has been failing miserably in solving the accident prone, deteriorating MRT train system, the worsening traffic problem, the crisis in the mass transport system, the disasters being caused by projected weather disturbances and the failed relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of past disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan despite the billions of dollars in aid that poured in?

But Malacañang was also right when it raised the question why Vice President Binay is talking about this now when he was part of the Cabinet.

The answer is plain and simple: self-interest.

This is how the political system in the country works.

Politicians and elected government officials act not on the basis of principles, issues, much less concern for the Filipino people, but in accordance with what will push forward their political career. Forget about the “kayo ang boss ko” tagline of Benigno Aquino III or the “para sa masa” or “para sa mahihirap” of Jejomar Binay and Joseph Estrada.

Binay did not raise a whimper while these were

happening to avoid being perceived as a threat by the Aquino administration and the Liberal Party and therefore, suffer its attacks. At the same time, while he was in the government, he could gain political mileage, and money on the side for his campaign for the presidency.

Unfortunately for him, the Aquino administration – which had the gall to say that it treated Binay well – did make him the subject of its attacks, along with his allies Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla, covering it up with a supposed anticorruption drive while sparing its allies.

Meanwhile, it appears that the Aquino administration is purposely delaying the filing of charges against its allies who were allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam until the public’s attention is diverted toward the 2016 elections. Nothing has also come out of the cases against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Janet Lim Napoles. Why is the Aquino administration attacking Binay and other probable candidates who are not its allies, while sparing its allies, and not pursuing the cases against the past president? Aquino is afraid that like Estrada and Arroyo, he would be pursued when he steps down from Malacañang.

Candidates for the Philippine presidency spend tens of billions of pesos of their and their financial backers’ money from big business, not to serve the country but to further their own self-interests while in office and even after. And after elections, it has always been payback time.

Does anybody really believe that even just one of the probable candidates for the presidency and vice presidency – Binay, former and current senators Panfilo Lacson, Bong Revilla, Grace Poe, Chiz Escudero, Allan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV and Bongbong Marcos – would be willing to spend tens of billions of pesos just to serve the country?

Does anyone believe that the next president and vice president would not try to, not only recoup but also to multiply their and their financial backers money through influence peddling, graft and corruption, and favored government contracts, franchises and licenses?

Unless a radical restructuring of the country’s political and electoral system is undertaken, running for political office would always be treated as an investment and opportunity to make money, and occupying government position as a business.

Don Quixote does not exist in the real world. Some in government do emulate his insanity, but not his idealism.|

Benjie Oliveros

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A listening heart COMELEC reportedly will allow campaign season to begin “early” this year, around October, before which political advertising would be judged “premature” and therefore a violation of law. But, come to think of it—is anyone really keeping track?

Political campaigning happens without actual advertising. A person aspiring for political office need not say “Vote for me” to express his intention. Footage on television or in movie houses showing him/her in a favorable light—for example, as “champion of the masa”—tells the public “I am worthy of being a public servant; remember me in 2016.” Keeping a high profile, frequent appearances in talk shows or media fora, or even glowing words of praise from his/her friends all constitute indirect campaigning. Even seemingly amusing but snide remarks in social media aimed at potential rivals are in a way advertising of a kind—like allusions to a rival’s tarnished reputation or lack of experience.

In this light, I find very timely what Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said to the Parliament in Berlin on September 22, 2011. He began by recounting the story of King Solomon when God invited him to make a request, on his accession to the throne. Would the young king ask for success, wealth, long life, or the destruction of his enemies? Solomon chose none of the above, and instead asks for a listening heart that he may govern God’s people and discern between good and evil.

Benedict said that through this little story “the Bible wants to tell us what should ultimately matter for a politician. His fundamental criterion and the motivation for his work as a politician must not be success, and

certainly not material gain. Politics must be a striving for justice, and hence it has to establish the fundamental preconditions for peace.”

Quoting St. Augustine, “Without justice, what else is the State but a great band of robbers?” Benedict went on to say that power divorced from right could turn politicians into a “highly organized band of robbers, capable of threatening the whole world and driving it to the edge of the abyss. To serve right and to fight against the dominion of wrong is and remains the fundamental task of the politician. At a moment in history when man has acquired previously inconceivable power, this task takes on a particular urgency. Man can destroy the world. He can manipulate himself. He can, so to speak, make human beings and he can deny them their humanity. How do we recognize what is right? How can we discern between good and evil, between what is truly right and what may appear right? Even now, Solomon’s request remains the decisive issue facing politicians and politics today… How would it be if we, the law-makers of today, were invited to make a request? What would we ask for? I think that, even today, there is ultimately nothing else we could wish for but a listening heart— the capacity to discern between good and evil, and thus to establish true law, to serve justice and peace.”

Solomon’s story is a gentle reminder during these times of mudslinging and preening that it’s never enough to have professional competence, cleverness, years of experience, popularity, or even a good reputation. A listening heart is at the core of the matter— particularly when the heart listens in silence. And that’s the truth..|

Remembering my father (better late than never) “MGA PADERS” --- June 21 is Father's Day. The popular Advisory is: all fathers, like me, are excused and relieved on this day from their normal chores like cooking, washing, ironing, household chores, tending the baby, etc etc. Coz it's their special day.!  MY FATHER MARTIN-- I can't help but remember my late father Martin. "Ating" was a simple and humble man. He worked for a living as a passenger bus driver when we were all small until he retired. I cannot forget what he told me when one day I asked him if he wanted to stop driving and retire as he was getting old and all of us 8 children could adequately take care of his needs and our mother, a public school teacher Amparo. I really thought he would welcome the suggestion. But his reply, in Ilongo dialect, was: "Why will I stop driving when my driving made you a lawyer and a congressman?". End of discussion. He died after retiring as service bus driver of the Davao Sugar Central in our home barangay Guihing in the south.  POPE OKS PROBE -- Pope Francis gave the "green light " for the start of the investigation of a former Vatican envoy to the Dominican Republic for alleged sexual abuse of children.This is unprecedented.  IT'S GENETIC ? --- Looks like the ambition and the itch to be president runs in the blood. Having a former sitting president in the family can whet the appetite of presidential families to seek the same path. Hillary Clinton is now an announced presidential candidate in the November US elections from the Democratic Party. She 's the wife of former US President Bill Clinton. Another kin of another former US Pres George Bush, son Jed Bush also announced his presidential plans for the Republicans.

In the Philippines, the same pattern prevails. We had PGMA after his father President Macapagal. Then Pres Noynoy after Pres Cory. Who's next? Sorry for me. I don't have the genes!  REFORMS -- I attended a few days ago an executive management seminar on security in Camp Crame. I was clapping discreetly C/Supt Noel Constantino, over-all chief of the PNP office regulating and overseeing private security providers (PSAs) all over the country. He called on all participants to stop doing shortcuts and bribe officers. He even called PADPAO, the organization of security agencies as the biggest "fixer" in the industry. I wish we have more of his kind in government service.| (jessdureza@gmail.com)

............................................................................................... <<<COMMENTARY... from P/4

Surprised by Francis by dominating over nature with the exploitative attitude of the consumerist throwaway culture, but by ordering nature in service to God and our fellow humans, including those of future generations.

Dealing with the science Of course, Francis responds to the challenge of climate science by exercising his moral authority as the leader of the Catholic Church. He summarizes the growing consensus among scientists. Greenhouse gases accumulating in our atmosphere cause warming. We contribute to those gases accumulating in the atmosphere. Given that there is a danger of a vicious cycle of overheating and melting of glaciers and polar ice caps with the consequent rising of the level of the sea, Francis calls for concerted global effort to reduce the trend with a new human solidarity, all while declaring that “the Church does not presume to settle scientific questions or to replace politics.” And he expresses his concern “to encourage an honest and open debate so that particular interests or ideologies will not prejudice the

“

common good.”(188) As throughout history, the Church continues to promote scientific research. Given that climate science is so young and addresses an enormously complex set of problems with implications for us all, there is an especially pressing need to continue advancing research, for instance, regarding the predictive models of climate change, wherein there continues to be a great deal of uncertainty, volatility, and disaccord among scientists.

The encyclical addresses all areas of human life from a cosmic perspective of fidelity to the Creator while defending the traditional teachings of the Church regarding sexuality, marriage, and family. In its complexity, Laudato Si’ may be summed up with Pope Francis’ call for a renewal of humanity so that our relationship with nature, including human nature, may be renewed. _________________________

Fr Robert A. Gahl, Jr., is Associate Professor of Ethics, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, in Rome.

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.

”

6

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Advertise with us. Email us at: balikasonline@yahoo.com JULY 6 - 12, 2015

BUSINESS

Go Negosyo Center, binuksan sa Batangas PINANGUNAHAN ni Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino at Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha ang paglulunsad ng Negosyo Center sa Gusali ng Kapayapaan at Kalikasan (Green Building) sa Batangas City, Hunyo 29.

Ang Negosyo Center ay isang one-stop-shop para sa mga serbisyo na tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sa pagproseso ng mga requirements para sa pagtatayo ng negosyo at pagkakaroon ng access sa mga impormasyon na mahalaga para sa kanilang paglago. Ilan sa mga serbisyong ipagkakaloob ng Negosyo Center ay ang business registration assistance, business advisory services at business information and advocacy. Kabilang sa business advisory ay ang access to market o pagpapakilala ng produkto sa merkado; access to finance o paghiram ng kapital sa iba’t ibang financing institution; product development; at investment promotion o yaong pakikipagtuwang sa mga potential investors.

Ang pagtatayo ng Negosyo Center ay alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 10644 o “Go Negosyo Act” ni Sen. Aquino, na naisabatas ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino 111 noong Hulyo 2014 upang mapalakas ang mga MSMEs at mapalago ang hanapbuhay sa bansa.

Lubos ang pasasalamat ni DTI Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya sa napakaganda aniyang pasilidad na ipinag-

kaloob ng pamahalaang lungsod upang pagtayuan ng Negosyo Center at sa suporta ni Mayor Dimacuha.

Binigyang diin naman ni DTI Region 12 Asst. Regional Director Dorecita Delima ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng Negosyo Center sa bawat rehiyon. Sa kasalukuyan aniya, ay may 50 center na ang operational at inaasahan na bago matapos ang buwan ng Hulyo ay 40 center pa ang bubuksan sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa.

Ipinagmalaki ni Sen. Bam na malalampasan nila ang target na makapagtayo ng 100 Negosyo Center ngayong 2015. Bago mtapos aniya ang taon ay may 140 Negosyo Center na sa bansa. Mahalaga aniya ang papel ng mga maliliit na negosyante sapagkat 99% ng business sector ay binubuo ng mga MSME’s.

Sinabi rin niya na ang mga ito ang magsisilbing partner ng pamahalaan upang mapaunlad ang ekonomiya at masolusyunan ang kahirapan. Hangad ng kanyang inakdang Go Negosyo Act ang pagtatayo ng mga Negosyo Center sa iba’t ibang munisipalidad, lungsod at lalawigan upang maipromote ang “ease of doing business”.

Binigyang diin din niya ang malaking tulong ng mga volunteers mula sa business sectors na magsisilbing mentors ng mga nagsisismula pa lamang na MSME’s.

Binati naman ni Vice Governor Mark Leviste ang DTI sa pagkakapili sa Lunsod Batangas upang pagtayuan ng Negosyo Center sa lalawigan. “Right choice” aniya ang Batangas City at tamang-tama naman ang Center na venue para sa mga potential entrepreneurs.

Dumalo din sa nasabing launching sina DTI Region IV A Marilou Q. Toledo, CALABARZON Regional MSMED Council Chairperson Teresita M. Leabres at Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Executive Director Ramon M. Lopez.

Pagkatapos ng maikling programa sa paglulunsad ay ang unveiling ng signage ng Negosyo Center at ang pagbabasbas na pinangunahan ni Fr Art Orense.

Samantala, kaalinsabay ng nasabing launching ay ang 2nd CALABARZON Regional MSME Development Council Conference sa Batangas City Convention Center na may temang “Positioning Micro and Small Enterprise in the Global Arena”.

RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

AUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BATANGAS FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF LIPA CITY NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135, AS AMENDED EJF NO. 2015-0054 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as ameded by Act 4118 filed by BDO HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (Pag-Ibig Fund), mortgagee, with postal address at High Rise Business Center, National Highway, Brgy.

Halang, Calamaba City, Laguna against LEONIDA S. ZARA MARRIED TO ISABELO ZARA, Mortgagors with postal address at St. Joseph Subdivision PH2, Tambo, Lipa City 4217, Batangas to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of MAY 19, 2015 amounts to Php 528,070.72 including/ excluding interest and other charges agreed thereon and other expenses in connection with this sale, secured by the mortgagee, the undersigned Deputy Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 85, Lipa City, will sell at public on JULY 14, 2015, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Maraouy, Lipa City, to the highest bidder for CASH ad in Philippine Currency, the described real property/ies and its improvements thereon, to wit:

PINANGUNAHAN ni Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino at Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha ang paglulunsad ng Negosyo Center sa Gusali ng Kapayapaan at Kalikasan (Green Building) sa Batangas City, Hunyo 29. Dumalo din sa nasabing launching sina DTI Region IV A Marilou Q. Toledo, CALABARZON Regional MSMED Council Chairperson Teresita M. Leabres at Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Executive Director Ramon M. Lopez.| JERSON J. SANCHEZ

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-174813 “A parcel of Land (Lot 11-A-1 of the subdivision plan (LRA), Psd-401458, approved as a non-subdivision project, being a portion of Lot 11-A, Psd-4A-005051; L.R.C., Cad Record No. 1271), situated in the Barrio of Mataas na Lupa, City of Lipa, Province of Batangas, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 5 to 1 by Lot 11-A-2 of the subdivision plan; on the SE., points 1 to 2 by Lot 11-C, Psd-4A-005051, on the SW., & NW., points 2 to 5 by Lot 11-A-6 (Road); of the subd. Plan. X x x x x x containing an area of TW O HUNDRED FIFTY (250) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

Prospective buyers and bidders are hereb enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above described and the encumberances thereon if any there be.

“All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and place.”

In the event the public auction should not take place on said date, it shall be held on July 21, 2015 same place and time without any further notice and republication.

Lipa City, Juney 11, 2015.

Award of Publication hereof in the “Pahayagang BALIKAS” drawn by raffle in accordance with law.

(Sgd.) EUSTAQUIO N. ALONGALAY Deputy Sheriff IV DULY RAFFLED: HON. NOEL M. LINDOG Executive Judge AURORA B. MANGUBAT OIC-Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff

WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this notice on or before the date of sale. UNDER PENALTY OF LAW Pahayagang BALIKAS | June 22, 29 & July 6, 2015

JUDICIAL NOTICE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 87 ROSARIO, BATANGAS IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION

BY A RELATIVE OF THE MINOR: MARIE GABRIELLE GALO MAGADIA SPEC. PROC. CASE NO. 2014-290 SPS. DIVINE GRACE GALO-GRIFFIN AND CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH GRIFFIN, Petitioner, x——————————————————————x ORDER A verified petition has been filed by the petitioner through counsel praying the Court that after due notice, publication and hearing, the following be rendered: 1. That the Social W orker of the Regional Office of the Department of Social W elfare and Development, be mandated to make a case Child Study Report and Home Study Report, and submit the same to the Honorable Court for its evaluation in support of the instant Petition for Adoption by a Relative; 2. A judgment be rendered to the effect that thereforth, the child Merie Gabrielle Galo Magadia, be freed from all legal obligations of obedience and maintenance with repect to her natural father, and be, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioner, and that the surname of the said child be changed to GRIFFIN, which are the surnames of the petitioners and finally known by her new name: MERIE GABRIELLE GALO GRIFFIN;

3. Ordering the persons responsible for the registration of the circumstances of the birth of the child to issue another Certificate of Live Birth reflecting thereat that the child is of the herein petitioners, and that the old registration be sealed and kept in the section intended for adopted children, after payment of the fees prescribed by law.

NOW THEREFORE, finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that this case be set for hearing on July 20, 2015 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning before the session hall of this Court, on which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be Granted.

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

Likewise, let copy of the petition and this Order be furnished of Office of the Solicitor General, The Local Civil Registrar of Rosario, Batangas, the Department of Social W elfare and Development, Muntinlupa City for the purposes of enabling the latter to conduct he Home and Child Study Report of the minor to be adopted, the petitioners as well as the natural parents and to submit its report and Recommendation to this Court, at least one week before the scheduled date of hearing and the National Statistics Office for their Comment/Opposition thereto.

SO ORDERED Rosario, Batangas, April 14, 2015 (Sgd.) DORCAS P. FERRIOLS-PEREZ Assisting Judge Pahayagang BALIKAS | June 22, 29 & July 6, 2015

JULY 6 - 12, 2015

7

LIFETIMES balikasonline@yahoo.com

PhilHealth Opens Contracting for Z Packages to Private Hospitals IN order to help achieve Universal Health Care for all Filipinos and true to its aspiration of ensuring that “Bawat Pilipino, Miyembro; Bawat Miyembro, Protektado; Kalusugan Natin, Segurado”, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) issued a call for private health care institutions to apply for contracting services for the delivery of any of its existing Z Benefit Packages.

The Z Benefit Packages, which was designed to address catastrophic illnesses was initially available in selected government hospitals nationwide. It was designed for the treatment of breast and prostate cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of fallot, coronary artery bypass graft, selected orthopaedic implants, among others. PhilHealth’s move to invite private hospitals hopes to increase accessibility and provide more options for its members.

“Para mas lalong mailapit sa ating mga miyembro ang benepisyo ng PhilHealth lalung-lalo na sa may mga

malulubhang karamdaman kagaya ng breast cancer, sakit sa bato at puso na nangangailangan ng matagalan at mahal na gamutan, binuksan namin ang pribilehiyong maging partner namin para sa Z benefits sa mga pribadong institusyon.

Malaking tulong ito sa mga miyembro na nangangailangan ng agarang serbisyong medikal,” said Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth’s President and CEO. “Inaasahan po namin na bago matapos ang taong ito ay may makokontrata na kaming institusyong medikal na may kakayahang magbigay ng alinman sa aming mga Z Packages sa aming

Dialysis Coverage extended to 90 Days THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) today announced that coverage for hemodialysis is now expanded from 45 to 90 sessions per year in order to help lessen the financial burden of its members undergoing the said treatment.

The PhilHealth Board of Directors approved the

............................................................................. <<<LIFETIMES... from P/1

My City, My SM, My Cuisine wins 2 Gourmand awards born in the family of Cointreau liquor on his father’s side, and Remy Martin and Cognac Frapin on his mother’s side.

A celebration of Philippine regional cuisine, the book is a compilation of the My City, My SM, My Cuisine campaign that SM spearheaded from 2012-2013 in key cities around the Philippines where SM has malls. A joint project with the Philippine Star, the campaign had more than 20 stops in SM’s host cities as far north as Baguio and as far south as Davao.

Published by SM through People Asia, the book has a special focus on heirloom recipes, a treasure trove of culinary gems from prominent families from each city.

The province of Batangas was highlighted through the heirloom adobo recipe of Pastor Family of Batangas City which was shared to us by no less than Atty. Antonio Pastor; the adobo sa dilaw recipe by Dindo Montenegro of Taal,

Batangas; the burong (pickled) paho of the Mercados and sinaing na tulingan by Lilet Malabanan of Lipa. Ronin Leviste, son of Vice Governor Mark Leviste also shared their family’s recipe of bulalo.

Some of these families had heroes for ancestors, and their descendants happily shared the favorite recipes of General Emilio Aguinaldo, Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Mariano Ponce; as well as that of food historian Mila Enriquez.

Food is also culture, and the book also highlights community cuisine from the Cordilleras, the Aetas of Olongapo, the Manobo and Maranao of Davao, the T’boli of GenSan, as well as Barangay Iponan from Cagayan de Oro. The My City, My SM, My Cuisine book is available at Kultura Filipino stores at SM Aura Premier, SM Makati, the SM Mall of Asia, and SM Megamall.

.............................................................................. <<<MURIA... from P/4

Policy question, not policy interpretation Constitution drew pattern from the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution which guarantees the same right to all US citizens. The Supreme Court has enriched this constitutional principle with its pronouncements in the many cases that it decided. Yet, there is still no telling whether this recent US decision will influence the

institutions may apply for contracting by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by the Medical Director indicating the Z packages their facility is capable of providing and their capacity to provide for the said services.

To date, PhilHealth has 17 contracted facilities for 11 different kinds of Z packages.

Total payments for Z packages for CY 2014 reached P 245,010,000, the highest of which was for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft with 162 claims amounting to P 89,100,000 followed by End Stage Renal Disease with 128 claims amounting to P 76,150,000.00|

mga miyembro sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” he said.

Private health care institutions that intend to become contracted facilities for the Z Benefit Packages must adhere to the No Balance Billing Policy or the “Walang Dagdag Bayad” policy for indigent and sponsored members who will avail themselves of the Z packages.

A fixed co-pay option which entails an identified amount to be shouldered by the member on top of the Z package will be applied to non indigent members. However, the amount should not exceed the benefit amount being paid for by PhilHealth.

Private health care

Philippine Supreme Court in resolving the pending case which calls for the declaration of nullity of the provisions of the Family Code that limits the right to marry to male and female partners. Right now, we can only hope that the Supreme Court will not encroach on the policymaking power of the political branches of the government.|

the members’ accessibility to the treatment of up to 90 sessions per year instead of the current maximum allowable sessions of 45 per year. “We want to assure our members that this adjustment will not in any way affect the quality of care being provided by our accredited facilities,” Padilla added.

With this new development, PhilHealth members including their qualified dependents undergoing dialysis treatment are ensured of longer sessions in a year thereby reducing outof-pocket expenses to achieve better health outcomes. The adjusted PhilHealth coverage of P 2,500.00 per session includes payment for facilities and professional fees of attending physicians.

expansion due to the growing incidence of kidney diseases in the country and to respond to the increasing clamor from different stakeholders to increase PhilHealth coverage for hemodialysis.

“Based on a series of consultative meetings and dialogues with our stakeholders, our current coverage of P 4,000 for hemodialysis is more than enough to cover the treatment cost per session, thus, we are adjusting the case rate amount to P 2,500.00 per session but extending the number of sessions per year,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla.

Padilla also explained that the reduction in the package amount will extend

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PAHALANG 1 Soli 6 Mangha 10 Pagtupad sa iniuutos 11 Gamit sa kasal 12 Grupo ng anim 13 Katay 14 Tasmania: daglat 15 Isang Barangay sa Valenzuela City 17 Pabango sa pagkain 19 Pera ng Albania 20 Petrolyo 22 Salmo 26 Samahan ng guro at magulang 28 Alagad ng simbahan 29 Tahol ng aso sa malayo 33 Busal 34 Pulgada 35 Uri ng tela 37 Wala (Ilokano) 38 Malaking langgam 39 Mahabang “ng” 40 Tagpuan

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PABABA 1 Isang prutas: Ingles 2 Pagiging maalinsangan 3 Dating mayor ng Maynila 4 Paring muslim 5 Estero 6 Takip-mata 7 Leksyon 8 Salat 9 Dahong tuyo ng punong mais o tubo 10 Tibay 16 Pula: Ingles 18 Anak 21 Land Transportation Office 23 Lalawigan sa Calabarzon 24 Asinan 25 Damdaming di malamuyot 27 Alsa 29 Unang lalaki 30 Dagat-dagatan 31 Tubig mula sa langit 32 Talo 36 Giya ng turista

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Maganda ang hangarin, ang kulang lamang ay implementasyon. Kung sisimulan gawin ang binabalak, tiyak may magandang resulta.

May mga balakid kang makakasagupa ngunit kung buo ang loob na harapin, magtatagumpay. Lucky numbers at color ay 16, 20, 31, 42 at brown.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Suriin at pagaralang mabuti bago magpahalaga sa payo ng kaibigan. Ang proposisyon ng ilang kaibigan ay dapat suriing mabuti bago paunlakan. Huwag kaagad-agad magdesisyon kung mahalagang bagay ang nakaatang. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 8, 27, 40 at ocean blue.

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Hindi masama kung kasinlawak ng langit ang pangarap na kaunlaran sa buhay. Ang hindi maganda kung hanggang pangarap ka lamang at wala sa gawa, sikap at tiyaga. Magbanat ng buto. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 12, 18, 30 at blue.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Tiyaga at sikap ang maliwanag na sikreto ng tagumpay at kung ito ay palaging taglay, walang dahilan na maghikahos. Nasa sariling gawa at wala sa iba ang situwasyon sa kasalukuyan. Huwag isisi sa iba ang sariling kagagawan. Lucky numbers at color ay 6, 14, 19, 24 at yellow.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Malapit ngayon sa mga taong mapagbiro at palakantiyaw. Magiging mainit ang iyong ulo dahil sa personal na suliranin. Huwag patulan ang biro o kantiyaw dahil hahantong sa hindi magandang pangyayari na pagsisisihan. Lucky numbers at color ay 7, 26, 30, 36 at fuchsia.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Mapaghinala ang minamahal. Mag-ingat sa pakikipag-usap sa iba dahil ang minamahal ay magiging selosa. Kung may usok, may apoy kaya kung may sikreto, malamang matuklasan. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 17, 39, 41 at ocean blue.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Walang masama kung aalamin muna ang mga bagay-bagay bago magdesisyon. Iwasan na magpadalus-dalos dahil kapahamakan ang nasa huli. Selos ang magiging puno’t dulo ng sigalot at hindi pagkakaunawaan.

Ang suliranin ay mareresulba sa mahinahong paraan. Lucky numbers at color ay 3, 22, 35, 37 at red.

Aquarius (Ene. 20-Peb. 18) - Kung aabot sa sukdulan ang pagtitimpi, makakabuting umiwas dahil masama ang mangyayari. Madali ang makipag-away ngunit masarap mabuhay nang walang kaaway. Madali kang mapikon at mag-init ang ulo. Self-control ang kailangan. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 13, 14, 31 at violet.

Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Magiging mapusok ka ngayon at kung walang selfcontrol, ihahatid ka sa kapahamakan. Sa lahat ng bagay, taglayin ang magdalawangisip kung anong kabutihan at kasamaan ang idudulot bago kumilos. Huwag basta maniwala sa tsismis at sulsol. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 9, 17, 29 at white.

Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Masigla at nakakatiyak sa sarili kaya handang harapin ang anumang pakikibaka. Diplomasya ang kailangan dahil may makakasagupa kang kailangan ng magandang paliwanag.

Ang pagkamaunawain at pagpapasensiya ang dapat pairalin. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 19, 22, 38 at cream.

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Kung inaakalang tama ka, gawin. Dahil malakas ang iyong ESP ngayon, maliban kung labag sa batas ng Diyos at tao ang nasa isip. Iwasan ang anumang uri ng sugal dahil tiyak matatalo. Kung iinom ng alak, ilagay sa tiyan at huwag sa utak. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 29, 31, 39 at orange.

Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Nasa tamang daan ng kaunlaran sa buhay ang nilalandas kaya ituloy ang ginagawa.

Makakasagupa ka ng mga pagtutol sa mga binabalak. Ang payo o suhestiyon ay dapat pakinggan at timbangin. Kung mabuti, sundin; kung masama, iisantabi. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 14, 34, 39 at aquamarine.|

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F.E.S.T.

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

Yap accepts the Lion’s Club leadership N what they call it as soft turn over ceremony, Lion Incoming President Alex Yap accpets the leadership of the civic group Batangas Lion’s Club at Ginazel’s Function Room, June 26.

After the sumptuous dinner, Lion Iting Babasa, the Club Secretary himself for five consecutive terms, mastered the ceremony that capped with the turn-over of the gong and gavel that signaled the change of leadership of the club. Formal turn-over will be held sometime in November this year.

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On that said event, 12 new members were inducted

by Regional Chairman Manuel Rosales, assisted by Lion Ethel Recto, the Cabinet Secretary. This brings the Club membership to 120.

Congressman Ranie Abu of Batangas’ 2nd District was also among the inductees who expressed his utmost gratitude for being accepted to what he call as esteemed club that he is very proud of.

With the presence of his family, President Yap pledged his commitment to carry on more projects for the benefit of the needy and less fortunate brethren that include but not limited to medical-dental missions, tree planting, operation tuli, and others.

Yap who started as volunteer fireman at the age of 15 is valued member of the Batangas City FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and other goups.|

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IN PHOTOS. 1. Outgoing President Jun Trangia passes on to Incoming President Alex Yap the gong and gavel that symbolizes the transfer of leadership of the Batangas Lion’s Club.

2. Lion RC Manuel Rosales, assisted by CS Lion Ethel Recto, inducts the 12 new members of the Club.

3. The whole family of Pres. Yap is present to support his leadership.

4. Newly inducted member Lion Ranie Abu delivers a short message, being the Congressman of the Second District of Batangas, and 5. The big Batangas Lion’s Club Family.

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL (LCI) is a secular, non-political service organization founded by Melvin Jones in 1917. As of April 2015, it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries around the world. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and global scale.

Batangas Lion’s Club is under Distrcit 301-A2.

LION AWARDEES. Lion members who were presented Certificate of Appreciation for their active participation for the Club’s Lion 2nd VP Meng Tan receives from projects, among others, (L-R) Lion Eloisa De Loyola Portugal, Lion Councilor Claudette Ambida-Alday, Lion 3rd VP Alex Beredo, and outgoing President Jun Trangia his plaque Lion COuncilor Kristine Balmes. Presenting the certificates are Outgoing President Jun Trangia and Incoming President Alex Yap.| for being a PMJ Fellow.|