Vol 20, No. 29 | July 20 - 26, 2015

July 20 - 26, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 29 | Php 12.00/copy  balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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P45.352 milyong Batangueño scientist talks dadag na bonus, on metabolic eng’g, synthetic iregular, ayon sa COA biology to BSU students >>>NEWS....P/2

>>>LIFETIMES....P/7

Regaining lost ground for humanity >>>OPINION....P/4

BASAHIN ANG BUONG ISTORYA SA

p. 2 LAKAD-DASAL. Dala ang kanikanilang mga banners at rosaryo, idinaan sa lad-dasal ng mga anti-coal protesters ang kanilang kampanya noong Hulyo 13.| FR. NONIE D.

“OKEY, 1-2-3, SABAY-SABAY TAYO...” Sa kumpas ni Ms. Regina Lopez ng ABS-CBN Foundation, sama-samang sumigaw ng “No To Coal” ang mga anti-coal protesters, kasama ang kaparian sa pamumuno ni Arsobispo Ramon C. Arguelles ng aridiyosesis ng Lipa.| BALIKAS PHOTO

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JULY 20 - 26, 2015

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

P45.352 milyong dadag na bonus, iregular, ayon sa COA “AKALA’Y ginto, tanso pala!”

Ganito inilarawan ng ilang tumututok sa takbo ng pangangasiwa sa pamahalaang panlalawigan at takbo ng pulitikang lokal ang kinahinatnan ng isang umano’y maling aksyon ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan noong nakalipas na taon.

Sa ulat ng Commission on Audit (COA) nitong nakalipas na Hulyo 9, ipinag-utos ng mga state auditor sa mga opisyal at kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Batangas na ibalik sa pamahalaan ang tinanggap na bonuses na nagkakahalaga ng P45.352-milyon.

Ayon pa sa nasabing ulat ng mga awditor, ang pagbibigay ng naturang dagdag na year-end bonuses ay “irregular” at paglabag sa COA Circular No. 2013003, na nagbabawal ng pagbabayad o pagbibigay ng hindi otorisadong allowances, incentives at iba pang benepisyo, maliban sa mga sadyang hayagang isinasaad sa batas.

“Verification of the allowances, incentives and other benefits for which government employees are entitled to revealed that additional year-end bonus is not included. Hence, payment of additional year-end bonus to all officials and employees is irregular, resulting in audit disallowances of P45,352,843.82,” saad sa ulat ng COA. Nakapaloob pa sa nasabing ulat ng mga awditor na ang mga halal at itinalagang mga opisyal ang tumanggap ng pinakamalalaking bonuses, na ang mga

kawaning ang buwanang sweldo ay higit pa sa P15,000 ay pawing tumanggap ng katumbas ng isang buwang sahod. Ang mga kawaning may sahod na P15,000 pababa ay pawang tumanggap ng tig-P15,000 bawat isa, samantalang ang mga kaswal na kawani ay tumanggap ng tig-P10,000.

Nabatid pa sa ulat ng COA na ang tinutukoy na irregular na bonus ay hiwalay pa sa regular na midyear bonus na ipinamahagi noong Mayo 2014 at sa year-end bonus na ipinamahagi naman noong Nobyembre 2014.

Sinasabi sa ulat ng COA na pinagbatayan lamang umano ng probinsya sa pamamahagi ng naturang bonus ang Resolusyon Blg. 458 na ipinasa ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan noong Disyem-bre 3, 2014, o halos 2 linggo lamang bago sumapit ang kapaskuhan.

Ayon pa sa COA, hindi sapat o legal na batayan ang isang resolusyon ng Sanggunian para magbigay ng isang hiwalay na bonus. Tanging ang nakasaad lamang sa Salary Standardization Law ang maaaring mapagbatayan ng legal na pagbibigay ng mga bonus.

Dahil dito, ipinag-utos pa ng COA kay Batangas Governor Vilma Santos na tiyaking maibabalik kaagad nang maayos ng mga opisyal at kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Batangas sa kaban ng probinsya ang dagdag na bonus na iligal ipinamahagi noong 2015.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

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Inter-Island News 34 kaso ng dengue, naitala sa Romblon ODIONGAN, Romblon — Umabot na sa 34 na kaso ng Dengue sa lalawigan ng Romblon ang naitala ng Romblon Provincial Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit ngayong taon.

Batay sa talaan ng Provincial Provincial Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (PESU), karamihan sa mga tinamaan ng sakit na ito ay mula sa mga bayan ng San Agustin at Looc.

Kaugnay nito, patuloy ang isinasagawang kampanya ng Department of Health (DOH) at mga Health Officials ng lalawigan ng Romblon upang puksain ang pinagmumulan sa sakit na ito.

Ang mga tauhan ng Rural Health Unit (RHU) sa bayan ng San Agustin at Looc ay nagsagawa ng seminar sa mga barangay hinggil sa pagpuksa sa lamok na pinagmumulan ng dengue kung saan tinalakay ang 4s (search and destroy, self protection measures, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging) upang hindi na dumami pa ang kaso ng ganitong uri ng sakit.

Nagsagawa rin ng ‘misting’ ang mga opisyal ng Department of Health sa mga naturang bayan para maagapan ang pagdami ng mga pasyente.

Paalala naman ng mga opisyal ng DOH na kung sakaling may nararanasan na sintomas ng dengue, isugod agad sa pinakamalapit na hospital para maagapan.

Ang mga taong nahawa umano ng dengue virus ay karaniwang walang nakikitang sintomas (80%) o mayroon lamang mga banayad na mga sintomas tulad ng lagnat na walang komplikasyon.

Ang ibang kaso naman ay mayroong mas malubhang karamdaman (5%) at sa isang maliit na bahagi ito ay nagbabanta sa buhay. Ang panahon ng inkubasyon ay mula 3-14 na mga araw, ngunit mas madalas ito ay apat hanggang pitong araw.

Madalas na nakararanas ang mga bata ng sintomas katulad ng sa karaniwang sipon at gastroenteritis, at karaniwang mayroong mas hindi malubhang mga sintomas kaysa sa mga nasa hustong gulang, ngunit mas madaling kapitan ng mga malubhang komplikasyon.| DENNIS MANZO ...........................................................................................................................

DoH Mimaropa - Alamin ang serbisyo sa mga barangay, RHU

NAGING matagumpay ng muling paglulunsad ng Balik-Armas Program ng Batangas Provincial Police Office sa ilalim ni PSSupt. Omega Jireh D. Fidel, provincial director, na umani naman ng suporta mula sa public and private sectors ng lalawigan.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS ...............................................................................................................................................

Protesta kontra coal-fired plant, idinaan sa dasal LUNSOD BATANGAS – Muling umarangkada nitong nakaraang Lunes, Hulyo 13, ang umiinit na protesta kontra sa pagtatayo ng coal-fired power plant sa Barangay Pinamucan Ibaba, lunsod na ito, na sinimulan sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang lakaddasal mula sa Liwasang Laurel, Gulod Kapitolyo, pababa sa Poblacion hanggang sa patyo ng basilica ng Inmaculada Concepcion na sinundan ng isang Banal na Misa sa pamumuno ni Arsobipo Ramon C. Arguelles ng arsidiyosesis ng Lipa.

Sa kaniyang sermon, binigyang-diin ng arsobispo ang kahalagahan ng patuloy na pakikibaka para tutulan ang naturang proyekto.

Kasunod ng pagdiriwang ng Banal na Misa, nagging punong tagapagsalita naman si Ms. Regina Lopez ng ABS-CBN Foundation. Sa kaniyang pananalita, muling binalikan ni Lopez ang kaniyang presentasyon sa bayan ng Lobo noong isagawa ang anti-mining rally, Hunyo 29, na dinagdagan naman niya ng ilang punto ukol sa coal-fired power plant.

Kapwa binigyang-diin nina Arsobispo Arguelles at Lopez ang umano’y malaking kapinsalaan sa kapaligiran at malaking banta sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan kung hindi mahaharangan ang pagtatayo ng naturang planta.

Gaya ng ginawa sa bayan ng Lobo, muling ipinakita ni Lopez ang mga video clips na umano’y kuha sa mga lugar sa bansa na may mga pagmimina at may mga coal-fired power plants at ang mga naging epekto nito sa komunidad.

Pagkatapos ng panayam sa patio, tumungo si Lopez sa tanggapan ng Sangguniang Panlunsod upang umano’y himukin ang mga kasapi ng konseho na huwag ieendorso ang pagtatayo ng naturang planta. Kasukasunod ni Lopez noon si P. Pablito Malibiran, gaya ng pagtungo sa tanggapan ni Vice Mayor Renato Perez ng Lobo. Sumunod din kina Lopez si Arsobispo Arguelles, ilang kapatian, mga madre at iba pang tumututol sa

pagtatayo ng planta.

Dismayado kinadismaya rin ni Arsobispo Arguelles ang umano’y “delaying tactics” na ginagawa ng mga kasapi ng Sangguniang Panlunsod sa hindi agad pagboto kung ieendorso ba o hindi ang pagtatayo ng planta.

Para sa arsobispo, sinasadya umano ng mga lokal na opisyal ng Batangas na maantala ang paglalabas ng resolusyon kung papayagan ang JG Summit Holdings Inc. na makapagpatayo ng coal-fired power plant na sinasabing isa sa mga dahilan ng maduming hangin, kapaligiran at nakapagpalala ng climate change.

“Halata na talagang dine-delay nila, mabuting magdecide na ‘yes or no’ para talagang magkaintindihan.

Ano ang kanilang desisyon. Sinasabi nila they are still studying the matter is kalokohan. Niloloko lang kami, so I would like everybody to pray na sana magdecide na itong Batangas City Council because they are just making fool of the people,” pahayag ni Archbishop Arguelles sa panayam ng Radyo Veritas.

Samantala, iba naman ang nagging obserbasyon ng isang dating opisyal ng pamahalaang lunsod. Aniya, dapat ay maging patas din at maging katanggaptanggap ang mga pahayag ng arsobispo.

“Natataangdaan kong noong pinagsusumite sila ng position paper, at hindi sila nakontento sa itinakdang panahon at ipinilit nilang bigyan ng 30-araw para maisumite ang kanilang position paper. Ngayong nakapagsumite na sila, hindi naman iyong kanila lamang position paper ang pag-aaralan ng konseho kundi kasama na rin yung isinumite ng iba pang grupo at maging ng proponent. Kaya makatuwiran lamang na huwag magmadali ang konseho sa pagboto at sa halip ay pag-aralang mabuti ang bawat punto ng bawat stakeholders o ng pabor at kontra. Yun ay dapat nakikita rin ng simbahan at ng iba pang tumututok sa isyung ito” dagdag pa ng dating opisyal.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

LUNSOD QUEZON — Hinihikayat ng Department of Health – Mimaropa ang mga kababayan na bisitahin ang mga pasilidad ng kagawaran ng kanilang lalawigan para mabatid ang mga serbisyong mapapakinabangan ng kanilang pamilya.

“Mayroon tayong serbisyo sa baba (ibig sabihin ng baba ay hanggang barangay)…kahit saan sila (mga kababayan) pumunta, halimbawa kung hindi mo alam kung anong serbisyo sa area (lugar) mo, doon sa rural health unit o barangay health station kung alin ang malapit o even yung mga ospital,” paliwanag ni DOH – Mimaropa Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo sa isang panayam matapos ang pulong ng Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (RIACEH) nitong Huwebes.

Ito, ani Director Janairo, ang dahilan kaya nila inilunsad ang High Impact Five Health Caravan na binansagang “Kalusugang Tuloy-Tuloy Para sa Pamilyang Pinoy (KTP3)” nitong Miyerkules sa Oriental Mindoro National High School Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

“High Impact Five, tungkol sa maternal care, infant care, (children) under 5 care, HIV and AIDS Control at etong Service Delivery Network,” sabi ni Director Janairo, “gusto natin magawa natin kahit sa huling taon man lang ang Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) tungkol sa pagkamatay ng mga ina at ng kanilang mga sanggol. ...........................................................................................................................

Mga magsasaka sa Romblon, tumanggap ng libreng binhi sa DA ROMBLON, Romblon — Dalawampung magsasaka sa bayang ng Romblon ang nabigyan ng libreng binhi ng palay sa ilalim ng programang High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) ng Department of Agriculture.

Kabilang rin sa matatanggap ng mga naturang magsasaka ang libreng abono upang masigurong makakaani ng malaki ang mga ito.

Sinabi ni Marcos M. Muros, Agricultural Technician ng Office of the Municipal Agriculturist ng Romblon na walang kokolektahing bayarin (repayments) mula sa mga magpapalay na mga farmerbeneficiaries ng programang High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) ng Department of Agriculture dahil ang susunding mechanics ay ang ‘Pass-over Scheme.’

Dagdag pa ni Muros, kapag mayroong 50 miyembro ang isang irrigators’ association na siyang magiging first-line beneficiaries, inaasahan na pagkatapos ng isang season ay dapat ipasa ng mga first-line beneficiaries ang mga ibinigay na inputs sa kanila ng DA sa mga second-line beneficiaries.

Nakasaad sa alituntunin ng programa na maaari lamang ibalik ng mga farmer-beneficiaries ang mga ibinigay na input sa kanila gaya ng isang sakong certified palay seeds at isang sakong abono pagkatapos ng kanilang unang harvest.

Batay sa mga alituntunin ng programa, ang mga nakapagavail na irrigators’ associations, farmer groups, o local government units ay sasailalim sa pass-over para sa susunod na participating farmers sa loob ng tatlong magkakasunod na season.

JULY 20 - 26, 2015

3

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

P3-B investment, naitakas ng One Dream Global?

“ISANG pangarap ng inakala naming biglaang pagyaman, ngunit simbilis nito ang paglahong animo’y bula ng aming mga salapi at investments…”

Ito ang nangingiyak na pahayag ng isang biktima ng isang multi-level marketing scam sa Lala-wigan ng Batangas na nagpatago sa pangalang Marika.

Halos isang buwan pa lang ang nakalilipas, nagtiwala si Marika na ilagak ang kaniyang mahigit Isang Milyong Piso (P1-milyon) sa One Dream Global, Inc. sa pag-asang hindi lamang basta madaragdagan ang kaniyang pera, sa halip ay ang posibilidad na madoble pa ito o higit pa, batay sa naging paliwanag sa kaniya ng isang recruiter na nagpakilala lamang sa pangalang Vonn. Ayon pa kay Marika, dahil nakailang beses na siyang nagplano na magpatayo ng isang malaking bahay sa isang kilalang subdibisyon sa Lunsod ng Lipa, hindi niya ito maituluy-tuloy dahil baka kapusin siya ng bajet. Ito ang nagbunsod sa kaniya para tanggapin ang alok ni Vonn na mag-invest sa One Dream Global Marketing.

Ngunit laking gulat na lamang niya nitong nakalipas na linggo, kung kailan inaasahan niyang matutupad na ang pinakaasam na dagdag-yaman, nang mabatid niyang nagsara na ang tanggapan ng One Dream sa Lipa at hindi na umabot pa sa nakatakdang pay-out sa kaniya ng kumpanya.

Si Marika ay isa lamang sa daan-daang naloko umano ng One Dream Global Marketing, Inc. Kabilang din sa iba pang mga lumutang na biktima sina Lipa City Councilor Joel Pua y Dellosa, 38, may-asawa, at si Punumbarangay Paulo Santino Soriano y Tapalla, 30, binata, kapwa ng Barangay 4, ng naturang lunsod.

Dahil dito, patuloy na pinaghahanap ngayon ng otoridad sina Arnel Gacer, President at CEO; ang asawang si Jobelle De Guzman-Gacer, Vice President for Opera-tions; Richard Ramos, Vice Presi-dent for Marketing, at iba pang opisyal ng kumpanya.

Batay sa website ng kumpanya, narehistro ito sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) noong Hunyo 15, ngayong 2015 bilang isang korporasyong distribyutor ng mga sabon at cosmetics. Wala umano itong kaukulang lisensya para mangalap o magpatakbo ng isang financial investment company.

“Sa aming pag-aanalisa, batay sa mga sumbong ng mga sinasabing naging biktima ng kumpanya, maaaring umabot na sa mahigit pang P3-bilyong piso ang involved na investments ng mga karaniwang tao, dito pa lamang sa Lunsod ng Lipa,” pahayag ni Mayor Meynard Sabili.

“Naalarma kami nitong mga nakalipas na araw na marami na palang mga kababayan natin ang naengganyong mag-invest o sumali sa marketing scheme ng One Dream ngunit minalas namang matakasan ng mga opisyal ng kumpanya, dagdagpahayag pa ni Mayor Sabili.

Aniya, inalarma din sila ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ukol sa aniya’y pagmamanipula ng kumpanya at pagsasa-mantala sa mga taong nagtiwala sa kanila.

Nakiusap din ang alkalde sa publiko na huwag naman sanang sisihin ang kaniyang tanggapan sa umano’y pagpapasara niya ng One Dream kaya umabot sa hindi pagtanggap ng mga investor ng kanilang payout.

“Ito po ay isang responsibilidad at obligasyon ko bilang ama ng ating lunsod na tiyaking ligal at walang iregularidad sa takbo ng mga negosyong narito sa ating lunsod.

Nilinaw ko lamang po na hindi natin ipinasara, kundi inusisa

Ang mag-asawang Arnel Gacer at Jobelle De Guzman-Gacer ng One Dream Global Marketing, Inc.

Naloko? Ang ilans a mga nag-invest sa One Dream Global Marketing, Inc. sa Lunsod ng Lipa.|

natin kung anong katibayan ng kanilang negosyo o pamumuhunan. At matapos po nating madiskubre na ang permit ng kumpanya ay para sa distribution ng sabon at cosmetics, ipinag-utos po natin na itigil ang pangongolekta ng shares o investments at unahin muna ang mga naantalang pay-out o pagbabayad sa mga sumali at naglagak ng kanilang salapi, ngunit bigla nga silang nagsarado ng opisina at naglahong parang bula,” paglilinaw ni Mayor Sabili.

Bukod sa Lunsod ng Lipa, nabatid na mayroon ding sangay ang One Dream Global sa bayan ng Balayan, Batangas; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Bolinao, Pangasinan; Lunsod Quezon, at sa iba pang lugar sa bansa.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Ipinagtataka pa ng publiko kung bakit halos may ilang buwan na umano ang operasyon ng kumpanya gayong Hunyo 15, 2015 pa lamang nairehistro ito sa SEC. Tumatanggap ito ng investment mula P888.00 pataas na umano’y lumaki nang lumaki ang kita. Ito umano ang nag-udyok sa mga sumunod na nag-invest sa akalang biglang yayaman sa naka-aakit na aabot sa 40% interes sa loob lamang ng apat na araw.

Ayon pa sa kanilang website, ang kumpanya ay may punong tanggapan sa Unit 305 S&F Condominium 137 Panay Ave., Quezon Ave., Quezon City, Philippines 1101 ngunit nanatili naman itong sarado nitong mga nakalipas na araw.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

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Mga kagawad ng lunsod, na-bully ni Lopez?

ITO ang bagong karatula sa bahagi ng Bulacnin Tollplaza (northbound) na ikinadidismaya ng mga motorista at mga netizens.|

Pagbabago ng karatula sa Startoll, nakalilito na sa mga motorista LUNSOD NG LIPA – KASUNOD ng pagkayamot ni Balete mayor Joven Hidalgo sa pagbabago ng mga karatula sa kahabaan ng Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, partikular Balete Exit, ikinadismaya naman ng isang kagawad ng lunsod na ito ang umano’y idinudulot nitong kalituhan sa mga motorista.

Sa kaniyang talumpati sa sesyon ng Sangguniang Panlunsod ng Lipa, ipinatawag ni Kagawad Nilo Catipon ang mga opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) at STAR Tollway Coporation upang sagutin ang mga katanungan ukol sa mga naturang karatula.

“Ipinarating sa akin ng ating mga kababayang motorista ang nakalilitong karatula sa STAR Tollway. Dati raw ang nakalagay ay Balete Exit at Lipa City Exit tapos pinalitan ng Leviste Exit, tapos dinagdagan naman ng ‘Hall’ ang

Lipa City,’’ pahayag pa ni Catipon.

Nauna rito, sinabi ni Mayor Hidalgo na handa siyang magsampa ng aksyong legal kaugnay ng pagpapalit ng pangalan ng mga naturang exit points partikular ang patungo sa kaniyang bayan. “‘Dinidinig ko lang ang mga hinaing ng aking mga kababayan.

Pagkakataon na sana ito na makilala ang Balete dahil sa karatulang iyon,’’ pahayag ni Hidalgo .

“Hindi baga’t karaniwan na, na ang mga karatula ay nakapangalan sa lugar na pupuntahan at hindi sa pangalan ng tao o apilyedo ng isang angkan o pamilya? At ang dahilan ng paglalagay ng tollplaza sa bahaging yaan ng STAR ay para maging accessible na ang bayan ng Balete na hindi na kailangang dumaan sa ma-traffic na lugar ng Lipa at Malvar-Tanauan, gayundin ang pagpasok sa Lipa mula sa STAR. Ay bakit pinalitan ang pangalang “Balete Exit” ng “Leviste

>>>LANSANGAN....sa P/7

LUNSOD BATANGAS – “Nakalulungkot na kami’y ginawang animo’y walang alam at gustong magsunud-sunuran na lamang sa kanilang gusto.” Ito ang seryosong reaksyon ni Kagawad Julian Villena pagkatapos ng sesyon ng konseho noong Lunes, Hulyo 13.

“Wala naman sa lugar ang ibang mga tanong at mistulang kami ay na-bully niya,” dagdag puna ni dating Pununlunsod at ngayo’y Association of Barangay Councils president Angelito Dondon Dimacuha.

Ang tinutukoy ng mga kagawad ay ang umano’y hindi magandang nagging pagtrato sa kanila ni Ms. Regina Lopez ng ABS-CBN Foundation nang mistulang mag-lecture ito sa mga kagawad bago nagsimula ang regular na sesyon ng konseho.

Sa pahintulot ni Bise Alkalde Emilio Francisco Berberabe Jr., nagbigay ng ilang pananalita si Lopez sa mga kagawad upang

himukin ang mga ito na bumoto kontra sa panukalang pagtatayo ng coal-fired power plant sa Pinamucan Ibaba. Ipinakita rin ni Lopez ang isang video clip kuha sa dating planta ng kuryente sa bayan Calaca.

Isa-isang tinanong ni Lopez ang mga kagawad ukol sa kanilang magiging boto sa panukala at tanging si Kagawad Hamilton Blanco lamang ang nagsabi ng kaniyang pagboto. Aniya, buo ang kaniyang desisyon na bumoto kontra sa panukala.

Samantala, halos lahat naman ng iba pang kagawad ay nagsabi na “premature” pa para sabihin nila ang kanilang boto sapagkat hindi naman iyon isang opisyal na sesyon ng konseho at may sadyang panahon para bumoto. Anila, ang tinitiyak lamang nila aay sila’y boboto ayon sa idinidikta ng kanilang konsiyensya at kung ano ang naiisip nilang makabubuti sa lunsod at sa kaniyang mga mamamayan.

Nang tanungin si Kagawad Armando Lazarte, sinabi ng kagawad na hindi lamang ang usapin ng coalfired power plant ang pinag-aaralan ng konseho, kundi maging ang natural gas-powered plant ng First Gas at iba pang industrial locators sa lunsod. “Ang lahat po na iyan ay aming iniisa-isa upang mabatid ang mga magiging epekto nito sa kapaligiran, sa kalusugan at sa general welfare ng lunsod,” sagot ni Lazarte.

Sa puntong ito, nag-init ang ulo ni Lopez at sinabi pang “don’t talk about gas and other things, talk to me about coal!”

Ang Sta. Rita Power Plant, San Lorenzo Power Plant, Avion Power at San Gabriel Power Plant – pawang sa Sta. Rita, lunsod na ito ay pagaari ng First Gen Holdings ng mga Lopezes na may malaking stake din sa Meralco. Isa pang planta ang umano’y binabalak nitong itayo sa bahagi ng Brgy. Bolbok.|

IPINALIWANAG ni Kagawad Armando Lazarte na hindi lamang ang usapin ng coal-fired power plant ang pinag-aaralan ng konseho, kundi maging ang natural gas-powered plant ng First Gas at iba pang industrial locators sa lunsod, na ipinag-init ng ulo ni Lopez at sinabi pang “don’t talk about gas and other things, talk to me about coal!” |

4

Be a part in shaping public opinion.

Email your comments/reactions to: balikasonline@yahoo.com JULY 20 - 26, 2015

OPINION

LAST June 29, thousands of protesters filled the municipal covered court of the town of Lobo. Yes, literally, the court was filled up to its full capacity, with many others clinging to the fences and in under the trees around it – all for one purpose, to denounce the proposal of a foreign firm to set up gold mining operation in the Lobo mountains.

The protest commenced with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided by the clergy of the archdiocese of Lipa with Rev. Msgr. Alfredo Madlangbayan, PA, as the main celebrant and Rev. Msgr. Ruben Dimaculangan, the Vicar General, as homilist. The archbishop was out of the country at that time.

After the celebration of the Mass, several speakers talked on the effects of the mining operation should it be allowed to take place in the mountainous portion of Lobo and its consequent effect to the Verde Island Passage, also known as the world’s Center of the Center of Marine Biodiversity. Most of the talks of the speakers from the clergy focused on the new encyclical of Pope Francis – the Laudato Si. On the part of the government, Mayor Jorly Manalo was there and later on declared his support to the protesters and promised to be the people’s voice in disallowing the mining operation. He vowed to be proactive in protecting the interest of his constituents.

On the sidelines, it was the Sangguniang Bayan of Lobo under the tetullage of Vice Mayor Renato Perez, a former mayor himself, who is also the focus of tirades from the protesters, especially from Ms. Regina Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation. Prior to the protest rally, the municipal council passed the SB Resolution No. 2015-26, a Resolution Endorsing the Lobo Gold Mining Project in Brgy. Mabilog na Bundok, Lobo, Batangas and all Other Exploration, Development, Processing and Mining Operations Thereat

by Egerton Gold Philippines, Inc. and MRL Gold, Inc. in Accordance with the Terms under MPSA Nos. 172-2002-IV and 177-2002-IV of Egerton Gold Philippines, Inc. The said municiopal council resolution was based on the resolutions of Sangguiang barangays endorsing the project which will consequently give way to the release of an Environmental Compliance Certificate that will cover the barangays fo Balibago, Biga, Mabilog na Bundok, Malabrigo, Nagtaluntong, Olo-olo, Sawang, Soloc and Tayuman.

As she concludes her talk, Lopez said that her group will proceed to the Office of the Sangguniang Bayan TO FILE A PROTEST requesting the retraction of the resolution.

Well and good. The cause may be good enough.. it is really good enough that a formal protest be filed for the council to reconsider its previous action. But some things went wrong. Ms. Lopez herself may have forgotten that she’s not in her own turf, not in her own office, but in a public office, for a purpose – to file the petition. The way she acted created an image of her as a disrespectful and uneducated individual. To file a petition and discuss matters in a nice way is an exemplary act, and could possibly get a favorable action. But her actions on that day is another thing. If she’s irritated with the previous action of the council in passing the resolution, she has no right to disrespect the office. Proper decorum should have been observed. Iyong mai-file ang petition at maipaliwanag sa bise alkalde ang kaniyang pagkadismaya sa aksyon at ang mga posibleng mangyari sa hinaharap ay sapat na. Ngunit yung halos isilid na sa mata niya ang bise alkalde at mag-astang nasa sariling opisina niya ay hindi naman ata tama.

Tama lamang ang sagot ni Vice Mayor Perez. “Ito po ay aming tinatanggap and we will study this, refer to the proper committee, deliberate on it and will act on it accordingly”. Ganun talaga ang procedure sa pamahalaan, kailangang may due process. Kung sa oras na iyon ay umaksyon kaagad ang bise alkalde pabor sa mga nagprotesta, hindi rin naman magiging tama yun dahil nga may due process na kailangang sundin.|

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Proper decorum in public office

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Regaining lost ground for humanity THE US Scotus same-sex marriage decision may not make any impact at all in our legal system. There is nothing in the equal protection decisions which can justify the disregard of the differences that the law recognizes between male-female relationship and malemale or female-female relationship. The distinctions in these relationships are not superficial but real differences related to the nature and purposes of marriage.

It is not the law that creates these distinction that make real differences. Nature decreed such differences and not even science can change them. That marriage is directed to the establishment of conjugal life and the perpetuation of the species cannot be changed by human convention and devices. No semantics or science can change that only in heterosexual relationship can the human species perpetuate itself.

However, this does not mean that the said ruling will not have any impact in our society. In fact, even before the ruling there is an apparently aggressive efforts to promote public acceptance of same-sex relationships.

Same-sex relationship among showbiz personalities and game show contestants are flaunted on daytime and prime time talk shows. Also, social networking sites are filled with comments, news and stories extolling the decision of the US Supreme Court recognizing the right to marriage for same-sex couples. Undoubtedly, there are concentrated efforts to mainstream “gay agenda” in the Philippines. And with the unprecedented US ruling favoring same-sex marriage, the movement to demand acceptance of this agenda in public and social institutions is expected to be more aggressive. The gay agenda, with all the prominent and influential personalities and institutions behind it, will soon engage the religious institutions into an intense confrontation to demand the rewriting and re-interpretation of traditional social and cultural values.

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We are now on the edge of the declining human civilization. Religious persecutions are on the rise in many cultures and societies today.

The emergence of new technologies bolsters the efforts to disintegrate communities and to destroy traditional social institutions. The permanence of human values has continued to be challenged by hedonistic and materialistic fads masquerading as the new normal.

When he visited the Philippines last January, Pope Francis has warned that gender ideologies from the wealthy Western nations are being imposed on developing nations in the form conditionalities for the grant of financial and material assistance. He said that this ideological colonization is the imposition of foreign ideas which promote the liberalization and redefinition of traditional social institutions into the culture of developing nations.

Traditional family values have long been under assault by the spread of global consumerist culture.

There is an ongoing systemic global assault on the institution of marriage led by the world’s most powerful nations. And these nations are using public force to promote a particular sexual orientation and subdue those who do not cater to its agenda.

As such, the urgency of the need to defend the institutions of marriage and family is undeniable. This means that all those who value these social institutions must come together in their defense. Religious and scientific truths justify such defense. It is only by the promotion of traditional families that we can assure the perpetuation of human species.

Conscious efforts are need to preserve the institutions of marriage and family. Doing nothing will serve the agenda of those who are assaulting these institutions and will hasten the decline of human civilization.

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

Benjie De Castro 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 20 - 26, 2015

5

OPINION balikasonline@yahoo.com

The urgent fight for sovereignty EXACTLY 117 years ago, the first Philippine republic was declared and even for a brief moment, the Filipino nation enjoyed its sovereignty and independence after defeating the Spanish colonizers. But as history has shown, that was short-lived because after three years, the American colonizers took that sovereignty and freedom away from the Filipino people.

They prohibited any display of nationalism to the extent of banning the display of the Philippine flag. Inang Bayan (Motherland) – a woman dressed in the colors of the Philippine flag – became the symbol of the fight of the Filipino nation for independence.

Now, more than a century since, the fight for the sovereignty of the Filipino nation has once again assume prime significance. The Filipino people is facing encroachments from both the US and China.

China has been laying claim to the oil-rich Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands and is currently building military structures in the area. It has declared exclusive rights to the area, completely disregarding international conventions, and has been using its military might to enforce this. It has even pushed away Filipino fisherfolk who were fishing in the area. While it is doing so, its bureaucrats and capitalists have been entering into questionable contracts with Philippine government officials and have been doing business in the country.

The US has been using the territorial dispute at the West Philippine Sea to reestablish its military bases in the Philippines – this time for free – increase the presence, operations, and intervention of US troops in the country, and stockpile war materiel to project its military hegemony in the region, control the shipping lanes from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, and corner the trade in resource and market rich Asia. They were able to get the subservient obedience of the Aquino government even without a categorical commitment that it would come to the aid of the Philippines if and when the latter’s territorial dispute with China turns into a shooting war. The Aquino government, on the other hand, has been handing the country on a silver platter to the US and its junior partners in the region, mainly Australia and Japan.

While the Visiting Forces Agreement, signed by the Estrada administration laid the groundwork for the operations of US troops in the country and granted

them immunity, the Arroyo administration paved the way for their return and constant rotational presence – after a decade since the Filipino people kicked out the US military bases in1991 – through the Balikatan joint US-PH military exercises. It also tightened the control of the US Armed Forces over the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces through the establishment of the US-PH Security Engagement Board, the conduct of the US-RP Joint Defense Assessment and the resulting Philippine Defense Reform Program, which is being directed by the US Armed Forces.

The administration of Benigno Aquino III, who ironically appropriated the colloquial term for Filipinos pinoy, sealed the reestablishment of US military bases – this time for free and in several ‘agreed sites’ all over the country – through the US-PH Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). It has been welcoming with open arms the redeployment of more US troops, armaments, warships, and fighter planes. The height of the Aquino government’s display of subservience was when it allowed the US to use the Special Action Forces (SAF) of the Philippine National Police as pawns in its military operations to bag one of its high-value targets Marwan. The US-directed operations now known as the Mamasapano fiasco claimed the lives of 44 SAF operatives.

And now Congress has been pushing for amendments to the 1987 Constitution to give it the power to preside over the wholesale sell out the country’s patrimony and natural resources. Congress deferred the voting on the proposed resolution at the last minute.

If not for the resistance of the progressive bloc, this amendment could have been passed.

Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for the Filipino people to fight for the sovereignty of the nation against unprecedented attacks by China, the US, and the Aquino government. The formation of the Pilipinong Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya is most timely.

It provides a platform for freedom-loving Filipinos to gather together and to collectively fight for Philippine sovereignty in conjunction with and complementary to the efforts of progressive and patriotic groups that have been waging a struggle for national freedom and social emancipation.|

Benjie Oliveros

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The Church’s Environmental Advocacy OVER 25 years ago, the CBCP came out with a pastoral letter en- titled “What is happening to our beautiful land.”

This was the first time that a bishops’ conference, anywhere in the world, addressed the threat of environmental degradation and climate change. It called on the Church to take action to preserve the integrity of creation.

“As people of the covenant we are called to protect endangered ecosystems, like our forests, mangroves, coral reefs and to establish just human communities in our land. More and more we must recognize that the commitment to work for justice and to preserve the integrity of creation are two inseparable dimension in our Christian vocation to work for the coming of the kingdom of God in our times.”

A year before the pastoral letter was drafted, the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and Peoples’ Organization (Pagbugtaw sa Kamatuoran) in San Fernando, Bukidnon successfully campaigned against the logging companies with the help of the Scarboro Missionaries and the Redemptorist Mission Team with the support of Bishop Gaudencio Rosales and the local clergy. Poor farmers and members of BECs barricaded the highways with their bodies and did not allow logging trucks to pass until the Aquino Government finally declared a total log ban in the prov ince of Bukidnon. The BECs and grassroots communities entered into partnership with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources in implementing the log ban and in the reforestation program. Around the same time, the townspeople and BECs of Midsalip also carried out similar actions against logging companies with the support of Columban Missionaries.

The CBCP pastoral letter cited the various efforts of grassroots communities including the BECs of San Fernando and Midsalip as signs of hope: We are also en-couraged by the growth in environmental awareness among many Filipinos. Small

efforts which teach contour plowing, erosion control, organic farming and tree planting can blossom into a major movement of genuine care for our Earth. We are happy that there have been successes. Both Chico dam project was suspended and the Bataan nuclear plant moth-balled after massive resistance. This year the people of San Fernando, Bukidnon and Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur defended what remains of their forest with their own bodies. At the Santa Cruz mission in South Cotabato serious efforts are underway to reforest bald hills and develop ecologically sound ways of farming. The diocese of Pagadian has chosen the Eucharist and ecology as its pastoral focus for this year. These are all signs for us that the Spirit of God, who breathed over the water, and originally brought life out of chaos is no prompting men and women both inside and outside the Church to dedicate their lives in enhancing and protecting the integrity of Creation.Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, which cites the CBCP pastoral letter, is an affirmation of the pioneering efforts of the Church in the Philippines—in- cluding the BECs—to defend the environment over the years. Bishops, priests, religious, and lay people in various parts of the country have been at the forefront in the struggle against logging, mining and coal-fired power plant projects, etc.As we respond to Pope Francis’ “urgent challenge to protect our common home”, each diocese, parish, BEC, lay organization, movement, and association needs to study the encyclical more and come up with plans to continually concretize the Church’s commitment to the environment. For many it will require creative militant action to stop the destruction of the environment by greedy capitalists abetted by corrupt government officials. For all of us, it will mean adopting a more simple and green lifestyle, rejecting consumerism.

This requires reducing our “carbon foot-prints.” This implies less dependence on private transportation, using public modes of transportation not dependent on fossil

Let us be Vigilant 

ATTY. AURORA A. SANTIAGO Duc in Altum

SEVERAL events are happening in the coun- try which need to be looked at, studied care- fully and reflect on by us as vigilant citizens of this country, especially with the national election is fast approaching on May 09, 2016; we need to seriously consider the persons we would elect in the government.

Let us be vigilant and aware of our rights and obligations as Filipino citizens and as Catholics.

Foremost is what I call the “re-registration” as a voter. I am a registered voter since I voted in the last election, the barangay elec- tion. However, the Comelec or the Com- mission on Election announced that we need to register again. According to reports, more than 7 million registered voters will be barred from voting in the 2016 local and national elections if they fail to submit their biometrics data to the Comelec. Registered voters without biometrics could have voted in 2013 and 2010, but still would not be able to vote in 2016 without biometrics. Voters registration will be up to Oct. 31, 2015, Sunday to Thursday, from 8a.m. to 5p.m. Better go to your local Comelec office and re-register.

“Biometrics refers to the registrant’s pic- ture, fingerprint, and signature recorded by a computer during the registration period.” This data is supposed to purge multiple registrants from the final voters’ list.

The second important thing that we need to be vigilant about are the DEATH bills already filed in the House of Representatives and the Senate which would legalize divorce, euthanasia or mercy killing, abortion, total population control, and homosexual unions or same sex marriage.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued its decision that it is unconstitutional (under the U.S. Constitution) to ban same sex marriage.

The CBCP President Socrates “Soc” Villegas, Archbishop of LingayenDagupan stated in his circular that “The Church continues to maintain what it has always taught. Marriage is a permanent union of man and woman, in the complementarity of the sexes and the mutual fulfilment that the union of a man and a woman bring into the loftiness of the matrimonial bond.

If there is an undeniable difference between man and woman, there is also an undeniable difference between the permanent union of a man and a woman. We will continue to teach the sons and daughters of the Church that marriage, trans- formed by The Lord Jesus and by His Church into a sacrament—a means by which the Risen Lord encounters his people—is an indissoluble bond of man and woman.”

Third, on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution. The proponents of the amendment stated that “the restrictive provisions limiting foreign participation in the Philippine economy have in fact been prejudicial to economic growth. Foreign investment and the infusion of for- eign capital into the country have been held at bay by what some characterize as the unduly stringent provisions of the Constitution.”

Clearly paraphrased, one of the most important economic provision in the Constitution which the legislators want amended is the one which prohibits foreign corpora- tions from purchasing parcels of lands in the Philippines. This provision has been in the 1935 Constitution and reiterated in the succeeding 1973 and 1987 Constitution under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino. The framers of these two Constitutions had one purpose in stating these restrictions: to preserve the wealth and resources of the country for our countrymen.

It is a known fact that our country was second to Japan in economic prosperity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when the U.S. dollar to Philippine peso conversion rate was US$1.00 to P2.00.

Our country’s economy was doing good until the 1970s onwards. Why is our economy going down? Your answer is as good as mine.

Granting foreign corporations the right to purchase parcels of land in the Philippines will result in giving all our land to foreigners who have all the money in the world to buy all the available land in the country, in the end, leaving nothing to Filipinos because most Filipinos cannot afford to buy even a plot of residential land.

In his circular on the subject, again CBCP president Archbishop Soc commented: “While amendments having to do with the form of government are matters that we, your bishops, leave to politicians and to their discernment, proposed amendments in respect to economic provisions bear directly on issues of social justice. The social encyclicals of the Church bear witness to the fact that the Church has always considered social justice an area of her competence and solicitude.”

Archbishop Soc urged competent Catholic lay persons to study and provide clear answers to the following questions: “(1) What do we, as a nation, stand to gain from relaxing the provisions now deemed restrictive?

(2) How are we assured that the resources of the country, both natural and human, benefit Filipino nationals principally?(3) What are the human, social and environmental costs of lifting present limits to foreign participation in Philippine economic and business affairs?”

We would like to greet Fr. Rey Amante, Fr. Cristopher Tibong,OFM, and Fr. An- tonio Nopasa of the Diocese of Kalookan a Happy Sacerdotal Anniversary. Happy Birthday to my niece, Mary Gretchen Rosales-Castro, daughter of my Ate Violeta Santiago-Rosales.| fuels, lots of walking, biking, etc. It also means avoid ing wasteful consumption and implement wastemanagement, developing a greener environment (cleaning-up, gardening, tree-planting, etc.).

We can also adopt a more natural diet, less meat-consumption, and eating more vegetables, and fruits. This also means constructing, reno- vating, and building houses with natural ventilation, lighting, less dependence on electrical appliances or using alternative power

sources – such as solar energy.Since the Philippines is most vulnerable to the disastrous effects of climate change such as floods, supertyphoons, droughts, and pollution, the Church must also advocate disaster preparedness and management.Continuous education about the environmental crisis and the obligation of each one to act must be integrated into the program of evangelization and catechesis at the parish and BEC levels.|

6

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Advertise with us. Email us at: balikasonline@yahoo.com JULY 20 - 26, 2015

BUSINESS

UCPB, APFC sign loan agreement for new RoRo vessels in Batangas-Calapan route UCPB and Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) recently signed an agreement for the acquisition of new shipping vessels that would safely transport passengers and rolling cargoes.

Under the agreement, APFC availed of a P560.3-million loan facility from UCPB which will partially finance the acquisition of two new Catamaran roll-on, roll-off marine vessels that will ply the eastern route. This is part of the company's modernization program which aims to bring in world-class and internationally compliant marine vessels in the country to ensure passengers' safety, welfare and comfort.

APFC owns and operates brandnew and state-of-the-art RoRo vessels under the FastCat brand, that are designed for Philippine water conditions. Aside from the

Batangas-Mindoro route, it also serves the Mindoro-Caticlan, and eventually expand to SorsogonNorthern Samar, Bacolod-Iloilo, Southern Leyte-Surigao del Norte, and Dipolog-Dumaguete routes, among others. In addition, the company also owns and operates modernized ports and terminals in the eastern and western sea route.

The ceremonial signing was attended by executives from UCPB, APFC, Sea Transport Corporation, Guandong Bonny Fair Heavy Industry and CAPP Industries, Inc. Ltd. Australian company Sea Transport Corporation and Guandong Bonny Fair Heavy Industry Limited designed and built the shipping vessels, respectively. CAPP Industries, on the other hand, is one of AFPC's affiliates.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

FOR REINFORCED NAUTICAL HIGHWAY. Officers of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) recently signed an agreement for the acquisition of new shipping vessels that would safely transport passengers and rolling cargoes in Batangas-Calapan route.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Bongbong backs bid of coco farmers to VeteranTeller ATM installed ensure use of P74.3 B coco levy funds at Calamba City Hall PVB officers led by EVP and BBG Head Jesus Vicente Garcia inaugurated recently the VeteranTeller ATM installed at the Calamba City Hall.

Located at the lower ground floor, the ATM will provide convenience to both city hall employees and residents of Calamba as they now can easily withdraw funds, check account balances, make bills payments, or reload their prepaid phones without the need to leave the city hall.

EVP Vic Garcia was joined in the simple ribbon-cutting ceremony by Assistant City Administrator Larissa Malinaw and City Treasurer Francisca Adriano along with other bank officers VP and Branch Central Services Head Alfredo Santiago, Senior Manager and Southern Luzon Area Head Geraldine Romano, and PVB - Calamba Branch Manager Maria Racheal Jimenez. Other city hall officials and department heads were also on hand to witness the ceremony.

Before the actual ribbon-cutting, the ATM was first blessed by Fr. Rolo

Alcasid.

Under the PVB-PVAO salary loan program, regular and permanent PVAO employees will be able to take out a salary loan with the bank with a tenor ranging from 6 months to 36 months. Depending on their income, qualified applicants will be able to avail of loan amounts ranging from P5,000 to P300,000 with very attractive rates.

PVAO employees welcomed the salary loan program agreement with PVB as this would provide them with a new channel to access muchneeded funds for use in payment of their children’s tuition fees, in medical emergencies, for house repairs, and for other similar scenarios.

No less than PVA Administrator Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina (Ret) signed the agreement together with PVB President and CEO Joey Bermudez. On hand to witness the ceremony for PVAO were PVAO Employees Association President Dolly Blanca with Administrative Division Acting Chief Mariciel Estacio, Finance Division Chief

Photo shows PVB officers posing for the camera in front of the ATM including (R-L) VP Alfredo Santiago, Calamba Branch Manager Maria Racheal Jimenez, Senior Manager Gina Romano, and EVP Vic Garcia along with Calamba City Hall officers Asst. City Administrator Larissa Malinaw (3rd from left) and City Treasurer Francisca Adriano. Also in photo is Fr. Rolo Alcasid (5th from right).|

SENATOR Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. assured coconut farmers on Saturday of his support for their efforts to ensure that the P74.3-billion coco levy fund will be used for their benefit and the development of the country’s coconut industry.

Marcos offered his help during a consultation with around 500 leaders of the coconut industry from the Southern Luzon provinces of Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes, as well as from MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) at the Queen Margarette Hotel in Lucena City.

Charles Avila, spokesperson of the Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines (CONFED), noted that coconut farmers have been pushing in vain for a bill that would ensure the coco levy funds are used solely for the benefit of the coconut farmers and to promote the coconut

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Ferdinand Palor. On the part of PVB, witnessing were EVP and Branch Banking Group Head Jesus Vicente Garcia, FVP and Commercial Banking Head Carlos Rheal Cervantes, and PVB - Camp Aguinaldo Branch Head Edgardo Calzado.

A short orientation on the salient features of the salary loan program for PVAO employees immediately followed the MoA signing.

Veterans Bank is a private commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and their descendants. It has 60 branches nationwide and also caters to private and corporate retail markets. As part of its mandate, Veterans Bank allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of World War II veterans and their heirs through medical and livelihood programs.|

industry.

“If you would allow me, I volunteer to help you towards the realization of your vision to improve the coconut industry and to ensure the fund that grew through your hard work will not be misused,” Marcos said.

Marcos said that if used properly and prudently, the coco levy funds could help propel coconut as the country’s premiere product, which would benefit not only the small farmers but the entire country as well.

In it decision on January 24, 2012, the Supreme Court declared that the coco levy funds are “owned by the government to be used only for the benefit of all coconut farmers and for the development of the coconut industry.”

“The Philippines has the potential to be world’s number one when it comes to coconut products but we have not taken advantage of this potential,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the coco levy funds should be used to make the Philippine coconut industry the best in the world so that the country can be “price giver”—dictating the price of the product in the international market---instead of being a mere “price taker”.

CONFED chairman Efren Villasenor said his group is proposing, among others, to enact a law constituting the coconut levy funds and assets into a Coconut Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and providing an administrative structure to manage the trust funds and ensure that its use will benefit the coconut industry and the coconut farmers.

“I will await your proposals so we can jointly develop a bill that will truly address your concerns and aspirations,” Marcos told the coconut farmers. He said he will also seek the help of the four other senators of the Nacionalista Party to help push the bill in the Senate.

The coconut farmers have also deplored attempts of the current administration to control the use of coco levy funds, through Executive Orders 179 and 180. However, the SC has issued a TRO against the twin order last June 30.

EO 179 calls for the inventory, privatization and reconveyance in favor of the government of all coconut levy assets, including the shares of stock in the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) Companies and CIIF Holding Companies, as well as the 5,500,000 San Miguel Corporation shares in the name of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

On the other hand, EO180 sought the immediate transfer and reconveyance of the coconut levy assets to the government and use them for the Integrated Coconut Industry Roadmap and the Roadmap for Coco Levy.

“With such a huge fund, it is not surprising that some people would attempt to control it so it can be used for their own agenda. We must be vigilant to ensure such efforts would not succeed,” Marcos said.

He said the CONFED leaders should be commended for their timely action before the SC that stopped the implementation of the twin executive orders.

After meeting with the coconut farmers, Marcos also took time for a brief meeting in Lucena with leaders of the Original Guardians Brotherhood Integrated Inc.Quezon Chapter led by their national president Plaridel “Seahorse” Sigue, Jr., chapter president Gerardo “Circuit” Gonzales, and secretary, Jonathan “Raptor” Laureano.

Among those present in the meeting were leaders of the brotherhood from the Quezon towns of Mulanay, Lucban, Mauban, Gumaca and Macalelon, as well as from Lucena City. .|

JULY 20 - 26, 2015

7

LIFETIMES balikasonline@yahoo.com

Batangueño scientist talks on metabolic eng’g, synthetic biology to BSU students

Dr. AldwinAnterola discussed how the principles of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

US Navy Ship Rescues Filipino Mariners THE Impeccable-class ocean surveillance ship USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS-23) rescued 11 fishermen while in route to Subic Bay July 19.

Impeccable sailors spotted personnel on a partially submerged ship and noted debris in the water. The Impeccable Master immediately deemed assistance was required and began preparations to deploy their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to rescue the personnel.

“This was a team effort with civilian mariners, SECDET [security detachment], MILDET [military detachment] and Lockheed Martin working together to achieve an efficient rescue of all 11 fishermen,” said Robert Wiechert, Impeccable’s Master.

The RHIB made three trips to the distressed vessel and recovered all 11 individuals.

“One of the crew members spoke English,” said Lt. Cory Hilgart, the theater antisubmarine watch officer. “He told the Impeccable crew that they were fishermen from the Subic Bay region. He confirmed that there were only 11 on board.”

Once the mariners were brought aboard Impeccable, they were examined by medical personnel and given food and water. No serious injuries or illnesses were reported.

Shortly after Impeccable arrived in port in Subic Bay, all 11 mariners were turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard.|

curricula and researches of the state universities and colleges (SUC) in the country.

The said topic shared in the event was part of the objectives of Dr. Anterola’s BSP program. With this, the event can enhance the BS Biology, BS Chemistry, BS Chemical Engineering and BS Food Engineering programs’ research and academic capability building.

A total of 248 students and faculty from the BS Biology, BS Chemistry, BS Chemical Engineering and BS Food Engineering participated in the said event.

Dr. Anterola is an associate professor at the Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA focusing on biosynthesis of natural products, evolution of metabolic pathways and plant metabolic engineering researches.

The scientist came from

THE Batangas State University - Office of Research, Development and Extension (BSU– ORDE) and BSU College of Arts and Sciences (BSU-CAS) in cooperation with the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology - Nanobiotechnology Laboratory of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB-BIOTECH) hosted a seminar on metabolic engineering and synthetic biologyat the CITE Amphitheater, GPB Main Campus I,Batangas State University, July 3.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Balik Scientist Program (BSP) awardee and Batangueño scientist Dr. AldwinAnterola served as the event’s speaker.

Dr. Anteroladiscussed how the principles of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can be established in academic

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<<<LANSANGAN... mula sa P/3

Pagbabago ng karatula sa Startoll, nakalilito na sa mga motorista Exit”, tanong-paliwanag pa ng alkalde.

Ni hindi man lamang umano sila kinonsulta bago binago ang karatula. “Ang gusto namin ay manatiling Balete ang tawag sa naturang exit,” pagdidiin pa ni Hidalgo.

Inihayag naman ni STAR Tollway marketing head Tony Reyes na si Batangas ViceGovernor Mark Leviste ang humiling kamakailan na baguhin ang naturang karatula.

Ayon kay Leviste, ang kaniyang panukala na maging “Leviste Exit” ang karatula ay batay umano sa “2008 Provincial Board Resolution with the approval of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and the Star Tollway Management.” Ang tinutukoy ni Leviste ay ang kalsada mula Marauoy hanggang sa boundary ng

Balate napinangalanang Gov. Sanoy Leviste Road bilang pagkilala sa dating gobernador ng lalawigan, Governor Feliciano “Sanoy’’ Leviste, na binansagang kampeon ng masa.

Hindi naman ito kinatigan ni Hidalgo at sinabing tanging ang konggreso lamang ang may kapangyarihang magpalit ng pangalan ng mga pambansang lansangan.

Bukod dito, maaari namang mapalitan ang pangalan ng kalye ngunit ang pagbabago sa karatula sa toll exit ay nagdudulot ng ibayong pagkalito sa publiko.

Naniniwala naman ang maraming Batangueño at maging ang mga netizens na ang hakabang na ito ni Leviste ay upang isulong ang kaniyang balaking tumakbo bilang gobernador sa 2016 elections.|

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late RODRIGO J. MORALES who died intestate on February 9, 2015 at Olivares General Hospital, Tagyatay City, consisting of a motorized vehicle particularly identified as NISSAN/P-UP / Frontier / Series of 2011; Engine No.: YD2520121T; Chassis No.: MNCCGS40Z0016359; Plate No. PQD-460; Color: Dark Blue; MV File No.: 1368261307; MVRR No.: 20757321; C.R. No.: 126364335 was extra-judicially settled and and among his heirs with Deed of Absolute Sale per Doc. No. 512; Page No. 904; Book No. 37; Series of 2015 of ATTY. EILEEN MELO-REY, Notary Public.

Pahayagang Balikas | July 20, 27 & Aug. 3, 2015

Once the mariners were brought aboard Impeccable, they were examined by medical personnel and given food and water. No serious injuries or illnesses were reported.

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PAHALANG 1 Dahon ng saging 7 Pambuli ng alahas 11 Pangkating etniko na matatagpuan sa norte 12 Pangingitim sa balat 13 Kaukulang paari ng sila o nila 14 Igtad 15 Ms. Medel, artista 16 Langgam: Ingles 18 Diwata 19 Lagayan ng damit 21 Urin ng punongkahoy 24 Inangkin 25 Marespeto 27 bagwis 28 Ayon sa (Waray) 29 Business service management 32 Abrigo 34 Layunin 36 Sabik na paghihintay 37 Punongkahoy na matigas ang puno at

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sanga 38 Impeksyon sa ugat 39 Pagdating: Ingles PABABA 1 Pikon 2 Konsorte 3 Sinulid-tupa 4 Gapas 5 Lunan sa Dasmariñas, Cavite 6 Dating aktres na Tessie 7 Lait 8 Damit na lalabhan 9 Pang-ihaw (espanyol) 10 Gamit ng karpintero 17 Tatlong persona na iisang Diyos 19 Ina ni Maria 20 Apilyedong Tsino 21 Uri ng kuhol 22 Maminsala ng walang habas 23 Bilisan 26 Addis___ ng Ethiopia

LipaCity, Batangas and an alumnus of UPLB BS Agricultural Chemistry program.

DOST’s Balik Scientist Program (BSP) is the department’s answer to the country’s ‘brain drain’. The

program was established in 1975 to encourage overseas Filipino scientists, professionals and technologists to return to the country and share their expertise for the country’s development.

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Magulo ang hatid ng araw at para maiwasan ito, manalangin ng taimtim. Huwag maging marahas. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 13, 24, 39, 41 at purple.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Huwag magmalabis sa bibitiwang mga salita. Makakasagupa ng taong makulit o mapagbiro.

Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 15, 32, 42 at opal.

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - May desisyon o hakbang na kailangan pag-aralan. Huwag magpadalus-dalos sa desisyon. Hingin ang payo o suhestiyon ng kamag-anak, kaibigan o higit na nakakaalam para hindi magsisi. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 15, 29, 40 at pink.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Ang mga gintong aral ay magagamit ngayon. Madaling malunasan ang suliranin. Bigyang pansin ang kalusugan. Magiging maaliwalas ang buong araw. W alang sagabal o hadlang sa dapat gawin. Lucky numbers at color ay 1, 16, 17, 35 at beige.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Lawakan ang pang-unawa at magpaubaya. Huwag pumatol kung may mangungulit o mangaasar. Kung may lalakarin, gawin sa umaga. Matumal ang negosyo. Lucky numbers at color ay 11, 13, 25, 37 at magenta.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Magiging balisa sa buong maghapon dahil sa problema. May handang tumulong na kamaganak o kaibigan kung magtatapat. Sa hapon o gabi maaaring malutas ang suliranin. Lucky numbers at color ay 10, 24, 35, 44 at orange.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Masuwerte ang araw. Magsisimula ang pagbabago sa buhay. Makakatanggap ng magandang balita sa opisinang inaaplayan. Matatapos ang sinimulan. W alang problema sa tahanan at pinapasukan. Lucky numbers at color ay 15, 23, 37, 40 at fuchsia.

Aquarius (Ene. 20-Peb. 18) - Maipapakita ang kakayahan. Isang Taurus ang magbibigay ng hinanakit at kung papatulan ay may mangyayaring hindi maganda. May pagkakataon na makilala ang mapupusuan. Iwasan ang maglasing at magsugal. Lucky numbers at color ay 6, 18, 22, 27 at jade green.

Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Maging mahinahon. Huwag mag-init ang ulo. May magandang pagkakataon na dapat hindi paalpasin. Maganda ang kita sa negosyo.

Lucky numbers at color ay 1, 10, 19, 36 at peach.

Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Malamang magkakaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ninyo ng isang kaibigan.

Tsismis ng babae o lalaki ang magiging sanhi nito. Maging mahinahon at pagusapan ang mga bagay para hindi mauwi sa away. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 10, 18, 37 at indigo.

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Ang inaasahan ay mangyayari kung malinis ang hangad. Huwag magpaliguy-ligoy sa gustong sabihin. Praktikal na pagdedesisyon ang kailangan kung hangad ay tagumpay.

Huwag ibunton ang sisi sa iba dahil sarili ang nagkamali. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 16, 19, 30 at dollar green.

Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Magiging maayos ang takbo ng mga gawain. May suwerte ang negosyo. W alang problema sa tahanan. Masaya at makulay ang romansa kung iiwasan ang selos. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 13, 22, 26 at lilac.|

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F.E.S.T.

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Paradox in the Philippines: High Rate in Gender Gap Index but Low Regard for Women's Rights - CWR THE concerned and courageous Archbishop of Lipa Ramon C. Arguelles, Archbishop Emeritus of Davao, Fernando Capalla, Archbishop of Zamboanga, Romulo de la Cruz, Archbishop of Caceres, Rolando Tirona , Archbishop Emeritus of Lingayen Oscar Cruz, along with the Bishop of Butuan, Juan De Dios Pueblos, Bishop of Bayom-bong Ramon Villena, and Bishop of Nava, Filomeno Bactol with Former Senator Francisco Tatad, former Congressman Glen Chong, and Pastor Art Corpuz filed a crucially important petition in the Supreme Court.

Despite the country's high rate in the Global Gender Index of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines still holds the record of low regard for women's human rights, according to the Center for Women's Resources (CWR), a research and training institution for women.

"Ironically, one of the factors in the gender gap index is political participation and yet, a woman activist is regarded as a security threat; a patriotic woman is considered as subversive," says Cham Perez, CWR's Research Coordinator.

The latest display of political restraint was the barring of woman activist and former congresswoman Liza Maza last July 9 to leave the country to attend an international People's Tribunal in the US. Maza was about to testify against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in Washington, DC. Reportedly, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency sent an email to bar Maza from boarding Korean Airlines.

"Repression persists and the hand of the US government in the country's political as well as military policies is potent especially with the EDCA and VFA in place," adds Perez.

According to CWR, Maza's case is not an isolated one. Aside from harassment and intimidation, may women activists are imprisoned or even tortured because of their political stance against government injustice and foreign intervention. Presently, there are 48 women political prisoners in the country where many are sick and some are nursing mothers who need to be released for humanitarian reasons.

"Political is Criminal" Perez says, "Despite their delicate conditions, the government hardly lift a hand to release them for humanitarian reasons. Instead, they are charged with fabricated criminal offenses such as murder, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In the Philippines, being political is criminal."

Some of the women political prisoners are Sharon Cabusao, Andrea Rosal, Miradel Torres, and Moreta Alegre.

Sharon Cabusao, writer and Gabriela founding member, was arrested together with her husband, Adelberto Silva, a peace talks consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) thus supposedly protected by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). The couple are in poor medical condition when they were illegally arrested. Cabusao has thyroid and blood-related diseases and needs special diet. Her incarceration is worsening her delicate condition.

Andrea Rosal, the daughter of Ka Roger Rosal, was pregnant when she was put into jail for being an alleged member of the New People's Army, just like her father.

Despite her delicate pregnancy, she was not given proper medical attention that led to the death of her baby.

Another pregnant woman with a delicate condition when arrested is Miradel Torres. She has given birth in jail and she nurses her baby in a pint-sized room.

An elderly detainee, Moreta Alegre, is charged with murder together with her entire family after a land dispute against their landlord. Aside from her senior years, she is nearly blind but has not been provided with any medical help.

"For its last hurrah, the Aquino government should display compassion and high regard for women by releasing all women political prisoners for humanitarian reasons. Curtailing their rights, quelling their voices only add fuel to the fire. For sure, there will be other women who will continue the fight," Perez says.| Like us: www.facebook .com/Balikas

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