Vol 20, No. 37 | September 14 - 20, 2015

September 14 - 20, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 37 | Php 12.00/copy  balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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

“Seryosohin po natin ang‘No Bio, No Boto’ Campaign!”- Gov. Vi

>>>NEWS....P/2

Follow us: @Balikasonline

PDIC advises borrowers of Farmers’Rural Bank, Inc. to pay their obligations >>>BUSINESS....P/6

Piercing the veil of invicibility >>>OPINION....P/4

“KAILANGANG aksyunan na ng Sangguniang Panlunsod ng Batangas sa pangunguna ni Vice Mayor Jun Berberabe ang nakabinbing Petition for Locational Clearance ng JG Summit Holdings, Inc. (JGSHI) para sa panukalang pagtatayo ng coal-fired power plant sa Brgy. Pinamucan Ibaba, sakop ng lunsod.” >>>PLANTA.....sundan sa P/2

“...PARA SA KINABUKASAN”. Sa tagpong ito sa Sangguniang Panlunsod ng Batangas noong Abril, harapang naglahad ng kani-kanilang posisyon at argumento ang mga pumapabor at kumokontra sa panukalang pagtatayu ng coal-fired power plant sa Lunsod ng Batangas.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

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

24 bagong ambulansya, dala ng PCSO sa Batangas KABUUANG 24 bagong ambulansya ang ipinarada sa harap ng kapitolo noong Lunes ng umaga at ipinamahagi sa 12 bayan at 12 health facilities sa lalawigan ng Batangas bilang bahagi ng programang “Charity on Wheels” - Ambulance Donation Program ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Lubos ang pasasalamat ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto kay PCSO Chairman Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, na personal na dumalaw sa Batangas, para sa turn-over ceremonies ng mga ambulansya.

Ipinangako ng gobernadora ang pangangalaga rito at hiniling na mapagbigyan pa ang iba pang ospital at bayan na kulang sa

ambulansya.

Layunin ng programang ito ng PCSO na magbigay ng mga ambulansya sa local government units (LGUs) at ilang institusyon sa pamamagitan ng outright donation sa mga fourth at fifth class municipalities o kaya ay 60-40 costsharing scheme sa mga siyudad maging sa first, second at third class municipalities. Bawat recipient ay maaring magsumite ng request o resolusyon para sa mga bagong ambulansya kada limang taon.

Ayon pa kay Maliksi, isa sa mga adhikain ng ahensya ay magbahagi sa mga siyudad at bayan ng ambulansyang maaari nilang gamitin sa

>>>CHARITY... sundan sa P/8

Trying to kill a dream ‘BUNGA NG PAGTAYA SA LOTTO.’ Personal na pinamunuan ni Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Erineo ‘Ayong’ Maliksi ang turn-over ceremony ng 24 na bagong ambulansya na kaloob ng PCSO sa 12 bayan at 12 health facilities ng lalawigan. Kasama ni Chairman Maliksi sa turn-over ang mga direktor ng PCSO na sina [L-R] Atty. Francisco Joaquin III, Dir. Mabell Mamba, Dir. Betty Nantes, at Gen. Manager Ferdinand Rojas, samantalang kasama naman ni Gov. Vilma Santos Recto sina Dr. Rose Ozaeta, Provincial Health Officer, VG Mark Leviste, mga alkalde ng mga bayan at hepe ng mga ospital na tumanggap ng mga ambulansya.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

>p.5

SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

2

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

“Seryosohin po natin ang ‘No Bio, No Boto’Campaign!”-VSR WALA ng ekstensyon ang pagpapatala, revalidation at paglilipat ng rehistro ng pagboto sa Oktubre 31, 2015 kaya’t tinatawag ang pansin ng publiko na samantalahin ang nalalabing anim (6) na linggo bago ang itinakdang deadline.

Kaugnay nito, nanawagan si Gobernador Vilam Santos-Recto sa publiko na seryosohin ang pagrerehistro at pagpapa-biometrics para makaboto.

“Malaking bilang pa rin po ang mahigit 100,000 botante na walang biometrics dito sa ating lalawigan at nangangahulugan ito na ganito ring bilang ang nanganganib na hindi makaboto,” pahayag pa ng gobernadora.

Ayon sa COMELEC, ang pagpaparehistro na sinimulan noong May 6, 2014 ay walang extension ng deadline.

Bukod sa pagrerehistro, sa panahon ding ito maaaring magpalipat ng voting precinct o magpatala sa ibang lugar. Maaari ring

dumulog ang mga may correction of entries at mga nagnanais magpabago ng status.

Para sa mga hindi nakaboto ng dalawang beses o higit pa, maaaring magpa-reactivate sa naturang tanggapan. Kailangan lamang na magdala ng valid identification card o ID at birth certificate para sa alinmang transaksyon.

Itinatakda naman ng RA 10367 ang pagkakaroon ng biometrics ng lahat ng mga botante upang makaboto sa susunod na eleksyon. Layunin ng biometrics na magkaroon ng positibong pagkakakilanlan ang isang tao tulad ng pirma, larawan, fingerprint at iba pang distinctive features.

Ayon sa tala ng Batangas City Comelec, may 39, 751 pang mga botante sa lunsod ang wala pang biometrics mula sa 222, 551 registered voters sa lunsod.

Kaugnay nito, isang resolusyon ang ipinasa ng Sangguniang Panlunsod na humihiling sa lahat ng mga employers at

KAMPANYA, KABI-KABILA. Maging sa Alay Lakad, aktibong ibinandera ng COMELEC-Batangas sa pangunguna ni PEO, Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallio, ang kampanyang “No Bio, No Boto”, Setyebre 11.|

business owners na rehistrado sa Batangas City na mabigyan ang kanilang mga empleyado ng isang araw upang makapagrehistro at makatupad sa biometrics requirement sa kani-kanilang Comelec offices para sa May 2016 Local at National Elections.

Patuloy pa rin ang pagsasagawa ng COMELEC ng satellite registration sa mga barangay. Narito ang kanilang schedule: September 16 – Sta. Clara, Sept. 17 – Sta. Rita Karsada, Sept. 18 – Malitam, Sept. 19 – Poblacion 16, 17 at 19; Sept. 21-23 – SM City Batangas; Sept. 24 – Haligue Silangan; Sept. 25 – San Jose Sico BJMP; Sept. 26 – Tabangao Ambulong; at Sept.

27-30 – SM City Batangas.

Pansamantalang sususpendehin ang pagpapatala sa Oktubre 12-16 upang bigyan daan ang filing of candidacy ng mga nagnanais tumakbo sa halalan.

Bukas ang tanggapan ng Comelec mula alas-otso hanggang ikalima ng hapon mula Lunes hanggang Sabado para naman sa validation.

Hinihikayat ang lahat na magpatala ng maaga upang maiwasan ang siksikan sa last-minute registration.

Para sa iba pang impormasyon, maaaring mag log in sa official website ng komisyon na www.comelec. gov.ph.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS at RONNA E. CONTRERAS

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

<<<PLANTA.... mula sa P/1

Aplikasyon ng coal-fired power plant, tinulugan na ng Sangguniang Panlunsod?

Ito ang pahayag ng ilang causeoriented groups sa lunsod sa umano’y mistulang pagtutulug-tulugan ng konseho sa usapin ng coal-fired power plant, o ang hindi pag-aksyon, pabor man o kontra sa aplikasyon.

Matatandaang matapos mag-file ng aplikasyon ang JGSHI sa pamahalaang lunsod, iniendorso ito ng executive branch sa Sangguniang Panlunsod.

Kasunod ng mga pampublikong pagdinig, pinagsumite ng Committee on Environment ng kani-kaniyang position papers ang iba’t ibang stakeholders – ang proponent, barangay officials, community, church, etc. – upang mabalanse ang mga argumento at rekisitos kaugnay ng pagtatayo ng nasabing planta.

Sa paghaharap ng mga pro at anti groups sa Sangguniang Panlunsod noong Abril 30, muling nagbigay ng

kani-kaniyang pahayag ang magkabilang grupo. Bitbit ng grupo ni Arsobispo Ramon C. Arguelles si Atty. Ipat Luna, kilalang environmental advocate, at ang mga kinatawan ng iba pang grupong kumukontra sa pagtatayo ng planta.

Kasama rin ng mga matataas na opisyal ng JGSHI ang ilang mga public officials mula sa mga hosts barangays sa baybayin na nagbigay rin ng kanilang mga saloobin kung kaya’t dumating sila sa puntong magbigay ng endorsement para sa proyekto.

Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Arsobispo Arguelles, “Halata talagang dinedelay nila. They are making fool of the people. Kailangang magdecide na sila whether yes or no!” Sagot naman ng ilang sumusubaybay sa mga pangyayari, hindi anila fair ang tinuran ng arsobispo,

Call/txt us:

0912.902.7373 0926.774.7373 0927.320.2003

sapagkat sila man ay binigyan din ng sapat na panahon para makapagsumite ng position paper. Kailangan din anila ng konseho ng sapat na panahon para pag-aralan ang mga isinumiteng position paper ng magkabilang panig.

Bukod sa mga usaping pangkaligtasan at pangkapaligiran na pinangangambahang idudulot ng pagtatayo ng coal-fired power plant, isa pa anilang dapat ikonsidera ay ang hindi magadang standing ng kumpanya sa pagbabayad ng mga kaukulang buwis gaya ng real property tax. Nabatid na daang-libong piso ang pagkakautang ng JG Summit para sa operasyon nito ng naphtha cracker plant.

Sa isang public page sa social media, sinabi ng mga netizens na sa nakabibingi anilang pananahimik ngayon ng konseho ay tila baga may ploy ito na basta na nga lamang upuan ang usapin at hindi aksyunan ang aplikasyon, bagay na lalong ikinadismaya ng publiko. Dhil dito, hindi anila maiwasang mag-isip ang publiko na may tinatanggap ngang konsiderasyon ang sinumang kasapi o ang kabuuan ng bumubuo ng konseho.

Anila, ang pag-aksyon o ang hindi pagkilos hinggil ditto ng konseho ay isang malinaw na batayan kung dapat o hindi dapat na muling maluklok sa anumang halalaing posisyon ang mga kasapi ng kasalukuyang konseho, mula sa Bise Alkalde hanggang sa pinakahuling kagawad nito.|

Inter-Island News Mindoro LGUs enter in agreement with DSWD listahan MAMBURAO, Occ. Mindoro -- The Local Government Units (LGUs) of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro have signed the Memorandum of Agreement on Data Sharing with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Listahanan.

Data Sharing is the last phase of the Listahanan cycle which makes the data of poor households available to social protection stakeholders.

Listahanan is the government mechanism of mapping out poor families in the country who eventually became beneficiaries of government’s social protection program and services intended for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged.

With this agreement, the Department will share its database of non-poor and poor families. In the 2009 household assessment, DSWD recorded 242,633 poor households in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan provinces.

“This partnership will help the local government units save resources in research in identifying poor families in their localities, thereby maximizing their limited resources for local social protection programs,” said Editha B. Ocampo, Deputy Regional Project Manager.| JASON ECO OLIVERIO .......................................................................................................

Mga guro sa Romblon, binigyan ng libreng bakuna ROMBLON, Romblon — Ang mga guro sa pampublikong paaralan sa bayan ng Romblon ay binigyan kamakailan ng libreng Pneumococcal vaccines ng Rural Health Unit (RHU) – Romblon upang maproteksiyon ang mga ito laban sa bakterya.

Sinabi ni Merly Valen H. Mallorca, Municipal Health Officer ng RHU Romblon, ang vaccine na ito ay makatutulong sa kalusugan ng mga guro upang mapigilan at labanan ang inpeksyon sa dugo, utak, at baga na dala ng Streptococcal pneumonia bacteria.

Nakinabang aniya sa libreng bakuna ang mahigit 200 DepEd teachers mula sa 28 elementary school at apat na secondary school na nakabase sa bayan ng Romblon.

Nilalayon aniya ng kanilang tanggapan na maiwasan ang pagkakasakit ng pneumococcal ang mga guro sa pampublikong eskwelahan dahil ang bakteryang Streptococcus pneumonia ay naikakalat mula sa isang tao patungo sa isa pa sa pamamagitan ng malapitang pakikisalamuha.

Ang sakit na pneumococcal ay maaaring maging sanhi ng malalang mga problema sa kalusugan ng isang tao, kabilang ang pulmonya, mga impeksiyon sa dugo at meningitis. .......................................................................................................

Learning Centers inilunsad ng EPI sa 2 barangay sa Naujan NAUJAN, Or. Mindoro — Pormal na inilunsad ng Emerging Power Inc. (EPI) ang Alternative Learning System (ALS) at Indigenous Learning System (ILS) centers sa mga barangay ng Montelago at Montemayor kamakailan lamang.

Kaugnay nito, ipinakilala ng EPI at Arnold Janssen Catholic Foundation Inc. (AJ), isang Catholic churchbased organization, sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga kinatawan ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang humigit kumulang sa 100 ALS-ILS learners.

Ang mahalagang gawain ay bahagi ng Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ng EPI katuwang ang AJ, at ng Department of Education (DepEd) sa pagpapatupad ng Abot Alam Program kung saan bahagi ang ALS-ILS. Matatandaan namang nagkaloob kamakailan ang EPI ng P500,000 sa AJ para sa pagpapatupad ng naturang proyekto.

Sa kasalukuyan, apat na ang operational ALSILS Learning Centers na naitayo sa Montelago at Montemayor na nagsisilbing sentrong karunungan ng mga kabataan at may mga edad nang nagnanais pang mag-aral.

Ipinaliwanag naman ni ALS Instructional Manager Limuel Arias ang sistema ng kanilang pagtuturo at ang naibibigay nilang kaalaman sa mga mag-aaral.

Nagbigay rin ng kani-kanilang mensahe ng pakikiisa at pagsuporta ang mga kinatawan ng mga kabalikat na grupo na sama-samang nagtataguyod ng proyekto.

Nagkaroon din ng turn-over ng mahogany at fruit trees seedlings sa ALS-ILS learners at ang kanilang panunumpa bilang simbolo ng pakikiisa at pagtataguyod ng maka-kalikasang proyekto.

Pasasalamat naman ang naging tugon ni Girlie Fortu, 35 taong gulang, na isa sa mga naging benepisyaryo ng programa. Aniya, “Dahil sa ALS, lalo akong nagkaroon ng tiwala sa aking sarili at lumakas ang loob ko na makiharap sa iba”.

SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

3 P18-M halaga ng CSF, ipinamahagi ng DAR-Batangas NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

WALANG pagsidlan ng kasiyahan ang mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) ng mapasakanila kamakailan ang pinapangarap nilang Common Service Facilities (CSF) na tiyak na mapakikinabangan ng kanilang mga komunidad.

Kabilang sa mga CSF na tinanggap nila ang apat (4) na 120horse power heavy duty tractor na nagkakahalaga ng P 4.1 milyon ang isa para sa lupang tubuhan, apat na hand tractor para sa palay na nagkakahalaga ng P 181,22 bawat isa, dalawang (2) rice thresher na P 340,096 ang halaga at tatlong (3) power tiller para sa gulayan o cash crop na nagkakahalaga ng P 405,250 ang bawat isa na may kabuuang halaga na P 18,089,826 Milyon.

Ang pamamahagi ay isinagawa sa bayan ng Tuy, Batangas noong Setyembre 9, 2015, na dinaluhan ng mga opisyal at Development Facilitator ng DAR at mga opisyal ng mapapalad na ARBOs. Sa kanilang pagtanggap, tinuran ni Ka Rafael Agquiz ng Taludtod MPC Balayan, na “napakalaking bagay ang magkaroon kami ng isang traktora sapagkat ito ang kukumpleto sa panganga-

ilangan naming mga magsasaka ng tubo. Lubhang mahal ang ibinabayad namin sa pagtatraktora ng aming lupa ngayon ay maginhawa na sapagkat ang bawat kasapi ng kooperatiba ang aming pyaroridad.

Isa pa ay tuluyan ng uunlad ang aming mga sakahan at ang buhay ng mga taga-Taludtod dahil sa programang Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services o ARCCESS ng DAR gaya ng Block Farming kung saan isa kami sa ARBOs na makikinabang.”

“Kulang ang salitang Salamat sa DAR dahil sa pagtitiwala sa aming kakayahan at sa biyayang aming nakakamit sa tanggapan at ito nga isang bagong traktora”, dagdag pa ni Agquiz.

Ayon naman kay Ka Saning Sarmiento ng Pinagsibaan Farmers Development Cooperative ang napasakanilang rice thresher at hand tractor ay napakalaking bagay sapagkat ito ay pagkakakitaan ng Koop. Ito rin ang siyang magbibigay ng ibayong sipag sa mga kasapi, sapagkat ngayon ay nakikita ko na pipila ang gagamit nito ayon sa alituntunin ng PIFADECO. Kaya naman ganoon na lamang

ang kanyang pasasalamat sa DAR, sapagkat hindi sila iniwan sa kabila ng kanilang kalagayan hanggang sa ngayon ay sa DAR kami nakasandig, magaling talaga ang DAR dahil sa mga training pa lamang ay di sila (PIFADECO) ay hindi sila pumapalya, isang halimbawa na ditto an gaming mga natutunan sa kooperatiba at ngayon nga ay sa operation ng aming bagong gamit.

Nangko rin sila na kanilang pagiingatan ang mga ito at pag-iibayuhin pa ang pagtatrabaho sa bukid upang masulit naman ang pagtitiwalang iginawad sa amin.

Sang-ayon naman si Ka Baby Lumbres sa tinuran ni Ka Saning.

Aniya wala pang power tiller sa Batangas at sila sa Dayapan Multi Purpose Cooperative ang unang nagkaroon.

“Malaking pagbabago ang idudulot nito sa amin sapagkat mapapadali na ang pagbubungkal ng aming mga gulayan, at bunga nito ay susubukan rin namin ang iba pang klaseng gulay tulad ng pang chopsuey o mga gulay mula sa Baguio, sapagkat ang mga gulay na pampakbet sa amin ay sapat na.

Tatlo pa lamang ang napabigay sa amin na power tiller at mayroon

Masayang nagpalarawan ang mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations at ang mga Development Facilitatoars sa kanilang mga tinanggap na Common Service Facilities (CSF) mula sa Department of Agrarian Reform- Batangas kung saan may Heavy Duty tractor, Rice Treshers at Hand Tractor kasama rin ang power tiller. Ang distribution of CSF ay ginanap sa Tuy, Batangas noong Setyembre 9, 2015

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

Senior Citizens ng Baguio, nagsagawa ng “Lakbay Aral” sa Tanauan TANAUAN CITY – Malugod at naging mainit ang pagtanggap ng pamahalaang lunsod sa mga kasapi ng Dizon-Manzanilla Senior Citizens Association ng Baguio City makaraang ang mga ito ay bumisita at nagsagawa ng courtesy call sa tanggapan ni Mayor Antonio C. Halili kamakailan.

Sa pangunguna ni Mr. Nick de Chavez, hepe

ng Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs ng Tanauan, isang maghapong programa para sa isang “Lakbay Aral” ang inihanda para sa mga panauhin upang higit na makilala ng mga ito ang kagandahan ng lunsod lalo’t higit sa aspetong pang-ekonomiya, industriya, seguridad, kabuhayan at eco-tourism.

Kabilang sa mga lugar na binisita ng

NAGPAUBAYA si Tanauan City Mayor Antonio C. Halili (gitna) ng isang photo-op sa mga miyembro ng Dizon-Manzanilla Senior Citizens Association ng Baguio City matapos ang isang courtesy sa kanyang tanggapan noong Agosto 27, 2015.| JUN MOJARES

naturang grupo ang mas pinagandang Mabini Shrine, Tanauan Packaging Center, Tanauan City Museum at Organic Demo Farm sa Sitio Dayapan Brgy.

Bilog-bilog.

Ikinagalak naman ng delegasyon ang kanilang makabuluhang pagbisita sa lunsod lalo na noong ipahayag ni Mayor Halili na personal mismo nitong kaibigan ang pununlunsod ng Baguio na si Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

Ang delegasyon ay pinamunuan ni Gng. Teresita T. Quero kasama ang mga miyembro na sina Gloria Macaranos, Leticia Soriano, Marj Delias, Lorensiana Sanchez, Erma Timbol, Perla dela Cruz, Donna Tan-Cabili, Belen delos Trinos, Lilia Carpiso, Erma Gabalino, at Corazon Salupen.

Matapos ang pag-iikot sa mga historical sights sa lugar, isang programa at overnight stay naman ang inihanda para sa grupo sa Barradas Airstip ng pamilya ni dating Vice Mayor Mannie Barradas.| MARIA TERESA S. BUÑO

pang tatlo at isang 35 HP na traktora din ang mapapabigay sa amin.”

“Katulad ng dalawang nagsalita ay walang hanggang pasasalamat rin ang ipinaabot ng DMPC sa pamunuan ng DAR sapagkat kami ang kinakilalang vegetable basket ng lalawigan sa tulong na rin ng makabagong kagamitang aming natamo an gaming paggugulyan ay aming pagbubutihin.”

Samantala nagpaabot ng pagbati si Batangas PARPO II Elizabeth Z. Villapando sa mga mapapalad na ARBOs, aniya, pag-ingatan sana nila ang CSF na napabigay sa kanila. Marami sa buong Pilipinas ang nangangailangan ng mga makabagong kagamitang pansakahan, subalit higit silang mapalad.

“Biruin mong milyon mahigit ang pag-aari na ng inyong samahan. Gamitin ninyo ito bilang tulong n grin sa pamahalaan na maiangat ang antas ng inyong pamumuhay at seguridad sa pagkain upang maipakita ninyo na ang Batanguenyo ay masisipag at may pagpapahalaga sa kasangkapang nakamit,” pahayag ni PARPO Villapando na nanguna sa pagpupulong ng Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee(PARCCOM) sa Lunsod ng Lipa.

“Nalalaman ko na hindi biro ang inyong daranasin upang mapagtagumpayan ito subalit malakas ang aking pag asa na ang lahat ng inyong magiging suliranin ay inyong malalagpasang lahat,” dagdag pa ng opisyal.| RUEL.B. SANTOS

Kidnapping ng tatlong estudyante sa Batangas City, walang katotohanan ayon sa police chief BATANGAS CITY - Walang katotohanan ang napabalitang kidnapping ng tatlong estudyante sa Batangas City noong September 1-3 ayon sa ulat ni PSupt. Allen Rae Co, Batangas City Police Office chief, sa pagpupulong ng City Peace and Order Council, September 7.

Binigyang-diin ni Co na hanggang sa oras ng kanyang official statement sa council, wala pang napapatalang nadukot na bata o matanda sa lunsod.

Ayon sa ulat ng hepe, sa kaso ng isang 17 taong gulang na estudyanteng babae ng isang pribadong unibersidad, na diumano ay dinukot noong September 1, bandang ala singko ng hapon sa Barangay Kumintang Ibaba, sinabi ng estudyante na siya ay dinala sa Lipa City kung saan siya daw ay pinalaya ng isa sa kanyang mga kidnappers ng walang dahilan habang umiihi ang kanyang kasamang kidnaper. Ayon kay Co, ang ginawang pagpapalaya sa babae ay “farfetched” o hindi kapani-paniwala. Nagbiro pa ang hepe na “mababait pala ang mga kidnaper sa lunsod.”

Sa kaso ng 16 -taong gulang na babaeng

estudyante ng isa pang unibersidad na diumano ay dinukot noong September 2, bandang alas-sais ng umaga sa may Lawas Junction sa Barangay Calicanto at sinasabing nakatakas din sa kanyang kidnappers, napatunayang ito ay produkto lamang ng kanyang imahinasyon. Ayon sa sworn statement ng isa niyang instructor, nagpaalam ang estudyante sa kanya noong September 1 na siya ay uuwi sa Quezon kinabukasan dahil namatay ang kanyang ama. Napag-alaman na buhay na buhay ang kanyang ama sapagkat ito mismo ang nagreport sa pulis ng pagkawala ng kanyang anak.

Ang 17-taong gulang na lalakeng estudyante ng isang public high school ay napatunayan ding nagsinungaling na siya a dinukot noong umaga ng September 3 sa harap ng kanyang paaralan. Gumawa siya ng bagong statement o pahayag sa pulis sa harap ng kanyang sariling ina, barangay councilor at isang social worker mula sa City Social Welfare and Development Office kung saan inamin niya na hindi siya dinukot kundi lumiban sa school at nagpalipas ng oras sa isang mall.

Inembento lang daw niya ang kidnapping story upang pagtakpan ang kanyang pagbubulakbol sa klase. Ayon sa isang guro na dumalo sa meeting ng POC, ito ay nagdulot ng kaguluhan sa kanilang paaralan kung saan halos gibain ng mga nagpanic na mga magulang ang gate ng paaralan upang makapasok at masundo ang kanilang mga anak.

Ang nasabing mga estudyante ay nasa kani-kanilang pamilya na ngayon subalit patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng pulis upang mapatunayan o mapabulaanan ang anumang mga alegasyon sa mga kasong ito ayon pa rin sa ulat ng hepe.

Dahilan sa mga pangyayaring ito, nanawagan si Co sa mga tao na iwasan ang pagkakalat ng mali o hindi napapatunayang balita o istorya upang huwag magdulot ng takot, pagpanic at pagkalito sa nga mamamayan.

Ipinahayag din niya na sa utos ni Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha na seguraduhin ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga tao, pinagiibayo nila ang police visibility sa mga kalsada, paaralan, mataong lugar o kung saan higit silang kailangan.

Itinanong naman ng ilang mga guro kung pwedeng kasuhan ng paaralan ang mga nagkasalang estudyante.

Ayon kay Secretary to the Mayor Reginald Victor Dimacuha, ang school handbook ay pwedeng pagbasehan ng penalty sa mga estudyanteng lumalabag sa batas ng paaralan at kung mayroong “reasonable grounds to believe that the student performed the act of violating the rules,” and paaralan ay protektado ng academic freedom.

Binigyang-diin din ni Atty. Dimacuha na dapat magkaroon ng ugnayan ang Department of Education at ang mga paaralan upang pagtutuunan ng pansin ang values formation ng mga estudyante dahilan sa humihinang moral fiber ng mga bata.

Nagkomento naman ang isang kinatawan ng paaralan na pinagmumulan din ng mga problema sa mga kabataan ang kanilang pamilya kung kayat dapat ay katuwang sila ng paaralan sa tamang paghuhubog ng karakter ng mga estuyante.| ANGELA J. BANUELOS

4

Be a part in shaping public opinion.

Email your comments/reactions to: balikasonline@yahoo.com SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

OPINION

Of“epal”kin and queens EUTIQUIO B. BELIZAR, JR., STHD

By The Roadside

THE word “epal” is uniquely Philippine-made, but, I suspect, not the phenomenon behind it. In the information super highway (the old way of referring to the internet, if you please) one finds quite a few vivid descriptions of its meaning, some amusing, others informative, still others too graphic to mention. There seems to be a consensus that its root is the word ‘papel’ (paper) which, in the Filipino psyche, does not solely refer to the wood product we normally write things on but also to some individuals, the “epals” if you like, with the overriding devotion to self-promote ahead of others by any means that grab attention. In my book, then, the “epal” is fundamentally an obsessive, aggressive self-promoter.

In this article “epal” is mainly a reference to powerful, often suspiciously moneyed people who use various means, but especially projects or services that they render by virtue of a public office they hold or a social status they have achieved in aid of their election (or re-election) to a public office. If you already knew what I mean, you’d probably say, “That’s a long way of describing a politician.” Suffice it to say that I neither confirm nor deny the above observation. By the way, even the expression “I neither confirm nor deny” is very much of a piece with the “epal” mindset.

Lately the “epals” hogged the headlines. No, not through their usual avenues. Rather, their creative juices instinctively were on display in the media exposure they received on the occasion of the INC protest rallies that caused untold traffic and its horrific consequences for Metro Manileños. A number of media outlets gave them interviews that appeared, on the one hand, sympathetic to the frustrated, outraged public, and, on the other, with eyes fixed on 2016 and the prospect of the potential INC ‘block-voting’ benefits on their undeclared candidacies, overly protective of the INC’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression or assembly and freedom of religion. Understandably, netizens and ordinary Filipinos have expressed dismay or, more strongly, denunciation of the subtle duplicity in their answers. Still, the great majority of “epals” who preferred silence to selfexpression may not really be less self-promoting; not saying anything means not displeasing anyone, especially the voting “anyone”.

To be fair, the “epals” are not solely to blame for their doublespeak and aggressive self-promotion. Pinoys have very short memories of anyone or anything of value, what with the information and image overload they have to deal with on a daily basis. Name recall has become not only a desirable pursuit but also a commercial and political must in our highly imageconscious, media-influenced society. In short, the “epal kings and queens” in our midst are our own creations. As we frown on their ways, we must, at the same time, say firm goodbye to our penchant to value image over substance, appearance over character, words over track records.

The “epal king or queen” is, after all, one from among ourselves, a reflection of where we are rather than where we should be. Where we should be is where Truth lies. In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, “What God’s Son has told me I take for Truth.”

The words of God’s Son are unmistakable: “If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains secret. Your Father who sees what is kept in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:3-4).  We would like to greet Fr. Abet Caballero, Fr. Jojo Aguas and Curia Staff Marilou Reyes of the Diocese of Kalookan a very Happy Birthday. Fr. Abet celebrates his 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary and 55th Birthday on Aug 8 at San Bartolome Parish. Congratulations to Fr. Benedict Cervantes who will be installed as the new parish priest of Sagrada Familia on Aug. 15 vice Fr. Jun Bartolome, the new parish priest of San Jose de Navotas.|

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

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.

“

”

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

Member:

Like us: www.facebook .com/Balikas

CBCP online



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

Piercing the veil of invicibility THE protest assembly of outside world for a century. members of the Iglesia ni It is expected to do everyCristo (INC) cannot be thing to protect itself and measured on the test of its leadership in spite of the relevance to the public opinions against them. good. The fact that many The INC gains no people consider them special place in public annoyance to public conconsciousness by going to venience is also insignithe street to demand official ficant to the logic of this assembly. More than a religious action or inaction on matters affecting it. Whether its gathering, the assembly that they are staging is like any members are fighting for religious freedom or not is ordinary political action, with religious flavor, aimed at inconsequential. What matters is that it is given space pressuring government authorities to act favorably to to express its dissent against government actions. If their cause. The public inconvenience resulting from other groups, communists including, had been tolerated such political action should be expected as it is likely be before, then, why should the INC be denied of the one of the intended consequences of the mass gathering. opportunity to express their dissent in public space?

After all, what value is there in a political action that Public sentiments on INC mobilization would have causes no public been favorable if the inconvenience and gets “Until then, two things lay in the precipice: government has not only negligible attention been a failure in the fate of the INC leadership and the from the authorities, addressing the traffic. integrity of the Department of Justice. the public and the The government has Until then, people will continue to believe been mishandling the media? in the myth of religious invincibility.”

Negative remarks traffic situation in Metro on the INC mass Manila for more than a assembly are also expected of course. While the public is year now, a fact which could not be blamed to the INC used to the public inconvenience that INC assemblies or to any organized mobilizations against or for the have caused in the past but it is not yet accustomed to government. The INC only made the traffic mess worse. such political action by the religious block aimed at It did not create the same. It should not be blamed for publicly pressuring the government to tune up to its the incompetence that makes this problem seemingly expectation. In 2001, the INC was reported to have irreversible. mobilized its members in provinces nearby Manila to The spotlight is on the Department of Justice (DOJ), join the sieged against the Arroyo administration in not on the INC. With several hundred cases behind it, the failed mass uprising dubbed People Power 3. But it has to prove its fidelity to public interest. Whether it unlike in 2001, the recent mass mobilizations are will not bow down to public pressures mounted by the triggered by “perceived” assault on the internal INC is yet to be seen. It has to prove that it cannot be cohesiveness of the INC which includes the alleged bullied to act in a particular way to show to the world prompt action of the Department of Justice filed by a that it is a worthy sentinel of justice. Until then, two former member of the sect against its top leadership. things lay in the precipice: the fate of the INC leadership There is no question that the INC has the right to and the integrity of the Department of Justice. Until engage in political actions. Just like any other religious then, people will continue to believe in the myth of sects, it has the right to express its opposition on per- religious invincibility. Until then, public institutions will ceived government interference in its internal affairs. It continue to appear weak in spite of the sovereign will has to protect the veil that cloaks its members from the that they represent.|

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

Follow us: @Balikasonline

Read archives at: issuu.com/balikasonline

Joenald Medina Rayos

Nicetas E. Escalona

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Lifestyle Editor

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

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

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.|

SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

5

OPINION balikasonline@yahoo.com

OFWs, the Evangelizing Modern Day Heroes

Trying to kill a dream ONE of the multi-awarded reporters of a major media conglomerate interviewed on national television the head of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo regarding the spate of killings of Lumads in Mindanao. But she began the segment by saying, “groups with conflicting ideologies” have been recruiting Lumads and this has been causing conflict among them. That was no ordinary lead or introductory sentence; it was already a judgment on this woman reporter’s part that the killings were understandable because the Lumads have been taking sides or were duped into taking sides in the conflict. The so-called balanced reporting and objectivity flew out the window. And to think that this woman reporter is part of a media conglomerate claiming to have empathy, of being “one at heart” with the public.

What she failed to mention was that among those killed last September 1 were Emerito Samarca, the director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (Alcadev), a school for Lumads established by an NGO, a people’s organization and religious groups, Dionel Campos, the chairperson of Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (Mapasu), the people’s organization that has been managing the school with religious sisters, and Datu Juvello Sinzo, a tribal chieftain; and that among the five killed during a military operation in Mendis village Pangantucan, Bukidnon by the 1st Special Forces Battalion last August were minors Emer Somina, 17 and Norman Samia, 13. While Samarca, Campos, and Sinzo were killed by members of a paramilitary group Magahat-Bagani, the said group is being armed, funded, and commanded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The school has been abandoned by the teachers and students because soldiers and paramilitary men have encamped in it and have warned the community that they would all be killed if they did not leave.

Why attack the schools, its director and teachers?

Aren’t they providing a service that the government should be providing?

The AFP claims that it is a NPA school. Surely, the teachers and students are not making bombs and firearms as part of their science and work education projects. Nor are they teaching military tactics and discussing ideology and revolution in the schools. What then makes it a NPA school?

Because the school has been registered with the Department of Education as an alternative learning center, it should be following the department’s guidelines and standards. While providing lessons on the basic subjects required by the Education department, the school was has also been teaching students how to improve the agricultural production and livelihood of the community. It has been ensuring the food security of the communities while preparing the students for the future and responding to the present day development needs. What is wrong with that?

The paramilitary men said they would destroy the community and the school to weaken the support for the NPA. But by doing so, would it not achieve the opposite? When the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law and violently suppressed all opposition to his rule, he was said to be the greatest recruiter of the NPA. When Samarca, Campos and Mapasu, the Lumad communities and the religious groups set up the school they dreamed of a better life for the Lumads, who have long been abandoned by the government. Now the Aquino government and the AFP have been trying to kill that dream by attacking the school, teachers, students, and the communities and killing Samara, Campos, and Sinzo.

What the Aquino government and the AFP failed to realize is that they could kill people but they could not kill a dream. The dream lives on until it becomes a reality.|

Benjie Oliveros

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

Torre de Babel - Conclusion 

TERESA R. TUNAY, OCDS ...And That’s The Truth

IF monuments are a symbol of heroism and skyscrapers are a symbol of progress, may they not stand side by side with one another? If my memory serves me right, Rizal himself in his El Filibusterismo wrote about a character’s satisfaction—while on a pleasure cruise down the Pasig river—at seeing “the factories in Mandaluyong”, clear symbols of progress among a people he did not wish to be forever colonized.

In 1927, the tallest structure in the Philippines was the newly-built Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas. The cross crowning its tower (from which Manila Bay was reportedly visible) also served as Kilometer 0 from which all distances to any point in Luzon were measured. The cross symbolizes the Pontifical University’s “mission of salvation through the Cross of Christ”, and within the 21.5-hectare UST campus, no structure was allowed to be built higher than the tower’s cross.

On January 25, 2010, the UST Main Building was declared by the Philippine National Museum a “National Cultural Treasure”, along with the Central Seminary, the Arch of the Centuries, and the Open Space fronting the Grandstand. In May 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the UST a “National Historical Landmark”, citing its “major historical significance in Philippine history from the Spanish to contemporary times.”

At present, the 12-storey Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, OP Building—inaugurated in 2014, standing where the UST gymnasium formerly stood— apparently rises higher than the Main Building tower’s cross, but is anyone saying it is desecrating what that cross stands for? I dare say, not even the UST’s most illustrious son, Jose Rizal, would see anything sacrilegious about that. Nor would the 403-year-old UST itself balk at the mushrooming of Torre This or Tower That, condominiums, and dormitories on the periphery of its revered campus. I think the venerable 403-yearold UST, for all its contributions to Philippine culture, history and human growth, understands the price of urban development. That’s the wisdom of the old and mellowed by experience. Compelled to suspend its function as an institution of learning during the Second World War—when its campus was used by the Japanese military forces as an internment camp for allied

prisoners—the UST stands as testimony to the fact that while wars and the march of progress can mar a symbol of greatness, it cannot kill the spirit of greatness it represents.

Luneta’s Rizal monument is now Kilometer 0, and the Philippines is no longer a colony—do Filipinos still think a photo bomber could diminish the nobility of the hero that his monument honors? Andres Bonifacio’s handsome monument (Cry of Balintawak) is all but choked by the commercial establishments surrounding it, but why is no one complaining? Does this mean we see Andres Bonifacio as a second class hero?

If the appearance of the Rizal Monument were so significant, why are the loud voices being heard only now, now that over 40 floors have already been built? If I were DMCI, or bought a unit at Torre, I’d complain.

Government agencies involved should pull their act together to avoid repetition of the same. I’d like to give the benefit of the doubt to DMCI, after all, oral arguments reveal that it has not violated any law in the process.

Besides, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has testified that “the Torre de Manila project site is outside the boundaries of the Rizal Park and well to the rear (789 meters) of the Rizal National Monument; hence it cannot possibly obstruct the front view of the said National Monument.” Judging from DMCI’s projects, of all the developments in its class, DMCI has the best eye for the aesthetic aspects of condo-dwelling— they are not afraid to “waste” space in order to secure beauty and healthful living for the residents. Their lowrise communities are a picture of order and harmony, ideal places for young families to grow in. Most other condo buildings look like artless shoe boxes stacked to towering heights, but DMCI for the same price as those “shoe box towers” offers middle-income families with spacious recreational facilities, well appointed study rooms, gorgeous lobbies, and reception areas residents may be proud to entertain in.

If I seem to be taking sides on this issue, you can be sure it’s only the side of reason and common sense.

Torre de Manila’s bashers are an energetic lot and it’s sad to see that much energy being aimed at a mere “photo bomber” as though the country (or even Manila alone) were a picture of an immaculate paradise. Hellooow!

There are other sights in Metromanila that “violate the visual integrity” of our beloved landmarks and are a real affront to the ideals our heroes fought and died for.



ATTY. AURORA A. SANTIAGO Duc in altum

OUR modern day heroes, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), are not only contributing to our country’s economic development but are also propagating our Catholic faith. When one goes to a church in a foreign country, one can always see our OFWs actively participating in the Eucharist and church activities – as choir members, lectors-commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion, leaders/members of church ministries, etc. The parish priests appreciate the role of our OFWs in evangelization. They are the saving grace of our country’s economic development, and yet, what had the government done in return to our modern day heroes?

Recently, the government increased the fee which the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) charges to our OFWs. Then the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) issued a policy of opening balikbayan boxes and imposing taxes based on the BOC’s claim that the government loses Php 50 million a month, or Php 600 million a year, on incoming boxes.

My goodness, what is Php 600 million a year compared with the $26 million yearly remittance (or almost Php 1.2 billion) of our OFWs? Php 600 million is a meager amount compared to the billions of pesos that the government would lose if the BOC would not run after big time smugglers of imported drugs, guns, cars, rice, sugar, garlic, motorcycles, electronic gadgets, jewelries. How come artificial rice found its way into the Philippines?

How come the BOC cleared the 13 containers of garbage from Canada without inspection? God only knows what are inside those containers– drugs, guns, or both?

After OFWs’ opposition to opening of boxes became viral in social media, President Noynoy Aquino ordered the suspension of the opening of boxes, requiring the use of scanners and x-ray machines on those boxes, however, the BOC is still given the discretion to open boxes “should they feel there are contrabands inside”. Easier said than done. A BOC personnel who is addicted to corruption can always say that those boxes should be opened and inspected. Once it happens, the OFW’s right to privacy of communication is violated and desecrated; the contents stolen.

As Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago stated: “The government must strive to achieve the delicate balance between, on the one hand, fulfilling its mandate to curb smuggling, and, on the other, protecting balikbayan boxes, which are often channels of intimate communication among families. It is one thing to inspect balikbayan boxes, another to desecrate them. The BOC seems aware that balikbayan boxes, when opened by their personnel, are sometimes pillaged. What have the officials done to rid their ranks of thieves?”

The use of BOC’s hundreds of millions of pesos worth of scanners and x-ray machines, together with sniffing dogs, are enough to detect if there are contrabands inside those boxes; no need to open them. To use BOC personnel to open and inspect those boxes is very expensive and wastes more taxpayers’ money since it requires more manpower and man hours.

Moreover, pilferage of the contents of those boxes is 100% sure due to great temptation to steal since those who will open them can see and touch those items.

Another reason why OFWs use boxes is to avoid excess baggage when they go home for vacation since airlines charge exorbitant fees on excess baggage which usually amounts to not lower than $200 per box. That is too much for our poor OFWs, yes they are poor, because no rich person would like to be an OFW. Our OFWs are of great help to our country’s economy. What had the big time smugglers and importers of Canada’s garbage contributed? Did the latter give more money than our OFWs?| Open thine eyes to the scores of other photo bombers littering our metropolis! Ever since I took my first job at the Manila Times (of Chino Roces days) I’ve been calling readers’ attention to various ills—beggar syndicates, prostitution, child abuse, illegal recruitment, OFWs’ broken families, mediocre television programming, fraudulent advertising, garbage mountains on our streets, squatter shanties and clogged waterways, unfair labor practices, etc.

I’m already hoarse from crying for families living on the sidewalks, small children begging, girls selling sampaguita in the rain, boys gambling off alms money from scrupulous Christians, to name a few.

Instead of bashing well-meaning urban developers and adding to the noise that reduces Torre de Manila into a Torre de Babel, perhaps the erudite and cultured members of our society can combine forces and encourage the production of superior, well-researched films on our heroes—real heroes who have been dead at least 50 years, not political figures catapulted to hero status by sheer luck. Produce

concerts or plays on their lives so that our youth may be inspired by them instead of just screaming over One Direction or paying thousands of pesos to see Madonna. To our beauty pageants, add essay-writing contests that draw out the Filipinas’ feminine genius —remember what Rizal wrote to the young women of Malolos?

The Torre? Leave it be. And let other developers even out the skyline. The problem will solve itself if handled with reason. While still under construction, high-risers will naturally be an eyesore, but once finished they will provide an appropriately lit backdrop for Rizal’s monument, hopefully luring promenaders to the park, back from air conditioned malls. Then I can hope I will no longer hear what I heard from a Latin American meeting a Filipino for the first time: “Before I met you I used to think people in the Philippines were like monkeys, living in trees…” Hah! Living in trees! The world will come to salute a blazing Rizal monument with twinkling condo lights in the background! And that’s the truth.

6

Increase the potential of your business!

Advertise with us. Email us at: balikasonline@yahoo.com SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

PDIC advises borrowers of Farmers’ Rural Bank, Inc. to pay their obligations THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the Receiver of the closed Farmers' Rural Bank, Inc., reminded borrowers of the bank to continue to pay their loans and transact only with authorized PDIC representatives. Farmer's Rural Bank was placed under the receivership of the PDIC by virtue of Monetary Board Resolution No. 1266.B dated August 14, 2015.

In a statement, PDIC advised borrowers of Farmers' Rural Bank to pay their loans and other obligations directly at any Philippine National Bank (PNB) Branch under account name, PDIC FAO BURL FARMERS’ RURAL BANK, INC. PDIC emphasized that it has not engaged any person, agent or agency to collect the loan payments for and in behalf of the bank.

To ensure proper recording of their payments, PDIC further advised borrowers to keep copies of the PNB Deposit/ Payment Slips. The PDIC emphasized that for payments to be valid, it must be supported by a machine-validated PNB Deposit/Payment Slip. Official receipts will be issued by PDIC upon validation of payments and will be sent through mail to the borrowers. For proper accounting of their payments,

AUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF RTC BATANGAS CITY SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE EJF NO. 15-1551 Upon judicial petition for extra-judicial foreclosure under Act 3135 by the PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, with principal business address at PSBank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeño Street, Makati City, against SPS TEODOLFO GABA VALENZUELA and MERLITA PINOL VALENZUELA, as borrowers/mortgagors with residence and postal address at No. 15 B MH Del Pilar St., , Batangas City (Capital) Batangas to satisfy the amount of EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY EIGHT PESOS AND 30/100 (Php 880,768.30) as of August 7, 2015, additional sum equivalent to twenty five (25%) percent as and for attorney’s fees, plus cost and other fees and incidental expenses of collection and/or litigation, plus the fees in connection with the sale also secured by the said mortgage/s, the undersigned Sheriff announces that on October 15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. or soon thereafter in the CITY HALL, BATANGAS CITY, he will sell at public auction for cash in Philippine Currency to the highest bidder, the property/ies described in the said mortgage together with all improvements thereon to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 052-2012002249

borrowers who do not receive their official receipts are advised to send a photocopy of their deposit slips by mail to the Deputy Receiver for loans Josefina S. San Pedro at the PDIC Office, 5th Floor, SSS Bldg., Ayala Avenue corner

V.A. Rufino St., Makati City or send via e-mail to Keneth B. Flores at kbflores@pdic.gov.ph and to Ms. Thelma A. Peña at tbarias@pdic.gov.ph.

Borrowers of the bank may also communicate with the PDIC-Loans

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

Gov’t hikes budget for agri research AS the Department of Agriculture (DA) strives to promote science-based agricultural development, the agency has increased the budget of its Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) from PhP 281 million in 2010 to PhP 1.12 billion in 2015.

The proposed research and development (R&D) budget for 2016 is PhP 1.33 billion, based on the National Expenditure Program.

This was announced by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the opening ceremony of the three-day 11th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition that was held as part of BAR’s 28th anni-versary celebrations.

The forum-exhibition themed “Teknolohiyang Pansakahan at Pangisdaan:

Tulay sa mas Maunlad na Pilipinas Patungo sa Pandaigdigang Kakayahan,” ran from Aug. 7 to 9 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2 in Mandaluyong City.

It aimed to highlight breakthroughs in agricultural R&D and provide fresh perspectives on technology commercialization.

It showcased more than 90 exhibitors from the DA’s bureaus and attached agencies and regional field offices; and R&D partners such as state universities and colleges, international organizations, and the private and business sectors.

In his message, Alcala stressed the importance of matching agricultural R&D programs and projects with the actual needs of the agriculture sector, especially small farmers and fishers.

LEGAL NOTICE EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE MA. SOLEDAD UNTALAN DE TORRES AND FELIX DE TORRES NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late MA. SOLEDAD UNTALAN DE TORRES AND FELIX DE TORRES who both died intestate in Batangas City on July 26, 2003 and February 3, 2008, respectively, consisting of a parcel of land, situated in Sto. Domingo, Batangas City, covered by Tax Declaration No. 0093-00408, containing an area of 2,031 square meters has been extra-judicially settled by and among themselves per Doc No. 149; Page No. 31; Book No. IX; Series of 2015 of ATTY. ROBERTO IÑIGO D. SANCHEZ, Notary Public.

Pahayagang BALIKAS | September 7, 14 & 21, 2015

“A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT4-C-4-4-A OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN (LRA) PSD-395720 APPROVED AS A NON-SBDIVISION PROJECT, BEING A PORTION OF LOT 4-C-4-C-4 PSD-04006506 LRC REC. NO. 16950, SITUATED IN THE BARRIO OF CUTA, MUN. OF BATANGAS, ISLADN OF LUZON. x x x CONTAINING AN AREA OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THREE (123) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS. x x x” 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 Barrio of Cuta, Batangas City) where the property is located, and at the Bulletin Board of Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pallocan West, Batangas City.

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

In the event that the Auction Sale should not take place on said date, it shall be held on October 27, 2015 without further notice.

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

Batangas City, August 27, 2015.

(Sgd.) REMIGIO A. BAUAN, JR. Sheriff IV Published at: Pahayagang BALIKAS Edited at: Batangas City Posted at: Batangas City Copy furnished: Parties concerned.

Pahayagang BALIKAS | Sept. 14, 21 & 28, 2015

Management Department II at (02) 8414774 or 841-4765. Queries may also be sent through email at pad@pdic.gov.ph.

Farmers' Rural Bank is a single-unit rural bank located in Rizal St., Lian, Batangas.|

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 87 ROSARIO, BATANGAS

“We need to identify specific areas where the results of researches will be actually used for the betterment of the lives of our farmers and fishers. We do not want these to remain in research journals and gather dust in libraries,” he said.

Meanwhile, BAR Director Dr. Nicomedes Eleazar said that with increased funding support and improved governance, the agency has strove more to conduct R&D that redound to improving the lives of the Filipinos, particularly those living in the countryside.

He added that the bureau, in consideration of the ASEAN economic integration, has implemented responsive R&D programs to improve both to productivity and competence, delivering relevant technologies where and when they are needed most.

“With a more competitive ASEAN market, we do not

only aspire to increase productivity, which merely focuses on production quantity, but also improve our competence — highlighting improvement of product quality, too,” said Eleazar.

William Dar, BAR’s pioneer director and former DA Secretary, lauded the current DA and BAR leadership’s achievements in agriculture R&D and proposed that these R&D milestones should be complemented with agribusiness incubation programs.

Dar, who also served as three-term director general of the India-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, added that agriculture development should be pursued within an inclusive, resilient, sciencebased and market-oriented framework, which the DA actually espouses under its Agri-Pinoy overall strategic framework. | PNA

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

BUSINESS BITS <<<OPINION... from P/5 RCBC-JPL Holding Company, Inc. reports Unaudited Earnings Results for the Six Months ended June 30, 2015 RCBC-JPL Holding Company, Inc. reported unaudited earnings results for the six months ended June 30, 2015. For the period, the company’s net income was PHP 1.382 million, return on average assets (annualized) was 1.21%, negative return on average equity (annualized) was 2.50% and earnings per share (annualized) was PHP 0.01. The JPL Holding Company is based in Tanauan City, Batangas.| MARINA MONTALBO AND ALL PERSONS W HO HAVE INTEREST AND WOULD BE AFFECTED, Respondent. x——————————————————————————x

RE: PETITION FOR (1) CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF PEDRO YABYABIN MONTALBO W ITH REG ISTRY NO. 63 W ITH REGARDS TO (A) DATE OF BIRTH FROM “JANUARY 30, 1960” TO “MAY 3, 1958” AND (B) TYPE OF BIRTH FROM “TWIN” TO “SINGLE” AND (2) CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF RESTITUTO YABYABIN MONALBO WITH REGISTRY NO. 64 WITH REGARDS TO HIS TYPE OF BIRTH FROM “TWIN” TO “SINGLE” PEDRO YABYABIN MONTALBO, Petitioner, - versus - SPEC. PROC. CASE NO. 2015-299 THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF IBAAN, BATANGAS, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY (FORMERLY NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE), FELICISIMA MONTALBO AGUILERA, RESTITUTO YABYABIN MONTALBO,

ORDER A verified petition has been filed by the petitioner through counsel praying the Court that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued ordering the Civil Registrar of Ibaan, Batangas to cancel (1) Correct the Record of Birth of the petitioner with regards to the date of his birth from “January 30, 1960” to “May 3, 1958”, and as to his type of birth from “TWIN” to “SINGLE”, (2) Correct the Record of Birth of Restituto Yabyabin Montalbo as to his type of birth from “TWIN” to “SINGLE”, 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 October 12, 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 and Ibaan, Batangas and the National Statistics Office for their Comment/Opposition thereto.

SOORDERED Rosario, Batangas, July 20, 2015 (Sgd.) DORCAS P. FERRIOLS-PEREZ Assisting Judge Pahayagang BALIKAS | Aug. 31, Sept. 7 & 14, 2015

SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2015

7

LIFETIMES balikasonline@yahoo.com

PAG-IBIG Fund Loyalty Card, ipinakila sa publiko MAGANDANG balita para sa mga myembro ng PAGIBIG Fund!

Mayroon nang PAG-IBIG Loyalty Card na may special discounts at rewards na maaaring gamitin sa iba’t

ibang establisimyento.

Ito ang ibinahagi ni Noel Lagustan, supervising marketing specialist ng nasabing ahensya, sa isinagawang orientation sa mga kawani ng pamahalaang lunsod ng

kanilang mga myembro sapagkat ito din ay magsisilbing debit card kung saan dito padadaanin ng ahensya ang proceeds ng kanilang loans.

Ayon kay Lagustan, nabatid sa kanilang isinagawang pag-aaral na ilan sa mga pangunahing pinagkakagastusan ng kanilang mga myembro ay ang pagkain, groserya, ospitalisasyon, gamot, bahat at lupa, at gasolina. Dahil dito, nakipagugnayan sila sa mga paaralan, resort, gasolinahan, ospital, botika, mga restoran at iba pa upang mabigyan ng

Batangas na sa Teachers Conference Center, Setyembre 7.

Ayon kay PAGIBIG Fund President Atty. Darlene Berberabe, layunin nito na mabigyan ng kaalwanan ang

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

diskwento ang kanilang mga myembro.

Nagsilbing pilot cities nito ang Baguio, Cebu at Davao.

Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon silang 61 partner merchants. Nakikipagugnayan na rin aniya ang ahensya sa mga kumpanya ng bus, shipping lines at supermarkets.

Bukod sa pagiging discount/reward card, ito din ay maaaring gamitin bilang HELP (Health, Education Loan Program) swipe card upang maipambayad sa hospital bills at tuition fees.

Bibisita ang mga kinatawan ng PAGIBIG fund sa

mga local government units dala ang mga portable kiosk na may biometrics para sa enrolment ng kanilang mga myembro.

Maaari ding i-download ang application form sa www.pagibigfund.gov.ph.

Ang orientation on PAGIBIG Fund loyalty card ay isa lamang sa mga gawaing inihanda ng Human Resource Management and Development Office ng Batangas City government sa pagdiriwang ng 115th Philip-pine Civil Service Anniversary na may temang “Kayang kaya mo Lingkod Bayani”.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

Kalinga sa mga batang may kanser, pinalalawig pa INAANYAYAHAN ng Childhood Cancer International at ng Cancer Wariors Foundation, Inc. ang lahat na lumahok at suportahan ang paggunita sa International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (ICCAM) ngayong Setyembre upang bigyan ng pag-asa at inspirasyon ang mga batang may kanser at ang kanilang pamilya sa kanilang paglaban sa sakit na

ito.

Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pakikilahok sa ACT NOW GO GOLD childhood cancer awareness global campaign.

Ito ay inilunsad noong Pebrero kaalinsabay ng paggunita sa International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD).

Mula pa noong 1978, ang Gold Ribbon at Gold Light ay simbolong kumakatawan sa

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

NCCA to grant millions of pesos worth to arts and culture projects THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith, continues to fulfil its mandate of preserving, developing and promoting of Philippine arts and culture by giving grants to deserving arts and cultural projects.

Encouraging artistic creation, the lead national agency for arts and culture is now accepting proposals for projects to be implemented in 2016. This year, it is also looking for implementers of projects which have been conceptualized by the agency.

For 2016, the NCCA is providing venues for the different regions to articulate their local culture and development concerns which the different programs and projects shall address. In line with this, the priority programs and projects identified are grouped into island cluster—National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The NCCA has set two categories of proposals.

Category A includes projects which have been conceptualized during the various levels of planning workshops by its various national committees following the identified needs of the locality and where specific outputs and deliverables had been defined. Projects in this category will have three or more component activities.

Proponents interested to implement projects under this category may submit a letter of intent.

On the other hand, Category B calls for project proposals conceptualized by proponents with due consideration to the important concerns cited in the project brief and aligned to the identified NCCA priorities and outcomes. Interested proponents may submit a project proposal.

Project briefs as well as guidelines and requirements can be viewed and downloaded at the NCCA Web site (www.ncca.gov.ph, http:// ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/ grants-program/) Filipino individuals as well as civil society organizations, indigenous peoples’ organizations/groups, local government units, government agencies institutions, state universities/colleges and public schools are all encouraged to apply.

Deadline of submissions of letters of intent and proposals is on September 30, 2015.

It must be submitted to the Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD) led by its division chief, Ms. Marichu Tellano, at Room 5-A, fifth floor, NCCA Building, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. It may also be submitted via email to ncca.luzon@gmail.com (for Luzon); ncca.visayas@ gmail.com (for the Visayas); ncca.mindanao@gmail.com (for Mindanao); and ncca. ncr@gmail.com (for NCR).

For inquiries on the NCCA Grants Programs, contact P/PFPD through direct line 5272-214, trunkline no. 5272192, and email address pmd@ncca. gov.ph, grants@ncca.gov.ph.|

mga kabataang may cancer at mga childhood cancer survivors at ang pagdakila sa kanilang matapang na pakikibaka sa kanilang sakit.

Ang paglahok sa kampanya ay sa pamamagitan ng pag-set ng exterior illuminating systems ng mga gusali, institusyon, monument owners, local government offices at iba pang authorities sa Gold pantone 1245 kahit na anong araw ngayong September. Kung walang exterior lighting system, pwedeng maglagay ng gold ribbon sa harapan ng mga bahay at mga gusali.

Hangad din ng nabanggit na kampanya na maipabatid sa publiko na ang childhood cancer ay “curable” o nagagamot sa pamamagitan ng early diagnosis, quality treatment and care.

Ayon sa tala, isang bata ang namamatay sa Pilipinas

kada tatlong oras ng dahil sa kanser.

Sa Batangas City, ang Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc (CWFI) ang syang nangangalaga at takbuhan ng mga batang may kanser na nabibilang sa mga pamilyang higit na nangangailangan at walang kakayahang makapagpagamot.

Mayroon silang 268 batang may kanser na tinutulungan sa kasalukuyan mula sa bilang na 33 noong ilunsad ang CWFI noong June 2008. Ang mga ito ay mula sa mga lalawigan ng Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Quezon, Romblon, Mindoro at Timog Katagalugan.

Mayroon silang 26 survivors, 81 nagtapos sa treatment at 74 naman ang kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa chemotherapy.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

PA L A IS IPA N 1

2

3

4

5

6

11

10

16 17

20

18

19

21

22

24

25

26

28

29

32 34

9

14

15

27

8

12

13

23

7

30

31

33 35

36 PAHALANG 1 Pag-alis ng damo sa h a l a ma n 6 Kawatan 11 Badigard 12 Nais 13 Ama 14 Unang tama ng palakol sa kahoy upang matiyak ang punto ng hati 15 Sapi 16 Bayaning lumpo 17 At iba pa: Espanyol 19 Pagbabawal 21 Maliit na plato 23 Bating banyaga 25 Memorandum: Ikli 27 Isang bagay na mas malaki at mas mataas 29 Magkatulad na tunog ng huling silaba 32 Igpaw 33 Uri ng prutas 34 Bagay na malayo sa nag-uusap 35 Bigkas 36 Reklamo

37 37 Tela sa pinilakang tabing PABABA 1 Pinigang niyog 2 Joel o Boy 3 Kabisera ng Davao Oriental 4 Kapital ng Sarangani 5 Ms. ALonzo, artista 7 Paghuhugas ng bigas 8 Kapital ng Aklan 9 Awit ng papuri 10 Ugat ng punong-kahoy (sinunang Tagalog) 14 Talas 16 Kapalit ni Lotlot 18 Batugan 20 Sandok 21 Imbakan ng ihi 22 Kanta ng Moonstar 88 24 Isang uri ng malaking suso 26 Huling yugto ng paglaki ng kulisap 28 Sigla ng pagkain 30 Pamamayani 31 Nasaan: ibang anyo 33 Patrolman: ikli

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Kung may pangakong hindi natupad, huwag kalimutang humingi ng dispensa para hindi masira ang pagkatao. Pangalagaan ang reputasyon dahil ito ang tanging yaman na higit pa sa ginto. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 20, 38, 40 at yellow.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Kung may katungkulan at alam na may pagkakamaling nagawa ang nasasakupan, huwag matakot kumprontahin o bigyan ng leksyon para maging tapat sa tungkulin. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 12, 41, 42 at aqua blue.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Magpasalamat kung may kaibigan na magsasabi tungkol sa hindi kanais-nais sa iyong ugali para maituwid kaagad nang hindi lumala.

Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 6, 40, 43 at neon green.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Hindi masama ang umibig basta tiyakin na walang pananagutan sa iba at sang-ayon ang kamag-anakan ng magkabilang panig.

Lucky numbers at color ay 6, 19, 33, 37 at sky blue.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Ang madalas mong reklamo ay magbibigay ng demirito sa tungkulin. Tiyakin na may matibay na dahilan kung bakit nagreklamo para hindi makapalag ang inirereklamo. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 15, 30, 40 at blue.

Aquarius (Ene. 20-Peb. 18) - Mahalagang pakinggan ang mungkahi. Pagaralan ang suhestiyon para sa ikauunlad ng negosyo, pinansiyal o personal. Lucky numbers at color ay 10, 12, 34, 39 at green.

Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Kung may itinatago, iwasan ang magkuwento sa iba dahil tiyak hindi mapipigilan at maraming makakalam dahil ang mapagsusumbungan ay ipagkakalat. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 13, 322, 33 at red.

Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Tingnan ng mata, pakinggan ang tao pero ang maganda, itikom ang bibig. Sarilihin ang nakita o narinig dahil kung ipagkakalat, tiyak pagmumulan ng gulo. Lucky numbers at color ay 2, 7, 18, 43 at orange.

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Kung may negosyo, uunlad. Kung “buy and sell” ang kalakal, magkakaroon ng “potential prospect” o malamang makakapagbenta o makakabili ng murang bagay na malaki ang tutubuin. Lucky numbers at color ay 3, 4, 34, 36 at indigo.

Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Halos lahat ng bawal ay napakasarap matikman. Sa mga may pananagutan sa buhay, malamang matuklasan ang bawal na gawain sa buhay may asawa. Lucky numers at color ay 18, 20, 39, 41 at brown.

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Masakit man ang mga salitang maririnig, pikit-mata mong tatanggapin. Huwag maghinanakit at isipin na isang magandang leksyon ang nagawa na hindi na mauulit kailanman.

Lucky numbers at color ay 1, 4, 30, 34 at red.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Ang daliri ng kamay, kailanman ay hindi pantay. Kaya huwag ihambing ang sarili sa iba. Ang kaya mo ay hindi kaya ng iba, subalit may kaya ang iba na hindi mo kaya. Lucky numbers at color ay 8, 14, 32, 39 at jade green.

8

September 14 - 20, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 37 balikasonline@yahoo.com |  0912.902.7373

F.E.S.T.

Share with us Special Moments in your LifeTimes! Email your photos and details to: balikasonline@yahoo.com

>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS | EVENTS | SHOWBIZ & SPORTS | TRAVEL, TOURISM & TRENDS<<

P

RUSISYON SA LAWA. Pinangunahan ni Archbishop Ramon Arguelles ng Archdiocese of Lipa, kasama ang buong kaparian at Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto, ang pagdiriwang ng kaarawan ng Mahal na Inang Birheng Maria sa pamamagitan ng isang fluvial procession sa Lawa ng Taal na dinaluhan ng libu-libong deboto sa bayan ng Laurel, Setyembre 8.

Layunin ng pagdiriwang na ito ang pagsasapuso ng bawat Batangueño ng pagmamahal sa kalikasan partikular sa lawa ng Taal na sumisimbulo ng puso ng Lalawigan ng Batangas.

Nasa ikanyang ika-4 na taon na ang Taal Lake Festival na sinimulan noong 2012. Dalawang

beses na naging host town ang bayan ng Agoncillo, mula 20122013. Noong nakalipas na taon, naging host naman ang bayan ng Talisay.

Sa taunang aktibidad na ito, inaasahang lalo pang iigting ang pangangalaga sa lawa.| EDWIN V. ZABARTE

............................................................................................. <<<CHARITY... mula sa P/1

24 bagong ambulansya, dala ng PCSO sa Batangas emergency needs ng mga residente lalo higit ang mga naninirahan sa remote areas na nahihirapang makarating sa mga ospital o health centers upang maagapan ang kanilang mga karamdaman.

“Patuloy po naming isinusulong ang reporma sa PCSO upang higit pa naming mapalawig an gating serbisyo sa mga mamayan,” dagdag pa ni Maliksi. Inihalimbawa niya ang naging reporma sa pag-bid ng mga ambulansya na mula sa isang 2.5 liter engine na nagkakahalaga ng P960,000 noong 2010 na maupo siya bilang Chairman, nakapag-bid ngayon sila ng P866,000 para sa bawat 2.7 liter engine unit.

Kabilang sa mga tumanggap ang mga Muninicipal Health Offices ng Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Ibaan, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Malvar, Rosario, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, at San Pascual; gayundin ang City health Office ng Lipa.

Sa mga health facilities naman, kabilang sa tumanggap ang Lipa City District Hospital (Granja), MVM Sto. Rosario District Hospital (Rosario), Martin Marasigan Memorial District Hospital (Cuenca), Laurel Memorial District Hospital (Tanauan City), Calatagan Medi-

care Hospital, Lobo Municipal Hospital, Don Juan Mayuga Regional Hospital sa Lemery, Batangas Provincial Hospital (Balayan), at Apacible District Hospital (Nasugbu).

Ayon kay General Manager Ferdinand Rojas, ang PCSO, bagaman at isag self-income generating agency at walang ibinibigay na budget ang pamahalaang nasyunal ay patuloy na nakapagibigay ng de-kalidad na serbisyo sa pamayagang Pilipino upang umahon, sumulong at guminhawa mula sa kahirapan.

“Patunay rito ang patuloy na pagtaas ng mga serbisyong medical at kawanggawa mula sa bawat pisong itinataya sa mga lotto games ng PCSO,” pahayag ni Atty.

Francisco Joaquin III, na isang Batangueño.

Kasabay ng kanilang pagtanggap ay ang ipinangakong responsibilidad sa PCSO at ni Governor Vi na hindi gagamitin sa ibang layunin o dahilan kung hindi para pagtulong sa mga may sakit at biktima ng mga sakuna sa kanilang nasasakupan.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS, may ulat ni KRISTINA MARIE JOY ANDAL

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

Sri Lankans nagsaliksik tungkol sa HEARTS Nutrition Program ng Batangas Province IBINAHAGI ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas, sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Nutrition Committee, ang mga best practices at pangunahing mga estratehiya patungkol sa matagumpay nitong paglaban sa malnutrisyon ng mga kabataang Batangueno sa bumi-sitang Sri Lankan nationals sa People’s Mansion sa Kapitolyo, Lunsod Batangas, Setyembre 9.

Pinangunahan ni Chief of Staff at Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Pedrito Martin Dijan, Jr., kasama sina Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rosvilinda Ozaeta at Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Benjamin Bausas, ang presentation at open forum kung saan nakinig at nakipagtalastasan ang mga regional at district health and planning officials mula sa Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Kabilang din sa grupo si Ginoong Kirupairasah Gowriswaran na mula sa United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Sri Lanka at nagsilbing delegation head.

Ang delegasyon ay sumailalim sa isang Study Tour on Nutrition Policy, Practice and Outcomes in the Philippines, mula Setyembre 6-12, 2015, sa pamamatnubay ng Asian Institute of Developmental Studies, Inc. (AIDSI), kung saan binisita nila ang mga pangunahing

ahensya ng pamahalaang namamahala sa health and nutrition, gayun din ang mga local government units na may matagumpay na programang pangkalusugan.

Binigyang-diin ni Ginoong Dijan na matagumpay ang programang pangkalusugan ng lalawigan ng Batangas dahil sa masigla at aktibong nitong pamunuan, sa pangunguna ni Gov. Vilma Santos Recto; magandang koordinasyon mula sa pamahalaang panlalawigan hanggang sa barangay; patuloy na monitoring ng mga proyekto; pagkakaroon ng wholistic o pangkabuuang approach para maayos na maisagawa ang bawat proyekto; at paglalaan ng tamang pondo.

Dagdag pa ni Dr. Maria Cerezon, AIDSI Program Coordinator, hangad ng mga bisitang Sri Lankan na makapagtipon ng mga magagandang kabatirang maaari nilang gayahin at ipatupad sa kanilang bansa patungkol sa nutrition program ng Batangas Province, na kamakailan lamang ay nagawaran ng Department of Health at National Nutrition Council bilang Lalawigan kung Saan may Pinakamababang Malnutrisyon at Best Performing Province sa buong CALABARZON para sa taong 2014. | VINCE ALTAR

Sri Lankan Nutrition Study Tour. Tinanggap ni Chief of Staff at Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Pedrito Martin Dijan, Jr. ang Plaque of Appreciation mula kay Ginoong Kirupairasah Gowriswaran ng United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Sri Lanka, na nanguna sa delegasyon ng regional at district health and planning officials mula sa Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka na bumisita sa Batangas para alamin ang best practices patungkol sa matagumpay na paglaban sa malnutrisyon ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas, Setyembre 9, sa People’s Mansion sa Kapitolyo, Lunsod Batangas.| VINCE ALTAR/ROMEO AGUDA