Vol. XIX, No. 13 - March 31 - April 6, 2014

>>Best performing police stations awarded

> News. ...P/4

Vol. 19, No. 13 | March 31 - April 6, 2014 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com Telephone: (043) 417.1662 Smart/TNT: 0912.902.7373 Globe/TM: 0917.512.9477 Php 12.00/copy

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Donasyong punla, sapat bang pamalit-pinsala?

UMABOT sa kabuuang 479 na iba’t ibang uri ng malalaki ng punong kahoy ang pinutol ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa kahabaan ng Balagtas-Bolbok Diversion Road upang bigyang-daan ang pagpapaluwang ng naturang highway.

Ayon sa Notice to the Public na ipinaskil ng kagawaran sa isang bahagi ng naturang highway, Nobyembre 19 ng nakalipas na taon pa umano nang mag-isyu ng clearance si Executive Director Reynulfo A. Juan ng DENR-Calabarzon, pabor sa DPWH-2nd Engineering District na kinakatawan ni Engr.

Carlito C. Jose, para sa pagpuputol ng mga naturang punongkahoy.

Nakasaad din sa naturang patalastas na ang naturang 479 na puno ay nahahati sa sumusunod: 151 puno ng alibangbang, 72 banaba, 52 mahogany, at 204 na caballero o firetrees. Ito’y may kabuuang 20.93 cubic meters.

Ayon pa sa anunsyo, kailangang palitan ng DPWH ang mga pinutol na puno ng kabuuang 23,950 punta alinsunod sa DENR Memorandum Order No. 2002-02-Section 2.2 na may petsang Nobyembre 5, 2012 ni DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje na tinatawan na “Uniform replacement for Cut or Relocated Trees.”

Kaugnay nito, nagpalabas din naman ng anunsyo si Community Environment and Natural Re-sources Officer (CENRO) Laudemir S. Salac na nagsasabing nai-donate na umano ng DPWH ang 23,950 punla sa CENRO-Batangas City.|

LOGS EVERYWHERE. Nagkalat ang mga putol na punongkahoy sa kahabaan ng Diversion Road.|

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Operasyon ng SCCI, sinuspinde ng LTFRB 2 bata, nalunod sa Lawa ng Taal TULUYAN nang sinuspinde ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) noong Huwebes ang prangkisa ng Southern Carrier Company Inc. (SCCI) matapos madiskobreng patuloy na nag-oopereyt ang kumpanya sa gamit ang expired nitong prangkisa simula pa noong taong 2008.

Integrity

Ayon pa sa ahensya, ang naturang prangkisa ng SCCI na makapagbiyahe ng 23 bus sa rutang Batangas-Manila ay nag-expired noon pang Agosto 2008 ngunit nagpatuloy ang operasyon nito bunsod ng nakabimbing aplikasyon nito para sa extension ng napasong prangkisa.

Mulas a noon ay Balik Kalikasan, at ngayo’y maging Pahayagang Balikas

>>>BUS... sundan sa P/2

>>>FLASH BACK... basahin sa P/3

>>>NEWS... sundan sa P/2 .................................................................................................

Pagtugon sa sakuna at kalamidad p. 2 On Mindanao power sa lunsod, patuloy na pinalalakas .......................................................................................................................

Environment Response Team p. 5 p. 7 p. 6 binuo sa provincial eco summit

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NEWS

Balikas

March 31 - April 6, 2014

Pagtugon sa sakuna at kalamidad sa lunsod, patuloy na pinalalakas Ang mga ito aniya ang siyang magiging first responder kung sakaling mayroong sakuna na mangyayari sa isang lugar sa layuning mabawasan ang pagkawala ng buhay at ari- arian.

Pinangunahan naman ni Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha ang paggagawad ng sertipiko pagkatapos ng flag ceremony ng mga kawani ng pamahalaang lunsod sa Amphitheater ng Plaza Mabini, Marso 17.

Samantala, sa paggunita ng Fire Prevention Month ngayon Marso, patuloy ang koordinasyon ng CDRRMO sa Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Batangas City sa pagsasagawa ng information education campaign sa mga barangay kagaya ng fire drill at pagtuturo ng paraan ng paggamit ng fire extinguishers.

Patuloy rin ang kanilang training sa mga coastal barangay sa instalasyon ng mga early warning system bilang paghahanda sa pagdating ng anumang kalamidad.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

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BATANGAS CITY -- Patuloy pang pinalalakas ng pamahalaang lunsod ng Batangas ang kahandaan nito sa pagtugon sa iba’t ibang sakuna gaya ng sunog at mga kalamidad sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulong ng iba’t ibang pagsasanay.

Kamakailan lamang, may 13 kawani ng ilang mga ahensyang lokal at nasyonal at volunteers ang nakatapos sa pitong araw na Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training kamakailan sa barangay Sta. Clara.

Ang nasabing pagsasanay ay pinangasiwaan ng Philippine Coastguard sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) at ng Composite Team na bahagi ng Batangas City Disaster Preparedness Program.

Ayon kay CDRRM Chief Rod Dela Roca, “13 lamang mula sa 40 nagsanay ang nakatapos sa nasabing training sapagkat pinatindi at ini-upgrade ang module ng isinagawang pagsasanay.”

PARTNERSYIP PARA SA KALIGTASAN. Lumagda sa isang kasunduan sina City Fire Marshall Rommel Tradio, City DILG Officer Amor San Gabriel, DILG Reg’l Director Josefina Castilla-Go, PSFI Program Manager Jay Javier, DepEd Supervisor Generiego Javier and PSPC Communications and Perfomance Manager Cesar Abaricia para 3rd Junior Fire Marshall Camp, Marso 29.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

.............................................................................................. <<<BUS...mula sa P/1

Operasyon ng SCCI, sinuspinde ng LTFRB

Ayon kay LTFRB chairman Atty Winston Ginez, hindi naman KAHANDAAN. ILAN lamang ito sa mga kawani ng ilang mga ahensyang lokal at nasyonal at volunteers na nakatapos maituturing na kolorum ang SCCI sa pitong araw na Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Training kamakailan na pinanngasiwaan ng pamahalaang lunsod sapagkat sa ilalim ng umiiral na sa barangay Sta. Clara.| ..................................................................................................................................................... panuntunan ng LTFRB, maaari pa ring bumiyahe ang mga bus nito dahil may nakahain itong aplikasyon para sa ekstensyon, dangan nga lamang at nakabimbin pa ito.

SAN NICOLAS, Batangas — rin ng mga rescuer ang kumulang sa sampung katao “Under our existing rules, a bus Dalawang bata ang nalunod isang nawawalang pasahero na bandang 7:40 p.m. noong Sabado. firm is still authorized to operate its matapos tumaob ang isang nakilalang si Lorenzo De Villa, Jr. Ang bangka ay mabilis na franchise if it has a pending Sina Medina at Ramos ay tumatakbo sa kahabaan ng lawa. bangkang de motor sa Taal Lake. application for extension of validity Kinilala ni Senior Insp. Ernesto dineklarang dead on arrival sa Sinabi pa sa report na ang filed before its franchise expires,” Chavez, hepe ng pulisya ng nasabing Batangas Regional Hospital sa bangka ay galing sa bayan ng Balete pahayag pa ni Ginez. bayan, ang mga nasawi na sina Lemery, Batangas. at patungo sa Bgy. Alas-as sa bayan Bagaman at ang aksidenteng Batay sa paunang ulat, lumubog ng San Nicolas nang ito ay biglang kiansangkutan ng SCCI sa South Joseph Medina, 2 at Krizza Marie ang bangkang de motor tumagilid at tuluyang tumaob.| Ramos, 4.

Luzon Expressway noong Lunes ay Kasalukuyang pinaghahanap pa na naglalaman umano ng humigitBALIKAS NEWS TEAM kauna-unahan sa kasaysayan ng .............................................................................................................................................. kumpanya, nagdesisyon ang ahensya na suspindehin ang operasyon nito dahil nagiging panakip-butas na lamang ng kumna humantong sa pagbaril ng suspek SAN Pascual, Batan-gas – Isang 61- mula kay PO1 Dorotea Esguerra ng panya ang napendihong aplikasyon taong gulang na lalaking pina- Bauan Police Station kaugnay ng sa braso ng biktima.

Narekober ng pulisya ang nito. niniwalaang sangkot sa isang pagkakadakip sa suspek sa umano’y “Our direction is to revoke this shooting incident sa bayang ito ang barilan sa Brgy. Sambat, bandang ginamit na armas ng suspek, policy but we have to resolve first inaresto ng mga tauhan ng Bauan alas-7:20 ng gabi noong Marso kasama ang four live ammunition the pending applications before at ang basiyo ng ipinutok na bala.

PNP dahil umanosa pagwawala nito 27. adopting a major policy shift. Under Kaagad namang naisugod sa nitong nakalipas na Huwebes.

Ayon pa kay San Pascual OIC our new policy, ýoperators cannot Dr. Mario Bejasa Hospital sa bayan Kinilala ni Batangas police police chief Senior Insp. Manuel R. ply their routes anymore if the director Senior Supt. Omega Jireh Maligaya, nasa impluwensiya ng ng Bauan ang biktima para sa extension of their franchise validity Deocares Fidel ang inarestong si alak at nanggugulo sa nasabing karampatang lunas sa ilalim ni Dr. is not granted before the expiration Manolo Dolor.

Eligio Leviste Linatoc, 61, may- lugar ang suspek nang arestuhin. date,” dagdag pa ni Ginez.

Kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang asawa, walang trabaho, tubong Bgy. Nabatid pa kay Maligaya na Kaugnayn nito, ipinag-utos ng Dagatan, Lipa City at kasalukuyang armado ang suspek ng isang itak at karagdagamng imbestogasyon ukol ahensya sa SCCI na isurender ang samantalang yellow plates ng 23 bus nito at itigil naninirahan sa Brgy. Sambat, sakop home-made revolver Magnum 22 sa insidente ng bayang ito. nang kumprontahin nito ang isang inihahanda naman ang kaukulang muna ang operasyon ng rutang Sa ulat ng San Pascual PNP, Rizalino Caringal Agbay, drayber at kaso laban sa suspek.| Batangas-Manila, ngunit magpaBALIKAS NEWS TEAM patuloy anman ang operasyon ng nakatanggap umano ng tawag sa residente ng nasabing lugar. telepono ang naturang kwerpo ng Kalaunan, nagtalo ang dalawa 30 bus nito para sa rutang Caticlan-

Bangka tumaob sa Taal Lake, 2 bata nalunod

Suspek sa pamamaril, nahuli ng pulisya

Cubao.

Matatandaang sugatang isinugod sa magkahiwalay na pagamutan ang may 45 pasahero ng Southern Carrier Bus makaraang aksidenteng tumagilid, at magpaikot-ikot ng pahiga sa kahabaan ng South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) sakop ng Mamplasan, Lunsod ng Sta. Rosa, Laguna, nitong nakalipas na linggo.

Sa ulat ng pulisya, dakong alas6:30 ng umaga ay patungo ang nasabing bus na may plakang PWW 535 at minamaneho ni Sulpicio Malabanan mula sa Lipa City, Batangas patungong Pasay City nang hindi inaasahang mawala ito ng giya matapos matanggal ang huling gulong nito.

Doon mismo sa lugar ng pinangyarihan naipit ang maraming sasakyan patungo ng Maynila.

Nakatakdang sampahan ng kaukulang kaso si Malabanan habang patuloy na sumasailalim pa rin ito sa masusing imbestigasyon.

Samantala, nag-atas na si Atty.

Emiliano Bantog Jr., officer-incharge ng Land Transportation Office, ng parallel investigation sa nasabing sakuna kung saan isa umanong pasahero ang naputulan ng isang kamay.

Nasa kustodiya na ng PNPHighway Patrol Group ang bus conductor na si Lloyd Martin Supillo.

Ang SCCI ay kapatid na kumpanya ng RRCG Bus Transport na may ruta ding Batangas-Manila.|

FLASH BACK

Ronalina B. Lontoc-Elarmo, Speacial projects Editor March 31 - April 6, 2014

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Mula sa noon ay Balik Kalikasan...

ULA sa kampanya laban sa iligal na pagkaquarry sa Sariaya, Quezon ng magkapatid na Malou Babilonia at David Pollard noong taong 1995, isinilang ang Babilonia Wilner Foundation (BWF). Bunsod ng hangarin at panawagang â&#x20AC;&#x153;pagpapanumbalik ng paggalang sa daigdig at sa buhayâ&#x20AC;?, inilabas noong Marso 1996 ang unang isyu ng pahayagang Balik Kalikasan bilang opisyal na pahayagan ng organisasyon.

Sa bayan ng Mauban, Quezon unang ipinamahagi ang pahayagan sa pakikipagtulungan sa lokal na

M

THROUGH THE YEARS. Ilan sa mga naging isyu labas ng Pahayagang Balikas...

maka-kalikasang samahan na Crusade for Sustainable Environment (CSE).

Ang mainit na usapin tungkol sa planong pagtatayo ng mapanganib at mapanirang coal-fired power plant sa Mauban ang tinalakay ng BK sa kauna-unahan nitong editoryal. Mga lokal at pambansang usapin na may kinalaman sa buhay ng mga taga

Mauban ang naging laman ng BK kasama ang ilang mga lathalain at kontribusyon ng mga tagaroon.

Bilang pagtugon sa kahilingan ng mga tagaTagkawayan, Quezon, sinimulang ipamahagi rin dito ang BK isang buwan lamang matapos itong mailunsad sa Mauban.

Naging mainit ang pagtanggap ng mga mamamayan sa BK pati na sa proyektong seedling bank ng BWF sa mga bayang ito.

Sa paglipas ng mga taon, lumawakang sirkulasyon ng BK sa halos buong probinsya ng Quezon at nakilala bilang matapang at makatotohanang pahayagang pangkalikasan. Ito ay UNANG LABAS. Ito ang itsura ng kauna-unahang isyu kasabay ng mga pagba- ng noon ay Balik-Kalikasan.....| bago at paglago ngBWF na nakarating pa sa mga pampamahalaan nagtayo ng mga tanggapan sa at di-pampamahalaang tanggapan sa Lucena, Tagkawayan at Estados Maynila, mga komunidad sa Rizal, Unidos bilang karagdagan sa Cavite, Laguna at Batangas. tanggapan nito sa Maynila. >>>BALIK-TANAW... sundan sa P/5 Ang libreng pahayagang BK ay

at ngayoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y maging

PAHAYAGANG

Balikas

4

NEWS

Balikas

March 31 - April 6, 2014

Best performing police stations awarded THE Batangas Provincial Police Office under the leadership of PSSupt. Omega Jireh D. Fidel, provincial director, stationed at Camp Miguel Malvar here has awarded the deserving stations and officers during the traditional flag raising ceremony With Fidel in the ceremony was Atty. Jacqueline de Guia OIC, HRAO PRO 4A who also served as the guest of honor and speaker during said activity.

A command conference followed shortly after the program wherein the BPPO showcased its accomplishments on its campaign against loose firearms for the 1st Quarter of CY 2014. A total of 88 (88) loose firearms were confiscated and a total of eighty-six (86) persons were arrested.

The list of those awarded include: 1) Lipa City Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing City Police Station” in the campaign against Loose Firearm and in the implementation of Focused Police Operations (Campaign Against Wanted Person, Service of SW and Campaign Against Illegal Gambling) under the leadership of PSupt Jacinto

Rodriguez Malinao, Jr.; Sto. Tomas Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “A” Municipal Police Station” in the campaign against Loose Firearm and in the implementation of Focused Police Operations (Campaign Against Wanted Person, Service of SW and Campaign Against Illegal Gambling) under the leadership of PSupt Barnard Danie V. Dasugo; Calaca Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “B” Municipal Police Station” in the campaign against Illegal Drugs and in the implementation of Focused Police Operations (Campaign Against Wanted Person, Service of SW and Campaign Against Illegal Gambling) under the leadership of PSInsp Jose Ostonal Naparato Jr.; Taal Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “C” Municipal Police Station” in the implementation of Focused Police Operations (Campaign Against Wanted Person, Service of SW and Campaign Against Illegal Gambling) under the leadership of PSInsp Allan Avena de Castro;

Balayan Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “B” Municipal Police Station” in the campaign against Loose Firearm under the leadership of PSInsp Ronnie Espeso Golfo; Talisay Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “C” Municipal Police Station” in the campaign against Loose Firearm under the leadership of PSInsp Dwight F. Fonte; Batangas City Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing City Police Station” in the campaign against Illegal Drugs under the leadership PSupt. manuel De Castro Castillo; Bauan Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “A” Municipal Station” in the campaign against Illegal Drugs under the leadership of PCInsp telesforo Gutierrez Domingo III; and Lian Municipal Police Station for having been adjudged as “Best Performing Class “C” Municipal Station” in the campaign against Illegal Drugs under the leadership of PSInsp John Ganit Retallan.|

PSSUPT OMEGA JIREH D. FIDEL, Provincial Director together with his staff while going-over the confiscated firearms displayed in front desk of this Office.

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Manansala, kinilalang ulirang DCC worker TINANGHAL na 2013 Most Outstanding Day Care Worker sa lalawigan ng Batangas si Criselda A. Manansala ng barangay Bucal, Batangas City.

Siya ay 49 taong gulang at may 27 taon nang day care worker ng City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD).

Mula sa 112 day care workers sa lungsod, si Manansala ang kinatawan ng Batangas City sa patimpalak. Humigit-kumulang naman sa sampu silang naglaban-laban sa titulo.

Ayon kay Manansala, itinuturing niya na malaking factor sa pagkakapili sa kanya ay ang kanyang dedikasyon sa trabaho, tagal sa serbisyo, mga pagsasanay na kanyang isinagawa at dinaluhan at ang accreditation ng kanilang daycare center na nabigyan ng highly satisfactory rating ng Regional Office.

Siya ay nagkamit ng P20,000 na cash prize at plaque of recognition.

Idinagdag pa niya na kalahati ng kanyang premyo ay ipagkakaloob niya bilang pondo ng Bucal Daycare Center upang maisakatuparan ang planong pagbili ng airconditioning unit para dito.

Ang naturang patimpalak ay taun-taong isinasagawa ng

Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) kung saan pumipili sila ng pinakamahusay na daycare worker mula sa ibat-ibang lungsod at munisipalidad ng apat na distrito ng Batangas.

Ang evaluation at validation ay ginanap mula Agosto hanggang Disyembre noong nakaraang taon kung saan siila ay binisita at nagsumite ng dokumentasyon at ibat-ibang requirements.

Ang Bucal Day care Center ay may backyard gardening, medicinal garden at sariling stage.

Ito ang ikalawang pagkakataon na kinatawan ng lungsod ang nagwagi sa kompetisyon. Magugunita na ang nanalong 2012 Outstanding Daycare Worker si Gemma Frane mula sa Brgy. Sico.

Lubos ang pasasalamat ni Manansala sa karangalang kanyang natamo sa Panginoon at sa suportang ipinagkaloob ni CSWD Chief Mila Espanola gayundin ng kanyang mga kapwa day care worker, ang kanyang pamilya at maging sa mga magulang ng mga daycare children.

Payo ni Manansala sa ibang day care worker na naghahangad din na maging outstanding tulad niya na ibigay ang buong puso at pagbutihin ang kanilang trabaho.

RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

Galing ng Batangueño! The Provincial Government of Batangas, led

by Gov. Vilma Santos Recto and Vice Gov. Mark honored Atty. Rudy Ortea of the University of Batangas, who placed 3rd in the 2013 Bar examinations, and “Batangueña Phenom” Alyssa Valdez of the Ateneo de Manila University, who led the Lady Eagles to the Season 76 UAAP women’s volleyball championship, last March 27, 2014 at the provincial capitol.| LOUIE HERNANDEZ

Bar Top 3 Ortea, UAAP MVP Valdez honored at the Batangas capitol THE Provincial Government of Batangas, led by Gov. Vilma Santos Recto, honored two champion Batangueños, Atty. Rudy Ortea of the University of Batangas, who placed 3 rd in the 2013 Bar examinations, and Alyssa Valdez of the Ateneo de Manila University, who led the Lady Eagles to the Season 76 UAAP women’s volleyball championship, last March 27, 2014 at the provincial capitol.

Atty. Ortea, who hails from Natunuan, San Jose, also topped the Criminology board exams in 2008.

In the 2013 Bar exams, he got 84.2 percent and became the highest scoring Bar passer in UB history.

Ortea attributes his success to his father, Romeo Ortea, who raised his family by working as a tricycle driver. He said that he learned hard work and patience from his father, while his mother pushed them always to be the best.

The Queen Blue Eagle Valdez, meanwhile, guided a young and rebuilding team of mostly rookies to an unexpected title over the fourpeat seeking De La Salle Lady Spikers

in the recently concluded UAAP volleyball season.

The San Juan, Batangas native, dubbed the Batangueña Phenom, also won the season and finals Most Valuable Player awards, Best Scorer and Best Server. Guided by their new but charismatic Thai coach, Anusorn Bundit, the “heart strong” Ateneans took home the school’s very first volleyball crown.

The governor expressed her pride for these achievements that again showcased the alents and intellect of Batangueños. She hopes that they will serve as inspiration to the province’s youth.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, led by Vice Gov. Mark Leviste and Board Member Kathleen Briones, also presented Plaques of Recognition to their two distinguished province mates.

Ortea was accompanied by his family and UB school officials, while Valdez was with her parents, relatives and some Lady Eagle teammates, including super rookies Jia Morado and Mich Morente.

VINCE ALTAR

Mt. Banahaw restrictions still enforced, may be extended indefinitely — DENR exec DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Reynulfo Juan (right) and chair of the Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape-Protected Area Management Board (MBSCPL-PAMB) confers the protected landscapes multi-agency task force following the grassfires that gutted some 50 hectares of the mystical mountain’s summit. Also in photo are Commodore Rosauro Arnel Gonzales (left) of the Office of Civil Defense Calabarzon, Lt. Col. Sharon Gernale (2nd from left) Camp Nakar Ground Commander, Protected Area Superintendent Salud Pangan and the assessment team of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), DENR Quezon, Quezon LGU and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM)Philippine Air Force (PAF). (PNA Hand-out photo by DENR Regional Public Affairs Office)

NEWS

March 31 - April 6, 2014

Peace & Order Update Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

Solcom, Sagip Kapamilya lead school groundbreaking rites CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, LUCENA CITY – As a sign of continuing partnership between Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., a groundbreaking ceremony of one unit two-classroom school building was held recently at Platon Elementary School, San Pablo City.

Present during the event were Solcom Commander, Lt Gen Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo AFP; Ms. Tina Monzon Palma, Head of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya; Hon. Sol Aragones, Representative, 3rd District of Laguna; Ltc William I. Ilagan CE (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer, 564th Engineering Construction Battalion; Hon. Loreto S. Amante, San Pablo City Mayor; and Mrs. Susan DL. Oribiana, School’s Division Superintendent.

The said school building is the sixth to be constructed since the birth of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Projects in Calabarzon in partnership with SOLCOM in 2012. The construction is expected to be finished within 30 working days. Said project has been tapping the Army Engineers, Infantry units deployed in rural areas and civilians in constructing school edifices in depressed and far-flung barangays.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Ordoyo expressed his gratitude to the Sagip Kapamilya for their continuing support to the multifarious activities of the command.

“It has been the desire of our armed forces to find ways for the educational welfare of our youth. One of the objectives of IPSP Bayanihan is Investing in education which is also one way of addressing other socioeconomic challenges that trigger conflict. Mahalaga na ang bawat kabataan ay magkaroon ng sapat na kaalaman upang maging katuwang sila sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa sa halip na maging suliranin ng ating lipunan.

This is Bayanihan in action para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan”, he said.|

SOLCOM Commander Lt. Gen Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo AFP and Ms. Tina Monzon Palma break ground for one unit two-classroom school building at Platon Elementary School Building, San Pablo City.|

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Farmer hacks another farmer on a shoulder TAYSAN, Batangas -- A married man was hacked on his shoulder by a

villager at Sitio Ligtasin, Brgy Pinagbayanan, this town, recently.

Police investigators identified the victim as Ruel Escovilla y Gutierrez, 24 years old, married, farmer, and resident of the same place.

Upon receiving of a telephone call from the Maderazo Hospital in Taysan town, police elements proceeded to the above mentioned hospital to conduct investigation and found out that based on the victim’s account, the incident took place at around 4:00 PM of March 27, 2014 at said place, when the suspect asked him, “anong oras na”, after which, without any apparent reason he was hacked on his left shoulder by the suspect with the used of bolo (kawit/itak).

Investigators identified the suspect as one Joseph Daot y Mandigma, 29 years old, married, farmer, and resident of the same place who after the incident, fled on foot towards unknown direction together with the weapon used.

The victim who was previously brought at Maderazo Hospital, Rosario, Batangas for medical treatment will be transferred at Mary Mediatrix Medical Center in Lipa City for further medication.| ANDY VILLANUEVA

Balikas

5

Environment Response Team binuo sa provincial eco summit PORMAL na nilagdaan ni Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto ang Executive Order 2011-12 na pormal na nagtatatag ng Batangas Environmental Response Team (BERT) sa isinagawang Batangas Environmental Summit 2014, Marso 26.

Layunin ng BERT ang paghihikayat ng mga stakeholders na direktang pakinabang sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan na maigting na ipatupad ang environment compliance sa lalawigan ganun din ang pagpapatupad ng batas kalikasan at pagtugon sa mga isyu na may kinalaman dito.

Hangad din nito na palakasin ang kolaborasyon at pagpapalakas ng ugnayan ng mga munisipalidad partikular yaong mga nasa bay-

bayin ng lalawigan.

Simula noong pagkakatatag nito, isinagawa ang mga serye ng pagpupulong na nauwi sa pagkakabuo ng Operation Plan na isasagawa ng Environmental Response Team.

Ngayong taong ito sa pagpapaganap ng Batangas Environmental Summit, binuo sa loob ng 3 araw na maigting na pagpupulong na kasama ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, mga administrador at mga teknikal na mga tauhan mula sa ibat ibang organisyon na may kinalaman sa pangalalaga ng karagatan at kalikasan na kinabibilangan ng NGO’s, Business Communities at Government Agencies.

Tampok sa Batangas Environmental Summit ang paglagda ng

mga Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan g PEMSEA at Academe kasunod ang paglagda ng Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan naman BFAR at ng ECOFISH Project.

Ang paglagda ay sinaksihan ni Governor Vi at ng mga kinatawan at mga opisyal ng PEMSEA na pinamunuan ni Stephen Adrian Ross, Mr. Geronimo T. Silvestre ng ECOFISH at mga kinatawan ng De La Salle Lipa president Bro. Joaquin S. Martinez; Dra. Nora Magnaye ng Batangas State University, Board Member Dexter Buted ng Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityBatangas, Dr. Florencio Reyes ng University of Batangas at Dir. Esmeralda Paz Manalang ng BFAR.| EDWIN V. ZABARTE

Ang Mabuting Balita Ang Pagkamatay ni Lazaro SA bayan ng Bethania ay may isang taong nagkasakit.

Siya si Lazaro na kapatid nina Marta at Maria. Si Maria ang nagbuhos ng pabango sa paa ng Panginoon at pagkatapos ay pinunasan iyon ng kanyang buhok. Dahil may sakit si Lazaro, nagpasabi kay Jesus ang magkapatid, Panginoon, ang minamahal ninyong kaibigan ay may sakit.

Nang marinig ito ni Jesus ay sinabi niya, Hindi niya ikamamatay ang sakit na ito. Nangyari iyon upang maparangalan ang Diyos at sa pamamagitan nito'y maparangalan ang Anak ng Diyos.

Mahal ni Jesus ang magkakapatid na Marta, Maria at Lazaro. Gayunman, nagpalipas pa siya doon ng dalawang araw mula nang mabalitaang may sakit si Lazaro.

Pagkatapos nito, sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, Magbalik tayo sa Judea.

Sumagot ang mga alagad, Guro, hindi po ba't kamakailan lamang ay pinagtangkaan kayong batuhin ng mga pinuno ng mga Judio? Bakit pupunta na naman kayo doon?

Sinabi ni Jesus, Hindi ba't may labindalawang oras sa maghapon? Hindi matitisod ang lumalakad kung umaga sapagkat nakikita niya ang nagbibigay-liwanag sa daigdig na ito. Subalit natitisod ang lumalakad kung gabi sapagkat wala na siyang liwanag. Idinugtong pa ni Jesus, Natutulog ang kaibigan nating si Lazaro. Pupunta ako upang gisingin siya.

Panginoon, kung natutulog lang po siya ay gagaling siya, sagot ng mga alagad.

Ang ibig sabihin ni Jesus ay patay na si Lazaro, ngunit ang akala ng mga alagad ay talagang natutulog lamang ito. Dahil dito'y tuwirang sinabi ni Jesus, Patay na si Lazaro; ngunit ako'y nagagalak dahil wala ako roon upang kayo'y sumampalataya sa akin. Tayo na, puntahan natin siya.

Niyaya ni Tomas, na tinatawag na Kambal, ang kanyang mga kasama, Sumama tayo sa Guro, mamamatay tayong kasama niya.

Si Jesus ang Muling Pagkabuhay at Buhay Pagdating ni Jesus, nalaman niyang apat na araw nang nakalibing si Lazaro. May tatlong kilometro lamang ang layo ng Jerusalem sa Bethania, kaya't maraming tagaJerusalem ang dumalaw kina Marta at Maria upang makiramay sa pagkamatay ng kanilang kapatid.

Nang mabalitaan ni Marta na dumarating si Jesus, sinalubong niya ito, ngunit si Maria nama'y naiwan sa bahay. Sinabi ni Marta, Panginoon, kung kayo po ay narito, buhay pa sana ang kapatid ko. Subalit nalalaman kong kahit ngayo'y ipagkakaloob sa inyo ng Diyos ang

anumang hingin ninyo sa kanya.

Muling mabubuhay ang iyong kapatid, sabi ni Jesus.

Sumagot si Marta, Nalalaman ko pong siya'y mabubuhay muli sa huling araw.

Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, Ako ang nagbibigay-buhay at muling pagkabuhay. Ang sinumang sumasampalataya sa akin, kahit mamatay ay muling mabubuhay; at sinumang nabubuhay at sumasampalataya sa akin ay hindi mamamatay kailanman. Naniniwala ka ba sa sinabi ko?

Sumagot siya, Opo, Panginoon! Sumasampalataya po ako sa inyo at naniniwalang kayo nga ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na paparito sa daigdig.

Tumangis si Jesus Pagkasabi nito, umuwi si Marta. Tinawag niya si Maria at binulungan, Naririto na ang Guro at ipinapatawag ka.

Pagkarinig nito'y nagmadaling tumayo si Maria upang salubungin si Jesus. Wala pa si Jesus sa nayon; naroon pa lamang siya sa lugar kung saan siya sinalubong ni Marta. Nang makitang si Maria'y nagmamadaling tumayo at lumabas, sinundan siya ng mga Judiong nakikiramay sa kanila. Akala nila'y pupunta siya sa libingan upang umiyak.

Pagdating ni Maria sa kinaroroonan ni Jesus, nagpatirapa siya sa paanan nito at nagsabi, Panginoon, kung narito po lamang kayo, hindi sana namatay ang aking kapatid.

Nahabag si Jesus at nabagbag ang kanyang kalooban nang makita niyang umiiyak si Maria, pati ang mga Judiong kasama nito. Saan ninyo siya inilibing? tanong ni Jesus.

Muling Binuhay si Lazaro Muling nabagbag ang kalooban ni Jesus pagdating sa libingan. Ang pinaglibingan kay Lazaro ay isang yungib na natatakpan ng malaking bato. Alisin ninyo ang bato, utos ni Jesus.

Ngunit sumagot si Marta, Panginoon, nangangamoy na po siya ngayon; apat na araw na siyang patay.

Sinabi ni Jesus, Hindi ba't sinabi ko sa iyo na kung sasampalataya ka sa akin ay makikita mo ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos? Kaya't inalis nila ang bato. Tumingala si Jesus sa langit at sinabi, Ama, nagpapasalamat ako sa iyo sapagkat dinirinig mo ako, at alam kong lagi mo akong diringgin. Ngunit sinasabi ko ito dahil sa mga taong naririto, upang maniwala silang ikaw ang nagsugo sa akin. Pagkasabi nito ay sumigaw siya, Lazaro, lumabas ka! Lumabas nga si Lazaro na nababalot ng telang panlibing ang mga kamay at paa; may nakatakip ring tela sa mukha. Inutos ni Jesus sa kanila, Kalagan ninyo siya at nang makalaya.|

<<<BALIK-TANAW....mula sa P/3

Mula sa noon ay Balik Kalikasan... at ngayo’y maging Pahayagang Balikas Ang dating buwanang isyu ng BK ay naging dalawang beses isang buwan at patuloy na nagsulong ng mga usaping pangkalikasan ng mga mamamayan. Ilan sa mga pinaka-makasaysayan at makabuluhang usapin na tinalakay, sinubaybayan at napagtagumpayan nito ang ginawang pagsagip sa mga pawikan ng mga mamamayansa Tagkawayan at Mauban, pagpapatigil sa lokal na sangay ng DENR na magtanim ng banyagang uri ng kahoy sa parke ng Atoimonan, at matagumpay na kampanya ng mga taga-Tagkawayan laban sa pagtatayo ng tambakan ng basura doon.

Enero 18, 2002 - napalitan ang pangalang Balik Kalikasan sa ngayon ay “Balikas”.

Makalipas ang 13 taon, inilipat ang pagmamay-ari ng Balikas kay Sherlyn Umali Lingon, isang kawani ng Pusod, Inc./Tanggol Kalikasan noong Marso 2009.

Noon namang Marso 2011, muling bumalik ang pagmamay-ari ng Pahayagang Balikas sa isang non-government organization (NGO), ang Batangas League for Alternative Development and Services (BLADES), Inc. Ngunit ang BLADES ay hindi lamang

nakatutok sa paglalathala ng Pahayagang Balikas, manapa’y sa iba pang gawaing sibiko. Kung kaya’t nitong Enero 2014 ay nilikha at sumibol ang Pahayagang Balikas, Inc., isang korporasyong nakatutok lamang sa paglilimbag ng pahayagang hawak mo ngayon, at ng iba pang publikasyon na maaring isilang sa hinaharap.

Sa loob ng labing-walong (18) taon ng pamamahayag ng Pahayagang Balikas, ipinagkakapuri nito na walang patlang itong nakapaglathala, palaging nasa oras at higit sa lahat tinaguriang isa sa iilang pahayagan sa bansa na may

“community-based reporting”. Ito rin ang nag-iisang pahayagan sa Lalawigan ng Batangas na kasapi ng prestihiyosong Philippine Press Institute (PPI) na kilala rin sa tawag na National Association of Newspapers.

Nabago man ang mga may-ari, nabago man ang sukat ng papel, at maginga ng kabuuang mukha ng pahayagang ito, mananatili pa ring buhay ang pilosopiyang nasa likod ng bawat labas o isyu ng Pahayagang Balikas -“Sharing Good News... Bridging Communities... Towards Development.”|

Balikas Growth figures: Reasons for optimism and pessimism 6

OPINION

March 31 - April 6, 2014

By BENJIE OLIVEROS THERE seems to be a lot of reasons for optimism on the part of the Aquino government about the Philippine economic outlook for 2014.

1. The Philippine economy grew by 7.2 percent last year, despite the devastation caused by supertyphoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) and the Bohol earthquake.

2. Imports increased by 21.8 percent to $5.757 billion in January2014 compared to January 2103. Causing much optimism is the increase in imports of raw materials for the production of electronic components and garments, steel, metal and chemical products.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) sees this as an indication that an increase in the exports of electronic components and garments would soon follow in the coming months.

Also, the NEDA believes that the increase in imports of the latter – steel, metal and chemical products– indicate that the boom in construction, a major contributor the GDP growth last year, would continue. To further spur infrastructure construction is the rebuilding of areas devastated by supertyphoon Haiyan.

3. Exports also grew by 9.3 percent in January (also compared to the same period last year). Leading the growth in exports are electronic components and products with total receipts of $1.793 billion for a 22.1 percent increase. Other exports of semi-manufactures earned $600.25 million, up by 99.5 percent. This, according to the NEDA, made up for the reduction in export earnings from traditional exports such as agricultural raw materials, minerals, forest products (logging) and petroleum.

However, these rosy economic indicators could also be a cause for pessimism.

1. The increase in imports also resulted in an increase in the country’s trade deficit to $1.376 billion in January, up 92 percent from the same period in 2013. One could see the reason why with the above figures: imports grew faster, with a 21.8 percent increase, than exports, with a 9.3 percent increase. The actual figures are even more staggering: total imports amounting to $ 5.757 billion vs. export earnings of $1.793 billion. This is the problem with the country’s trade position: to be able to produce and export more low value-added electronic components and products (because the country merely puts these components together and not actually manufacture them), the country has to import more high value capital goods and raw materials. Add to this the fact that the bulk of the country’s exports are produced by multinational companies and their subsidiaries, which could freely repatriate their profits and practice transfer-pricing (the overvaluation of imports from mother companies to siphon back profits).

This is why remittances of overseas Filipinos and deployed overseas Filipino workers contribute more to the country’s dollar earnings and foreign exchange reserves than exports. And the country’s dollar reserves are essential to the stability of the value of the Philippine peso. Moreover, with the worsening unemployment situation, remittances are the main fuel of domestic consumption. Who do you think is the main target market of the numerous condominiums being constructed around the metropolis?

2. The economic outlook in the country’s main export destinations is grim. Japan accounted for 26.3 percent or $1.150 billion of the country’s export earnings; the US is second at 13.8 percent, valued at $605.43 million.

All the others registered single digit percentages such as China 9.9 percent, Singapore 8.8 percent, Hong Kong 7.5 percent, among others.

Japan has been pump priming its economy since the late1980s. The result is that public debt grew to $10.46 trillion in 2013. According to an

>>>PERSPECTIVE..turn to P/9

CBCP online

perspective

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

Integrity THE case of PMA Cadet Jeff Aldrin Cudia has hit the headlines for some time. An appeal for public sentiments has been made on his behalf by his relatives in the social media. Cudia was depicted in the public as a victim of institutional arrogance and cruelty.

Student discipline is one of the aspects of academic freedom. Educational institutions enjoy the prerogative to determine who should be admitted to study and whether to retain a student who committed grave violations of their norms. While educational institutions perform important public functions, academic freedom is a matter internal to these institutions. The lack or too much of it does not have direct bearing on public affairs.

Under existing rules and regulations, a higher learning institution, whether public or private, may impose the penalties of suspension, non-readmission, exclusion and expulsion to students who committed grave violations of its policies. The Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education provides that a sanction of non-readmission allows schools to prohibit erring students from re-enrolling in the school term immediately following the term when the penalty of readmission was promulgated. A student would be allowed to finish his or her current school term and get his or her credentials. Exclusion means the immediate dismissal of the student during the term when the penalty was promulgated. The dismissal is abrupt and the erring student would not be allowed to finish his or

her current term. On the other hand, the penalty of expulsion is the supreme penalty that may be imposed against an erring student.

Expulsion means that the student would be disqualified for admission in any public or private school.

Meanwhile, state colleges and universities, including the Philippine Military Academy, are governed by the statutes creating them. The right to impose sanctions on erring students are inherent in them as educational institutions while statutes and student handbooks usually provide the mechanics and limitations of these sanctions.

Regardless of whether a student is excluded or expelled during the last term of his or her stay in school, the penalty means that the school has the legal right to prevent him or her from graduating. In some instances, even the penalty of suspension may imply failure of the student to finish his or her current term or to get credit in the courses he enrolled in during the implementation of the penalty.

Thanks to the constant badgering by the broadcast and social media, everybody seems to know the cruelty of the PMA to Cudia for being dishonest to his superiors.

Most of the public are not predisposed to extend its action some benefit of the doubt because they do not understand the norms represented by this institution.

The prestige of the institution has declined in the recent

>>>MURIA..turn to P/7 ........................................................................................................................................................

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.

Office: The BALIKAS Centre, Guades Comp., Purok 3, Brgy. Calicanto, 4200 Batangas City, Philippines  043.417.1662 |  0912.902.7373 | 0917.512.9477 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com | www.facebook.com/pages/Balikas Lipa Office: San Sebastian St.,Brgy. 10, Lipa City Joenald Medina Rayos Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Ronalina B. Lontoc

Columnists: Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jose Sison Atty. Jesus Dureza | Atty. Ramel C. Muria

Circulation In-Charge

Staff Reporter: Melinda R. Landicho Contributors: Jack L. Aquino Jerome Jay C. Sapinoso Jessie delos Reyes

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant

Official Representative - Lipa Office

Special Project Editor

Nicetas E. Escalona Lifestyle Editor

Benjie de Castro

Cecille M. Rayos-Campo

Member: Batangas League for Alternative Development & Services (BLADES), Inc.

Ad rate:

Commercial : P200/col. cm. | Legal Notices : P160/col. cm

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.|

Illegal recruitment at human trafficking, itinampok sa women’s forum Ni KRISTINA MARIE JOY B. ANDAL KAALINSABAY sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Kababaihan, nagdaos ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas ng isang forum na nakasentro sa pagtalakay ng mga batas ukol sa illegal recruitment at human trafficking.

Pinangunahan ni Ms. Jocelyn Montalbo ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office ang pagtitipon ng iba’t ibang samahan ng kababaihan sa buong lalawigan para lubos na mapalawig ang kanilang kaalaman laban sa illegal recruitment at trafficking upang hindi na sila madalas na mabiktima, Nagpahayag naman ng mensahe si Gov. Vilma Santos Recto para sa mga kapwa niya babae na sa makabagong panahon ngayon, mga tulad niya ang namumuno at nangunguna sa lipunan. Binigyang pansin ng gobernadora ang kahalagahan ng babae at ito anya ang katotohanang dapat hindi iwinawaglit sa isipan ng bawat isa. Pinaalalahanan din niya ang mga nagsipagdalo na mag-ingat pagdating sa pangingibangbansa at paghahanap ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng agency. At hindi rin niya nakaligtaan na sabihin sa mga kababaihan na mahalagang dumulog sa

government agencies para humingi ng tulong o payo.

Kabilang sa mga nagbahagi ng programa para maiwasang mabiktima ng illegal recruitment ay si Ms. Maria Theresa Delos Santos ng Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). Ipinaliwanag niya kung ano ang nakapaloob sa overseas employment at kung paano tumutugon ang POEA sa mga isyu tungkol dito.

At para lalong mabigyan ng ngipin ang pangangalaga sa overseas workers, tinalakay ni Atty. John Rio Bautista ang Republic Act 10022 o ang Anti-Illegal Recruitment Law. Inilatag din niya ang iba-ibang modus operandi ng mga nanlolokong agency o indibidwal at maging ang ilang bagay na hindi dapat gawin para maiwasang mabiktima. Dagdag pa dito, inilahad din ni Atty. Cora Antonette Toldanes ang tungkol sa RA 9208 o AntiTrafficking in Persons Act of 2003 para malaman ng kababaihan ang mga solusyon sa batas na nauukol kapag na-human traffic.

Sa huli ay binigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga dumalo na magtanong sa guest speakers upang maliwanagan ang kanilang isip tungkol sa mga bagay na naranasan nila at maaaring masalamuha sa oras na maengganyo silang mangibang bansa o magtrabaho sa ibang lugar dahil sa imbitasyon ng isang tao o ibang ahensya. |

OPINION

March 31 - April 6, 2014

Asawa laban sa kerida NAGPAKASAL noong 1962 sina Robert at Naomi sa kanilang bayan sa probinsiya sa norte. Habang kasal, nagawa ng mag-asawa, lalo dahil sa kasipagan ni Naomi, na makapagpatayo ng isang bahay sa lupa (residential) na minana ni Robert sa kanyang mga magulang.

Matapos ang 16 na taon ng pagsasama at kahit pa nagkaroon ng limang anak, nangaliwa si Robert.

Bandang huli, inabandona ang kanyang pamilya at sumama kay Christine.

Sa sobrang pagkahumaling ni Robert kay Christine, habang nagsasama na sila ay nagawa pa ni Robert na ibenta sa kanyang kabit ang mismong bahay at lupang tinitirhan ng kanyang pamilya. Sa dokumento ng kasulatan ng bentahan ng lupa na pinirmahan niya dahil na rin sa kakulitan at pang-aakit ng babae, sinulat pa niya na ang bahay ay minana rin niya mula sa kanyang namatay na magulang.

Sinubukan ni Christine na angkinin ang bahay at lupa sa pamamagitan ng pagsasampa ng reklamo kay Naomi. Lumaban si Naomi at sinabing ang bahay kung saan sila nakatira ng kanyang mga anak pati ang mga puno ng niyog na nakatanim sa lupa ay itinayo gamit ang pera mula sa conjugal funds o sa ari-arian nilang mag-asawa. Ang nangyari daw na bentahan ng bahay at lupa ay walang bisa dahil bilang ari-arian nilang mag-asawa, dapat ay pumayag din siya at nakapirma din siya sa dokumento ng bentahan. Hindi siya pumayag kaya walang bisa ang bentahan. Bilang legal na asawa, tama ba si Naomi?

 TAMA. Ang bahay nilang mag-asawa ay itinayo sa lupang esklusibong pag-aari ng kanyang mister. Ang lupa ay nagiging pag-aari rin nila o sa batas ay “ipso facto conjugal”. Kaya lang, nagkakaroon ng utang ang conjugal partnership sa mister para sa halaga ng lupa.

Ang lalaki ang lumalabas na nagpautang sa conjugal partnership para sa halaga ng lupa na babayaran sa kanya kapag nalusaw na ang nasabing pagsasama ng ari-arian ng mag-asawa (Art. 158 Civil Code). Ang bahay at lupa ay itinuturing na conjugal kaya hindi maaaring ibenta ito ni Robert kay Christine na walang pahintulot ni Naomi.

Isa pa, ang kontrata ng bentahan ay walang bisa dahil taliwas ito sa idinidikta ng batas, moralidad at lipunan. Kung ang mismong batas natin ay ipinagbabawal ang bentahan sa pagitan ng mag-asawa, o kaya ay ang pagbibigay nila ng donasyon sa isa’t isa habang kasal pa sila para hindi masira ang conjugal partnership, huwag maimpluwensiyahan ang mas mahina sa kanila at para protektahan ang institusyon ng kasal na siyang sandigan ng pamilya, mas lalong mahigpit itong ipinagbabawal sa mga tinatawag na “common-law relationship” na tulad ng sitwasyon ni Robert at ng kanyang kabit.

Kung papayagan ito ng batas, magkakaroon ng sitwasyon na mas maganda pa ang lagay ng gumagawa ng kasalanan kaysa sa mismong may legal na karapatan (Calimlim-Canullas vs. Fortun, 129 SCRA 675)

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

Goliath vs Goliath

kaagad. Samantalang ang US, tried and tested nang nasa likod natin kapag tayo ay nangangailangan. Halimbawa na lang ay ang bagyong Yolanda.

Kung hindi gumalaw ang mga Kano para mai-restore ang airport operations sa Tacloban malamang nagkaroon tayo ng mas malalang humanitarian crisis.

Kaya ang payo ko sa mga puwersang mahilig mambasag ng programa’t kagustuhan ng goberyo ay gamitin ang tamang pag iisip at i-prioritize ang interes ng ating bansa. **** Binabati ko nga pala ang dati kong boss sa J7 sa kanyang promotion to Major General. Siya po ay si Maj Gen. Lysander Suerte na naging Chief of Staff din namin sa Civil Relations Service ng AFP sa Kampo Aguinaldo noong 2005. Naging hepe din po siya ng Civil Military Operations Group ng Philippine Army. Nung siya ay naka-assign sa Mindanao, naging Brigade Commander siya sa ilalim ng 10th Infantry Division. Siya ang dating Deputy Commander ng Central Command ng AFP na nakabase sa Cebu.

Dati po namin siyang Presidente sa Rotary Club of Camp Aguinaldo. His integrity is one of his solid plus points maliban pa sa pagiging forward looking. Isa siya sa mga military officers na nakitaan ko ng mga ideya na ngayon ay nasa IPSP Bayanihan ng AFP. Ang mga pananaw niya tungkol sa kung paano harapin ang insurgency problem ng bansa ay nakasaad sa kanyang thesis nung nag aral siya sa Australia.

Congratulations, Sir!| ................................................................................................................................................

MAY mga leksyon tayong matututunan sa mga action ng mga mayayamang bansa laban sa mga weak neighbors ng mga ito.

Ang ginawa ng Russia sa Ukraine at ng China kontra sa ating ay nagpapakita lamang na ang superpowers ay motivated hindi ng idyolohiya kundi ng kagustuhan nilang magtatag ng geographic spheres of influence.

Sa gitna ng possibility ng panibagong RP-US defense agreement, naniniwala ako na magdedebate muli ang mga pulitiko’t constitutionalists kung ang kasunduan na under negotiation ngayon ay pupuwede sa ilalim ng ating saligang batas. Ako ay naniniwala rin na bubuhayin muli ng mga makakaliwa ang mga lumang slogans ng imperyalismo at nasyonalismo.

Dalawang isyu ang nakikita ko. Ang una ay kung ang bagong RP-US defense agreement ay magiging isang deterrent kontra sa paghihimasok ng China sa ating teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea. Ang pangalawa ay ang posibleng action ng gobyerno ng China laban sa atin. **** Para po sa kaalaman ng ating mga kababayan, ang Amerika po ay ang major trading partner natin. Ang major export ng ating mga produkto ay papuntang US. ibig sabihin malaki ang pakinabang natin sa mga Amerikano. Samantalang ang China, pagdating sa export, saging lang ang maiituturo nating pakinabang natin sa kanila. Ang kapalit nito ay tambakan tayo ng mga made in Chinang mga produkto kagaya nang mga transistor radio na dalawang araw lang ngungu na kaagad o screw driver na pagginamit mo, bungi na

<<<MURIA....from P/6

Integrity past because of the anomalies imputed to some of its illustrious graduates who are serving in the military and police institutions. This is unfair to the PMA. However, its alumni should have remained loyal to its principles and values so that the people will continue to admire it as one of the best institutions in the country.

The Philippine Military Academy must maintain its fidelity to its core values. It should uphold the integrity of its institution and processes regardless of

the public opinion. Its mission is to train young men and women so that they will be fit to guard our liberty and safeguard the sovereignty of the State. As a premier military institution in Asia, it should be expected to exhibit the highest discipline and dedication to its ideals.

It should not bow down to public pressures or else indecisiveness shall destroy it. It should rise and fall on its integrity—this is how the Republic conceived it to be.|

Balikas

7

What’s wrong with Mindanao power?

DYSFUNCTION --- A few days ago, I sat in a stakeholders’ forum called by the Mindanao Business Council to look into the power situation in Mindanao. I was shocked to know that the problem is not only about lack of power. There is dysfunction on the level of the key players, PSALM (the government-owned agency tasked to handle the assets of the old NAPOCOR) and NGCP (a privately-owned power distribution company). From what I heard during the forum, both agencies need to put their acts together according to MBC Chair Vic Lao. Power generating companies are complaining about information gridlock.

Businessman Paul Dominguez, my former colleague in government who served under former President Ramos and President Arroyo as “point person” for Mindanao, summarized the core issues: a) dysfunction between NGCP and PSALM; b) dysfunction between NGCP and the power generating companies; c) unresolved dispute between repair contractors in the Lake Lanao’s Agus hydro and the locals. (The company already sent notice it would withdraw from the project which will set back the Mindanao hydro power timelines). And many of the participants were surprised to know for the first time that the controlling interest of NGCP are the Chinese. So what happens if our relations with China turns for the worse? They are in control of our core facility!

Hedcor high official Bobby Orig said the fundamental issue of whether the hydro plants will be privitized or not must be resolved first. Otherwise, PSALM which is mandated as "liquidator" of the Napocor assets will not invest billions to upgrade or repair the plants if they would be forced to sell those assets per EPIRA law. Aboitiz Co. vice President Art Milan complained about information dysfunction from "higher levels". As power operators, they are kept in the dark and are agonizing over lack of information.

I had my own complaint as a citizen of Davao del Sur. DASURECO had installed since last December modular gensets courtesy of Alson’s Mapalad power company with 15MW operating capacity. All the papers are in but the approvals are still stuck in Manila ERC and while the province was in total darkness, they could not even run the engines even on a stopgap, provisional arrangement inspite of pleadings. How tragic! How calloused and incompetent Manila has become. Then we have a Department of Energy which cannot even resolve the standoff between two competiting electric cooperatives in Davao del Norte’s DANECO and lamely escaping its responsibility by saying that the courts have now jurisdiction. I do not know personally Energy Secretary Petilla but from what I hear from those in the industry, he is not technically suited for that job. Up to now there is no clear explanation of why the Mindanao system collapsed on Feb 27 except to say the maintenance and forced outage of STEAG plant was the proximate cause.

When Paul Dominguez asked MINDA’s Yo Montenegro if the mechanism of the infrastructure monitoring advisory group (IMAG) was helping, he was shaken to be informed that MINDA now under Secretary Lu Antonino collapsed that mechanism which worked during our own watch. MINDA should have been Mindanao’s point agency to help resolve all this. But, sorry to say, it is losing that mandate by default. It is more tragic because it is now a more empowered “authority” (not a mere “council” when Paul and I ran it) and the competent staff are still around. However MINDA will matter only to the extent Malacanang will allow it.

Unfortunately, this seems to be not the case.

Mindanaoans cannot wait for another 2 years to see better things in the power sector. In fact, the next 2 years will be worse.  SABAH --I was still head of MEDCO ( now MINDA) several years ago when I last visited Kota Kinabalu (KK) in Sabah, Malaysia. Of course, the controversy involving the Sultanate of Sulu had intervened in the meantime that cooled off relations and the connections got lost in the various channels.

The cooperation arrangement under the Brunei , Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine East Asean Growth Area (popularly known as BIMP EAGA) was one of the unintended casualties of the incident. But that’s behind us now.

According to Malaysian Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, there are still about 700,000 Filipinos in Sabah and a good number are availing of the formalization process of getting “documented”. This is still work in progress. With the signing of the peace agreement with the MILF, I foresee a “surge” in the re-connections between Malaysia and Mindanao, especially in the business sector. Governments, due to the usual protocols, are usually slow in responding. But the private sector must take over the driver's seat and be the engines of growth as envisioned. But that window is narrow.  RECONNECTING --- A few days ago, I re-connected with Sabah by meeting its 12-member delegation during their visit of Davao City. Pretty Susan Chang, one of the moving spirits in BIMP EAGA during my time,

>>>DUREZA..turn to P/8

BUSINESS

March 31 - April 6, 2014

8

DA honors top Agri-Pinoy rice achievers

By CIELITO M. REGANIT

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture honored the country’s top riceproducing municipalities, cities and provinces, farmers and irrigators’ associations, and agricultural workers during the third Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Awards held Friday at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

This year’s awards were conferred to 12 provinces, 48 municipalities and cities, 10 irrigators’ associations, three small water impounding system farmers’ associations (SWISAs), and 496 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) who took home a total of over P110 million in prizes from the DA National Rice Program (NRP).

The provinces of Nueva Ecija, North Cotabato, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Kalinga, Mindoro Occidental, Laguna, and Lanao Del Norte were declared as the country’s top rice achievers for 2013.

For surpassing their palay production targets, attaining higher average yield, encouraging more farmers to use quality seeds and appropriate technologies as well as prioritizing ricerelated projects, the aforementioned provinces received a trophy and check worth P4 million.

The top municipalities

and cities, including the exceptional IAs each received P1-million worth of project grants.

The top provinces, cities and municipalities were chosen based on the following criteria: incremental increases in rice harvest and average yield per hectare over 2012 levels, increases over their 2012 targets, amount of budget devoted to rice projects and initiatives, number of farmers benefited, and degree of quality seed utilization, among others.

Meanwhile, the outstanding SWISAs got P500,000 each in project grants, while the leading AEWs took home cash incentives of P20,000 each.

The awards and prizes were handed out by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala together with NRP coordinator and acting undersecretary for Field Operations Dante Delima.

Alcala said the annual contest is the government’s way of thanking the

JUDICIAL NOTICE Republic of the Philippines FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BATANGAS CITY OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE IN RE: PETITION/S FOR APPOINTMENT RE-APPOINTMENT AS NOTARY PUBLIC ADM. MATTER NOS. 2014-31 AND 2014-32 ATTYS. JOEL S. CASTILLO and FELIZARDO A. MANIGBAS, PetitionerS. x——————————————————————x ORDER Two (2) separate verified petitions having been filed by petitioners, Attys. Felizardo A. Ma nigbas (for new appointment) and Joel S. Castillo (for re-appointment), praying that after due publication and hearing, they be appointed/reappointed as Notaries Public. It is hereby ordered that said petitions be set for summary hearing on April 23, 2014 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at the session hall, Branch 3, Regional Trial Court, Pallocan West, Batangas City before which date and time, any interested person may file opposition to the instant petition/s.

Let this order be published at the expense of the petitioners in any newspaper of general circulation in the City of Batangas and the Province of Batangas. Likewise, the Court Sheriff is directed to post a copy of this Order in the Office of the Executive Judge and the Clerk of Court.

country’s rice farmers and their respective provincial and municipal officials and AEWs for their continuing efforts and contribution to increase rice production.

According to the DA, the combined palay production of the 12 provinces totaled 6.65 million metric tons (MMT) – which represents about 36 percent of the country’s total harvest of 18.42 MMT last year.

“The Rice Achievers’ Awards is part of DA’s interventions and incentive system to encourage LGUs, IAs, SWISAs and AEWs to contribute their share in increasing farmers’ harvest and incomes in order to attain national rice sufficiency,” Alcala said.| PNA

INDUSTRIAL agriculture advocates say organic farming cannot produce enough food for 7 billion people. A group of rice farmers in the Philippines is proving them wrong.|

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

<<<DUREZA....from P/7

What’s wrong with Mindanao power? brought her business delegation from Kota Kinabalu (KK) in a roadshow for the forthcoming Sabah International Expo (SIE) in September, 2014. Datuk Seri Panglima Wong, a prominent businessman and head of Sabah's educational association met with University of Mindanao president Willie Torres in an effort to establish linkages across borders in the higher education sector. I had a long chat with one of the SIE movers retired Brig Gen. Datuk Arulpragasam over dinner hosted by ConGen Abdullah. BIMP EAGA old hand Angie Angliongto of the local chamber of commerce was on hand to escort them all throughout. I seemed to get the feel that MINDA missed up on its usual good staff support this time on a visiting delegation. Congen Abdullah I was told had to do last minute hotel room arrangements for them.

The visitors were expecting to meet MINDA Chair Lu Antonino but for one reason or another, she failed to make it causing the group to cool their heels the whole morning until flight time to Cebu. Well, preparations in Manila for

the March 27 peace agreement signing of course must take precedence. But that's not good enough reason to miss out on the visitors who by the way always spread the red carpet everytime anyone of us from Mindanao visits KK. Kota Kinabalu is now prepositioning itself to be the “hub of the Far East” just like Dubai to the Middle east. I can see it's steadily moving in that direction. It’s good that business cooperation will effectively put back in the backburners the political issues involving Sabah.  GIANTS’ SHOWDOWN --The world's giants are in a verbal showdown before the eyes of the world on Russia's “re-claiming” Crimea from Ukraine. The US and the European Union announced “sanctions” while Russia just sneered. Let's see who blinks first. We hope however that those skirmishes remain verbal and do not escalate to being physical, otherwise the whole world will be in deep shit!  NO VIOLENCE PLS. -While we all should rejoice the

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADDENDUM TO EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

SO ORDERED. Batangas City, March 26, 2014.

(Sgd.) RUBEN A. GALVEZ Executive Judge I hereby certify that copy of this order has been sent to Atty. Joel S. Castillo and Atty. Felizardo A. Manigbas, this 26th day of March 2014.

(Sgd.) RUSSEL B. DALISAY Brand Clerk of Court Pahayagang Balikas Batangas City March 31, 2014

NOTICE is hereby given that the newly discovered property forming part of the estate of the late AURORA L. VELASQUEZ, who died intestate on January 30, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Batangas City, consisting of deposit in Banco de Oro, Rizal Ave., Batangas City, has been extra-judicially settled by and among her heirs by virtue of the “Addendum to Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate” on March 12, 2014 as per Doc. 496; Page No. 101; Book No. VIII; Series of 2014 of Notary Public ATTY. ALFREDA D. DE TORRES-BANUELOS, until December 31, 2015; Notarial Commission No. 2014-02; P.T.R. No. 2122965, January 2, 2014, Batangas City; IBP Official Receipt No. 916796, January 3, 2014, Batangas City; Roll of Attorneys No. 60969.

Pahayagang Balikas / March 24, 31 & April 7, 2014

forthcoming signing of the peace agreement with the MILF, let's not forget that the MNLF agreement of 1996 is still there waiting for convergence. I was speaker during a Rizal Park rally on March 18 to commemorate the famous Jabidah Massacre which triggered the muslim rebellion years ago with Nur Misuari. I asked for unity and a stop to violence.  WORRIED --- I am a bit worried about the MILF agreement timetable of an early plebiscite and early elections. The MILF is not ready yet to plunge into some political exercise. Kagi Murad and the MILF are not yet prepared politically. They need more time to ripen. They will stand no chance at all if pitted against the savvy and long entrenched politicians.

MILF should not ever think that they will get the political positions in the new bangsamoro entity in a silver platter in an open elections. It is also a mistake for the MILF to rely totally on Pres. Aquino to win the public vote. He will be an exiting and lameduck president by then, just like all others. My unsolicited view is that the short preparation for

the holding of the plebiscite (2015) and the elections (2016)is a big gamble and the odds are not good. . They may have succeeded in getting an agreement. But it may not work on the ground as envisioned. If there is still time, that transition period should be further extended.

But all is not lost if no changes are made before the March 27 signing. Congress is still empowered to move the periods when it acts on the proposed organic law to implement the agreement.

There is still a way.  HEALTHY LIVING --- I attended the opening of a healthy food exhibition at Abreeza Mall last Saturday called Abreeza Organic Fair 2014 upon invitation by Ms. Baby Montemayor of event organizer “Konkordans”. It's good to know that many are now so concerned about the food they eat and the health problems that we suffer for putting the wrong food in our mouths. The exhibition will run until March 28. I donned the chef's apron during the opening and gave support to my daughter Ning’s GREEN AGENDA juice for good health! |

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BATANGAS RURAL BANK FOR COOPERATIVES, INC. Deposits | Loans | Financing Services Collecting Agent of Meralco, BCWD, etc.

Pastor Avenue, Market Site, Cuta, Batangas City

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” - Theophrastus, philosopher

BUSINESS

March 31 - April 6, 2014

9

NGCP prepares for summer’s DTI’s roving academy briefs Laguna MSMEs on opportunities, benefits of ASEAN economic integration peak power demand STA. CRUZ, Laguna –- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) briefed Laguna’s micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME) about the challenges and opportunities on the ASEAN Economic Integration (AEI) that will be implemented next year.

Speaking at the SME Roving Academy (SMERA) program held at the Laguna Provincial Capitol Compound, Senen Perlada of DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion said that the economic integration of ASEAN - the 10 member statebloc with nearly 600-million consumer base and USD 700 billion in gross domestic product - will translate into an immense business opportunity that must be fully exploited.

While urging entrepreneurs to explore and take advantage of the AEI instead of viewing it as a threat, he provided an overview on how exporters could avail of preferential

tariffs for products under free-trade agreements with other economies.

“A tuna supplier faced with scarcity of supply overturned the situation by studying options under a free trade agreement. Learning of the zero percent tariff, the supplier imported frozen salmon from New Zealand , processed it into smoked salmon then exported it to Japan , Korea , and later on to New Zealand . Similarly, wood and lumber were imported from Vietnam that are made into door jambs and furniture, and exported,” Perlada cited.

Automotive, textiles and apparel, wood, rubber and agro-based products, fisheries, ICT, healthcare, air travel, and tourism - most of which exists in Laguna - are the AEI’s priority sectors.

Elmoise Afurong, the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council’s representative for Luzon , aired his views on the challenges faced by the

MSME sector in view of AEI in 2015.

Marilou Quinco-Toledo, regional director for Calabarzon said SMERA is an integration of various services provided by all government agencies and private organizations.

“SMERA is a continuous learning program for the micro, small and medium enterprises to become competitive in the domestic and international markets. It is a tool to reach out for the enterprises to be provided business information, management and skills training. It helps determine and understand one’s business needs to be able to get the right intervention."

We are delivering these services right into your doorstep [[delete 'Delivered right into your doorstep’]], so it will be felt in the countryside particularly this time that the SMEs are the priority sector in the AEI”, Toledo told participants.| CHARLIE S. DAJAO

MANILA, March 14 (PNA) — The Department of Agriculture honored the country’s top rice-producing municipalities, cities and provinces, farmers and irrigators’ associations, and agricultural workers during the third Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Awards held Friday at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

As the country braces for the heat of the summer season, NGCP reiterates its commitment to fulfill its mandated duty of being the power transmission provider and system operator in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids.

“The supply will be tight, but NGCP will be ready to transmit whatever power is available to the grid,” stated Atty. Cynthia D. Perez-Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson.

Based on available forecasts, the supply and peak demand figures are as follows: Period Luzon Visayas Min. (MW) (MW) (MW) March 15-31, 2014 Highest Demand April 1-30, 2014 May 1-31, 2014

7,770

1,452

1,348

Available Capacity 8,729

1,581

1,302

Highest Demand

8,504

1,526

1,362

Available Capacity

9,571

1,663

1,264

Highest Demand

8,654

1,554

1,400

Available Capacity

9,689

1,679

1,432

The highest peak demand this year is forecast at 8,654 MW in the month of May. The highest actual peak demand last year was 8,305 MW. In Luzon, three power plant units will be on scheduled shutdown and one will be on forced outage during this period from March to May. In the Visayas, two will be on scheduled shutdown and one on forced outage.

BATANGAS Congressman The high voltage direct current (HVDC) line linking Luzon (Naga City) Raneo Abu receives the and Visayas (Leyte island) will be shut down for maintenance on April 9Keppel Philippines executives headed by its 21 because the facility’s housing / valve hall at the HVDC station will be President, Leong Siew Loon reinforced. Even with this maintenance work, NGCP assures that the grid during a courtesy visit to the is secure and able to handle the load. Back-up lines are fully operational Congressional district office and ready to deliver available power from the generators. in Batangas City recently.

The highest peak demand this year is forecast at 8,654 MW in the Congressman Abu welcomes month of May. The highest actual peak demand last year was 8,305 MW. the expansion program of the In Luzon, three power plant units will be on scheduled shutdown and company as it will bring more one will be on forced outage during this period from March to May. In the livelihood and employment Visayas, two will be on scheduled shutdown and one on forced outage. opportunities in the province.

The high voltage direct current (HVDC) line linking Luzon (Naga City) Also present during the and Visayas (Leyte island) will be shut down for maintenance on April 9meeting are Keppel’s Stefan 21 because the facility’s housing / valve hall at the HVDC station will be Tong, Executive Vice President reinforced. Even with this maintenance work, NGCP assures that the grid and Agnes Barbara, Senior is secure and able to handle the load. Back-up lines are fully operational Vice President. (TMA) and ready to deliver available power from the generators.| .................................................................................................... ..............................................................................

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

‘Keppel affirms expansion in Batangas’ - Rep. Abu

<<<PERSPECTIVE.....from P/6

Growth figures: Reasons for optimism and pessimism article Japanese Debt written by Ben McLannahan, published by Business World, current Japanese government debt issuances (treasury bonds) has amounted to $1.78 trillion. These government bonds were bought by Japanese commercial banks, which are loaded with deposits of companies and households who are unwilling to loan and spend because of the sluggish economy. The catch is that the Japanese central bank buys back a lot of the bonds it issues to the market to keep bond yields low in an attempt to stimulate economic recovery. The question is: How long could the Japanese government continue with its combination of a fiscal stimulus program (pump priming) and monetary policy (quantitative easing through the buying back of bonds) to stimulate economic growth, which sinks the government deeper into debt?

The US is faring no better. It is now in the process of tapering its

quantitative easing efforts as it has already printed and pumped into the economy trillions of dollars and, instead of spurring economic growth, it just brought down the value of the dollar making imports more expensive. The US national debt amounted to $9.2 trillion in 2008 and is projected to reach $20 trillion by the end of the decade.

Already, the US Federal government experienced its third longest shutdown in October of 2013. The unemployment situation in the US is not expected to ease this year.

There are economists who are predicting that a crash much worse than 1929 is in the offing.

The tapering of US quantitative easing efforts is already being felt in the Philippines and other countries such as Thailand in the reduction in the inflows of portfolio investments (“hot money”). A Philippine Star January 18, 2014 report quoted Philippine Central Bank Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. warning

of “more capital flight.” And the country could hardly hope for an increase in exports to the US and a significant growth in remittances of overseas Filipinos in America because it is plunging deeper into crisis.

3. While the country’s reconstruction efforts could further spur the local construction industry, it comes with a price. The pledges from foreign governments and banks are not all free. Already, the Aquino government has accepted the loan offers of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank amounting to $ 1 billion for the reconstruction of typhoon devastated areas. “The problem comes … in 10 years’ time, when the loan has to be repaid,” said Tim Jones, a senior policy officer for the Jubilee Debt Campaign.

4. Unemployment and poverty in the Philippines is worsening. And the Aquino government’s declared commitment to “inclusive growth”

has remained in press releases.

The Philippines is not immune to the world economic crisis as the Aquino government would want to make us believe when it brags about the resilience of the economy and points to GDP growth amid the crisis and devastation brought about by disasters. The country is still dependent on trade especially with advanced capitalist countries, which are now reeling from the crisis, on the export of labor and remittances of Filipinos from these countries, on foreign direct, as well as portfolio investments from the same countries, on tourism receipts, and foreign loans.

What we are experiencing right now is temporary relief because those who benefited from the quantitative easing sought more profitable investments in so-called “emerging economies” and a lot of multinational companies are trying to cut on labor costs by either transferring some labor-intensive pro-

duction processes to countries with cheap labor such as the Philippines or outsource some functions to BPO companies. They also dump more imported goods here providing an illusion of abundance; the US dollar is weakening thereby making it appear that the Philippine peso is appreciating; and more overseas Filipinos try to send more money to their relatives here because of the rising costs and worsening unemployment giving the illusion that consumption is robust. Local banks are also trying to cash in on the remittances with the frenetic construction and selling of condominiums. However, governments all around the world are pressing down wages thereby further constricting the already finite market of consumers. Soon the full impact of the crisis will catch up with us because, in the final analysis, when advanced capitalist countries sneeze, we catch the flu.| WWW.BULATLAT.COM

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas Telephone No. (043) 417.1662 * 0917.521.9477 * 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.

>Wanna be featured here? Please contact us at 0917.512.9477 | 0912.902.7373 | 043.417.1662 for inquiries.

Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor

F.E.S.T.

......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..EVENTS & SHOWBIZ..SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<< March 31 - April 6, 2014

10

Lubang: En route to big surprises TIME came for me to cross out another item in my bucket list and this time it is the long pending Lubang Island on the western end of Verde Island passage.

Lubang Island is a group of island that is politically under the jurisdiction of the province of Mindoro Occidental. It is made up of two towns – one is also named Lubang, the western half of the island of the same name and the other half is Looc. The entire group is composed of five major islands – Lubang, Cabra, Ambil and Golo, plus other smaller islets.

Not to confuse, my succeeding mentions of Lubang refer to the town itself and not the whole island or group.

Aside from the century-old lighthouse of Cabra and the historic trail of Onoda, much of Lubang remains a mystery to the world. They say it is too near yet too far and I think it is true. Even the world wide web yields only little information about the town. The longer I dream of the place, the deeper I succumb to its mystery that I found the urgency to unravel it. So I heeded.

The jeepney traversed the main road occupied mostly not by vehicles but by people – young and old on their late afternoon walk and kids who were as if in their own playground. And just like in the other far flung rural areas in the Philippines, all eyes were on our vehicle when we passed by. All with curious looks on new and returning faces in town.

Half an hour passed and we finally reached Tagbac. I was

A

A serene beach in Tagbac, Lubang. leave at one in the afternoon so I spent my three hours in the Port of Calatagan waiting, people watching and talking to locals who were equally excited as I was to reach Lubang. It was summer peak and the sun was on its scorching heat but I managed to roam around the terminal building and the busy port complex despite the heat. Apparently, it was an active day at the Port of Calatagan, there were lots of boats filled with fresh catch from the rich water of Verde Passage.

Fishermen and traders seemed oblivious of the summer heat.

Unpredictable as it was, the boat started boarding its passenger past one in the afternoon and departed past two.

After more than two hours of uneventful boat ride, we reached

FISHERMEN at Calatagan Port with their catch for the day

Masked with curiosity and excitement, I went to Balombato Port in Calatagan to catch the boat to Tilik, the major port of Lubang.

Although there is known schedule of boats in Calatagan to and from Lubang, it often changes and generally unpredictable due to traffic and weather condition. I was about to take the MB Lucky Benjamin to Tilik but it was rerouted to Agkawayan (Looc), another port in the island, quite far from Barangay Tagbac, where I planned to stay.

Thankfully, the old operator, MV God’s MB God’s Grace 2 at Calatagan Port Grace 2 had a supplementary trip that day. It was only ten in the morning and the boat to Tilik was set to Tilik Port a few minutes after five in the afternoon.

It was amazing to realize that I only spent a few hours in the boat yet it seemed that I was transported to a different world in Lubang. A quaint rural town with friendly and lovely people. I boarded a jeepney outside the port that was instantly filled with passengers bound to Bayan and Tagbac. The friendly passengers referred to me as “dayo“, a Tagalog for tourist.

I had conversations with some and I felt their warm hospitality. An old lady even volunteered to reserve a slot for me on my return ferry to Manila. And whenever they ask me why I was there, the old lighthouse of Cabra was my default reply. I always wanted to see it anyway.

A GIANT clam that can be found in the Calatagan waters.| JESSIE DELOS REYES

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SUNSET at Tagbac Beach in Lubang. dropped off at Don Juan Villa Beach and Dive Resort where Mr. Bertos, the owner, was waiting. It was almost dark but he still lively and warmly welcomed me. Then he introduced me to Mr. Chot Lucas a dive instructor who used to be based in Puerto Galera but chose to settle and establish a dive shop in Lubang.

After a brief introduction, a deep talk on diving, tourism and potentials of Lubang Island engaged us. Honestly, I never thought and planned of diving in Lubang, I didn’t even know that there is a dive shop there. I made up my mind to see the lighthouse of Cabra, the trail of Onoda, some waterfalls and beaches. But over a cup of coffee and some enticing words from Sir Chot, the plan changed. I scrapped Onoda trail and the waterfalls in favor of diving in Lubang in one condition that I would drop by at Cabra Island Lighthouse.

Logistics wise, it was a good decision. I was offered a discounted rate for three day dives with a side trip to Cabra Island which came too close on the P1500 chartered boat rate to and from Cabra Island just for the lighthouse. There is a public boat to Cabra from Tagbac that leaves daily at one in the afternoon and returns the next day but with the limited time I had, I dropped it off as an option. So between the P1500 chartered boat ride for the lighthouse and the super discounted dive package with lighthouse sidetrip, I chose the latter without a second thought.

So we ended up planning our dives and itinerary for the next day. I was thrilled and excited on the idea. The thought of diving hyped me up, much more of the fact that it is still part of Verde Island Passage, the center of the center of world’s marine biodiversity and in generally unexploited and unspoiled area of it.

To end the day, Mr. Bertos and Gilbert of Don Juan Villa Resort prepared sinigang na sugpo for dinner, freshly catch and deliciously cooked. It was heaven!

I thanked them all and bid good night with wide smile that showed excitement. It was a very exciting day and I was quite sure for more excitement and fun on the next day. Lubang quickly caught my heart!

>>>F.E.S.T...turn to P/11

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Nicetas E. Escalona, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES ang mga nakasaad.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) Huwag pansinin ang tsismis at ano mang uri ng negatibong balita. Iwasan na makasakit ng damdamin ng kapwa. Iwasan ang paanyaya ng mga barkada.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Maganda at kapangitan ang lilitaw tungkol sa pribadong relasyon ngunit huwag mabahala at sa bandang huli ay magwawagi kung magpapaliwanag ng mahinahon. Iwasan ang magalit.

Magandang pagkakataon na maipa­kita ang paninindigan at pagkatao. Lucky numbers at color for the day ay 15, 16, 36, 37 at light gray.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Maging mahinahon sa pagkilos, pananalita at sa paggawa upang maiwasan na makasakit ng kapwa o magkamali. Dahil sa dalang kalituhan ng isip ay nararapat na suriin at pag-aralan ng mabuti ang mga papeles na dapat lagdaan. May mangungutang na dapat hindi pagbigyan dahil matagal bago mabayaran.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) Kung may kamag-anak na may sakit huwag mag-atubiling isugod kaagad sa pagamutan upang mailigtas. Kung walang magkakasakit sa pamilya, tiyak na sagana at kaligayahan ang daranasin. May pagkakataon na magkasalo-salo sa hapagkainan ang buong pamilya sa loob o labas ng tahanan.

Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Isang Taurus ang magbibigay ng suwerte o ligaya subalit isang Leo ang magbibigay ng problema o sakit ng damdamin. Iwasan pansamantala ang mga kilalang Gemini dahil kapag may gulong magaganap ay hahantong sa hindi maganda.

Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Ang suwerte ay minsan lamang kakatok sa pintuan kaya huwag paalpasin.

Maging handa kung ano man ang darating at kung inaakalang ikabubuti o ikauunlad, sunggaban agad at huwag bigyan ng pagkakataon na makawala. Magiging maunlad ang negosyo o pangangalakal. |

PA L A IS IPA N 1 10 14

2

3

11

5 12

20

21 23

8

25

26

9

19 22

24

27

28

29

33

34

36

37

39

40

41

7

16 18

32

6 13

15

17

31

4

35 38

42

30

PAHALANG 1 Buga 5 Sawata 11 Utak 13 Hablot 14 Tandang 16 Pita 17 Ms. Moto 18 Pangalagaan 20 Mintis 22 Pumalit sa TAN 23 Nagtaksil 28 Tunog ng makinilya 29 Publiko 31 Ordinaryo 35 Etiketa 36 Init 37 Winasak 39 Uri ng meditasyon 40 Hayan 41 Sabi niya 42 Walang alam

PABABA 2 Suspetsa 3 Unang bilang 4 Almendras 6 Halaman 7 Puno 8 Tikim 9 Puwang 10 Mabutong prutas 12 Pasabong sa pista 15 Huwag dalhin 19 ___ de Leon 21 Paghihintay 24 Panggatong 25 Lamlam 26 Yamot 27 Amag sa tinapay 30 Kagyat 32 Galaw ng dagat 33 Pirmi 34 Asta 38 Ilog sa Asya

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

Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) Hintayin ang tamang oras at pagkakataon sa ibig mangyari.

Maraming gustong gawin na pagbabago ngunit mahirap na maipaliwanag ang panig. Iwasan ang pakikipagsisihan dahil maaaring magbunga ng samaan ng loob. Ang kapareha ay walang maitutulong dahil hindi alam kung sino ang kanyang dapat panigan. Ang pagkukulang ay may solusyon sa mahinahon at magandang usapan.

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Dagdagan ang tiyaga at panalangin upang makaiwas sa bulilyaso. Mag-ingat sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunikasyon at pakikipagugnayan sa iba dahil ang kapareha ay magiging selosa at bibigyan ng ibang kahulugan. Hinahon sa anumang bagay ang kailangan.

Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Maganda ang takbo ng pangangalakal. Magaan ang pasok ng pera. Ang daloy ng komunikasyon ay mabilis at may mga magandang balita na matatanggap.

Kung binata o dalaga, ang pagliliwaliw ay magiging masaya. Kung may nilalakad, magtatagumpay.

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Ang tahanan ay mapagtutuunan ng buong pansin ngayon. Magiging mainit ang ulo sa mga kaguluhang makikita. Linis dito at linis doon at kasabay ang mga maaanghang na parang siling labuyong mga salita.

Hinahon ang dapat pairalin upang walang masaktan na damdamin.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Magiging makitid ang kapaligiran gayundin ang pag-iisip. Magiging pikon at madaling magalit. Ang pagre-relax, pagpapahinga o pamamasyal ay makakatulong upang manumbalik ang enerhiya ng kasiglahan. Iwasan ang uminom at maglasing. Iwasan ang biruan at kantiyawan.

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Ang anumang uri ng paanyaya ay dapat lang tanggihan. Iwasan ang anumang sosyalan. Kung may balak na paglalakbay dapat ipagpaliban sa ibang araw. Bago lumagda sa ano mang kasulatan o dokumento pag-aralan muna at unawain

March 31 - April 6, 2014

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Pinoy recipes. Lutuing Pinoy Pancit Malabon

ONE of the flavorful noodle dishes of the Philippines. The recipe originates from, you guessed it, Malabon! This is the ‘sister’ of Pancit Palabok since it shares some of its ingredients. But Pancit Malabon has other ingredients that make it unique among other noodle dishes. The city of Malabon sits near the coast which explains the seafood ingredients of the dish, some of which are squid, fish flakes and oysters. It’s one of those noodle dishes where you know there’s something special going on in your house when you see this dish served on the dinner table Embutido can be served as cold cuts or you can slice then fry it until the edges get lightly seared to a delicious crisp. I love it with sweet chili sauce while my husband likes dipping it in barbecue sauce.

My daughters love it with Filipino ketchup. But with or without sauce, it’s so delicious! You should try it!

Ingredients: 1 lb rice noodles (thick variety) Toppings: 3/4 lb shrimp, shelled, deveined, cooked, and sliced lengthwise 1/2 lb adobong pusit, sliced 1/2 cup pork rinds (chicharon), pounded 1 cup napa cabbage or "pechay baguio", chopped then blanched 1 lemon, quartered (or 'calamansi' as needed) 1 cup smoked fish (tinapa) flakes 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled, sliced 1 tbsp parsley, chopped 2 tbsp green onions, chopped 3 tbsp toasted garlic 1/2 cup lechon, sliced (optional) Sauce: 1 tbsp fresh garlic (minced)

1 medium onion (minced) 1/2 lb boiled pork belly (sliced) 1/2 cup anatto seeds diluted in 1/2 cup water 3/4 cup shrimp juice (from shrimp heads*) 4 tbsp fish sauce (patis) 1/2 tsp black pepper (ground) 1/4 cup pork rind (chicharon), pounded Cooking Directions: Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Note: If you are using the traditional Pancit Malabon noodles, you will need to soak it in water overnight before cooking. Set aside.

Sauté the minced garlic and onion.

Put in chopped boiled pork and cook for 4 mins.

Add fish sauce and ground black pepper.

Pour shrimp juice and annatto water and bring to a boil.

Sprinkle pounded pork rinds (chicharon) then stir.

Simmer for 4 minutes then turn off heat.

Put the cooked noodles in a large bowl then pour the sauce and mix thoroughly.

Transfer the noodle/sauce mixture in a wide serving plate.

Place toppings according to your preference.

Serve with lemon or calamansi.

Cooking Tips : *Tip for shrimp juice extraction: For a more flavorful and fragrant shrimp juice, remove the spiny head, leaving the soft, orangy ones. In a non-stick pan, put about 1 tbsp oil, and stir fry the head to release the aroma. Add 2 ½ cups water, pinch of salt and pepper and bring to a boil for about 5 minutes. Let it cool a bit and give it a whir in the blender.

Strain and press to get all that shrimp goodness.|

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

<<<F.E.S.T... from P/10

Lubang....

1ST PHILIPPINE BIO-METHANE PLANT IN BATANGAS. Patuloy ang pag-unlad ng lalawigan ng Batangas matapos pangunahan nina Governor Vilma Santos Recto at Senator Ralph Recto ang groundbreaking ng kaunaunahang bio-methane plant sa Pilipinas na itatayo sa Brgy. Malaruhatan, Lian. Naging tulay sa pagpapasatupad ng proyektong ito ang Aseagas Corporation na kabilang sa Aboitiz Group of Companies at ang Gazasia Limited ng United Kingdom. Tinatayang 8,000 metric tons ng environment friendly bio-methane, na magpapababa ng air pollution, ang magagawa sa oras na maitayo ang nasabing planta.| KRISTINA MARIE JOY B. ANDAL

Going to Lubang From Calatagan Wooden pump boats connect Calatagan, Batangas to the ports of Tilik and Agkawayan. One way fare costs P500.00 as of April 2013. Their trips schedule are as follows: MB God’s Grace 2 Calatagan to Tilik: Every Monday,Thursday and Saturday; Back trip: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday MB Lucky Benjamin Calatagan to Tilik/ Agkawayan: Sunday; Back

trip: Monday MB San Rafael Calatagan to Agkawayan: Every Monday, Thursday and Saturday; Back trip: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Although these boats have published schedules, the trips still depend on traffic and sea conditions.| -- Text & photos by ANGEL JUAREZ. Published with permission. Data originally posted at www.lakwatsero.com

>>> UB Law School records Top 3 in Bar Examinations

F.E.S.T.

>>Front Page Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor

......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..EVENTS & SHOWBIZ..SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<< March 31 - April 6, 2014

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World TB Day 2014 – Lubos na sinuportahan ni Governor Vilma Santos-Recto ang World TB Day Celebration sa Batangas nang maging guest speaker sa nasabing okasyon na ginanap sa Pontefino Hotel and Residences, Marso 21. Sa temang “Stop TB! Makialam Ala Eh Tayo na!”, ang pagdiriwang na ito ay binuo ng Center for Health Development IVA at ng Provincial Health Office sa layuning mapalawak ang kaalaman ukol sa sakit na tuberculosis at mabigyang pagkilala ang mga lokal na pamahalaan, namumuno, empleyado at mag-aaral na aktibong nakikiisa para sa pagsugpo ng pagkalat ng tuberkulosis sa lalawigan.| KRISTINA MARIE JOY B. ANDAL/LOUIE HERNANDEZ