Vol. XIX, No. 19 - May 12 - 18, 2014

>>Forests cover increasing but needs to safeguard its resources > News. ...P/2 Vol. 19, No. 19 | May 12 - 18, 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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ALINSUNOD sa Republic Act 8189, sinimulan na ng Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ang pagrerehistro sa mga botante para sa May 9, 2016 National and Local Election noong May 6, 2014 at tatagal hanggang October 31, 2015. Hangad din ng COMELEC na magkaroon ng biometrics data ang lahat ng mga rehistradong botante na itinatakda ng RA 10367 upang makaboto sa susunod na eleksyon. >>>KARAPATAN... sundan sa P/3

Kabataang Batangueño, sumailalim sa LeadCom MGA livelihood at environmental projects ang mga naging project proposals ng mga piling samahan ng mga kabataan sa Batangas City na lumahok sa dalawang araw na leadership community workshop kung saan sila ay tinuruan kung paano magplano at magsagawa ng isang

proyekto para sa kanilang barangay.

May apat na miyembro ang bawat grupo mula sa siyam na barangay ang lumahok sa pagsasanay na ito na isinagawa ng Leadership Communities (LeadCom) sa pangunguna ni John Tobit Cruz, associate ng Youth

>>>KASANAYAN..sundan sa P/2

Serving nine and one percent of the country’s population

Riding in tandem scores anew in When someone close dies Tanauan City, police who neutralize p. 3 the suspects commended .......................................................................................................................

Villar calls for state of emergency p. 6 p. 6 to solve coconut infestation

p. 7

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NEWS

Balikas

May 12 - 18, 2014

Forests cover increasing but needs to safeguard its resources DESPITE widespread perception that the country’s forest cover is diminishing, a forestry expert said that it has, in fact, increased within a period of 10 years.

Dr. Rodel Lasco, Philippine coordinator of the World Agroforestry Center, indicated that the Philippines’ total forest area “has actually increased in a 10-year period (1998 to 2008) according to the official data of the government.”

Figures from the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that forest cover in 1998 was 6.48 million hectares. It expanded to 7.168 million hectares in 2003 and rose to 7.391 million hectares in 2005. By 2008, the country had 7.8 million hectares of forest cover.

“Our forests harbor one of the highest biodiversity resources in the world,” said Lasco, also dean of the College of Forestry of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. “They are also significant carbon sinks able to absorb all our greenhouse-gas emissions from fossil fuels, making us almost carbon neutral.”

Although the rate of destruction of forest declined through better conservation awareness and government policy, the World Environment Day, coinciding with the International Year of the Forest, is a momentous reminder for individuals, business and governments to draw attention to the issues of deforestation and the need to protect green spaces.

Forestry experts warn that if the

forestland is left unmanaged, soon the country will witness massive floods, erosion, loss of agricultural land and extinction of animals and plants.

Philippine forests have extremely high flora and fauna diversity with more than 13,000 species of plants.

Lasco said that good management is required of forest resources as it provides livelihoods and shelter for about 20 million Filipinos in upland watershed areas.

Forests provide clean water, maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, soil retention and stability, and sustaining traditional forest-based cultures and peoples.

Lasco suggests that while reforestation is important and helpful for supporting reduced emissions, stopping deforestation and forest degeneration is more urgent.

According to the “State of the World’s Forests 2011” released by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the extent of the forest area in the Philippines was 7.66 million hectares as of 2010.

The report stated that in Southeast Asia, only the Philippines and Vietnam recorded increases in forest cover by an annual average of 55 hectares and 207 hectares, respectively.

The increase is mainly attributed to the vigorous reforestation program involving the government and private sectors, particularly its development of industrial forest plantations and management of

Protecting the forests. Loggers used motorcycle in transporting loggs.

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Binangonan receives largest DOLE Kabuhayan grant in Calabarzon ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal -Binangonan, Rizal is set to be the recipient of a total of up to P 4.4 million in Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) funding for livelihood projects.

DOLE 4A Regional Director Zenaida Angara-Campita recently turned over the first tranche of the Kabuhayan livelihood grant worth P1.7 million to Binangonan Mayor Cecilio Ynares last April 14 together with DOLE-Rizal officer-in-charge Grace Macarubbo, Rizal Public Employment Service Officer Cecile Diaz and Binangonan PESO Ian Cervo at the Binangonan Municipal Hall.

The initial grant will benefit aabout 5,124 members of selected Binangonan beneficiary organizations consisting of 153 beneficiaries from the Angono Binangonan Chapter of Allied Tricycle Operator’s and Drivers Association for through spare parts trading, 66 beneficiaries from the Rag Makers

Association of Bilibiran through rag making, 252 beneficiaries from the Samahang Bolante ng Barangay Binangonan through ready-to-wear production, 4,488 beneficiaries from the Federation of Binangonan Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association through spare parts trading, and 165 beneficiaries from the Binangonan Ondoy Solidarity Alliance Inc. for handicraft bags and water hyacinth processing.

The DOLE Kabuhayan grants aim to empower local livelihood groups through providing capital outlays for raw materials in their respective prospects coursed through the Rizal and Binangonan PESO and LGU. Mayor Ynares thanked DOLE for its support to local livelihood sectors and groups and has stated that the LGU is looking forward to other collaborations. “We are also hoping for more funding from DOLE in the near future.” Said Mayor Ynares.|

typhoons passing through the country. Serious floods usually follow the typhoons, causing further destruction with hundreds of people dead, thousands of families homeless and billions of pesos of properties destroyed.

According to the latest Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines is among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to weather-related events such as climate change.

Consistently ranked in the top 10, the country over the 18-year span suffered every year 799 deaths in addition to an average of $544 million worth of climate-related forests as central to the issues are damages, this does not include the natural forest areas. devastation left by typhoons Ondoy Degradation can be reduced concerns over biodiversity.

World leaders believe that and Pepeng in September and through improved forest-management practices such as fire and pest forests play a crucial role in climate- October 2009.

William Dar, director general of control; adoption of reduced impact change mitigation and adaptation, logging; reduction of fuel wood impacting people in poorer countries the Indian-based International that depend on it.

Crops Research Institute for the collection, grazing management.

According to the FAO study, Semi-Arid Tropics, said that safeLasco added that climate change is “likely to affect forest expansion REDD+ has attracted financial guarding the forests, the environand migration, and exacerbate commitments at the highest levels, ment, support for biodiversity, longthreats to biodiversity resulting with many presidents, prime term strategy on agriculture and from land use, land cover change ministers pledging to take action on combating global warming are its implementation. Australia, essential for a just and sustainable and population pressure in Asia.”

But early this year, President France, Japan, Norway, the United Philippine environment.

Dar said that among the key Aquino established the National Kingdom and the United States of Greening Program not only to America collectively agreed to priorities the Philippine government reforest 1.5 million hectares of land dedicate $3.5 billion “as initial public must focus on is to develop a longbut also to promote a sustained finance toward slowing, halting and term strategy on climate change in environmental awareness campaign eventually reversing deforestation in agriculture and forestry.

“We need to enhance the to combat climate change in the developing countries.”

Over 40 countries, including the understanding of the present and Philippines.

While the worldwide pace of Philippines, were participating in future effects of climate change and deforestation has slowed down as REDD+ under the World Bank’s for communities to adapt to these stated by the UN’s State of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility conditions. Again, a science-based World’s Forest 2011—from 16 to improve their ability to implement approach is key to all these,” Dar explained. “We need a vigorous million hectares between 1990 and REDD+ activities.

While the Philippines has a program in the Philippines if poor 2000 down to 13 million hectares in the 2000-2010 period—there is still comprehensive policy and institu- people are to stand a better chance unprecedented global recognition of tional framework on natural of surviving climate change. The the urgent need to address defores- resources, there is not yet a specific government must do more to help national legal framework on vulnerable people successfully adjust tation and forest degradation. to our changing climate.”

At the UN climate-change REDD+.

In October 2009 the Climate Lasco, on the other hand, said negotiations in the past years, deforestation loomed large in the Change Act was enacted, creating that while climate change could discussions over a scheme to the Philippine Climate Change impede the country’s sustainable compensate tropical countries, Commission tasked with main- development as well as affect its including the Philippines, for streaming climate-change policy natural ecosystems, communities reducing emissions from defores- into government programs and and the government should work together to address the issues. tation and degradation, plus conser- activities “Climate-change adaptation Some of the measures for vation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest measures, including those that ecosystem adaptation, Lasco said, carbon stocks (REDD+). It is a pertain to securing our forests, are improved technologies for tree scheme for poorer countries to should be integrated into national plantation development and refoprotect and conserve their forests policies, particularly Philippines restation; comprehensive interin an effort to tackle climate change. faces critical environmental sectoral programs that combines Tony La Vina, part of the Philip- challenges and is already a victim measures to control deforestation pine delegates and the REDD+ nego- of global warming,” said Red and forest degradation with tiator, explained that many issues Constantino, executive director of measures to increase agricultural such as structure and scope are the Institute for Climate and productivity and sustainability; and reducing logging waste, generally agreed, and safeguards Sustainable Cities.

He added that the Philippines’ implementing soil-conservation including ones for indigenous rights and biodiversity protection survival should not solely depend practices, and using wood in a more are approved under the mechanism. on developed world, “which has been carbon-efficient way.

“On adaptation strategies for “The REDD+ mechanism which generous largely with pledges, not is in place have to safeguard indi- funds, as climate finance is a forests, it should focus on idengenous rights and biodiversity recognized priority, and deeper tifying which forest areas are more protection,” La Vina said. “It should collaboration among agencies and at risk and which species are unique in these areas,” he added. “Specific be good not just for the forests but civil society will be critical.”

Key priorities in a adaptation options could include for the climate, the people and vulnerable country helping vulnerable species migrate, communities.”

Every year the Philippines assisting local communities shift He said REDD+ requires significant preparation and suffers from a torrent of violent from forest products, from forests planning to produce measurable, weather with an average of 20 at risk.”| IMELDA V. ABANO .................................................................................................................................................. reportable and verifiable reductions.

Today, most forest-rich countries such as Indonesia and Brazil are being paid for planting and sustainably manage their

<<<KASANAYAN.....mula sa P/1

Kabataang Batangueño, sumailalim sa LeadCom Leadership Programs ng LeadCom. Tinuruan ang mga participants dito ng pagba budget para sa napili nilang proyekto at gumawa ng timeline para malaman nila ang target date kung kailan nila sisimulan at tatapusin ang kanilang proyekto.

Sa huling araw ng pagsasanay nagsagawa ng presentation ng

kanilang project proposals ang bawat grupo sa harap ng mga panelists na kinabibilangan nila ABC President Dondon Dimacuha, Councilor Aileen Arriola, City Administrator Philip Barroja, Glecy Clet ng City Council for Youth Affairs at Heide Baraan, instructor sa Batangas State University.

Gumawa ang mga participant

ng flowchart kung saan nakasaad dito ang titulo ng kanilang project at mga step kung papaano nila isasagawa ito.

Bibigyan din ng pamahalaang lunsod ng halagang P10,000 ang bawat grupo ng participants upang magamit nila sa proyektong ipatutupad nila sa kanilang lugar.| BOUNVURT MACARAIG

NEWS

May 12 - 18, 2014

Balikas

3

Peace & Order Update Riding in tandem scores anew in Tanauan City, Collated By JACK L. AQUINO

AT about 12:00 in the afternoon of May 06, 2014 Manolo Pecho Roxas, 60 years old, married, Tanauan Public Market Administrator, resident of Brgy. Sambat, Tanauan City, Batangas was sitting outside the Tanauan City Public Market Administrative Building when the two armed male persons riding a motorcycle shot him several times. Passerby Gemma Malabanan Alipio, 49 years old, widow, resident of Brgy.

Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna and Paul Hernandez Hernandez, 17 years old, single, vendor, resident of Brgy. Hidalgo, Tanauan City, Batangas were hit by stray bullets when suspects tried to avoid the responding market security personnel.

Suspects fled onboard a motorcycle towards Brgy.

Darasa, Tanauan City but they were chased by City Swat Unit and other members of Tanauan City Police Station led by PSupt. Christopher F. Olazo that lead to a gun battle.

During the course, PO2 Roberto Bundac Janoras sustained gunshot wound on his left arm caused by one of the suspects. The firefight ended when the two suspects were both on the ground due to gunshots they sustained from the responding police officers.

Manolo Roxas was rushed to C.P. Reyes Hospital for treatment but was declared dead-on-arrival while other victims were brought to Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center, Tanauan City for medical treatment.

Gemma was released immediately while Paul was transferred to Batangas Regional Hospital. PO2 Janoras is still confined at the hospital as of press time.

Recovered pieces of evidence include two (2) Caliber .45 pistol, marked Colt and one (1) motorcycle.

The investigation is still on-going to determine the motive of the crime and to further identify if there are still other cohorts.

At around 2 o’clock in the afternoon of the following day, May 7, 2014, Police Regional Office

police who neutralize the suspects commended

AWARD OF MERIT. CALABARZON Police Director, PCSupt. Jesus T. Gatchalian awarded PO2 Roberto B. Janoras with a “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” as Batangas Provincial Police Director, PSSupt. Omega Jireh D. Fidel and Tanauan City mayor Antonio Halili look on.| CALABARZON Regional Director, Police Chief Superintendent Jesus T. Gatchalian, Batangas Police Provincial Office Provincial Director, Police Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh D. Fidel and Tanauan City Mayor, Hon. Antonio C. Halili awarded to PO2 Janoras a “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” under General Order Nr. 899 dated May 7, 2014 for his gallant action.

Accordingly, PO2 Janoras who was on a birthday leave and has just come home after undergoing the

300 kabataan nakibahagi sa Aussie Pinoy Education Caravan LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS - May 300 mga estudyante at guro mula sa tatlong unibersidad sa Batangas City ang dumalo kamakailan sa Aussie Pinoy Education Caravan 2014, na isang free information session para sa mga gustong mag-aral sa Australia.

Ang caravan ay inorganisang pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas sa pamamagitan ng Local Economic Investment and Promotion Center (LEIPC) sa pakikipagtuwang sa Aussie Pinoy Edu.com Corp (Apecc), Australian Embassy, Development Bank of the

Philippines (DBP) at ng tatlong unibersidad sa Australia na kinabibilangan ng University of Newscastle, Australian Catholic University at Deakin University.

Ipinaliwanag ng mga kinatawan ng mga nabanggit na unibersidad sa Australia ang kanilang mga programa upang mahikayat ang mga estudyante na mag-aral sa kanilang paaralan.

Ipinaliwanag naman ng DBP ang mga scholarship opportunities at mga local financing options para makapagaral sa Australia ang mga kwalipikadong estudyante.

Nagkaroon rin ng private networking session sa pagitan ng tatlong nabanggit na Australian universities at Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas, University of Batangas, at Batangas State University, kung saan tinalakay ang posibleng ugnayan at pagtutuwang ng mga nabanggit na unibersidad.

Napili ng Apecc ang Batangas City dahil sa bukod sa malapit ito sa Maynila, ay nakita rin nila ang magandang education at scholarship programs ng pamahalaang lungsod at mga eskwelahan dito.| MARIE V. LUALHATI

regular Physical Fitness Test at the Regional Headquarters did not hesitate to accompany Police Inspector Dante L. Majadas and respond to the call of duty. Police Inspector Majadas and other members of Tanauan City Police Station will be awarded during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at PRO CALABARZON this coming week. Their efforts truly brought pride to Batangas Police Provincial Office.|

Provincial Health Office commends blood donor volunteers TRECE MARTIRES CITY, CAVITE – As part of the National Voluntary Blood Services Program, the provincial government through the Provincial Health Office – Cavite Blood Council (PHO-CBC) acknowledged all the donors (volunteers) and the support of the local government units (LGUs) in the voluntary blood services program of the CBC. The Provincial Sandugo Award held at the Cavite National Collaboration Center for Public Health auditorium last May 6,

presented certificates, plaques and special citation awards to the blood donors like the Galloner, Kabalikat, Local Chief Executive Awards and Development Partner Awardees.

Nilo A. Marquez, one of the top volunteer donors was the recipient of Gold Blood Galloner award while Alvin T. Cayetano, PHO blood coordinator earned the Silver Blood Galloner award. The rest of the awardees were given special citation certificates and plaques based on the frequency and amount of blood they donated.

Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, guest of honor during the event, lauded and thanked the blood donors and volunteers who rolled up their sleeves in order to save lives of patients, mostly indigents.

Dr. George Repique, Jr., provincial health officer I and vice chairman of the CBC thanked all blood donors and the LGUs for the CBC’s voluntary blood services program that aimed to ensure there is enough supply of blood available for the people who are in need in times of emergency.| PICAD / PIA

.............................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................... <<<KARAPATAN...mula sa P/1

Magparehistro para makaboto Ayon kay Atty. Grollen Mar Liwag, Batangas City Election Officer, may 70% na ng mga botante sa lungsod ang nakapag biometrics na habang may 60,000 botante ang hindi pa.

Sa panahon ding itong maaaring magpa-transfer ng voting precinct o magpatala sa ibang lugar. Maaari ring dumulog ang mga may correction of entries at mga nagnanais magpabago ng civil status.

Para naman sa mga hindi nakaboto ng dalawang beses o higit pa, maaaring magpareactivate ng kanilang rehistro sa naturang tanggapan.

Kinakailangang magdala ng valid identification card (ID) at birth certificate para sa alinmang transaksyon.

Ayon pa rin kay Liwag, may plano rin aniya sila na magsagawa ng satellite registration sa mga barangay.

Bukas ang tanggapan ng Comelec mula alas-otso ng umaga hanggang ala-singko ng hapon, mula Linggo hanggang Huwebes upang mas maraming botante ang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagparehistro.

Hinikayat ni Liwag na magpatala ng maaga upang maiwasan ang siksikan sa huling araw ng takdang pagpapatala o last-minute registration.

Para sa iba pang impormasyon, maaaring mag-log in sa official website ng COMELEC na www.comelec.gov.ph.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

Reporma sa city jail, ipatutupad ng bagong warden HIGIT na paiigtingin ng bagong jail warden sa San Jose Sico Jail sa Batangas City na si Jail Chief Inspector Miguel D. Langcauon ang seguridad sa nasabing kulungan upang maging mas maayos ang serbisyo dito.

Ito ang kanyang naging pahayag noong May 19 pagkatapos na siya ay pormal na maipakilala sa publiko ni City Administrator Phillip Baroja matapos ang regular na flag ceremony ng mga kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod.

Si Langcauon ay 36 na taong gulang at tubong Bicol. Siya ay naging deputy warden mula pa noong taong 2004. Huli syang naglingkod sa Bureau of Jail Management and Penology sa Sta Cruz, Laguna.

Nagsimula siyang manungkulan bilang bagong jail warden sa lungsod noong May 7.

Aniya, lubos ang kaniyang kasiyahan sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanya sa Batangas City.

Bukod sa seguridad, pagtutuunan din aniya ng pansin ang pagsasaayos

ng detail ng kanyang mga tauhan.

Sisiguruhin aniya na maipatupad ang mandato ng BJMP na pagduty mula 8 hanggang 12 oras lamang sapagkat magiging ineffective na aniya ang isang jail officer kung lalampas sa oras na nabanggit.

Sa kasalukuyan ay may 21 personnel lamang sila sa San Jose Sico.

Nais din aniya na magkaroon ng quarterly training ang mga ito hinggil sa paghawak ng baril.

Sinabi rin ni Langcauaon na kumpara sa ibang piitan sa ibang bayan, masasabing organisado at maayos ang kalagayan ng may 220 lalaking inmates ng San Jose Sico City Jail.

Ipagpapatuloy pa din niya aniya ang pagiging produktibo ng mga inmates o residente sa pamamagitan ng mga livelihood projects.

Malaki aniya ang kanyang pasasalamat sa suporta ng pamahalaang lungsod sa pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga programa at proyekto para sa mga preso.

CI LANGCAUON Si Langcauon ang pumalit kay Jail Chief Inspector Lorenzo Reyes na nakaassign ngayon sa Sta Cruz, Laguna. Siya ay maglilingkod sa lungsod bilang jail warden sa loob ng tatlong taon.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

Balikas Can we really dismantle political dynasties through legislation?

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OPINION

May 12 - 18, 2014

By BENJIE OLIVEROS NEWS agencies reported that a pending bill banning political dynasties has finally passed the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and is due for plenary debates at the House of Representatives.

According to the proposed bill, a political dynasty exists when “two or more individuals who are related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity hold or run for national or local office in successive, simultaneous, or overlapping terms.”

As a counter measure, the bill provides that “No spouse, or person related within the second civil degree of consanguinity of affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half -blood, to an incumbent elective official seeking reelection shall be allowed to hold or run for any local or national elective office in the same election.”

The progress in this proposed measure came at an appropriate time as political dynasties have become more entrenched when the Aquino government came to power. A May 10, 2013 Interaksyon.com report quoted Ronald Mendoza, an economist at the Asian Institute of Management who has extensively researched dynasties, “While other countries also have famous political dynasties – such as the Kennedys in the United States or the Gandhi family in India – dynastic rule was more deeply ingrained in the Philippines.“ According to Mendoza, seven out of every 10 members of the House of Representatives belong to a political dynasty – defined as having other relatives in elected positions – with the figure climbing to 80 percent in the Senate.

Pres. Benigno Aquino III has a cousin in the Senate and sister Kris has sent feelers about her intention to run for local office in the 2016 elections; Vice-president Jejomar Binay has a daughter in Senate and his son is the mayor of Makati city; Senator Edgardo Angara’s son is now a senator; there are two Cayetanos in the Senate, aside from the fact that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s wife is the mayor of Taguig city; former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has two sons in the Senate.

The list goes on and on, and the situation is much worse in the provinces.

It is perhaps only in the Philippines where a clan, the Ampatuans, accused of murdering 58 people is able to win seats again, despite having the clan patriarch in jail.

However, while the proposed measure intends to address a major national malady, it barely scratches the surface of the problem.

The bill addresses only the manifestation of the problem. Political dynasties have lorded it over national and local politics since the declaration of independence from US colonial rule. They are able to do so not only because two or more members of the clan run for office at the same time.

Political clans are able to tighten their stranglehold in local politics because they hold the economic and political power in the provinces. In the provinces, they employ the very same private army, police and military forces, which they use to suppress peasants, to ensure that they win the elections by intimidation and massive cheating. They also use money, which they are able to squeeze out through unjust land rent, usury, and other exactions they impose on peasants who live and labor in their vast tracts of land, to buy votes.

And the reach of their influence goes beyond local politics. They could guarantee the victory of those running for national office in their provinces and thereby, able to get the assurance of national officials that their interests would be secured and promoted. Isn’t this how the Ampatuan clan is able to keep themselves in power?

Progressive call this as landordism and political warlordism, which is being perpetuated by the backward, pre-industrial, feudal character of Philippine society.

Added to this, there is a symbiotic relationship between political clans,

>>>PERSPECTIVE..turn to P/7

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Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|

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perspective

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Serving nine and one percent of the country’s population THE First Quarter 2014 Social Weather Survey said much about the people’s perception of whether the present Philippine government is serving the majority of the people who voted for the President. Survey results revealed that “49% of adult Filipinos saying Pres.

Benigno Noynoy Aquino III is serving the interest of the middle class, 44% saying he is serving the rich, and 40% saying he is serving the poor.”

The SWS noted that the proportion of those who said Pres. Aquino is serving the interest of the poor fell by 11 points from 51% in September 2013 to 40% in March 2014. It was 48% in September 2010 before it fell to 35% in March 2012, and bounced to 48% in March 2013. Meanwhile, “(T)hose who said he is serving the interest of the middle class went from 52% in September 2013 to 49% in March 2014. It was 55% in September 2010, 52% in March 2012, and 58% in March 2013.

Whereas the proportion of those who said he is serving the interest of the rich rose by 6 points from 38% in September 2013 to 44% in March 2014. It was 23% in September 2010 and 27% in March 2012, before it rose to 40% in March 2013.” (see <sws.org.ph>) Despite of this alarming trend in the perceptions of the public, the government did not make any public comment on the survey. Survey results are commented on or referred to whenever they are useful but ignored when they are damaging or prejudicial to the political interests of the administration policy makers and government administrators rarely address the concerns contained in the survey.

The latest survey has deep implications on the ability and the mandate of the present administration to govern. The survey shows that the administration is serving only the nine percent middle class and one percent affluent class of the Philippine society contrary

to its “Kayo ang Boss Ko” mantra. This means that government policies and programs did not make much to improve the lives of the ninety percent of the Philippine population who are poor. This also implies that the poor continue to suffer much under the current administration despite its claim of economic stability and improved governance.

On top of the issues of corruption and waste of government resources are concerns on whether life would be better during the term of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most popular and widely supported Philippine President in history.

His charisma had awakened the interest of many young people in elections and governance. Unfortunately, his administration failed to address even the most basic concerns for social services and the mismanagement of public funds by some public officials.

With spiralling prices of basic commodities and threats of drastic tax exactions even against farmers and street vendors, it is not difficult to see why the poor perceived that the present administration is only serving the rich. That the government is failing the poor has been the prevailing belief since the Philippines achieved independence in the 1940s. No government administration succeeded in addressing the worsening conditions of the majority of the people. And despite of the sloganeering and propaganda, the people remain destitute and their lives are still miserable.

With the pattern of misgovernance and insensitivity to the concerns of the poor, the administration could hardly be expected to deliver its promises of competent, credible, honest and responsive government. Just as before, people have to look for another messiah that can give them hope—this has always been the preoccupation of the poor and sadly, they always fail.

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Ang Mabuting Balita Si Jesus ang Daan HUWAG na kayong mabalisa; sumampalataya kayo sa Diyos, sumampalataya din kayo sa akin. Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming silid.

Kung hindi ito totoo, sasabihin ko ba sa inyong pupunta ako roon upang ipaghanda ko kayo ng inyong matitirhan? At kapag naipaghanda ko na kayo ng matitirhan, ako'y babalik at isasama ko kayo upang kayo'y makapiling ko kung saan ako naroroon. At alam na ninyo ang daan papunta sa pupuntahan ko.

Sinabi sa kanya ni Tomas, Panginoon, hindi po namin alam kung saan kayo pupunta, paano naming malalaman ang daan?

Sumagot si Jesus, Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makakapunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. Kung ako'y kilala ninyo, a kilala na rin ninyo ang aking Ama. Mula ngayon ay kilala na ninyo siya at inyo nang nakita.

Sinabi sa kanya ni Felipe, Panginoon,

ipakita po ninyo sa amin ang Ama at masisiyahan na kami.

Sumagot si Jesus, Felipe, kaytagal na ninyo akong kasama, hanggang ngayo'y hindi mo pa ako kilala? Ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita na sa Ama. Bakit mo sinasabing Ipakita mo sa amin ang Ama? Hindi ka ba naniniwalang ako'y nasa Ama at ang Ama ay nasa akin? Hindi sa akin galing ang sinasabi ko sa inyo. Ngunit ang Ama na nasa akin ang siyang gumaganap ng kanyang gawain. Maniwala kayo sa akin; ako'y nasa Ama at ang Ama ay nasa akin. Kung ayaw ninyong maniwala sa sinasabi ko, maniwala kayo dahil sa mga ginagawa ko. Pakatandaan ninyo: ang nananalig sa akin ay makakagawa ng mga ginagawa ko, at higit pa kaysa rito, sapagkat babalik na ako sa Ama. At anumang hilingin ninyo sa aking pangalan ay gagawin ko upang maparangalan ang Ama sa pamamagitan ng Anak. Kung hihiling kayo ng anuman sa aking pangalan, ito ay aking gagawin.|

May 12 - 18, 2014

OPINION

Balikas

5

Sobrang maelya si bosing - Huling Bahagi When someone close dies SA kaso ni Tess, nag-umpisa ang mga kalokohan nito noong Nobyembre 18, 2000 habang nasa isang field trip sila kasama ng iba pang opisyales at empleyado ng isang multipurpose cooperative. Pumunta sila sa isang resort sa Bulacan at doon ay tinangka ni Bernie na hatakin at halikan si Tess. Mabuti na lang at nakailag at nakatakas si Tess. Bumalik agad siya sa grupo. Pagkatapos noon ay tatlong beses humingi ng dispensa si Bernie sa nangyari.

Napuno na ang tatlong babae. Bawa’t isa sa kanila ay nagsampa ng sexual harass-ment kay Bernie.

Matapos ang masusing imbestigasyon ng opisina ng mayor, napatunayan na talagang nagkasala si Bernie.

Sa mga kasong sinampa nina Margie at Nida, sermon lang at 30 araw na pagkasuspinde sa trabaho ang ginawad. Kasi raw ay light harassment o medyo mababaw naman ang ginawa ni Bernie. Pero sa ginawa niya kay Tess siya ay tinanggal na sa trabaho.

Umapela sa Civil Service Commission (CSC) si Bernie.

Ang inapela niya ay ang pagkatanggal niya sa trabaho dahil ito lang ang puwede niyang iapela. Hindi na siya puwedeng umapela sa dalawang naunang desisyon.

Pero sumang-ayon ang CSC sa desisyon ng opisina ng mayor. Tama lang daw ang parusang pagkatanggal sa trabaho dahil sa grave misconduct imbes na grave sexual harassment. Nang umakyat pa si Bernie ng apela sa Court of Appeals (CA) , pinababa ang parusa. Imbes na pagkatanggal sa trabaho, ang sentensiya na lang niya ay masuspinde ng 30 araw. Kinunsidera ng CA ang paulit-ulit na paghingi ng tawad ni Bernie sa kanyang nagawa bilang katibayan na hindi nito balak na gumawa ng ganoon kabigat na kasalanan pati na rin ang 10 taon niyang serbisyo sa gobyerno. Tama ba ang CA? 

MALI. Ang ginawa ni Bernie na pagdakma kay Tess at ang tangka niyang paghalik sa babae ng walang pahintulot nito at malinaw na paglabag sa batas natin na nagbabawal sa sexual harassment sa opisina. Ipagpalagay na natin na wala siyang balak na lumabag sa RA 7877, mayroon pa rin siyang nilabag na batas na umiiral mula pa noong sinaunang panahon --- maaari lang ang ganitong kilos kung pareho silang pumapayag sa nangyayari. Ang paglabag ni Bernie sa ating nakagawian pati na ang kawalan niya ng respeto sa babae ay mas mabigat dahil nga may-asawa na siya. Pinakikita lang nito kung gaano kababa ang tingin niya sa mga babae at ang kawalan niya ng respeto sa puri at dignidad ni Tess.

Ang paulit-ulit na pakikipag-ayos ni Bernie kay Tess ay nagpapatunay lang din na alam niya kung gaano kabigat ang kanyang kasalanan at kung ano ang nagaantay sa kanyang parusa sakaling magreklamo si Tess sa kinauukulan. Ang mahabang taon ng serbisyo niya sa gobyerno ay hindi nga dapat ituring na pangbawas kundi pampabigat pa sa kanyang kasalanan. Inaasahan na sa tagal niya sa panunungkulan sa gobyerno ay dapat na alam na niya na magpakita siya ng integridad at disiplina sa sarili.

Isa pa, ito ang pangatlong kaso na pinarurusahan si Bernie para sa sexual harassment. Hindi dapat hayaan na magpatuloy ang kanyang pagkamanyak.

Dapat lang na tanggalin na siya sa trabaho at kumpiskahin ang kanyang retirement benefits maliban sa kanyang leave credits at hindi na payagan na makapasok muli sa alinmang sangay o ahensiya ng gobyerno (Narvasa vs. Sanchez Jr. , G. R. 169449, March 26, 2010, 616 SCRA 586).|

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Ang papael na dapat gampanan ng China saAsia MARAMI ang pagkakaiba ng isang bansang mayaman na may mataas na antas ng ekonomiya sa isang bansang palipad pa lamang. Kagaya ng bansa natin.

Ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon sa West Philippine Sea ay hindi dapat humantong sa initan at pormahan sa pagitan ng Tsina at ng mga maliliit na bansang nakapaligid sa kanya kung taktikang pangangaibigan ang kanyang ginamit at isinisulong.

Wala naman talagang question na malakas at mayaman ang Tsina sa bahaging ito ng Asya. Kaya nitong maging big brother kung nanaisisn nito.

Malaki ang maitutulong ng high technological advancement ng Tsina sa pag develop ng kakayahan ng mga karatig bansa nito. Kung transfer o di kaya sharing of technology ang tutukan nito, tiyak na magkakaroon pa ito ng mga kaalyadong bansa na silang maging susi para malusutan nito ang mga problema nya sa larangan ng food security, internal unrest, political diplomacy at sa mga suliraning na may kinalalaman sa patent at copyright protection.

Pero sa nangyayari ngayon, instead na maging Big Brother sa kapwa nya mga Asyano, patuloy itong gumagawa ng pader at hindi tulay. Inietsepuera niya ang mga Asyanong katulad niya. Hindi sya nagri-reach out para maging isang harmonious region ang Asya katulad ng Europa at Amerika.

Sakaling magkaisa ang buong Asya, sino pa ba ang titingalaing lider kundi ang pinakamayaman na bansa.

Di po ba? Parang England o France sa Europa, o di kaya ng Estados Unidos sa America, ang kalidad nito.

Bakit takot siyang pangunahan ang pagkakaisa ng rehiyon sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno?

Sa panahon ngayon, marami ang nagugutom. Kahit sa Amerika may nagugutom. At sa Tsina mismo grabe ang problema kung paano nito papakainin ang sambilyong tao ng mga mainland Chinese citizens. Kaya nga dito na sila nangigisda sa karagatan natin dahil ayaw nilang maubos yung laman dagat nila nang nauna sa iba. Para siempre pagdating ng panahon meron pa silang maharvest, di po ba?

At alam nyo ba kung gaano kalaking kayamanan ang hinihingi ng isang military capability development katulad ng level ng Tsina? US$200Bilyon lang naman ang budget ng People’s Liberation Army. Sa kasalukuyang palitan ng US$1-P40, ang annual budget natin — na ipalagay na nating nasa P1-Trillion – ay kumbaga loose change lang sa total military budget ng Tsina na nagkakahalaga ng P8-Quadrillion o tumataginting na P8,000,000,000,000!

E kung gamitin na lang kaya yang pera na yan sa pagpalago ng mga matatamlay na ekonomiya sa Asya?

O sa pag panumbalik ng mga nakalbong kagubatan ng Borneo? Puede rin gamitin yan para maprotektahan ang mga marine sanctuaries sa palibot ng Asya.

Paaralan. Ospital. Irigasyon. Power plants. Dams. Iba’tibang uri ng infrastructure. O di kaya gamitin sa balik baril para maubos na ang mga rebelde’t umusad naman ang buong Asya.

Bakit nga kaya? Meron bang dignity sa kamatayang sanhi ng hindi tamang pag gamit ng resources? O sa positive karma na dulot ng nakakabuting gawa para iahon ang naghihirap na kauri’t bansang parehong Asyano? Ano ang maitutulong natin bilang isang ordinaryong mamayan? Gamitin natin ang kapangyariahan ng internet upang i-komunicate natin itong mensahe natin sa mga lideres ng China.

Pasalamatan ko nga pala ang Lago De Oro dito sa Calatagan sa pagbibigay nila ng discount sa aming family outing kahapon. Marami talaga tayong magagandang lugar na kinakailangan natin ipagmalaki para dayuhin tayo ng turista. Kung gusto nyo pong mag sumali sa wake boarding competition sa darating na June 7, maaari po kayong tumawag sa CP 09175042685 or kaya bisitahin nyo ang kanilang website sa www.lago-de-oro.com. Gusto ko ring pasalamatan si Direktor Alexander Madrigal ng DOST sa pagdalo nya sa aming forum sa UP-UP Batangas last week. Kahit Sabado, nagsikripisyo siya para lang dalhin ang mga programa na may kinalalaman sa Science and Technology sa Batangas.|

WHEN someone close to you dies, what’ s the meaning of “dying”. Or what is the meaning of “living” for that matter?

I pondered deep about this when Atty. Charlemagne Aldevera, 64, a close buddy and family member (husband of my sister Bingay) suddenly passed away around Sunday midnight from what we laymen usually refer to as “heart attack”.

Doctors have some technical jargon for this. But it’s something that comes stealthily like a thief in the night and without warning. Charlie (“Paging” to intimates) was in his usual bantering self before nightfall and before heading home for an early rest at their Doña Luisa Subdivision house. Late that same afternoon, he was a “miron” ( bystander) in the “tong-its” card games at the Matina golf clubhouse cracking his usual jokes and was laughing with the “boys” so heartily that when he left unnoticed, the boisterous laughter just died down -- also unnoticed.

Unknown to his usual golf buddies, he quietly headed back to the Davao tennis clubhouse (his early passion being tennis) and again joined in the fun with his tennis buddies who have not seen him for a long time and some surprised that he unexpectedly showed up. Close to midnight, Bingay woke up seeing all house lights switched on and saw Charlie sprawled on the floor. He was not revived at all and I got a call early dawn (I was in Manila then) getting the sad news from my sisters Bingay and Doc Marj Culas. I was not surprised Mayor Rody Duterte was also on the telephone line asking me where I was. Charlie was his bosom friend of many years and closest confidante. He even later told mourners that he was prepared to let go of a long-kept secret: that Charlie was the only person he shared his deepest thoughts and sought confidential advice “on all matters” and for a long time. “He had no other interest paramount but mine alone and I trusted his instincts”, Mayor Rody confessed. “Now this,” with his spread hands in submissive helplessness and acceptance.

A husband and wife, in simple attire and in slippers approached me at the wake and said they came all the way from Midsayap, North Cotabato when they heard that Charlie died. “Dakog tabang si attorney sa amo” (“Attorney helped us a lot”). And they did not even bother explain what it was all about. They approached Bingay and whispered. Then they just shook my hand and quietly said a prayer and left. There were many similar stories and expressions during the wake. I am sure these are the same scenarios in every funeral wake that we attend with other departed friends and family members.

But what I am pondering about, as I said at the outset as I write this, is not totally about Charlie. His passing just woke up a few thoughts. Yes, he was a good man for those who knew him well. He always had that sunny disposition. I remember one of his last comments about so many carping and complaining about “init kaayo” ( so hot) due to the brownouts. He simply said: “Okay lang. Mas init sa impyerno siguro.” ( It’s okay. But it’s probably hotter in hell.”)

But then I asked myself: Does one have to die first for many to know how good one was? Why does a simple act of kindness or generosity remembered during wakes? In fact, why do such simple human acts, expected of everyone, turning out as exemplary deeds? Have our human standards of goodness all gone so low that ordinary , day to day ways and simple acts, have been regarded as outstanding and worth remembering?

That brings me to a question many asked when suddenly the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo died: “Why do we extol a public official like him for doing what is expected of every public official in the first place? Is being good or simple so rare nowadays that the ordinary becomes legend? Are decent public officials so few today and difficult to find that we extol the ordinary? I don't really have the answers.

They say funeral wakes are all about “paying respects” to a departed one. And time for reconciliation. Ooops... but I remember a story. It’s about a politician whose political rival suddenly died. To the surprise of everyone, he was one of the first to go to the wake. His political followers thought it was an act of reconciliation and the end of a bloody political fight in their town. But nope. He was there not to condole but to see for himself that his bitter rival is indeed “gone” for good! Wakes bring all sorts of people together -- especially long lost friends. And yes, Mayor Rody, something he had never done before, took the microphone almost the whole time after midnight and soulfully sang all the favorites of his friend.

I guess funeral wakes gather everyone in one place and unknown testimonials are whispered around in quietitude to heal the pain of loss.

We all know that one is not really missed until he has left. And when we gather, we pray for the departed. But I had a moment of awakening when Bingay, in one of her bursts of anguish and seemingly still in a state of denial just simply blurted out: “Please don’t pray for Charlie! He is now in God’s embrace. But pray for me. Pray for all of us”.

Yes, indeed the departed is forever freed from the foibles of earthly life. It is us, who are still around, who need God’s graces to one day also peacefully and depart in dignity -- the way Charlie and many countless others did!|

BUSINESS

May 12 - 18, 2014

6

Villar calls for state of emergency to solve coconut infestation MANILA – Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday said she asked the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to declare state of emergency in areas affected by the coconut infestation.

“There is a need for state of emergency to hasten the release of budget to solve this coconut infestation,” Villar said in a radio dzRH interview.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, said the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has been doing its job to solve the coconut infestation by coconut scale insect (CSI) in the Calabarzon area.

“The PCA has program but it is not so extensive because it is not fully supported by budget,” Villar said.

During last Monday’s hearing, Villar advised the PCA, specifically Region IVA, to immediately resort to rehabilitation if they cannot

stop the infestation.

“If we can’t stop the infestation, let’s rehabilitate,” Villar told Erlene Manohar, PCA Region V officer in charge.

Villar said the PCA has only P50 million budget to solve the infestation, way below the P150 million it proposed to fund the programs that include spraying of coconut farms; giving of fertilizer for rehabilitation; and, importation of the predators that can eat the scale insects.

“I can’t see the budget is not enough. We need to declare state of emergency that will be a massive campaign drive against coconut infestation,” Villar said.

Former senator and now

presidential adviser on agriculture Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan promised to the committee to help the PCA to get higher budget.

PCA Administrator lawyer Euclides Forbes said at present, 1,034,421 of the 58,441,505 bearing and nonbearing coconut trees are infested with CSI. Villar said around 3.5million hectare area of the country, representing 68 out of the 79 provinces, is planted to coconut trees.

“Coconuts are one of the most important crops in the Philippiness. The country is the second largest coconut producer in the world, accounting for 26.6% of global production,” she said.| JELLY F. MUSICO

DOOMED AGRI-BUSIENSS. Scale insects continue to damage more coconut plantation in the CALABARZON.|

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Research and development projects on major banana diseases renewed FUNDING for five R&D projects on banana were approved anew recently by

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DAR introduces organic farming to OrMin farmers

SOME 200 farmer-beneficiaries in Oriental Mindoro have turned to organic farming after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) trained them on the positive gains in natural farming versus conventional farming.

Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes said that the training seeks to expand organicallygrown rice and other crops because “natural farming is not only healthier for us to consume, it is also safe for the environment. In addition, it is cheaper for farmers because it uses natural materials for fertilizers and most importantly, the yield is much bigger.”

Under the DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS), the department tapped two farmers’ organizations, namely the Sta. Maria Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (SMARCC) and the Mina de Oro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (MAREBEMCO), whose farmermembers were trained on organic rice farming and composting.

According to Regional Director Homer Tobias, to show the farmers and convince them that going organic is better than conventional farming, “we established four demo farms and provided a team of crop specialist to teach the farmers the skills and know-how in the natural ways of farming without

harming the environment and without health hazards to farmers, crops and its yield.”

Crop Specialist Dr. Rafael Barroso said that the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has greatly degraded the rural environment.

Farmlands are poisoned due to the accumulation of chemicals in the soil.

“Studies we have made also show that using chemicals has increased the incidence of pests and animal diseases which results in low crop production. It also affects the health of farmers and consumers because the chemicals used in farming leaves harmful residues on agri products,” said Barroso.

“But aside from the health reasons that we have mentioned, the best benefit that the farmers get in growing organic crops is the yield. We have proven through our demo farms that yield will increase when we harvested 100 cavans of organic rice instead of the expected 80 cavans.

“And this is just the first cropping. As the soil gets healthier through organic farming, the continued practice of organic farming will further increase yield to 20 percent more,” added Barroso.

At the recent organic rice festival in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, farmers proudly exhibited and sold their harvests of organic rice, fruits and vegetables to

residents and tourists.

Farmer Manny Portugal attests to the benefits of growing organic rice. “By making my own fertilizers through composting, I was able to save around 70 percent in my fertilizer expenses because the materials I use are free like cow and chicken manure, dried leaves and hay (dayami).”

Farmer Dionisio Romion swears that organic farming is better. “From my first harvest in the demo farm, I harvested 10 percent more than what I expected. And that’s just my first trial. I know that I will harvest more in the next cropping season.”

When asked how the farmers will be able to sell their harvested organic rice to a niche market, Tobias said that the DAR through ARCCESS partnered with line agencies like the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Strategic Intervention and Community-focused Action towards Development (SICAD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to train farmers in product development and entrepreneurship.

“Aside from organic farming, we also trained them on basic business techniques so they can properly manage their produce as it goes out in the market. We call these line agencies as service providers.

The DAR and these service providers will help link our farmers to bigger markets,” Tobias said.

“Now that we have transferred the knowledge on the benefits and gains of organic farming, we are encouraging other farmers to adopt the technology in their own farms,” said Tobias.| PNA

BANKING

WOMEN’S RURAL BANK, INC. Deposits | Loans | Financing Services Carandang St., Poblacion, Rosario, Batangas

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

the Department of Science and Technology and PCAARRD. The projects are part of PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Plan (ISP) for banana.

Four of these projects focus on reducing disease incidence of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and Fusarium wilt in major banana-growing areas.

One of these four projects evaluates the performance of a new BBTV-resistant lakatan across locations. It is led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in collaboration with Cavite State University, Quirino State University, and Bureau of Plant Industry-Davao National Crop Research and Development Center (BPIDNCRDC).

BBTV is the most destructive virus disease of banana in the country as its severe incidence could wipe out a plantation. Since it has no known cure, the development of built-in resistance in lakatan was identified as an effective management strategy to control its spread.

The project on the evaluation of the performance of a new BBTV-resistant lakatan is expected to provide small farmers with diseaseresistant cultivars for them to achieve a more profitable

production.

During the first year of implementation, the project team surveyed experimental sites in Laguna, Cavite, Quirino, and Batangas. They also established 13 trial sites and 19 demonstration areas.

Results from the trials will serve as bases for deployment of BBTV-resistant lines in the future. The project is expected to end in 2016.

Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4), another major banana disease, is being addressed by the program titled “S&T management approaches against Fusarium wilt on ‘cavendish’ in Mindanao.” The program has three component projects and is nearing its third year of implementation.

As more and more plantations are affected by the disease, PCAARRD will continue to fund the program to assess the performance of seven giant cavendish tissueculture variant somaclones and determine the efficacy of commercially available microbial agents against the fungal pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense (Foc). These include MykoVAM, effective microorganisms, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum, and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.|S. ABUSTAN

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Offset Printing Machine Solna 124 Offset Machine | Japan-made Vertical Platemaker |3-Phase Power Motor Converter Push-Button Switch Set up For details, Call / Text 0912.902.7373 or 0917.521.9477

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Nicetas E. Escalona, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES kundi ang sarili.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23Dis. 21) - Ang pinakamagandang handog sa sarili ay ang pagbabago. Alam ng sarili kung anong mga pagkakamaling nagawa.

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Maaari kang makisaya subalit iwasan lamang na malasing. Taimtim na panalangin ang kailangan upang makaiwas sa hindi magandang pangyayari.

Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) Kapakanan ng sarili bago ang iba ang dapat. Hindi ka maaaring makatulong kung kapos sa sarili. Kung walang tiyaga at sipag, hikahos ang daranasin.

Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Kung ano ang ipinunla ay siyang aanihin. Kung gumawa ng kasamaan, gagawin ito sa iyo ngayon. Kung napabilang ka dito, panahon ng pagbabago para hindi malasin sa buhay.

Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Maligaya ang araw at upang maging masagana ang darating pang mga araw, patawarin ang mga taong nagkasala at humingi ng tawad sa nagawang kasalanan.

Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Kung ang suliranin ay pera dahil kapos, huwag mabahala dahil alam ng mga minamahal kung gaano ka nagsisikap. Ang pagkakaisa ng pamilya ay dapat pag-ibayuhin.

Pet owners should be responsible enough to have their pets vaccinated, says doctor A HEALTH expert has said it is part of the responsibility of pet owners to get their pets vaccinated as it is necessary for such domesticated animals' as well as their community's overall health.

Department of Health (DOH) consultant Dr. Willie Ong said via Twitter that there is no excuse not to have pets, particularly dogs, vaccinated because the agency is even giving free anti-rabies vaccination in various barangays.

Dr. Ong, who is also a medical columnist, further noted that this year, the DOH would prioritize in giving free

anti-rabies vaccination for dogs since it is more costeffective than anti-rabies vaccination for humans.

It can be recalled that the DOH on Monday inked an agreement with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for a joint anti-rabies program that aims to eliminate rabies by 2020.

In the agreement, the DOH allocated P69.5 million worth of financial assistance to the DA to add to its initial P40 million fund for the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines. Both agencies now have P109.5 million for the program.

According to Dr. Ong, more than half of rabies victims in the Philippines are children between aged five to 14 years.

Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona said that the estimated number of dogs in the country is nine to 10 million and out of that number, roughly one million dogs are given proper care and vaccination by their owners while the nine million others are not.

Meanwhile, the average number of deaths due to rabies is 200 to 250 annually.

Worldwide, rabies kills approximately 55,000 every

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Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) Kahirapan ang dinaranas ng karamihan dahil sa krisis, kung napabilang ka dito huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Maraming bagay na magagawa upang kumita kung magsisikap.

Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Kung magsikap at magtiyaga, lalandasin ang tamang daan ng kaunlaran sa hinaharap. Kung gustong magbago ang takbo ng buhay baguhin ang baluktot na ugali.

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Balikan ang alaala ng kahapon dahil ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa patutunguhan. Ang pagkakamali ng nakalipas ay aral na hindi dapat maulit.

Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Makikita ngayon ang pagkakamali sa buhay, kung itutuwid at babaguhin ito, malaking pagasa na lalandasin ang kaunlaran.

Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Daranasin ang hirap at hikahos kung ang ugaling makasarili ay hindi babaguhin. Kung babaguhin ang patakaran na maging matulungin at maunawain, dadaloy ang swerte.

Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Makakamit ang hinahangad kung buo ang loob. Huwag asahan ang iba kundi ang sarili. Hindi iba ang gumagawa ng iyong kapalaran

year.

Dr. Ong said that when a pet with rabies contaminates a person, it would be the responsibility of the owner to pay for the victim’s medical expense.

Rabies symptoms include fever, headache, confusion, swallowing difficulty, paralysis. Many rabies cases are fatal, Dr. Ong said.

He advised patients who have been bitten by dogs to capture the dog and observe it for 10 days. If the dog does not turn rabid, that would mean that it is free from rabies.| PNA

................................................................................................................................ <<<PERSPECTIVE....from P/4

Can we really dismantle political dynasties through legislation? big landlords who represent the local warlords in the provinces, and big foreign and local businesses. Political dynasties emanate from and/ or are being propped up by local warlords and financed by big foreign and local businesses. Where else could one get the billions of pesos that are needed in one’s campaign kitty to be able to win in national elections?

And big businesses are more likely to support candidates from the most “reliable” clans and those with the most chances of winning.

When these candidates win in national elections, the interests of local landlords cum warlords and big businesses are assured and promoted. In exchange, national officials are able to increase their wealth while in office through bribes for government contracts, the use of their political influence in getting laws passed, business contracts approved,

and the grant of licenses for the operations of big business.

Progressives describe this as profiting from government positions and call it bureaucrat capitalism.

Also, the hold of any political clan on the national government is largely determined not by the support of the people – because it is not the people’s interests that national officials promote in the first place – but by that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. That is why an incumbent president would always appoint military officials who they perceive as loyal to them to key positions in the chain of command. The final blow to the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and to former president Joseph Estrada came when the AFP withdrew its support to them.

But who or what prompted AFP officials to withdraw their support to their commander-in-chief?

SERVICE

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES Company Registration Consulancy & Processing

E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com

Who told Marcos to “cut clean”? Who turned the tide in favor of the Cory Aquino administration when the coup d’ etat against her appeared to be succeeding and RAM troops, helicopters, and jets were already attacking Camp Aguinaldo and Malacañang?

Since presidents come and go, who or which institution is constant in providing the AFP with guidance, training and support? Who is a constant member of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board, and other bodies such as the Joint US Military Advisory Group? Who took the lead in formulating the Philippine Defense Reform Program?

Officials of the Department of National Defense and even the AFP are changed whenever a new president and faction of the ruling elite take over Malacañang.

While representatives from the US Armed Forces and Department of Defense who sit in these bodies also change, the interests that they are protecting and the agenda they are pushing in

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May 12 - 18, 2014

the Philippines are constant no matter who sits as US president. It is the US Armed Forces that constantly provides guidance, training, and support to the AFP, and their hold has become even tighter with the recentlysigned Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippine and US governments. Thus, the hold of any political clan on the national government is also largely determined by the support of the US. These show that removing the stranglehold of political dynasties in national and local politics requires more than just barring two or more members of political clans from running simultaneously for local and national offices.

It would require a major overhaul of the country’s economic, political, and social structure, systems and processes.

However, the bill banning political dynasties is still a step in the right direction, if not mangled and diluted by political dynasties in the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Aquino government.| WWW.BULATLAT.COM

Pinoy recipes. Lutuing Pinoy Pansit Quadra

Remove vegetables and set aside.

Noodles Preparations: In a non stick pan or wok, heat oil over medium high heat.

Sauté ginger for 3 minutes or until lightly brown.

Add black beans, pressing to infused the flavor.

Pour the water, oyster sauce and soya sauce, bring to a boil.

Add Canton noodles and cook until tender in medium heat.

Add the vegetables, sweet pineapple sauce and fresh oyster.

Cover and simmer for about 3 minutes, just until mussels open.

Thickening Sauce: Combine the pineapple juice and brown sugar, stir until sugars dissolve.

Add cornstarch and mix until smooth and free from lumps.

Cooking Tips: Used honey as the substitute for brown sugar.

Clean and remove the byssal threads of the mussels.

Do not overcooked the mussels.

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves

CAVITE’S meatless noodle dish that is so simple and full of great flavors, with just vegetables and fresh mussles in sweet pineapple sauce.

Ingredients: 1 Packed (227 g) Canton noodles 2 Lbs fresh mussels 1 Medium size onion 1 Cup orange bell pepper 1 Cup red bell pepper 1 Stalk celery 2 Cups broccoli 1 Teaspoon ginger 2 Cloves garlic 2 Tablespoon black beans 1 Cup unsweetened pineapple juice 3 Tablespoon brown sugar 1 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch 2 Cups water Salt and pepper Vegetable oil Cooking Directions: In a non stick pan or wok, heat oil over medium high heat.

Sauté garlic and onion for 3 minutes or until lightly brown.

Add the bell peppers, celery and broccoli.

Season with salt and pepper, cook for another 3 minutes.

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36 PAHALANG 1 Kasalungat ng mura 6 Panulat 10 Bayan sa Pangasinan 12 Old Latin 13 Butlig 14 Laboratory: ikli 15 Pangkating etniko sa hilagang Cordillera 16 Belgium: daglat 17 Malungkot: Ingles 18 Lusob 21 Bayan sa Quezon 25 Tunog ng sampal 27 Palayaw ni Edgar 30 Sumbrero: Ingles 32 Mangkukulam 33 Aprub 34 Gulay na mapait 36 Bayan sa Laguna 37 Patungkol sa ilong PABABA 1 Walang suwerte

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Paruparo Pulis na nakamotorsiklo Ama (waray) Pera ng Lithuania Purchase order Lesotho: daglat Mall sa Pasay Legaspi ang kabisera Harinawa: pinaikli pera sa Albania Bayan sa Laguna Pagiging walang malasakit Lupang madamo: Ingles Hirap Pahintulot: Ingles Taguri kay Joseph Delikado Pinatuyong ubas Bintog Pasyal Alyas Iowa: daglat Milliliter: ikli

>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<<<

May 12 - 18, 2014

8

Mutya ng Solid Baybay 2014, itinanghal sa Ilijan

AKAIBANG rilag at talino ang naging puhunan ng 18-taong gulang na si Lyssa Vanessa Andal ng barangay Talahib Payapa nang tanghaling Mutya ng Solid Baybay 2014 mula sa 11 contestants na lumahok sa naturang pageant sa Ilijan Sports Complex, Mayo 7.

Tumanggap siya ng premyong P10,000 cash at trophy. Siya rin ang napiling Best in Long Gown.

Humakot naman ng parangal ang 1st Runner-Up na si Ma Franzien Balmes ng barangay Ilijan na sya ring nag-uwi ng titulong Best in Casual Wear, Best in Swimwear at Miss Photogenic.

Nanalong 2nd Runner-Up si Alexa Cena ng barangay Dela Paz Proper, 3rd RunnerUp ang kinatawan ng barangay Tabangao Ambulong na si Dean Kris Ann Balid at 4th Runner-Up naman si Wendy Arcega ng barangay Pinamucan Proper na sya ring napili ng kanyang mga kasamahan bilang Miss Friendship.

Bukod sa cash prize, sash, bouquet at trophy, nagkamit ang Top 5 winners ng sholarship grant mula sa pamahalaang lunsod.

Layunin ng naturang kompetisyon na maipakita kung gaano kalakas o kabuo ang samahan ng mga pinuno at mga residente

K

ng 19 na barangay na bumubuo sa coastal barangays cluster ng Batangas City.

Ang Mutya ng Solid Baybay 2014 ay nasa ikalimang taon na ng pagtatanghal tuwing bisperas ng Kapistahan San Miguel Arkanghel, patron ng Barangay Ilijan at ng mga mandaragat.

Ngayong taong 2014, ang pagtatanghal

ay nasa direksyon ni PESO Manager Mr Noel Silang na isang taal na taga barangay Ilijan.

Bukod sa nabanggit na patimpalak pagandahan, nagkaroon din ng basketball exhibition game sa pagitan ng mga paring Batangas at mga Star Magic Talents tulad nina EJ Falcon, Ahron Villaflor, Vandolph at Carlos Morales. Nagconcert din ang sikat na

bandang Aegis at nagdulot naman ng ibayong kasiyahan sa mga manonood ang mga ka-look-a-likes nina Robin Padilla, Marian Rivera at Jake Cuenca na syang mga nanalo sa katulad na patimpaka ng isang istasyon ng telebisyon.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

2014 PALARONG Pambansa Medalist. Masayang ipinakita ng mga Batangueño Athletes na kinatawan ng Southern

Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association (STCAA) ang mga medalyang kanilang napagwagian sa iba’t ibang sports discipline sa katatapos na 2014 Palarong Pambansa sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna, Mayo 4-10. Ang mga medallist ay tumanggap ng pabuya kay Governor Vilma Santos Recto sa pagpapamalas ng tapang at galing sa larangan ng palakasan.| LOUIE HERNANDEZ

Go away from drugs....

Harness your talents at

D’ BLADES JAMM We welcome home-grown bands, students, amateur jammers.

BLADES Centre, Guades Comp., Purok 3, Calicanto, Bats. City For inquiries and schedule, Call of Text 0912-902-7373 to 74.

Services Offered: * Rehearsals * Rentals * Tutorial *Band Service We also offer: Photobooth Service for all occasions.

Call: 043.417.1662