Vol xix, no 1 january 6 12, 2014

>>>Transportation convenience soon at SM Lipa grand terminal

> News..P/2

Vol. 19, No. 1 | January 6 - 12, 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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Tuy receives P36-M worth farm to market road from DAR, DPWH TUY, Batangas --A farmto-market (FMR) road worth P35.24 million was turned-over by the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Engineering Office I and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to this municipality last Dec. 16, 2013.

Started in Dec. 23, 2012 and completed Nov. 8, 2013, the 5.947 km improvement and rehabilitation of FMR traverses the three agrarian reform community (ARCs) barangays of Bayudbud, Toong, and Magahis. It was funded under the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project – Phase III (ARISP-III) by the Government of Japan through JICA and the Philippine Government through the DAR.

>>INFRA...turn to P/7

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“No additional taxes for 2014”, Palace assures

AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Gil de los Reyes (center) leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the P34.5 million Bayudbud-Toong concrete farm-to-market road project in Tuy, Batangas in this file photo. The road project will connect Bayudbud and Toong to neighboring barangays. The road will benefit farming households and local residents of the Bayudbud-Toong-Magahis Agraraian Reform Community (ARC).

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAR

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MANILA — Malacanang on Thursday assured that the Aquino administration will keep its word not to impose new taxes for this year and even beyond.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Presidential Communications Operations Office chief, said President Benigno Aquino III is committed not to impose additional burden to the people as what he promised at the start of his administration in June 2010.

Coloma said that based on this administration’s record, the only instance they have raised government income was via the “sin taxes”.

“Sinusundan pa rin po iyong commitment noong kampanya pa ni Pangulong Aquino sa hindi pagdadagdag ng buwis at sa halip iyong pagpapahusay na lang ng pamamahala para iyong dating natatagas dahil sa corruption ay

>>>FISCAL.. turn to P/7

Leviste denies owning ranch in Batangas raided for illegal drugs THE camp of former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste has denied owning the ranch in Batangas province where 84 kilograms of suspected shabu were seized on Dec. 25, last year.

The denial was made through a letter sent to Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima by Leviste’s lawyer, Cristina Buendia.

According to Buendia, her client had no interest or connection in any portion of the LPL Ranch Estate.

This was in contrast with the report in a newspaper stating that a senior official has confirmed that the compound is owned by the former governor.

The 100-hectare ranch was developed by the twin brother of the former governor, Conrad Leviste who sold or leased some portions to different individuals.

Also submitted by the camp of Leviste are the Articles of Incorporation and documents from the

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pertaining to the LBJ Development Corporation which is run by the relatives of Leviste, namely: Lauro Leviste and Jose Leviste.

Buendia also submitted the contract of lease between the administrator of LBJ Development Corporation, Benedicto Orense, and a certain George Torres showing that Torres is leasing the 10,000-square-meter property to LPL Ranch in the amount of P18,150 per month.

However, Torres made an advanced payment of P221,100 for a one-year lease of the property.

According to De Lima, if it would be proven that Leviste indeed owned the ranch and that he had prior knowledge of the operation of the illegal drugs there, it may be used as basis to revoke the parole granted to him.

De Lima also said earlier that if it would be proven rightly so, it may also mean that Leviste should return to prison.| PNA

Reckless

Tourism treat to Philippine turtles

p. 2

2 batang magkapatid, magkayakap na nasunog

p. 3

SHOOTFEST FOR A CAUSE.

Batangas police provincial director Omega Jireh D. Fidel led the ceremonial firing at the 2nd Batangas Provincial Director and Governor SHootfest for a Cause. The tournament aims to raise funds for the continued upgarding fo security services and facilities of the province of Batangas and its police force.| JOENALD M. RAYOS

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‘Urbi et Orbi’

2 Balikas NEWS BALANCING THE ECO-SYSTEM...

January 6 - 12, 2014

Tourism threat to Philippines’ turtles TOURISM, pollution and destruction of breeding grounds in the Philippine coast threaten the existence of the country’s marine turtles, according to the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines.

“In the Philippines, where it seems that every inch of our beaches will soon be developed for tourism, this will become a big threat for marine turtles,” said Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, founder and director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “Tourism in natural places that does not take into account the effect they have to the environment is the threat.”

Yaptinchay said development of the coast where buildings are to be constructed will displace marine turtles from one of their most important life cycle habitats, referring to the nesting beach.

“Lights, infrastructure, noise, domestic animals, and pollution will not only disturb those nesting females but also their hatchlings.

Marine turtles will not nest when disturbed,” he added.

Yaptinchay explained that marine turtles “spend most of their life in the sea and get all the things they need there. They even mate in the sea. But when the time comes to lay their eggs, the females return to shore, usually in the same place where they were hatched.”

“If you imagine a first time nester approaching its place of birth, how much do you think of its birth place or nesting beach remains over the last 35-50 years? I would guess there would be very little space left for it to nest and enough disturbance developed to shoo it away. We are preventing them from fulfilling their life purpose. For me this is very tragic,” he said.

In some instances, some tourism facilities view marine turtles as attractions.

“This is fine if you view marine turtles from a distance, but most (beach owners) are greedy and would take a turtle and put it in a tank for secured viewing for their guests,” Dr. Yaptinchay said.

But what he considered as worrisome is when beach owners would tie the turtle to a tree. “This has happened and is still happening,” deplored Dr. Yaptinchay.

Those resorts located in islands sometimes think they are helping marine turtles by keeping hatchlings in containers and allow them to grow for a few months before releasing them into the open sea.

“What they do not realize is that they have just disrupted the whole life cycle of the turtles. Hatchlings are supposed to be in open pelagic waters for the first decade of their lives. Again an important phase in

their lives is affected,” Yaptinchay said.

However, there are ways to develop tourism without compromising the integrity of the environment, he added.

Yaptinchay said the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, together with the Department of Tourism are developing interaction guidelines for tourists, resorts, and dive operators to avoid disturbance to the environment of marine turtles.

Marine turtles belong to the order Chelonia, an order of reptiles that has existed and flourished since prehistory with very little change in their basic structure. They are locally known as “pawikan.”

Of the eight species of marine turtles known to man, five of them can be found in the Philippines.

These are the Green Sea (known in the science world as “Chelonia mydas”), Hawksbill (“Eretmochelys imbricate”), Loggerhead (“Caretta caretta”), Olive Ridley (“Lepidochelys olivacea”), and Leatherback (“Dermocheyls coriacea”).

The three others are the Kemp’s Ridley (“Lepidochelys kempi”), Flatback (“Chelonia depressa”), and Black Sea (“Chelonia agassizi”).

Unfortunately, all eight species are listed under the Appendix I of

the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which means the trade of these species and subspecies is strictly “prohibited except for educational, scientific or research and study purposes.”

The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has also classified the eight species as endangered. This is so because “their populations are in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue to operate.”

Since 2001, hunting, sale and killing of marine turtles have been banned in the Philippines. The Wildlife Conservation Act, or

Republic Act No. 9147, penalizes violators with a fine of up to P100,000 and one year in jail.

Despite sincere efforts by the government and some environmentalist groups to save marine turtles from extinction, the decimation of the endangered species continues unabated.

“All of the species found in our country are endangered except for the Hawksbill which is critically endangered. The only sure thing is that marine turtle populations are under tremendous threats and if these are not stopped, extinction is imminent,” Yaptinchay said.|

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Guiuan fishers raring to return to sea GUIUAN, Eastern Samar— Fisherrmen and commercial fishing boat operators are raring to go back to the sea a month after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” destroyed their boats and their livelihood.

Many have repaired their fishing boats while their crew men started to return more than a month after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

However, they cannot go on full operation for one simple and cold problem—the unavailability of ice.

Benjamin Cabacaba, a 55

year old said he can resume operations anytime.

“Ice ang kulang namin, walang ice,” he said in an interview.

As a commercial fisherman that used to operate at least four “lantsa” or large fishing boats, Cabacaba said they used to get supply of ice from as far as Tacloban City, Catbalogan City and Bicol.

He said that is a key element in commercial fishing operations because it keep fish catch fresh.

Fish caught by Cabacaba’s crewmen are later sold

to major cities in the Visayas like Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu. Sometimes, they are also selling fish to as far as Bicol.

He said that every night, each of his 40-ton “lantsa” manned by 40 crewmen can catch up eight tons of fish.

Such volume requires large volume of ice keep fish fresh until it reach markets in major cities.

He said that in his more than 30 years in the fishing industry, their catch remain consistent.

This partly due to prohiThe calmness of the sea invites local fishers for a catch. bition against dynamite depends on the capability of fishing in this coastal town on fishermen.

However, when pressed the southern tip of Samar for answers, he said that it Island.

He said that in the 50 and might take at least five year 60’s dynamite fishing on the for full recovery.

He said that many of the Pacific Ocean near this town fishing boats were damaged is rampant.

This due to availability of during the onslaught of the dynamite and other explosive typhoon.

As a matter of fact, he materials left by American said that two of his forces.

Cabacaba said that operational “lantsa” beached municipal government of on the island of Tubabao off Guiuan banned the use of the coast of Guiuan.

He said that it suffered dynamite to protect its minimal damage and can be fishing industry.

With regards to actual operated anytime it is pulled recovery of the fishing on the shore.| DINO BALABO industry here,he said that it & IMELDA ABANO

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NEWS

January 6 - 12, 2014

Balikas

3

DOLE’s ECC grants P1.4-M worth of prosthesis to 21 workers in 2013 MANILA — Last November 6, Christopher Oliquino, 38, a resident of Antipolo City, was able to walk again, thanks to a new above-knee prosthesis.

A former wire saw operator at a quarrying site in Teresa, Rizal, Oliquino figured in an industrial accident in January 2012, when the cable of the wire saw he was using suddenly snapped. He sustained a grave injury, receiv-

ing an above-the-knee amputation.

Because it was work-related, the Employees Compensation Commission granted him above-knee prosthesis worth P65,500.

Ronnel Miguel Tolentino, 26 years old, and a resident of Malabon City could not thank the ECC enough after he was able to continue working with a new leg.

An amputee, he was granted by the ECC aboveknee prosthesis worth P62,000 sometime this year, which enabled him to move around again.

Oliquino and Tolentino are two of the 21 workers who sustained work-related disabilities the ECC has granted P1,437,500-worth of artificial prosthesis in 2013 to facilitate their integration into the eco-

nomic mainstream.

In a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, ECC Executive Director Stella Banawis said the agency made the grant of the benefits under its Katulong at Gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (KaGabay) Program.

“We are pleased to report that the ECC's KaGabay Pro-

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TESDA’s top stories for 2013

MANILA (PNA) — Around 860,000 technical vocational graduates that are now holders of National Certificates was the most significant achievement by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for 2013, exceeding its target for the year which is pegged at 850,000 graduates.

This is expected to increase further once the December reports from its regional offices reach the central office.

“These are graduates who passed the assessment and are now certified TESDA specialistas. A number of them, in fact, are already employed, especially those who have finished their courses earlier," said TESDA Director-General Joel Villanueva.

Meanwhile, a total of 576,748 students from July 2010 to November 2013 were enrolled through TESDA's

Training for Work Scholarship Program.

According to the agency, six out of 10 of its graduates were able to find employment within six months to one year after graduating.

In the IT-BPO sector, some 75,479 completed the training from the 75,682 individuals who enrolled which resulted to a 70.7 percent employment rate.

On the other hand, around 85 percent of TESDA graduates are already employed in the electronics and semi-conductors industry.

The agency has also enhanced the capability of techvoc trainers nationwide as some 5,413 trainers underwent training in methodology to improve their teaching techniques to deliver quality programs.

Another initiative that was undertaken by the TESDA was the establishment

of a human resource development center which aims to offer courses in animation and digital arts with state-of-the art and latest equipment and software technology from the government of South Korea.

The facility was a product of an international technical cooperation between TESDA and the South Korean government to address the manpower gaps for highly critical and emerging skills.

Another feather in the cap for the agency is its ISO certification for its key processes in program registration and assessment and certification which makes it the first national education agency to pass the international quality standards.

Its central office and more than 50 percent of its regional and provincial offices are now ISO certified.

TESDA is now working on the certification of all its re-

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Lipa City Fiesta Activities 2014 Jan. 10, Friday - Blood Olympics 8:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center Jan. 11, Saturday - Start of Novena Mass 5:15 pm (San Sebastian Cathedral) - San Miguel Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 12, Sunday - Body Painting Competition (“Fiesta De Barako”) 10:00 am @ SM Events Center - Amateur Boxing Tournament 1:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 13, Monday - “Isang Libong Bata, Isang LibongTuwa” 8:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center Jan. 14, Tuesday - Street Dancing Competition “Makalanyog Festival” 8:00 am @ SM City Lipa to Lipa Plaza Independencia “KaBosesKo Si Idol” Grand Finals Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan.15, Wednesday- Cultural Night (“Fuzion”) 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 16, Thurs. - “Mautak Ako Showdown” Yr. II

10:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center - Runway Fashion & Beauty Year III 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 17, Friday- Lipa Queen of Charity 2014 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 18, Saturday - 10th Roadrunner 117 Moto-Racing Invitational Cup 6:00 am @ Leviste Drive, Inosluban - Ginebra Variety Show Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 19, Sunday - Mutya ng Lipa 2014 Coronation Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia - Car Show 2014 9:00 pm @ Ayala Highway Jan. 20, Monday - Grand Parade 6:00 am (from SM City Lipa to Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center) - Concelebrated Mass 9:30 am @ San Sebastian Cathedral - Procession (5:00 pm) - “ABS-CBN Kapamilya Caravan” 5:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia

maining regional and provincial offices for 2014, according to Villanueva.

It will tap its certified regions to assist and nurture the others in preparing for their ISO certification.

TESDA is also pushing for the enactment of the apprenticeship bill which seeks to reform the country's apprenticeship program to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers particularly in priority industries and help ease the problem of youth unemployment.

The program will provide the youth with the essential competencies and access to employment through training to be given within the premises of participating enterprises.

The proposed measure intends to recognize qualifications with training regulations promulgated by TESDA as “apprentice-able” to meet the immediate requirements of enterprises for skilled workers.

It will also emphasize the need for theoretical instructions alongside the actual training at work.

The apprenticeship period will be based on the complexity of the skills to be learned by the apprentices as indicated in TESDA’s training regulations.

Meanwhile, TESDA has also given assistance to the victims of recent calamities that struck the country through affected areas and evacuation centers.

Around 2,500 residents of the provinces hit by the typhoon, including Leyte and Samar, are undergoing a crash course on basic carpentry and house wiring to equip them with the skills in rebuilding their homes and be able to help in other construction works in their community which started last December and expected to conclude until March of this year through its "Pandayan" project.

Trainees can take the competency assessment test after the training and be a certified TESDA graduate.

On the other hand, TESDA in partnership with My Shelter Foundation, has offered its trainees and volunteers to help produce solar night lights using available raw materials such as empty soda bottle.

These solar lights will be distributed to communities destroyed by the typhoon and in the country’s poorest municipalities.| AEROL B. PATENA

gram was able to make 21 workers with work-related disabilities happy and able to re-integrate themselves in the economic mainstream.

Through the benefits of modern prosthesis, the likes of Oliquino and Tolentino were able to work and become productive again," said Banawis in her report.

The ECC's KaGabay Program is an economic assistance program for persons with work-related disabilities.

Its objectives are to facilitate integration of the persons with work-related disabilities into the economic mainstream through physical restoration and training for re-employment or entrepreneurship in order to provide them with equal access to livelihood opportunities and micro-enterprises or home-based business.

"The ECC's KaGaBay program is a friend to occupationally-disabled workers, or ODWs. It helps them find productive careers that will enhance their quality of life and restore them to their highest level of functioning," Baldoz said in describing the program that demonstrates the Philippines’ strong commitment on

the protection of ODWs. The Kagabay Program also provides ODWs access to skills training for possible reemployment and entrepreneurship training for small or home-based business.

“ODWs should not be a loss to society. They can be mainstreamed into regular employment and productive activities if properly re-trained or re-skilled to perform specific tasks given their particular disabilities. This is the objective of this program—the reskilling of ODWs and their placement in new jobs,” Baldoz said.

“The ECC is an effective agency that unlocks the potential of our ODWs. Through the KaGaBay Program, our ODWs will be at par with the rest if they are given a fair chance to start new lives and make use of their abilities to the fullest,” she added.

Banawis says one of the goals of the ECC in 2014 is to reach out to more ODWs who can avail of its programs and services. This, she believes, can be achieved by increasing ODWs' awareness of and understanding about the ECC's employees’ compensation programs.| PNA

Peace & Order Update Collated By JEROME JAY C. SAPINOSO

Babaeng manager ng isang farm, natagpuang patay at hubot-hubad BATANGAS – Isang 26-taong gulang na babae ang natagpuang patay sa isang farm sa Padre Garcia noong Sabado ng umaga, Enero 4.

Kinilala ni Batangas police director PSSupt Omega Jireh Fidel ang biktimang itinago sa pangalang Jessebel, manager of BMV Farm sa Barangay San Miguel, bayan ng Padre Garcia.

Natagpuang batbat ng saksak sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng katawan ang biktima sa loob mismo ng kaniyang comfort room sa barracks ng naturang farm dakong alas-5:45 ng umaga.

Iniulat din ng pulisya na maaaring pagnanakaw ang motibo sa krimen sapagkat nawawala ang laptop, cellphone and P5,000 cash ng biktima. Inaalam pa rin ng mga imbestigador kung ginahasa rin ba ang biktima sapagkat hubot-hubad ang biktima ng ito’y matagpuan.

Sinabi naman ni Padre Garcia police chief SInsp Joel Ilagan na may 10 katao na ang kinapanayam ng pulisya upang magbigay-linaw sa naturang krimen.|

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2 batang magkapatid, magkayakap na nasunog LUNSOD NG LIPA, Batangas – Maagang natapos ang taong 2014 para sa batang magkapatid na Lipeño matapos makulong sa loob ng kanilang bahay na nasunog kahapon ng umaga sa lunsod na ito.

Kinilala ni F/Senior Insp. Von Ferdinand Nicasio ng Bureau of Fire Protection ang mga namatay na sina Prince John Dima­ilig, 4; at kapati nitong si Jessa Angelica, 3, kapwa residente ng No. 1043, Ba­rangay Balintawak sakop ng lungsod pa ring ito.

Ayon pa kay Nicasio, bandang alas-7:00 ng umaga nang magsimulang tupukin ng apoy ang bahay ng mga biktima.

Nabatid pa sa inisyal na imbestigasyon ni FO2 Ritchie Manalo, na naiwang walang kasama ang magkapatid sa kanilang bahay kung saan ang tatay na si Reggie Dimailig ay nagtatrabaho sa Lipa City National High School bilang janitor habang sa pabrika naman ang kanilang ina.

Umabot pa ng isang oras ang sunog bago tuluyang naapula.

Na­gim­bal naman ang mga nagsirespondeng bumbero nang tumambad sa kanila ang sunog na bangkay ng magkapatid na magkayakap pa sa loob ng kanilang kuwarto na hinihinalang kumapit sa bawat isa sa pag-asang maililigats ang mga sarili hanggang sa kamatayan.

Samnatala, nabatid din sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, na nagmula ang apoy mula sa nag-overload na electrical circuit ng fuse box sa apartment ng mga biktima.|

R C D B th

OPINION

Balikas

4

January 6 - 12, 2014

‘We Should Legalize Everything’ and other 2013 shocking sound bites

By MONG PALATINO

Second of Four-Part Series 2013 was a calamitous year for the Philippines – earthquakes, strong typhoons, bus crashes, corruption scandals. The reactions of various newsmakers to these disasters have revealed a lot of things about the fundamental flaws in governance, and in particular the inability of President BS Aquino to govern properly and decisively. Let us review some of these popular sound bites which seemed at first to be irrelevant one-liners. Actually, many of these airtime and print fillers exposed the bankruptcy of the ruling order.

1. We should legalize everything… You have to remember: we have to be very careful because you are a Romualdez and the president is an Aquino. Secretary Mar Roxas reportedly uttered these infamous words during a meeting with Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez a few days after super typhoon Yolanda hit the country.

2. But you did not die, right? BS Aquino’s reply to a businessman who was complaining about the breakdown of law and order in post-Yolanda Tacloban.

3. The issue here is whether the funds were misused or not. I hope the public will listen to our explanation that we did not pocket everything.

Senate President Franklin Drilon should have said it in Filipino: Hindi namin binulsa lahat.

4. I can buy you, your friends, and this club! TV host Anne Curtis delivered the secret mantra of politicians and the filthy rich.

5. If I’m the president, I will declare a revolution. I will rebel against my own government. Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s response to the suggestion for him to run for president. He is the same mayor who advised investors to pay NPA revolutionary taxes.

6. Tanda, Sexy, Pogi. Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla.

7. We all here are victims of a flawed system, which is so ingrained and that has been institutionalized. An excerpt from Senator Jinggoy’s privilege speech which exposed the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

8. Oh there you are. Let me take a good look at you. Senator Miriam Santiago’s opening line after seeing alleged pork operator Janet Napoles in a senate hearing.

9. Tell the truth before the senators affected have you assassinated.

Senator Miriam’s advice to Napoles.

10. “Sinabi ng Senadora na ako ay may asim pa. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanyang sinabi, pero ikinalulungkot kong sabihin hindi ako naasiman sa kanya.” Believe it or not, these words were said in a privilege speech by former Senate President Enrile.

11. Pork Barrel King. The tag given by labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno to BS Aquino.

12. Ang pera kong ginarnish ng BIR ay hindi po nakaw at hindi po PDAF o DAP, ito po ay galing sa lahat ng suntok, bugbog, pawis at dugo na tiniis ko sa boxing. Sarangani legislator and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao hits back at the Bureau of Internal Revenue for freezing some of his bank accounts.

13. Kung ihihiwalay naman yung Maguindanao figures, hindi naman talaga tayo ‘yung lalabas na [most dangerous place for journalists]. Hindi naman ganun kaseryoso o kalala ‘yung problemang ‘yun. Apparently for presidential spokesman (and former activist) Sonny Coloma, the 24 cases of media killings in the past three years are not yet alarming.

14. Bahala na si Lord sa inyo, busy ako. BS Aquino is obviously affected by the dramatic drop in his public trust ratings and he blamed everybody especially critics and fault-finding reporters except himself and his team.

question everything?

>>PERSPECTIVE...turn to P/5

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Reckless NEWS reports put the casualty from stray bullets to more than thirty while the injured from firecrackers to more than eight hundred. Unfortunate nobody owes responsibility for the stray bullets that kill while the injured cannot be held accountable for their stupidity. Deaths, injuries and pollution seem inevitable during the New Year revelry.

And yes, they are all inflicted in the spirit of fun.

The Department of Health has carried out its campaign against the use of firecrackers with all the tactics and fanfare needed to get media and public attention. It has tried to communicate to the people what they need to know about firecrackers and stray bullets. To its credit, the government has done everything to remind the public of the dangers of reckless merrymaking.

The success or failure of the campaign is reflected in the statistics. A government official was reported to claim that the number of children who were injured during the New Year has lessened compared to the last year’s statistics which indicates that the campaign was a success. Such declaration is ill-advised of course. In fairness, his declaration, if indeed there was such a declaration, might have been taken out of context.

Nobody in his or her right mind would claim such success in the face of the public perception that the statistics today is higher than the number of deaths and injuries listed last year.

Prudence could have prevented the deaths and injuries but festivities such as the New Year. But prudence could hardly be expected from people who do things in the spirit of fun. People died of stray bullets because we have allowed the reckless to fool around again.

The sufferings that the reckless brings to the victims and their families cannot be fathomed. The liability for the deaths and injuries resulting from recklessness should be based not on the nature of the act but on the suffering inflicted on the victims. Since, intention is immaterial in the offense, the penalty for reckless conduct seems so much less than the suffering inflicted on the victim.

Only if criminal intent may be imputed under the law, or conclusively presumed (if this would not sound so legally flawed), that perpetrators could be made to suffer the way their victims suffer. Oh, if it could be done without becoming obscure or appearing to be an aberration in the existing legal regime, then, people will never be so reckless when they celebrate the New Year again.

This brings us to gun control. The Philippine National Police said its record disclosed that there are 1,700,398 licensed firearms in the Philippines as of November 2013.

It is now implementing a six-month amnesty program for loose firearms pursuant to Republic Act 10195 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2013. Of course, loose guns are usual suspects for most deaths that occasioned the celebration of the New Year. However, the registration of firearms does not guarantee anything. Gun control should not just eradicate unregistered firearms in the streets. Most importantly, it must reduce in dramatic scale the number of firearms in private hands. Also, it must assure people’s protection from violence so that the necessity for guns will lose appeal in their minds. This is the aim of any sensible gun control policy.

Loose minds not loose guns kill people. Deal with loose minds and the New Year will never be so reckless again.|

Ang Mabuting Balita Binautismuhan si Jesus (Marcos 1: 9-11)(Lucas 3: 21-22)

Dumating si Jesus sa Ilog Jordan mula sa Galilea upang magpabautismo kay Juan. Ngunit tumututol si Juan at patuloy na sinabi, "Ako po ang dapat magpabautismo sa inyo! Bakit kayo nagpapabautismo sa akin?" Subalit sumagot si Jesus, "Hayaan mo ito ang mangyari ngayon; sapagkat ito ang nararapat nating gawin upang matupad ang kalooban ng Diyos."

Kaya't pumayag din si Juan. Nang siya'y mabautismuhan, umahon si Jesus sa tubig. Biglang nabuksan ang langit at nakita ni Jesus ang Espiritu ng Diyos na bumababang parang isang kalapati at dumapo sa kanya. At isang tinig mula sa langit ang nagsabi, "Ito ang minamahal kong Anak na lubos kong kinalulugdan!"|

January 6 - 12, 2014

OPINION

Tatay na ang dating manliligaw ISANG taon na nanligaw si Florante kay Laura bago siya sinagot. Isang gabi, habang wala ang mga magulang ni Laura, sinamantala ni Florante ang sitwasyon. Hiniling ni Florante na ibigay ni Laura ang sarili bilang patunay ng pagmamahal. Pakakasalan naman daw siya. Tumanggi si Laura pero nakuha rin ni Florante ang gusto. Isang linggo ang nakalipas, naulit ang nangyari.

Nangamba si Laura na baka mabuntis siya. Sa takot, nagdesisyon siyang magtungo sa Maynila kahit tutol si Florante.

Nabuntis nga si Laura. Sinulatan niya si Florante pero hindi ito sumagot. Nagdesisyon siyang bumalik sa probinsiya para hanapin ang nobyo. Umapela siya kay Florante na isalba siya sa kahihiyan at magpakasal na sila. Tumanggi ito. Nagalit sa pagpunta niya sa Maynila.

Nanganak si Laura. Kinausap ni Laura si Florante para humingi ng suporta para sa anak. Tinawag pa ni Laura ang hepe ng pulisya ng kanilang bayan para mamagitan. Kinilala ni Florante ang bata bilang anak pero ayaw pa rin nitong magbigay ng suporta. Kung gusto raw ni Laura, ibigay na lang ang pangangalaga

ng bata sa nanay niya.

Humingi ng tulong si Laura sa isang social worker.

Ito ang kumausap kay Florante. Inamin ni Florante na anak niya ang bata pero inulit lang muli ang alok na nanay niya ang magpapalaki sa apo. Dahil ayaw naman ni Laura na bitawan ang kustodiya sa anak, nagsampa siya ng kaso sa korte para kilalanin ni Florante ang bata at para pormal na humingi ng suporta rito. Ayaw pumayag ni Florante, wala naman daw hawak na anumang dokumento si Laura na magpapatunay na kinikilala niya ang bata. May karapatan ba si Laura na kilalanin ang anak at humingi ng suporta kay Florante?  MERON. Kahit sabihin na walang dokumentong pinanghahawakan si Laura kung saan kinilala ni Florante ang anak, sapat naman na katibayan ang testimonya at salaysay ng hepe ng pulis, ng social worker at ni Laura bilang patunay na inamin mismo sa kanila ni Florante na anak niya ang bata. Dahil sa ebidensiyang ito, nararapat lang na kilalanin at suportahan ni Florante ang bata sa ilalim ng batas (Art. 283, paragraph 4 Civil Code) (Velasquez vs. Asignar, 39 SCRA 184).|

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Bagong Taon, bagong Kaugalian para sa Pagbabago MANIGONG bagong taon sa mga masugid nating mambabasa.

Pasimula na naman ang isang taon sa ating kasaysayan at buhay. Ito ang tamang panahon para sa isang masusing pagbalik tanaw sa mga bagay bagay na ating nakaligtaang gawin, o di kaya sa mga iniwasan nating gawin noon.

Ito ang tamang oras para magkaroon tayo ng mahigpit na imposisyon sa ating mga sarili para sa ikabubuti ng ating buhay. Iwasan na tin ang mga ugaling nagdulot sa atin ng kasamaan, o di naman kaya yung mga gawaing hindi nagdulot ng maganda sa atin.

Kasamana dun ang pagresolba na suportahan natin ang mithiing magkaroon na ng kapayapaan sa ating bansa.

Doon sa Mindanao, bagama’t hindi masyadong magarbo ang dating sa media katulad ng mga beauty titles na sunod sunod na naipanalo ng Pilipinas, umuusad ng pasulong ang usaping pangkapayapaan.

Ito ay dahil sa masugid na pagtutok ng mga tao roon na tapusin na ang giyera sa pamamagitan ng pag-uusap instead ng magbarilan at mag patayan na alam nating hindi naman naging patungong kapayapaan sa loob ng mahabang panahon.

Isa na dyan sa aking inaasam na maging bukas ang

ating isipan sa mga pagbabago.

Kasama na sa mga pagbabagong ito ang pagkakaroon natin ng tamang pananaw sa mga programa ng ating pamahalaan, lalong lalo na yung may direktang kinalaman sa ikabubuti ng karamihan.

Ito rin sana ang magbigay ilaw sa isip ng mga kapatid nating NPA na tanggapin na ang alok na kapayapaan ng ating pamahalaan. Kasi po sa tinagaltagal na nilang namumundok wala pa rin nangyayari sa mga hinaing nilang dinadaan sa dahas ang usapan.

Kung di umubra ang dahas e di idaan natin sa mapayapang pamamaraan, di po ba?

Sana ay naging malaking aral sa atin ang Zamboanga siege, ang lindol sa Bohol at ang Yolanda para makapagisip tayo na kung hindi tayo magtutulungan walang mapupuntahan itong ating bayan.

Maawa kayo sa mga bagong sibol na kabataang Pilipino.

Huwag natin silang bigyan ng dahilan na balang araw bisitahin nila ang ating mga nitso hindi para mag alay ng bulaklak kundi para duraan ang ating libingan dahil hindi natin ginawa ang mga bagay na ikabubuti nilang lahat.

Bagong taon na, kabayan. Mag bago na tayo para sa ikabubuti ng ating buhay at lipunan.|

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

‘We should legalize everything’ and other 2013 shocking sound bites 15. It is time to abolish the PDAF. Victory for the people when the president was forced to give up the PDAF. But half the battle is not yet won because the bigger presidential pork is still retained in the budget law.

16. Itong si Anderson Cooper, sabi wala daw government presence sa Tacloban. Mukhang hindi niya alam ang sinasabi niya. Veteran reporter Korina Sanchez criticized a CNN report on the slow delivery of relief in typhoon-hit provinces in Eastern Visayas.

17. Ms Sanchez is welcome to go there (Tacloban) and I would urge her to go there. I don’t know if she has but her husband’s the Interior minister. I’m sure he can arrange a flight. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper replies to Korina.

18. Basta ‘wag lang manghihingi sa amin ang mga tao! Bacoor Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla’s position regarding the proposed abolition of pork barrel.

19. I don’t think that anybody, even the most criminal politician, can be that hard-hearted and close his eyes to this calamity so I can only surmise that they don’t know what to do. Director Peque Gallaga accuses the BS Aquino govenrment of impotence and incompetence.

20. Sana pala hindi na namin kayo tinawagan. Okay po, salamat po, wala po akong nakuha sa inyo. Arnold Clavio’s controversial interview with one of the lawyers of Napoles.

21. Yung composition kanina, nakita natin yung pagdagsa ng mga tae… sorry po… ng mga tao. GMA-7 reporter Jiggy Manicad’s blooper during a live reporting in Ayala.

22. Kilala mo ba ako? Makati Mayor Junjun Binay reportedly asked this question to security guards who stopped his convoy at Dasmarinas Village.

23. I think God was somewhere else when the typhoon hit. Davao Mayor Duterte’s reaction upon seeing the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda in Leyte.

24. There is no more Eastern Samar province. Rep. Ben Evardone’s assessment of the typhoon damage in his district.

25. Why should we leave our own home? Nobody will be sent to the Philippines. Sabah is our home. Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram responds to BS Aquino who wants the sultan’s armed followers in Lahad Datu to go home to the Philippines.| WWW.BULATLAT.COM

Balikas

5

‘Urbi et Orbi’ EDITOR’S NOTE: Vatican City -- Here is the translation of the Holy Father's traditional Urbi et Orbi message on Christmas Day.  Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours (Lk 2:14) Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the whole world, Greetings and Happy Christmas!

I take up the song of the angels who appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem on the night when Jesus was born. It is a song which unites heaven and earth, giving praise and glory to heaven, and the promise of peace to earth and all its people.

I ask everyone to share in this song: it is a song for every man or woman who keeps watch through the night, who hopes for a better world, who cares for others while humbly seeking to do his or her duty.

Glory to God! Above all else, this is what Christmas bids us to do: give glory to God, for he is good, he is faithful, he is merciful. Today I voice my hope that everyone will come to know the true face of God, the Father who has given us Jesus. My hope is that everyone will feel God’s closeness, live in his presence, love him and adore him.

May each of us give glory to God above all by our lives, by lives spent for love of him and of all our brothers and sisters.

Peace to mankind True peace - we know this well - is not a balance of opposing forces. It is not a lovely "façade" which conceals conflicts and divisions. Peace calls for daily commitment, but making peace is an art, starting from God’s gift, from the grace which he has given us in Jesus Christ.

Looking at the Child in the manger, Child of peace, our thoughts turn to those children who are the most vulnerable victims of wars, but we think too of the elderly, to battered women, to the sick… Wars shatter and hurt so many lives!

Too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fueling hatred and vengeance. Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid. We have seen how powerful prayer is! And I am happy today too, that the followers of different religious confessions are joining us in our prayer for peace in Syria. Let us never lose the courage of prayer! The courage to say: Lord, grant your peace to Syria and to the whole world. And I also invite non-believers to desire peace with that yearning that makes the heart grow: all united, either by prayer or by desire. But all of us, for peace.

Grant peace, dear Child, to the Central African Republic, often forgotten and overlooked. Yet you, Lord, forget no one! And you also want to bring peace to that land, torn apart by a spiral of violence and poverty, where so many people are homeless, lacking water, food and the bare necessities of life. Foster social harmony in South Sudan, where current tensions have already caused too many victims and are threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state.

Prince of Peace, in every place turn hearts aside from violence and inspire them to lay down arms and undertake the path of dialogue. Look upon Nigeria, rent by constant attacks which do not spare the innocent and defenseless. Bless the land where you chose to come into the world, and grant a favourable outcome to the peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. Heal the wounds of the beloved country of Iraq, once more struck by frequent acts of violence.

Lord of life, protect all who are persecuted for your name. Grant hope and consolation to the displaced and refugees, especially in the Horn of Africa and in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Grant that migrants in search of a dignified life may find acceptance and assistance. May tragedies like those we have witnessed this year, with so many deaths at Lampedusa, never occur again!

Child of Bethlehem, touch the hearts of all those engaged in human trafficking, that they may realize the gravity of this crime against humanity.

Look upon the many children who are kidnapped, wounded and killed in armed conflicts, and all those who are robbed of their childhood and forced to become soldiers.

Lord of heaven and earth, look upon our planet, frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity. Help and protect all the victims of natural disasters, especially the beloved people of the Philippines, gravely affected by the recent typhoon.

Dear brothers and sisters, today, in this world, in this humanity, is born the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Let us pause before the Child of Bethlehem. Let us allow our hearts to be touched, let us not fear this. Let us not fear that our hearts be moved. We need this! Let us allow ourselves to be warmed by the tenderness of God; we need his caress. God’s caresses do not harm us. They give us peace and strength. We need his caresses. God is full of love: to him be praise and glory forever! God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.|

AGRI-BUSINESS

Nat’l Tobacco Administration, patuloy ang ayuda sa mga magsasaka ng Occ. Mindoro SAN JOSE, Occ. Mindoro -Patuloy ang pagbibigay ayuda ng National Tobaco Administration (NTA) sa mga magsasaka ng tabako sa lalawigan.

Kamakailan lamang ay bumisita si Pedro J. Mendiola, NTA Director na kumakatawan sa mga Tobacco Traders at Atty. Geoffrey Gacula , NTA Director na kumakatawan sa mga Tobacco Farmers, upang ipamahagi sa mga magsasaka ng tabako ang 30 water pumps.

Ipapautang ang mga water pumps na ito sa mga magsasaka ng tabako sa

pamamagitan ng isang soft loan kung saan babayaran ito sa loob ng apat na taon na may 6% interes kada taon.

Tanging mga nakapagtanim na ng tabako sa loob ng dalawang taon o higit pa ang makakakuha ng water pump, may sariling lupa na may katumbas na sukat na kalahating ektarya o higit pa at walang outstanding loan sa mga nanunang kahalintulad na proyekto ng NTA. Maaaring magtungo ang mga interesado at kwalipikadong tobacco farmers sa tanggapan ng NTA sa 2nd

floor, old Gessnec building, Rizal Street sa bayan ng San Jose.

Ayon kay Violeta Gayona, Production and Regulation Officer ng NTA sa lalawigan, bahagi lamang ito ng iba pang tulong na ibinibigay ng administrasyon ng industriya ng tabako na may mandatong tulungan ang mga tobacco farmers at ilang nakadepende sa industriya, na maisaayos ang kanilang kabuhayan.

May rice program din ang NTA, na hindi gumagamit ng urea, bilang karagdagang pagkukunang kita at pan-

sariling gamit na rin.

Dagdag ni Gayona, ang mga water pumps na ito ay nagmula sa personal na kahilingan ni Governor Gene Mendiola kay NTA Administrator Edgardo Disinin Zaragoza.

Umabot sa 2,159,516.90 kilo ang produksyon ng tabako sa lalawigan na may 988 na ektaryang taniman ng tabako ng nakaraang taon samantalang 1400 na ektarya naman ang target ng NTA ngayong taon upang maabot ang tatlong milyong kilong produksyon ng tabako.| PIA

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DTI-Rizal holds Diskwento Caravan in line with holiday season

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal —The Department of Trade and Industry- Rizal recently held a two day Diskwento Caravan in line with the holiday season to provide products to Rizal

locals with discounted basic commodities prior to Christmas and New Year.

DTI- Rizal coordinated with several companies to sell canned goods, bread, ready-

to-eat food products, shoes and other commodities at the Kalayaan Park, Taytay, Rizal last December 12 and in front of the Antipolo City Hall on December 13.

The Diskwento Caravan aimed to provide residents an alternative source of basic goods in line with the holiday rush together with a discounted price.| G. GAPAYAO

January 6 - 12, 2014

6

LEGAL NOTICE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BATANGAS FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF LIPA CITY NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135, AS AMENDED EJF CASE NO. 2013-0120 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended by Act 4118 filed by WOMEN’S RURAL BANK, INC., mortgagee, with office address at Carandang Street, Poblacion, Rosario, Batangas, against AGNES AGUILA, SPOUSES ESTER EVANGELISTA & RICARDO UMALI, SPOUSES LITO MATIBAG & MA. ALICE MATIBAG, Mortgagor/s, with postal address at Brgy. III, Rizal St., Mataasnakahoy, Batangas; Brgy.

San Sebastian, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, and Brgy. San Sebastian, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, respectively, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of April 2, 2013 amounts to Php 25,555,296.03 including/excluding interest and other charges agreed thereon and other expenses in connection with this sale, secured by the mortgagee the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 85, Lipa City, will sell at public auction on March 10, 2014 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Marauoy, Lipa City to the highest bidder for CASH and in the Philippine Currency, the described real property and its improvements thereon to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-139530 ‘A parcel of land (Lot 5 of the consolidation/ subdivision plan, Pcs-04-021772, being a portion of the consolidation of Lot 3 & Lot 5, both Pcs-04018224, Lot 4-A & Lot 4-C, both of Psd-04-166700, LRC Record No. 1306), situated in the Brgy. of San Sebastian, Municipality of Mataasnakahoy, Province of Batangas. Bounded on the SE., along line 1-2 by Lot 4; on the SW., along line 2-3 by Lot 3, all of the consolidation and subdivision plan; on the NW., & SW., along lines 3-4-5 by Lot 4-B Psd-4-166700; on the SW., along line 5-6 by Lot 2; on the SW., & SE., along line 9-10 by Road; on the NW., along line 10-11 by Lot 2, Pcs-04-018224; on the NE., along lines 11-12-13-14-15 by Lot 8975, Cad-218, Lipa Cadastre; on the SE., along line 15-16-17 by Lot 6, Pcs-04-018224; on the SW., along lines 19-20-1by Lot 4 of the consolidation and subdivision plan. x x x containing an area of SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTYONE (7,281) SQUARE METERS.”

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICE

FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

SUBDIVISION HOUSE & LOT

Company Registration Consulancy & Processing

273 sq. meters Corner Lot near the Batangas City Coliseum, Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas, BSU With good supply of electricity and water...

With clean title; for immediate disposition

E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com

COLLEGE THESIS TUTORIAL, EDITING & PRINTING Call/Text: 09129027373 / 09194200526

BANKING

SUNRISE RURAL BANK, INC. Deposits | Loans | Financing Services Brgy. Poblacion B, 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

Call or text: 0912.902.7373 | 0905.554.0200 (Joe) 0947.158.1235 | 043.980.6162 (Shirley)

Registered in the names of AGNES AGUILA, single 3,180 square meters; SPOUSES ESTER EVANGELISTA & RICARDO UMALI, 1,320 square meters; SPOUSES LITO MATIBAG & MA. ALICE MATIBAG, 2,781 square meters.

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

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

In the event that the Public Auction Sale should not take place on said date it shall be held on March 17, 2014, same place and time without further notice and republication.

Lipa City, January 2, 2014.

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 0917.521.9477

(Sgd.) EUSTAQUIO C. ALONGALAY Sheriff IV Award of publication hereof in the Pahayagang Balik as drawn by raffle in accordance with law.

DULY RAFFLED: HON. NOEL M. LINDOG Executive Judge ATTY. ROBERT RYAN H. ESMENDA Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff

Copy furnished: PARTIES CONCERNED WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove deface or destroy this Notice of Sale on or before the date of sale UNDER PENALTYOF LAW. Pahayagang BALIKAS / January 6, 13 & 20, 2013

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

Nicetas E. Escalona, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES Cancer (Hun. 22 - Hul. 22) - Hindi makukuha sa pagdarasal lamang ang nais kung hindi magbabanat ng buto. Kung gustong umangat ang antas ng buhay, simulan ang pagsikap, pagtiyaga at panalangin. Ang namamahay na pagkatamad ay mabilis na maiwawaksi kung taos puso ang hangarin sa buhay.

Leo (Hul. 23 - Ago. 22) - Ehersisyo, tamang diyeta at disiplina sa sarili ang kailangan para mapanatili ang kalusugan. Kung matamlay o hindi maganda ang pakiramdam, huwag hayaang hindi magpa-check-up para hindi lumala. Kalusugan ang puhunan sa pagbuno ng araw-araw na hanapbuhay Virgo (Ago 23 - Set. 23) - Kung hangad na mapangalagaan ang kapakanan, alamin at pag-aralan muna ang mga detalye bago pumalaot o magdesisyon. Huwag maging marahas. Praktikal na paraan ang gamitin kung gustong maging tama ang desisyon.

Libra (Set. 24 - Okt. 23) - Ang kaganapan sa paligid ay maaaring makaistorbo sa mahalagang iniisip o trabaho.

Huminto sa ginagawa at bigyan ng kaunting panahon ang nasa paligid dahil malamang ang sagot ng problema ay mula sa paligid. Ang positibong pakikitungo ay sagot sa suliranin Scorpio (Okt. 24 - Nob. 22) - Gamitin ang praktikal na paraan at hindi panay puso kung tungkol sa pag-ibig ang problema. Love will jump out the window if poverty knocks at the door. Kung nagkaroon ng tampuhan ang magkasintahan siguro panahon na para pag-isipan ng mabuti Sagittarius (Nob. 23 - Dis. 21) - Malaki ang iyong magiging impluwensya at kakayahan sa komunikasyon. May pagkakataon kang maibahagi ang iyong magandang plano o saloobin sa iba. Maaari kang makapagbigay ng magandang suhestiyon o mungkahi sa mahalagang isyu.|

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Capricorn (Dis. 22 - Ene. 19) - Upang manindigan ang sariling kapakanan, kaila­ ngan na maging matapang at matatag sa pagpapahayag ng sariling panig. Kung inaakalang may katuwiran, ipahayag at huwag tumahimik. Hindi nakababawas ng pagkatao ang paghingi ng dispensa kung inaakalang nagkamali.

Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Sumunod ka sa agos ng mga kasamahan kung ayaw mo magkaroon ng kaaway. Kahit labag sa kalooban, sundin ang gusto ng magulang dahil hangad nila ang iyong kabutihan.

Magsisisi ka kung ang iyong gusto ang iyong gagawin Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Maaaring maganda ang pakiramdam sa hangaring makawala sa impluwensya ng nakaiiritang tao pero magiging kumplikado ang sitwasyon. Ang pinakamainam mong gawin ay ituloy ang planong matagal mo nang itinakda.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Ang nagawa o gagawin sa iyo ay hindi kataka-taka dahil salamin lamang ito ng iyong pagkatao. Ang kabutihan ay may ganting kabutihan, at ang kasamaan ay may balik na kasamaan. At kung saan ka napabilang, ikaw lamang ang nakakaalam. Panahon ngayon ng pagbabago.

Taurus (Abril 20 - Mayo 20) - Kung may pananaw sa kinabukasan, tutukan ang pag-aaral at pag-angat ng edukasyon. W alang makukuha sa pansamantalang mga barkada o kaibigan dahil iiwanan ka ng mga taong ito balang araw kung hirap ka sa sarili. Huwag padala sa pansamantalang kaligayahan.

Gemini (Mayo 21 - Hun. 21) - Ang matino at tamang desisyon sa pag-iingat ng pera ay iyong kailangan para hindi kapusin. Husayan ang pagba-budget sa mga gastusin. Iwasan ang pagbili ng mga gamit na hindi gaanong kailangan. May darating na pagkakagastusan na hindi maiiwasan

DOH is open for dialogues with sectors affected by possible firecracker ban –health exec MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is open for dialogues with sectors affected by the possible firecracker ban the agency plans to soon push for, Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag said on Friday.

“We hope that the firecracker industry will understand the goals of the DOH to eliminate, if not reduce, casualties during Christmas and New Year revelries,” Dr. Tayag said in a briefing at the DOH main office.

The DOH has made plans of pushing for a ban in firecrackers following the two percent increase in the number of firecracker-related injuries this year at 933 compared to 919 injuries recorded in the previous year.

Tayag said that of the 933 casualties, 326 or 36 percent of them were merely

bystanders and not active firecracker users.

He has also expressed alarm over the possibility of the number of casualties hitting 1,000 as the agency anticipates more patients to be treated in the days to come.

“Many are pushing for a total ban in firecrackers, including Senator Miriam Santiago (who refiled a bill to prohibit firecracker use in residential areas),” Tayag said.

He explained that a total ban in firecrackers, according to Santiago, will only allow selected areas to perform community fireworks displays.

Santiago’s bill also states that individuals who violate the proposed law should be fined up to P50,000 and imprisonment of up to a year.

Malacanang supports DOH’s proposal of pushing for a ban and called on both private and public stakeholders to agree on safe alternatives to fireworks.

However, the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) has requested the government not to implement a total ban as it would lead to the downfall of the local firecrackers industry.

On another note, Tayag said the DOH’s late start of its anti-firecracker campaign, “Aksyon Paputok, Injury Reduction” or APIR was not to blame.

He said that the agency purposely decided to delay its campaign to the middle of December instead of the usual end of November to focus on recovery efforts for families affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” last November.| PNA

................................................................................................................................ <<<FISCAL.. from P/1

Pinoy recipes. Lutuing Pinoy Kilawin Malasugue (Blue Marlin)

SISIG was invented by a Filipino named Lucia Cunanan also known as Aling Lucing who used pig ears to make this delicious Filipino dish. This is very common in the Philippines especially as "pulutan". Throughout these many years it has hundreds of versions like cooked and made with chicken, with seafood and more to mention. In fact my uncle has his own version of recipe where all his friends love it!

As you know, this is commonly served as an appetizer or (pulutan) as mentioned earlier and is usually accompanied by beer back home in the Philippines!

In the Philippines almost all restaurants and bars that serves beer and other liquor has this on their recipe on their front line. Karaoke bars for instance will never go out of it on their menu. It is the most popular appetizer wherever you go in the Philipines!

Now, this recipe is a different version. Try it and enjoy it with your family and friends!

PA L A IS IPA N 1

“No additional taxes for 2014”, Palace assures ma-channel po sa benepisyo ng mga mamamayan,” Coloma said.

He said the reforms implemented by the administration saved the billions of pesos lost due to corruption in the past years, straight to the government coffers to improve delivery of services to the people.

Coloma cited the budgets of the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Education, and Health

even increased even if the government has not imposed new taxes.

“Ibig sabihin po, lumakas iyong kapasidad ng pamahalaan na madagdagan iyong mga serbisyo para sa kagalingang panlipunan na hindi nagdadagdag ng singil sa buwis at kinukuha po ito sa pamamagitan ng mas mainam na paggamit sa pondo ng bayan,” Coloma said. (PNA)

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DAR, DPWH, Tuy officials and barangay officials attended the unveiling of the marker at the starting point in barangay Bayudubd followed by a short program in barangay Magahis.

Magahis barangay chairman Modesto Barangas showed gladness over the completion of the road project because it will help the barangay residents in transporting their products to the local market easily.

During the program, DPWH District Engineer Juliana Vergara discussed the history of the project and the hardships the proponents faced for the project to materialize. She advised the beneficiaries to take good care of the project to achieve longevity.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Elizabeth Villapando reminded the community the importance of the FMR project and other projects in the province.

She also expressed her desire to develop similar projects in other rural areas in order to help improve the lives of the Batanguenos.

Meanwhile, Tuy Mayor Jay Cerrado expressed gladness for the projects and promised to become a partner of the national government in uplifting the lives of his constituents.

Earlier, a post-harvest facility was

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of farmer-beneficiaries who have been saddled with excessive fare and hauling cost of farm products due to poor road condition, the DAR secretary said.

“This will encourage our farmerbeneficiaries to produce more and help spur rural development,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ma. Celerina Afable, national project manager of the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) of the DAR, urged local residents to take care of the road once completed.

She also expects a quick economic turn-around as farmers would have easier time traveling and selling their goods in the local market.|

Ingredients: 1 kg pork ears/mascara ½ cup soy sauce ¼ cup vinegar 200g mayonnaise 3 tbsp. butter 1 pc.onion(diced) 1 pc.garlic (diced) 1 tbsp. black pepper (powdered) ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup water 1 tsp. salt 30g. chicharon (ground) Cooking Directions: 1. Boil pork ears until it becomes tender and soft 2. Grill the pork ears/ mascara 3. Chop it into smaller pieces, heat pan with butter 4. Sauté garlic until it turns brown then add/put the onions 5. Add the pork mascara together with the soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper and sugar, salt, ½ cup water (Cook in medium heat for minutes) Note: salt and pepper to taste 6. If done, add mayonnaise on top and pork chicharon.

Serve and enjoy.

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Tuy receives P36-M worth farm to market road from DAR, DPWH also inaugurated and turned-over by DAR to the local government of Tuy. DAR secretary Gil De Los Reyes gave the assurance in his address during the groundbreaking of the P34.5 million Bayudbud-Toong concrete farm-tomarket road in Tuy, Batangas recently.

Delos Reyes said the P34.5 million road project will connect Barangay Bayudbud and Toong to neighboring barangays. The road will benefit farming households and local residents of the Bayudbud Toong Magahis Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), he said.

The road construction, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), seeks to boost the morale

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36 PAHALANG 1 Bahagi ng bahay 5 Konkreto 10 Sanib 11 Likom 12 Namin 13 Nalabi 15 Bayan sa Sulu 17 Sister: daglat 18 Anak na lalaki: Ingles 19 Rahan 21 Sahog 23 Gin 25 Band ___ 27 Tunog ng pinto 28 Pakukuluan 31 Malimit 33 Panimplang butil 34 Lalaki sa paraiso 35 Pita 36 Lakas ng loob 37 Mardi ___

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33 35 37 PABABA 1 Usok 2 Batugan 3 Aguhilya 4 DInurog 5 Bulaan 6 Bato sa alahas 7 Lote: Ingles 8 Inalala 9 Relos 14 Man 16 Konsehal: daglat 19 Sagabal 20 Tinilad na kawayan 21 Pait 22 Brand ng sasakyan 24 Mauna __ 26 Iluto sa kaunting mantika 28 Aka ni Arnold Clavio 29 Yamot 30 Bulong 32 Nimpa

>>>Tuy receives P36m in farm-to-market roads from nat’l gov’t >>Front Page

F.E.S.T.

Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor

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

January 6 - 12, 2014

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Fiesta sa Batangas City!

NAKAKASA na ang mga gawain sa pagdiriwang ng Batangas City Fiesta celebrations 2014!

Ang tema ng pagdiriwang sa taong ito ay “Salamat sa patuloy Mong pag-aadya, Sto Nino!”

Ito ay sinimulan noong ika-27 ng Disyembre sa pamamagitan ng isang motorcade sa loob ng poblacion bilang pagpapakilala sa publiko ng 20 naggagandahang kandidata sa Bb Lungsod ng Batangas 2014.

Kaagad itong sinundan ng press conference sa SM City Batangas na dinaluhan ng mga lokal na mamamahayag.

Highlight ng selebrasyon ang Sto Nino ng Batangan Fluvial procession sa Calumpang River sa ika-7 ng Enero bilang pagpupugay ng mga Batangueno sa mahal na patron.

Kaalinsabay nito ang Alay sa Sto Nino cultural presentation sa Batangas City Convention Center na tatampukan ng mga mag-aaral mula sa ibat-ibang paaralan sa lungsod.

Gaganapin naman sa January 9 ang paborito ng mga kabataan na Battle of the Bands sa vicinity ng City Sports Coliseum.

Para sa mga nagnanais magkaroon ng trabaho, muling magsasagawa ng Handog ni Mayor: Trabaho para sa mga taga-lungsod ng Batangas sa Batangas City Convention Center sa ika-10 ng Enero.

Sa January 11 naman malalaman ang mga magwawagi sa Batangas City National Painting competition gayundin sa Photo Contest at Children’s Art Competition. Ito ay gaganapin sa SM City Batangas kung saan tatagal ang exhibit mula January 11-16. Ang deadline ng submission ng entries ay sa January 8 sa National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Lobby, Intramuros, Manila. Ito ay may temang Dangal ng Lungsod ng Batangas.

Itatanghal sa ika-11 ng Enero sa Batangas City Convention Center ang pinakamahusay na mang-aawit sa grand finals ng EBD Barangay Caravan Videoke Challenge.

Magpapakitang gilas naman ang mga kandidata sa Bb Lungsod ng Batangas 2014 sa Talent Show na gaganapin sa Batangas City Convention Center sa January 12.

Tatanghalin sa ika-15 ng Enero sa Batangas City Sports Coliseum ang pinakamagandang dilag sa pinaka aabangang Bb Lungsod ng Batangas Quest 2014.

Sa mismong araw naman ng Kapistahan sa January 16 isasagawa ang parade na magsisimula sa Batangas City Sports Coliseum grounds.

Inaanyayahan ang lahat na makiisa sa mga nabanggit na gawain na inihanda ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas sa pangunguna ni Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

AIJC holds forum on media historical research BEFORE computers and new media transformed Filipino consciousness and gave everyone access to information 24/7, what was the Philippine media system like? Are there studies on how media fared in the early years of Philippine history?

These are some questions that will be addressed at the Forum on The Future of Historical Research on Philippine Media on January 10, 2014 at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Conference Room. A joint project of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and PIA, the forum will examine the state of media history research in the Philippines.

The forum also aims to develop a framework for media history research in the country and a Philippine media history research agenda which could be adopted by academic and historical research institutions. The forum hopes to organize a network of media history advocates and researchers.

Three panels will discuss the state of historical research on Philippine media, frameworks on doing historical research on Philippine media, and the state of Philippine media his-

tory. A workshop to develop a research agenda addressing the media’s research needs will follow.

Forum partners include the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE). For inquiries, please call the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication at tel. nos. 743-4321 and 740-0396 or email info@aijc.com.ph.|

Go away from drugs....

Harness your talents at

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

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

Happy Birthday to Batangas City Mayor Hon. Eduardo B. Dimacuha Services Offered: * Rehearsals * Rentals * Tutorial *Band Service We also offer: Photobooth Service for all occasions.

Call: 043.417.1662