Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 1 • Issue no 28

ILOILO

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

metropolitan VOL. I ISSUE NO. 28

times August 11 - 17, 2013 Php 12.00

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

Capiz shell (Placuna placenta) is populary known as “Lampirong” in the Municipality of Oton. The Local Government Unit, in cooperation with many Ogtonganons, is doubling its effort to win back the title as the “Lampirong Capital” of the province of Iloilo. Based on the latest stock assessment of marine biologists of SEAFDEC published in the official website of the municipality of Oton, the lampirong population has an estimated cover of 1,500 hectares more or less or 26% of the 4,600 hectares of the municipal waters of Oton. (PHOTO BY REYMAR LATOZA / IMT)

Media and Economics: how media reportage affects the business climate

BY REYMAR LATOZA & MARY PAULINE BALMES “What people know about basic economics affects the way they think about economic issues presented in several media platforms” Dr. Alvin Ang, Professor of Economics in University of Santo Tomas and President of Philippine Economic Society acknowledged the vital role of media in informing and educating people.

During the seminar on Appropriate Reporting of Economic News and Information organized by the Philippine Economic Society

(PES) and the Division of Social Sciences of the College of Arts and Sciences, UP Visayas in cooperation with UPV Oeconomicus, Ang said that it is very important that the members of 4th estate are equipped with enough knowledge about the dynamics in economics to effectively inform the people.

“Issues that affect people require a certain level of economic sense to comprehend and evaluate critical issues such as rising prices of oil and basic necessities, global financial meltdown, K to 12, and others.” Ang said.

Ang also emphasized that economic news

should be provided with enough and accurate information from credible sources. Reporters and news writers should seek for the right persons to ask and to explain certain economic issue.

“They (reporters) should do research to create context for substantial content, they should not simply go out and ask ordinary citizens about how they feel and how they perceive economic status of the country”, Ang said.

He cited the 7.8% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the country in the first quarter of 2013. “The treatment of media became shallow, the 7.8% growth cannot be explained by ballot

Property dev’t, booming business in Iloilo

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

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Road maintenance won’t hurt economy- Mabilog

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA & MARY PAULINE BALMES

Traffic began to build up as the curing of roads along La Paz area and some areas in Diversion Road started recently. The said project is in accordance to the road widening proposed, which aims to make roads along the said area a four-lane way.

Mila’s Hill

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog would rather see the long-terms effects of the road repairs and construction along different streets in Iloilo City than consider it a hindrance for the local economy.

“As a matter of fact, once they are all done in one to two years time, they are going to benefit us”, he said.

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vendors or anyone without basic knowledge in economics”.

“Misconceptions often occur because the messengers failed to make people understand, especially now that people in the cyber world are bombarded with too much information that confused them of what is really true.” Ang said On a separate interview, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog also acknowledged the role of the media in promoting, enticing, bringing investments in Iloilo.

“For Iloilo City to open itself to the national Media and /p9

As Iloilo City starts to become a favorable place for living and putting up business, the local government doubles its effort in attracting investors to put up business here in the city.

The Iloilo Business Club is encouraging would-be businessmen to prioritize future businesses based on the necessities of the community.

According to Iloilo Business Club Executive Director Maria Lea Victoria Lara, property development is now the booming business in the city while food business and retail shops continue to dominate the microbusiness venture.

Lara said there is an overwhelming positive response from investors who would like to put up businesses in the city.

Property dev’t /p9

METRO NEWS

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August 11 - 17, 2013

Disaster risk reduction drive strengthened

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

The Office of Civil Defense-6 (OCD-6) has strengthen and expanded its public-private partnership initiatives with the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Cares Foundation for the Phase II of “Pagpakigbuylog sa Pagpangaman Project”.

The Phase II project will be implemented in 10 pilot barangays of Calinog, Iloilo which includes Barrio Calinog, Cabagiao, Poblacion Ilaya, Poblacion Delgado, Cahigon, Lampaya, Bamban Pequeno, Guiso, Dalid, and Badlan Pequeno.

OCD-6 director Rosario Cabrera the project focuses on preparing people’s health in the event of disasters especially those in isolated and disaster prone provinces in Region 6.

As humanitarian missions, Cabrera said they are working together with their private partner to develop the capacities of the local government especially the local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) on participatory risk assessment, contingency planning on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and later the pharmaceutical management and good governance training to make quality medicines more accessible to the people in the region.

Cabrera said part also of its partnership includes other health services such as

deworming, immunization, medical, dental missions and among others are also included on the program to cope with health problems and develop a disaster resilient community.

Based on hazard mapping and assessment report of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB), 25 percent of barangays mostly located along coast and hinterlands are hazard prone, depressed and nutritionally at risk.

Also, based on the rapid geohazard assessment conducted from 2006-2010, the provinces of Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental have the most number of barangays with high vulnerability to landslides.

In Iloilo, the municipalities of Leon, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Igbaras, Miagao, Lambunao, Calinog, Alimodian, Janiuay, and Concepcion have most number of high-risk barangays to landslides.

In Antique, eight municipalities topped the most number of barangays as highly prone to landslimes namely San Remegio, Laua-an, Patnongon, Hamtic, Valderrama, Barbaza, Sibalom and Tobias Fornier.

Also, several towns in Negros Occidental that have the most number of high risk barangays are La Castellana, Calatrava, Salvador Benidicto, Isabela, Pontevedra, Murcia, Cauayan, Cadiz City, San Carlos, and Kabankalan City. IMT

Mabilog targets 16 traffic lights in major road intersections

Provincial jail into a museum

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES Talks regarding the restoration of the Iloilo provincial jail are on the pipeline subsequent to the publication of the Invitation to Bid for the project’s consultancy services.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. feels like it would be better to convert the 1991 jail into a museum.

The budget for the project’s comprehensive structural investigation, retrofitting, architectural and engineering designs and construction supervision is envisaged to P841, 500.

Provincial Legal Officer Dennis Ventilacion, Chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee will accept eligibility documents from prospect bidders on or before the 13th of August only.

As specified under the procurement law, a non-

APEC inspection team to validate three potential venues in W. Visayas

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

BY REYMAR LATOZA To address perceived traffic problem in Iloilo City, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is considering the installation of traffic lights in the major road intersections in the city.

Mabilog said the traffic light installation will cost about P5 million each and he hopes support from the private sector for the complete installation of traffic lights in all road intersections of the city.

Mabilog added the budget for the first batch of traffic lights in at least four major road intersections will come from the re-aligned city budget of the P15 million fountain projects at

Plaza Libertad.

The said solution was suggested by Iloilo Business Club (IBC) and was also supported by the chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation, Councilor Plaridel Nava.

According to him, traffic lights should be functional even during rainy days compared to ordinary days because the traffic is worse when it’s raining.

Aside from traffic lights, Nava also requested the mayor for executive powers in order to oversee the Traffic Management and Transport Regulation Office (TMRO), Task Force Asis, and other agencies and groups responsible. IMT

P287-M infra projects set for Iloilo

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has approved the implementation of rural infrastructure projects worth P287 million under its Agrarian Reform Communities Project II (ARCP II) in this province.

The projects will be implemented in different agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the five municipalities of the province as recommended

by Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. – Barotac Viejo, Bingawan, Dumangas, Lambunao and San Rafael.

In Barotac Viejo, the projects to be implemented are the improvement of LipataSitio Nagpana farm-to-market road worth P35 million and installation of spring box potable water supply system worth P15 million.

In Bingawan the projects are the concreting of Agbao-Tapacon-Guinhulacan farm-to-market road worth P24 million and concreting of Tapacon-Inamyugan farm-to-market road with bridge worth P28 million.

In Dumangas the projects identified are the improvement of Pulao-Bulod-Sulangan farm-to-

market road worth P20 million and rehabilitation and concreting of Pulao communal irrigation system worth P30 million.

The project sin Lambunao are the concreting of Agsirab-Bagongbong farm-tomarket road worth P50 million.

The San Rafael projects are the improvement of San Andres-San Florentino farm-to-market road with bridge worth P60 million and rehabilitation of the San Florentino communal irrigation system worth P25 million.

Defensor also recommended for inclusion to the project the municipality of Batad specifically the improvement of Bulak Norte and Sur farm-to-market road.

The governor committed to provide counterpart funds for the projects.

The National Project Coordination Office of DAR has already conducted field validation and consultation with the concerned local government units and agrarian reform beneficiaries. ECGarcia/Capitol News/ IMT

discretionary “pass/fail” criterion will be used during the entire process of open competitive bidding.

The payment for the qualified consultant will be sourced from the province’s Supplemental Budget No. 3.

Defensor said the old provincial jail as a regional museum will be another tourist attraction in the city and province of Iloilo.

The Iloilo Provincial Jail, which is adjacent to the six-storey Iloilo Provincial Capitol, stands on an 868-square-meter lot and used to house inmates until it was abandoned in 2006.

The inmates were transferred to the province’s two-storey jail facility in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan town.

The restoration of the jail is supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. JAN-Capitol News/ IMT

An inspection team coming from the international organizing committee of Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) will be here in the region this month to validate the three potential venues for the APEC Ministerial Meetings in 2015.

Atty. Helen Catalbas, regional director of Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6) said as scheduled, the team will visit first Boracay Island in Aklan on August 18 followed by Iloilo City and Negros Occidental on August 28 and 29, respectively.

Catalbas said the team will inspect all the potential venues and its facilities including soon to be constructed hotels, restaurants, convention centers, roads, malls and other amenities if these are all conducive to hold big international delegates.

“What they see here will be recorded and they could recommend if there is a need to upgrade our facilities just to comply with the international standard”, the director said.

Apart from these three potential venues, Catalbas said the team will be visiting also seven other areas that were included in the pre-qualified venues like Cebu City, Davao City, and five areas in Luzon such as Clark in Subic, National Capital Region (NCR), Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Albay.

The ministerial meeting will be participated

by 23 countries in Asia with an estimated 5, 000 delegates composed of foreign ministers and their working staff particularly focusing in tourism, finance, health, business and education aspects.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is very positive to materialize its dream to host the APEC ministerial meeting.

He said Iloilo City is now preparing the availability of hotel rooms, shopping malls, hospitals, airlines, and convention center apart from 2, 080 available rooms presently.

Mabilog said at present, there are five big hotels under construction in the city and expected to finish before 2015.

Among these hotels are the two high-end hotels in the Megaworld property at the old Mandurriao airport, Go Hotel of Robinsons, twin tower of Gaisano Hotel, Injap Hotel and Diversion 21 Hotel, all along diversion road in Mandurriao district.

The city mayor said the commitment was initiated by Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon who is confident to bring investors in Iloilo City.

“The convention is a big opportunity for Iloilo City that we could not just let it away. This is our opportunity to boast our city and invite investors to come here and invest their money”, he ended. IMT

Auction for ‘controversial’ Pavia housing eyed anew

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The 6.9-hectare abandoned housing project in Brgy. Ungka, Pavia, Iloilo will be opened again for public auction anytime this third quarter of the year.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has confirmed that the Commission on Audit (COA) has already approved the Iloilo City government’s request of reducing the selling price of lot per square meter from P3, 710 to P 2, 500.

The request came following the twice failure on its public bidding in 2011.

Mabilog said the council has approved the rescission of the contractor’s contract with the council for the construction of 300 low-cost housing units for the city government employees.

The mayor added there were two interested companies willing to join on the bidding once the price is being lowered. Mabilog also said at the price of P 2, 500 per square meter or almost P 172 million, the city government could still earn profit.

Last year, the COA has already given the city government a go signal to sell the property at P3, 710 per square meter to help fund various development and infrastructure projects of the city.

The last public auction was August 31, 2011

but failed after no interested bidders submitted their intention to join the bidding.

Prior to the scheduled auction, the city government has consulted the COA about the contract and upon it’s advised, they will sell the property based on its assessments price.

The property is located along national road, a gateway going to Iloilo International Airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan, Iloilo.

In 2001, the government thru the leadership of former Mayor Mansueto Malabor has funded the housing project which cost them to spent almost P 130 million for the construction of more than 300 housing units purposely to award for their ‘homeless’ employees.

However, the contractor Ace Builders and Enterprise, headed by contractor Alexander Trinidad, abandoned the project in 2003 after the city government, then headed by new city mayor Jerry Treñas refused to pay the remaining billing due to discovered substandard housing materials.

During his term, Mabilog said they made several attempts to reach out the contractor to complete the said project but their effort turned futile. The contractor could not be found anymore.IMT

August 11 - 17, 2013

METRO BUSINESS

Ilonggo’s frugality: a boon or a bane?

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

“There is more money in the banks based in Iloilo”, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Director Fernando Silvoza said on a

presentation on development indicators of the Visayas during the 2013 Awards Ceremony for BSP stakeholders in the region.

Silvoza said that banks in Western Visayas

Shame campaign vs tax evaders pushed

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is firm to pursue its name shame campaign against tax evaders.

With its aim to publicly disclose the names of tax evaders once proven of not paying correct taxes or not paying at all, BIR hopes this campaign will serve as a lesson to professionals to do their duty to the government.

“The psyche of the Filipinos would tell us that there are only two things that would prevent a person to violate rules particularly the law- those are shame and fear”, said BIR Commissioner Kim Henares.

According to BIR, records show that there are more self-employed professionals this year who do not pay correct taxes compared last year.

Seven out of 10 professionals have not declared their income taxes in 2012.

They identified these self-employed professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants, among others.

“For as long as there are still professionals who do not pay or correctly pay their taxes, the shame campaign will continue”, Henares ended.

IBC’s proposed innovative marketing project to utilize PUJs

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

The Iloilo Business Club (IBC) has proposed a new destination marketing project, which will help utilize public transportation jeepneys (PUJ) in promoting cultural heritage and tourism sites around Iloilo to both local and international visitors in the city.

Executive Director of IBC, Ms. Maria Lea Victoria Lara said that the proposed project is the hop-on hop-off jeepneys, which will be used as transport vehicles of tourists who wants to go the different tourism destination around Iloilo. The said trip will be of no charge.

Lara discussed that the influx of the passengers comes early in the morning

when everybody goes to school and in the office, and late in the afternoon when everybody is going home. She said that between those time, not all jeepneys have full seating capacity. To make use of them, she said IBC proposed the idea, which, at the same time helps promote the city.

“The jeepneys will be utilized as a transportation vehicle for tourists who wants to go around the tourism spot in Iloilo. These PUJ’s will be painted tourists can ride these jeepneys and go around the tourism spots of the city for free”, she explained.

The executive director said that the hop-on hop-off jeepneys is anticipated to go around the city from 9am until 3pm. IMT

Is PH experiencing coin shortage?

BY REYMAR LATOZA Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said 17.34 billion coins worth P18.94 billion should be circulated around the country, but because of collecting and keeping coins the country might face coin shortage.

According to BSP many Filipinos are hoarding coins inside bank vaults, in piggy banks, inside drawers, used as washers, or thrown away as inconvenience. Along with this common practice, commercial undertakings such as the Automatic Tubig Machines which use coins for operation, video games machines and illegal numbers games are also discouraged.

BSP added the intrinsic value of the coin is greater than its nominal value especially for the lower-denominated coins.

It was in 2005 when they initiated a coin recirculation program to address perceived coin shortages in some areas in the Philippines and to save money.

Despite of this, hoarding of coins remained unchanged, and this pushed some legislators to create a law that would penalize the hoarding of coins to avoid coin shortage in the Philippines.

In 2012, Senator Manuel Lapid had come up with a bill to stop the said practice. His bill proposes a penalty of one year in prison and a fine of P100,000 “for every one thousand pieces of coins hoarded or a fraction thereof.”

Lapid explained “the volume of coins in circulation is a goldmine. Recent valuation of the worth of the country’s coinage suggests four of the coins are worth more than their face value if melted.

His bill defined coin hoarding as possessing coins of legal tender “beyond the requirements of his regular business as may be determined by the BSP. Another bill passed in the congress was authored by Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas. His filing House Bill 1662 or “Anti-Hoarding of Philippine Legal Tender Coins Act of 2013,”seeks to maintain the stability of the Philippine currency by discouraging private hoarding of coins and by encouraging the people to deposit their money in banking institutions. It aims to re-circulate the hoarded Philippine legal tender coins collected and kept by syndicates currently hoarding coins with impunity in the Philippines, which are in turn smelted and converted into another material of various industrial uses.

If passed and became a law, violators will face a penalty of eight years imprisonment and a fine not exceeding P300,000.

Treńas said if the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the penalty shall be imposed upon its president, managing director, managing partner, managers, or person charged with the administration.

“Hording of coins is tantamount to economic sabotage, and is creating an artificial shortage of coins.”Treñas said.IMT

have more than P36-billion worth of money intended for loans. On the net loan portfolio as of June 2012, Negros Occidental has P19.2billion; Iloilo with P14.7-billion; Capiz with P1.7-billion; Aklan with P1.5-billion; followed

by Antique and Guimaras, with P197-million and P18-million respectively.

On the contrary, Iloilo topped deposit liabilities with P60.6-billion. Deposit liability are money put by people and companies in the bank , which the bank has to pay some time in the future. Negros Occidental came next with P60-billion, followed by Aklan with P13.7billion, Capiz with P9-billion, Antique with P144-million and Guimaras with P37-million.

The said figures are related to the way of life and culture of Ilonggos who are in way known to be “savers”. In a collaborative interview with the manager of a savings bank in the city and Iloilo Business Club’s executive director Ms. Maria Lea Victoria Lara, both agreed that Ilonggo’s trait is one of great factors that affect

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the result.

“We adhere to simple lifestyle rather than luxurious one. We are not keen on borrowing because SME’s don’t come up with business proposal worthy of bank loan”, Lara said.

Lara also added that another factor is the strong middle class income and remittance in the city.

Negros Occidental has the most commercial and universal banks while Iloilo, both city and province has the presence of most thrift banks, rural banks and cooperative banks.

Iloilo has 199 branches and 31 head offices, 91 of which are commercial and universal banks and the rest are mostly thrift, rural and cooperative banks. Negros Occidental has 153 branches and 17 head offices, 108 are universal and commercial banks.

BSP also noted the reduced inflation rate in Western Visayas with 3.1 percent in June 2013, Central Visayas with 3.6 and Eastern Visayas with 4 percent.

Cruise and drive tour set for tourists The Department of Tourism-6 (DOT6) will launch a new tourism product dubbed “Cruise and Drive Tour” to offer a new adventure and exciting experience for tourists in Western Visayas.

DOT-6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas said that foreign and domestic tourists will be inspired to try this new escapade that will link the three islands of Western Visayas: Panay Island, Guimaras, and Negros Island.

Catalbas said that DOT-6 will spearhead the Cruise and Drive Tour in the region using the Roll-on/rolloff (RORO) ships to carry the tourists’ automobiles, cars, or rented vans, and tour buses that are driven on and off the ship.

The DOT official said that a brainstorming and workshop sessions will be conducted to introduce exciting

itineraries for the tour.

The workshop session slated on August 23, 2013 will have participants from the local government unit tourism offices, government agencies, other stakeholders, the media and other partners.

Catalbas also said that the Cruise and Drive Tour will be designed as a delightful and unforgettable experience for the tourists and visitors to further boost the tourism industry and reach the economic goals for Western Visayas.

She also said that this new tourism product will mobilize the sea and land transport sector with the region having several seaports just waiting for the tour to be introduced.

The Cruise and Drive Tour is being developed under the Experience Western Visayas First marketing flagship. (JSC/ LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

METRO TOURISM

August 11 - 17, 2013

Farm Holiday in BALBOA

BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN The town of Barotac Viejo has a large farming community where a growing number of its farmers are little by little turning into entrepreneurs, earning from something they normally offer for free to their friends and relatives, that is, a healthy and relaxing time to unwind in lush green farms, ride a carabao-drawn cart, milk a cow or pluck fresh seasoned fruits from their orchards.

Farm tourism, once a small niche, is expanding rapidly. The local government is now focusing on advertising to boost visitor numbers and spending capacity with the goal of reposition farm tourism so that visitors would regard it as fun, exciting and a basis of a great day out in a rural environment. It is to promote the town by capturing tourism activities that are usually overshadowed by inter-island travel from its neighboring municipalities. Efforts include development of new farm attractions with farm tours that allow tourists to meet local farmers and to get that opportunity to have their hands dirty on a real farm. Not an opportunity offered in many other destinations in Iloilo.

Barotac Viejo is now focusing on being a farm getaway with plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.

BALBOA FARM in is an isolated farm situated in Barangay Vista Alegre almost

7-kilometers away from the town center. It can be accessed via tricycle at P15.00 per person. The farm is a kilometer from the Barangay Road. The farm was purchased by Mr. Miguelito Balboa in 2009 and was developed in 2011.

The young and young at heart will enjoy this 3.7-hectare land, a perfect place where you can enjoy nature and at the same time take part in all outdoor activities. Balboa is perfect for that smaller backpacking tourist group who would want to have a glimpse of the rural life and farm practices of Barotacnons.

There are many activities that Balboa Farm offers that visitors can participate at. Visitors will revel at the endless excitement in this adventure farm. Ziplining your way to the farm is an enjoyable and thrilling adventure. Zip over a lush landscape, swaying palms and savor the view of the farm with its single zipline with a length of 130 meters and suspended 35 feet from the ground. One can also take the trail down to the farm using a bamboo bridge. Originally, it was used to transport feeds to the farm.

The farm also provides many more activities for different guests. They are operating different games such as football and volleyball. Enjoy walking on the swing bridge with a length of 20 meters and suspended 20 feet above the area’s mini forest. Balboa also offers opportunities

to explore its scenic farm via horseback and its 1-kilometer motorcycle trail. A shooting range or firing range is also available for enthusiasts.

The farm would not be complete without farm animals such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, fat bellied pigs and horses that are used for the entertainment of kids and adult guests. It has fruitbearing trees such as papaya, guava, guyabano and pomelo that add beauty to its landscape and provide delicious, edible produce during the harvesting season.

Private family and group events can be held on site with their pavilion that can accommodate 50 persons.

Nestling among beautiful trees, the farm offers

5 traditional nipa huts that can accommodate 3 persons and a house good for 10 persons for those who would want to stay overnight. Balboa is unique in offering very affordable family rates.

Now, the number of visitors had finally increased, and tourism activities and agri-tourism have been extended to many of its barangays, the concept of farm tourism will surely provide great economic benefit for the tourism industry of Barotac Viejo.

So, if you are looking for moments of solitude in the fast bustling city life, what you need is a trip to Barotac Viejo, Iloilo which will bring you peace and closeness to nature. Leave all your worries home and plan your trip to its farm resorts because you deserve a break.

To get to Barotac Viejo from Iloilo City, one may take a bus or a van that are readily available in Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City. To get to Balboa Farm, please contact Mr. Miguelito Balboa at 09399242982; Mrs. Lorie Ann Dumdum-Municipal Tourism Officer at 09995796398 or at the Office of Culture, Arts, History and Tourism-Province of Iloilo at telefax (033) 3384910.

August 11 - 17, 2013

METRO ENTREPRENEUR

Rising Iloilo’s Best

BY MARY JANE UBAY

Tagbak Terminal, Jaro, Iloilo City

Gaisano Capital, Lapaz, Iloilo City

WEESAM EXPRESS

ILOILO - BACOLOD - ILOILO DEPARTURES 6:30 am

A tongue with a sense of good taste is a gift from God. Not everyone in this entire world is blessed with it. Some may have developed their skill for preparing delectable food, but not everyone is born with good taste buds. Having been blessed with excellent taste is the secret of the proprietor/ pioneer of Iloilo’s “Buko Ilonggo”.

Kiven De Asis, the proprietor/pioneer of Buko Ilonggo, gladly shared the story behind the success of his buko shake business. He was a secondary school teacher by profession. He finished his bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) in 2001. He served as a school teacher at the Seventhday Adventist Multigrade School in Balasan, Iloilo for three (3) years right after he graduated from college. Like any teachers, Kiven faithfully did his job. He taught his students to the best of his ability. A Chemistry teacher once said in her class that, “the only thing that remains in this world is the word change, and that nothing remain constant. Kiven can relate to this. After three (3) years of teaching experience he decided to explore the field of business. He ventured on a frozen food business, like beef and chicken chorizo, milk chocolate, and dirty ice cream. He named his business QUTONEKI, a combination of the names of their family

1:10 pm

8:10 am members. Their products were 2:50 pm 9:50 am 4:45 pm distributed at every school 11.30 am around the city.

FARE: (All charges in) Not being satisfied with One Way Non-aircon (W3 only) P250 the mediocrity of his business, ECO. aircon P340 FC. aircon P435 Kiven ventured into the field ROUND TRIP PROMO of acrobatics. He formed the ECO. aircon P585 aircon P665 group which he called “UNI FC. Schedule subject to change without prior notice.

WHEELERS”. This job took For details please call: him around the country. For ILOILO (033)337-3282 / 09228660338 BACOLOD (034)709-0630, 433-9125 two years of their journey, the group has encountered different people with Mall, Boulevard, Roxas City, Ground level, different status in life, cultures and beliefs. It’s Gaisano Grand Market Place, Roxas City, Ground tiring but rewarding, but behind the success level, Gaisano Grand Mall, San Jose, Antique, 2nd of their group Kiven felt the difficulty of being level, Gaisano Capital, Kalibo, Aklan, Ground away from his family. It was after their last show level, Iloilo Supermart, Molo, Iloilo City, Ground in La Union that Kiven acquired the idea of level, Iloilo Supermart, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, establishing fruit shake business. It made him feel JBLFMU, Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City, better, so he decided to leave the group and went Ground level, Gaisano Capital, Oton, Iloilo, Ground level, Royal Supermart, Kalibo, Aklan, home to Iloilo.

At first, it was all trial and error, before the 2nd level, Gaisano Grand Mall, Boulevard, taste of Buko Ilonggo was finally formulated. Roxas City, Departure Area, Tagbak Terminal, It was all done in their kitchen. No doubt Jaro, Iloilo City, Arrival Area, Tagbak Terminal, that the Buko Ilonggo that you sip is better Jaro, Iloilo City, Mohon Terminal, Arevalo, Iloilo for your health. For Kiven, business is not City, Gaisano Capital, Bacolod City, 888 China all about competition. It is doing your best town, Bacolod City, Ground level, Gaisano Fiesta for the benefit of your customers, “It is only Mall, Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu, Black and by the grace of God that my Buko Ilonggo White, Roxas City, BQ Mall, Tabilaran, Bohol, business is making its name in the local and Mobile Division, Roxas City, Ground level, Iloilo national market, Kiven said.” Supermart, Tabuk Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo The following were existing Society Bldg., Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City, Gaisano Mactan Island Mall, Lapu Lapu City, Gaisano branches of Buko Ilonggo: 2nd level, Robinsons Place, Savers Mart Mactan, Lapu Lapu City, Gaisano Iloilo City, 2nd level, Gaisano Grand Mall, Basak, Mactan, Capital, La Paz, Iloilo City, Lapu Lapu City, Ground level, 4th level, Gaisano Capital, La Maryville Bldg., Delgado Paz, Iloilo City, Ground level, St., Iloilo City, Ground level, Gaisano Capital, Guanco, Iloilo Novo Mall, Colon, Cebu City, City, Ground level, St Catherine Ground level, SM City, Bacolod ArcaDE, Aldeguer St., Iloilo City, Ground level, SM City, City, Ground level, Atrium Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mobile Gen Luna, Iloilo City, Ground Division, Bacolod City, Brgy level, Gaisano Capital, Passi City, Infante, Fronting UP High Ground level, Gaisano Grand School, Iloilo City, 2nd level,

Gaisano Mactan Island, Lapu Lapu City

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Gaisano SRP, Talisay City, Cebu, Ground level, Lopues, Mandalagan, Bacolod City, 2nd level, GT Plaza Mall, Molo, Iloilo City, Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City, Ground level, Gaisano Capital, San Carlos City, Lopues, La Carlota City, Lee Super Mall, Dumaguete City, Lee Super Mall, Dipolog City, Gaisano Mall, Iligan City, Fooda Saversmart, Consolacion, Cebu, Hwuasing School, Ledesco, La Paz, Iloilo City. IMT

METRO OPINION

6 EDITORIAL

T

Boundaries

ransportation plays a major role in the development of a certain place.

Pu b l i c transport, p a r t i c u l a r l y, allows us to reach our respective destination, welcome our visitors by bringing them t o p l a c e s t h e y’v e n e v e r b e e n , a n d s e n d t h e m b a c k t o w h e r e t h e y’v e b e e n . It h a s become way of life for every Ilonggos.

These wheels also serve as carriers of goods through farm-to-market roads, supplying a vast number of agricultural products from the p r ov i n c i a l areas.

Ju s t r e c e n t l y, t h e Pe r i m e t e r B o u n d a r y Ordinance (PBO) was proposed to restrict t h e p r ov i n c i a l j e e p n e y s t o e n t e r t h e c i t y allowing them only to stop on assigned terminals. This proposal, in the event that this will be successfully passed, w i l l c e a s e t h e p r i v i l e g e o f t h e p r ov i n c i a l commuters and transport industry to f r e e l y c o m e i n a n d g o o u t s i d e t h e c i t y.

Will these affect the economy of the c i t y ? W i l l t h i s m ov e s o l v e t h e p r o b l e m of the city with traffic congestion?

Will this give convenience among commuters? Who are greatly affected?

Given that about 50% of the goods that are being delivered in the city came f r o m t h e p r ov i n c e a n d t h e o t h e r h a l f f r o m Pr ov i n c e o f G u i m a r a s , v i a R o l l On Roll-Off and from the interior of the c i t y, i t i s q u i t e o b v i o u s t h a t i t w i l l a l s o slash a significant amount of loss in the businesses among market vendors and goods and agricultural product suppliers.

Commuters will also be greatly affected in terms of fare and waiting time.

Imagine how much it will cost students and professionals who are studying or working in the city but are residing in t h e e x t e r i o r i n t h e i r f a r e s e v e r y d a y. T h e accumulated amount is almost equivalent to one month allowance for students or a mid-salary for working professionals.

Howe ve r, t h i s e n d e a vo u r c o u l d a l s o c a n c e l the carpass system. This system has been a subject for abuse with apprehended fake car p a s s e s a n d p r ov i n c i a l j e e p n e y n o t f o l l o w i n g loading and transloading points that only e x a c e r b a t e s t r a f f i c c o n g e s t i o n i n t h e c i t y.

Ev e r y t h i n g h a s p r o s a n d c o n s . T h e r e is so much time to prepare for this. This is an issue that should be weighed in.

T h e c i t y g ov e r n m e n t s h o u l d c o n d u c t initial run through first in order to quantify the areas that will be affected b y t h i s m ov e . A s a n o l d s a y i n g g o e s , work your plan and plan your work.

Gridlock Solutions A

friend quipped that he is getting a migraine from the worsening traffic congestion and from the entire arguments attendant to the proposed banning of entry of provincial jeepneys to the very heart of Iloilo City. I empathize with him.

Our traffic experts attribute the poor traffic flow to narrow roads, illegal roadside parking, absence of state-of-the-arts traffic lights, delayed road widening completion, wanton jay walking, undisciplined drivers, and unmitigated proliferation of both private and public vehicles. These negatives mask what are positively inevitable: massive urbanization and progress.

Three decades ago when the center of economy was downtown Iloilo City and the major routes were constricted to two lanes, twoway traffic only, vehicular flow remained unhampered. But gone is the heyday when public utility vehicles (PUJs) were still allowed to park in the vicinity of the Iloilo Terminal Market. That was when the daily transient population was estimated at about 250,000 compared to more than double that figure today.

The operation of perimeter transport terminals was supposedly a politically correct approach to decongest the heavy traffic along the main urban arteries. But it turned out to be a palliative measure as the vacuum precipitated by the non-plying of provincial transport was eventually filled in by the tremendous increase in substitute conveyances, both privately owned and authorized city-bound vehicles.

Another contributory factor is the continuing upward literacy rate among the Ilonggos, which

has propelled them into a level of unprecedented affluence, resulting in sprawl suburbanization.

Just look around and you will see many of them well-ensconced in elegant homes at well-secured subdivisions. Mobility is a norm. Instead of having just one car, it is not unusual to see more than three cars in a household’s garage. Family activities such as commuting to work, school, and shopping and leisure centers require the use of a car since the areas are isolated from the city and commercial zones. Just imagine the resulting bottleneck and chaos when thousands of vehicles would compete for the narrow space at the same time to get to their respective destinations.

Effective and efficient traffic management requires an integrated planning framework. Some involve near future (like what are presently being done and contemplated by our traffic enforcers) while others necessitate long-term solutions.

Others rely on what we can do individually.

As implicitly mentioned, progress breeds both positive and negative externalities. Based on the theory of monopolistic competition which, among others, typifies public transport, as long as average net profit for the participants is above zero, more investments in the industry (meaning more jeepneys on the road) will occur. Only when the average profit falls below the average variable cost will shut down happen. In the real world, however, an operator tends to acquire more vehicles as a speculative venture but this is an exception rather than the rule.

The clogged-road phenomenon is not only evident in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other major cities in the Philippines. The same exists in Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, Pnom Penh, New Delhi, and other Asian capitals.

So what strategies were implemented by our smarter ASEAN neighbors to solve their traffic problems effectively?

Initially, they coordinated land use planning with transportation. Mixed-used development initiatives with buildings in close proximity to one another were favored. The planners theorized that this will save energy, promote walkable and healthy neighborhood, and most importantly cut down on car use.

However, they soon discovered that doubling the population density of a given area does not necessarily halve the frequency of car use as supported by the paradox of intensification.

Ceteris paribus, urban intensification causing increased population density will reduce per capita car use, with benefits to the global environment, but

will also increase concentrations of motor traffic, worsening the local environment in those locations where it occurs.

Next, they built more roads. They soon learned from the Braess paradox developed by mathematician Dietrech Braess, that adding extra roads to a travel network adds extra capacity to the roads instead of improving traffic flow; the more options there are, the more traffic there is because travellers make selfish choices for their routes.

It became clear that by restricting vehicles during the busiest times, traffic congestion is eased. Those who want to drive in congestion zone were required to pay special toll. Some governments also encouraged carpooling and introduced high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in which only vehicles with two or more passengers are allowed to drive. HOV lanes have significantly reduced travel time and expense.

Likewise, a lane-separated transit (for PUJs) became an effective tool.

Our urban planners should learn from Singapore, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong where they embarked on safe, clean, and reliable mass transit services. As a starter, we need a light rail line that will connect Iloilo City to the international airport. Later it can be expanded to outlying passenger terminals for effective shuttling of provincial inboundoutbound passengers. The capital outlay may be daunting but there are ways to fund the project from soft loans or through the Build-OperateTransfer scheme.

Making room for a Metropolitan Iloilo should also be part of futuristic thinking. The city should not remain insulated per se but should consider forging an alliance with the nearby towns of Leganes, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, and Oton. When the economies of the satellite partners are improved and consumers need not travel often to the city center for basic needs, traffic gridlock can be eliminated.

Modelling from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Metro Iloilo mayors may choose from among themselves who will chair the agency. The city and municipalities will be independent from each other politically but some basic services such as traffic and environmental management can be collectively undertaken by the Metro Iloilo Development Authority (MIDA).

These are long shot alternative development initiatives but should not be merely shrugged off. We need to optimize our existing resources towards a multi-modal balanced system. All these will hopefully result in an urban environment that provides us the best quality of life.

(Executive Order No. 209), however, provides: “Marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law, for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution, whose nature, consequences and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation….”

There is no doubt that the Family Code has a clear definition of marriage, with specific parties to this special contract - that marriage in our country can only be between a man and a woman, between male and female.

In other words, there is no shadow of validity in the marriage between two persons of the same sex in our country, if one is to examine the Family Code. Nonetheless, one is not prohibited to argue questioning the constitutional validity of this law limiting the parties to a marriage only to male and female, when the Philippine Constitution itself does not expressly provide any limitation at all. I think, this argument is less likely to sustain itself, nor can this be worth of one’s time, money and effort – there being no profitable business aspect involved, unlike in the RH law - in an uphill battle in our Supreme Court.

Not even our Filipino customs and tradition have something to reinforce the idea of same-sex marriage.

Gays and lesbians, who want to get married with a person of their respective sex, can only bunk on the modern trend to push for samesex marriage in our country. Although some gays and lesbians are popular in our country and widely or wildly celebrated, this is not, however, a popular idea in our country. This will find no support among Christian communities, especially Catholics, and, inconceivably, among Muslim communities. The populace will most likely roar like a hungry lion looking for someone to devour.

Understandably, many gays and lesbians - we find not only in the media and showbiz industries but also in our locality – are just being content of who they are, or of their sexual preference, without thinking, or being vocal of getting married with their same-sex partner. This somehow gains them respect and acceptance, avoiding unpopularity or further perception of deviancy. They seem to be happy with their present state without pressing for some complex legal action.

I, myself, will not help fight for same sexmarriage in our country, though I am not literally closing my eyes when I see them relishing in their relationships. But I will respect the decision of anyone who will advocate for it. In a way, this may help sharpen or strengthen some other relationships, and reassess one’s values and convictions.

Not in my lifetime, though, I see that this issue on same-sex marriage finds its express validity in our laws. Nor I have some hope for its life to come when I will be in my grave.

We are in a unique country, with a unique people - too much unlike the United States of America. We are in a country where some lesbians and gays marry their opposite sex; where even a lesbian marries a gay, or a gay marries a lesbian.

Unless the Family Code’s definition on marriage is amended, no same-sex marriage can be validly solemnized in our country, though, not long ago, in Baguio City same-sex marriage was reportedly solemnized. But I don’t think that such marriage involving risk and boldness of the parties and the solemnizing person still continues today.

What is clear to us that continues today from time immemorial - in our own Philippine society is the marriage between a man and a woman – not a same-sex marriage.# ***Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com

Same-Sex-Marriage W

ith the recent US Supreme C o u r t unprecedented decision validating same-sex marriage and recognizing equal rights of homosexual and heterosexual spouses alike, we cannot fault some aggressive gays and lesbians and their supporters to push for the legalization of same-sex marriage in our country and to find some of our own lawmakers to think likewise.

I think it is now time to examine some provisions of our laws in regard to marriage.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution emphatically speaks of the family, providing for the subject the whole Article XV that contains four sections. Let me quote only two sections relevant for our discussion. Section 1 of this Article reads: “The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.”

More relevant for our topic is Section 2 which states: “Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the state.”

We observe that our Constitution has no definition of who the parties are to a marriage.

While this holds true under our Constitution, Article 1 of the Family Code of the Philippines

August 11 - 17, 2013

August 11 - 17, 2013

METRO OPINION

Heritage Conservation

7

T

he restoration of the Casa Real or the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol, a pet project of Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., comes very timely as the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC) brings back to life the glory of the Calle Real with the preservation of its heritage structures.

I was there when the ICCHCC was still in its infancy, when it was being nursed by the Canadian Urban Institute, my former employer. I even wrote a case study on it, titled “Conserving a City’s Legacy for the Next Generation” which now form part of the book “Building a Resilient Region: Collaborative Governance in Cities and Communities of the Western Visayas.”

Inspired by the experience of Vigan City, the creation of the ICCHCC ensures the sustainability of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation

Framework beyond the change of political leadership – which actually happened considering that Mayor Jed Mabilog has continued the works of his predecessors, Mayors Jerry Treñas and Mansueto Malabor.

The framework, a product of a multistakeholder strategic planning workshop, sought to transform Iloilo City into a “culturally-vibrant community working for the preservation, development and promotion of its heritage” and at the same time improve urban design and planning for the central business district, increase business activities by improving downtown products and services, attract investments and ensure the effective management of the preservation efforts.

The goals of the framework is now taking shape, as can be seen not just from the aesthetic improvements in the central business district but from the increased awareness and support for cultural heritage conservation that it generated.

In fact, it is now being replicated in the provincial government, particularly with the enactment of Provincial Ordinance No. 2013-143 which created the Provincial Cultural and Heritage Conservation Council which has a similar mandate as the ICCHCC – to work for the preservation and restoration of old buildings, structures, landmarks and sites in the province.

Like the city, every municipality in the province of Iloilo is home to many heritage structures, and counting them all, they even outnumber those that can be found in the metropolis.

Given the right packaging, they can be a major tourism product highlighting the glorious past of this very historic province.

The restoration of the Casa Real compliments and completes ICCHCC’s work, considering that the Calle Real was born because of it – the edifice that Ilonggos dearly called the Casa Gobierno, the official residence of the

alcalde mayor during the Spanish era.

Without the Casa Real, there would have been no Calle Real.

First conceived in 2000, the Casa Real restoration was only implemented now because Governor Defensor’s term then was already ending. But when he came back to governorship in 2010, he made sure his plan would be realized. And it did! – to be followed by the restoration of the Provincial Jail of Iloilo and its eventual conversion into a museum.

Former Vice Governor Richard Garin, now first district congressman and author of Provincial Ordinance No. 2013-143, succinctly puts it: “Heritage structures are indispensable for the better understanding of the past, the enrichment of the present, and ultimately, the inspiration for the coming generations.”

With the ICCHCC experience and inspiration, I am optimistic the province of Iloilo will also succeed with its own heritage conservation program.

W

please keep it at least 75% Hiligaynon.

the first prize winner will get the medal because I don’t want the Peter’s Prize medallions to be easy pickings.

Will the poems also be published like the very short stories?

Yes, I will personally edit all submitted entries to the Love Poetry and Very Short Story contests starting October, and hopefully we can launch the anthology on my 45 th birthday on January 6, 2014. Needless to say, The Peter Solis Nery Foundation will be financing the publication of the book that is why I tell my critics who say that the cash prize is not much to just back off. Where in the world can you find a Foundation that operates like mine? I am vowed to inspire people to write, to gather and evaluate their work, and to perfect and present them to the public.

That’s the 3P’s of my Foundation: promote, preserve, and propagate Hiligaynon literature, and I am doing it almost single-handedly. Of course, I would appreciate it if people would help me financially in the future, but for now, with help or no help, I will just pursue my personal mission with the faith and determination of a rich lunatic.

Will you sponsor a 2014 edition of the Love Poetry contest?

I definitely will. In addition, I’m thinking of sponsoring a Children’s Poetry contest, too. My fifth gold medal at the Palanca Awards that elevated me to the Hall of Fame in 2012 was for Poetry for Children in English. I think that I will surely honor that win by advocating for children’s literature in Hiligaynon.

I wish that I could sponsor more contests. But the cash prizes alone for one poetry contest (at P7,000, first prize; P5,000, second; and P3,000, third) totals P15,000. Plus the operating expenses: campaign materials, certificates and U.S.minted medals, awards ceremony luncheon/dinner, and incidentals. It can run up to P30,000 per contest.

And don’t forget that we don’t stop there because the Foundation follows through up until the publication of an anthology of submitted works. I just don’t have all the money in the world to bankroll all these expenses. But I have faith in my vision and in what I do, and I know that I am making a huge difference. So my critics can just eat my dust. Haklulangsilautotko!

worsened because of only one reason: KADAMO GID SANG MAALAM SA SYUDAD! We plan and spend a lot in solving Iloilo City’s traffic problem, but it’s actually in the traffic ordinances that are left vaulted in the City’s filing cabinet that made things worst.

By the way, I happened to bump into an “Indiano” who is engaged in a “pautang business”. I asked him point blank : “What’s in Iloilo that you like the most”? He replied, “The great food”.

Without a doubt, I agreed because that is the truth, and we have heard this many times from our tourism officials as this has been one of their promotional entry points when marketing for Iloilo.

The problem? It’s not everyday that we buy the famous Ilonggo batchoy in DECO’s. It’s not everyday that we eat great seafood in Breakthrough and Tatoy’s or any restaurant. We buy these food’s ingredients in the markets and experiment the cooking ourselves. But what do we get? The perennial and unabated cheating in our weighing scales. Paging SSU! We should realize how foreigners love cooking when in a foreign land. It saves them the expenses and it makes the experience meaningful to them.

Recently, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas renewed its records that show that Ilonggos have 60B money kept in the banks. That’s too big. If only we can encourage them to invest

at least 10% of it is equivalent to 6B. Gracious goodness, it can switch on the green light for our GuimarasIloilo dream bridge. Tsktsk! We keep on hiding money in the banks but illegal gambling is ramphant. What does this mean? They would rather spend in underground businesses than engage in taxable businesses? Maybe, a great portion of that 60B are not clean money after all, they must be owned by police officers and government officials who collect taxes from these illegal gambling lords in behalf of BIR. It’s time to let go of our narcissistic public service. Taking credits for the medals we receive may be good but it is the contentment of those dwelling in the city that will last longer.

Contentment is felt in silence than what is trumpheted. Mayor Jed is a good man. I know, he is way better than his predecessors. But the drive to prove his critics wrong changed him a bit. It is okay to get back on your critics but at least say “thank you” to those who have stood by you. The fact that his fresh mandate is overwhelming, the more that these people who remained true to him, who believe in him DESPITE THE CARPET BOMBING have the rights to expect a lot from him. He must realize that those who receive acknowledgements for the services rendered are not actually who they are.

hy did your Foundation sponsor a Love Poetry contest?

I believe that everyone has at least one love poem within them, so I want to reward those who can go beyond that, and actually write seven love poems. I’m sure most writers/ poets/lovers can write more than seven love poems if they apply themselves to the task, but I only want to reward their seven best poems. I don’t have enough prize money to give to those who can write more, so seven is my ideal number. I always thought that romantic love and longing is a great theme. Everyone has an experience, or at least, knows something about it.

I leave the other topics like war and peace, politics and justice, to other poetry contests. I just want to celebrate love. And I want to luxuriate in the beauty of the Hiligaynon language in communicating the idea of love in the language of poetry. A sprinkling of Kinaray-a, or Cebuano, or Tagalog, or English, artistically applied here and there, I can appreciate, but it was still a Hiligaynon poetry contest, so I said,

What are the mechanics of the contest?

I’m not sure if one word can make a poem, but I think that two lines can.

Or three, as in the case of the Japanese haiku. Then, there are five-line or sixline poems, and they are fine. But I like poems that are about 12 or 15 lines long. (The sonnets have 14 lines!) I can appreciate poems that are 21 lines long, but longer than that, I think that people should just write a novel already.

My challenge was, if you think that you can write seven Hiligaynon poems, each no more than 21 lines, you must send them by private message to the Facebook account of PETER SOLIS NERY (profile photo has the author in pink suit), or to 500tinaga@gmail.com before midnight of July 31, 2013. So yes, the contest has ended and we are now in the process of judging the entries.

The winners will be announced by the end of the month, and will be awarded during the awards ceremony around our Foundation day, if not on September 6 itself. The prizes are P7,000 cash and a to-die-for-medal for first prize, P5,000 for second, and P3,000 for third. Only

“Gracious Goodness” !

T

he words in exclamation point were Senator Frank Drilon’s expression of disappointment in the trial presentation for Iloilo City’s APEC bid. For whatever it is worth, he may have reasons. If you happened to give a lot, you tend to expect too much in return. No government official in this lifetime can deliver what Drilon has done for Iloilo.

As to the City Mayor’s fury just recently on the role of his critics in the promotion of the City, he has a point to be mad about it. It’s when you think you have done a lot but your efforts are condemned in oblivion. But the good City Mayor must understand that it is that little honesty that will pull the trigger to hit bull’s eye if we want to realize the vision we had set forth.

The water problem in Iloilo City is true. In my present address in Lapaz, we pay the monthly minimum bill without a droplet of water in the faucet 24/7. Desperate to provide what’s due to one of your home’s basic necessities, we use a water motor pump to pull the pressure up. As a result, we pay MIWD the water bills that it does not deserve and at the same time, we pay the unnecessary PECO bills for the use of a water motor pump. What’s hurting

is, the city government never run out of solutions for years but water is still a problem. What makes things worse is the flood water penetrating some houses in the city where drinking water is absent.

Tourists like Koreans experience that too. I knew a lot of these complaints as our little family business cater to Korean needs. The “black money” with immigration officials is also true. How I wish Pla Nava will also head a task force on alien welfare in Iloilo City so that some will also execute affidavits as in the case of some city officials receiving protection money from the car pass system. It is not the City Mayor’s fault, but it is his City that is in mess because of these untouchable corrupt regional government offices.

The garbage collection system was also good when the good City Mayor junked the MRF system and ordered the designated days of door-to-door collection system. The City Mayor may not be aware that there are days where the garbage collectors would skip the designated collection days. And this reality is not hidden from the eyes of those living and touring the highly publicized National Awards’ Hall of Famer.

The same holds true with our traffic problem. Our traffic problem in Iloilo

August 11 - 17, 2013

METRO AGRICULTURE

9

DAR-6 to develop coffee alamid in IPs community

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Iloilo is planning to develop a coffee alamid which is made from sivet cat poop or locally known as miro that are very abundant in mountainous area of Sitio Nagpana, Brgy.

Lipata, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Hernan Buenavintura, provincial investment and marketing assistant officer of DAR’s Beneficiaries Development and Coordination Division said they have already submitted a proposal to DAR Central Office asking them if they could establish a P 1 million worth of processing center in the said area or within the town.

Sitio Nagpana is 12 kilometers away from

the Poblacion of the said town. It covers 938 hectares of verdant forest land where 200 hectares is identified as “reserved area” for its watershed and 40 hectares is intended for housing and its school.

It has been identified to be the aeta community or indigenous people (IPs) since 1950’s. Presently, there is a population of 1, 000 plus aetas living in their shanty houses.

Buenavintura said almost of the IPs living at the area are beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“As CARP beneficiaries, we are tasked to monitor, train and give them livelihood program to sustain their daily needs. That

DENR 6 - ERDS completes delivery of seedlings requirement for NGP in Aklan

is why we are encouraging them to plant more native coffee and discourage them from eating wild miro so that more miro will produce this coffee alamid”, he said.

Buenavintura added every year, this IPs could harvest more than 10 tons of coffee at their backyard but a big company in Lapuz, Iloilo City only bought their harvested coffee in cheaper price ranging from P 90 to P 100 per kilo.

“If we could produce this coffee alamid here just like what Davao City did, this processed coffee could now be bought from P 8, 000 to P 12, 000 per kilo. This could be a big help to our IPs”, he said.

With the help of DAR, Nagpana Minorities Association was organized in 2001 and now, has 168 active members led by their president Jessie Elosendo.

Presently, Buenavintura said the group is now producing native bags, wallets and other

souvenir items made from vine or locally known as nito or balagon.

The DAR officer said the vine is very abundant at the area and the products are now available in the markets especially in Boracay Island.

One of the association member Ritchell Arsaga, 36, said she was able to send her children to school after joining the association.

She said her expertise in making nito products helped her family in so many ways.

“Now, we could already buy some of our needs which we could not buy before when we are still into kaingin and farming”, she said.

Arsaga added while she is into the association, her husband is the one managing their coffee plantation and rice land.

Arsaga also said that she is the one delivering their products to Boracay Island when there is a bulk order from one of the stall owners in Boracay Talipapa. IMT

Property Dev’t...from page 1

RTD for Research Dr. Alicia L. Lustica and staff inspect the high quality seedlings delivery.

The DENR 6 - Ecosystems Research and Development Office (ERDS) had already completed the delivery of required high quality seedlings targeted for the Province of Aklan, for the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP), this year.

RTD for Research Dr. Alicia L. Lustica disclosed that a total of 53,015 high quality forest and fruit trees species of planting materials were inspected and delivered intended for the 10 identified planting sites of the said province. Out of the total seedlings delivered, 45,000 contracted

by Mr. Danilo M. Abello were inspected and delivered to the different planting sites last July 3-5 2013. Upon inspection, the seedlings had met the given standards in terms of height and diameter and were on good and healthy growth.

The ERDS, on the other hand, produced and delivered 8,015 high quality seedlings from its clonal nurseries in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo; Mambusao, Capiz and Tangalan, Aklan on July 16 and 17, 2013 to identified planting sites.

Regional Executive Director Adeluisa G. Siapno lauded the expeditious action of the ERDS in carrying out the program of the government by supplying the necessary seedlings requirements.

Siapno emphasized that the greening program

of the government shall not only provide food for the people but also addresses our action for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 26, signed

by His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, a massive forest rehabilitation program for the country has been implemented under the NGP. The DENR, under the leadership of Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, leads the implementation together with DAR and DA composing the National Convergence Initiatives (NCI).

Half of the total number of seedlings would be forest tree species for timber production and protection purposes such as narra, badlan and tuai, with the other half consists of tree species used in agroforestry sites conducive for growing cash crops and fruits such as mango, lanzones, guyabano and rambutan, among others. The areas eligible for rehabilitation include all lands of the public domain, specifically forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservation, urban greening areas, inactive and abandoned mine sites and other suitable lands.

The NGP aims to reforest 1.5 million hectares of denuded land by planting 1.5 billion trees from 2011 to 2016.

Media and...from page 1 and international market, one of the fastest ways is thru media. So if media would report good things about what is happening, and is favorable to Iloilo, then it would attract investors”, Mabilog said.

Mabilog encouraged the media to give more time to the good things that are happening in the locality.

“Good media reporting will result to more businesses and more investors that will benefit everybody to create programs that would increase taxes so that the government could also provide social and health services to the people”,

he added.

Mabilog believes that with the existing businesses in the city, the media has already saturated the entire development of the city.

On the other hand Iloilo Business Club executive director Ms. Lea Victoria Lara also acknowledged the role of the media in disseminating information. “The role of the media in delivering news particularly developmental news contributes to how ordinary people understand what is happening in their surroundings. It can greatly affect their perception towards the development of the city.” IMT

Lara also commended how media helped in marketing the city to these investors.

“Media is a great help. When it comes to reporting developmental news, they really aid in decision-making. Long ago, we only have tri-media; print, radio and television, but now we already have social media which has a huge impact, for it reaches out not only local and national investors but also those outside the country”, Lara explained.

In addition, Lara said that positive news about the city will awaken the interest of investors to the extent that they will visit the

city to see what is really in Iloilo for them. Also, if investors read about crimes or other issues about the city, they will have doubts but will still look for a way to see the city.

Also, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Information Officer Ruby Melleza added that media is a powerful channel for inviting investors.

“The government needs the media to inform. Developmental news draw investors towards the city at the same time the people knows the issues about politics and others”, Melleza explained. IMT

Road Maintenance...from page 1 Mabilog said these are preparations of the city for a bulk of new businesses in the future and says it’s better to be prepared as early as this.

“Let’s not wait the time that the influx of businesses is coming in the city and that’s the only time that we will be fiingd and building these roads and bridges. All of these are in preparation of the city’s future endeavors”, he said.

Mabilog, in line with the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance as proposed by Councilor Plaridel Nava, wants to conduct a run through research before the full implementation of the ordinance.

Iloilo Business Club executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara, on the other hand, said that convenience of the customers will be affected by traffic build up.

“Let us make an example if you are on the diversion road, if the establishment is near the construction, you cannot park directly in front of the establishment. You have to look for a parking area, which can be a bit far from where you are going. If the same establishment is in

Jaro area, you would rather go to Jaro than in Diversion”, Lara briefly explained.

Lara said traffic build up have not yet in any way hurt the economy of the city but the Ilonggos have to endure the inconvenience for about two to three months, depending on the duration of the construction.

Also, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.-Iloilo Chapter Joe Marie Agriam said there is a need to widen and improve our roads so the roads are welcoming for the visitors and investors.

Looking at the long-term effect of the construction, both customer and the business will benefit upon the completion of the project.

Meanwhile, with the booming of construction, the quantity of the foods for the table of every Ilonggos is also expected to improve. However, Lara explained that the result is yet to show.

“We will see, I suppose! We will check after a year”, she disclosed.

Mabilog, however, wants to have a database first so to determine and quantify these issues among construction workers. IMT

METRO SPORTS

10

August 11 - 17, 2013

CPU, Assumption School Passi City gain 2-0 lead

BY REYMAR LATOZA

Central Philippine University and Assumption School Passi City secured their no loss record, and both earned two wins after five games in the Developmental Basketball Tournament organized by Iloilo Basketball League (IBL).

The said schools tied on the top spot followed

by Westbridge(1 win, 0 loss) and Iloilo National High School (1 win, 0 loss) on the second spot based on the latest standing.

Meanwhile, Cougars, Bario Obrero National High School (BONHS) , Bing Conlu Center (BCC) team A and team suffered defeats , earning no wins yet.

In game three, Assumption School of Passi outlast BONHS, 67-63.

In game four, Westbridge won over Cougars

with only one point margin, 54-53.

From first to second quarter, Westbridge maintained its lead. Cougars recovered in the end of 3rd quarter, edging one point against the opponent.

The fourth quarter became exhilarating as the both the teams turned more aggressive inside the court. In the last five minutes of the second half, Westbridge regained its lead all the way to the end.

In game five, CPU upset BCC team B, 94-36.

CPU defended its lead from first to fourth quarter of the game, 31-4, 50-12, 76-21, and 9436 respectively.

IBL’s Developmental Tournament aims to discover and develop potential Ilonggo Basketball players. IMT

The Spirited Table Tennis Player

BY REYMAR LATOZA

She was seven years old when she started to play table tennis. It wasn’t her interest at first, but her father insisted her to try playing it, and soon after she found herself relishing the moment she used up playing table tennis. She never thought it would become her career.

Juliette Castro Gayoso, 21, is a spirited table tennis player.

She is taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education at

Juliette Castro Gayoso

Central Philippine University (CPU). She is 5’ tall and she weighs 51 kilograms. Her parents, Simplicio Gayoso, Jr. and Nanette Gayoso had been among her inspirations. Recently, she won gold medal which she considered her MVP Award, and she was awarded as Most Outstanding Athlete during the National PRISAA 2013 at Pangasinan Here’s the uncut interview of IMT with Juliette Why TABLE TENNIS? What makes it special to you?

Juliette: It is special to me because it serves as a family bonding for us. Everybody in my family knows how to play, even my mom (but not that much). It is what binds us.”

How did you learn playing TABLE TENNIS? Juliette: I learned when I was seven. My father, who was working in Manila at that time, would always see ‘pingpong’ players in Harrison Plaza where he used to go after work. It inspired and encouraged him to teach my older brother and I. Then he also taught my younger brothers. I started joining competitions since I was 8, but I had my formal training when I was 9.

What kind of TABLE TENNIS player are you?

Juliette: “I guess I can say I’m an offensive player. I rarely spin, I do “flat drives” as much as possible. My defense is horrible, but I am working hard on that, too. In attitude, I guess I’m kind of a “pikon” player, I get irritated easily, which is a trait I am trying very hard to overcome. ^_^” How do you prepare yourself before the competition?

Juliette: “Just like other athletes, I undergo physical tune-ups as well like jogging and plyometrics. I watch what I eat and drink (no softdrinks allowed!) and practice daily. “ What was the greatest challenge you had encountered before?

Juliette: “One of the greatest challenges I had encountered was choosing between my studies and my sports. As a varsity, I am always out of the class and I usually missed lot of our lessons. Thankfully I learned how to balance it and manage my time between school and practice and tournaments.”

What are/is your learning/s?

Juliette: “First and foremost, I have learned the value of discipline. As an athlete discipline is a very important factor. I also learned the value of

respect, especially to my coach and trainers, and as well as to my fellow players. I learned how to adjust quickly in different situations. And I also learned that we cannot always have what we want, or win all the time. :-)” Who is/are your inspiration/s?

Juliette: “I have a LOT of inspirations. I do this for the Lord, first and foremost, because I would not be here if He didn’t bless me this skill. Then I have my family, who was always very supportive in what I do. I’m playing also for my school, which I am so proud to represent all the time. :-)” What advice can you give to those who are interested in playing TABLE TENNIS? Juliette: “Well, you have to love the game first. You must actually WANT to play, not just because you are forced or have no other choice.

I believe (and I think other athletes too) that you have to play with your heart. Passion for the game is what fuels you to go on and endure the hardships of training and competitions. My father taught me the value of discipline, obedience and respect that you give to your coach and trainers, which for me is very important. And lastly, pray. God knows how prayers made me last in every competition I’ve been through. :-)”IMT

MetroMisc

11

Health, Beauty, and Fitness

BY MECHEL VELASCO Do you want to call the attention of your crush? Do you want to develop your confidence? How about being seen on the other side of your character? It was our daily routine to make ourselves good looking or make our appearances pleasing to the eyes. In our health, we plan the foods we eat that will help us maintain the beauty outside. It is beauty that carries it all, that even you are not that intelligent you do have beauty. People will still look up to you. The advantage of having that stunning look is the vigor or form of our body.

Have you heard about a shop that caters it all (Health, Beauty, and Fitness)?

Located on the Shoppers Avenue, Valeria Street, Iloilo, this shop is named after the

combination of the whole family’s names.

ALVIN’S owned by Alma Magallanes, stemmed from the original concept of online body building supplement shop.

“With the budding fitness industry in Iloilo City, Alvin’s took the mainstream of putting up a physical shop that would cater a customer who is into a fitness program or who goes into a gym for health, recreational or professional purposes”, she said.

ALVIN’S has the cheapest price of body building supplements and dietary supplements you can find in the market today. All the products came from overseas suppliers as well as local suppliers.

“It’s like the ‘avenue’ of everything imported or local. There are local products made from Iloilo which are on display.

These local products that we have can be exported or be brought along with some balik- bayans who will be going back to their places abroad. I guess it is now more of a variety shop.”

Alma is a type of person who likes branding or assortment. Her personal experiences make her want imported products that cannot be found in the local markets. Her inspiration for establishing this kind of business is primarily for the promotion of health in the substantial definition of fitness on its broader aspect.

“The products came from USA and Canada. Some were from countries within Southeast Asia like Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and others are depending on the location of the

manufacturer even if their home base is located in America or Europe. “ The adage “tangkilikin ang sariling atin” does not really matter. We should be open towards innovating ideas for us to progress, she added.

“Business is not entirely selling or gaining, or losing. Business is like a home where you also put your heart in. You should have a passion on what you do especially what your business focuses on. Know what you do and keep focused on your goals.” She ended.

If you have time to beautify yourself everyday, put time to visit this shop for it will make you beautiful, inside and out. Dial 0918- 924- 8524/ 0918924- 8636/ 0928- 520-7331. IMT

From a snap of a finger

BY CRYSTALE MAY DE GUIA In putting up a business, we consider our passion towards it and of course, its uniqueness among others, as the primary factors. But what if in just a click of a second it is just your realization that made you decide to open up a business? Would you risk everything that you have and exchange for a business made only from a snap of a finger?

He is a seafarer in profession but when stroke of luck in business occurred, it pushed him to pause for a while in his career and indulge himself into something closer to his heart.

Mr. Nelson U. Lacson, owner of the newest baby stuff store here in Iloilo City, the Miho’s Baby Stuff and Medical Supplies, confessed how did he come up with this business knowing that it is far from his line

of work.

Years passed when his mom has been hospitalized and it took a while for their family to know that they are spending so much to the principal need of her mom, diapers, and to add on to the need of her niece who at that time was still in her crib.

Nelson purchased her mom’s and niece diapers in Manila for several times and compare to what they are buying at the supermarkets here in Iloilo. Upon realizing that they are really saving that much ranging from fifty to one hundred pesos in every pack, it made him decide to open up a diaper store and named it after her niece nickname, Miho.

Miho’s Baby Stuff and Medical Supplies offers high quality brands of diapers for babies and adults with the lowest and

discounted price.

“I want to share to others the blessings that I have especially that I can help financially in their needs. They don’t need to buy expensive diapers in just one use so to maximize their money, I am opening the business that can surely help their budget,” said Nelson.

There are a lot of fun and colorful designs to plain ones that will surely suit to your babies taste and yours, as a mom, and

of course will go well with your budget.

Different sizes from small, medium to large are all available. Different kinds and different styles are all in. Try Miho’s diapers and you will surely go back and forth.

Miho’s knows what you need and what you want in affordable prices.

Name it and you’ll have it instantly at Miho’s.

For more information please visit their diaper store at #28 Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City (in front of Solid 3 Enterprises). IMT