METROPOLITAN
ILOILO
VOL. II ISSUE NO. 52
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
TIMES
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
February 9 - 15, 2014 Php 12.00
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE
Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2014
USD/PHP
45.4500
45.4277
45.4250
45.4121
45.4000 45.3750
45.3738
45.3500
45.3593
45.3411
45.3250 45.3070 45.3000 Jan 31, 2014
45.3045 Feb 2, 2014
Feb 4, 2014
Feb 6, 2014
DTI PRICE MONITORING Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013) Prime Commodities (25 Oct 2013)
CANNED SARDINES Current Price INSTANT NOODLES Current Price
Paradiso (155g) Young’s Town Bonus (155g) Lucky 7 (155g)
12.15 Lucky Me! (55g) 13.00 Payless (50g) 13.25
PROCESSED MILK Current Price
7.10 6.30 Current Price
BREAD
Alaska Sweetened Filled 49.50 Milk - Condensed 300 mL Pinoy Tasty (400g) Alaska Filled Milk 34.50 Pinoy Pandesal Evaporated 370 mL Angel Filled Milk Evaporated 410 mL
35.75
37.00
(pack of 10 pieces) 22.50
DA PRICE MONITORING Processed and Manufactured Commodities (25 Oct 2013) Processed and Manufactured Commodities (25 Oct 2013)
Commercial Rice Regular Milled Well Milled Premium Special (Fancy) Sugar Refined Washed Brown Sugar Cooking Oil Lapad (bottle)
Current Price 35.00/kg 38.00/kg 42.00/kg 45.00/kg 45.00/kg 42.00/kg 38.00/kg
Meat & Poultry Pork Liempo Pigue (Ham) Beef Rump Brisket Chicken Fully Dressed Egg (Medium) Fish Bangus
Current Price
190.00/kg 180.00/kg
260.00/kg 200.00/kg 120.00/kg 4.50/pc
JOB MISMATCH ALARMING 20.00
Current Price 120.00/kg
As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, businesses sprout to cater the needs of the Ilonggos for the special occassion. Flowers, chocolates and restaurants are in-demand nowadays. Photo by Reymar Latoza/IMT
Egg supply now stable BY REYMAR LATOZA
The egg supply in Western Visayas (WV) remains sufficient despite the drop of its production in the month of December last year, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA-6). Dr. Lerisa Balopeños, regional poultry coordinator said that based on the latest data, the egg sufficiency in the region increased to 164% last year. Balopeños said that in December of 2013, the prices of eggs increased because some of the poultry farms in Western Visayas and Cebu were affected by Typhoon Yolanda. In a report of SunStar.com, poultry farms in Bantayan Island, Cebu were among those badly hit by the super typhoon. The said island is known as the “egg basket of the Visayas,” taht supplies chicken eggs in the provinces of Negros and Capiz. According to Balopeños, this affects the normalcy of egg supplies and Egg Supply /p15
Mila’s Hill
BY MARY PAULINE BALMES
The growing rate of the underemployed in the country, not to mention also the increasing numbers of unemployed, is startling the business sector as this would lead to probable scarcity in human resource in the future. The Iloilo Business Club, together with the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation
RICE SMUGGLING HEARING. SENATOR Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, rules that Davidson Bangayan alias David Tan be held in contempt for lying during Monday’s hearing on rice smuggling. She also directs the Senate Legal Counsel to file perjury charges against him, and the Bureau of Immigration and the Justice Department, to include him in their “Watchlist.” At the far right, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte tells the senators he will gladly kill Bangayan if he does his smuggling activities in Davao
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(ILEDF) and the Iloilo City Government, signed an agreement to address job and skill mismatch by strengthening the Industry-AcademeGovernment (IAG) relationships. Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Maria Lea said they will be working closely with the education sector and institutions to help them prioritize job-match employment as preparation for the business incursion in Iloilo City this year and the coming years. Job Mismatch/p15
Gazebo
Casino, e-games operations boost Iloilo’s earnings BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN
Legalizing casino including electronic and bingo games had contributed big impacts to the city’s economic growth, said Councilor Lyndon Acap, chairman of the Iloilo City’s games and amusement committee. The interior of Amigo Terrace Hotel Arcade Acap said there are City Council for their approval. already three existing He said this game has been casinos in Amigo Terrace Hotel, operating a long time ago in Mary Smallville area and Sarabia Manor Mart Mall but this time the operator Hotel that have already secured wants to secure a resolution of no resolution of no objection from the objection over their operation. City Council. “This is a good The councilor added that these implication that this kind of three casinos are apart from more business is profitable”, he said. than 10 legitimate electronic and Acap admitted that not all bingo games now operating in the gaming operators here had secured city. their certificate of no objection In fact, Acap said another new from the City Council although, application for electronic bingo Casino /p15 game has been passed this year to the
METRO NEWS
2
METRO
on the road
SSS SSS promises faster ID processing The Social Security System (SSS) said that the processing time of members’ identification cards has been cut down to 10 working days. Eva J. Cura, SSS Iloilo Branch Head, said that 10-working day processing time starts from the date of application up to the date the Unified Multi-purpose Identification System (UMID) card package is released to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) for delivery to the member’s mailing address. Cura said that UMID applications start with the data capture, or the enrollment of biometric information – such as fingerprints, photo and signature – and encoding of the applicant’s name, address, parents’ names and other demographic data.PIA6
DFA Effective Feb. 5, Filipinos and New Zealanders, ages 18-30 years, will be able to apply for the Working Holiday Scheme Visa allowing them the opportunity to stay for one year in New Zealand and the Philippines respectively for leisure, holiday, or temporary work, according to DFA. To ensure that only one UMID card will be issued to an individual, the member’s fingerprints are compared with other fingerprints in the database during the centralized biometric data matching process.PIA6
permanent pedestrianization pushed BY REYMAR LATOZA With less than a month left before the experimentation stage ends, Jason Gonzales, Iloilo City councilor is preparing its proposal to acquire a permanent pedestrianized status of Calle Real in Iloilo City.
“The market and the number of people visiting Calle Real every Sunday are growing. These developments boost my confidence in getting positive result of the 3-month implementation of the ‘pedestrianization’,”Gonzales told Iloilo Metropolitan Times.
P1M a month from waste energy
BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN
The Iloilo City Government has signed a joint venture agreement with the South Korean investor Dream Eng Company Limited for solid-wasteto-energy power plant producing 6 megawatts (MW) per day and will be constructed within in 23-hectare Calajunan dumpsite in Brgy. Calajunan, Mandurriao district here. This after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) during its regular session Tuesday last week has authorized City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to sign and enter into 20 years agreement with the Korean company headed by Chairman of the Board Youn Pyo Hong on Wednesday. During the signing of agreement, Mabilog said the city government will get a 5 percent share of gross income or $ 20,000 per month that could be a big augmentation for city’s projects. He added the power plant will be erected from one-hectare land of the existing dump site and the construction will take two years from now. Once finished, this could help reduce the electricity rate in the city from P 11.98 per kilowatt-hour
currently being charged by the power distributor -Panay Electric Company (PECO) for residential consumers. Mabilog said the power plant will be the one to sell their electricity to power grid which is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers. “The city is now 80 percent totally dependent to power supplier. The rate of electricity will depend on the price offered by the Dream Eng Company to PECO and this PECO will be the one to decide of their rates based on the approved rate of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)”, he said. Meanwhile, around 250 metric tons of solid garbage mostly plastic will be processed by the power plant per day. Presently, the city is producing 300 tons of garbage per day from the commercial and residential wastes. Mabilog said since only 250 metric tons of waste will be accommodated per day, the existing 50 metric tons will still be placed in the dump site which soon will be converted into a sanitary landfill.IMT
‘Paraw Regatta needs re-engineering’
DOE DOE to limit rules on power sales contracts The Department of Energy (DOE) will require stricter and limited provisions in power sales contracts between power sellers and distributors such as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to cushion consumers from unexpected spikes in electricity prices. DOE Secretary Jericho Petilla said they will issue a circular requiring power generators and Meralco to have a provision in their contracts that would include replacement power. This means that in case of a sudden power shutdown, the power seller would be able to provide Meralco or whichever distribution utility it is selling power to, the same volume of power.PIA/PMU
DOT
DOT-6 is planning a grand launching of its flagship program “Experience Western Visayas First” on March 2, 2014 with a concert at Plaza Libertad. A parade will be held from the capitol site to the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.PIA6
February 9 - 15, 2014
He said a group of students taking up masters from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) will conduct a comprehensive survey among the most important stake holders in the area including business owners, transportation sector, pedestrians and side walk vendors. “We have already addressed the problems cleanliness and heavy traffic.In terms of security, as of the last Sunday, no single case reported and pitty crime. Every Sunday there cultural groups performing in the area,”Gonzales said. Gonzales is now drafting invitation to all business men. “I believe that the best investmentis in Calle Real,” he said. The pedestrianization started in December last years until next month,
March 9, 2014. Last Sunday, the Mercado Real was launched. Gonzales said it will provide Ilonggos and tourists an alternative shopping and dining experience while appreciating the heritage structures along Calle Real. “It will feature not only a market but entertainment also,” Gonzales added. During the opening, there were tenants and kiosks serving foods and souvenir items. Gonzales believed that it will help to increase the number of people visiting Calle Real. 18 of 25 heritage structures declared by the city council are situated in Calle Real. Of 18 heritage structures, 10 were already restored. IMT
SSS unveils ‘AlkanSSSya”
The ‘ALkanSSSya’ program of SSS has already started in other parts of Luzon. Photo courtesy of balita.ph BY MARY PAULINE BALMES saving method of their monthly SSS The Social Security System (SSS) contribution”, said SSS-Iloilo Branch as formulated an innovative micro- Head Eva J. Cura. saving scheme targeting the informal Cura said that members can drop sector groups. at least P10 per day in the improvised Dubbed as ‘AlkanSSSya program, bank to save up on their premiums. it aims to help informal sector groups “By the end of the month they such as transport groups, market will be able to come up with the vendors, and small entrepreneurs to needed P330 monthly due. Instead of discipline themselves in saving money buying cigarettes or alcoholic liquor, by putting up a piggy bank-like box the members would have the option to which will serve as a depository cabinet save up daily,” added. for the members of the association. Every end of the month, a “AlkanSSSya program is an representative from SSS is assigned to avenue for members of the informal gather the collectibles for remittance to sector groups to have an easier SSS depository bank. IMT
80K Filipino seafarers risk blacklisting
BY REYMAR LATOZA Paraw Regatta will be a week-long celebration starting from Feb. 15-23, 2041. Photo courtesy of joy_adriano/parawregatta.com REYMAR LATOZA side of the plan. I think they are use to This year’s celebration of Paraw doing the same thing and they hardly Regatta struggles financial strains and find ways to step outside their comfort poor quality content. zone. It’s time now to ‘reengineer’ Iloilo City Councilor Lex Tupas, the Paraw Regatta Festival,” Jimena head of the tourism committee stressed. admitted that the 42nd year of Paraw Jimena also considers moving Regatta which is set on February 15- the celebration of Paraw Regatta 23 has limited budget because of the Festival from the month of February to lack of private sponsors. different month. Tupas explained that because of “No one can determine the best the short gaps between the series of wind.No body is doing a research events in Iloilo City such as Dinagyang to prove that the best wind is in the Festival, District fiestas and Chinese month of February,” Jimena said in a New Year, the number of advertisers radio interview,” he said. or private sponsorships for the Paraw Meanwhile, Samba sa Regatta will Regatta have decreased. no longer be part of the week-long “Paraw Regatta as a public- celebration. private partnership (PPP) relies on the “We will release the schedule sponsorships of the private companies of activities as soon as we finalize or foundation so that the festival will everything,”Jimena said. be better year after year and to assure Regarded as the oldest traditional its continuity,” Tupas said. craft event in Asia, and the largest On the other hand, Iloilo City sailing event in the Philippines, tourism officer Ben Jimena said that the the Paraw Regatta Festival is being said festival needs to be ‘reengineered’. organized by the Iloilo Paraw Regatta “I have been doing a lot Foundation Inc. (IPRFI) headed by of convincing efforts so that Mr. Manny Villa in cooperation with the foundation (Paraw Regatta city government and the Department Foundation) could look at the other of Tourism.IMT
At least 80,000 Filipino seafarers might lose their jobs if loopholes and inefficiencies in the current system governing the country’s administration of maritime workers are not addressed. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon reiterated the urgency of the Senate Bill No. 2043 which seeks to introduce major structural changes to the maritime regulatory system “in order to avert an impending ban on Filipino seafarers by the European Union” due chiefly to the country’s continuous failure to demonstrate its compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention). Drilon said the Congress has to act fast before the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) completes its latest audit report that will determine if the Philippines is indeed in conformity to the STCW Convention. SB No. 2043 specifically seeks to establish a single maritime administration, which will be the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) that will be tasked with overseeing the training and certification of Filipino seafarers, and ensuring that these follow international standards
based on the STCW Convention. “The SBN 2043 requires immediate legislative attention so that the country may fully avoid the socio-economic consequences of a blacklist by the European Union to our maritime workers, ” Drilon explained. The European Union (EU) has earlier expressed its inclination to ban Filipino seafarers from EUflagged vessels, blaming the country’s unsatisfactory and incomplete compliance to the STCW Convention. “I am informed that around 80,000 Filipino workers will eventually lose their jobs if such a ban is implemented by the European Union,” Drilon explained. “Worse, if other countries follow the EU’s move, at least 300,000 more workers around the globe –and their families– would lose their precious livelihood,” Drilon warned. He added the damages won’t be felt by the seafarers and their families alone. “The country will lose billions of pesos from sea-based workers remittances which have aided the economy by fueling domestic consumption and preventing foreign exchange instability,” said Drilon. He noted that seafarers’ remittances reached nearly $5 billion in 2012. Press release/ IMT
February 9 - 15, 2014
METRO BUSINESS
3
Mabilog, DOT clash over new international flights BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Direct flights between Iloilo and South Korea, China and India are pushed by City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. Mabilog seeks the flights to finalize this year, believing the three additional direct flights will further enhance Iloilo’s economy. Mabilog added that the expansion plan of Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan will soon materialize. Furthermore, he is optimistic on South Korea, knowing that Koreans make up the huge number of visitors and foreign entrepreneurs in
the city. “We have to encourage foreign businessmen to invest their money here to generate local employment and fast-track economic growth,” said Mabilog. Mabilog revealed that he had discussed with Senate President Franklin Drilon to settle funds for the improvement of the Iloilo-Kalibo highway, which will cut down the travel time for visitors and investors. The endorsed additional direct international flights to and from Iloilo
plan came after Mabilog laid his idea of promoting Iloilo City to Asia through Dinagyang Festival. Iloilo Airport’s primary runway is 45-meter wide and 2500-meter long. It can support aircraft as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787. It has runway lights and Instrument Landing System to support low-visibility and night landings. On the contrary, Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 Regional Director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas said that the airport is not yet ready to cater more
international flights. Catalbas admits that the twodirect international flights keep getting stronger; however, putting up more flights can’t be done as of the moment. She cited the lack of airport facilities for more international flights and the limited landing area for airplanes as some of the reasons. Nevertheless, director Catalbas declared that the Iloilo Airport may possibly accommodate international chartered flights every now and then. IMT
Service sectors under int’l diplomatic training BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
Photo courtesy of Junnjun Mendoza
Wanted investor for CBD BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Iloilo City Government is now coming up with the modification of the Central Business District (CBD) project after its failed three biddings recently. City Administrator Norlito Bautista, also head of the special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), said the CBD project is composed of three components which include the central market, JM Basa Street and Aldeguer Street. Bautista however, said only one bidder has submitted their letter of intent for the CBD project but did not pursue their interest after being required of some important documents. The city administrator also said since the biddings failed, they decided to modify the term of reference so that it could be acceptable to the bidders and possible Public Private Partnership
(PPP). Bautista added among the three components, they will give priority to central market that will be rehabilitated and developed into a two-storey building except for the front wall of the market which is considered an old heritage design. “There is already an interested investor who is willing for PPP agreement. As proposed, the market ground will serve as wet market while the second floor will be opened for lease for dry goods”, he said. Once finished, Bautista said rental fees may be increased a little bit but they will give priority to those present stall occupants. Meanwhile, the city administrator said development along JM Basa and Aldeguer Streets will continue particularly on its pedestrianization and night market. IMT
P29-M for 2013 jobs BY MARY PAULINE BALMES More than 6,000 jobs were created by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which amounted to P28.58 million creating opportunities in the informal economy. In 2013, DOLE approved and funded 103 project proposals under their Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) aimed at generating more job opportunities for workers in the informal economy and enhancing existing livelihoods of the Ilonggos. Through self-employment, they were able to acquire job on emergency employment including those who were victims of calamities such as Typhoon Yolanda. The biggest number of proposals came from the province of Iloilo (42)
with a total cost. The said project 1,600 marginalized workers, returning overseas Filipino workers, unemployed rural workers, sugar farm workers and students, included the formation of various livelihood projects such as sari-sari store, rice retailing, piggery, hog and livestock fattening, and water refilling, among others. The province of Negros Occidental followed with 28 proposals involving the amount of P11,036,061.00 benefiting a total of 1,861 workers. Capiz submitted 19 proposals with a total cost of P3,078,076.00. The province of Antique has seven approved and funded project proposals. Aklan, on the other hand, has five proposals funded by this Office involving the amount of P2,173,480.00. PIA6/IMT
The different service sectors around the city undergo training for diplomatic protocols and international customer service. Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said that the training is a part of their destination marketing and of the recommendation to train the front liners. Lara said that the first, second, and third batch are done. First batch is consist of Traffic, Philippine National Police (PNP), Iloilo City Emergency Response (ICER), hospitals and Traffic Management and Transportation Regulation Office (TMTRO); second batch was tourism officers, tourist guides and tour operators; third batch are transport sectors, which were represented by the presidents of vans, jeepneys, buses and taxis. “Ongoing now is our fourth batch which involves barangays with tourism
areas”, Lara said. Lara added that the training targets to refresh courses and make the services around the city confer with the international standard. Also it will allow security group to learn the immunities of international delegates that will go to the city. IBC signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with University of San Agustin to be the venue and conduct the training. “We will also train hotels, restaurant and media. We will just do it right after the celebration of the Paraw Regatta”, she explained. Lara said that IBC, in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT), encourage hotels and operators to be accredited for the international diplomatic committees are strict when it comes to accreditation. She said that only those who were endorsed by DOT will be allowed to offer their service. IMT
Pulupandan – Sibunag RORO embarks
Photo courtesy of Peter Toshiro BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Sea travel from Pulupandan to Sibunag and vice versa is now available. The Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas confirmed the news recently. Pulupandan – Sibunag, SibunagPulupandan passenger fare are as follows: Full fare – 80.00; Student fare – 68.00; Senior Citizen – 64.00; Half fare (3-7 years old) – 40.00 Meanwhile, the following are the rates for rolling vehicle: Bicycle – 120.00; Bicycle with Side Car – 240.00; Motorcycle – 480.00; Motorcycle with Side Car (2.1 – 3M) – 720.00; (3.1 – 4M) – 960.00; (4.1 – 5M) – 1,200.00; (5.1 – 6M) – 1,440.00; (6.1 – 7M) – 1,680.00; (7.1 – 8M) – 1,920.00; (8.1 – 9M) – 2,160.00; (9.1 – 10M) – 2,400.00;
(10.1 – 11M) – 2,640.00; (11.1 – 12M) - 2,880.00; (12.1 – 13M) – 3,120.00; (13.1 – 14M) – 3,360.00; 20-footer with prime mover – 5,280.00; 40-footer with prime mover – 9, 120.00; Heavy Equipment ; Light (800/NM) – 6,400.00; Medium (1000/NM) 8,000.00; H e a v y Equipment (1200/NM) – 9,600.00. Departure schedule from Pu l u p a n d a n – Sibunag is 6am and 12nn while Sibunag – Pulupandan trip is 9am and 3pm. IMT
High spending fuels WV economy BY REYMAR LATOZA Western Visayas (WV) will maintain its active economic performance from the last quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014 according to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-6). Ro-Ann Bacal, regional director of NEDA-6 said they are expecting high consumer spending in the first quarter of 2014 because of the several events and celebrations in the region. “Traditionally, after higher spending is lesser spending because people will cope up from their expenses. The last quarter of the year has usually high spending but then, because of the phenomena that is Dinagyang and because there is Valentine’s Day and eventually there is graduation ...we expect that there will still be a high consumer spending in the first quarter of the year,” Bacal said. Festivals in WV constitute the driving forces to good economic performance of the region. She said festivals are occasions that promote us and our local products to the country and the rest of the world. “If our visitors come here they spend their money, they stay in hotels, eat our food, buy our products, and they pay fees for services,” Bacal added. WV will remain a good performer as one of the country’s biggest export markets. The retail market will remain buoyant, according to Bacal. She said the agriculture sector should step up improve its production. ‘The consumption in WV increases every year so to sustain the growing demand, our agricultural production should step up,” Bacal said. Agriculture is considered as the highest contributor of WV economy. Bacal disclosed that they want WV to become more self-reliant in other product than rice and sugar. The fishing industry however is seen to slow down ‘because of the chilly weather’ but it has no significance in the region’s over-all performance. On the other hand, the manufacturing industry will also slow down. ‘Usually this is the time when companies especially manufacturing companies tend to slow down but they will be able to catch up in summer when everybody will be going out for vacation, they will buy souvenir items, food and others,” Bacal explained.IMT
4
METRO POLICE REPORT
February 9 - 15, 2014
‘LOCSIN’S SUSPENSION WITH POLITICAL MALICE’ BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA AND REYMAR LATOZA
Mayor Frankie Locsin
Visayas Ombudsman reprimand 6 residentombudsmen BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Six resident-ombudsmen were penalized by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for various administrative infractions. Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol told Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on a memorandum that two non-organic resident ombudsmen in the Visayas were removed on their post for allegedly breaching the anti-graft law. Apostol was referring to Perfecto Yap, former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 6 assistant director and Luis Galang, former chief of the Planning and Maintenance Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7. Yap was removed from his post after allegedly falsifying public documents and committing dishonesty. Meanwhile, Galang was terminated on grounds of alleged overpricing of lampposts for the Asean summit in Cebu in 2007. Christopher Montano, Commission on Human Rights information officer was also suspended for a year without pay, for alleged immorality and disgraceful act. Other parties suspended were Lawyers Serafin Abellon of the Bureau of Immigration-Cebu and Evelyn Carmelita Misal of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board, and lawyer Noel Empleo, chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources legal and environmental education division. Empleo relieved himself as anti-corruption partner of the ombudsman so the Visayas Ombudsman will not be dragged to the controversy of bias investigation on environmental cases. Resident-ombudsmen are anticorruption government personnel who are not employees of the Visayas Ombudsman. They act as “eyes and ears” of the ombudsman in their government agencies. Sunstar.com/ IMT
There are some malice in the 90-day preventive suspension of Janiuay Mayor Frankie Locsin, according to Joseph Anthony Lutero, vice mayor of the said town. Lutero said ‘the order could have been served upon the filing of information so that he could not meddle on the case.’ The said suspension order was served by the Sandiganbayan 1st Division to Locsin who was accused of a graft case, which involved a P15-million worth of medicines way back in 2001.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 Regional Director Teodora Sumagaysay said that the agency sent the anti-graft court’s order to Locsin morning of February 3. The case filed against Locsin involved purchasing medicines worth P15-million funded by Senator Vicente Sotto, almost 13 years ago. Locsin was then the president of the league of municipalities and Janiuay became the agent for the acquisition of the medicines, which the Commission on Audit (COA) disapproved. The Ombudsman issued a suspension order for Locsin and four other officials of Janiuay on 2011 but Locsin escaped with his reelection in 2010 under the Aguinaldo doctrine that moots all administrative cases filed against any public official during his previous term, immediately after the official’s reelection without prejudice to heftier criminal sanctions if warranted. Vice Mayor Joseph Anthony Lutero assumed office afternoon of February 3. IMT
BFP blames Block 25 fire to city inspectors BY REYMAR LATOZA There are lots of loopholes in the 2014 Dinagyang fire that burned down 11 establishments in the Chinatown district of Iloilo City. “The fire last January 24 (eve of the two-day highlights of this year’s Dinagyang Festival) showed the naked truth about the sad state of our zoning, building and fire safety laws implementation,” Fire Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, Public Information Officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-6) stated in his article published last week. Jardeleza point fingers to the Iloilo City Government’s inspectors. He said the move should come from them. “For long period of time inspectors have not set foot inside Block 26. Boarding houses, storage rooms, illegal constructions and direct violations of the fire code are being committed,” he said. Block 25 was an old name of the prime real estate at the center of Calle Real where the 11 burned establishments situated. Iloilo City Fire Station confirmed that the Dinagyang fire was electrical in nature, based on the physical evidence that they have recovered. Supt. Jerry Candido, Officer-in -Charge (OIC) said in an interview of Iloilo Metropolitan Times the faulty wiring caused the fire which started from the second floor of the
LGG Hardware and Cycle Parts at around 7 p.m. . Triggered by heavy wind, the blaze spread and engulfed other establishments namely Ledi Supermart Bldg, Motorcycle Parts, EZ Marketing, Yankee General Merchant, JB Lucky Trading, Mercury Money Changer, Iloilo Eng Hong Commercial, Yuka Store, CPT Pharmacy, and CPT lotto outlet. Candido said the only problem they saw was the electrical installation in the establishments. “Those buildings were already
MV Sportivo, PB103 officers, crew subpoenaed
The Special Board of Marine Inquiry (SBMI) has already sent subpoena and invitations to concerned officers, crew and other resource persons who could share observations, comments and recommendations about the MV Sportivo sinking and the dislodge of the Power Barge 103 that caused the oil spill. Western Visayas Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Athello Ybanez, whose office acts as secretariat for the SBMI, said the SBMI has already been convened and that they have sent subpoenas and invitations. ”Those subpoenaed are being given 15 days to prepare their documents or affidavits,” Ybanez contended. He said that he has yet to confirm though if the SBMI could already start the hearing February 18. The SBMI that would hear the MV Sportivo, owned by Seen Sam Shipping Inc., sinking would be chaired by PCG Commodore Gualberto Hueras while the SBMI that will hear the Power Barge 103 that caused oil spill in Estancia, Iloilo during the height of Typhoon Yolanda in Nov. 8, 2013 will be chaired by Capt. Danilo Enopia. Their members will be chief engineers and legal officers of the PCG, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and of other agencies. The MV Sportivo had about
12,000 liters of Special Fuel on board when it sank mid-way Iloilo and Guimaras strait early morning of January 19 this year. It was on its way to Palawan from Cebu to transport fertilizers when the tropical depression was announced, forcing the ship captain to temporarily anchor in the site where it sank because of strong current and the hole it obtained when it collided with another vessel, MV Jehan which was also anchored. Ybanez said that right now they have already noticed that there is no more oil sheen floating on the strait, theorizing that some special fuel might have remained intact inside the drums on the sunken vessel or that it has already been depleted and evaporated during the initial days. Underwater assessments of the sunken MV Sportivo by six professional divers have already been started on Tuesday in preparation for possible refloating or salvaging of the vessel. Meanwhile, Power Barge 103 contained a total volume of 1,433,000 metric tons of oil when it was dislodged. It’s owned by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) and operated by the National Power Corporation (Napocor) in Brgy. Botongon, Estancia before the typhoon. PNA
there ever since. In fact, those structures were declared as national heritage so we cannot move them,” Candido said. He added that fire inspectors have no devices to determine if the electrical wires are fire hazard during their fire safety inspection.
To prevent another conflagration in the area, Candido told IMT as of the press time (February 4, 2014) that a joint inspection of BFP and the City Engineers Office will be conducted to the remaining establishments and they will focus on the electrical installation.IMT
Iloilo City drug problem not alarming - PDEA
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog with PDEA Director General Usec. Arthur Cacdac Jr., PDEA Regl. Dir. Paul Ledesma, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, DILG City Director Atty. Ferdinand Panes, and Liga ng mga Barangay President Carlos Guarin discusses prior the Drug Clearing Operation Orientation Seminar starts.
The City Government, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and barangay officials here are one in the fight against illegal drug proliferation in the community. Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog met with PDEA Director General Usec. Arthur Cacdac Jr., PDEA Regl. Dir. Paul Ledesma, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, DILG City Director Atty. Ferdinand Panes, and Liga ng mga Barangay President Carlos Guarin prior to the start of Iloilo City Barangay Drug Clearing Operation Orientation-Seminar
Feb. 5. “The problem of illegal drugs in Iloilo City is not that alarming according to PDEA, but we want to nip it in the bud so as not to create bigger problems for us,” the mayor said. “The war against drugs is a unified effort – one agency cannot do it alone – that’s why I urge everyone to join us in our campaign to rid our community of the drug menace,” he added. Mayor Jed, together with punong barangays who attended the orientation-seminar, signed a covenant, signifying their commitment and full support in winning the war against illegal drugs. IloiloCityPIO
DOH-6 advises ‘no entry’ within oil spill 20-m radius BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Department of Health 6 (DOH-6) has advised the public ‘no entry’ within the 20 meters radius from the oil spill site in Brgy. Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo while clean-up operation is on going to prevent further health complications. DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit chief, Dr. Glen Alonsabe said they have already coordinated with the Power Barge 103 Oil Spill Task Force to strictly enforce its recommendation so that nobody could enter within the 20 meters premises. Alonsabe added families living within the 20 meters radius were also discouraged not to return homes during the duration of the clean-up operation. The doctor said they have to be strict on its recommendation to lessen the direct contact and exposure of people visiting the affected area for safety’s sake after they have recorded several cases of children and oil spill laborers suffering from skin diseases. Also, Alonsabe said working hours of oil spill laborers should not be extended. He said actual work should be done from 6:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. onward to prevent workers from too much exposure to sun heat. He also said the laborers should continue observing wearing of proper protective gears to protect themselves against prolong exposure to oil spill which contains toxic levels that causes aplastic anemia, lung cancer, leukemia, and other abnormalities. The department also requested the Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc.
– a contractor in-charge in siphoning the leaked oil to implement the “no personal protective equipment, no work” policy among their workers. The contracted clean-up operation is worth P 87-million. Meanwhile, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. has ordered the task force to strictly enforce no entry within the 20 meters radius from the clean-up site. The task force is a group formed by the provincial government to monitor the cleanup operations along shorelines of Estancia and other neighboring towns affected by oil spill
“Unauthorized persons should be kept out and definitely, no visitation and selling of food at the clean-up site”, he said. Presently, more than 100 affected families remain at the evacuation center of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NPSC) in Estancia after more than 150 families had already returned homes since last month. Each registered evacuee at the center will receive P 30.00 food allowance per day apart from kilos of rice given to per family by the Department of Social Welfare and
NNC warns to take goiter, iodine deficiency seriously
The National Nutrition Council has recently embarked on a heightened campaign to create greater awareness that Goiter and Iodine Deficiency Disorders are serious concerns. The NNC recently designated January 20-26 as Goiter awareness week but Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Nona Tad-y said the awareness campaign should continue. Tad-y said that it is not enough to say that Goiter is “an enlargement of the thyroid gland for lack of seafood
in the diet.” The enlargement of the thyroid gland indicates the lack or decrease in the production of the thyroidsecreting hormone in the blood that happens when iodine in the blood is lowered for a prolonged period of time. NNC said goiter is just one of the various iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), not necessarily caused by dietary lack of iodine alone but by taking in large quantities of foods with
Development 6 (DSWD-6). It may be noted that around 200, 000 liters of bunker fuel was spilled into the sea after it leaked from the punctured hull of Power Barge 103 , owned by Power Sector Assets
and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) when typhoon Yolanda hit Western Visayas particularly northern Iloilo on November 8, 2013. The barge contains some 1.4 million liters of bunker fuel. IMT
What is Freon that downs 80 CPU students?
BY REYMAR LATOZA
The Freon that leaked from air conditioning system caused the hospitalization of at least 70 Central Philippine University (CPU) students in Iloilo City recently. Based on the investigation of school authorities, victims who attended the Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) inside the Rose Memorial Auditorium smelled the foul smell of Freon.
They suffered vomiting, tightchested, stomach ache and head ached after they felt dizzy. Freon is the cooling agent used in most air conditioning systems. Its function is to create cool air. According to health experts, it is harmful to inhale because it causes several health problems, including nausea, headache and in extreme cases asphyxiation. IMT
goitrogens, derivatives of cyanideliberating substances. These foods include cassava, maize, bamboo shoots, sweet potatoes, lima beans, and vegetables like cabbage, turnips, and mustard. Other factors that could prevent iodine absorption in the body are bacterial contamination of water that usually happens under unsanitary conditions, or in the use of corroded and damaged pipelines. NNC also said that goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders are endemic in some landlocked and upland areas where top soil containing iodine are leached out with heavy rains. The 2012 Revised Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) is urging the use of iodized salt to prevent IDD. This is based on the 7th National Nutrition surveys of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI),
which showed a consistent high The survey revealed that based on urinary iodine excretion of greater than 50 ug/l, iodine deficiency among the elderly respondents was 2.3 percent, among the lactating respondents, 34.0 percent, and pregnant women, 25.7 percent. The NNC said that the problem of IDD was dubbed as the “silent emergency” in the early part of 1990, when “hidden hunger” was used to refer to micronutrient malnutrition. This led to the passage of the ASIN Law in 1996, considered a milestone in addressing iodine malnutrition, after the international community called for salt iodization. Mrs. Tad-y said that while the law is continually trying to hurdle challenges in implementation, the need to invest in nutrition education, particularly on IDD and goiter, could go a long way in addressing this “silent emergency.” (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Vina Morales denies physical abuse from Cedric Lee
Actress on Vhong-Cedric controversy: Spare me! MANILA -- Actress Vina Morales denied on Wednesday that she was physically abused by her former partner, businessman Cedric Lee, who has been accused of leading a recent attack on actor Vhong Navarro. In a statement given to ABSCBN News, Morales’ legal counsel, Atty. Ariel Radovan, criticized the
mention of the actress in the controversy surrounding Lee and Navarro. “We refer to the recent news article and video clips whereby the good name of our client, Miss Vina Morales, has been unnecessarily mentioned relative to the controversy surrounding the Vhong Navarro-Cedric Lee incident,” the lawyer said. “For the record, contrary to what has been aired or written, our firm maintains and so holds that the news tidbits with reference to the infliction of physical violence at any given time to her person by Mr. Lee is purely fictional, conjectural and speculative,” the statement added. Morales and Lee became a couple in 2006, “Buzz ng Bayan” reported
Sunday, but separated not long after when the businessman reportedly rekindled his relationship with exwife Judy Lee, with whom he has two children. In an interview in 2011, Morales said she and Lee were no longer a couple when she became pregnant with their only child, who is now four years old. At the time, the actress said she continued having “good communication” with Lee, who she added visited their daughter “almost everyday.” In a “TV Patrol” report aired on Tuesday, Sr. Supt. Albert Ocon of the PNP-PSPG said Morales accused Lee of physical abuse in 2012, which he said was the reason for the termination of his security detail. Morales’ lawyer on Wednesday also addressed Lee having police escorts at the time.
MANILA – Television hostactress Toni Gonzaga has finally set the record straight regarding her rumored engagement to her boyfriend, director Paul Soriano. This after Soriano followed Gonzaga when the latter went to the United States during the holidays. In an interview with entertainment reporters at the sidelines of the press conference her upcoming movie “Starting Over Again,” Gonzaga said she has nothing to confirm because Soriano has yet to propose to her.
“Akala nga nila. Yun siguro iniisip nila, na kaya nagpunta doon [si Paul] dahil [nag-propose] pero hindi naman,” she said. Gonzaga stressed she is not on the rush to get married, saying that the best things are worth waiting for. “Hindi pa talaga sa ngayon. Ayaw ko nang magbigay ng timetable or time limit. Kasi katulad nitong project na ‘to, I’ve waited for 13 years bago siya mag-materialize. There are things really worth the wait,” she said. “Siguro darating tayo diyan.
Everything naman, as I always say, is in God’s time,” she added. The “Home Sweetie Home” actress said she is just happy to know that her parents have expressed their approval for Soriano as her partner. “Siyempre, magandang marinig yun sa mga magulang mo. Lahat naman tayo, gusto nating maging ganun ang reaksyon ng mga magulang natin sa mga importanteng tao sa buhay natin.” she said. Soriano and Gonzaga have been a couple for six years now. abs-cbnnews.com
Toni on settling down: Hindi pa talaga sa ngayon
“Reports had it likewise about supposed involvement of PNP officers in the loop regarding the alleged PNP personnel assigned to Mr. Lee,” Radovan said. “Our position is that should there be any breach of protocols, we believe that the PNP hierarchy would be able to address these concerns as their established systems provide.” Radovan added that Morales “has already exercised her rights through our firm by instituting legal recourse which is of public knowledge and record.” Speaking with ABS-CBN News in August last year, Morales confirmed that she was involved in a legal battle, saying she was willing to face the court
for the benefit of her daughter. She refused to give further details. “We appeal to everyone and sundry, to spare our client, especially the young and innocent Ceana from negative, undue and unjust publicity both don’t deserve,” Morales’ lawyer added in his statement. “The Navarro-Lee affair is beyond Miss Morales. Let us endeavor to give her peace.” Lee, along with seven others, are facing six criminal charges filed by Navarro in relation to the January 22 incident in Taguig: serious physical injuries, grave threat, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, blackmail, and serious illegal detention -- a non-bailable offense.abs-cbnnews.com
BY REYMAR LATOZA February is the month of love. It is the perfect month to express our love the people who are special to us in the most exciting and memorable way. February 14, Valentine’s Day, is usually regarded for lovers. They show their love with Valentine’s Day. Gifts that range from romantic cards, red roses, huggable teddy bears, and heart shaped boxes of chocolates and candies. Valentine’s Day is considered as the second busiest holiday of the year for many businesses like restaurants, hotels, malls, movie houses and boutiques. Almost all hotels and restaurants in the country are riding on the wave of one of the busiest days of the calendar. For most women, Valentine’s Day is that time of year when they are treated like queens and princesses. They like being taken to spas, hotels and fine dining restaurants, and other fancy places. Here in Iloilo, several hotels and dining destinations have their own promos to attract couples this Valentine season. Days Hotel Iloilo offers an ultimate valentine package for lovers. The sweet escape package includes room accommodation, breakfast in bed for two, dinner buffet for two, bottle of wine, journey massage for two and dozen of roses. For Inquiries and reservation call 3373297. Days Hotel Iloilo’s first-rate interiors are superbly maintained, and complemented with unmatched hospitality-the signature Ilonggo smile, courtesy, and care.Days Hotel Iloilo is located in Atrium At Capitol
Corner Gen, Luna Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo, Philippines. (ExploreIloilo. com) The Iloilo Grand Hotel also offers a valentine promo. ‘Share an Intimate dinner with your loved one at Iloilo Grand Hotel’ on February 14. The promo offers buffet dinner for P599.00 per person. Iloilo Grand Hotel is a midrange accommodation located in downtown Iloilo. This hotel is known for having function rooms with one of the biggest seating capacity at Iznart Street, Iloilo City. Although Iznart is one of the busiest streets in Iloilo, once you are inside Iloilo Grand Hotel, you will feel far from the hustle and bustle of the city. (ExploreIloilo.com) On the other hand, the Amigo Terrace Hotel offers P2,795.00 valentine’s promo for an overnight stay. The newly renovated Amigo Plaza Mall gives a more modern appearance to the decades-old shopping center. The exterior looks clean with its aluminum cladding highlighted with blue accents and new glass windows. It is located at Corner Iznart and Delgado Streets,Iloilo City,Philippines (exploreIloilo.com) The Sarabia Manor Hotel offers a valentine promo for P2,099.00 for two. It includes one room, breakfast, lunch ,and buffet dinner. Sarabia Manor Hotel is the Iloilo’s Premiere Hotel Destination. Awarded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as “Best Hotel” – First Class, “Best Hotel” in 2006 DOT Excellence Awards, “Best Hotel” in 2000 DOT Kalakbay Awards and Regional Tourism Awardee. It is Located at the heart of General Luna Street, Iloilo
City proper, we are only 40 minutes away from the Iloilo International Airport and 15 minutes away from the seaports. (sarabiamanorhotel.com) In terms of restaurants, The Promenade and Gloria Maris offer affordable buffet dinner this valentine’s day. The Promenade’s ‘Romantic Interlude’ offers a Valentine’s Day dinner buffet for only P800.00 from 6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. on February 14. The Promenade is at Iloilo City Days Hotel, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City Gloria Maris in Amigo Terrace Hotel a buffet dinner for P 750.00 per person on Valentine’s Day. The history of Valentine’s Day-and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. (History.com) - Photo courtesy of 1ms.net and RBPphotography IMT
CAB No. 638597 CAB Approval No. 509, 05-10 S. 2013
Fares stated for international routes departing Clark/ Manila are for one– way travel (tax excludes php500 – 2,500 fuel surcharge, terminal fee and international travel tax for Philippine passport holders). Fares stated for domestic routes are for one-way travel (excluding php300 – php400 fuel surcharge, 12% VAT and excludes domestic passenger service charge and aviation security fee). All fares exclude baggage charges (from php150 – php1500) and booking fee (php112 – php500) per passenger per sector. All fares are non-refundable; rebookable with change fee from php1000 – php2100 for domestic and international routes plus fare difference. Seats are limited and may not be available on peak travel dates. Pay at 7-eleven and GPRS outlets, or any local travel agent near you. Promotional fares are not valid for group bookings.
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METRO OPINION
8 EDITORIAL
‘Reengineering’ Paraw Regatta
O
n its 42nd year, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta (IPR) will once again spread its wovenmatted sails and embark on a series of cultural events this coming February 15-23, 2014. Paraw Regatta in Iloilo is considered the oldest traditional craft event in Asia, and the largest sailing event in the Philippines aiming to celebrate the skills of the paraw sailors, and bring a fiesta spirit into their lives and of the tourists as well. However this year, IPR is in the tight spot facing a series of quality and financial problems. Iloilo City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena proposed that the festival needs an overhaul and ‘reengineering’ to make it more refreshing to the eyes of the Ilonggos. For many years now, the festival has become very redundant. The IPR Foundation and the tourism should try new things to make it more celebrated and marketable not only for the locals but more importantly to the national and foreign tourists. Considering that the festival follows two very significant celebrations in the city of Iloilo, the Dinagyang Festival celebrated every last week of January and the Chinese New Year on the first or second week of February (depending on the Lunar Calendar), the IPR should double their efforts to come up with quality events during the entire period of time to sustain the festival energy in the city. The committee should take into consideration a number of factors that would help them market the festival and convert into tourist arrival such as quality of shows, promotional method, cultural approach and support system. For a festival to be hailed significant, it should possess both the quantity and quality to garner substantial appreciation of the show. This year’s Paraw Regatta will begin on the 15th until 23th of February, 2014.
THE R.I.T DEBACLE
T
h e recent spate of killings by riding-in-tandem gunmen have once again caught fire in the national media that additional ‘preventive measures’ are being pushed to curb the traitorous slayings. Here in Iloilo City we have our share of those infamous murders in the city streets. Even ‘small time’ victims were shot by RITs that the authorities in the national level have initiated moves to limit the movement, regulate the speed, hours, helmets and clothing of motorcycle riders in general. Among those proposed new regulations include registering helmets with the police and the barangay, wearing white helmet only for riding-in-tandems, wearing of reflective vests indicating plate numbers of motorcycles, a 30 kph speed limit, limiting the hours of travel of
motorcycles and the ridiculous suggestion of prohibiting back riders altogether. As an avid motorcycle rider for more than 27 years now, this writer strongly oppose the proposed measures to combat killings by RITs. It is true that the versatility and mobility of a motorcycle made it the best getaway vehicle of assassins for hire but in the overall scheme of things the general motorcycle riding public should not suffer the burden from the inability of the police to prevent and arrest the perpetrators. It is not the regular, peaceful and law-abiding motorcycle owners’ obligation to solve the rising criminality using motorcycles, it is the police’s. It is also true that the public, to include the motorcycle owners, has the obligation to be vigilant and report to the authorities if need
February 9 - 15, 2014
be but going beyond the bounds of common sense and carry the burden of curbing the RIT atrocities in the riding public’s shoulders is pure laziness and stupidity. Imagine the hassle of registering your helmet with the DTI, then with the PNP and another registration for the barangay then go to work in a 30 kph speed limit while wearing reflective vests with big numbers splattered in the front and back. The riders would become robot-like: wearing those accessories makes one look like a robot and following such ridiculous regulations also makes one a robot of sort. Eventually, with these kind of regulations in place the ‘kotong’ cops and hoodlums in the barangays will wield so much power over the motorcycle riders and in every corner and street riders will be accosted for
not wearing such vest or white helmets or going 31 kph. All these while the police will just be waiting for a rider to violate and chance upon the real RIT assassin, while those thousands of innocent riders accosted in the streets suffer the abuse of authority, the laziness of solving the RIT killings and carry the burden of the inability of the police to solve the riding-intandem slays. Ninety nine per cent of motorcycle riders are law-abiding, peaceful and faithful taxpayers who pay for the salaries of the police to protect them from crimes. They should not be treated like suspects who are participants of such murderous activities as the RIT killings. They are also victims of these slays like the rest of us and not become the scapegoats to ease the authorities of the real responsibility of solving the RIT debacle.
for complainant to establish the motive of the person who allegedly ordered the killing so that the same allegation can stand and survive the scrutiny of the court for conviction. In cases where a special law is violated, motive is not essential to be established. For instance, the law on illegal possession of firearms is violated, like when one carries a firearm without a valid license to carry, and he is apprehended, his defense that he has no intention of using it for illegal purpose or that he carries it for some lawful intent cannot stand in court. In other words, regardless of one’s motive, such motive is not necessary for the violator’s conviction, neither is it a valid defense in a case for violating a special criminal law. **** PORK BARREL. It seems that the pork barrel issue does not end. It still gets the headlines. One of which is the recent involvement of Ramon Revilla Sr. who is reported to have given millions of pesos from his pork barrel to the dummy nongovernment organizations of the lady who bathed in milk and money, who is now under detention. Ramon Revilla Sr., whose movies I loved watching, served as senator for two terms from 1992 to 2004. After him, whose name will come out anew in
the headlines? That I do not know. **** CHESS. Grandmaster Wesley So, the number one chess player in the Philippines, the FIDE website reveals, now ranks 18 among active chess players and 20 among all in the world. He is ranked 2nd among all Asian players. He has made history while staying outside the country, and after joining the elite Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2014 with a stunning performance. He is reportedly groomed to join the US Chess Team, now that he is studying in the US probably to qualify for some residency requirements, I guess, for the Chess Olympiad – a loss for our country, sad to say so. * * ** CONDOLENCE. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the late Napoleon Pagtanac. May his soul rest in peace. **** BIRTHDAY. I wish all the best in life to Maria Iris Ortiz Molina, Parts and Service Manager of Iloilo Car Corporation (Nissan La Paz), who celebrates her birthday this February 9. May your good wish and your prayers on your birthday come true!# Sendfeedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com
MOTIVE
I
n the recent criminal incident that happened in Iloilo City in broad daylight outside a mall, the victim of which was a young woman who was shot dead in close range, the question of motive behind the killing still lingers in my ears. In what case is motive essential? In what case it is not? The Supreme Court has this to say, “Motive is not essential to the conviction of the accused who is positively identified to have committed the crime charged.” In that recent criminal incident, the trigger man was positively identified to have shot the victim. His motive therefor is no longer necessary to be established for his conviction. Suffice it to establish that he was the one who shot the victim at close range, regardless of the reasons why he carried out the criminal act. Of course, denial is the usual defense, but as to the denial of the perpetrator and the positive statement of witnesses that he fired the gun, killing his victim, the Supreme Court in many cases said that positive and categorical assertions of a witness prevail over bare denial, which is a negative and self-serving evidence. Denial cannot be given greater weight than the testimony of credible
witnesses who testified on affirmative matters. Between the positive declarations of the prosecution witnesses and the negative statements of an accused, the former deserve more credence. For denial to merit credibility, the Supreme Court said that such denial must be buttressed by strong evidence of non-culpability. Furthermore, it is a settled rule that when there is no evidence to show any dubious reason or improper motive why prosecution witnesses should testify falsely against an accused or implicate him in a serious offense, their testimonies deserve full faith and credit. Motive, however, is essential when there is no direct evidence against, nor positive identification, of the perpetrator in a case, like the person whose role in carrying out the crime was to induce another who in turn directly carried out its execution. The former is known as the principal offender by inducement, while the latter is the principal offender by direct participation. So to find out the motive of the person who caused the triggerman to commit the crime is essential for the former’s conviction, especially when the evidence linking the former in the commission of the offense is only circumstantial. In other words, it is important
February 9 - 15, 2014
METRO OPINION
9
Today is Facebook’s 10th anniversary. It's been an amazing journey so far, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. It's rare to be able to touch so many people's lives, and I try to remind myself to make the most of every day and have the biggest impact I can. People often ask if I always knew that Facebook would become what it is today. No way. I remember getting pizza with my friends one night in college shortly after opening Facebook. I told them I was excited to help connect our school community, but one day someone needed to connect the whole world.
I always thought this was important -- giving people the power to share and stay connected, empowering people to build their own communities themselves. When I reflect on the last 10 years, one question I ask myself is: why were we the ones to build this? We were just students. We had way fewer resources than big companies. If they had focused on this problem, they could have done it. The only answer I can think of is: we just cared more. While some doubted that connecting the world was actually important, we
CALL ME DIRTY
were building. While others doubted that this would be sustainable, you were forming lasting connections. We just cared more about connecting the world than anyone else. And we still do today. That's why I'm even more excited about the next ten years than the last. The first ten years were about bootstrapping this network. Now we have the resources to help people across the world solve even bigger and more important problems. Today, only one-third of the world's population has access to the internet. In the next decade, we have
the opportunity and the responsibility to connect the other two-thirds. Today, social networks are mostly about sharing moments. In the next decade, they'll also help you answer questions and solve complex problems. Today, we have only a few ways to share our experiences. In the next decade, technology will enable us to create many more ways to capture and communicate new kinds of experiences. It's been amazing to see how all of you have used our tools to build a real community. You've shared
way back in November last year.
Valentine experience before because I had to take time off this coming one? from work to make a movie in the Philippines with a May Sadly, there was none. You 2012 deadline, and my spouse see, I never had a steady lover had to attend my brother-inbefore my current one, whom law’s elaborate 80th birthday I met in late 2006. Honestly! celebration in mid-February, Haha. On our first Valentine as we had lunch, and went our a couple going steady, I attended separate ways on Valentine’s a fire class, and my beloved was Day. I stayed in L.A. for hospital 2,600-something miles away work so that I could have more from Los Angeles in Baltimore, paid vacation time for our Maryland. I got an elaborate Philippine trip; and my lover Valentine goodies package, could celebrate my brotherand we just talked sexy on the in-law’s grand birthday bash. phone. In 2008, we were finally Unfortunately, courtesy of, or together in Los Angeles, but I rather a disservice by, Philippine had to work on Valentine’s Day, Airlines, we spent Valentine’s so we just decided on having an Day 2013 apart, again. My extended, grand, post-Valentine spouse was not allowed to board trip to the South. It was my first the flight to the Philippines to trip to Georgia and Alabama. represent, together with me, We were married in August our film “Gugma sa Panahon 2008, but we spent Valentine’s sang Bakunawa/Love in the 2009 apart because we were Time of the Bakunawa” in also maintaining our house in the 5th Cinema Rehiyon Film Baltimore while I kept my job Festival in Los Baños. So yes, in California. In 2010, because it is with some vengeance that I had to work on the night of the I’m planning an extravagant 14th, we had a pre-Valentine and “exhaustive” Valentine’s celebration and watched this year of the Woody… er, I Annette Bening perform in a mean, Wooden Horse of the play. We had dinner with my Chinese zodiac. Hiyaaa! Peter sister’s family on Valentine’s Solis Nery, the great lover, rides Day 2011. The following year, again!
H
ow does my work schedule. But not this So, you will create an P e t e r year. The winds are changing. unforgettable Valentine this Solis Nery I am no more Mr. Super Nice year after all? create a great Guy, no more Mr. Super-duper Valentine moment? Martyr Nurse. You bet. I’ll cook, and there will be scented candlelight, To be honest, since coming What do you mean? sensual saxophone music, and to America in 2006, I have not expensive champagne like Dom really been big on celebrating This year, I’m totally Perignon at dinner. And then, the exact dates of the special committed to being retired at for some late, late night dessert, occasions. The simple reason 45. To wit, I requested days let’s just say that the sheets for it is my work as a nurse, and off before, during, and after and the washcloths will be my avid commitment to my my birthday, and had a blast totally messed up with vividly profession. For example, I do not celebrating my 45th year for at vanilla ice cream and Hershey’s mind exchanging a Christmas least what seems like a week. genuine chocolate flavor syrup. or New Year’s or Thanksgiving Also, I had a grand time ushering Of course, I have done all shift with my co-workers who 2014 with a kickass New Year’s these things before, but not all have children and relatives to bash that got me so shamelessly together in one night! And the whom family get-togethers are drunk, and happy… or in the thing is, while I have my wella big deal. And because I don’t words of my friends, “high on a laid plans, I also tend to get mind working the holidays, the trip,” and if you know the word crazy, raunchy, and squiffy with special occasions and weekends “squiffy,” then, I was totally expensive champagne! Haha. and ordinary workdays are “squiffed!” So yes, I did enjoy So, it will truly be a memorable all the same to me. I don’t New Year’s and my birthday Valentine celebration for my even request a day off for my on their exact dates, and for beloved and I. Go ahead, birthday! If I’m scheduled to Valentine’s this year, I just condemn me, denounce me, work, I’ll just work my shift, learned that I am not scheduled call me dirty names, but that, and celebrate the occasion in to work, so I will definitely do my friends, is why I am the the days closest before, or after, something unforgettable. But greatest lover in the world. Too the correct date. So you can say part of this year’s Valentine much information? But you that, in a way, I have been a slave celebration was the cruise we asked! Haha! to my hospital work, and have just had last weekend. After all, been organizing my life around it was something that I booked What was your greatest
F
Nostalgia
acebook is the book of the now generation. It has gone a long way in robbing the attention of the teenagers and young adults from hardbound and paperbacks, television and radio. It has become the medium of expressing all, literally speaking all the kinds of feelings: sarcastic, happiness, sad and angry. It’s the public book and a movie house combined into one. There’s always a first for everybody and I just had my first public speaking in front of 30 grade-5 students of Bitoon Elementary School. I was a resource speaker for
basic feature writing/workshop conducted by Journalism students of West Visayas State University. It was not the stage fright that took me over but it was the fact the children I was speaking to have no idea of what I will teach them and it seems like they have no interest on it at all. Fortunately, I was able to put a little twist on my approach and finally got their attention. Unfortunately, no one wants to be a writer. Of course, they don’t even read good books these days, how can you expect them to write? You can only guess the things that interest them: Facebook, teleseryes and DOTA. No one answered they like reading books or writing
essays. They are all technology babies. One thing that made me sigh was the fact that although these children don’t read books, they were travelers. Some of them have even been to places I’ve never gone before. It was such a great opportunity to put the adventures down into a beautiful masterpiece. It was heartbreaking that such adventure were not put into words for the children, who cannot go to places other than their house, to read. I asked who among them are reading their notes and books on a daily basis and no one raised their hands. I then asked who among them read their notes and books before
the exam and everyone raised both hands. It was long proven that reading at an early age will help enhance the vocabulary of the children and can become a habit until they get old. Reading will widen their imagination and help them wander to places they have never been. Reading will help them create a sentence and be articulate. Reading will educate them more than just listening to their teachers. After all, books are the cheapest vacation one can buy. I believe 90’s children were the last generation to have ever been interested on paperbacks and hard bounds. Since Facebook took the spotlight,
the happy moments and the painful ones. You've started new families, and kept spread out families connected. You've created new services and built small businesses. You've helped each other in so many ways. I'm so grateful to be able to help build these tools for you. I feel a deep responsibility to make the most of my time here and serve you the best I can. Thank you for letting me be a part of this journey. (The speech was taken from Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook Page posted last February 3, 2014.)
libraries became empty, classrooms became silent and diaries became obsolete. Even the feelings brought by love letters were never felt again. Backyards, which were once full of laughing children, were now occupied by weeds. I doubt a child of this generation knows about patintero, piko, jack stone, luksong tinik, luksong baka and tumba patis. Today, a 5 year-old kid can be seen using iPad, posting a status on his Facebook. I believe 90’s kids were the last children to have sun-kissed skin smell for they love to sweat their hearts’ out playing with kids on the neighborhood under the heat of the sun. And it makes me sad.
CIVIL REGISTRATION MONTH 2014 Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 682 issued on January 28, 1991, February is observed every year as National Civil Registration Month. To celebrate this year’s Civil Registration Month with the theme “Ikaw at Ako Tungo sa Wastong Pagrehistro.”, the Philippine Statistics Authority Iloilo Provincial Office will conduct activities aimed at providing Civil Registration related services to the public. These activities include the display of streamers in conspicuous places in the cities and municipalities, information campaigns, which include the conduct of civil registration lectures and symposia in towns and schools and consultations for civil registry related issues and problems. Also, with the facilitation and cooperation of the Local Civil Registrars and the various Local Government Units; Free Civil Mass Weddings and Mobile Registration activities are held as a way of bringing the civil registration services to the people and to impart to the masses about the importance of registering vital events, such as births, marriages and deaths.
February 9 - 15, 2014
METRO TOURISM
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Falls, Forest and Trail Adventure in San Enrique
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN One of the best adventure tourism destinations in the 4th District of the province of Iloilo, the municipality of San Enrique is nestled in the rolling hills of the northern central mountain ranges and behind the long stalks of sugar cane, expanses of bamboo, terraced rice paddies and giant, century-old trees. San Enrique offers a great combination of cultural expedition and trekking that allows guests to know these remote hospitable villages. The trek begins with a
19-kilometer wonderful scenic drive from the poblacion to the remote barangay of San Antonio. The real fun begins to the trailhead through a bumpy but short off-road drive to an old cane road. The trek to the Binul-ugan Falls is challenging and is fully supported every step of the way by local guides. Halfway to the falls lead visitors to series of swimming holes that graces the trails where guests can frolic to their hearts’ content. These waters from the falls continue to shape a dramatic landscape of valleys, streams and cliffs. These holes add to the uniqueness of the exhilarating journey.
After a 45-minuter moderate to hard trek, the hike continues on to the waterfall where Mother Nature has crafted three awe-inspiring pools, etched out of limestone, for your enjoyment. Visitors will enjoy a picnic lunch, swimming to its 5-feet deep pool and a relaxing hydro-massage with stunning mountain panoramas, green valleys and pasturelands, and of course the abundant water. After trekking and swimming all day, you will find salvation drinking San Enrique’s special native coffee. The trek from the falls gives visitors the unique opportunity to visit Sitio Pangalapan of Barangay San Antonio
and introduce you to all the inner workings in their coffee plantation. The sitio is home to thousands of coffee trees, each of which produces some of the finest Arabic and robusta coffee beans in Iloilo. The coffee is grown in rich soil, touched by abundant mountain rain. During your visit, the guide will explain the complete process from the berry’s on the tree until the specialty coffee’s you will taste the traditional way. The experience is absolutely unique as the guide will share with you the secrets of how to make a good cup of native coffee. San Enrique is 54 kilometers
Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay: A Vehicle for Cultural Reawakening BY BOMBETTE G. MARIN Photos by Vincent Angelo Gefes The municipality of Calinog came alive with colorful costumes, ethnic dances, chants and tribal music for the 26th Hirinugyaw and 9th Suguidanonay Festivals on January 24 to February 2. It was an experience the true spirit of Calinog and its people. connecting with their authentic Indigenous culture by learning and sharing in the heart and soul of its Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival. With the theme: “Hirinugyaw Suguidanonay, Ban-awan Sang Pagbangon kag Himpit nga Pagtuo kay Señor Sto. Niño,” the 10-day celebration opened on January 24 (Friday) with an Opening Salvo at 4 p.m., a Torch Procession and Lighted Sto. Niño Contests at 6 p.m., the Presentation and Talent’s Night of Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao and Linghuron nga Lin-ay Kag Ulitao at 8 p.m.; January 25 (Saturday) Novena Mass at 5:30 a.m.; January 27 (Monday) Cultural Presentation of WVSU CC at 7:30 p.m.; January 28 (Tuesday) Cultural Presentation District I at 7:30 p.m.; January (Wednesday) Dayaw sa Calinog at 8 a.m., Cultural Presentation District II at 7:30 p.m.; January 30 (Thursday) Adlaw Sang Panguma at 8 a.m., the Coronation Night of Linghuron nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao kang HirinugyawSuguidanonay Festival 2014 at 7:30 p.m.; January 31 (Friday) the Coronation Night of Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao Kang Hirinugyaw-
Suguidanonay Festival 2014 at 7:30 p.m.; February 1 (Saturday) Agape (Pa-ambitanay) Linabugan Festival (Bandstand/Food Fest) at 12 noon, the Festival of Mini Sounds around the Public Market at 1 p.m.; February 2 (Sunday) Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Tribal Dance Competition at 9:00 a.m., Festival of Sounds and Street Dancing at the municipal plaza at 1 p.m. and Live Band/ Announcement of Winners at 8 p.m. Hirinugyaw (Jubilation) highlights the inter-tribal dance competition of performers in colorful tribal costumes, painted faces and thunderous drumbeats. With shouts of “Viva Señor Santo Niño,” Hirinugyaw paid homage to the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus. The Suguidanon (Storytelling) dramatized the culture of the mountain people of Central Panay known as the Sulod, an indigenous group inhabiting the interior areas of Iloilo, Capiz and Antique Provinces. Their dialect is a combination of Kiniray-a and Hiligaynon. The presentation is based on the literary masterpiece Hinilawod (Tales from the Mouth of the Halawod River). Documented and translated by renowned Filipino anthropologist, Felipe Landa Jocano, a native of Cabatuan, Iloilo, it is known to be the Second Longest Verse –Epic in the World with 28,000 verses and when performed in its original form would takes about three days. It recounts about the exploits of enchanted folk heroes, the three demigods, Labaw
Donggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap, their tales of love and adventures. The local government incorporated the Suguidanon for the coming generations of Ilonggos to appreciate through this visual legacy the lives of our Sulod brothers, their adventures and conversations weaving an intimate and profound portrait of a culture whose survival, history and worldview is intertwined with the land, the spirit world, the plants and animals. The agro-industrial municipality of Calinog is 59.3 kilometers away from Iloilo City. It is in the central portion of Iloilo and is comprised of 59 barangays over a land area of 23,280 hectares. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz; northeast by the municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo; northeast by the municipality of San Remegio, Antique; south by the town of Lambunao, Iloilo; southeast by the municipality of Dueńas, Iloilo and; southwest by the town of Valderama, Antique. To get to the town, one can take a nonair-conditioned bus at the terminal beside Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines plant in Ungka, Pavia.
away from the city via Passi City route. Situated in the northern central part of the province, it is bounded in the north by the component city of Passi; the town of Dingle in the south; the coastal towns of Banate and Barotac Viejo in the east; and the town of Dueńas in the west. It is subdivided into 28 barangays in a land area of 10, 809.63 hectares. For an unforgettable adventure, immerse yourself in San Enrique; a place of old sugar plantations with extraordinary natural beauty. For more information, please contact Mr. Marcelino M. Palomaria – Municipal Tourism Officer at 09076979945.
IMT FUNTIME
S U DO
KU
February Planet Weekly Overview: The groundwork for the month is laid in February’s first days as the overwhelming energies of Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto are hard at work. You and others are convinced that your way is the only way, and you fight for your convictions. Venus has just turned direct, and it’s possible there are financial rewards at stake. Take advantage of this short, powerful time because progress could be stalled as of February 6. There could be a decision made with the Leo Full Moon on February 14, the only lunation of the month. Mercury turns direct on February 28, so that day could bring resolution to any unanswered questions.
ARIES:
People might be troublesome and some plans could fall through in the first few days. Keep a sharp eye on finances and avoid arguments if you can. Everything will be all right. Life gets easier and smoother again by February 4. Dreams run rampant at the February 14 Full Moon and a stimulating new love might find you. Remember to be good to yourself and don’t get overexcited. Enjoy the fresh energy and have fun with this. By February 18 the emotional atmosphere changes yet again and you risk heartbreak if you’re overly involved. What a roller-coaster ride for your heart!
TAURUS:
Friends from afar may send you unpleasant news as February opens, but it’s nothing to rock your world. Friends and lovers near at hand are here for you. By February 5 it will all be old news anyway. The Full Moon on February 14 could make you wildly popular and surround you with casual friends. Keep the mood light with cool, casual fun - nothing heavy. February 18 and February 20 are more emotionally demanding, which could be a good thing if you’re trying to connect deeply with a new special someone. Frivolous feelings won’t be much help now. Respect and listen to your heart.
GEMINI:
The work scene looks good, but the social scene looks turbulent. Stay calm and out of any crossfire for the first few days, and look forward to the days after February 5. The February 14 Full Moon zaps both home and office, making it harder to set priorities. You can still maintain that air of cool competence and get more done than you ever imagined. Handling difficult people will get easier for you in the last week, not because the people get easier but because you get more skillful and diplomatic. Listen, learn, and then adapt. That’s all you need.
MEDIUM The rule of the game are simple: You simply fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 3x3 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9 without repeats or omissions.
CANCER:
It could briefly be crazy times at work, but nothing you haven’t seen before. A partner or two might also make these first few days of the month more exciting than you’d like. It will all clear up after February 5 or February 6, however, so stay calm and keep smiling. That bright Full Moon on February 14 highlights good times with your favorite friends at your favorite places. It also energizes your fondest dreams and fantasies. From February 18 until the end of the month you could see some extra luck regarding money, but it won’t be effortless. Decide how hard you’re willing to work.
LEO:
Don’t let other people’s problems sideswipe you in the first week of the month. It might be tempting to overreact and chase after too many good times, but resist that, too. Things will settle down after February 4 or so. This February 14 Full Moon is for you and whatever partner you have at the moment. Be the royal couple and share secret wishes and a fantasy or two. You deserve to decompress. From February 18 until February 20 you might feel a bit like a scapegoat. If people pay more attention to you, know that some of it is well intentioned.
VIRGO:
People may be difficult to help the first week, so ration your efforts accordingly. Some anticipated fun might be interfered with, too. If so, don’t be disappointed. Change plans a little and maybe go where people appreciate you more. The February 14 Full Moon shines brightly on all those delicious little things in life. Cherish some peace and quiet, too. A few days later, too much wishful thinking could get in the way of progress. It might even be other people’s fantasies and not yours that slow things down for you. By February 20 or so these obstacles should drift back into the mist.
LIBRA:
A crazy lover wannabe isn’t really stalking you, but it might feel that way as the month begins. This will go away completely after February 5 or so, but it’s still good to travel with a buddy. This Full Moon on February 14 lets you see who your true friends are and how they really love just being with you. Relish the camaraderie. You might look at a lover (or other partner) around February 17 or February 18 and wonder whatever were you thinking when you paired up. It’s always good to reexamine a relationship, but feelings now might just be hollow self-doubt. Relax.
SCORPIO:
Being introspective will work to your advantage, especially in the first two or three days of the month, but you could feel bottled up. Without picking any fights, you can find ways to decompress and be good to your blood pressure. If things get tense at home, smile and remember that you’re the lucky one. The February 14 Full Moon shines on your career and your fondest wishes at home. Be dignified and be treated like royalty. Your emotions may get raw and the world feel more threatening as February 18 approaches. Stay calm. By February 20 these feelings will pass.
SAGITTARIUS:
Be out and about the first week of the month, sometimes even happily playing the fool. You know how far to take things. The novelty will have faded by February 3 or February 4, and it will be back to normal daily life. It’s an especially fiery and powerful Full Moon for you on February 14, when each and every friend sees you as their special valentine. Enjoy the popularity and spread the joy. The last two weeks could be busy at work, with people wanting solutions and guidance. You’ll have surprisingly good answers, but there might be some jealousy or competition.
CAPRICORN:
You could attract any number of the wrong sorts of people as February begins, but that peculiar attraction should wear off after a few days. You aren’t doing anything differently, so don’t blame yourself. The February 14 Full Moon impacts your sense of responsibility to others, and this could draw someone who recognizes your problem-solving skills and is willing to pay for your help. There’s a degree of altruism as well as sheer professionalism at play here. Don’t hesitate to describe your aspirations. February 17 and February 18 could be socially challenging, but you can spot common ground and point it out to reestablish peace. AQUARIUS: As the month opens, your sense of fun could encourage extravagance or some needless risk with money. By February 4 this danger should be over, but the memories of foolishness may linger. It’s a special Full Moon for you on February 14, when love is so thick in the air you can almost taste it. Don’t overcommit, but you also don’t have to run and hide. February 18 and February 19 could be stressful, and it won’t be possible to keep it all secret. Just be forthright and honest and don’t assume all the blame. It will all be fine again a few days later. PISCES: Be careful whose advice you take, if any, in the first few days of the month. Wild ideas and questionable suggestions abound, especially about money. This confusion should quiet down by February 3 or February 4. The Full Moon on February 14 could distract you from taking adequate care of yourself. You can be loving and giving, but you don’t have to sacrifice everything and martyr yourself for any cause. The world needs you too much. If your free spirit or reckless desires get you into hot water on February 18, just remember just how darn charming and sincere you can be.
JOKES ALL IS FAIR IN BUSINESS A shopkeeper was dismayed when a brand new business much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read ‘BEST DEALS.’ He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading ‘LOWEST PRICES.’ The shopkeeper panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop. It read: ‘MAIN ENTRANCE’
February 9 - 15, 2014
METRO AGRICULTURE
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Problems are Opportunities (4): Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat (Part 2) Snails (taklong) and the golden Apple Snail (kuhol) which should be cooked first then chopped finely and mixed with rice bran and some cracked corn. If coconuts are available, grate some and add to the ration for its oil and protein. I also use probiotics profusely and which I attribute the health of my flock to this method. The best concoction I have made so far is the mix of malunggay, pineapple peels and noni fruits which I think has made the concoction more nutrient dense. I give it daily at a ratio of 1 teaspoon per 2 liters of water, or mixed to the wet feeds that I give in the afternoon. (to be continued).
When my friend got angry with the street vendor who sold him male white leghorn chicks, passed off as fast growing chickens, I immediately seized the opportunity of using these roosters as a brood cock to improve my line of jolo or asil chickens raised for meat. White leghorns were first imported from the US for table egg raising in the early part of the 20th century where it had been the backbone of the egg industry. But it originally came from Livorno in Tuscany, Italy where it was noted as a good egg layer. Constantly improving the breed, US farmers were able to genetically manipulate the breed by selection and thus come up with efficient layers that we have today. Genetically, the male white leghorn possesses all the traits of good egg-laying and theoretically, it can pass on these traits to its offspring. Also, the geneticists aspire for hybrid vigor which naturally imparts all the traits looked for in an individual. Thus when I saw the cocks grown by my friend, I immediately bartered for one and bred
it to my asil/jolo hens. Jolo chickens are natives of both continental Asia and the islands of the Pacific where for centuries, mainlanders, basically the Chinese, Indians and Malays journeyed for trade and sometimes to escape tyrannic rule. They often brought with them domestic animals for food, pet and pastime. When bred for sport, they are bred pure and by selection these breeders come up with fowls they strive for. Jolo/asils are a hardy breed. They can thrive on pasture or free range. Compared to exotic chickens like the Sasso, Kabir, Egyptian, the Rhode Island, etc., they can simply be allowed to roam the yard or farm and they will find their own food as well as reproduce vigorously. The cocks are fiercely territorial and can fight for hours if only to defend its harem and territory. So are the hens. They will protect their brood from everything, humans to animals. They will even kill other chicks that compete for food with their own brood. However they would sometimes go to the extent of killing their own just to survive and if they are ready to mate again and would like to drive the current set of offspring away. Hens are also good sitters and would start incubating their eggs after laying 9-12 eggs, depending on their current state of nutrition. With good feed, they can lay more than 12. I have already 50/50 cross hens which have started to lay eggs and I
Whiteleghorn flock on free range have introduced a new brood cock, this time coming from another friend who was duped into buying these chicks from a street vendor. Mathematically, the next generation would be a 75/25 cross with the leghorn blood dominating. But like in game fowls, excellence or superiority is a matter of the selector’s or breeder’s eyes. He should have a set of criteria to base his selection of the best breeders for his next generation. The present mixed-blood hens that I have, had been trimmed further. I lost three good layers which have started to lay eggs. Since last November, they were able to lay more than 30 eggs each before they became broody, an indication that somehow, they have inherited egg-laying traits from their father, a pure white leghorn. I hope to further
improve the egg laying performance by mating them to another pure white leghorn cock which came from another source. Jolo chickens can be fed with any edible and nutritious feed. They give the best eggs that are deep yellow when ranged freely and allowed to scour around for their feed. I usually feed them with a high protein ration only in the afternoon while I allow them to range the yard throughout the day. This practice has two objectives: to save on feeds by making them look for their own feed and to force them to go back to the pens where the feeds are given and that when they have entered, the door is locked for their safety against predators and thieves. Jolo and their graded offspring can feed on chopped African Giant
The Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 encouraged farmer organizations and local government units (LGUs) to intensify organic fertilizer production to expand organic agriculture (OA) areas in the region. Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, regional OA focal person, said that the need to produce organic fertilizer is a must for farmer organizations and LGUs to make it available for use by the farmers. Dr. Wendam stressed that sufficient supply of organic fertilizer will motivate farmers to shift into organic farming, adopt OA technologies and decrease the price of organic fertilizer in the market. The establishment of vermicomposting project is one of the most proposed projects under the OA program for this CY 2014. These were proposed by the municipality of Calinog, Dumangas and Leon, Iloilo and of the Filamer Christian College in Roxas City, Capiz.
The province of Negros Occidental proposed for the establishment of natural farming system (NFS) production centers which will mass produce NFS concoctions. While the Organic Na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA) proposed for the “Strengthening of internal control system aided with the information and communication technology” which will harmonized data on production and prices on farm and in the market. Dr. Wendam encouraged LGUs to incorporate in their project proposals their target area to be converted to organic agriculture farming. This will help expand focus areas devoted to OA of at least five percent of the total agricultural land nationwide. The Department of Agriculture OA program is expecting more project proposals and has allocated funds for organic agriculture projects in the region. PNA
Western Visayas has so many potential products which can be marketed internationally but government has yet to conform to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Conforming to the GAP would mean passing the standard export quality of vegetables, fruits and rice products, according to Department of Agriculture-6 Director Larry Nacionales. Nacionales said that they have singled out to standardize the practices on rice production to strengthen its export quality. “It is because rice is the top commodity in Western Visayas so it dictates the agricultural sector of the region,” Nacionales said.
He encouraged the farmers and other stakeholders in the region to support he Code of GAP on Rice being drafted now by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard (BAFS) in a public consultation recently held in Iloilo City. The code of GAP on Rice is a set of standards covering the production, harvesting and on-farm post-harvest, handling and storage. There is a need to rationalize the regulatory functions of the agency because GAP is an important tool for the products to be allowed by the Bureau of Customs to be exported to other Asian and European countries. BAFS Focal Person Dr. Jonic Natividad said GAP is a control
measure and a requirement for accreditation which will eventually certify that the products are produced through good agricultural practices. “This will also allow the country’s agriculture to deal with the global approaches,” Natividad said. He added that there is a series of trainings and activities and public consultations which should be participated in by selected local government units and farmers to learn how to conform with the standards of GAP on Rice. Public consultations on the GAP on Rice, is conducted only in major rice-producing areas in the country. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Upholding its name as one of the best and toughest cockfight derbies in the whole world, the Candelaria 7 Cock International Derby proved to be a shining moment for the solo winner, the entry Tong & Jerry 2, owned by partners J. Buenvenida and J. Benemile of Barotac Nuevo whose assignments in all their seven fights were practically the toughest breeders in the country today. Their other entry Tong & Jerry 1 did well in the eliminations with four straight wins but got bombed in the finals where they met with stiff opposition from the JALT entry of Mayor Jesry Palmares and Triple J of contractor Nelson Golez. Showing a team of roosters bred by
their townmate known for his yellow legged breeds of fierce, determined and classy fighters, they hurdled all their assignments in classy yet hardfought fashion. Their first opponent in the elimination is the Fire and Ice entry of Mr. Eddie Boy Ledesma, a 3-peat NGBA Stag Derby champion in the mid-2000s. Mr. Ledesma is known widely for his Hulsey infused fighters. His Hulsey Left In strain is one of the purest in the country today and maintained to its 31/32 purity, originally from his uncle, the famed Nonoy Jalandoni of La Carlota who was one of the members of the original Mangkas group who pooled resources together to acquire the best that Duke Hulsey can offer. The Tong & Jerry won over Fire & Ice in a hard-fought fashion that could have gone either way. Genetics, feeding, conditioning and pointing played the most crucial role, adding to the fact that travel stress and
acclimatization also helped them. Since Barotac Nuevo is only about 40 kilometers from Iloilo City, the Tong and Jerry entry had an edge because the Fire & Ice came from Bacolod City and has to endure a one-hour travel across the rough sea at that time. Tong and Jerry 2’s next assignment is against the entry DECA HOMES PAVIA 168 owned by Peter Ysulan and Dennis De Asis who did not fare well throughout its 4 assignments in the derby. Call it whatever, but the opponent had a beautiful show throughout but lady luck seems not to be on their side as they always got hit first. It may also have been the last minute preparation called pointing, that their handler may not have been able to perfect. In their fight, Tong & Jerry got the better position to hit the Deca Homes entry first and thereafter gave no chance for the other bird to retaliate. The second day assignments of
both entries of Tong & Jerry were even tougher. T&J 2 was up against the Magno Catalan and Atty Manny Justiniani entry of MAGCAT who fielded their Asil blends known for their vertical breaks and power punches that can down an oppoNent instantly. But the T&J2 was even wilier, avoiding an aerial combat and seizing the slow recovery of the MAGCAT cock and giving it a coup de grace fit for a champion. T&J 2 ended the eliminations with a spectacular fight against the New Gallera de Calinog entry of triumvirate of Nonong Celeste et al. In the 3 cock finals of February 2, 2014, T&J2 downed the GILBERT entry of Nens Sabano in a classic fashion of one superior cock making mince meat of the opponent. He then tackled the JALT entry of Mayor Jesry Palmares in a hard fought action while for his championship fight, he was up against the famous blacks
of former Congressman Oca Garin whose famous black gave a hard fight but succumbed through a well timed ground hit by the yellow legged red of T&J2 entry. There was yet no jubilation since there was another entry with the same 6 straight wins, the Ryan and Ricky entry of Boy Sia and Tony Tan, conditioned by popular handler RJ Hermusura who is one of the consistent handlers in the City of Iloilo today. Fittingly, it was the T&J 1 entry that frustrated their search for Candelaria fame. The hard fought battle ended in the victory for T&J1 and thus allowing its other entry to emerge solo champion for the 2014 edition of Candelaria 7 Cock International Derby. Again as in all past Candelaria derbies, the event was well managed and orderly by the famous Mr. Luis Chito Tinsay and assisted ably by retired General Butch Supapo. Congratulations gentlemen!
Rhode Island Red Chickens
Kasil cock
DA 6 encourages mass production of organic fertilizer DA6: GAP to boost yield, quality of produce
CANDELARIA DERBY SHOWCASED THE BEST BREEDERS
METRO SPORTS
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February 9 - 15, 2014
Who will Gilas Pilipinas play in the FIBA World Cup? Who will the Philippines play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain? We’re about to find out. The Official Draw of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup is set for Monday, February 3 at 7pm Central European Time (2am Philippine time on Tuesday). The draw will dictate the fate of the Philippines, as it groups which teams will play each other in the Preliminary Round of the tournament. The 24 teams that qualified have been evenly distributed in 6 teams pots based on their FIBA ranking and geographic locations. During the draw, these teams will be placed into 4 different groups: A, B, C and D. Each group will have 6 teams each.
The numbers the teams draw tomorrow will determine the position of the team within their Preliminary Round group, as well as the schedule of the games. Based on the competition’s rules, the top-ranked teams – USA, Spain, Argentina and Lithuania – will be distributed in 4 different groups. Topranked USA will be in Group C, secondranked Spain will be in Group A, while Argentina and Lithuania will be drawn into either Group B or Group D. The Philippines will be drawn to compete in one of those groups. The other competing teams are African titlists Angola, Egypt, Senegal, Americas champions Mexico, Puerto
Undefeated American Timothy Bradley Jr. remains defiant when asked about his first fight against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, insisting that he deserved the victory. Bradley became the WBO welterweight champion in June 2012 when he defeated Pacquiao via split decision, an outcome few expected. It was widely considered one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the sport. Ahead of their April 12 rematch, Bradley continues to insist that he deserved the controversial victory. “I scored our fight eight rounds to four in my favor,” Bradley said, as quoted by PhilBoxing. “There’s no way he won that fight.” Very few people agreed with Bradley, including a group of judges commissioned by the WBO to re-score the fight. Pacquiao, who displayed class in the aftermath of the controversy, was also quick to disagree with the American. “I remember last time believing that I won the first fight against Tim Bradley,”
said Pacquiao. “I thought I was leading after every round. I thought I won the fight easily. I controlled the fight, every round.” Pacquiao said Bradley fulfilled his expectations by running once he felt the power of the Filipino, although he also acknowledged that he could have trained harder for the fight. “To be honest, I wasn’t as motivated when I was training for our first fight. I guess I didn’t take him seriously enough,” the Filipino champ said. “I was very surprised by the decision,” Pacquiao said. “But that’s part of the game. He got the decision and my title.” Bradley will have a chance to redeem himself and go for a decisive victory, while Pacquiao will try for revenge, when they meet again on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “I am a different fighter than the one who fought Pacquiao in our first fight,” Bradley promised. “I am more mature, smarter, and I now listen to what my corner is saying.” “The only way Bradley can beat
Bradley insists he won first Pacquiao fight
Rico, Dominican Republic, Iran, South Korea, European winners France, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Serbia, and Oceania region Australia and New Zealand. Brazil, Finland, Greece and Turkey round up the 24, after they were awarded the wild card slots. After the draw and when all teams have been assigned to a group, FIBA will assign a group to play in one of the following cities: Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Granada and Seville. The preliminary round will take place from August 30-September 4. The Final Round will be played in the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona and in the Palacio de los Deportes of Madrid from September 6-14. Incomplete line-up The FIBA Basketball World Cup, also known as the FIBA World Championship from 1950 until 2010, is the flagship event of the International
Basketball Federation (FIBA). In August, Gilas Pilipinas qualified for the finals for the first time in 35 years, after gallantly defeating longtime tormentor Korea 86-79 in front of a jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena filled with enthusiastic Filipino fans. The Philippines finished second in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, second only to Iran. The final Gilas Pilpinas 24-person line-up has yet to be finalized, but the 12 already on the roster that cannot be changed are Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag, LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Gary David, Japeth Aguilar, Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
All were members of the silver medalwinning team. PBA top rookie pick Greg Slaughter, Kelly Williams, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz are the other players that head coach Chot Reyes wants to be part of the 24-player pool. The Spain-bound team will be getting a full month and a half of training and preparations for the tournament after the PBA announced Thursday, January 30 that it will be shortening its current season schedule to finish in mid July instead of the original August 13. Reyes, who is already in Barcelona for the draw, has been tweeting photos of the FIBA facilities in Spain, admitting in one tweet he is praying for a good FIBA draw. – Rappler.com
me this time is to knock me out,” Pacquiao countered. “He cannot outbox me. I will be the aggressor. I will throw a lot of punches at him… and I will land them. Last time, I was too nice. This time, I will finish what I start.” (abscbnnews.com)
T E C H N O L O G Y
REVIEWED: LG G Flex, a curvy phone that’s not afraid to bend a few rules Why are our cellphones flat? Once upon a time, we had phones that bent to meet our ears and mouths, for speaking and listening. Then we shed our cords and moved to flip phones, which, for the most part, still made some effort to conform to our faces. Now, however, most smartphones, like the iPhone and the Galaxy S4, are flat. Which prompts the question: Have we been doing it wrong all these years? LG has spent a lot of time and money in search of the answer. The result is the G Flex, a device that the company is calling “the world’s first curved, flexible smartphone.” The arch on the G Flex is subtle. In fact, it’s easy to miss when you look at the phone straight on. From the side, however, it’s unmistakable. And it feels different the first time you pick it up. The back sits in your hand a bit more comfortably, and your hands wrap around it more easily than other large phones. As for calls, the phone conforms more closely to your face than straightscreened smartphones, too, with the ends settling closer to your ear and mouth. The huge G Flex fits awkwardly in your front pocket; though if you’re a back pocket person, well: LG may have finally perfected the subtle art of conforming a smartphone to the human butt. Colors really pop on the G Flex’s screen. Still, in terms of clarity, you can certainly find crisper screens — on the Galaxy Note 3 or the iPhone 5s, for example. As for how the curved display actually affects viewing, I didn’t notice too much of a difference, and unless you plan on huddling your family around the old smartphone for movie night, you probably won’t either. The display also maintained a decent
amount of glare beneath our office’s neon lights, which might be a bad omen for outdoor viewing, once the sun comes out. The curved screen isn’t the only feature that sets the G Flex apart. As on last year’s LG G2 smartphone, the power and volume buttons are on the back of the device, just below the camera. There’s a reason for this, according to LG: As the phone screen sizes increase, it becomes more difficult to reach for buttons on the side. And as far as screen sizes go, the G Flex is massive. The iPhone 5s has a 4-inch screen. The Galaxy Note 3, a “phablet” noted for pushing the boundaries of appropriate display size, is 5.7 inches. And the G Flex? Six freaking inches. That makes it unwieldy for smaller fingers. And, ultimately, the button placement is one of those things that feels different for the sake of being different. Even once you’re used to it (and it takes some getting used to), it doesn’t feel all that much better than side buttons. The volume up key, meanwhile, doubles as a camera button. That could be a handy feature, but due to the size of the phone, you’ll find yourself contorting your hands to get your fingers out of the camera’s line of sight. Here’s a cool thing, though: You can actually forgo the power button when waking up the phone. Grab the phone, knock twice on the display and, boom, you’re in. When it’s time to put the phone away, give an empty portion of the screen two knocks, and it’s back to slumber land. It’s definitely a gimmick, but it’s a useful one. I found myself using it frequently. Oh, and one more thing about the back of the phone: LG says it’s made from a “self-healing polymer” — not
unlike the scratch-resistant coating your car may currently be sitting under. The coating, LG says, is intended for the sorts of accidental scratches that can occur in your pockets, so you shouldn’t run out and start scratching the thing with a rock. Which is exactly what I did: Against LG’s warning — and my better judgment — I gave the back of the phone a small, deliberate scratch. And, well, when it comes to selfregeneration, the G Flex isn’t T-1000. The scratch was small, but it’s staying on the phone for good. (The Wall Street Journal tested it out and was more impressed, however.) LG says its phone is flexible, but don’t get too excited. If you go in expecting something akin to all those emerging technology videos where researchers bend screens like paper, you’re bound to be disappointed. Thing is, you could get a screen as bendy as you like, but you still need a battery and other parts that do not bend. LG has managed to design a battery with a bit of give, so the Flex does, technically, earn its name. You can press down the phone so that it lies flat on a table, both on its front and on its back. The phone may make a bit of a
creaky sound when you do that, but rest assured, it’s OK. * So does the curve make the phone? Well, as initially suspected, the screen is a gimmick. It’s certainly possible to foresee an era when more of the technology we carry is built with real human beings in mind. And, hey, maybe someday flexible technology will truly live up to its name. As mentioned, LG didn’t just toss a curved display on an otherwise throwaway phone. There are some cool features like knock to unlock. The battery life is solid, and the 13-megapixel camera is decent, though
not the best. The phone is still running an older version of Android Jelly Bean (4.2.2), however, which is a major downside. It’s unclear when the phone will be updated to the current version of Android (4.4). The LG G Flex will run you $300 with a two-year AT&T or Sprint contract. If you’re looking to pick it up unlocked, you can snag it for between $700 and $900, depending on which version you go for. That’s a bit pricey seeing as how, off the top of my head, I can’t really conceive of anyone who needs a curved phone. Or, for that matter, a 6-inch curved phone. If you’re looking for an Android handset with a large screen, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 remains a solid choice, as does LG’s own Optimus G Pro. Neither phone is quite as unwieldy — or pricey — as the Flex. The best feature of LG’s G Flex may, in fact, be its legacy. Following the G Flex, don’t be surprised to see more manufacturers experimenting with the curve. After all, the world we’re living in isn’t flat. So why should our phones be? (Photos and article by Brian Heater/yahoo.com)
METRO SPORTS
February 9 - 15, 2014
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IBL pushes ‘developmental’ basketball tournaments BY REYMAR LATOZA More than just developing the skills of Ilonggo players, the Iloilo Basketball League (IBL) instigated ‘developmental’ basketball tournaments to foster the significant values that shape the players’ characters. “The skills are there but the problem is the attitude of our players that we are now addressing through developmental tournaments, “Alfonso Lagman Sr., IBL president said. Developmental basketball tournaments give opportunities to young and interested Ilonggo players to nourish their potential. “We will focus on characterbuilding and leadership skills. We want to make them leaders on and off the court,” Lagman stressed. Lagman, who had been organizing several basketball tournaments in the province and city of Iloilo, observed that most of the Ilonggo players have
Casino...from page 1 they have their business permits but the certificate which is supposedly one prerequisite in applying license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Acap added he is planning to review all the business permits of these gaming operators the reason why he is coordinating with the PAGCOR to advise these operators to secure their certificate from the City Council before renewing their license with them. Acap said most of the violations committed by the operators are their location sites that are located in the open or accessible areas. Under the Republic Act 8497, Acap said existing slot machines
lack of dedication and commitment. He said what they have in mind is money and they let their financial problems to stop them from playing. “They would always ask for money so it’s no longer their desire to learn and be the best that drove them to play,” Lagman stressed. Lagman mentioned James Yap and Ronald Tubid, two of the most successful Ilonggo basketball players, who showed hard work and sense of sacrifice. Despite the support of local government unit, Lagman described the direction of basketball in Iloilo as “going down” because of the continuity problem. When asked of his advice to all interested and potential basketball players, he said “first you have to practice, second, practice and third, practice. If you have the ability and good character money will follow.”IMT and other gambling paraphernalia and equipment are not allowed in establishments open or accessible to the general public unless the site of these operations are three-star hotel and resorts accredited by Department of Tourism (DOT) authorized by the corporation and by the local government unit concerned. Acap added since the business permit of these operators are being issued by the Iloilo City Government, they have a territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as the site for of its operation. The councilor said he will also review the resolution governing these games for possible amendment since other provisions are no longer applicable to a fast growing city like Iloilo. IMT
Egg Supply...from page 1 its prices in WV. She added that high demand for eggs due to relief operations was also one of the factors that drives the prices up. The production and prices are expected to be fully normalized and stabilize before the end of the first quarter of the year, as the
poultry operation went fine after the devastation of typhoon. The month of January is still a coping up month, Balopeños said. Meanwhile, Alfonso Lagman Sr. of Egger Farm, one of the biggest suppliers of eggs in Iloilo, said that they nowv have enough supplies of eggs for their distributors.
Job Mismatch...from page 1 “We are boasting of 18,000 graduates annually but only 5,000 are being hired since most of the graduates’ qualifications do not match the needs of the industries here,” said Lara. Lara said the challenge now is for the industry, the academe and the local government to come up with ways to address the gaps as this would determine the abundance of human resource in a particular place.
“At the end of the day, a lot of employable cities dictate what it wants based on the demands of the businesses around them,” she added. She said that while it is important to take courses that are in-demand abroad, it is also imperative to look for courses that are needed in the local economy. “The most important thing we need to do is to provide employment opportunities for these graduates,” she said.
“In December, our operation was slightly affected by typhoon and we increased prices but now we are back to normal,” Lagman said. Western Visayas is among the top three egg producers in the country. The region is producing 287, 972 eggs per day and the annual production is 33,558 per metric tons.IMT The AIG council, once established, will become a subcommittee of ILEDF under the trusteeship of Ms. Marisa Segovia. It will form a three to five-year agenda focusing on the increase industry participation in curriculum design, setting of faculty standards, and quality assurance; market information improvement on labor statistics and school performance; and upgrading the access, field, governance of the local higher education sector. IMT