Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 2 • Issue 55 by trIsofT

METROPOLITAN

ILOILO

VOL. II ISSUE NO. 54

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

TIMES

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

March 2 - 8 2014 Php 12.00

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Feb 21 - 27, 2014

USD/PHP

44.7249 44.7000

44.6500 44.6259 44.6000

44.6182 44.5770

44.5500 Feb 21, 2014

44.5938

44.6043

44.5686 Feb 23, 2014

Feb 25, 2014

Feb 27, 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

‘EXPERIENCE WESTERN VISAYAS FIRST’

Rivers in the Province of Antique are best for Kayaking and White Water Rafting this summer season. Photo by Mary Pauline Balmes/IMT

APEC in Iloilo needs more police escorts

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The inspection and validation team of the Asia Pacific Economic Council’s (APEC) organizing committee has recommended the city government of additional service equipment for security purposes. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said among these recommendations are additional firetrucks, ambulance, police escorts, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara, Iloilo and early finish of Iloilo Convention Center before the APEC ministerial meeting on October 2015. The six members of the inspection and validation team visited Iloilo last February 19 to inspect and evaluate the preparation of Iloilo City that has bid out to host some meetings during the duration of the summit whose delegates are coming from 21 countries.IMT

Mila’s Hill

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 launches today its flagship tourism campaign “Experience Western Visayas First!” The campaign targets to entice more tourists for a sustainable development of the region’s tourism industry. DOT regional director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas said that the campaign is a friendship marketing campaign to introduce Western Visayas to its own people, Filipino tourists from other regions as well as tourists from other nations. Catalbas revealed that the plan was conceptualized a year ago but only earned the consciousness of the local

COCONUT SEEDLING PLANTING. Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Food and Agriculture committee, leads the planting of coconut seedlings in Mayorga, Leyte, ravaged by super typhoon “Yolanda. She calls on residents to rebuild their lives and urges them to go back to planting so that it would be easier for them to rise from the damages wrought about by “Yolanda.”

Mini Hotel Amenities

In Land Resort OPENS DAILY 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. FOR RESERVATION : Call or Txt (033) 396 9698 09059347957

WEBSITE

Pasil, New Lucena Iloilo

Cottages

Pavilion

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EMAIL ADDRESS

milashill.inlandresort@gmail.com

community recently. “We believe that this will be of great help to our tourism industry in terms of enticing tourists to go the region”, Catalbas stressed. She said that a significant rise in tourist arrival was recorded when the agency began to strengthen its promotional campaigns. Director Catalbas added that aside from cruise tourism, the agency is developing heritage tour in Northern Antique, where a unique traditional fishing technique is used by the residents to catch fish, as well as other relaxing experiences such as taking a bath on a fired huge ‘kawa’ or wok for ‘Experience Western /p15

Gazebo

20.00

Current Price 120.00/kg

City bans tobacco promotions BY MONTESA CAOYONAN

The proposed o r d i n a n c e “prohibiting tobacco advertising promotions and sponsorships within Iloilo City” which is sponsored by City Councilor Joshua The number of young smokers in the country dropped from Alim has already 20.9% to 19.7%, according to the Demographic Research passed the second & Development Foundation. Photo by telegraph.co.uk reading of the “We will collate and include the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). suggestions made by the stakeholders Alim, chairman of the Iloilo City for the betterment of the regulation Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST), ordinance”, he said. believed that through prevention Under the proposed ordinance, and regulation, their dream to make prohibited acts include placing Iloilo City a total smoke-free city is cinema and outdoor advertising of not far to happen. tobacco products; placing posting Last February 19, 2014, Alim or distributing materials of tobacco called for a public hearing to hear products such as leaflets, posters and the sentiments and opinions of similar materials outside the premises stakeholders composed of different of point of sale establishments; sectors like government employees, placing billboards on top of teachers, health workers, policemen, media, and businessmen. City bans /p15

METRO NEWS

METRO

on the road

DOT DOT-6 is conducting trainings for chefs around Iloilo City in preparation for the APEC ministerial meeting in 2015. Before the training ends, the agency will invite culinary experts from different Asian countries such as Vietnam, China, Japan, India and the likes to validate and further mentor the presentation of the culinary products as part of the training for the chefs around Iloilo.PIA6

CHED

The Commission on Higher Education here is urging high school graduates to avail of the agency’s Tulong Dunong whicb grants students P12,000 per semester as long as he enrols in accredited public and private colleges and universities.PIA6

BFP The Bureau of Fire Protection here is urging the barangays to organize and activate their fire brigades, with the BFP committing free trainings and workshops. Stephen Jardeleza, BFP Information Officer said they have noted that only a few villages have done this. “This is important in the wake of fires in several barangays in the city and province and as the coming months are supposed to be hot and windy,” Jardeleza said in media interviews. Jardeleza said fire investigations would usually reveal that at the bottom of the incidents are negligence and indifference of the people.PIA6

CITY HALL The search for The Outstanding Women of Iloilo City (TOWIL) is now open. We are looking for nominees in the field of Media, Public Information and Journalism. Nomination forms are available at the City Population Office and Public Information Office. Deadline of nomination forms is on March 14. Awarding ceremony is on April 3.PIA6

TESDA

The five congressional districts of Iloilo are recipient of TESDA-6 Special Training for Employment Program (STEP). TESDA Iloilo Director Toni Tamayo said they are now in the process of finding out skills needed in the five congressional districts so they could meet the needed skills trainings.PIA6

CSC

The Civil Service Commission will be conducting a Policies on Appointments & Leave Seminar on March 5-7 here in Iloilo City. Target participants are the newly-appointed/ designated HR practitioners or administrative personnel with zero or very limited knowledge on appointments processing & leave administration. The 3-day seminar is in line with the agency’s aim of developing competent & credible civil servants.PIA6

March 2 - 8 2014

Iloilo air, safe

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed that the ambient air in Iloilo City is safe to breathe. Engr. Ronald Limwa, DENREMB Air Quality System Chief, said that the 2013 result based on roadside monitoring system situated in La Paz district, revealed that the total suspended particulates of ambient air did not exceed the quality standard for pollution from motor vehicles. Also, another monitoring system is based at the Central Philippine University (CPU) which represents the general ambient of the city covering urban and rural areas, where pollution has undergone dispersion, with the adjoining areas experiencing extensive expansion and development. Limwa added that though Iloilo City ambient air is generally considered safe, several areas where constructions and improvements along Iloilo City’s business district in Mandurriao are undertaken, contribute to the excessive pollutants such as benzene, sulphur, ozone, among others.

Limwa hopes that these constructions should be regulated by covering working areas with nets to filter pollutants and dust particles so as not to prolong the problem. According to the EMB, pollution varies depending on the contributory factors on a certain period which may come not only from motor vehicles, but from certain human activities such as burning of wastes and on-going constructions. In an orientation held with the Metro Iloilo Airshed Governing Board and the Technical Working Groups, DENR-EMB Regional Director Jonathan Bulos said that with the mandate of the Clean Air Act (RA 8749), the agency is gathering together representatives from multi-sectoral groups to contribute to the effective implementation of the law. Bulos suggested that aside from the existing project of the EMB, the city should come up with projects and activities that would encourage public to participate and be aware of the importance of maintaining air cleanliness in the city. PIA/IMT

NEDA, RDC to hold economic forum BY MARY PAULINE BALMES The National Economic Development Authority Region 6 will spearhead the ‘Forum on the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 on March 11, 2014, 9AM at Smallville 21 Hotel, Diversion Road, Iloilo City. The forum aims to increase awareness of stakeholders both from public and private sector in identifying critical activities that need to be undertaken in preparation for the ASEAN integration by 2015. Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Arsenio M. Balisacan will keynote the forum and will talk about “Gearing Up ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015: the Critical Role of the Country’s Regions .” Together with Balicasan are resource persons from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) who will cover the following topics: Overview of the ASEAN Economic Community, Dr. Gilberto M. Llanto, AEC Blueprint:

Implementation and Effectiveness, Assessment for Philippine Agriculture, Dr. Roehl M. Briones, AEC 2015 and Small and Medium Enterprises , Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba, and Infrastructure and Logistics by Dr. Adora M. Llanto. The forum is made possible by the Ad Hoc Sub-Committee of the RDC6 under its Economic Development Committee who are tasked to coordinate initiatives and efforts of government agencies and business groups in meeting the ASEAN challenge of creating a single market and production base for its 10-member countries, with 600 million consumers, duty-free imports and tougher competition within the region. A registration fee of P1,200 will be charged to non-RDC VI members who will attend the forum to defray incidental expenses. For reservations, interested parties may contact the Economic Development Committee Secretariat at tel. no. (033) 3376840 (202). NEDA6/ IMT

Iloilo City maintains cleanliness in ambient air despite the mushrooming of constructions and infrastructures

‘No smoking’ Iloilo City reaches national validation

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

Iloilo City has been included in the national validation of the 2014 Red Orchid Award for Smoke Free Local Government Unit (LGU) after it passed the regional validation conducted by the Department of Health 6 (DOH) and non-government organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance- Philippines (FCAP) only last week. The Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) is still confident to win the award again after its successive winnings in the past two years. ICAST director Iñigo Garingalao said they deserved to be included on the national validation after passing the regional level because of its campaign against illegal smoking and strict enforcing of the City’s Regulation Ordinance 2006-150 or the Comprehensive Anti Smoking Ordinance of Iloilo City”. Although, Garingalao said there are lots of things to work with to meet the national standard like records of stores that were caught selling cigarettes to minors, documents of City Health Office follow up on smokers availing cessation program, Facebook page for ICAST supporting graphic health warnings including no deal with tobacco company and action against sellers of cigarettes in front of schools. The director stressed that their campaigns will add more weight if the ordinance “prohibiting tobacco advertising promotions and sponsorships within Iloilo City,” will be approved soon by the City Council after it will pass the second reading. The Iloilo City government has created the task force to regulate smoking in the city after data show that 54 percent of caught violators were minors.

Garingalao, however, said that these caught minors were exempted from paying penalty fees instead they were turned over to the City’s Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) who is in-charged in turning over these minors to their parents or guardians. The director added that studentsmokers usually come from poor families and they could have been influenced by their peers in school or in community and even from their family members who used to smoke. “We cannot fully eradicate smoking because there is no such law banning the smoking in the city. The current ordinance we have is just a matter of regulation”, he said. Under the anti-smoking ordinance, violator who committed first offense will be paying P500, second offense is P1,000 and P5,000 for subsequent offenses. The case will be referred to legal department after failure to pay within three days. Establishment who will be caught without designated smoking area will fine P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second offense plus one-week suspension of operation and P5,000 for third offense and recommendation of business closure. Iloilo City has been an awardee of Red Orchid Award on the very first time they joined the regional and national validation in 2012 as part of the World No Tobacco Day. Awardees are being awarded for their health facilities and implementation of anti-smoking programs in their communities. The World No Tobacco Day has started in 1998 and now recognizing hospitals and LGUs helping in the campaign to end this tobacco epidemic. IMT

Struggling to find way out of Poverty

BY REYMAR LATOZA The Susmeña family of Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City earns a total amount of P8,648.00 per month. If we based it from the statistics of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Susmeña family belongs outside the poverty line. NEDA said a family of five needs an estimated income of around P7,768.80 per month to get out of poverty. Liezl Susmeña, 32, thinks otherwise because they can hardly eat three times a day with the said amount. Liezl, a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary, is receiving P1,400.00 monthly while her husband Rodel Susmeña, 35, is earning P305.00 daily or P7,248 .00 monthly. On average, they are earning a total of 8,648.00 per month (no premiums deductions). They have three children who go to school everyday. According to Liezl, their

monthly income goes to food (P150.00 a day), school and transport allowance (P80.00, [20x 4 (three children and her husband)]), electric and water bills (P50.00 a day), debts, and other home-related expenses. She said that they are left with no more amount to set aside for their savings and for emergencies. She, in fact, admitted that at times, they pawn MORE FILIPINOS CONSIDERED THEMESELVES POOR. Based on the their ATM card and other things. (Subong, kahit papano lates SWS survey, about 10.8 million Filipino rated themselves poor makatibawa kami kay gamay pa amon commercial establishments employing Global Employment Trends 2014 mga kabataan, ang ginakabalak-an more than 10 people is P287.00. report, the unemployment rate in namun kon mag kolehiyo na sila…. Based on the latest survey of the Philippines stood at 7 percent syempre madako man ang gastos)“Now, Social Weather Stations (SWS), or seven of every 100 Filipinos are we are surviving because our children an estimated 11.8 million Filipino jobless despite the posted economic are still small, what worries us is when families considered themselves poor, growth in the country. they get to high school and college… while some 8.8 million families said (NEDA) director general of course our daily expenses will they were “food-poor”. Arsenio Balisacan said the increase,” Liezl said. Self-rated poverty also rose in the government is committed to reduce According to the Department Visayas from 62 percent to 68 percent. unemployment to 6.5 to 6.7 percent of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Aside from the poverty incidence as well as incidence of income the P307.00 daily earning is above in the country, the present government poverty to 18 to 20 percent by the minimum wage. is also facing the increasing number of end of President Aquino’s term. IMT In Western Visayas, the daily unemployed Filipinos. (Sources: /DOLE/DSWD and minimum wage of workers employed The International Labor Manila Bulletin/Rappler/Philippine in non-agriculture, industrial and Organization (ILO) said in its Daily Inquirer)

March 2 - 8 2014

METRO BUSINESS

PUVs too poor to be taxed

SM, Jollibee & Mang Inasal invest for CityMalls

BY REYMAR LATOZA Though the new system is not yet implemented, operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the province and the city of Iloilo react on the new measure considered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) which requires them to submit income tax returns (ITR). Jimmy Sanchez, 37, an operator and a driver plying Dingle - Iloilo City route, along with other provincial jeepney operators said that the amount they earn every day is already small and they can’t afford to sacrifice even just a little percentage from their whole day profit. (Nga-a nagademand sila sa amon? kami mga gagmay lang nga negosyante kag masyado na guid kami ka pigado agud kuhaan pa sang tax) “Why are they demanding from us? We are struggling businessmen and we are too poor to be taxed,” Sanchez said. A 52-year-old jeepney operator and driver plying Tanza Robinson – Ungka route also expressed the same sentiment. Enrique Tagat, who has

BY PAULINE BALMES

PUV owners are in thumbs down on the proposed new scheme of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to tax them as soon as they renew their licenses. Photo CTO been a PUJ driver for almost 14 years now, said that his take-home income has decreased by almost half compared before mainly because of the continuous hike of oil prices. “Now, it’s hard for us to earn a net of P 400.00 to P 500.00 on a good day,” Tagat said citing the statement of Romulo Aguila Jr., regional director of BIR-6 that the owners of PUVs are

‘PH banks, SEA’s healthiest’

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

The Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) hailed the Philippine banking system as ‘healthiest’ in Asia. S&P said the banking system in the country is projected to keep on nourishing while ‘facing tougher operating conditions’ this 2014 referring to the lower economic growth and stiff credit conditions. PH’s gross domestic product

(GDP) stretched out from a target of six to seven percent to 7.2 percent last year showing a favorable growth of the domestic economy and in the banking system. In the Southeast Asian region, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines are looked forward to have a stable business environment except that some banks’ financial performance will depreciate this year. abscbnnews. com/IMT

WV earns P68-B from tourists in 2013 BY REYMAR LATOZA

earning not less than P50,000.00 or P100,000 a year. If the new scheme will be implemented, PUV operators nationwide will be required to submit their ITR whenever they renew licenses to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Aguila said that with the new measure, they will determine if PUJ operators are considered as marginal income earners or those who are earning below P100,000 every year. But, if they earn an annual income of P100,000 and above, the BIR will tax them. Iloilo Metropolitan Times computed all the figures shared by the six PUJ operators and it came out that a jeepney driver with 12-hours working day nets P250.00 (minimum) to P400.00 (maximum) or a total of P1,750 .00 to P2,800.00 per week. If there are 50 weeks in a year, an operator could earn P87,000.00 to 140,000.00 yearly. Tagat, meanwhile, explained that his net income everyday is allotted for food, school allowance, electric bill and other home-related expenses.IMT

The tourists that visited the region in 2013 spent higher than the previous year according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6. A partial report from DOT showed that the tourism industry of Western Visayas (WV) earned P68,099,073,286.50 in 2013. The said figure is higher than the total generated tourist receipts in 2012 amounting to P57 billion. The tourist spending includes accommodation services, food, tour, shopping and other tourism-related expenses. The province of Aklan remained as the region’s biggest generator with P39,816,059,846.70 total of tourist receipts. Negros Occidental occupied the second spot with P10, 136,288,045.70. Bacolod City came in third with P 9,161,505,340.50.

Iloilo City earned P4,101,532,730.10; Capiz, P2,017,159,267.50; Iloilo, P1,653,746,516.40; Guimaras, P897,715,211.10; and Antique, P315,066,328.50. The partial number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in WV reached 2,974, 843. DOT said they are expecting the figure to increase and surpass the recorded number of tourist arrivals in 2012. As of the writing time (February 15, 2014), the DOT is still waiting final reports from other provinces and cities in the region. Recently, President Benigno Aquino III noted the increase of tourist spending in the country last year. In his speech at the opening of the 21st Travel Tour Expo, Aquino said “despite the calamities that

the Philippines endured in 2013, the tourist spending still grew by 10 percent to 4.7 million international arrivals last year.” A report of ABS-CBN News. com said the “total revenues gained from inbound visitors went up 15% to an estimated P 186.15 billion for 2013. Inbound tourists also increased their average daily expenditure by 8.7% to $101.12.”IMT

The provincial office of the National Food Authority (NFA) here in Iloilo is expecting some 2,138 grains businessmen to renew their licenses from January to June this 2014. NFA Iloilo Provincial Manager Marianito Bejemino said in a press report that around 295 rice retailers and millers have already renewed their licenses as of January this year. He urged all grains retailers and businessmen to process the renewal of their licenses on the scheduled month to avoid surcharge. The month of February has been set for the processing of licenses for all grains businesses operating in Iloilo City and the municipality of Sibunag in Guimaras.

March is scheduled for the municipalities of Alimodian, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Leon, New Lucena, and Sta. Barabara in Iloilo and Jordan and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras. Grains retailers and businessmen in the 5th District of the province including the municipality of Oton will be accommodated in April. May is for all the municipalities in the 4th District while the municipalities of Guimbal, Leganes, Miag-ao, Pavia, Pototan, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, Tubungan, and Zarraga are scheduled in June. Requirements for securing the NFA license are the following: two copies of 2x2 ID picture,

Mayor’s Permit, TIN Number, and official receipt for the registration/ calibration of the weighing scale. The public is advised to call NFA Iloilo at (033)329-7535 and look for Merlyn M. Chua, the Provincial Registration and Licensing Officer for further information and i n q u i r i e s . PI A 6

NFA expects 2T grains bizmen to renew permits

Three big companies in the Philippines inked investment and shareholders agreement to acquire the CityMall Commercial Center, Inc. (CMCCI). The SM Officials of SM Investments Corp. inks deal with I n v e s t m e n t s DoubleDragon Properties’ CityMall Commercial Corporation, owned Center Inc. to share stakes of the CityMall. by the Sy group, shares 34% of the Double Dragon earlier said CMCCI while the Double Dragon it aims to roll out 100 CityMall Properties Corp., a joint venture of community malls by 2020 being its Edgar ‘Injap’ Sia II, founder of Mang former subsidiary. DD will manage Inasal under Injap Investments and CMCCI. Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee under Approximately 5,000-10,000 Honeystar Holdings Corp. share 66% meters, the CityMall will mostly be of the outstanding capital stock. located in the Visayas in Mindanao Sia said in an interview of which will house the shareholder’s ANC that the investments will fast food chains like Jollibee, Mang be made in tranches which will Inasal, Chowking, Highlands Coffee, be determined soon but the total Red Ribbon and Greenwhich capex to roll out the 100 CityMalls with additional retail shops and is estimated at P23.75 Billion. supermarket. “Both the retail experience and CMCCI targets that before the the retail brands of the SM Group year ends, the first CityMall in Roxas plus the financial muscle of SMIC City will be completed. (withreport will surely give CityMall expansion a from ANC/PhilStar) / IMT boost,” he added. CCMIC will serve as the umbrella company for all CityMall community m a l l projects in the country.

REGION VI

Aklan • Antique • Capiz • Guimaras • Iloilo • Negros Occidental Iloilo City • Bacolod City

TOP “MUST-EXPERIENCE” TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Aklan

Sta. Monica Church, Panay, Capiz

Piña Weaving, Aklan

Capiz

Tel. No.: (+63 36) 621 004 Telefax No.: (+63 36)2 local 133 621 2935 Email: capiz.tourism@ yah Website: www.capiz.oo.com gov.ph

1. Baybay Beach, Roxas City 2. Sta. Monica Ch urch, Museum and Bell, Panay 3. Agtalin Shrine, Dulangan, Pilar 4. Suhot Cave an d Spring, Dumalag 5. River Tours (P anay, Cadimahan, Pa lina) Roxas City 6. Hinulugan Falls , Pilar 7. Basiao Beach, Ivisan 8. Our Lady of Lo urdes Grotto Medita tion Hills, Maninang , Sa pian 9. CAPIZtahan (F oundation Day Commemoration of th e Ci Capiz, 2nd week of Ap vil Government of ril) and Sinadya sa Halaran (1st week of Decembe r)

Guimaras

ihan Festival 1. Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-At (3rd weekend of January) 2. Boracay Island, Malay galan 3. Jawili Falls, Jawili, Tan an, Malay un tip Ka ve, 4. Pangihan Ca Buruanga 5. Ariel’s Point, Alegria, cion, Balete bla Po 6. Basura Garden, gtong BatoBu , jay 7. Katunggan it Iba jay Naisud, Iba ry (La Herminia, 8. Piña Weaving Indust Dela Cruz Heritage Arts and Crafts, House of Piña) rden, New 9. Aklan Sampaguita Ga Washington

Antique

1. Caluya Group of Islands, Caluya 2. Bugang River & Malumpati Cold Spring (from Brgy. Guia to Brgy. Sto. Rosario and ends in Brgy. Zaldivar, Pandan) 3. Igpasungaw Falls, Igpasungaw, Seba ste, Antique 4. Malalison Island, Culasi 5. Bagtason Patadyong Weaving, Bagt ason, Bugasong 6. Aningalan, San Remigio 7. Binirayan Festival, San Jose (Last week of December) 8. Nogas Island, Anini-y 9. Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park, Tibi ao

-1134 Tel. No.: (+63 33) 237 -1111 Fax No.: (+63 33) 237o.com rism@yaho Email: guimarastou uimaras.gov.ph Website: www.g

l (3rd week of April) Manggahan Festiva od Friday) laan Bukid (Every Go Ang Pagtaltal sa Ba s tery, Jordan, Guimara Old Trappist Monas imaras Gu , cia eas, Nueva Valen Alubihod Beach Ar rm and Fa rs de uit (Guimaras Won nter in Ce t Agri-Tourism Circ en m lop search and Deve Re go an M l na tio Na , SEAFDEC Farm in San Lorenzo Jordan, Sebario Salt in Nueva Aqua-Culture Farm Marine Reserve and ) Orchard in Sibunag Valencia, Southern aras Shrine, Jordan, Guim 6. Bala-an Bukid s ara im Gu a, a, Buenavist 7. Roca Encantad aras im Gu , ills, San Lorenzo 8. Holy Family H cia Guimaras len Va Tour, Nueva, oEc g wi ala M ba 9. Su

Tel. No.: (+63 33) 540 7110 Email: antique_philippines@yahoo.com Website: www.antique.gov.ph

Igpasungaw Falls, S

ebaste, Antique

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Iloilo Golf and Country Club, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occiden tal

3 34) 433-2515 Telefax No.: (+6 cc@yahoo.com ego _n rism tou ail: Em cc.gov.ph ourism.negros-o Website: www.t

Negros ntal Occide

Tel. No.: (+63 36) 262 4692 8033 Telefax No.: (+63 36) 268 .ph o.com Email: aklantourism@yaho n.gov.ph Website: www.akla

n trail), ia the Guintubda (v on la an K t. 1. M La Carlota City uins, Talisay s, Silay and the R se ou H al tr es nc 2. A ort, Murcia Mambukal Res of s ng ri Sp ur 3. Sulf ve sites, Sipalay beaches and di , 4. White sand Marine Reser ve at Carbin Reef 5. Snorkeling Sagay City erve, Cauayan land Marine Res 6. Danjugan Is rias, Bacolod f Courses, Victo ol G e ol -h 18 7. ) and Murcia nd week of April egros Festival (2 N sa ad na Pa 8. Benedicto; y, Don Salvador 9. R apha Valle , Victorias City; May ’s Organic Peñalosa Farm d City Garden, Bacolo

Iloilo

Guimaras Mangoes

Telefax No.: (+63 33) 338 4910 Email: iloiloprovincialtourism@gmail.com Website: www.iloilo.gov.ph

1. Heritage Churches of Southern and Central Iloilo (Leon, Pavia, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miag-ao and San Joaquin Chruches) 2. Coral gardens of San Joaquin, Banate, Concepcion, and Carles 3. Carabao-Carroza Festival, Pavia (3rd of May) 4. Weaving, pottery, metalcraft, bamboocraft, bobbin lace making, and food industries, Southern and Central portion of the province 5. Hiking, spelunking, and mountain biking in Alimodian, Dingle, Passi City Igbaras, and Leon 6. Waterfalls of Lambunao, Alimodian, and Igbaras 7. Iloilo Golf and Countr y Club, Sta. Barbara 8. Island hopping in Concepcion, Ajuy and Carles 9. Resort hopping in Southern, Central, and Northern Iloilo

Bacolod City

Tel. No.: (+63 34) 434 6751 Telefax. No.: (+63 34) 708 3066 Email: bacolodcitytourismoffice@gmail.com Website: www.bacolodcity.gov.ph

Iloilo City

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Tel. No.: (+63 33) 333 1111 loc. 512 Telefax No.: 336 Email: benitojimena@yaho 3439 o.com Website: www.iloilocity.gov. ph

City Gallery, Iloilo City Ha ll, Plaza Libertad Complex Calle Real Museo Iloilo, Bonifacio Dr ive 19th centur y Casa Mariq uit, Santa Isabel Street, Jar o Hablon weaving at the Sin amay House in Osmena Street, Arevalo and barqu illos makers at Deocamp o’s in Santa Isabel Street, Jaro 6. Magnificent churches ( Jaro Metropolitan Cathe dral in E. Lopez Street, Jaro; San ta Ana Parish Church in Molo; Santo Nino de Areval o Parish Church in Villa, Arevalo; Iglesia de San Jos e de Placer in Calasanz Street, City Proper; and ma ny more). 7. Ilonggo’s seafoods and rich cuisine at Tatoy’s Manokan and Breakthrough Restaurant in Arevalo 8. Iloilo River Esplanade , Benigno Aquino, Jr. Avenu e 9. Iloilo Dinagyang Fes tival (every fourth Sunday of January) and Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival at Villa Beach (every third Sunday of February)

Bacolod City Government Center

1. MassKara Festival (3rd week of October) and Bacolaodiat Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) 2. Bacolod City Government Center, Carlos Hilado Circumferential Road 3. Negros Museum, Gatuslao St. 4. Negros Forest Ecological and Biodiversity Foundation, South Capitol Road 5. Bacolod Public Plaza and Bandstand 6. San Sebastian Cathedral and Bishop Palace, Rizal St. 7. Barangay Sang Birhen Chappel, Sta. Clara Subdivision 8. Panaad Park and Stadium, Brgy. Mansilingan 9. Pope John Paul II Tower (PJPII), Rizal Extn., BREDCO

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM - REGION VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)

Capitol Grounds, Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City, Philippines Tel. Nos.: (+63 33) 337-5411 (Information) / 509-3550 (Accounting) / 503-2705 (Accreditation) Telefax: (+63 33) 335-0245 Email: deptour6@mozcom.com Websites: http://www.westernvisayastourism.com.ph http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

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Aklan • Antique • Capiz • Guimaras • Iloilo • Negros Occidental Iloilo City • Bacolod City

SUPPLEMENTAL EDITION (MARCH 2, 2013)

Kruhay Katahum Kang Antique! BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA. PHOTOS BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

‘Where the mountain meets the sea’… is the famous tagline of the province of Antique where culture is in harmony with the way of living and hospitality is part of its daily routine. Antique, which literally means old and ancient, is one of the provinces in Panay Island. It is formerly known as Hantik, a derivative from what locals call hantik-hantik, a kind of ant found in the province. Its sea-horse shape give the Antiqueños (the name given to its locals) a fishing and sea-faring livelihood. Most of the Antiqueños are monolingual. Their language, Kinaray-a (Karay-a) is spoken from its northern to southern municipalities. The language is characterized by the predominance of letter R’s and schwa sounds. Antique is a 2-hour ride from Iloilo City and is an oversized hemline on the western border. It has eighteen municipalities, fourteen of which are along the coast, three are inland and one which covers six islets. The coastal towns are Anini-y, Tobias Fornier (Dao), Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Laua-an, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan and Libertad. The inland towns are Sibalom, San Remegio, and Valderrama. (where’s the islet town?) Recently, the Department of Tourism Region 6, in cooperation with Katahum Tours, conducted a heritage tour that aims to promote the natural resources and cultural heritage of the province. The agency invited some bloggers and the media to help bridge the province to the world. The tour showcased Antique’s rich cultural heritage such as the famous cemetery in Tobias Fornier, which is known for its unique name “Kami Karon, Kamu Dason” that literally means we go now, you go next. Also found in the town is the Punta Hagdan and their festival “Panaet Tarambayaw”, a celebration to ask for

rain and to thank the ancestral spirits for good harvest which is held every February. Another famous spot is in Anini-y. It is the Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort which overlooks the white sand beach of Nogas Island. Found in the beautiful place of Hamtic are several relics that play significant roles in the province’s history, such as that of Gen. Leandro Fullon Shrine which depicts the birth of the Republic. Patnongon houses the famous Convento de San Agustin, which is an old church turned into school but the ruins are still preserved. Wear beautifully-weaved patadyong and handkerchief from BarangayBagtason in Bugasong. Sweets lover? Visit the home of the longest ‘butung-butung’ (a candy made from muscovado sugar). You can also buy the locally made ‘bandi’ (looks like peanut brittle), bukayo, and coconut balls. Relax and be one with nature as you visit the famous Tibiao Fish Spa, ride the longest zipline at Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park and immerse yourself on the famous ‘kawa’ bath to distress yourself from hard work. Antique is also famous with their kinaray-a songs. Unlike any other provinces, Antiqueños preserve their folk songs well. Famous songwriter and singer Dante Beriong has created a mark when he sang the province’s jingle entitled Kruhay Katahum Kang Antique! Antiqueños are known for being hospitable. You can’t just find someone who will lend their cup, hot water, and coffee just to get you by. They will greet you with smiles on their face and will be very willing to guide you when you’re lost. Truly, the best people in town! The Province of Antique has a lot to offer to the world. With the perfect strategies in promotion and marketing, in no time, Antique will surely have its name on every tourists’ bucket list. IMT

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METRO OPINION

EDITORIAL

Economy and Employment

he Philippine economy has recently been one of the fastest growing in Asia. While the government hopes to push the economy a little more forward towards an annual growth of seven to eight percent so as to reduce unemployment from 6.5 up to 6.7 percent and the incidence of income poverty from 18 to 20 percent by the end of 2016, other economists are projecting a realistic 6.5% growth this year and in 2015. In the mid of these developments, employment rate seemed not joining the bandwagon. Economists foresee that high unemployment and poverty incidence will remain a big challenge for the government in the next 10 years or so even despite steady growth – largely because of decades of squandered opportunities. The National Economic Development Authority projects a sustaining growth in the next five years, 10-20 years which entails a “major reduction” in poverty referring to the government’s goal of inclusive growth. But how will the economy move forward if there are still Filipinos who are jobless, underemployed and are still below the poverty line that are left behind? Is Philippines really prepared for an ASEAN economic community in the years to come? Many experts believe that PH should enhance other aspects of the economy in order to achieve its goals by creating more investment opportunities in agri-tourism, manufacturing and mining to ‘escape the curse’ of jobless economic growth in the country. In an economic forum recently held in Manila, many businessmen and economic experts share relatively the same outlook that while PH takes off in the economic arena as the ‘rising tiger’ in Asia, there should be a gradual increase in employment as the basis of growth. Reforms are also observed by many experts to be a bit lagging and competitiveness still not enough though it’s getting better. In the book “THE ROLE OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION”, employment contributes towards stability and economic recovery in fragile situations. Short-term employment creation is an essential component of post-conflict strategies alongside longer-term investments in the enabling environment for the private sector. Economy and employment are two major elements which help society in either making or breaking the journey for progress. So as one element goes up, one should also elevate so as not to drag the other.

March 2 - 8 2014

The Rise of Metrobank to Power Monopoly

he imminent domination of coal in the Visayas energy mix will deliver an irreversible impact to power end-users. The ‘coal-ingeothermal-out’ configuration will mean four things: first, power end-users will pay more for electricity as a result of the following; fluctuating cost of coal fuel in the international market; possible passed-on cost to power end-users of capital recover fee; and long years or an estimated of another 40-50 years of power supply contract under coal with Metrobank-GBPC. Second, the rise into dominance of MetrobankGBPC in the Visayas power sector will serve as a setback in the mainstreaming of the use of renewable energy sources in the Visayas. The dominance of coal will impede the infusion of renewable energy investment for coal players like MetrobankGBPC will tie distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in long years of power supply agreement. Third, people in the communities, especially those who are located within the primary impact area where coal plants are established, will be confronting the impacts of plant operations from air, water to land pollution. And fourth, more coal plants will aggravate what is considered a worsening environmental situation in areas where these plants are established. What People Say About PEDC’s Coal Plant In September 2010, Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) started its test fire operation for its 164-MW coalfired power plant in Barangay Ingore, La Paz district, Iloilo City. There were complaints coming from the residents along the primary impact area especially Brgy. Ingire. The foul odor that

emanated from the coal plant was a result of its test fire exercises. According to the complainants, the odor was similar to burnt rubber tires. Ernie Poral, then the barangay captain of Brgy. Ingore, reported that “35 people, including five children, had fallen ill since the test started. He said it also affected residents at the nearby villages of Ticud, Banuyao and Hinactacan, all in La Paz district.” The same village chief Poral confirmed reports during a public inquiry initiated by the committee on environment of the Iloilo City Council that a six-month-old Jared Stephan Barrientos had died while undergoing treatment at the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro district after being brought to the hospital in the midst of PEDC’s test fire exercises. Gina Salpin, a resident of Brgy. Ticud, a neighboring barangay with a distance of around one to two kilometers from the coal plant has consistently raised complaints about the noise pollution from the plant. “We used to enjoy the silence of the night way back the time when the coal plant was not yet existing. Today, we hear a permanent humming sound from plant operations and the noise is destructing,” accounts Salpin. Residents from the host barangay were likewise complaining of the plant’s impact yet they are frightened to express criticism or grievance publicly for its barangay officials are supportive of the coal plant. In an area visit, residents has reported a dramatic rise in asthma attacks both among old and young people. They also complain of skin irritations and allergies yet they are afraid to register complaints for it might compromise the “benefits” that their barangay officials are accessing from GBPC’s corporate social responsibility efforts. Unmasking Investigations

PEOPLE POWER

here are different points of view on the EDSA people power revolution in February 1986. But one thing is for sure: It was intended for the ouster of the abusive President Ferdinand E. Marcos, “in order to build a just and humane society and establish a government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace”, in the words of the 1987 Constitution, the concrete evidence and by-product of such revolution. In the book “Sin in Word and Deed”, a tribute to Jaime Cardinal Sin by the Asian Catholic Publishers, Inc., one can read: “[Cardinal Sin] tells us of his personal conviction that there was a straight line between the Marian Year of 1985, and EDSA 1986. Remember, the Pope urged Catholics to celebrate the bimillenium of our Lady’s birthday in 1985 a Marian year. We were then in crisis, a political and economic crisis. We wanted and needed a change of regime; the dictatorship had ruined us, in every aspect of our national life. We wanted to change the

political order, overturn the conjugal dictatorship, lift the yoke of oppression that for so long had hung across our necks. So what did we do? We turned to Mary. We asked her intercession.” I had no idea actually, during that time, what was happening in our country. When I heard the news that President Marcos left the country, I felt like shivering. I felt the joy of people rejoicing, as if I wanted to join them. I was then in my third year high school at St. James Catholic High School in a secluded town in the Province of Iloilo. Immediately after the installation of the revolutionary president, I found myself defending the constitutionality of the presidency of Corazon C. Aquino. I can still recall that during the snap election in 1986, I was wearing the t-shirt of Marcos and Tolentino; the name of Cory did not linger in my ears, then I had to defend, for academic purpose, in my high school class the legitimacy of her presidency! One song I like after the 1986 EDSA revolution contains the following message: “Handogng Pilipino samundo: mapayapangparaangpagbabago.” But seldom I hear that song played now. Indeed, a peaceful revolution –not an armed revolution - was proven successful in our own land. A lot of prayers, a lot of faith for a triumphant bloodless revolution

The test fire incident has gathered numerous investigations efforts. One, the committee on environment chaired by former Iloilo City Councilor Dave Jamora conducted a public hearing on the incident. The Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) likewise conducted its own internal investigation. The multipartite monitoring team (MMT) led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENREMB) also initiated its own inquiry into the incident. The plant contractor Formosa Heavy Industries Inc. (FHI) of Taiwan likewise undertook a similar effort. The city council’s environment committee has failed to disclose the result of its investigations before the public. It proved that the city council lacks the capacity and competency to look into the factors why the incident happened in the first place and push for proper regulatory intervention. The other efforts turn out to be more internal to PEDC and which results were isolated from public disclosure. At the end, investigations did not provide substantial result. Broken Promises The current 150-MW coal plant expansion project is again parading with the promise of reducing cost of power to endusers, solving rotating power interruptions, and clean coal technology which can mitigate impacts to environment and health. These are the same selling points that they want people to believe in today. The impacts, however, is more pronounced: it failed to significantly reduce power rates in Iloilo City as power endusers continue to pay an average of P10.00 to P11:00/kWh. It also hugely failed in addressing power

interruption as rotating blackouts continue in Iloilo City. Its impact to the environment and health continues unregulated and tolerated by a local government unit who is more willing to act as its protector from public scrutiny. An overarching concern about coal plant operations is its impact to the environment, to the people and to power end-users through exorbitant power rates. Currently, GBPC’s coal plant operation goes unchecked and its pollution unmitigated putting into question the carrying capacity of the immediate environment where the coal plant is located. All of these developments when taken into account suggest that a grim future awaits people in the Visayas. The Panay-island power stakeholders have suffered too much and too long from the multiple impacts of EPIRA and the privatization of the Visayas power industry. The imminent monopoly of Metrobank-GBPC only illustrates that EPIRA is an inadequate legal instrument. The failure of EPIRA will not require further emphasis by saying that privatization is an anti-consumer framework – it is anti-people. For environmentalists, it also requires no emphasis; EPIRA is antienvironment. The obvious failure of EPIRA is not only revealed by the rising cost of electricity that consumers have been paying but the immeasurable cost that consumers will be paying as a result of the monopoly of the power sector. In spite of the passage of the Renewable Energy Act, a bias to fossil fuel based plant is apparent with the entry of more climate change inducing coal plants in the Visayas region and in Iloilo City. These plants needs to be rejected for it is not necessary to build them today nor in the future given the notorious character of coal as the most carbon intensive among fossil-fuels. ###

was invested, and it happened. In fact, the revolutionary President Corazon C. Aquino is remembered to have said, “People power is prayer power.” Such a power, the prayer power, can never be negated to have proven its worth in that critical moments of Philippine history. We are a “sovereign Filipino people”, and we always implore “the aid of Almighty God.” If there is one who can downplay this point of view, let me know. **** N O R T H E R N MINDANAO FESTIVALS. I have never been to any place in Northern Mindanao, but just recently,I was able to witness some of its activities at SM City Iloilo: Pasundayag Northern Mindanao with the theme: Bridging Cultural Diversities Amid Challenges. It was an opportunity for me to see some of its cultural presentations and I sensed that, obviously, there is such a thing as cultural diversities in our country. It was an opportunity as well for the people of Northern Mindanao to market their festivals, their tourist places. One thing is for sure: we all look the same, we all look good, though we speak different languages, different traditions, and cultural backgrounds or histories. We all belong to one and the same country. We all

belong to one nation. Though the tourism efforts for our region is to “experience Western Visayas first”, such expression does not, in any way, discourage the going out from Western Visayas for some tourism activities for us to become tourists to some other parts of the country. Surely, it encourages us to feel the nature, the warmth of tourist places in Western Visayas: the Boracay of Aklan is a world famous one, and has become an international place, so that we can be more appreciative of visiting other places, tourist places, or festivals, in other parts ofthe country. I am aware of the existence of Cagayan De Oro, Camiguin, Iligan City, Misamis Oriental,Misamis Occidental, Ozamiz City, Tangub City, Bukidnon, but other places in Northern Mindanao, I am not aware of are: El Salvador City, Oroquieta City, Gingoog City. Thanks to the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao for giving us information about its festivals and places of destination for tourism. Not in my mind not to be in thatplace even just for a short while. I wish to be there soon, and experience the warmth of nature and celebrate some of its unique festivities. It would be more fun to visit some other places in the country, like the northern Mindanao.# Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com

METRO OPINION

March 2 - 8 2014

In the Ring of Fire

ast week I was in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra for a lecture to Batak Karo farmers on how they could achieve food security even when they were under siege from Mount Sinabung’s relentless eruptions. The sporadic spewing of lava and ash by the volcano started back in September last year. I was having a lecture during the near-end of that month at Quality University in the Karo highlands when the volcano acted up. The sulfuric fume was so offensive that it almost disrupted my presentation. The deadly pycroclastic flows have since then displaced 32,729 people from their homes, leaving 14 deaths and causing respiratory illness to thousand of children and adults. Mount Sinabung is only 40 kilometers away from the scenic Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in Southeast Asia and described by one writer as the most beautiful place on earth. The eruption caused significant drop in the number of visitors who usually come to Lake

Toba to enjoy the magnificent panorama and soothing climate. The Indonesian government has issued the highest level of warning and forcibly evacuated the residents living near Mount Sinabung but thousands still opted to remain, fearful that their houses would be burglarized and the animals stolen. This is reminiscent of the attitude of many Filipinos who were reluctant to leave their dwellings even when they were within Super Typhoon Yolanda’s trajectory. Although Indonesia itself is typhoon-free, it is not spared from natural calamities like severe flooding and extreme drought. Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is also prone to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunami which have claimed the lives of more than a quarter million Indonesians during the past decade. Wikipedia tells us that about 81% the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire which is in the basin of the Pacific Ocean. This seismic region extends from Java to Sumatra through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the

Atlantic. It is sometimes described as the circum-Pacific belt. When Indonesia’s Mount Tabora and Mount Krakatua erupted violently in 1815 and 1883, respectively, they caused negative global effects. Both caused harvest failures and long years of volcanic winters in Europe, United States, and Canada. The most active volcanoes are Kelud and Mount Merapi on Java island which have been responsible for thousands of deaths in the region. Since 1000 AD, Mount Kelud has erupted more than 30 times, claiming innocent lives. It erupted again last week, shutting down the airports in Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Jakarta, Malang, Kediri, and Bandung. I had, in the past, lectured to students, teachers, and farmers in the mentioned areas and it was heart-breaking to learn about the difficulties that the Javanese had experienced. I am used to seeing the pitiful situation of displaced families resulting from natural calamities but I was still deeply touched by the deplorable condition of Mount Sinabung affected families - thousands of them - encamped inside government and church buildings. During

MY OSCAR AWARDS W

hat’s your

involvement with the Oscars

this year? I know that some people are Miss Universe pageant experts, and I am clearly not. My area of expertise is the Oscars. I’m a big fan of the Academy Awards, but since I am not a member of the Academy, I try to watch most of the movies in the running so I can really get into predicting the winners, and enjoy the journey with them. Thankfully, I am not scheduled to work on Oscars Sunday this year, so I can thoroughly enjoy the telecast including the pre-show “On-the-RedCarpet” special. Sadly but truly, I had to content myself with snippets of the awards show while at work, or enjoy the re-runs, in the previous years. Since this is my last Oscars in L.A. before we move to Maryland next month, I might just go to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood to pose with the giant golden statues in the morning after the awards night. The pre-Oscars is really crazy on Hollywood Boulevard. They close the streets as early as 8 a.m. even when the stars do not start arriving until about 4 p.m. on Oscar Sunday. So, no, I am not braving the crowds

and the crazy California weather [rain in the forecast] to catch a glimpse of Julia Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio. Who are your favorites to win? Unfortunately, not all my bets may turn out to be the eventual winners, although I will say that I can understand if the Academy voted differently. Still, I think that it will be a crime not to award Cate Blanchett the Best Actress trophy for “Blue Jasmine,” Jared Leto as Best Supporting Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club,” and Alfonso Cuaron as Best Director for “Gravity.” I believe that “12 Years a Slave” will win Best Picture, even if I think that “Gravity” deserves it more. I will also be happy if Matthew McConaughey is named Best Actor for “Dallas Buyers Club,” even if my heart really goes to Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Wolf of Wall Street.” For Best Supporting Actress, my heart blindly chooses Julia Roberts for “August: Osage County,” but that’s a long, long shot; my mind tells me it’s Jennifer Lawrence for “American Hustle,” but my gut tells me that the Academy will go for Lupita Nyong’o for “12 Years a Slave.” Will your choices differ greatly for the other categories?

WICKED!

amiliar with the lyrics “I know I’m who I am today because I knew you” and/ or “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better/But because I knew you/I have been changed for good”? This is from “For Good,” music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz of the award-winning Broadway musical Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz. This is a duet between Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (The Good Witch of the North). I have neither read the book by Winnie Holzman nor Gregory Maquire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (1995) that inspired the production of this musical. I have watched this musical though last Sunday, February 23, at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines with its Australian and New Zealander performers. As expected, I was entertained and reminded once again that as an artist, it is your devotion to your craft that makes it special.

Devotion being the time and energy and attention spent in perfecting details that in the end, like a jigsaw puzzle, everything will fit together in an organic and fluid manner. Thus, its beauty and power – joy, especially to its intended reader and/or viewer. It was a smooth, fast-paced production. The lights and music, the production design, the costume, and the actors in their magnificent character portrayals and singing were enchanting. The Emerald City glowed; the stage smoked, blinked, roared. No wonder Filipinos love this musical; those who can afford it, of course. As for me, it was a free Parterre box ticket, the area reserved for the President of the Philippines and his company, that according to the artist community, he has not occupied since. Well, I am a taxpayer; not bothered at all receiving complimentary ticket. I patronize local productions and pay for it. You can google the synopsis and other details about the musical. There are countless reviews on it online too. So let me talk instead about the pleasure of watching musical. My own pleasure, of course: I can only

I think not. I predict that Original Screenplay will go to Spike Jonze for “Her,” Adapted Screenplay will go to “12 Years a Slave,” Animated Feature to “Frozen,” Foreign-Language Film to “The Great Beauty/La Grande Belleza,” Documentary Feature to “20 Feet from Stardom,” Original Song to “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” and Original Score to “Gravity.” I watched all of the Oscar nominated shorts, and I have my favorites, but they are not heavily favored. For Animated Short Film, “Get a Horse!” will probably win, although I think “Room on the Broom” was marvelous. In Live-Action Short Film, I really liked “Helium,” but I think the award will go to “That Wasn’t Me/Aquel No Era Yo.”

daytime, the women and the children would remain in the shelters while the men went back to their villages to tend their crops and livestock. “Our livelihood is affected by the periodic eruptions,” said Ibu Esther Ginting, “Our vegetables, fruit trees, and other cash crops are covered by volcanic ash. Even our poultry and livestock are slowly dying from excessive smoke. It’s very tramautic. It is only by God’s grace that we continue to hang on,” she added. When Typhoon Yolanda devastated Central Philippines, the Indonesian government was quick to respond to our distress call. Tons of food, tent shelters, medicines, and various relief supplies were air-shipped to needy areas by the good-natured Indonesians. While it is true that our government and many nongovernment organizations had extended earlier assistance to the survivors of the deadly Banda Aceh tsunami in 2004, there has been no Philippine assistance to the Mount Sinabung refugees until this time. It would be wonderful to see hundreds of Filipinos reciprocating the goodwill of the Indonesians by doing mercy missions in the Karo highlands. over “12 Years a Slave”?

What about the technical categories? I’ll humor you on these eight categories because I also want to see how many of my choices will make it. My predictions are: “The Great Gatsby” for both Costume Design and Production Design, “Dallas Buyers Club” for Makeup and Hairstyling, and a “Gravity” sweep for Cinematography, Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Visual Effects. So you see now why I think that “Gravity” should win Best Picture

Any thoughts on Ellen DeGeneres as host? I like Ellen DeGeneres, but after Seth MacFarlane’s Oscar hosting turn last year, I have been wondering why the Oscars try so hard to be funny like the Emmys. I like my Emmys comical and zany, with television personality hosts like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I also like my Tonys song-and-dance-y with veritable stage actor hosts like Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris. But for the Oscars, I don’t know, I guess that I just want my Oscars a little more formal, a little more dignified. After all, most movies and performances that are honored are pretty serious. I mean, tell me, which comedies won Best Picture after 1977’s “Annie Hall”? Does the hybrid-genre “Shakespeare in Love,” and the musical “Chicago” even count as comedies? Just look at the Best Picture list from 2000: “Gladiator,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Chicago,” “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Crash,” “The Departed,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Artist,” and last year’s “Argo.” I rest my case. Now, can you imagine an Oscars hosted by Anthony Hopkins, or Glenn Close?

be subjective and testimonial here. But we know music, in general, alters our mood. That is an established fact. Neuroscience has explained this already. One good book I enjoyed is Daniel Levitin’s This is Your Brain On Music: The Science of Human Obsession (2006). I love musical because it gives me a certain ‘high.’ You know what I mean, the activation of one or two of our happiness hormones. At one point, if not often, I’m sure you experience this too: from running a marathon, playing sports, climbing a mountain, smelling your favorite perfume or food, shopping designer clothes, having mind-blowing sex either with your loved one or a stranger – the list goes on. Sitting there from Act 1 to Act 2, my mind and body relaxed: I was soothed. This Wicked, a testament of imagination, talent, and hard work: I rose from my procrastination blamed to mercury regtrograde. I felt alive from revulsion when Doctor Dillamond, a Goat and the only Animal Professor in Shiz University (the school of wizardy) lose his power of speech and was thrown out into obsolence. My though balloons were the Cyber Crime Law, the 1986 EDSA Revolution

Anniversary, the revolution in Ukraine, the ever-growing commercialization of the Philippine education especially in the tertiary level, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Hinilawod, the enduring theme of West-North conflict, the subversive and transcendental elements in this musical, the competitive Filipino talents: that night in May 2012 when I watched Phantom of the Opera in New York City, and the next day, an off-Broadway play I now can’t recall because I got bored and kept thinking of how good - better even - our actors are in the Repertory Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino. This is my kind of “high:” the moment of being in a bubble courtesy of the power of reference. I was watching Wicked onstage and in my mind, the classics, the masterpieces, the best in our popular literature and culture, in the contemporary. No work of art exists in a vacuum. Thus, I came out of CCP with a renewed sense in our task to produce during this time when it is easier to just consume. Similar to the theme of “For Good,” to produce the best, we need to consume the best. I’m glad we got Wicked.

Fire Prevention Month 2014 T

he month of March is dubbed the Fire Prevention Month every year. It is during this time when incidence of fire rises, as statistics can prove. Recently, six young lives were taken by the raging inferno, partly due to inadequate knowledge of fire safety at home and unsafe habits of family members. As this writer is also the Public Information Officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection Region 6, let me take this opportunity to impart some information about the observance of Fire Prevention Month. Proclamation No. 115-A of then Pres. Marcos set the month of March every year to be the Fire Prevention Month which is observed by firefighters, government and volunteers alike. This year’s theme “ISULONG ANG KAUNLARAN, SUNOG AY IWASAN, KAALAMAN AT PAGIINGAT ANG KAILANGAN” bespeaks the tiny but significant truth in survival during fires at home or anywhere else. Kaalaman; knowledge of fire behaviour and fire safety at home can mean life or death in most victims of conflagrations. Did you know that when thick black smoke fills the room you can still breathe if you drop and crawl at the floor? Smoke is lighter than air and will always go up leaving a small space of about a foot at the floor level from which one can breathe while crawling to the exit. Do you know the exit of the building or structure where you are right now? Take the time to read the signs on every floor level and trace your position with the floor plan placed in the walls of buildings. Can you locate the secondary exits? Can you locate the fire hose cabinets or the fire extinguishers? Do you see emergency lights in conspicuous places in the building? Can you identify the alarm system installed in the building? If not, take time to look around. These information can save your life once fire occurs. Buildings are required to install these devices and information like the floor plan and exit signs. These are inspected by BFP Fire Safety Inspectors because all establishments applying for permits will always pass by the BFP fore Fire Safety Inspection Certificate as a pre-requisite to the issuance of permits by Permits and Licensing Office of any LGU. Another vital word in the Fire Prevention Month Theme is Pag-iingat. Habits are hard to break and unsafe habits are especially hazardous to you and your family. Make it a habit to check your electrical installations and appliances for wear and tear, depreciation and damage. Make it a habit not to overload your electrical installations and do not use octopus connections. Make it a habit to use DTI-approved appliances and do not use substandard equipment. Make it a habit to conduct evacuation drills with your family, especially with the children, for them to familiarize your residential building or structure when fire occurs. Blindfold children and let them find their way out of your house to simulate the conditions of fire inside a burning structure. Three children from Bacolod City, one from Iloilo, one each from Cabatuan and Passi City became casualties recently. Children are vulnerable and should be most protected among family members. Be fire safe and become the firefighter in your home by arming yourself with enough knowledge against fire and how to combat it at its onset. Visit your nearest fire station to know more. Like the Facebook Page of BFP 6 at Public Information Section, BFP 6 and add their FB Account at PIS BFP 6 to receive updates from your firefighters in Western Visayas.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES City of Iloilo OFFICE OF THE CITY TREASURER

REPUBLIKA SANG PILIPINAS Dakbanwa sang Iloilo OPISINA SANG TRESURERO

NOTICE OF SALE OF DELINQUENT REAL PROPERTY

PAHIBALO NAHANUNGOD SANG PAGBALIGYA SANG MGA DUTA NGA MAY AMOROSO NGA BUWIS

By virtue of provisions of Section 260 of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the undersigned will sale on MARCH 13, 2014 until finish at the Main Entrance of the City Treasurer's Office at 9:00 A.M., the Real Property herein below specified which are hereby certified to be delinquent in the payment of real property taxes to specify all delinquent real property taxes, penalties and cost due therein as of the date of sale

NAME 1

LOCATION

ANDUTAN, JULIUS CAESAR m/to

Brgy. Baybay Tanza,

ESTRELITA ANDUTAN

City Proper, Iloilo City

ANDUTAN, RAUL WINSTON m/to

Brgy. Baybay Tanza,

MILAGROS C. ANDUTAN

City Proper, Iloilo City

ANDUTAN, RAUL WINSTON m/to

Brgy. Baybay Tanza,

MILAGROS C. ANDUTAN

City Proper, Iloilo City

ATRI c/o VIADO, LORNEI

KIND

AREA

LOT NO

Santo sa ginasaad sang Section 260 sang Republic Act No. 7160 ukon ang “Local Government Code of 1991”, ang talatapan sang Tresurero ang maga baligya paagi sa subasta sa MARSO 13, 2014 tubtub matapos sa entrada sang Opisina sang Tresurero masugod alas 9:00 SANG AGA and mga masunod nga mga duta o pagkabutang nga may amoroso sa buwis, multa kag mga kagastohanan nga may kaangtanan sa pag subasta tubtub sa petsa sang pagbaligya.

ASSESSED VALUE

BATUIGAS, MURITA m/to

TAX DUE

PENALTIES

REGISTRATION FEE

COST OF SALE

GRAND TOTAL

res lot

284

01-044

25,560.00

2005-2013

4,600.80

2,929.18

802.64

753.00

9,085.62

res lot

200.00

1-A

01-065

180,000.00

2006-2013

30,150.00

19,008.00

802.64

4,915.80

54,876.44

res lot

200.00

1-B

01-066

180,000.00

2005 4th Qtr-2013

30,712.50

19,413.00

802.64

5,012.55

55,940.69

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

50.96

13-221-1001

11,370.00

1990-1993 & 2006-2013

3,142.50

3,039.00

802.64

618.15

7,602.29

Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

120.00

03-197

12,600.00

1996 2-4 Qtrs -2013

3,593.25

2,398.14

802.64

599.14

7,393.17

11,370.00

1990-1993 & 2006-2013

3,127.80

2,993.56

802.64

612.14

7,536.14 21,490.70

BATUIGAS, MURITA m/to DOFREDO B. BATUIGAS 5

YEARS DELINQUENT

27 blk 2

DOFREDO B. BATUIGAS

BORNALES, JOSEPHINE

Brgy. Concepcion, City Proper, Iloilo City

res bldg

134.72

01-0021022

BRAMEDA, ANABELLA m/to

Brgy, San Juan, Molo, Iloilo City

res bldg

78.00

01-0061171

52,600.00

2001-2013

11,484.96

7,322.37

802.64

1,880.73

RODOLFO BARAMEDA

BRASILEÑO, VIVIEN

Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

130.00

18 blk 6

03-178

13,650.00

1995-2013

4,482.85

3,022.90

802.64

750.58

9,058.97

CARLOTO, PATERNO

Brgy. Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

294.00

1515-A

05-099

11,030.00

2007-2013

1,698.73

1,057.63

802.64

275.64

3,834.64

CAUMBAN, MA. LOURDES &

Brgy. San Vicente, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

308.00

2 blk 1

02-016

46,200.00

2006 3-4 Qtrs -2013

6,898.24

4,273.73

802.64

1,117.20

13,091.81

CORDOVA, SHIRLEY

Brgy. Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

723.00

4002-H-2-H

03-035

32,540.00

2005-2013

4,880.70

3,026.00

802.64

790.67

9,500.01

sub - total

104,772.33

68,483.51

8,829.04

17,325.60

199,410.48

JAYME CAUMBAN

NAME 12

LOCATION

CORTEZ, CYNTHIA

KIND

Bgry. Jalandoni -Wilson,

AREA

res lot

242.00

LOT NO 73

ASSESSED VALUE

YEARS DELINQUENT

TAX DUE

PENALTIES

REGISTRATION FEE

COST OF SALE

02-016

72,600.00

2008-2013

9,292.80

5,601.82

802.64

1,489.46

City Proper, Iloilo City

GRAND TOTAL 17,186.72 -

CORTEZ, CYNTHIA

Bgry. Jalandoni -Wilson, City Proper, Iloilo City

res bldg

109.50

02-0161001

17,550.00

2000-2013

5,492.52

3,638.71

802.64

913.12

10,846.99 -

CRASCO, SONILO, Sr m/to MYRNA CRASCO

Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

54.20

01-150-1002

17,050.00

2006-2013

4,092.00

2,639.34

802.64

673.13

8,207.11

MILAGROS C. ANDUTAN

City Proper, Iloilo City

DALISAY, CARMEN

Brgy. Progreso, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

109.95

01-078-1001

15,390.00

2006-2013

3,693.60

2,382.37

802.64

607.60

7,486.21

DAVID, ERNESTO m/to HELEN GRACE DAVID

Brgy. Nava-is, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res lot

273.00

03-020

30,710.00

2009-2013

3,408.85

1,993.72

802.64

540.26

6,745.47

DAVID, ERNESTO m/to HELEN GRACE DAVID

Brgy. Nava-is, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

51.00

03-020-1001

41,440.00

2007 3-4 Qtrs -2013

8,080.80

5,072.26

802.64

1,315.31

15,271.01

DELA CRUZ, ARDO & GLORIA DELA CRUZ

Brgy. Tagbac, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

99.00

03-0491001

131,090.00

2005-2013

26,882.82

16,996.01

802.64

4,387.88

49,069.35

DELA CRUZ, DANILO VILLANUEVA & FE MINERVA BRASILEÑO DELA CRUZ

Brgy. Sta. Filomena, Arevalo, Iloilo City

res lot

600.00

874-A-4

04-073

114,750.00

2010-2013

9,945.00

5,439.15

802.64

1,538.42

17,725.21

DELA CRUZ, MARGIE m/to ALEXIS DELA CRUZ

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

129.00

18 blk 40

14-200

13,550.00

2009-2013

1,533.85

901.12

802.64

243.50

3,481.11

DELA CRUZ, MARGIE UY & ALEXIS DELA CRUZ

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

115.98

14-2001002

224,300.00

2010-2013

26,916.00

15,342.12

802.64

4,225.81

47,286.57

ESPONILLA, RODOLFO & LYDIA

Brgy. Hechanova, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

240.00

38 blk 12

02-073

36,000.00

2009-2013

4,068.00

2,388.96

802.64

645.70

7,905.30

ESTEBAN, ENRIQUETA MONTILLA

Brgy. Muelle Loney, City Proper, Iloilo City

res lot

405.00

01-028

409,500.00

1993-2013

120,412.50

80,554.50

802.64

20,096.70

221,866.34

F&C LENDING INVESTOR

Brgy. Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City

res lot

27,522.00

PSU-174537

02-016

2,450,160.00

2004-2013

422,346.10

267,336.79

802.64

68,968.29

759,453.82

FECARA, ELENA m/to SALVADOR P. FECARA, Jr.

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

36.00

14-2491001

11,320.00

1993 & 2006-2013

3,116.80

2,076.34

802.64

524.31

6,520.09

FECARA, ELENA m/to SALVADOR P. FECARA, Jr.

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

125.00

11 blk 4

14-249

13,130.00

2001-2013

3,153.85

2,073.82

802.64

522.77

6,553.08

FERNANDEZ, ANTONIO ANUNCIACION ABRERA

Brgy. Jereos, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

232.00

2-C

01-112

34,800.00

2007-2013

5,359.20

3,336.62

802.64

869.58

10,368.04

FLORETE, MARCELINO, Jr.

Brgy. Pres. Roxas, City Proper, Iloilo City

machinery

03-0052003

173,420.00

1991-2013

90,069.84

82,140.72

802.64

17,221.06

190,234.26

GAMALA, RUBEN m/to JOY GANGE GAMALA

Brgy. San Felix, City Proper, Iloilo City

res bldg

03-0051002

48,090.00

2007-2013

7,967.61

4,871.06

802.64

1,283.87

14,925.18

sub - total

755,832.14

504,785.43

14,447.52

126,066.77

1,401,131.86

m/to

NAME

LOCATION

KIND

20 blk 12

101.25

AREA

GAMALA, RUBEN m/to JOY GANGE GAMALA

Brgy. San Felix, City Proper, Iloilo City

res lot

113.00

GINOLAS, MARJOLINA and EDUARDO GINOLAS

Brgy. Montinola, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

GISON, CLEMENTE

Brgy. Bonifacio, Arevalo, Iloilo City

GLOMO, DANILO

GOLINGAN, MARCELO NOLE M.

LOT NO

ASSESSED VALUE

YEARS DELINQUENT

TAX DUE

PENALTIES

REGISTRATION FEE

COST OF SALE

GRAND TOTAL

03-005

30,510.00

2007-2013

4,404.75

2,713.77

802.64

711.85

8,633.01

66.24

02-019-1011

14,920.00

1993 & 2006-2013

4,087.80

2,674.66

802.64

676.25

8,241.35

res bldg

136.00

03-026-1001

12,710.00

2006-2013

3,050.40

1,967.51

802.64

501.79

6,322.34

Brgy. Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

72.02

11-057-1001

14,990.00

1990-1993 & 2006-2013

4,260.15

4,368.68

802.64

862.88

10,294.35

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

97.57

12-294-1001

13,260.00

2006-2013

3,182.40

2,052.65

802.64

523.50

6,561.19

GUMBAN, MARY ANN and JOEL A. GUMBAN

Brgy. Kaingin, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

96.00

02-228

10,080.00

2006-2013

1,758.60

1,114.99

802.64

287.36

3,963.59

GUSTILO, ELMER

Brgy. San Isidro, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

58.50

02-025-1001

13,920.00

2007-2013

2,923.20

1,854.14

802.64

477.73

6,057.71

IBARDOLASA, BENEDICTO

Brgy. Bakhaw, Manudurriao, Iloilo City

res lot

98.00

02-144

11,760.00

2005-2013

1,984.50

1,252.44

802.64

323.69

4,363.27

INFANTE, ELIAS m/to NENITA INFANTE

Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo Cty

res bldg

85.00

03-085-1001

39,860.00

2003-2013

8,678.28

5,530.88

802.64

1,420.92

16,432.72

ISIDORO, EMELIA PONCE DE LEON

Brgy. Bito -on Jaro, Iloilo City

res idle lot

247.00

7 blk 21

04-109

38,910.00

2006-2013

9,376.92

5,934.27

802.64

1,531.12

17,644.95

ISIDORO, EMELIA PONCE DE LEON

Brgy. Bito -on Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

670.00

02-005

201,000.00

2006-2013

33,667.50

21,225.60

802.64

5,489.31

61,185.05

ISIDORO, EMELIA PONCE DE LEON

Brgy. Bito -on Jaro, Iloilo City

res idle lot

221.00

6 blk 21

04-110

34,810.00

2006-2013

8,397.48

5,315.18

802.64

1,371.27

15,886.57

ISIDORO, EMILIA

Brgy. North San Jose, Molo, Iloilo City

res bldg

245.88

02-005-1001

245,940.00

2006-2013

49,832.52

31,452.49

802.64

8,128.50

90,216.15

ITA - AS, IRENEO & MANSAYA A. ITA -AS

Brgy.

com bldg

616.85

09-031, 032 & 033-1001

1,219,840.00

2006-2013

243,557.64

153,404.38

802.64

36,696.20

434,460.86

ITA - AS, IRENEO & MANSAYA A. ITA -AS

Brgy. Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

1,000.00

2195-C-1

09-033

348,750.00

2007-2013

50,045.63

30,801.60

802.64

8,084.72

89,734.59

ITA - AS, IRENEO & MANSAYA A. ITA -AS

Brgy. Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

500.00

2195-C-4

09-031

124,650.00

2007-2013

17,887.28

11,009.09

802.64

2,889.64

32,588.65

ITA - AS, IRENEO & MANSAYA A. ITA -AS

Brgy. Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

500.00

2195-C-5

09-032

124,650.00

2007-2013

17,887.28

11,009.09

802.64

2,889.64

32,588.65

ITA - AS, IRMAN A.

Brgy. Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

117.81

09-033-1002

87,870.00

2007-2013

14,920.92

9,161.40

802.64

2,408.23

27,293.19

JARBADAN, FREDDIE J. and FEBE B.

Brgy. Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

168.00

04-072-1001

392,750.00

2008-2013

70,695.00

43,830.90

802.64

11,452.59

126,781.13

sub - total

550,598.25

346,673.72

15,250.16

86,727.19

999,249.32

Buhang,

Jaro,

Iloilo

City

15-D-11-A

4 blk 5 1 blk 5

NAME

LOCATION

KIND

AREA

LOT NO

ASSESSED VALUE

YEARS DELINQUENT

TAX DUE

PENALTIES

REGISTRATION FEE

COST OF SALE

GRAND TOTAL

JARBADAN, MR. & MRS. FREDDIE

Brgy. Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

433.60

04-118-1002

872,950.00

2010-2013

104,754.00

59,709.78

802.64

16,446.38

181,712.80

JARBADAN, ROMUALDO

Brgy. Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

108.30

04-067-1001

18,430.00

1999-2013

6,601.02

4,420.99

802.64

1,102.20

12,926.85

JARDELEZA, LEONILA

Brgy. Claudio Lopez, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

58.50

01-010-1002

17,130.00

1999-2013

4,276.44

2,770.70

802.64

704.71

8,554.49

JEREZ, ALBERTO and LOURDES JEREZ

Brgy. Burgos, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

81.00

3343-D-7-B-1

0 1 - 1 4 8

30,380.00

2005-2013

5,742.00

3,678.54

802.64

942.05

11,165.23

JESENA, WILSON m/to THELMA GOLEZ

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

1,755.00

6-A

1 0 - 1 9 1

171,110.00

1990-2013

39,369.80

38,889.46

802.64

7,825.93

86,887.83

JESENA, WILSON, Jr.

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

230.44

10-238-1001

197,390.00

2005-2013

33,904.98

20,858.57

802.64

5,476.35

61,042.54

KAPAW AN, FELIPE and GLORIA M. KAPAW AN

Brgy. San Rafael, Mand, Iloilo City

res bldg

120.00

01-118-1003

117,000.00

2006-2013

22,403.94

14,024.84

802.64

3,642.88

40,874.30

KING, ARMIE DULCE V.

Brgy. Don Esteban, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

255.70

03-090-1002

445,260.00

2007-2013

73,654.56

45,016.60

802.64

11,867.12

131,340.92

LABAR, ADELA m/to NORBERTO LABAR

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

39.00

03-344-1001

14,250.00

2003-2013

4,519.38

2,997.45

802.64

751.68

9,071.15

LADINEZ, ERNESTO

Brgy. Baldoza, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

54.30

04-002-1001

11,070.00

2006-2013

2,656.80

1,713.64

802.64

437.04

5,610.12

LANDERO, EDWARD

Brgy. Magsaysay, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

73.16

02-111-1010

13,720.00

2006-2013

3,083.76

1,973.35

802.64

505.71

6,365.46

LANGUIN, ELSIE VENCER

Brgy. Jereos, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

140.90

01-069-1001

49,070.00

2007 3-4 Qtrs - 2013

7,682.21

4,647.93

802.64

1,233.01

14,365.79

LIM, AMADO m/to BERNADETTE LIM

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

75.90

02-536-1001

41,760.00

1999-2013

10,909.92

7,103.46

802.64

1,801.34

20,617.36

LIM, ENRIQUETA J. and RICARDO LIM

Brgy. Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

66.72

01-272-1001

15,010.00

2005-2013

3,646.62

2,355.39

802.64

600.20

7,404.85

LIZADA,

REYNALDO

and

FELISA

Brgy. Benedicto, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

123.80

02-103-1001

40,430.00

1994-2013

12,176.94

8,039.66

802.64

2,021.66

23,040.90

LIZADA,

REYNALDO

and

FELISA

Brgy. Benedicto, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

232.00

02-103

52,200.00

2006-2013

8,743.50

5,512.32

802.64

1,425.58

16,484.04

LOCSON, RICHARD JOHN

Brgy. Oñate de Leon, Mand., Iloilo City

com bldg

48.00

05-005-1003

22,100.00

2007-2013

4,428.06

2,790.40

802.64

721.85

8,742.95

LOS BAÑES MA. ANILETTE m/to

Brgy. Tagbac, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

130.00

9 blk 4

0 4 - 1 6 7

13,650.00

2007-2013

2,107.35

1,312.54

802.64

341.99

4,564.52

802-A-1

FRANCIS DAVID LOS BAÑES 67

LUCKY HOMES INC.

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

370.00

5-L

10-016

36,080.00

1990-2013

11,138.00

10,025.58

802.64

2,116.36

24,082.58

LUCKY HOMES INC.

Brgy. Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

240.00

4-A

10-002

23,400.00

1990-2013

11,190.60

11,151.43

802.64

2,234.20

25,378.87

sub - total

372,989.88

248,992.63

16,052.80

62,198.24

700,233.55

res bldg

52.50

03-316-1001

16,750.00

1999-2013

5,831.58

3,897.24

802.64

972.88

11,504.34

NEPTUNO, VICENTE and JEAN R. NEPTUNO

Brgy. Banuyao, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

96.04

02-017-1001

115,250.00

2011 3-4 Qtrs - 2013

8,062.77

3,730.69

802.64

1,179.35

13,775.45

PABLO, GRACE

Brgy. Punong, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

79.91

01-107-1001

12,810.00

2007-2013

2,690.10

1,706.29

802.64

439.64

5,638.67

PAMA, RICHARD m/to ANABELLE

Brgy. Bito -on Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

43.71

03-019-1053

14,300.00

2007 3-4 Qtrs - 2013

2,681.25

1,673.10

802.64

435.44

5,592.43

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

Brgy. Magsaysay, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

5,894.00

0 2 - 1 1 1

26,170.00

2004-2013

52,424.70

33,753.23

802.64

8,617.79

95,598.36

SALES, LEMUEL

Brgy. Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

57.31

05-116-1002

44,340.00

2006-2013

10,641.60

6,863.83

802.64

1,750.54

20,058.61

SALES, LEMUEL

Brgy. Hechanova, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

140.17

05-116-1001

49,890.00

2007-2013

11,148.54

7,128.93

802.64

1,827.75

20,907.86

SALINIO, WILFREDO

Brgy. Kaingin, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

78.24

01-003-1111

11,710.00

2006-2013

2,459.10

1,559.77

802.64

401.89

5,223.40

SALUDADES, MA. CARMEN B.

Brgy. Kaingin, La Paz, Iloilo City

res lot

122.00

0 2 - 2 5 1

12,810.00

2010-2013

1,281.00

730.17

802.64

201.12

3,014.93

SALUDADES, MA. CARMEN B.

Brgy. Kaingin, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

66.85

02-251-1001

50,500.00

2010-2013

6,060.00

3,454.20

802.64

951.42

11,268.26

SANTIAGO, JOAQUIN, Jr. m/to MA. ELENA C. SANTIAGO

Brgy. Veterans Village, Iloilo City

res bldg

159.96

01-020-1252

95,530.00

1998-2013

32,983.08

22,028.28

802.64

5501.14

61,315.14

SEDEÑO, LUISA m/to AQUILES S. SEDEÑO

Brgy. Kahirupan, City Proper, Iloilo City

res bldg

48.00

01-020-1009

11,700.00

2006-2013

2,808.00

1,811.16

802.64

461.92

5,883.72

SILVEDERIO, MAURICIA m/to JESUS SILVEDERIO

Brgy, Oñate de Leon, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res lot

546.00

0 2 - 0 7 9

39,960.00

2008 2-4 Qtrs - 2013

4,732.88

2,808.27

802.64

754.11

9,097.90

SUMAGAYSAY, LUISA

Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

21.00

02-017-1001

9,140.00

2001-2013

2,234.04

1,443.99

802.64

367.80

4,848.47

SUPLITO, NOEL Y.

Brgy. San Isidro, Mand., Iloilo City

res bldg

59.25

02-195-1001

39,350.00

2009-2013

4,965.78

2,867.06

802.64

783.28

9,418.76

SUYO, ERMEMA m/to LORENZO

Brgy. Banuyao, La Paz, Iloilo City

res idle lot

200.00

0 1 - 0 0 9

22,500.00

2003-2013

6,751.50

4,388.58

802.64

1,114.01

13,056.73

TABANYAG, JOVY m/to JOEY TABANYAG

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

63.00

03-323-1001

18,130.00

2006-2013

4,210.80

2,705.44

802.64

691.62

8,410.50

TABUADA, HERNANDO

Brgy. Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

108.86

06-039-1001

50,590.00

1993 & 2006-2013

12,227.70

8,097.50

802.64

2,032.52

23,160.36

TABUADA, PRIMO

Brgy. Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

86.30

06-039-1002

38,950.00

1990-2013

11,644.50

8,131.14

802.64

1,977.58

22,555.86

TABUYOC, AZUCENA and ROMEO TABUYOC

Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

105.60

01-020-1005

94,760.00

2001-2013

19,366.44

12,238.16

802.64

3,160.46

35,567.70

sub - total

205,205.36

131,017.03

16,052.80

33,622.26

385,897.45

ROBERTO

AREA

5 BLK 12

2412-B-2-A

4012-E

LOT NO

ASSESSED VALUE

YEARS DELINQUENT

TAX DUE

PENALTIES

GRAND TOTAL

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

3744-B-2

COST OF SALE

LUMBAY, JESSIE m/to ROSEMARIE LUMBAY

KIND

LOT NO

REGISTRATION FEE

LOCATION

AREA

YEARS DELINQUENT

LOCATION

NAME

KIND

ASSESSED VALUE

NAME

PENALTIES

REGISTRATION FEE

COST OF SALE

GRAND TOTAL

TAJANLANGIT,

Brgy. Libertad, Jaro, Iloilo City

com res bldg

158.40

01-051-1002

14,580.00

2007-2013

7,275.60

4,697.71

802.64

1,197.33

13,973.28

TAMAYO, RUEL & GIRLIE P. TAMAYO

Brgy. Lopez Jaena Norte, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

54.24

01-042-1053

17,290.00

2003-2013

5,648.58

3,755.76

802.64

940.43

11,147.41

TAMESIS, ANDRISITO

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

35.00

02-449-1001

12,650.00

2005-2013

3,324.78

2,166.14

802.64

549.09

6,842.65

TAN, CLEMENTE

Brgy. Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

141.72

08-138-1001

59,120.00

2012-2013

3,547.20

1,489.82

802.64

503.70

6,343.36

TAN, NELLY

Brgy. Bo. Obrero, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

192.00

02-395-1001

115,060.00

2005-2013

24,168.24

15,330.05

802.64

3,949.83

44,250.76

TANG, ALBERTO

Brgy. Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

res bldg

70.85

02-272-1001

42,380.00

2007-2013

7,253.61

4,459.76

802.64

1,171.34

13,687.35

THE METROPOLIS

Brgy. Bito -on Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

11,186.24

05-375-1001

2,516,900.00

2006-2013

604,056.78

389,616.68

802.64

99,367.35

1,093,843.45

TRABUCO, ROSARIO G.

Brgy. Buhang, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

13,912.00

4434

03-010

43,740.00

2006 2-4 Qtrs - 2013

7,524.23

4,761.34

802.64

1,228.56

14,316.77

VILLAREAL, ROBERTO m/to DIANITA BEBOSO

Brgy. Our Lady of Lourdes, Jaro, Iloilo City

res lot

313.00

965-C-4

0 2 - 1 8 4

66,360.00

2004-2013

12,774.30

8,202.10

802.64

2,097.64

23,876.68

WATSKINS, LYDIA GAMAYAO m/to JOHN WATSKINS & NELLY GAMAYAO MA. ELENA C. SANTIAGO

Brgy. Hechanova, Jaro, Iloilo City

res idle lot

313.00

92 blk 13

0 2 - 1 7 8

46,950.00

2010-2013

6,047.16

3,368.01

802.64

941.52

11,159.33

WATSKINS, LYDIA GAMAYAO m/to JOHN WATSKINS & NELLY GAMAYAO

Brgy. Hechanova, Jaro, Iloilo City

res bldg

112.65

02-178-1001

214,390.00

2009-2013

25,726.80

14,664.28

802.64

4,039.11

45,232.83

100

ZARAGOZA, ANDRES

Brgy. Kaingin, La Paz, Iloilo City

res bldg

34.60

01-003-1279

14,060.00

2006-2013

3,374.40

2,176.49

802.64

555.09

6,908.62

sub - total

710,721.68

454,688.14

9,631.68

116,540.99

1,291,582.49

GRAND TOTAL

2,700,119.64

1,754,640.46

80,264.00

442,481.05

4,977,505.15

If a deposit has been made to the Office of the Provincial or City or Municipality Treasurer, and no real estate tax receipt (Form 56) has been issued, the Official Receipt (Prov. Form 56) issued for such deposit should likewise be submitted to this office not later than March 13, 2014. In case the sale of real estate on which taxes and penalties due had been deposited or paid thru other government office or by other means but not transferred to and accounted by the undersigned City Treasurer of such sale shall be subject to revocation upon presentation of evidence that all taxes and penalties due had been paid when the sale was made. Anytime during or before the sale, the taxpayer may stay the proceedings by paying the taxes, penalties and cost due up to the time of tender, to the City Treasurer or his deputy. Within one (1) year from the date of sale, the owner of the delinquent real property or person having legal interest therein, or his representative, shall have the right to redeem the property upon payment to the local treasurer of the amount of the delinquent tax, including the interest due thereon, and the expenses of sale from the date of delinquency to the date of sale, plus interest of not more than two (2%) per month on the purchase price from the date of sale to the date of redemption. In case of redemption, the purchaser is entitled to reimbursement of the purchase price paid by him plus corresponding interest. From the date of sale until expiration of the period of redemption, the delinquent real property shall remain in the possession of the owner or person having legal interest therein who shall be entitled to the income and other fruits thereof. In case the owner or person having legal interest therein fails to redeem the delinquent property as provided therein, the local treasurer shall execute a deed conveying to the purchaser of said property, free from lien of the delinquent tax, interest due thereon and expenses of sale. The deed shall briefly state the proceedings upon which the validity of the sale rests. In the case of properties acquired by the City, pursuant to Sec. 263 of R.A. 7160, the sanggunian concerned may, by ordinance duly approved upon notice of not less than (20) days, sell and dispose of the real property acquired under the preceding Section at public auction. The proceeds of the sale shall accrue to the general fund of the local government unit concerned. Collection of real property tax may be enforced through any or all the remedies provided under the law and use of one remedy shall not be a bar against the institution of other. The sale shall be by oral bidding, the bidders who offers to pay the highest purchase for the entire delinquent property from which the total amount of delinquent taxes, penalties and cost of sale thereon could be satisfied, shall be entitled the award of such property subject to revocation, however, if payment of the purchase is not paid immediately upon award, the undersigned City Treasurer or his authorized representative conducting the sale shall auction each delinquent property. In case there is no bidder for the real property advertised for sale as provided therein, or if the highest bid is for an amount insufficient to pay the real property tax and the related interest and costs of sale the local treasurer conducting the sale shall purchase the property in behalf of the local government unit concerned to satisfy the claim and within two (2) days thereafter shall make a report of his proceedings which shall be reflected upon the record of the office. Prospective bidders are requested to ascertain for themselves the status and title of the property they desired to bid, before making the bid, as the City Treasurer does not guarantee sufficiency or validity of the declared owner’s title of the property they purchase than that of the registered owner thereof. In case the taxpayer has paid delinquency taxes as shown in the above list thru Provincial, City or Municipal Treasurer and not directly to the City Treasurer of Iloilo, evidence of such payment should be submitted to the office not later than March 13, 2014 the date immediately preceding the Auction Sale. For further information concerning any of the above property, prospective bidders and other interested parties are advised to see the City Treasurer or the Chief, Tax Enforcement Division at anytime during regular office hour. I hereby certify that pursuant to Section 260 of R.A. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the foregoing statement of delinquencies is a correct transcript of the records of this office as of February 13, 2014. If the date of auction sale which is March 13, 2014 falls on or be declared as a Holiday, the next working day will be the date of auction sale.

Kon may ara nga gin bayad sa opisina sang Tresurero sang Siudad, Probinsyal ukon Munisipyo apang wala mahatagan sg nagakaigo nga resibo sang buhis (Form 56) kag ang gin hatag lamang amo ang resibo nga Provincial Form 19-A, ang nahinambitan nga resibo ang ipakita lamang sa amon opisina sa petsa Marso 13, 2014. Sa kaso sang mga propiedad sa diin ang buhis kg interest ang ginbayad sa iban nga talatapan sang gobyerno apang wala pa ginsaylo ukon mabaton sang Siudad sang Iloilo, ang nahinambitan nga pagsubasta pagakanselahon matapos mapakita sang tag-iya ang iya mga ebedensya sang pagbayad sining amoroso nga buhis sa tion sang pagsubasta. Bag-o magsugod ukon samtang ginapatigayon ang pagsubasta sang propiedad, ang tag-iya ukon ang iya representante, ang gina pahanugutan nga maka bayad sang amoroso sa buhis sang iya propeidad sa Tesorero sang Siudad. Pagkatapos sang subasta ukon sa sulod sang isa ka tuig matapos sa pagsubasta sang propiedad, ang mga natungdan nga tag-iya ukon iya tiglawas ukon sin-o man nga tawo nga may kinamatarong sa pag-angkon sing propiedad ang mga gin tagaan pa gid singkahigayunan sa paggawad sini paagi sa pagbayad sang tanan nga amoroso nga buhis, multa, gastos sa pag subasta kag ang interes nga 2% porsiyento kada bulan base sa bili sang pagsubasta. Kon pananglitan ang mga propiedad nga nasubasta gingawad sang tag-iya, ang nakabakal sini ang pagaulian sang iya kuarta nga ginbayad kaupod ang saka. Pagkatapos sang subasta kag antes sang paggawad ukon sa sulod sang isa ka tuig matapos sang subasta, ang propiedad nga gin subasta magapadayon sa posesyon sang delinkwente nga tag-iya nga may kinamatarong sa padayon nga paggamit sini. Pananglitan mapaslawan ang tag-iya, iya tiglawas ukon bisan sin-o man nga may kinamatarong sa propiedad sa paggawad sini sa sulod sang isa ka tuig nga plaso, ang ginsubasta nga propiedad ang igahatag sang Tresurero sang Siudad sa nag daug nga manugbakal. Samtang yadtong propiedad nga nabakal sang siudad paagi sa Tresorero, ang Sangunian sang siudad sang Iloilo mahimo magbaligya sang amo nga mga propidad paagi sa pagsubasta kon may ordinansa nga pahanogot, kag may pahibalo sa publiko sa indi magkubos sa 20 ka adlaw. Ang binta sa amo nga subasta magakadto sa general nga pundo sang gobyerno local. Paagi sa subasta ang pagbaligya. Ang manugbakal nga may pinakamataas nga tanyag sa nga ginbase sa pagdugang sa amoroso sa buwis, multa kag kagastuhanan may kaangtanan sa subasta, amo ang maga-daug sa subasta apang mahimo kanselahon ang ini nga pagbaklanay kon indi niya sa guilayon mabayaran ang gintan-ay nga purchase price. Ang Tresurero sang ciudad ukon utorisado nga representante sini amo ang mabaligya sang mga duta kag pagkabutang nga may amoroso pa-agi sa subasta, apang sa tion nga wala sang manugbakal ukon ang bili sang pagbakal mas manubo sang sa kabilugan nga kantidad sang amoroso, multa kag gastos sa pagsubasta, ang Tesorero sang siudad ukon ang iya representante amo ang magabakal sang mga pagkabutang sa ngalan sang siudad sa igsakto nga kantidad sang, amoroso nga buwis, multa kag gastos sa pagsubasta. Ang maluyag magpasakop sa sining subasta ang ginapangabay gid nga mag-usisa nahanungod sa ila sini nga mga titulo sanglit ang Tesorero sang siudad indi makagarantiya sang titulo kag pagpanagiya sang ginsubasta nga propiedad luwas lamang sa rehistrado nga tag-iya sini. Pananglitan ang tag-iya sining duta nakabayad na sang amoroso nga buwis paagi sa Tresurero sang iban nga banwa o probinsya ukon derekta sa Tresurero Probinsiyal sang Probinsiya sang Iloilo, ginapangabay nga ang mga pamatuod sang pagbayad ang ipakita lamang sa opisina sang Tresurero sang Iloilo halin sa aga tubtub alas 5:00 sang hapon sa mga adlaw nga may opisina. Ginapamatu-oran ko suno sa Probisyon sang Section 260 R.A. 7160 “Local Government Code of 1991” nga ang nalista sa ibabao nga amoroso sa buhis ginkuha santo sa dokumento sang opisina Pebrero 13, 2014. Kon and petsa sang pagsubasta sa Marso 13, 2014, edeklarar nga Pista Opisyal, ang pagsubasta padayunon sa masunod nga adlaw nga may trabaho okon opisina.

Recommending Approval: Approved by:

(sgd) PATRICIO C. TOBIAS Chief, Tax Enforcement Division

(sgd) KATHERINE T. TINGSON City Treasurer Noted by: (sgd) Honorable JED PATRICK E. MABILOG City Mayor

IMT FUNTIME

S U DO

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:

It’s definitely your time to shine as the week begins. While sometimes haste makes waste, the more you do now, the merrier you are, and those around you are pretty pleased, too. Then, around Wednesday and Thursday, money or the things it can get you might be on your mind. Don’t forget the virtues of simple goodness — less really can be more (like less stress, for instance). Watch out for jumping ahead this weekend. You’re thinking fast, which is great, but if anything serious is at stake, you’ll want to change your pace.

TAURUS:

You’re liable to do something rash as the week begins. If it’s in the career department, consult with someone first; when it comes to love, though, go for it. Why not? Let your heart have its way! You can set the stage for some especially sweet stuff around Wednesday and Thursday, when you’re both rocksolid and you possess a kind of magical appeal people can’t quite put their finger on. For the remainder of the week, apply your natural determination to observing all that’s around you — especially the interpersonal element. Something interesting’s afoot!

GEMINI:

MEDIUM

Be the one to make the first move at the beginning of the week. It’s a ‘you snooze, you lose’ time for you, so set the alarm a little early, beat a work deadline and tell someone how you feel! Then, if there’s conflict in some sphere of your life around Wednesday and Thursday, don’t avoid it. Unsure how to proceed? Find someone who’s handled something similar in a way you admire, and just ask. Over the next few days, your always-abundant interpersonal skills are even better than ever, and everything that’s wonderful about you is even more so. Rock your world!

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:

You’re always an emotional creature, but the strength (and maybe the rapid changeability!) of your feelings might surprise even you at the beginning of the week. Think about what to keep to yourself. If you’re thinking about a date or fun with friends, Wednesday and Thursday are your best days to be a total charmer and have a great time. Consider cozy at-home social time instead of going out. If you’re going back and forth about something, the rest of the week brings an opportunity to get off the fence — and make a splash while you do it.

LEO:

It’s live and learn as the week begins, but in a good way. Whatever you’re trying to understand seems clearer, and figuring it out further is actually fun. Around Wednesday and Thursday, you might be ready to make a stand, perhaps at work, but is this the angle you really want to take for the long haul? Smartest plan: Leave yourself room to change it up. If you’re going out on the town this weekend, try a lecture, art event or the theater. Whether it’s great or not so hot, your smart take on it means talking about it is fun, and that makes for great bonding.

VIRGO:

Your go-getter attitude and assertiveness as the week begins can take you places. Be logical instead of getting into dramatics. Put something unusual in your organized plan around Wednesday and Thursday, and allow extra time for truly absorbing it. Whether you’re learning something new or hanging out with someone great, it’s time well spent. Things really can go either way for the rest of the week, but luckily you’re in control. If you feel anxious, examine why; get exercise for good energy; and plan a nice little treat for yourself (and maybe for someone sweet!).

LIBRA:

Pay particular attention to a tete-a-tete or heart-to-heart you have as the week begins. The stars are sending an opportunity for improved interpersonal stuff, but things could also go sour if you’re not careful. Around Wednesday and Thursday, you’ve got the magic touch, putting people at ease and skillfully working through any issues in ways that benefit everyone. Plus you’re just plain hot! When the weekend comes, your energy’s not so much about tackling tons of projects and getting stuff done as it is about sharing your feelings and quietly enjoying life.

SCORPIO:

How are you feeling at the beginning of the week? Tune into the signals your body is sending, as well as your emotional state, and be proactive about maintaining good physical and psychological health. Around Wednesday and Thursday, someone’s got an advantage over you, which is rare! Can you avoid discord and create an alliance here? Then, over the next few days, any financial matters that involve others — work budgets, joint accounts, even a loan for lunch — could quickly get problematic. Be very clear about terms, and get on the same page about expectations.

SAGITTARIUS:

Life looks fun — and you look great! — as the week begins. Anything creative you attempt ought to go especially well (and don’t forget the creative element of any romantic endeavors!). Then, around Wednesday and Thursday, the universe is directing your attention to seeing both the grand scale and some particularly pertinent microelements. Yes, you want to think big, but look closely, too. The energy for you is unusual this weekend, which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s negative. In fact, lots of positive movement can happen now. Just be sure you put that slant on your dealings with others.

CAPRICORN:

Expect a delay or postponement as the week begins. Even if it’s you that’s pushing a deadline or promising someone a rain check, it might be frustrating to feel like you’re not keeping pace. But with all of your awesome powers augmented around Wednesday and Thursday, you can catch up and then some. Open yourself to your imagination; it’s got an alternative that’ll make you look like a genius. Everything and everyone’s all over the place this weekend, but you can depend on your own instincts and be the eye of the storm. People are definitely coming to you now.

Answer:

AQUARIUS:

You aren’t like everybody else, so why try to blend in as the week begins? Showing your independent side — your imagination, your own style, your bright and unique ideas — gets you major gold stars now, at work and off the clock. Then, around Wednesday and Thursday, you may be dragging, with mundane stuff getting you down. But something funny’s afoot, and if you notice it, your interest will be renewed. And when it comes to renewed interest, your energy this weekend is definitely sparking exactly that. Light a fire under your social or love life!

PISCES:

Pick up a good book or see a great movie at the beginning of the week. Your imagination’s active now, and if you don’t give it something to chew on, you might find fantasy mixing in with reality. Then, gosh, you’re warm and wonderful around Wednesday and Thursday. Hanging out with friends (or, better yet, a ‘more than friend’) makes for beautiful bonding. When the weekend comes, plenty of choices present themselves; getting another opinion can help you decide. Then again, not deciding and following your nose can lead to some sweet places, especially on Sunday.

February 9- 12, 2014

METRO AGRICULTURE

March 2 - 8 2014

Problems are Opportunities (7): Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat (Part 5)

The Dangers of Antibiotics in Chicken Raising: Modern living has brought with it modern but more virulent diseases. Medical discoveries like antibiotics, starting with penicillin were initially hailed as the ultimate cure only to be found that bacteria and other diseasecausing microorganisms evolve to become resistant to them. Then comes the never ending phenomenon to discover newer versions of antibiotics just to combat resistant bacteria. In earlier decades, antibiotics

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

were also included in the feeds for livestock. The argument was that it was best to incorporate them so that they would be ingested and thus act as prophylactic or as prevention. It was later found that the regular use of these substances will also cause bacteria to evolve and thus become resistant. The more alarming findings however is that livestock grown on antibiotics have residue build-up in their bodies that when these animals are slaughtered for human consumption, these residues will also be ingested and will eventually cause bacterial resistance. People would then need higher doses and newer and more expensive versions of antibiotics. Even the administration of antibiotics to treat livestock diseases should follow the correct and precise protocol to ensure that treatment is total and that the animal is treated successfully. Incorrect use of antibiotics will only enable surviving pathogens to resist a particular type and persist to survive within the body of the animal and cause further damage and eventual

death. This is exactly the phenomenon in chickens. In commercial broiler chicken production, the chickens are given prophylactics at about 12 to 16 days so that by the time of harvest which is about 28-32 days, they would appear healthy and pass the standards of the integrator. This period which is about 14 to 16 days from slaughter is considered safe as the withdrawal period of at least 7 days had been met. However there are cases that the flock is affected on the 24-25th days and at the time of harvest, would appear healthy and thus, pass the standards for slaughter. This situation is even more serious in commercial egg production. When layer chickens are affected with bacterial infection, the raisers often times administer antibiotics without isolating the sick birds which continue to lay eggs. Antibiotics ingested are not totally synthesized and rendered inactive within the fowls’ bodies and a large concentration is still found in the

Carabao industry still alive

Western Visayas is the top producer of carabao and cattle in the country according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6. Carabao is a swamp type domestic water buffalo found in the Philippines. Years ago, carabao is one of the major aids of farmers on their farms. However, as machine began to take the place of the national animal, it has slowly lost its place under the sun, except for those who cannot afford to buy a machine. Philippine Carabao Center at West Visayas State University in Calinog, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), was formed to conserve, propagate, and promote the carabao or native buffalo as a source of milk and meat as well as draft animal power and hide to benefit the rural farmers. Its banner program is the genetic program, where they try to improve the genetic material of the Philippine Carabao and cross-breed it to a dairybreed buffalo in order to produce a breed that will be useful both for work and for milking. According to Dr. Myrtel Alcazar, Genetic Improvement Program Coordinator, PCC aids in enhancing the livelihood of the farmers by upgrading their animal and teaching them to milk. “We are helping by means of artificial insemination (AI), where we combine the AI with natural method

Native Carabaos are upgraded to produce dairy-bread buffalo in PCC at WVSU Calinog. of breeding to create a cross-breed”, them to see the benefit of the milking Alcazar said. program but our farmers can testify Alcazar said that another program how helpful it is for them”, she added. is the bull loan program, which Romeo Araña, one of the farmers supposedly caters those areas that who greatly benefit from the program, cannot be reached by AI. said that he was able to send his After the breeding stage, a children to school and get their daily subordinate of PCC, the carabao- income on milking. Araña can get four based enterprise assist the farmers in to six liters of milk everyday. Milk is proper management. being sold P70 per bottle. Another component of the “The secret is in the grass that I PCC program is research and feed to my carabao and the way I take development, which according to good care of it”, he explained. Alcazar is not the typical research. Arn Granada, OIC of PCC at She said that they are gathering data, WVSU said it would be better if the observing, analyzing and intervening policy of the national government will after some series of observation. improve for the industry to play in the PCC admits that they encounter global market. problems in expanding their programs “Our drive is to locally produce to other municipalities due to lack of milk to lessen the imports and provide support from the local government income to our farmers”, Granada units; however, they give all out disclosed. support on those who are showing In 2013, PCC successfully bred interest on the program. 4000 dairy buffalos and has 14 milking “It takes a lot of effort and time for farmers. IMT

Cockfighting, the traditional Sunday afternoon pastime of Asians has evolved into a multi-billion peso industry in the country. With legal cockpits all over the country and with the majority of them concentrated in metropolitan areas, cockfights are held regularly and many of them, every night of the year and even during the rainy months when chickens are said to molt. New technologies and products are being sold by the veterinary companies to cater to the needs of the game fowl market. These companies

have seen that by joining the industry and coming out with products tailored fit for the needs of the market is highly profitable because they have seen that it is a sellers’ market. The anti-cockfighting sector however argues that cockfighting is evil and has to stop. Among their arguments are that it breeds gambling and drug dealers can launder their money through cockfighting. Also it creates a defeatist attitude where people and mostly the poor will only gamble to earn and in the process, waste their hard-earned money if they lose. What is often overlooked is the fact that the game fowl industry is beyond just cockfighting. Everything starts with breeding of the special type of chickens which had been genetically manipulated for more than 20 centuries starting even before Christ when the Romans brought cocks with them in

eggs laid. The correct protocol for this is to destroy the eggs by composting and not fed to other animals like pigs. But the common attitude among the farmers is to include the eggs in the batch for sale, after all, our country still lacks sophisticated systems for monitor food safety. Thus the alternative to commercial chicken raising (both meat and eggs) is still the traditional way where the chickens are raised sans antibiotics and other dangerous substances such as growth hormones which are as dangerous as antibiotics. While at the early stages, the chickens are raised in confinement or semi-confinement to give them a head start, they are then hardened to be released on full range after a while where they will forage the major portion of their diet and are supplemented with nutrient rich feed only when necessary. The range is developed fully and planted with nutrient rich feed like grasses, legumes and medicinal plants which can directly cure or boost the immune system of chickens. A particular example is to grow malunggay along borders and in straight rows while planting sorghum, grains like the barnyard grass, legumes like rice-beans and munggo in between. The tauri and munggo are allowed to

pod and shatter so that the free range chickens can feed on them. The tender leaves are also rich fodder for them as they are high in proteins and amino acids. On certain portions of the range, medicinal plants are established like oregano, lagundi and apat-apat which are considered medicinal and immune system boosters. Oregano is an important plant in livestock raising as they are also grazed or fed on instinctively by chickens to treat their respiratory diseases. Farmers who raise chickens on the free range also claim that their chickens are tastier than the commercially raised versions. For one, chickens harvested at 4-5 months old have started to develop a stronger tissue system which is already rich in glutamine which is an amino acid known to give flavor to meat. But the best premium for chickens raised naturally is their total absence of antibiotics in their meat. Eggs from chickens raised on the range are also said to be of deeper yolk color than their commercial cousins. This is due to the diet of fresh grasses which contain high levels of natural betacarotene which is responsible for the yellow pigmentation. Commercial eggs are also yellow colored because of the chemical ingredients which is given through the feeds. (to be continued)

NFA Regional Office VI Assistant Director Gil B. Ibarra assured Western Visayas that government rice is still at P27.00/kilo and that the agency has sufficient buffer stock despite the slight increase in commercial rice. “It is understandable that the current price of rice now is slightly higher compared to the prices before TY Yolanda due to the damages in production. And it was decided by the Inter-agency Committee that there is a need for importation for the augmentation of buffer stock based from the assessment of the production performance,” Asst. Reg’l. Dir. Ibarra stated. He also added that Region 6 has already unloaded five vessels

from Vietnam containing more than 700,000 bags of imported rice and the agency is expecting more vessels to come in to supply the whole region. In the issue of price increase, ARD Ibarra explained that NFA has increased its allocation to accredited rice outlets in the market. “We are expecting that the increase in allocation will pull down the prices of commercial rice. Also, we are closely monitoring the markets to prevent those retailers who want to commercialize NFA rice,” he added. ARD Ibarra also calls for the public to be vigilant with regards to unwarranted movement in the price of rice and to report any anomaly in the grains industry.PIA6

NFA 6 assures enough rice and stable price

Healthy Gamefowl Industry will Help Small and Backyard Breeders their conquests to fight them during breaks in the battle field. By selective breeding the enthusiasts are able come out with chickens that will not run against the other bird and would fight intelligently to kill the opponent. These breeds are sought after and are bred for the next generation of fighter. Game fowl breeding therefore has become both an art and science. What comes to mind now is the coup made by a few unscrupulous individuals at the national level of the Philippine Federation of Gamefowl Breeders recently. These people thought that by organizing a surprise election, all 40 associations nationwide will simply ally with them. They did not consider that the leader they ousted, Mr. Wilson Ong of GBANO (Negros Orienta) has the support of 35 out of 40 associations. Last February 26, 2014, the 35 Presidents

of the associations met in Manila to assess and later decided to form another association, the Pambansang Fedefration of Gamefowl Breeders (Digmaan), Inc. and formally register Digmaan as its national derby circuits for stags, bullstags and cocks. By saving this national circuit, the economic benefits of the small scale game fowl industry is preserved. There are many areas by which the small man earns from the industry. There are the small raisers, box makers, tie cord makers, paraphernalia and knife makers and others. Small farmers also participate in the industry by farming specialized feeds which sell high due to the premium price they fetch. For example, sorghum which is a key ingredient in the grain mixed being given to cocks being conditioned for the fight would ordinarily sell at the same price of corn however, at the feed

stores, they sell at almost twice the price of corn because of the special role they play in the diet of gamefowls. Game fowl raising also is a lucrative farming activity. While slaughter chickens sell at about P120 per kilogram live weight or about P140 per head dressed, gamefowls sell at least P3,000 per head at the age of 8-10 months or about P300 per month of raising. It is not also difficult to raise these chickens because of the veterinary companies which offer the whole range of products for the specific use of gamefowls, from vaccines to conditioning supplement. With the demand for game fowls in other parts of the country and the reputation of Ilonggo and Negrense breeders, it is no wonder that game fowls coming from Iloilo and Negros are very much in demand in other parts of the country.

METRO SPORTS

March 2 - 8 2014

Mayweather selects Maidana over Khan

After a long wait, Floyd Mayweather has finally named his next opponent. Mayweather tweeted a selfie while saying that he will fight Marcos Maidana of Argentina on May 3 (May 4, PHL time). Weeks ago, Mayweather started a poll to ask the fans to vote for his next opponent. British fighter Amir Khan won the poll but it proved to be nothing else but a marketing ploy as Mayweather selected the puncher from Argentina who’s fresh off a win against Adrien Broner. The fight will be a unification for Mayweather’s WBC title and Maidana’s WBA belt. Mayweather, whose record stands at 46 wins without a loss or a draw, will be fighting after seven months of inactivity. He last defeated Saul Alvarez by majority decision. Maidana on the other hand defeated Broner via unanimous decision last December. Back in December, Khan announced that he already signed a

contract to fight Mayweather and that he was only waiting for the undefeated American to sign his part of the contract. Mayweather was quoted in saying that a fight against Khan made sense as he brought in a lot of fans. However, Maidana crept into the scene after his dominant win over Mayweather’s protege Broner. Maidana was supposed to have a rematch with him but Broner will now step aside for Mayweather. After the poll closed, Maidana questioned the result as many other polls saw him winning but the official poll had Khan with the edge. Apparently, it all didn’t matter. Two days ago, Khan already said he won’t be fighting Mayweather. He announced on Twitter that Mayweather’s team has not gotten back to him regarding the contract. All he could do was to wish Maidana, a fighter he defeated, some luck against Mayweather. Carlo Pamintuan/ Yahoo/AP

Associated Press/Mark J. Terrill-File - FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, gets tangled up with Canelo Alvarez during a world light-middleweight title fight, in Las Vegas. Mayweather Jr. will arrive in South Africa on Wednesday, Jan. 15. 2014, for a six-day visit that the government hopes will help “resuscitate” boxing in the country. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill-File)

San Mig Coffee wins PBA 2014 PH Cup “These guys could’ve given up but they didn’t.” Those were the words of San Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone, who now holds the record for most PBA titles as a head coach, as he addresses the crowd after his team won the All-Filipino title. Six games into the start of the PBA 2014 season, the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers held a 1-5 win-loss record, 3 months later, they hold up the Philippine Cup trophy fending off the relentless Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in 6 games, 4-2. Game 6 had many heroes. Had the Painters won, Paul Lee and Beau Belga

would’ve been good choices for player of the game. Lee led the 2nd quarter rally that saw Rain or Shine come back from a 17-point deficit. He kept the team in the game in the 3rd quarter. Belga showed up in the final quarter figuring in a mini duel with eventual Finals MVP Mark Barroca. Barroca was stellar in the clutch, hitting basket after basket to keep Rain or Shine at bay. But before that, it was PBA Draft 2014 2nd overall pick Ian Sangalang who did the damage inside for San Mig Coffee. The Mixers’ rookie played like a seasoned veteran delivering timely blows that helped his team secure the title. Rappler

T E C H N O L O G Y

Nokia makes Android smartphone despite Microsoft bid

Facebook Messenger for Windows will be sunsetting on March 3.

Initial reports noted that the top of Facebook for Windows had the message, “We’re sorry, but we can no longer support Facebook Messenger for Windows, and it will stop working on March 3, 2014.” The Next Web added that a spokesperson for Facebook confirmed the impending shutdown of theWindows version of the application. The spokesperson acknowledged that Facebook was “notifying people who use Facebook Messenger for Windows that it will no longer be available as of March 3.” The report follows news that Facebook would release a version of

Nokia showed off Monday a new range of smartphones powered by Google’s Android operating system, even as it is being taken over by Microsoft. The Finnish group unveiled three Nokia X smartphone models at the opening of the four-day World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, shunning Microsoft’s Windows Phone to go with a competing Android-based system. The new smartphones use an “Android open-source platform” but are equipped with Nokia’s own Lumia user interface and they point users to Microsoft services, not Google’s, said Nokia France managing director Thierry Amarger. Android applications installed on the phones will work, but users will not be able to access Google’s services, notably its applications store, Google Play.

Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone. Launched in March 2012, Facebook Messenger for Windows

A Nokia Lumia 1520 is presented during the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 24, 2014 Photo by Photo By Lluis Gene/AFP The devices are aimed at customers seeking a smartphone for less than 150 was available for less than two years. –Rappler. com

euros ($210), said Amarger, as the market for entry-level smartphones enjoys “a full-blown acceleration”. The Nokia X range aims to capture a previously unreachable segment of the market with low prices, for example 119 to 149 euros in France, he said. Until now, Nokia phones have worked exclusively with Windows Phone, the operating system developed by Microsoft, which is expected to complete a 5.44-billion-euro takeover of Nokia’s mobile telephone business by the end of March. The Android platform is considerably cheaper than Windows Phone, however, allowing Nokia to offer low-cost phones in emerging markets. Nokia’s mobile telephone business reported a 789-million-euro loss in 2013.

It was nevertheless the world’s second largest manufacturer of all types of mobile handsets in that year after Samsung, with a 13.9-percent market share, down from 19.1 percent at the end of 2012, according to research house Gartner Inc. Nokia’s dwindling market share relies heavily on traditional mobile phones sold in emerging markets, however. Nokia does not even feature in the top five manufacturers of smartphones, which are more advanced, allowing users to download applications and connect to the Internet. Another struggling handset manufacturer, Blackberry, announced on the same day that its mobile messaging service BBM would soon be available for users of Windows Phone, and owners of the Nokia X range. Yahoo/AFP

March 2 - 8 2014

METRO SPORTS

Team Gomez wins Beach Ultimate Frisbee BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Gomez team brought home the bacon after winning the championship title in the 5th “Unleash”

Paraw Regatta Beach Ultimate Frisbee. Composed of combined players from Dumaguete City and Boracay, the Gomez team defeated other participating teams in the said event

held at the Breakthrough Beach Front, Arevalo, Iloilo City, February 23, 2014. Mina Ultimate of the municipality of Mina was declared first runnerup while Panay Intensity composed mainly of Iloilo City players was named second runner-up.

Carl Dela Paz of Mina Ultimate and Sophie Sacapaño of Team Gomez the Most Valuable Player s (MVP) for male and female categories respectively. Paul Ritchie Mariano of Team Power Boracay and Lisa Marie Lacal of Intensity Panay were proclaimed Best Defensive Players for male and female

categories respectively. The Mythical Four were Rolly Gomez (Team Gomez), Yolyvic Onato (Mina Ultimate), Jan Elvin Jalea (Panay Intensity), and Jeffrey Rodriquez (Team Power Boracay). Jassen Gio Golez was named Best Lay-out. IMT

from 16 feet and below) winner while the entry Cheryl owned by Federico Tantiado of Brgy. Parara Sur, Tigbauan is the category C winner. Both winners received cash amounting to P50, 000 and P100,000, respectively. Entry Joftman V3 2 owned by Nicanor Gad of Sambiray, Malay, Aklan topped in the category B (waterline length ranging from 16.1 feet up to 22 feet.). Gad received P75, 000 cash prize. In Category C (waterline length

ranging from 16 feet and up), entries Marjhonec and Maxx owned by Hector Espinosa of Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo and Kristine owned by Oscar Espinosa, also of Arevalo got 2nd and 3rd place with P75, 000 and P50, 000 cash prizes, respectively. There were around 63 sailboat entries in the three categories. Paraw Regatta Foundation Chairman Manuel Villa Jr. said the classic sailboat race in iloilo City attracts business tourism and considered as the biggest event in the country. IMT

and the like not directly use in relation with tobacco product; sponsoring events, allowing or accepting sponsorship of tobacco industry in events or any activities; and placing advertisements on jeepneys, taxis and other public conveyances. Alim said the proposed penalties for violating establishments or business entity are P3,000 fine for the first offense, one month suspension of

business permit for the second offense, and revocation of the business permit for the third offense. The penalties for violating individuals or business establishments without a permit include P1,000 fine for the first offense, P2,000 for second offense, P5,000 for third offense or imprisonment for five days or both at the discretion of the court. IMT

Tigbauan, Leganes big winners in 42nd Paraw Regatta Festival

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

Jackielyn Estoquia and Dhannylaine Demontaño represent Iloilo City in the 2014 Iloilo Paraw Regatta 11th National Women’s Beach Volleyball

Iloilo City grabs 2nd runner-up trophy in 2014 Iloilo Paraw Regatta 11th National Women’s Beach Volleyball BY TIFFANY BALTAZAR, CPU INTERN Iloilo City’s contenders settled for a runner –up finish after defeated by Air Force-A-Manila in the 2014 Iloilo Paraw Regatta 11th National Women’s Beach Volleyball held at the Joe III Garden, February 23, 2014. t of Iloilo City grabbed the second spot followed by Phil. Air Force-BManila and South Western University of Cebu who made it to the third and

fourth places respectively. Yuri Yongco and Dhannylaine Caballejo of Air Force-A-Manila topped this year’s event as champions. Special awards were also given to Jackielyn Estoquia (IC) as Best Receiver, Floremel Rodriguez (SWU) as Best Blocker, Therese Rae Ramas (SWU) as Best Server, Yuri Yongco (PAF-A) as Best Attacker and Judy Ann Caballejo (PAF-A) as Most Valuable Player (MVP). TBaltzar,Rlatoza/IMT

Paraw teams from the towns of Leganes and Tigbauan, Iloilo retained their championship titles after besting other participating teams in Paraw Race (sailboat race) categories A and B during the 42nd Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival held at Brgy. Sto. Nino, Villa Resort, Arevalo, Iloilo City, February 15-23, 2014. Paraw entry LD owned by Wennie Demetillo of Brgy. Camangay, Leganes, Iloilo bagged as category A (waterline length ranging

City Bans...from page 1 commercial establishment or sari-sari store; placing of parasol or umbrella with tobacco product logo, or seal in commercial establishments stores and bars, and other similar establishments. Also, banned are those placing of poster, leaflet and the like outside and inside the establishment; distribution of any item containing the name, logo

DOT Launches...from page 1 30 minutes, kayaking and zip line. Another tourism project is the cruiseand drive, which will make use of the Ro-Ro in going around the islands of Western Visayas. “It’s a one-of-its-

kind here in our region”, she said. Participating provinces are Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and the two highly urbanized cities of Bacolod

and Iloilo. The launching will take place at Calle Real de Iloilo, site of the heritage buildings of Iloilo City and the pedestrianization project of city councilor Jason Gonsalez. 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.