Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 1 • Issue No 35

ILOILO

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

metropolitan VOL. I ISSUE NO. 35

times

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

September 29 - October 5, 2013 Php 12.00

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Sep 20 - 26, 2013

USD/PHP

43.4500

43.4121

43.4000

43.3775

43.3500 43.3000 43.2500

43.2238

43.2000 43.1500

43.1132 43.1000 Sep 20, 2013

43.1067 43.1123 Sep 22, 2013

43.1200 Sep 24, 2013

Sep 26, 2013

DTI PRICE MONITORING Prime Commodities (6 Sep 2013) Prime Commodities (6 Sep 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 (6 Sep 2013) Processed and Manufactured Commodities (6 Sep 2013)

Commercial Rice Regular Milled Well Milled Premium Special (Fancy) Sugar Refined Washed Brown Sugar Cooking Oil Lapad (bottle)

Current Price 33.00/kg 37.00/kg 42.00/kg 45.00/kg 45.00/kg 42.00/kg 38.00/kg

20.00

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

Current Price 120.00/kg

‘ILOILO CITY IS NOT BANKRUPT’

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. delivers his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Building. PHOTO BY: MARY PAULINE BALMES

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES “The city is not losing funds. We have not drained our coffers”, this was firmly stated by Iloilo City Treasurer Kate Tingson.

Tingson said it is not possible for the city to lose money for as long as the city does not stop collecting revenues.

“Collection does not stop. Every year we have a collection, only that we have a deadline every quarter,” she said.

Sources of fund for the city came from the collections on real property tax, business tax, land tax revenues and the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). The first three are local taxes while the last is allocated from the

national budget.

Tingson said there is a need to realign the budget to adjust on the actual expenses of the city.

“We revert our budget because since the beginning of the year, we only estimate our expenses. In the middle of the year, there are ‘unforseen’ expenses to need to be catered due to backlogs,” she added.

Tingson said that there are offices which have already spent their budget before the year ends particularly after the third quarter.

“Not all. But there are offices who are asking for the supplemental budget after they have already consumed what

was allocated for them. In the case of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), because there were more ordinances published that needs budget, we need to release their reserves before October, which is supposedly the actual releasing of realigned budget,” Tingson said.

Tingson said that everyday transaction in the office and rigid tax campaign are some factors why ever since the city has not drained its revenues.

“In fact, we have P933-M money as of August 31. All are deposits but this amount is already appropriated,”she disclosed. IMT

IMT Special: Best Practices in the Community

Guimaras, best choice for agri-eco adventure

BY: KHARIZA JOY SOFIA In next to no time, Guimaras Island will be the “top of the mind choice” for agri-eco adventure destination in the region. This is through the support of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 headed by Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, Congressman J.C. Rahman

Mila’s Hill

A. Nava, key development partners from the National Government agencies, private sector and the Civil Society Organization and local officials of the province of Guimaras.

Guimaras Island is the youngest province in Western Visayas. Blessed with diverse tourism spots, the province is setting up an image to be Mini Hotel

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an agri-tourism capital of the region.

The island province is multifaceted in terms of tourism destinations: nature-based attractions and historical, religious and heritage sites destinations.

Among the nature-based tourism spots include pristine beaches, Guimaras /p9

‘Hilmarcs got it’

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The construction of the P500 million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) at the land owned by the Megaworld along old airport in Mandurriao district here will start next month after the successful competitive bidding for participating bidders at the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-6) Tuesday last week.

DPWH-6 director Edilberto Tayao confirmed that the bidding has already finished.

It was known that the winning bidder is Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation. It has a responsive bid subject to bid evaluation and post qualification.

The approved bid price is P482 million and the winning bid is P479 million.

The bidded part of the project is the Phase I. The whole project is estimated to cost P700 million.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the construction of ICC will continue even without the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon who earlier pledged to share P250 million from his PDAF.

Mabilog said the convention will hold two important meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) by 2015 after the APEC organizing committee has already visited the city recently to finalize all the venues.

Mabilog said 23 countries in Asia will be participating in the conference with an estimated 5,000 delegates composed of foreign ministers and their working staff particularly focusing in tourism, finance, health, business and education aspects.

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

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

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

The city mayor said the All system /p5

METRO NEWS

2

METRO

on the road

DILG DILG-6 warns barangay officials from using government resources The Department of Interior and Local Government 6 (DILG-6) here warned re-electionist barangay officials not to use any government resources for their campaign more than a month before the barangay election on October 28, 2013.

DILG-6 regional director Evelyn Trompeta emphasized that government resources may be in forms of vehicles, office supplies, personnel and office hours.

To erase doubt, Trompeta said re-electionist barangay officials should secure “trip ticket” wherever they go and advised running officials not to use their office supplies as a sort of their campaign materials.

IMT- Montesa Griño-Caoyonan

OWWA

IEC campaign on values important vs. human trafficking Advocates for the prevention of human trafficking are batting for values formation, intensified information and education campaign to contain the problem.

Director Reynold Pigar of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) said that incidents of human trafficking are minimized, if not outrightly controlled, with relentless information education conducted especially in far flung areas where people are easily convinced by unscrupulous recruiters.PIA6- Elsa S. Subong

DOST

2013 Science scholarships for college students now open The Department of Science and Technology (DOST VI) is inviting college sophomores who are currently pursuing science, mathematics, and engineering courses at State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development (COE/COD) in Region VI to the 2013 S&T Scholarships for College Students.

Applicants can secure application forms at DOST Regional Office VI, Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, and SUCs in the region.

Deadline for the filing of application is on October 11, 2013 as the examination is set on November 17, 2013.

For more information, contact the DOST VI Scholarship Unit at (033) 320-0093.DOSTVILMLamasan&KCBPalabrica

Expressway not railway

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal said

that government does not consider the idea of reviving the Panay Railways and plans to turn the old railway into an expressway.

Defensor recognizes foreign aid on his SOPA

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. has recognized the foreign assistance received by the Iloilo provincial government in the implementation of several major projects in the province during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Session Hall, Iloilo Provincial Capitol Tuesday last week.

Defensor narrated that on July, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) granted US $ 7 million or P 322 million to the province for the implementation of Iloilo Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Area Health System Strengthening Project.

The governor said this project will benefit three hospitals namely Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian, Jesus Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Balasan, and Don Ricardo Provido Memorial District Hospital in Calinog, and Rural Health Centers down to municipalities of Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel, Calinog, Bingawan, Balasan, Batad, Estancia and Carles.

“This is a grant, not a loan. I made it clear that this is a gift from the generosity of Korean government”, he said.

Defensor said as soon as the Department of Finance and the Embassy of Korea reviewed the minutes of the meeting, he together with ambassador of Korea, the Secretary of Health will be signing the Records of Discussion so they could start the construction of these new facilities in the above-mentioned hospitals by March 2014.

Apart from this, the governor stressed through his representation when he was still in the Congress, the Korean government also gave the province the state-of-the-art Rice Processing Complex in Barangay

Amamaros in Pototan, which was inaugurated March last year.

“I am happy report to you and to our Korean friends that just after one year of operation, the facility realized a net gain of P 2.1 million – making it the only rice processing complex in the country, out of the four that KOICA helped establish, to report a net gain”, he said.

Also, Defensor added the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has been assisting the province in environmental management and local economic development programs which helped in the establishment of Northern Iloilo Growth Corridor as a step to promote eco-tourism in northern Iloilo.

Special mentioned also the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which supported the province’s quest to revive the wealth of Banate Bay and helped build a training facility for coastal resource management also in the said town.

Defensor also acknowledged the linkages with the German Technical Cooperation for the programs on environmental management and with the Australian Agency for International Development for capacity building in development planning.

The CIDA and Spanish Agency for International Development are both helping the province in gender and development initiatives – areas where they seek to empower our rural women to become equal partners with men in development.

“It is my pride to tell you that only last week, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and CIDA had given us an award of “Most Outstanding Local Government Unit in Women Economic Empowerment Governance” Defensor /p5

62 CCTV cameras installed

The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 recently called on implementors and leaders to initiate activities in molding inter-generational stability so as not to widen gap between generations, particularly between grandparents and grandchildren, as the country celebrates the National Family Week fromSeptember 20 to 27.

DSWD 6 Assistant Regional Director Joel Galicia said during the opening ceremonies of the weeklong celebration here in Iloilo City that it is never too late to bridge the gap and teach generations their importance to one another - for the growth and development of the young and for the self-esteem and value of oneself for elderly.PIA6Lilibeth A. French

Former Transportation and Communications Secretary and now Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II is said to be the brain of the plan.

Roxas said that instead of reviving the Panay Railways, authorities should have four-lane road network from Iloilo to Aklan.

The expressway project is seen to cost P35.6-billion and may be established through public-private partnership according to Bacal. The proposed project includes lanes from Iloilo to Roxas City, Capiz worth P11.6-billion and from Roxas to Brgy.

Caticlan, Malay, Aklan, which will cost P24-billion.

Land transportation using roads was seen as the most suitable and efficient way of traveling from one province to another such as Iloilo to Aklan.

On the other hand, Iloilo city government seeks to convert old railways into housing project site for homeless families. City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said that he will ask Malacañang to issue a Presidential Proclamation or conversion of the railways road right-of-way into relocation sites for the continuing number of informal settlers. IMT

Photo courtesy of urbika.com

APEC inspection this week

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES The team from 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) National Organizing Committee (NOC) will visit Iloilo City and conduct inspection in major areas on October 1-2, 2013.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said this is to assess if the city complies with the basic requirements for the APEC meetings.

Mabilog added that if plans push through, the city will be expecting a thousand delegates during these meetings. “The event is a big boost for the city’s economy considering the number of visitors and some of them will be staying even after the meetings are over,” he said.

About 3,000 hotel rooms are being required for the city to prepare to accommodate the visitors, of which currently, Iloilo City has a total of 2,080 rooms.

The team will pay a visit to foremost business centers and tourism destination during their tour.

Mabilog said hosting the APEC

meetings would require the city to focus on conference and airport facilities and accommodations, order and security, emergency preparedness, utilities, tourism attractions and transportation regulation.

Few months ago, APEC-NOC said Iloilo City, for the time being, has been chosen to host meetings of the Transport and Food Security Committee (with Blue Economy) on October 8 to 10, 2015 and October 15 to 18, 2015, respectively.

The APEC team, however, will keep their eyes on the preparations made by the city in an interval of six months until the conference proper on 2015.

On the other hand, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured that the construction of the P700-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) will still pursue and be completed despite the temporary restraining order (TRO) ordered by the Supreme Court on the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or ‘pork barrel’ allocation for 2013.IMT

Bill seeking 14 month pay rejected

DSWD

DSWD calls for closer enerational relationships

September 29 - October 5, 2013

BY REYMAR LATOZA Photo courtesy of Iloilo City Government

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The city government here has also installed CCTV cameras in three ‘critical areas’ in the city proper.

These cameras are stationed along Plazoleta Gay, University of the Philippines – Visayas (UPV) flyover and at corner Quezon Ledesma Street.

These cameras are being attached through the internet protocol (IP) radio system of Smart Telecom that gave free access and installation to the city government.

Mabilog said all cameras will store video recording 24/7.

In fact, the mayor said since the cameras had been operational a week ago, it helped decongest traffic woes in

these busy streets especially when there are vehicular accidents.

“We could easily send traffic aides at the area to help ease traffic jams”, he said.

Mabilog stressed three more CCTV cameras will be added soon after he already asked the City Council to supplement budget needed for these additional cameras.

The mayor said they will still identify where to place these additional cameras but he assured the public that these will be placed in populated areas where mostly people converge.

Mabilog also encouraged 180 villages to install the same so that they could easily monitor lawless elements at their area of responsibility. IMT

The Bill mandating 14th month pay for all employees in both public and private companies earned negative feedbacks from the government and the employers group in the country.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) had concurred to reject the Senate Bill 1645 filed by Senator Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III. According to DOLE, the said bill could bring burden to the employers, additional cost will be put to their shoulders that may cause closures of many commercial establishments and mass displacement of thousands of workers.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz explained that 99.6 percent of commercial establishments nationwide

are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) with a little over 10 workers and could not afford a 14th month pay.

The bill stated that all government and non-government employees will be entitled to the 14th month pay, which “shall not be less than 1/12 of the total basic salary earned by the employee within the calendar year.”

Moreover, additional pay will be given “regardless of employment status, designation and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.”

Sotto said Filipino workers usually used their 13th month pay for Christmas expenses, and they need another bonus.

Based on the record of DOLE, 2.9 million Filipinos are unemployed and 17 million underemployed.

September 29 - October 5, 2013

METRO BUSINESS

3

NGCP defends PEDC acquisition

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the operator of country’s power transmission highway is now reclassifying the 138 kilovolts (kV) double circuit transmission line or switchyard of the Panay Energy Development Corp (PEDC) located in Brgy. Ingore, La Paz district here as part of its acquisition plan.

NGCP is a partner of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation, a subsidiary of Henry Sy Jr.’s One Taipan Holdings Inc., which also controls shares of Banco De Oro while PEDC which operates operator 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant, is a subsidiary of the Global Business Power Corp (GBPC) and controlled

by Metro Bank.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza believed that PEDC should be under NGCP control because these facilities are transmission related.

Alabanza was here in Iloilo City two weeks ago to meet City Mabilog Jed Patrick Mabilog to present the corporation’s position in fully implementing the provisions of Epira.

Alabanza said under Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001, she cited Section 21 of the EPIRA which

mandates that NGCP, as TransCo’s concessionaire, is the entity solely responsible for the improvement, expansion, operation, a n d / o r maintenance of the nation’s transmission assets. It is the only entity which possesses the required technical expertise to maintain and operate the nationwide power grid.

“No other entity is legally authorized to operate transmission assets and only NGCP is competent to do it so,” Alabanza said.

PEDC vice president for operation Petronilo Madrid said once the PEDC switchyard will be classified

transmission charge of more or less P 1 piso per kilowatt-hour (kwh) which the PECO will definitely pass on to the consumers on top of its electrical bill”, he said.

Madrid said there is no direct effect to them because they will not pay any charges at all.

On their part, Peco Vice President for Operations Randy Pastolero said once the PEDC switchyard will be under the NGCP, they will oblige to pay for Photo credit by CPPARRENO the transmission charges.

“For now, we have not charging operation of the facility.

“With that, the Panay Electric any transmission charges to the Company (PECO), a sole energy customers. The plan will not affect distributor of PEDC will pay additional PECO since transmission charge as transmission asset, the NGCP will in-charge of the maintenance and

is a pass-through charge which we will collect from consumers. But we cannot let the consumers suffer from another increase in our rates that is why we will oppose this plan to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) together with the Iloilo City government in 2011”, he said.

Presently, Pastolero said they are charging P 11.50 per kwh and there will be transmission charge this will become P12.50 per kwh.

In this connection, Pastolero said they are planning to revive their old connection line in Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro district here so that they could buy power supply to other suppliers connected to grid.

“We could not sacrifice the embedded status of PECO to the existing supplies from Panay Power Corp. (PPC) and PEDC which we can achieve the same result without charging transmission charges once this old connection will be revived”, he said.

Senator President Franklin Drilon and Mabilog had obviously opposed the NGCP proposal to acquire the PEDC transmission facility.

Mabilog said once PECO is not directly connected to the Grid, this will add cost to the consumers. IMT

Back to back technology trainings for MSMEs, LGUs and NGAs slated With the aim to heighten the competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) towards a progressive countryside, the Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST VI) pushes

October is Consumer Welfare Month

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA In celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month this October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will once again carry-out consumer protection programs to continue protecting the interests of the consumers and remind them of their consumer rights.

This year, DOH will lead the festivity with the theme “Health Product Quality, Efficacy, Safety and Transparency – Everybody’s Concern”.

The series of events for the celebration include mandatory product monitoring, capacitate LGUs in dealing with consumer complaints, multisectoral dialogue and provide updates under mandatory certificate among others.

DTI will have National Standard’s Week from October 8 – 13, 2013 and will also put up another Diskwento Caravan on October 17 – 19, 2013.

Although venues are still being finalized, DTI will also hold talks about consumer rights and consumer complaints handling.

“We are trying to capacitate the local government units. That way, consumer complaints will be settled on their level and need not to be brought up in our office, which can be a hassle”, said DTI 6 Trade and Industry Development Specialist Grace M. Benedicto.

October was declared Consumer Welfare Month under the Proclamation number 1098 of 1997. The eighth month of the year provides national attention on the importance of the consumers in the country’s economy.

IMT

this continuing endeavour through the conduct technology trainings scheduled in October 2013 at DOST VI Training Room.

A seminar-workshop entitled “Understanding Iron Fortified Rice” which seeks to develop an appreciation on the process of food fortification and its corresponding benefits will be held among MSMEs, Rice Millers, National Government Agencies (NGAs), and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The MSMEs in the processed

food sector, on the other hand, will undergo trainings on Determination of Shelf-Life of Processed Foods and Introduction to Food Additives set on October 3 and 4, respectively.

These said trainings will highlight basic information on safe usage of additives and likewise provide practical knowledge and information in determining shelf-life of food.

Iloilo PSTC Director Engr.

Sheila L. Oberio said that these public trainings are essential avenues that will underscore the technologies and

technical services promoted by the various Research and Development Institutes (RDI) of DOST. Personnel from DOST- Food Nutrition and Research Institute (FNRI) and Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) will serve as lecturers and resource speakers during the event.

No registration fee is required.

Participants will be given certificates

of participation for the trainings attended. Interested participants may confirm attendance not later than September 27, 2013 as there are limited slots available.

For questions and confirmation, contact the Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Center at telephone number (033) 508-7183 or mobile number (+63) 908 888 7059.

(DOSTVI-KMU)

Iloilo Biz not affected by ‘Zambo Crisis’ - PRO

BY REYMAR LATOZA Business sector in Iloilo remained secure against rebel forces that continuously creating and spreading violence in some parts of Mindanao, according to Police Regional Office (PRO-6).

PRO-6 had assured that the ongoing Zamboanga standoff will not affect the safety of Iloilo and its people, including businessmen.

Having a growing business community, Iloilo City is among the cities in Western Visayas posted a rapid economic growth.

However, this is associated with security challenges that may affect the business sector, but chief Senior Supt. Ruperto Floro of Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said crisis in Zamboanga has no impact in the security of the city.

Floro is confident that Iloilo City’s business community is protected and out of any danger from rebel aggression in Zamboanga and the recent attacks in North Cotabato.

Prior to Zambo crisis and new rebel attacks in North Cotabato, Iloilo Business Club (IBL) executive director Lea Lara had asked ICPO to prioritize business sector in Iloilo.

Lara said ICPO should improve its crime-prevention measures to provide maximum safety among businessmen and to give high confidence to the investors as they continue to put in their money in the city and province

of Iloilo.

The standoff between Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces begun when the government ignored the independence of ‘Bangsamoro Republic’ declared by Nur Misuari, Founding chairman of MNLF, August 12 this year.

The Bangsamoro Republic is a federal state that covers Mindanao, Sulu, Palawan, and parts of Sabah and Sarawak, in Malaysia. It is headed by Misuari in Talipao Sulu.

It was September 9 when the rebel forces entered in Zamboanga, particularly in Barangay Sta. Barbara and Barangay Talon- Talon. The said attacks caused chaos in the mentioned areas.

A group of people was taken hostage by the rebels after cordoning some areas in Zambo. Rebels burned some houses and establishments.

Classes and works were suspended and civilian flights were cancelled, as the tension became high. Residents were advised to proceed to the evacuation centers provided by the Zamboanga City government.

Many were hurt and died in the said standoff. Based on the latest record of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the total number of evacuees is 110,000. The Number of houses burned had reached to 1,114, with P12.612 million estimated damage to properties.

GMA news reported that death

Photo by REUTERS/Erik De Castro toll from the fighting had reached 125, including 99 from the MNLF. Also, 117 gunmen were captured or have surrendered as of September 23.

City mayor Beng Climaco said the “sense of normalcy” is slowly starting to be felt now in Zamboanga.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, however said that they are expecting a revenge from rebel forces which may cause a new chaos.

Meanwhile, new rebel attacks had occurred in North Cotabato, creating another clash between the two forces as clearing operations are being done in parts of Zamboanga.

A report from GMA News Online said MILF is a splinter group of the MNLF, which had been considered moribund after it entered into a peace agreement with the Philippine government in 1996 and Misuari became the governor of ARMM. In 2001, Misuari was detained on rebellion charges after he allegedly ordered MNLF forces to attack government troops to prevent the holding of new elections. He was allowed to post bail in 2008. IMT

METRO TOURISM Experience the ahoy-matey craze at

BY REYMAR LATOZA A fusion of classic Pinoy favorites and modern delectable cuisine will surely entice food aficionados here in Iloilo City. Giligan’s Restaurant is a nautically-themed restaurant inside the Smallville Complex that offers distinctive version of the traditional Filipino dishes.

According to Filbert Alquiros, one of the owners of the newly opened Giligan’s Restaurant, they are bringing mouth-watering twist to the current day diner.

Crispy and creamy sisig, crunchy and juicy crispy pata, kare-kare with oozing sauce and interesting texture, hot, steamy and rich-flavored bulalo, as well as the sweet and tender pork barbeque are among the must-try dishes in Giligan’s Restaurant.

Aside from those, you can also try other dishes classified in the following: Chicken County, Green Land, United Sisig, Pork Land, Beefy Way, Seafood Island, Appetizer Republic, Dessert Cove, and Noodles Kingdom.

Mr. Alquiros said ‘all we serve are best’ and the prices are affordable. He also proudly shared the best service they are giving to their customers and he introduced their accommodating and very friendly employees.

Aside from the indulgent food, another best thing in the restaurant is their cozy place with gloomy and elegant light that relaxes everyone’s mind, submerging them in a

Giligan’s Restaurant

pleasurable dining time. The nautical design and decorations will complete your ahoymatey craze experience.

When asked how the name of the restaurant was coined, Mr. Alquiros explained that word ‘Giligan’ came from a main character of the very popular American television sitcom, ‘Giligan’s Island’ in 1960’s. First Mate Gilligan, played by Bob Denver, is the bumbling, naive, accidentprone crewman (affectionately known as “Little Buddy” by “the Skipper”) of the S.S. Minnow.

Meanwhile, Giligan’s Restaurant inside the Smallville Complex is the 28th branch opened in the country. Other owners are Gerald Garcia, Jong Alquiros, and JR Robles as partner.

Other branches were in Davao City, Quezon City, Cebu City, Pampanga, Cavite, Baguio City, Zambales, Batangas, Makati, Cavite, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Alabang, Taguig, Antipolo,and San Fernando. Other braches soon to open are in Calamba, Batangas City, and Gen. Santos City.

Giligan’s Restaurant is also accepting reservation for simple celebrations at affordable and consumable rates.IMT

Photos by Edwin Caro Laru-an

METRO ENTREPRENEUR

September 29 - October 5, 2013

5

Business for Every Juan

BY CRYSTALE MAY DE GUIA Entrepreneurship is termed as the unity of the power of ideas, as built upon the foundation of skills and resourcefulness.

Many years ago, Multi Level Marketing (MLM) or Networking has become a trendsetter here in the Philippines.

Filtrepreneur or the Filipino Entrepreneur Franchise Incorporated (FFI) was one of those who first planted their seeds in the field of networking having to own a food cart franchising business to support the continuous growth and demand of the franchising companies that sprouted all over the country.

The development of the business was so good that the company extended its arms to the provinces and that includes the Province and the City of Iloilo.

At first, it was only a test market on how receptive Ilonggo’s are with regards to their products, but it didn’t take so long for in three months, Ilonggo entrepreneurs started and tried doing business with this

franchising company starting with only one cart.

“The quality of our products here in FFI are really superb that I think it’s the main reason why small entrepreneurs and even big ones add more carts in a matter of one month after they have tried one,” said Ms. Dara Kim Robles one of the initiators of FFI here in Iloilo City.

According to Robles, the love

Defensor...from page 2

Opening of Filipino Entrepreneur Franchise Incorporated

because of successful implementation of GREAT Women Project or “GenderResponsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women.”

GREAT Women is a three-year governance and capacity-development project that aims to promote and support a gender-responsive

of the owners for the Filipino people pushed them to help more by offering them this food cart business which is very affordable, very “in” at the metro and of course the quality ingredient that they are using in all the products.

“Even to those who don’t have enough knowledge on how to do business, they don’t have to worry because FFI will help, and will guide every Juan who are interested, seminars and given to the franchisees and the crews especially when they are still starting a food cart or their business,” said Robles.

Filtrepreneur Franchise Inc. is also known to one of the leading cheapest food franchising industries

right now because of the various food carts and products that are available like the savory Happy Waffle, delicious Red Bowl rice toppings, healthy Buko Nut buko shake, O’noodle the honking style noodles, tasty Burgeroo which is buy 1 take 1, delightful Pinoy Pao with siomai and siopao as its products, Jack’s Eatabols the street food style, yummy Patatas Fries french fries-pinoy style, iMacaroni all pasta on the go, Joshawarma, flavorful Rainbow Juicer, spicy and sweet Sisig Stop, aromatic Chings Dumplings, sugary Icy Pink and tempting Jopay Siomai.

With all these food carts available and very desirable when starting a business using a small capital, every Juan will surely be captivated and will soon not complain of having their sons and daughters haven’t finished their education.IMT

environment for women’s economic empowerment, particularly those in micro enterprises.

Defensor said the province received funding assistance from CIDA for the project that is being piloted in the municipalities of Badiangan, Miagao and Pavia in the amount of P 2.7

million, where the province gave a counterpart fund of P 2.5 million.

“We received this augmentation from the international funding agencies in addition to our fund from the national government because they knew that we manage the fund properly”, he ended.IMT

‘Hilmarc’s...from page 1 commitment was initiated by the senator, who is confident to bring investors in the city.

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

On his part, Drilon assured that he will find ways to get money for

the construction of the convention center.

On top of P250 million, the Department of To u r i s m - To u r i s m Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority (DOTTIEZA) also pledged to do their share. IMT

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METRO OPINION

6

STUPID

EDITORIAL

Plagiarism

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ast week, a news on plagiarism exploded on media involving a Filipino who won in an international photo essay contest which was later discovered a stolen photo.

As an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, Mark Joseph Solis is faced with so many consequences to his actions. He has gathered a mixed opinions among fellow Filipino and international organizations particularly from institutions and netizens.

The University of Concordia defines plagiarism as “the presentation of the work of another person as one’s own or without proper acknowledgement” (Academic Code of Conduct, Article 16a).

In the Philippine context, the Philippine copyright law is enshrined in the Intellectual Property Code (IPO) of the Philippines, officially known as Republic Act No. 8293.

The law is similarly based on United States’ copyright law and the principles of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. The Philippine copyright laws also protect patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property.

Under the IPO, the copyright law is classified into 17 categories- Literature (books, pamphlets, etc.); Periodicals (newspapers, tabloids, magazines, etc.); Public speeches and other public speaking works (speeches, lectures, sermons, etc.); Letters; Television or movie scripts, choreography, and entertainment in shows; Musical works (lyrics, songs, song arrangements, etc.); Art products (drawings, paintings. sculptures, etc.); Ornamental designs and other forms of applied art (not necessarily industrial designs); Geographical, topographical, architectural, and scientific works (maps, charts, plans, etc.); Scientific and technical drawings; Photographs and cinematographic works made in a process similar to photography; Audio-visual works and cinematographic works made in a process similar to making audio-visual works; Pictures used in advertising (includes logos); Computer programs; Other works not covered in classes A-N of a literary, scholarly, scientific, or artistic nature; Sound recordings; Broadcasts.

We all have an idea of our own. It may be inspired from another’s work but we don’t have the right to claim them without crediting the owner. Moreso, if we know from the very start the consequences of these wrong actions, the more that we need to reject the idea of pursuing them.

“When you have wit of your own, it’s a pleasure to credit other people for theirs.” Criss Jami.

September 29 - October 5, 2013

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he argument of Malacanang in pursuing the legality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF is anchored on a very stupid and weak ground.

Citing the case of a 62year old woman who depends on the PDAF for her dialysis is a contention which implies that the lives of the Filipinos are dependent on the amount they get from the disposition of PDAF. Suspension or abolition of PDAF means death of all sick Filipinos.

It only shows that this government has not in any way institutionalized any government program on health

that will serve and cater to the needs of its citizens. It means an admission of the government that it failed in providing for one of the basic needs of its people.

Widening the horizon of this discussion, the government is spending approximately P24.79 B each year for pork barrel allocations of all the lawmakers.

If the amount is to be divided into 17 regions with each one given or appropriated with P1B for the establishment or improvement of a regional hospital for its infrastructures, equipment, medicine and above-par salaries of the medical staff, the government will be resolving not just the perennial problem on health but will indirectly resolve the continuous turn-over of bright minds in the medical profession.

The allocation of a billion-peso every year per region will eventually level the playing field of the medical industry. A competition will be created among all players. It will cheapen the access to all medical facilities.

The government regional hospitals as economic enterprises will be serving the people at a lower price and provide its services on a subsidized basis or cost-free to all

identified and assessed indigents.

The scheme will definitely eradicate the “political-patronage” help of legislators to their constituents. It will at the same time promote political independence of the poor from their leaders who in many instances are constrained to make a political stand election or issue –wise for fear of not being able to avail of the help they need.

The current set-up where the legislators control the release of their PDAF is not a guarantee that all their constituents can avail of their help. Given the highly personal political culture that this country has, the people in every locality who voted for who are already labeled as akon or grupo. If one belongs to the other side of the political arena the chance is not simply slim but impossible to avail of the services and other help of the ruling side.

Legislators view their PDAF as a political tool to outsmart their political enemies and at the same time cement their hold into power.

It has become a weapon to kill the opposition. PDAF has become a symbolic grip of the current political system to advance whatever whim they have. Not to mention of course that it has become the corrupt bank of this country’s leaders.

If the current administration views PDAF as an extension of the government to help its ailing people, it should stop whining that it should be returned to the legislators.

Instead, it should formulate a state policy institutionalizing the use of the appropriated PDAF budget to establish a much better health-care program and policies.

While the legislators are crying foul that the suspension of PDAF has affected not only their health programs but the other sectors as well like education, tourism, agriculture and the local governments, they have deliberately stepped on the capabilities of the agencies and LGU leaders concerned.

These legislators have argued that the power of the purse belongs to them thus it is only proper that they be given the power to appropriate is valid. The foul is committed when they interpret it in the context of PDAF. They can always appropriate the fund directly to its receivers without it having to pass thru them.

As for Malacańang, the least it can do is stop acting stupid and instead ensure that the people’s money are spent properly without it being abused by the supposed leaders of this poor country.

ANTI-BULLYING T

he Records Officer of the Commission on Human Rights Regional Office VI, Mr. Lyndon Tarronas suggested to me that I write on anti-bullying law, but I quipped that if I would be writing on this law, I might be receiving comments that I was bullying my classmates or schoolmates in elementary and high school. Not contented with my response, Mr. Tarronas showed me a copy of the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 40, series of 2012, dated May 14, 2012, known as “DepEd Child Protection Policy”.

Said Order is a general policy for child protection, against bullying included.

I remember a friend telling me her stories how she was being bullied in her school, especially during her elementary and high school days.

Most of the time she would go home crying because her classmates had always their day teasing her and telling her that she is “Medusa”, that

she is ugly, because her hair was then so kinky. Thanks to the new methods of treating hair now. She no longer looks the same way as she was more than twenty five years ago.

Somehow, our President Benigno S. Aquino III, not contented with said DepEd Order to address bullying, approved on September 12, 2013 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10627 entitled An Act Requiring All Elementary and Secondary Schools to Adopt Policies to Prevent and Address the Acts of Bullying in their Institutions. This law is otherwise known as the “AntiBullying Act of 2013.”

The law empowers the DepEd to issue its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). Such IRR is yet to be issued by the DepEd. The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 defines bullying as “any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school.”

It enumerates the following as acts of bullying, namely: “a) Any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons; b) Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche and/or emotional wellbeing; c) Any slanderous statement or accusation that causes the victim undue emotional distress like directing foul language or profanity at the target, name-calling, tormenting and commenting negatively on victim’s looks, clothes and body; and d) Cyber-bullying or any bullying done

through the use of technology or any electronic means.”

Note that if the act is not severe or repeated, then it is not bullying.

It is submitted, however, that the severity of an act is relative, and must be construed in favor of the victim, taking into consideration his or her personal circumstances, his or her physical, psychological, economic and social background.

For our closer look, the AntiBullying Act of 2013 requires: 1) the adoption of anti-bullying policies in all elementary and secondary schools, 2) the mechanisms to address bullying in schools, 3) the reporting of all relevant information and statistics on acts of bullying or retaliation, 4) and sanctions for non-compliance to the extent of suspending the operation of erring private schools.

On the adoption of antibullying policies, the law provides a leeway for schools in such a way that schools can update such policies, which must include: prohibitory acts of bullying or retaliation; the range of disciplinary administrative actions and rehabilitation program; the procedures and strategies for: reporting, investigating acts of bullying or retaliation and responding promptly to such report, with corresponding protection of the victim, witness or informant; education of students, parents and guardians on the dynamics of bullying and the anti-bullying policies of the school; and counselling for the perpetrator, victim and members of their family.

Bullying covers not only the acts done in the premises of the school. The law provides that the anti-bullying policies of schools should prohibit bullying also on property immediately adjacent to school grounds; at school-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs whether on or off school grounds; at school bus stops, or on school buses or other vehicles owned, leased or used by the school.

Such policy should also include the

prohibition of bullying through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased or used by the school.

On the mechanisms to address bullying, the law grants to the school principal or any person who holds a comparable role, the responsibility for the implementation and oversight of such anti-bullying policies.

On the matter of reporting, the bureaucratic process takes place. This starts from schools to division superintendents, then to the Secretary of the DepEd, who is likewise required to transmit a comprehensive report to Congress.

And finally on the matter of sanctions, the Secretary of the DepEd is authorized by the law to prescribe the appropriate administrative sanctions on erring school administrators, and if these administrators belong to private schools, such schools will be meted the penalty of suspension to operate. It is therefor mandatory for all elementary and secondary schools to comply what is required of them under this law.

Obviously, this is not a criminal law. Rather, it is an administrative law that strengthens the power of schools for the protection of school children, to help them fulfill their right to education, to establish for them a community or environment conducive to their learning and growth. It is a law that gives more responsibility and some teeth to the Department of Education against bullying.

This is now a specific policy of the state for child protection against bullying, a “new method” of treating bullying. With this law, I hope children will look at schools differently, beautifully, with far reaching good effect to their future.

And I guess Mr. Tarronas is very satisfied with this law, because he has an issue to protect, and though I don’t have mine, and neither that friend of mine, we share his satisfaction – all against bullying.# Send feedback to: arnoldcares@ yahoo.com

September 29 - October 5, 2013

METRO OPINION

Bekerja Sama Dan Sama-Sama Berja

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not significant until the 1860s when industrial plantation crops such as tobacco, rubber tree, coffee, cassava, sugarcane, cacao, and palm oil were planted in the surrounding vast tracts of land.

The vestige of colonialism is, however, beginning to disappear from the city landscape as original Dutch structures are being demolished to give way to modern buildings.

The inhabitants are predominantly Batak (51%) followed by Javanese (33%) and Chinese (11%). The remaining ethnic groups are represented by Minangkabau, Malay, Aceh, Sundanese, and Tamils.

My recent visit to Medan was my 10th time but I continue to be amazed by its unprecedented growth in terms of physical and economic layers. One good example is the July 25, 2013 opening of Kuala Namu International Airport (KNIA), 39 kilometers from Medan, replacing Polonia International Airport.

KNIA is the second largest airport after Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta but is the first airport in Indonesia with a direct rail link to Medan. It is also

the first airport in Indonesia with a publicly accessible check-in area. It serves as a hub for Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia AirAsia, Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, Susi Air, and Wings Air. Eighteen other domestic and international airlines also fly to and from KNIA. There is no doubt that KNIA has been planned with the open sky policy under the AEC 2015 context in mind.

Presently, it is built to handle 9 million passengers annually but is predicted to have a capacity of 30 million by 2017 and reaching 50 million passengers by 2030. With 224,298 m2 passengers’ terminal and 50,820 m2 parking space for 908 cars, 405 taxis, and 55 buses, the airport is predicted to be one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world soon.

My favorite spots near Medan, however, are the Karo Highlands in Berastagi and Parapat. Reaching up to more than 2,000 meters above sea level (asl), the mountains bestow the place with a wonderfully resplendent climate. I had recent lectures on food security in the area and I observed thousands of hectares planted to high value vegetables, strawberry, and Coffea arabica by the Batak people.

In Berastagi (1,470 meters asl), we are partnering with Universitas Quality (UQ) for the institution to host our organization’s proposed Agricultural Learning Center and English Corner since we see this as a good way of “Helping Needy Indonesians Help Themselves”.

A major tourist destination for its well-preserved rainforest, many hot springs, alluring waterfalls, scenic views, and undulating terrain as Berastagi has recently seen a drop in its number of visitors due to the eruption of nearby Mount Sinabung. The area is blanketed by sulphuric dusts and the volcano itself was still spewing ashes during my lectures at UQ. As of last week, there were 8,000 refugees taking shelter at government designated evacuation centers.

Lake Toba in Parapat is another breath-taking must-see when you are in North Sumatra since it is only about 3.5 hours away Medan. The largest (100 km long, 30 km wide) in Southeast Asia, the lake also holds the record of being the highest (900 m above sea level) and the largest volcanic lake in the world. Westerners talk of the

majestic and undulating as comparable to those in Switzerland. Although the lake is oligotrophic (nutrient-poor), 18 indigenous fish species thrive well with 10 other introduced species including tilapia.

Medan is not immune from traffic congestion due to the unique presence of becaks (motorized pedicabs) allowed to take passengers anywhere in the city.

Private vehicles compete for space with taxis and sudako (minibuses) but thousands of commuters have taken to motorbikes to navigate easily through constricted roads. Travelling outside Medan, however, is convenient because of good toll highways and railroad tracks connecting one city to another.

By collaborating and working together, the people of Medan have successfully ushered in economic progress to their city in spite of differences in religion, ethnicity, and aspirations. Filipinos in Mindanao can surely learn from the peaceful coexistence and inspiring dynamism of their Christian and Muslim brethren in Medan.

Data sources: Ministry of Tourism Indonesia Statistics and Wikipedia

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weekend that I was there turned me off.

They had this student newscast contest at the activity center, and of course, it was swamped with people who were not at the mall to shop. They caused distressful traffic to serious shoppers like me, so I said, bulininyoe. Those cheerers just blocked the hallways, and acted as if they owned the mall, so the hell with that. The same thing happened to the other mall when I chanced on it on another Sunday. They had a dance contest, and the place was packed with kibitzers and nonshoppers. Oh, did I mention that both places where so loud?

free massage that was so good that I fell asleep within the first five minutes of the therapy. I woke up rejuvenated and stress free. I also got to talk to owner Ellen Lacson, who made me very welcome. I highly recommend Shana Lac’s Spa. Call them for reservations at (033) 338.3206.

What was the last thing that you did on this vacation?

Had my glorious mane cut to a close shave. My hairdresser friend Paul Hamlin Segura gave me a crew cut. Since I first donated my hair to Locks of Love in the US last year, I have actively campaigned for people to donate their hair, too. Locks of Love makes wigs for children with cancer. I think that it is very laudable. I like the idea of being their spokesperson in the Philippines, so I lead by example.

Palanca awards night this year after my induction to the Hall of Fame last year, but I had a grander night at the Peter’s Prize awards night in Iloilo City. The Peter Solis Nery Foundation literary awards night was only attended by fifty, but it was the fifty that mattered to the literature and culture of Western Visayas. Almost everybody who is important in the literary scene of Iloilo was there. I also enjoyed the Sunday that I spent with my family in an inland resort somewhere in Iloilo. The delightful surprise was the students and teachers during my week of touring lectures. I spoke on creative writing and the humanities at WVSU, ISCOF-Dumangas, SIPC-Miag-ao, and ISCOF-Tiwi. I also conducted a two-day theatre production workshop at the Dumangas National High School.

What did you enjoy most during this visit?

Just being with people. There was a certain thrill coming back to the

What artistic events did you support during your vacation?

I watched the opera “The Restless Pilgrim,” directed by Eric

Divinagracia at the University of San Agustin on the feast day of Santa Monica. Nothing interested me in Manila so I just hung out with friends, especially my showbiz pal Jet Alcantara, who is now working in full force with his new desserts and sweets business, Sweet CherryLuv. I highly recommend their products. They’re only in Taytay, Rizal at this time, but check them out on Facebook. They might begin to deliver. Do whatever you can to get your hands on their leche flan and cassava cakes! Oh, as for artistic stuff, I went out to support the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Sineng Pambansa Masters Edition. I watched Joel Lamangan’s version of “Brokeback Mountain,” “Lihis,” with the very cornholed Jake Cuenca. Tumankaagi!

The Saturday afternoon I watched it, there were only three of us in the audience, and one walked out after the male-to-male sex scene by the river. Haha!

class chore is never a waste of time.

Next point: Students are social beings.

The smallest unit in the classroom is not the student. It is the sub-group of students. We must watch how they arrange themselves into various cliques. Tread this reality carefully for one student hurt or insulted may mean hurting or insulting the whole herd. This may also work in a positive way. Knowing the dynamics of these small groups gives us better options and clearer perspectives how to deal with them. We can make use of these social dynamics to our end, ensuring maximized learning environment, saturating critical mass, and eventually enhancing classroom management.

However, as cliques are given focus, we must also keep an eye on those in the margins and frontiers. It’s easy to want to be the popular teacher and get in with the popular kids. But we must never forget the learners on the edges and corners. Note that many successful people, loner in their early age, have cited particular teachers who went out of their way and pushed them enough to do better in school, and eventually in life.

Hence, the next point: Students deserve our respect.

Believe me. They are human, after all, even if they don’t always act or smell like it.

We can laugh with them. To be truthful, they can be brutally funny.

But we must not, however, scapegoat a

student or fall prey to a mob mentality.

We must not abuse our power over them. We are modeling what it means to be an adult. Instead of pandering to them, we can help elevate them.

One way is to be real. Students have a sixth sense for detecting silliness and we don’t need to force ourselves to be relevant to be liked. We need to be ourselves, our adult self, and give them an example of the type of adult they can aspire to be.

Students deplore hypocrisy and demand for consistency. For instance, we must never let students see us texting if is prohibited in school. We should not demand to be always on time or to produce better outputs if we ourselves are always late or do mediocre things. As soon as they know we do not “walk our talk,” they will just walk out from your class or shut down from our rants.

Besides, we must not make our students the center of our life because we are not the center of their lives.

I have seen new teachers treat their students as if it is the end-all-and-beall of things. Do not get me wrong, our students are vitally important to us (it is your job, after all) but we have to remember who is at the heart of our life-God. Another controversial point: Kids cheat.

Don’t take it personally. It is just that if a warm body is pushed against the wall, and there is this easy way out, human nature will tell us to take

it for survival purposes. That is why we must be ultra conscious in giving assessments. Pro-activeness is the key.

We must never give them the venue or even the chance to consider cheating their way out of the test. It is in this way that they catch and appreciate the values of self-confidence, authenticity, and intellectual honesty.

Do not get me wrong. I am not overly pessimistic or seemingly Machiavellian here. This is simply a recognition of the reality of original sin in the world. As a wise Jesuit teacher once quipped, “See nothing, but observe everything.” Hence, be alert and vigilant!

Nonetheless, we can always tell the students not to do this or that.

But then again, the best teacher is our person. As we demand for academic faithfulness from them, we must also consistently show them how honesty is done in the way we deliver our lessons, give evaluations, and deal with moral issues and dilemmas. This way they can catch the attitude from us and embrace it more permanently.

Now, for other random points: Parents can be our most effective partners. If there are any problems with students, let the parents know immediately. If the teachers and the parents can work this out well, then the students can be helped more—24/7 this time. The same is true with our school authorities and in-school partners (principal, subject Tips for /p9

he above B a h a s a Indonesia slogan means “Collaborating and Working Together”. This fits well with the current diversity and prosperity of Medan, capital of North Sumatra.

Medan is the fourth largest city of Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung. With a metro area of 2,739.92 km2, it has a population of about 4.8 million or 2.8 times and 11 times larger than Iloilo City, respectively.

It started as a village in the 1590s and officially became a city in 1918.

There are conflicting views on how Medan obtained its name. According to a Portuguese merchant, it was derived from the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Another account mentions that it came from the Hindi word Maidan which means “ground” or “land”.

The Karo-Indonesian dictionary, on the other hand, defines Medan as “recover” or “be better”.

Although the Dutch colonists started governing Medan in 1658, its growth and development were aving been away for more than six years, what are your new impressions of Iloilo City?

Loud. I think that Iloilo has become a very noisy, cramped, and stressful city. The streets are full of screaming tarpaulins, and various campaigns and promotional advertisements. Every little tot has become an achiever, and this is broadcasted in big, colorful, driving distractive tarpaulin announcements.

I can’t wait for these overachievers to become presidents of the country, all three thousand of them all at once. I’m so happy nobody announced in tarps my Palanca Hall of Fame triumph last year. Tarps in Iloilo City would have cheapened my great achievement.

Did you do some shopping in Iloilo City?

No. The crowds at SM City on a

Did you enjoy any beauty spa treatment during your visit?

Yes, I did. I have always enjoyed cheap massages in the Philippines. I have a favorite spa in Iloilo City, but they don’t give me a break so I won’t mention the name to promote them.

There’s Shana Lac’s Spa at Adelina Building, corner Jalandoni and Gen. Luna Streets, however, that gave me a

Tips for neophytes

BY DR. HERMAN M. LAGON

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7

HE REAL deal is always in the classroom. This is the dreaded reality that all new teachers must embrace regardless of their teaching pedigree, academic medals, or extracurricular experience.

Most of the time, the greenhorns find it rocky to trek through the calvary of school work. Minus the demand in terms of pedagogy and content, the nastiest stumbling block is the students themselves. It is as if every day is a puzzle to crack; every student is a riddle to solve.

I chanced upon an article from The Jesuit Post authored by Jesuit priest Ryan Duns where he offered some “bag of tricks” for new teachers.

Blending it with my own experience as a teacher for 13 years, I am presenting some hodgepodge points to reflect upon. Some things may be sensible to some, other may find it strange.

Nonetheless, I am presenting it to you, dear fellow teachers, hoping that it will end up helpful to those who will make use of it, tantum quantum.

Let me start by this one touchy point: Teenagers are not shallow.

Yes, these young ones may be clueless of this but they do think deep.

This is precisely the reason why we teachers must extend conscious help to uncover “latent gifts and hidden

depths” of these learners.

One way is to ask in-depth, HOTS, leading questions. We may also develop strategies to talk about sensitive issues giving these young thinkers the leeway to engage with each other. Beyond content, we are teaching a style of thinking and a way of processing evidence, a way of being human.

Students also appreciate teachers who listen to and discourse with them.

Hence, it won’t hurt if we take time to read, and comment, on any written work of students. A lone check mark or just a score grade in a kid’s essay or solution is a downer. The best things to do, among others, are to take a few seconds and write a comment, or ask a question. It is in this way that we learn a great deal about our students and give an opening for further conversations.

Consequently, we must pain ourselves to anchor our lessons to students’ world. In short, consciously convince them in the most spontaneous way that what we are talking or covering about has significance to their way of life. It is ultimately relevant to the present reality. “What is this for?” students always ask us, usually innocently. We must personify our answer to this question in the classroom convince that our lesson does make sense and

cl assified ads

September 29 - October 5, 2013

DENR sees faster disposition of land, forestry cases The Department of Environment and Natural Resources here is bent on applying the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) with Mediation to help unclog court dockets of cases involving lands and forestry matters.

To pursue this, the agency conducted a two-day Pre-Internship Orientation on the ADR among its line officers to equip them with knowledge and skills to handle the task.

DENR-6 Regional Technical Director for Ecosystem Research and Development Service Alicia Lustica told the trainees that the realm of mediation demands of its practitioners “fathomless patience and perseverance that borders on self-sacrifice.”

“Here, you come to face intimate revelations, dramatic narration of events that show conflict and apathy, pride and emotion,” Lustica said.

Republic Act 9285 or the ADR Law provides for the adoption of the ADR to resolve disputes other than by adjudication of any magistrate, court or tribunal.

Dir. Lustica said that DENR has adopted the ADR through Administrative Order No. 2005-18 or the Adoption of ADR Principles and Procedures in the Resolution of Appropriate Environment and Natural Resources Conflicts.

“We are putting in place a system to summon prospective litigants to a conference aimed at settling their differences and avoid long, tedious,

METRO AGRICULTURE

9

Tilanggit to replace danggit in the market

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Tilanggit, a tilapia processed danggit-style, is foreseen to have an economic potential according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Danggit or dried rabbitfish is a popular processed fish product known for its taste and aroma. Tilapia raisers want to produce tilanggit on a commercial scale for tilapia has seen to be more profitable for its meat.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) began to find ways of commercializing tilanggit production and developing the market for the product.

Vianney Gapuz, head of the Community-based Participatory Action Research of BFAR in Region 10 said that several cooperatives in the region has been identified to participate in the project.

“As male tilapia grows faster and bigger than female tilapia, after segregation at 50-80 grams, the remaining female tilapia are processed into tilanggit, since only the male tilapia are cultured up to the desired harvest size of 250 – 450 grams,” said Gapuz.

Tilanggit production can become a good source of alternative livelihood but it is seen to be seasonal activity as

the production depends on the supply of quality tilapia.

BFAR began to promote tilanggit through featuring the commodity in the 9th National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition organized by DA-BFAR. “We need to develop tilanggit into a commercial product wherein it will be a regular demand in the grocery market,” Gapuz disclosed.PhilStar/IMT

Farmers see better productivity with P7-M agri support Farmer members of the PALACATI-AN Irrigator’s Association in the province of Iloilo are looking forward to an improved productivity and quality of life with the P7 million worth of support facilities and equipment from the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala personally handed the certificates of turn-over of the P6,000,000.00 Rice Processing Complex I and P1,000,000.00 worth four-wheel tractor to Eduardo Alcasaren, President of the said

irrigator’s association in a ceremony held at Brgy. Tigum, Pavia, Iloilo, September 17.

“We are very grateful for these support - the Rice Complex and the tractor because we see that these will add or improve our productivity as well as the quality of our life especially of our children,” said Alcasaren whose association continues to receive incentives from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for its good performance in Irrigation Service Fee Collection.

expensive and burdensome litigation,” Lustica said.

DENR-6 has put up a Mediation Service Center serving as a component unit of ADR, which will become fully operational once the mediators pass the internship stage and accredited by the Philippine Mediation Center of the Philippines.

The 40 participants of the ADR Pre-Internship Orientation were able to formulate the DENR6 ADR Mediation Operations Manual during the activity, under the guidance of Maria Carmela Kuizon, a Supreme Court-Annexed Mediator, and Atty. Noel Empleo, DENR-6 Legal Division Chief. (JCM/ELSA S.SUBONG-PIA6/PIA-6)

SICOGON DEVELOPMENT. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 led by Regional Executive Director Adeluisa G. Siapno (right photo) and officials of the Sicogon Development Corp.

(SIDECO) led by Edmundo Sarrosa (2nd from right, upper left photo) had recently sat down in a conference to tackle development issues in the island of Sicogon. DENR Photo

agri-tourism products such as “Pick and Pay”; eco-adventure products that could be in the form of mangrove-eco tour; experiential or CommunityBased Rural Tourism (also considered as excursion); nautical or marine sports tourism products, which includes island hopping to some of the famous Guimaras islets and rock formation; Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition ( MICE ) to small group participants only; and adventure activities such as rapelling, zipline and target shooting, paint ball war games, mountain biking, spelunking and motocross in Guimaras Adventure

Park, Camp Alfredo, Guimaras Combati Pistol and Rifle Firing Range.

Newly elected Governor Samuel T. Gumarin, a medical specialist, said that with such abundant potentials of the province, enhancing the medical facilities to provide the needs of the residents and the visitors is also a must.

Gumarin added that with the collaborative efforts of the tourism industry related groups, amenities and tourism facilities could possibly improved for better wide-ranging tourism experiences and activities to tourists and deliver only the best services to customers.

PALACATI-AN Irrigator’s Association is composed of 452 registered members from the Barangays of Pagsanga-an, Cabugao Norte, Tigum and Anilao in Pavia town and Lapayon in Leganes. The organization has a total service area of 810 hectares and has 100 percent cropping intensity.

In his message during the event that was also attended by USEC Dante Delima, Congressman Arcadio Gorriceta, Governor Arthur Defensor, Mayor Michael Gorriceta

and local officials, Alcala told farmer beneficiaries that with their good performance they were able to get the attention of the government and receive this kind of assistance.

He said the support provided to farmers is just one of the first steps in the attainment of the thrust of the present administration towards inclusive growth.

“From time to time naririnig po natin ang inclusive growth, kung ano po ito dapat iisa ang ibig sabihin – pag nagsimula ang tulong sa ibaba hanggang sa itaas kasa-kasama at dapat magsimula po sa inyo ang pagtulong,” said Alcala who after the turn-over ceremony rode on the Rice Combine Harvester and Reaper which was introduced to farmers in line with the rice mechanization program of the Department of Agriculture during a Field Demonstration.

Alcala also interacted with more than 800 farmers from the different Irrigator’s Associations in the province during a Farmers’ Forum held at Western Visayas Agriculture Research Center at Brgy. Hamungaya, Jaro.

The turn-over ceremony, Field Day and the Farmers’ Forum were part of the Rice Harvest Festival organized by the NIA and DA. (JCM/ LILIBETH A. FRENCH/PIA6)

Guimaras...from page 1 coves, caves, islets, rock formations, panoramic, land and seascapes which include exciting and challenging uphills and downhills terrains that had been an attraction for mountain bikers all over the Philippines. Meanwhile, Bala-an Bukid Shrine, Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery, the Consolers Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Navalas Church (considered as the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Guimaras), Roca Encantada, General McArthur’s Wharf built in 1903, Punta Blaco Target Range and Camp Jossman Headquarters are among the heritage sites.

Guimaras Island also boasts its

Tips for...from page 7 area supervisors, guidance councilors, discipline head, class adviser, coteachers, etc.). Once they are aware of the context, they can always go out of their way and collaborate with you to help the one that binds you all—your students.

We must judiciously craft appropriate assignments, projects, or assessment tools to help students discover things on their own.

Stretching them is a good thing, especially if we encourage them and help build their confidence. This is a generation often afraid of being wrong. We must therefore embolden them to ask the right questions, even if they get it wrong sometimes. They must also teach them how to welcome challenges and accept criticisms like a learned adult does it. In the words of Socrates, “the more one knows, the more he knows less.”

It’s always better to over-prepare than to under-prepare. Most students repay good preparation with good participation. They know if you are just teaching to teach or just to survive

the day. Hence, make sure that a lesson plan or at least a bullet plan for the day is always ready to be delivered fresh and furious in class. Visual aids and novel strategies are proofs of good preparation. Just make sure that they fit in the standard competencies and objectives of your curriculum.

Lastly, love them. Long after they have left our classroom, years after they have forgotten the content of our course, they will remember you.

You are, whether you like it or not, assuming a role in their life’s story.

Will you contribute a chapter or a footnote? Will you allow yourself to be a major character or will you play but a supporting role? Your guess is as good as mine.

AMDG ### Dr. Herman Lagon is president of MTAP-IC, Inc. and assistant principal of Ateneo de Iloilo High School Department. He is a recipient of national and regional awards as best private school teacher and best school paper adviser.

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IBL

Iloilo Basketball Leauge

METRO SPORTS

CPU kneels down to Westbridge

BY REYMAR LATOZA Westbridge turned Central Philippine University (CPU) upside down, after defeating them in their second match in the Developmental Basketball tournament finals.

From a loss in game one, Westbridge succeeded to trample CPU cagers, finishing the said game with 14-point margin.

The game is more physical as the two showed their heart-stopping performance inside the court.

In the first quarter, Westbridge set their edge against CPU, 17-6.

CPU tried to bounce back, but they were still short of 6 points, 2519.

In the third quarter, Westbridge maintained its domination, securing its edge over CPU, 14-32.

In the last quarter, Westbridge’s lead continued to expand despite of the three consecutive 3-point shots of Jerusalem from CPU.

Both teams now have one-win record.

The said tournament was organized by Iloilo Basketball League (IBL) which aims to discover and develop potential Ilonggo Basketball players in the metro.IMT

1st Guv’s Cup ‘The Media Games’ kicks off

BY REYMAR LATOZA The competition continues, but this time inside the court. Rating game is temporarily set aside, converting survey forms to a score board. All their cameras, microphones, and pens were left out of the baseline as the ball starts to roll inside the basketball court.

Media organizations in Iloilo converge for a friendly basketball tournament in the first Gov. Arthur Defensor Cup “The Media Games” which opened last week at the Iloilo Sport’s Complex’s covered gym.

Reporters, anchors, writers and other personnel from Print and broadcast media showed an exciting heated up actions. The participating teams were from DyFM Bombo Radyo, DyRI RMN, RGMA, GMA and ABS-CBN. Panay News and The Daily Guardian volt in as one team representing print media in the said

tournament.

Present in the opening was Vice Gov. Raul Tupas who officially opened the games.

He said this tournament is believed to strengthen the relationship of all media organizations in Iloilo.

In game 1, RMN defeated Bombo Radyo.

In game 2, ‘Kapuso’ team trampled ‘Kapamilya’ group.

In game 3, RGMA won over print media team after edging 2 shots, 55-51.IMT

September 29 - October 5, 2013

September 29 - October 5, 2013

MetroMisc Behind the Bars

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES For many years now, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has been consistent in giving its inmates valuable life despite being imprisoned by involving them to activities that would uplift their morale.

We see them being condemned by many because of their unfavourable actions done way back when they were outside the bars. We think of them as offenders of the society, or criminals on its highest form. But, sometimes we, too, over-generalize them.

Behind the bars, little souls are also uplifted. Through their livelihood programs, the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) inmates are back in track again to make Christmas lanterns and prove everyone that there are room for changes.

The agency is also preparing the works of their inmates in the upcoming National Correctional Consciousness Week this coming October 2013.

Aside from Christmas decors and lanterns, other products will also be displayed for auction like flower vases made of paper folding, miniature products made of bamboo, among others. These products show the craftsmanship of the inmates using indigenous materials.

While being apart from their families and loved ones, the inmates consider these activities an avenue for them to at least appreciate the reason why they are there. IMT

EDUCATION AND BUSINESS

BY CRYSTALE MAY DE GUIA Education is a key to success.

This saying may be old for some, but for the young business partners, Qatna and Prince, education is really their reason why and how they became entrepreneurs at a young age.

Their walks of life are different from other youths. At 18, they strive very hard to work in a networking business and eventually own a store - the Elegant Twist Creation or commonly known as ‘ETC’.

ETC started earlier this year.

It was Prince’s hobby to wear and collect good woods, t-shirts and other things that were trendy nowadays.

With a capital of Php1,000.00, Qatna and Prince decided to open their business here in Iloilo City far from their homelands. It may be a hard decision for the both of them but it turned out to be a very good decision.

“I want to prove to my family that I can be as independent as I can

because they taught me how and they are very supportive of it. This is also one way to show them that at a very young age, we can send ourselves to school through this business of ours,” said Qatna.

With patience and perseverance to their works of art, they realized that they are now on the middle of their journey; they now have their online store and Iloilo City as their base of operation.

ETC sells affordable, cool and imported good wood products such as necklace and bracelets, acrylics, snapbacks, ETC T-shirt brands, sling bags, G-shock replica (perfect copy), Jordan shoes and other stuffs that are all suited not only for the young individuals but also for the young at hearts.

Being young is not a hindrance to reach ones goal. Most of all, money is never a problem when one wants to finish school. It for us to be happy with our

sacrifices and how we commit ourselves to whatever is ahead of us.

The business partners, Qatna and Prince, are currently studying at ABE Business College here in Iloilo both taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

ETC is located at #30 Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City beside NicNic, inside Laptop Specialist and near Porras Funeral Homes or you m a y a l s o contact them at 0 9 2 6 6824380.

IMT

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