Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 1 • Issue no 41 by trIsofT

ILOILO

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

metropolitan VOL. I ISSUE NO. 41

times

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

November 10 - 16, 2013 Php 12.00

Revelation 14:7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Nov 1 - 7, 2013

USD/PHP

43.3750

43.3585

43.3500

43.3585 43.3460

43.3250 43.3000

43.2938

43.2807

43.2750

43.2685

43.2500 43.2250 43.2249 43.2000 Nov 1, 2013

Nov 3, 2013

Nov 5, 2013

Nov 7, 2013

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

‘JM BASA, CAR FREE’ 20.00

Current Price 120.00/kg

18 out of 25 heritage structures declared by the Iloilo City Council were suitated along JM Basa Street. (Photo credits to Ramil G. Lumauag)

BY REYMAR LATOZA

Walkers and bikers as well as tourists will enjoy and appreciate the Iloilo City’s heritage structures situated in the downtown center if road pedestrianization will be approved by the Iloilo City council. City councilor Jason Gonzales is proposing to close the street junctions from JM Basa and Arroyo to JM Basa and Mapa every weekend starting 5 p.m. of Saturday to 11: 59 p.m. of Sunday. Based on the proposal, the experiment will run for one month starting November 30 to December 28, 2013. Gonzales said that the road pedestrianization would explore the viability of a vision set forth in the 20112020 Iloilo Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Clup) in consonance with plans of the city for the revitalization of the central business district and restoration of heritage structures along the street. He explained that making one of the most significant places in Iloilo City – Calle Real a public park would highlight the 18 of 25 heritage structures declared by the city council. “Calle Real can compete with other international cities

with its walkable street with dotted heritage buildings,” Gonzales said. Of 18 heritage structures, 10 were already restored. He added that the plan would also open a good opportunity for business groups. “People who walk are most likely to buy products than those who are riding. “ Aside from tourism and economic impact, the said plan also promotes healthy lifestyle by disallowing public utility vehicles and private cars for walking. Gonzales cited the Road Revolution Plan of lawyer

Antonio Oposa, an award winning environmentalist that only two percent of Filipinos have cars yet they occupy a huge portion of the road. He supports Oposa’s advocacy that road should be equally shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and car owners. “Pedestrians were not considered in the traditional planning for efficient traffic,” Gonzales said. Meanwhile, the proposal was already referred to the committees on tourism and transportation. PNA/IMT

IMT EXCLUSIVE

No evidence against me – Espinosa BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA “It was a projected-image”, said newly-elected barangay kagawad Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa of Barangay Monica, City Proper, Iloilo. This after his name is continuously linked to drugs. Espinosa explained that everything boils down to an unfinished family feud that started years ago. He added that one of the main reasons he entered politics is to prove those who are accusing him of drug handling wrong. “They are the ones who are projecting that (‘drug handling’) image on me. Long before I entered politics, I was never raid or arrested by the police because of drugs”, Espinosa said.

Kagawad-elect Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa of Brgy. Monica City Proper He further added that his critics never proved anything against him. He was clean and even the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agreed. But he said that his critics don’t believe it and it’s all going down to ‘personalan’. No evidence /p10

METRO NEWS

METRO

on the road

OMBUDSMAN Ombud’s caravan of government services slates Guimaras

The island of Guimaras is the next stop of the Ombudsman’s Caravan of Services, on November 15. In an Executive Briefing with the Regional Association of National Government Executives (RANGE) previously conducted there, newlyelected Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin said he wanted to bring the agencies to his province so that his constituents can avail of services they never had before. On top of actual delivery of social and medical services, the caravan also generates pledges of commitments from various partners to continue giving their assistance, as the caravan’s guiding principle is “Commitment to Public Service.” JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo

COMELEC

Submission of poll expense reports mandatory The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office here reminded candidates in the recently concluded barangay elections to file their Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by November 27. City Assistant Election Officer Jonathan Sayno said that barangay candidates who may have won, lost and withdrew in the last barangay elections need to submit their SOCEs not later than 30 days after elections. SOCEs are sworn statements detailing all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election and are required by the Omnibus Election Code. The Omnibus Election Code states that all candidates are required to file their SOCEs to the Comelec within 30 days after election day containing “the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election”.PIA6

Iloilo City Hall

NGOs urged for accreditation The Iloilo City government is inviting NGOs, CSOs, People’s Organizations here to apply for accreditation or renew their existing accreditations with the Sangguniang Panlungsod in order to participate in the local governance & representation in the Local Special Bodies such as Local Devt. Council & Local Health Board, among others. Application forms are available at the SP Office & Iloilo City Planning & Devt. Office, City Hall. PIA6

Writ of Amparo filed against Sicogon owners et. al.

BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN

One of the members of the Federation of Sicogon Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (FESIFFA) filed a writ of amparo against Sicogon Development Corporation (SIDECO), police officials and Carles Mayor Arnold Betita for violating the right to life, liberty and security. On October 31, 2013, respondent Rowaldo Macario of Brgy. Alipata, Sicogon Island in Carles , Iloilo had filed petition at the Court of Appeals against Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, director of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Carles chief of police Senior Insp. Rodelon Betita, Mayor Betita and Sarrosa clan – Lemuel, Edgardo, Edmund and Gerry. The court has ordered respondents to answer the complaint within five days upon receipt. Macario said all police officials including the local government of Carles failed to prevent and address the harassment and threats being done to the residents of the island. He added the police officials and their mayor failed to respond effectively to the

instances when the armed goons of the Sarrosa harassed and threatened them. The complainant added that these police officials have often even sided with the Sarrosa whom he said practically control the island. He also said that the Sarrosa have organized armed groups and used them to harass and threaten the residents of the island. In fact, Macario said that on September 17, he was ordered by the Sarrosa through their security guards to vacate their house together with his family without even observing a due process. As a result, he was forced to leave the area and decided to live with his daughter in Cavite. Unfortunately, Salinas said the case has been unfair to them since they are just doing their obligation to maintain peace and order at the island. “We are doing our job well but these people whom we are protecting treated us like useless. I don’t know what kind of security level they are asking for since we have augmented eight policemen at the area and soon will be placing a police station there”, he said contrary to what Macario

Tornado-prone residents told to transfer homes BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised families living along identified tornado alley areas in the province to transfer their houses in safe place to prevent further incidents. Tornado alley is a colloquial term used where tornadoes are most frequent. PDRRMO executive officer Jerry Bionat said the recent tornado incidents recorded in four towns of Oton, Pavia, Barotac Nuevo and San Miguel were already identified as tornado alley. Bionat said there is no remedy for an area considered as tornado alley except to vacate the area or be prepared for any eventuality.

“This is a natural calamity or hazard. The tornado will keep coming back as long as the area is considered a tornado alley”, he said. Bionat said other towns with history of tornado incidents were Pototan, Badiangan and Dumangas, among others. In Iloilo, the recent tornadoes damaged 185 houses, of which 115 partially and 70 totally. Bionat said a state of calamity cannot be declared in the affected areas since the extent of damage is minimal or did not affect at least 20 percent of the areas’ population. He said he has already submitted the partial list of the damaged houses to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. for the release of financial assistance. IMT

New public cemetery mulled

DA-6 and the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC) SEED Foundation recently launched the P5-million worth Organic Production Complex at Barangay Talibong, Zarraga, Iloilo. Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo led the blessing ceremony of the organic livestock building, multiple warehouse, organic concoction laboratory, seed bank, feed mill building, screen house and staff house.PIA6

claimed that they have been negligence to their job. Salinas said instead the issue will focus on the distribution of lands facilitated by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the issue has now diverted to them. “Whoever behind this has just destroyed the harmonious working relationship with those who are helping the island. We do not need to paint anyone being negligent and irresponsible. The truth is there was somebody who wants to make name out from it”, he said. Salinas said he wanted to emphasize that what they are doing is for the general welfare of everybody in the island since all the complaints have been given actions. Betita also expressed sadness over the tension and the recent case filed against him and members of the

Philippine National Police (PNP). He said if those complainants could only realize the importance of development at the island, they are the ones could benefit more from it. “The tension has caused idle development”, he said. Betita, however, stressed that despite of it, the private investors are still willing to go on with the project as the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between them and SIDECO has already approved. It could be recalled that the land dispute arise again after the start of the multi-million redevelopment project in the island this June which displaced residents living in three affected villages of San Fernando, Alipata and Buaya. The conflict also triggered when several members of FESSIFA questioned the lot grant by the DAR-6 to alleged fake claimants. IMT

$7M Korean grant benefits 8 more LGUs BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN Eight more Local Government Units (LGUs) in Iloilo will also benefit health services from the 7 million US dollars grant of Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for upgrading three district hospitals here. The three district hospitals are Aleosan in Alimodian town, Jesus M. Colmenares in Balasan and Ricardo S. Provido Sr. Memorial in Calinog. Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. said neighboring towns such as Leon, San Miguel, Bingawan, Lambunao, Passi City, Batad, Estancia and Carles which are near from these three district hospitals could also avail improvement capability building for their health centers. Since the record of discussion for the grant and the implementation of Iloilo Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) Health System Strengthening Project has been signed already by both parties last week of October, the construction started and expected to be completed by 2015. Some major changes will be upgraded for Aleosan district hospital which includes space and functional expansion, additional inpatient bed

capacity for private ward, additional space for operating room and provision of necessary medical equipment. A space expansion and additional inpatient bed capacity for private ward, additional space for emergency room and provision of necessary medical equipment are also up for Calinog district hospital. Functional upgrade also for Balasan district hospital including additional space for operating room, additional space for normal delivery and provision of necessary medical equipment. Defensor said the project will ensure indigent residents of easy accessible to health care services, strengthen the health referral system and enhance health facility modernization. Once finished, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said they expect 50% reduction in the three hospitals’ infant and maternal mortality rate or from 39 to 20 deaths per 100,000 cases. Increased in contraceptive prevalence rate from 35% to 65% and health facility delivery from 65% to 80% are also expected from the project. IMT

DTI-6 monitors basic commodities as Christmas holiday nears BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN

P5-million organic complex launched

November 10 - 16, 2013

Spaces in Jaro cemetry are fully occupied . Photo by: Reymar Latoza BY MARY PAULINE BALMES Due to the overcrowding in public cemeteries, the Iloilo City government plans to put up additional public cemetery to ease the congestion. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog disclosed that the city is looking for a small lot anywhere in the city suitable for the said project. “Even a one-hectare land will do,” he said. The new cemetery, when realized, aims to eliminate accidents and

organize the point of entry and exit of visitors in the vicinity. Brgy. Tanza, City Proper and in La Paz district were identified to be the most crowded in the city. The Jaro parish supports this move as spaces in the cemetery by this time are limited and will no longer be available by 2016. Another suggestion is to put up a columbarium, an organized storage facility of cinerary urns, to save spaces. IMT

More than two months before Christmas, the Department of Trade and Industry- Iloilo is now monitoring prices of basic commodities from the markets to make sure that dealers are following the “suggested retail price”. DTI- Iloilo Manager Wilhelm Malones admitted that mostly starting this month up to December, prices of some basic commodities like sardines, milk, soap, and other wheat products are increasing. On the other hand, Malones cautioned the public in buying Christmas lights. He said consumers must look for Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or Philippine National Standards (PNS) marks before buying to ensure that these products undergo tests and inspections. “Items are cheap and dangerous

without these marks”, he said. He added that buyers should also look for safety warnings printed outside the packages of the Christmas lights. Some of these safety warnings are: • Do not cascade/attach more than three or the recommended sets of Christmas lights to avoid overloading. • Disconnect from the power supply before removing or inserting any lamp. • Avoid damage to insulation. • Failed lamps must be replaced immediately by lamps of the same rated voltage and wattage to avoid overheating. Malones added that for further safety, lighted Christmas lights should not be left unattended at home or offices. IMT

METRO BUSINESS IBC appeals for lower wage increase

November 10 - 16, 2013

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

“The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) could have conducted stricter studies on wage increase”, Maria Lea Victoria Lara, Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director said. Lara appealed after the RTWPB of Western Visayas approved a new wage order that grants P10 increase in the salaries of minimum wage earners in the private sector. Under the said wage order, workers employed in non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishment employing more than 10 workers will receive P287 daily while those who are employing 10 workers and below will receive P245. Lara said that they are hoping for a lower increase, like P5. “Trades in the region are not the same as that of the National Capital Region. Most of the business here are micro-enterprise’, Lara added. Lara further added that majority of the business operations are service. Every establishment has its own

dynamics and there are no marginal prices. Lara explained that unlike in capitalization where they have several leverages to find additional fund. She said that since she became the executive director of IBC in 2004, there has been several wage increase yearly. “I hope the wage increase would try to rest for awhile, Lara appealed. Lara also said that they respect the sentiments of the laborers but she remarked that minimum wage is not a reflection of human resources. “ T h e increase affects

the cost of doing business. Some will have to suffer the consequence of cutting their operations”, she declared. Nevertheless, IBC executive director said that at present, they don’t have other choice but to comply with the wage order. IMT

Photo courtesy of: DOLE 6

Filipinos both an optimistic buyer and saver BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Filipinos remain among the world’s most optimistic buyers globally according to the recent consumer confidence findings from market analyst Nielsen. According to a statement released by Nielsen, 49 percent of the Filipinos answered they were optimistic that it was a good time to buy in the next 12 months. This then places the Filipinos among the top 10 optimistic consumers worldwide. Nielsen Philippines Managing Director Stuart Jamieson said that they are expecting the positive outlook of the Filipinos to continue until the remaining days of this year. “Consistent with the confidence findings, we see that consumers are planning to increase their spending across the industries, Jamieson said. After covering the basic living expenses, some 32 percent of Filipino online said that they will spend their money on new clothes, 25 percent said they will pay off their debts and another 25 percent will spend their money on vacation and holidays. Filipinos were also among other Asians who plan to spend their money on technology products as 29 percent of the respondents said that they will spend for tech-gadgets. Maria Lea Victoria Lara, executive director of Iloilo Business Club comment that everything boils

Money supply grows 31% in Sept.

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The country’s money supply grew by 31.0 percent in September, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). T h e central bank said in a statement that domestic liquidity as measured by M3 grew at an annualized 31.0 percent to P6.2 trillion in September. M3 – the broadest measure of money – i n c l u d e s currencies in circulation, bank deposits, and money market funds among other highly liquid assets. This reflects new international

reporting standards, and the central bank is still updating data prior to December 2002. Despite this multi-year high in money supply expansion, inflation is staying on the tepid side in a highly liquid financial market that is deemed a temporary phenomenon. The statement also said that money supply growth was driven largely by the sustained expansion in domestic claims, or credits to the domestic economy.... in line with faster growth in bank lending. GMANews reported loans extended by commercial banks grew by 15.8 percent in September from the 14.2 percent recorded in August. Including placements with the central bank, lending growth quickened to 14.6 percent from 13.0 percent. The bulk, or more than fourfifths of banks’ total loan portfolio, comprised of lending for production activities, which expanded by 14.6 percent in September from 13.1 percent in August. GMANews/IMT

Wages in WV hikes P10

BY REYMAR LATOZA

Photo courtesy of: Rappler down to the purchasing power of the Filipinos. “It is part of the culture”, she added. On the contrary, despite the optimism, Nielsen also noted that Filipinos are still among the world’s top 10 savers in the third quarter. On the data, 67 percent of the respondents said that they prefer to spare their cash into savings, while 24 percent said that they will invest in stocks and mutual funds. For the Ilonggos, Lara said that consumers are more practical. There are no high-end brands, only middleincome brands. “In terms of the spending habits

BFP 6 Review Digital Edition: Another First From PIS The Public Information Section, BFP 6 launched another project yesterday, November 5, during the regular Monday Flag Raising Ceremony. The BFP 6 Review Digital Edition was launched culminating months of hardwork for the writers, contributors, sketch and lay out artists pooled by INSP STEPHEN G JARDELEZA for the project. The BFP 6 Review Digital, as the project is called, is the digital version of the bi-annual publication of BFP 6. Aside from the change in the content, the digital edition willbe published monthly and is attached to the BFP 6 website atwww.bfp6.com.ph. For the next issue, aspiring writers from the BFP are encouraged

to submit their write-ups, articles, and compositions to the Editorial Board of The BFP 6 Review c/o INSP STEPHEN G JARDELEZA, EditorIn-Chief/C, PIS. submissions are encouraged to be in soft copy format and sent thru email or Facebook message as attachment. The digital edition of the magazine is another pioneering project of the PIS and another first for the BFP, in general. It is the only BFP publication in digital form nationwide. The digital magazine has joined the ranks of ‘firsts’ for PIs and BFP 6 to include the Modified Fire Olympics 2013, the Social Media Program and the BFP TCIS (Text Casting and Information System).PIA

of the Ilonggos, we are more of buying the necessities”, Lara disclosed. The Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions measure consumer confidence, major concerns, and spending intentions of more than 30,000 respondents with internet access in 60 countries.

Workers in Western Visayas (WV) will be receiving a P10 increase in their daily wages. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board had unanimously approved recently the said increase, according to Panciano Ligutom, board chair and regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-6). He said that the P10 increase was the most viable amount based on the businesses’ capacity to pay, workers’ needs and economic realities in the region. Before the approval, a series of consultations and hearings on a petition filed in May by the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. The said groups were asking of P113.57 in daily pay for commercial

and industrial workers, P100.45 for workers in plantations with over 24 hectares and P96.35 for workers in plantations with less than 24 hectares. Based on the record of DOLE, that current daily minimum wage in Western Visayas for businesses employing more than 10 workers is P277 and P235 for those employing 10 or fewer workers. As an agricultural region, WV is among the regions with the most number of workers in agricultural sector who are presently earning P235 to P245 a day. Guidelines on performancebased pay, productivity bonuses and incentives were also included in the wage order. The increase on performancebased pay, productivity bonuses or incentives, depends on the workers and officers of enterprises to determine, Ligutom explained. IMT

BIR targets P85 billion from sin taxes

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is targeting to collect a total of P85 billion this 2013 from the sin taxes. Philippine Star reported the government is highly confident to reach its goal as the revenue agencies are on track to reach the said amount from cigarettes, liquor and tobacco according to Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Commissioner Kim Henares of BIR disclosed on the said report that ‘sin tax collections have significantly gone up despite the obvious effort of tobacco and liquor companies to dodge the higher rates by taking advantage of a loophole in the law.’ Before the higher rates took effect, Henares said many companies “frontloaded” or advanced the delivery of their products to their retail outlets at old prices and old tax rates. She said they expect frontloading again before the next adjustment takes effect early next year. Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of House of Representatives ways and means committee said that

he welcomed the report of Henares. He said sin tax rates were frozen for about 16 years before the House, under the leadership of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and with the blessing of President Aquino, mustered enough political will to adjust them. However, Quimbo was disappointed that the higher cigarette taxes have not discouraged people from smoking and exposing themselves to smoking-related ailments. “I am concerned about this because this has been presented as a health measure, particularly in the Senate where the debates had been more intense than in the House,” he said. W i t h these, he considered of reviewing the Sin Tax Law which took effect last January this year. H e recalled that during the

debates on the measure, cigarette and liquor companies had predicted that the higher rates would result in significant drop in consumption and could even prompt them to close shop. He sought the opinion of Henares on why the objective of the bill to discourage people from smoking and prevent more people from dying due to smoking-related illnesses has not been achieved. Henares offered two reasons: frontloading of sin products and a shift to cheaper cigarettes and liquor by smokers and drinkers. She indicated that the blame lies with the House and the Senate. -Philstar/IMT

Brgy. Monica City Proper: A Developing Community

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES Transparency and truthtwo things she assures in her leadership. Brgy. Captain Keith ‘Dabing’ Nemenzo Espinosa is doubling her effort in implementing substantial and well-rounded projects in her community in Brgy Monica City Proper, Iloilo City. On her second term, Espinosa boasts her

accomplishments in raising and creating social awareness among its constituents on the various community concerns. Her best practices include cultural activities and sports development programs, health services program and maintaining cleanliness and peace and order in the community. Under her cultural activities and sports development programs, Espinosa gathers youth and sports-oriented individuals in the barangay twice a year and conducts a barangay-wide sports event and cultural shows to develop

social and sports education among its constituents. On her health services programs, Espinosa sees to it that there is an adequate supply of medicines to cater the needs of her constituents. She makes sure that the barangay is accessible on health seminars and programs. In line with this, Espinosa is also very particular with the cleanliness of the surrounding making it sure that all drainage systems are being rehabilitated. Durable streetlights can also be seen around to pave way for the residents and vehicles to access the

road especially during night time. These streetlights are generator-operated. As soon as her second term starts on December, Espinosa is positive that her barangay will develop and improve into a more livable community. Under her strong leadership are her very dynamic barangay kagawadsJesus ‘Jing-jing’ Espinosa, Natidora ‘Doray’ Espinosa, Antonio ‘Wewin’ Espinosa Jr., Joshua Louise ‘Joshua’ Navarro, Peace Jan Marie ‘Pangga’ Chavez, Amadeo ‘Paloy’ Atinado, Arturo ‘Pinoy’ Atinado. IMT

November 10 - 16, 2013

METRO ENTREPRENEUR

Merkado, the dampa of Iloilo

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Food has always been a part of Ilonggos’ life. It has been one of the witnesses and listeners of every Ilonggo’s at times of problem, victory, heartaches and reunion. It makes the family come together in one table and discuss every aspect of life. It unites people from every walk of life. Iloilo is now the house of different restaurants; from the finest five-star restaurants to the simple carinderias. You need not to look far to find a place where you can fill your hungry stomach. Frances Aimee Tiu, owner/general manager of the Merkado Seafood Restaurant was born in a family of businessmen. She has the privilege to work at her parents’ business but she chose to have her own “baby” that she can manage and take care the way she wants to. Frances’ family was a frequent customer at ‘Dampa’ in Manila; a restaurant with wet market where you can buy fresh sea foods and allows you to decide how you want to cook it. After some time, her father decided to put up “Merkado”, the first paninda and paluto restaurant in Iloilo. Located in front of Tagbac Terminal, Merkado caters both local and international tourists that come from the city and northern part of Iloilo.

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Merkado has a small ‘talipapa’ or wet market beside it where customers can buy fresh sea foods like scallops, milk fish, squid, and prawns among others. They also have pork and meat if you are craving for barbeque. What sets it apart among other resto in the city is that they will cook the dish the way you want it to. Meanwhile, for those who will not buy from the talipapa, you can choose from the specialty of the day that they offer. Another distinct feature of the restaurant is its unique service number. Instead of using the usual ‘number’, Merkado features different places in Panay. They also play classic Ilonggo kundiman to give the place a real Iloilo ambiance. These unique features do not only help promote the city but also give information among tourists that visits the place. ‘The concept of Merkado promotes Ilonggo hospitality and culture”, said Frances. The place is mostly made of light materials, which gave the place the cool and cozy ambiance. The staffs are well-trained to make sure that they provide you everything you need and serve you only the fresh and delish foods when you dine in. In the future, Frances plans to add new dish as well as healthy dishes for those who are aiming to have a summer body. She also said she’s thinking of allowing live bands to play but only for special occasions.

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METRO OPINION Spying on Spies

EDITORIAL

Squeezing blood from a stone

“I

gnorance can be treated but stupidity is forever” This was the searing statement of frustrated Senator Meriam Defensor Santiago that amplified the disappointment of the public after a more than 6-hour examination to the alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam – Janet Lim Napoles who appeared wearing a bullet-proof vest during the senate hearing on Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF scam last week, November 7, 2013. Before the landfall of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’, Senator Santiago warmed up the country of her hardhitting statements and questions to Napoles who became ‘evasive’ in her statements. Amidst the country’s preparation for the said typhoon, Filipinos diverted their attention to the most awaited senate hearing, but they became upset after hearing similar answers in the questions raised by the members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Phrases like ‘I invoke my right’ ‘Hindi po’ ‘hindi ko maalala’‘hindi ko alam’ and ‘ewan ko sa kanila’ turned ear irritants to many. These prompted Senator Santiago to remind over and over again the consequences and benefits of Napoles if she should tell the truth. “I will not bully you. So give me the same courtesy. Tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Pag nagsinungaling ka, lagot ka,” Santiago said. ‘Hindi ka makalusot sa krimen maliban lang kung maging state witness ka.Punishable by 20-40 years imprisonment.90 ka na paglabas mo,” Santiago added. “You shall not tell a lie. With a plunder case against you, you consider yourself a devout catholic?’ she asked. “Tell the truth before the senators affected have you assassinated,” Santiago said. Despite of these, Santiago did not succeed in making Napoles to spill the beans. Other remarkable phrases of Senator Santiago were the following: “Baka ipapatay ka na. Gantihan mo na hanggang buhay ka pa” “Nakadeadma ka sa akin, paano tayo ngayon makaabot sa katotohanan?” “Gusto nilang patayin ka, andiyan sa utak mong ‘yan ang pagkakasira ng, di lamang kayaman, pati buhay nila. Importante malagyan duct tape ang mukha mo,” said Santiago. “Oh there you are. Let me take a good look at you.” “Tell the truth before the senators affected have you assassinated” Many waited the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Unfortunately, the entire senate hearing was worthless, as nothing has been divulged to further the investigation of PDAF scam.

e love spy stories. Deep within us, undeniably, is a poignant realization that we are all spies in our respective manners. Since our kiddie years, we like to eavesdrop on others. It’s wired in our DNA not to have things flying under the radar. That is the main reason for the resounding success of FB as a social medium. We want to know what’s new with our dear ones, keep track on their activities, snoop even on trivial matters like where they went shopping, how they remain in tiptop shape, what they do not pursue, etc. Information is power. The gathering technique, nature and volume of data collected, retrieval system and analysis, and spied target, however, are all matters of scale. W h e n governments mobilize their own resource endowments to obtain metadata for leverage against perceived enemies to

s the disbursement acceleration program (DAP) constitutional or legal? The President and his allies insist that it is legal, it is constitutional. For the constitutional expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., Senator Merriam DefensorSantiago, former Senator Joker Arroyo, former National Treasurer Leonor Briones, it is illegal; it is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court, however, is yet to decide the constitutionality or legality of the DAP. Of course, no president in his right mind will ever admit the illegality of any action that his administration has done. Otherwise, the admission will only bring him more problems instead of solution to the problems or issues at hand. He can be charged or impeached without second thought for

November 10 - 16, 2013

secure the well being of their citizenry, spying appears not quite reprehensible. But when spying against allies becomes as viral as cat videos... wow, that is a completely different matter. Edward Joseph Snowden, American computer specialist and former CIA employee and National Security Agency (NSA) contractor gained worldwide fame after his disclosure of mass surveillance programs undertaken by the United States, Israel, and Great Britain. Now in Russia under temporary political asylum, he has been considered a traitor, a fugitive from justice, and charged with espionage by the American government. Yet to some, like former President Jimmy Carter and the American Civil Liberties Union stalwarts, Snowden is hailed as a hero. His other unlikely supporter is U.S. Secretary John Kerry who admitted that NSA had gone overboard in its surveillance activities and promised that its powers will be clipped. Snowden said that his motive for leaking the documents was to inform the public as to what is done in their name and what is done against them. FBI whistleblower Jesselyn Radack of the Government Accountability Project told The Nation that “We wanted Snowden to know that, as opposed to the daily vitriol from the U.S. Government and mainstream media, 60 percent of the United States support him, including thousands in the national security and intelligence agencies where we used to work”. Snowden’s revelations that even close allies are not exempted from being spied upon by NSA to gain diplomatic and economic advantages over them caused uproars among the leaders of Germany, France, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Angry responses followed after it became known that the United States was monitoring the

cellphone conversations of Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and scores of other government leaders. Last September, President Barack Obama found himself in an awkward situation when he stood with Brazil President Dilma Rousseff who was very furious for having been eavesdropped by NSA. In the country, calls for investigation of spying by the United States was thumbed down by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the House Committee on national defense and security. “What for?”, he said. “We are an open book anyway.” True enough, we are way outside the “six enduring targets” of NSA’s mission list that includes China, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela so worrying about U.S. eavesdropping is pointless. NSA was founded in 1952 and its surveillance capabilities were restricted by legislation in 1978. However, following 911, it has catapulted itself into a scale of almost limitless agenda for counterterrorism. Starting from scratch and initially employing tactics from notable spies in the Holy Bible, NSA has grown into a behemoth organization employing 35,000 workers, mostly mathematicians, with an annual budget of $10.8 billion. Its domestic and foreign intelligence collection capabilities are mind-boggling. It collects stray of electrons from the internet, personal computers, and laptops. Digital contents from landlines, smartphones, and all social media platforms are burglarized. The agency’s Dishfire database stores intercepted text messages from all over the world while its Tracfin collection archives data on credit card purchases. It plants spyware on foreign computers for future potential interest. Reportedly, the agency uses Manila as spy hub including major cities in Asia such as Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phenom Penh, Bangkok,

Yangon, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. Nothing new about this as it is given that the 80 American embassies and consulates around the world double as listening posts to ensure American security and status in the world, disrupt terrorist plots, track nuclear proliferation, keep diplomats updated on contemporary issues, and apprise the U.S. President on burning issues of the day in his Daily Brief. Drawing from published public comments about the overreaching role of NSA, one can deduce the need for regulating the activities of the agency. James Madison said that “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” As embodied in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, the right to privacy is based on the notion that the thoughts, beliefs, sentiments, and associations of any citizen is nobody’s business. Some quarters recommend the cutting of NSA’s bloated budget into half so that it can focus on what is truly important to national security. The billions save could then be put toward green energies and the infrastructure needed to make it a reality. Criticisms persist that flood tides of intelligence gathered by NSA remain unexamined and intercepts could not be read because of chronic shortages in linguistic skills. Intercepted communications in Arabic and Farsi, for example, could not be made out. It seems that the overgrown boys at NSA are being paid more for listening than learning. Let us see how this spying issue pans out and what threads would be unravelled soon. As the adage says, a riding tide lifts all ships. In this case, the riding tide may mean a major engine overhaul for Big Brother NSA.

culpable violation of the constitution. For constitutional experts, however, the DAP coined by the present administration is undoubtedly unconstitutional. They justified that without the approval of Congress, the Executive has no constitutional power to justify the transfer of funds from one department or agency to another. For some petitioners in the Supreme Court it is a violation of equal protection clause of the constitution because some senators or congressmen have been allotted with lesser amount from the DAP fund than the others, without clear distinction or justification. I remember the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Iloilo that it had to pass a new ordinance transferring the unused budget for senior citizens to another project of the city. I heard reports that the City Mayor assuring the senior citizens of another budget, but this will definitely require another ordinance. If it is not that easy for a local government unit to transfer funds already allotted for one project to another, how come that at the national level, it seems now to be that easy? That the executive department can just do it by itself without the consent or authorization of Congress? For his part, P-Noy has not cited the constitutional or legal basis for the DAP, but just enough for him to say that the DAP is legal, constitutional. Probably, he is just leaving the exact legal basis to be presented to the proper forum – the Supreme Court by his lawyers. I do not know exactly whom the president is trying to justify himself, when he spoke last October 30,

2013, with his friends and foes alike listened, watched. The substance of his speech, however, had nothing new in it. Only that it was done at a prime time when almost everyone in a family was expected to be at home, and could watch or listen to his speech. His speech did not provide accurate data on the DAP issue. It only gave some information about it. Now his communication’s Secretary Coloma reportedly clarified that P-Noy will provide details or further information about the DAP as the latter move around the country. I think, in accord with public opinion and calls for transparency, P-Noy has to provide details of the DAP fund. How much is the current balance of the fund. Where did it exactly come from. How much and why was the amount taken from this or that agency of government. How much was already spent by this or that senator from this DAP fund, and on what project. Not that only a partial information is given to the public. So that the fund can be clearly accounted for, leaving no doubt or suspicion to the mind of his bosses. This would be better than justifying himself for the need of the DAP. I don’t think that P-Noy is expert on the financial aspect of his administration, neither do I believe that he was voted for this. He was voted for transparency. He was voted for good governance, for reforms. If he hears any wrong about the DAP fund, he himself must face it squarely. He can direct the correction of the scheme that must be corrected, and can reform the schemes that must be reformed. Never mind if it was Senator

Jinggoy Estrada who opened this issue on DAP. This does not leave him out of the pork barrel scam issue. Never mind if P-Noy has been called the pork barrel king, because he will no longer be qualified for reelection. If he is as has been called, however, people will punish the person whom he will indorse in the next presidential election, and he himself will be facing charges after his term, like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. To avoid such punishment, however, I think P-Noy must make sure that before the end of his term, proper reforms in handling the people’s money, in spending the people’s money must be accordingly instituted, reforms that will eliminate the need for the future presidents of this country to declare: “I am not a thief.” P-Noy should not take personally any call for reforms, because such a call only reveals the continuing trust of the people in him, of his capacity and capability in instituting them. He should take heed such calls, never leaving the response at the mercy of his allies or some other politicians, because the people does not yet perceive him as abusive of power, the people still places their hope in him, to eliminate or at least minimize corruption, scams and scandals in governance. And he should never leave such a call to be the slogan of the next presidential candidate. To solidify the volatile trust and confidence of his bosses, I think he must institute reforms before any question of legality of the DAP is settled by the Supreme Court.# Send feedback to: arnoldcares@ yahoo.com

DAP Fund

November 10 - 16, 2013

METRO OPINION

OVERSHARENTING: A PARADIGM SHIFT? I

n our connected, digital lives we cannot deny the fact that we share our lives online, most especially on social networks like Facebook, Twitter and the popular photo-sharing site, Instagram. For most of us, posting our daily activity is a normal thing; from the moment we wake up, eat, poop, eat, drive, bump somebody in the mall, eat again, check-in at the workplace and gimmick venues until our drooping eyes close for the night. These acts are ‘normal’ these days, including babies yet to be born with their ultrasound photos, until they are born, their first cry, poop, first smile, first words, first steps

D happy?

id your g o o d showing at the Do More Award polls last week make you

and everything in between. “Wow, so gross! Baby pooped on my lap!”. “Baby’s messy breakfast.” “Baby so happy and naked on the tub”. Baby’s crying face captured on cam!”. If you are the baby and now an adult, what would you feel after seeing your overeager parents’ posts about you while you were a baby? This is called “oversharenting”, sharing intimate details about your children on social media (Collins Dictionary). It is the fad nowadays, what with the explosion of the internet and social media and the proliferation of cheap gadgets and tablets. Oversharenting has become so common that we can say there is a paradigm shift into the “new normal”. The Wall Street Journal’s

Steven Leckart first coined the term “oversharenting” on his widely cited blog post, the Facebook-Free Baby, which essentially is a plea to parents to stop the chronic TMI (too much information). There is no sure way of measuring the effect of oversharenting your children online but to think that they too have feelings and the right to choose what part of their lives to be bared online, it is but logical to say that parents should be the guardian of their children’s rights and ultimately, their future. By oversharenting, parents are defining their children’s digital footprint even before they are even born. Once posted online it is too difficult to erase those digital footsteps.

Acceptedly, all posts about your children are done with good intentions, just showing how you adore that cute little baby or showing how caring a parent you are, but all things considered your posts or over sharing might put your children at a disadvantage, if not today then in the future. Aside from the children’s right to create their own identity, parents should also recognize that the children need to develop in a healthy way. Growing up in an environment that oversharenting is the new normal in a family would most likely give the impression to the child that it is okay to reveal your intimate activities online, without giving him the proper guidance on propriety that he may regret

in the future. It maybe a warped concept on privacy he is learning. Is documenting everything your child does support or destabilize his growth to becoming a well-rounded individual? Here’s some tips: • Resist creating a social network profile for children 5 years old and below. • Do not share potentially embarrassing or intimate photos of the child. It may create ‘trust issues’ later. • Educate yourself on child rights and teach the children who are old enough to understand. • Allow your children to create their own ‘digital identity’ by guiding them on the propriety and the issues on privacy.

But do people care?

is pretty inspiring. Did it do you justice?

in it—stories and poems, and even movies, that are highly intellectual and global in its perspectives. I want to show the world that speakers of Hiligaynon are sophisticated and intellectuals, too, who are able to philosophize and contemplate life in intelligent terms. I think that I have managed that very well in the last ten years. But now, I also understand that I am fighting not only for Hiligaynon literature, but for the Hiligaynon language itself. So my next big project is the Hiligaynon dictionary for the new generation.

languages. When you look at it that way, you’ll totally recognize the greatness of what I do. The bigger reason why I’m fighting for Hiligaynon is not only because it is my mother tongue, but also precisely because nobody is taking on the big challenges to fight for it. We have warriors for the language, but they need a commander and general to lead and direct them. I fancy myself thinking that would be my role. Haha!

When is the deadline for voting? I wonder why I am often asked that. Haha. If people really want to support me, then they should vote for me now and help maintain my lead. I do not believe in putting off tasks and chores for later. Most of the time, people forget. There are just too many things to occupy us these days. Seriously, I think that I am able to advance more in life because I do get things done, and I do tend to do more because I do not wait for the next chance. I just grab at the first opportunity that offers itself to me. Haha. But, if you don’t have cellphone load or internet capacity, mgapuritangimolkamo, you can still vote for me until November 14. In case you miss the link, you can always Google the words “peter nery the storyteller.” The first hit link will take you to the Rappler site so you can vote for me.

Tired. It made me feel exhausted. You just don’t know how much time I spent online trying to get a few more votes to keep my lead. Most people, even my trusted friends, do not really care. Others, even my most eager and willing fans, do not really know how to vote correctly. People are lazy, or just don’t care much about reading the instructions. Those who are addicted to Facebook are quick to “like” the link, but that doesn’t help in the voting. To vote properly, they have to open the link [ http://www.rappler. com/move-ph/domoreawards/ finalists/41958-profile-peternery ], click on my black & white circular picture below the article until a pop-up box appears that says: “Peter Nery is The Rappler article on you, my Artist for #DoMoreAwards.” “Peter Nery: The Storyteller,”

It’s my fault that I forgot to mention the various efforts of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, and the work that I am doing for a Hiligaynon dictionary, during the interview. But they only asked four or five questions, and I was saving the best for last! Anyway, I think that the profile article was neatly written. I especially like how it highlighted what I said about my efforts in keeping the elements of hope and inspiration in my writings because that’s how I really want to be remembered: A writer who inspires, encourages, and instills hope. What made you decide to take on Hiligaynon literature as a cause to fight for? I’m just tired of hearing that Hiligaynon and other languages from the provinces are lowbrow or bakya, so I thought that to dignify a language, I only have to write literary masterpieces

Aren’t you being too restricted when you think only of Hiligaynon? Look, I only espoused Hiligaynon as my personal cause because it is the language I was born into. So when I was first confronted that I was so parochial about Hiligaynon, I was a little defensive, but now, I realized that I am fighting not just for Hiligaynon, but for all indigenous cultures and

Remind us again why you should win this Do More Award. Because I am an Ilonggo writer who has given more of myself to bring dignity to our language and pride to our people, and because I am a Filipino artist trying to live a life worthy of emulation for the next generation of Filipinos. Even if I don’t win this award, I just want to put it on record that I did more in this lifetime, and I did make a stand for our beloved Hiligaynon language, and the Ilonggo nation. I am Peter Solis Nery, and I do more!

Social Media Should Be Used Responsibly BY KATIE ATKINSON, High School Junior from Atlanta, Georgia

oday, we have the world at our fingertips. Literally, with the touch of a fingertip or the click of a mouse, we can be connected to someone from another country, stream live footage to family members, or update friends with pictures and statuses. To say the society we live in is technologically advanced would be an understatement. With everything available to us, it seems as if anyone with opposable thumbs can document, broadcast, and stream just about anything -- with smartphone in hand of course. The list of innovations society has crafted is a long one, capping off at the most recent apps and tools available to us on

a daily basis. Our ability to interact in this way can be a great thing, as long as that power is used for good and not for evil. Rebecca Ann Sedwick. That is the name of a 12-yearold girl who jumped to her death in September after being repeatedly bullied by a group of girls. That bullying, as you may have guessed, took place mostly online. A cluster of individuals, mostly girls her age and older, harassed Rebecca through hateful messages on social media outlets. Reportedly, one of the final messages Rebecca received said, “You aren’t dead yet” and prodded her to “Go jump off of a building.” That is precisely what she ended up doing. After Rebecca took her own life, one of her bullies posted

a Facebook status admitting that she had in fact bullied Rebecca and that she did not care about the young girl’s suicide. What happened to Rebecca is awful, but it’s even worse to consider that she isn’t the only one who has been attacked this way. Cyberbullying is an issue that unfortunately society has seemed to turn its cheek on. On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media outlet, it requires little effort to harass someone. While many of these sites were created for harmless networking and fun, they have instead turned into some of the greatest tools to harm others with. Oftentimes, those responsible for misusing social media are not even aware of what they are doing wrong. The popular

“subtweet” on Twitter allows for users to make references to people without directly tagging them. Subtweeting allows a user to be hurtful and seemingly blameless all at the same time -- a deadly combination if you ask me. Similar programs such as Tumblr and Ask.fm allow users to send anonymous messages to anyone else with an account. I have seen these messages include snide remarks and hateful comments aimed towards innocent people. The animosity of these comments makes it very easy for users to be ridiculed, harassed and shamed. Still, the attacks occur on a regular basis to multitudes of teens, and no confrontation ever takes place between victim and bully.

I believe that teenagers should start using social media responsibly. Hateful remarks should never find their way into places that were created to be useful sources of information and fun pastimes. Users should remove anonymous settings from sites that offer them to decrease the amount of hate that comes from them. Teens should stop hiding behind smartphones and plotting to take down their next innocent victims. Bullying is not a joke, whether it takes place in person or behind a keyboard, and it’s time for teens to begin acknowledging that. (The article was adapted from The Huffington Post. No copyright infrigement intended.)

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November 10 - 16, 2013

The National Food Authority (NFA) has enough supply of rice this Christmas season, Iloilo Manager Marianito Bejimino assured the public. As of yesterday, Iloilo city and province have 2,356,853 bags of rice, he revealed. The stock could last for 115 days

METRO AGRICULTURE

‘No rice shortage this holiday season’

based on the daily consumption of Ilonggos. Bejimino also said they expect harvest for the second cropping this end of December or early month of 2014. “Palay planted in some farms are in fact on the vegetative stage now and so there would be harvest in less

than a few months time,” he said. Bejimino said the monsoon rain is a blessing to the rain-fed areas planted to palay. “Iloilo is self-sufficient in rice,” the NFA official said. He expressed confidence that the same rice self-sufficiency is true to the entire Western Visayas.PNA

WV ARC national winner in productivity olympics BY LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA6) - - The San Rafael Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Murcia, Negros Occidental was among the top winners of the 2013 Productivity Olympics spearheaded by the National Wages and Productivity Commission of the Department of Labor and Employment. San Rafael ARC was declared number one in the small firm category under the Agribusiness sector of the contest during the awarding of the national winners held in Manila recently. Nesa Nolido, Board Secretary of the Regional Wages and Tripartite Productivity Board 6 said San Rafael ARC was an automatic national finalist after it received a special citation for its productivity initiatives in the 2011 Productivity Olympics. The Productivity Olympics is a competition among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country on the best productivity improvement practices aimed at intensifying national awareness and commitment to quality and productivity. It is held every two years.

The contest has three categories – micro, small and medium enterprise under major sectors that include agribusiness, services, and industry. As a national winner, San Rafel ARC took home P100,000, trophy, use of the Productivity Olympics 2013 Award logo and priority endorsement to DOLE training programs and services. Other national winners under the Agribusiness sector are Honey Bee Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in CALABARZON (micro-enterprise) and Elim Agricultural Supply-Poultry Dressing Plant in Northern Mindanao (medium enterprise). The winners in the Industry Sector include Daet Food Association in Bicol (micro-enterprise); Goldwin Manufacturing Laboratories Corporation; and Sunlight Foods Corporation, both from the National Capital Region (small firms); and Marcia&apos;s Delicacies in Ilocos Region (medium enterprise). In the Service Sector, the winners are: Big Norman’s Garden Supplies and Services in Bicol (microenterprise); Almora General Hospital in Cordillera Administrative Region (small firms); and Davao Adventist

Hospital in Davao Region (medium enterprise). DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz who led the awarding ceremony on October 24 has encouraged winners as well as the growing tribe of productivity winners, practitioners, and advocates to spread the good news that adopting productivity as a business strategy is a meaningful tool to be competitive. “More than recognizing your ingenuity in improving productivity in your own fields, your best practices should be emulated and serve as an inspiration to other enterprises towards increased productivity and global competitiveness of the country’s labor market,” said Baldoz in a DOLE press report. Since its start in 2008, DOLE reported that a total of 26 exemplary MSMEs has already been recognized through the contest. In 2011, Escalante Public and Private School Teachers and Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative (EPSTEMPCO) of Negros Occidental was also named national winner in the medium enterprise category of the service sector. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

FishR program needs cooperation of stakeholders BY LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, November 6 (PIA) --- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is expecting the full cooperation of stakeholders in Western Visayas for the implementation of the National Program for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration (FishR). In a press release, BFAR-6 Regional Director Drusila Esther Bayate said that BFAR Director Atty. Asis G. Perez will be in Western Visayas to lead the formal launching of the FishR program on November 15, 2013at the Royal Garden Hall, General Luna Street, Iloilo City. The FishR program aims to fast-track, enhance, and complete

Rice has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. Historical evidence suggests that rice may have been produced and consumed up to 10,000 years ago. This, alongside its current global status as the world’s most important human food, makes rice production responsible for feeding more people over a longer period than any other crop. Into the future, rice will remain an important food staple for billions of people. To help ensure that rice can contribute to the healthy diets of rice consumers worldwide, IRRI has studied the glycemic index of rice and is developing high-nutrient rice. IRRI also responds to concerns about contamination in rice.

Nutrients in rice: developing high-nutrient rice

Rice is a source of protein and contains various vitamins, such as

the municipal fisherfolk registration nationwide as required under the Fisheries Code of 1998. Under the FishR, BFAR seeks to register 100,000 fisherfolks in Region 6. The Bureau will work hand in hand with the municipalities and cities in the region’s six provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental to complete the registration in their respective areas using a simplified and standard form and Fisherfolk Registration System (FRS) data management system. BFAR will also give technical assistance to coastal municipalities in these provinces to facilitate the registration process.

BFAR said that they expect the full support of municipal mayors together with their Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs), Fisheries Extension Officers (FEOs) and Municipal Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management (MFARMC) Chairperson, and fisherfolks from all coastal local government units here. The Bureau also said that they are also looking forward to the cooperation of the Provincial Fishery Officers (PFOs), heads of state universities and colleges (SUCs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and partner national government agencies (NGAs). In 2012, Region 6 is 110.84 percent self-sufficient in terms of

Key officials of the DENR VI, led by RTD for Research and Office-inCharge Dr. Alicia L. Lustica (2nd from left), familiarize themselves on the initiatives and approaches for the Mechanization and Modernization of Forest Nursery in Brgy. Jayobo, WVSU-Lambunao, Iloilo being discussed by Cyril Coliflores (far right) from DENR Central Office. The program aims to procure equipment that could fast-track seedlings production to augment in the National Greening Program (NGP). Also in the picture are (from left) Forester Conrado B. Marquez, PENRO Iloilo Raul Lorilla, Engr. Valeriano Ladia from DENR Central Office and Forester

3 WV schools vie for country’s most sustainable and eco-friendly schools

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES Three provincial schools from Western Visayas qualify for the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in the country. Ara-al Elementary School of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Tubungan National High School of Tubungan, Iloilo, and Aklan State University of Banga, Aklan made it as among the country’s most sustainable and eco-friendly schools. In line with the Republic Act No. 9512 or also known as the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, the search was conducted to recognized institutions with utmost commitment in implementing various environmental campaigns and programs, in Furhermore, it encourages other schools and academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues by raising students’ awareness about what is happening in their community. A facebook application was launched to help vote these schools and which will later generate a badge once the vote is casted.

The sustainable and eco-friendly schools program that was launched in 2009 and 2011 generated positive responses from the schools paving the way for a bigger competition this 2013. Winners of the nationwide search will have a chance to be included in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the ASEAN Eco-Schools Program that aims to create a school culture geared toward environmental protection and preservation. The nationwide search is a joint activity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with the support of the corporate sector, including wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), One Meralco, Nestle Philippines, Petron Corp. and Unilever Philippines. To know more about this nationwide search, visit www. sustainableschools.ph (JCM/LT/PIAIloilo/IMT

fisheries production which accounts for the 439,707.19 megatons (MT) of fisheries produce from aquaculture, municipal and commercial fisheries sectors that amounted to P27,964,608.94. With a total of 84 coastal

municipalities and cities, the entire region is well poised for more government interventions which will be appropriately created and implemented based on the data gathered through the FishR. (JCM/ LTP/BFAR/PIA-Iloilo)

Rice and a healthy diet

thiamin and niacin, and minerals, such as zinc and phosphorus. Some nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and manganese, are lost during milling and polishing—the process by which brown rice becomes white or polished rice—and are therefore only found in brown rice. Some specialty types of rice, such as those that are purple or red in color, contain more of the pigment anthocyanin, a known antioxidant. Despite these, when eaten on its own, rice (whether white or brown) from existing varieties does not provide enough micronutrients for optimum health. To help improve the nutritional content of rice, IRRI is developing high-nutrient rice that in the future could provide more vitamin A, iron, and zinc to people in rice-consuming countries who currently don’t get enough of these nutrients.