Iloilo Metropolitan Times Volume 1 • Issue no 44

METROPOLITAN

ILOILO

VOL. I ISSUE NO. 44

the first business newspaper in metro iloilo

TIMES

developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

December 1 - 7, 2013 Php 12.00

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Nov 22 - 28, 2013

USD/PHP

43.9500

43.9046

43.9000

43.8550

43.8634

43.8500

43.8599

43.8000 43.7500

43.7662

43.7616

43.7000 Nov 22, 2013

43.7224 Nov 24, 2013

Nov 26, 2013

Nov 28, 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

‘FERRY TERMINAL NO MORE’ 20.00

Current Price 120.00/kg

While others celebrate Christmas with lanterns and lights, some will just have to be contented with a kerosene lamp in the aftermath of Yolanda. Photo by Reymar Latoza

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog admitted that the proposed construction of P260-million IloiloGuimaras Ferry Terminal project on the 1.2-hectare property in Parola, City Proper here will help boast Iloilo City’s tourism industry yet it is not his present priority.

Mabilog’s statement came after the city government’s private partner Double Dragon Properties Inc. failed to submit their proposed revenue sharing scheme to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Iloilo after the City Council has withdrawn its authority given to the mayor to enter into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with its private partner because of low revenue sharing.

“We will set aside the project because this is not our priority however, if somebody will come and pursue the project, it is still welcome”, he said.

Mabilog also called the support of Guimaras province to help them look for probable investors because they are the ones who could benefit from it.

Supposedly, part of the joint venture agreement that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will allot P125 million for the construction of the slope protection embankment and other site developments while the Double Dragon will provide P135 million for the construction of the terminal building.

Under the 25-year PPP contract agreement, the city government will

earn only one percent of the revenues from the ferry terminal for the first five years while the Double Dragon will have 99 percent share.

The contract also stipulates that Double Dragon can also rent out commercial spaces within the terminal complex apart from collecting fees from terminal, fees and cargo.

The share from terminal fees will only increase to 5 percent of the gross revenues after the five years contract.

However, the SP through councilor-elect Plaridel Nava and outgoing councilor Perla Zulueta said the city government’s contract with the private investor was disadvantageous because of low revenue sharing scheme.

The property where the Rotary Ferry terminal /p9

Capitol, city hall employees to enjoy ‘extra’ cash bonus

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN

A merry Christmas for both employees of city hall and Iloilo capitol. Both will receive their productivity enhancement incentive (PEI) or ‘extra bonus’ this month, apart from their 13th month-pay and P 5,000 cash gift.

On Thursday last week, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. announced that each capitol employee will receive P 35,000 extra bonus, the same amount last year, as approved by the Department of Budget Management

Mila’s Hill

(DBM).

The Iloilo provincial capitol has a total of 2,185 regular and casual employees who were entitled to receive the cash gift.

The PEI amounting to 76,475,000 was already included to the Supplemental Budget No.2 to be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP)- Iloilo for approval on December 3, 2013.

For his part, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is hoping that all 1,800 regular city hall employees could Mini Hotel

Amenities

In Land Resort OPENS DAILY 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.

FOR RESERVATION : Call or Txt (033) 396 9698 09059347957

WEBSITE

Pasil, New Lucena Iloilo

Cottages

Pavilion

www.milashill.blogspot.com

EMAIL ADDRESS

milashill.inlandresort@gmail.com

Gazebo

receive their PEI soon.

Mabilog said they are still waiting the guidelines from the DBM so they could decide how much bonus will be given to each regular employee.

Last year, each regular employee received P30,000.

The mayor assured that the city government has enough savings for the PEI. This PEI is a reward for the efforts of the exceeding government employee towards higher productivity. IMT

DTI-Iloilo pushes price freeze on construction materials

A price freeze on construction items here is being proposed by the Department of Trade and IndustryIloilo.

In media interviews, DTI-Iloilo Provincial Director Wilhelm Malones said he has already sent a proposal to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog for the inclusion of construction materials in the automatic price freeze.

“However, we still would like to get the opinions of the business sector on this proposal,” Malones told the media.

He said that automatic price freeze imposed on construction items may force small retailers in the province not to get stocks from big commercial establishments in their areas because they may not get profit at all.

“Hence, the public will be forced to go to the city, which is even more expensive,” Malones added.

Even if there is no price freeze yet, the DTI chief said they are consistently monitoring prices of construction materials, especially at the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

DTI records showed that construction materials such as cement, nails, GI sheets, steel bars, fluorescent and incandescent lamps

Photo by equipmentworld.com have posted increase from P2 to P5 in small retailers.

Malones said these increases on certain items are reasonable considering transport and handling costs, especially to areas where roads and bridges are hardly passable.

DTI records further showed that GI sheets cost from P126 to P452 depending on size and brand; 40 kg cement at P224-226; hollow blocks at P8.35 to P10.50; common wire nails at P46 to P52/kilo; and, steel wire from P55 to P59 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, DTI has further assured the public that they are also conducting daily monitoring of prices of basic commodities. (JCM/ESS/ PIA-Iloilo)

METRO NEWS

2

METRO

on the road

DENR Eco-friendly schools get awards Winners for the 2013 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools here in Western Visayas received their cash prizes, trophies and certificates of recognition in a ceremony held recently to highlight the double celebration in November which is declared as National Environmental Awareness and Clean Air Month.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Environmental Management Bureau 6 (EMB 6) Director Atty. Jonathan Bulos who handed the awards encouraged schools to continue to participate in the contest intended to recognize their sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives that have contributed to the efforts towards protection of the environment.

“We are hoping to increase the awareness and involvement of our schools especially our students on environmental protection and other concerns through this contest,” said Bulos during the meeting of the Regional InterAgency Committee on Environmental Education, November 22.

The regional winners for the 2013 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools include Araal Elementary School, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (Elementary Category), Tubungan National High School, Tubungan, Iloilo (High School Category) and Aklan State University, Banga, Aklan (Tertiary Category).

As regional winners, each received P20,000 and certificate of recognition.

They will also represent the region in the national level search.PIA6/ Lilibeth A. French

PIA

All set for COPRE 2013, over 300 student writers joining The College Press Conference (COPRE) and Awards 2013 is all set, with more than 300 selected student editors and writers joining in fellowship and writing competitions.

The COPRE and Awards is a yearly event facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency in Western Visayas where college paper writers come together to showcase their application of journalistic skills in publications and onthe-spot writing contests, learned from PIA’s basic journalism workshops.

This year’s event, according to PIA-6 Director Janet Mesa, revolves on the theme “Convergence Journalism,” highlighting the interplay of print, broadcast and social media for more effective communication.PIA6/ Elsa S. Subong

DSWD

4Ps beneficiaries to be prioritized in Cash-forwork program The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 is now preparing to implement the “cash-forwork” program for the typhoon Yolanda affected municipalities in Western Visayas.

DSWD-6 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre said that the “cashfor-work” program already has an initial funding of P5.2-million.

She said that priority will be given to hardest hit areas as per guidance from the agency’s central office.

She also said that DSWD will prioritize beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the 50 worst hit municipalities in the region for the “cash for work”.

Of the P5.2 million, beneficiaries in Capiz will get P1.45 million; Iloilo, P1.2 million; Antique, P1.04 million; Aklan and Negros Occidental, P728,000 each.PIA6/ Leonard T. Pineda I

December 1 - 7, 2013

‘Pedestrianization’ needs social media

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The pedestrianization of Calle Real ‘needs a push from concerned citizens who love Iloilo city’ using

social media’, said city councilor Jason Gonzales after the postponement of one month experimentation, closing the streets of JM Basa, Arroyo, and

DOH-6 aims zero AIDS death

BY MONTESA GRIÑOCAOYONAN

Stigma has been the root of discrimination against persons living with human immunodeficiency syndrome (PLHIVs) but the Department of Health 6 (DOH6) is encouraging PLHIVs to seek help and avail free medicines from the government to help them reduce illnesses, prolong their lives and improve their quality of life.

As the DOH-6 is celebrating the World AIDS Day starting November 25 to December 1, 2013 with the theme “getting to Zero” by zero AIDS related deaths, zero new HIV infection and zero discrimination against the victims, the celebration aims to reduce new cases of HIV as the department has recorded 13 new cases this year.

Since their campaign has started in 1994 up to October 2013, the DOH6 has able to encouraged 332 persons living with human immunodeficiency syndrome (PLHIVs) to seek help and avail free medicines from the government to help them reduce illnesses, prolong their lives and improve their quality of life.

The department has also recorded 46 deaths due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which is caused by the HIV, a virus that attacks and weakens the body’s immune system.

DOH-Center for Health Development WV’s STI coordinator Charity Perea said the recorded deaths are those people who sought help from them very late already.

Perea said most of the deaths are working as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and were inflected due to unprotected sex with multi-partners.

“That’s why we encourage other HIV infected people to come out into the open so that they could be given hope or anti-retro viral drugs (ARVs)”, she said.

Perea added the available drugs are giving for free as long as they could submit themselves for medication and counseling in two treatment hubs either at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City and Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in

Photo from toptencollections.com Mandurriao district, Iloilo City.

The STI coordinator stressed these 332 PLHIVs of which, 13 are new cases are now under their monitoring.

Of the number, 90 are OFWs while 242 are infected locally.

The 90 OWFs are composed of seafarer, 52; land-base contract workers, 19; domestic helpers, nine; skilled workers, seven; paramedical workers, two and entertainer, one.

Meanwhile, the 242 persons are composed of office employees, 20; nurses, 20; housewives, 18; bar tender and waiters, 14; call center agents, 13; unemployed, 12; students, 10; businessmen and self-employed, nine each; teachers and medical representative, seven each; sales agents, six; drivers, five; freelance, hair stylists, tourist guides, medical doctors, fast food managers and fashion designers, four each; medical technologist, local entertainers, dance instructors, engineers, service crew, Information Technology, sales and florists, three each; x-ray techs, nautical grads, security guards, event organizers, hotel employee, beauticians, choreographer, insurance agents and store manager, two each.

Also, one each for lawyer, internet researcher, government employee, academic consultant, houseboy, missionary, midwife, bar cashier, pizza maker, chef, executive secretary, accountant, tailor, grocery bagger, gasoline boy, machine operator, clerks, programmer, policeman, mediaman and child.

Perea reiterated the public to practice “ABCDE” to avoid being infected by HIV. The “ABCDE” is an acronym which stands for absenteeism, be faithful, Correct or consistent condom use, don’t use drugs, and early detection/ treatment. IMT

Estancia oil spill: A gloom after gloom

BY REYMAR LATOZA

The widespread gloom remained over the coastal town of Estancia, Iloilo as thousands of residents struggle against oil spill that hit Barangay Botongon caused by supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ on November 8.

Despite of this, people in the said town are still positive, believing that the end will come to the existing ill situation they are facing now.

A 34-year-old fisherman said they had survived the fury of the world’s strongest typhoon, and he believed they would also able to get through the said incident.

The oil spill occurred after the strong waves hammered and dislodged the National Power Corporation (Napocor) power barge 103 from its

mount. Napocor was carrying 1.5 million liters, and almost 200,000 liters of bunker fuel spilled into the shoreline.

Napocor barge was swept to a rocky road area, destroying several houses and killing two residents who were identified as Gael Manguito, 59 and Keycha Manguito, two years old.

On November 22, the Iloilo Provincial Government had ordered forced evacuation of 1,100 families living closest to the affected area in Barangay Botongon.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. requested the Philippine National Police to forcibly evacuate them from the area. Displaced families were brought to Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC).

Estancia oil spill /p9

Mapa every weekend.

According to Gonzales, ‘one powerful way the public can help to make Calle Real walkable is by visiting Calle Real, taking pictures of heritage buildings situated along the road, and post them on social networks like facebook.’

“We have plenty of talented photographers and hobbyists but not enough beautiful pictures of the charming spots in the city,” he added.

The proposal of Gonzales bans both private and public vehicles from passing the said streets starting 5 p.m. of Saturday to 11:59 p.m. of Sunday to give walkers, bikers and tourists the chance to enjoy and appreciate the 18 heritage structures dotted in one of the most significant places in Iloilo City – Calle Real.

Of 18 heritage structures, 10 were already restored.

Based on the proposal, the experimentation is supposed to take effect starting last week, November 30, 2013 until December 28, 2013.

The first public hearing with the committee of transportation was recently held and according to Gonzales, ‘it had its ups and downs.

But mostly ups.’

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said in his official facebook account that ‘there are many factors to be considered’

before the implementation.

“Yes, we are all excited but we just need to address some concerns,” Mabilog said.

He added that the experimentation if implemented will bring more life and glory to the Old Business District of the city. ‘A heritage treasure that people must protect and promote.’

Gonzales said that the road pedestrianization would explore the viability of a vision set forth in the 2011-2020 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.

“Calle Real can compete with other international cities with its walkable street with dotted heritage buildings,” Gonzales said.

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.

Meanwhile, the second public hearing is scheduled on December 3, 2013. IMT

Estancia oil spill evacuees to receive ‘cash’ for food

Photo from Ilongo.weebly.com

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN The Iloilo provincial government will give ‘cash’ as food allowance for each member of the oil spill- affected families in Brgy. Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo who sought temporary shelter at the evacuation center of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NPSC) after a forced evacuation order was released by Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. last week.

As proposed, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said each registered evacuee at the center will receive P 30.00 food allowance per day apart from kilos of rice given to per family.

Presently, there are 259 families composed of 1, 400 individuals are being catered by the province, Municipality of Estancia and Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Canadian Armed Forces had joined forces to set-up their tents.

Banias said the cash for the food allowance will be taken from the

quick response fund of the provincial government and will be given to the recipients as soon as the registration and payroll will finished.

The administrator however, said Mayor Rene Cordero pledged to handle the first five-day food allowance of the evacuees after the mayor received financial assistance of P 500, 000 from the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Banias added the present number of evacuees at the center are part of 1, 100 families or composed of 5, 000 individuals living near the oil spill site that were already told to leave their respective houses to prevent health hazards.

He also said some of the remaining families at the oil spill site have already started packing up their things to be ready for transfer anytime once the 150 additional tents coming from private donors will arrive at the evacuation center early this week.

Banias said they also eyeing another evacuation center at the neighboring barangay ofBulaqueña, Estancia oil /p5

December 1 - 7, 2013

METRO BUSINESS

3

DTI releases Noche Buena products SRPs

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) once again reminds the public that price list of the suggested retail price (SRP) for Noche Buena products are available and should be followed. Noche Buena products include ham, fruit cocktail,

cheese/sandwich spread/mayonnaise, keso de bola, pasta/spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and creamer.

The following are the SRPs for ham: three kilograms (kg) to 4 kilograms costs P571.65/kilo to P655/kilo; 1 kilogram range from

P235 - P748 and 500 grams (g) – 825 grams cost P138 – P195.

For fruit cocktail, 3.033kg to 3.06kg cost P165.75 - P198 and 432g to 836g range from P42.50 – P68.75.

One kilogram to 2kg Cheese cost P192 - P541 while 175g to 500kg range from P67.60 – P135.30.

No aid for erring residents living in prone areas

BY MONTESA GRIÑO-CAOYONAN Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog warned not give any financial help to those land owners and informal settlers living along shorelines and rivers here if they could not transfer their houses to upper land before another calamity comes.

This after members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) had encountered difficulties in convincing other informal settlers to evacuate after Iloilo City has placed under tropical storm signal no. 3 due to typhoon “Yolanda” recently.

Mabilog said he already issued a last warning to these people especially those living in 21 coastal villages in the city such as Bitoon in Jaro district; Hinactacan, Banuyao and Ingore in La Paz district; Loboc and Barrio Obrero in Lapuz district; Gen. Hughes, Ortiz, Ma. Clara, Rizal Ibarra, Palapala 1, Palapala 2, and Rizal Estazuela, all in the city proper; North Baluarte, South Baluarte, Boulevard, San Juan, Calumpang and Calaparan in Molo

district; and Sto. Norte and Sto. Nino Sur in Arevalo district.

“More people want to build their homes along shorelines and rivers but this is very d a n g e r o u s Photo courtesy of Ponciano Santos for them especially they are putting coastal barangays. their lives on danger”, he said.

Mabilog also asked the cooperation The city government has recorded of all the barangay captains to prepare 63 totally damaged houses while 132 their residents everytime the disaster are partially damaged after typhoon comes especially those living along Yolanda hit Western Visayas three the rivers and tributaries of Ungka, weeks ago.

Sambag, San Isidro, Tabuc Suba, Mabilog said families with totally Dungon B, Dungon A., Calubihan damaged houses will receive financial and Desamparados in Jaro district; assistance of P 5, 000 each while 2, Bakhaw and Bolilao in Madurriao 500 each for partially damaged. district; Magsaysay Village in La Paz The mayor revealed that most of district; and Calajunan, Sooc, and these damaged houses are located in Navais in Mandurriao district. IMT

Community responsibility can help end VAW Women’s right advocate, Atty.

Evalyn Ursua on Monday stressed the importance of the promotion of community responsibility in efforts to end violence against women.

“Sa isang komunidad pag ang lahat ng tao ay naniniwala na hindi tama ang pang-abuso sa kababaehan at gumagawa ng aksyon tungkol dito mabawawasan natin ang violence against women (In a community when all the people believe that abuse on women is not right and made action on this we could reduce violence against women),” said Ursua during a public forum attended by more than 200 students and representatives from local government units, non-government

organizations, women organizations and government agencies in Western Visayas.

She further told participants that “it is very important that we go back to our communities, that we participate in community efforts to address VAW, and not to rely on the government but rather help promote community responsibility”.

The public forum was organized by the Ugsad Western Visayas Regional Gender Resource Center in line with the 18-Day Campaign to Eliminate Violence Against Women and their Children from November 25 to December 12.

Since 2002, the Philippine

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian reported damages in poultry and livestock due Typhoon Yolanda in the amount of P2,745,947.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Romeo Magdato in an interview said this already covers a provincewide assessment of affected livestock and poultry raisers as of Nov 18, 2013. However, the towns of Barbaza and Tibiao have not yet submitted their report.

The report showed that commercial poultry raisers lost about P1, 298,000 in stocks of chicken layers and broilers.

The rest of the figures indicated the losses in backyard farms of chickens, fighting cocks, ducks, and turkey and for livestock it includes swine, goat, carabao and cattle.

Top five towns greatly affected are Bugasong with P1,396,367 worth

of damages, Sebaste – P349,110, Sibalom – P249,850, LibertadP130,000 and Laua-anP110,700.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian now readies the rehabilitation and recovery plan to bring back the source of livelihood of affected families and sustain the country’s food security requirement in terms of meat and other byproducts.

Magdato said they proposed for a P10.4 million worth rehabilitation and recovery plan for next year broken down into semesters with P7.2 million budget for January to June and P3.5 million for July to December which

government has been actively joining the 16 days of activitism against genderbased violence that is being observed globally from November 25.

Then in 2006, the Philippine campaign was extended to 18 days to include December 12 which is known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day through Presidential Proclamation 1172.

President Benigno Aquino further strengthened the country’s commitment to the observance when he declared November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children via Republic Act 10398 which he signed on March 19, this year.

Antique damages in poultry, livestock P2.7M

Photo from vimeo.com will focus on restocking of swine, goats and cattle and chickens.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian assured support for livestock and poultry raisers for them to recover their losses and sustain their livelihood. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

Sandwich spread of 470 milliliter (ml) cost P83.70 – P165 while 80ml to 220ml range from P22.60 to P83.50. Keso de Bola of 300g to 750g costs P132 – P340.

One kilogram to 2.5kg of pasta/ spaghetti cost P59.35 – P103 and 400g to 450g range from P30 – P52.50.

Elbow and salad macaroni of 1kg range from P68.50 - P120.75 while 200g to 400g cost P25.75

- P53.

One kilogram of spaghetti sauce costs P66.75 - P79.30 while 250g to 750g range from P18.70 – P62.

Tomato sauce of 1kilogram ranges from P60.80 – P72.20 while 115g to 250g cost P11.90 – P19.95. on the other hand, creamer of 250ml – 410ml costs P39.80 – P50.

DTI also tip the consumers to examine the expiry or best before date and the price tag of products as well as ensure the price of the item to be the same as to that on the shelf and at the cashier. IMT

13 establishments face ‘show cost order’

BY MONTESA GRIÑOCAOYONAN T h e Department of Trade and Industry 6 (DTI6) has issued show cost order to 13 establishments in Western Visayas to have been reported selling overpriced construction materials.

Of the number, 11 establishments are from Iloilo while one each for provinces of Capiz and Aklan.

DTI-6 director Dominic Abad said they already sent notices of violation to these establishments so they could explain their sides why they are not following the standard retail price (SRP).

“Any establishment that will found violating the price freeze will still be given a due process”, he said.

Abad added the penalty for

such violation will vary based on the capital of every establishment. He said common penalty reached from P 1, 000 to P 1 million pesos.

A price freeze for basic goods was enforced across the country after President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity right after the broad devastation of typhoon Yolanda.

Even without disaster, Abad said their office is regularly conducting prize monitoring to several areas in the region to ensure that no retailers will take advantage of consumers by selling basic commodities at price hikes.

Among these products include basic goods and commodities such as construction materials, medicines, batteries, transistor radio, petroleum, canned goods, dressed chicken, Christmas lights, cooking oil, egg, electrical lights, flashlights, generator sets, sugar, rice, noodles, pork, and processed food, among others. IMT

DOLE supports rehab of Sira-an Hot Spring

The Department of Labor and Employment is providing support for the rehabilitation of Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort, one of the premier tourist destinations in the province.

Provincial Director Rene Santamena of DOLE Antique said, aside from providing livelihood opportunities for small income groups like nego carts and livelihood starter kits, DOLE is also supportive of local endeavors to rehabilitate tourism facilities which eventually give sustainable income for local folks.

DOLE has released the amount of P223,110 as labor counterpart for the rehabilitation and improvement of pavilions and duplex cottages of the resort making it attractive and convenient to the tourists.

The supplies and material requirement amounting to P936,890 will be provided by the local government unit of Anini-y.

“This will provide additional income to the farmers and fisherfolks w h e n weather condition is

not favorable for them to engage in fishing or farming activities,” said Santamena.

Sira-an Hot Spring and Health Resort is about 50 kilometers south of San Jose, Antique’s capital and one of the coastal villages in the town of Anini-y. The resort is famous for its sulfuric and warm spring water that drew more tourists every year.

The tourism potential of the town of Anini-y has gained grounds because of the concreting of the nautical highway from San Joaquin via the coastal area in the south which makes travel more accessible.

Aside from the resort, a visit to Anini-y can also bring tourist to Nogas Island, a few minutes boat ride from Sira-an and Baroc Church in Poblacion, one of UNESCO’s declared heritage sites in the province. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

METRO TOURISM

4

December 1 - 7, 2013

Cinekas1manwa: A Fusion of Panay Island Filmmakers

BY MARY PAULINE BALMES

NICK DEOCAMPO

TARA ILLENBERGER

SAM PRUDENTE

ACE GILPO

RAY GIBRALTAR

T.M. MALONES

MANIE MAGBANUA JR.

SKIM GUEVARRA

PETER SOLIS NERY

JAY ABELLO

RONNY POBLACION

NED TRESPECES

EDEN G. GILPO

For the first time, filmmakers in Western Visayas will gather to showcase pure Ilonggo talent through their notable mainstream, digital, independent, experimental, documentary, animation, and new breed full-length and short films on December 1014, 2013.

Aimed at promoting the distinctive regional culture, Cinekas1manwa also intends to create an accessible directory of filmmakers in the region.

The event will feature 12-full length films and 40 short films of Hiligaynon-speaking and trueblooded Ilonggo directors.

Festival Director Elvert de la Cruz Bañares, who is also an Ilonggo, said this is an avenue for the viewers to appreciate the importance of our own culture and a good time to gather filmmakers from all genres into one event.

“It’s time to go back to our roots,” he said.

Bañares said that there will also be a series of campus tours among schools and universities in the city.

“We want to be a part of their growth as students, artists, or future filmmakers. This is to integrate the essence of filmmaking and its cultural-social relevance to Humanities and other art-related subjects,” he added.

The film screening will be held in three venues- SM City Iloilo Cinema I, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Iloilo Cinematheque and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV main campus) Cinematheque.

Bañares said that this first ever convention of the Ilonggo film makers will focus more on the content rather than technicality.

This year, there will be no quality

control films in support to new unconventional filmmakers. However, their second edition might adopt the new rule.

Distinguished filmmakers to participate in the festival include Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, Nick Deocampo, Tara Illenberger, Erik Matti, regional filmmakers Joenar Pueblo, Ned Trespeses, Ronny Poblacion, Peter Solis Nery, TM Malones, Jay Abello and more than 40 other filmmakers. The filmmakers in Guimbal, Iloilo will also be in focus.

All proceeds will go to the Yolanda victims thru the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC).

The Panay Island film festival is supported by the National Commission on Culture and Arts, Negros Museum, FDCP Cinematheque, and other sponsors in aiming to unify local filmmakers.IMT

IMT

METRO ENTREPRENEUR

December 1 - 7, 2013

5

Still a sp a rk of hop e

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are…

Christmas lantern or parol is one of the famous symbols of Christmas. Like the stars, these lanterns lighten up houses, buildings and trees as well as give hope in the darkest times of our lives.

Famous maker of unique electric parol is Mr. Aldren Lindong, owner of Aldren Electric Parol. Aldren, together with his wife Cristina, started the business in 2005. Every year, beginning the month of October, the couple starts to accept orders of lanterns.

Since Aldren is an electrician, he decided to make parols made of rope light, flat bar and round bar.

Materials are purchased locally but the controls are ordered straight from Pampanga.

“What makes the work difficult is how you make the lights to connect and work together. If you have no skills and knowledge on rope lights, the lights will never work”, said Cristina.

Electric parols are known for

Estancia oil...from page 2

Cristina Lindong, wife of Aldren Lindong owner of Aldren Electric Parol its durability where it can last for years depending on the use.

For seven years, Cristina and his husband received several orders from big companies and northern towns of Iloilo such as Batad, Ajuy, Concepcion, Lemery and Pototan.

They also receive orders from the city government. Crisitina said that their actual consumer targets are towns, LGUs and huge companies.

Due to the recent calamity that severely destroyed Northern Iloilo,

Cristina admits the business is in rough water this year. From their usual five-six orders from their customers, they now only receive one to two orders of electric parol.

“I understand why the orders are lesser.

Recovering from the devastation brought by the typhoon is our first priority”, she added.

Prices of electric parols range from 1,500 to 15,000, depending on the size of the design. Cristina added they also repair lights that are not functioning anymore and charge small amount for every meter as well as repaint old lights.IMT

Centralians celebrate lights, music and hope

BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA In darkness, we always seek the light.

December is the month when the powerful Light of the earth was born. It is the month of forgiveness, of love, of festivity and of family. It is the month where darkness is forgotten and lights are everywhere. It is the month of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For almost 13 years, the Central Philippine University (CPU) has been celebrating the Festival of Lights and Music; an occasion where several Christmas lights are being lighted on the buildings and trees surrounding the campus and joyful Christmas carols are heard. The said feast was founded by the CPU-Alumni in the year 2000 to brighten up the campus and celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

According to Mr. Dan Dorillo, over-all chairman of the festival, the light symbolizes Jesus Christ, and CPU’s motto is to spread the light. The lights lasts for about a month while the celebration and activities are held for two weeks.

The Festival of Lights and Music features singing competition, food kiosks, and rides for the children, and

last year, nativity scenes were put up on 6 different areas. The said activity became an attraction every year that the people are always looking forward to witness and be part of the celebration.

The recent catastrophe that hits Visayas regions influenced the decision of the organizers to cut back the budget and divert some of the funds for an outreach program to help the typhoon victims.

“An outreach program will be held on December 4 on Concepcion, Iloilo. We will provide aids on the municipalities, offer medical activities and feeding programs. Around 7 mayors on the said town are Centralians”, said Dorillo.

From Festival of Lights and Music, the activity’s name was also changed to Lights and Music of Hope @ Central, eliminating the Festival which connotes feast, to show the Centralians’ support for the typhoon victims. Lights were reduced and will give emphasis only on the Admin Building and the University Church and the trees around the campus.

However, Dorillo assured that the lights this year are more presentable and have unique designs which he

said “should be kept secret” for the people to watch out for. Nativity scenes will also be put up on the smile hill.

He also added that from English, the theme of the activity was translated to Hiligaynon, which is “Masanag nga Paglaum sa Paskua”.

Dorillo said that the over-all theme of the lights activity is about Paglaum or Hope.

Activities for the Lights and Music of Hope @ Central includes evening Christmas carol of Alumni from different colleges; song and dance competition; fashion show featuring CPU fashion designers; University Church Kantata and Battle of the bands. The program will last for 10 days, from December 6 to 16 while the lights will go on from December 6 to January 6, 2014.

Be Known!

PUT YOUR AD HERE

Contact us at 09173196378 or 508-5051.

Email us at sales@iloilometropolitantimes.com Head Office: Suite 1, 3rd floor, Cristina Colonnade, Cor. Huervana, Rizal St.,Brgy Laguda, La Paz, Iloilo City www.iloilometropolitantimes.com

where they could cater additional 150 families from villages of Zone 2 and 7.

It may be noted that around 200, 000 liters of bunker fuel was spilled into the sea after it leaked from the punctured hull of Power Barge 103 owned by the National Power Corp.

(Napocor) when typhoon Yolanda hit Western Visayas particularly northern Iloilo three weeks ago.

The barge contains some 1.4 million liters of bunker fuel.

As of November 24, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Napocor’s privately hired Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc. workers had able to retrieved around 2, 800 liters of bunker fuel and 43 tons of oil debris from the shoreline of the said barangay.

The Department of Health 6 (DOH-6) requested all workers

should be properly equipped with protective gears to protect themselves against prolong exposure to oil spill which contains toxic levels that causes aplastic anemia, lung cancer, leukemia, and other abnormalities.

The department also requested the company in-charge in siphoning the leaked oil to implement the “no personal protective equipment, no work” policy among their workers.

Banias also said they already advised the company that actual work should be done from 6:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. onward to prevent workers from too much exposure to sun heat.

“There should be no work from 10 a.m to 3 p.m”, he said.

The provincial government has already sent 100 containers to the oil spill site that could be used for the spilled bunker fuel.

In 2006, Petron spilled 500,000 liters of bunker fuel from its contracted oil tanker M/T Solar 1 in the southern coast of Guimaras, affecting marine sanctuaries and mangrove of three out of five municipalities of the province and even reaching the shores of other provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. IMT

WEESAM EXPRESS

ILOILO - BACOLOD - ILOILO DEPARTURES

1:10 pm 2:50 pm 4:45 pm

6:30 am 8:10 am 9:50 am 11.30 am

FARE:

One Way

Non-aircon ECO. FC.

(All charges in) (W3 only) aircon aircon

P250 P340 P435

ROUND TRIP PROMO

ECO. aircon P585 FC. aircon P665 Schedule subject to change without prior notice.

For details please call:

ILOILO (033)337-3282 / 09228660338

BACOLOD (034)709-0630, 433-9125

6

METRO OPINION

EDITORIAL

The Scars and Bruises

W

hat could be more depressing than celebrating Christmas under a wrecked house with no electricity, no enough food and water to drink and with your family incomplete? Hard to imagine but it could probably be true in the case of our brothers and sisters in places where super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ left its traces.

Almost a month after that heartbreaking experience where several lives were lost, the pain brought to the bereaved families and the trauma it caused to countless victims are again stirred up when they are supposedly recovering right now. For them, it would be a different Christmas to celebrate.

In the process of rebuilding their lives, all these aides pouring from all over the world need to be sustained.

This Christmas season; let us join hands to keep our brothers and sisters not only in prayers but also in sustaining the help we have extended by being sensitive with achieving our own needs. This is the season where being charitable becomes a novelty but it’s the time that we become selfless.

Rebuilding their lives might be a difficult process. An overhaul of all the aspects of human life is needed to restore what has been wrecked and lost but an indomitable spirit of nation-building will ease everything.

“It often happens that the real tragedies of life occur in such an inartistic manner that they hurt us by their crude violence, their absolute incoherence, their absurd want of meaning, their entire lack of style. They affect us just as vulgarity affects us. They give us an impression of sheer brute force, and we revolt against that. Sometimes, however, a tragedy that possesses artistic elements of beauty crosses our lives. If these elements of beauty are real, the whole thing simply appeals to our sense of dramatic effect. Suddenly we find that we are no longer the actors, but the spectators of the play. Or rather we are both. We watch ourselves, and the mere wonder of the spectacle enthralls us.”

--- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Boxing and Chess

December 1 - 7, 2013

B

in chess, the World Chess Championship Match between Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Vishwanathan (Vishy) Anand did not evade my attention. It was held from November 7, 2013 in the latter’s birthplace, Chennai, India, and sponsored by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It was supposedly a 12 round match, with one point for each won round and one-half point for draw, but Magnus Carlsen ended early the match having earned 6.5 points after round 10 and he was accordingly declared and crowned as the new World Chess Champion, beating the defending champion Vishy Anand.

Carlsen is 20 years younger than Vishy Anand, but he is a highly respected number one FIDE rated player with 2862 ELO rating, more than that of Garry Kasparov during the latter’s prime time, but the latter was one of Carlsen’s mentors, against whom Vishy Anand also did not succeed in a world championship match.

Despite his loss, however, I like Anand because the Philippines has a mark of significance in his chess life. In the Introduction to his book “Vishy Anand: My Best Games of Chess”, he wrote: “I was born on 11th December 1969 in Chennai (Madras), and learnt chess at the age of six from my mother. A year later I joined the Tal Chess Club in Chennai. A couple of years later I went to Manila when my father had an assignment there and got caught up in the Philippines chess fever resulting from the 1978 Karpov-Korchnoi World Championship match.”

In our country, people can excel in chess with the all-out support of the players’ families and the back-up of the private

and public sector. This game can be mastered easily by children who have the discipline to study, the imagination, commitment, love and enjoyment to play the game.

Our country has already produced a number of grandmasters, including the late Atty. Rosendo Balinas who championed in a major national tournament in the then USSR, besting all other Russian grandmasters, a victory that reportedly shocked the world, for being the lone non-Russian champion in the then USSR after Jose Raul Capablanca of Cuba. And it is hoped that our country will produce more strong grandmasters, far better than Wesley So, or our very own Eugene Torre. It may not be in our time, but with our continued dedication and inspiration from others, we can hope to see one day that a Filipino chess player is betted and is playing for a world chess championship title.

At the local level, the Iloilo Lawyers and Professionals Chess Club, Inc. (ILPCCI) in order to promote chess and provide venue for children to excel in chess has scheduled the “Battle of Champions” on December 18, 2013 in honor of our very own national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena. This will be a round robin system to be participated in by 8 champions, the qualifiers from the monthly tournaments held every third Sunday of the month from June 2013, including the champion on November 30 qualifying tournament.

On December 18, there will also be a “Showdown of Heroes”, a blitz championship tournament for a few who championed the tournaments held during the feast days of our national heroes. This is also

for the honor of our national hero Graciano Lopez Jaena.

The venue is at the My K Refreshment (ADPI Canteen), Jaro Plaza, Iloilo City.

The ILPCCI has a web page account on facebook and is still looking forward for sponsors to this event. And even if it has none, it will continue to provide opportunities for chess development in this part of the country. **** December 4-10, 2013 is the National Human Rights Consciousness Week.

The theme for the celebration this year is: “Wakasan and Kawalang Pananagutan, Tiyakin ang Tapat na Pamamahala!” All government agencies, including government owned and controlled corporations, are mandated by law to promote human rights consciousness. ***** During the Bench and Bar Dialogue on November 27, 2013 at Diversion 21 Hotel, Executive Judge Danilo Galvez said that court holiday will be observed this December 2013 as a result of the scheduled transfer of the RTC courts to the Hall of Justice in Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City, but pleadings may still be filed at the De Paul Hall of Justice. Asked about the safety of the building, Engr. Jardeleza, the IBP consultant, assured the lawyers and judges present that the Hall of Justice in Bonifacio Drive is safe because it is already with “over-strength” structure, more than just being retrofitted.

He himself will allow members of his family to hold office therein if given the opportunity.

The normal operation of the RTC will resume in January 2014. # Send feedback to: arnoldcares@yahoo.com

W

For the Children’s Poetry category, each entry must consist of SEVEN [7] Hiligaynon poems.

Each poem must not be longer than 15 lines; if mixed with other languages, it must have at least an 80% Hiligaynon vocabulary. The subject and theme is open and free, but the material should be suitable for children ages 6-9 [or Grades 1 - 3]. For the Children’s Story category, each entry must consist of THREE [3] very short Hiligaynon stories.

Each story must not be longer than 500 words; if mixed with other languages, it must have at least an 80% Hiligaynon vocabulary. The subject and theme is open and free, but the material should be suitable for children 12 years old and below [or elementary school level].

and other contact information as a private message to the Facebook account of Peter Solis Nery [with the pink suit profile photo], or the Facebook account of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation; or email them to 500tinaga@ gmail.com.

[Facebook submission is preferred, and has a quick acknowledgment receipt mechanism.] Entrants can ‘like’ The Peter Solis Nery Foundation page on Facebook so they can see receipt confirmations, and other contest updates.

a shortcut to being a published writer because all entries are eligible, subject to final selection and editing by Peter Solis Nery, for inclusion in anthologies prepared by the Foundation for the purpose of preserving and promoting new works of Hiligaynon writers, whether they are experts, established, professionals, students, or newbies.

oxing a n d c h e s s have been watched these past days around the world.

In boxing, the Cotai Clash between Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios brought life to the boxing world. I was expecting Manny Pacquiao to win, and in fact he did win, convincingly obtaining the unanimous decision of the judges against Rios in Cotai, Macau on November 24, 2013.

Peoples are still looking forward for his stunning knockout punch, the punch that drives them crazy. I do not know if Manny Pacquiao can still deliver such a punch, but with his recent performance, we can still look forward to that. Though Manny Pacquiao does not become younger as the years go by, he seemed as fast and powerful recently as he was when he had knocked down Ricky Hatton. He has now mastered the art and science of boxing as a boxer himself.

Bob Arum will not let go of Manny Pacquiao. He knows that with Manny in the boxing ring, hundreds of millions can be earned by the boxing industry.

Pacquiao keeps the boxing business more alive, with more earnings and profits.

He is a lively fighter in the ring. He keeps one’s nerves up.

Watching him keeps one’s spirit alive. No wonder, the victims of Yolanda found some ways and means to have watched his fight from Cotai Arena, and they are hoping that with Pacquiao’s victory, help will come from him as he promised for them.

But my interest in boxing is not as much as my interest in chess. I have more passion and love for chess than for boxing.

And because of my interest hat is your Foundation’s next project?

T h e P e t e r Solis Nery Foundation has announced its first two categories for the 2014 Peter’s Prize for Excellence in Hiligaynon Literature. They are: Mga Binalaybay Pangbata [Poetry for Children], and Mga Sugilanon Pangbata [Stories for Children]. The contests started on October 15, 2013, with a first deadline of December 15, 2013. However, because of super typhoon Yolanda, we are extending the deadline to January 15, 2014. We started the contest early because I wanted the holiday mood to inspire the writing, even if it’s not a criterion for winning.

Think about children, and stories, and poems about Halloween, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Thanksgiving, Bonifacio Day, Christmas, Rizal Day, New Year’s, Three Kings, and for those who can imagine, Valentine’s Day! I guess that Yolanda’s lingering devastation would have changed that mood by now, but I have faith in the imagination of our writers.

What are the requirements of the contests?

How can people enter the contest?

Peter’s Prize is an easy contest to join because it has done away with the cumbersome requirements of having the work notarized, submitting in both soft and hard copies, using pen names, and filing affidavits of ownership/creation. It is so simple that people can do it online. Just send your entries with your name, email address,

What is the prize?

Cash prizes will be awarded to winners of each category: P5,000 for first prize winners; P3,000 for second; and P2,000 for third. But everyone should aim for the first prize because in addition to the much-coveted Peter’s Prize medallion, the top winners are also commissioned to be Hiligaynon literature ambassadors, who, like their counterpart poet laureates in the US, will be tasked to enjoy their crown for a year and do some community service by reading their works, and promoting literature with lectures/talks in schools, town halls, radio and TV stations, the internet, and other media platforms. Peter’s Prize is also

Does Peter’s Prize 2014 have categories for high school or college students?

Presently, Peter’s Prize does not distinguish between amateurs, professionals, or high school and college student writers. I just think that if you want to be recognized as a writer, you should hold your ground against so-called established or professional writers. Peter’s Prize judges the entries by their literary merits, and not by the contestant’s age, or profession. I really think that this is the best way for student writers to get validation as ‘real’ writers. But new and inexperienced writers can still hope and pray for their own category because for 2014, Peter’s Prize will endeavor to sponsor as many as six writing categories. Other categories, with their rules and deadlines, will be announced later.

December

1

-

7,

METRO OPINION

2013

What’s Next?

T

y p h o o n Yolanda is definitely not your typical “easy come, easy go” sort of happening especially for the survivors who are now leading new lives sans their children, spouses, parents, relatives, and/or friends. Two weeks after the crippling catastrophe, more than 82,000 victims remain in covered gymnasiums, tents, classrooms, and other temporary shelters. Meanwhile, at least 4,011 lives had been reported lost with 18,600 injured and 1,600 still missing.

Ironically, more than a century ago, the November 30, 1912 typhoon which also swept across Central Philippines claimed 15,000 lives according to The Washington Herald.

Tacloban was practically destroyed while enormous losses in lives and properties were reported in Capiz. This prompted bloggers to point out that history indeed repeats itself.

After the debris-clogged roads were cleared and relief supplies began to reach even far-flung areas, many are gradually repairing their flattened or partially damaged houses. Now and then we hear reports of the unreached but with the sustained donations (estimated at PhP 13 billion so far) from 30 different nations, local government units, national government, non-

government organizations, and churchrelated groups, no affected family will be hopefully left behind.

I was recently at the Office of the Iloilo Governor and it was heartwarming and inspiring to see endless streams of visitors selflessly assuring Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr anent their unstinting support to the relief operations.

It is seemingly an intrinsic human nature that the will to move on is akin to “slow motion” reflex for some of the victims. Our team just came back from Leyte and Samar and the members shared their observations on the prevailing constitution of the afflicted.

Instead of taking initiative in rebuilding their lives as fast as they possibly could, they choose to be recipients of unsustainable “dole outs”.

Similar passivity was reported by our organization after the tsunami in Banda Aceh, North Sumatra caused 220,000 deaths and rendered 655,000 homeless on December 26, 2004.

While our personnel and those from other relief organizations were busily constructing the shelters, most of the survivors just watched and did not lift even a finger to assist. A few months after the housing handover, some occupants called our headquarters in Singapore and indignantly complained, “Hey, your roof is leaking. Better get

back to Banda Aceh soonest for repair before we get totally drenched”.

Along the national highway when we lately visited Concepcion and Estancia for mercy mission, I was deeply moved after seeing scores of children rattling their hand-clasped tin cans to attract the attention of commuters. I did not see gloomy nor starved dispositions etched on their faces while they were begging for cash, food, and relief goods. Where is proper decorum learned from lengthy periods of mentoring? The parents and local authorities appear to have condoned the distasteful display of mendicancy.

There is no puzzling conjecture associated with the longevity of the ongoing relief efforts. One thing is certain.

It won’t take beyond six months from now until more pressing concerns in the country will push Yolanda-related news into near oblivion. Most international tabloids have, in fact, already replaced their front page coverage of the typhoon with sizzling local events and other unfolding global stories.

Our country’s economic resources are finite and allocating them to other vital needs for maintenance and optimum capital expansion is a daunting challenge to our economic managers.

Eventually, the foreign sympathizers and local organizations will cross the continental divide towards the donor fatigue line, resulting in support flow stoppage.

With the recent Supreme Court

declaration of PDAF as illegal, wedges have been driven between the executive and the judicial on one hand and between the legislative and the judicial branches of the government on the other hand. Whereas in the past, fund funneling from the politicians to favored constituents through legitimate and illicit conduits was unhampered, even the use of residual PDAF funds for assistance to typhoon victims has turned into an uphill battle.

So what’s next?

It is essential that the palliative support is supplanted by mediation measures that should, after civil works and housing rehab, be geared towards immediate and positive long-term impacts resulting from substantial employment, production, and income generating activities.

Likewise, there should be a paradigm shift in the manner by which the inter-agency National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is presently organized. Senator Grace Poe gave a sensible advice when she proposed that NDRRMC should be an autonomous entity instead of functioning under the restricted framework of the Department of National Defense.

There should, additionally, be working committees for forced evacuation, search and rescue, dead body recovery and burial, shelter, relief goods delivery, post disaster security, transportation and communication,

7 feeding and water stations, media relations, foreign and local relief operations, medical and dental, emergency power generation, and employment/livelihood among many others.

For weather updates, revision in semantics like the substitution of storm surges with tsunami-like waves as well as the inclusion of Super Typhoon (Category 4) and Mega Typhoon (Category 5) into the PAGASA system of cyclone classification will significantly highlight the extent of expected damage. Furthermore, the fear factor will spontaneously force everyone along the cyclone’s deadly path to scamper towards vouched locations. The drummed up warnings on storm surges, for instance, did not sink fast enough into the consciousness of vulnerable communities because the phraseology sounded wimpy.

Time heals all wounds but the remaining psychological scar will be a constant reminder of the wretched moments when the spared ones were effortlessly buffeted by tsunami-like waves, extraordinarily strong winds, and unforgiving great floods.

Arguably, however, through relentless determination, resolution, courage, endurance, and God’s grace, the Filipinos will surely frame relevant agenda that will propel this country forward.

“Goducate: Helping Needy Asians Help Themselves”

Wala Akong Masasabi Tungkol kay Yolanda

W

ala akong masasabi tungkol kay Yolanda kundi ang anatomiya ng aking pagkapipi, na para bang naunawaan ko na ang sinasabi nilang ‘invisible war’ na kadalasang ginagamit sa mga beteranong sundalo at kanilang pamilya, kaya napakahirap na bagay ang magtanong ng ‘kamusta ka?’ o magsalita tungkol sa kanilang sakit, maging sa sariling sakit na hindi kaagad mapangalanan ngunit alam mong may mga pader din na gumuho sa iyong loob, bumaliktad, nawasak at hindi kaagad naanod sa iyong

pagdudumi bagkus nananatili sa iyong laman, kalamnan, buto’t bituka kaya masama ang iyong pakiramdam. Narito pala mismo sa lupa ang mga zombie, hindi galing sa Mars. Totoo pala talaga, hindi lamang sa mga pelikula.

Habang nanonood ng balita sa CNN at naghahanda para sa klase, inisip ko kung paano haharapin ang mga estudyante. Isang Lunes na napakahirap bunuin ang nagdaang Nobyembre 11.

Pagpasok ko sa kuwarto, tahimik ang lahat, ang naging panalangin halos pagiyak. Literature Elective ang aking klase tungkol sa epikong Hinilawod, ang versyon ni F. Landa Jocano tungkol sa

Haaaay, PRC!

BY RM TAMAYO

THE PROFESSIONAL Regulatory Commission is the institution mandated to recognize and certify aspiring professionals.

One would expect that the very office bestowing the status of “professional” to citizens be an example of streamlined efficiency, speed, and courtesy - the very hallmarks of professionalism. One would expect that the very ones ushering in applicants to the professional world would demonstrate - with ease and finesse professionalism to the highest degree.

That is why, if this very office violates the very principles of professionalism they claim to uphold, one can expect only the most vehement of reactions.

Take PRC Iloilo, for example. For one thing, the service doesn’t start on time.

Even when office hours are supposed to start at 8:00 a.m., servicing of clients does not.

The lines would be very long already, with more than a hundred people jostling to be first through the metal gates. By the time the counters start receiving clients at around 8:20 a.m., the waiting area in front of the counters would be filled up, with dozens more being pressed by the guard into the non-airconditioned area because of lack of space (and because the powers-that-be get irritated when the air-conditioned waiting area in front of the counters gets too congested).

Numbers are issued to everybody, but the sheer volume of people can make you despair. How would you feel when you receive the number 2400, then look up to the paper indicating the number being serviced and see 2200, or even 1960?

Thus would the day start: aspiring professionals vigorously fanning their sweaty faces as they are forced to wait in

the stifling heat, sprawling unprofessionally on the stairs, ridiculously huddling sardinelike around the walls in their professional attires, or, in their frustration and irritation, lambasting the hapless guard for the snaillike system of processing. And snail-like it is.

When one observes closely, most counters are unmanned for a substantial amount of time. Irritation on the part of the clients quickly turns into fuming anger and bitterness at being made to wait in line while counters are empty. It seems that the very same people manning the counters are also the same people running errands to retrieve files, logbooks and what-have-you’s from their equally-congested shelves and tables (all clearly visible through the glass partitions).

Service is simply too slow.

For an office filled to the brim with pending transactions on a daily basis and an ever-increasing backlog, the PRC should at least be faster. Its speed in servicing its clients is downright insulting to any professional.

Who would not be insulted when you are made to wait all day, only to be cut off at exactly 4:30 p.m., just because it’s that window’s self-imposed cut-off time, and be told to come back the next day? Why issue numbers for that day when service is not assured?

Does PRC seriously think that you have all the time in the world to come back any day that it specifies and line up all over again?

It has some nerve being so punctual at closing its counters when it cannot even start office hours at the proper time.

Quite a number of its frustrated clients are people from Roxas, Kalibo, Antique, or Negros, who have to catch last trips of buses and boats. Imagine their frustration when they realize they have to spend hundreds of pesos in overnight accommodations - and

pakikipagsapalaran ni Humadapnon sa Kuweba ng Tarangban, at ang Game of Thrones, ang sikat na HBO TV series na adpatasyon ng nobela na A Song of Fire and Ice ni George R.R. Martin. Sa mga nakaraang sesyon, pinag-usapan namin ang kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay ng epikong bayani, ang paghahanap natin ng bayani sa ngayon, at kung produktibo pa nga ba sa pag-unlad ng bansa natin ang pag-angkla sa isang bayani, o nararapat na nating paslangin sa ating imahinasyon ang pagdarakila ng iisang tao at/o grupo ng mga tao – halimbawa political clan – dahil hindi na ‘common good’ ng ‘the good old

world’ ang namamayani kundi ang sariling interes ng mga indibidwal at grupo.

Wala akong masasabi tungkol kay Yolanda kundi ang kabaitan ng mga karaniwang tao na nakasalamuha nitong mga nagdaang linggo na nagpadali ng aking buhay sa gitna ng multi-tasking. Si Manong drayber ng taxi na Light of Glory na naghatid sa akin mula sa syudad ng Iloilo pauwi sa barangay namin sa Antique noong nakaraang Sabado matapos dumalo sa Pagbayaw Conference sa UPV, ang mga security guard at janitor na Ilonggo sa tinutuluyang condominium building

sa Manila na walang kagatol-gatol sa pagsagot na “huo” sa pakiusap ko mula sa pagbantay at pagbuhat ng mga supot at karton para sa relief operation sa Antique, at sa maraming nagmagandang-loob na tumiris sa mga bukol ng pagdududa at kawalang-gana sa pakikialam sa takot sa kung anuanong puna. Binago ni Yolanda ang marami nating akala na sa ngayon, wala nang mas higit pang mahalaga kundi ang pakikibahagi at pakikipagkapwa.

At sa ganang akin, kasama rin diyan ang pananahimik, na isang paggalang, tulad sa paghalik ng butiki sa lupa tuwing takipsilim.

miss another day of productive work - just because of somebody else’s gross inefficiencies.

By lunchtime, one would notice windows and counters gradually emptying.

And when you ask where the employees went, you’d be brusquely told off that they also deserve their break. Now, nobody’s questioning that! But there are extra-big signs saying, “NO NOON BREAK”! This is in accordance with the law against red-tape!

For heavens’ sake, nobody’s questioning your right to eat! What is being questioned is your right to make clients wait in this sardine-can of an office of yours while you have the lunch break you claim you don’t have.

Recently, private school teachers flocked to the PRC to get their certificate of good moral standing, as required by FAPE (Funds for Assistance to Private Education), which regulates the distribution of the GASTPEESC (Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education-Education Service Contracting) scholarship subsidies.

And the travesty continued.

Every applicant was asked to come back to the PRC office after 10 days, to claim their certifications. Imagine the exasperation of several teachers when they were told that they had no records in the PRC database, and so cannot be verified as to their good moral standing, and so cannot receive their certifications! How can that be when the teachers have with them their PRC-issued licenses, issued from the very same office! To tell the aggravated teachers that “these things do happen, our system is not yet completed, and mistakes may have been committed” after 4 hours of waiting is to take insensitivity to whole new levels of meaning, especially for a teacher who has to go home to her family in, say, Bacolod City.

The problem is internal, and the teachers should not be answerable for that. And to ask them to just to leave their cell numbers, to

be contacted at the soonest possible time?

What, are they expected to spend hundreds of pesos more, and lose another day at work, just because of the inefficiency of whoever it is that takes charge of encoding records?

Considering that the PRC employees cannot even lift their noses above their backlogs—or finish their daily influx of clients, for that matter—it’s a far-fetched idea to expect a text message from the office.

And what was the purpose of making you wait for 10 days, in the first place, if not to give time for the office to verify records about you! It’s evident that the pending document jobs just sat forgotten until the time came for the concerned teachers to be given the bad news.

Is this efficiency? Is this courtesy? Is this professionalism?

Scores of professionals in Iloilo—and Western Visayas—can attest to how onerous, frustrating, exasperating, time-wasting, and terribly unprofessional the processes in the PRC are, and the reasons for that can be safely surmised just by spending a few hours inside their stuffy office.

The office is terribly undermanned, and it is in the wrong premises. When you have one person sitting at the cashier’s window all day processing payments for nigh on a hundred people, and telling the other hundred to come back tomorrow; plainly, you have a problem. The solution to that problem is simple: hire 2, even 3, more people! When you see that the person in window 11 processes 150 people a day and tells the remaining 150 to come back the next day, you plainly have a problem. And the solution to that problem is simple: hire 2, even 3, more people!

To protest that hiring more people will exceed your budget or will cause you paperworks is nonsensical; that’s what political will is for. The fact that such a

problem has endured for years, even decades, in the PRC either means that they don’t think it is a problem, or they don’t even know that there is a problem. That is negligence to the highest degree. And they have the gall to certify professionals?

When you see that, everyday, clients are crammed in your hallways, spilling into your stairs, sitting on your balconies, you plainly have a problem with space. And the solution to that is simple: find new premises!

When you see that people are hard to control because they are already irritable from being confined in the suffocating heat of the non-airconditioned area, then you plainly have a problem. And the solution to that problem is simple: find new premises!

The fact that such a problem has endured for years in the PRC seems to suggest that they don’t feel the problem, and you can actually understand why when you enter the inner sanctum of their office, the area behind the glass counters. It is as peaceful as a church. There is no sense of urgency, no indication that they appreciate the desperation and frustration of the people applying outside.

To have dire problems and to fail to act to solve them—to allow people to suffer due to your negligence and irresponsibility— boggles the mind and offends the sensibilities of true professionals everywhere. To aggravate clients, to make them wait for weeks—only to have them return and tell them to wait for another unspecified amount of time—will make any true professional anywhere cringe in shame.

But to have problems endure for years, until it is almost part of the local culture, an infamous urban legend for Iloilo City—” amo gid na ya sa PRC!” (That’s how things are in the PRC!)—is an almost criminal blot on the face of our beloved city.

Shame!

classified ads

JULIENNE’S

NAIL ART AND SALON Address: Q ABETO ST., MANDURRIAO, ILOILO CITY (ILOILO SUPERMART, MANDURRIAO BRANCH) COR. ONATE-DE LEON ST., MANDURRIAO, ILOILO CITY BRGY. HIBAO-AN, MANDURRIAO (ACROSS ILOILO PROTETHICS CENTER)

CONTACT NUMBER: 0939-4659214 VISIT US NOW... AND AVAIL GREAT DEALS ON ALL SERVICES!!!

December 1 - 7, 2013

METRO AGRICULTURE

9

‘Reformists’ hired as forest guards The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) VI has intensified its forest protection efforts through the hiring of 85 Forest Guards (FGs) from the six different provinces in the region from September 2 to December 31, 2013.

DENR VI hired the services of former insurgents as forest protection officers as part of the compliance with the provisions of the peace agreement the group signed with the government in year 2000.

Under the DENR-Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process Joint Memorandum Circular No.

2013-02, entitled, “Implementing Guidelines on Providing Employment Opportunities to Beneficiaries in Support for the Peace Process through the National Greening Program (NGP), Forest Protection and Other Forestry related Activities,” both agencies agreed to provide livelihood support to former combatants by creating viable partnerships through the implementation of NGP and forestry-related activities.

Upon hiring, the FGs shall undertake the following activities: conduct forest protection, monitoring surveillance and law enforcement

activities in coordination with other law agencies and local government units; coordinate and attend to Sanggunian Bayan and Brgy. Council Meetings on forest protection corners with their area of assignment; conduct survey of forest occupants within their assigned areas; produce 1,000 seedlings in support of the NGP in DENR identified nursery; participate in meetings, activity assessment and planning sessions with DENR Staff and other partners; and, submit regular accomplishment report/s, incident report and report of meeting/coordination required in the performance of their functions.

The hiring of forest protection officers are distributed as follows: Province of Aklan, 14; Province of Antique, 22; Province of Iloilo, 6; and Province of Negros Occidental, 43.

These reformists who were hired as forest guards had undergone orientation workshop on Forestry Laws, Rules and Regulations held at Sugarland Hotel, Bacolod City last

September with the top officials of DENR and the OPAPP. DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Adeluisa G. Siapno earlier said that securing for the protection of the environment especially our forests could not be done by the DENR alone “but we need the assistance and are really expecting too much from this group.”DENR 6

Climate Resilient Forestry Master Plan crafted

Bago River Watershed Rehabilitation Project promotes environmental protection and economic benefits The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6 together with eight local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental has worked and is still working to rehabilitate the precious Bago River Watershed (BRW).

With a total land area of 83, 020 hectares, the Bago River Watershed (BRW) originates between two protected areas: the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) in northeast and Mount Kanla-on Natural Park (MKNP) in southeast. The Bago River stretches to about 75 kilometers passing through five municipalities and drains down Guimaras Strait.

It is a water resource which irrigates more than 15,000 has. of rice field in lowland areas.

Home to various indigenous flora and fauna, the Bago River Watershed is a haven to some species which are considered vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A vulnerable species is defined to be 10% or more likely to become extinct sometime within the next 100 years. Within the expanse of the watershed can also be found six species of large mammals of Negros Island, two of which are considered endangered, the Philippine Spotted Deer and the Visayan Warty Pig. These species are in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future and thereby need to be conserved. The continuous existence of diverse flora

and fauna within the watershed is one factor that determines its health.

Ongoing deforestation due to intensive agriculture and the increasing human settlements along the Bago River banks have impacted on the watershed’s capacity to sustain its environment.

Thus, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 made collaborative efforts with the local government units (LGUs) concerned to rehabilitate the Bago River Watershed.

The Bago River Watershed Rehabilitation Project started in 2009 in cooperation with the eight cities/ municipalities of Calatrava, San Carlos City, Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Murcia, Talisay City, Bago City, La Carlota City, and Pulupandan and with the province of Negros Occidental. With a total budget of P52,584,833.90, the project duration will be until December 2013.

The LGUs involved embarked on various environmental activities to rehabilitate the watershed. They include agroforestry, which is the combination of agricultural and forestry technologies or simply put, it is “trees on farms” in 605.20 has.; Mangrove rehabilitation and riverbank stabilization in 122 has.; Rainforestation, which is a farming system using the combination of native and agricultural crops in 230 has., and which also replaces destructive forms of farming system; Assisted Natural

Estancia Oil Spill..from page 2 According to Dr. Marlyn Convocar, regional director of Department of Health (DOH-6), the fumes from the spilled bunker fuel had reached the toxic levels.

In a report of Typhoon Yolanda Story Hub Visayas, a Citizen Journalism Portal created by a group of veteran journalists, student writers, and photography and video enthusiasts, Secretary Enrique Ona of DOH, the benzene level had reached 16.9 parts per million (ppm).’

“Immediate action should be made to control the leak and get in touch with health facilities, there must be daily monitoring,” Ona said.

In a toxicology reports of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) of University of the Philippines (UP Diliman) and DOH’s East Avenue Medical Center the permissible level of benzene should be only 0.5 ppm.

In an interview with Dr. Raul Banias, provincial administrator, he said oil spill is harmful to human health.

It can cause respiratory complications like agitation of asthma, cough and eventually it can cause complications like pneumonia bronchitis and other lung infections.

He added that long term exposure can cause long term complications like a severe type of anemia that all blood components, platelet, white blood cell,

and red blood cell lowered. With this health condition, victims are prone to infection, leading to leukemia and lung cancer.

An massive operation was launched by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to contain the spill.

According to PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo, the cleanup operation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Napocor explained the reason why they got delayed in responding to the oils spill was because of the the bogged down communication lines in the northern part of Iloilo.

Glady’s Sta. Rita, Napocor president said that there are some residents threatened to sue them.

She assured that they will help all the residents affected by the iol spill, especially those houses were totally damaged.

Napocor is scheduled to provide relief goods worth P200,000 and they will give an additional financial assistance worth P500,000 to the town of Estancia.

The oil spill also reached the town of Batad which is more or less10 kilometers away form Barangay Botongon, Estancia.

The towns of Estancia and Batad are in the northern part of Iloilo where fishing is the main source of livelihood.

Regeneration (ANR) of 240 has. ANR method enhances the establishment of secondary forests and is more costefficient in helping the forest regenerate itself; Nursery establishments in eight units where seedlings are raised to support the planting activities; Rattan plantation and Installation and Establishment of Hydro-Meteorology (Hydromet) Station in BRW. A successful implementation of the Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) Framework Plan for Bago River Forest Reserve Watershed Management Project under the National Program Support – Environment and Natural Resources Management Project (NPSENRMP) was one of the key factors that helped the project attain its objectives.

Through the implementation of the IEM Framework Plan, a close complementary and collaborative efforts among the DENR, LGUs, Academe, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders was sustained; delivery of basic LGU services reached the upland communities thereby reducing rebellion cases; Peoples Organizations’ (POs) participation in the rehabilitation of Bago River Watershed was strengthened; the socio-economic situation of the PO communities through employment and investment opportunities were uplifted; and lastly, the project has transformed the communities’ lifestyle in terms of food, shelter and clothing as abundant economic gains were received by the beneficiaries from the produce coming from Agroforestry Project Components.

“The Bago River Watershed is a precious natural treasure which we must preserve for the benefit of the future generation of Negrenses.

Rehabilitating and preserving it must be continuously done by all stakeholders. We have already seen the positive effects of our combined efforts and I hope that everyone continues what we have started. Afterall, this will be our legacy to our future heirs,” said Dr. Adeluisa G. Siapno, Regional Executive Director of DENR 6.

The implementation of the IEM Framework Plan is under the oversight of the BRW Forest Reserve Management Council (BRWFRMC) which act as a forum for discussion, coordination and management between and among agencies and organizations and the communities involved. The Council oversees the implementation of the rehabilitation project with technical support from DENR. Not only did the project was able to provide environmental and economic benefits but strengthened LGUs’ capacities in crafting and implementing strategies that help secure the integrity of Bago River Watershed ecosystems through the IEM Framework Plan. / DENR-RPAO 6

Dr. Adeluisa G. Siapno of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources speaks before the participants to the Stakeholder’s Consultations on the Draft Updated and Climate Resilient Forestry Master Plan recently held at the Circle Inn Hotel and Suites.

One of the objectives of the said master plan is to address climate change and recommend strategies for its mitigation and adaptation./DENR Photo A Climate Resilient Forestry Master Plan crafted in the 90’s is being updated to address various environmental issues that affect everyone these days such as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Forestry Sector of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6 recently conducted the Stakeholder’s Consultation on the Draft Updated and Climate Resilient Forestry Master Plan held at the Circle Inn Hotel and Suites on November 1314, 2013.

DENR technical representatives, mostly Foresters, from regions 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 made up the participants.

In her message, DENR 6 Regional Executive Director (RED) welcomed the participants to event and encouraged everyone to seriously tackled issues at hand.

“Climate change knows no boundaries and affects people around the globe. It is high time we consider consolidating our efforts towards climate change mitigation and adaptation while we also address the need of our agency to effectively implement our environmental programs. This would mean a lot to people in communities where we

work to implement our programs with the two-pronged goal of gaining support for environmental protection and for economic benefits of our stakeholders,” RED Siapno said.

The said Climate Resilient Forestry Master Plan is a 25-year plan that was started in 1990 and was aimed at revitalizing the declining forestry sector in the Philippines.

It has fifteen (15) major programs under 3 umbrella programs that addresses concerns about man and the environment; forest management and product development; and institutional development.

With the 2003 Forestry Master Plan, the DENR has evaluated the implementation status of various forestry programs, the challenges and the strategic approaches that are best integrated into the plan. Other issues such as the climate trends, projections, impacts in the forestry sector and recommended strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation and strategies were tackled during the consultation. Also discussed are the strategies and approaches for responding to demand for forest goods and services and strategies and approaches to promote responsive governance./DENR6

Ferry Terminal...from page 1 Park once stood, is now owned by the government after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III issued a presidential proclamation for such only last year.

The land is now shared by the city government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) City Administrator Norlito Bautista said the Double Dragon has already submitted their master plan and they are still waiting the additional requirements for the financial analysis which includes the cash flow and expenditures which is basis of the revenue sources and payable including

the construction and operation.

The administrator stressed that the PPP project was already reviewed by the technical experts from Manilabased Public Private Partnership Center of the Philippines (PPPCP) who arrived in the city late last year but advised them to secure the financial analysis from the contractor before the finalization.

Bautista said the team had a consultative meeting with Double Dragon Properties Inc., DOTC and Iloilo City Government to reassess their PPP venture and work out a reduction in the project’s cost.

IMT

10

IBL

Iloilo Basketball Leauge

METRO SPORTS

December 1 - 7, 2013

RANHS named champion in IPSBL 2nd Conference 2013

BY REYMAR LATOZA That’s the way the ball bounces.

Ramon Avanceña National Highschool (RANHS) survived the nip-and-tuck game, beating Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS) in the best-of-three finals series, Iloilo Public School Basketball League (IPSBL) 2nd Conference 2013 of Iloilo Basketball League (IBL), 65-63.

Both teams played hardball, but the scorching RANHS jumped off the deep end and halted the smooth sailing ICNHS to grab the coveted championship title.

ICNHS drew first blood in game one after beating RANHS and

drowning them in hot water.

However, the inside track of ICHNS did not guarantee them to defeat RANHS in their next game.

In game two, RANHS went through the ropes and bounced back from its first defeat.

RANHS’ victory restored their confidence.

On the other hand, ICNHS’ defeat prompted them to double their effort.

The game three became heartstopping as the two teams met in the final match.

It was thrust and parry for the two teams during the game three of

the said tournament.

RANHS became victorious for the second time in the said tournament.

IPSBL was participated by six teams representing the following schools: Bario Obrero National High School (BONHS), Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS), Ramon Avanceńa National High School (RANHS), Lapaz National High School (LNHS), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), and Iloilo National High School (INHS).

The said tournament aims to discover and develop potential Ilonggo basketball players.IMT

IPSBL 2nd Conference 2013 Back 2 Back CHAMPION 2012 & 2013

Mayor Dunstan S. Claudio Cup Basketball Tournament gets off to a flying start

BY REYMAR LATOZA Thirty-six teams decided to throw their hats into the ring in this year’s Mayor Dunstan S. Claudio Cup Basketball Tournament which kicked off recently at San Miguel gymnasium.

The said basketball tournament

Mayor Dunstan S. Claudio

spearheaded by Hon. Frince Sales, Sangguniang Bayan member, and Chairman of Committee on Sports is part of the town’s annual ‘Pasidungog Festival’.

Sales said the tournament primarily aims to develop the basketball skills of young people in San Miguel.

“It also promotes unity and camaraderie not just among the players but also among the people of San Miguel as they gather together here (gymnasium) to watch the games. It’s an entertainment for them as well,” Sales added.

During the opening program last November 25, 2013, all participating teams joined the parade together with the members and officials of the Local

SRN, Barangay 1, Rebels, Riyogeco, Jokers, Smash, Giants, ABC rebels, Barangay3-4, Barangay 9, Barangay 10, Barangay 14, Ritarians, Roxas, Santiago, Hacienda, Barangay 2, and SRS.

Government Unit (LGU) of the said town.

Mr. Alfonso Lagman, President of Iloilo Basketball League (IBL) said in his speech that character is very important trait that a player should nurture for him to develop a sense of responsibility inside and outside the court.

Six teams were off to a running start when the first three games started

right after the program.

The first three games showcased an exciting jumpstart, showcasing heart stopping hard-court actions as all teams were eager to win.

In game 1, Suarez won by a neck against Goducate, 62-58.

Other teams to battle it out are the following: Sta Teresa, Sto Nino, Sta. Cruz, Stag, Barangay 16, Barangay 3, San Jose, Warriors,

‘Pasidungog Festival’ Pasidungog Festival is a religious activity that honors Senior San Miguel.

Mayor Dunstan Claudio said that they are offering the celebration to all the victims of the typhoon and tornado.

“We want the celebration to become colorful and meaningful. We want to show that we are united and the town of San Miguel is recovering from the recent incidents. We also expect more visitors,” Claudio said.

The theme this year is ‘Kauswagan, Kahilwayan, kag Kalinong”. IMT

December 1 - 7, 2013

MetroMisc

A Whole Bunch of Fun for Oton’s Annual Sandiya Festival

By Bombette G. Marin

Photos by Dina J. Palma

In Iloilo, one good way of keeping track of time passing is keeping an eye on which fruits are bursting at the seams on the tables of roadside stalls.

And during the month of December, in the southern portion of the province, watermelons start to come into their season.

Watermelon. Everyone loves it.

Watermelon had always been wellrecognized not only for its healthy properties but most importantly its contribution to the local economy where it is grown.

The Municipal Government of Oton in cooperation with Oton Watermelon Growers Association (OWGA) and East-West Seed annually celebratesitsSandiya(Watermelon) Festival. This year, the event is scheduled onDecember 5, 2013, 1 p.m. at the Oton Amphitheater Green.

A family event for all ages, the Sandiya Festival celebrates one of Iloilo’s favorite fruits. The celebration is a great opportunity to not only discover more about this delicious fruit, but have a whole lot of fun doing it.

Each year the Sandiya Festival committee works hard to improve the festival and its activities. The watermelons are always provided from local growers and given to the festival goers for FREE.Most of the favorite festival activities started eight years ago are still continued today which include fruit relays, PINAKA (biggest and heaviest) and fruit carving contests.

Watermelon is a very popular fruit enjoyed by people all over the world.

This spotted, striped and solid greencolored fruit grows on vines on the ground and shares some relationship with cantaloupe and honeydew.

11

Itcomes with varietiesin rind or in flesh colors. Most popular variety is of red or yellow. Watermelons grow in various shapes such as round, oblong or spherical.

Watermelons can quench your thirst as it mostly consists of water.

However, it is very rich in nutrients and offers numerous health benefits as well. The nutritional value and health benefits of the fruitare not limited to its flesh, even the seeds and the rind are very good sources of vitamins and minerals.

Watermelon is very popular for its health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants beneficial in preventing some forms of cancer, like, breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers. Lycopene is an antioxidant found in watermelon, protects the genetic material of white blood cells and also prevents oxygen damage in cells which has been found to be linked to the occurrence of cancer in humans.

Many farmers in Oton have discovered watermelon to be usually more profitable to grow than many other crops because the fruit yields high and do not take a long time to grow. The fruits are also well liked by consumers and so the market is big.The East-West Seed, a long time and loyal partnerof the municipal government in coming up with this festival has also been largely responsible for the popularity of watermelons as well as melons in Oton today.

Sandiya Festival is a great family-fun event that entertains all ages. People get into the spirit by participating in competitions. What is even better is that all of them are free to attend.