METROPOLITAN
ILOILO
VOL. I ISSUE NO. 47
the first business newspaper in metro iloilo
TIMES
developmental news | critical views www.iloilometropolitantimes.com
December 22 - 28, 2013 Php 12.00
Isaiah 9:16
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. HISTORICAL EXCHANGE RATE Weekly MIDPOINT Rates - Dec 13 - 19, 2013
USD/PHP
44.3000
44.2546
44.2500 44.2000 44.1654
44.1731 44.1645
44.1500
44.1409
44.1000
44.1354 44.0918
44.0500 Dec 13, 2013
Dec 15, 2013
Dec 17, 2013
Dec 19, 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
P30 K BELOW TAX EXEMPT 20.00
Current Price 120.00/kg
PERSON OF THE YEAR. The Vicar of Christ is trying to paddle the Catholic faith back to its roots, the people. Will he succeed amid criticisms from conservative Catholics?
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reminds all government agencies and private establishments that 13-month salaries, bonuses and benefits within the given ceiling (P30,000) are exempted from tax but those exceeding the ceiling will be considered taxable income. Sally Anne Anisco, BIR 6 group supervisor, said “it is the total annual bonus that is computed.”
She said that the law applies to all employees of private and public sectors. According to BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, in a total bonus amount of P40,000, only P30,000 will be exempted and the remaining P10,000 will be taxed. She added that companies and accountants should be mindful and conscious of the rules for they are to be criminally reliable if they do not
withhold accordingly. Henares added that income earners must indicate in their annual income tax returns details on their 13-month pay, bonuses, and benefits as well as the corresponding deductions if there are any. Anisco said that as of the moment, BIR 6 is yet to sum up their annual report for the year and may take a month before releasing the total revenue for the year 2013.IMT
“It will cause us our image but this is not just about image, it is about the security of the investors and the public,” she declared. Lara emphasized that peace and order is a primary key in the decisionmaking of the investors to put up their business in the city. Although the business climate is not yet thoroughly affected, she added that the business sector will not allow Iloilo to become haven of bad elements. “We still have confidence to our
police and the leadership showed by our local officials that they will address these incident,” Lara explained. Megaworld Corp. and its Iloilo Business Park, Ayala Land, Inc., and Gaisano Group of Cebu as well as the planned expansion of SM City Iloilo are among the huge investors that decided to locate their business within the metro. “We don’t want the investors to get discourage because of these incidents and apart from that we want to become a tourist-friendly city,” she noted. IMT
‘Peace and order is key’
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
The business sector is a bit alarmed with the increase of crimes in Iloilo City lately. Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said that the police and city government should address and resolve the cases immediately. Lara added that the cases concern them because it will absolutely affect the influx of investors in the city.
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Gazebo
‘Pedestrianization’ downs profit on week 1
BY REYMAR LATOZA Vendors and jeepney drivers were affected of ‘Pedestrianization’ of Calle Real, which bans public utility vehicles (PUVs) from entering the corner of JM Basa, and Arroyo streets to plaza Libertad every weekend. The implementation of the said ordinance began last week, December 14, 2013, Saturday, 5:00p.m. to December 15, 2013, Sunday 11:59p.m. and experimentation will end on March 9, 2014. According to Jennifer Pedregosa, a fruit vendor, most of them who are selling along JM Basa street were affected by the closure of Calle Real. Pedregosa said that their profits drop last Saturday and Sunday. “Most of our customers are riding on their own cars and because
of the ordinance they were not able pass over and buy fruits,” she said She also added that people chose not buy because they don’t want to carry heavy fruits while walking. Roland Delima, a garment vendor also shared the same sentiment. He said most of the people always seek comfort and they don’t want to carry heavy stuffs, and walk long. On the other hand, Roger Sabarillo 35, jeepney driver (Jaro CPU) said that the ordinance has a good cause, but authorities should work out the traffic plan to avoid heavy traffic and to provide convenience also to the commuters. Meanwhile, Councilor Jason Gonzales who authored the ordinance Pedestrianization /p5
METRO NEWS
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METRO
on the road
NNC Nutri Tips for the holidays: limit intake of salty, fatty, sugar-rich foods Enjoy the endless, delicious dishes this Christmas but limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugarrich foods, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) reminds. According to the NNC and based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Survey the prevalence of hypertension has significantly increased from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 25.3 percent in 2008 among adults. The survey also showed that 19 in every 100 Filipino young adults (20-39 years old) had prehypertension. The FNRI said that the Filipino diet contains about 2,000mg sodium inherent in foods, particularly animal sources, and with the addition of soy sauce, MSG, and other salty condiments during cooking or seasoning at the table, sodium intake increases drastically to about 6000mg or 15 grams of salt. Excessive intake of sodium has been linked to high blood pressure particularly in susceptible persons, hence, FNRI recommends moderate sodium intake to 2,000mg or 5 grams grams salt.PIA6
TESDA
Tech voc programs gain headway in WV Technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs are now gaining headway in Western Visayas. As of November this year, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) 6 Information Officer Bernadetter Puertas said that some 54,586 persons have already graduated in the various TVET programs offered by TESDA accredited schools and training institutions in the region. The figure is about 95.86 % of its target of 56,944 graduates for 2013. Puertas attributed the positive indicator to the effort of the agency to make TVET accessible to those interested and the high demand for tech-voc graduates. She said many have also started to realize that in getting tech-voc courses they can finish their course in a short period of time and land job faster and easily as they can start their own business or get employed. To date, around 26, 111 of the total graduates are now into wage and self-employment.PIA6
PDEA
IPPO, PDEA work for a drug-free Iloilo Theirs is always a tough job and a difficult struggle for now, but they do not intend to give up, said Sr. Supt. Cornelio Salinas, director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO). This, in the midst of challenging media criticisms, that the police here have not been exhausting its resources, to stop proliferation of illegal drugs. Salinas said the IPPO has been pursuing its “Oplan Walis Druga” an output-driven initiatives on operations, to deter proliferation of illegal drugs. “I am providing incentives for my men, to keep them upbeat and make them feel that the job is important,” Salinas said. The incentives are in the form of office improvements and recognitions as appropriate.PIA6
December 22 - 28, 2013
city lacks diplomatic skills
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
Part of the Iloilo Business Club (IBC) Destination Marketing Project for 2014 is to prepare the community for diplomatic skills that will confer with the international standard. IBC executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said that the projects are in preparation for the upcoming AsiaPacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 2015. Lara said that the city lacks skills in diplomatic protocols, international cuisine and international customer service. She added that to fill-in the gap, the business sector is now tapping different schools to help them facilitate
trainings for hotels, traffic and even the media. “It is part of our culture to enjoy what the street hawkers have to offer: barbeque, fish balls, banana cue and others. It is important that our vendors know the proper food handling so that the tourists and visitors is assured that the food we offer are safe and clean”, Lara explained. Lara added that although the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 already extended support on meetings they put up, she will still send a formal request to partner with the DOT spearheaded by DOT 6 regional director Atty. Helen Catalbas.
P44M awaits Yolanda survivors
BY REYMAR LATOZA Survivors of super typhoon ‘Yolnda’ (International code name: ‘Haiyan) in Western Visayas (WV) will be receiving P44 million through cash-for-work program of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to Sunny Ongkiko, regional coordinator of UNDP, the said project aims to provide livelihood to the survivors. “The reconstruction of damaged public infrastructures including schools, public markets and other structures will give people temporary jobs,”Ongkiko said. All beneficiaries will be receiving P287 as daily income. The provinces of Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Negros Occidental and Iloilo
were covered by the project. In Iloilo, UNDP allocated an estimated P16 million for the survivors of 11 typhoon- stricken towns in northern Iloilo. The towns of Concepcion and Estancia were included in the first phase of the project while the towns of Ajuy, Carles, San Dionisio, and Sara covered the second phase. On the other hand, the province of Capiz will be given P14 million for the third and fourth phases of the project. Survivors from the towns of Dao, Dumarao, Maayon, Pan-ay, Panit-an, Pontevedra and Sapi-an were identified as the beneficiaries. The rest will be for beneficiaries in the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Negros Occidental, Ongkiko said. IMT
Guimaras’s wind project to boost tourism industry
The executive director further explained that the activities also show their support to the Calle Real pedestrianization being implemented. She said that they have modules for the trainings of traffic aids to make them Street vendors along Calle Real offer a variety of local tourist-friendly as street foods at night. well as for the chefs around the city on visitors who will visit the city in January. January 2014 will make or break “For the first time, we will also the plans. She disclosed that Iloilo’s include other sectors that have not preparation to become a premier city been included before like barangay will be tested through the service it officials, drivers, transport operators will offer to Canadian tourists that will and even the media”, she continued. come to the city before the Dinagyang Lara added that the foreign Festival. IMT
Canada funds Ilonggo entreprenuers BY MARY PAULINE BALMES Aimed to boost the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) along heritage and agri-tourism circuits in Iloilo and Guimaras, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD) of the Government of Canada has approved the funding for 17 project proposals of Ilonggo entrepreneurs. As part of the MIG Tourism Innovation Challenge Fund, 35 individual projects were initially gathered last August 2013. A committee, composed of the Iloilo Caucus of Development NGOs, Inc., Iloilo City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iloilo Business Club, Central Philippine University, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry,
and Metro-Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC)., studied, assessed each written proposals and interviewed during the MIG Tourism Innovation Challenge Forum. After thorough deliberation, 17 project proposals were recommended to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 and LGSP-LED as they were considered fit for implementation. Three million pesos worth of fund will be allocated for the whole project. Each project will receive an amount ranging from Php 80,000 to Php 285,000, depending on coverage, timetable, and activities. Projects will be exhibited during the Investment Fair in Iloilo on January 2014.IMT
Iloilo gets P4-B BY MARY PAULINE BALMES
Diagram of project boundary in relation to the project activity BY MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN Targeting to be a tourist destination next to Ilocos Norte, Guimaras Island is hoping to attract more tourist investors once its 27 windmill energy units will be operational next year. Gov. Samuel Gumarin said these 27 windmill units, of which some had started already its construction, could bring them another tourist destination in the island apart from its white sand beaches and sweet mangoes plantation. These windmill units, each measuring 80 meters high and 40 meters wide, are being constructed in six out of 12 villages of San Lorenzo town. These villages are M. Chavez, Suclaran, Cabano, Igcawayan, Cabungahan and Gaban. Apart from tourist destination, Gumarin said this will also stabilize the power interruptions in the island because each windmill can produce 2 megawatts of electricity or a total of 54 MW for 27 units. Once finished, Gumarin said the 54 MW is very sufficient for them since the entire island is only using 13 MW everyday from its power supplier -Trans-Asia Power Generation Corp. Gumarin stressed the excess
electricity that will be produced from the windmill units will be exported to the nearby island of Panay through a submarine cable. The existing submarine cable that connects Guimaras to Panay has only a capacity of 5 MW but Trans Asia is willing to put up additional submarine cable so that electricity can be transmitted to other provinces. The same supplier initiated the first phase project worth P 11-billion. In fact, Gumarin said the said private investor is also eyeing to construct more windmill units in town of Sibunag for its second phase project. Aside from Guimaras, another wind power plant is also being eyed in Nabas, Aklan that is expected to produce 15 MW of electricity. Wind power plants use the wind to push against the wind turbine blades, spinning the generator to create electric power. At present, the existing wind energy technology can be found in Bangui Bay, Ilocos Norte. Twenty 70-meter wind turbine generators, with a capacity to produce 1.65 MW of electricity each, are now considered among the province’s major tourist attractions. IMT
Senate President Franklin M. Drilon announced the allocation of P4-billion worth of funds for the infrastructure projects in the entire province of Iloilo from the 2014 national budget. In a statement, Drilon said that the funding for infrastructure projects will properly cater the necessary social and economic development programs, now that is confronting greater challenge in the rehabilitation of its disaster-affected areas and citizens. “I am hopeful that the infrastructure fund will be sufficient to push the province of Iloilo forward and onto the path of prosperity its people deserve. This will not only improve local livelihood, but will also spur economic activity throughout the province,” he said. An amount of P200 million has been allotted to the continuing construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), to augment its initial P500 million funding in early months of 2013. “The construction and repair of bridges, ports, and roads will significantly improve the logistical capacity of the province, and would benefit the Ilonggos’ trade and transportation by connecting more people to more opportunities,” noted Drilon. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional director Edilberto Tayao recently confirmed that the construction of the ICCC has already started. Also, P1.3 billion will be allotted to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the Jalaur River Multipurpose
Project., the first large-scale reservoir dam outside of Luzon that will provide uninterrupted irrigation water supply to 32,000 hectares of farm land and will benefit more than 783,000 farmers. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will utilize P1.645 to fund various roads, bridges and flood control projects in the province. Moreover, P373.55 million will go to key infrastructure projects in Iloilo City. This includes the repair of the Iloilo airport direct road, Jaro spur road, and Manduriao-Jaro road; as well as the widening of the airport spur road, Arevalo by-pass, and Iloilo airport road, among others. Likewise, P180.43 million will be spent for several road construction projects in the first district, P421.8 million will go for the second district for the construction of a new routes and rehabilitation of some existing roads. The third and fourth engineering districts, meanwhile, will receive P394.75 and P28 million, respectively for the widening, construction of drainage systems and road repairs. Major agencies were also allocated with budgets such as the Department of Health (DOH) with P484.71 million budget for major hospitals in the province, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) with P274.5 million fund for the expansion of the Iloilo International Airport, and another P10 million each for the development of Estancia and Miagao Feeder ports; and P10 million is for the rehab of some heritage sites.IMT
December 22 - 28, 2013
METRO BUSINESS
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wage increase halted BY MARY PAULINE BALMES The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Region 6 orders a temporary deferment of the implementation of the Wage Order
No. 21 or the new wage increase in areas affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’. Director Ponciano Ligutom of Department of Labor and Employment 6 (DOLE-6) and Chair
of the RTWPB 6 confirmed that the regional wage board has decided to hold in abeyance the implementation of Wage Order No. 21 in areas in the region identified as calamity-stricken
Prices of fruits and firecrackers ‘steady’
BY REYMAR LATOZA
Despite of the rising demands, the prices of fruits and firecrackers remained stable in almost all markets along the streets of Iloilo City. With less than three weeks before the New Year celebration, fruit and firecracker vendors told IMT that there is no price increase on their products. Lolita Libertad and Marilou Palma, fruit vendors in Iloilo City Public Market and along JM Street respectively, said that the prices of their fruits remained steady as of December 20, 2013. These included: Apple: P10 per piece (small), P20 per piece (big) Green Apple: P20 per piece Ponkan: P5 per piece (small), P20 per piece (big) to “three for P100” Grapes: 180/kilo Pomelo: 18/kilo Pears: P20 per piece Kiat-kiat : P40/kilo Chiko: P40/kilo According to Libertad, prices of
Social Security System (SSS) and PhilHealth will have a new schedule of Social Security (SS) and Employment Compensation (EC), and premium contributions, respectively, effective January 2014. The new schedule reflects a 0.6 percent increase on the monthly distribution of SSS members. From 10.4 percent, the contribution of SSS members went up to 11 percent of the monthly salary; 3.63 percent from the employee and the remaining 7.37 will be to the employer. For PhilHealth contributions, the premium rates increase from 1,800 to 2,400 annual premium. The current maximum salary credit of 15,000 for SSS members will increase to 16,000 per month. An
As New Year comes near, consumers are starting to buy fruits and fireworks downtown. fruits are expected to increase three firecrackers is the reason for the price to four days before the celebration of increase. New Year. Collecting round-shaped fruits However, she said that price and using firecrackers are among increase is not likely to be drastic. the Filipino traditions influenced by Firecracker vendors also Chinese to welcome the New Year. disclosed that they raise prices of their Filipinos believe that round fruits products two days before the New bring luck and good fortune while Year’s Eve. firecrackers will move away bad spirits They said high demand for and negative vibes.
employee earning 15,000 a month will pay a monthly contribution of P545 while the employer will pay P1, 105 while employee earning 16,000 will have to pay P581.30 and P1, 178.70 for the employer. SSS members that are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and have paid in advance will have to adjust their remit to cover the increase in rates. With the increase in rates comes the increase in benefits. For maternity benefit, the current P30,000 will go up to P32,000; for Caesarian, benefits will increase from 36,000 to P38,400; and sickness benefit will go up from P450 a day to P480 daily. Self-employed and voluntary members of PhilHealth with a monthly
income of 25,000 will pay 2,400 annual premium. Those PhilHealth members earning less than 8, 999 a month will pay 100 monthly, and a maximum of 437.50 will be deducted from employees earning 35,000 and above. According to PhilHealth 6 head Dr. Dennis Mas, the P6.70 amount per day is minimal compared to the benefits their members received in times of emergencies. IMT
‘GCs should have no expiry date’
BY REYMAR LATOZA
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged the public to report the issuers of gift certificates (GCs) with expiry date. According to DTI, GCs with no expiry dates shall be redeemable until used by the bearer. Posted on its official website, the agency’s Administrative Order No. 1004, Series of 2010 titled Guidelines on the Issuance, Use and Redemption of Gift Checks, Certificates or Gift Cards in accordance with Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and for other Purposes said “all suppliers, issuers, distributors and sellers are prohibited from issuing or selling certificates or cards with expiry dates.” The said order defined GC or also called gift check and gift card, as an instrument issued by a supplier to an individual, partnership or a juridical entity for monetary consideration evidencing a promise by the issuer that consumer goods or services will be exchanged in favor of the bearer upon presentation of said gift certificate, check, or card to the value, credit, specific good, service or event shown
commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers now receive P287 while those employed in establishments employing 10 workers and below, P245, while plantation workers receive a minimum wage of P255 while those in non-plantation, P245. The wage board acted after the chambers of commerce and industry in Regions 6, 7, and 8 and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry requested for a moratorium on the wage increase following the effects of typhoon in businesses. PIA6/IMT
BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
compare to other cities, Iloilo still offers cheap rates. “I don’t think it’s expensive. We are not offering cheap festival so I believe that it’s about time we give value to what we have to offer”, she further added. Lara said that the rates given are worth for it offers package such as 3 days and 2 nights. Hotels around the city began to offer package rates for the tourists, both international and local, which will book early for the upcoming festival in January 2014.
Hotel rates within standard
SSS, PhilHealth set rates for 2014 BY KHARIZA JOY SOFIA
by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMC) for six months. Ligutom said public consultations will be conducted to ascertain whether the new wage increase in the affected areas will push thru or not. The wage increase order took effect last November 29. Under the said order, minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region get a P10 increase in their daily wages where workers employed in non-agriculture, industrial and
in the instrument. “It represents value held in trust by the issuer/supplier/distributor, thus DTI intends to regulate its use to protect consumers and ensure that they are not unduly deprived of their money,” the ordinance stated. The suppliers cannot be held liable for gift certificates, checks or cards that are lost due to no fault of the supplier; and mutilated or defaced due to no fault of the supplier and such damage prevents the supplier from identifying the security and authenticity features thereof. The said order was implemented last year, July 1, 2012. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also said in a report of ABS-CBN News. Com that gift certificates (GC) are equivalent to cash and cash does not expire. Despite of the existing order, many GCs with expiry dates are still circulating up to now. A 32-year-old woman, who refused to be named shared to IMT that a month ago she received a GC with expiry date from a restaurant in Iloilo City. She said because of the 1 month validity of her GC, she was forced to
use it before its expiry date. A c c o rd i n g to DTI, consumers should report to them if they were given GCs with expiry date. H o w e v e r, the DTI clarified that there are GCs distributed under an award, loyalty or promotional program and these are not covered by the said order. “If your GC is issued by a department store, a restaurant or other commercial entities as a prize, award, the issuing establishment may specify a validity period,” said DTI.IMT
“Dinagyang is the peak of the festival and all the services should be within the standard”, said Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Maria Lea Victoria Lara. Lara added that IBC is in-charge of the Dinagyang marketing and she added that everything is going up but they are still looking for more investors. “Everything is going well, we heard from our usual sponsors; however, we are still scouting for more sponsors”, she said. W i t h the recent increase in rates of some hotels in the city, Lara said industry-wise, it’s about time the hotels give value to their service. She explained that
METRO TOURISM celebrates ‘Festival of Lights’ Janiuay
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December 22 - 28, 2013
BY REYMAR LATOZA Christmas Season is a season of joy and fun! In the province of Iloilo, there are lots of Christmas activities that everyone can enjoy with their friends and families. In the town of Janiuay, locals and foreigners crowd the town plaza filled with the glittering multicolored lights every December to celebrate the spectacular ‘Festival of Lights’. ‘Festival of Lights’ is a monthlong celebration of Janiuaynons to rejoice the coming of God to world. It is considered as among the major tourist attractions of the town. This year, the’ Festival of Lights’ kicked off Monday night, December 16 through the switching of lights led by Mayor Frankie H. Locsin followed by his official declaration of the opening of the said event. During the Grand Opening Night,
there were cultural presentations and people were amazed by the graphic presentation projected in the municipal hall of Janiuay. Aside from the enticing colorful lights, visitors will also mesmerize with the human-sized Christmas icons such as Santa Claus, Christmas tree, reindeers and gifts placed inside the town plaza. Municipal officials and other private and public groups joined the opening parade and they attended the Eucharistic mass at the municipal auditorium. There will be a series of musical and cultural presentations will be held every night to uplift the spirit Christmas in our hearts. Kiosks are present outside the sparkling plaza where you can eat and buy some stuff you like. Shakes, popcorns, burgers, fries are served. Festival of Lights’ started last December 15, 2011 and now it has become as one of the province’s much awaited event every year.
December 22 - 28, 2013
METRO ENTREPRENEUR
Home-made Delicious Hams for Holiday Season Our Christmas table is never complete without a ham. Ham is one very famous food served on holiday feast especially on Christmas and New Year. The history of having hams in our table during these season is associated with the traditional Yule ham. It is a ham from a pig that has been cured and sometimes smoked, that is cooked either in the oven or boiled (the broth is often saved for Christmas Eve to be used as a sop). It is traditionally in the nordic countries coated with a layer of mustard mixed with eggs and breaded with breadcrumbs. The tradition is suggested to have begun among the Germanic peoples as a tribute to Freyr, a god in Germanic Paganism associated with boars, harvest and fertility. It was later popularized by the Catholic Church as a test of truthful conversion from Judaism. Backsliding Marranos would decline to eat the Christmas ham, while authentic converts could enjoy the pig meat with equanimity. In modern celebration, shopping malls and grocery stores offer easy-to-order branded and commercial hams for shoppers particularly those who are running for the last minute grocery shopping. Here in Iloilo, an entrepreneur is popularizing his home-made ham businesses. Manong Sammy, owner of Sammy’s Bestfood Ham Bacon Sausages, boasts a variety of homemade hams this holiday season-
Pedestrianization...from page 1 gave a positive assessment on the first week of implementation. He said, there were no reported incidents. It showed that pedestrians who visited the area were safe. Gonzales also admitted that at start there was a traffic problem but after 6 p.m. the flow of traffic was eased. 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. 18 of 25 heritage structures declared by the city council are situated in Calle Real. Of 18 heritage structures, 10 were already restored. IMT
Chinese Sweet Ham- P320.00, American Sweet Ham- P270.00, Pear Shape Ham- P200.00, Pork Loin Ham- P320.00, Chicken Peking Ham (Bone-in)- P280.00, Chicken Piña Ham- P350.00 (Boneless), and Fiesta Ham (Debola)- P320.00. Started as a small business in a narrow space in Iloilo City Terminal Market (commonly known as ‘Super’), his Manokan- which was his first business before venturing into ham-making- later expanded into a flourishing processed food business. Prior to being a businessman, he was an Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia for seven long years. Part of his savings from working abroad was invested to put up business such as this. Now, his ham business is running for more than two years already. Peak season runs from December 23-24 and 29-31. For aspiring entrepreneurs out there, Manong Sammy’s secret to a successful business lies on how
one could guard the flow of money especially in the early stages of the business. “Every business starts small. Do not expect to gain huge profit in the beginning. Always exercise good money handling by not altering your profit if you are in the starting stage”. For orders and inquiries, you may contact Sammy’s Bestfood at (033) 336-1205 or visit them at Iloilo Central Market.IMT
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METRO OPINION
EDITORIAL
As One Chapter Ends
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German Philosopher once said, “The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either.” Almost 12 months after we first started this paper, we cannot help but look back on how we began and howit has grown our wings and learned to fly the roller coaster ride of the industry. Along with the stories and news that we wrote are tales of failures and success, of falling down and of standing up, of unraveling the truth and of making the truth visible to the people. We started crawling, beseeching in fact. Many had doubted the intention of the paper. It was the call of times that made us respond to it. It was when the setting was perfect that we opted to start on the soonest time possible. As this year ends, we would like to thank everyone who has been a part of our journey for our first year. We have pounded by calamities, shaken by earthquake, trembled by the strongest typhoon ever landed in the country, disturbed by political conflicts, and alarmed by the inexhaustible problems of poverty, hunger and other socio-economic quandary; but we have remained hopeful, vigilant, strong-spirited, and prayerful that we were able to withstand all of these. Amidst these crises, the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people emerged victorious. The foundation of faith for God and faith for the goodness of our fellowmen has been a great contributor to help us move forward and rebuild ourselves and restore our lives. Endings are also beginnings. When we put an end to a chapter of our lives, we welcome a new one. In this case, the page is yet another empty page to fill in. The content will depend on how you are going to take challenge that awaits you. In the same manner that the Iloilo Metropolitan Times will also unfold another chapter in the industry, we are very eager to improve and learn more things to be able to deliver substantial stories and significant information for the betterment of the city and community. Until the next chapter.
December 22 - 28, 2013
SUPER TYPHOONS ARE BEIJING’S ALLIES
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eijing and the whole of mainland China have super typhoons to thank for. In so many decades that the Philippines were hammered by more or less twenty typhoons year in and year out, Beijing military strategists now have a crystal clear picture of our country’s defense capability, or the lack of it. Super typhoon Yolanda wreaking havoc over half of the country last November 8 and affecting more than ten percent of the population laid bare the inadequacy of our country’s defense capability. China and the rest of the world had seen how we responded to the unfolding crisis: with a snail’s pace amid squabbling politicians trying to gain political mileage in every relief effort. Even the military, and especially the military, how they mobilized, strategized and
implemented their operations plans show the struggling rusted machinery of the government response to the devastated areas. The reflection is crystal clear: we cannot defend what is ours if a super power like China actively pursues its hegemonic ambitions over the piles of rocks and reefs we considered ours. China now is not creeping but is unceremoniously barging in to the fray of claims like a big bully, muscling her way among lesser countries. Its immediate and unilateral announcement of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is proof that Beijing has every step planned way before the Philippines lodged its case against China in the International Court of Justice. All we can do is hide behind the curtain of international law that is so flimsy it might not cover our butts when push comes to shove. Another thin veil that most
of us are banking our hopes for is the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States. This middle-ofthe-century treaty is said to be the saving grace of the Philippines when China actively pursue her claims among our rocks and reefs in the Spratlys. But will it really help us when its words are not even exact as to what kind of conflict it will be useful for? In the MDT, to put it into simple terms, the US can come to our aid when our defense is threatened. What if China is not threatening our defense? What if all it does is push her way and instigate the countries involved to act first, like what she did with Vietnam in the 90’s? The MDT is not solely for the Philippines and the renewed interest and commitment of the United States in our defense is not solely intended to honor the treaty but to show China that the US still matters in the
Christmas in Our Hearts
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o country in the world can hold candle to the kind of Christmas celebrations in the Philippines. When the first “Ber” month comes, this signals the start of our Christmas season that culminates on January 6 of the following year. My two Indonesians friends, Jordan Franky Sinaga and Surya Sentosa Surbakti who are with Water Missions International (WMI)-Indonesia were aweinspired by the Christmas lights and decorations that they saw. Another friend from Rwanda, Josue Mpayamaguro, who is with WMI headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina was also touched by the glittering Christmas lights in Pototan, Iloilo. When Ed Sonza and I, and with the unstinted support of the CPU Alumni Association, started the Christmas Kantahan sa CPU more than a decade ago, one of the favorite contest pieces
by the participants was Christmas in Our Hearts. This led to our invitation of the singer-composer of the song, Jose Mari Chan, to be the chief judge of the singing contest held at the CPU parade ground in 2004. Eventually, I was also successful in appealing for a P500,000 donation from Mr. Chan as I was then the designated executive director of the P100million CPU Centennial Development Fund. Much have been said and written about Christmas but when I received the shared email from my friend, Samuel P. Dorillo, now a retired practicing lawyer in Metro-Manila, I sought his approval to have it published through this column. Happy reading and Merry Christmas! I Don’t Write Christmas Poems Anymore I don’t write Christmas poems
anymore – Not of the happy Christmases of yore, Nor of the Christ Child the blessed virgin bore. I don’t write Christmas poems anymore. I’d like my verse to magnify His birth, His love to spread to every home and hearth, But Christmas talk would only be a bore. So I don’t write of Christmas anymore. I’d like to write of angels as they sang, Proclaiming peace and joy to old and young, But folks would think it’s just some ancient lore, So I don’t write of Christmas anymore. I’d haste with the shepherds as they rose, To see the Holy Babe in His repose,
world affairs. The US has her own interests to cater to, what with the billion dollars worth of goods and oil passing over the West Philippine Sea that goes directly to US consumers and pumped into its economy. More than the MDT, the US has to show her strength to protect her interests. The MDT will be a tool and a good tool at that for the US will have a good jump off point in the Philippines to assert her interests. So, let us not think that we will fully benefit from the treaty, the US will benefit more from us using us and the treaty. Again, when push comes to shove, we really have nothing against China except our Filipino pride, and the dole outs of the United States. As history taught us but never learnt, a good pat in the back is as good as nothing but the giddy feeling afterwards meant everything to a nation yearning for lost glory.
Alas, that Infant Child’s forgotten now, And I can’t write of Christmas anyhow. With our kind of Christmas, what’s to write? Christmas songs are sung without the Christ! Christmas parties held without the Guest, And we all pursue an empty quest. Ah – but I can write of God’s own Christmas tree. And of the Gift He hanged for you and me, Red with blood and green the thistled crown, Gift He dearly wrapped in Bethlehem town. And so, my friends, to you I bid farewell, No Christmas verse and rhyme to wish you well, But I can write of Christ whom we adore, Though I don’t write of Christmas anymore.
Trip down the memory lane
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ey, it’s the end of the year. The end is near. Fortunately, it’s not my life or your life that is going to end but the number of days in the 2013 calendar hanging on the wall. They say we never know the value of the moment until it becomes a memory. But then someone contradicts it by saying, we know the value; we just don’t know we would lose it. Time passes by so fast. It seems like in a just a split of a second, January becomes so close with December. Another 12 months have passed, another year full of stories to tell. Some gained new family members, some lost their loved ones. There’s just so much that can happen in a year. The year 2013 brought bitter and sweet flavors for all the Filipinos. Sweet success came when we won our first Miss World title and Miss Supra International and the recent Miss International. Although we did not win the crown, we still placed 3rd on Miss Universe and Miss Intercontinental beauty pageants.
However, our success was not the sole reason our country gained the spot light this year. It was the consecutive devastating catastrophe brought by the super typhoon Yolanda, the magnitude 7.2-earthquake in Cebu and the massive fight between MNLF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines that made the Philippines known to the international audience. It was October 15 when the earthquake jolted Bohol, Cebu and other parts of Visayas while the super typhoon rage on the Eastern and Western part of Visayas on November 8, leaving 6,000 dead and the number is still rising. This is another Christmas full of sorrow for some of our countrymen who did not only lose their house but also their loved ones. The traumatic experience they have encountered will not be healed just like that. The world was able to watch how the calamity ravaged agricultural lands, houses, establishments and lives in a span of 24 hours. Filipinos are naturally strong and resilient. Our resiliency has been tested for so many times
already and as always, it leaves us stronger and tougher than before. It’s one of the best characters we all should be proud of. Moreover, it’s almost a year since the first and only businesstourism newspaper in Iloilo, the Iloilo Metropolitan Times, was born. The publication gave birth to 5 fresh and not-so experienced individuals in the industry and later on, added another 3 individuals that added to the sweet and sour flavor of media life. Like any other organizations, IMT also suffered several ups and downs all throughout the year. There’s always problem to solve after a taste of victory. Nevertheless, the most important thing is we survived the year. Christmas is all about love, forgiveness, hope. It’s the celebration of the birth of the Light that saves all mankind from their sins. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to give back and do something for someone who cannot repay you; although I suggest we should do this everyday. Although technically, the organization is composed of
only few employees, IMT was able to collect and receive a fair amount of money to donate relief goods to the victims of the super typhoon in the northern part of Iloilo. Through the help of several golden-hearted people, we were able to produce almost a thousand packs of relief good in a span of two weeks, with only 3-5 people packing the goods. From the hearts of the people who received the early Christmas gift and us from Iloilo Metropolitan Times, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! The year 2014 awaits full of surprises for each of us. No one knows exactly what will happen, though some may predict what the future holds. I am looking forward for a more fruitful year to come. I am hoping for more clients to serve and friendships to build. I am excited for better opportunities that will help me become a better media practitioner. And finally, I am energized to travel alone, in the city of unknown. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to everyone! It has been a year. Let’s make another one. xoxo
December 22 - 28, 2013
METRO OPINION
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Christmas
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The timeless message of a great Pope, St. Leo the Great, on Christmas day, delivered hundreds of years ago, allow me to quote without interruption: “Dearly beloved, today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. “No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all. Let the saint rejoice as he sees the palm of victory at hand. Let the sinner be glad as he receives the offer of forgiveness. Let the pagan take courage as he is summoned to life. “In the fullness of time, chosen in the unfathomable depths of God’s wisdom, the Son of God took for himself our humanity in order to reconcile it with its creator. He came to overthrow the devil, the origin of death, in that very nature by which he had overthrown mankind. “And so at the birth of our Lord the angels sing in joy: ‘Glory to God in the highest’, and they proclaim ‘peace on his people on earth’ as they see the heavenly Jerusalem being built from all the nations of the world. When the angels on high are so exultant at this marvellous work of God’s goodness, what joy should
it not bring to the lowly hearts of men? “Beloved, let us give thanks to God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit, because in his great love for us he took pity on us, and when we were dead in our sins he brought us to life with Christ, so that in him we might be a new creation. Let us throw off our old nature and all its ways and, as we have come to birth in Christ, let us renounce the works of the flesh. “Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return by sin to your former base condition. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Do not forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of God’s kingdom. “Through the sacrament of baptism you have become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not drive away so great a guest by evil conduct and become again a slave to the devil, for your liberty was brought by the blood of Christ.” With such a profoundly religious message, it is really difficult for one to say that he or she is a genuine Christian, though it is so easy for us to celebrate Christmas. How we celebrate it reveals to a certain extent who we are and how have we fared with our Christian life. As for me, I will watch movies of
Metro Manila Film Festival starting Christmas Day, after going to church. **** The birthday of Graciano Lopez Jaena, December 18, a local holiday in the Province and City of Iloilo, was celebrated by the Iloilo Lawyers and Professionals Chess Club, Inc. (ILPCCI) with chess tournaments dubbed “Battle of Champions” and “Showdown of Heroes”. The qualifying tournaments started in June this year with Champions at least every third Sunday of the month waiting for this local holiday to join in such finale tournaments. Though I initiated the tournaments being the president of ILPCCI, I qualified at one time, and joined the category of the “Battle of Champions”. Did I win myself? Yes, I did. But I was not the champion in this tourney, though I was the only one who won against the champion. Let me then congratulate Mr. Ronel Ballesteros, chess coach of Central Philippine University, and a resident of Oton, Iloilo for winning and coming out as the Champion of champions. He was being followed in the next place by Jess Salvilla. Although my score tied with Mr. Salvilla, I lost the second place because he won against me. So I was settled in
the third place, the place for second runner-up. My then coach at West Visayas State University, Mr. Danilo Alcalde was the third runner-up. Lanz Vencer landed in the fifth place, while Fiona Guirhem and Leo Garachico shared the sixth and seventh places. MCTC Judge Rod Convocar, Vice President of ILPCCI, and Mr. Bob Flores, President of the Association of Disabled Persons-Iloilo, Inc. (ADPI-I) that graciously provided the playing venue for ILPCCI at its canteen at Jaro Plaza, handed to the aforesaid winners cash prizes, and special mug trophies from the third runner-up to the Champion of Champions. Those who won in the “Showdown of Heroes” were: Fritz Porras, 1st Placer; John Franz De Asis, 2nd Placer; Lloyd Lanciola, 3rd Placer; Dante Balsote, 4th Placer; Jasper Donasco, 5th Placer; and Gil Casa, 6th Placer. They all received cash prizes, but those who won from the third to first places received special mug trophies. My appreciation goes to DOMBER Security Agency, Inc., and BACK-UP Security Force and General Services, Inc. for supporting the event, being its sole sponsor, in honor of our very own hero, a son of Jaro, Iloilo City: Graciano Lopez Jaena.# Send feedback to: arnoldcares@ yahoo.com
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list this year? I’m a poor gift giver because I like books, movies, and arts so much that I think other people should like them, too. So, to resolve the issue, I just became very practical and give the people in my Christmas list money instead. It is vulgar, true; but, at least, people can buy exactly want they want for Christmas! While I believe that the big idea of Christmas is giving, I also strongly believe in getting what people what they wish for. Haha!
Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages [ACTFL], and actually being paid for it. Just to show how singular that honor is, I dare any other Ilonggo ACTFL OPI tester for Hiligaynon, if there exists another, to come forward and show me that I am not the only one.
“Dallas Buyers Club.” And, of course, there is Randy Graydon, who has been, for the last five years, my anchor… and slave. Haha! Aside from being my source of confidence, Randy actually does most of our housekeeping leaving me free to do creative things.
What were your five proudest moments in 2013? In order of intensity, No. 1 would be finishing the L.A. Marathon. I am an admitted couch potato. What can I do? I am a writer, who likes to sit down and think about human existence and characters that I would like to write about. So it really is a proud moment for me to be able to run 26.4 miles [42.5 kms.]. No. 2 was winning my
sixth Palanca gold. I thought that I’d get over the Palanca contest after being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, but I really enjoy the challenge and peer validation at the Palanca. And because I won for my short story in Hiligaynon, it further confirmed my distinguished position in Western Visayan literature. No. 3 is hosting the 2013 Peter’s Prize awards night, which some people have already dubbed as the “little Palanca” of Western Visayas. To singlehandedly fund and organize a writers’ night in Iloilo, and to inspire so many people in the writing community, what more can people ask of me? No. 4 would be winning the public vote of the Rappler-Rexona Do More Awards. For as long as I know that I am Number One in the people’s hearts, I know that I am a true winner as the Artist who does more. And No. 5, but not the least, being accredited as an oral proficiency interview [OPI] tester for Hiligaynon by the American
Who are your heroes for 2013? Pope Francis, for pulling the papacy out of the palace into the streets, just like Blessed Pope John Paul II. I mean, there is a good reason why TIME Magazine has chosen Pope Francis to be person of the year! Then, there’s the recently laid to rest Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, anti-apartheid revolutionary, and president of South Africa from 1994-1999. Another is Matthew McConaughey who is totally reinventing and pushing himself from being a romantic comedy lead-type hunk to the consummate actor that you see in “Magic Mike,” “Mud,” and
In ten years, how will you best remember 2013? 2013 will definitely be remembered as the year that clarified, established, and solidified my role as a major advocate of the Hiligaynon language in particular, and of indigenous cultures in general. You just have to look at my Peter’s Prize for Hiligaynon Literature, my Palanca honors, my ACTFL certification, the groundwork for the Hiligaynon dictionary, and my national finalist honors at the Rappler Do More Awards Artist category. Next year, I will definitely build more on these achievements.
mangrove community structure analysis plus the formulas for the different indices (relative density, dominance, frequency; importance value and species diversity) with sample data sheet,” among others. Of course, the guide shows off pictures of the whole plants and their parts. We welcomed this update with great interest. The thought of passing by SEAFDEC now on the way home to Antique for holidays earned a new delight, like being acquainted after many years, finally, to a schoolmate whom you only used to hear about in the news. On the other hand, our apologies for a misspelled surname: ‘Resurreccion B. Sabada’ should have been Resurreccion B. Sadaba. As I relished my newly-acquired mangrove literacy, I remembered pobreng kahoy. In my Antique childhood, this was a lowly tree of tender branches in green that my friends and I scouted on hills and in forests to bring home to be made into a Christmas tree. On many Decembers, in classrooms at school,
at homes in the neighborhood, and in a corner of the barangay plaza, a Christmas tree pobreng kahoy stood still in a big emptied can of biscuits filled up by small stones and covered by hay and soon, packs of wrapped Christmas gifts. Oh, how fun we had attaching ice candies on it – in different colors and flavors! We had to rummaged for toys and salvaged junks and transformed them into handcrafted decorations. Putting up a Christmas tree was a communal affair. A lighted Christmas tree was a source of joy and pride, a testament of a good year, and thus, more reason to celebrate and share one’s bounty harvest. Google led me to the health digital library of the Philippine Council for Health Research & Development and the Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila that gave me Euphorbia tirucalli as the scientific name of pobreng kahoy. Its common Filipino name is suerda and in
English, it is known as the Indian tree spurge. It is said to be a cure for cancerous warts. We persist to decorate a Christmas tree at home. For the kids, and our young hearts. Many years ago, for the first time, we bought a fancy one. Like many traditional Filipino families, we putted it up as early as October to invite piles of boxes of early Christmas gifts to be handed out on the eve of Christmas. After Misa de Gallo, before Noche Buena. This year, I suggested a kind of Do-It-Your-Own (DIY) Christmas tree, in white, for a renewed sense of life and community spirit. I am excited to go home this week for that Christmas tree that our eldest sister and brother-in-law decorated to the cheers of the children, most especially. Where I am now, a giant green Christmas tree punctuated by small white decorations stand still. On the grassland of what was left of the old football field where a sleek building now towers at De La Salle University
in Manila campus. I watched it from the terrace of the building where I live on the night it was first lighted up. At that moment, I heard myself saying ‘Christmas is coming,’ ‘Christmas is here – there’s no stopping it.’ I don’t desire to go back to the days of pobreng kahoy. I value signs and symbols for their metaphorical functions toward embodied responses that generate concrete actions. I treat memories and desires as markers of attention in mapping and visualizing plans toward realities. Still stuck in the traffic and chaos of Manila for instance, I find it comforting to be reminded that once upon a time, species of mangroves known as Scyphiphora hyrdophyllacea, with the local name nilad, covered Manila Bay and Pasig River. That’s how it got its name Maynila. This knowledge benefits me as a sanity-saver, and as it is coupled with sadness and certain anger, it refuels my drive to continue taking part, in my own little ways, toward environmental awareness and protection.
he birth of Christ, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is celebrated by the Christendom on December 25, a regular “holiday” for secular purposes, a “holy day” for Christians. Peoples celebrate Christmas with a mixture of secular and religious traditions and practices. No Christmas is celebrated without sharing meals with family, friends or officemates; no Christmas without exchanging gifts, without decorated Christmas trees, without Christmas lights, without church attendance. This Christmas we have seen a lot of attraction, a lot of happenings. In Pavia after the bridge from Iloilo City, the house remains an attraction to watch during Christmas season as it is well-lighted with Christmas lights. The plaza of Cabatuan, however, has a lot to show with Christmas lights filling the area. It impresses me. The attraction is more valuable than the cost of electricity, the cost of Christmas lights, designs and efforts combined. Churches are not, however, filled better than the previous years, during the “Simbang Gabi” or the early morning mass. But still, the Christmas message remains unchanged. s Peter Solis Nery a compulsive list maker? Haha! What gave me away? I definitely am! Until last year, I kept a journal, which I called “The Book of Anxiety.” It’s really just a list of things to do, deadlines and reminders, and things that make me anxious, that I cross out every time that they are resolved. I would list books that I really wanted to buy, movies that I wanted to see, and storylines of what I wanted to write. For the longest time, my American greencard was top of the list, which worried me for over five years! I think that I effectively stopped worrying much about lists when I finally got my greencard, but I still make them. Haha! Did you make a Christmas shopping
More on Mangroves, A Memory of Pobreng Kahoy, and A White & Green Christmas Tree
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e a d e r s re p l i e d via email on our previous column titled ‘Mangroves, A Handbook and an Animation.’ Dr. Jurgenne H. Primavera thanked us for citing the 2004 Handbook of Mangroves in the Philippines-Panay. Dr. Junemie Lebata-Ramos of the Research Division of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center for Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC) stationed in Tigbauan, Iloilo introduced us to the latest resource material: a mangrove field guide, and note - waterproof! Launched last July, this is a 32-page field guide printed like our IDs and ATM cards. Dr. Lebata-Ramos attests to its durability. She had tried soaking it in seawater for a week, and you bet - come storm and flood, it could only get wet and all but still safe for your use. After all, in 9 cm x 14 cm, it is kept in a plastic case and contains your “key to mangrove genera and species,” “species code for use during mangrove community structure,” and “instructions on how to conduct
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December 22 - 28, 2013
ILOILO METROPOLITAN TIMES
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Weather resistant breed of plants needed BY MARY PAULINE BALMES The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has recommended the government to rehabilitate the agricultural landscape by providing a new design plan and introducing new breed of crops in the Visayas region. In a statement, PCCI Vice Chairman for Agriculture Roberto Amores said that there was a massive destruction of coconut farms in the regions due to the super typhoon ‘Yolanda’. ”About 500,000 to 600,000 coconut trees were totally damaged by this ‘Yolanda’ devastation, affecting 20 percent of total Philippines coconut
UN-FAO tells Capiceño farmers to use palay seeds immediately
The United Nations – Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) urged Capiceño farmers badly hit by super tyhpoon Yolanda last November 8 to immediately use and plant the certified palay seeds distributed to them. This was disclosed by UNFAO Area Coordinator for Region 6 Willy Apolinario during the recent distribution of certified palay seeds to about 320 farmers in Sigma town. The UN-FAO official has urged the farmers to immediately use and plant the seeds within the month. The seeds were funded by the government of Italy and its distribution was coursed through the agency. “A monitoring team will come and will look into the progress until harvest of how it is grown in the field,” he stressed. Identified farmers from the municipalities of Panay, Jamindan, Mambusao, Sigma, Cuartero and Dumalag were among the beneficiaries of the UN-FAO and Department of Agriculture farm input assistance. He added that the assistance will be complemented with fertilizers and a number of farm tools in the coming weeks. Irrigation pumps and corn seeds
production,” said Amores. Amores said that due to the enormous strength of typhoon passing the central part of the country, the new breed of coconut seeds is crucial, thus the new strategies for this kind of agricultural landscape should be compatible to the region. “There is a need to plant weather resistant breed of plants and crops. We have suggested to change and introduce new breed of coconut
seedlings that will really be of hybrid variety. (Of course) intercrop it with cacao or coffee and intercrop it further with crust crops in order to support this -- the growth short and medium term gestation period of crop,” Amores added. As of writing time, the Department of Agriculture has recorded a total of P6.5 billion worth of damages in the agricultural sector. Rehabilitation will cost about P5.73 billion. PNA/IMT
Strict execution of Easement Law urged BY MARY PAULINE BALMES A resolution was passed urging the local government units to strictly implement the Easement Law to assure water quality among residents. Iloilo Watershed Management Council (IWMC) secretariat and Provincial Environment and National Resources (PENRO) Officer Sol Sucaldito said the move came about in consideration of maintaining water quality and safety of the population. The provisions for easement are embodied in Section 1 of Republic Act 1273, the “Public Land Act,” Section 16 of Presidential Decree No. 705 or the “Forestry Code,” and Article 51 of Presidential Decree No. 1067, or the Water Code of the Philippines. Part of Section 1 of RA No. 1273 provides that the applicant to a title “agrees that a strip of forty meters wide starting from the bank on each side of neither a river nor stream in any land applied for, shall be demarcated and preserved as permanent timberland to be exclusively planted to trees of known economic value…” DENR-Environmental Management Bureau chief Atty. Jonathan Bulos said that the resolution approved by the body is very important because this would remind the LGUs’ building officials to be strict
in highlighting the requirement of easement in the issuance of building permits. However, some are apprehensive with regards to the funding to be used in relocating people. “Our desire to implement easement is hampered by the funds we would need in relocating people who are there in the prohibited areas,” said Mayor Ramona Go of San Enrique. Watershed advocate Jessica Salas said as the LGUs become more conscious of the easement requirement, some preventive measures to the problems which may occur should be observed. Among these, according to Salas, are strict compliance with requirements for building permits, management of solid waste, management of runoff waters, especially from subdivisions that overflow to the nearby creeks, through rainwater catchments, and preservation of wetlands, which can reduce storm surges. Meanwhile, the IWMC has recommended to the DENR and the LGUs to intensify information on the implementation of the “Easement Law” and start putting in place the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), zoning ordinances and the hazard maps. PIA6/IMT
on a limited scale will also be provided to the farmers. Municipal Agriculturist Ireneo Lumawag conveyed his appreciation to the donors as he held back his tears during the seeds distribution because of the heartbreaking plight of farmers after the typhoon. “We were not only hit by typhoon, we were also affected by flood waters,”
he noted, adding that Sigma town is among the flood-prone areas in the province. Also present during the seed distribution in the municipality were Sigma mayor Christopher Andaya, Provincial Agriculturist Sylvia Dela Cruz, local mediamen, other UN-FAO staff and farmer-beneficiaries. (JSC/ AAL-PIA6 Capiz)
11 tribes for Dinagyang 2014
Coconut plantations along the road going to Carles
Ilonggo entreps among PH’s best BY ANGELIE ICAMINA Two Ilonggos made their way to the top 7 of the 11th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards ceremony funded by Citi Foundation together with Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), just recently. Regina Paller, from Passi City, won the CMA Visayas Award. Her successful diner set-up of the Ken-ken Talabahan won her the spot in the top 7. Maria Guidella Agrabio, from Negros Occidental, transformed a 3-hectare plot of farmland to a successful agri-business and provided 50 farmers a livelihood. This won her the Special Award for Agri Micro Business given by the Department of Agriculture. “The strong success of CMA in the Philippines has drawn the attention of our colleagues in other
Consumers warned on ATM modus
One example of the modus operandi of skimmers and scammers this holiday season BY ABIGAIL VILLAMOR
Tribes show preliminary performances during the Pamukaw festival. Photo courtesy of PIA6 BY MARY PAULINE BALMES composed of Tribu Panayanon, the High School and Calaparan, Arevalo; After the successful Dinagyang defending champion from Iloilo and Tribu Milagrosa of Poblacion Festival Pamukaw last December 13, City National High School; Tribu Ilawod, Passi City. the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Molave sa R.G. Hechanova of MV The Kasadyahan Festival, Inc., and the Iloilo City tourism Hechanova, Jaro; Tribu Aninipay of on January 25, will be a cultural office announced that all of them are Don Esteban Lapuz, Tribu Atub-Atub presentation instead of a competition qualified to compete for the contest of Veterans Village; Tribu Ilonganon to give way proper, slated January 26, 2014. of Jalandoni Memorial High School; “Though it is a major part of the Iloilo City tourism Benito Tribu Paghidaet of Lapaz National Dinagyang celebration, we will no Jimena said “All the eleven tribes are High School; Tribu Obreros of longer have a competition, but will qualified to join to the final contest. Buntatala, Jaro; Tribu Angola of remain as a showcase of culture and The Pamukaw is a compulsory Quezon-Delgado; Tribu Salognon heritage of the Ilonggo people. requirement for the Ati-Ati tribes for of Jaro National High School; Tribu This years’ Dinagyang Festival is the competition”. Baybayanon, formerly tribu Pag-asa themed, “Bringing more Fun to the The competing tribes are of merged Melchor L. Nava National World”.IMT
parts of the globe, and many Citi markets have since adopted the program to promote microfinance and microenterprise development in their respective countries,” said Batara Sianturi, CEO of Citi Philippines. Enrico Fojas of Cookie Mill feeds, topped the 107 nominations of the 2013 national awards. Along with him are: Marylyn Cleto of Soft Brooms Manufacturing Business; Necy Ann Ty of Mountaineering Market from Davao City; Rosario Caparas of New variants of Flavored Buchi of Laguna; and Jennilyn Antonio, owner of global supplier of peanut butter. The seven winners received scholarship for entrepreneurship training, cash prizes, microinsurance coverage and laptop computers funded by Citi Foundation with Bayan Academy. ABS-CBN/IMT
Consumers are warned by the Philippine National Police to be careful and be alert in spending their money using their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards this holiday season. Card fraud or theft is one of the wide-ranging term committed mostly on ATM cards or credit cards to obtain unauthorized funds from an account. ATM skimming scam is the new modus operandi of ATM scammers here in the Philippines. Scammers are using high-tech gadgets that can quickly read a card’s information and use it to access your account fraudulently. Card skimming is a way of copying information illegally from the magnetic strip of a credit or ATM card. With a small device, such as a card reader and a memory chip, your card’s information gets stored by the scammers, stealing your details so they can access your accounts. A small camera is put into the machine to copy the ATM or pin number. Scammers skim cards through handheld devices that can be kept in a
pocket. Once scammers have skimmed your card, they can create a cloned card with your details on it. The scammer is then able to run up charges on your account. PNP in constant coordination with the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), said that they are currently adding security features in ATM machines, but consumers must also take responsibility in guarding and protecting their identity and possession by avoiding to be caught and be a victim of a skimming scam. Use secure ATM machines with surveillance cameras. They are less likely to be meddling with. Thieves have to take more risk installing skimming devices where there are security devices. Just in case there’s a hidden camera around, cover the ATM keypad as you’re entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If something looks suspicious, find another ATM. If a machine retains your card, call the bank and report it immediately. Keep a close eye on your card. If you have any doubt, don’t let a seller walk off with your card, even for a few times. Have a happy holiday by being careful and alert.IMT
10
IBL
Iloilo Basketball Leauge
BY REYMAR LATOZA One last fight to get the championship crown. West Visayas State University (WVSU) stormed back after pounding University of San Agustine (USA) with 40-29 win in game 2 of the Iloilo Basketball League (IBL) Women’s Basketball Tournament best-of-three finals series. WVSU faced USA with more pressure as they have to win the said game to halt the opponent’s straight victory. Scorching WVSU converted the pressure into actions to defeat USA but it was a hard-fought battle. WVSU showed an impressive come-from-behind victory against USA. USA did a good start, ending the first quarter with 5-point edge, 15-10. Early in the second quarter, USA maintained its good composure but the WVSU is dead serious to bungle USA. WVSU had able to recover from early slump to avoid getting buried
BY REYMAR LATOZA Powerhouse teams slug it out in the quarterfinals of Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament at San Miguel Gymnasium. Several teams were eliminated while teams in the top seed got their tickets to the next round of the said tournament. Here’s the recap of team standing in the elimination round: Barangay San Jose secured its 4
METRO SPORTS
December 22 - 28, 2013
WVSU vs USA Finals Game 3 into a deeper hole. They dropped a close game against USA, ending the first half with both 21 scores. In the third quarter, WVSU and USA showcased a tug-of-war battle. At the end of the said quarter, WVSU moved ahead over USA, 2927. WVSU finally got back into groove with dazzling moves and energy in the fourth quarter as it continued to rise up to win the game 2. Both teams are one win away to the ultimate victory. USA defeated WVSU in game 1, 52-37. The USA’s stellar performance gave them a good start in the finals. USA won in straight actionpacked quarters, 16-5 (Q1), 25-13 (Q2), 34-25 (Q3). Bleeding WVSU tried to bounce back but they did not have enough fuel in the tank to overtake USA. In game 2, WVSU trampled USA, 40-29. The said tournament was
organized by Iloilo Basketball (IBL) League, headed by Alfie Lagman as President of the said league. It was participated by the six teams namely West Visayas State
University (WVSU), PEI, University of Agustine (USA), Iloilo National High School (INHS), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) as well as two others teams namely,
Avengers, and Textus. It aims to promote and flourish the field of sports in Iloilo by developing and discovering potential Ilonggo basketball players.IMT
Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament quarterfinals begin wins and no loss record while Barangay 3 remained winless in bracket A as of December 9, 2013. Other teams are Hacienda (1W, 1L), Barangay 16 (2W, 1L), and Warriors (1W, 2L). Goducate, Barangay 8 SRN, and Barangay 1 Roxas have 2 wins and 1 loss record. Barangay 4 Suarez has 1 win and 2 losses while Jokers suffered 2 losses in Bracket B. In Bracket C, Sta Teresa, and Ritarians occupied the top spot with both 2 wins and 1 loss followed by
Sto. Nino with 2 wins and 2 losses. Santiago has 1 win and 2 losses and Barangay 2 has3 losses and remained winless. In Bracket D, Stag rises among other teams with 3 wins and no loss record. Sta Cruz landed on the second spot with 3 wins and 1 loss record followed by Barangay 7 SRN with 1 win and 1 loss. team Rebels has 1 win and 2 losses. Riyogeco suffered 4 losses. On the other hand, in 18-under category, 11 teams were divided into two.
In Bracket A, Jokers and Ritarians occupied the top spot with both 2 wins and no loss. Other teams are Brgy 10 Stag 9 (1W, 1L), Brgy. 9 Riyogeco (1W, 1L), Brgy 11-12 (2L) and Brgy. 16 Giant (2L). Brgy. 14 ABC –Rebels dominates in bracket B with 2 wins and no loss record. Other teams are Brgy. 2-4 Smash (2W, 1L), Brgy. Roxas (1W,1L), Sta. Cruz (1W, 1L), and Hacienda (3L). Meanwhile, Brgy. 3-4 cemented
its lead with 3 wins and no loss record in 35 and above category followed by Brgy. 14 with 2 wins and no loss record. Other teams are Brgy. 10 (1W, 1L), Brgy. 1- Roxas (2L), and Brgy. 9 (3L). The Mayor Dunstan Claudio S. Sale Cup Basketball Tournament spearheaded by Hon. Frince Sales, Sangguniang Bayan member, and Chairman of Committee on Sports is part of the town’s annual ‘Pasidungog Festival’. IMT
Dingle River Cruise Dingle Cruise text and photos by Bombette Marin
Embarking on a river cruise in Dingle is an alternate way to see its scenic interior. A perfect blend of beauty and grace, every gentle bend of the river reveals interesting sights. The 7-kilometer cruise starts in Barangay Licu-an (approximately 3 kilometers away from the town center). Its base is at the upper portion of the Jalaur Irrigation Dam, popularly known as Moroboro Dam. The dam, built in 1955, provides irrigation to this town’s agricultural lands and nearby towns. Perfectly blending with the river’s serene atmosphere is a ruined postWorld War II suspension bridge that traverses the Jalaur River. This cruise is more intimate that takes place on smaller-scale motorized boat and winds its way through passing the barangays of Moroboro, Lincud and Tinocuan where beautiful white limestone cliffs and other limestone rock formations are seen. Views of small barangays along the river banks are one of the best ways to explore this town’s simple, yet absorbing lifestyle. This nearly to an hour leisurely cruise ends in Barangay Tinocuan. When venturing for the river cruise, tourists can also drop a fishing line and have a catch of tilapias, carps and mudfish. Visitors can also enjoy eco-bird watching river cruise. The municipal government is in all-out support to this innovative tourism project planned to harness potential of this river as one of its major tourism attractions. It also plays an
active role in developing the river as a venue for various tourism activities. In fact, in the last two years, the municipality mounted the LANTAY Festival. Lantay is a Hiligaynon term for a float or plane made of bamboo used long time ago for travel on water or for fishing. Celebrated every last week of April till the 1st week of May as part of their Summer Pagdihon festivity, it is a 1-kilometer river race for single, double or for a group of six. Efforts are on to introduce a much larger vessel for the cruise that can carry more people. Presently, it has two motorized pump-boats that can load 8-10 persons and a Catamaran (a geometry-stabilized multi-hulled vessel consisting of two parallel hulls propelled by a giant fan) that can carry eight (8) persons. Individual tourists are given life vests during the cruise. Dingle has successfully marketed itself as an Eco-cultural destination of the province and continues to attract eco-tourists. It is known for a number of tourist attractions, such as the Filipino-Baroque architecture of ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH that was finished in 1886; BULABOG PUTI-AN, designated a National Park through Congressional Bill No. 1651, occupies an area of 834.033 hectares and covers five of this town’s 33 barangays boasts its 33 caves; the NAUTOD WALL, one of the major rock-climbing destinations in the Philippines, and; MOUNT MANYAKIYA known for its natural viewing deck that provides a panoramic
view of the island of Negros. Affordable accommodation establishments open their doors to tourists wishing to participate in field activities, sports or simply relax in contact with nature. The ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES (ISCOF) GUEST HOUSE, Dingle Campus in Barangay San Matias has two (2) air-conditioned rooms ready to cater to a group of four (4) and six (6) persons with communal toilet and bath, dining hall and mini-sala with a minimal overnight fee of P300 per person. The area is a P7.00 tricycle ride from the town center. For more information, please call 3510085. For those who can afford to pay extra, two (2) air-conditioned furnished rooms are available in ZAMARLI BUILDING at Muyco Street in Barangay Poblacion. The rooms can accommodate a group of 3 and offers one (1) single bed and one (1) family-size bed, with private toilet and bath, refrigerator and cable TV. An overnight stay will cost P1,500 for every room. For more information, please contact Mr. Jimmy Diaz at 09184546994. From Tagbak terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City, one can take a Dingle bound jeepney and from the town proper you can take a tricycle ride going to the different historical and natural sites in the area. For more information, please contact Mr. Dane Dizon-Municipal Tourism Officer at 09477424341.