ISSN 01165343
“WE ARE NOW FIVE (5)YEARS ON PUBLIC SERVICE”
Bringing the
PHILIPPINES To Every Home...
MARINDUQUE: A PRIME TOURIST DESTINATION Formerly Pacific MONITOR NEWSMAGAZINE
VOL. 9 NO.38
JULY 17-23, 2012
By: marinduque rising SAN ISIDRO CAVE & SUBTERRANEAN RIVER
indybay.org Story on page 3
Palawan:
By Orlan C. Jabagat page 6
By: Isabel Palomares Ball
Or.Mindoro
By Luis T. Cueto
Romblon:
Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
THUMBS UP, THINK POSITIVE... Marinduque Tourism Council (MTC)
By Dinnes Manzo
pahina 4
page 4
Courtesy of:
By: Eli J. Obligacion By: Ferdinand F. Castro
—see page 4
see page 2
VISIT US AT: http://www.journalistmarinduque.multiply.com
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JULY 17-23, 2012
By: Eli Obligacion View of Malindig volcano from an old, forlorn and forgotten site in Torrijos. Old folks referred to it as ‘Intramuros’ in their youth, climbing and walking on top of its old walls, now just left behind for the invasive cadena de amor to take over.
One could only surmise that the original builders of this old site might have been looking for a place where a panoramic view of hills, mountains, the Malindig Volcano, the islands yonder, the sea and the sky form a scenery that could only be described as perfect,
On the other hand, the perennial vine with deep pink flowers and greenery now provides color to the surroundings.
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JULY 17-23, 2012
Ay...Marinduque Ni: NOEL V. MAGTURO GREETINGS From: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Marinduque District Engineering Office Bangbangalon, Boac, Marinduque Telefax: (042) 311-1503
TIBURCIO L. CANLAS OIC-District Engineer
RODOLFO S. DAVID OIC-Asst. District Engineer
RAMEL J. NARANJO Chief, Planning and Design Section
JESUS M. MALUBAG Chief, Maintenance Section
SALOME M. SARTILLO Chief, Materials Quality Control Section
ARISTEO L. LINGA Chief, Construction Section
EDITA S. SEVILLA Chief, Administrative Section
EXPAT Notebook By Isabel Palomares Ball
Philippines is an island with 7100 islands, each diverse in personality. Marinduque is literally a heart-shape island located at the center of the Philippines, and easily it earned the moniker heart of the country. This piece of real estate barely measures 1000 sq. km. is an outstanding beauty with lush forests, attractive beaches, rich and colorful Spanish tradition with history
ZENAIDA B. MARCELO Chief, Accounting Section
of cultural traces dating back to the Chinese trading and the seemingly inexhaustible mineral deposits of copper, ore, gold, silver, and now reportedly, uranium. The island is my birthplace, a paradise in the true sense of the word. And I am bias of the place for obvious reasons. Marinduque has remained pretty much unchanged in ways and landscape that made me to fall in love with it all over again, and potentially to the sun-seeking tourists. The same inviting serene, blue seas in summer, thick foliage of banana plants and coconut palms towering-- though in areas suffering from diminished fruits due to historic typhoons and hot weather that hit the country in succession--and the charming barrios with people living in basic simplicity are scenic points. On the surface so it appears. But much has happened —turn to page 5
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JULY 17-23, 2012
By Luis T. Cueto CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, (PIA) -- Isang public consultation ang isinagawa kamakailan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa Provincial Capitol Square sa Calapan City, hinggil sa binuong Oriental Mindoro Power Development Plan for 2012-2014. Ang konsultasyon ay pinangunahan ni Gob. Alfonso V. Umali Jr. kasama sina First District Representative Rodolfo G. Valencia, Bise-Gob. Humerlito A. Dolor, Bokal Ryan Z. Arago, at Bishop Warlito A. Cajandig. Dinaluhan ito ng mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, mga pribadong samaha,n at mga mamamayan. Ayon kay Umali, napapanahon ang planong ito sapagkat nahaharap sa power crisis ang bansa. Aniya, tutukuyin ang mga ugat ng problema at base dito inilalatag ang kumprehensibo at kayang-gawing mga proyekto, istratehiya, at mekanismo para sa maasahan at episyenteng suplay ng kuryente sa lalawigan. Sa presentasyon ng plano ni provincial legal officer, Kristine Grace L. Suarez isang abogado, na itinalagang chairperson ng multisectoral technical working group, ilan sa pinakamahahalagang detalye ng plano ay ang pagtukoy ng mga lugar na maaaring pagkunan ng iba pang suplay ng enerhiya at mapaunlad ang mga ito; makapagpaunlad ng renewable energy sources; maitiyak na kakayanin at hindi masisira ang power facilities ng mga kalamidad; mahikayat ang partisipasyon ng mga stakeholder at suporta ng pamahalaan sa mga isinusulong na proyektong pang-enerhiya at matiyak na magtutuluy-tuloy ang implementasyon ng power development ng Oriental Mindoro sa susunod pang mga taon. Ibinahagi naman ni Mike Guico, inhinyero ng Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Oromeco) ang kasalukuyang power situation ng lalawigan kung saan nakita na kulang ang supply ng kuryente at ang mataas ang presyo nito. Iniulat din niya ang ilang malalaking proyektong naipatupad ng kooperatiba sa tulong ng kapitolyo at
ng tanggapan ng mga kongresista ng ng Oriental Mindoro, kabilang ang Linao-Cawayan mini-hydro power plant na ang pormal na pagbubukas ay pinangunahan kamakailan ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. Si Roberto Davalos, inhinyero ng National Power Corporation (Napocor), ang nag-ulat sa existing installations at sa ilang on-going expansion projects at iba pang programa para sa Mindoro. Inihayag din niya ang kakulangan ng pondo ng Napocor na isa sa pinakamabibigat na suliranin sa maayos na implementasyon ng mga proyekto ng korporasyon. Kaugnay pa rin nito, inihayag ni Valencia na pormal nang ipinaabot ng kaniyang tanggapan sa Pangulo ang kaniyang isinusulong na Mindoro Renewable Energy Program kasabay ang imbitasyon upang pangunahan nito ang groundbreaking ceremony ng 16 Mw wind power project sa Puerto Galera ngayong buwan ng Hulyo. Ipinaliwanag din ng kongresista ang kaniyang itinaguyod na Batangas-Mindoro Submarine Cable Project na isang multi-bilyong pisong proyektong magtitiyak ng maayos na sistema ng kuryente sa dalawang lalawigan at maging sa ibang bahagi ng Luzon at makapanghihikayat ng mamumuhunan at industriya sa Oriental Mindoro. Binigyang-diin naman ni Umali na kailangan ang mabilis na pagkilos at tiyak na mga plano at proyekto upang maisiguro na sa hinaharap ay magiging maayos at episyente ang kuryente ng lalawigan nang matupad na rin ang nais ni Pangulong Aquino na sa pagtatapos ng kaniyang termino sa 2016 ay nakapagbibigay na ang Oriental Mindoro ng labis nitong suplay ng kuryente sa iba pang mga lalawigan. (LBR/PIO/
LTC,PIA4B)
BOAC, Marinduque - The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) here is training farmers for the planting of strawberries in one of the towns in this province found to be a potential paradise for strawberries. A cold place wherein vegetables can grow was discovered in Barangay Sibuyao, Sta. Cruz. Some 2,000 square meters in said village is the target place to plant seedlings and the office of PAO will build two units of green house to monitor production of crops and to directly assist the farmers. Cora Peregrin of the PAO said strawberry has a great potential since it is an all-yearround crop. An area is now being prepared for 100 seedlings that may produce a yield after 45 days. (Ferdinand F. Castro)
By Dinnes Manzo ODIONGAN, Romblon, (PIA) -- Tinatayang aabot sa 36 na sitio sa iba’t-ibang baranggay sa buong lalawigan ng Romblon ang mabi-benipesyuhan ng pailaw ng National Electrification Administration (NEA) kaugnay sa kanilang Sitio Electrification Program (SEP), na sisimulan sa taong ito. Ito ang pormal na impormasyong nakarating sa tanggapan ni Governor Eduardo C. Firmalo base sa ipinadalang liham sa kanya ni NEA administrator Edita S. Bueno noong nakaraang buwan. Batay sa plano para sa 2012, kung saan ipatutupad ang ang pangalang serye ng implementasyon, sasaklawan ng pailaw ang 15 sitio sa munisipyo ng Romblon na nagkakahalaga ng P13,842,386.45 na pangangasiwaan ng pamunuan ng Romblon Electric Cooperative Inc. (ROMELCO). Samantala, ang Tablas Island naman ay mabibiyayaan ang 21 sitios sa programang pailaw na nagkakahalaga ng P24,859,585.33 na isasagawa ng Tablas Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (TIELCO). Sa kahalintulad na programa para sa 2013, iminumungkahi ng NEA official na pailawan pati ang 50 sitio sa isla ng Romblon at 64 sitio naman sa Tablas Island. Layunin ng programang ito na mailawan ang mga kabahayan sa mga liblib na lugar kung saan napakalayo ng mga ito sa main transmission line ng kuryente. Ang naturang mga proyekto ay tinalakay na ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) upang mapondohan. Pagtitiyak ng NEA Administrator, oras na maaprubahan umano ito ng DBM ay agad na iri-release ang pondo sa dalawang electric cooperative para sa mabilisang implementasyon ng nasabing programa.(LBR/RSun/DM-PIA 4B, Romblon)
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JULY 17-23, 2012 Marinduque deserves‌ from page 3 to the island since the 30-years of large mining operations. Major in magnitude was the environmental impact of the mining disasters, a series of three incidents. The Calancan Bay in Sta Cruz was made the dumping site for the mine tailings for PlacerDome and Marcopper mining companies in 1969-1975. Then, there was a seeming case of irresponsibility by the mining companies, and with force majeure as a catalyst, in 1993 the Maguila-guila dam breached ruining the Mogpog River. As though in a show of parody of errors, in three short years, a leak in the Tapian Pit gave way into a cascading toxic slurry down into the 26-km. Boac River in summer of 1996 submerging it all in tons of thick lahar. Since then, no meaningful clean up was undertaken in spite of a reportedly cleanup fund placed by the mining companies in an escrow fund. At the mining site in San Antonio in Sta Cruz, now a restricted compound, in my recent and only visit, time has seemed to stop. Mining was immediately stopped after barrage of lawsuits were filed against the erring companies PlacerDome and the Marcos operated Marcopper. In supreme quietude, a pile of nothing but rusting machineries and overgrowth stand like ghosts ironically watched by the surrounding and once magnificent and formidable mountain ranges, now scarred and demolished, it cradles the placid but deceiving remains of unfathomable pits of large bodies of water in colors of toxicity in suspicious deep greenish blue that is the mine waste. Like sword of Damocles the structure could collapse for no reasons at all, and could deliver another devastating blow to the lands below God forbid. Photo shows from L - R: Board Member Allan Nepomuceno, Board Member Bong Raza, Bishop Rey Evangelista, Boac Mayor Bert Madla and Governor Carmencita O. Reyes (TMS)
Whether known or not, conditions for the province is dire environmentally. The USGS had reported that the damage is perpetual, and the toxicity to the island gradually seeps into the interior endangering of contamination to even the water for irrigation and for drinking sourced from the aquifers. Due to this, in a report written in 2008, it was ascertained that diseases will be on the rise in Marinduque related to the mine pollution. Increase in heart problems, diabetes, liver and kidneys are some of the major afflictions. It is understandable a fact that when what we ingest anything toxic, our bodies would manifest aversion to it in gradual deterioration of the body systems into a lingering or terminal health conditions. Truly an unfortunate and uncalled for disaster, the mining accident is a seeming irreversible condition for the environment of Marinduque, as the residue of the contaminants were airborne and leaching into the water systems is an unpleasant legacy we could leave to our planet, let alone for the Marinduquenos. Meantime, the future of Marinduque remains under onslaught as by the cash-affluent foreigners, in particular, the Chinese and the Koreans, are vying for rights to mine again on some abandoned and presumably depleted mineral sites such as in Brgy. Bocboc, Mogpog. The battle between the pro-mining companies, large or small scale, and their political complicits vs. the alert publics that espoused the mining moratorium is still being fought. It behooves that we keep our vigilant stance on our own environment for no one, none other than we the people of Marinduque should keep that our domain right to guard our own home, truly an island paradise.
Happy 5th Anniversary! The MIMAROPA Sunrise Weekly Newsmagazine
SENEN M. LIVELO, JR. Municipal Mayor
Governor Carmencita O.Reyes and Boac Mayor Roberto M. Madla (TMS)
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JULY 17-23, 2012
By Dinnes Manzo ROMBLON, Romblon, (PIA) -- Nakatakdang magsagawa ng inspeksyon at ebalwasyon ang Department of Education (DepEd-4B) sa Romblon sa ika-12 ng Hulyo para sa darating na rehiyunal na sports competition. Ang inspeksyon ay paghahanda para sa Mimaropa Regional Athletic Association sa 2013, kung saan host ang Romblon, Romblon sa pamumuno ni Mayor Gerard S. Montojo. Magtutungo ang regional inspection team sa mahigit 15 tinukoy na lugar ng DepEd-Romblon at ng lokal na pamahalaan kung saan gaganapin ang kompetisyon. Iinspeksiyunin rin ng grupo ang mga eskwelahan na gagamitin bilang pansamantalang tuluyan ng mga kalahok na atleta upang matiyak na malinis, maayos, at komportable ang mga ito. Ang regional inspection team ay kinabibilangan nina Ramon Fiel Abcede, assistant director – OIC, Renato Pastorfide, regional administrative officer, at Arlene dela Vega, hepe ng Schools Sports Events & Activities. Ayon kay Donna S. Lim, Education Program supervisor, agad umanong sisimulan ang paglilibot sa mga sports events venues upang makagawa ng ibayong pagpapaplano at mapaghandaan nang maaga ang paparating na palarong panrehiyon. Pinasalamatan din ni Lim ang lahat ng mga school principal at head ng mga eskwelahan na nasa distrito ng Romblon at gayundin sa lahat mga barangay officials dahil sa 100 porsiyentong suporta ng mga ito sa malaking event na mangyayari sa kabisera ng lalawigan. (LBR/DM-PIA4B, Romblon)
By Orlan C. Jabagat PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, (PIA) -- Ginawaran ng Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (PCCII) ng Outstanding Public Service Award si Gobernador Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra noong Hulyo 05. Ang parangal ay iginawad ni Rey M.Rafols, chairman ng Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. at ng pangulo nito na si G. Alexander M. Onghocgan sa pagdiriwang ng ika-20 anibersaryo ng RA 7611 o Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act o SEP Law na ginanap sa Palawan Convention Center ng Legend Hotel dito sa lungsod. Ang parangal ng Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries sa Gobernador ay bilang pagkilala sa kanyang mahusay at maayos na panunungkulan bilang Punong Ehecutibo ng lalawigan ng Palawan tungo sa ikauunlad ng ekonomiya at kabutihan ng mamamayan gayundin sa patuloy na pagunlad ng sektor ng negosyo at pamumuhunan kung saan ay ipinaiiral ang “public transparency at accountability.” Naging batayan din ang pagsusulong ng administrasyon ni Gob. Mitra ng HEAT is on in Palawan program na nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng kalusugan, edukasyon, agrikultura, turismo kasama ang enerhiya, hanapbuhay, at pangangalaga ng kalikasan. Matatandaan na iginawad ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa Palawan noong nagdaang taon ang Seal of Good Housekeeping award for sound fiscal management and accountable and transparent governance. Ang paggawad ng parangal ay sinaksihan ni dating Deputy Speaker Alfredo Amor Abueg Jr., Bart Duff, executive vice president ng PCCI, negosyante na si G. Vicente Tan at ilang mga miyembro ng Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. (LBR/PIO/OCJ-PIA4B, Palawan)
JULY 17-23, 2012
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M e d i a S e r v i c e
JULY 17-23, 2012
Science for everyone at DOST’s National Science and Technology Week By Frameia V. Anonas S&T Media Service, STII
There’s something science for everyone at the upcoming National Science and Technology Week to be held on July 10-14, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia.The five-day annual event is designed to offer something for everyone, young and old, laymen and science-minded, students and professors, entrepreneurs and inventors. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-led event has the theme “Science, Technology and Innovation: Working Together for Growth and Development.” The celebration kicks off on July 10’s opening program with special messages to be delivered by Guests of Honor Secretaries Proceso Alcala (Department of Agriculture), Gregory Domingo (Department of Trade and Industry), Armin Luistro, FSC (Department of Education), and Enrique Ona (department of Health. Along with Science Secretary Mario Montejo, the Guests of Honor will open the NSTW exhibit that features the latest products and services on information and communications technology, agriculture, electronics, renewable energy, energy-saving devices and food processing among others. Exhibitors will include inventors, beneficiaries of DOST programs, government and academic institutions. A scientific convention will also take place simultaneously at the Manila Hotel. An interactive activity by the DOST’s Philippine Science High School will open the second day on June 11, to be followed by Technology and Industry, and Scientific Forums. Alongside is a forum entitled “The Science Behind Project NOAH” that will have University of the Philippines experts Dr. Carlos Primo David and Dr. Enrico Paringit talk about Rainfall Forecasting and LIDAR mapping respectively. Another highlight of the day is the awarding of outstanding researchers, inventors and young scientists to be conferred by National Academy of Science and Technology, DOST’s advisory council, to be held at the Manila Hotel. On the third day on June 12, the technology and invention forum, and the technology and industry forum will run simultaneously. Among the technologies to be presented are on disaster mitigation; health and food processing; information and communication technology for delivery of government and social services; nanotechnology; genomics; and biotechnology. These technologies will provide long term solutions to pressing national problems and contribute to socio-economic development. Also slated during the day are the ON3 National Finals, the Science Education Instiute-led “Talk and Play,” and the awarding of outstanding DOST scholars. Other events lined up for the NSTW are the SETUP forum for businessmen, and role-playing sessions at the Science Explorer bus for elementary students. Capping the fully-packed week is the National Invention Contest and Exhibits, and awarding of outstanding inventors and researchers from the finalists of last year’s Regional Invention contests. The National Science and Technology Week is an annual celebration that highlights significant contributions of science and technology to national development. It has also served as venue to interface scientists and researchers with entrepreneurs and businessmen. NSTW takes its roots in the 1950s when it was still called the Philippine National Science Week, and instituted in 1982 as NSTW. For more information please log on to http://nstw.dost.gov.ph/ or contact the secretariat c/o DOST Planning and Evaluation Service at 8372932 or 8373165.
DOST Secretary Mario Montejo @ SMX, Mall of Asia (photo courtesy of Therry Alpa)
HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY !! MIMAROPA SUNRISE WEEKLY NEWS MAGAZINE
Greetings From: Ex-Gov. Aristeo M. Lecaroz Marinduque Province
MARINDUQUE FIRST SATURDAY MOVERS, INC. Meets every first Saturday of the month At Legend Villas, Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City 7 AM ( Breakfast ) Contact person: Secretary - Pedrito “Toto” Nepomuceno Email address: totonepomuceno@yahoo.com Tel Nos. 672-0328, 632– 7414 President- (Ret.)Gen. Recaredo A. Sarmiento II
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JULY 17-23, 2012
Greetings from:
Dr. Roby Montellano Cosmetic/Orthodentists/Oral Surgeon