Ano kaya ang ibinubulong ni Speaker Jose de Venecia kay Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz? Hmmm... baka naman nangungumpisal? Ano man ang naging usapan nila, sila lang ang nakakaalam. The speaker and the archbishop had a chance meeting during the investiture of Engr. MacArthur Samson as second president of the University of Luzon. De Venecia, a die-hard supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was guest of honor during the occasion. Cruz, archbishop of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese, had consistently criticized the Arroyo administration for allowing the illegal numbers game, jueteng, to grow into a multi-billion business. He had also called for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo after the controversial "Hello Garci" tapes came out.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The Speaker and the Bishop
Ano kaya ang ibinubulong ni Speaker Jose de Venecia kay Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz? Hmmm... baka naman nangungumpisal? Ano man ang naging usapan nila, sila lang ang nakakaalam. The speaker and the archbishop had a chance meeting during the investiture of Engr. MacArthur Samson as second president of the University of Luzon. De Venecia, a die-hard supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was guest of honor during the occasion. Cruz, archbishop of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese, had consistently criticized the Arroyo administration for allowing the illegal numbers game, jueteng, to grow into a multi-billion business. He had also called for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo after the controversial "Hello Garci" tapes came out.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Kaaron Gener’s farm
The last time I was in Congressman Gener Tulagan’s farm in Rosales town was in 2003. From where we parked our ride, we had to walk then on a muddy earth dike surrounding a freshwater fishpond to reach Kaaron Gener’s bahay kubo, which was strategically built in the middle of the farm.
Last week, I had a chance to visit the farm again when I covered President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to the town to hear Mass at the grotto. To my surprise, its surroundings have changed a lot that I thought I was in a resort.
From the highway, there is now an access road wide enough for light vehicles to travel on. Inside the farm, there is also now a wide parking space where visitors can safely leave their vehicles. On the way to the bahay kubo are one-room bamboo cottages that may be used by guests staying overnight. Then, there is a covered function hall, where indoor games and small seminars may be held. Beside it is a screened structure that looks like a restaurant. To top it all, there is now a swimming pool.
Last week, I had a chance to visit the farm again when I covered President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit to the town to hear Mass at the grotto. To my surprise, its surroundings have changed a lot that I thought I was in a resort.
From the highway, there is now an access road wide enough for light vehicles to travel on. Inside the farm, there is also now a wide parking space where visitors can safely leave their vehicles. On the way to the bahay kubo are one-room bamboo cottages that may be used by guests staying overnight. Then, there is a covered function hall, where indoor games and small seminars may be held. Beside it is a screened structure that looks like a restaurant. To top it all, there is now a swimming pool.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Biometrics
Two weeks from now, city hall employees will have to queue up before a computer terminal four times a day to time in and to time out.
This is because the city government has acquired five biometrics-based timekeeping devices that will require each employee to have one of his or her fingers scanned for the computer to register the actual time the employee arrived in or left the city hall.
Biometrics (bī´´ō-met´riks), according to Webopedia (www.webopedia.com), an online encyclopedia dedicated to computer technology, is an authentication technique that relies on a person’s measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked.
These physical characteristics could be the person’s face, fingerprint, hand geometry, retina, iris, signature, vein, and voice.
This is because the city government has acquired five biometrics-based timekeeping devices that will require each employee to have one of his or her fingers scanned for the computer to register the actual time the employee arrived in or left the city hall.
Biometrics (bī´´ō-met´riks), according to Webopedia (www.webopedia.com), an online encyclopedia dedicated to computer technology, is an authentication technique that relies on a person’s measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked.
These physical characteristics could be the person’s face, fingerprint, hand geometry, retina, iris, signature, vein, and voice.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Beyond seminars and training programs
In October 2003, Dagupeños were horrified and outraged at the sight of the uncollected garbage that had literally flooded the City of Dagupan.
No, the city’s garbage collectors did not go on strike then. That day, ironically, was the first day of the city government’s belated implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on December 20, 2000 and December 12, 2000, respectively, and approved by President Arroyo on January 26, 2001.
R.A. 9003 mandates, among others, waste segregation in every household, the recycling and composting of wastes in the barangay level and the collection of residuals-- wastes that cannot be recycled or composted—by the municipal or city government.
There is no doubt that the city government only had the people’s welfare in mind when it implemented RA 9003. It was in keeping with its plan of transforming Dagupan into a healthy and an environment-friendly city; a city that would ensure the protection of public health and environment.
No, the city’s garbage collectors did not go on strike then. That day, ironically, was the first day of the city government’s belated implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on December 20, 2000 and December 12, 2000, respectively, and approved by President Arroyo on January 26, 2001.
R.A. 9003 mandates, among others, waste segregation in every household, the recycling and composting of wastes in the barangay level and the collection of residuals-- wastes that cannot be recycled or composted—by the municipal or city government.
There is no doubt that the city government only had the people’s welfare in mind when it implemented RA 9003. It was in keeping with its plan of transforming Dagupan into a healthy and an environment-friendly city; a city that would ensure the protection of public health and environment.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The right thing to do
Last year, the city hall announced that it was ready to implement the recommendations of the University of the Philippines Center for Local and Regional Governance (UP-CLRG) for a top-to-bottom revamp of the city government to make it more efficient and effective in the delivery of services to the people of Dagupan City.
Four years ago, the UP-CLRG found in a management evaluation that the city government was totally disorganized and inadequate in responding to the needs of the people and to the demands of public service. It suggested the adoption of a lean and mean organizational structure that would clearly define each office’s functions and responsibilities and save the city from wasting millions of pesos of the people’s money every year for the salaries of employees who just sit in their offices all day and wait for the sunset.
Why the reorganization plan has not been implemented yet more than one year now after the city hall announcement is not clear to me. And no one has bothered to ask why.
Four years ago, the UP-CLRG found in a management evaluation that the city government was totally disorganized and inadequate in responding to the needs of the people and to the demands of public service. It suggested the adoption of a lean and mean organizational structure that would clearly define each office’s functions and responsibilities and save the city from wasting millions of pesos of the people’s money every year for the salaries of employees who just sit in their offices all day and wait for the sunset.
Why the reorganization plan has not been implemented yet more than one year now after the city hall announcement is not clear to me. And no one has bothered to ask why.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Nature's wrath
I was shocked to see on television the extent of devastation that hurricane Katrina eft in Louisiana and Mississippi. I couldn’t believe it was happening to America, which is supposed to have everything in the world to protect its people.
I was especially touched to see Americans wading in waist-deep floodwaters and waving white clothes and placards from their rooftops to ask for help.
In one instance, a young mother was helplessly clutching her five-day-old baby on a roadside until the police saw her and took them to a safer place. In another scene, a teary-eyed mother, who obviously didn’t know what to do and where to go, was hugging her sick three-year-old boy as they sat in a stairway.
Everybody was tired, confused, scared and hungry.
I was especially touched to see Americans wading in waist-deep floodwaters and waving white clothes and placards from their rooftops to ask for help.
In one instance, a young mother was helplessly clutching her five-day-old baby on a roadside until the police saw her and took them to a safer place. In another scene, a teary-eyed mother, who obviously didn’t know what to do and where to go, was hugging her sick three-year-old boy as they sat in a stairway.
Everybody was tired, confused, scared and hungry.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Category A for Panelco III
Among the three electric cooperatives in Pangasinan, there is no doubt that the Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Panelco) III serves best.
This is because I still have to hear complaints against its services and personnel from its more than 105,000 member-consumers in 17 eastern Pangasinan towns. And that includes me.
Unlike those from the central part of the province, where “Cen-pultot” has become a byword to denote the kind of service that the Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco) offers to its consumers to date, Panelco III assures an uninterrupted and stable supply of electricity. No unscheduled outages. No voltage fluctuations.
This may be the reason why the National Electrification Administration (NEA) upgraded Panelco III’s category from B in 2003 to A in 2004, compared to Panelco I’s and Cenpelco’s B category.
This is because I still have to hear complaints against its services and personnel from its more than 105,000 member-consumers in 17 eastern Pangasinan towns. And that includes me.
Unlike those from the central part of the province, where “Cen-pultot” has become a byword to denote the kind of service that the Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (Cenpelco) offers to its consumers to date, Panelco III assures an uninterrupted and stable supply of electricity. No unscheduled outages. No voltage fluctuations.
This may be the reason why the National Electrification Administration (NEA) upgraded Panelco III’s category from B in 2003 to A in 2004, compared to Panelco I’s and Cenpelco’s B category.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
A dangerous road culture
To date, I still have to actually see a traffic enforcer apprehend a tricycle or jeepney driver glaringly defying the city’s traffic rules.
I say this because everytime I’m stopped by the red light in an intersection, I obediently stop right before the pedestrian lane marked by two thick white lines. But as I patiently wait for the green light, a tricycle, and even a jeepney, suddenly appears from nowhere and occupies the space right in front of me, blocking the pedestrian lane in the process.
Isn’t this is a clear traffic violation? Unfortunately, to the city’s traffic enforcers, this is not because this has been happening everyday right under there very noses and they did not do anything.
At the intersection of Burgos St. and Perez Blvd. one early evening, I was tailing the vehicle of then city executive Elmer Lorica. I supposed he was going to turn left to Perez Blvd. while I was on my way to Guilig St.
From the left lane of Burgos, outside the iron railings, a white van suddenly appeared. He is not supposed to be there, I thought.
But just when I was looking for the traffic enforcer to see if he noticed the vehicle, Elmer got out of his vehicle and called for the traffic enforcer to direct him to apprehend the driver of the erring white van. At that moment, I had wished Elmer would always be at that intersection.
To my mind, most tricycle and jeepney drivers violate traffic rules simply because they do not know that what they are doing are violations. Or, if they do know, they do it simply because they know that they can run away with it.
The Land Transportation Office should partly get the blame for the emergence of this road culture. This is because the LTO does not have a stringent process in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
For instance, drivers do not even have to go through actual driving tests before they are issued their licenses. And with fixers still hounding the LTO, getting a driver’s license is still as easy as buying cigarettes. Somebody I know did not even know how to drive when he got his professional driver’s license.
On the part of law enforcers, they should be more aggressive in enforcing traffic rules. Those repeatedly apprehended for the same offenses should be made to undergo an honest-to-goodness seminar on road courtesy.
There has to be a way to discipline erring drivers. Otherwise, even if we fill up our streets with concrete barriers and iron railings and install traffic light in every intersection, our traffic will continue to worsen if we have drivers who think they are above the law.
ENDNOTES: It was Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera’s birthday last Thursday, August 11. I missed his party at his residence in Barangay Bical. But those who were there swore that his spacious compound was teeming with guests that included Police Regional Director Freddie de Vera. I’m sure everybody left Mayor De Vera’s house happy… The Rotary Club of Dagupan led by Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had a bloodletting activity last week. The vice mayor himself, after passing the screening, donated blood and it was almost immediately used to save a dengue fever victim confined at the Region1 Medical Center. Mabuhay ka, Vice!
QUICK QUOTE: To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. -- Emily Dickinson
I say this because everytime I’m stopped by the red light in an intersection, I obediently stop right before the pedestrian lane marked by two thick white lines. But as I patiently wait for the green light, a tricycle, and even a jeepney, suddenly appears from nowhere and occupies the space right in front of me, blocking the pedestrian lane in the process.
Isn’t this is a clear traffic violation? Unfortunately, to the city’s traffic enforcers, this is not because this has been happening everyday right under there very noses and they did not do anything.
At the intersection of Burgos St. and Perez Blvd. one early evening, I was tailing the vehicle of then city executive Elmer Lorica. I supposed he was going to turn left to Perez Blvd. while I was on my way to Guilig St.
From the left lane of Burgos, outside the iron railings, a white van suddenly appeared. He is not supposed to be there, I thought.
But just when I was looking for the traffic enforcer to see if he noticed the vehicle, Elmer got out of his vehicle and called for the traffic enforcer to direct him to apprehend the driver of the erring white van. At that moment, I had wished Elmer would always be at that intersection.
To my mind, most tricycle and jeepney drivers violate traffic rules simply because they do not know that what they are doing are violations. Or, if they do know, they do it simply because they know that they can run away with it.
The Land Transportation Office should partly get the blame for the emergence of this road culture. This is because the LTO does not have a stringent process in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
For instance, drivers do not even have to go through actual driving tests before they are issued their licenses. And with fixers still hounding the LTO, getting a driver’s license is still as easy as buying cigarettes. Somebody I know did not even know how to drive when he got his professional driver’s license.
On the part of law enforcers, they should be more aggressive in enforcing traffic rules. Those repeatedly apprehended for the same offenses should be made to undergo an honest-to-goodness seminar on road courtesy.
There has to be a way to discipline erring drivers. Otherwise, even if we fill up our streets with concrete barriers and iron railings and install traffic light in every intersection, our traffic will continue to worsen if we have drivers who think they are above the law.
ENDNOTES: It was Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera’s birthday last Thursday, August 11. I missed his party at his residence in Barangay Bical. But those who were there swore that his spacious compound was teeming with guests that included Police Regional Director Freddie de Vera. I’m sure everybody left Mayor De Vera’s house happy… The Rotary Club of Dagupan led by Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had a bloodletting activity last week. The vice mayor himself, after passing the screening, donated blood and it was almost immediately used to save a dengue fever victim confined at the Region1 Medical Center. Mabuhay ka, Vice!
QUICK QUOTE: To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else. -- Emily Dickinson
Friday, August 05, 2005
Saving the new Malimgas market
Last week, several vendors occupying the stalls at the second floor of the New Malimgas Public Market trooped to the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall to ask the city government for lower rental fees saying that their small businesses are already losing heavily.
Very few people, according to them, go the area despite its being fully air-conditioned, despite its escalator, despite its two-level parking and despite the city government’s full-blast tri-media advertisements of the new public market as the most modern and cleanest in the country.
In fact, 46 stalls have closed and many more vendors are contemplating to give up theirs if they could not cut their overhead expenses, such as the rental fees.
What could have gone wrong? Wasn’t the market built on the premise that a cleaner, brighter and air-conditioned market will attract more buyers? That people would not mind spending a little more as long as they can buy what they need comfortably?
When the city government borrowed P256 million to construct the public market building, and P30 million more for its centralized air-condition system, Mayor Benjamin Lim was very optimistic that the revenues the new market will generate will be more than enough to pay for the annual amortizations of these loans that on the 5th or 7th year, the city will already be earning millions from its operations.
But with stalls closing down, Mayor Lim’s projections do not seem at the moment to hit the right path. The city hall is in for a long rough ride ahead.
Interviewed by hard-hitting commentator Orly Navarro last week, Mayor Lim could only blame the economic crisis that hit the country “because of the present political crisis” and of course, he said, because this time of the year, it’s gawat or lean season.
He, too, as owner of the Magic Group of Companies, which is engaged in retail business in the province, experienced dramatic decrease in sales.
But wasn’t there supposed to be a feasibility study? Didn’t the planners factor in the rising cost of oil and electricity and the possible economic crisis as an offshoot of a possible political crisis, like what we are in now?
With higher rental fees in the New Malimgas Market, it also means higher prices of goods that those found outside its premises. For instance, a buyer would prefer to buy bangus at the Magsaysay Fish Market not only because the fish there is cheaper by P5 to a kilo but because it is fresher.
Those buying clothing would rather go to the adjacent CSI Market Square or Magic Centerpoint than to the New Malimgas Market because they would have a lot of clothes to choose from and in many cases, they are cheaper.
We can only hope that Mayor Lim can reverse the situation at the New Malimgas Market. Fast. Otherwise, we may have just created a white elephant.
ENDNOTES: The Rotary Club of Dagupan, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, had PENRO Juan delos Reyes as its first guest speaker in its regular meeting last Wednesday. Delos Reyes talked about environmental laws that Rotarians should know to familiarize themselves with these laws… Nandaragupan, a coffee table book about Dagupan City edited by Ms. Carmen Prieto, was launched at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Thursday. The book project cost the city government at least P500,000. With each book selling from P2,500 to P3,500, we hope the city government can recoup its expenses.
QUICK QUOTE: There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle; the other is as though everything is a miracle. -- Albert Einstein
Very few people, according to them, go the area despite its being fully air-conditioned, despite its escalator, despite its two-level parking and despite the city government’s full-blast tri-media advertisements of the new public market as the most modern and cleanest in the country.
In fact, 46 stalls have closed and many more vendors are contemplating to give up theirs if they could not cut their overhead expenses, such as the rental fees.
What could have gone wrong? Wasn’t the market built on the premise that a cleaner, brighter and air-conditioned market will attract more buyers? That people would not mind spending a little more as long as they can buy what they need comfortably?
When the city government borrowed P256 million to construct the public market building, and P30 million more for its centralized air-condition system, Mayor Benjamin Lim was very optimistic that the revenues the new market will generate will be more than enough to pay for the annual amortizations of these loans that on the 5th or 7th year, the city will already be earning millions from its operations.
But with stalls closing down, Mayor Lim’s projections do not seem at the moment to hit the right path. The city hall is in for a long rough ride ahead.
Interviewed by hard-hitting commentator Orly Navarro last week, Mayor Lim could only blame the economic crisis that hit the country “because of the present political crisis” and of course, he said, because this time of the year, it’s gawat or lean season.
He, too, as owner of the Magic Group of Companies, which is engaged in retail business in the province, experienced dramatic decrease in sales.
But wasn’t there supposed to be a feasibility study? Didn’t the planners factor in the rising cost of oil and electricity and the possible economic crisis as an offshoot of a possible political crisis, like what we are in now?
With higher rental fees in the New Malimgas Market, it also means higher prices of goods that those found outside its premises. For instance, a buyer would prefer to buy bangus at the Magsaysay Fish Market not only because the fish there is cheaper by P5 to a kilo but because it is fresher.
Those buying clothing would rather go to the adjacent CSI Market Square or Magic Centerpoint than to the New Malimgas Market because they would have a lot of clothes to choose from and in many cases, they are cheaper.
We can only hope that Mayor Lim can reverse the situation at the New Malimgas Market. Fast. Otherwise, we may have just created a white elephant.
ENDNOTES: The Rotary Club of Dagupan, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, had PENRO Juan delos Reyes as its first guest speaker in its regular meeting last Wednesday. Delos Reyes talked about environmental laws that Rotarians should know to familiarize themselves with these laws… Nandaragupan, a coffee table book about Dagupan City edited by Ms. Carmen Prieto, was launched at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Thursday. The book project cost the city government at least P500,000. With each book selling from P2,500 to P3,500, we hope the city government can recoup its expenses.
QUICK QUOTE: There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle; the other is as though everything is a miracle. -- Albert Einstein
Friday, July 29, 2005
Pawassa in Washington 1
Members of the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) pay a courstesy call to Washington State Lt. Gov. Brad Owen (fifth from right) at his office in Olympia, WA as part of Pawassa's trade and cultural mission to Washington State last July 13-17, 2000. Pawassa was joined by Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim (fourth from right) and City Councilor Nick Aquino (left). The Pawassa delegation was composed of (L-R) city government consultant Ping Coquia, Lingayen Councilor Gilbert Mangapot, former Villasis Mayor Ramon Morden, Pawassa treasurer Armi Bangsal-Lorica, Councilor Mangapot's wife, Jean Leah, Inquirer correspondent Gobleth Moulic and businessman Mac Pagsolingan. Pawassa in Seattle
Members of the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) delegation visit the Pike Place Market in Seattle. In photo are (L-R) Dagupan City government consultant Ping Coquia, former Villasis Mayor Ramon Morden, Seattle-based Ada Castillo, businessman Mac Pagsolingan, Jean Leah and husband Lingayen Councilor Gilbert Mangapot, Pawassa treasurer Armi Bangsal-Lorica and Inquirer correspondent Gobleth Moulic.
Pawassa with Mayor Benjie Lim
Members of the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) delegation attend a short course on recycling at the Filipino Community Center in Seattle during their trade and cultural mission last July 13-17, 2005. Joining the Pawassa was Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim (left, standing) and City Councilor Nick Aquino (fifth from right, standing). The Pawassa delegation was composed of city government consultant Ping Coquia, Lingayen Councilor Gilbert Mangapot, former Villasis Mayor Ramon Morden, Pawassa treasurer Armi Bangsal-Lorica, Councilor Mangapot's wife, Jean Leah, Inquirer correspondent Gobleth Moulic and businessman Mac Pagsolingan. The group was hosted by the Washington-Pangasinan Sister State Association (Wapssa) headed by Alma Kern (fourth from left).
Lapse in judgment
When I learned that a state of calamity had been declared in Binalonan town because of the dreaded dengue fever, I worried. With 15 high school students downed by the disease in the town, and the subsequent suspension of classes at the Dona Eva Macaraeg National High School for three days to give way to fumigation, something may have gone very wrong.
But hearing Mayor Monching Guico say later on that he will veto the municipal council resolution when it reaches his desk, and that the dengue situation in the town is very manageable, I worried all the more.
Suddenly, I am hearing municipal officials who have discordant views about a situation that involves life and death of their constituents. It was either the mayor or the council that may have been misinformed about the town’s dengue situation or that one of them may have simply misjudged the situation.
I am sure that the municipal councilors had the best of intentions when they voted for the approval of a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the town. Without the mayor and the vice mayor in the town at that time, and with reports reaching them that a number of students had fallen ill from the fatal mosquito-borne disease, the councilors did what they thought was the right thing to do.
By declaring a state of calamity, the town can now spend its calamity fund for the purchase of necessary medicines for those afflicted as well as reagents for fumigation. The municipality can now also mobilize other government agencies to help in bringing back the town to normalcy.
But what was apparently missing in the state of calamity declaration was the assessment report from local health authorities. In other words, it lacked substance. The council should have at least summoned first the municipal health officer and asked him or her to report before the council the dengue situation in the town before passing the state of calamity declaration.
Had they done this, the councilors would have learned that there are certain parameters that health authorities have to follow before declaring a state of calamity and that to deal with the situation, a clean up campaign was better than fumigation. They would have also known that the reported number of victims, who come from different barangays, was not yet on an alarming level.
Pangasinan was worst hit by dengue in 1996, where scores died and hundreds of children were afflicted, but I do not recall any state of calamity being declared at that time.
Obviously, the municipal councilors, in this situation, relied only on what were informally reported to them by the people when they pushed the alarm button.
On the other hand, the municipal health officer should have taken the initiative in reporting the dengue situation to the council from the time the first dengue case was recorded in the town. In fact, he or she should have been submitting regular health situation reports to the council.
This regular reporting is a standard practice in the police, where daily incident reports are submitted to the mayor and the council, specifically, to the vice mayor and to the chairperson of the committee on peace and order and police matters.
Mayor Guico was right in deciding to switch off the alarm and in facing the dengue problem head on. At least, it averted what could have been a large-scale dengue scare not only in his town but in the whole province.
By the way, where was the mayor at that time? Just asking.
ENDNOTES: This corner sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of broadcaster Orly Navarrro’s wife, Ester, whose beloved Mamang in Binalonan town passed away last week. Don’t be sad now, kumare, because death, according to William Penn, is no more than our turn over from time to eternity… Mayor Benjie Lim and Councilor Nick Aquino are back from their three-week official trip to the US that took them to Honolulu, Seattle, Milpitas and the Bay Area, and Nevada. Let’s wait for their report... Finally, July 27 was the birthday of a dear friend who is now based in Roseville, CA -- Ms. Josie Tamondong. Ma’am Josie, as I fondly call her, and husband Ding were our tour guides in the state capital Sacramento when my wife and I were in California two years ago. Happy birthday, Ma’am Josie!
QUICK QUOTE: Don't sacrifice your life to work and ideals. The most important things in life are human relations. I found that out too late. -- Katharinde Susannah Prichard
But hearing Mayor Monching Guico say later on that he will veto the municipal council resolution when it reaches his desk, and that the dengue situation in the town is very manageable, I worried all the more.
Suddenly, I am hearing municipal officials who have discordant views about a situation that involves life and death of their constituents. It was either the mayor or the council that may have been misinformed about the town’s dengue situation or that one of them may have simply misjudged the situation.
I am sure that the municipal councilors had the best of intentions when they voted for the approval of a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the town. Without the mayor and the vice mayor in the town at that time, and with reports reaching them that a number of students had fallen ill from the fatal mosquito-borne disease, the councilors did what they thought was the right thing to do.
By declaring a state of calamity, the town can now spend its calamity fund for the purchase of necessary medicines for those afflicted as well as reagents for fumigation. The municipality can now also mobilize other government agencies to help in bringing back the town to normalcy.
But what was apparently missing in the state of calamity declaration was the assessment report from local health authorities. In other words, it lacked substance. The council should have at least summoned first the municipal health officer and asked him or her to report before the council the dengue situation in the town before passing the state of calamity declaration.
Had they done this, the councilors would have learned that there are certain parameters that health authorities have to follow before declaring a state of calamity and that to deal with the situation, a clean up campaign was better than fumigation. They would have also known that the reported number of victims, who come from different barangays, was not yet on an alarming level.
Pangasinan was worst hit by dengue in 1996, where scores died and hundreds of children were afflicted, but I do not recall any state of calamity being declared at that time.
Obviously, the municipal councilors, in this situation, relied only on what were informally reported to them by the people when they pushed the alarm button.
On the other hand, the municipal health officer should have taken the initiative in reporting the dengue situation to the council from the time the first dengue case was recorded in the town. In fact, he or she should have been submitting regular health situation reports to the council.
This regular reporting is a standard practice in the police, where daily incident reports are submitted to the mayor and the council, specifically, to the vice mayor and to the chairperson of the committee on peace and order and police matters.
Mayor Guico was right in deciding to switch off the alarm and in facing the dengue problem head on. At least, it averted what could have been a large-scale dengue scare not only in his town but in the whole province.
By the way, where was the mayor at that time? Just asking.
ENDNOTES: This corner sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of broadcaster Orly Navarrro’s wife, Ester, whose beloved Mamang in Binalonan town passed away last week. Don’t be sad now, kumare, because death, according to William Penn, is no more than our turn over from time to eternity… Mayor Benjie Lim and Councilor Nick Aquino are back from their three-week official trip to the US that took them to Honolulu, Seattle, Milpitas and the Bay Area, and Nevada. Let’s wait for their report... Finally, July 27 was the birthday of a dear friend who is now based in Roseville, CA -- Ms. Josie Tamondong. Ma’am Josie, as I fondly call her, and husband Ding were our tour guides in the state capital Sacramento when my wife and I were in California two years ago. Happy birthday, Ma’am Josie!
QUICK QUOTE: Don't sacrifice your life to work and ideals. The most important things in life are human relations. I found that out too late. -- Katharinde Susannah Prichard
Monday, July 25, 2005
The President in Dagupan
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (third from left) inspects a fishpond in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City during one of her visits to the place. With her are (from left) Speaker Jose de Venecia, Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez and the Speaker's wife, Gina de Venecia.
The NPA angle
A day after the late Mapandan Vice Mayor Adolfo Aquino was laid to rest in his hometown, I was given a photocopy of a press statement, which supposedly came from the New People’s Army Lucio de Guzman Command based in Mindoro island and signed by one Victor Rivero, as spokesperson.
The letter, which owned the killing of the former vice mayor, was written in Filipino and was computer-printed in a letterhead. Vice Mayor Aquino’s supposed crimes, ranging from treasure hunting to his involvement in the textbook scam, were also enumerated there.
A quick check with the CPP/NPA’s official website (http://www.philippinerevolution.org/) would reveal that Victor Rivero is indeed the spokesperson of Bagong Hukbong Bayan Lucio de Guzman Command, Rehiyonal na Komite-Timog Katagalugan.
(How did I know that the website is an authentic CPP/NPA website? Well, just read the statements posted there and you’ll know these are unmistakably the Left’s.)
There are questions, however, that remained unanswered: Is the letter authentic? Why did it have to take five days after the killing before the NPA issues a statement?
From the website, the last statement issued by the Lucio de Guzman command was dated January 2004 yet. And it is very unlikely for them not to post the July 11, 2005 statement in their website, especially if they are announcing an accomplishment that the people should immediately know.
Also, from my experience as reporter, the Left normally immediately admits a killing just a few hours after it is done, especially on prominent personalities. And from their many statements I’ve read in the past, those meted out “revolutionary justice” usually have blood debts, or people who are extremely oppressive.
Then just last Thursday, DZRH-Dagupan interviewed CPP Founding Chairman Jose Ma. Sison from Utrecht, Netherlands, where he categorically stated that NPA’s from Mindoro could not have come to Mapandan town to assassinate Vice Mayor Aquino.
He told anchor Allan Sison during the 20-minute interview that the NPA follows an operational procedure that would make it impossible for NPA operatives in Mindoro to come here. The execution would have to be carried out by those in Pangasinan, the exiled professor said.
Lest I be misconstrued, may I make it clear that I am not defending the NPA here. It’s far from it. And if in the end it will be proven that it was really them who did the shooting, then the full force of the law should be applied on them.
My only point here is that the police should not swallow the statement hook, line and sinker, so to speak. Whoever thought of circulating the “NPA statement” may have done a big favor to those who really did the cowardly act. The Task Force Aquino, which still faces a blank wall, may only be misled and waste a lot of time and resources if it decides to pursue the “new angle” without validating it.
ENDNOTES: The 4th Trade and Cultural Mission of Pangasinan to Washington State on July 13 to 17 was a success. This was the report of Ms. Armi Bangsal-Lorica, who headed the delegation composed of members of the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa). The delegation was hosted by the Washington-Pangasinan Sister State Association headed by Ms. Alma Quintans-Kern, a full-blooded Pangasinense. Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim joined the delegation in Seattle last July 14. Let’s wait for Ate Armi’s full report when she comes back to Pangasinan next month.
QUICK QUOTE: Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven't had that what have you? – Henry James
The letter, which owned the killing of the former vice mayor, was written in Filipino and was computer-printed in a letterhead. Vice Mayor Aquino’s supposed crimes, ranging from treasure hunting to his involvement in the textbook scam, were also enumerated there.
A quick check with the CPP/NPA’s official website (http://www.philippinerevolution.org/) would reveal that Victor Rivero is indeed the spokesperson of Bagong Hukbong Bayan Lucio de Guzman Command, Rehiyonal na Komite-Timog Katagalugan.
(How did I know that the website is an authentic CPP/NPA website? Well, just read the statements posted there and you’ll know these are unmistakably the Left’s.)
There are questions, however, that remained unanswered: Is the letter authentic? Why did it have to take five days after the killing before the NPA issues a statement?
From the website, the last statement issued by the Lucio de Guzman command was dated January 2004 yet. And it is very unlikely for them not to post the July 11, 2005 statement in their website, especially if they are announcing an accomplishment that the people should immediately know.
Also, from my experience as reporter, the Left normally immediately admits a killing just a few hours after it is done, especially on prominent personalities. And from their many statements I’ve read in the past, those meted out “revolutionary justice” usually have blood debts, or people who are extremely oppressive.
Then just last Thursday, DZRH-Dagupan interviewed CPP Founding Chairman Jose Ma. Sison from Utrecht, Netherlands, where he categorically stated that NPA’s from Mindoro could not have come to Mapandan town to assassinate Vice Mayor Aquino.
He told anchor Allan Sison during the 20-minute interview that the NPA follows an operational procedure that would make it impossible for NPA operatives in Mindoro to come here. The execution would have to be carried out by those in Pangasinan, the exiled professor said.
Lest I be misconstrued, may I make it clear that I am not defending the NPA here. It’s far from it. And if in the end it will be proven that it was really them who did the shooting, then the full force of the law should be applied on them.
My only point here is that the police should not swallow the statement hook, line and sinker, so to speak. Whoever thought of circulating the “NPA statement” may have done a big favor to those who really did the cowardly act. The Task Force Aquino, which still faces a blank wall, may only be misled and waste a lot of time and resources if it decides to pursue the “new angle” without validating it.
ENDNOTES: The 4th Trade and Cultural Mission of Pangasinan to Washington State on July 13 to 17 was a success. This was the report of Ms. Armi Bangsal-Lorica, who headed the delegation composed of members of the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa). The delegation was hosted by the Washington-Pangasinan Sister State Association headed by Ms. Alma Quintans-Kern, a full-blooded Pangasinense. Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim joined the delegation in Seattle last July 14. Let’s wait for Ate Armi’s full report when she comes back to Pangasinan next month.
QUICK QUOTE: Live all you can; it's a mistake not to. It doesn't so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven't had that what have you? – Henry James
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Remembering the 1990 earthquake
Last Saturday was the day 15 years ago when an intensity 7.7 earthquake brought Dagupan City down to its knees.
Anyone who saw the extent of the city’s devastation at that time would think that Dagupan will never stand up again. It was everyone’s worst nightmare: Many downtown buildings either leaned or sank; Magsaysay bridge fell; the roads were badly broken and most business people were already keen on moving their businesses to neighboring towns.
But in the face of the tragedy, Dagupeños did not give up. They held on and worked hard together to rebuild the city. And it was this sheer determination and tenacity to survive and to rise from the rubbles that saved Dagupan from becoming a ghost town to become the progressive city that it is today.
More than the destruction, what we remember from those trying times was the unprecedented unity and patience of Dagupeños that made it easier to rehabilitate the city.
Everybody understood then that everyone had to walk downtown because jeepneys should not be allowed in. Everybody understood then that everyone had to make do with whatever water available because the Dagupan City Water District had to make sure its pipes were not contaminated.
Everyone also understood why the city plaza had to be converted into a public market and why it took some time for some areas to have electricity.
The private sector then did its part very well. It was largely this group that boosted the morale of businesses by encouraging them to hold on and stay. It was the private sector that provided the necessary muscle to the overstretched government machinery to make sure that the city was heading towards full recovery.
Where government could not go, the private sector was there. They were simply too willing to share their time, talents and even resources that to ensure that the situation in the city was improving.
It was a tragedy turned into an opportunity.
As we remember that fateful day, we can only wish such show of unity had remained until today. We can only wish our people today still have with them same amount of patience they had then. We can only wish that the same spirit of volunteerism is evident today, even if there is no disaster.
The earthquake certainly taught us a valuable lesson: that we can only be strong if we are united. I can only hope we have learned this lesson well.
ENDNOTES: The 67th Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Dagupan led by its president, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, was a resounding success. There were more than 500 Rotarians and Rotari-anns from 44 clubs and four Inner Wheel Clubs in attendance… The League of Municipalities of the Philippines Pangasinan Chapter has affirmed its full and unequivocal support to President Arroyo. The LMP met in Urdaneta City, where 34 (out of 44) mayors attended and signed the manifesto of support for GMA.
QUICK QUOTE: To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. -- Donald Laird
Anyone who saw the extent of the city’s devastation at that time would think that Dagupan will never stand up again. It was everyone’s worst nightmare: Many downtown buildings either leaned or sank; Magsaysay bridge fell; the roads were badly broken and most business people were already keen on moving their businesses to neighboring towns.
But in the face of the tragedy, Dagupeños did not give up. They held on and worked hard together to rebuild the city. And it was this sheer determination and tenacity to survive and to rise from the rubbles that saved Dagupan from becoming a ghost town to become the progressive city that it is today.
More than the destruction, what we remember from those trying times was the unprecedented unity and patience of Dagupeños that made it easier to rehabilitate the city.
Everybody understood then that everyone had to walk downtown because jeepneys should not be allowed in. Everybody understood then that everyone had to make do with whatever water available because the Dagupan City Water District had to make sure its pipes were not contaminated.
Everyone also understood why the city plaza had to be converted into a public market and why it took some time for some areas to have electricity.
The private sector then did its part very well. It was largely this group that boosted the morale of businesses by encouraging them to hold on and stay. It was the private sector that provided the necessary muscle to the overstretched government machinery to make sure that the city was heading towards full recovery.
Where government could not go, the private sector was there. They were simply too willing to share their time, talents and even resources that to ensure that the situation in the city was improving.
It was a tragedy turned into an opportunity.
As we remember that fateful day, we can only wish such show of unity had remained until today. We can only wish our people today still have with them same amount of patience they had then. We can only wish that the same spirit of volunteerism is evident today, even if there is no disaster.
The earthquake certainly taught us a valuable lesson: that we can only be strong if we are united. I can only hope we have learned this lesson well.
ENDNOTES: The 67th Induction Ceremonies of the Rotary Club of Dagupan led by its president, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, was a resounding success. There were more than 500 Rotarians and Rotari-anns from 44 clubs and four Inner Wheel Clubs in attendance… The League of Municipalities of the Philippines Pangasinan Chapter has affirmed its full and unequivocal support to President Arroyo. The LMP met in Urdaneta City, where 34 (out of 44) mayors attended and signed the manifesto of support for GMA.
QUICK QUOTE: To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. -- Donald Laird
Sunday, July 10, 2005
A visit to the Archbishop’s residence
Archbishop Oscar Cruz was in his usual high-spirited self when we –Yolly, Eva, Ding and I -- chanced on him at his official residence in the city last Tuesday.
We were actually very lucky to see him there at that time because ever since the Senate investigation on jueteng began, he has been spending most of his time in Manila, being the major jueteng whistle blower and the custodian of vital witnesses.
The archbishop let out a loud laugh when we asked him about Jaime Aquino. “Don’t hate him. Just forgive him,” he told us. Then he laughed again.
When we asked him for updates on the on-going Senate hearings, he said he also wants it to stop now, but not because Malacanang wants it but because it is the natural course that the hearing has to take. Malacanang should not dictate on the Senate, he says.
The archbishop could not hide his apprehension for the safety of his witnesses. The safehouse, where one of them was kept, was shot at, leaving ugly and terrifying bullet holes in its ceiling. The other witnesses, he says, continue to get death threats and pressures from all sides just to silence them.
He had wished all the pressures and death threats be directed to him instead. After all, he smiles, “I’m already old.”
But what saddens him is that despite the hearings, consequently stopping jueteng operations in the entire Luzon, the betting has not stopped. The archbishop says new varieties of the numbers game have emerged, such as EZ2, loteng and letreng.
EZ2, which he says is being run now in many Pangasinan towns, is supposedly legal, being operated by the Philippine Gaming Corporation. Loteng, of course, operates very much like jueteng; and letreng, a new one, uses the letters of the alphabet.
“This won’t stop,” he says of the numbers game. And he is right because Filipinos are said to be the most creative people. Like what leading commentator Orly Navarro observed, Filipinos can even play Lucky 9 using the pages of a book!
The archbishop’s only consolation now, if at all, is that he was able to show to the whole nation the evils of gambling “no matter how legal it is.”
As he had said: “Gambling foments greed for the money of others. It promotes indolence, it cultivates dependence on luck. It seeks quick fortune that never comes. It despises toil and industry that bring productivity.
“It deceives the many poor and ignorant—making them more miserable and desperate. It intervenes in the electoral process of the country—undermining free and honest elections. It corrupts governance—staining local officials and public servants.
“Jueteng equals money. Money equals power. Power makes jueteng lords invisible and untouchable. Their big and influential beneficiaries have to see to it that they remain unconfronted, unchallenged, unchained. Otherwise, the moment even but one of them talks—how much jueteng payolas go to whom—not a few of those in high offices and with lofty titles fall flat on their faces.
“It is time to put period to the history of jueteng in the country. The people have enough crosses to bear. The authorities have their hands full of social ills to resolve. Get jueteng out of the way—now!”
Amen.
ENDNOTES: Last Saturday, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez was inducted president of the Rotary Club of Dagupan at the Dagupan City astrodome… On the same day, Mayor Benjie Lim left for the US to promote city tourism and to invite Dagupenos there to this year’s Pawil Dagupan. He will be accompanied by Councilor Nick Aquino... Finally, on July 13, the 4th Pangasinan Trade and Cultural Mission to Washington State leaves for Seattle. The delegation will be headed by Armi Bangsal-Lorica.
QUICK QUOTE: Man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for? -- Robert Browning
We were actually very lucky to see him there at that time because ever since the Senate investigation on jueteng began, he has been spending most of his time in Manila, being the major jueteng whistle blower and the custodian of vital witnesses.
The archbishop let out a loud laugh when we asked him about Jaime Aquino. “Don’t hate him. Just forgive him,” he told us. Then he laughed again.
When we asked him for updates on the on-going Senate hearings, he said he also wants it to stop now, but not because Malacanang wants it but because it is the natural course that the hearing has to take. Malacanang should not dictate on the Senate, he says.
The archbishop could not hide his apprehension for the safety of his witnesses. The safehouse, where one of them was kept, was shot at, leaving ugly and terrifying bullet holes in its ceiling. The other witnesses, he says, continue to get death threats and pressures from all sides just to silence them.
He had wished all the pressures and death threats be directed to him instead. After all, he smiles, “I’m already old.”
But what saddens him is that despite the hearings, consequently stopping jueteng operations in the entire Luzon, the betting has not stopped. The archbishop says new varieties of the numbers game have emerged, such as EZ2, loteng and letreng.
EZ2, which he says is being run now in many Pangasinan towns, is supposedly legal, being operated by the Philippine Gaming Corporation. Loteng, of course, operates very much like jueteng; and letreng, a new one, uses the letters of the alphabet.
“This won’t stop,” he says of the numbers game. And he is right because Filipinos are said to be the most creative people. Like what leading commentator Orly Navarro observed, Filipinos can even play Lucky 9 using the pages of a book!
The archbishop’s only consolation now, if at all, is that he was able to show to the whole nation the evils of gambling “no matter how legal it is.”
As he had said: “Gambling foments greed for the money of others. It promotes indolence, it cultivates dependence on luck. It seeks quick fortune that never comes. It despises toil and industry that bring productivity.
“It deceives the many poor and ignorant—making them more miserable and desperate. It intervenes in the electoral process of the country—undermining free and honest elections. It corrupts governance—staining local officials and public servants.
“Jueteng equals money. Money equals power. Power makes jueteng lords invisible and untouchable. Their big and influential beneficiaries have to see to it that they remain unconfronted, unchallenged, unchained. Otherwise, the moment even but one of them talks—how much jueteng payolas go to whom—not a few of those in high offices and with lofty titles fall flat on their faces.
“It is time to put period to the history of jueteng in the country. The people have enough crosses to bear. The authorities have their hands full of social ills to resolve. Get jueteng out of the way—now!”
Amen.
ENDNOTES: Last Saturday, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez was inducted president of the Rotary Club of Dagupan at the Dagupan City astrodome… On the same day, Mayor Benjie Lim left for the US to promote city tourism and to invite Dagupenos there to this year’s Pawil Dagupan. He will be accompanied by Councilor Nick Aquino... Finally, on July 13, the 4th Pangasinan Trade and Cultural Mission to Washington State leaves for Seattle. The delegation will be headed by Armi Bangsal-Lorica.
QUICK QUOTE: Man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for? -- Robert Browning
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Political teleserye
Ms. Susan Roces has proved to be the award-winning actress that she is when she asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign last Wednesday.
It was theatrical: she delivered her lines very well and she properly executed the matching facial expressions in perfect timing.
She was an instant hit. She immediately captured the masa crowd, like what she had always done in her box-office movies in the past.
In contrast, President Arroyo’s “I’m Sorry” episode, while it may have had a wider reach because it was simulcast in several national radio and television stations, did not sell much. It was a dismal flop, with movie critics unanimously giving it a thumbs-down sign rating.
Her show spawned more demonstrations instead to ask her to step down.
If the President had failed to convince her audience in her public apology, it may have been because she had a bad script. Or, that she simply did not act her part well, being an amateur actress.
Or, it may have been simply because she had no originality, her show being a poor remake of a Bill Clinton international starrer in the late 1990s, when he figured in a White House sex scandal.
But as the country’s present political teleserye unfolds quite fast, the people are also entertained no end -- despite the economic difficulties that it has created – because of its several twists and turns and sub-plots, including the untimely insertion of a comedy trailer starring a clown named Jaime Aquino.
Who will prevail in the end depends on who will keep a better storyline and better actresses and actors.
In the Malacanang-produced segment, the latest is that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and son, Mikey, a congressman and a movie actor, went on self-exile, leaving a “very sad President.” Even FGs lawyer had to emote when he read FGs statement.
On the other hand, supporters of the “griping widow” (as Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales had called Ms. Roces), are now consolidating their forces and gathering more support to take back the Presidency, which, they said, was robbed from them.
There is a guessing game now on how the show will end and when. A fortune teller says the President will in the end follow her husband in self-exile.
Another fortune teller says that Ms. Roces will be prevailed upon to shoot a full-length movie with most of its dialogues taken from the controversial Garci tapes.
But Mama Akong, my favorite balut vendor in Calasiao, told me that he is no longer interested to see how the teleserye will end because, he says, he and his family will remain poor anyway, whoever sits there as President.
Abangan ang pagpapatuloy ng teleserye.
ENDNOTES: Last Friday, the Rotary Club of Dagupan, led by its incoming president, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, launched its Patak Vitamin A Project at the West Central Elementary School. The project will benefit some 6,000 pre-school and Grade 1 pupils… On July 13, the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) will be sending a delegation to Washington State. The delegation will consist of provincial and municipal government officials, as well as business and media representatives. Pawassa and its counterpart Seattle-based Washington-Pangasinan Sister State Association (Wapssa) has been sending poor but deserving Pangasinan students to college, among other projects.
QUICK QUOTE: Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
It was theatrical: she delivered her lines very well and she properly executed the matching facial expressions in perfect timing.
She was an instant hit. She immediately captured the masa crowd, like what she had always done in her box-office movies in the past.
In contrast, President Arroyo’s “I’m Sorry” episode, while it may have had a wider reach because it was simulcast in several national radio and television stations, did not sell much. It was a dismal flop, with movie critics unanimously giving it a thumbs-down sign rating.
Her show spawned more demonstrations instead to ask her to step down.
If the President had failed to convince her audience in her public apology, it may have been because she had a bad script. Or, that she simply did not act her part well, being an amateur actress.
Or, it may have been simply because she had no originality, her show being a poor remake of a Bill Clinton international starrer in the late 1990s, when he figured in a White House sex scandal.
But as the country’s present political teleserye unfolds quite fast, the people are also entertained no end -- despite the economic difficulties that it has created – because of its several twists and turns and sub-plots, including the untimely insertion of a comedy trailer starring a clown named Jaime Aquino.
Who will prevail in the end depends on who will keep a better storyline and better actresses and actors.
In the Malacanang-produced segment, the latest is that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and son, Mikey, a congressman and a movie actor, went on self-exile, leaving a “very sad President.” Even FGs lawyer had to emote when he read FGs statement.
On the other hand, supporters of the “griping widow” (as Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales had called Ms. Roces), are now consolidating their forces and gathering more support to take back the Presidency, which, they said, was robbed from them.
There is a guessing game now on how the show will end and when. A fortune teller says the President will in the end follow her husband in self-exile.
Another fortune teller says that Ms. Roces will be prevailed upon to shoot a full-length movie with most of its dialogues taken from the controversial Garci tapes.
But Mama Akong, my favorite balut vendor in Calasiao, told me that he is no longer interested to see how the teleserye will end because, he says, he and his family will remain poor anyway, whoever sits there as President.
Abangan ang pagpapatuloy ng teleserye.
ENDNOTES: Last Friday, the Rotary Club of Dagupan, led by its incoming president, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, launched its Patak Vitamin A Project at the West Central Elementary School. The project will benefit some 6,000 pre-school and Grade 1 pupils… On July 13, the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) will be sending a delegation to Washington State. The delegation will consist of provincial and municipal government officials, as well as business and media representatives. Pawassa and its counterpart Seattle-based Washington-Pangasinan Sister State Association (Wapssa) has been sending poor but deserving Pangasinan students to college, among other projects.
QUICK QUOTE: Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Jaime’s cardinal sin
I was at the National Press Club in Manila when I learned that Jaime Aquino held a press conference right at the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, to announce, among others, that Archbishop Oscar Cruz is a gay and that he “sexually molested” him when he was 18.
At first, I could not believe that Jaime did it. But then, knowing the man, his stunt should not come to me as a surprise anymore: he has done it before; he did it now; he will do it again.
As a case in point, Laoac Mayor Gregorio Tabayoyong pointed to Jaime as the one who engineered the filing of rape charges against the poor mayor and six of his policemen at about this time last year. The woman, of course, turned out later to be non-existent.
Broadcasters Allan Sison and Rannie Manaois also point to Jaime as the mastermind in the filing of the hold-upping cases they are now facing in Villasis.
And who can forget Jaime for his story four years ago in a tabloid, where he listed the names of Pangasinan media practitioners (including this writer) who are supposed to be in the jueteng payola?
There may have been other people that Jaime had victimized. He used his paper, the Northern Star, for “demolition jobs” by publishing black propaganda using fictitious bylines. Of course, he made big money out of it and he may be the only Pangasinan newsman now with the most number of libel cases.
As I watched Jaime that day in a late night television newscast, he looked like a pathetic and a confused clown acting before an angry mob. And as he spoke about his supposed “romantic relations” with the archbishop, the more that he gave himself away, with his nose doing a Pinocchio.
Jaime’s show came to a drastic end when Archbishop Cruz suddenly appeared in the news conference and Jaime did not even recognize him!
Poor guy. He should have studied his script well. Or his director(s) should have rehearsed him many times over until he’s ready for the act. At least, by doing a perfect act, he could have convinced the whole nation that he was a credible clown.
ENDNOTES: The city government is now manned by high school students, as part of Dagupan City’s 58th anniversary celebration. This is the second year of the Ogogaw ya Malingkor program, where students are selected to assume as the city’s mayor, vice mayor, councilors and department heads. This experience should provide them good training on leadership… While in Manila, I had an opportunity to meet former Gov. Oscar Orbos. We were both so happy to see each other again and we updated each other on the country’s political situation. Well, he’s not returning to Pangasinan politics anymore.
QUICK QUOTE: True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
At first, I could not believe that Jaime did it. But then, knowing the man, his stunt should not come to me as a surprise anymore: he has done it before; he did it now; he will do it again.
As a case in point, Laoac Mayor Gregorio Tabayoyong pointed to Jaime as the one who engineered the filing of rape charges against the poor mayor and six of his policemen at about this time last year. The woman, of course, turned out later to be non-existent.
Broadcasters Allan Sison and Rannie Manaois also point to Jaime as the mastermind in the filing of the hold-upping cases they are now facing in Villasis.
And who can forget Jaime for his story four years ago in a tabloid, where he listed the names of Pangasinan media practitioners (including this writer) who are supposed to be in the jueteng payola?
There may have been other people that Jaime had victimized. He used his paper, the Northern Star, for “demolition jobs” by publishing black propaganda using fictitious bylines. Of course, he made big money out of it and he may be the only Pangasinan newsman now with the most number of libel cases.
As I watched Jaime that day in a late night television newscast, he looked like a pathetic and a confused clown acting before an angry mob. And as he spoke about his supposed “romantic relations” with the archbishop, the more that he gave himself away, with his nose doing a Pinocchio.
Jaime’s show came to a drastic end when Archbishop Cruz suddenly appeared in the news conference and Jaime did not even recognize him!
Poor guy. He should have studied his script well. Or his director(s) should have rehearsed him many times over until he’s ready for the act. At least, by doing a perfect act, he could have convinced the whole nation that he was a credible clown.
ENDNOTES: The city government is now manned by high school students, as part of Dagupan City’s 58th anniversary celebration. This is the second year of the Ogogaw ya Malingkor program, where students are selected to assume as the city’s mayor, vice mayor, councilors and department heads. This experience should provide them good training on leadership… While in Manila, I had an opportunity to meet former Gov. Oscar Orbos. We were both so happy to see each other again and we updated each other on the country’s political situation. Well, he’s not returning to Pangasinan politics anymore.
QUICK QUOTE: True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Anda today
It must have been at this time of the year 10 years ago when I last visited Anda aboard a Navy barge via the Kakiputan channel.
At that time, the bridge, which now connects Anda to Pangasinan mainland, was already nearing completion and in the barge, people were teary-eyed as they marveled at the unfolding structure that for many years may have only existed in their dreams.
To them, the bridge meant the end of their miseries, the end of their isolation. It was a bridge to their future.
And true enough. Only a few months after Anda was connected to the mainland, its economic landscape gradually changed for the better. It metamorphosed from depressed and neglected community into a progressive and vibrant one.
Rough roads have been paved, new public buildings have been erected, local businesses have flourished. People finally had access to opportunities.
What used to be a torturous ride from across the bridge in Barangay Mal-ong to the poblacion, is now fast and comfortable because of its well-paved road.
(I would learn later from Mayor Nestor Pulido that even the road to the island’s famous Tondol Beach has been cemented, attracting more tourists to the place.)
In the poblacion, what used to be a garrison-like public market has been replaced by an imposing modern structure. The poblacion is now fast taking shape as a town center.
Anda’s public schools are now also getting their share of new buildings and classrooms, making them more conducive to learning.
And because it’s now easier to transport their produce to major markets, such as Metro Manila, the town’s businessmen are now also making it big, increasing in turn the town’s revenues.
And all these because of the bridge. With it, Board Member Alice Pulido, who was the mayor then, also did her part very well.
Losing no time, Manang Alice talked then to congressmen and senators to ask them for a share of their countrywide development funds to finance the town’s roadlines, which was the top priority then.
She obviously got what she wanted within months and by the end of her three three-year terms, Anda’s major road network has been paved.
In my visit there last week, Manong Nestor said that his focus is to make the island greener.
In his farm, which is about 200 meters away from his residence, are hundreds of mahogany seedlings for distribution to Grade 1 pupils.
“We should start them young. We should tell them that by these planting trees, they are saving for their future,” he said.
He is now also propagating bougainvillea cuttings for planting in the roadsides. Then, he will also be distributing langka and kasoy seedlings.
“With more trees, hopefully, more water will also be retained in our island for drinking,” he said.
ENDNOTES: Last Tuesday, Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez celebrated his 62nd birthday at the Inn Asia Hotel and Restaurant. The place was full of guests, mostly Dagupenos, whom he served for almost two decades as a councilor, vice mayor and mayor… On June 20, Dagupan marks its 58th anniversary as a city. The activity is chaired by Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Jorge Estrada.
QUICK QUOTE: How could there be any question of acquiring or possessing, when the one thing needful for a man is to become -- to be at last, and to die in the fullness of his being. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
At that time, the bridge, which now connects Anda to Pangasinan mainland, was already nearing completion and in the barge, people were teary-eyed as they marveled at the unfolding structure that for many years may have only existed in their dreams.
To them, the bridge meant the end of their miseries, the end of their isolation. It was a bridge to their future.
And true enough. Only a few months after Anda was connected to the mainland, its economic landscape gradually changed for the better. It metamorphosed from depressed and neglected community into a progressive and vibrant one.
Rough roads have been paved, new public buildings have been erected, local businesses have flourished. People finally had access to opportunities.
What used to be a torturous ride from across the bridge in Barangay Mal-ong to the poblacion, is now fast and comfortable because of its well-paved road.
(I would learn later from Mayor Nestor Pulido that even the road to the island’s famous Tondol Beach has been cemented, attracting more tourists to the place.)
In the poblacion, what used to be a garrison-like public market has been replaced by an imposing modern structure. The poblacion is now fast taking shape as a town center.
Anda’s public schools are now also getting their share of new buildings and classrooms, making them more conducive to learning.
And because it’s now easier to transport their produce to major markets, such as Metro Manila, the town’s businessmen are now also making it big, increasing in turn the town’s revenues.
And all these because of the bridge. With it, Board Member Alice Pulido, who was the mayor then, also did her part very well.
Losing no time, Manang Alice talked then to congressmen and senators to ask them for a share of their countrywide development funds to finance the town’s roadlines, which was the top priority then.
She obviously got what she wanted within months and by the end of her three three-year terms, Anda’s major road network has been paved.
In my visit there last week, Manong Nestor said that his focus is to make the island greener.
In his farm, which is about 200 meters away from his residence, are hundreds of mahogany seedlings for distribution to Grade 1 pupils.
“We should start them young. We should tell them that by these planting trees, they are saving for their future,” he said.
He is now also propagating bougainvillea cuttings for planting in the roadsides. Then, he will also be distributing langka and kasoy seedlings.
“With more trees, hopefully, more water will also be retained in our island for drinking,” he said.
ENDNOTES: Last Tuesday, Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez celebrated his 62nd birthday at the Inn Asia Hotel and Restaurant. The place was full of guests, mostly Dagupenos, whom he served for almost two decades as a councilor, vice mayor and mayor… On June 20, Dagupan marks its 58th anniversary as a city. The activity is chaired by Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Jorge Estrada.
QUICK QUOTE: How could there be any question of acquiring or possessing, when the one thing needful for a man is to become -- to be at last, and to die in the fullness of his being. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Same old problems
With the opening of classes this week for the new schoolyear, our kids attending public schools were ushered in again by the same problems: lack of teachers, lack of books, lack of classrooms, etc. etc.
This situation may not be too evident in Dagupan City, but the problem exists. Only, we are better off than most barangay public schools in the province because our problems are not as glaring as what they have.
Until now, there are public schools in the province that hold some of their classes under the trees. Until now, there are still classes with more than 50 students. Until now, there are still classes where three students share one textbook.
As a result, the quality of our graduates suffers and the whole public school system takes the blame for this predicament.
We know that the government has been doing its best to improve the country’s public schools. In fact, the Department of Education has the lion’s share in the annual national budget. Even congressmen have joined the effort by allocating some of their so-called pork barrel to finance the construction of additional classrooms, purchase of books, etc. etc.
But despite all these, nothing seemed to have moved.
This may be because the task of rehabilitating our public schools is simply overwhelming that government effort is hardly felt. With a free elementary and high school education where no one may be refused admission, a public school is made to eat more than what it could chew, turning its problems from bad to worse.
While we recognize that public education is a right of every Filipino citizen, we believe that education authorities should now come up with a policy that would ensure quality education in every public school, without denying the right of an individual to education.
There has to be a policy that would effectively limit the number of students in each classroom to make it more conducive to learning. There has to be a policy that would send teachers to regular trainings. But most of all, corrupt education officials should now be weeded out of DepEd and sent to jail.
This move will be tough and difficult. But there has to be a solution somewhere. There has to be a solution that would benefit the students, the teachers, the school, and the country, in general.
We cannot go on producing graduates who are not ready to go to high school or to attend college. We cannot allow our public schools to deteriorate.
ENDNOTES: With the announcement that the rainy has officially begun, expect water-borne diseases to be here again. It was about at this time last year when hundreds of central Pangasinan residents were afflicted with gastro-intestinal ailments because they drank water from shallow wells. Health officials should now start sounding the alarm… Last Thursday, we had a new police provincial director: Supt. Allan Purisima, who took the helm from Supt. Mario San Diego, now the chief of staff at the Police Regional Office in Cagayan Valley.
QUICK QUOTE: The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. -- Robert Louis Stevenson
This situation may not be too evident in Dagupan City, but the problem exists. Only, we are better off than most barangay public schools in the province because our problems are not as glaring as what they have.
Until now, there are public schools in the province that hold some of their classes under the trees. Until now, there are still classes with more than 50 students. Until now, there are still classes where three students share one textbook.
As a result, the quality of our graduates suffers and the whole public school system takes the blame for this predicament.
We know that the government has been doing its best to improve the country’s public schools. In fact, the Department of Education has the lion’s share in the annual national budget. Even congressmen have joined the effort by allocating some of their so-called pork barrel to finance the construction of additional classrooms, purchase of books, etc. etc.
But despite all these, nothing seemed to have moved.
This may be because the task of rehabilitating our public schools is simply overwhelming that government effort is hardly felt. With a free elementary and high school education where no one may be refused admission, a public school is made to eat more than what it could chew, turning its problems from bad to worse.
While we recognize that public education is a right of every Filipino citizen, we believe that education authorities should now come up with a policy that would ensure quality education in every public school, without denying the right of an individual to education.
There has to be a policy that would effectively limit the number of students in each classroom to make it more conducive to learning. There has to be a policy that would send teachers to regular trainings. But most of all, corrupt education officials should now be weeded out of DepEd and sent to jail.
This move will be tough and difficult. But there has to be a solution somewhere. There has to be a solution that would benefit the students, the teachers, the school, and the country, in general.
We cannot go on producing graduates who are not ready to go to high school or to attend college. We cannot allow our public schools to deteriorate.
ENDNOTES: With the announcement that the rainy has officially begun, expect water-borne diseases to be here again. It was about at this time last year when hundreds of central Pangasinan residents were afflicted with gastro-intestinal ailments because they drank water from shallow wells. Health officials should now start sounding the alarm… Last Thursday, we had a new police provincial director: Supt. Allan Purisima, who took the helm from Supt. Mario San Diego, now the chief of staff at the Police Regional Office in Cagayan Valley.
QUICK QUOTE: The best things in life are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. -- Robert Louis Stevenson
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Card system
With the way the so-called card system has been hotly debated in the Sanggunian floors during its two hearings last week, one immediately senses that the Public Order and Safety Office (Poso) will have a hard time convincing a “small but noisy” group of drivers and operators to give the traffic reduction scheme a chance.
While most of the jeepney associations (25 out of 29, Poso figure) had nothing but praises for the card system, downtown loop drivers did not like it because they said it has substantially reduced their daily earnings, encouraged drivers to gamble while waiting for their turns, and greatly inconvenienced their passengers.
Downtown’s position was valid: they are a loop service and their trips have no fixed beginnings and ends. Or as a driver had aptly put it, they are not vice-versa, no definite origins and destinations. Meaning, if you put them under a card system, where they are to ply the downtown loop by intervals, it would be to the great inconvenience and disadvantage of the commuters because they would be made to transfer everytime a downtown loop jeepney approaches its holding area and stops there to pass his card.
But the most telling during last week’s two committee hearings were the drivers’ complaints that under the card system, they are being made to pay P5 to P10 by their associations everytime they leave their holding areas, making some city councilors wonder where these money go. This fee is separate from the monthly dues that are collected from them.
One jeepney association president, obviously after summoning enough courage, explained --after a driver angrily raised the issue-- that they needed to collect fees to raise money for the salaries of dispatchers they have employed in their holding areas. Another one said the same. Others chose to be silent.
But by simple arithmetic, the money being collected everyday from the drivers is a lot more than what is needed for the daily salaries, prompting City Councilor Farah Decano to ask if the associations are renting their holding areas, or the excess money will be used as a provident fund to benefit their member-drivers.
There’s really nothing wrong with collecting fees as long as these are reasonable and there’s transparency on how these fees are spent. Certainly, any driver, who was properly consulted about the fees and who knows why these are being collected, would not raise a howl and make a big fuss about it.
While this is an internal problem among jeepney associations, authorities should now step in quick to settle it before it is blown out of proportions; before names are dragged to be benefiting from it.
We don’t want the card system to be called a “quick-buck scheme,” do we?
ENDNOTES: We are saddened with the death last week of Dr. Marcela T. Velasco, 78, mother of Mel, a comrade-in-arms in journalism and a dear friend. Please accept our deepest condolences, pare. Also last week, Benjie Villa of Tarlac City, a former colleague in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star, died at the age of 31. I first met Benjie during a PDI bureau conference in Munoz City in 1997, barely a year after his graduation from the Tarlac State University. I remember him as a chubby little young man who was soft-spoken but serious. We would again see each other later when both of us moved to the Star. To Benjie, goodbye, pare.
QUICK QUOTE: The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand. -- Robert Vallett
While most of the jeepney associations (25 out of 29, Poso figure) had nothing but praises for the card system, downtown loop drivers did not like it because they said it has substantially reduced their daily earnings, encouraged drivers to gamble while waiting for their turns, and greatly inconvenienced their passengers.
Downtown’s position was valid: they are a loop service and their trips have no fixed beginnings and ends. Or as a driver had aptly put it, they are not vice-versa, no definite origins and destinations. Meaning, if you put them under a card system, where they are to ply the downtown loop by intervals, it would be to the great inconvenience and disadvantage of the commuters because they would be made to transfer everytime a downtown loop jeepney approaches its holding area and stops there to pass his card.
But the most telling during last week’s two committee hearings were the drivers’ complaints that under the card system, they are being made to pay P5 to P10 by their associations everytime they leave their holding areas, making some city councilors wonder where these money go. This fee is separate from the monthly dues that are collected from them.
One jeepney association president, obviously after summoning enough courage, explained --after a driver angrily raised the issue-- that they needed to collect fees to raise money for the salaries of dispatchers they have employed in their holding areas. Another one said the same. Others chose to be silent.
But by simple arithmetic, the money being collected everyday from the drivers is a lot more than what is needed for the daily salaries, prompting City Councilor Farah Decano to ask if the associations are renting their holding areas, or the excess money will be used as a provident fund to benefit their member-drivers.
There’s really nothing wrong with collecting fees as long as these are reasonable and there’s transparency on how these fees are spent. Certainly, any driver, who was properly consulted about the fees and who knows why these are being collected, would not raise a howl and make a big fuss about it.
While this is an internal problem among jeepney associations, authorities should now step in quick to settle it before it is blown out of proportions; before names are dragged to be benefiting from it.
We don’t want the card system to be called a “quick-buck scheme,” do we?
ENDNOTES: We are saddened with the death last week of Dr. Marcela T. Velasco, 78, mother of Mel, a comrade-in-arms in journalism and a dear friend. Please accept our deepest condolences, pare. Also last week, Benjie Villa of Tarlac City, a former colleague in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star, died at the age of 31. I first met Benjie during a PDI bureau conference in Munoz City in 1997, barely a year after his graduation from the Tarlac State University. I remember him as a chubby little young man who was soft-spoken but serious. We would again see each other later when both of us moved to the Star. To Benjie, goodbye, pare.
QUICK QUOTE: The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand. -- Robert Vallett
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Dismantling illegal fishpens
It looks like the city hall is not leaving the city’s rivers until after these waterways are cleared of all illegally-built fishpens and other fishing structures.
As we write this column (my first for this paper; thanks to Kuya Behn for the space), Mayor Benjie Lim himself and his army of demolition men and women were already on their eighth straight day in the operation, which commenced last May 18 in an unprecedented show of force that involved at least 150 personnel from the Waste Management Division, Public Order and Safety Office, Anti-Hawking Task Force and the City Agriculturist’s Office.
This time, no illegal fishing structure was spared, not even those owned by barangay officials and people perceived to be very close to the city hall. Surprised by the unannounced move, frantic fishpen owners and caretakers, who all rushed to the rivers, could only beg Mayor Lim to give them a little time to harvest, before the demolition operatives start pulling up their nets and uprooting their bamboo enclosures.
Even those whose fishpens were properly built in designated places but whose areas exceeded the fishery ordinance-prescribed 300-square-meter area were only given that day to resize their structures; otherwise, these too, were immediately dismantled.
From what we have gathered, the city hall operation was so massive that on its first day, at least 100 illegal fishing structures were removed from Pugaro’s waters alone.
Mayor Lim’s message here was very clear: the city government is compassionate, but it is also dead serious in seeing to it that the fishery ordinance is followed to the letter.
In fact, City Agriculturist Emma Molina said that since the ordinance was implemented last November, her office has only dismantled some 80 illegal fishing structures because the demolition had to be suspended every now and then after fishpen operators repeatedly appealed to the mayor to allow them to raise their bangus until these can be harvested.
But as difficult and as challenging now as the dismantling operations, is the task of keeping the rivers illegal-fishpen free. This is because the river system criss-crossing our city is not a place were law enforcers are visible, making it very easy for illegal fishpen operators to go back and build again.
The city hall should now seriously consider deploying floating assets to immediate stop any attempt to illegally put up a fishpen or any other fishing structure, nipping them in the bud, so to speak. These assets may also double as lookouts against those who indiscriminately dump garbage into our rivers.
With the decongestion of the city’s rivers, the city government can now begin to prove that with the regulation of fishing structures, there is minimal pollution; that the risk of fish kills is substantially reduced; that with increased bangus yields, the city has found a pot of gold.
ENDNOTES: What is this card system that has become the latest talk of the town? To the city government, it means decongested traffic. To most jeepney drivers, it is a waste of time. To the commuters, it means getting to the office late… This week, it will be back to the regular five-day work week in all government offices, including the city hall. Why did it take Malacañang two months to realize that this supposed energy-saving scheme achieved nothing but longer weekends to most government workers? Just asking.
QUICK QUOTE: Nothing is as real as a dream. The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away. -- Unknown
As we write this column (my first for this paper; thanks to Kuya Behn for the space), Mayor Benjie Lim himself and his army of demolition men and women were already on their eighth straight day in the operation, which commenced last May 18 in an unprecedented show of force that involved at least 150 personnel from the Waste Management Division, Public Order and Safety Office, Anti-Hawking Task Force and the City Agriculturist’s Office.
This time, no illegal fishing structure was spared, not even those owned by barangay officials and people perceived to be very close to the city hall. Surprised by the unannounced move, frantic fishpen owners and caretakers, who all rushed to the rivers, could only beg Mayor Lim to give them a little time to harvest, before the demolition operatives start pulling up their nets and uprooting their bamboo enclosures.
Even those whose fishpens were properly built in designated places but whose areas exceeded the fishery ordinance-prescribed 300-square-meter area were only given that day to resize their structures; otherwise, these too, were immediately dismantled.
From what we have gathered, the city hall operation was so massive that on its first day, at least 100 illegal fishing structures were removed from Pugaro’s waters alone.
Mayor Lim’s message here was very clear: the city government is compassionate, but it is also dead serious in seeing to it that the fishery ordinance is followed to the letter.
In fact, City Agriculturist Emma Molina said that since the ordinance was implemented last November, her office has only dismantled some 80 illegal fishing structures because the demolition had to be suspended every now and then after fishpen operators repeatedly appealed to the mayor to allow them to raise their bangus until these can be harvested.
But as difficult and as challenging now as the dismantling operations, is the task of keeping the rivers illegal-fishpen free. This is because the river system criss-crossing our city is not a place were law enforcers are visible, making it very easy for illegal fishpen operators to go back and build again.
The city hall should now seriously consider deploying floating assets to immediate stop any attempt to illegally put up a fishpen or any other fishing structure, nipping them in the bud, so to speak. These assets may also double as lookouts against those who indiscriminately dump garbage into our rivers.
With the decongestion of the city’s rivers, the city government can now begin to prove that with the regulation of fishing structures, there is minimal pollution; that the risk of fish kills is substantially reduced; that with increased bangus yields, the city has found a pot of gold.
ENDNOTES: What is this card system that has become the latest talk of the town? To the city government, it means decongested traffic. To most jeepney drivers, it is a waste of time. To the commuters, it means getting to the office late… This week, it will be back to the regular five-day work week in all government offices, including the city hall. Why did it take Malacañang two months to realize that this supposed energy-saving scheme achieved nothing but longer weekends to most government workers? Just asking.
QUICK QUOTE: Nothing is as real as a dream. The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away. -- Unknown
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Drowning in Bonuan
Every time somebody drowns in the waters off Bonuan Beach, I always hear people say that that beach takes lives every year, as if the sea water is a living monster that preys every so often on unsuspecting beachgoers.
.
With the drowning last Saturday of four teenagers in Bonuan Beach, I heard that statement again not just from one but from many people. It suddenly dawned on me that with the frequency the statement has been repeated and told to several people, it has somehow acquired a semblance of truth that more and more people tend to believe in it now than simply ignore it.
I wondered if somebody has thought of building a database on the drowning incidents in the area and have it analyzed by experts. This is not, of course, to establish whether the beach is a monster or not, but to find out if there is a pattern that can be drawn from these incidents and come up with a scientific explanation on why the drowning happened.
Doing this will not only change people’s superstitious beliefs about the beach but it will also enable us to adopt measures to prevent drowning in the future.
For instance, if from the database we are able to pinpoint areas where these drowning incidents occurred, then we can mark the area to warn the swimmers to take the necessary precautions just like what we do in accident-prone areas of highways.
Also, by knowing the water behavior during the dates and times the incidents happened, we will be able to caution the beachgoers about it, effectively preventing them from possible death.
With the city government’s development of the Tondaligan to make it more attractive to tourists, part of it should be the deployment of trained and fully equipped lifeguards. These lifeguards will be there not just to react when somebody is drowning, but to constantly watch over beachgoers and swimmers and warn them if they are no longer within the designated swimming areas.
While this will entail additional expenses to the city government, the lifeguards’ presence will enhance the image of the Bonuan Beach as a safe area, luring more tourists to the city because of it and increasing economic activity in the process.
It may be worth the city government’s investment in the long run.
*****
The last time I entered the Saint Louis University campus in Baguio City was in June 1981, when I accompanied a cousin to enroll there. At that time, the campus was already impressive and imposing, standing tall to assert its superiority as the biggest university in Northern Luzon.
I was there last Friday and I found out that the campus has expanded with the addition of some buildings and the expansion of the others. I was particularly surprised to find out that the men’s dormitory, where I stayed for four years while I was a student there, has been literally annexed to the Sacred Heart Hospital beside it through an overhead walkway connecting the two buildings’ third floors.
Being one of the first residents of that dorm when it opened in 1976, seeing it being converted into a hospital made me somewhat nostalgic and sentimental and the memories of the days and nights I spent in that dorm immediately came to mind.
I had thought at first that the university administration has completely dropped the idea of running a men’s dorm. But to my surprise, it did not. It has instead built a new four-story building at Assumption Rd., just outside the hospital driveway -- a bigger dorm that can accommodate up to 250 residents, compared to the 200 residents that the old dorm housed.
I learned later that the same amenities were there – rooms roomy enough for four students, one locker and study table for each resident, a spacious bath and wash room in each floor, a mess hall and reception areas.
The house rules we dreaded are still there and they have been modified to plug loopholes and ensure that its residents achieve “academic excellence.” I remember that it was during our time when the open-door study period from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. began. This was imposed after the dorm masters discovered that many residents did not study their lessons and had failing grades at the end of the semester. During the study period, dorm masters would go from one room to another to see to it that its occupants are really studying.
To parents, this is instilling discipline and developing students to be responsible while they are away from their parents. This is also a reassurance that inside that dorm, the students are safe and secure.
QUICK QUOTE: Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. -- Mother Teresa
.
With the drowning last Saturday of four teenagers in Bonuan Beach, I heard that statement again not just from one but from many people. It suddenly dawned on me that with the frequency the statement has been repeated and told to several people, it has somehow acquired a semblance of truth that more and more people tend to believe in it now than simply ignore it.
I wondered if somebody has thought of building a database on the drowning incidents in the area and have it analyzed by experts. This is not, of course, to establish whether the beach is a monster or not, but to find out if there is a pattern that can be drawn from these incidents and come up with a scientific explanation on why the drowning happened.
Doing this will not only change people’s superstitious beliefs about the beach but it will also enable us to adopt measures to prevent drowning in the future.
For instance, if from the database we are able to pinpoint areas where these drowning incidents occurred, then we can mark the area to warn the swimmers to take the necessary precautions just like what we do in accident-prone areas of highways.
Also, by knowing the water behavior during the dates and times the incidents happened, we will be able to caution the beachgoers about it, effectively preventing them from possible death.
With the city government’s development of the Tondaligan to make it more attractive to tourists, part of it should be the deployment of trained and fully equipped lifeguards. These lifeguards will be there not just to react when somebody is drowning, but to constantly watch over beachgoers and swimmers and warn them if they are no longer within the designated swimming areas.
While this will entail additional expenses to the city government, the lifeguards’ presence will enhance the image of the Bonuan Beach as a safe area, luring more tourists to the city because of it and increasing economic activity in the process.
It may be worth the city government’s investment in the long run.
*****
The last time I entered the Saint Louis University campus in Baguio City was in June 1981, when I accompanied a cousin to enroll there. At that time, the campus was already impressive and imposing, standing tall to assert its superiority as the biggest university in Northern Luzon.
I was there last Friday and I found out that the campus has expanded with the addition of some buildings and the expansion of the others. I was particularly surprised to find out that the men’s dormitory, where I stayed for four years while I was a student there, has been literally annexed to the Sacred Heart Hospital beside it through an overhead walkway connecting the two buildings’ third floors.
Being one of the first residents of that dorm when it opened in 1976, seeing it being converted into a hospital made me somewhat nostalgic and sentimental and the memories of the days and nights I spent in that dorm immediately came to mind.
I had thought at first that the university administration has completely dropped the idea of running a men’s dorm. But to my surprise, it did not. It has instead built a new four-story building at Assumption Rd., just outside the hospital driveway -- a bigger dorm that can accommodate up to 250 residents, compared to the 200 residents that the old dorm housed.
I learned later that the same amenities were there – rooms roomy enough for four students, one locker and study table for each resident, a spacious bath and wash room in each floor, a mess hall and reception areas.
The house rules we dreaded are still there and they have been modified to plug loopholes and ensure that its residents achieve “academic excellence.” I remember that it was during our time when the open-door study period from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. began. This was imposed after the dorm masters discovered that many residents did not study their lessons and had failing grades at the end of the semester. During the study period, dorm masters would go from one room to another to see to it that its occupants are really studying.
To parents, this is instilling discipline and developing students to be responsible while they are away from their parents. This is also a reassurance that inside that dorm, the students are safe and secure.
QUICK QUOTE: Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. -- Mother Teresa
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Four-day work week
Yesterday, the city hall opened at 7:30 a.m. and closed at 6:30 p.m., longer than the usual 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. working hours. It was the first day of the implementation of the four-day work week this summer, based on a directive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Although most city hall offices will now open Monday to Thursday (frontline services, such the Waste Management Division, police, etc. are exempted), each government employee will still be working 40 hours a week as mandated by law.
To the national government, the scheme means energy savings. Millions of pesos. To most government employees, it will be longer weekends this summer.
To the people, they can now transact with government offices earlier. Hopefully. That is, if government employees will really report on time. As radio commentator Orly Navarro rightly observes, even if offices open at 7:30 a.m., but its employees or department heads report at 9 a.m., the four-day work week will not mean anything.
If the national government really wants to save energy, then it has to think of measures more than just the four-day work week scheme. Although it has been relentlessly urging people to save energy in its radio and television ads, the message do not seem to sink in. Maybe, this is because the people do not see the government adopting energy-saving measures.
For instance, the use of government vehicles has not been very strict. Even on weekends, we see several red plates in malls, public markets, beaches, cockpit arenas – in places where they should not be. These vehicles consume gasoline paid for by the people’s money.
In offices, there have been lights-off and aircon-off times, but these were hardly observed. And what about the street lights and water faucets for public use? These are but small details that need the government’s attention.
In other words, if the government wants the people to save, then it should be the first one to do it for the people to see. Leadership by example.
By simply seeing to it that the lights are turned off at the proper time in government offices, leaking faucets are repaired and government vehicles are used properly, millions of pesos of energy would already be saved.
*****
It’s fiesta time. Any town you go this summer in Pangasinan, there’s a festive mood.
Just last week, Bayambang and Mapandan were celebrating. Bayambang had its fiesta in honor of its patron, St. Vincent Ferrer. Ten days of fun and celebration.
Mapandan had its Pandan Festival, a week long festivity. We were there last Wednesday to witness the inauguration of several buildings around the town square.
In Bayambang, when we saw Mayor Leo de Vera on the day the cycling race he sponsored was circling the third district, he was a picture of a happy man. His residence at Barangay Bical was a place everybody admired. Not so much for the imposing landscaping being completed but for its kitchen that doesn’t seem to run out of food.
Anyone who enters his compound eats. And in a day’s time, his staff may have fed thousands of people. For 10 days.
Whew!
ENDNOTES: Third district Rep. Gener Tulagan was in Mapandan with presidential son, Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, when the news about his ailing and aging mother’s death came through that Wednesday morning. He was very calm, as those who have learned about it condoled with him. Manong Gener, the strong and religious person that we know, may have long prepared for it and just left everything to God. He knows that in finally meeting her Creator, his mother is in now safe hands. Interment will be on Thursday, April 14.
QUICK QUOTE: The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand. --Robert Vallett
Although most city hall offices will now open Monday to Thursday (frontline services, such the Waste Management Division, police, etc. are exempted), each government employee will still be working 40 hours a week as mandated by law.
To the national government, the scheme means energy savings. Millions of pesos. To most government employees, it will be longer weekends this summer.
To the people, they can now transact with government offices earlier. Hopefully. That is, if government employees will really report on time. As radio commentator Orly Navarro rightly observes, even if offices open at 7:30 a.m., but its employees or department heads report at 9 a.m., the four-day work week will not mean anything.
If the national government really wants to save energy, then it has to think of measures more than just the four-day work week scheme. Although it has been relentlessly urging people to save energy in its radio and television ads, the message do not seem to sink in. Maybe, this is because the people do not see the government adopting energy-saving measures.
For instance, the use of government vehicles has not been very strict. Even on weekends, we see several red plates in malls, public markets, beaches, cockpit arenas – in places where they should not be. These vehicles consume gasoline paid for by the people’s money.
In offices, there have been lights-off and aircon-off times, but these were hardly observed. And what about the street lights and water faucets for public use? These are but small details that need the government’s attention.
In other words, if the government wants the people to save, then it should be the first one to do it for the people to see. Leadership by example.
By simply seeing to it that the lights are turned off at the proper time in government offices, leaking faucets are repaired and government vehicles are used properly, millions of pesos of energy would already be saved.
*****
It’s fiesta time. Any town you go this summer in Pangasinan, there’s a festive mood.
Just last week, Bayambang and Mapandan were celebrating. Bayambang had its fiesta in honor of its patron, St. Vincent Ferrer. Ten days of fun and celebration.
Mapandan had its Pandan Festival, a week long festivity. We were there last Wednesday to witness the inauguration of several buildings around the town square.
In Bayambang, when we saw Mayor Leo de Vera on the day the cycling race he sponsored was circling the third district, he was a picture of a happy man. His residence at Barangay Bical was a place everybody admired. Not so much for the imposing landscaping being completed but for its kitchen that doesn’t seem to run out of food.
Anyone who enters his compound eats. And in a day’s time, his staff may have fed thousands of people. For 10 days.
Whew!
ENDNOTES: Third district Rep. Gener Tulagan was in Mapandan with presidential son, Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, when the news about his ailing and aging mother’s death came through that Wednesday morning. He was very calm, as those who have learned about it condoled with him. Manong Gener, the strong and religious person that we know, may have long prepared for it and just left everything to God. He knows that in finally meeting her Creator, his mother is in now safe hands. Interment will be on Thursday, April 14.
QUICK QUOTE: The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand. --Robert Vallett
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
On tourism
When I was with the City Information Office, a Canadian backpacker was accompanied to my office one afternoon by a City Mayor’s Office receptionist. The Caucasian woman, who must have been in her mid-60s, was visibly mad.
And even before I could ask her what her problem was, she said, “I hope this time, I will get the right direction. Nobody in this city seems to give the right directions.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, when I got off this bus, I took a tricycle and told the driver to take me to a pension house. You know where he took me?” she said.
“Where?” I asked.
“To some insurance company!” she said. (The poor lady was apparently taken to the Pension Plan Inc. office, I would learn later.)
I have actually shared this story over and over again to friends to drive home the point that Dagupan City has to do a lot of catching up in terms of putting in place tourism support structures if it wants to establish itself as a major tourist destination in Pangasinan.
Now that summer has begun, for instance, and tourists will be trooping once again to our beaches in Bonuan, there should be an office where these tourists can go to for assistance. If they want information about hotels and lodging houses, restaurants, Internet cafes and even about the details of the Bangus Festival in the city, someone authoritative should provide them the answers.
While it is true that the Tondaligan management office, now headed by a colleague, Dino Zabala, is in the area, it may not be the right office because it was created for a completely different task. It may not also be ready to provide all the “right directions” that tourists would want.
Except for the City Tourism Office, which, by the way, is based at the city hall, tourists visiting the city have no one else to turn to if they want access to tourism facilities and attractions that the city has to offer. Especially for first timers, finding the way to the Bonuan beaches, for instance, may be very frustrating and traumatic.
In short, it is now high time for the city to establish tourist information and assistance centers in strategic places of the city where visitors can go to get some assistance. Tourists usually feel safer and reassured if they get help from a government office or from a tourism organization (like the City Tourism Council) than, say, from a tricycle or jeepney driver. Tourists would feel, too, that they are being warmly welcomed to the city if they find it easy to get help.
Regular seminars for frontline sectors, such as transport groups and food servers, on their role in the tourism industry should also be conducted. This sector should be well-informed about the city’s attractions and its tourist facilities. Teaching them to be polite and hospitable will also help.
Then, of course, a website would be helpful. Today, people intending to visit a certain place would first surf the Internet for any information about it. It is usually in the websites where prospective tourists get telephone numbers of hotels and restaurants, suggested itinerary, and even roadmaps.
Unfortunately, Dagupan City’s website is still under construction.
ENDNOTES: In just a span of seven days, while he was acting city mayor, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez turned over some P300,000 worth of medicines, which he received as donations, to the City Health Office. The first shipment worth P200,000 of assorted medicines, came from Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman. The rest was from Sen. Mar Roxas.
QUICK QUOTE: We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. -- Aesop (~550 BC)
And even before I could ask her what her problem was, she said, “I hope this time, I will get the right direction. Nobody in this city seems to give the right directions.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, when I got off this bus, I took a tricycle and told the driver to take me to a pension house. You know where he took me?” she said.
“Where?” I asked.
“To some insurance company!” she said. (The poor lady was apparently taken to the Pension Plan Inc. office, I would learn later.)
I have actually shared this story over and over again to friends to drive home the point that Dagupan City has to do a lot of catching up in terms of putting in place tourism support structures if it wants to establish itself as a major tourist destination in Pangasinan.
Now that summer has begun, for instance, and tourists will be trooping once again to our beaches in Bonuan, there should be an office where these tourists can go to for assistance. If they want information about hotels and lodging houses, restaurants, Internet cafes and even about the details of the Bangus Festival in the city, someone authoritative should provide them the answers.
While it is true that the Tondaligan management office, now headed by a colleague, Dino Zabala, is in the area, it may not be the right office because it was created for a completely different task. It may not also be ready to provide all the “right directions” that tourists would want.
Except for the City Tourism Office, which, by the way, is based at the city hall, tourists visiting the city have no one else to turn to if they want access to tourism facilities and attractions that the city has to offer. Especially for first timers, finding the way to the Bonuan beaches, for instance, may be very frustrating and traumatic.
In short, it is now high time for the city to establish tourist information and assistance centers in strategic places of the city where visitors can go to get some assistance. Tourists usually feel safer and reassured if they get help from a government office or from a tourism organization (like the City Tourism Council) than, say, from a tricycle or jeepney driver. Tourists would feel, too, that they are being warmly welcomed to the city if they find it easy to get help.
Regular seminars for frontline sectors, such as transport groups and food servers, on their role in the tourism industry should also be conducted. This sector should be well-informed about the city’s attractions and its tourist facilities. Teaching them to be polite and hospitable will also help.
Then, of course, a website would be helpful. Today, people intending to visit a certain place would first surf the Internet for any information about it. It is usually in the websites where prospective tourists get telephone numbers of hotels and restaurants, suggested itinerary, and even roadmaps.
Unfortunately, Dagupan City’s website is still under construction.
ENDNOTES: In just a span of seven days, while he was acting city mayor, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez turned over some P300,000 worth of medicines, which he received as donations, to the City Health Office. The first shipment worth P200,000 of assorted medicines, came from Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman. The rest was from Sen. Mar Roxas.
QUICK QUOTE: We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. -- Aesop (~550 BC)
Friday, April 01, 2005
Graduation woes
Every year, closing exercises, especially in public schools are hounded by controversies. If it’s not about graduation fees, it’s on the selection of honor students.
We cannot understand why these problems still crop out when the Department of Education had always made clear its policies, especially on the holding of graduation exercises.
For this year, for instance, Education Secretary Butch Abad issued DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2005 last February 28, which stipulates, among others, the following:
“No non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation;
“Public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites;
“PTA/PTCAs may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations. Teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of these contributions. PTA/PTCA members should be informed about the use of any contribution for graduation;
“No extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required; and
“Contribution for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.”
From the order, it is clear that the kind of graduation ceremonies to be held – whether it’s simple, quite extravagant or simply festive -- is in the hands of the Parents-Teachers Association. But the problem is, although all parents of students enrolled in a school are automatic PTA members, not all of them attend its meetings. So, when an agreement has been reached on the kind of graduation ceremony to be held, as well the amount of contribution, complaints begin to mount.
Many parents want to see their children in a graduation ceremony that is solemn and memorable. After all, as one mother said, graduation is not a yearly exercise for her daughter and she would also want to make her daughter remember and enjoy it as her reward for completing her high school education.
But then again, even if other parents would want the same for their children, the economic factor sets in. In public schools, especially, many students patiently attend their classes, even if it means skipping some meals for them, just so that they can finish high school. Parents, too, despite their financial limitations, push their children to go to school, hoping that by finishing something, they would have better jobs in the future – maybe, better than scavenging or doing laundry work.
But many of them no longer attend the graduation program because they really cannot afford to buy even the barest necessities – like a pair of shoes, pants and shirt -- for the program. What about the toga rental and other incidentals?
But really, graduation programs need not be expensive. It should not burden those who really don’t have money to spare but who want to see their children march up the stage to receive their diplomas. DepEd think tanks should now sit down to come up with a standardized graduation exercises. Something simple yet memorable; festive yet solemn.
*****
Two of my young daughters attend a private school in Calasiao town. It’s called the Señor Tesoro Academy. (No, it’s not an expensive school; otherwise, I wouldn’t have enrolled them there.)
Aside from its competent faculty members, who are setting the high standard for the school, I am impressed at the way the Parents-Teachers and Community Association is run and managed. (Well, I don’t attend its meetings. With my workload, I can only find time for school activities where my two young ones are participants.)
I said it’s impressive because I have yet to hear a complaint from any parent about PTCA decisions, especially when it comes to school activities that require contributions.
Okay, I hear you -- parents there can afford to pay whatever contributions there are. But that’s completely beside the point because I have seen instances in other organizations where its members complain even if they have all the money in the world.
As I said, it is the way an organization is run that matters. Even if my wife and I do not attend its meetings, we are notified about it and we are told of the agenda that will be discussed. The notices have been in fact so detailed and polite that even if you did not attend a particular meeting, you would know what had transpired.
I guess this makes the big difference. And this sets apart the Señor Tesoro Academy PTCA above other PTCAs that I know. Properly informing the parents about school activities really makes the difference.
Oh, by the way, its president, I was told, is Simone de Vera.
ENDNOTES: Tomorrow, Bayambang begins celebrating its nine-day fiesta, in honor of its patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer. With Mayor Leo de Vera himself as hermano mayor, this year’s celebration introduces new events, which will all be a good treat to every Bayambang resident. The Binasuan Night, for instance, revives a traditional folkdance that originated from the towns many, many years ago. Likewise, this year’s Miss Bayambang Beauty Pageant chaired by Vice Mayor Boy Ramos, promises to be a delightful show for everyone with its new choreography and presentation concepts. On the religious aspect of the fiesta, Libot na Saray Sasanto will be held for the first time, featuring all the patron saints of the towns 77 barangays.
QUOTE: Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. -- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
We cannot understand why these problems still crop out when the Department of Education had always made clear its policies, especially on the holding of graduation exercises.
For this year, for instance, Education Secretary Butch Abad issued DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2005 last February 28, which stipulates, among others, the following:
“No non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation;
“Public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites;
“PTA/PTCAs may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations. Teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of these contributions. PTA/PTCA members should be informed about the use of any contribution for graduation;
“No extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required; and
“Contribution for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.”
From the order, it is clear that the kind of graduation ceremonies to be held – whether it’s simple, quite extravagant or simply festive -- is in the hands of the Parents-Teachers Association. But the problem is, although all parents of students enrolled in a school are automatic PTA members, not all of them attend its meetings. So, when an agreement has been reached on the kind of graduation ceremony to be held, as well the amount of contribution, complaints begin to mount.
Many parents want to see their children in a graduation ceremony that is solemn and memorable. After all, as one mother said, graduation is not a yearly exercise for her daughter and she would also want to make her daughter remember and enjoy it as her reward for completing her high school education.
But then again, even if other parents would want the same for their children, the economic factor sets in. In public schools, especially, many students patiently attend their classes, even if it means skipping some meals for them, just so that they can finish high school. Parents, too, despite their financial limitations, push their children to go to school, hoping that by finishing something, they would have better jobs in the future – maybe, better than scavenging or doing laundry work.
But many of them no longer attend the graduation program because they really cannot afford to buy even the barest necessities – like a pair of shoes, pants and shirt -- for the program. What about the toga rental and other incidentals?
But really, graduation programs need not be expensive. It should not burden those who really don’t have money to spare but who want to see their children march up the stage to receive their diplomas. DepEd think tanks should now sit down to come up with a standardized graduation exercises. Something simple yet memorable; festive yet solemn.
*****
Two of my young daughters attend a private school in Calasiao town. It’s called the Señor Tesoro Academy. (No, it’s not an expensive school; otherwise, I wouldn’t have enrolled them there.)
Aside from its competent faculty members, who are setting the high standard for the school, I am impressed at the way the Parents-Teachers and Community Association is run and managed. (Well, I don’t attend its meetings. With my workload, I can only find time for school activities where my two young ones are participants.)
I said it’s impressive because I have yet to hear a complaint from any parent about PTCA decisions, especially when it comes to school activities that require contributions.
Okay, I hear you -- parents there can afford to pay whatever contributions there are. But that’s completely beside the point because I have seen instances in other organizations where its members complain even if they have all the money in the world.
As I said, it is the way an organization is run that matters. Even if my wife and I do not attend its meetings, we are notified about it and we are told of the agenda that will be discussed. The notices have been in fact so detailed and polite that even if you did not attend a particular meeting, you would know what had transpired.
I guess this makes the big difference. And this sets apart the Señor Tesoro Academy PTCA above other PTCAs that I know. Properly informing the parents about school activities really makes the difference.
Oh, by the way, its president, I was told, is Simone de Vera.
ENDNOTES: Tomorrow, Bayambang begins celebrating its nine-day fiesta, in honor of its patron saint, St. Vincent Ferrer. With Mayor Leo de Vera himself as hermano mayor, this year’s celebration introduces new events, which will all be a good treat to every Bayambang resident. The Binasuan Night, for instance, revives a traditional folkdance that originated from the towns many, many years ago. Likewise, this year’s Miss Bayambang Beauty Pageant chaired by Vice Mayor Boy Ramos, promises to be a delightful show for everyone with its new choreography and presentation concepts. On the religious aspect of the fiesta, Libot na Saray Sasanto will be held for the first time, featuring all the patron saints of the towns 77 barangays.
QUOTE: Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. -- Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
A time to reflect
The Holy Week is the last week of Lent, or the week that immediately precedes Easter Sunday. To us Christians, this is a time to commemorate and enact the Passion and death of Jesus Christ through various observances and services of worship.
To enable us to have more time for spiritual reflection during these important Christian holidays, Malacanang has announced that Holy Wednesday and Black Saturday are non-working holidays, giving government personnel a five-day vacation that will culminate on Easter Sunday.
Unfortunately, to many, the Holy Week is just another long vacation. As early as this afternoon, for sure, long queues of vehicles, including government-owned, would be rushing to Baguio City or to the beaches of Pangasinan and La Union.
In most towns in the country, the Holy Week, like Christmas, is a time for reunions because it is usually at this time of the year when family members and friends working in faraway places come home for vacation.
But even while the faithful take time out to pray and meditate, with this prevailing scenario, the essence of the Holy Week is hardly felt. Hardly will anyone remember anymore its spiritual dimension. Hardly will anyone remember that the Holy Week is the commemoration of Christ’s death and suffering.
According to the Christian Resource Institute (CRI), a global and ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing biblical and theological resources for growing Christians, Holy Week commemorations call us “to move behind the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter, and focus on the suffering, humiliation, and death that is part of Holy Week.”
“It is important to place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of newness and life, against the background of death and endings,” the CRI said.
“It is only in walking through the shadows and darkness of Holy Week and Good Friday, only in realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and its consequences in the world incarnated in the dying Jesus on the cross, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday morning!” it added.
*****
Officials of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) and Digital Telecommunications Inc. (Digitel) could not hide their displeasure over the continuing pilferage of their lines, causing millions of pesos worth of lost opportunities during power shutdowns and Internet downtimes.
These thieves simply climb the poles, cut the wires and sell these to junkshops for a fast buck.
These thieves must be very brave. They know that transmission lines have high voltage and it could cost their lives at the slightest mistake. The same is true with Digitel distribution lines, which are installed in high poles.
But what is making these pilferers bolder and more daring is the fact that they can easily run away with their crime because they have yet to see a wire thief sentenced and sent to jail. Or junkshop owners for that matter, who patronize the stolen items.
Maybe, we now should look at wire pilferage in terms of its economic implications. When a Digitel line is cut, think of the millions of pesos worth of opportunities lost, the phone and online transactions that are stopped. When a Transco transmission line is stolen, think of the power outage and its immediate impact on the economy of affected areas.
But coupled with stiffer penalties, there should also be citizens’ awareness and participation in this endeavor. The people should be made to understand it is not Transco or Digitel that is losing to wire pilferers but the country, and consequently, they, as its citizens, who are the big losers.
This way, maybe, they become more concerned and aware of their responsibilities and protective of these precious wires.
ENDNOTES: With people flocking to the Bonuan Beach this Holy Week, concerned city authorities should stop some unscrupulous beach shed owners from imposing exorbitant rental fees to beachgoers and to ensure that prices of softdrinks and other commodities are not grossly overpriced. Finally, let us tell our visitors to bring home with them their trash. Maybe we can encourage this by distributing to them free trash bags.
QUOTE: Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. -- W.W. Ziege
To enable us to have more time for spiritual reflection during these important Christian holidays, Malacanang has announced that Holy Wednesday and Black Saturday are non-working holidays, giving government personnel a five-day vacation that will culminate on Easter Sunday.
Unfortunately, to many, the Holy Week is just another long vacation. As early as this afternoon, for sure, long queues of vehicles, including government-owned, would be rushing to Baguio City or to the beaches of Pangasinan and La Union.
In most towns in the country, the Holy Week, like Christmas, is a time for reunions because it is usually at this time of the year when family members and friends working in faraway places come home for vacation.
But even while the faithful take time out to pray and meditate, with this prevailing scenario, the essence of the Holy Week is hardly felt. Hardly will anyone remember anymore its spiritual dimension. Hardly will anyone remember that the Holy Week is the commemoration of Christ’s death and suffering.
According to the Christian Resource Institute (CRI), a global and ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing biblical and theological resources for growing Christians, Holy Week commemorations call us “to move behind the joyful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter, and focus on the suffering, humiliation, and death that is part of Holy Week.”
“It is important to place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of newness and life, against the background of death and endings,” the CRI said.
“It is only in walking through the shadows and darkness of Holy Week and Good Friday, only in realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and its consequences in the world incarnated in the dying Jesus on the cross, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday morning!” it added.
*****
Officials of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) and Digital Telecommunications Inc. (Digitel) could not hide their displeasure over the continuing pilferage of their lines, causing millions of pesos worth of lost opportunities during power shutdowns and Internet downtimes.
These thieves simply climb the poles, cut the wires and sell these to junkshops for a fast buck.
These thieves must be very brave. They know that transmission lines have high voltage and it could cost their lives at the slightest mistake. The same is true with Digitel distribution lines, which are installed in high poles.
But what is making these pilferers bolder and more daring is the fact that they can easily run away with their crime because they have yet to see a wire thief sentenced and sent to jail. Or junkshop owners for that matter, who patronize the stolen items.
Maybe, we now should look at wire pilferage in terms of its economic implications. When a Digitel line is cut, think of the millions of pesos worth of opportunities lost, the phone and online transactions that are stopped. When a Transco transmission line is stolen, think of the power outage and its immediate impact on the economy of affected areas.
But coupled with stiffer penalties, there should also be citizens’ awareness and participation in this endeavor. The people should be made to understand it is not Transco or Digitel that is losing to wire pilferers but the country, and consequently, they, as its citizens, who are the big losers.
This way, maybe, they become more concerned and aware of their responsibilities and protective of these precious wires.
ENDNOTES: With people flocking to the Bonuan Beach this Holy Week, concerned city authorities should stop some unscrupulous beach shed owners from imposing exorbitant rental fees to beachgoers and to ensure that prices of softdrinks and other commodities are not grossly overpriced. Finally, let us tell our visitors to bring home with them their trash. Maybe we can encourage this by distributing to them free trash bags.
QUOTE: Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. -- W.W. Ziege
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Against all dams
When then President Ramos announced the construction of the San Roque Dam in the boundary of Pangasinan and Benguet provinces in 1994, Ibaloi families living near the project site began to brace for the worst. They knew that once construction work began, they would be driven out of their homes and ancestral lands.
True enough, when the site preparation began in 1997, some 300 Ibaloi families in Itogon, Benguet had no choice but to transfer to a resettlement site that the government had set aside for them.
It was not the first time that this had happened to them. Together with other indigenous groups-- collectively referred to as Igorot (mountain folk)-- in the Cordillera mountains, the Ibaloi people have been victims of what is now known as “development aggression.”
The Igorot’s misery began in 1946, when then President Roxas commissioned Westinghouse International to survey potential new sources of energy in the country. Westinghouse later identified the Agno River, which originates from the southern slopes of Mount Data in Mountain Province and flows mightily southward through eastern Benguet before disgorging into the Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, as an ideal major energy source.
Thus, when the first Philippine Power Program was drafted on the basis of the survey team’s findings, the development of hydropower facilities in the Agno River basin became one of its major features.
In 1952, the construction of what would be the biggest dams in Asia at that time– the Ambuklao and Binga dams-- commenced. As sacrificial lambs, hundreds of helpless Ibaloi families were displaced from these two dam sites to homestead areas in the neighboring Conwap Valley of Nueva Vizcaya, the Conner area of Apayao, and in far away Palawan.
To the relocated Ibaloi families, it was back to square one. Being unfamiliar not only with the terrain there, but also with the new socio-economic situation they found themselves in, they were not able to resettle in these areas successfully. Many of them later died of starvation and sickness.
When then President Ferdinand Marcos announced that six more dams would be built along the Agno River, the Ibaloi people summoned enough courage to oppose the projects, having learned a sad lesson from the Ambuklao and Binga experience. They succeeded in preventing the construction of the dams.
In the mid-1970s, Ibaloi resistance inspired the Kalinga and Bontok communities to oppose the Chico River Basin Development Project, which called for the building of four dams that would have been far larger than those planned for the Agno. The Kalinga and Bontoc fought and successfully stopped the construction of the Chico dams.
The story of the success of the Chico struggle spread far and wide and inspired other indigenous groups in their own struggles against development aggression in their areas.
In Apayao in 1984, the Isneg people confiscated construction materials and burned equipment to stop the construction of the Gened dam in Flora town. They, too, succeeded as the Ibaloi, the Kalinga and the Bontoc did.
In Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya in 1985, affected communities successfully aborted the building of the Matuno dam in Banti town.
The indigenous people’s consistent effort to thwart development projects in their areas may be viewed as simply their natural reaction to preserve themselves and to assert their right to self-determination.
As Victoria Tauli Corpuz of the Cordillera Women’s Education and Resource Center pointed out, the Cordillera area is where indigenous people have been living for ages.
“Communities have residential areas with rice fields, and then they have the forest, which is communally owned by the tribe. Those are their hunting grounds, those are where their sacred trees are, those are the areas where the water comes from,” she said.
“These forests are very much protected by the people. They know the forest is where their life comes from, where their water comes from, where the fertility of the soil comes from and where their wood and wild food comes from. So it’s a very integral part of the daily life of the people,” she added.
The San Roque Multi-Purpose dam project pushed through, all right, but opposition against it continues to grow because it also continues to threaten the survival not only of the remaining indigenous communities in its vicinity but also the people in the lowlands once it opens its spillway gates in the future.
According to the Cordillera People’s Alliance, a non-government organization, more and more people, including policy makers, are now realizing that “dam projects usually promise more than they could actually deliver, and at a cost that is too high socially, environmentally, as well as economically.”
As the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism has rightly observed, “Heavy siltation has also taken its toll on the lifespan of the two dams (Ambuklao and Binga), both of which were originally meant to function for 50 years. Today, the 75-megawatt Ambuklao has been reduced to a single generator operating at less than 20 megawatts. Binga continues to operate at its 100-megawatt capacity but at the high cost of dredging operations to rehabilitate its reservoir.”
The San Roque Multi-Purpose dam promises in its website to “reduce the perennial flooding of the Agno River affecting at least 16 Pangasinan and Tarlac towns… for floods up to a 50-year event—that is, one so large as to recur only once in 50 years, peak outflows from the spillway are at least one third (1/3) less than peak inflows to the reservoir.”
In short, with the San Roque dam in place, flooding would be a thing of the past in Pangasinan. But as President Arroyo formally inaugurated the San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang on May 29, 2003, at least 23 Pangasinan towns were under the flood waters the dam was supposed to prevent.
ENDNOTES: Former President Fidel V. Ramos was warmly welcomed in the city during his visit last Friday. He played golf, spoke before the city’s five Rotary Clubs, and witnessed the graduation of the Lyceum Northwestern University College of Nursing.
QUOTE: It is not only for what we do that we are responsible, but also for what we do not do. – Moliere (French playwright and actor)
True enough, when the site preparation began in 1997, some 300 Ibaloi families in Itogon, Benguet had no choice but to transfer to a resettlement site that the government had set aside for them.
It was not the first time that this had happened to them. Together with other indigenous groups-- collectively referred to as Igorot (mountain folk)-- in the Cordillera mountains, the Ibaloi people have been victims of what is now known as “development aggression.”
The Igorot’s misery began in 1946, when then President Roxas commissioned Westinghouse International to survey potential new sources of energy in the country. Westinghouse later identified the Agno River, which originates from the southern slopes of Mount Data in Mountain Province and flows mightily southward through eastern Benguet before disgorging into the Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, as an ideal major energy source.
Thus, when the first Philippine Power Program was drafted on the basis of the survey team’s findings, the development of hydropower facilities in the Agno River basin became one of its major features.
In 1952, the construction of what would be the biggest dams in Asia at that time– the Ambuklao and Binga dams-- commenced. As sacrificial lambs, hundreds of helpless Ibaloi families were displaced from these two dam sites to homestead areas in the neighboring Conwap Valley of Nueva Vizcaya, the Conner area of Apayao, and in far away Palawan.
To the relocated Ibaloi families, it was back to square one. Being unfamiliar not only with the terrain there, but also with the new socio-economic situation they found themselves in, they were not able to resettle in these areas successfully. Many of them later died of starvation and sickness.
When then President Ferdinand Marcos announced that six more dams would be built along the Agno River, the Ibaloi people summoned enough courage to oppose the projects, having learned a sad lesson from the Ambuklao and Binga experience. They succeeded in preventing the construction of the dams.
In the mid-1970s, Ibaloi resistance inspired the Kalinga and Bontok communities to oppose the Chico River Basin Development Project, which called for the building of four dams that would have been far larger than those planned for the Agno. The Kalinga and Bontoc fought and successfully stopped the construction of the Chico dams.
The story of the success of the Chico struggle spread far and wide and inspired other indigenous groups in their own struggles against development aggression in their areas.
In Apayao in 1984, the Isneg people confiscated construction materials and burned equipment to stop the construction of the Gened dam in Flora town. They, too, succeeded as the Ibaloi, the Kalinga and the Bontoc did.
In Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya in 1985, affected communities successfully aborted the building of the Matuno dam in Banti town.
The indigenous people’s consistent effort to thwart development projects in their areas may be viewed as simply their natural reaction to preserve themselves and to assert their right to self-determination.
As Victoria Tauli Corpuz of the Cordillera Women’s Education and Resource Center pointed out, the Cordillera area is where indigenous people have been living for ages.
“Communities have residential areas with rice fields, and then they have the forest, which is communally owned by the tribe. Those are their hunting grounds, those are where their sacred trees are, those are the areas where the water comes from,” she said.
“These forests are very much protected by the people. They know the forest is where their life comes from, where their water comes from, where the fertility of the soil comes from and where their wood and wild food comes from. So it’s a very integral part of the daily life of the people,” she added.
The San Roque Multi-Purpose dam project pushed through, all right, but opposition against it continues to grow because it also continues to threaten the survival not only of the remaining indigenous communities in its vicinity but also the people in the lowlands once it opens its spillway gates in the future.
According to the Cordillera People’s Alliance, a non-government organization, more and more people, including policy makers, are now realizing that “dam projects usually promise more than they could actually deliver, and at a cost that is too high socially, environmentally, as well as economically.”
As the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism has rightly observed, “Heavy siltation has also taken its toll on the lifespan of the two dams (Ambuklao and Binga), both of which were originally meant to function for 50 years. Today, the 75-megawatt Ambuklao has been reduced to a single generator operating at less than 20 megawatts. Binga continues to operate at its 100-megawatt capacity but at the high cost of dredging operations to rehabilitate its reservoir.”
The San Roque Multi-Purpose dam promises in its website to “reduce the perennial flooding of the Agno River affecting at least 16 Pangasinan and Tarlac towns… for floods up to a 50-year event—that is, one so large as to recur only once in 50 years, peak outflows from the spillway are at least one third (1/3) less than peak inflows to the reservoir.”
In short, with the San Roque dam in place, flooding would be a thing of the past in Pangasinan. But as President Arroyo formally inaugurated the San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang on May 29, 2003, at least 23 Pangasinan towns were under the flood waters the dam was supposed to prevent.
ENDNOTES: Former President Fidel V. Ramos was warmly welcomed in the city during his visit last Friday. He played golf, spoke before the city’s five Rotary Clubs, and witnessed the graduation of the Lyceum Northwestern University College of Nursing.
QUOTE: It is not only for what we do that we are responsible, but also for what we do not do. – Moliere (French playwright and actor)
Friday, March 11, 2005
Dagupan can’t vote in provincial elections
Now, it’s settled: Dagupan City cannot participate in provincial elections. This is clearly written in Sec. 2 of R.A. 2259 or An Act Making Elective the Offices of Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors in Chartered Cities, Regulating Election in Such Cities and Fixing the Salaries and Tenure of Such Offices, which was approved in June 19, 1959.
R.A. 2259 states that the “Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city on the date of the elections for provincial and municipal officials in conformity with the provisions of the Revised Election Code: Provided, however, That the qualified voters of cities shall vote or shall not vote for provincial officials as their respective charters provide, except in the cities of Iloilo and Dagupan where the said voters shall not vote for provincial officials.”
This law amended the Dagupan City Charter (R.A. 170) and its subsequent amendments -- such as RA 484, which was approved on June 10, 1950 and which allowed the city to vote in provincial elections-- as decided by the Supreme Court on June 1, 1966 (G.R. No. L-23964, Gaerlan vs. Catubig).
In that landmark case, the High Tribunal said, "… (T)he question whether or not a special law has been repealed or amended by one or more subsequent general laws is dependent mainly upon the intent of Congress in enacting the latter. The discussions on the floor of Congress show beyond doubt that its members intended to amend or repeal all provisions of special laws inconsistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 2259, except those which are expressly excluded from the operation thereof.”
And this “intent of Congress” is also clearly reflected in Sec. 9 of R.A. 2259, which provides for the repeal of “all acts or parts of acts, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this act.”
This explains now why in the 1959 provincial elections, when Dr. Francisco Duque ran and won in the gubernatorial race, Dagupeños no longer voted in the election. This was supposed to be the first provincial elections that Dagupan did not participate in.
This should also serve now as a take off point for those who want to push for the enfranchisement of Dagupan City starting in the 2007 elections.
Now, if Dagupan City is not a component city and obviously not highly urbanized to make it independent from the province, then what is it?
The Local Government Code has the answer: “A city may either be component or highly urbanized… Independent component cities are those component cities whose charters prohibit their voters from voting for provincial elective officials. Independent component cities shall be independent of the province (Book III, Title III, Chapter 1, Sec. 451).”
In other words, like Urdaneta, Alaminos and San Carlos, Dagupan is a component city. But unlike them, Dagupan is independent.
*****
Until I read R.A. 9287 yesterday, I never realized that penalties for those involved in illegal numbers game, such as jueteng, have been increased.
The law, which was approved on April 2, 2004, provides for different degrees of penalties -- ranging from 30 days to 20 years -- to bettors, personnel of the illegal numbers game operation, collectors, coordinators, controllers or supervisors, maintainers, managers or operators, financiers or capitalists, and coddlers or protectors.
But what caught my attention was Sec. 5 of the law, which defines the liability of government employees and/or public officials involved in illegal numbers game.
The section reads: “If the collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator, financier or capitalist of any illegal numbers game is a government employee and/or public official, whether elected or appointed shall suffer the penalty of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Three million pesos (P3,000,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and perpetual absolute disqualification from public office.”
In addition, it says, the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office “shall be imposed upon any local government official who, having knowledge of the existence of the operation of any illegal numbers game in his/her jurisdiction, fails to abate or to take action, or tolerates the same in connection therewith.”
Then, law enforcers who fail to apprehend perpetrators of any illegal numbers game may be suspended or dismissed.
Whew!
ENDNOTES: March is an election month for various local officials’ organizations. First, it was the National Movement of Young Legislators, an organization of vice governors, board members and city and municipal vice mayors and councilors, who are 35 years old and below. Just last Tuesday, it was the Philippine Councilors’ League’s turn to hold a national convention and election. And next week, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) will have its national convention at the Century Park Hotel, where Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, VMLP Pangasinan chapter president and incumbent national vice president for finance, will run as executive vice president. From what we gathered, Alvin will be running unopposed.
QUOTE: Do not follow where the path leads. Rather go where there is no path, and leave a trail. -- David Perkins
R.A. 2259 states that the “Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city on the date of the elections for provincial and municipal officials in conformity with the provisions of the Revised Election Code: Provided, however, That the qualified voters of cities shall vote or shall not vote for provincial officials as their respective charters provide, except in the cities of Iloilo and Dagupan where the said voters shall not vote for provincial officials.”
This law amended the Dagupan City Charter (R.A. 170) and its subsequent amendments -- such as RA 484, which was approved on June 10, 1950 and which allowed the city to vote in provincial elections-- as decided by the Supreme Court on June 1, 1966 (G.R. No. L-23964, Gaerlan vs. Catubig).
In that landmark case, the High Tribunal said, "… (T)he question whether or not a special law has been repealed or amended by one or more subsequent general laws is dependent mainly upon the intent of Congress in enacting the latter. The discussions on the floor of Congress show beyond doubt that its members intended to amend or repeal all provisions of special laws inconsistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 2259, except those which are expressly excluded from the operation thereof.”
And this “intent of Congress” is also clearly reflected in Sec. 9 of R.A. 2259, which provides for the repeal of “all acts or parts of acts, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this act.”
This explains now why in the 1959 provincial elections, when Dr. Francisco Duque ran and won in the gubernatorial race, Dagupeños no longer voted in the election. This was supposed to be the first provincial elections that Dagupan did not participate in.
This should also serve now as a take off point for those who want to push for the enfranchisement of Dagupan City starting in the 2007 elections.
Now, if Dagupan City is not a component city and obviously not highly urbanized to make it independent from the province, then what is it?
The Local Government Code has the answer: “A city may either be component or highly urbanized… Independent component cities are those component cities whose charters prohibit their voters from voting for provincial elective officials. Independent component cities shall be independent of the province (Book III, Title III, Chapter 1, Sec. 451).”
In other words, like Urdaneta, Alaminos and San Carlos, Dagupan is a component city. But unlike them, Dagupan is independent.
*****
Until I read R.A. 9287 yesterday, I never realized that penalties for those involved in illegal numbers game, such as jueteng, have been increased.
The law, which was approved on April 2, 2004, provides for different degrees of penalties -- ranging from 30 days to 20 years -- to bettors, personnel of the illegal numbers game operation, collectors, coordinators, controllers or supervisors, maintainers, managers or operators, financiers or capitalists, and coddlers or protectors.
But what caught my attention was Sec. 5 of the law, which defines the liability of government employees and/or public officials involved in illegal numbers game.
The section reads: “If the collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator, financier or capitalist of any illegal numbers game is a government employee and/or public official, whether elected or appointed shall suffer the penalty of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from Three million pesos (P3,000,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and perpetual absolute disqualification from public office.”
In addition, it says, the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office “shall be imposed upon any local government official who, having knowledge of the existence of the operation of any illegal numbers game in his/her jurisdiction, fails to abate or to take action, or tolerates the same in connection therewith.”
Then, law enforcers who fail to apprehend perpetrators of any illegal numbers game may be suspended or dismissed.
Whew!
ENDNOTES: March is an election month for various local officials’ organizations. First, it was the National Movement of Young Legislators, an organization of vice governors, board members and city and municipal vice mayors and councilors, who are 35 years old and below. Just last Tuesday, it was the Philippine Councilors’ League’s turn to hold a national convention and election. And next week, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) will have its national convention at the Century Park Hotel, where Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, VMLP Pangasinan chapter president and incumbent national vice president for finance, will run as executive vice president. From what we gathered, Alvin will be running unopposed.
QUOTE: Do not follow where the path leads. Rather go where there is no path, and leave a trail. -- David Perkins
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
The third district race
Now that Congressman Gener Tulagan is in his third and last term, talks on who will be his successor in 2007 have begun to circulate in the district’s political circles.
Early on, those considered serious contenders for the congressional seat were San Carlos City Mayor Jolly Resuello, Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and Board Member Angel Baniqued.
But the unfolding political scenario at present is gradually changing. And it seems that the only possible candidates are Mayor Leo and Board Member Baniqued. Last January, Mayor Jolly issued a statement that although he’s now in his last term, he is not gunning for the congressional position. What he is going to do next is everybody’s guess but we can only surmise that he would rather ensure the election of his son, Vice Mayor Ayoy, as his successor in San Carlos.
He has thrown his full support to Mayor Leo’s congressional bid.
Vice Governor Lambino, on the other hand, may just opt to run for governor or just go back to Malasiqui as mayor. Although, knowing him, he can still make his options open until the 11th hour.
This leaves Board Member Baniqued and Mayor Leo possibly slugging it out one-on-one in the congressional race.
Easily, with this scenario in 2007, we are seeing a very lopsided race. First, in the 2004 elections, Mayor Leo has virtually begun to campaign for 2007 with the consistent announcement of Congressman Gener in his political rallies and meetings that Mayor Leo will be the district’s next congressman.
In turn, despite pressures, Mayor Leo stuck it out with Congressman Gener to the last minute of his electoral fight against former Gen. Orly Soriano, preventing what could have been a mass defection to the Soriano camp of political leaders in the district. And Congressman Gener knows this. As a result, Congressman Gener’s victory was historic: he won by landslide in all the five towns and San Carlos City.
Mayor Leo can also rely on Bayambang’s solid vote, although Board Member Baniqued has consistently won in Bayambang in the past, including in his congressional bid in 2001. But with Mayor Leo as the town’s first possible congressman, there is no doubt that his townmates will rally around him and deliver the hometown votes.
As far as San Carlos is concerned, with the support of both Mayor Jolly and Congressman Gener, Mayor Leo is assured of a big share of the votes in the city, although it is Board Member Baniqued’s hometown.
What will also boost Mayor Leo’s congressional bid is the support of Biskeg na Pangasinan. It is no secret now that one of the closest persons to Biskeg founder, former Sto. Tomas mayor and now DOTC assistant secretary, Bebot Villar is Mayor Leo.
Their closeness is in keeping with the relationship of their old men during their stints as public servants. When Asec Villar’s father, the late Congressman Tonieng Villar was vice governor, Mayor Leo’s old man, who was then concessionaire of the Mangabul Lake, was one of his aides and political leaders.
Mayor Leo’s friendship with Asec Villar has transcended time and politics and each of them has always been ready to help one another through thick and thin.
The 2007 elections may still be two and a half years away. But with this outpouring of support to Mayor Leo, it looks like his congressional bid is unstoppable.
ENDNOTES: The recently concluded Jobs Fair 2005 at the Dagupan City astrodome was a success. Roger Chua of trabaho.com said that at least 30 companies participated, attracting about 5,000 job applicants from the different parts of the province… At 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 12, the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) is holding a free orientation seminar for teachers who want to apply for teaching jobs in the United States at the Loreto Bangsal Boardroom of the YMCA in Dagupan City.
QUOTE: When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine -- with God's help! -- Found in a book by Robert Schuller
Early on, those considered serious contenders for the congressional seat were San Carlos City Mayor Jolly Resuello, Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and Board Member Angel Baniqued.
But the unfolding political scenario at present is gradually changing. And it seems that the only possible candidates are Mayor Leo and Board Member Baniqued. Last January, Mayor Jolly issued a statement that although he’s now in his last term, he is not gunning for the congressional position. What he is going to do next is everybody’s guess but we can only surmise that he would rather ensure the election of his son, Vice Mayor Ayoy, as his successor in San Carlos.
He has thrown his full support to Mayor Leo’s congressional bid.
Vice Governor Lambino, on the other hand, may just opt to run for governor or just go back to Malasiqui as mayor. Although, knowing him, he can still make his options open until the 11th hour.
This leaves Board Member Baniqued and Mayor Leo possibly slugging it out one-on-one in the congressional race.
Easily, with this scenario in 2007, we are seeing a very lopsided race. First, in the 2004 elections, Mayor Leo has virtually begun to campaign for 2007 with the consistent announcement of Congressman Gener in his political rallies and meetings that Mayor Leo will be the district’s next congressman.
In turn, despite pressures, Mayor Leo stuck it out with Congressman Gener to the last minute of his electoral fight against former Gen. Orly Soriano, preventing what could have been a mass defection to the Soriano camp of political leaders in the district. And Congressman Gener knows this. As a result, Congressman Gener’s victory was historic: he won by landslide in all the five towns and San Carlos City.
Mayor Leo can also rely on Bayambang’s solid vote, although Board Member Baniqued has consistently won in Bayambang in the past, including in his congressional bid in 2001. But with Mayor Leo as the town’s first possible congressman, there is no doubt that his townmates will rally around him and deliver the hometown votes.
As far as San Carlos is concerned, with the support of both Mayor Jolly and Congressman Gener, Mayor Leo is assured of a big share of the votes in the city, although it is Board Member Baniqued’s hometown.
What will also boost Mayor Leo’s congressional bid is the support of Biskeg na Pangasinan. It is no secret now that one of the closest persons to Biskeg founder, former Sto. Tomas mayor and now DOTC assistant secretary, Bebot Villar is Mayor Leo.
Their closeness is in keeping with the relationship of their old men during their stints as public servants. When Asec Villar’s father, the late Congressman Tonieng Villar was vice governor, Mayor Leo’s old man, who was then concessionaire of the Mangabul Lake, was one of his aides and political leaders.
Mayor Leo’s friendship with Asec Villar has transcended time and politics and each of them has always been ready to help one another through thick and thin.
The 2007 elections may still be two and a half years away. But with this outpouring of support to Mayor Leo, it looks like his congressional bid is unstoppable.
ENDNOTES: The recently concluded Jobs Fair 2005 at the Dagupan City astrodome was a success. Roger Chua of trabaho.com said that at least 30 companies participated, attracting about 5,000 job applicants from the different parts of the province… At 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 12, the Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) is holding a free orientation seminar for teachers who want to apply for teaching jobs in the United States at the Loreto Bangsal Boardroom of the YMCA in Dagupan City.
QUOTE: When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine -- with God's help! -- Found in a book by Robert Schuller
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Those pesky tricycles
To me, the most breath-taking among the natural attractions of Pangasinan is the Hundred Islands. Everytime I go there, I am always enthralled by its splendor and mystery, and its unique ambience that soothes and relaxes a weary mind. It’s a perfect weekend getaway.
But unlike the other natural tourist attractions in the country, a trip to the Hundred Islands should offer more than the beaches of its islands and the calm waters surrounding them. For instance, in Puerto Princesa City, a trip to its famous underground river becomes very memorable because a trained guide accompanies every group of visitors, making their visit very educational and making them realize the benefits of taking care of the environment.
This is also true when one visits the Subic Free Port. A guide is assigned to accompany visitors, making the visit very organized and educational.
Why this scheme is not being done by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), the agency which has jurisdiction over these islands, we don’t know. Maybe, they have tried it in the past, did not make it work, got tired of it and simply forgot about it. Or maybe, they did not try it at all.
But as we race against time to preserve the Hundred Islands from further physical degradation and keep it as the province’s premier tourist destination, Alaminos City Mayor Nani Braganza should no longer wait on the PTA to make its move. He should act now. And fast.
With former tourism regional director Jinggoy Malay as city administrator, there is no reason why the Hundred Islands could not be repackaged to keep tourists coming back for it, at the same time, creating higher awareness on the need to protect and preserve it.
This means that we should go beyond the idea of deploying floating souvenir and food shops on the waters near the islands. More than this, tourists must be educated on the islands’ legend, their history, their names, their attractions, their contributions to ecology, the need to preserve them and the people’s and government efforts to maintain them. This way, tourists will better appreciate the islands and make them develop a sense of attachment and responsibility to make them feel that they, too, are co-owners and stakeholders that they are obliged to take care of them.
A tall order? I guess not. It’s simple management. And a little imagination.
*****
The greatest obstacles to a smooth traffic flow in Dagupan City are still the tricycles. And their drivers are the most undisciplined bunch. This makes me wonder if at all, these drivers are given actual driving tests by the Land Transportation Office before they are issued their licenses.
This is why defensive driving around Dagupan City is a must. Otherwise, you end up sideswiping or being sideswiped by tricycles that suddenly appear in front of you during traffic stops. If you are following a tricycle on a road, better have a sharp eye. Chances are these vehicles do not have signal and stop lights and they usually make a left or right turn using their hands, feet and worse, their snouts.
They also overtake you on the right and many times, you see them coming using the wrong side of the road. They also have this bad habit of stopping in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. They simply do not care that they delaying other motorists.
But what makes these tricycle drivers bold and daring in violating traffic rules is the fact that many of them do not get traffic citation tickets for these “minor” infractions. Or if they do, the penalty is very affordable.
The city government has succeeded in giving a day off to all tricycles in Dagupan City. It should now start considering their gradual phase-out as a public transportation.
And this could be done by imposing heavier penalties, including cancellation of franchise, to recalcitrant tricycle drivers. And as franchises are cancelled, issuance of new ones should be stopped.
At least, this way, if we do not succeed in totally phasing out the tricycles, we will have safer streets with more disciplined drivers.
ENDNOTES: Congratulations to former Dagupan City administrator Joven Maramba, for his election as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pangasinan Chapter last Saturday. Also to his runningmate, my buloy, Jing Viray of Asingan town, for winning as vice president… The Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) has been appointed by a US-based agency as its agent in Pangasinan in the recruitment of teachers for US schools. Interested applicants should attend the Jobs Fair at the Dagupan City Library on March 3 and 4.
QUOTE: Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic. – Tom Hanks, as Sam Baldwin in the movie Sleepless in Seattle, when asked what was special about his departed wife.
But unlike the other natural tourist attractions in the country, a trip to the Hundred Islands should offer more than the beaches of its islands and the calm waters surrounding them. For instance, in Puerto Princesa City, a trip to its famous underground river becomes very memorable because a trained guide accompanies every group of visitors, making their visit very educational and making them realize the benefits of taking care of the environment.
This is also true when one visits the Subic Free Port. A guide is assigned to accompany visitors, making the visit very organized and educational.
Why this scheme is not being done by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), the agency which has jurisdiction over these islands, we don’t know. Maybe, they have tried it in the past, did not make it work, got tired of it and simply forgot about it. Or maybe, they did not try it at all.
But as we race against time to preserve the Hundred Islands from further physical degradation and keep it as the province’s premier tourist destination, Alaminos City Mayor Nani Braganza should no longer wait on the PTA to make its move. He should act now. And fast.
With former tourism regional director Jinggoy Malay as city administrator, there is no reason why the Hundred Islands could not be repackaged to keep tourists coming back for it, at the same time, creating higher awareness on the need to protect and preserve it.
This means that we should go beyond the idea of deploying floating souvenir and food shops on the waters near the islands. More than this, tourists must be educated on the islands’ legend, their history, their names, their attractions, their contributions to ecology, the need to preserve them and the people’s and government efforts to maintain them. This way, tourists will better appreciate the islands and make them develop a sense of attachment and responsibility to make them feel that they, too, are co-owners and stakeholders that they are obliged to take care of them.
A tall order? I guess not. It’s simple management. And a little imagination.
*****
The greatest obstacles to a smooth traffic flow in Dagupan City are still the tricycles. And their drivers are the most undisciplined bunch. This makes me wonder if at all, these drivers are given actual driving tests by the Land Transportation Office before they are issued their licenses.
This is why defensive driving around Dagupan City is a must. Otherwise, you end up sideswiping or being sideswiped by tricycles that suddenly appear in front of you during traffic stops. If you are following a tricycle on a road, better have a sharp eye. Chances are these vehicles do not have signal and stop lights and they usually make a left or right turn using their hands, feet and worse, their snouts.
They also overtake you on the right and many times, you see them coming using the wrong side of the road. They also have this bad habit of stopping in the middle of the road to pick up passengers. They simply do not care that they delaying other motorists.
But what makes these tricycle drivers bold and daring in violating traffic rules is the fact that many of them do not get traffic citation tickets for these “minor” infractions. Or if they do, the penalty is very affordable.
The city government has succeeded in giving a day off to all tricycles in Dagupan City. It should now start considering their gradual phase-out as a public transportation.
And this could be done by imposing heavier penalties, including cancellation of franchise, to recalcitrant tricycle drivers. And as franchises are cancelled, issuance of new ones should be stopped.
At least, this way, if we do not succeed in totally phasing out the tricycles, we will have safer streets with more disciplined drivers.
ENDNOTES: Congratulations to former Dagupan City administrator Joven Maramba, for his election as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pangasinan Chapter last Saturday. Also to his runningmate, my buloy, Jing Viray of Asingan town, for winning as vice president… The Pangasinan-Washington Sister State Association (Pawassa) has been appointed by a US-based agency as its agent in Pangasinan in the recruitment of teachers for US schools. Interested applicants should attend the Jobs Fair at the Dagupan City Library on March 3 and 4.
QUOTE: Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic. – Tom Hanks, as Sam Baldwin in the movie Sleepless in Seattle, when asked what was special about his departed wife.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Remembering EDSA
THE HOLDING OF the Bangus Festival has significantly enhanced the people’s livelihood in the city, according to a study I read two years ago.
Conducted by an independent research firm, whose name I could no longer remember (I don’t even have a copy of that study now), the study found that after the holding of the Bangus Festival in 2002, local fish vendors enjoyed a 30-40 percent increase in revenue by selling Dagupan bangus.
The volume of bangus production in Dagupan also increased significantly. From 1999 to 2001, the production of bangus stayed dormant at 2,325 metric tons a year. After holding of the first festival in 2002, the total bangus production went up to 2,635 metric tons or a 13 percent increase.
According to the City Agriculture Office, bangus production in 2003 reached 2,830 metric tons or 22 percent increase from year 2001. These figures only show the production of fishpond operators. Fish pen operators have no current record but normally they produce three times more than the fishponds.
The tourism industry in Dagupan was also boosted due the local, national and international publicity that the festival generated and never experienced by the city in the past.
In terms of its environmental impact, the festival created a higher awareness level for the protection of our river system; intensified mangrove re-vegetation projects and continuous implementation of clean-up campaign in the entire city.
As Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had said during his talk in Tokyo in 2003, the Bangus Festival was an innovative international marketing strategy because it heightened global awareness of the city’s main produce, the bangus.
This year, the city government will replicate this feat, not so much to get a space in the Guinness Book of World Records but for the world to know that Dagupan City is still growing the tasty bangus.
*****
TODAY, we remember the day 19 years ago when then strongman Ferdinand Marcos left Malacanang for a self-exile in Hawaii.
There was street dancing and celebration not only in Metro Manila but in most cities nationwide as soon as Radio Veritas then announced Marcos’ flight. Suddenly, Marcos was gone. Suddenly, democracy was restored and people began to hope for a new day.
That was 19 years ago.
But 19 years hence -- 19 years of freedom from the clutches of dictatorship – a great number of our people still wallow in abject poverty. Those who have barely enough continue to hold on tightly to a thin strand of rope, hoping they would be able to get out of the economic quagmire they are in.
Clearly, for 19 years, we have not succeeded in creating more livelihood opportunities for our people. We have not liberated our people from poverty and make them live less deprived lives.
Likewise, we have not been able to stabilize politically. Coup attempts and other destabilization plots continue to hound our government.
Finally, the level of corruption has continued to increase and has become more daring. It has also crept from the highest echelon of government down to the lowest level. There is now too much distrust on the government and in it’s capability to improve people’s lives.
Overreacting? I’m not.
Unless President Arroyo makes a more decisive move in the anti-graft campaign by sparing no one -- including her closest political allies -- we will still be in the same pathetic situation 19 years from now.
ENDNOTES: Oops! I have wrongly written in Tuesday’s column that Windows will run Mondays and Fridays. It should have been Tuesdays and Fridays… Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera is now in the thick of preparations for their town fiesta this year in honor of its patron, St. Vincent Ferrer. The fiesta, among other activities, will highlight a Binasuan Night. Many Pangasinenses may not know it, but Binasuan, a colorful folk dance where a dancer balances three glasses filled with rice wine, originated in Bayambang.
QUOTE: Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.-- Buddha
Conducted by an independent research firm, whose name I could no longer remember (I don’t even have a copy of that study now), the study found that after the holding of the Bangus Festival in 2002, local fish vendors enjoyed a 30-40 percent increase in revenue by selling Dagupan bangus.
The volume of bangus production in Dagupan also increased significantly. From 1999 to 2001, the production of bangus stayed dormant at 2,325 metric tons a year. After holding of the first festival in 2002, the total bangus production went up to 2,635 metric tons or a 13 percent increase.
According to the City Agriculture Office, bangus production in 2003 reached 2,830 metric tons or 22 percent increase from year 2001. These figures only show the production of fishpond operators. Fish pen operators have no current record but normally they produce three times more than the fishponds.
The tourism industry in Dagupan was also boosted due the local, national and international publicity that the festival generated and never experienced by the city in the past.
In terms of its environmental impact, the festival created a higher awareness level for the protection of our river system; intensified mangrove re-vegetation projects and continuous implementation of clean-up campaign in the entire city.
As Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez had said during his talk in Tokyo in 2003, the Bangus Festival was an innovative international marketing strategy because it heightened global awareness of the city’s main produce, the bangus.
This year, the city government will replicate this feat, not so much to get a space in the Guinness Book of World Records but for the world to know that Dagupan City is still growing the tasty bangus.
*****
TODAY, we remember the day 19 years ago when then strongman Ferdinand Marcos left Malacanang for a self-exile in Hawaii.
There was street dancing and celebration not only in Metro Manila but in most cities nationwide as soon as Radio Veritas then announced Marcos’ flight. Suddenly, Marcos was gone. Suddenly, democracy was restored and people began to hope for a new day.
That was 19 years ago.
But 19 years hence -- 19 years of freedom from the clutches of dictatorship – a great number of our people still wallow in abject poverty. Those who have barely enough continue to hold on tightly to a thin strand of rope, hoping they would be able to get out of the economic quagmire they are in.
Clearly, for 19 years, we have not succeeded in creating more livelihood opportunities for our people. We have not liberated our people from poverty and make them live less deprived lives.
Likewise, we have not been able to stabilize politically. Coup attempts and other destabilization plots continue to hound our government.
Finally, the level of corruption has continued to increase and has become more daring. It has also crept from the highest echelon of government down to the lowest level. There is now too much distrust on the government and in it’s capability to improve people’s lives.
Overreacting? I’m not.
Unless President Arroyo makes a more decisive move in the anti-graft campaign by sparing no one -- including her closest political allies -- we will still be in the same pathetic situation 19 years from now.
ENDNOTES: Oops! I have wrongly written in Tuesday’s column that Windows will run Mondays and Fridays. It should have been Tuesdays and Fridays… Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera is now in the thick of preparations for their town fiesta this year in honor of its patron, St. Vincent Ferrer. The fiesta, among other activities, will highlight a Binasuan Night. Many Pangasinenses may not know it, but Binasuan, a colorful folk dance where a dancer balances three glasses filled with rice wine, originated in Bayambang.
QUOTE: Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.-- Buddha
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