09 September 2005
PHOTO: R1MC awards Indian trader
Ashok Vashandani, a prominent Indian trader in the city (left), receives from Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) Director , Dr. Jesus Canto a recognition and appreciation award for helping provide ease and comfort for medical patients thru donations of electric fans at the wards. Looking on at right is Dr. Felonila Canto, wife of the RIMC chief. Other civic-spirited citizens were feted by the medical center in simple ceremonies at the frontyard of RIMC last week. (Pangasinan Star Photo)
Bebot Villar quits DOTC; hits corruption in land transport sector
By Venus May H. Sarmiento
Assistant Secretary Antonio A. Villar, Jr. of the Department of Transportation and Communications has resigned his post Thursday, citing alleged corruption in the land transport sector as his reason for leaving.
Villar, founder and chair of the multiparty group Biskeg na Pangasinan, and a former multi-term mayor of Sto. Tomas, said his “irrevocable” letter of resignation submitted to President Arroyo Sept. 1, that he was “nauseated by the web of corruption in the bureaucracy, particularly in the land transport sector of the DOTC.”
Villar admitted that having already shown his disgust at the corruption in the DOTC, he was being wooed by elements in and outside the administration for their own ends and agenda. He claimed however he had no desire to jump over to “the other side of the political spectrum.”
“I would rather be a credible non-partisan critic of misgovernance,” the man credited for his town’s giving a “zero vote” for the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. in the May 2004 elections, said.
DOTC Undersecretary Ricardo Alfonso of the land transport sector, reacting to Villar’s inferences, however, said he does not understand what corruption the assistant secretary was referring to in his sector.
“Maybe, he was concerned about land transport in his hometown. I really don’t know what he was talking about,” Alfonso said.
A report said Villar has submitted a letter of resignation to Malacanang in late May, which was supposed to be effective on June 1. He had cited at that time his being unproductive in the air sector of DOTC because of lack of funds for his office. His resignation, however, was not accepted.
Assistant Secretary Antonio A. Villar, Jr. of the Department of Transportation and Communications has resigned his post Thursday, citing alleged corruption in the land transport sector as his reason for leaving.
Villar, founder and chair of the multiparty group Biskeg na Pangasinan, and a former multi-term mayor of Sto. Tomas, said his “irrevocable” letter of resignation submitted to President Arroyo Sept. 1, that he was “nauseated by the web of corruption in the bureaucracy, particularly in the land transport sector of the DOTC.”
Villar admitted that having already shown his disgust at the corruption in the DOTC, he was being wooed by elements in and outside the administration for their own ends and agenda. He claimed however he had no desire to jump over to “the other side of the political spectrum.”
“I would rather be a credible non-partisan critic of misgovernance,” the man credited for his town’s giving a “zero vote” for the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. in the May 2004 elections, said.
DOTC Undersecretary Ricardo Alfonso of the land transport sector, reacting to Villar’s inferences, however, said he does not understand what corruption the assistant secretary was referring to in his sector.
“Maybe, he was concerned about land transport in his hometown. I really don’t know what he was talking about,” Alfonso said.
A report said Villar has submitted a letter of resignation to Malacanang in late May, which was supposed to be effective on June 1. He had cited at that time his being unproductive in the air sector of DOTC because of lack of funds for his office. His resignation, however, was not accepted.
PLDT pays P4.6M tax
FEELING the aggressive stance of the Dagupan city government to collect taxes from big firms operating in the city, a telecommunications giant last Monday paid some P4.6 million in franchise tax.
Mayor Benjamin S. Lim received the payment from representatives of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. He promptly lauded the firm for showing the way to other big companies doing business in the city in settling their tax obligations.
Lim, at the same time, praised the efforts of City Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued to demand tax payments from telecommunication companies doing business in Dagupan. Demand letters were sent to the companies to settle their back franchise taxes.
While PLDT complied with its obligation, rival firm Digital Telecommunications Company (Digitel) has yet to act on the demand letter, it was gathered.
Baniqued said Digitel failed to show its gross receipts as basis for tax payment.
While she was then the provincial legal officer of Pangasinan, Baniqued, it will be recalled, filed complaints against Digital Telecommunications for failure to pay its taxes to the provincial government. She also filed complaints against other companies like the Mirant Philippines/Sual which operates the Sual Coal-fired Power Plant.
Sual and the provincial government are now reaping a bonanza after Mirant agreed to a settlement and paid its taxes, minus accumulated interest slapped on it in the provincial government complaint. (DOS)
Mayor Benjamin S. Lim received the payment from representatives of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. He promptly lauded the firm for showing the way to other big companies doing business in the city in settling their tax obligations.
Lim, at the same time, praised the efforts of City Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued to demand tax payments from telecommunication companies doing business in Dagupan. Demand letters were sent to the companies to settle their back franchise taxes.
While PLDT complied with its obligation, rival firm Digital Telecommunications Company (Digitel) has yet to act on the demand letter, it was gathered.
Baniqued said Digitel failed to show its gross receipts as basis for tax payment.
While she was then the provincial legal officer of Pangasinan, Baniqued, it will be recalled, filed complaints against Digital Telecommunications for failure to pay its taxes to the provincial government. She also filed complaints against other companies like the Mirant Philippines/Sual which operates the Sual Coal-fired Power Plant.
Sual and the provincial government are now reaping a bonanza after Mirant agreed to a settlement and paid its taxes, minus accumulated interest slapped on it in the provincial government complaint. (DOS)
FOUND IN BLOOD CULTURES: 2 strains of dengue in Pangasinan
A GOVERNMENT doctor has confirmed that there are two strains of dengue found in Pangasinan patients based on the blood cultures analyzed so far.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center, said these strains were a non-violent type found mostly among patients from western Pangasinan and the violent type that appeared to afflict those from western Pangasinan.
Canto said the violent type of dengue was what attacked two patients who have died, one of them from western Pangasinan. These, he said, were the first casualties from dengue, Canto said.
He added that the boy died a few minutes after arrival because when he was admitted at R1MC, his platelet count had dropped to as low as 2 to 4 as he already had continuous bleeding.
The normal platelet count of a person is from 150 to 300, he said.
Dengue patients need fresh platelets to replace those destroyed by the virus that cause the disease.
Canto said from August 1 to 27, a total of 65 dengue patients had already been admitted to R1MC compared to 60 patients admitted for the whole month of July.
Dengue cases are expected to rise some more this September because the rainy season is not yet over.
The R1MC is the usual destination of dengue patients in Pangasinan because it is the only hospital in the Ilocos Region that has a blood separator machine thus assuring them of a ready supply of blood platelets.
Acquired by R1MC two years ago, the blood separator machine separates all ingredients of the blood, like the Packed RBC, frozen plasma and platelet concentrates.
In the past, Canto said the hospital placed the blood on standby for many hours till the serum is separated.
With the blood separator, platelet concentrates are now available any time the patient needs it. If not for this machine, the hospital could be still buying its supply of blood platelets from Manila for use by its dengue patients, he said.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region 1 Medical Center, said these strains were a non-violent type found mostly among patients from western Pangasinan and the violent type that appeared to afflict those from western Pangasinan.
Canto said the violent type of dengue was what attacked two patients who have died, one of them from western Pangasinan. These, he said, were the first casualties from dengue, Canto said.
He added that the boy died a few minutes after arrival because when he was admitted at R1MC, his platelet count had dropped to as low as 2 to 4 as he already had continuous bleeding.
The normal platelet count of a person is from 150 to 300, he said.
Dengue patients need fresh platelets to replace those destroyed by the virus that cause the disease.
Canto said from August 1 to 27, a total of 65 dengue patients had already been admitted to R1MC compared to 60 patients admitted for the whole month of July.
Dengue cases are expected to rise some more this September because the rainy season is not yet over.
The R1MC is the usual destination of dengue patients in Pangasinan because it is the only hospital in the Ilocos Region that has a blood separator machine thus assuring them of a ready supply of blood platelets.
Acquired by R1MC two years ago, the blood separator machine separates all ingredients of the blood, like the Packed RBC, frozen plasma and platelet concentrates.
In the past, Canto said the hospital placed the blood on standby for many hours till the serum is separated.
With the blood separator, platelet concentrates are now available any time the patient needs it. If not for this machine, the hospital could be still buying its supply of blood platelets from Manila for use by its dengue patients, he said.
Priest attacked by intruder in his quarters
MANGALDAN – A priest at the local parish church was hospitalized after he was attacked by an unidentified man who sneaked into his room at the priests’ quarters at past 12 noon Monday for a still unknown reason.
The victim was identified as Fr. Francisco Posadas, an associate priest at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish here, who was hit in the head with an empty bottle of softdrink, boxed several times in the body and face and bitten by the lone suspect in the left ear.
Posadas was rushed to the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, where he was treated for injuries in the head and ear, and is now out of danger.
Investigation showed that while Posadas was talking to two visitors at the priests’ quarters, he excused himself to go to his room after he apparently saw or heard someone or something there. Inside, he saw a stranger who immediately attacked him with first blows.
Retired Navy Capt. Jorge de Vera, now a lay leader of the parish, was among those who helped rush Posadas to the hospital. De Vera theorized that Posadas may have been bitten by the suspect when he resisted and held on to the latter after being hit in the head with an empty bottle of softdrink.
The intruder could have inflicted even more harm on the priest had not one of his visitors, Amado Baluyo followed Posadas to his room. The suspect escaped and immediately boarded a white Toyota car with Plate No. PPP-795.
Mangaldan Police Chief, Supt. Segundo Adaliga said the get-away vehicle was found abandoned in barangay Bonuan Binloc in Dagupan City, about five kilometers from Mangaldan town proper.
A check with the Land Transportation Office showed the plate number was issued to one Murphy Dustin of 12th Avenue, Quezon City, but there was a strong probability the car may have been stolen, police said.
Adaliga told newsmen that the National Bureau of Investigation was asked to help by lifting latent fingerprints that may have been left by the suspect on the abandoned get-away car.
The victim was identified as Fr. Francisco Posadas, an associate priest at the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish here, who was hit in the head with an empty bottle of softdrink, boxed several times in the body and face and bitten by the lone suspect in the left ear.
Posadas was rushed to the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, where he was treated for injuries in the head and ear, and is now out of danger.
Investigation showed that while Posadas was talking to two visitors at the priests’ quarters, he excused himself to go to his room after he apparently saw or heard someone or something there. Inside, he saw a stranger who immediately attacked him with first blows.
Retired Navy Capt. Jorge de Vera, now a lay leader of the parish, was among those who helped rush Posadas to the hospital. De Vera theorized that Posadas may have been bitten by the suspect when he resisted and held on to the latter after being hit in the head with an empty bottle of softdrink.
The intruder could have inflicted even more harm on the priest had not one of his visitors, Amado Baluyo followed Posadas to his room. The suspect escaped and immediately boarded a white Toyota car with Plate No. PPP-795.
Mangaldan Police Chief, Supt. Segundo Adaliga said the get-away vehicle was found abandoned in barangay Bonuan Binloc in Dagupan City, about five kilometers from Mangaldan town proper.
A check with the Land Transportation Office showed the plate number was issued to one Murphy Dustin of 12th Avenue, Quezon City, but there was a strong probability the car may have been stolen, police said.
Adaliga told newsmen that the National Bureau of Investigation was asked to help by lifting latent fingerprints that may have been left by the suspect on the abandoned get-away car.
Meningococcemia claims 4th victim
THE dreaded meningococcemia has claimed its fourth victim in Pangasinan. A 40-year old man from Binmaley died last Wednesday in one of the private hospitals in Dagupan City.
Dr. Leonard Carbonell, city health officer in Dagupan City, said he talked to the sister of the victim over the phone who said the attending physician at the Villaflor Hospital told them to bury their dead within 12 hours and prohibited them from holding a wake.
The family did what was advised them but consulted Carbonell when they saw in the death certificate that the cause of death was septicemia.
Carbonell advised the family that the attending physician did the right thing because he was not so sure it was meningococcemia that caused the death of the patient, adding that septecemia was the safest description of the disease, which means bacteria was present in the blood.
In infectious disease such as meningococcemia, the blood culture of the patient is sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for detailed laboratory analysis before a definite medical finding is ever announced.
Three other persons suspected to have died of meningococcemia were a six-year old boy from Malasiqui, and two middle-aged men from Balungao and Sta. Barbara, who all died in a private hospital in Dagupan on different dates.
Carbonell confirmed the death of the six-year old boy from Malasiqui in a private hospital based on a report relayed to him.
It was Dr. Jose Soriano, leader of the Provincial Health Team stationed in Pangasinan, meanwhile who confirmed the two suspected meningococcemia cases from Balungao and Sta. Barbara.
Soriano said it is not yet safe to say the patients died from meningococcemia because the results of the analysis of the blood culture of the patients have not yet been released by RITM.
Asked if the situation as far as meningococcemia in Pangasinan is now getting alarming, Carbonell said it is not if all safety measures are undertaken in all those cases recorded.
He said a hospital may be expected to register three cases of meningococcemia in a year but if the cases occurred in a span of one or two weeks, this can possibly be called an abnormal situation.
Dr. Leonard Carbonell, city health officer in Dagupan City, said he talked to the sister of the victim over the phone who said the attending physician at the Villaflor Hospital told them to bury their dead within 12 hours and prohibited them from holding a wake.
The family did what was advised them but consulted Carbonell when they saw in the death certificate that the cause of death was septicemia.
Carbonell advised the family that the attending physician did the right thing because he was not so sure it was meningococcemia that caused the death of the patient, adding that septecemia was the safest description of the disease, which means bacteria was present in the blood.
In infectious disease such as meningococcemia, the blood culture of the patient is sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for detailed laboratory analysis before a definite medical finding is ever announced.
Three other persons suspected to have died of meningococcemia were a six-year old boy from Malasiqui, and two middle-aged men from Balungao and Sta. Barbara, who all died in a private hospital in Dagupan on different dates.
Carbonell confirmed the death of the six-year old boy from Malasiqui in a private hospital based on a report relayed to him.
It was Dr. Jose Soriano, leader of the Provincial Health Team stationed in Pangasinan, meanwhile who confirmed the two suspected meningococcemia cases from Balungao and Sta. Barbara.
Soriano said it is not yet safe to say the patients died from meningococcemia because the results of the analysis of the blood culture of the patients have not yet been released by RITM.
Asked if the situation as far as meningococcemia in Pangasinan is now getting alarming, Carbonell said it is not if all safety measures are undertaken in all those cases recorded.
He said a hospital may be expected to register three cases of meningococcemia in a year but if the cases occurred in a span of one or two weeks, this can possibly be called an abnormal situation.
Mixed reactions on House body’s impeachment complaint ‘kill’
MIXED reactions greeted the ongoing hearing by the House justice committee on the impeachment charges against President Arroyo.
A quick response survey on a cross section of society in Pangasinan showed the local populace here is divided on whether to continue with the committee hearing and bring it to the Senate or terminate the hearing outright at the House.
A radio announcer of Bombo Dagupan said it was better for the justice committee to terminate the hearing since the motive of the pro-impeachment congressmen was very obvious, which is, to remove the President.
Another local mediamen who is writing for a weekly newspaper said there are more pressing matters that need more and immediate attention by Congress – the problems affecting the country like rising prices, oil price increases, terrorism, and other issues. But he clarified that if there is enough and weighty evidence against the Chief Executive, the House, he said, should bring the impeachment complaint to the Senate “for the people to know the truth” about the accusations against her.
An employee from Dagupan City who favored impeaching the President said that the move would not prosper at all because the pro-impeachment solons lack the number to elevate the complaint to the Upper House.
A lawyer-board member admitted that both sides, for and against, have made very good arguments on what to do with the three complaints. He said he would go for the provisions of the Constitution.
“Parang walang nangyayari sa impeachment proceedings,” observed a student from the University of Pangasinan, adding that while she was neutral, she wanted the proceeding to continue to once and for all know the truth about the allegations. “Dapat matuloy ang impeachment para lumabas ang totoo kung talagang nandaya ang Pangulo, para matapos na rin ang mga rallies,” a field researcher said.
A quick response survey on a cross section of society in Pangasinan showed the local populace here is divided on whether to continue with the committee hearing and bring it to the Senate or terminate the hearing outright at the House.
A radio announcer of Bombo Dagupan said it was better for the justice committee to terminate the hearing since the motive of the pro-impeachment congressmen was very obvious, which is, to remove the President.
Another local mediamen who is writing for a weekly newspaper said there are more pressing matters that need more and immediate attention by Congress – the problems affecting the country like rising prices, oil price increases, terrorism, and other issues. But he clarified that if there is enough and weighty evidence against the Chief Executive, the House, he said, should bring the impeachment complaint to the Senate “for the people to know the truth” about the accusations against her.
An employee from Dagupan City who favored impeaching the President said that the move would not prosper at all because the pro-impeachment solons lack the number to elevate the complaint to the Upper House.
A lawyer-board member admitted that both sides, for and against, have made very good arguments on what to do with the three complaints. He said he would go for the provisions of the Constitution.
“Parang walang nangyayari sa impeachment proceedings,” observed a student from the University of Pangasinan, adding that while she was neutral, she wanted the proceeding to continue to once and for all know the truth about the allegations. “Dapat matuloy ang impeachment para lumabas ang totoo kung talagang nandaya ang Pangulo, para matapos na rin ang mga rallies,” a field researcher said.
Carnap revives issue on gov’t cars brought home by heads
LINGAYEN – Can public officials bring home their government-issued vehicle after office hours?
This query came to the fore in the wake of the carnapping of the service vehicle issued to Provincial Accountant Rodolfo Carolino last Sunday.
Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis said government-issued vehicles are to be left at the motorpool after office hours per Executive Order NO. 31 Exempted from the rule however are vehicles issued to the governor, the vice-governor and department heads of the provincial government, he clarified.
He quickly added that such vehicles cannot be used afterwards since they are meant to be used for official purposes only. On using the vehicles for official trips that may occur even weekends, Solis said travel orders and trip tickets have to be secured.
Carolino, as an official of the association of certified accountants (PICPA) used his service vehicle lat Saturday. It was carnapped on the morning of the next day.
Solis said he has asked the provincial accountant to exhaust all remedies to retrieve the vehicle and also coordinate with the Government Service Insurance system about the car’s insurance (DOS)
This query came to the fore in the wake of the carnapping of the service vehicle issued to Provincial Accountant Rodolfo Carolino last Sunday.
Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis said government-issued vehicles are to be left at the motorpool after office hours per Executive Order NO. 31 Exempted from the rule however are vehicles issued to the governor, the vice-governor and department heads of the provincial government, he clarified.
He quickly added that such vehicles cannot be used afterwards since they are meant to be used for official purposes only. On using the vehicles for official trips that may occur even weekends, Solis said travel orders and trip tickets have to be secured.
Carolino, as an official of the association of certified accountants (PICPA) used his service vehicle lat Saturday. It was carnapped on the morning of the next day.
Solis said he has asked the provincial accountant to exhaust all remedies to retrieve the vehicle and also coordinate with the Government Service Insurance system about the car’s insurance (DOS)
Drug-crazed Muslim youth hostages girl
URDANETA CITY – A Muslim youth high on drugs surrendered to the police after a one-hour standoff shortly after taking a girl hostage in a subdivision in barangay Nancayasan here Wednesday night.
Policemen led by Inspector Genevieve Battiw immediately cordoned off the house where Rashid Benito, alias “Paklay” held hostage seven year-old Anita Pimba, a daughter of another Muslim family.
The incident happened at 7:35 p.m. last Aug. 24 inside the Doña Loleng Subdivision. Benito took as prisoner the daughter of their neighbor, a Grade I pupil. He later agreed to lay down his weapon, a fan knife, after a one-hour negotiation, Battiw said.
After the rescue, the girl was rushed to the Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of her stab wound in the abdomen. The police said appropriate charges are now being readied for filing against the suspect who was tagged as a long-time drug user. (PNA)
Policemen led by Inspector Genevieve Battiw immediately cordoned off the house where Rashid Benito, alias “Paklay” held hostage seven year-old Anita Pimba, a daughter of another Muslim family.
The incident happened at 7:35 p.m. last Aug. 24 inside the Doña Loleng Subdivision. Benito took as prisoner the daughter of their neighbor, a Grade I pupil. He later agreed to lay down his weapon, a fan knife, after a one-hour negotiation, Battiw said.
After the rescue, the girl was rushed to the Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of her stab wound in the abdomen. The police said appropriate charges are now being readied for filing against the suspect who was tagged as a long-time drug user. (PNA)
4 Gifts for Children
“WE owe Dagupeño children these four gifts.”
The City Health Office called on barangay health workers and department heads who attended a recent orientation/briefing to stress on the 4 Gifts for Children in a conference at the Victorio Edades Hall of the City Musuem..
The “four gifts” are the Local State of the Children Report, Local Development Plan for Children, Local Investment Plan for Children and the Local Code for Children, according to the CHO.
The local Council for the Protection of Children will work with the barangays to update existing local reports or create new plans in time for the target ‘gift giving’ in October during the celebration of National Children’s Month.
Worksheets outlining child rights, indicators and status per indicator were distributed to participants to enable them to include child rights in local development planning.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer Elsa Santillan said the local council was created to orient people on the minimum basic needs of children. City Nutrition Officer Leah Aquino facilitated the workshop.
Children have the following rights: right to life, right to a name, nationality and identity, right to health, right to be protected from abuse and neglect, right of the disabled child to special care, right to social security, right to be protected from commercial and sexual exploitation, right to education, right to rest and leisure, right to opinion, right to freedom of association and right to freedom of expression;
Right to enjoy one’s culture and religion, right to adequate standard of living, right to parental care and support, right to information, right to privacy, right to be safe in emergency or especially difficult circumstances, and right to legal assistance and appropriate judicial processes. (Sheila H. Aquino)
The City Health Office called on barangay health workers and department heads who attended a recent orientation/briefing to stress on the 4 Gifts for Children in a conference at the Victorio Edades Hall of the City Musuem..
The “four gifts” are the Local State of the Children Report, Local Development Plan for Children, Local Investment Plan for Children and the Local Code for Children, according to the CHO.
The local Council for the Protection of Children will work with the barangays to update existing local reports or create new plans in time for the target ‘gift giving’ in October during the celebration of National Children’s Month.
Worksheets outlining child rights, indicators and status per indicator were distributed to participants to enable them to include child rights in local development planning.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer Elsa Santillan said the local council was created to orient people on the minimum basic needs of children. City Nutrition Officer Leah Aquino facilitated the workshop.
Children have the following rights: right to life, right to a name, nationality and identity, right to health, right to be protected from abuse and neglect, right of the disabled child to special care, right to social security, right to be protected from commercial and sexual exploitation, right to education, right to rest and leisure, right to opinion, right to freedom of association and right to freedom of expression;
Right to enjoy one’s culture and religion, right to adequate standard of living, right to parental care and support, right to information, right to privacy, right to be safe in emergency or especially difficult circumstances, and right to legal assistance and appropriate judicial processes. (Sheila H. Aquino)
Suspected drug pusher, girlfriend shot dead in Dagupan City
SUSPECTED vigilantes may have been behind the fatal shooting of a suspected notorious drug pusher and his girlfriend in front of the Development Bank of the Philippines building on M.H. del Pilar street here at past 11 p.m. Thursday.
Dead were Reynaldo de Guzman, 40, of Perez Market site in Dagupan City; and Cristina Bellosillo, 20, of barangay Osiem in Mangaldan town.
Both were walking down the road going southward after coming out from the Caliman Lodge when they were shot by an unidentified gunman who used a Caliber 45 pistol as evidenced by two empty shells found near the crime scene.
De Guzman died on the spot while Bellosillo was rushed to the adjacent Region 1 Medical Center but died later from a gunshot wound on her left side, soon after identifying herself as a girlfriend of de Guzman.
Theories of a summary execution by vigilantes surfaced as a placard was found across the road, possibly left by the killer or killers, tagging de Guzman a holdup man and a drug pusher and urging the people not to emulate his deeds.
Records of the police showed Bellosillo was involved in several cases of snatching before and may have shifted later to shabu-pushing.
On the other hand, De Guzman was identified as a former henchman of a detained gun-for hire, identified as Willy Mendoza, alias “Samal”.
Supt. Edgar Basbas, police chief of Dagupan, said however that the placard found near the bodies of the victims was not a sure indication they were summarily executed because the perpetrators may have deliberately left it there to confuse police investigation of the incident.
“We can say this could be the work of vigilantes or their companions who may have eliminated them due to possible “double-cross” or (they may have) been salvaged, but these are all speculation and (are without) evidence to support the same,” Basbas said.
Basbas said there were still many people at the corner of M.H. del Pilar street and PNR road when the incident happened but apparently the possible eyewitnesses refuse or are afraid to come out.
Both de Guzman and Bellosillo were the second and third victims of alleged summary execution in Dagupan City since Basbas took over the helm of the Dagupan Police last Aug. 9.
The first victim was a man whose cadaver was dumped in an isolated place in barangay Bonuan Binloc two weeks ago after being shot on the left side of his face.
There were many more suspected cases of summary executions that happened in Dagupan City, the sheer number of which may now have made Dagupan second only to Davao in the number of possible vigilante killings.
Not one suspect has been arrested by the police yet.
The body of de Guzman was already claimed by his legal wife from a funeral parlor in Dagupan City while that of Bellosillo has been brought home by her relatives. (PNA)
Dead were Reynaldo de Guzman, 40, of Perez Market site in Dagupan City; and Cristina Bellosillo, 20, of barangay Osiem in Mangaldan town.
Both were walking down the road going southward after coming out from the Caliman Lodge when they were shot by an unidentified gunman who used a Caliber 45 pistol as evidenced by two empty shells found near the crime scene.
De Guzman died on the spot while Bellosillo was rushed to the adjacent Region 1 Medical Center but died later from a gunshot wound on her left side, soon after identifying herself as a girlfriend of de Guzman.
Theories of a summary execution by vigilantes surfaced as a placard was found across the road, possibly left by the killer or killers, tagging de Guzman a holdup man and a drug pusher and urging the people not to emulate his deeds.
Records of the police showed Bellosillo was involved in several cases of snatching before and may have shifted later to shabu-pushing.
On the other hand, De Guzman was identified as a former henchman of a detained gun-for hire, identified as Willy Mendoza, alias “Samal”.
Supt. Edgar Basbas, police chief of Dagupan, said however that the placard found near the bodies of the victims was not a sure indication they were summarily executed because the perpetrators may have deliberately left it there to confuse police investigation of the incident.
“We can say this could be the work of vigilantes or their companions who may have eliminated them due to possible “double-cross” or (they may have) been salvaged, but these are all speculation and (are without) evidence to support the same,” Basbas said.
Basbas said there were still many people at the corner of M.H. del Pilar street and PNR road when the incident happened but apparently the possible eyewitnesses refuse or are afraid to come out.
Both de Guzman and Bellosillo were the second and third victims of alleged summary execution in Dagupan City since Basbas took over the helm of the Dagupan Police last Aug. 9.
The first victim was a man whose cadaver was dumped in an isolated place in barangay Bonuan Binloc two weeks ago after being shot on the left side of his face.
There were many more suspected cases of summary executions that happened in Dagupan City, the sheer number of which may now have made Dagupan second only to Davao in the number of possible vigilante killings.
Not one suspect has been arrested by the police yet.
The body of de Guzman was already claimed by his legal wife from a funeral parlor in Dagupan City while that of Bellosillo has been brought home by her relatives. (PNA)
2 students’ death angers townsfolk
MALASIQUI – Grief and anger among local residents mounted here after two students were found stabbed dead along the road in barangay Talospatang by still unidentified men who took away the tricycles the boys were riding.
Police are hunting down the perpetrators who mercilessly stabbed and killed the two boys Wednesday night along the barangay road leading to the town of Villasis.
The bodies of Nelson Hiteroza, 18, a second year student, and Jan-jan Antolin, 16, a third year student, were found lying in a pool of their own blood on each side of the road at about 6:30 a.m. last Thursday.
Both were last seen Wednesday night on board a motorized tricycle driven by Hiteroza.
The motorized tricycle was nowhere to be found and believed taken by the perpetrators who sped towards Villasis.
Investigators theorized both boys may have picked up passengers along the way who held them up or carnapped their motorized tricycle and stabbed them when they resisted. Killing of the two boys has alarmed classmates and teachers as well as other residents of Malasiqui. (PNA)
Police are hunting down the perpetrators who mercilessly stabbed and killed the two boys Wednesday night along the barangay road leading to the town of Villasis.
The bodies of Nelson Hiteroza, 18, a second year student, and Jan-jan Antolin, 16, a third year student, were found lying in a pool of their own blood on each side of the road at about 6:30 a.m. last Thursday.
Both were last seen Wednesday night on board a motorized tricycle driven by Hiteroza.
The motorized tricycle was nowhere to be found and believed taken by the perpetrators who sped towards Villasis.
Investigators theorized both boys may have picked up passengers along the way who held them up or carnapped their motorized tricycle and stabbed them when they resisted. Killing of the two boys has alarmed classmates and teachers as well as other residents of Malasiqui. (PNA)
Decorp seeks P0.25 rate hike
THE Dagupan Electric Corporation (Decorp) is seeking a P0.25 increase per kilowatt hour from its consumers because of the current economic crisis.
The Dagupan City council endorsed the proposed rate increase after finding it reasonable although the final approval will come from the Energy Regulatory Commission where Decorp coursed its petition since May this year.
Decorp not only serves the power needs of Dagupan City but also those of Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, part of San Carlos City, San Jacinto, San Fabian and part of Manaoag, Pangasinan.
Arzenio Zacarias, an official of Decorp, said they sought the rate increase because of the increasing cost of operations and maintenance, including materials needed by the power firm.
He said the weekly increases in the prices of oil and fuel has added burden to their maintenance, thus seriously affecting their operations.
Decorp maintained however that the increase is only minimal because they were only asking for P0.25 centavo per kilowatt increase.
Saying that they have studied carefully the proposed increase before applying, Zacarias revealed that last year they sought for 40 percent power rate increase but ERC only approved 12 percent. (PNA)
The Dagupan City council endorsed the proposed rate increase after finding it reasonable although the final approval will come from the Energy Regulatory Commission where Decorp coursed its petition since May this year.
Decorp not only serves the power needs of Dagupan City but also those of Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, part of San Carlos City, San Jacinto, San Fabian and part of Manaoag, Pangasinan.
Arzenio Zacarias, an official of Decorp, said they sought the rate increase because of the increasing cost of operations and maintenance, including materials needed by the power firm.
He said the weekly increases in the prices of oil and fuel has added burden to their maintenance, thus seriously affecting their operations.
Decorp maintained however that the increase is only minimal because they were only asking for P0.25 centavo per kilowatt increase.
Saying that they have studied carefully the proposed increase before applying, Zacarias revealed that last year they sought for 40 percent power rate increase but ERC only approved 12 percent. (PNA)
Pinoy expatriates challenged: ‘Adopt your own alma maters!’
FILIPINO expatriates in California and the United States have been asked to adopt schools, preferably their alma maters, and build classrooms for them which the government cannot afford to build at this time.
This was the challenge hurled by Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez during the induction of the new set of officers of the Greater Long Beach Association, Inc. headed by Pepe Palaganas in Los Angeles, California last week.
The Dagupan vice mayor represented his father, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez, Jr., as guest of honor and speaker in the activity.
Fernandez said most, if not all, of the expatriates graduated from elementary and high schools in the Philippines who are now well off in the land of milk and honey and may want to help their respective former schools anywhere in the Philippines.
He said the Adopt-A-School program would benefit Filipino pupils and students in public elementary and high schools who can not be accommodated in the few classrooms because of their sheer numbers.
Fernandez cited the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce that has been helping the Philippine government build classroom in rural areas where such are lacking
“Our public school children, who shall benefit from this worthwhile project, would be forever grateful for our contributions,” Fernandez told the Filipino expatriates. Citing the normal expenses of the benevolent Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Fernandez said each two-room school building costs some P380,000 or P190,000 per class.
This was the challenge hurled by Dagupan City Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez during the induction of the new set of officers of the Greater Long Beach Association, Inc. headed by Pepe Palaganas in Los Angeles, California last week.
The Dagupan vice mayor represented his father, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez, Jr., as guest of honor and speaker in the activity.
Fernandez said most, if not all, of the expatriates graduated from elementary and high schools in the Philippines who are now well off in the land of milk and honey and may want to help their respective former schools anywhere in the Philippines.
He said the Adopt-A-School program would benefit Filipino pupils and students in public elementary and high schools who can not be accommodated in the few classrooms because of their sheer numbers.
Fernandez cited the Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce that has been helping the Philippine government build classroom in rural areas where such are lacking
“Our public school children, who shall benefit from this worthwhile project, would be forever grateful for our contributions,” Fernandez told the Filipino expatriates. Citing the normal expenses of the benevolent Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Fernandez said each two-room school building costs some P380,000 or P190,000 per class.
Police strongly suspect 4 dead men were part of cattle rustling gang
UMINGAN – The police here reiterated its previous suspicion that the four men found dead and massacred in the hilly barangay of Casilan here Friday night could be connected with a cattle rustling group operating in adjacent Nueva Ecija.
Chief Inspector Eddie Granil, chief of police of Umingan, said the three victims from Umingan and one from Nueva Ecija were riddled with Armalite rifle and 12-gauge shot gun bullets when they were found sprawled near a dirt road.
At least 30 empty shells of Armalite rifle and one spent shell for 12-gauge shotgun were found by investigators near the bodies of victims Edwin Sobrepeñ, 18; brothers Masong and Ronald Camacho, all of Umingan; and Raymundo Miranda, 32, of barangay del Pilar in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.
Granil admitted there is a strong suspicion the victims were massacred by their own companions as a result of “double-cross” although he said nothing’s definite yet on the possible reason for the massacre. Granil revealed there has been no latest incident of cattle rustling in Umingan.
He theorized that the massacre was done in Umingan because the killers may have found the four men in this remote, boundary town.
It will be recalled that five other men, four of whom were found dead inside an L-300 van in barangay Montano, this town near the Nueva Ecija border suffered a similar bloody end in November last year.
In the previous incident, the involvement of vigilantes was suspected although this was never found out in the investigation.
Chief Inspector Eddie Granil, chief of police of Umingan, said the three victims from Umingan and one from Nueva Ecija were riddled with Armalite rifle and 12-gauge shot gun bullets when they were found sprawled near a dirt road.
At least 30 empty shells of Armalite rifle and one spent shell for 12-gauge shotgun were found by investigators near the bodies of victims Edwin Sobrepeñ, 18; brothers Masong and Ronald Camacho, all of Umingan; and Raymundo Miranda, 32, of barangay del Pilar in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.
Granil admitted there is a strong suspicion the victims were massacred by their own companions as a result of “double-cross” although he said nothing’s definite yet on the possible reason for the massacre. Granil revealed there has been no latest incident of cattle rustling in Umingan.
He theorized that the massacre was done in Umingan because the killers may have found the four men in this remote, boundary town.
It will be recalled that five other men, four of whom were found dead inside an L-300 van in barangay Montano, this town near the Nueva Ecija border suffered a similar bloody end in November last year.
In the previous incident, the involvement of vigilantes was suspected although this was never found out in the investigation.
SM Foundation donates 9T textbooks to LU, Pangasinan
TWENTY primary schools and 64 secondary schools in La Union and Pangasinan benefited from the 9,100 textbooks donated by the Shoemart (SM) Foundation.
The selected belonged to the municipality covered by the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) Program, which is now devolved to the local government units.
In La Union, 20 primary schools and 14 secondary schools were identified from the municipalities of Santol, San Gabriel, and Tubao. Each school was allotted books worth some P8,000.
In Pangasinan, 5,000 pieces textbooks that cost some P400,000 were turned over to the provincial government for the 50 secondary schools.
National high schools in the following municipalities of Pangasinan benefited from the SM program: Alcala, Bautista, Laoac, Mapandan, Natividad, Sta. Maria, Sto. Tomas, Agno, Balungao, Aguilar, Basista, Dasol, Urbiztondo, Infanta, Burgos, Anda, Bugallon, Labrador, Mabini, Dagupan City, Alaminos, Asingan, Bani, Bayambang, Binmaley, Bolinao, Calasiao, Lingayen, Malasiqui Manaoag, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Rosales, San Fabian, Sison, and Villasis.
Regional Director Porfiria M. Bernardez expressed hope the generosity of SM Foundation will go a long way in helping the students improve their intellectual faculties in addition to the learning they acquire in their regular classes.
For the past few years, SM Foundation has been providing thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development food commodities, used clothing and other basic needs to families affected by disasters or typhoons. (Iryn Q. de los Reyes, Info Officer)
The selected belonged to the municipality covered by the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (CIDSS) Program, which is now devolved to the local government units.
In La Union, 20 primary schools and 14 secondary schools were identified from the municipalities of Santol, San Gabriel, and Tubao. Each school was allotted books worth some P8,000.
In Pangasinan, 5,000 pieces textbooks that cost some P400,000 were turned over to the provincial government for the 50 secondary schools.
National high schools in the following municipalities of Pangasinan benefited from the SM program: Alcala, Bautista, Laoac, Mapandan, Natividad, Sta. Maria, Sto. Tomas, Agno, Balungao, Aguilar, Basista, Dasol, Urbiztondo, Infanta, Burgos, Anda, Bugallon, Labrador, Mabini, Dagupan City, Alaminos, Asingan, Bani, Bayambang, Binmaley, Bolinao, Calasiao, Lingayen, Malasiqui Manaoag, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Rosales, San Fabian, Sison, and Villasis.
Regional Director Porfiria M. Bernardez expressed hope the generosity of SM Foundation will go a long way in helping the students improve their intellectual faculties in addition to the learning they acquire in their regular classes.
For the past few years, SM Foundation has been providing thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development food commodities, used clothing and other basic needs to families affected by disasters or typhoons. (Iryn Q. de los Reyes, Info Officer)
Provincial vehicle stolen at official’s compound
LINGAYEN – Government cars are now fair game for carnappers.
This was found out by the provincial government the hard way when an Isuzu Highlander XTRM issued to the provincial accountant of Pangasinan was stolen while parked inside his compound on Amado-Tapuac street in Dagupan City.
In hot water because of the carnapping is Provincial Accountant Rodolfo Carolino, 64, who woke up Sunday morning to find out that his provincial government-issued vehicle with Plate No9. SMI-174 was already missing.
Three cars were in Carolino’s compound the night before but for unknown reason, the carnappers chose to take the red-plated one. Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis, Jr. on learning of the incident, called for a province-wide alert for the missing provincial government vehicle.
He said however he was not fully blaming Carolino because as one of the deparment heads of the provincial government, he (Carolino) was allowed to bring home the provincial vehicle issued for his official use.
Solis said there was a memorandum of Gov. Victor Agbayani that officials and employees are not allowed to bring government vehicles to their homes after office hours and on weekends and holidays.
Exemptions to this rule, however, are provincial department heads like Carolino, he said. But nevertheless, the department heads cannot use the vehicles for their private trips except if they are on official mission and in such a case, should be issued corresponding trip tickets.
Solis said he ordered Carolino to exert utmost efforts to retrieve the vehicle and if it can not be found anymore, the vehicle’s insurance with the Government Service Insurance System will answer for its loss.
This was found out by the provincial government the hard way when an Isuzu Highlander XTRM issued to the provincial accountant of Pangasinan was stolen while parked inside his compound on Amado-Tapuac street in Dagupan City.
In hot water because of the carnapping is Provincial Accountant Rodolfo Carolino, 64, who woke up Sunday morning to find out that his provincial government-issued vehicle with Plate No9. SMI-174 was already missing.
Three cars were in Carolino’s compound the night before but for unknown reason, the carnappers chose to take the red-plated one. Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis, Jr. on learning of the incident, called for a province-wide alert for the missing provincial government vehicle.
He said however he was not fully blaming Carolino because as one of the deparment heads of the provincial government, he (Carolino) was allowed to bring home the provincial vehicle issued for his official use.
Solis said there was a memorandum of Gov. Victor Agbayani that officials and employees are not allowed to bring government vehicles to their homes after office hours and on weekends and holidays.
Exemptions to this rule, however, are provincial department heads like Carolino, he said. But nevertheless, the department heads cannot use the vehicles for their private trips except if they are on official mission and in such a case, should be issued corresponding trip tickets.
Solis said he ordered Carolino to exert utmost efforts to retrieve the vehicle and if it can not be found anymore, the vehicle’s insurance with the Government Service Insurance System will answer for its loss.
Arson eyed in successive burning of two schools
SAN CARLOS CITY – More than P5.5 million went up in smoke when two barangay high schools here burned separately under mysterious circumstances two days apart last week.
First gutted down in the evening of Aug. 26 were four school buildings of the Abanon National High School estimated to cost P5 million, including 20 water-damaged computer units in the school’s computer room.
Burned aside from the computer room were the Parents-Teachers Association building, and the administrative building of the elementary school.
The following night, a two-room building of the Bacnar National High School also burned down on August 28, with damage placed at P450,000. One of the gutted rooms was where eight computer units were installed. From the computer room, the fire spread to the principal’s office and dental clinic.
San Carlos City Fire Marshal Jovito Quilateg said initial investigations showed faulty electrical wiring was the cause of the first blaze and on overheated unplugged computer or air-conditioning system in the second blaze.
He admitted however that arson is not being ruled out yet, adding this would be found out in the investigation now being conducted by his office.
Investigators are now trying to find clues of arson among the ashes of the burnt school buildings.
Even San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello believes arson was a possible cause of the two fires due to reports of the existence of heaps of papers and flammable materials near the two school buildings before these were gutted down.
Reports said the blaze may have something to do with the purchase of the computer units for the two barangay schools. (PNA)
First gutted down in the evening of Aug. 26 were four school buildings of the Abanon National High School estimated to cost P5 million, including 20 water-damaged computer units in the school’s computer room.
Burned aside from the computer room were the Parents-Teachers Association building, and the administrative building of the elementary school.
The following night, a two-room building of the Bacnar National High School also burned down on August 28, with damage placed at P450,000. One of the gutted rooms was where eight computer units were installed. From the computer room, the fire spread to the principal’s office and dental clinic.
San Carlos City Fire Marshal Jovito Quilateg said initial investigations showed faulty electrical wiring was the cause of the first blaze and on overheated unplugged computer or air-conditioning system in the second blaze.
He admitted however that arson is not being ruled out yet, adding this would be found out in the investigation now being conducted by his office.
Investigators are now trying to find clues of arson among the ashes of the burnt school buildings.
Even San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello believes arson was a possible cause of the two fires due to reports of the existence of heaps of papers and flammable materials near the two school buildings before these were gutted down.
Reports said the blaze may have something to do with the purchase of the computer units for the two barangay schools. (PNA)
PHOTO: British ambassador addresses Sangguanian
British Ambassador Peter Beckingham addresses the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dagupan during his visit to the city, his second this year, last Friday during which he explored with local officials led by City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim and Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez (both seated at extreme right) possible British assistance in terms and trade and culture for Dagupan. (Pangasinan Star Photo by Butch F. Uka)
FEATURE: R1MC doctors revive, save dying snakebite victim
EIGHTEEN-year-old Arnel Florentino of barangay Cataray, Bayambang was almost at hid death throes – cyanotic, very faint heartbeat and his skin was cold and clammy – when he was brought into the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) around 3:30 pm of August 20. He had been bitten by a poisonous snake in his left ankle while cooking at the Quitaleg Dormitory on Posadas Avenue, in San Carlos City.
The deadly effects of the snake bite was ravaging his body and a hospital in the city to where he was first rushed, decided to refer his case to the R1MC after worried relatives noted eh was going numb and dizzy despite emergency medications. It was a timely decision; by the time he reached R1MC, his condition had turned for the worse.
He was admitted at the R1MC at 5 p.m. of the same day. Doctors quickly intubated him and hooked him to a cardiac monitor. Dr. Jesus T. Canto, medical center chief, after being apprised of the patient’s progressively worsening condition and knowing time was of the essence, ordered the administration of cobra anti-venom which was readily available at the hospital pharmacy on the now-violet-skinned and totally numbed Arnel.
A toxicologist was also called in for additional orders and closer monitoring of Arnel’s medical reactions at the ward. Ten hours after he was admitted in near-death condition, the patient woke up. Seven days after, the patient was ambulatory, coherent and “miraculously without any neurologic deficits,” his attending physicians reported, and was discharged good as new.
Arnel consumed 25 ampules of cobra anti-venom (15 ampules provided by the hospital pharmacy and 10 were additional requests fro the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine) all given for free.
Based on previous cases, Arnel’s medical condition at time of admission was a “Glasscow 3 status” where a patient usually recovers but with neurologic deficits or mental lapses. In his particular case, however, thanks to the quick and alert staff and management of R1MC led by Canto, the patient went home as if nothing happened, all his faculties and senses intact.
Canto said he had always insisted on having standby medicines for such rare medical cases as snake bites at the pharmacy, despite the cost and potency preservation requirements for such. “Nothing beats anticipation and preparation,” the R1MC chief said.
True enough, the R1MC records show the anti-venom ampules have saved not just Arnel’s extreme case but that of seven other since August last year, all victims of snake bites: Robert Ydio, 58, of Mangaldan; Sally Castro, 17 at the pedia ward; Jimmy Bajo, 41, Mangaldan, who was treated twice on September 25, 2004 and again lat April 25, this year; Rolando Yangao at the surgical ward; Marvin Espinosa, 21, medical ward; Bernabe Nibre, 58, of San Fernando, La Union; and Paulino Dulay at the emergency room.
The deadly effects of the snake bite was ravaging his body and a hospital in the city to where he was first rushed, decided to refer his case to the R1MC after worried relatives noted eh was going numb and dizzy despite emergency medications. It was a timely decision; by the time he reached R1MC, his condition had turned for the worse.
He was admitted at the R1MC at 5 p.m. of the same day. Doctors quickly intubated him and hooked him to a cardiac monitor. Dr. Jesus T. Canto, medical center chief, after being apprised of the patient’s progressively worsening condition and knowing time was of the essence, ordered the administration of cobra anti-venom which was readily available at the hospital pharmacy on the now-violet-skinned and totally numbed Arnel.
A toxicologist was also called in for additional orders and closer monitoring of Arnel’s medical reactions at the ward. Ten hours after he was admitted in near-death condition, the patient woke up. Seven days after, the patient was ambulatory, coherent and “miraculously without any neurologic deficits,” his attending physicians reported, and was discharged good as new.
Arnel consumed 25 ampules of cobra anti-venom (15 ampules provided by the hospital pharmacy and 10 were additional requests fro the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine) all given for free.
Based on previous cases, Arnel’s medical condition at time of admission was a “Glasscow 3 status” where a patient usually recovers but with neurologic deficits or mental lapses. In his particular case, however, thanks to the quick and alert staff and management of R1MC led by Canto, the patient went home as if nothing happened, all his faculties and senses intact.
Canto said he had always insisted on having standby medicines for such rare medical cases as snake bites at the pharmacy, despite the cost and potency preservation requirements for such. “Nothing beats anticipation and preparation,” the R1MC chief said.
True enough, the R1MC records show the anti-venom ampules have saved not just Arnel’s extreme case but that of seven other since August last year, all victims of snake bites: Robert Ydio, 58, of Mangaldan; Sally Castro, 17 at the pedia ward; Jimmy Bajo, 41, Mangaldan, who was treated twice on September 25, 2004 and again lat April 25, this year; Rolando Yangao at the surgical ward; Marvin Espinosa, 21, medical ward; Bernabe Nibre, 58, of San Fernando, La Union; and Paulino Dulay at the emergency room.
OPINYON: Alwar kidtan, wadiala lamet so ‘meningo’
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
MAKAPATAKTAKOT itay sakit ya meningococcemia ya akaonalan amerwisyo ed sikatayodia nen imbeneg a taon, no iner pigaran bilay met na kabaleyan tayo, maslak ed saraya et kapanlapo da o kapambisita da ed ambetel a siyudad na Baguio, so atigway.
Balet mas makapapaga natan, diad dilin isip tayo, so singa agla masyadon derderlengen na totoo so sayan sakit. Agko ibabagan singa normal na publiko laya, no ag say singa agira masyado la amon manaalwar laban ed sayan sakit.
Diad luyag, no agkayo mandedengel na balita, walalay taloran inatey a suspetsadon kasoy “meningo” so sengegan ed sayan taon. Samay sakey balet ibabagay doktores et dengue amo (sakit a naalad ketket na ageyet ya aedes aegypti) , aliwan meningo. Alagaren metni so pinal a kompirmasyon manlapud Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) no talagan “meningo” soinateyan daranmay arom balet.
Nanonotan ko nin agaylay paga tan alwar na saray totoo, nen onaan ya niobawag so inka-delikado tonian sakit. Mas dakel iray nankulong ed abo-abong da, aglara paway-paway, mas dakel so inal-alwaran day resistensiya da nagsiinom na Bitamina C tan mas dakel so mapagan linmad doctor ed bektan aliway pakalikna da.
Natan ey? Wadtan ya mas laba-labay da so onsurob ed karaklay totoo a singa bilang “malls” odino diad saray sinean, mas dakel so singa ipapasubayang day laman da ed makapoy a klima – tan mas dakel lay onsesegep ed Baguio.
Asalitay Baguio, anggad natan, anggaponi so malinew tan siyentipikon paliwawa no akin et say maslak a napepeketan na “meningo”et saray manaayam odino nanlalapurad Baguio. Antola kasi so agawad impan-aral tan impansukisok daray eksperto’d abig-laman tan medisina ed saya?
Puro tepet, puro paga labatla so sarag tayon gaween ed sayan ambelat a sakit natan. Tekepan tilay pikasi o dasal ed Ama pa met ya komon agmetlaya onloor ya salot ed Pangasinan.
Mario F. Karateka
MAKAPATAKTAKOT itay sakit ya meningococcemia ya akaonalan amerwisyo ed sikatayodia nen imbeneg a taon, no iner pigaran bilay met na kabaleyan tayo, maslak ed saraya et kapanlapo da o kapambisita da ed ambetel a siyudad na Baguio, so atigway.
Balet mas makapapaga natan, diad dilin isip tayo, so singa agla masyadon derderlengen na totoo so sayan sakit. Agko ibabagan singa normal na publiko laya, no ag say singa agira masyado la amon manaalwar laban ed sayan sakit.
Diad luyag, no agkayo mandedengel na balita, walalay taloran inatey a suspetsadon kasoy “meningo” so sengegan ed sayan taon. Samay sakey balet ibabagay doktores et dengue amo (sakit a naalad ketket na ageyet ya aedes aegypti) , aliwan meningo. Alagaren metni so pinal a kompirmasyon manlapud Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) no talagan “meningo” soinateyan daranmay arom balet.
Nanonotan ko nin agaylay paga tan alwar na saray totoo, nen onaan ya niobawag so inka-delikado tonian sakit. Mas dakel iray nankulong ed abo-abong da, aglara paway-paway, mas dakel so inal-alwaran day resistensiya da nagsiinom na Bitamina C tan mas dakel so mapagan linmad doctor ed bektan aliway pakalikna da.
Natan ey? Wadtan ya mas laba-labay da so onsurob ed karaklay totoo a singa bilang “malls” odino diad saray sinean, mas dakel so singa ipapasubayang day laman da ed makapoy a klima – tan mas dakel lay onsesegep ed Baguio.
Asalitay Baguio, anggad natan, anggaponi so malinew tan siyentipikon paliwawa no akin et say maslak a napepeketan na “meningo”et saray manaayam odino nanlalapurad Baguio. Antola kasi so agawad impan-aral tan impansukisok daray eksperto’d abig-laman tan medisina ed saya?
Puro tepet, puro paga labatla so sarag tayon gaween ed sayan ambelat a sakit natan. Tekepan tilay pikasi o dasal ed Ama pa met ya komon agmetlaya onloor ya salot ed Pangasinan.
EDITORIAL: Spartan amenities now; off with extravagance
HURRICANE Katrina’s damage to the United States may be viewed with detached feelings by some Filipinos who perhaps sit before their television sets or Internet monitors silently thanking The One Above for sparing them such kind of destruction. The fact though is that natural calamity in the distant part of the world impacts on us as well.
With their oil rigs in or around Mexico severely affected by Katrina, which would take long to put back into operation, the United States would be increasing its oil requirements and demands, further pulling up the already prohibitive cost of the commodity in the world market. And, in a tug-of-war between the giants and pygmies like the Philippines, you can quickly tell who’ll win.
Consequnetly, that would leave the Philippine energy situation even bleaker than ever, with local oil price going stratospheric in the next several weeks and months.
It is the world market that dictates the price of oil, and to top our woes further, the country’s oil deregulation law still keeps the government from controlling local oil prices. Our only hope, it appears now, is the development of alternative sources of energy like geothermal, hydro, wind and even solar to lessen our dependency on oil importation.
Yet, even this, we must admit, would be taking quite a long time yet – if it ever gets off the ground in the next few months, given the unstable political environment.
The next best and practical solution to the looming (some say it’s very well here now and worsening) energy crisis therefore is conservation – of what little energy supply we still have. Not that we still need to be dragged and pulled to be convinced of its urgency; for sooner than later, we may really need to bring out the old clay ovens and rusty gas lamps and trot out the reliable caromata or kalesa (horse-drawn rigs) in order to get by in our daily lives.
It isn’t all that bad, if you get used to it, really. Our grandparents and parents pretty much raised us on those Spartan amenities. Life is a cycle, or didn’t you know?
With their oil rigs in or around Mexico severely affected by Katrina, which would take long to put back into operation, the United States would be increasing its oil requirements and demands, further pulling up the already prohibitive cost of the commodity in the world market. And, in a tug-of-war between the giants and pygmies like the Philippines, you can quickly tell who’ll win.
Consequnetly, that would leave the Philippine energy situation even bleaker than ever, with local oil price going stratospheric in the next several weeks and months.
It is the world market that dictates the price of oil, and to top our woes further, the country’s oil deregulation law still keeps the government from controlling local oil prices. Our only hope, it appears now, is the development of alternative sources of energy like geothermal, hydro, wind and even solar to lessen our dependency on oil importation.
Yet, even this, we must admit, would be taking quite a long time yet – if it ever gets off the ground in the next few months, given the unstable political environment.
The next best and practical solution to the looming (some say it’s very well here now and worsening) energy crisis therefore is conservation – of what little energy supply we still have. Not that we still need to be dragged and pulled to be convinced of its urgency; for sooner than later, we may really need to bring out the old clay ovens and rusty gas lamps and trot out the reliable caromata or kalesa (horse-drawn rigs) in order to get by in our daily lives.
It isn’t all that bad, if you get used to it, really. Our grandparents and parents pretty much raised us on those Spartan amenities. Life is a cycle, or didn’t you know?
opinion: What if this guy holds the key to our energy woes?
AFTER ALL
By Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr.
EVERYTIME we hear officials and civilians talking about measures to conserve power consumption, generate savings and develop alternative sources of energy, we think about our friend, Jaime P. Imbat , a very unassuming, “small-time” local technology inventor from barangay Cablong, Pozorrubio, this province. For years, Mang Jaime has been contacting the entire gamut of science, energy and technology agencies to get them to at least listen and try his “substitute fuel” invention that, he says, makes use of lime component, a natural resource which, we must agree, is abundant in the Philippines.
He has, bless the guy, even challenged -- and this, all according to him – Mirant Philippines to try his lime-powered invention to lessen the Sual plant’s dependence on imported oil and bituminous coal to run the plant. Mr. Imbat even throws in some rather technical insights on how best, if not better, to control pollution in coal-fired or thermal power plants.
Like all, if not most, inventors though, the man’s problem is Capital. From my own assessment, without yet actually seeing (despite the nearly five years of our acquaintance) how his invention generates the heat and power, Mang Jaime has knowledge and experience in these complicated power generation systems. He rattles off these technical terms like he was just munching on peanuts during his periodic visits to the Star office. He has in fact showed us a prototype of the limestone, wrapped carefully in pieces of newspapers, that he says, when properly treated, produces tremendous amount of heat that is not easily consumed. We noticed he was carefully keeping his “product” away from “unauthorized” eyes.
By his narration of data on the Mirant Plant, the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and other power-generating stations, we can tell he’s been to these plants and studied (we don’t know how exactly) the process of their energy production, which, he says with a little smirk, could definitely stand improvement on fuel savings.
The Department of Science and Technology in Taguig, Rizal, thru Undersecretary for Research and Development Rogelio A. Panlasigui is only one among the latest top brass he’s communicated with in his desire to help “save” the Philippines from its current economic, energy-related, problems. Mang Jaime gave us a copy of Usec Panlasigui’s August 1, 2005 letter-reply to him (apparently, his earlier letter to the Presidential Action Center based in Malacanang about his invention was endorsed to the DOST) where it was apparent DOST was seeking more information on his alternative fuel invention “to help us in assessing the full capacity of the product.”
Mang Jaime has replied to Usec Panlasigui thru a letter dated August 18, 2005 outlining the characteristics of his alternative fuel product (capacity to produce heat up to 2000 degrees Centigrade -- more than enough to run industries requiring tremendous heat like power plants, steel and blooming mills, cement factories, etc – renewable form, non-conventional, locally produced solid fuel in block form 12” x 16” x 24” which can be resized to suit needs and other tidbits.
He ended with the note that he was willing to discuss finer details and demonstrate it to the DOST.
Surely we hope – and –pray – Mang Jaime gets to see the light of day with the DOST on his invention. Who knows it could be the country’s long-awaited way out of the energy mess!
By Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr.
EVERYTIME we hear officials and civilians talking about measures to conserve power consumption, generate savings and develop alternative sources of energy, we think about our friend, Jaime P. Imbat , a very unassuming, “small-time” local technology inventor from barangay Cablong, Pozorrubio, this province. For years, Mang Jaime has been contacting the entire gamut of science, energy and technology agencies to get them to at least listen and try his “substitute fuel” invention that, he says, makes use of lime component, a natural resource which, we must agree, is abundant in the Philippines.
He has, bless the guy, even challenged -- and this, all according to him – Mirant Philippines to try his lime-powered invention to lessen the Sual plant’s dependence on imported oil and bituminous coal to run the plant. Mr. Imbat even throws in some rather technical insights on how best, if not better, to control pollution in coal-fired or thermal power plants.
Like all, if not most, inventors though, the man’s problem is Capital. From my own assessment, without yet actually seeing (despite the nearly five years of our acquaintance) how his invention generates the heat and power, Mang Jaime has knowledge and experience in these complicated power generation systems. He rattles off these technical terms like he was just munching on peanuts during his periodic visits to the Star office. He has in fact showed us a prototype of the limestone, wrapped carefully in pieces of newspapers, that he says, when properly treated, produces tremendous amount of heat that is not easily consumed. We noticed he was carefully keeping his “product” away from “unauthorized” eyes.
By his narration of data on the Mirant Plant, the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and other power-generating stations, we can tell he’s been to these plants and studied (we don’t know how exactly) the process of their energy production, which, he says with a little smirk, could definitely stand improvement on fuel savings.
The Department of Science and Technology in Taguig, Rizal, thru Undersecretary for Research and Development Rogelio A. Panlasigui is only one among the latest top brass he’s communicated with in his desire to help “save” the Philippines from its current economic, energy-related, problems. Mang Jaime gave us a copy of Usec Panlasigui’s August 1, 2005 letter-reply to him (apparently, his earlier letter to the Presidential Action Center based in Malacanang about his invention was endorsed to the DOST) where it was apparent DOST was seeking more information on his alternative fuel invention “to help us in assessing the full capacity of the product.”
Mang Jaime has replied to Usec Panlasigui thru a letter dated August 18, 2005 outlining the characteristics of his alternative fuel product (capacity to produce heat up to 2000 degrees Centigrade -- more than enough to run industries requiring tremendous heat like power plants, steel and blooming mills, cement factories, etc – renewable form, non-conventional, locally produced solid fuel in block form 12” x 16” x 24” which can be resized to suit needs and other tidbits.
He ended with the note that he was willing to discuss finer details and demonstrate it to the DOST.
Surely we hope – and –pray – Mang Jaime gets to see the light of day with the DOST on his invention. Who knows it could be the country’s long-awaited way out of the energy mess!
OPINION: Reform the PNP? Maybe in about several decades
The Pen Speaks
By Danny O. Sagun
ON about the same day (Tuesday, was it?), two police officers figured in shameless actions that surely brought headaches to their respective bosses. One was accused of slapping nine fishermen from Bagong Baryo in Bonuan Gueset during a confrontation on the latter men’s allegedly engaging in illegal fishing activities. The other reportedly showed his police ID card and gun instead of his driver’s license to a traffic enforcer when the latter flagged him down for apparent traffic violations. Both were said to be reeking of liquor.
These are just samples of the kind of policemen we have in our midst. Our parents of old related to us how men in uniform during those days were looked up to by the people, yes, they earned that respect and honor. Now, policemen are either feared (don’t ever cross path with them or else…) or despised (because of shenanigans and irregularities).
Dagupan police chief Supt. Ed Basbas reportedly dressed down the policemen doubling as passenger jeepney driver in a confrontation at the police station. The cop did not have a license to show, and so he thought he could get away with it by showing his police ID and firearm. The traffic aide was somehow intimidated but he managed to call for help from his supervisor and the city police.
The officer is said to be based at the provincial police office where Basbas used to be deputy director for operations before his assignment here and thus might have known that fellow before. Basbas reminded him that the police hierarchy was doing its best to reshape the image of the PNP but that bad eggs like him are sabotaging the effort.
Can the police still change its image? Maybe. But it won’t probably be in the next few years, considering that ranking police officers themselves are suspected of involvement in anomalies and payoffs.
***
I am reminded of something we always forget to tell our friend Col. Ric Tamayo about whenever we meet at the PAGIO (information officers association in Pangasinan) meeting.
We had wanted to tell the good colonel, who heads the police community relations office our observations that policemen by and large, especially during their night duty, are often seen drinking liquor or beer right at the police station. Alcohol, as we know, affects one’s alertness and judgment. What happens when an urgent call is received by the station and the drunk policemen have to respond? Can they still respond normally? Not even chewing Chicklet can hide their alcoholic breath, right?
Policemen are not allowed to drink during their tour of duty. But this policy is always set aside. Some police chiefs even join their men for the “happy-happy.” And even if he does not, his men will do their thing once he leaves the station to knock off for the night. If this simple rule, like other rules, is neglected, we can only conclude that the image of the police will remain in the negative – if it doesn’t get worse. Too bad for the department.
By Danny O. Sagun
ON about the same day (Tuesday, was it?), two police officers figured in shameless actions that surely brought headaches to their respective bosses. One was accused of slapping nine fishermen from Bagong Baryo in Bonuan Gueset during a confrontation on the latter men’s allegedly engaging in illegal fishing activities. The other reportedly showed his police ID card and gun instead of his driver’s license to a traffic enforcer when the latter flagged him down for apparent traffic violations. Both were said to be reeking of liquor.
These are just samples of the kind of policemen we have in our midst. Our parents of old related to us how men in uniform during those days were looked up to by the people, yes, they earned that respect and honor. Now, policemen are either feared (don’t ever cross path with them or else…) or despised (because of shenanigans and irregularities).
Dagupan police chief Supt. Ed Basbas reportedly dressed down the policemen doubling as passenger jeepney driver in a confrontation at the police station. The cop did not have a license to show, and so he thought he could get away with it by showing his police ID and firearm. The traffic aide was somehow intimidated but he managed to call for help from his supervisor and the city police.
The officer is said to be based at the provincial police office where Basbas used to be deputy director for operations before his assignment here and thus might have known that fellow before. Basbas reminded him that the police hierarchy was doing its best to reshape the image of the PNP but that bad eggs like him are sabotaging the effort.
Can the police still change its image? Maybe. But it won’t probably be in the next few years, considering that ranking police officers themselves are suspected of involvement in anomalies and payoffs.
***
I am reminded of something we always forget to tell our friend Col. Ric Tamayo about whenever we meet at the PAGIO (information officers association in Pangasinan) meeting.
We had wanted to tell the good colonel, who heads the police community relations office our observations that policemen by and large, especially during their night duty, are often seen drinking liquor or beer right at the police station. Alcohol, as we know, affects one’s alertness and judgment. What happens when an urgent call is received by the station and the drunk policemen have to respond? Can they still respond normally? Not even chewing Chicklet can hide their alcoholic breath, right?
Policemen are not allowed to drink during their tour of duty. But this policy is always set aside. Some police chiefs even join their men for the “happy-happy.” And even if he does not, his men will do their thing once he leaves the station to knock off for the night. If this simple rule, like other rules, is neglected, we can only conclude that the image of the police will remain in the negative – if it doesn’t get worse. Too bad for the department.
OPINION: Nature’s wrath
Windows
By Gabriel L. Cardinoza
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.
Elsewhere were flattened houses and debris from the massive destruction. There were people everywhere and some of them had to loot groceries just to have food. It was, as President George Bush said, the worst natural disaster in American history.
And, as it turned out, despite America’s super infrastructures, it wasn’t super enough to protect its own people. The massive flooding in New Orleans was caused by a breached levee and no sandbagging was able to stop the rampaging floodwaters from submerging the whole city.
Fortunately for them, they are in America. Unlike in a third world country, they won’t have to wait for international aid anymore to rescue and rehabilitate their people. Although it took more than 24 hours before the American people realized the extent of the damage, it didn’t take long for government officials to organize rescue and medical teams.
There were helicopters everywhere. Five hundred buses were sent to New Orleans to evacuate the homeless to neighboring Texas. Truckloads of food and water were also sent to the area. Even their battleships were mobilized. America, indeed, had everything and those of us who are in poor countries could only wish we had the same resources during natural calamities.
If at all it was any consolation to us, it was while watching Fox News that I learned that the people in New Orleans were already told to evacuate even before Katrina’s landfall. But they did not budge, just like the way many of our people here react when told to move to higher grounds.
Hard-headedness, after all, is international.
As the world watches America rebuild New Orleans from its ruins, there will always be lessons to learn, especially in the areas of flood mitigation, rescue and relief operations, evacuation and rehabilitation. But, to my mind, the most important lesson has been learned – that even a super power is no match to nature’s wrath.
ENDNOTES: By the time this paper’s issue hits the newsstands, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez shall have again assumed as acting city mayor. From what we heard, Mayor Benjamin Lim will be in India for a personal trip from Sept. 3-10… Last Thursday, Vice Mayor Fernandez and the Rotary Club of Dagupan, which he heads, conducted fogging operation in Barangay Carael upon the request of Barangay Captain Perfecto Velasquez, to destroy the breeding grounds mosquitoes, especially those cause the dreaded dengue fever. The activity also involved the City Health Office.
QUICK QUOTE: When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense. --Kahlil Gibran
(You can reach Gabriel L. Cardinoza at windows@digitelone.com)
By Gabriel L. Cardinoza
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.
Elsewhere were flattened houses and debris from the massive destruction. There were people everywhere and some of them had to loot groceries just to have food. It was, as President George Bush said, the worst natural disaster in American history.
And, as it turned out, despite America’s super infrastructures, it wasn’t super enough to protect its own people. The massive flooding in New Orleans was caused by a breached levee and no sandbagging was able to stop the rampaging floodwaters from submerging the whole city.
Fortunately for them, they are in America. Unlike in a third world country, they won’t have to wait for international aid anymore to rescue and rehabilitate their people. Although it took more than 24 hours before the American people realized the extent of the damage, it didn’t take long for government officials to organize rescue and medical teams.
There were helicopters everywhere. Five hundred buses were sent to New Orleans to evacuate the homeless to neighboring Texas. Truckloads of food and water were also sent to the area. Even their battleships were mobilized. America, indeed, had everything and those of us who are in poor countries could only wish we had the same resources during natural calamities.
If at all it was any consolation to us, it was while watching Fox News that I learned that the people in New Orleans were already told to evacuate even before Katrina’s landfall. But they did not budge, just like the way many of our people here react when told to move to higher grounds.
Hard-headedness, after all, is international.
As the world watches America rebuild New Orleans from its ruins, there will always be lessons to learn, especially in the areas of flood mitigation, rescue and relief operations, evacuation and rehabilitation. But, to my mind, the most important lesson has been learned – that even a super power is no match to nature’s wrath.
ENDNOTES: By the time this paper’s issue hits the newsstands, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez shall have again assumed as acting city mayor. From what we heard, Mayor Benjamin Lim will be in India for a personal trip from Sept. 3-10… Last Thursday, Vice Mayor Fernandez and the Rotary Club of Dagupan, which he heads, conducted fogging operation in Barangay Carael upon the request of Barangay Captain Perfecto Velasquez, to destroy the breeding grounds mosquitoes, especially those cause the dreaded dengue fever. The activity also involved the City Health Office.
QUICK QUOTE: When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense. --Kahlil Gibran
(You can reach Gabriel L. Cardinoza at windows@digitelone.com)
