18 October 2005
PHOTO
Agbayani on Loterya: ‘Not so fast, PCSO!’
By DANNY O. SAGUN
PIA Pangasinan Infocenter
LINGAYEN -- Gov. Victor E. Agbayani is against the holding of an experiment for the proposed Loterya ng Bayan here in Pangasinan, his provincial administrator said Wednesday.
Lawyer Virgilio Solis said the governor made clear his position in a talk with him on the matter right after a national newspaper recently carried a story about the proposed lottery which seeks to replace the illegal numbers game jueteng.
''Kailangan ng masusing pag-aaral diyan at hindi basta ipatupad yan'' he told a radio interview in reaction to reports that the sangguniang panlalawigan was dead set on approving a resolution endorsing the plan of a private group to conduct the lottery experiment in the province.
Admitting the authority of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes to hold such experiment, he asked the agency however to spare the province from an experimental run of the lottery. ''Sa ibang lugar na lang, huwag dito sa ating probinsya,'' he stressed echoing the governor's position.
Board Member Emmanuel Carancho, who authored the resolution, asked the board to schedule public hearings on the matter, which is expected to draw again sharp reactions from the religious, academe and other sectors as was the case when the plan to put up a casino in Urdaneta City came out some years ago.
Ironically, the man leading a crusade against all forms of gambling particularly jueteng comes from the Lingayen-Dagupan diocese, Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who became a national figure with his unrelenting campaign.
Cruz had sounded off earlier after the Senate hearings his concern about the government's plan to replace jueteng with a PCSO-sanctioned numbers game. With the emergence of ‘loterya’, his warning appears to have been validated.
The proponent is Numbers Numbers Corporation represented by businessman Rolando Dee of Mangaldan. (DOS/PIA)
PIA Pangasinan Infocenter
LINGAYEN -- Gov. Victor E. Agbayani is against the holding of an experiment for the proposed Loterya ng Bayan here in Pangasinan, his provincial administrator said Wednesday.
Lawyer Virgilio Solis said the governor made clear his position in a talk with him on the matter right after a national newspaper recently carried a story about the proposed lottery which seeks to replace the illegal numbers game jueteng.
''Kailangan ng masusing pag-aaral diyan at hindi basta ipatupad yan'' he told a radio interview in reaction to reports that the sangguniang panlalawigan was dead set on approving a resolution endorsing the plan of a private group to conduct the lottery experiment in the province.
Admitting the authority of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes to hold such experiment, he asked the agency however to spare the province from an experimental run of the lottery. ''Sa ibang lugar na lang, huwag dito sa ating probinsya,'' he stressed echoing the governor's position.
Board Member Emmanuel Carancho, who authored the resolution, asked the board to schedule public hearings on the matter, which is expected to draw again sharp reactions from the religious, academe and other sectors as was the case when the plan to put up a casino in Urdaneta City came out some years ago.
Ironically, the man leading a crusade against all forms of gambling particularly jueteng comes from the Lingayen-Dagupan diocese, Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who became a national figure with his unrelenting campaign.
Cruz had sounded off earlier after the Senate hearings his concern about the government's plan to replace jueteng with a PCSO-sanctioned numbers game. With the emergence of ‘loterya’, his warning appears to have been validated.
The proponent is Numbers Numbers Corporation represented by businessman Rolando Dee of Mangaldan. (DOS/PIA)
DOH, DA watching bird sanctuaries
THE Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture are keenly monitoring 20 bird sanctuaries throughout the country where migratory birds from other countries are flocking at this time of the year.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, speaking to newsmen in Dagupan City, said this is part of the ongoing bird flu protection program designed by both DOH and DA to protect Filipinos from avian influenza or bird flu which is predicted by the World Health Organization to be the most likely source of a feared pandemic (epidemic across continents) “sooner or later.”
Duque called on barangays near these bird sanctuaries to discourage their residents from shooting these migratory bids. Shooting them, Duque said, would disorient the migratory birds and force them to mix with local birds and fowls, like chicken and ducks, thus increasing the danger of disease transmission.
He warned that if migratory birds carry the bird flu virus, they may pass on the disease which could trigger a full blown epidemic in the country, as its H5NI strain is said to possess capability to transmit itself to humans.
Duque was here last Sunday to inaugurate with House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. a newly completed dialysis center at the Region 1 Medical Center here, the first and only one of its kind among government hospitals in the Ilocos.
In a talk to newsmen, Duque admitted that migratory birds from countries like China, Vietnam and Thailand are now flocking to various bird sanctuaries in the Philippines at this time of the year to escape the onset of the cold months in those regions.
Confirming that bird flu is really alarming, Duque said the DOH and the DA have prepared a bird flu protection program to ensure that the dreaded disease does not spread in the country
Phases I and II of the program are being handled by the DA and Phase III and IV by the DOH, Duque said.
At the same time, Duque called on the media to undertake proper management of factual information about the disease so that the people will not be unduly alarmed.
He said the Philippines is still lucky because no bird flu incident has yet been noted in any part of the country.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, speaking to newsmen in Dagupan City, said this is part of the ongoing bird flu protection program designed by both DOH and DA to protect Filipinos from avian influenza or bird flu which is predicted by the World Health Organization to be the most likely source of a feared pandemic (epidemic across continents) “sooner or later.”
Duque called on barangays near these bird sanctuaries to discourage their residents from shooting these migratory bids. Shooting them, Duque said, would disorient the migratory birds and force them to mix with local birds and fowls, like chicken and ducks, thus increasing the danger of disease transmission.
He warned that if migratory birds carry the bird flu virus, they may pass on the disease which could trigger a full blown epidemic in the country, as its H5NI strain is said to possess capability to transmit itself to humans.
Duque was here last Sunday to inaugurate with House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. a newly completed dialysis center at the Region 1 Medical Center here, the first and only one of its kind among government hospitals in the Ilocos.
In a talk to newsmen, Duque admitted that migratory birds from countries like China, Vietnam and Thailand are now flocking to various bird sanctuaries in the Philippines at this time of the year to escape the onset of the cold months in those regions.
Confirming that bird flu is really alarming, Duque said the DOH and the DA have prepared a bird flu protection program to ensure that the dreaded disease does not spread in the country
Phases I and II of the program are being handled by the DA and Phase III and IV by the DOH, Duque said.
At the same time, Duque called on the media to undertake proper management of factual information about the disease so that the people will not be unduly alarmed.
He said the Philippines is still lucky because no bird flu incident has yet been noted in any part of the country.
Archbishop rallies Catholics: Reject ‘Loterya ng Bayan’
ARCHBISHOP Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese has rallied all Catholics in Pangasinan to oppose and reject the introduction of the “Loterya ng Bayan” (LNB) which he personally dubbed as a “clone to the illegal jueteng”.
In his pastoral letter read today during eucharistic celebrations in pulpits of all churches and chapels, including Catholic schools in the archdiocese, Cruz chided the Pangasinan provincial government which, he said, now intends to propagate more gambling “to officially cultivate more the culture of gambling among Pangasinenses.”
Cruz, the country’s number one anti-jueteng crusader and chair and founder of the church-based “Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng” (Crusade for Jueteng-Free Philippines), promised “to make noise” after learning that the provincial board welcomed a letter from a Makati-based company seeking authority to experiment (LNB) in the entire province of Pangasinan.
Devout Catholics consider this an affront to Archbishop Cruz who was the leading figure in pressuring the government to finally stop jueteng which was prevalent throughout the country for many decades.
The letter of the Numbers Numbers Co. Inc., dated September 26, 2005, through Rolando Dee, provincial coordinator, was referred to three committees in the provincial board which are set to jointly conduct a series of province-wide public hearings on whether or not the body would pass a resolution authorizing the experiment.
It appears that the discussion on LNB is still on the level of the provincial board because Gov. Victor Agbayani personally believes that Pangasinan should not be made as experimental base for another numbers game even if it may have the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (See related story elsewhere in this issue.)
“This is bad news. Like the Pharisees who planned to trap Jesus, the Loterya ng Bayan just as EZ2 are both traps to the people in the province. They may be legal forms of gambling but their objective is exactly the same as jueteng,” the archbishop’s pastoral letter read.
Cruz branded as a lie the claim of the promoters of LNB that it will provide work for the poor. He stressed that gambling is in fact equated with indolence, degradation and vice and went to ask: “Since when has gambling become work?”
In his pastoral letter read today during eucharistic celebrations in pulpits of all churches and chapels, including Catholic schools in the archdiocese, Cruz chided the Pangasinan provincial government which, he said, now intends to propagate more gambling “to officially cultivate more the culture of gambling among Pangasinenses.”
Cruz, the country’s number one anti-jueteng crusader and chair and founder of the church-based “Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng” (Crusade for Jueteng-Free Philippines), promised “to make noise” after learning that the provincial board welcomed a letter from a Makati-based company seeking authority to experiment (LNB) in the entire province of Pangasinan.
Devout Catholics consider this an affront to Archbishop Cruz who was the leading figure in pressuring the government to finally stop jueteng which was prevalent throughout the country for many decades.
The letter of the Numbers Numbers Co. Inc., dated September 26, 2005, through Rolando Dee, provincial coordinator, was referred to three committees in the provincial board which are set to jointly conduct a series of province-wide public hearings on whether or not the body would pass a resolution authorizing the experiment.
It appears that the discussion on LNB is still on the level of the provincial board because Gov. Victor Agbayani personally believes that Pangasinan should not be made as experimental base for another numbers game even if it may have the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (See related story elsewhere in this issue.)
“This is bad news. Like the Pharisees who planned to trap Jesus, the Loterya ng Bayan just as EZ2 are both traps to the people in the province. They may be legal forms of gambling but their objective is exactly the same as jueteng,” the archbishop’s pastoral letter read.
Cruz branded as a lie the claim of the promoters of LNB that it will provide work for the poor. He stressed that gambling is in fact equated with indolence, degradation and vice and went to ask: “Since when has gambling become work?”
Provincial board open to entry of new gambling project
THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan looks and acts like it’s open to the idea of a government-sponsored Loterya ng Bayan (LNB).
A certain Rolando Dee, provincial coordinator of the Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., recently wrote the provincial board seeking the passage of a resolution recognizing the company to operate LNB on experimental basis in the entire province of Pangasinan.
Dee, a businessman from the town of Mangaldan, said in his letter that LNB is within the loop of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a government agency that operates among others the country’s sweepstakes and the Philippine lotto.
Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., with office address at 7G Vernida Bldg, Amorsolo St., Makati City, is headed by Octavio S. Marasigan as president and chief executive officer.
Dee enclosed in his letter a proposed provincial resolution with its corresponding number already written, indicating his company is seeking fast action on his request.
The company proposed to provide alternative livelihood to collectors displaced by the sudden stop of jueteng.
Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., a PCSO-accredited company, is currently operating LNB in Makati City, and has manifested its desire to operate the same in Pangasinan.
The company stressed that LNB is anchored on Republic Act No. 1169, as amended by Batas Pambansa 42, which states that PCSO shall have the authority to hold and conduct charity sweepstakes races, lotteries and other similar activities, in such frequency and manner, as shall be determined and subjects to such rules and regulations by the Board of Directors. (PNA)
A certain Rolando Dee, provincial coordinator of the Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., recently wrote the provincial board seeking the passage of a resolution recognizing the company to operate LNB on experimental basis in the entire province of Pangasinan.
Dee, a businessman from the town of Mangaldan, said in his letter that LNB is within the loop of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a government agency that operates among others the country’s sweepstakes and the Philippine lotto.
Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., with office address at 7G Vernida Bldg, Amorsolo St., Makati City, is headed by Octavio S. Marasigan as president and chief executive officer.
Dee enclosed in his letter a proposed provincial resolution with its corresponding number already written, indicating his company is seeking fast action on his request.
The company proposed to provide alternative livelihood to collectors displaced by the sudden stop of jueteng.
Numbers Numbers Co., Inc., a PCSO-accredited company, is currently operating LNB in Makati City, and has manifested its desire to operate the same in Pangasinan.
The company stressed that LNB is anchored on Republic Act No. 1169, as amended by Batas Pambansa 42, which states that PCSO shall have the authority to hold and conduct charity sweepstakes races, lotteries and other similar activities, in such frequency and manner, as shall be determined and subjects to such rules and regulations by the Board of Directors. (PNA)
Dermatologist’s killer must die, CA affirms
URDANETA CITY – The Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of Judge Joven Costales of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 45, here convicting a physical therapist for the killing of his live-in partner, a dermatologist, and sentencing him to death by lethal injection.
Robert P. Brodett was sentenced to death on June 5, 2002 for the killing of Dr. April Duque, a beauty consultant and dermatologist, in their apartment in Urdaneta City on the night of December 28, 2000.
The accused hit the head of the victim with a hammer and stabbed her in the stomach, court records showed.
The body of the lady doctor was found still burning in the early morning in a field outside Urdaneta. Only a small portion of the corpse was unburned.
She was not recognized until after two months when the NBI exhumed her corpse and was identified by her mother thru a ring and a wristwatch recovered from the body by the funeral parlor attendants.
Accused Brodett reported to the NBI that his live-in-partner was missing a few days after the killing to feign ignorance. It was the five-year old son of the accused and the victim however who tagged the accused for the grisly crime as the witnessed personally the incident.
The appellate court gave credence to the testimony of the child, saying: “Youth and immaturity are the badges of truth.”
Pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 20-2005 the Court of Appeals is mandated to conduct a review the decision of the RTC involving death penalty which shall come up for final review by the Supreme Court.
Costales had sentenced to death 26 persons accused of heinous crimes to date. He is dubbed as the “hanging judge of Pangasinan” having imposed the most number of death penalties, not only in the province but probably in the entire Ilocos Region.
Four death sentences were already affirmed by the Supreme Court on his convictions but commuted to life imprisonment by former President Estrada and President Arroyo.
Robert P. Brodett was sentenced to death on June 5, 2002 for the killing of Dr. April Duque, a beauty consultant and dermatologist, in their apartment in Urdaneta City on the night of December 28, 2000.
The accused hit the head of the victim with a hammer and stabbed her in the stomach, court records showed.
The body of the lady doctor was found still burning in the early morning in a field outside Urdaneta. Only a small portion of the corpse was unburned.
She was not recognized until after two months when the NBI exhumed her corpse and was identified by her mother thru a ring and a wristwatch recovered from the body by the funeral parlor attendants.
Accused Brodett reported to the NBI that his live-in-partner was missing a few days after the killing to feign ignorance. It was the five-year old son of the accused and the victim however who tagged the accused for the grisly crime as the witnessed personally the incident.
The appellate court gave credence to the testimony of the child, saying: “Youth and immaturity are the badges of truth.”
Pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 20-2005 the Court of Appeals is mandated to conduct a review the decision of the RTC involving death penalty which shall come up for final review by the Supreme Court.
Costales had sentenced to death 26 persons accused of heinous crimes to date. He is dubbed as the “hanging judge of Pangasinan” having imposed the most number of death penalties, not only in the province but probably in the entire Ilocos Region.
Four death sentences were already affirmed by the Supreme Court on his convictions but commuted to life imprisonment by former President Estrada and President Arroyo.
JDV backs revised road plan in Lucao
IT’S the word of the boss and nobody should dare question it.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia made his position clear to all when he said the ongoing construction of the Dawel-Lucao diversion road will push thru even in the face of a possible legal action being sought by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim against the alleged revision of the original road plan.
Lim earlier threatened to seek judicial relief if the original plan of the project is not followed. The revised plan was for the new road to link with the national highway right at the present Lucao police community precinct, no longer thru the area of the Nelars subdivision which is some 500 meters away as originally planned.
Lim said the revised plan would cost government some P80 million more.
A mall in Lucao owned by former Councilor Belen Fernandez stands to benefit from the revised plan as the road will pass right thru the back portion of the mall. Lim's Magic mall is a major rival of Fernandez's chain of malls.
The House leader was apparently miffed by the mayor's complaint. He was quoted by the local media as saying the mayor is not a spoiled brat to get anything he wants.
Lim's absence as well as of other city officials at the inauguration last Saturday of a dialysis center at the Region 1 Medical Center reportedly irked the Speaker. Councilor Alex de Venecia, his nephew, who attended the occasion was quick to point out that he was representing the city government.
The fourth district congressman might have been mollified though by the mayor’s presence with him at the investiture rites for officers of the University of Luzon at the People’s Astrodome last Monday. (DOS/PIA)
House Speaker Jose de Venecia made his position clear to all when he said the ongoing construction of the Dawel-Lucao diversion road will push thru even in the face of a possible legal action being sought by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim against the alleged revision of the original road plan.
Lim earlier threatened to seek judicial relief if the original plan of the project is not followed. The revised plan was for the new road to link with the national highway right at the present Lucao police community precinct, no longer thru the area of the Nelars subdivision which is some 500 meters away as originally planned.
Lim said the revised plan would cost government some P80 million more.
A mall in Lucao owned by former Councilor Belen Fernandez stands to benefit from the revised plan as the road will pass right thru the back portion of the mall. Lim's Magic mall is a major rival of Fernandez's chain of malls.
The House leader was apparently miffed by the mayor's complaint. He was quoted by the local media as saying the mayor is not a spoiled brat to get anything he wants.
Lim's absence as well as of other city officials at the inauguration last Saturday of a dialysis center at the Region 1 Medical Center reportedly irked the Speaker. Councilor Alex de Venecia, his nephew, who attended the occasion was quick to point out that he was representing the city government.
The fourth district congressman might have been mollified though by the mayor’s presence with him at the investiture rites for officers of the University of Luzon at the People’s Astrodome last Monday. (DOS/PIA)
Health chief seeks embassies’ help for med scholarships
EMBASSIES of various nations have been asked by the Department of Health to set up a trust fund for the scholarships of poor but deserving students in medical courses to mitigate the effects of the continuing exodus of health care professionals abroad.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said this is his agency’s response to the growing problem spawned by “brain drain” that has already created a serious shortage of doctors, nurses and midwives in various hospitals throughout the country.
Duque was interviewed by newsmen when he and House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. inaugurated the newly completed dialysis center for the poor at the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center here last Sunday.
Earlier, Dr. Jesus Canto, director of R1MC, revealed that up to four of the hospital nurses here are leaving for abroad monthly in search of greener pastures.
Duque said he already talked and will talk again to chiefs of foreign missions based in Manila to encourage them to set up a trust fund to finance the scholarship of poor but deserving students to enable them to take up medical courses to replace the health care professionals who have already gone abroad.
These embassies, he said, are those of countries where most Filipino health care professionals are going, like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia and others.
Duque admitted that the country’s health sector is suffering from a serious shortage of manpower because even doctors are taking up the nursing course nowadays and leaving for countries where there are big demand for nurses.
Noting that it is impossible for poor but deserving students to take up medical course nowadays, Duque said he is arranging with foreign embassies that if their countries will absorb Filipino health care professionals, they should contribute money to a trust fund for the scholarship of those that are left behind. The scholars are to sign contract with the government binding them to serve two years in the Philippines for every year of their scholarship.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said this is his agency’s response to the growing problem spawned by “brain drain” that has already created a serious shortage of doctors, nurses and midwives in various hospitals throughout the country.
Duque was interviewed by newsmen when he and House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. inaugurated the newly completed dialysis center for the poor at the government-owned Region 1 Medical Center here last Sunday.
Earlier, Dr. Jesus Canto, director of R1MC, revealed that up to four of the hospital nurses here are leaving for abroad monthly in search of greener pastures.
Duque said he already talked and will talk again to chiefs of foreign missions based in Manila to encourage them to set up a trust fund to finance the scholarship of poor but deserving students to enable them to take up medical courses to replace the health care professionals who have already gone abroad.
These embassies, he said, are those of countries where most Filipino health care professionals are going, like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia and others.
Duque admitted that the country’s health sector is suffering from a serious shortage of manpower because even doctors are taking up the nursing course nowadays and leaving for countries where there are big demand for nurses.
Noting that it is impossible for poor but deserving students to take up medical course nowadays, Duque said he is arranging with foreign embassies that if their countries will absorb Filipino health care professionals, they should contribute money to a trust fund for the scholarship of those that are left behind. The scholars are to sign contract with the government binding them to serve two years in the Philippines for every year of their scholarship.
Measures up to support local livestock industry
LINGAYEN – Governor Victor E. Agbayani has given the go-signal for the implementation of various measures intended to revitalize the local livestock industry to boost the province’s food security program.
Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian, said the governor has approved the construction of a breeding station inside the expansive provincial nursery in barangay Tebag, Sta. Barbara to serve livestock raisers in central Pangasinan.
Also programmed is the upgrading of breeding stations in Alaminos City, Natividad and Dasol towns.
“We are also setting aside counterpart funds for a stronger disease control program to he implemented in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the local government units,” Perez said.
He said his office has trained five more persons on artificial insemination and they will be fielded all over the province to assist livestock raisers in improving their stocks, he said.
Dr. Arnold Igos, veterinary I, said the province’s vaccination and deworming activities are ongoing coupled with the distribution of materials intended to further improve the cattle and swine stocks.
Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian, said the governor has approved the construction of a breeding station inside the expansive provincial nursery in barangay Tebag, Sta. Barbara to serve livestock raisers in central Pangasinan.
Also programmed is the upgrading of breeding stations in Alaminos City, Natividad and Dasol towns.
“We are also setting aside counterpart funds for a stronger disease control program to he implemented in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the local government units,” Perez said.
He said his office has trained five more persons on artificial insemination and they will be fielded all over the province to assist livestock raisers in improving their stocks, he said.
Dr. Arnold Igos, veterinary I, said the province’s vaccination and deworming activities are ongoing coupled with the distribution of materials intended to further improve the cattle and swine stocks.
BFAR: Dagupan fishkill blamed on over-stocking of fish in pens
The National Integrated Fisheries Technology Research Development Center here said that the latest fishkill in Dagupan City could have been due to over-stocking of fish in pens in anticipation of the big demand during the Christmas season.
NIFTDC Chief Westly Rosario noted that there were too many fish competing for the limited dissolved oxygen in the water, inevitably resulting in the new fishkill as what also happened in Bolinao, another fish producing area of Pangasinan, last week.
The pen owners, seeking to recover investments in so short a time, overstocked their fishpens in anticipation of bigger profits only to pay a high price for their action when the fishkill came, pulling down the price of fish to a low of P30 per kilo last Wednesday.
Rosario observed that most of the fish that had to be quickly harvested from the pens were already of marketable sizes, indicating that the fish farmers withheld releasing their products to the market hoping that prices will still escalate.
He said the overstocking of fish in every pen was also the observation of a Norwegian team, aided by their local counterparts, that are studying the aquaculture industry in Dagupan, Bolinao and various other pilot areas in the country.
The team observed that the rivers of Dagupan are still teeming with fish pens and went on to suggest that the city government should provide for wider navigational lanes between pens, said Rosario.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina however took a different view, attributing the fishkill to the sudden downpour Tuesday night that abruptly changed the temperature of the water from mild to cool as she dismissed reports that the pens were over-stocked.
Rosario said the Norwegian team, using sophisticated equipment in their study of the aquaculture industry, is yet to simultaneously release their recommendation to stakeholders and local government units in various pilot area sometime next year.
Rosario said that the degrading quality of the water in the fish producing areas of Dagupan at this time also contributed to the fishkill.
Up to P1.8 million worth of fish was believed to have been wiped out by the newest fishkill that hit Dagupan, according to the City Agriculture Office.
NIFTDC Chief Westly Rosario noted that there were too many fish competing for the limited dissolved oxygen in the water, inevitably resulting in the new fishkill as what also happened in Bolinao, another fish producing area of Pangasinan, last week.
The pen owners, seeking to recover investments in so short a time, overstocked their fishpens in anticipation of bigger profits only to pay a high price for their action when the fishkill came, pulling down the price of fish to a low of P30 per kilo last Wednesday.
Rosario observed that most of the fish that had to be quickly harvested from the pens were already of marketable sizes, indicating that the fish farmers withheld releasing their products to the market hoping that prices will still escalate.
He said the overstocking of fish in every pen was also the observation of a Norwegian team, aided by their local counterparts, that are studying the aquaculture industry in Dagupan, Bolinao and various other pilot areas in the country.
The team observed that the rivers of Dagupan are still teeming with fish pens and went on to suggest that the city government should provide for wider navigational lanes between pens, said Rosario.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina however took a different view, attributing the fishkill to the sudden downpour Tuesday night that abruptly changed the temperature of the water from mild to cool as she dismissed reports that the pens were over-stocked.
Rosario said the Norwegian team, using sophisticated equipment in their study of the aquaculture industry, is yet to simultaneously release their recommendation to stakeholders and local government units in various pilot area sometime next year.
Rosario said that the degrading quality of the water in the fish producing areas of Dagupan at this time also contributed to the fishkill.
Up to P1.8 million worth of fish was believed to have been wiped out by the newest fishkill that hit Dagupan, according to the City Agriculture Office.
Ilocos Sur, top implementor of anti-poverty programs
VIGAN CITY – The province of Ilocos Sur was adjudged best implementor of anti-poverty programs under the Provincial Poverty Reduction Program (PPRP) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) throughout the Ilocos region.
Dr. Erni Mendoza, presidential assistant for Northern Luzon, said Ilocos Sur earned the plum for its various livelihood projects that have greatly eased the plight of its 768 barangays.
Ilocos Sur bested all other provinces in the Ilocos region, namely Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Norte in the implementation of the PPRP.
Mendoza said the program Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (Kalahi) of the National Poverty Commission (NAPC) sponsored the PPRP.
Region 1 has been the only region in the entire country so far to have fully implemented the poverty reduction program.
In order to ensure the success of the PPRP, Gov. Luis Chavit Singson named all mayors of 32 towns and two cities as action officers with the specific duty to monitor projects and file weekly progress reports.
He said he will also appoint an action officer in every barangay to pinpoint priority areas and concerns.
These action officers will report continuously to the provincial government updates on the needs and demands of the people in the barangays, Singson said. (PNA)
Dr. Erni Mendoza, presidential assistant for Northern Luzon, said Ilocos Sur earned the plum for its various livelihood projects that have greatly eased the plight of its 768 barangays.
Ilocos Sur bested all other provinces in the Ilocos region, namely Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos Norte in the implementation of the PPRP.
Mendoza said the program Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (Kalahi) of the National Poverty Commission (NAPC) sponsored the PPRP.
Region 1 has been the only region in the entire country so far to have fully implemented the poverty reduction program.
In order to ensure the success of the PPRP, Gov. Luis Chavit Singson named all mayors of 32 towns and two cities as action officers with the specific duty to monitor projects and file weekly progress reports.
He said he will also appoint an action officer in every barangay to pinpoint priority areas and concerns.
These action officers will report continuously to the provincial government updates on the needs and demands of the people in the barangays, Singson said. (PNA)
Duque: Dengue almost gone
HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III has announced here that the dengue fever has waned down throughout the Philippines although cases of the disease in other countries are still rising.
“We are lucky that dengue in our country is now going down, whereas the dengue count in other countries is still rising, “Duque said in a talk to newsmen shortly after the inauguration of several facilities including a dialysis center for the poor at the Region 1 Medical Center here last Sunday.
Duque, a member of a family that owns the Lyceum-Northwestern University and also the University of Pangasinan, both in Dagupan City, said as of Oct. 2, there were 22,000 cases of dengue registered.
He said this was 25 percent higher than the number of cases registered throughout the country last year.
Records showed that from this number, there was a 1.4 percent case-fatality rate for dengue this year. Most of the cases of dengue were registered in the months of July and August.
At the same time, Duque announced that the cholera outbreak in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur which downed a number of people a few weeks ago is now under control.
He asked the public there and in other parts of the country to take precautionary measures because this is really the reason for gastro-intestinal disease, such as cholera and diarrhea, including flu, he said.
Pointing out that personal hygiene is very important, Duque said that health is wealth, and that the latter is useless without the former.
Another mosquito-borne disease, the Japanese encephalitis, is not widespread and still not considered a threat in the Philippines, Duque assured.
“We are lucky that dengue in our country is now going down, whereas the dengue count in other countries is still rising, “Duque said in a talk to newsmen shortly after the inauguration of several facilities including a dialysis center for the poor at the Region 1 Medical Center here last Sunday.
Duque, a member of a family that owns the Lyceum-Northwestern University and also the University of Pangasinan, both in Dagupan City, said as of Oct. 2, there were 22,000 cases of dengue registered.
He said this was 25 percent higher than the number of cases registered throughout the country last year.
Records showed that from this number, there was a 1.4 percent case-fatality rate for dengue this year. Most of the cases of dengue were registered in the months of July and August.
At the same time, Duque announced that the cholera outbreak in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur which downed a number of people a few weeks ago is now under control.
He asked the public there and in other parts of the country to take precautionary measures because this is really the reason for gastro-intestinal disease, such as cholera and diarrhea, including flu, he said.
Pointing out that personal hygiene is very important, Duque said that health is wealth, and that the latter is useless without the former.
Another mosquito-borne disease, the Japanese encephalitis, is not widespread and still not considered a threat in the Philippines, Duque assured.
PHOTO: University of Luzon investiture
Samson scion assumes as new UL president
OFFICIALS of the Commission on Higher Education and members of the academic community in the northern Luzon met in Dagupan City Monday for the investiture rites of the president and chancellor of one of the oldest educational institutions of higher learning in Pangasinan and the Ilocos region.
Installed as only the second president of the University of Luzon was Dr. Mac Arthur Samson, Sr., who took over from his father, Dr. Luis Samson, Sr., who was also installed in parallel ceremonies as the first university chancellor.
Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., guest of honor and speaker during the investiture rites, said: “I am proud of the University of Luzon as I am proud of all the other universities in Pangasinan, Dagupan City and San Carlos. Dagupan City has become a city of great universities, (recalling) the days of ancient Athens.”
Atty. Liberato Reyna, Jr, chairman of the Board of Trustees of UL, presented and read the younger Samson’s appointment as new president of the university which was founded on the name Luzon Colleges of Business and Arts (LCBA). It was later renamed Luzon Colleges.
The school was founded in 1947 by Dr. Luis Samson Sr. and Atty. Liberato Reyna, Sr., a former three-time mayor of Dagupan City.
The new UL president took his oath of office before Atty. Julito Vitriolo, CHED Deputy Executive Director IV while Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese did the honor of blessing him and the new chancellor.
In his acceptance speech, Samson outlined his plans to transform UL, now 58 years old, towards being a 21st century university or a new millennium university.
An engineer by profession, Samson worked for sometime in the United States till he returned to assume a responsible position in their family-owned school. He is a holder of a doctorate degree in humanities, honoris causa, from the Lyceum Northwestern University in March 2003.
Installed as only the second president of the University of Luzon was Dr. Mac Arthur Samson, Sr., who took over from his father, Dr. Luis Samson, Sr., who was also installed in parallel ceremonies as the first university chancellor.
Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., guest of honor and speaker during the investiture rites, said: “I am proud of the University of Luzon as I am proud of all the other universities in Pangasinan, Dagupan City and San Carlos. Dagupan City has become a city of great universities, (recalling) the days of ancient Athens.”
Atty. Liberato Reyna, Jr, chairman of the Board of Trustees of UL, presented and read the younger Samson’s appointment as new president of the university which was founded on the name Luzon Colleges of Business and Arts (LCBA). It was later renamed Luzon Colleges.
The school was founded in 1947 by Dr. Luis Samson Sr. and Atty. Liberato Reyna, Sr., a former three-time mayor of Dagupan City.
The new UL president took his oath of office before Atty. Julito Vitriolo, CHED Deputy Executive Director IV while Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese did the honor of blessing him and the new chancellor.
In his acceptance speech, Samson outlined his plans to transform UL, now 58 years old, towards being a 21st century university or a new millennium university.
An engineer by profession, Samson worked for sometime in the United States till he returned to assume a responsible position in their family-owned school. He is a holder of a doctorate degree in humanities, honoris causa, from the Lyceum Northwestern University in March 2003.
JDV, bishop Cruz agree to work on a formula
SPEAKER Jose de Venecia, Jr. sees a possible cooperation between the government, church and civil society for the total eradication of jueteng and other forms of gambling throughout the country.
In snatches of conversation with Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese last Monday, the two agreed on a formula of cooperation among the government, church and civil society that would finally end “jueteng” and all kinds of gambling throughout the country.
Cruz and Speaker de Venecia were together at the Dagupan City Astrodome for the investiture and installation rites of Dr. Mac Arthur Samson as second president of the University of Luzon. De Venecia was the guest of honor and speaker.
In his speech during the investiture rites, de Venecia challenged civil society leaders to contribute to the herculean effort of the archbishop to end jueteng in order to finally put an end to the evils of unauthorized gambling throughout the country.
“I proposed and his response was very constructive, to create a conceptual framework—a legal framework—that will lead to the development of projects that will do away with jueteng and similar schemes in Pangasinan and throughout the Philippines, de Venecia said, referring to the church leader.
He emphasized that together, they should work out a scheme where the bishops, archbishops and local government units are involved in a program a stop all forms of illegal gambling.
“I think, let’s now work out a formula using a collective scholarship—the formula of Archbishop Cruz—whom we admire and whom we respect so that we can finally put an end to the evils of jueteng in Pangasinan and throughout the Philippines.
De Venecia however asked to be given “ a few more weeks” to hammer out a more detailed plan on it.
In snatches of conversation with Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese last Monday, the two agreed on a formula of cooperation among the government, church and civil society that would finally end “jueteng” and all kinds of gambling throughout the country.
Cruz and Speaker de Venecia were together at the Dagupan City Astrodome for the investiture and installation rites of Dr. Mac Arthur Samson as second president of the University of Luzon. De Venecia was the guest of honor and speaker.
In his speech during the investiture rites, de Venecia challenged civil society leaders to contribute to the herculean effort of the archbishop to end jueteng in order to finally put an end to the evils of unauthorized gambling throughout the country.
“I proposed and his response was very constructive, to create a conceptual framework—a legal framework—that will lead to the development of projects that will do away with jueteng and similar schemes in Pangasinan and throughout the Philippines, de Venecia said, referring to the church leader.
He emphasized that together, they should work out a scheme where the bishops, archbishops and local government units are involved in a program a stop all forms of illegal gambling.
“I think, let’s now work out a formula using a collective scholarship—the formula of Archbishop Cruz—whom we admire and whom we respect so that we can finally put an end to the evils of jueteng in Pangasinan and throughout the Philippines.
De Venecia however asked to be given “ a few more weeks” to hammer out a more detailed plan on it.
Devcom for a Cause in Mamalingling
By GLAMORFE CALICDAN
BARANGAY Mamalingling in Dagupan City became the venue for a showcase of development communication activities last October 8 as mass communication students and faculty of a local university launched their “Serbisyon Mapangaro” (Love-filled Service) program in a community setting.
The day-long program that started at 8 a.m. unloaded several public services like a medical mission, discussion on livelihood, family planning and feeding programs, a Give-A-Gift and a stage play for children.
Ogie Manzano, mass communication instructor of the college of liberal arts, University of Pangasinan, said the field activity sought to give a face to development communication, defined as “organized efforts to use communication processes and media channels to bring (about) social and economic improvements.”
Lending support to the Mamalingling information outreach were Vice Mayor and acting Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the sangguniang panlungsod, Region 1 Medical Center thru Dr. Jesus D. Canto, city health office, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation thru president Charisse Perez, Dagupan Jaycees, Inc., Department of Trade and Industry and the Dagupan Business Center.
BARANGAY Mamalingling in Dagupan City became the venue for a showcase of development communication activities last October 8 as mass communication students and faculty of a local university launched their “Serbisyon Mapangaro” (Love-filled Service) program in a community setting.
The day-long program that started at 8 a.m. unloaded several public services like a medical mission, discussion on livelihood, family planning and feeding programs, a Give-A-Gift and a stage play for children.
Ogie Manzano, mass communication instructor of the college of liberal arts, University of Pangasinan, said the field activity sought to give a face to development communication, defined as “organized efforts to use communication processes and media channels to bring (about) social and economic improvements.”
Lending support to the Mamalingling information outreach were Vice Mayor and acting Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the sangguniang panlungsod, Region 1 Medical Center thru Dr. Jesus D. Canto, city health office, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation thru president Charisse Perez, Dagupan Jaycees, Inc., Department of Trade and Industry and the Dagupan Business Center.
NHA offers good house, lot deals
SAN CARLOS CITY – For a 77 square-meter-lot, an interested buyer needs only P57,750 cash or pay P372.08 in monthly amortization to own it.
The National Housing Authority said the lots for sale are located in barangay Tarectec in San Carlos City. Lots are also available in 96 sq.m. at P76,320 or P491.73 monthly amortization, and 84 sq.m. at P63,000 or P405.91 monthly.
A house and lot measuring 84 sq.m. (floor area, 42 sq.m) can be owned at P323,000 or P2,935.10 monthly payments, the NHA said.
Land development features of the housing site include concrete roads, drainage systems, local water system and power. Interested lot or home-seekers may contact the National Housing Authority regional office at the Capitol compound in San Fernando City (La Union) thru Crescencia O. Loquia, at telefax no.(072) 888 6184, or cell no. 09215533880. (PIA/DOS)
The National Housing Authority said the lots for sale are located in barangay Tarectec in San Carlos City. Lots are also available in 96 sq.m. at P76,320 or P491.73 monthly amortization, and 84 sq.m. at P63,000 or P405.91 monthly.
A house and lot measuring 84 sq.m. (floor area, 42 sq.m) can be owned at P323,000 or P2,935.10 monthly payments, the NHA said.
Land development features of the housing site include concrete roads, drainage systems, local water system and power. Interested lot or home-seekers may contact the National Housing Authority regional office at the Capitol compound in San Fernando City (La Union) thru Crescencia O. Loquia, at telefax no.(072) 888 6184, or cell no. 09215533880. (PIA/DOS)
Top Rosales drug pusher slain
ROSALES – Authorities here believe a drugs war may have just erupted here with the gunslaying of a known drug pusher and user on General Luna st. in Poblacion last Oct. 9
Dead o n the spot where he was shot by armed men on an Enduro motorcycle was Jose Minia III, 25, of baranagy Station District here.
Police intelligenc e sources pointed to the killing as a liquidation job by Minia’s comrades in the drugs trade possibly due to non-remittance of proceeds from illegal sale
of the banned substances.
Police officials predict Minia’s death may have just sparked a drugs war among those involved in drug trafficking here. Rosales has often been reported as a transshipment point of illegal drugs, being located at the crossroad between east and west and north and south.
Several drug personalities have already been arrested by the police in the past but the illicit trade appears to persist.
Mayor Ricardo Revita, himself an awarded former police officials in the province, has launched a cleanup of police characters in this town and put some order in the once chaotic traffic terminal at barangay Carmen, the crossroad barangay, of the town where many petty crimes were recorded in the past.
Dead o n the spot where he was shot by armed men on an Enduro motorcycle was Jose Minia III, 25, of baranagy Station District here.
Police intelligenc e sources pointed to the killing as a liquidation job by Minia’s comrades in the drugs trade possibly due to non-remittance of proceeds from illegal sale
of the banned substances.
Police officials predict Minia’s death may have just sparked a drugs war among those involved in drug trafficking here. Rosales has often been reported as a transshipment point of illegal drugs, being located at the crossroad between east and west and north and south.
Several drug personalities have already been arrested by the police in the past but the illicit trade appears to persist.
Mayor Ricardo Revita, himself an awarded former police officials in the province, has launched a cleanup of police characters in this town and put some order in the once chaotic traffic terminal at barangay Carmen, the crossroad barangay, of the town where many petty crimes were recorded in the past.
Irate parents hit terror principal
UMINGAN –Twenty-eight pupils of an elementary school in a remote barangay here accompanied by their parents, went to the police station Thursday to denounce their maltreatment in the hands of the school principal inside their classroom the day before.
Chief of police Eddie Granil said the pupils and their parents complained to the police against the terror tactics of Jose Arata, principal, 58, of Bantog Elementary School who allegedly whipped them with a slit of bamboo and slapped some of them with their own books in the presence of their teachers.
The principal, according to them, was enraged at the pupils, boys and girls, from Grades V. IV, III and II when they failed to put clips in their books.
Bantog barangay captain Wilfredo Badua accompanied his complaining barangaymates who wanted to file criminal cases for child abuse and an administrative case before the Department of Education against the school official.
The Parent Teachers Community Association headed by Antonio Biano also stood by the complaints of the pupils and their parents.
All the 28 children were brought to the Umingan Community Hospital where doctors found them suffering hematoma or bruises in their shoulders and faces as a result of beatings.
Some of the maltreated pupils were identified as Hansel Pangangaan, 10; Wilfred Pasamec, 10; Leah Marie Campos, 10; Jovelyn Ebreu, 11; Neal Patrick Valdez, 11; Noemi Abalos, 11; Glen Tuvera, 11; Marie Joy Libantino, Janette Macabio, 11; Jovita Navalta, 10;Jenelyn Casio, 10;Maricel Soriano, 10; Renito Gorospe, 11; Erica Jasmin, 11; Kimberly Repinta, 10; Cheryl Libid, 10; Lyndon Casio, 12; and Gino Sobremonte, all in Grade V.
The Grade II pupils were Natalia Sobremonte, 9; Lolyn Casio, 8, Ryan Justine Campos, 7; and Jonel Ebreu, 10 (PNA)
Chief of police Eddie Granil said the pupils and their parents complained to the police against the terror tactics of Jose Arata, principal, 58, of Bantog Elementary School who allegedly whipped them with a slit of bamboo and slapped some of them with their own books in the presence of their teachers.
The principal, according to them, was enraged at the pupils, boys and girls, from Grades V. IV, III and II when they failed to put clips in their books.
Bantog barangay captain Wilfredo Badua accompanied his complaining barangaymates who wanted to file criminal cases for child abuse and an administrative case before the Department of Education against the school official.
The Parent Teachers Community Association headed by Antonio Biano also stood by the complaints of the pupils and their parents.
All the 28 children were brought to the Umingan Community Hospital where doctors found them suffering hematoma or bruises in their shoulders and faces as a result of beatings.
Some of the maltreated pupils were identified as Hansel Pangangaan, 10; Wilfred Pasamec, 10; Leah Marie Campos, 10; Jovelyn Ebreu, 11; Neal Patrick Valdez, 11; Noemi Abalos, 11; Glen Tuvera, 11; Marie Joy Libantino, Janette Macabio, 11; Jovita Navalta, 10;Jenelyn Casio, 10;Maricel Soriano, 10; Renito Gorospe, 11; Erica Jasmin, 11; Kimberly Repinta, 10; Cheryl Libid, 10; Lyndon Casio, 12; and Gino Sobremonte, all in Grade V.
The Grade II pupils were Natalia Sobremonte, 9; Lolyn Casio, 8, Ryan Justine Campos, 7; and Jonel Ebreu, 10 (PNA)
Feature: Disaster Preparedness
City Gets $100K aid from USAID
DAGUPAN City has been chosen official partner in the Philippines of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) based in Bangkok for a project called Program for Hydro-Meteorological Risk Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE).
The project funded by the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) at US $100,000, also provides for a technical and training assistance program to Dagupan City.
Members of the Center for Disaster Preparedness, the local non-government organization partner of Dagupan in the program, held a meeting with the City Disaster Coordinating Council last Monday to discuss the matter.
The CDP was in Dagupan earlier last July to consolidate the requirements and information which were submitted to ADPC. Last October 2, USAID/OFDA approved the selection of Dagupan.
Malu Fellizar Cagay of CDP expressed the organization’s gratitude to the officials of Dagupan for providing the requirement promptly which led to the realization of the project.
In the meeting, Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) chief Robert Erfe-Mejia thanked the technical and training assistance to be given Dagupan and asked the CDP how Dagupan could benefit from the project in terms of other logistics.
City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario, for his part, noted the need to come out with a hydro-meteorological scenario and how disaster weather disturbances worsen so that the city can calibrate its actions accordingly.
Cagay said PROMISE will contribute to a safer Dagupan City, adding that it proposes to increase adoption of private and public sector mechanisms for community preparedness and mitigation of hydro-meteorological disaster risk in urban areas. The main purpose is to “measurably alleviate human suffering, prevent loss of life and reduce the potential for physical and economic change.”
Fe Castro Andaya of CDP stressed that one mayor goal of the project is to incorporate the participation of the barangays and make them proactive to disasters.
Ernie Alcamel of Naga City, the first city in the Philippines that implemented the program, oriented the CDCC members on his city’s experience with the program.
Other countries in the South and South Asia that implement the program are Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam (Sunshine D. Robles)
DAGUPAN City has been chosen official partner in the Philippines of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) based in Bangkok for a project called Program for Hydro-Meteorological Risk Mitigation in Secondary Cities in Asia (PROMISE).
The project funded by the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) at US $100,000, also provides for a technical and training assistance program to Dagupan City.
Members of the Center for Disaster Preparedness, the local non-government organization partner of Dagupan in the program, held a meeting with the City Disaster Coordinating Council last Monday to discuss the matter.
The CDP was in Dagupan earlier last July to consolidate the requirements and information which were submitted to ADPC. Last October 2, USAID/OFDA approved the selection of Dagupan.
Malu Fellizar Cagay of CDP expressed the organization’s gratitude to the officials of Dagupan for providing the requirement promptly which led to the realization of the project.
In the meeting, Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) chief Robert Erfe-Mejia thanked the technical and training assistance to be given Dagupan and asked the CDP how Dagupan could benefit from the project in terms of other logistics.
City Planning and Development Officer Romeo Rosario, for his part, noted the need to come out with a hydro-meteorological scenario and how disaster weather disturbances worsen so that the city can calibrate its actions accordingly.
Cagay said PROMISE will contribute to a safer Dagupan City, adding that it proposes to increase adoption of private and public sector mechanisms for community preparedness and mitigation of hydro-meteorological disaster risk in urban areas. The main purpose is to “measurably alleviate human suffering, prevent loss of life and reduce the potential for physical and economic change.”
Fe Castro Andaya of CDP stressed that one mayor goal of the project is to incorporate the participation of the barangays and make them proactive to disasters.
Ernie Alcamel of Naga City, the first city in the Philippines that implemented the program, oriented the CDCC members on his city’s experience with the program.
Other countries in the South and South Asia that implement the program are Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam (Sunshine D. Robles)
OPINYON: Bak to 1972?
Sayan Indio
Mario F. Karateka
SINGA abilay lamet ed nonot ko imay panaon antis ya impaakseb nen Makoy so “martial law” ed bansa, on, aramay bulan antis na Setyembre 1972 (sigepaladtan gis may eyds), nen anengneng kod TV so impanbobombay danom ed saray raliyista dimad Manila kaibalay datin Bise Presidente Teofisto Guingona, si datin gobernador tayod Pangasinan Oscar Orbos, si Senadora Jamby Madrigal tan pati saray obispos tan papari.
Makmaksil ya imahen parad saray internasyonal iran medya so saman ya eksena nen apoyopoyot irarayan personalidad, ya pati samay payrtrak ya nanlapoay maksil ya bugay danom et nalad kamera.
Ontan so pigura nen datin Don Joaquin “Chino” Roces sanen wadman ya onaarap ed saray puwersay rehimen nen Presidente Marcos ed pegley na karsada na Mendiola dimad Manila, sakey a masiken ya anggapoy kalaban-laban tod maksil ya puwersay danom ya impapaarap dad sikara pian buyaken so rali na saray sunggay ed ley nen Marcos.
Ibabagay Gobyerno ya walay riport ya naawat ton alooban odino na-inpiltreyt na saray maka-kawigi (leftist) iman so rali, anggaman saya et imbalap ya sakey a prosesyon relihiyoso pian idasal so kareenan parad bansa. Kanian onmanla kono so pilit dan ag padalanen iray raliyista ya paonlad sakey ya eskuelaan komon no iner diman mansampot so rali da. Asingger met lantila iman a pasen ed Malakanyang kanian mapaga iray kapolisan.
Kuantoniay Ka Orbos ed teks mesedyis tora kasompal na insidente et onia: “We will win this one for the people!” Labay ton ibaga, si “Pare” (nen Mare Winnie Monsod) et anggapolay dakel ya pakiyeme de paamot no anto so liknaan ton tua ed isyu na pansiansia nen nana Gloria. Sabagay, diad sarayan panaon, kaukulan met a tuay pananalindegan ed prinsipyo. Sikatoy prinsipyo to, kanian libre met ya ilaban to itan.
Magulolan maong so Pilipinas natan. No walay mangibori ed satan et anggapolay mata tan layag to siguro.
Parad siak a sakey labat et agko nanenengneng so ideen na bilay politikaldiad bansa anggan onsabi so Krismas. No aliling to et asugatan lay biek tan biek , kanian ansakit, anagasang tan andi-ebas lay laban anggad kasampotan.
Bendisyonan pay Manamalsa so Pilipinas natan!
* * *
Insan nia lamet a isasali da ya ikday kasalat a sugal so jueteng ed panemegley na tatawagen a Loterya ng Bayan (LNB) ya kono et egnaan na sakey korporasyon a akakabit ed Pilipin Tsariti Swipistiks Opis, say Numbers Numbers Inc. Pinilipili danin pangigapoan ed eksperimenton pasugal et say Pangasinan – ya luyag na manonaan ya kalaban na jueteng, si Arsobispo Oscar Cruz.
Karakel na probinsiya, akin et Pangasinan ni?
Singa akalmoy tampol ya suporta iyan Loterya ta tampol ya inaksiyonan na saray walad hunta probinsiyal, panamegley nen Bord Mimber Manoy Karantso, so sulat nen Rolando Dee na Mangaldan, say probinsiyal koordineytor na sayan balon sugal. Walan gaween so pandengel ed komento na publiko ed sayan iloob na balon sugal. No pabor, mangawan tampol na resolusyon so konseho ya mangiabuloy ed saya.
Singa sabit balet natan ed beklew so posisyon nen Gobernador Victor Agbayani ta imbaga tolan agto labay ya gaween itan ya eksperimenton sugal ed luyag to.
Say tepet a baleg natan et onia: Nakombinsi to kasi iray miyembro na sanggunian ed posisyon to, odino. . .sikato so nakombinsi ra naani?
Bantayan!
Mario F. Karateka
SINGA abilay lamet ed nonot ko imay panaon antis ya impaakseb nen Makoy so “martial law” ed bansa, on, aramay bulan antis na Setyembre 1972 (sigepaladtan gis may eyds), nen anengneng kod TV so impanbobombay danom ed saray raliyista dimad Manila kaibalay datin Bise Presidente Teofisto Guingona, si datin gobernador tayod Pangasinan Oscar Orbos, si Senadora Jamby Madrigal tan pati saray obispos tan papari.
Makmaksil ya imahen parad saray internasyonal iran medya so saman ya eksena nen apoyopoyot irarayan personalidad, ya pati samay payrtrak ya nanlapoay maksil ya bugay danom et nalad kamera.
Ontan so pigura nen datin Don Joaquin “Chino” Roces sanen wadman ya onaarap ed saray puwersay rehimen nen Presidente Marcos ed pegley na karsada na Mendiola dimad Manila, sakey a masiken ya anggapoy kalaban-laban tod maksil ya puwersay danom ya impapaarap dad sikara pian buyaken so rali na saray sunggay ed ley nen Marcos.
Ibabagay Gobyerno ya walay riport ya naawat ton alooban odino na-inpiltreyt na saray maka-kawigi (leftist) iman so rali, anggaman saya et imbalap ya sakey a prosesyon relihiyoso pian idasal so kareenan parad bansa. Kanian onmanla kono so pilit dan ag padalanen iray raliyista ya paonlad sakey ya eskuelaan komon no iner diman mansampot so rali da. Asingger met lantila iman a pasen ed Malakanyang kanian mapaga iray kapolisan.
Kuantoniay Ka Orbos ed teks mesedyis tora kasompal na insidente et onia: “We will win this one for the people!” Labay ton ibaga, si “Pare” (nen Mare Winnie Monsod) et anggapolay dakel ya pakiyeme de paamot no anto so liknaan ton tua ed isyu na pansiansia nen nana Gloria. Sabagay, diad sarayan panaon, kaukulan met a tuay pananalindegan ed prinsipyo. Sikatoy prinsipyo to, kanian libre met ya ilaban to itan.
Magulolan maong so Pilipinas natan. No walay mangibori ed satan et anggapolay mata tan layag to siguro.
Parad siak a sakey labat et agko nanenengneng so ideen na bilay politikaldiad bansa anggan onsabi so Krismas. No aliling to et asugatan lay biek tan biek , kanian ansakit, anagasang tan andi-ebas lay laban anggad kasampotan.
Bendisyonan pay Manamalsa so Pilipinas natan!
* * *
Insan nia lamet a isasali da ya ikday kasalat a sugal so jueteng ed panemegley na tatawagen a Loterya ng Bayan (LNB) ya kono et egnaan na sakey korporasyon a akakabit ed Pilipin Tsariti Swipistiks Opis, say Numbers Numbers Inc. Pinilipili danin pangigapoan ed eksperimenton pasugal et say Pangasinan – ya luyag na manonaan ya kalaban na jueteng, si Arsobispo Oscar Cruz.
Karakel na probinsiya, akin et Pangasinan ni?
Singa akalmoy tampol ya suporta iyan Loterya ta tampol ya inaksiyonan na saray walad hunta probinsiyal, panamegley nen Bord Mimber Manoy Karantso, so sulat nen Rolando Dee na Mangaldan, say probinsiyal koordineytor na sayan balon sugal. Walan gaween so pandengel ed komento na publiko ed sayan iloob na balon sugal. No pabor, mangawan tampol na resolusyon so konseho ya mangiabuloy ed saya.
Singa sabit balet natan ed beklew so posisyon nen Gobernador Victor Agbayani ta imbaga tolan agto labay ya gaween itan ya eksperimenton sugal ed luyag to.
Say tepet a baleg natan et onia: Nakombinsi to kasi iray miyembro na sanggunian ed posisyon to, odino. . .sikato so nakombinsi ra naani?
Bantayan!
EDITORIAL: Again, name names now, BFAD!
About time our authorities decided to ferret out the real score, that is, the identities of doctors put under the cloud of suspicion – let’s stress that: suspicion – by the discovery of a so-called “blue book” from some arrested couriers of counterfeit drugs listing the names of some prominent local doctors as their clients or contacts.
Over a month since this newspaper sought disclosure of the names of these doctors supposedly patronizing counterfeit drugs to be sold to their unwary patients, the government agency most concerned with the on-going investigation into this mess, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has sealed its lips. The longer it does, the more the faceless patients out there risk being prescribed by their “trusted” doctors medicines the effectiveness of which are at best doubtful, if not totally zero. BFAD, through its point man in the case, Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto of its enforcement unit, has been defending its intransigence by saying it is not quite eager to face libel suits for such disclosures.
It is good the provincial board through its health committee chair, Dionisio “Saffe” Villar last week sent out the word it won’t hear of such nonsense and would want Jacinto and his agency to bare the names of the doctor-patrons or risk (probably) being cited in contempt. This, of course, may still be done in executive session to allay the fear of Jacinto and Company about being sued. The Provincial Administrator, Virgilio Solis, a lawyer himself, has joined the clamor for disclosure saying BFAD should now “name names” for a better management of the potentially damaging neither-here-nor-there tact being taken by the bureau and subsequently enforce discipline and sanctions on erring practitioners where these are needed.
The request for name disclosure gains more importance now with the reports, fed piecemeal by BFAD itself to some media sources, unofficially of course, that the food and drugs bureau had been referring all along to doctors in government hospitals as being the counterfeiters’ “secret partners” in the promotion of their illicit products. This immediately casts the shade of suspicion on all physicians in the public hire and makes BFAD party to the undermining of the very health department to which it owes allegiance.
At some point, Jacinto has to decide whether protecting the reputation of the concerned and suspected physicians is more paramount than protecting the general health welfare on unsuspecting patients as well as the names of his fellow doctors now unfairly tainted by his playing the local version of Norberto Gonzales in the Venable PR contract imbroglio.
Come off it now, BFAD. If these disciples of Hippocrates were willing enough to be a party to a crime, they should be man (or woman?) enough to face the consequences of disclosure.
Over a month since this newspaper sought disclosure of the names of these doctors supposedly patronizing counterfeit drugs to be sold to their unwary patients, the government agency most concerned with the on-going investigation into this mess, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has sealed its lips. The longer it does, the more the faceless patients out there risk being prescribed by their “trusted” doctors medicines the effectiveness of which are at best doubtful, if not totally zero. BFAD, through its point man in the case, Dr. Reynaldo Jacinto of its enforcement unit, has been defending its intransigence by saying it is not quite eager to face libel suits for such disclosures.
It is good the provincial board through its health committee chair, Dionisio “Saffe” Villar last week sent out the word it won’t hear of such nonsense and would want Jacinto and his agency to bare the names of the doctor-patrons or risk (probably) being cited in contempt. This, of course, may still be done in executive session to allay the fear of Jacinto and Company about being sued. The Provincial Administrator, Virgilio Solis, a lawyer himself, has joined the clamor for disclosure saying BFAD should now “name names” for a better management of the potentially damaging neither-here-nor-there tact being taken by the bureau and subsequently enforce discipline and sanctions on erring practitioners where these are needed.
The request for name disclosure gains more importance now with the reports, fed piecemeal by BFAD itself to some media sources, unofficially of course, that the food and drugs bureau had been referring all along to doctors in government hospitals as being the counterfeiters’ “secret partners” in the promotion of their illicit products. This immediately casts the shade of suspicion on all physicians in the public hire and makes BFAD party to the undermining of the very health department to which it owes allegiance.
At some point, Jacinto has to decide whether protecting the reputation of the concerned and suspected physicians is more paramount than protecting the general health welfare on unsuspecting patients as well as the names of his fellow doctors now unfairly tainted by his playing the local version of Norberto Gonzales in the Venable PR contract imbroglio.
Come off it now, BFAD. If these disciples of Hippocrates were willing enough to be a party to a crime, they should be man (or woman?) enough to face the consequences of disclosure.
OPINION: Another big job up for Atty. Geraldine
AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr.
HEARD the attractive city attorney Geraldine B. on radio sometime last week apparently trying to wiggle out of a question on the controversial “diverted” diversion road in Lucao. Failing, she eventually admitted making initial legal studies on the culpability of the DPWH for the unilaterally extended road project. We just caught the tailend of her answers to the anchorman’s question, something like while the project is funded by the national government, it is still local territory (Dagupan’s) that’s involved and so the city is within its right to take action.
As everyone knows by now, City Mayor Benjie Lim has opposed the “change in plans” executed by DPWH that would now have the roadline (actually part of the “circumferential road” dream project of House Speaker Joe DV and even BSL himself), passing through the back of the CSI crown area, the City Mall, instead of out somewhere through the Nel Ars subdivision and connecting to the de Venecia highway.
Again, lawyer Geraldine finds herself thrust in a big case that would probably be a precedent in national government-local government relations. She it was, remember, who started the heat on Napocor, and later, Mirant Philippines, for the payment of discontinued real property taxes during her time as provincial legal officer, forcing the giant corporation to the negotiating table and eventually – ironically, after she had left her post in the Capitol – paying up millions in accumulated dues to the provincial government early this year.
If this battle were to proceed, as loudly vowed by Mayor BSL, despite a seeming rebuff of him – or his stand – by JDV no less when the Speaker bluntly said over the weekend he sees nothing wrong with the revision because the project is for the people, it could either make or unmake the King of Magic. On the surface, what BSL is fighting against is the penchant of government functionaries to use more, instead of less, money to do a project. But critics can’t help seeing some personal agenda behind the opposition as CSI is a known commercial rival of Magic, the Lim family’s supermarket and mall chain.
Those who scoff at Benjie’s move however should watch out; having apparently fallen from grace in Malacanang for his position during the GMA impeachment case, he has nothing more to lose. He will go for broke on this one.
That is, unless he will fall (for the second time only, we believe) for the de Venecia charm again. Remember the first time when a BSL, in near-tears, was talked out of running for congressman anew by JDV, paving the way for his candidacy for the mayoralty post instead?
Watching Atty.Geraldine B’s next moves will indicate whether BSL has decided to finally cross his Rubicon.
OPINION: BFAD keeps mum on doc’s names
The Pen SpeaksDanny O. Sagun
HE may not be eating threats for breakfast yet as feisty Sen. Miriam Santiago had claimed during her stormy days at the immigration bureau but Ray Jacinto of the Bureau of food and Drugs (BFAD) may soon be forced to do so at the rate he is doing his job as head of the enforcement division of the agency against erring doctors and drugstore owners as well. He is stepping on too many sensitive toes.
Dr. Jacinto took centerstage with the recent expose about some 10 doctors from Pangasinan allegedly involved in the dispensing or sale of counterfeit drugs from Pakistan and India. Ray, an active colleague in the Consumernet and busy doing information work on consumerism as we do at the PIA Pangasinan, is being pressured to name names. Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis himself asked him to identify the erring doctors to start a proper investigation on the matter.
But Ray wont bite. "Gusto nila malibel ako?," he reacted when we similarly asked him to do so after an interview over DZRH Dagupan last Thursday morning. He said he will only reveal the names once complaints are filed against them.
No Pangasinan physician is facing a court complaint yet in connection with the dispensing or sale of counterfeit drugs. In Ilocos Sur, BFAD has already filed complaints against alleged violators. He rattled off the names of certain doctors there like Resonable, Daus and Ragasa, known physicians who operate hospitals and drugstores.
Jacinto disclosed that his assets -- patients and some drugstore owners themselves -- are similarly under threats. He noted that the 10 or so doctors alluded to as customers of a Pakistani national, who is alleged to be importer of the drugs, are that influential and well-connected.
The Calasiao police last August 5 arrested two women traders for selling counterfeit drugs peddled by the Pakistani. They are out on bail of P60,000 each. The NBI also arrested later a Filipino-Indian In Lucao for the same offense.
Counterfeit drugs are not necessarily fake but are imported and did not pass thru BFAD.
In short, they are smuggled, he clarified. Fake drugs, on the other hand, are produced locally (In Pampanga particularly) and with no curative effect as they are made of gawgaw. "Baka lahar pa," he said noting that lahar abounds in Pampanga after the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Fakes can be readily distinguished thru their poor labeling and packaging. Imported ones bear those "bulate" (Arabic) markings. The brand name is inscribed in large letters while the generic name, if there is, is hardly distinguishable. A registered imported drug, he also clarified, bears the words in the label “Imported by (name of drug company, say Pfizer)”
On why medicines here cost that much, he laid the blame on drug manufacturers who, he said, spend too much on promotional gimmicks and company-sponsored conventions for doctors. Due to deforestation, the country lacks raw materials for making medicines but such materials still abound in other countries like Pakistan and India where cheap medicines come from.
Judging from few interactions with him (during the Consumernet meetings and that DZRH interview) we could still see his idealism and sincerity in his work though Ray is past nearing the optional retirement age. He sighs that young doctors now are no longer of the service-oriented type forgetting their Hippocratic oath about service to humanity.
OPINION: Jennifer’s plight
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
Like most young people fresh from college, Jennifer Perez wanted to have a job. An Education graduate, she had dreamed of being a public school teacher one day in her hometown of Alaminos City. But while waiting for her acceptance in the Department of Education, she saw an opportunity to work abroad. And on July 19 this year, Jennifer left for Jordan to work as a domestic helper.
But after barely a day in the house of her employer, Asaile Yousef Abetdat, in Irbid, Jordan, Jennifer fell from the second floor of her employer’s residence, breaking her neck and her pelvic bones, affecting her spinal column.
Jennifer’s employer had defensively maintained innocence and insisted that the accident was Jennifer’s fault. Apparently, Jennifer jumped from the balcony after she locked herself up in the room to resist the confiscation of her cellular phone.
But as it turned out later, when Jennifer finally regained consciousness and able to speak, it was Jennifer’s employer who pushed her when she refused to give her cellular phone.
At the hospital, doctors informed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration officials who immediately attended to Jennifer, that she needs a live-saving operation and that she had to be transferred to the Princess Basma Hospital in Amman, some 100 kilometers away from Irbid.
Jennifer’s surgery was finally conducted on July 29, 2005.
“It was successful in that it saved her life,” said Marco Antonio Liwag, OWWA region 1 director. “However, due to the massive trauma on her neck and spine, she is permanently quadriplegic and requires mechanical ventilation for the rest of her life,” he added.
Another surgery was conducted on August 1, 2005 on her left femur fracture and on August 7, 2005 for tracheostomy.
As of September 7, 2005, Jennifer’s hospital bills have reached US$31,290.55. Her local agent, Yobhel Trade and Management Services in Ermita, Manila and its contact in Jordan, Kathleen International, agreed to shoulder only US$6,000 of Jennifer’s hospital bills, after OWWA pressured them to help.
As of September 22, 2005 Jennifer’s outstanding balance was US$26,704.81, which is almost P1.5M. Furthermore, her continued stay at the hospital adds US$500-600 per day, excluding the cost of her medicines.
Jennifer’s grieving parents, Herminio, a former OFW and now a small businessman, and Lydia, a public school teacher, of Bisocol, Alaminos City do not have that money and with the help of the OWWA, they have sought the assistance of Alaminos Bishop Jesus Cabrera to raise fund for their daughter.
The Philippine Embassy in Amman, meanwhile, has initiated legal proceedings against the employer.
The Filipino community in Jordan has also continued to visit Jennifer and volunteer nurses give her a regular bath and attend to her other personal needs.
OWWA and the local recruiter are now helping Jennifer’s father obtain a visitor’s visa to Jordan so that he could also see his daughter and personally attend to her needs. The visa application remains pending to date.
“While settlement of Jennifer’s current hospital bills is the immediate concern, fact remains that she is permanently quadriplegic and would require a breathing machine for the rest of her life. As such, she would need further financial assistance and care, even upon return to the country,” Liwag said.
QUICKQUOTE: The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone. -- Orison Swett Marden
