13 December 2005
PHOTO: Sprucing up
SPRUCING UP. One always knows when a city celebration is up by the way workers, even in the heat of the noontime sun, feverishly rush the painting of bridges, walls and other areas most visible to visitors like the balikbayans coming in for the Dagupan City Fiesta that starts December 15 till the end of the year. (Star Photo by Butch F. Uka)
Death threats vs. judge, suspects in Paas case
TAYUG -- The Paas murder and theft case is taking a much more serious turn here with regional trial court Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan, who had dismissed the complaint against the two suspects last November 30 now reportedly getting death threats.
Butuyan admitted last week to several mediamen that there is a present threat to his life by people whose identities he prefers not to divulge as yet. A source close to the judge said the National Bureau of Investigation has likewise told him that the threat to the court magistrate’s and the two suspects lives “is real.”
Butuyan who presides over RTC Branch 51 here did not reply to queries sent by this paper thru text message on whether he has requested for a security detail for himself and at the RTC compound here.
Some Tayug residents however confirmed that some policemen have been seen stationed at the trial court building a few days after the judge issued his resolution dismissing the Paas case.
A hot verbal tussle had ensued earlier between the lawyer-son of murdered Pasig City RTC judge Estrellita Paas and Butuyan when the latter refused to issue arrest warrants against the two suspects, Jornald Vargas and Elmer Cabiles, before he (Butuyan) has satisfied himself that there was sufficient evidence and “probable cause” to do so.
Ronald Paas, the murdered judge’s son standing as private prosecutor of the case,
said Butuyan’s resolution dismissing the case was unfair because it was issued haphazardly, noting that “it took him (Butuyan) only nine days to throw away the case.”
Judge Paas was brutally killed inside their home in Natividad sometime in the afternoon of September, this year. At that time, her husband was out attending a school activity.
Butuyan said he waited in his sala till the afternoon of Nov. 30 for the formal written motion of the Paas counsel calling for his inhibition from hearing the case but this never came. Thus, he said, he had to dismiss the cases on the ground of lack of probable cause against the accused or else he would be accused of being lazy and slow in his job.
When the motion did come at 9:30 a.m. of December 2, Butuyan issued an order stating that the Court finds no compelling reason to address the issues raised by Paas but nevertheless noted it.
Court sources said they believe the judge had doubts about the alleged confession and statements of suspect Cabiles taken by investigating authorities, after noting several inconsistencies in these.
The Paas family thru counsel however maintained that the police as well as the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor conducted a thorough investigation.
A separate source from Tayug said “there was more than meets the eye” in the celebrated murder case and that the two suspects caught by the police may not have acted just by themselves in the gruesome murder.
Butuyan admitted last week to several mediamen that there is a present threat to his life by people whose identities he prefers not to divulge as yet. A source close to the judge said the National Bureau of Investigation has likewise told him that the threat to the court magistrate’s and the two suspects lives “is real.”
Butuyan who presides over RTC Branch 51 here did not reply to queries sent by this paper thru text message on whether he has requested for a security detail for himself and at the RTC compound here.
Some Tayug residents however confirmed that some policemen have been seen stationed at the trial court building a few days after the judge issued his resolution dismissing the Paas case.
A hot verbal tussle had ensued earlier between the lawyer-son of murdered Pasig City RTC judge Estrellita Paas and Butuyan when the latter refused to issue arrest warrants against the two suspects, Jornald Vargas and Elmer Cabiles, before he (Butuyan) has satisfied himself that there was sufficient evidence and “probable cause” to do so.
Ronald Paas, the murdered judge’s son standing as private prosecutor of the case,
said Butuyan’s resolution dismissing the case was unfair because it was issued haphazardly, noting that “it took him (Butuyan) only nine days to throw away the case.”
Judge Paas was brutally killed inside their home in Natividad sometime in the afternoon of September, this year. At that time, her husband was out attending a school activity.
Butuyan said he waited in his sala till the afternoon of Nov. 30 for the formal written motion of the Paas counsel calling for his inhibition from hearing the case but this never came. Thus, he said, he had to dismiss the cases on the ground of lack of probable cause against the accused or else he would be accused of being lazy and slow in his job.
When the motion did come at 9:30 a.m. of December 2, Butuyan issued an order stating that the Court finds no compelling reason to address the issues raised by Paas but nevertheless noted it.
Court sources said they believe the judge had doubts about the alleged confession and statements of suspect Cabiles taken by investigating authorities, after noting several inconsistencies in these.
The Paas family thru counsel however maintained that the police as well as the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor conducted a thorough investigation.
A separate source from Tayug said “there was more than meets the eye” in the celebrated murder case and that the two suspects caught by the police may not have acted just by themselves in the gruesome murder.
Sub-standard X-mas lights, decors flooding local stores
THE Department of trade and Industry has fielded inspection teams in all markets in Pangasinan to check on stores selling sub-standard Christmas lights and decorations.
Daria Mingaracal, DTI provincial officer, said the inspection is intended to protyect the buying public from materials of sub-standard quality that could endanger their lives and properties.
Stressing that the standard Christmas lights and decors have corresponding ‘PS’ mark on their labels, Mingaracal called on the public to be careful when buying these materials in order to avoid fire as what happened in some places in the past.
Informed that sub-standard Christmas lights and decors may now be flooding the markets here, Mingaracal ordered the DTI inspection teams to seize all sub-standard materials on sale in every store.
Mingaracal said the inspection teams have so far only been warning storeowners not to sell materials without the required PS mark that they may have obtained from fly-by-night suppliers.
She advised storeowners to return these materials to their suppliers or else have these changed with the standard materials
Storeowners ignoring this warning can be subjected to another inspection by the team to catch them on the spot and impose outright the corresponding penalties, she said.
Daria Mingaracal, DTI provincial officer, said the inspection is intended to protyect the buying public from materials of sub-standard quality that could endanger their lives and properties.
Stressing that the standard Christmas lights and decors have corresponding ‘PS’ mark on their labels, Mingaracal called on the public to be careful when buying these materials in order to avoid fire as what happened in some places in the past.
Informed that sub-standard Christmas lights and decors may now be flooding the markets here, Mingaracal ordered the DTI inspection teams to seize all sub-standard materials on sale in every store.
Mingaracal said the inspection teams have so far only been warning storeowners not to sell materials without the required PS mark that they may have obtained from fly-by-night suppliers.
She advised storeowners to return these materials to their suppliers or else have these changed with the standard materials
Storeowners ignoring this warning can be subjected to another inspection by the team to catch them on the spot and impose outright the corresponding penalties, she said.
De Venecia sees new shrimp variety boosting aquaculture
HOUSE Speaker Jose C. de Venecia, Jr., yesterday lauded the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for scoring what he called a historic breakthrough in the government’s campaign to bring more food on the dining table through its research on white shrimp called Penaeus vannamei.
Speaking during the formal launching of the nationwide accreditation program for the propagation of Penaeus vannamei at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center ( NIFTDC) here, de Venecia said research on this kind of shrimp could bring about increased production of shrimps throughout the country.
The launching program coincided with a seminar-workshop on Penaeus vannamei culture with experts on aquaculture from the Southeast Asia Fisheries-Development Center and NIFTDC as resources speakers.
The activity was attended by shrimp and prawn raisers from Pangasinan, Zambales, Batangas and various parts of the country.
“We’ve done a lot of focus and priorities on this project on vannmei shrimp so aquaculture businessmen will have a choice,” de Venecia said, reminding that the indigenenous black tiger prawn is still around and is still widely used by aquaculturists.
De Venecia supported the ongoing research on Penaues vannamei by the BFAR, using an initial of 86 breeders imported by the country from Hawaii sometime in August this year.
He recalled that as an entrepreneur 30 years ago, he was among those who brought the black tiger prawns to Pangasinan. There were many entrepreneurs who succeeded in their ventures but there were others who also failed because of the widespread diseases suffered by the specie.
Between the tiger prawns and the vannamei, the latter could be a better help in the campaign to ensure food sufficiency in the country because it can be raised in sea, fresh and brackish water, de Venecia said.
Tiger prawns thrive only in brackish water.
Dr. Wilfredo Yap of SEAFDEC earlier said at present the shrimp industry in the Philippines is down compared to other shrimp-producing countries in Asia, South America and other parts of the world, thus the need for disease-free Penaeus vannamei.
De Venecia said that China, and Thailand amassed great export volumes in the white shrimp industry, thus he is supporting the great strides of scientists of BFAR to increase shrimp production in the Philippines for local consumption and export.
De Venecia, along with BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento and NIFTDC chief Westly Rosario distributed certificates of accreditation to 12 entrepreneurs all over the country who will go into initial propagation and development of the Penaeus vannamei specie.
He stressed that he is pushing for the vannamei because the latter can be raised in the same pond with bangus and tilapia, which are widely raised in almost all parts of the country.
Speaking during the formal launching of the nationwide accreditation program for the propagation of Penaeus vannamei at the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center ( NIFTDC) here, de Venecia said research on this kind of shrimp could bring about increased production of shrimps throughout the country.
The launching program coincided with a seminar-workshop on Penaeus vannamei culture with experts on aquaculture from the Southeast Asia Fisheries-Development Center and NIFTDC as resources speakers.
The activity was attended by shrimp and prawn raisers from Pangasinan, Zambales, Batangas and various parts of the country.
“We’ve done a lot of focus and priorities on this project on vannmei shrimp so aquaculture businessmen will have a choice,” de Venecia said, reminding that the indigenenous black tiger prawn is still around and is still widely used by aquaculturists.
De Venecia supported the ongoing research on Penaues vannamei by the BFAR, using an initial of 86 breeders imported by the country from Hawaii sometime in August this year.
He recalled that as an entrepreneur 30 years ago, he was among those who brought the black tiger prawns to Pangasinan. There were many entrepreneurs who succeeded in their ventures but there were others who also failed because of the widespread diseases suffered by the specie.
Between the tiger prawns and the vannamei, the latter could be a better help in the campaign to ensure food sufficiency in the country because it can be raised in sea, fresh and brackish water, de Venecia said.
Tiger prawns thrive only in brackish water.
Dr. Wilfredo Yap of SEAFDEC earlier said at present the shrimp industry in the Philippines is down compared to other shrimp-producing countries in Asia, South America and other parts of the world, thus the need for disease-free Penaeus vannamei.
De Venecia said that China, and Thailand amassed great export volumes in the white shrimp industry, thus he is supporting the great strides of scientists of BFAR to increase shrimp production in the Philippines for local consumption and export.
De Venecia, along with BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento and NIFTDC chief Westly Rosario distributed certificates of accreditation to 12 entrepreneurs all over the country who will go into initial propagation and development of the Penaeus vannamei specie.
He stressed that he is pushing for the vannamei because the latter can be raised in the same pond with bangus and tilapia, which are widely raised in almost all parts of the country.
Balikbayans flocking to Dagupan this X’mas
DAGUPENOS are being asked to decorate their homes and hang lanterns by their windows as part of the Filipino Christmas tradition and the Dagupan City Fiesta from Dec. 15 to 30 this year.
The call was made by Councilor Alex de Venecia, hermano mayor of the Dagupan Fiesta, who said these are intended to welcome balikbayans who are flocking to the city during Christmas and the fiesta observance, eager to see the old traditions back home.
Up to 1,000 or more visiting overseas Pangasinenses are coming to Dagupan City this yuletide season, a highlight of which is the crowning of Mrs. Dagupan International and her royal court, all of them U.S.-based.
There will also be reunions of graduates of the Dagupan City National High School and the University of Pangasinan (formerly Dagupan Colleges) High School that will be attended by alumni now living or working overseas.
In deference to the present economic crisis however, de Venecia urged residents to make their Christmas and fiesta celebration as simple as possible but still meaningful.
The call was made by Councilor Alex de Venecia, hermano mayor of the Dagupan Fiesta, who said these are intended to welcome balikbayans who are flocking to the city during Christmas and the fiesta observance, eager to see the old traditions back home.
Up to 1,000 or more visiting overseas Pangasinenses are coming to Dagupan City this yuletide season, a highlight of which is the crowning of Mrs. Dagupan International and her royal court, all of them U.S.-based.
There will also be reunions of graduates of the Dagupan City National High School and the University of Pangasinan (formerly Dagupan Colleges) High School that will be attended by alumni now living or working overseas.
In deference to the present economic crisis however, de Venecia urged residents to make their Christmas and fiesta celebration as simple as possible but still meaningful.
P’zorrubio bakery closed for mass poisoning of 33
POZORRUBIO – A local bakery here was padlocked or temporarily closed after 33 persons, in two batches, were hospitalized in a case of mass poisoning registered last Nov. 27 and Dec. 3 this year after eating supposedly contaminated bread.
All the victims suffered stomach ache, dizziness, followed by vomiting minutes after eating bread they bought on separate occasions from the Alvin’s Bakery owned by Domingo Mandocdoc, located on Caballero street in downtown Pozorrubio.
First to be hospitalized last Nov. 27 were Mar Munar, 16, his brothers Heron Mark,5; John Paul, 3;Glen Munar, 1, all of barangay Palac-palac, this town.
Hospitalized last Dec. 3 were 29-year old Analiza Perez and 28 others, from barangays Imbalbalatong, Rosario, Sugcong and Villegas, all in Pozorrubio.
At least 24 of them were rushed to the Pozorrubio Community Hospital and discharged on the same day or the day after.
The rest were rushed to the Region 1 Medical center in Dagupan City, Sacred Heart Hospital and Don Amadeo Perez Memorial District Hospital, both in Urdaneta City; Zabala Hospital in Binalonan and Bautista Clinic in Pozorrubio and have since been discharged.
Doctors said none of the victims ever became serious.
Acting on the complaints of relativesof those hospitalized, the municipal health officer seized some samples of bread and their ingredients from the bakery.
Mandocdoc, the owner, extended financial assistance to all the victims of the alleged food poisoning.
An unverified report stated that the bakery might have used contaminated or expired milk in making bread causing the eaters to suffer severe stomach ache and show other signs of food poisoning.
All the victims suffered stomach ache, dizziness, followed by vomiting minutes after eating bread they bought on separate occasions from the Alvin’s Bakery owned by Domingo Mandocdoc, located on Caballero street in downtown Pozorrubio.
First to be hospitalized last Nov. 27 were Mar Munar, 16, his brothers Heron Mark,5; John Paul, 3;Glen Munar, 1, all of barangay Palac-palac, this town.
Hospitalized last Dec. 3 were 29-year old Analiza Perez and 28 others, from barangays Imbalbalatong, Rosario, Sugcong and Villegas, all in Pozorrubio.
At least 24 of them were rushed to the Pozorrubio Community Hospital and discharged on the same day or the day after.
The rest were rushed to the Region 1 Medical center in Dagupan City, Sacred Heart Hospital and Don Amadeo Perez Memorial District Hospital, both in Urdaneta City; Zabala Hospital in Binalonan and Bautista Clinic in Pozorrubio and have since been discharged.
Doctors said none of the victims ever became serious.
Acting on the complaints of relativesof those hospitalized, the municipal health officer seized some samples of bread and their ingredients from the bakery.
Mandocdoc, the owner, extended financial assistance to all the victims of the alleged food poisoning.
An unverified report stated that the bakery might have used contaminated or expired milk in making bread causing the eaters to suffer severe stomach ache and show other signs of food poisoning.
NCCA launches ‘Ubod: New Authors Series’
THE National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through the National Committee on Literary Arts (NCLA) formally launched the “Ubod New Authors Series,” which featured 40 of Philippine literati’s newest gems, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Lobby, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, last Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.The series consists of 50-page chapbooks (5½” x 8½”) of selected poems, fiction, creative nonfiction and drama in English, Filipino and other Philippine languages written by young and promising Filipino writers. Ubod is the Tagalog and Cebuano word for “heart extracted out of palm or bamboo.”
Presidential assistant on culture and NCCA executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez, CCP vice president and artistic director Fernando C. Josef and NCLA head Joselito Zulueta presented the first copies of “Ubod” to the authors.
An overview of the series was presented by Ricky de Ungria, UP Mindanao chancellor and former head of the NCLA from 1998 to 2001, when “Ubod” was first hatched.
The writers of the series are Sid Hildawa, Naya Valdellon, Gabriela Lee, Raul Moldez, Rosendo Makabali and Ralph Semino Galan for poetry in English; Joseph Salazar, Edgar Calabia Samar, Richard Gappi, Joselito de los Reyes, Joselyn Floresca, Enrico Torralba, Marieta Culibao, and Jema Pamintuan for poetry in Filipino; Santiago Villafania for poetry in Pangasinan; and Estellito Baylon Jacob for poetry in Bicolano.
Also included in the series are the works of Georgina Verdolaga and Maryanne Moll for creative nonfiction in English; Debbie Ann Tan, Christopher Gozum, and Liza Magtoto for drama in English; and Bay-viz Canleon, Edward Perez, Dennis Marasigan and Chris Martinez for drama in Filipino.
Presidential assistant on culture and NCCA executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez, CCP vice president and artistic director Fernando C. Josef and NCLA head Joselito Zulueta presented the first copies of “Ubod” to the authors.
An overview of the series was presented by Ricky de Ungria, UP Mindanao chancellor and former head of the NCLA from 1998 to 2001, when “Ubod” was first hatched.
The writers of the series are Sid Hildawa, Naya Valdellon, Gabriela Lee, Raul Moldez, Rosendo Makabali and Ralph Semino Galan for poetry in English; Joseph Salazar, Edgar Calabia Samar, Richard Gappi, Joselito de los Reyes, Joselyn Floresca, Enrico Torralba, Marieta Culibao, and Jema Pamintuan for poetry in Filipino; Santiago Villafania for poetry in Pangasinan; and Estellito Baylon Jacob for poetry in Bicolano.
Also included in the series are the works of Georgina Verdolaga and Maryanne Moll for creative nonfiction in English; Debbie Ann Tan, Christopher Gozum, and Liza Magtoto for drama in English; and Bay-viz Canleon, Edward Perez, Dennis Marasigan and Chris Martinez for drama in Filipino.
Dagupan forms bird flu task force
A TASK force was created by Mayor Benjamin Lim to adopt an action plan for the prevention, control and containment of avian influenza which threatens to go pandemic.
Lim said he issued Executive Order No. 309 because of the serious warning on the outbreak of bird flu in the country, thus the need to prepare for such dreaded eventuality.
The task force has been specifically directed to adopt measures for:
*Prevention of the entry of the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus,
*Prevention of the spread of the virus from the bird to bird,
*Prevention of the spread from bird to humans,
*Management of cases,
*Slowing of spread of the virus from human to human,
*Management of explosive situations,
*Management of public anxiety, and;
*Mitigating the socio-economic impact of avian and pandemic influenza.
Named chairman of the Task Force is City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell with Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region I Medical Center as co-chairman.
Other members of the task force are Councilor Librada Reyna, City Veterinarian Fernando Banchiran , City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, Dr. Gregoria Villaflor, President of the Pangsinan Medical Society; Dr. Jose Soriano, Provincial Health Officer of the Department of Health in Pangasinan;
Dr. Felipe Rodriguez, director of the Pangasinan Medical Center; Dagupan City Lions Club president Carmelita Duque, Liga ng mga Barangay president Eric Munoz, City Schools Division Officer-in-Charge Aurora Domingo; Public Order and Safety Office Chief Robert Mejia, City Information Officer Orpheus Velasco and Julie Perez, president of the Malimgas Aliguas Dagupan Vendors Ferderation.
Lim said he issued Executive Order No. 309 because of the serious warning on the outbreak of bird flu in the country, thus the need to prepare for such dreaded eventuality.
The task force has been specifically directed to adopt measures for:
*Prevention of the entry of the H5N1 strain of bird flu virus,
*Prevention of the spread of the virus from the bird to bird,
*Prevention of the spread from bird to humans,
*Management of cases,
*Slowing of spread of the virus from human to human,
*Management of explosive situations,
*Management of public anxiety, and;
*Mitigating the socio-economic impact of avian and pandemic influenza.
Named chairman of the Task Force is City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell with Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of the Region I Medical Center as co-chairman.
Other members of the task force are Councilor Librada Reyna, City Veterinarian Fernando Banchiran , City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, Dr. Gregoria Villaflor, President of the Pangsinan Medical Society; Dr. Jose Soriano, Provincial Health Officer of the Department of Health in Pangasinan;
Dr. Felipe Rodriguez, director of the Pangasinan Medical Center; Dagupan City Lions Club president Carmelita Duque, Liga ng mga Barangay president Eric Munoz, City Schools Division Officer-in-Charge Aurora Domingo; Public Order and Safety Office Chief Robert Mejia, City Information Officer Orpheus Velasco and Julie Perez, president of the Malimgas Aliguas Dagupan Vendors Ferderation.
OPINYON: Agaylay palar na San Fabian!
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
DITAD San Fabian manaya, dimad kabasil na PTA Resort, no iner maawa-awang so dalin daray Perez tan arom niran mayayaman, walay singa 35 ektaryan asaliw na sakey negosyante ya natan et paalageyan (ed limaran ektarya labat na intiron 35 ektarya) na baleg a resort o ligliwan-painawaan na saray walay pakayarin mangaliw o mangabang.
Tawagen dayan San Fabian Beach Villas.
Anggaponi so nengneng to natan balet lapud talagan walay pakayari daray totoon walad beneg tonian proyekto, ilaloan yon kasompal na pigay bulan o sakey taon labat walaladtan so alay dakep ya paraiso.
Diad tuay tua say tawag dad satan a banda et Paraiso ni Ana; awey labat no akin et ontan so tawag na say lakin walan makankayarian na satan a baleg a dalin. Say kabat labat na karaklan et asingger met ed tagey so akankayarian niya.
Masyadoy ibubulaslas na baley na San Fabian tan naituring ya mapalar iray onlugar tan ontan met saray opisyales dadauloan nen Meyor Mojamito Libunao ta anggan aglara mangastos ed promosyon o pangikabkabat na baley da et nakabkabat met la iya panamegley na saray angkabaleg ya “investors” o managpoonan ya laba-labay day wadtan a manpainawa ed gilig na dayat sakop na San Fabian. Makalmo ira, makalmo met so baley ed buis da.
Tongtongey tua, walay baleg a bentahe daray bal-baley ya walad gilig na dayat ta natural so atraksiyon da ed totoo – tan managpoonan.
Insan, duman-duma met no say manonaan ya “agent” o managlakom parad lugar mo et singa kalibre tan indengan nen Ispiker Dyo de Benesya ta lanti sakop to iya so komapat a distrito. Nagkalaotla sirin no sakey agew bigla labatlan magmaliw iyan Praym Minister tayo.
Mario F. Karateka
DITAD San Fabian manaya, dimad kabasil na PTA Resort, no iner maawa-awang so dalin daray Perez tan arom niran mayayaman, walay singa 35 ektaryan asaliw na sakey negosyante ya natan et paalageyan (ed limaran ektarya labat na intiron 35 ektarya) na baleg a resort o ligliwan-painawaan na saray walay pakayarin mangaliw o mangabang.
Tawagen dayan San Fabian Beach Villas.
Anggaponi so nengneng to natan balet lapud talagan walay pakayari daray totoon walad beneg tonian proyekto, ilaloan yon kasompal na pigay bulan o sakey taon labat walaladtan so alay dakep ya paraiso.
Diad tuay tua say tawag dad satan a banda et Paraiso ni Ana; awey labat no akin et ontan so tawag na say lakin walan makankayarian na satan a baleg a dalin. Say kabat labat na karaklan et asingger met ed tagey so akankayarian niya.
Masyadoy ibubulaslas na baley na San Fabian tan naituring ya mapalar iray onlugar tan ontan met saray opisyales dadauloan nen Meyor Mojamito Libunao ta anggan aglara mangastos ed promosyon o pangikabkabat na baley da et nakabkabat met la iya panamegley na saray angkabaleg ya “investors” o managpoonan ya laba-labay day wadtan a manpainawa ed gilig na dayat sakop na San Fabian. Makalmo ira, makalmo met so baley ed buis da.
Tongtongey tua, walay baleg a bentahe daray bal-baley ya walad gilig na dayat ta natural so atraksiyon da ed totoo – tan managpoonan.
Insan, duman-duma met no say manonaan ya “agent” o managlakom parad lugar mo et singa kalibre tan indengan nen Ispiker Dyo de Benesya ta lanti sakop to iya so komapat a distrito. Nagkalaotla sirin no sakey agew bigla labatlan magmaliw iyan Praym Minister tayo.
EDITORIAL: DENR must play team with LGUs
IT is a never-ending cat-and-mouse game, this problem on illegal squatters or, as euphemistically termed by welfare agencies, “informal settlers.”
In all parts of the country, this is a problem that defies even the most patient, dynamic and psychological solutions put forth by local officials to prevent the undue self-appropriation of public lands by the assorted homeless sectors out there.
In just one area of Dagupan, in Bonuan Binloc, this wild squatting especially on accreted lands is more pronounced than ever now. To its credit, the city government has moved to somehow curb it by taking “pre-emptive” action that is alas, somehow too, pre-empted by the fast-moving squatters.
The recent announcement about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office finally approving the “much delayed” miscellaneous lease agreement (MLA) for at least two accreted land sites in Binloc at the BFAR area is a most welcome move by that agency.
Having dragged its feet in taking action on the city government request made a long time ago, a few enterprising souls have already moved in, we hear, to find their own Canaan in these public lands. The city government could only feebly put up warning signs against illegal settlers not to occupy the accreted lands and not much else, without the official and direct seal of approval by DENR It is good the DENR finally got around to giving its “seal” in favor of government interests over the Binloc accreted lands.
Sadly, the general impression as regards activities of illegal settlers, especially of the more “influential” kind, is that some unscrupulous staff and officers of DENR are themselves tolerating squatting by their very inaction, for one reason or a thousand more.
It is time that agency moves positively and concretely to dispel that notion and really move in unison with local governments trying to stem the growing tide of illegal squatting in as innovative and creative ways as they can.
In all parts of the country, this is a problem that defies even the most patient, dynamic and psychological solutions put forth by local officials to prevent the undue self-appropriation of public lands by the assorted homeless sectors out there.
In just one area of Dagupan, in Bonuan Binloc, this wild squatting especially on accreted lands is more pronounced than ever now. To its credit, the city government has moved to somehow curb it by taking “pre-emptive” action that is alas, somehow too, pre-empted by the fast-moving squatters.
The recent announcement about the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office finally approving the “much delayed” miscellaneous lease agreement (MLA) for at least two accreted land sites in Binloc at the BFAR area is a most welcome move by that agency.
Having dragged its feet in taking action on the city government request made a long time ago, a few enterprising souls have already moved in, we hear, to find their own Canaan in these public lands. The city government could only feebly put up warning signs against illegal settlers not to occupy the accreted lands and not much else, without the official and direct seal of approval by DENR It is good the DENR finally got around to giving its “seal” in favor of government interests over the Binloc accreted lands.
Sadly, the general impression as regards activities of illegal settlers, especially of the more “influential” kind, is that some unscrupulous staff and officers of DENR are themselves tolerating squatting by their very inaction, for one reason or a thousand more.
It is time that agency moves positively and concretely to dispel that notion and really move in unison with local governments trying to stem the growing tide of illegal squatting in as innovative and creative ways as they can.
OPINION: Star Anise plant: Asian flora holds world’s survival
AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr
SOMEHOW lost in the loud media drumbeating and government euphoria over the news that drug manufacturing giant Unilab is going to manufacture and donate US $1.25 million worth of oseltamivir, the anti bird flu drug, is the significant role of Asian plants and natural herbs in protecting all of mankind in this health-threatening age.
Buried quite deep in the reporting or narration of Unilab’s humanitarian gesture is the fact that the original main ingredient for oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu) comes from Star Anise, a kind of plant grown commercially in only four provinces of China.
It should not be lost on the western world and the more developed countries that if the bird flu scourge ever comes to a head, their very own survival could oneday rest on the primitive, exotic natural resources of the Asian continent. Not that this should be something the Chinese, and Asians for that matter, should view – or use --as a kind of leverage with the pale-faced brothers in the other part of the world because, in the case of an avian influenza pandemic, we’re talking of the whole human race and gloating or selfishness is out of the question.
Given the western countries’ highly advanced science and technology capabilities and determination however, it should not be farfetched to expect them to come up with synthetic products or similar drugs in the future, perhaps finding a plant with essentially the same qualities and chemical composition as the Star Anise.
But then that would time take. And time is what the human race would be in short supply of once – God forbid – we are faced with the feared pandemic. Sourcing out raw materials, not to mention the actual manufacturing process for drugs, requires months and years. We could just imagine therefore how everyone in this planet probably wishes and prays that the heavens always protect the Star Anise plantations in those four provinces of China.
As thought in a strange twist of fate, it is in China where some of the world’s most recent bird flu cases have been reported. Stranger still, no one among the wire agencies seems to be reporting whether or not Chinese healthmen are or have been administering oseltamivir drugs on those flu cases, and whether or not, it has proved to be effective enough as a course of treatment.
Over here, we Filipinos can only wonder – and pray.
* * *
How could the honorables of the sangguniang panlungsod of Dagupan have missed it?
We mean, the legal need for an imprimatur of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) before they could ever make money, okay, raise revenues on the national road thru the charging of roadside parking fees. As City Legal Officer Geraldine ‘Dindin” Baniqued almost coyly pointed out when pressed by nosey newshounds about the seeming faux pas of the gallant men and women of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the legislative chamber is not wanting of legal minds to guide that body in the passage of city laws.
But this time, to put it mildly, they goofed; and now Atty. Dindin has to come out and say that indeed, such a measure as pay parking on national roads needs clearance, if not approval, of the DPWH. On the side, she admits she was never consulted by the legislators on their plan, otherwise she could have advised them.
So, we guess, it’s back to the drawing board for the ladies and gents of the city council. VM and Presiding Officer Alvin had intimated as much when cornered by newsmen Roland Hidalgo, Ding Micua and other reporters at the last session asking whether a public hearing on the pay parking issue is forthcoming. The vice mayor said calling a public hearing is within the jurisdiction of the concerned SP committees.
From where we sit, (we could be dead wrong, you know!) that sounds very much like our relative Alvin is not about to take more heat than he should on a very “hot”issue, courtesy of his, ah, exuberant (over-eager?) wards in the chamber.
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr
SOMEHOW lost in the loud media drumbeating and government euphoria over the news that drug manufacturing giant Unilab is going to manufacture and donate US $1.25 million worth of oseltamivir, the anti bird flu drug, is the significant role of Asian plants and natural herbs in protecting all of mankind in this health-threatening age.
Buried quite deep in the reporting or narration of Unilab’s humanitarian gesture is the fact that the original main ingredient for oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu) comes from Star Anise, a kind of plant grown commercially in only four provinces of China.
It should not be lost on the western world and the more developed countries that if the bird flu scourge ever comes to a head, their very own survival could oneday rest on the primitive, exotic natural resources of the Asian continent. Not that this should be something the Chinese, and Asians for that matter, should view – or use --as a kind of leverage with the pale-faced brothers in the other part of the world because, in the case of an avian influenza pandemic, we’re talking of the whole human race and gloating or selfishness is out of the question.
Given the western countries’ highly advanced science and technology capabilities and determination however, it should not be farfetched to expect them to come up with synthetic products or similar drugs in the future, perhaps finding a plant with essentially the same qualities and chemical composition as the Star Anise.
But then that would time take. And time is what the human race would be in short supply of once – God forbid – we are faced with the feared pandemic. Sourcing out raw materials, not to mention the actual manufacturing process for drugs, requires months and years. We could just imagine therefore how everyone in this planet probably wishes and prays that the heavens always protect the Star Anise plantations in those four provinces of China.
As thought in a strange twist of fate, it is in China where some of the world’s most recent bird flu cases have been reported. Stranger still, no one among the wire agencies seems to be reporting whether or not Chinese healthmen are or have been administering oseltamivir drugs on those flu cases, and whether or not, it has proved to be effective enough as a course of treatment.
Over here, we Filipinos can only wonder – and pray.
* * *
How could the honorables of the sangguniang panlungsod of Dagupan have missed it?
We mean, the legal need for an imprimatur of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) before they could ever make money, okay, raise revenues on the national road thru the charging of roadside parking fees. As City Legal Officer Geraldine ‘Dindin” Baniqued almost coyly pointed out when pressed by nosey newshounds about the seeming faux pas of the gallant men and women of Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, the legislative chamber is not wanting of legal minds to guide that body in the passage of city laws.
But this time, to put it mildly, they goofed; and now Atty. Dindin has to come out and say that indeed, such a measure as pay parking on national roads needs clearance, if not approval, of the DPWH. On the side, she admits she was never consulted by the legislators on their plan, otherwise she could have advised them.
So, we guess, it’s back to the drawing board for the ladies and gents of the city council. VM and Presiding Officer Alvin had intimated as much when cornered by newsmen Roland Hidalgo, Ding Micua and other reporters at the last session asking whether a public hearing on the pay parking issue is forthcoming. The vice mayor said calling a public hearing is within the jurisdiction of the concerned SP committees.
From where we sit, (we could be dead wrong, you know!) that sounds very much like our relative Alvin is not about to take more heat than he should on a very “hot”issue, courtesy of his, ah, exuberant (over-eager?) wards in the chamber.
OPINION: It's the rulers; not the system
THE PEN SPEAKS
Danny O. Sagun
PANGASINAN hosted two big events last week, an indication that this big and populous province is a factor to reckon with in the shaping of the country’s future. The first event on Tuesday was the tax roadshow on the expanded value added tax (EVAT) at the Leisure Coast Resort in Bonuan Binloc, and the second event, the Charter change consultations on Friday at the Regency Hotel in Calasiao.
The EVAT roadshow drew quite a big crowd forcing many participants to stay outside the main venue. We could have hoped for a bigger space, say, the People’s Astrodome, which could have accommodated up to 4,000 people.
The Cha-cha consultation did not have that big crowd as the participants were screened and selected by NEDA to represent the cross-section of society. The live coverage of Super Radyo Dagupan of the press conference before the consultation proper however brought the discussions right to the people’s homes and there they can decide for themselves if this is the time to tinker with the 1987 Constitution or maintain the status quo.
Collated reports show that the public, through the series of consultations held nationwide, favor the shift of government from the present presidential-unitary to parliamentary-federal. Unitary means powers are central to Imperial Manila. Federal means power is shared by the provincial/state governments. We have a powerful president under the present system, but the president under the parliamentary system is a mere symbolic head of state with very limited powers. The head of government is the prime minister.
Our own position on the issue? We do not really concern ourselves as to the type of government or structure we will have, whether parliamentary or presidential. It is unfair to throw the blame on the presidential system for the woes and turmoil this country has seen for years. It is also wishful thinking that this country gets out of the mess if we shift to the parliamentary system. Pros have taken this type of reasoning to convince others. They have cited progressive countries with parliamentary systems as their proof – Britain, Australia, and our neighbors Thailand and Malaysia, which reportedly overtook us in the last two decades or so.
But they seem to overlook the fact that the most powerful country in the world, the USA, has a president as its head of state and government. Ditto with Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and even France, with a powerful president under a modified parliamentary system.
This country was the envy of its neighbors some years after the War. Its rulers, all presidents, would have made this nation great. The greed for power of just one man, the dictator, halted that momentum though. And it was very hard for the country to make a turnaround. Cory did try but her efforts were not enough.
Then came the Pangasinan pride, Fidel Valdez Ramos. We never thought he would make things happen for the better being a former military man. But it was during his time that the country began to move from its lethargic state and could have fared much better if not for the 1997 Asian crisis. As they say malas talaga. Still, FVR and his economic team managed to fight off the crisis.
Erap won the presidency by a big margin over his closest opponent, our own JDV in the 1998 elections. That was a big mistake of Filipino electorate who opted for a showbiz, popular person over a man who could have pursued FVR’s programs and made this small country turn into an economic tiger, borrowing the term of speaker JDV. (FVR himself was linked to alleged irregularities and this corner does not condone such.)
Our point? The system of government is not the main problem here. It is the person governing. If we put the likes of Marcos or Erap in the presidency, then woe for us. But if we install men the caliber of Quezon, Magsaysay, and FVR (minus alleged anomalies, if you please), then this country will become great again.
Notwithstanding, proceed with the Cha-cha consultations and feel the pulse of the people. Anyway, it is they who will have the final say when the matter is tossed to them for final action and approval/disapproval.
Danny O. Sagun
PANGASINAN hosted two big events last week, an indication that this big and populous province is a factor to reckon with in the shaping of the country’s future. The first event on Tuesday was the tax roadshow on the expanded value added tax (EVAT) at the Leisure Coast Resort in Bonuan Binloc, and the second event, the Charter change consultations on Friday at the Regency Hotel in Calasiao.
The EVAT roadshow drew quite a big crowd forcing many participants to stay outside the main venue. We could have hoped for a bigger space, say, the People’s Astrodome, which could have accommodated up to 4,000 people.
The Cha-cha consultation did not have that big crowd as the participants were screened and selected by NEDA to represent the cross-section of society. The live coverage of Super Radyo Dagupan of the press conference before the consultation proper however brought the discussions right to the people’s homes and there they can decide for themselves if this is the time to tinker with the 1987 Constitution or maintain the status quo.
Collated reports show that the public, through the series of consultations held nationwide, favor the shift of government from the present presidential-unitary to parliamentary-federal. Unitary means powers are central to Imperial Manila. Federal means power is shared by the provincial/state governments. We have a powerful president under the present system, but the president under the parliamentary system is a mere symbolic head of state with very limited powers. The head of government is the prime minister.
Our own position on the issue? We do not really concern ourselves as to the type of government or structure we will have, whether parliamentary or presidential. It is unfair to throw the blame on the presidential system for the woes and turmoil this country has seen for years. It is also wishful thinking that this country gets out of the mess if we shift to the parliamentary system. Pros have taken this type of reasoning to convince others. They have cited progressive countries with parliamentary systems as their proof – Britain, Australia, and our neighbors Thailand and Malaysia, which reportedly overtook us in the last two decades or so.
But they seem to overlook the fact that the most powerful country in the world, the USA, has a president as its head of state and government. Ditto with Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and even France, with a powerful president under a modified parliamentary system.
This country was the envy of its neighbors some years after the War. Its rulers, all presidents, would have made this nation great. The greed for power of just one man, the dictator, halted that momentum though. And it was very hard for the country to make a turnaround. Cory did try but her efforts were not enough.
Then came the Pangasinan pride, Fidel Valdez Ramos. We never thought he would make things happen for the better being a former military man. But it was during his time that the country began to move from its lethargic state and could have fared much better if not for the 1997 Asian crisis. As they say malas talaga. Still, FVR and his economic team managed to fight off the crisis.
Erap won the presidency by a big margin over his closest opponent, our own JDV in the 1998 elections. That was a big mistake of Filipino electorate who opted for a showbiz, popular person over a man who could have pursued FVR’s programs and made this small country turn into an economic tiger, borrowing the term of speaker JDV. (FVR himself was linked to alleged irregularities and this corner does not condone such.)
Our point? The system of government is not the main problem here. It is the person governing. If we put the likes of Marcos or Erap in the presidency, then woe for us. But if we install men the caliber of Quezon, Magsaysay, and FVR (minus alleged anomalies, if you please), then this country will become great again.
Notwithstanding, proceed with the Cha-cha consultations and feel the pulse of the people. Anyway, it is they who will have the final say when the matter is tossed to them for final action and approval/disapproval.
OPINION: BSL versus JDV: The die is cast
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
IF and when Mayor Benjie Lim fights Speaker Jose De Venecia in the 2007 congressional race as bannered by a local paper, it will certainly be a fight to the finish. Obviously fed up with the unfulfilled commitments of the national government for Dagupan City, Mayor Lim may have finally decided to speak out his mind and chose to confront President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s No. 1 ally.
There was already a near-skirmish between the Mayor and the Speaker in 1998, when the Speaker returned to the district to regain the congressional seat being occupied by Lim at the time. Lim did not budge in the beginning, but in the end, he was prevailed upon to give it up in favor of the Speaker and ran instead for mayor.
Despite the Speaker’s pronouncements that Lim is still “one of my best friends,” everybody knows that from the very beginning, what they had was a shaky political alliance. This became quite obvious during the 2004 presidential elections when Lim was said to be among the late FPJ’s “silent supporters,” having been seen by some local media practitioners in opposition rallies and meetings in the province. Susan Roces, of course, would confirm this in a news conference in Dagupan City when she said that Lim has been an FPJ supporter even before. As everybody also knows by now, the mayor was among the very first incumbent political leaders to ask for GMA’s resignation early this year.
What would again surely decide the impending De Venecia-Lim fight will be Dagupan City. When Lim fought Tessie De Venecia, Lim won only in Dagupan City. But his lead here of about 15,000 votes was more than enough to offset the lead then that De Venecia got in Mangaldan, Manaoag, San Jacinto and San Fabian.
Some self-proclaimed local political analysts, however, predict that in a De Venecia-Lim fight, Dagupan will vote for both of them, which means that they will gain an almost even number of votes in the city. The battleground, therefore, will be in the towns that comprise the district.
We should not forget, however, that Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez is still very much a factor in the local political equation.
When Lim fought in the 1998 congressional race, the Commissioner, who was the mayor then, was with him, being Lakas’ standard bearer at that time. In 2001,when Lim ran for mayor, the Commissioner, who was the outgoing mayor at that time, also supported him, winning by more than 3,000 votes against a very popular Vice Mayor Teddy Manaois then.
In a De Venecia-Lim scenario, the risk that Lim has to take is that he may be fighting alone. Understandably, the Commissioner will stick it out with the Speaker, both being die-hard GMA supporters. Then, of course, it will be a mid-term election and GMA is the sitting President and the possibility that GMA will get back at him is not at all remote.
But as they say, no one is really sure of any election’s outcome until the last ballot cast has been counted. Certainly, the mayor and his handlers know his strengths and his weaknesses. More than the money, more than a good campaign plan, it will be the candidate’s track record and personal relations with his constituents that will matter most. The De Venecia-Lim fight, if it pushes through, should prove this.
QUICKQUOTE: Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything. -- Josef Stalin
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
IF and when Mayor Benjie Lim fights Speaker Jose De Venecia in the 2007 congressional race as bannered by a local paper, it will certainly be a fight to the finish. Obviously fed up with the unfulfilled commitments of the national government for Dagupan City, Mayor Lim may have finally decided to speak out his mind and chose to confront President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s No. 1 ally.
There was already a near-skirmish between the Mayor and the Speaker in 1998, when the Speaker returned to the district to regain the congressional seat being occupied by Lim at the time. Lim did not budge in the beginning, but in the end, he was prevailed upon to give it up in favor of the Speaker and ran instead for mayor.
Despite the Speaker’s pronouncements that Lim is still “one of my best friends,” everybody knows that from the very beginning, what they had was a shaky political alliance. This became quite obvious during the 2004 presidential elections when Lim was said to be among the late FPJ’s “silent supporters,” having been seen by some local media practitioners in opposition rallies and meetings in the province. Susan Roces, of course, would confirm this in a news conference in Dagupan City when she said that Lim has been an FPJ supporter even before. As everybody also knows by now, the mayor was among the very first incumbent political leaders to ask for GMA’s resignation early this year.
What would again surely decide the impending De Venecia-Lim fight will be Dagupan City. When Lim fought Tessie De Venecia, Lim won only in Dagupan City. But his lead here of about 15,000 votes was more than enough to offset the lead then that De Venecia got in Mangaldan, Manaoag, San Jacinto and San Fabian.
Some self-proclaimed local political analysts, however, predict that in a De Venecia-Lim fight, Dagupan will vote for both of them, which means that they will gain an almost even number of votes in the city. The battleground, therefore, will be in the towns that comprise the district.
We should not forget, however, that Immigration Commissioner Al Fernandez is still very much a factor in the local political equation.
When Lim fought in the 1998 congressional race, the Commissioner, who was the mayor then, was with him, being Lakas’ standard bearer at that time. In 2001,when Lim ran for mayor, the Commissioner, who was the outgoing mayor at that time, also supported him, winning by more than 3,000 votes against a very popular Vice Mayor Teddy Manaois then.
In a De Venecia-Lim scenario, the risk that Lim has to take is that he may be fighting alone. Understandably, the Commissioner will stick it out with the Speaker, both being die-hard GMA supporters. Then, of course, it will be a mid-term election and GMA is the sitting President and the possibility that GMA will get back at him is not at all remote.
But as they say, no one is really sure of any election’s outcome until the last ballot cast has been counted. Certainly, the mayor and his handlers know his strengths and his weaknesses. More than the money, more than a good campaign plan, it will be the candidate’s track record and personal relations with his constituents that will matter most. The De Venecia-Lim fight, if it pushes through, should prove this.
QUICKQUOTE: Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything. -- Josef Stalin
OPINION: 104th PNP bldg., and still counting
SMORGASBOARD
Liway Manantan-Yparraguirre
GENERAL Arturo C. Lomibao, Philippine National Police chief, led the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new police station/building of the Mangatarem police unit last December 3. (Construction work has actually started).
Lomibao’s goal is to construct at least 100 police stations before he retires July next year. “What I am doing is to look at the morale of the men and women in uniform. When I retire, I can satisfy myself ya timmulongak during my term as PNP chief,” he remarked.
The general has in fact surpassed his target as the one being constructed in Mangatarem is the 104th. They were supposed to groundbreak in Aguilar that same afternoon but Mayor Evangelista said the lot available is only 360 sq.m. or below the required 400 sq.m. Lomibao assured him that will do and told the mayor to prepare everything while they at Camp Crame will prepare the funding.
The general declared he will continue with his project even past his target as there are more than 500 police stations all over the country which still don’t have their own building. I hope Basista will be one of the priorities as their police station looks miserable (unless it has already been renovated at this time of writing).
Teddy Cruz, former 2nd district congressman now secretary to the mayor of Mangatarem, profusely thanked Lomibao as there have been many promises and pledges in years past from former PNP chiefs but it is only now that their dream is being realized.
The lot was donated by the local government. Funding came from the PNP, plus a counterpart from the LGU and Congressman Amado T. Espino Jr.
Lomibao’s advice to his men: “reciprocate the generosity, give the best kind of service, the best kind of attention and concern to the people.”
With so many police stations being constructed, where is he getting all the funds? This we asked Gen. Lomibao before but the name slipped my mind so I texted him the other day and asked about it again.
He said the budget comes from the Trust Receipts from fees collected by the PNP for firearm licenses, permits and clearances. (They must have collected so big a pile now –Ed)
This is a clear example of the people’s money being given back to them through good police service.
*****
Congratulations to the Bautista (town) Liga ng mga Barangay basketball team led by Board Member Amadeo T. Espino.
They ruled the 5th district Punong Barangay Basketball Tournament by beating Binalonan in the second game of the best-of-three championship round held last Saturday in Rosales. Aside from the champion’s trophy, they will receive P50,000 cash said tournament director Ramon Morden. Schedule of the awarding ceremonies is still being finalized.
The 5th district Punong Barangay Basketball Tournament was sponsored by fifth district Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco, supported by the board members from the fifth district, the mayors and businessman Rosendo So.
*****
The Rosales United Stars Athletic Club (RUSAC) is now on its 69th year. RUSAC Premier Rosendo So and his fellow officers were inducted during the opening of the RUSAC Basketball tournament last November.
RUSAC was founded by former minister Conrado ‘Lakay Condring’ Estrella. It’s one of the oldest athletic ball clubs (second?) in the country.
*****
Before the 2005 South East Asian (SEA) Games started, the PNP chief promised the PNP athletes that promotion awaits the gold medallists among them.
Seventeen (17) policemen participated in the SEA Games, eight acted as coaches (different events) while seven were athletes.
The gold medalists were Police Senior Insp. Nelson A. Pacalso (karatedo-65 kg & below) and PO3 Mitchel B. Martinez (boxing – lightweight 60 kgs.).
Silver medalists were PO2 Christopher Yabut (pencak silat – 50-55 kgs.) and PO2 Reneto E. Tuñacao (arnis – sparing event). PO3 Junel Perania (karatedo – 70 kg below and team kumite), PO2 Juvy Jumuad (pencak silat – 60 kgs) and PO1 Henberd C. Ortalia (table tennis – men’s team) captured bronze in their respective events.
A happy and blessed Christmas for the gold medalists as each will receive P100,000 cash incentive from the Philippine sports body, a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland as promised by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, not to mention their promotion to the next rank.
Supt. Edgar Basbas, Dagupan City police chief, said Senior Insp. Pacalso is really good.
Liway Manantan-Yparraguirre
GENERAL Arturo C. Lomibao, Philippine National Police chief, led the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new police station/building of the Mangatarem police unit last December 3. (Construction work has actually started).
Lomibao’s goal is to construct at least 100 police stations before he retires July next year. “What I am doing is to look at the morale of the men and women in uniform. When I retire, I can satisfy myself ya timmulongak during my term as PNP chief,” he remarked.
The general has in fact surpassed his target as the one being constructed in Mangatarem is the 104th. They were supposed to groundbreak in Aguilar that same afternoon but Mayor Evangelista said the lot available is only 360 sq.m. or below the required 400 sq.m. Lomibao assured him that will do and told the mayor to prepare everything while they at Camp Crame will prepare the funding.
The general declared he will continue with his project even past his target as there are more than 500 police stations all over the country which still don’t have their own building. I hope Basista will be one of the priorities as their police station looks miserable (unless it has already been renovated at this time of writing).
Teddy Cruz, former 2nd district congressman now secretary to the mayor of Mangatarem, profusely thanked Lomibao as there have been many promises and pledges in years past from former PNP chiefs but it is only now that their dream is being realized.
The lot was donated by the local government. Funding came from the PNP, plus a counterpart from the LGU and Congressman Amado T. Espino Jr.
Lomibao’s advice to his men: “reciprocate the generosity, give the best kind of service, the best kind of attention and concern to the people.”
With so many police stations being constructed, where is he getting all the funds? This we asked Gen. Lomibao before but the name slipped my mind so I texted him the other day and asked about it again.
He said the budget comes from the Trust Receipts from fees collected by the PNP for firearm licenses, permits and clearances. (They must have collected so big a pile now –Ed)
This is a clear example of the people’s money being given back to them through good police service.
*****
Congratulations to the Bautista (town) Liga ng mga Barangay basketball team led by Board Member Amadeo T. Espino.
They ruled the 5th district Punong Barangay Basketball Tournament by beating Binalonan in the second game of the best-of-three championship round held last Saturday in Rosales. Aside from the champion’s trophy, they will receive P50,000 cash said tournament director Ramon Morden. Schedule of the awarding ceremonies is still being finalized.
The 5th district Punong Barangay Basketball Tournament was sponsored by fifth district Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco, supported by the board members from the fifth district, the mayors and businessman Rosendo So.
*****
The Rosales United Stars Athletic Club (RUSAC) is now on its 69th year. RUSAC Premier Rosendo So and his fellow officers were inducted during the opening of the RUSAC Basketball tournament last November.
RUSAC was founded by former minister Conrado ‘Lakay Condring’ Estrella. It’s one of the oldest athletic ball clubs (second?) in the country.
*****
Before the 2005 South East Asian (SEA) Games started, the PNP chief promised the PNP athletes that promotion awaits the gold medallists among them.
Seventeen (17) policemen participated in the SEA Games, eight acted as coaches (different events) while seven were athletes.
The gold medalists were Police Senior Insp. Nelson A. Pacalso (karatedo-65 kg & below) and PO3 Mitchel B. Martinez (boxing – lightweight 60 kgs.).
Silver medalists were PO2 Christopher Yabut (pencak silat – 50-55 kgs.) and PO2 Reneto E. Tuñacao (arnis – sparing event). PO3 Junel Perania (karatedo – 70 kg below and team kumite), PO2 Juvy Jumuad (pencak silat – 60 kgs) and PO1 Henberd C. Ortalia (table tennis – men’s team) captured bronze in their respective events.
A happy and blessed Christmas for the gold medalists as each will receive P100,000 cash incentive from the Philippine sports body, a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland as promised by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, not to mention their promotion to the next rank.
Supt. Edgar Basbas, Dagupan City police chief, said Senior Insp. Pacalso is really good.
