21 December 2005
PHOTO: Torchbearer
TORCHBEARER. A happy and playful group of City Hall officials and employees get the honor of getting their candles lighted by a torchbearing Mayor Benjamin S. Lim during the opening ceremonies for the Dagupan City Fiesta last Thursday, December 15. Lim and other city officials earlier led the ceremonial switch-on of the lights at the city’s giant Christmas Tree at the city plaza. (PStar Photo by Butch F. Uka)
Governor awaits Purisima’s action
By DANNY O. SAGUN
Associate Editor, The Pangasinan Star
LINGAYEN – The provincial police director has yet to submit his written reply to the memorandum of Gov. Victor E. Agbayani about the alleged proliferation of illegal activities in the province to include rampant operation of gambling machines, it was learned Thursday from Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
Solis said that he has yet to hear from Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima on the progress, if any, of the police campaign against criminal activities two weeks after the issuance of the memorandum directing the police to institute immediate measures against criminality as well as illegal gambling activities.
His statement virtually confirms allegation by the media that Purisima, unlike his predecessors, has been difficult to reach. It was not immediately known if he has communicated to the governor or the provincial administrator by phone.
Apparently irked by Purisima’s silence and his no-show and inaccessibility to media, the administrator advised the PNP provincial director to be transparent and face the people and the media.
Radio reports said that video gambling machines like hataw and ameneng continue to proliferate in almost every corner of the province, indicating that Purisima and his men have not fully complied with the governor’s order.
Solis confirmed that hataw and ameneng operations continue as monitored by his office. “It’s a cat and mouse affair,” he noted, referring to the transfer of operation of the illegal video games from one place to another in case of raids.
On reports that names of some ranking police officials are being dropped by unscrupulous operators to gain leverage, Solis urged the media and the public to give him names and other details. “See me secretly, give particulars, so we can act fast,” he said in a radio interview.
A radio reporter reportedly overheard an operator from Dagupan City complaining that individuals sent to collect payola or protection money keep pestering him. The name of the provincial director even crops up in such remarks.
Solis however observed that dropping names of influential people is a common practice so that he needs specific reports about such allegations. Complaints from concerned parents and teachers have reached the governor prompting him to issue the directive to Purisima, it was learned.
Robbery-holdup incidents are also on the rise. The suspects have become so ruthless they do not think twice of shooting their victims as shown in the recent hold-up incidents in Binalonan and San Jacinto last Wednesday and similar robberies in the recent past.
Associate Editor, The Pangasinan Star
LINGAYEN – The provincial police director has yet to submit his written reply to the memorandum of Gov. Victor E. Agbayani about the alleged proliferation of illegal activities in the province to include rampant operation of gambling machines, it was learned Thursday from Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
Solis said that he has yet to hear from Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima on the progress, if any, of the police campaign against criminal activities two weeks after the issuance of the memorandum directing the police to institute immediate measures against criminality as well as illegal gambling activities.
His statement virtually confirms allegation by the media that Purisima, unlike his predecessors, has been difficult to reach. It was not immediately known if he has communicated to the governor or the provincial administrator by phone.
Apparently irked by Purisima’s silence and his no-show and inaccessibility to media, the administrator advised the PNP provincial director to be transparent and face the people and the media.
Radio reports said that video gambling machines like hataw and ameneng continue to proliferate in almost every corner of the province, indicating that Purisima and his men have not fully complied with the governor’s order.
Solis confirmed that hataw and ameneng operations continue as monitored by his office. “It’s a cat and mouse affair,” he noted, referring to the transfer of operation of the illegal video games from one place to another in case of raids.
On reports that names of some ranking police officials are being dropped by unscrupulous operators to gain leverage, Solis urged the media and the public to give him names and other details. “See me secretly, give particulars, so we can act fast,” he said in a radio interview.
A radio reporter reportedly overheard an operator from Dagupan City complaining that individuals sent to collect payola or protection money keep pestering him. The name of the provincial director even crops up in such remarks.
Solis however observed that dropping names of influential people is a common practice so that he needs specific reports about such allegations. Complaints from concerned parents and teachers have reached the governor prompting him to issue the directive to Purisima, it was learned.
Robbery-holdup incidents are also on the rise. The suspects have become so ruthless they do not think twice of shooting their victims as shown in the recent hold-up incidents in Binalonan and San Jacinto last Wednesday and similar robberies in the recent past.
Driver abducted, killed in Binalonan hijack try
BINALONAN – A driver of a delivery van of Nestle was shot and killed by six persons who failed to hijack his vehicle along the national highway in barangay Bugayong here at 4:30 a.m. last Wednesday.
The driver was identified as Jimmy Nobleza, 41, whose bloodies body was left by the suspects along the road in barangay Pasileng, Asingan less than two hours later.
Chief Inspector Napoleon Viray, chief of police of Binalonan, said Nobleza was taken hostage by the armed men after they failed to hijack the delivery van being drivern by him which had suffered a flat tire. Nobleza and his three crewmen were first held at bay by the occupants of a passing van as they were changing the tires of their vehicle. The fan had one tire blown up just before the men in the van stopped and held them up.
Nobleza’s three companions managed to run away, leaving Nobleza in the hands of the suspects.
Possibly frustrated after failing to open the delivery van in order to cart away its load of Nestle products, the suspects took Nobleza with them in their vehicles.
Probers theorize they shot Nobleza somewhere along the way and subsequently left his body along the roadside in barangay Pasileng.
The van’s crew went to the police station to report the matter. While they were still at the police station, the police received a report that a body with gunshot wounds was found in barangay Pasileng at about 6 a.m. It turned out to be Nobleza. (PNA)
The driver was identified as Jimmy Nobleza, 41, whose bloodies body was left by the suspects along the road in barangay Pasileng, Asingan less than two hours later.
Chief Inspector Napoleon Viray, chief of police of Binalonan, said Nobleza was taken hostage by the armed men after they failed to hijack the delivery van being drivern by him which had suffered a flat tire. Nobleza and his three crewmen were first held at bay by the occupants of a passing van as they were changing the tires of their vehicle. The fan had one tire blown up just before the men in the van stopped and held them up.
Nobleza’s three companions managed to run away, leaving Nobleza in the hands of the suspects.
Possibly frustrated after failing to open the delivery van in order to cart away its load of Nestle products, the suspects took Nobleza with them in their vehicles.
Probers theorize they shot Nobleza somewhere along the way and subsequently left his body along the roadside in barangay Pasileng.
The van’s crew went to the police station to report the matter. While they were still at the police station, the police received a report that a body with gunshot wounds was found in barangay Pasileng at about 6 a.m. It turned out to be Nobleza. (PNA)
DPWH, Dagupan City in showdown over pay parking areas
THE Department of Public works and Highways is likely to oppose an ordinance approved by the Dagupan City council declaring portions of city and national roads here as pay parking areas without any prior consultation with the former.
DPWH Regional Director Fidel Ginez, in an interview Friday, said his office will not be commenting on the pay parking ordinance till after it is signed into law by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim
Offhand, Ginez maintained that national roads, although within Dagupan City, are under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.
“We might as well hand over all these roads to them so that we would no longer spend anything for their maintenance,” Ginez told newsmen with a hint of sarcasm. Public Works and Highways District Engineer Rodolfo Dion admitted that he was not invited when the Dagupan City council supposedly conducted a public hearing on the propose measure, otherwise he could have advised councilors that they must first enter into a memorandum of agreement with the DPWH headed by Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.
Ginez said his office will act accordingly if someone from the public will complain after the ordinance is finally signed into law and implemented.
Last week, city Administrator Rafael Baraan said the mayor is likely to sign the ordinance into law, except on the aspect of the 20-80 sharing basis in favor of the parking contractor.
Under the scheme, 20 percent will go to the city government and the bulk of 80 percent will go to a private contractor who will enter into a contract with the city government to operate the pay parking areas, issue tickets and collect parking fees.
Baraan, however, stressed that there is a need for the city to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DPWH on the pay parking rule.
Baraan maintained that there is nothing wrong if Dagupan will charge parking fees because this is now being done in Manila, Baguio and other big cities.
He said he found nothing wrong with the pay parking ordinance as this is one way of regulating the use of roads and streets, some of which have been arrogated upon by owner of motor vehicles and business establishments for their own use.
DPWH Regional Director Fidel Ginez, in an interview Friday, said his office will not be commenting on the pay parking ordinance till after it is signed into law by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim
Offhand, Ginez maintained that national roads, although within Dagupan City, are under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.
“We might as well hand over all these roads to them so that we would no longer spend anything for their maintenance,” Ginez told newsmen with a hint of sarcasm. Public Works and Highways District Engineer Rodolfo Dion admitted that he was not invited when the Dagupan City council supposedly conducted a public hearing on the propose measure, otherwise he could have advised councilors that they must first enter into a memorandum of agreement with the DPWH headed by Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.
Ginez said his office will act accordingly if someone from the public will complain after the ordinance is finally signed into law and implemented.
Last week, city Administrator Rafael Baraan said the mayor is likely to sign the ordinance into law, except on the aspect of the 20-80 sharing basis in favor of the parking contractor.
Under the scheme, 20 percent will go to the city government and the bulk of 80 percent will go to a private contractor who will enter into a contract with the city government to operate the pay parking areas, issue tickets and collect parking fees.
Baraan, however, stressed that there is a need for the city to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DPWH on the pay parking rule.
Baraan maintained that there is nothing wrong if Dagupan will charge parking fees because this is now being done in Manila, Baguio and other big cities.
He said he found nothing wrong with the pay parking ordinance as this is one way of regulating the use of roads and streets, some of which have been arrogated upon by owner of motor vehicles and business establishments for their own use.
Migratory birds should not be disturbed in forage areas
ALTHOUGH many migratory birds from the Northern hemisphere are already here in the Philippines, the country remains safe from the onslaught of the dreaded avian flu and will hopefully continue to be so.
This was disclosed by Dr. Jesus Fantone, epidemiologist of the Department of Health who said as long as the migratory birds are not disturbed and mixed with local fowls which intermingling could spawn what he called a bird-to-bird transmission of the virus, the Filipinos are safe from the bird flu.
Speaking Thursday during a day-long orientation workshop on the prevention of avian flu at the Region 1 Medical Center here, Fantone said affliction of local fowls with bird flu is dangerous because from there, the possibility that the virus may transfer to humans increases.
He said this month is the start of migration of birds from China to the Philippines to escape the punishing winter season there but there is nothing to fear as all precautionary measures are in place to meet the threat of bird flu.
Fantone said China was listed by the World Health Organization as among 15 countries in the world where bird flu was detected. The others are South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Romania.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of R1MC, said the Philippines must be blessed as a country because despite its proximity to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia, “our country remains bird flu-free till now”.
“But as the say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. The avian flu might not hit us now and tomorrow but it will come, and if it does, we already know what to do,” he said.
Fantone said the people have nothing to fear because a nationwide alert system is now on with the Department of Agriculture put in charge.
More dangerous than the migratory birds, he said, are some rural Chinese nationals peddling their wares in the streets of Laoag and Bulacan, as if they had just entered the country illegally.
The DA is now monitoring several bird sanctuaries in the Philippines, warning people living near these areas not to disturb or hunt down the migratory birds.
Fantone called on the people to report immediately to authorities mass deaths of fowls in their areas. If it is confirmed to have been caused by bird flu, necessary measures, including quarantine of the affected area, can be done.
Mayor Benjamin Lim of Dagupan City lauded the workshop because it afforded participants the chance to know what really is bird flu and the most effective measure that can be done to prevent its spread. (PNA)
This was disclosed by Dr. Jesus Fantone, epidemiologist of the Department of Health who said as long as the migratory birds are not disturbed and mixed with local fowls which intermingling could spawn what he called a bird-to-bird transmission of the virus, the Filipinos are safe from the bird flu.
Speaking Thursday during a day-long orientation workshop on the prevention of avian flu at the Region 1 Medical Center here, Fantone said affliction of local fowls with bird flu is dangerous because from there, the possibility that the virus may transfer to humans increases.
He said this month is the start of migration of birds from China to the Philippines to escape the punishing winter season there but there is nothing to fear as all precautionary measures are in place to meet the threat of bird flu.
Fantone said China was listed by the World Health Organization as among 15 countries in the world where bird flu was detected. The others are South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Russia and Romania.
Dr. Jesus Canto, chief of R1MC, said the Philippines must be blessed as a country because despite its proximity to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia, “our country remains bird flu-free till now”.
“But as the say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. The avian flu might not hit us now and tomorrow but it will come, and if it does, we already know what to do,” he said.
Fantone said the people have nothing to fear because a nationwide alert system is now on with the Department of Agriculture put in charge.
More dangerous than the migratory birds, he said, are some rural Chinese nationals peddling their wares in the streets of Laoag and Bulacan, as if they had just entered the country illegally.
The DA is now monitoring several bird sanctuaries in the Philippines, warning people living near these areas not to disturb or hunt down the migratory birds.
Fantone called on the people to report immediately to authorities mass deaths of fowls in their areas. If it is confirmed to have been caused by bird flu, necessary measures, including quarantine of the affected area, can be done.
Mayor Benjamin Lim of Dagupan City lauded the workshop because it afforded participants the chance to know what really is bird flu and the most effective measure that can be done to prevent its spread. (PNA)
City hall workers’ cash gift given, but short of P2T
EVEN while facing a shortfall in revenue collection of P10 million, the city government nevertheless was able to give a P3,000 extra cash gift to its officials and employees.
This was confirmed by Councilor Michael Fernandez, chair of the council’s appropriation committee, who said the additional cash gift was provided although short by P2,000 of the P5,000 given to national government workers.
The amount did not come from savings but from part of the P2,246,000 that was part of the debt servicing account under the non-office appropriation of the 2005 budget.
Councilor Michael Fernandez, chair of the city council’s committee on finance, explained the Ordinance No. 1854 “reverted this amount to the unappropriated balance in the general fund” so that it can be used to pay for the extra bonus of employees and officials. This is in accordance with local government memorandum No. 2005-48 dated December 7, 2005.
The ordinance was approved in last Wednesday’s special session, the last session of the city council for the year.
Fernandez said part of the amount appropriated was also envisioned to serve as additional outlay for the maintenance and other operating expenses under the donations account of the Office of the City Mayor. Emergency workers and casuals in the city government were however not given their extra cash gift unlike those in the national government.
The emergency workers are in a pitiful situation as, instead of getting extra cash gift, they face the consequence of being laid off due to the tightening financial situation of the city government.
This was confirmed by Councilor Michael Fernandez, chair of the council’s appropriation committee, who said the additional cash gift was provided although short by P2,000 of the P5,000 given to national government workers.
The amount did not come from savings but from part of the P2,246,000 that was part of the debt servicing account under the non-office appropriation of the 2005 budget.
Councilor Michael Fernandez, chair of the city council’s committee on finance, explained the Ordinance No. 1854 “reverted this amount to the unappropriated balance in the general fund” so that it can be used to pay for the extra bonus of employees and officials. This is in accordance with local government memorandum No. 2005-48 dated December 7, 2005.
The ordinance was approved in last Wednesday’s special session, the last session of the city council for the year.
Fernandez said part of the amount appropriated was also envisioned to serve as additional outlay for the maintenance and other operating expenses under the donations account of the Office of the City Mayor. Emergency workers and casuals in the city government were however not given their extra cash gift unlike those in the national government.
The emergency workers are in a pitiful situation as, instead of getting extra cash gift, they face the consequence of being laid off due to the tightening financial situation of the city government.
Alcala ushers in new era with Tax Code
ALCALA – Desiring to improve further its delivery of basic services and development planning at the turn of the year, this town finalized its revised Revenue Code of 2005 and has set in place all systems for achieving sound financial financial status in 2006 and beyond.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan which reviewed the new municipal tax code passed by the Alcala sangguniang bayan led by Vice Mayor Clemente Arboleda, Jr. to attain the visions of the municipal administration headed by Mayor Manuel T. Collado, stamped its approval on the Code with slight corrections last week.
The provincial board’s move paved the way for a full implementation of the Revenue Code starting next year in what Sangguniang Bayan secretary Teresita A. Llarenas called “a vital piece of legislation that spells continuing progress of the town guided by the vision of its leaders.”
In an interview with Mayor Collado by the Pangasinan Star, he said it was about time a change in the municipal taxes and fees was implemented as the last tax code was drawn up over a dozen years ago when the peso was still much stronger than today.
Collado said services to constituents in these times of inflationary rates cannot but suffer unless local leaders summon the will and creativity to devise a better revenue system than what they presently have and one such way, he said, is an updated tax code.
He stressed that due public hearing was held on the proposed revenue code “and more or less, the people knew and understood how important such a measure is to the town’s overall development.”
He said the revenue to be realized from the Code will support major development programs particularly on health and sanitation. He took pride in the town’s having not just one but two municipal physicians, beating other bigger towns, despite Alcala being only a fourth-class town by local government code standards.
Collado added that Alcala now has a medical technician and laboratories to emphasize its seriousness in caring for public health -- a subject his fellow Alcaleneans once experienced the glare of undue and unfair national and international publicity for at the height of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare.
In 2004, Alcala was found in a Service Mission Attainment Report of the Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS) to have been “very effective” in Administration specifically in the areas of “development planning, resource allocation and utilization, financial accountability, customer service, human resource management and development and slightly on revenue generation.”
A parallel move to improve the lives of Alcaleneans, most of whom depend on agriculture, has been set in motion likewise by Vice Mayor Arboleda, piloting a novel livelihood start-up capital project in one barangay as part of the town’s economic empowerment of the people.
The project works on a no-collateral loan for groups of residents who want to engage in productive undertakings but who have no money to do it.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan which reviewed the new municipal tax code passed by the Alcala sangguniang bayan led by Vice Mayor Clemente Arboleda, Jr. to attain the visions of the municipal administration headed by Mayor Manuel T. Collado, stamped its approval on the Code with slight corrections last week.
The provincial board’s move paved the way for a full implementation of the Revenue Code starting next year in what Sangguniang Bayan secretary Teresita A. Llarenas called “a vital piece of legislation that spells continuing progress of the town guided by the vision of its leaders.”
In an interview with Mayor Collado by the Pangasinan Star, he said it was about time a change in the municipal taxes and fees was implemented as the last tax code was drawn up over a dozen years ago when the peso was still much stronger than today.
Collado said services to constituents in these times of inflationary rates cannot but suffer unless local leaders summon the will and creativity to devise a better revenue system than what they presently have and one such way, he said, is an updated tax code.
He stressed that due public hearing was held on the proposed revenue code “and more or less, the people knew and understood how important such a measure is to the town’s overall development.”
He said the revenue to be realized from the Code will support major development programs particularly on health and sanitation. He took pride in the town’s having not just one but two municipal physicians, beating other bigger towns, despite Alcala being only a fourth-class town by local government code standards.
Collado added that Alcala now has a medical technician and laboratories to emphasize its seriousness in caring for public health -- a subject his fellow Alcaleneans once experienced the glare of undue and unfair national and international publicity for at the height of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) scare.
In 2004, Alcala was found in a Service Mission Attainment Report of the Local Government Performance Management System (LGPMS) to have been “very effective” in Administration specifically in the areas of “development planning, resource allocation and utilization, financial accountability, customer service, human resource management and development and slightly on revenue generation.”
A parallel move to improve the lives of Alcaleneans, most of whom depend on agriculture, has been set in motion likewise by Vice Mayor Arboleda, piloting a novel livelihood start-up capital project in one barangay as part of the town’s economic empowerment of the people.
The project works on a no-collateral loan for groups of residents who want to engage in productive undertakings but who have no money to do it.
People’s initiative eyed as alternative move
A PARALLEL move will be conducted nationwide in conjunction with the holding of aConstituent Assembly by both the Senate and the House of Representatives for the purpose of amending the 1987 Constitution and pave the way for a historic shift from presidential to parliamentary form of government with a unicameral legislature.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. said this is the launching of the “ people’s initiative” by late December or the first or second week of January which is expected to discuss the proposed amendments to the Constitution as proposed by the Constitutional Commission, a work also expected of the yet to be convened constituent assembly.
De Venecia told newsmen Monday before enplaning back to Manila after a three-day speaking engagement in Pangasinan that the people’s initiative is a parallel act by he people themselves, which is the equivalent of the constituent assembly on the part of the Senate and the House.
He said the people’s initiative will be launched by governors, vice governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors and their councilors all over the Philippines with the support of all major political parties while the Constituent Assembly is formed by the Senate and the House .
The draft of the Constitution submitted by the ConCom last Thursday to President Arroyo will be turned over by her to Senate President Franklin Drilon and him ( de Venecia) as Speaker of the House so that the constituent assembly of the Senate and the House can act on the recommendation, he explained.
De Venecia recalled that almost 10 days ago the House already approved a concurrent resolution calling for the convening of the constituent assembly to approve the amendments to 1987 Constitution.
He said that if the Senate does not approve the resolution, the Filipino people themselves will initiate the move to amend the constitution through the people’s initiative.
It is the people’s initiative, he said, where the amendments to the Constitution as proposed by the ConCom would be presented.
At least 12 per cent of all the voters in the Philippines, or at least three per cent in any congressional district, is needed to endorse the amendments in writing, according to him.
The Speaker stressed that even if the Senate will not approve the resolution calling for the holding of Constituent Assembly, “we will handle ourselves repeatedly in order to get the Senators to act on our proposal”.
He added that another “remedy” is to ask the President to call a joint special session of the House and the Senate so that their members can debate on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, the outputs of which will be presented to the people in a nationwide plebiscite in April or May.
He said that two months after the approval of the proposed amendments which is either in January or February, a nationwide plebiscite would be held. Fifty per cent of all the voters is needed to declare the adoption of the first parliamentary government in Philippine history.
House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. said this is the launching of the “ people’s initiative” by late December or the first or second week of January which is expected to discuss the proposed amendments to the Constitution as proposed by the Constitutional Commission, a work also expected of the yet to be convened constituent assembly.
De Venecia told newsmen Monday before enplaning back to Manila after a three-day speaking engagement in Pangasinan that the people’s initiative is a parallel act by he people themselves, which is the equivalent of the constituent assembly on the part of the Senate and the House.
He said the people’s initiative will be launched by governors, vice governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors and their councilors all over the Philippines with the support of all major political parties while the Constituent Assembly is formed by the Senate and the House .
The draft of the Constitution submitted by the ConCom last Thursday to President Arroyo will be turned over by her to Senate President Franklin Drilon and him ( de Venecia) as Speaker of the House so that the constituent assembly of the Senate and the House can act on the recommendation, he explained.
De Venecia recalled that almost 10 days ago the House already approved a concurrent resolution calling for the convening of the constituent assembly to approve the amendments to 1987 Constitution.
He said that if the Senate does not approve the resolution, the Filipino people themselves will initiate the move to amend the constitution through the people’s initiative.
It is the people’s initiative, he said, where the amendments to the Constitution as proposed by the ConCom would be presented.
At least 12 per cent of all the voters in the Philippines, or at least three per cent in any congressional district, is needed to endorse the amendments in writing, according to him.
The Speaker stressed that even if the Senate will not approve the resolution calling for the holding of Constituent Assembly, “we will handle ourselves repeatedly in order to get the Senators to act on our proposal”.
He added that another “remedy” is to ask the President to call a joint special session of the House and the Senate so that their members can debate on the proposed amendments to the Constitution, the outputs of which will be presented to the people in a nationwide plebiscite in April or May.
He said that two months after the approval of the proposed amendments which is either in January or February, a nationwide plebiscite would be held. Fifty per cent of all the voters is needed to declare the adoption of the first parliamentary government in Philippine history.
OVERSEAS STUDIES: Giving poor, bright studes a big break
ROSALES—Poor and brilliant students can still make it abroad to learn new technologies through a bill being pushed in the House of Representatives.
Pangasinan Rep. Conrado Estrella III said under the “Educational Voucher” bill pending in Congress, students from poor families studying in public schools may have a chance to study abroad.
Estrella said under the bill, top three students in public schools would be sent to study abroad to learn new technologies available in those countries so that they can apply the same to improve existing conditions when they return home.
Speaking during the 2005 Biennial Convention of the Association of Public Schools, Colleges and Universities, Estrella expressed hope this would make Filipino students better able to compete with their counterparts in more advanced countries.
Since it is almost impossible for sons and daughters of farmers to get good education abroad, Estrella said the government must adopt this scheme in order to create a new generation of workforce that can stand side by side on even terms with the best workers in the world.
Estrella called on the government to give priority to education, agriculture and job generation which are the keys to the reduction of the national poverty level.
“It is imperative that we help the farmers and their families by developing agriculture. It is a must that they acquire modern and effective agricultural technologies so that they can improve their harvests and income,” he said.
Estrella revealed that there are many institutions and entities throughout the country that are willing to extend free education to students in foreign countries in partnership with the government.
Pangasinan Rep. Conrado Estrella III said under the “Educational Voucher” bill pending in Congress, students from poor families studying in public schools may have a chance to study abroad.
Estrella said under the bill, top three students in public schools would be sent to study abroad to learn new technologies available in those countries so that they can apply the same to improve existing conditions when they return home.
Speaking during the 2005 Biennial Convention of the Association of Public Schools, Colleges and Universities, Estrella expressed hope this would make Filipino students better able to compete with their counterparts in more advanced countries.
Since it is almost impossible for sons and daughters of farmers to get good education abroad, Estrella said the government must adopt this scheme in order to create a new generation of workforce that can stand side by side on even terms with the best workers in the world.
Estrella called on the government to give priority to education, agriculture and job generation which are the keys to the reduction of the national poverty level.
“It is imperative that we help the farmers and their families by developing agriculture. It is a must that they acquire modern and effective agricultural technologies so that they can improve their harvests and income,” he said.
Estrella revealed that there are many institutions and entities throughout the country that are willing to extend free education to students in foreign countries in partnership with the government.
Alaminos, pilot area for anti-TB project
ALAMINOS CITY – The city of Alaminos was chosen pilot area for the country’s first public and private cooperation in the eradication of tuberculosis, still the number one killer disease in the Philippines today.
The project was launched Thursday by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, represented by Ernesto Beltran, regional vice president of the Philippine Health Corporation (PhilHealth) in Northern Luzon.
The project will be jointly undertaken by and among the Rural Health Unit, the city government of Alaminos headed by Mayor Hernani Braganza, PhilHealth and Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PCAT), a private group.
Beltran said the city of Alaminos, through its RHU, will determine the TB patients who will undergo two-month continuous therapy under the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) for TB.
Braganza hailed the project that seeks to make Alaminos City TB-free in a short period, making itself as the model throughout the country.
Under the program, the DOH will provide the local RHU with all the medicines needed by the patients under the DOTS program for the TB patients. The RHU will strictly monitor the daily therapy of TB patients to ensure complete success.
On the other hand, PhilHealth will provide the salaries of extra personnel employed by the RHU to monitor patients and defray cost of their laboratory requirements, at P4,000 per patient.
Beltran said TB patients will not pay anything for the medicines given them. If they were to buy these from drug stores, each patient would pay P60,000 for the whole therapy course.
Regular monitoring of patients is needed in order to ensure that they really take their medicines daily for them to avoid relapse in which case, they may be dropped from the program.
The project was launched Thursday by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, represented by Ernesto Beltran, regional vice president of the Philippine Health Corporation (PhilHealth) in Northern Luzon.
The project will be jointly undertaken by and among the Rural Health Unit, the city government of Alaminos headed by Mayor Hernani Braganza, PhilHealth and Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PCAT), a private group.
Beltran said the city of Alaminos, through its RHU, will determine the TB patients who will undergo two-month continuous therapy under the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) for TB.
Braganza hailed the project that seeks to make Alaminos City TB-free in a short period, making itself as the model throughout the country.
Under the program, the DOH will provide the local RHU with all the medicines needed by the patients under the DOTS program for the TB patients. The RHU will strictly monitor the daily therapy of TB patients to ensure complete success.
On the other hand, PhilHealth will provide the salaries of extra personnel employed by the RHU to monitor patients and defray cost of their laboratory requirements, at P4,000 per patient.
Beltran said TB patients will not pay anything for the medicines given them. If they were to buy these from drug stores, each patient would pay P60,000 for the whole therapy course.
Regular monitoring of patients is needed in order to ensure that they really take their medicines daily for them to avoid relapse in which case, they may be dropped from the program.
Ilocos, Cordillera set to be declared FMD – Free
LINGAYEN – Pangasinan and the rest of the Ilocos region, including the Cordilleras are all set to be officially declared Foot and Mouth Disease-Free on Dec.16.
This was disclosed by Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinary officer of Pangasinan, who said the formal declaration that these areas are now FMD-free will be held in Manila by the National FMD Task Force.
Perez said the province of Pangasinan played a significant role in making these places FMD-free after it was designated by the National FMD Task Force as gateway for the control of the dreaded disease for cloven-footed animals.
Traders bringing pigs, cattle and other animals into the Ilocos region and Cordilleras from the south – especially Bulacan which is still an FMD endemic area – pass thru Pangasinan enroute to La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, including Baguio, Benguet, Abra and Mt.Province.
Perez said six checkpoints were set up in all entry points in Pangasinan to monitor the movements of animals. These are still existing in Carmen and Bakit-bakit, Rosales, Umingan, Bayambang, Mangatarem and San Fabian towns.
The Bureau of Animal Industry under the Department of Agriculture sent 12 personnel to man all these checkpoints. Their salaries are shouldered by the National FMD Task Force that gets assistance from the Australian government through the Australian Aid, Perez said.
He added Pangasinan has had no FMD case or outbreak since September last year.
Perez said he saw to it that blood samples taken from animals at random were submitted regularly to the National FMD Task Force for laboratory analysis in compliance with the needed protocol to be undertaken before a place can be declared FMD-free.
Stressing that the declaration of Region 1 as FMD-free area is very significant, Perez said this is a big boon to animal raisers and meat processors who can now even import their products to other countries.
He pointed out that in the entire country, only Mindanao and the Visayas have so far been declared FMD-free with the exception of Luzon. Ilocos Region and Cordilleras are set to follow Region II which was earlier declared as FMD-free.
This was disclosed by Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinary officer of Pangasinan, who said the formal declaration that these areas are now FMD-free will be held in Manila by the National FMD Task Force.
Perez said the province of Pangasinan played a significant role in making these places FMD-free after it was designated by the National FMD Task Force as gateway for the control of the dreaded disease for cloven-footed animals.
Traders bringing pigs, cattle and other animals into the Ilocos region and Cordilleras from the south – especially Bulacan which is still an FMD endemic area – pass thru Pangasinan enroute to La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, including Baguio, Benguet, Abra and Mt.Province.
Perez said six checkpoints were set up in all entry points in Pangasinan to monitor the movements of animals. These are still existing in Carmen and Bakit-bakit, Rosales, Umingan, Bayambang, Mangatarem and San Fabian towns.
The Bureau of Animal Industry under the Department of Agriculture sent 12 personnel to man all these checkpoints. Their salaries are shouldered by the National FMD Task Force that gets assistance from the Australian government through the Australian Aid, Perez said.
He added Pangasinan has had no FMD case or outbreak since September last year.
Perez said he saw to it that blood samples taken from animals at random were submitted regularly to the National FMD Task Force for laboratory analysis in compliance with the needed protocol to be undertaken before a place can be declared FMD-free.
Stressing that the declaration of Region 1 as FMD-free area is very significant, Perez said this is a big boon to animal raisers and meat processors who can now even import their products to other countries.
He pointed out that in the entire country, only Mindanao and the Visayas have so far been declared FMD-free with the exception of Luzon. Ilocos Region and Cordilleras are set to follow Region II which was earlier declared as FMD-free.
13 School Divisions convene in Dagupan for Regional PressCon
By Venus May H. Sarmiento
(PIA-Pangasinan Infocenter)
TWO thousand seventy-eight elementary and high school students representing 13 school divisions in Region I convened in Dagupan City Monday to Wednesday for the 2005 Regional Schools Press Conference at the City Astrodome
Dagupan City National High School played host division for this year’s RSPC heralding the theme ”Responsible and Quality Campus Journalism Gearing up to the Challenges of Schools First Initiative”
Coming from the four provinces of Region I, the 13 participating school divisions are the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta, Pangasinan I and Pangasinan II for the province of Pangasinan; Candon City, Vigan City and Ilocos Sur; Laoag City and Ilocos Norte; and San Fernando and La Union.
Accompanied by their school division chiefs, superintendents and school organ advisers, the student contestants who have earlier emerged winners in their division level, eagerly joined the various writing contests.
The three-day regional press conference served as an avenue for budding journalists to hone their talents in English and Filipino for the various writing categories—editorial, news, feature, sports and even photojournalism
In last Monday’s opening ceremonies at the Dagupan City Astrodome, DCNHS Principal Teodora Nabor said the school paper is an excellent avenue for the virtues of truth and excellence that form the bedrock of society. She added that the aspiration for winning and the will to excel are “things that endure in man’s existence.”
City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim welcomed the participants whom he called “clear thinkers” following the saying that “writing is clear thinking made visible.” He also thanked the Department of Education for the “traditional and time-honored contest”
Present during the affair were assistant schools division superintendent of the host division Dr. Aurora Domingo, secondary education division chief Dr. Ernesto Florendo and elementary education division chief Dr. Elva Lois Orlanda.
Winners in the regional level will go all the way to Kalibo, Aklan in February for the national contest.
The regional schools press conference is held annually in accordance with regional memorandum. 54 which forms part of Republic Act 7079 also known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (VMHS-PIA-Pangasinan/ Ilocos News Service)
JDV calls for ceasefire to RP’s dirty politics
HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. called for a ceasefire in “poisonous, dirty, excessive, negative and confrontational politics” in the spirit of Christmas and the coming New Year.
Speaking to newsmen Monday before flying back to Manila after a three-day speaking engagement with his constituents in Pangasinan, de Venecia expressed hope that this season of joy “will mark the beginning of reconciliation and unity among our people”.
De Venecia was guest of honor and speaker Sunday during the “Galikayo” Festival in Manaoag town, a religious activity honoring and professing devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Manaoag.
Manaoag is today’s religious capital of Pangasinan if not in the entire northern Luzon.
De Venecia said ceasefire is not only among the rebels and government forces but also among the various political forces across the land.
“At the same time, let’s hope that our family—husbands, wives, sons and daughter, nephews and nieces can be together as part of the great Filipino tradition to observe Christmas,“ he said.
De Venecia called on the people to observe the religious dimensions of Christmas which are very important, like gift-giving, Misa de Gallo, attending mass or service, prayers and solidarity among families.
“These are the high points of Christian life that we must preserve in the Philippines,” he said. (PNA)
Speaking to newsmen Monday before flying back to Manila after a three-day speaking engagement with his constituents in Pangasinan, de Venecia expressed hope that this season of joy “will mark the beginning of reconciliation and unity among our people”.
De Venecia was guest of honor and speaker Sunday during the “Galikayo” Festival in Manaoag town, a religious activity honoring and professing devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Manaoag.
Manaoag is today’s religious capital of Pangasinan if not in the entire northern Luzon.
De Venecia said ceasefire is not only among the rebels and government forces but also among the various political forces across the land.
“At the same time, let’s hope that our family—husbands, wives, sons and daughter, nephews and nieces can be together as part of the great Filipino tradition to observe Christmas,“ he said.
De Venecia called on the people to observe the religious dimensions of Christmas which are very important, like gift-giving, Misa de Gallo, attending mass or service, prayers and solidarity among families.
“These are the high points of Christian life that we must preserve in the Philippines,” he said. (PNA)
Fake Mongol products seized from city store
POLICEMEN accompanied by officials of the Department of Trade and Industry seized two big bundles of fake Mongol pencils and products worth thousands of pesos during a raid on a downtown store Dagupan City Thursday.
Arrested in the operation was Jayson Sy, 24, tagged as the owner of SK Enterprise on A.B. Fernandez Avenue in Dagupan City which was fond selling fake Mongol pencils, crayons and Lotus ball pens that resemble the original products.
Sy, claimed he did not know that the products were imitations as these were brought to them by a dealer from Manila whom he did not identify.
The raid was part of a nationwide crackdown launched by Amspec Corporation, lone manufacturer and distributor of Mongol products, against imitation products being sold in the market at much cheaper prices than the genuine ones.
Wency Cao, national sales manager of Amspec, said they sought the assistance of the police and the DTI after they received reports that Sy’s store was selling information Mongol products, a violation of the Intellectual Property Rights. Guillermo Avelino represented the DTI in the raid.
Cao was with their company lawyer, Cesar Lopez Jr. and two of their quality control officer in determining that the fake products seized during the raid were not the genuine Mongol products though their label and appearance were almost the same.
He said the genuine Mongol pencil is “sweet-smeeling” as it is made of Cedar wood imported by their company from California U.S.A. while the imitation is odorless as it is made from Palo-China wood.
Hinting that the fake Mongol products came from China though the Manila ports by alleged misdeclaration, Cao believed a company in Manila is importing and distributing the fake products nationwide at the expense of the genuine Mongol products solely manufactured and distributed by his company.
“Of course, it is affecting sales of our products. Our concern is to provide quality products tot eh people but this is being destroyed by the flooding of fake products in the market, Cao said.
Buyers of Mongol pencils with distinctive taste can easily determine the fake from the genuine by examining their wood. The fake product is white while that of the genuine is reddish.
Lopez said the ferrule (ring that holds the eraser, that is made of tin) of the genuine and fake Mongol pencil are different. The marking of the fake pencil is easy to erase, in contrast with that of the genuine which is difficult to erase.
Also, the eraser of the genuine pencil is colored red orange while the eraser of the fake product is pale red. Genuine Mongol pencil sells at P4.50 each while the fake pencil costs only P1.25.
Arrested in the operation was Jayson Sy, 24, tagged as the owner of SK Enterprise on A.B. Fernandez Avenue in Dagupan City which was fond selling fake Mongol pencils, crayons and Lotus ball pens that resemble the original products.
Sy, claimed he did not know that the products were imitations as these were brought to them by a dealer from Manila whom he did not identify.
The raid was part of a nationwide crackdown launched by Amspec Corporation, lone manufacturer and distributor of Mongol products, against imitation products being sold in the market at much cheaper prices than the genuine ones.
Wency Cao, national sales manager of Amspec, said they sought the assistance of the police and the DTI after they received reports that Sy’s store was selling information Mongol products, a violation of the Intellectual Property Rights. Guillermo Avelino represented the DTI in the raid.
Cao was with their company lawyer, Cesar Lopez Jr. and two of their quality control officer in determining that the fake products seized during the raid were not the genuine Mongol products though their label and appearance were almost the same.
He said the genuine Mongol pencil is “sweet-smeeling” as it is made of Cedar wood imported by their company from California U.S.A. while the imitation is odorless as it is made from Palo-China wood.
Hinting that the fake Mongol products came from China though the Manila ports by alleged misdeclaration, Cao believed a company in Manila is importing and distributing the fake products nationwide at the expense of the genuine Mongol products solely manufactured and distributed by his company.
“Of course, it is affecting sales of our products. Our concern is to provide quality products tot eh people but this is being destroyed by the flooding of fake products in the market, Cao said.
Buyers of Mongol pencils with distinctive taste can easily determine the fake from the genuine by examining their wood. The fake product is white while that of the genuine is reddish.
Lopez said the ferrule (ring that holds the eraser, that is made of tin) of the genuine and fake Mongol pencil are different. The marking of the fake pencil is easy to erase, in contrast with that of the genuine which is difficult to erase.
Also, the eraser of the genuine pencil is colored red orange while the eraser of the fake product is pale red. Genuine Mongol pencil sells at P4.50 each while the fake pencil costs only P1.25.
Lim distancing from JDV – or the other way around?
DID MAYOR Benjamin S. Lim intentionally skip the trip to Singapore widely perceived as a Christmas treat for allies of House Speaker Jose de Venecia among the mayors of the fourth district?
Except for Lim, all the mayors of the district – Mojamito Libunao of San Fabian, Herminio Romero of Mangaldan, Rolando Columbres of San Jacinto, and Napoleon Sales of Manaoag left this week for the prosperous city-state with a sidetrip reportedly to Malaysia.
Lim’s action may be viewed as an indication of a growing chasm between the two political leaders although publicly De Venecia has tried to shrug this off as mere speculation and intrigue.
Lim stumped his Lakas partymates, especially the House Speaker, when he joined the call for President Macapagal-Arroyo to step down from office in the wake of alleged rigging in her favor of the 2004 presidential election results.
Lim, being a Lakas party member, obviously only toed the line during the last elections but many sectors believe he was for the late Fernando Poe, Jr. in the last presidential elections.
At the height of the controversy caused by the “Hello Garci” scandal, the mayor welcomed with open arms Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, when she came to Dagupan City to press her call for the President to resign. That incident widened the gap all the more between him and the administration.
Political observers said it is very possible De Venecia and the mayor could find themselves rivals in the next congressional election if their political differences worsen further.
Except for Lim, all the mayors of the district – Mojamito Libunao of San Fabian, Herminio Romero of Mangaldan, Rolando Columbres of San Jacinto, and Napoleon Sales of Manaoag left this week for the prosperous city-state with a sidetrip reportedly to Malaysia.
Lim’s action may be viewed as an indication of a growing chasm between the two political leaders although publicly De Venecia has tried to shrug this off as mere speculation and intrigue.
Lim stumped his Lakas partymates, especially the House Speaker, when he joined the call for President Macapagal-Arroyo to step down from office in the wake of alleged rigging in her favor of the 2004 presidential election results.
Lim, being a Lakas party member, obviously only toed the line during the last elections but many sectors believe he was for the late Fernando Poe, Jr. in the last presidential elections.
At the height of the controversy caused by the “Hello Garci” scandal, the mayor welcomed with open arms Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, when she came to Dagupan City to press her call for the President to resign. That incident widened the gap all the more between him and the administration.
Political observers said it is very possible De Venecia and the mayor could find themselves rivals in the next congressional election if their political differences worsen further.
Patrima elects Errasquin, Sy new prexy, veep
VETERAN broadcaster Bernie Errasquin handily won the presidency of the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima) Inc. in the mediamen group’s simple and orderly elections held last Wednesday at the Dagupan Business Center in the City Astrodome.Errasquin , station manager of DWRS-Radyo ng Bayan-Tayug, is only the third president of Patrima. He will take over from Roland Hidalgo of DWPR who becomes ex-officio director of the club when the new president is formally inducted. Patrima’s first president was Minerva Caburnay of DZRH-Dagupan.
Supervised by the club’s Convenors led by Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr., the board election was preceded by a general assembly and meeting as set in the Association’s by-laws where the president and treasurer rendered their reports to the body.
The new board directors and officers came from the Sectoral Representatives earlier elected by club members in the club’s nine media sectors: Publishers/Editors, Station Managers/Program Directors, Announcers /Commentators, Columnists, Reporters, Government Information Officers, Cable TV Managers/Program Directors, Photographers and Reporters.
Completing the new and incoming board officers are Lelia C. Sy (Northern Times), vice president; Venus May H. Sarmiento (PIA/Pangasinan Star), secretary; Liway M. Yparraguirre (Manila Times/Pangasinan Star), treasurer; Joey Ballesteros (DWPR) auditor; and Violeta V. Ferrer (DWPR), business manager.
The rest of the earlier -elected sectoral representatives automatically become board directors.
Patrima, now on its third year, was formed by leading members of the local media to uphold the integrity of the profession and together make a difference in the public’s perception of the media sector.
World-class beach villas coming up in San Fabian
AMONG all the shoreline areas of Pangasinan and Ilocos, the most naturally developed and abundantly attractive is the San Fabian beach and resort area.
Thus did House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia laud the natural attributes of San Fabian beach in his brief remarks last Dec. 4 at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the San Fabian Beach Villas of the International Gateway Realty and Development Inc. chaired by top Manila and Palawan businessman Rolando Asis.
Located just across the PTA Resort in barangays Bolasi and Mabilao, the San Fabian Beach Villas will soon rise as a “world-class subdivision in the tradition of the famed beach villas of France… that can easily become a major destination for international tourists,” de Venecia said.
The Speaker took time to report that Congress is now finalizing a bill to require developers of middle-class housing projects to include provisions for low-cost housing to help answer the acute need for mass settlements in the country.
He announced that such a mass housing project will be put upby government “starting May next year” in the Bolasi area in San Fabian in addition to a low-cost housing venture being planned by Asis and his group.
The San Fabian Beach Villas sits on a 35-hectare property sold by the family of Dona Consuelo Perez, widow of the late Speaker Eugenio Perez and mother –in-law of de Venecia, to the International Gateway group of Asis.
Present at the groundbreaking ceremonies were San Fabian Mayor Mojamito Libunao and sangguniang bayan members led by Vice Mayor Liberato Villegas, former Congressman Joe Bengson, international banker George Go of PCI, DENR regional Director Victor Ancheta, businessman Tito de Venecia, lawyer Vic Castaneda and Eli Opena, marketing director of IGRDI, among other guests.
Once completed, the world-class beach villas project will feature facilities and amenities such as a fully landscaped park and playground, entertainment cabanas with children and adult pool, a commercial area, potable water with overhead tank, telephone system, basketball court, concrete roads, curbs and gutters, barbecue pits and underground drainage.
Thus did House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia laud the natural attributes of San Fabian beach in his brief remarks last Dec. 4 at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the San Fabian Beach Villas of the International Gateway Realty and Development Inc. chaired by top Manila and Palawan businessman Rolando Asis.
Located just across the PTA Resort in barangays Bolasi and Mabilao, the San Fabian Beach Villas will soon rise as a “world-class subdivision in the tradition of the famed beach villas of France… that can easily become a major destination for international tourists,” de Venecia said.
The Speaker took time to report that Congress is now finalizing a bill to require developers of middle-class housing projects to include provisions for low-cost housing to help answer the acute need for mass settlements in the country.
He announced that such a mass housing project will be put upby government “starting May next year” in the Bolasi area in San Fabian in addition to a low-cost housing venture being planned by Asis and his group.
The San Fabian Beach Villas sits on a 35-hectare property sold by the family of Dona Consuelo Perez, widow of the late Speaker Eugenio Perez and mother –in-law of de Venecia, to the International Gateway group of Asis.
Present at the groundbreaking ceremonies were San Fabian Mayor Mojamito Libunao and sangguniang bayan members led by Vice Mayor Liberato Villegas, former Congressman Joe Bengson, international banker George Go of PCI, DENR regional Director Victor Ancheta, businessman Tito de Venecia, lawyer Vic Castaneda and Eli Opena, marketing director of IGRDI, among other guests.
Once completed, the world-class beach villas project will feature facilities and amenities such as a fully landscaped park and playground, entertainment cabanas with children and adult pool, a commercial area, potable water with overhead tank, telephone system, basketball court, concrete roads, curbs and gutters, barbecue pits and underground drainage.
OPINYON: Singa agaak makapanisia, Hen. Senga
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
AGAYMETLATAN ey, Heneral Heneroso Senga, sir, ey?
Walay kuwarenta’y sinko bilyones ya badyet yo ditan ed Armd Porsis op da Pilipins (AFP) et walan ibagam nin anggapon balot so teknolohiya yo ya man-wayrtap – odino pasilib ya mandengel na tongotngay totoo ed silpon (cellphone) —kanian, onong ed sika, imposiblen sikayodtan ed AFP so nalapoan na samay kontrobersiyal ya “Hello, Garci..!” teyps.
Singa metla imbagam, Senga, ya daeg kayoni na saray ogogaw ya amtadan usaren iray kagawaan pian nairikord da so tongtongan ed telepono da. Paelek-elekan kayo labat met ditad AFP no ontan, Heneral!
Siopa ta met so nasyon ya anggapoy ontan ya kapabilidad na Armd Porsis da a? Agko labay ya isipen ya ontan la kabobo iray bibidbiren tayon protektor na nasyon tan bansa.
Mannonot kimet kari na mas napanisiaan ya baraan, plis.
Sikatotay makapataktakot met ed militar tan say Kapolisan no manonaan nin protektaan daray totoo dan mangagaway iligal ya aktibidades (iligal, no agyoni amta, so mandengel tan mangirikord na tongtongan ed telepono diad bansa tayo) nen say italindeg so katua-an. Satan et pikewet ya klasen ‘esprit d’corps’ odino say tradisyonal ya panoolopan ed saray walad serbisyo militar.
Antis kon nalingwanan agagik tan atateng, Meri Krrismas pa lad sikayon amin!Pikasi yo pan onlangalang ni so bitewen na sayan paborito yon diyaryo lokal anggaman mandenden so irap.
Pirdona yo kami met ta iyanunsiyo milad sayan kolum ko so pangitagey na “cover price” na sayan babasaen manlapu no Enero, 2006.
Ontagey la iya na piso kanian P6 kada kopya so pangaliw yod Pangasinan Star. Manoboy daiset met balet iray kakaiba tayon managlakod “newsstand”, siyempre, kanian singa P7 o P7.50 so pangilako da.
Mario F. Karateka
AGAYMETLATAN ey, Heneral Heneroso Senga, sir, ey?
Walay kuwarenta’y sinko bilyones ya badyet yo ditan ed Armd Porsis op da Pilipins (AFP) et walan ibagam nin anggapon balot so teknolohiya yo ya man-wayrtap – odino pasilib ya mandengel na tongotngay totoo ed silpon (cellphone) —kanian, onong ed sika, imposiblen sikayodtan ed AFP so nalapoan na samay kontrobersiyal ya “Hello, Garci..!” teyps.
Singa metla imbagam, Senga, ya daeg kayoni na saray ogogaw ya amtadan usaren iray kagawaan pian nairikord da so tongtongan ed telepono da. Paelek-elekan kayo labat met ditad AFP no ontan, Heneral!
Siopa ta met so nasyon ya anggapoy ontan ya kapabilidad na Armd Porsis da a? Agko labay ya isipen ya ontan la kabobo iray bibidbiren tayon protektor na nasyon tan bansa.
Mannonot kimet kari na mas napanisiaan ya baraan, plis.
Sikatotay makapataktakot met ed militar tan say Kapolisan no manonaan nin protektaan daray totoo dan mangagaway iligal ya aktibidades (iligal, no agyoni amta, so mandengel tan mangirikord na tongtongan ed telepono diad bansa tayo) nen say italindeg so katua-an. Satan et pikewet ya klasen ‘esprit d’corps’ odino say tradisyonal ya panoolopan ed saray walad serbisyo militar.
* * * * *
Salamat, salamat pay baleg ed say masimoon ya tulong nen Konsehal Alex de Venecia , say hermano mayor na piyesta na Dagupan ed samay limabn libon pisos (P5.000.00) ya inter tod Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima) Inc. ta akatulong iman ed panliliket ya ginawa daray primos tan primas ed Patrima sanen Martes ditan ed Dagupan Business Center (Tenkyu met manaya, Direktor Jimmy Lucas ed impangusar min agano na DBC).
Walan ginawa so dyiniral asimbli tan eleksion na Patrima – sayay primeron olopa’y managpalapag ed luyag – tan apilin balon presidente si brodkaster Bernie Errasquin na Radyo ng Bayan-Tayug a sikato met lanti so peles a bise-presidente na sayan malet ya olopan na Medya natan.
Si Bernie et ilaloan na saray nanamatalek ed pakayari, integridad tan kasil to ya talagan mamabiskeg na Patrima ed ontombok a taon. Saltan to si brodkaster met ya Roland Hidalgo na DWPR. Sakey si Bernie ed saray mareen balet napanmatalkan ya kabiangay Medya ed Pangasinan. Anggapoy akapeket ya kontrobersiya ed sikato ta “low-profile” iyan laki, ag mapasang, aliwan maingal. Tan manonad amin, aliwan ketang.
Marlang so aarapen na Patrima diad onsoblay ya taon
Walan ginawa so dyiniral asimbli tan eleksion na Patrima – sayay primeron olopa’y managpalapag ed luyag – tan apilin balon presidente si brodkaster Bernie Errasquin na Radyo ng Bayan-Tayug a sikato met lanti so peles a bise-presidente na sayan malet ya olopan na Medya natan.
Si Bernie et ilaloan na saray nanamatalek ed pakayari, integridad tan kasil to ya talagan mamabiskeg na Patrima ed ontombok a taon. Saltan to si brodkaster met ya Roland Hidalgo na DWPR. Sakey si Bernie ed saray mareen balet napanmatalkan ya kabiangay Medya ed Pangasinan. Anggapoy akapeket ya kontrobersiya ed sikato ta “low-profile” iyan laki, ag mapasang, aliwan maingal. Tan manonad amin, aliwan ketang.
Marlang so aarapen na Patrima diad onsoblay ya taon
* * * * *
Antis kon nalingwanan agagik tan atateng, Meri Krrismas pa lad sikayon amin!Pikasi yo pan onlangalang ni so bitewen na sayan paborito yon diyaryo lokal anggaman mandenden so irap.
Pirdona yo kami met ta iyanunsiyo milad sayan kolum ko so pangitagey na “cover price” na sayan babasaen manlapu no Enero, 2006.
Ontagey la iya na piso kanian P6 kada kopya so pangaliw yod Pangasinan Star. Manoboy daiset met balet iray kakaiba tayon managlakod “newsstand”, siyempre, kanian singa P7 o P7.50 so pangilako da.
EDITORIAL: No to full foreign ownership of utilities, etc.
WE fully agree that the Consultative Commission members deserve the President’s and the People’s congratulations for doing a good job. Up close during the Pangasinan leg of their nationwide consultations, despite time constraints, the Con-Com commissioners who came from diverse fields and sectors were able to project their sincerity and frankness in “trying to help” the country get out of its present rut. Now, they have submitted their final report to President Arroyo who will shortly endorse it to the Speaker of the House and the Senate President for action or disposition.
In all probability, and at the risk of going ahead of the honorable men and women of Congress, the country’s going to have a parliamentary-federal form and structure of government if not next year, then soon after.
This newspaper fully supports such a course. The presidential system of government has been self-destructing all this time and making elections of officials a big farce because of all the spending. While the parliamentary system might not altogether do away with corruption, it is our fervent hope that it would be minimized even as party accountability to the people is reinforced.
While we endorse a parliamentary-federal government, we do not however quite believe – unlike many of our Pangasinan leaders, most of them the rich and the moneyed and influential -- in opening up wide the avenues for foreign ownership of our national patrimony and resources. This newspaper believes the 60-40 ratio for foreign ownership of major utilities and industries that exists today, more than being just a sense of nationalism, is a sense of reality.
Proponents of the lifting of that provision on national patrimony argue that if 90 or a hundred percent ownership is offered foreigners, more out-of-country investors would be lured to come in and thus start a surge of industries and utilities for the Philippines, one we have never seen before, pump-priming the economy. After all, the proponents add, we still have a “parliament” that can draw up the regulations and control for such foreign-owned utility enterprises on Philippine soil so as to prevent abuse and overexploitation.
That, we all know, is pipe dream. Given our track record as a country in enforcing our own laws and rules, we might as well be allowing the rape of our maids and sister and daughters inside the room while we keep fumbling for the keys to open the door and cursing to high heavens why we ever gave access to the strangers in our house at all.
That’s not imagination; that’s experience.
In all probability, and at the risk of going ahead of the honorable men and women of Congress, the country’s going to have a parliamentary-federal form and structure of government if not next year, then soon after.
This newspaper fully supports such a course. The presidential system of government has been self-destructing all this time and making elections of officials a big farce because of all the spending. While the parliamentary system might not altogether do away with corruption, it is our fervent hope that it would be minimized even as party accountability to the people is reinforced.
While we endorse a parliamentary-federal government, we do not however quite believe – unlike many of our Pangasinan leaders, most of them the rich and the moneyed and influential -- in opening up wide the avenues for foreign ownership of our national patrimony and resources. This newspaper believes the 60-40 ratio for foreign ownership of major utilities and industries that exists today, more than being just a sense of nationalism, is a sense of reality.
Proponents of the lifting of that provision on national patrimony argue that if 90 or a hundred percent ownership is offered foreigners, more out-of-country investors would be lured to come in and thus start a surge of industries and utilities for the Philippines, one we have never seen before, pump-priming the economy. After all, the proponents add, we still have a “parliament” that can draw up the regulations and control for such foreign-owned utility enterprises on Philippine soil so as to prevent abuse and overexploitation.
That, we all know, is pipe dream. Given our track record as a country in enforcing our own laws and rules, we might as well be allowing the rape of our maids and sister and daughters inside the room while we keep fumbling for the keys to open the door and cursing to high heavens why we ever gave access to the strangers in our house at all.
That’s not imagination; that’s experience.
OPINION: Saving at Christmas, again (of all seasons!)
AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr.
SOMEHOW, they managed to come up with quaint, brightly lit rows of lamp posts on Dagupan’s major bridge, the Quintos bridge downtown. And that’s about all. Evenings when you cruise further down the main thoroughfare, the dull glow of the old streetlights is what illumines the heart of Dagupan’s commercial center as though keeping in spirit with the general downcast feelings of cash-strapped Dagupenos and Pangasinenses in, of all seasons, Christmastime and Fiesta-time.
Whoever decided to light up Perez bridge miserably forgot its twin, the Perez bridge (or de Venecia bridge, whatever you call it) that parallels it along the same Pantal river which is making do with the old, broken “Golden Gate” replica of lights. Some nights, the lights are turned on, some nights they’re not.
The difference is striking – on one side, the downtown area, the spirit of motorists and pedestrians is lifted just passing by the bright lamp posts (wonder how much those lights cost the city again, and we’ don’t just mean the purchase price but the coming electric bill); on the other side along Perez Boulevard, one gets the feeling he’s suddenly passing through the darker side of the moon (at least on some nights when somebody forgets to switch it on, we don’t know).
But no matter how city hall spins it, there’s some problem in city finances on ‘dar hills. It’s saving, it’s scrimping, it’s spending with utmost care – quite uncharacteristically, we might add. And Dagupenos so used to having bongga fiesta seasons are suddenly seeing and feeling the difference between a profligate past and a penurious present, both under the same city administration.
Oh, but you have to hear all the wailings and bayings among City Hall employees now who see the tightening of the once liberal or open coffers as Disaster Signal One – not to mention the most unfortunate cut in GMA’s-mandated P5-T cash gift for government workers to just P3T with all its attendant and frantic last-minute sourcing of fund among sanggunian’s appropriations committee chair Michael F and the city treasury, accounting and budget offices , just so the waiting workers won’t be left hanging at Christmas, again, of all seasons.
The times, they’re hard. And the ghost of the spending binge of the past, aside of course, from the fat salaries of City hall consultants of all sizes and shape (that’s according to some rank-and-file employees commiserating with the laid- off emergency workers who have been doing much of the dirty work) seems to have come back hauntingly to the Lords of the Ring at city hall this Christmas, again , of all seasons.
One thing sure, many contractors would have to wait until next year anew to be paid their services’ and labors’ due. Some imaginative accounting will have to be done yet between now and the closing of the books for audit this year, see?
Now you know why the Pangasinan Star wouldn’t want to add to the financial burden by running that city fiesta ad you see in most local newspapers. It’s not out of pride, it’s out of civic duty. Hello, CIO chief Butch Velasco!
Behn Fer. Hortaleza, Jr.
SOMEHOW, they managed to come up with quaint, brightly lit rows of lamp posts on Dagupan’s major bridge, the Quintos bridge downtown. And that’s about all. Evenings when you cruise further down the main thoroughfare, the dull glow of the old streetlights is what illumines the heart of Dagupan’s commercial center as though keeping in spirit with the general downcast feelings of cash-strapped Dagupenos and Pangasinenses in, of all seasons, Christmastime and Fiesta-time.
Whoever decided to light up Perez bridge miserably forgot its twin, the Perez bridge (or de Venecia bridge, whatever you call it) that parallels it along the same Pantal river which is making do with the old, broken “Golden Gate” replica of lights. Some nights, the lights are turned on, some nights they’re not.
The difference is striking – on one side, the downtown area, the spirit of motorists and pedestrians is lifted just passing by the bright lamp posts (wonder how much those lights cost the city again, and we’ don’t just mean the purchase price but the coming electric bill); on the other side along Perez Boulevard, one gets the feeling he’s suddenly passing through the darker side of the moon (at least on some nights when somebody forgets to switch it on, we don’t know).
But no matter how city hall spins it, there’s some problem in city finances on ‘dar hills. It’s saving, it’s scrimping, it’s spending with utmost care – quite uncharacteristically, we might add. And Dagupenos so used to having bongga fiesta seasons are suddenly seeing and feeling the difference between a profligate past and a penurious present, both under the same city administration.
Oh, but you have to hear all the wailings and bayings among City Hall employees now who see the tightening of the once liberal or open coffers as Disaster Signal One – not to mention the most unfortunate cut in GMA’s-mandated P5-T cash gift for government workers to just P3T with all its attendant and frantic last-minute sourcing of fund among sanggunian’s appropriations committee chair Michael F and the city treasury, accounting and budget offices , just so the waiting workers won’t be left hanging at Christmas, again, of all seasons.
The times, they’re hard. And the ghost of the spending binge of the past, aside of course, from the fat salaries of City hall consultants of all sizes and shape (that’s according to some rank-and-file employees commiserating with the laid- off emergency workers who have been doing much of the dirty work) seems to have come back hauntingly to the Lords of the Ring at city hall this Christmas, again , of all seasons.
One thing sure, many contractors would have to wait until next year anew to be paid their services’ and labors’ due. Some imaginative accounting will have to be done yet between now and the closing of the books for audit this year, see?
Now you know why the Pangasinan Star wouldn’t want to add to the financial burden by running that city fiesta ad you see in most local newspapers. It’s not out of pride, it’s out of civic duty. Hello, CIO chief Butch Velasco!
OPINION: Where’s Purisima? Shadowman stays in the shadows
The PEN SPEAKS
Danny O. Sagun
PERSISTENT is the apparent move to drive a wedge between Mayor Benjie Lim and House Speaker Jose de Venecia and it could eventually force them to clash in the next congressional election. If that happens, the Fernandezes (Vice Mayor Alvin or Immigration Commissioner Alipio) would have no sweat capturing City Hall anew and many are thus speculating that since the Fernandezes would benefit the most from such a JDV-BSL enmity, they could be fanning such intrigues.
But it is also possible that moves to sever the mayor’s ties with the Speaker are coming from Lim himself because unless he comes out of the Speaker’s shadow he cannot take another shot at the post he once held and in which he had endeared himself to the fourth district constituents.
The big question is, does he have a chance against the political giant? He cannot tell unless he tries. Ask former Vice Gov. Gonz Duque, who twice(?) tried to slay the giant but failed. Maybe his effort was not enough, or De Venecia was really that formidable.
It is possible to defeat him though. Why not? Lim once proved the De Venecia magic could be slain when he roundly defeated a De Venecia in Tessie. He did it through the massive votes of Dagupan City which overwhelmed the lead of Tessie deV in the four towns of the fourth district. He could duplicate that feat again.
JDV is different, many would dare compare. The mayor however has proven his electoral prowess too in his last political fights and that record could make the Speaker worry a bit, if not a lot.
A JDV-BSL face-off is far-fetched though at this point. Lim is on his second term yet and he may content himself taking a crack for a third term. This corner believes Vice-Mayor Alvin is willing to wait for another three years; anyway he is still very young.
The Speaker may not also like to see his wards fighting each other or that somebody will be fighting him even and he would do all he can – dance, sing, sales-talk—to avoid having an opponent. Anyway, the present set-up can be maintained without anyone getting hurt or sidelined.
And everybody will be happy. Perhaps only in 2001 when Benjie would be retiring from City Hall and Alvin goes full throttle for the mayorship would we see a battle royale.
The Cha-Cha, if pushed thru, however may change the whole scenario particularly if the provision on term limits is lifted. Abangan.
Danny O. Sagun
PERSISTENT is the apparent move to drive a wedge between Mayor Benjie Lim and House Speaker Jose de Venecia and it could eventually force them to clash in the next congressional election. If that happens, the Fernandezes (Vice Mayor Alvin or Immigration Commissioner Alipio) would have no sweat capturing City Hall anew and many are thus speculating that since the Fernandezes would benefit the most from such a JDV-BSL enmity, they could be fanning such intrigues.
But it is also possible that moves to sever the mayor’s ties with the Speaker are coming from Lim himself because unless he comes out of the Speaker’s shadow he cannot take another shot at the post he once held and in which he had endeared himself to the fourth district constituents.
The big question is, does he have a chance against the political giant? He cannot tell unless he tries. Ask former Vice Gov. Gonz Duque, who twice(?) tried to slay the giant but failed. Maybe his effort was not enough, or De Venecia was really that formidable.
It is possible to defeat him though. Why not? Lim once proved the De Venecia magic could be slain when he roundly defeated a De Venecia in Tessie. He did it through the massive votes of Dagupan City which overwhelmed the lead of Tessie deV in the four towns of the fourth district. He could duplicate that feat again.
JDV is different, many would dare compare. The mayor however has proven his electoral prowess too in his last political fights and that record could make the Speaker worry a bit, if not a lot.
A JDV-BSL face-off is far-fetched though at this point. Lim is on his second term yet and he may content himself taking a crack for a third term. This corner believes Vice-Mayor Alvin is willing to wait for another three years; anyway he is still very young.
The Speaker may not also like to see his wards fighting each other or that somebody will be fighting him even and he would do all he can – dance, sing, sales-talk—to avoid having an opponent. Anyway, the present set-up can be maintained without anyone getting hurt or sidelined.
And everybody will be happy. Perhaps only in 2001 when Benjie would be retiring from City Hall and Alvin goes full throttle for the mayorship would we see a battle royale.
The Cha-Cha, if pushed thru, however may change the whole scenario particularly if the provision on term limits is lifted. Abangan.
* * * * *
We are prompted to compare the present police provincial director to his predecessors in the matter of visibility. While he wants his field men to be physically present in their posts the whole day if possible, he is doing the opposite. The local media complains that Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima is inaccessible for interviews unlike his immediate predecessor, Sr. Supt. Mario Sandiego who finds time to present himself in media interviews particularly on radio. Twice, he graced our Thursday radio program at Radyo ng Bayan-DZMQ together with his community relations officer Supt. Ric Tamayo. He also took time replying to text messages. We could say the same about Sr. Supt. (now general?) Bogie Mendoza.
Purisima, who has been around for only about half a year, is quite difficult to reach even by cell phone. He reportedly has changed his number, apparently to avoid being pestered, by media particularly. We understand he is not used to facing the media every now and then, having worked in the intel community, where silence is golden. But he is now posted in a position that requires his comment, reaction, and action on the happenings in the province related to peace and order -- which situation, by the way, is getting alarming as evidenced by the rise in robbery-hold-up incidents.
Provincial Administrator Boy Solis, who obviously was himself piqued by Purisima’s continued silenced despite a memo from the governor, advised him to be more transparent by facing the people and the media.
That statement could be understood as a warning to the provincial director to change behavior or else face reassignment—or a recommendation to that effect.
Purisima, who has been around for only about half a year, is quite difficult to reach even by cell phone. He reportedly has changed his number, apparently to avoid being pestered, by media particularly. We understand he is not used to facing the media every now and then, having worked in the intel community, where silence is golden. But he is now posted in a position that requires his comment, reaction, and action on the happenings in the province related to peace and order -- which situation, by the way, is getting alarming as evidenced by the rise in robbery-hold-up incidents.
Provincial Administrator Boy Solis, who obviously was himself piqued by Purisima’s continued silenced despite a memo from the governor, advised him to be more transparent by facing the people and the media.
That statement could be understood as a warning to the provincial director to change behavior or else face reassignment—or a recommendation to that effect.
OPINION: Putting a virtual white elephant to good use
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
I WAS in Manambong, Bayambang last weekend to witness the launching of a backyard animal dispersal project of businessman Cesar T. Quiambao, a dear son of Bayambang, who is also known as the man behind the Skyway project in Metro Manila.
But what caught my attention was the project venue: an imposing well-ventilated two-storey structure towering over the barangay. It was an evacuation center, I would learn later.
There are actually two of them in Manambong, and, according to DPWH regional director Fidel Ginez, there are eight more of these structures in seven other low-lying and flood-prone barangays in Bayambang.
For an evacuation center, the buildings definitely had the amenities that an evacuation center should have -- space, good ventilation, water supply, kitchen and comfort rooms. Its second level is open in the middle, allowing air to circulate within the structure.
Easily, each building can accommodate 3,000 evacuees. And because it was built in an elevated base overlooking a rice field, residents can also evacuate with them their animals, which can be tied in the spacious yard fronting the buildings.
Rep. Gener Tulagan, who was at the project launch, said that barangay officials have agreed to put one of the buildings to good use during dry months. Without floods, the buildings are virtual white elephants. He said that a local entrepreneur who owns ready-to-wear (RTW) factories in the Bataan Export Processing Zone has agreed to open one in Manambong utilizing one of the buildings, to provide a source of additional income to mothers and women in the barangay, who are mostly farmers.
The RTW factory will probably in operation 11 months of the year. And flood waters rise from the nearby Mangabul Lake and submerge the barangay, the factory can suspend its operations to accommodate the evacuees.
For a remote and depressed barangay like Manambong, opening a factory will also open to its people the door to growth and development. Not only will increased people’s income perk up the local economy. More importantly, the need to transport the factory products to the market will require building of its roadline, which in the end will also be beneficial to the farmers.
Mayor Leo de Vera, who was conspicuously missing during the project launch, can only smile in approval with the development. To him, any project that can help alleviate his townspeople’s situation is welcome. After all, improving the people’s lives and liberating them from the bondage of poverty is his reason for being.
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
I WAS in Manambong, Bayambang last weekend to witness the launching of a backyard animal dispersal project of businessman Cesar T. Quiambao, a dear son of Bayambang, who is also known as the man behind the Skyway project in Metro Manila.
But what caught my attention was the project venue: an imposing well-ventilated two-storey structure towering over the barangay. It was an evacuation center, I would learn later.
There are actually two of them in Manambong, and, according to DPWH regional director Fidel Ginez, there are eight more of these structures in seven other low-lying and flood-prone barangays in Bayambang.
For an evacuation center, the buildings definitely had the amenities that an evacuation center should have -- space, good ventilation, water supply, kitchen and comfort rooms. Its second level is open in the middle, allowing air to circulate within the structure.
Easily, each building can accommodate 3,000 evacuees. And because it was built in an elevated base overlooking a rice field, residents can also evacuate with them their animals, which can be tied in the spacious yard fronting the buildings.
Rep. Gener Tulagan, who was at the project launch, said that barangay officials have agreed to put one of the buildings to good use during dry months. Without floods, the buildings are virtual white elephants. He said that a local entrepreneur who owns ready-to-wear (RTW) factories in the Bataan Export Processing Zone has agreed to open one in Manambong utilizing one of the buildings, to provide a source of additional income to mothers and women in the barangay, who are mostly farmers.
The RTW factory will probably in operation 11 months of the year. And flood waters rise from the nearby Mangabul Lake and submerge the barangay, the factory can suspend its operations to accommodate the evacuees.
For a remote and depressed barangay like Manambong, opening a factory will also open to its people the door to growth and development. Not only will increased people’s income perk up the local economy. More importantly, the need to transport the factory products to the market will require building of its roadline, which in the end will also be beneficial to the farmers.
Mayor Leo de Vera, who was conspicuously missing during the project launch, can only smile in approval with the development. To him, any project that can help alleviate his townspeople’s situation is welcome. After all, improving the people’s lives and liberating them from the bondage of poverty is his reason for being.
* * * * *
Congratulations to DWRS-Radyo ng Bayan’s Bernie Errasquin for his election as president of the Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima) last Wednesday. For three years now, Patrima elections have always been fun, intrigue-free and non-controversial. No protests, no complaints, no vote-buying, but nonetheless, democratic.
I would like also to congratulate out-going president Roland Hidalgo for his successful one-year term. Despite his busy schedule, he somehow managed to organize activities for Patrima and represent it in various official functions.
With Patrima, it is now easier to differentiate the grain from the chaff, so to speak.
I would like also to congratulate out-going president Roland Hidalgo for his successful one-year term. Despite his busy schedule, he somehow managed to organize activities for Patrima and represent it in various official functions.
With Patrima, it is now easier to differentiate the grain from the chaff, so to speak.
