27 December 2005
Christmas lanterns
THE JOYS A CHRISTMAS LANTERN BRINGS to people, especially the young ones, is captured in this shot bythe Pangasinan Star camera of children gazing in great admiration and joy at the lantern entries in the Dagupan City Fiesta Lantern Parade last week. (Photo by Butch F. Uka)
Hit BM Ancheta’s lawyering for holdup suspects
SAN JACINTO – A board member from the fourth district is under fire for reportedly acting as counsel for the accused in an aborted hold-up incident here last week.
A son of Board Member Manuel Ancheta however denied the allegation saying his father saw the suspects by chance when he visited the municipal hall a day after the robbery-shooting incident. He claimed his father who is a lawyer was not the counsel of the suspects – Federico Patricio, his sons Ruben and John Ray, and grandson Melvin Soriano.
Efforts by the local media to contact the board member proved futile.
The elder Patricio, in an interview, admitted to having Ancheta as one of his lawyers. The other is former municipal trial court Judge Aniceto Madronio. He said that the two lawyers are his counsels in his other cases, one of which, he said, is an estafa case.
Reports said that the sanggunian panlalawigan member even tried to intimidate the local police when he went to the station. He was quoted as telling the police investigators he would just see them in court.
The Patricios, police report said, tried to stop two employees of delivery firm LBC while on their way on a motorcycle Wednesday last week to a client in barangay Bolo. The driver sped away but the suspects fired at them causing them to lose control of the motorbike.
The town police was quickly alerted of the incident. The responding police team caught the suspects who tried to hide in the area.
Victims of earlier robbery incidents in the municipality and nearby towns who were invited to identify the suspects claimed they were the perpetrators. The accused are also facing cases of illegal possession of firearms and cattle rustling, it was gathered.
Local broadcasters lambasted the board member for acting as lawyer of supposed enemies of the state when he was supposed to defend the government being a government official himself, they pointed out.
His situation is similar to two fellow local legislators who were strongly criticized for serving as counsels for suspected criminals in the past. Former Dagupan City Councilor Aquilino Bolinas, supposedly a human rights lawyer, earned the ire of city policemen in his time at the council when he lawyered for young criminals from the city facing legal suits.
Mangaldan Councilor Danilo Macasieb was also highly criticized last year for his role in the dismissal of drug-related cases in that town.
Both lawyer-officials anchored their actions on the time-honored legal truism that a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Vice-Gov. Oscar B. Lambino observed that while local lawyer-legislators are not prohibited from practicing their profession, he believed they should refrain from handling criminal cases that will compromise the interest of the state.
A son of Board Member Manuel Ancheta however denied the allegation saying his father saw the suspects by chance when he visited the municipal hall a day after the robbery-shooting incident. He claimed his father who is a lawyer was not the counsel of the suspects – Federico Patricio, his sons Ruben and John Ray, and grandson Melvin Soriano.
Efforts by the local media to contact the board member proved futile.
The elder Patricio, in an interview, admitted to having Ancheta as one of his lawyers. The other is former municipal trial court Judge Aniceto Madronio. He said that the two lawyers are his counsels in his other cases, one of which, he said, is an estafa case.
Reports said that the sanggunian panlalawigan member even tried to intimidate the local police when he went to the station. He was quoted as telling the police investigators he would just see them in court.
The Patricios, police report said, tried to stop two employees of delivery firm LBC while on their way on a motorcycle Wednesday last week to a client in barangay Bolo. The driver sped away but the suspects fired at them causing them to lose control of the motorbike.
The town police was quickly alerted of the incident. The responding police team caught the suspects who tried to hide in the area.
Victims of earlier robbery incidents in the municipality and nearby towns who were invited to identify the suspects claimed they were the perpetrators. The accused are also facing cases of illegal possession of firearms and cattle rustling, it was gathered.
Local broadcasters lambasted the board member for acting as lawyer of supposed enemies of the state when he was supposed to defend the government being a government official himself, they pointed out.
His situation is similar to two fellow local legislators who were strongly criticized for serving as counsels for suspected criminals in the past. Former Dagupan City Councilor Aquilino Bolinas, supposedly a human rights lawyer, earned the ire of city policemen in his time at the council when he lawyered for young criminals from the city facing legal suits.
Mangaldan Councilor Danilo Macasieb was also highly criticized last year for his role in the dismissal of drug-related cases in that town.
Both lawyer-officials anchored their actions on the time-honored legal truism that a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Vice-Gov. Oscar B. Lambino observed that while local lawyer-legislators are not prohibited from practicing their profession, he believed they should refrain from handling criminal cases that will compromise the interest of the state.
Confession time: ‘We over-estimated income targets
AN official of the city government admitted that the projected income of the city this year at P350 million was over-estimated, spawning some P10 to P14 million shortfall in collection at the end of the year.
City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara told the city council there was no inefficiency in collection of taxes but they had simply over-projected the income of the city, particularly from stall rentals in the new three-storey Malimgas Public Market.
She said the bulk of the collection shortfall was registered at the public market when occupants of the second floor, reserved for dry goods, surrendered their stalls because of poor sales so the city lost incomes from rentals due them.
“We presumed that all things will go fine in the public market and that all stalls would be occupied. But it was not.” Alcantara said. Stallholders said they surrendered their stalls to prevent their continuous losses because the second floor of the public market, although fully air-conditioned, is hardly drawing in buyers.
Part of the reason may be because the new public market, reputed to be the most modern of its kind in the Philippines today, is surrounded by commercial malls that offer much lower prices for a wide range of products to choose from.
The third floor of the public market, reserved for car parking, has not been earning either.
The city council invited Alcantara to its session to shed light on the state of finances of the city government amid suspicion the city might now be incurring budge deficit as revenue collection targets were not met.
Alcantara denied any budget deficit because the city did not spend more than it could earn. She insisted that the only problem is the shortfall in collection. She added that because the city government no longer allows ambulant vending, it lost from P4 to P5 million in income from cash tickets.
The city also over-projected its income from the enforcement of fishery code when it targeted a revenue of P14.5 million, when, by the end of November, only P3 million has so far been collected.
City Treasurer Romelita Alcantara told the city council there was no inefficiency in collection of taxes but they had simply over-projected the income of the city, particularly from stall rentals in the new three-storey Malimgas Public Market.
She said the bulk of the collection shortfall was registered at the public market when occupants of the second floor, reserved for dry goods, surrendered their stalls because of poor sales so the city lost incomes from rentals due them.
“We presumed that all things will go fine in the public market and that all stalls would be occupied. But it was not.” Alcantara said. Stallholders said they surrendered their stalls to prevent their continuous losses because the second floor of the public market, although fully air-conditioned, is hardly drawing in buyers.
Part of the reason may be because the new public market, reputed to be the most modern of its kind in the Philippines today, is surrounded by commercial malls that offer much lower prices for a wide range of products to choose from.
The third floor of the public market, reserved for car parking, has not been earning either.
The city council invited Alcantara to its session to shed light on the state of finances of the city government amid suspicion the city might now be incurring budge deficit as revenue collection targets were not met.
Alcantara denied any budget deficit because the city did not spend more than it could earn. She insisted that the only problem is the shortfall in collection. She added that because the city government no longer allows ambulant vending, it lost from P4 to P5 million in income from cash tickets.
The city also over-projected its income from the enforcement of fishery code when it targeted a revenue of P14.5 million, when, by the end of November, only P3 million has so far been collected.
Rich Panelco III consumers tagged for electricity theft
TAYUG – Several affluent and influential families in eastern Pangasinan have been slapped with penalties and surcharges and now face criminal prosecution for stealing electricity from the Pangasinan Electric Cooperative III.
Huberto Te, area manager of Panelco III in eastern Pangasinan, said the suspects were found by roving linemen of the electric cooperative to have installed jumpers and other “tilting devices” in their electric meters which is punishable by Republic Act No. 7832.
Te said the cheating consumers criminally contributed to a huge systems loss of the cooperative, estimated at P8 million monthly, which amount is being passed on in the billings of individual consumers.
Te still withheld the names of the cheating electric consumers who, he said, agreed as a compromise to pay all their backbillings, including penalties and surcharges.
The cooperative is still mulling over whether nor not to pursue prosecution of the cases since theirs was a crime committed against all other electric consumers who had to painfully absorb the consequences of their illegal acts, it said.
Te said the cheating consumers belong to well known families in civic, professional and business circles, who because of their station in life, would not be likely suspected committing wrongdoing.
One is an owner of a resort, another a restaurant and another a big piggery owner, all of which consume huge amount of electricity. They are however paying suspiciously reduced electric costs.
Aside from installing jumpers, some of these consumers had electric meters without a base and calibration seals, the pointers of which are misaligned.
Others have tilted kilowatt-hour in their meters, while still others were found to have cut-off neutral wire, with self-grounding and flying connections, and having incorrect polarity in their meters and with self grounding.
Huberto Te, area manager of Panelco III in eastern Pangasinan, said the suspects were found by roving linemen of the electric cooperative to have installed jumpers and other “tilting devices” in their electric meters which is punishable by Republic Act No. 7832.
Te said the cheating consumers criminally contributed to a huge systems loss of the cooperative, estimated at P8 million monthly, which amount is being passed on in the billings of individual consumers.
Te still withheld the names of the cheating electric consumers who, he said, agreed as a compromise to pay all their backbillings, including penalties and surcharges.
The cooperative is still mulling over whether nor not to pursue prosecution of the cases since theirs was a crime committed against all other electric consumers who had to painfully absorb the consequences of their illegal acts, it said.
Te said the cheating consumers belong to well known families in civic, professional and business circles, who because of their station in life, would not be likely suspected committing wrongdoing.
One is an owner of a resort, another a restaurant and another a big piggery owner, all of which consume huge amount of electricity. They are however paying suspiciously reduced electric costs.
Aside from installing jumpers, some of these consumers had electric meters without a base and calibration seals, the pointers of which are misaligned.
Others have tilted kilowatt-hour in their meters, while still others were found to have cut-off neutral wire, with self-grounding and flying connections, and having incorrect polarity in their meters and with self grounding.
Sandbags
SANDBAGGING. Storm surges in beach areas along the Ilocos coastthe past week has forced many beachside structures and shanties to put up rows of sandbags for protection against massive wave onslaughts. The coastal phenomenon, according to many elders, is quite natural this time of the year till January, although they concede the bigger waves now are quite unlike those in past years. Tondaligan park administrator Dino Zabala watches as park beachside cottage owners put up defenses. (PStar Photo by Butch Uka)PNP's Purisima finally roars
‘Hataw’, ‘ameneng’ gambling games must go
By DANNY O. SAGUN
FINALLY, the provincial director of the Philippine National Police broke his silence and allowed media to interview him more than two weeks after Gov. Victor E. Agbayani issued a memorandum directing him to intensify the campaign against crime and illegal gambling activities.
Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima told a live phone interview over Bombo Radyo Dagupan Thursday morning that he had already directed his men in the field to act on the concerns raised by the governor in his memorandum.
He said that before the end of the month, his police chiefs and other fieldmen would have already accomplished their tasks. “Konting follow-up na lang,” he said referring to the campaign against illegal gambling activities using video machines like hataw and ameneng.
He said he would audit all police stations on their accomplishments, warning them to do their job. “Malalagot sila sa akin,” he said in reaction to persistent reports that hataw and ameneng machines are still operating in several towns.
Purisima now appears ready to be reached. He even gave his cell number, 09189265157, and urged the public to report to him directly any illegal activity and criminal incidents.
The provincial police chief apparently realized the importance of being more open and transparent to the public and to the media as well, as advised earlier by Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
On the dropping of his name by some unscrupulous person and a report that a brother of his was tagged as behind the operation of video machines, Purisima said that his brothers are located in Ilocos, Mindanao and the United States, “Wala akong kapatid na nai-involve sa iligal, ” he clarified.
He said he had ordered his men to confiscate all such machines no matter who the owner is. A report said that some machines are color-coded or with stickers purportedly to indicate the owner or operator.
Former Dagupan police chief Supt. Noli Taliño was named overall supervisor of the campaign against illegal vide machines, he said. (DOS)
By DANNY O. SAGUN
FINALLY, the provincial director of the Philippine National Police broke his silence and allowed media to interview him more than two weeks after Gov. Victor E. Agbayani issued a memorandum directing him to intensify the campaign against crime and illegal gambling activities.
Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima told a live phone interview over Bombo Radyo Dagupan Thursday morning that he had already directed his men in the field to act on the concerns raised by the governor in his memorandum.
He said that before the end of the month, his police chiefs and other fieldmen would have already accomplished their tasks. “Konting follow-up na lang,” he said referring to the campaign against illegal gambling activities using video machines like hataw and ameneng.
He said he would audit all police stations on their accomplishments, warning them to do their job. “Malalagot sila sa akin,” he said in reaction to persistent reports that hataw and ameneng machines are still operating in several towns.
Purisima now appears ready to be reached. He even gave his cell number, 09189265157, and urged the public to report to him directly any illegal activity and criminal incidents.
The provincial police chief apparently realized the importance of being more open and transparent to the public and to the media as well, as advised earlier by Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
On the dropping of his name by some unscrupulous person and a report that a brother of his was tagged as behind the operation of video machines, Purisima said that his brothers are located in Ilocos, Mindanao and the United States, “Wala akong kapatid na nai-involve sa iligal, ” he clarified.
He said he had ordered his men to confiscate all such machines no matter who the owner is. A report said that some machines are color-coded or with stickers purportedly to indicate the owner or operator.
Former Dagupan police chief Supt. Noli Taliño was named overall supervisor of the campaign against illegal vide machines, he said. (DOS)
Uneasy rests San Jacinto school principal’s post
SAN JACINTO – The national high school here seems forever in search of a good administrator.
Dr. Alfredo S. Calugay, who was reassigned here only about eight months ago, was the subject of a complaint filed by some 20 teachers and employees with Department of Education Region 1 Director Vilma Labrador.
At least six charges were lodged against him to include demand for money from teacher-applicants, oppression, dishonesty, and pursuit or private business in school.
The complainants alleged that Calugay asked money from four qualified teacher-applicants for three permanent and one substitute vacant items. His reasons for solicitation were reportedly to donate a refrigerator to the division office, to pay five division personnel who will process the papers, to defray his travel expenses to Manila, and for school projects. There was neither a refrigerator given to the division office nor money given to the division personnel, they claimed in their complaint.
The principal also allowed vendors to sell inside the campus for a fee of P150 daily for electric consumption and rental but the money collected had no clear accounting, they claimed.
Calugay on several instances, humiliated teachers in front of the students, they said. While he comes late and is, most of the time, absent, he however indicated in his daily time record that he was coming on time and present, they also alleged. He also reportedly uses a casual clerk to drive for him during office hours.
For his private business, the complaining teachers said they had witnesses to prove that a refrigerator in his office was stocked with frozen foods for sale to teachers utilizing the janitress to sell and collect payments during payday.
They also claimed that he had a garage built for his personal car and an aircondition unit installed in his office. But he directed two teachers to see to it that only one electric fan in installed of the usual two per classroom which has an average of 60 students.
Calugay, they said, refused to accept responsibility in special school activities like the Science Camp and Leaders Congress hosted recently by the school. He reportedly asked the head teachers to sign a waiver that will not hold him liable in case of accidents among the student and faculty participants.
Short of seeking his transfer, they asked Labrador “to do what is deemed necessary” against him.
His predecessor, Marlene Bautista, was also forced to get out of the school early this year with several complaints raised against her for alleged anomalies.
Calugay faced similar complaints in his earlier stations in Balungao and Pozorrubio high schools, it was learned.
Dr. Alfredo S. Calugay, who was reassigned here only about eight months ago, was the subject of a complaint filed by some 20 teachers and employees with Department of Education Region 1 Director Vilma Labrador.
At least six charges were lodged against him to include demand for money from teacher-applicants, oppression, dishonesty, and pursuit or private business in school.
The complainants alleged that Calugay asked money from four qualified teacher-applicants for three permanent and one substitute vacant items. His reasons for solicitation were reportedly to donate a refrigerator to the division office, to pay five division personnel who will process the papers, to defray his travel expenses to Manila, and for school projects. There was neither a refrigerator given to the division office nor money given to the division personnel, they claimed in their complaint.
The principal also allowed vendors to sell inside the campus for a fee of P150 daily for electric consumption and rental but the money collected had no clear accounting, they claimed.
Calugay on several instances, humiliated teachers in front of the students, they said. While he comes late and is, most of the time, absent, he however indicated in his daily time record that he was coming on time and present, they also alleged. He also reportedly uses a casual clerk to drive for him during office hours.
For his private business, the complaining teachers said they had witnesses to prove that a refrigerator in his office was stocked with frozen foods for sale to teachers utilizing the janitress to sell and collect payments during payday.
They also claimed that he had a garage built for his personal car and an aircondition unit installed in his office. But he directed two teachers to see to it that only one electric fan in installed of the usual two per classroom which has an average of 60 students.
Calugay, they said, refused to accept responsibility in special school activities like the Science Camp and Leaders Congress hosted recently by the school. He reportedly asked the head teachers to sign a waiver that will not hold him liable in case of accidents among the student and faculty participants.
Short of seeking his transfer, they asked Labrador “to do what is deemed necessary” against him.
His predecessor, Marlene Bautista, was also forced to get out of the school early this year with several complaints raised against her for alleged anomalies.
Calugay faced similar complaints in his earlier stations in Balungao and Pozorrubio high schools, it was learned.
2 drown in Dagupan beach due to high waves
TWO persons drowned one after the other in two days while swimming in Bonuan Binloc Blue Beach within Tondaligan Park here due to deadly high waves, spawned by a wind surge in the Lingayen Gulf.
This was disclosed by Tondaligan Park Administrator Dino Zabala who said the high waves that reached over eight feet, are also threatening to destroy some 100 for-rent picnic sheds, doubling as videoke bars along the shoreline, also within the park area here.
The wind surge was reportedly felt in adjacent provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur and as far west as Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Zabala said the body of a 22-year old student from barangay Doyong, Calasiao who drowned Saturday has not yet been found by rescue teams. An unconfirmed report said a body drifted in the shoreline of the island barangay of Pugaro in Dagupan City at presstime.
Another victim of drowning was Jeffrey Cariño of Baguio City who drowned Sunday when he and companions dropped by the Tondaligan to swim after attending a wedding of their relative in Malasiqui town and on their way back home.
Zabala said Cariño was pulled under by strong undercurrent while swimming. He said the victim was rescued after two minutes and given artificial respiration but was nevertheless declared dead on arrival at the Region 1 Medical Center.
Cariño rented a floating life saver but due to the big waves, he lost his grip on the device and was lost in the water momentarily. When he was finally rescued, there was difficulty reviving him.
Zabala explained that the wind surge that spawned high waves and threatens to wash away some 100 makeshift picnic sheds are just a normal occurrence during the months of December and January in the Lingayen Gulf.
The same high waves destroyed five houses made of light materials in sitio Bagong Barrio in barangay Bonuan Gueset, near Tondaligan Park last Saturday night. Their occupants were evacuated to the village’s multi-purpose gymnasium.
He said some of these picnic sheds were vacated by their owners after these were swamped by the waves, damaging their videoke sound systems, television sets, chinawares, utensils and other properties.
Some of these are now putting sand bags as high as five feet to block the big waves from hitting their establishments, Zabala said.
This was disclosed by Tondaligan Park Administrator Dino Zabala who said the high waves that reached over eight feet, are also threatening to destroy some 100 for-rent picnic sheds, doubling as videoke bars along the shoreline, also within the park area here.
The wind surge was reportedly felt in adjacent provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur and as far west as Bolinao, Pangasinan.
Zabala said the body of a 22-year old student from barangay Doyong, Calasiao who drowned Saturday has not yet been found by rescue teams. An unconfirmed report said a body drifted in the shoreline of the island barangay of Pugaro in Dagupan City at presstime.
Another victim of drowning was Jeffrey Cariño of Baguio City who drowned Sunday when he and companions dropped by the Tondaligan to swim after attending a wedding of their relative in Malasiqui town and on their way back home.
Zabala said Cariño was pulled under by strong undercurrent while swimming. He said the victim was rescued after two minutes and given artificial respiration but was nevertheless declared dead on arrival at the Region 1 Medical Center.
Cariño rented a floating life saver but due to the big waves, he lost his grip on the device and was lost in the water momentarily. When he was finally rescued, there was difficulty reviving him.
Zabala explained that the wind surge that spawned high waves and threatens to wash away some 100 makeshift picnic sheds are just a normal occurrence during the months of December and January in the Lingayen Gulf.
The same high waves destroyed five houses made of light materials in sitio Bagong Barrio in barangay Bonuan Gueset, near Tondaligan Park last Saturday night. Their occupants were evacuated to the village’s multi-purpose gymnasium.
He said some of these picnic sheds were vacated by their owners after these were swamped by the waves, damaging their videoke sound systems, television sets, chinawares, utensils and other properties.
Some of these are now putting sand bags as high as five feet to block the big waves from hitting their establishments, Zabala said.
Jueteng making fast comeback—Archbishop
THE illegal numbers game called jueteng is making a fast comeback throughout the country, according to Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese.
Cruz, the number one anti-jueteng crusader in the country and former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the jueteng comeback was expected.
This disclosure confirmed a previous statement made by Palawan City Mayor and anti-jueteng czar Edward Hagedorn that jueteng already staged a comeback in some parts of the country, particularly Southern Tagalog.
In fact, Cruz, chairman and founder of the Kilos ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said it is not only jueteng that has returned but also other illegal numbers games, such as the EZ2, ‘lotteng’, letreng’, the video-karera and the fruit games.
“They are back in the same way jueteng was gone for a while, went into hiding for sometime but is now making a comeback slowly but surely.
He said unless the illegal numbers game is stopped, very happy days will be here again for their financiers and supporters.
As may be expected, PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has ordered all police regional directors to check the reported resurgence of jueteng.
Among the areas mentioned by Lomibao to be placed under watch is the Pangasinan-Ilocos area.
Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Alan Purisima revealed there is no jueteng anymore in his area of jurisdiction and vowed to do anything to stop its resurgence.
He said aside from this, the police in Pangasinan are also running after other forms of gambling, like slot machines, video karera and fruit games, also called “ameneng”.
Cruz, the number one anti-jueteng crusader in the country and former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the jueteng comeback was expected.
This disclosure confirmed a previous statement made by Palawan City Mayor and anti-jueteng czar Edward Hagedorn that jueteng already staged a comeback in some parts of the country, particularly Southern Tagalog.
In fact, Cruz, chairman and founder of the Kilos ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said it is not only jueteng that has returned but also other illegal numbers games, such as the EZ2, ‘lotteng’, letreng’, the video-karera and the fruit games.
“They are back in the same way jueteng was gone for a while, went into hiding for sometime but is now making a comeback slowly but surely.
He said unless the illegal numbers game is stopped, very happy days will be here again for their financiers and supporters.
As may be expected, PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has ordered all police regional directors to check the reported resurgence of jueteng.
Among the areas mentioned by Lomibao to be placed under watch is the Pangasinan-Ilocos area.
Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Alan Purisima revealed there is no jueteng anymore in his area of jurisdiction and vowed to do anything to stop its resurgence.
He said aside from this, the police in Pangasinan are also running after other forms of gambling, like slot machines, video karera and fruit games, also called “ameneng”.
Consumer body to step up info advocacy program
THE Pangasinan Consumer Welfare Council (Consumernet) has set its programs and projects for 2006 as approved in the council’s technical meeting last Tuesday.
The yearlong activities include information advocacy thru the use of print and broadcast media, quarterly information caravans, establishment of consumer welfare desks (CWDs) in the local government units and business establishments and installing Timbangan ng Bayan (public weighing scales) in all public markets.
The council, headed by Gov. Victor E. Agbayani with the Department of Trade and Industry as co-chair, tapped the Philippine Information Agency Pangasinan office and government stations DZMQ Radyo ng Bayan-Dagupan and DWRS Radyo ng Bayan-Tayug to disseminate information on consumer welfare. The private radio station in Alaminos City, DZWM, was also requested to air such government programs to benefit the western towns.
The council, composed of some 35 government agencies and non-government organizations, thru core groups is set to meet with the heads of the local media associations in the province – Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima), Pangasinan Press and Radio Club (PPRC), Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), and the Pangasinan Association of Government Information Officers (PAGIO)—to enlist their help in the info drive.
The council will also write letters to the LGUs to remind them of the compulsory establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan in the public markets.
By October next year, part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration will be the awarding of the best partners in consumerism, from the LGUs and the private sector. DTI Officer-in-Charge Daria Mingaracal said the Department of Energy and the Intellectual Property Rights Office will be invited to grace the next meeting to enlighten members on matters involving such offices.
The yearlong activities include information advocacy thru the use of print and broadcast media, quarterly information caravans, establishment of consumer welfare desks (CWDs) in the local government units and business establishments and installing Timbangan ng Bayan (public weighing scales) in all public markets.
The council, headed by Gov. Victor E. Agbayani with the Department of Trade and Industry as co-chair, tapped the Philippine Information Agency Pangasinan office and government stations DZMQ Radyo ng Bayan-Dagupan and DWRS Radyo ng Bayan-Tayug to disseminate information on consumer welfare. The private radio station in Alaminos City, DZWM, was also requested to air such government programs to benefit the western towns.
The council, composed of some 35 government agencies and non-government organizations, thru core groups is set to meet with the heads of the local media associations in the province – Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (Patrima), Pangasinan Press and Radio Club (PPRC), Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), and the Pangasinan Association of Government Information Officers (PAGIO)—to enlist their help in the info drive.
The council will also write letters to the LGUs to remind them of the compulsory establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan in the public markets.
By October next year, part of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration will be the awarding of the best partners in consumerism, from the LGUs and the private sector. DTI Officer-in-Charge Daria Mingaracal said the Department of Energy and the Intellectual Property Rights Office will be invited to grace the next meeting to enlighten members on matters involving such offices.
Hataw machines
FOR SHOCK, FOR SHOW OR FOR REAL? A crackdown on illegal video game units (the so-called “hataw” or ‘ameneng’) has been launched by the Philippine National Police under Provincial Police Supt. Alan LM Purisima whose command has been stung by mounting public complaints for inaction on parents’ and school officials’ concerns about proliferation of the gambling gadgets for kids and adults. (PStar Photo by Butch F. Uka)32 slot machines near school seized in Pangasinan
BINALONAN – The provincewide campaign against slot machines, video karera and fruit game machines yielded positive result when 31 such machines belonging to 11 different owners were seized here last week.
It was the biggest operation against the banned machines which were reported to have recently proliferated in all nooks and crannies of the province as though replacing illegal jueteng that has grounded to a halt in the middle part of this year.
The campaign was pursuant to a directive of Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima addressed to all police chiefs in Pangasinan to finally eradicate all these illegal gambling and betting machines in the province.
Purisima acted following a memorandum of Gov. Victor Agbayani who noted the proliferation of slot machines, video karera and fruit game machines near schools and the widespread complaints of worried parents against the vices that lure their children.
SPO1 Cipriano Culliao, investigator of the Binalonan Police, said all the banned gadgets were seized in establishments near the Don Juan Macaraeg National High School in police operations led by Police Chief Sr. Inspector Napoleon Viray.
Agbayani also directed the Pangasinan police to take aggressive measures against highway robbers who have already victimized many people, especially those withdrawing money from banks.
Culiao said the owners of the seized banned machines are facing criminal complaints for violation of a municipal ordinance of Binalonan before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Urdaneta City.
The slot machines, video karera and fruit game machines were reported to have been manufactured locally but their mechanical parts may have originated form either Taiwan or China.
It was the biggest operation against the banned machines which were reported to have recently proliferated in all nooks and crannies of the province as though replacing illegal jueteng that has grounded to a halt in the middle part of this year.
The campaign was pursuant to a directive of Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima addressed to all police chiefs in Pangasinan to finally eradicate all these illegal gambling and betting machines in the province.
Purisima acted following a memorandum of Gov. Victor Agbayani who noted the proliferation of slot machines, video karera and fruit game machines near schools and the widespread complaints of worried parents against the vices that lure their children.
SPO1 Cipriano Culliao, investigator of the Binalonan Police, said all the banned gadgets were seized in establishments near the Don Juan Macaraeg National High School in police operations led by Police Chief Sr. Inspector Napoleon Viray.
Agbayani also directed the Pangasinan police to take aggressive measures against highway robbers who have already victimized many people, especially those withdrawing money from banks.
Culiao said the owners of the seized banned machines are facing criminal complaints for violation of a municipal ordinance of Binalonan before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Urdaneta City.
The slot machines, video karera and fruit game machines were reported to have been manufactured locally but their mechanical parts may have originated form either Taiwan or China.
Epidemiologist says bird flu virus can’t quite link up yet
AN epidemiologist of the Department of Health said based on current statistics of deaths from the dreaded avian influenza worldwide, the virus seems to be having difficulty transmitting to humans.
This piece of seemingly good news on the global fight against bird flu was among the bright spots reported by Dr. Jesus Fantone, DOH epidemiologist during the recent day-long workshop on the prevention of avian flu organized by the Region 1 Medical Center here as part of the province’s measures to prevent or control the disease, if it should ever break out here.
The Philippines, according to Fantone, remains as among only three bird flu-free countries in Asia today, to include Singapore and Brunei.
He said that some countries, instead of being transparent about the status of the disease in their areas in fact withheld releasing true statistics about local outbreaks from the World Health Organization.
Fantone said in the event the disease reaches our shores and communities, mass culling of poultry should be resorted to just as Hongkong did in 1997 to stop the H5NI epidemic there. Culling means the killing of infected chicken or fowl in an affected area so that the virus would have no chance of spreading or transferring to healthy fowls.
Among the measures suggested to and taken up by the Philippine government, he said, to prevent entry of the virus is a ban on the import of poultry, including foreign birds, and tight border guarding in the southern corridor of the country to prevent entry of humans who may be carrying the bird flu virus from their country of origin.
Local government units, Fantone added, may reinforce these measures by passing laws prohibiting people from going near or disturbing migratory birds that are believed to be carriers of the virus now frequenting various bird sanctuaries and forage areas in the country. The birds flew in to escape winter in their traditional sanctuaries across the globe.
The epidemiologist admitted that aside from its cost being prohibitive, Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug produced by Roche, still has limited supply worldwide despite mass production undertaken by Roche and its deputized or licensed pharmaceutical companies.
This piece of seemingly good news on the global fight against bird flu was among the bright spots reported by Dr. Jesus Fantone, DOH epidemiologist during the recent day-long workshop on the prevention of avian flu organized by the Region 1 Medical Center here as part of the province’s measures to prevent or control the disease, if it should ever break out here.
The Philippines, according to Fantone, remains as among only three bird flu-free countries in Asia today, to include Singapore and Brunei.
He said that some countries, instead of being transparent about the status of the disease in their areas in fact withheld releasing true statistics about local outbreaks from the World Health Organization.
Fantone said in the event the disease reaches our shores and communities, mass culling of poultry should be resorted to just as Hongkong did in 1997 to stop the H5NI epidemic there. Culling means the killing of infected chicken or fowl in an affected area so that the virus would have no chance of spreading or transferring to healthy fowls.
Among the measures suggested to and taken up by the Philippine government, he said, to prevent entry of the virus is a ban on the import of poultry, including foreign birds, and tight border guarding in the southern corridor of the country to prevent entry of humans who may be carrying the bird flu virus from their country of origin.
Local government units, Fantone added, may reinforce these measures by passing laws prohibiting people from going near or disturbing migratory birds that are believed to be carriers of the virus now frequenting various bird sanctuaries and forage areas in the country. The birds flew in to escape winter in their traditional sanctuaries across the globe.
The epidemiologist admitted that aside from its cost being prohibitive, Tamiflu, the anti-viral drug produced by Roche, still has limited supply worldwide despite mass production undertaken by Roche and its deputized or licensed pharmaceutical companies.
OPINYON: Wan handred Piso 4 X’mas
SAYAN INDIO
Mario F. Karateka
E, ANTOEY, asabila lamet so Krismas o Piyesta’y Inkianak, onong ed say abangonan tayon relihiyon.
Kumusta’y media noche yo ey? Kompleto tay pamilya? Akapasyar kayod baley ya binmantay ed say piyesta’y Dagupan? Agkayota mantayegteg ed betel no labi tan palbangon?
No “on” odino “olrayt, OK” so ebat yod saratan a tepet, sakey kayod mapalar iran pinalsa’y Ama ta apalabas tan alikna yo so ispirito na Krismas a, no manbilang et medyo makisir so panangan ed lamisaan, et masayaksak metni lamlamang ta walan manbibilaynid tapew na sayan mundo so inkasaysikayo.
Diad imbebeneg iran kolum na Sayan Indio, asaglawik layan topiko – ya ambetebetel, amagamaga so singa pamalabas tayo na Krismas na 2005. Amtak dakel so miayon ed satan ya obserbasyon ko ta sankalikas met.
Pakanengnengan? Lakadtan ed “mall”, no iner say duduplogen na totoon managsaliw et samay Wan Handred Piso (100 Peso) ya puesto no iner say sanlibo da et kamayamay lay nasaliw to. Sakey nin pakanengnengan? Masakbay lan onsesempet kalamor iray dakel ya dawntawn dyipni ta antoey, amta bisperas na Krismas natan (sabado so pangagawak ed sayan kolum) et sansakey labat so onlulugan aliwan singa imbebeneg iran bisperas ya karakel na lumulugan.
Labay yo ni sakey pruweba? Nimay lansones tan ubas ya nen imbebeneg et nasimot antis o bisperas na Pasko, natan akagaton o akasabit ya sansakey so makapangitepel a mangaliw ta kibili-bili met lanti, P150 anggad P180 kada kilo so patawal da. Di maong lan isaliw day pigaran order na pansit tekepay Coke litro naksel niy intiron pamilya, awa, Bret Bert?
Mario F. Karateka
E, ANTOEY, asabila lamet so Krismas o Piyesta’y Inkianak, onong ed say abangonan tayon relihiyon.
Kumusta’y media noche yo ey? Kompleto tay pamilya? Akapasyar kayod baley ya binmantay ed say piyesta’y Dagupan? Agkayota mantayegteg ed betel no labi tan palbangon?
No “on” odino “olrayt, OK” so ebat yod saratan a tepet, sakey kayod mapalar iran pinalsa’y Ama ta apalabas tan alikna yo so ispirito na Krismas a, no manbilang et medyo makisir so panangan ed lamisaan, et masayaksak metni lamlamang ta walan manbibilaynid tapew na sayan mundo so inkasaysikayo.
Diad imbebeneg iran kolum na Sayan Indio, asaglawik layan topiko – ya ambetebetel, amagamaga so singa pamalabas tayo na Krismas na 2005. Amtak dakel so miayon ed satan ya obserbasyon ko ta sankalikas met.
Pakanengnengan? Lakadtan ed “mall”, no iner say duduplogen na totoon managsaliw et samay Wan Handred Piso (100 Peso) ya puesto no iner say sanlibo da et kamayamay lay nasaliw to. Sakey nin pakanengnengan? Masakbay lan onsesempet kalamor iray dakel ya dawntawn dyipni ta antoey, amta bisperas na Krismas natan (sabado so pangagawak ed sayan kolum) et sansakey labat so onlulugan aliwan singa imbebeneg iran bisperas ya karakel na lumulugan.
Labay yo ni sakey pruweba? Nimay lansones tan ubas ya nen imbebeneg et nasimot antis o bisperas na Pasko, natan akagaton o akasabit ya sansakey so makapangitepel a mangaliw ta kibili-bili met lanti, P150 anggad P180 kada kilo so patawal da. Di maong lan isaliw day pigaran order na pansit tekepay Coke litro naksel niy intiron pamilya, awa, Bret Bert?
EDITORIAL: How celebrate Christmas?
THE merriest of seasons just doesn’t seem to be so anymore. Most people equate this sordid situation to the absence of money in their pockets and a depleted or zero balance in their bank accounts. Things have gotten so money-centered and money-driven in the world that happiness – or contentment –can’t be had with just a few pesos on hand; it has to be by the thousands to bring on a smile and buy bagfuls of Christmas goodies from the supermarket.
Outside of dying, the next most tragic thing that can happen at Christmas is to be sick and confined in a hospital while the rest of the world outside sing carols, eat and drink and make merry to celebrate what the Catholic world regards as the birthdate of jesus Christ.
To be caught in such condition and location on Christmas is so dreadful that we know of some who would bear the pain, fight the medical symptoms and postpone going to the hospital till after Christmas. In any case, the moment they finally go into post-Christmas treatment or consultation, the luckier ones get attended to on time yet; the less luckier ones only manage to delay the inevitable – a surgery, an extended medical confinement or the morgue.
Such morbid thoughts at Yuletide, you say?
But that precisely is what runs in the minds of our less fortunate brethren out there who cannot observe, much less, enjoy Christ’s birth with al the varied problems and economic difficulties besetting them and their families. Christmas is for the poor as much as it is for the children, they say. For the children who have their whole future ahead of them, spending an austere Christmas one year wouldn’t matter much – the next year is always a source of hope. For the poor who are at the very end of their economic rope that’s burning from both ends, it would always be one miserable Christmas after another. How long they can bear the deprivation and depression before they totally snap, only God in His Infinite Wisdom knows.
On this most celebrated event of the year in all of Humankind, let us pause and ask ourselves – What have we really done for them, our less fortunate brethren, to ease their burden and wipe away their tears? There lies the true meaning of this special day, one that exalts not riches or fame but the dignity of every man He created on Earth.
Outside of dying, the next most tragic thing that can happen at Christmas is to be sick and confined in a hospital while the rest of the world outside sing carols, eat and drink and make merry to celebrate what the Catholic world regards as the birthdate of jesus Christ.
To be caught in such condition and location on Christmas is so dreadful that we know of some who would bear the pain, fight the medical symptoms and postpone going to the hospital till after Christmas. In any case, the moment they finally go into post-Christmas treatment or consultation, the luckier ones get attended to on time yet; the less luckier ones only manage to delay the inevitable – a surgery, an extended medical confinement or the morgue.
Such morbid thoughts at Yuletide, you say?
But that precisely is what runs in the minds of our less fortunate brethren out there who cannot observe, much less, enjoy Christ’s birth with al the varied problems and economic difficulties besetting them and their families. Christmas is for the poor as much as it is for the children, they say. For the children who have their whole future ahead of them, spending an austere Christmas one year wouldn’t matter much – the next year is always a source of hope. For the poor who are at the very end of their economic rope that’s burning from both ends, it would always be one miserable Christmas after another. How long they can bear the deprivation and depression before they totally snap, only God in His Infinite Wisdom knows.
On this most celebrated event of the year in all of Humankind, let us pause and ask ourselves – What have we really done for them, our less fortunate brethren, to ease their burden and wipe away their tears? There lies the true meaning of this special day, one that exalts not riches or fame but the dignity of every man He created on Earth.
OPINION: Lighted bridges, No-El issue and JDV’s Macbeth
AFTER ALL
Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr.
WE SPOKE too soon and now we may have to eat crow. But we don’t mind – if it’s for the good of the city we all love, Dagupan.
We are referring to the sudden installation of rows of beautiful lights on both sides of the Magsaysay (okay, De Venecia it is) Bridge along Perez Blvd. Just as soon as The Pangasinan Star hit the streets last week, we noticed as we pass by the bridge on our way home in the evening that the lights were ablaze, rivaling those earlier put up at the Quintos bridge obviously in time for the city fiesta celebration.
In this corner last week, you see, we had lamented -- okay now, deplored -- what we felt was the unfair deal given the Perez bridge which was dimly lit, if at all, while Quintos bridge on A.B. Fernandez Avenue had those rather elegant lamp posts delighting and thrilling motorists and pedestrians passing thru. It now appears that lighting of Perez bridge was part of the overall plan after all.
Our kudos to whoever it was at City Hall who decided that if we can’t have sophisticated fiesta celeb activities this year, at least we should have lights on our bridges for nocturnal attraction. Why, not even the ballyhooed Lantern Parade, which we and Vicar Hotel tenants had eagerly rushed out by the hotel’s balcony for to watch while the city was in full blackout mode didn’t even light up a spark among many Dagupeno parade watchers.
It just seems to many frustrated city dwellers now that about the only area where a whiff of fiesta air can be had are at the malls, hardly at the City Hall and environs and much less even at the Pogo Grande house of the hermano mayor himself, Alex de Venecia. For all the lights bedecking the good councilor-fund-raiser’s newly-rented house (try checking this out passing by Pogo Grande at night), “not a soul stirs” ( to borrow a line from the immortal poem T’was the Night Before Christmas – read neighbor columnist Ging Cardinoza’s piece) there most nights, like Santa had left for the North Pole with all his reindeersin tow.
Young tots doing the caroling rounds and trying the house of HM (Hermano Mayor, not His Majesty) swear they only tire their vocal chords out with nary a Santa peering out from there, at least on most night, to dole out presents..
* * * *
Many people seem to forget – or are deliberately ignoring –the fact that what the Consultative Commission (Con-Com) had come up with and submitted to the President were plain and simple recommendations as borne out from their nationwide consultations with the people. Now, if some of our leaders in and out of politics, think that’s the final thing, it’s their indigestion.
The fact is, the whole package, including the transitory provisions drawn up by the Con-Com one of which calls for a no-election scenario by 2007 and extension of terms of present officials to 2010, will still be deliberated in and by Congress. And you know how interminably long and contentious that would be. The chance of the package being approved en toto is like that of a Mayor BSL giving up on the “original design” of the circumferential diversion road in Lucao and just letting the DPWH extend the construction of the road on through Belen Fernandez’s CSI The City Mall “queendom.”
What keeps many pundits wondering is what our very own Speaker Joe de Venecia’s position on the No-El issue really is when the matter is finally thrown into Congress’lap.
As for El Tabako FVR, he’s minced no word about where he stands, to GMA’s utter discomfort. Can – and will – JDV again come up with a “rainbow compromise?”
Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr.
WE SPOKE too soon and now we may have to eat crow. But we don’t mind – if it’s for the good of the city we all love, Dagupan.
We are referring to the sudden installation of rows of beautiful lights on both sides of the Magsaysay (okay, De Venecia it is) Bridge along Perez Blvd. Just as soon as The Pangasinan Star hit the streets last week, we noticed as we pass by the bridge on our way home in the evening that the lights were ablaze, rivaling those earlier put up at the Quintos bridge obviously in time for the city fiesta celebration.
In this corner last week, you see, we had lamented -- okay now, deplored -- what we felt was the unfair deal given the Perez bridge which was dimly lit, if at all, while Quintos bridge on A.B. Fernandez Avenue had those rather elegant lamp posts delighting and thrilling motorists and pedestrians passing thru. It now appears that lighting of Perez bridge was part of the overall plan after all.
Our kudos to whoever it was at City Hall who decided that if we can’t have sophisticated fiesta celeb activities this year, at least we should have lights on our bridges for nocturnal attraction. Why, not even the ballyhooed Lantern Parade, which we and Vicar Hotel tenants had eagerly rushed out by the hotel’s balcony for to watch while the city was in full blackout mode didn’t even light up a spark among many Dagupeno parade watchers.
It just seems to many frustrated city dwellers now that about the only area where a whiff of fiesta air can be had are at the malls, hardly at the City Hall and environs and much less even at the Pogo Grande house of the hermano mayor himself, Alex de Venecia. For all the lights bedecking the good councilor-fund-raiser’s newly-rented house (try checking this out passing by Pogo Grande at night), “not a soul stirs” ( to borrow a line from the immortal poem T’was the Night Before Christmas – read neighbor columnist Ging Cardinoza’s piece) there most nights, like Santa had left for the North Pole with all his reindeersin tow.
Young tots doing the caroling rounds and trying the house of HM (Hermano Mayor, not His Majesty) swear they only tire their vocal chords out with nary a Santa peering out from there, at least on most night, to dole out presents..
* * * *
Many people seem to forget – or are deliberately ignoring –the fact that what the Consultative Commission (Con-Com) had come up with and submitted to the President were plain and simple recommendations as borne out from their nationwide consultations with the people. Now, if some of our leaders in and out of politics, think that’s the final thing, it’s their indigestion.
The fact is, the whole package, including the transitory provisions drawn up by the Con-Com one of which calls for a no-election scenario by 2007 and extension of terms of present officials to 2010, will still be deliberated in and by Congress. And you know how interminably long and contentious that would be. The chance of the package being approved en toto is like that of a Mayor BSL giving up on the “original design” of the circumferential diversion road in Lucao and just letting the DPWH extend the construction of the road on through Belen Fernandez’s CSI The City Mall “queendom.”
What keeps many pundits wondering is what our very own Speaker Joe de Venecia’s position on the No-El issue really is when the matter is finally thrown into Congress’lap.
As for El Tabako FVR, he’s minced no word about where he stands, to GMA’s utter discomfort. Can – and will – JDV again come up with a “rainbow compromise?”
OPINION: Mangaldan’s ‘peryahan’ mess
THE PEN SPEAKS
Danny O. Sagun
WE ARE amused by that report quoting Mangaldan Councilor Jessie de Guzman as saying he has received P5,000 from one “Engineer Flores” purportedly to facilitate the passage of an ordinance that will allow the use of the public plaza for peryahan starting this month up to March for the town fiesta. Vice-Mayor Bernardo Abalos, who was acting mayor at that time, vehemently denied De Guzman’s claim saying testily that the matter won’t stand unless the money was marked.
We now recall the frank admission of San Fabian Liga ng mga Barangay head Roland Villegas of having been offered not just a few thousand pesos for the speedy passage of a measure authorizing one entity to set up a water district in that town. If we recall right, Villegas’ brother Riby, the vice-mayor, strongly belied the claim of his younger brother. At least there are still public officials in our midst who are ready to spill the beans, if need be, although they would surely be subjected to scorn and ridicule by their colleagues, peers and friends for squealing.
Their motives are suspect too as the public knows who they are, as in the case of De Guzman and Villegas. De Guzman, it is recalled, has figured in some controversial spiteful actions in the town, while Villegas was tagged as a jueteng lord before although nothing substantial on this ever came out. Personal backgrounds notwithstanding, we commend them for their courage in exposing alleged irregularities.
*****
Mangaldan Mayor Hermie Romero, fresh from Singapore, heaped praises on that city-state for its cleanliness and orderliness. Shall we expect the mayor then (and the other fourth district mayors who joined that observation tour sponsored by House Speaker Joe de Venecia) to copy and implement in his turf even just a little of what he had seen in Singapore?
And yet, we hear of this controversial ordinance passed by the sangguniang bayan authorizing him to enter into an agreement with a peryahan operator that will just negate the plans and projects for the improvement and beautification of the public plaza, the window and attraction of any town.
The plaza, during the time of the late Mayor Bening Gubatan, was already teeming with trees and ornamental plants. Peryahan activities were located elsewhere. When former mayor Tito Sarzaba came to power, we were aghast to see the felling of the trees. Those activities usually seen during town fiestas to include shows and gambling sprees were back with a vengeance at the plaza. Many cried foul.
Romero refused to comment on De Guzman’s claim about bribery saying he has yet to get the facts. He also clarified he has yet to act on the ordinance as he wanted to consult the sanggunian first.
The mayor appears to be caught in the middle considering the court complaint field by three lawyers from the town who reminded the town officials about an agreement forged earlier for the proper use of the public plaza. We think the mayor should spare the plaza from further damages as a result of accommodating that peryahan operator. He can do a Benjie Lim or a Ferdie Calimlim of Dagupan and Mapandan, respectively. Look at the plazas of these two mayors’ localities, they are the pride of their city and town.
Danny O. Sagun
WE ARE amused by that report quoting Mangaldan Councilor Jessie de Guzman as saying he has received P5,000 from one “Engineer Flores” purportedly to facilitate the passage of an ordinance that will allow the use of the public plaza for peryahan starting this month up to March for the town fiesta. Vice-Mayor Bernardo Abalos, who was acting mayor at that time, vehemently denied De Guzman’s claim saying testily that the matter won’t stand unless the money was marked.
We now recall the frank admission of San Fabian Liga ng mga Barangay head Roland Villegas of having been offered not just a few thousand pesos for the speedy passage of a measure authorizing one entity to set up a water district in that town. If we recall right, Villegas’ brother Riby, the vice-mayor, strongly belied the claim of his younger brother. At least there are still public officials in our midst who are ready to spill the beans, if need be, although they would surely be subjected to scorn and ridicule by their colleagues, peers and friends for squealing.
Their motives are suspect too as the public knows who they are, as in the case of De Guzman and Villegas. De Guzman, it is recalled, has figured in some controversial spiteful actions in the town, while Villegas was tagged as a jueteng lord before although nothing substantial on this ever came out. Personal backgrounds notwithstanding, we commend them for their courage in exposing alleged irregularities.
*****
Mangaldan Mayor Hermie Romero, fresh from Singapore, heaped praises on that city-state for its cleanliness and orderliness. Shall we expect the mayor then (and the other fourth district mayors who joined that observation tour sponsored by House Speaker Joe de Venecia) to copy and implement in his turf even just a little of what he had seen in Singapore?
And yet, we hear of this controversial ordinance passed by the sangguniang bayan authorizing him to enter into an agreement with a peryahan operator that will just negate the plans and projects for the improvement and beautification of the public plaza, the window and attraction of any town.
The plaza, during the time of the late Mayor Bening Gubatan, was already teeming with trees and ornamental plants. Peryahan activities were located elsewhere. When former mayor Tito Sarzaba came to power, we were aghast to see the felling of the trees. Those activities usually seen during town fiestas to include shows and gambling sprees were back with a vengeance at the plaza. Many cried foul.
Romero refused to comment on De Guzman’s claim about bribery saying he has yet to get the facts. He also clarified he has yet to act on the ordinance as he wanted to consult the sanggunian first.
The mayor appears to be caught in the middle considering the court complaint field by three lawyers from the town who reminded the town officials about an agreement forged earlier for the proper use of the public plaza. We think the mayor should spare the plaza from further damages as a result of accommodating that peryahan operator. He can do a Benjie Lim or a Ferdie Calimlim of Dagupan and Mapandan, respectively. Look at the plazas of these two mayors’ localities, they are the pride of their city and town.
OPINION: Water meters and X’mas parties
Smorgasboard
*****
Doctors and personnel of the 14 hospitals run by the provincial government had three Christmas parties. And it was a welcome respite for the health care personnel.
There is the yearly provincewide Christmas party hosted by Board Member Dionisio ‘Saffe’ Villar, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health.
I understand this became a tradition since BM Saffe assumed as chairman of the committee. This year’s party was held at the board member’s own barangay – Salvacion – in Sto. Tomas with his wife Barangay Captain Victa Villar as the gracious hostess. Gov. Victor E. Agbayani graced the party.
Leading the bunch of health care providers was Dr. Jackson Soriano, Pangasinan Provincial Hospital chief and Provincial Health Officer. Mind you, Dr. Soriano is a graceful dancer, gamely dancing with everybody to the beat of the walang kamatayan Pinoy Big Brother theme “Pinoy Ako.”
Personnel from the Provincial Health Office ruled the dance contest, runners-up were the group from the Lingayen and Tayug district hospitals, respectively. One lucky fellow was Romeo Rosario who won a refrigerator in the raffle draw.
The second Christmas party they attended at the Urduja House compound on December 16, birthday of Gov. Agbayani which was also the Christmas party of provincial employees. Prizes were also raffled off that day.
Of course, they had their respective Christmas parties at their hospitals.
After those parties and food, they would be back at their posts, hoping and praying there will be lesser number of blasted fingers and injured kabaleyans this New Year.
Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
BEWARE! Water meter thieves are out there waiting to snap out your water meters from the water line. We’re one of the latest victims here in Dagupan City.
Our water meter at Y’s Place canteen located at PNR Road (fronting GSIS) was stolen last week. This was first discovered by our neighbor, Balong, after his aunt (whose room is situated beside the water meter) was roused from sleep by the water dripping from her low ceiling. The water line became an instant fountain.
My sister reported the incident to the Mayombo Police Precinct for record purposes. Then I contacted Ms. Remy Sapiera of the Dagupan City water District and asked her what we should do next. She suggested we go personally to the Dagupan City Water District Office and relate the incident to General Manager Ramon Reyna.
We learned from GM Reyna that water meter theft in Dagupan City had become rampant of late. This writer learned that theft of water meters started February this year and became rampant starting September. To date, the Dagupan City Water District had received more than 100 complaints. Reyna said even he was victimized twice at his residence in Tapuac.
Most of the incidents reported were in the central district, A. B. Fernandez Avenue, Mayombo, Perez, M.H. del Pilar Street, Arellano.
According to him, other water districts in the country are experiencing the same problem. He said this is no longer a simple case of theft by magbabakal (junkshops) but a handiwork of a syndicate Reyna said they’ve checked out junk shops in the city but found nothing. Also, consumers cannot just install stolen water meters or those sold to them cheaply by anybody (not even those bought at hardware stores).
Reyna said as per Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) regulation, they are not allowed to buy water meters direct from identified manufacturers or suppliers only.
He said they are offering reward for information on the possible identities of suspects or to those who can report an ongoing theft. The hotline is (075) 515-8220. Security guards of DCWD detailed in the evening can take down reports. The consumers’ reports will help DCWD greatly in its conduct of investigation.
In relation with this problem, personnel of the Dagupan City Water District distributed letters to barangay officials and consumers asking everybody’s cooperation to minimize if not stop theft of water meters. He requested the barangays’ security force to intensify their roving operations especially at night.
He also advised everybody to be watchful as based on their records, number of complaints on busted water meters is usually high after the New Year’s Day celebration. “Pinagtitripan ng ibang tao yon ating mga metro, nilalagyan nila ng paputok just to test how powerful or how strong their firecrackers are,” he remarked.
BEWARE! Water meter thieves are out there waiting to snap out your water meters from the water line. We’re one of the latest victims here in Dagupan City.
Our water meter at Y’s Place canteen located at PNR Road (fronting GSIS) was stolen last week. This was first discovered by our neighbor, Balong, after his aunt (whose room is situated beside the water meter) was roused from sleep by the water dripping from her low ceiling. The water line became an instant fountain.
My sister reported the incident to the Mayombo Police Precinct for record purposes. Then I contacted Ms. Remy Sapiera of the Dagupan City water District and asked her what we should do next. She suggested we go personally to the Dagupan City Water District Office and relate the incident to General Manager Ramon Reyna.
We learned from GM Reyna that water meter theft in Dagupan City had become rampant of late. This writer learned that theft of water meters started February this year and became rampant starting September. To date, the Dagupan City Water District had received more than 100 complaints. Reyna said even he was victimized twice at his residence in Tapuac.
Most of the incidents reported were in the central district, A. B. Fernandez Avenue, Mayombo, Perez, M.H. del Pilar Street, Arellano.
According to him, other water districts in the country are experiencing the same problem. He said this is no longer a simple case of theft by magbabakal (junkshops) but a handiwork of a syndicate Reyna said they’ve checked out junk shops in the city but found nothing. Also, consumers cannot just install stolen water meters or those sold to them cheaply by anybody (not even those bought at hardware stores).
Reyna said as per Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) regulation, they are not allowed to buy water meters direct from identified manufacturers or suppliers only.
He said they are offering reward for information on the possible identities of suspects or to those who can report an ongoing theft. The hotline is (075) 515-8220. Security guards of DCWD detailed in the evening can take down reports. The consumers’ reports will help DCWD greatly in its conduct of investigation.
In relation with this problem, personnel of the Dagupan City Water District distributed letters to barangay officials and consumers asking everybody’s cooperation to minimize if not stop theft of water meters. He requested the barangays’ security force to intensify their roving operations especially at night.
He also advised everybody to be watchful as based on their records, number of complaints on busted water meters is usually high after the New Year’s Day celebration. “Pinagtitripan ng ibang tao yon ating mga metro, nilalagyan nila ng paputok just to test how powerful or how strong their firecrackers are,” he remarked.
*****
Doctors and personnel of the 14 hospitals run by the provincial government had three Christmas parties. And it was a welcome respite for the health care personnel.
There is the yearly provincewide Christmas party hosted by Board Member Dionisio ‘Saffe’ Villar, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health.
I understand this became a tradition since BM Saffe assumed as chairman of the committee. This year’s party was held at the board member’s own barangay – Salvacion – in Sto. Tomas with his wife Barangay Captain Victa Villar as the gracious hostess. Gov. Victor E. Agbayani graced the party.
Leading the bunch of health care providers was Dr. Jackson Soriano, Pangasinan Provincial Hospital chief and Provincial Health Officer. Mind you, Dr. Soriano is a graceful dancer, gamely dancing with everybody to the beat of the walang kamatayan Pinoy Big Brother theme “Pinoy Ako.”
Personnel from the Provincial Health Office ruled the dance contest, runners-up were the group from the Lingayen and Tayug district hospitals, respectively. One lucky fellow was Romeo Rosario who won a refrigerator in the raffle draw.
The second Christmas party they attended at the Urduja House compound on December 16, birthday of Gov. Agbayani which was also the Christmas party of provincial employees. Prizes were also raffled off that day.
Of course, they had their respective Christmas parties at their hospitals.
After those parties and food, they would be back at their posts, hoping and praying there will be lesser number of blasted fingers and injured kabaleyans this New Year.
OPINION: The night before Christmas
WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
I did not know that the most parodied poem in the English language was Clement Clark Moore’s "The Night Before Christmas" until last night when I was browsing the Internet. I counted 15, but I suspect there may be more that Google did not find.
The poem had a gambler’s version, an OB-GYNE’s (obstetrician-gynecologist’s) version, a race car driver’s version, and other “wittier (and, in some cases, just plain strange) homages,” as one website had described them.
But what caught my fancy were the politically-correct version of the poem and the one supposedly written by a lawyer. In celebration of the holiday season, I’m sharing with you parts of the poems.
The Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke Moore
’T WAS the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The Night Before Christmas
(Politically Correct Version)
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...How to live in a world that's politically correct?His workers no longer would answer to "Elves." "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.And Labour conditions at the North PoleWere alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,Released to the wilds by the Humane Society. And equal employment had made it quite clearThat Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,Were replaced with four pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The Night Before Christmas
(Legal Version)
Author Unknown
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter “the House”) a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter “Claus”) would arrive at sometime thereafter.
The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.
Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as “I”), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter “Mamma”), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.)
Merry Christmas!
Gabriel L. Cardinoza
I did not know that the most parodied poem in the English language was Clement Clark Moore’s "The Night Before Christmas" until last night when I was browsing the Internet. I counted 15, but I suspect there may be more that Google did not find.
The poem had a gambler’s version, an OB-GYNE’s (obstetrician-gynecologist’s) version, a race car driver’s version, and other “wittier (and, in some cases, just plain strange) homages,” as one website had described them.
But what caught my fancy were the politically-correct version of the poem and the one supposedly written by a lawyer. In celebration of the holiday season, I’m sharing with you parts of the poems.
The Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke Moore
’T WAS the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The Night Before Christmas
(Politically Correct Version)
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...How to live in a world that's politically correct?His workers no longer would answer to "Elves." "Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.And Labour conditions at the North PoleWere alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,Released to the wilds by the Humane Society. And equal employment had made it quite clearThat Santa had better not use just reindeer. So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,Were replaced with four pigs, and you know that looked stupid!
The Night Before Christmas
(Legal Version)
Author Unknown
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter “the House”) a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter “Claus”) would arrive at sometime thereafter.
The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.
Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as “I”), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter “Mamma”), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.)
Merry Christmas!
