Planet NAGA

NAGA CITY --- Maverick Bicol Mail columnist Joaquin ?Chito? F. Perez, a general surgeon who caters mainly to the poor and average-income patients in the city and environs and who has been recruited to join Team Naga under the Liberal Party here is pushing for two brilliant projects that will enhance citizen health care once he gets elected as city councilor.
Dr. Chito, as he is fondly called by his patients and friends, will seek for the establishment of ?lying-in facilities? with at least two beds in every two adjacent barangays to be manned by one midwife and a doctor that will go on night shifts from 9 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day.
According to Dr. Chito, the midwife can take care of normal spontaneous deliveries especially at night while the doctor will take care of emergencies like asthmatic attacks, vehicular accidents (particularly those involving motorcycles), knife wounds and other minor incidents where first aid has to be applied first, like suturing to stop the bleeding or to prevent loss of blood until the patient is safely transported to a hospital for further evaluation and management, if necessary. He explained that these doctors will be taken from medical interns who will be required to serve a month?s community service.
The other equally important project is to put into motion the strict imposition of the Generics Act. He lamented that as of now big drugstores are trying to circumvent this law by giving limited number of drugs to senior citizens on the excuse that they just run out of these expensive drugs. ?I myself have seen this happen to my patients where I prescribed 14 tablets of drugs but my patient was able to buy only five tablets,? he said even as he explained that the drugstore clerk told his patient that they just run out of stock, an oft-repeated alibi.
Dr. Chito said that several action numbers would be put up where senior citizens could call anytime to report situation like this, and more. Action teams would also be set up to be composed of public safety officers or related enforcement bodies who would verify if indeed these drugstores were telling the truth or not, he said.
He added that plainclothes action teams would also be mobilized to pretend to buy the same medicines with senior citizen IDs. ?If it is verified that these drugstores have been dishonest in their dealings with senior citizens then they will be warned,? Perez stressed, adding that on third violation or instance, such errant drugstore would be recommended for the suspension of license to operate or transact business.
Perez said he has been writing about a lot of suggestions in his column in this paper and would be glad to be given the chance to implement them as elected member of the city council.

News

NAGA CITY --- This multi-awarded local government unit again received an award, this time the ?Gawad Kampeon sa Kabataang Pilipino 2009?, to be given by the National Youth Commission (NYC) for the city?s ?most outstanding programs for the youth sector?.
City Councilor Ray-An Rentoy, received Thursday the award in behalf of the city government from Pres, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during ceremonies in Malacanang.
Rentoy attributed the city?s latest honor to the outgoing administration of Mayor Jesse Robredo whose governance is focused on people empowerment, including the youth sector.
Only last Nov. 25, the city, through First Lady Atty. Leny Robredo, a foremost woman?s rights advocate, received in the Most Outstanding Violence Against Women (VAW) -Responsive LGU in the Philippines.
The board of judges, according to Rentoy, took note of the city pioneering programs like the Quality Universal Elementary Education in Naga (QUEEN) and QUEEN-Plus which ensure that children of school age in the city have the opportunity to finish basic and secondary education by eliminating barriers to public education admission.
Another program of note is the expanded ?Sanggawadan? which enlarges the menu of benefits to parents who will ensure that their children are in school for the school children to achieve high classroom retention rates.
Reinforcing the Sanggawadan program is the Sangguniang Kabataan?s approval to allocate 70 percent of its budget for educational assistance to indigent students.
Rentoy said the SK leadership is looking forward to work even more actively with the incoming new city administration to enhance other programs like the City Yout Officials (CYO) and the Iskolar ng Ciudad programs. The CYO has been awarded by the Galing Pook Foundation as an innovative program in 2007. It allows the youth to serve hands-on as city officials, from the mayor down to department heads, for a significant period in summer and receive allowances that they will need in enrolling for the incoming school year.

News

Under the GREAT Women Project

Six LGU-members of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) will soon receive financial and technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency-funded GREAT Women Project for the establishment of Common Service Facilities in their respective municipalities. This was signified in a partnership agreement signed last Friday, 3 December, with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), DTI, DOLE, DOST and DENR.
Said service facilities aim to enhance the production capabilities of women-led micro enterprises, specifically the producers/processors of bamboocraft, agas, pili , ceramics, crabpaste and kakanin in Bula, Milaor, Naga City, Magarao, Gainza and Pili, respectively.
The PCW, formerly known as NCRFW and the lead agency implementing the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project, shall provide initial funding for the procurement of equipment. It will likewise provide funding for the capacity development activities of the women micro-entrepreneurs, and provide technical assistance to the Common Service Facilities, among others, making available information vital to the pursuit of the facility and linking it to appropriate technical resources.
MNDC shall facilitate linkages to various business service providers such as national government agencies, non-government organizations, and research institutions; facilitate business support services such as market promotion and inclusion of CSF products in trade fairs.
The partner-LGUs will provide funding for the acquisition of other assets (land, building, office furnishing, and office equipment), operating capital, and research and development. They will also ensure that the needs of the marginalized women are addressed and are carried out in the implementation and management of the CSFs until their turn-over to the WMEs. They will take the lead in creating linkages and networks with support agencies/organizations through their One-Stop Women Enterprise Development Desks; and ensuring the sustainability of project.

The operation of the production facilities is also supported by national government agencies, particularly DOST, DTI, DENR and DOLE. They will provide additional equipment, technical assistance, training, product development and marketing support to ensure the success of the project.

The Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project is being implemented in the Metro Naga area through PCW and the Metro Naga Development Council. GREAT Women Project Manager Luzviminda A. Villanueva said in an interview that the partnership aims to establish a gender-responsive enabling environment at the local level for the economic empowerment of women, particularly, women in micro-enterprises or WMEs. She said that efforts under the partnership should lead to (a) women?s increased access to economic and/or enterprise-related programs and services, (b) better support services for women?s economic/ enterprise endeavors, (c) less constraints on women as a result of gender and reproductive roles and expectations, and (d) better incomes and expanded capabilities and life opportunities for women.

News

THE City of Naga was awarded as this year?s Grand Prize Winner and the Most Outstanding Violence Against Women ( VAW ) Responsive LGU in the Philippines.
Naga City last Nov. 25 received the award at the Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City. The year-long Search for Outstanding VAW-Responsive LGUs was launched last year by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Women's Crisis Center (WCC), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), and the Coalition Against Trafficking of Women in Asia-Pacific (CATW-AP).
Naga City bested eleven other nominees to the Search which were also given recognition during the kick-off ceremonies of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women. (VAW). The other finalists were Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Amlan, Negros Oriental; New Lucena, Iloilo City; Jones, Isabela; Calumpit, Bulacan; Calauag, Quezon; Tupi, South Cotabato; Olongapo City; Quezon City; San Juan City; and Davao City.
"The Search for Outstanding VAW-Responsive LGUs recognizes local governments --- barangays, municipalities and citie --- that have excellent gender-sensitive VAW initiatives, policies and programs. The Search is the first of its kind in the country", PCW Chairperson Myrna T. Yao explained.
Why Naga?
Naga City is the first city to file a Protection Order for a VAW survivor through the selfless efforts of Atty. Leni G. Robredo, legal counsel and president of Naga City Council for Women.
The concerted efforts of NGOs facilitated the filing of a case on incestuous rape where the perpetrator was convicted for life imprisonment. It has put in place a standard protocol in handling VAWC cases to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that utmost care is exercised in dealing with the problem and that proper protection and assistance are extended to the victims. The interventions include rescue, counseling, medical assistance, provision of shelter and administration of justice.
It has promoted awareness on VAW to its constituents through the dissemination of Primers on RA 9262 or the Anti-VAWC law, translated into local dialects.
It has also put in place Anti-VAW mechanisms. The Naga City Council for Women, a tripartite body composed of LGU-government-and NGO groups, serves as the consultative and policy recommendatory body in all issues and concerns of women sector and acts as the city government's arm in gender development.
Worth noting is the participation of Naga City Bantay Familia founded by former City Councilor Nene V. De Asis. As a barangay - based community watch group of women and men, Bantay Familia ensures that delivery of all public and private sector services to women and children victims of violence from the city down to the barangays are effectively organized and coordinated.
The City government has provided a permanent office space for the Naga City Council for Women and the Bantay Familia with office personnel as well as basic equipment and facilities to perform their functions and formulate developmental programs towards prevention and elimination of VAW.
And these mechanisms will not be realized without the unselfish and indispensable support and legal services of the city?s forefront women advocates, Atty. Leni G. Robredo, wife of Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, Atty. Imee Abardo-Estrada Legal Officer IV of City Legal Office, and Atty. Hazel Marie Lavitoria , Branch Coordinator , Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal ( SALIGAN-BICOL).

News

Arvin Abejo Mangohig, Pantikan.com.ph

The UP Institute of Creative Writing and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family are pleased to announce the nominees for the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award for 2009. The nominees are: The Proxy Eros by Mookie Katigbak, Stories From Another Time by Benjamin Bautista, Antisipasyon by Victor Dennis T. Nierva , The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David, Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra, Trese: Murder on Balete Drive by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, I Hate My Mother by Perpilili Vivienne Tiongson and Playing It Safe by Gerry T. Los Baños.

The Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award is administered by the UP ICW and is generously sponsored by Atty. Gizela Gonzalez-Montinola and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family. Each year, alternating between Filipino and English, the UP ICW selects from the list of first-time authors and their works and grants the cash prize of P50,000 and a plaque during Writers Night. Former winners include Sarg Lacuesta, Luna Sicat Cleto, Kristian Cordero, and Vincent Groyon. Last year's winner was Pagluwas by Zosimo Quibilan published by the UP Press.

This year's selection mirrors the changing landscape of Philippine literature as it includes the bestselling graphic novel Trese, a collaboration between Tan and Baldisimo—a possibly controversial inclusion among purist circles. Katigbak is acknowledged for her first volume of "lovely and genteel" poetry (according to Conchitina Cruz), published by Anvil. Nierva's book is a strong contender as it has already won a National Book Award for Poetry. David dazzles with his postmodernist experiments. Tiongson's novel about teen emotions is “pitch-perfect,” according to reviewer Tarie Sabido. Gregorio Brillantes hails Bautista as “exceptional and remarkable,” comparing him to stylists Joaquin and Polotan. UP Press Deputy Director Gerry Los Baños rounds out this year's selection with his first novel for young readers, a story of young love.

This year's winner will be awarded on Writers Night at the UP Diliman on December 11.

Blogs, News, Personal

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As published in the 2009 - 2010 Beatiful Weddings Issue of the WEDDING ESSENTIALS magazine

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While typhoon Ondoy’s record-breaking amount of rainfall may have, understandably enough, forced the majority of people in Metro Manila to postpone their scheduled celebrations, Couple Eli and KY literally chose to brave the storm and push through with their wedding.”Itutuloy ntin ‘to (We’ll push through with this) whatever happens. Kahit sa’n pa kami ikasal (We can get married anywhere)!” said the groom the day of their wedding, and was anyone ever truer to his word?

It is perhaps true, what they say, that when things get down to their worst, there’s nowhere to go but up. Maybe because of the storm, they thought that nothing else could go wrong. But perhaps this is truer, what Harry from When Harry Met Sally said, that “when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Hence, no snow, sleet, hail, or, yes, rain , could stop this wedding.

Maybe they just couldn’t wait to be together, and no amount of rain could keep them from saying their “I do’s.” But for whatever reason, it is love and devotion that helped this couple transform this wedding from what could’ve been one major disaster into one of the most beautiful and intimate weddings that photographer Randall Dagooc of MangoRED has ever captured. And if this couple was brave enough to get married despite the deluge, and inspire the people around them to work their best through it, then surely they are ready for anything. The terrible floods brought about by typhoon Ondoy caused numerous weddings, parties, and other big occasions to be postponed or canceled, and left a lot of suppliers stranded in their cars in floods and/or traffic. But a precious few weddings still pushed  through despite of calamity, proof that all a wedding needs a bride, a groom, witnesses, and an officiator for it to push through. Below is the personal account of Randall Dagooc of MangoRed who covered a wedding in the pouring rain and high water (Taken from his Facebook note)

WE MADE IT! WE F*CKIN’ MADE IT!

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10 AM

• Alis kami (We left) Ortigas to go to Alabang for a wedding. Wedding ceremony is at 3pm sa (at) Fernbrook.
• Stuck sa (on) C5 for 2 hrs. U-turn then daan kami sa (we used the) Fort-Bonifacio-Mckinley-Nichols route. Stuck in Fort Bonifacio (Lawton Road) for another 2 hrs. 5 meters per hour ang takbo ng mga sasakyan (was the speed of vehicles).
• Stuck in Fort Bonifacio (Lawton Road) for another 2 hrs. 5 meters per hour ang takbo ng mga sasakyan (was the speed of vehicles).

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2 PM

• Sabi  ni (Said) Teena (coordinator), moved daw ang (the) ceremony to 5 p.m.
• I said “Sh*t! Choke point lang nman is yung bridge sa may (The only choke point is the bridge near) Nichols! Sabi ko lakad na lang kami (I said, let’s just walk) then brave the flood!Bahala na si Santino (The expression means, roughly, what will be, will be).”
• Got out of the car amid the massive traffic. Lakad kami (We walked) Al, Rex and me from Mckinley Hill to Nichols. Basang basa sa ulan, naka-white pointed shoes,coat or in short, naka formal attire (Drenched in rain, we were in white pointed  shoes, a coat- in short, in formal attire).
• Si Rex nakabalot ng plastic (Rex wrapped himself in plastic). Ako nakapulot ng tarpaulin ( I found a tarpaulin). Si Al, naliligo sa ulan na parang street child (Al frolicked in the rain like a street child do).
• Then may nadaanan kami military surplus shop na ngbebenta ng military raincoat ( We passed a military surplus shop selling military raincoats).
• Ate! Magkano raincoat?” sabi ko. (Lady,how much is the raincoat, I said.)
• Ate: ”450 pesos isa…”(Lady :450 pesos each.)
• Ako: “ Sh*t!Basang 300 pesos lang pala dala ko! (“Me:Oh crap,all I have is 300 pesos,and the bills are wet!)
• Hanap ako ng ATM. Lakad ulit. (I looked for an ATM. Time to walk again.)
• May tumawag s’akin : ” Randall ! Randall! ” (Someone called out to me “Randall!Randall!)
• “Uy sina Wally Gonzales at sina RJ!” Bwahaha! Stuck din sa Lawton Road! (Aha, it’s Wally Gonzales and RJ! Bwahaha!. They’re also stuck on Lawton Road!)
• ” Chong, pahiram nman ng 1000 oh, pambili ng raincoat!” ([to Wally]”Friend, lend me P 1000 to buy a raincoat?”)
• Ayos nakabili. Lakad ulit for an hour. Naka-raincoat na,hehehe. (All right, I was able to buy it. Walked again for an hour.This time, in a raincoat, hehehe.)
• Nadapa si Rex sa sidewalk. (Rex tripped on the sidewalk.)
• May nagsabing batang kasalubong naming: “ Dad mga sundalo ba sila? ” (A passing child asked [upon seeing us}.” Dad are they soldiers?”

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3 PM

• Text si Teena- Stuck pa rin daw sya sa EDSA. At na move ang wedding ng 8 p.m. Tuloy na tuloy daw. Kahit mag cartwheel pa daw sya para matuloy. (Teena texted that she was still stuck on EDSA and the wedding was moved to 8pm. But it was definitely pushing through,even if she had turn cartwheels to make sure it pushed through.)
• Sabi ko,”Ayos, lupet nito!” (I said, wow,this is really something!)

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4 PM

• After an hour ng paglalakad sa ulan at baha, tawid kami sa baha sa may Nichols yung may tulay..Massive! (After an hour of walking in the rain and floods, we crossed the flooded road near Nichols, where there is a bridge. Massive [flooding]!)

• Pagkatawid, lakad sa may SLEX ng konti habang pumapara ng sasakyan na pwedeng maawa samin .Buti may taxi na nasuhulan ng 500 pesos na pumayag. (After we crossed, we walked along the Southern Luzon Expressway while we hailed vehicles in hopes they would take mercy on us. Good thing we were able to bribe a taxi driver with P500 to agree to take us to  the venue.)
• Sakay kami. Sobrang luwag sa SLEX at andaming tumirik na sasakyan sa tabi. (We got on and rode the taxi. The SLEX was free of vehicles but a lot of stalled vehicles lined the road.)

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5:30 PM

• Nasa Preps na kami. Nangutang muna ako sa bride ng 500 pesos pamasahe. (We reached Preps. I borrowed P 500 from the bride for the cab fare.)
• Tuwang tuwa si manong. (The driver was delighted.)
• Tawag ako kay Chuck (Cherry Blocks) na taga-Alabang. Sabi ko “Chong pahiram naman ng tuyong sapatos,long sleeves at mejas oh?”. (I called Chuck who was from Alabang and said,”Friend,lend me dry shoes, a long sleeved shirt and socks,please!”)
• Dumating si Chuck (Chuck arrived) and we’re all comfy and dry.

WEDDING

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• Shoot kami (We shot [photos]) with Sir Raymund Fortun, Jok and Chuck.
• 20 relatives lang ng bride and groom yung nandun. Wala nang iba (Only twenty relatives of the bride and groom made it, no more).
• Inasikaso ni Sir Raymund yung church. Baha na kasi sa Fernbrook so wala na talagang pag-asa (Sir Raymund took care of the churh. Fernbrook was flooded so there was no hope [for proper reception].
• Instant lahat (everything)!
• Instant best man.
• Instant ceremony.
• Instant priest.
• Instant reception.
• Instant mami (noodles)

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Sobrang lupet ng wedding! (That wedding was really something!) Sabi ng (Said the) groom: ” Itutuloy natin ‘to (We’ll push through with this) whatever happens. Kahit s’an pa kami ikasal (We can get married anywhere)” Astig! (Cool!) Very emotional lahat (everyone)! I admire the courage and love of Eli and KY! Grabe (Wow). Inspiring! I’ll post the other details with photos this week.. may wedding pa kasi kami (we still have another wedding) tomorrow. Tulog muna ako (I’ll go to sleep first)… hehehe Bottom line: Weddings are all about the couple, not the guests who won’t be able to attend , not the cake, the gown, the details, the photos etc.

Anyway,salamat kay (thank you to ) RJ and Sir Wally.

Kay (To) Chuck!

Kay Atty. Raymund Fortun!

Kay Eli and KY

And sa pinakamalupet naming (and to our awesome team) team! Al, Rex, and Jap!

Sabi ko nga, kung ang mga conflict (war) photographers nakakapag shoot kahit patayan na, anu ba naman ang baha para sa mga wedding photographers? *yabang* hehehe  (I said, if during wars, photographers can shoot despite the terrible conditions, what’s a flood to a wedding photographer?Am I boasting? hehehe) Salamat sa lahat (Thank you to everyone)!

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SUPPLIERS WHO MADE IT THROUGH THE STORM:

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Scenta Flora – Ray and Bing Montes (event stylist) Soon-to-wed couples sometimes forget the essence of a wedding when they are so preoccupied with the frills and details of the wedding day. Ky and Eli reminded us of what’s important in a wedding- the proclamation of everlasting love for one another in the eyes of God. They showed us that no storm or calamity can prevent them from making their commitment to each other. It’s been an honor being their stylists even though we had to make last minute changes due to bad weather and floods.

Teena Barretto (coordinator) The Ondoy weekend of many firsts for me. I got stranded, I had to work on the wedding on my own (my staff was not able to make it), yet the support from the suppliers was unbelievable. Everyone was there looking after the others.Everyone offered a helping hand. The tags,titles,positions were all gone. All just worked as a team to make the “I do’s” happen for the couple.

Mich Lim-Reyes (makeup artist) The most memorable moment would be when most of the suppliers and guests were calling one by one that they would not make it because of the floods, there was much stress and tension in the room, but the couple, teary-eyed, announced that they decided they will get married come hell or high water. Suddenly, the room was filled with emotions: sadness but you could also feel the love and strong bond between them. It was very emotional.

MangoRed-Randall Dagooc (photographer) I realized that wedding is not about the guests or the details,it is really all about union of two blessed people. Like the famous saying, ‘duty comes first,’ every one of the suppliers gladly helped and greatly contributed in whatever way they could to make the significant event possible. It certainly shows the spirit of Bayanihan (community) is so alive despite all the obstacles that may come our way.

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Blogs, News, Personal, Pictures

NAGA CITY --- Defending champion Ateneo de Naga University secured the top crown in the recently concluded Academic Festival (AcadFest) 2009 held October 28-30 at the Naga City Youth Center here.
Universidad de Sta. Isabel was first runner-up, followed by La Consolacion Academy of Iriga City as second runner-up. Third runner-up was Philippine Science High School, Bicol campus, which was dislodged from its first runner-up rank in last year?s academic fest.
AcadeFest is an annual academic and public speaking competition among high school students in this city and the province of Camarines Sur. It is hosted by UP Harong, an organization of University of the Philippines-Diliman Bicolano students, in cooperation with the City Government of Naga and private sponsors.
This year?s theme, ?Breaking the Apathy: The Critical Role of the Bicolano Youth in Political Participation and Social Transformation? challenges the Bicolano youth to partake in political activities and to initiate social change.
Participants vied for cash prizes, medals and certificates in at least six academic events in the 3-day competition.
Janine Patricia G. Robredo of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel, the mayor?s daughter, was adjudged Best Speaker of the Tingog nin Rason Debate Tournament final round and Dwight Garvy Tan of the Ateneo de Naga University was picked the Best Over-All Speaker during the Tingog nin Rason Debate Tournament where the Ateneo de Naga Debating Team emerged as champion.
Following are the champions of the other events: 2ndd Ladawan nin Kabikolan Photojournalis-- Jainee Khyara Almazan (La Consolacion College, Iriga); 6th Gayon Bikolnon Poster Making Contes-- Gil Bustilla (Baao National High School); 7th Sural Essay Writing Contest -- Deborah Nolasco (Naga College Foundation); 8th Harong nin Dunong Quiz Bee ? (Team A, Philippine Science HS ? Bicol); 12th Boses kan Jovenes PublicSpeaking Contest -- Dwight Tan (AdNU); 14th Tingog nin Rason DebateTournament ? (Team A, AdNU)

Tanya Mia Perez, AcadFest chairperson, said the event is part of the organization?s role of honing well-rounded individuals and developing their potentials. ?It aims to promote awareness among the students of their being a decisive force in determining the future of our society,? she explained even as she added that ?the various contests shall exhibit the advocacies of our organization and uphold the value of camaraderie, intellectual freedom, and social awareness.?

News

NEWBREAK | Tuesday | 27 October 2009
Written by Jesus F. Llanto
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http://newsbreak.com.ph/images/stories/zoom/govtofficials/noynoy_robredo.jpg

Senator Benigno Aquino III, chair of the Senate committee on local governments, and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional a recently passed law creating a new district in Camarines Sur, which failed to meet the minimum population requirement and is widely believed to an accommodation for President Arroyo?s son.

Named respondents of the case are Commission on Elections commissioners Jose Melo, Rene Sarmiento, Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco, Elias Yusoph, and Gregorio Larrazabal.

Instead of forming unqualified districts on a piecemeal basis, Congress should instead push for a wholesale re-apportionment of congressional districts nationwide, Aquino told Newsbreak right before filing the 37-page petition.

?It is better and more equitable and it can track population movements,? Aquino said.

The 1987 Constitution mandates Congress to re-apportion legislative districts within 3 years following the return of every census. The last census was conducted in 2007. Bills calling for wholesale re-apportionment of districts have been pending in the Congress even before that.

Asked why proposals for a sweeping re-apportionment have not gained support, Aquino said that redistricting has great impact on local political dynamics. ?Lawmakers will find out that they may lose their bailiwicks.?
Suddenly unopposed

The new Camarines Sur district being questioned is widely believed to be a case of preserving a politician?s bailiwick. Republic Act 9716 has been seen as a form of accommodation for the president?s son, Rep. Dato Arroyo, who represents the province?s first district.

Talk is rife that Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, the former congressman of the first district, is eyeing a comeback in 2010. The creation of a new district, therefore, will prevent them from facing each other.

?This law favors both of them because they will not face each other in the next election. Bigla silang nawalan ng kalaban (suddenly, they will both be running unopposed),? Aquino told reporters.

He noted the unusual speed with which the bill passed the House of Representatives?a week after it was filed. ?Normally, the gestation of the bill last for a year.?

RA 9716 created a new district in Camarines Sur by regrouping the towns of the first and second district.

?The enactment of RA 9716 done beyond the framework of the Constitution clearly shows that the same was accomplished with grave abuse of discretion and in excess of authority. It is patently unconstitutional, manifestly illegal and contrary to the fundamental law of the land,? the petition reads.

Section 5-3, Article 6 of the Constitution requires a minimum population of 250,000 for a local government unit or clusters of LGUs to be declared a congressional district. Each district should be composed of a ?contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory.?
Below minimum

Aquino said the law resulted into the creation of a district with a population of 170,000 which is below the minimum population requirement of 250,000.

RA 9716, which was signed on October 12 by President Arroyo, was published on October 15 in Manila Standard newspaper. It will take effect 15 days after the publication, or on October 30.

Under this law, the municipalities of Libmanan, Pamplona, Pasacao and San Fernando of the first district were grouped with the towns of Gainza and Milaor from the second district to form a new district to be called the second district.

The remaining towns of the former first district will become the new first legislative district of the province while the former second district will be renamed as the third legislative district. The former third and fourth district will be called as the new fourth and fifth legislative districts, respectively.

?With the reapportionment of the two districts, the first district will have a population of 176,383, way below the population requirement under the Constitution,? the petition reads.
Why not entire Camsur?

Robredo, meanwhile, said that aside from being unconstitutional, the law is inequitable and lacks consultation with the residents. He added that if one is to follow the proportion stated in the Constitution, Camarines Sur is entitled to six districts because it has a population of 1.6 million.

?Why did they choose to redistrict that part of the province only? Why did they not consider reapportioning the entire province?? Robredo told Newsbreak.

?Camarines Sur should have six districts but if they make it six, there will be changes in the dynamics of local politics,? Robredo said.

Aquino added that this law might encourage lawmakers to propose creation of new districts with population less than 250,000. ?There are changing what has been traditionally been accepted as the rule. What will prevent other proposed districts with population of 170,000 from asking for additional representation??
Unlike Makati

Aquino said the case of Camarines Sur is different from what happened when a new legislative district was created in Makati City after its conversion into a highly urbanized city in through Republic Act 7854 in 1995.

The case of Makati City has been by cited Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte and Senator Joker Arroyo during the height of the deliberations on the proposed new district. Republic Act 7854 added a new legislative district in Makati and was also questioned before the Supreme Court because the city?s population, based on 1990 census, was only 450,000.

The case was filed by Juanito Amatong, a Makati resident against the Commission on Elections. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

?Even granting that the population of Makati as of the 1990 census stood at four hundred fifty thousand (450,000), its legislative district may still be increased since it has met the minimum population requirement of two hundred fifty thousand (250,000). In fact, section 3 of the Ordinance appended to the Constitution provides that a city whose population has increased to more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) shall be entitled to at least one congressional representative,? the SC decision on Mariano v. Comelec reads.

Aquino, however, said the same decision contained a footnote that states that a certification from the then National Census and Statistics Office was issued and it said that the population of 1994 was already 508,174.

?The legislators knew already that the population of Makati has reached 500,000 before the law took effect,? Aquino told Newsbreak. ?If you have a population of 250,001 does that mean there is a need to create a new district?? (Newsbreak)

News

NAGA CITY --- Liberal Party presidential aspirant Noynoy Aquino will be in town on Saturday, October 24, to witness the formal unveiling and blessing of the ?Ninoy and Cory Avenue?, the main thoroughfare fronting the SM City Naga at the city?s Central Business District II.
The Sangguniang Panglunsod here passed Ordinance No. 2009-060 naming the street that stretches from corner Panganiban Drive to corner Roxas Avenue (Diversion Road) in recognition of the significant contributions to the restoration of Philippine democracy of couples former Sen. Benigno ?Ninoy? Aquino, Jr. and former Philippine President Corazon ?Cory? C. Aquino, Noynoy?s parents.
Compared to other areas in the country, Naga City and the Bicol region in general gave the widest margin to Cory in the 1986 elections that saw the toppling of Martial Law helmsman Ferdinand Marcos.
Arriving at the Naga airport in the morning of Saturday, the young senator will immediately proceed to the Archbishop?s residence for a courtesy call on Archbishop Leonardo Z. Legazpi. He will then make another call to Monsignor Zosimo Sanado at the nearby Naga Metropolitan Cathedral grounds for a similar call and brief conference with members of the local media.
Local organizers said Noynoy and his entourage of top LP leaders and senatorial hopefuls will be welcomed by Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, local city and barangay officials and representatives of various civic, academic, and sectoral organizations. He is also expected to attend a series of consultation meetings with local officials and stakeholders in the towns of Calabanga and Libmanan in Camarines Sur.
In Libmanan, Noynoy will drop by the official residence of Bishop Jose Rojas before the consultation meeting while in Calabanga he will be met by the parish priest there, Fr. Antonio de los Santos, and former Municipal Mayor Ruben Medroso.
Since he announced his plan to run as president in the upcoming 2010 elections, Noynoy has been topping the surveys. In the latest survey by the Social Weather Station for the third quarter of 2009, Noynoy took the top spot with a commanding 60 percent of the respondents who preferred him to be the next president.
In that same survey, second-running Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party took 37 percent, followed by former President Erap Estrada with 18 percent. Bicolano senator and presidential aspirant Chiz Escudero took the fourth slot with 15 percent.

News

NAGA CITY --- Reminding that Camarines Sur Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte?s time in Plaza Rizal is up, a city councilor who once served as the city legal officer asked the perovince?s top executive officer to leave the plaza immediately following a Supreme Court decision that places the city-based plaza under the administrative control and supervision of the city government.
?As an honorable governor, the most prudent and appropriate for you to do is to leave Plaza Rizal immediately,? City Councilor Nelson S. Legacion stressed in a privilege speech he delivered during the Sangguniang Panglunsod regular session here last Tuesday, Oct. 13.
On Sept. 18, 2009, the Supreme Court promulgated a decision which read, thus ?? the local government unit that is the proper agent of the Republic of the Philippines that should administer and possess Plaza Rizal is the City of Naga.?
The same decision also held that ?allegation of ownership by the provincial government [of Camarines Sur] by continuous adverse possession since time immemorial does not hold water.?
Legacion noted that with the Supreme Court decision, the provincial government of Camarines Sur has been illegally occupying the Plaza for the past 51 years since Naga became a chartered city on June 18, 1948 that effectively placed all properties within the city, including Plaza Rizal, under its territorial jurisdiction.
?The city of Naga had consistently been very patient and respectful of the law and the processes of the courts; let us therefore call on the province of Camarines Sur to do the same and obey the recent decision of the Supreme Court,? Legacion said.
?Tama na! Sobra na an 51 anyos!? (Enough is enough; fifty-one years is too much), the city councilor lamented as he called on those occupying the plaza and the merchants who leased it for a flea market to leave quickly the hallowed ground. ?Magharale na tabi kamo dyan sa Plaza Rizal! Irespeto po nindo si Gat. Jose protacio Rizal! Irespeto po nindo an mga residente kan siyudad,? Legacion made his plea in the local language.
In the same privilege speech Legacion said that with the legal victory, it would be remembered that former City Legal Officer Rolando Bobis (who is now RTC judge in Labo, Camarines Norte), incumbent City Legal Officer Angel Ojastro III and Legacion himself as former city legal officer were the legal advocates who worked hard in the courtl battles from the RTC, to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
?Credit should likewise be given to our city mayor who, as always, had been very supportive of the quest to recover Plaza Rizal and who even served as the guiding light throughout the entire judicial process,? the city councilor stressed. He also wanted to share the sweet legal victory with the faithful followers of Dr. Jose Rizal and the officers and members of the Knights of Rizal.
Legacion disclosed that it was Atty. Bobis who started it all as he was the one who thought of and initiated the filing of an action for declaratory relief in 1997.

News

NAGA CITY --- The battle that turns nastier each day between this city and the provincial government of Camarines Sur over Plaza Rizal is, as it is hoped, finally over.
The Third Division of the Supreme Court in its order dated Sept. 18, 2009 has declared that Plaza Rizal, which is under the territorial jurisdiction of the city, should be under the administrative control and supervision of the city.
The decision, penned by Associate Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario and concurred by Associate Justices Presbitero J. Velasco and Eduardo B. Nachura, once and for all resolved that Camarines Sur cannot claim that Plaza Rizal is part of its patrimonial property. It clearly stated, thus: ?The administrative control and supervision of Plaza Rizal is hereby vested in the City of Naga.?
Naguenos hailed the Supreme Court decision as a victory for the people of Naga City, as well as for the decent people of Camarines Sur. Henceforth, they expect the plaza to be returned to its original noble purpose as a public park that gives honor to the national hero for whom it was dedicated. As of this writing, the plaza remains a beehive of stalls, hawkers, and traders who have paid their rent for the three-season yearlong tiangge, or flea market, under the supervision of the provincial government.
The provincial government?s insistence that it owns Plaza Rizal, which is often the site of Capitol-sponsored flea markets and trade fairs, has long been dismissed by the Regional Trial Court. When appealed before the Court of Appeals, the latter on March 14, 2007 ruled that ?allegation of ownership by the provincial government by continuous adverse possession since time immemorial does not hold water.?
For a considerable period of time, the provincial government of Camarines Sur possessed and claimed ownership of Plaza Rizal by virtue of a tax declaration. As a result, Camarines Sur exercised administrative control and management of the plaza, to the exclusion of the City of Naga. The city government, therefore, could not introduce improvements thereat and its constituents could not use the property without securing permit from the provincial capitol. This situation, the Supreme Court noted, created a conflict of interest between the two parties and had generated animosities among their respective officials.
It was noted in the same decision that the city did not intend to acquire ownership of the plaza as it was a property of public domain which could not be claimed by any subdivision of the state. Instead, the city sought a declaration that the administrative control and management of the plaza be vested in it, given that such property is within its territorial jurisdiction.
Plaza Rizal used to be a garden that served as the front lawn of the old capitol site (on which now stand Banco de Oro and Robertson Department Store) when Naga was the capital of the province. A monument of the national hero was built on it sometime in 1911. The provincial capitol continues to take control over that parcel of land even when the seat of the provincial government was long transferred to Bgy. Cadlan, in Pili, Camarines Sur, the new provincial capital.
In an earlier decision , the Court of Appeals held that when Naga was converted from municipality into a city, all properties under its territorial jurisdiction, including Plaza Rizal, were vested upon it.

News

VINZONS, Camarines Norte --- Keynoting here the 99th birth anniversary of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, Sr., Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo last Monday called on fellow Bicolanos to always keep Vinzons? name in their hearts even as his spirit is already enshrined in the pantheon of the country?s greatest heroes.

?By sustaining and nurturing that freedom that his life and death gave us, we should all make ourselves heroes in our own ways, by becoming good citizens and responsive leaders, so that Vinzons? death may not be in vain,? the mayor stressed during the festive celebration hosted by the local government of this town and the provincial government of Camarines Norte.

Parades, academic contests, cultural shows, floral offerings and other activities that kicked off since Sept. 24 and participated in by all schools and government offices in the province preceded the culminating program and keynote address last Sept. 28, Vinzons? birthday.

Present during the celebration were CamNorte Gov. Jesus Typoco, Congressman Liwayway Vinzons-Chato and other provincial and municipal officials led by Municipal Mayor Oliver Ferrer. Also present were leading local education officials headed by Division Supt. Elizabeth Palo.
Former Provincial Board Member and surviving daughter of the war hero, Ranavalona Vinzons-Gaite, delivered the family response after the keynote speech and anniversary messages of the province?s top officials.

Before ending his speech, Mayor Robredo announced that in celebration of Vinzons? birth centennial next year, he would ask the Naga City Sanggunian to pass a resolution naming a street in the city in honor of the war hero from Camarines Norte.

Camarines Norte used to be part of Ambos Camarines, the unified province of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte with Nueva Caceres or Naga City as the provincial capital.
The first prominent hero from Camarines Norte to be given such honor by Naguenos was Jose Ma. Panganiban, whom Dr. Jose Rizal hailed as the great propagandist during the tumultuous Spanish colonial times. His name and deeds are immortalized by a street name, better known as Panganiban Avenue, a main artery that leads to the city?s two business districts from the main highway from Legazpi City.

Vinzons was an outstanding UP student, an orator and first editor-in-chief of the university?s ?Philippine Collegian? which is now housed in a building christened as Vinzons Hall as early as 1959. As a visionary, Vinzons founded the Pan-Malayan Association of Students that was the germ of an idea that became the Maphilindo (Malaysia-Philippines-Indonesia) that later on composed the core of the more expanded Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

War hero
Within days following the arrival of the Japanese troops in the Philippines, Vinzons, then a congressman after cutting short his term as governor, immediately organized an armed resistance. On December 18, 1941, Vinzons? men met with force the advancing Japanese soldiers in Basud, Camarines Norte, near the Camarines Sur boundary. With his force grown to 2,800 guerillas and Negrito arrowmen, Vinzons was able to liberate Daet in May 1942, or five months after the Japanese invasion.

Vinzons was eventually captured on July 8, 1942. Refusing to pledge allegiance to his captors, Vinzons, along with his father, was killed 7 days later. Shortly thereafter, his wife, sister, and two of his children were also seized and were never seen alive again. His death henceforth fanned the flame of Filipino fierce resistance and gallantry against the superior force of the Japanese imperial forces in the region.

News

NAGA CITY --- With the Penafrancia fiesta over, including the noise, controversies, and intrigues flying from all directions that however failed to mar the colorful celebration, this city will once again buckle down to work as it prepares to host two major events in the next two months.
On October 13-15, delegates from all over the country will be coming to attend the 6th National Organic Agriculture Conference at Villa Caceres Hotel. Working under the theme, ?Optimizing Organic Farming Sustainability,? the conference is being spearheaded by the regional office of the Department of Agriculture based in Pili, Camarines Sur, as well as the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards, in collaboration with the Bicol Sustainable Agriculture Network, Organic Advocatures Network, and the Resource Enhancement and Cooperation for Habitat, Inc.
On November 10-12, government accountants and auditors, some 1,000 of them will be converging in this city for their annual national conference. The group, known as the Government Association of Certified Public Accountants (GACPA), had their last conference in Palawan. They have chosen this city this time, to savor Bicol hospitality and culture, as well as experience its amenities and sites as the newest hub for conventions and conferences.
The city agriculture office and the Naga City Visitors Center have been instructed by Mayor Jesse Robredo to coordinate closely with the organizers and assist them to ensure successful holding of the two national conferences/conventions.
Meanwhile, local officials from Lukban, Quezon and San Migeul, Bohol are coming to the city for a study visit on the city?s best practices and initiatives on the citizen?s charter.

In a letter to City Mayor Jesse Robredo, San Miguel, Bohol Mayor Cauldio C. Bonior said a team of 60 local officials and department heads will be arriving in this city on September 25 for a 2-day study visit.

Local officials from Lukban, Quezon will likewise be in the city on September 24-25 for the same official business in their desire to better the delivery of services in their community.

On October 1-3, some 21 members of the Talisay City (Negros Occidental) Council for the Protection of Children will also be in this city for their study tour.

?We are pleased to inform you that Talisay City has great respect and admiration to you and your Local Government Unit for what it has achieved over the years which makes it one of the most-desired places for a learning visit in the country today, ? Talisay City Mayor Eric M. Saratan, M.D., wrote Naga Mayor Robredo about their forthcoming visit.

News

NAGA CITY --- The 2,000-member strong Drugstores Association of the Philippines (DSAP) will be holding its 13th annual convention at Villa Caceres Hotel here on September 10-12, 2009 as the city prepares itself for the 10-day Penafrancia Festival.

With the theme ?The DSAP Competitive Advantage: Developing Creative Strategies to Surmount Economic Challenges?, the national convention will bring together drugstore owners from different parts of the country to tackle issues affecting the industry, according to DSAP North Bicol Chapter President Vicente Uy Magadia.

For over 25 years now DSAP as an organization shaped the landscape of pharmaceutical retailing by engaging in activities that best serve the interest of the grassroots and the other sectors of the community.

Supported by pharma and retail trade partners, the gathering of the country?s drugstore owners and operators will also revisit DSAP?s commitment to boosting the professionalism of the health care industry, as well as reinforcing the role of its members in the community.

For more information, interested convention participants are requested to call (02) 631-4254 or (0917) 880-2727, or log on to www,dsaph.org.

Government, News

NAGA CITY --- Underscoring that it was to be his final state of the city report, City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo in last Tuesday?s session of the Sangguniang Panglunsod here declared that in less than a year from now, a new mayor would be reporting on the state of the city.

The incumbent city mayor is due to bow out in 2010, after serving the city for two 9-year consecutive terms that were broken only in 1998-2001 when he took a leave in accordance with constitutional term limit on elected officials.

?If there is one thing I will assure you, it is the confidence that the next administration will be inheriting a city poised to take on and do greater things,? the mayor said.

He explained through his report six reasons why the city is geared towards greater things in the next administration:

First, a robust economy. The number of enterprises rose from 614 in June 2008 to 781 this year, an increase of 27%. Helped by competitively priced construction materials, property development rose by 163% compared to 46% last year. More growth is expected in the housing subsector as the city had issued development permits this year for 6 new subdivisions, twice the number issued last year.

Two important developments, according to the mayor, will further boost the city?s economy: completion of the 10,000-seater Naga City Coliseum whose bidded cost was P122 million or a 21% savings from the original estimated cost; and rehabilitation of a ?practically new Naga City Public Market?. According to the mayor, the physical upgrade of the 40-year old structure is an opportunity that has to be taken advantage of: improved layout, lighting, internal and external access, and other amenities that will ensure the competitiveness of the downtown area vis-à-vis the burgeoning CBD2 where SM City Naga reigns.

Second, a highly competent city hall. The real strength of city hall lies not in the edifice that has seen better days (?ang pangit-pangit ng city hall n?yo!?) but with the 1000-strong men and women who comprise the city government. According to the financial management assessment (FMA) conducted by Standard and Poor?s, a prestigious international credit rating agency, Naga?s overall FMA score is the highest among assessed Philippine LGUs to date, that include Quezon City, Marikina, Malabon, and Mandaluyong, among others. The report said Naga?s FMA score reflects ?a fairly high level of disclosure, adequate performance in annual budgeting and debt management skills which are more sophisticated than most local peers (cities).?

Third, bigger revenue base. According to 2007 RDC report, the IRA dependency of cities in Bicol range between 64% (Legazpi) to as much as 90% (Tabaco), whereas Naga?s IRA dependence is pegged at only 54%. ?If you take these national allotments away, most local governments will collapse like an empty sack,? the mayor noted.

The city?s less dependence on IRA indicates a progressively growing local revenue base that will enable city hall to fund its own development programs, deliver quality services and attain key outcomes. As of June 30, 2009, the city treasury collected P148.1 million, representing 75% of the P195.8 million projected local income by the Local Finance Committee for the current year.

Fourth, world-class governance system. As a testament to the city?s laudable governance system many LGUs from different parts of the country visited Naga to learn about its Citizen?s Charter. The city hosted study tours for the visiting local officials to learn about the Naga City Charter which predates by seven years Republic Act. No. 9485, or the Anti-red Tape Act of 2007 that requires all national and local government agencies to come up with their own service charters. The city has also been selected as pilot area for key development projects such as World Bank?s UPSURGE Project, MDG Localization (UNDP), Localized Community Mortgage Program (Social Housing Finance Corp.) Urban HEART (WHO and DOH), the Performance Government System (Institute of Solidarity in Asia) and the World Bank?s credit rating of cities.

Fifth, competitive city of a proud people. Naga has been affirmed as a major convention destination, with major events held in the city bringing a large number of tourists, the biggest for a Bicol city. Local airlines have already increased their frequencies to Naga. Combined the busy Naga airport now services 39 flights a week compared to only 14 last year. SM?s entry also meant that Naga has finally joined the big leagues.

Sixth, an enlightened philosophy that balances economic growth and social development. The city has been unbending in its commitment to equalize opportunities in favor of the marginalized sector of the society. Of the 8,285 urban poor families, 1,793 households have already secured the title to their respective homelots. Availment of P50 million pilot facility is also ongoing, intended to support land acquisition and upgrading activities in five urban poor project areas. The city also continues to bring down malnutrition incidence among public school children, from 22.6% during the opening of classes in June 2008 (already the lowest in the region) to only 10.9% at the end of school year in March 2009.

Reminding that election time comes in less than a year, the mayor cautioned that electing leaders carries an inherent amount of risk. ?For instance,? he said, ?if we choose wrongly as to who we put in Malacanang, we (the Naguenos) may end up with buyer?s remorse again for the third time running.?

The mayor said his personal task before the remainder of his term, before he goes back to being plain citizen Jess Robredo ?is to ensure that there will be a peaceful, orderly transition in the next administration.?

Government, News

NAGA CITY --- Jillian Therese G. Robredo, the 9-year old daughter of Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo and Atty. Leni G. Robredo brought home a silver medal in the recently concluded International Math Olympiad held in Singapore August 20-24, this year.

Jillian, a Grade IV pupil of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI), was part of the 200-strong Philippine Team coming from different schools of the country who hurdled a series of trainings and competitions under the supervision of the prestigious elite Mathematics Training Guild. All Asian countries were represented in the Olympiad where competitions were held separately this month in Singapore and Xiamen and Tianjin in China.

Another Nagueno, Alexis Del Castillo of St. Joseph School, here, also won a bronze medal in the same Singapore competition.

In the China Olympiad, two Naga high school students and one elementary school pupil also romped away with bronze medals in the grueling competitions. John Reiner Bulaong of Ateneo de Naga University and Brian James Masalunga of Hope Christian School took a bronze medal each in the secondary level of the international math contest held from August 11 to 16, also this year.

Joseph Maria de Leon, a sixth grader of the Blessed Lights International Christian Academy, also of this city, also went home with a bronze medal in the China competition held last August 9-14.

Government, News

NAGA CITY --- After the long wait, site blessing and resumption of construction work at the stalled Naga City Coliseum have been set at 8:00 a.m. today, Friday, August 28, at the Central Business District 2, fronting the monolithic SM City Naga.

Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo said that ?after all the technical consultations and following competitive search for the cheapest loan package and transparent public bidding, we are now finally resuming the construction of the Naga City Coliseum.?
The simple ceremonies marked the preceding preparatory stages and kick off actual construction work. City Engineer Chito Palmiano will present the coliseum?s project brief before the guests and members of the local media who have been invited to witness the event.
The structural design of the coliseum?s roofing underwent major revisions taking into consideration: a) the recommendations of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines which sent two experts from Metro Manila to assess the structure, b) the recommendations of the local chapter of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers which looked into the superstructure and construction methodology, and c) the recommendations of the United Architect of the Philippines that focused on the aesthetics and compliance with green environmental standards.
The city hall exerted every effort to keep financing cost down where the best offer was a loan that charges only 8.7% per annum, with fees waived and the tax burden shifted off the city government.
Bidding for the resumed construction was done in open and competitive manner where 9 bidders participated in the first bidding and 8 during the second bidding. The bidding was to be repeated because on the first the prospective bidders failed to adhere to some of the key requirements of the procurement law. As a result, the project was awarded for only P122 million, generating a savings of P11 million from the original cost estimate.
ITP Construction, the winning bidder, was evaluated not only on the basis of its submitted documents but on its actual track record duly verified, assessed, and post qualified by the Bids and Awards Committee, given the fact of the huge dip in the bid price.
Mayor Robredo assured the coliseum loan will not affect the current level of frontline services that the city government is delivering. He explained debt amortizations will be funded by additional taxes from SM City Naga, initially projected at P20 million next year, as well as from revenues from the coliseum?s operation, all of which are new sources of revenue.
A planned terminal at an adjacent city government property will further bolster the income streams mentioned.

Government, News

By Alec Altea Santos

NAGA CITY --- An innovative program under the Quality Universal Elementary Education in Naga (QUEEN) project of the City School Board is fast gaining momentum.
A new library system conceptualized under the stewardship of former Department of Education Regional Supervisor and now QUEEN consultant Nilda Noleal is making waves in the local education scene because of the spirit of volunteerism that is employed to make the program going.
Dubbed the ?QUEEN Dunong Center? project, the initiative taps parent-volunteers to help enhance the academic level of public elementary and secondary students in the city.
Noleal says that in ordinary school systems, students get to use libraries and similar facilities during regular classroom hours. The Dunong Centers allow children to access reading and other educational materials even after classes are dismissed.
The veteran educator explains that the city government has sought the assistance of members of the QUEEN program to help meet the academic needs of the students where all public schools in the city will be required to set up Dunong Centers using residences of willing parents.
By requiring all schools to have their Dunong Center counterparts in selected homes, Noleal believes that children can gain more knowledge because of the presence of mini-libraries in their communities. These knowledge centers will be open even during weekends and holidays for the students? educational materials and references.
Noleal explains further that the city government did not spend a single peso to finance the project. Rather, parents were asked to solicit unused books from private schools, benefactors, and fellow Naguenos. Most of the materials donated arrived on daily basis onboard pedicabs and trimobiles. Some parents even went as far as to solicit books from neighboring municipalities.
The Naga City School Board, headed by Huberto Ursua, has also embarked on a campaign to drum up support to increase the number of books in the various Dunong centers. A contest was launched to encourage parents who managed the mini-libraries to get as many books as they can for their center?s collection.
Noleal proudly says that based on the tabulation prepared by the School Board, the highest point garnered so far by a Dunong Center is 26,000. Points are computed based on the quality of books, their subject matter, and educational value. The Dunong Centers with the highest points will be duly awarded on Sept. 3 at Plaza Quezon here. The school board, for its part, also donated bookshelves, study tables, and chairs to the various community libraries.
According to the veteran education supervisor, the Dunong Center program is the first of its kind in the country. In her years as DepEd supervisor, she says she has not yet come across a similar initiative.
Despite the program only being in progress for five months, it is fast gaining popularity and supporters, mainly because of the enthusiasm and willingness of parents and volunteers to work in partnership with the city government.
Noleal dismisses the idea of approaching large book companies because according to her doing so will defeat the purpose of the program that encourages volunteerism and participation among parents. By making use of the untapped potential and resources of Naga?s citizens, Noleal belieaves tnat the Dunog Center will not only boost the city?s educational system but also improve the lives of thousands of students where parents are part of their development.

Government, News

NAGA CITY --- How much does the provincial government of Camarines Sur get from turning Plaza Rizal based in this city into a seasonal tiangge for at least three times a year?

According to an employee of the provincial capitol who felt threatened by the ongoing squabble as a result of a city ordinance strongly disallowing the use of plazas within the city for commercial purposes, the alleged organizer of the flea market, identified by newsmen as Primo de Guzman, pays as much as P2.1 million for nine months use of the plaza.

For the forthcoming Penafrancia fiesta, according to him, de Guzman has been assessed to pay the amount of P0.7 million for a period of three months, until November this year.

In a phone interview with the Bicol Mail, Camarines Sur Provincial Treasurer Mario Alicaway said transactions regarding the use of Plaza Rizal are handled by the Office of the Governor for which his office only issues receipt for any amount received in favor of the provincial government.

In a letter sent to Gov. LRay Villafuerte exposing alleged collusion in the renting out of the spaces at the plaza, copy furnished, among others, the Archbishop of Caceres, a radio station, the provincial auditor and this paper, the capitol employee wrote the governor that while the provincial capitol gets only little from the transaction, the organizer actually earns three to four times more.

He alleged that De Guzman may actually be only a dummy of more powerful men close to the provincial capitol. He explained that the flea market organizer rents out about 80 stall spaces within the plaza at P30,000 to P40,000 per stall, which amounts to a gross collection of P2.4 million to P3.2 million per season. The organizer, meawhile, pays the provincial capitol P700,000 only for its exclusive use with no more decent space left even for the purpose of celebrating Rizal Day on June 19 and December 30, marking the hero?s birth and death every year. Incidentally, the Freedom Monument inaugurated by then newly-elected President Cory Aquino is also located in the plaza which occasionally serves as reliable support post for the merchants? tents that serve as stalls for all kinds of cheap merchandise.

For three seasons every year, the favored organizer that allegedly almost always corners the ?lease? transaction runs his way laughing to the bank with P7.2 million to P9.6 million in gross profits, less P2.1 million that he pays to the provincial treasurer, equivalent to nine months use of the plaza. Plaza Rizal was built by the people of Camarines Sur in the early 1940s when Naga was the capital town of the province.

In return, what does our national hero, Jose Rizal, get from the provincial government officials and the profit-hungry traders and their allegedly corrupt deal-wheelers? Dishonor, disrespect, and tons of cheap braziers and pirated CDs being displayed and peddled by hawkers in the hero?s place of patriotism and honor.

But Alicaway denied the capitol employee?s allegation that capitol receives as much as P700,000 for three month use from whoever is authorized to use it. He recalled that the biggest amount his office so far issued receipt with was for P440,000.

He said he has no knowledge of any anomalous transaction involving the use of the plaza and insisted that all income derived therefrom are duly accounted for. ?But such income will not be forthcoming this September after the city government of Naga demolished the stalls even before they (the traders) could start erecting them for the Penafrancia season,? the provincial treasurer said.

Government, News

NAGA CITY --- 4k Barrel Band, Bicol?s most sought-after entertainment livewire, will be launching its third edition CD album at 7:00 o?clock in the evening of August 29, 2009 at the Al Fresco of Avenue Square, along Magsaysay Avenue, this city.

Important guests, friends, admirers and the general public are invited to join the event which is a tribute to Bicol musical ingenuity and talent. Guests may enjoy food and drinks at the Avenue Square?s food shops while enjoying the music of the fabulous band.

The album carries original and adapted Bicol songs composed and performed by the four-member 4K Barrel Band composed of Andy Belmonte, Tonton Hernandez, Marlon Amador and Alfredo de Loyola, the wacky one.

The songs, to be performed live during the launching include, among others, : ?Pungaw Ako Saimo?, ?Gatol?, ?Panahon?, Dai Na Kuta?, ?Kaidto Pa?, ?Gasgas na Gitara?? and ?Ika an Padangat?. Bicol adaptations include ?Truck Ini? and ?Proud Ako!?

Government, News

Joseph Maria Francis C. De Leon, a sixth grader math wizard of Blessed Lights International Christian Academy (BLICA) bagged a bronze medal in the recently concluded 2009 China Primary Math Olympiad in Tianjin, China on August 9-14, 2009.

This information was confirmed by Mathematics Trainers' Guild (MTG)-Philippines, the prime mover of international math competitions for the Philippines last August 13, 2009 through its website www. mtgphil.org.

His feat came after undergoing a year of series of rigidly intensive trainings which included the month-long MTG Mathematical Olympiad Summer Training Program (MOSTP) at MTG Deeco Technological Institute, Sta. Maria Compound, Marcos Highway, Santolan, Pasig City from April 15 until May 15, 2009, the week-long Young Mathematicians' Intensive In-House Training Program (YMIITP) at Iloilo City and the 12-session Mathematical Challenge for Filipino Kids Training Program (MCFKTP). Almost two months before this competition, he underwent another rigid training focusing only on China Math Olympiad questions.

De Leon, together with his team mates in the Philippine team, the Pinoy kids powered by strong determination fought their way out of the mind-boggling contest problems and ended up winning 6 silver medals and 40 bronze medals with the best team award.

Meanwhile, Jomari, as his friends call him, also joined the 2009 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools-English on August 1, and in the 2009 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) on August 6 where he obtained the Credit Award last year. Relatively, Jomari was also the champion in the 2009 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge for Grade 5, together with his team mate Danica Mae Berunio, the bronze medalist from BLICA in the 2008 International Math Competition in Singapore.

Finally, De Leon was the third international winner from BLICA after Berunio and Yvonne Gaile Molina who also snatched a bronze medal in the 2008 China Primary Math Olympiad Yi Chang, China.

Government, News

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NAGA CITY --- The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) conducted its one-day expo on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) last Wednesday, August 12, at Magdalena Hall, Crown Hotel here, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

With the theme, ?Bicol Express: To Prosperity, Right on Track!?, the expo was attended by representatives from various chambers of commerce in Bicol, PBSP member companies, the academe, NGOs, and LGUs who have confirmed attendance, according to Rowena B. Sugay, Foundation Affairs Manager.

PBSP, with its 248 member-companies is the country?s largest corporate-led social development foundation with a long history of partnership in Bicol in accord with its commitment to poverty reduction.

The PSBP conducted learning sessions, free consultations, and an exhibit and trade fair. The exhibits included:

PBSP in Bicol (An Exhibit). The exhibit traces how PBSP has been involved in and committed to the development of Bicol. It also shows what PBSP is doing now, and what it still hopes to do in and with Bicol.

Health in the Workplace Program. With 100 Filipinos dying every day from the disease, tuberculosis prevention is a priority program. PBSP will present how the private and public sectors can partner to help control TB in Bicol. Other health programs will also be shared with companies, so that they can improve the health and welfare of employees.

Business in Development (BiD) Challenge Coaching. The BiD Challenge is an international business plan competition for individuals or organizations that have business ideas that both generate profit and reduce poverty.. In 2007, Marianne Olano of Naga City made it to the semi-finals, which paved the way for her business, Baycrafts Jewelry, to participate in various trade fairs in SM Malls nationwide. BiD is open to Bicol-based entrepreneurs.

Business Advisory Program (PBSP-BAP). PBSP-BAP helps micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) develop and improve their business. Volunteer advisers share their expertise on business operations, marketing, packaging and more. At the PBSP CSR Caravan, BAP will offer free consultations for MSMEs. PBSP hopes to recruit volunteer advisers from Bicol.

Government, News

Czech experts report on Naga?s
modern landfill, biogas projects


NAGA CITY --- Led by Ambassador Jaroslav Ludva of the Czech Republic, experts from that eastern European nation last Tuesday and Wednesday formally presented and discussed before city officials here led by Mayor Jesse M. Robredo the environmental impact assessment for the proposed multi-million sanitary landfill that the city government is putting up in cooperation with the International Development Cooperation of the Czech Republic.

Jan Pavlik of Enviros, the project coordinator, said that as early as 2006 the Czech government had approved the application submitted by the city government for the improvement of solid waste management in the city, and that the following year the Czech Ministry of Environment announced the tender for the project.

He also informed the city officials that the city government?s request to increase the budget for the project has been approved by the Czech Ministry of Environment.

Under the agreement, Enviros before the end of 2009 would have completed the design for landfill gas collection system from existing landfill and its energy use if the feasibility study showed financial viability of the project. It shall also design a new system of solid waste management including waste recycling, composting and waste-to-energy project. As well, Enviros engineers will evaluate the proposed technical variants that will contribute to energy self-sufficiency and the reduction of solid waste management cost of the city.

The Czech engineers will also complete the feasibility study on putting up a bio-gas plant using wastes as source of fuel.
Jaroskav Jakubes, also of Enviros, reported to the city officials and other city stakeholders that the biogas plant will utilize biodegradable wastes within the sanitary landfill and other sources, such as the city abattoir, for energy production, greenhouse gases reduction and production of utilizable products, such as organic fertilizer.

Biogas is being promoted worldwide not only as energy source but also as part of waste management. It is traditionally used for heating, lighting, cooking, electricity production and in compressed form as motor fuel, Jakubes said.

The proposed sanitary landfill will be situated in Bgy. Carangcang, in the neighboring town of Magarao, Camarines Sur. Enviros is expected to have completed and presented its topographical, hydro- geological and biodiversity surveys by October this year, Director Michal Pastvinsky of the Department of Development and Project Cooperation of the Czech Ministry of Environment, said.

Government, News