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vol. xx, no. 22 Bicol, the philippines nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012 p5.00

DENR intensifies drive vsillegal transport of charcoal

NAGA CITY -- Camarines Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (Penro) has intensi-fied its campaign against the hauling and conveyance of wood charcoal from the province.

Camarines Sur Penro chief Atty. Arnel Rodriguez said that he has already directed community ENROs in the cities of Iriga and Naga monitor and prevent the transport of charcoal out of the province without the Certificate of Verification (COVs).

He has also notified the ENROs in the municipali-ties of Goa and Sipocot to strictly require the driv-ers or conveyors of the charcoal to present a COV to transport the charcoal.

ENROs were also advised not to issue a transport

By AnAlizA S. MAcAtAngAy

P-Noy confers Quezon Service Cross on RobredoPresident Benigno S. Aquino III conferred

the Quezon Service Cross Award on the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo in ceremonies held in Malaca-ñang on Monday.

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POStHUMOUS AWARDPresident Benigno S. Aquino iii confers the Quezon Service cross Award (posthumous) on the late interior and local government Secretary Jesse Robredo in recognition of his service in government in a ceremony held on Monday (nov. 26) in Malacanang. Robredo died in a plane crash off the coast of Masbate last August. Accepting the award are Robredo’s widow, Atty. leni Robredo,and children Jessica Marie “Aika”, tricia and Jillian. the Quezon Service cross was proposed by former President Manuel Roxas in honor of President Manuel l. Quezon to serve as the highest honor of the Republic.

BenHUR ARcAyAn

In his speech, President Aquino said the Quezon Service Cross Award was a fitting tribute to Robredo whom he said embodied the ideal traits of a good leader and public servant: honesty, dedication and humility.

“Kinakatawan ni Jesse

ang mga katangian ng isang tunay na lingkod-bayan: matapat, masi-gasig, at mapagkumba-ba. Batid niyang bilang kawani ng gobyerno, ang una at ang huli niyang tungkulin ay ang pagsilbi-han ang bandila, at iangat

Bikol reporter2 nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012oPinion

opinionsunlimited

Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle is the world’s youngest cardinal (at 55). He is the 32nnd Archbishop of Manila and Chair of the CBCP Commission on Doctrine of the Faith. He was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Imus (Cavite) in December 2001. He was named by Pope Benedict XVI to the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome on October 7-28, 2012, in time for his elevation as cardinal on November 24, 2012. Praise be God!

ECONOMY: The value of PH exports grew by 22.8% (to $4.8B) in September 2012 – higher by $0.9B for the same month last year. This makes PH the country with the strongest export performance in this part of the world - beating Hong Kong (15.8%), Vietnam (15.6%), Taiwan (10.4%), Red China (9.9%) and Thailand (0.2%). Our main export product remains to be electronics products, woodcraft and furniture, and metal components.

Although with lesser strides in amounts,

exports of bananas, coconut oil and tuna also added to the merchandise export statistics. The key export sectors that make up 87% of current business are: information technology, business outsourcing, electronics, agribiz products, minerals, shipbuilding, motor vehicle parts, garments and textiles, home-style products and wearables. Itr seems PH is cashing in on the gradual global economic improvement.

CHALLENGE: No less than the NEDA has raised the alert notice that our government must do more of the extra-ordinary to sustain the growth records that we have recently established. NEDA sees the need to develop and implement coherent policies and programs, includ-ing labor policies and rules, in order to achieve sustained growth. Improving as well as sustaining our competitiveness is the key to rapid, consistent growth.

The Philippines has recently improved its competitiveness rating among 142 countries from No. 75 to now No. 65. NEDA is targeting an improvement of up to No. 28. By comparison, Indonesia is ranked 50, Malaysia – 27, and Thailand – 38. Competitive ranking is largely based on corporate governance and manage-ment quality in which field, the Philippines has improved 31 notches on the classification scale. We must help each other sustain our country’s growth rate!

WISDOM: Giving is a spiritual act, showing that love for the Lord, not money, reigns in our hearts.

(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International – is PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee).

MAGUINDANAO: Three years have gone by since the merciless massacre of newsmen and other people in Maguindanao province. Thanks to our justice system that provides more protection to the perpetrators as against the victims – nobody among the already known criminals has been sentenced for the crime. It seems the defense lawyers are using all technicalities in Judicial Procedures to delay the process.

Many of the families of the victims – more so those without means to sustain their participation in the criminal proceedings – have virtually lost interest in the case. In the annals of global media, this massacre involving more than thirty defenseless mediamen is a record by itself. In the western world, if an incident like this happened, the pressure on the government to bring the criminals to justice would have been intense and relentless. Only in the Philippines?

NEW CARDINAL: The Philippines has three (3) cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church once again. After the death of the Cardinal Jose Sanchez (native of Catanduanes) whose last position was at the Vatican – only two Filipino cardinals were left: Cardinals Vidal (Cebu) and Rosales (Manila). Both of them have officially retired from their church posts. We need more cardinals – for Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon since it is likely that Cardinal Tagle may be assigned at the Vatican.

Violence against media

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salvador d. flor

A QuEStioN

ofPRivilEgE

His glory days are probably over but he is thankful his life is back to normal. The nightmare is behind him. He is looking forward to quiet, uneventful life with his family.

I am speaking of Ariel Ayque, who, over a year ago, was sucked into the maelstrom but has survived. He considers it life’s second chance. He is not ready to waste it.

Looked up to as a top broadcaster in Legazpi City, VP Ariel, he was vice president of People’s Broadcasting Network, does not aspire for big things today. He is contented with his life away from the limelight.

He was recently released from detention, acquitted of a rape charge. He was jailed at the Legazpi city jail, unable to post bail. because he was not allowed bail.

His prison experience has taught him a lesson in humility. It has taken him down from his pedestal, depositing his feet firmly on the ground. He now looks at people as

no different from him, ordinary, common, earthly and with many human faults.

At the height of his career, he felt indestructible, untouchable, above the ordinary rung of men. He had countless fans and friends from the elite in the city. He was both much admired and much hated.

When I visited him at the police jail where he was first incarcerated after his

arrest, I could sense his shock and disbelief. He probably did not expect that the ill-fortune would come too soon.

He smiled when I entered his cell. But his face showed a different emotion.

In his first three months in prison, he cried every night when everybody in his cell was asleep. It was the darkest time in his life. Only the thought of his family had given him strength.

Ariel was in jail for ll months. Some weeks into his detention, he was granted a P200,000 bail. Six months later, he was acquitted and released from prison.

Freed but pauperized, he found it very hard to cope with his new life. His savings were gone, everything he had, was sold. Only his house at the Central City has remained.

What keeps him busy today? He said he listens to the radio every morning. He also seeks out old friends, most of them

A fallen icon

*****Since political dynasty is the talk of the

town because of the approaching election on May 2013, here’s an excerpt from the column of Artemio V. Panganiban in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated Nov. 25, 2012 entitled “Options to Stop Political Dynasties”:

legislative action. The “no-brainer” option is for Congress to enact a law defining what a political dynasty is, what offices (elective and nonelective) are covered, who may enforce the prohibition, and other details. While some senators and congressmen have perfunctorily filed

bills covering these topics, not one has been seriously deliberated upon. To my knowledge, no such bills have been reported for second reading in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

Realistically, such measures cannot be expected to be approved at this time. After all, many legislators have relatives—parents, children, siblings, and even grandparents—who serve simultaneously in Congress and in other offices.

Tired of waiting for congressional action during the last 25 years, some citizens have filed judicial petitions to compel the Commission on Elections to enforce the constitutional prohibition by denying due course to certificates of candidacies of close relatives.

Judicial and quasi-judicial actions. However, I think these petitions are legally untenable because the Comelec cannot legislate. Note that the Constitution prohibits political dynasties, “as may be defined by law.” True, the Comelec has the power to issue rules and regulations. However, such rules merely implement statutes. Without a law defining political dynasties, implementing rules have no

The Daily Tribune dated Nov. 20 reported that there are believers who say that the world will end on December 21, 2012, the end date of the ancient Mayan calendar and they see Bugarach as one of the sacred mountains declared sheltered from the catalysm.

Local officials in France banned access to the Pie de Bugarach, a mountain in the southwest where rumor has it that the hill-top will open on the last day and aliens will emerge with spaceships to save humans. There’s already a rush of New Age fanatics, sightseers, and media crews there.

Because many of us easily believe rumors, I am hereby quoting the statement of Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican as reported in this newspaper:

“Pope Benedict XVI called on Christians Sunday not to heed doomsday warnings that the world will end on December 21. During his weekly Angelus address from the window of his Vatican apartments on St. Peter Square, Benedict spoke of extracts from the Bible which speak of the sun and moon going out, the stars falling from the sky.” But Benedict said that Jesus does not decide the end of the world, and when he uses apocalyptic images, he is not acting the prophet.

no Doomsday and Options to Stop Political Dynasties

NENITA FuENTEBELLA-PEÑONES

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lee g. dullesco iiHead, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

weekly opinion

Soon, their names will be forgotten, what with our vaunted culture of short memory. Paula Jamie Salvosa and Blair carabuena will eventually just be seen as mere indicators of the kind of stress that urban centers like Manila leave on people. Salvosa’s “amalayer,” will certainly be submitted as an entry in the “Salita ng taon,” while carabuena will contend with the charges filed against him by the MMDA. But soon, they will be closed chapters in our country’s continuing saga of creation and self-destruction. And forgetfulness.

there is, however, one lesson we can learn from these two events which, thanks to the new media, have reached us for our reflection – the sense of entitlement some people have over other people. Whether they admit it or not, both Salvosa’s and carabuena’s overt behavior show a superiority complex, that they are in the words of george Orwell, “more equal than the others.”

this feeling of entitlement, to our mind, also dangerously underlie our current concern about political dynasties. the debate on the matter is, or course, an unfinished one. The fact, however, that bills had been passed in Congress to finally end political dynasties in the country is evidence enough of its deleterious effect on our democratic society. It does not level the playing field.

entitlement becomes dangerous when a political family feels that public office is a right vested unto them, that it is their privilege to perpetuate themselves in power. clearly, this is what is happening in the country today, in our own province for one. What makes it more appalling is when these families feel that we, the people, have the responsibility to vote for them as we owe them that. clearly, this is a world turned upside down.

What makes them think so? Our electoral system is a de facto self-perpetuating system for political dynasties, for the emergence of and entrenchment of new nobilities in the country. it provides the breeding ground, like a dark and damp corner to mushrooms, for these old political names to keep on coming back each election season.

there is, however, another more dominating and pervasive reason why this feeling of entitlement persists among political families. Patronage politics in the country stems from, and has its roots in the persistent poverty in our country. A recent nSO data, for instance, showed that camarines Sur still tops the region’s malnutrition chart. We must remember that a few months ago, the province is touted as one of the ten richest provinces in the country.

Why the same political names responsible for this state of things in the province are running again, is no doubt because they have a sense of entitlement to lord it over the province ad infinitum. Oh, suffer the children!

By FRAnCISCO PeñOneS JR.

entitlement

Bikol reporter 3nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012

BikERS foR ClEaN aiRBikers from all over Albay province get ready for the starting signal for this year’s “Pidal para sa Malinig na Paros” (Pedal for clean Air), an environmental awareness drive to heighten awareness on alternative means of transportation to complement in the government’s campaign to reduce mobile emission. every year, november is being observed as national environmental Awareness and clean Air Month. -Photo by Jessel Basanta

outStaNDiNg fiSHERiES CouNCilthe Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management council (MFARMc) of Aroroy, Masbate bagged the 2012 gawad Saka Outstanding FARMc award. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (top photo, extreme right), in lieu of President Benigno Aquino iii, who did not make it due to inclement weather, led the awarding of this year’s national winners of Gawad Saka—an annual search for outstanding achievers in agriculture and fisheries, conducted by the Department of Agriculture on October 13, 2012 at DA-Philippine Rice Research institute (PhilRice), in Muñoz city, nueva ecija. the council received a cash prize of 450,000 along with a presidential citation and trophy. the affair coincided with the 27th anniversary of DA-PhilRice and launch of 2013 as ‘national year of Rice.’ Also in the top photo are (from left) DA assistant secretary Dante Delima, DA-RFU5 director Jose Dayao, PhilRice director eufemio Rasco, Jr., nueva ecija governor Aurelio Umali, DA assistant secretary edilberto de luna and BFAR-5 regional director Dennis del Socorro (9th from left). Bottom photos: Aroroy MFARMc chairman Winnie gregorio proudly holds the presidential citation and trophy; the council members with BFAR national director Asis Perez (7th from left), BFAR-5 assistant regional director Marjurie grutas, nFRDi chief Melchor tayamen (4th and 5th from left respectively) and BFAR-5 alternate FARMc coordinator Ronald canabe (1st from left). -Photos by Joesel Barrameda

MgB Bicol, PSU partnershipproduce 6 geologists

PhilHealth express opens

The partnership of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Bicol (MGB-V) and the Partido State Uni-versity (PSU) in Goa, Ca-marines Sur that started early in 1997 in offering Bachelor of Science in Ge-ology course has started to bear fruits when the latter was able to produce six li-censed geologists, one last year and five in the just concluded August 2012 Li-censure examination for Geologists.

This augments in one

small way or another the shortage of such profession-als in the Bicol Region or even throughout the country.

An Accomplishment Re-port of BS Geology Program for September 2011 to Au-gust 2012 of the PSU sub-mitted to the MGB-V said the performance of gradu-ates in the said examination of 38.46% passing percent-age is better than last year’s 25% and one of its gradu-ates was able to make it to the top 10.

In related initiative, the

current OIC-Regional Direc-tor (RD) Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño of the MGB-V was the guest speaker dur-ing testimonials given by the management of the PSU to successful board passers last September 5.

RD Pestaño instituted the importance of the program and committed to support the school. He also extended his inspirational message to the entire geology students without forgetting to con-gratulate the successful ex-

By SAlly A. AtentO

LeGAZPI CITy – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) re-gional office here launched the first Philhealth express in the Bicol region last no-vember 19 at the Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) branch in Daraga, Albay.

“Philhealth initiated the project for the public to have easier access to the agency’s services. That is why it is set up in places where people usually go so they can trans-act with us without going to our regional office,” said Philhealth V information of-ficer Paulette Santiago.

Among the services of-fered by the Philhealth Ex-press to all Bicolanos include

registration of new members, amendment on member data and issuance of data record, issuance of Philhealth ID and hard copy report of monthly remittance, verification of premiums and inquiries on claim status.

Santiago added, “This project is part of our commit-ment through our Philhealth regional vice president Or-lando Iñigo Jr to deliver qual-ity public service and make services readily available to everyone.”

Moreover Santiago clari-fied that not all services are extended in the said Express.

“Among the excluded services are filing of claims since this will require medi-cal evaluators, acceptance of payments although we hace

accredited collecting partners in the area, and filing of re-mittance reports in soft copy since we only do this in the regional office. But we can accommodate it if they have the hard copy of the RF1,” Santiago said.

Santiago further reminded the public to issue an autho-rization for their representa-tives in case they cannot come in person.

The Philhealth Express is open to the public from Mon-days to Fridays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm under the supervision of the Local Health Insurance Office of Albay headed by Lorie Rubis.

Another Philhealth Ex-press, said Santiago, will be established come November 28 at Iriga City.

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ang kanyang kapwa—anu-mang pansariling sakripisyo ang kaakibat nito. Alam ito ng kanyang pamilya’t mala-lapit na kaibigan, alam ito ng kanyang mga kababayang Nagueño, at alam ito ng kan-yang mga nakasalamuhang Pilipino ---nasa puso ni Jesse ang pagseserbisyo,” the Pres-ident said.

“Sa araw pong ito, na-kamit ni Jesse Robredo ang pinakamataas na parangal sa bansa, sa paglilingkod na na-kasandig sa pagpapakumba-ba. Kanyang pinatunayan na hindi laging naipapamalas ang kadakilaan sa lakas ng puwersa, sa katapangan, o sa kagitingan. Isang simp-leng taong kumakalinga sa simpleng tao ---dito po na-tin maaalala ang pangalang Jesse Manalastas Robredo,” he added.

Mayor ROSAl

legazpi mayor launches campaign vs drug addiction

By MARlOn A. lOteRte

LeGAZPI CITy -- The city government and the locales of this city vowed to continue to work hand in hand to fight against drug addiction pursuing a drug free city to safeguard the welfare of the present and future generations.

Hundreds of residents, village officials, students, police and military per-sonnel, city government employees and officials, personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), among others joined Wednesday (Nov. 21), the indignation rally against drug abuse in this city’s main thoroughfares in time for the observance of Drug Abuse Awareness and Prevention Week.

Mayor Geraldine Rosal

of this city said during the short program following the more than 3-kilometer march rally that her ad-ministration will not toler-ate proliferation of illegal drugs, traders or pushers and users that will destroy one self, ruin family ties and become social menaces.

The city government, Rosal said, exigently needs to provide venues for awareness drives among the residents and various sec-tors about the negative ef-fects of drug and substance abuse not only on the health but also on the social, eco-nomic, and even the politi-cal development of the city and the entire country.

“I believe that a system-atically coordinated infor-mation drive about the evils of drug abuse can greatly help in preventing the ris-

ing numbers of drug depen-dents,” she said.

Rosal has urged all the members and officers of the Barangay Anti Drug Abuse Council or BADAC of the 70 villages of this city to implement the curfew or-dinance and monitor at all times the youth in their own respective areas in order to keep them away from the menace of illegal drugs.

Rosal also encouraged (Turn to page 7)

In response, Robredo’s widow Leni, who accepted the award in behalf of their family, expressed her deepest appreciation for the Quezon Service Cross Award which, she said, is truly a “huge honor.”

“It is such a privilege for us to accept the highest national recognition of outstanding ci-vilian service that the repub-lic can give. To be awarded this award which was pro-posed by President Manuel Roxas in honor of our illus-trious President Manuel L. Quezon, and to be mentioned alongside awardees Carlos P. Romulo, Emilio Aguinaldo, Ramon Magsaysay, and Be-nigno S. Aquino, Jr. is truly a huge honor,” Robredo said.

“With the conferment of the Quezon Service Cross Award, we can only hope that

there will be more people like him who will serve rath-er than criticize, collaborate rather than divide, build up rather than tear down, and en-gage in order to understand,” she added.

The Quezon Service Cross Award is the highest recogni-tion the State can bestow on its citizens. It was created through a proposal by former President Manuel Roxas in honor of President Manuel L. Quezon to serve as the high-est honor of the Republic.

With the award, Robredo joins former president of the United Nation General As-sembly Carlos P. Romulo, for-mer presidents Emilio Agui-naldo and Ramon Magsaysay, and the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., as the fifth per-son to receive the prestigious award. - PnD (rck)

p-noy confers Quezon service cross...

Bikol reporter4 nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012etCeterA

inner chessBy J. HenRy DAnicAn

Tours and Travel – In Focus

DR. MARILISSA j. AMPuANPresident, Bicol Association of Tourism

and Hospitality Educators (BATHE)

Tourism environmentalists had been warning the public all along that some unscrupulous businessmen and their cohorts in government tend to mess up with natural wonders and attractions found all over the country through reckless tampering of our ecosystem. This was the case in point on the P 1 billion, 40 hectare reclamation project which was supposed to be constructed in Boracay and Caticlan. Had it not been stopped by the Supreme Court, God knows the extent of destructions it could have brought upon to this natural tourists haven of ours. It goes without saying that the timely resistance of present resort owners in Boracay and Caticlan have put to stop the implementation of this highly controversial project. What we feared all along was the fact that the reclamation project if it was given the go signal to proceed with the construction would have resulted to more commercial structures and consequently pollution would naturally follow. What was so disturbing about the project was the fact that the proponents did not even bother at all to consult the very people who would be affected by the project. In short, transparency as a mode of proceeding with a given project affecting the public in general was not observed.

Take the ease of most of our corral reefs which are being depleted and as a result the sustainable development of our seas, lakes and oceans are in danger of being neglected. The unrestrained and wanton practice of dynamite fishing and the unabated activities of people who are engage in water sports contribute to the damage being done to our corral reefs. These are the reasons why our corral reefs which had been our source of pride and

joy before due to its abundance are now in danger of being totally destroyed which ultimately would give rise to endanger our natures ecosystem. It would therefore be in keeping with our duties and responsibilities, if well-meaning Filipinos would now start to revive the “reef buds” project in our respective domains. These positive actions would serve as breeding grounds for fish and algae. The academe in this regard together with private resort owners and natures guardians should work hand in hand for the realization and establishment of coral laboratories which has for its purpose the production of young corals as a solution for the restoration of our destroyed reefs.

Despite laws passed and now in effect like the Clean Water Act, the Pollution Control Law not to mention the landmark Writ of Kalikasan which compliments the Green Courts initiatives of our Supreme Courts much is yet to be done for the protection of our environment. Tourist

attractions all over the world like Bali, Indonesia, Vancouver Island in Canada, Sicily in Italy, Hawaii, USA Maui, Kauai and Big Islands, Galapagos in Ecuador, the Great Barrier Reefs in Australia including the Maldives Islands where tourists are found the whole year round, resort owners and developers have taken it upon themselves to protect their God given natural

wonders making it intact and clean for future generations. It’s no wonder why tourists keep coming back to these renowned attractions because this protectionist and environment friendly policy is being observed in these places. This is a sure and a result oriented innovative practice of preserving their ecosystems. For this, the Philippines through its tourism stakeholders must work hard in the preservation of our ecosystems. All things considered our country with its pristine beaches and tourist destinations is a tropical paradise. It would therefore be for our own interests if natures attraction found in most of our tourist sites and destinations must be sustained and protected from abuse and destruction. This should be our guiding light for tourism in its totality would usher in the economic bonanza never before experienced by our people.

Let us therefore bear in mind that many of our tourists spots have fragile environment. In sustaining our tourists havens, we must all act together in the preservation and sustenance of our natural environment because by our collective efforts, we would be in a position to reap the fruits of our labor with tourism as the leading industry in our country.

ViSit OUR WeBSite:www.bikolreporter.webs.com

jokee BOtOR-ReyeS

pell-mell

the Joys of gardeningI discovered I have a green thumb when I decided to do

something about the front yard of the house my family now occupy since over a year ago. Even as a young girl I had always been fascinated by flower gardens. My mother had a very wide garden planted by flowering, ornamental and medicinal plants. Name every variety of rose and my mother’s garden has it, very surely. When the roses are in bloom, the flowers come in different colors and also odors. There was the American beauty rose, pitimini. I was really amused by that rose called, rosa virgin with many flowers that can extend to some three feet distanced by mere thumb. I remember offering them during the May Flores de Mayo in the church. There were other roses but I hardly remember their names. Mother has the rarest rose in this side of the land. It is wooden rose and it is wooden in the strictest sense of the word. Its flower is heavily wooden brown and does not wilt at all even for months. It was a vine that grows some kilometric and has climbed the roof of our house and practically covered the whole roof of our big house. (Yes, our house was really big considering that we are a big family of seven children, my parents and two household helps and a gardener who are all stay in). My father and mother were starting to fear that a snake might find refuge in the thick vine so the plant has to be cut off and in a couple of days, the plant was dead and so goes the story of our wooden rose. I wonder if I could ever have a wooden rose again.

At any rate. I have progressed a lot as a gardener. My flower and ornamental as well as medicinal plants are growing very healthy. My amarillos which is popularly known as rosas de ayito have flowers a plenty. They come in yellow and orange and they are simply beautiful to look at because one plant bears some eleven or even more flowers that are fresh for two weeks. Unfortunately, they do not smell well. I have zinnias that are about to bear flowers as well as my daisies. I am looking forward to this. I have many other plants which are simply ornamental and they do not even have names and I don’t care. My medicinal plants are albamor. kadlum, lakad bulan, kamangkao and oregano. A friend told me that oregano is drives away snakes with its odor so I have planted many of them. I somehow feel very safe.

I used to have a rare plant which my friend, Nona Vanessa Monponbanua Santiago, Iriga tourism officer. bought in Makati. She bought two of it keeping one for herself and giving me the other one. Since the plant did not have a name, I named it Nona and Nona named her plant Jokee. Well! Nona’s plant and mine too died.

Today, I spend my free time in my garden, weeding, watering and just looking at it. I do not realize that time runs so fast when I am doing my gardening.

Gardening, anyone? Go ahead and experience the joy of gardening. jokeebotor_reyes@yahoo.com

A treeBy MelinDA D. PReStADO

A tree that grows by the sideNear the school that I stride

Seemed to dance a wind swept-byWhen the leaves move up and wild.

A tree whose arms are long and wideGives shade to the young and old-alikeThe teachers, students, and passers-by

Stop to breathe the cool breeze with delight.

A tree that soothes the ailing soulWhen from its’ heart birds sing in cool,

The playful tunes of magic soundGives tranquil thought that knows no bound.

A tree that smiles to humankindIts’ charm exudes here and beyond,

To the people that goes back and forthA tree is but for you to sprout.

Bikol reporter 5nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012

effective classroom ManagementAs teacher in Civil Technology, my vision is to impart more

knowledge and skills development to our learners to prepare them to be more globally competitive and self-sufficient in the future, an active citizenry in nation building as well as community development. And likewise to have a nice conducive shop-laboratory building, tools and equipment, to aggrandize teaching and learning situation among our students.

School facilities and other learning materials be provided to all public schools, but we are all aware that the government cannot provide all what we need.. The Educational Process of our students is a combination of multi-sectoral components. The process of our Educationa System rely much through the active participation/cooperation of different stakeholders such as: LGU, TESDA, Parents’ Teachers and Students, and other sectors in the community.

As teacher, we should make plans or do an initiative to support the shortcomings of the Department of Education, organized group, and create plans of activities to be able to raise funds for giving respond to other priority needs in the classroom necessary to facilitate learning on the view-point of the learners.

Teachers should conduct monitoring to our students’ performance. Giving some incentive or advance assignments to fast learners, and render remedial instruction to slow learners for them to be promoted also to the next module of study.

Faculty and Staff be given an opportunity to attend Traings/Seminars from time to time to enhance their knowhow and skills to become efficient in teaching of their various fields of specialization. Be encourage to earn Units in Masteral Degree for promotion purposes, and to earn salary increase for their growing family.

As Teacher we are bound to explore new trends and technique in teaching us to be updated of the new approach in teaching. Using the advanced multi-media equipment which facilitate the teaching learning process.

Following these remarkable approach in our teaching profession we are given an assurance to accomplished a good output leading to effective classroom management in our school where we belong. To carryout the school’s vision, mission, for our countrymen is a good barrometer to contribute progress and expedite development in the community, as well as build onward achievement all over the Philippine archipelago, building people is a building nation._______________________By VitO F. BRUSASSecondary Schools teacher-iiiSto. tomas national High SchoolSan Jose, San Pablo, camaligan, camarines Sur

UneP HS students grab top plum in JournalismIt was another victory for

the High School Journalists of the University of north-eastern Philippines (UneP) after grabbing most of the major prizes during the re-cently concluded Division Secondary Schools Press Conference (DSSPC) held from november 8 to 9 at the Rinconada national Tech-

DOle to hold “Runvs child labor”

LEGAZPI CITY -- To source out additional funds for the Department of Labor and employment’s (DOLe) “Project Angel Tree,” em-ployees of the department’s regional office here have joined hands for the 5-ki-lometer fun run dubbed, “Run Against Child Labor,” on December 7.

In support to President Be-nigno S. Aquino’s III’s “Matu-wid na Daan”, the DOLE regional personnel, who are members of their employees’ cooperative and union, started from among themselves a strong proactive desire and volunteerism to support the department’s annual program to showcase that “charity be-gins at home.”

The fun run aims to gen-erate funds for Project Angel Tree’s programs on extending educational, medical and hy-gienic supplies to victims of child labor in the region.

Although these projects have an annual allocation,

the employees decided to put in more to further encourage public support.

Cyre Cabredo, Bicol-DOLE coordinator for child labor, revealed that the em-ployees initiated the fun run which was later approved by the regional officials.

Thirty percent of the gross collection from the P200 reg-istration fee per participant will be devoted to Project An-gel Tree, 55 percent will be used to finance the implemen-tation of the activity, and the remaining 15 percent shall be shared between the coopera-tive and the union.

Supportive radio stations and block time broadcast pro-grammers have assured free on-air promotions of the ac-tivity in support to DOLE’s campaign against child labor.

The recent survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed that Bicol has 304,000 child laborers, the second highest in the country.

REgioNal otoP WiNNERAgustin iii z. Villadares (right, inset), president of libmanan Pulantuna Planters Federations, inc., (lPPFi) holds the plaque of recognition awarded by the Department of trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol regional office to LPPFI for its support and assistance worth P3 million to the cagbunga crab Paste Producers’ Association of gainza, camarines Sur. left photo (right to left) shows Dti Bicol Regional Director

Jocelyn Blanco, Agustin iii Villadares, Vicente Mercado (lPPFi treasurer), Simeon guiruela (lPPFi vice president), Dionisio Avila (lPPFi trustee), Arcady Samulde (lPPFi’s A-excel manager), ludovico lorico (lPPFi trustee), and Ma. Francia Fullante, LPPFI program officer (7th from left). The 2012 Bicol OtOP Awards was held at the concourse, legazpi city on nov. 15.(lPPFi pr)

nological Vocational School (RnTVS) in Iriga City.

UNEP contestants made it as topnotchers in the Best Scriptwriting category. Bian-ca Serrano also triumphantly grabbed the top plum in the Copyreading – English Cat-egory competition. Meagan Almasco also defeated her competitors in the Best An-

chor- Filipino Category by grabbing the top prize.

Another first went to Donalene Talento and Mark Linsel Tagong when they grabbed the first place in the Best Anchor- English Catego-ry. Emar Joseph Briseño ob-viously did well, making way for a win as Best Reporter in Filipino category while Jessa

Alfelor and Gail Manlapaz were adjudged first and third placer respectively under the Best Reporter- English Cat-egory.

Seven UNEP contenders grabbed the first, second and third places in the Broadcast-ing-English Category and in Broadcasting-Filipino Cat-egory. The team who compet-

ed in the News writing event- Filipino category got the third prize. UNEP contenders made it too as second placer in the Best Infomercial –Eng-lish Category and 5th place in the News writing –English category.

The whole UNEP commu-nity lauded the victorious team who toiled hard just to ensure

that they won’t go back to the university empty-handed.

Before flying to London to receive an international award in behalf of UNEP, Atty. Re-melisa Alfelor- Moraleda, UNEP President, lauded the students, including their men-tors and coaches for the job well done.

(Turn to page 6)

Bikol reporter6 nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012

nAMe OF DeceASeD DAte OF inteRMentBarbara n. terceño October 1, 20121. Santos Q. terceño October 1, 20122. Romeo O. San lorenzo Jr. October 2, 20123. clemente M. camba October 6, 20124. Manuel M. Meneses October 7, 20125. Miguel A. Pardiñas October 6, 20126. Milagros D. Pardiñas October 6, 20127. guillermo U. Abellera October 14, 20128. Antonio A. Alacar Jr. October 17, 20129. lilibeth V. Rastrullo October 19, 201210. gregorio R. Rastrullo October 19, 201211. Josefina V. Rastrullo October 19, 201212. Jose V. Rastrullo October 19, 201213. Dante R. Magno October 18, 201214. Franklin M. llorin October 25, 201215. lourdes B. lucena October 23, 201216. emiliana B. Bermudo October 26, 201217. Rosalinda e. novio October 27, 201218. Samuel e. novio October 27, 201219.

nOtice OF tRAnSFeR OF OWneRSHiPA motorized vehicle (trimobile) owned by Ismael C. Salting has been transferred in the name of ROSitA R. SAlting, of Zone 6, Lerma, Naga City. Said vehicle is the subject of a Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga City approval of Resolution No. 2012-397 for a new franchise and provisions of Ordinance No. 93-049 as amended Ordinance Nos. 2007-24 and 2008-043, and was inspected by the Traffic Manage-ment Task Force of the Naga City Police Office on August 31, 2012. Type of Motor-KAWASAKI, Chas-sis No. BC175A-B15107, Model - 2005, Plate No. ET-8306, Engine No. BC175EAE-27246, Side Car No. 1383 - Yellow.BiKOl RePORteRPublished: november 11, 18 and 25, 2012

eXtRA-JUDiciAl SettleMent OF eStAteNotice is hereby given that the named parties are the sole heirs of the late zenAiDA FUenteBellA-gUeRzOn who died intestate in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., on August 11, 2005, leaving real and personal properties situated in the Philippines, with no known debts or obligations due against the estate of the decedent, the parties hereto adjudicate among themselves the entire estate particularly the real properties described as mentioned in the Extra-judicial Settlement of Estate, as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Luzviminda E. Milton, Doc. No.11488, Page No. 245, Book No. XXXI, Series of 2012.BiKOl RePORteRPublished: nov. 18, 25 and Dec. 2, 2012

eXtRA-JUDiciAl SettleMent WitH WAiVeRNotice is hereby given that the named parties are the sole and legitimate heirs of JOAQUinA Q. BORJA who died on July 4, 2004 at Caraycayon, Tigaon, Ca-marines Sur, with no known debts, left parcels of land situated at Caraycayon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur; that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Revised Rules of Court, the parties with full capacity to contract waive their rights and interest in favor of co-heir Gemma Q. Borja the parcels of land described; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Jacinto B. Peñaflor Jr., Doc. No. 2469, Page No. 492, Book No. VI, Series of 2012.BiKOl RePORteRPublished: nov. 25, Dec. 2 and 9, 2012

permit without the clearance coming from the DENR re-gional office.

Transporting wood char-coal without necessary clear-ances is a clear violation of DENR Administrative Order 32, issued in 1997.

The indiscriminate cutting of trees in the forest is being attributed to the high char-coal demand in the region and in the neighboring prov-inces. This in turn, feeds the members of the community to cut the trees even in their tender years just to make a living. If the cutting of trees to make charcoal woods per-sists, our forests will soon lost its cover. This will make our areas prone to flooding and landslides.

Pursuant to this, a DENR officer can confiscate the tools, implements, and con-veyances used in the trans-port of any paraphernalia that could have been used to ille-gally cut trees and the mak-ing of wood charcoal.

DENR, meanwhile, has scheduled visits to various establishments directly in-volved in the buying and selling of charcoal, including

denr intensifies drive . . .the identification of the place where the charcoal originat-ed.

“Aside from the stern and continuous reminder that we are sending to our DENR of-ficers, we will also be con-ducting visits to various sites where there are reported cas-es of wood charcoal making. We will also check on the ve-hicles being used to transport the merchandise. If a viola-tion is evident, the jeepney or the vehicle used to conduct an illegal activity will be im-pounded,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that they are also closely coordinating

WoRk aBRoaD, aNYoNE? gBc/DPReyeS

the camSur employment center (cSec), under explicit directives of Governor LRay Villafuerte, has intensified efforts to assist camSur residents desirous of landing gainful jobs abroad. Among them are special recruitment activities in collaboration with legitimate agencies for placement of workers in multinational food chains in the Middle east (top photo) and assistance for registered nurses to secure profitable positions in the Land Down Under in cooperation with the Australian Heal Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)(lower photo).

“This exemplary act is truly commendable. I know that these students, including their coaches, went beyond themselves just to make sure that they have given their best efforts in this endeavor. I hope that they will really become one of the most prized jour-nalists or effective communi-cators in the future,” Morale-da stated.

Ms. Deli Alfelor-Tibi, UNEP Executive Vice Presi-dent and VP for Finance said that the UNEP management strongly supports endeavors which they believe will devel-op their students to be glob-ally competitive.

“We want to develop well-rounded individuals who can squarely compete with the world’s best. Graduates who are proud of their roots and who will spread the vision of UNEP to different nooks and corners of the globe,” Miss Deli said in closing.

unep hs . . .

with terminal operators in the province where the charcoal are allegedly being delivered. They have also strengthened coordination with the Philip-pine National Police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Just recent-ly, the group was able to con-fiscate more than 500 sacks of charcoal in the province on separate operations.

The towns of Tinambac, Calabanga, Pasacao, San Fernando, and Minalabac are considered wood charcoal hotspots where there are ram-pant production and selling of the said commodity.

part, DTI has offered technical programs and services to de-velop the capability of entrepre-neurs along managerial, skill, marketing, and even in access-ing credit for business expan-sion or transformation.

Furthermore, Pagao nar-

dti promotes pili nut . . .rated that apart from marketing and promotion activities being conducted by DTI, the Kasang-gayahan Trade Fair 2012 last October highlighted the pili, which is considered the prov-ince’s champion commodity.

“Likewise, the same expo-

sure will be repeated in Decem-ber this year during the Sorso-gon Festival of Sorsogon City,” she added.

Major issues and concerns from the participants were drawn out such as government’s assistance to the pili farmers, increasing the number of pili trees, comprehensive approach to pili industry or the need for pili development plan, and the support to the micro pili food processors.

Pili (scientific name: Ca-narum ovatum) is a tropical fruit native to Bicol and is con-sidered by the Department of Agriculture (DA) the “flagship commodity” in Bicol Region. It is abundant especially in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon.

In 1992, the Department of Environment and Natural Re-sources reported that Bicol sup-plied 82 percent of the national volume, most of which came from Sorsogon. This prompted the National Economic Devel-opment Authority to declare Sorsogon as the commodity champion for pili. Moreover, best quality of pili is found in Sorsogon.

As per record of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Sor-sogon belongs to the top pili-growing provinces in the coun-try with 3,693.10 metric tons (MT); followed by Albay with 1,818.79 MT; Northern Samar, 782 MT; Camarines Sur, 354.96 MT; Quezon, 104.95 MT; Sa-mar, 101.16 MT; Negros Oc-cidental, 89.98 MT; Eastern Samar, 84.83 MT; Camarines Norte, 43 MT; and Catanduanes with 11.04 MT.

Bikol reporter 7nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012

PilgEM PAWnSHOPBulalacao Street, San Pascual, Buhi, cam. Sur

auCtioN SalEnotice is hereby given that all pawned items for the month of JUly 2012 which were not redeemed will be auctioned on DeceMBeR 8, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.

BiKOl RePORteRPublished: nOVeMBeR 25, 2012

leg to stand on. How about a judicial petition for mandamus to compel

legislative action? I am afraid such recourse would also be iffy because courts can command the execution only of a purely ministerial act, which jurisprudence defines as “a simple, definite duty… a precise act accurately marked out… If the law imposes a duty but gives the officer [upon whom it is imposed] the right to decide how or when it shall be performed, the duty is discretionary and not ministerial.”

Under this test, I doubt that courts will direct Congress to pass an enabling law since the duty is not clearly defined and precisely marked out.

Obviously, the constitutional ban on dynasties is not “self-executing,” unlike, for instance, the term limits on congressmen (three consecutive terms) and senators (two consecutive terms). Here, the courts and the Comelec can disqualify candidates using the bare, but clear, certain and specific constitutional limits without need of an enabling law. Otherwise stated, unlike the dynasty ban, term limits are self-executory.

Sovereign action. Probably frustrated by legislative inaction, Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. promised to start a people’s initiative for an antidynasty law. Now, this is very novel. No law in our country has been approved via a people’s initiative.

However, there had been two unsuccessful attempts to change our Constitution via this process. In Lambino vs Comelec (Oct. 25, 2006), the Supreme Court struck down a people’s initiative to convert our presidential system to parliamentary on the ground, among others, that an initiative can be used only for simple and easy-to-comprehend matters, not for changing “basic principles, or several provisions” which “a deliberative body with recorded proceedings is best suited to undertake.”

Although this ruling involved Charter change, I believe that, by analogy, the same reason stopping a Charter revision can be used to restrain a people’s initiative for an antidynasty law. Being controversial, such a proposed law will need a deliberative body in which the proposal can, to borrow the language of the Lambino decision, be “drafted, defined, articulated, discussed and agreed upon in a mature and democratic debate.”

Political action. The fourth option, political action, may be the most doable under the present circumstances. Simply stated, let the people decide by voting down candidates who belong to the same family. Those who believe in this proposition can form political movements like the “Kamag-anak sa Politika Aayawan Lahat,” or “Kapal.”

If indeed our people want to stop members of political dynasties from occupying government positions simultaneously, they can demonstrate their will in the 2013 elections by voting down the “magkakamag-anak.” Should such a message be evident in the elections, I am sure relatives in other branches of government will also be foiled.

Let the 2013 elections then be a sort of referendum on the issue. Let the people speak loudly through their ballots. Let the antidynasty advocates take this challenge. And if they win, the new Congress will surely heed the people’s mandate by promptly enacting a law defining and banning political dynasties.

from my window . . .old businessmen, who have little to do but live out their days in the cozy company friends.

Girls do not interest him anymore, he said. What he feels in their presence is something akin to unease which he cannot fully explain. A girl was the cause of his fall.

Once at Gaisano mall in Legazpi, a pretty girl made the sign of the cross upon seeing him. His friends saw the girl. They kidded Ariel for the girl’s strange behavior. He found out, however, the girl was infront of the image of a saint on display at the lobby.

Going back to work is out of question at the moment. He prefers to stay at home when he is not at the mall with friends, do household chores or fix things Spending quality time with his family is his present preoccupation.

All his children have finished college which is why he considers himself still lucky despite the dark period in his life..

He has unsolicited advice to broadcasters in Legazpi: read, learn to analyze, practice justice and fair play. He said it is the best way not only to earn people’s respect but also to avoid trouble.- Email: budsflor@yahoo.com

a Question of . . .

all the barangay leaders and the Sangguniang Ka-bataan Chairmen to spear-head more sport events for youth and minors as part of their activities at their barangay.

The chief executive also called on the parents, school administrators and law enforcers to work har-moniously against abuse of illegal drugs by way of monitoring the schools and other places frequented by youth the likes of videoke bar, disco pub and other night spots.

PDEA Bicol regional director Archie Grande, on the other hand, has so-licited the cooperation of all the stakeholders in this drive, stressing that “we must always ensure that the campaign against il-legal drugs will and must continue and remain un-yielding everyday.”

Grande said there is need for concerned groups to promote drug-free life-style and intensify drug-demand reduction activi-ties in line with the said observance.

The activities in the re-gion for this year’s DAPC week are anchored on the theme “Kalusugan ay kayamanan, Droga ay iwasan.”

Side lights of the indig-nation rally included the

legazpi mayor launches . . .awarding of prizes to the winners of slogan con-test wherein in second-ary level the 1st prize was notched by Genecom In-stitute of Technology Inc., with P3,000 cash prize; Tanchuling High School named 2nd prize receiving P2,000; and Reyes Com-puter High School that won P1,000 for the 3rd prize.

In the tertiary level, Tanchuling College was proudly received the amount of P3,000 for the 1st prize followed by Computer System Institute receiving P2,000 for the 2nd prize; and 3rd place was awarded to CATt Col-lege receiving P1,000.

For the Barangay Lev-el, Barangay Gogon has

aminees.The partnership is a brain

child of the then MGB-V Regional Director Reynulfo A. Juan, now Regional Ex-ecutive Director of the De-partment of Environment and Natural Resources Re-gion 4A, who convinced in 1997 Dr. Modesto D. Detera, the then President of the Goa based PSU about the impor-tance of offering Geology course in Bicol not only for the purpose of addressing the acute shortage of the professionals but also to en-able the Bicolanos interested in the course to avail of the opportunity without going to Manila.

The two signed a Mem-orandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 29, 2007 and was renewed on April 15, 2011 for the continued collaboration for the next three years. The latter MOA was signed anew by RD Juan and PSU current President Nita V. Morallo.

The MOA, among others, provides that the MGB-V

mgB Bicol, psu partnership . . .will provide qualified per-sonnel to the faculty to teach major geology subjects until such time that the university has qualified faculty mem-bers to handle such subjects, provide technical assistance in the administration of the Geology course which shall include the conduct of field studies and allowing the stu-dents access to MGB labora-tory and research facilities.

PSU on the other hand, will provide the policies and guidelines; administer and supervise the program to ensure adherence to the stan-dard of excellence; provide academic-credentials to suc-cessful students of the pro-gram, and provide classroom furnitures, computers, sup-plies and other instructional and infra structural support facilities, among others.

It will be recalled that the recorded enrollees for the Geology course in the state university in its infant year, from January to June 2008, were about 30-24 in the first and 6 and in the second year, and according to the PUSs’ Accomplishment Report on the BS Geology Program from September 2011 to Au-gust 2012, there are 238 en-rolees currently enrolled in the course.

PSU is the first school in the Bicol Region that offered BS Geology course outside Metro Manila.

received the amount of Php5,000.00 for the 1st prize followed by Baran-gay Dap-Dap entries, with P3,000 and P2,000 for the 2nd and 3rd spots.

Barangay Banquerohan has received P5,000 for the biggest delegation cat-egory.

Bikol reporter8 nov. 25 - dec. 1, 2012

(Turn to page 6)

soon to open...

Dti promotes pilinut in global market

SORSOGON CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office here has convened anew pili nut farmers, producers, and other industry stakeholders to promote and make pili gain momentum in the local, and most especially, in the global market.

The province remains the largest supplier of pili in Bicol region and has now developed processors in the province inching their way not only to the local market but priming for foreign market as well said Leah A. Pagao, DTI Sorsogon director.

“In fact, Tia Berning Pili Candies will soon be avail-able in the Korean market,” she proudly said.

Pagao furthered that pili would not have made a hit in the market without the usual backings and support from various stakeholders.

She took the opportunity to thank Mayor Leovic Dioneda of this city for fully support-ing the efforts of champion-ing Sorsogon as pili producer through their various pro-grams, activities, and assis-tance to growers.

She also said that for their

UnC HIGH SCHOOL CLASS ‘68

Cordially invites you to its

44th AnnIVeRSARyand HOMeCOMInG

Dec. 15, 2012, @ 8:00 a.m.Avida San Francisco Village II Club House

Pacol, naga City

Theme: “@ 44 we will make a difference”

attENtioN!

6ixty 8ters

COME, DINE & ENJOY!

6:00 P.M. Onwards

D.S.i. Building,Magsaysay Avenue, naga city

(infront of Ilaw sa Dahon)

(Turn to page 6)