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regional exponent for progress

outstanding local newspaper

For Five Consecutive Years
St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

( 473-8888

Busy BOSS in January seen

NAGA CITY
This citys fast business licensing program is expected to
become busier in the
first two weeks of this
year, a press statement from the city
hall said.

Local businessmen will again flock to the Peoples Hall to avail of BOSS services.

2014 very fruitful for

Legazpi: Mayor Rosal
LEGAZPI CITY -
This prime Bicol city
scored a lot of points
as it counts the blessings it gained in year
2014.
A couple of weeks away
from the closing of the year,
Mayor Noel Rosal said 2014
has been very productive for
the city citing all the accolades earned, local government corporate earnings,
volume of tourist arrivals,
infrastructure boom and
private investments, among
other aspects of local development.
That keeps the city
Bicols fastest growing urban localityon a long and
growing list of advancing
local economies owing to
its adherence to good gover-

Mayor ROSAL

nance that the administration

of Pres. Benigno Aquino III
is untiringly stimulating
among the countrys local
government units (LGUs).
The green light is flashing on us in approval of our
great success in pursuing
good local governance, Rosal announced during last Fri(Turn to page 7)

It said that more than 7,000

business establishment owners in this city are expected
to crowd the Naga City Peoples Mall beginning January 5 to 23, for processing
of their business permits and
renewal of business licenses
thru its Business One Stop
Shop (BOSS) fast licensing
(Turn to page 5)

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Employees of Shopping Center Management Corporation,

SM City Naga spent precious time with the elderly of Villa
Marilac Community Center, Naga City last December 20, 2014.
Mall employees were joined by their children to entertain the
elderly thru carolling and serenading, feeding of snacks and
gift-giving. The activity is part of the Company's corporate
social responsibility with an aim to bring joy to the elderly
and make them feel the spirit of Christmas.

DENR mechanized nursery is set to operate

The Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) Bicol
revealed that a mechanized
nursery will soon supplement the bulk of seedling
production, which will be
utilized by the region for its
forest rehabilitation efforts
under the National Greening Program (NGP).
DENR Bicol Regional
Director Gilbert Gonzales
said the mechanized nursery
being constructed in the 2.1hectare facility in Brgy. Sooc,
Lupi, Camarines Sur will be
producing 26 million seedlings for 2015 enough to supply the greening target of the
Region as well as a portion of
Region 4-A
"The mechanized nursery
(Turn to page 6)

HARDENING AND GROWING AREA

DENR-FMS

The first-ever mechanized nursery facility in Bicol at Brgy. Sooc, Lupi, Camarines Sur will be
operational in March 2015 and is projected to produce at least 26 million seedlings to cater
for the reforestation initiative of Bicol Region and Southern Tagalog Region. Bicol Region is
among five pilot areas for the mechanized nursery establishment, other areas are National
Capital Region, Regions 7 and 13, and the DENR Central Office.

Bagong Taon, Magandang Buhay!

opinion

bikol reporter

january 4-10, 2015

editorial
Most likely, we will miss most of the 8 Millennium
Development Goals(MDG) which reckoning year is
2015 particularly the first which hopes to eradicate
extreme hunger and poverty, even if the targets
set are already minimal, to say the least.
Natural disasters, like Yolanda, have made
matters worse, i.e. they frustrated the attainment
of these targets, as they showed how our
governments disasters programs are geared
more towards rehabilitation and relief distribution,
than preparation and mitigation.
Social interventions, like the so-called PAPs
and CCTs (more popularly known as 4Ps), have
not been much of a source of relief or offering a
light at the end of the long and dark tunnel of our
countrys poverty situation.
In Bicol, for instance, an independent survey
done in the first quarter of last year showed that
almost 70% of those pooled believed that the 4Ps
have not made much of a difference to the lives of
the beneficiaries which now reached 305,379 as of
January last year.
These figures are supported by and consistent
with other statistics which glaringly show that
not much have improved in our peoples lives
Bicols poverty incidence reached 34.1 percent in
2012 which made us the seventh poorest region in
the country.
State apparatuses, like the national budget
for instance, can be our source of hope. Yet, we
must make sure that allocations for the poor and
poverty alleviation should not go to waste or to
graft and corruption, as shown for example by the
PDAF scam, or locally by the dismissal of three
city officials last year by the Ombudsman for
overpricing fertilizers meant for farmers.
To be fair, the government has set in place
safeguards that these will not be so, such as the
Grassroots-Based Budgeting (which replaced the
erstwhile Bottoms-Up Budgeting scheme); which
hopes to ensure that the budgets are reflective of
the real needs of the people.
If we are failing the MDG targets, then we should
look towards a post-2015 scenario of rectification
and correction, by ensuring that henceforth, we
should closely watch and ensure that government
programs and budgets should be for sustainable
development, i.e. the economy, society and the
environment are factored in the equation and
coherently reinforcing each other.
The natural calamities and the graft-ridden
Philippine political economy, should remind us
that we should not leave governance alone to
politicians.
That is the least we can do in ensuring that
indeed, 2015 as the Year of the Poor, should
indeed be a year of reckoning for us, that we are
truly a nation which cares for the sick, shelter the
homeless and feed the hungry.

02082606

Tel. No. (054) 475-6262

ed g. yu
Editor

0939-604-3144

Lee G. Dullesco II

Head, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

(PICPA past president and Hall-ofFamer, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement

Awardee).
YEAR 2014: It was a tumultuous,
challenging year with weather
disturbances wreaking damages to many
regions of our country. But surprisingly,
we did not just survive we also attained
some sort of economic progress
registering strides ahead of our ASEAN
neighbors. Collection of revenues to
support our economic and service activities
was commendably high, setting positive
patterns for the years to come.
Opinions Unlimited is apprehensive that
as the ASEAN Integration goes into effect
next month (2015) we may be caught
still unprepared in many aspects, more
so in matters of production, technology
and sciences. Our government must
work double time so that our more
advanced neighbors may not beat us on
the draw. We should analyze our present
capabilities. Continue doing those where
we are good at and just rely on our ASEAN
allies to export to us cheaper products and
services.
LOOK AHEAD: One bright light in the
immediate horizon is the official visit to
our country of our most revered Pope
Francis. We have so much to learn from
His Holiness in terms of his pragmatic
ways in leading the 1.2 billion worldwide
members of the Roman Catholic Church.
He can be the long-awaited uniting force
so that Filipinos can be one regardless
of sex, gender, color and creed. We can
learn from his gentle and simple leadership
style.

As the year 2014 is ending this month

of December, several unprecedented
things happened. These never happened
before.
Three justices of the Flora Division of the
Sandiganbayan inhibited themselves from
the plunder and graft cases of Sen. Jinggoy
Estrada. This happened after they heard
the testimony of star witness Ben Hur Luy.
The reason they gave was for personal
reason. They are Justices Rolando Jurado,
the chair, Alexander Gesmundo and Maria
Theresa Dolores Estoesta.
It was published in the national dailies
that they allegedly were being pressured. Of
course this will be denied. They are being
asked to explain their reason.
Rep. Rodriguez said that if they refuse
to explain, the Supreme Court should force
them to do so. Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said
that the three justices should resign if they
refuse to explain.
According to rumors from grapevine
sources, the alleged pressure is to convict
Sen. Estrada even if there is no evidence.
But these are only rumors. It may be true
or not, only the Justices to heard the call
of of PNoy.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada belongs to the
opposition and is a vice presidentiable.

In my early years, I was happiest when

giving bent to my wanderlust. My feet had
taken me to almost every corner of this
over 7,000 islands. It was a carefree life.
The future? I had nothing to worry. I was
single, a blessedness I treasured.
If there was already an exodus of
Filipinos to distant lands in those days ,
I would have joined the diaspora. I was
ready to settle in the worlds remotest
parts.
This high point in my life abruptly ended,
when I was mesmerized by a young
beauty in northern Catanduanes in one of
my sojourns there. It was the beginning of
the end of a carefree bachelors life. I had
found the woman of my hearts desire.
When my two boys came, one after the
other in a space of 9 years, my hunger
for distant, exotic places had taken a
backseat. There were moments, however,
when I had found myself yearning for
the excitement of going places , of
adventure.
But whenever I looked into the faces
of my little boys,my untamed longing for a

Our year-end economic fundamentals

are strong enough. It can withstand both
domestic and global disturbances. There
are old and new obstacles but with the
never-say-die resolve of Filipinos, we
should expect another positive year for
our economy. With the liberalization of
business and industry within ASEAN the
resilient Filipinos are expected to spiritedly
fight it out in the open arena of trade and
industry.
EDUCATION: The big changes are
in the field of education as the K-12
Program comes into full gear. A lot of
adjustments have to be made and the
budgetary funding therefor has been
provided. Bigger challenges lay before
our educational institutions. They need
additional classrooms, and technically
qualified teachers. Some colleges and
universities now have problems in the
employment of teachers and professors.
Effective this year, some institutions
of higher learning adjusted their school

It seems that the aim is to make the

opposition weak and paralyzed before the
2016 election with the incarceration of its
leaders. Will it succeed?
*****
A team of Justice Sec. Leila de Lima
recently raided the National Bureau of
Prison in Muntinlupa and discovered that
convicted drug lords are still able to control
a significant portion of the illegal drugs in
the country. It was reported that they found
drugs, money, drug paraphernalia, guns,
bullets, air-conditioning units, Jacuzzi, hotel
beds which cannot enter the prison building
without the approval of the NBP officials.

life on the go would recede.

Catanduanes in early 70s particularly
the northern Caramoran town was very
peaceful. There was a time when it had
zero crime rate. Because of the peace
and quiet, ideal for my restless spirit, I
decided to make it a home for my small
family.
There was one thing the province
lacked:electricity. Except for capital town
Virac which had a daily 3-hour power

years, aligning start of classes

and graduation periods. This is to
calibrate their schedules with those
of other countries, especially from the
advanced and industrialized world. A
complementary (unpopular) policy is
the downgrading of Filipino subjects (as
non-technical course). We agree with
our nationalist educators that this policy
shift is negative!
ECO-POLITICS:
The
next
presidential elections are still seventeen
(17) months away. But this early -political
alignments and strategic campaigns
are already on. There are signs that
money will again be the deciding factor
in many contests, especially the road to
Malacanang. The Filipino voters must
be re-educated so that selling of votes
to highest bidders can be negated.
Candidates must learn that money given
away does not guarantee that they will
get the votes.
There are many political families
whose members lost almost totally in the
last elections because of family identity.
But there are still those who continue
to dominate the political scenario.
Voters should teach these domineering
groups by shifting voting preferences
to new leaders. We need young in
our government with novel styles of
approaches and leadership governance.
We have available, qualified aspirants
just waiting to be tapped.
NEW YEARS WISH: May you stay
strong and healthy ever looking up to
the One source of our life.

Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque wrote the

following in the Tempo dated Dec. 23,
2014: This is plain, simple and clear
illustration of how the government, both
personel and system becomes partner
in committing crimes. The raid negates
whatever claims the government has
about good governance in the country.
I agree with him.
I think thats one of the reasons why
Sen. Tito Sotto announced he is going
to file a case reviving death penalty for
violation of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Law. Its
only for drug pushefrs. He said, there is
no hope that drug lords can be reformed
with imprisonment. It is true that God
commanded Thou shalt not kill. But
I look at Sottos bill as killing in selfdefense of would-be victims of illegal
drugs and not just killing for bad intention.
This deserves a serious study. I believe
God will judge us on a case to case
basis. Illegal drugs sent to the Philippines
because we do not have death penalty
here. During the Martial Law days, we
had the death penalty. When drug Lord,
Lim Seng over shot, drug lords stopped
sending their drugs here.
*****
(Turn to page 7)

supply, the rest of the provinces l0

towns were pitch dark during moonless
nights. The province was alive only
during full moon.
People stayed out late to enjoy the
bright evening, listening to the hooting
of owls. Most communities had forested
areas nearby.
It was former United Nations
ambassador Leandro Verceles, Sr.
who became governor who energized
the whole province.
An owl from nearby forest across a
river in Caramorans barrio Tucao paid
us a visit one moonlit evening. It flew
straight into our kitchen through an
open window disturbing our cat dozing
nearby.I tried to catch the intruder but
its sharp claws sunk into my hands. I
cried in pain.
Caramoran in those days was linked
to Virac by a rough highway built on
the side of a mountain range. Travel
was five hours by jeepney over bumpy
road.
(Turn to page 7)

january 4-10, 2015

bikol reporter

Climate fund proposals Madrigal Foundation eyes

review set in Mid-2015
Rinconada expansion
By Floreo G. Solmirano

LEGAZPI CITY -- The

Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Board will likely start reviewing funding proposals
in the second half of 2015,
according to Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda.
Under Salcedas co-chairmanship of the GCF Board in
October 2013-2014, the Board
achieved, despite skepticism
and deep divisions, two major
milestones -- the completion
of the eight prerequisites for
operationalization; and raising of USD 10.2 billion for
the initial resource mobilization.
"Apparently 2015 augurs
well for developing nations
that face threats of climate
change," he noted.
The GCF was established
to act as a central vehicle for
climate finance under which
industrialized countries would
assist developing countries
with new finance for public
and private sector projects and

Gov. Salceda
programs, Salceda said.
It offers unlimited opportunities for deploying resilient and clean solutions that
will foster economic growth
and employment globally, he
added.
We are fully confident
on GCFs ability to start disbursing funds next year and
encourage more countries to
come forward with contributions and for contributing
countries to further raise their
ambition, Salceda quoted
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Minister of the Environment of

Peru and president-designate

of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (C0P), as
saying.
The Albay governor also
remembered Pulgar-Vidal as
saying that the GCF is the
epicenter that determines the
direction of both public and
private investment over the
next decades and the capitalization of the Fund is one of
the wisest investments in the
21st century.
This creates a positive atmosphere for the start of successful negotiations in Lima
in less than two weeks, the
Peru official added, as quoted
by Salceda.
The UNFCCC-COP had
its 20th session in Lima on
Dec. 1-12 and will have its
21st session in November
December 2015.
It encouraged governments
that have not yet contributed to
the Fund to continue pledging.
(Turn to page 6)

NAGA CITY --- The

Consuelo Chito Madrigal
Foundation (CCMF) Bicol honored its empowered
women and their big role
in shaping the economy in a
simple yet notable ceremony
held over the weekend at the
Jesse M. Robredo (JMR)
Coliseum here.
All the key players and
officials of the Foundation
also graced the occasion with
their presence as a testimony
of their untiring support and
commitment to alleviate poverty particularly here in the
region and provide pro-poor
programs that will sustain the
communitys need for economic stability.
Speaking before a multitude of almost 8,000 beneficiaries, CCMF Board of Trustees President Atty. Gizela M.
Montinola lauded their women-beneficiaries for being the
foundations active partners in

Legacion inducts new KBP officers

Naga City Vice Mayor
Nelson S. Legacion led the
oath-taking of the new of-

ficers of the Kapisanan ng

mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas -Camarines Sur Chap-

KBP OFFICERS 2015

ter (KBP-CamSur), headed by its president, Edwin

Lara of BBS-DWLV.

Roy San Ramon of DWKM

Vice Mayor Nelson S. Legacion of Naga City administered the oath of the new elected
officials of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas-Camarines Sur Chapter, led by
Edwin Lara (BBS-DWLV).

UNC H/S CLASS 68 CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014

Aside from Lara, officials

of the KBP this 2015 are:
Romar Vasquez of Love Radio, vice president; Reyna
Betare of RPN Iriga, treasurer; Janet Hirang of PBN
5, secretary; Alex Parfan of
Radyo Aguila, auditor; and
Rick Arnedo of FBN-DZGE,
performance officer.
In the induction ceremony
held last Dec. 17 at Eurotel,
Dinaga, Naga City, Legacion congratulated KBPCamSur for supporting the
city government of Naga in
disseminating accurate information on city programs,
policies and activities, as
well as for promoting the
highest standards of quality
in the broadcast industry.
Legacion, however, counseled the media practitioners
to always observe fair play
in their reporting and commentaries.

Officers and members of the University of Nueva Caceres High School Class of 1968 Alumni Association held their Christmas
Party last Dec. 13 at the Childrens Educational Center along Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.

pursuing development and by

engaging in projects that will
fight poverty through responsible entrepreneurship.
Im happy to see all of
you here. There are so many
women in the Coliseum. This
means that in the field of micro-finance, indeed women
are enterprising. CCMF will
not succeed if not for you. We
will not succeed in what were
doing if not for you. Your triumph is our triumph. I think,
and as I see it, youre all lucky
not because of us, but because of your perseverance
and your effort, Montinola
added.
The lady President also
took the opportunity to challenge the members to do
three things: first, to realize
the Pay it forward scheme
which means to help others
since they were also blessed,
and find someone that they
can also help; second, to love

their work and third, love their

neighbor and their country for
it is in these three essences of
lifes values that prosperity
and total development will
happen.
Fr. Wilmer S. Tria, CCMFBicol Chief Executive Officer (CEO) gave his words of
thanks to everyone for continuously giving their support
to the programs of CCMF
and vowed that the Foundation will continue to exist to
empower more and more indigent people through their
programs.
Fr. Tria announced the expansion of the CCMF-Bikol
Microfinance Program to
the Rinconada Area which
includes, among others the
towns of Iriga, Buhi, Baao,
Nabua, and Bula. He added
that CCMF is targeting 15,000
members before the end of
2015. Currently, CCMMF has
(Turn to page 6)

Celebrating a decade
of Wawas legacy
IRIGA CITY --- It could
have been a decade now
since she saw the light 98
years ago. Yet to this date,
her memories and the legacy
she left behind remains as
thriving as she first started
making her dreams come
true years back. Her demise
two years ago never stopped
her vision from unfolding.
Dr. Remedios Dy-Sanchez
Rigoroso-Alfelor, University
of Northeastern Philippines
(UNEP) matriarch, will be
lovingly remembered on her
birthday come December 30.
She might have physically
left her mortal abode, but the
inspiration and love she had
unselfishly shared will be remembered till infinity.
Fondly called Wawa by
family members, loved ones
and those close to her heart,
Wawa has left a priceless legacy the love for learning, putting great value in education.
She has instilled high regard
and appreciation for teaching
and believed that embracing
this profession will help her
mold future leaders. And it
did! Now UNEP is dubbed as
the Home of Global leaders
for producing top of the line
graduates competing with the
worlds best professionals.
It was her dream to have
an affordable yet quality education, especially for her constituents in the Rinconada area.

Dr. alfelor
A dream which saw its fulfillment over the years and made
UNEP- her beloved institution
of learning what it is now- the
Home of Global Achievers.
Wawa was also so rich in
love and showed the generosity of heart to those she left behind. She also made her religiosity so pronounced that others
were also drawn into putting
Christ in the center of their
lives. Her immediate family members, especially UNEP
Executive Vice President and
EVP For Finance Deli AlfelorTibi, continued this devotion.
Her 100th birthdate will be
simply remembered through a
solemn mass.
Ms. Deli, one of Wawas
daughters, took care of Wawa
when she was already old
and ailing. She never missed
a chance to sing her favorite
song Let Me Call You Sweetheart before going to work.
(Turn to page 5)

bikol reporter

pellmell
jokee BOTOR-REYES
2015. What is in store for the Filipinos?
X First Holy Communion

We are an optimistic people. We do not lose hope easily.

Maybe because we are a praying people. No matter what
comes, they are only to make us even stronger. 2014 brought
about calamities. Typhoon Yolanda was the worst that hit the
country. Until now many have not yet recovered but still hoping.
We were likewise hit by Typhoon Glenda but we have moved on.
We celebrated Christmas happily. We sang Christmas carols the
sweetest way, we gave gifts, no matter how simple but straight
from the heart. We were short of finances but gladly survived.
Our bills were all paid before the year ended.
The Yuletide season was filled with joy. Finishing the nine-day
misa de Aguinaldo was very satisfying and spiritually uplifting.
Although the season was marked with rain, we still found a
lot of time having fun with friends and relatives. The Year-end

pama-an
Mawot kong magdanay
sa saimong Puro O Sabang
By Jerome M. Hipolito

Mawot kong magdanay sa saimong puro O Sabang

dawa dai itugot kaining hawak, kaining panahon,
kaining kinamumuktakan ngunyan.
dawa pa an gabos an sako umulang.
Mawot kong magtukaw giraray sa gilid kan saimong baybayon
na garo baga naghahalat sana ako sa kun isay na dai man maabot.
an pagmate garo yaon na akong gayo sa pinakaibong kaining kinaban
kun yaon ako diyan O Sabang, diyan sa saimong puro.
Mawot kong makamata giraray nin mas amay, abutan sa saimong puro
an sinarom. Asin sa sakuyang hampang maatubang an kagayunan
kan palibot mo O Sabang: an alon, an baybayon, an tubig-askad
kan San Miguel Bay, kahiwasan sana kan langit an limitasyon.
Mawot kong madangog an mga sulog, mga sampaling
kan tubig-askad sa saimong break water.
Daing kasagkudan siring sarung mahamis na pagkamoot
Sarung pinapangaputan na paglaom.
Mawot kong sabaton an duros na hali pa sa kun saen
na lugar na dai ko pa nadudukayan
asin mahiling an saimong huyom mantang
dinuduyan kan saimong alon an mga paralahod.
Mawot kong mahiling liwat an paggibsaw
sa mga balde kan lumang baroto
na perang aldaw na yaon sa tahaw kan dagat
hidaw an mga ngisi kan aki, nagkikirikilyab agid sa mga bituon.
Kaya dawa pa magayon an oras maglakaw
Magpasiring sa kun saen darahon kaining mga bitis
Mawot ko man giraray magpawalat nguna igdi sa taid mo
na garo baga dai na ako mahali sa saimong baybayon.

Jerome M. Hipolito
Nagtutukdo sa Central Bicol State University
of Agriculture, Calabanga Campus
Nagin fellow sa 12th Ateneo National Writers Workshop

HALO-HALO

january 4-10, 2015

Pagka-kaiba/han
Kun may patarikmas na kurit sa sakong
titulo, ini ta boot kong ipahiling an rarom
kan satong tataramon.
Naghahanap
akong dakitaramon kan diversity sa
Bikol asin sakong narisa na an ugat na
tataramon na iba sakop asin dakop na
an sakong hinanahap.
Inbwelto ako ngonyan sa sarong
proyekto sa pagdakitaramon kan sarong
libro na pinag-adalan an tradisyonal na
gawi nin pagtanom sa mga katasan na
lugar kan bukid kan Iriga, Isarog asin sa
Masaraga kan mga katutubong Agta.
Nahiling kan pag-aadal na saro
sa dahilan kan haros pagkawara na
kan gawing ini, apwera sa migrasyon
kan mga katutubo pasiring sa lantad,
iyo an pagkawara man kan diversity
o pagkakaiba kan mga pananom na
itinatanom kan mga katutubo.
Kadto kaya, apwera sa paroy,
nagtatanom pa an mga katutubong Agta
nin iba pang produktong makukuahan nin
pagkakan arog kan batag, duma asin mga
prutas. An pagkakaibang ini nagsiguro na
an daga sa katasan, dai mapapagal asin
mawawara an mga taba o nutrients sa
sobrang pagtatanom o sa kontemporaryo
asin usong tataramon sustainable.

Nawara an kaibahan na ini huli sa

kolonyal na kasaysayan kan satong
nasyon si mga dating inaapod na
ngonyan na ancestral domain kan mga
katutubo napatitulohan kan mga tagalantad asin sinda mismo nawaran nin
derechos igdi. Sa irarom nin kolonyalismo,
an luma nindang konsepto nin espasyo,
nasanglian nin legalidad na an epekto
iyo an pagkawara ninda nin istaran o
displacement.
Kinakaipuhan
man
nindang
makisabayan sa angat kan mga paraoma sa lantad asin sa ley nin merkado,

Conference cum Christmas Party of the Iriga City Water District

was most enjoyable. Everyone one went home happy. Every
employee won raffle give-aways.
Everyone had a reunion to attend...with batchmates in school,
with friends who were out of town for some time and came home
for the holidays. I missed Rosabel Guevara-Angeles and the
reunion of her high school class at the Mabini Memorial Colleges
after fifty years. Its too bad but I also missed the party at the
office of the City Tourism. It was a formal party and I missed it
because I did not have a formal dress to wear to the occasion, he
he. I also missed Trisha Amarantos Little Angel Kiddie Schools
Christmas get-together
Yuan Corporal. Rose Blasco-Corporals daughter turned 7
last December and she was the picture of a very lovely minidebutante. Mrs. Corporal runs the local Kumon.
My darling granddaughter X, 9, received her first Holy
Communion last December with some 200 Grade III pupils of
the University of Saint Anthony Montessori School. It was a
most memorable and exciting event for the children and equally
exciting for their parents and teachers. X had looked forward to
it much glee. Dressed in immaculate white with white shoes and

inner chess
by j. henry danican

kan magpoon sindang magtanom bako

na lang para sa saindang pagkakan,
kundi nganing magkaigwa nin kwarta
nganing makatransaksyon sinda sa
bagong merkantilistikong sistema o
pagkabuhay. Nangangahulugan ini nin
paggamit nin mga kemikal asin abono
nganing magin produktibo an saindang
mga oma. An resulta iyo an pagluya
kan pagooma sa katasan.
May kontemporaryong leksyon an
biological diversity sa satong vida
politika.
Kun
pirme-pirmeng
parehong
apelyido an mamamahala sa satong
gobyerno, maabot an panahon na
mareynar an ley kan ekonomiya
an inaapod na law on diminishing
returns.
Mababangkarote sinda sa
mga bagong ideya kaya nasibog sinda
sa tradisyonal asin probadong mga
pormula: gamiton an kapagtiosan kan
kadaklan bilang kakusgan kan saindang
kapangyarihan.
Sa huri, an mga namamanwaan an
pierde sa pagreynar kan political dynasty
kan mga luma asin tradisyonal na
pamilya sa gobyerno. Panahon naman
na magkaigwa nin diversity, nin iba.

white stockings with a white veil decorated by white flowers, she

was very pretty as all other young girls her age. She told me she
can now receive Jesus in Holy Communion regularly.
So, whats in store for 2015? We start hoping that when the
next elections on 2016 come, we will elect good and responsible
national leaders and lead the country sa daang talagang
matuwid at hindi gaya ng matuwid na daan kuno ni Pinoy na
bumaluktot ng husto. We hope the Philippine economy will
be better. We hope there will be no new taxes to pay, no fare
hikes, no increase in electric bills. Casureco III has not been
very kind to its consumers. During the last two weeks, we have
been experiencing brown outs.
I hope we will have less crimesless domestic violence
less child exploitation. I hope we be freed from serious illness.
I hope our children will grow up not just healthy but respectful
to their elders and to authorities.
The Pope is coming to visit us. Thats a most welcome thing.
I have seen Pope John Paul II (now a Saint) two times and I
will cherish that wonderful memory as many Filipinos who saw
him too felt the same.
May Pag-asa. Welcome 2015.

january 4-10, 2015

tip of an
iceberg
homar murillo

Email: homar.murillo@gmail.com

Purgatoryo
Kan si Lola Vacion nabubuhay pa asin ako aki pang sadit, sabi
sako ni lola an kada daa tipasing bagas o maluto na sinasayang
sarong aldaw sa purgatoryo an karibay. Kun totoo man na may
purgatoryo perang taon kaya sa purgatoryo an mga tawong pasosyal na naheheling ko sa mga food courts kan malls na kun
saen kabanga lang kan inorder na maluto an kinakakan? pano
pa kaya si mga opisyales kan gobyerno sa NFA na sako-sakong
bagas an sinasayang asin napapabayaan magkaralapa sa mga
bodega? Siguro kun totoo an purgatoryo kulang an sanribong
taon para sa mga tawong arog kaini!
Sa balyong lado, dae ta man talaga maiwasan na dae
magsayang nin paroy, bagas o maluto. Kadakli sato dae man
tinutoyo arog sana halimbawa kan mga parabunag sa tinampo.
Dawa gurano ninda sigidon para tiponon an binunag na paruy,
ugwang matatada sa tinampo o makakaiba sa mga rida kan
nag-aaging mga sasakyan. Siring man kun masapna kita asin
may mga mauulang bagas sa bangerahan sa paghugas tan
in bagas. Kun isasapna naman minsan dae man tinutuyo na
matututungan. Idagdag pa igdi an mga nasasayang dahil sa
mga aki na mawarakon kun magkakan. Minsan man napanos
na an bahaw na maluto asin dae na pwedeng isanlag. An mga
dae tinutuyong pagsayang nin paruy, bagas o maluto dae man
talaga totalmenteng nasasayang ta nagagamit pang pangbahog
sa ido o kaya panghalo sa sagmaw para sa orig.
Alagad an makasura asin dapat kundenahon iyo an
pagsasayang asin kapabayaan kan nagkakapirang nasa
gobyerno na garo baga mayong pagmakulog sa dakol an
nagugutom na Filipino. Kun satong matatandaan, napabareta
na sobra sa 11 million na sako nin imported na bagas (550,000
metric tons)an napabayaan magkaralapa sa mga bodega kan
NFA. Ini kinakalkula na 16.5 billion pesos an kantidad. Pwede
na kuta ining magpakakan nin kulang-kulang sa sarong milyong
pobreng pamilya sa laog nin sarong taon! Ini iyo an mga bagas
na nagkabarasa dahil sa bagyo o an iba man napabayaan o
nalingawan isubasta kaya kinarakan na nin bokbok o tinuruboan
na nin alamag. Totalmenteng dae na ini pwedeng kakanon
kan tawo asin maski ataman na hayop dae naman pwedeng
magkakan kaini. Idagdag pa an insulto sa perwisyo ta an mga
bagas na ini bako man binakal hali sa mga paraomang Filipino
kundi hali sa ibang nasyon. Kun uugkuron ini saro man klaseng
pagsabotahe sa satong ekonomiya asin agrikultura.
Base sa sarong pag-aadal na ginibo kan Food and Nutrition
Research Institute of the Department and Science and
Technology(FNRI-DOST), minalaog sa 16 grams o one-fourth
cup na maluto an nasasayang kan kada Filipion sa sarong
aldaw. Ini minakantidad nin nagkakaperang milyones pesos na
garo ta man lang sinusulo ara-aldaw.
Ngonyan na katatapos pa lang kan selebrasyon kan
kapaskohan asin bagong taon, dae man maiwasan na ugwang
mga nasayang na bagas asin iba pang pagkakan. Ini siguro
pwede pang mapatawad kumpara sa mga sinasayang kan mga
taga NFA. Kun totoo man an sabi ni Lola Vacion na an mga
tawong nagsasayang nin mga tipasi nin bagas mabakasyon
sa purgatoryo, ini siguro kulang na pasakit sa mga tawo sa
gobyerno na ginigibong impyerno an buhay kan mga nagtitios
na Filipino arog na lang kan iba na napwepwersang magkakan
nin pagpag hali sa basura.

bikol reporter

CSur Energy Press Corps officers inducted

Naga City. PIA--CamSur provincial head, Lizel
S. Macatangay led the officers of the newly-organized
Camarines Sur Energy
Press Corps who were inducted by Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat during
the Media Appreciation
Day hosted by the National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines(NGCP) on December 23, 2014 at the Av-

BONGAT

enue Plaza Hotel, here.

Macatangay is joined by
Melvin Machado of Radyo
Singko as VP for Radio; Johnny Escandor of Inquirer/ Bicol
Mail as VP for Print; Sarah
Imperial of Manila Bulletin/
Bicol Mail as Secretary; Ruel
Saldico of Inquirer/Bicol Mail
as Treasurer; and Ruben Babar
of Bikol Reporter as Business
Manager. Kate Delovieres of
ABS-CBN as VP for TV and

BAUTISTA

DE VERA

Ric Arnido of DZGE as Auditor failed to make it on time

for the oath-taking.
The occasion which also
served as an advanced Christmas Party, was facilitated by
NGCPs Dale Q. De Vera, Public Affairs Officer-South Luzon
Regional Communications Division and Mr. Nelson Bautista,
NGCPs Division Head of the
Regional Communication Division who gave the inspirational

LARA

message.
Edwin Lara, President
of the KBP-Camarines Sur
presented the Officers.
The NGCP also awarded all
the media entities a Certificate
of Appreciation for their support to the Corporation, and for
their cooperation in bringing
transmission-related information, anti-pilferage campaigns,
and transmission line safety
awareness to a wider audience.

MACATANGAY

VERDADERO

REFERENCES:
1.) http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_
content&task=view&id=736
2.) http://www.interaksyon.com/business/9075/group-says-11million-sacks-of-rice-rotting-in-nfa-warehouses

Busy BOSS in January seen . . .

scheme.

Started in 1997 by the local

government unit here to speed
up the business permit processing of the citys business establishments, the BOSS program,
which was later adopted by other LGUs in different parts of the
country, has proven to be an effective approach in business tax
assessment, using the Enhanced
Tax Revenue Assessment and
Collection System (e-tracs).
Mayor John Bongat said that
for 2015 BOSS the processing of such documents would
be more expeditious and a lot
easier because the usual 5 steps
adopted in business permit
and licensing approval in 2013
which was reduced to four steps
in 2014 will be further reduced
to three steps in 2015. This is
what we got from our efforts to
always look for possible means

to innovate and improve our

services, he added.
This coming fiscal year,
what our business owners have
to do is to file only an accomplished application form, pay
for its processing and thereon
get the permit applied for,
Bongat said.
Officer-in-charge Gregoria
Nilda B. Abonal of the City
Treasurers Office (CTO) said
the transaction is shortened because of some procedures that
were simplified, unlike in previous years when every client had
to spend an hour or two to secure the document, which were
already relatively fast and short
compared to other LGUs.
The matter is expected to
provide each of our clients with
transaction time that will not go
beyond 30 minutes, excluding
their waiting time she said in

an interview.
The BOSS will operate from
January 5 to 31, 2015. Securing
of business and mayors permit,
taxes, fees, and charges beyond
January 23 will be charged with
penalties and surcharges.
Abonal appealed to businessmen or their employees to
avail of BOSS services at the
soonest possible time as it was
observed in previous years that
more clients only start to avail
of the one-stop shop services
when it was drawing to a close.
She also enjoined bookkeepers who are securing permits or
renewals for 10 to 20 business
establishments to transact their
business after 5:00 oclock in
the afternoon, to give way to
those who are transacting with
lesser number of business per-

mit applications.
Frontlining the BOSS team
as in past years are: the business permit and licensing office
of the CTO, the Office of the
Building Official for building
clearance, City Health Office
for sanitary permit and health
cards, City Planning and Development Office for zoning
clearance, and the Bureau of
Fire Protection for fire safety
inspection certificate.
Government-owned-andcontrolled corporations (GOCCs) like the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS),
Pag-IBIG Home Mutual Development Fund, and the Social Service System (SSS) are
encouraged to join the BOSS
where they will be provided
with desks to assist their respec-

tive clients.
In 2014, the local government generated a total of
P169M from 6, 938 business
establishments, overshooting
the target set by the treasurers
office by more than P1M.
The effective tax campaign

that the city government is undertaking resulted in the judicious delivery of economic
and social services which include the implementation of
various projects that enhanced
the citys prosperous business
landscape.

Celebrating a decade . . .
Wawa would surprisingly respond amidst hum and facial
expression to let her daughter
know that she appreciates her
gesture of love.
UNEP President Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, one
of Wawas beloved granddaughters, continue to fulfill
Wawas wishes and vision,
making UNEP now on the top
list of academic institutions
with strong adherence to qual-

ity education.
Indeed, its been a decade
now yet the legacy that this
strong-willed woman left
behind remains as sturdy as
the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) pillars, standing proud amidst
the passing of time. Just
a living proof that Wawas
legacy will still serve the
next and upcoming generations.

january 4-10, 2015

bikol reporter

For the Greater Good

By Sanny P. Amisola
Private School Multigrade Teacher
Baao Adventist Multigrade School, Inc.
Bagumbayan, Baao, Camarines Sur

It was proclaimed throughout the nation andit will be

done.
Around 5 years ago, Malacaang was rattled by the results
of a survey taken at that time wherein Philippines was recorded
as one of the 3 countries that still hadnt taken up the 12-year
education cycle currently known as K-to-12. With the future
of the country and its global competitiveness and connection at
the line, we had no choice but to solve the problem. Fortunately,
the President knew that the most likely solution to this is
implementation of K-to-12.
And so, it was implemented. As of now, people know what
K-12 is. The government sees it as the hope for the hope.
After all, it was all meant for the benefit of the children. Sadly
though, it not all of it shows the effect a benefit should give.
Even before it was implemented, K-12 was the most likely
topic in a debate. It was debated whether it would have more
advantages or just the opposite. It was expected that the
number one concern by most parents is not the improvement
of education of the children but rather the upcoming increase
of school finances as well as the additional 2 years at school,
which will eventually result to greater financial crisis. That was
the main concern of the parents before K-12 was implemented.
Now, it proved to be true.
However, the complainants are no longer just the parents.
After it was implemented, complaints can now be heard from
the student body. Aside from the increase of projects and
activities, the difficulty of the advanced lessons is starting
to get to every students mind. The lessons that were once
taught to college students were now taught to the 7th, 8th and
9th graders. Some say it was too advanced...or too difficult for
them. Both parents and students are difficultly but slowly taking
in shock of this sudden change. Is K-12 really an advantage to
us? If you think about it, what is the worth of this suffering if you
could be successful in life? K-12 is now the only way to assure
a graduated students life abroad because it will enable us to
slightly, if not completely, match up to other countries, though it
probably will take a long time.
Coping with K-12 may be hard for now, but soon enough
we will be fully adjusted to it. When we have done so, we can
now start coping with other countries on educational basis and
improve not just the state of our nation but also our business
relationship with the whole world. This is meant for us and we
need to accept it to further improve our current state. This is for
the greater good.

Madrigal Foundation Eyes . . .

8,844 microfinance members.
City Mayor John Bongat
was also invited to grace the
occasion. The Chief Executive was all hats up to the accomplishments of CCMF,
most specially for serving as
a tool for community transformation.
This is a classic example
of a partnership and pagtatarabangan ( helping each
other) . There is the academe,
the Ateneo de Naga, there is
the private sector the CCMF.
We are being taught on how
we, the private sector and
the government can help in
the development of our community, our province, and our
nation. The bonus here is that,
we have the support of the
church, not only to help us to
be responsible citizens or Filipinos, but to help us realize
that we have a responsibility
to also help the government
thru our own effort, Bongat
stated.
Under this years Durungan sa Pag-Uswag, sa Hawak
asin Kalag theme which

means total development, in

body and soul, Archbishop
of Caceres Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona focused on
the value of sharing which is
the very purpose of the blessings and graces received from
God. He emphasized the role
of prayer to deepen our relationship with God and the
devotion to Mother Mary
as our model to our modern
society.
CCMF-Bikol), a subsidiary
organization of the CONSUELO CHITO MADRIGAL
FOUNDATION (CCMF), began operations in 2004. This
was after the late Doa Consuelo Chito Madrigal approved the grant of Php 200M
for Bikol as her way of sharing her blessings to the poor
segment of the society. The
initial phase started off with
then Ateneo President Fr. Joel
E. Tabora, SJ.
The partnership was even
strengthened when Dona
Consuelo learned that the late
Archbishop Emeritus Most
Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi,

S'sogon RIC gets . . .

received the award.. They were

accompanied by Mayor Olivia

Bermillo, DA RFO 5 OIC Regional Executive Director Abelardo R. Bragas, and Aloha Gigi
I. Banaria, DA regional Gawad
Saka Coordinator.
Secretary Alcala said that
while the agriculture sector is
greatly affected by numerous
typhoons and the heightened
competition in the ASEAN market, the DA is intensifying its
interventions to help farmers/
fisherfolk increase their income.
He added that despite the frequent typhoons, the agriculture

sector maintained its upward

trend in the first three quarters
of the year, with the crops subsector registering 1.2 % growth
and 1.05% for livestock sector,
although the fisheries and poultry sector are in the negative due
to typhoon Glenda and Yolanda.
Over all, the agriculture sector
managed to achieved P1.1 trillion profit based on current prices, which is 9.55% higher than
last years profit.
Alcala said that these growths
have been possible because of
the interventions particularly
focused on agricultural infra-

Climate fund proposals . . .

We must give other contributors the chance to surprise
us, Salceda also quoted the remark of Henrik Harboe, newly
elected co-chair of the GCF
Board and Deputy Director
of the Norwegian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
The GCF Board now has
the critical role of translating
these pledges into financing
decisions for climate projects
and programs in developing
countries, the Filipino green
economist added.
The Berlin Pledge held
earlier, the UN-named climate
change champion said, demonstrated that there is true progress in providing financial sup-

port to developing countries

that are willing to shift to more
climate-resilient development
pathways, and at the same time
to lower their emissions.
The Funds pledges constitute the largest resource mobilization for adaptation finance
for vulnerable countries.
The Pledging Conference
of the Green Climate Fund
yielded unprecedented USD
10.2 billion.
Governments unite behind
the Fund to leverage private
investment flows to provide
climate finance.
The pledges were made by
21 countries, including contributions from four developing

Masbate gov plays Santa . . .

Malamag beach, in the town of
Pio. V Corpuz.
Smiling faces of people who
received gifts which consisted
of a pack of rice and grocery
items, from governor brightened up, however, what could
have been a gloomy day.
One of the recipients named
Alito said he often felt the essence of Christmas every time
he received a gift from anybody, which is, this time, an opportunity because it is not only
a gift but a bundle of grocery

items that will answer his family's daily needs, at least for a
few days.
Village officials and supporters of Lanete made themselves
available at the beach.
Public school teachers
formed a group and do the "mananita," or early dawn birthday
serenade at the governor's main
quarters.
Municipal mayors and vice
mayors, including some of the
Sangguniang Bayan officials,
also attended the birthday bash.

DENR mechanized nursery . . .

is set to fast track seedling
production to augment the
tree planting and seedling
growing activities of the
DENR Gonzales said.
Given the seedling production capacity, the mechanized nursery can produce at
least 200 seedlings an hour,
and for 2015, we are targeting
to produce an estimated 26
million seedlings, to which
from the aggregate number,
16.8 million will be allocated
for DENR Bicol and 5.6 million for Region 4A RD Gonzales added.
Forestry experts posit that
mechanized nursery would
put prime on quantity as
well as quality seedling production, the unconventional
way of speeding up seedling
O.P.,D.D. belonged to the Dominican Order, she extended
the service of her Foundation
to Bicol. Accounts says that
her family owed so much to
the Dominicans because her
father, Vicente Madrigal, used
to be Dominican scholar at
San Juan de Letran. The rest
is history.
CCMF will continue to
empower the less privileged
by giving them a decent place
to live in, a job that they can
be proud of and a community
where love and harmony exist. -- LSMacatangay
structure such as irrigations and
Farm-to-Market roads and the
mechanization and modernization of agriculture. In the first
three quarters of the 2014, the
DA has constructed 314 small
irrigation projects in areas that
were not reached by national and
communal irrigation. Together
with PhilMech and other government agencies, the DA has
fabricated postharvest facilities
which can be availed by farmers thru direct purchase from
accredited fabricators or from
PhilMech, and thru counterparting scheme for qualified farmers organizations. -- Lovella P.
Guarin - RAFIS 5

production and generating

high-quality saplings would
strengthen reforestation efforts under the NGP that set
to be completed in 2016.
Engr. Raymond Sipin,
head of the Project Management Unit reported that the
Sooc mechanized nursery
is nearly completed with at
least 87% work accomplishment as of October 2014.
He said the facility will
operate in March 2015 or as
soon as all the machineries
and facilities are completed.

countries.
Their combined contributions provide for the largest
amount the international community has ever mobilized for
a dedicated climate finance
mechanism within a time frame
of less than five months, Salceda said.
Resources allocated to the
Green Climate Fund will serve
as a multiplier to unlock fi-

nance flows from the private

sector.
Private investment flows
are essential for the transition
to a low-emission, climateresilient future, the world-renowned Filipino financial and
investment expert claimed.
These investments can be
stimulated through application
of concessional public financing from the Fund, he said.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the
surviving spouse and only child and sole heirs of the
deceased ANDRES BERNALES PEONES who died
intestate in Naga City on August 7, 2014 with no known
debts or obligations due against the estate, leaving real
and personal properties (1/2 of the conjugal properties of
the decedent) located in Naga City, Sagay and Tigaon,
Camarines Sur more particularly described as follows: a)
Residential House and Land located at Naga City; b)
Toyota Revo (2002 Model) with Plate No. PLW 985;
c) Residential and Agricultural lands located at Sagnay
and Tigaon, Camarines Sur; the parties adjudicate among
themselves in pro-indiviso equal shares the entire estate
particularly the real property described, in the manner set
forth in the Extra-judicial Settlement, as acknowledged
before Notary Public Atty. Carlo C. Villanueva, Jr., Doc. No.
315, Page No. 63, Book No. 121, Series of 2014.
BIKOL REPORTER
Published: January 4, 11 and 18, 2015

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION
OF THE ESTATE OF SOLEDAD I. YAGO
Notice is hereby given that ANGELO R. YAGO is the
only child of Ramon I. Yago who died intestate on
September 9, 2000 in Pasig City who predeceased
his parents, Sps. Soledad I. Yago and Pablo D. Yago,
who died on June 21, 2014 and February 24, 2006
respectively in Naga City; the deceased Soledad I.
Yago died without any will nor debts and left behind a
parcel of land located at San Pedro, Buhi, Camarines
Sur under OCT No. 2013000078 containing an area of
356 square meters; a parcel of land containing an area
of 36,002 square meters located at Buhi, Camarines
Sur under OCT No. 28767; pursuant to Sec. 1 Rule 74
of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, said
party Angelo R. Yago hereby adjudicated unto himself
the described parcels of land; as acknowledged before
Notary Public Atty. Grace C. dela Torre, Doc. No. 647,
Page No. 116, Book No. 1, Series of 2014.
BIKOL REPORTER
Published: Dec. 14, 21, 2014 and Jan. 4, 2015

january 4-10, 2015

bikol reporter

Campus Journalism: Training Students 2014 very fruitful . . .

for Professional Journalism
days traditional Christmas Party of arrivals, the
By MARICEL BERIA BERNAL, Teacher III
Rinconada National Technical Vocational School
Sto. Domingo, Iriga City
Starting em young. Thats a very common saying. That
journalism can be learned at a very young age is indeed very
laudable. This could be one of the most important objectives of
the Elementary and Secondary PressCon which are an annual
undertaking of the Department of Education. The idea is no
less than to get students at their very young age to involve in
all aspects of journalism, both print and broadcast. To many
students, involving in the annual competition in journalism is
enough reason to be proud. It is also a chance for them to learn
the ropes of the trade and subsequently use what he has learned
in the future should be opt enter in the journalism world. It is given
that before the competition, participants in the presscon have
been given thorough coaching from their mentors. Probably,
the intensive coaching may not even be premised on the fact
that their contestants the presscon have to learn but that they
have to win. Well, after all, it has always been the culture of the
Filipinos that participating in any contest means winning which
is not exactly very ethical.
But no matter, campus journalism is aimed primarily to develop
journalism among the young. In the process, the young campus
journalists with the training given them, the competition itself and
the feeling of being a proud member of the fourth estate can be
taken as a guarantee of a making of a professional journalist.
Journalism is a wonderful career. It is a profession that gives
the practitioner the chance to rub elbows with others, especially
men and women of prominence and leaders of the world. It
gives one the chance to see the world while he reports on whats
happening there. Journalism might not prove lucrative a career,
but the fact that one is doing a most wonderful job of reporting
the events of the world or even just in the domestic front can
already very fulfilling.
The campus journalist can take it upon himself that young that
he is and no matter how limited his areas of reporting is, which is
only his campus, he is doing the different publics of his school and
his community a big service, something he could be proud of.
Campus journalism can reward him a nice feather to his cap
and a badge he can wear, a feather and a cap that could pave
the way to professional journalism.
Campus journalism is no different from professional journalism
except for the fact that the campus journalist is a young student
who is not working for a remuneration while the professional
journalist is working to eke a living.

which also marked the yearend

merrymaking of City Hall officials and employees.
National awards
Last October, its exceptional
performances in local governance
once again put the city government in the limelight for winning three national championship
awards in a row.
On Oct. 15, the city was
awarded as one of the countrys
top three most livable cities in the
search called the Liveable Cities
Design Challenge organized by
the National Competitiveness
Council (NCC), Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC)
2015 National Organizing Council NOC), World Wildlife Fund
(WWF), Alliance for Safe and
Sustainable Reconstruction (ASSURE) and Asia Society and Urban Land Institute (ULI).
In the ranking among the
three, Iloilo came first, this city
second and Cebu third.
By launching this Design
Challenge, its organizers have
been able to start a movement
for better urban planning across
the country to make cities fun,
vibrant, and safe places to live,
work, invest in and visit.
A week later or on Oct. 21 the
city was given the Galing Pook
national championship award for
this year.
This award program is a joint
initiative of the Local Government AcademyDepartment of
Interior and Local Government
(LGA-DILG), the Ford Foundation, and other individual advocates of good governance from
the academe, civil society and the
national government.
The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program won for the
city the award under the Ten
Outstanding Local Governance
Programs as it was able to show
positive results and impact, promotion of peoples participation
and empowerment, innovation,
transferability and sustainability,
and efficiency of service delivery.
On the same day, the mostcoveted Silver Governance Trailblazer (SGT) award for excellence in local governance given
by the Institute of Solidarity in
Asia (ISA) for its Public Governance System (PGS) awards was
also received by the city government.
In this contest, the city government garnered a score higher
than 8.5 in the public revalida
or performance report in accomplishing the Compliance Stage in
ISAs program for institutionalizing its PGS making the city the
only winner among the countrys
LGUs this year.
Tourist success
After receiving over half a
million tourists last year for a
whopping increase of 32.27 percent from the previous years list

city this year is

closing in on some 700,000 arrivals for another tremendous tourism development performance.
As recorded by the regional
office for Bicol of the Department of Tourism based here, the
total arrivals of both domestic
and foreign tourists in the city for
the whole year of 2013 reached
579,470, which was higher by
141,370 over the 2012s 438,100
figure.
That was good enough for
last year as we surpassed even
the 523,832 arrivals that the entire province of Albay posted in
2012. This year, we already have
almost 700,000 and still counting.
Our goal is to hit the one-million
mark by 2016, Rosal said.
Tourists now visit Legazpi
not only for the breathtaking view
of Mt. Mayon, one of the worlds
most active volcanoes made famous by its magically-configured
perfect cone form, but also for its
sparkling metropolis loaded with
heavy tourism-related activities
and exciting places to relax, play
and enjoy a healthful living, Rosal said.
Convention Capital
After hosting 30 conventions
and similar big gatherings this
year, this key Bicol metropolis
known in the worlds travel industry as the City of Fun and
Adventure believes it is scoring
high to become one of the countrys a leading convention city.
This year, we are confident
of being recognized as one of the
countrys five favorite venues of
big regional, national and international gatherings like conventions, summits and similar grand
occasions, Rosal said.
He based his confidence on
the citys being chosen this year
as host to at least 30 big official
gatherings organized by various
national and international groups,
among them the Association of
Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN)
and the United Nations World
Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
which held last May their series
of conferences on International
Tourism and Climate Change.
That UNWTO-ASEAN conferences and all those other gatherings brought in to the city the
bulk of visitors from almost all
corners of the world who enjoyed
not only the view of majestic Mt.
Mayon but also the ambiance of
this city as a world-class travel
destination, according to Rosal.
Our quest for preference as
a venue of big national and international gatherings is anchored
on our being highly capable now
of hosting and properly handling
friendly visitors from any part of
the world, Rosal said.
Tourism is indeed taking a
crucial role in the citys continuing pursuit of inclusive and horizontal growth that benefits not
only big investors such as hotel
operators but also the people in

a question of privilege . . .
Once, a woman with a very sick child boarded a jeepney in
barrio Datag for an emergency hospital in Pandan, 7 barrios
away.The hapless child died before reaching the hospital
before my eyes.I could not bear the sight of a distraught mother,
howling, clutching her dead child close to her breast.
The memory of that tragedy still lingers in my mind.
When the New Peoples Army gained a foothold in
Catanduanes a few years back, the military followed to drive
away the rebels.The first casualty was the peace and quiet of
many communities.
The experience of Catanduanes was the experience of my
Caramoan hometown in the Bicol province of Camarines Sur.
Free of rebels during my high school days,I was shocked to
learn when I came home after the decade that it was rebel
infested.
Residents talked of the time when the townhall was stormed
by insurgents who surfaced aboard a truck. They also talked
of l3 civilians who were killed by armed men who fired at a
speeding jeepney full with passengers.
Those dark days are seemingly past.
Today, the once sleepy coastal barrio Paniman, connected
to the town proper by a 3-kilometer road, which had remained
unfinished for half a century, has become a tourist haven.It is
not unusual to see foreign tourists strolling down the beach on
early mornings.The unfinished road is now well-paved.
Paniman is my birthplace.
I rarely come for a visit.unlike before when home was
Paniman with my grandparents. Home is now Legazpi City. But
it was in Catanduanes years ago.
My years of wandering are over.

the countryside, where most of its

tourist destinations are located, by
providing more opportunities for
employment and business ventures, the city mayor stressed.
Infra development
The city government and the
Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) are
now jointly implementing the
Php300-million urban drainage
improvement project funded by
the national government to put
an end to the flooding problems
constantly confronting the central
district of this city.
The project is covered by the
funding worked out by Rosal
with Pres. Aquino and released
during the middle of this year
via the 2014 General Appropriation Act (GAA), which was made
as part of the Php2-billion flood
control program approved by the
President for the city last year and
now ongoing implementation.
The entire program will provide giant pumping facilities to
pump out into Albay Gulf flood
waters from three strategic locations around the citys urban
center covering the entirety of its
commercial, industrial and residential areas.
The widening of the Yawa
Bridge, a major bridge along the
national highway connecting the
city with the first district of Albay
province, has also been started
through the Php50-million initial appropriation under the 2014
GAA released by the DBM.

Yawa Bridge is a 64-meterlong concrete structure whose

two-lane make has grown too
narrow for the burgeoning traffic
between the city proper and its
urban barangays on the northern
side down to Tabaco City and five
municipalities of the provinces
first district.
The traffic congestion being
caused by the bridge as the bottleneck would be eased by widening it to four lanesa project
approved by Malacaang for an
amount of Php140 million.
Works are at the same time in
progress on the Php 200-million
tourism mega highway that will
open a direct link between this
tourist city and the South Luzon
International Airport (SLIA) now
being constructed in the nearby
Daraga, Albay.
It will be a 10-kilometer concrete road whose prime section is
the now-famous Legazpi Boulevard in Barangay Puro, a four-kilometer stretch of wide concrete
road bordering the long beach of
Albay Gulf and serving as an artistic milieu for physical fitness
activities that is well-lighted at
night, clean, easily accessible,
secure and free from air pollution.
The mega highway will
traverse several upland villages
along the southern sector of the
city and become the new local
investment haven and another
site for tourism industry development. - Danny O. Calleja

from my window . . .

For the first time in the history of the Catholic church, a Pope
in the person of Pope Francis listed 15 ailments of the Vatican
Curia, during his annual greeting to Cardinals, bishops and priests.
Im writing it here because it is also applicable to all priests and
Catholics. It was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated
Dec. 24, 2014:
Ailments of Curia, according to Pope Francis
VATICAN CITYPope Francis listed 15 ailments of the
Vatican Curia during his annual Christmas greetings to the
cardinals, bishops and priests who run the central administration
of the 1.2-billion strong Catholic Church. Heres the list.
1. Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. A Curia
that doesnt criticize itself, that doesnt update itself, that doesnt
seek to improve itself is a sick body.
2. Working too hard. Rest for those who have done their
work is necessary, good and should be taken seriously.
3. Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. Its
dangerous to lose that human sensibility that lets you cry with
those who are crying, and celebrate those who are joyful.
4. Planning too much. Preparing things well is necessary,
but dont fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the
freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous
than any human plan.
5. Working without coordination, like an orchestra that
produces noise. When the foot tells the hand, I dont need you
or the hand tells the head Im in charge.
Spiritual Alzheimers
6. Having spiritual Alzheimers. We see it in the people
who have forgotten their encounter with the Lord in those who
depend completely on their here and now, on their passions,
whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves
and become enslaved to the idols that they have built with their
own hands.
7. Being rivals or boastful. When ones appearance, the
color of ones vestments or honorific titles become the primary
objective of life.
8. Suffering from existential schizophrenia. Its the
sickness of those who live a double life, fruit of hypocrisy that
is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that
academic degrees cannot fill. Its a sickness that often affects those
who, abandoning pastoral service, limit themselves to bureaucratic
work, losing contact with reality and concrete people.
9. Committing the terrorism of gossip. Its the sickness of
cowardly people who, not having the courage to speak directly,
talk behind peoples backs.
10. Glorifying ones bosses. Its the sickness of those who
court their superiors, hoping for their benevolence. They are
victims of careerism and opportunism, they honor people who
arent God.
11. Being indifferent to others. When, out of jealousy or
cunning, one finds joy in seeing another fall rather than helping
him up and encouraging him.
Funereal face
12. Having a funereal face. In reality, theatrical severity
and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.
The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy and
transmit joy wherever he goes.
13. Wanting more. When the apostle tries to fill an existential
emptiness in his heart by accumulating material goods, not
because he needs them but because hell feel more secure.
14. Forming closed circles that seek to be stronger than
the whole. This sickness always starts with good intentions but
as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a cancer
that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much
badscandalsespecially to our younger brothers.
15. Seeking worldly profit and showing off. Its the sickness
of those who insatiably try to multiply their powers and to do so
are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting others, even
in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as
being more capable than others. AP

regional exponent for progress

outstanding local newspaper

For Five Consecutive Years by the St. Peter
Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

BIKOL
REPORTER

january 4-10, 2015

S'sogon RIC gets nat'l award

PICC, PASAY CITY
The Rural Improvement
Club(RIC) of Miluya, Castlla, Sorsogon is this years
national outstanding RIC
awardee, one of the total of
twenty-two (22) individuals and organizations that
passed the agencys most
prestigious search.
The award which consisted
of a P300,000 project grant,
P50,000 cash award, trophy
and plaque of recognition, was
given by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala during
the 44th national awarding
ceremony of the Gawad Saka
2014 Outstanding Achievers
in Agriculture and Fisheries
on December 18 at the Philippine International Convention
Center in Roxas Boulevard,
this City.
The club president Jenie
Matamorosa together with
Miluya Bgy. Captain and
RIC committee on livelihood
chairperson Vilma Marticio

BICOL RIC NATIONAL WINNER

jun collantes

The Bicol delegation headed by RED Abelardo Bragas posed with Secretary Alcala during the
awarding ceremony for the Gawad Saka 2014.

(Turn to page 6)

SALUBONG SA BAGONG TAON

PROGRAM
JANUARY 5
8:00 AM

Flag Raising Ceremonies

8:30

Opening of Business One Stop Shop (BOSS)

9:00

Inauguration / Blessing of Daet Go Negosyo Center

(Business and Investment Development Center)

10:00

Awarding of 2014 Outstanding Taxpayers

1:00 PM

Go Negosyo Stakeholders Meeting Conference Room

JANUARY 6

SUDOKU SUPER CHALLENGE AT SM CITY NAGA

Math wizards from various schools in Bicol competed for the Sudoku Super Challenge Regional
elimination round recently conducted by the Mathematics Trainers Guild at SM City Naga. A
total of 274 high school students from Hope Christian School, Camarines Sur National High
School, Blessed Lights International Christian Academy, Universidad de Sta. Isabel, Aquinas
University and Naga City Science High School took part in the competition. Winners of the
elimination round have qualified for the National Finals of Sudoku Super Challenge which will
be held in SM North EDSA on January 31, 2015. Winners from the National Finals will get the
chance to compete for other world Sudoku contest in different countries.

By Norman B. Tamar
MASBATE CITY -- The
saying "It is better to give
than to receive" was the
spirit Masbate Governor
Rizalina
Seachon-Lanete
shared to her constituents in
celebration of her birthday

on Dec. 30, which coincided

with the 118th death anniversary of the country's
national hero, Gat Jose P.
Rizal.
The lady provincial chief
executive said people have
been receiving gifts from her
since the time when she was

still a congresswoman.
She added that more or less
7,000 families benefited from
the gift-giving activity.
The weather was not good
on Dec. 30 here, but people
braved the rains and supported her birthday celebration at
(Turn to page 6)

7:00 AM

Three Kings Celebration& Parade

(Central Plaza to Elevated Plaza Plaza Pineapple Fountain

9:30

Groundbreaking Ceremonies:

G2D Waste Recycling Facility and Metro Daet Satellite Market

(Barangay Bibirao and Camambugan)

3:00 PM

Barangay Officials Assembly (Heritage Center)

Awarding of Paskong Kumukutitap winners

Launching of Gayon Daet, GayonBikol 2015

Launching of Gayon Bicol: Festival of Festivals

5:00

Gift-giving to Indigents of Daet Heritage Center

JANUARY 7
9:00 AM

LGU-Daet Program Review and Planning Workshop

11:00

Meeting League of Municipalities of the Philippines