VOL. XXIV, NO. 36 BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017 P5.

00

DOT-Bicol cautions public

on fake online travel agencies By CONNIE B. DESTURA

Dir. RAVANILLA

LEGAZPI CITY -- The

Department of Tourism in
Bicol has alerted the public
about bogus travel agencies

Caramoan Islands
offering too-good-to-be true
travel packages with low pric-
es for both domestic and in-
ternational sites that turn out
to be non-existent, especially
during the summer season.
(Turn to page 6)

Men join fight for gender

equality in Naga City
By JAM MADRID

NAGA CITY – In an apparent effort to complement

the closing ceremonies of observance here of Women’s
Week, the Naga City Council for Women (NCCW) in-
ducted 25 officers of the newly formed “Lalake Laban sa
Karahasan” or LLK last March 17 at the People’s Hall
of the City Hall Compound.
An all-male volunteer group organized by Bantay Familia
to serve as their partners in solving VAW-related problems,
LLK enjoins the males’ participation in activities like rescue
of women who fell victim to domestic crisis. Moreover,
LLK represents the male sector, some of members of which CEPPIO
are also suffering from some forms of violence. COURTESY VISIT
Contrary to what is widely believed, there are members of US Embassy Internal Unit Chief of Political Section Geoffrey C. Siebengartner paid a courtesy
the male population who are reportedly victims of emotional visit to Mayor John Bongat, inquiring on the various programs and policies of Naga, including
violence since most of them have qualms in revealing their the drug rehabilitation efforts of the city. Siebengartner praised the formulation of the Naga
secret feelings for fear of losing the “macho” image that is at- City People's Council (NCPC) that he wished should also be instituted in the national level
because of its participatory mechanism and platform for people engagement and inclusive
VP ROBREDO (Turn to page 4) governance.

K-960 Aries St., Villa Grande Homes, Con. Grande, Naga City • TELEPHONE: (054) 884-93-76 • CP 0921-3183720 / 0929-245-7353 / 0920-5337766
2 BIKOL REPORTER
Gov’ts urged:
Give RE a boost
Governments should make policies that will give
renewable energy (RE) the necessary push to make it
available to the great majority of people.
The statement was made by Ganesh Pangare, regional
director for Asia-Pacific of the International Water Asso-
ciation (IWA), on the sidelines of the ongoing Water Phil-
ippines Expo 2017. The biennial event for the first time
features renewable energy (RE) as part of the exhibition,
apart from 120 different products and services in water
supply, sanitation, waste water treatment and water puri-
fication.
Pangare pointed out that renewable energy is mostly
used by the private sector or individual entrepreneurs.
”I think there also has to be a policy angle in the terms
that governments can’t just keep a blind eye that this is
happening. I think we do need more investment coming
from the state. Some of the poorest of the poor don’t have
energy… while the rich are getting subsidized fossil en-
ergy. That is the disparity which I am trying to highlight,”
Pangare said in an interview.
He noted that a large portion of Asia does not enjoy a
stable, 24/7 supply of power they can use on demand.
By using solar technology and distribution generation,
people living in rural or isolated areas will be able to enjoy
a continuous supply of electricity, he added.
”Renewable energy provides a fixed, assured energy
source and therefore farmers can irrigate when the crop
needs irrigation and then the resource ground water is
saved because they will be taking out only what they need
and not pumping out and storing it and then just wasting
it,” Pangare explained.
Today, with the advances in technology, solar products
have become more affordable that even farmers with a
small piece of land could buy his own solar power genera-
tor to water his farm, he said.
The same solar energy has enabled people living in re-
mote areas to use cell phones, he said.
“In villages in India, people had no telephone connec-
tions and now, everybody has mobile phones and with re-
newable energy or solar, people can charge their mobile
phones,” Pangare said.
On conserving water resources, Pangare emphasized
the need to find a solution to the wastage of non-revenue
water.
“(Non-revenue water) is basically water lost by the util-
ity somewhere in the course of distribution and therefore
does not get charged to the customer. This loss can go as
high as 60 percent sometimes. Therefore, not only did we
lose 60 percent of the water but we also lost 60 percent of
the energy needed to transport that water,” he pointed out.
Pangare related that two years ago, India established a
Ministry of Renewable Energy and has since made RE a
viable alternative source, especially for rural areas.
02082606
Published every Sunday and circulated in the six provinces
and seven cities of the Bicol Region including Metro Manila.
And also mailed throughout the country and other continents.
Editorial and Business Address: K-960 Aries St., Villa Grande
Homes, Concepcion Grande, Naga City. Tel. No. (054) 884-93-76
ED G. YU
Editor
0939-604-3144
LEE G. DULLESCO II
Head, Advertising Associates
0920-533-7766
OPINION MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017
Impeachment Season
(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co.,
CPAs-DFK International – is past chair
In the case of the Philippines,
the analysts expect GDP to remain
of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA
past president and Hall-of-Famer,
and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement
OPINIONS strong at 6.4% this year and 6.5% in
2018 after expanding by 6.8% last
year, boosted by the presidential
Awardee).
VERSUS DIGONG: The Magdalo
Party list representative in Congress has
UNLIMITED elections. Within the ASEAN 6 - the
Philippines in seen to post the fast-
est pace of growth this year and next.
filed an impeachment charge against Runner-up is Vietnam, expected
our duly elected (big majority) president to grow 6.3% this year and 6.2% in
Rodrigo R. Duterte. The bases of the 2018. Let us all hope that the posi-
complaint are the recent revelations on
the alleged Davao Death Squad when
 Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN tive predictions can be realized by
our own government.
the president was still city Mayor of INTEREST HIKES: The US Fed-
Davao, and the recent extrajudicial kill- as BSP’s forecast of $500M surplus. eral Reserve is on track to raise in-
ings perpetrated under the present ad- BOP summarizes our country’s trans- terest rates twice more this year af-
ministration. Expected witnesses to be actions with others countries. ter a policy tightening last week. It
presented by the prosecution are the BOP is largely affected by fund flows could be more or less aggressive
self-confessed policemen who were like investments and money transmis- depending on inflation and fiscal poli-
member of rhe DDS. sions. Uncertainties in global and do- cies from the Trump administration.
VERSUS LENI: An impeachment mestic markets continue to influence With the policy lifting interest rate,
complaint was recently filed by Marcos investor sentiments. The direction of the forecast is that roughly two more
loyalist (Oliver Lozano). But before global growth as well as economic moves in 2017 will come – with US
that – Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez an- trade and groupings have been side- good job record and some inflation
nounced that said impeachment will lining investors for the past year par- pressures which is expected to go
be filed against the duly elected (under ticularly with Brexit and the new Trump ,up to 2% (from 1.7% now).
protest) VP. Her alleged malfeasance administration’s “protectionism and President Donald Trump’s prom-
is “submission” to the UN of a report populism”. We need to watch closely ise to boost the US economy to a
on Philippine extrajudicial killings which our fund flows to strengthen our peso 4% growth rate, from about 2% in
“stained the image of the country”. Im- value! the last few years may be a bit over-
peachments are approved by the House BOOSTING ASEAN TIES: Amid ambitious – economists say. They
concerns on rising protectionism, it
where Duterte rabid supporters are comment that while that growth level
aplenty. Numbers game lang ba ito? is imperative for ASEAN to focus on may be reached “in any given year,”it
BOP DEFICIT: The country’s bal- “building bridges” and deepening trade was hard to imagine happening -
ance of payments (BOP) deficit has integration in order to boost the resil- given that the economy is already
ballooned to $445M as of end-February ience of the 10-member economic bloc. doing well, the labor market is “very
2017 - compared to January’s $9M Maybank Group economists expected strong,” and sectors like US automo-
shortfall only - on account of bigger the six core Asean markets - Malaysia, bile sales are at all-time highs. The
fund outflows. BSP expects the BOP Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philip- higher US interest scenario will even-
balance to return to surplus position pines and Vietnam – to grow by 4.8%, tually come to the Philippines!
this year of $1.0B and reversing 2016’s from 4.6% last year. Momentum driv- PSALM: Always stay away from
$420M deficit. Last year’s deficit negat- ers are trade recovery, rebound in de- evil and do good for others; seek
ed year 2015’s $2.61B surplus as well mand for commodities and electronics. peace and eternally pursue goodwill!
Two Impeachments and Threat to File Case
Against Duterte in International Criminal Court
Magdalo Party List Rep. Gary humanity is doomed to fail, citing
Alejano, a member of the so-called reasons of complementary and lack
Magnificent 7, that is allied with
Vice President Leni Robredo, filed FROM of jurisdiction.
Rep. Roque said the following:
an impeachment complaint against
MY
“The ICC was established as a
President Rodrigo Duterte citing Court of Last Resort, meaning you
violation of the Constitution, betrayal have to prove you have exhausted
WINDOW
of public trust and graft and corruption. all remedies to have the cases tried
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also before the Philippine Courts. It was
said, he will also file an impeachment intended to complement not to replace
complaint against Vice President Leni national courts in ending the gravest
Robredo for violation of public trust
as Robredo’s message to the UN
 NENITA FUENTEBELLA-PEÑONES crimes against the international
community. The present threat to
assailed President Duterte’s war on have President Duterte indicted in
drugs. The negative image that portrays him, it is just an exercise of the freedom the ICC is not simply political threats
the Philippines could have economic of expression. But Speaker Alvarez against him and against his campaign
consequences and that is betrayal of if there is an impeachment complaint against drugs and criminality, they are
public trust. against Robredo, they will act on it. also threat that question Philippine
This is what I said in my column that I recall Supreme Court Chief Justice sovereignty.”
when you throw a stone, you will also Renato Corona was impeached only for “The Principle of Complementarity
be stoned. We know that impeachment filing an inaccurate Statement of Assets is enshrined in Article 1 and 17 of
complaints is a numbers gain in and Liabilities. the Rome Statute. According to this
Congress. Duterte has strong support ****** Principle, the ICC will only exercise
in the House of Representatives which Rep. Harry Roque, who had been jurisdiction when Philippine Courts
the Liberal Party members and their appearing as lawyer in International are unwilling or unable to do so.”
allies have great number in the Senate. I Court reportedly lash back at ******
only wonder why senators elected Koko proponents who have threatened to It seems some people are in a
Pimentel as Senate President, who is a sue Duterte before the International hurry to cut Duterte’s six years term
PDP-Laban, the party of Duterte. Criminal Court. Roque, who is an expert and discredit him with inaccurate
President Duterte told those planning in International Law said moved to have informations before the international
to impeach VP Robredo to stop it, as for Duterte tried there for crimes against community.
LEGAZPI MAYOR UNDERSCORE . . . Elaborating on the role of each region will have its own
women under a federal sys- senators whose legislative
the areas of national defense, Likewise, a decentral- tem, Rosal said that women measures can be implemented
foreign relations, currency, ized government can impose organization can take part in in their respective regions, he
commerce and citizenship. lower tax rates to improve the the policy making process added.
He continued: “But the investors’ confidence thereby along with local officials, With the theme “We Make
local government will have encouraging them to put up such as Bicol senators, by Change Work for Women,”
the power to impose its own more business establish- enacting laws and adopting the gathering featured inter-
taxes and has the freedom to ments,’ he added. different policies that can be active activities such as dis-
utilize its natural resources Such scenario will result in implemented in the entire Bi- cussion on how to generate
and deliver social services the development and progress col region and not necessarily alternative sources of liveli-
that include public education of the “states” or local gov- in the whole country. hood to help and empower
and housing.” ernments, according to Rosal. In a federal government, women in their communities.
MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017 BUSINESS SECTION BIKOL REPORTER 3
 4 BIKOL REPORTER HALO - HALO MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017

Gospel: Jn 9:1-41 -
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind
Karahayan nin Tawo
from birth. His disciples asked him, “Master, was he born blind
because of a sin of his, or of his parents?“ Tubod akong naturalesa an manlusob asin manggadan nin mga

Dis*Karte
Jesus answered, “Neither was it for his own sin nor for his karahayan sa tawo. Sarong prueba ko tawo kan mga poderosong nasyon
parents’ sin. He was born blind so that God’s power might be kaini an Embahador kan Czechoslovakia asin grupo.
shown in him. While it is day we must do the work of the One sa Pilipinas, si Jaroslav Olsa Jr. Perang Saro pang ehemplo ko kan

*Kusyon
who sent me; for the night will come when no one can work. As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.“ semana na an nakalilipas namidbidan karahayan kan mga dayuhan na
As Jesus said this, he made paste with spittle and clay, and ko man nanggad siyang personal kan nasyon iyo man an tabang na nakua
rubbed it on the eyes of the blind man. Then he said, “Go and saiyang itao personal sa Presidente kan samong grupo, an Philippine
wash in the Pool of Siloam.“ (This word means sent.) So the
blind man went and washed and came back able to see.
His neighbors, and all the people who used to see him
begging, wondered. They said, “Isn’t this the beggar who used
kan Ateneo de Naga University, si Fr.
Jun Viray, S.J. an ayuda kan saiyang
gobyerno sa mga nawaran harong
*Kurso Rural Reconstruction Movement
hali sa Welt Hunger hilfe, sarong
internasyonal na organisasyon na
to sit here?“ Some said, “He’s the one.“ Others said, “No, but kan bagyong Nina sa Camarines nakabase sa Alemanya na yaon sa
he looks like him.“ But the man himself said, “I am he.“ Then Sur. Sa social media ko lang enot na pagtabang orog na sa mga apektado
they asked him, “How is it, that your eyes were opened?“ And
he answered, “The man called Jesus made a mud paste, put it
nakabisto si Amb. Olsa, kan maghagad
siyang permiso na idakitaramon sa
 FRANK PEÑONES JR. nin kalamidad. An ayuda kan Welt
Hunger hilfe mga kagamitan man sa
on my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went, Czech an sakong istoryang Escort pagtugdok nin harong na itatao mi
and washed, and I could see.“ They asked, “Where is he?“ and ni Franz Kafka, kaya bako na siyang
the man answered, “I don’t know.“
na nakasurat sa Bikol. Siyempre, sa mga 100 na residentes sa Baao,
The people brought the man who had been blind to the dakulang onra na an obra nin sarong bago sa Bikol. Camarines Sur.
Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made mud parasurat maihiras sa ibang kultura An aktong idto ni Amb. Osla Sinabi kadto ni Gandhi na an
paste and opened his eyes. The Pharisees asked him again, sa paagi nin dakitaramon. Duman sa nagpapahiling kan karahayan kan lambang bagong mundag na omboy
“How did you recover your sight?“ And he said, “He put paste pressconference sa Ateneo, sinabi ni tawo na kuta na iyong sarong ugali senyal na dai pa naoongis sato an
on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.“ Some of the Fr. Jun na dawa nasa Prague kadto na dapat makultibar kan kadaklan satong Kaglalalang. Pwede ta man
Pharisees said, “That man is not from God, for he works on the
Sabbath“; but others wondered, “How can a sinner perform such
si Amb. Osla, nagapod siya ki Fr. Jun na katawhan nganing makasalbar garong sabihon na mantang igwa
miraculous signs?“ They were divided, and they questioned the nganing ihapot kun anong maitatabang kita sa kinaban, sa tahaw nin huma pang mga tawong arog ni Amb. Osla
blind man again, “What do you think of this man who opened niya sa mga Bikolnon. Enot naman nin pagbabago kan klima sa kinaban asin organisasyon na arog kan Welt
your eyes?“ And he answered, “He is a prophet!“ na nagdigdi sa Naga si Amb. Osla kan asin sa pundamentalismo sa relihiyon Hunger Hilfe, may pag-asa pa an
After all this, the Jews refused to believe that the man had ilunsad si translation sa Bikol kan obra na iyong ginagamit na rason nganing kinaban.
been blind and had recovered his sight; so they called his
parents and asked them, “Is this your son? You say that he was
born blind, how is it, that he now sees?“ The parents answered,
“He really is our son and he was born blind; but how it is that
he now sees, we don’t know, neither do we know who opened
Moral Philosophy: The Good, the Evil and the Clueless (Part 3)
his eyes. Ask him, he is old enough. Let him speak for himself.“
The parents said this because they feared the Jews, who The ‘Trolley Problem’ is a modified and fundamental roles in human life, (2)
had already agreed that whoever confessed Jesus to be the
TIP
simplified version of other similar thought good or bad can be judged based
Christ was to be expelled from the synagogue. Because of that
his parents said, “He is old enough, ask him.“ experiments on ethics. One similar earlier on the amount of pain or pleasure
and hypothetical dilemma was formulated brought about by an action, i.e, it’s
OF AN
So, a second time, the Pharisees called the man who had
been blind, and they said to him, “Tell us the truth; we know that by British philosopher, Philippa Ruth consequences, (3) good is equated
this man is a sinner.“ He replied, “I don’t know whether he is a Foot in 1967. Her original structure of the with pleasure and evil with pain, and
sinner or not; I only know that I was blind and now I see.“ They
said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your
eyes?“ He replied, “I have told you already and you would not
dilemma ran as follows:
“Suppose that a judge or magistrate
ICE (4) pleasure and pain can be quantified
or precisely measured that objective
listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to
become his disciples?“
is faced with rioters demanding that a
culprit be found for a certain crime and BERG moral decisions can be based on the
measurements.
Then they started to insult him. “Become his disciple yourself! threatening otherwise to take their own Bentham introduced the following
We are disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses;
but as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.“
bloody revenge on a particular section
of the community. The real culprit being
 HOMAR MURILLO
Email: homar.murillo@gmail.com
criteria for measuring pain or
pleasure: INTENSITY, DURATION,
The man replied, “It is amazing that you don’t know where
the man comes from, and yet he opened my eyes! We know unknown, the judge sees himself as able CERTAINTY (or UNCERTAINTY), and
that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone honors God and to prevent the bloodshed only by framing its NEARNESS (or FARNESS). He
does his will, God listens to him. Never, since the world began, some innocent person and having him utilitarian view, choosing to divert the also includes its "fecundity" (will more
has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person trolley to kill only one person thereby
executed. Beside this example is placed of the same follow?) and its "purity" (its
who was born blind. If this man were not from God, he could saving five persons is the better moral
do nothing.“ another in which a pilot whose airplane pleasure won't be followed by pain and
They answered him, “You were born a sinner and now you is about to crash is deciding whether to choice than doing nothing. In like vice versa). In considering actions that
teach us!“ And they expelled him. steer from a more to a less inhabited manner, the judge who prevents greater affect numbers of people, we must also
Jesus heard that they had expelled him. He found him and area. To make the parallel as close as bloodshed by framing some innocent account for its EXTENT.
said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?“ He answered, “Who person can be considered acting in a
is he, that I may believe in him?“ Jesus said, “You have seen possible it may rather be supposed that On the other hand, John Stuart
him and he is speaking to you.“ He said, “Lord, I believe“; and he is the driver of a runaway tram which morally acceptable way. Mill improved on the more hedonistic
he worshiped him. he can only steer from one narrow track Hence, the moral choice is somewhat tendencies of Bentham's philosophy
Jesus said, “I came into this world to carry out a judgment: on to another; five men are working on quantifiable in terms of the consequences by emphasizing the following: (1)
Those who do not see shall see, and those who see shall one track and one man on the other; of choosing an action or sets of actions the quantity of pleasure is not the
become blind.“ Some Pharisees stood by and asked him, “So over other options. It becomes a cost-
we are blind?“ And Jesus answered, “If you were blind, you anyone on the track he enters is bound most important thing but rather the
would not be guilty. But you say, ‘We see’; this is the proof of to be killed. In the case of the riots the benefit analysis of determining what is quality of happiness, (2) the criteria
your sin.“ mob have five hostages, so that in both morally acceptable or even obligatory. of measurement are unreasonable --
examples the exchange is supposed to Typically, this simple solution can be qualities cannot be precisely quantified
REFLECTION: be one man's life for the lives of five.” summarized as choosing the highest (there is a distinction between 'higher'
Read: Yahweh chooses David to succeed Saul, who did not possible good or benefit for the greatest
live up to his vocation. Paul invites all to live up to their status as Resolving the dilemma and 'lower' pleasures), and (3)
children of God, by producing fruits of light. The man born blind This thought experiment and its other number of people. utilitarianism refers to "the Greatest
receives both physical and spiritual light whereas the priests variants are mainly an issue of utilitarian Utilitarianism Happiness Principle." This means that
and Pharisees who claimed to be God’s men fail to accept the ethics or utilitarianism. In Bentham's idea, he anchored is must be aimed at promoting the
light of Christ. Utilitarianism is a normative ethical utilitarianism on the contrast between capability of achieving happiness or
Reflect: It is possible to be chosen by God once only to be suffering and the feeling of wellbeing. His
rejected by Him later. Saul, and the priests and the Pharisees theory mainly derived from the writings higher pleasure for the most amount of
are case in point. Is God unfaithful and wrong to do so? The truth of Jeremy Bentham and his intellectual utilitarian principles can be summarized people.
of the matter is: it is not God’s doing; but ours. We fail God’s call successor John Stuart Mill. In terms of as follows:(1) Pain and pleasure have (To be concluded…)
by our stubbornness of heart. We fall away from God’s light and
truth by our selfish agenda. Like the fall of the angels.
Pray: Pray for the gift of faithfulness and perse­verance in
faith.
Computer Programming Language Migration
Act: Recite the Profession of Faith. – DAILY GOSPEL By NATHAN A. BEA - Master Teacher l
2017, Readings and Reflections, Claretian Communications Santiago Integrated School, Iriga City
Foundation, Inc.
A part of the K -12 program aims to integrate technical skills could be vastly different. It is even more difficult if one has to
MEN JOIN FIGHT FOR GENDER . . . to students so that when they finish the program they would migrate into a new language.
have the skill needed by the industry help them get employed How do teacher help learners adopt from the change in
tached to their masculinity. show goodness, to women as after graduation. The DepEd has formulated specialized sub- dealing with migrating to another language? The teacher
City Councilor Cecilia De this change can provide good jects under the TVL tracks with strands that the learners are therefore looks into the commonalities that exist among pro-
Asis, co-chairperson of the insight to our economy.” allowed to choose from based on their line of interest. One of gramming languages. In English, for example, there are dif-
NCCW expressed hope that the Vice President Leni G. Ro- these strands is the ICT with varied specializations like Contact ferent kinds of sentences to express ideas and emotions but
observance would not only cre- bredo who graced the event as Center Servicing, Computer Animation, Computer System Ser- there exists a fundamental structure among them,
ate a significant change on how keynote speaker, said the induc- vicing and Computer Programming, etc. Programming languages implements different syntax and
the society looks at a woman tion of the LLK was a signifi- Computer programming is one of the most challenging sub- methodology but there is a common element among them.
but also encourage more sectors cant development in the gov- jects among ICT specialized subjects for both teachers and These are the so-called variables, conditional statements and
to be a part of the change that ernment’s campaign to protect
students because of the so-called varied programming lan- iterations. Variables are very useful in computer programming
would promote gender equality. women’s rights.
guages. It is not necessary, however, to know all these pro- because they serve as temporary data storage during input
She enjoined the male popu- “We know that we have been
lation who are mostly the cul- gramming languages to make a computer program but it is and processing stage of the program to obtain the desired out-
fighting to protect the rights of
prits behind Violence against important that the learner must have a knowledge of at least put. Variables have different data types and basically all pro-
women for a long time,” Ro-
Women (VAW), saying “we bredo said. “ The creation of the one language in order to create a program. But as the learner gramming languages use the same standard of data types that
also need men to completely LLK is something big because progresses in computer programming, he will discover that share the same characteristics like Integer, Character, Bool-
change the society’s perspec- this implies that our fight for the with the rapid change in technology it is possible that despite ean, etc. A conditional statement is the ability to control the
tive about women.” protection of the rights of wom- one’s familiarity of a specific language, a new version comes in flow of the program letting it make decisions as to what instruc-
“We hope that the activities en is not only an obligation of and it could result in a mixed emotion of excitement and worry. tion to execute and this is very valuable to the programmer.
opened the minds of everyone the women, but an obligation of The excitement will spring from the fact that the learner gets Iteration is used to repeat a block of instruction or code, being
on the capacity and goodness everyone.” to learn additional features that could help him perform and able to have the program repeatedly execute a block of code
contributed by women in the Robredo said she also ex- develop a more powerful program. But it could likewise cause which is one of the most basic but useful tasks in program-
society,” De Asis said. “Times pects that the presence of the him worry because the new program means additional effort ming. Familiarization of these will help a programmer in laying
change, minds change, people peer volunteers group would to learn a new version. For example, Visual Studio 6.0 now Vi- a foundation to adopt to the news language and will serve as
change, but this change must (Turn to page 7) sual Studio and while that the language is similar in name they a backbone with migrating into a new programming language.
 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017
P511-M modern fish port
to rise soon in Sorsogon
By BOBBY Q. LABALAN
BULAN, Sorsogon -- A
modern fish port is expect-
ed to rise within the year
in this coastal municipal-
ity of Bulan in Sorsogon as
government officials led by
Senator Francis Escudero
held the groundbreaking
ceremony here Thursday.
According to lawyer
Glen Pangapalan, general
manager of the Philippine
Fishery Development Au-
thority (PFDA), the two-
phased infrastructure costing
PHP511 million, which will
be equipped with modern fa-
cilities, will cater to the needs
of Sorsogon province and the
BIR-Bicol head targets
P10.9B tax collections
By CONNIE B. DESTURA
LEGAZPI CITY -–
Newly appointed Bureau
ALL LINED UP
Hundreds of job seekers participated on the first day of Local
Recruitment Activity sponsored by Robinsons Retail Holdings
in partnership with the City Government of Naga and Public
Employment Service Office (PESO).
DTI, SM’S KULTURA SIGN DEAL
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez (R), together with Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos and DTI-4B
Regional Director Joel Valera signed the agreement with Kultura represented by its Senior
Vice-President for Operations Ivy Frances Yap (left) and Merchandising Head Fatima Uy.
Samar and Masbate provinc-
es as well.
He said phase 1 of the fa-
cility, which will start con-
struction soon, will cost PHP
111 million while the second
phase costing PHp400 mil-
lion is set for construction in
2018.
Pangapalan said the fish
port, which will be the ninth
such facility in the country, is
envisioned to boost the fish-
ery sector in the province.
The existing mini-fish port
is owned and being managed
by the municipal government
of Bulan.
Escudero, who initiated
the project, said he hopes that
the facility will invigorate the
of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Bicol Director Edgar B. To-
lentino told participants to
Monday’s region-wide kick
CEPPIO
BUSINESS NEWS
fishery sector in the province
and help the marginalized
fishermen.
“Through this modern fish
port, we hope to elevate the
income level of our fisher-
men by providing them with
the necessary assistance
especially in selling their
catch,” he said.
Escudero urged the local
government and the com-
munity to help in the proper
maintenance of the facility.
After the ground-break-
ing, the municipal govern-
ment led by Mayor Romeo
Gordola formally turned over
the ownership and manage-
ment of the existing port to
PFDA.
off for this year’s tax cam-
paign that he is confident
tax collections in the region
will reach their goal of PHP
10.9 billion.
"I am extremely positive
that we can reach our goal
for this year in Bicol which is
Php 10.9 billion,” he said as
he explained the event is part
of the localized information
campaign to encourage tax-
payers to pay the right taxes.
Tolentino said BIR re-
cords showed the collection
for the past year had indicat-
ed a 16.25 percent increase
over the previous year.
“We are expecting a
growth rate of 20 percent
from the 333,000 strong reg-
istered taxpayers (in the re-
gion)," he said.
Over a thousand local
government officials, BIR’s
partners among government
line agencies, businessmen
and groups of taxpayers’ or-
ganizations in the region at-
tended the launch of the tax
campaign which carries the
theme "Tunay na Pagbaba-
go" (true change). The event
that was held at Casablanca
SUZUKI AUTO SHOW
On-going Auto Mall Exhibit at SM City Naga which features Suzuki Super Carry Pick-up Turbo
Diesel
Convention Hall in this city,
was led by BIR Commission-
er Caesar R. Dulay.
He said the government
derives 80 percent of its rev-
enues from the BIR but these
are contributed by the tax-
payers.
“Taxes are the ‘lifeblood’
of our country. The govern-
ment will not run without
taxes that are contributed by
the people,” he added.
Dulay cited that taxes are
the sources for government’s
infrastructure program and
payroll of local and regional
governments.
“Even the salaries of the
DTI, SM’s Kultura sign deal
MAKATI – The Depart-
ment of Trade and Indus-
try (DTI) and Kultura, the
country’s largest retailer
of homegrown products,
signed an agreement on 24
March to open Go Lokal!
stores in SM Makati.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lo-
pez, together with Industry
Promotion Assistant Secre-
tary Rosvi Gaetos and DTI
4-B Regional Director Joel
Valera signed the agreement
with Kultura represented by
its Senior Vice-President for
Operations Ivy Frances Yap
and Merchandising Head
Fatima Uy. This partnership
allows Kultura to operate and
manage Go Lokal! in order to
provide greater market access
to micro, small, and medium
scale enterprises (MSMEs).
Go Lokal! is a design-led
concept store and market
platform showcasing modern
and indigenous quality prod-
BIKOL REPORTER
street sweeper comes from
your contributions (taxes),”
he added.
Dulay said the BIR and
taxpayers are “partners” in
ensuring that the government
continues to operate.
“Without your coopera-
tion and your taxes the gov-
ernment will not run,” he
said.
The tax campaign launch
emphasized the role of the
taxpayers in helping the gov-
ernment attain the change it
aspires.
Tolentino said that even as
BIR is committed to attaining
its collection target its pri-
ucts crafted, designed, and
created by innovative Philip-
pine micro, small, and me-
dium enterprises (MSMEs).
It is mostly found in con-
sumer-frequented locations
as a mainstream distribution
channel for world-class prod-
ucts while offering value for
money to consumers. Go Lo-
kal! is a public-private collab-
oration and serves as avenue
for incubation, marketing,
and branding for the best of
Philippine MSME products
including the next genera-
tion One Town One Product
(OTOP) offerings.
“Kultura and Go Lokal!
are complementary avenues
to help our local MSMEs gain
retail foothold in the Philip-
pine domestic market. We are
pleased to open a Go Lokal!
together with Kultura as a tes-
tament of our collective thrust
of inclusive growth and de-
velopment of our MSMEs.”
5
mary obligation is to ensure
“improvement in taxpayer’s
satisfaction” in the services
rendered by the agency.
He said BIR will also fo-
cus on regaining public trust
and confidence in its servic-
es.
Tolentino said aside from
these goals, the BIR also
seeks to “adopt an expanded
compromise settlement pro-
gram” for certain kinds of
taxpayers.
He added the partnership
of the BIR and taxpayers will
help “sustain and strengthen
our beloved nation."
said Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The trade chief also said
that aside from providing
market access for MSME
products, the Go Lokal! is a
platform for new entrepre-
neurs to test the marketability
of their products without fear
of losing out on rental and
commercial costs because
their Go Lokal! experience is
free-of-charge.
Kultura is the leading
brand for uniquely Filipino
products.
“Kultura has become a
showcase of local artistry and
craftsmanship and furthers
its advocacy by partnering
with the DTI for its Go Lokal
Project, providing a venue for
the distribution and promo-
tion of products sourced from
MSMEs,” said Ms. Ivy Yap.
Its Go Lokal pop-up store
opens in April and will run
throughout the year at the 2nd
level of SM Makati.
 6 BIKOL REPORTER MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017

DOT-BICOL CAUTIONS PUBLIC . . .

“If the travel packages are
too good to be true, these are
not true and are illegal,” said
Bobby Gigantone, administra-
tive officer of DOT-Bicol.
He said the tourism depart-
ment does not have any police
power to run after these illegal
online travel operators.
“(But) we will be making
advisories and declare the
travel agencies that are ac-
credited with the Department
of Tourism,” Gigantone said
in an interview Wednesday
night.
He said the advisory will
include information if the tour
operator has a mayor's permit
which is one way of ensuring
the travelers are protected and
safe.
Gigantone said travelers
plan their Bicol trips for more
than a year only to find out that
the places they will be visiting
are different from what was
initially advertised.
“That’s what we're afraid
of especially if they are oper-
ating here in Bicol,” he said.
Gigantone said these fake
tour operators will be tarnish-
ing Bicol’s image.
He said DOT-Bicol does
not tolerate online travel agen-
cies.
them.
He said the department has
the hotline number 742-5004
for tourists who cannot afford
tour packages, such as back-
packers and those who go for
solo or budget trips, the so-
called “tipid” trips.
“We can assist them so they
can experience what's truly
‘Gayon Bicol’ (Beautiful Bi-
col),” he added.
Gigantone said Camarines
Sur is the top destination for PEÑAFRANCIA SHORT FILM FEST
local and foreign tourists as it The Archdiocese of Caceres, through the Caceres Short Film Festival Thursday (March 23) at Archbishop's
is the biggest province in the Commission on Communications in cooperation with the Palace. The said activity aims to give platform to all aspiring
Bicol region with so many ac- City Government of Naga, Department of Education V, Bicol student filmmakers and provide opportunity to expose their
Association of Catholic Schools (BACS), Catholic Educational talents and at the same time promote the devotion to Our
tivities to offer.
Association of Caceres and Libmanan Caceres Commission Lady of Penafrancia through films as an effective vehicle to
He said the province offers on Communications (CEACAL) and Kapisanan ng mga reach out to young generation and devotees coming from
a lot of island hopping, one of Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) launched the 4th Penafrancia different parts of the world.
them to the famous Caramoan
Islands. in the hands of the local gov- visiting tourists, particularly Bicol director. five tourist destinations in the
Gigantone said next to Ca- ernment, who should be able foreign tourists, has tremen- Ravanilla, in an interview, country compared to its ‘slug-
marines Sur travelers favor Al- to serve and not just do busi- dously increased annually, said the “Bicol region has gish’ performance during the
bay, Camarines Norte (where ness,” he said. said Maria O. Ravanilla, DOT- now emerged as one of the top early ‘90s.”
the famous Calaguas Group of He added that for resorts
Islands is located), Sorsogon, with facilities like swimming
Masbate and Catanduanes. pools, DOT-Bicol is coor-
He said the tourism de- dinating with the Philippine
partment has always been re-
minding the local government
Coast Guard to ensure that
all amenities are there such as MESSAGE OF THANKS
units (LGU) to be conscious life savers and life guards, es-
about projecting a good “im- pecially in private resorts and
age brand” which could be public beaches in various mu-
achieved not just by focusing nicipalities. We, the family of the late
on the business aspect of en- Gigantone advised LGUs
ticing travelers to their places. to have a “lot to offer” so that

ORLANDO NAPA OLAVERE

Gigantone said the tour- Gigantone said “service, tourists can go to their places.
ism department, which is “up- safety and security” should He cited that LGUs should
grading and reconstructing be of utmost consideration to offer new destinations in their
its website,” has a Facebook the LGUs seeking to attract a areas, ensure these are acces-
fan page where the public can big number of visitors to their sible and that there are accom-
view the list of accredited tour places. modations, good eating places
operators, travel agencies and
tour guides who can assist
“The success of whatever
efforts made in tourism lies
and transportation facilities. SK, Knight of Columbus
Gigantone said these com-
ponents affect tourists’ prefer-
ences on which place to visit
Republic of the Philippines that would give them a fulfill- (Who peacefully died in loving grace of our
Local Civil Registrar Office
Province of Camarines Sur
ing experience.
In January, DOT-Bicol re-
Lord on March 9, 2017 at the age of 65)
Municipality of Presentacion
cords showed that domestic
and foreign tourist arrivals in
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION all the six Bicol provinces and wish to express our heartfelt gratitude
six cities in the region, that
In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice
is hereby served to the Public that REY SJ. CAMBARE were recorded from January and sincerest appreciation to all who visited,
has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of first name
from RENATO SAN JUAN CAMBARE to REY SAN JUAN
to June 2016 increased by 26.6
percent compared to the same
prayed, gave, sent flowers and messages
CAMBARE in the birth certificate of REY SJ. CAMBARE period in 2015. of sympathy, and who in countless ways,
who was born on January 30, 1962 at Goa, Camarines The total number of com-
Sur, whose parents are Clemente Cambare and Virgina bined domestic and foreign condoled with and comforted us
F. San Juan.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file
tourists was 2,202,003 million
from January to June 2015
in our hour of bereavement.
his written opposition with this office not later than April while for the same period the
18, 2017. total arrivals in the region was
(Sgd.) OPHELIA P. ROYO
2,787,719 million. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
“Bicol is now a promising
Municipal Civil Registrar
and rosy tourist destination
BIKOL REPORTER compared to the other areas in
Published: March 26 and April 2, 2017 the country as the number of

FOR FEBRUARY
NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF INTERMENT

ELLAINE EZA MARIE S. HABALA FEBRUARY 4, 2017

ROSALIA B. ADORNA FEBRUARY 8, 2017
JOSE ROBERTO A. ENRIQUEZ FEBRUARY 5, 2017
EVANGELINE S. LOPEZ FEBRUARY 8, 2017
CEPRIANA T. ALMONTE FEBRUARY 9, 2017
RODRIGO B. MALLARI FEBRUARY 9, 2017
MURIEL S. SAN JOSE FEBRUARY 11, 2017
SEGUNDINA C. NIDEA FEBRUARY 12, 2017
RODOLFO M. RAYALA FEBRUARY 18, 2017
SOFRONIO B. PARRA FEBRUARY 16, 2017
AMELIA C. RALA FEBRUARY 17, 2017
AIREEN A. VALOR FEBRUARY 18, 2017
LEOPOLDO A. VILLANUEVA FEBRUARY 22, 2017
VINCETOR M. DELA ROSA FEBRUARY 20, 2017
RAMON M. MUÑOZ FEBRUARY 25, 2017
REYNALDO A. HIDALGO SR. FEBRUARY 27, 2017
 MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017 BIKOL REPORTER 7
4PS BENEFICIARIES IN . . . PNP-BICOL PLANS “LEGAZPI CITY . . . itan 911 to serve as the com- Philippine National Police,
mand center. Bureau of Fire Protection, hos-
Act of 2017 which was reiter- compliance to education (con- any emergency in this city and gazpi City; Supt. Nilo Berdin, pitals or health response team,
He said Daraga and Cama-
ated by DSWD Secretary Judy ditionality) will be given rice in the nearby towns of Daraga chief of Legazpi City Police ambulances, Philippine Army
lig towns have been included
Taguiwalo. subsidy for the months they and Camalig in Albay. Office; and representatives and other agencies as needed.
because “whatever happens
Garcia said Taquiwalo has have been compliant. Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon from Daraga local govern- Salceda said they are push-
in Legazpi City will affect the
in turn issued a memorandum FDS refers to the “Fam- Buenafe, PRO5 director, first ment, Office of Civil Defense, ing for a private Information
two nearby towns.”
to the regional offices of the ily Development Sessions” introduced to the advisory PRO5, Department of Interior Technology group which could
“The emergency 911 com-
department that explicity stat- conducted monthly by social council in July last year the and Local Government, Bicol be commissioned to create a
mand center will also respond
ed that the rice assistance will workers assigned to clusters concept of an emergency 911 Regional Teaching and Train- special application for the ben-
to emergencies like traffic
be in the form of cash. of 4Ps households in several for the Bicol region. ing Hospital, academe and efit of disabled persons.
problems and accidents,” he
The household benefi- barangays where they tackle a This was after he and some non-goverment organizations. He said they will allocate an
said.
ciaries in Bicol as of Janu- range of topics such as proper of his directorial staff visited Salceda said that instead of initial fund of PHP40,000 for
The committee has com-
ary 31, 2017 are as follows: waste disposal, disaster miti- and observed the command creating a Legazpi City, Da- the "app system" in the com-
missioned a private group to
Albay--77,947; Camarines gation or dengue prevention in center of "Davao 911." raga and Camalig Urban Al- mand center so it can function.
do the application system or
Norte--32,663; Camarines the communities. He said it would be of big liance for police, disaster and “We will need at least half
"Apps" that will be installed in
Sur-113,360; Catanduanes- 15, On the other hand, the help to all Bicolanos especially health emergency response, a billion pesos to complete all
the proposed command center
796; Masbate-75,015 and Sor- “health conditionalities” refer during times of calamity and they instead thought of creat- the (components of the) sys-
and all the partner agencies
sogon-60,443. to health programs undertaken emergencies. ing the Legazpi City Metropol- tem,” he said.
like the police stations of the
In Bicol, Garcia said the in the community by barangay The members of the spe- Ante said metropolitan 911
provision for rice subsidy cov- health workers and rural health cial working committee are will be very helpful and use-
ers only the “registered, active units such as immunization for City Administrator and former MEN JOIN FIGHT FOR GENDER . . . ful to all Legazpeńos for any
and compliant” 4P households the newborn and “weighing” councilor Carlos Ante of Le- also “ help strengthen the fami- and Children (VAWC) Desk; emergency case that needs im-
from ‘regular Conditional of schoolchildren to check lies.” and the signing of a memoran- mediate response.
Cash Transfer’ or CCT and against malnutrition which 4P ant household will receive a For his part, City Mayor dum of agreement among Ban- He said they are hoping to
‘Modified Conditional Cash members are required to up- rice subsidy of PHP1,200 if it John Bongat expressed his full tay Familia partners, namely; implement it the soonest time
Transfer’ or MCCT, including hold. support to the women sector Bureau of Jail Management and possible.
is compliant for both February
those who will be classified as He said a complaint house- and acknowledged the wom- Penology (BJMP), Ateneo de “In just one click, nandoon
and March. ens’s “significant role in nation
‘transitioning beneficiaries.’” hold is entitled to PHP600 per Naga University (AdenU), and na agad ang mga responders,"
“But if the household is building.”
“They must be monitored month of rice subsidy or a total Brigada News. The last will (responders could be easily
compliant in February but not Among the proofs of his
by the program and have been of PHP7,200 per year. help promote the programs of summoned with just one click)
in March, it will only receive bias for women was the inclu-
compliant with at least one Garcia said the rice subsidy the women’s sector. Ante added.
PHP600 and not PHP1,200,” sive and participatory gover-
program conditionality month- will be given on a bi-monthly Garcia explained. nance crafted and implemented
ly before they receive the same basis. He said the rice subsidy by the city government. AFFIDAVIT OF ADJUDICATION BY SOLE
(rice subsidy),” he added. “The first subsidy will be was a commitment made by “With this culminating ac- HEIR OF DECEASED MARLON BADIAN
Garcia said a household released this month (March President Duterte. tivity for Women’s Week” in Notice is hereby given that RECHILDA A. BADIAN
who has one child who attends 2017 payout),” he said. “It was adopted as a policy connection with the celebration is the surviving wife of the deceased MARLON
school regularly as a condition Garcia said it is given only by this administration and was of the International Women’s BUENA BADIAN who died intestate on September
for the 4Ps cash subsidy will for their compliance in January included in GAA 2017 for Month, rest assured that the of- 25, 2014 at Handong, Libmanan, Camarines Sur that
get rice subsidy for the month 2017. DSWD,” said Garcia. ficials of the city government of the deceased left One Unit Motor Vehicle described
the child has been compliant. Households that are com- Naga will not stop in its move as follows: MAKE: Suzuki; Plate No.: EVW123;
He said for now, coverage
He said another scenario pliant in December 2016 but to be part of everyone’s life, in Type: Multicab; CR No. 172256291; Engine No.: F6A-
of rice assistance is until De- 6475038; MV File No.: 0907-6359369; Chassis No.:
is when a household complies not in January 2017 will not be order for us to be an effective
cember 2017, the last payment DD51T-459821; Franchise No.: 05-2012-0056; that
with both “FDS attendance given the said subsidy. agent of change not only in the
of which shall be received by lives of women but in the entire pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court,
and applicable health condi- For the next payout, which compliant households (4Ps the surviving wife hereby adjudicate unto herself the
tionalities” even if there is no is in May 2017, the compli- community,” Bongat added.
beneficiaries) in March 2018. described Motor Vehicle; as acknowledged before
Apart from the induction,
Notary Public Atty. Nyorlito P. Galvan, Doc. No. 670,
other highlights of the culminat- Page No. 608, Book No. XIX, Series of 2017.
DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS ing activities were the awarding
of the Most Gender Responsive BIKOL REPORTER
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: School; the recognition of the Published: March 26; April 2 and 9, 2017
Best Violence Against Women
We, LOURDES V. TAGUM, a resident of Caroyroyan, Pili, Camarines Sur, FELIPE TAGUM, a
resident of San Antonio, Iriga City, WILLIAM V. TAGUM, a resident of San Antonio Iriga City,
TERESITA V. TAGUM-SAULON, a resident of Sta. Cruz, Iriga City and NESTOR V. TAGUM, a
resident of San Antonio, Iriga City, all of legal age and Filipinos, witnesseth that:
1. We are the children and heirs of FELICIANA VASQUEZ TAGUM, who died on December 22,
2016 at Zone 5, San Antonio, Iriga City, of which she was a resident of at the time of her death
and she died without will and left no debts;
2. Deceased left money deposited and maintained with Philippine Veterans Bank, Naga City
Branch, under Savings Account No. 590133-0243-00034, which as of December 2016, was
in the amount of One Hundred Thirty Nine Thousand Seven Hundred One pesos and Ninety
Seven centavos P139,701.97), Philippine currency;
3. Pursuant to the Rules of Court, we have agreed to adjudicate as we hereby adjudicate said
money of deceased with Philippine Veterans Bank to and in favor of TERESITA TAGUM-
SAULON;
4. We, LOURDES V. TAGUM-TUBIG, FELIPE V. TAGUM, WILLIAM V. TAGUM and NESTOR
V. TAGUM, do hereby waive any claim, share, participation, interest or right to said money of
deceased with Philippine Veterans Bank to and favor of TERESITA TAGUM-SAULON;
5. The money deposited under said Savings Account No. 590133-0243-0034 of deceased may
be released by the Philippine Veterans Bank to TERESITA TAGUM-SAULON, and we hold
the Philippine Veterans Bank free and harmless from any claim/suit which may be brought by
reason of the release of the amount to TERESITA TAGUM-SAULON, and we shall indemnify
said bank for any damages suffered by it by reason of the release of the money;
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we hereunto set our hands this 14th day of March 2017 at Iriga City,
Philippines.

(Sgd.) LOURDES V. TAGUM-TUBIG (Sgd.) FELIPE V. TAGUM

(Sgd.) WILLIAM V. TAGUM (Sgd.) NESTOR V. TAGUM

(Sgd.) TERESITA V. TAGUM-SAULON

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

City of IRIGA) s.s.

BEFORE ME, this 14th day of March 2017 at Iriga City, Philippines, personally came and appeared
the following with their respective identification documents, to wit:
Lourdes V. Tagum-Tubig (Senior Citizen ID No. 5924)
Felipe V. Tagum (Senior Citizen ID No.15470
William V. Tagum (Senior Citizen ID No. 15273)
Nestor V. Tagum (SSS ID No. 33-1636200-2)
Teresita V. Tagum (UMID ID CR-0111-5427086-6)
and they are the same persons who appeared before me, executed the foregoing instrument of
and acknowledged to me that same is their own free act and voluntary deed. Witness my hand
and seal on date and place in supra.

Doc. No. 109;

Page No. 22;
Book No. CLXVIII
Series of 2017 (Sgd.) ATTY. REYNEL M. BERIÑA
Notary Public
Until December 31, 2018
PTR No. 8328803 IBP No. 744488 (Lifetime)
Attorney’s Roll No. 35924
San Miguel, Iriga City
BIKOL REPORTER
Published: March 19, 26 and April 2, 2017
 PAGE 8 BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2017 P5.00

4Ps beneficiaries in Bicol

to get rice subsidy = DSWD
By CONNIE B. DESTURA

LEGAZPI CITY-- A total of 375,224 house-

holds in the region will benefit from the rice sub-
sidy provided by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pili-
pino Program or 4Ps.
Arnel Garcia, Department
of Social Welfare and Devel-
opment regional director said
the rice subsidy is a commit-
ment of President Rodrigo
Duterte that was made during
his first State of the Nation
Address in 2016, to ensure
that all Filipinos will be free
from hunger and poverty.
The P600 subsidy shall be Dir. GARCIA
given to the 4Ps beneficiaries. based on the provisions of
Garcia said the rice sub- the General Appropriations
sidy will be implemented (Turn to page 7)

PNP-Bicol plans “Legazpi City Metropolitan 911”

By JORGE HALLARE

LEGAZPI CITY —- A newly created special working

committee started planning Wednesday for the establish-
ment of an emergency response system similar to the 911 of
the United States and Davao City which will have Legazpi
City as its command center.
The committee, which Representative Joey S. Salce-
was created by the Regional da as the chairman. The latter
Advisory Council of the Po- is also the chairman of advi-
lice Regional Office in Bicol sory council.
(PRO5), is composed of rep- To be called "Legazpi City
resentatives from local gov- Metropolitan 911”, the re-
ernment units and other line sponse center will respond to
agencies with second district (Turn to page 7)

Legazpi mayor underscore

women's role in Federalism
By SALLY A. ATENTO

LEGAZPI CITY – Or-

ganized women will play an
important role under a fed-
eral government.
Legazpi City Mayor Noel
Rosal underscored this dur-
ing a gathering of women’s
organizations from this city’s
70 villages for the observance
Mayor ROSAL of National Women’s Month
held last Sunday at the Iba-
long Centrum for Recreation.
In his remarks, Rosal said
women organizations will
have a part mainly in local
government’s projects that
would involve strengthening
of sustainable sources of in-
come for the family.
Rosal strongly endorsed to
the members of women’s fed-
eration the Duterte adminis-
tration’s call shift to a federal
government, explaining the
difference between the pres-
ent presidential system and
the much-sought after federal
form.
The mayor said that un-
like the presidential system,
a federal setup will result
in a decentralization of the
government as some powers
of the central offices will be
transferred to the local gov-
ernments.
“We are highly centralized
under our present presidential
form of government because
almost all policies and deci-
sions come from the national
government,” he said.
Rosal said that in a federal
set up, the central govern-
ment only has jurisdiction in
(Turn to page 2)