April 1, 2004

BARINAGA A PEDRO CALUNGSOD AWARDEE

One of the most unlikely awards was just received by Congressman Roseller Barinaga of the 2^nd Congressional District of Zamboanga del Norte from Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, because of his proven track record in public service and giving significant emphasis to the sacrament of marriage and the importance of life.

Barinaga is one of the 20 congressional representatives who received the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Award from the Human Life International which is headed by Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal. The 20 congressional representatives were exceedingly acknowledged because of their outstanding performance in the 11^th and 12^th congress.

Cardinal Vidal, during the recognition and awarding ceremonies stated that giving meaning to the life of any particular person through each of our aid and support is the grandest of all deeds and should be contagious in a way that benefits all of humanity. He further explained that the livelihood of the people and the situation of their state of living is what should be given the foremost priority by any public servant especially the congressmen.

Among the awardees of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Award are five (5) congressional representatives from the province of Cebu, they are Congressmen Jose Gullas, Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha, Antonio Cuenco and Raul del Mar. Archbishop Cardinal Vidal also awarded congressmen from the Bohol region as well as representatives from the island of Mindanao.

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  BIR PROMPTS CONSUMERS TO ASK FOR OFFICIAL RECEIPTS

Dipolog City – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is urging all consumers in the city of Dipolog to ask for official receipts from the establishment from which they purchased their goods.

This is the announcement released by Roberto S. Bucoy, District Revenue Officer of Dipolog after  receiving reports that there are a number of business establishment who are unwilling to issue receipts to their costumers.

The reports particularly pointed out the establishment selling rice and corn products inside the Central Public Market of the city who are only handing out receipts in the form of ordinary papers and not the official receipts approved by the BIR.

Such is the problem proclaimed by consumers who aired their complaints with such discontentment over the service and products they received from the abusing enterprises.

Bucoy clarified that those establishments who are selling rice, corn or any other products are required by law to issue official receipts and that costumers also have the inalienable right to ask for these official receipts.

The District Revenue Officer of Dipolog is urging the consumers to list down the name of the establishment who are not issuing official receipts as well as the date of purchase and report immediately to the BIR in order to find a solution to this problem. This action will then enable the BIIR to properly document such case so that they can file proper complaint charges to the businessmen or owners of the establishments.

Bucoy is also advising business owners to always remind themselves to issue officials receipts with every transaction made with their costumers so that they can avoid the P10,000.00 penalty that they are strictly enforcing.

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BENEFITS TO be given TO GOVERNMENT WORKERS

State personnel can look forward to a package of benefits including a 10 percent salary increase, with the signing of an agreement between the government and the unions of various government offices designed to improve public service.

The accord was signed at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang on the occasion of the 107^th anniversary of the Office of the President.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo told a radio interview recently that the agreement was forged in long and serious discussion between the unions and the Public Sector Labor Management Council whose membership includes the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Saludo said that the agreement calls on the President to push in Congress the enactment of a urgent administration bill that would increase the by at least 10 percent the salary of government workers.

The government, he said, would also adjust upward the per diem of each employee traveling on official business within the country from P300.00 to P800.00.

Saludo said that there would be an inventory government properties with a view to identify some buildings that could be converted into hostels where traveling government employees could be billeted.

The agreement also provides for the establishment of government commissaries where state personnel could buy cheap basic goods, he said.

Saludo said that vacant housing units, built with financing from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-ibig Funds, would be inventories and put for sale to people. (OPS)

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   WHY Roco kicks off Mindanao Campaign in dipolog? 

Through the kick off campaign in Mindanao by the Alyansa ng Pag-asa headed by presidential candidate Raul Roco, the city of Dipolog lived up to its title as the “Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao”.

Roco’s Alyansa ng Pag-asa was warmly welcomed by their supporters from the city of Dipolog as they made their motorcade around the city of Dipolog until they stopped at Tsibugan sa Dipolog for their press conference.

In the press conference held at Tsibugan sa Dipolog joined in by local, national and international media, Roco announced that they had chosen Dipolog to start their Mindanao campaign because of its historical significance particularly the city of Dapitan wherein Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero, was exiled.

Roco further stated that the province holds such historical implications to the nation especially to the life of our national hero, that is why they have decided to start their campaign trail of Mindanao so that it’ll be included with the historical fact with the city of Dipolog ad Dapitan.

Along with Roco as his running mate is vice-presidential candidate Hermie Aquino as well as his senatorial candidates Jay Sonza, Frank Chavez, Batas Mauricio and Perfecto Yasay.

From Dipolog, the Alyansa ng Pag-asa went directly to the town of Ipil in the Zamboanga Sibugay province. 

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  AN ENTREPRENEUR-ENGINEER ENGAGES INTO POLITICS

A new face in local politics has emerged in the person of Engineer-Businessman Victor Reyes. A neophyte but his name already spells victory.

Vic Reyes is a publisher of a local newspaper who because of Comelec prohibition is at the moment on leave.

Asked why he is getting into this game which most looked at it as dirty (if you make it dirty), he said he wants to introduce a new breed of politician and different kind of public service.

Vic, though, is not new to public service for once he was a representative of the private sector to the City Monitoring Committee and which he chaired for quite some time.

An Engineer by profession with working experience, he is also known in the local business sector as he runs a feed supply distribution center. Through this, he has been in constant contact with farmers especially animal raisers whom he has met during seminars and trainings conducted by chemical and fertilizer companies.

At the moment, he is a member of the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of the Dipolog City Community (Chinese) School where he is also an instructor.

He has been for quite sometime and until now the secretary of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dipolog Chapter.

With such a string of qualifications and wide experience, no doubt he can be an asset at the council.

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DIPOLOGNON TODAY

  MAYOR UY’S SOCA, UNBALANCED – CHENG

Vice Mayor Edelburgo Cheng commented over the State of the City Address (SOCA) delivered by Mayor Roberto Uy last March 16, 2004 during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and stated that it was a mere accomplishment report.

In response to what he’s professional analysis towards Mayor Uy’s SOCA, Vice Mayor Cheng observed that Mayor Uy neglected to mention how much how much funds were allocated by the local government of Dipolog in terms of its agricultural program particularly with the city’s farm and fishery programs.

Cheng further stated that Mayor Uy’ report on agriculture issues concentrated only to imitate the Ginintong Masaganang Ani of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as well as the Sagip Hayupan of the Department of Agriculture.

With regards with infrastructure, according to Cheng, Mayor Uy only made mention his accomplishment towards the paved roads, cemented drainage canals, school stage and others and again neglecting to mention how much was spent for such projects.

Cheng also criticized how much the SOCA went so flawed and unbalanced because it seem to never weigh emphasis to other deserving services such as public health, social services, etc. In conclusion, Vice Mayor Edelburgo Cheng hopes that more funding should be reserved for these services so that the people can be prioritized and all Dipolognons get their taxes back to them centavo per centavo.

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   DAPITAN YOUNG & MIGHTY

In Dapitan City ‘young turk s’ running for a seat in the city council have widen their edge against political veterans, it is because not only of their dynamic strength but of their proven records of performance.

Take for instance Apple Marie-Agolong, erstwhile City Information Officer of the local government of Dapitan, now seeking a seat in the 10-member city council, she not only performed well as CIO of Dapitan for three years but she could as well be an effective legislator catalyzing on freedom of expression and government transparency in her term as councilor. The gal s not only young and dynamic but has proven track records to show. The people will surely win if she can make it this May.

A friend and media colleague Randy Cabasag, also a candidate for councilor, and currently barangay captain of Opao, Dapitan City also have the chance to be an effective lawmaker, the young man is hardworking and can be trusted, good luck man!

Another young and dynamic Pete Zamora, son of the city’s former colleague James Beldua is the man to beat in the field of livelihood development and economic stimulation, he’s running for a seat in the city council under the opposite camp, may the best man wins!

While young lawyer and former neighbor Lawrence Carin could be the conscious of the SP if he can make it this May.

They’re all candidates and I’m writing about them because I personally knew them and their abilities to serve. I’m not campaigning though, but a piece of information about these personalities could be informative and raise public awareness about the abilities of your candidates.

Next week we will talk about the veterans.

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NEWSPIX

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FEEDBACK - ANNOUNCEMENT- SUBMIT A NEWS

Sheila Riva Benitez-Soriaga
ssoriaga@bfar.da.gov.ph

Galing! I'm impressed! Pati telephone directory meron.
   I also want to greet my relatives there in Dipolog; Mr. and Mrs. Boy Acas & family, Mr. & Mrs. Romeo Acas & family, Mr. & Mrs. Marlon Acas & Family, Mr. and Mrs. Brindes Acas & family and specially to my mother Anecita A. Benitez. Ma, miss na miss ko na po kayo riyan! Advance "Happy Birthday!" Love you and God Bless You!

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