Who would ever suspect that some members of Traffic Management Group (TMG) could dare to harass one member of the Zamboanga del Norte Press club (ZNPC) and Zamboanga del Norte United Correspondents (ZNUC)? But they did, Walter Balisado claimed.

He recently disclosed his sad experience with the TMG when he narrated how the officers flagged him down when he was driving past Barangay Punta checkpoint. He claimed that the officers charged that he was driving a stolen vehicle and whose registration papers were questionable. Asking him to drive to the crime laboratory afterwards, four officers reportedly boarded his vehicle and subjected him to further interrogation upon arriving.

“They questioned me why the car was registered with LTO Molave and I told them it was bought from BM Norbidiere Edding and they told me they suspected Board member Edding of smuggling ‘hot cars,’ the reporter said. Balisado wondered why question came after another despite papers of registration was presented to them. “Then they asked me my driver’s license, then the chassis number of the vehicle which I bluntly answered that all other information they may ask are found in the ignition test papers,” Balisado said, adding that officers even commented that they didn’t have trust on LTO Chief Ismael Yusop.

When he was pressed with more questions, he said he sent BM Edding a text message who then arrived to the crime laboratory to explain some things about the vehicle.The questioning took a little bit longer than expected and the reporter was worried since he had to go to the Dipolog Airport to meet somebody from the U. S. Since they could not find anything wrong with the papers, Balisado disclosed that the team leader of TMG ordered the release of the vehicle.

“But before I went away, I left P500 which they gladly received,” the reporter disclosed, identifying two TMG officers as Velasco and Elumbaring. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 30)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has served notice to both rice hoarders and law enforcers that she will not settle for less than a “jail-the-culprits” drive against saboteurs of the country’s rice supply.

This appeared to be the unspoken message that the President wanted to put across to both rice hoarders and members of the joint task force composed of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) investigating rice-hoarding cases.

From the Villamor Air Base in Paranaque, where her plane landed at the end of her four-day trip down South for the launching of the Central Nautical Highway (CNH) of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), the President went straight to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Padre Faura St., Malate, Manila to look into the status of cases of rice hoarding being investigated by the joint probe team. Late last month, the President directed the NBI and the DOJ to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) in the “investigation of hoarders and price manipulators of rice.”

The presidential directive led to the creation of the Joint NBI-NFA Task Force on Anti-Rice Hoarders, with the specific task of unmasking rice hoarders and filing the appropriate charges against the suspects. Aside from the joint NBI-NFA task force, the DOJ also created its own Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force (ARHTF) to “adopt prompt, expeditious and urgent measures to stop and prevent rice hoarding and related crimes as these are considered pernicious acts of economic sabotage.”

The ARHTF was formed to “handle proceedings on inquest, preliminary investigation and prosecution of all cases relating to unlawful acts or omissions inimical to the preservation and protection of the country’s rice supply under Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4,” which provides for the “development of the rice and corn industry.” But despite the President’s personal push, the joint probe team has filed thus far only 22 charges and arrested only three suspected rice hoarders. On the other hand, as of April 29, the ARHTF “has filed five complaints involving 18 individuals, (where) two complaints submitted for inquest have already been resolved on the same day, and three complaints are now pending preliminary investigation,” according to an ARHTF memorandum to DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales.

President Arroyo told the DOJ that she would be returning to the DOJ to again see for herself if any progress has been made in the investigation of the anti-hoarding cases. (PIA-ZN) (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VII No.46)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The three-day roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) caravan that kicked off the Strong Republic Nautical Highway’s central seaboard trunk route is quite a success as the route’s viability was tested by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

‘’Through our roll-on/roll-off ports and highways, we are not only linking our nation more closely and efficiently, but also bringing markets and sources of goods closer for the different regions of our country,’’ the President stressed. The roll-on/roll-off caravan rolled off in Bulan, Sorsogon and continued on to the Cawayan Port in Masbate in Luzon. Then passed through Bogo Port in Cebu, Tubigon Port in northwestern Bohol, Jagna Port in southwestern Bohol, Mambajao Port in Camiguin and Benoni Port, also in Camiguin before reaching the last stop at the Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental.

President Arroyo said the Central Nautical Highway (CNH) would be best in transporting agricultural produce from Mindanao and the Visayas to the metropolis in Luzon. ‘’The central seaboard route is more viable for the transport of agricultural produce... It is far cheaper and efficient,’’ she said. She added that the tourism business derived from the CNH would just be ‘’incidental,” stressing that ‘’primarily, it is for transport of agricultural produce... food.”

The President said the province of Masbate — which used to be No. 6 in the list of the 10 poorest provinces in the country but has since moved up by one step to No. 7— would ‘’benefit most’’ from the full operation of the CNH. The President revealed that she has ordered the release of funds for the repair of roads in Masbate. The province is very rich in marine life — shrimps, lobsters, squid and fish abound in its waters.

With the CNH, Masbate aqua marine products could now be more easily transported to Metro Manila to the north and to the Visayas and Mindanao to the South. The Ro-Ro had also significantly reduced the cost of travel for both commuters and cargo by about 34 percent. This was attested to by an official of Nestle Philippines who said Nestle – because of its Ro-Ro transport savings has not increased the prices of its milk products despite the 400 percent increase in the global price of milk.

In celebration of its 56th Founding Anniversary on June this year, the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte recently launched its search for outstanding achievers in different areas.

The categories include Business, Education, Agriculture, Arts and Entertainment, Medicine, Law, Environment, Science/Technology/Engineering, Sports and Media. The awards shall be given to individuals, organization or corporation.

To qualify for the award, the nominee shall be a Filipino citizen, a bonafide resident of the province or has his roots here, have significantly contributed to the development of the province, and have brought honor and prestige to the province. Nominations shall be submitted to the Provincial Attorney’s Office, Personnel Division, and Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Planning and Development Office.

They grow in number nowadays, they are armed and they ask so much from civilians. This was how Salug Mayor Jesus Lim pictured the presence of extortionists in Salug before the Provincial Peace and Order Council during the recent meeting.

The mayor disclosed that these lawless elements went as far as the municipality of Godod and Leon Postigo where businessmen, habal-habal drivers and even ordinary citizens were asked certain amounts according to a set of category.

“For those with nipa huts were asked P500 every month, those living in concrete houses P1000,” Mayor Lim sadly added. It was learned that the extortionists included members from NPA, MILF, MNLF and Misuari Group.

It was learned further that the group had continually grown through recruitment of new members. The mayor also believed that extortion activities were massive nowadays because the group was preparing for the forthcoming peace talks between the government and the MILF.

“If it fails, for sure they have so much already,” the mayor projected. Recently, a far-flung barangay in Salug Raba was reportedly a ‘ghost town’ when unidentified men strafed a house which allegedly failed to pay the so-called ‘rebel tax.’ Frightened, the residents moved to safer places, the municipal mayor disclosed.

Some 102,000 local and international jobs were up for grabs as the Department of Labor (DOLE) launched “100 GMA Job Center Kiosks” nationwide in celebration of Labor Day.

With the theme “Mangga gawang Pinoy: Kasangga sa Pagsulong ng Kaunlaran,” the DOLE said the “simultaneous Jobs Fair were conducted on May 1 in all regions (with) a projected 102,000 job vacancies (local and overseas) available to the job seekers.” “The GMA Jobs Center Kiosks will be officially launched nationwide with 100 kiosks available in key areas such as malls, LGUs (local government units) and DOLE regional offices,” according to the DOLE.

Ten of the 100 GMA job kiosks are located at the World Trade Center (WTC) at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City, where “an estimated 30,000 job vacancies (local and overseas) were available” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1. Some 70 local companies and 38 overseas recruitment agencies participated at the WTC’s Hall A, with pre-employment documentation services provided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Social Services System (SSS), Pag-ibig Fund, PhilHealth and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Some 20 beneficiaries and ‘Accredited Co-Partners and Rural Workers Associations’ under the DOLE Poverty Free Zone (PFZ) Program were also showcasing their products such as curtains and bed sheets, RTW (ready-to-wear clothes), bakery products, peanut butter, woven products, rice crackers and squash noodles. Also, the DOLE is awarding a total of P23.5-million in livelihood grants “in selected regions” that will benefit 8,455 workers in both the formal and informal sector.

Some municipal mayors disgustedly pointed out before the recent Peace and Order Council Meeting that the National Food Authority (NFA) in the province failed to distribute cheap rice in their locality.

If there were supplies, they were unlimited and they failed to reach the people in the far-flung barangays, the local executives complained. They suggested that NFA shall sell the rice to the barangays using municipal vehicles.

“It’s a big joke that someone has to pay the habal-habal P150 just to buy 3 kilos of rice,” one mayor mused. Although some of them opened their interest of selling NFA rice to their constituents, they were surprised that the office seemed to have no confidence in their selling capability.

However, NFA pointed out that the local governments have still to comply some requirements before selling rice. It was learned that Gov. Rolando Yebes and the manager of NFA have already agreed that the municipality shall help NFA in selling the rice under its jurisdiction.

How far could P95M go when a new Zamboanga del Norte Cultural and Sports Center starts construction? Gov. Rolando Yebes had recently posed the same question to the different contractors who showed interest in building the new cultural and sports center.

The governor disclosed that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had recently approved his supplemental budget of P155M, P95M of which shall go to the construction of the new center. It shall rise on the same spot of the old cultural and sports center which was demolished during the administration of former Gov. Isagani Amatong.

The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office recently confirmed reports that a crime syndicate responsible for holdup and robbery in Dipolog City is currently operating in the city.

Police Senior Superintendent Mario Yanga identified suspects coming from Tudela, Misamis Occidental included Calong Alicando, Nestor Maghanoy, Levy Paredes and Boyet Lumanda. He disclosed that they have connection with Dipolog-based group who called themselves as “Doble Group.”

He disclosed further that every time the group strikes, their exit points were Polanco and Dapitan and on to Misamis Occidental. Police authorities in Misamis Occidental corroborated the ZNPPO reports and even furnished it pictures of the suspects.

In the past, Supt. Yanga disclosed, the group hid in the barangay in Katipunan but recently, they had to be in barangay in Dapitan, which the police office could not yet disclose. On the other hand, the robbery holdup in Godod, Salug and Tampilisan were reportedly backed by Christian-Muslim Brotherhood.

The 86,000 families identified to be the poorest in Zamboanga del Norte should be placed under the National Health Insurance Program.

Gov. Rolando Yebes recently placed the first 26,000 indigents under Phil health membership which cost province P20M. Noting that poor people in this country could not get good medical service from hospitals, he worked for their Phil health insurance to assure them of the best medical help they are hoping for.

Through the Phil health program of Cog. Cely Jalosjos-Carreon and Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, about 10,000 indigents earlier benefited from it while Dipolog had 900 which Gov. Yebes added 2,000 more to benefit from the health program. He pointed out that this could not help only the poor people of the province but also the doctors who receive meager income.

Through the Capitation Fund from Phil health, the governor disclosed, doctors could as well benefit from it since the fund could be used to pay for the service of doctors. “I am touched by the sad state of the doctor’s salary,” the provincial governor said while pointing out the enormous amount spent for their education.

Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resour-ces-Environmental Manage-ment Bureau (DENR-EMB) is aiming to upgrade guidelines on quality of water used for agriculture, irrigation and livestock-raising nationwide.

EMB is proposing that water quality guidelines covering such uses be raised to Class C from Class D. Such upgrade seeks to ensure agricultural produce’s fitness for human consumption, particularly as studies show some crops absorb certain chemicals found in polluted water.

This move also aims to help improve quality and quantity of agricultural output which chemicals in polluted water compromise. Under Department Administrative Order 34, which DENR implemented since 1990, Class C waters are only for propagating and growing aquatic species like fish, for recreational activities like boating and fishing that don’t require people to have contact with water and for manufacturing processes after treatment.

DAO 34 also provides that Class D waters are for agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering as well as for other industrial requirements like cooling. EMB is seeking to revise this order and DAO 35 on effluent regulations so guidelines covering fresh and marine waters can be more appropriate to activities concerned, however.

Aside from raising to Class C guidelines for agriculture, irrigation and livestock-raising, such proposed revision downgrades to Class D water quality criteria for manufacturing processes after treatment. To back its proposal, EMB prepared a report on revising DENR’s water quality guidelines and on developing general effluent standards.

During the forum on Philippine rivers, EMB supervising environmental management specialist Leza Acorda-Cuevas raised urgency of upgrading guide-lines for agriculture, irriga-tion and livestock watering. She said this move is needed as polluted water compromises agricultural produce.

Some uncooked vegetables used in salads might have traces of toxic substances and coliform from polluted water farmers use, she noted. Research findings also show concentrated doses of these substances either kill or stunt growth of flora and fauna species.

Among toxic substances found in Philippine waters are arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cyanide, lead, mercury and formaldehyde. For arsenic, DAO 35 provides that maximum limit of this substance in effluents industries discharge into Class C and D waters must be 0.2 milligrams per liter (mg/L).

DMC College Foundation – College of Computer Studies is truly one of the many avid supporters of JEDI (Java Education & Development Initiative) a joint project of the UP-JRDC (University of the Philippines – Java Research and Development Center) and Sun Microsystems, Phils.

For the past three years, DMC College of Computer Studies hosted 3 different trainings offered by JEDI to all member schools. Just recently, DMC-CCS hosted a three day PHASE II MOBILE APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT. It was attended by different department heads, OIC’s and instructors of different HEI’s around the region.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered Thursday the joint Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force (ARH-TF) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the National Food Authority (NFA) to fast track the filing of criminal charges against NFA officials suspected of colluding with rice hoarders and manipulators.

Telling reporters that she was “just observing to make sure things go fast,” the President waited for almost an entire hour for the joint task force to immediately endorse the filing of criminal charges against the NFA employees.

This, after the President found out that the DOJ had received earlier this morning a copy of the charges filed by the NFA against its own employees.

The DOJ endorsement, which was prepared by DOJ Prosecutor Roberto Lao, chairman of the ARH-TF, reads as follows:

“Respectfully referred to Director Nestor Mantaring, National Bureau of Investigation, the attached complete records of I.S. Nos. 398 to 400 entitled ‘NFA vs. Helen Osin, et al.’, ‘NFA vs. Jose dela Cruz et Al.’, and NFA vs. Carmelio Bacus. Et al.’, for proper evaluation on the possible criminal liabilities of the respondents therein.”

The total number of officials charged by the NFA was not mentioned, but three cases were filed against them. The names of three employees were mentioned in the information.

In the presence of the President, the said DOJ endorsement was immediately signed by Chief Prosecutor Zuno, and then handed to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.

“The files on the NFA officials are now being turned over to the NBI,” the President said, adding that the criminal charges against the NFA officials are “aside from the administrative case” filed against them before the NFA.

The President continued, the NBI will “evaluate if the case merits the filing of criminal charges.”

Gonzales had explained that the DOJ has no jurisdiction over the administrative cases filed by the NFA against its employees, but that the DOJ does have jurisdiction over criminal cases filed against government employees.

MAHULAGWAY nga bugtong si Police Chief Inspector Reynaldo Maclang ang mao ray gisaligan karon sa administrasyon ni Mayor Evelyn Uy nga makasulbad sa sunod-sunod nga tulis ug budol-budol dinhi sa dakbayan sa Dipolog tungod kay adunay problema karon sa

The food shortage we are experiencing this time is believed to be brought about by global warming. But what do you know of global warming?

Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses of Earth. The planet has warmed (and cooled) many times during the 4.65 billion years of its history. At present Earth appears to be facing a rapid warming, which most scientists believe results, at least in part, from human activities. The chief cause of this warming is thought to be the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases into the atmosphere carbon dioxide and other substances known as greenhouse gases. As the atmosphere becomes richer in these gases, it becomes a better insulator, retaining more of the heat provided to the planet by the Sun.

The average surface temperature of Earth is just below 15°C (59°F). Over the last century, this average has risen by about 0.6 Celsius degree (1 Fahrenheit degree). Scientists predict further warming of 1.4 to 5.8 Celsius degrees (2.5 to 10.4 Fahrenheit degrees) by the year 2100. This temperature rise is expected to melt polar ice caps and glaciers as well as warm the oceans, all of which will expand ocean volume and raise sea level by an estimated 9 to 100 cm (4 to 40 in), flooding some coastal regions and even entire islands. Some regions in warmer climates will receive more rainfall than before, but soils will dry out faster between storms. This soil desiccation may damage food crops, disrupting food supplies in some parts of the world. Plant and animal species will shift their ranges toward the poles or to higher elevations seeking cooler temperatures, and species that cannot do so may become extinct. The potential consequences of global warming are so great that many of the world’s leading scientists have called for international cooperation and immediate action to counteract the problem.

What are the possible effects of global warming? On Weather. Scientists predict that during global warming, the northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere will heat up more than other areas of the planet, northern and mountain glaciers will shrink, and less ice will float on northern oceans. Regions that now experience light winter snows may receive no snow at all. In temperate mountains, snowlines will be higher and snowpacks will melt earlier. Growing seasons will be longer in some areas. Winter and nighttime temperatures will tend to rise more than summer and daytime ones.

The warmed world will be generally more humid as a result of more water evaporating from the oceans. Scientists are not sure whether a more humid atmosphere will encourage or discourage further warming. On the one hand, water vapor is a greenhouse gas, and its increased presence should add to the insulating effect. On the other hand, more vapor in the atmosphere will produce more clouds, which reflect sunlight back into space, which should slow the warming process.

Greater humidity will increase rainfall, on average, about 1 percent for each Fahrenheit degree of warming. (Rainfall over the continents has already increased by about 1 percent in the last 100 years.) Storms are expected to be more frequent and more intense. However, water will also evaporate more rapidly from soil, causing it to dry out faster between rains. Some regions might actually become drier than before. Winds will blow harder and perhaps in different patterns. Hurricanes, which gain their force from the evaporation of water, are likely to be more severe. Against the background of warming, some very cold periods will still occur. Weather patterns are expected to be less predictable and more extreme.

On Sea Level. As the atmosphere warms, the surface layer of the ocean warms as well, expanding in volume and thus raising sea level. Warming will also melt much glacier ice, especially around Greenland, further swelling the sea. Sea levels worldwide rose 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in) during the 20th century, and IPCC scientists predict a further rise of 9 to 88 cm (4 to 35 in) in the 21st century. Sea-level changes will complicate life in many coastal regions. A 100-cm (40-in) rise could submerge 6 percent of The Netherlands, 17.5 percent of Bangladesh, and most or all of many islands. Erosion of cliffs, beaches, and dunes will increase. Storm surges, in which winds locally pile up water and raise the sea, will become more frequent and damaging. As the sea invades the mouths of rivers, flooding from runoff will also increase upstream. Wealthier countries will spend huge amounts of money to protect their shorelines, while poor countries may simply evacuate low-lying coastal regions.

Even a modest rise in sea level will greatly change coastal ecosystems. A 50-cm (20-in) rise will submerge about half of the present coastal wetlands of the United States. New marshes will form in many places, but not where urban areas and developed landscapes block the way. This sea-level rise will cover much of the Florida Everglades. On Agriculture. A warmed globe will probably produce as much food as before, but not necessarily in the same places. Southern Canada, for example, may benefit from more rainfall and a longer growing season. At the same time, the semiarid tropical farmlands in some parts of Africa may become further impoverished. Desert farm regions that bring in irrigation water from distant mountains may suffer if the winter snowpack, which functions as a natural reservoir, melts before the peak growing months. Crops and woodlands may also be afflicted by more insects and plant diseases.

On Animals and Plants. Animals and plants will find it difficult to escape from or adjust to the effects of warming because humans occupy so much land. Under global warming, animals will tend to migrate toward the poles and up mountainsides toward higher elevations, and plants will shift their ranges, seeking new areas as old habitats grow too warm. In many places, however, human development will prevent this shift. Species that find cities or farmlands blocking their way north or south may die out. Some types of forests, unable to propagate toward the poles fast enough, may disappear.

A seven Peso fuel increase is inevitable (PDI May 6).

If That happens then only government vehicles can fill their tanks at gas stations to the brim.  Get’s mo?

-oo0oo-

A driver was heard at gas station, saying “Full tank bay, gobierno bitaw ni!”

E ano kung gobierno?  Pera rin natin ang ibinabayad dyan.  Ulol!

-oo0oo-

Because the Mekong-5 has bonded together to form a rice-price fixing cartel, the Philippines was not able to buy rice from them.

I know off-hand that this rice cartel will do more harm than good for us.  So, better start tightening our belts.

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Through the years the city leadership has waged a protracted war against criminality.

“Warning”  Brace yourself for the worst to come.  During hard times like these, necessity needs no laws.

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TMG (Traffic Mangement Group) warns buyers of second-hand cars to personally check the records of the vehicle with TMG office to prevent buying stolen vehicles with fake LTC Registration papers.

Better still why not warn LTC from registering stolen vehicles.

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Seventeen Magdalo soldies now Ex-revel soldiers join PDEA.  From revel soldiers to Anti-Narcotic Officers.

Wow!  Seeking for greener pasture.  From lawbreakers to law enforcers.  What’s this?

-oo0oo-

GMA renews resolve to cut electricity cost (PJ May 7).

That’s not new.  Her father former Pres. Diosdado Macapagal did just the same, but in vain.  Like father, like daughter eh!  It’s better said than done.

-oo0oo-

It’s more than a decade now that the phrase “Food Security” was in everyone’s mouth in many agricultural forums.

I never thought that after the long years, we have attained instead “Food Insecurity”.  Ngiii. . .

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Madam Belen has, for the first time ever, given the city face-lift.  Now we have clean streets and beautiful sights of sunsets.

“A thousand mile journey always begin with the first step”.  Do I hear the next steps coming?  Please keep me posted, okey?

-oo0oo-

Criminals are hardy lot.  They do their thing brazenly with impunity, making the authorites hopelessly inutil.

Madam Belen should not only clean the streets of vendors and hawkers.  She should also clean the streets of criminals.  Make it your second step madam.  I know you wont fail.

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Solons to MERALCO:  Open your books, (PJ May 7).

A Mom to daughter:  Don’t open your book to soon.  He he he. . .

-oo0oo-

Before:  Anak, magtago ka may mga hapon.

During the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting (POC) our Mayora urges the PNP to reassign back Mayor Maclang to Dipolog. To maul Joseph again?

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She said only Major Maclang can solve the rising criminalities in Dipolog.
A one-man army.

-oo0oo-

Last week, a vehicle parked in front of city hall was forced open.
The incident happened in broad daylight and during office hours. Several valuable items were carted away.
Did I hear somebody said we need Maclang to catch the thieves?

-oo0oo-

It reminds me of a story, that in the old China days to commit a crime in front of many, the court can impose a heavier penalty and can double your days in jail.

When the judge asked the accused why did he steal a jar of gold in front of many, the thief answered: “I did not know that there were persons around, because I kept my eyes close when I stole the gold.”

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Palace wants new graduates to serve their country first before leaving for abroad.
Do you want them to die of hunger?

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Our government wanted to buy 675,000 metric tons of rice. But for the fifth time, there were no bidders for the supply and delivery of rice.

They simply don’t like our peso, it looks Mickey Mouse to them.

-oo0oo-

DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus has issued a directive requiring all 42,000 public schools in the country to plant at least 50 malunggay trees in their campus and communities.

DepEd Order No.234 Series of 2008, mandates school administrators to plant malunggay through integration in their Science classes and school community outreach projects.

Malunggay is touted by scientists as “miracle vegetable” due to its health benefits or the many diseases it can cure.

-oo0oo-

Malunggay has been Lando’s advocacy. He claimed it to be aphrodisiac. If the Malunggay Program succeeded, it will be a big headache for Popcom.

-oo0oo-

Members of the House will be “lockdown” during session to ensure quorum to avoid “escape” or langkaw.

If the honorable lawmakers are that cheap, imagine the kind of constituents they have.
The proposal reminds me of my childhood days: Mo langcaw kay motan-aw ug sine.

-oo0oo-

GMA was furious after learning that two municipal mayors of Misamis Oriental had tried to extort money from Hanjin Heavy Industries Inc. in exchange for business permit.

The Zamboanga del Norte Evangelical Ministers Association (ZANEMA, Inc.) will have an induction ceremony this Sunday, May 11, 2008, at Bagarinao Complex, Barra, Dipolog City.

After five (5) years of silence since it was conceived.  This Association have gathered together to pursue our mission.  To unite once again the Evangelical Churches in Zamboanga del Norte for a common cause.  These dedicated Evangelical Pastors, joined together in fellowship and formed an organization for the purpose of fostering unity among the different Evangelical Pastors and Ministers in Dipolog City and the whole of Zamboanga del Norte.

Last April 15, 2003, we were registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Zamboanga del Norte Evangelical Ministers Association (ZANEMA, Inc.) All the members have decided to have an election for a new set of officers for 2008 and onward. It was a defining moment, in the sense that God’s mighty outpouring was evidently experience by those who were present and voted during the election, last April 26, 2008.  The turn-out of the election was satisfactory.

I am delighted to inform everyone, that I was elected as the new president of ZANEMA.  Hereunder are the list of the new set of officers and board members, as follows:

Pastor Edwin G. Bernedo – President
Pastor Vicente Barbarona – Vice President
Pastora Jeanbeth Padillo – Treasurer
Pastor Edgardito Baes – Auditor
Pastor Jonathan Gelogo – Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS:
Pastor Michael Venegas
Pastor Michael Valderamos
Bro Robert Pinsoy
Pastor Petrush Macute
Patora Jean Abonales
Pastora Lyn Belarmino
Pastor Julito Manuga
Pastor Agripino Camaso
Pastor Eper Echor

These are the new set of officers and the new members of the board all qualified Ministers who will be part in developing a more efficient and responsible structure and organization.

Still others voiced their complaints against the Arroyo Administration and the supposedly ills which befell our nation due to corruptions, human rights abuse, extrajudicial killings and questionable contracts between the gov’t and foreign parties. Pres. Arroyo’s itinerary for the Labor Day celebration was not shown to anyone, maybe due to her present low ratings at the SWS, though she did approve a 10% increase in salary for all gov’t employees.

— oo000oo —

Although the ZTE-NBN scandal had been shelved due to the rice crisis, it has not completely disappeared from the minds of those eager to know the truth and curious to know the outcome.

What really was the real score even as cri-tics of Lozada pointed to him as a liar, while Lozada himself without missing a bit was able to narrate all what had happened to him. What made him a credible witness was that he was able to answer all questions with constant answers even if questions thrown at him were only repetitions.

The discrepancies made by gov’t people themselves and the different versions given make us  0doubt that the protestations of Malacañang people made to discredit Lozada’s story was an attempt to cover up something big.

RP HOSTS 1ST YOUTH SCIENCE SUMMIT

The Philippines is set to host the first ever South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Science Summit (AYSS), a convention of youth geared at using Science and Technology to harness the region’s natural resources wisely.

“We want the youth to be more reflexive and aware of their capacity to act on present as well as future problems and solicit their commitment and participation towards addressing such problems, now and in the future,” Dr. Ester B. Ogena, Director of Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and chairperson of the AYSS Inter-Agency Organizing Committee said.

The AYSS, to be held this July in Traders Hotel, seeks to serve as a venue to discuss the need to act, with resolve and urgency, on the global and regional issues affecting present and future generations.

Ogena said participants of the AYSS would be focusing on spatial science, extreme games, nuclear energy and genetically-modified food as topics in their discussion-groups.

Ogena said the summit aims too enhance cooperation, networking, and coordination among the youth towards greater involvement in issues of regional and global concern.

The AYSS would coincide with the ASEAN Science and Technology Week which would have the ASEAN-Committee on Science and Technology (COST) meeting with all the Science Ministers and Sub-Committee representatives of the 10 member-countries attending as well as dialogue partners including China, India, Japan, Pakistan, Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the US.

“The AYSS would be the complementary activity to the ASEAN-COST meeting as this would involve the science-inclined youth of other nations where they would discuss with each other relevant scientific and global issues,” she said.

Ogena disclosed that a total of 153 participants, local and abroad, which would include 102 students and 51 teachers are expected to come to attend the AYSS. Most of these students are outstanding achievers in natural sciences including physics, chemistry, earth science and life science as they belong to the top 10 percent of their class,” she said.

Teachers, meanwhile, will be having a parallel session where they would be talking about best practices in teaching science and mathematics.

The DOST-SEI has also forged a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs and the Philippine Science Journalists Associations, Inc. for the conduct and coverage of the AYSS, respectively.

Press Freedom Editorial
Happy Mother’s Day!

One day throughout the year is not enough to revere a very great woman of the house-our mothers.

But at least, a long full day in her honor is better enough than none at all. Eternally dubbed as “ilaw ng tahanan” (Metro Manilans can curse MERALCO), she is also labelled as the speaker of the house (bear the Yakitty-yaks).  Perhaps she moves around the house as far as her mouth could go.  Or she has the final say in crucial decisions the house is poised to make.

Worship her wizardry in finance, and she how little money can be stretched to pay some of the bills and get everybody in the abode going: to the daycare centers and schools, to the market, to the doctor, to the hardware, to work, to the mahjong tables and yes, even to the grave. No one could question her expertise of untangling the family out of the mess of the daily life.

No, she doesn’t fall back; she may have a momentary break, for sure to gain strength or to take stock of what is out there, but never bogging down for good. To many people, she is everything-pillar, anchor, shoulder to lean on, guiding star, teacher - - the list is long and trite and commonplace but who cares?  She is a mother afterall.

Today is Mother’s Day.