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The Our Lady of Penafrancia Parish Senior Parishioners Fellowship sponsored a Search for Mrs. Valentine 2017 Senior Edition last February 19, here, to raise funds for its monthly Elderly Health Lecture Series, Summer Encounter and projects for seniors, and medical missions in cooperation with project partner Tomasinong Bikolano chaired by Dr. Marimil Bombase. Declared top winner of the Search was Francia Te of San Felipe earning the title “Mrs. Valentine 2017 Senior Edition/* Second place went to Tessie Delloro of Penafrancia,, Avelina Calma ofLiboton was Third place, Conrada Platon of Penafrancia, Fourth, Generosa Milanay of San Felipe placed Fifth and Maria Mabuhay of Liboton, 6th place. Shown in photo are the winners led by Mrs Valentine 2017 Francia Te (seated) along with the Fellowship Executive Board (standing from left) auditor Beth Ante, chairman Tony Amparado, business manager Ninfa Saballegue, Parish Pastoral Council chair Gie Alvina, Calma, board member Lilybel Larrauri, and Mabuhay. Fr. Rey Jose Rellora, spiritual director and parish priest, Delloro, Platon, Milanay, vice chair Ester Elopre, treasurer Helen Juanillo and secretary Lolit de Jesus.

An Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) na saro sa mga programa kaini na maprotehiran an Mount Isarog Natural Park (MINP), pusog an panindugan contra sa pagconstruhir nin Mini Hydro Power Plant huli ta ciertong ma-aafectaran an watershed sa Camarines Sur asin nakatalaan nindang ipadara an position paper ki DENR Secretary Regina Pas Lao-Lopez. Si Jorge Palma, Board Chairman kan MNWD nagpahayag na sararo sinda sa junta sa panindugan contra sa proyecto mientras na naglilibot na an saindang position paper sa isyu sa Rangas River Mini Hydro Power Project na pigpipirmahan na kan stakeholders asin iba pang mga ahencias na kasurog kan water district na mapangatamanan an bukid Isarog. Sa position paper, sinabi na an proyectong mawot mangyari kan Clean and Green Energy Solutions Inc. na magconstruhir kan Mini Hydro Electric Dam sa San Pedro, Goa, Camarines Sur langtadan na pagsinutil sa probisyon kan Republic Act No. 7586 o National Integrated Protected Areas Sysyem (NIPAS) Act of 1992. Saindang pigbiklad an minasunod na isyu; 1. Nagpaso na an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) kan nakaagi pang Noviembre 11, 2014 na pig-isyu kan DENR kan Noviembre 11, 2009, 2. An proyecto na yaon sa laog kan protected area na envuelto an pagconstruhir nin tinampo asin maputol nin 77 mga kahoy na prohibido ini base sa NIPAS Act. 3. An pag-gamit nin motorized equipment sa laog kan protected area kinakaipuhan magkua nin permiso sa Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB), 4. Ano man na estraktura nakalaog na sa Strict Protection Zone kan MINP, asin 5. Pagbalga sa Rule 16.1 & 164 of the NIPAS and Implementing Rules and Regulations. Hinahagad ninda ki Secretary Lopez magconducir nin pag-evaluar sa aplikasyon para sa bagong ECC kan Clean and Green Solutions Inc. asin repasohon an lugar kan development plan, particularmente sa estractura asin dai tugotan an pagpurotol nin kakahoyan asin iba pang actividades kan proyecto na makaka-afecto sa kapalibotan kan MINP. Nagtutubod an pamayo kan junta na ma-aksyon digdi an DENR sa tahaw kan mainit na isyu ngonian sa mga pagmimina sa nacion na dakulang destroso sa kapalibotan. An Bukid Isarog may kahiwasan nin diez mil hektarya mientras na an 700 hektarya kaini iyo an watershed area kan MNWD na namumugtak sa Barangay Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur asin Brgy. Panincuason, Ciudad nin Naga. Kabale sa nakakasakop na mga banwaan kan bukid iyo an Ocampo, Tigaon, Goa, Calabanga asin Tinambac. Afuera kan mga pumping station kan MNWD igwa pa sindang nakukuanan nin burabod kan tubig gikan sa Rumangrap spring na igwa na sanang capacidad na 64 litros na pigluluwas na tubig cada segundo (LPS), Anayan Spring – 17 LPS, Kalinisan – 3 LPS, asin Asupre – 7 LPS, gabos ini yaon sa Bukid Isarog asin ciertong bababa an nakukuang tubig digdi kun maging operational an sinambit na mini-hyrdo. Sa entrevista kan BM ki Francis Badiong, Project Area Manager kan Clean and Green Energy Solutions, Inc., sinabi kaini na dai man ma-aafectaran an potable water sa bukid mientras na dai man ngani puede mainum an tubig gikan sa Rangas River huli ta 60 por ciento kaini igwang halong asupre. Sinabi pa na parte kan Rangas River gagamiton an running water sa propuestong planta nganing magproducir nin energia na babakalon kan Casureco IV asin igwa na sindang purchase power agreement. An Ateneo de Naga University Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR), nagpahayag nin pagcontra sa proyecto huli ta ciertong dakulang efecto ini sa kapalibotan. (DPA)

An Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) na nangangataman kan kapalibotan kan Bukid Isarog alagad iyo an nagtugot sa Clean and Green Energy Solutions Inc. nganing iconstruhir digdi an P150 milyon na Rangas River Mini Hydro Power Plant sa pamitisan kan bukid. Natutuyawan kan mga environmentalist an proyecto mientras na raraoton an bukid na bubugtakan nin tinampo hale sa ibaba pasakat sa lugar kan mini-hydro asin maputol nin mga kahoy na malinaw na pagbalga sa Republic Act No. 7586 na mas midmid sa National Integrated Protected Areas System of 1992, na estrictong nagbabawal sa ano man na actividades sa laog kan parke nacional. Si Francis Badiong, Project Area Manager nagpahayag sa entrevista kan Bicol Mail na afuera kan PAMB an grupo kan indigenous people asin Barangay Council kan San Pedro, (dating Brgy. Aroro), Goa, Camarines Sur pinapaboran an mini hydro mientras labi sa 200 an matatawan nin trabajo asin mapabakal an compaña mas baratong presyo nin suplay kan corriente sa Camarines Sur IV Electric Cooperative (Casureco IV). Alagad natutuyawan kan mga environmentalist an proyecto mientras na raraoton an bukid na aagihan kan access road asin maputol nin mga kakahoyan. Naging cuestionable pa apesar na an permiso sa Brgy. San Pedro, alagad namumugtak sa Brgy. Katagbakan. Sinabi man ni Badiong na bako man an enterong 1.2 hektaryang proyecto kan mini-hydro an yaon sa laog kan protected area kan Bukid Isarog envez nakalaog sana sa 200 metros mantang nasa pamitisan sana an proyecto. Igwang kagabsan na 3.8 hectarya an proyecto kabale na an icoconstruhir na tinampo asin 77 sanang mga kahoy an saindang puputolon mientras na igwa man ining karibay sa paagi nin mga tree planting sa bukid. An resolucion numerado 05 hinaman kan PAMB kan Agosto 7, 2015 asin aprobado ni dating DENR Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales, igwang endorsement an Brgy. Council kan San Pedro, Sangguniang Bayan kan Goa asin Partido Development Administration (PDA) kan Marso 2009. Kabale pa sa saindang documentos iyo an Environmental Compliance Certificate na pirmado ni Director Gonzales kan Noviembre 2009. Alagad nagpaso na an limang taon na ECC permit asin an bagay na ini kinumpirmar kan DENR Bikol. Sinabi pa kan project area manager na nagsusunod sinda sa orden kan DENR mientras na yaon na sinda sa proceso kan bagong ECC nganing ipadagos an proyecto na mapapakinabangan sa laog nin viente cinco años. Igwa na kaming purchase agreement sa Casureco IV na mapabakal sinda nin mas hababang presyo kan corriente kun itatampad sa ibang power supplier kan cooperativa na an efecto kaini mababa man an singil kan cooperativa sa consumo nin corriente kan miembros-consumedores, sabi pa. An proyecto kan Clean and Green Solutions Inc., maproducer nin 1.5 megawatt an mini-hydro asin an contractor iyo an Pacific Summit Construction Group na pinapundo na muna kan saindang construccion mantang pendiente pa an bagong ECC. Si Bernardo San Juan, miembro kan indigenous people asin dating pamayo kan Mt. Isarog Guardian iyo na an liason officer kan Clean and Green Solutions asin saro sa saiyang trabajo iyo an pakikipag-negociar sa mga kagsadiri nin lote na pigtutukdokan kan mini-hydro. Saiyang pigribayan si Oscar Lim na ngonian miembro na kan Sangguniang Bayan. (DPA)

An Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa Bikol nagtao na nin asegurasyon sa mga oficiales lokal kan City Hall na makakabale na sa tatagamahan nin fondo sa 2018 iyo an mga road widening sa Maharlika Highway kabale an Villanueva Avenue, dating Liboton St. gabos sa Ciudad nin Naga. Ini an bonga kan pakikipag-hampangan ninda Bise Alcalde Nelson Legacion asin Consejal Vidal Castillo ki DPWH Regional Director Reynaldo Tagudando sa Ciudad nin Legaspi, kaibanan si DE Rebbeca Roces asin ADE Richard Ragrario dai palang nahahaloy sa tahaw kan kamawotan kan ciudad na dapat marealisar na an pagpahiwas kan mga mayor na tinampo mientras na padagos na naghihibog an trafico sa Ciudad nin Naga, na iyo an commercial center digdi sa Bikol. Kinumpirmar ninda Legacion asin Castillo na mismo an pamayo kan obras publico nagcierto na kabale na sa saindang listahan nin mga proyecto sa masunod na taon sa rehiyon cinco isusumiter sa oficina ni Secretary Mark Villar an mga road widening kan Maharlika Highway sa Concepcion Pequeña, Grande, Del Rosario sundo sa linderos kan Pili, Camarines Sur asin Diversion road, Tabuco asin Mabolo sundo sa linderos kan Naga asin Milaor. An Villanueva Ave., na igwang naenot na presupuesto an DPWH alagad nagreclamo si Consejal Castillo na pig-re aligned si fondo kan 2nd Engineering District kan DPWH sa Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur sa dahilan na dai aram ninda na an sinambit na tinampo sarong national road. Si Castillo, pamayo kan Committee on Infrastructure sa Sangguniang Panlungsod nagsabi na dapat tawan nin prioridad kan DPWH na ma-implementar na an road widening kan Villanueva Ave. mantang ginatos nang mga vehiculo an nag-aagi digdi aroaldaw bako lang gikan sa laog kan ciudad envez hale pa sa mga banwaan nin Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao asin Canaman, kaya ngani kaayon na sa presupuesto kan agencia sa 2018. An consejal iyo an padreno kan resolucion sa SP na hinahagad ki DPWH Secretary Villar na iconverter na sa national road an mga city road kan Balatas, Cararayan, San Isidro, Carolina asin Bagumbayan Sur hasta sa linderos kan Camaligan, Camarines Sur. Makakatipid nin milyones pesos na fondo sa infrastraktura an City Hall kun marealisar an proyecto, sabi pa ni Castillo. An conversion maagi sa lehislasyon sa duwang camara na padreno sinda Congresista Gabby Bordado kan tercer distrito kan CamSur asin Senador Bam Aquino. (DPA)

An Barangay Belen na posibleng mapara sa mapa kan Calabanga, Camarines Sur na may hiwas nin setenta y seite (77) hektarya saro sa tolong mga barangay digdi na nasa gilid kan dagat na nagpaparasadit an lugar mala ngani kinakan na an apat na hektaryang kaomahan kan makusog na tubig dagat kan bagyong ‘Glenda’’ duwang taon na an nakakaagi. Alagad kan maglamasa sa Bikol si bagyong ‘Nina’ naprobaran na dakulang bagay si pinaconstruhir na seawall ni dating Congresista asin ngonian Bise Presidente Leni Robredo, sabi sa Bicol Mail ni Brgy. Kapitan Alvin David kan sinambit na barangay. An barangay igwang 360 na mga harong, 378 familia asin may total na 1,205 populasyon na kadakle nabubuhay sa pag-oma alagad na-inaan pa sinda nin apat na hektarya kaomahan na sadiri kan tolong familia na kabale sa na-ngaranan iyo an familia Alarcon asin David. Sa laog sana nin tolong taon sa puesto ni Robredo bilang congresista kan tercer distrito kan Camarines Sur narealisar an multi-million pesos na proyecto na dakulang bagay sa contituentes kan samong barangay, sabi pa ni David. Kabale sa nabugtakan nin seawall iyo an Barangay Sabang asin sinabay na si pagbugtak nin Sabang Fishing Port. Sinabi man ni Brgy. Kapitan Levy Santa Ana Kan Barangay Sabang na saro man sinda sa nakinabang kan proyecto sa seawall kan bise presidente asin sa saiyang osipon puon sa Ilawog sundo sa centro kan saindang barangay abot sa sarong kilometro an afectado na parating kinakakan an daga kun makusog an tubig dagat orog na kun nagkakaigwang calamidad na nagreresulta man sa pagsadit kan saindang lugar. Afuera kan sinambit na proyecto na nahaman kan congresista pa si VP Robredo, dakulang bagay an Fishing Port sa barangay, sabi pa ni Kapitan Santa Ana. SEAWALL TABANG VS BAHA, ILLEGAL QUARRYING PIGRERECLAMO An saro pang lugar iyo an Barangay Sibobo, kan nakaaging bagyong ‘Nina’ sinabi ni Brgy. Kapitan Edgar Sargento na nakahawas man sinda sa pagkatakot kun may calamidad. Nakatabang an seawall nganing maulang an makusog na mga pagbaha alagad igwa man karibay nin problema mientras na an tubig baha gikan na sa bukid kan saindang lugar huli sa illegal quarrying. Pigrereclamo kan comunidad iyo an padagos na ilegal na actividad sa bukid na dai masitar kan Brgy. Kapitan sa dahilan na an envueltong persona dayupot sa halangkaw na oficial kan Capitolio Provincial. Afectado kan ilegal na actividad sa bukid iyo an zona cinco dawa mayo nin calamidad nagbabaha mientras na natahuban na si sapa na agihan nin tubig hale sa bukid pasiring sa dagat. Hinagad ninda an aksyon kan gobierno particularmente ni DENR Secretary Regina Pas Lopez na ipapundo an ilegal na actividad huli ta kun padagos na papabayaan kan saindang lider mauubos na an bukid na afectado sa tubig baha iyo an residentes kan barangay. Inosip na kan mga residentes asin kan Brgy Kapitan ki Bise Presidente Robredo nganing ipaabot ki Secretary Lopez.

Ciudad nin Iriga - Idinulok na kan lokal na gobierno kan ciudad na ini sa Regional Development Council (RDC) an presenteng problema kan Mt. Iriga na nagdadara nin peligro sa siyam na Barangay na harani sa bukid orog na kun nagkakaigwa nin makusog na bagyo asin sigidong pag–uuran. Sinabi ni Alcalde Madelaine Y. Alfelor, dai kaya kan LGU Iriga an fondong gagamiton para sa pagconstruir nin mga istruktura arog kan small water impounding system na masuway asin mapugol kan pagruso kan tubig baybay asin gapo hale sa bukid pasiring sa mga barangay na yaon sa pamitisan kaini. Kabale sa mga afectado iyo an mga barangay kan Perpetual Help, Sto Domingo, Sta, Teresita, Santiago, Sta. Elena, San Juan, San Nicolas, San Isidro asin San Vicente Norte. An RDC Bikol na pinamamayohan ni Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara an makakatabang nganing mahanapan nin dakulang fondo asin marealisar an proyecto sa Mt. Iriga. Sa lado kan Department of Public Works and Highways, 4th Engineering District, maconducir sinda nin panibagong inspeksyon para madeterminaran kun igwa sindang mga istrukturang nadanyaran o namimiligrong dara kan pag uuran o raot nin panahon. Makikipag coordinar man sinda sa lokal na gobierno kan ciudad para maaraman kun anong disenyo kan istrukturang na kaipuhan para sa nasabing bukid. Sa paglamasa kan nakaaging bagyong ‘Nina’, nagkaigwa nin mga flashflood asin paghuros nin daga na afectado an duwang sona sa Barangay Sta.Teresita, sarong sona sa Barangay Sta.Elena asin apat na sona sa Barangay Perpetual Help asin anom pang Barangay na nakapalibot sa bukid. Dai na nagagamit an mga drainage canal mientras na nagkatarahoban nin baybay asin gapo mala ngani an barangay road kan Perpetual Help iyo na an inaagihan tubig baybay asin gapo asin iba pang barangay. Sinabi ni Punong Barangay Eduardo Dimaiwat, kan Barangay Perpetual Help na natahoban nin Baybay asin gapo an drainage canal sa saindang barangay kun kaya kaipuhan maggamit nin heavy equipment para mahale ini. Nagkakaigwa man nin food for work an barangay para mapadali an paglinig kan mga baradong kanal. Kinumpirmar pa kan Punong Barangay, na may mga naghahale na sa saindang lugar asin ipinapabakal an saindang lote sa hababang presyo huli kan peligro na dara kun nagkakaigwa nin pag uuran asin calamidad. Kasumpay kaini, kinumpirmar kan Community Environment and Natural Resources na nakakasakop sa ciudad, na an pagputol nin kahoy asin pagtanum sa Mt. Iriga an saro sa mga rason kan pagka kalbo kan bukid asin pag lumoy kan daga kun haloy an mga pagbulos uran. An Mt. Iriga o inaapod man na Mt. Asog an kino-considerar na Strato Volcano, an lava kaini an madaling magtagas huli kan pagiging mapulot. Sa Pilipinas an ibang kapareho kan Mt. Iriga iyo ang Mt. Labo sa Camarines Norte, Mt. Isarog sa Camarines Sur, Mt. Mayon sa Albay asin an Mt. Pinatubo. Nairehistro man an pag putok kan Mt. Iriga kan taon 1628 asin 1642. (Melvin Machado)

LIKE a ripple that bounced back after hitting the shore, the Facebook post about Legazpi City outclassing Naga City as the most competitive component city based on the latest National Competitiveness Council ranking for this year proved to be baseless, and therefore is not true. When queried, sources from no less than the National Competitiveness Council emphasized that official results of the 2017 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index are yet to be released in July or August this year, or five or six months from now. While the news (before it was exposed to be false) was received eager-beaverly with awe and great pride, especially among netizens from Legaspi, there were efforts from those concerned to validate the source of the information so that congratulatory messages should be in order. Admittedly, there is a silent, undeclared competition obtaining between the two leading Bicol cities, although officially both of them would publicly congratulate each other for any blessing or good news that come their way, and readily feel sorry or offer help if one or both of them lay victims to calamities or crisis. Friendly competitions, in fact, should always be welcomed, as in Palarong Bicol, which is traditionally closely contested by athletes from Camarines Sur, Naga, Legazpi and Albay to pick out the best of them for the national games, or in the race for more tourist arrivals that spur more jobs and income to the region as a whole. The news (false news, that is) also came at a time when it was reported earlier that there was an urgent call for all regional offices to be transferred immediately to Legazpi City, where a number of them still remain rooted in Naga City despite an old presidential decree that proclaims Legazpi as the regional administrative center for Bicol and hence should be the place to situate all regional offices to expedite transactions under one roof, so to speak. This, of course, was not good news for Naga City, which before Martial Law was the seat of almost all the major regional offices in Bicol, including the regional equipment pool, the regional hospital, GSIS, PNB (when it was still owned by the government), NBI, and others. NIA and the DA and BFAR remain to be located in Naga and Camarines Sur, but Legazpi or Albay had expressed strong interest to relocate them to the regional center in Rawis, had been done with the NBI only a few weeks ago. This, despite an earlier frank assessment by then Albay Gov. Joey Sal ceda that Legazpi City was not an ideal haven for the regional offices because of constant flooding, strong typhoon and volcanic eruptions that regularly take place in that city. As it stands now, Naga City remains as the most competitive component city in the country, with Legaspi City landing for the first time in the Top Ten as 3rd placer that both Legaspiños and Nagueños felt happy about. Legazpi will have to wait until July or August this year when it would have the chance to overtake Naga City in the ranking because, after all, Legazpi City, with its majestic volcano and vast sea port, has been profusely crowned by the Imeldific First Lady, through her despotic husband Ferdinand, as Bicol’s regional administrative center. But whoever will be on top of the other will be an honor for Bicol – for its common march towards regional progress and development – especially if both of them land in the Top Ten as this year’s most competitive component cities.

After the Christmas season, like any dedicated government employee, I browsed through the calendar for the coming holidays; and I realized that one of the soonest non-working days would be February 25. Much to my dismay; it falls on a Saturday. Ouch! So much for the holiday. I was a kid then. I never thought of it much at that time. But when I realized that that day was important, I could make out from memory that it was a day when choppers would hover to and fro; and for a male child, that was something exciting. As far as I could remember, my father was unusually home when the song, “Magkaisa” played on TV; and I realized that the same song was playing in the neighbor’s houses. I was thinking, “What’s the deal?” I never thought something was wrong. Walking around neighborhood streets and across downtown, it was all too common to see Marcos Tolentino banners in red and blue, and Cory Doy ones in yellow and green. In the afternoon, the neighborhood bakery even sold bread with matching green and yellow colors, which was called “Cory-Doy”. I know too well that “Boycott” wasn’t referring to a person. I was familiar with terms like Laban, UNIDO and KBL. I understood what an election was; but why on earth did it have to be done in a snap? Later, every government official was referred to as an OIC. A couple years later, I would learn that Marcos was a deposed dictator, and his rule was supposed as the darkest of the nation. I tried to get a grasp of the idea but my early childhood didn’t feel like we were living in an oppressive dictatorship. (Come on, what do you expect from a 5 year old residing away from the nation’s capital.) An online article has complained, “What then is left to “celebrate” whenever the anniversary of the 1986 “revolution” comes around?” “The same power structures remain entrenched in Philippine politics and business. The same tiny elite clique of families still rule the islands. The same sorts of disasters still kill tens of thousands of Filipinos. And the same armed homicidal terrorists roam the country’s mountains and jungles with impunity. Dependence on the remittances of the country’s vast army of overseas foreign workers is growing. And the economy is propped up more by consumption and asset bubbles (both fuelled by these remittances) than by real industrial capacity. The “democracy” supposedly “restored” by this “revolution” is there in form but not in substance. The quality of the political “debate” has failed to rise to the level a true modern democracy demands. (www.getrealphilippines.com) This same sentiment have long been echoed by political grandstanders, coup plotters, and those who make careers out of criticizing political institutions. (Do you really have to complain to speak or write?) What were the people’s objectives when they took to the streets in February 1986? Did they intend to uproot Philippine power structures in politics and business? Did they aim to bring down every elite family? Did they ridiculously mean to bring halt to every naturally occurring disaster in this typhoon ridden, geologically volcanic archipelago? Did they seek to bring a final solution to the nation’s insurgency problem? Did the 1986 EDSA demonstrators go out to decrease national dependence on dollar remittances? Did the protesters converge along EDSA to improve the economy? Was EDSA Revolution initiated to raise the level of Philippine political debate? People came out along EDSA, in February 1986, to rise up against the government, in the hopes of change. I believe the movement was not intended to go so much beyond a change in the government. For years, Filipinos frustrate themselves in the absence or lack of social reforms, the proliferation of oligarchy, calamities and the difficulties of recovery from their negative effects, communist and secessionist rebellions, fatalities among overseas Filipino workers, the struggling and lagging economy, and the graft and corruption in civil service; and at times have pinned blame on supposed failures of EDSA when all these were not included in the intended output of the grand rally at the National Capital Region’s main thoroughfare. The revolution was meant only for changes in political administration. To expect more would be like assigning a grand poetic meaning on a literal concrete object, and realizing it does not stand so much for that assigned meaning; when in the first place, it promised no such thing but it was all expanded expectations. Maria went to market to buy vinegar; and when she gets home you ask for caviar. Restoration of democracy and order in any form is worth to be looked back with the greatest of gratitude. Besides, I’m thankful I won’t have to attend to graduate school classes this Saturday. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

FROM latest media reports it would seem that the much vaunted arrest of Senator Leila de Lima would not happen as the senator has filed Motions to Quash the Information filed by the DOJ before the three RTC Branches of Muntinlupa City. It is De Lima’s contention that it is the Office of the Ombudsman and not the Department of Justice which should have investigated “the charges against her because she was the justice secretary when the alleged crimes were committed.” With this development no warrant of arrest could be issued against the senator until the issue of jurisdiction is resolved by the RTC branches of Muntinlupa. The RTC branches may still give the DOJ time to comment on De Lima’s Motions and the latter to file her Reply if she so desires after which the matter will be submitted for resolution by the Court. Should the resolutions be adverse against the senator, the latter may elevate the issue to the Court of Appeals by way of Petition for Review and to the Supreme Court if the CA’s decision is adverse against her. With all these proceedings, it may still take some time before De Lima could be incarcerated. Incidentally, the latest reported written confession of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas “that he served as hit man for a death squad under the control and pay of President Duterte when the Chief Executive was the mayor of Davao City” would boost the claim of senator De Lima of the perpetration of extra-judicial killings of drug users/pushers by the Duterte administration. Parenthetically, reports also are that the Commission on Human Rights rejected last Tuesday the claim of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar that “it had cleared President Duterte of involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao when he was mayor of the city.” The CHR reminded Malacanang that “it had forwarded a resolution dated June 28, 2012 to the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the investigation of then Davao Mayor Duterte for possible liability for tolerating numerous extrajudicial killings and his alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad (DDS)”. TRIVIA: Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus, Nueva Caceres Council 7995, based on Our Lady of Penafrancia Parish, which celebrated its 36th Foundation Anniversary last Sunday, February 19. Yours truly was tasked to deliver a Special Message during the occasion. As a former Grand Knight of the Council (1987-1988) I feel honored to deliver the message. Congratulations also to the officers and member of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce which will have its Induction of Officers at the Avenue Plaza today, February 23. Sincere greetings also goes to Timoteo “Tim” Borromeo Jr. and Pompeo “Pomping” Requinta of the AdeNU high school batch ‘54 who are celebrating their respective birthday anniversaries this coming Friday, February 24, at the Oyster Villa Restaurant with a luncheon-fellowship for their batch mates and their spouses. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Camarines Sur Chapter is slated to have its election of the new set of Board of Officers this coming Saturday, February 25, at the IBP Building. This writer has been designated to sit as the Chairman of the Election Committee with Atty. Leo Arnel M. Caayao and Atty. Epifanio Maria J. Terbio, Jr as members. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.” ELEANOR ROOSEVELT FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “SING PRAISE TO THE LORD, YOU FAITHFUL; GIVE THANKS TO GOD’S HOLY NAME.” PSALM 31:5

Solid waste management is a crucial issue hounding the livability of our Maogmang Lugar. The City Government of Naga, thru Resolution No. 2016-430, has already green lighted the P21M Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program – a move aimed at eliminating the foul odor emanating from said facility and complying with the requirement of law. However, with the shutting down of the dumpsite, it has been imperative to provide an alternative infrastructure. As such, in the Sangguniang Panlugnsod’s February 14 session, Resolution No. 2017-099 was passed approving the construction of a P260.7M Sanitary Landfill wherein actual expenditures whereof are spread in ten (10) years. Such landfill will be established in the 4.85 hectare lot acquired by the city government in Barangay San Isidro. Per design submitted by the Technical Working Group headed by City Planning Officer Wilfredo Prilles, it can handle a maximum of 508,064 cubic meters of solid waste. The discussions concerning said plan officially began in July 2016 and thereafter when the aforesaid TWG was created. Initial reports were forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in January of this year. On January 24, plenary debates ensued, subjecting the group’s recommendations to scrutiny of our legislators. Productive discussion on any project is beneficial. Free exchange of ideas and dynamic interaction between teammates will cause the best ideas to surface. In this case, the animated deliberation that lasted three regular sessions resulted to a reduction of the facility’s total cost by about P13M, as well as to the arrangement of acquiring a right-of-way that is two kilometre (2km) shorter than the original proposal, effectively lessening travel time of garbage trucks and corresponding gasoline expenses in the long-run. Building of the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill will commence as soon as bidding procedures are completed. Initial financing of the project, amounting to P25M, will be sourced from the Economic Development Fund of the city already included in the 2017 Annual Budget. The other funding sources, including possibilities of getting a loan, will be appropriated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod once City Budget Officer Francisco Mendoza furnished us a copy of his analysis and recommendation. The foundation of a world-class, self-reliant and caring city is a happy and productive people. Hence, it has been our enduring commitment to manage effectively the city’s solid waste and ensure that Nagueños are free from threat to their health. The Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program and the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill are steps towards the realization of such goals. But similar to other initiatives of the city, the two programs will not be long-lasting solutions without the cooperation of the city’s major stakeholders – the people. At the individual level, everyone should be conscious of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We should help each other in cutting down the tons of garbage we are collectively producing. Otherwise, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past and suffer the smelly and unpleasant consequences. Tarabang po kita!

AMIDST the raucous created by a post in Facebook that says that Legazpi has overtaken Naga by a small percentage point in the top list of the most competitive component city nationwide, let me refresh our readers with some salient points related to the competitiveness ranking and for what purpose was it established in the first place. The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competiveness Council, through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. The Index measures competitiveness at the local government level using 28 indicators grouped into three-weighted pillars: Economic dynamism, government proficiency, and infrastructure. This year, after its fifth year of existence, the index, we are told, will include a fourth pillar: Resilience. The organizers argue that adding Resilience is key factor in determining an LGU’s competitiveness where stakeholders will devote more time and energy to develop greater capabilities and sustainability in the light of climate change, environment disruptions, and man-made crisis, such as war and civil conflict. The Index ranks highly-urbanized cities, component cities, and 1st to 2nd class and 3rd to 6th class municipalities, respetively. It was only in 2015 that ranking of provinces was introduced. Local competitiveness is a building block of national competitiveness. Reportedly for this year, the NCC has expanded the Cities/Municipalities Competitiveness Index to now cover almost 1,400 LGUs across the country in just four years with Resiliency and Sustainability as the fourth criterion in the competitiveness evaluation process. According to Guillermo Luz, co-chair of the NCC, scores for economic dynamism are based on the size and growth of the local economy, capacity to generate employment, cost of living, cost of doing business, financial deepening, productivity, and presence of business and professional organizations. Government efficiency, on the other hand, is measured based on data from transparency scores, local taxes and revenues, local competition-related awards, business registration efficiency, investment promotion, compliance to national directives, and health and education. Infrastructure scores are measured by data on existing road network, distance from the city center to major ports, health infrastructure, education infrastructure, DOT-accredited accommodations, availability of basic utilities and number of transportation vehicles, ICT connections, and number of ATMs. Luz said it is important for all stakeholders (private and public sectors) to work together to build cities and municipalities that are affordable, accessible, socially acceptable, environmentally friendly, economically viable, climate resilient, and competitive. What makes the Index more significant is that it is not based on public opinion surveys or boards of judges. It is based solely on statistics and data collected per LGU as the organizers themselves tried to remove as much subjectivity as possible in any selection, Luz would emphasize. The results highlight the importance of being competitive in several factors, especially those which are closely examined by potential investors. Furthermore, the Index was designed to encourage local governments to regularly track data and eventually benchmark performance against other cities in the Asean to better manage their regions. Over the last 6 years, Luz said they have tracked the country’s competitiveness ranking across a series of global competitiveness reports to see how we compare against other countries. These reports range from well-known ones like the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, the World Bank-IFC’s Ease of Doing Business Report, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, and the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index to the less well-known like the Failed States Index and Logistics Performance Index. When many of these reports were first established, some of them as far back as the 1990s, the Philippines, according to Luz, ranked deep in the bottom 20 percent of world rankings. “Even as recently as 2011, we ranked in the bottom 30 percent of virtually all major reports, with the only exception I know being the Gender Gap Report (where we currently rank seventh in the world). Our modest goal in 2011 was to move the country into the top-third of world tables.” He said that looking back at our performance and the annual data releases, “we have indeed improved—but we haven’t made it into the top-third yet. We have managed, though, to get out of the bottom 30 percent and move into the middle-third for most of these indices. Our performance in 2016 indicates continuous improvement across most indices, though not all.” He emphasized that being more competitive essentially makes the country more attractive for investments and new business generation. Most countries which rank higher than us in the region, he pointed out, generate much more direct investments than we do, sometimes five or six times as much.

NAGA CITY -- Commemorating the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patroness of human trafficking victims, the “Third International Day of Prayer and Awareness on Human Trafficking” was held at the Good Shepherd Chapel of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary last February 9, this year, with the theme, “They are God’s Children, Not Slaves!” The said prayer activity was spearheaded by the Caceres Office for Women and Children in Crisis (COWCC) in response to the call of Pope Francis to pray for the victims of trafficking and for those who work to combat it. According to Fr. Xavier Amoroso, the director of the said office, quoting the document issued by Vatican during the First International Day of Prayer and Awareness on Human Trafficking, “the primary objective of this activity is ‘to create greater awareness on this phenomenon and to reflect on the overall situation of violence and injustice that affect so many people, who have no voice, do not count, and are no one because they are simply slaves’”. About 245 participants from the different parishes, religious congregations, schools and youth groups came to join the said activity which began with an “Awareness Seminar on Violence against Women and Children and Human Trafficking” given by Prosecutor Zhella A. Monserate, Senior Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Camarines Sur, who is also a member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur. The said talk was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration in honor of St. Jospehine Bakhita which was presided over by Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres. The launching of the “Kasurog kan mga Kababaihan asin mga Kaakian sa Parokya” or 3KP was also held during the Mass. 3KP is the parish community watchdog of the COWCC which will also serve as the office’s advocacy arm in the parochial level.