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TAGBO, the Bikol word for convergence, is the name of this year’s celebration of National Arts Month in Kabikolan. Writers, visual artists, performers, and film makers have converged to celebrate February as Arts month in the cities of Naga, Iriga, Legazpi, and Tabaco. “Malikhain. Mapagbago. Filipino” is this year’s theme as set by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The first Biladawit in the Rinconada language, a poetry-performance competition for students on the theme “Onra ka Raga” (Pride of Place) was held in Anthosia Rinconada Café last Feb. 12. The month-long “Wild about Flowers” painting exhibit of Bernadette de los Santos is on-going at the Ayala Mall in Legazpi City. “Apulas: Rinconada for Rinconada Artists” featuring Balderas, bidibidi, Osacnab and Peñones may be viewed from Feb. 19 to 23 at SM City Naga. “Kawat,” an ekphrastic activity with poets writing rawitdawit on selected paintings by the Salingoy Art Group, was also held from Feb. 15-17 at the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU). Jointly sponsored by the Ateneo Visual Arts Committee headed by Dennis Gonzaga, and Salingoy, the activity will be brought to the general public together with an on-the-spot painting activity on Feb. 18 at the Plaza Quince Martires. The AdNU Press will also be selling Bikol books at the plaza on that day. Dain Linaw an Hinaw by Marissa Reorizo Redburn and Girok: Erotika will be launched by Kabulig Bikol, Inc., an organization of Bikol writers, on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, at The Cheesecake Company on Magsaysay Ave. in Naga City. Sining Banwa will perform during the launch of Hinaw while Vic Nierva’s short film “Sayaw sa Butal” will open the book launch of Girok, when songs and poems will also be performed. Kristian Cordero’s sophomore indie film “Hinulid” starring Nora Aunor and local actors, will be featured at the Bichara Theater on Feb. 18-19. “Dalan,” a revue of selected Bikol short films will also be held at Plaza Rizal from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 26, sponsored by the Ateneo Literary Association (ALA). Meanwhile, the Raul S. Roco Library in Naga will host HE(ARTS) FOR READING, a storytelling, puppet show, and film showing for elementary school pupils. In Tabaco City, Kirtan meditation, original Bikol music, poetry, and a short play will mark Arts Month on Feb. 25 through the efforts of An Banwa: Kultura buda Arte kan Tabaco (ABKAT) and Haribol Jam. Wrapping it all up will be a lecture and poetry reading on the Pantomina dance form at the AdNU on Feb. 28. Individual artists and arts groups coordinated with the NCCA and the Naga City LGU through the Arts Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO) to provide support for TAGBO. Doods M. Santos

ALARMED by the recent announcement of an all-out war by the Philippine government through Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA) and National Democratic Front (NDF), following President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate the formal talks, we, members and allied partners and networks of the All-Out Peace (AOP), urge both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the CPP/NPA/NDF to instead work towards all –out peace. We urge them to pause and contemplate on the possible repercussion of an all-out war scenario especially on people on the ground, who, for the last five decades, have been at the receiving end of this prolonged armed-conflict. The AOP speaks in behalf of its constituency among the women, children, youth, peace workers, indigenous peoples, even spouses and relatives of soldiers, guerillas and specially those innocent victims caught in the crossfire and the rest of the most vulnerable sectors in times of war. This war, waged in the name of the people, is as vicious as its aftermath. This has to stop. And the people, their future and welfare, must be given premium if we, as one nation, intend to live up to our collective desire to arrest this cycle of senseless wars. The people have had enough. Looking at the cost of war for decades, with previous governments lavishly spending billions of taxes on arms and ammunition instead of allocating the national budget for social services such as health, housing and education, brought us further to exasperation and hopelessness. The continuation of this war is essentially a thievery from and a crime against the people. Any war of attrition such as this five-decade old armed conflict has proven futile and detrimental to the interests and welfare of the people especially to communities. Historically, a military approach has been proven to be ineffective to curb the conflict as it has brought further unrest to peaceful communities, and caused destruction of livelihood and displacement of thousands of families. This has been in fact recognized by this current government thus its initial bold and fresh approach to the process. At this particular juncture, we urge both the GRP and NDF to refrain from throwing accusations against each other and instead maximize the official negotiating table to settle their differences and reaffirm the primacy of the peace process—the peace process that was a byproduct not only of the peace panels’ tedious negotiations but of the people consistently engaging this process for a durable and lasting peace. We urge both sides to stay the course for genuine peace, and towards this direction, we implore both sides to at least re-install their unilateral ceasefires. For us, there are still reasons to be optimistic and recent setbacks are mere challenges that can be surmounted through active dialogue. We likewise appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his decision to terminate the formal talks as this will bring the whole country back to square one. In just a short period, the recent talks had been making significant advances compared to earlier negotiations such as the agreement on free land distribution to landless farmers under Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) which also seeks to address the root causes of conflict; formation of the Bilateral Working Teams of Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) in order to accelerate the drafting of CASER; exchange of drafts and initial discussion on Political and Constitutional Reforms; signing of a Supplementary Agreement for the operationalization of the Joint Monitoring Committee for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL); and agreement of both parties to discuss the government’s proposal for a binding bilateral ceasefire pact on February 22 to 25 in the Netherlands. These remarkable achievements, we at AOP believe, are enough reasons to add our voices to the mounting call for the resumption of peace talks between the GRP and NDF. Terminating the formal talks therefore would only put to waste these substantive gains. Ending the talks will put in jeopardy the “most compelling reason” why peace negotiation must continue—that war can never be a substitute to the people’s yearning for a just and lasting peace. As part of the broader movement for peace in the Philippines, the AOP appeals for sobriety, mutual respect and calmness to the members of the peace panels. We fervently hope that by the time they decide to resume the peace talks, the interest of the people will be the core of their peace table. NO TO ALL-OUT WAR! YES TO ALL-OUT PEACE! All-Out Peace Movement: BALAY Rehabilitation Center (BALAY), Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZO-PI), Generation Peace Youth Network (GenPeace), Center for Peace Education (CPE) - Miriam College, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN), Philippine-Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI), Violeta Gloria, PeaceBuilders Community Incorporated, The Center for Legislative Development, Coffee For Peace (CFP), Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW).

By Soliman M. Santos, Jr. Naga City, 11 February 2017 THE call to resume the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is only right and just because their scrapping by President Duterte was premature, even as the NDFP Panel Chief Political Consultant and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) guru Jose Maria Sison says he understands him. But this call should be accompanied by another call to resume the unilateral interim ceasefires that were also prematurely terminated first by the CPP and New People’s Army (NPA) leadership for the NDFP (not the other way around) and then soon after followed suit by President Duterte for the GRP. This was the casus belli, as it were, or what triggered the downward spiral of this whole peace process. This prematurity we had already discussed last weekend in an article “Urgent Motion for Reconsideration of the Ceasefire Termination,” forgive the court case terminology of a MR. To save and bring the whole peace process back on track should entail, to use court case terms again, a return to the status quo ante -- the situation before the breakdown in the process. That status quo ante was clearly one of peace talks accompanied by unilateral interim ceasefires up to the Rome Talks of last January 19 to 25. The “Joint Statement on the Successful Third Round of Formal Talks between the GRP and NDFP in Rome, Italy” is the best evidence of the prematurity that we are talking about. It is not the interim, repeat interim only, ceasefire that was premature but rather its termination. In the Joint Statement, it was in fact stated particularly that “The Parties note that their unilateral indefinite ceasefires remain in place.” If only the peace process breakdown could be subject to a court injunction (like U.S. President Trump’s travel ban), the injunction would be to restore that status quo ante of unilateral interim ceasefires. This is what would avoid a deterioration of the situation now that the dogs of war on both sides have been unleashed. This is what is needed as “a measure of restraint” (Sison’s words, akin to a court temporary restraining order or TRO) before it is too late -- before there can no longer be any holding back of the fighting which creates its own negative dynamic for the whole process, as experience has shown. Some peace advocates no less, ironically say that “the absence of reciprocal, unilateral ceasefires should not unhinge our efforts for building peace.” But it has unhinged this process under President Duterte, if not himself also. Others say “Keep on talking even when there is fighting. But keep on listening as well.” But that’s very hard “amid the din and drone” of gunfire and explosions, whether from NPA landmines or Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) artillery shelling and aerial bombardment. These disrupt not just listening but the very business of living in the conflict-affected areas of the countryside. Sison et al. cite at least 10 major agreements that have been sealed since the Ramos administration of 1992-98 despite the continued fighting. But only one of those is considered a substantive agreement, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). That is only the first of four major substantive agenda items under the framework Hague Joint Declaration of 1992. Just one substantive agreement in nearly 25 years or one generation! That is already “untenable,” to use the CPP-NPA’s description of the unilateral interim ceasefires. Compare that to the two years from the 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro to the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in the peace talks cum ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the Aquino administration. We have precisely “been there, done that” already with fighting while talking for the most part of several decades of the GRP-NDFP peace process since 1992, more so if we count from the first round in 1986-87. It’s about time that we try talking and listening without fighting where the latter is understood to be for a reasonable interim period only of an estimated (by the CPP leadership and the NDFP Panel) two years or so to possibly work out comprehensive agreements on socio-economic and politico-constitutional reforms. The Rome Joint Statement indicated fair, if not good, advances on this. Indeed, as an NDFP partisan said, “the aim of the talks is not just to end the fighting but also to address the roots of the armed conflict.” But in the meantime, for a reasonable period, can the fighting (just this, not other forms of struggle) not be put on hold as a “specific measure of goodwill and confidence-building to create a favorable climate for peace negotiations”? This is not yet for the “end of hostilit ies and disposition of forces.” A mere interim ceasefire in this context is not “tantamount to the capitulation and pacification of the revolutionary people and forces.” AND at the end of that reasonable period, IF good faith negotiations still fail to achieve substantive reform agreements, THEN a return to armed struggle would be understandable or even justified, depending also on the circumstances. It is fair, not only by the GRP but also by all peace-loving Filipinos, to raise a privileged question of sincerity about talking peace while fighting a war. As we had written a number of years back, why continue to fight a war if the peace talks are “successful” so far, especially in working towards comprehensive agreements on substantive reforms to address the roots of the armed conflict? Why suffer the loss of precious lives, including of thy comrades, in the meantime if these are going to be achieved? Or does the desire to continue armed struggle indicate an expectation or worse, an intention, that the peace talks will ultimately fail? By the CPP-NPA’s termination of its unilateral interim ceasefire (followed suit by the GRP), it has in effect (or as intended?) preempted an interim bilateral ceasefire already scheduled for another meeting of the two ceasefire committees. One relevant simple question that nobody seems to be asking is: are both sides willing to reinstate the prematurely terminated unilateral ceasefires as an important “compelling reason,” or “key link,” or key gesture (as far as President Duterte is concerned), to reverse the premature announcement of an “all-out war” and the premature scrapping of the peace talks? The simple proposition is that it is only right and that all that have been prematurely done should be undone before it can no longer be undone. ------------------------- SOLIMAN M. SANTOS, JR. is presently a Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Naga City, Camarines Sur. He is a long-time human rights and IHL lawyer; legislative consultant and legal scholar; peace advocate, researcher and writer, whose initial engagement with the peace process was with the first GRP-NDFP nationwide ceasefire in 1986, particularly in his home region of Bicol, a long-time rural hotbed of the communist-led insurgency. He is the author of a number of books on Philippine peace processes, including his latest How do you solve a problem like the GPH-NDFP peace process? (Siem Reap, Cambodia: The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, 2016).

CSCCI President Raymond Y. Concepcion and Mayor John G. Bongat, 3rd and 4th from left, respectively, show the copy of the memorandum of agreement that binds their partnership. The document defines the role of each entity in attaining the dynamics of a bicycle-friendly city. Also in photo are (L-R): CSCCI Director Ernie Abragan, Vice-Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, Concepcion, Bongat, First Lady Farah R. Bongat, chair of Naga City Bike Fest Executive Committee, and the business organization’s Executive Director Rolly Salazar, Deo Durante, VP for External Affairs Enrico Evangelista and Director Oliver Coronado. PING COLLERACEPPIO By Jason B. Neola NAGA CITY --- Aside from the various approaches that it has initiated to boost the city’s campaign on health and environment, the local government unit here has partnered with the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) to make the city bicycle friendly. The idea goes with the institutionalization of bicycles as healthful transport facility and the establishment of parking spaces and bike racks in selected public areas. In a memorandum of agreement, the city and CSCCI believe that bicycles can replace riding motorized single occupancy vehicles which, in turn, would result in the reduction of fuel consumption while the aim for a better air quality is being achieved. The promotion of bike as environment-friendly and cost-efficient mode of transportation and the establishment of appropriate facilities such as safe bicycle parking spaces were contained in City Ordinance 2008-068 which was authored by Mayor John G. Bongat when he was still city councilor. Known as the “Naga City Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking Ordinance,” the measure also aims to make riding the bicycles more convenient. The CSCCI, as contained in the agreement, shall provide the bicycle racks and will pay the cost of installation including the maintenance and repair of the facility. CSCCI, on the other hand, will be granted with exclusive rights to use the shelves where they can post their business advertisement or promotional materials. Initially, the business group will construct at least 15 bike racks. In a related development, the Sangguniang Panlungsod is preparing to pass an ordinance that provides for the rules and regulations regarding the use and promotion of bicycles in the city. Authored by Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion and City Councilor Joselito Del Rosario, the proposed measure contains, among others, the duties and obligations of a cyclist, registration and accreditation of bike clubs, bicycle loan program for city government employees, bike lanes, support facilities (i.e. sidewalk improvements, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements) to ensure the safe travel of bikers, bicycle month, the “No Car Days” in the city’s selected streets, and bicycle parking in appropriate public places. Bongat, who issued Executive Order 2016-043 which laid down the bases for the realization of a “Bicycle-friendly City” status for Naga, said the primordial objective of his order is to provide the Nagueños with reliable, clean, and affordable mode of transportation that can be duplicated by other private and government agencies. CSCCI President Raymond Concepcion echoed Legacion and Del Rosario’s explanatory note in the proposed ordinance which states that “the use of bicycles may stimulate robust equitable and sustainable economic development and that bicycle tourism can attract visitors and spur growth. Concepcion said CSCCI is more than willing to partner in the undertaking that can be an important factor in an effort to achieve a stable socio-economy, not to mention the benefit that the project would do to decongest traffic and reduce losses in travel time and opportunity costs. The proposed locations of the bike racks, which will be permanently mounted and fastened to the ground, are: Bicol Central Station in Central Business District II, Naga City Police Office in Barlin St., the vicinity of Barangay Hall of Barangay Dinaga, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral (near the PNP-SWAT station), and the Camarines Sur National High School/SPED Center in Peñafrancia Avenue (near the PNP station). At present, cyclists or bikers can park and lock their units at the bike racks installed in a certain portion of SM City grounds, PNP station in Plaza Quezon, and City Hall (at the back of Public Safety Office).

By Connie B. Destura LEGAZPI CITY --- Engineer Reynaldo G. Tagudando, director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol, was honored along with 13 others with the “Gawad Oblation,” a special award to those who gave “extraordinary support” to the University of the Philippines during the incumbency of outgoing UP President Alfredo Pascual. A post in social media said the awards, which were given for the first time, recognized UP alumni and friends for their “extraordinary service” in making “initiatives that have helped UP perform its leadership role in higher education and national development.” The university said “extraordinary service can be in as many different areas of university life, including alumni leadership and public service, exceptional teaching, research and extension work, creative production, efficient public and university administration, exceptional generosity and volunteerism, fund raising, and so forth.” Tagudando received the medal of recognition during the awarding ceremony at the UP-Professional Schools in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on the first week of February. The other first UP Oblation awardees were Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda; Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano; former Senator Manny Villar, who is also the chairman of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc.; former DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson; former Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan; businessmen Hans Sy, and Robinsons Retail Holdings president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe. Former UP Board of Regents member and Phinma vice chairman Magdaleno Albarracin; UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation president Alfonso Aliga Jr.; I.B. Gimenez Group of Companies president Ignacio Gimenez; and former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson completed the roster of awardees. Tagudando started work as general construction foreman in DPWH, which was then the Bureau of Public Works, in 1980. Touted as the “highest honor UP can bestow upon its alumni and friends” the Oblation Award ceremony was headed by outgoing Pascual and UP Vice President for Public Affairs Edna Estifania Co.

By Samuel M. Toledo LEGAZPI CITY --- Some three out of four municipal police stations in the entire Bicol region are standing on solid ground, so to speak. Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon P. Buenafe, director of the Police Regional Office in Bicol, disclosed that due to the immediate response of various local government units (LGUs) for lot donations, only 28 from among the 118 towns and cities in the Bicol region have no permanent headquarters for their detailed policemen and non-uniformed personnel. He said these 28, which are in the provinces of Masbate (9 towns) Camarines Sur (7 towns), Albay (3 towns), Sorsogon (3 towns), Camarines Norte (2 towns), and Naga City (4 sub-stations), are either awaiting lot donations or in the process of completing the lot donation requirements. Buenafe said those awaiting lot donations in Masbate are the police headquarters located in the towns of Balud, Batuan, Dimasalang, Mandaon, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, San Fernando, San Jacinto and San Pascual. In Camarines Sur, the towns are Bombon, Buhi, Canaman, Caramoan, Lupi, Ragay and San Fernando.In Naga City, there are four police sub-stations awaiting lot donations. Buenafe cited the towns of Daraga, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo in Albay while in Sorsogon the towns are Casiguran, Irosin and Sta. Magdalena. In Camarines Norte, the towns without lot donations are Vinzons and Basud. “All the Municipal Police Offices in Catanduanes have complete lot donations,” he said. Buenafe cited that among the documentary requirements for lot donations are the absolute deed of donation in favor of the Philippine National Police along with complete technical description; Sangguniang Bayan (SB) resolution authorizing the mayor to donate a municipal lot; and certification/resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. “There should be a certified true copy of the mother title or transfer certificate of title (TCT) or any document proving ownership of the donor,” he said. Buenafe said for LGUs willing to provide counterpart funds for construction of the police station, an SB resolution must be included in the requirements for the programming of funds. He said the lot to be donated will also be assessed, taking into consideration the security aspect, suitability of the lot for building construction, convenience to the public and accessibility to power, water and communication facilities. “Also, a certification from the concerned government agency has to be secured that the lot location is not prone to natural hazards,” he added. The agencies commonly issuing natural hazard-free certifications include the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau or MGB; Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR; Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or Phivolcs; Department of Public Works and Highways or DPWH; and the concerned LGUs.

NAGA CITY – “A life well lived , a life well spent – a life that has simply touched the hearts of many.” This was how University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) Executive Vice President and EVP for Finance Deli A. Tibi, widow of Sir Eduardo Tibi described the journey of his late husband. After a year of mourning his loss, Mam Deli, as he is fondly called by loved ones, will now let go of the grief and embrace the memories and content herself with the thought that he is now in the loving arms of the Lord. As a fitting tribute to his memories, Mam Deli , together with her family, loved ones, friends and acquaintances arranged a simple but memorable gathering at Avenue Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, February 15. A photo gallery on how this man has lived life to the fullest was displayed at the hotel’s lobby. The photos are revelations of how Sir Ed has spent his life in a simple way, far from the sight of many but only to those persons close to his heart, especially his wife, Mam Deli and his only son, Jaypee. Eduardo Bugarin- Tibi was born on August 16, 1943 and joined our Creator, February 15 last year after suffering from post-surgery complications. He was 73. Prior to his death, he served as Chairman and President of Alfelor Sr. Memorial College, Inc. He is also a businessman, an architect and an educator. He was a doting father to their only son and has been the constant companion of his wife everywhere she goes- the reason why the void he has left just became so unbearable for his family. “What I will miss most about Daddy is his thoughtfulness. Every morning when I wake up, a good breakfast is already waiting for me- always. He would bring me food at the office too, ensuring that amidst the stack of paperworks, I will not be able to skip my meals. Those are just few of the little things that I will miss about him,” Ms Deli recalled.

By Sharmaine Zen Manzano NAGA CITY --- For better sports competence particularly in football, the City Government of Naga, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Football Council of Naga (FCN) and Football for Humanity, hosted the Premier League of Naga City Inter-School Street Football Festival with the theme: “One Student, One Sport: Play, Learn and Be a Champion.” Vice President Leni Robredo, Congressman Gabby Bordado, Mayor John Bongat, Football for Humanity President Chris Thomas, FCN President Richmond Canlas and DepEd Naga City Division Superintendent William Gando were present to grace the opening ceremony last Saturday, February 11, at the LCC Mall here. “In recent years, development of sports, particularly in football and futsal, has tremendously improved across the city through the efforts of the city government in cooperation with the barangay officials and the Department of Education,” Mayor Bongat said, as he added that “the city of Naga embarked on many grassroots development programs not just in basketball, football and futsal but also in various individual and team sports; engaging even the out-of-school youths in the summer sports program of the city government.” VP Robredo, for her part, said, “for our children today, you are lucky; lucky enough to be part of this program. Let us not waste chances because we have this opportunity to develop ourselves and opportunity that serves as a vehicle for transformation.” According to Division Superintendent Gando, the results of the Naga City Division during the recently concluded Palarong Bicol 2017 are impressive; landing as overall 1st runner up. “We express our thanks to the city leadership of our mayor, Mayor John Bongat for his strong support to our sports development programs, like today’s opening of the Premier League of Naga City Street Football Festival,” Gando said. He also added to “express our sincerest thanks to those who are involved in our participation in Palarong Bicol, our teachers, coaches, school heads, our local school board and officers, Ernani Suron of Naga City School Board and the rest of the staff and City Hall employees who contributed to our success in Palaro.”

To show that the Social Security System (SSS) cares for its members and pensioners, the pension fund distributed relief goods to 1,000 families from four barangays in Bicol- Magurang, Alnay, Basud and Gabon- which were affected by typhoon Nina last February 11, 2017. During the relief operations held at Magurang Elementary School, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc, a Bicolano himself, encouraged his kababayans to remain resilient like the bamboo and rise stronger and taller after a crisis because this is what Oragons are known for. He said that SSS is always ready to help them as they rebuild their lives and homes. Above photo shows PCEO Dooc (center) and Polangui, Albay Vice Mayor Herbert Borja (beside PCEO) giving the relief package to Mr. Domingo Bogal from Brgy. Gabon, one of the beneficiaries of the SSS relief operation. Also present during the gift-giving were Management Services & Planning Division Vice President Eleonora Y. Cinco; Administration Group Senior Vice President May Catherine C. Ciriaco; Luzon Operations Group Senior Vice President Josie G. Magana; Officer-In-Charge for Luzon Bicol Division Elenita S. Samblero; Magurang Elementary School Principal Yvonne O. Rea; and Officer-In-Charge of the Corporate Communications Department Sonia P. Guinto. Below photo shows employees of SSS Naga and Legazpi distributing the relief packages to the beneficiaries. PCEO Dooc together with other senior officials were in Bicol from February 9-11 for the first Regional Visit for 2017 as part of the pension fund’s thrust to bring SSS closer to its members.

Matapos an halawig na mga deliberasyon sa Sangguniang Panlungsod kan Ciudad nin Naga sa propuestong P260 milyon na sanitary landfill (SLF) na-aprobaran man giraray sa sesyon regular sa aldaw nin mga puso, Febrero 14 matapos ipresentar kan Technical Working Group (TWG) an saindang pinal na feasibility study kan tatambakan basura sa Barangay San Isidro. Alagad kinakaipuhan magsumiter giraray kan saindang final report an TWG sa Sangguniang Panlungsod. Puponan tolos an proyecto sa paagi kan inicial na P25 milyon gikan sa Economic Development Fund alagad an kakulangan na P168 milyon sa P260M na cantidad kan proyecto posibleng utangon sa bangko defende sa fondo kan City Hall na hinahalat muna an recomendasyon kan Budget Office mientras na piglalaoman matatapos an SLF nurong taon asin target na maging operational sa Abril 2018, sabi ni Consejal Salvador Del Castillo, pamayo kan Committee on Environment. Nagkaperang veces nagpresentar kan saindang feasibility study an TWG na pinamamayohan ni City Planning Officer Willy Prilles asin sa sesyon kan Febrero 14 nagkulpa na si halawig na mga debate sa isyu kan fondo, pagpaconstruhir nin tinampo asin kun perang taon an buhay kan SLF. Pinaboran kan SP an propuesto kan TWG sa Option B – na gagamiton an 4.85 hektaryang lote na gagastosan nin P260M asin an buhay kaini malawig nin 10.3 taon mientras na iginilid na an Option A – para sana sa tolong taon na operasyon kan basurahan na gagastosan nin P203M alagad an buhay kaini sundo sana sa 2.8 taon. Sinabi ni Bise Alcalde Nelson Legacion dawa inabot nin perang bulan an pag-aadal kan TWG asin deliberasyon sa SP mas naging positivo an resulta huli ta napatama asin nagbaba pa si cantidad hale sa dating P273 milyon naghuros sa P260 milyon. Naka-minus pa nin tres kilometros sa halawig na distancia kan tinampo pasiring sa lugar kan SLF mabakal nin lote sa Sitio Langon pasiring sa zona siete kan Brgy. San Isidro, an lakdang na ini saro sa pigtulod ni Consejal Del Castillo nganing mapalipot an viaje kan mga dump truck asin makakatipid pa sa gasolina. An deliberasyon sa SLF pinunan kan Junio 2016 mientras na an TWG nagpuon sa pag-aadal kan propuestong proyecto kan Septiembre 2016 asin kan Enero 24, 2017 nagpresentar kan enot na ginibong feasibility study alagad sa aldaw kan mga puso, Febrero 14 nagkulpa na si dakul na mga kapotan sa miembros kan SP sagcod na pinaboran an pinakahuring feasibility study. Pakatapos kan sampulong taon na buhay kan SLF piglalaoman na marerealisar na an haloy nang pangiturogan na Waste to Energy Project, sabi pa ni Del Castillo. An Department of Environment and Natural Resources pigmamandohan an gabos na LGU na dapat magkaigwa nin sadiring SLF base sa Republic Act 9003 o mas midmid sa Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Isinikwal na kan Naga City Police Office an isyu sa nagkaperang incidente nin pandudukot nin menor de edad na aking lalake sa Ciudad nin Naga, alagad igwang sekreto na habong iluwas sa publico sa paagi nin media maging sa bukas na sesyon regular kan Sangguniang Panlungsod envez itutoga an tunay na isyu sa paagi nin executive session sa SP. Si Deputy City Director for Administration P/Supt. Eugenio Manondo nagkumfirmar sa sesyon regular kan Sangguniang Panlungsod kan Martes, Febrero 14 na igwang pig-osip sa Police Station 2 na suboot otso años na aking lalake na dinukot nin nagkaperang kalalakihan kan Enero 21 sa Doña Clara Subdivision, Concepcion Pequeña asin kan Enero 26 saro naman na quince años na aking lalaki an dinukot sa Panganiban Drive sa Rotonda area kataid kan Police Station 2. Alagad sa ginibong investigasyon kan NCPO, sagcod na hinapot an mga magurang o sadiring tawo kan sinasabing mga victima nagluwas na mayong katotohanan an mga nagluwas na informacion sa social media. ‘’it is now safe to say that NO ABDUCTION transpired in the City of Naga. We wish therefore to inform all the Nagueños that Naga is still and always be ‘An MAOGMANG LUGAR.’ – NCPO, City Director P/Supt. Julius Munez, base sa press release ni CD Munez na binasa sa Session Hall ni SPO2 Tobias Bongon. Nagsayuma nang magdetalye sa miembros kan Sangguniang Panlungsod an NCPO mientras na saindang mantenido na dapat ‘confidential’ an investigation report huli ta an puede sana kaining magpaluwas iyo si CD Munez sa paagi kan executive session kan SP na pinamamayohan ni Bise Alcalde Nelson Legacion. An City Director nakatalaan padarahan nin formal na invitacion kan SP nganing mag-atubang sa executive session kan SP sa maabot na Febrero 21. Si P/Supt. Manondo naging visita sa sesyon kan SP sa kahagadan ni Consejal Julian Lavadia Jr. nganing linawon an mga nagluwas na informacion sa paagi nin social media sa mga incidente nin pandudukot nin aki na nag-eedad nin otso hasta quince años. Sinabi man ni Consejal Elmer Baldemoro, Chairman kan Committee on Children na kun nagkaigwa man nin isyu sa pandudukot nin aki naging alertado na an mga magurang sa Ciudad nin Naga mala ngani ‘’super bantay’’ sa paghatud asin sundo sa escuelahan. ‘An estorya sa parakuang aki, suanoy nang estorya mala ngani aki pa ko igwa na kaining mga patanid’’, sabi man ni Consejal Joselito del Rosario. (DPA)

Nagkapera pang natatada na mga oficina rehiyonal nin agencia de gobierno namumugtak pa sa Ciudad nin Naga asin Camarines Sur alagad nanindugan sinda Bise Presidente Leni Robredo asin Alcalde John Bongat kan Ciudad nin Naga dai na dapat ining pakiaraman nganing ihubo sa Ciudad nin Legaspi. An bise presidente nagpahayag sa miembros kan media sa Ciudad nin Naga na pig-olayan ninda ni Alcalde Bongat an padikit-dikit naman na paghubo kan oficina rehiyonal sa Albay asin nakatalaan siyang magsurat nganing ulangan an mga lakdang na ini mientras na an kunsentrasyon kan mga oficina sa Ciudad nin Legaspi dai nababagay sa direksyon kan gobierno puon pa kan 1986, na i-decentralized na dai dapat naka-kunsentrar sa sarong lugar an gabos na oficina. Kun ini an mangyayari afectado man an pag-asenso kan ibang mga provincia mantang concentrado sana sa Ciudad nin Legaspi, dapat bako lang ngani ma-retener sa Naga envez matawan pagkakataon an ibang provincia. Dai palang nahahaloy an oficina rehiyonal kan NBI Bikol na namumugtak sa Ciudad nin Naga, biglang binalyo sa Legaspi na dai lamang nag-cortesia sa City Hall. Pinaliwanag man ni NBI Director Tomas Enrile, an pagbalyo kan saindang oficina bilang pagsunod sa cuarenta años nang presidential proclamation ni diktador Ferdinand Marcos na an Legaspi iyo an Regional Center kan Bikol. Sa entrevista kan BM sa jefe ejecutivo kan Naga, sinabi kaini na dapat imantenir na digdi an mga natatada pang mga oficina rehiyonal sa Naga asin Camarines Sur mantang dakul nganing mga oficina rehiyonal sa Legaspi an padagos pang nag-aarkila sa pribadong mga edificio. Napag-araman na treinta pang mga oficina rehiyonal sa Albay mayo man nin sadiring edificio envez nag-aarkila sa mamahalon na pribadong facilidades na nakawarak sa mga barangay sa Daraga asin Legaspi. Inaalok kan alcalde an mga oficina rehiyonal sa Legaspi na mayo pang permanenteng lugar na bukas an Naga asin Camarines Sur na magbalyo digdi. Kabale pa sa natatadang mga oficina rehiyonal sa Ciudad nin Naga asin Camarines Sur iyo an GSIS, SSS, Pag-Ibig Fund na an labi sa cincuenta por ciento kan miembros kaini gikan sa Camarines Sur asin Camarines Norte, Department of Agriculture na namumugtak sa setenta hektaryang lote sa Pili, Camarines Sur asin an provinciang ini iyo an tambubong nin paroy, Presidential Commission on Indigenous People sa Ciudad nin Iriga, National Irrigation Administration asin an Development Bank of the Philippines. Afuera pa kaini, grabe an commercial activity sa Naga alagad kun gagaboson nalang sa sarong lugar bako man yan marhay, sabi pa ni Bongat. Si dating Gobernador Joey Salceda kan Albay kan siya congresista pa kan tercer distrito nagpahayag nin pag-pabor na dapat ibalyo an regional center sa Ciudad nin Naga hale sa Ciudad nin Legaspi sa dahilan na an Legaspi parating sinasanop nin tubig baha asin afectado pa kun nagtutoga an Volcan Mayon. An bagay na ini saiyang pig-anunciar sa Camarines Sur kan siya maging juespe de honor sa ginibong commencement exercise sa University of Nueva Caceres kan 2006. Sinabi pa na an regional center parating binabaha, afuera pa kaini kun nagkakaigwa nin mayor na pagtuga an volcan natatalbongan nin lahar an mga tinampo mala ngani enterong afectado si ibang mga nadestrosong oficina gulping documentos kaidto an nagkaturonaw.