Monday, March 29, 2021

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Negros Occidental pilots slow food travel outside Europe

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 06:26 AM PDT

THE local agri-tourism industry is getting a boost as Negros Occidental will be the pilot area for slow food travel outside Europe.

Ramon Uy Jr., member of Slow Food Community-Negros Island, said they launched the slow food travel project in the province during the two-day "Pop-Up Earth Markets" in Bacolod City over the weekend.

Uy, also an organic agriculture advocate, said the slow food travel will be a unique tourism product of Western Visayas, noting that slow food development has been part of the thrusts of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The project is a partnership between Slow Food Community-Negros Island, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agriculture (DA), Central Philippine State University (CPSU), and Slow Food International.

"The slow food travel is known in Europe, so we're having it here in the region," he said, adding that the end goal of the project is to bring economic benefits to the rural areas.

Under the project, there will be training on product development and capacity building in terms of slow food travel mainly for industry stakeholders like farmers.

Uy said the first virtual training is scheduled on April 21 this year, which will be conducted by the Slow Food International based in Italy.

Also, there will be a biodiversity mapping for the identification of biodiversity hotspots in Negros.

The island has rich biodiversity like the "batuan," which is endemic in Negros and some parts of Western Visayas and found to have four varieties, Uy said.

"So we will identify, document and catalogue these varieties. It will then be part of our root or story of our slow food travel project," he said.

Uy added that the DOT will also support in terms of developing the farmers, producers and other industry stakeholders.

Senator Cynthia Villar, who was represented by her staff during the "Pop-Up Earth Market" event, also expressed support for the project.

Villar, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture and food, is the principal author of Farm Tourism Law.

"This project will enable us to prepare for the implementation of slow food travel like the creation of tour packages highlighting our rich biodiversity," Uy said, adding that it is seen to boost tourism and agriculture as well as promote rural development.

He stressed that the guiding principles of slow food include supporting small scale farmers producing good, clean and fair food, as well as agro-ecology preservation.

One of the projects of Slow Food International was the "Ark of Taste" which catalogued endangered heritage food like batwan, kadyos, criollo cacao and darag chicken, among others.

In Negros Occidental, there are 23 items listed in the catalogue, Uy said.

"By documenting them, we are preserving our heritage food, our stories as well, for the future generation to know. If not, it will easily be forgotten," he added.

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A tribute to Atty. Wilson Gamboa Sr.

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 06:25 AM PDT

EVERY father is irreplaceable. Even after he is long gone, his good deeds will always live on through his family and through those who are influenced by how he lived his life.

The late Atty. Wilson Gamboa Sr., the father of Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., was known as a leader and lawyer who had served both the local and national offices and had fought for the people's rights and welfare during the pre and post dictatorship era.

The senior Gamboa came from a humble beginning whose father worked as a "sakada" or a sugarcane worker yet had a thing for gambling that made him flee away from his debtors.

At six years old, the senior Gamboa had to sell newspapers, other goods and had to shine the shoes of government workers in Bacolod City in order to help his mother sustain their needs. They were three siblings in the family and they lived in a slum area in the city.

At seven years old, he had to wake up early in the morning to sell either fish or native delicacies like "kakanin" so that he could earn some to buy rice for the family. Most of the time, he had to go to school on an empty stomach just so he could catch up with his classes.

But the senior Wilson was also quite creative in life and had a spark with unlimited potentials.

Because they were poor, they could hardly enjoy a complete meal. What got them by through rough times was steamed rice sprinkled with salt.

In the slums, funerals and weddings were a source of banquet and an opportunity for him and his siblings to attend just so they could partake a decent meal. That was how they could taste delicious meals for free.

The senior Gamboa was an intelligent person and was determined to finish his studies in order to alleviate their economic condition.

Their way of life was depressing but he focused more on his dreams -- dreams that were too big for mediocre minds. He was creative, extraordinary, determined and focused on his goals.

He was always thankful every day that he was alive and that he was committed to continue to work and study hard to reach his dreams.

He was determined to get closer to his dream each day until he finished his studies. He was always at the top of his class because he cannot afford to waste his time and resources.

Time, studies and hard work were his equity until he became a certified public accountant who graduated "Magna Cum Laude." He pursued further to law school and he became not just a plain lawyer but the best lawyer in town, enjoying a gift of public speaking and discourse. He was a great debater and will never flee to any invitation for debates.

He spoke and wrote English with scholarly qualities and was quite eloquent.

He defended people who cannot afford to pay for his legal and professional fees. He also set aside a portion of his income to send impoverished children to school so that they could be educated.

He got married to Thelma and was blessed with five children at the age of 28. When his income as a lawyer tripled he helped the needy get their needed education.

He joined politics in Bacolod and became the youngest councilor. He was labeled by former journalist Primo Esleyer as the wonderboy of Bacolod politics because of his easy entry to the local politics at the age of 28 and served two terms with the imposition of Martial Law.

Opportunities turned favorable to him where he became a member of the Parliament, then as Minister of Agrarian Reform as appointed by former President Cory Aquino; became Undersecretary of Deputy of the National Defense. As the former son of a sugarcane farmer, he succeeded in heading the Sugar Regulatory Commission that governs the country's sugar industry and later served as one of the Governors or the Development Bank of the Philippines under former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Former President Joseph Estrada appointed him as Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Journal.

He left a big shoe so hard to fill in even by his son, Wilson Jr.

But Wilson Jr.'s family dwelt on his legacy and good name being a staunch advocate of social justice and the rule of law.

During his birthday on March 27, the junior Gamboa with his wife Ai Ai, reminisced about his good deeds and invited a few friends whom their late father was acquainted with.

Journalists Edgard Cadagat, Gil Severino, Dolly Yasa and Arman Toga (whose father Ruperto Toga is a close friend of the late Wilson Sr.), likewise broadcaster Art Tayhupon (whose mother in law had a restaurant before frequented by the late Wilson Sr. due to their hot and flavorful Linaga and Pata) were a few of those who came to celebrate his birthday.

Wilson Jr. loves to hear stories shared by former comrades of his father considering that he was very strict with his family while they were growing.

He would usually cut you off when you discuss senseless topics, Wilson Jr. recalled.

"We would run away from him because he was very strict. I realized that the lessons he imparted to me were very valuable," he said.

His father was a councilor at that time and in one instance, he called the junior Gamboa and told him, "The water cannot rise above the source," which according to Wilson, Jr., is true enough because his political success was hard to attain. "I cannot compare myself to him as he served national positions and fought the Marcos during martial law."

The young Wilson will complete his three terms as councilor of Bacolod and could hardly decide yet on whether to pursue a higher post.

"But in case I run, I will be running not merely to oppose a fellow but to present a new policy and direction. I am an advocate of the free market of choices and ideas. People have choices regardless of their economic status in life," he said.

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Abellanosa: Retrieving the meaning of Holy Week

Posted: 29 Mar 2021 05:46 AM PDT

OUR struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic has made many of us forget that we have entered the Holy Week. Precisely, the suffering which many have been experiencing for more than a year now has made us ask whether penance and penitence are still needed these days?

The celebration of the mysteries of our faith, however, is not just about the compliance of ecclesiastical prescriptions, and neither is it a matter of just going through the seasons of our religious calendar. In essence, our religious observances are deeply rooted in our existential questions. Religion symbolizes our deepest longings and dreams as well as our anxieties and fears. The gap between God and man is bridged by man himself, the portal to which is the awareness of the most important question: what do all of these celebrations mean to me?

The Holy Week should not just make us enter or re-enter into the narrative of the Lord's passion, death, and resurrection. It must allow us, or even awaken us to enter and re-enter into our own. Unless we see the connection of the narratives that we have been reading to that of our lives, little shall be our appreciation of the repeated liturgies and sacraments. We can only stand in closer proximity to the divine element of our celebrations through the realization that God's reality does not reside outside our very own.

A significant element in the celebration of the Lord's passion is the cross. Described by many as the greatest symbol of Christianity and even the world's salvation itself, it actually has a very worldly meaning. But the cross is not just a religious symbol. It also captures the truth about human existence: burdensome and full of labors. The cross reminds us of our finitude and the certitude of death despite the uncertainty of all other human possibilities. The cross indeed is a scandal not just for Christians but anyone who is human. It reminds us of our weakness despite our strength.

But it is in our limitations, weaknesses, and finitude that we get to admit who we are and thus work only within the parameters of our realities. The cross reminds us not to go beyond what we are only capable of. Above all, it reminds us that though human life has its limitations and end, but, these are not obstacles to making use of the here and now in order to contribute to the betterment of others in the spirit of self-giving.

We have been repeating the celebration of the Holy Week for centuries. It is necessary however to retrieve its significance in our lives. This is imperative not just because it is an integral aspect of our culture, but because its meaning cannot be separated from our own meaning as individuals.

Many have said that the Covid-19 pandemic is our new cross. A closer look at it, nonetheless, would reveal that it is not a new burden but a reminder that we have always been carrying our burdens of poverty, sickness, and death. The world and human existence, with or without the pandemic, shall always be full of struggles. It is just that, we have forgotten, or we have opted to manicure the bare realities of life.

May our celebrations lead us to the deserts of our existence so that there we may also find the wellspring of our hope.

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Bacolod remains under MGCQ

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:59 AM PDT

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia warned Bacolodnons to refrain from spreading fake news related to community quarantines as these cause panic among people.

Leonardia made the clarification after some netizens posted on social media last week that Bacolod City was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

"I just want to clarify that these are malicious and fake news. I appeal to our people that we are now in pandemic so please stop spreading fake news," Leonardia said.

The mayor in a statement said Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG)-Bacolod head Ma. Joy Marideth Madayag informed them that the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved that Bacolod City is still classified under MGCQ from April 1 to 30.

He said from December 2020 until April 1 to 30, 2021, Bacolod City is under MGCQ.

"But of course, whether we will retain that or not, will depend on us because the classification of the IATF will depend on our actual situation. So if we want to stay under MGCQ, we should help each other so that our Covid cases in the city will not increase," he added.

The mayor said the only way to do it is to continue exercising strictly the health protocols.

Leonardia noted that on March 26, Bacolod City recorded 24 new Covid-19 cases, 20 new Covid-19 cases on March 25 and just a week ago, it reached 25 cases.

"The last time that we had these kinds of numbers was way back November 21, 2020 when we recorded 28 Covid-19 cases," Leonardia said.

He said from December 2020 to February 2021, Bacolod recorded a single-digit number of Covid cases.

"With our figures these days, these are warning signs or warning shots that we cannot afford to ignore. We have to put this into our minds that we have threats," he added.

Leonardia also urged the public to avoid social gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus.

The mayor also appealed to Bacolodnons to register for the Covid-19 vaccination program.

Leonardia said the vaccination already started with medical frontliners.

"We all want to get out of this pandemic, we want to go back to a normal situation but for now, the vaccine is our way of doing this. Only the vaccine can save us from this pandemic," he said.

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Negros Occidental guv, 3 execs test negative for coronavirus

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:58 AM PDT

NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, three other officials and 13 employees tested negative for the coronavirus (Covid-19), results released Sunday afternoon, March 28, 2021, showed.

Also tested negative were lawyer Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator; Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer; and Dr. Jessica Fama, assistant health officer.

Thirteen other employees, whose names were withheld for privacy considerations, from the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Provincial Administrator also tested negative.

They were tested Sunday morning at the Capitol grounds.

The swab testing was conducted after Dr. Zeapharf Gerhart Caelian and three of his staff members from the Provincial Incident Management Team tested positive for the coronavirus last week.

These forced the locking down of two offices and the quarantine of officials and employees.

The said offices will reopen on Monday, March 29.

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Push for termination of 'A' sugar allocation backed

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:57 AM PDT

AN OFFICIAL of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has expressed support for the push for the termination of the seven-percent allocation for the US quota or "A" sugar amid the anticipated tightness in the domestic supply of the commodity.

SRA Board Member Emilio "Dino" Yulo III, representing the planters, said he is fully supportive of the stakeholders' call to terminate the current allocation for the US quota "in light of the obvious fact that we may not be able to reach our targeted sugar output for this crop year."

Yulo, in a statement, said the projected national production of 2.190 million metric tons (MT) appears to be a long shot based on simple mathematics.

Yulo said he already expressed to SRA head Hermenegildo Serafica as early as November to revisit and review the SRA estimates given the heavy rainfall experienced in Negros Occidental and with Batangas getting hit by Typhoon Quinta during that time.

"Administrator Serafica assured me in a letter that he has ordered a study as early as October and will appraise the Sugar Board about the situation but nothing happened," Yulo said, adding that "rather, the administrator reiterated through media last February his forecast that we will have excess sugar this crop year which will need to be exported."

He further said that "such a statement was quite alarming because of clear figures coming from the ground which prompted me to reiterate my reservations in my letters between January to March because it was near impossible to attain by then the initial projected national production."

Yulo said the sugar industry needs to average a 50-kilogram bag per tonnes cane (LKg/TC) of 2.22 for the remainder of the milling season to be able to attain the projected national production.

Just to be able to reach two million metric tons, the industry needs to average a LKg/TC of 1.78 for the remainder of the crop year, Yulo said.

By the end of February, figures showed that the LKg/TC continued to be mired in the 1.71 level, which makes it next to impossible to aim for the projected national production, he added.

The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) earlier recommended to the SRA the termination of the seven-percent allocation for "A" sugar as soon as possible.

Confed president Raymond Montinola, in a letter to SRA head Hermenegildo Serafica dated March 26, said this is an anticipation of tightness in the domestic supply.

"[Also] we support the SRA's effort to review the current allocation formula," he added.

Montinola said most of their members have increased their cane tonnage this crop year due to the heavy rainfall that prevailed since December 2020.

He said sugar recovery, however, has dropped significantly compared to last year leading the SRA to revise its crop estimate for Crop Year 2020 to 2021.

"We take note, likewise, of a rise in withdrawals of raw sugar and a drop in demand for refined as reflected in the supply and demand report of the SRA last February 28," the Confed president told Serafica.

The group believes that terminating the "A" sugar allocation would help relieve the tightness in the domestic market.

In line with this recommendation, Confed also proposed that the SRA establish a deadline for verification and shipment to the US market of all "A" sugar already quedanned.

For Yulo, the sugar producers group was right to assume that there's an expected tightness in the domestic supply as figures have clearly shown.

Aside from Confed, other stakeholders calling for the scrapping of US quota allocation include the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, and Luzon Federation of Sugar Producers Inc.

Yulo said the handwriting is on the wall and scribbles were already seen as early as January and should have been acted upon.

"As I have repeatedly stressed in my correspondences, it is unconscionable to export if eventually, we are to import which will again prompt the resurgence of calls to liberalize which industry stakeholders have been fighting against, knowing that this will kill the sugar industry," he added.

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CPSU faculty member asks COA, Ombudsman to probe P49-M project

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:56 AM PDT

A FACULTY member of Central Philippine State University (CPSU) is asking the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged corruption and irregularities on the P49-million renovation of a school building at the university's main campus in Kabankalan City.

In a letter complaint addressed to Mary Grace Reyes, state auditor, the faculty member who asked anonymity said, "I am bringing serious corruption happening in Central Philippine State University main campus. CPSU Kabankalan advertised through Philgeps on November 20, 2020, for the renovation of the three-story classroom building at CPSU main campus in the amount of P49 million."

Bidding was conducted in December 2020 and a resolution was passed by the members of the Bids and Awards Committee and duly approved by Aladino Moraca, head of the Procuring Entity (Hope).

Despite the approval of a resolution, the Head of the Procuring Entity headed by Moraca failed to issue a Notice of Award and Notice to Proceed based on the approved structural/engineering and architectural design, the complaint stated.

It added, "What actually happened was HLJ, a contractor, implemented the construction of the project. However, there were changes, revision which is in violation of RA (Republic Act) 9184 because such revisions were never published in Philgeps, thus, illegally approved by Moraca."

"Other changes and revisions made, which were not published and advertised in Philgeps, are transfer of the building site; complete revision as to the facade, structural design, the floor area is drastically reduced at the advantage of the contractor but disadvantageous to those who joined the bidding as their estimate was based on the actual designed engineering, structural and architectural perspective; the contractor in alleged collusion with Moraca constructed an entirely different structure in contrast to what was published in Philgeps," it further said.

"There was no transparency by which RA 9184 requires as a matter of policy giving all bidders equal opportunity and information so that they could all participated in the bidding and tendered their bids based on the publication in Philgeps and based supposed on the engineering, structural and architectural design that were never published in Philgeps," the complaint further stated.

When asked for comment, Moraca told Sunstar Bacolod that they proposed to the Department of Budget and Management the transfer of the project because during the final check-up they noticed that the heritage building of the university will be affected.

There was also a technical finding that the soil was hollow in the original site and that they are looking for an option that does not destroy the guidelines for the project implementation, Morca said.

"We have chosen the location with the consensus of the management team with the College of Education which is the end-user. I want a legal and exact process. There were bidders of course and in the process that is the result. I want a clean and honest transaction and I hate corruption," Moraca said.

He also said the design was being followed and the construction of the three-story building was even improved.

"We should consider that we are in the Covid-19 pandemic. There were also other bidders but HLG won. We are open to any investigation and willing to answer issues," Moraca added.

He said that COA already informed them of the complaint.

Moraca said the P49-million budget for the project comes from the capital outlay.

"CPSU submits the plan and cost estimate of the infra project every year and that the BDM has already studied the proposal," Moraca further said.

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Spike in Covid-19 cases in La Carlota traced to BJMP trainees

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:55 AM PDT

LA CARLOTA City Mayor Rex Jalandoon revealed over the weekend that the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in his locality can be traced to trainees of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

According to Jalandoon, of the 34 active cases they have at the present, 27 were BJMP trainees temporarily assigned at the Cubay Training Campus and have previously originated from the Regional Training Center.

A total of 400 trainees arrived in the city and all of them were required to undergo swab tests, of which 27 came back positive for the virus.

Jalandoon also made a statement for the public to remain calm and not to be frightened as the 27 were all inside the training campus and have not gone out of their isolation rooms.

Based on a report released by the Provincial Health Office, as of March 25, La Carlota City had a total of 287 Covid-19 cases, six of which were tagged as local cases with 242 recoveries, and 12 deaths.

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Bacolod court suspends criminal proceedings against Yanson

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:54 AM PDT

THE Bacolod Regional Trial Court (RTC) suspended the criminal proceedings against Ricardo Yanson, Jr. and held in abeyance the issuance of arrest warrant, lawyer Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, council of the four Yanson siblings, said.

Narvasa, in a statement, said Ricardo Jr., who is allied with Roy, Emily, and Celina Yanson-Lopez or the Y4, filed a Petition for Certiorari assailing the orders of the Bacolod Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Br. 7 finding probable cause and issuing an arrest warrant against him. He claimed that the MTC completely disregarded the fact that a prejudicial question exists on who the rightful majority shareholders and managers of Vallacar Transit, Inc. (VTI) are.

In granting the Petition for Certiorari, Branch 45 of the RTC of Bacolod City in its order dated March 1, 2021, confirmed that a prejudicial question indeed existed as there was a pending issue in a prior case before Branch 53 that must first be resolved before the criminal case against him may proceed, Narvasa said.

The resolution of that issue would determine the guilt or innocence of the accused in the criminal case, the lawyer said.

He further said the existence of a prejudicial question necessitates the suspension of the criminal proceedings and any issuance of warrants of arrest would be premature, hence, void.

Narvasa also stressed that the reason for the rule, the Court clarified, is to avoid conflicting decisions between two courts.

t ruled that RTC Br. 53, which has jurisdiction over the intra-corporate case involving control of Vallacar Transit Inc., must first resolve the validity of the ouster of Leo Rey Yanson before any criminal case can proceed against Ricardo Jr. Then, too, the propriety of the authority of the party who caused the filing of the criminal case against Ricardo Jr. is linked to the resolution of the intra-corporate case. If Branch 53 finds the Y4's action in removing Leo Rey Yanson justified, then the criminal suits filed against them by persons who took authority to do so from Leo Rey will also be void.

"Thus, it annulled and set aside the orders of the MTC Br. 7 and ordered that the proceedings in the criminal case against the Y4 be held in abeyance pending the resolution of the prejudicial question issue before RTC Branch 53 in the intra-corporate case over the control of VTI," Narvasa said.

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Over P700,000 shabu seized in Bacolod

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:39 AM PDT

AN ESTIMATED P748,000 worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Regional Drug Enforcement Unit- Western Visayas, Anti-Illegal Drug Team, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Carlos Hilado Highway, Marapara Heights, Purok Fine Tree, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City Saturday afternoon, March 27, 2021.

The operation also led to the arrest of Mark John Tanique, 32, of Zone 5 Talisay City; Rodel Vasques, 25, of Zone 5 Talisay City; and Dave E. Dumip-ig, 18, of Purok Magti-ayon, Barangay 10, Bacolod City.

Police records showed the suspects were arrested after they sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover around 5:30 p.m.

Police recovered from the suspects' possession 14 sachets of shabu weighing 110 grams, the P28,500 marked money and a motorcycle.

Tanique and Vasques were identified as high-value individuals in Bacolod City. They were under surveillance for almost a month before their arrest.

The suspects were detained at the custodial facility of Police Stations 3. They are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, an estimated P13,600 worth of shabu was also seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 4 in Purok Acacia, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City Saturday afternoon.

The operation led to the arrest of Jerric Palis, 27, of Charito Heights Subdivision, Barangay Granada.

Police Lieutenant Ma. Liberty Indiape, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office, said Palis was arrested after he sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover around 12:40 p.m.

Police recovered from Palis's possession five sachets of shabu weighing two grams and the P200 marked money.

The suspect was detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 4. He is facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

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Village residents condemn CPP-NPA terrorists

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:39 AM PDT

SOME 210 villagers in Calatrava and Toboso strongly denounced the violence and atrocities committed by a communist terrorist group (CTG) during the two-day consecutive peace rally from March 25 to 26, 2021.

The activity commenced with a film-showing and information drive aimed to give awareness to residents regarding insurgency, deception and recruitment strategies of CTGs and to address the issues and concerns of the residents.

Former rebel "Ka Joross" also shared his testimony about his worst and miserable experiences when he was still in the armed group and how the government helped him after he surrendered.

Participants of the activity, mostly youth and parents, led by Barangay Captain Dominador Jubahib of Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava and Barangay Captain Eulogio Julom of Barangay Bandila, Toboso took their oath of commitment to reject the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in their communities.

This was followed by the burning of the CPP-NPA flag that symbolizes their total denouncement of the terrorist organization as they hoisted banners and placards calling for an end to the "terrorist" activities, extortion, harassments and deception to civilians, as well as recruitment of minors by the CTGs.

Simultaneous with the activity was the distribution of educational leaflets that contained information about the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program to encourage members of CTGs to return to the folds of the law.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB Commanding Officer said, "I urged everyone not to get swayed by the deceptive communist propaganda and help us counter their activities. Armed struggle is not the key, but a big hindrance to attaining peace and development."

"As your partner in this endeavor, the Masaligan troopers will continue to protect the public, especially the youth from any form of terrorist activities. Help us in encouraging our deceived and misled brothers and sisters to end their fake and senseless armed struggle. Let us convince them to come down and embrace the path to peace with their loved ones," Alvaran added.

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Kasanag chief reminds Duterte of promise on federalism

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:05 AM PDT

TASK Force (TF) Kasanag Commander John Chong on Sunday, March 28, 2021, reminded President Rodrigo Duterte of his promise to initiate a Charter Change for federalism.

TF Kasanag has a large membership in Luzon, Mindanao and Negros Occidental, where it held caravans in Luzon and Mindanao to highlight this reminder to the president.

"We want to remind President Digong as to the status of that promise," he said.

TF Kasanag has been supporting the administration of Duterte, particularly in his fight against the four menaces of society such as crimes, corruption, terrorism, and criminality.

Since 2010, TF Kasanag has thrown its support to the federalized form of government.

There were already 126,000 signatures gathered manifesting their support for Federalism.

"We hope that before he steps down, Federalism will push through," he said.

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Lobaton: Many developments and life as gift

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 07:03 AM PDT

IT IS still a continuing situation of uncertainty. And the more that we are slowly trying to resolve things, new and emerging problems are created. Scholars projected that this situation of our fight against the coronavirus could even take longer than expected.

Due to the recent surge of cases in Metro Manila and four other provinces, an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was declared by the government on these areas for the next few days, particularly during the observance of the Holy Week.

There are reports that new variants are already the cause of the recent surge, but the health department has not ruled exactly on this. Something could be done to evaluate when data would start to come in to cover days where ECQ was implemented. In situations where the number of cases would remain high, it suggests, something could be wrong that movements of people are not the only reason for the surge.

Vaccine remains the only hope. But how soon we can make a perfect fit for the coronavirus and the new variants, that remains to be seen. Many are skeptical about the vaccines despite it being the last hope for protection against Covid-19. Discussions continue to influence minds that all this is still a work in progress.

It would be sad that in our quest trying to make immediate solutions to the pandemic, many ways may not be perfect at first. There are always false starts and risks that have to be taken on the way to perfection. We just hope that times would not allow anymore to sacrifice lives just because we want to seek a perfect fit for our fight against the Covid-19.

Someone told me that we are still in the trial and error period. Just because we don't belong as one of those lead countries on research and development, in trying to resolve this problem, we are also the least in terms of priority. We couldn't have other options than go to manual mode of fighting the pandemic just like implementing lockdowns to prevent mobility of those possible carriers of the disease.

I was reminded of my talk with my boss and friend, Dr. Jay Estrellas, the Vice President for Academic Affairs of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, on the importance of life at the height of this pandemic. It came to me to think about our past discussions about life and the many possibilities as Dr. Jay celebrated his special day yesterday. We were talking about the importance of life at present and the manner by which individuals can carry an identity for themselves while still being alive.

We have different views on how we could be remembered by people around us. Some might like to be hated, while others want to be remembered as a nice person, who then becomes very conscious of how he appears to people around him. But all is summarized by the fact that life is just a temporary commodity that nobody could boast about it and a little twist could probably end it all. Just the same, many would like to be thought-about as good as the norms of society dictates.

As Dr. Jay Estrellas would have it, even at this time of pandemic, we can still have our version of celebrating our special day. It is in these trying times that life needs to be looked up to as an important gift from above. Life every day is indeed a gift.

My special greetings on the celebration of Dr. Jay's birthday yesterday. I knew him for many years because he was my former boss at the Graduate Programs of the University of St. La Salle.

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Alminaza: Earth Hour 2021: Switch coal off, for good

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:58 AM PDT

THIS weekend, millions around the world once again participated in the annual Earth Hour, in which we were invited to switch our lights and appliances off for an hour. As much of the energy used by humanity is still sourced from fossil fuels, turning our lights off together encourages a decrease in our consumption of dirty energy and our carbon footprint. Each year, Earth Hour provides us with an opportunity to unite in action and reflection for our Common Home. It, too, brings to light an important question: why is our energy dirty in the first place?

Despite its immense renewable energy potential, the Philippines is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs. A major part of our power mix is still occupied by coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. This has caused many grievances to Filipinos, coal being costly to our people and nature in many different ways. Sadly, policy directions in our country have yet to mark an end to the reign of dirty energy. While the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a moratorium on coal, it provided ways to keep many projects from being shelved, and leaves existing coal plants untouched and able to keep polluting.

It does not help that top Philippine banks are keeping coal plants running thanks to their financial support to the industry, even when they have the ability to switch coal off for good by restricting their funding for it. In particular, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco De Oro (BDO) combined have invested over US$6 billion to support coal projects from 2009-2019. Despite claims that they are seeking to pursue sustainability and align to the changes required by the climate crisis, these banks and many others still have not publicly set limits on the financial support they provide to coal. Indeed it is concerning that the banks in whom we place our trust in the form of our financial resources, may be using that to fuel catastrophes we suffer.

Moreover, even while we strive to phase out coal in the country, corporations are already executing plans to make our energy sector reliant on other polluting sources, especially fossil gas. Instead of pushing for a transition to clean, affordable, and renewable energy, we find our government, banks, and energy companies furthering the destruction of our planet by tying us down to the use of more fossil fuels.

Our carbon-intensive ways are especially troublesome given our country's climate-vulnerability. We can see physical manifestations of this in the increasing frequency of devastating storms and sweltering high temperatures plaguing our nation today. No one is more affected by these changes than the poor who are also being robbed by high electricity prices caused by the inability of coal costs to keep stable amid fluctuations, and coal-affected communities who are slowly being poisoned to death by coal pollution.

Earth Hour reminds us of these issues at hand and prompts us to hold our authorities and local banks accountable for their role in aggravating climate change. Seeing that the path to a future that is cleaner seems to be blocked by the very leaders who must be taking us there, we may easily feel discouraged. But it is important to not lose hope in this fight. Our faith teaches us courage through the victorious stories of the small over the mighty. Through faith and hope, Noah survived the flood, David defeated Goliath, and Jesus triumphed over death. We too can rise from ever-growing climate problems and move the behemoths supporting fossil fuels.

For those of us who switched off our lights for Earth Hour, may we be reminded of the bigger reason behind our action. In the same way that we turned our lights off for our planet's future, our government and our banks must permanently switch coal off through concrete policies to divest and facilitate a complete transition to renewable energy. As stewards of Creation, we hope for a time when Earth Hour would no longer be necessary, when the use of fossil fuels has been eradicated, and clean energy from renewables would be the norm across the globe.

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Ombion: Templating CSOs empowerment in governance

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:55 AM PDT

THE codal foundations of the above topic are well defined. The 1987 Philippine Constitution is quite emphatic in stating that the "Sovereignty resides in the people, and all government authorities emanate from them". It further says that "The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making shall not be abridged."

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that "local government units shall promote the establishment and operation of people's and non-governmental organizations to become active partners in the pursuit of local autonomy." It creates the mechanism for citizen participation by establishing local special bodies such as the local development council, local health board, local school board and local peace and order council.

All stresses that citizens' participation can make the government become more responsive to the basic needs of the people, more effective in the delivery of basic service and more efficient in the use of resources.

Ultimately, if these goals are achieved at all levels, citizen participation in reducing poverty, promoting peace and sustaining inclusive and resilient development.

Promoting Civil Society Organization (CSOs) empowerment in governance, however, has not been without challenges, ebb and flow in the process. Among these, some if not many of those in government, especially in LGUs, are not well convinced of the value of citizen participation. On the other hand, the citizens organizations numbering in the few thousands are not also well organized and their capacity to effectively engage government is very limited.

At this juncture, I find it particularly interesting to note that per my direct and indirect involvement with some National Government Agencies (NGAs) and few local government units (LGUs) with programmatic engagement with CSOs, it is only lately that I have learned and appreciated well the good practices of Bacolod City under incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia vis a vis CSOs empowerment.

Although the LGC of 1991 provides 25 percent only of CSOs voice in city/municipal development council (cdc/mdc), Leonardia has re-engineered the LGC equation to give the CSOs greater voice in city development programs, and the much bigger marginalized sectors they represent get access to the city's programs and services.

First, the CSOs in City Development Council (CDC) and Local Special Bodies (LSBs) represent federations of major basic sectors, vendors, transport, labor, farmers, fishers, women, seniors, PWDs (persons with disabilities), OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), cultural artists, small handicrafts makers, MSMEs (micro, small, medium enterprises), consumers and force multipliers.

Second, though 25 percent only, the CSOs encompass 70 to 75 percent of around 400 established CSOs in the city, and covering no less than 200,000 poor household youth and adult members.

Third, the above were made possible because of the excellent operational system and structure, and tremendous dedication and works of the Sectoral Concerns Office (SCO), headed by liberal progressive-minded EA III Ernie Pineda, assisted by long time Community Organization Development expert Leslie Garcia and former corporate manager Dr. Pedrito Cabuguason, and under the direct supervision of the mayor himself.

Fourth, supplementing and enhancing the CSOs in CDC and LSBs, are the capacitating services and coaching support of SCO.

The limited CSOs influence in CDC and LSBs are further complemented by the SCO services through its multisectoral desks manned by CSOs sectoral leaders, facilitating services and emergency assistance to marginalized sectors.

CSOs interviewed by this writer admitted that although their dream of getting majority seats in CDC and LSBs is yet far from reality, they are already happy with the present state, at least for now.

CSOs not in CDC and LSBs, while struggling to be part of governance someday, are also happy with the SCO around to run to for some help.

Obviously, despite the limitations of LGC, and intermittent political bickering among some city officials and between them and forces from other sides of the political fence, the Peoples Council for Change with DILG support, is hopeful that the present empowerment level of CSOs will improve.

For its part, SCO plans to seek assistance from PCC, and concerned DILG, and other NGA offices to increase its capacities and resources, and to template its experience to gear for the formidable challenge of truly empowering CSOs in governance and sustainable development.

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Catholics celebrate Palm Sunday: 'Let's fix our eyes on God'

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:55 AM PDT

CATHOLICS have safely observed Palm Sunday yesterday, March 28, by attending mass at San Sebastian Cathedral while others celebrating such holy tradition in some Catholic and non-Catholic Churches in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Palm Sunday signifies the victorious entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem before he confronted his death by crucifixion.

It was the start of His ordeal purposely to fulfill the will of the Father to save mankind from sins with the death of His only begotten Son -- Jesus Christ.

Palm branches were being waved by Catholics to highlight the entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem as a show of welcome to Him being the Son of God the Father.

In the local scene, Rev. Fr. Roy Christian Gesulgon, the Officiating Priest at San Sebastian Cathedral said the Catholics have celebrated Palm Sunday as a community.

He recalled how their family observed the Holy Week where he was initiated into these holy rituals early on as a child where his family was expressive of their Catholic faith in observing these traditions.

"All feasts of the Church are events of remembrance according to Pope Benedict XVI. These memories are translated into our personal experiences. In a sense, our experiences are touched by God."

"So that God will be part of our human experience, we have to translate the narratives of faith into our terms. That is why we have the liturgy, the images, rituals for Lent, and hopefully by participating in those rituals, we can see the relation of those rituals in our own experience in life such as our experience on sufferings, sin, and failures. In the liturgy, our full, active and conscious participation is asked because that is how memories are made. If you are asleep during the liturgy, you have seen nothing and you have heard nothing. If your focus is not within this Church, you will remember nothing because you are not there. We need to be inwardly involved to find ourselves in these mysteries," he said.

Memories are important and this is the reason why in the celebration of a mass, we continually remember the memories of God when the celebrant says, "Do this in memory of me."

The Lord entered Jerusalem and the crowd exclaimed Hosanna to the Son of David. But that crowd that welcomed him was the same crowd who cried out to crucify him.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus and focus on Jesus as He is also focussed on what is expected of Him by the Father as his mission is coming to a close. He was sent to do the will of the Father. That is how focussed He is. But Pontious Pilate's actuation is not suited for his authority as he released Barabas Hestas, the penitent thief, because he wants to please the crowd. Pilate could not even decide for himself as he was pleasing the crowd. But Jesus remained peaceful despite the ordeal that he underwent," he shared.

Fr. Gesulgon asked the Catholics, what takes away our peace? In situations when we want to please the people; if we want to prove something and if we perform before the crowd.

God keeps his peace and he was not distracted by what was happening to Him because his focus was to do the will of the Father.

"As we enter the Holy Week, we pray that the Lord will enable us to fix our eyes on Him and create memories with him. Allow the Lord to be part of our lives, in our frustrations, disappointments, in our sins and that can only be done if we create memories with the Lord," he said.

Furthermore, let us create lasting memories with the Lord by participating in Church events such as this Holy Week.

"Let us fix our eyes on the Lord because that will save us based on our own human experience," he said.

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'Earth Market' community to help Negrense organic farmers, producers amid pandemic

Posted: 28 Mar 2021 06:51 AM PDT

IN A bid to help Negrense organic farmers and producers amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, a group advocating for slow food is pushing for the creation of an "Earth Market" community in the province.

Slow Food Community of Negros Island member and organic agriculture advocate Ramon "Chinchin" Uy Jr., on the sidelines of the two-day "Pop-Up Earth Market" at the Kadiwa Market of May's Organic Garden in Barangay Pahanocoy in Bacolod City over the weekend, said the group has recognized the plight of the local farmers and producers, especially during this health crisis.

Uy said the pandemic has really affected organic farmers and producers in the province as they were not able to sell during major trade events since last year like the Panaad sa Negros Festival and Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival which were canceled due to the Covid-19 threat.

"Banking on the positive response of the public, we are planning to make the Earth Market as a regular monthly event starting April this year," he said, adding that "we will also form a community that will gather more organic farmers and producers and help them sell their products."

Dubbed "Earth Market" Community-Negros, the group will work on ensuring market opportunities for local organic practitioners.

Uy said the community, through the monthly "Earth Market" event, will help link farmers and producers to the buyers.

Uy said the Kadiwa Market of May's Organic Garden will also expand to cater to a "more yet controlled" number of participating farmers and producers.

"We wanted to bring them closer and directly to the consumers so they can sell on fair prices," he said, stressing that this will provide consumers the access to good, clean and fair food which the Slow Food Community is also advocating.

Gathering at least 30 organic farmers and producers in the province, that in Bacolod City is one of the two "Pop-Up Earth Markets" launched in Negros Occidental.

The first one was held at the Casa A. Gamboa in Silay City from March 20 to 21 gathering about 20 local organic farmers and producers.

A project of the Slow Food Community of Negros Island, these two new "Earth Markets" in Negros Occidental are the newest addition to the worldwide Slow Food community.

It is one of the highlights of the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto Festival 2020 to 2021.

These "Earth Markets" featured a wide variety of organic products -- from rice, coffee, cacao, vegetables, fruits and other high-value crops to value-added food products like pickles, chips and jams, among others.

Consumers also had the chance to buy fresh herbs and ingredients like "batuan" which is endemic in Negros Island and some parts of Western Visayas at "affordable and fair" prices.

Uy said the two-day event in Bacolod City had enabled participating farmers and producers to earn.

"They are guaranteed to sell all of their products because whatever is left will be bought by the Kadiwa Market," he told SunStar Bacolod, adding that the event is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Tourism.

Aside from the showcase of local produce and products, activities at the "Earth Market" in Bacolod City also included various talks like that on "Opportunity in Cacao Growing and Processing" given by Christhoper Fadriga.

Fadriga is a Negrense cacao farmer and cocoa producer who will represent the country at the 2021 International Cocoa Awards (ICA) in Paris, France in October.

Negrense "culinary rising star" Chef Don Angelo Colmenares also demonstrated how to cook his version of "KBL" or Kadyos, Baboy Langka using ingredients that are widely available in the province.

"Earth Markets" is an international network of markets that work in accordance with the principles of "slow food."

For her part, Slow Food Community of Negros Island president Doreen Alicia "Reena" Gamboa reiterated that the group commits to "promoting and preserving the traditional food of Negros Island" and to changing the local food system one step at a time.

"We are bringing good, clean, and fair shopping opportunities to the local community. The produce are local, fresh and seasonal," she added.

The two-day event, meanwhile, had complied with minimum health protocols such as observing required physical distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, checking of body temperature, using of contract tracing system, and washing of hands.

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