Neither of the drivers of the mini dump truck and the passenger bus could have possibly though that it could be their fatal morning last April 30 this year. The Dapitan PNP disclosed that the two vehicles rammed into each other at Barangay Burgos, Dapitan killing both drivers and injuring 14 others.

Police identified the mini dump truck driver as Camilo Balladares who reportedly died on the spot and the bus driver as Salvador Obnimaga who was declared dead upon his arrival at the hospital. In its initial investigation, the police found that the dump truck was bound for Ozamiz while the passenger bus was on its way to Dipolog. However, reports said, upon arriving the accident area, the passenger bus overtook a motorcab.  It was too late for the bus driver to elude the speeding mini dump truck coming towards him.  The two vehicles collided shortly.

Police identified some of the injured as Peferia Lezarte, Emma Balagot, Rollie Paghasian, Perla Bancal, Jojie Bancal, Peperio Ondong, Iluminada Cuenca, Silvestre Maga, Jevy Boy Hepitulan, Felicidad Balingit, Wilson Baco, Romeo Dizon and Edilberto Perio-perio. Some of them were immediately brought to Dapitan and Dipolog Hospitals. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 29)

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) recently advised coco farmers to utilize the land areas available under the coconut trees not only to earn more but also to affect more coco harvest.

PCA officer Ralph Hamoy offered a big possibility to improve the coco farmer’s earnings as certain kinds of crops can grow under the coconut trees at the same time increasing the coco harvest as land tilling brings about fertility in the soil. It was observed that in Zamboanga del Norte, only very few farmers indulge in planting under the coco trees, but left the vacant spaces unused.

It was observed further that there has been a sharp drop in the coco production in the province lately. In fact, from the first coco producer in the country before, the province has already settled to rank 4. It was learned that coco farmers nowadays have already lamented over the drop in their harvest which could not only be attributed to the cutting of trees for lumber use but also to the inability of the trees to really fruit as much as they could.

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

With the theme “Manggagawang Pinoy: Kasangga sa Pagsulong ng Kaunlaran,” the DOLE said the “simultaneous Jobs Fair will be conducted on May 1, 2008 in all regions (with) a projected 102,000 job vacancies (local and overseas)… available to the job seekers.”

“The GMA Jobs Center Kiosks will be officially launched nationwide with 100 kiosks available in key areas such as malls, LGUs (local government units) and DOLE regional offices,” according to the DOLE. Ten of the 100 GMA job kiosks are located at the World Trade Center (WTC) at the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City, where “an estimated 30,000 job vacancies (local and overseas) will be available” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (May 1).

Some 70 local companies and 38 overseas recruitment agencies are participating at the WTC’s Hall A, with pre-employment documentation services provided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Social Services System (SSS), Pag-ibig Fund, PhilHealth and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Some 20 beneficiaries and ‘Accredited Co-Partners and Rural Workers Associations’ under the DOLE Poverty Free Zone (PFZ) Program are also showcasing their products such as curtains and bed sheets, RTW (ready-to-wear clothes), bakery products, peanut butter, woven products, rice crackers and squash noodles. Also, the DOLE is awarding a total of P23.5 million in livelihood grants “in selected regions” that will benefit 8,455 workers in both the formal and informal sector. Of the P23.5-million Labor Day livelihood fund, P9.8 million will be granted to organized workers in the formal sector that will benefit 5,939 workers; while P13.7 million will be awarded to informal sector workers with 2,516 beneficiaries.

Cagayan de Oro City—The Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s major legacy projects, is up for expansion next year.

This was revealed by Transportation Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista during the last day of the three-day 2nd roll-on/roll-off caravan that launched the completion of the SRNH with the test-run of one of the major ro-ro routes—the Central Nautical Highway. Bautista said the expansion of the SRNH would focus on the east-west lateral connections so as to realize the President’s vision of a seamless transport system.

This would entail networks of roads, bridges and ports that would link the Eastern Nautical Highway to the Western Nautical Highway. To realize this goal, Bautista said based on the workplan of the department for the SRNH for this year until the end of the President’s term in 2010, they have identified 15 RORO port projects for development, upgrading or rehabilitation.

These include the ports of Caticlan in Aklan, Dumangas in Iloilo, San Antonio in Sorsogon, Esperanza in Masbate, Daanbantayan in Cebu, Naval in Biliran, Toledo in Cebu, Getate in Bohol, Tabuelan in Cebu, Bogo in Cebu, Balud in Masbate, Taytay in Palawan, Ajuy in Iloilo, Ubay in Bohol and Eagano in Cebu. Moreover, Bautista said there is also a need to declare as national roads all roads that form part of the SNRH network.

Lt. General Alexander Yano will officially sit as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, on May 12, 2008.

This was recently confirmed by General Yano himself on May 2 during the 72nd anniversary of the 1st Tabak Division, Philippine Army at Pulakan, Pagadian City. During the said celebration, he declared he would still be responsible for suppressing insurgency in the country but refused to disclose his thrust considering that he has not yet been officially installed.

It was learned that during his installation, all officials of Zamboanga del Norte will be attending to show their full support to him. Lt. Gen. Yano has been a native of Disud, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte and had his basic education in Dipolog City.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, national president of Boy Scouts of the Philippines recently called upon the local BSP councils in the country to look for means in order to launch different activities.

He challenged the local BSP officials during the Regional Executive Committee Meeting held in Oroquieta recently. Noting that local councils had not really been active for sometime now, the mayor asked them to take initiative in raising funds in order to launch different programs and projects.

However, he advised them to make a feasibility study first before launching any undertaking. Taking the Cagayan Boy Scout Council as example, the BSP President disclosed that LGU-Makati became the guarantor in its recent loan from Land Bank of the Philippines. “I promise to help if you have some plans of making a loan from a financial institution which you will need for your project,” Mayor Binay assured.

Taking up the mayor’s challenge, Gov. Rolando Yebes, chairman of Western Mindanao Regional Boy Scout Council, recently disclosed that he could seek loan from LBP for the construction of dormitory as well as Headquarters of the BSP in the province. “I’m sure the dormitory could be a good income-generating project,” the governor explained. Meanwhile, the Western Min. Regional BSP Council recently climbed to the 4th rank in the entire country.

Disclosing it before the executive committee meeting, Gov. Yebes pointed out there had been a sharp increase in the BSP membership in 2007 which totaled to 92,783 compared to the 2006 record of 86,984 members only. Although DepEd had strictly implemented DepEd Order No. 19, which imposed the “No Collection Policy,” the provincial governor stressed that this is not a hindrance to strengthen the Boy Scout movement.

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

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

From the Villamor Air Base in Paranaque — where her plane landed yesterday at the end of her four-day trip down South for the launching of the Central Nautical Highway (CNH) of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway(SRNH) — the President went straight to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Padre Faura St., Malate, Manila to look into the status of cases of rice hoarding being investigated by the joint probe team.

Late last month, the President had directed the NBI and the DOJ to assist the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) in the “investigation of hoarders and price manipulators of rice.” The presidential directive led to the creation of the Joint NBI-NFA Task Force on Anti-Rice Hoarders, with the specific task of unmasking rice hoarders and filing the appropriate charges against the suspects.

Aside from the joint NBI-NFA task force, the DOJ also created its own Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force (ARHTF) to “adopt prompt, expeditious and urgent measures to stop and prevent rice hoarding and related crimes as these are considered pernicious acts of economic sabotage.” The ARHTF was formed to “handle proceedings on inquest, preliminary investigation and prosecution of all cases relating to unlawful acts or omissions inimical to the preservation and protection of the country’s rice supply under Section 29 of Presidential Decree No. 4,” which provides for the “development of the rice and corn industry.”

But despite the President’s personal push, the joint probe team has filed thus far only 22 charges and arrested only three suspected rice hoarders. On the other hand, as of April 29, the ARHTF “has filed five complaints involving 18 individuals, (where) two complaints submitted for inquest have already been resolved on the same day, and three complaints are now pending preliminary investigation,” according to an ARHTF memorandum to DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales.

Lungsod sa Don Victoriano, sakop sa Misamis Occidental wala mag-problema sa pagkaon gumikan kay bastante sila sa ka-abunda sa supply sa bugas, ang problema nga gika-angalan sa mga katawhan ang hilabehang kataas sa iyang presyo.

Si Mayor Anabele Hamoy, tag-iya sa kanhe nasikat nga Golden Pot Restaurant dinhi sa dakbayan sa Dipolog ug mao karon ang mayora sa lungsod sa Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental sa exclusive interview sa DXFL Headline Balita didto sa Dipolog Chinese Cuisine mibutyag nga ang iyang lungsod dili problema ang bugas kay bastante kini sa iyang supply, ang problema mao ang kamahal sa presyo.

Matud ni Mayor Anabele Hamoy, ang iyang lungsod sa Don Victoriano, maoy pinakalayo ug pinaka-sook nga municipyo sa probinsya sa Misamis Occidental, ang mga katawhan wala makatilaw sa baratong presyo sa NFA rice gumikan kay walay rice traders mosukol pagkompra sa bugas gikan sa NFA tungod sa dakong gasto sa transportasyon. Kon duna may namaligya ug NFA rice, kini gipareha na sa presyo sa commercial rice tungod kay gipatong sa mga negosyante ang ilang transportation cost gikan sa bodega sa NFA paingon sa iyang lungsod.

Sumala pa ni Mayor Hamoy, lisud kaayo ang dalan paingon sa iyang lungsod sa Don Victoriano busa ang mga rice traders nga maoy gisaligan sa LGU misibog sa pag-kompra ug NFA rice kay gawas nga control na daan ang presyo, madak-an sila sa trucking. Tungod niini, gilaraw karon ni Mayor Anabele Hamoy nga ang kagamhanang lokal motabang sa pagtransportar sa NFA rice gikan sa bodega paingon na sa iyang lungsod sa Don Victoriano aron ang mga katawhan matagamtam ug baratong presyo sa bugas gikan sa National Food Authority.

Sa samang bahin aminado si Mayor Anable Luna nga maglisud siya karon nga mapanindot ug mabuslot ang dalan nga magkonektar sa Zamboanga del Norte paingon sa iyang lungsod sa Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental gumikan kay ang porsyon nga agian niini deklarado man nga watersheed area. Gawas pa, nag-agad lang sila sa tabang gikan sa nasudnong kagamhanan kay wala silay igong pundo sa lokal para mamintinar ang dalan.

Ang iyang gipangayo karon sa malakanyang ang pagpanindot sa dalan gikan sa Bonifacio paingon sa Don Victoriano. Iyang gikalipay nga siya ray mayor sa Misamis Occidental nga nakapangayo ug pito ka presidential bridge nga karon napahimudsan na sa mga katawhan. Si Mayor Anabele Hamoy nga ‘unopposed’ sa iyang kadaugan sa miaging eleksiyon kay walay mikontra miangkon nga lisud kaayo ang dalan paingon sa Don Victoriano kay mao kini ang pinakatumoy nga lungsod sa probinsya sa Misamis Occidental.

After the January 30, 2008 bloody encounter between the Sibuco PNP and armed rebels which even led to the wounding of its PNP Chief, Sibuco is now taking pride of its very peaceful community. Contrary to its earlier negative label as “no man’s land”, Mayor Norbe Edding declared that his municipality has been working hard to bring back peace and order at all cost.

To show that he was serious in his peace and order drive, the municipality celebrated its 49th Founding Anniversary with mini Hudyaka activities.  For the first time, the municipality had also organized a Search for Miss Sibuco. The municipal mayor disclosed that they have now strictly observed the cease-fire agreement so they have stopped fielding armed men, instead sent emissary to invite the armed group to celebrate with them peacefully. “I have observed the continued diplomacy with the rebels to let peace reign over the entire municipality,” the mayor disclosed.

It appeared like any fictitious story, many thought when a wife’s lover mercilessly hacked the husband to death in her presence.

Sindangan police identified the victim as Romulo Andap, 53, a resident of Sitio La Baloran of Barangay Imelda, Sindangan, Z.N. and the suspect as Magno Bagsican, 18, of the same barangay. Police investigators disclosed that Andap was killed on March 13, 2008 yet but was secretly buried by the suspect and his father Rodrigo Bagsican, 52 in the bushy area of the barangay.

It was learned that the victim’s brother, Gaudencio was worried over the disappearance of Romulo, so he organized a search party among his relatives to look for him. Police disclosed that Gaudencio located the decaying corpse of Romulo April 24 after more than a month of search. When the husband’s body was found, the wife identified by investigators as Marcelina Andap, 39, suddenly disappeared.

The victim’s brother disclosed that he had really suspected Magno to have harmed his brother after he had earlier confessed to him that he had seen Magno and his wife engaged in passionate embrace one December day. Lately however, Marcelina turned up and voluntarily surrendered to the Sindangan police. She confessed before the police investigators that she saw Magno hacked her husband to death, wounding him in all parts of his body and even nearly beheading him. It was also learned that she did nothing to stop her lover from killing her husband since it was their plan to get rid of him so that they could live together freely.

To help the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte in its drive in increasing growth in the fishery industry, the Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. recently donated seven used bus bodies.

Dipolog RTMI branch manager Anselmo Ambos, Jr. handed over the said materials to Gov. Rolando Yebes, Provincial Tourism Officer Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang and OIC-Provincial Information Officer Jay Adraincem. Gov. Yebes received the used car bodies hoping to convert them into fish sanctuary, which he planned to establish in the three districts of the province.

He disclosed that these materials shall be established in areas in the sea where the fishes can live and breed. “They’re also hoped to protect the fish habitat from illegal fishers, especially the purse seiners who always ravage our seas,” he explained.

Cops warned against sleeping on the job. Others like Rip Van Winkle had overslept for 20 years that when he woke up, he already had his pension.

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Some city hall carrier officials have kind words for our mayora. “Mas OK siya,” they chorus. She calls regular meeting among chiefs of office and she listens a lot. She easily absorbs what we discussed.

That’s understandable. That is why it is wiser to vote for an academically prepared candidate.

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A newscaster says Magnolia basketball team was cold when it lost to Welcoat last April 30.

When did Magnolia Ice Cream become hot? An ice cream is always cold.

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Press freedom declines worldwide, say U.S. researchers. But our Press Freedom increases in circulation.

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Our country is a country of short. We not only have a short president, but also a shortage of rice.

We have a shortage of lawyers too, according to latest survey. The court is now feeling the pinch.

Accordingly, lawyers used to be the ones waiting for the judges so that trial could start. But recently the situation is reversed and in some areas judges in municipal courts have to wait for parties’ counsels because the lawyers are scare and come from distant places.

To date, only 70% of our court judges are filled, the remaining 30% is vacant due to lack of qualified applicant lawyers.

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In one year time, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) spent P1 billion for consultancy fee. Ang DARapal talaga!

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GMA to bribe P15,000 per annum to indigent families in Metro Manila. She calls it stipend or Ahon sa Pamilyang Pinoy.

If she can bribe congressmen, governors and mayors, she can repeat it to the indigents.

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Good News: 8,580 new teachers pass licensure examinations.

Bad News:   They cannot be employed. No Vacancy.

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Transport groups to get NFA rice. To transport them to big time rice hoarders.

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RP on UN ‘shame list’ of media killings. We have been there ever since.

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Cheap Medicine bill to bring down prices. It’s a cheap story.

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Assisting offenders to restore trust from the community where they live and having the commitment to help them is what made Mr. Margarito P. Pacilan a volunteer probation aide (VPA) for 8 years. He was the only Mindanaon out of the the twelve participants who underwent an extensive training on Revitalization of Parole and Probation Administration in Volunteer Aid Program.

Known to be a civic, religious and cooperative specialist, Pacilan who hails from Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte was privilaged to join the 13-day training in Tokyo Japan last April 13-26, 2008. The training was coupled with "hands on" and educational tour on Japan's success stories relative to the volunteer probation program, Pacilan disclosed.

As one of the volunteers,we monitor the actuations and conduct of the parolees, pardonees and probationers as well as guide and provide them with ways and services that will help the offenders, the victims and the community find healing from the pain and harm as a result of their crimes, Pacilan further said.

Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Northern Samar, Masbate and Basilan top the list as the poorest provinces in the country, according to the Poverty Map 2007 prepared by Peace and Equity Foundation.

Really?  Gov. Lando Yebes should be informed about this.

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Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said that the nation government had allocated 5 billion pesos this year to fund a P500 monthly stipend for the country’s poorest families.

I smell something fishy about this.  With that whopping amount and at this time when the ZTE Broadband deal was aborted, the craving and greed of those in the know remain unabated.

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The Mekong-5, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam have bonded together to form a rice price-fixing Cartel called the organization of Rice Exporting Countries (OREC).

Since the Philippines is importing rice, it should form the Organization of Rice importing Countries (ORIC) instead.  Yaks!

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The government is buying “Scanners” to check the authenticity of Rice Access Cards issued to the poor to buy NFA cheap rice.

What?  A poor man found cheating for a kilo of rice will go to jail, while someone up there has been cheating the people of billions and still going scot-free.  Que horror!

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Many are wondering why until now the new hospital of Lando si not yet operating in full gear?

Apparently the hospital’s Administrator will not allow some kinks and snarls untangled.  Patience my friend, is the best antidote of boredom.

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Recently, GMA was asked about the most ballyhooed Cabinet revamp.  With a faint smile she said “S-e-c-r-e-t” . . . .

Even from the highest official of the land, TRUTH is so illusive. My-my-my,  What’s happening to us?

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By the time this paper hit the streets, the Santa Cruz Fiesta is already “Liwas”.  So my belated greetings to the people of Punta Corro for celebrating the Annual Fiest of Santa Cruz.

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Dead among listed recipients of Rice Access Cards (PDI April 28).

So what’s the big fuss?  In this country even the dead can vote.

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Forgiveness makes us recognize that others have hurt us, but it also makes us see that others are more important to us than the hurt they inflict. Therefore, we can choose not to retaliate or to refrain from hurting our attackers in the way that they hurt us. Instead, we can say, you hurt me, but I choose to forgive you. I will forget all y