Six suspects of LBC Express – Dipolog branch hold-up on June 12 this hear fell into the hands of the Dipolog PNP after a hot pursuit operation.

Police report disclosed that around 12 noon last Friday, a police asset alerted the PNP that LBC Office at General Luna St. was held up by suspects who were riding on a green van, bearing plate number KVS 208.

As the suspects fled towards the Capitol Avenue, back of the Zamboanga del Norte National High School at Igot, Estaka, the members of the Dipolog PNP pursued the escaping vehicle until it was cornered.

Police identified the suspects as Warven Barba y Vicente, 26, from Catadman, Ozamiz City, Ronald Mendez y Sarong, 21, from Bagacay, Ozamiz City; Jhonny Medina y Ramayrat, 22, of Malicay, Ozamiz City; Jaime Mata y Acalain, 22 of Bagacay, Ozamiz City; Wilson Nemenzo y Larot, 35 of Purok 1 Talisay, Ozamiz City and Saldy Detalla y Villanueva, 22 of Carangan Agura, Ozamiz City.

Police investigators disclosed that at around noon, Friday two of the hold uppers jumped into the counter at the same time pointed the gun to the employees and declared hold-up saying “duko ang tanan…ang kwarta ipagawas!”

The suspects successfully took the Instant Pera Encashment found in the drawer of Desiderio Sumbilon Jr., an LBC employee.

The LBC employee narrated that while one suspect took the money from the drawer, the other one divested the customers of their money and cell phones and other valuables.

Taken from the suspects were four pistols: .45 calibre; .357 homemade pistol, with 4 live bullets; .38 revolver with 3 live bullets and a .357 magnum; bonnet, packing tape clothes, pants and jacket, money amounting to P600 reportedly owned by Jonathan Elumbaring of Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City and a bunch of keys owned by Liezel Patagoc, both LBC customers during the hold-up.

Civilians who witnessed the pursuit mauled four of the suspected robbers.

The confiscated items including the van are now in the custody of the Dipolog PNP.

P/Supt. Reynaldo Maclang disclosed that the confiscated items will be used as evidence against the suspects for robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.

He also disclosed that three suspects escaped the cordon of the police and believed to be bringing the stolen money.

However, the LBC has not really declared the amount the suspects had run away. It was learned that this has been the second time the LBC was held up.  The first one happened during the time of P/Supt. Gervacio Balmaceda when only a getaway vehicle of the hold uppers was found abandoned at Gulayon this City.

The Dipolog PNP Chief believed that the apprehended suspects are members of an organized crime who have Dipolog as their best target of their modus operandi. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Four Filipino High School students have won prizes in an international science competition proving that science education is alive and well and thriving in the Philippines.

Sixteen-year-old Jovani Tomale’s passion the Philippine Eagle and has earned for him second prize in the Animal Sciences category during the International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held in the United States last month.

Two other high school science projects won in the Intel ISEF competition: One by Kevin Jer David, 16, and Orven Jules Dumaoang, 16, and another by Angela Joyce Yap-Dy, 14.

The annual contest, sponsored by Intel Corp., brought together some 1,600 students from 50 countries. Nine students from the Philippines competed by presenting six science projects.

Tomale came up with a mathematical formula to help identify the sex of an eagle, proving that tinkering with numbers and equations is both fun and relevant.

“This is my share to save the Philippine Eagle,” Tomale told the Inquirer.

His project started with a simple field trip more than a year ago when he was still a senior high school student at the Davao City National High School in Davao del Sur.

Listening to talks by officials of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), a Davao City organization that aims to save Philippine Eagles from extinction, Tomale was struck by a simple problem that hampers the breeding of eagles in captivity.

“It was hard for them to determine the gender of an eagle,” he said.

Visual sexing

The foundation usually resorted to what it called “visual sexing” or determining gender by observing the eagle for several days, a method that is very susceptible to error.

“This problem led me to think of something to help the foundation,” Tomale said.

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a huge, broad-winged forest raptor endemic to Luzon, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao. It is one of the world’s largest and rarest eagles. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists the Philippine Eagle as “critically endangered.”

It was difficult to identify the sex of the Philippine Eagle because male and female have the same physical features; Tomale explained.

If there was an easier and faster way to tell an eagle’s sex, this could help increase its threatened population.

Formula

Tomale worked with his uncle Vladimir Kobayashi, an applied mathematics graduate of the University of the Philippines, who taught him the basic principles of statistics.

Several months later, he came up with a formula that included information like the length of an eagle’s bill and leg.

His formula correctly identified the sex of at least 17 eagles.

Tomale has given his formula to the PEF. He said he would pursue his love for numbers by taking up accountancy at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Other winners

Winning the grand prize in the Plant Sciences category were David and Dumaoang, both graduates of the Philippine Science High School. The two, who are incoming medical students at the University of the Philippines, studied how disease-causing bacteria can “communicate.” By being able to disrupt the communication, they can prevent the disease-causing bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Meanwhile, Dy won a special second prize award from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry. She discovered that milkfish bile, which is usually discarded when cooking, could be converted into an anti-cancer drug. It works especially against lung and colon cancers, which are among the top killers in the world.

Intel presented the winners in a press conference.

Real science

Education Undersecretary Vilma Labrador said the four students represented that 20 million public school students who “are doing their best.”

Labrador noted: “Is the quality of education falling down? …. This is a proof [that it is not].”

David, one of the grand prize winners, said his experience in the international contest showed him that science “is not just memorizing concepts, real science is when you get to answer your own questions.”

He said the country “needs more scientists” and while the acknowledged that support for science research in the country has been increasing, “there is still room for improvement.”

Intel’s higher education manager for corporate affairs Joselito Tulao said the contest aimed to “develop science and technology in the country.” (Source: Daily Inquirer June 6, 2009) (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.46)

The World Health Organization (WHO) got a totally pressure-break after the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS was fully contained by the efforts of the said organization. The SARS cause, corona virus which was last observed in June 2003 disturbed the world for almost a year (November 2002-July 2003) and resulted to 774 deaths from the reported 8,096 infected cases.

In the present, this respiratory infection is only contained in books and minds and not in human bodies anymore. However, the World Health Organization is once again challenged by another virus which is of swine origin.

The Novel influenza A, commonly known as H1N1 is a new flu virus from swine. This was first detected in Mexico and the United States in March and April, this year. The Center for Disease and Control (CDC) confirmed the 1st novel H1N1 patient in the US last April 15, followed by the second victim just two days after. It was determined that the virus was spreading from person to person. This resulted to the declaration of public health emergency on the last week of April. As of June 3, 2009, as reported by WHO, 66 countries around the world has officially reported a total of 19,723 cases of infection, and this includes 117 deaths.

The virus is found out to be a novel strain of influenza from which human populations have been neither vaccinated nor naturally immunized. Furthermore, the signs of infection with the virus are similar to other forms of influenza which include fever, coughing, headaches, pain in the muscles or joints, sore throat, chills, fatigue, and runny nose. Diarrhea and vomiting have also been reported to be associated with the virus in some other cases.

In children, there are symptoms which may require immediate emergency medical attention. These are blue lips and skin, dehydration, rapid breathing, excessive sleeping and significant irritability like the lack of desire to be held. Among adults, the equivalent symptoms are shortness of breath, pain in the chest and abdomen, sudden dizziness or confusion. In both groups, persistent vomiting or the return of flu-like symptoms with fever and cough may require immediate medical attention.

To prevent the infection of virus, frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers after being out in public is recommended. The Center for Disease and Control also advised to avoid touching the mouth, nose or eyes, as these are primarily modes of transmission. Generally, the public is advised to limit contact with others to avoid infecting or being infected, especially that the CDC admitted that they don’t know when and how they could prevent swine flu infection. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.46)

As the Hudyaka festival came to a close last week, the local government officials of the province were contemplating on converting the various agricultural boots into bagsakan centers.

Gov. Rolando Yebes disclosed that he was for the proposal of preserving the booths which were constructed as Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City.

He suggested that the booths of the municipalities could still be useful even after the Hudyaka if they could be used as display centers of the different agricultural products and observe the 15th and 30 of each month as BIG TABO Day.

However, the governor disclosed, all of these plans shall negotiated yet with the Dapitan City government if it agrees to the plan preserving the booths. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Gov. Rolando Yebes recently clarified his travel to Xian Province in China together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as an official travel

He disclosed that the travel was already approved by the Department of Interior and Local Government but this is not funded by the province.  The accommodation and the tours had already been prepared by the officials of Xian Province who invited the governor’s party.

It was learned that five board members opted to stay like BM Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos who was designated as acting governor and BM Joseph Brendo Ajero who will be married next week and three other lawmakers.

Together with the governor’s entourage is the trade mission of businessmen to include Mr. Li Ping Wee of Zamboanga City.

Earlier, Gov. Yebes pointed out that the trip to Xian Province will look into the modern agricultural practices including the farm machineries of the host province.  Moreover, the group will also observe how it harnesses its rivers as good power source for electricity and agriculture. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government was not apparently pleased with Police Provincial Director Cresteto Gonzalodo’s “overacting” assurance as regards the capture of lawless elements in the province.

During the consultative meeting among the mayors of Zamboanga del Norte, Supt. Gonzalodo was reportedly claiming that he and the entire police force were ready to lay their life for the province and their “no retreat-no surrender” stance against any attacks of rebel groups.

“Just work on something that you can possibly could; don’t be overacting,” the DILG Secretary was not amused.

Earlier, Sibuco Mayor Norbi Edding expressed his frustration with the PNP who allegedly failed to apprehend the seven wanted criminals in his municipality.

Upon learning this, Puno issued an ultimatum to the police provincial director to capture the criminals including those so-called Nur Misuari’s followers who were reportedly recruiting members and extorting money in the barangays.

He also ordered that wearing of police uniforms by MNLF is extremely forbidden.

The same ultimatum was also issued by National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to Supt. Gonzalodo.

Meanwhile, Mayor Edding disclosed in an interview that ever since he had called for the capture of the seven criminals, he had not really seen action by the Sibuco Police and has not received any report of whatever crimes in the municipality.

He called for the change in the PNP leadership in his municipality as it has never coordinated with his office. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

The Department of Energy may face strong resistance from Zamboanga del Norte when it recently identified some municipalities of the province it its Philippine Energy Contracting Round for 2009 which pushed for mining coal.

Gov. Rolando Yebes disclosed that he had recently received 13 proposals from the Department of Energy as regards coal mining.

It was learned that the DOE had opened contracting rounds with 30 mining sites where winning bidders were already given permit to explore and develop resources in the country.  Most of the identified sites belong to the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, specially Zamboanga del Norte and Sibugay.

Presently, the Ullisis Mining Corporation already undertook mining operations at Barangay Bunawan, Godod without even informing the provincial office.

The ZaNorte Environment Office (ZANEMO) recently found that even the barangay where the mining exploration was undertaken did not hold any document as regards the operation.

Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento Jr. disclosed that three sites in the barangay have already claimed by Alejandro Babate, Mr. Dunggan and Edwin Romero.

Reports disclosed that Babate was given a small-scale coal mining permit by DOE on October 4, 2006 which allowed him to extract 9.360 metric tons per year for the period of five years.

A 3% of the gross sales shall accrue to the DOE and nothing goes to the local government.

Although Presidential Decree No. 972 exempts the mining operators of any taxes except the income tax and outlines that no consultation is no longer needed, Gov. Yebes still pushed for the consultation with the local government based on the provision of the Local Government Code of 1991, especially on the local government’s share in the utilization of the national resources. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Unlike the municipal booths which were swelling of agricultural products and assembles near to perfection, the Dipolog City booth merely featured the tourist destinations, critics observed.

In answer to the critics of Mayor Evelyn Uy who was described as “walang paki” during the Hudyaka celebration, Dipolog City Legal Officer Atty. James Cyril Ruiz pointed out the different tabo days in Dipolog City during the week which the city government did not like to repeat at the Hudyaka Village anymore.

It was pointed out further that tabo is held at the Bagsakan ni Edad, at the Fishport and at Galas which are already showcases of the agricultural products.

It was an elaborate display, the legal officer admitted considering that the city had just celebrated its P’gsalabuk festival before the Hudyaka started and will soon celebrate its founding anniversary on July 1.

Dipolog could not have displayed food since most of the visitors to Dapitan passed by Dipolog and the Boulevard where food was a plenty.  This makes Dipolog a natural showcase itself of the Dipolognons.

It was just fitting, Atty. Ruiz argued, to feature tourist destinations only to let the people know that the city has several nice places to visit as well.

It was pointed out though that the city government was supporting the Hudyaka festival despite the simplicity that its booth had shown. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently approved the P2M financial assistance which would be extended to the municipalities of Tampilisan and Roxas.

The said assistance shall be used in the implementation of the different projects in the municipality and in the barangay.

Gov. Rolando Yebes disclosed that the P1M assistance each municipality got has been their “prize” for their participation during the Hudyaka Festival.

It was disclosed that Tampilisan shall use their P1M in constructing a road leading to Situbo Falls to make it accessible to tourists.

On the other hand, Roxas will use the assistance in constructing a multi-purpose building.

Atty. Uldarico Mejorada, the governor’s spokesman thought it just right to extend the financial assistance considering that they have helped in collecting taxes in their area of jurisdiction.

During the recent Provincial Development Council Meeting, Gov. Yebes stressed upon the mayors that their P1M financial assistance should be spent for development projects in their municipalities and not for vehicles. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

To protect the immaculate beaches of Aliguay, the city government of Dapitan recently issued an absolute restriction on any construction of infrastructure along the white beach of the island.

Atty. Clemencio “Jing” Mercado, Dapitan City Legal Officer disclosed that Aliguay and Selinog are already considered protected areas of the DENT.  Moreover, he cited an ordinance of Dapitan City itself and even Task Force Kalikasan has been organized to preserve the beauty of the island.

He warned those violators who sill pushed for constructing buildings on the beach front area without any building permit.

“So is the transport of the white sand; this is totally banned,” Atty. Mercado said.

It was learned that the Task Force will really implement the ordinance and punish those who violate it.

Earlier, Gov. Rolando Yebes sadly commented against the building which was constructed right on the shoreline which marred the beauty of the island.

Now that Hudyaka festival has ended, the task force vowed to visit the island and really go after the violators.  The task force is headed by Kag. Apple Marie Agolong, City Agriculturist Cyril Patangan, Atty. Mercado, City Building Official, City Engineer and City Health Officer.

Aliguay has recently become a leading tourist destination in the province because of its white beach and rich marine resources. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

As the rain months step in, the Dipolog City Health Office recently declared June as Dengue Awareness Month.

In its launching, a motorcade around the city was participated in by the different agencies including the different private hospitals of Dipolog City.

It was disclosed that through the different activities organized by the CHO, the public will be informed about the danger of the disease how it can be prevented.

Aside from the information drive that the health office was massively conducting, the CHO will also conduct fumigation in schools and monitor closely any impending outbreak.

Moreover, it called for the continued practice of the “four o’clock habit” where each household will observe cleanliness of the surroundings and pour out any water from containers believed to host mosquitoes bringing dengue.

These containers include flower vases, tires, small ponds, bottles and other containers that hold stagnant water. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Only one regional center, not two, in a region.

This was how Presidential Adviser Victor Domingo responded to the resolution sent by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Norte requesting for the transfer of the four regional offices namely: Department of Tourism. Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

However, Board Member Ricky Mejorada stressed that the province has no plan of requesting the transfer of the regional seat from Pagadian City to Dipolog City.

“It’s only the four cited offices, not the regional center.” Mejorada explained, adding that the SP respects the law making Pagadian as the regional center and it never planned to outrace the city in whatever way. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Dipolog City – Unom ka mga tulisan ang malamposong nasikop sa inipong puwersa sa kapolisan niadtung Biyernes sa udto human manulis sa LBC Express Incorporated- Dipolog Branch nga anaa mahimutang sa General Luna St. ning siyudad. Ang mga suspetsado nga nagsakay na sa van sa ilang pagsibat ang natagak sa mga kamot sa otoredad sa may Capitol Avenue, likod nga bahin sa Zamboanga del Norte National High School, Igot, Estaka sa dihang gihimo ang hotpursuit operation sa mga membro sa Dipolog City Police tapos madawat ang report gikan sa asset nga aduna na usay tulis nga nahitabo sa LBC.

GRADUATING FROM THE UNDERGROUND ECONOMY NO HOLDS BARRED (018) June 14, 2009
By Ike Señeres

Many Filipinos are in business, but they could hardly be called businessmen in the real sense. Many of them have no access to formal credit, and because of that, they become victims of loan sharks, some of them being caught in that trap for several generations. This is a sad reality in a country where no one can go to jail for usury, because it is no longer illegal here.

Although they are hard working, they are hardly able to make ends meet, because interest costs are too high, and they are unable to make more sales by increasing their inventories. This is also the sad reality among farmers, who work very hard all their lives, but who are practically just working for the middle men who eat their profits by way of high lending costs.

Working as vendors or farmers, they are really just working to survive the days that pass, but they could not look forward to a brighter future since they are not building something that they could own in the long term, and perhaps bequeath to their children. If only they could gain access to formal credit, they would perhaps be able to build companies that would not only beef up their own household economy, but would also strengthen the national economy as well.

Looking back in history, it was actually the small farmers and shop keepers that built the British economy, laying the groundwork for an industrial economy that came later on. There is a saying that Britain is a nation of shop keepers, and it is that reality that actually made their economy very strong up to now.

Going now into the practical realm, our own shop keepers and farmers could only graduate and build their companies if they register their businesses, if they open bank accounts, if they keep accounting records, if they establish a credit history, if they protect themselves with insurance coverage and if they pay their taxes properly. These are the six requisites that they have to have in order to graduate from the underground economy.

In reality, they could only get access to formal credit if they have a registered business, if they have a bank account for reference, if they could present their financial statements, if they could show their proof of good credit, if they show their insurance coverage, and if they submit their income tax returns.

This column that you are reading is now published by thirty community newspapers nationwide, with three of them distributing worldwide to Filipino communities abroad. More than ever, this column now has the greater potential to become a tool for the development of small business, and I am happy to report about two recent opportunities in relation to this goal.

Two computer experts who are regular guests in my TV show have volunteered their services to small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, in order to help them computerize at the least cost to them. Using old computers and free software, they could now modernize their businesses by automating it. I thank Ben Garcia and Leo Querubin for this.

The other good news is that the Development Academy of the Philippines is now working on a program that would offer training seminars to SME owners who would like to graduate from the underground economy, by teaching them how to bring about the six requisites that I mentioned. This will be done in cooperation with my TV show, and I thank Trygve Bolante for this.

What is the connection between small businesses and the stock market? Despite its many years of existence, the trading volume in our stock market is still relatively small, in relation to the foreign markets around us. Sad to say, less than 1% of our people are investing in the local stock market, compared to Japan where over half of the population do invest.

In the case of Japan, many of the investors are farmers and small business owners. It would be logical to think that as soon as our farmers and small business owners are able to graduate from the underground economy and are also able to grow their own companies, they would be able to invest in the stock market as well. In a related development, I will soon be announcing in my TV show and in this column two breakthrough technologies that will boost the business of our local farmers.

Watch my TV show “Bears & Bulls”, a daily coverage of the Philippine Stock Exchange. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Global News Network. Email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639293605140 for local cable listings.

The fastest way to undermine true prosperity is to fall into the trap of greed. Greed is an excessive or insatiable desire for selfish gain. Read on Ephesians 5:5 for of this you can         be sure. No immoral, impure or greed person such a man is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Although it is not exclusively a financial term, it is usually associated with money. But it can also apply to food, sex, sports, hobbies, or anything else that cannot be satisfied. When enough is never enough, greed has taken over.

Do not misinterpret the desire to achieve, succeed, or make gains in life (including financial gains) as greed. Focused ambition is not the problem. Greed is the perversion of potentially good and meaningful attempts to be productive. All faithful farmers live in faith, trusting God for the produce and increase according to his will. But working hard for a bountiful harvest does not necessarily indicate greed.

In the Bible, greed is commonly associated with such things as immorality, thievery, and wickedness. Yet in our society, and even in the church, greed is not taken as seriously as these other sins. But God sees our hearts and knows when a discontented, justful spirit takes control and begins to affect our thoughts and actions. Greed must be eliminated or else clear insight and direction will be impossible and true prosperity, regardless of our financial status, will forever remain out of reach.

Bible Bites!

Choose to see goodness in everything around you, and you will soon appreciate your life more. Choose to see the good side of every event, thing or person in your life. And you will never run out of blessings to count. Let love embrace your life as God loves you. Enjoy the day with God’s care! (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)

Press Freedom Editorial
Zero is zero

Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education has always stressed that there shall be no collection of any amount at the start of the school year.

This is to invite more and more parents to send their children to school without spilling money at all.

And with the new policy of making the school uniform an option among the students and the food for school program in the grade school, who do not want to be in school?

Bless the DepEd.

Bless the children.

However, the department’s policy becomes an enormous joke and hypocrisy when past school years saw collection and contributions bobbing up at the middle of the school year despite the department’s pronouncement.

As General Parent Teacher Community Associations are organized and then courted by school officials and giving in to the endless problems they posed before them such as building repair, electricity and water bills, computer class maintenance, classroom restructuring, chair problems, flood control, beautification and cleanliness drive, etc., collections start.

There is no problem with parents who can afford.

How about a big number of parents who cannot even afford a decent lunch for their children?  What about those parents who send their children walking to school early dawn because they cannot even afford a simple ride?

If DepEd says zero collection, then it shall mean zero or none at all throughout the entire school year.

There are no excuses such as allowable collections because parents approved them.

There are no excuses such as legal collections because they are intended for the good of the school. Zero means none at all - whether at the beginning, middle or end of the school year. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No. 29)