The immaculate ZaNorte Medical Center perched on a promontory at barangay Sicayab, Dipolog City will cease to become a “useless structure” once City Hall releases the Occupancy Permit. It was learned that Gov. Rolando Yebes and Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy had finally come to terms with regards to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy which was the last requirement for the opening of the hospital. Governor Yebes confirmed said agreement took place in Pagadian City recently during the Regional Development Council Meeting which was also attended by Dipolog City Vice Mayor Senen Angeles and City Legal Officer Cyril Ruiz.

He disclosed that the City Mayor assured him of the occupancy permit after all reports are finalized. “Gitawagan ko ni Mayor Uy nga ila pang gi finalize ang ilang report ug mao nalang ang akong gihulat,” the governor disclosed hoping that the hospital will finally be in operation. He refused to give other details of the agreement as regards to the occupancy permit saying that it would be better that City Hall and the Provincial Capitol would come out with their own explanations as regards to the delay in the release of the permit to occupy and the delay in the opening of the hospital.

“If the city mayor were true to her promise, the hospital opens during the last week of this month or the first week of March,” the governor hoped. After the Pre-occupancy Inspectorate Task Force completed their inspection of the controversial Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) which was alluded to as “higanteng arinola,” the governor was confident that the hospital would finally serve the public by the first week of March. “As I see it, there’s no more problem as regards to the STP… I think Ok na,” Gov. Yebes optimistically said.

He stressed that the transfer of the provincial to its new site shall be done by the department to make it easier. This is to say, he pointed out, the first to go are the out-patient department and the dialysis department as others follow. Saying that PEO workers are still making tables and chairs, the governor wanted the transfer to occur by March. “Sama sa pagbalhin sa bag-ong balay, inig-abot nimo daghan pa diayng gikinahanglan. . . so gihinayhinay nag trabaho sa Engineering,” he reasoned.

Some officials who have observed the several breakdowns in the talks between City Hall and Provincial Capitol were just hoping that it would be “for good” this time. “Maayo untag tinood na aron pod ang katawhan maserbehan na ug dili na maangin sa pamolitika,” one Dipolognon commented. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

Credits: Press Freedom is published every Saturday and entered as 3^rd class mail matter in Dipolog City. Printed by Young Printing Press with Editorial Office located at Upper Turno, Dipolog City. Tel. No. (065) 212-4343 or 212-6665. Email: pressfreedom_1983@yahoo.com.ph

WOW Zamboanga Peninsula Showcase at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay may have opened last week with a bang but the absence of Dipolog City was visible when it did not participate in the float parade. This was confirmed by Regional ZamPen Tourism Chairman Atty. Alan Ranillo and ZaNorte Provincial Tourism Officerr Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang.

Atty. Ranillo was sad over Dipolog’s missing the activity as it presently leads in promoting the tourism industry in the Peninsula. On the other hand, Atty. Ang disclosed that the booth prepared for Dipolog was empty so the province had to occupy it to display agri products and processed foods.

Although there was no word from City Hall as to the reason for the boycott, some believed that the P27M deficit for 2007 may explain its absence in Ipil. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

If there is no way Police Senior Inspector Reynaldo Maclang could go back to Dipolog City, he could be well settled in Pagadian City, so many Dipolognons observed.

After being slapped with mauling complaint by Dipolog former councilor Joseph Herrera, another case of allegedly freeing armed suspects who had standing warrant of arrest, PSI Maclang was relieved by PNP Provincial Director Mario Yanga. Shortly after, he was made aide-de-camp of Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, Regional PNP Director of Zamboanga Peninsula.

However, PSI Maclang was installed as Chief of Police at Pagadian City on February 18 this year. It was learned from a reliable source that Maclang’s assignment to Pagadian City was worked out by Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy with the help of former mayor Berto Uy. It was pointed out that Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co could not refuse the Uys since Mayor Co is a relative.

Source disclosed that the local media were jolted upon learning the installation of the Police Inspector since his name was never included among the aspirants. They have learned about the fate of a local commentator here and were hoping such incident would never happen to them. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

To oust Gloria campaign and various protest movements launched by various groups could not possibly gain grounds.

Third district Cong. Cesar Jalosjos pointed out that witnesses presented to the Senate on the NBN-ZTE probe were not credible because they were obviously fabricating their statements. He saw it as a grand design launched by the opposition to crush the Arroyo Administration.

“Jun Lozada’s surfacing as a witness has been seen as part of a demolition job authored by no other but by the opposition to shake up the leadership of PGMA,” the congressman said. When the call for Arroyo’s resignation was asked, the lawmaker predicted it could no longer move the people to do what EDSA I and EDSA II did because they were already tired of people power.

On the other hand, Salug Mayor Jesus Lim, who is also the president of the League of Municipalities-Zanorte Chapter disclosed that during the national convention recently, there was never a mention about supporting the OUST GLORIA movement. “Not a single mayor ever expressed even a little support for the Anti-Gloria protest,” the mayor said adding that this was an obvious stand of all the mayors in the entire country that they still support the leadership of President Gloria M. Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rolando Yebes appealed to the people of Zamboanga del Norte not to be swayed to join the Anti-Gloria protest. “Ayaw mo padala sa inyong emosyon tungod lamang sa usa ka testigos nga wala pa gani makapresentar ug kongkretong ebidensiya,” the governor pleaded. He pointed out that he was joining a nationwide protest though against corruption and against thieves in the system to cleanse the government from “dirty hands.”

The governor believed that snap election could never be an answer to the present crisis and that people should weigh things over before joining any protest action against the president. “The TV seems so busy but in Metro Manila, the ordinary people are busy in their daily means of making a living,” the governor observed. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

As early as January 2008, the Office of the Provincial Attorney of Zamboanga del Norte has already asked the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to exempt the National Irrigation Administration’s dredging projects along the Layawan River.

In answer to the appeal of Dipolog Polanco Irrigators Association through a resolution dated February 16, 2008, Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento, Jr. explained that he had already sent a request to Director Jessica Lucero of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Director  de Gala of the Environmental Management bureau.

The cited request asked both bureaus to extend favorable action to the request of NIA to undertake dredging on the irrigation dams along the Layawan River. It could be remembered that DPIA earlier sought the help of Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy when water from the irrigation canal clogged up at the mouth of the irrigaiton canal due to the gravel and sands that accumulated after the flooding of Layawan River.

It was learned that rice fields in Barangay Punta were already drying up and observed to have cracked already during the last week of January this year. The farmers found that there was no more water along the irrigation canals and so wrote the city mayor praying for dredging in the dams, which could run one kilometer up the mouth and one kilometer down. To show the irrigators that he had acted on their request, Atty. Sarmiento attached his letter request to the cited bureaus. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxilliary Group (PCGA) recently readied themselves alongside with the regular members of the Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army to put an end to the illegal fishing activities in the 3rd congressional district.

Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, Commodore of PCGA group disclosed that he had to act on the complaint aired by his municipal mayors as regards the continued illegal activities of commercial fishing boats within their municipal waters. Most of these commercial boats were purse seiners based in Zamboanga City.

At present, the congressman has directed the PCGA group to be crisscrossing the 3rd district municipal waters to put an end to the illegal fishing activities, especially the purse seiners. He disclosed that the district has new patrol boats which will be stationed in Siocon and a radar system to be placed in Bayangan Island, Labason.

However, Cong. Jalosjos said, the patrol boats are not only for monitoring illegal fishers within the municipal waters but also for possible coming of pirates and other groups who pose a serious  threat to the security of the entire province. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

Dr. Vicente Belizario Jr. of the University of the Philippines College of Public Health recently declared that capillariasis is no longer a deadly disease and could not claim lives anymore.

During the exit conference about the status of capillariasis in Zamboanga del Norte, it was pointed out that it only takes an early diagnosis and availability of medicines to combat the disease which already claimed about 60 lives in Barangay Moyo, Siayan, Z.N. last year. “It’s a shame that many would still die of capillariasis even if we have medical technologists in the field and we have doctors who know how to treat it,” Dr. Belizario Jr. stressed.

He also stressed the importance of early detection of the disease which could place the importance of medicines at a “point of no return” which means that the power of medicines could no longer work if the disease has been detected late. UP Professor Winnie de Leon however elated the Zanorte delegates when the doctor pointed out that capillariasis is not only prevalent in the province but in the entire country as well.

The college recommended that a healthy campaign for good sanitation shall be staged in the area since it was declared in the report of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Carmencita Icao that other parasites other than capillariasis worms were also found in the body of the victims. Although it was not prohibited to eat the fishes, shrimps, shells found in the river, Dr. Icao urged the people to cook them well and not to eat them raw.

Committee on Health Chairman BM Cedric Adriatico assured the Provincial Health Office that he would work for the release of funds to be used in the purchase of medicines and generator set to be used in the barangays since they do not have electricity yet. It was leaned that Jansen/Jonhson and Johnson recently donated 10 thousand Mebendazole tablets for capillariasis.

Meanwhile, Jose Dalman Mayor Russel Adaza sought the help of Dr. Icao as regards the attitude of Municipal Health Officer Dr. Nida Ramos for allegedly not working actively for the health interests of the people in Jose Dalman. It was learned that during the DOH Epidemiology Training Program for capillariasis, she opted to stay in her office. “. . .and whenever she went with us, she had to go home early,” the mayor added.

Considering that the same work attitude was shown when she was still assigned in Sindangan, both Mayor Adaza and Dr. Icao vowed to take action against her. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

The conitnuous rains during the past three weeks caused the roads in the barangays to be in a sorry condition as they are muddied and made worst by constant passing of vehicles.

As more downpours were observed, Gov. Rolando Yebes appealed to barangay officials to immediately rehabilitate the roads if they are destroyed even without waiting for the municipality or the province to initiate the repair. “I want them to act immediately so that the problem doesn’t get worse,” he appealed, as he observed that most barangays lack the initiative to clear away spillways from the flood debris and repair the roads using resources from the barangay.

He explained that the municipality or the Provincial Capitol couldn’t help all the barangays all the time considering the number of barangays in the province. “If they rely upon us all the time, as regards barangay road repair, nothing much could be done since there are many barangays in the province,” the governor explained further. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

“Port Management Office na gyod!” Provincial Governor Rolando Yebes was all smiles when he announced the conversion of Pulauan Port at Dapitan into Port Management Office after President Gloria M. Arroyo approved its conversion last week.

The governor disclosed that when he presented the request to PGMA, she immediately called DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza to act upon his request. Under the new status, he pointed out, the port at Dapitan would no longer be under the PPA District Office at Cagayan de Oro City.  Instead, it can have its own budget and cold expand it without asking approval from CDO.

As Pulauan’s status elevated, Gov. Yebes vowed to lobby again at Malacañang to improve the facilities of the port. “I believe this could be the key to improve the economy of the province,” he said, adding that even Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap was convinced of his plan to improve the port during his recent visit here and pledged P30M from the department fund and another P50M from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The province’s counterpart for the project was placed at P20M. Moreover, the governor disclosed, the president also approved his request for instrument landing system which could allow airplanes to land during night time and even when the weather is bad. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

Believing that education is one way to free a person from poverty, Cong. Rosendo ‘Dodoy’ Labadlabad of the 2nd Congressional District allotted P4.5M for the construction of 10 two-room school buildings in District II for both elementary and secondary. 

The congressman had recently directed Engr. Arturo Miñao of the 1st Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to supervise and give technical assistance to the project. As problems of education reaching him included the lack of classrooms and teachers within the 2nd district, he vowed to address them before his term ends.

It could be remembered that even before he ran for Congress, he had already supported several young students who are poor but deserving. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

Si Governor Rolando Yebes mikonpermar nga nagka-estoryahanay na sila ni City Mayor Evelyn Uy uban nila ni City Vice Mayor Senen Angeles ug City Legal Officer Cyril Ruiz atol sa Regional Development Council Meeting didto sa Pagadian City sa miaging semana ug kini g lokal.

misanong sa iyang hangyo nga ihatag na ang Occupancy Permit para maka-operate na ang bag-ong tambalanan. Matud sa gobernador ang permiso nalang sa siyudad sa Dipolog ang ilang gihulat para kabuksan na ang ZaNorte Medical Center. “Gitawgan ko ni Mayor Uy nga ila nang i-finalise ang ilang report ug mao nalang ang akong gihulat.”

Whistle blower Jun Lozada turned over to Senate the half million pesos he received from Deputy Secretary Manny Gaite. Gaite said the money was his private funds and he only loaned it to Jun. From now own, I’ll call you Deputy Secretary Money Gaite. Madame President, I nominate him to be the next Secretary of Finance. Manny can easily produce money.

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Rep. Antonio Cuenca recently complained that he lost his laptop to a burglar who broke in into his office at the Lower House. I told you so, that there are plenty of thieves in the House.

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Maj. Maclang is now the new station commander of Pagadian City. Joseph Herrera should not rejoice yet. His assignment at Pagadian maybe a preparation to become the next Provincial director for del Norte. Did I hear Lando say: “Over my dead body!”

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27M. Filipinos do not have toilet. That means they do not eat anything.

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My friend Alan Selda baptized the Sewerage Treatment Plant as a giant urinola. My son asked me what is an urinola. Generation gap. We must be very old.

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Unknown to many, the name Neri is very known in my hometown particularly at barangay Dohinob. The parents of Romulo Neri owned a vast tract of land at Labakid, two kilometers from Dohinob going to hinterland. It’s approximately 40 hectares which was a foreclosed property of a government bank and they acquired it in the late 50’s. They used to sell their copra to us when we were still active in copra trading. His father was the former chair of the defunct National Marketing Corporation (NAMARCO). I supposed, it was Engr. Eufracio Lopez and Alex Batilong who introduced them to us. Engr. Eufracio Lopez and Alex Batilong can tell you more about them. They are the closest friends of the Neri’s even in their old Bohol days.

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The vote-rich municipality of Sindangan has approximately 50,000 votes. Lakas candidate Boy Sy gets a favorable order from COMELEC Manila for a recount after losing 11 votes to Bert Macias. The battle is getting interesting. Abangan. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

PRESS FREEDOM:
 

Mexican champion Juan Manuel Márquez, in an interview with doghouseboxing.com stated that, “This fight against Manny [Pacquiao] is definitely an opportunity for me to seek revenge and also a tremendous victory, as I plan on having, for my career. It will give me the truly highest honor of being among the other great Mexican warriors who have come before and whose names stand throughout the incredible boxing history of our great country. Also it will give me the fame, glory and the commercial boxing value that is at the top of the sport.”

Notice the word “revenge” in his statement. The only reason for you to get revenge is when somebody beat you the first time out. So, finally, Marquez has admitted his defeat to our Pacman the first time out. As long as Manny continue to play the role of the aggressor, while keeping on confusing Marquez with his head movement and inside and out style maximizing his advantage in speed, Pacman will wear down Marquez on the fifth round this time out.

I’ll get back to you after March 16.

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A lot has been said and written about the current ZTE scandal and Senate witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr but to put it in simplest of terms, I ask everyone to contemplate on the fact that, “what does Jun Lozada have to gain with all these brouhaha when it seems that he has everything to lose in the first place?” He has already admitted to a number of wrongdoings, he has already turned against so-called friends, he may have even placed his family and himself to possible danger with his accusations to known administration figures, and for what? Money? His first step into the political arena? I don’t think so.

Here’s a message to Mike Defensor, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, former Brigadier General Angel Atutubo, Senior Superintendent Paul Mascariñas of the Police Security and Protection Office, Rodolfo Valeroso, and even Ate Glo and her hubby, “Filipinos are not that stupid.” We know a lie when we see it. Some are irate over it, especially those on the opposition. Some feel like they can’t do anything about it. And some have long lost faith in the Arroyo administration when she helloed Garci and think that, “sa kabaga ug nawong ni Gloria ato iya panglimbong sa eleksyon, otot lang ug ma apektuhan pa iya administrasyon ani ni Jun Lozada.”

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Based on current player movements, this year’s NBA playoffs will surely be one of the most entertaining and competitive we’ll see in a long time. Chris Webber is now with Baron Davis (hands down the best player not named in this year’s All-Star game) and the Golden State Warriors. Webber’s passing will eventually make it easier for Don Nelson to execute his offensive game plan for the Bay Area five. The Warriors, when they’re hitting their shots, can beat anybody in the NBA.

Shaquille O’neal has joined forces with Steve Nash in Phoenix . O’neal may not run with the fastbreaking Suns, but in the half court, when the game slows down, the Big Diesel still knows how to score 20 points or more, enough for opposing teams to double team him and open up the Suns’ three-point gunners. He will be like the old Kareem Abdul Jabbar with the Showtime LA Lakers led by Magic Johnson in the 80s. when Magic can’t find James Worthy or Byron Scott in the fastbreak, he’ll settle the game down and drop it to Kareem for a sure skyhook two points. That will be a role Shaq can fill.

Meanwhile, one of O’neal’s former teams, the Lakers has also upgraded their roster. Pau Gasol was acquired to provide the inside threat Kobe Bryant desperately needs since the departure of, who else, Shaq. Gasol’s arrival will move Lamar Odom to his regular position, the small forward spot where he is most effective.

Moreover, to offset the big men improvements made by their Western counterparts, the San Antonio Spurs added Kurt Thomas to their already impressive defense. Thomas is a great defender and a decent shooter, a great number 3 big man behind Tim Duncan and Fabricio Oberto.

And finally Jason Kidd has returned to his original NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, to make life easier for Dirk Nowitzki. It’s no secret that Kidd can make somewhat average players play like stars. He had Jim Jackson in the 90s’ Mavericks, Shawn Marion in Phoenix and Kenyon Martin in New Jersey . There’s no doubt that his arrival will make it easier for Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry to look for their shots. All they need to do is to get open, J-Kidd will spot them, pass them the ball, and shoot.

With these moves, the formidable Western Conference has just turned super formidable. Competition just got stiffer in the West, and I can’t wait for the playoffs. However, the same could not be said for the East, only the Lebron James-led Cavs and the .500 team Atlanta Hawks made some notable improvements. James can finally say that he now has an able supporting cast with the arrival of Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak. Assuming Wallace would play as hard as he had as his days as a Detroit Piston, when he was a defensive monster rebounding at a Dennis Rodman rate, the Cavs can look for another run at the title. Meanwhile, the Hawks acquired scoring point guard Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings to improve their backcourt. The Bibby-Joe Johnson tandem can play with every Eastern conference backcourt, it’s their inside game that needs reinforcement for them to be mentioned in the same breath as the Pistons, Cavs and the Celtics.

With the trade deadline past, all I can say is that, whoever goes out in the West is anybody’s guess, but we all know it’s either the Celtics or the Piston out in the East. Either way, the 2008 NBA Champs will definitely come from the West.

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The Megabulls Basketball Association recently announced that the 2008 MBA 1st Conference will begin on the first Sunday of March.

In our eight-year anniversary celebration held at the Zamboanga del Norte Teacher’s Gym last February 4, we elected a new set of officers. This year’s set is led by yours truly, Tyrone Jay Samson as president, Internal Vice-President Meg Steve Casimiro, External Vice President Meg Joey Mercado, Secretary Meg Al Manigsaca, Treasurer Meg Alberto “Dodong” Dumanon, Auditor Meg Rene “Yoyong” Remate, Press Relation Officer Meg Vincent Louie “Bokio” Calibo, Business and Social Managers Meg Ariel Velasco and Meg Dane Duka, and Prince Charming Meg Jeffrey Cabilin. The Board of Directors are Meg Sean Acaylar, Meg Jerome Sanchez, Meg Cris Leyson Sr., Meg Rudy Pioco, Meg Christopher Zosa, Meg Richel Acabal, Meg Victor “Tatay” Pabes, Meg Luis Calibo.

We are calling out all members to join in practice games every 5 in the afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at the Zamboanga del Norte Teacher’s Gym. A total of eight teams are expected to participate and compete in a double-round elimination tournament. The organization needs your support. Hopefully, all Megs can fulfill all obligations within this week and the next especially monthly dues. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)

Very often we pray to persuade God to grant our requests. But we should pray because God wills it. He changes us as we pray according to His will. We usually pray to ask God to alter circumstances or change people. However, it is often us who need to be changed.

When we pray we must come before God totally open, not hiding anything from Him. We search our hearts for areas that need to be corrected, confess our every sin, and ask for His cleansing. We must obey His every direction for our lives and allow Him to mold us according His image. Nothing will stand in the way of our prayers if we are totally open with God. We will know Him more intimately and become more conscious of His presence. His desires will become our desires. Jesus, promise will be fulfilled, He said, if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it should be done for you. (John 15:7). But if certain areas in our lives are off limits to God, our prayers will not be effective. For God does not need to be prodded to answer any of our prayers. In Matthew 6:8, says, “Don’t be like them, because your father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him”. God however, desires that we be totally open to Him.

You may say, “But I pray everyday, how come I do not received any answer?” Try to honesty evaluates your life and your prayers. Have you been totally open to God and willing to let Him change you? Do you realize that prayer begins and ends with God? Do you see the world through God’s eyes? Do you have a loving relationship with God? If you can say yes to all of these, then claim that power in your prayer.

Bible Bites!

The beauty of prayer, is that it begins to touch the desire of God’s heart to bless His children, particularly those who realize the brokeness of their lives. God said, don’t get tired of doing what is good, don’t get discourage and give up, for you will reap a harvest of blessings, keep on praying. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 19)