July 12, 2007

ZaNorte eyed as country’s bio-fuel capital

The ground breaking ceremony of a 200-hectare sugar nursery of Basic ZaNorte Bio-energy Corporation took place yesterday at Barangay Imelda, Gutalac Z.N. Oscar de Venecia Sr., Chairman, Basic Petroleum guested the occasion together with his son, Oscar de Venecia Jr. Executive Vice President, Basic Petroleum, Josue Camba Jr., Vice Chairman, Director Oscar Reyes, former Chairman of Shell Philippines, Director Ramon Mapa and Prudencio Somera, Jr.

During the ceremony, de Venecia Sr. disclosed that they have set the first quarter of 2008 for the construction of the ethanol plant and 2009 for the initial production of ethanol. He disclosed further that the corporation has P2.8B as its initial capital for the project and prided that this is their first project in the whole island of Mindanao. The chairman said that the corporation had already committed to Gov. Lando Yebes that it would pay whatever taxes due to the province including the sales tax since it planned to put up the headquarters here.

On the other hand, Chito Villanueva, project director of Basic Petroleum also revealed that the workers they plan to hire are owners of the lands they are leasing while the women will be involved in livelihood projects they will organize. Facilities like schools, health centers and other projects to insure a healthy community are also part of the commitment, the project director said. Both Gov. Lando Yebes and 3rd district congressman Cesar Jalosjos believed that such undertaking could offer the people of Zamboanga del Norte a great opportunity for economic growth. The provincial governor believed that this project could be the offshoot of the survey in 2003 declaring the province as the poorest in the country. In fact, he said, Eastern Shipping and the Chiongbian family of Sarangani province already opened up about their intention of putting up a coir plant at Irasan Roxas. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

Mayor Belen Uy: ‘No drastic change’

Stressing that she would rather focus at organizing civil societies to help her in governance and strengthening the women sector which she already organized when she was yet a First lady, Dipolog Mayor Belen Uy disclosed that she would set aside first any thought of change in the hierarchy of her officials.

This means, she disclosed, OIC City Administrator Romy Reyes will still be in his post and will still be the City Budget Officer. Although there were rumors of several names to be considered for possible positions, the lady mayor could not still reveal her choices yet.

“I have to consult officials who will be fit to fill up the positions,” Mayor Uy said, when asked about unfilled positions. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

 New Bishop calls for Bossi’s freedom

Bishop Julius Tonel had just been installed at the Prelature in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay after a year of vacancy but he is already faced with many challenges, Rev. Laure Helar, Vicar of the Prelature said. Rev. Helar pointed out that the abduction of Father Giancarlo Bossi last June 10 in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay could be the new bishop’s greatest challenge.

Moreover, the vicar pointed out, the prelature expected him to lead strongly in the development of a strong bond among the clergy, a greater advocacy for justice and peace and good governance. As regards the capture of the Italian priest, he called for his release for he considered Bossi as a ‘true gift’ to the church of Sibugay. He called it injustice and called for more prayers for his early release.

Meanwhile, the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Mission in the country was worried over the fate of Father Bossi especially that it had not received any word from his abductors, no ransoms asked and no trace at all. Moreover, he has hypertension and that he has been taking medicines which could not be made available during the captivity. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

PEDO Damuag: “I am the chopping block”

Critics have lambasted me, crucified me and threatened me for an expose – anything they can do in order to destroy me. Action Officer Remelo Damuag of the Provincial Environment and Development Office (PEDO) of Zamboanga del Norte recently griped over the attacks made by critics after two dump trucks owned by the Dipolog City Government were apprehended. The dump trucks were allegedly transporting sand without permit from the PEDO.

Damuag bewailed the harsh commentaries against him aired over the radio, even threatened to expose ‘anomalies’ which his commentators alleged he had done. However, he had been waiting for the expose his detractors were preparing but until now it never came, Damuag challenged.

“I want to answer any allegations my detractors will throw me and I am ready to answer them,” he said adding that the anonymous caller over the radio may just be someone sympathetic to the losing candidate. The PEDO action officer felt that this radio caller attacking him all the time in the guise of a concerned citizen is just Mayor Berto Uy’s spokesperson especially that the PEDO is filing a case of Theft of Minerals and abuse of authority against him  before the Ombudsman. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

 In Manukan
Fire leaves 1 dead

A fire believed to be originating from a leaking tank of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) razed down a house reportedly owned by Jose Uy of Manukan Poblacion. Manukan OIC Fire Marsall Joel Piñero disclosed that the fire broke out at 3:30 p.m. last Sunday, July 1. Piñero disclosed further that an old woman identified only as Mrs. Pelegrino did not escape the fire because she was reportedly sick and could not have the strength to escape the raging fire.

She was reportedly described as ‘fully scorched victim’ when the fire was finally contained at 4:30 p.m.

Witnesses believed that the arrival of other fire trucks from other municipalities on time prevented the fire to eat up other establishments in the area. Damage was placed at P1M. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

Prov’l librarian bats for more libraries in ZN, to launch workshop

Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte –  Provincial librarian, Evelyn R. Nunag continue to appreciate the relevance of books and reading in her quest to establish more libraries in the province under the active leadership of Governor Rolando E. Yebes on its second term. Nunag, in an interview with PIC/NBN reporter said that in response to R.A. 7743, an Act Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers in the Philippines, the Office of the Provincial Library and Information Center will hold a 5-day event dubbed “General assembly and Workshop on library technical services of ZaNorte Municipal & Barangay Librarians and Library-in-charge.”

The assembly and workshop aims to serve as a form to discuss the problems encountered by municipal and barangay libraries of the province as well as refresh their knowledge and develop their skills thru practice and exercises through the workshop on technical services of the library so as to deliver effective and efficient service to the public of ZaNorte. Nunag said that the workshop will be participated by Dapitan City, the Municipalities of Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Rizal and Sibutad in the first disctrict; Katipunan, Roxas, Manukan, Jose Dalman, Sindangan and Siayan in the 2nd district and;  Leon B. Postigo, Salug, Liloy, Labason, Gutalac, Tampilisan, Kalawit and Sibuco in the third district.

She said that more people still prefer to read books despite the advent of the internet. “We cater to students, parents, the working public and even to senior citizens,” she added. However, Nunag stressed the need for library security equipment that will prevent book losses in the library wherein a check-point article surveillance corner will be established. As part of her 3-year program proposal in Governor Yebes’ 2nd term, Nunag highlighted the significance of a resource sharing of library materials among the various cities and municipalities in ZaNorte.

She also hopes to establish a documentation and preservation of cultural heritage that will feature a collection of local history files. In fact, Nunag is looking into a so-called “ZNiana” corner that will exhibit reading materials written by ZaNorteans. The creation of additional libraries in the province namely in La Libertad, Sergio Osmeña, Katipunan, Godod, Baliguian, Siocon and Sirawai should be realized. She is also looking into a Biblio-therapy and current awareness program for in-mates and patients wherein their office supply books of encouragement and therapeutic reading materials. (Diana Tanzo, Mindanao Star, Vol.III No.23)

Credits: Mindanao Star is published once a week and is circulated to the 25 Municipalities and 2 Cities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Mindanao Star can be reached through the following contact info: #096 C.M. Montaño Building, Gen. Luna Street, Dipolog City; Phone/Fax No. (065) 212-6460; Mobile No.: 0921 736 5291

SP empowers Yebes to sue former Mayor

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Norte recently clothed Gov. Lando Yebes with authority to file a case against former Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy. The city mayor and some city employees allegedly violated the Mining Act of 1995 and the Small Scale Mining Ordinance of the province.

Aside from Uy, other respondents of the case included City Engineer Nedelia Magdayao, Ruel Rael and Wilfredo Villeno, drivers of the two dump trucks. The dump trucks were apprehended by the operatives of the Provincial Environment and Development Office and PNP who charged that both trucks transported sand gravel without valid delivery receipt and gratuitous permit required in extracting said materials. All members of the SP except BM Edgar Bagiuo voted for the resolution granting the Provincial Governor authority to sue Uy and others.

Earlier, BM Baguio moved for referring the matter to the committee at the SP so that it could be investigated thoroughly. In fact, he bore before the SP that he did not wish to file a case against former Mayor Uy, the City Engineer and the two dump truck drivers. However, BM Cedric Adriatico argued that it would be proper to empower Gov. Yebes to sue Uy as the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dipolog had also given the former mayor the authority to sue Gov. Yebes.

Asst. Prov’l Atty. Rafael Osabel explained why Uy could be sued despite his term ended on June 30. He pointed out that the case filed was against his official function and against him as a private individual. Osabel also explained that it could not be referred to the SP to find out if there was a probable cause to file the case since this will be determined by the court and not by the SP. On the other hand, BM Ricky Mejorada claimed that it was just proper to grant the governor this authority. He said there was no need for the SP to determine whether there was probable cause or not since this will encroach into the work of the judge or the Ombudsman and absolutely not the work of the SP. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

Consumers to shoulder high power rates if ZANECO pays taxes

It could be a heavy load upon the consumers which shall bear the brunt of taxing the electric power cooperative of its real property taxes. This was how ZANECO General Manager Adelmo Laput pictured the fate of municipalities after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan contemplated on taxing the electric cooperative of its real property taxes. He pointed out that ZANECO’s basic rate is placed at P4.48/kilowatt hour but if the cooperative does not enjoy the tax exemption, some municipalities like Jose Dalman, which has the longest electric lines, will pay P8.00/kilowatt hour.

Based on computation, the cooperative shall exact an additionalP3.05/kilowatt hour.  However, Laput pointed out further, the rate differs from other municipalities as rate varies since this depends on the length of electric lines used and the number of consumers. In case of Dipolog, Manager Laput, cited, only P0.002/kilowatt hour shall be imposed since the lines are short and there area number of electric consumers, here. “Makalolooy ang yanong lungsuranon nga maoy mobayad sa dugang singil tungod sa buhis,” Manager Laput stressed.

Meanwhile, the cooperative manager prided the stepping up of the electric cooperative from category C in 2005 to category A in 2006 based on the categorization and classification of electric cooperatives conducted by the National Electrification Administration. Due to this category rise, Laput informed, the employees received incentives and other benefits as they worked to give good service to the electric consumers. Moreover, the cooperative made an appeal to the Bureau of Internal Revenue as regards its tax deficiency in 2003 amounting to P23, 345,502.69 and was reduced to P1, 868,165.34. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

Gov’t zeroes in on smugglers, tax delinquent/evaders

In order to recover the estimated P53-billion shortfall in tax revenue for the first six months of 2007, the Philippine government will go after smugglers and tax delinquents/evaders. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, in a press briefing at Malacañang on Wednesday, said the projected shortfall for the period January to June this year is in relation to the tax revenue target of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC).  The BIR has an estimated shortfall of P40 billion in tax revenue for the first six months of the year, while the BoC has a shortfall of P13 biilion, he said.

Despite this, Teves said the government is maintaining its fiscal target for 2007. “We didn’t change the target. The targets remain at P730 billion for the Bureau of Internal Revenue and P228 billion for the Bureau of Customs,” he said. “The objective is to still live within the P63-billion deficit target (for 2007), and to attain our entire revenue target which consist of tax revenues and non-tax revenues,” he added. However, Teves stressed that despite the projected shortfall in tax revenue target, “we will not sacrifice government services such as in infrastructure and social services.” He said both the BIR and the BoC have instituted several measures to improve its revenue performance.

BoC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said they have initiated action plan in order to hit the assigned target of P228 billion for the year. Such plan involves updating the Commission’s value data base which is based on international standard. “As far as motor vehicles are concerned, we have already published book values of all motor vehicles,” he said. Morales said the BoC also has fully activated its post-entry audit of all its records not only of last year but three years back.

“We have already issued demand letters to concerned companies amounting to more than P1 billion additional revenue,” he said. The BoC is also fasttracking the auction of all forfeited cargoes. “This would mean additional collection for the government,” Morales said.

The Customs bureau also uses state-of-the-art x-ray machines in entry/exit ports of the country to effectively detect technical smuggling that includes misdeclaration, misclassification, under valuation and under quantity of cargoes, he said. For her part, BIR officer-in-charge Lilian Hefti said they would address “the leakages that we found out happened in the past.” “The first half of 2007 was admittedly full of challenges and the BIR must deal with many challenges throughout the year. So starting today, we have to think, rethink and look back for the events that transpired in the past and start to look forward for fresh opportunities and ideas to pursue our objectives and goals,” she said. In order to meet its target, Hefti said, the BIR is implementing programs such as industry profiling and benchmarking of taxpayer’s data; information sharing and matching with third parties; stocktaking of inventory; surveillance of establishments; closure of establishments that did not register under the value-added tax (VAT) system; and run after tax evaders and tax delinquents, among others.

Teves said in his earlier meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, “she reminded us that in our governance-related programs like going after tax evaders and smugglers, one very important component here is to try to convert these cases into prosecution and conviction.” He said both the BIR and the BoC will now be more pro-active in relating with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Court of Tax Appeal to facilitate and expedite the conversion of these cases into prosecution and conviction. The President also directed Teves to look very closely into the country’s declining oil imports. “We felt that the President is correct that it seems counter intuitive that at the time when the economy is growing, oil imports apparently, based on official records, are declining,” Teves said. (PNA/PIA-ZN)

Power interruptions due to ZANECO’s antiquated system

General Manager Adelmo Laput recently explained that the series of power interruptions the city was experiencing last week was due to the aging system of the cooperative. He disclosed that the explosion of the suspension insulator of the Polanco Substations cut off the power supply the consumers were experiencing on July 3. The manager also explained that it took sometime to restore the power supply because its power fuse was also affected.

“This is why we have subjected the system under rehabilitation which included the change of cable sizes and the use of bigger transformers,” Laput said.

He explained further that the present 10MVA transformer used at the Polanco substation could not anymore answer the growing electricity demands. The manager also disclosed that they have cut some expenses down because they wanted to save P20M to buy a 20MVA new transformer. To inspect the system thoroughly, a technician from Manila was hired in order to look for possible means to prevent power failures, ZANECO manager Laput revealed. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

National disaster consciousness month launched in Dapitan

The officers and mem-bers of the Regional Disas-ter Coordinating Council (RDCC) of region IX were in Dapitan City Thursday for the launching of the national disaster consciousness month, which is celebrated every July of each year. A motorcade around the shrine city of Dapitan was held with the officers and members of the RDCC, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (ZNPDCC), Dapitan City Disaster Coordinating Council (DDCC), private and public schools, and non-government organizations participating.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) IX regional director Adriano Fuego said the RDCC chose Dapitan for this year’s launching of the observance of national disaster consciousness month to increase public awareness on disaster preparedness as some areas in the city are prone to natural disasters like flash floods and mudslides. A similar activity had been launched by the RDCC in Pagadian City in July last year. In his message during a short program at the Dapitan City Cultural and Sports Center following the motorcade, Dapitan Mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr. underscored the importance of disaster preparedness in governance. He also thanked the RDCC for launching the activity in the city as this would also give the place a chance to show to the visitors its beautiful spots.

In the afternoon a joint RDCC-PDCC-CDCC meeting was held with DSWD IX regional director Geraldine Valbuena giving an opening statement. She told the participants that “disaster consciousness should be a way of life if we are to be prepared for any disaster.” “Although we are lucky that region 9 is not a typhoon belt but we are faced with social conflicts wrought by the presence of MILF, NPA or MNLF breakaway groups in the area. But if we are prepared, we lessen the loss of lives,” Valbuena stressed. The RDCC meeting in Dapitan was the first meeting held by the council outside Zamboanga City. (PIA-ZN)

CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER SPEAKS OUT:
Scam Victimizing Filipino Veterans Exposed;
Virginia-Based Lobbyist Tagged

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

SAN DIEGO - Congressman Bob Filner (D-51st District) assailed the practice of a Filipino American lobbyist of collecting fees from Filipino veterans for a service his office gives for free, saying it was "a scam" that  bilks them of government monetary assistance.

"It's terrible, what he's doing," said the San Diego lawmaker, pointing to the highly-visible Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV)based in Arlington, Virginia, which boasts of having 4,000 members.

In a rare display of contempt, Filner said Lachica was "the one who sold us out" in congressional deliberations by pruning down veterans' demand for full equity to the detriment of the great majority of veterans in the United States and the Philippines.

"He (Lachica) lives off these vulnerable people," Filner said on Thursday (July 5) during a meeting in his office with Col. Romy Monteyro, adviser of the Filipino World War II Veterans Foundation of San Diego, and Commander Manuel B. Braga, who heads the group.

Filner took the occasion to acknowledge Monteyro, chair of the recently-formed congressional lobby group NAFVE (National Alliance for Veterans Equity), as his "dancing partner"  -- his metaphor to describe the significant role he plays in the ongoing campaign to secure full benefits for all Filipino veterans currently in the United States and those in the Philippines.

"Lachica is in some scams," Filner stressed. "He's doing what I do for free; what the Department of Veterans Affairs do for free. It's ridiculous," he added.

Contacted for comment, Lachica said he had been sick and pointed to the ACFV vice president for membership, Franco Arcebal, in Los Angeles to answer the interview questions.

This reporter has held on to the story for almost a week to afford him the chance to clarify the issues. On the deadline set for him to reply, which was Tuesday, July 10, Lachica said: "been down w/ allergies & bronchitis for a few days".

Lachica had been expected in San Diego on Saturday, July 7 for a meeting with his supporters. Those who went to the meeting said Lachica didn't show up.

Nonetheless, the attendees raised some money, as they were apparently told by Lachica, for air fare to Washington, DC supposedly for the signing of the bill approved by the Senate committee.

"Pipirmahan na daw ni President Bush (the president will sign the bill)," one of the veterans said, quoting what they had been told would happen on July 27. But the legislation is not up for signing until the Senate and House versions were reconciled into one.

Lachica's known contacts in San Diego, notably Joann Fields of the local chapter of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), did not reply to queries. Fields recently led a group of Filipino veterans in a candlelight vigil apparently to seek divine help for the veterans benefits.

Monteyro said he has told Filipino veterans: "Don't pay him (Lachica). The service (he's doing) is free, absolutely free."

Information from veterans who declined to be identified said they were asked to pay $100 for membership plus the occasional costs of his travels and lobbying. They also disclosed that as executive director of ACFV, Lachica receives a salary.

Bobby Reyes, a son of a veteran who lives in Los Angeles, said he was a "victim" of what he calls the "ACFV scam". He recalled an event in San Francisco in March 2002 when he and several others gave $100 each as life-time membership fee in the ACFV.

After that, he said he never heard again from Lachica and his ACFV.

Reyes said he has “personally interviewed some Filipino-American veterans in Los Angeles and they claimed that they had been contributing $10 to $20 per month per head to Mr. Lachica to fund his so-called lobbying activities in the District of Columbia”.

“So far,” he continued, “Mr. Lachica has produced not even a single financial report about his and the ACFV fundraising activities”.

In the many years that Filner has advocated for Filipino veterans, this is the first time that he took a direct swipe at one of the most visible lobbyists for the cause. "It's a scam," he said of Lachica's work.

"The Filipino veterans don't need Eric Lachica. He lives off these vulnerable people," Filner emphasized. He asked that Lachica makes an accounting of the monies he collected from veterans.

Lachica is perhaps the most-photographed son of a veteran who has taken an active role in the fight for benefits. His success in lobbying is in getting what critics called "bread crumbs" -- paltry doleouts for the short haul and small panacea to ease temporary hardships.

Filner said Lachica's insistence on getting these sets of benefits for the veterans has given other lawmakers a "convenient cover" to diffuse the demands and lower them instead of providing full equity benefits.

"Now we have to compromise with the compromise after he sold us out," Filner stated.

At one point during the meeting, Filner referred to Lachica as "toxic" to the cause, meaning he has poisoned and undermined the efforts of groups bigger than his ACFV, whose president, Patrick Ganio Sr., is considered the nominal head.

Sometime ago, Lachica testified that veterans in the Philippines needed only $200 to survive, a statement that cheapened the veterans themselves and their cause, according to Filner.

Both Lachica and Ganio are being blamed for the failure of the US Senate Veterans Affairs Committed headed by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to pass a full equity bill for all the Filipino veterans.

Filner said he is preparing the House version of a bill similar to what the US Senate Veterans Affairs committee under Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) has reported out last week, which provides full equity benefits for US-based veterans.

San Diego veterans commander Manuel B. Braga, meanwhile, said he had apprised NaFFAA chair Alma Q. Kerns about Lachica's activities when she showed up at a veterans meeting in San Diego hosted by the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO), which is itself mired in monetary scandals.

"I told her that Lachica is a fake and he's doing all these dubious things," Braga said in an interview. To which Kerns reportedly replied: "So what I'm hearing is correct,"  according to Braga. He said they were conversing in the presence of Col. Monteyro.

For its part, NAFVE has launched a nationwide drive to raise $100,000 to cover campaign costs, office expenses and salaries of two legislative consultants to drum up support for the equity bill, according to Jon Melegrito, co-chair of NAFVE's steering committee.

"This is a one-time fundraiser for this year’s campaign only," he explains, assuring that names of donors and an income/expense report will be posted as a guarantee of transparency.

Melegrito said NAFVE has so far collected "about one fourth" of its target.

Retired US Colonel Frank B. Quesada, a veteran and staunch advocate for full benefits, ridiculed Lachica and Melegrito, calling them “pretenders”.

“What is this clown (referring to Melegrito) talking about?” he asked.

Quesada also claimed that Lachica “has been banned by the Department of Justice from interfering with veteran’s affairs here and in the Philippines”. 

“Representatives Filner, (Mike) Honda and (Darrell) Issa, and Senators (Daniel) Akaka and (Daniel) Inouye have distanced themselves from these clowns knowing the truth about them,” Quesada said. (This Breaking News may be posted online, broadcast or reprinted, but not edited, on condition that the author and the paper be credited. By Romeo P. Marquez, Editor, Philippine Village Voice). 14 July 2007.

Credits: Mindanao Star is published once a week and is circulated to the 25 Municipalities and 2 Cities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Mindanao Star can be reached through the following contact info: #096 C.M. Montaño Building, Gen. Luna Street, Dipolog City; Phone/Fax No. (065) 212-6460; Email: mindanaostar@zamboangadelnorte.com

Art & Culture
Don Gurrea
House of Comfort Art Project

Last July 1 and 2, art workshops and exhibitions conducted by TRAUMA, INTERRUPTED were successfully launched at the Plenary Hall, 2nd Floor, ZN Convention and Exhibition Center, Dipolog City. On a two-day separate schedules, the participants who joined the art activities were composed of visual artists, cultural workers, art educators and Youth Residents from the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth in Anastacio, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte and the Balay Dalangpan Sa Kabataan in Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City.

The workshops evolve on the concept of making art through a collaborative and interactive way aimed at empowering marginalized communities. Basic materials used at the workshops are old clothes, fabric scraps and foam that resulted into colorful forms and creative designs. Themes that were introduced and expected from each participant are drawn out from personal experiences, dreams and aspirations. The whole aesthetic exercise became a spiritual therapy and a healing process. Individual issues and concerns not fully communicated in words find their way out through the creative visual process.

The HOUSE OF COMFORT ART PROJECT was brought to Dipolog City by TRAUMA, INTERRUPTED, a team composed of Faculty Members at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and hosted by the Zamboanga del Norte Federation Of Visual Artists, Inc. (ZANFEVA).

Conducting the workshops are ALMA QUINTO, an international visual artist and art educator based in QuezonCity, MIHO NAKANISHI, a grantee of the Japan Foundation in the Philippines, and NERISSA PABILLO of the Greenhills Creative Child Art Center in San Juan. (Please see Press Freedom, June 30, 2007 issue.) For inquiries and comments: Cell Phone 0926 6033 968 or, email at don_gurrea@yahoo.com) (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 39)

mga kalampusan ni Gov. Yebes sa
unang termino gipabati atol sa oath taking ceremony

Sa pagsugod sa ikaduhang termino ni Governor Rolando E. Yebes isip nasubliang gobernador sa lalawigan sa Zamboanga del Norte kini mapasigarbohong mipalanog atubangan sa mga katawhan ug mga bag-ong napili ug nasubliang mga opisyales sa probinsya sa iyang mga

napatuman nga mga proyekto nga gibobo sa mga kabarangayan sakop ning lalawigan. Nahimong sentro nga gituki sa gobernador mao ang walo ka mga nanag-unang kalampusan nga gihimo niini diha sa pag-alagad sa katawhan.

Supt. Sarahadil elected new PASS prexy

What difference can a vote make for one to win an election? Dr. Habib Adzhar H. Sarahadil, provincial schools division superintendent of Zamboanga del Norte, really felt the chill in his spine until the last ballot was counted to his favor in the recently concluded election of officers of the Philippine Association of Schools Superintendents (PASS) in Manila. The 17 schools superintendents composing the PASS board have convened lately to elect their president, executive vice president and secretary with three signifying their interest in running for president like Orlando Gundayao of Quirino province, Region II, Epifanio B. Buela of Albay, Region V and Habib Adzhar H. Sarahadil of Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX.

The election was done through secret balloting to give everyone full liberty in choosing his bet sans personal hesitation and biases. As soon as the counting of votes started, the contenders for the presidency began to feel anxious as they seemed to have the same number of supporters. When the first ballot was read and tallied, the vote went to Superintendent Sarahadil. However, succeeding ballots went to his other contenders. He began to think that the first ballot was his and it was his only vote. As the counting of ballots continued, Sarahadil managed to garner addi-tional votes until the three of them have tied with one remaining ballot not counted.

Hoping against hope the thrill was still high until the last two ballots were opened and counted. And the last votes went to the superintendent of Zambo-anga del Norte, making him win the race for the presidency. In his campaign speech, Sarahadil envisioned “to rekindle the past glory of the superintendents in terms of professionalism and per-formance to be able to im-prove the quality of educa-tion which has long been a vision of the Department of Education (DepED).” He also sought to look into the welfare of the teachers in the field and find ways to uphold the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession. He said the setup of the education department in the past had placed the schools superintendents in a more strategic position as there was no other layer in bet-ween the schools divisions and the central office.

In another development, with Superintendent Sarahadil serving as PASS president, he is now entitled to a seat in the board of trustees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as mandated by law.  Sarahadil, who is the first Muslim president of PASS, took his oath before Atty. Domingo Alidon, union president of DepED-Central Office. His executive vice president and secretary are schools superintendents Elena Ruiz of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Luisa D. Mutia of Region X, respectively.  Sarahadil was nominated by Lanao del Sur schools superintendent Zenaida Ampatua. (PIA-ZN)

Credits: The New Nandau is a member of the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI). Editorial office is located at 076 Quezon Avenue, Dipolog City with Tel. No. (065) 212-3794; Cell No. +639205201041

   DIPOLOGNON TODAY

PRESS FREEDOM ED ITORIAL

An eye for an eye

The case of the seized dumptrucks brought the Dipolog City government and the Provincial Government on the brink of a jungle-like scenario of fighting animals. When the Sangguniang Panlungsod granted former Mayor Roberto Uy the authority to initiate legal action against the provincial governor, it was just like granting him the fangs to bite the enemy. To meet the mayor’s fang, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan also granted the provincial governor the power to sue the mayor as well, allowing him to waltz around his enemy confidently as cohorts of both cheered by. Both can’t be dissuaded; they’re just ready to go for the fight.