Ex-Governor Raul Lee Substitutes For Wife (Sally Lee) As Sorsogon Gubernatorial Candidate

 

From PIO- LGU Bulan Mr. Tonyboy Gilana

 

Sorsogon City, December 15, 2009:

In a sudden twist of events, incumbent Sorsogon Governor Sally A. Lee (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), gave up her bid to run for another term, when she filed yesterday at the provincial Comelec a certificate of withdrawal of her candidacy in favor of her husband, former three-termer Governor Raul Lee. December 14 was the last day for filing of substitute candidates by COMELEC-accredited parties.

Political analysts here said that with the entry of the former Governor, the opposition, led by Second District Congressman Jose G. Solis , running under the Kampi Party is in for a real run for their money as the former governor is seen as a more formidable force than his wife. While Governor Sally was seen as having done much for the province in her single term as governor, the ex-governor is believed to be a more unifying force on account of his political keenness and relationship with key political leaders all over the province. He never lost touch with all his political allies, and has continuously observed and participated in major political developments in the province.

While Lee is in for a tough fight in Bulan town, since Solis is from this place, which has a voting population of 46,000, the second biggest in the province, this was neutralized by the partnership with Lee of Bulan ex-mayor Guiming De Castro as vice-gubernatorial candidate. Analysts say Solis may win in Bulan but not with a margin big enough to carry him to victory. The De Castro camp promises a surprise win in Bulan for Lee, who has himself been beloved to the local populace. /

                                                                                                                           ……end—-

 

Have A Way With Words

 

by  Oliver Geronilla

 

The power to communicate effectively and wisely sets us apart from our primitive roots, but it’s the ability to understand and respond pragmatically and strategically that clearly makes us truly civilized.

Last year, BO readers were exposed to all sorts of communicators. Some were glib if not voluble; others were taciturn and even curt. You could easily tell it from the way they communicated their ideas using logos, pathos, and ethos which all got entwined all in the name of being heard and read. This only tells us one thing: there’s a need for us to have a “reliable” platform like BO where people can freely express their innermost thoughts and even simple observations without the fear of being censured.

Ceteris paribus, it’s simply beyond me when I see or read BO contributors turning in articles or comments decrying politicking when in fact they themselves engage in it verbally or otherwise. That’s the pot calling the kettle black!

This is quite contagious; and we can see this form of verbal malady all over the country. Unfortunately, the incumbent Mayor did not spare herself from being a victim of this political disease which GMA was a victim too. In Mayor De Castro’s 2009 Year-End Report to the People of Bulan, she did not mince (her) words in telling her constituents about how she felt being “criticized” by her political rivals.

That should have been stricken off the report as it did not help bolster her sense of leadership; nor did it help her exude her favorite catch-phrase “Ina san bungto.” In fact, it weakened the almost linguistically well-polished speech she (and perhaps her speech writer) prepared. That destroyed the spirit of Christmas which, according to Christopher Dilts, is all about “seeing the goodness in others, recognizing, acknowledging and reflecting this goodness back to them. This can be done with a loving look, a kind gesture, a warm embrace, a few words of encouragement, or an expression that is as rich and elaborate as you wish.”

Well, she somehow saw the goodness in it by saying that “naging danun ini para maging inspirasyon na lalo namo pakay-adon an pag-administrar nan paglingkod sa iyo.” That and only that. The other elements were missing which I believe would have made her a better ‘mother” had she gone further by hinting at the possibility of working together despite the ugly past that has put them at a very awkward position in being role-models of goodwill and statesmanship.

A doting mother, as we all know, welcomes back to her arms all her children, prodigal or not, without conditions. But that’s far from the gist of her accomplishment report which reeked of angst and frustration. As such, the glaring paradox in her annual accomplishment report has made me wonder how she could continue being a good mother of our beloved town when she still harbors ill-feelings towards those “people who might have gone astray.”

Had she not used the word “ina’ in her report only to bash her critics around prosodically, I wouldn’t  have any qualms about her sincerity in leading Bulan towards a united, progressive, and God-fearing community.

Alas, she’s not properly coached to use language more skillfully to unite her constituents.

Still, I tip my hat to the present corps of leaders of Bulan for continually communicating with us (and hopefully continuously next time)–a step more important than the political junkets that most candidates would be busy undertaking these coming local and national elections.

My (desired) present for everyone this year: the gift of the gab minus the roar of the tiger.

Happy New Year!

                                                                                                                     ——-end——

Choose Freedom First

by jun asuncion

 

The year 2010 is finally here- and lucky are those who survived because 2009 was a year of calamities and human tragedies for the Filipinos.

Still, the tired Filipinos have the right to wish for a better year this time, a year with less natural devastations and a new national leadership that would give them back the face of dignity that they have lost and inspire them to continue fighting for the virtues they dearly hold.

Hence, this new year is our chance to go a step forward by choosing a president that has a stately character and the intelligence that’s focussed on how to improve our situation. That’s why choose freedom first above everything else and then choose your president this year.

I can no longer imagine another four or eight years of weak national leadership , another years of deception and series of insult to the Filipino mind. That’s why be wise this time, protect your mind, consider a bigger cause and then choose your president this year.

The Philippines is still not the nation we have envisioned. It is deep within it fragmented and has no direction- the reason why there is no peace and progress.

Though we may proudly declare ourselves anytime and anywhere of being friendly and hardworking Filipinos,  in truth we have no common defined goals on how to change the situations that for decades have been hindering our progress. That’s why we need a national leader that will give us this definition that we need and support our personal struggles for a nation. A multi-ethnic place like the Philippines needs a strong and incorruptible national leader who will work for and not against a Filipino nation, who will put to end this culture of impunity and replace it with culture of justice and human rights; a national leader that places national interests first than  patronage politics.

This could be too much of an expectation for this means to go against the flow of the Philippine real politik. But this is exactly we need in this socio-economic dead-end, somebody who will break the old wall and lead us to the other side where there is more space for positive growth and development.

The same way with our local governments: Choose freedom first and then choose your mayor and governor. Respect your local officials  and political candidates but don’t trade freedom for slavery. It’s more human to be poor yet free than to be poor and be a slave. Avoid manipulation of all kinds, fight for your integrity and choose freedom first.

This is the privilege we enjoy each start of the year – to reset ourselves inwardly and  to dream again for a better Philippines. Indeed, it’s a new beginning for each of us, but an end to those who choose to remain un-free and who have stopped dreaming.

Personally, you might have lost good friends and/or failed to reach your goals you have set for yourself last year. But this should not stop you from dreaming anew. The new year will also bring you new friends when old ones are gone and a new hope so that you can set up new goals again.

Friendship and politics are two things that go hand in hand: Good friendship stays and endures the test of time and expectations, hence has a deeper  quality and meaning. Good politicians are friends to the people for they work for the people’s welfare and never turn their back on the people once they have secured the power but maintain this friendship in an atmosphere of freedom and trust. The result is good governance.

To talk about freedom may sound altmodisch or old style. But for all we know- or for all that we don’t know- freedom needs to be defined and redefined constantly in a society that’s changing and struggling  like the Philippines. It is as old as philosophy itself but still remains the sine qua non of our political dasein and humanity. I’m experiencing that even in places considered to be the most free, progressive and democratic ones in the world, the people’s fight for freedom has never ceased. On the contrary, it’s omnipresent in their daily political debates and in their everyday dealing with one another.

 As a matter of fact, freedom is an issue as pressing as the issues on global warming and climate change and in a way, these issues affect one another: People who choose freedom first and whose freedom is respected have more impact on industries and government decision-making, hence can achieve more in their fight for a cleaner environment than their less-free counterparts in countries that don’t acknowledge such freedom.

The bottom-line now  is to keep your dream  and your passion for a free life. There, exactly in that place where you feel you’ve reached your own dead-end, break that wall and start again. This is really the only way to go to another higher definition within your self. Avoid people and situations that seem to compromise your inner balance or people who attack gladly your own weaknesses. Ignore them and focus on your own strengths so that you’ll be more happy and successful in your own ways.

And finally, don’t underestimate the value of dreaming for a better world for yourself because it is actually your good dream that keeps you alive in this world and keeps you breaking the walls.

                                                                                      —end—

2009 YEAR-END REPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF BULAN

 

By: Mayor Helen C. De Castro

 

Bulan, Sorsogon

Sa Entero na Taga-Bulan,

Pinapadaba Ko na mga Kabungto:

INTRODUKSIYON:

Dios marhay na adlaw sa iyo entero.

Ipauna ko man an pagpaabot sa entero sin Maogmang Pasko nan Bag-ong Taon na puno sin bendisyon!

Ini tabi si Helen De Castro, an saiyo Mayor nan Ina san bungto ta. Huyaa ako niyan basi mag-report sa iyo san mga nahimuan san ato Gobierno Lokal sa paagi san ako Administrayon niyan na 2009. Ini an paagi nato na ma-impormar an kada taga-Bulan sa mga programa, mga proyekto o mga aktibidades dire lang san ako Opisina, kundi pati na san mga departamento san Municipio.

Ini na taon 2009, sa paniwala ko tabi, maski baga taon sin krisis sa ekonomiya, mga kalamidad na apektado an ato mga pagbuhay nan mga pananom, nan mga maraot na karanasan sa ato nasyon nan bungto, alagad taon man ini sin pagkasarayo, kahigusan, paghinguha, nan, sabihon na nato, tunay na biyaya nan progreso. Padagos na indedikar nan inkomiter san iyo mga opisyales-lokal nan san mga opisyales sa 63 na barangay an pagserbi nan pag-giya sa ato padaba na komunidad. Inpanindugan namo an sagrado niyo na mandando sa amo; Inpanindugan namo an obligasyon na kami mga serbidor-publiko, nan obligasyun namo an makadanun nan maging kasangkapan san ato komunidad-Bulanenyo para sa pagladas sin sayo na progresibo, mayad, maogma nan matoninong na puturo!

Sa solod man sini na taon, kami na mga lideres niyo, lalo na tabi ako nan an Opisina san Mayor, dire nakalibre o naka-ibitar sa mga manlaen-laen na pagtatsar nan mga kritisismo sin nagkapera na mga tawo, lalo na an mga dire naniwala sa ako Administrasyon, dahilan lang sa kalaban ko sira sa politika. Alagad, ini na mga pakaraot nan mga kritisismo, pati na ngani ini na surunod-sunod na mga kaso o mga asunto na-insang-at kontra sa ako, na maski ngani baga grabe an kagub-atan sa ako personal na pagkatawo, alagad ini dire kaulangan sa amo, kundi naging danun ini para maging inspirasyon na lalo namo pakay-adon an pag-administrar nan paglingkod sa iyo.

Niyan na taon, daghanun talaga tabi an inhimo nato na mga programa nan mga proyekto para sa komunidad ta, sa ngaran sin pag-administrar, sa ngaran sin pagserbi, sa ngaran sin pagbabag-o nan progreso, nan sa ngaran sin pag-ataman san ato komunidad nan mga syudadano.

Sa Report na ini, isasaysay ko tabi an mga minasunod :

1. PROGRAMA SA SALUD/HEALTH

2. PROGRAMA SA EDUKASYON:

3. PROGRAMA SA KABUHAYAN/ LIVELIHOOD:

4. PROGRAMA SA KAPALIBUTAN/ ENVIRONMENT:

6. MGA SERBISYO SOSYAL:

7. PAZ Y ORDEN:

8. IMPRASTRAKTURA/ INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES PROGRAMS:

9. DISASTER RISK-REDUCTION PROGRAM/ AN MDCC

10. AN BULAN INTEGRATED TERMINAL

11. MGA SERBISYO SAN MGA DEPARTAMENTO SAN MUNICIPIO:

12. AN LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY

13. AN SANGGUNIANG BAYAN SAN BULAN

PROGRAMA SA SALUD/ HEALTH:

Unahon ta tabi an Programa sa Salud o Health Programs.

Prayoridad ta ini na programa. Nan prayoridad ta an ato mga kabatan-an, mga ina, mga gurang. Pinakapokus man sini na programa an mga kabubungto nato na tios nan kawaraon. Nan sa abot san ato makakaya, talagang inhinguha san administrasyon ko na may-on ini sin numero uno na atensiyon.

Bag-o ako magreport san sa Health Programs, hatagan ko mun-a pagsaludar nan pasalamat an departamento san Rural Health Unit o RHU na nasa pamumuno ni Dra. Estrella Payoyo, nan an Barangay Volunteer Health Workers o BHW sa pamumuno san Presidente san organisasyun nira na si Mrs. Perla Oli. Dire man nato paglimutan tabi si Dra. Maria Tita Palad nan kaurupod niya sa Pawa Municipal Hospital. Sobra man na naging aktibo sa pagkooperar sa ato si Konsehala Tessie Guran na mao an SB Chairperson sa Committee on Health.

Primary Health Care for Bulaneno Children:

Primero na tutukaron ko an mga aktibidades-medikal para sa mga kabatan-an nato.

Niyan na taon, batog na Enero hasta niyan na Nobyembre, an Programa nato sa Pagbakuna o Expanded Program for the Immunization of Children matriunfo nan haros siyento porsiyento (100%) an accomplishment.

May-on kita sin total na 2,338 na mga bata sa bilog na bungto an nabakunahan sin mga bakuna kontra-tipdas, kontra hepatitis, kontra-diphteria, anti-polio nan iba pa na mga bakuna. Ini man na mga kabatan-an hinatagan ta entero sin Vitamin A supplementation. Nan may-on pa sin 202 na mga bata edad santaon hasta onom kataon na tinagan man sin dagdag na Vitamin A supplements.

Dire pinabayaan san ato pampubliko na health care program an mga mahapdos na mga baby o mga bata. Halimbawa, may 728 na mga bata na edad 6 meses hasta 11 meses, 1,477 na mga bata edad sangtaon hasta sinco anyos, nan 685 na mga bata edad hasta sais anyos, an inpakonsulta, inasikaso nan binulong san Rural Health Unit. Sa mga mahapdos na mga bata na ini, dagdag Bitamina an inhatag ta. 183 na anemic nan underweight na mga bata an pinatumada ta sin mga Iron supplements. 269 na mga bata na nagkukurso o may diarrhea an binulong nan tinagan ta Oresol supplements. 197 na mga bata an binulong sa hapdos nira na pneumonia. Entero tabi ini libre, wara bayad. Kun minsan, may mga magurang man na nahatag diyo na boluntad sa RHU nato, pero dapat libre.

Sa niyan man, may-on sin 8 na bata na taga-Bulan an may tuberculosis, pero may libre ini na full-course therapy, may-on man sin 145 na mga bata na positive potential sa hapdos na TB kaya nagreresponde an RHU na maagapan ini na mga bata kaya binatugan na an preventive medication para sa kanira.

Dire man nato inpapabayaan an taun-taon na deworming o paghimulate san ato mga kabatan-an. Kaya sa deworming activities nato san Abril nan sinundan ini san Oktubre, napahimulatehan ta an 12,553 na mga bata edad sangtaon hasta sais anyos.

San Hulyo, nag-atender ako sa sayo na patipon san DOH- Center for Health Development para makisumayo sa adbokasiya san DOH sa pagdanon san mga bata na bag-o ipanganak para sa kanira newborn screening implementation. Desidido ako na mapangatamanan an mga new born baby nato sa paagi sin efektibo na newborn screening procedures.

Primary Health Care for Mothers/Maternal Care:

Niyan na taon 2009, an nairekord san RHU na pag-anak o live-births sa bilog na bungto nag-aabot sa 1,587. Puwera ini san iba pa na mga nag-anak sa mga pribado na klinika nan mga taga-Bulan na nag-deliver sa iba na ospital. Sa listahan na ini , an 81 sini na mga burod inpaanak san ato mga municipal midwives sa Otavi Maternity Clinic, nan 432 na ina an nag-deliver sa Obrero Maternity Center. Puwera sa diyo seguro na gastuson sin sayo na pamilya sa pagpaanak, an pagpaanak didi sa RHU nan Otavi libre tabi, wara bayad. Kaya dako na danon sa mga pamilya ta ini na maternity program san municipio. Maski sa Pawa Hospital, dako na danon an serbisyo san ato mga medical attendants doon pag-abot sa pagpaanak. Puwera sa nagkapera na mga seryoso nan delikado na kaso, na indadara ta sa Irosin, o Sorsogon Provincial Hospital, kadaghanan san mga taga-Bulan na burod didi na sa mga center ta nag-aranak.

Ini na childbirth delivery program an talagang sayo sa tinutukan ko sin pansin bilang Mayor kay ako ina man, nan aram ko an peligro na inaagihan sin sayo na ina na manganak. Sa katunayan sayo sa pinakadako ko na plano otro taon mao ini na lalo maging mahiwas an saato RHU center nan makapatindog pa ako mga additional na maternity centers.

Puwera pa soon, talagang may programa kita sa mga nagbuburod na ina, nan programa pakatapos nira mag-anak.

Mala ngane tabi kay sa mga nagbuburod na ina, an mga midwives nato nan municipal nurses nakarekord sin 2,160 na mga pre-natal visits, 828 sa mga burod an nakarecibe sin tetanus toxoid immunization, 1,753 an nakakuwa sin dosage sin TT2+, nan 1,203 an tinagan ta sin complete iron with folic acid. San Hunyo, Nakarecibe an mga burod ta sin 100 tablets sin FeSO4 (ferrous sulfate) kada sayo hale kan Gobernadora Sally Lee.

May programa man kita pakatapos manganak an sayo na ina. 1,887 na post-partum visit an na-irekord ta; 849 an tinagan sin complete iron; 1,887 an nahatagan sin Vitamin A; nan an makaoogma kay 1,887 na mga ina an nag-be-breastfeeding dahil man sa mahigos na kampanya san RHU na mag-breastfeeding an mga ina.

San Pebrero 17, 18, 19 , an saato RHU staff nagkondukta sin sayo na Advocacy on High- Risk Pregnancy sa mga Barangay san JP Laurel, Aquino nan San Vicente. 108 na burod an nakinabang sini na orientation. Nagkaigua man kita sin Mothers’ Class sa San Vicente nan Aquino.

Reproductive Health:

Nan siyempre pa, may programa man an RHU sa family planning basi maging muklat an mga magurang sa reproductive health nan sa tama na pagplano sin pamilya kay basi mas maasikaso an pamilya lalo na an kanira mga bata. Nasa magurang na an pagpili san gusto niyo na metodo na gagamiton. Sa niyan may-on kita sin 5,607 acceptors o mga magurang na nagpapatukdo sin family planning methods.

San Hunyo nan Hulyo, nagkondukta an RHU sin mga information classes tungkol sa Responsible Parenting Movement nan Natural Family Planning Methods sa Lajong, Pawa, Magsaysay, Inararan, Zone 4, Zone 7, San Ramon, N. Roque, Quezon, Aguinaldo, Otavi, Jamor-awon, Beguin, San Rafael, Zone 6, Managa-naga, M. Roxas, Somagongsong, Calomagon, Nasuje, San Isidro, Gate, Aquino.

Women’s Health:

Sa women’s health program, nai-organisar ta na tabi an mga grupo na madanun magbayabay sa mga salud san kababayehan didi sa Bulan sa paagi sin Women’s Health Team Training san Oktubre. May-on kita sin 65 teams san RHU nan BHW na maasikaso sini na programa.

Outpatient Services:

An Rural Health Unit center nato sa Obrero nakaserbi tabi sin 9,185 na outpatients hale sa bilog na Bulan. Pagsinabi nato nakaserbi kaupod sini an konsultasyon nan paghatag bulong sa entero na klase sin hapdos na kaya asikasuhon san mga medical practitioners nato. Dahilan sa talagang nagdadako na an populasyon san bungto ta kaya duwa na baga an doktora ta sa RHU, si Doktora Payoyo nan si Doktora Kates Rebustillo.

Laboratory Services:

An Laboratory Department san RHU nakaserbi man sa mga taga-Bulan. Sa sulod sini na taon 2009, nakaserbi kita sa mga masunod na libre na palaboratoryo: 525 pasyente sa direct sputum microscopy; urinalysis, 1,087; hemoglobin determination nan blood typing, 670; gram staining, 23; stool exam, 29 nan may-on pa sa platelet count; fasting blood sugar nan newborn screening.

Nan siyempre pa tabi, pasalamatan ko man an entero na nagdonar sin dugo sa ato mga bloodletting activities. San September 11, 42 na blood donors nan san Nobyembre 30, 14 na blood donors an nagdonar dugo nan ini inpadara ta sa provincial blood bank. An bloodletting activity san November 30, in sponsor tabi san grupo san USWAG Bulan.

Daghanun pa na mga trabaho an inhimo san ato RHU, pareho sin mga inspeksiyon san ato Sanidad sa mga inkukuwaan tubi na inumon basi maseguro na deri mameligro an ato mga syudadano; mga sanitary inspection sa kaunan o food establishments, nan pag-isyu mga medical examinations..

Serbisyo para sa mga Mentally-ill Patients:

Komo an Bulan tabi wara sin pasilidad para sa mga makalolooy na mga kabubungto nato na may mga hapdos o diperensya sa pag-iisip, an inhihimo tabi nato sini, inpapadara ta sa Sorsogon Provincial Hospital kada ikaduwang Sabado san bulan , basi didto sira ma-check-up kay may nagbibisita na mga psychiatrists doon by schedule. Sa niyan na taon, nakarekord kita sin 71 na pasyente na regular an pabulong doon. An municipio an nagsisimbag san mga pagbiyahe sini nan kun minsan pati mga allowance o gastuson.

Sa mga malala nan emergencia na mga kaso sin may diperensiya sa pag-iisip, didto na nato ini indadara sa Cadlan Hospital for Mental Health.

Serbisyo san Ambulancia ta:

Dako-dako an serbisyo san ambulancia san municipio sa pag-asikaso sin mga pasyente na darahun sa iba na mga ospital. An Pawa Hospital tabi may sadire man na ambulancia, pero haros oroadlaw man gihapon an paggamit san ambulancia ta. May mga adlaw ngani na tolo o opat na biyahe an municipal ambulance ta. Niyan na taon, nakarekord kita sin 255 na biyahe. Dapat man siguro maaraman niyo tabi na may mga biyahe kun minsan an ambulancia san Pawa Hospital na kita pa an nasimbag san gasolina. Hatagan ta man komendasyon si Depunto Ernani Lupera na dati drayber san ambulancia. Grabe man an kabayanihan sadto na drayber sa pagmaneho lang san ambulancia.

Niyan na Enero, nakaayo ako nan may maabot na bag-o na ambulancia hale sa National Government sa paagi san ato Gobernadora Sally Lee. Papadarhan tabi kita sin de-aircon na ambulancia, nan sayo sa plano ko na magamit ini maski sa mga pasyente na talagang darahon sa Manila kay didto dapat ipabulong.

Assistance to Persons in Medical Crisis-Situations:

Puwera pa tabi san mga inhihimo san RHU nan mga Barangay Health Workers nato, daghanun pa na mga tawo, lalo na an mga talagang kawaraon an nagrarani sa ako opisina oroadlaw, basi madanunan sira sa mga pangangaipo nira sa mga mahapdos na kampamilya. Dire ta ini insasayumahan.

May mga pasyente na intatagan reseta hale sa RHU o sa Pawa Hospital o kaya maski hale sa mga pribado na doctor o klinika, na an bulong na kaipuhan wara sa ato mga Botika sa Barangay o kaya sa RHU, pero may-on sa mga pribado na Farmacia. Mao man an sa mga laboratory needs, na wara kita available sa public facilities pero may-on an mga private laboratories didi sa Bulan.

An Opisina tabi san Mayor an nagdaranun sini. Mala ngane kay batog san Enero hasta niyan na Disyembre, 216 katawo o mga nag-aayo danon pabulong an tinagan ta sin ayuda. An kantidad sini 95,000 pesos. Tapos, 256 man na mga tawo an tinagan ta financial assistance basi makapalaboratory lalo na an mga burod, mga pa-ultrasound, blood chemistry, liver, kidney o heart laboratory. An binayadan ta sa mga private laboratory clinics pareho san SMMGHHSC Diagnostic Center nan sa Bulan Diagnostic Center, nan kaupod man tabi didi an sa BIMS Group bale 195,025.00 pesos. An mga binayadan ta man tabi na bulong sa dowa na botika nagkakantidad sin labi 500,000 Pesos o media milyon.

May mga inmamantenir man kita na mga pasyente na may tuberculosis nan an mga espesyal sini na bulong an Opisina san Mayor an nagmamantenir. May nagkapera man na mga undernourished children na permi ta man inbabakalan gatas basi makabawi an kanira salud.

Medical Missions:

Inrani ta man an Health Services nato sa mga Barangay nan Sector sa paagi sin Medical- Dental Missions. San Marso 17, Medical Mission sa Barangay Abad Santos, 181 na pasyente an naserbisyuhan nato. March 18, sa Otavi naman an Medical Dental Mission, 239 an pasyente ta; San Marso 19, 124 na pasyente sa Jamor-awon. San Hulyo, nagpamedical mission kita para sa sector na may kapansanan, o disabled, 59 na pasyente medical nan 20 na dental. San Disyember 15, Medical Mission para sa mga Senior Citizens. San Enero man, nag upod an saato doktora sa sayo na surgical mission sa Sorsogon Provincial Hospital na sponsored san Washington USA, nan The Bicolanos and Friends Foundation.

San Abril 10 nan 11, nakiupod an RHU ta sa circumcision project na sponsored san Uswag Bulan, 67 na bata an nagkinabang.

Botika sa Barangay:

An Municipio ta kadanon man sa Programa na Botika Sa Barangay. Puwera pa suon, talagang nag-aayuda kita sin mga bulong sa mga Botika sa Barangay. Simple man lang ini na bulong para sa mga common illnesses. San Marso, inkondukta nato an orientation san mga Barangay Capitanes nan mga BNB Operators on Management sa napulo na barangay san Calpi, Somagongsong, Calomagon, Beguin, Marinab, Quezon, San Juan Bag-o, N. Roque, Danao nan Namo. Nan san Hunyo, pinatagan ta sin bulong para sa Botika nira an pito na Barangay san N. Roque, Calpi, Somagongsong, Calomagon, San Juan Bag-o, Namo nan Danao.

Information Campaign

Sayo sa intutukan tabi nato mao ini na mga Information nan Education Campaigns basi maka-ibitar sa mga peligroso na hapdos pareho san Dengue nan AH1N1.

San Pebrero, nagkondukta an Provincial Health Office sin sayo na Etymological Survey kontra Dengue sa Zona 5, Zona 7, Bulan PTA, Bulan South nan SLI, nan in-edukar nato an mga escuela sa hapdos na Dengue.

San Mayo hasta Hulyo, inlibot san RHU nan BHW an ato bungto nan nagkondukta sin mga seminar nan oryentasyon kontra sa AH1N1, lalo na sa mga paratukdo, mga escuela nan mga magurang sa mga barangay nan lugar san San Vicente Elementary School, Bulan North–B, Solis Institute, SSC-IMIT, Bulan North A, SLMS, Bulan National High School, Bulan South, ADES, AG Villaroya High School and College, Chinese School, ICLC, Jerusalem School, Nazarene School, Montessori, Entero na Catchment Areas san Senior Citizen Sector, sa Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council, nan may mga Radio Guesting pa an RHU.

Puwera pa tabi suon, regular man an guesting san ato mga medical attendants sa mga radio programs basi updated an ato mga ciudadano sa health programs nato.

PhilHealth/Health Insurance for Poor Families:

Sa Health Insurance Program lalo na para sa mga pobre na pamilya, sa niyan tabi na taon nakadistribuer na kita sin dagdag na 1,127 na Philhealth Cards na binakal san municipio hale sa Philhealth. Importante ini na sistema basi makabawas man lang kita sa pagtios san mga pobre nato na mga kabungto. Sa niyan, may-on na kita sin sobra 3,000 na indigent families na insured sa Philhealth.

Problema san Pawa Hospital

 Solusyun na Hinimo san Municipio:

Sayo sa tinagan ta man atensiyon an pag-asikaso sa problema san Pawa Hospital dahil baga aram ta man na nagka-igwa mga reklamo an mga pasyente na indadalgan ta duon.

Sayo sa nangyari doon kay may mga adlaw na wara sin doctor, nan siyempre pa, apektado lalo na kun emerhensiya. Maski ngane baga deri nato sakop sa administrasyun an Pawa Hospital alagad grabe an naging concern namo ni Gobernadora Sally sini na isyu. Kaya an hinimo namo ni Gobernadora Sally, naghanap kame solusyun na mahipnuan na an mga oras na wara doctor. Sa niyan, naibalik na tabi nato sa ospital si Dra. Maria Tita Palad.

 Dati sadto, grabe talaga an reklamo dahil ngane sa kawaraan doctor, pero niyan mayad-ayad na man kay naaatenderan na an ato mga pasyente na kadaghanan mga taga-Bulan. Nan siyempre pa, gusto ko gihapon i-onabi na ako tabi an naghimo paagi basi maski Sabado nan Domingo may doctor kita. Sa niyan, regular man an mga week-end doctors nato duon na sira Dr. Bernard San Jose nan Dr. James Apin. Ako tabi an nakihuron sa dowa na doctor na magpa-assign sa Bulan pag Sabado nan Domingo.

Dental Services:

Mamundo kita sa pagtalikod nan pagkamatay san ato dentista na si Dr. Marilou Jimenez. Mabuoton yadto na tawo. Alagad, sinalidahan ta siya sin sayo man na kapable na dentista, si Dra. Mari-el Rebustillo. Sa Dental Services Program nato batog na Hunyo hasta Nobyembre, padagos an mga programa nato lalo na para sa mga kabatan-an. May dowa na stage an ato programa, an preventive nan curative programs.

 Sa Curative programs, kaupod doon an dental consultations nan an pag-gabot ngipon, 1,561 na pasyente an naserbisyuhan ta. Sa Preventive Program naman, kaupod an Oral Health Education, Oral Prophylaxis, Tooth brushes distribution, supervised tooth brushing drills, fluoride mouth rinsing, oral examination nan pag-gabot, 1,724 na pasyente entero an nakinabang.

An mga Barangay man na nabisita san ato Dentista mao an mga minasunod: San Vicente Day Care School, Aquino Daycare, Sitio Oyango, JP Laurel, Gate, Sitio Lay-a, Sta. Teresita, San Isidro, N. Roque, G. Del Pilar, Fabrica, Padre Diaz, Zone 7 A &B, Taromata, Magsaysay, Otavi, Zone 6, Managa-naga, San Rafael, San Juan Daan, Abad Santos..

RHU/BHW Staff Development:

Importante man na padagos an staff development san ato mga personnel sa RHU nan ini inleleksiyon man nira sa mga BHW.

San Enero, pinatraining ta an mga personnel san RHU sa Fabella Hospital para sa kanira BEMONC Training.

San Pebrero, may inpatraining naman kita sa Sto. Domingo, Albay para sa Sexually Transmitted Disease.

San Mayo, nag-atender an entero na RHU Personnel sa Scorecard Orienttion na sponsored san Provincial Health Office.

San Agosto, may training on Barangay Implementers on Promotion of Good Nutrition o PABASA sa Nutrisyun. Dies y otso na barangay an recipiente sini nan kaupod sa nag-aratender an mga Rural Health Midwivews, BHWs, Barangay Nutrition Scholars nan Mother Leaders.

Nan san Oktubre, an pagkondukta nato san Women’s Health Team Training.

Niyan na Kapaskuhan, tinagan ta man tabi atensiyon an mga BHW sa paagi sin sayo na maogma na merry-making.

PROGRAMA SA EDUKASYON:

An Programa sa Edukasyon an sayo sa mga priority programs nato pareho san programa sa salud. An edukasyon mao an lyabe sa mayad na puturo dire lang san mga kabatan-an ta kundi san komunidad.

Niyan na taon, daghanun man na mga aktibidades an inhimo nato basi mapromotir ini na programa nan makadanon kita sa mga kabatan-an ta, mga eskuela nan pati mga pamilya nira. Inhatagan ta atensiyon lalo na an mga estudyante na hale sa mga pobre na pamilya.

School Population san Bulan:

Dapat maaraman san entero na taga-Bulan na dako-dako na an papolasyun san mga estudyante ta sa Bulan. An bilog na bilang san mga escuela sa Bulan niyan lang na school year bale 32,279 batog na pre-school hasta college. Sa Daycare may-on sin 1,349 pupils; sa Pre-school, 2,796 pupils; elementary school, 16,800 na escuela; sa high school 8,700 na estudyante; sa Technical-vocational school, may enrolment na 260 na escuela; nan sa college, public nan private, an total na college students, 2,374. Kaya dako-dako na agyat o challenge an sector san edukasyon. Seguro, kun idagdag ta pa didi an mga ginatos na Out-of-School Youth, mas grabe an populasyon san mga dapat ta hatagan asistencia sa pag-adal.

Benepisyo san Pagkatindog sin Pito na mga Barangay High Schools sa Panahon san De Castro Administration:

Sa Bulan National High School lang grabe na an kadaghan san mga escuela, bale 3,598 na mga estudyante. Surosoan na ngane nan makalolouy an mga escuela nan mga paratukdo ta. Mayad ngane tabi kay maski puro-pan-o huyoon an mga barangay high schools na nadanunan san De Castro Administration na maitindog sa mga barangay san Otavi, Butag, Gate, Beguin, San Juan Bag-o, Cadandanan, nan JP Laurel. Dahilan sini, nadistribuer an mga escuela sa high school nan na-decongest an Bulan High.

Sayo pa sa benepisyo san pagkatindog san mga barangay high schools mao an napasayon ta an kamutangan san mga magurang nan mga escuela nan menos gastos pa sa kanira dahil mas harani na an escuelahan. Gusto ko man sabihon na kun nano kadekalidad an pagtukdo sa Poblacion mao man tabi sa barangay high school dahilan na mga matibay nan mayad an mga paratukdo ta sa Bulan.

Ini na pito na barangay high schools niyan daghanun na an nakinabang tabi. An total na enrolment sini niyan na taon 1,891 na escuela.

Nationalized High Schools na an Gate nan Cadandanan:

Maogma man tabi ako na i-anunsiyar na niyan na taon, insabatas na san Kongreso na Nationalized High School na an Cadandanan nan an Gate. An gusto sabihon suon na may-on na sin sadire na budget sa National Government ini na mga eskuelahan.

LGU Scholarships’ Facilitation Programs:

Huyaa tabi an mga Scholarships’ Facilitation Program san Municipio.

An Mayor Helen Scholarship Grant:

 Nasa ikaduwang taon na an Mayor Helen Scholarship Grant para sa siyam na valedictorians hale sa mga barangay high schools nato. Sa niyan, opat na sa kanira an nasa second year college sa BS Accountancy, 3 nasa SSC, nan an sayo yadto sa Technological University of the Philippines. Lima naman an nasa First Year College, tolo an BS Accountancy sa SSC, sayo na nagkukuwa sin BS Agriculture sa Castilla Campus san SSC, nan may sayo na scholar kita na BSE sa SSC Sorsogon Campus.

An Special Program for the Employment of Students o SPES: Padagos an pakipag-ugnayan san Municipio ta sa DOLE basi matriunfo nato na ma-implementar an SPES niyan na taon 2009, 77 na college students an tinagan ta oportunidad na magkaigua sin summer job, basi pag-entrada san school year may-on sira sin pangbayad tuition o panggastos na kaipuhan sa escuelahan.

An Pangulong Gloria Scholarships:

 An municipio ta sa paagi san Public Employment Service Office nakipagkoordinar sa PESO-Sorsogon basi madara didi sa Bulan, nan magkaigua kita sin daghan na mga benepisyario, lalo na estudyante, san mga programa san TESDA. Beinte na mga estudyante, lalo na Out-of-School Youths an nakagraduar sa short course Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing. Dis y siete sa kanira an pasado na sa national competency exams nan niyan may mga trabaho na sa Manila. Nakapatapos man kita sin 60 na mga kabatan-an sa manlaen-laen na technical-vocational courses sa Bulusan Vocational School nan sa Castilla Agri-Fisheries School.

An Private Education Students Financial Assistance (PESFA):

 Nakipagkoordinar man an PESO Office ta sa gobierno nasyonal para sa PESFA. 45 na mga estudyante an na-pasilitar ta na maging PESFA Scholars sa Solis Institute of Technology nan AG Villaroya Institute. Nag-graduar na ini na 45 na escuela sa mga vocational courses na inadalan nira.

An Career Guidance/Counseling Program san PESO:

Sayo man na aktibidad san PESO, sa paagi ni Mrs. Anilin Diaz, mao an pagdanon sa mga High School Students nato na magkaigua sin career guidance, o kaaraman kun nano na college course o karera an gusto nira paka-gradwar sa high school. 489 na mga estudyante an nadanunan ta sa aktibidad na ini.

An Educational Assistance san Opisina san Mayor:

Sayo sa dako na paagi sa pagdanon nato sa mga pobre na mga estudyane lalo na sa mga college students nato mao an paghatag financial assistance sa kanira lalo na pangmatrikula nan mga iba pa na kaipuhan sa escuelahan Gusto ko tabi ireport sa iyo na niyan na taon, nakadanon kita sin 395 na mga escuela na nagkakantidad sin 504,341 pesos o sobra medya milyon de pesos. Dire tabi ini dole-out kundi inseseguro nato na an mga deserving students ta magkaigua sin pribilehiyo dahil sa mga paghinguha nira.

Sisters of Mary School Scholarship Facilitation Activity:

May sayo pa kita na paagi basi makadanon pa sa mga bata nato didi sa Bulan. Mao ini an danon na makasulod nan maka-escuela sa Sisters of Mary School Boystown and Girlstown School sa Silang, Cavite. Ini na escuelahan intindog ni depunto Fr. Aloysius Schwartz nan inmamanehar san mga madre na Sisters of Mary. Pag nakaescuela didi an bata libre entero batog na first year hasta fourth year high school, nan may job placement pa pakatapos sin high school. Didto maestar an mga bata sa Sisters of Mary. Daghanun na an nakagraduar na mga taga-Bulan sa SOM, nan ini na mga Alumni mao an sayo sa mga instrumento na makapadara pa kita mga escuela didto, lalo na an mga poorest of the poor na mga bata na nakagraduate pa lang sa elementary.

San Pebrero, ako an nag-arkila sin sayo na bus na insakayan san mga scholars na nakapasa nan mga magurang nira na naghatod pakadto sa SOM sa Cavite. Nakaistorya ko man an mga madre nan naimud ko personal an escuelahan nan kamutangan san mga bata didto kaya kampante ako na mayad na lugar an insuludan nira. Niyan na naman na Septyembre, inayudahan ta sin sakayan an mga aplikante na mga bata na nagkuwa examin sa Irosin para sa otro taon na batch sin scholars. Ako an nag-arkila sin 7 na jeep basi masakayan nira. Kisyera ini na mga aplikante na mga bata makapasar entero basi maka-escuela libre sa SOM.

Programa para sa Out-of School Youths o OSY:

 Makamumundo na daghanon an mga kabatan-an ta sa Bulan na dahil sa pagtios, nag-urudong na sa pag-escuela o kaya atab na nagtrabaho para lang makadanon sa mga pamilya nira. Kaya kita sa municipio, sa paagi san MSWDO, may-on man sin program para sa kanira. An ngaran ta sini mao an Unlad-Kabataan Program. Sa niyan na taon, nakaorganisar kita mga grupo sin OSY sa Zone 8, JP Laurel, Managa-naga, Marinb nan San Ramon. 70 personas ini entero.

Intutukduan sira san MSWDO sin mga self-awareness and team-building activity para sa oportunidad sin self-development nan positive values. Kanina baga tabi, namensyonar ko an mga technical vocational courses san TESDA, 15 sa kanira an mga OSY na nakagraduar sa mga short course na autodriving, motorcycle servicing, tile-setting, steel bar installation nan commercial cooking.

An “Balik sa Escuelahan Program” para sa mga Street Children:

Didi sa Bulan, pareho man sa iba na daragko na lugar, may-on kita sin mga kaso sin mga street children na naglalagawlagaw sa mga tinampo ta, dahil sa pagtios, lalo na sa poblacion. Kaya an hinimo ta sini, in tiripon nato ini na 18 na mga bata sa paagi san MSWDO nan kaupod an kanira mga magurang, in-organizar nan nagkaigua kita sin ingagahoy na psychological intervention, mga counseling sa values formation nan self-enhancement. Sayo sa importantehon na aspeto sini mao an pag-enganyar sa kanira na magbalik sa escuelahan an mga bata. Intaragan ta ini sin mga gamit sa escuelahan nan sa sadire, kaupod na an diyo na asistensiya pinasiyal basi makabatog an mga bata sa pag-escuela.

Special Education (SpEd) Classes:

Banggiton ko tabi niyan an sayo na magayunon nan pambihira na edukasyon na inhahatag ta sa sayo na grupo sin espesyal na mga kabatan-an didi sa Bulan. Sira tabi an mga kabatan-an ta na may kapansanan, mga buta, ngola nan mga bungol na mga kabatan-an o Children with Special Needs. Niyan na taon, may-on kita sin 8 na mga Special Children nan Teen-agers an naka-enroll sa SpEd Classes sa Bulan High, 7 an hearing impaired o bungol nan 1 na learning disabled. Sa Bulan South naman, 27 na mga bata, napolo (10) an hearing–impaired o bungol, 4 na buta, 5 na mentally-challenged nan 16 na learning disabled. Maski baga parte ini san programa san Dep Ed, inhinguha san Opisina ko nan san nagkapera na tawo na maka-ambag nan maka-asiste lalo na pinansiyal sa mga pobrehon na mga bata na dire kaya an oroadlaw na gastuson. Ako tabi nag-sponsor sin lima na mga bata basi maka-escuela sira.

 Pasalamatan ta man tabi si Kgd Dondon De Castro na nag-sponsor sin tolo na mga bata sa SpEd nan naghatag man mga t-shirts na pang-escuela; si Kgd. Joey Guban, tolo na bata an in-sponsor, si Kgd. Elmer Burias nagdonar sin 15 na bag nan mga kagamitan pang-eskuela; si Capitan Chito Del Monte nagdanon man , nan si Manang Linda Asuncion Argano naghatag mga regalo kantidad dos mil pesos niyan na pasko. Pina-ogma ta man ini na mga SpEd Children sa paagi sin sayo na merrymaking party nan Jollibee meals. San Marso inhatagan ta man pangastos an SpEd Class basi makahimo sira dianis na graduation ceremony.

Hatagan ta sin pambihira na rekognisyon ini si Edmon Morata nan Ms. Grace Dela Rosa, mga SpEd teachers nan an iba pa na mga SpEd teachers dahil sa kabayanihan nan sakripisyo nira sa pagtukdo nan pag-ataman sini na mga bata. Nan sa parte ko, padagos na susuportahan san ako Opisina ini na pambihira na programa pang-edukasyon habang ako tabi an sa iyo mayor.

Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Program o Madrasah Education:

Sayo sa dianison man na programa na insuportahan san ako Opisina mao po ini na Madrasah Education o an ALIVE Program o Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education para sa mga kabungto nato na Moslem o kaya Islam an pananampalataya. Daghanun na tabi an pamilya sin mga Moslem na nag-iistar na didi sa Bulan nan kaupod na sira sa komunidad ta.

 San nakaagi na Septyembre, nakipirmahan ako sin sayo na MOA o Memorandum of Agreement sa Department of Education, sa paagi ni Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Dimaano para sa pagsustenir san ALIVE Program didi sa Bulan. An municipio tabi an mabayad sin kantidad 5,000 pesos kada bulan para sa honorarium sin dowa na Islamic Teachers. Sa niyan tabi may-on sin 42 na estudyante na Moslem ini na programa didto sa Bulan South Central School.

Day Care Service Program:

I-report ko man niyan an tungkol sa Day Care Service program san municipio sa paagi san MSWDO na inpapamunuan ni Mrs. Adelfa Espenocilla. Padagos nato na inpapakusog ini na programa para sa ato mga pre-school children edad 3 hasta 5 anyos.

Niyan tabi na taon may-on kita sin 1,349 na mga pre-schoolers na nag-eescuela sa 67 na Day Care Centers sa bilog na Bulan. May-on man kita sin 67 na Day Care Workers na jointly subsidized san gobierno local nan san barangay.

Importante an papel na ingagampanan san ato Day Care Workers kay apesar na nagtutukdo o nag-aataman sira sa mga bata, kaupod pa didi an konsepto sin tama na pagpamilya sa ato mga magurang, nan early childhood care and development (ECCD).

Niyan na taon, san Hulyo 22-24 nan san November 4-5, nagkaigua man kita sin mga pa-training sa mga day-care workers ta basi maging updated sira sa mga paagi na maging dekalidad an pag-ataman nan pagtukdo sa mga bata.

Inkondukta ta man an Family Day Camp sa San Isidro san October 26, nan may-on man sira sin Educational Tour pa-Legaspi City san Nobyembre 12.

An Website nan Information Program san Bulan:

 Maogma man tabi ako na i-report sa iyo entero na san Septyembre, in-activate ta na tabi nan in online na nato an website san Bulan. Ini tabi na website nato tolong bulan ini in-design, inconstruct nan intrabaho. Kumpleto ini sin mga inpormasyon basi mapakinabangan san mga teachers nan mga estudyante nato sa Bulan na gusto mag-research tungkol sa municipio nan bungto ta. Pero an pinakaimportante sini na papel an magamit nato an teknolohiya san Internet sa pagpaabot impormasyon sa mga kabungto nato na nasa ibang lugar, nasa abroad nan gusto maaraman an nangyayari sa bungto ta.

 Bulan-bulan updated ini san Municipal Information Office, nan sa niyan tabi daghanun na mga taga Bulan sa abroad an maramam na sini na website. Nakarecibe man kita mga mensahe, komentaryo, suhestiyon nan kun minsan kritisismo sa website nato pero an importante na may-on kta diyalogo sa mga kabungto ta sa paagi sin Internet. Kun puwede tabi, pag nagsurat o naggahoy kamo o text o email sa mga kapamilya o kakilala niyo sa iba na lugar ipaisi niyo na may website na an Bulan. An address tabi sini na website mao ini: http://www.bulan.com.ph.

Relasyon san Municipio sa mga Escuelahan:

Sayo sa pinaka-orgulyo ko, sa administrasyon na ini, an dianison nan very harmonious relationship san Opisina ko, san Municipio, sa mga escuelahan san Bulan, magpampubliko man o pribado. Permi nakakaupod an saindong lingkod sa mga management meetings san mga escuelahan, nan inpapasalamat ko ini na tiwala nira sa ato administrasyon. Kun kaya sayo man sa pagtan-aw ta sin utang na boot an magdamay man sa mga escuelahan kun may inrarani o insosolicit sira sa ato sa mga pangangaipo nira sa abot san kakayahan san gobierno local, mag-pinansiyal man o iba na resources.

 Halimbawa, permi kita nag-aasiste sa mga training-seminars para sa teacher development activities o kaya sa mga contests, extra-currricular , scouting, athletic events o mga lakawon nira. Sa katunayan tabi, sa 178 na mga solicitations sa ako opisina sin mga grupo o indibidwal, na nagkakantidad sin 318,000 pesos, sobra sa katunga sini an para sa mga escuelahan, mga teachers o kaya mga escuela.

Inhihimo ta man na maging mayad an paggamit san Special Education Fund o SEF para sa Bulan North nan Bulan South District, na hale sa parte san koleksiyon san municipio sa mga amelyar san ingod didi sa Bulan.

Sayo sa mga pruwebas ko san dianison na upudan san municipio nan san mga escuelahan ta mao an pambihira nira na kooperasyon sa mga programa nan mga proyekto san Gobierno Lokal na kun haen kinakaipuhan an partisipasyon san mga schools. Sa bagay na ini, dire kami nabibigo o nadi-disappoint sa kanira.

An Bulan Teachers’ Day 2009:

Niyan na taon, inselebrar ta tabi an ika-onom na Bulan Teachers’ Day. An Bulan Teachers’ day sayo na okasyon o adlaw , inhihimo ta kada ikadowang Biernes san Disyembre, para hatagan ta man sin pahuway. kaogmahan, pagsaludar, onra nan rekognisyon an mga paratukdo o teachers nato didi sa Bulan. Ini an adlaw na bida man an ato mga teachers.

San ako maging Mayor, inparaisip ko na dapat man ada tagan ta sin diyo na atensiyon an mga teachers ta, maski dire na lang sa material na bagay, kundi baga an morale booster para sa kanira. Kaya ngani, taon-taun na nato ini inhihimo, sayo na na institusyon. Sa bilog na probinsiya san Sorsogon, kita lang an may irog sini na activity para sa teachers.

Magayunon tabi an naging mga aktibidades nato niyan na taon na in co-sponsor san SSC nan mga private schools. An mga teachers nato nag-aratender sin Thanksgiving Mass, may parade nan motorcade, tapos an mga athletic nan academic contests nira sa Sabang. Pagkahapon, nagpaimod sin dianison na cultural show an SSC mao san iba na co-sponsors.

Pakagab-i tabi, inhimo ta an formal program para sa Awarding Ceremonies san Outstanding Teachers of Bulan. Niyan na taon, onom an napili ta na mga outstanding teachers, sira Pre-school Teachers Jose Gubat, Jr., nagtutukdo sa San Jose, Calomagon; nan Mr. Emmanuel Gueta, nagtutukdo sa A. Bonifacio.

Sa Elementary Level naman, intagan ta tabi award sira Mrs. Marideza Guran san BNCS-B, Mr. Rogelio “Jay-ar” Golimlim san Bulan South Central School , nan si Mr. Edmon Morata, na teacher sa Special Education Class san Bulan South Central School. Ini si Edmon, an intutukduan sini mga buta nan bungol na mga bata, may mga kapansanan na gusto nato kisyera mahatagan man sin mayad na puturo. Sa High School Level, an awardee man nato mao si Mr. Rino Orr san Bulan National High School.

An Bulan Teachers’ Day ta niyan an sayo sa pinakamagayon nan may pinakadaghan na teachers na nag-atender. An naging panauhing pandangal nato niyan na taon sayo na professor nan scientist na nagtutukdo sa Mindanao State University, si Dr. Remegio G. Tee.

Maogmahon man kita kay niyan tabi na taon , si Shaina Marie Obis Villareal, nagdara sa Bulan sin pambihira na onra dahil siya an champion sa bilog na Pilipinas sa contest san DepEd na Masining na Pagkukuwento. Ini tabi si Shaina bata ni Mr. and Mrs. Edgar nan Maritess Villareal, taga-Zone 6, nag-eescuela sa Bulan North Central School-A, nan an coach niya si Mrs. Ruby Luzuriaga-Hernandez. Naging guest man nato si Shaina sa Bulan Teachers’ Day.

PROGRAMA SA KABUHAYAN/ LIVELIHOOD:

Tukaron ko naman niyan an ikatolo na importante na programa san De Castro Administration – an Programa sa Kabuhayan o Livelihood Program.

Niyan na taon, daghan an hinimo san municipio, nan daghanun an taga-Bulan na nakinabang sa mga programa nato sa kabuhayan.

Mga Programa san Public Employment Service Office o PESO:

Huyaa an mga programa sa irarom san Public Emloyment Service Office o PESO.

Wage and Self-Employment Facilitation Services/ Community-based Training and Enterprise Development Program:

 Sa programa na ini, dowa na training program an saato inkondukta. An una mao an Production of Herbal Soap and Detergent na inkondukta para sa KALIPI organization na may-on sin 50 na miembros. Ini sa paki-ugnayan nato sa DOLE nan hinimo san Abril 23-24. Pakatapos san training activity , infacilitate nato na ini na grupo makakuwa sin P98,634 pesos basi magamit nira sa kabuhayan activities nira.

An masunod na training mao an Bay-ong –Making na inhimo san municipio sa pakipag-ugnayan sa Department of Trade and Industry san Hulyo 16 hasta 17 para sa 35 na kababayehan. Sa niyan, nagkapera na sa kanira an naghihimo sin mga bay-ong para sa pagbuhay nira.

Special Recruitment Activity (SRA) nan Jobs Fair:

 Proyekto pa san PESO Office an Special Recruitment Activity nan Jobs Fair. Sa paagi sini an PESO-LGU, nakikoordinar sa mga POEA-accredited nan licensed recruitment agencies na magbisita sa Bulan nan magkondukta an mga ini sin paghanap mga aplikante na trabahador sa manlaen-laen na propesyon o pagbuhay. Sa solod sini na taon, 431 an na-refer nato sa mga recruitment agencies.

Segun sa monitor nato may-on na sin naipadara sa abroad na 15 na domestic helpers, nan daghanun an nasa training niyan basi makatrabaho man sa abroad o sa Manila. Sayo sa naging very successful na recruitment nato mao an pag-imbitar ta sin sayo na security services agency o agency sin mga security guards. Niyan istable na an trabaho sini na mga Bulaneno na security guards sa daragko na mga kompanya sa Manila.

Overseas Employment Assistance:

 Sa paagi sin koordinasyon nato sa Department of Foreign Affairs, nagkondukta kita sin Mobile Machine Readable Passporting san September 28-29, basi ini na dokumento makapasayon sa mga kabungto nato na gusto magluwas sa iba na nasyon. 78 personas an nakinabang sini tabi.

Employment Counseling Services:

Sa paagi man sini na aktibidad na inaasikaso san PESO, 516 na mga jobseekers o mga naghahanap sin trabaho an tinagan ta sin mga counseling nan mga payo tungkol sa paghanap trabaho o empleyo.

Self-Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K):

Ini na SEA-K sayo na programa na in-ayo nato sa DSWD para sa mga kababayehan ta didi sa Brgy Aquino, Zone 7 nan Laurel. San nakaagi na Pebrero, 60 na kababayehan an nakarecibe sin kantidad 5,000 pesos na loan assistance kada sayo o total na 300,000 pesos para sa pagbatog hanap-buhay nira.

Hanapbuhay sa Agrikultura nan Pangisda

(Agriculture and Fishery Programs)

An pinakadako talaga na inkukuwaan sin pagbuhay san mga taga-Bulan mao an Pag-oma nan Pangisda. An saato mga pasakay, kalubihan mao san kadagatan ta an naghahatag sa ato sin pagbuhay. Dahil sini, inhahatagan ta man sin prayoridad na atensiyon ini na sector.

An Municipal Agriculture Office, sa pamumuno ni Mrs. Marietta Bayoca, mao man an frontline agency, basi mag-asikao san mga programa, mga proyekto nan aktibidades ta didi.

Database Profile of Farmers:

Niyan na taon, inpreparar ta na an database profile of farmers o updated na listahan san mga paraoma sa Bulan kay basi klarado sa gobierno local kun pan-o an hihimuon na mga pagresponde sa sector na ini, o pan-o maging mas episyente an implementasyun san mga programa san gobierno.

Farmer Field Schools:

 Ini na Farmer Field School taun-taon nato inhihimo kun haen inaalalayan san Agriculture Office an selected na mga paraoma sa mga siyentipiko na paagi sin mga pagtanom nan pag-ataman sin mga pananom. Niyan na taon, an dinanonan ta na mga paraoma, 41 na vegetable growers, 28 na palayamanan farmers nan 37 na palay farmers hale sa Lajong nan Somagongsong. Inkondukta an Field School batog na Enero hasta Mayo. San Hulyo nag-graduar sira sini na Field School.

Distribusyon sin mga Certified Seeds, Fertilizers nan Pesticides:

 Inpadagos ta man an nakagawian na san Agriculture Office na pagdistribuer nan pag-ayuda sin mga pisog, fertilizers nan pestisidyo sa mga paraoma. Sa paghatag nato certified seeds, 50:50 an paagi sini, na gusto sabihon, pag nakaani na an paraoma, ibabalik an tunga sako sin certified seeds sa municipio basi maiayuda man sa iba. San Enero hasta Febrero, naghatag kita sin 600 na sako sin certified palay seeds.

 San December naman, naka-avail kita sin 700 bags na gahi hale sa programa ni GMA nan 123 na Hybrid seeds. San Marso, 1,025 na paraoma nan households an tinagan ta sin vegetable seeds, nan san Hunyo, 24 na vegetable growers an tinagan ta na naman pisog sin maritatas. San September, nagpanghatag kita sin 150 na budded kalamansi nan 150 grafted mango sa mga barangay.

Batog na Enero hasta Disyenbre naghatag man an opisina san Agrikultura para sa 75 na paraoma sin mga rodenticides o panghilo sa iraga na nagpeperhuwisyo sin mga pananom. San Marso, nakikoordinar an Agriculture Office sa Philippine Coconut Authority para sa 80 na bags sin agriculture salt para sa mga kalubihan ta. San Disyembre, organic fertilizers an inhatag ta sa G. Del Pilar Improvement Club. Nagdistribuer man kita trichoderma para sa 20 na paraoma. Gamit ini sa organic fertilizer preparation.

Municipal Nursery:

May-on man kita sin plant nursery. Niyan na taon, nakapropagar kita sin 2,000 na Pili seedlings nan 1,500 mahogany seedlings nan inpangdistribuer ta ini sa mga barangay.

Trainings and Orientation:

San January 26, nagkaigua kita sin lecture para sa Semi-intensive Milkfish Culture sa Barangay San Rafael. San Marso, may livelihood seminar an MAO sa Pili Resin Production para sa 27 na Pili growers sa Calomagon. Inkondukta man an Pest and Disease Control and Management. Nakadistribuer man kita sin 225 na mga flyers nan IEC materials para sa 225 na paraoma nan mga paraisda. San nakaagi na Hunyo, nakikoordianr kita sa Opisina ni Senador Villar sa sayo na livelihood seminar on Patis and Bagoong-making. Inhimo ta ini sa Sorsogon State College-Bulan Campus nan inpartisiparan ini sin ma 200 na mga negosyante, fish processors nan mga pribado na mga ciudadano.

Pagpakusog san mga Farmers/ Fisherfolks Groups nan mga Cooperatives:

Intatagan ta man atensiyon an padagos na pagpakusog san mga manlaen-laen na mga grupo san mga paraoma nan mga paraisda. Permi nato sira invuelto sa mga pagtiripon san Municipal Agriculture Office nan san Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Importante an partisipasyon sini na mga grupo komo sira an mga stakeholders sa mga aktibidad pangkabuhayan sa ato bungto. Intatagan ta man sira prayoridad sa mga in-eekstender na mga asistencia san gobierno sa ato mga barangay.

Halimbawa, inkoordinar nato an proposal sa pag-instolar sin flatbed dryer sa paagi san Pigasus Cooperative san San Francisco nan Lapafara Cooperative san Mayo 22. San Oktubre, sa Pista sa Kabubudlan, napolo na Kooperatiba an tinagan san DA sin Rice-Hull carbonizer para sa pagpreparar sin mga Organic Fettilizers. Nakapasilitar man kita sin release sin loan para sa cattlefattening sa grupo san St. John 4h Club san San Juan Bag-o . nan indadanonan man san MAO nato an vegetable demo farm san G. Del Pilar 4H Club, nan daghanun na mga aktibidades pa an inhimo san ato Agriculture Office para sa kapakanan san mga farmers and fishermens’ groups.

An municipio tabi nagbakal sin sayo na traktora na inpapagamit nato sa mga kooperatiba para makadanun sa kanira mga pag-oma.

Programa para sa Kabuhayan sa Dagat:

An dagat san Bulan mao an sayo na inkukuwaan nato mayormente sin pagbuhay didi sa bungto. Kaya importante na magkaigua kita sin sustainable development plans para sa mga paraisda. Padagos an paghatag nato impormasyon sa bilog na bungto manungod sa pagprotehir nan pagpresebar san ato kadagatan nan mga yaman dagart. An Bulan Fishport mao an bagsakan sin labi 1.5 milyones kilos sin isda taun-taon lalo na an lawlaw.

Mahigpit an pag imponer nato san mga Fishery Laws nato kay kun dire ta ini himuon maaabuso sin grabe an dagat nato lalo na an pagdinamita. San Enero, nakadakop kita sin onom na paraisda na may dakop na manta ray. Bawal na an pagdakop sin manta ray. Niyan may kaso yuon na mga tawo. May mga kaso kita na in sarang-at sa nagkapera na mga paradinamita. Nasa Regional Trial Court an kaso sini na mga tawo. Sa niyan may-o tabi kita sin Bantay-Dagat Task Force na kompesto sin 80 na Fish Wardens na intraining ta sa mga paagi kontra sa mga illegal fishing activites. San Marso, nakakumpiskar kita sin 15 na chest sin lawlaw na binombahan.

Puwera tabi suon daghanun na na mga pawikan o sea turtles an inlukat nato sa mga paraisda nan ini inbaralik ta sa dagat. Ini na mga pawikan mga endangered species na kaya dapat ta hirutan tabi.

Nagkondukta man an Opisina san Agriculture sin Underwater Assessment sa mga coastal barangays san Bulan basi maaraman nato an kamutangan san kadagatan ta lalo na an mga bunayan san mga isda. Padagos man nato inbabatayan an Fish Sanctuary sa Butag nan Biton. Inhuhuron mi an padagos na kooperasyun san mga taga-Butag na itext tulos sa mga auoridad nato kun may mga bayolasyon sin pag-isda sa Fish Sanctuary nato.

Mga iba pa na Livelihood Projects:

Niyan na taon, nahuman ta na an Wet Market Section. Naibalyo ta na an mga paratinda isda nan karne sa bag-o nira na puwesto. Mas mayad an kamutangan nira didto. Bibisayon ta pa an dati nira na hinalean basi mapamutang ta man an mga paratinda sa luwas nan mabisay ta an paradahan san mga traysikol. Tagan lang tabi niyo kami diyo na panahon na mabisay ini, lalo na pag may pondo na an muniicipio ta.

Sa Barangay San Francisco may-on na kita sin Barangay Bagsakan Center para sa ato mga maritatas nan mga produkto san oma.

May mga insusulong man kita na mga proyekto sa paagi san koordinasyon nato sa Department of Agrarian Reform na kisyera pag-abot san panahon pakinabangan san ato mga ARCs o Agrarian Reform Communities didi sa Bulan.

An Agriculture Office man nato may-on sin mga pagbakuna o immunization san ato mga hayop niyan na taon. Ini para ligtas nan harayo sa hapdos an mga kahayupan nato Nakabakuna kita sin 1,983 na mga baka, karabao, kanding, karnero, nan poultry. May mga aktibidad pa kita pareho sin pagtibos, paghimulate, nan pagbulong sin mga hayop. May anti-rabies vaccination man kita sa mga ayam. An importante lang tabi magkadto kita sa Opisina san Agrikultura nan makikoordinar kamo sa mga technician nato kay tagan mi kamo sin mayad na serbisyo. Mga simple lang ini na mga bagay pero may epekto sa pagbuhay ta. An sayo na karabaw o baka o orig importante na sa buhay sin sayo na paraoma o para ataman sini.

Maski an tungkol sa mga paghatag mga pisog sin maritatas o mais o paray, maghapot lang tabi kita permi kay preparado man an ato mga empleyado magdanun sa iyo. May maihahatag man kita na mga asistencia teknikal sa iyo tabi. Ini na gobierno local nato para sa tawo na preparado magserbi sa mga nangaipo sin serbisyo.

Programa sa Kooperatibismo:

Kaogmahan ko tabi na i-anunsyar gihapon saiyo entero na an Bulan Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC) mao tabi an indeklarar na ikaduwa sa pinakamayad na Cooperative Development Council sa bilog na Rehiyon Bikol.

Gusto po nato hatagan pagsaludar an mga miembros san Municpal Cooperative Development Council sa pamumuno ni Mrs. Joven Uy Gerona nan adviser Joy Dellomas-Fundano sa mga paghinguha nira na mapakusog lalo an kooperatibismo didi sa bungto ta. Importante na mapasarig ta an mga kooperatiba kay sayo yuon sa mga inhahalean sin mga pagbuhay san mga kabungto ta.

Tindahan Natin Project:

Niyan kay masakit an ekonomiya nato, sayo sa inhinguha san municipio sa paagi san MSWDO na makaalalay kita na mapagaan an kanira kasakitan. Kaya ungod an pakikoordinar nato sa National Food Authority na padagos an supply sin barato na bogas sa 24 na Tindahan Natin Outlets. Sa paagi sin barato na bogas san NFA, nakahangos maski puropan-o an mga kabungto ta. 6,000 na indigent families sa 22 na barangay an inseserbihan sini na mga Tindahan Natin outlets sa kantidad na 18.25 pesos o dire mababa sa 25 pesos kada kilo sin bogas.

An Mga Tinampo sa Bulan: Konektado sa Pag-buhay san Tawo

An mga Road-Opening, Repair/Maintenance nan Rehabilitation:

Ini na mga proyekto sa tinampo an sayo sa dako-dako na programa san Gobierno Lokal basi madanunan nato an mga taga-barangay makamate san programa sa pagbuhay. kun may tinampo na makabit san barangy sa poblacion nan sa relanse o sa mga bagsakan areas. Daghanun an apektado na aspeto sin pagbuhay kun may mayad na tinampo, puwera san pagbuhay kaupod na didi an edukasyon, serbisyo medical, komersiyo nan negosyo, o kaya turismo.

Padagos an mga naging paghinguha nato niyan na taon na mamantenir o ma-repair an ato mga tinampo kaya lang, an maraot na panahon nan mga kalamidad an kalaban nato. Halimbawa, perang beses na nato pinahingayad, inmantenir , inrehabilitar an entero na tinampo sa Bulan, pero pag render kuwenta nawawara man gihapon an pinagalan nato dahil na-wa-washout ini sin uran nan baha. Yuon tabi na sa Fabrica-San Juan, kada y bez hingayadon ta balik na naman sa pagkaraot dahil sa uran nan baha. Mao man an nangyari sa mga tinampo sa bilog na Bulan, lalo na ini na sa Busay-pa Dolos, Fabrica pa San Juan Daan, Pawa pa Daganas, Cadandanan pa Cocok-Cabitan, Pa Togbongon, Pa Butag, Pa Otavi.

Alagad gusto mi tabi kamo paisihon na maski ngane baga masaket an panahon, napuwersa kita na makaserbisyo kay dire ta man puwede pabayaan. Kaya sige pa gihapon an kapa-backfill nato sa mga lugar na inaayuhan kita ayuda nan serbisyo san tawo.

Ini ngane na sa Busay pakadto sa Dolos-Bical-Calpi, grabe na an luoy ta sa mga tawo doon kay maski nano nato na kappa-repair dahil na dire man konkreto, wash-out man gihapon pag-abot san uran. Kaya medyo halawig na an intios san mga taga Dolos, Bical, Calpi an grabe sa pagbaklay o kaya an pagsakay sa delikado na habal-habal na motorsiklo. Pasensiya na tabi kamo. Pero dire kame nagapahuway na makahanap sin paagi na kun puwede masemento an mga agihan doon maski manipis lang o kaya halitid lang basta importante masemento. Kaya nakikoordinar kita sa Opisina ni Gobernadora Sally Lee para magkaseremento an mga lugar na dapat masemento.

An Road nan Bridge Program ni Governor Lee:

Niyan ko tabi banggiton an pambihira na pagpadaba san Administrasyon ni Governor Sally Lee, pati na san asawa niya na si ex-Governor Raul Lee sa mga inhimo nira sa bungto san Bulan.

Road Concreting Project of Dolos-Calpi-Busay Road:

 Niyan tabi, inpapasemento na an mga portion na dapat sementuhon hale sa Dolos pababa didi sa Calpi nan Busay. Pamate ko tabi maski halitid lang yuon na agihan segurado ko makahaw-as na sa pagtios an mga kabarangay nato sa Dolos-Bical-Calpi. Kagahuman tabi yuon san administrayon ni Governor Sally Lee.

Road Concreting san Palale pakadto sa Cadandanan:

 Kun magpasyar tabi kamo didi sa Palale nan Cadandanan, maiimod niyo na tapos na an pagsemento san pasagka hale sa Palale pakadto sa Cadandanan. Ini na kahalaba sini na pasagka na tinampo an sayo sa pinakadelikado na tinampo sa Bulan, tapos na tabi yuon, kagahuman yuon san administrasyon ni Governor Lee.

Road Concreting of Beguin Road:

Kun magpakadto tabi kamo sa Beguin batog sa Beguin High School pakadto sa Baryo Site nira, may paconcreting project duon si Governor Lee. Dahilan ini sa in-imud ni Governor an kamutangan san mga bata sa high school. Ako man tabi, nagdagdag ako sin saday na proyekto na saday pero importante, ini na entrada sa Pawa, hampang san Ospital, pinasemento ko naimod ko na delikaduhon an mga traysikol nan mga sakayan ta kun maluwas hale sa Pawa.

Road Concreting of Butag Road:

Kun makakadto kamo sa Butag, ngangaraton kita san halabaon na tinampo hale didi sa may sapa nira pakadto sa Barrio Site mismo kay sementado na yuon. Awatun na yuon na kamaw-otan san mga taga Butag, narealisar na niyan dahil kan Governor Lee. Idagdag ko na man palan didi an water system san Butag na in-ayudahan man san municipio ta.

An mga Programa san Administrasyon ni Lee sa Bulan:

 Batog pa baga tabi san 1995, san makaingkod si Governor Raul, an Bulan an bungto na talagang pinadaba niya. Yuon dahil man sa pambihira namo na paki-upod sa kanira. An administrasyon ni Governor Raul Lee an dahilan kun nano kay sementado na an batog sa Uyango pakadto sa San Francisco, san 1997. An pondo kunta sini na tinampo didto sa Banuang Gurang sa Donsol, pero inhuron nato ini na didi sa Bulan ibutang. Puwera pa suon, tanda ta man ada tabi na dahilan kara Governor Lee natulayan na an mga barangay sa Calomagon, sa Butag nan Bonga, sa Bonga, nan sa J.Gerona.

Dati man sadto pa, pera na tulay na an natakod sa Bulan dahilan sa SIADP sa pamamahala san mga Lee—halimbawa yuon na mga tulay sa Butag, Lajong-Beguin, JpLaurel, nan iba pa. Idagdag ta naman didi an dati Hanging Bridge sa Magsaysay, sinalidahan ta na sin konkreto. Puwera pa yuon sin manlaenlaen na mga programa nan mga proyekto na pinakinabangan nato entero.

Tulay sa Inararan:

 Ireport ko man ngay-an tabi na an tulay sa Inararan na konektado man an mga taga Nasuje, Antipolo, Calomagon pinahingayad na tabi. Ini an tulay na na-wash out san mga makusugon na baha. Komo kulang an pondo nato, dire nato kaya an talagang konkreto na tulay na makasalida sadto na na-wash-out, kaya basi madanunan nato an mga escuela na nagdadaw-it duon kaupod na an mga pasaheros nan mga naghahanap-buhay, inpatakodan ta muna sin pansamantala na kahoy na tulay. Maski irog lang yuon suon dako na na danon nan serbisyo sa mga naggagamit suon na tulay.

PROGRAMA SA KAPALIBUTAN/ENVIRONMENT:

Pakatapos san mga programa sa Salud, Edukasyon nan Pagbuhay, tukaron ko naman niyan an tungkol sa Programa nato sa Kapalibutan.

Nakilala kita na mga taga-Bulan dahil sa programa nato sa kapalibutan batog pa san 1995. Hasta niyan, dara ta yuon na onra, nan pamate ko daghanun na sa mga kabungto ta an muklat na sa mga dapat himuon para maprotehiran an kapalibutan nan makaambag kita basi maibitaran an paglala sini na ingagahuy na Global Warming nan Climate Change.

Pakalipas sin onom kataon ko na pag-administrar, naisa lugar na nato an entero na mga kasangkapaan nan mga elemento sa pag-implementar, pagmantenir nan pagsustenir san Environment Programs ta, nan lalo na an pag-improve. Sa katunayan nasa level na kita na kun haen an bungto ta mao na an inhihimo na halimbawa o model san iba na bungto dahil sini na programa. Kita na mga taga-bulan an nangunguna niyan sa bilog na Rehiyon Bikol na ma-share nato an programa bilang DILG GOFAR Model Town on Solid Waste Management.

Replication Inception Workshop (RIW) on Solid Waste Management:

Sa solod san Enero hasta Marso , inkondukta an sayo na joint activity san LGU Bulan nan DILG Region V an mga aktibidades para sa Replication Inception Workshop (RIW) on Solid Waste Management. Intukduan kita san mga eksperto san DILG kun pan-o an Bulan magiging sayo na host kun may magkanhi na mga LGUs na gusto magreplicate o mag-kopya san programa ta sa Solid Waste Management. Parte ini san obligasyun nato bilang sayo na model town. Pag may magbibirisita na mga LGUs o mga grupo sa bungto ta aram ta kun nano an mga dapat himuon sin sayo na host LGU.

Padagos na implementasyun san mga Programa sa Solid Waste Management:

Padagos tabi an implementasyon ta san mga paghakot basura. Prayoridad ta ini na dire magbaho an poblacion ta. Sa paghakot nato sin basura, in-iimplementar ta an waste segregation-at-source, segregation collection at source, nan segregated disposal policy, o pagsiway-siway sin basura. Maogma tabi ako sa pagreport sa iyo na maski puro-pan-o dire kita natatambakan sin basura lalo na sa mga matawo na lugar o mga residensya.

An mga garbage truck nato, padagos an pagmantenir nan mga repair kun kinakaipuhan. Dire ta ini puwede pabayaan, kay an sayo kaadlaw na dire mahakutan basura an sayo na lugar dako na na kaulangan sa iskedyul sin paghakot. Katunayan tabi, dahilan sa maaram na an ato mga kabungto lalo na sa pagsegregate nan recycle, an basura niyan dire na pareho san dati na daghanun nan grabe talaga.

Sayo sa magayon na proyekto san mga barangay ta didi sa Poblacion lalo na sa mga inababaha na lugar pareho san Managa-naga an pagrekober nan pagrecycle sin mga styro nan plastic nan magamit sa paghimo sin mga styropore na balsa na magagamit sa panahon sin mga pagbaha. In e-enganyar mi man an entero na mga residente nan mga barangay opisyal na mag-irog sa inhimo san mga taga-Managa-naga na i-recycle an mga raot na chest sin lawlaw nan himuon ini na mga burobalsa.

Information nan Education Campaign :

An saato Information nan Education campaign dire ta man inpapabayaan kay importante na consistent kita sini basi padagos mapadumdum an mga kabungto ta, lalo na an mga kabatan-an sa kahalagahan san relasyon ta sa kapalibutan .

Sa solod sini na Agosto hasta Setyembre, inkondukta san Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office o MENRO sa pamumuno ni Ms. Kelly Tan, an ato MENRO Officer, nan kaniya staff an two-month long Information and Education Campaign/ Drive, nan Film Showings tungkol sa Solid Waste Management nan Global Warming: An mga sector nan mga lugar na inkadto nan intukduan ta mao ini na mga minasunod: An mga empleyado san Municipio, Sorsogon State College, Persons with Disabilities, Barangay Zone 4, Alcoba High School, Barangay Zone 3, Gate National High School, San Isidro Elementary School, Gate Elementary School, nan didto sa YES-O para sa mga batang delegado sa YES-O Camp sa Ecopark.

San November 10-11, inkondukta an joint activity san Barangay Zone 2 nan LGU na STEP Training on Solid Waste Management. Inatenderan ini sin 30 na opisyales san barangay nan 120 na mga purok leaders. In-establisar nato an sayo na Materials Recovery Facility o bagsakan san basura basi doon mahimo ta an programa sa Solid Waste. Salamat sa kooperasyon san mga taga- Zona 2 sa pamumuno ni Capitan Awel Gernale.

Community Mobilization:

An sayo na program dire magiging matriunfo o successful kun wara an partisipasyon san mga ciudadano. Maski nano na kahinguha sin sayo na opisyal kun wara kooperasyon , commitment, involvement hale sa komunidad mababalewala entero. Kaya ngane, pokus nan atensiyon san Gobierno Lokal na makuwa an boot san mga kabungto ta lalo na an mga kabatan-an. Pero, salamat tabi kay dianison permi an pagresponde niyo entero sa mga programa nato. Kun minsan ngane, may mga grupo na pareho san Sagip Dagat Volunteers nan TOFY na nagboboluntad san kanira danon basi ma- promoter lang an programa ta sa kapalibutan.

Yadi tabi an mga naging tree-planting nan environment activities nato batog na Abril hasta Octubre; Abril 2, Earth Day Celebration; Mangrove planting sa Butag mangrove reforestation area, sponsored san Uswag-Bulan, Tree-planting activities san St.Louise de Marillac School, Somagongsong Barangay Council , Barangay Fabrica Residents, official, teachers nan mga pupils sa elementary school, Obrero Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Alcoba High School, Gate High School San Isisdro Elementary School, San Rafael SK; Nagkaigua man kita malunggay tree planting sa Alberto De Castro Elementary School, nan sayo na treepalnting activity sa Mount Karuhayon sa San Isisdro, sa paagi san San Isidro Barangay Council. Sa paagi man sin koordinasyon sa mga taga State College, intindog ta an sayo na campus mini-forest sa Bulan Campus.

An grupo san TOFY, o Time Organization for Youth, mao an nagkomitir sa ato municipio na madanon sira paglimpiya san Managa-naga River. May regular clean-up drive sira doon.

San September 19, International Coastal Clean-up Day, inpangunahan san Gobierno Lokal nan san mga organisasyon sa Bulan an paglimpiya sa mga baybayon ta. 2,000 katawo an nagpartisipar sini na aktibidad.

An Sagip –Dagat Volunteers:

Gusto ko tabi hatagan pagsaludar nan onra an sayo na grupo sin mga kabatan-an didi sa Zona 4 na an ngaran Sagip Dagat Volunteers dahil sa pambihira nira na kontribusyon sa bungto ta na makadanon sa paglimpiya san baybayon sa Zona 4, nan magkaigua pa sin iba na aktibidades. Ini na Sagip Dagat inbatugan lang ini sin onom na teen-agers na magbararkada, sa pamumuno ni Michael Andador na gusto kunta magkarigos sa dagat na dati nira inlalanguyan san Pista ni San Juan.

Pero dahil sa ati, imbes na magkarigos nagbatog na lang sira maglimpiya. Pag-otro semana, nagbalik sira paglimpiya gihapon. Hanggang sa mapansin na sira san mga taga-Zone 4 na mga magurang nan mga opisyales. Indanunan sira ni Capitan Chito Del Monte na maorganizar sin mayad. Niyan daghanun na ini na mga taga-Zona 4 na miembros san Sagip Dagat. May sadire naman sira na website na puwede tabi niyo i-access sa internet.

San Oktubre, inbatugan man i-organizar ni Kapitan Rey Lorilla an Sagip dagat san Zona 7. Dapat sabayan ta sira sa inhihimo nira, nan kisyera daghanun pa na mga kabatan-an parareho nira Michael Andador nan san mga barkada niya an gamiton an kanira mga enerhiya sa positibo na mga aktibidades na makadanun dire lang sa kanira sadire kundi pati na sa komunidad nan pamilya.

An Municipal Ecopark:

Didto naman tabi sa Bulan Ecopark, padagos ini na inmamantenir san ato MENRO. Padagos an production nato sin compost activators, vermicomposting program, production of carbonized rice hull, nan pag-establisar nan pagmantenir san Container Gardening Demo Farm.

An Ecopark tabi inbatugan yuon sa paagi sin pagdaranunan san entero na mga empleyado san Municipio. Kaya ngani , niyan tabi na taon, insumitir nato sa Civil Service Commission an entry nato sa mga paghinguha san mga empleyado sa Ecopark. Kaogmahan ko tabi na ireport sa iyo na kita an naging Bicol Regional Champion. Dinaog ta an daghanun na mga daragkuon na ahensiya san gobierno.

An Pista sa Kabubudlan 2009 (Feast of the Mountains):

Niyan na Oktubre, inkondukta nato an 2009 Pista sa Kabubudlan. Taun-taon nagdadaghan an nag-eentra sa Pista sa Kabubudlan. Sa lima kataon na nato na pagselebrar san Pista sa Kabubudlan, an nakaagi na Pista sa Kabubulan an pinakadako na na selebrasyon nato sa Ecopark. Sobra 8,000 katawo an nag-bisita, nagpartisipar nan naki-ogma sa mga aktibidades nato. Maabot sa 127 na organisasyon an nagpalista. Pati mga pamilya kaupod an mga bata nira. Baga yadto an naging Family Day.

Inhimo nato sadto na Pista an Techno Demo on Charcoal Briquetting, inpresentar an mangrove project san Prieto Diaz, may-on kita sin Search for Diyosa ng Kalikasan, barayle, may fireworks display, may Thanksgiving Mass, may Kite-flying Contest, nan an pinakasentro san Pista mao an pagtaranum sin puno sin sobra sangribo na mga kabatan-an. An entero man na istasyon sin radio sa Bulan nan kaupod man an media san Sorsogon, inbalita an mga nangyari sa Pista sa Kabubudlan. Imudon tabi niyo sa internet an mga naging aktibidades nato sadto na Pista.

MGA SERBISYO SOSYAL/ SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM:

Tapos na kita sa mga accomplishment report tungkol sa Health, Education, Livelihood nan Environment. Niyan an isunod ko na ireport sa iyo tabi mao an tungkol sa Social Services Program o mga Serbisyo Sosyal san Gobierno Lokal. Unahon ta na mun-a an tungkol sa programa sa Nutrisyon.

Nutrition Program

Bulan Nutrition Statistics:

 Niyan na taon, magayunon an accomplishment san ato Programa sa Nutrisyon sa paagi san Municipal Nutrition Council na inpapamunuan ni Municipal NutritionAction Officer Anilin Lolos.

San 2004, pag-ingkod ko bilang mayor, an prevalence of underweight children sa Bulan nasa 20.56%. An gusto sabihon na sayo sa kada lima na pre-school na bata underweight o kulang sa normal na timbang. Pero niyan na taon dako-dako an pagbabag-o sa bilang san mga underweight children. Niyan na taon , nasa 13.32 % na lang yuon o nagbaba sin 7% an istadistika.

San 2005, sa katorse na bungto san Sorsogon , dire kaupod an Sorsogon City, an bungto san Bulan nasa ika-onom na puwesto sa may pinakadiyo na underweight children. Pero niyan na taon, an bungto ta nasa ika-opat na sa may pinakadiyo na underweight children. Dako-dako an improvement san bilang san mga bata na dire na underweight.

Niyan na taon, inkondukta nato an Operation Timbang sa 13,298 na mga bata o sa entero na kabatan-an edad 0 hasta 6 anyos. 11,401 na mga bata an normal an timbang, pero 1,772 an kulang sa timbang o underweight nan 125 na bata an sobra sa timbang. Ini na 1772 na bata o 13.32% mao an intagan ta atensiyon sa paagi san ato day care program, early childhood care and development program nan an mga programa san RHU.

Nutrition Program Strategies:

Manlaen-laen na istratehiya o paagi basi makaresponde kita sa problema sin underweight children. Ini indaranunan san ako Opisina , san MSWDO, Municipal Nutrition Council nan Municipal Agriculture Office, RHU , an MENRO nan an DepEd. Kapartner ta man an mga barangay officials, mga organisasyun-sibiko nan lalo na an mga pamilya san mga bata. Pati an PNP sa pamumuno ni Chief Orlina may sadire man na mga adopted na mga underweight childen . Maski an mga Senior Citizens, nagdaranun pa sa mga feeding san October, Senior Citizens’ Month. 400 na malnourished children hale sa Managa-naga, Obrero, Aquino, Zones 2, 6, 7, 8 an kanira in feeding.

Yadi an mga hinimo ta pa na mga aktibidades:

An municipio nakadistribuer man sin 39 na units sin weighing scale para sa 39 na barangay.

1. Bulan-bulan na pagtimbang sa RHU nan Day Care Schools;

2. Supplemental Feeding activities;

3. Mga Cooking Demos para sa mga Magurang sin mga Low-cost Nutritious meals;

4. Vegetable seeds dispersal sa mga households;

5. Mga Information campaigns sa mga magurang;

6. Pa training san mga Barangay Implementers san Promotion of Good Nutrition program;

7. Mga Pabasa sa Nutrisyun, syllabus para sa nutrition education nan vegetable growing na inpartisiparan sin 18 na Rural Health Midwives, 18 na Barangay Nutrition Scholars, mga mother leaders hale sa 18 na barangay;

8. Caregivers’/Mothers’ Classes;

9. Tapos may-on man kita mga activities pareho sin pagtanum kalunggay sa mga backyards.

San nag-Alay-Lakd kita san nakaagi na Nutrition Month Celebration san Hulyo, nakalikom an muniicpio sin kantidad 14,000 pesos na ingamit ta para sa supplemental feeding san mga bata sa San Rafael.

Programa para sa mga Senior Citizens:

Nan salamat tabi sa mga Barangay Officials ta na padagos na nagkokooperar sa mga programa san gobierno local basi mapagaan ta an programa sa nutrisyun.

An mga Senior Citizens an sayo sa mga grupo na padaba san municipio. Talagang in-organizar nato sin mayad an Senior Citizens didi sa Bulan, puwera pa you san mga eksistido na grupo na san FESCAP, GRETA nan an sa Veterans. An BASCA o Bulan Senior Citizens Association na inpapamunuan ni dati Kagawad Joe Tan aktibo sa pag-asikaso san mga magurang nato. Entero na an mga barangay ta may-on na sin senior citizens chapters.

Sa niyan tabi na taon sobra na sa 5,000 an senior citizens na in-isyuhan ta sin ID cards nan Discount Booklets segun sa pagsunod ta sa ley para sa kapakinabangan san Senior Citizens.

Nagkaigua man kita sin dowa na Medical-Dental Mission para lang sa Senior Citizens niyan na taon.

Inpasilitar ta man an pagrelease sin kantidad 548,500 pesos para sa 1,009 na senior citizens na recipients san Programa san gobierno nasyonal na Katas ng Vat Tulong para kay Lolo at Lola. 500 pesos an marerecibe san kada senior citizen na beneficiary. Inhihinguha nato na kisyera maging kumpleto na otro taon an database san mga elderly basi madali an pag-asikaso sa mga kaipuhan nira.

Daghanun an mga naging aktibidades san Senior Citizens na inatenderan ko niyan na taon nan tunay man ako na naoogma sa dahilan na padagos an mga magurang nato sa paghinguha na makaserbi sa komunidad ta, alagad importante man na mahatagan ta sira sin atensiyon na karapadapat sa kanira dahil na mga maluya na sira.

Mga Programa para sa Kabataan

Sa MSWDO, puwera san programa nato na Day Care Service Program, Early Childhood Care and Development o ECCD, program for Streechildren nan an para sa Out-of-School Youths o OSY, may-on pa kita sin mga intervention programs basi madanunan an mga kabatan-an nan an mga pamilya nira. Importante man na maibalangibog nato an manungod sa Children’s Rights o Karapatan san mga bata nan an pagprotehir sa kanira. Aktibo tabi an ato Municipal Council for the Protection of Children nan an PNP Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

Abused Children:

 Namumundo ako na niyan na taon daghan an naireport sa ato na kaso sin mga pag-abuso sa mga kabatan-an, bale 28 entero: walo (8) na kaso sin rape; 3 na kaso sin acts of lasciviousness; 12 na kaso sin physical abuse o pagpakulog sin bata; nan lima (5) na kaso sin neglect nan abandonment o pagpabaya. Sa rape, lima na an kaso na on-going sa korte, 2 an nairekomnda nato sa Department of Justice na mahatagan sin financial assistance; nan an iba inproceso san MSWDO na mahatagan sin tama na aksyon basi makakuwa sin hustisya an bata.

An MSWDO an nag-aalalay sa mga kaso na ini sa paagi sin paghatag mga gabay o counseling sa mga pamilya na invuelto; paghatag psychosocial intervention lalo na sa mga bata na biktima sini na pang-abuso; nan pag-asikaso sa mga asistencia pinansiyal kun kaipuhan.

May mga tiyempo kita na an sayo na kaso na nai-rereport sa ato pero habo man magreklamo an biktima na bata kaya an nagyayari nagagakot an kamot san ato mga autoridad na talagang masampahan sin maninigo na kaso an may sala na tawo na nag-abuso sa bata.

Basi maprotehiran ta an mga bata nato, padagos an dedikado na information programa san ato MSWDO nan PNP personnel na talagang makasabot an publiko na an mga kabatana-an ta dapat respetuhon sa mga derechos nira nan protehiran ta an kapakanan nira.

Nan inpapaisi ta gihapon an publiko ta na mahigpiton na tabi an batas sa mga tawo na nag-aabuso sin mga bata nan kababayehan. Grabe an kastigo na sasaluhon sin sayo na tawo na abusado sa mga bata nan mga babaye.

Children in Conflict with the Law o mga Menor de edad na nagkakasala na sa batas:

Sa taon na ini nagtaas man an mga kaso sin mga menor de edad na nagkakaproblema sa batas o children in conflict with the law. Namumundo kita dahil sa situasyon na ini .Pero numero uno na may obligasyon sa mga bata an mga magurang tabi. Kaya padagos an impormasyun nan pag-edukar nato sa ato komunidad na kisyera ma-eliminar ta ini na problema.

Niyan na taon may total na 60 na kaso sin mga kabatan-an na may problema sa batas. Sa 60 na kaso na ini, 29 an sa kaso na pagkawat o pangalit, 19 an nadakop sa vagancia habang may curfew hours kita; sayo an nadamay sa illegal fishing, onom an kaso sin trouble-making; sayo na kaso sin physical injuries nan may sayo na kaso sin rape. Sa 60 na kaso na ini, dowa an nasa korte , sa Regional Trial Court dahil mga magub-at na sala na mao an rape nan physical injury. An 58 na kaso dire man nato insang-atan kaso dahilan ngane sa batas na pag an bata edad 18 pababa, dire man siya inkakasuhan basta-basta kundi an MSWDO mao san Bulan Council for the Protection of Children an nahimo sin intervention procedures basi makoreheran pa an problema sin sayo na menor de edad. Sayo palan sa mga bata na ini inpadara na san MSWDO sa National Training and School for Boys sa Tanay, Rizal basi hatagan sin rehabilitasyon.

Ingagahuyan ta gihapon an mga magurang na importnte an tama na pagpadako sa bata basi dire magkaproblema sa batas.

Nagkaigua man kita sin Information Caravan nan Family Forum niyan na taon manungod sa responsible parenthood nan children’s rights sa mga barangay san Roxas, Aquino, San Rafael, Namo, Pawa, San Isidro, Zone 4, Otavi, Inararan. 180 na mga magurang an nag-aratender sini na mga information caravans.

Programa para sa mga PWDs o Persons with Disabilities o may mga Kapansanan:

Inaataman ta man an may mga Kapansanan. Niyan na taon, inhimo nato an Information Dissemination para marehabilitar nato an mga PWDs; nagkondukta man kita sin mga livelihood training activities pareho san paghimo nan pagpabakal sin sabon; nan nagkaigua man kita sin sayo na medical and dental services mission para sa labi sanggatos na PWDs.

In-edukar ta man an mga PWDs sa Climate Change kay maski baga may mga kapansanan na sira permi pa man sira may kakayahan na magdanun sa ato komunidad. Kanina insaysay ko na an SpEd Program nato para sa mga bata na may kapansanan.

Programa para sa Pamilya, Family Heads and Other Needy Adults:

San Marso, inkondukta nato an ERPATS training o organisasyon para sa Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities. Sponsored ini san Municipio ta sa koordinasyon nato sa ECCD Program. Katuyuhan sini an mapasarig nato an pagkamuklat san mga ama nato sa kanira obligasyun. May mga barangay na kita na organisado na an ERPATS pareho san San Vicente, Aquino nan JP Laurel. Padagos nato ini i-oorganisar sa kada barangay.

Nakakondukta man an MSWDO sin mga sessions nan mga lectures para sa 223 na mga kasalon. Intutukduan sira san MSWDO sin mga tama na paagi sa responsible parenthood, marital relationship, rights of children, nan family planning.

Referrals nan Case Studies:

Parte san Social Service programs nato an mga referral nato sin mga pobre na pasyente na nangaipo sin danon san mga ahensiyas san Gobierno national. Nakahimo kita sin referrals para sa 242 na tawo basi maasistehan san Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine General Hospital, Sorsogon Provincial Hospital nan Philippine Ports Authority. Simple lang ini na mga aktibidad pero dako an danon sa mga tawo na nangaipo. Kapartner san MSWDO sa aktibidad na ini an Opisina san Mayor, RHU nan Philippine National Police.

Programang Aid to Individuals-in-Crisis Situation/ Other assistance programs:

May mga tawo na grabe an kamutangan sin kawaraon o kapobrehan na inaabot sin mga remalaso sa buhay kaya didi naghahatag sin ayuda an municipio nan an MSWDO, lalo na an opisina san Mayor.

May mga ayuda kita para sa mga mahapdos, mapabulong, mapalubong, matuition, mapasahe o mayo pases sa bus, mga solicitations sa mga pangangaipo sin mga organisasyun, pangasolina sa mga byahe sin mahapdos o mga pobre na tawo.

Sa financial assistance na in-extender san municipio lalo na sa mga nangaipo, lalo na san Opisina san Mayor, nakahatag kita sa 2,078 katawo na nagkakantidad sin 2,251,975 pesos. Sa Assistance to Individuals-in-Crisis Situation, 416 personas, na an kantidad 151,475 pesos. 924 na tawo an nahatagan ta sin libre na pases o bus fare dahil sa mga emergencia nira na biyahe pa Manila o iba na lugar. Inbabayadan ta tabi an bus company pag nahatag kita sin pases.

Suma total san inhatag san municipio na ayuda sa entero na klase sin pagdanon nagkakantidad tabi sin 3,225,991.63 pesos para sa 3,067 katawo, niyan na taon 2009.

Oroadlaw tabi, lalo na kun huyoon ako sa Opisisna maiimod niyo kun nano kadaghan an tawo na personal ko na inaasikaso.

Emergency Assistance:

An municipio sa paagi san Opisina san Mayor nan san MSWDO naghahatag man serbisyo na an ngaran Emergency Assistance lalo na kun panahon sin kalamidad.

Tolo na bagyo niyan na taon an nag-agi sa ato nan may mga kabungto kita na apekatado. Inasikaso tabi ini san Gobierno Lokal .

Bagyong Dante:

San Mayo 1-2, an Bagyong Dante nagdara sa ato bungto san pinakahararom nan pinakadako na baha na naranasan ta sa kasaysayan san bungto ta. Didi sa Poblacion, 509 na pamilya an grabe na naapektaran nan in-evacuate ta. Sa mga barangay, 2,151 na pamilya an nadislokar nan 164 na pasaheros na taga Masbate an na stranded sa terminal.

 Dahil sa emergency na ini, naghatag kita mga relief goods nan mga rasyon sa evacuation centers. Mao man an mga barangay na nagdanon man sa mga konstituentes nira. Salamat sa sayo na NGO na Taiwan-based kay naghatag man ayuda sa municipio na makapakaon sa mga evacuess. An Operation Blessings man tabi nakahatag mga kaganitan sa mga nasalanta. San Mayo 14, 29 na pamilya na totally damaged an mga balay an naayudahan san Regional MSWDO sin kantidad 5,000 kada say o total na 145,000 pesos.

Bagyong Feria :

San Hunyo 23-24, an naging dahilan na mastranded an 102 na pasaheros sa terminal. Pinakaon nato ini sa paagi san MSWDO.

Bagyong Pepeng:

 San Oktubre 2, 193 na pamilya an in-evacuate nato nan tinagan ta mga relief goods. Sa terminal naman 125 an pasahero na stranded. Pinakaon ta gihapon nan inasikaso.

Salamat tabi sa mga mahigos na staff san MSWDO sa pamumuno ni Del Espenocilla na maski sa kadaghan sini na mga trabaho, naasikaso nira ini na may dedikasyon nan kagaanan sin boot.

Burial Transportation Service:

May sayo kita na aktibidad na seguro dapat ta man tagan sin rekognisyon, Mao ini an paggamit san trak bilang sakayan san mga nakidapit, na hale sa hararayo na barangay san Bulan. May mga pobre kita na mga kabungto na kun namamatayan an sayo na inaayo sa municipio na ayuda na kisyera may masakayan an mga nakidapit sa minatay nira. Sayo ini na tradisyon nan kultura san mga taga-Bulan sa paghatod sin minatay sa sementeryo. Nag-aayo lang tabi kita dispensa sa iba na tawo na nagrani sa Opisina nan dire ta na onra kay kun may nauna na sa kanira na naka paskedyul sa pagdapit. Niyan na taon 141 na biyahe an dinalagan san trak ta para magamit sa pagdapit sin mga namatay nato na kabungto, nan dedikado tabi kita sa simple na serbisyo na ini sin pakisumayo nan pakidumamay sa pamilya san namatayan.

PAZ Y ORDEN/ PEACE AND ORDER:

An i-report ko naman sa iyo an manungod sa Paz y Orden o an katarngkiluhan san komunidad ta.

Sayo sa importantehon na aspeto sin liderato sin sayo na komunidad an tungkol sa paz y orden. Dire bale wara sin mga imprastraktura o daragkoon naproject basta trangkilo an bungto, nakaturog sin mayad an tawo, matoninong sa estado niya sa buhay na wara siya hadok o had-it na may mga tawo na malabot sa kaniya o sa kaniya pamilya.

An Insidente sa Calomagon:

 Puwera sa insidente sin ambush na nangyari sa barangay Calomagon san nakaagi na Nobyembre, nan san Hunyo, yadto na pagkamatay sin sayo na ordinaryo na ciudadano na posible sayo na kaso sin extrajudicial killing , matoninong o relatively peaceful kita didi sa Bulan.

An nangyari na Calomagon Ambush na kun haen opat na pulis an namatay sayo na record sin karahasan na kun kita na mga sibilyan an haputon habo kita na nangyari nan dire dapat na nangyari. Kita na mga sibilyan habo nato na makagimata-an san mga bata ta didi sa Bulan an violencia. An hanap nato katoninongan, an hanap nato an mayad na puturo san komunidad ta, asensado nan may solidaridad.

Niyan na panahon, kay dahilan na mas mahiwas na an impormasyon, edukasyon nan pagkasabot sin tawo, dapat an katawohan naghahanap na sin mga paagi na masolusyunan an mga problema sin sayo na komunidad o sin sayo na nasyon, dire na sa paagi sin violencia kundi sa paagi sin matoninong na dayalogo. Dire masosolusyunan sa paagi sin dugo nan violencia an mga problema ta. Kisyera magtimbre sa ato mga puso an padagos na hadok sa Mahal na Dios nan an konsensiya para sa kapuwa.

Hanap nato na mga taga-Bulan an katoninongan nan katoninongan an saato papanindugan.

Over-all Assessment san Paz y Orden sa Bulan:

Importante man gihapon na imudon nan i-assess ta an kabilugan o over-all na situasyon san Paz y Orden sa Bulan, apesar na may nangyari didto sa Calomagon. Dapat nato maapreciar an padagos na paghinguha san mga kapulisan ta nan mga autoridad san bungto nan mga barangay.

Sa solod sini na taon, daghanun an dapat ta ipagpasalamat sa dedikasyon san mga pulis o PNP, nan pati na an mga nakadestino na mga suldados didi sa Bulan, nan lalo man an mga Barangay Tanods sa kada barangay. Gusto nato maghatag pagsaludar lalo na sa Hepe san Municipal Police Station, Police Chief Efren Ebrada Orlina nan mga kaurupod niya, sa pambihira nan dianison na pakiupod nan relasyon sa Municipio, nan koordinasyon sa mga programa ta.

Situasyon san Peace and Order kun may daragko na Okasyon

 Daghanun na daragko na aktibidad nan mga okasyon an hinimo ta didi sa Bulan, pareho san mga Graduation Exercises, Semana Santa, Pista sa Bulan, Pista sa Kabubudlan, Pista sa Gadan , nan ini na Kapaskuhan, na wara kita sin nabati na mga ananuman na mga ngaya daragko na krimen na nangyayari pareho sa iba na lugar.

 Kaya dapat ta ini ipagpasalamat

Tutoo, may mga nangyayari na mga paglabag sin mga batas nato, may mga kun minsan mga pasali sin mga pasaway, o problema ngaya sa sayo na lugar o pamilya, may mga aksidente sa tinampo, natural ini na mga police matters nan concerns, pero kun susugon ta an over-all na index sin katoningan nan kaayusan, an bungto nato matoninong na bungto nan komunidad.

Padagos an PNP nan mga Tanods nato sa pagdanon na mamantenir an sayo na matoninong na komunidad. Nan salamat sa mga volunteer groups na padagos na nakikooperar sa ato kapulisan. Tagan ta tabi rekognisyon an Kabalikat Civicom, Bulan Emergency Action Team (BEAT), BANWA, Uswag–Bulan, Solis Institute of Technology nan an kanira Police Interns, Bulan Filipino-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade, nan daghanun pa na mga grupo na sa kanira paagi nakadanun sa paz y orden.

Niyan man na taon, wara kita nairekord na insidente sin daragko na sunog. Salamat sa Mahal na Dios. Naging maikmat an mga kabungo ta na wara sunog sa Bulan dire pareho san sayo kataon.

Iba pa na Aktibidades san PNP:

 Daghanun pa man an mga inhimo san mga police authorities nato basi makadanun sa bungto ta, pareho baga san mas pinakusog nira na Information nan mga Education Campaigns sa radio; may mga dialogue o pulong-pulong sira; naglilibot sa mga escuelahan nan mga organisasyun basi maghatag mga symposium kontra sa illegal na droga; may milk-feeding program pa sa mga malnourished na mga bata nan kaupod sira sa mga community activities pareho san mga clean-up drives o mga mass mobilizations. Nakaupod man an mga police nato, BMPS nan 509th PPMG pati na an Philippine Army sa mga Rescue nan Evacuation Operations lalo na sadto na kasagsagan san baha na dara ni Storm Dante.

An Curfew Ordinance:

Inpatupad gihapon nato sin istrikto an Curfew Ordinance. Ini bilang kasimbagan sa agrangay san mga magurag na ibalik an Curfew Ordinace para sa mga menor de edad, 18 anyos pababa, basi maiharayo ta sa mga maraot na elemento nan peligro an ato mga kabatan-an.

An Bulan Transport Summit:

San nakaagi na Disyembre, inkondukta nato an tolo kaadlaw na Bulan Transport Summit sa Sabang Pavilion. Sabi ni Mr. Johny Bandola, an hepe san LTO E-Patrol sa Rehiyon Bikol, unique ini na patipon didi sa ato bungto. Wara pa sin irog sini sa bilog na rehiyon.

Dowang bagay tabi an katuyuhan sini na patipon para sa sector san transportasyon. Una an pagpamutang san pagbuhay (livelihood) san mga kabungto nato sa transportasyon. Ikaduwa, an traffic management nan discipline o kaayusan nan katrangkiluhan san ato mga nasa pagpasada, nan makaibitar sa peligro nan aksidente. Importante ini sa pagbuhay nira na maayos nan trangkilo an saato trapiko.

Matriunfo nan puno sin entusiasmo an mga nagpartisipar sa Summit. Ini na an pinakadako na tiripon sin mga nasa sector san transportasyon. An mga sector na nag-atender mao an mga paratraysikol, parapadyak, mga sa jeepney nan van, mga tagsadire sin pribado na motorsiklo nan mga tagsadire sin trak na pambiyahe isda. Bale 1,676 katawo an nag-atender. Dianison an kooperasyon san mga nag-aratender.

Sa kabilugan masasabi ko na matoninong nan trangkilo an bungto ta pag-abot sa paz y orden.

IMPRASTRAKTURA/ INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES PROGRAMS:

Ma report na man ako niyan sa Infrastructure Services nato o mga pinatrabaho san Municipio na mga imprastraktura.

Para sa administrasyon ko, mas importante an mga serbisyo sosyal kaysa imprastraktura. Pero siyempre dire puwede na dire nato himuon an mga kinakaipuhan na mga imprastraktura o pasilidad na kaipuhan san mga ciudadano ta.

Huyaa tabi an mga pinatrabaho nato sini na taon:

Sa Bulan Public Market:

1. Wet Market/Fish Section, Additional Work Order, 800,000 pesos

2. Slab Construction sa Relanse, 20,000 pesos

Sa Sabang Community Park:

1. Improvement san Pavilion, magayunon na niyan an Pavilion ta nan daghanun na an naggaramit sini, 1,500,000 pesos

2. Repair sa mga Cottages, 250,000 pesos

Mga Tinampo/Pathway/ Mga tulay:

1. Pasemento san J.P.Laurel Road, 600,000 pesos

2. Re-gravelling san Butag Road, 500,000 pesos

3. Pasemento sin porsyon san Calomagon-Somagongsong Road, 350,000 pesos

4. Slope Protection Riprapping sa Calomagon Road, 300,000 pesos

5. Concreting nan Riprappping san parte san Jamor-awon Road, 200,000 pesos

6. Pasemento san pasagka sa Daganas, 100,000 pesos

7. Pagpatulay sa Roxas, 90,000 pesos

8. Counterpart sa pasemento san porsyon san Magsaysay Road, 100 na bag sin semento

9. Sidewalk Improvement, Poblacion, 23,500 pesos

Mga Proyekto sa Barangay na Ambag san Municipio:

1. Construction san Barangay Hall sa Danao, 100,000 pesos

2. Improvement san barangay Hall sa Zone 1, 100,000 pesos

3. Construction san Barangay Hall sa Aguinaldo, 100,000 pesos

4. Additional Construction san Stage sa Laurel, 20,000 pesos

Bus Terminal:

1. Repair san Ceiling nan Gutter

2. Pahingayad sa dati na Jeepney Terminal sa may relanse, 66,000 pesos

New Municipal Building:

1. Improvement san mga pasilidad sa municipio, 700,000 pesos , on-going ini

Bulan Ecopark:

1. Improvement san mga Pasilidad sa Ecopark, 155,000 pesos

2. Installation sin mga booths nan tents nan signages, 6,000 pesos

Rural Health Unit:

1. Repair san Dental Clinic nan Laboratory, 85,000 pesos

Bulan Municipal Fishport

1. Repair san Pavement, 300,000 pesos

Christmas Decorations, importante man ini na mga gastus nato alang-alang sa pagselebrar ta san Pasko nan para sa kaogmahan san mga kabatan-an ta, nan para sa turismo ta. Maski baga may pagtios sa kapalibutan, importante gihapon na huyoon an diwa o ispirito san pasko nan bag-ong taon. Sa katunayan, na ipalabas sa GMA Channel 7 nan ABS-CBN Channel 2 an saato mga dekorasyon. An gasto ta sini entero, 370,000 pesos tabi.

May mga nagkapera pa kita na mga infrastructure activites sa bilog na bungto, pareho sin mga padiyo-diyo na request san mga barangay sa opisina ko.

DISASTER RISK-REDUCTION PROGRAM/ PROGRAMA PARA SA PANAHON SIN KALAMIDAD:

I-report ko naman niyan an labi ka-importante na Disaster-Risk Reduction Program para sa panahon sin kalamidad.

An pinakamayad na pagsalbar buhay nan propriedad sa panahon sin kalamidad an dapat preparado nan andam permi kita, kun naabot ini na remalaso sa buhay ta. Dire ta mapepreventaran an kalamidad pero may paagi kita na maibitaran ini. Habo kita na mangyari sa ato an nangyari sa Metro Manila sadto na panahon san Ondoy nan Pepeng. Inagihan na kita sin dako na pagbaha san Mayo san uminagi si Storm Dante. Pero salamat sa Diyos kay wara sa ato nadiskuedo. Dire bale na an propriedades o mga kagamitan basta buhay an pamilya.

An Municipal Disaster Preparedness and Management Plan:

 Niyan tabi may-on na kita sin kumpleto na Municipal Disaster Preparedness Plan. Inhimo ini ni Administrator Luis de Castro sa danon san mga ahensiyas san Gobierno Lokal. Sa paagi sini na plano aram na nato lalo na san MDCC nan mga BDCC an mga dapat himuon kun panahon sin mga kalamidad kaupod na an Information System, Preparedness, Planning, Alarm, Evacuation, Rescue, Relief, Rehabilitation nan Reporting. Huyoon man sa plano an mga contingency na dapat himuon.

An MDCC Information Program:

 Oroadlaw, inmomonitor nato an kamutangan san panahon sa paagi sin Internet, nan ensigida, kun maraot an panahon na nagdadangadang, napaisi tolos kita sa MDCC nan mga BDCCs nato. Organisado na ini na Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council, nan an 63 na Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils.

Nakadistribuer na man kita sin rinibo na mga MDCC information handouts sa mga barangay sini na nakaagi na mga bulan.

An Bulan Rescue Team:

Organisado na an ato Bulan Rescue Team, may opisina o action center na an MDCC. Nakastandby na an ato mga evacuation centers. San nagkaigua sin mga pagtiris o landslides sa Magallanes, nakadanun na ini na Rescue Team nato, pati yadto na pagkuwa mga bangkay san nalunod an Princess of the Stars. An mga miembro sini na Bulan Rescue team na inpapamunuan ni Administrator de Castro nan Kgd Simmy Gerona, nag-agi sin maninigo na training para sa pag-asikaso kun panahon sin kalamidad.

San nakaagi na Nobyembre, masuwerte kita na hinimo kita na model LGU san Sorsogon Provincial Government na inbisita nira Governor Father Among Ed Panlilio san Pampanga para sa kanira educational tour sa Sorsogon nan Albay basi adalan an ato mga disaster management plans.

Kanina baga tabi inreport ko na kun nano an mga hinimo nato basi madanunan an mga sinalanta san mga bagyo na nag-agi o nakaapekto didi sa bungto ta.

Salamat tabi sa entero na volunteer groups nan mga indibidwal na nagdaranun san mga nakakgi na kalamidad. Huyuon tabi an pagsaludar mi saiyo.

AN BULAN INTEGRATED TERMINAL

I-report ko tabi niyan an tungkol sa Bulan Integrated Terminal.

An Bulan Terminal an sayo na sa pinakaaktibo na pasilidad san Gobierno l

Local na naghahatag kumbeniensya, komportable, malinig nan trangkilo na serbisyo sa ato mga pasaheros didi sa Bulan. Batog san abrihan an Terminal sa publiko bilang service facility, nakarekord na tabi kita sin poco mas o menos 389,524 na pasaheros na nagsakay o nagbaba. Nakadispatsa na an terminal management sin poco mas o menos 10,604 na biyahe sin bus paManila. Nan dati an income sa sangtaon P2,433,448.00 pesos, niyan tabi naghalangkaw na an collection sa kantidad na P2,889,493.00 hasta niyan na Nobyembre, nan puwede pa umabot sin hasta 3 milyones pesos.

San nakaagi na taon, an reklamo na narecibe san terminal management tungkol sa mga abuso sin porters nan mga traysikol drivers nasa 19, niyan na taon, bigla ini buminaba naging dowa na lang, nan ini na dowa na reklamo inaktibaran tolos san management. Ensigida nato pinatawan sin penalidad an mga paratraysikol na nang-abuso.

Puwera pa suon, an terminal ta naging dako na danon sa mga stranded passengers kun panahon sin bagyo nan an mga pasagheros na taga Masbate dire nakabalyo dagat. Nakarekord kita sin 389 na stranded passengers nan ini inarasikaso nato kun kaya ngane dako na pasalamat sini na mga tawo. San panahon man sin mga bagyo nagamit an terminal na evacuation center sin mga taga-fabrica,

An solamente na kaso sin snatching sa terminal naaksyonan tolos kay nadakop an snatcher na sayo palan na dayo, nan siya inturn-over sa Bulan PNP. An mga pasaheros man na may diperensya sa pag-iisip naaasikaso sa terminal management, nai-turn over sa mga autroridad pareho san MSWDO para mapaisi an mga pamilya nira.

Daghanun na mga gamit an naibalik ta sa nawaraan na tagsadire dahilan na an mga empleyado nato sa terminal maaasahan nan aktibo. Salamat tabi sa mayad na pagmanehar ni Mr. Ruel Gimao nan an kaniya mga staff sa Bulan Terminal.

RORO Operation:

 San nakaagi na Mayo inbatugan na an operation san RORO didi sa Bulan nan Masbate Route. Ini na pag-abri san RORO naghatag oportunidad sa ato mga taga-Pier sa pagbuhay nira. Nakikoordinar kita sa PPA sa paagi ni Port Manager Gernale basi mapamutang nato an sistema san portering nan tricycle service doon sa Pier. Entero ini na bus na nagbibiyahe sa RORO may income na inbabayad sa municipio ta.

An mga isyu sin pakaraot san mga kalaban ko sa politika na maraot an epekto san Terminal sa Bulan napahimuwaan ta, nan napatunayan ta na sala palan sira.

MGA SERBISYO SAN MGA DEPARTAMENTO SAN MUNICIPIO:

Puwera san mga Frontline Services Department na naging kadanon sa pag-implementar san mga Programa san Administrasyon ko, gusto ko man banggiton an episyente nan epektibo na mga pagserbisyo sa komunidad san iba pa na mga opisina:

Local Civil Registrar: sa pamumuno ni Department Head Mrs. Irma Bellen Ong:

 Ini na departamento padagos an outreach program na karasalan sa barangay nan mga legitimation projects. Episyente an serbisyo nira lalo na sa mga civil registration activities.

An Municipal Planning and Development Office:

Sa pangunguna ni Ka Raul Borras dahil sa manlaen-laen na paghimo sin mga datos nan statistics activities na ingagamit nato na reference sa mga programa local. Sira an nagtrabaho san Community-based Monitoring System; Technical assistance san sa Comprehensive Land Use Plan; Annual Investment Plan, Annual Development Plan, nan ARC Documentation para sa Agrarian Reform programs sa Bulan nan an updating san Municipal Socio-economic Profiles.

An Engineering Office:

Sa pamumuno ni Engr. Speedy Gonzales para sa mga Engineering nan Infrastructure Services.

An Assessor’s Office:

 Sa pangunguna ni Oying Luzuriaga dahilan sa mayad na patakaran san Opisina basi mapakay-ad nato an Real Property tax-mappings nan mag-increase an real property tax payments para ma-dagdagan an Special Education Fund para sa mga escuelahan ta.

Si Accountant Rod Razo, Budget Officer Dennis Dino, nan Acting Treasurer Adelfa Gersalia, dahilan sa magayon na koordinasyon para sa fiscal management san municipio ta.

Kan GSO Head nan Market Administrator Carmencita Morata, Fishport Administrator Jose Zuniga nan Sabang Park Administrator Leny Tee-Magtangob dahil sa propesyunal, seryoso nan mayad na pag-asikaso nira san mga pasilidad san municipio ta.

Nan kan DILG Local Officer Rico Gaurino sa pambihira na koordinasyon san DILG sa ato gobierno local. Siya an nag-asiste sa ato sa manlaen-laen na program documentations kun kaya nakakuwa kita mga awards hale sa national government.

Retirees:

Banggiton ko man tabi didi, pasalamatan, nan hatagan rekognisyon an tolo na mga mahigos na empleyado na nagretire niyan na taon pakalihis sin halawig na panahon sin pagserbisyo: si Municipal Treasurer Sonia “Manay Soning” Revilla, si Amadeo Polo, si Roming Gloriane, an hepe san Motorpool, nan si Rogelio Grafilo san General Serices Office. Salamat tabi sa pambihira niyo na paglingkod sa bungto ta.

An LIGA ng mga Barangay:

 Magayunon an urupodan san Opisina ko nan san Liga ng mga Barangay. Daghanun man an nangyari na programa sini na organisasyun san mga Kapitanes. Naging ungod an partisipasyon san mga barangay official nato sa pag-paunhan san kanira mga skills nan kinaadman sa pagmanehar san mga barangay nira. Sa solod sini na taon nakaatender sira nan nakakondukta sin mga manlaen-laen na trainings nan seminars, naging kapartner an Opisina ko, nan may mga ayuda pinansiyal pa kita kun minsan sa kanira.

1. Pebrero, Seminar Workshop on Real Property Tax Administration

2. Marso, Skills Training on Geological Hazards and Disaster Preparedness nan an Liga Provincial Convention;

3. Abril, Seminar Workshop on Solid Waste Management

4. Agosto, Training Seminar on Barangay Human Rights Program

5. September, Seminar on Barangay Planning and Budgeting

An mga Barangay Officials ta niyan mga propersyunal manager-leaders na, nan kadanun nato sira sa haros entero na aktibidades san municipio.

Niyan na taon, hatagan ta man saludar nan rekognisyon an 20 na mga barangay officials na binawian sin buhay habang nasa serbisyo san barangay. Daghanun sa kanira an mga Tanod, Lupon Officials nan an iba Kagawad nan Secretary. Indanunan man san Liga na makuwa san pamilya an insurance claims maski diyo lang ini na kantidad. Nagkakantidad ini sin 153,500.00 pesos

An Sangguniang Bayan:

 An pinakadako na kapartner san Opisina ko basi maging matriunfo an mga programa san ako administrasyon. Pambihira an kolaborasyon , kooperasyon nan padamay-damay san Opisina san Mayor nan san Sangguniang Bayan sa pamumuno ni Vice-mayor Awel Goola. Naging magayunon man an trabaho san SB sa paagi ni Secretary Augustus Leo Asuncion nan an SB Staff. Sa katunayan tabi, sayo sa inhurandigan nan inasahan ko sin mayad na kadanun an SB. Niyan na taon, daghanun na importante na resolusyon nan mga ordinansa an inpasar san SB na nakadanon sa Executive programs. Nakapasar sira sin 72 na Municipal Council Resolutions nan siyam na Municipal Ordinances. Salamatunon tabi kan Vice Mayor Awel Gogola nan sa mga Kagawad nato na nakikooperar sa ako.

KONKLUSYON :

Daghanun pa kunta an gusto ko sabihon nan i-report sa iyo, alagad dire ko na ini kaya sayu-sayuon pa. Ini na mga inpaabot ko sa iyo mga mayor ini na programa na daghanun pa kunta an mga detalye. Pero naniwala kami na sa paagi san mga naisaysay ko, pakumbaba na naipaabot ko saiyo an mga nahimuan san municipio ta, sa pamumuno sini na saiyo lingkod.

Tinagan niyo ako oportunidad na maglider, magmanehar nan magserbi saiyo nan sa bungto ta. Nan ini inpanindugan ko nan san kaurupod ko sin husto. Dire kami nag-alang-alang, dire kami nagdulag o naglikay o nag-atras sa gahoy nan ngaran sin serbisyo publiko. An posisyon political an sayo sa pinakanoble na paagi basi makadara sin pagbabag-o sa komunidad, nan hinimo namo yuon, sa parte ko, sa solod sin haros onom na kataon.

Maabot na naman an eleksiyon, nan sa solod sin kun pira kabulan mapili na naman an taga-Bulan sin mga lideres na sa pagtubod nira karapatdapat na mao an mag-giya nan maggabay nan magrenda san gobierno sini na padaba ta na bungto. May mabutwa na naman na mga politico na dara an mga panuga sin pagbabag-o nan hihimuon nira an entero na klase sin tuga basi paniwalaan sira maski aram nira na dire nira ini kaya utubon, nan aram nira na dire ini kaya segun sa limitasyun sin paggogobierno. Dapat kita maging maikmat nan muklat sa mga bagay na ini.

Maabut na naman an eleksiyon nan segurado, mabutwa na naman an mga politico nan kandidato na wara na iba na hihimuon kundi an magpakaraot, maglibak, magtatsar, maghimo sin mga isyu na dire man tutuo, basi bation lang sira san mga kabungo ta. Kisyera ini na maabot na pirilian maging sayo na exercise in political maturity, na an mga ciudadano ta muklat sa mga isyus nan mga plataporma de gobierno nan dire dahil sa personalidad sin kandidato.

Namumundo ako na dahil nagdadangadang an eleksiyon, nagruruluwas na naman an mga pagpakaraot sa amo na dire man dapat. Himuon ta na maging malinig an saato mga lengguwahe sa tribuna, himuon ta na matured an pagtratar ta san mga issues nan mga plano para sa komunidad ta. Himuon ta ini na political contest para sa kaayadan san bungto ta dire kay sa ikararaot sin kun sino na tawo. Sa parte nato na mga nag-aaspirar sin poder sa komunidad ta, ituon ta an level san politika sa Bulan. Kame na nasa Administrasyon naniwala sa kakayahan nato na mga taga-Bulan sa sayo na pambihira, sagrado, tunay, matoninong , progresibo na ehersisyo sa eleksiyon.

An pagserbisyo sa komunidad dire masusukol sa kahalaba o kahalawig na sin panahon sa puwesto o sa posisyon, kundi sa kalidad, sa klase sin pagserbi. Sa irarom san amo administrasyon mas naging istable nan masarig an saato bungto, nan mas naasahan niyo an saamo pag-asikaso nan mas nahurandigan niyo an saamo liderato. An pagbabag-o na kaipuhan san bungto ta inhinguha san amo administrasyon na madara sa ato komunidad. Nan padagos kami na nagsusumpa saiyo na ipapadagos ta an pagbabag-o na binatugan nato entero. Lalo ta pasarigon an Gobierno Lokal, lalo ta pakay-adon an Serbisyo Publiko.

Kisyera ini na maabot na Bag-ong taon maging puno sin katoninongan nan paglaom sa kada sayo. Mahiringuha kirita entero na maabot ta an inpapangaturugan ta na bisyon para sa bungto. Salamat sa pambihira niyo na kooperasyon sa ako administrasyon, salamat sa pasensiyoso niyo na pag-bati sini na report , salamat sa pagrecibe niyo sa mo. Dire kami mapabaya para sa kaayadan san padaba ta na Bulan. Nan ultimo, salamat tabi sa Mahal na Dios na dire Niya kita inpabayaan niyan na taon, sa pagbantay nan paggiya Niya sa ato, hasta sa masurunod pa na mga taon.

Ini gihapon an saiyo mayor nan ina san bungto, Mayor Helen C. De Castro. Dios an mabalos sa iyo kaayadan tabi.  /

                                 

                                                                         ————————–end————————————–

The Logic Of Christmas

by  jun asuncion

 

I have always considered the teachings of Jesus Christ not only as a philosophy of morals but also of transcendentalism, Jesus being the first transcendentalist, way back earlier than the German philosopher Immanuel Kant who had maintained that “all knowledge transcendental which is concerned not with objects but with our mode of knowing objects.”

According to its adherents, transcedental philosophical and religious principles are not based on “falsifiable sensuous experience, but from the inner, spiritual or mental essence of the human”.

The most famous, human experience-transcending teaching of Jesus is: ” Love Your Enemy”.

The whole verse is to be found in Matthew 5:43-44:

“You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).”

Jesus has been telling his disciples to get out of the ordinary by asking them for instance what is being special or extra-ordinary in loving only the people who love you already?

Hence to be a Christian is to be extra ordinary- to be a transcendentalist, obviously not an easy discipline to practice for many of us.

This is how I understand the yearly celebration of Jesus’ birth, of Christmas Day, which is to remind us not to give up this difficult teaching but allow it to become part of our morals as we mature in our spiritual existence.

This is a concept not easy for anyone to grasp whose mental focus is very much fixated or embedded in the material sensation only. Only intuition and a very personal religious experience reveals to the person the immediate meaning of this particular teaching of Jesus.

So for me, when someone wishes me a “joyous Christmas” it is not an easy task but I thank that someone for helping in reminding me of this difficult teaching  of  “joyously” Loving Your Enemy.

On a very personal level, this Jesus’ teaching and this joyous wish are even much more complicated and maybe painful,  yet interrelated. If you let me explain why, here it is:

In human experience, enemies (of varying degree and classification perhaps) do not come out of the blue or out of total strangers but they come mostly from your own personal acquaintances or friends- hence from people you once respected or even loved!

They come not directly from strangers for on the contrary, we usually win acquaintance or friendship from meeting with strangers, of getting to know the unknown.

Do you not notice also that when you’re in actual trouble they are your friends whom you lose the first and mostly help comes from just  shallow acquaintances or even complete strangers?

Hence, it is friendship that also breeds enemies for expectations and interests of each one involved collide with time.

Jesus is right again in His logic: To Love Your Enemies should actually not be a difficult task for these enemies were once our friends we had loved and perhaps once shared our dreams and visions. 

“Merry Christmas!”

jun asuncion

                                                                                         –End–

POLITICAL UPDATES ON THE TOWN OF GUBAT, SORSOGON

From PIO- Bulan

(Excerpts from Sorsogon Newsweek, JLG, November 29-December 5, 2009 issue)

Three strong contenders are expected to slug it out in the forthcoming May 10, 2010 mayoralty race here. These personalities include businessman Ronnel Uy Lim (Nacionalista Party), incumbent Vice-Mayor Danilo Pura (Kampi Party), and former SORECO II Director and Board Chairman Rene Hermo (Ang Kapatiran Party).

Hermo is said to be banking for support from the business and religious sectors here; Pura on the other hand reportedly depends on the political and logistical support of gubernatorial aspirant Jose Solis; while Lim is said to be supported and indorsed by the majority of local and barangay leaders.

Outgoing Mayor Deogracias Ramos (Liberal Party), who is running for the Second Congressional District is expected to be neutral, or shall decline to endorse anyone from among the three contenders.

The younger Lim, is said to be getting the edge, as of press time.

Other Mayoralty candidates include Cesar Bartolome (Independent), Alfredo Buergo (Independent) and Ramon EScoto (Independent).

In the Vice-mayor’s race, it will be a battle between incumbent vice-mayor Ramon Encinares (Ang Kapatiran Party); Councilor Juanito Escandor of Kampi; Sixto Estareja of partido Liberal, councilor Adan Eva (Independent). Another candidate is Angel Esmeria, independent.

There are 41 councilor candidates.

Meanwhile, there are three congressional candidates from this town. They are incumbent Mayor Ding Ramos, Cyril Ramos and Judge Edmundo Escalante. They will up against political bigwigs of the second district, like the wife of Congressman Joey Solis, former PCSO Manager Cardo Golpeo, Dr. Sappho Gillego-Ong (Daughter of the late Congressman Boning Gillego), Bulusan Mayor Johny Guysayko, and Provincial Board Member Arze Glipo of Irosin. /

                                                                                  ——end——

The Benefit Concert Was A Cultural Success

by jun asuncion 

The piano concert last Thursday, December 10, was a success in as much as it has shown the cultured face of the Filipinos here in Europe. It was therefore much of a cultural success, less of a financial one due to a relatively short time to advertise it in a big scale to reach out more people and one more, December is just a busy month for many people here in Zürich. We were actually advised by the Swiss-Asia Chamber Of Commerce to postpone it for next year but the Filipino organizers, namely Mila Asuncion with me, and Franklin Patricio with Elizabeth- and above all our virtuoso pianist Aries Cases- decided to keep the schedule and just focussed our attention on the aspect of quality than quantity. Little amount, but sincere support- and most of all excellent music! 

And we were right because more often it is quality that speaks around. The many medical doctors  and some friends who sponsored the event , the other medical personnel of the Hirslanden Clinic and  all the other guests – both Swiss and Filipinos- who appreciate classical music were all fascinated and went home with good stories to tell that Thursday evening. With it,  we have laid down also the foundation for future concert planning with Aries Cases and with other excellent Filipino artists who reside in Europe. 

The Ondoy victims would surely understand us if we cannot send that much alone from this concert’s financial turn-over. But to put things in proper perspective again, this concert was actually our expression of deep sense of gratitude primarily to the Hirslanden Clinic for donating a bigger amount to the Ondoy victims last October after we have approached them wherein the clinic director Daniel Liedtke and the communication officer  Andrea Helm- Jochan, after a thorough examination of our case, had promised us the needed help not only financially but also in creating awareness of the problem among the clinic personnel by means of internal publication. 

However, we will pursue next year with our own  humanitarian projects in the Philippines on our own efforts, planned projects that preceded the typhoons last October. It takes time naturally to organize such fund-generating activities taking into account that we are all busy also with our own work, families, etc. 

I will attempt to make a review of the musical part of that evening in a separate article and hope to be able to bring  justice than damage to Aries Cace’s superb musical performance. 

———————————-

Before the Storm

Some photos  taken before the storm, – before that stormy Beethoven’s Sonata No. 23 in F minor.

Aries is enjoying the evening before the concert. The next day, December 10, he was already absorbed in his material,

as he practised by himself a few hours before the concert. 

 

Relaxing pose after Mövenpick’s  fine Ice-coffee and cappuccino. 

Franklin, Aries and Jun. A nice evening and good discussions

about the Chinese pianist Lang-Lang, music and the arts and life in the Philippines. 

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

Mila, Aries and Elizabeth. 

Enjoying the basic chordal harmony of the evening. 

The presentation and Concert Evening

 

 

 

 

 

Mila Asuncion delivering her opening speech with power point presentation;

she talked about her experience of the devastating Dante storm 

last May that hit the town of Bulan. 

 

Consul Margarita S. Ibayan delivering her message as she acknowledges

the typhoon assistance from various Swiss charity organisations. 

Aries Caces receiving the big applause after Franz Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz.

 A relaxed pose with Franklin and Mila after a job well done and 

 that furious leaps and bounds of the Mephisto Waltz. 

  

 

 

The talented girl  Sheena singing Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas ,

a song which brought

everybody back to the “normal” mode after Arie’s  hypnotic playing  of   heavy

and at times dreamy classical pieces. 

 

 

Concert guests hunting for Aries’ autograph.

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

   

     

   

 

 

   About the pianist and conductor Aries Cases 

 Vienna based pianist Aries Caces is one of the most versatile Filipino concert pianists. Aside from being a chamber musician and repetiteur, he is also a conductor. The late Manila critic Vilma Santiago-Felipe described him as “another gem in the Philippine music scene.” At the age of seven, he enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music as a personal scholar of Prof. Feliza Custodio. From 1980 to 1985, he attended the Philippine High School for the Arts and the UST Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Prof. Ernestina Crisologo and Prof. Bernardino Custodio. In 1982 he won First Prize in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Piano Category). Two years later, he was runner – up in the Manila Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competitions. Caces came to Graz, Austria in 1985 upon the invitation and arrangement of then Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Friedrich Posch. He studied with Prof. Walter Kamper at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz. From 1986 to 1993, he was under the tutelage of world-renowned pianist Prof. Paul Badura-Skoda at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna. He finished his “Diplom” in 1989 and obtained his Master’s Degree (Magister Artium) in Piano Performance in 1994 under Prof. Roland Keller. He also studied Piano Chamber Music with Prof. Georg Ebert. In 1999, he finished his “Diplom” in Conducting at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna under the tutelage of Prof. Uros Lajovic. Caces has performed several solo recitals and various concerts in the Philippines, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.S.A. In 1989, he was soloist of the Hochschulsymphonieorchester in a concert performed at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. He was awarded the “Prix Decouverte” during the Festival International de Musique in Le Touquet, France in 1991. He has also played as soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, UST Symphony Orchestra and the Hannover Kammersymphonieorchester. In 2001, he was a featured soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra during its first European tour. He was a recipient of several scholarships, including the Makiling Academy and Research Institute for the Arts (MARIA), UST Conservatory of Music Alumni Association, Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines Young Artist’s Fund and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research. —

The Welcome Speech

by Mila Asuncion

                                                   

The global warming is the greatest contributory factor that created major climate problems also in our country, the Philippines.

The continues change of temperatures and weather conditions are signs that the Mother Earth has began to suffer.

Therefore, every individual is responsible to focus awareness and consciousness to this problem and help in each own way save the planet Earth from total destruction, or the Philippine archipelago from sinking in the Pacific ocean. So, let us unite to fight for a good cause for the sake of our children and their childrens’ children.

Speaking about my personal experience last May 2009,

in Bicol region in the town of Bulan which is located at the southern part of Luzon, this is the „epicenter“ of typhoons the whole year-round.

So people were almost all the time ready: They have rubber boats, bankas or just about any object that floats for them to survive! The typhoon was raging the whole time in the region.

To our surprise, it came to a point that over night water came up to 10 feet high. In high flooded areas, people were gasping for breath, holding on a rope tied in both ends to save themselves, with water coming up to their neck, fighting not to sink in deep mire where there’s no longer a solid place to stand. I have seen how the flood waters carried them away.

Words cannot express what I felt and seen that very moment but these pictures speak more than words.

It was unbelievable and I was caught unaware when we went to the school building where the evacuees were waiting for reliefs.

I just can`t help and I felt as if an apple got stuck in my throat, as I tried my best to be brave and not to cry, but at the end I bursted into tears. I was shocked!

The shivering children with their innocent looks, hungry, anxious and thirsty that the whole night till we found them the next morning as the storm continued pounding the town without mercy with with torrential rains and gusty winds.

No beds, no warm blankets, but in as much that they wanted to have comfort and security, there is this problem of poverty which is making their situation even more miserable.

We came to their rescue ; me, my husband as well as other relatives around. Indeed, we suddenly found our selves in the midst of Humanitarian Action:

Hot drinks, juices and simple food at that instant moment were served and using our personal belongings to dry them.

The children dared to smile while waiting for their turn when they were served with their foods and drinks.

In Bulan, a town in southern Luzon, we went before this storm to a small barrio called Santa Remedios to visit the Sta. Remedios Charity Clinic, a small but cozy place built by a single woman’s compasion for the sick, the helpless and the vulnerable.This woman is a Filipina nurse working in the United States of America whose name is Angelita de Guzman Kowalevsky.

This clinic has served sick people from neighboring islands with two volunteer doctors and two trained helpers.

This caught my eyes and heart, and I would like to say that this woman, though I have never met her yet personally, is one of the Florence Nightingales in our country.

These pictures were taken the day before the storm.

Unfortunately, this was submerged during the devastating storm.

And this is what Angelita said:

„I had been supporting this clinic for four years now. I need your help desperately. Please save one more life. Let us all continue this humanitarian services“.

Ketsana, Ramil and Parma. The three devastating storms last October.

These became the root and cause of why we are here tonight but this problem that we are facing every time is really very awful.

Billions of pesos were lost in properties and harvests as well as hundreds of lives- an experience that will be transmitted from generation to generation because this was one of the worst catastrophes in Philippine history.

With our heartfelt gratitude, we welcome you all tonight with the presence of our First Secretary and Consul Margarita S. Ibayan of the Philippine Embassy in Bern.

We wish you all a pleasant musical evening.   /

(Photos by Dr. Jun Gao and Mr. Jun Asuncion)

 

 

—————————–end————————– 

 

 

Update: SORSOGON PROVINCIAL CANDIDATES FOR 2010 ELECTION

 

From: Tonyboy Gilana, Bulan PIO

Bulan, Sorsogon, December 11, 2009: We are here furnishing our internet readers, particularly Bulanenos and Sorsoguenos, of the complete list of provincial/congressional candidates who filed with the Provincial Comelec Office to run in the forthcoming May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections:

FOR GOVERNOR:

1. Amadeo “Ding” S. Brin, Philippines Green Republican Party;

2. Ramon “Monching” M. Gallinera, Aksyon Demokratiko/Liberal Party

3. Felizardo “Feliz” G. Garil, Alpha Omega 9K Party

4. Antonio “Tony” V. Imperial, Independent

5. Sally A. Lee, Lakas-Kampi CMD

6. Jose G. Solis, Kampi Party

 FOR VICE-GOVERNOR:

1. Guillermo “Guiming” O. De Castro, Lakas-Kampi -CMD

2. Rosario “Cherry” D. Diaz, Kampi Party

3. Antonio “Kruni” H. Escudero, NPC/Liberal Party

4. Nida F. Gamos, Aksyon Demokratiko/Liberal Party

5. Mirafe D. Godisan, Alpha Omega 9K Party

FIRST DISTRICT, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBERS:

1. Abitria, Edgar M, Independent

2. Amor, Owen B., Kampi Party

3. Anonuevo, Rolando, R, Lakas-Kampi CMD

4. Aquino, Rebecca DL. , Liberal Party

5. Borromeo , Nonito, Jr. , J, Kampi

6. De Hitta, Joseph G., Kampi

7. De Jesus, Gregorio M., NPC/ Liberal Party

8. Dioneda, Mark Eric, C., Liberal Party

9. Duran, Fernando David III, Lakas-Kampi CMD

10. Hitta, Marife L. Independent

11. Laguna, Ferdinand E. , Kampi Party

12. Lotino, Eddie O., KBL

13. Lucila, Raul M. PDP Laban

14. Marianito, Ramil A. Nacionalista Party

15. Merciales, Antonio R. NPC/Liberal Party

16. Perete, Arnulfo L., Liberal Party

17. Ravanilla, Franco Eric Ong, Liberal Party

 SECOND DISTRICT, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER:

1. Barrun, Rolando G., Independent

2. Camposano, Gina F, Kampi Party

3. Doma, Benito, L., Lakas-Kampi CMD

4. Escandor, Angel E., Lakas Kampi CMD

5. Flores, Mariam D. Kampi Party

6. Frivaldo, Francisco G., Lakas Kampi CMD

7. Frivaldo, Juanita T. AksyonDemokratiko/Liberal

8. Frivaldo, Vladimir Ramon B., Kampi Party

9. Fungo, Salvador G. Independent

10. Genova, Angelita A. Alpha Omega 9K Party

11. Gois, Joey L. , Liberal Party

12. Gonzales, Toby A. , Lakas Kampi CMD

13. Guban, Renato DV, Lakas Kampi CMD

14. Guyala, Albino G., Kampi Party

15. Laguna , Theophane, E., Independent

16. Lopez, Saturnino L. Independent

17. Reyes, Carlos M., Kampi Party

18. So, Gino G. , LP/NPC

 FOR CONGRESSMAN, FIRST DISTRICT:

1. Escudero, Salvador H. , NPC

2. Hamor, Edwin B., Nacionalista Party

FOR CONGRESSMAN, SECOND DISTRICT:

1. De Guzman, Flocerfida A, Kampi Party

2. Escalante, Edmundo H., PMP

3. Gavanzo, Rosario G., Alpha Omega 9K Party

4. Glipo, Arze G. , Partido Demikratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan

5. Golpeo, Ricardo G., NPC

6. Guysayko, Juan G., Nacionalista Party

7. Ong, Sappho Gillego, Independent

8. Ramos, Cyril E., Independent

9. Ramos, Deogracias, B., Liberal Party

Meanwhile, in Sorsogon City, it will be a fight between incumbent Mayor Leovic Dioneda (Liberal Party) and the incumbent Vice-Mayor Edmundo Atutubo(PMP) for the mayoralty, while the Governor’s son Bobet Lee (Lakas Kampi CMD) will slug it out against incumbent councilor Roel Sta. Ana (Independent).

There are three councilorial districts in Sorsogon City, East, West and Bacon District. A total of 56 candidates will vie for the councilorial positions.

In Barcelona Town, Second District, Incumbent Mayor Salvador Estuye (Kampi) will try for a second term on an one-on -one battle against Provincial Administrator Manuel “Wowo” Fortes ( Nacionalista Party). There are four vice-mayoralty candidates and 21 candidates for councilor.

In Donsol Town, home of the world-famous Butandings or whale-sharks. Incumbent Mayor Jerome Alcantara (Liberal Party) will fight against three other mayoralty candidates: former Mayor Salve Ocaya (Lakas Kampi CMD), Incumbent Vice-Mayor Cleofe Migdonio (Aksyon Demokratiko/Liberal Party) and Pancho Abitria of Kampi Party. There are three vice-mayoralty candidates and 31 candidates for the municipal council.

Other Sorsogon towns will follow in our next PIO news release. /

                                                                   ———end———

BULAN COMELEC BARES LIST OF LOCAL CANDIDATES FOR MAY 2010 ELECTIONS

Submitted on 2009/12/02 at 4:10am

PIO-Bulan

Bulan, Sorsogon, December 2, 2009: The filing of the certificates of candidacy for the national and local elections in the May 10, 2010 automated election officially closed at 12:00 midnight of December 1, 2009.

Bulan Comelec Officer Ma. Claire Salut-Laceda furnished the Municipal Information Office the list of those who filed their certificates of candidacy for the various local positions.

Here’s a summary of the list of the local candidates:

Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party:

Mayor: Helen C. De Castro (incumbent)

Vice-Mayor: Manuel D. Gogola (incumbent)

Councilors:

De Castro, Guillermo, Jr. C. (incumbent)

Dellomas, Jolife L. (incumbent)

Delmonte, Luis C. (Zone 4 capitan)

Gerona, Simplicio U. (incumbent)

Engr. Gigantone, Ronnie L.

Guran, Patricia L. (incumbent)

Hao, Bernard H. (incumbent Board Member)

Tan, Jose G. (former councilor)

Aksyon Demokratiko/Liberal Party

Mayor: Cesar O. Gogola

Vice-Mayor: Crisostomo G. Gotladera

Councilors:

Alcantara, Noli G. (former councilor)

Asuncion Angelito Xavier L.

Diesta, Arque DV

Evasco, Permo E. (San Isidro capitan)

Porras, Andres G. (former Liga President)

Kampi Party

Mayor : Redentor G. Guyala

Vice-Mayor: Oscar G. Deri (former Board Member)

Councilors:

Bautista, Ernesto D.

Boncan, Antonio B. (Gate capitan, incumbent)

Cano, Vicente A.

Golloso, Alvin G.

Grafil, Jose Gunao

Guray, Gerry G.

Oseo, Gilbert C.

Valeriano, Recto G.

Nacionalista Party:

Councilor: Que, Roberto, Jr. M. (incumbent)

INDEPENDENTS:

Vice-Mayor:

Burias, Elmer C. (incumbent councilor)

Dellomas-Fundano, Joy L. (former Board Member)

Robles, Marnellie B.

Councilors:

Gernale, Arturo G.

Gocoyo, Ronaldo M. (former councilor, Lakas-Kampi, De Castro wing)

Grafil, Jose Golloso

Uy, Louie S.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Information Officer was able to obtain a partial list of candidates in the Provincial and District Levels.

FOR GOVERNOR:

1. Incumbent Governor Sally A. Lee (of Sorsogon City) Lakas-Kampi-CMD

2. Incumbent II District Congressman Jose G. Solis(of Bulan), Kampi Party

3. Ramon Gallinera (of Bulusan)

FOR VICE-GOVERNOR:

1. Former Mayor Guillermo O. De Castro, Sr. (of Bulan), Lakas-Kampi-CMD

2. Board Member Rosario Diaz (of Sorsogon City), Kampi Party

3. Former Vice Gov. Antonio Escudero (of Casiguran), Nationalist People’s Coalition

4. Former Mayor Nida Gamos (of Sta. Magdalena)

FOR CONGRESSSMAN, First District:

1. Incumbent Salvador Escudero (of Sorsogon City), Nationalist People’s Coalition

2. Former Casiguran Mayor Edwin Hamor (of Casiguran), Nacionalista Party

FOR CONGRESSMAN, Second District:

1. Flor Solis (of Bulan), Kampi Party

2. Former PCSO Gen Mgr. Ricardo G. Golpeo (of Bulan), NPC

3. Dr. Sappho Gillego-Ong (of Bulan), Independent

4. Cyril Ramos (of Gubat)

5. Mayor Deogracias Ramos (of Gubat)

6. Judge Escalante (of Gubat)

7. Incumbent Board Member Arze Glipo (Irosin)

8. Bulusan Mayor Juan Guysayko

Certificates of candidacy have also been filed with the Provincial COMELEC for the Provincial Board positions.

In Bulan, the three independent candidates for Vice-Mayor, Elmer Burias, Joy Dellomas-Fundano and Marnellie Ballesteros-Robles have all decided to adopt incumbent mayor Helen De Castro as his/her mayoralty candidate.

A total of  46,125 voters  have been registered by Bulan COMELEC. There are 265 precincts which shall be clustered to 83 polling precincts during the May 2010 elections.

                                                                                                         ——end—-

Being One For A Good Cause

(A short message to be delivered in December before a Filipino-Swiss community in Zürich)

by jun asuncion

To help victims of natural catastrophes is a good cause for all people to be one. The havoc wrought to the Filipino people by the imbricating storms within a few days was unprecedented and had caused countless sufferings and pandemonium state of affairs: floods and landslides, displaced families and communities, homelessness and hunger, drowned and bedraggled people, missing family members and ubiquitous material destruction.

You may find it relatively easy and simple to enumerate things like these after each disaster. And if you’re being meticulous enough you might end up with a complete statistics of destruction. It is exactly at this point that we have to exercise caution because there is where we tend to categorize such report as just any ordinary media news because statistics of destruction, when they’re too high at one time, has the effect of detaching our most personal feelings with the result that we do not react- except when our own relatives are affected. The reason is that such huge numbers simply fall into a faceless, anonymous suffering crowd. In contrast, a media coverage of a single missing girl or boy whose face and background story we read everywhere, becoming talk of the town or of the whole world or of the internet for weeks or months, we tend to sympathize personally with the victim, hence we react in any form whatsoever.

This is where the usefulness of such organized rescuers, humanitarian aid and charity organizations  come into play for through their initiative, extensive networks and expertise they move people to be one for a good cause by giving us that lost face of collective suffering, of statistical anonymity.

Words will not be enough to express our respect and gratitude to these workers and organizations as well as private individuals of all races who came to help. But for now, let’s just say that the whole Philippine nation is deeply thankful and proud of you all!

For us Filipinos in Switzerland, we also wish that our very own country the Philippines be proud of us. For this reason we have also organized various forms of help including this Classical Concert to help these organizations- for us in particular the Swiss Chamber Of Commerce Taskforce Asia- to carry out their tasks on the front line. We hope to be able to make a difference, no matter how small it may be, for we do not only see the good cause but the need for charity.

Hence, let this need for charity of our distressed people reminds us all here in Switzerland of our need for unity, of being one anytime for a good cause- without pre-conditions and keeping in mind the inviolable dignity of each Filipino victim. We should not forget where we come from at the same time being aware of the unparalleled humanitarian tradition of our second home Switzerland, home to the Red Cross, Swiss Humanitarian Aid, Glückskette or Swiss Solidarity and many other charity organizations which have once again came to the rescue of our inundations and landslides victims and helped alleviate their sufferings.

In this spirit, we shall all agree that a kind and compassionate act is often its own reward. /

November 10- The Fundraising Trip To Berne

The Philippine Embassy in Berne, Switzerland.

Our trip to Berne last Tuesday, 10th of November, was part of our mission for the typhoons’ victims in the Philippines.

We arrived in the capital city two hours before the meeting and so we made use of the time by walking around in the

old part of the city. Berne is beautiful in autumn; old familiar cafes, shops, bookstores and flea market never lose their charm.

Now it’s business time. 

We were greeted on arrival by H.E The Ambassador Maria Theresa P. Lazaro (A Law graduate from the University of the Philippines, she was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1983. She joined the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs in 1984 and served in various positions, the most recent being her assignment as  Consul General of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Australia. She was assigned with the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok (1988-1993) and the Philippine Mission in Geneva (1996-1998) as Consul, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid as Minister and Consul General (1998-1999) and the Philippine Embassy in New York (1999-2002) as Deputy Consul General.- source: embassy website)

My impression: A dynamic woman, friendly and accommodating, yet focussed and straightforward. After a short briefing by Consul Margarita S. Ibayan as to the rules of the meeting, the ambassador let each one us introduce her/himself  with emphasis on each one’s  respective professional experience.  After her short mission statement and definition of terms, she moderated with ease the lively group discussion that ensued between the participants, as each one  began fobbing off  one’s own ideas on the rest. I could sense her experience in arbitration as a lawyer getting applied here as the discussion got emotionally intense and going astray as she jumped in in those critical moments to keep the course of the discussion.

She listens intently though before raising a point. On the right is the First Secretary and Consul Margarita S. Ibayan, keeping the overview, listening to each argument and picking up non-verbal messages.

Actually, we have agreed  not to publicize yet all the results of what we have discussed in this meeting-

except for the upcoming  fundraising projects where Bulan Observer is one of the organizers.

In any case we were able to present our cause and we were met with open ears and benevolent hearts: SUPPORT is promised.

By the way, the ambassador is one of the founders of this Taskforce Asia that helped raise huge sum of money for the Ondoy relief.

Now, it’s our turn to distribute flyers and tickets of our Concert project to the group of Filipina leaders.

For us, we were over the moon as tickets were sold. For the rest, a smile,  and for some who scored less,  a hope of getting more by the next meeting.

The final group photo after a lively discussion. More meetings in the consulate are scheduled.

For our part, I should say we have achieved our day’s mission.

A very hospitable, soft spoken yet keen observer First Secretary and Consul Margarita S. Ibayan

now personally distributing plates for the prepared snacks to the participants of the meeting.

We drove home feeling good.

Back in Zürich, we have been receiving good feedbacks from many people and sponsors since the past few days.

Indeed, a kind act is often its own reward.

 

 

 

jun asuncion

Bulan Observer

                                                                                    —– end—

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

Wise Guys Vs. Wise Men

  By Oliver Geronilla

 

Times have indeed changed! Gone were the days when rumor-mongering, yellow journalism, and character assassination were confined to the walls of beauty salons, roadside eateries, and other similar places where rancor and candor filled the bucolic air of yore. Now you can see people from different walks of life—fishwives, henpecked husbands, bums, government and non-government workers–doing it anytime, anywhere.

Welcome to the world of the The Chatterbox!

Expect this so-called national “pastime” to go several notches higher as more and more issues–both real and concocted– surface out in time for the local and national elections. Certainly, we’ll all be tickled pink with how political parties try to outsmart each other. This is the perfect time to spot the differences between wise guys and wise men as they engage themselves in this seasonal battle of wits and dough.

And so, this early, we find people in Bulan talking about “culture” in juxtaposition with “corruption” to peddle things and ideas with all the feigned glitter and pomp of the cognoscenti. Not surprisingly, many people are tempted to buy their “merchandise” either attractively wrapped in legalese or painstakingly presented in pathos-laden dialectics. The result: mushrooming of ideas that are meant to condition the mind which of course can eventually lead to a warped weltanschauung.

Bulaneno, who remains incognito– at least to me and to other Bulan netizens– sparked my interest to examine his shrewd ways of achieving three things: getting “feedback” from the local chief executive, winning the people’s heart and sympathy, and of course creating ripples.

Making and maintaining a blog solely for the purpose of showing those purported hard facts did not– in any manner– explicitly malign anyone nor did it put things in proper perspective. In fact, Bulaneno has left things hanging and open creating reactions that are poles apart: suspicion from the sitting chief executive including his phalanx of supporters and perhaps adulation from the other side of the fence.

It would have been better if he presented what he believed to be the crux of the matter as an integral part of his blog, not as a separate opinion piece written as a rejoinder to the Municipal PIO’s commentary. But if his only purpose was just to inform the people of Bulan about these alleged shenanigans, then he failed quite miserably. All he got was a “commentary” from the Municipal PIO and some comments from a very small group of Bulan netizens- a number too minuscule to warrant change. After all, how many households in Bulan are wired?

It’s impossible for Bulaneno not to know that only a few could read his blog; and mostly, these people already have their own beliefs and principles that are hard to change.

With that in mind, I also wonder what prompted Mr. Gilana to waste his time reacting to a mere compendium of data. Things should have been taken at face value. But perhaps the urge to protect the image of the administration from being tarnished made him write a commentary followed by a riposte.

The Municipal PIO’s decision to respond to that blog–through a commentary– was quite understandable, but the ensuing write-ups from both sides turned things askew.

So came the awful use of terms and the scathing retorts made somewhat comical by the insertion of irrelevant facts and/or red herring which did not escape the eyes of Ms. Mila Asuncion and other Bulan Observers.

Libelous  remarks were obviously sugarcoated so as to avoid legal sanctions, but the allusions were crystal clear. Had it not been for the skillful use of language, how do you think would Mr. Gilana refer to that person who “pocketed a measly amount of P2, 000?” And how would Bulaneno rephrase the title of his article and perhaps rehash his concluding sentences?

These, to me, are what the culture vultures call the edification of what’s obviously not edifying.

Well, to say that “corruption exists in Bulan” is not downright wrong. We’re not born yesterday to believe that no one is corrupt in our hometown. In fact, it’s easier to understand and believe that “there is some sort of corruption in Bulan” than to totally deny it.

Perhaps, the problem, which is further compounded by our myopic views, rests on how we define corruption vis-a-vis culture. Jun Asuncion hit the right note when he dropped the word “culture” to refer to the problem of corruption that allegedly haunts the local government of Bulan. Yes, Jun, you’re right…. that’s “The Issue of Corruption, and not The Culture of Corruption.” And most, if not all, issues can be addressed given the right frame of mind and the drive to do it.

Let’s all be reminded that when engaging in a public discourse, there’s a need to be politically correct. This should be coupled with a holistic understanding of the issue at hand, pragmatic competence, and an honest and relevant presentation of facts so as not to mislead people from the real nub of the issue.

So, I ask: What’s the real score? Is it really about those whom we accuse of committing graft and corruption? Or is it about “the subculture” that nurtures and allows it to prosper?

Makes me wonder.     //

                                                                                —————end————–

Stop This Futile Warfare In Bulan!

by jun asuncion

 

A Prayer

We all in the first place convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the policemen slain in this encounter…..

May the souls of these lost fighters be now in communion with their Creator who shall give them life everlasting and a sanctuary of eternal peace and love, – qualities that this world has failed to give them…

———

The Fight

Life is a fight and Bulaneños have been fighting for survival and freedom for roughly 500 years now since the first recorded Moro attacks on Bulan and since the beginning of the colonization, during the war and until yesterday in Calomagon when this ambuscade occurred.

Too much blood has been shed on Bulan soils already. My generation had seen that from 1972 onwards…gloomy years for us young Bulaneños.

I once wrote that I´ve seen the last day of Nanette, Tony, Anihay and their comrades in Bulan. Anihay suffered agonizing pains for he was caught alive yet deeply wounded, was driven around the town on a military vehicle for people to see- and probably to intimidate future rebel recruits.

Within that repressive Martial Law context, I have no doubt to call Nanette, Tony, Fenito and their brothers-in- arms as true Bulan Freedom Fighters.

For sure Marxist´s  ideology was spreading at that time all over Asia and after the war, the former HUKBALAHAP (Hukbo Ng Bayan Laban Sa Hapon)  under Commander Taruc went back to its original objective of liberating the rural peasants from the feudalistic structures. Taruc was not a die-hard communist-oriented leader, realized perhaps quite early that it had no future so  he voluntarily surrendered to the government;  his organization practically died out.

However, poverty in the rural areas continued and so was the need for land reform and social justice continued- and with it the fight continued, this time under new leadership; names like commander Dante and Joma Sison dominated. Until this day, NPA structure and strategy  is very much patterned to the old HUKBALAHAP- a guerilla and a political organization.

In the late 1960`s Marcos was still performing well and may had in fact done the right decision in fighting the resurrected  HUKS which became very powerful, and Marcos was to some extent successful.

Then there was these  issues of aggressive American Imperialistic presence in the Philippines and the increasingly corrupt and repressive Marcos´regime that this time democracy itself was in peril. Marcos became more and more dictatorial and under the pretext of fighting subversion and insurgency, liquidated his political rivals, suppressed political opposition (great names like Salonga, Tanada, Kalaw— and lastly NinoyAquino) and increasingly becoming a US marionette driven by his need for the US protection and legitimization of his dictatorial regime. Martial law was declared, writ of habeas corpus lifted, regime critics and student political organizations were banned, curfew hours installed.

Marcos was an unparalled political opportunist: He used the insurgency problems as means to further his own egoistic political ends-  thereby encouraging the further growth of insurgency by making the Filipinos more disillusioned with the state.

Now this is what I mean that our Bulan fighters were to be viewed against this background of Marcos´dictatorship- and not against the backdrop of pure commitment to the communistic ideology. Nanette Vytiaco did not come from a poor family and she was a political mind like the rest of our young student leaders at that time. Let us bear that in our minds.

Back to Calomagon, we are all aware that poverty, poor education, unemployment, disillusionment are still not solved; that the need for social justice is present  as it was.

We are also aware that the ISSUE OF CORRUPTION is as actual as before- both in the national and local levels. We are also aware that Bulan is unfortunately not spared from this virulent virus that has plagued the entire country.

Taken as it is, we are back to the circumstances that had moved Taruc and his HUKBALAHAP to continue the fight after the war and re-orient themselves to the new ideology of communism.

But now some elements have also been removed from the backdrop: Marcos´dictatorship was overthrown, our Mt. Pinatubo expelled the American bases, communism in many parts of the world was discarded.

The Bottom Line:

-The NPA should recognize that their ideology- if it is communism- is not sustainable in the Philippines no matter how long they want to fight for it. The Filipino spirit will always reject it; that if they want social justice for Bulaneños, they should fight for progress in the political arena and give up their guerilla organization and activities.

– That the local government of Bulan should stay away from dubious activities that make them suspect of corruption. They should be more transparent and genuine advocates of townspeople´s needs and aspirations.

Though feudal-like structures (when we mean by it vast  landownership of some families)  are still present in Bulan and in the Philippines as a whole, I do not espouse land reform for it will disperse or weaken production. Instead farmers employed  should enjoy internal stake/shareholders rights, their working conditions be improved.

Why all these?

-Armed strifes do not contribute whatsoever to the attainment of more humane objectives. Did Bulan move socio-economically an inch better after yesterday´s carnage? Did the NPA become stronger and gain more acceptance from the people they want to win over? Would the military now recoil from the next planned operation and surrender to them? We all know that the killing will continue, just as it had continued till yesterday since Marcos´time, that until now we Filipinos have only lost.

-Without fighting and fear, people will be more productive.

-Without corruption in the government, people will not feel being cheated, hence will be more productive and satisfied and less susceptible to leftist propagandas.

Social justice is not necessarily a high living standard at once, but in the first place a pleasant feeling among the people.

Any Bulaneño who feels good in Bulan will never trade his family for an obsolete ideology or a life of killing and hiding in the hills of Bulan.

And yet, the Fight For Progress is a long way- but is made easier without killings and corruption.

If you disagree with these, show me  your reasons why…

jun asuncion

Bulan Observer

                                                                                                    —end—

DAY OF MELANCHOLY

From LGU-Bulan PIO-Tonyboy G. Gilana

 

It is November 10. We all listened once more today to the news, hoping perhaps the contents and contexts more complete, perhaps more comprehensive. The air is still melancholic!

Yesterday, November 9, in early afternoon, we received calls of a tragedy, and we all tensely waited for the news. Everywhere, different versions were being buzzed around by people, but the truth was there – eight young policemen from the 509th PPMG, on a hot pursuit operation, aboard their police mobile, were blasted by a landmine said to be planted by the New People’s Army, along the Barangays Antipolo-Calomagon road at around 11:30 in the morning, but not without a fight. Four of the police officers were killed, and two seriously injured, two others escaped. Another unidentified body was brought downtown to Funeraria Labalan. The reports said he was a member of the New Peoples’ Army. Those who died were natives of other towns, except for one Bulaneno, the locally-renowned nemesis of the NPAs in Bulan, SPO1 Johnson Gerola, labeled by his colleagues in the service as “The Legend Tiger” because he outsurvived his police batchmates in Bulan, and because he had survived many military battles and attempts on his life. He did not survive this time. But he died, together with his colleagues, in the performance of a patriotic duty. They are heroes in their own right.

And maybe, too, that unidentified NPA cadre, is a hero in the eyes of his comrades-in-arms. They should be relishing their victory now in their mountain hide-out.

There was a certain tension all over town, even though the fatal ambush took place in an isolated, remote roadside, some ten kilometers away from the poblacion. This war, now of attrition, has been taking place in pockets, for more than thirty years now, all over the country, and here in Sorsogon. Until when it will last, we never don’t know. We hope the better, more positive side of the leaders and negotiators from both sides come out for the good of all, that war is not a solution to our existing problems. Or that, war is causing us more problems than ever. Ironically, however, it is also this war that may purge us of the evils in the system that we are in.

And there was the paradox of silence and hushed noise among the townspeople as they crowded outside of the Bulan Municipal Police Station downtown and the 509th Police Provincial Mobile Group camp, or at the Funeraria Labalan where almost everyone wanted a glimpse of the dead. Families and friends shed tears for the fallen officers. Everybody seemed affected as groups and pockets of people, bystanders, huddled for the news, in many corners.

It is another rare instance today, that the peace of the town was once more broken. Every now and then, over the past years, we are shattered by news that this person or that policeman or armyman died, shot by somebody from whose side we seem to all know. To us in Bulan, it is always a big deal when we hear of those news because it is not commonplace. Despite this long-running war between government and the NPA rebels, Bulan has been a relatively peaceful town, and the townspeople, peace-loving, normally goes on and moves on with life, busy with living, making a living, as if, especially those in the urban areas, these things do not exist. In the remote barangays, especially those said to be influenced by the NPA cadres, the people, especially the barangay leaders, though afraid and cautious, fearful for their own safety, skillfully, prudently and wisely relates and deals with both sides, but do not seriously side with either of them. If the NPAs come, they welcome them. If the military patrol comes, they welcome them. The bottomline, for the local leaders, or the barangay chiefs, is that the lives of our families, of our children, of our residents, are safeguarded, and that we not be caught in your crossfires — (Those whom we love are more important than your ideologies, or your systems, or your philosophies, or your politics. You come and you go, but we remain here in this barrio, in this place, in this town.) I think these local officials and barangay leaders are heroes. They have courage in the midst of their fears. And yet they may, or can, be persecuted by either side.

The delivery of the dead fighters downtown is big news for the young generation today. Many were yet unborn when Bulan was drenched in blood during the Martial Law days, when every night was always broken by the exchange of gunfires, maybe in San Ramon, Marinab, Gabod, Busay. In 1972-76, during those darkest of years, the cadavers of both the military and the rebels were delivered daily, their pitiful broken corpses lined-up or displayed in one usual sad place in front of the police precinct. And we heard of the names of rebels, or they call them “freedom fighters” Tony Ariado, Nanette Vytiaco, Fenito Guan, Anihay, or from the other military side, Sgt. De Leon, etc. Those were really the years of living dangerously. I was ten or eleven years old when Martial Law was declared and we already felt the melancholy of the time.

The generation of today are fortunate, because they live in a time of relative peace.

But I think the generation of yesterday were more fortunate, because they were tried and tested in the crucible of those dark years, in vicissitude, in blood, in fear, in hope, in tears, in patriotism. Whether those who have fallen fought for government or against the government, they have not died in vain, if they died with that purity of intention and love of country. And for those who lived, they sure know what patriotism or betrayal meant. They emerged stronger.

And now, this day of melancholy hovers upon us, maybe, until the dead police officers are interred. Or for the families, until they shall have accepted the fate that descended upon their beloved. Both sides went there to perform a sacred duty, whatever their ideologies must have been.

I dream of that day when leaders will sit across tables, in negotiation, in truce, in goodwill and there settle differences rather than in the battlefields. I dream of that day when no corpse will come down from the mountain, and break the hearts of our people. I dream of that day when our rice and coconut farmers can bring in the best produce of their land because there are no more bullets from crossfires to fear for. I dream of that day when our our babies and our kids grow peacefully; our families live, not in fear but in friendship with one another.

I also dream of that day when there will be no more freedom fighters going to the hills to stage a revolution because they think government did not care for them, so they sought refuge in their beliefs even if this means death as a matter of sacrifice for others.

And I dream of that government, pure and honest, that takes into its caring fold every citizen, and then brings him up truly a person of dignity. I dream of this and much more…

It seems an impossible dream because history has proven that to us, from the beginning of time, all over the world. But there is no reason to despair as long as there is hope in men, and as long as there are hearts and hands to realize that dream. /

                                                                                                        – Sad End-

Reply

“SANTINO”

(The November 2009 episode)

By: Tonyboy G. Gilana

 

One of the most beautiful, most educational, most meaningful, most poignant, most timely and most relevant shows in Philippine television today is the award-winning ABS-CBN teleserye “Santino”, a story of a young boy, known in his town of Bagong Pag-asa as an orphan, and was adopted by a wonderful group of monks led by their wise leader Father Anthony. Unbeknownst to many he was actually sired by the Mayor of the town (which at present is still unfolding in the story’s plot, and people are holding their breaths). The most important asset of the boy Santino is that he is favored by God, who appears and comes to him in the form of Jesus Christ and whom Santino fondly and lovingly calls “BRO” (short for Brother, or in a respectful address, Kuya). BRO gifted him with the power of physical and spiritual healing. Mayor Enrique, on the other hand, grew up out of sad, tragic and unfortunate circumstances until he became a town executive.

And people in Bulan, just like many others, perhaps all over the country, always look forward to the time slot after the evening news. Sometimes, during office breaks, the employees talk about the previous night’s segment. A few days ago, during a seminar-workshop on local government best practices, former Irosin Mayor Eddie Dorotan, now Executive Director of Gawad Galing Pook, took some important points from the show and made it a part of his discussion. Oh, so, he is watching Santino also. Our Municipal Administrator makes it a point to daily watch the show, whenever he is free, with his son. And, if I have time, I watch it together with my wife and my two young daughters, Theresa, 5, and Bernadette, 2.

I also watched other teleseryes before, some good, some violent, some too long-winding, many are too eccentric or too self-centered and many, forgettable. To me, none comes close to the show’s striking and wonderful balance of portraying the conflict between good and evil, and how ( in the many secondary and supporting episodes), despite the so many trials, pains, sacrifices and sufferings gone through by Santino and the monks, good prevails and overcomes evil. Santino was able to convert so many people to turn back to good and to God. Out of his mouth, which actually is an inspiration from his conversations with BRO, and by his humility, purity, innocence, constancy, faith, love, truthfulness and by his example, those whom he met turned away from faithlessness, hopelessness, despair, hatred, fear, apathy, indifference, jealousy, and other vices.

And the good thing is that, the main plot remains cohesive: of Santino’s search for his roots, even as he is being ably guided by his foster parent, Father Jose, and the monks, and being watched over by BRO. There is the continuous conflict and tug-of-war between good and evil, even as Mayor Enrique, whom Santino has momentarily influenced to change, has now relapsed into his former evil self and schemes due to circumstances that dragged the latter to some desperate situations.

In this month’s episode, the story revolves around how Mayor Enrique, desperate for money to pay off debts, was caught red-handed by Santino (who was brought by his foster father Jose to his kitchen-workplace which, unknown to the latter actually caters to a gambling den operated by the Mayor’s brother, Robert), when the boy accidentally bumped the former, and down came the attaché case revealing bundles of gambling money or payola.

The incident came to the knowledge of the Bagong Pag-asa constituents, and this caused a very big uproar, controversy and a public clamor for the mayor to resign. The mayor became the target of angry mobs, almost daily.

One Councilor Arnaiz, an arch enemy of the mayor, who on earlier times was grievously aggrieved by Mayor Enrique and was seeking revenge for his misfortunes and the death of his family ,and who at the same time is politically ambitious, seized upon this chance and opportunity to inflict his vengeance on the latter. He stood ready to file a corruption case against Mayor Enrique, and sought the permission of the monks to use Santino as the star witness. But the monks would not allow Arnaiz to use the child for his revenge and for his political ambitions.

Councilor Arnaiz insisted on the mayor’s corruption, that the mayor is guilty, and that, he said, there is a public clamor for justice. He said that he represents the sentiments of the masses of Bagong Pag-asa. But the monks’ leader Father Anthony, protective of Santino and sensing the Councilor’s motives of vengeance and political ambition, incisively asked him,“ Sigurado ka bang hindi mo ito ginagawa para lang makaganti? Sigurado ka bang hindi mo ito ginagawa dahilan sa ambisyun mong palitan si Mayor? At pag natapos na ang lahat, pag natapos na ang kaso, pag nahalal ka na, pag Mayor ka na, ano na an mangyayari kay Santino? Paano na ang trauma na dadaanan niya?”

Councilor Arnaiz, ignoring the supplication of the priest, consumed by personal motives, simply answered, “ Ah basta, bahala na magsubpoena kay Santino ang Korte!” And left.

Oh yes, how easy it is to accuse and point fingers at people. And of course, how difficult it is to account responsibility for our own actions of wrong-doing!

I will not dwell in deeper philosophical reflections on this matter of Councilor Arnaiz and Father Anthony and Santino. But it can well apply to our own personal and political situation, not only in Bulan, but in the whole country. With election time coming, our people must indeed be wary and cautious and be wise enough to check on the motives of those seeking office, especially if they attempt to portray and profess themselves as immaculate, perfect or clean, or that they represent the sentiment of the people. Funny, but there is one political group in Bulan whose perennial election slogan haughtily shouts something like, “Wara kami digta! Wara kami bisyo! Mga listo nan may halangkaw kami na inadalan, mga propesyunal kami! (Kaya kami an botohan niyo)”— and yet, many elections over, the electorate repudiated and frustrated them. On the other hand, the candidates who were humble enough to admit of their shortcomings, about their colored past, of their humble education, came out triumphant. This is Bulan’s true experience in the last six or so elections!

We must realize, therefore, that nobody is perfect. Even Santino had some lapses in the virtue of obedience.

BUT. With a deep faith and by prayer, I believe God, or BRO, will help and inspire us to choose wisely, and guide us. Of course, we also have to put in our efforts that shall be complemented by God’s light.

Anyway, we are learning a lot of lessons from Santino. The teleserye is still unfolding and may be a long way from ending, I hope. Eventually, I think, maybe, (unahan na natin ang directors) Mayor Enrique and Santino, the main protagonists in the story, will come to finally discover that they are father and child. Mayor Enrique will eventually turn to goodness and to God. Foster father Jose will gladly give up Santino despite his great love for the boy. Mathilde, will deliver her child by Mayor Enrique, and give herself up to the police for the accidental death of Malena, Enrique’s real wife. Robert, Mayor Enrique’s brother will finally be exposed and caught by the police for all his evil schemes. And the three Tsismosas, Kimberly, Rosaly and Jennifer, comic characters, but notorious rumor-mongering hags who have the habit of spreading news and gossip like wildfire that often harmed and injured people’s dignity and reputation shall change for the better. And BRO will say Thank You!

To all, a happy, meaningful and introspective viewing of Santino!

                                                                                                        – The End –

Cultured Corruption, Not Culture Of Corruption

by  jun asuncion

 

It’s impressive this Culture Of  Honesty among ordinary Bulaneños and interesting how it supports the findings of the Reader’s Digest Global Honesty Test conducted last 2007 wherein Manila placed 5th among other world cities tested (see report below).

There is reason to have faith then in our people’s inherent integrity and sincerity, indispensable values for the town to progress.

However,  in man everything is there, all these polarities and paradoxes of values ( a fact that the physicist Heisenberg himself had problem understanding how in a system, i.e., in man, good and bad traits – honesty and dishonesty, sanity and insanity, etc. –  can exist and function at the same time).

Hence, to inhibit the negative and to elicit the positive in us, we need- aside from educational system- role models in our society.

Here is where the problem comes at least in the Philippines. For it is a common public knowledge that the incumbent national administration is marred with corrupt practices. The whole world knows about this.

This is a burden to the people and to all other local executives that may actually be honest to their constituents for there is a strong tendency for the public to generalize. And if there are anomalies or scandals in their local government- proven or not- this tendency becomes reinforced, things heard taken as true, becoming common public knowledge.

It’s difficult then for Filipino politicians in the present time. Had the president  et al  been honest and sincere, the Filipinos would have been more positive  in their perception of the local public servants also.

Judging from his publication, Bulaneño was specifically talking about the culture of corruption in the local administration of Bulan based on the COA’s findings and recommendations. In his blog he presented only these facts, no more, no less. But if he had fabricated these facts by himself, then that would be utmost denunciation, pure dishonesty. One thing more, he should prove his allegation before the court, not before the people (for they have no direct judicial power). And the court is not interested in this “common public knowledge” but only in hard evidence.

However, the fact that these issues got publicized again just a few months before the election would lead anyone to believe that this is indeed politically motivated.

Be that as it may, we just leave it to our Culture Of Honesty in Bulan to decide for itself.

In effect: Cultured Corruption, not Culture of Corruption, should properly describe the effect of the Arroyo administration to public perception, national or local.

jun asuncion

————–

Reader’s Digest’s Global Honesty Test

Are people honest?

Reader’s Digest conducts global cell phone honesty test: Researchers ‘lose’ mobile phones in 32 cities, and two thirds are returned

By Reader’s Digest Association

Jul 23, 2007 – 6:02:20 PM

If you were sitting on a park bench and noticed that a “lost” cell phone was ringing, would you answer it? And if so, and a stranger’s voice on the other end asked you to take time from your busy day to return the phone, what would you do? Hang up? Keep the phone? Or, agree to return it?

That’s exactly what Reader’s Digest editors wanted to find out. And so the world’s most widely read magazine used its network of global editions to conduct an informal test of honesty around the world, asking reporters in the most populous cities in 32 countries to leave 960 mid-priced mobile phones in busy public places.

Local researchers from each country arranged and conducted their own tests, observing the mobiles from a distance. They rang the phones and waited to see if anyone would answer, and then watched to see if the person would (1) agree to return it, (2) call later on preset numbers that were programmed into the handsets, or (3) keep the phones for themselves. After all, these were tempting, brand-new phones with usable airtime.

The researchers tallied the results, interviewed test participants, and filed their reports in many of the August editions of Reader’s Digest, including the Web edition of U.S. Reader’s Digest (www.rd.com) and U.S. Selecciones magazine. While the study was not scientific, the results provided a fascinating human interest story.

“What we found out surprised and intrigued us,” said Conrad Kiechel, Editorial Director, International. “In every single city where the test was conducted, at minimum almost half of the phones were returned. And despite the temptation that people must have felt to keep the phones, and the fact that the test imposed on everyone’s time, the average return rate was a remarkable 68 percent, or about two thirds of the 30 phones we dropped in each city.”

The test followed last year’s Reader’s Digest Global Courtesy Test, which made headlines worldwide. Like the 2006 test, it was developed and overseen by the magazine editors in each of the participating countries. Both programs dramatically illustrated the magazine’s remarkable geographic “footprint” by conducting simultaneous local tests and reporting the results globally.

The highest percentage of returned phones was in the smallest city, Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a population of only 267,000. All but one of 30 cell phones were returned. From a nun at a bus stop to a young waiter at a coffee shop (who also retrieved a leather jacket the reporter had accidentally left behind – not part of the test!), the residents in this picture-postcard city in the foothills of the Alps were almost universally helpful.

Could the citizens of a major metropolis, with all its stress and pressure, be as honest? The people of Toronto, Canada (population 5.4 million), came close, returning 28 of 30 phones. “If you can help somebody out, why not?” said Ryan Demchuk, a 29-year-old insurance broker, who returned the mobile.

Seoul, South Korea, was third in the rankings, followed by Stockholm, Sweden, where Lotta Mossige-Norheim, a railway ticket inspector, found the mobile on a shopping street and handed it back. “I’m always calling people who’ve left a handset on my train,” she said.

Tied for fifth place in the rankings with 24 returned phones were: Mumbai, India; Manila, the Philippines; and New York City.

In many countries, people said they believed the young would behave worse than their elders. Yet, in the test results, young people were just as honest. In New York’s Harlem section, 16-year-old Johnnie Sparrow arranged to meet a reporter later that evening. Arriving at the scheduled time flanked by a group of younger neighborhood boys who clearly looked up to him, Sparrow was surprised to learn that the lost phone wasn’t lost at all. But he was proud of how he reacted when he found it.

“I did the right thing,” he said with a smile.

Parental influence weighed heavily with some. “My parents taught me that if something is not yours, don’t take it,” said Muhammad Faizal Bin Hassan, an employee of a Singapore shopping complex, where he answered a ringing phone.

Many adults accompanied by children were keen to show the young people how to behave when they spotted a phone. In Hounslow, West London, Mohammad Yusuf Mahmoud, 33, was with his two young daughters when he answered a phone in a busy shopping street. “I’m glad that my kids are here to see this. I hope it sets a good example,” he said.

Women were slightly more likely to return phones than were men.

All over the world, the most common reason people gave for returning a phone was that they too had once lost an item of value and didn’t want others to suffer as they had. “I’ve had cars stolen three times and even the laundry from the cellar was taken,” said Kristiina, 51, who returned a phone in Helsinki.

So, how did planet earth perform in the honesty test? Everywhere, the locally based Reader’s Digest reporters heard pessimism about the chances of getting phones back, especially given economic and other pressures. And yet, globally, 654 mobiles, or 68 percent, were returned.

The Phones we got back, city by city Rank City Country Phones Recovered (out of 30)

1 Ljubljana Slovenia 29 (Phones)

2 Toronto Canada 28

3 Seoul South Korea 27

4 Stockholm Sweden 26

5= Mumbai India 24

Manila Philippines 24

New York USA 24

8= Helsinki Finland 23

Budapest Hungary 23

Warsaw Poland 23

Prague Czech Republic 23

Auckland New Zealand 23

Zagreb Croatia 23

14= Sao Paulo Brazil 21

Paris France 21

Berlin Germany 21

Bangkok Thailand 21

18= Milan Italy 20

Mexico City Mexico 20

Zurich Switzerland 20

21= Sydney Australia 19

London UK 19

23 Madrid Spain 18

24 Moscow Russia 17

25= Singapore Singapore 16

Buenos Aires Argentina 16

Taipei Taiwan 16

28 Lisbon Portugal 15

29= Amsterdam Holland 14

Bucharest Romania 14

31= Hong Kong Hong Kong 13

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 13

——————————end—————

The Culture of Honesty in Bulan

By: Tonyboy G. Gilana
 
 

This is in response to the thesis put forward by Bulaneno in his article, “The Culture of Corruption in Bulan”

In 2005, the Local Government Unit of Bulan called forward for all our people to see, and emulate, several ordinary Bulanenos, who displayed that wonderful virtue of honesty and fineness of heart.

Mr. Alex Francisco, a young man, a lowly padyak driver who earns barely a hundred pesos daily found a package containing 600,000 pesos which was left in his vehicle. He returned it to the owner.

Another padyak driver, a young family man with four malnourished kids, also returned 75,000 pesos to the owner-teacher who left her wallet in the pedicab. The money was intended for medicines.

Mr. Andres Gojar, of Barangay Palale, who was a former barangay kagawad, and later, one of our employees at Sabang Community Park, found a service pistol and wallet containing cash, left by a policeman while in Sabang. It was returned to the owner.

Mrs. Elsa Besmonte, a BHW of Aquino found cash amounting to 5,000 pesos. She returned it to the rightful owners.

Five Bulan Integrated Terminal porters and service boys were likewise honored in 2008 for returning CPs, cash and many other items lost by passengers in the facility. And at the Terminal itself, we have several unclaimed items either lost or left by our passengers.

A few days ago, Mr. and Mrs. Reynoel and Arlene Guan of Zone 3, returned to some RGCC students CPs or cash left in their small eatery. And the students were all overwhelmed at such display of honesty.

For me, honesty is already a theological virtue. It stems from the person’s decision or choice to return to the rightful owner what is due to that person. In a way, it is his sense of justice, and ultimately, his virtue of love that compels him to do so.

And we have thousands upon thousands of Bulanenos who practice it. It comes rooted from our own culture which we inherited from our forefathers, and most especially from our deep religious faith. Of course not all these acts of people are publicized daily. It is not a rarety, to say the least.

Even in the local government unit, in the academe, in the various professions, among our students, among the poorest of the poor, we always find that precious bond with conscience, which is practiced outwardly , and is called honesty. In our local dialect, they express it something like, ” Dire bali magdila o magsuda sin asin, dire lang mangloko sin kapuwa.” or, ” Mao yuon an tukdo sa ako san ako pamilya, ni mamay, ni papay…”

Of course, what is often heard or read today are dishonesty and corruption. They make the news– which gives us the impression that people, especially government leaders, or politicians, are evil. We know that this is a fact, a reality of life, and dishonesty permeates every level of society, the government, the private sector, the church, the media… since time immemorial. And there is reason to giving more emphasis to condemning wrongdoing of people in government, especially our leaders, since they can make or unmake the destinies of our communities.

The irony of it all, however, is that there are people who condemn dishonesty or wrongdoing but excuse themselves from it even if, by their own introspection, they themselves cannot be excused. This is hypocrisy.

I cannot but smile at one political opposition leader, who was elected in 1995 here in Bulan, who was consistently decrying and shouting corruption and dishonesty by the incumbent administration. But he was never looking at himself at how he was accused of allegedly encashing and pocketing a measly P2,000 intended for the riprapping project in one barangay. If he cannot then be trusted with a small amount how can he now be trusted with the whole local government funds? And yet, that same person is now very active again in telling Bulan people that this administration is corrupt because of the Bulan Terminal. I think Bulaneno knows who that politician is.

In a smaller perspective, it happens daily to family members or neighbors.

Honesty is a moral choice. It is also a gift. But all human beings are endowed with that freedom to accept that gift or not, but once we do accept we make a confirmation on the inherent goodness that is in every man.

That is why, when Bulaneno decided to publish his article on the “Culture of Corruption in Bulan”, assuming that he was only singling out the De Castro Administration on the Bulan Terminal Case, it was as if he was condemning everybody else in Bulan.

When you refer to culture, it is a way of life. It refers to communities, to that collective psyche present in every generation. Culture refers to that character of a people. Nobody can therefore prevent me from also telling everybody on the culture of honesty inherent in us as a Bulaneno community.

Reading between the lines of the Bulaneno article, one can already see the partisanship in him. He was simply propagandizing an issue that, again, falls within the ambit of our courts — be it a question of facts or a question of law. He was right in many of his quotations of many laws and their provisions, but ultimately, all these have to be proven in fact and in law. (I think, Bulaneno knows these, because by the way he writes he either must be a lawyer or a student of law).

So there is really no use of continually imputing guilt of graft and corruption against anybody, more so against Mayor De Castro, unless her innocence is proven otherwise. Although in the bar of public opinion, nobody can prevent Bulaneno or company from continually bombarding media or the internet with their partisan propaganda. But let our courts decide, even if it may take long. Let civility and decency in our communities and in our institutions take its proper course.

And going back to the issue of honesty. Let it be said that we have an honest people, a community that treasures the golden values and virtues of our religion and of our forefathers. Let us insulate our community folks from such sweeping generalizations, because they don’t deserve it. Let us refrain from using our people, or its culture, to further our own personal interests and goals.

We are a good, decent, civil, honest community, and we have always proven it. /

                                                                                                 .———end———

Slings and Arrows (random thoughts)

 

by Oliver Geronilla

 

I don’t live in cloud-cuckoo land; so, I won’t pretend that black is white. For the nonce, let me do a double take at the scintillating points raised in some of the articles here.

Quite interestingly, many of those who make no bones about the way things are being done in Bulan are armchair observers; and I am not an exception. The comments that I put forward in here are based on secondhand information, not based on what I’ve actually seen, heard, or experienced.

Well, that’s the very essence of writing columns or commentaries. We read and gather as much information as we can; then we make our own slant—not just to float an idea, but to make positions clear.

Being away from Bulan for almost a decade and a half makes me feel hesitant to write about local issues, especially local politics. But the irresistible pull to be a “neighbor” of level-headed Bulan Observer netizens and to contribute articles on a local platform is so strong that I I’ve decided to shelve my ifs and buts. Thus, I started submitting articles (that dealt with national issues) which I co-authored with Dr. W. Scott Thompson who is the official biographer of FVR. Now that the official website of Bulan is fully functional, I believe that it’s easier for me to access pieces of information that I need in order to stay abreast of the latest developments in my hometown. This will also give me the chance to widen my palette in writing columns that focus on what’s within the readers’ grasp—something that you and I know like the back of our hands.

On language…

I might have started off on the wrong foot by anchoring my comments on language use and usage and the highly cerebral discipline of weaving thoughts in the Queen’s English. But this is the language that I know well and the language that has molded my perception and appreciation of the world. More importantly, this is the language that enables me to express my thoughts and ideas with that yokel twist of a being a Bulaneno.

Truth be told, I am fascinated with the distinctive writing styles of most of the authors or contributors of Bulan Observer (BO). Except for the minor lapses in grammar, I feel that the articles here are treasure-troves of ideas waiting to be put together for a future publication—a compendium of the works of Bulan’s contemporary think-tank. (Shall we look for sponsors then?)

Not to put too fine a point on it, I sometimes recoil at the sight of code-mixing and code switching being liberally used by many BO writers. Of course, in some cases it’s inevitable because we know for a fact that there are certain concepts or words that do not have equivalent English translations. On that note, I have nothing to complain about. I only take issue with such a proclivity when it’s done despite the availability of exact lexical and semantic translations.

BO’s major strength is publishing articles unedited. This encourages “personal journalism” to flourish. But this strength is also its major weakness. Every now and then, you’d be jolted when you come across with mistakes in Subject-Verb-Agreement (S-V-A), tense and aspect. Copy-editing, I believe, is needed for every article published here so as not to give a false impression to the young minds that such errors are permissible.

On being away from home….

In societies where education is the only hope to stay afloat, it’s not surprising to see family members pooling their resources just to send their children to good schools. The logic is quite simple: good school means having a good chance of getting a good job; having a good job means having a better life.

Unfortunately, I think Bulan is far from being the place where our dreams can actually come true. It was pointed out by one of the authors here that there are certain professions that have no room to be practiced in our hometown. I couldn’t agree more. Most , if not all, of those who earned academic degrees (other than education, and business management) from the top universities are employed in cities where there is career growth, and where their needs can be addressed. Seldom can you see Bulanenos who earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees from reputable universities working in Bulan.

By and large, most yuppies yearn to live and work in highly urbanized areas where opportunities abound, and everything seems to be perfect. They receive handsome paychecks, enjoy life in the fast lane, and breathe the sweet smell of success. But are they happy? Beats me.

Sadly, I also belong to that crop, and it pains me to admit that despite being on the crest of a wave , I feel that I am still in search of the will o’ the wisp.

For sure, there’s not just a handful of professional Bulanenos–young or not–who think the way I do. I personally know a lot of them; and we all have one thing in common: we work hard to have a better life.

Hence, after receiving our respective passports to success –our diplomas of course–, we begin joining the bandwagon: the burgeoning groups of people who have given diaspora a new face.

Those who aren’t contented with their jobs in cities like Manila usually look for greener pastures abroad. They’re called OFWs, hailed as living heroes and the lifeline of the Philippine economy. Never mind the hardships, the loneliness and homesickness that they have to endure; forget about the weakening family relations. Focus on the remittances that make life here more bearable. That’s something that we usually hear. Hence, it’s nothing new.

My high school classmate, Dr. Ma. Kristina Asuncion, practices dentistry in the Middle East. She’s not from a poor family; in fact, she does not have to go overseas just to earn money. Her sister, who is also a dentist, has a clinic in Bulan. How many dental clinics or dentists do we have in Bulan? Very few. But why is she working abroad? Not enough patients? Perhaps.

My eldest brother, Clint Geronilla, who finished BS Forestry at UP-Los Banos, opted to work in Pampanga while waiting for his working visa. He, too, will be leaving the country pretty soon. His reason? “There can’t be more than three foresters in Bulan!” Well, he might have said it in jest. But somehow, there’s a grain of truth in what he said. I believe Miss Kelly Tan, my former dorm mate at UP and a “sis” in UP Sorsoguenos– a varsitarian organization – is more than capable to set the world on fire.

Miss Tan’s decision to serve the people of Bulan through the local government unit is laudable. How I wish others would do the same – serve the people despite the sacrifices that have to be made.

All these things put me in a pensive mood. How many Kelly Tans do we have in Bulan? Just a handful.

To have better opportunities, we usually go to other places. As such, we find many of our compatriots scattered in many places– working, finding their own niche, pursuing higher education,creating waves. Every now and then, you’d hear progenies of our beloved town who’ve toiled hard to become engineers, educators, medical practitioners, athletes, etc., making it in the headlines for their excellence in their respective fields. These are the very people whom we need to make Bulan BIG.

Can we lure them back to our hometown? That’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question.

Personally, I find it difficult reintegrating myself in the town where I grew up. I have many reasons, but perhaps the biggest one is all about my profession. As a language teacher, a freelance columnist, and a ghost writer, I see very limited opportunities for me in Bulan.

Or, perhaps I am just too ambitious.

Frankly, I think of Bulan as a haven where I can spend my retirement years. For now, I still want to see how far I can go, experience joie de vivre, and perhaps “make a difference.”

When that time comes, I hope Bulan’s still the Bulan of my youth where trust and respect rule everyone’s heart; where children frolic under the sun; where people commune with nature; where nobody is left behind; where “progress and not corruption” is the buzz word.

Home is where the heart is.

                                                                             —————end———————-

– A Fundraising Campaign For Filipinos Affected By Typhoons “Ketsana”, “Parma” and “Ramil”-

  

Mila Asuncion and Franklin Patricio 

Present

 

An Evening With A Filipino Artist

 

Piano Concert

 

Featuring

 

Aries Caces

Pianist/Conductor

images

(click photo for music)

 

December 10, 2009

 

 7:00 pm

Gemeindesaal Zollikon

Rotfluhstrasse 96

8702 Zollikon- Zürich

 

Tickets: SFR 45.00

 

In cooperation with:

Swiss-Asia Chamber of Commerce- Taskforce Asia, Glückskette(Swiss Solidarity)

Filipino Nurses Hirslanden Klinik

—————————————————–

 

 

Sponsorship Souvenir Program

 

Sponsorship 1

Full-Page Ad in the Program

SFR 1,000.00

 

Sponsorship 2

Half-Page Ad in the Program

SFR 500.00

 

Sponsorship 3

1/4 -Page in the Program

SFR 300.00

 

 

For Inquiries:

Mila Asuncion  SO  Hirslanden Klinik     Tel. 044 382 21 04

Franklin Patricio SO Hirslanden Klinik

 Email: frank_patricio@bluewin.ch

Tel: 043 495 63 81

——————————————————————–

The True Identity Of Dora The Mouse

by jun asuncion

Here’s a motivating,  inspiring comment from Dora The Mouse:

To Jun and Tonyboy Gilana

“I love the exchange of comments! It is so honest, democratic, educational, open minded and frank. This is the way it should be. I give you my respect for the honesty and sincerety of your individual statements, concerns and opinions.

This is what I admire about Bulan Observer. We can express our opinions, thoughts and concerns. Through exchange of views and concerns, we are continously learning new things either in politics, science, philosophy or even witty jokes from Atty Benjie. I am interested to buy the book History of Bulan when it is ready.

Bulan Observer is the place for everybody to have the chance for young taga-Bulans to contribute their talents and fresh ideas and for older people to share their wisdom and life experiences so that other people will learn from them. It is a great place to give and to share ideas and sometimes take those ideas and apply them to your daily life.

Thank you Bulan Observer for the many fine articles you shared with us readers.”

Dora the Mouse

                                                                                  ———Announcement————

Angelita De Guzman Kowalewsky  aka Dora The Mouse

Dora The Mouse has decided to get out of the hole  where she used to live (or hide) and is now sharing us her true identity after she had read my post The Town Of Bulan Is Different where I touched on the issue of Anonymity. Her true name is Angelita De Guzman Kowalewsky. She authored for us articles like Poignant Memories  Of The Past, Money Is Not Everything, etc. She is also  the founder of St. Remedios Charity Medical  Clinic. We thank her for all her charity works!

Thanks Dora, I mean Angelita, for your true concerns for our town Bulan!

jun asuncion

Bulan Observer

                                                                                                            end

The Town Of Bulan Is Different

Or, Reprisal-Free Bulan Politics

 by jun asuncion

Linking Bulan Observer to Bulan-LGU Website is a sign of maturity-  for both. Maturity because it is all about constructive dialogue, maturity because it is about public service and transparency, maturity because it is about democracy.

We cannot expect perfection from both of these Bulan platforms yet we strive to make them the best they possibly can be within our own Bulan concept of democracy. Democracy is best experienced in a town level for people still know each other. While  in the national level democracy is being insulted or abraded by some egoistic figures or polarized by crab mentality, Schadenfreude, envy and rancor, we Bulaneños have the chance to prove to the whole Philippines that we value town  democracy and constitutional rights and respect our own people.

Democracy offers us options on how to relate to things that matter to us in Bulan. We can cast our ballot secretly for instance but a useful debate must be public. And- in this kind of debate-  identity matters.

Hence, anonymity- though a democratic right or prerogative-  loses also its effectiveness in some democratic processes like civil discourse. Now that politics, business and social life have been “uploaded” on-line, human emotions and attitudes have also been uploaded on-line and mostly they are protected by anonymity when it comes to messages of  hate, back-biting or recrimination.

 Still, it is rude and irresponsible, vindictive in motive or perhaps cowardly when one hides behind anonymity when engaging in a discourse or publishing a claim,  particularly when one is criticising or attacking somebody. Nevertheless, I still support the right to anonymity when posting  general comments or comments that are emphatic yet  grounded  and in context and  not directly offensive against anyone in Bulan. However, a signed comment is still the best.

On the other hand, when people choose to hide their identity when talking politics, it is also indicative of fear of reprisal  which is understandable within the Philippine political context in general. Again, this should be a great chance for Bulan to show to the whole Philippines that we are different from the rest in this respect. Since Bulan is now also uploaded online, we hope that the LGU- Bulan Website and all other sites involving Bulan will contribute to our goal of reprisal-free Bulan politics and that this will be made manifest in the way Bulaneños involve themselves in our dialogue.

It is a courageous step forward for the LGU-Bulan to integrate critical voices of Bulan by linking Bulan Observer to its official site. In this manner, the LGU-Bulan has protected itself from any future criticism of being one-sided and not open for dialogue with its constituents at home and abroad. It is a sign that the incumbent Mayor Helen De Castro is for progress and constructive dialogue.

Bulan Observer is not against the idea of government. Its goal has been clearly defined from  the very beginning. And it is not about me or about the authors, contributors and commenters but is about working together for a brighter Bulan.

I’ve read all the entries in this Bulaneño Blog where it talked about the Bulan Terminal and the corresponding  Commission On Audit COA Special Report. I leave it as it is and found it wiser not to engage in dialogue with it  nor link it in Bulan Observer for the very reason that the authorship is unknown. Or  if it is because of the fear of reprisal- real or imagined-  that he chooses to be incognito, then I suppose it is better  for him to stop his activity so that he will live a normal life without such kind of fear or fear of being outed, i.e., exposed sooner or later. We know that constant fear is detrimental to mental and physical health.  But that’s his decision. That it had not published until now the LGU-Bulan’s  response through Mr. Gilana was in a way expected and also an attest to this Blog’s refusal of democratic dialogue. Again, identity matters in some issues, whereas anonymity protects yet, in some cases, renders a claim or argument not worthy of discussion or consideration. A serious democracy- let us not forget- is about fairness and  transparency.

                                                                                  ———end———

We Can Do Much More To Our Country

by Gemma Dimaculangan ( Her letter as posted on the Internet and later published in Inquierer.net)

 

(This letter was forwarded to me by a good friend. I  find it  representative of how today’s Filipinos think and feel about  the issues facing the Philippine politics. I challenge all thinking Bicolanos – particularly Bulanenõs-  to give and share their analysis of  it and  I’m looking forward to receiving your comments soon.-  jun asuncion)

I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn’t true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?

Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my TV to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men – too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these “honorable” crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!

I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like “Honorable”, “Senator”, “Justice”, “General” and worse, “President”. Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlumm and his band of moneymen. Their motto? “Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich.”

It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!

I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family’s, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation’s coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutted roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.

And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone’s morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own “pag bad ka, lagot ka!” slogan.. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it’s all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?

And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. “Love (of power) is blind” takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband’s financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.

They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don’t agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won’t make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it..

But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.

Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!

I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandboox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.

I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you,, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.

I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.

Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country.. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field.. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.

For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.        /

                                                                                                                                      —————-end————-

The Anatomy Of Destruction

by jun asuncion

 

The two super typhoons that went through and above the Philippines have reminded us again of our human vulnerability, but this time with such an intensity that hundreds of thousands of our countrymen were displaced from their dwellings, hundreds lost their lives, properties destroyed. Total chaos, total misery.

What is left now are the  vestiges of destruction,  the digital images of our sufferings that one can view anytime in internet and the herculean tasks of sustaining lives and of rebuilding all the damaged infrastructure. Today’s technology help much in spreading  our catastrophic situation and our call for help throughout the world. The millions of  Filipinos constituting the diaspora were in pain as they watch the videos and photos of their troubled countrymen; the same with the concerned international community. And they reacted quickly by organizing all forms of help. Sending financial help and fund-raising are also done swiftly with today’s technology. Thus, on one side, we are lucky that this destruction happened with this technology on hand. Still, it is a race against time; additional  suffering should not be inflicted to our homeless people by delaying the distribution of relief goods, the clean-up and rebuilding  of all infrastructure.

Are we Filipinos born only  to suffer and are we not entitled to a bit more comfortable existence? Being on the typhoon belt- and an average of 27 typhoons a year-  we are doomed to suffer losses in crop production and its effects. Crop producers and small farmers suffer the most. Invested capital and labor are lost. Unlike in some industrialized countries, farmers and crop-producers are subsidized and their products are insured from elementary hazards like water and fire. So after a virulent flood or hailstorm, farmers and crop-produces do not come out totally empty.

Our Filipino farmers have always been eeking out a living on the edge of existence. If we cannot move the Philippines away from the typhoon belt, then something should be done on the political level to improve the situation. It’s not politically correct to criticize the government in this present dire situation. But  typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng have  also exposed the anatomy of destruction in the Philippines brought about by corruption, exposed the unsubstantial  presidential speeches we heard not too long ago. The Philippines is  economically not after all on the verge of a take-off  but on the verge of drowning.

Before these floods, Filipinos were already flooded to apathy by empty debates in Congress and entertained to poverty by late night wowowee shows in Malacañang. Indeed, these devastating typhoons have also blown open the havoc of the myopic logic of greed that predominated the Philippine politics. With just thirteen rubber boats and with no budget allotment, how could the National Disaster Coordinating Council NDCC effectively and extensively perform their rescue operations? The financial resources went somewhere else.

Being frequented by typhoons every year, the Philippines should in fact be a world champion in typhoon-and flood disaster planning, should have anticipated such scale of destruction and should have been in possession of rescue materials like hundreds of rubber boats, rescue helicopters, etc. But the world has witnessed a capital city without such needed equipments and  materials. Malacañang was laid bare by Ondoy and globalized the truth of its lies and inefficiency.

It’s not wrong to be poor, but its wrong to continue being unrealistic. To hate the presence of the Americans in our country is- in my opinion-  one among our unrealistic ideas. Again, Ondoy and Pepeng have shown us that we need them. The presence of  US navy ships off the shore of Pangasinan, their rescue helicopters and rubber boats, their trained personnel, etc. have surely help the Filipinos in this emergency situation. Abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement VFA after that? That would be heedless – and lacking in utang na loob.

 I was once in favor of this idea, but not too long ago I found my attitude unrealistic- not because of the typhoons, but because of the terrorism and insurgency problems that we have in the Philippines. Alone and with empty arsenals, equipped only with pride, and with leaders at war with one another, we cannot combat these problems in the long run. Hence, not abrogate, just define the terms clearly and work with the Americans.

Wait till the fat lady sings or rather consult our advisers Ondoy and Pepeng?  //

 

Bulan Observer

———————————–end—————–

Message of Mayor Helen C. De Castro

Submitted on 2009/10/12 at 3:42am

NOTE: This message was delivered during the Opening Program of the 6th Pista sa Kabubudlan, held on October 9-10, 2009, at the Bulan Ecopark, Barangay Calomagon.

———

 

Helen De Castro  “Dios marhay na hapun tabi sa iyo entero.

Dako-dako na onra nan kaugmahan na i-welcome ko na naman kamo entero sa ika-unom na pagselebrar ta san Fiesta sa Kabubudlan o Feast of the Mountains. Ini na Fiesta sa Kabubudlan sayo na na institutionalized event didi sa ato bungto.

Sa sulod sin nakaagi na lima kataon, luway-luway na inbag-o ta ini na lugar, nan luway-luway na inpatalubo ta an mga puno sin kahoy na ato intaranum. Niyan imud ta na an bunga san ato kapagalan. Ini na Ecopark sayo na espeho o panalmingan san mga gusto ta ikontribuer o idanun para sa kaayadan san kapalibutan ta.

Pero, gusto ko tabi kamo padumdumun na ini na inhihimo ta dire ini dapat nagtatapos sa pagtanum ta lang sin puno didi sa Ecopark. Para sa ako, an katuyuhan sini na Fiesta sa Kabubudlan an magtukdo, an mag-edukar, an maghikayat sin sayo na adbokasiya o awareness para pagmakulugan ta an kapalibutan ta.

San nakaagi na semana, entero kita nakabalita san nangyari sa Metro Manila. Makamumundo an epekto sadto na pag-uran nan pagbaha. Nan hasta niyan, dire pa nag-uudong an pag-uran sa Northern Luzon. Dara tabi ini sin Climate Change na epekto san Global Warming.

An sabi san mga scientists tabi, na puwera san tama na pagtapuk basura, an pinakasolusyun talaga sa Global Warming an ibalik ta an mga puno sa kinab-an. Na kaipuhan magtanum, magtanum, magtanum kirita puno.

An activity ta didi sa Ecopark dapat idara ta sa iba na lugar, o mismo sa mga natad o lugar nato. Kaya ngane. Otrohon ko tabi na an Fiesta sa Kabubudlan is more of an advocacy, an educational venture, creating an awareness among us of the need to preserve Mother Earth. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to the next generation after us. We are stewards of God’s creation, of Mother Earth. Magiging kumpleto lamang tabi an kaogmahan ko bilang mao an nagbatug sini na Ecopark nan Fiesta sa Kabubudlan kun maimud ko na insasabuhay na san kada taga- Bulan an tunay na pagmakulog sa kapalibutan.

Sa sulod sin lima na kataun na pagselebrar, naimud ko tabi an pambihira na pag responde san mga taga-Bulan sa panawagan ko na mag-atender kamo sini na Fiesta Sa Kabubudlan. Nan naimud ko tabi an pambihira na entusiasmo san manlaen-laen na sector san bungto ta, lalo na an mga kabatan-an. Dahil sini, dire masukol an pagpasalamat ko sa kada sayo sa iyo. Nan gusto ko tabi maintindihan san kada sayo na ini na aktibidad, binatugan ko lang, pero wara iba na mapadagus kundi karamu, kirita entero, dahilan sa nakasalalay sa kada sayo sa ato, sa ato entero na tawo, an puturo san ato kinab-an.

Sayo sa gusto ko ibalita sa iyo na san September 30, an Ecopark an napili na Regional Winner sa Brigada Ahensiya Search san Civil Service Commission. Inkikilala na tabi an Fiesta sa Kabubudlan dire lang didi sa bungto ta kundi maski sa iba na lugar didi sa Probinsiya ta, nan sa Rehiyon Bikol. Nan dahil sa internet , naniwala ako tabi na maabut an panahun makikilala an mga taga-Bulan dahil sa inhihimo ta niyan, nan para sa kapalibutan ta. Makikilala nira na an mga taga-Bulan maaram magmakulog nan magpasalamat sa biyaya san Mahal na Diyos sa ato nan ini lalanganan o hihirutan ta. Kaugmahan ko sabihun na didi sa Bikol kita lang an may-on sin irog sini na institutionalized event.

Gamitun ko man tabi ini na oportunidad na pasalamatan an mga bisita ta na maging parte san ato aktibidad. Nagparagal sira na makaabut didi sa Bulan nan didi sa Ecopark.

May manlaen-laen kita na aktibidades niyan na adlaw nan lalo na an tree-planting activity sa aga. Makisumayo kamo sa amo, magpartisipar tabi kamo, nan iudok niyo sa boot niyo an hihimuon ta. Kaupod sa pagtanum ta an pagkamoot, sinseridad, pag-asa nan pagpasalamat. Ihuring ta sa mga puno na itatanum ta, nan sa ingud na tatanuman ta na dire kita nalilimut sa pagpasalamat sa Mahal na Diyos. Nan ihuring ta sa hangin niyan, nan ipaabut sa Mahal na Dios, nan sa mga nilalang niya, sa mga bayong, sa mga panganuron, na hihimuon ta an obligasyon ta para maging mapresko gihapun an kapalibutan. Ihuring ta sa puso ta, na nagtutubod ako sa hihimuon ko niyan para sa kapalibutan, nan pagbaba ko sa bulod na ini, dara ko an aspirasyun sin pakisumayo sa kapalibutan, nan ibabalangibog ko sa bilog na komunidad yuon na pag-asa nan aspirasyun.

Sa entero na huyaa niyan, nan pati na sa mga maabut pa taud-taud o sa aga, inpapaabut ko tabi an pasalamat sa kada sayo sa iyo. Mabuhay po an kada taga-Bulan, mabuhay kirita entero.

Happy Fiesta sa Kabubudlan! Salamat, Dios mabalos.”  //

——————————————-

Submitted on 2009/10/12 at 3:39am

       Ecopark

THOUSANDS TURNED UP FOR BULAN “FEAST OF THE MOUNTAINS 2009” CELEBRATION

Bulan, Sorsogon, October 10, 2009:

 “Grabe an tawo! Gulpi an tawo niyan! Mas daghan niyan kaysa last year!” Overwhelming! It was the Woodstock, Bulan Version! These were the remarks heard from organizers, media reporters, traffic enforcers and observers as thousands of Bulan citizens turned up to attend various activities in celebration of, and in response to the call of Mayor Helen De Castro to, the 2009 Fiesta sa Kabubudlan (Feast of the Mountains) held on October 9-10, at the Bulan Ecopark in Barangay Calomagon. This is the sixth year of this kind since the Lady Mayor started it all in 2004. Observers estimate that over eight thousand people came to the celebration. An average of five thousand people used to come to the Ecopark celebration during the last five years. But this time even the parking lots were more than jampacked and authorities have to locate a new site for the vehicles.

As early as Thursday, a day before formal activities were to begin, groups of young people were already setting up camps and pitching tents, even as LGU organizers were making final preparations for the busy two days ahead. Enterprising citizens , with their panindas, were already busy selling goods to the early comers.

By Friday morning, a steady stream of vehicles and people, some hiking, braving the dust, made way to the Ecopark, about seven kilometers away from the town center. It was a good and busy day for many tricycle drivers fetching passengers. This went on until midnight. Traffic was busiest between 3:00 PM until ten in the evening.

Young and old, students and teachers, barangay officials tugging along their residents, boys and girls scouts, families, along with their children, even babies and toddlers, visitors from the neighboring towns of Juban, Matnog and Irosin came. Groups of youngsters from barangays Casini and San Agustin, in Irosin registered their attendance. As of eight in the evening, registration officers already recorded 156 groups and organizations. Many more were coming and many others missed the registration. An Israeli tourist came and stayed during the festivities. Tents and huts soon filled up the designated camping area. The camp area already filled up, many decided to pitch their tents, even in undesignated areas. One teacher commented that , “ Baga ini an Family Day, a Youth Day, an Environmentalist’s Day all rolled into one.”

Traffic Safety officers, with the assistance of police interns from the Solis Institute of Technology, Barangay Tanods and other volunteers were kept busy all throughout. Police authorites from the Bulan Municipal Police Station and the 509th PPMG kept the peace and order. The Rural Health Unit First Aid Team and the Bulan Rescue Team were on hand to assist people in need. The LGU ambulance stood nearby. The Kabalikat Civicom, and other civic groups like BANWA, BEAT and Uswag-Bulan, were on hand to extend assistance to the participants. The Bulan Fil-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade did their share by keeping the roads watered and freed off dust near the Ecopark. Despite the stream of vehicles traveling back and forth the site, not a single accident or untoward incident was recorded. Everything went according to public order and safety plans.

After lunch, even before the Opening Ceremonies, the organizers already conducted the “Laro ng Lahi” contests like Palosebo, Tubi-Tubi-ay, and other local and traditional games.

At the Opening Program, municipal officials led by Mayor Helen De Castro,together with Vice-Mayor Manuel Gogola and the Sangguniang Bayan Members, formally declared the Fiesta open. The Governor sent her representative, Dr. Librada Esplana. The speakers spoke on the need to avert Global Warming and Climate Change, and the tragic experiences from calamities as a result of unwanton destruction of the environment. Mayor De Castro exhorted the participants that before they were to plant the seedlings the next day, they have to offer prayers of hope and, thanksgiving to God. She said that this environment activity should not end with the tree-planting activity, but rather, participants should, when they come down the Ecopark, bring along with them that aspiration and desire to help Mother Earth, by planting trees anywhere they can, especially in their own backyard. She said that this environment activity is more of an advocacy, a movement, an educational venture on the ecology. Cultural numbers were also presented. The “Fiesta sa Kabubudlan” March or Theme Song, written and composed by Mr. Edwin Gloriane, was played for the first time. Once legislated, this shall be the official song of the annual celebration.

Mayor Benito Doma of Prieto-Diaz town and Visitors from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Los Banos came. They gave lectures and workshops to the Bulan audience. Mayor Doma, an awardee-mayor, lectured on Mangrove Reforestation , while the DOST researchers, Dr. Emelyne Cortiguerra and Mr. Eduard Bonong, gave lectures and demos on charcoal bricketting, an alternative form of livelihood, instead of cutting trees for charcoal. It was attended by members from NGO’s and cooperatives in Bulan.

In the evening, a pageant in search of the “Diyosa ng Kalikasan” was conducted. It focused on awareness for the environment. Also named were the “Diwata ng Hangin”, “Diwata ng Tubig”, “Diwata ng Kabundukan”. Seven beautiful contestants represented their schools. Winner as Diyosa ng Kalikasan was Lily-Ann Gaton of Alcoba National HS. Named as Diwatas were Patricia Molina of SLI-KRAMS, Jeneza Bon of JP Laurel HS, and Margie Mirabel of Magic 5 Organization. In order to participate in this pageant, the representative had to register by way of contributing twenty seedlings to the organizers. The gowns donned by the contestants were from recycled indigenous materials.

After the pageant search, a ten-minute fireworks display wowed the entire camp. A disco-dancing, attended by hundreds of people followed. It went on until dawn of the next day. Even as other activities were going on, every place in the Ecopark was filled with people just enjoying, singing, strolling, playing, or promenading. The clear moonlit sky even brightened the celebration.

At 6:30 o’clock on Saturday, a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving, presided by the Bulan Parish Priest, Fr. Ernie Mendina, was celebrated. Mayor Helen de Castro and the municipal officials, employees and the participants were in attendance.

The highlight of the celebration, the tree-planting activity after the Holy Mass was a rare experience to many, even emotional and poignant, as adults overhear children and youngsters, heeding the appeal of Mayor De Castro, whispering to the plants and to the soil, and praying, as they plant their seedlings. One Boy Scout was overheard, “ Sana tabi mawara na an mga baha sa Bulan.” Another, “Please tabi, ayaw na pagpabagyuha sa Pilipinas, kay kairuman san mga Pilipino!” Another girl, prayed, “Sige ha, pagbalik namo otro taun kisyera maimud ko ikaw na dako na na puno.” The more than one-hectare land prepared for planting by the MENRO and the GSO was not enough space for planting, as other participants simply helped together carefully handle one seedling to be planted. It became more of a symbolic action to many, even as they promised to instead plant trees in their own communities. The organizers did not expect nor anticipate the great increase in the number of participants this year. They promised a bigger planting areas next year. The garbage site-turned Ecopark is a 14.5-hectare lot donated by the late Ambassador Tomas G. De Castro, uncle-in-law of Mayor De Castro.

After the Tree-planting activity, a kite-flying contest was conducted. Twelve beautiful kites, expertly crafted by members of the competing groups, were pitted against each other. The winner was from Team Barangay Inararan, led by Team Leader Robert Cadag. They won P2,000. Runners-up were from Team Barangay Zone 8, and Team Danao National High School.

Even as the majority of the attendees already packed up by midday, many others opted to stay a little longer to enjoy the surroundings of the camp. Mayor De Castro and the employees thanked everybody and she personally saw to it that everybody was safely on the way home upon leaving camp. The campers enthusiastically promised Mayor de Castro that they shall continue cooperating with her leadership and programs even as they profusedly thanked her for the great and unique experience, and that they anticipate a bigger celebration next year. The Mayor also thanked the municipal employees for the excellent, accident-free and peaceful celebration. Of particular mention, the Mayor acknowledged the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources under Ms. Kelly Tan, the foremost department involved in the organization of the event. She noted of the professionalism and devotion to work of the municipal employees who helped her achieve a goal in public service, even as she emphasized that this is an unending crusade to save the environment.

All the four Bulan radio stations gave full coverage to the event. Thus giving the other citizens all over Bulan a chance to monitor everything that was taking place in the Ecopark. //

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Bulan Observer Supports Swiss-Asian Chamber Of Commerce Task Force Asia

by jun asuncion

 

The devastation of  typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng to the Philippines was unprecedented in scale and magnitude. The whole world was witness to this natural catastrophe and the drama of the Filipino people as they fought to survive. Videos and  photos uploaded in internet platforms are documents of our suffering: A whole family on a roof that has been violently carried away by the gush of the swollen river only to be smashed against the concrete support of the bridge and be drowned as others were helplessly watching; a woman and a child carried by the strong current crying out for help. We can only wonder what she said to her baby before they were swallowed down the depths of the river…

 Now that the storm is over, the only thing left is to help those victims  make their miserable destiny bearable to them-  and to us. We know that catastrophes do not distinguish between rich and poor. The only difference is that the rich may recover materially much easier than the poor ones. The rich victims may already be under the shower and dressed with fine clothings  dining in fine restaurants and sleeping in comfortable rooms in hotels or fine apartments provided by their rich friends. But where are the poor? They are still there with their poor companions, stuck in the muds among the debris and sleeping in evacuation centers- if these were quickly provided by the government. Otherwise they are still  in the streets, wallowing in muddy waters, hopelessly lost, hungry and cold.

We may have been thousands of  miles away from Ondoy and Pepeng, thousands of miles away from the deep waters of Marikina and from our drowning citizens. Yet their crying voices seemed to have been heard in the farthest reaches of the universe. It is painful for those who heard them, even to those who do not share the color of our skin.

These crying voices echoed also in the alps of Switzerland and in the noble streets of Zurich. The Swiss were quick to respond, the humanitarian tradition being firmly rooted in their heart and soul. A Swiss lawyer, Dr. Martin Kurer, chairman of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce- Philippine Chapter and co-founder of the Taskforce Asia, quickly connected himself with two Filipino nurses here in Zurich, Franklin Patricio and Milagros Asuncion, who are both working in Hirslanden Clinic, to ask for  their help on fundraising for our fellow Filipinos who are still stuck in the miry streets of Manila. Milagros Asuncion is a photographer of Bulan Observer. She also had a taste of flooding  when Storm Dante battered Bulan last May. Now the engagement to flood victims continues even when far away from home.

 In order to help raise funds, she endorsed SACC by way of offering her  testimonial to the Taskforce Asia, appeared in the Caritas, a humanitarian organization with seat in Zürich, will be appearing on  a radio interview and will be- together with Franklin-  organizing a piano concert in Zürich. I am, on the other hand, just sitting quitely at the background with my laptop-, writing for some websites here and writing letters for donors. All for the benefits of our bedraggled homeless Ondoy victims in the Philippines.

The SACC Task Force Asia was set up by the Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland, H.E. M aria Theresa P. Lazaro, and Martin Kurer, Chairman of the SACC Philippine Chapter.

Here’s the Website of the Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce with our two  Filipino “ambassadors of goodwill” Mila and Franklin:

  

Milagros Asuncion, Nurse at Hirslanden Klinik in Zurich, Heart-Thorax Surgery Station.

Mila SCC “My name is Milagros Asuncion. I am a nurse at Hirslanden Klinik. For the past 28 years I have been working as a nurse in Switzerland. We have experienced very bad storms in the Philippines before, but this Ketsana, or Ondoy, is worse than anything I…( click here for more…)

 

 

 

Franklin Patricio, Nurse at  Hirslanden Zürich, Heart-Thorax Surgery Station

22I am Franklin Patricio. I am working as a nurse in a hospital in Zurich. The Philippines are very much affected by the storm which has hit Metro Manila and Northern Luzon, as the fate of my sisters’ family shows. Please support the… (click here for more…)

 

 

 

Bulan Observer will be supporting more humanitarian projects of the Swiss-Asian Chamber Of Commerce  in the future.

(Photos supplied by Swiss-Asian Chamber Of Commerce- with special thanks to Dr. Martin Kurer!)

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Realted Articles

 

But we are not destroyed (as published in Taskforceasia.ch)

 by Maribel Oana, Zurich, Switzerland

I still have my family: my mother, a widow for 43 years, who has been blind for almost 15 years, and crippled- because of a car accident last 2005- but saved; with her is my youngest brother with his wife and their 3 children, they are the ones taking care of my mother. Venue:  our  two-floors Residential house in Vista Verde Executive Village in Cainta Rizal, one of the most devastated areas hit by Typhoon Ondoy.

This is their story, as related to me by my mother and my sister-in-law.

September 26, 2009, Saturday at about 8 o’clock in the morning; the water in the streets were we lived were already ankle high (our house is one meter elevated from that of the street). After less than 15 minutes, the water rose and have reached our main gate and Garage, so my brother told my mother that he will accompany her in going to the second floor because the water is rising fast. My mother didn’t took this seriously because she knew that it never flooded in our house even when our neighbor subdivisions are under water, ours never was.

My brother and his 2 sons started putting the appliances such as the Refrigerator, washing machine and electric cooking range on the dining table while my sister-in-law and her daughter brought some biscuits, rice, noodles and water upstairs and nothing else (they were caught unprepared for this situation). Another 15 minutes gone by, the water was already inside our house on the first floor and 1 inch below the knee. My brother hurried to my mother and let her stand on her feet to make her believe that the water is truly inside our house and she was very much frightened and shocked as she felt the water on her knees.

My brother carried my mother upstairs for there is no more time left because the water is rising up every minute. Then he and his sons took the light furniture upstairs as fast as they can and that within 5 minutes then after that is history: a huge amount of water flooded our first floor.

My brother was nearly drowned for he was caught unaware, because the appliances that were on top of the table fell on the water and bumped him, he was trap in the middle of the swimming appliances and the swimming piano, thanks God, his sons pulled him up.

Not long ago on the second floor, they heard voices from outside calling for help; they saw our neighbors swimming outside crying and shouting for help. Their houses (only one floor-Bungalow style) were under water with only the roofs seen. My family welcomed our neighbors

(2 families and the youngest was a 5-year old boy). Before 9 o’clock (within less than one hour), the whole place was flooded 2 meters high, and remained there 2 days and 2 nights, with no electricity, 3 liters of water and only biscuits to eat (for they cannot cook without electricity). We were able to communicate with them through cellphone on a limited basis, since cellphones need to be recharged, too.

We may not be with our family physically during this Ondoy Tragedy, but they were always in our prayers and we motivated and encouraged then to pray, too and continue to trust in God even this times of suffering, for we know that God is still in control! My eldest brother and his family, and my eldest sister’s family were saved, but we are still looking for our cousin living in Provident Village in Marikina who until now is missing. My mother is a prayerful woman and she told me this; “my child, we may be struck down, but we are not destroyed, Praise be the name of the Lord!

The Aftermath: as of now death toll is rising up, a lot of people is still missing and thousands of people are homeless and hungry. In behalf of my countrymen, I’m asking and pleading you to please help us in cash of any amount or in kind (any old clothes, old shoes, old linen)./

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SUPERTYPHOON PEPENG SPARES BULAN; BULANENO VOLUNTEERISM SURFACES ONCE MORE

Submitted on 2009/10/04 at 9:41am

PIO- Bulan

Bulan, Sorsogon, October 3, 2009, PIO-BULAN: Bulanenos heaved a very deep sigh of relief, and offered prayers of thanksgiving to God, after the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council officially declared, in its October 2, 3:00 PM Advisory that the dangers and risks posed by Supertyphoon Pepeng to the town of Bulan is over. The Supertyphoon, packing winds of between 185-230 KPH, is on its way to the northern part of the Philippines on a west-northwest track as forecast by PAG-ASA. The MDCC Action Officer, Luis De Castro, however, appealed to the public to continue praying for other Filipinos who might be affected by the storm and that they too be spared of this calamity.

Supertyphoon Pepeng endangers the Philippines once more a week after Tropical Storm Ondoy, on September 28-29, brought death, devastation and havoc to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila. Hundreds died and many more were missing from the floodwaters as high as ten meters, due to the record high volumes of rain by this malevolent weather. As of this writing, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts are still on-going in Manila. Not a single family in Bulan is without a relative in Manila.

When news from PAG-ASA and from the Internet about Pepeng was received by the Office of the Municipal Mayor, Mayor Helen De Castro, Chairman of the MDCC, immediately called, on Wednesday, September 30, an emergency meeting of all members of the MDCC and other stakeholders to put into action and implementation the Municipal Disaster Risk-Reduction Plan.

By evening of October 1, Sorsogon Province was placed under Public Storm Signal No.1, and by then, the Bulan MDCC and all the BDCCs were already activated. Other parts of the Bicol Region were ready, and so were all other Philippine regions. Great were the lessons learned from the tragic experience of Storm Ondoy.

In the whole town of Bulan, residents were properly informed, hand-outs on readiness were distributed, operation capabilities checked and re-checked by local authorities. All the four radio stations played very responsible roles in the public information. In flood-prone barangays like Managa-naga, Obrero, San Vicente, barangay officials prepared rafts from recycled ice chests or styrofores. Managa-naga Barangay Chairman said they also prepared a kilometer-long rope for their residents in case flood waters rise.

The spirit of Bayanihan and volunteerism once more came to the fore as several groups and organizations came to help the MDCC in monitoring , in the voluntary and pre-emptive evacuation of citizens in hazard areas, and in the relief operations in evacuation centers.

Groups like USWAG-Bulan, TOFY, Kabalikat-CIVICOM, BANWA, MAGIC 5, BEAT, and the Bulan Rescue Team were all in hand to do varied roles necessary for the safety of the citzenry

During the storm, 14 houses were partially destroyed by storm surges in Barangay JP Laurel. There were also 56 families or 188 persons attended to by MSWDO/RHU personnel and by the volunteers. The Bulan Integrated Terminal became a refuge center for 125 stranded passengers bound for Masbate and Ticao Island. Hot meals were given to them while they are staying at the terminal. Sadly, one passenger from Palanas , Masbate died of a heart attack upon arrival at the terminal. He was attended to by the Bulan PNP.

Fortunately, there were no reports of damage to public infrastructure. Farmers were also thankful that there was only minor damage to crops , especially that this is now the palay-harvest season in Bulan.

The MDCC, thru the Municipal Mayor and the Municipal Action Officer, extended thanks to all those who, in one way or another, did their share in making sure that the Bulan community was safe.

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BULAN INTEGRATED TERMINAL RECEIVES PRAISES FROM STRANDED PASSENGERS

 

Bulan, Sorsogon, October 3, 2009 – Several passengers, before boarding their tricycles that will bring them to the Bulan Pier today, extended thanks and praises to the Local Government Unit of Bulan and the Bulan Terminal personnel, for the attention and care given to them while staying here at the local government facility at the height of typhoon Pepeng.

Yesterday, a total of 125 passengers bound for Masbate and Ticao Island were stranded at the Terminal, Of these, 54 were males, 54 females and 17 children.

The MSWDO gave out hot meals for dinner yesterday and another breakfast pack this morning to all the passengers before they left for their trip to Masbate, after Typhoon Signal No. 1 was lifted by PAG-ASA.

These were sad moments however for the family of one of the passengers, a 60-year old male resident of Palanas town in Masbate, who died of a heart attack, 20 minutes after debarking from the MegaBus, due to fear brought about by announcements on the typhoon. He was immediately attended to by terminal personnel and the PNP..

According to Terminal Manager Ruel Gimao, the Bulan Integrated Terminal, since it started operation, has always been a holding center to hundreds of Masbate passengers, everytime the Coast Guard suspends inter-island vessel trips to and from Masbate and Ticao or Northern Samar.

Gimao said that many passengers texted him after reaching their destination in Masbate and Ticao thanking local authorities for attending to them while staying at the Terminal. They say that they felt safer at the new facility unlike before that they were exposed to many elements in private terminals in the Poblacion.

THE Local Government Unit has in the past purchased several beddings and utensils to be used especially by children and old people stranded at the Terminal. A holding room has also been especially furbished for use by these passengers. The Terminal Manager reported that in many instances in the past months, they have already helped several persons with mental illnesses, and who were on their own when they arrived at the Terminal. These people were properly referred to the police and health and social welfare authorities.

PIO-Bulan

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