Gaano kaligtas ang mamamayan sa paglabas ng kanilang tahanan?

EDITORYAL - Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 02/24/2006

SA isang isinagawang survey isang taon na ang nakararaan, marami ang nagsabing natatakot na silang lumabas ng kanilang bahay pagkagat ng dilim. Iyan ay dahil sa lumalalang krimen. Delikadong maholdap, makidnap, ma-rape, mahablutan ng kuwintas, cell phone at iba pa. Kung magsusurvey muli baka ganyan din ang maging resulta. Mas marami ang nais na manatili na lamang sa bahay kaysa mabiktima ng mga halang ang kaluluwa. Ang isang kakatwa, kahit mismo sa sariling bahay ay hindi rin naman masasabing ligtas. Maaaring umatake ang Akyat Bahay Gang o iba pang grupo ng mga magnanakaw at limasin ang ari-arian. Ang mas nakatatakot, ay kung matapos pagnakawan ay patayin pa ang may-ari ng bahay.

Sa mga nangyayaring krimen lalo na sa Metro Manila, malakas naman ang loob na sabihin ng mga awtoridad na mababa ang crime rate. Paano nila nasabing mababa ang krimen gayong sunud-sunod ang mga panghoholdap sa mga pampasaherong jeepney, bus at FX. Kamakailan, isang armory ng pribadong security agency ang pinasok ng mga kalalakihan at tinangay ang 35 M-16 rifles, 15 shotguns at 15 bulletproof vests. Noong isang araw, hinoldap ng dalawang naka-motorsiklo ang accountant ng kompanya na may dalang pangsuweldo sa mga empleado. Natangay ang milyong piso.

Ang kinatatakutan ngayon ay ang sunod-sunod na pangka-carjack. Isang buwan na ang nakararaan, isang lalaking nursing student ang inagawan ng kanyang van habang naghihintay sa babaing kapatid na nasa loob ng isang 24-hour store. Tinutukan ang nursing student at nang ayaw ibigay ang sasakyan, binaril siya. Bumulagta ang estudyante. Lumabas sa store ang kapatid at nakita ang duguang kapatid na nakahandusay at duguan. Isinugod sa ospital pero patay na nang idating doon.

Nakapangangamba ang ganitong nangyayari. Saan pa nga bang lugar dapat magpunta ang mamamayan para matiyak na siya ay ligtas? Maski ang pagkalat ng mga illegal na droga (mayroon pang "shabu tiangge") ay walang puknat sa pagdami.

Ang pagkalat ng mga baril na ginagamit sa paggawa ng krimen ay nararapat masugpo ng mga awtoridad. Bakit hindi matiktikan ng pulisya kung saan nanggagaling ang mga baril?

Malaking hamon sa awtoridad ang mga nangyayaring krimen. Bigyang kapanatagan ang isipan ng mamamayan kapag lalabas sila ng kanilang tahanan.

TagBoard 21Feb2005

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olongapo.fil.ph: Yay! thanks a lot ill send email or post message here, pero baka email para mas maganda decent
edpiano: Be sure to give us advance notice so we can coordinate with the person in charge
olongapo.fil.ph: Thanks for the link Sir Ed
olongapo.fil.ph: Yay! thanks Sir Ed, last time kasi na nag punta ako nag paalam ako kung pwedeng mag take ng pictures and sabi hindi daw e
edpiano: If you need museum photos > > http://olongapomuseum.blogspot.com/
edpiano: go ahead Edward, open sa public yon. Si Yang Elane in-charge doon.
Aiza: Pestong sold out na raw tickets!!! Kaasar! Sa labas na lang ako at maghihintay na masilayan man lang kahit limo nila! haha! Pathetic.
Gret: Kitakits tayo. You can stay with us. Lapit kami sa venue.
Gret: Aiz & Ilangilang check nyo YM nyo. You can buy in Lawson. I left a message for you, guys. Nandoon ang code.
Ilangilang: Aiz, manonood din ako!!!! May ticket ka na ba?
olongapo.fil.ph: Sir Ed pwede mo ba akong bigyan ng access sa olongapo city museum pra kumuha ng pictures?
edpiano: Hindi po totoo ms. silvergirl. Pls read http://subicbaynews.blogspot.com/2006/02/new-comment-on-olongapo-residents.html
olongapo.fil.ph: silvergirls de naman ata totoo yung mga kumakalat na text messages tungkol sa mga kidnap kidnap kung totoo man bakit hindi nakaka agaw ng attention? i mean sa TV etc.
silvergirl: totoo b yung balita kanina n may n kidnap n nmn daw s gordon hghts n 4 n bata?
olongapo.fil.ph: nakuh wag kayong mag aaway masama yan

Gret: Ako kaya kong harapin mga tao dito sa forum. Di ko nagpapalit-palit ng nick. La sa lahi namin impostor.
Gret: Yeah. It was so funny then. Nagbigayan ng number sa public forum? LOL!
Nya: susko..may worse pa nga last tym..dito sila sa forum nag uusap ng business nila!! may i apartment na daw ibenta...galore..
Gret: Yan din feeling ko. Hehe!
Nya: ok naman U2. pero sa yokohama eh. di man sila punta ng osaka
Nya: haha! oo nga eh..naramdaman ko na ang aura niya (nila?)
Nya: hehe! ms Gret,mali pala tagalog ko! well...i can sense na bumalik na nman ang mga impostor
Gret: Andito na ba mga apple pickers, Nya? Hehe!
Gret: Well, walang pakialamanan lang dito mga, tsong. Kung dito kami mag-uusap, it's our choice. Hwag nyo lang basahin, manggalaiti pa kayo sa inggit nyan.
Gret: Yup. Pupunta kami. Ewan ko kay Nya. Di nya masyado feel ata ang U2, e.
Aiza: Guys in Yokohama! May concert daw U2 dyan sa April. Ms. Gret, Nya di ba sa Japan kayo? Kita-kits sana dun.

LIly: Hwag masyadong arogante pwede naman kayong magtawagan no.
Cebu: American daw asawa but...Galing pala sa Hitler place
Cebu: Baka naman ung nag-aastang magaling di2.
Dong: yap yap yap. May Hitler daw asawa di2.Este galing sa yun n yun. Taga doon n yun.
*lam: sensya na Olongapo.fil.ph nabasa ko lang kay Mrs. Gret na may impostor daw di2.
Sal: very exagerated naman tong dalawang to tawagan nalang kayo no.
Gret : Kaya play safe tayo. Total naman di ko naman siya niloloko no? We're just having fun!
Gret : Haha! I remember the clubbing galore! Good, hwag mo ngang i-cmail yon. Binabasa nya mail ko at in-ask ako if I understand his pronunciation.
Vie: Hi! Queennie happy wedding. Good luck good health and great success.
Nya: Ms Gret, reminder sa 25th..clubbin! di ako maka text sayo about dat, baka mabasa pa ni chad at magtampo na he`s not invited!haha!
Nya: Hi Ms Gret! my date was ok.it`s so depressing. while nagliwaliw at naglulustang tayo ng pera (sori ms gret..ako lang pala naglulustang ng pera), natatabunan nman ng mud mga kabs natin sa leyte
olongapo.fil.ph: about school hindi ako nag graduate dito sa Olongapo ng high school, graduate ako sa capitol institute sa talipapa QC
olongapo.fil.ph: Thanks for always backing me up Sir Ed, about email kasi i would like to keep my privacy kaya un ang reason kung bakit hindi ko nilagay tunay na email ko, hope you understand
edpiano: saan school ka graduate edward, anong batch? maraming sjs, columban at ocnhs d2 sa board
edpiano: *lam i dont think olongapo.fil.ph is an impostor, edward ang nick nya kaya lang whatever@whatever.com email add nya kaya mahirap din mag verify
olongapo.fil.ph: Bakit ako naging impostor? ano ba ginawa ko?
Gret: Oy, Nya sorry di ko masyado na-read posts mo. Hehe. Musta pala date mo?
Aiza: So depressing naman ng mga recent news sa atin. Mula stampede tragedy hanggang mudslide. Hay, buhay.
*lam: baka impostor ka din Olonggapo.fil.ph n sinasabi ni Ms. Gret marami daw impostor dits.
Aiza: Ilangilang asan ka na?

Sean: limited kasi coverage mo, olongapo lang, d tulad d2 buong subic bay, sakop zambales at karatig/relevant news like clark
Sean: at walang mga patalastas di tulad ng site mo na may advertizement, sorry pero no thank you nalang sa invitation mo
Sean: mas madali pa mag share ng article d2. as easy as 1 - 2 -3
Sean: okay na kami d2, simple lang gamitin at d na kailangan mag register, complicated doon sa site mo, kaya iba na lang invite mo
olongapo.fil.ph: Yan meron na sa main navigation hehe submit ka ng article para mas malinay kulang kulang kwento mo e
olongapo.fil.ph: teka lagyan ko ng submit artocl baka hindi nyo agad makita e hehe
olongapo.fil.ph: Sulat ka ng article post mo sa olongapo.fil.ph mas maraming makaka rinig sayo
Sean: kala namin kwento lang yong binaril nyang nagkakabit ng ilaw sa provincial capitol dahil nakaharang, totoo pala
Sean: wala rin patawad si andar ano? hamakin mo kamag-anak nyan mas matanda sa kanya, public official at sa harap ng maraming tao nagawa nya yon
Sean: yong pala nag pang-abot na talaga
Sean: Sabi kasi sa channel 2 ay nagkasagutan lang sina cong diaz at "andar" ba yon?
Sean: Medyo tone down na pala ung narinig naming balita sa TV Patrol
olongapo.fil.ph: Also nag hahanap ako ng mga balita about olongapo latest event's etc. pwede kayo mag submit ng artcle
olongapo.fil.ph: community website pra sa olongapo
Gret: oo, you're so kulet. What's in there ba?
olongapo.fil.ph: Please visit olongapo.fil.ph ang kulet ko ba?
Dennise: don't worry buddy, i am as far as i can be from andar
/-: Hoy! Dennise taga saan ka? Make sure that you are not within reach of "Andar" else your life is in danger
Dennise: buti na lang at matapang ang kanilang vice governor na si mon lacbain, may pag-asa pa cla
Dennise: kawawa naman mga taga zambales, nababalot ng takot ang kanilang pamumuhay
Dennise: Kaya cguro di na nagtanong mga board members ng zambales at pinagbigyan agad gusto ni andar dahil takot mabanatan
olongapo.fil.ph: Please visit www.olongapo.fil.ph
/-: kakatakot sa zambales, mga namumuno, nagsusuntukan sa harap ng mga tao
Gret: Hello, girls. Nagiging masaya ata usapan these days, a. Lol! At napapa-join nyo sa kalokohan nyo si Tatay NoPAd.
Ilangilang: ano naman meaning pag ang laughter ay bwahahahaha?hehe!
Aiza: Ganun ba yon? I laugh he he he. Lol! So I love sex?Kaasar ka naman. Ba't pinanganak ka agad?!
NoPAd: sabi nila . . .people who laugh he he he love sex and . . .
NoPAd: people who laugh ha ha ha are intelligent
NoPAd: wala lang just to let you know hAe HAe hAE
Aiza: Nakupo! Tatay na pala kita, NoPAd. Na-excite pa naman ako sa yo. Akala ko ikaw na future ko! Hehe!
Ilangilang: thanx for the answer NoPAd.im 28,bisaya.hehe
NoPAd: 52 ilocano manang
Ilangilang: NoPAd,would you mind if i ask your age and nationality?
Aiza: Hmn, ganun? Hey, baka hinahanap mo GI Dad mo, NoPAd. Here's your chance. Hehe!
zip316j2ya@yahoo.com: I help find Fathers in The U.S. for free of course.
zip316j2ya@yahoo.com: I am glad I found this,I have a daughter in PI,I was there last Sept. to see her for the 1st time since 1975. Anyone needing help finding their American fathers contact me.
NoPAd: I hope this does not awaken a sleeping giant
NoPAd: they know before hand that this is a typical Muslim response when their religion is attacked
NoPAd: it could also be a deliberate ploy, "testing the waters" to check the strength/unity of radical Muslims in their locality
Gret: Freedom of expression? Come on! It's irresponsible journalism!
Gret: I am not a Muslim but I sympathize with them in their protests against newspapers in Europe and Australia for publishing and republishing the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
Nya: NoPAd,i agree!Never heard of NPAs raping women.
Gret: I agree with you, NoPad. Another controversy to silence the subic gang-rape case.
NoPAd: d subic rapists -killers who introduced themselves as NPAs is an obvious CIA operation aimed to blur the GI gang-rape case
Nya: taga Bali yun ms Gret.bka ganun din itsura taong kakilala natin!hehe
Nya: mas nakakatawa dati,sabi nya ?gib uf da fyt".hehe.kala ko dati,haf noypi/haf blak cya.kaya nga ako nagka idea sa ?ITA" image na yan.hehe.
Nya: ok sana mag gitara at gus2 ko mga kinakanta nya.yun nga lang mga words,minumurdr nya.
Nya: Ms Gret,madalas ako dun.ilang beses ko na nga napanood performance nya.
Gret: Yup, ganda ng boses. Kinanta nya fave song mo ang "I Shot the Sheri..."Hehe! La nga lang 'f'! LOL!
Gret: Oy Nya, nagpunta pala kami ni Chad sa Tin's Hall after ng dinner nating 4 and we saw this guy kumakanta dun, kulot ang buhok, payat, may kaitiman...half-half daw siya! Sounds familiar?
ilangilang: hello rommel!napasyal ka di2 sa forum!
romel : hi 2 ol la lng npadaan lng
Gret: Palagay ko nagpunta.
Nya: hello!may mga tao pa ba di2? kawawa naman mga nasawi sa stampede! ms. gret, d kaya nagpunta din yong mga impostor natin kachika sa forum dun sa show na yun? sana, d kac wala na akong katunggali!
Aiza: Oo nga, e. Kawawa naman sila. Ganyan na ba ka-poor sa tin?
Gret: Hey, guys. Have you heard about the stampede? Napaka-depressing naman. Embarrassing and depressing.
Aiza: Asan ka naka-base?
Aiza: Oks lang, Ilang-ilang. Ako nga nakiki-join lang din dito. Pro di ko masyado ma-dig pinagsasabi dito nila NYA and GRET cuz I'm new here also.
Gret: Hehe! I am so excited to meet you and boy tiklo together, at last!!!

17 Central Luzon villages 'high-risk'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--At least 17 upland villages in three Central Luzon provinces are at "high-risk" to landslides, according to the chief geologist of the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau here.

Orlando Pineda identified the highly vulnerable communities as Paltic, Caragsacan, Tanawan and Davil-Davilan in Dingalan town, Dimanayat and Diteki in San Luis town, Villa Maria in Maria Aurora town, Amper and Dinadiawan in Dipaculao town, all in Aurora; Labi in Bongabon town, Sawmill, South Poblacion, Malinao and Pantoc in Gabaldon town, all in Nueva Ecija; and Maamot, Sula and Lubigan in San Jose town in Tarlac.

Pineda said the risks in these villages were determined after a geo-hazard mapping last year.

Straddling the Central Luzon parts of the Sierra Madre and Zambales mountain ranges, these communities experienced landslides following four successive typhoons in November and December 2004.

MGB officials declared Paltic and Villa Maria as "no man's lands," meaning these were not suitable anymore for human settlement.

More than 100 people died in Paltic and five others in Villa Maria at the height of Typhoon Winnie in 2004 when debris from the mountains rolled down and the rivers there changed course, burying the villages.

Pineda said residents in San Miguel in Bulacan experienced damming last year and should also guard against a repeat of a flash flood.

According to him, Villa Maria, Diteki and Dimanayat face isolation as these are bounded by two rivers bulging now with debris. Rescue and relief missions there are possible only through air operations.

On Monday, Pineda advised Governors Bellaflor Angara-Castillo of Aurora, Tomas Joson II of Nueva Ecija, Jose Yap of Tarlac and Josefina de la Cruz of Bulacan to urge vigilance among the residents living in those areas.

Other parts of the country were also found to be landslide prone.

In Sitio Calambuan, Tayasan town, continuous rains brought a landslide. The site is 90 km north of Dumaguete City.

Richard Dayucos, village captain of Ilaya, said no one was reported hurt although the landslide damaged crops and pieces of property in a three-hectare area.

The landslide happened on Friday, two hours before the landslide in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

Residents of Ilaya Village have moved out of the place since the 1980s when a river overflowed and brought devastation.

The landslide brought boulders and white silica sand down a 100-meter slope and turned a portion of the Ilaya River into a lake 100 meters wide.

Dario Amistoso, a resident of Barangay Ilaya, said he could hear the landslide from his house some 200 meters away.

Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon Desk with a report from Alex Pal, Inquirer Visayas Bureau

OCNHS Project wins 2nd in National Science Project

Talisai Seed as an Additive for Fuel Diesel

Biology intensified in SIHAY '06

By MINI A. CAMPOS / UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES LOS BAÑOS

Revolutionizing the customary biology quiz contests at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, SIHAY, UP Cell Biological Society’s foremost activity, was born at a time of great uncertainty and supposed shortcomings.

UP Cells members conduct DNA extraction during the workshop.

SIHAY THROUGH THE YEARS

Two years after its inception on August 9, 1990, the Institute of Biological Sciences-based and Bio students-exclusive UP Cells sought ways on repackaging biology and giving it a whole new image. Cellpukan ng Galing at Talino a trivia quiz contest was introduced as an intellectual food for the hungry minds.

It was not until March 1996 that the society’s junior adviser, Norberto Cruz III and Education Committee head Glen Neira materialized the concept of a high school biology quiz contest in Region IV and CALABARZON. SIHAY, derived from the union of si (from silid) hay (from na may buhay), the crowning glory of the weeklong celebration of CELL WEEK was finally firmly established.

The 1st SIHAY Inter-High School Biology Quiz Contest was first administered on February 8, 1997 at the D.L. Umali Hall, UPLB. With the unexpected crowd turnout and triumph, SIHAY became one of the organization major activity since then.

The annual success of SIHAY led to a sprout of pioneering ideas for the promotion of the biological sciences. February 2, 2001 marked the 1st SIHAY Inter-High School Biology Competition, which, aside from only the Quiz Contest, also include a logo making contest, an essay writing contest for instructors and students, and an inter-high school Biology Fair).

This year, in UP Cell’s crystal (15th) anniversary, the organization, together with its junior adviser Marni Cueno and Education Committee head Kathleen Ann Enriquez, repackaged and intensified SIHAY into a bigger – extending it to as far as Luzonwide – and exceptional event.


BIOLOGY CONGRESS

Bearing the theme "Looking at Our Own: The Coconut Biotechnology", the recently concluded two-day 1st SIHAY Biology Congress 2006 held at UPLB was packed with several activities such as field tours on various laboratories in UPLB, a series of seminars on the recent advances in Biotechnology, workshops on laboratory protocols, Sihay Inter-High School Quiz Contest and Sihay Biology Research Competition. The congress, duly endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and hosted by the UP Cells, was participated in by 250 high school students and instructors all over Luzon.

Designed to expose the participants to the current biotechnological advances existing in the country, particularly in Los Baños, the field tour saw high school students and instructors being toured at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Genetics Laboratory and Biochemistry Lab. The participants were also given the chance to explore the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) Central Analytical Service Laboratory, Electron Microscopy Services Laboratory and Immunology Laboratory.

To disseminate advances in science and technology, particularly the state of Coconut Biotechnology in our country, a series of seminars was conducted by academician Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, Dr. Erlinda Rillo and Dr. Rita Laude.

In Understanding Biotechnology, Dr. Tecson-Mendoza emphasized the importance of genetic engineering, as well as the issues and concerns of biotechnology. On the other hand, Dr. Rillo discussed the coconut tissue and embryo culture program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). This technology is now being used to mass produce the Makapuno coconut in the country. Dr. Laude, pointed out that coconut molecular biology works focused on three main discoveries, particularly gene discovery, isoform discovery and discovery of an ontogenetic pattern of expression in coconut, to conclude the seminar series.

To impart basic knowledge on advance laboratory techniques, workshops on DNA and RNA extraction were conducted by several members of U.P. Cells.

SIHAY Inter-high school quiz contest, participated in by high school students from various schools in Luzon, aimed to establish awareness on the basic concepts in Biology and the recent developments in the field. The Philippine Science High School Main Campus team, comprised of Mark de Jesus, Laurenzo Alba and Vanessa Laneta, emerged as the champion. Placing 2nd and 3rd are Saint Bridget College and Mother Goose Special School System, Inc., respectively.

Current and on-going science projects of high school students from different schools in Luzon competed in the SIHAY Biology Research Competition. U.P. Rural High School, represented by Vittorio Lloyd Salac, once again claimed the top spot with the research entitled "DNA Markers for Assessing the Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Selected Cultivars of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Soleriaceae, Rhodophyta). Olongapo City National High School’s entry entitled "Methyl Ester from Talisai Seed as an Additive for Fuel Diesel" landed on the 2nd spot while Muntinlupa Science High School’s entry entitled "Chemical Characterization and Bacteriistatic Assay of Areca catechu Seed Extract Using Paper Disc Immobilized Bioluminescence Technology" came in at 3rd.

(The author is a graduating B.S. Biology, major in Cell and Molecular Biology, student at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She also is the Secretary of the UP Cell Biological Society.)

Officials warn of more disasters

By Luige A. del Puerto
Inquirer

UNLESS an early warning system is set up to advise people living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, a disaster similar to what took place in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte province could hit the country's eastern seaboard again, the defense department warned yesterday.

"Over the next four months, there is the danger that this flooding and landslide will happen again ... These flood-prone and landslide-prone areas could be hit," Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. said.

The eastern seaboard refers to provinces that lie near the Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean. They include Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, the Bicol provinces, Samar and Leyte islands, Surigao and Agusan provinces and Davao Oriental.

Once La Niña comes, these areas would be the hardest hit, according to Dr. Graciano Yumul, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). La Niña is a weather phenomenon characterized by heavy rains.

In fact, in the next 24 hours, heavy rains brought by La Niña are expected to hit Davao Oriental, the Cotabato provinces and the Caraga region -- all in Mindanao, PAGASA said.

Without citing specific places, Cruz said landslides, in fact, had already been reported in other areas of the country.

Mapping

Cruz said the government had begun mapping out the towns prone to floods and landslides. Once the list is ready, he will ask the media to help disseminate the information.

Officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council will also discuss the matter with governors, mayors and village chiefs.

The House committee on housing and urban development yesterday asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promptly publish the list of all landslide- and disaster-prone areas in the country to adequately forewarn the public.

Committee chair Representative Eduardo Zialcita of Parañaque said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR had come up with a landslide susceptibility map as early as 2004 but nothing was done to relay that information to local government units (LGUs).

Zialcita said the MGB report would be useful in the government's assessment of what had been done to educate LGUs about the map.

He lamented that the MGB had failed to issue the necessary warning to residents of St. Bernard and, thus, the catastrophic landslide that buried an entire village in the town.

Preventable

"The [MGB must] update us on how they have conducted their information dissemination for their landslide susceptibility map," said Zialcita.

On Saturday, an official of an environment protection group blamed the government for failing to take safety measures that could have prevented the landslide.

Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment, said the government had identified St. Bernard as a landslide-prone area in 2003.

He said the deaths could have been prevented, if not minimized, if the government had acted early enough by initiating a massive reforestation program and by setting up a locally based early warning system.

"There should be proper information dissemination of all matters pertaining to potential landslides and other disasters. A publication of all areas that are vulnerable to landslides should be the first step in educating and forewarning our people," Zialcita said.

Early warning

There are three things that local officials can do to prepare for a disaster, officials said.

One is to evacuate the residents to safer ground. Another is to apply an engineering solution to an impending disaster, such as the building of dikes. The third and cheapest way is to set up an early warning system, such as the one now in use in Aurora and Quezon provinces.

Cruz narrated how residents in flood-prone areas in Southern Luzon had placed posts that can measure the rise of water in a river.

Alert level 4, for example, would mean that the people need to leave their homes for higher ground.

"In Quezon, when (the water) reaches level 4, the mechanism (in place) is to ring the church bells. One person would ride a bike telling the people that the water is rising. There are many indigenous and creative ways (to set up) early warning devices," the defense secretary said.

The Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) has urged the government to adopt concrete measures to address the causes of people's vulnerability to disasters.

CRDC advocacy officer Katharina Ann Berza said in a statement that an average of 317 disasters hits the country every year, affecting millions of Filipinos.

She noted a rising frequency in disasters during the last decade and a subsequent increase in the number of people affected. Last year, a total of 10.4 million people were affected by 440 disasters. Ten years ago, 408 disasters affected 9.9 million people.

"One would assume that given these disasters, a comprehensive disaster management system and program should have already been in place and a separate government body that gives special and undivided attention to the many tasks of disaster management formed," CRDC said.

Disappointingly, the CRDC observed, the disaster response system in the country was reactive, emergency-focused and relief-centered.

The group noted that while the government was allotting more than 30 percent of its annual budget to foreign debt servicing, it was setting aside a measly 0.1 percent for calamity funds.

For his part, Von Hernandez, campaigns director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, urged the government to prepare for the consequences of logging and climate change.

"There had been warnings that the combined threats of destructive logging and an increase in extreme weather events caused by climate change would intensify the impact of disasters," Hernandez said in another statement. With reports from Michael Lim Ubac and Delfin T. Mallari Jr., PDI Southern Luzon Bureau

Don’t let VFA ‘benefits’ blind you

IBON FOUNDATION WARNS ARROYO

By Jun P. Yap, Daily Tribune

Instead of allowing itself to be blinded by so-called “benefits,” the Arroyo administration should seriously weigh the pros and cons of the Republic of the Philippines-United States (RP-US) Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

This was the reminder made yesterday by the independent think-tank Ibon Foundation in the wake of killings of members of militant groups and the rape of a 22-year-old Filipina in Subic, Olongapo City last November.

“Sovereignty has no price. Moreover, this ‘aid’ does not benefit Filipinos but even raises many issues on the humanitarian and development aspects of foreign aid,” Ibon research director Antonio Tujan said.

Besides, Tujan added, the aid provided by the VFA is not being used to uplift people’s conditions but is only a tool for “pacification.”

He said it is useless for Philippine officials like Presidential Commission on the VFA executive director Zosimo Paredes to warn the country could lose some $8 million a year in military aid.

Tujan pointed out the “aid” had become prominent in campaign against rebel groups, involving the systematic killing and repression of unarmed civilians.

Last year alone, he said 74 activists, including human rights lawyers, local government officials, Church workers and community organizers were killed supposedly by the military.

Earlier this week, members of the militant Bayan Muna non-government organization were killed in the provinces. Militants immediately blamed the military for the incident.

“Development programs and projects are being implemented not to truly address the development needs and agenda of poor Filipinos but to address the military and economic agenda of the US,” Tujan said.

He added so-called special relations with a past colonial master have no place in a country that claims to be independent.

“These relations must be established on the basis of mutual benefit and the non-compromise of each country’s sovereignty. The VFA clearly violates this basic principle and thus should be terminated,” he said.

A look at Gordon’s tourism bill

INSIDE CEBU By Bobit S. Avila, The Philippine Star

Our good friend Sen. Richard "Dick" Gordon is quite visible these days selling his latest tourism idea through a proposition called the Senate Bill No. 2138, otherwise known as the "Tourism Act of 2005".

Honestly, I don’t know if this proposal is an amendment of previous laws on tourism or whether this is entirely a new bill. But nonetheless, President Arroyo has certified that Gordon’s bill should be considered "urgent" and therefore a priority bill of her administration.

Gordon is proposing to create Tourism Philippines, a corporation combining the functions of the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC) and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), which would also include the promotions and marketing departments of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This is purportedly to strengthen the tourism industry.

But before I could get the comments of the members of the Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC) on this proposed bill, another group called the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) chaired by Bobby Joseph called a press conference last Wednesday to object to the proposal, citing that "the majority of the tourism stakeholders, those who will be directly affected by the measure, were never consulted when the bills were considered in the Senate and the House of Representatives."

One key objection is the collection of a tourism fee of $5 per day/night on top of the rack rates for all hotels. I don’t know the thoughts of Gordon on this but certainly the tourists paying top dollar at the Mactan Island Shangri-la Resort or Plantation Bay wouldn’t mind paying that fee but to a downtown hotel that sounds pretty steep. They could end up losing clients altogether.

Perhaps next week, the HRRAC would have their own comments on this bill, not to mention those coming from the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP).

I reckon that Gordon just has to respond to the objections. After all, as Mrs. Arroyo promised when she took her oath of office her administration will be a government of consultation and Cebu will be a major tourism hub, the backbone of the government’s effort to improve tourism industry.

We’re not saying that Gordon doesn’t know the problems of tourism in this country. Of course he does, but that doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t consult with the people in the industry who would be affected by his tourism bill. He should!

I was just browsing through the proposal and yes, it calls for a huge reorganization of the present inutile set up in the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the agencies handling tourism.

Gordon is right when he says, "At present, there are three lead agencies in tourism — the DOT, the PTA and the PCVC. But they don’t have clear functions, mandates and powers. All three are involved in promotions.

DOT and PTA and local governments are involved in tourism development. There’s not enough money to go around as it is, yet we still have to divide it into three. PTA was supposed to develop tourism zones. Did it do that? No, instead it went into business, but all its businesses are losing money. And to think, it receives P500 million a year from travel taxes, and they have nothing to show for it. For PCVC, when it was established in 1981, Manila was the number one center for international conventions in Asia, and number eight in the world. But because PCVC never got the money to promote the Philippines, we just disappeared from the radar.

The bill proposes that DOT should focus on drafting regulations in cooperation with the private sector. The PTA will be reorganized into the Tourism Enterprise Zone Authority to develop tourism zones together with the private sector, and PTA’s businesses will be spun off or liquidated. PCVC will be reorganized into a joint public and private sector effort that will get the money it needs to promote the Philippines.

I do not doubt the noble goal that Sen. Gordon has set for the tourism industry and I know that after reading this column, I’m going to get a call from Dick. So early on, let me say that his proposal has good points, which should be magnified but there are certainly some objectionable points, which need to be clarified before all hell breaks loose!

My first major objection is Sec. 13 which calls for the setting up of regional offices just like any government department. I don’t know if this is a political compromise hatched by Gordon to please the other members of Congress who would demand a tourism office even if it will take eons to bring tourists to their shore, otherwise they might not vote to pass this bill. What Gordon is doing is recreating the same bureaucracy which as you know will be staffed by people who know nothing about the tourism industry because they are mere "bata bata’s" of politicians! If you ask me, this is nothing but a job creation that the tourism industry doesn’t need. Give us a break, Dick.

Another objection I have is the renaming of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to the Philippine Tourism Assets Corp. (PTAC), which will supposedly replace the moribund and inutile PTA under whose supervision Cebu lost its famous Gary Player designed Kang-Irag Golf Course. The Kang-Irag Golf course was 85 percent completed when the PTA sequestered it after the EDSA Revolt. PTA gave Kang-Irag to that boastful Jose Go of Ever Gotesco who proceeded to bulldoze the entire golf course against our protestations. If they only listened to us, we would have saved at least nine holes of that golf course. Today, nothing is left and no one in the government has been jailed for this horrifying disaster in Cebu!

Why can’t the government simply shutdown the PTA and sell all those assets which they already know are losing money for the government? If you ask me, this bill is merely changing the collar of an already inutile dog called the PTA. We should get rid of the dog and all its fleas! I strongly believe that the government should get out of business, which we all know have become the "milking cow" of the political patronage system. Just take a good look at all the sequestered TV and radio stations 20 years later and find out who is pocketing some of the loose change there? Finally, I support Sec. 12 creating the Bureau of Tourism Standards, Regulations and Industry because we need to create a "Culture of Tourism," which is something we already wrote about a few years ago but since we’ve ran out of space we shall write more about this issue in future columns.

Behave like ambassadors, US Embassy warns GIs

AMERICAN troops in this year's "Balikatan" exercises are barred from hiring sex workers and ordered to behave like "informal ambassadors."

The United States Embassy yesterday reiterated that American soldiers taking part in joint RP-US military exercises in the country are barred from hiring sex workers, which it said is a crime punishable under US military law.

It also said US troops participating in this year's Balikatan exercises are ordered to behave as "informal ambassadors" of their country, treat Filipinos with military courtesy whether on or off duty, and refrain from making statements or wearing clothing "which may offend a Filipino."

Also, no liberty or annual leave will be granted to US Armed Forces personnel while they are here for Balikatan 2006, the mission announced.

The embassy made the statement a day after being visited by a Philippine congressional committee pursuing the government's bid to gain custody of four US Marines charged with raping a 22-year-old Filipino woman at the Subic Freeport in November last year.

Humanitarian activities

Widely considered a test of RP-US relations, the case triggered a resurgence of anti-US sentiments as many saw it as a throwback to the years when the country hosted US military bases and American troops accused of committing crimes against Filipinos largely eluded prosecution.

The embassy tackled the matter of "sexual conduct," notably, also in the wake of media reports of how local sex workers have started "flocking" to Jolo, Sulu, regarded as a conservative Muslim town in Mindanao.

About a dozen US troops aboard a Philippine Navy vessel arrived at the Jolo pier early yesterday morning in preparation for a humanitarian mission. They unloaded a container, four Humvee vehicles, power generators and earth-moving equipment to be used by US forces later this month.

Not here for combat

Some 250 soldiers are expected to take part in the exercise, which will focus on civic works and humanitarian activities for the impoverished residents, from Feb. 20 to March 5.

Just minutes before the Americans arrived, the head of police intelligence in Jolo, Henry Elumbaring, was shot dead by a suspected Abu Sayyaf gunman as he was walking from his home just a short distance from the gates of the national police camp.

His assailant fled into a nearby housing area, evading police who gave chase.

Capt. Leo Lebriech, head of the US mission, stressed that the US forces would not be in Jolo for combat operations, saying "we are here for the humanitarian mission and engineering capabilities and nothing else."

While the Americans and their equipment were taken to Philippine military camps, videoke bars featuring scantily dressed women had sprouted near the area, the Inquirer reported on Tuesday, quoting a local official.

Most of the sex workers were young and had come from Pagadian City, Dipolog City and Zamboanga City, the report added.

Wings clipped

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, co-chair of the Legislative Oversight committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (Lovfa), said that because of the rape case, "the American military has become more strict about the liberty of their soldiers, especially when it comes to looking for [sex workers]."

The US military had issued General Order Number One for the RP-US Balikatan exercises this year which prohibits American soldiers to leave their camps in the Philippines.

"One dire result of this rape case is that there is a general order for Balikatan 2006 that there will no longer be any leave or liberty for American soldiers. They will no longer be allowed to leave their military camps," Santiago said.

"They will no longer be allowed to go out while they're in the country. They'll only be doing full-duty work while they're here," said Sen. Richard Gordon, a Lovfa member.

Lovfa members on Thursday morning visited the four Marines who are under guard at the US Embassy.

Santiago explained that in every scheduled Balikatan exercise, the US military issues a general order that states what American soldiers can and cannot do while they are in the Philippines.

Not even merienda

"This general order [for 2006] means that they can no longer buy T-shirts or merienda [from Filipinos] wherever they are assigned in the country," she said.

Santiago also pointed out that US President George W. Bush in September 2005 made it a crime under American law for US soldiers to look for sex workers.

The Lovfa members met for about an hour with the four US Marines-Staff Sgt. Chad Brian Carpentier, 27; Lance Corporals Daniel Smith, 20; Dominic Duplantis, 21, and Keith Silkwood, 23-and were surprised by the soldiers' youth. (INQ7)

Expressway execs condemn rallyists for 'mob mentality'

By Marna H. Dagumboy, Sun Star

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Officials of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) recently condemned protesters for their "mob mentality" in their demand to freeze the Anti-Overloading Law.

This, after well-meaning leaders made an observation in accordance to the radical protest action at the NLEx premises allegedly staged by certain people with vested interests in their demand to freeze of the said law.

Meanwhile, the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) appealed for sobriety among the protesting truckers in order to share common concern for the greater welfare of our people.

In a related development, Transportation Undersecretary Ricky Alfonso defended the NLEx ban on overloaded trucks, adding that since last year, the DOT has forewarned them already.

"We are being laughed at by the international community because we are not implementing our own laws on overloading," the official said in an early interview.

"While the government and MNTC are not defenseless should our offer for peace is spurned, we still believe that genuine dialogue will continue to make winners of us all. Let's keep our expressway and other streets free from harm and mischief," Marlene Ochoa, MNTC director for communications, stressed.

Ochoa said the rallyists used trucks and other vehicles as their means to block some entry and exit points of the NLEx, which caused monstrous traffic jams in several areas.

"We deeply regret the precipitate action of an association of truck drivers to block and slow down traffic leading to the new NLEx in their attempt to force the hand of government to suspend the Anti-Overloading Law," Ochoa said.

Safety and anti-overloading advocates described the protest action as a "desperate attempt" to force the government to suspend implementation of Republic Act 8794 commonly known as the Motor Vehicle Users' Charge (MVUC) Law.

On the other hand, lawyer-advocate Rafael dela Torre viewed the barricades as a "senseless and condemnable machination being employed by those opposing strict enforcement of the anti-overloading law."

"It is about time for the authorities to crack the whip and compel this recalcitrant mob to adhere to the rule of law. It is bad enough that they are endangering public safety and welfare by demanding that they be allowed to flagrantly violate the Anti-Overloading Law," dela Torre said.

"This latest ploy to promote their selfish motives at the expense of public safety is even worse. This is tantamount to terrorism and economic sabotage which must not be left unchecked by the authorities," he added.

He said enforcement of the laws "is a State commitment beyond lip service because this is a serious matter, short of being a life-and-death issue."

Enacted in 2000, RA 8794 sets a load limit of 13,500 kilograms per axle as stipulated by the MVUC, reputedly the highest load limit in the world.

Public-school achievement tests set

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Times Reporter

Public elementary and high-school students will wrap up the school year with various exams to test their competencies.

Acting Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo announced Friday that in the high-school level, the National Achievement Tests will be given on March 9 for the first year, March 14 for the fourth year and March 15 for the second year. The NAT for Grade 6 pupils will be on March 7.

The English and Filipino reading tests for Grade 3 pupils in all public schools will be on February 28.

An oral reading test and constructed response test will be given on a sample student population by the National Education Testing and Research Council from March 20 to 31.

In last year’s achievement tests, public elementary and high-school students fared poorly, with average scores below the passing mark.

Pupils in public elementary schools posted a 59.10-percent score in Math, 59.15 percent in English, 54.12 percent in Science, 61.75 percent in Filipino and 59.55 percent in Hekasi. The scores are way below the passing grade of 75 percent.

Students in public high schools also garnered scores that were below the passing mark. Based on the mean-percentage scores, public high-school students posted scores of 50.7 in Math, 51.33 in English, 39.49 in science, 42.49 in Filipino and 50.01 in Health and Sibika. The achievement tests covered the five subject areas.

Gov’t adopts new scholarship scheme

By Sandy Araneta, The Philippine Star

The government has adopted a new scholarship program called the "scholarship voucher," which allows pubic school students to be transferred to private learning institutions.

The voucher scheme is described as a two-pronged approach to the current educational problem. By transferring scholars from public schools to private learning institutions, enrollment rate is improved in these institutions and overpopulation in public schools is reduced.

President Arroyo recently distributed 250 high school scholarships to five public elementary schools during her visit to Pangasinan.

The recipients of the new program include the Dulag Elementary School, Cabayaasan Elementary School, Dupong Centro Elementary School, Pagawas Elementary School and the Matic Matic Elementary School.

Under the program, each school will award scholarships to 50 deserving students for enrollment in a private high school.

The high school voucher program aims to enroll deserving public elementary school graduates who cannot be accommodated by public high schools due to lack of classrooms.

Some P500 million has been allotted by the government for the construction of new classrooms and the delivery of new textbooks and instructional materials.

Funds have been allotted for more high school scholars in private schools in the 2006 budget.

Wowowee: Hope amidst tragedy

IMMIGRATION CORNER By Michael J. Gurfinkel
The Philippine Star

In the aftermath of the tragic stampede in Pasig (Ultra) that resulted in the deaths of at least 74 persons, and injuries to hundreds more, some are calling for the end of the popular noontime TV show "Wowowee", and the dismissal of its popular host Willie Revillame, because the show somehow "exploits the poor." While I respect these points of view, I would like to humbly offer my own opinion about a person who really has a kind heart, and a show that brings hope and joy to so many.

Preliminarily, I offer my sincerest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families. It is a tragedy that no one wanted to happen. I see that Willie and ABS-CBN are stepping forward and addressing the needs of the victims and their families. But I would also feel sorry for the millions of viewers who will lose the chance to be entertained and the hope of striking it big if Wowowee is pulled off the air.

While I have had the privilege to work with many celebrities, the thing that struck me most about Willie was his sincere passion and desire to help people in need.

When I accompanied him to the US Embassy in Manila for the processing of his entertainer’s visa for a series of Wowowee shows in the United States, people approached him to narrate their problems and greet him. He listened to each one of them, and gladly accommodated all those wanting autographs. Each eager fan was treated like a close friend.

In New York, Filipinos also came to him in droves, despite the bad weather, hoping to solicit help for their personal problems. Not only did he listen, he followed through with solutions, when he could. One contestant, Daniel Costes, had not seen his daughter for 9 years. Willie asked me to help, and we are assisting Daniel in bringing his daughter to the U.S. But that would have never happened, without the help of Willie.

This intense desire to help people in any way he can, has endeared Willie and Wowowee to millions of Filipinos all over the world, who watch his show thru ABS-CBN International and The Filipino Channel. It is not surprising then that so many Filipino balikbayans have made it a point to watch Wowowee live when they are in Manila and gladly give $10, $20, or more as prizes to the poorer members of the audience. Willie’s spirit of "giving" is contagious to others. He loves his audience, and would never dream of bringing harm to them.

Entertaining people and offering them some hope should be commended, not condemned. It is heartwarming to see people having fun, smiling and laughing at Wowowee, and some going home with bundles of money or goodies that they have won at the program.

I do not believe that Wowowee exploits the poor. The show (or its format) is really not the issue in this case, but instead how crowd control was handled and who may be responsible. (On that issue, I take no position and have no opinion. I leave it to others to resolve that point.) While everyone agrees that the tragic deaths are something no one wanted to happen, game shows such as Wowowee, offer "hope" to people. Saying we should end a show because it offers hope means that shows such as American Idol, Star for a Night, Night of Champions, and even beauty contests should likewise end, because they also offer hope and promise of fame, fortune, and a better life. But isn’t it hope that keeps us going? It enables us to bear the unbearable, all because of a chance, however small, of raising one’s self up from their present condition.

Using the same logic for canceling Wowowee, doctors should stop practicing medicine for the terminally ill, as it gives them hope. Lawyers should turn away clients with problems too difficult to resolve, as it may give the person "hope". But if turning away the hopeless is to be commended, how many of my own clients would still be in despair? Many had hopeless cases, but we offered them hope. And for those clients who believed, many were able to achieve their American Dream.

While not everyone would win a house, tricycle or money, all fans of Wowowee find the hope and inspiration it offers to give them strength. In the end, we may all learn from this tragedy, but shows such as Wowowee should be allowed to continue to entertain and offer hope and inspiration to viewers, audience, and contestants.

Usec. Luz transfer a ‘mockery’ of civil service, says CSC officer

By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter And Candice Cerezo, Manila Times Researcher

CHAIRMAN Karina Constantino-David of the Civil Service Commission said that Malacañang’s transfer of Education Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz is undermining the security of tenure of career officers and “making a mockery” of efforts to uplift government service.

“The message that is being sent is that career officials better tow the line set by the political leadership, no matter what, lest you be another Luz,” David said in her dissenting opinion concerning the decision issued by the commission on the appeal filed by Luz regarding Malacañang’s order transferring him from the Department of Education to the labor department.

Luz lost in the case after Commissioners J. Waldemar Valmores and Cesar Buenaflor voted to dismiss his appeal, saying the commission had no jurisdiction over the case.

David was the lone dissenter in the three-man panel, which decided the case.

She contended that the commission had jurisdiction over the case being the central personnel agency of the government tasked to handle cases involving personnel actions such as transfer, reassignment, demotion and separation.

She believed that Malacañang’s order was prompted by political motive following Luz’s refusal to accept three checks worth P15 million from the President’s Social Fund for the supposed scholarship program of Rep. Antonio Diaz of Zambales.

“If a career official can be taken out of the department [either by termination or by other means such as reassignment], for no apparent reason, then the ‘insecurity’ of the rest of the career bureaucracy, is a reality,” David said.

She said Luz’s reassignment to the DOLE “was tainted with bad faith and was not done in the interest of public service.”

He position was backed by the CSC Office for Legal Affairs, which recommended the grant of Luz’ appeal.

Luz sought the CSC’s help after Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued a memo on October 4, 2005, telling him that he was being reassigned to DOLE.

David said while Luz can be transferred to another department, he being a career executive officer, there is no vacancy for an undersecretary in the labor department, a requirement under a resolution by the Career Executive Service Board.

She found out that all three undersecretary positions at the DOLE are occupied and Luz would probably be placed at a lower position with diminution in his rank and salary.

“Or worse, he might even end up on ‘floating’ status, which is a violation of [CESB rules],” David said.

The commissioner said President Arroyo’s power of discretion to reassign an official is not absolute since “there are conditions that must be met.”

She said Malacañang tried to transfer Luz after it failed to terminate his service since Luz is a career executive officer.

“Obviously, the reassignment option was reached because the first option, that of removal, did not work,” she said.

The other thing that convinced David that Luz’s transfer was done in bad faith was that the Office of the President failed to submit to the commission the November 12, 2002, appointment of Luz, a crucial evidence in the case.

“The inescapable conclusion is that the Office of the President wants to suppress this piece of evidence,” she said.

The November 12 appointment assured Luz of his security of tenure as education undersecretary, David said.

She said the transfer “was not done in the interest of public service” as Malacañang claimed, since Luz’s position as undersecretary for administration and finance “is particularly crucial.”

“Definitely, his reassignment would unduly derail the smooth operations of the department, which will ultimately prejudice the service,” she said.

David said Luz would be more needed at DepEd, a department with close to 500,000 employees, than at the labor department, with only a little over 7,000 employees.

Senators press SC for TRO vs EO 464

‘Warn of crisis in gov’t

FAILURE of Cabinet officials to appear before budget deliberations by invoking Executive Order 464 prompted 17 senators led by Senate President Franklin Drilon to ask the Supreme Court yesterday to immediately issue a temporary restraining order against the so-called gag order.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and Interior Undersecretary Marius Corpus invoked EO 464 as reason for not appearing before the Senate Wednesday for the hearing of the proposed 2006 budgets of their respective offices.

This prompted senators to propose a P1 budget for the Office of the Press Secretary and the Department of Interior and Local Government. They also warned of rejection by the Commission on Appointments of appointees who will snub confirmation hearings.

On Thursday, senators virtually declared war on Malacañang and vowed to get back at officials who will invoke EO 464 in refusing Senate invitations to congressional and confirmation hearings.

EO 464, signed by President Arroyo last September 27, prohibits department heads and generals in the Armed Forces and the National Police from appearing before congressional hearings without permission from Arroyo.

In October last year, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued Memorandum Order 192 which allows officials to attend confirmation and budget hearings up to Dec. 31, 2005.

Last Jan. 27, he issued MO 192-A which allows the officials, "unless otherwise specifically directed," to attend budget and confirmation hearings until June 30, 2006.

But Ermita on Wednesday said they had come up with another directive revoking MOs 192 and 192-A. He said this was on the advice of the Palace’s legal department pending resolution of petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of EO 464.

No copy of the directive has been made available by the Palace.

Sixteen senators asked the Supreme Court in October last year to declare EO 464 unconstitutional, saying it violates the principle of separation of powers and corollary checks and balance by frustrating the functions of Congress and infringing on the basic principle of transparency and on access to information.

Their urgent motion, filed late yesterday, followed a Supreme Court resolution setting oral arguments on February 21.

The petitioners aside from Drilon were Senators Juan Flavier, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Loi Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Alfredo Lim, Sergio Osmeña III, Ralph Recto, Mar Roxas III, Jamby Madrigal, and Manuel Villar.

Villar, who was out of the country at the time, was not among those who signed the October petition.

In the urgent motion, the senators through lawyer Pacifico Agabin said the implementation of EO 464 will lead to "another crisis in the bureaucracy" as even legislation grounds to a halt.

"In the light of the above developments critical to the nation, petitioners respectfully pray for the intervention of the Honorable Court and for the immediate resolution of their application for TRO and/or writ of preliminary injunction," Agabin said in the seven-page motion.

Agabin said hearings for the P1.05 trillion proposed national budget for 2006 have been blocked because of the invocation by officials of EO 464.

Failure to pass the budget will result in the reenactment of the 2005 appropriations.

Senators have said under a reenacted budget, Arroyo will be able to realign and transfer funds from one office to another.

Agabin noted that even nominees for Cabinet-level positions have refused to appear for confirmation hearings, also invoking the EO.

"This will lead to another crisis in the bureaucracy since the chairman of the CoA (Commission on Appointments) has threatened to reject all nominees for top Cabinet positions who refuse to appear before the Commission, and that thereafter, they will have to vacate their positions which they are temporarily occupying," Agabin said.

In their October petition, the senators said EO 464 was a case of a "blatant executive overreaching into legislative authority at its worst, the timing of its enactment showing that it is intended no less than to insulate the President and virtually all government officials from justified public scrutiny and congressional inquiry."

The senators said the President’s "executive privilege does not shield executive officials from testifying before Congress" and that the trend in jurisprudence is toward more liberal access to information, and more restricted use of the privilege.

Aside from the senators, other groups that opposed the EO were the party-list Bayan Muna, the Alternative Lawyers Group, former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez, and the PDP-Laban led by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

The Office of the Solicitor General has said EO 464 was intended to ensure the observance of the principle of the separation of powers, adherence to the rule on executive privilege, and respect for the rights of public officials appearing in legislative investigations.

Biazon yesterday said Malacañang’s move to clip the Senate’s powers would only make palatable to the public extra-constitutional means being pushed by some sectors to oust Arroyo.

Biazon said the continued implementation of EO 464 would lead to the "erosion of the credibility of government institutions and the breakdown of institutional processes."

This, he said, could then "lead to a total loss of institutional options to correct what is wrong in government."

"The loss of institutional options and constitutional processes would make extra-constitutional means as a last resort acceptable to the people," he said.

He said sectors that have up to this time rejected the idea of another popular uprising to oust Arroyo could reconsider and agree to take to the streets.

Biazon also said that because of the EO, senators could not pursue investigations into the North Rail contract, the anomalous use of the multi-billion fertilizer fund, the disbursement of the Marcos fund, the wire-tapping issue and the alleged cheating in the May 2004 elections.

A group calling itself Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (Codal) said Arroyo and her officials are criminally liable for their failure to submit a "written and official justification for the President’s refusal to allow executive officials to appear before the Senate."

It said EO 464 violated three provisions of the Constitution, namely, Congress’ power to conduct legislative investigations and to approve the budget and the people’s right to information on matters of public concern.

Pangilinan said he was "dismayed by the deliberate attempt of Malacañang to stifle our public servants from fulfilling their mandate to serve at the pleasure of our countrymen."

He said: "Malacañang does not have an exclusive franchise on determining what constitutes matters of national interest. In fact, history has shown that a number of official acts of a sitting president have been shown to be inconsistent with the national interest."

He asked Arroyo to withdraw EO 464 immediately.

Recto asked Malacañang to appoint a "bridge" to the Senate to end its "cold war" with senators.

"If Malacañang would like to reconcile with President Estrada, why can’t it not do the same to the Senate? If it is willing to talk peace with 100,000 armed men, why can’t it now settle its differences with 23 individuals?" Recto said.

Gabriel Claudio, presidential adviser for political affairs, said backchannel efforts to appease senators are ongoing. He did not elaborate.

Claudio said they expect the confusion to be resolved as soon as the Supreme Court rules on EO 464.

Presidential chief of staff Michel Defensor said he feels that the budget hearings would eventually resume but hopes that some form of "parameters" would be set to prevent the hearings from being abused.

Ermita said Thursday there have been instances when members of the executive branch were being grilled on issues outside the budget. – Evangeline de Vera, Joan Dairo and Jocelyn Montemayor - Malaya

Subic freeport zone hitting the doldrums

by Willie Ng
Manila Bulletin 27 September 2000

THE administration should pay some attention to the Asian Wall Street Journal's piece (Sept. 21) on the decline of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

In 1997, according to AWSJ reporter Robert Frank, "economic developers worldwide were trekking to Subic to study the Philippine miracle."

That was an era when Acer, FedEx, fiber-optic cable factories and the Malaysian-run casino were going great guns.

* * *

Today, Acer has slashed over 1,000 of its original 2,600 workers from the payroll and moved one PC line to China and two notebook lines back to Taiwan.

"The factory has so much empty space that workers have started playing soccer on the testing floor," wrote Frank.

It is hoped that the return of China Air Lines and Eva Air Lines flights will lower freight costs and flying time for motherboards and other parts from Taiwan, thereby normalizing Acer's operations.

* * *

The Subic management cites 30 new projects, 20,000 new jobs and over $1 billion in exports for the past year.

All that, according to locals, have been offset by a rash of closings and cutbacks.

There is over $30 million in back rentals, according to Frank, and residents say that "brown-outs, smuggling and crime have returned."

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Add to this the requirement for Subic companies to hire only from the Subic jobs center where workers are from Bataan, the bailiwick of Subic Chairman Felicito Payumo, former Bataan congressman.

According to Frank, Payumo said this was to correct the favoritism of his predecessor, Dick Gordon, toward Olongapo residents.

A company which wanted to hire "a talented Web-site designer from Olongapo'' had to wait for weeks to get approval.

Last Sunday, a visitor to Subic, coming to a full stop at an intersection while waiting for the intersecting traffic to cross, finally made his move only to be challenged by a traffic policeman who asked him why he failed to stop.

Obviously that fellow must be from Bataan. The former policemen, all Olongapo natives, knew what they were doing.

Welcome to Subic, Olongapo, Philippines

BRIEF HISTORY

The story of Olongapo is derived from a colorful legend about a well loved chieftain called Apo, whose headless body is one day found at the beach of the fishing village. A long and andent search ends when his missing head is found impaled atop a bamboo pole. The announcement of the discovery becomes a rallying cry for unity for the demoralized tribe. So "Ulo ng Apo" or head of the Chieftain became the name of the fishing village on the shores of lovely Subic Bay.

Well endowed with natural beauty, legend and lore paint Olongapo as a romantic spot in Western Luzon. A fishing village inhabited by peace-loving, Tagalog speaking people, Olongapo became host to a Spanish navy arsenal and shipyard in the late 19th century. The Spaniards were attracted to the place by the deep waters of the natural harbor and the protection from fierce storms offered by the surrounding mountains, the same factors that attracted the Americans several years later.

As can be expected in any military setting, the imperatives of war shaped the form of the community. The naval station became a naval base which was later complemented by a naval air station. In between, the Japanese used what facilities they found to produce patrol boats of the sampan type. The second world war saw increased military activity at the Subic Naval Base which resulted in a marked demand for civilian support services.

Corollary to the growth of the US Military establishment in Subic Bay, the host community of Olongapo grew from a simple provincial village into a bustling town. On December 7, 1959 it gained municipality status after the US Government reliquished its naval reservation to the Philippine Government. In 1966, Municipal Mayor James L. Gordon agitated for city status and got it on June 1 of the year.The chartered city become the first highly urbanized city in Central Luzon on December 7, 1983 and gained independence from the mother province Zambales.

OLONGAPO CITY LOCATION

Situated at the Southern entry point of Zambales and the Northwestern interior of the Subic Bay area, Olongapo City approximately 127 kilometers North of Manila. It's total land area of 18,500 hectares is distributed among 17 barangays (Asinan, East Bajac-Bajac, Banicain, Baretto, New Cabalan, Old Cabalan, Gordon Heights, East Tapinac, West Tapinac, Kababae, Kalalake, Ilalim, Kalaklan, Mabayuan, Pag-asa and Sta. Rita) former US reservation and the Negrito Resettlement areas. Other than the city proper, which is located on a 6.48 sq. kms. Tidal flatland, Olongapo City is characterized by rugged and mountainous terrain.

Because of its peculiar geographic location - the Zambales mountains on its three sides, Bataan and Subic Bay at its base - development of city land is limited. Also, the territorial borders from nearby towns are not properly marked. This isn't considered to be a disadvantage, however, since this same position has situated Olongapo City strategically within easy access from our neighbors in the Asia - Pacific, resulting in a growing commercial relationship between the Philippines and the said countries.

The population of Olongapo City is more than 310,000 and is projected to increase to 453,894 by the year 2000. This rapid growth is attributed to the heavy influx of migrants from neighboring towns and other parts of the country, attracted by the booming industry and employment opportunites offered by Olongapo City, through the Subic Bay Freeport.

There are no main dialects in Olongapo City. The people generally speak and understand Filipino and English.

Literacy rate is 99.11 percent.

Climate - cool and dry from November to February. Warm and dry from March to May. Wet from June to October. Temperature ranges from 25.6 degrees celsius during the coldest month. If January to 28.3 degrees celsius during the warmest month of May.

To make it accessible to the general public, Olongapo City can now be reached by air with easy access through.

By Sea

Olongapo City is accessible through the international seaport of the Subic Bay Freeport. At present, it is being utilized as a general cargo port by the Investors of the Subic Bay Freeport but is envisioned to be developed into a fully-operational international port.

By Land

Olongapo City is a two hour drive from Manila via the North Expressway, passing through Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan. Turning right at the San Fernando exit, you can head straight to Olongapo via the Olongapo Gapan Road, which will lead you to Dinalupihan, Bataan and eventually, Olongapo City. From Zambales to Pangasinan, Olongapo City can be reached through the National Road, going Southward.

There are buses that ply the Olongapo - Manila route - Victory Liner with terminals at Pasay City, Monumento and Cubao. And Saulog Transit located at Dr. Lopez Jaena St., Cavite City.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Nature has blessed Olongapo City with beautiful scenario. Subic Bay's calm waters can be viewed by everyone in just one easy ride from Olongapo proper going to the North. In viewing Subic Bay, one also sees its natural harbor protected by mountains on three sides and its recreational area for tourists and visitors. One may explore other interesting places in Olongapo City such as:

GORDON MEMORIAL PARK

This is where the late Mayor James L. Gordon, dubbed as the "Father of Olongapo City" was interred. From its landscape location at the edge of the Kalaklan bridge (near the public cemetery), the beautiful and breathtaking Subic Bay can be viewed.

SUBIC BAY LIGHTHOUSE

A panoramic view perfect for picture taking, this old lighthouse is found along the National Highway going to the North. It overlooks the Subic Bay Area.

GROTTO OF OUR LADY OF PARDON

Located near the side of Kalaklan Bridge in Barangay Mabayuan, Catholic devoteed, pray and pay homage to the Lord of Pardon at this Sacred Place.

MARIKIT PARK

Designed for the enjoyment of children and the young at heart, this park located at the center of the city features a scenic playground and a scattering of benches for relaxation.

FRIENDSHIP PARK

Adjacent to the main gate of the Subic Bay Freeport, this long, narrow park stretches along the Perimeter Road. A mini-children's park lies at the Northern side. The Olongapo Bremerton Sisterhood Marker, symbolizing the sister city relationship between Olongapo City and Bremerton City can also be found here.

WORLD PEACE MEMORIAL

The dove that greets visitors at the entry point to Olongapo City stands as a sign of peace, in memory of those who died during the battle of Zigzag Pass, one of the longest and most hazardous battles during World War II.

MAGSAYSAY DRIVE AND RIZAL AVENUE

Chains of bars, nightclub, restaurants, hotel and sauna baths can be found here. Definitely the business center of Olongapo City.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY

This sports activity is usually participated in by every Barangay. It aims to promote friendship between the neighboring Barangays.

Same as Sports Activities in Subic Bay Freeport Zone

FESTIVALS

First Quarter (January to March)

New Year's Celebration
Chinese New Year (Chinese Community)
Valentines Day Celebration
Holy Week
Graduation Day (Schools)

Second Quarter (April to June)

Holy Week Activities (Sinakulo, Pabasa)
Santa Cruzan
Barangay Fiesta
Independence Day

Third Quarter (July to September)

Fil-Am Friendship Day
Intramurals (School)

Fourth Quarter (October to December)

October Fest (Mardi Grass)
All Souls Day
Christmas Celebration
Olongapo City Town Fiesta

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Olongapo City offers more than enough rooms ranging from furnished housings and luxurious condominiums to modest hotel accommodations. Amenities include air-conditioned rooms, hot or cold water and restaurants. While most resorts are located at Bo. Barretto, going North to Zambales. Most hotels and resorts accommodate walk-in customer. During peak season, however, reservations are highly recommended in major tourist establishments, most of which have booking offices in Manila.

A rationalized transport scheme started in 1983 is being implemented to maintain orderly traffic flow within the City. Color coded jeepney's and tricycles, each representeing a specific route strictly follow traffic rules and regulation. Following are the color schemes and their respective routes.

Public Utility Jeepneys

Sta. Rita/Pepsi to Main Gate - Yellow Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Main Gate - Red Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Pag-asa - Orange Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Balic-Balic - Beige Jeepney
Cabalan/New Cabalan to Public Market - Brown Jeepney
Mabayuan to Public Market - Green Jeepney
Subic to Olongapo City - Blue Jeepney

Color - coded Jeepneys and Tricycles are affordable modes of transportation throughout Olongapo City and Subic.

TagBoard

Aiza: Kaasar ngamga pangyayari, e. Hay, naku. Wala silang magawa sa buhay kasi. Kadami na ngang problem sa mundo dinagdagan pa ng mga newspapers na yon.
Ilangilang: gosh!yan lang rxn ko sa nakikita kong chaos sa europe regarding the cartoon outrage. NoPAd: I hope this does not awaken a sleeping giant
NoPAd: they know before hand that this is a typical Muslim response when their religion is attacked
NoPAd: it could also be a deliberate ploy, "testing the waters" to check the strength/unity of radical Muslims in their locality
Gret: Freedom of expression? Come on! It's irresponsible journalism!
Gret: I am not a Muslim but I sympathize with them in their protests against newspapers in Europe and Australia for publishing and republishing the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
Nya: NoPAd,i agree!Never heard of NPAs raping women.
Gret: I agree with you, NoPad. Another controversy to silence the subic gang-rape case.
NoPAd: d subic rapists -killers who introduced themselves as NPAs is an obvious CIA operation aimed to blur the GI gang-rape case
Nya: taga Bali yun ms Gret.bka ganun din itsura taong kakilala natin!hehe
Nya: mas nakakatawa dati,sabi nya ?gib uf da fyt".hehe.kala ko dati,haf noypi/haf blak cya.kaya nga ako nagka idea sa ?ITA" image na yan.hehe.
Nya: ok sana mag gitara at gus2 ko mga kinakanta nya.yun nga lang mga words,minumurdr nya.
Nya: Ms Gret,madalas ako dun.ilang beses ko na nga napanood performance nya.
Gret: Yup, ganda ng boses. Kinanta nya fave song mo ang "I Shot the Sheri..."Hehe! La nga lang 'f'! LOL!
Gret: Oy Nya, nagpunta pala kami ni Chad sa Tin's Hall after ng dinner nating 4 and we saw this guy kumakanta dun, kulot ang buhok, payat, may kaitiman...half-half daw siya! Sounds familiar?
ilangilang: hello rommel!napasyal ka di2 sa forum!
romel : hi 2 ol la lng npadaan lng
Gret: Palagay ko nagpunta.
Nya: hello!may mga tao pa ba di2? kawawa naman mga nasawi sa stampede! ms. gret, d kaya nagpunta din yong mga impostor natin kachika sa forum dun sa show na yun? sana, d kac wala na akong katunggali!
Aiza: Oo nga, e. Kawawa naman sila. Ganyan na ba ka-poor sa tin?
Gret: Hey, guys. Have you heard about the stampede? Napaka-depressing naman. Embarrassing and depressing.
Aiza: Asan ka naka-base?
Aiza: Oks lang, Ilang-ilang. Ako nga nakiki-join lang din dito. Pro di ko masyado ma-dig pinagsasabi dito nila NYA and GRET cuz I'm new here also.
Gret: Hehe! I am so excited to meet you and boy tiklo together, at last!!!