JUNK/p7

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vol. xvi No. 181 Tuesday, November 21, 2017 Western Visayas, Philippines 16 PAGES2 Sections

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By F. AllAn l. Angelo

ALL eyes will be on Mayor Jose Espinosa III this week as regards his decision on the controversial P3.4-mil-lion chicken supply contract under the Integrated Com-munity Food Production (ICFP) of the City Agricul-ture Office (CAO).

This, as the ad hoc committee investigating the deal has submit-ted its findings to Espinosa two weeks ago.

Sources privy with the findings said the main recommendation of the committee is to rescind the sup-ply contract with Foodwealth Agro-Vet Trading due to violations of the ICFP terms of reference.

The committee also recommend-ed the suspension of Foodwealth from future City Hall deals for a period of one year.

If Espinosa agrees with the find-ings, at least three City Hall officials will be suspended for a maximum of six months for allegedly neglect-

By M. A. De los sAntos

THE CAMP of former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog are silent on the Court of Ap-peals’ (CA) decision to affirm the Office of the Ombudsman’s ruling to dismiss the former lo-cal chief executive for serious dishonesty.

“I cannot comment since it is still sub judice as it is not yet final, and we are still filing our remedy,” said lawyer Joenar Pueblo, Mabilog’s counsel.

Pueblo was referring to the sub judice rule which restricts comments and disclosures pertaining to pending judicial proceedings.

Pueblo filed the petition for certiorari with the CA to contest the authority of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang in signing the deci-sion dismissing Mabilog from office for his failure to explain his wealth from 2012 to 2013.

By JenniFer P. renDon

CRIMINAL charges were filed against a teacher and three students for allegedly bullying a mentally-challenged teenage boy.

Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Riza Jamelar-in, chief of the Pandan PNP Women and Chil-

dren’s Protection Desk (WCPD), said they filed charges for violation of Republic Act 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) against three 20-year old students and a 29-year old male teacher.

While she did not name the respondents,

‘JUNK FOWL DEAL’Probers push rescission of P3.4-M chicken contract

iloilo CiTY Mayor Jose Espinosa III (2nd from left) turns over five of the 20 bikes to the Special Services Unit (SSU) of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), Nov 20, 2017. SSU head Robert Dumanil received the bikes in the presence of (from left) Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, Councilors Mandrei Malabor, Jay Treñas and Ely Estante, and City Administrator Hernando Galvez. Meanwhile, the public awaits Espinosa’s decision on the P3.4-million chicken dispersal project. (Ricky D. Alejo)

Mabilog’s counselmum on CA ruling

Teacher, students rapped for ‘bullying’ mentally-challenged teen

JEd Patrick Mabilog

teacher/p7 Mabilog’S/p7

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By MAricyn A. De los sAntos

AND the bandwagon swells. #NoToPECO conveners are set to hold a rally

outside the Iloilo City Hall today, Nov 21, 2017, in support of opposition to the renewal of Panay Electric Company’s (PECO) congressional franchise.

In a press conference held Nov 20 at Hotel del Rio, Elmer Forro of Bayan Panay said the rally will be held while PECO representatives meet members of the Iloilo City Council prior to the latter’s regular session.

“Tomorrow (Nov 21, 2017), expect that Bayan will hold a protest rally outside the city hall together with the other sectors of the community to raise the issue against PECO,” Forro said.

Forro is one of the #NoToPECO conveners, together with Councilors Joshua Alim and Plaridel Nava, Dr. Marigold Gonzalez, Allen Aquino, Ford Pelaez of

Hukbong Federalismo, Fr. Marco Sulayao of Philip-pine Independent Church, Lucy Francisco of Panay Consumers Alliance, among others.

The #NoToPECO movement is comprised of PECO consumers and groups who oppose the granting of a 25-year franchise to PECO.

Alim, author of Meter Reading System Ordinance which PECO questioned in court, accused the city’s sole power distributor anew of poor services as well as “over-billing, billing without reading of electric meter, undelivered monthly bills, unannounced power out-ages, lack of prompt action on consumer complaints, deteriorating posts which pose dangers to limb and life of consumers, arrogance of PECO personnel, disrespect to Iloilo City Council.”

Alim also accused of PECO making it hard for “informal settlers” to acquire their own meters, result-ing in “jumpers” or illegal connections and pilferages which are being shouldered by “honest consumers” in

the form of systems loss charges.PECO have repeatedly denied these accusations

and maintained that it has been addressing consumer complaints on over-billing, meter reading, pilferages, among others.

It also repeatedly blamed cases of over-billing to its contracted meter reader.

PECO accused that meter readers connived with some consumers to lower their electricity consump-tion in exchange for a fee. The firm said “over-billing” charges are actually accumulated bills brought about by the alleged connivance between the meter readers and some consumers.

It stressed that its Smart Metering Program is the answer to the billing woes, and has been reaching out to the barangays in the implementation of the Barangay Metering Program.

PECO’s franchise renewal is pending with the

By JenniFer P. renDon

A POLICEMAN and another person were wounded after another police officer’s gun al-legedly went off by “accident.”

Senior Inspector Janvier Gilza, Anini-y town police chief, said the incident happened 1:49 a.m. of Nov. 20, 2017 in a gymnasium next to Anini-y Municipal Hall in Antique province.

Injured were Police Officer 1 (PO1) Joel Pon-je, 26, of Anini-y Police Station; and Rex Ryan Gecaraya, 25, of Barangay Butuan, Anini-y.

According to police reports, a commotion transpired while the town was celebrating Uru-kay Festival, Anini-y’s annual festival inspired by a local wedding feast.

Since the celebration was winding down, Gilza said several policemen who secured the venue already went back at the police station.

But at around 1:30 a.m., Mayor Maxfil Pol-licar came in rushing and asked for assistance because of an ongoing commotion.

Responding policemen pointed to Albert

By louine HoPe conservA

THE towns of San Miguel and Passi City are being eyed as locations of the proposed clustered sanitary landfills in Iloilo province which will be implemented through public-private partnership (PPP).

Mayor Jett Rojas of Ajuy, president of the League of the Municipalities of the Philip-pines (LMP-Iloilo), said IPM-Construction and Development Corp. (IPM-CDC), which pre-sented the proposal, pointed to the two towns in the second and third districts as center loca-tions for the landfills.

IPM-CDC is the same com-pany which operates the Paya-tas landfill in Quezon City and handles waste collection and disposal in Bacolod City.

“We discussed that they start in San Miguel and if it became successful then they can expand to other clusters,” Rojas said.

By louine HoPe conservA

THE Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force of Iloilo temporarily grounded due to lack of fuel.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, who is also the chairman of the task force, said Bantay Dagat has been on standby for almost a week now due to delays in the procure-ment of fuel being handled by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

“The team is just on standby to assist the municipalities. We did not suspend our operation but we cannot patrol because we do not have fuel for our

boats,” Banias said.PAO head Ildefonso Toledo

said the delay is caused by new rules of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Under the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regu-lations (IRR) of RA 9184, the Philippine Government Elec-tronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) will only accept bidders with platinum mem-bership.

“There are additional re-quirements from PhilGEPs which the bidder has to com-ply,” he said.

But Toledo said he was in-

formed that the contract was already awarded to the bidder and the supplier might start with-drawing fuel within the week.

Meanwhile, Banias said the illegal fishing campaign in the province continues despite the grounding of the task force.

He said the role of the Ban-tay Dagat is only to augment the operation of coastal mu-nicipalities.

“The primary role of guid-ing the municipal waters still lies with the municipalities as well as the concerned govern-ment agencies. We are only here to augment and support,” he said.

NOTHING TO FEAR

#NoTopeCo supportersto hold rally at City Hall

By JenniFer P. renDon

THE Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battal-ion and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) clashed anew in Janiuay, Iloilo past noon of Nov 20, 2017.

The latest armed skirmish between govern-ment troops and the rebels was the third to hap-pen in Janiuay town since Oct 6.

Brigadier General Pio Diñoso, commanding officer of the 301st Infantry Brigade, said not one government soldier was killed or injured in the clash.

While there was no body count on the part of the NPA, Diñoso claimed that they found bloodstains on the enemy position.

“The possibility of casualties on the NPA side is not farfetched,” he added.

According to reports, the firefight erupted 12:20 p.m. between a platoon of 61IB’s Char-lie Company and more or less 30 rebels at the boundaries of Barangays Canawilian, Janiuay

and Trangka in Maasin.The rebels are believed to be led by Roberto

“Lloyd” Cabales of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon Panay - Central Front Committee.

The firefight lasted for about 45 minutes.Diñoso said the rebels fled to different direc-

tions, leaving behind their backpacks and other personal belongings.

Government troops are still scouring the area as of this writing.

On Oct. 21, suspected NPA members engaged soldiers in an armed clash in Janiuay, particularly at Sitio Bacan, Barangay Barasalon.

A platoon from the 33rd Division Recon-naissance Company (DRC) led by 2Lt. Cortez encountered more or less five armed rebels.

The gunfire lasted for about five minutes before the rebels withdrew.

The encounter came two weeks after sus-pected NPA detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in the same town where six Army soldiers were wounded.

Army, Reds clash anew in Janiuay town

Clustered landfills eyed in Passi City, San Miguel

Two persons hurt as cop’s gun goes off

Lack of fuel hampers Bantay Dagat operation

#Notopeco/p7 clUStered/p7

two/p7

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“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi

NEW YORK CITY -- Based on re-cent developments, some Ilonggos have this bizarre hunch that

Panay Electric Company (PECO) might still be able to extend its fran-chise for another 25 years.

Since our city officials aren’t united, it will now be easier for PECO to mount an offensive, grab the yellow jersey, and weather the storm.

The Ilonggo consumers thought they had scored a checkmate when the city council recently passed a resolution “vehemently opposing” PECO’s application for extension of its franchise that will expire a few months from now or almost a year away.

It turned out “victory” wasn’t yet crystal clear--and might even slip away if miracles will not come from heaven.

The telltale signs were written on the wall when one councilor, Eduardo Peñare-dondo, did not vote yes.

Not only that. Peñaredondo had also boldly criticized

the resolution penned by Councilor Joshua Alim hinting that it was done haphazardly.

No matter how unpopular may be his stand, Peñaredondo came out flailing and swinging like a pugilist.

When a senior member of the local leg-islature sneezes, the entire House chokes.

-o0o-Peñaredondo was vocal

member of the 1993 city coun-cil that allowed PECO, then wobbling on both knees from incessant and bone-jarring protests from the consumers, led by lawyer Romeo Gerochi and the late Councilor German Gonzales, to snatch away vic-tory from the jaws of defeat.

As if the uppercut was not enough, Mayor Jose Espinosa III, of all people, emerged in the

scene singing a different tune that could stymie the city council’s musical show.

And, just in case some of us have forgot-ten, lone district Rep. Jerry Treñas was only waiting a few blocks away to possibly pull the plug for the crusaders and change the entire program.

Treñas, Espinosa, and Peñaredondo (TEP) are three of the most senior city of-

ficials who apparently aren’t keen on sever-ing city hall’s ties with the private electric company owned by the Cacho family.

-o0o-When they (TEP) flex their muscles

in this maelstrom, all the cookies will crumble.

The Iloilo Business Club will always side with the status quo for obvious rea-sons.

After everything has been said and done, it will still be PECO who will have the last laugh no matter how passionate and protracted may be the fracas.

The procession will go back to the church no matter how long may be the route.

The fight against Goliath has always been catatonic for the hapless power con-sumers.

Since time immemorial, PECO has stood ten feet tall even after the fat lady has rendered an award-winning performance on stage.

We can always defeat Lucifer in a no-holds-barred combat, but it’s always impossible to notch a victory against PECO.

An exasperated Roman poet Juvenal once raised a protest, “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” or Who will guard the guards?

(THE author is a real person who fell in love with Iloilo and, well, an Ilongga. She wants to remain anonymous due to some “complications” but still, she raises very valid points in her contributions – Editor)

AFTER having spent 6 weeks in North-West Europe, visit-ing friends from my OFW time, it was quite a shock to be back in the chaotic traffic of Iloilo City.

Over there, most (95%) of the drivers and pedestrians follow traffic rules and regulations, whereas here, it seems to be just the

opposite. Pedestrians mostly use marked crossings, even if there are no traffic lights installed and car drivers respect the ap-plicable rules.

One really feels safe there. One can issue a complaint to the police if a viola-tion of traffic rules and regulations are encountered. They will follow up and fine the violator if proven guilty.

Here in Iloilo City, it is quite different. A few days ago, I wanted to cross the street in front of Qualimed Hospital and almost got run down by a motor-biker,

although I used the marked pedestrian crossing. On the other hand, most pedestrians cross the street wherever they just want for the sake of shortcuts and maybe cut their life short, as what happened outside Alta Tierra some time ago.

THE illegal structures are probably the most direct and perni-cious cause of traffic snarls in Bacolod. We can construct new and expanded roads but these are wasted because they

become constrained after a while. Once they are opened to traffic they are occupied by the illegals as if the government constructed

these for them. Worse, because the govern-ment, the local government specifically, from the barangay to the Government Center, did not insure that this invasion of public property is prevented and those that have occupied them are ejected immediately.

Thus these illegal invaders move in, inch by inch, slowly but consistently, like creeping enemies of society who are, by government negligence or acquiescence made them be-lieve their need for space gives them the right

to take whatever they wanted. Without measures or will power by government to stop them or officials without gumption to enforce the law, the government has conceded these spaces to the illegals. Let the law abiding wail but whatever happens these lout of city and barangay officials get paid and called “honorable” although they are far from being one by their failure to comply with their oaths of office.

Several years ago, a city official whose name I prefer to keep off the press, told me that what Bacolod needs are more and wider roads. Indeed as Bacolod progressed its needs expanded as well. At the time we were starting to experience delays in the roads. He was right then and indeed we were gladdened when more infrastructure projects began. We saw relief.

Now we have more and wider roads and bridges but travel time has improved only minimally, not only in Bacolod but all over, as we come closer to cities and towns. Illegal structures and traffic obstructions negate the full value and gains of these improved roads and highways.

The chaotic states of our roads are actually easy to resolve. It requires the firm, resolute and consistent enforcement of the

Above the belt

Alex Vidal

We can win vs Lucifer, but not against PECO

voiceboxD’ Observer

Iloilo City and North-West

Europe

FocusModesto P. Sa-onoy

Like a pheonix-6

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FocUS/p7

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By Dolly yAsA

BACOLOD City – Two electric coops in Negros Occidental lowered power rates effective November 2017.

Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco), which covers the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and towns of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto, announced a P0.3322 per kilowatt hour (kWh) decrease in its residential rate for this month.

From P11.0280/kWh in October, the rate is down to P10.6958/kWh.

Ceneco general manager Sulpicio Lagarde Jr. said the reduction is due to a decrease in transmission charge of P0.0053/kWh.

The reduction is also due to the defer-ment in the collection of the P0.2220/kWh recovery for the Generation Rate Adjust-ment Mechanism (GRAM) and Incremen-tal Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment (ICERA) by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM).

Despite the decrease in rate, Ceneco urged consumers to conserve electricity to

avoid paying higher bills.Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental

Electric Cooperative (Noceco), which serves consumers in the south from Pu-lupandan to Hinoba-an, also reported a decrease in its November bill.

From P9.9234/kWh in October, No-ceco’s overall electricity rate for residential consumers is down to P9.8384/kWh, or a P0.0850/kWh reduction.

Jonas Discaya, general manager of Noceco, said the main reason for the cut is the P0.1077/kWh decrease in the genera-tion charge.

From P5.4098/kWh last month, the generation charge was slashed to P5.3021/kWh.

The deferment of the 10th to 17th Gram, 15th to 16th ICERA and 1st to 5th Automatic Cost Recovery Mechanism (ACRM) True-up Adjustments filed by PSALM is also a reason for the lower rates, Discaya said.

The deferment in collection of these adjustments is based on the Energy Regula-tory Commission (ERC) Order dated Oct 19, 2017.

Aside from the generation charge, No-ceco also reduced its systems loss charge to P0.0208/kWh, an indication that the cooperative has lessened technical losses (electricity lost to transmission and distri-bution) and non-technical losses (electric-ity lost to pilferage).

Transmission and subsidy rates, how-ever, increased by P0.0302/kWh and P0.0133/kWh, respectively.

“Distribution, supply and metering charges remain unchanged despite the increase in the overall electricity rate for this month,” Discaya said.

On the other hand, electric consumers in the northern part of the province, from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City, may incur higher bills in November.

Paulino Almedelia, Corporate Planning Department manager of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco), said they have yet to compute the final rate.

“We are expecting an increase this month mainly due to upward movement in the generation charge,” Almedelia added.

In October, Noneco’s rate was pegged at P10.8019/kWh.

BACOLOD City – The City of Bacolod has partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of its initiatives to improve the local business climate.

The city government hosted a two-day SEC-Gender and Development (GAD) Investor Information Seminar at the Bacolod City Gov-ernment Center until Friday attended by almost 300 participants from the academe, business organizations, and local government units.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the aim of his administration is for Bacolod to have a climate conducive for business to grow.

“I believe that in this business world today, corporations are somehow indispensable. I believe that the more corporations we have, the more it would indicate that there is more dyna-mism and progress, and development is naturally going to follow,” he said.

This year, Bacolod is one of the top 3 finalists in the Search for the Most Business-Friendly City of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and The Top Philippine Model City for 2017 for being the “most livable urban center in the country” in a competition initiated by The Manila Times.

Officials of SEC, led by Commissioner Emilio Aquino, discussed various topics, including

GAD’s Role in Capital Market, Microfinance and Lending, Investment Scams, Investment Products, and Company Registration System.

Lawyer Andrea Lizares-Si, chairperson of the Provincial Council for Women, gave a lecture on sexual harassment.

SEC-Iloilo Extension Office Director Russell Ildesa also warned participants against invest-ing money in unregistered investment schemes operating in social media.

Most victims were attracted by the good proposal of scammers in sites such as Facebook, he added.

Ildesa added that a SEC extension office will soon be established in Bacolod.

During his term as congressman, Leonardia authored a bill creating a permanent SEC office in Bacolod.

It later became Republic Act No. 10785 or the SEC Bacolod Office Law which former President Benigno Aquino III signed in early 2016.

Leonardia said he learned recently that more than 50 percent of all corporations in Western Visayas are based in Bacolod.

“The figures are big enough to justify that there should be a SEC office here. If we have SEC office here, that will facilitate business,” the mayor added. (NLG/PNA)

BACOLOD City – The City of Victorias officially launched on Nov 17, 217 the implementation of an anti-smoking ordinance.

Ordinance No. 10-2017 or the Comprehensive Smoking-Free Ordinance of Victorias City, prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in certain places.

It was approved by the City Council in August 2017.Victorias is the second city in Negros Occidental to launch its

anti-smoking ordinance this month, next to Bago City on Nov 5.The launching held at the Victorias public plaza and led by

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, a former smoker for 20 years, who discussed the hazards of smoking.

The mayor, who also lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s order banning smoking in public places, urged residents to serve “citizens watch” to assist the city government in apprehending violators along with the police.

Violators will pay PHP500 on first offense; PHP800 on sec-ond offense; and PHP1,000 on third and subsequent offenses, or imprisonment not exceeding five days or both at the discretion of the court.

By Dolly yAsA

BACOLOD City – The Diocese of Bacolod has expressed alarm over the number of Chris-tians who are being persecuted worldwide and has organized a prayer rally on Nov 22, 2017 to call for an end to the religious violence.

In a press conference on Nov 20, Diocese Social Action Cen-ter director Fr. Chris Gonzales said that in 2016 alone, 90,000 Christians, be it Catholic, Or-thodox, or Protestant, were killed for their faith.

Gonzales said the number is equivalent to one Chris-tian being murdered every six minutes, with the number still increasing.

Even the Philippines, which is a predominantly Christian

Two electric coops slash power rates

Prayer rally calls for end to religious violence

Bacolod City partners with SEC to advance biz climate

NegOcc city launches smoke-free campaign

Neggocc/p7

prayer/p7

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 7uardianthe dailyG Western Visayas Most

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Teacher... from p.1

JUNK... from p.1

#NoToPeco... from p.2House Committee of Legisla-tive Franchise chaired by Pala-wan Rep. Franz Alvarez.

The committee will conduct a public hearing on PECO’s franchise tomorrow, Nov 22.

Invited to the hearing are representatives from the Sang-guniang Panlungsod of Iloilo, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Es-pinosa III, Philippine Cham-ber of Commerce, and other stakeholders.

Alim claimed he already gath-ered the signatures of more or less 25,000 consumers who oppose PECO’s franchise renewal.

START WITH FRANCHISE

#NoToPECO conveners believe that the revocation of PECO’s franchise is a crucial first step in reforming in the city’s power sector.

Nava and Gonzalez, for in-stance, underscored why a pri-vately-owned corporation like PECO is not pro-consumer.

“Let us open the floodgates first….we will ensure that consumers will have a voice to protect the consumers…a public utility must be socially sensitive, and we can do that by putting our own people, maybe as part of coop, or maybe open the firm so the public can buy stocks,” Gon-zalez said.

The group is offering “gov-

ernment takeover” as an option in case Congress will hear the consumers’ wails against PECO’s franchise renewal.

To allay fears of service disruption or stalling the city’s growth, the group invoked the peoples’ right under the Philip-pine Constitution.

“If the franchise will not be granted, there will be transi-tion period, until such time the government sets parameters whether it (distributor) will be a cooperative, or it will be opened to other players that it won’t be a monopoly,” Nava explained.

Nava added there are safety nets in the Philippine Con-stitution that will guarantee protection of consumers in case PECO’s franchise is not renewed.

“Wala dapat kulbaan ang pumuluyo, wala dapat kul-baan ang konsumidor,” Nava added.

Forro, on his part, looks at “government takeover” as the ideal way to guarantee that electricity will remain afford-able.

“We have nothing to be afraid if government will take over. Because ideally the gov-ernment should run our social services,” said Forro.

The government used to run the power sector but took its hands off the responsibility with the enactment of Electric Power Industry Reform Act of

2001 or EPIRA, which man-dated the privatization of the assets of National Power Cor-poration, and restructured the power sector into generation, transmission and supply.

dIVIdEd ‘ILOILO CITY’

But while the SP has made its stand against PECO through a resolution “strongly oppos-ing” the renewal of PECO’s franchise, Mayor Jose Espinosa III is neither for nor against the continued services of PECO.

“I am for continuity of ser-vice. Anyone nga naga-supply sa aton – if it is government, so be it; if it’s coop, be it; if it is PECO, be it; if it is another private corporation, be it, so long I will be assured of power and services because that is the concern of the investors,” Espinosa said.

The mayor was invited to the House committee hearing as representative of the executive department. He is expected to respond to the questions of the lawmakers.

Alim and Nava also ex-pressed their intention to ap-pear in the hearing and present a position paper.

Councilor R Leone Gerochi, the SP chairperson on public utilities, is also expected to present his own position pa-per.

Meanwhile, the business sector remains silent on the issue.

ing their duties which led to purported irregularities in the project.

The City Hall sources sought anonymity in order to speak freely on the matter and to avoid preempting Espinosa’s actions.

The sources said Espinosa delayed his actions on the recommendations as he was awaiting the return of City Legal Office chief Lorna Lau-rea who went on official leave recently.

Espinosa wanted to get guid-ance from Laurea on how to implement the recommenda-tions, particularly the tone of the notices to be sent to the sup-plier and department heads.

“Within the week, the mayor can already implement the recommendations,” one of the sources said.

The sources said ad hoc committee findings will not prejudice future actions on the issue, like the filing of cases with the Office of the Ombuds-man.

WHAT HAPPENEd BEFORE

The chickens for the ICFP were procured through nego-tiated procurement after two failed biddings this year.

Foodwealth Agro-Vet Trad-ing (Foodwealth) represented by Mr. Gaspar Igona bagged the contract after offering to acquire the fowls at P198.50 per head.

Alleged irregularities in the contract were unearthed after beneficiaries complained that the chickens were very small or immature while others died days after receiving the fowls from City Hall.

The controversy led to inves-

tigations by the City Council, the ad hoc committee formed by the mayor’s office and the Iloilo City Internal Audit Ser-vices Office (IASO).

An investigation by the IASO dated Oct. 2, 2017 con-firmed violations in the proj-ect:

-majority of the chickens distributed are below 300 grams;

-the supplier delivered less than the required 2,500 chick-ens in the districts of Mandur-riao, Molo, Lapaz, and Jaro;

-the required 1 rooster and 4 hens per beneficiary was not strictly followed;

-there were sick chickens distributed contrary to the “fully immunized” requirement as certified “healthy” by the City Veterinary Office;

-proper quarantine proce-dures were not followed;

-the City Veterinarian never issued the “healthy certificate”; and

-recipients were not allowed to replace unhealthy or abnor-mal stocks.

The probe further confirmed that “proper inspection” before distribution was not followed, and the Purchase Order negates the TOR which requires dis-tribution center per district as the place of delivery instead of General Services Office (GSO) located in the city hall.

The IASO report also ob-served the following:

-inappropriate area for breeding chickens;

-some beneficiaries received two sets of five chickens;

-most of the beneficiaries are not competent and knowledge-able in breeding chickens; and

-for lack of space and fi-nances, some beneficiaries opted to grow their chickens in provinces, or in their relative’s

place to ensure proper care.City Agriculturist Romu-

lo Pangantihon said supplier Foodwealth Agrovet should have been responsible for the controversies besetting the chicken dispersal project, an anti-poverty initiative of the national government coursed through the city government.

The report noted that the city veterinarian, Dr. Tomas Forteza, was not apprised of his office’s role on the project, except to “assist the monitor-ing team of City Agriculturist Office (CAO).”

The report also noted the change in the number of chick-ens to be distributed.

“Based on the Itemized Budget Schedule, 35,000 heads at P100 per head shall be pur-chased. But worthy of note is the superimposition of the price per head of P200 with the same budget. The change in the unit price, according to Mr. Pangantihon, was done by then NAPC representative Sandy Mecuando III,” the re-port said.

The chicken dispersal is a component of the P10-million ICFP of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for 2,000 beneficiaries who are members of the Pantawid Pamilya or 4Ps program.

The CAO is expected to dis-perse 17,500 heads of chicken (3,500 roosters and 14,000 hens) in 315 days. Each beneficiary is entitled to get five heads of chick-ens, or one rooster and four hens.

NAPC funded the project through Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) while the city govern-ment procured the chickens through negotiated bidding, with progressive billing as mode of payment, after two failed competitive bidding invitations.

Jamelarin said they are all resi-dents of Pandan town.

The four respondents were caught on video bullying a 16-year old boy at the food court of Pandan, Antique. It appeared that one of the respondents was taking the video.

Police investigation indicat-ed that the incident happened April 22, 2017 but only uncov-ered lately after the video was posted online and went viral.

The incident happened as the town was about to celebrate its fiesta on April 25.

The video was posted to the Facebook page Duterte sa Masa on Nov. 17. It has been viewed 860,000 times and gained 11,700 reactions as of this writing.

It was also shared more than 23,200 times.

The uploaded video ran for 1 minute and 33 seconds.

The video saw what was be-lieved to be one of the respon-dents smiling while another man was overheard talking to the teenager who was eating while sitting on a chair.

They were initially teas-ing the boy and threatened to

punch him.Shortly later, one of the

respondents approached the boy and boxed the latter’s abdomen.

The boy fell off the chair while his food scattered on the ground. They again teased the boy with the way he cried.

While slumped on the ground, another man approached and again punched him.

Moments later, one of them told the man to stop because there might be persons who will see what they’re doing.

At that juncture, the boy ran away.

Jamelarin said they coordi-nated with the Pandan Munici-pal Social Welfare and Devel-opment Office after learning of the incident.

“I hope our netizens would stop sharing the video, espe-cially now that the case was already filed in Court,” she appealed.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 issued on Nov 20 issued a statement condemning the incident.

“We express our condem-nation to the strongest terms on the beating and shaming

of a Person with Disability in Antique Province which went viral over the internet,” the statement reads.

“No justification could ever explain why a person gets physically beaten and ridiculed, much more a PWD. As both our culture and laws say, disabled persons have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society. They should be able to live freely and as independently as possible. This must be the concern of everyone, the family, com-munity and all government and non-government organiza-tions,” said Rebecca Geamala, DSWD-6 regional director.

Further, “disabled person’s rights must never be perceived as welfare services by the Gov-ernment. The rights should be in the mindset of every person. They do not have to demand for it but instead every individual must respect and afford them that right as every person in the country deserves it.”

“Again, we condemn to the strongest terms such acts of beating and ridiculing a PWD. Let this also serve as a warning to all that no such acts will ever be tolerated.”

Mabilog’s... from p.1

FocUs... from p.4

Voicebox... from p.4

Prayer... from p.6

Negocc... from p.6

law. People who are adversely affected know they have no right but soon develop the sense that government officials do no have the guts to enforce. So why not take the side of least resistance and squat on public land?

Take a look at a few ex-amples of how these structures constrain mobility. Of course, everybody knows this but it is worth writing them down so that public officials will know what the public sees and feels about their impotence.

Most officials don’t bother because nobody is telling them of these facts at their faces. They think all is grand and dan-dy, after all, are we not the most livable city in the Philippines and aspiring to be premiere metropolis in the ASEAN? Those awards are wonderful

and we are proud of them but the reality on the ground is different because people deal with them each day, and like a poet lamented, they “trouble deep heaven with my bootless cries and look upon myself and curse my fate.”

In wonder though. If we are the “most livable” what of those that are considered not worthy to live in? But the title is of little real value if people live in constant distress over things that irritate their lives daily.

The obstructions all over the city are in truth the main cause of traffic jams because like clogged arteries in the human body, they prevent the free and rapid flow of vehicles. Traffic enforcers can only direct the flow of vehicles but they can-not do anything about these permanent or semi-permanent obstructions.

For instance, the entire

length from the south terminal in Lopez Jaena to Burgos, the traffic is always at turtle’s pace primarily because the furniture shops have used a quarter of the road for shops and display while sari-sari stores have their wares right on the road. When buyers stop to purchase they become obstructions and prevent vehicles from mov-ing on.

I have cited other obstructed sites in the city that impede hu-man and vehicular traffic. The main problem is not that these obstructions are there but that they are tolerated, nay, in some barangays, are sources of cor-ruption. As in San Juan Street, information say, there is a daily collection.

Let’s continue next week on the P260K garbage ques-tion because it links with the other phoenix-like problems of the city.

Yes, Ilonggos don’t like to walk. Remember that article in this newspaper some time ago?

Just before I left for NW-Europe, an ambulance car from Leganes drove at high speed towards Jaro Plaza. Sur-prisingly, the cars gave way to the ambulance car, but at the Quintin Salas intersection pedestrians abused their ‘pe-destrians’ protection right’ and crossed the street at the marked pedestrian crossings despite the fast approaching ambulance car, forcing the driver to almost stop.

Well, little knowledge is ut-most dangerous. Such incidents I didn’t see in NW-Europe. Why is that so? The answer is “TRAF-FIC EDUCATION” for both, drivers and pedestrians, which appears not to exist here. A high ranking PNP officer had men-tioned it one or two years ago as part of the solution to solve the traffic mess in Iloilo City.

Then I noticed upon my return the maximum speed allowance signs on the way from Pavia to Molo, which seem to be a bit of a joke. As the pick-ups were not shown on them, they just drove at speeds higher than what is allowed. At least they overtook me at pretty high speed, while I drove at my maximum allowed speed of 60 kph. On the circumferential road, 70 kph is allowed now, but the traffic signs indicate 60 kph only. Maybe some of-fice forgot to change the traffic

signs?And what happened to the

‘bike lane’ on the circumfer-ential road, which a biking enthusiast in a high ranking ad-ministration position pushed? OMG, what a shame. I realize that the word ‘maintenance’ is hardly known here.

Lots of city ordinances have been passed this year, but where is the implementation and enforcement? Private cars, taxi, and PUJ drivers are still using their cellphones while driving, taking their attention away from the road when pass-ing by a Catholic church.

The noise level on the roads has not lessened despite the pertinent city ordinance. All these ordinances are NOT a reduction of human rights, but to increase the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

In this city, lack of discipline is rampant and it is not enough to issue ordinances by the num-ber. Enforcement is required and the fines have to be painful. It worked in Singapore, why not in Iloilo City?

The answer is easy: there is hardly any willpower by the authorities and the public.

I saw in the internet pictures of the new generation of PUJs. They look nice but are not much bigger than the present ones and therefore, still too many PUJs will be on the roads. The exit of the new PUJs will be on the right side. I wonder how that will work in Iloilo City with its flooded streets after a rain shower.

One suggestion of a reader

was to enforce PUJ stops and disallow PUJs from stopping whenever the passengers call for it. It would help reduce the traffic mess here and increase traffic safety. It has been done with buses in Manila, why not here? Answer, because Ilong-gos don’t like to walk.

Yes, we urgently need new PUJs because the old ones are too unreliably. Look around, every few 100 meter or less a PUJ is being repaired, more often when it rains. Recently I saw that the exhaust pipes of PUJs were being checked by some authority just after pass-ing Iloilo Society en route to Leganes. I enjoyed seeing that action. Well, the older PUJs and older trucks simply pollute too much.

There is even more good news. Mr. Bob Foerster, head of TMTRO, has ordered some of his officers to the intersection of MacArthur Highway/Cir-cumferential Road to regulate the traffic there. Maybe he read my earlier invitation to watch the traffic mess there? At least at peak times they are there and doing quite a good job. Thank you Mr. Foerster.

Last remark for today. In Valeria Street we can see now why the drainage system does not work. I have always dis-puted the DPWH comment “it is not the drainage” when streets got flooded. DPWH has bitterly failed and the present mayor is right to ask for the help of USAID, as we could read in this newspaper on Oc-tober 27, 2017.

country, is not exempted. He cited the case of Marawi City in Mindanao, where several Christian faithful were killed by the Maute terror group for refusing to convert to Islam.

“The call is not only for all Catholics, but to all followers of Christ as we are currently the number one most persecuted religion in the world today,” Gonzales said.

Bacolod Bishop Patricio Bu-zon, meanwhile, said the prayer

rally aims to raise awareness in the faithful as the number of persecuted Christians is far more compared to the Church’s early beginnings during Roman times.

Buzon also said they are pushing for religious freedom.

He said the five-month con-flict between the government and Maute terrorists is not a war between Christians and Mus-lims as both religions suffered equally because of the terror group’s “twisted beliefs.”

The bishop added that

extremists are using Islam to drive a wedge between Muslims and Christians, “but leaders from both sides have agreed to combat religious extremism.”

The prayer rally dubbed the “Red Wednesday” campaign will start 5:30 p.m. with a procession around the Bacolod Plaza, followed by a 6 p.m. mass.

Gonzales urged those who will participate to wear red, which signifies martyrdom in Christianity.

Also, violators selling, ad-vertising and promoting smok-ing in banned places will be

fined PHP2,000 on first offense; PHP3,000 on second offense; and PHP5,000 on third and subse-quent offenses, or imprisonment not exceeding 20 days or both at

the discretion of the court.In the case of a business

entity or establishment, its busi-ness permit will be revoked. (NLG/PNA)

Two... from p.2Elisterio, 29, a Philippine Air Force reservist, as the one who started the ruckus.

But aside from Elisterio, two others were also blamed for the commotion but they escaped as policemen arrived.

At the height of the commo-tion, somebody allegedly took Elisterio’s sling bag from him.

“PO3 Sta. Ana had doubts that there might b e a weap-on inside the bag. So, he pulled out his gun,” Gilza explained.

But as they were trying to pacify, Sta. Ana accidentally pulled the gun’s trigger.

The bullet hit the concrete pavement and ricocheted, hit-ting Ponje and Gecaraya.

Ponje was hit on his lower

right buttock while Gecara-ya was wounded on his left thigh.

They were rushed to the nearest hospital and are now in stable condition.

Elisterio was arrested after the incident.

Gilza said Sta. Ana will also be investigated over the accidental discharge of his firearm.

clUsTered... from p.2While Passi City is considered

far from Northern Iloilo, Rojas said the proposed fees will be the same with those of other towns.

Rojas said they are just wait-ing for the PPP ordinance of the province so they could start

with the project.The clustered sanitary land-

fills are seen as a solution to the towns’ perennial problem on solid waste.

A 5- to 10-hectare landfill will be established in each clus-ter which can accommodate 15 tons of wastes per town,

depending on population.“The one in Payatas was

about six hectares which lasted for six years,” he said.

In the case of Ajuy, Rojas said they will look for a ware-house and convert it into a mu-nicipal recovery facility where they will store the wastes.

GMA News Online reported that the CA’s Special First Di-vision, in a four-page decision dated Nov 3, 2017, ruled that Mabilog cited the “wrong” provision of the Rules of Court in its appeal, thus, it was dis-missed for technicality.

The CA division also said that Mabilog took the wrong mode of appeal in connec-tion with the dismissal order approved by Carandang on Oct 6.

The CA decision said the mayor invoked Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, or the rules on Certiorari, Prohibition and Mandamus which does not cover the Ombudsman ruling.

Rule 65 of the Rules of

Court said petition for certio-rari is filed “when any tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial func-tions has acted without or in excess its or his jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, and there is no appeal, or any plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law, a person aggrieved thereby may file a verified petition in the proper court, alleging the facts with certainty and praying that judg-ment be rendered annulling or modifying the proceedings of such tribunal, board or officer, and granting such incidental reliefs as law and justice may require.”

“Mabilog’s case, involving

as it does an administrative charge resulting in his dismissal from service, does not fall under any of the foregoing cir-cumstance. As the current peti-tion for certiorari is concededly an erroneous mode of review, its dismissal is in order,” the CA said.

The appellate court said the mayor’s camp should have in-voked Rule 43, which provides that appeals on Ombudsman decisions in administrative disciplinary cases should be taken to the CA.

Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando penned the resolution which was concurred by Acting Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando and Justice Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles.

uardianthe dailyG Western Visayas Most

Read and Respected

NATURALIZED Filipino center Andray Blatche is back and he’s ready to win once again with the national team.

Last seen leading Gilas Pilipinas to victory in the 2017 SEABA Championships last May in Manila, Blatche arrived back in the Philippines very early Sunday morning and participated in a practice with the national team.

Blatche, who played with Gilas in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship and the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, does not anticipate an adjustment period with the team ahead of their campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

“I’m pretty much comfortable with the offense and the defense, the players and the coaching staff,” he said in a brief interview ahead of the national team’s practice on Sunday morning at the Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s a quick adjustment for me,” added Blatche, who was vis-ibly in good shape as he headed to the court to put up shots.

Indeed, Blatche’s focus is already on Gilas’ next assignment. The national team is set to fly out to Japan on Tuesday, where they will play the Japanese national team in their first away qualifier on November 24.

“I’m just looking forward to winning,” Blatche said. “No matter where we’re at, the main focus is to win.”

“Go to Japan and get a win, come back here and get a win. Those are the goals right now,” he added.

After playing Japan on Friday, Gilas will immediately return to the Philippines and host Chinese-Taipei on November 27.

Blatche, who is coming off a stint with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association, is not dwelling too much on the new FIBA qualification format, which is now a home-and-away system spread out over months instead of one long tournament.(ABS-CBN News)

By elyrose s. nAorBe

THE secondary girls’ volleyball team of Tay Tung High School clinched the crown in the recent 2017 Batang Pinoy Visayas Leg after beating St. John’s Institute, 25-11, 25-8, in the finals at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete City, Nov. 17.

Bannered by veteran players Shane Carmona, Annikha Cabasac and Kiesha Bedonia, the Tay Tung Thunderbolts estab-lished a double-digit lead in the first and second sets while limiting SJI’s effort for possible comeback.

After a dominating victory, the team

moves on to the national finals along with five other athletes from Tay Tung, who brought home the gold medal in various games.

Earning a ticket to the national finals were Klyde Brehxler Montalbo (gold medalist, 2000m walkathon) and Ralph Joshua Bangoy (silver medalist, 4x400m relay).

On the distaff side, the following are heading to the nationals: Antonette Jay Aguillon (silver medalist in 200m run, triple jump, and 4x100m and 4x400m re-lay); Ara Delotavo (gold medalist in 100m hurdles, silver in 4x400m and 4x100m relay, and bronze in 400m hurdles); and

Stephany Malate (silver medalist in 4x100m and 4x400m relay.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School Vice Chairman for Sports Jose Montalbo lauded the team’s impressive finishes in the re-gional tournament.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas athletes clinched two gold medals in boxing courte-sy of Flint Jara of Bago City who defeated Leyte’s Archie Alao in the flyweight divi-sion; and Gideon Salazar of Antique, who knocked out Roland Agravante of Sipalay City in the light flyweight division.

All winners in the Visayas Leg will qualify for the 2017 Batang Pinoy National Finals in early 2018 in Luzon.

THE Philippine Army rifle team grabbed its third gold medal at the ongoing ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet in Singapore.

The carbine team of the Phil-ippine Army shooting group bested the team from Indonesia and retained the “perpetual trophy.”

The team is composed of Master Sgt. Arman Mejia, Technical Sgt. Allan Lao, Staff Sgt. Hader Hammara, Staff Sgt. Angelo Bonagua and Staff Sgt. Jumar Cenas.

Staff Sgt. Kenny Lloyd Guillermo, the member of the rifle team who got the highest points among the 100 shoot-ers, also received the country’s second gold medal in the Rifle Individual Match 2.

The Philippine Army con-tingent will receive its first per-petual trophy, the carbine fall-ing plates, during the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet 2017 closing ceremony. (ABS-CBN News)

GoldEN STATE Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) holds off Brooklyn Nets forward Trevor Booker (35) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. (Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)

STEPHEN CURRY scored a season-high 39 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and passed out seven assists before fouling out Sunday as the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors won 118-111 at Brooklyn.

A day after rallying from a 24-point deficit to beat Philadelphia, the Warriors surged ahead by as many as 28 points early in the second half before the Nets battled back and Curry was out for the last three minutes.

“It was a good learning experience for him,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Curry. “I thought, obviously, he was brilliant in terms of his scoring and shot-making. I thought his second half, he got a little wild.

“We had to withstand their run, and luckily we did with good execution in the last few minutes after Steph Curry went out.”

The Warriors improved to 13-4, matching Houston for the best record in the Western Conference with their ninth victory in 10 games, despite the absence of star forward Kevin Durant with a left ankle sprain.

Curry said trying to be aggressive with Durant out led to his 11th career fouling out in the NBA.

“You’d love to have those plays back, but I loved the aggres-siveness I had on those possessions,” Curry said. “You don’t like to foul out, but it was kind of how I tried to bring that intensity the whole game.”

Golden State’s Klay Thompson had 23 points and 10 rebounds and sank a 3-pointer in his 71st consecutive game while Allan Crabbe had 25 points to lead the Nets (6-10), who suffered their eighth loss in 11 games. (Agence France-Presse)

Blatche ready to win in return to gilas

BlATChE ready to win in return to Gilas

LONDON -- Grigor Dimitrov set his sights on winning his first Grand Slam after his dramatic victory at the ATP Finals on Sunday gave him the biggest title of his career.

The Bulgarian sixth seed held his nerve to beat Belgium’s David Goffin, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in a gripping contest at London’s O2 Arena, finally sealing the match with his fifth championship point.

The victory takes the 26-year-old to the dizzy heights of third in the rankings behind only Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as he begins to deliver on his rich promise.

Nicknamed “Baby Fed” early in his career for the similarity of style in his game to the Swiss, Dimitrov has struggled to live up to the comparison and was as low as 40th in the world in mid-2016.

But he has bounced back strongly to enjoy the best season of his career in 2017, winning four titles in all, including his first Masters title in Cincinnati.

Dimitrov has never been beyond the semifinals of a Grand Slam, reaching the last four at Wimbledon in 2014 and repeating the feat in Australia earlier this year. (Agence France-Presse)

PH Army rifle team wins 3rd gold at ASEAN meet

Curry scores 39 to power Durant-less Warriors over Nets

2017 BATANG PINOY VISAYAS LEG

Tay Tung capture girls’ volleyball crownDimitrov eyes Grand Slamafter ATP Finals win

Tuesday, November 21, 2017B1

http://www.thedailyguardian.net [email: guardianiloilo@yahoo.com • thedailyguardianwv@gmail.com]

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has of-fered China the opportunity to open en-ter the Philippine telecommunications industry.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing on Monday that Duterte offered China to open a third tele-communications company in the country during his bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last week.

“During the bilateral talks between President Duterte and the Chinese Pre-mier, President Duterte offered to the People’s Republic of China the privilege to operate the third telecom’s carrier in the country,” he said.

Roque said that the offer was made to break the telecom’s duopoly in the coun-try.

“I repeat, the announcement is that duopoly, that telecom’s duopoly is about to end with the entry of the Facebook subsidiary as well as the offer by the

President of the People’s Republic of China to operate the third telecom’s car-rier,” he said.

“The Philippine President is so seri-ous about this that he has instructed that all applications be filed and acted upon directly by the Office of the Executive Secretary,” he added.

Roque also said that China’s entry into the Philippines’ telecom industry would comply with the Constitution.

SALALIMA FACTORRoque said that breaking the telecoms

duopoly in the country should have been made sooner, but former Department of Information and Communications Tech-nology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima did not act right away.

He said the Philippine government’s signing with a Facebook affiliate for the project “Luzon Bypass” of the Pacific Light Cable Network could have been

made earlier.Roque said the project could have been

signed as early as December 2016.“It was not signed by the former Sec-

retary of the DICT. And this was one of the areas pinpointed by Cabinet investi-gators as an area of conflict of interest for the former Secretary of DICT,” he said.

“It was further reported by the special investigating committee that the former DICT Secretary likewise may have pre-vented the earlier breakup of the duopoly by delaying the use of satellites as viable option,” he added.

With these new developments, Roque said that “the consumers can look for-ward now to better telecommunications, not just in terms of cellular technology but also in terms of internet speed as well as access.”

The biggest telecommunications com-panies in the country are Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT Inc. (GMA News)

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said on Monday he will push for a fully automated process-ing of imports to minimize hu-man intervention and put an end to corruption.

In a briefing in Manila City, Lapeña said the plan is to modernize the BOC computer system once the Philippines secures a $200-million loan from the World Bank.

“’Pag-fully automated na tayo, less na ‘yung human in-tervention,” he said.

The World Bank said in September it was in the pro-

cess of coming up with $200 million in loan to modernize the BOC computer system and establish a Customs Academy.

“It will be a computer system that will be at par with other coun-tries, not only in ASEAN (Associ-ation of Southeast Asian Nations) but also with the World Customs Organizations,” Lapeña said.

Negotiations regarding the loan have yet to start, the BOC chief noted, saying it’s not yet clear if the talks would be be-tween the BOC and the World Bank, or between the Depart-ment of Finance and the World Bank. (GMA News)

STATE-run Social Security System (SSS) said Friday it released more than P127 billion in member benefits as of the end of the third quarter of 2017.

MEXICO CITY - Negotiations in Mexico to update NAFTA have not made much progress on tough US demands that could sink the 1994 trade pact, but the current round of talks are progressing with civil-ity, some participants said on Saturday.

Officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico are meeting in Mexico City for the fifth of seven planned rounds to update the North American Free Trade Agree-ment, from which US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw.

Time is running short to seal a deal by the deadline of end-March 2018. Officials say next year’s Mexican presidential elec-tion means talks after that date will not be possible.

The US administration has made de-mands that the other members say are unac-

ceptable, such as a five-year “sunset” clause and tightening so-called rules of origin to boost the North American content of autos.

“It is very slow moving but there are no fireworks,” said a Canadian source with knowledge of the talks, adding there had “not been much conversation at all” on the more contentious US proposals.

Within hours of the latest round of talks formally starting on Friday, Canada was complaining about inflexibility by the United States.

Officials have so far discussed other issues such as labor, gender, intellectual property, energy and telecommunications but it is too soon to say whether there will be any breakthroughs this round, added a source familiar with the talks.

“The work is moving forward,” Mexican

deputy economy minister Juan Carlos Baker told reporters, adding that the three countries had prioritized technical work in Mexico City.

But he said negotiators were aware that much work lay ahead and “we have to double our efforts.”

“The atmosphere is good, the atmo-sphere is one of work,” Baker added.

The mood was calmer than the tense scenes during last month’s round in Arling-ton, Virginia, where tough US demands were revealed. Still, the negotiations have passed the halfway point of an initial sched-ule with few clear signs of process.

Mexican officials hope chapters on telecommunications and e-commerce will be concluded by the end of business on Tuesday, but there has been no indication of this yet.(Reuters)

BOTICARD pharmacist Alma Grace Laguardia talked about the advantages of generic drugs over brand-name drugs and warned the public about ir-responsible antibiotic drug intake during DWLC Radyo Pilipinas’ health topic last November 9, 2017 at Lucena City.

Leoncia Algire, anchor on the heath topic, asked Laguardia how generics differ from brand-name drugs and why generic drugs remain cheaper than its brand-name counterpart.

“The differences between generic and brand-name drugs are the shape, color, packaging and labeling. These are minor differences only. As to its effectiveness, it is the same with brand-name drugs,” Laguardia answered.

Generic and brand-name drugs are both avail-able in all nine BotiCARD pharmacies, but the health topic aimed to erase the misconceptions about generics not being as effective as brand-name drugs.

“Generic drugs are sold on a much lower price than brand-name drugs. The difference in price has to do with the different costs drugmakers have in bringing generics and brand-name drugs to the pharmacy shelf,” Laguardia continued.

Moreover, Laguardia talked about the harms of irresponsible antibiotic intake.

According to her, antibiotics are medicines that

DU30 asked China to enter PHL’s telecoms industry

GENERIC VS BRAND-NAME

BotiCARD promotes generic drugs, warns on antibiotic drug intake

ADVOCACY (From left) Lyka Amethyst Casamayor, Corporate Communications As-sistant; Leoncia Algire, anchor of DWLC Radyo Pilipinas; and Alma Grace Laguardia, BotiCARD Pharmacist, after the radio program, November 9, 2017, Lucena City.

‘No fireworks’ at NAFTA talks, but few signs of progress

BOC seeks fully automated

imports processing

AS OF END-Q3 2017

SSS disburses P127-B benefits

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said benefit payments increased by 30.31 percent, to P127.78 billion as of the end-September 2017 from the P98.06 billion recorded in the same period in 2016.

“The increase in benefit payouts was higher due to the release of the P1,000 addition-al benefit amounting to P24.03 billion from January to Octo-ber 2017 and the 3rd tranche of pension adjustments arising from the unlumping of 1985 to 1989 contributions amounting to P72.43 million,” Dooc ex-plained.

The third tranche of pension adjustments for retirees, death and disability pensioners prior to May 24,1997 or the imple-mentation of the Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Law of 1997 was credited to accounts of qualified pension-ers on June 29, 2017.

The first and second tranche of pension adjustments for re-tirees, death and disability pensioners, after the imple-mentation of RA 8282, were already released last year.

Broken down, payments for retirement benefit increased by 26.75 percent, to P73.65 bil-lion; followed by death benefit payouts with a 43.51-percent increase, to P40.17 billion; and disability benefit payments with a 9.24 percent-increase, to P4.52 billion.

Disability, funeral, and sickness benefit expenditures also increased by 42.8 percent, to P4.64 billion; 6.09 percent, to P2.85 billion; and 8.47 per-cent, to P1.95 billion, respec-tively.

Medical and rehabilitation services, on the other hand, posted a 13.47-percent and 20.36-percent drop, to P9.7 million and P1.1 million, re-spectively.

SSS operating expenses,

likewise, slightly declined by 0.05 percent to P6.48 billion, bringing total expenditures for the nine-month period of 2017 to P134.26 billion, or 28.43 percent higher than the P104.54 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, SSS total rev-enues as of the end-September 2017 jumped by 10.72 per-cent to P146.17 billion from P131.97 billion in the same period last year.

Members’ contributions, which represent 81.8 percent of total revenues, amounted to P119.5 billion, up by 11.31 percent from P107.36 billion in 2016.

“The increase in our contri-bution was due to the aggres-sive contribution collection drive of SSS, like our recently-launched Run After Contribu-tion Evaders and linkages with various professional sectors,” Dooc said.

He said component-wise, collections from the employed sector registered the biggest amount at P103.1 billion, fol-lowed by voluntary paying members at P10.98 billion, and self-employed at P5.42 billion.

Investment and other in-come for the nine-month pe-riod of 2017, which represents 18.2 percent of total revenues, was 8.16-percent higher, from P24.61 billion to P26.62 bil-lion.

Dooc also said the pen-sion fund’s financial position remained stable with total assets of P511.72 billion, up by 7.4 percent from P476.40 billion due to the increase in investments and cash equiva-lents.

SSS’ investment reserve fund as of end-September 2017 stood at P490.32 billion or 5.6 percent higher than the P464.42 billion recorded at the end-2016. BotiCARD/pB2

Canned sardine prices may go up in early 2018

BotiCARD... from p.B1

BUSINESSuardianthe dailyG Western Visayas Most

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SOCIAL Security System (SSS) is set to implement the electronic Collection Sys-tem (e-CS) to enable the real-time posting of contribution payments from SSS branch tellering facilities and other payment chan-nels by first quarter of next year.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that real-time posting of contributions will allow faster processing of claims to help mem-bers and their beneficiaries receive their benefits and loan proceeds on time.

All SSS benefits and loans are based on contributions of members and their employ-ers. Thus, it is important that these pay-ments are recorded correctly and promptly. Otherwise, they may not immediately qual-ify for certain benefits and loans.

“For instance, to avail of a sickness benefit, a member must have at least three posted contributions in the last 12 months immediately before his semester of sick-ness or injury. If any of his required contri-butions is not posted, he cannot apply yet for a sickness benefit,” explained Dooc.

Dooc said that the pilot phase of the

project will aim for near real-time pro-cessing of contribution payments from SSS branch tellering facilities within this year. This means that contributions will be posted within 24 hours from the time of payment. The pension fund has 279 branches nationwide, 96 of which ac-cepts payments. It also has 81 accredited partner-banks and 10 non-bank collection partners. As of August 2017, the SSS col-lected P106 billion in contributions from its various payment facilities.

“About 66 percent of our contribution collections are remitted through other payment channels aside from our tellering facilities, so we will make sure that our collection partners are in sync with our system to implement real-time posting of contributions,” Dooc said.

More than 34 percent of the remittances came from SSS branches amounting to P 36 billion. About 38 percent or P39.8 billion are paid through our ePayment partners like the Electronic Data Interchange facilities, overseas collection partners, Bayad Center, SM Payment Centers, and Auto-debit Ar-

rangement program partners. The Social Security Commission, the

policy-making body of the pension fund, approved the policy amendments, sys-tem and procedural enhancements, and resource requirements for the implemen-tation of the e-CS to support continuous process improvements at the SSS.

“The Commission’s priority is to en-hance the contribution collection process. Not only will it improve the turn-around time for processing benefits, but it will also provide a detailed, accurate, and on-time data on our contribution collection efficien-cy,” said SSC Chairman Amado Valdez.

Valdez noted that there has been a sig-nificant increase in number of unposted member loan collections from P1.135 bil-lion in 2016 to P817 million as of March 31, 2017. “Although we have managed to improve posting of member loan pay-ments, we are still not happy with it so we are pushing for process enhancements like real-time posting,” he added.

Among the requirements for this pro-

PRICES of canned sardines could go up by the first quarter of next year, due to higher fuel costs and a fish shortage, the distributor of a top brand said Monday.

The possible increase could match the 15 to 20 percent increase in the last 2 years, said Ligo Sar-dines president Greg Tung.

“Our suppliers are informing us fuel costs have a very big impact. The volume of catch this year is extremely less versus last year,” Tung said in an exclusive interview with ANC’s The Boss.

“That’s when supply and demand comes in. I think towards the first quarter of the year, there should be another round of increase because of the shortage of raw materials,” he said.

Tung said price increases normally affect de-mand. Recent adjustments have caused sardine prices to go up to P15 per can from P10 per can, he said. (ABS-CBN News)

TO FURTHER improve local operations and continue its com-mitment to manufacture quality automobiles, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has invested around Php360M on additional land and constructed its own container yard and material handling operations (MHO) ware-house, increasing the total land area of its Santa Rosa plant from 21 hectares to around 23 hectares and building area from 83,000 sq.m to 120,500 sq.m.

For the past years, MMPC has been leasing three (3) storage fa-cilities outside of its plant for the stockpile of completely knocked down (CKD) units and locally developed parts. The construc-

Mitsubishi PHL invests on production materials handling facilities

SSS to implement real-time posting of contributions

tion of these facilities will mean that MMPC can now house these items within its vicinity. Accord-ing to MMPC First Vice President for Manufacturing Division, Mr. Arnaldo T. Janolo, “The reduction in storage, transportation, and

MHO cost will further improve the operational efficiency and quality of our products.”

These investments show MMPC’s effort to promote the au-tomotive industry in the country. MMPC have invested P4.3B for the

Comprehensive Automotive Resur-gence Strategy or CARS program of the Philippine government to produce Mirage models. The con-tainer yard and material handling warehouse facilities have started their operations last October.

help stop infections caused by bacteria. There are generic and brand-name antibiotics. But it could do more harm than good if taken irresponsibly.

“The public should be cau-tious on taking antibiotics, to be sure, we advise you to visit your doctor first before taking

SSS/pB6

anything,” Laguardia said.BotiCARD, Inc., is a mem-

ber institution of CARD Mu-tually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), which was con-ceptualized in February 2011 due to the expressed needs of its clients while it is imple-menting its health protection program.

Saxxy’s is located i n t he Sma l l v i l l e complex in Iloilo. Hours

of operation are 6pm-3am 7 days a week with entertainment nightly. We provide a full dining experience that will cater to your needs no matter how large or small. Saxxy’s is also available for all your catering needs. Our experienced Chef’s will coordinate your menu requirements and our service staff is ready for the particulars necessary to make your special event impressionable and memorable. Please contact Ms. Noreen Flores during Business hours to make your reservations at: 033-323-5522 or Paul Chatman at 0919-614-6048 for details. You can also send us your requirements or takeout orders at Saxxysbarand grill@gmail.com

Miyongs’KiWhere the Goodtimes Start

M. Jaime St., Jaro, Iloilo CityTel# (033) 396-8650

For Reservation contact us:Globe: 0917-2451601

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CORNER OF RIZAL & LOPEZ JAENA STREETS ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ, PHILIPPINES

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email: contact@roxaspresidentsinn.comroxaspresidentsinn@yahoo.com

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ContaCtELEANOR P. BRITO

(Branch Manager)G/F CCC Finance Bldg.

M.H. Del Pilar St., Molo, Iloilo CityEmail: signraysiloilobranch@yahoo.comTel# 3232940 / 0947-0433324

Located at 161, Rizal St. Lapaz

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Mobile: 0948732154209260370561

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RosnaRODEL L. CAMACHO

ProprietorAddress: Marymart Bldg., A-Room

no. 102 Valeria St., Iloilo City, 5000

Email: rodelcamacho9@gmail.comGlobe: 0917-882735Smart: 0948-5027958

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Rm. 19 Capiz Provincial Business CenterFront of Capiz high

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Tel. No. 336-3120/396-4034 0926-1159849

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ROXAS AVE. KALIBO, AKLAN

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Hair Rebond l Hair Spa l Hot Oil l Hair Cut l Facial l Cellophane l Hair Relax l Foot Spa l Manicure l Pedicure l Hair and Make Up l Etc.

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EVZ PHARMACY “Customer Service

is our Pride”

Contact: Ms. Edna Pabicon

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Main Office @ Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City Tel No.: (033) 5093362Telefax: (033) 3211737

La Paz Branch: 329-7015Mission Branch: 329-3798Aldeguer Branch: 337-1548

Email: EVZPHARMA@YAHOO.COMwww.evzcorp.com

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For Buyer, you must possess the following:1. 5 yrs minimum experience in buying palay

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RICEANDBRAN3. Salary/incentives/commissions will depends on the candidate capabilities.

aGentsWewelcomeallAgentswhoareabletosource

and connect us to Farmers. Commission will be paid.Tobediscussed.direct sellers/FarMers

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Please Call us at:smart: 09070766761 Globe: 09171564760

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“Your complete New-Life Insurance Company”InSuRancE cOMPanY, Inc.Stronghold

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AGRO-VET TRADING

MR. GASPAR IGONAProprietor

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Tel. no. (033) 335-47-65SMART - 09505541484GLOBE - 09367338416

HOPEWELL FINANCE

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Mr. ROMEO G. CAHILGAN, JR.Manager

Q. Abeto St., Mandurriao, Iloilo City

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ZACK’S LAUNDERETTECard-Operated Self-service Laundry

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EmERALd FINANCE CORP.

For your Financing Needs

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Mr. RODOLFO L. BORRESProprietor

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cOsMOpOlITANBuILDERS, Inc.

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VINTAGE LIVING09173031353/09478907247

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AMA Computer Learning Center

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We specialize in DepED Teacher’s Loan“MAKAGURO LOAN”

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FISH DEALER

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lJK B 14, L 11 Arguelles St., St. Joseph Subd. Phase 2Brgy. Cubay Jaro, Iloilo CityTel # 320-9728 / 0917-3030597 / 0917-3050597

BANGUS l MANGROVE SNAPPER (Mangagat)SEABASS (Bulgan) l PRAWN, CRABS ETC.

Quality: Fresh, Frozen & Live Seafoods

Dealer of High Quality Fry & Fingerlings

#4 J. De Leon Street, Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 Tel. Nos.: (033) 509-7209/3365361-09228799507

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SUPER AGRO MACHINERY & HARDWARE CORP.

Generators •Agro & Marine Engines • Spare Parts • Industrial Hardware • Plumbings • Water Pumps • Tanks • PVC • Paints • Welding PRoducts • Construction • Electrical Supplies, •Etc.

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Mobile No.: 0928-3329454; 09308477760

FB/Email Add: b_linehardware@yahoo.com

sss... from p.B2

Tuesday, November 21, 2017B6

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cess enhancement is for all em-ployers and individual mem-bers, namely self-employed, voluntary and OFW members to register in the My.SSS facil-ity at the SSS website.

The SSS shall generate the initial electronic Contribu-tion Collection List (e-CL) for all regular and household employers and Statement of Account (SOA) for individual members.

“By logging in to their

My.SSS account, employers will have access to their e-CLs, and SOAs for individual mem-bers. The good thing about this facility is that they can review and edit their e-CL and SOA details should there be any changes,” Dooc explained.

In the case of employers, they can add newly hired employees and indicate separated employ-ees. For individual members, they can change the applicable period if they want to make ad-vance payments for a year, and

change the amount of contribu-tion if their monthly earnings have increased or decreased.

Upon validation and con-firmation of the e-CL or SOA, the e-CS shall automatically generate a Payment Reference Number (PRN) that will be used mandatorily by the em-ployer or member in paying SSS contributions at any ac-credited payment facility.

All bank and non-bank col-lection partners are required to shift to the e-CS using PRN as

basis for payment acceptance.“All SSS branch tellering fa-

cilities and non-bank payment partners will implement real-time posting of SSS contribu-tion payments starting January 16, 2018. All commercial and universal banks are required to convert their current manual processing of SSS contribution collections and report submis-sion into the e-CS with PRN by February 4, 2018, and March 4, 2018 for all other banks,” Dooc concluded.

JOSE Manalo, Wally Bayola and Paolo Ballesteros are continuously proving that their wit and comedic chemistry

go beyond “Eat, Bulaga!” as they headline their own talk show and top billing a new movie project.

For over a month now, the three televi-sion hosts/comedians, collectively known as JoWaPao to their millions of fans, are reliving their Kalyeserye days as they put on once again Tidora, Nidora and Tinidora’s quirky outfits armed with the characters’ old-aged humor in late morning program “The Lolas’ Beautiful Show”.

Airing weekdays before “Eat, Bulaga!” the viewers are treated to 30 minutes of fun talk about life and love and everything in between.

“The show, in a way, is an extension of what we’ve done in Kalyeserye. Same char-acters but here, we try to interact with dif-ferent people from all ages. What we really offer is pure fun and laughter every morn-ing to all dabarkads. We also try to impart life lessons to the viewers,” said Bayola.

Admittedly, “The Lolas’ Beautiful Show” came as a big surprise for all three of them. Ballesteros revealed they were only given two weeks to prepare for their pilot episode which aired last September 25.

He added that even with the success of Kalyeserye and their regular appearances in “Eat, Bulaga,” it never dawned on them that they will someday have their own program.

“We’re very happy with this opportunity but at the same time, we feel that we have bigger responsibility to the audience. We try to study everything. We discuss what we’ll feature in every episode because we only want to give them the best. It’s not every day that the bosses will gift you something this big,” he says.

Manalo, on his part, is just thankful that two years since the three lolas were intro-

duced in the Kalyes-erye segment of “Juan for All, All for Juan” of “Eat, Bulaga!” the local viewers are still hooked on their characters.

“This is no ordinary talk show because it’s not often you’ll see three men dressed up as our beloved grandmothers. But we’re grateful for the love and sup-port shown not only by the viewers, but also by our “Eat, Bulaga!” family.”

Right now, the three are counting for the same support from moviegoers for their first major film together entitled “Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs Zombies” produced by APT Entertainment and M-ZET TV Production, Incorporated.

In the said flick, JoWaPao are still in their lola costumes, but this time fending off zombies with co-stars Miggy Tolen-tino, Kenneth Medrano, Caprice Cayetano, Shaira Mae Dela Cruz, Taki Saito, Arthur Solinap, Angelika dela Cruz, and child star Ryzza Mae Dizon.

“This project is different from Kalyeserye and ‘Lolas Beautiful Show’ because this is an action/adventure movie. We’ve never done one together,” Bayola explained. “They will see our characters’ personal adventures and we want to show through this movie that de-spite the age, our grandparents still have that sense of adventure in them,” Manalo added.

Meanwhile, in spite of their busy sched-ule, appearing daily in “The Lolas’ Beauti-ful Show’ and ‘Eat, Bulaga!” and busy pro-moting their new flick, the three said they wouldn’t wish it any other way.

They all agreed that it’s not like work when you’re having fun.

“We work every day but we don’t com-plain about it because we like what we do.

We love our job and the people we work with. We’re just grateful for the outpouring of love from everyone,” Ballesteros said.

As for those comments that they could be the next well-loved trio, TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon), the three said that they still have a long way to go.

“Madami pa kaming kakainin na bigas,” says Bayola.

Manalo added that whatever joke they come up with, the style of hosting they’ve ad-opted over the years and the way they interact with the audience, these are all products of years of training and guidance of TVJ.

“We’re happy and flattered when we hear that, but we are far behind. No one can sur-pass what TVJ have achieved over the years and what they are continuously contributing to the industry. What we can only do is be inspired by them and to remember why we are working in front of the camera – to pro-vide entertainment for everyone,” he ended.

“The Lolas’ Beautiful Show” airs week-days before “Eat, Bulaga!” on GMA Net-work while “Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs Zombies” will open in theaters nationwide starting November 22.

JoWaPao relishes back-to-back

television, movie projects

COMMUNITYB7Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017uardian

the dailyG Western Visayas Most Read and Respected

GENDER and Development ad-vocate Mary Ann Melacio from Cameleon Association Program Office said child abuse is real in Guimaras.

“Wala kami gaduha-duha sand nabal-an ko na imbitado kami diri para mag-educate, sa rason nga seven ka Guimarasnon na ang narehabilitate namon,” Mela-cio said during her lecture at the advocacy training on Handling Child Abuse Cases in Barangays on November 16-17, 2017.

Melacio cited the role of the barangays in addressing child abuse.

“Nagatabo diri ang child abuse kag kamo nga barangay officials ang sa front nga tao na makabulig para madula ang amo na kaso diri sa probinsiya sang Guimaras,” she added.

Guimaras Police Officer Connie

Molo discussed the handling and reporting of child abuse cases.

Guimaras Governor Samuel T. Gumarin has assured in his State of the Province Address 2017 that constant efforts and collabora-tion are being done to sustain the child-friendliness of Guimaras.

Gumarin said this is evident in the province’s consistent status as an ideal area in the monitor-ing and evaluation on the func-tionality of its Local Councils on the Protection of Children by the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children in Western Visayas.

In 2016, Gumarin said that out of the 97 barangays assessed in the province, 45 or almost half are ideal or having a rating of 80 to 100 percent for satisfying all the requirements for all the indi-cators of a functional LCPC.

The figure is up by 36 percent compared with 33 barangays in 2015. About 40 barangays are mature and only 12 barangays re-main to be progressive.

“These data show that the champions for a child-friendly province continue to rise and become armored to protect the rights of our children,” said Gu-marin.

The Provincial Government of Guimaras (PGG) through Gender and Development (GAD) Office, Guimaras Provincial Police Of-fice (GPPO) and Cameleon As-sociation steered barangay of-ficials to educate Guimarasnon on how to protect the children and to train them in order to be equipped with the knowledge, at-titude, skills and habit as gender advocates. (PIO Guimaras with the report of PIA)

TWENTY-seven drug surrenderees from Tubungan, Iloilo recently graduated from the Community Based Drug Reha-bilitation Program (CBRP) of the Local Government Unit (LGU).

The surrenderees under the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang joined the rehab after expressing their intention to become clean of illegal drugs and crime.

Tubungan’s rehabilitation program is the first in Iloilo to be accredited by the Department of Health.

The undertaking is done in cooperation with the PNP, mu-nicipal government of Tubungan, Department of Social Wel-fare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Drug Enforce-ment Agency (PDEA) and Department of Health (DOH).

Representatives from said agencies attended the Moving Up Ceremony at Tubungan Municipal Hall.

Allen Camering of the National Police Commission (NA-POLCOM) and Police Superintendent Bonifacio Ancajas, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) deputy provincial di-rector for operations, also attended.

In his message to the surrenderees, Ancajas acknowledged the hardships of recovery but said it is “not impossible to ful-ly transform one’s life away from illegal drugs.”

He also called upon the graduates to contribute and become productive members of the community as they will be dealt with accordingly if they disregard all efforts to rehabilitate them and go back to illegal drugs.

During the ceremony, former Tubungan police chief and IPPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Rolando Arano was com-mended for his efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs.

THE Police Regional Office (PRO-6) awarded Medalya ng Kagalingan or PNP Medal of Merit to 17 deserving cops in Western Visayas morning of Nov 20, 2017 at Camp Delgado.

The 17 police officers are Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, Senior Inspectors Jigger Gimeno and Leomel Gonzaga, Police Officers (PO) 3 Edmund Espidion, Nick Acaya, PO2s Melvin Mo-corro, Albert Tayaba, Rolly Siman, Donal Tapang, John Earl Bravo, Joe Dennis Santes, Ryan Togonon, and Mac Gregor Carnazo, and PO1 Archie Quimba.

The awardees are members of the Regional Intelligence Division, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Negros Oc-cidental Police Provincial Office and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency who were responsible in the arrest of Arturo “Master Pedik” Balume Sr., an alleged crime ring leader in Iloilo.

Balume is listed as PRO-6’s No. 1

High Value Target-Level 3 (HVT 3). He is believed to be a sub-group leader of the late suspected drug lord Melvin Odicta.

Balume was arrested at Brgy. Pobla-cion in Hinobaan, Negros Occidental on Oct 12, 2017 for the crime of murder.

The same medals were also given to Senior Inspector Hilbert Gevero, PO2 Jomer Falco and PO1 Kheem Balbuena, members of Capiz Police Provincial Of-fice, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and Roxas City Station DEU.

The trio led the successful drug buy-bust operation which resulted in the ar-rest of Bobby Lee Balsomo and Llena Asas on Oct 6, 2017 at Railway St., Brgy XI, Roxas City, Capiz.

The award was given during the Flag Raising Ceremony with Wardley M. Getalla, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 director, as guest of honor and speaker.

TEXTBOOKS FOR THOUGHT For alternative off-campus education, Samantha Bonney (2nd from left), president of Give A Textbook Founda-tion based in Australia, distributes hundreds of second hand books to inmates of Himamaylan City Jail in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. Assisting her is Judge Walter Zorilla (2nd from left) of the Regional Trial Court Branch 55 in Negros Occidental. (J. Britanico/BJMPVICRS)

WARDLEY M. Getalla, PDEA-6 director, pins the Medalya ng Kagalingan to Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba during the awarding ceremony at Camp Delgado on Nov 20, 2017. (Photo by Ryan Orleans/ORD/PRO-6)

Child abuse is real, gender advocate says

PRO-6 recognizes personnel

27 persons hurdle drug rehabilitation

B8 Tuesday, November 21, 2017

POWER COUPLE retired Lt. Gen. Hernani and Janet Perez hosted an intimate barbeque party at the City of Pines’ Camp John Hay in honor of their debonair son Hernan, who has admitted into the Philippine

Military Academy as a full-fledged Cadet 4th class of Masaligan Class of 2021.

The celebration gathered the Hernan’s family, cousins and close pals who congratulated the latter for his achievements.

We enjoyed cold canapés at the al fresco garden such as the marinated salmon with dill, grilled zucchini and ricotta coriander cheese, grilled chicken liver in skewers and smoke ham.

Our close pal Johnny Co surprised us with his own version of savory steaks which were a big hit to everyone.

All these were splashed down with cool orange-calamansi panna cotta, mini éclairs, chocolate cakes and grape fruits.

As expected, fine wine warmed our chilly evening.

HANNIE Perez, Lt. Gen. Hernanie Perez and son Cadet 4CL Hernan Perez with mom Janet Perez

YOUR Pagemaker and Hernan Perez with his brother and cousins

JOHNNY Co passionately prepares his steaks

ISMAEL and Marilet Mahipus

RV Velez

LI Celebria, Migz David and Mary Joy David JENNIFER Loremia and Sherie PimenteGENEVIEVE Jumamoy and Katrine Anne Lagan

ISMAEL Mahipus Jr. and Your Pagemaker

YOUR Pagemaker with Janet Perez and son Cadet 4CL Hernan Perez

JANET Perez and Hernan with friendsYOUR Pagemaker with Cadet 1CL Jeremiah Cabili, Charlie Coy Company Commander; Janet Perez and son Cadet 4CL Hernan Perez with Ismael Mahipus Sr.

HERNAN Perez and his parents with PMA Class Masaligan 2021 batch mates during the recognition day.