Agriculture Secretary Alcala rallies support for NIA chief Nangel

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, February 18, 2011-In the midst of the reports that National Irrigation Administration chief Antonio Nangel is set to be replaced, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala yesterday manifested his full trust and confidence to Nangel, adding that President Aquino is a proven supporter of certified performers in his Cabinet as he squelched speculations Nangel, who was appointed last September, is on the way out.

“Palagay ko hindi nila gustong alisin ‘yung nagtatrabaho (I think they would never remove someone who is performing),” he said, referring to Nangel as top-level officials and employees of NIA cheered the NIA head on.

Earlier published reports said Nangel, a Novo Ecijano, is going to be replaced with two contenders being considered for the post. One of those seeking the post is a certain Dr. Rafael Apostol.

Alcala said that the reports are largely unfounded and baseless, saying these reports should not be dignified by the DA family and the public. “Ang galing naman nila, mas nauna pa silang nakaalam kaysa sa akin (They must have good intelligence they even knew it ahead of me),” he said of those behind the ouster move.

DA Undersecretary for administration and finance Antonio Fleta said that while Apostol may be qualified for the post, Nangel brings to the job his excellent track record as a public servant. “Moreover, he demonstrated his ability for teamwork and adherence to the new thrusts and objective set by this Department in line with the President’s program of governance.

He added that performance-wise, Nangel’s replacement “is not propitious at this time, given the fact that he is not only fully qualified for the job but also responding well to the problems besetting said agency.”

“So far, he has earned the implicit trust and confidence of this Office (DA),” he said.

Before he was named  to head NIA, Nangel was thrice conferred number one (1) regional manager of the year award for steering the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems as the country’s largest national irrigation systems to success in the implementation of its projects.

Alcala said Nangel is a hands-on performer who goes out to the field to keep in touch with farmers, irrigators and stakeholders, particularly in Mindanao.

Senior deputy administrator Antonio Galvez, one of the top contenders for the NIA post prior to Nangel’s appointment said he is for the latter’s retention. “I’m behind him all the way,” he said.

Officials of the NIA’s Association of Regional Directors and Project Managers also backed up Nangel, saying not one among their 32 members is dissatisfied with Nangel’s performance.

Vicente Galvez, ARDOMA president and NIA regional director for Cagayan Valley, said if reports Nangel would be replaced were true, these would be a terrible mistake.

“Baka naman nagkakamali sila? Napakaganda ng performance e bakit tatanggalin? (They may be committing a big mistake? He’s performing well so why replace?),” he said.

He said Nangel’s competence and qualifications are beyond question and any move to replace him would be unjustified.

Nangel said he was flattered by the expression of support from Alcala and the DA family, saying it would spur him to carry on the NIA’s mandate of providing irrigation service to farmlands all over the country for the benefit of farmers. (Jason de Asis)

Alcala blasts IRRI for attacks on government rice self-sufficiency program

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, February 18, 2011-Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala yesterday slammed the International Rice Research Institute for doubting over the Aquino government’s rice self-sufficiency target of attaining an importation free status in 2013, saying that the international agency has confined its operations only in its headquarters in Los Banos,  Laguna and does not have a grasp of the overall rice production situation in the country.

In a recent press conference following the inauguration of the brand-new P22.5-million Benigno Aquino Sr. farmers’ training center at the National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems compound here yesterday morning, Alcala said the IRRI does not know the reality on the ground with regards to the country’s rice situation its so-called experts do not go on the field unlike the government’s technicians.

Alcala was accompanied here by National Irrigation Administration chief Antonio Nangel, NIA senior deputy administrator Antonio Galvez, Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali and the various regional directors and projects managers of the agency. 

“They (IRRI experts) just stay in Los Banos. They don’t go around the country to get the actual situation,” he said. He noted that during the recent floods that hit Mindanao, fieldmen from the Department of Agriculture visited the calamity-hit island but the IRRI people refused to go.

“They are afraid to go there because of the floods,” he said.

Alcala made his statements after the IRRI described as “somewhat ambitious” the government’s 2013 target.

Dr. Achim Dobermman, IRRI deputy director for research noted that the government’s rice target will be difficult to achieve during the next three years because of extreme weather conditions brought by climate change.

Alcala said that the Aquino administration is focused on various programs and policies unlike past administrations which only concentrated on a single program. “In the past, if the program is on seeds, they only focused on seeds. In our case, we focus on post harvest facilities, irrigation among others,” he said.

He said the government is determined to attain its objectives by 2013 even with the Doubting Thomases who expressed reservations over the plan. “My friends in Congress have been telling me not to give a self-imposed deadline on rice self-sufficiency but we are determined to meet our targets,” he said.

Lawyer Ronilo Beronio, executive director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, told Alcala that the institute has a new in-bred variety, 222 which yields seven tons per hectare, nearly double the current average of 3.8 tons per hectare.

Alcala said if the variety is used by farmers and yields five tons per hectare, then the government no longer needs to import rice in the future.

He also called on regional directors of NIA to closely coordinate with the irrigators’ associations in delivering frontline services to farmers towards the goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency. (Jason de Asis)

No legal basis for COA chair Villar to stay-Drilon

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 17, 2011-Senator Franklin Drilon said Wednesday that there is no legal basis for Commission on Audit (COA) chairman Reynaldo Villar to stay because his term has already expired and it was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments that his term is only up to February 2.

Drilon recalled that a transmittal letter dated April 16, 2008 which was signed by former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita to the chairman and members of the Commission on Appointments; letter signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo addressed to the bicameral body submitting the nomination of Villar dated April 15, 2008, letter signed by Ermita addressed to Villar transmitting to the latter his nomination paper dated April 16, 2008, Villar’s nomination paper signed by Arroyo dated April 15, 2008; and a certificate of confirmation/consent from the Commission on Appointments dated June 11, 2008 clearly indicates that Villar shall serve as COA chief until February 2, 2011 only.

“Villar’s appointment was until February 2, 2011,” Drilon said, adding that he was originally appointed by Arroyo as COA commissioner last February 2, 2004, and later named chairman of the agency in April 2008, replacing Guillermo Carague whose term had expired.

Drilon, a former Justice and Executive secretary, pointed out that the debates on the 1987 Constitutional Convention clearly indicate that the appointee to any constitutional body shall in no case serve in an aggregate period of more than seven years. Article IX-D of the 1987 Constitution also prohibits reappointment.

“The Supreme Court in Nacionalista Party V. Vera in 1949 and in Matibag V. Benipayo in 2002, ruled that the aggregate tenure of an appointee to a constitutional body, such as the Commission on Elections and CoA, cannot exceed the full term of seven years, whether or not such person completes his term of office,” he furthered.

“Villar’s term of office as CoA chairman expired last February 2, he cannot serve beyond his term of office even if he had served as chairman for less than three years and he cannot be reappointed to the agency because of the constitutional prohibition,” Drilon said, following Villar’s claim that he would serve until 2015. (Jason de Asis)

Angeles revenues up by 30.2 million last January

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, February 17, 2011-Angeles City government posted a 20 percent increase in revenues last January this year compared to the same month last year.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan reported a total of P191,248,188.25 in January 2011 that the city treasurer’s office (CTO) was able to collect compared to last year’s P160,989,724.28 an increase of P30,258,463.97.

“With reenergized revenue generating measures via a vigorous tax information campaign and intensified and honest-to-goodness tax collection efforts, we were able to surpass last year’s collection,” Pamintuan said.

The city collected P105,964,638.03 in business taxes which is 26 percent higher than last year’s figures of the same period, real property tax collection amounted to P80,086,241.87 or 10 percent, community tax P3,620,254.18 or 17 percent, and P1,577,054.17 or 45 percent increase in economic enterprise.

 
Pamintuan attributed the improved revenue collection on the restored trust and confidence of the Angelenos to the city government, saying that it was known that last year, the city government has implemented stringent fiscal management and streamlining measure in order to meet its goals to sustain the delivery of basic social services and other priority programs.

“The city government has exerted strategies aimed to maximize revenues from business taxes, fees, charges, and economic enterprises,” Pamintuan said, adding that the taxpayers had been encouraged to pay taxes on time.

“We can better serve our people if they pay the right taxes and if they do, the Angelenos ought to receive quality service from us, and this shall be delivered”, Pamintuan added, and he lauded the business community for their support and cooperation and at the same time commended the offices of the City Treasurer, Assessor, Business Permit and Licensing Office and other revenue generating agencies. (Jason de Asis)

Criminal investigation course to central luzon PNP investigators starts today

CAMP OLIVAS, San Fernando City, Pampanga February 16, 2011-A 45 day criminal investigation course will started today for the 359 police investigators coming from the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and the cities of Angeles and Olongapo to enhance the investigative knowledge and skills of the law enforcers.

Philippine National Police Regional Director PCSupt. Alan Purisima said that the training will be conducted in their respective provincial and city police offices, saying that the police in the region have 798 personnel assigned in various investigation units.

Purisima revealed that out of this figure, only 217 or 27 percent have formal training on investigation. (Jason de Asis)

:� H ; �Ϗ P͐ n:justify'>“The government could work out negotiations with other countries similar to the RP-Spain Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, which aims to ensure the effective reformation and rehabilitation of Filipinos serving sentences in Spain since they will be afforded the opportunity to serve their sentences in the Philippines,” he said, adding that our OFWs serving long sentences and are awaiting death sentences in countries where no family can visit them.

“This is already a scourge to both the convicted and their families. The anguish of not being able to talk to or see their families forever is already a sentence that amounts to death," Escudero said, adding that the agreement should not be on a quid-pro-quo-basis, which means that all prisoners should be transferred to their country of origin regardless of the number of foreign nationals in Philippine prisons.

“There is a need to pursue this treaty,” Escudero said, since our countrymen are in foreign jails rather than the other way around.

Escudero said that the government should move on it but not to condone what their deeds are but because it is the government's duty to look after the welfare of its citizens no matter if they are guilty or not, reiterating that the government should make available remedies and steps be exhausted to assist our countrymen.

More than 3,000 Filipinos abroad who are either in detention or facing criminal prosecution according to the DFA records and 70 percent are embroiled in immigration-related offenses and will be deported after serving brief sentences while the rest are in custody for crimes such as theft and drug trafficking.

78 Filipinos are convicted for drug charges and awaiting death sentences in China.

There are 630 Filipinos currently serving jail sentences worldwide for transporting drugs who are mostly dummies for drug lords where sixty two percent of them are female according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Jason de Asis)

Bacalzo welcomes whistle-blowers on PNP corruption

CABANATUAN CITY, February 16, 2011-Philippine National Police Chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo yesterday said that he welcomes the possibility of whistle-blowers who will expose corruption in the PNP in the mold of retired Army Colonel George Rabusa, saying that he welcomes any investigation, even lifestyle checks similar to those already conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission.

“Much as we are implementing reforms, including fiscal reforms, we are ready to face any form of investigation,” he said, reiterating that he and his men are ready to face charges that senior PNP officials also received the so-called “pasalubong” (welcome gift) and “pabaon (send-off gift). He said he is not aware of any pabaon.

“I don’t have knowledge on that. In the first place, I have never retired to even get a taste of that. And I will never try receiving that if there is any,” he said.

“The PNP will abide with any instruction coming from relevant authorities for a closer examination of its systems and procedures in its financial transactions,” he added.

Earlier, Bacalzo directed Rey Lanada, Director for Comptrollership and Chief Supt. Rizaldo Tungala Jr., Director for Finance, to render a report to congressional oversight bodies so that these can be effectively guided in their inquiries in aid of legislation.  

At the same time, Bacalzo said he would favor a proposal to set up two sets of police, one national in scope and one local but on certain conditions.

“If in case it would result to the betterment of the PNP as an organization, why not? However, there must be a clear delineation of functions so that their respective functions would not interfere with each other,” he said.

He added that the functions of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group should also be well spelled out. (Jason de Asis)

P5 million building inaugurated by PNP Chief Bacalzo and named to late Dayag who was killed by his deputy COP

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija, February 16, 2011-A P5-million brand-new police station building named after its former police chief who was gunned down by his drunken  deputy right in front of the old police station last January 1 was inaugurated by Philippine National Police Chief Director General Raul M. Bacalzo here yesterday.

In his first official visit in the province since he became PNP chief last year following the retirement of Jesus Versoza, Balcalzo paid tribute to the late Supt. Ricardo Dayag Jr.  who was gunned down by Inspector Bernardo Castro after the former tried to disarm him when the latter fired his service pistol in front of the police station past 8 pm last New years day.    

As he fell on the pavement, Castro allegedly pumped more bullets on his back, pulled out another gun and finished him off. Castro is now in jail facing criminal and administrative charges while the entire 47 police force of the Talavera police was later relieved for failing to come to the aid of their fallen superior and then later underwent a one-week retraining course.

Dayag’s widow Lilia attended the inauguration and was promised by Bacalzo of assistance from Camp Crame. Bacalzo ordered Chief Supt. Alan Purisima to help fast-track the processing of claims of Mrs. Dayag.

Mayor Nerito Santos, a kumpare of Bacalzo, said the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Vince de Leon has passed a resolution naming the new police station as Colonel Dayag Building in honor of the dead comrade. The municipal government donated the lot housing the two-story building.

Chief Supt. Felipe Rojas Jr., deputy director of the Camp Crame-based Directorate for Logistics said they spent P5 million for the Class C building, P1.5 million was released during the term of Bacalzo. 

He said that the PNP is spending an average of P100 million for the construction of new police stations all over the country.

Mrs. Dayag later told newsmen that she has not forgiven Castro yet for killing her husband. “As of now, hindi pa siguro (not yet),” she said. As a single parent, she said she is doing her best to make both ends meet for their five children left by her husband, including his eldest who is taking up law at St. Louis University in Baguio City.

Bacalzo, who was provincial director here in 2001, said the 135,000-strong police force is now undertaking a rigid retraining course in line with the back-to-basics policy of the PNP. He said had the Talavera police been retrained much earlier, the incident involving Dayag would not have happened. “This is the first time that a whole police station undergoes training from the police chief to PO1 (Police Officer 1) to develop camaraderie,” he said.

He added that the back-to-the basics campaign involves two components namely the virtue of courtesy and discipline and good manners and right conduct; and basic skill of policing.

He said police officers even to the level of provincial directors are asked to demonstrate in front of guests the proper way of arresting people.

Bacalzo admitted that the first two weeks of January was the most trying for the PNP when 14 policemen were involved in eight high-profile cases. He said, however, that in spite of these controversies involving lawmen, they were just a small fraction of the 135,000-strong police force.

“In fairness to our good policemen, I still believe that they are performing their jobs well,” he said, adding lawmen should not get distracted by these incidents but to consider these as lessons learned. 

Bacalzo later administered the oath of office of the new officers of the Association of Police Chiefs of the Philippines. He was also awarded a plaque of appreciation by the municipal government. (Jason de Asis)

Angara-Castillo donates fisher folks fishing materials in celebration of “Araw ng Mangingisda”

BALER, Aurora, February 16, 2011-Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo donates three (3) fish smoking chamber (tinapahan), 10 bottom set gillnet and a live fish container and souvenir t-shirts for the fisherfolks of Aurora and the 119 fishermen who joined the “baler bay angling contest 2011” led by Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Officer (PFARO) chief Victoriano San Pedro held at Brgy. Sabang beach yesterday here.

Angara-Castillo said the importance of fishermen in the everyday lives of Aurorans especially in delivering fresh fish in the market, saying that they are the pillars of businessman and buyers purchasing their products, as they say all of them are the real hero for showing to the world that they are using traditional fishing and not illegal fishing.

The lady governor added that the open type fish smoking chamber aims to promote and intensify processing activities in Aurora to produce value added products as additional income through provision of fish processing equipments to the small scale fish processor by the provincial government of aurora and PFARO.

She also directed PFARO chief San Pedro and Brgy. Captain Benedicto Isaguirre to submit to her office the names of the Baler Anglers club, Inc. and the contestants who joined yesterday and last year in order to give scholarship for elementary, high school and college who really needs it, adding that she requires the duo to submit it to her on the month of May, and directs them to create livelihood projects that is feasible in the said barangay where she manifests her willingness to give personal cash money for the start up of their chosen business for fishermen.

San Pedro said that the events started 5 years ago after the consultation with the fisher folks to conduct it every year to promote aqua tourism and sustainable development in the province, saying that Aurora is really a paradise which maintains the traditional method of fishing and ensures fresh fish.

“Although that the province has too much reefs, he is planning to have artificial reefs here in Aurora for the house of the fish for the anglers and make sure that they will continue promoting natural method of fishing,” San Pedro said, adding that this artificial reef is a human-made underwater structure, typically built for the purpose of promoting marine life and improve hydrodynamics for surfing or to control beach erosion.

“We will use bamboos for this artificial reefs designed to provide hard surfaces to which algae and invertebrates such as barnacles, corals and oysters cling, the accumulation of marine life in turn provides intricate structure and food for assemblages of fish,” San Pedro explained.

Meanwhile, results of the contest in connection with the 32^nd Aurora Day Celebration of “Kawilan sa Dalampasigan”. Special cash prices were awarded to Joseph Ajinto, Geronimo Carrasco and Efren Belen for best in fishing attire, Eulogio Duldulao for oldest Angler with catch, Alvin Cailing who received fastest catcher and youngest angler with catch, Virgilio Aganad for smallest single catch and Joseph Ajinto for the biggest catch. For the over-all major prizes, Ana Macanili won the third place, Francis Villamora for second price and the 1^st price was awarded to Joseph Ajinto. (Jason de Asis)

Biggest first national summit on agriculture and fisheries held

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 14, 2011-The biggest two day national summit on agriculture and fisheries was held at the Eugenio Lopez Center in Antipolo spearheaded by Senate Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Congressman Mark Mendoza who co-chairs with Pangilinan the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM), and Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, together with former DTI undersecretary Ernesto Ordonez representing the private sector dubbed as Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 which aims to craft a vision of where the country’s agriculture and fisheries sector ought to be in 25 years.

Roberto Amores, President of Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. (PhilFoodex) and one of the biggest mango processor in the Philippines and Karding Tolentino, a supplier of mangoes from the north is sitting in on a discussion on the state of fruits and vegetables sector turned out that they have been doing business for 20 years, but it took them this long and this opportunity to finally meet face to face.

“One of the aims of the agriculture and fisheries summit is to have the biggest gathering of various players in the agricultural and fisheries sector from the farmers to the processors, traders, business decision makers, and the government agencies,” the Senator said.

Ordonez who now spearheads the Alyansa Agrikultura, a coalition of farmer-fisherfolk federations and organizations said that the vision and general direction for agricultural development should go beyond a sitting president’s six year term for us to achieve stability, continuity, and effectiveness, thus the 25-year perspective for the agriculture and fisheries sector is worthy of support.

The Department of Agrarian Reform’s Undersecretary Jerry Pacturan believes that the discussion on agriculture and fisheries is a discussion on rural development saying that there is a need to shift the work from small livelihood programs and agriculture productivity to something that has scale and the need to think big now.

“Thee mango sector is expecting a decline in production of mangoes for 2011 because of La Nina,” Amorez said, adding that the demand for Philippine mango variety continues to increase, yet we are having difficulties meeting demands. “Something has to be done to mitigate this,” he said, explaining that the Philippine mango is the best in the world and unique in its texture, taste, and aroma.

Sharon Tan, who is the president of the RFID Technology and Research Institute, said that the summit’s 15 year vision for agriculture and fisheries is the right way to go, citing the Singapore’s blueprint crafted for their education was for 15 years and made their students to become computer-literate. “Nowadays, they have software competitions, incubation parks and get venture capitalists,” Tan said, and hoping that the outcome from the recent summit was the same.

To address the issues hounding these agricultural subsectors, the summit provides a forum for discussions on the state of rice production, fisheries, fruits and vegetables, commercial crops, and poultry and livestock, and craft solutions. The biggest suppliers and manufacturers discussed their views with magnates and representatives from government agencies in a “war” room discussion then steered towards crafting a vision and policy recommendations to address the issues.

Secretary Alacala said that the summit goal here is to combine all efforts and develop what has been given to us so we may be able to feed the country in the years to come,” saying that the DA is ready and willing to listen to local farmers and suppliers believing that the government cannot do this alone and the need to have true private-public partnerships to fully realize food security for the citizenry.

Back to Pangilinan, he said that the summit is just the beginning of the hard work ahead aspiring goal to create an adhoc committee that will collate all the recommendations given in the 2-day summit and ensure that there will be follow-through here. The next step is to take the summit to various regions in the country believing that each region has their own unique needs.

“There is a need to employ new methods of approaching the issues, saying that we cannot use the same worn-out, outmoded formulas and expect to see real change in agriculture and fisheries,” Pangilinan said, adding that there is a need to re-imagine what needs to be done.

“We must be willing to move away from our comfort zones. We need to learn to experiment more, to take more risks and employ new techniques and new methods if we wish to see change happen,” Pangilinan furthered.

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"It is timely for us to discuss and to seek solutions to our decades-old problems facing Philippine agriculture and fisheries, the time to synergize what we have to attain the status of a well developed nation," Pangilinan ended. (Jason de Asis)

Gov. Angara-Castillo lauded professional gun shooters in Central Luzon

BALER, Aurora, February 13, 2011-Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo lauded the groups of professional gun club shooters here in Central Luzon for their continuous support to the practical shooters of Aurora which ended yesterday, saying that it was important to be responsible in gun ownership where the group can help protect themselves, family and be prepared for security measures in their respective community.

She urged the gun holder contestants in the recent 6^th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo Cup here at Camp Victor Ravina shooting range to encourage others to join the competition and experience the excitement of the sports.

Relative to this, Architect Dexter Tolentino, Aurora Practical Shooters Association, Inc. (APSA) President and Camp Ravina Practical Shooters Club President Amado de Luna said that the events were participated in by their groups: Travellers of Nueva Ecija Shooters Association (TANESA) and Nueva Ecija Practical Shooters Association (NEPSA), explaining that each participant consumed 107 to 150 rounds of ammunitions in the five stages set by the organizers.

To win the game the contestants should perform the fastest time speed limit combined with accuracy and power in hitting the marks or the round plates in each stage.

TONESA president Judge Trece Wenceslao said that shooters in  central luzon started in Nueva Ecija which was founded by former Sec. Jun Ebdane who is now the Governor of Zambales. Aurora is the youngest in the region which started in 1996 during the time of PNP General Orlando Madella who was then the Provincial Director of the province.

He mentioned Mr. Neddy Mangahas, a native of Nueva Ecija who is now famous in the field of shoot fest competition and a member of the Philippine delegation joining in the international competition in the different parts of the world.

Back to Angara-Castillo, the governor said that her office is willing to extend support to the group in shooting competition and tourism in order to have Aurorans who can also compete in the national and international shoot fest competitions. (Jason de Asis)

Aurora Police and Aurora practical shooters association hosted 6th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo cup shooting competition

BALER, Aurora, February 13, 2011-In celebration of the 32^nd Aurora foundation day, Camp Ravina Practical Shooters Club (CRPSC) and Aurora Practical Shooters Association, Inc. (APSA) in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Aurora hosted the 6^th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo Cup level 1 competition held at Camp Ravina shooting range yesterday.

“The shootfest aimed to promote the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie and goodwill among gun enthusiasts both from uniformed sector and private gun club,” APSA president Dexter Tolentino said where the winners received cash prize, medal and trophy in each category yesterday night.

APSA and CRPSC awarded the following special awards: to wit; a. Government employee single stock champion Rex dela Rosa, Government employee standard champion Renato Puno, Government employee production champion Dexter Tolentino; b. Super senior production champion Col. Laverne Bumabao, Super senior standard champion Leonito de Guzman; c. IBP single stock champion Ernesto Macaraig, IBP standard champion Atty. Jovert Reyes, IBP production champion Judge Trece Wenceslao; d. LGU single stock champion Board member Renato Pascua, LGU production champion Board member Eric Salazar; e. Law man production champion John dela Cruz, Law man single stock champion Peter Galande, Law man standard champion Fredie Espana; f. TYRO  standard champion Joseph Rodriguez, TYRO single stock champion Bonifacio Canading, TYRO production champion Jericho Domingo; g. Lady production champion Jonah Esteban, Lady standard champion Juvielyn Andress, h. RO single stock champion Michael Ape, RO production champion Raymundo Martinez Jr.,  RO standard champion Eric Simon; i. Open champion Nedy Garcia Mangahas, single stock 2^nd runner up champion Kayle Tolentino, single stock 1^st runner up champion Jopet Rosete, Champion for single stock division Randy Somera; 4^th runner up production Judge Trece Wenceslao, 3^rd runner up production Dexter Tolentino, 2^nd runner up production Captain Jose Gundaya, 1^st runner up Jun dela Cruz, production champion overall Sheryl Sanatiago; 4^th runner up standard Reggie Espana, 3^rd runner up Eric Simon, 2^nd runner up Joseph Rosete, 1^st runner up Jack Gregorio and overall champion standard Randy Somera and the final for man versus man champion Randy Somera.

The registration started at 8 AM yesterday February 12, 2011 with the opening ceremony. Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo gave her inspirational message by emphasizing the importance and significance of the shooting competition. The shootfest was participated in by the team of Nueva Ecija Shooters Association (TANESA) and Nueva Ecija Practical Shooters Association (NEPSA), CRPSC, APSA and others.

The competition started after the ceremonial shot of Gov. Angara-Castillo and Provincial Administrator Alex Ocampo. In the Aggregate Category, various gun clubs from central luzon participated using pistols. The awarding ceremony was held yesterday night.

CRPSC president Amado de luna and Tolentino thanked all the sponsors and the participants of the shooting competition while Ocampo and Judge Wenceslao awarded the trophies to the winners.

Prior to this, an Inter-agency shoot fest was also held at Camp Ravina shooting range where the organizers declared the PNP DILG champions in the persons of PSI Jun dela Cruz, PO3 Regie Espana and PO2 Raymundo Martinez. Alfred Lapig emerged as the champion in the Standard Division while Aurora National Irrigation chief Virgilio Ilao was the Champion on production division and man versus man categories. (Jason de Asis) 

Aurora surfing challenge, one of the famous tourist attractions

BALER, Aurora, February 12, 2011-The 5^th Aurora Surfing Challenge in this town serves as the famous attraction sports for tourists in the province where at least 103 professional surfers came from the provinces of Aurora, La Union, Siargao, Daet, Zambales, Manila, Cebu, Lanuza and   Brazilian surfers (from Brazil) last Thursday joined the surfing challenge led by Aurora Surf Riders Association Inc. (ASRAI) President Ronald Rojo and ASRAI chairman of the Board Noel Tolentino.

“Surfing in the province is one of the famous growing interactive attraction sports especially every month of February as the province is celebrating now its 32^nd Foundation Anniversary,” the duo said, adding that the province of Aurora plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup.

Every year the competition has established a steady following of local and international surfing enthusiasts with the combined efforts of Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara, Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Aurora Provincial Tourism Officer chief Michael Palispis and Baler Mayor Arthur J. Angara who are natives of this town.

The surfers in the country and other parts of the world visited this small town in the pacific region to join the said events at Sitio Labasin beach as the center of the sports and other parts in Aurora which boast of internationally recognized surf sites like Cemento Beach (reef break), Charlie’s point (river mouth break), sabang beach (beach break) and other surfing destinations in the province where the best waves in these areas come around October to March.

“The ASRAI and participants go early in the morning to feel the surfing vibes that is why there is no exact time for the contest looking for the mood of the waves, however, surfer contestants meet each other before sunrise,” they said.

There are five (5) judges who score for each contestant giving the surfers the time to show their best performance riding the surf board to the shores within twenty (20) minutes, exhibiting their movements maneuver, round house, cut back, snap back, up the lift, floater, tube (inside the wave), areal, 360’s or rounding, finishing kick-out and others in connection with the sports while the sports tabulator will record the score of the judge.

Mr. Adel Valenzuela, ASRAI tabulator said that the judging criteria must be performed in a radical controlled maneuvers in the most critical sections of the wave with power, speed and flow to maximize potential, adding that innovative and progressive surfing as well as a variety repertoire (maneuvers) will be taken into consideration when rewarding points for waves ridden while the surfers who execute the criteria with maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the better waves shall be rewarded with the higher scores.

Meanwhile, Aurora Provincial Tourism Chief Michael Palispis explained that the other surfing areas in the province like Charlie’s Point is very ideal for surfing, with medium quality right-hand-and-left-break waves on a sand-and-gravel bottom where the waves are best in December and January. The surf scenes from the movie “Apocalypse Now” was filmed here.

Palispis added that the Cobra Reef in Sitio Cemento, Brgy. Zabali is the area which produces excellent right hand-break over shallow reefs. It is the spot most frequented by professional and advanced surfers, particularly Europeans, and Asian surfers. This is where the finals of the ASC is held regularly.

“Dicasalarin Beach is a place of multiple attractions, this natural cove boasts of a kilometer-long white sand beach. On the left side is a steep imposing hill while on the right side is a peninsula and a cave. The area produces medium size waves during monsoon swell,” Palispis said.

“The Sabang Beach where the surfing events take place is on this long stretch of gray sand beach is the surfers haven known as Sabang beach break,” he said, adding that from March to June, the waves are relatively small and is ideal for beginning surfers, but from October to March, the monsoon wind brings in large waves that will challenge even seasoned surfers.

Palispis furthered that the most popular surfing point is found right in front of the Baywatch tower. It is where beginners and local surfers practice and enhance their skills. Other interesting spots are Lindy’s point, found further north along Sabang beach and secret spot at the mouth of Castillo River.

He also mentioned that San Ildefonso Peninsula in Casiguran where the Aurora ecozone is located is considered as the most powerful left hand-break in the province where the best waves come from March to June (Summer) when most of the other surfing destinations in the country are relatively flat.

Earlier, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Alberto Lim declared Aurora as the priority province in the country to be promoted overseas because of the beautiful beaches and surfing while the prestigious GMA7 twitter account survey result showed that the province is number  six (6) in the most visited places in the Philippines.

DOT recorded that in 2009, there were 54,886 tourists who visited the province and last year, there were 68,395 tourists like Americans, balikbayans, Australian surfers, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians, Great Britain, Canadians and other parts of the world who witnessed the beauty of the province. (Jason de Asis)