Bill co-sponsor admits RH is a population control measure

MANILA, August 26, 2011―The plenary debates at the House of Representatives on August 24 was an unexpected demonstration in unparliamentary behavior by a neophyte solon, but outshining the condescension exemplified was the equally unexpected admission that House Bill 4244, or the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, targets population control.

Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, co-sponsor of the bill, at times responded with arrogance to Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay’ interpellation, over points in which she apparently was not well-versed but swiftly making an admission that surprised even her co-RH proponents.

“Is [the RH bill] a population measure?” Magsaysay asked.

“Of course,” Cojuangco asserted.

“Of course? It’s a population measure? To curb poverty, do you need to curb population? In your eyes?” Magsaysay further asked.

“Definitely,” came the sure reply.

“In other words, you are contradicting the position of all your other co-sponsors there who said that this is not a population measure, that this is not a poverty alleviation measure.”

The Pangasinan congresswoman paused for a few seconds before saying, “Well, it’s not a population… ay, it is a population measure but it’s not population control.”

After a few more moments of silence in the hall, Cojuangco insisted, “It’s a population measure but it’s not population control.”

Misunderstanding the IRR

Prior to the population control measure admission was a lengthy discussion on the Magna Carta of Women (MCW), which Magsaysay repeatedly pointed out was an existing law that already addresses the concerns Cojuangco mentioned as reasons why an RH law in her opinion was necessary, such as the need for more birthing facilities, maternal health services, to name a few.

To the Pangasinan solon’s insistence that the MCW’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) did not carry the weight of the law and were mere guidelines, Magsaysay explained, “When we have a law in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and there is the IRR on how to implement the law, the IRR is the one being used by the BIR to implement the law that we passed through Congress. So you cannot say that an IRR cannot be implemented, because it is in fact a law.”

Magsaysay then mentioned other departments such as the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Health (DOH) tasked with law implementation and how the IRR for each law determines how this is to be done.

“So I beg to disagree with the Madame Sponsor when she said that the IRR is not a law and that the IRR does not carry the weight of the law.”

Magsaysay continued to enumerate the agencies tasked with implementing the MCW, which is specified in the law’s IRR. According to her, the National Commission on Women (NCW) takes charge of overseeing the proper implementation of the Magna Carta’s provisions by the different agencies–the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), Commisision on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

“Now if there are no funds being allocated by the national government through the budget of the Department of Health, then you can question the national government for not providing these things in the budget, “she added.

Apparently, Magsaysay’s pointing out the government’s failure to implement the law signed in 2009 upset Cojuangco, resulting in a manner uncharacteristic of legislators in plenary discussions.

“You’re saying that the national government failed. And as a member of the 14th and 12th Congress, where were you? Where were you when the budget allocation was being talked about with regard to the Magna Carta? What happened? Why was nothing asked? Why did you not raise your hand and say we need an allocation for this?” Cojuangco asserted.

After repeating the necessity of a reproductive health law and insisting that the Magna Carta IRR was useless, she got a quiet response from the Zambales lawmaker.

“Madame Sponsor, I would just like to inform you, in case you don’t know, that the lady behind you seated at the table was a member of the group that crafted the IRR of the Magna Carta of Women. How can you say now that nobody… why don’t you ask her?”

Magsaysay was referring to Elizabeth Angsioco of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), a prominent RH supporter.

The need to implement the Magna Carta of Women

After several more exchanges that tackled the MCW’s provisions on maternal and child health, and the redundancy of the RH bill due to the MCW, the Pangasinan solon again allowed the obvious difference in perspectives and her probable dissatisfaction over the law’s non-implementation to get the better of her.

“Maybe we can agree, do you agree with me? Something is wrong because nothing has happened. Am I not right? Nothing has happened. Tell me, has anything happened?” she said in clipped tones.

“All the beautiful things you talked about, just answer me ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Has anything happened?”

“That’s precisely my point…”

“Exactly! Has anything happened?”

A new law is what is needed, Cojuangco stressed, to which Magsaysay replied, “We can make laws here, we can even pass that RH bill if you want to. But that does not ensure that the national government will provide you with what is necessary to implement it. Why don’t you compel the government to provide what is necessary to ensure maternal health care as mandated by the Magna Carta of Women?”

“There is an existing law, so compel the national government to provide the funds to ensure that there are birthing facilities in all rural [clinics], that these are equipped with medicines and vitamins as far as pregnant women are concerned, that they also have doctors, nurses and midwives in rural clinics, and that they can also provide free medical services in case the mother has no money to deliver her baby safely,” Magsaysay added.

“You do not need to pass your RH bill to ensure that there are doctors, nurses and midwives because [these are] already provided by law,” she continued.

“All we have to do is to compel the present government to provide proper maternal health care to all the mothers, to provide the proper neonatal care to all the mothers and babies, to provide the proper gynecological care to all women… just to make sure that the mothers do not die, that children do not die. But we don’t need to pass the RH bill; we need to compel the national government to implement the provisions of the MCW,” Magsaysay said.

Plenary sessions at the House of Representatives continue on September 5. (Diana Uichanco)

NOLCOM chief condemns rebels’ arson in Isabela

SAN MARIANO, Isabela, August 26, 2011-Northern Luzon Command Chief Major General Jessie Dellosa lambasted the recent criminal acts perpetrated by more or less thiry (30) members of the New People’s Army (NPA) led by a certain Joey Ramos alias Ka Jerome and Michael Erania alyas Ka Buktong who burned a P1.2 million tractor owned by ECO-Fuel Land Development, Inc., early morning last Wednesday in a place called “Sagpat” here.

The rebels seized the tractor from driver Rogelio “Elyo” Bulan, resident of Barangay Gangalan here while on its way to Sitio Amisan.

NOLCOM Spokesperson Captain Jovily Carmel Cabading said that the NPA’s intention is to ‘ride’ on the issue being raised by farmer group who is opposing the bio-ethanol plant project, adding that this is what the rebels usually does when their targets do not also yield to their extortion demands.  “This is actually an economic sabotage,” she said.

Areal view of San Mariano, Isabela.

Delosa said that this kind of societal issue is definitely being addressed by the local government units and line agencies at present. Dialogues and consultations are being conducted by the latter with the concerned citizens in the area. Whatever the misconceptions about the project, he said, should be threshed out.  

“This is precisely what “Internal Peace and Security Program Bayanihan” is for.  The enemies of state should not be given the opportunity to gain propaganda mileage at the people’s expense,” Dellosa ended.

Earlier, the Isabela Philippine National Police (PNP) also denounced the rebels as a communist terrorist atrocity after they burned the tractor of the multi-billion pesos bio-ethanol project. (Jason de Asis)

Aurelco service center looted by unidentified thieves

BALER, Aurora, August 25, 2011-Police authorities are now investigating the thieves who   got P193,798 cash money, memory black box of CCTV, Biometric with serial number EO6100707 and one handheld icom radio IC-V100 at Aurora Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AURELCO) service center, Gloria Street, Barangay Suklayin here yesterday night.

Police Superintendent Benjamin C. Villasis Jr., Baler Police Chief said that the unidentified culprits got two (2) safety vaults from the teller’s office and brought to the stock room of AURELCO, broke them and took the money.

Villasis said that the cashiers drawers and cabinets were disarranged. The suspects also immediately deformed, distorted and bended the CCTV camera, slashed its cables and wires installed in the ceiling of the establishment.  

Investigation report stated that the stealing incident was security lapses of the duty lineman who was not oriented as guard in post but a mere standing personnel at their office.

Police found out that the CCTV camera of the office was not properly secured as the robbers even have the opportunity to include the same in their notorious activities.

PNP crime lab latent prints and finger prints impression at the place of the crime.

Earlier, at around 7:45 in the morning Amado Valenzuela reported the incident to the police.

Valenzuela said that Amelita Artilano Y’ Gomez, 45 years old, Aurelco employee and son Zceasar noticed that the office was robbed out/ ransacked by unidentified perpetrators when opened.

The mother and son Artilano found out that the window grill at the backdoor was cut to open the door using a vault cutter as entry point of thieves. (Jason de Asis)

Senator Angara must apologize for red-baiting ― anti-Apeco groups

MANILA, August 25, 2011―The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) demanded an apology from Senator Edgardo Angara after he said that those organizations vehemently opposing the creation of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Ports Authority are fronts of the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The alleged red-baiting against opposers of the Apeco happened during the senator's speech in commemoration of the 402nd founding anniversary of the Baler town, the Aurora's provincial capital.

Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said that Angara is morally, politically and legally obliged to issue a public apology as his Red bashing "escapade" might result to something else.

“Mr. Angara should be largely blamed if the military and other state security forces [should] engage in another brutal campaign against anti-Apeco groups and individuals," Pamalakaya said.

During former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term, there was a large number of activists who have been slain or abducted and disappeared due to red-tagging.

"Instead of resorting to dirty propaganda and red branding, Senator Angara, his son Rep. Sonny Angara and sister ― Aurora Gov. Bella Angara-Castillo should face all issues surrounding Apeco fair and square," the Pamalakaya chair said.

Last August 22, members of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pamalakaya, Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora (Pamana), Anakpawis party list, Government Employees for Genuine Land Reform, Katribu Party list, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) and Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) picketed before Congress to appeal the junking of the P332.5 million (US$7,840,960.55 or Euros 5,445,680.78) proposed Apeco funds, as the release of the said funding would give the green light for the alleged creation of the "Angara empire" in the entire Aurora province.

“The P332.5 million worth of taxpayers’ money will be used against the people of Casiguran through massive landgrabbing and water-use conversions. Worse, the people’s money will be used to further strengthen the political dynasty and economic power of the Angaras in Aurora through this PPP project carried out by the office of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III,” said movement convenor and Pamana vice chairperson Elmer Dayson.

Dayson also said that Speaker [Feliciano] Belmonte and [Cavite] Rep. (Joseph Emilio) Abaya should bear in mind about the massive displacement Apeco would bring to 5,430 people in five barangays of Casiguran, Aurora if the Angaras succeed in getting the fund for Apeco project next year.

The groups rallying against Apeco also said that the project would also be detrimental to the environment, particularly to the waters of Aurora. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews)

9th journalist killed under Aquino watch

MANILA, August 24, 2011―The media rights' watchdog, Burgos Media Center (BMC) assailed the killing of Hiligaynon broadcaster Niel Jimena, of dyRP (Iloilo) and dyAG (Negros Occidental), the ninth casualty among mediamen under the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III.

According to news reports, Jimena was chased by unidentified motorcycle-riding assassins, and felled at Barangay Damgo, EB Magalona, in Bacolod City, last Monday, August 22.

Mark Joseph Alejo, BMC spokesperson, in a statement said Aquino should be alarmed on the spate of killings and must act swiftly to be able the resolve the cases.

"President Aquino must do something in the soonest possible time to serve justice to the victims of media killing within his term and even those that were still unsettled, including the Maguindanao Massacre. We want to see sincerity from P-Noy [on serving justice to the murdered journalists] and not just mere lip service," Alejo said.

Other journalists who have been killed under the Aquino administration are Jose Daguio, Miguel Belen, Edilberto Cruz, Edison Flameniana Sr., Dr. Gerry Ortega, Cirilio Gallardo, Marlina Sumera and Romeo Olea.

"We want to see culprits and masterminds of these killings be put behind bars and for heads to roll in order for the Aquino government to end the culture of impunity in the country," he said. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews)

1 hurt, as army overruns NPA camps in Aurora

BALER, Aurora, August 24, 2011-A Philippine Army sustained minor injury when the government troopers raided and overran a New People’s Army (NPA) camp in Sitio Balagbag, Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, Aurora Tuesday after a fierce battle with the elements of 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion, Charlie Company led by 2lt Edwin Lauro.

Lt. Col. Kurt A. Decapia identified the wounded in action as PFC Erwin Dacayo, a native of Guimba, Nueva Ecija who was already brought at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, V Luna road, Quezon City for medical treatment and now is in a stable condition.

Decapia said that his troops were dispatched to hinterlands of Dimanayat for the purpose of giving clothes, foods and medical mission for the villagers. “The army took foot patrol for several days from Brgy. Diteki to the coastal barangays of San Luis town,” he added.

Pfc Erwin Dacayo in white shirt inside the ambulance.

At that juncture, he said that the villagers and rebel returnees of Brgy. Diteki reported the presence of the rebels in Balagbag area. He immediately called the group of 2lt. Lauro to conduct combat operation in the place; thus, the army encountered more or less fifty (50) rebels at around 6:20 yesterday morning at Balagbag area.

The army encountered the group of Gregorio Torres, Alias Ka Lenny/Jake who is the leader of the regional yunit guerilla (RYG) together with the other rebels in Central Luzon who gathered in the place to conduct atrocities in the province.

“The rebels are projecting that they are still strong and migrating to show proof of their strength. They are few, they just combined themselves as a group from different provinces to conduct atrocities here in the province, but they failed due to the early reports from the residents of Diteki,” he said.

He said that the group of 2lt Lauro overran the said communist rebel camp after an almost an hour of gun battle, believing that many rebels were either killed or injured, as blood stains were seen along the rebels’ withdrawal routes.

 
The military initially recovered from the camp of the rebels, 1 bag of explosives, 2 bags of subversive documents and personal belongings.

As of this report, an operation manhunt and blocking operation are being conducted by the 48^th Infantry Battalion against the rebels. (Jason de Asis)

Operation manhunt versus rebels in Aurora to continue

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City, August 23, 2011-Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Chief Major General Jessie Dellosa said that the operation manhunt against the New People’s Army (NPA) will continue to maintain the stability of the peace and order in the entire province.

“The troops led by Lt. Col. Kurt Decapia are inspired and motivated to disrupt the NPA’s extortion activities and show of force in the recent manifestation of the villagers full support to the 48^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army,” Dellosa said, following the foiled harassment and ambush of Bayanihan Patrol Team of soldiers in Barangay Diteki, San Luis, Aurora last August 12 that led to the recovery of improvised explosive devices.

Three days after, local officials and hundreds of villagers led by Barangay Capt. Maria Fe Rios gathered at Barangay Diteki basketball court in San Luis and openly denounced the atrocities perpetrated by the NPA.

NOLCOM spokesperson Captain Jovily Carmel Cabading said that there is no let-up in the pursuit operations being conducted by government forces against the remaining NPA members.

“The army troopers are trying their best to send a message to the NPAs that they are just being used and abused by their leaders who do not want this armed conflict to end,” she said, adding that the government already re-opens the venue for a sincere “peacetalk” where rebellions will hopefully be resolved in time.

Cabading said that they send message to the rebels that there is a pressing need to give this “peacetalk” a chance to succeed, saying that these atrocities in Aurora will not help anyone achieve genuine peace.

Cabading revealed that one soldier identified as Private First Class Erwin Dacayo was slightly wounded in today’s hot pursuit operation conducted at around 6:20 in the morning.  

The elements of Charlie Company, 48^th Infantry Battalion led by 2lt Edwin Lauro caught up with the armed rebels in Barangay Dimanayat, in their temporary ‘put-up’ camp. NPA’s personal belongings and some subversive documents were left behind as they run for their lives.

Back to Dellosa, he said that it is obvious that the rebels are anti-development and so they will block any progress in the province.  The statement made by Senator Edgardo Angara lately that Aurora can be the richest province in the country because of the Benham Rise (a potential source of energy) might have fueled their (NPA) desire to disrupt peace in the communities.  

Lt. Col. Kurt Decapia emphasized that their unit is open for dialogue even in any means of communication for the fleeing NPAs who wish to surrender to the government. (Jason de Asis)

2 soldiers wounded, 1 civilian died in Zambales clash with rebels

Entrance to Ucaon, Candelaria, Zambales.

CANDELARIA, Zambales, August 23, 2011-Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) spokesperson Captain Jovily Carmel Cabading revealed that two (2) soldiers were wounded, one civilian was fatally hit and undetermined casualties among the rebels in an armed encounter before the dawn yesterday Monday at Sitio Biew, Barangay Taposo, Candelaria, Zambales.

In a telephone interview, Cabading identified the two (2) soldiers who were hit in a gun battle around 4:20 in the morning as Private First Class Antonio Alvarez and Private First Class Oliver Limbag while a courageous civilian volunteer - Christopher Bonustro was killed in action during the crossfire.

She said that the government troops encountered more or less ten member of the “Pinagsanib na Sangay ng Partido (STP) sa platoon Tarlac-Zambales” under the leadership of a certain Evelyn Munoz, Alias Ka Ched, a native of Pangasinan operating in the place.

“The rebel strategy now is migrating in an insurgency province to show proof of their strength. The rebels are only few, they combined themselves as a group more or less ten from different places then they will conduct atrocities, just like what happened in Aurora province,” Cabading said. She added that the rebels would like to trick the people to believe that they are of strong hold.

“Small groups of New People's Army (NPA) from different places gathered in an identified area then did their plan and extorting the people and other kinds of life threatening so that people would give revolutionary tax and other collectible items,” she said.

Cabading said that Major General Jessie Dellosa,  the NOLCOM Chief, wanted the civilian’s heroic deed to be given due recognition by proper authorities because he sacrificed his life in line of duty to ensure the safety and security of  the Zambaleños.

“He did not die in vain. It is a fact that the residents themselves tipped off the NPA’s presence to government forces which meant they condemned their presence in Zambales,” Dellosa said.

Government troops recovered the following items from the site of the encounter:  one (1) M14, one (1) M16, bandoleers with ammunition, documents with high intelligence value and personal belongings.

The 24^th Infantry Battalion army Chief LTC Michael G. Samson also revealed that there are NPA casualties according to the information from the residents and the bloodstains in the NPA withdrawal route are indicators of these.

Samson calls to offer medical assistance to help those NPA wounded in the area.

Samson revealed that prior to the encounter, a civilian tipped-off enabled government troops to catch up with a group of local rebels conducting extortion activities in the said area that led to the clash.

As of this report, a hot pursuit and blocking operations are being conducted by troops of 24^th Infantry Battalion versus the rebels. (Jason de Asis)

Masbate prelate ordained today

SAN JOSE, Antique, August 22, 2011―Bishop Jose Salmorin Bontolo, the third Bishop of Masbate, was ordained to the episcopacy by Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo at St. Joseph Cathedral in the heart of this bustling capital town.

Concelebrating with Lagdameo was the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto and other archbishops and bishops from all over the Philippines.

Bantolo was vicar general of San Jose de Antique diocese prior to his appointment as bishop of Masbate.

The fifth among 14 children, Bantolo was born in November 12, 1960. His parents are former Mayor Honorio Bancaya Bantolo and Leonita Tuma-ob Salmorin. He studied at Guisijan Elementary School in Laua-an town and finished high school and college at St. Peter's Seminary, this town.

Bantolo took his Theology at San Jose Seminary at Ateneo de Manila University and was ordained to the Diaconate by then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin on August 3, 1985. Then San Jose de Antique Bishop Raul Q. Martirez ordained him to the priesthood at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Laua-an on April 21, 1986.

He acquired his M. A. In Educational Management from the Jesuit-run Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro city in 1991. He also has a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy in 1998.

Bantolo also has a degree in Applied Theology from the University of Berkeley in California, U. S. A. from 2005-06.

He served as parish priest and chaplain to Filipino communities in Rome, Italy, Athens, Greece, New York and University of Berkeley in the United States of America and the various towns in Antique province. (Melo Acuna)

US-based Filipino clergy to hold musical concert

NEW YORK, August 22, 2011―The Filipino clergy of Staten Island in New York will hold a concert to promote the forthcoming assembly of Filipino clergy in Los Angeles, California on November 8-11, 2011.

The benefit concert will feature well-known Filipino soprano, Lani Misenas, an operatic Filipino tenor, Jun Penaverde, and the popular San Lorenzo Choir of New York City.

The “Singing Filipino Priests of Staten Island” with some laity friends will also participate with some choral numbers.

Titled “Cantate”, the concert will be held on October 1st at 7:30 pm, at St. Joseph-St. Thomas Parish Auditorium, 6097 Amboy Rd., Staten Island, New York.

Coordinated by Father Erno Diaz, administrator of St. Margaret Mary’s Parish in Staten Island, the benefit concert is being organized as a response to the appeal of Bishop Oscar Solis, a Filipino Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, to help support the First National Assembly for Filipino Priests.

The gathering aims “to organize all Filipino priests serving in the USA and form a National Association… and to provide a national venue for Filipino priests to come together in a spirit of fraternity and unity, foster solidarity, and provide support for each other in our pastoral ministry in this country.”

Some 800 Filipino priests serving in various dioceses all over the United States have been invited to the event.

The general admission ticket is $25. For more information and for tickets, call: Fr. Erno (917-829-0742, Fr. Frank (718-344-3041), Fr. Gil (917-842-5169) , Fr. Vic (646-750-9463), Fr. Leeboy (718-689-0238), Fr. Anthony (646-469-8922), Fr. Deo (917-609-4830), Deacon Gary (718-727-7350). (CBCPNews)

12,500 nurses needed this year says Drilon

MANILA, August 22, 2011-Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee announced Sunday that about 12,500 nurses for new nursing position this year are needed by the government where the committee Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad bared to grant Health Secretary Enrique Ona an authorization to hire an additional 10,000-12,500 nursing professionals in the government workforce.

Drilon said that it aims to cut the surplus of nursing graduates in the Philippines, revealing that they agreed that between now and the end of the year, the Department of Health (DOH) should be given an authorization to hire 10,000-12,500 nurses.

During the agency’s budget hearing, there are currently 287,000 nursing graduates who are either unemployed or underemployed. Over the weekend, it was announced that another 37,513 examinees passed the Nurse Licensure Examination administered last July.

It was discovered that the Budget department disallowed the hiring of an additional 4,000 in the DOH workforce due to a ban on hiring of administrative positions, apparently due to the discrepancy with the way the Department of Budget and Management interpreted administrative posts during the finance committee hearing.

“There is glaring deficiency of nursing staff in state hospitals, compounded by the fact that the allowed staffing pattern is not actually filled up particularly in regional government hospitals, adding that our health system will be given a temporary relief due to the hiring of additional nurses,” Drilon said.

The Finance committee will determine now how many new nursing positions are needed for the next proposed budget year. (Jason de Asis)

Zambales govt passes resolution vs. Subic coal plant

MANILA, August 21, 2011—Campaign against coal-fired power plants in Subic, Zambales continues as the Provincial Board voted unanimously and approved a resolution upholding the ban of erecting a coal-fired power plant in any parts of the province.

In a statement dated 17 August 2011, Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain II said that former General and Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) chief, and now the Governor of Zambales Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., had signed Board Resolution No. 2011-149 that strongly opposes the erection of the coal-fired thermal plant in Sitio Cawag, in Subic.

“When I accidentally came to know about this project during the presentation of the SBMA [Subic Base Metropolitan Authority] Ecology Center together with Taiwan Cogen before the municipal council of Subic, Zambales sometime in 2007, I immediately relayed it to SUBRA [Subic Bay Resorts Association] which afterwards requested from the SBMA Ecology Center a presentation about the proposed coal plant in Subic Bay,” the vice-governor said in a statement.

SUBRA, together with People's Task Force on Hanjin & Subic Bay Inc. and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), were the first organization that opposed the proposal.

The provincial vice chief also said that other cause-oriented groups as well as the local government of Olongapo City opposed the project. He also said that he was present during the deliberation and approval of early local government resolution that strongly opposed the erection of the plant.

Lacbain also said that he cannot recall any consultation made in connection with the proposed power plant, neither there is a strong approval for the erection of the electric-generation facility in Subic.

“I don't remember any meeting or public consultations I have attended regarding the proposed coal plant in Subic Bay where the participants accepted or endorsed the project. I was out of the provincial board from 2007-2010 but I can't recall any instance when the proponents made a presentation before the provincial board.

“I [have even] asked the board members during those period and they confirmed that no presentation was made before them during their session. Until, I was re-elected as vice governor last 2010 and had the chance to attend another presentation, this time by Aboitiz Power, before the municipal council of Subic, Zambales on the proposed project. But what surprised me is when I saw the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by former DENR secretary Lito Atienza. [I am] surprised because how come the ECC was issued when I can't remember any public consultations regarding the project where it was accepted or endorsed?” he said.

The Aboitiz Group (also known as the Aboitiz & Company, Inc.) is known as one of the oldest shipping magnate in the Philippines, which traces its roots with the hemp trading in Ormoc, Leyte during the 1800s.

Aside from shipping and trade, in 1930, the Aboitiz clan had also ventured in power industry development (generation and distribution). Today the Aboitiz Group is known as the biggest companies in the Philippines and having its share in real estate development, agriculture, ship-building, and tourism, being the owner of the elite resort, Amanpulo in the Palawan Island.

Nevertheless, Lacbain and other groups continue to question the issuance of the ECC for the construction and later, operation of the plant, which the world environmentalists and scientists had identified as “the number one carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter in the atmosphere”. CO2 is considered the agent of global warming and climate change.

Coal plant in Subic: socially unacceptable

As it would pollute the air and waters of the scenic Subic in Zambales, the vice governor and the opponents of the coal plant in Sitio Cawag see the project as socially unacceptable.

“The social acceptability of the project is questionable and considering that this is the most important requirement for the issuance of the ECC. Several months after Aboitiz Power and the SBMA Ecology Center made a presentation before the provincial board regarding the project, the individuals and organizations that allegedly had accepted or endorsed the project had never submitted any documents to justify the legality of the issuance of the ECC,” the Zambales second chief disclosed.

“In fact, new SBMA Director Philip Camara was even asking for an investigation of SBMA Ecology Center Manager Ameth Dela Llana for failure to submit the list of individuals and organizations that accepted or endorsed the project, as requested by Zambales provincial board,” he added.

Fight for coal plant-free Subic to continue

Despite the fact that the prospective investors might be shooed away because of the vehement opposition to the coal-fired power plant, the provincial government even encouraged the people of Zambales to continuously oppose the proposed project by the Aboitiz.

“The people of Zambales and Olongapo must not retreat but must continue, with even more active and strong determination, to oppose this project which is being continued despite the opposition from all sectors. This project will definitely have adverse effects on our environment, health and our tourism industry in Subic Bay but in return for all these sacrifices no direct benefit will go to the people: no real property taxes, no assurance of employment, no assurance of lower power rates, no assurance of environmental guarantee fund, no specific material or financial assistance to affected neighboring communities,” Lacbain said.

The vice governor had also stressed that there are cleaner energy sources that the government can tap and there is no excuse for pushing the coal-fired power plant erection in Subic Bay.

"Why insist on this coal-plant project, most especially in Subic Bay that must be preserved for tourism and fishery industries? For the sake of our environment, our health, our tourism and fishery and most especially our children's future—let's continue to oppose this project and finally get the cancellation of the ECC,” the vice governor said. (Noel Sales Barcelona)