NIA switches on JICA-funded mini-hydro power plant in Isabela

SAN MATEO, Isabela  -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led the switching-on ceremony of the 45-kilowatt mini-hydro power plant along an irrigation canal here earlier this month on November 4, 2014.

Funded by JICA, the hydro-power facility is constructed along Lateral, District 2 of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) here. The newly inaugurated facility can benefit 45 households with an individual consumption of 1000 watts.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Department of Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada, and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Section Eigo Azukizawa led the switching-on ceremony of the demonstration project which started construction in March and was completed in October this year.

Padernal said that although the new mini-hydropower is not as big as what others expect, the significance of the project is enormous.  “NIA would like to replicate such projects in other areas.  That is one of the reasons why all our irrigation managers from the different regions are here,” he said. 

The NIA Administrator said that secondary to irrigation, the agency operates and implements hydropower projects in applicable areas.  “In fact, we are planning to bid out over 50 new hydro power projects of various capacities around the Philippines the soonest possible time,” he shared. 

Undersecretary Monsada said the residents in the community where the facility is located will now have better access to energy.

The first of its kind in the country, the project shows that it is viable to utilize existing irrigation canals even with small water heads for power generation.

The NIA-MARIIS, through its Division II office, will be operating and maintaining the new facility.  

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (2^nd from L) and MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel (1^st from R) accompany DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada (3^rd from L) and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Sector Eigo Azukizawa (2^nd from R) in opening the gates of the new 45KW JICA-funded mini-hydro power facility along Lateral B of the MARIS Main Canal in San Mateo Isabela.  With them is DOE Director Mario C. Marasigan.

NIA Administrator Florencio Padernal, DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada, and JICA Representative Eigo Azukizawa during the switching-on of the 45kw mini-hydropower facility in San Mateo, Isabela.  The event was witnessed by all the NIA regional irrigation managers (in green hard hats).

NIA, SN Aboitiz to optimize MARIS Reservoir

RAMON, Isabela-“We have to be thankful for a project that helps a lot in increasing the income of farmers which is our ultimate objective,” said National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio Padernal during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Magat River Irrigation System (MARIS) dam optimization project here on November 4, 2014. The project is in collaboration with the SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. (SNAP-Magat).

The initiative is seen to increase the storage capacity of the MARIS reservoir by up to eight million cubic meters that will primarily improve the delivery of irrigation water to a larger area of farm lands. NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel shared that with the optimization project, irrigating the whole service area of 85,000 hectares would be possible.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal said the project is a clear manifestation of a real, effective, efficient private-public partnership.  “Increasing storage water capacity of the MARIS reservoir is laudable as it denotes water security for peaking hours and saves water in cases of abnormal weather condition or in times of crisis as well as increased power generation,” he added.

SNAP-Magat Executive Director Danny de Guzman, on the other hand, noted that the project is an example of collective work between NIA and SNAP.  “These collaborative projects are underpinned by not only technical expertise between NIA and SNAP but also the strength of the partnership that we’ve forged over the past seven years,” he added.

The project will also provide flexibility for power generation. This could potentially add up 7.75 megawatts of additional capacity for the Luzon grid.

The project is seen to start January next year and is expected to be completed in 2016.

 (L-R) MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel, Ifugao Governor Dennis Habawel, NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Ramon Mayor Wilfredo L. Tabag, and Danilo de Guzman, SN Aboitiz Power Executive Director during the ceremonial ground breaking at the project site. Behind them are SNAP executives and Danilo Tumamao, representative of the Governor of Isabela.

The MARIS reservoir is located in the downstream portion of the Magat Dam, one of the largest multipurpose dams in Asia, and is part of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).

Senate bill granting automatic PhilHealth coverage to senior citizens signed into law

MANILA-The country’s more than six million senior citizens could now look forward to spending their robust years as bonafide members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) as President Aquino signed into law last week the measure granting automatic membership to them.

Under Republic Act (RA) 10645 otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Senior Citizens, Amending for the Purpose RA 7431, as Amended by RA 9994, Otherwise Known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, all that a senior citizen needs to do to avail of Philhealth benefits in a hospital is to present a valid ID proving his/her age.

“Magpakita lang sila ng ID bilang patunay na sila’y senior citizen at matatanggap na nila mula sa ospital ang karampatang benepisyong laan sa mga miyembro ng Philhealth,” Senate Pro Tempore Sen. Ralph G. Recto, main author of the measure, said.

“Health insurance can never be called universal if it does not cover all seniors. Enrolling them must be automatic, not optional. The ideal is that the minute they blow out the candles on their 60th birthday cake to the moment they breathe their last – they should be PhilHealth members,” Recto said in his sponsorship speech.

Recto lauded Malacanang and his colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives for supporting the measure.

There are approximately 6.1 million senior citizens -- 60years old and above -- in the country today.

  

PhilHealth, as of December 2013, has 31.27 million registered members and 45.63 Million dependents totaling to 76.90 million Filipinos provided with Philhealth coverage.

In 2013, PhilHealth reported an income from premium contributions amounting to P62 billion, on top of the subsidy of P12.612 billion it received from the national government.

Correspondingly, for 2013, PhilHealth paid P55.559 billion in benefits payment. 

ASEAN-Korea Centre to Hold ‘ASEAN Trade Fair 2014’

Seoul, Republic of Korea -- The ASEAN-Korea Centre (Secretary General Chung Hae-moon) is hosting the ‘ASEAN Trade Fair 2014’, a fair which will showcase the diverse food and beverage products of each of the 10 ASEAN Member States, on 12 (Wed.) – 15 (Sat.) November at COEX, Seoul.

 

The ‘ASEAN Trade Fair 2014’ is the largest Southeast Asian food and beverage fair to take place in Korea. 100 companies from the 10 ASEAN Member States will exhibit a wide selection of quality products including processed tropical fruits, frozen fisheries, various dried foods, coffee & tea and much more.

 

Also, several events with the aim to enhance the understanding of ASEAN food and beverages among the visitors will be conducted during the Fair. Seminars on topics such as ‘Building Food.

 

Sourcing Networks in ASEAN’, ‘Prospect of Halal in International Trade’, ‘Health Food Industry of ASEAN’ and ‘Coffee & Tea Industry of ASEAN’, (12^th 14:40 – 16:40, 13^th & 14^th 13:15 – 16:40) as well as cooking demonstrations for each country will take place. The cooking demonstration in particular, is expected to become a highlight of the Fair, as professional chefs will utilize the exhibited items to show how Southeast Asian food ingredients can be incorporated in to Korean dishes. Meanwhile, at 11am on the 12^th (Wed.), the Fair will kick off with an Opening ceremony that will be attended by honorable guests including the 10 ASEAN Ambassadors to Korea, related government officials and major buyers.

 

In view of the growing interest on Southeast Asia’s unique food culture among the Korean public recently, it is anticipated that the Fair will attract many spectators including food and beverage companies, distributors, buyers as well as the general public who are interested in Southeast Asian food culture.

 

H.E. Chung Hae-moon, the Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre noted that “The ASEAN Trade Fair is being held at an important point in time - the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit will be convened this upcoming December and the ASEAN Community will be launched in 2015. The timely holding of the Fair is expected to contribute to further promoting exchanges among the two regions.”

 

The ASEAN-Korea Centre has been promoting ASEAN goods since 2009 through participating in Korea’s major food and beverage exhibitions. However, this is the first time that the Centre is hosting a fair solely for ASEAN food and beverages. The ‘ASEAN Trade Fair’ is also a celebratory program of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit 2014. (ASEAN)

Legarda Highlights Role of PPPs in Building Resilient Communities

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that public-private partnerships (PPPs), which have been usually favored for basic services and infrastructure, could very well help fuel the country’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) thrusts.

Speaking at the Top Leaders Forum 2014, which was organized by SM Prime and the United Nations Office For Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Legarda explained how PPPs could be instrumental in DRR and in building sustainable and resilient communities.

“Disasters as an enemy are becoming more enigmatic and formidable. It is no longer business as usual. The shift from reactive to proactive stance is now a must. In light of the call to ‘build back better’, the government would greatly need support from the business sector. We need better investments in flood control, forest management, hazard identification, mapping and assessment, research and development, and risk financing,” said Legarda, UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific.

The Senator noted that in September of this year, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced that “increased public spending will be supplemented by private sector investments through PPP.” Php553 billion worth of infrastructure projects are expected to be rolled out in the next 12 months.

Furthermore, the Aquino administration has awarded eight PPP infrastructure projects worth Php127.5 billion since four years ago. 

“DRR is a relatively new area for PPPs, as traditionally, private sector involvement in disaster management has focused largely on response and relief. But businesses have the potential to bring in core competencies for shaping innovative and sustainable solutions and therefore play a vital role in building resilience,” Legarda stressed.

Legarda said that the Philippine government has actually been engaging the private sector in its DRR and CCA initiatives.

The government’s Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards or Project NOAH, a program that uses science and technology in building capacities for disaster risk reduction and management, was created with the support of several private business entities, particularly information communications technology and telecommunications companies. 

This year, the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act was enacted into law, through which the services of telecommunications companies (telcos) may be tapped by government in sending out disaster alerts and other relevant information to mobile phone subscribers located near and within areas that would be affected by an impending natural hazard.

Legarda said that telcos must also carry flood and storm surge warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as well as updates on forced evacuation targeted in communities.

“The private sector is a key partner in DRR. They supply the wherewithal, including the technical expertise, to ensure that development is pursued strategically at the outset,” Legarda said.

“It is also vital that the private sector should put disaster resilience at the core of their business strategies and put in place a business continuity plan to allow them to get their systems back in order immediately after a disaster without substantial disruption and income loss,” she added.

“I call for a cultural revolution, for humanity to adapt to a fast changing environment and to adopt a risk-informed lifestyle. This should apply in all aspects of daily life and even for business—in designing a product, in building a structure, and in planning development programs or projects. This cultural transformation for a safer world entails a new way of thinking and doing our everyday business that prevents socio-economic losses and ensures genuine human development,” Legarda concluded.

Support for Drilon, Singson, Jimenez over ‘baseless and malicious’ allegations on ICC, inspiring

MANILA-The Office of the Senate President is very grateful for the outpouring of support to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon amidst the malicious, absurd and baseless allegations hurled against him, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez in connection with the construction of the yet to be completed Iloilo Convention Center.
 
“The Office of the Senate President is thankful for the public’s tremendous support for Senate President Drilon. That people from all walks of life went out of their way, with some using their social networking sites, to defend him and express their disapproval and dismay at unfounded allegations regarding the much-awaited Iloilo Convention Center is very heartening and inspiring,” said Atty. Alu Dorotan, head of the legal team of the Office of the Senate President. 

“It only shows that the people know wholeheartedly that Drilon, Singson and Jimenez are good men, who only want the best for the country. The people believe in the ICC and what it can do for the development and promotion of tourism in the country,” Dorotan stressed.

Dorotan said the Senate chief is “thankful and humbled” by everyone who has expressed support amid this assault against him and the much-awaited ICC.

“You can never put a good man down,” she added.

Earlier, members of the business community as well as local leaders in Iloilo rallied behind the three officials who were made respondents to a plunder case in connection with the construction of the ICC.

Former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim, who served under the administrations of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, and Dr. Alfonso Uy, president emeritus of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., are among the signatories to a manifesto of support for Drilon, Singson and Jimenez.

Dorotan said Lim and Uy, with several others, said “(they) condemn the people who are out to thwart progress in Iloilo by maligning these dedicated public servants who have only the best interests of the country and Iloilo at heart.”

Quoting from the manifesto, Dorotan further said that the business community in Iloilo said “(they) have never seen someone so dedicated to the cause of Iloilo than Sen. Drilon. We therefore find it preposterous that a plunder case should be filed against him for the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.”

Dorotan emphasized that the 11,693.79 square meters ICC is primarily a tourism project under the Department of Tourism with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highway which supervised the bidding.

She underscored that the ICC, which is equivalent to a seven-storey building, isa realization of a lifelong dream of the residents of Panay Island to have their own iconic, highly impressive and sophisticated convention center. “It aims to draw local and international guest for large-scale conventions, summits, congresses, trade fairs and exhibits, and other important events and put the country - particularly Western Visayas - on the business tourism map,” Dorotan said.

 “The ICC will also spur the creation of new jobs and other livelihood opportunities for the residents of Iloilo and neighboring areas. As proof of the ICC’s potential, new hotels near the ICC site are already being constructed,” she concluded. 

LP stalwart unmasks ICC complainant as UNA-backed fraud

MANILA-Liberal Party stalwart Representative Edgar “Egay” Erice today revealed the “deceitful ties” of the discredited political operator behind the charges against Senate President Frank Drilon and other officials involving the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), Manuel Mejorada, to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), who are using the ICC probe to shift public attention away from the investigations on Binay’s ill-wealth.

The Caloocan 2^nd District Representative today stressed that even if Mejorada attempts to deny his links with Binay’s camp, what is sure is that UNA benefits from Mejorada’s claims against the Senate President, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson, DOT Sec. Ramon Jimenez, and other co-accused officials.

Erice said that in Iloilo, Mejorada’s hometown, people “are all aware of Manuel Mejorada’s ties as media consultant to a failed mayoralty candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Iloilo City.” That candidate also had the support of ex-First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

“The relationship between Mejorada and UNA is not a secret to Ilonggos. Mejorda became affiliated with that UNA candidate after falling out with the Liberal Party and its leaders, including his former boss Senate President Drilon. Their link is undeniable,” Erice explained.    

Erice said that Mejorada’s connection to a local UNA figure just confirms that the push for the ICC probe is UNA’s “squid tactic,” and that Mejorada’s actions against Drilon, Singson and Jimenez, “are being supported and exploited upon by the opposition.”

“Mejorada is no journalist, and no anticorruption crusader either. He is a paid hack, who can’t get any more obvious with his goal of creating the drama that UNA needs to muddle the investigations threatening Vice President Binay and his ambitions to become the next President.” Erice said.

Erice noted Mejorada’s plentiful appearances in TV, print and radio since his emergence as the ICC complainant: “You can’t go on media rounds, on the national level, if you have no ample financial backing. Someone is clearly bankrolling this man’s activities.” 

Given Mejorada’s shady motives and links, Erice said that they are confident that Mejorada’s allegations will “flounder upon scrutiny, given that they are the fabrications meant to alleviate UNA’s desperations.”

“Mejorada is nothing more than a ‘jukebox journalist’ – he will sing whatever tune, say whatever lies, as long as you feed him the right price. When the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee takes a look at the documents and the facts regarding the ICC, all they will see is that Mejorada’s lies are founded on thin air, paid for by UNA,” Erice said. 

“The DPWH and the DOT have said that they can adequately explain the Iloilo Convention City issue. Senate President Drilon himself said that he will not use his position to influence the probe, and that he will attend the hearings if he is called. These are the actions of people who are hiding nothing, who are sure in their hearts that they are innocent,” he said.

“This is a far cry from Binay, who is using all his powers to stop the Senate investigations on the charges against him, and who is now using jukebox journalists just to prevent the nation from knowing the truth about him. He will fail,” Erice added.

Legarda: Yakan Weavers To Showcase Their Craft at National Museum

MANILA-Yakan weavers from Zamboanga will demonstrate how they weave natural fibers into colorful fabrics with intricate designs during a two-day demonstration at the National Museum, said Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda, patron of the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino, said that the Yakans are the featured craftsmen at the gallery on November 8-9, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

“The Yakans traditionally wear colorful, handwoven garments. They are one of the most distinctively dressed groups of people in Mindanao. A closer look at their garments will reveal the intricate patterns they employ in weaving,” she said.

To be featured is the seputangan, a famous handwoven cloth of the Yakans containing intricate designs. It is usually worn as a head cover or around the waist.

“I invite Filipinos to see how our Yakan weavers combine their skill and love for their heritage to create beautifully woven fabrics. We can better appreciate our culture when we personally see how our culture bearers value traditions and strive to preserve their heritage,” said Legarda.

The weekly weaving demonstrations at the Hibla gallery are part of the Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, which Legarda initiated since 2012 to perpetuate weaving and indigenous knowledge.

Previous demonstrators from the Cordillera Region were the Ifugao weavers from Kiangan, the Kalinga weavers from Mabilong Weaving Center of Buscalan and weavers from Samoki, Mountain Province.

Weavers from Panay Island also showcased their craft. Weavers from Arevalo, Iloilo demonstrated sinamay weaving, the Panay Bukidnons showcased their panubokembroidery, and weavers from Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique showed how they make the colorful patadyong.

The weaving demonstrations can be viewed from 1:00-5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, at the Hibla gallery, located at the 4th Floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Finance Road, Manila.

One year after Leyte remembers Yolanda

MANILA-As the world marks the first year since super typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines and ripped through Central and Eastern Visayas, a series of commemorative activities kicks off in Tacloban.

Local groups and citizens of Tacloban are gearing up for a set of events on November 7 and 8. Both public and private groups came together to organize the two-day event, echoing the cooperation and togetherness the country saw in the wake of the disaster.

The Philippine Red Cross organized “Light the Darkness”, a commemorative run which starts in Tolosa and ends at the PRC-Leyte Compound.

A tree-planting activity was organized by Philhealth’s Region 8 unit, while the city government of Tacloban will hold memorial services for the victims of the disaster, which includes a candle-lighting ceremony, offering of flowers and blessing of mass graves. 

Various arts and music events, film-showing, and health and fitness activities were organized by socio-civic organizations like the Rotary Club of San Juanico, One Tacloban, and Alpha Phi Omega fraternity alongside private groups including ABS-CBN, GAPlabs, Inc and Wellside PTY. The World Health Organization also joins in with a collaborative artwork activity at the City Hall Grounds.

Awarding of livelihood projects will be led by the city government and the office of Leyte first district Representative Martin Romualdez.

“It has officially been a year after Yolanda. On behalf of the whole province of Leyte, we say thank you for the overwhelming support extended to us in our most desperate time of need,” said Rep. Martin Romualdez.

“We saw the outpouring of support not only from the international community but from private citizens as well. Aside from the innumerable food and medical supplies donated to the relief effort, we cannot quantify the countless hours people spent volunteering, rescuing, and providing relief to the affected communities.”

“We know that the work is far from over. A year after Yolanda, the effort to rebuild Leyte continues so let’s keep moving, trabaho lang,” said Congressman Romualdez.

“Reconstruction and disaster preparedness are main priorities now. These commemorative activities serve as a good reminder that the work continues a year after Yolanda, and that everyone can contribute to this massive effort to get Leyte back on its feet.” 

Legarda on Yolanda Anniversary: Let Us Bring Filipino Resilience to a Higher Level

MANILA-One year after Supertyphoon Yolanda battered Central Visayas and other nearby regions, Senator Loren Legarda today said that the well-known Filipino resilience should be manifested even before a natural hazard occurs.

“The world recognizes the resilience of the Filipino spirit. Even after experiencing the worst disaster, we find reason to smile and laugh, we help others even if we are victims too, and we immediately go about our business. Resilience has been a remarkable strength of our citizens, but at the end of the day, the greater challenge after a typhoon or earthquake is always: how do we rebuild our communities?” said Legarda.

“One year after Yolanda devastated numerous communities in Central Visayas and nearby regions, I hope we all have learned our lessons well. Let us bring our resilience to a higher level—where we need not weep for a lost loved one after a natural hazard and where there is less or no more damaged infrastructure and properties because we have already managed to make our communities safe,” she stressed.

Legarda, United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, said she hopes that the rehabilitation plan of the government will be carried out well so that the survivors would not face the same tragedy again.

“I am glad that our government has embraced the concept of ‘building back better’. In building back better, we must rebuild communities with the confidence that we are not rebuilding the risks again; we need to ensure that reconstruction of homes and infrastructure will be on safer ground following geohazard maps and sound construction standards; we need to re-start and create livelihoods; and restore normalcy to people’s lives with a stronger sense of hope and confidence for the future,” she explained.

Legarda also reiterated key lessons from Yolanda and other disasters that caused great devastation, such as typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, Sendong and Pablo.

First, we must focus on managing the risks rather than managing disasters.  Local disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) plans are indispensable. Funds should be sufficiently allocated. Cooperation among local and national governments, businesses, and the communities is imperative.

Second, governments and businesses need to let science work for our communities. The best solutions are possible only with the guidance of science.  Develop land use plans that are risk sensitive.  The dictum is not just to build, but build stronger.  Build for the future.

Third, protect our environment and pursue green urban development.  We need to go back to the basics: protect our ecosystems and natural buffers such as mangrove forests to mitigate floods, storm surges and other hazards. Design and enforce building standards to address future hazards, not past ones.

Fourth, we should all be ‘disaster-literate’. We need to understand and believe in the risks.  Everybody should be part of the solution.

Finally, prepare adequately and engage. While disaster prevention should be the greater focus of our efforts, response preparedness is likewise important to prevent further casualties and reduce losses. Contingency plans are crucial in times of disasters. LGUs must have the political will to implement forced evacuation when called for. With adequate and proper preparation, we would already have won half the battle.

“We do not hope for more natural hazards to come, but that is already part of our lives. We only hope that when the next typhoon or earthquake strikes, the world will laud us for our strength, for the greater resilience of our communities—zero casualty, minimal property damage, quick response and recovery,” said Legarda.

Comelec cancels November 8 plebiscite on Cabanatuan HUC-hood due to fund lack

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–The Commission on Elections has cancelled the  holding of a November 8 plebiscite to ratify the conversion of this city into a Highly Urbanized City (HUC), the third such cancellation in as many years.

          Sitting En Banc, the Comelec issued Minute Resolution 14-0732 dated October 21 - and released November 4 - cancelling the November 8 plebiscite and resetting it to a later date.

          The resolution was signed by Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Christian Robert Lim, Luie Tito Guia, Elias Yusoph, Al Parreno and Arthur Lim.

          Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. was on official business at the time of the signing of the resolution although his signature appeared on the document, apparently as a belated signatory.

          In issuing the resolution, the Comelec approved the recommendation of deputy executive director for operations Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. that the new date will be finalized upon the receipt of the certificate of availability of funds from the city government.

          A total of P100.9 million is needed for the conduct of the plebiscite, of which P47.5 million is to be remitted to the Comelec.

          City treasurer Florida Oca said the city government cannot provide yet the required certificate of availability of funds.  

          Sinocruz, in a memorandum directed provincial election supervisor Panfilo Doctor and Cabanatuan election officer Leonardo Navarro to implement the resolution.   

          Doctor and Navarro both declared that if not for the postponement, they are ready to hold the plebiscite which will involve all 1,360,508 registered voters in Nueva Ecija instead of just this city.

          “We are prepared insofar as our records are concerned,” Doctor said by phone.

Navarro said that as early as January, the Comelec Cabanatuan office has been 100 percent ready for the plebiscite but the Supreme Court stopped them from proceeding with it through its issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

The HUC is contained in Presidential Proclamation 418 issued on July 4,2012 by President Aquino. For the process to be complete, the proclamation needs to be ratified in a plebiscite.

The issue has led to the bitter parting of ways of former political allies, Gov. Aurelio Umali and Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara. Umali is opposed to the conversion which Vergara, a former classmate of President Aquino, is pushing to make Cabanatuan a separate political subdivision.  

The poll body originally set the date of the plebiscite on December 1, 2012 but this was postponed by the issuance of a TRO by the Palayan City Regional Trial Court. Subsequently, the Comelec issued a resolution postponing the plebiscite because of its proximity to the elections.

          On June 28 last year, shortly after the two politicians were reelected, Vergara wrote the Comelec asking it to conduct the plebiscite but the poll body said it was forced to defer all actions until after the barangay polls. 

The Supreme Court directed the Comelec to hold the plebiscite after ruling that all registered voters in the province should vote, granting a petition for certiorari filed by Umali seeking to stop two earlier Comelec resolutions setting the dates for the conduct of the plebiscite on December 1,2012 and January 25,2014 but with only registered voters of the city allowed to vote.

Last January, the SC issued the TRO stopping the Comelec from proceeding with the plebiscite scheduled on January 25. The Comelec, last September then scheduled the plebiscite for November 8.    

Umali  has argued that Novo Ecijanos will be affected once Cabanatuan becomes HUC and thus, it is imperative for them to participate in the  plebiscite. He said no less than two former SC chief justices – Claudio Teehankee and Reynaldo Puno – have held the view that the political units affected by the plebiscite – Nueva Ecija and Cabanatuan – should participate in the electoral exercise.

Vergara said that the conversion of the city into a HUC is long overdue and has been supported by legal experts, among them former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former senator Aquilino Pimentel who authored the Local Government Code of 1991. 

Umali, a lawyer, said there is already  existing jurisprudence, one of which was the October 19,1992 ruling in Padilla Jr. vs Comelec which stated that when the law states that the plebiscite shall be conducted in the political units directly affected, it means that residents of the political entity who would be economically dislocated by the separation of a portion thereof have a right to vote in the said plebiscite.

“Evidently, what is contemplated by the phrase “political units directly affected,” is the plurality of political units which would participate in the plebiscite,” he stressed, quoting from the ruling.

          He said this is not the first time the issue of who should vote in the plebiscite is raised before the Comelec, citing the first case was Antipolo City’s own HUC bid wherein Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III raised the same arguments.

          The Law Department of the Comelec, he recalled, found basis in the contention of Ynares and officially opined that the conduct of the plebiscite must include the qualified voters of Rizal.

          Vergara’s bid marks the second attempt to turn the city into HUC.  In 1995, Vergara’s predecessor, then-mayor Manolette Liwag pushed for HUC conversion which was subsequently proclaimed by then-President Fidel Ramos.

           However, Cabanatueños rejected its ratification, largely due to the objections of the Josons who were then at the height of their political reign. (Manny Galvez)