Incinerators needed to address garbage problem-Trillanes

MANILA, September 7, 2011-In order to address the worsening problem of waste disposal in the country, Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV pushes for the amendment of the Clean Air Act to allow the use of incinerators.

In light of the “trashslide” set off by heavy rains in Baguio City that killed six (6) people and buried homes below the mountain of garbage in Irisan dumpsite last month, Trillanes filed Senate Bill No. 225 to revise the law signed in 1999 where he said that waste management has become an issue and has posed serious problems in the country.

“This means that waste must be properly disposed in manner that it will not become a significant environmental burden,” Trillanes said, saying that one way of dealing with the perennial trash woes is to allow the operation of incinerators in the country as he noted that existing technology has made it safer while at the same time produce the much needed electric power.

Trillanes admitted that although there are serious environmental concerns about incineration, advances in emission control designs, along with strict standards and monitoring system have caused large reduction of pollution in the atmosphere.

The young legislator cited Japan where experts have made headway in emission control designs, and coupled with very stringent governmental regulations have substantially cut down the amount of dioxins and furans emissions using the technology.

“This is suitable for use in the country since it is difficult to secure final disposal sites due to our becoming limited land space. It is estimated that when incinerated, waste shall be reduced to approximately one-tenth of its weight and one-twentieth of its volume,” he pointed out.

He said that this is an opportune time to repeal Section 20 of the Clean Air Act (Republic Act 8749) and tap incinerators as a viable waste disposal method and promote it to generate power under the waste-to-energy (WTE) technology, adding that the technology provides for the safe disposal of waste without harmful emissions to the atmosphere, and at the same time, offers maximum benefits from the recovery of the valuable contents of the wastes from the cities. (Jason de Asis)

Aurora uphold as Central Luzon’s most peaceful province

BALER, Aurora, September 7, 2011-This province has retained its status as the most peaceful province with the lowest crime incidence in Central Luzon in 2011 despite the crime waves in thefts and robberies in the provincial capital town.

Aurora province registered 991 crimes from January to July based in the crime statistics from the Philippine National Police Regional Office 3 based in Camp Olivas, Pampanga.

Over the period, crime volume represents only four percent of the 24,401 crime incidents recorded in the entire region.

Stats showed that the province of Bulacan has the highest crime incidence with 9,647 followed by Pampanga with 3,305, Nueva Ecija (2,498), Bataan (2,185), Zambales (1,566) and Tarlac (1,131).

Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, regional intelligence chief said that the 24,401 crimes are lower by 25.77 percent compared to the 32,870 crimes listed over the same period last year.

Albayalde said of these crimes, 13,674 or 56.04 percent index crimes such as theft, physical injuries, robbery, carnapping, rape, murder and homicide while the remaining 10,727 (43.96 percent) are non-index crimes.

He said that 3,395 or 13.91 percent of these crimes are considered “solved” where the suspects have been arrested and charged in court while 5,207 or 21.37 percent are considered “cleared” where cases have been filed but the suspects are at large. 

Albayade attributed the dip in regional crime incidence to intensified police visibility in the streets and the conduct of massive simultaneous checkpoint operations targeting motorcycle-riding criminals.

Albayade said that the regional PNP, led by Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao also launched “I-Text Mo, Aksyonan Ko (Text and I will Act)” giving citizens a chance to report crime incidents in their locality through text messaging and the “Wanted Ka, Huli Ka! (You’re Wanted, You’re Caught)” website providing information on most wanted criminals in the region.

Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo lauded the PNP crime report. She said that we should be proud of the report, adding that the province was adjudged as the best performing local government unit (LGU) in the region and the 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion was adjudged best battalion by the 7^th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division recently. (Jason de Asis)

Senators pass foster care act of 2010

MANILA, September 6, 2011-The Senators’ unanimously approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2486 otherwise known as the “Foster Care Act of 2010,” which aims to establish a system that will promote foster care for homeless children by giving foster parents and donor agencies tax incentives.

The authors of the bill were Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Pia Cayetano. The bill that seeks to institutionalizes foster care as a primary child care program for abused, abandoned and neglected children in the country.

            

Senators Manuel Villar, Fancis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto,Franklin Drilon, Chiz Escudero, Manuel Lapid, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III were the co-authors of the bill.

The bill defines “foster care” as the provision of planned temporary substitute parental care to a child. A person must be of legal age and must meet a set of qualifications to prove that he/she is of good moral character and capable of providing for the needs of the foster child to qualify as a foster parent.

Cayetano advised that the government should give attention and consideration to foster care as a preferred way of caring for homeless children as opposed to the current practice of placing them in institutions, such as orphanages and youth centers. 

She said that there are not enough institutions to attend to the needs of abandoned and neglected Filipino children, not to mention the fact that these institutions cannot give the warmth and affection that a family could provide.

“Studies show that foster care creates a better living environment and develops better individuals as opposed to institutional care. Through foster care, children are given more attention and care in a home setting, thus providing them with more opportunities for normal, mental, spiritual, emotional and physical growth,” Cayetano said.

Estrada said that once the bill is enacted into law the government will provide assistance and tax incentives to foster parents, child caring agencies and donor institutions. Under the bill, foster parents will be provided with medical insurance through the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) if they are non-members at the time of foster care. They will also be provided with counseling, training on child care and development, skills training and livelihood assistance.

Estrada said that the bill provides that foster parents will be entitled to personal tax exemption and additional exemptions for dependents. The Department of Welfare and Development (DWSD) will also provide the foster child with a monthly support subsidy.

Under the provision of Section 30 of the Tax Code of the Philippines, article VI, Section 19 of the bill exempts non-government organizations accredited by the DWSD from paying income tax on the income derived by it as an organization

Likewise, donors will be exempted from donor’s tax under Article VI, Section 20 of the bill, provided that not more than 30 % of the amount of donations will be spent for administrative expenses.

The bill provides that while the local government units will primarily be responsible for foster care programs under the Local Government Code, the national government will provide financial support for the foster care programs. It will allocate P25 million for the first year of its operation, giving priority to third, fourth and fifth class municipalities.

To protect children from being exploited from their foster parent or parents, the measure also seeks to impose stiff penalties to violators. Article VII of Section 21 of the bill provides that any foster parent found to have committed any act of neglect, abuse, cruelty or exploitation and other similar acts shall be penalized in accordance with Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.”  The violator can also be charged under the other laws applicable to child abuse.

The same provision penalizes violating agencies with a P25,000 fine but not exceeding P50,000 for the first offense;  a not less than P50,000 fine but not exceeding P100,000 and cancellation of their license to operate for subsequent violations and/or imprisonment of one to six months.

The DSWD said that about 10,815 children were placed in institutional care in 42 of its facilities last 2009 annual report. The number represents children who were abandoned, neglected, abused or survivors of conflicts. The DSWD reported helping 42,672 cases of children who are in need of special protection in the same year. (Jason de Asis)

CBCP Youth Commission launches national tree planting day

MANILA, September 5, 2011―The Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines will launch the National Tree Planting day—a project for the celebration of the CBCP Year of the Youth—on September 8.

A total of 49,920 seedlings will be planted simultaneously throughout the country by representatives from various dioceses, religious organizations and government agency.

Participating in the national tree-planting campaign are the Archdioceses of Jaro and Cagayan de Oro; Dioceses of Balanga, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Bangued, Borongan, Laoag, Iligan, Urdaneta, Surigao, Malaybalay and Cabanatuan; Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, a parish in Danao City, Cebu, and the organizations CFC-Singles for Christ (SFC) and the National Youth Commission (NYC)

Fr. Alfredo Albor, Director of Care Foundation, stressed that this kind of activity helps our Mother Earth rebuild what is lost from her.

“Naniniwala tayo sa yugto ng seryosong pagkalinga sa buhay ng likha, being threaten by destructive humans such as mining, logging and global environmental crisis. [Perhaps] 200 years from now, wala nang tao na naglalakad sa mundong ito kasi wala na tayong napagkukunan ng shade, wala nang mga puno,” Albor said.

Albor added that the challenge of the church as the bearers of the faith, which is mandated for creation, is also to care for the flock of Jesus Christ.

“Jesus said to Peter, Peter, do you care for me? Peter answered, ‘Yes Jesus.’ ‘Care for my flock,’ Jesus said. What Jesus wanted to tell Peter was to care not just [for] human life but also for the environment because if you will destroy the environment, you will also destroy human life,” Albor further said.

He challenged the youth to expand their concerns, not just the issue of RH bill, but also to care for life of the environment.

“We must continue to nurture the seedlings that we planted, the protection of life that God created,” Albor said.

Care Foundation is ECY’s partner for the tree-planting activity.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Youth has tapped the collaboration of the Department of Education (DepEd) together with the office of the President for the declaration of Sept. 8 as a National Tree Planting day but due to some reasons, both agencies remained silent on the matter.

Though supportive of the Commission’s tree-planting activity, DepEd said it cannot declared the event as such for they have a continuous tie-up project with the DENR that also serves the purpose of what the commission on youth is aiming.

But in its letter to ECY, DepEd stated that if CBCP will declare Sept. 8 as NTPD, they will mobilize grades 5 and 6 pupils and secondary students to plant trees on the said date.

ECY executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta however, said the CBCP has already discussed the activity in its latest Pastoral Letter.

He said the government agencies will only have to quote the said activity and make a circular statement because it is already recognized by CBCP.

The tree planting activities in the diocesan, parishes, organizations and catholic school levels has been operational since January.

The 1 million trees project of the commission will be a whole year round activity and will end on January 2012. But the planted trees will be continuously taken care of by the people who have planted it. (Jandel Posion)

Trillanes bats reform in AFP promotion system

MANILA, September 5, 2011-To avoid politicking in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) appointment or promotion, Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV bats to strengthen the promotion system within the AFP by exempting lower-ranking officers from confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (COA) in concurrent resolution No. 9 which he filed at the senate.

Trillanes wants to amend Section 16, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution to allow the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) to have supervision and discretion over the appointment or promotion of military officers from colonel or naval captain and up except those of the service chiefs of the Army, Air Force and the Navy and the Chief of Staff of the AFP.

The President shall nominate, and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, shall appoint the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of captain or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in the Constitution under the 1987 Charter.

“The AFP and the DND can more than adequately screen the fitness and qualifications of lower ranking officers for such appointment or promotion,” Trillanes said.

The former Navy officer explained that the practice of confirmation by the COA from the rank of colonel or naval captain has unfortunately led to the political polarization of the AFP. Military officers up for appointment or promotion are being forced to play politics and kowtow to the desires and wishes of politicians in order to ensure that their appointments or promotions shall not be unduly blocked, regardless of the merits of such appointments or promotions, adding that this requirement is adversely affecting the promotion system in the AFP, which is supposed to be based principally on merit, fitness and qualifications instead of political connections.

The confirmation of the service chief’s of the Army, Air Force and Navy and the position of chief of staff of the AFP shall remain under the CA under the bill.

He added that needless to state, the Office of the President and the promotions board of the AFP and the DND are more than qualified and equipped to screen, vet and decide who among the officers of the AFP are qualified for appointment or promotion; thus, the requirement of compelling all officers of the AFP from the rank of colonel or naval captain to undergo the confirmation process is clearly superfluous.

Trillanes said that he pursue reforms for the welfare of men and women in uniform of the AFP. (Jason de Asis)

Forum to address dangers of internet on children

MANILA, Sept. 4, 2011—The Pro-life Philippines Foundation will hold a forum to address the dangers of unregulated exposure to the internet on children.

The forum seeks to educate the public on the upshots of a developing tech savvy culture in the country.

With their easy access to the internet, children become exposed to questionable values peddled online and child predators lurking in cyberspace.

Titled “Crimes against Children and Online Safety”, the forum will have Mr. Daniel Wartenweiler, Director of Onesimo Bulilit Foundation, Inc. as resource speaker. His talk will dwell mainly on how to keep children safe on the internet.

The seminar targets to reach parents, guardians, teachers, catechists, Church and lay leaders, social workers, counsellors/life coaches, youth group advisers and others who have direct contact with children and youth in their line of work.

Slated on September 24, the forum will be from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at the St. Joseph Retreat House in Bustillos, Sampaloc.

A registration of P300 will be asked from participants. The fee will cover one seminar kit, one snack and a certificate of participation signed by organizers.

Anyone interested may call up for additional information 733-7027; 734-9425, text through mobile# 0919-2337783; or email life@prolife.org.ph. (CBCPNews)

Vigan celebrates election of Benedictine Nuns’ 5th Abbess

VIGAN City, Sept. 4, 2011—The Benedictine Nuns of the Eucharistic King (BNEK), together with the faithful of Vigan, celebrated the abbatial blessing of Very. Rev. Mo. Abbess Maria Cielo Cortez, OSB at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey, on August 30.

Adorned with simplicity, the rare occasion of abbatial blessing was headed by Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto A. Salgado, who is known to be an oblate of said monastery, with newly ordained Bishop David William V. Antonio and Lingayen-Dagupan Auxiliary Bishop Renato P. Mayugba, in the presence of San Beda Abbot Tarcisius Narciso, OSB. A number of priests close to the nuns concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.

The Gospel reading of the blessing centered with the passage of the Good Shepherd. Archbishop Salgado reminded the community and especially Mother Abbess that, “Jesus the Good Shepherd leads His flock to green pastures. Jesus care for them. The Abbess of the community provides for the needs of her sisters especially in their spiritual food by her caring words and examples.”

Archbishop Salgado stressed to Mother Cielo that being an Abbess places her in the authority of her community and that this authority means serving her sisters.

Mother Cielo then received the Rule of Saint Benedict as her guide in her monastic duty, the ring which serves as a bond to her commitment, and the shepherd’s staff which symbolizes her pastoral duties to her community.

Mother Cielo hails from the Diocese of Legazpi and was born on July 23, 1954 at Guinobatan, Albay. She was christened with the name Elizabeth by her late parents, Thomas Cortez and Elizabeth Averilla.

Before entering the monastery, she studied Psychology and worked in different well-known companies in Metro Manila. On May 23, 1993 after a period of intense discernment, she entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey (IHMA) in Vigan, to become a member of the BNEK.

She professed her final religious vows on May 4, 2002 and was assigned to Rosa Mystica Cella house in Nalseb, Tublay, Benguet, which serves as the nearest chapel for the people of that mountainous terrain. She was later sent to Rome to take monastic formators studies.

On July 23, 2011, at her 57th birthday and her 18th year as a nun, she was elected by her own community as the 5th BNEK Abbess succeeding Rev. Mo. Celeste Nidea, OSB, who retired from her 12 years of service as abbess of the community.

The Benedictine of the Eucharistic King (BEK), composed of nuns and active sisters, was founded on April 2, 1929, by the late Rev. Mo. Edeltraud Danner, OSB, the first abbess who was originally a Benedictine Missionary Sister of Tutzing, with the acceptance of then Nueva Segovia Bishop Santiago Sancho in his own diocese.

It was in Baguio where the foundation was made public and stayed there until 1933 when Mountain Province and Baguio was separated from Nueva Segovia. The whole community was transferred to Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur in 1944 until once more on May 30, 1947 it was transferred to its present location in Vigan because of the growing community.

On May 18, 1986, the BEK was finally divided into two BNEK for the nuns and the Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King (BSEK) for the active sisters having been granted autonomy by the Holy See to form their own congregation.

There are now four BNEK monasteries in the world – IHMA in Vigan; Abtei Maria Frieden in Kirchschletten, Germany; Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Digos, Davao del Sur; and Our Lady of Divine Providence Monastery in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. The IHMA serves as the mother house of the congregation where the three others were founded.

The predecessors of Mo. Cielo are late Rev. Mo. Edeltraud Danner, OSB (1950-1973); late Mo. Rosemarie Enriquez, OSB, the first Filipina abbess (1973-1993); Mo. Ehrentrudis Fernandez, who is now in Calapan (1993-1999); and Mo. Celeste Nidea, who stays in Vigan (1999-2011). (Mark Vertido)

The untold story of ‘Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija’

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, September 4, 2011-A local historian here Friday revealed that Novo Ecijano revolutionaries led by General Mariano Llanera conspired with the parish priest of this town in launching the historic “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” 115 years ago which led to the conquest of the Spanish garrison in nearby San Isidro town.

Historian Jose Hipolito Jr. said that unknown to many, Llanera met secretly with revolutionary leaders from Arayat and Bacoor, Pampanga in the compound of Don Andres Romero and plotted the revolt in the eve of September 1, 1896.

Among those present in the meeting called by Llanera were Don Mariano Alejandrino of Arayat, former kapitan municipal Alipio Tecson, Silvino Sagcal, kapitan municipal Pantaleon Valmonte and Romero.

Hipolito said that the planned revolt had the blessings of parish priest Monsignor Saturnino Parungao.

“Before Llanera’s group marched to San Isidro, they even went to the St. John Nepomucene Church in Cabiao to hear Mass,” he said.

He said Llanera’s group proceeded to San Isidro at around 3 in the morning of September 2 and upon reaching the boundary of the two towns, started playing the musical instruments signaling the assault.

Hipolito narrated the “conspiracy” during the commemorative rites presided by local officials led by Mayor Gloria Congco at the municipal compound here Friday.

Hipolito earlier pointed out certain “historical errors” about the revolution, prompting Malacanang to call the attention of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to look into them to put the “Unang Sigaw” in its proper perspective.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) said the NHCP, led by its executive director Ludovico Badoy should conduct a thorough research on the historic event and make facts and figures accurate and realistic to give justice to its heroes.

Hipolito said one of these errors include accounts that up to 3,000 revolutionaries from this town marched towards San Isidro with the use of a “musikang bumbong,” saying only 753 revolutionaries laid siege in San Isidro and they marched there accompanied not by “musikang bumbong” but by a brass band.

Aside from the glaring historical inaccuracies, Congco also questioned why the center of celebrations for the annual event is often held in the provincial capital Palayan City and not in this town. She said she had nothing against holding festivities in other towns to commemorate the event for Novo Ecijanos to appreciate history but said Cabiao’s role should be given utmost importance.     

The event marked the day when Llanera and Valmonte led home-grown revolutionaries, armed only with 100 guns, bolos and pointed sticks in assaulting the Spanish garrison in San Isidro on September 2, 1896, two days after the “Unang Sigaw ng Balintawak.”

Waving black and red flag, the revolutionaries caught the Spanish guardia civil by surprise.

For its role in the revolution, the province earned its place in the Philippine flag as one of the eight rays of the sun, each ray representing the province that revolted against the Spaniards.

“This revolutionary conspiracy was the untold story in this town,” Hipolito said. (Jason de Asis)

Health secretary warned bird-watchers to beware of bird-flu

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, September 3, 2011-Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona yesterday warned bird-watchers at the Candaba Swamp to take extra precautions of the bird-flu virus.

Ona, represented executive secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. was here as guest speaker during the 115^th anniversary celebration of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” at the municipal compound said that he was not telling bird-watchers to shy away from the Candaba Swamp but to be extra careful.

He clarified that the quarantine procedure was not an exemption for President Aquino and his entourage. He said there was no such quarantine procedure. “Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit lumabas ‘yon (I don’t know why it came out in the papers)?” he said, referring to newspaper reports that the Chief Executive does not have to be placed in quarantine when he returns from his state visit to China.

Prior to this, the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Ogranization (FAO) warned the people that a mutant strain of bird flu was found in some poultry farms in northern and central Vietnam. Even the FAO also urged heightened readiness and surveillance against a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. (Jason de Asis)

Palace calls to rectify historical flaws on ‘Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija’

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, September 3, 2011-To set the heroism of General Mariano Llanera and other revolutionaries in its proper perspective,  Malacanang yesterday bats the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to look into several “historical errors” about events involving the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija”.

“The NHCP led by its executive director Ludovico Badoy should conduct a thorough research on the historic event and make facts and figures “accurate” and “realistic” to give justice to its heroes,” said Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO).

At the sidelines of the 115th anniversary of the revolution at the municipal compound here yesterday noon, Coloma said that there is a pressing need to rectify historical errors because facts and figures are significant in such a historic event as the Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija.

Coloma together with PCOO Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquinena, Philippine Coast Guard commandant, Admiral Ramon Liwag and Director Maria Montelibano among others were welcomed here by Congco, Vice Mayor Ernesto Talens Jr. and 88-year-old Aurora Llanera-Adriano, daughter of the late general.

Coloma reacted to the remarks made by local historians that historical documents and accounts of the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” were full of glaring errors and inaccuracies.

“One of these errors included the accounts that up to 3,000 revolutionaries from this town marched towards San Isidro with the use of a “musikang bumbong” where they assaulted the Spanish garrison in the afternoon of September 2, 1896,” local historian Jose Hipolito said.

He said that it is fatally wrong. The fact is only 753 revolutionaries laid siege in San Isidro and they marched there accompanied not by “musikang bumbong” but by a brass band.

“The 3,000 supposed revolutionaries were too bloated a number and would clearly constitute an overkill on the part of Llanera’s group since they were up against only 100 Spanish soldiers,” Hipolito said.

Hipolito revealed that he knew of no one who conducted a realistic and in-depth research about the revolution and its heroes. “I was the only one who went to the National Archives to conduct my own research,” he said.

Aside from the glaring historical inaccuracies, Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco also questioned that the center of celebrations for the annual event is often held in the provincial capital Palayan City and not in this town. She said she had nothing against holding festivities in other towns to commemorate the event for Novo Ecijanos to appreciate history but said Cabiao’s role should be given utmost importance.     

The 69-year-old head of the marching band that stormed the Spanish garrison in San Isidro also said Cabiao should be given recognition as the rightful venue for anniversary rites.

Raul Nogoy, Banda, ’96 leader said San Isidro (then known as Factoria) cannot be considered as the center of the celebrations neither because this was where the Spaniards held Fort.

Yesterday, Governor Aurelio Umali and Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos led similar anniversary rites at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in the provincial capital.

Vice Gov. Gay Padiernos in an interview during the
celebration of "Unang Sigaw sa Nueva Ecija".

Congco said it is only fitting that organizers consider Cabiao as the center of celebrations because General Llanera was from here, adding that the great revolutionary leader hailed from Barangay San Roque.

The event marked the day when Llanera and General Pantaleon Valmonte led home-grown revolutionaries, armed only with 100 guns, bolos and pointed sticks in assaulting the Spanish garrison in San Isidro on September 2, 1896, two days after the “Unang Sigaw ng Balintawak.”

Waving black and red flag, the revolutionaries caught the Spanish guardia civil by surprise.

The province earned its place in the Philippine flag as one of the eight (8) rays of the sun, each ray representing the province that revolted against the Spaniards as its role in the revolution. (Jason de Asis)

“Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” rites should rightfully be held in Cabiao

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija, September 2, 2011-Local officials have insisted that the center of celebrations for the annual “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija” (First Cry of Nueva Ecija) should be in this town and not in Palayan City.

Instead of Palayan, Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco told newsmen that organizers should give justice to the heroism of General Mariano Llanera by considering Cabiao as the center of celebrations.

“Cabiao should really be the center of the celebrations because General Llanera was from here,” Congco said, adding that the great revolutionary leader hailed from Barangay San Roque.

Congco came out with her remarks even as local officials will observe the 115^th anniversary of the revolution at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in Palayan City today.

The event marked the day when Llanera led home-grown revolutionaries in assaulting the Spanish garrison in San Isidro and freed hundreds of Katipuneros on September 2, 1896. For its role in the revolution, the province earned its place in the Philippine flag as one of the eight rays of the sun, each ray representing the provinces that revolted against the Spaniards.

Congco said that she had nothing against holding festivities in other towns to commemorate the event for Novo Ecijanos to appreciate history but said Cabiao’s role should be given utmost importance.     

The 66-year-old head of the marching band that stormed the Spanish garrison in nearby San Isidro town also said Cabiao should be given recognition as the rightful venue for anniversary rites.

Raul Nogoy, Banda, ’96 leader said the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) should set the record straight on the revolution. He said San Isidro (then known as Factoria) can not be considered as the center of the celebrations neither because this was where the Spaniards held fort.

“Don nagkuta ang mga kaaway so bakit doon (It was there where the enemy sought refuge so why hold it there),” he said.

The holding of the celebrations in Palayan has also come under fire from historians who said Novo Ecijanos seem to have lost their sense of history.

Noted historian Jose Hipolito Jr., the municipal planning and development coordinator, said Llanera and his fellow “coup plotters” met in the house of the Romeros here where they plotted the revolt. He said the Romeros were the ancestors of Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali.

Former municipal engineer Dante dela Cruz said since he was a kid, Cabiao has been commemorating the event yearly, unlike San Isidro which started observing the event only recently. He said Cabiao always plays a significant role in revolutions, citing the Hukbalahaps (Hukbo ng Bayan laban sa Hapon), one of whose leaders, Jesus Lava, was from Barangay Sinipit.

Local historical accounts said that when the Spaniards first laid siege in Manila, remnants of the forces of Rajah Sulayman sought refuge in this town. (Jason de Asis)

Mati’s media practitioners given media formation sessions

MATI, Davao Oriental, Sept. 2, 2011―Mati’s diocesan radio stations DXHM-AM and DXDV-97.5 Spirit FM have recently organized media formation sessions for its personnel, following the vision of its founder-director, Most Rev. Bishop Patricio H. Alo, D.D.

DXHM-AM, Heart of Mary station, now known as Radyo Totoo of the Catholic Media Network, has been giving media formation sessions to its workforce as its policy since its beginning 20 years ago.

The stations have expanded its vision of media formation this year by inviting outside media practitioners in order to deepen and strengthen their commitment to truth and human/Christian values amidst a divided, materialistic and violent world.

The media formation also aimed to improve one’s personal talents and technical know-how in the field of media, as well as to learn from one another’s experience and sharing as media practitioner.

Forty media practitioners composed of radio programmers, newscasters, reporters, block timers of both religious and secular programs, television servicemen, multi-media/internet specialists & technicians, office personnel, and interested students from the secondary and collegiate levels attended the media formation.

The diverse composition furthered the sense of unity, of “serving together as co-journeyers motivated to pray, act, and share our giftedness so that the media of social communications may bring the Gospel to all nations…as instruments of telling the truth and not in any way to injure others through word or deed,” so expressed the prayer purposely composed for Mass Media workers by the Program Dept. personnel.

Each participant was given opportunity to talk about his/her program during the session.

Professor Lillibeth Galvez, resource speaker from the Devcom Dept. of the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology gave tips for professional performance improvement while station Program Directress Sr. Marietta Alo, OND facilitated spontaneous reactions and suggestions towards mutual acquaintance, support, and promotion, bringing out the best of each program.

Fr. Roland Sayman shed light on the Vatican II document on social communications, Inter Mirifica, as well as underlining the use of digital technologies in the Service of the Word, as written in various World Communications Day messages of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. .

In his inspirational message, Bishop Alo stressed the goal of evangelization, saying, “our prime interest has been to proclaim the truth in all sincerity and fidelity since that was the last instruction of Jesus which we read in St. Mark’s gospel chapter 16 verse 16: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.’”

The bishop further explained that for success in the media apostolate—radio, TV and print—“it is important that deep in the heart we want only to communicate that which is true, good and beneficial to humanity without the vested interests or hidden agenda…to let the saving truths of Jesus reach as many as possible, living by truth and in love as St. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians 4:15.” (Sr. Marietta Alo, OND)

Reds collapsed in recovering their mass base in Aurora, says top army official

BALER, AURORA, September 2, 2011-A top army official here in Aurora revealed that the New People’s Army (NPA) collapsed in recovering their mass base in the recent clash at Sitio Balagbag, Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, Aurora.

Ltc Kurt Decapia, 48^th Infantry “Guardians” Battalion chief said Thursday that the rebels’ target to regain their lost ground ended, manifesting that the villagers of Aurora including the local government, private sectors and non-government organization did not support them anymore; hence, weakening the rebels strength.

“The rebels attempted to conduct extortions, recruitments and atrocities but collapsed in the entire province. We are all inspired for the full support of Aurorans,” Decapia said.

Decapia recalled that the 48^th IB army troops led by 2lt Edwin Lauro clashed to more or less fifty (50) rebels who were on the actual massive recruitments and extortion activities at Barangay Dimanayat, San Luis, saying that the leftist armed group came from the different units of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA for recovery effort in their lost ground in the province.

“The battled lasted for more or less one hour where the rebels run for their lives and spread to different directions to avoid the military,” Decapia said.

“The government recovered a pack of simcards, medicine kit, subversive documents and four (4) claymore mines to be used for sabotage in the government projects in Aurora,” Decapia furthered, explaining that numerous blood stained were found in the encountered site that came from the rebels.

He said that Pfc Edwin Dacayo was slightly wounded during the battle. Dacayo was airlifted to Camp Ravina and then brought to Aurora Memorial Hospital, then was eventually brought to AFP Medical Center in Quezon City.

Prior to the encounter, Decapia said that the rebels attempted to sow terror to the villagers of Brgy. Diteki were more or less ten (10) rebels harassed the army detachment. Soldiers are conducting “Bayanihan Program” which aimed to help the barangay officials and the populace in their peace and development program.

The following day at around 9:10 in the morning Saturday, two (2) NPA planted detonated explosives near the bridge of Diteki highway while on their way back towards the battalion headquarters. Only one detonated explosive blasted.

“There was no reported casualty in the government side in the twin harassment to the army,” Decapia said, explaining that the villagers of Diteki denounced the move of the NPA. “The soldiers were there to help the villagers unlike the NPA who wreck havoc among the villagers," he said.

“The rebels attack means that they did not only attack the soldiers but moreso the villagers who already outcast them,” Decapia said.

It could be remembered that the local officials together with the hundreds of villagers gathered in Diteki basketball court and requested the army to stay in their barangay as their counterpart in the peace, livelihood and development program.

Decapia said that the incident was a desperate retaliation of the rebels to the military after the encounter at Barangay Diarabasin, Dipaculao last July 10, 2011 which were allegedly conducting recruitment and recovery efforts three (3) kilometers away from the villagers.

“We recovered one (1) body count among the rebels at the encounter site while others were reportedly died during the fire exchange while the others were wounded in action based in the blood stained in their route of withdrawal,” Decapia said. “We also recovered M16 rifle, explosives and personal belongings of the NPA,” he added.

“Due to the diminishing number of the leftist group due to the surrender of their members and without the support of the civilians, it is seen that they will merge as one big group and focus their terrorism activities in a targeted area to fool the people to believe that they are still strong and powerful. With what they did the more the people dislike them as they spread havoc in the barangay,” Decapia emphasized.

Decapia said that the series of encounter in Aurora manifest the success of the government and the masses to stop the rebels’ comeback in the province. “The people already outcast them,” he said.

He added that the various engagements were efforts of the populace in the barangays and that’s the reason why they immediately conducted hot pursuit operation against the rebels who left the province.

Decapia lauded the barangay officials, local government units, non-government organizations, and the civilians who supported them in their campaign in maintaining the province’s status as insurgency free.

“I always explained that the basis of insurgency free in a province is the full support of the masses against the CPP/NPA,” Decapia said, adding that he is expecting another story from the rebels that they win in their objective but the people know what is the reality.

“The outright rejection of the barangay residents in the presence of CPP/NPA in their community is a basis to state that the province is insurgency free. The soldier will not stop in pursuing the leftist would like to hinder development of the province particularly in maintaining peaceful lives,” Decapia ended. (Jason de Asis)